Volvo Trucks North America has announced that its independent authorized dealer Vanguard Truck Centers has acquired Nacarato Truck Centers, including all existing stock, parts, and locations.
Vanguard is a full-service commercial truck dealer group and leasing operation, but with its acquisition, it has become one of Volvo Trucks’ largest dealer groups in North America. It expands Vanguard’s presence to 28 Volvo full-service and parts-and-service-only locations across 11 states: Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
“This acquisition is not just about numbers; it's about joining two exemplary dealer groups to implement best practices, bolster synergies, and continue growing customer satisfaction, expanding customer access to the seamless support and services they have come to expect from both dealer groups,” explained Peter Voorhoeve, President, Volvo Trucks North America.
He continued: “At Volvo Trucks, our commitment to excellent customer service is at the heart of everything we do. We commend Vanguard for going beyond expectations, delivering not just trucks but comprehensive, best-in-class service solutions that maximize uptime for our customers and empower them with transportation solutions that keep their businesses moving forward."
Founded in 1976 in Nashville, Tennessee, Nacarato Truck Centers established itself as a key player in the commercial truck industry with a network of nine Volvo Trucks dealerships and service centers throughout Tennessee, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, and Virginia.
The company prioritizes a holistic sales and service approach, emphasizing comprehensive transportation solutions and customer satisfaction. This strategic acquisition not only reflects the value of the Nacarato brand and its expertise in the commercial truck market but also underscores its role as a trusted partner for customers seeking quality solutions within the Volvo Trucks ecosystem.
“We are thrilled to welcome Nacarato Truck Centers to the Vanguard team,” stated Tom Ewing, the President and Chief Executive Officer of Vanguard. “I have been friends with Mike Nacarato and his team for many years, and I have tremendous respect for the platform they’ve built. We are grateful for Mike’s trust in Vanguard to steward his company moving forward, something we do not take lightly.
“Bringing together our dealer groups will be a fun challenge, with enormous opportunity for employees and customers of both organizations. Lastly, this investment indicates Vanguard’s continued belief in Volvo Trucks’ long-term positive trajectory, with best-in-class products and services for our customers.”
The Nacarato and Vanguard teams will work closely to ensure a smooth ownership transition. Vanguard plans to retain all existing Nacarato employees, with Chief Executive Officer Mike Nacarato continuing to lead Nacarato Truck Centers under its existing brand.
"Over time, the groups will look for ways to leverage the combined scale of our network and the strength of our teams to achieve more together for our customers and employees," said Ewing. "For now, our primary goal is to support the Nacarato team as they continue to grow while providing excellent customer service.”
Both dealership groups recognize that battery-electric trucks are an important part of the future of trucking and have invested in the required training and certification program to become Volvo Trucks Certified Electric Vehicle Dealers.
Vanguard recently announced that its sales and service teams are fully trained to support customers’ Volvo VNR Electric deployments at five locations: Phoenix, Arizona; Atlanta, Georgia (Forest Park); Charlotte, North Carolina; and Austin and Houston, Texas.
The acquisition of Nacarato adds three additional Volvo Trucks Certified EV Dealer locations in Roanoke, Virginia; La Vergne, Tennessee (serving the Nashville area); and Hagerstown, Maryland.
With the completion of the acquisition on January 8, 2024, Vanguard now has over 1,200 employees. All 28 Volvo Trucks dealership locations are also Certified Uptime Dealers, providing customers with access to almost 500 service bays to ensure efficient preventative service and thorough maintenance to maximize uptime and keep trucks on the road.
"I have been searching for the right partner over the last few years, and through that process, it became clear that Vanguard was the best fit for our employees, our customers, and our growth aspirations,” said Nacarato. “Our commitment to customer satisfaction remains unwavering throughout this ownership transition, and nothing will change for our customers. Our capabilities and offerings will only be enhanced by this combination as we embark on this new chapter of growth and success together.”