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AutoNation Acquires Iconic Toyota Dealer—Is This the Start of a Regional Takeover?

AutoNation just made a strategic pit stop in the Baltimore area with its acquisition of Jerry’s Toyota, a more than 40-year-old dealership that’s been a fixture in the Mid-Atlantic automotive scene. The move, announced December 9, marks AutoNation’s first Toyota acquisition in over a decade and expands its footprint deeper into a region where it’s been steadily building scale. What makes this deal unique isn’t just the brand—Toyota is among the most durable and profitable franchises in retail auto—but the dealership’s heritage and the deliberate succession planning involved. James Stautberg, the outgoing owner and president, has worked with the Dave Cantin Group to structure a transition that prioritizes continuity for both customers and employees. For AutoNation, which already reported a strong Q3 marked by 25% adjusted EPS growth and record results in After-Sales and Financial Services, this deal complements its existing playbook: operational scale, targeted M&A, and capital deployment.