There’ll be few changes at Mukwonago dealership
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
A venerable auto dealer with a deep history in the area expanded its footprint Sept. 1 with the acquisition of a Mukwonago-based business.
Lynch Auto Group has acquired Horter Chevrolet, an operation long noted for its sales and service departments in Mukwonago. Horter is being folded into Lynch’s portfolio of dealerships in Burlington, East Troy and Kenosha.
Lynch has been growing in recent years, as evidenced by the company’s entry into Kenosha last year.
Patrick Lynch, vice president of the company, said the acquisition of Horter Chevrolet was a natural progression for the company. Lynch’s father, David, had run the dealership with business partner Tom Horter the past 12 years.
“What happened is Tom decided to retire, so his part of the business is being bought out,” Lynch said.
In the short term, consumers will not see any noticeable changes amid the shift in ownership. The Horter nameplate will remain for the time being – in part because of past agreements with auto manufacturers.
“It’s all still being worked out,” Lynch said. “But Horter’s good a really good name and reputation around here, so we’re pleased.”
Horter has exclusively sold Chevrolet vehicles – a scenario that mirrors Lynch’s dealership in Kenosha. Other makes could be added into the fold, Lynch said, but it ultimately depends upon auto manufacturers and other factors.
Lynch’s Burlington and East Troy operations have a wider selection. The Burlington dealership, deemed a “superstore,” sells Chevrolet, Buick and GMC makes, while the East Troy operation carries Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram.
Additionally, the company operates a truck center in Waterford. The operation specializes in new and used commercial and tow truck sales.
Lynch, a third generation family member of the dealership chain, said growth is the underlying goal behind all of the company’s operations. The recent acquisitions, he said, mirror that philosophy.
“We’re certainly looking for all of our individual businesses to grow,” he said. “We think we’ve been able to get to where we have because of good service and good selection.”
In recent years, Lynch said the community response toward the East Troy dealership has been especially positive.
“It’s worked very well for us; there just happens to be a good market in East Troy,” Lynch said. “We always try and participate in local events, and that’s been met with a good response.”
Lynch Auto Group’s roots go back more than 50 years. Lynch’s grandfather, John Lynch, entered the automotive arena in 1957 as a parts manager at Humphrey Chevrolet in Burlington. In the mid-1960s, John Lynch took his knowledge base and established his own dealership.
