ST. CLOUD — Luther Automotive, based in St. Louis Park, has purchased seven different properties from Eich Motor Co. worth $16.3 million, according to certificates of real estate filed with the state of Minnesota.
The sales, finalized on Feb. 23, include Eich Motors Volkswagen and Mazda and surrounding lots according to state data. They include:
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- 101 Cooper Ave. N.
- 115 Cooper Ave. N.
- 117 Cooper Ave. N.
- 1921 Division St.
- 1931 Division St.
- 1933 Division St.
- 53 9 ½ Ave. N.
The properties at 101, 115 and 117 Cooper Ave. N and 1921 Division St., the Maza dealer, sold for $8.3 million. Eich Volkswagen, at 1931 Division St., sold for $6.5 million. The purchase also included 1933 Division St. and 53 19 1/2 Ave. N for $1.3 million.
The real estate certificates filed with the Minnesota Department of Revenue indicate that Luther Automotive plans to continue operations at the facilities, while it’s unclear if the Eich Motor Co. name will remain. An Eich Motor official declined to comment when contacted by St. Cloud LIVE.
The transaction was first reported by the Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal.
Luther Automotive was founded by Rudy Luther in 1952. Since the car dealer has expanded with 27 brands in more than 50 locations across Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, Oklahoma and Arkansas, according to its website. Luther has previously acquired St. Cloud Honda and St. Cloud Subaru.
Eich Motor Co. was founded in 1898, and sold Studebaker wagons, buggies and farm equipment. The company began selling the Volkswagen brand in 1960 and the Mazda in 1975.
Trent Abrego is a business reporter for St. Cloud LIVE and can be reached at trent@stcloudlive.com.
