It took Jay Trivedi 15 months and several failed attempts to close the deal. Trivedi, a 38-year-old who arrived in Canada as an international student from India with only $500 in his pocket, has now acquired a Chevrolet dealership in Ohio, becoming a dealer principal in the process.
The transaction to purchase the former Don’s Chevrolet GMC in Wauseon, Ohio, fell apart six or seven times before finally closing on May 28. Mike Funk, the regional director for the Midwest USA at DSMA, the firm representing the sellers, Don and Cathy Hayati, described the process as a sign to perseverance.
Trivedi found the listing on the DSMA website last April. The Hayatis had owned the store for 30 years and were very selective about who would take over their business in the small town of fewer than 8,000 residents. Despite Funk describing the pair as a “perfect match,” Trivedi said the most difficult aspect was handling the seller’s “extremely demanding expectations.”
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Immigration issues were listed as a top hurdle by Funk, but Trivedi said the paperwork was not even in the top 20 difficulties. He credits his reputation in Canada for smoothing over the General Motors approval process.
Marketing skills help secure approval
Trivedi worked for the Dilawri Group of Companies, Canada’s largest auto dealership group, for more than seven years. He left his role as general manager of a Dilawri Toyota store in Bolton, Ontario, to take over the Ohio location, which also sells the Hummer brand.
His success in Canada likely influenced General Motors’ decision to approve the sale. Trivedi created commercials educating Canadian consumers about the value of American brands. He noted that while customers were knowledgeable about Japanese vehicles, they were less aware of the benefits of North American products.
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“I started educating them that if it is built here in North America, you will save on insurance,” he said. “His efforts helped boost Cadillac and Chevrolet sales in Canada,” Trivedi said. When General Motors conducted a background check in the U.S., they connected with their Canadian counterparts and “just grab this guy!” he recalled.
Changing the focus to new cars
Trivedi is putting those marketing skills to work in Ohio. The previous owners leaned heavily into used sales and were reluctant to focus on new-car volume due to manufacturer control over inventory. Don Hayati famously said, “Never again am I going to have the manufacturer dictate my business.”
Trivedi believes new-car sales offer “unlimited potential” if executed correctly. In his first official month on the books, he surpassed the store’s new-car sales target by 400%.
