Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care
Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is an American automotive-service franchise specializing in transmission repair and broader vehicle maintenance.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care is an American automotive-service brand built around transmission repair, vehicle maintenance, and franchised repair centers. Its roots extend to 1957, when Anthony A. Martino opened an automatic-transmission repair shop in Philadelphia. Martino subsequently partnered with Richard Silva and Walter DeLutz, and the three operators expanded their activities by opening additional transmission centers in and around the city. In 1962, the partners divided their stores. Silva’s location became the first Cottman Transmission Center, taking its name from Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. The 1962 formation is generally treated as the beginning of the Cottman brand. Cottman began franchising in 1964, when Silva sold a franchise for a center on Roosevelt Boulevard. The franchise model supported expansion beyond the Philadelphia area during the 1960s and 1970s. The chain spread along the East Coast and into Gulf Coast states, reaching 81 shops by 1977. In 1979, Silva retired and sold the business to three employees: Michael Ambrose, Edward Kelly, and James Corkran. Under subsequent ownership and management, the company grew to several hundred locations across the United States and Canada and became one of the largest transmission-repair chains in the United States. The brand’s core technical specialization is the diagnosis, repair, rebuilding, and maintenance of automatic and manual transmissions. Its service scope also includes wider automotive repair and preventive maintenance, allowing centers to serve customers for more than a single transmission-related problem. The “Total Auto Care” name reflects this broader positioning: Cottman centers are presented not only as transmission specialists but also as general automotive-service locations. In April 2004, American Capital invested in the acquisition of Cottman and purchased the company for a reported total consideration of $77.3 million, including the investment. Cottman subsequently became part of the American Driveline Systems organization. In 2006, American Driveline Systems acquired AAMCO Transmissions. Cottman and AAMCO were combined within the same ownership and parent-company structure while continuing to operate as separate brands. Cottman marked its fiftieth anniversary in 2012. The company was reported in 2020 to have 52 locations in 23 states in the United States and Canada, indicating a smaller network than during its earlier period of expansion. Its business model combines company-owned automotive-service centers with franchised locations. The brand’s market identity rests on specialized drivetrain expertise, local repair-shop relationships, and the convenience of a broader maintenance offering. Publicly available material does not establish a current executive roster, current location count beyond the cited 2020 figure, or a definitive current operating status, so those details require verification.
History
Cottman’s history began in Philadelphia’s automotive-repair trade. In 1957, Anthony A. Martino opened an automatic-transmission repair shop. He later partnered with Richard Silva and Walter DeLutz, and the partners established multiple transmission centers in and around Philadelphia. In 1962, the partners divided their stores. Silva’s location became the first Cottman Transmission Center and was named for Cottman Avenue in Northeast Philadelphia. This event established the brand identity that Cottman would use as it expanded. The company entered franchising in 1964, selling a franchise for a center on Roosevelt Boulevard. Franchising allowed Cottman to move beyond its initial Philadelphia base without relying exclusively on company-owned locations. During the 1960s and 1970s, the chain expanded along the East Coast and into Gulf Coast states. It had reached 81 shops by 1977. In 1979, founder Richard Silva retired and sold the company to three employees: Michael Ambrose, Edward Kelly, and James Corkran. The business subsequently grew to several hundred locations in the United States and Canada. At its peak period of expansion, Cottman became the second-largest transmission-repair chain in the United States, according to the cited historical account. The company’s service proposition was initially focused on transmission work, particularly the repair and servicing of automatic transmissions. Over time, the business broadened its offering to include manual transmission work and other automotive repair and maintenance services. The later “Total Auto Care” designation reflects that transition from a narrowly specialized transmission chain to a wider automotive-service network. A major ownership change occurred in 2004. American Capital invested in Cottman in April of that year and acquired the company for a reported $77.3 million, inclusive of the investment. Cottman became part of the American Driveline Systems structure. In 2006, American Driveline Systems acquired AAMCO Transmissions. Although the two brands were brought under common ownership and a shared parent organization, they continued to operate separately rather than being fully rebranded as one chain. Cottman celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in 2012. The network was reported in 2020 to comprise 52 locations in 23 states in the United States and Canada. That figure reflects the footprint documented at that time and should not be treated as a current count without newer evidence. The cited material identifies Horsham, Pennsylvania, as the company’s headquarters. It does not provide a reliable current executive list, current owner beyond the stated ownership structure, or definitive information about whether all branded locations remain active. Cottman’s documented historical identity is therefore that of a North American transmission-repair franchise and automotive-service network operating within the American Driveline Systems portfolio.
- 2020
Documented network comprises 52 locations
[1]The cited reference reports 52 Cottman locations across 23 states in the United States and Canada.
- 2012
Fiftieth anniversary
[1]Cottman commemorates fifty years since the first Cottman Transmission Center was established.
- 2006
AAMCO joins the parent-company portfolio
[1]American Driveline Systems acquires AAMCO Transmissions while maintaining Cottman and AAMCO as separate operating brands.
- 2004
American Capital acquires Cottman
[1]American Capital invests in and purchases Cottman, placing the brand within the American Driveline Systems ownership structure.
- 1979
Silva sells the company to three employees
[1]Richard Silva retires and transfers ownership to Michael Ambrose, Edward Kelly, and James Corkran.
- 1977
Network reaches 81 shops
[1]Cottman’s expansion across the East Coast and Gulf Coast states brings the chain to 81 locations.
- 1964
Cottman begins franchising
[1]The company sells its first franchise for a repair center on Roosevelt Boulevard, beginning its organized franchise expansion.
- 1962
First Cottman Transmission Center is established
[1]After the original partners divide their stores, Richard Silva’s center becomes the first Cottman location, named after Cottman Avenue in Philadelphia.
- 1957
First Philadelphia automatic-transmission shop opens
[1]Anthony A. Martino establishes an automatic-transmission repair shop in Philadelphia, creating the business roots from which Cottman later develops.
Products and positioning
A transmission specialist expanded into a broader automotive-maintenance and repair franchise, emphasizing drivetrain expertise alongside general vehicle service.
Transmission service
Automatic transmission repair
Cottman’s principal specialty is diagnosing, repairing, rebuilding, and servicing automatic transmissions. This capability forms the historical core of the brand and remains central to its identity as a transmission-focused automotive-service provider.
Transmission service
Manual transmission repair
The company also services manual transmissions as part of its drivetrain expertise. The offering extends Cottman’s technical scope beyond automatic-transmission work and supports repair needs across different vehicle configurations.
Automotive maintenance and repair
Total Auto Care
The Total Auto Care proposition broadens the brand beyond transmission repair to include general automotive repair and maintenance. It positions participating centers as ongoing vehicle-service providers rather than one-purpose transmission shops.
Brand decisions
2006
American Driveline Systems acquires AAMCO TransmissionsM&ABackground
American Driveline Systems owned Cottman and expanded its automotive-service portfolio through an acquisition of another transmission-repair brand.
Action taken
The parent company acquired AAMCO Transmissions and placed it alongside Cottman within the portfolio.
Aftermath
Cottman and AAMCO operated as separate brands under common ownership rather than being merged into a single consumer-facing name.
2004
American Capital acquisitionM&ABackground
Cottman was an established transmission-repair chain with franchised and company-owned centers in the United States and Canada.
Action taken
American Capital invested in the business and acquired it for a reported total consideration of $77.3 million, including the investment.
Aftermath
Cottman became part of the American Driveline Systems ownership structure.
Reported acquisition consideration. $77.3 million (April 2004)
Sources1 sources
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