Tim Lamb Group Facilitates La Porte Ford Acquisition, Connecting First-Time Dealer With Established Indiana Dealership
Tim Lamb Group’s Chris Infantino and Bob Wolfbauer Represent Buyer and Seller in Successful Ford Acquisition
La Porte Ford Dealership
Columbus, OH, Aug. 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Tim Lamb Group, the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America, is pleased to announce the successful acquisition of Auto Park Ford of La Porte. The dealership, located at 1522 E. Lincolnway in La Porte, Indiana has been acquired by Grand Rapids, Michigan native, Matthew Sanderson, who will operate the business as La Porte Ford, with Jonathon O’Dell serving as General Manager.
The transaction officially closed on Monday, August 17, when Tim Lamb Group employees Bob Wolfbauer and Chris Infantino brought together Ken Norris, an established Midwest automotive operator and Matthew Sanderson, a first-time dealership owner.
Wolfbauer represented seller Ken Norris, Dealer Principal of Auto Park Ford of La Porte, while Infantino represented Sanderson throughout the acquisition process. Their combined experience helped guide both parties through the transaction, including the Ford manufacturer approval process.
Auto Park Ford of La Porte, originally built in 1996, was purchased by Norris in November 2020 and made interior renovations in 2022. The store encompasses approximately 31,000 square feet on 12.6 acres and includes 17 service bays. Under Sanderson’s new ownership, the facility will undergo additional renovations to meet current manufacturer requirements.
Norris decided to sell the La Porte location to devote more attention to his other dealership operations, which include a Ford and Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership in Bremen, Indiana and a Ford dealership in Sturgis, Michigan.
“I chose to work with Bob as he understands the Ford approval process like no one else I have ever known. I knew that once we had the right candidate, they would get manufacturer approval,” stated Norris.
For Wolfbauer, the transaction represented the continuation of a professional relationship with Norris that spans more than 15 years. “I have known Ken Norris and the Auto Park team for over 15 years, starting with their appointment as a Ford dealer in Sturgis, Michigan,” said Wolfbauer. “They are exceptional partners and OEM brand ambassadors in the communities they serve. It was an incredible honor to represent Ken throughout this transaction.”
Norris also saw a strong cultural fit between the two ownership groups. As a dedicated family man who grew up in Breman, Indiana, Norris immediately connected with the Sanderson family and their shared Midwest roots, with Sanderson originally from the Kalamazoo, Michigan area.
“I knew Bob would find the right buyer who held similar values and would in turn take care of all the employees at La Porte and represent Ford to the community as we have since we took over the dealership,” stated Norris.
For Sanderson, the acquisition marks his first dealership ownership opportunity. After identifying Michigan and Northern Indiana as target markets, Sanderson hopes to grow his business.
“Chris was a tremendous asset in helping me find my first dealership,” said Sanderson. “Not only did he help us find the right opportunity, but he was instrumental in navigating us through the Ford approval process. His 30-plus years of experience at Ford Motor Company was invaluable.” Sanderson, who plans to relocate to La Porte, continued with, “I look forward to working with Chris and the Tim Lamb Group again as I grow my automotive group in the future.”
The acquisition provides continuity for the dealership’s employees and operations. Sanderson plans to retain the entire Auto Park Ford of La Porte staff, while O’Dell was offered equity in the dealership to help secure his continued leadership and talent.
The transaction represents another example of Tim Lamb Group’s ability to leverage deep automotive industry relationships and OEM expertise to successfully guide both experienced dealership owners and first-time buyers through the acquisition process.
For more information on Tim Lamb Group visit, https://timlambgroup.com/.
About Tim Lamb Group
Since 2006, Tim Lamb Group has been the number one choice for dealers looking to sell, or purchase, a new vehicle dealership. Fifteen regional directors handle billions of dollars per year in transactions for multiple dealer operators in every part of the United States and Canada. The Group has leveraged their OEM management experience and retail dealership background to become the largest auto dealership sales and acquisitions firm in North America. For more information and dealerships for sale, visit www.timlambgroup.com
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