AUGUSTA, GEORGIA – In an extraordinary automotive news development, Ann and Rick Taylor, of Taylor Auto Group, have announced an agreement to sell the assets and franchises of their BMW, Infiniti, Jaguar, Land Rover and Hyundai dealerships to Darrow Automotive Group, current owner of Toyota of Augusta. This includes all franchises on the Georgia side of the Savannah River. Taylor Toyota, in North Augusta, will be sold to Bob and Jeff Richards, current owners of Bob Richard’s Nissan in North Augusta and Toyota of Orangeburg in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

The transaction is currently going through an approval process with all the manufacturers. The anticipated closing date is September 30, 2008.

Ann Taylor started her automotive ownership career in Atlanta and moved to Augusta, Georgia in 1983, when she purchased Timmerman Toyota in North Augusta. She acquired BMW and Hyundai in 1992 and Infiniti in 1993. The Land Rover/Jaguar franchises were added in 2007 in Evans.

“We want to continue to grow the business we started,” said Rick Taylor, of Taylor Auto Group. “With Darrow Automotive, we’ll gain economies of scale and greater efficiencies. In the competitive automotive marketplace, we’re moving from a strategy of family entrepreneurs to one of a professional management company, sharing business practices amongst several markets.”

Rick Taylor will stay on, working in an executive management position for Darrow Automotive, and will continue to hold an interest in the BMW franchise. It’s anticipated that substantially all of Taylor’s employees will be retained and employment opportunities for all positions exist, due to Darrow Automotive’s growth and expansion plans.

“We’ve really enjoyed our ownership experience in Augusta,” stated Russ Darrow, III, President and CEO of Darrow Automotive. “We want to continue to offer CSRA residents great service and now can offer better selection by increasing inventory for new brands and pre-owned vehicles. Our better economies of scale will be able to create savings for customers, as well as improved customer service due to standardized practices.”

The dealerships will remain in the same locations, but will be named BMW of Augusta, Infiniti of Augusta, Jaguar of Augusta, Land Rover of Augusta and Hyundai of Augusta. “The naming philosophy is based on our feeling that the stores serve the local community and should be named accordingly,” said Darrow. “We also want to continue to meet and exceed customer expectations, so the facilities will be evaluated for continuous improvement.”

Darrow Automotive is a holding company for 10 dealership locations in Illinois, North Carolina and Georgia, representing 10 automotive franchises.

Ann Taylor, President and C.E.O. of Taylor Auto Group and Taylor Toyota added, “It was very important to select owners whose primary focus was centered around a commitment to total customer satisfaction. Our dealerships were built on the foundation of exceptional customer service and it has always been our number one priority.”

“We are honored that Ann Taylor would chose us to carry on her tradition of taking care of her customers and associates” says Bob Richards Jr. of the Bob Richards Auto Group.

“We have served the CSRA’s automotive needs for over 35 years and we look forward to continuing to serve our past, present, and future customers with the addition of Taylor Toyota. Our Toyota Dealership in Orangeburg SC is a President’s Award winner for Toyota and Bob Richards Nissan is an Owners First Award winner for Nissan. Bob Richards Nissan is across the street allowing us to develop synergies that will make us more efficient, while continuing to build on the strong community relations that our families have established over time. Our philosophy of doing business the right way and taking care of customers is the same as Ann Taylors. We look forward to the opportunity” says Richards.

The Richards Family started business in the CSRA with the construction of Bob Richards Chevrolet in 1973. Bob Richards Auto Group is presently comprised of Bob Richards Nissan in North Augusta, SC and Toyota of Orangeburg in Orangeburg, SC.