River Associates buys Horsepower Automotive, its third aftermarket platform
What's the deal? River AssociatesDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Chattanooga-based private equity firm, has acquired Horsepower Automotive GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →, a Chandler, Arizona portfolio of aftermarket vehicle brands. The transaction closed on June 11, 2026. Financial terms were not disclosed.
What does Horsepower do? It designs, manufactures, and distributes performance parts for off-road, overlanding, and adventure vehicles — including bumpers, armor, suspension components, racks, and storage systems. Its brands span Flatline Van CoDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →., DV8 Off-Road, Addictive Desert Designs, C4 Fabrication, and Rago Fabrication, serving Ford, Jeep, Toyota, and other enthusiast platforms.
The rationale: River funded the deal from its eighth fund, River VIII, and called Horsepower "an excellent platform" citing premium brands and scalable manufacturing. For River, it marks a third platform in the automotive aftermarket, an area where it says it has extensive experience.
Why now? Horsepower chief executive officer Chris York said River "stood out as the right partner" for its approach and aftermarket experience. The company plans to keep investing in new products and expanding across the off-road and overland market.
What's the endgame? River and Horsepower's management plan to pursue add-on acquisitions of businesses that manufacture, distribute, or supply off-road and overland equipment, or add adjacent products and channels. The strategy points to a buy-and-build play around the platform.
The backers: Financing came from Abacus Finance GroupDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom → and GMB Capital PartnersDealroom has a profile for this one. Try Dealroom →. River was advised by Holland & Knight; Horsepower was advised by Prestwick Partners and Honigman Miller Schwartz and Cohn.
The signal: The deal reflects continued private equity consolidation in the fragmented automotive aftermarket, where firms roll up niche enthusiast brands into larger platforms. River, which has completed more than 125 transactions since 1989 and targets companies with $3–12 million in EBITDA, is betting on demand for off-road and overlanding gear.
Read more: PR Newswire
Image credit: BRAYDAWG
