Western Funding Acquired by Former SeaWest Chief
LAS VEGAS — Auto Dealer Monthly reported in a Monday blog post that Western Funding Inc., an independent finance company since its founding nearly 50 years ago, was sold to the former operators of SeaWest Financial Corp. The sale was reportedly completed on Oct. 15.
The family-owned and -operated firm was headed by CEO Dwight Cope, whose parents founded Western Funding in 1962. Cope could not be reached for comment as of press time.
The acquiring party appears to be Frederick Cooper, a co-founder of Las Vegas-based SeaWest Financial Corp. Cooper was president of SeaWest from 1995 until 2004, then managing partner at Columbus, Ohio-based Harbor Auto Finance LLC.
According to Cooper's LinkedIn profile, he has assumed the title of president and CEO of Western Funding. Cooper also could not be reached for comment as of press time.
More Industry
RV Group Expands Carolina Footprint
Blue Compass RV Columbia Northeast is the 13th RV dealership owned by Blue Compass in the Carolinas.
Read More →
Agent Acumen
An Agent Summit panel of people who’ve been supporting auto dealers for years gave both timely and timeless advice for those starting out or mulling the prospect.
Read More →
Missed Maintenance Creates Opportunity
As families get back on the road and into daily school routines, service drives have an opportunity to capture customers who are behind on recommended vehicle maintenance.
Read More →
Mitsubishi Unveils U.S. Plan
The automaker announced a strategy that includes an expanded lineup and dealership presence, along with more ‘rugged’ and electric models.
Read More →
Selling to Grow
The question of whether you should sell your agency and if so, when, is up to you. But it’s a question worth asking to ensure you keep the business on the right path for yourself, employees and clients.
Read More →
Recalled Vehicles Hit 5-Year High
Though the number of events has fallen so far this year, impacted units are up significantly. Meanwhile, regulators consider consumer notification changes.
Read More →
Auto Group Acquires Top-Performing Rooftop
Car Pros sold its Kia Huntington Beach location to Sutherlin Automotive Group, marking the buyer’s third location in Southern California.
Read More →
China as Pacesetter
Automotive leaders huddled on where North America stands in the global picture and how it can strengthen its position against the Asian juggernaut’s surging industry.
Read More →
BMW Concept Car Makes Fuel to Burn
The prototype developed in concert with a South Carolina university engineering team generates more solar energy than it uses in a typical daily commute.
Read More →
South Carolina Auto Group Downsizes
Florida-based group Holler-Classic has acquired four rooftops, its first in South Carolina, from Dick Smith Automotive Group.
Read More →