Edward Lampert’s faith in auto retailer AutoNation Inc. has been rewarded so far this year, and he’s betting that’s just a sign of things to come.

Lampert’s hedge fund, ESL Investments, bought another $20 million worth of AutoNation shares earlier this week, taking its stake up to almost 33%. ESL revealed its new investment in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday.

Shares in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.-based AutoNation are up more than 25% since the middle of January.