Dennis Kia sold to firm in NE Ohio

A northeast Ohio autodealer group has made its first foray into the central Ohio market by buying Dennis Kia.

Great Lakes Automotive Group is the new owner of the dealership at 2950 Morse Road, which has been renamed Kia of Easton. The transfer took place Monday.

“It just made sense for both of us,” said Keith Dennis, owner of Dennis Automotive Group, which also owns Hyundai franchises on the North and Northwest sides.

Great Lakes is adding to a portfolio that includes dealerships that sell nine new-car brands, with locations in Akron, Ashtabula, Jefferson, Kingsville and Streetsboro. This is the company’s first Kia store.

“This was a win-win transaction for both of

us,” Great Lakes President Joey Huang said in a statement. “We have wanted to be in the central Ohio market for some time, and this was a good fit for us.”

Dennis Automotive had owned the Kia store since 2010. Before that, the franchise operated as Chesrown Kia.

Hyundai and Kia, both based in South Korea, went through rapid growth early

in this decade but have struggled more recently as consumers gravitate to trucks and SUVs.

“They have spent some time playing catch-up,” Dennis said.

He said he will focus on his two Hyundai stores, which already were the core of his business.