Sonic Automotive’s specialty pre-owned vehicle brand now stretches into the nation’s most densely populated region — the Northeast.

On Friday, the company announced the expansion of the EchoPark Automotive network with the addition of Used Car King in the New York markets of Cicero and Cortland.

Sonic highlighted these two Used Car King locations bring EchoPark’s nationwide count of retail stores and delivery and buy centers to 18, following the recent openings of four new EchoPark locations during the fourth quarter.

Furthermore, the addition of Used Car King expands EchoPark’s geographic footprint into the northeastern United States, serving buyers throughout New York State and beyond.

EchoPark Automotive opened in 2014, focused on making the used-vehicle buying experience faster, easier and friendlier. Officials called it a “natural choice” for Used Car King to join the EchoPark network. The locations now are known as EchoPark Cortland and EchoPark Cicero.

“EchoPark’s brand promise is centered around offering below-market pricing, high vehicle quality and an extraordinary guest experience,” said Jeff Dyke, president of Sonic Automotive and EchoPark Automotive.

“With thousands of delighted guests across all of our existing markets, we are excited to bring the same great EchoPark experience to new regions of the U.S. as we continue our rapid expansion,” Dyke continued in a news release.

At the time of the acquisition, the company said all 38 Used Car King associates were retained and have become valued employees under the EchoPark brand.

Sonic also noted an additional 25 members of the local community have been hired and EchoPark is looking to fill another 12 positions immediately.

“We anticipate additional hiring needs as the business matures into the second and third quarter of 2021 and beyond,” EchoPark Automotive general manager Dan King said. “The EchoPark retail hub store in Cicero, New York, where pre-owned inventory is processed for reconditioning, will eventually serve markets throughout the Northeast as the footprint of our brand expands in the coming years, leading to additional hiring needs.

“EchoPark offers all of the wonderful benefits one would expect from a rapidly expanding Fortune 500 company, providing competitive wages and undeniable opportunity for advancement. It’s an exciting time to be in the retail automotive arena,” King went on to say.

In the news release, Used Car King chief executive officer Todd Caputo reflected on making this move with Sonic Automotive. As featured previously in Auto Remarketing, Caputo has been in the used-car standalone store game since the 2000s.

“Since the day my father Joe Caputo opened Sun Auto Group in 1978, we've been providing value to our customers and there is no doubt in my mind that EchoPark Automotive is ahead of the curve,” Caputo said. “We couldn’t be happier to have the Used Car King brand join the EchoPark family as we both share the same goal — to make our customers happy by offering them great cars at excellent prices.

“While you will see a new name and logo, you can anticipate the same great experience that you’ve come to expect from Used Car King; that will remain unchanged,” he went on to say. “Thank you to all of our customers, and we look forward to a new relationship with EchoPark Automotive and continuing to meet your needs.”

Friday’s announcement continued Sonic on its path toward expanding its EchoPark footprint to a 140-point nationwide distribution network by 2025, with the expectation of retailing 575,000 vehicles annually and generating $14 billion in revenues by that time.