WASHINGTON, Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Robert L. Johnson, founder of the RLJ Companies, majority owner of the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and founder of Black Entertainment Television (BET), and Mack McLarty and Steve J. Landers of McLarty-Landers Automotive Group ("McLarty-Landers") today announced the formation of an innovative new business partnership to acquire and operate automotive dealerships throughout the south central, southeast and midwest regions of the country. The "RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Partnership," will draw on the unique combined experience and expertise of its partners to become one of the leading, privately owned, automotive dealership groups in the country.
As it seeks to develop and build the new company, the RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Partnership will keep its focus on exceptional customer service, energetic local marketing, and state of the art financial and business management. It will draw on the McLarty family's four generations in the car business and Steve Landers' track record as one of the most successful car dealers in America with operations expertise and marketing know-how that is second to none. Bob Johnson brings the entrepreneurial vision, management skills, and access to capital that have allowed him to achieve exceptional results from business ventures with top-tier partners in many industries.
The RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Partnership will be operated by McLarty-Landers professionals and will build on the portfolio of McLarty- Landers dealerships located in Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Louisiana and Tennessee. These dealerships will continue to operate under existing management and operating names in each community. The partnership, with its significant access to capital, will be well positioned to draw on the proven track records and entrepreneurial vision of its partners to identify, acquire and operate additional dealerships. As it moves to the top tier of the nation's automotive businesses, the partnership is committed to the potential of creating one of the largest minority-owned automotive dealership groups in the country, encouraging and developing minority participation in all aspects or the business.
"I'm proud to have my friend Bob Johnson join Steve and me as a partner in our automotive dealership business," said Mack McLarty, Chairman of McLarty- Landers and former Chief of Staff to President Clinton. "I have great respect for Bob as a consummate professional and a true visionary. His marketing skills and his ability to assist with automotive dealership opportunities and minority suppliers will be strong assets and a catalyst for growth. Together, we are positioned to build a well-capitalized, customer-oriented dealer group with a growth-oriented vision of the future."
"The McLarty-Landers record of reliability, customer satisfaction, market share, and profitability are the cornerstones on which this exciting partnership will be based, and now built upon," said Steve Landers. "Bob Johnson, with his strategic and entrepreneurial vision, will allow us to expand upon our existing commitment to quality service, quality work, and quality people."
"This new venture will allow RLJ to join with my long time personal friend, Mack McLarty, and his partner Steve Landers," said Bob Johnson. "Mack and Steve bring generations of experience in the automotive dealership business to this partnership, making the prospects for our new company very exciting. In addition, our venture will dramatically increase minority participation in the automotive industry, which is meaningful to me and an important commitment of the RLJ team."
"This partnership is an exciting development in the automotive industry," stated Damon Lester, President of the National Association of Minority Automotive Dealers (NAMAD). "We look forward to working with this dynamic partnership to grow minority presence in automotive dealerships nationwide."
The RLJ-McLarty-Landers Automotive Partnership will be based in McLarty- Landers headquarters in Little Rock.
About The RLJ Companies
The RLJ Companies ("RLJ"), founded by Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television, owns or holds majority interests in companies in the financial services/asset management, real estate, hospitality, professional sports, film production, and gaming industries. Robert L. Johnson was named by USA Today as one of the 25 most influential business leaders in the last 25 years. RLJ is located in Bethesda, Maryland, with operations in Charlotte, Los Angeles, Florida, New York and Puerto Rico. For more information visit www.rljcompanies.com.
About The McLarty Landers Automotive Group
McLarty-Landers Automotive Group ("MLAG") was formed in 2004 to combine the resources and capabilities of two longstanding American automotive families. With a successful career a both a businessman and a presidential advisor, and tracing his family's four generations in the car business back to 1921, Mack McLarty brings a background and vision few in the automotive business can match. With a perspective that a combined 70 years of experience provides, Mack McLarty and Steve Landers created a uniquely successful private automotive group. For more information visit www.mclartylanders.com.