Annual report offers industry’s most comprehensive list of acquisitions; market brisk in 2013; Chrysler/Jeep franchises led activity

Detroit, MI –February 11, 2014 – The Banks Report, the retail auto industry’s leading online source for analysis and insight, today released The 2014 Dealership Acquisition Report, the auto industry’s most comprehensive assessment and analysis of dealership acquisition activity from the previous year.

Covering national and international activity across 2013, the report paints a picture of a year that showed more robust acquisition activity than in previous years (although public dealer group activity was flat), with over 202 dealerships/286 franchises changing hands. Activity was at its most brisk in the first and last months of 2013, while Chrysler/Jeep brands led all franchises for number of acquisitions. The report segments buy/sell activity by public dealer group/franchise, brand and segment.

"This report reveals a market in flux, although US public dealer groups buy/sell activity in 2013 was flat compared to 2012," says Cliff Banks, founder and president of The Banks Report. "The public dealer groups continue to exercise a disciplined acquisition strategy which keeps the market from being more active. Also, there are numerous challenges in getting a deal across the finish line.”

2013 Dealership Acquisition Report Highlights

• 180 U.S. Dealerships and 260 Franchises changed hands
• 34 U.S. acquisitions made by the public groups
• 146 U.S. acquisitions made by private groups
• Domestic brands accounted for 50% of all acquisitions
• Chrysler and Jeep led all brands with each accounting for 19 acquisitions

"The Chrysler brands were the hottest in 2013 when it came to acquisitions," says Banks. "Several dealers who made it through the bloodbath in 2009 know this is the time to get out. Their sale prices are as high as they'll ever be due to Chrysler having had more than 40 straight months of sales increases. The buyers primarily are well-capitalized local dealers looking to add to their portfolios at prices that still are fairly reasonable."

The entire 2014 Dealership Acquisition Report is available to subscribers of The Banks Report. To subscribe go to: http://www.thebanksreport.com/subscription-information.html

About The Banks Report

The Banks Report is an online weekly analysis of the automotive retail space covering manufacturers, vendors and dealers. The weekly report features cutting edge trends, predictions of potential acquisitions and insight into the biggest news stories. In addition to providing analysis not found elsewhere, The Banks Report also has broken numerous stories in the previous year. Subscribers include investors, analysts, dealer, vendor and manufacturer executives.

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