Mark Wahlberg Acquires Another Dealership in Ohio
Automotive retail magnate and part-time actor Mark Wahlberg has obtained another car dealership in Columbus ( which may be renamed “Flavortown”), Ohio.
After having partnered with longtime friend and business associate Jay Feldman to scoop up Bobby Layman (now Mark Wahlberg) Chevrolet in 2018, the duo said they eventually hoped to expand their auto businesses. Feldman already owned a swath of dealerships in Michigan; the friends admitted they were eyeballing additional opportunities in the area.
They did not have to venture far. Wahlberg just purchased Haydocy Buick-GMC, which is right across the street from the Chevy showroom. The site has already been rebranded to include the Hollywood actor’s name and will immediately leverage his star power to reel in customers.
As with the Chevrolet dealership, the Buick-GMC storefront will incorporate displays that highlight Marky Mark’s involvement. While rapping about the benefits of buying product from General Motors seems a bridge too far, Wahlberg does occasionally make virtual appearances updating customers on what’s new in his life and — more importantly — on the lot.
It apparently worked well enough to warrant an expansion and give Wahlberg-branded dealerships a more well-rounded portfolio. According to Automotive News, Feldman mentioned the Buick-GMC store was of particular interest during a videoconference about a hospital donation held in April. They had already in been in discussions to buy the property but the pandemic delayed the deal.
“We love the Columbus market. It’s been amazing,” Feldman said. “When we bought the dealership almost two years ago, I had never really spent a lot of time in Columbus. But since we’ve been there, I’ve fallen in love with Columbus. It’s a great town.”
From Automotive News:
The latest transaction included an Airstream and RV dealership in Columbus, which has been renamed Mark Wahlberg Airstream & RV.
“Columbus has been so welcoming and it just made sense to grow our automotive platform here,” Wahlberg said in a statement. “The Haydocy family has been wonderful to work with during this transition and Jay and I are looking forward to doing big things here.”
Feldman, CEO of Feldman Automotive Group, with more than 10 locations in Michigan and Columbus, said two years ago that he and Wahlberg were looking for more dealership locations.
While it’s unknown whether or not Wahlberg will make an appearance to sign autographs in celebration of the new store’s opening, it is likely to continue the new tradition of offering models specially customized by the man himself. Gimmicky to be sure, but it’s not as though people don’t needlessly fawn over celebrity endorsements already. Mr. Wahlberg has at least proven himself a legitimate automotive enthusiast with a downright tasteful collection (which includes a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and a gently customized Toyota Sienna).
[Image: s_bukley/Shutterstock]
A staunch consumer advocate tracking industry trends and regulation. Before joining TTAC, Matt spent a decade working for marketing and research firms based in NYC. Clients included several of the world’s largest automakers, global tire brands, and aftermarket part suppliers. Dissatisfied with the corporate world and resentful of having to wear suits everyday, he pivoted to writing about cars. Since then, that man has become an ardent supporter of the right-to-repair movement, been interviewed on the auto industry by national radio broadcasts, driven more rental cars than anyone ever should, participated in amateur rallying events, and received the requisite minimum training as sanctioned by the SCCA. Handy with a wrench, Matt grew up surrounded by Detroit auto workers and managed to get a pizza delivery job before he was legally eligible. He later found himself driving box trucks through Manhattan, guaranteeing future sympathy for actual truckers. He continues to conduct research pertaining to the automotive sector as an independent contractor and has since moved back to his native Michigan, closer to where the cars are born. A contrarian, Matt claims to prefer understeer — stating that front and all-wheel drive vehicles cater best to his driving style.
More by Matt Posky
Comments
Join the conversation
Ford needs to give us a RWD Lincoln Continental sedan, so Wahlberg can buy a Lincoln dealer, and offer a Marky Mark Edition.
I've always liked his movies and seems more or less a regular guy on interviews. I know he owned a Brabus S class at one time per his Top Gear interview.That counts for something.