Two Texas dealership acquisitions are under contract for Matt Bowers Auto Group and are expected to close within 60 to 90 days, pushing the retailer from 12 stores toward a 14-store footprint.
Bowers said he is expanding even as retail demand runs flat to down, arguing high vehicle prices, stagnant wages and broader living-cost pressure have weakened the average consumer.
His acquisition strategy targets out-of-favor brands such as Stellantis and Nissan rather than paying 10x-plus multiples for peak-valuation Toyota, Honda or luxury franchises; he also caps any one brand at 20% of net profit.
Service operations remain the group's stabilizer as the average U.S. light vehicle age tops 12.5 years, supporting repair orders and revenue while affordability pressures keep drivers in older cars longer.
Bowers also sees used EVs gaining traction for budget buyers, while warning that low-cost Chinese imports could undercut U.S. plants and dealership networks unless automakers build domestically.