Holman Finalizes Acquisition of Leith Automotive
Biggest retail transaction in group's 100-year history nearly doubles its retail business.

Centennial-year purchase puts Holman at nearly 60 dealerships.
IMAGE: Holman
Holman, an automotive services provider, acquired North Carolina-based Leith Automotive Group, nearly doubling its automotive retail business.
After the transaction, Holman said it has 58 dealerships, 34 brands and nearly 4,500 retail automotive employees in nine states. It's the largest retail acquisition in its 100-year history.
The expansion includes 13 new franchises and its first auction center. All Leith facilities are in the greater Raleigh area and Aberdeen, N.C.
“In our centennial year, we’re excited about the opportunities to strengthen and grow our automotive retail footprint that began in 1924 with a single dealership. This acquisition represents the culmination of extensive strategy, hard work and vision to put our employee partners and our business in a position to win for the next 100 years,” said Holman CEO Chris Conroy.
Both family-owned organizations have a legacy of success and growth built on longstanding core values, Holman said. Together, it said they remain committed to doing the right thing for employees, customers and the community. The deal preserves the Leith brand and team.
“Like Holman, Leith has placed the highest priority on delivering excellent customer service by building a strong network of employee partners,” Holman President of Automotive Retail Gene Welsh said. “We are thrilled to welcome Leith’s 1,900 employees to the Holman family.”
Holman ranks as one of America’s largest privately-owned dealership networks. The certified, female-owned broader Holman business delivers a unique range of automotive-centric services to commercial and consumer customers around the globe.
More Dealer Ops

Ladies and Gentlemen, This Is a Dealership: Why the Fundamentals Still Decide Who Wins
A teaching moment by a legendary football coach happens to apply perfectly in the auto retail space. Learn what it is and how to use it to your store’s advantage.
Read More →
Timing the Market Can Hurt Long-Term Program Performance
For dealer-owned reinsurance entities, avoiding volatility entirely can mean falling behind inflation and missing market rebounds that drive long term surplus growth. Missing just a handful of strong market days can materially impact cumulative returns—an important reminder for long horizon trust and investment strategies.
Read More →
Dealer Ads and the FTC
The agency has made it clear in recent enforcement actions and warnings, in auto retail and other industries, that advertised prices must include all nonoptional costs to the consumer.
Read More →
Used Autos Supply Dwindles
The March shopping surge, despite high prices, cut into inventory by the most since the thick of the pandemic, Cox Automotive analysts calculated.
Read More →
Managing Risk Effectively Through Changing Times
The variables influencing risk pricing have changed significantly over the past five years. Being proactive and responsive to emerging trends is not optional but essential.
Read More →
Survey Reveals What Won't Fix What's Breaking Car Sales
AutoPayPlus says extra-long auto loans are trapping consumers and threatening the dealer trade-in cycle, and that the industry is leveraging the wrong tools to combat high MSRPs.
Read More →
IA American Appoints Two Execs
Senior vice presidents of the company's agent and dealer channels chosen to support general agents and help auto dealers with sales and performance.
Read More →
Cox Automotive Acquires Inspection Firm
Full ownership of Alliance Inspection Management, or AiM, meant to unlock growth for Manheim inspection capabilities
Read More →
Assurant Expands Partnership With Holman
Extended collaboration delivers training, products and performance development to 30 newly acquired Holman dealerships
Read More →
Franchises, Throughput Down in First Half
A handful of states see franchise growth through June, while EV sales per store boost overall business in U.S.
Read More →