KEWANEE, Illinois – The Ed Morse Automotive Group’s new acquisition of Motor City Chevrolet GMC marks the third western Illinois dealership to join the Florida-based auto group’s lineup.
Ed Morse Automotive, headquartered in Delray Beach, Florida, announced the latest expansion in a news release Monday, May 22. It comes just weeks after the dealership acquired two Henry County dealerships in Kewanee and Geneseo.
The Motor City dealership, located at 1511 Railroad Ave., will be renamed Ed Morse Chevrolet GMC. Ed Morse Automotive purchased it from Eric Ellenberger. No financial details were disclosed. The transaction was brokered by Paul Kechnie and Mark Shackelford with Performance Brokerage Services.
The new dealership in Kewanee will join:
- Ed Morse Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, 303 Tenney St., Kewanee.
- Ed Morse Ford at 1041 S. State St., Geneseo.
In the release, the company said these three new locations add to its growth in Illinois by joining its multiple dealerships in Red Bud and New Athens. Additionally, the western Illinois dealerships are close in proximity to Ed Morse Automotive Group’s Muscatine and DeWitt dealerships in Iowa.
“Obviously with this new acquisition it shows how we are impressed with the city of Kewanee and its surrounding regions,” Teddy Morse, Chairman and CEO of Ed Morse Automotive Group, said in the release. “These are great people who care about their communities and of course love their cars.”
He added: “We are honored to grow in Kewanee, support the employees there, and continue to provide world-class customer service to everyone who walks into our dealerships.”
Family-owned for more than 75 years, the Ed Morse Automotive Group today has grown to 41 dealerships, 84 franchises and 25 automotive and motorcycle brands. In addition to Illinois, the company has businesses operating in Florida, Texas, Iowa, Missouri and Oklahoma.
With its purchase of Motor City, the auto dealer adds another 18 employees to its 2,000-plus workforce.
