In a few days I’m off to Beijing to attend Auto China. While we read a lot these days about various Chinese internet companies’ plans to produce Tesla-killer electric vehicles, we don’t read about Chinese dealership groups shopping for dealerships here in the U.S. That day will come.
Meanwhile, plenty of other foreign investors are shopping for U.S. dealerships. Ira Silver and his son David, both of whom work at MBAF Certified Public Accountants and advisors, are seeing a lot more foreign investors looking into the U.S. dealership market. Last year they worked on four such deals, up from three in 2014. Those buyers were mainly from South America. And of course Mexican automotive groups have been actively snapping up dealerships here in the U.S., especially Nissan franchises.
Those kinds of cross-border deals are even more complex than your average buy/sell transaction. In this issue, Ira and David detail some of the differences. Bottom line: Best to have a team with experience doing cross-border transactions if you want to play in that ballpark.
Family dealership groups are always a pleasure to speak with. This week, I profile the Glockner Family of Dealerships in the Ohio River Valley. The group has been on a bit of an acquisition spree the last two years, and it was fascinating to learn its approach to introducing The Glockner Way to those newly-acquired franchises.
Also this week we have, of course, Transaction News.
Enjoy!
