YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Pittsburgh-based auto dealer #1 Cochran is continuing its push into the Mahoning Valley market with what an official says is a pending acquisition of the Fred Martin Ford/Mercedes Benz dealership on Mahoning Avenue in Austintown.
Darren Crivelli, Austintown zoning inspector, said documents filed with his office indicate that Cochran plans to purchase the dealership at 4701 Mahoning Ave., along with two vacant lots across the street.
“We expect Cochran to take it over,” Crivelli said.
Representatives at Cochran could not comment on any sale. The dealership has scheduled a press conference at 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Fred Martin showroom with Cochran CEO Rob Cochran to announce “plans to expand its footprint in the Mahoning Valley,” according to a news release.
Cochran in 2023 made its first large acquisition in the Mahoning Valley with the purchase of Sweeney Buick GMC and Sweeney Chevrolet in Boardman. It has since acquired Nissan, Honda and Donnell Ford dealerships in Boardman.
Pictured at top: #1 Cochran CEO Rob Cochran during the dealership’s announcement in June 2023 that it had purchased Boardman Nissan.