Ciocca Dealerships to buy Apple Automotive

Ciocca Dealerships in the first quarter of next year will buy Apple Automotive from Stewart Cos., of York, Pa. The deal, which Stewart announced in a written statement Wednesday, is for 10 franchised dealerships in southern Pennsylvania's York County near the Maryland border. CEO Gregg Ciocca said the transaction is expected to close Feb. 15; he would not disclose the purchase price.

The acquisition involves two Chevrolet stores, two Ford stores, two Honda stores and Nissan, Subaru, BMW and Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram stores. Apple Automotive, which also has two used-car dealerships, six collision centers, two car washes and a wholesale parts business, said the sale is part of a strategy to focus more on its building products, construction and real estate businesses.

Ciocca's purchase falls in line with the growth streak led by Gregg Ciocca,who runs the dealership group with his wife, Sharon, and sons Gregg Jr., Dylan and Cole as partners. Ciocca was a 2022 Automotive News All-Star, recognized as a private dealer leading the way in dealership consolidation. Ciocca last year said he wanted to double his store count to 50 within five years.

"We feel so fortunate and blessed [the Stewarts] chose our family business," Ciocca told Automotive News on Thursday, noting the similarities between his family and the Stewarts, whom he's known for years. "We are employee- and families-first, and we want to give back to the communities that support us. They had the same core values that we have."

Ciocca has 42 dealerships in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. When the acquisition is final, Ciocca said his group will own seven Chevrolet stores, six Ford stores, six Subaru stores, four Honda stores, three Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram stores and two Nissan and BMW locations.

Ciocca Dealerships, headquartered in Allentown, Pa., is No. 51 on Automotive News' list of the top 150 dealership groups based in the U.S., retailing 15,247 new vehicles in 2022.