RALEIGH, N.C. (WHKY) – Capital Automotive Group is expanding its presence in western North Carolina with the acquisition of six dealerships formerly owned by the Cloninger family, including Cloninger Ford of Hickory and Cloninger Ford of Morganton. The deal, announced today (September 30) also includes dealerships in Salisbury and Florence, South Carolina, as well as a collision center.

For customers and employees in Hickory and Morganton, Capital says the transition will focus on continuity — keeping familiar employees, local relationships and community connections in place while adding the resources of the family-owned Capital Automotive Group. Capital’s Tim Michael and Larry Cloninger have been friends and colleagues in the automotive industry for more than 40 years.

Michael says that longtime relationship made the acquisition especially meaningful, while Cloninger says he has confidence in the Michael family to carry on the legacy he built. Capital says it will also carry forward the Cloninger philosophy of “Just Better,” with a focus on employees, customers and the communities the dealerships serve.

A news release from the company says the acquisition expands Capital Automotive Group’s footprint across North Carolina and into South Carolina, while bringing the two multigenerational automotive families together for the next chapter.