Kenny Ross Subaru: A New Era of Ownership

The Shifting Sands of Automotive Ownership: What You Need to Know About Kenny Ross Subaru

The automotive landscape is in constant flux, with dealerships frequently changing hands. For residents of North Huntingdon and the wider Southwestern Pennsylvania region, the name Kenny Ross has been a familiar sight along Route 30 for decades. However, recent transactions have seen significant shifts in ownership, including for the Kenny Ross Subaru dealership. This article delves into the recent sales, exploring who has acquired these automotive fixtures and what it means for the local community.

A Major Dealership Acquisition in North Huntingdon

A prominent automotive dealership, a long-standing fixture on Route 30 in North Huntingdon since the early 1950s, has been purchased by a group already well-established in the Southwestern Pennsylvania automotive market. The Kenny Ross Chevrolet Buick GMC, a name synonymous with local car sales, has recently been acquired by Riverview Automotive Group. Following this acquisition, the dealership has been rebranded as Riverview Chevrolet, Buick GMC.

The driving force behind Riverview Automotive Group is Chris DeCuir, who co-owns the company with his father, Patrick. The strategic decision to purchase the North Huntingdon dealership was motivated by a desire to be geographically closer to their existing operations. "This was an opportunity to be close to our other dealership," DeCuir explained. The new acquisition is located approximately 6 miles from their Riverview Chevrolet in White Oak. Furthermore, the DeCuir family also operates Washington Chevrolet in South Strabane, expanding their regional footprint.

Navigating Economic Headwinds

Chris DeCuir, who manages Riverview Chevrolet under the banner of DeCuir Automotive Group, revealed that the family learned of the dealership's availability through GMC. While the specific purchase price remains undisclosed, DeCuir expressed confidence in the acquisition, even in the face of economic challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. "The fact that the nation’s economy has taken such a hit from the covid-19 restrictions did not deter the family from buying the dealership," he stated. He further elaborated that the shutdown, which prohibited new car sales for nearly two months in the spring, did not hinder their business. Crucially, the service, parts, and auto body repair departments of dealerships were permitted to remain operational, allowing companies like theirs to continue serving customers.

DeCuir emphasised the importance of customer service in business growth: "Customer service ‘is how you grow the business.’" A testament to their commitment to continuity and local employment, the existing staff of between 60 and 70 employees has been retained following the sale.

The Journey of Ownership: From GPB to Local Hands

The transaction details are still being processed with the Recorder of Deeds. The Chevrolet dealership itself, situated on 11.5 acres along the south side of Route 30, was previously owned by 11250 US 30 Realty LLC. This entity is part of the GPB Automotive Portfolio, based in New York City. County records indicate that this New York City-based company acquired the dealership for $6.5 million in March 2018 from KR-C II. KR-C II was owned by James Ross, Anthony Ross, and Joanne Ross Simon. The business had been operating under a lease agreement with KR-C II, which was terminated last month, paving the way for the new ownership.

Chris DeCuir expressed satisfaction with the return of local ownership: "It’s nice to bring it (ownership) back to the local area."

Understanding the GPB Automotive Context

It's important to understand the broader context surrounding the sale of these dealerships. The GPB ownership group, which held the previous stake in the Kenny Ross Chevrolet Buick GMC, was reportedly under pressure from some automakers to divest its dealerships. This pressure stemmed from a change in leadership within a firm where GPB owned a majority stake, Prime Automotive Group, according to Automotive News. GPB Automotive is a component of GPB Capital Holdings, a New York-based entity that has been the subject of various lawsuits and ongoing federal and state investigations.

Nancy Sterling, a spokeswoman for Prime Automotive in Boston, clarified their position. Prime Automotive, recognised as the 11th largest dealership group nationally, sold the Kenny Ross Automotive Group as part of a long-term strategy to centralise operations in New England. Sterling stated that this decision was not a result of pressure to sell any specific dealerships. The sale of the Kenny Ross Automotive Group was reportedly the only dealership in Pennsylvania that Prime Automotive divested during this strategic realignment.

Attempts to get further comments from DeCuir regarding this specific aspect were declined. Similarly, a spokesperson for Capital Holdings could not be reached for comment, and two GMC spokeswomen in Detroit did not respond to requests for information.

Kenny Ross Subaru and Mazda: New Owners Emerge

The property that housed Kenny Ross Subaru also underwent a recent sale. Last month, it was sold for $8.45 million by 11331 US 30 Realty LLC, another GPB-affiliated company based in New York City. The buyer in this transaction was North Huntingdon APA RE LLC, a company based in Miami Lakes, Florida. These details are documented in filings with the Recorder of Deeds office.

Similarly, the Kenny Ross Mazda property, also located on Route 30, was sold last month. The seller was 11333 US Realty 30 LLC, yet another GPB company. The buyer was again North Huntingdon APA RE LLC, and the sale price was $880,000. Kenny Ross Automotive Group, operating under the name KRAG-M, had its lease on the Mazda property terminated on September 10th, according to filed documents.

Kenny Ross Ford's Property Transaction

The dealership operations were not the only assets changing hands. The 6.2-acre property encompassing the Kenny Ross Ford dealership on Route 30 in Hempfield was also part of these recent sales. Last month, it was sold for $6.58 million by Blackhill Road Realty LLC, an entity associated with GPB Automotive. The purchaser was Adamsburg APA RE LLC., which shares the same Florida address as North Huntingdon APA.

Further tracing the history, Adamsburg Realty Partners, under the ownership of James Ross, Anthony Ross, and Joanne Simon Ross, had initially sold the Ford dealership property in March 2018 for $6.5 million to Blackhill Road Realty. Adamsburg Realty had then leased the property back to Kenny Ross Automotive Group. This lease agreement was also terminated last month, aligning with the broader divestment of these assets.

Service Centre Locations: Clarifying the Network

For customers seeking service, it's important to note the current operational status and locations. While the ownership of the broader Kenny Ross Automotive Group has seen significant changes, the service centres associated with these brands continue to operate. Specifically, regarding Kenny Ross Ford service centres, they are located in North Huntingdon and Pittsburgh. Within North Huntingdon, you will find Kenny Ross Mazda and Kenny Ross Subaru. In Pittsburgh, the locations are Kenny Ross Ford and Kenny Ross Ford South.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Who owns Kenny Ross Subaru now?
The property containing Kenny Ross Subaru was sold last month by a GPB company to North Huntingdon APA RE LLC of Miami Lakes, Florida.

Q2: Who bought the Kenny Ross Chevrolet Buick GMC dealership?
It was purchased by Riverview Automotive Group, owned by Chris and Patrick DeCuir, and has been renamed Riverview Chevrolet, Buick GMC.

Q3: Why were the Kenny Ross dealerships sold?
While Prime Automotive Group stated it was part of a strategy to centralise operations, reports suggest GPB Automotive Group was under pressure from automakers to sell its dealerships due to leadership changes and ongoing investigations related to GPB Capital Holdings.

Q4: Where can I get my Kenny Ross Ford serviced?
Kenny Ross Ford service centres are located in North Huntingdon (which also houses Kenny Ross Mazda and Kenny Ross Subaru) and Pittsburgh (Kenny Ross Ford and Kenny Ross Ford South).

Conclusion: A New Chapter for a Local Legacy

The recent sales of dealerships formerly under the Kenny Ross banner mark a significant transition. While the names on the buildings may be changing, and the corporate ownership structures are evolving, the commitment to serving the automotive needs of Southwestern Pennsylvania remains. The acquisition by Riverview Automotive Group signifies a return to local ownership for some of these key dealerships, while other properties have transitioned to new entities. Understanding these changes is crucial for consumers and stakeholders alike as the automotive industry continues its dynamic evolution.

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