One in all Canada’s largest dealership group is entering into the U.S. market with the acquisition of a luxurious dealership in Sterling, Va., on the outskirts of Washington D.C.

The Dilawri Group of Cos. in Toronto mentioned it bought Ferrari of Washington-Maserati of Washington for an undisclosed worth, marking its “first strategic growth” exterior Canada.

The transaction closed final week and the dealership will retain its identify, mentioned Virginie Aubert, a spokeswoman for the group, in an electronic mail to sibling publication Automotive Information. 

“We imagine these dealerships shall be a superb alternative to ascertain our presence within the U.S. market,” Kap Dilawri, the corporate’s co-founder, mentioned in a launch.

The 2 dealerships are housed in a single constructing, however have separate entrances. The Ferrari aspect lately wrapped up renovations, she mentioned.

The 2 dealerships sit on a four-acre web site, with an adjoining storage lot that may maintain greater than 200 autos, Aubert mentioned. The acquisition additionally provides the 2 manufacturers to its portfolio, she mentioned.

The vendor of the dealerships wasn’t instantly obtainable. However Aubert confirmed that the shops’ former vendor principal Chris Berlin was not with both dealership.

Berlin was named in 2018 by Automotive Information as a 40 Underneath 40 honoree. He then was director of operations for a 13-store group in California and the Washington D.C. space.

Dilawri, the privately owned Canadian dealership group, now has greater than 75 franchised dealerships within the U.S. and throughout 5 Canadian provinces.

Dilawri joins a rising listing of Canadian dealership teams shifting their consideration to increasing in the USA. Amongst others, Basis Automotive, Knight Automotive Group and Steele Auto Group have every lately added to their U.S. footprints.

To go its new foothold within the U.S., Dilawri has tapped Ettore Gattolin, its present vice-president of mergers, acquisitions and particular tasks. Gattolin will grow to be vp of the dealership group’s U.S. operations.

Aubert mentioned Dilawri has no different U.S. dealerships below contract to buy.

“Our growth into the U.S. market comes at an opportune time, as each producers are planning to introduce strategically necessary new product choices,” Gattolin mentioned in an announcement.

Jack Walsworth and Melissa Burden contributed to this report.