Reviewed by: Pat Byington
New ownership: Montgomery’s McConnell Honda + Acura change hands
Reading time: 3 minutes
There is another big shakeup underway in the River Region automotive market. For the first time in decades, two of the area’s most recognizable automotive mainstays have changed hands.
Mississippi-based Cannon Motors has officially acquired McConnell Honda and McConnell Acura, located on Eastern Boulevard. Temporary signs sporting the Cannon name have already gone up at both storefronts as the corporate transition gets underway.
Dealership showrooms:
- Honda – 2840 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery
- Acura – 2860 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery
Cannon Motors expands to Montgomery
According to its company website, Cannon Motors got its start as a humble used car lot back in 1956. Since then, the automotive group has aggressively expanded, now operating dozens of dealerships across its home state of Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama.
“This move represents continued growth, new opportunities, and a strong commitment to serving customers across the region. We’re excited to welcome these teams into the Cannon family and look forward to continuing the tradition of excellence in Montgomery.”
– Michael Joe Cannon, owner of Cannon Motors
The McConnell family’s century-long history in Montgomery auto sales
The departure of the McConnell name marks a historic shift for local automotive retail. The McConnell family business first opened its doors over a century ago in 1919, originally selling now-defunct legacy brands like Plymouth.
As the automotive landscape evolved, so did the family. They added the Honda brand to their lineup in 1973 and later expanded their Eastern Boulevard footprint to include Acura, building a multi-generational reputation in the River Region.
The shifting landscape of automotive acquisitions on Eastern Boulevard
This high-profile buyout is part of a much larger wave of consolidation hitting local auto rows. Several longtime, family-owned Montgomery operations have sold out to larger regional and national groups in recent years.
Recent major shifts include:
- Brewbaker Motors: The longtime local staple sold its Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and KIA dealerships to the rapidly growing SONS Automotive group.
- Reinhardt Toyota and Lexus: These prominent dealerships were initially sold to Sutherlin Automotive Group before being acquired by Dream Motor Group—an organization famously co-led by legendary former Alabama football coach Nick Saban and executive Joe Agresti.
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