After 60 years in the Dillon family, Chevrolet dealership changes hands

By MARY BYRNE

Staff Writer

Published: 02-03-2022 5:41 PM

GREENFIELD — After 60 years in the family, the Chevrolet dealership on Main Street is changing hands.

Dillon Chevrolet will make the transition this week to McGovern Chevrolet of Greenfield, according to Jay Dillon, co-owner of the dealership at 54 Main St.

“We just think the timing was right ... to make this transition for the good of both ourselves and our families,” he said.

Jay Dillon and his brother, Tom Dillon Jr., are the second generation of family ownership at Dillon Chevrolet. Their father, Tom Dillon, started the business in 1961.

“I think we found a very good fit, not only for our employees but for the town of Greenfield,” Jay Dillon said of the new owners.

The sale was under contract late last year, pending General Motors’ approval of the buyer, Dillon previously said. With that approval, closing documents were signed this week.

Dillon, who will be staying on with the company, said his family is proud to have been able to serve the community for so long.

“I’m very grateful for the years of business that our community gave us,” he said. “It was a bittersweet decision. It’s our identity; we were born into this business.”

Article continues after...

Yesterday's Most Read Articles

Driver taken to hospital after Interstate 91 rollover in Bernardston
Deerfield woman gets probation in stabbing case
Greenfield Police seek robbery suspect
My Turn: Biden’s record and accomplishments are extremely positive
Greenfield’s Lucas Allenby, Landon Allenby qualify for USASA Nationals
Springfield man gets 5 years in Greenfield shooting case

Dillon, who has been with the business for 35 years, said his brother, Tom, will retire after 43 years at the dealership.

“When we graduated from college, we both came on board,” he said. “We knew we were car guys from early on.”

He recalled days in his childhood of driving in a new Chevrolet with his father.

“It was the excitement of being in a new Chevy, and going fast, as young boys,” Dillon said.

The two brothers inherited the dealership from their father in 1998.

“We’re very proud of what we’ve accomplished over the years and to have served the community and the surrounding community,” he said. “We’re very happy to have been able to support a lot of different charitable organizations over the years.”

Dillon said he wanted to recognize the employees that have been with them over the years. He noted that the 35 employees who are currently at the dealership will continue “business as normal.”

“We benefited from having great employees, dedicated employees over the years Dillon Chevrolet was in business,” he said.

McGovern Automotive Group, a new and used car dealership group, is based near Boston, with 15 locations that span across Massachusetts, New Hampshire and New York. The location in Greenfield will be the company’s first dealership in Western Massachusetts.

“We’re primarily a Greater Boston automotive dealership group, but we’re interested in heading west,” explained President Matt McGovern.

Chevrolet is a desirable brand, he said, but he was also drawn to the “longstanding family relationship the Dillons have had in (the Greenfield) community.”

“We’re hiring everybody,” he confirmed, noting a few McGovern employees will be brought in, too. “And we definitely want to welcome all former Dillon customers back.”

Dillon said he was confident in the dealership’s new leadership.

“I know (McGovern) has had a long tradition of excellence in the automotive business,” he said. “We know that McGovern is going to do a great job for the community.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne

]]>