Taylor has been a name on Augusta's automotive marquee for 25 years. By the end of September, it will be no more.
Taylor Auto Group leaders said Friday that they're splitting up their seven dealerships and selling them to two Augusta-area car sales companies.
Taylor Toyota and Scion in North Augusta will be sold to neighboring Bob Richards Nissan, which also controls a Toyota dealership in Orangeburg, S.C.
The other brands in the Taylor group -- BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and Hyundai -- are being sold to Darrow Automotive Group, the owner of Toyota of Augusta on Washington Road.
The vehicle brand manufacturers have yet to approve the transactions, said Rick Taylor, the vice president of Taylor Auto Group. The sales are expected to close by the end of September.
The company started in 1983 when Ann Taylor moved to Augusta from Atlanta and bought Timmerman Toyota in North Augusta.
She acquired BMW and Hyundai in 1992 and Infiniti in 1993. The Land Rover and Jaguar franchises were added in 2007.
"It is her wanting to slow down; she's been in the business for a long, long time," explained Mr. Taylor, her son. "We weren't actively looking to sell, but somebody (Darrow) came in and made us an offer. It looked good, so she decided to take it."
The terms of the sales were not disclosed.
Darrow, which is based in Minnesota, bought Toyota of Augusta 14 months ago.
Taylor's Toyota brand did not go to Darrow because Toyota would not allow one owner of two dealerships that close to each other.
The transactions will affect more than 200 employees. Mr. Taylor said he will become an employee of Darrow Automotive and retain some ownership interest in the BMW dealership. He said employment levels will likely increase after the changes.
"Our better economies of scale will be able to create savings for customers, as well as improved customer service due to standardized practices," said Russ Darrow III, the president of Darrow Automotive. "Toyota is thrilled with our performance. The improvements we've made in customer service and market share will aid us in our approval with the luxury lines we're buying from the Taylor Auto Group."
The dealerships will remain in the same locations but will be renamed.
Mr. Taylor said he has already received phone calls from customers who have expressed sadness at the ending of an era.
"I don't see it that way. The name is not the important thing; it is the customer service and the opportunities for employees," he said.
Mrs. Taylor said in a statement that the sale of the Toyota dealership to Richards Nissan will let the dealerships share in "synergies."
"Our philosophy of doing business the right way and taking care of customers is the same as Ann Taylor's. We look forward to the opportunity," said Bob Richards Jr., head of the Bob Richards Auto Group.
The Richards family has been selling cars in the Augusta area since 1973.
Reach Tim Rausch at (706) 823-3352 or timothy.rausch@augustachronicle.com.
THE SALES
TO BOB RICHARDS AUTO GROUP:
- Taylor Toyota/Scion, 5425 Jefferson Davis Highway, North Augusta
Property value: $2,425,816, according to Aiken County
TO DARROW AUTOMOTIVE:
- Taylor BMW, 4180 Washington Road, Evans
Property value: $3,229,461, according to Columbia County
- Taylor Jaguar/Hyundai/Land Rover/Infiniti, 3233 Washington Road, Martinez
Property value: $2,496,571, according to Richmond County
The sales are expected to close by Sept. 30. Terms were not disclosed.
ANN TAYLOR
TITLE: President, Taylor Auto Group: includes Toyota, Hyundai, BMW, Infiniti and Land Rover/Jaguar franchises
BORN: Dec. 17, 1938; LaGrange, Ga.
EDUCATION: LaGrange High School
CAREER: C&S Bank, Atlanta, 1958-59; Bill Spreen Volkswagen, Bill Spreen Toyota, Bill Spreen Leasing, Chamblee Toyota, Decatur Toyota, 1960-77; Dick Spreen Toyota, 1977-83; Taylor
Toyota, North Augusta, 1983-present; Taylor Hyundai/BMW/Infiniti, Augusta, 1993-present; Land Rover, Jaguar, Augusta, December 2006-present.
FAMILY: Sons Rick and David; four grandchildren
CIVIC: Georgia Bank & Trust board of directors' advisory committee; Columbia County Chamber of Commerce; Augusta Senior Tennis Association; past board member for the Augusta Players; Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce; Junior Achievement; Augusta Museum; American Imported Automobile Dealers Association and the Georgia Auto Dealers Association; past president of the North Augusta Chamber of Commerce
Source: Augusta Chronicle archives
Comments
A few yrs ago I met Ann Taylor. We were both waiting to board a plane from Atlanta to Augusta. She was so nice and did not put on airs. She was dressed casual and I could tell she really knew how to talk with people. I was surprised that she was just 'plain people'.
well zippy do
What is wrong? Is it against someone's religion to say something good about someone?
I met Jim he works for Waste Mgmt. We were on the same flight together. I was really surpised how clean he looked. No nasty smell or bannana peels sticking out of his pockets. He was very nice, no airs about him, you know...like I pick up your garbage la di da...NO he was very down to earth. What a swell guy.
LOL...I know a lot of things about those Taylor boys........( wink ..wink)
And, They probably know a lot about you too! That street usually goes both ways. (Takes one to know one)
LOL@the fishy king !!!!
i worked for bob richards chev a couple of years ago as a salesman, and i know customer service is very important to him so ann made a good choice in selling the toyota dealership to him.
Rick,
There was probably a fleeting moment when you thought you might be able to retire too. Ahhhh, nothing but fishing and trips to the beach. Then suddenly, "Get back to work Taylor and quit yer daydreaming!" Sorry Frater.
Dunbar
Ann is a great lady, has been extremely supportive of the community and deserves all the best....
The Taylor Group has done great business in the Augusta/North Augusta area and are well thought of. Can't say the same for Bob Richards, though. His staff doesn't treat women as viable customers; it was their condensation towards women buyers that drove me to purchase a vehicle elsewhere. My husband was with me; everytime I asked a question, the salesman spoke directly to my husband (and yes, I do know what to ask for when purchasing a vehicle). On the fourth time of saying: "Don't talk to me, talk to the wife," spouse had enough and said "forget it; we'll buy someplace else." The Taylor Group values women as customers.
Thank you mable...it wasn't just me!
you women need to stay in the kitchen -- leave the outside to the men!!! Go fetch my beer woman!!! LOL
Condensation towards women? What are they running there, a wet t-shirt contest?
Folks, stop the childishness. What will this do to the CSRA economy? Ann is a local icon, but what do we know about the auto conglomerate taking over? And what do we know about how they treat employees? As a matter of fact, Mrs. T did not always treat employees appropriately; plus, I've always questioned the service dept. charges hidden beneath "sweet customer service." For goodness sakes, someone do some in-depth research about what is happening to the local economy. Is this huge takeover/sellout going to be good or bad for the CSRA in the coming years?
May God Bless the Taylor Family. I have only known Rick Taylor and do know that the entire Taylor family is blessed and so is everyone who made comments in this section, I am so glad to know that the Taylors have not laid up treasures on earth but their treasures are in Heaven. It is evident the way that they have treated everyone.Love is God's greatest commandment and it is obvious that The Taylor Family have shown it. Now you will be able to do more work for the Lord. The end of time is at hand. God Bless!!!
Why did i go to college? She had only a high school education and owned so many dealerships. I must be in the wrong field.
How do you direct condensation towards someone? With a ray gun that alternates hot and cold ray beams? tmlad's comment was funnier than mine!
chuckroast, winners come from all circles of life... college is no guarantee to win big...it's always about timing...being in the right place at the right time...strength nor wisdom have not this advantage.
Yeah, that condensation thing was kind of funny.
For those who aren't up to the Queen's English, when you are condescending towards another, you are, by today's vernacular, "putting them down." In other words, you are devaluing that person and are patronizing them. And for you, ccrcresident, I have to tell you to get your own beer--and while you're at it, bring me one!
chuckroast2000 ....I was thinking the same thing!!!!lol lol
Having a college degree does not guarantee success nor does a high school diploma. These things just help to improve the chances for success. The word 'chances" is the operative word. Somethings just happen because you are in the right place at the right time and you make the most of your opportunities.
yea look what Bill Gates did as a college drop out
This was news???
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Back ![Ann Taylor: Owner has "been in the business for a long, long time" and wants to slow down, according to son Rick Taylor, vice president of Taylor Auto Group. AP / File](http://chronicle.augusta.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/superphoto/editorial/images/spotted/49/490224.jpg "Ann Taylor: Owner has "been in the business for a long, long time" and wants to slow down, according to son Rick Taylor, vice president of Taylor Auto Group. AP / File")
