NRAM, LLC announces joint venture with David Maus to expand automotive division in Southeast Region

Aug. 6, 2014 - PRLog -- New River Auto Mall, LLC’s (“NRAM”) President and CEO Warner Peacock and Central Florida automotive retail powerhouse David Maus have announced that they have formed a new entity, First Team Automotive Group, LLC.

First Team Automotive Group, LLC, will initially own all of the dealerships previously owned by NRAM, which include Hyundai, Audi, Volkswagen, Nissan, Infiniti, Porsche, Mazda, Subaru, Jaguar, Land Rover, Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram in the Hilton Head, S.C., area and Jaguar Land Rover in Columbia, S.C. First Team Automotive Group plans to expand with the acquisition of other dealerships in South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.

Maus joins the team from the Central Florida market, where he was the dealer principal for David Maus Toyota, David Maus Chevrolet, David Maus VW South and David Maus VW North. In his new endeavor, Maus will be the President and Chief Operating Officer of First Team Automotive Group.

“I’m looking forward to the growth opportunities in this market, and I’m excited to bring my family to the Lowcountry,” said Maus. “My experience in the automotive industry will help guide the New River Auto Mall and its other properties to their full potential.”

Peacock, who is a founding developer and an owner of the New River Auto Mall, will be the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of First Team Automotive Group, LLC, and will focus his efforts on new business development and acquisitions as well as corporate leadership and relations.

“This is an exciting time for our company, with David and his management team adding to the fine team we now have at NRAM. It will allow us to continue to grow and contribute to the economy here in the Lowcountry, coastal Georgia, and the midlands of South Carolina, as well as expand with dealership acquisitions in Georgia and Florida,” said Peacock. “We will remain active in our local community efforts, in the Lowcountry and the midlands of South Carolina, as well as other communities where we make dealership acquistions.”

The First Team Automotive Group now owns nine dealerships representing 15 brands operating at the New River Auto Mall in the South Carolina Lowcountry, serving coastal South Carolina and southeast Georgia, as well as the Jaguar Land Rover dealership in Columbia, S.C. Approximately 400 people are employed by the group.

Effective immediately, all marketing and advertising for First Team Automotive Group will be handled by Maus Media Group, a full-service agency that handles media buying, production, graphic design and digital advertising. Maus Media Group will retain its Central Florida offices and open a new office at the New River Auto Mall.

“We’ll bring our creativity and extensive advertising experience to the table in promoting the New River Auto Mall, its dealerships, and all of its other businesses,” said Maus.

In addition to vehicle sales and service, the First Team Automotive Group features a state-of-the-art Vehicle Remanufacturing Center that provides car and truck collision repair and paint for all brands, including aluminum body vehicles. The company also opened the New River Wellness Institute in May 2014, which is a full-service physical therapy, fitness and wellness facility. The company also owns NRAM Insurance, an Allstate Insurance Agency that has become an industry leader in only a few short months of operation.

New River Auto Mall, LLC's shareholders, in addition to Warner Peacock, include automotive industry icon Don Mealey, future Baseball Hall of Famer Ken Griffey, Jr, and prominent Orlando attorneys Greg Humphries and Jay Brennan.

The New River Auto Mall and corporate offices of First Team Automotive Group are located on Highway 278, 4 minutes east of I-95 at Exit 8. You can find the mall online at http://www.newriverautomall.com/.

Photos:
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