AutoNation Inc., the largest U.S. retailer of new cars and trucks, plans to rename its mass market brand franchises in the first half of this year after posting record profit for 2012.
The dealership group’s 210 non-luxury domestic and import franchises will use the AutoNation moniker beginning Friday in South Florida, Chief executive officer Mike Jackson said in an interview. The changes affect 80 percent of AutoNation’s franchises, giving them names such as AutoNation Chevrolet. Premium-brand stores such as those selling Bayerische Motoren Werke’s BMW brand aren’t included.
