Haig Partners Serves as Exclusive Sell-Side Advisor on the Sale of Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen in Daphne, AL

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Haig Partners LLC, the leading buy-sell advisory firm to higher-value auto dealers, served as the exclusive sell-side advisor to Josh and Ashley Gunther on the sale of Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen located in Daphne, AL, to Tal Vickers of the Springhill Automotive Group of Mobile, AL.

Josh Gunther, Dealer Principal, Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen, said, “As Ashley and I were evaluating our strategic options with Pete, it became clear that market conditions were very attractive. It was the right time for us to explore other opportunities. Ashley and I are extremely proud of the business and the reputation we built at Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen. We have had the pleasure of meeting and working with so many great people over the years. This certainly wasn’t an easy decision, but the team at Haig Partners made it a smooth transaction. We were grateful for Pete’s knowledge of the process, the depth of his relationships, and his commitment to finding the right buyer. We congratulate Tal, Craig, and the team at Springhill Automotive. We look forward to seeing the continued growth of the Kia and VW brands and additional opportunities for all our talented associates.”

Pete Thiel, Managing Director with Haig Partners, said, “I certainly enjoyed my 20+ years at AutoNation helping that leading retailer to buy and sell dealerships. However, that experience does not compare to working alongside owners to help them achieve their dreams through the sale of their most valuable asset. Our unique value proposition lies in finding the most motivated buyer for our clients, a feat only achievable through deep industry experience and the ability to tell a compelling story to potential buyers about the business our clients have nurtured over the years. It was an honor to navigate Josh and Ashley throughout this journey. They are the types of owners you automatically think of when talking about family-owned dealerships. Their dedication and commitment to their employees, customers, and community is remarkable.

“This sale continues to exemplify the demand for acquisitions, large and small, in growing markets. The transaction also demonstrates that many leading buyers have identified Kia as one of the most desirable franchises today. Also, Baldwin County, Alabama, is one of the fastest-growing areas in the country. The combination of a growing franchise and a growing market gave us a highly desirable offering. For these types of transactions, dealership values remain very strong.”

Tal Vickers, Springhill Automotive Group’s President, said, "We’re very excited to welcome the talented team of Team Gunther Kia & Volkswagen to the Springhill family. This location adds to our growing business and is our 8^th location in the Southeast and our first on the eastern shore in Daphne, AL.”

The sale of Team Gunther represents the 172^nd and 173^rd dealerships the team at Haig Partners has bought or sold in the Southeast.

Jeff Ingram of Ingram, Kalupa & Butler, P.C. served as legal counsel for Gunther Kia & Volkswagen. Jeff Roberts of Underwood & Roberts, PLLC served as legal counsel for Springhill Automotive Group.

About Haig Partners

Haig Partners is a leading buy-sell advisory firm that helps owners of higher-value auto, truck, RV, and motorsports dealerships maximize the value of their businesses when they are ready to sell. The team at Haig Partners has advised on the purchase or sale of more than 540 dealerships with a total value of over $9.4 billion. It has represented 26 dealership groups that qualify for the Top 150 Dealership Groups list published by Automotive News, more than any other firm. Clients of Haig Partners benefit from the group's collective experience as previous executives with leading companies such as AutoNation, Bank of America, J.P. Morgan, Credit Suisse, FORVIS, and Deloitte. Leveraging its unmatched expertise and extensive relationships, Haig Partners guides clients to successful outcomes through a confidential and customized sales process. The firm authors The Haig Report^®, the leading industry quarterly report that tracks trends in auto retail and their impact on dealership values, and co-authors NADA’s Guide, “Buying and Selling a Dealership.” Haig Partners team members are frequent speakers at industry conferences and are regularly quoted in reputable media outlets, including Reuters, Forbes, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, CNBC, Automotive News, Wards, Car Dealership Guy and CBT News. For more information, visit www.haigpartners.com.