Article Written by Jamie LaReau for Automotive News, Jeff Faulkner Cited as an Expert Source
The cornerstone to the success of a family-owned auto retailer is the family members themselves.
So when a family dispute flares, the impact on operations can be devastating. It becomes a concern for many manufacturers and could result in termination of the franchise agreement, experts say.
DARCARS Automotive Group is embroiled in such a family dispute.
Tamara Darvish, 51, a well-known face of the company and leader in the auto industry, filed a lawsuit against her father, John Darvish Sr., 78, and the company he founded. She charged that he reneged on his promise to make her part of the dealership group’s ownership team. Her stepbrothers run the company.
The suit, filed Jan. 9 in a Maryland court, will have a ripple effect on DARCARS’ 22 dealerships, experts say. And such conflicts usually worry manufacturers..
“Family members are the leadership of the organization and when they are sideways with one another, there is no sense of purpose for the company,” said Jeff Faulkner, an Atlanta partner at succession planning firm Rawls Group. “The business is not just about them. It’s about their employees, vendors and others who depend on that business.”
Read the complete article on the Automotive News website – Article written by Jamie LaReau
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