BELLEVUE, Wash. -

O’Brien Auto Group, one of the largest dealers in the Pacific Northwest, announced late last week it purchased Bob Bridge Toyota Scion of Renton — a nine-time winner of Toyota Motor Sales USA’s President Award for outstanding sales and service in the Seattle market.

While financial details were not made public, O’Brien confirmed the deal formally closed and the company already started to operate the store as Toyota Scion of Renton.

The company also said it expects to retain all existing employees while adding more jobs this year.

The dealership, located at 150 SW Seventh Street in Renton, Wash., includes a 63,000-square-foot showroom and on-site inventory of more than 500 new and used vehicles.

As part of the purchase, O’Brien will also own and operate the dealership’s 20,000 square-foot service department that currently houses 44 bays.

“Over the past 31 years, Mr. Bridge has built one of the most-respected dealerships in the country and been a great champion for the Renton community,” stated O’Brien Auto Group owner Michael O’Brien.

“We look forward to building on that tradition under the O’Brien brand and are committed to making a positive impact within the Renton community,” O’Brien continued.

Bridge, who plans to dedicate more of his time to philanthropic efforts, said that O’Brien’s history of community involvement was a key factor in his decision to sell.

“Over 30 of the nation’s most prominent auto retail organizations were interested in buying the dealership,” Bridge shared.

“With this type of interest I was able to select the best fit for the Renton community,” Bridge stressed. “It’s only by coincidence that the best auto retail organization to replace Bob Bridge was in Seattle. That was just amazing.”

As a demonstration of their commitment to the Renton community, Bridge and O’Brien each made donations to the Friends of Renton Schools program with Bridge giving $25,000 and O’Brien handing out $25,500.

The donations were part of an informal VIP luncheon held at Renton High School last Tuesday.

“We are extremely fortunate to have the support of these two men and their companies,” insisted Friends of Renton Schools chair Pam Teal.

“Mr. Bridge and Mr. O’Brien are two outstanding business people who understand the value of giving back to the community,” Teal declared. “The money they contributed this week will be put to use in the programs that have a proven track record of directly impacting the achievement of students in the Renton School District.”

O’Brien Auto Group reiterated that it is actively involved in all of the communities served by its dealerships and donates time and money to charities including Mercer Island Boys & Girls Club, Children’s Hospital and the Overlake Service League.

Founded in 1986, O’Brien is a privately held company that owns and operates 14 dealerships in Washington and Oregon. The company employs more than 600 people and had annual sales exceeding $500 million last year. 

More information on the company can found at www.obrienautogroup.com.