#1 Cochran buys South Hills Honda
Rob Cochran is CEO at #1 Cochran, western Pennsylvania's largest automotive retailer.
By Patty Tascarella
Senior Reporter, Pittsburgh Business Times
Western Pennsylvania’s biggest automotive retailer, or No. 59 nationwide, just got even larger.
#1 Cochran has acquired South Hills Honda in Peters Township.
Terms were not disclosed.
This marks its second Honda store and first in the Pittsburgh market. It is also #1 Cochran’s fourth deal of 2023 or fifth within 10 months. Late last October, it bought its first Honda franchise, in Johnstown, pushing its footprint eastward.
Located at 3663 Washington Rd., the 42,000-square-foot facility is being rebranded #1 Cochran Honda South Hills. Almost all sales and service professionals are joining #1 Cochran, which increases its team member count to over 1,600.
President and CEO Rob Cochran called the deal “a significant milestone” as it expands the company's relationship with Honda and increases offerings in the Pittsburgh metro.
“Honda is one of the strongest, most-coveted automotive brands in the industry,” he said, “and we are delighted to deepen our partnership with them.”
In October 2022, #1 Cochran purchased Thomas Team Honda in Johnstown, sparking a stream of transactions that broadened its borders. The company entered Ohio for the first time, buying Sweeney Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Boardman, Ohio, in January and Boardman Nissan on June 15. Then it bought Monroeville Ford on June 22, literally within walking distance of #1 Cochran’s corporate campus.
The proximity of the deals was coincidental. Nothing happens overnight with Cochran who believes in building relationships and this latest transaction was no exception.
“I’ve known [South Hills Honda owner] Greg Norton ever since he came to the market, 16 or 17 years ago,” Cochran said. “We struck up a communication, had some lunches and, the last few years, it’s been maybe a couple dinners, getting to know each other and understanding what his goals were. Maybe nine or 10 months ago, this made sense for him and we were excited to be able to proceed.”
With the addition of South Hills Honda, #1 Cochran now operates 36 new vehicle franchises, representing 19 different brands. The newly acquired store strategically complements #1 Cochran’s existing operations and further enhances its omnichannel network.
Cochran pointed out that Peters Township is a “vibrant community with a thriving business district” and said the new store augments #1 Cochran’s Washington County presence, adding a high-volume operation in a highly desirable location.
“Further, with our ExpressWay online buying platform, we’re able to extend our Honda reach to customers throughout the entire region,” he added.
The company was founded in 1965 by Cochran’s late father as a single-point Pontiac dealership. It now spans six counties — Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Cambria in Pennsylvania and Mahoning in Ohio. It also operates 11 Body by Cochran Collision Centers — which acquired a venerable North Hills shop in March — and a centralized wholesale parts distribution center. The collision division was named the nation's fourth-largest dealer-owned collision repair operation, based on revenue, by Automotive News magazine.
#1 Cochran has acquired South Hills Honda in Peters Township.
Terms were not disclosed.
This marks its second Honda store and first in the Pittsburgh market. It is also #1 Cochran’s fourth deal of 2023 or fifth within 10 months. Late last October, it bought its first Honda franchise, in Johnstown, pushing its footprint eastward.
Located at 3663 Washington Rd., the 42,000-square-foot facility is being rebranded #1 Cochran Honda South Hills. Almost all sales and service professionals are joining #1 Cochran, which increases its team member count to over 1,600.
President and CEO Rob Cochran called the deal “a significant milestone” as it expands the company's relationship with Honda and increases offerings in the Pittsburgh metro.
“Honda is one of the strongest, most-coveted automotive brands in the industry,” he said, “and we are delighted to deepen our partnership with them.”
In October 2022, #1 Cochran purchased Thomas Team Honda in Johnstown, sparking a stream of transactions that broadened its borders. The company entered Ohio for the first time, buying Sweeney Chevrolet, Buick, GMC in Boardman, Ohio, in January and Boardman Nissan on June 15. Then it bought Monroeville Ford on June 22, literally within walking distance of #1 Cochran’s corporate campus.
The proximity of the deals was coincidental. Nothing happens overnight with Cochran who believes in building relationships and this latest transaction was no exception.
“I’ve known [South Hills Honda owner] Greg Norton ever since he came to the market, 16 or 17 years ago,” Cochran said. “We struck up a communication, had some lunches and, the last few years, it’s been maybe a couple dinners, getting to know each other and understanding what his goals were. Maybe nine or 10 months ago, this made sense for him and we were excited to be able to proceed.”
With the addition of South Hills Honda, #1 Cochran now operates 36 new vehicle franchises, representing 19 different brands. The newly acquired store strategically complements #1 Cochran’s existing operations and further enhances its omnichannel network.
Cochran pointed out that Peters Township is a “vibrant community with a thriving business district” and said the new store augments #1 Cochran’s Washington County presence, adding a high-volume operation in a highly desirable location.
“Further, with our ExpressWay online buying platform, we’re able to extend our Honda reach to customers throughout the entire region,” he added.
The company was founded in 1965 by Cochran’s late father as a single-point Pontiac dealership. It now spans six counties — Allegheny, Butler, Washington, Westmoreland and Cambria in Pennsylvania and Mahoning in Ohio. It also operates 11 Body by Cochran Collision Centers — which acquired a venerable North Hills shop in March — and a centralized wholesale parts distribution center. The collision division was named the nation's fourth-largest dealer-owned collision repair operation, based on revenue, by Automotive News magazine.
