Blog

We were honored to once again support a hometown tradition that truly lights up the community — the 26th Annual Fire Truck Spectacular, hosted by the New Hartford Fire Department at Sangertown Square Mall! As a proud sponsor, Steet Ponte Auto Group was thrilled to be part of this exciting and family-friendly event that draws fire trucks from across New York State. It’s always incredible to see the dedication of these brave men and women — and the amazing vehicles they operate — all in one place. This year’s Fire Truck Spectacular was bigger and better than ever, featuring: 🚒 Fire trucks and emergency vehicles from all over NYS 🍔 A great lineup of local food trucks 🎶 Live entertainment and music 🏆 Contests for firefighters to show off their skills 🔥 A fun and educational Smoke House experience for families and kids In true Steet Ponte fashion, we showcased a proud lineup of a truck or SUV from each of our dealerships, including: Steet Ponte Chevy United Auto Sales of Utica Steet Ponte VW Steet Ponte Ford Lincoln Steet Ponte Mazda Steet Toyota of Yorkville Steet Ponte Nissan It was an amazing evening full of community spirit, safety education, and admiration for the first responders who keep us safe. Events like this remind us how important it is to give back and support those who serve our neighborhoods. Thank you to the New Hartford Fire Department for organizing another unforgettable event, and to everyone who came out to enjoy the night — we’re already looking forward to next year’s Spectacular! 🚒🇺🇸

There’s nothing quite like a summer evening at the New Hartford Farmer’s Market — and this year, the Steet Ponte Auto Group is proud to be the official Entertainment Sponsor! Each week, we’ve loved being part of this vibrant community event, where families, friends, and neighbors gather for great food, live music, and local fun. From toe-tapping tunes and talented local bands to the smell of fresh produce and sizzling food truck fare, it’s been a highlight of our summer. We’re especially proud to support the live music entertainment each week, helping to create a fun and relaxing atmosphere for all ages. With fresh-squeezed lemonade, amazing local vendors, and the ever-popular Kid’s Tent offering new activities each week, the Farmer’s Market is truly a can’t-miss experience for the whole family. The season wraps up on Tuesday, August 27th, and we hope you’ll join us for the final few weeks! Whether you’re stopping by for fresh corn, a sweet treat, or just to enjoy the music, we’re so grateful to help make this event special for our community. Thank you to everyone who’s come out to support local — we’ll see you at the Market! 🌽🍋🎶

At United Auto Sales of Utica, community and family are everything — which is why our annual Steet Ponte Auto Group company picnic at Enchanted Forest Water Safari is one of our favorite days of the year. We were thrilled to spend the day in the gorgeous Adirondack Mountains with our coworkers and their families, enjoying all the water park thrills, good food, and laughter that comes with a day out together. From lunch under the picnic tents — complete with hot dogs, hamburgers, pasta salad and sweet treats — to cooling off on the log flume, it was a perfect summer day. We’re proud to be part of a company that values fun, connection, and family for more than 25 years and counting.

June 27th | Pine Hills Golf Club | Frankfort, NY The Steet Ponte Auto Group was proud to be the Presenting Sponsor of the First Annual Putts for a Purpose Charity Golf Tournament, held on Friday, June 27th at Pine Hills Golf Club in Frankfort, NY. What began with a goal of raising $10,000 for local charities quickly turned into a huge community win— over $11,000 was raised during this incredible day on the course! Organized by Scott and Kelly Grates, hosts of the Love Living Local 315 podcast, the tournament was designed to spotlight and support the heart of our community— local charities and small businesses that often fly under the radar but make a major impact. Love Living Local 315 has become a must-listen for anyone who wants to discover hidden gems and meaningful stories across the Mohawk Valley. We were thrilled to not only sponsor this event but also to send a team of our own out to participate in the tournament. Representing the Steet Ponte Auto Group were: Dan DeLuke, Auto Group Social Media Content Creator & Coordinator Nate Smith, of Steet Ponte Nissan Jason Coleman & Dan Hermann of Steet Toyota of Yorkville The team brought the competitive spirit and camaraderie that make this community so special! As part of our sponsorship, we also offered a thrilling hole-in-one prize on Hole #14 —a 2025 Ford Mustang Convertible —which certainly turned heads throughout the day. One of the highlights of this tournament was that half of the funds raised—$5,500—will be donated to the MVHS Foundation, Children’s Miracle Network division, a cause very close to the Steet family’s heart. The Steet family has proudly supported the Children’s Miracle Network since 1989. This national nonprofit works to raise funds for local children's hospitals to help provide critical treatments, equipment, and services to children in need—ensuring that kids across the region have access to the best possible care, close to home. We extend our deepest thanks to Scott and Kelly Grates for organizing such a meaningful and well-executed event, and to everyone who came out to support the cause. We’re already looking forward to next year! And don’t forget to tune into Love Living Local 315 in July for a special podcast episode featuring Carly Steet Mathias and Joe Steet Jr., siblings and co-owners of the Steet Ponte Auto Group, as they talk about the importance of local giving, community involvement, and family business. #SteetPonteAutoGroup #PuttsForAPurpose #ChildrensMiracleNetwork #LoveLivingLocal315 #MVHSFoundation #GolfForACause #FrankfortNY #CommunityDriven #ShopLocalGiveLocal

Yorkville, NY | United Auto Sales of Utica It’s been one of the hottest weeks of the summer so far, but our teams at the Yorkville Steet Ponte Auto Group stores got to beat the heat in the best way possible with FREE ice cream delivered by a good old-fashioned ice cream truck! A huge thank you to our friends at ACV Auto Auctions, who surprised our entire Yorkville dealerships: Steet Ponte Nissan, Steet Toyota of Yorkville, Steet Ponte Mazda, Steet Ponte Ford Lincoln, Steet Ponte Volkswagen, and United Auto Sales of Utica, with an ice cream break that brought smiles all around. From cones to popsicles, it was the perfect treat to cool down, take a breather, and enjoy some summertime fun. We truly appreciate ACV not only for the delicious surprise, but also for being an outstanding partner in the auto industry. If you’re not familiar, ACV Auctions is a nationwide digital wholesale vehicle marketplace that helps dealers buy and sell inventory with ease, transparency, and efficiency. Their cutting-edge platform allows us to access a wider selection of used vehicles, view detailed condition reports, and make faster, smarter decisions, right from our phones or computers. Whether it’s helping us streamline our operations or bringing us ice cream on a sweltering day, ACV Auctions goes above and beyond, and we’re grateful for their support. Thanks again, ACV! Here's to more great partnerships—and more ice cream! 🍦 #SteetPonteAutoGroup #ACVAuctions #CoolDownWithACV #YorkvilleDealerships #TeamAppreciation #IceCreamTruckDay #PartnershipsThatMatter

At the Steet Ponte Auto Group, supporting the Mohawk Valley community is at the heart of everything we do. We are proud to share that we recently donated $10,000 to Hospice & Palliative Care, a vital organization based in New Hartford, NY, that provides compassionate care and support for individuals and families facing serious or end-stage illnesses. Representing our team, Joe Steet Jr., Carly Steet Mathias, and Steve Ponte Jr. had the honor of presenting the check to Mary Bogdan, CEO, and Joanne Moskal, CIO, of Hospice & Palliative Care. This donation helps further the organization’s mission of serving patients of all ages, from newborns to individuals over 100 years old throughout Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison counties. Screenshot Touring the Siegenthaler Center: A Home Away From Home During our visit, we were given a tour of the Siegenthaler Center, a unique four-bed end-of-life residence that adjoins the main Hospice building on Middle Settlement Road in New Hartford. Opened in February 2005, the Siegenthaler Center offers a home-like environment where patients and their families receive expert medical care and emotional support during life’s most delicate moments. It was a moving experience to witness firsthand the love, dignity, and comfort that Hospice brings to those in their care. Proud to Give Back to the Greater Utica Area This donation is part of Steet Ponte Auto Group’s continued commitment to giving back to organizations that uplift and strengthen the Utica and New Hartford communities. We are deeply inspired by the work that Hospice & Palliative Care of New York’s Mohawk Valley Region does every day, and we’re honored to support their mission. Whether it's through charitable giving, local partnerships, or community events, Steet Ponte Auto Group is proud to be more than just a group of car dealerships in Yorkville, Herkimer, and Johnstown —we're your neighbors, friends, and supporters of causes that truly matter. Learn More About Hospice & Palliative Care: Visit hospicecareinc.org to explore how you can support their mission or access their invaluable services.

We’re thrilled to announce that the Steet Ponte Auto Group and United Auto Sales is once again a proud sponsor of the Boilermaker Road Race in Utica, NY —and this year, we’re taking the lead in more ways than one! For the 2025 race, Steet Ponte Auto Group has been named the Official Pace Car Sponsor, and we’ll have two of our trucks setting the pace on race day: a specially wrapped Nissan Frontier and a Chevy Silverado. The Boilermaker Road Race, taking place this year on Sunday, July 13th, 2025, is one of the most iconic and beloved 15K road races in the country, and a signature event for the Mohawk Valley. As a local dealership group with deep roots in the Utica community, we’re honored to support this tradition that brings together thousands of runners, spectators, and volunteers from across Central New York and beyond. Catch Our Pace Trucks Around Utica Before the Race! In the weeks leading up to Boilermaker Sunday, keep an eye out for the Steet Ponte pace trucks! The Nissan Frontier and Chevy Silverado, both wrapped in bold, Boilermaker-themed designs, will be cruising through Herkimer, Utica, Yorkville, New Hartford, and other nearby communities, helping to promote the big day. Whether you’re training for the race or just enjoying the summer buzz, you’ll see our trucks building excitement all over the area. Proud to Support Local Events That Move Our Community Forward At Steet Ponte Auto Group, we’re more than just car dealerships—we’re part of the community. With locations like United Auto Sales of Utica, we’re proud to support events like the Boilermaker that make Utica, NY such a special place to live, work, and celebrate. So whether you're racing, volunteering, cheering from the sidelines, or just enjoying the festivities, we invite you to join us on Sunday, July 13th to experience one of the greatest community events in New York State. And don’t forget to wave when you see the Steet Ponte pace trucks drive by! Visit Us Today: United Auto Sales of Utica, Used Car Store in Yorkville, NY 4994 Commercial Drive, Yorkville, NY 13495 (315) 736-3361 UnitedUsedCars.com Follow us on social media for pace truck sightings, Boilermaker updates, and more local events all summer long!

We are thrilled to announce Steet Ponte Auto Group's year-long sponsorship with the Utica Zoo, one of the most beloved attractions in the Utica, NY area for over 100 years! This partnership reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting local institutions that bring joy, education, and unforgettable experiences to Oneida County and beyond. The Utica Zoo is home to over 99 species of animals, making it a fun family-friendly destination. Whether you're admiring the majestic lions, playful red pandas, or the engaging gibbons (more on them later!), there’s always something exciting to see and learn. Exclusive Perks for Our Team As part of this collaboration, Steet Ponte Auto Group employees will enjoy special discounts at the zoo, just one of the many ways we’re bringing this partnership to life. It’s a great opportunity for our team members and their families to explore the wonders of nature close to home. Sponsoring Signature Zoo Events We’re also proud to sponsor some of the zoo’s most popular annual events: 🍷 Wine in the Wilderness:  We’re working on details to be the designated driver sponsor, ensuring everyone can enjoy the evening responsibly while sampling wines from across the region. 🎃 Halloween Spooktacular: This family-favorite event offers a fun and safe way for kids to celebrate Halloween with themed activities, costumes, and of course, plenty of adorable animal encounters. Proud Sponsors of the Gibbons Exhibit As part of our support, Steet Ponte Auto Group is also the proud sponsor of the Gibbons exhibit. These playful and energetic primates are a highlight of the zoo, captivating visitors with their acrobatics and endearing social behaviors. More Exciting Adventures Ahead We’re just getting started! Keep an eye out for more exciting collaborations and events throughout the year as we continue to support and celebrate our local zoo. Whether you're a regular visitor or planning your first trip, we encourage everyone to experience the magic of the Utica Zoo, it’s truly a local treasure. Stay tuned for more updates and we’ll see you at the zoo! 🐾

As the holiday season winds down and we welcome the new year, we want to take a moment to express our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who participated in and contributed to our holiday events and donation drives. Your generosity, spirit, and dedication to community made this season truly special. Reflecting on the Joy and Impact This past holiday season, we set out to make a meaningful difference in our community by organizing several events and drives. Thanks to your support, our efforts exceeded expectations. Here’s what we accomplished together: Donation Drives School Supplies Drive: With your help, we provided backpacks, notebooks, and essential tools to ensure that students in our community could start the new year ready to succeed. Your contributions put smiles on countless young faces to 19 local elementary schools including the Utica City School District! Coat Drive: Winter can be harsh, but thanks to your kindness, many individuals and families now have warm coats to protect them against the cold. Every coat you donated was a gesture of care that truly mattered for the kids in Utica and Rome Elementary Schools. Food Drive: During a time when no one should go hungry, your generosity provided meals for families in need. The outpouring of support filled not only pantries but also hearts for those who utilize the Thea Bowman House Food Pantry in Utica, NY. Holiday Gift Drive: From toys and books to clothing and gift cards, you helped ensure that children in our community experienced the magic of the holidays. Your donations transformed wishes into reality for the families in the Adopt-a-Family program through ICAN! Together, We Made a Difference Through your contributions and involvement, you didn’t just donate or attend an event—you became part of something bigger. You helped build a stronger, more connected, and compassionate community. The ripple effect of your kindness will be felt far beyond the holiday season. Each meal shared, coat donated, and moment of joy created reminded us all of the power of coming together. Looking Ahead As we move into the new year, we carry with us the warmth and generosity you shared this past season. We’re excited to continue working with such an incredible community and invite you to join us in future initiatives to make a difference. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Let’s keep the spirit of giving and togetherness alive all year long. Happy New Year! From all of us at United Auto Sales of Utica!

United Auto Sales of Utica is proud to support the Clinton Fire Department’s 2nd Annual Lights Around the Park Light Show at the Kirkland Town Park!! This is a fun, family-friendly event that is one of a kind for our area. The show is held every weekend from Friday, 11/29 until Sunday, 12/29, 2024 from 6-9pm and is $10/car! On Sundays, Santa and Mrs. Clause themselves pass out candy canes during the show! The light show is a drive through light show, so you can stay warm in your vehicle, while listening to Christmas music by tuning into 93.9 FM! We have a fun display from the Steet Ponte Auto Group, and hope to see you there!

Our 17th Annual Holiday Gift Drive is going on NOW until Monday, December 16th at all of the stores in the Steet Ponte Auto Group! This year, we are adopting families in the Adopt-A-Family program with ICAN. ICAN is a non-profit organization that service Utica and Herkimer, all throughout Oneida and Herkimer Counties to help provide services to families in need. Each store in our Auto Group has tags on the Christmas Trees in our showrooms. It’s easy to participate! Simply take a tag from our tree, and return the unwrapped gift with the tag attached back to our tree by the 16th. The front of the tag has the gift or wish list item, and the back of the tag has the child’s name, age, and any relevant information like favorite colors, favorite characters, clothing sizes if applicable. We hope that you can help us spread joy for families in need to help provide a wonderful Christmas season for everyone! Gifts range from hair ties to toys, to gift cards, so there is something for everyone. We are also accepting donations of wrapping paper and tape as well!

Our 12th Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive was quite the success again this year! Throughout our 8 dealerships, we donated to the Thea Bowman House in Utica, NY, Catholic Charities of Herkimer County, and the Amen Place Soup Kitchen in Amsterdam, NY! Our Food Drive was held from November 1st-November 25th, 2024. We collected non-perishable food items for the food pantries to help during their Thanksgiving meal preparations, and beyond. Together, we collected 8 vehicles of non-perishable items, filling the entire basement at the Thea Bowman House! Additionally, Steet Toyota of Johnstown was able to donated an extra $1,000 to the Amen Place Soup Kitchen along with their donations. We spent the morning loading all of our donations into the vehicles to bring over to each location, and then helped sort the items for the food pantries. The first year this Food Drive started, we filled one vehicle total with donations, and now we are up to one vehicle per store! We are so thankful for our community, employees, and customers who helped us succeed this year. Whether you brought in one item or 20, we are so happy to have provided a great Thanksgiving to those in need in our Utica, Herkimer, and Amsterdam communities.