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A local businessman has teamed with the founder of Dell Computers to form an automotive partnership with plans to own and operate premier car dealerships across the United States.

Jeff Rachor, 46, of Lookout Mountain, announced Wednesday he will team with Michael Dell of Dell Computers and MSD Capital to form MSD Automotive Partners LLC, which will operate from Chattanooga.

“I’m very honored to be partnering with MSD Capital and Michael Dell and certainly look forward to a return to the automotive dealerships, which is my first love,” he said. “We will be looking to acquire dealerships and build a scaled organization over time.”

Mr. Rachor said the focus will be on import and luxury dealerships, but they will not rule out domestic dealerships if the situation is right.

Howard M. Berk, a partner at MSD Capital, praised Mr. Rachor’s experience, which he said makes the Lookout Mountain native a perfect fit to lead the new venture.

“Over the course of his 27-year career, Jeff Rachor has distinguished himself as one of the most reputable executives in the auto retailing industry,” Mr. Berk said. “Having spent several years evaluating the dealership space, we at MSD are thrilled to partner with Jeff in this new venture.”

A mutual friend introduced Mr. Rachor to Mr. Dell, whose business philosophies were very similar, Mr. Rachor said. The partnership seemed like a natural fit, he said.

“MSD Capital has been looking at opportunities in the automotive space for many years,” Mr. Rachor said. “We were very much aligned in terms of values, business strategy and philosophy, so it came together very quickly.”

Mr. Rachor was president, CEO and board member for Pep Boys from March 2007 until April 2008.

He also was president of Sonic Automotive, one of the nation’s largest automotive retailers with 175 franchises nationwide, with two in Chattanooga.

In addition, he is the former president of Nelson Bowers’ auto management company.

MSD Capital exclusively manages more than $12 billion in assets for Mr. Dell and his family, the company said. The firm is head-quartered in New York with offices in Los Angeles and London.

Mr. Rachor said he is excited about the opportunity to operate the venture from Chattanooga.

“I am very glad to be getting back into the auto retailing industry, and I could not have chosen a better partner than MSD Capital,” Mr. Rachor said. “Together we will build MSD Automotive Partners at a measured pace to ensure that we’re fully aligned with our auto manufacturer partners and other key constituents.”