Transaction Overview
- Murgado Automotive Group acquired Toyota of Lincoln Park in Chicago from Leader Automotive Group, the U.S. subsidiary of AutoCanada.
- Haig Partners served as the exclusive sell-side advisor; the announcement was made Jan. 28.
- Financial terms were not disclosed.
- The deal adds a Toyota franchise in a major urban market to Murgado’s portfolio.
Advisory Role and Experience
- Haig Partners states this sale extends its record advising on Toyota store transactions in the U.S.
- The firm says it has now advised on 38 Toyota dealership transactions nationwide and 126 across the Midwest.
- According to Haig Partners’ Kevin Nill, this is the fifth transaction the firm has led for AutoCanada.
- Founder Alan Haig emphasized persistent, competitive demand for Toyota franchises among a wide range of buyers.
Market Context
- Haig Partners characterizes the buy-sell environment as strong, with intense competition for high-performing import brand stores.
- Demand spans public companies, private-equity-backed groups, family-owned operators, and first-time buyers, each pursuing distinct strategies.
- Cited drivers include Toyota’s product strength and dealer-friendly policies; inventory discipline and product cadence have supported valuations.
Implications
- For Murgado: Expands brand mix and geographic reach; adds a Toyota point in a dense retail corridor where visibility and service capacity can differentiate operators.
- For AutoCanada/Leader: Aligns with ongoing reshaping of U.S. holdings and periodic portfolio adjustments.
Not Disclosed
- No rationale from the parties beyond the advisory announcement.
- No details on the operational transition timeline, approvals, facility plans, staffing changes, or rebranding.
- No performance or market metrics for the store were provided.
About Haig Partners (as stated by the firm)
- Positions itself as a buy-sell advisory practice focused on higher-value dealerships.
- Claims more than 535 dealership sales nationwide and representation of 31 Automotive News Top 150 dealership groups.
- Team experience cited includes former executives from AutoNation, Bank of America, Credit Suisse, Deloitte, FORVIS, J.P. Morgan, Lexus, Porsche, and Toyota Financial Services.
- Publishes The Haig Report (described as the longest-published quarterly report on auto retail/value trends) and organizes the Maximizing Value Conference; principals are frequent industry speakers and media sources.
