Coggins Auto Group Celebrates Five Years of Community-Centric Service in Bennington
BENNINGTON, VT — December 2025 marks a significant milestone for Coggins Auto Group as the company celebrates five years of locally owned operations at Coggins Toyota of Bennington, Coggins Honda of Bennington, and Coggins of the Berkshires. This anniversary not only highlights the group’s commitment to the community but also underscores a transformative period since its acquisition by owner Mike Coggins in 2020.
When Coggins acquired the dealerships, his vision was clear: to rejuvenate a sense of community-oriented dealership culture—an essence he felt had diminished under previous national ownership. “My primary focus from day one was bringing back that connection to the region,” Coggins stated in 2021. His emphasis on building relationships with local customers reflected a broader trend in the automotive industry, where consumer preferences increasingly favor personalized experiences over standardized services.
Over the past five years, Coggins Auto Group has actively engaged with the community, endorsing local youth sports, supporting first-responder initiatives, and participating in nonprofit fundraisers. Their efforts also extend to holiday giving programs, cancer support organizations, and various family-oriented events throughout Bennington County, the Berkshires, and adjacent areas in New York. General Manager Scott O’Connell highlighted this proactive approach, stating, “Community involvement isn’t just a tagline for us—it’s our identity.”
When Coggins Auto Group took over, the dealerships were rated a modest two stars online. Today, all three locations boast an impressive average rating of 4.7 stars, a testament to their customer-centric operations. “Reading our customers’ genuine feedback tells the story better than I ever could,” O’Connell explained. “People feel the difference. They feel respected, they feel heard, and they feel taken care of.”
This significant improvement in customer satisfaction can be attributed to the group’s unwavering focus on relationships rather than merely meeting sales quotas. O’Connell emphasized, “What truly sets us apart is our people. The culture our team embodies—supportive, honest, and customer-focused—is what creates the experience our guests feel.”
Looking forward, Coggins Auto Group is poised to enhance its community engagement and customer experience initiatives, continuing to forge partnerships that benefit the local area. As they transition into their sixth year, O’Connell expressed gratitude for the journey thus far and a commitment to ongoing improvement. “We’ve built something we’re proud of, but we’re nowhere near finished,” he stated. “The people here deserve top-tier service and support, and we’re thankful to have a role in what comes next for this community.”
In conclusion, Coggins Auto Group’s recent history underlines the importance of local businesses that prioritize community connection and customer care, serving as a model for dealerships nationwide.
