Kerrigan Advisors Facilitates Landmark Sale of Jaguar Land Rover Dealerships from US Auto Trust to Sonic Automotive
Kerrigan Advisors, a leading sell-side advisor to auto dealers across the U.S., has announced the successful completion of a milestone transaction on behalf of Los Angeles-based US Auto Trust. The firm represented US Auto Trust in the sale of four of its Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealerships—located in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Jose, and Pasadena—to Sonic Automotive, Inc. (NYSE: SAH). This high-profile transaction not only reinforces the robust demand for luxury auto retail assets in key California markets, but also establishes Sonic Automotive as the largest Jaguar Land Rover retailer in the United States.
The sale includes three dual-branded Jaguar Land Rover dealerships—in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, and San Jose—and a standalone Land Rover dealership in Pasadena. Each location represents a high-performing and strategically situated asset in some of the most affluent automotive markets in the country. According to Kerrigan Advisors, this deal marks the most valuable JLR transaction in automotive history and serves as a benchmark for premium dealership valuations nationwide.
This deal also marks a significant milestone for Kerrigan Advisors, which has now advised on the sale of 401 franchises since 2015. The firm continues to hold the leading position in high-value dealership advisory services and is widely recognized as a strategic thought partner to large dealer groups navigating complex transactions.
Premier Dealership Assets in High-Value Markets
US Auto Trust’s JLR dealership portfolio includes some of the most successful and high-volume franchises in the country. Land Rover Los Angeles, located near Beverly Hills, ranks #1 in California and #5 nationwide in terms of sales performance. Jaguar Land Rover Newport Beach is another top-performing outlet, ranked #2 nationally, while Jaguar Land Rover San Jose leads all JLR dealerships in Northern California for volume. These dealerships are positioned in regions with high vehicle ownership, strong brand loyalty, and growing populations of affluent consumers.
The group’s Pasadena location also benefits from its proximity to a highly desirable and wealthy customer base. These characteristics made the entire JLR platform extremely attractive to buyers, with Sonic Automotive ultimately emerging as the ideal strategic partner to acquire the portfolio.
Despite the sale, US Auto Trust is not exiting the luxury automotive market. The group will retain ownership of its Aston Martin, Cadillac, and Lotus dealerships in Southern California. The company remains committed to expanding and strengthening its presence in the region through future acquisitions within the high-end vehicle segment.
A Strategic Match with Sonic Automotive
Matt Kaiser, Chief of Staff at US Auto Trust, expressed deep appreciation for Kerrigan Advisors’ role in identifying the right buyer and executing the deal. “Kerrigan Advisors played an instrumental role in making the sale happen,” Kaiser said. “Their expertise was invaluable in identifying Sonic as the ideal buyer for our valuable JLR platform. We’ve greatly valued our partnership with JLR and are proud of the transformation we’ve achieved, elevating these dealerships from among the brand’s lowest NPS performers to some of the highest ranked in both customer service and sales.”
Kaiser added that US Auto Trust’s mission has always centered around delivering a best-in-class luxury experience. “As an ultra-premium retail group with a deep commitment to the customer experience, we accomplished our objectives and believe the time was right to redirect our focus toward future luxury acquisitions,” he said.
With this acquisition, Sonic Automotive, already a major player in the U.S. auto retail landscape, further solidifies its position in the high-end vehicle segment. As of 2024, Sonic ranks as the sixth-largest automotive retailer in the country based on new vehicle unit sales. The addition of these high-performing Jaguar Land Rover franchises is expected to significantly enhance its luxury brand portfolio and geographic reach in California—America’s largest auto retail market.
Kerrigan Advisors’ Role and Market Perspective
Ryan Kerrigan, Managing Director of Kerrigan Advisors, underscored the broader significance of the transaction. “The US Auto Trust–Sonic transaction demonstrates the strong demand for premium dealership assets in top California auto retail markets like Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Pasadena, and San Jose,” he said. “We were honored to represent US Auto Trust in this historic sale and congratulate Sonic on this marquee acquisition.”
Kerrigan emphasized the long-term relationship between the firm and US Auto Trust. “We have appreciated being a thought partner to US Auto Trust as they entered the auto retail industry and, when the time was right, assisting the group in selling their lucrative JLR platform,” he said. “Congratulations to both US Auto Trust and Sonic on this important transaction.”
Erin Kerrigan, also a Managing Director at Kerrigan Advisors, added that the deal highlights how premium brand assets—especially those offering high profitability and customer loyalty—are attracting strong buyer interest. “This transaction highlights that the combination of high volume, ideal auto retail location, and top luxury franchises creates strong buyer demand,” she said. “JLR’s high-margin product lineup and robust profitability further increased the appeal of US Auto Trust’s JLR platform in California. We were honored to represent US Auto Trust and work with their team to ensure this highly valuable multi-franchise transaction ran smoothly and came to a successful close.”
A Unique and Coveted Dealer Network
Land Rover’s U.S. dealer network is one of the most exclusive in the industry, with only 202 franchises nationwide. The dealerships sold in this transaction are distinguished by their prime real estate and location in some of the most densely populated and wealthiest communities in the country. These regions also enjoy some of the highest levels of customer loyalty in the auto industry, contributing to the long-term value of the franchises.
California continues to lead the U.S. automotive market in terms of total dealership revenue, generating more than $150 billion in 2024 alone. The state accounts for 12% of the national market and ranks second in average dealership revenue. Each region involved in this sale—Los Angeles, Orange County, Pasadena, and San Jose—represents a pillar of California’s luxury auto ecosystem.
Los Angeles is the second-largest metro economy in the United States, while Orange County has experienced a GDP increase of nearly 60% between 2010 and 2023. Pasadena, known for its exceptional quality of life, boasts a high concentration of high-net-worth individuals. San Jose anchors the Silicon Valley economy, a global center for technology and innovation, supported by strong employment and high discretionary income.
This transaction serves as a clear indicator of where the automotive retail industry is heading: toward increased consolidation, brand specialization, and a growing appetite for luxury dealership assets in top-tier markets. It also reflects the importance of trusted advisory relationships in maximizing the value of such strategic sales.
Kerrigan Advisors continues to lead the way in advising on complex, high-value dealership transactions, with a track record that includes more than 400 franchises sold since 2015. As market conditions evolve, their role as both advisors and strategic partners positions them at the forefront of the industry’s transformation.
For US Auto Trust, this landmark sale represents both a culmination and a new beginning—a chance to reinvest in other areas of the luxury automotive space while continuing to serve Southern California’s discerning clientele. For Sonic Automotive, it marks a major step forward in its growth strategy, strengthening its foothold in one of the most desirable auto retail markets in the world.\
