Sonic Automotive has purchased Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) dealerships in Los Angeles, Newport Beach, San Jose and Pasadena, CA, from US Auto Trust, in what is now the most valuable JLR transaction in U.S. automotive history.
The deal, brokered and announced by Kerrigan Advisors, includes some of the country’s highest-performing JRL franchises, positioning Sonic as the nation’s leading JLR retailer.
Land Rover Los Angeles ranked No. 1 in California and No. 5 in the U.S., while Jaguar Land Rover Newport Beach and San Jose ranked second nationally and first in Northern California, respectively, according to a press release. The transaction also involves the Land Rover dealership in Pasadena. These dealerships are located in some of the wealthiest and most vehicle-dense regions in the country, including Beverly Hills, Orange County and Silicon Valley.
“Kerrigan Advisors played an instrumental role in making the sale happen,” said Matt Kaiser, chief of staff for US Auto Trust. “The firm’s expertise was invaluable in identifying Sonic as the ideal buyer for our valuable JLR platform.”
US Auto Trust, which transformed the dealerships into top-tier performers in sales and customer service, is shifting its strategy to focus on expanding its presence in other luxury segments, and will retain ownership of its Aston Martin, Cadillac and Lotus franchises in Southern California.
Ryan Kerrigan, managing director of Kerrigan Advisors, called the sale a reflection of the strong market demand for luxury dealership assets in top California regions. “We were honored to represent US Auto Trust in this historic sale and congratulate Sonic on this marquee acquisition,” he said.
The sale points to the desirability of premium franchises in high-income markets. California alone generated more than $150 billion in dealership revenue in 2024, accounting for 12% of the national market. Each dealership in the sale sits in a region with high customer loyalty, economic strength and strategic retail value.
“This transaction highlights that the combination of high volume, ideal auto retail location, and top luxury franchises creates strong buyer demand,” said Erin Kerrigan, managing director of Kerrigan Advisors.
Land Rover operates just 202 franchises in the U.S., making each location a rare and valuable asset, especially those tied to affluent markets like Los Angeles, Newport Beach and San Jose.
