Chasing a Dream: From a Passion for Cinema to $100 Million in Auto Sales

The dealership’s motto, "No Haggle, No Hassle," has become Yalçın’s registered trademark. In his first year of business, he sold 401 vehicles—a number that stunned industry observers, as online auto sales pioneer Carvana sold 601 vehicles that same year. Today, Yalçın sells nearly 1,000 cars annually across his three locations, offering models from Ferraris and Maseratis to Hondas and Toyotas. For the past four years, Yalcars has earned the Customer Satisfaction Award, and in 2024, CarGurus listed the dealership among the top 100 most reliable online auto sales platforms. Remarkably, 65% of Yalcars’ sales happen online, with vehicles shipped to buyers across different cities and states.

Despite his success in the auto industry, Yiğit’s first passion was film. While studying Radio, Television, and Cinema at Cyprus International University, he dreamed of becoming a renowned director. He wrote and directed six films, five of which were short films and one that was a 90-minute feature. Yalçın even assembled the cast himself. For a time, he worked as a radio DJ, but despite coming from a business-oriented family, financial gain was never his primary motivator. Rather, Yalçın sought to prove himself in the creative industries he loved.

In 2007, while still a student in Cyprus, Yalçın had a friend who dreamed of going to the United States. He joined his friend’s pursuit and, through the Work and Travel program, found himself working at Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio. During this experience, he not only gained valuable insights into American culture but also met his future wife, Melissa. A job at Burger King followed a brief departure from Cedar Point due to an unfortunate incident, but Melissa’s unwavering support encouraged Yalçın to stay in the U.S. instead of returning to Turkey.

In 2008, Yalçın returned to Cedar Point and soon after brought Melissa to Turkey and Cyprus to meet his family. Melissa enrolled in psychology at Girne American University, and the couple continued their journey together.
Upon graduating in 2010, Yalçın dreamed of remaking his film Murder in a Sugar Box and spent ten months pitching it to various producers, only to be rejected repeatedly. His true goal was to enter his film into the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, but his journey took a different turn.

In 2011, Yiğit and Melissa married, and although Yalçın still aspired to work in film, circumstances led him to pursue a different path. A Turkish neighbor suggested a job opportunity at a car dealership in Ohio, and with little money left, Yalçın reluctantly took the position. He started with modest pay—$350 a week plus $25 per car sold after the fifth vehicle—but quickly stood out at the dealership. His style and professionalism earned him the nickname "GQ," and his role expanded to encompass everything from car selection and photography to online sales and customer profiling.

Yalçın’s success prompted the dealership owners to tell him, "This place has become too small for you," a clear sign it was time for Yalçın to start his own venture. After four years in the preowned car business, he founded Yalco Dealer Solutions, a consulting firm providing financial advice to auto dealerships. With the experience and savings, he gained, Yalçın opened his first dealership in Austintown, Ohio, in 2017. Two more locations soon followed.

“We provide high-quality preowned vehicles to our customers, backed by years of experience in the industry,” says Yalçın. “From the moment you walk through our doors, we strive to offer an exceptional car-buying experience. Our expert sales team, flexible financing options, and commitment to transparency ensure you find the perfect vehicle at a great price. What sets us apart is our innovative approach to car sales. By leveraging technology and maintaining strong online sales channels, we’ve been able to reach a wider customer base. We've also curated a certified inventory of vehicles that customers can trust, giving them peace of mind with every purchase. Our success lies in the unique system we've developed—one that breaks away from the traditional car sales routine. We aim to provide an experience so satisfying that you'll return to us for your next vehicle and confidently recommend us to friends and family.”

Though automobiles entered his life out of necessity, they’ve since become a crucial part of Yalçın’s success story. Still, his passions remain rooted in his hometown of Thrace, his favorite soccer team Fenerbahçe, and the cinema industry. His love for Fenerbahçe even inspired him to invest in a Turkish sports YouTube channel, which grew into a popular platform featuring several well-known Turkish sports figures.
Yiğit Yalçın reflects, "The moment I knew my business had made an impact was when customers returned to buy from us again." A father of three—Arman (10), Enzel (8), and Yaman (6)—Yalçın hopes his children will continue the family business just as his father carried on his grandfather’s legacy. "Just as my father upheld my grandfather’s legacy, I hope my children will carry on what I’ve built."