The Presidio Group Exclusively Advised Stivers Family in Sale of Stivers Subaru in Decatur, Ga., to Lithia & Driveway
The Presidio Group LLC ("Presidio"), an independent merchant banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions, capital raising and investments in the automotive retail and consumer mobility sectors, exclusively advised brothers Johnny and Eddie Stivers on the sale of Stivers Subaru in Decatur, Ga., to Lithia & Driveway (NYSE:LAD).
The transaction, which was finalized Oct. 13, includes the dealership's real estate in the metro Atlanta suburb. The Stivers continue to operate several other dealerships.
"We are proud of what we have built at Stivers Subaru and grateful to our employees and customers for their loyalty over the years. As part of our ongoing growth, we made a strategic decision to sell the Subaru store while continuing to expand elsewhere," said Johnny Stivers. "This transaction is a testament to Presidio's top-notch expertise and connections in auto retail. Presidio maximized value for our family and got the deal done under the radar and with the utmost confidentiality in record time."
Eddie Stivers added, "We are excited to see Stivers Subaru continue to thrive as part of Lithia's growing network. Throughout this strategic portfolio management move, Presidio's professionalism and market insight were invaluable. The Presidio team's ability to connect us with Lithia and facilitate this transaction so quickly is a reflection of their standing in the industry. Presidio is hands down the best in the business."
For Lithia, the transaction further expands its reach in the metro Atlanta market.
"Atlanta is a key growth market for Lithia, and the addition of this Subaru store is a perfect fit for our expanding network," said Bryan DeBoer, CEO of Lithia & Driveway. "This marks our seventh transaction involving Presidio in the last five years, and we trust them implicitly when they call with an opportunity. We value their expertise and find that deals with Presidio are always quick, easy and professional. We look forward to building on the Stivers family's legacy and deepening our relationships with customers in the region as we continue to grow our presence in the Southeast."
This deal came together quickly thanks to a clear strategic fit between the Stivers and Lithia.
"It was an honor to bring together these two outstanding organizations in this transaction," said George Karolis, president of The Presidio Group. "The sale of this dealership fuels Lithia's expansion in the growing metro Atlanta market, and it helps reposition the Stivers' portfolio in line with their strategic objectives. This deal is a great example of how Presidio's long-term connections and deep industry knowledge deliver results for our clients."
The Stivers Subaru sale is the fourth transaction involving a Subaru dealership facilitated by Presidio this year. Subaru ranked fourth among brands in the Presidio Midyear 2025 Dealer Direction Survey.
"Subaru continues to stand out as one of the most sought-after brands in the market, both for its loyal customer base and its strong performance. Since we began surveying dealers in 2023, Subaru has consistently ranked among retailers' most desirable brands," Karolis said. "Demand for Subaru stores and the market's overall pace of dealership M&A activity continue to be robust."
Legal counsel to Stivers was provided by Rick McBride of McBride Law LLC. Counsel on real estate matters was provided by Rushton, Stakely, Johnston & Garrett, P.A. and by Bill Eskridge. Legal counsel to Lithia was provided by Aaron J. Weisman, the retailer's director of legal and real estate.
The Presidio Group provided exclusive advisory services to Stivers Automotive Group through its wholly owned investment bank, Presidio Merchant Partners LLC.
About Stivers Automotive Group
Stivers Automotive Group is a family-owned and operated dealership group with locations in Alabama, Arizona, Georgia and South Carolina. Owned and operated by third-generation auto dealers and brothers Eddie and Johnny Stivers, the group is known for its long-standing commitment to customer service, community involvement and a reputation for integrity and excellence in automotive retail across the Southeast.
About Lithia & Driveway
Lithia & Driveway (NYSE:LAD) is the largest global automotive retailer providing a wide array of products and services throughout the vehicle ownership lifecycle. Simple, convenient and transparent experiences are offered through Lithia's comprehensive network of physical locations, e-commerce platforms, captive finance solutions, fleet management offerings and other synergistic adjacencies. The company delivers consistent, profitable growth in a massive and unconsolidated industry. Its highly diversified and competitively differentiated design provides it the flexibility and scale to pursue its vision to modernize personal transportation solutions wherever, whenever and however consumers desire. For more information on Lithia, go to www.lithia.com.
About The Presidio Group LLC
The Presidio Group was founded in 1998 with the simple mission to relentlessly put the interests of our clients first. By steadfastly adhering to this philosophy, the firm has earned the trust of clients throughout the United States. During their careers, the professionals at Presidio have collectively closed more than 295 transactions for over $19.5 billion. The Presidio Group, based in Denver and Atlanta, publishes Presidio Perspectives: A Quarterly Outlook on Auto Retail and M&A Trends, a leading source of information about the automotive retail landscape. Presidio Merchant Partners LLC is a subsidiary of The Presidio Group LLC and is a member of FINRA and SIPC. For more information on Presidio, visit www.thepresidiogroup.com.
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George Karolis
(678) 831-5520
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Lauren Pfohl
(404) 434-1837
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