Seaford-based Hertrich dealerships ranked 110th in the Automotive News’ annual list of the 150 largest dealership groups. It is believed to be the only Delaware dealer group on the list.
Hertrich fell five spots on the list as the dealership business is increasingly dominated by larger groups as needed investments in technology, marketing, service and other areas continue to grow.
Hertrich is not done when it comes to growth in its home territory on the Delmarva Peninsula.
The company recently acquired the Nordstrom Automotive Group which is comprised of two locations, Courtesy Chevrolet Cadillac in Salisbury, MD, and Midway General Motors and Toyota in Pocomoke, MD.
The locations will now operate under the names Hertrich Chevrolet Cadillac of Salisbury and Hertrich Toyota and Hertrich Chevrolet Buick Cadillac of Pocomoke, according to a company Facebook post.
“We are very excited to welcome Hertrich Chevrolet Cadillac of Salisbury and Hertrich Toyota and Hertrich Chevrolet Buick Cadillac of Pocomoke to our family, owner Fred Hertrich IV stated. “These dealerships have been under the direction of Ray Nordstrom for the past 35 years, during which time he has built an exceptional team. We look forward to continuing his legacy and welcoming his team into the Hertrich family.”
With the Nordstrom acquisition, Hertrich has two dozen dealerships in an area that runs from Elkton, MD to the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
The company also has dealerships in Middletown, NJ and the Denver, CO area. Annual sales are nearly $700 million, the report indicated. AutoNation, the nation’s largest auto group has about $20 billion in sales.
The trend toward larger dealership groups accelerated during 2008 and 2009 when General Motors axed legendary brands like Pontiac and pulled franchises for a number of dealerships in Delaware and other states. The company went through a restructuring that included a federal stake and supervision of the company for a time. Chrysler, now owned by Fiat, made similar moves.
