A significant shift in Washington County’s automotive landscape has occurred with the acquisition of John Sisson Motors Mercedes-benz dealership. The longstanding John Sisson Motors Inc., a fixture in the community for approximately five decades, has been purchased by Faisal and Ali Ahmed, a father-son business partnership based in Florida.
Confirmation of this ownership transition comes directly from Jimmy Ramirez, the General Manager of John Sisson Motors. While details remain concise, Ramirez assured that the new ownership is committed to maintaining the dealership’s current operations without any immediate changes. This news brings reassurance to both employees and loyal customers of the established Mercedes-Benz and Nissan dealership.
Faisal and Ali Ahmed bring a wealth of experience in the automotive retail sector. Their portfolio includes multiple auto dealerships across Florida, and their expansion into the Mid-Atlantic region is further evidenced by their June acquisition of a Nissan dealership in the Baltimore area, obtained through receivership. This purchase of John Sisson Motors Mercedes-Benz signals a continued growth strategy and investment in established automotive brands.
John Sisson Motors has been a cornerstone of the Washington County automotive market, operating dealerships for both Mercedes-Benz, a leading luxury automotive brand, and Nissan. Furthermore, they maintain a used car division, catering to a diverse range of customer needs. The dealership’s commitment to service and selection has solidified its reputation over the years.
While specific financial details of the business sale remain undisclosed, public records indicate a substantial real estate transaction connected to the deal. Two properties associated with the Sisson dealership, located at 470 and 480 Washington Road in South Strabane, were acquired by Washington APA RE LLC for a combined sum exceeding $18.7 million. This real estate acquisition underscores the significant investment associated with the change in ownership.
The acquisition of John Sisson Motors Mercedes-Benz is part of a broader trend within the automotive dealership industry, particularly in the Pittsburgh region. In recent years, a wave of mergers and acquisitions has swept through the area, impacting many family-owned dealerships that have been community mainstays for generations. Previously, Pittsburgh had been relatively untouched by this national trend, but succession planning and market consolidation have become increasingly prevalent factors.
Notable examples of this trend include Lithia Motors Inc., a publicly traded company, acquiring the Cranberry-based Baierl Auto Group in 2017, and parts of the Monroeville-based Day Automotive Group in early 2018. Furthermore, the Kenny Ross Auto Group, another major player in the Pittsburgh market, saw a significant portion of its business acquired by GPB Capital Holdings LLC in the summer of 2017. Subsequently, #1 Cochran, the largest dealership in the region, expanded its portfolio by purchasing Kenny Ross Chevrolet and Kenny Ross Nissan in February 2019.
This ongoing consolidation highlights the evolving dynamics of the automotive retail landscape in Pittsburgh and the wider industry. The acquisition of John Sisson Motors Mercedes-Benz by Faisal and Ali Ahmed represents both a continuation of this trend and a new chapter for a well-respected Washington County dealership. Customers can anticipate a continued commitment to quality and service under the new ownership as John Sisson Motors Mercedes-Benz moves forward.
