LULING, Texas, Feb. 25, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steele Auto Group has announced the acquisition of its first U.S. dealership, Luling Chevrolet Buick GMC in Luling, Texas. “We have been planning to establish a foothold in the Austin-San Antonio area and are excited to have a presence here. This is a great, well-run dealership,” said Rob Steele, Chief Executive Officer of Steele Auto, which has 40 dealerships in Eastern Canada, and now one in the U.S.

Carroll Barron, the long-time owner of Luling Chevrolet, said he wanted to thank his customers and employees for their loyalty over the years.  “We are confident the Steele team will continue to deliver quality customer service,” said Mr. Barron. “We’re impressed with their professionalism and their track record. They will be good for the dealership and for our part of Texas.”  PJ McCafferty, General Manager of Luling Chevrolet Buick GMC, commented, “I am thrilled to continue on as General Manager of the dealership moving forward.   I am confident that being part of a larger dealer group will bring new benefits to our customers and employees.  We will continue to offer excellence in customer service and experience.”

Luling is a small city of 5,400 people but the dealership serves customers from the greater San Antonio-Austin area. “It is great to be adding a well-established Chev dealership to our group.  We’ve enjoyed a great relationship with General Motors in Canada and are very proud to partner with General Motors here in the U.S. We love the Chevrolet, Buick, and GMC brands and their product direction,” said Kim Day, the President of Steele Auto Group.  Day commented: “Over the last several days, we have had the opportunity to meet and work side-by-side with the team here in Luling and we are thrilled to add them to our team of 2,200.  We are also thrilled that PJ McCafferty will continue on in his capacity as General Manager.  Customers should continue to expect the same friendly, professional experience they have grown to know.” 

In 2019, Steele Auto Group became the first Canadian dealership to be awarded the GM Canada Innovation award. Day said, “There are some innovative solutions that we plan to deliver here to enhance the customer buying experience.  As an example, we would intend to roll out real time video updates from service technicians while customers’ vehicles are being repaired.  We pride ourselves on creating new and innovative ways to enhance the experience for our customers; it’s a benefit of being part of a larger network and group.  This will also create new opportunities for the existing Luling team members.  We strongly believe in developing and promoting from within so both career advancement opportunities and mobility around our network are accessible.”

Rob Steele stated, “While this is our first venture into the U.S., our plan is to continue to seek out opportunities in the Austin-San Antonio area in the near term.  We would like to create some critical mass in Texas and are open to opportunities in the U.S. that fit our acquisition criteria.”

For more information, contact

Heidi Muise
Phone:1-902-481-5206
Hmuise@steeleauto.com

About Steele Auto Group.

The Steele Auto Group, consistently designated as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, is one of the most diversified group of automobile dealerships in Eastern Canada. The group is currently comprised of 41 auto dealerships, 2 Powerhouse Equipment stores and 8 collision centers, and is headquartered in Dartmouth, NS.  The Group consists of approximately 2,200 employees and prides itself on pursuing new, innovative, and more transparent ways of connecting with its customers.  The group believes strongly in providing career growth opportunities for its team members including promoting from within along with providing mobility throughout its dealership network.  Steele Auto Group is heavily involved with, and supports the communities it operates in, while maintaining strategic partnership initiatives that support mental health, sick children and families in need.  More information about Steele Auto Group can be found at www.steeleauto.com or by following @Steeleauto on LinkedIN, Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.