YP Automotive Inc., of Spokane, has acquired Becker Buick GMC in a transaction that was completed last month.

The auto dealership, which now does business as GMC of Riverfront Park, includes a repair shop, retail store, and parts store located on about 2 acres of land at 636 E. Sprague, in Spokane's University District. All 55 of Becker Buick's former staff members are now employed with GMC of Riverfront Park.

New co-owner Yama Popal says he learned about an opportunity to acquire the former Becker Buick GMC business and property as part of a minority ownership group with General Motors.

"This opportunity came in and ... everything looked good as far as the town and opportunities and the people and population and the growth. Based on that, I was very happy to be given the opportunity," says Popal. 

GMC of Riverfront Park is Popal's first car dealership in Spokane, he says.

"One thing I normally do when I buy a business is I don't make any changes on (an employee's) income, time off, or medical coverage. I kept all employees and their seniority in place," says Popal. "The people are the biggest assets."

In addition to operating the dealership in Spokane, Popal says he will remain as general manager at a Sacramento, California-area dealership, Elk Grove Buick GMC.

"My partner and I from that store became partners here, and we bought this (Spokane dealership) together," Popal explains.

Popal declines to disclose the terms of the transaction. 

The 66-year-old Becker Buick is the second Spokane-area car dealership to change hands in recent weeks, following Eve Knudtsen's acquisition of Foothills Lincoln Mazda.

The transactions leave eight locally owned new-car dealers operating in Spokane and Kootenai counties, according to the Journal's annual 2023 New-Car Dealers list.

"I'm very happy with that purchase, and I love it here so far," says Popal.