Wagstaff's House of Toyota has ceased operations at its four locations in the Salt Lake area, and its inventory of new and used vehicles and parts has been acquired by local auto dealer Mark Miller.
The amount of the deal was not disclosed.Miller said he did not purchase the Wagstaff's headquarters facility at 84 W. 700 South nor the company's satellite used car operations in Murray and Midvale. Miller currently operates Pontiac and Subaru dealerships on State Street at 3535 South and 3734 South.
Miller will operate the Toyota dealership from two former Wagstaff's properties he is leasing. The former Wagstaff's service facility on the corner of 700 South and 200 West will be a sales and service facility.
Miller will also sell new and used cars from a former Wagstaff's used car facility at 235 W. 500 South. Miller said that will be a temporary site.
In making the successful bid for Wagstaff's inventory, Miller said he assumed none of the other debts of the company, which remains legally incorporated.
"We are excited about adding Toyota to our line of dealerships," said Miller. "Toyota builds some outstanding products. To complement those products, we intend to operate this dealership with the same sales style and customer emphasis that we have developed in our other businesses."
He said the addition of Toyota will likely double his company's sales from the $24 million logged by the Pontiac and Subaru dealerships in 1989.
"We intend to build an extremely reputable Toyota dealership with top quality sales and service," said Miller. "The addition of the Toyota line gives us some tremendous opportunities."
Signs with the Mark Miller name were scheduled to be placed over the two former Wagstaff's lots this weekend.