BOARDMAN – A Pittsburgh-based auto group has made its second acquisition in the Mahoning Valley, just five months after its first purchase of the Sweeney group’s two local auto franchises – Sweeney Chevrolet and Sweeney Buick GMC.
#1 Cochran announced June 15 that it has acquired Boardman Nissan at 7809 Market St., increasing the company’s presence along Boardman’s auto corridor and in the Buckeye State.
“We like density in a market,” said Rob Cochran, president and CEO of #1 Cochran, during a press event at the Nissan dealership. “We like choice for our customers. Given the proximity of this store, it made a lot of sense.”
The Boardman location is #1 Cochran’s fifth Nissan dealership. “We’ve had a lot of experience with Nissan, a lot of good connections with their executive leadership,” Cochran said. The auto group operates four Nissan stores in the greater Pittsburgh region.
Cochran explained that from an auto parts perspective, there are synergies with the dealership’s recently acquired Chevrolet store and Buick GMC showroom, which are located just a half-mile south of the Nissan franchise on Market Street.
“We think a bit of a larger presence is a good thing,” Cochran said.
Nearly all of the approximately 35 employees will be joining #1 Cochran Nissan Boardman, Cochran said.
Matt Wickwire, president of Boardman Nissan, said the dealership is in good hands with the Cochran group.
“Selling a business that I have been so personally involved with for 15 years was a difficult decision. But it was made much easier knowing I’m leaving my customers and co-workers in such accomplished hands,” Wickwire said. “#1 Cochran is a world-class organization and I will enjoy watching them flourish with this store for years to come.”
The transaction includes a 14,000-square-foot plaza next to the dealership at 7807 Market St. The company plans to use this space to support its dealer operations in Boardman and, potentially, other functions.
The land and buildings associated with the acquisition were sold for $5.1 million, public records show.
Cochran said the dealership would undergo “significant” renovations in the future that would accommodate Nissan’s new lineup of electric vehicles. “There’s more to come,” he added.
The Nissan dealership is Cochran’s second acquisition in the Mahoning Valley and second in Ohio.
In January, #1 Cochran purchased the two Sweeney dealerships and the CEO said he’s very happy with the business and the dealership’s people.
“We’re very pleased – we have a lot of quality people,” Cochran said. “We’re really blown away by the community and the way people have reached out and invited us to various functions.”
With this latest acquisition, #1 Cochran – the largest automotive retailer in western Pennsylvania – now operates 34 showrooms representing 19 brands.
Pictured at top: CEO Rob Cochran announced the acquisition June 15.