ACTIVE IN OUR COMMUNITY FOR 100 YEARS

Wow! It's already been 100 years. How the time has flown by. During that time, many things have changed in the world around us, but there are two things that have not changed in that time: the honest, hard working people in our community and our commitment to serve them however we can. We have gone from being a Chevrolet dealership to housing many of the top brands in the country. We have grown over the past 100 years, but we have not lost sight of who is really important. Whether our customers are in Owensboro, Evansville, or Hartford, their satisfaction is what matters the most to us. We are proud members to be a part of our community, and we hope to see you in the next 100 years!

100 YEARS OF HISTORY

Don Moore Automotive is proud to be celebrating its 100th anniversary this year. Since 1919, our business has been investing in the Owensboro community.

Percy, Kelly, and Harry Short founded what would eventually become Don Moore Automotive in August of 1919. They called their business Short Brothers Motor Company. Originally, they sold Scripps Booth Automobiles and Stevens Saline Six Vehicles. In 1920, they began selling Chevrolet vehicles as well. Their first full year in business, they sold 24 new automobiles.

Year by year and little by little, the business grew. In 1934, Short Brothers Motor Company sold 306 new vehicles and 438 used vehicles.

Don P. Moore, Sr., began his work in the business around this time. The son of Percy Short, he would eventually give the automotive group his name. His son, Don Moore, Jr., joined the company in 1959 after graduating from the University of Kentucky. Shortly after, Don Moore, Sr., became president of the company in 1961.

Unfortunately, the father and son were not able to work together for very long. Don Moore, Sr., passed away in 1969 from cancer. Don Moore, Jr., became president and oversaw a new era of the dealership’s business.

During the 1970s, a lot changed in the automotive industry and especially in our company. At the recommendation of General Motors, the name of the dealership changed from Short Brothers Motor Company to Don Moore Chevrolet – Cadillac in 1970.

This decade also saw a major shift in the way automotive dealerships marketed themselves. For the first time, local television commercials were a major part of marketing efforts. Don Moore, Jr., embraced TV advertising, starring in the dealership’s first commercial. In the ten second spot that aired during The Lucy Show, Don Moore, Jr., started his tenure as a creative commercial star. He would go on to star in ads with all kinds of themes and attention-grabbing concepts during his time as president.

In 1982, Don Moore III graduated from the University of Kentucky and joined the family business. Don Moore, Jr., was happy to pass the torch to his son. He moved on to work in farming full-time and made Don Moore III general manager just one year later.

Under the leadership of Don Moore III, the company continued to be successful. From the late 1980s through the 2000s, a series of acquisitions and expansions helped the business grow into what it is today. Don Moore III and his brothers John Moore and David Moore now operate five dealerships and 13 franchises. With four generations of hard work and success, Don Moore Automotive has become a pillar of the Owensboro community. We look forward to serving you for another ten decades.