Sutherlin Automotive Group Acquires Southern California Subaru Dealership
The auto group plans to double McKenna Subaru's service and parts department, making it one of the largest in California.
Sutherlin Automotive Group on Sept. 30 announced the acquisition of McKenna Subaru in Huntington Beach, CA — the company's first dealership in California, marking its westward expansion into the nation's most competitive car market.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but a news release noted the sale was one of the largest transactions to date for a single-point Subaru dealership.
Sutherlin Automotive Group, owned by Brett Sutherlin and entirely self-funded, said it plans to transform the Huntington Beach store into a record-setting operation. Its goals include doubling the size of the service and parts department, making it one of the largest in California, while continuing to invest in customer-first innovations like mobile service and pickup-and-delivery options.
Customers will also gain access to the largest selection of Subarus in the state, with plans to stock more than 300 new Subarus and over 250 used vehicles on site.
"This is more than an acquisition — it's a statement of intent," said Sutherlin, who is also the CEO of Sutherlin Automotive Group. "Southern California is the most powerful car market in the country, and Huntington Beach offers both the scale and the potential to redefine what a Subaru dealership can be. We didn't come here to participate; we came here to lead, and we will make this the No. 1 Subaru dealership in America. That means setting a new bar for sales volume, but more importantly, delivering a customer experience that sets the standard for the industry."
The 7-acre location on Beach Boulevard is the largest dealership site in the area for any brand.
Veteran Subaru executive Eric Brower successfully led Sutherlin Subaru in Knoxville, TN, where he more than doubled sales. He will lead operations in Huntington Beach.
Longtime friend and advisor Mike Sims, president of Pinnacle Mergers & Acquisitions, advised Sutherlin on the acquisition.
"Because we're family-owned, we can move faster and make bolder decisions — that's how we seized this Huntington Beach opportunity so decisively," Sutherlin said.
Brower added: "California Subaru customers are about to see a whole new way of buying and servicing cars."
The expansion is expected to create more than 75 new jobs in Huntington Beach, with opportunities across sales, service and support teams.
Sutherlin has relocated to Orange County and will base his office at the Huntington Beach dealership. The news release noted “this is just the beginning of Sutherlin's expansion into California,” as he is already evaluating additional acquisitions.
