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Debts, lawsuit cloud Farr's future; Ex-football star's auto empire withers.(Statistical...

By Sedgwick, David; Snavely, Brent
Publication: Automotive News
Date: Monday, April 1 2002

Mel Farr - once the owner of the nation's largest group of black-owned dealerships - is dismantling his empire.

Four years ago, Mel Farr Automotive Group's string of 11 new-car dealerships generated $568 million in revenue. His 13 franchises included Ford, Toyota, Mazda, Suzuki, Volkswagen and Hyundai, and Farr dreamed of opening a string of used-car superstores.

Now most of it is gone. Under pressure from Ford Motor Credit Co. and other creditors, Farr over the past two years has sold nearly all of his new-car stores. Today, Mel Farr Automotive has just one

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