Automotive Dealership Buy-Sell M&A Advisors

Automotive M&A Advisory for Auto Dealers

The Automotive M&A Advisory practice of Melton Advisors works exclusively with franchised new car dealerships, collision centers, and established dealer-operators throughout the Southeastern United States. Our role is not traditional brokerage—it is senior-level advisory. We guide ownership teams through disciplined transaction strategy, valuation positioning, and real estate alignment decisions that shape long-term enterprise value, liquidity outcomes, and control.

We are engaged by dealers who understand that the most important M&A decisions are often made well before a sale, recapitalization, merger, or acquisition. Our work brings structure, discretion, and regional market intelligence to those decisions—without pressure to prematurely enter the market.

Who We Serve

Melton Advisors advises privately held dealer principals, family-owned groups, and select institutional automotive platforms, including:

🟡 Franchised new car dealerships
🟡 Single-rooftop and multi-store dealer groups
🟡 Collision centers and body shop platforms
🟡 Dealers with integrated fixed operations and service platforms
🟡 Automotive real estate owners with operating dealerships attached

We also coordinate with OEMs, lenders, legal counsel, and tax advisors when transaction structure, approval processes, or ownership transitions require multi-party alignment.

Advisory-Driven M&A Execution

Our M&A work is intentionally selective and relationship-focused. We are not structured for high-volume listings or broad auction processes. Instead, we advise dealers who want experienced guidance before, during, or alongside a transaction—whether evaluating a sale, acquisition, merger, partner buy-in, or ownership restructuring.

Engagements frequently begin with valuation analysis, buyer universe evaluation, and transaction-readiness planning well before a formal process is launched. When a transaction proceeds, we remain closely involved as strategic advisors—helping ownership assess terms, manage risk, and protect long-term enterprise outcomes.

Integrated Real Estate Strategy

Real estate is often the largest—and least optimized—component of dealership enterprise value. At Melton Advisors, property strategy is fully integrated into our M&A advisory process rather than treated as a separate assignment.

We advise on:

🟡 Internal rent alignment and lease structuring
🟡 Sale-leaseback evaluation and execution strategy
🟡 Owned versus leased property considerations
🟡 Facility modernization and OEM-driven upgrades
🟡 Investor positioning for automotive real estate assets

Ownership Strategy & Transition Planning

Modern dealership ownership requires more than operational strength. Transaction timing, capital structure, and strategic positioning increasingly determine outcomes.

We help dealers:

🟡 Understand how transaction structure impacts valuation and control
🟡 Evaluate liquidity alternatives without pressure to transact
🟡 Prepare for ownership transitions 12–36 months in advance
🟡 Align M&A strategy with growth, acquisition, or succession plans

A Disciplined, Relationship-Driven Model

Melton Advisors serves a limited number of automotive clients at any given time. Every engagement is confidential, tailored, and grounded in long-term advisory relationships. Our success is measured not by transaction volume, but by the quality of outcomes and the trust earned from dealership owners across the Southeast.

This platform exists for dealer principals who value preparation over urgency, strategy over momentum, and advisory leadership that protects both the enterprise and the legacy behind it.