Minority Owned Auto Dealership Gaining Ground
BETHESDA, MD//Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ
Companies and chairman of the board of the automotive group RLJ-McLarty-Landers ranked 31st on
the annual “Top 125 U.S. Dealership Groups List,” published by Automotive News. This is the
automotive group’s first listing and the rankings are based on new car sales in 2009.
RLJ McLarty Landers Automotive Group was created in partnership with Thomas “Mack” McLarty,
the Vice Chairman of the automotive group who hails from a fourth-generation family transportation
business and former chief of staff to President Bill Clinton; and Steve Landers, Sr. the automotive
group’s President who is an experienced auto dealer who hails from Arkansas.
“We are continuing to grow and are rapidly becoming one of the largest, if not the largest minority
owned dealerships in the country,” said Johnson. “We have a great management team in place and
have proven our ability to execute the acquisitions to successfully compete in the automotive
industry,” he concluded.
Mack McLarty said, “We have over 50 years and four generations in the car-dealer industry, today’s
announcement speaks to the growing momentum we have had in the automotive sector and we are excited about
the opportunity to continue to excel in our industry.”
Steve Landers added, “Today’s announcement speaks to the credibility and dedication behind the RLJMcLarty-
Landers brand. Our focus remains on bringing the best cars and automotive services and
products to the customers we serve. We are in a prime position to continue our expansion and growth.”
RLJ-McLarty-Landers is headquarted in Little Rock, Arkansas, and consists of 19 auto dealerships and
three Harley-Davidson motorcycle dealerships across central Arkansas. RLJ-McLarty-Landers
currently has 35 automotive franchises within its portfolio and projects an estimated gross revenue for
FY09 of $625M.
About The RLJ Companies
The RLJ Companies, founded by Robert L. Johnson, is an innovative business network that provides strategic
investments in a diverse portfolio of companies. The RLJ Companies seeks to target undiscovered or
underserved markets then exercise solid management to achieve results. Within The RLJ Companies portfolio,
Johnson owns or holds majority interests in businesses operating in banking, private equity, hospitality,
automobile dealerships, entertainment, professional sports and video lottery terminal (VLT) gaming. The RLJ
Companies is headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with operations in Charlotte, NC; Orlando, FL; Little Rock, AR;
Los Angeles, CA; San Juan, PR; and Monrovia, Liberia. Prior to founding The RLJ Companies, Johnson was
founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET).
Media inquiries: Traci Otey Blunt for The RLJ Companies at 240.744.7858 or
press@rljcompanies.com.
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