Darwish, previously a minority partner in a New Jersey Audi dealership and a platform manager for Napleton Automotive Group, mentioned that just after moving into into an agreement with Fuccillo in August 2020, he ran into many delays. His lawyer’s workplace shut down mainly because of COVID-19, and Darwish contracted the disorder.
“I practically died,” he advised Automotive News. “I was in the healthcare facility for 19 days.”
Darwish mentioned he was on oxygen for two months but recovered. Then in June 2021, Fuccillo Automotive CEO Billy Fuccillo Sr. died.
Darwish stated he had tiny snooze around those people 20 months as he labored to fulfill with various producers and banking companies to wrap up the offer.
He now has a employees of far more than 400 men and women, whom Darwish described as “very good workers.”
“The workers that came along with this deal is stunning,” he reported. “The group is a incredible group.”
Fuccillo Automotive Group just a number of a long time back boasted much more than 20 dealerships, but it has bought various stores in the previous year-additionally. In early 2021, the team marketed 5 New York dealerships to Matthews Car Group. Then in March 2021, it marketed two Kia dealerships in Florida to LMP Automotive Holdings Inc. In August final 12 months, it sold a Nissan dealership in Clearwater, Fla., to Morgan Automotive Group.
Billy Fuccillo Jr., president of the Fuccillo group, didn’t respond to requests for remark from Automotive Information. The group’s web-site still lists 7 franchised rooftops in New York.
Two of Fuccillo Automotive’s Common Motors dealerships in New York shut around the time of the Darwish transaction: Fuccillo Chevrolet-Buick at the Automobile Shopping mall in Adams and Fuccillo Chevrolet of Nelliston. A GM spokesman verified the franchises have been terminated in late April and early Could. As portion of his transaction, Darwish purchased the authentic estate for both of those spots.
He strategies to use the sites as used-automobile stores and hopes to apply to reopen the Chevrolet shop in Adams.
Darwish, 50, who explained he is a college dropout, has desired to very own a motor vehicle dealership due to the fact he was 21.
“I sacrificed every thing to get here,” he mentioned. “I risked every little thing to get here.”
And he needs far more. Darwish mentioned he wishes by year’s conclusion to look for more dealerships to obtain, as he hopes to possess 90-furthermore suppliers in the subsequent 7 several years.
“As soon as I get heading, I want to retain heading,” he claimed.
Bob Morris with Tim Lamb Team, a invest in-offer organization in Columbus, Ohio, represented the seller in the transaction, Darwish mentioned.
