Former general manager forms auto group, buys first dealerships

New dealer Kyle Coleman purchased two Iowa dealerships this spring, having worked in various auto retail jobs for Rohrman Automotive Group of Lafayette, Ind., most recently as general manager of Fort Wayne Toyota in Indiana.

His newly created Coleman Automotive Group includes the renamed Spirit Lake Ford–Chrysler Dodge-Jeep-Ram in Spirit Lake, Iowa, and Estherville Chevrolet-GMC, in Estherville, Iowa.

The stores are in the northwest part of the state, close to the border of Minnesota.

His brother, Ryan Coleman, is director of operations for the new auto group and owns a minority share, Kyle Coleman said.

He said that since the May 9 acquisition, overall sales volume has more than doubled, aided by additional inventory and more aggressive advertising and promotions, especially online.

The selling dealers of Motor Inn of Spirit Lake, the Ford-CDJR store and Motor Inn of Estherville, were Mark Heywood and his son Spencer Heywood. They co-own Motor Inn Auto Group and still own a Toyota-Chevrolet dual in Carroll, Iowa.

Kyle Coleman said he’s happy with the rural nature of the Iowa markets where he bought the dealerships. “I looked at dozens of stores all over the country,” he said. “I did like this opportunity, since it gives me a leg up with multiple brands all at one time — Chevrolet, GMC, Ford and CDJR, all at the same negotiating table.”

He said, “From day one, I always wanted to expand rather quickly.”