Cochran Automotive

What Cochran Automotive does

Cochran Automotive is a single-location, full-service independent auto repair shop headquartered at 19961 Aircraft Drive in Germantown, Maryland. Founded in 2003 by Ed Cochran, the shop has operated continuously for over two decades, serving individual vehicle owners in Germantown and the surrounding Montgomery County area. The service portfolio spans routine maintenance (oil changes, fluid checks, tire rotation, factory-scheduled services) through major mechanical work including engine repair and replacement, transmission service, brake systems, electrical diagnostics, HVAC repair, exhaust, hybrid-vehicle service, and fleet maintenance. The shop also performs Maryland State Inspections and offers a walk-in Express Lube option for oil changes without an appointment.

Technologically, the shop operates with standard automotive diagnostic and repair equipment — described in its own materials as 'state-of-the-art' — for brake systems, engine diagnostics, and check-engine-light analysis. The operation is differentiated by industry credentials (ASE Blue Seal of Excellence for the shop, two ASE Master Technicians on staff with five-year recertification), a two-year/24,000-mile warranty on all work, and membership in the TechNet Professional Automotive Service network, which extends warranty reciprocity to over 15,000 repair locations across North America and adds roadside assistance and tire road-hazard protection. The shop also partners with Synchrony Car Care to offer customers six-month, no-interest financing on purchases over $199, addressing affordability friction on larger repair jobs.

The business model is direct-to-consumer service work, with revenue generated per job through quote-based pricing. A single fixed-price promotional package ($189 Summer Road Trip Special) and a 10% labor discount for military personnel and first responders sit alongside the standard variable pricing. There is no evidence of subscription revenue, fleet contracts at scale, or commercial accounts; a Fleet Services product line exists but no enterprise customers are named. Marketing is community-rooted — Google Business profile, a consistently updated blog, annual community events (Police Appreciation Day, Toys for Tots, car shows for Operation Second Chance), customer referrals, and Instagram — rather than broad digital acquisition. The shop is privately held by Ed Cochran with no disclosed outside investors, funding events, M&A activity, or expansion beyond the single Germantown location.

Name

Cochran Automotive

Legal name

Cochran Automotive

Website

https://cochranauto.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cochran Automotive is a privately held, single-location auto repair shop in Germantown, Maryland, founded in 2003 by Ed Cochran. It provides full-service maintenance and repair — oil changes, brakes, engine, transmission — to individual vehicle owners in Montgomery County.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Automotive Repair and Maintenance Services

NAICS

General Automotive Repair (811111), Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance (81111)

SIC

Services-Automotive Repair, Services & Parking (7500)

akta.pro primary industry

General Automotive Repair & Maintenance (TLAKAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Brakes, Steering & Suspension Services (TLAKAAAC), Electrical, Diagnostics & ADAS Calibration (TLAKAAAF), Engine & Powertrain Repair (Transmission/Drivetrain) (TLAKAAAE), Vehicle Diagnostics & Fault Code Scanning Services (TLAKANAA)

Keywords

• Auto repair services
• Vehicle maintenance
• Brake repair
• Oil change services
• Maryland state inspection

Headquarters

HQ city

Germantown

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Auto Repair and Maintenance Services: Revenue generated from providing a wide range of automotive repair and maintenance services including oil changes, brake repairs, engine services, transmission work, tire services, and Maryland State Inspections. Services are charged on a per-job basis with detailed estimates provided before work begins.
2. Financing Partnership Income: Through partnership with Synchrony Car Care, the company offers financing options to customers which may generate referral or processing income when customers use the financing to pay for repairs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cochran Automotive is a single-location auto repair shop providing comprehensive automotive maintenance and repair services including oil changes, brake repair, engine diagnostics, transmission services, tire services, HVAC repair, and Maryland State Inspections. Services are delivered in-person at their Germantown, Maryland facility by ASE-certified technicians, with detailed quotes provided before work begins.

Product overview

Cochran Automotive is a single-location auto repair shop in Germantown, Maryland, offering a comprehensive range of automotive maintenance and repair services. Founded in 2003, the shop operates as a unified service provider rather than a modular platform. The core service portfolio centers on essential maintenance offerings including Oil Change Services (with Express Lube convenience), Brake Repair, Check Engine Light Diagnostics, and Factory Scheduled Maintenance. Extended services encompass Transmission Services, Engine Services, Tire Services, Heating & Air Conditioning Repair, Fleet Services, Auto Electrical Services, Exhaust Services, and Hybrid Services. The shop also provides add-on value programs including TechNet Synchrony Car Care Financing, promotional packages like the Summer Road Trip Special, and discount programs for Military & First Responders. Maryland State Inspection services are offered as a compliance add-on. The company differentiates through customer-focused conveniences, a two-year/24,000-mile warranty on all work, and TechNet network membership providing nationwide warranty coverage.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oil Change Services
• Brake Repair
• Check Engine Light Diagnostics
• Transmission Services
• Engine Services
• Tire Services
• Heating & Air Conditioning Repair
• Fleet Services
• Auto Electrical Services
• Exhaust Services
• Hybrid Services
• Factory Scheduled Maintenance
• Maryland State Inspection

Quantifiable outcome

• Two-year/24,000-mile warranty on all work
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TechNet Professional Automotive ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechNet Professional Automotive Service is an elite network of more than 15,000 repair shops across North America. As a TechNet member, Cochran Automotive provides customers with a 24-month/24,000-mile nationwide warranty honored at thousands of locations, roadside assistance coverage (up to $150/year for lockout, flat tire, fluid delivery, battery jump, or tow), and road hazard protection for tires.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Christian Brothers Automotive: Faith-based, ASE-certified franchised auto repair chain emphasizing trust, warranty, and customer education. Directly comparable to Cochran in positioning around honesty, ASE credentials, and warranty-backed general auto repair services.
• AAMCO Transmissions: Franchised transmission-and-drivetrain specialist with national warranty coverage through TechNet-style networks. Comparable to Cochran's transmission services line (repair, rebuild, differential, clutch) and warranty-driven model.
• Meineke Car Care Center: Franchised full-service auto repair network positioning around trust, warranty, and convenient local service. Comparable customer value proposition and service mix to Cochran, including financing partnerships.
• Midas: National franchise known for brakes, exhaust, tires, and maintenance with warranty-backed service. Comparable brake and exhaust specialty depth and warranty positioning to Cochran's TechNet-backed offering.
• Virginia Tire & Auto: Mid-Atlantic independent multi-shop chain offering tires, alignments, brakes, and diagnostics under a local-brand, community-focused model. Closest geographic and structural analog—a growing independent taking share from single-store operators like Cochran.

Broad incumbents

• Jiffy Lube: National quick lube chain competing on speed and walk-in convenience. Comparable to Cochran's Express Lube offering as a benchmark for what their oil-change/accessory services must differentiate against.
• Pep Boys: National full-service auto care retailer offering tires, brakes, alignments, and diagnostics. Comparable in service breadth (oil changes through major repair) and warranty-backed positioning, but at much larger scale.
• Monro Auto Service and Tire Centers: Multi-brand regional and national auto service and tire chain (Monro, Mr. Tire, Tires Plus). Comparable in combining tire services, brakes, alignments, and general repair under a trusted local-store brand archetype.
• Goodyear Auto Service: Tire-maker-owned national service network offering tires, alignments, brakes, and general repair. Comparable to Cochran's tire and brake services line as a competitor for trust-anchored, warranty-backed vehicle maintenance.

Others

• BG Products (Gold Plus / BG Service Center network): Aftermarket fluid and equipment supplier whose network branding (BG Service Center) is displayed on Cochran's website. Comparable as an ecosystem partner enabling service differentiation through branded maintenance programs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cochranauto

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cochran Automotive