AE Magazine

Subscribe | Digital Edition

MENU

Ed Morse Auto Group Acquires Mo. Kia Store

Purchase adds its eighth dealership in the state, which it entered in 2021.

Staff Writer

Staff Writer・Editorial

Read Staff's Posts

August 28, 2023

Ed Morse Auto Group Acquires Mo. Kia Store — The Kia dealership is the auto group's second store in Rolla, Mo.
IMAGE: Kia

1 min to read

The Ed Morse Automotive Group acquired Kingdom Kia in Rolla and will rename it Ed Morse Kia Rolla. The group purchased the dealership at 2600 North Bishop Ave. from Lawrence West Jr. and the West family. The transaction was brokered by Robert Turbyfill and the Dave Cantin Group.

It's the company’s eighth dealership in Missouri and its second in Rolla, joining Ed Morse Chevrolet Buick GMC. The acquisition will add 65 employees to its 2,300-plus employee base, growing its locations to 44 dealerships with 70 automotive franchises, 19 motorcycle franchises and 31 brands.

“It was 2021 when we first ventured into Missouri by purchasing dealerships in Lebanon and St. Robert. With this now being our eighth acquisition in the state, it is quite evident our drive to expand further within the region. This dealership fit perfectly into our family-owned model with a proven employee base, committed clientele from Rolla to Jefferson City to Springfield, and a growth-ready infrastructure,” said Ed Morse Automotive Group Chairman and CEO Teddy Morse.

Kingdom Kia has been a family-owned new- and used car dealership in Rolla since 2008. Ed Morse Automotive Group's other Missouri locations include Lebanon, Saint Robert and California.

Topics:Buy-Sell Planning Industry

Originally posted on Auto Dealer Today

More Industry

Photo of new Chevrolet Bolt parked on a beach

Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•May 14, 2026

EVs Getting More Attractive

A growing percentage of U.S. consumers are open to switching and fewer are adverse to the idea, according to a recently completed survey. That’s despite the end of a tax break.

Benchmark bar graph showing April 2026 EV Sales

Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•May 14, 2026

EV Sales Drop in April Following Surge

North American electric-vehicle sales were down 28% year-over-year, a sharp contrast from global EV sales growth of 6%.

Shifting Loan Demands A Sign of the Times, Loan Application paperwork with a pen and a car outline, Auto Dealer Today

Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•May 8, 2026

Auto Loan Outlook Shows Cracks

Recent survey data shows that the overall demand for auto loans is down, but the demand for subprime loans is up as consumers face economic uncertainty and affordability pressures.

Photo of buyer and seller representatives in Waco Mitsubishi sale outside the dealership

Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•May 7, 2026

Lone Star State Store Sells

The Mitsubishi location moves from one Texas automotive group to another, continuing this year’s spate of brisk buy-sell activity.

2026 Mitsubishi Outlander in front of the company’s first national Gallery dealer facility

Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•May 7, 2026

Mitsubishi Gallery Makes Progress

As part of its 2030 business plan, Mitsubishi's North America arm will soon open its first 'gallery' store in Tennessee, where customers can learn about the brand, vehicles and technology.

hand signing paperwork on a clipboard on top of a desk with a gavel to the side

Product & Technology•by Lauren Lawrence•April 30, 2026

Senators Propose Chinese Connected Car Ban

Just weeks before President Trump is set to meet with the Chinese president, two U.S. senators proposed a bill with the aim of protecting Americans’ data.

Photo of work team at a U.S. Subaru hybrid vehicle plant

Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•April 30, 2026

Consumers Gravitate to Hybrids

A study of Q1 used-vehicle sales shows many consumers are looking to minimize fuel costs but aren’t willing to go all electric and no longer have a tax break incentive to do so.

family in a car, Affordability Out the Window, Auto Dealer Today

Industry•by Lauren Lawrence•April 24, 2026

Bad Credit Tanks Attainability

A recent study suggests expectant parents are feeling the burden of bad credit more than other demographics when it comes to buying a new car.

Photo of two men in suit jackets shaking hands next to new car inside of a dealership

Industry•April 23, 2026

A New Consumer Culture in the Auto Dealership

Dealers should aim to build a positive work environment, helping employees execute an efficient experience, from their online research to the final delivery of the vehicle.

Closeup of the side of an Audi car

Industry•by Hannah Mitchell•April 23, 2026

New-Vehicle Sales Down

A cloudy April forecast was expected due to last April’s sales surge in anticipation of U.S. trade tariff-inflated prices. Meanwhile, automakers pumped up incentives to address today’s consumer wallet woes.