Globenewswire·2026-01-14 17:50Core Insights - The Jeff Wyler Automotive Family has acquired Midwestern Auto Group for a total acquisition value of $500 million, marking it as one of the largest franchise automotive transactions by a privately held company and the largest overall auto retail transaction in 2026 [1][4] Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes 14 premium and luxury brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, significantly expanding Wyler's portfolio to a total of 64 franchises [1][5] - This transaction is noted as the second-largest luxury automotive retail transaction in the U.S. since early 2025 and ranks among the top three largest Midwest dealership transactions by total enterprise value [4] Group 2: Advisory Role - Dave Cantin Group served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Midwestern owner Mark Brentlinger, facilitating a succession plan that took nearly two years to execute [2] - The advisory process involved collaboration with legal and wealth management teams to ensure the protection of Brentlinger's legacy [2] Group 3: Industry Context - Transactions like the acquisition of Midwestern Auto Group are exceptionally rare in the automotive industry, particularly for a single-site campus offering multiple premium and luxury franchises [2] - The deal is characterized as a "unicorn" luxury campus deal, highlighting its significance in private-to-private acquisitions within the U.S. retail automotive sector [5]