Company’s sales and finance entities.

Lee Auto Malls is pleased to announce that they have acquired the assets of the Linnehan’s Credit Now! Auto Company sales dealerships, and their related finance company, Atlantic Acceptance Corporation, which is located in Trenton, Maine.  The merger brings together two of the largest volume used vehicle dealers in the state, with the resulting alliance serving the people of Maine from Presque Isle to Saco.  The Lee Group has 12 sales locations, primarily in the Southern and Western Maine areas, while Credit Now! Auto Company operates 8 sales locations, focusing on Northern and Central Maine.

Lee Auto Malls President Adam Lee commented, “We are very pleased to be able to make this acquisition for our Company.  We have known the Linnehans and their organization for many years, dating back to when my father, Shep, used to do business with John Linnehan, Sr.  As friendly competitors, we have admired their successes over they years, and we really feel like this is a great fit for both organizations.”  According to Lee Auto Mall Westbrook President Don Lee, “The negotiation process went very smoothly, and we are excited to be retaining all of their very talented executive team to help ensure that this merger is nothing but positive for everyone involved, especially the thousands of customers.”  Chief Executive Officer John Isaacson added, “We are planning on keeping the 8 existing locations under the Credit Now! brand, and retaining the existing employees, so it really should be ‘business as usual.’”

Credit Now!’s Chief Operating Officer John Linnehan, Jr. will be focusing his efforts toward ministry.  Linnehan commented, “In order to fully pursue my passion to share the Gospel, I felt I needed to find a new owner for my business interests, and the first organization I thought of was the Lee group.  I thought then, and it has been confirmed in our recent dealings with them, that they are a first class organization, managed by competent, compassionate leaders, that will continue to treat our customers and our associates in the quality manner for which we have always strived.  I know they have exciting plans for taking the foundation we have established, and moving it to the next level, and I am excited to see the great things in store for the people of Maine as a result of this merger.”

The Lee Auto Malls family of automotive dealerships has been serving customers throughout Maine since 1936.  In addition to the largest used vehicle selection in Maine, they also carry new vehicles, including Toyota, Scion, Honda, Nissan, GMC, Cadillac, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep.  They can be visited at any of their 12 sales locations in Auburn, Augusta, Lewiston, Newport, Norway, Saco, Topsham, Westbrook and Windham, or online at http://leeauto.com/
 
Credit Now! Auto Company is consistently Maine’s #1 Sales Volume Used Vehicle Dealer.  They have 8 locations, in Bangor, Brewer, Oakland, Lincoln, Westbrook, Auburn, Presque Isle, and Ellsworth, and also meet transportation needs for their clients Statewide, via their unique Home Delivery Program.  They are a 4 generation Maine family business, and have been meeting the transportation needs of the people of Maine since 1950!

10/14/09