In 2019, the Canadian automotive retail industry generated sales of approximately $165 billion, representing approximately 27% of Canada’s overall retail sales of products and merchandise. From 2014 to 2019, automotive retail sales increased at a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%, while generating consistent profit margins.

The REIT’s portfolio consists of 64 income-producing properties, located on approximately 200 acres, representing approximately 2.4 million square feet of gross leasable area. The properties are generally located along major transportation arteries with high visibility and convenient consumer access, and meet or exceed the latest automotive manufacturers’ standards.

The REIT is well-positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities, including (i) accretive acquisitions from third parties; (ii) accretive acquisitions from the Dilawri Group; and (iii) contractual annual rent escalations. The fragmented nature of the Canadian automotive dealership industry is expected to provide the REIT with a significant pipeline of acquisition opportunities in the future.

With combined revenues of approximately $3.8 billion on 2019, the REIT’s lead tenant, the Dilawri Group, is the largest automotive dealership group in Canada, representing virtually every major automotive brand. The interests of the REIT and Dilawri are strategically aligned through Dilawri’s 26.0% effective interest in the REIT.

The REIT’s portfolio has a weighted average lease term of approximately 13.3 years (as at March 31, 2020). Leases are structured as triple-net leases under which the tenant is responsible for all costs relating to repair and maintenance, realty taxes, property insurance, utilities and non-structural capital improvements. Almost all of the REIT’s property leases include fixed rent escalators, providing for consistent revenue growth.

The REIT is currently paying monthly cash distributions of $0.067 per Unit, representing $0.80 per Unit on an annualized basis.

The REIT’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Milton Lamb, has over 25 years of experience in the commercial real estate industry and Chief Financial Officer, Andrew Kalra, has over 20 years of experience in finance, including more than 14 years of experience in the automotive industry. The REIT’s Board, the majority of whom are independent, has extensive collective experience in the automotive and real estate industries, capital markets and corporate governance.