Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Matt Stuckey and his father, John Stuckey, are pictured at Stuckey Ford in Hollidaysburg.

It all started with the sale of a single car back in 1955, when Willard Stuckey sold his first car while working at Replogle Motor Co. in Hollidaysburg.

After the owner of the business died in 1956, Stuckey sold his home and furniture in order to obtain the funds to buy in. Will Stuckey Ford was officially incorporated in 1959.

Today, Stuckey Automotive, headed by Willard’s grandson Matt Stuckey, has grown to seven locations in Blair, Centre and Huntingdon counties.

In the ’70s, Willard Stuckey brought in a partner, Cody Emes, and renamed the business Stuckey-Emes Ford. In 1986, the men cut ties and the business was renamed John Stuckey Ford.

Willard Stuckey died unexpectedly in 1988 and John, his son, who had joined the sales department and then managed the growing truck sales department, took over the business.

From the ground up

In the early 1990s, under John Stuckey’s leadership, improvements were made to the customer service and collision side of the business and a major expansion was made to the body shop.

In 2003, after working in the banking industry for two years, Matt, the third generation of the family to work in the business, came on board as a member of the sales staff. In 2009, he took over the day-to-day operation of the business as company president.

The first addition came in 2006. Stuckey opened the Subaru franchise after purchasing Condrin Chevrolet Buick, which went out of business.

The dealership group proceeded to take over the Altoona GMC franchise in 2018.

Stuckey Automotive expanded into the State College market with the acquisition of a Mitsubishi dealership in 2020, a Ford dealership in Bellefonte in 2021 and a Nissan dealership in State College in 2024. A Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram dealership in Cassville in Huntingdon County was acquired in 2023.

Another milestone was the opening of the Stuckey Automotive Collision Center in Duncansville, which today serves as the company’s headquarters.

The expansion into the State College market was significant.

“We had always done a lot of business in State College, (so) an opportunity came to us. Todd Maggi, a Mitsubishi dealer, came to us. We thought it was a good decision to grow, there was a growing market in State College. It has been good for us, but not as good as Altoona,” Matt Stuckey said.

Sales and the number of employees have grown significantly over the years. Stuckey said the growth has been steady and most new employees have joined the service department.

“When I started we had over 70 (employees). We are (now) just shy of 400 (380). We are pushing to sell 10,000 vehicles this year; last year we sold about 8,300,” he said.

Stuckey Automotive sells more used vehicles than new ones.

“We sell … two used for every new one. We scout the country looking for cars in top shape,” Stuckey said.

He said people often drive 100 miles to buy a used vehicle from his dealerships.

With seven locations and six brands, Stuckey Automotive has “something for everybody,” he said.

Stuckey said his father, John, was a great mentor.

“I learned from my dad to just take care of people. You need to take care of your customers and you need to take care of the people who take care of your customers,” Stuckey said. “The company needs to grow for them, not for us.”

The dealership group has had many loyal customers over the years.

Richard Clemens and his wife have been dedicated customers for about 20 years.

“During this time, we have purchased in the neighborhood of about two dozen vehicles (Fords and Subarus). One year alone, I personally purchased three new vehicles,” Clemens said. “We have been loyal customers for many years and will remain as such for many more to come..”

Commercial partnerships

Many of the dealerships’ customers are businesses.

Greenwood Pools and Spas has been a Stuckey customer for more than 40 years.

Vice President Ryan Colyer said Stuckey Automotive is the closest Ford dealership with a true commercial department.

“With having a commercial sales department, you deal with the same salesperson throughout your whole buying process. They understand your needs and can match you with the correct body upfitter to get your vehicle set up the way you need it for your business,” Colyer said. “They treat us like family and we feel extremely valued and appreciated.”

Allied Mechanical & Electrical Inc. has been a Stuckey customer for 14 years. According to controller/director of operations Todd Horner, the business purchases 10 to 15 vehicles every year, all from Stuckey.

“The price is always very competitive and I have a buyer’s order and delivery information almost immediately,” said Horner, who also buys his personal vehicles from the dealership group.

“Time is very valuable and they definitely understand that,” he said.

Chris Weidley has been a service customer for 12 years.

“You are always met with a smiling face. Their employees are given the ability to solve problems and are always solution oriented. I am also very confident in their quality of work. Cars these days are very complicated. Stuckey’s has the best service techs and stands behind their product. I know the job is done right or made right without having to worry or fuss,” Weidley said.

The future of the auto industry looks bright with people driving more than ever, Stuckey said, and electric vehicles in particular will play a bigger role in the future.

“(EVs) will be cheaper to operate in the future. All of our brands have an electric offering,” Stuckey said. “Each generation they get better and will become more attractive.”

Stuckey Automotive also plays an active role in the community. Matt is involved with the chambers of commerce in all three counties.

“This is a great area to do business and be committed to the community. We want to be a part of the community. We push our team members to be involved in the community and we support numerous organizations,” Stuckey said.

Mirror Staff Writer Walt Frank is at 814-946-7467.