Republic Buys Lew Webb Dealership

Republic Industries Inc. said Friday that it has acquired the Lew Webb Lexus dealership in Cerritos under an option issued when it purchased the rest of Irvine-based Webb Automotive Group’s operations last year for more than $100 million. Separately Friday, Florida-based Republic confirmed its previously reported deal to purchase the bulk of the operations of another major Orange County dealership group, Tustin-based MacPherson Enterprises. The new deals will give Republic 55 new-car franchises and four AutoNation USA used-vehicle stores in Southern California, with a fifth AutoNation scheduled to open in the South Bay area in April. The company is the nation’s largest automotive retailer, with almost 400 new-car franchises and 44 AutoNation used-vehicle stores. Republic also owns National Car Rental Systems Inc. and Alamo Rent-A-Car Inc.