The wacky TV commercials are burned into our memory.
Who could forget Cal Worthington and his “dog” Spot, which was never a dog, but more often a tiger, hippo, or chimpanzee?
The ads were intentionally cheesy. But Worthington — whose empire of auto dealerships once numbered nearly 30 stretching from Alaska to Texas — was laughing all the way to the bank. And the last remnant of that empire is about to wind down.
Worthington died in 2013 at the age of 92, and grandson Nick Worthington, who currently serves as dealer/president of the company, has announced that Worthington Ford in Long Beach has been sold to the Nouri/Shaver Automotive Group.
The deal is set to close Tuesday, Feb. 28 and the dealership’s new name will be BP Ford. Financial terms were not disclosed.
“It was not an easy decision,” Worthington said. “We got offers all the time when we had multiple stores and this was not a decision we made lightly. But the right group came along that seemed like a great fit for the employees.”
All of the dealership’s 130 employees who wish to stay on will be retained, although they will have to reapply for their jobs.
“It’s a new company so they have to do that,” said Worthington, 37, who lives in Newport Beach. “It was important to us that they keep all of the employees with the same benefits. And it’s good for the city of Long Beach, too. This group is very interested in high-volume sales, so the city will see excellent revenue.”
City Councilwoman Daryl Supernaw said Worthington Ford has been a strong economic force in the city, and he’s glad the dealership will remain intact with its current workforce under new ownership.
17 dealerships
With the acquisition of Worthington Ford, Costa Mesa-based Nouri/Shaver Automotive Group will own 17 Southern California dealerships in such communities as Van Nuys, Chino Hills, Huntington Beach and Anaheim.
CEO Armina Mgerian, who is also a partner with the company, said Nouri/Shaver was…
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