Toyota Sales and Service – Noblesville

Ed Martin Automotive Group Continues North Side Expansion With Ed Martin Toyota

Photographer: Brian Brosmer

If you’ve been a car buyer in the Indianapolis area over the years, there’s a good chance you’ve visited an Ed Martin dealership along the way. The Ed Martin Automotive Group has two Indianapolis dealerships, two Carmel dealerships, three Anderson dealerships, one in Fishers, and, recently, the company expanded its operations on the north side with Ed Martin Toyota in Noblesville.

The company, who may offer a toyota credit card login, celebrated the grand opening on August 16 with a ribbon cutting ceremony then kept the party going on August 18 as the celebration was opened up to the public with food trucks and a large crowd on hand to see the state of the art facility. Ed Martin Toyota will now be the company’s flagship store.

“It has been well-received by the community,” says Mark Harrison, President of the Ed Martin Automotive group. “It was a five-year process finally getting [Ed Martin Toyota] open. So, the celebration was a lot of fun. We are excited and looking forward to being involved in the community.”

The new location is located off State Road 37. Though Ed Martin Toyota has a Noblesville address, it is right down the road from Pinheads and Burritos & Beer in Fishers. The new dealership is sure to draw customers from all over the north side and surrounding Indianapolis areas.

Owners Mark Harrison and Kathy Martin Harrison say that is by design. Ed Martin Nissan opened in Fishers October of 2014 and has flourished over the years. The company is ecstatic to now have another north side location and serve the community even better.

“It is nice to be a part of growth,” Mark says. “Fishers, Carmel, Noblesville — they are all growing leaps and bounds.”

“When Toyota was in Anderson, people were coming from this side of town to buy cars from us,” Kathy adds. “It is exciting now to be in their backyard. People are thrilled that we are closer to them with these locations.”

Being a family-owned company for more than 60 years, it is no surprise that a sense of community and giving back is important to the Harrisons. Mark and Kathy are north side residents as well, living in the Geist area. Over the years, they have stayed involved with local organizations and charities and that will continue to be a focus with Ed Martin Toyota as well.

“We have supported Lawrence Township Schools with well over a million dollars,” Kathy says. “We do that through our Ed Martin Legacy Fund Scholarship Program, The McKenzie Career Center, Ed Martin Automotive Careers Training Center, the Lawrence Township Foundation and general support of all of the Lawrence Township Schools. We’ve also made donations to HSE and Noblesville in various ways. We are big supporters of the school systems and that will continue.”

Ed Martin has also supported Conner Prairie and sponsored Spark!Fishers this year. The automotive group has already reached out to the Noblesville Chamber of Commerce with plans to get involved in more Noblesville organizations and events as well.

When you look back on the history of the company, Ed Martin’s life was seemingly mapped out for him at an early age. Martin’s parents were both successful attorneys, and his father was a Supreme Court Justice for Indiana. It was an afterthought that Ed too would go on to law school and carry the mantle, but he had different plans.

At just 16 years old, Ed bought his first car in 1946 and later sold it in his parent’s front yard and, just like that, he was hooked. 

“My dad was such an amazing man,” Kathy says. “He lived the American dream. The reason we are here today is because of one man and his dream. He grew up on Delaware Street in Indianapolis selling ice in the neighborhood and delivering groceries, but he wanted to sell cars. He loved cars. He slowly built this thing, and here we are today.”

More than 60 years later, the Ed Martin Automotive Group is now made up of 12 franchises in nine locations.

Ed Martin’s legacy lives on through his daughter Kathy and his son in law Mark at the helm as president. Ed passed away in May of 2005, but Kathy says if her father were here today she believes he would be proud.

“My dad now has his name on the largest Toyota dealership in Indiana,” Kathy says. “My heart swells with pride and joy thinking about that. I didn’t realize growing up what a pillar of Indianapolis that he was. It makes me so proud today. I am happy to carry on his dream.”

“Ed gave me an opportunity right out of college and tutored me along the way,” Mark adds. “It was never necessarily a dream of mine to run this, but I was in the right place at the right time. I’ve always said, I owe the man more than I could ever pay him back. He started it, we’ve grown it. It is my mission to make this company go as long as I can with his name on it. We just want to keep his legacy alive.”

Ed Martin Toyota is located at 9230 E 141st St. in Noblesville. You can give them a call at 317-764-2700 or visit them online at edmartintoyota.com.

You can visit Ed Martin Nissan at 13397 Britton Park Rd in Fishers or online at edmartinnissanoffishers.com.