Matthews Auto Group, based in Vestal, has expanded into Norwich with the purchase Tuesday of Smith Ford Norwich LLC, at 175 Main St.
The name of the new company is Matthews Ford -- Planet Preowned.
Matthews, which has been in the car business for about 40 years, will move hundreds of used vehicles starting 11:30 a.m. today into Planet Preowned, a used-car dealership that will be at the site, along with the same Ford and Lincoln brands that customers expect.
This will be the second Planet Preowned store for Matthews.
"We are so excited," Matthews Auto Group President Rob Matthews said about the changes. "Our goal is to create an exceptional buying experience for the customer."
The staff of 30 at the Norwich store will be maintained.
"The Tyrrell family (that had owned the business since 2003) did a great job in building a large customer base and a great team," Matthews said. They will be added to the 150 people who work at the other four Matthews locations.
"We are longtime members of Broome County and Vestal and involved in community affairs," Matthews said.
The company's values are similar to those of the previous owners, he said, including knowing the importance of being a good community member and treating the customer right.
He did not want to disclose terms of the sale, but "we saw tremendous long-term potential with the Ford brand," he said.
Matthews represents 10 other new car brands including Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Buick, Kia, Mazda, Subaru and Suzuki.
Will Tyrrell was general manager for the old firm and is sales manager at the new operation.
The dealership was started by Bill Smith as Smith Norwich Inc in 1942, he said.
The sale will allow his parents, Bill and Janice, to retire.
He and his sister, Marcy Hagenbuch, will stay with new company. An essential part of the deal was keeping the staff intact and maintaining the dealership in Norwich, Tyrrell said.
Matthews, also a family business, was one of only a couple of dealerships considered, he said.
"They were the most like us -- being community minded and ethical." Customers should not find any major changes in dealing with the new operation, he said.
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