O'Brien Auto Group Announces Pending Purchase of Salem's DeLon Auto Center

Purchase Includes Five Dealerships, Marks Beginning of O'Brien Expansion into Oregon.

Inside the DeLon showroom Photo courtesy: salemchamber.org

(BELLEVUE, Wash.) - O'Brien Auto Group (OAG), one of the largest- and most-successful auto dealers in Washington state, today announced its intent to purchase DeLon Auto Center of Salem, Oregon. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

The purchase, that's pending approval by affiliated auto manufacturers, will include all five DeLon dealerships and represent OAG's entry into the Oregon market. Founded in 1960, DeLon Auto Center currently employs 135 people in the Salem area at its BMW, Honda, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Volvo dealerships.

"We are very pleased to make this announcement and to become an active member of the Salem community," said Michael P. O'Brien, owner of O'Brien Auto Group. "Our goal is to bring the O'Brien brand to life in ways that make the buying and servicing of cars and trucks as easy and efficient as possible for consumers and businesses living and working there. We're equally pleased to add DeLon employees to our family and aim to create more jobs for the community moving forward."

Story continues below

The sale is expected to become final in early 2008. At that time, the dealerships will be re-named under the O'Brien Auto Group brand as BMW of Salem, Honda of Salem, Mitsubishi of Salem, Volkswagen of Salem and Volvo of Salem.

Founded in 1986, O'Brien Auto Group is a privately-held company that owns and operates six dealerships throughout the Puget Sound. The company employs 625 people in Washington state and has annual sales exceeding $492 million. More information on the company can be viewed online at obrienautogroup.com.

Source: O'Brien Auto Group