Canada's Go Auto buys its first U.S. dealership

Go Auto has joined the running tally of Canadian dealership groups expanding into the United States.

The Edmonton, Alberta, company said this week it acquired a joint Toyota and Mercedes-Benz dealership near Seattle in Bellingham, Wash.

The transaction closed Wednesday, according to Performance Brokerage Services, a buy-sell firm in Irvine, Calif., which facilitated the deal. Rob Armstrong, a partner, and Moshe Stopnitzky, president of the firm, brokered the transaction.

Mercedes-Benz-Toyota of Bellingham was previously owned by local dealer Al Monjazeb.

Go Auto said it is thrilled to make its “first foray” into the U.S. with the two high-profile brands.

The Canadian group has been an active buyer in recent months, though much of its business remains concentrated in Western Canada. It purchased four dealerships in two separate transactions in Alberta and British Columbia in October.

At the time, Go Auto President Phil Abram told Automotive News Canada that the company was exploring other expansion opportunities across Canada and the U.S.

"This is just the beginning of our diversified and strategic growth plan as we look forward to further expanding our footprint in 2023," Abram said in a statement.

Go Auto now owns 29 new-vehicle dealerships in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario and Washington. It also runs an extensive used-car business with 30 stores across Western Canada.