The Third Path in Dealership M&A with Tim Batchelor of Open Road Capital

When it comes to dealership growth, succession, and legacy preservation, few voices bring the depth of insight and experience found here. Tim Batchelor, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Open Road Capital, reveals innovative strategies that give dealers more options than ever before. From unlocking capital without losing control to turning real estate challenges into multimillion-dollar opportunities, this episode delivers strategies, stories, and solutions that every dealer should hear.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

02:41 Partnerships can be customized to meet unique dealer and family needs.

06:17 Early resistance from manufacturers and private equity shaped a better model.

09:52 Partial liquidity with rollover equity can increase returns and diversification.

13:19 Strategic partnerships can expand operations without additional personal investment. 

17:04 Honesty, ethics, and operational excellence are essential in strong partnerships.

21:35 Many dealers remain unaware of flexible capital partnership opportunities.

23:23 Succession planning should go beyond the binary choice to sell or keep.

28:23 Creative real estate strategies can turn costly projects into major value gains.

31:35 Outdated three-year average formulas can cause dealers to overpay for acquisitions.

37:44 Backing top operators can strengthen dealership networks and manufacturer relationships.

Additional Resources:

Driving Performance | Website

https://performancebrokerageservices.com/driving-performance-podcast/

Performance Brokerage Services | Website

https://performancebrokerageservices.com/

Performance Brokerage Services | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/performance-brokerage-services

Tim Batchelor | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tim-batchelor-9610853/

Open Road Capital | LinkedIn 

https://www.linkedin.com/company/open-road-capital/

Open Road Capital | Website

https://openroadcapital.com/

Thanks for listening to “Driving Performance.” If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a 5-star review, and be sure to subscribe so you never miss any insightful conversations.

#AutomotiveDealershipBrokers #CarDealership #AutomotiveIndustry