Mercedes-Benz of South Austin in Austin, TX, was recently acquired by Group 1 Automotive, Inc., according to Haig Partners, sell-side advisor on the sale.
Mercedes-Benz of South Austin was previously owned by Jeff Swickard, owner of Swickard Auto Group. The dealership was ranked 30th in the Automotive News Top 150 Dealership Groups report in 2025.
Group 1 Automotive owns 263 auto dealerships and 39 collision centers in the U.S. and the UK. The group generated almost $21 billion in revenue over the past 12 months.
“Mercedes-Benz is one of the premier brands in the automotive industry, and Austin remains one of the most dynamic markets in the country,” Swickard said. “We congratulate Group 1 on their newest acquisition and are confident they will do very well with this dealership. We are proud of the legacy we built in South Austin and grateful to the team and community that supported us there.”
The sale was part of Swickard Auto Group’s decision to focus it growth efforts in its core markets of California, Washington, Alaska, Oregon and Hawaii, Swickard added.
Group 1 Automotive CEO Daryl Kenningham is growing that company by focusing on higher performing brands in large markets. It also owns Mercedes-Benz of Georgetown, also in the Austin area.
“This transaction turned out to be a win for Jeff Swickard, a win for Group 1, and a win for Mercedes-Benz USA,” said Alan Haig of Haig Partners.
The sale demonstrated Texas retains its position among the most desirable markets in the U.S. for auto retail, Haig Partners said. Buyers are attracted to its high population growth and business-friendly environment that lead to strong profits.
Mercedes-Benz of South Austin is the 48th dealership in Texas that Haig Partners has purchased or sold. The firm is currently representing six other dealerships in Texas pending closing, and advising on the sale of four more dealerships.
Haig Partners ranks Mercedes-Benz as one of the most desirable auto franchises in its Q4 2024 Haig Report. The firm has been involved in buying or selling 19 Mercedes-Benz dealerships nationwide, including two this year in Texas.
