5 Shocking Facts About The Sale Of Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona And The Legacy Of A Dealership Titan
The automotive landscape in Southern California underwent a significant transformation in the summer of 2025 with the finalization of a major dealership sale that marked the end of an era for a storied nameplate. As of June 2025, the once-prominent Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona, a key part of the vast Larry H. Miller Dealerships portfolio, officially changed hands, ushering in new ownership and a new identity. This transaction is more than just a business deal; it represents the latest chapter in the ongoing consolidation of the U.S. auto retail market and the enduring legacy of one of its most iconic figures, Larry H. Miller himself.
For decades, the Larry H. Miller name stood as a benchmark for customer service and community involvement, particularly in the Western United States. The Corona, California, location was a vital component of this extensive network, offering everything from the latest Toyota models to certified pre-owned vehicles. Now, with the official sale, the focus shifts to the future of the dealership under its new leadership and the continuing impact of the Miller family's business philosophy on the industry.
The End of an Era: Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona's Landmark Sale
The transition of the Corona dealership is a direct result of a larger strategic realignment that began years earlier. The dealership’s journey from the Miller family to its current owners involves two major corporate transactions, highlighting the rapid pace of mergers and acquisitions in the automotive retail space.
The 2021 Acquisition by Asbury Automotive Group
The first pivotal moment occurred in December 2021 when the entire Larry H. Miller Dealerships group was acquired by the Asbury Automotive Group, one of the largest automotive retail companies in the United States. This monumental deal included over 60 dealerships, making Asbury a dominant player across multiple states. The acquisition was a major milestone for the Miller family’s business empire, which had grown from a single Toyota store into a powerhouse over four decades. Asbury’s strategy was to expand its geographic footprint and brand diversity, and the Larry H. Miller portfolio provided a massive, high-quality platform to achieve this goal.
The June 2025 Sale to Independent Operators
The most recent and definitive change for the Corona location came on June 9, 2025. Asbury Automotive Group finalized the sale of Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona, along with its related real estate and business operations. The buyers were Mike Hong and Jerry Heuer, experienced operators who were transitioning the store to an independent, non-publicly traded entity. This move saw the dealership revert from a national corporate portfolio back into the hands of a smaller, dedicated ownership group.
The dealership was promptly rebranded as Toyota of Corona. This change signifies a new chapter for the local community and the dealership team, many of whom have been praised for their long-standing commitment to customer service. The transaction was advised by The Presidio Group, underscoring the high-value nature of the California market.
The Deep Legacy of Larry H. Miller Dealerships and the Miller Family
To fully appreciate the significance of a name like Larry H. Miller being removed from a dealership, one must understand the man and the organization he built. Larry H. Miller’s story is a quintessential American success tale, rooted in a strong work ethic and a deep commitment to community.
- The Founding Vision: Larry H. Miller started his journey in the automotive industry in 1979 with a single Toyota dealership in Murray, Utah. His philosophy was simple but transformative: "We don't sell cars; we serve people." This focus on people over transactions became the bedrock of the entire organization.
- A Business Empire: The Larry H. Miller Group of Companies grew exponentially, eventually encompassing over 80 businesses across multiple industries. This included the Utah Jazz NBA team, Megaplex Theatres, and a vast real estate portfolio, all centered around a core of automotive dealerships.
- Philanthropic Impact: Following Larry Miller's passing in 2009, his wife, Gail Miller, and the family continued to uphold his legacy. The Larry H. Miller Charities and the Miller family's philanthropic efforts have poured millions of dollars into education, health, and community development across the Western U.S., making the company's name synonymous with corporate responsibility.
The sale of the dealerships, including the Corona location, was a strategic move by the family to ensure the continued growth and stability of the group's other assets and its charitable foundation. While the name may be gone from the physical location in Corona, the operational excellence and customer-first mentality instilled by Larry H. Miller remain a standard for the new owners to follow.
The Forgotten Pioneer: Why the Toyota Corona Car Still Matters
The name "Corona" in the dealership's title is twofold: it refers to the city of Corona, California, where the dealership is located, and it echoes the name of one of the most historically important vehicles in Toyota’s global history: the Toyota Corona.
The Toyota Corona's Role in North America
While the dealership sells modern vehicles like the Toyota Camry, Toyota RAV4, and the rugged Toyota 4Runner, the historical significance of the Corona car model cannot be overstated. The Toyota Corona was a true automotive pioneer.
- Gateway to the U.S. Market: The Corona was one of the first Toyota models to be widely exported to global markets, including North America. It was instrumental in establishing the Toyota brand in the United States during the 1960s, a time when Japanese automakers were still struggling for acceptance against established American manufacturers.
- The Bridge to the Corolla: Crucially, the Corona served as the essential bridge that allowed Toyota to successfully introduce its best-selling model, the Toyota Corolla, to the U.S. market in 1968. The Corona’s success proved that Toyota could build reliable, economical, and appealing vehicles for a Western audience.
- A Million-Unit Milestone: The third-generation Corona, released in 1964, was a massive hit, becoming the first Toyota model to sell over a million units worldwide, solidifying the brand's global standing.
The dealership's location in Corona, California, is purely geographical, but the shared name with this foundational Toyota model adds a layer of historical depth to the site. It connects the modern-day retail operation to the very roots of the Toyota brand's success in the U.S., a success that figures like Larry H. Miller capitalized on for decades.
What the Sale Means for the Future of Automotive Retail
The divestiture of Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona by Asbury Automotive Group is part of a broader trend of portfolio optimization among publicly traded automotive groups. For Asbury, the sale allows them to focus resources on higher-growth markets and core brands. For the new owners, Mike Hong and Jerry Heuer, it represents a significant opportunity to build a local legacy under the new "Toyota of Corona" banner. They inherit a strong market position and a loyal customer base, though they will face the challenge of maintaining the high standards set by the previous ownership.
The transition ensures that the dealership remains a vital source for new and used Toyota vehicles, parts, and service in the Riverside County area. Customers looking for the latest Toyota Tundra, the fuel-efficient Toyota Prius, or reliable service for their existing vehicle will continue to find a dedicated team at the newly named facility. The story of Larry H. Miller Toyota Corona is a microcosm of the dynamic, ever-changing nature of the automotive industry—a world where legacies are built, sold, and reborn under new names, but the commitment to the customer remains the driving force.
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