Haig Partners Guides High-Profile Sale of Acura of Fremont as Founder Shifts Focus to Fast-Growing Carveeps Software Venture
Haig Partners LLC, one of the most respected buy-sell advisory firms in the U.S. retail automotive industry, has successfully facilitated the sale of Acura of Fremont, one of the highest-performing Acura dealerships in the Western Region. The dealership, located in Fremont, California, was sold by long-time automotive retailer Bruce Kavich to Oscar and Brian Bakhtiari of the Bakhtiari Auto Group.
For years, Acura of Fremont has been widely regarded as one of the brand’s flagship stores in the western United States. It has consistently ranked among the top one or two Acura dealerships in sales volume across the region, and between 2015 and 2019, it held the coveted #1 spot in sales performance. That track record, combined with a reputation for customer service excellence and operational efficiency, made it one of the most sought-after stores in the California retail landscape.
A Strategic Transition After Four Decades in Automotive Retail
For seller Bruce Kavich, the decision to part ways with Acura of Fremont was not driven by retirement, but by a strategic pivot. After more than 40 years in dealership operations, Kavich identified a major gap in the industry related to customer retention — a challenge that many dealers continue to struggle with. Rather than allowing customer re-engagement to hinge on negative events such as vehicle breakdowns or service complaints, he believed dealers needed a more proactive and positive way to keep customers returning to the service drive.
That insight led him to launch Carveeps, a fully customizable, software-driven customer retention platform that offers concierge-style VIP service plans. Instead of reactive retention driven by necessity, Carveeps enables dealers to build recurring engagement by inviting customers back multiple times a year for value-added service experiences.
Kavich’s strategy took advantage of a common issue seen across many dealerships — underutilized capacity in service departments. By turning unused service capacity into a structured revenue and engagement platform, he transformed what was once idle time into a high-margin profit center.
“Customers love it,” Kavich said. “Carveeps creates a relationship that’s positive, consistent, and profitable. The extra margin goes right to the bottom line.” With some clients achieving retention rates as high as 70%, the program has proven to drive not only return visits but also major gains in CSI (Customer Satisfaction Index) and incremental profits through service upsells.
After spending several years optimizing the Carveeps platform and establishing a strong, high-performing team at Acura of Fremont, Kavich knew the time was right to scale his software business on a full-time basis. “Selling the store was a very difficult decision,” he said. “I had an incredible team, and their commitment meant a lot to me. But it was the right time to focus on growing Carveeps and helping other dealers benefit from it.”
Why Haig Partners Was Chosen to Lead the Transaction
As Kavich prepared for one of the most important milestones of his career, he interviewed several of the top buy-sell advisory firms in the automotive industry. Ultimately, he chose Haig Partners not just for their transaction expertise, but for their strategic approach and deep relationships within the dealer community.
“I interviewed several of the top buy-sell advisors in the industry, and I chose Haig Partners for their authenticity, intelligence, and depth of relationships across the market,” Kavich shared. “What impressed me most was how strategic and connected they are. They understand the nuances of each buyer and how to position a store for maximum value.”
He credited Managing Director Jayson Crouch and Director Matt DeSantis for going beyond traditional advisory work. “They didn’t simply manage the process; they directed it with expertise. From the first call to closing, they were proactive, insightful and focused on achieving an exceptional outcome. I couldn’t be happier with the results, and I now understand firsthand why Haig Partners is widely considered the gold standard in our industry.”
A Growing Buyer Steps into a New Premium Segment
The buyer, Bakhtiari Auto Group, is an emerging retail group focused on expanding its presence across premium and performance vehicle brands. The acquisition of Acura of Fremont marks a significant addition to their portfolio. For the Bakhtiari family, adding an Acura franchise in a major Bay Area auto mall presented the perfect combination of opportunity — brand strength, location advantage, and operational scalability.
“Acura of Fremont has an exceptional legacy, and we are honored to continue that tradition,” said the Bakhtiaris in a statement. “We are committed to providing a stellar customer experience and further elevating the brand’s presence in Northern California.”
With luxury and near-luxury brands continuing to gain traction in the state, particularly in hybrid and performance-oriented product lines, the move positions Bakhtiari Auto Group for further growth in one of the country’s most competitive and profitable automotive markets.
California Remains One of the Hottest Buy-Sell Markets in the Country
From Haig Partners’ perspective, the transaction underscores a trend that has been gaining strength in recent quarters — renewed demand and rising valuations for strong-performing California dealerships.
“We were honored to represent Bruce in this transaction,” said Jayson Crouch of Haig Partners. “He built a top-performing dealership with a culture of innovation and care for both employees and customers.”
According to Crouch, buyer enthusiasm for quality stores in California is at a multi-year high. “The California market continues to impress, with a clear surge in demand for high-quality dealerships across the state. Over the past several months, we have seen stronger buyer interest and higher valuations for California stores today than at any point in recent years.”
Several macro-factors are contributing to this renewed confidence. California remains the largest automotive retail market in the United States, and its consumer base skews toward higher-income demographics, premium vehicle brands, and early adoption of new technologies — whether hybrid systems, EVs, or advanced safety features.
Furthermore, recent policy shifts at both the state and federal levels, coupled with continued economic expansion in key metropolitan regions, have reinforced investor optimism in the region’s long-term trajectory. “Sellers are exceptionally well positioned, and current transaction values reflect this renewed demand,” Crouch noted.
A Win-Win Transition
While every dealership transaction represents a strategic milestone, the sale of Acura of Fremont stands out as a case study in succession planning done right. For Bruce Kavich, it represents more than a financial exit — it marks the transition from seasoned dealership operator to full-time software entrepreneur. His vision with Carveeps could reshape how dealers nationwide think about customer retention, loyalty programs, and service profitability.
For Bakhtiari Auto Group, the acquisition provides immediate volume, reputation, and scale — the kind of strong, brand-aligned growth that allows a rising retail group to move confidently into new markets.
And for Haig Partners, the successful completion of this transaction reinforces their standing as one of the most trusted and effective advisors in the automotive retail landscape — combining strategy, industry connections, and execution to deliver results that exceed expectations.
In an era where automotive retail is rapidly evolving, the Acura of Fremont transaction highlights the power of vision, timing, and partnership — and sets the stage for new growth on all sides.
