#1 COCHRAN EXPANDS PRESENCE IN YOUNGSTOWN WITH ACQUISITION OF MERCEDES-BENZ AND FORD DEALERSHIPS
Pittsburgh, PA – January 15, 2025 – #1 Cochran, the leading automotive retailer in western Pennsylvania and northeastern Ohio, today announced its acquisition of Fred Martin Mercedes-Benz and Ford in Austintown, OH. The transaction expands #1 Cochran’s footprint in the Youngstown market and introduces its first Mercedes-Benz franchise and fifth Ford store.
Situated at 4701 Mahoning Avenue, the dealerships will operate as Mercedes-Benz of Youngstown and #1 Cochran Ford Youngstown. Nearly all employees of Fred Martin have joined #1 Cochran, bringing the company’s total team member count to 1,900.
“We are proud to welcome Mercedes-Benz to our lineup and further solidify our position with Ford,” said Rob Cochran, Chairman and CEO of #1 Cochran. “Expanding our presence to Austintown enables us to deliver the transparent, customer-focused experiences that define our brand to even more people throughout this vibrant region.”
Mr. Cochran emphasized that this move exemplifies the company’s vision of scaling thoughtfully to create a dynamic network of dealerships, services and solutions that provide unique value to customers.
“This expansion reflects our commitment to innovate and scale in ways that meaningfully enhance the customer experience,” he said. “By integrating these exceptional dealerships into our operations, we’re able to grow key offerings – from luxury and commercial vehicles to advanced service capabilities – while strengthening the overall value and convenience we bring to our customers.”
Fred Martin Ford has been a trusted name in the Youngstown market for more than 52 years, known for its dedication to serving customers and the community. In 1986, the company became an authorized Mercedes-Benz retailer, earning a strong reputation in the luxury automotive space.
“This is the next chapter in the journey of a business that has always prioritized our customers and employees,” said Founder and President Fred Martin. “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.”
The addition of Mercedes-Benz and a second Youngstown Ford store extends #1 Cochran’s presence in the Mahoning Valley to eight dealerships. The company first entered the region in January 2023 with the acquisition of Sweeney Chevrolet, Buick and GMC in Boardman. Just five months later, it expanded with the purchase of Boardman Nissan, followed by the acquisition of the Flynn Automotive Group in October 2023. Together with its Pittsburgh locations, #1 Cochran now operates 36 dealerships representing 20 automotive brands.
About #1 Cochran
#1 Cochran is the 39th largest automotive retailer in the nation, serving customers throughout the Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia tri-state area. Founded in 1965 as a single-point Pontiac dealership, the company now operates 36 new-vehicle franchises representing 20 domestic and imported brands. #1 Cochran’s physical footprint spans seven counties, including Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Cambria in Pennsylvania, and Mahoning and Columbiana in Ohio. The company also operates 11 Body by Cochran Collision Centers and a centralized wholesale parts distribution center. Through its various sales, service, parts, collision and administrative functions, the company employs 1,900 team members and has been voted a Pittsburgh Top Workplace for 14 consecutive years. #1 Cochran is widely recognized as an industry leader in customer experience and community partnership. More information is available at cochran.com.
