On the Dash:
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Jeff Wyler Automotive acquired Midwestern Auto Group in a $500 million deal, adding 14 premium and luxury franchises.
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The acquisition expands Wyler’s portfolio to 64 franchises, strengthening its presence in the luxury and regional markets.
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Dave Cantin Group guided the succession and deal, ensuring Brentlinger’s legacy and the business remain Ohio-based.
The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family has acquired Midwestern Auto Group in a $500 million deal, adding 14 premium and luxury franchises, including Ferrari and Lamborghini, to its portfolio, Dave Cantin Group announced Thursday. The single-campus acquisition is among the largest franchise automotive transactions by a privately held company and the largest U.S. auto retail transaction to date in 2026. The combined group will be rebranded as The Wyler Collection.
Dave Cantin Group served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Midwestern owner Mark Brentlinger for nearly two years, guiding legal, wealth, and succession planning. Advisors included Holland & Knight for legal matters and Goldman Sachs for private wealth management. Cantin said the firm’s role went beyond the transaction, focusing on pairing Brentlinger with the right partner to preserve his nearly four-decade automotive legacy.
“A single-site campus offering 14 premium and luxury franchises almost never becomes available,” Cantin said. “Identifying a private operator capable of acquiring the full enterprise while meeting OEM requirements and preserving Mark’s legacy meant the pool of potential buyers was extremely limited. The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family was the ideal fit in every regard.”
Founded in 1973, the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family operates 23 dealerships representing roughly 50 franchises across Greater Cincinnati, Louisville, Kentucky, and Columbus. With the addition of Midwestern Auto Group’s 14 franchises, Wyler will operate 64 total dealerships, significantly expanding its premium and luxury footprint.
“Adding Midwestern’s 14 premium and luxury franchises significantly expands our presence in the region and ensures that this unique campus remains privately held by owners who live and invest locally,” said David Wyler, president and CEO of the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family. Wyler’s group is one of only eight dealership networks in the country to own both Ferrari and Lamborghini franchises and is also a minority owner of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team.
Brentlinger said he prioritized finding a buyer who would protect the culture, people, and brand relationships that made Midwestern Auto Group special. “Keeping this business rooted in Ohio through this transition was an added benefit,” he said. “The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family is the right steward for the next era, and I’m grateful to the Dave Cantin Group team for guiding this complex process with integrity and care.”
The acquisition is the second-largest luxury automotive retail transaction in the U.S. since early 2025 and ranks among the top three largest Midwest dealership deals by total enterprise value.
