A significant transaction is reshaping Ohio’s luxury automotive market as the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family acquires Midwestern Auto Group, bringing 14 premium and ultra-luxury brands under a newly launched banner, The Wyler Collection.
On today’s episode of Inside Automotive, Jeff Wyler Automotive Family CEO David Wyler and Dave Cantin Group CEO and Chairman Dave Cantin share how the acquisition expands Wyler’s regional footprint while preserving a rare, purpose-built luxury campus in Dublin, Ohio. The transaction transfers ownership of one of the industry’s most distinctive assets, a single-site operation housing 14 luxury and ultra-luxury franchises, to a family group with deep Midwestern roots and a long-term growth strategy.
Wyler says the acquisition aligns closely with the company’s disciplined approach to expansion. Based in Cincinnati, the Jeff Wyler Automotive Family prioritizes regional opportunities that strengthen existing markets. Midwestern Auto Group operated in a prime Columbus-area location and represented brands Wyler did not previously hold, making the campus a strategic addition. The company already maintains a presence in the Columbus market, and the acquisition broadens both brand reach and customer offerings without stretching beyond its geographic focus.
"This is that unicorn type of acquisition... You see something like this come around every few decades." — Dave Cantin
Cantin characterizes the deal as exceptionally rare in today’s market. Midwestern Auto Group was built over nearly four decades into a unified luxury campus with a single entrance and exit, housing iconic brands that seldom become available as a package. He says transactions of this scale and structure emerge only once every few decades and require a buyer capable of meeting significant financial demands while securing approvals from multiple OEMs.
As the sell-side advisor, the Dave Cantin Group guided the succession process for longtime owner Mark Bretlinger, who sought a single, permanent transaction that would protect the legacy of the business. Cantin explains that the seller wanted to pass the operation to another Ohio-based dealer group with the financial strength, operational sophistication, and cultural alignment to carry it forward. Wyler Automotive Family met each of those criteria and emerged as the best-qualified buyer.
The acquisition launches the Wyler Collection, which now includes Ferrari, Porsche, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Lotus, Maserati, Volvo, Volkswagen, Audi, MINI, BMW, Jaguar, and Land Rover. Wyler says the addition immediately expands the company’s ability to serve its existing customer base with high-end and exotic options while remaining concentrated within its established footprint. The centralized campus structure creates operational efficiencies and positions the group as a destination for luxury automotive retail in central Ohio.
Cultural integration remains a critical focus as Wyler transitions ownership of the campus. Wyler Automotive Family has operated for more than 50 years and brings established systems, policies, and operational standards into the newly branded Wyler Collection. Wyler says the existing team in Dublin embraces the opportunity to evolve under new ownership, creating a foundation for long-term alignment between legacy employees and Wyler’s broader organization.
Cantin reinforces that preparation and cultural planning distinguished the transaction. He says Wyler assembled a dedicated transition team well before closing and approached the acquisition with uncommon thoroughness. In his experience advising hundreds of dealership transactions, Cantin describes the Wyler group’s execution as exceptional, noting a level of professionalism, collaboration, and leadership engagement that sets a standard for large-scale transitions.
"What I'm most excited about is getting to know on a personal level everyone at the different 14 OEMs and growing and expanding with any future opportunities with them." — David Wyler
Looking ahead, Wyler positions the acquisition as a platform for future growth rather than a standalone event. The company views its OEM partners as long-term collaborators and expects the newly added brands to create opportunities for continued expansion and deeper manufacturer relationships. Wyler emphasizes a multigenerational perspective, with an emphasis on stability, continuity, and sustained investment in the retail automotive space.
Cantin says the transaction sends a strong signal about the future of luxury automotive retail and consolidation. Despite broader economic uncertainty, established dealer families continue to commit significant capital to the industry, reinforcing confidence in the long-term value of automotive retail. He adds that the Wyler family’s generational planning and disciplined growth approach reflect a level of strategic thinking that remains increasingly rare.
While Wyler continues to evaluate future acquisition opportunities, leadership remains measured in its approach. The Midwestern Auto Group purchase represents a significant milestone, and the company will prioritize successful integration before pursuing additional deals.
