Insights & Articles

If you own a car dealership, you may feel as if times are good right now. You may have been thinking of selling your business in recent years but have changed your mind now as you’re making more money than ever. Yet, while it may be tempting to sit on those profits and hang on to your valuable asset, storm clouds may be gathering on the horizon.

I think I can honestly say I’ve never seen another year quite like 2020 in the car business. I also think 2021 is going to be equally astonishing. Here’s why.

When the pandemic hit the auto industry in March 2020, dealers everywhere started tightening their belts. Eventually most found themselves with increased profits as a result. But Dr. Dorian Boyland was already months ahead of them.

“Bridge Deals” bring first-time owners and long-time owners together for profitable partnerships

Echoes of 2008 are everywhere. The stock market is extremely volatile. Unemployment is skyrocketing. Consumers are uncertain about the future. Is this the worst possible time to list your dealership? Actually, no. Why? Because this is not 2008.

In the last several weeks, NBB brokers have talked to hundreds of dealers across the country. We’re in dozens of conversations each day, and we are hearing great examples of innovation and progress in the face of disruption. 

Tony Pappas’ Inspiring Rise from Salesman to Dealer Principle

After years in the auto industry, one of the most frequent questions I get from dealers is “should I consider transferring my business to one of my children?”

I hate to see this happen, but sadly, it’s not uncommon. When an owner decides it’s time to sell his dealership, sometimes he takes his eye off the ball. And it costs him hundreds of thousands of dollars.

If you’re like most dealership owners we know, you don’t like to think about selling your dealership. We get that. It’s a complicated process with a lot of emotional baggage — it can feel overwhelming. Read more...

A monster wave can crush you, or give you the ride of your life. Surfers will tell you that the difference often comes down to timing. There is a monster wave coming for the auto industry and the media is calling it the Silver Tsunami. It is a wave of Baby Boomers hitting retirement age at a rate of 10,000 a day. Read more...

Scott Biehl set out on a path 32 years ago to own his own car dealership, and he has moved higher and higher up the ladder toward that dream over the years. He reached the top of the ladder last week when he became the dealer principal of Mercedes-Benz of Fresno. Read more...

Ramon Alverez owned Alvarez Jaguar in Riverside, California, for almost 25 years. It’s never an easy decision to sell a business you’ve poured your blood, sweat and tears into, but Alvarez decided it was time. Read more...

How many times have you said, “When I retire, I’m going to _____?” Golf? Vacation? Hang out with the grandchildren? Learn five question to ask before you decide to retire. Read more...

When a car dealership owner decides to sell a store, it is a big — even life-changing — decision. The dealership is more than a business. It's an identity. It's a legacy. See the 3 rules for a successful sale. Read more...