For years now, Bill Brown Ford in Livonia, Michigan has been one of the top-selling Ford dealers on earth, and in many cases, has moved more new vehicles than any other Ford dealer on an annual basis. Sadly, Ed Brown – who led that same Ford dealer for a whopping 50 years – passed away in 2023, after which his children Tom Brown and Ruth Ann Brown took over the reigns. Now, Bill Brown Ford has moved on to a new owner, however.
According to Automotive News, Bill Brown Ford – which held the title of being the top-selling Ford dealer in 2021, 2022, and 2023 – has been sold to Penske Automotive Group – one of the largest dealership chains in the U.S. – a massive development for a dealership that was founded way back in 1940 by the Brown family. Penske estimates that this acquisition will add around $550 million in annual revenue to its existing portfolio.
“They initially reached out to us last year,” said George Karolis, president of Presidio Group, an investment banking firm that represented the Brown family in the sale. “They chose to work with us and gave us the honor of helping them with their family’s legacy. We took it to market this year for them, and it was a very quick, smooth process.” “For decades, Bill Brown Ford has been building partnerships within its community by creating an environment that focuses on exceeding the expectations of its customers and empowering its employees,” Rich Shearing, COO of Penske Automotive North American Operations, said in a statement. “We look forward to cultivating those partnerships.”
“After nearly a century in the greater Detroit community, it was essential to find a buyer who values the culture we’ve created at Bill Brown Ford and would carry on our family’s legacy as a top-notch employer and a trusted provider of vehicle sales and service to customers throughout Southeast Michigan,” Tom Brown said in a statement. “We just found that steward in Penske Automotive Group.”
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Comments
Be interesting to see what changes Penske happen to this dealer.
Most times, when a large group takes over dealer, things don’t go well for the employees or the customers.
Bill’s kids saw all the $$$$$ bills dancing in their eyes.
Can’t blame ’em. Dealerships are pretty cut-throat businesses.
Bought a truck there in 2022, Came down from Grand Rapids. we could have not been treated better.I hope it stays the same as I would shop there again.
Bill Brown is where I buy my vehicles be ause of the way the sales staff and Management treat you. None better! My salesman tells me that the staff are looking forward to the changes Mr. PENSKE himself says will happen . I am told that Mr. PENSKE himself was present this week as a computer changeover was taking place! How about Roger being there to insure thing were going well after winning Indy/NASCAR races Sunday!
Great dealership. Bought a few vehicles from em in past! 💯
Hopefully this transition / transaction goes smoothly for all parties, new owners, employees and clients, past, present and future.
This happened in central New Jersey a few years ago when Flemington Car and Truck Country was sold to the Ciocca group, who own many different dealerships in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Employees, I am told, got a raw deal. Service pricing WENT THROUGH THE ROOF! ( from my own experience) and things I’ve heard are not pleasant.
The previous owner and founder built a wonderful group of dealerships in Flemington and Princeton but his offspring decided to follow the money.
I have had a recent experience buying from a Penske owned dealership, Land Rover of Paramus ( NJ) and I have to say it was professional and well executed.
Good luck to all parties.
Try new Bronco or Lincoln Aviator next time. Far better than Land Rover & nearly as luxurious! Well Lincoln definitely will match the LR.
As someone who knows the history of the beginnings of Ciocca group rather well (I was a 23-year Ford salesperson from ’97-20 at a store within 10 miles from their store in Quakertown), what you say doesn’t surprise me one bit!.
Their 1st store was in Quakertown Pa, which they bought from Faulkner, and things just went downhill with the old Faulkner employees. I had old coworkers who were employed at their Souderton location, who went above and beyond their job (one basically rebuilt their service department into a positive experience, to getting let go for no reason other than the CEO not being a stand up guy. I have ZERO good things to say about their president & CEO Greg Ciocca. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way, just read the “Cons” from their employee Glassdoor reviews. NOT GOOD.
I know Roger Penske values the core principals of the dealerships he purchases so I honestly don’t expect any changes that would result in loosing what made the dealership an interest to him and the reasons the local community embraces them. It should all be a positive for everyone involved.
Bought my first new Ford truck there in 1987. Have since moved out of the area but my sales guy was a well seasoned sales veteran that really made it a enjoyable process and took care of the customer.
Have bought several cars and trucks from Bill Brown Ford over the last 20 years and they take care of most of the maintenance on my vehicles. Incredibly satisfied with their customer service ethic. Hoping that Penske doesn’t screw it up.
Always heard Penske Group are stand up people. I wonder if This dealership is surrounded by Ford Factorys. That can be a lot of A/Z Plans, discounted employee pricing. Hate to think of Ford shuttering a factory, slicing Penske profits.
I know Roger when attending Detroit Diesel training in Piscataway NJ
Under the direction of Paul Reptca in 1985.
I trained at the training center in Detroit Michigan on Telegraph Rd in 1996. I met Roger while training at Piscataway school. He’s a good person and a great administrator. I wish him great success in his new venture. You couldn’t have a better guy to run things.
I wish him and all of you guys the best.