Mach10 Automotive serves as exclusive advisor on the sale of Pitre Kia of Las Cruces.
  • One of the top performing Kia dealers in the Southwest.

Transaction Overview

Mach10 Automotive served as the exclusive advisor on the sale of Pitre Kia of Las Cruces, New Mexico, representing Bob Pitre and Pitre Automotive Group as the seller and Bob Giles and Giles Automotive as the buyer. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Pitre Kia of Las Cruces has been owned and operated by Pitre Automotive Group since 2017 and is recognized as one of the top-performing Kia dealerships in the Southwest.

The transaction represents a strategic exit for Pitre Automotive Group from the southern New Mexico market, while allowing the group to continue its long-standing presence across the Albuquerque metropolitan area.

For Giles Automotive, the acquisition marks a key milestone in its growth strategy and the addition of its first Kia franchise, further expanding its multi-state dealership footprint.

PRESS RELEASE
  • Mach10 Team Involved

George Pero

President & CEO

805-390-5700
georgep@mach10automotive.com

Michael Yanke

Vice President, M&A

602-885-8555
michaely@mach10automotive.com

Chris Pero

Sr. Director, M&A

805-390-5154
chrisp@mach10automotive.com

Billy Morgan

Director, M&A

702-420-9550
billym@mach10automotive.com

Deal Overview

Date:
January 19, 2026

Dealership name:
Kia of Las Cruces

Location:
Las Cruces, New Mexico

Seller(s):
Pitre Automotive Group of New Mexico

Buyer(s):
Giles Automotive

Brand(s):
Kia

Advisors:
George Pero
Michael Yanke
Billy Morgan
Chris Pero

From the buyer:

The team at Mach10 Automotive was outstanding to work with during the acquisition of our first Kia franchise. Kia had been a strategic target brand for our group, and when Chris Pero of Mach10 presented the opportunity, it was immediately clear that the fit aligned with our long-term direction. Their professionalism, responsiveness, strategic acumen, and disciplined execution consistently exceeded our expectations. Having completed numerous transactions across multiple brands, we can say without hesitation that Mach10 has set a new standard for excellence in automotive M&A. We value the partnership and look forward to working with George, Chris, and the entire Mach10 team again in the future.

Bob Giles
Chairman, Giles Automotive

From the buyer:

Mach10 Automotive delivered on every promise from the moment Billy Morgan first called to discuss the sale of our southern New Mexico Kia store.
Their approach was professional, discreet, and built on a foundation of trust, an essential element in transactions of this nature. From start to finish, the process was clear, confidential, and relentlessly results-oriented, culminating in a successful
transaction with Giles Automotive. While this was our first transaction with Mach10, there is no hesitation on our part to partner with their team on
future buy-sell opportunities, and we highly recommend them. It has been a pleasure working with Billy, George, and the entire Mach10 team, and we sincerely appreciate the integrity and value they bring to every engagement.

Bob Giles
Chairman, Giles Automotive

Considering a dealership sale or acquisition?

Speak directly with Mach10’s M&A experts to explore
your options and understand what a successful transaction
could look like for your business.

SPEAK TO AN M&A ADVISOR
CONTACT MACH10

George Pero

President & CEO

Extremely accomplished leader in the automotive industry recognized for his success in retail and remarketing. George’s career achievements include successfully launching and running Auctions In Motion (“AIM”), a regional “mobile” auction company that brings the auction to the dealer. George also holds a wealth of knowledge & expertise in mergers & acquisitions in the automotive sector. He recently served as the Vice President of a national brokerage firm where he was one of the top producers. His experience in the M&A industry brings a keen sense of the due diligence process as well as the art of negotiating while representing both seller and buyer.

Michael Yanke

Vice President, M&A

Michael has demonstrated success in expanding multimillion-dollar sales and fostering growth while providing sales leadership in highly competitive global markets. Michael brings decades of marketing management with a proven record of achievement. For over 25 years, he has been successful at building new businesses, securing client loyalty and forging strong relationships with external business partners. His extensive knowledge of marketing strategies, channels, and branding has helped companies achieve success through his leadership, communication, and collaboration abilities.

Chris Pero

Sr. Director, M&A

Chris’ automotive experience spans over a decade in both retail and wholesale. Chris has provided support by growing an auction company at the management level in southern California, and most recently, he was a part of the management team at a Ford and Lincoln dealership. Through his unique experience and determination, he has a proven track record of growth and success and understands the unique needs of the dealership at every level.

Billy Morgan

Director, M&A

Billy brings valuable experience to Mach10, shaped by his time as Director of an Indianapolis 500 race team and as a Vice President of Sales. His experience in high-performance environments and leading teams aligns superbly with the fast-paced world of M&A in the automotive retail sector. Known for his ability to anticipate and exceed client expectations, Billy leverages strong relationships and strategic insight to structure win-win transactions that deliver long-term value. His blend of operational expertise and client-focused execution makes him a trusted advisor for dealership owners navigating growth or exit opportunities.

Daniel Diedrich

Director, M&A

Dan has more than 20 years of operational management and proven leadership experience across the automotive sector, with deep expertise in building, leading, and scaling high-performing retail operations. He has a consistent track record of driving year-over-year performance improvements, developing top-tier leadership teams, and delivering strong profitability while achieving leading regional rankings. Dan’s strengths include strategic planning, market expansion, and navigating complex operational challenges. His results-driven approach, combined with strong analytical discipline and leadership acumen, positions him to drive growth and elevate operational excellence for Mach10’s current and future client partners.

Elena Hall

Executive Assistant to 

the CEO

Elena Hall is a highly accomplished professional who thrives in delivering seamless support to Mach10 Automotive's leadership. Her focus on excellence in executive administration and her ability to manage complex tasks with precision make her an important team member. Elena's talent for coordinating projects, streamlining operations, and fostering collaboration ensures that the team can focus on strategic goals. She is committed to making a meaningful impact on the success of Mach10 Automotive and the partners we serve.

Denyn Pysz

Sales Director

Denyn is a dynamic automotive sales leader with over 20 years of experience, recognized for his expertise in technical certifications, retail sales, and service. With a proven record of driving growth, Denyn has excelled in key management roles across dealership operations, equipping him with a comprehensive understanding of dealership needs at every level. Known for his ability to build high-performing teams and deliver revenue growth, his innovation-driven approach and industry insight make him a trusted authority in automotive sales and service. At Mach10, Denyn advises our clients in Sales, Service, F&I, and Operations, guiding them toward optimized performance and success.

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Kathi Kruse

Financial Operations Analyst

Kathi Kruse is a uniquely qualified and accomplished automotive retail advisor. Recognized as a dealership profitability specialist, digital strategist, trainer/coach, podcaster, and author, Kathi is the creator of the Kruse Control Newsletter, and Founder/CEO of Automotive CFO-To-Go, and Kruse Control Inc.  Born in the heart of Los Angeles to a family of “car people”, Kathi’s passion for the car business spans a 25-year automotive retail career, managing wildly successful $100M+ stores in Southern California. Her exceptional experience, combined with her innovative methods, has led to transformational outcomes and increased profits for over 1,000 clients to date.

Chris Pero

Sr. Director, M&A

Chris’ automotive experience spans over a decade in both retail and wholesale. Chris has provided support by growing an auction company at the management level in southern California, and most recently, he was a part of the management team at a Ford and Lincoln dealership.Through his unique experience and determination, he has a proven track record of growth and success and understands the unique needs of the dealership at every level.

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Jon Karasek

Vice President Innovation

Having recently held the position of Regional Director of Digital Strategy and Innovation for the industry’s largest independent auto auction group, Jon’s skills range from mechanical/technical certifications to wholesale and retail sales. Jon was recognized for leadership accomplishments when honored with the 2021 Automotive Remarketing 40 Under 40 Award. He is an accomplished auctioneer with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry. Jon graduated from the World Wide College of Auctioneering, and then excelled as the GM of one of Southern California’s premier wholesale auto auctions.

David Foley

Director, M&A

David is a seasoned automotive executive with over twenty years of industry experience. As a results-driven Sales Manager, he consistently delivers impressive revenue growth and prioritizes customer satisfaction. Renowned for his ability to build and lead high-performing teams, David’s visionary approach and innovation-driven mindset keep him at the forefront of the automotive sector. His unwavering integrity and keen eye for industry trends position him as a trusted leader actively shaping the future of automotive sales.

Sam Abergel

Director, Fixed Operations

With over four decades of automotive industry experience, Sam’s impressive career began in sales at a Chrysler Plymouth dealership, where he was promoted to Service Manager within 18 months. Noteworthy achievements include leadership roles as the President of the Parts and Service Managers Guild in Los Angeles and representation on the Porsche North America Round Table. Sam’s extensive experience and track record of performance improvements includes orchestrating successful dealership transitions, managing and growing service and fixed operations as a transformative leader at Chrysler-Dodge, Audi, Lexus, and Porsche dealers. At Mach10, our clients benefit from Sam’s expert knowledge in driving dealership profitability through strategic guidance, coaching, and creating tailored client solutions.

Shasta Pellegrino

Executive Administrator

Shasta is a dynamic professional who excels at identifying and implementing effective solutions to complex problems. Her dedication to Mach10’s administrative needs and her commitment to excellence make her an invaluable asset. Shasta's passion for working closely with people and ability to collaborate seamlessly with colleagues and stakeholders alike makes her a perfect fit for the Mach10 team. With her blend of administrative expertise, people skills, and proactive approach to problem-solving, Shasta is poised to contribute significantly to the success and growth of our team and our client partners.

Carsten Preisz

Chief Marketing Officer

Carsten’s extensive achievements includes introducing and establishing Dutch Supercar Spyker in the Americas and holding senior management/executive positions with esteemed and iconic automotive OEMs to include Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Peugeot, and Fisker Automotive. Most recently, Carsten’s contributions with Market Scan Information Systems, Inc., were key to the company being acquired by S&P Global Mobility.

Whether the challenge calls for creating the customer standards for Bentley/Rolls-Royce or being responsible for the Los Angeles Marathon TV-broadcast, which led to an Emmy nomination, Carsten is instinctually entrepreneurial and an out of the box thinker who enjoys solving strategic challenges to elevate the client experience and maximize profitability.