The sale of Team Gunther represents the 172nd and 173rd dealerships the team at Haig Partners has bought or sold in the Southeast.
Fort Lauderdale, FL. – Haig Partners LLC, the leading buy-sell advisory firm to higher-value auto dealers, served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Josh and Ashley Gunther on the sale of Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen located in Daphne, AL, to Tal Vickers of the Springhill Automotive Group of Mobile, AL.
Josh Gunther, Dealer Principal, Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen, said, “As Ashley and I were evaluating our strategic options with Pete, it became clear that market conditions were very attractive. It was the right time for us to explore other opportunities. Ashley and I are extremely proud of the business and the reputation we built at Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen. We have had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many great people over the years. This certainly wasn’t an easy decision, but the team at Haig Partners made it a smooth transaction. We were grateful for Pete’s knowledge of the process, the depth of his relationships, and his commitment to finding the right buyer. We congratulate Tal, Craig, and the team at Springhill Automotive. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of the Kia and VW brands and additional opportunities for all our talented associates.”
Pete Thiel, Managing Director with Haig Partners, said, “I certainly enjoyed my 20+ years at AutoNation helping that leading retailer to buy and sell dealerships. However, that experience does not compare to working alongside owners to help them achieve their dreams through the sale of their most valuable asset. Our unique value proposition lies in finding the most motivated buyer for our clients, a feat only achievable through deep industry experience and the ability to tell a compelling story to potential buyers about the business our clients have nurtured over the years. It was an honor to navigate Josh and Ashley throughout this journey. They are the types of owners you automatically think of when talking about family-owned dealerships. Their dedication and commitment to their employees, customers, and community is remarkable.
“This sale continues to exemplify the demand for acquisitions, large and small, in growing markets. The transaction also demonstrates that many leading buyers have identified Kia as one of the most desirable franchises today. Also, Baldwin County, Alabama, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. The combination of a growing franchise and a growing market gave us a highly desirable offering. For these types of transactions, dealership values remain very strong.”
