We are excited to share a major milestone in the Kunes Auto and RV Group story. We were recently featured in a PR Newswire article announcing that we have completed three strategic acquisitions that expand our footprint into two exciting new markets: the Twin Cities metro area in Minnesota and Chicago’s North Shore in Illinois.
This expansion is about more than new locations. It represents new opportunities to serve more customers, support strong dealership teams, and continue building lasting relationships across the Midwest.
Our First Step into the Twin Cities Metro Area
For the first time, we have entered the Twin Cities market through the acquisition of two respected Minnesota dealerships from the family-owned Valley Automotive Group. These locations are now operating as Kunes Apple Valley and Kunes Valley GMC in Hastings.
This acquisition was especially meaningful to us because it represents a strong succession story. The Valley Automotive Group family was looking for a buyer who would preserve their values, protect their legacy, and continue supporting the employees who helped build their success. As a fellow family-owned business, we were proud to be the right cultural fit.
We are also pleased that members of the previous owner’s family will continue to lead operations in Minnesota. That leadership continuity helps ensure a smooth transition for both employees and customers.
A New Presence on the Chicago North Shore
We are also proud to announce the acquisition of Kunes Lakes Chevrolet in Lake Bluff, Illinois from The Exchange, a prominent Chevrolet dealership group. This move places us directly in the Chicago suburbs for the first time and brings Kunes closer to the city than ever before.
Kunes Lakes Chevrolet serves one of the region’s most vibrant and well-known communities on Chicago’s North Shore. For our President, Greg Kunes, who is a Chicago-area native, this opportunity holds special significance as it strengthens our connection to his hometown market.
Growth That Keeps People First
At Kunes, we believe growth should always be rooted in people. That includes our customers, our communities, and the employees who make every dealership successful.
That is why we are working to keep existing staff in place at all three locations. Our goal is to support a smooth transition, preserve the customer experience people already trust, and build on the success that made these dealerships such strong additions to the Kunes family.
As our Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Scott Kunes, shared in the PR Newswire feature, these acquisitions represent major growth for us in two very exciting markets. They align perfectly with our commitment to putting people first and building lasting relationships.
A Growing Midwest Story
These acquisitions are also important milestones in our continued expansion across the Midwest. The Lake Bluff dealership represents Greg Kunes’ 53rd acquisition since the company began expanding in 1996.
Today, we operate 45 total locations across the Midwest, growing from just six locations only 12 years ago. Each new location represents another opportunity to serve more drivers, support more communities, and create more careers for great people.
Our Mission Stays the Same
Even as we expand into new markets, our mission remains rooted in the values that have guided us since day one. We are a family-owned company built on faith, family, and giving back.
We are proud to donate 10 percent of our annual net profits to local charities because we believe in strengthening the communities we serve. We are also honored to have received multiple Automotive News Best Dealerships to Work For awards, recognizing our commitment to employees, customers, and community engagement.
Thank You for Being Part of Our Journey
From Delavan, Wisconsin to Minnesota and now the Chicago North Shore, our growth has always been driven by people. We are grateful for the customers who trust us, the teams who power our dealerships, and the communities that welcome us in.
We are also proud to be featured in PR Newswire as we continue expanding our reach and sharing our story.
We look forward to serving you at all our locations and continuing to deliver the honest, friendly, people-first experience that defines Kunes Auto and RV Group.
