NASCAR team co-owner Felix Sabates closes Bentley dealership

Charlotte businessman Felix Sabates, a NASCAR team co-owner, has closed his Bentley dealership on East Independence Boulevard.

Sabates, who opened the dealership in November 2013, told the Observer on Tuesday the business’ pre-owned segment had struggled. In addition to the Bentley brand, the dealership had sold used vehicles by Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Jaguar and Maserati.

Sabates had leased the Bentley dealership space from the Hendrick Automotive Group and signed an agreement not to sell any of the luxury vehicles that Hendrick sold.

“I just didn’t realize they had them all,” Sabates said. “I was dead in the water before I even started.”

Bentley customers who signed an agreement at the Charlotte dealership will still be able to get their cars serviced at Sabates’ Mercedes-Benz dealership in Pineville, he said. Those who want to buy a Bentley in North Carolina will have to go to High Point, which now has the state’s only dealership.

Sabates, who is also a part owner of the Charlotte Hornets, said he has no plans currently to open more dealerships in Charlotte.

“You get to that point in your life where you say ‘I don’t want to shoot in the air anymore,’ ” Sabates said.

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 4:57 PM with the headline "NASCAR team co-owner Felix Sabates closes Bentley dealership ."