DAVID WILSON
CHAIRMAN/CEO
WILSON AUTOMOTIVE GROUP
WHY: Owner of OC’s largest group of automotive dealerships and one of the biggest in California. Sells over 75K new and used vehicles annually. Closed last year on the company’s biggest deal: the sale of two OC area Lexus dealerships to Houston-based Group 1 Automotive Inc. (NYSE: GPI).
IN THE NEWS: Group 1 Automotive took over Newport Lexus and Tustin Lexus, giving the Houston-based company 10 dealerships in California, including Mercedes-Benz of Anaheim and Toyota of Anaheim. Anaheim-based Wilson Automotive Group reported Newport Lexus and Tustin Lexus, the two dealerships sold to Group 1 Automotive, combined for $280M in sales for the 12-month period ending June 2023.
NOTABLE: The company had its beginnings in 1983 when Wilson, the new general manager of Toyota of Orange, bought 25% of the dealership. Bought the dealership in 1985. Reportedly owns a Benetti yacht CALEX, and is worth an estimated $1B, according to the site, Super Yacht Fan.
QUOTABLE: “He now counts 16 dealers in his portfolio with annual sales totaling around $3.4 billion following the sale.” — The Business Journal’s coverage of the dealership sale, March 4, 2024
