Berkshire Hathaway Completes Acquisition of Van Tuyl Group
Warren Buffet’s company has completed its acquisition of the Van Tuyl Group, the largest privately held dealership group in the United States. The transaction was announced in October.
OMAHA, Neb. And DALLAS — Berkshire Hathaway Inc. completed its acquisition of the Van Tuyl Group on Tuesday. The transaction, announced in October, is the largest in the retail automotive industry’s history, officials said.
Van Tuyl Group, the largest privately held dealership group in the United States, has been renamed Berkshire Hathaway Automotive and is headquartered in Dallas. Larry Van Tuyl will serve as chairman of the board of the new company. Jeffrey C. Rachor, formerly Van Tuyl Group’s president, will be chief executive officer of the enterprise.
The cornerstone of the Van Tuyl business model is local entrepreneurial dealership managers with minority ownership stakes, officials said. Every managing partner has enthusiastically committed to stay on with Berkshire Hathaway Automotive and they will remain equity partners in their respective dealerships.
“This is the beginning of a journey that will have no end,” said Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. “Cecil and Larry have given us the ideal platform with which to build an auto dealership business that will be thriving and growing 50 and 100 years from now. The fun has just started.”
“Mr. Buffett and I made this deal on a handshake and it is no surprise that completing the transaction went smoothly and according to plan,” Van Tuyl said. “Berkshire Hathaway’s acquisition of the Van Tuyl Group has been embraced by all internal and external stakeholders. I want to take this opportunity to thank our manufacturer partners for their universal support and approval of the transfer of their franchises. Warren Buffett and Berkshire Hathaway are the perfect owners of this business. My father Cecil, the original founder of the Van Tuyl Group, would be very proud today.”
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →