The luxury car dealership has closed, but plans are already being made to reopen it as a traditional car brand after a major deal is struck.
The Alabama-based car dealership sold Maserati, Fiat and Alfa Romeo until it suddenly closed recently.
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The Subaru franchise will move into the former Benchmark Automotive location. Photo courtesy of Google Maps
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Benchmark Automotive also sold another dealership it owned to a Georgia-based auto group. Photo: Google Maps
According to a report from Alabama Local News, Benchmark Automotive plans to sell the site to a Tennessee-based company that already acquired another local dealership in May for $40 million.
The Benchmark Automotive site launched in 2017.
According to the Birmingham Business Journal, a Subaru franchise is planning to move into the former Benchmark Automotive location.
“We are disappointed to see the Maserati and Alfa Romeo brands leave Irondale Auto Mall,” Irondale Mayor James D. Stewart said in a prepared statement.
“But we’re excited to have Hallmark Group and Subaru on board.”
Benchmark Automotive also sold another dealership it owns to a Georgia-based automotive group for $6.7 million in 2020.
“Irondale, with its natural bounty of the Cahaba River and Ruffner Mountain, is the perfect location to promote the Subaru brand to our target demographic of outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, bikers and families,” Stewart added.
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The Alabama-based dealership isn’t the only one seeing an end and a new beginning.
A popular car dealership has suddenly closed after 90 years in business.
The car dealership was located in Hortonville, New York.
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Regular customers at Buddenhagen’s stressed that the restaurant was a “symbol that will be deeply missed.”
The company was founded by Anthony Budenhagen and has been associated with Ford for 50 years.
The dealership ended its partnership with Ford just a year before announcing the closure.
Anthony’s children bought the business in 1962.
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Source: Kelley Blue Book
It was then purchased in 1990 by his nephew Hal and his friend Tom Donistrein.
Hal continued to run the business after Tom sadly passed away from leukemia shortly after buying it.
As soon as the news broke, fans of the dealership flocked to social media to share their disbelief and sadness.
“A community icon and will be greatly missed,” one customer wrote on Facebook.
“Sad that there is no family left to follow in their footsteps. Their service will definitely be missed,” another added.
While many were saddened by the closure, one person wished Hull the best of luck, telling him to “enjoy your retirement.”
This car salesman apparently made a positive and lasting impact on the community, which will surely be grateful for the memories made between the time he took over the business and its demise.
