Twin Cities Stores Sell
Minnesota-based Walser Automotive Group made what it called the most significant acquisition in its history with a three-rooftop deal in Minneapolis.

Walser Automotive Group has over 30 locations across Minnesota and Kansas.
Walser Automotive Group acquired Metropolitan Ford, Freeway Ford and Suburban Chevrolet in Minneapolis, from Metropolitan Corp.
Metropolitan retains its Rosedale Chevrolet and Superior Ford locations, which are operated by the current owners and their children. It plans to invest proceeds of the sale in other ventures., said Haig Partners, which advised it on the transaction.
Walser Automotive was founded in 1954 in Minnesota and now also operates dealerships in Kansas, representing a variety of premium and mass-market brands.
The group, which now has 35 rooftops, said the latest transaction is the most significant acquisition in its history and will add nearly 300 employees to the organization.
“It is rare to find this kind of alignment with established dealerships, great teams, and a market we know well,” said group CEO Andrew Walser. “Bringing them in is a meaningful investment in the Twin Cities and in Walser’s long-term future.”
More Industry

U.S. Auto Sales Still Below Prepandemic Levels
Mobility Global industry observers don’t expect the market to return to the higher volumes that became routine before Covid but to stay well below its potential.
Read More →
The Powertrain Shift
Electric-vehicle owners are backpedaling, according to new data, with product availability driving many to shift back to gas-powered engines.
Read More →
Achromatic Autos
The shades that dominate the U.S. car market don’t call attention to themselves, though grayscale may have plateaued after a 30-year upswing, research shows.
Read More →
Used-Vehicle Affordability Worsens
Listing prices in August defied seasonal trends, rising above $27,000 for the second time this year.
Read More →
First-Half Dealership Deals Up
Buy-sell activity shows that acquirers are looking for value and scale as many retailers seek to leave an increasingly competitive and complex market, Kerrigan Advisors reports.
Read More →
Kia Closes Out Summer With a Bang
Its U.S. subsidiary broke multiple records in August, in part due to a surge of demand for hybrids models.
Read More →
Indiana Dealership Changes Hands
A 30-year-old Ford dealership in Indiana has a new owner and will soon be undergoing renovations to meet manufacturer requirements.
Read More →
Texas Dealership No Longer in the Family
The Ford store, a longtime cornerstone of the Houston market, is now part of one of the fastest-growing U.S. auto groups.
Read More →
Genesis Grows California Presence
The Cardinale Automotive Group opened its third Genesis rooftop in the Golden State, Genesis of San Bruno, a stand-alone dealership serving the San Francisco Bay Area.
Read More →
August Auto Sales a Mixed Bag
An early forecast shows strong business despite consumer hurdles, and hybrids are a big piece of their affordability coping strategy.
Read More →