Swickard Auto Group
Swickard Auto Group is an American privately held automotive retail group. Founded in 2014, the company operates over 50 dealerships across the Western United States, including Alaska, California, Hawaii, Oregon, and Washington. The group represents a variety of luxury and mainstream automotive brands and is recognized for its rapid expansion and emphasis on hospitality-driven service.
History
Swickard Auto Group was founded in 2014 by Jeff Swickard, an entrepreneur and University of Oregon alumnus. The company began with a single dealership, Mercedes-Benz of Wilsonville, located in suburban Portland, Oregon.
Under Swickard’s leadership, the group underwent a period of aggressive acquisition. Between 2020 and 2023, the company was consistently recognized by Automotive News as one of the fastest-growing dealership groups in the United States. Notable milestones through Swickard’s growth include:
• 2017-2019: Expansion continued throughout Washington and Oregon markets, acquiring Volvo Cars, Honda, Toyota, and BMW
• 2020: Expansion into the San Francisco Bay Area with the acquisition of several Audi, Land Rover, and Lexus franchises.
• 2022: Expansion into Alaska in Anchorage and Palmer through General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi, and Volkswagen
• 2022: A significant expansion in Thousand Oaks, California, adding 8 dealerships to the group, including Acura, Honda, Land Rover, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz, and Lexus to the portfolio.
• 2023: Entry into the Hawaii market through the acquisition of Mercedes-Benz of Honolulu and Mercedes-Benz of Maui from Fletcher Jones Motorcars.
• 2025: Strategic acquisition of BMW of Portland from Lithia Motors, marking a major investment in the Portland urban core.
Operations
As of 2026, Swickard Auto Group manages more than 53 franchises. The company’s portfolio includes a range of manufacturers, such as:
• Luxury: Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Porsche, Audi, Lexus, Land Rover, Cadillac, and Volvo.
• Lifestyle: Toyota, Honda, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, and Volkswagen.
The group employs between 1,000 and 5,000 people and has pivoted toward a “hospitality-first” model, utilizing modern dealership management systems (DMS) to streamline the car-buying process.
Real Estate and Investments
Beyond automotive retail, the group’s founder has made significant investments in commercial real estate. In 2025, Jeff Swickard purchased the U.S. Bancorp Tower (commonly known as “Big Pink”), the largest office building in Portland, Oregon, for approximately $45 million. This move was noted by industry analysts as a strategic bet on the revitalization of urban centers.
Philanthropy
The company operates under the “Heart of Swickard” initiative. A primary focus of their charitable work is animal welfare, specifically supporting Oregon Dog Rescue. In 2024, the group announced a mission to help save 1,000 dogs per year through its network of dealerships. Other philanthropic efforts include support for education, veterans’ organizations, first responders, and local arts.
