Lithia Motors announced the acquisition of Downtown Los Angeles Auto Group, a move that could add $1 billion to Lithia’s annual revenue. Photo by Edgar Zuniga Jr.
MEDFORD, Ore. — Lithia Motors Inc. has acquired Downtown Los Angeles Auto Group (DTLA), comprised of Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, and Volkswagen stores located in downtown Los Angeles as well as a Nissan store in nearby Carson, Calif.
On a forecasted annualized basis, DTLA can generate $1 billion in revenue and $0.55 in earnings per share, according to Bryan DeBoer, Lithia’s president and CEO, who announced the company will increase its 2017 guidance to a range of $8.55 to $8.70 per share.
“We are pleased to continue our robust acquisition cadence of purchasing strong assets with considerable upside,” DeBoer said. “These stores are located in the fast-growing downtown area, within close proximity to the Staples Center and L.A. Live, and are among the largest volume stores of their brands in the nation. We are excited to partner with Elay Sung and the entire Downtown L.A. team to accelerate their growth.”
DTLA joins DCH, Carbone and the Baierl Auto Group to further diversify Lithia and grow through sharing best practices, high-performing people and innovative technology. Lithia is strengthening its omnichannel retail strategy focused on expanding its customer base from coast to coast.
“This opportunity deploys approximately half of the $300 million raised in our recent senior notes offering,” said DeBoer. “The remaining funds from the notes offering, our free cash flow and a recently increased syndicated credit facility support our continued growth cadence. Improving performance to realize the full potential of our acquisitions achieves greenfield rates of return.”
