Photo provided David Weaver, left, stands with Crown Auto Group Vice President Michael Engle following the acquisition of Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru by Crown. Weaver owned the dealership for 38 years.

WHEELING — After 38 years of ownership by the Weaver family, Wheeling Volkswagen-Subaru has a new owner.

On Wednesday, David Weaver announced that the dealership along U.S. 40 in Wheeling had been sold to the Charleston, W.Va.-based Crown Auto Group. The dealership is now known as Crown Subaru and Crown Volkswagen.

“We cannot think of a better group to take over our business and move it forward,” Weaver said in announcing the sale. “The staff of professionals at Wheeling VW-Subaru will remain to continue the superior service that our loyal customers have become accustomed to over the past 38 years.

“We would like to express our sincere thanks to all our customers for their continued support … (which) made us the successful dealership we have become. We would also like to thank all our employees for their hard work and dedication. Without them we would never have grown to be the store we are today.”

With the acquisition, Crown will operate 11 dealerships — nine in West Virginia and two in Pennsylvania, both of which are located in nearby Washington, Pa.

“We’re excited to enter into the Wheeling market,” Michael Engle, Crown Auto Group’s vice president, said in a phone conversation Friday. “It’s an attractive market for us because of its proximity to Pittsburgh and also our Crown dealerships in Washington, Pa. We see the opportunity for a lot of crossover and anticipate being able to grow and expand what already had been a very successful dealership.”

A statement from Crown also thanked the Weaver family for their work over nearly four decades. “Their commitment to customer service and community involvement created a strong foundation that we are honored to continue,” the statement reads. “Our goal is simple: preserve what customers have always loved about this dealership while continuing to invest in its future and enhancing the ownership experience for years to come. As a locally owned and operated dealership group, we are excited to become a part of the Wheeling community and look forward to building lasting relationships with our customers, employees, and neighbors.”

Engle emphasized that Crown already is working to engage with the Wheeling community, particularly with issues involving youth and animal welfare.

He also noted the growing number of dealerships being acquired by corporations and how that runs counter to Crown’s philosophy.

“I’m really excited about what we’re doing in West Virginia, because the reason that we try to acquire stores like (the dealership in Wheeling) is we don’t like these stores going to these big corporate groups,” Engle said. “When that happens, they reduce staff, bring in their own people and don’t get involved in the local community. … That’s the opposite of what we do.”

Engle also personally thanked David Weaver for making the acquisition painless. “David was such an absolute gentleman to deal with. He built such a good business here that we are proud to move ahead,” Engle said.

“David built such strong relationships over his career. I told him that if he doesn’t have something to do, if he ever gets the urge, to just come and hang out at the dealership. We’re not even going to use his office — he’s welcome to come back and spend the day with us anytime.”