Longtime Ford Store Changes Hands
The Virginia dealership joins a small area automotive group in a one-dealership transaction, moving from one family franchisee to another.

From left to right, Will Mann and Jimmy Robinson of Performance Brokerage Services; buyer Eric Obaugh of Charlie Obaugh Auto Group; Weldon Mann of Performance Brokerage Services; seller Matt McMurray; and James Overstreet of Klosinski Overstreet
Performance Brokerage Services
One of the oldest U.S. automotive dealerships has a new owner after its last principal decided to bow out of the new-car sales business.
Founded in 1919 in Waynesboro, Campus Ford in the Shenandoah Valley area of Virginia, sold to Charlie Obaugh Auto Group, which is based in the same region.
Seller Matt McMurray had owned the store for four years and still operates an independent auto repair center with used-car sales, said Performance Brokerage Services, which represented Obaugh principal Eric Obaugh in the transaction.
The franchise is the Obaugh group’s first Ford dealership and gives it an even half-dozen stores across several U.S. and Asian brands each. It also operates a recreational vehicle dealership.
Obaugh’s father, Charlie, started the business in 1976 with a Pontiac Buick GMC dealership, and Eric Obaugh joined in 1985.
“Waynesboro is right in our backyard, and adding Ford to our lineup alongside our Chevrolet, GMC, Kia, and Mitsubishi stores in Staunton is a natural next step for our family,” Obaugh said.
The new owner of Campus Ford renamed it to reflect the Obaugh group brand.
LEARN MORE: Auto Retail Families Get Out While the Getting's Good
More Industry

Automaker Advances Safety for All
A new report by Volvo Cars Safety Centre analyzed the impact of 50 years' worth of research in automotive safety development
Read More →
Kentucky Store Leaves Family
An auto group stretched across three states picked up the Lexington-area Ford fixture as its second store for the brand in the state.
Read More →
U.S. Auto Brands Falling Behind
Asian auto brands are outpacing U.S. brands in stateside new-vehicle sales. Learn more in this week's Dealer Debrief with Lauren!
Read More →
U.S. EV Market Update | Dealer Debrief
The U.S. electric vehicle market is slowly recovering from the loss of the federal EV tax credit last fall. Learn more in this week's Dealer Debrief!
Read More →
Auto Finance Numbers Set Records
Third-quarter data show how consumers are adapting to ongoing affordability challenges facing the new- and-used-vehicle markets.
Read More →
Auto Dealerships Can’t Afford to Ignore the 50+ Consumer
Younger generations may be all the buzz today when it comes to product marketing targets, but their older cohorts command a sizable share of purchasing power.
Read More →
Savings Seekers Boost U.S. Automakers’ Rivals
As consumers here look for ways to curb inflation’s affect on their budgets, brands offering plenty of alternative powertrains are closing in on home-grown OEMs.
Read More →
The Slow Electric Ascent
Second-quarter data show that the electric-vehicle market in the U.S. is inching up, the majority of states seeing a month-over-month increase.
Read More →
Safer Rides & Cyberattacks
Vehicle crash testing is getting a virtual boost, but auto dealerships are facing increased cyberattacks. Learn more in this week's Dealer Debrief!
Read More →
Affordability Angst | Dealer Debrief
August saw little relief for car buyers, whether they were shopping new or used. Take a look at the month's breakdown in this week's Dealer Debrief!
Read More →