[Auto] After 25 years in county, Great Lakes Auto sold

[_Happy boy]

 

ASHTABULA TOWNSHIP — After 25 years of serving Ashtabula County, the owners of Great Lakes Auto have sold three local dealerships to Montrose Auto Group of Akron.

John Rocco and Joey Huang say they are thankful for the many years of loyal customers. The sale includes Great Lakes GMC Buick in Ashtabula, Great Lakes Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Kingsville and Great Lakes Chevy in Jefferson.

Mike Thompson, owner of Montrose Auto Group, said he’s looking forward to selling cars in Ashtabula County.

“I understand Ashtabula is starting to come to life,” he said in a phone interview Monday. “I think we’ll do tremendous, probably add more people [to the payroll].”

Thompson, who makes his home in Bath, owns nine franchises, and is a partner in three others.

The sale to Montrose Auto Group was prompted by Rocco’s wish to semi-retire. He gets a little sentimental talking about the past 25 years.

“What a ride! I feel like I won the Super Bowl,” he said. “Living in Ashtabula, my whole life being around car dealerships for over 50 years, I would like to thank our customers, friends and especially our families for the support they have given to our success for last 25 years.”

Rocco going into semi-retirement and selling three dealerships doesn’t mean Huang will have lots of time on his hands. He still owns four other dealerships in northeast Ohio — two Hondas, a Hyundai and Kia. Rocco is half-partners in two of those.

“I’m going from a seven days a week work week to two or three days,” Rocco said. 

Huang said Rocco deserves the time off. 

“He’s a wonderful person,” he said. “He’s one of the hardest working men I know.”

Huang, 50, graduated from Western Reserve Academy in Hudson and then studied biology at Ohio State University, graduating in 1992.

He also earned a D.D.S. at OSU’s College of Dentistry in 1997, but a summer job selling cars changed his career plans.

While in dental school, Huang opened a small used-car lot next to his father’s medical office on Lake Avenue. 

“I’m thankful for how good Ashtabula County has been to myself and especially my father (Shin E. Huang), a very well-respected OB/GYN in Ashtabula, who’s delivered 4,500 babies,” he said. “He’s kind, never loses his temper and always put his patients first. He was a good leader.”

Joey Huang later partnered with Rocco, also of Ashtabula, and founded Great Lakes Auto Network in 1996. 

In 1997 they moved into an old Standard Oil gas station on Lake Avenue that Rocco renovated. It wasn’t long before they were selling 100 vehicles a month out of that location. 

“Over the 25 years in Ashtabula County, they have gone from two employees in an old laundromat to 75 employees in three new car dealerships,” said Leah Pitkin, controller at Great Lakes Chevrolet in Jefferson. “Most of their employees have been with them a long time, which confirms the fact that they are very respected and loved by their employees.”

Rocco and Huang have donated playground equipment to Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, as well as making donations to Catholic Charities, Wounded Warriors, Relay For Life, dozens of local sports teams, the dog park in Jefferson, many school fundraisers, along with many other community charities.

“They are truly very dedicated to the community,” Pitkin said.

GMC Buick hosted a car show for 11 years, giving local schools an opportunity to have fund-raising events at the car show.

Great Lakes started an initiative called Educar, which gives Ashtabula County schools the opportunity to raise money through a raffle.

The winner receives money toward the purchase of a car, or they can take cash. Educar has raised more than $300,000 for local schools, Huang said.

Huang has also served as chairman of Hyundai Hope on Wheels, a program that raises money for pediatric cancer research. More than $1 million has been raised for Rainbow Babies and Children’s Hospital in Cleveland.

Gregory Kocjancic of Ashtabula Township said Great Lakes always supported the Ashtabula Area fireworks at Walnut Beach for the Fourth of July celebration.

Ashtabula City Council President John Roskovics said he’s happy for Huang and Rocco, but sad for our town.

“All the best to two great guys,” he said.