Evans said he has agreed to purchase the dealership from Bill Golling of Detroit. The transaction was facilitated by the Tim Lamb Group, an auto dealership broker. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Evans, who also owns BMW of Dayton, Volvo of Dayton and Evans Volkswagon, said he was thrilled about his company’s growth in the southwest Ohio market. “Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram offer a variety of great cars and trucks, and we are excited by the value these brands offer our customers,” he said in a statement.
The Arena dealership will remain in its current location across from Hara Arena at 924 Shiloh Springs Road, under the name Evans Arena Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram.
Golling’s Arena Dodge was established in 2002. That company added Chrysler and Jeep franchises in 2010. The Golling dealership is based in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., near Detroit.
Evans came to the Dayton region from Florida nearly seven years ago when he acquired the former Frank Z Imports at 7124 Poe Ave. in Vandalia. Sales have increased more than 56 percent under the Evans Motorworks banner, he said.
Evans is a third-generation auto dealer whose family started in the automotive business in 1926. His great uncle, Roy S. Evans, was one of the designers of the original Jeep, he said.
Evans Arena employs 48 people. The BMW, Volvo and Volkswagen dealerships employs 66. “We may increase employment with the growing business,” Evans said.
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