AUSTINTOWN, Ohio – Pittsburgh-based #1 Cochran’s latest acquisition marks its second Mahoning Valley Ford dealership and its first Mercedes-Benz franchise.

The former Fred Martin Ford and Fred Martin Mercedes-Benz, 4701 Mahoning Ave., will operate as Mercedes-Benz of Youngstown and #1 Cochran Ford Youngstown. The transaction was announced during a news conference at the dealership Wednesday. It’s the company’s eighth Valley dealership and 36th new vehicle franchise overall.

Rob Cochran, chairman and CEO of #1 Cochran, said the reputation of the Fred Martin team and of Fred Martin himself made it an attractive operation. 

“I had the privilege of spending some time with Fred going back four, five, six months when this understanding was all consummated, and when you do what we do, which is always still a people business – there’s all these technologies and trends, but it’s still a people business – I can’t tell you how engaged and how connected I felt with Fred and still feel with Fred,” Cochran said.

He called it an honor to carry on that legacy and build upon it.

The majority of Fred Martin employees – 85 – will become #1 Cochran employees. Some chose to leave.

“One of the things that we know with the Fred Martin group that we’re inheriting is that the operation has been exceptionally well run,” Cochran said.

It’s the first Mercedes dealership in the #1 Cochran portfolio. 

“The best or nothing, so we’ve finally achieved the best or nothing and we’re excited again to learn from the team members and learn from Mercedes,” he said.

Fred Martin Ford has been in the Valley for 52 years. In 1986, it became an authorized Mercedes-Benz retailer.

“This is the next chapter in the journey of a business that has always prioritized our customers and employees,” Martin, founder and president, said in a news release. “After more than five decades of service, I am proud to entrust my company to Rob and #1 Cochran, knowing they will uphold the values and traditions that have been the cornerstone of our success.”

Brian McCormick was general manager at the Fred Martin dealerships and will be executive general manager for the #1 Cochran dealerships.

“I’ve worked here since 1994, so it’s in one way sad to see it change,” he said. “But in lots of other ways, it’s exciting because we do a lot of things really well here. Last year was our best year ever at Mercedes-Benz.”

But there are some things that #1 Cochran offers that will enable the dealerships to better serve customers. With its presence, for example, the local dealerships will be able to access used cars from the whole organization, he said.

The 39th largest automotive retailer in the country, #1 Cochran expanded into the Youngstown market about two years ago with the purchase of Sweeney Buick GMC and Sweeney Chevrolet in Boardman.

“I’ve said countless times, I’m honored with the way we’ve been welcomed, brought into these communities,” Cochran said. 

Though he said the company will continue to look at opportunities, there are no plans in place for further expansion into the Valley, he said.

“Certainly, one of the things we’d like to do is make sure all of the various services that we offer will fit into our footprint,” Cochran said. 

So one potential expansion opportunity is collision repair.

“We have collision repair in Columbiana,” he said. “We don’t currently have any other collision repair in the area, so you’ll likely see us looking actively to see as far as how we can fit that into somewhere else within the market.”

As far as market demand, Cochran said he’s bullish on Ohio.

“The market demand here has been good,” he said. “The auto environment continues to change, so we’re looking forward to a good year. We’re optimistic on the year.”

Pictured at top: Rob Cochran, chairman and CEO of #1 Cochran.