AutoNation dealership chain buys Fort Myers Toyota

BUYER: AN Fort Myers Imports LLC (principal: James Bender), Fort Lauderdale

SELLER: Templeton Family Inc.

PROPERTY: 2555 Colonial Blvd. and 4565 Fowler St., Fort Myers

PRICE: $26.6 million

PREVIOUS PRICE: $2.2 million, September 1999 and $1.71 million, August 1988

SELLER: AJT Investments of Sarasota LLC

PROPERTY: north Colonial Boulevard and west of Evans Avenue, Fort Myers

PRICE: $4.9 million

PREVIOUS PRICE: $2.25 million, September 1999

LAW FIRM ON DEED: Stoneburner Berry Glocker Purcell & Greenhut PA, Jacksonville

PLANS, DESCRIPTION: Fort Lauderdale-based AutoNation Inc. purchased the Fort Myers Toyota dealership for $31.5 million.

The 25.8-acre property included the 72,441-square-foot main dealership building, the 6,482-square-foot Toyota Used Car Superstore and a service and collision center with nine vehicle bays.

“We plan to operate it and have it become integrated into the AutoNation group of dealerships,” says Marc Cannon, senior vice president of corporate communications for AutoNation. “It's an absolutely fabulous store. At one time it was in the top 25 stores in the country, and now it's still one of the top 35 Toyota stores in the nation.”

Cannon says AutoNation believes the Southwest Florida economy is on the mend and that Fort Myers Toyota's already good performance is poised to improve as well. In addition, Fort Myers Toyota General Manager Bobby Yoxall previously worked for another AutoNation dealership.

The Templeton Family, led by president Wilfred S. Templeton, has owned the dealership since 1988.

AutoNation owns and operates 243 new vehicle franchises in 15 states.