Tom Masano Auto Group’s 50,000-square-foot certified collision center in Reading, PA, has been acquired by Driving Force Collision, a fast-growing operator backed by TRP Capital. The transaction is part of a growing trend among dealerships seeking to divest collision operations in favor of specialized partners, according to Focus Advisors, which facilitated the sale.
The Masano collision center had made significant investments in training, equipment and certifications from major automotive manufacturers, earning a regional reputation for high-quality repairs and customer service. With its sale to Driving Force, the facility is expected to continue its upward trajectory under a collision-focused ownership model.
“After years of investing in our people and equipment, we realized our operation needed a collision-centric owner to achieve its potential,” said John Masano of the Masano Auto Group. “Focus Advisors helped us identify a buyer who shares our commitment to quality and will continue to serve our dealership, staff and community with excellence.”
Focus Advisors led a competitive, confidential process to find the right buyer, engaging national and regional consolidators as well as emerging operators.
Chris Lane, managing partner at Focus Advisors, said the firm sought a long-term fit that would not only support a smooth transition for employees but also maximize real estate value and bolster the dealership’s parts operations.
Focus Advisors noted that interest from dealerships looking to evaluate or exit their collision operations has been growing. According to Lane, “In well-structured transactions like this one, dealers can realize immediate value for their collision operations and facility while simultaneously improving parts sales, reducing operational complexity, and freeing up capital and management attention for core dealership activities.”
Lane said Focus’ analysis shows that dealers who divest their collision operations to experienced MSOs often experience a 30–50% increase in parts sales.
“A more experienced collision operator will be able to drive more sales in general, and there’s usually a parts agreement requiring that repairer to buy their parts from that dealership,” Lane explained in an email to Autobody News.
Driving Force Collision has been expanding throughout the Northeast. The company’s alignment with Masano’s service standards and its strategic vision were key to sealing the deal.
“We were fortunate to have multiple attractive offers, but Driving Force’s vision and commitment to our needs stood out,” Masano said. “We credit Focus Advisors’ collision industry expertise and transaction professionalism in delivering an outcome that substantially exceeded our expectations.”
