agent Entrepreneur logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Indiana Dealership Trades Hands

Longtime family Chevrolet store in tri-state area picked up by auto group.

September 4, 2025
Indiana Dealership Trades Hands

Left to right, Tim Wild of Tim Lamb Group, Eric Koren, John Cronin and Patrick Cronin of Cronin Auto Group, Mike, Steve and Ted Hirlinger, and Chevis Sparks of Cronin Auto

Credit:

Tim Lamb Group

1 min to read


A family-owned southeast Indiana auto dealership recently sold to a growing auto group.

The Cincinnati-area Hirlinger Chevrolet near the Ohio state line, established in 1979, was picked up by Ohio-based Cronin Auto Group in a deal brokered by Tim Lamb Group.

Ad Loading...

The store was sold by brothers Mike, Steve and Ted Hirlinger.

“We are grateful for the relationships that we have formed over the years,” said Mike Hirlinger in a statement on the transaction. “While this chapter is closing for our family, the memories and experiences will always remain.” 

The 30,000-square-foot store sits on eight acres and has a General Motors-certified service center, a used-vehicle lot and a car wash.

Rebranded as Cronin Chevrolet, the West Harrison dealership brings the auto group’s stable of stores to eight across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky and representing Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Nissan and Toyota.

“The Hirlinger family has built an incredible reputation over the years, and we look forward to building on that foundation while continuing to deliver the same level of service and community support customers have come to expect,” said auto group President and CEO Patrick Cronin.

Ad Loading...

More Industry

Photo of two men in suit jackets shaking hands next to new car inside of a dealership
IndustryApril 23, 2026

A New Consumer Culture in the Auto Dealership

Dealers should aim to build a positive work environment, helping employees execute an efficient experience, from their online research to the final delivery of the vehicle.

Read More →
Closeup of the side of an Audi car
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 23, 2026

New-Vehicle Sales Down

A cloudy April forecast was expected due to last April’s sales surge in anticipation of U.S. trade tariff-inflated prices. Meanwhile, automakers pumped up incentives to address today’s consumer wallet woes.

Read More →
Photo of Cadillac Lyriq SUV on road with partly cloudy sky in background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Used Autos Selling for More

A recent price spike due to several larger market forces, though it hasn’t dulled demand, is pushing more consumers to efficient models to squeeze in buys.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of facade of Waldorf Toyota car dealership
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 16, 2026

Maryland Auto Group Sells

A group out West picked up the major D.C.-area collection, putting it in the upper tiers of private automotive groups in the U.S.

Read More →
Line graphic showing Cox Automotive's March Credit Availability Index status
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 13, 2026

Auto Lending Opens Up in March

Lenders loosened access for subprime borrowers, and consumers with negative equity reached a record high, Cox Automotive reported.

Read More →
electric vehicle next to an urban charging station. EV Demand Diverges. F&I and Showroom logo
Industryby Lauren LawrenceApril 10, 2026

EV Interest Varies Regionally

U.S. consumer interest in electric vehicles lags behind other countries despite the rising gas prices caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of the rear of a Mercedes GLC 400 electric SUV with a skyline in the background
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

Brands Weighed on Projected Recalls

Research reveals the brands and models most likely to have higher recall rates over their lifetimes. While some brands rank high, addressing safety issues can be a selling point.

Read More →
Photo of white 2026 Ford Bronco on a sandy beach
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 10, 2026

March New-Vehicle Sales Don’t Reflect War

Cox Automotive data shows Americans doubled down on big-is-better despite price increases. Slightly higher incentives helped fuel the demand.

Read More →
Photo of several cars on lifts in a service center
Industryby Hannah MitchellApril 9, 2026

Franchised Dealers Stand to Gain Service Business

Cox Automotive research shows both the opportunities and the challenges in turning consumers’ growing affordability needs into increased fixed-operations revenue.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Photo of office desk with open laptop on it and an empty chair next to it
IndustryApril 9, 2026

What Matters Most in Building Your Agency

The partner you choose for growth and expansion is key, because better is the ultimate goal instead of growth for growth’s sake.

Read More →