Mohr Automotive buys north-side Chrysler dealership

Andy Mohr Automotive Group has acquired a north-side car dealership as part of an effort to expand the company’s presence in Indianapolis and beyond.

Finalized this week for an undisclosed price, the purchase makes Champion Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram at 4505 W. 96th St. the Mohr company’s 12th dealership. It’s also Mohr’s first dealership with the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram brands.

“This really fills a void for us, and we’re excited about bringing on that product line,” owner Andy Mohr told IBJ. “It’s a great location—super visible from Interstate 465—and it’s a good dealership that does a lot of business. We’re truly excited about it.”

Indianapolis businessman and longtime auto dealer Fernando Falcon opened the dealership in 2003 after years of working for other local Chrysler dealerships. The dealership currently employs about 70 people.

Falcon also sold Hyundai and Kia dealerships to Mohr Automotive about five years ago. Falcon is a partner in two other dealerships: Champion Chevrolet of Avon and Mid County Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram in Beaumont, Texas.

Mohr said he doesn’t expect many changes at the dealership as a result of the sale, other than more cars and higher sales volume.

“They’ve done a great job over there for years and we expect that to continue with the same people and to keep it going as is,” he said. “I think the big difference people will find in the future is we’ll likely carry a lot more inventory, both new and used. That’s our model: We like to do a lot of volume and we will try to increase their volume, and that comes with a lot more inventory selection.”

The sale is part of a long-term strategy, Mohr said, to continue growing the automotive group’s presence throughout the Midwest, even as it looks to acquire more Indianapolis area car dealerships.

“We’re looking outside the market a lot,” he said. “But we also have a vision to continue to grow here locally, because we have our [niche] here.”

Mohr employs about 1,150 people, including those gained in the acquisition.

“We want to continue to grow and to do it strategically, taking on whatever opportunities come about,” Mohr said. “We think this was a great opportunity and we’ve seized upon that. Our goal is always to go forward, not backwards, and we’re always looking to grow and acquire more dealerships.”