Valencia-based Hello Auto Group has expanded by acquiring a pair of Southern California dealerships: John Hine Mazda Temecula and John Hine Subaru Temecula.
In Santa Clarita, Hello Auto Group operates Mazda and Kia dealerships while a third local site, Hello Subaru of Valencia, is scheduled to open early next year upon the completion of construction of a new facility.
The two acquired John Hine dealerships have been in Temecula for 60 years.
“John Hine and his dealerships have been mainstays in the Temecula community for years,” Hello Auto President Karl Schmidt said in a statement. “We look forward to carrying on the Hine tradition and growing the bond with the local automotive community.”
 “I’ve known Karl for the better part of two decades,” John Hine, president of John Hine Mazda and Subaru, said in a statement. “We are likeminded in our commitment to the customer experience and the belief that high levels of customer satisfaction can only be achieved through employee satisfaction.”
 Hello Auto Group intends to maintain all employees at the Temecula locations as well as expand the team for future growth.
Outside of California, Hello Auto Group operates a dealership in Baxter, Minn.
 Schmidt, who originated from Minnesota where he spent the bulk of his 30-year career, seized the opportunity to open his Santa Clarita dealerships last year after Galpin Motors’ Mazda store closed in August 2018 and Galpin’s Subaru outlet closed in 2019.