On July 15, Penske Automotive Group acquired Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, Michigan, the world’s largest sales volume Ford dealership. This acquisition is expected to add $550 million in annual revenue for Penske. The deal also includes a used vehicle facility, a fleet maintenance center, and a collision center.
Founded in 1940 by the Brown family, Bill Brown Ford was most recently operated by Ed Brown’s children, Tom and Ruth Ann Brown, following Ed’s death last year. The Brown family sought a buyer to honor the dealership’s legacy, ultimately choosing Penske Automotive Group.
Tom Brown emphasized the importance of finding a buyer who values the dealership’s culture and legacy. “After nearly a century in the greater Detroit community, it was essential to find a buyer who values the culture we’ve created at Bill Brown Ford and would carry on our family’s legacy as a top-notch employer and a trusted provider of vehicle sales and service to customers throughout Southeast Michigan,” he said. Penske will retain Bill Brown’s name on the business.
This acquisition follows Penske Automotive’s purchase of Don Allen Auto Service in Nantucket, Massachusetts, in January. Rich Shearing, COO of Penske Automotive North American Operations, stated, “For decades, Bill Brown Ford has been building partnerships within its community by creating an environment that focuses on exceeding the expectations of its customers and empowering its employees. We look forward to cultivating those partnerships.”
Despite being headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Penske Automotive previously had limited dealership presence in metro Detroit, with BMW of Bloomfield Hills being its sole Michigan location.
