Bel Air Partners is a boutique investment banking firm focused exclusively on representing automotive dealers in buying and selling their dealerships.
The partners have assisted automobile dealers in the purchase or sale of 135+ franchises with sales of over
$4.5 billion and with transaction values in the $10 million to
$200 million range.
Recent Transactions
Bel Air Partners served as financial advisor to the seller for the following transactions:
Princeton BMW/Mini was sold to Asbury Automotive Group.
Cooper Nissan of Lehigh Valley was acquired by Kelly Automotive Group.
Lujack's Northpark Auto Plaza was acquired by Gurley Leep Automotive.
Dayton Automotive Group was acquired by multiple investors.
Sussman Automotive NJ stores (BMW, Acura, Honda) were acquired by Group 1 Automotive.
Hall Automotive was acquired by Atlantic Automotive Corp. / Mile One Automotive.
Largest US Cadillac Dealership Sold
Gold Coast Cadillac/Hummer, the nation's largest volume Cadillac dealership, was acquired by Serra Automotive Inc. from the Fletcher brothers -- Jack, Ed, Bob and Tom. Located in Oakhurst, NJ, Gold Coast Cadillac sells approximately 2,500 new and used retail units annually. One of the nation's top five Hummer franchises, Gold Coast's Hummer sales are about 800 new and used units. Read more.
Sandler Featured Speaker at World Congress
Sheldon Sandler, Bel Air Partners founder, was one of the featured speakers at the Automotive News World Congress on January 21-24, 2008, at the Detroit Marriott Renaissance Center. Sandler, who is one of the leading authorities on dealership acquisitions, focused on the constantly evolving dealership environment. Read more.
NADA Elite Dealer Dinner and IQ Quiz
Dealers from across the country gathered together for the annual Bel Air Partners Elite Dealer Dinner at the NADA Convention in San Francisco on Saturday, February 9, 2008, co-sponsored by Capital Automotive and Crowe Chizek. The Elite Dealer IQ Quiz, an irreverent and challenging test of industry knowledge, topped the informal evening. Click here to see who won the Elite Dealer Cup.
Be Cautious About Chinese Imports
Will a Chinese import be the next Toyota? That possibility has captured the imagination of many dealers, even though most experts believe that the first Chinese imports to the US are years away. Bel Air Partners' CEO, Sheldon Sandler, cautions dealers about potential business relationships with Chinese auto manufacturers. Read more.