Darwish: 'Just acquired 19 new car franchise dealerships'

MegaDealerNews May 25, 2022

Wally's Auto Group has purchased 10 dealerships in New York from Fuccillo Automotive Group, Automotive News reported.

Wally Darwish, the company CEO, purchased the 10 New York dealership locations from Billy Fuccillo Jr. who runs Fuccillo Automotive Group.

“Just acquired 19 new car franchise dealerships, 12 Fuccillo auto group locations in New York State, now called Wally’s Auto Group," Darwish said in a Facebook post. "The best thing about this deal is, having the opportunity to keep all the great employees. I’m excited to be a part of such a great team of amazing people."

With the purchase, Darwish has gained four Ford dealerships, three Stellantis stores, plus Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and Nissan located in Latham, Schenectady, East Greenbush, Nelliston, Seneca Falls, Adams, Watertown and Amsterdam for a total of 19 locations.

“When I found out that I was able to and had an opportunity to acquire these dealerships, I really went after it and went after it hard,” Darwish told 7News. “People that are here are going to have an opportunity to grow with me which is awesome and I’m so happy.”

The purchase of these new locations came after Fuccillo Automotive CEO Billy Fuccillo Sr. died. The two had made an agreement about the purchase in August 2020, but the sale was unable to go through due to COVID-19-related complications.

According to Automotive News, it took Darwish over 20 months to bring his first dealership purchases across the finish line, which Darwish had prepared decades for.