Corporate Information


DAVID THOMAS AUTO GROUP, Ltd.

David Thomas Auto Group, L.P. (DTAG) was formed in January 2001 as a holding company to serve a group of investors interested in pursuing opportunities to own and operate automobile dealerships selling and servicing new and used automobiles, to own and operate an automobile lease finance business and to engage in any other activities appropriate or incidental to the automotive retail and service business.

West Texas Nissan located in Odessa, Texas was the first operating unit of the partnership and was acquired in January 2002. When the Nissan store opened, its sales volume was typically 7 units per month. Under the stewardship of DTAG, sales soared to 70+ units per month. In order to seize an opportunity to enter the Dallas market with a Subaru franchise, the Odessa dealership was sold in June 2003, earning an impressive ROI for the DTAG investment group.

August 2003 brought continued success to the partnership when Subaru of America (SOA) granted DTAG the first exclusive Subaru dealership in North Texas. Since opening, Subaru of Dallas (SOD) has been the #1 Subaru dealership in the region in sales volume. In November 2006, SOD was recognized by the SMU COX Caruth Institute and the Dallas Business Journal as one of the top 100 fastest growing businesses in the Dallas / Fort Worth metroplex in 2006, ranking 7th.

In order to pursue new automotive retail opportunities, DTAG (L.P.) was dissolved and DTAG(LTD.) was formed in May 2006.

In October, 2006, Subaru of Plano (SOP) was opened in partnership with SOA, creating the only SOA / individual dealership joint venture in the country. By positioning SOP at the north end of the Dallas area ?��golden corridor?�� of high-end zip codes, the two stores are positioned to capture one of the more lucrative Subaru markets in the southwest. The Plano facility has been designated as an ?��Antenna Store?�� by SOA to capture customer data for marketing and product development purposes. Since its opening, the Plano store has performed as expected, either meeting or exceeding its projected sales and fixed operations volume.

In the future, DTAG will continue to seek ownership opportunities in the automotive sales and leasing business.

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DTAG EXECUTIVE OFFICER PROFILES


David Thomas
David Thomas

Dallas native, David Thomas, is a 1983 graduate of Texas Tech University with a degree in marketing. While in college, his passion for automobiles led him to open and operate a small used car dealership. Within 3 years, David operated 2 locations producing annual sales approaching 500 luxury automobiles. In pursuit of his vision of becoming a new car dealer, he was recruited upon graduation to join Sewell Village Cadillac as a sales associate.

Thomas served as Chairman of the Texas Tech University Advisory Board and as Past National President of the Texas Tech University Alumni Association. In 1998, he was awarded the coveted "Distinguished Service Award" from Texas Tech University in recognition for his commitment and volunteer leadership in the University.

In over 17 years within the Sewell Automotive Companies, David personally trained hundreds of new Sewell associates on sales and customer service. Thomas has enjoyed sharing his sales experience with other Lexus, BMW, and Cadillac dealers throughout the Southwest. In 1999 and again in 2000, Acura's corporate executives enlisted Thomas to speak to dealer meetings and at its "Visions Conference" on establishing exceptional customer care. Thomas has also completed sales consulting with organizations including Neiman Marcus, Smith Barney, Century 21, Lincoln Financial, Compass Bank, and Subaru of America. David has served as guest host of KLIF's radio show "The Car Nuts" - TV's "The Auto Show", and host of "The Car Guy" radio show on 105.3 FM in Dallas. In October 2001, Thomas hosted 2 new series on ASTN's National Automotive Satellite Television Network. In 1998, 1999, and 2000, David sold over 400 Lexus each year, ranking #1 in retail sales nationally for several consecutive years.

In January 2001, David formed David Thomas Auto Group focusing on dealership acquisitions and mergers. West Texas Nissan was acquired in January 2002 in Odessa, Texas. Within the first year of new ownership, the dealership saw phenomenal increase in volume and profit, with sales soaring from 7 units to 70 plus units per month.

August 2003 brought continued success to David as he opened Subaru of Dallas in Dallas, Texas. Subaru of America granted Thomas the open point, establishing the first exclusive Subaru dealership in North Texas. Since its opening, high volume sales launched Subaru of Dallas to its position as the #1 Subaru dealership in Texas. Southern Methodist University's "Dallas 100" Business Awards ranked Subaru of Dallas #7 for 2006. His second store, Subaru of Plano, opened its doors in September 2006 as a Subaru "Antenna Store", the first of its kind in the United States, receiving global recognition within the industry. In June of 2005, Thomas was elected to serve on the Subaru Central Region Advisory Dealer Council. In 2007, David received municipal recognition as Honorary Fire Chief by Dallas Fire and Rescue for his ongoing support and donation of the use of a Subaru Forester for the Dallas Arson Squad's K9 Unit. That same year, David was elected to serve on the Subaru Dealer Advisory Board as well as becoming a board member of the Dallas New Car Dealers Association.

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