Chapman Ford ends century-plus run in Union County
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The Coughlin Automotive family of dealerships has acquired the first and longest family-held Ford dealership in the state of Ohio.
Chapman Ford, a stalwart in Marysville since 1913, has been sold to the Coughlin Automotive Group.
Joe Chapman confirmed the transaction with me this morning. He said he's looking forward to his next chapter and is anticipating spending time with his father.
"It's hard to leave when you are winning," he told me. "I'd like to spend more time with my dad, where business isn't always at the forefront of our relationship. Anytime I talk to Dad, it's a work conversation. I'd like to go fly some planes with him and do some fishing. I'd like to live the next 10 years just as his son instead of his employee and partner."
Coughlin is no stranger to Marysville or to being a part of the Ford dealer network.
According to its website, it boasts "eleven Service Centers and three Collision Centers. Beyond our new car brands of Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, KIA, Nissan, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Buick, GMC, Scion, and Cadillac, Coughlin Automotive is one of the premier Used Car Dealers in Ohio, with over 1,000 in stock."
The dealership has been in Marysville for several years, with its GM and Chrysler dealership at the corner of US 36 and Watkins Road.
But Coughlin's presence in Marysville pales in comparison to the Bob Chapman brand.
According to the Chapman website:
"The Chapman Family chose to be a part of the transportation era when George Chapman opened the Ford business in Plain City in 1913. George had been in the grocery business, but had a love for automobiles that gave him the drive to open one of the first auto dealers in central Ohio. Now, almost 109 years later, 4 generations of Chapmans have continued to sell Ford products. The Chapmans are involved in several Union County businesses while supporting hundreds of thousands of local social activities and community organizations.
In 1978, the Chapmans moved to a new facility in Marysville, conveniently near the airport. Bob Chapman Jr, the third generation, took over at the helm of the Ford dealership. Following in his great-grandfather's footsteps, Joe Chapman is now the fourth generation Chapman to greet the familiar faces of customers as they come through the door.”
In a video on the Chapman website, Joe attributes much of their longevity to Ford.
“It is the stability of the American icon, Ford Motor Company, that has allowed the company to navigate through varying economics and maintain product quality and integrity at an affordable price point.”
We'll have more on this iconic change of ownership in tomorrow's newsletter.