Hendrick Automotive Group has acquired Neuwirth Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram FIAT in Wilmington from Neuwirth Motors owner John Gillilan, according to a news release Tuesday.

Located at 219 S. College Road, across the street from Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, the rebranded dealership has reopened as Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT Wilmington.
 
Including an off-site facility at 6405 Market St. for retailing preowned vehicles, the dealership is comprised of four buildings with more than 41,000 square feet of facility space on nearly 8.5 acres, the release stated. The location has 28 vehicle service bays.
 
Led by Alan Thomas, who remains general manager reporting to Hendrick Automotive Group vice president Chris Little, the dealership currently employs 130 people among its five FIAT Chrysler Automobile (FCA) franchises, the release stated.

Hendrick Automotive Group, based in Charlotte, now has more than 600 employees in the Wilmington area, according to the release.
 
“This dealership is special because of its people,” said Rick Hendrick, chairman and CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, in the release. “John and Alan have built a culture of service and communication throughout their entire team, which is why this is such a perfect fit for our company. Long-standing customers can rest assured that we will continue the focus on service and our shared values of servant leadership, working together and supporting the community.

"Wilmington is not only a popular vacation destination and terrific area to live, it’s an incredible place for our people to work and give back. We are proud to grow our team here.”
 
The purchase of Hendrick Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM FIAT Wilmington, of which the financial details were not disclosed, brings Hendrick Automotive Group’s Wilmington operations to nine franchises and five dealership locations. Those include Jeff Gordon Chevrolet, Hendrick Toyota Wilmington, Stevenson-Hendrick Honda Wilmington and Stevenson-Hendrick Mazda Wilmington, according to the release.

In other news for the automotive group, the company has moved Stevenson-Hendrick Honda Wilmington to 6720 Market St., according to a news release.

"At more than 65,000 square feet, the new facility is the company’s largest dealership in the Wilmington area and consolidates the franchise’s primary operations under a single rooftop," the release stated.
 
Sitting on more than 14 acres and featuring 25,000 more square feet of space than the previous location at 821 S. College Road, the new facility’s highlights include an expanded vehicle showroom and 42-bay service center, according to the release.
 
“Our new facility allows us to grow along with the Honda customer base in Wilmington,” company officials said in the release.

The group also moved Stevenson-Hendrick Mazda Wilmington to a new facility at 5911 Market St., just a mile from its previous home at 6115 Market St., a news release stated.

According to the release, the dealership now features modern customer amenities and additional parking.
 
"Construction began on the nearly 29,000-square-foot dealership shortly after Hendrick Automotive Group finalized its partnership with Susan Stevenson in April 2019," the release stated. "Sitting on 9 acres, the new Stevenson-Hendrick Mazda Wilmington features hardwood floors, a state-of-the-art service center with 23 bays and free amenities like Wi-Fi, work stations and a fully stocked snack and coffee bar."

In North Carolina, the company operates 60 overall franchises and 41 dealerships.