Johnny Pye
Old signage is seen on the building at Acura of Chattanooga on Chapman Road on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The dealership was formerly known as Pye Acura. Bill Stout
› Position: Co-owner of Acura of Chattanooga› Background: Reared in the Washington, D.C., area› College: University of Maryland at College Park› Personal: Married, two children› Business life: Former dealer/manager of Ed Voyles Acura in Atlanta where he worked for the past 26 years; retail stockbroker in Atlanta
The Acura logo is seen on a car at Acura of Chattanooga on Chapman Road on Tuesday, Dec. 22, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn. The dealership was formerly known as Pye Acura. One of the longest-standing car dealerships on Chattanooga's so-called automotive row off Highway 153 has changed hands.
After about 30 years, Pye Acura has been sold by owner Johnny Pye to Atlanta veteran auto dealer Bill Stout, who has renamed the business Acura of Chattanooga.
"We take pride on differentiating from other car dealerships," said Stout, who was associated with Ed Voyles Acura for the past 26 years.
He quipped that buying a vehicle "doesn't have to be like going to dentist," adding he has nothing against dentists.
Stout, who is relocating to Chattanooga with his family, said he'll be "a hands-on owner" and is joined in the venture by Jack Hanania of Jacksonville, Fla., who has interests in two Florida Acura dealerships.
"We had an interest in this market and the franchise," Stout said.
Pye continues to hold his Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Honda dealerships in Dalton, Ga. He didn't return phone calls seeking comment.
Stout said he likes the Acura of Chattanooga dealership's location off Chapman Road among an array of other auto businesses. Plans are to either remodel or replace the existing Acura buildings, he said.
"Acura has requirements for image," Stout said. "It will have a lot of new improvements. We're making a decision if it's easier to renovate or start fresh."
Just last month, Integrity Buick GMC Cadillac nearby finished a $2.2 million revamp of that dealership.
Brent Morgan and his brother, Dwight, said they also plan this spring to refresh the close by Integrity Chevrolet store.
"We see positive growth in the Chattanooga market," Brent Morgan said. "It's a vibrant city. It has a lot to offer. We want to make sure we're in a position to meet the growth in this market."
Stout, too, said he likes what Chattanooga has become with its revived downtown and riverfront, and he sees an opportunity to grow Acura sales.
"We think there's a much larger opportunity in Chattanooga than currently has been filled," he said. "I think there will be a substantial increase in the presence for Acura in this market."
Stout added he plans to continue "a legacy" of service that Ed Voyles Acura in Atlanta has had over the years.
"Our history at the store is to excel in customer service indexes," the dealer said, call those the "No. 1 priority. We're looking for long-term relationships."
He noted the auto business is strong at present as November sales kept the industry on track for a record year in 2015.
U.S. auto sales in November were helped by marketing promotions and strength in sport utility vehicles, according to monthly sales figures released by automakers. Sales last month rose 1.4 percent to 1.32 million vehicles, a whisper below the industry record for November in 2001.
The increase in vehicle sales is also helping fuel more sales of U.S. car dealerships, which are up 40 percent this year, according to The Wall Street Journal. In the past year, the Journal said 456 dealerships have been sold nationwide.
Contact Mike Pare at mpare@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6318.