NEW: General Manager to Become New Owner of Harr Motor Group

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Monday, December 17, 2012

GoLocalWorcester Business Team

CEO Charles Ribakoff announced the sale of Harr Motor Group to General Manager Mike Gross on Monday. Ownership of Harr, including its dealerships and body shop, will shift from Ribakoff to Gross over the next seven years, while Gross will become president of the companies, which have been a fixture in Worcester County for nearly 95 years, effective immediately.

Once the deal is completed seven years from now, Gross will take over as CEO as well.

“When I became serious about the future ownership of Harr, Mike was the only potential buyer that I talked to,” Ribakoff said.

“His dedication and commitment have been evident from the day he started here, and recent innovations of his like Perfect Pricing are a major reason why Harr is number one in the market in sales, service and customer satisfaction.”

Located on Gold Star Boulevard and 29 Glennie Street in Worcester, Harr Motor Group includes Harr Toyota and Scion; Harr Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Ram; Harr Auto Body; and the Loan Express in Worcester and Haverhill. The Ribakoff family’s ownership of Harr goes back to Ribakoff’s father’s purchase of the group almost 65 years ago, and it has been independently owned and operated ever since. Now, with Gross taking over, its local ownership continues, which Ribakoff said is important to him.

“I believe in the local ownership of companies like ours,” he said.

“We’re part of this community and we’re supported by it, so living and working here helps us know, understand, and assist our customer base more successfully than someone from out of town.”

Gross, who became Harr’s general manager in 2006, is excited to take over the reins of a group of companies that has become a family of sorts for him.

“Having run the day-to-day operations at Harr for seven years now, I’m incredibly excited to assume ownership and the role of president,” he said.

“Harr Motor Group has an excellent future, a knowledgeable and committed staff and, most importantly, a highly valued and loyal customer base.” 

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