Nancy Phillips Associates - Blog #Industry news

Nancy Phillips Associates Announces Sale of Pelletier Automotive Group to Neal Griffeth.

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 11:07:44 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of Pelletier Automotive Group, headquartered in Fort Kent, Maine on September 29, 2026.

The group includes four dealerships representing Ford, Chevrolet GMC and Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. The sellers for the dealerships were Steve Pelletier and Glenn Ouellette and for the real estate holdings, Steve Pelletier. The buyer, Neal Griffeth, owns multiple franchised automobile and powersports dealerships throughout Northern Maine.

The founder of the group, Steve Pelletier, came from the lumber industry in Northern Maine, and had been famously featured on the Discovery Channel in a series on American Loggers, when he acquired his first dealership through Nancy Phillips Associates in 2011. Since Steve had no prior automotive experience, the original owner remained in place as Dealer allowing for an approval from Ford Motor Company. Within a year the dealership’s performance had improved significantly, resulting in Pelletier’s appointment as Dealer Principal.

In 2012 the General Motors dealership in Fort Kent burnt to the ground and Steve stepped up to acquire the franchises and build a new facility allowing him to open within a year of the devastating fire. With Nancy Phillips as his advisor, he went on to acquire additional dealerships building a strong group in Northern Maine. After 15 years in the industry, Pelletier, a serial entrepreneur, decided to expand his commercial real estate holdings. This strategy led to his decision to sell the group to another Northern Maine dealer, Neal Griffeth.

During the course of the sale, the Seller worked co-operatively with Ford Motor Company to streamline the dealer network. As a result, one of Pelletier’s two Ford dealerships ceased operating as a franchised outlet while its real estate remained part of the transaction. Griffeth converted the property into a used vehicle center, making it his southernmost automotive location and extending his reach toward Bangor.

With the acquisition of the Pelletier Group, Neal Griffeth now controls an automotive empire that services the entire northern sector of Maine representing all three domestic franchisors, two Japanese automakers and multiple powersports lines.

What Buyers Look for in a New England Dealership

Fri, 16 Oct 2026 15:36:52 -0400

The value of your dealership depends, in part, on how it fits into a buyer’s plans. A store that no longer fits one owner’s priorities may be exactly what another needs to grow.

As of mid year 2025, New England is serviced by over 1,000 franchised light-vehicle dealerships, generating approximately $31.1 billion in total dealership sales. Within this regional market, each location offers a different opportunity.

For a buyer, the appeal might be a store close enough to share management and resources. In a rural market, it could be a dealership serving a broad geographic area, with established customer relationships and an experienced team. In every market, an operation with room for improvement is attractive to someone with the resources and experience to build on its potential.

The question is: Who is best positioned to recognize that opportunity and make it work?

Different goals can create the right match
Nancy Phillips Associates’s recent sale of Grieco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Methuen, Massachusetts, is a good example.

Grieco Auto Group preferred to focus its resources on markets closer to its core operations in Southern Massachusetts and Rhode Island with it's premiere management team and labor pool already in place. John Crowley, owner of Best Ford in Nashua, New Hampshire, wanted to expand just across the border into a different demographic area with dense population but still in proximity to his main location. The Methuen dealership gave each owner a way to accomplish their own strategic plan.

An owner’s decision to sell doesn’t mean a dealership has exhausted it's opportunity. Sometimes, that opportunity just makes more sense for someone else.

Finding the right buyer starts with knowing both sides
At Nancy Phillips Associates, we want to understand why you are considering a sale, what matters to you in a buyer, and what you want for your personal future and the future of your store. We know each of our buyers and their specific qualifications from their financial ability, their plans and perimeters for expansion, their franchise preferences and their personal deal making credentials.

Knowing the local market and the people in it helps us match the right seller to the right buyer early on in the sale process.

If you are considering selling or are looking for your next dealership, please get in touch to discuss what we can do for you. Contact Carrie@nancyphillips.com or call 603-658-0004.

Both regional totals are calculated from NADA’s state figures. www.nada.org

Nancy Phillips Associates Announces Sale of McGee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Barre to Brian Preston

Tue, 01 Sep 2026 13:27:30 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of McGee Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Barre to Brian Preston owner of Preston's Kia in Barre, Vermont.

Brian Preston's acquisition of Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Barre expands his presence in central Vermont by adding a domestic franchise that complements his existing Kia dealership. The acquisition further strengthens his dealership portfolio and reinforces his commitment to serving customers throughout the region with an even broader selection of vehicles.

For Rob McGee, this sale supports his strategic goal of consolidating his Vermont holdings in his primary market area. McGee continues to own and operate the McGee Family of Dealerships. The group, with 13 locations remains focused on growing and strengthening those operations.

Nancy Phillips Associates Announces Sale of the Mack, Volvo, Hino and Isuzu of O’Connor Trucks

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:02:55 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of the Mack, Volvo, Hino and Isuzu of O’Connor Trucks located in Portland, Maine to Ballard Truck Center, headquartered in Worcester, MA. Ballard Truck Center operates eight locations covering the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine and New Hampshire.

The company was started in Milbury Massachusetts over 100 years ago when Louis Ballard, a locksmith and a carriage maker, opened a small repair shop.

His legacy has continued, spanning five generations of Ballards. Today the company has evolved into a full service commercial truck center and has been awarded the highest level of recognition as Dealer of the Year in the Northeast and North America nearly every year. At the helm of the company is John Picking, President.

With an eye towards the consolidation movement taking place in the commercial truck industry, Randy Hutchins, owner of O’Connor Trucks, implemented a forward thinking strategy to divest of his truck franchises early on. To that end, he has now sold all of his commercial truck franchises. Hutchins remains the owner of his top selling General Motors dealership in Maine and is focusing on further expansion of that business.

The commercial truck industry is undergoing rapid consolidation throughout the United States similar to what is taking place in the collision and tire center industries. Manufacturers are aggressively working towards reduction in dealer count in order to bolster their biggest investors which in turn improves their own financial stability and operational health.

Nancy Phillips Associates, representing the Seller, is the advisor responsible for this transaction.

Nancy Phillips Associates Announces Sale of Grieco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 10:49:15 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of Grieco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Methuen to John Crowley, owner of Best Ford in Nashua, New Hampshire.

This transaction represents a strategic realignment for Rhode Island-based Grieco Auto Group as it continues to refine its dealership footprint and pursue growth across its portfolio. “When we decided to sell this dealership, our goal was to focus our efforts on markets that aligned more closely with our core operations and long-term strategy,” said George Smith of Grieco Auto Group. “Because the store was outside of our primary market area, it made sense to concentrate our resources where we have the greatest strength and opportunity.”

For Crowley, the acquisition marks an important milestone. Grieco Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Methuen is his second dealership acquisition, expanding his presence beyond New Hampshire and establishing a foothold in Massachusetts. With a strong track record at Best Ford, Crowley brings an owner-operator approach and a commitment to customer service that will support the dealership's future growth.

Carrie Forbes at Nancy Phillips Associates was honored to represent the seller and assist both parties in completing a successful transaction.

Nancy Phillips Associates Announces Sale of Western Star Franchise of O’Connor Trucks

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 14:36:51 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of the Western Star franchise of O’Connor Trucks in Augusta, Maine to Freightliner of Maine, Inc., owned by the Cook Family Group of the United States and Canada.

Cook Family Group operates heavy duty truck dealerships with multiple locations across the state of Maine and is also Atlantic Canada’s largest truck and trailer dealership retailer.

With an eye towards the consolidation movement taking place in the commercial truck industry, Randy Hutchins, owner of O’Connor Trucks, implemented a forward thinking strategy to divest of his truck franchises early on. To that end, he has now sold not only Western Star but also his other four truck franchises. Hutchins remains the owner of the top selling General Motors dealership in Maine and is focusing on further expansion of that business.

The commercial truck industry is undergoing rapid consolidation throughout the United States similar to what is taking place in the tire center and collision industries. Manufacturers are aggressively working toward reduction in dealer count in order to bolster their biggest investors which in turn improves their own financial stability and operational health.

Nancy Phillips Associates, representing the Seller, is the advisor responsible for this transaction.

The Phillips Report - 2025 Dealership Values in Greater New England

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 11:10:51 -0500

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to present the 2025 Phillips Report. This report is the only publication that specifically speaks to auto dealership transaction values, trends, and trajectories in the New England and Greater New York market areas.

What’s inside the Report?

Greater New England dealership transaction values
Market trends and year-over-year comparisons
Valuation multiples and performance benchmarks
Buyer and seller activity insights
Market trajectory and forward-looking outlook
Economic and industry factors impacting dealership values
Strategic considerations for owners considering a sale or acquisition

Nancy Phillips Associates has been exclusively representing new franchised dealers throughout New England and New York for over three decades. Our clients give us their highest recommendations for professionalism, the level of service we provide, our strait forward approach and our success rate. We have, during all of our time in business, sold over 95% of the dealerships we have represented.

When you are thinking about selling, there are many compelling reasons to have us on your side. If you are interested in having a discussion, please contact us for a completely confidential conversation and guidance on how to prepare yourself for the next steps if you decide to go forward.

If you are further along in the process, call us to discuss our Dealership Evaluation and Targeted Buyer Services and remember that every successful transaction begins with the accurate determination of your dealership’s potential value.

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Dealer Spotlight: Hear What Brian Kelly Has to Say

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 10:01:47 -0500

Guidance, Communication & Trust: A Client’s Take

At Nancy Phillips Associates, it’s a privilege to be part of defining moments for our clients and their families. We were honored to represent Brian Kelly in the sale of Kelly Ford in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Matt McGovern of McGovern Auto Group — a decision rooted in his commitment to his customers and community. We are grateful for the trust Brian placed in us and proud to have helped ensure a smooth transition for a dealership with more than 60 years of history and heart behind it.

Kelly Ford in Beverly, Massachusetts sold to Matt McGovern of McGovern Auto Group

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 13:59:26 -0400

Nancy Phillips Associates is pleased to announce the sale of Kelly Ford located in Beverly, Massachusetts, to Matt McGovern of McGovern Auto Group.

Kelly Automotive Group has been in business for 60 years and has grown to represent six brands throughout the vibrant Danvers and Lynn market areas. Under the leadership of Brian Kelly, the group has become one of the highest-ranked and most respected dealership organizations in New England and is recognized not only for its strong sales performance but also as a Best Place to Work by both Automotive News and The Boston Globe.

Kelly Ford, acquired by the group in 2015, has been a valued part of its portfolio. Brian Kelly’s decision to sell was guided by his commitment to ensuring the best possible service to his market area and customers. The new owner, Matt McGovern, now represents the Ford brand in four dealerships across Eastern Massachusetts.

Join us at the 2025 New England Market Update Luncheon

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 12:58:35 -0400

Hear directly from Carrie Forbes, Vice President of Dealership Sales, as she shares valuable insights into the evolving New England dealership market — including key trends from 2025 and predictions for what’s ahead in 2026.

RSVP TO THE EVENT HERE