About Pointe Automotive

Pointe Automotive is a specialized advisory firm serving automotive dealers nationwide with strategic buy-side support and capital planning solutions. Our focus is on helping dealer principals and groups grow through off-market acquisitions of privately-held dealerships—many of which include valuable real estate assets. By staying connected to a wide network of private sellers and untapped opportunities, we deliver targeted matches that align with our clients’ expansion goals and investment criteria.

Founded and led by David Melton—a former dealership COO with over 40 years of automotive retail experience—Pointe Automotive brings operational insight to every transaction. David’s deep industry background allows us to understand what truly drives value in a dealership acquisition: the business itself. From platform builds to tuck-in opportunities, we assist buyers in navigating every phase of the process with discretion and clarity. David is also a licensed real estate broker in all 50 states, providing optional expertise when transactions include owned property or sale-leaseback potential.

While real estate is often a component of what we do, our core mission is to help automotive dealers grow smartly, capitalize effectively, and plan for the long term. Whether you're acquiring your next store, evaluating your current footprint, or looking to reinvest 1031 funds into high-performing dealership assets, Pointe Automotive is here to guide your strategy with confidence and experience.

David R. Melton

Senior Advisor

Strategic Growth Through Confidential Dealership Opportunities.

Our mission is to help automotive dealers grow strategically by sourcing and presenting off-market acquisition opportunities. We build long-term relationships grounded in confidentiality, trust, and alignment—connecting the right operators with the right dealerships while providing the advisory support needed to achieve lasting success.

At Pointe Automotive, we specialize in helping privately held dealers and dealer groups grow strategically through confidential dealership opportunities. Unlike traditional brokerage models that rely on public listings, our approach is relationship-driven and discreet. We focus on sourcing off-market dealerships that align with each client’s brand mix, geographic targets, and long-term vision. By maintaining confidentiality throughout the process, we protect both buyers and sellers while ensuring that only qualified, serious opportunities reach the discussion stage.

Our role goes beyond introductions—we act as trusted advisors who evaluate opportunities, provide market insight, and guide negotiations to create a seamless path to acquisition. Whether you are expanding your platform with additional rooftops or strategically entering new markets, we help identify the right opportunities at the right time. With our focus on trust, discretion, and strategic alignment, Pointe Automotive empowers dealers to achieve growth without sacrificing confidentiality or control.

  • “I was not initially looking to sell my dealership but was interested in discovering the value. After meeting with Pointe Automotive and seeing the value of my store, I decided to take some chips off the table.”

    — Florida Honda Dealer

  • “Working with David and Pointe Automotive has always been a seamless experience, and we couldn’t be more satisfied with how this transition has been handled. We feel confident about the future, and that confidence is rooted in the trust we’ve built with David.”

    — Ohio JLR Dealer

  • “David Melton did an excellent job! Dave brought plenty of buyers, followed the sale right until the very end and even attended the closing. I am very happy with the whole transaction.”

    — Pennsylvania Ford Dealer

  • “It is with great pleasure that I recommend David Melton to you. Recently we decided that we needed to sell one of our dealerships that was a little too far away for us to operate in the manner we expect. We spoke to a half dozen brokers and after talking to David on multiple occasions, we decided that he would be our best bet to sell the store in a timely fashion due to his personality and wide range of contacts and reach. We choose properly as David had our Jeep – Chrysler – Dodge – Ram Dealership in front of a qualified buyer within days and within two and a half months’ time – Sold and in the capable hands of the new dealer!

    David Melton was there for us as well as the buyer throughout the process. He is very patient, knowledgeable, fair and pleasant to work and speak with…”

    — Northeast Auto Group

  • “David Melton managed the transaction with exceptional professionalism. He was consistently accessible throughout each stage of the process. I look forward to acquiring additional stores with David’s guidance and expertise.”

    — Tennessee CDJR Dealer 

  • “Mr. David Melton was fantastic through the entire process of our purchase of a dealership in Western Pennsylvania.  We had quite a few hurdles during the due-diligence period.  With all the laws and regulations that the manufacture, state, county, and township put in your way to conduct and purchase a business, Mr. Melton was an invaluable resource with his experience and knowledge.  Having run his own dealerships, Mr. Melton is the ideal broker to provide a realistic, in-depth view of any store.  He can break down a statement at a level that not many can.  I would highly recommend Mr. Melton to anyone who is considering selling or buying a store.  Being in our position, running and owning a dealership, it is difficult to find people to talk to about market conditions, real estate, and expectations, etc.  Mr. Melton was that person for me.  I now call Mr. Melton a friend and look forward to working with him in the future!”

    — Pennsylvania Ford Dealer

  • "This is my first dealership purchase utilizing a broker. I had concerns if this would make the deal too complex. But like anything else, if you do business with great people, the outcome is always great! David and his team were fantastic. Total and complete transparency. David answered his cell phone EVERY time I called and worked extremely hard for seller AND buyer to make a fair and simple transaction. David was there every step of the way and personally saw the closing through until the last document was signed. Very impressed with the company and most importantly, David. I made a deal and I made a friend. Many more to follow. Call me personally for a reference." –

    — Pennsyvania Automotive Group

  • "Dear David, thank you so much for finding me a qualified buyer so quickly. One of my major goals was to have a buyer who would continue what my family built over 59 years. The buyer is truly that person. From our first meeting to the sale of my dealership, everything went extremely well and all of us got along great! The pricing structure was right on target and your fee was very fair. Perhaps even more than fair, considering the short time from start to finish. You understood it was a big step for me and you were patient on my decision. You were very professional, excellent on communication, quick and very helpful. It was a real pleasure working with you."

    — Georgia GM Dealer

  • “It was a pleasure dealing with David Melton. It was a long process, but David constantly checked in to see if I needed anything and was very responsive to my questions. Definitely a professional individual.”

    — North Carolina Buick-GMC Dealer

  • “I want to thank David Melton for his efforts in assisting my sister and I with the sale of our family dealership. Even though the process was long, David was available 24/7 from start to finish. I would highly recommend David Melton for buyers and sellers.”

    — Georgia Ford Dealer

  • “David Melton did an excellent job! Dave brought plenty of buyers, followed the sale right until the very end and even attended the closing. I am very happy with the whole transaction.”

    — Tennessee Ford Dealer

  • David Melton is fantastic. From the first day we met David through the closing, he was amazing to deal with and handheld us through the process. “David worked tirelessly to find us the right buyer and once we found that buyer was in constant communication with their agent to ensure a smooth purchase and transition. David set realistic expectations throughout the process and far exceeded those expectations including length of time to find the buyer. He was able to keep the listing discreet which was a main concern of ours. David also helped us in every aspect including making sure we received the full value of our dealership. Selling a business during COVID was not easy. We cannot thank David enough for his help and guidance throughout the entire process. He made this a very profitable and smooth sale.”

    — Rech Automotive Group

What We Do

At Pointe Automotive, we specialize in helping automotive dealers grow, transition, and capitalize more strategically. As trusted Automotive Capital Advisors, our core focus lies in Strategic Off-Market Acquisitions, Sale-Leaseback Transactions, and 1031 Replacement Property Identification. Whether you’re expanding your platform, planning your exit, or redeploying capital into income-producing assets, we provide tailored advisory services designed to align with your goals as an operator and investor.

Led by David Melton—our founder and Managing Director—Pointe Automotive brings over 40 years of hands-on dealership experience to every client engagement. As a former dealership COO and a licensed real estate broker in all 50 states, David understands the full spectrum of value in a transaction: operations, brand performance, and the underlying real estate. We leverage this insight to quietly connect buyers with off-market acquisition opportunities, structure sale-leaseback solutions to unlock equity, and guide 1031 investors to quality replacement properties that support long-term income and appreciation.

Our approach is strategic, relationship-driven, and confidential. We work exclusively with qualified dealers and institutional investors seeking targeted opportunities in the automotive retail space. From single rooftops to multi-store portfolios, Pointe Automotive serves as your behind-the-scenes advisor—aligning growth, liquidity, and succession planning with the real-world demands of dealership ownership.

 Frequently Asked Questions

Pointe Automotive is an Automotive Capital Advisory Firm focused exclusively on Strategic Acquisition Services and Real Estate Investment solutions. We serve auto dealers, aftermarket operators, and investors nationwide. As buy-side advisors, we specialize in sourcing off-market opportunities and structuring real estate strategies, including sale-leasebacks and 1031 exchange services. Below are answers to the most common questions about how we work with our clients and the value we provide.

  • Pointe Automotive provides capital advisory services designed specifically for the automotive industry. We focus on two primary areas:

    • Strategic Acquisitions as Buy-Side Advisors: We represent buyers looking to expand their dealership or aftermarket portfolios by sourcing and vetting off-market opportunities nationwide.

    • Real Estate Investment Services: We advise on sale-leasebacks, real estate dispositions, and 1031 exchange strategies to help dealers and investors unlock capital, optimize tax benefits, and strengthen their portfolios.

    Our expertise lies at the intersection of automotive operations, M&A advisory, and real estate capital markets.

  • As Buy-Side Advisors, we exclusively represent buyers in dealership and aftermarket transactions. Our role is to act as your advocate in identifying, evaluating, and securing the right opportunities. Unlike brokers who may focus on listings, we leverage our nationwide network and industry knowledge to uncover off-market opportunities that may never be publicly marketed.

    We conduct financial and operational due diligence, negotiate deal terms, and structure acquisitions so that each purchase aligns with your growth strategy and long-term objectives.

  • Our team maintains a deep network of dealership owners, investors, and industry insiders across the country. By proactively building relationships, we often learn of opportunities before they are made public.

    We also conduct targeted outreach, leveraging market data, industry trends, and geographic analysis to identify dealerships or aftermarket businesses that match our clients’ criteria. This off-market focus gives our clients a competitive advantage by accessing opportunities with less competition and greater negotiating flexibility.

  • A sale-leaseback allows a dealer or operator to sell their real estate to an investor while simultaneously leasing it back under a long-term lease agreement. This transaction provides immediate capital while allowing the business to continue operating at the same location.

    Benefits of sale-leasebacks include:

    • Unlocking equity tied up in real estate

    • Securing long-term operational stability

    • Improving liquidity for growth, acquisitions, or debt reduction

    • Making real estate assets more attractive to institutional investors

    Pointe Automotive structures sale-leasebacks tailored to each client’s financial and operational needs, ensuring the terms balance immediate capital benefits with long-term operational control.

  • A 1031 exchange allows property owners to defer capital gains taxes by reinvesting the proceeds from a real estate sale into a like-kind property. This strategy is particularly valuable for dealers and investors looking to reinvest in automotive real estate or diversify their portfolios.

    We help clients by:

    • Identifying qualified replacement properties within IRS timelines

    • Advising on deal structures that meet 1031 requirements

    • Coordinating with tax advisors, attorneys, and exchange accommodators

    • Ensuring that transactions align with broader investment and business objectives

  • For investors, Pointe Automotive serves as a strategic partner in identifying, underwriting, and acquiring high-quality automotive real estate assets. We source off-market opportunities in dealership, service, and net lease sectors and provide detailed financial modeling, tenant analysis, and market research. Whether you're targeting sale-leasebacks, stabilized assets, or value-add plays, we help ensure that each investment aligns with your return expectations and risk profile.

  • For most dealerships, real estate is one of the largest and most valuable assets. Unlike firms that only advise on business operations or transactions, we integrate real estate strategy into every deal.

    This means we evaluate the property’s market value, determine whether ownership or leasing best supports your growth strategy, and structure transactions—such as sale-leasebacks or 1031 exchanges—that maximize both the business and real estate value.

  • Getting started begins with a confidential consultation. During this initial discussion, we learn more about your growth objectives, investment criteria, or real estate strategy. From there, we create a tailored plan that may include sourcing off-market acquisitions, structuring sale-leasebacks, or planning a 1031 exchange.

    Our goal is to provide a clear roadmap and hands-on advisory support, guiding you through each stage of the process with expertise and transparency.

  • Pointe Automotive is more than a brokerage—it is a capital advisory partner dedicated to helping auto dealers, aftermarket operators, and investors achieve their strategic goals. Whether you are pursuing acquisitions, exploring sale-leaseback strategies, or planning a 1031 exchange, our team brings the industry focus, national reach, and capital markets expertise to ensure success.

    If you’re ready to explore your next move, contact Pointe Automotive today to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you unlock opportunities and maximize value in the automotive dealership and aftermarket sectors.