Longtime Reno car dealership Jones West Ford is now Corwin Ford Reno.
The change was confirmed by Justin Russell, Corwin Ford Reno general manager, when reached by the Reno Gazette Journal on Monday morning.
“We are currently at the DMV getting licensing for salespeople now,” Russell said. “Corwin is excited to bring its family-oriented, straightforward approach to selling cars in the Reno area.”
Jones West Ford joins several dealerships in seven cities across the country under the Corwin umbrella, which include not just Ford but Chrysler, Honda and Toyota brands as well. Other cities with Corwin dealerships include Springfield, Missouri; Fargo, North Dakota; Pasco, Washington; and Nampa, Idaho.
The change in ownership provides a fresh start for the longtime Reno dealership, which has been mired in controversy and legal disputes in recent years.
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Jones West Ford’s woes started after federal agents raided the dealership four years ago in a pill mill sting operation. Co-owner Richard West’s son, Richard “Richie” Winston West II — who served as the general manager at the time — was arrested in April 2016.
West later pleaded guilty in February 2017 to prescription drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute oxycodone. West was one of nine people who were charged in the case, including Reno doctor Robert Rand of Rand Family Care as well as several employees of the dealership. West was released from jail in 2018.
The elder Richard West also sued his business partners Fletcher Jones Jr. and Fletcher Jones III in 2018, accusing them of attempting a hostile takeover and trying to sell the dealership without his permission. At the time, West claimed that he had the right to buy out the partners before they sought potential buyers for the dealership, according to court documents.
Russell says Corwin is looking forward to Reno being the 12th addition to the group’s dealerships across the country.
Jason Hidalgo covers business and technology for the Reno Gazette Journal, and also reviews the latest video games. Follow him on Twitter @jasonhidalgo. Like this content? Support local journalism with an RGJ digital subscription.