Chapman buys Tucson dealerships

Two longtime Arizona car dealers struck a deal where Chandler-based Chapman Automotive Group purchased a half dozen dealerships from Beaudry Motor Co. in Tucson.

"It is the biggest deal that we have made," said Eddie Davault, Chapman chief operating officer, who declined to reveal the sale amount.

"I can tell you their annual sales were approximately $150 million. Ours currently are around $600 million."

Chapman, founded in 1966, has 11 dealerships in the Valley, six of which are in the East Valley, and two stores in Las Vegas.

In the Beaudry deal, the company picks up Acura, Audi, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.

Davault said Chapman made the purchase for two reasons.

"Geographically it’s within that state of Arizona," he said. "We started in Arizona and we’re very big on Arizona. Secondly, the franchises blend with the franchises we currently have."

Ted Chapman, son of founder Jerry Chapman, will move from Las Vegas to run the Tucson dealerships.

The company is run by Jerry Chapman, who is a Chandler resident, and his three sons.

Chapman’s corporate headquarters are at Freeway Chevrolet at Interstate 10 and Ray Road.

Beaudry is a third generation family owned business founded in 1940 by S.M. "Mac" Beaudry. Before the sale, the company had 11 car franchises.

"We’re going to be focusing our capital on the RV industry, increasing the size of our facilities," said Mike Murphy, Beaudry general counsel. "We chose Chapman because they’re a familyoriented company like we are, dedicated to excellent care of their employees and customers."

The company’s Web site boasts it is the largest RV dealer in the Southwest. It has locations in Tucson, San Diego and on Main Street in Mesa.

The company also runs Beaudry RV Resort in Tucson, some 400 full hook-up pads, including 20 with whirlpool baths, and other camping amenities.

The company recently announced it was looking to expand its RV business in the Valley.

"They’re springboarding their RV business and they’ve done a fabulous job in that," Davault said.

Beaudry will stay in the automobile business with Saturn of Tucson and a Chevrolet, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge franchises in Benson.

Despite their deep Arizona roots, Davault said the two families do not know each other.

"We’re familiar by name, but certainly not sociallyacquainted friends," he said.

Murphy said he was surprised the two families hadn’t crossed paths much.

" I grew up in Phoenix and a lot of times, Phoenicians don’t realize that there’s part of Arizona below the Gila River," he said.