Republic buys Tom Coward dealership

Friday, Aug. 15, 1997 | 11:19 a.m.

Longtime Las Vegas auto dealer Tom Coward says he will miss dealing with all the folks who over the years entered his dealership at 5750 W. Sahara Ave.

Republic Industries Inc. said today it has signed definitive agreements to acquire Tom Coward Lincoln-Mercury and Kenyon Dodge of Clearwater, Fla., in separate transactions valued at an approximate total of $26 million.

Coward, 74, the dealer principal, will exit the business upon closing of the deal -- typically within 30 to 45 days -- and Republic will appoint a new general manager prior to closing the transaction, Republic said in a statement.

"Tom Coward Lincoln-Mercury is a strong, profitable company with an extremely good record for customer service," Republic spokesman Jim Donahue said, declining to release the amount specifically paid for Coward's company.

Coward, who had not initially intended to sell his business, said the offer was just too good to pass up. He also would not disclose the price.

"I am going to miss dealing with the people most -- it was a lot of fun," said Coward, who is retiring after 18 years in the automobile business locally and 52 years in the industry. "They bought everything, including the name."

Republic, a Fort Lauderdale, Fla., conglomerate, also is acquiring the Desert Automotive Group, which includes Las Vegas GMC, Buick, and Volvo dealerships. Republic recently opened an AutoNation USA used car megastore in Henderson.

Also, Republic recently acquired Silver State Disposal Service for $378 million.