The Crown Automotive Group, one of the top 100 privately-held dealership groups in the United States, has acquired Kelly Subaru in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed.
The acquisition in the greater Chattanooga market extends St. Pete-based Crown’s footprint in the region, according to a statement, adding to a pair of Chrysler dealerships it operates there. The Subaru corporate office also approved Crown to operate in the Chattanooga area, as well as parts of Georgia and Alabama, the release states. Crown will operate with its current team including General Manager Steve Marlin and Fixed Operations Manager Desmond Hagan.
Despite making millions in automotive sales, Dwayne Hawkins, much to the surprise of top officials around him, never flew anywhere first class.
“He’d fly coach,” Crown Automotive President and COO Jim Myers says, “when a lot of people like him could fly on their own planes.”
That humility, mixed with a folksy, southern gentleman style, was a hallmark of Hawkins’ life. The founder of St. Petersburg-based Crown Automotive Group, Hawkins died Christmas Eve from natural causes. He was 85. What a great dad, friend and mentor he was to me,” his son Kevin Hawkins says in a statement. The younger Hawkins will succeed his dad as principal dealer and chairman of Crown Automotive, which comprises 22 dealerships in three states, employing more than 1,100 people. “His loss to the Crown family is immense. Dwayne Hawkins was an inspirational and visionary leader, a dedicated and passionate giver and a truly remarkable human being. He will be sorely missed.”
BZA stands against proposed fill site
12/21/20 9:33 AM
The Seymour Board of Zoning Appeals has upheld a decision by the city plan commission to deny a land use variance to a local business to operate a clean fill site just north of city limits.
BZA members voted 4-0 against BP2 Construction’s request during a mostly virtual meeting last week. Board President John Richey abstained from the vote.
Jason Smith, attorney for BP2, spoke on behalf of the company. He said the 14-acre property in the 2300 block of North State Road 11 isn’t suited for any commercial business “as is.”
The land sits too low and would need to be built up, and there are no utilities currently available to the property, he said.
Mayor Candidate Tim Kelly Sells Kelly Subaru To Crown Automotive Group Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Chattanooga mayoral candidate Tim Kelly on Tuesday announced the sale of the Kelly Subaru dealership to Crown Automotive Group. The Kelly dealerships have been a fixture in Chattanooga’s Westside for the past 49 years.
Subaru will remain in its current location, and Tim Kelly will retain ownership of the properties.
Jim Myers, president of Crown Automotive Group, said, Both companies share a philosophy of great customer service, an unwavering commitment to community support, and representation of high quality brands.
“As we began to consider this purchase, we liked the management, staff and market approach Tim applied at the dealership. Subaru enjoys a very strong reputation and Tim and his team have done a great job in building customer trust and confidence. We look forward to continuing that legacy and the growth of this dealership as an important part of o