The Steet Ponte Auto Group
A Legacy of Serving the Mohawk Valley since 1945
The Steet Family has been in business since 1945, starting with United Auto Sales of Utica founded by two WWII Veterans of the US Navy and US Army, brothers Joseph G. and Thomas G. Steet, and continues to be owned and run by the Steet Family: Joseph A. and Joseph T. Steet, and Carly Steet Mathias. United Auto started as a wholesaling business on Oriskany Street in Utica. In the 1970’s business had grown and expanded into retailing used cars to the public. The business moved to its current location at 4994 Commercial Drive, while additionally purchasing the property next door for the Truck Center for used trucks and SUV’s.
Family values, dedication, and a strong drive are what made the Auto Group grow to what it is today. For more than 20 years, Joseph A. Steet looked across the street while he was working at United Auto and knew he would one day be the owner of the Toyota dealership located at 4991 Commercial Drive. In 1995, Joseph joined forces with Steven M. Ponte and purchased what is now called Steet Toyota of Yorkville, and that was the start of the Auto Group, now in its third generation of family owner-operators!
As a resident of Herkimer, NY, and former General Manager of the store they now own, Steve saw the opportunity in what was then Len Brown Chevrolet. They purchased the dealership located at 3036 State Route 28 in 1997. By 2003, they acquired the former Ed Blask Ford, and later purchased the luxury Lincoln franchise from the Cater family, and renovated the building located at 5074 Commercial Drive.
In 2007, they were contacted by Toyota to open another dealership in the city of Johnstown, NY to help the local economy, drive sales, and provide jobs to many of those in the surrounding area. And with that, Steet Toyota of Johnstown Gloversville was born!
In 2011, Steet and Ponte acquired the Volkswagen and Mazda brands. In 2013, the Steet Ponte Volkswagen location was renovated on 5046 Commercial Drive in Yorkville, while Steet Toyota of Yorkville, United Auto Sales, and Steet-Ponte Chevy were also renovated into the beautiful, and expanded, state of the art facilities they are today.
In late 2020, construction of the upscale and modern Steet Ponte Mazda building at 5065 Commercial Drive was completed so the franchise could move to its own facility after being housed in the Ford Lincoln store.
Finally, in late 2021, Steet Ponte Nissan was purchased by the Auto Group to round out the lineup of vehicles offered. In early 2025, renovation of that dealership was completed to bring the store up to date and current. We have grown from our beginnings as a single used car dealership, to a group of 8 dealerships and 9 brands, two Body Shops, one reconditioning center, and multiple other properties spread across three counties.