Northwest Arkansas ‘Beemers’ Selling

We have learned that Hart Motor Co. of Rogers will be selling its car dealership to MetroNational of Houston. Bill Schwyhart and Robert Thornton, who own the BMW and Volkswagon lot on S. 8th Street, are under contract with the privately held Texas company. The seven-figure deal should be done in mid-April.

Schwyhart and Thornton have operated several franchises in the last 20 years, adding BMW to their dealership in 1988 and bringing in Volkswagon in 1998. They began talks with MetroNational in December.

The new dealership has yet to be named, but Joe McCorkle will be its president and general manager. McCorkle said the local market was just too tempting.

“When we look at a new market, we look at the total community,” McCorkle said. “This region is beautiful, the growth and development is very exciting, and there is a solid sense of family and community … We are thrilled to be here.”

BMW bestowed its highest honor upon Hart BMW in 2000, naming it a Center of Excellence.

Schwyhart has become very active in commercial development around the Pinnacle Point area in southwest Rogers. He and Thornton are also developing Pinnacle Air Executive Jet Charter with Collins Haynes and Aaron Mills.