Darling's History

Humble Beginnings

The earliest traces of the Darling family in the automobile business date back to 1901 when V.S Darling, great-uncle of Owen Darling, found The Darling Automobile Company in Auburn selling bicycles, Reo trucks, and Maxwells.

Our company's foundation was laid by Owen H. Darling in 1937, and for the past 87 years, we've been dedicated to serving our customers with unwavering commitment. While much has evolved since our humble beginnings, our core ethos remains unchanged. 'You'll Do Better at Darling's' isn't just a slogan; it's a promise-a promise of exceptional service, reliability, and trust that we uphold each day. Thank you for allowing us to be a part of your journey.
 


  • Fresh New Start: Owen H. Darling established the company as you know it today back in 1937. At the time, we sold DeSoto-Plymouth automobiles.
 


  • New Business Ventures: In the mid 1940's - Owen opened the first Darling's Auto Parts Store.

  • New Location: In December 1946 Darling's moves to 97 Oak Street, Bangor. At this time the company consisted of the dealership, parts store, and machine shop.
 
  • New Business Expansion: Darling's Auto Parts opens four storefronts across Maine. 
            - Ellsworth, April 1953
            - Dover-Foxcroft, 1954
            - Lincoln, 1956
            - Dexter, 1958
 
  • Darling's Auto Parts Expands: Darling's Auto Parts opens three more stores across Maine.         
            - Bar Harbor, 1963           
            - Bucksport, 1965           
            - Skowhegan           

  • Recreational Division Addition: In 1965, Darling's starts a Recreational Division with the signing of the Honda Motorcycle franchise agreement.

  • Inauguration of Parts Wholesalers:With the growth of that D.A.P (Darling's Auto Part) Stores in the 1950s & 1960s, Owen saw the advantage of opening an automotive parts warehouse and in 1968 Parts Wholesalers opening its doors on Center Street in Bangor.
 
  • Expanding South- Darling's Auto Parts expands further with locations in Pittsfield (1975), Brunswick (1976), & South Paris (1978).

  • New President & Retirement: In 1976, John Darling assumed the role of company President following the retirement of his father, Owen Darling.
 
The Transformative 1980s

The 1980s marked a significant period of growth and expansion for Darling's, setting the stage for its continued success. Here's a look at some pivotal moments:

  • Recreational Division Expansion: In 1980, Darling's Recreational Division made a strategic move to Wilson Street in Brewer, laying the foundation for its expansion. By 1982, the division expanded further by introducing Suzuki and Yamaha Motorcycles, along with a comprehensive range of power products, boats, and recreational vehicles.

  • Acquisition of Bangor Datsun: In 1982, Darling's made a noteworthy acquisition by purchasing Bangor Datsun, later rebranded as Darling's Nissan in 1986. This move solidified Darling's position in the automotive market.

  • Machine Shop Groundbreaking: The fall of 1985 witnessed a groundbreaking ceremony for Darling's Machine Shop Facility, signaling a commitment to innovation and operational excellence.
     
  • Corporate Offices: By November 1987, corporate offices for all entities were completed, consolidating senior management, accounting, and other essential functions under one roof at 153 Perry Rd, Bangor.

  • New Locations: April 1988 marked a significant milestone as Honda Auto Sales transitioned into their new facilities at 114 Sylvan Rd, reflecting Darling's dedication to providing state-of-the-art automotive experiences. 

  • New Franchises: In September 1989, Darling's expanded its footprint in the Bangor market by acquiring the Ford franchise from John Linnehan Jr., followed by the acquisition of Volkswagen and Audi franchises. This led to the establishment of Darling's Ford VW Audi division at 403 Hogan Rd.
 
The Thriving 1990s: Forging Ahead

  • Consolidation and Relocation: In June 1990, Darling's Nissan relocates from Griffin Road to join forces with Honda Auto Sales at 114 Sylvan Rd. 
     
  • Focus on Automotive Segment: By August 1990, Darling's made the decision to closes its Recreational Division, redirecting focus toward the automotive and parts businesses. 

  • Expansion and Rebranding: January 1993 witnessed a pivotal moment as the Machine Shop Facility expanded its offerings by adding a Darling's Auto Parts Store and rebranded as CARQUEST Machine Shop underscoring Darling's commitment to providing comprehensive automotive solutions.

  • Acquisition of Triangle Auto Mall: In August 1994, Darling's further strengthened its automotive portfolio by acquiring Triangle Auto Mall in Ellsworth, diversifying its offerings with Buick, Cadillac, GMC Trucks, Jeep/Eagle, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac franchises, establishing Darling's Auto Mall as a prominent player.
     
  • Expansion into New Franchises: March 1995 saw Darling's awarded the Volvo franchise for the Bangor market which was housed at 114 Sylvan Road, which created Darling's Honda Nissan Volvo. 

  • Refocusing: March 1997, marked a shift as Parts Wholesalers, Darling's Auto Parts, and DAP of Brunswick were sold to GPI, a national company headquartered in Raleigh, NC. 

  • Inaugural Select Store: In June 1999, Darling's ventured into the used car market with the opening of its first Select store in Manchester, ME. Positioned as an annex to the Ford location at 403 Hogan Rd, this specialized store catered to the growing demand for late-model used vehicles.
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    • Expansion of Select Stores: In October 2000, Darling's opened its second Select store in Waterville, followed by the inauguration of a third Select store on Route 196 (Lisbon Street) in Lewiston in October 2001. These expansions further solidified Darling's footprint in the used car market, catering to a wider customer base.

    • New Corporate Office Facilities: In May 2003, Darling's completed construction of new corporate office facilities in Brewer, marking a significant milestone in centralizing operations. The move to 96 Parkway S facilitated the consolidation of senior staff, establishment of a training center, and integration of maintenance, workshop, and record storage functions under one roof, fostering operational efficiency and collaboration.

    • Consolidation of Used Car Operations: Recognizing the need for consolidation and optimization, Darling's made the strategic decision in 2006 to consolidate its used car operations in the Bangor area to a single location. This led to the construction of the Darling's Used Vehicle Center on the corner of Hogan and Sylvan Roads, providing customers with a centralized hub for high-quality pre-owned vehicles and services.

    • Expansion into Augusta Area: April 2007 marked a significant expansion for Darling's as it ventured into the Augusta area with the acquisition of Blouin Motors. Operating under the banner of Darling's Chrysler Dodge Ram Hyundai, this division also includes Darling's Collision Center, further diversifying Darling's automotive offerings and extending its reach to new markets.

    • Establishment of Darling's Insurance Agency: Also in April 2007, Darling's demonstrated its commitment to comprehensive customer service with the establishment of Darling's Insurance Agency. As an independent agency representing a wide array of Personal, Commercial, Health, and Life Insurance companies, Darling's Insurance Agency offers clients tailored insurance solutions, enhancing the overall customer experience.
     
    Continued Growth and Innovation: Darling's Journey from 2011 to Present

    • Launch of New Reach Financial: Spring 2011 saw the inception of New Reach Financial, an internal financing source designed to provide additional avenues for financing vehicles, thereby enhancing the dealership's ability to serve customers' diverse needs effectively.

    • Expansion in Ellsworth Area: In February 2012, Darling's expanded its presence in the Ellsworth area with the acquisition of Morrison's Chevrolet, now operating as Darling's Chevrolet. This addition brought the total number of franchises under Darling's umbrella to fourteen.

    • Acquisition of Green Point Auto Parts: November 2013 witnessed Darling's acquisition of Green Point Auto Parts in Brewer, further diversifying its automotive offerings and bolstering its presence in the parts segment.

    • Renovation and Expansion: Spring 2017 marked a significant milestone as Darling's completed a major renovation of the acquired building at 80 Haskell Rd, Bangor. This transformation turned the former Peterbilt truck dealership into home of Darling's Rental & Vehicle Protection Center, underscoring Darling's commitment to enhancing customer experience and service offerings.

    • Expansion into New Markets: December 2020 saw Darling's expansion into the Brunswick area with the purchase of the former Yankee Ford, expanding its footprint and customer base in the region.

    • Downeast Outlet Opening: Spring 2023 witnessed Darling's opening of the Downeast Outlet at 44 Downeast Highway in Ellsworth following an extensive makeover, providing customers with a premier destination for automotive needs in the region. This location also gave additional space for our Insurance Agency to have an Ellsworth base.

    • Expansion into Central Maine: In June 2023, Darling's expanded its presence into central Maine with the acquisition of the former Hartley's Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram dealership.

    • Merger with All-Points Insurance Agency: December 2023 marked a significant milestone for Darling's Insurance Agency, as it experienced substantial growth through a merger with All-Points Insurance Agency of Brewer. This expansion doubled the agency staff and broadened the scope of collaborations, enhancing the range and quality of insurance services offered to customers.

    • Greenpoint Auto Closes: In late 2023, Greenpoint Auto Sales and Greenpoint Auto Parts closes its doors.
    • Renovations/Expansions in Brewer and Augusta: In early 2024, Darling's began significant renovations in both Brewer and Augusta. At the former Greenpoint building in Brewer, we initiated a transformation to create a dedicated space for undercoating, used vehicle inspections, and reconditioning services to support our Bangor operations. Meanwhile, our Collision Center in Augusta underwent a major facelift and expansion, enhancing its capabilities and modernizing the facility to better serve our customers.
    • Expansion on Hogan Road in Bangor and Franchise Manufacturer: In November 2024, Darling's expanded our presence in Bangor by acquiring the former Van Syckle Kia dealership from Peter Van Syckle. This addition brought our total to 15 manufacturer franchise brands across Maine, further strengthening our commitment to providing a wide variety of quality vehicles and exceptional service to our customers statewide.
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