Jack Walsworth

Lithia Motors' activity continued with the acquisition of a Canadian store in early February.

Foundation Automotive Corp. and Alpha Auto Group recently expanded in Tennessee and California, respectively.

Foundation Automotive Corp. of Calgary continues to buy dealerships in Texas. It's latest purchase is Mercedes-Benz of Wichita Falls.

Foundation Automotive Corp. expanded into Tennessee last week, buying three domestic dealerships and one import store.

Partners Scott Elliott and Mike Bezzoubkin bought Chip Banks Chevrolet-Buick in Du Quoin, Ill.

Lithia Motors' net income soared 119 per cent in the first quarter, which was aided by increased new- and used-vehicle sales and higher vehicle selling prices.

Foundation Automotive Corp. of Canada bought five franchised dealerships in Texas on Wednesday, including its first BMW store.

Several Canadian dealership groups have expanded into the United States and continue to look to add stores. Dealers and buy-sell experts say Canadians are attracted by generally lower dealership prices in the United States compared with their home country, bigger scale and diversification opportunities and the warmer weather, among various reasons.

Canada had been described as Lithia Motors Inc.'s No. 1 expansion target. The publicly traded dealership group made its first acquisition there last week.

Foundation Automotive is planning to nearly double its store count this year with 16 to 18 acquisitions in the U.S.

Bill Peffer, who spent just one week as COO and executive vice president at Kia Motors America, will lead all operations for the Italian exotic brand in the U.S. and Canada.

The nine finalists for 2021 North American Car, Truck and Utility of the Year are three Asian sedans, three American pickups and a group of utilities consisting of a resurrected nameplate, a Mustang-inspired electric vehicle and a burgeoning luxury brand's first crossover.

The recent uptick in COVID-19 cases made a February show unrealistic, a spokesman said. Organizers are working with the city and state health departments to figure out when the event can be held.

Subaru is bolstering its BRZ coupe with a redesign focused around a new engine, an upgraded interior and smoother styling.

The British exotic brand, in the latest tweak to its North American retail operations, is retiring McLaren Qualified after seven years.