With such heated competition in the U.S. buy sell market, did you ever think of looking overseas for acquisitions, perhaps in Europe? Several of the publicly-listed dealership groups have long owned dealerships in Europe. Indeed, Penske Automotive is the largest dealership group in Europe.
Of course, acquiring a dealership in Europe is somewhat complex if all your income is in US dollars. Those pesky exchange rates have to be factored in. There are other differences to consider, too. In this week’s issue, Steve Young of International Car Distribution Programme (that spelling gives away his non-U.S. location) looks at opportunities and pitfalls to acquiring a dealership in Europe.
Also this week we have a Women in Automotive profile. Cheryl Bedford is one of what is becoming a rarer breed in the dealership business, a single point dealer. Bedford, the new chairperson of the California New Car Dealers Association, and the first woman to fill that position, is plenty happy to stay small, but she is about to take on some big responsibilities for the year with the CNCDA.
We also have Transaction News.
Enjoy!
