Collection Auto Group owner and president Bernie Moreno arrived in Cleveland in 2005, knowing virtually nothing about the community.
He had purchased a poorly performing Mercedes-Benz dealership that sold fewer than 20 cars per month, with anemic financial performance for many years. It was an aging facility with no inventory, little staffing and sat on the far west side of town.
There was little hope of resurrecting the dealership, so with nothing to lose, the manufacturer took a shot on Moreno, anticipating that he would not be able to turn it into a moneymaker. But Moreno did succeed, by taking tremendous risks along the way. He advertised beyond the rate of any luxury stores in the area, and well beyond the balance in his checkbook. He hedged virtually everything on a bet that his vision of reinventing the customer relationship and experience prove a winner.
Powered by his sheer drive and determination, Moreno’s Mercedes-Benz of North Olmsted rose to No. 1 not just in the local market, or in the state, but in the entire region, which included powerhouse sales areas such as Chicago.
The business grew from one struggling dealership to 10 franchises with five core brands — Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Saab, Acura and Infiniti — all of which finished first in the state or region in 2010. And on May 24, 2011, Moreno announced the addition of the Buick and GMC brands.
The growth of Collection Auto Group has been spearheaded by Moreno, who values honesty, integrity and a singular focus on a world-class customer service experience. He trains his staff around those core values and sets the example.
As a result, employee retention is high, and all embrace the culture.
How to reach: Collection Auto Group, (866) 820-4750 or www.collectionautogroup.net
