Unstoppable Automotive acquires California dealerships in Monterey, Fresno

Unstoppable Automotive Group expanded its luxury holdings with third- and fourth-quarter dealership acquisitions in Monterey and Fresno, Calif., Unstoppable CEO Garth Blumenthal said.

Unstoppable on Aug. 7 purchased Mercedes-Benz of Monterey from Ash Zaki of Euromotors Auto Group, Blumenthal told Automotive News. It marked Unstoppable's first buy-sell transaction since 2021.

Blumenthal said brand and location made it an attractive deal.

"It's on the Monterey Peninsula, which is a market with tremendous potential for the future," Blumenthal said.

Monterey sits along California's central coast, about 150 miles west of Fresno.

Unstoppable on Oct. 1 acquired Haron Motor Sales Inc., a Fresno dealership selling the Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo brands, from the Haron family.

The Harons worked from that location, among others, since 1945, co-owner Hilary Haron told Automotive News.

"We don't own any other stores," Haron said. "And I think that we're all still figuring out next steps, though I personally am hoping to stay involved in the industry."

Haron, a 2020 Automotive News 40 Under 40 honoree, said she's pursued advocacy roles via the California New Car Dealers Association and NADA and hopes to continue that work.

Haron's grandfather Charles Haron Sr. founded the company. At the time of sale, Hilary Haron co-owned the dealership with her father, dealer principal Jim Haron, and her cousin, Randy Haron. Hilary Haron purchased her stake from her father in 2014.

She said she's feeling a range of emotions about selling.

"I think it's fair to say I am feeling a little bit of everything," Hilary Haron said.

The Haron dealership was renamed Volvo Cars Fresno-Jaguar Fresno-Land Rover Fresno.

A new facility for the Volvo franchise is in the planning stages, according to Amir Alahwal, development and customer experience director for Unstoppable. Alahwal said no staffing changes were made, but they expect to add employees once the Volvo building opens.

Blumenthal said Unstoppable Automotive, of Temecula, Calif., plans to stay in the luxury automotive space and will continue to strengthen its foothold in California.

"We're looking at single-point markets as an opportunity to grow our footprint in California, to grow our footprints in Orange County and San Diego and Temecula, which falls into Riverside County," Blumenthal said.

The group remains interested in a bi-coastal presence, too.

"At this point, we do not have anything in Florida, but we continue to look at that as a very strong and viable opportunity," Blumenthal said.

Kerrigan Advisors, a sell-side firm based in Incline Village, Nev., facilitated the Haron transaction.