April 19, 2017
DENVER, CO April 19, 2017 -- W.G. Nielsen & Co., a leading investment banking firm headquartered in Denver, CO, announced that Mazda of Lakewood has been sold to McDonald Automotive Group. The dealership was previously owned by Melvin Marquez.
"McDonald Automotive was an ideal buyer to continue the legacy we built," said Melvin Marquez. "Many of our personnel are staying with McDonald Automotive, another family owned business, which has a terrific reputation for taking care of their employees. Their focus on customer service assures me that the dealership and our customers will be in good hands."
Michael McDonald, President of McDonald Automotive commented, "We are excited to expand our presence in our hometown and add another Mazda dealership to our company. McDonald Automotive is a family owned business and has been in the Denver market for over fifty years. We are committed to our employees, our customers and extending the legacy my grandfather created in 1949. Mazda of Lakewood shares our values, and as a fellow family owned business, will be a terrific fit to expand the Mazda brand under McDonald Automotive. Mel and his team have created a customer-focused culture that we are honored to continue."
Wayne Nielsen, who led the deal for W.G. Nielsen & Co., believes that this is indicative of increasing opportunities within the retail automotive sector. "We continue to build strong relationships within automotive retailing, and this transaction is another example of the increasing merger and acquisition activity. We expect to see more transactions done in this sector in 2017."
About Mazda of Lakewood
Mazda of Lakewood was purchased by Melvin Marquez in November 2012. The Dealership has been the recipient of the Mazda President’s Club award for three of the last four years. The Dealership is one of the dominant Mazda dealerships within the Denver market. Mazda of Lakewood has also been the number one wholesale parts department in the state of Colorado, and number one in Denver for customer retention.
About W.G. Nielsen & Co.
W.G. Nielsen & Co. is one of the Rocky Mountain's premier FINRA-registered investment banking firms, specializing in mergers and acquisitions and innovative capital solutions. Founded in 1996, Denver-based W.G. Nielsen & Co. is the oldest independently owned investment banking firm in the region. The firm differentiates itself with a staff of senior investment bankers who have broad experience and important relationships in their areas of expertise. The firm's bankers have collectively closed hundreds of transactions throughout the United States and internationally.
For more information on this transaction, please contact Wayne Nielsen at 303.830.1515 or visit www.wgnielsen.com.
About McDonald Automotive
McDonald Automotive is a third generation, privately owned group of six dealerships and a collision center in Littleton, Colorado. It is led by Douglas McDonald, a second generation auto dealer who has seen his family-owned and operated business grow tremendously in the last 50 years. The company was founded in New Mexico by Doug’s father with his purchase of Dodge Plymouth, Dodge Truck in Roswell, New Mexico in 1949. In 1958, the family was awarded the second Volkswagen franchise in New Mexico. In 1964, the Company expanded to Colorado when it was awarded the third Volkswagen franchise in Denver, Colorado. The family sold everything in Roswell and moved to Denver, opening their Volkswagen store in April 1965. The business has grown from one new car franchise, to six – Volkswagen, Volvo, Audi, Hyundai, and two Mazda stores over the course of the last fifty years.