David Melton Facilitates Sale of Kempthorn Motors to Great Lakes Auto Group
Mercedes-Benz of Canton
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nearly 90-Year-Old Family Dealership Group Transitions to New Ownership in Multi-Franchise Transaction
CANTON, OHIO — August 2026 — David Melton Advisors, a trusted advisor to dealer principals across dealership M&A, capital, and real estate advisory, today announced the sale of Kempthorn Motors of Canton to Great Lakes Auto Group. The transaction includes Mercedes-Benz of Canton, Sprinter Vans of Canton, Volvo of Canton, Mazda of Canton, VW of Canton, and the Kempthorn Used Car Center. David Melton Advisors represented Kempthorn Motors in the sale.
Kempthorn Motors has served the Canton, Ohio automotive market for nearly 90 years under the ownership of the Kempthorn family and the leadership of President Eric Kempthorn. Great Lakes Auto Group, led by President Joey Huang, will assume ownership of the dealership group.
Given the dealership's long-standing history, the Kempthorn family approached the sale process with careful consideration of who would be entrusted to carry the business forward. Following an initial conversation between Eric Kempthorn and Joey Huang, the Kempthorn family determined that Great Lakes Auto Group represented the right fit for the transition.
The transaction marks the third deal completed between David Melton Advisors and the Kempthorn family over the past 18 months, bringing the total number of franchises and collision centers transitioned under David Melton's advisory to seven franchises and two collision centers.
"After more than eight years advising Eric Kempthorn and the Kempthorn family, this transaction was especially meaningful to me," said David Melton, founder of David Melton Advisors. "Over that time, I had the privilege of helping the family transition seven franchises and two collision centers. This final transaction felt much more than the sale of a dealership—it was the transition of a family business and its legacy from one family to another.
"There is also a bit of irony in how it came together. I first met Eric and Joey Huang on the same day more than eight years ago while visiting dealers in the Cleveland market. At the time, none of us could have imagined that years later I would have the opportunity to bring them together for a transaction of this significance. I have tremendous respect for both families, and I'm proud to have played a role in this transition."
David Melton Advisors noted that Great Lakes Auto Group's professionalism throughout the process, along with the consideration shown to the Kempthorn family during a difficult decision, contributed to a smooth transition for both parties.
About David Melton Advisors
David Melton Advisors provides Buy-Sell and Mergers & Acquisitions advisory to dealer principals nationwide, grounded in more than 40 years of dealership ownership, operating, and transaction experience. The firm offers independent, confidential advisory to dealer principals navigating growth, leadership, acquisitions, succession, capital, real estate, and eventual exit. David Melton represents sellers through complex, multi-franchise transactions and advises dealers on sale-leasebacks and build-to-suit financing, working with dealer principals across the United States.
About Kempthorn Motors
Kempthorn Motors is a family-owned automotive dealership group based in Canton, Ohio, representing the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter, Volvo, Mazda, and Volkswagen brands, along with the Kempthorn Used Car Center.
About Great Lakes Auto Group
Great Lakes Auto Group, led by President Joey Huang, is an automotive dealership group operating in the Great Lakes region.
Media Contact: David Melton | dm@davidmelton.com | 423-499-9956 | DavidMelton.com