We’re committed to honest communication, strong selection, and putting people first—every deal, every day. Don Moore History
Since 1919 the Don Moore Automotive Team has been a leader in automotive innovation in the Tri-State. What began as a single franchise dealership at the dawn of a new era in transportation has exploded to include an all-star line up of vehicles representing over 85% of the t
otal vehicles sold in the U.S. In August 1919 three brothers; Percy, Kelly and Harry Short decided to venture into the newly developing Automobile industry and formed Short Brothers Motor Company. They signed a contract to sell Scripps Booth Automobiles and Stevens Saline Six Vehicles. In January 1920 they signed a contract with Chevrolet Motor Company to sell Chevrolet Vehicles. On February 2, 1920 they received their first Chevrolet Automobile for sale. They went on to sell the first enclosed automobile in Western Kentucky. That vehicle was sold to the minister at Settle Memorial United Methodist Church, the late reverend Carl Gregory. By 1934 the volume had risen to 306 new and 438 used vehicles. Around this time, Percy Short's son, Don P. Moore, Sr. joined the group. Over the next 30 years Don Moore Sr. progressed in the business and in 1954 Short Brothers added Cadillac to their vehicle lines. Percy Short passed away in 1961 and Don Moore Sr. became president of the company. In 1959 Don Moore Jr. entered the business after receiving his degree at the University of Kentucky. In 1969 Don Moore Sr. passed away with cancer. At that time his son Don Moore Jr. became president of the company and the dealer of record for General Motors. General Motors then made the recommendation that the name be changed to Don Moore Chevrolet - Cadillac. In 1970 this change was made. At the same time plans for a new marketing approach were being made. In January of 1970, the new marketing approach included television. At that time the number one show in prime time was the Lucile Ball Show. On the third Monday in January Don Moore Jr. made is television debut. It was a 10 second advertisement. The script went as follows:
"At Don Moore Chevrolet we have the hottest deals around. Come on down and help cool us off." That marked the beginning of the creative image of the Don Moore organization. The new marketing continued through the seventies. In May of 1982, Don Moore III joined the firm after graduating from the University of Kentucky. In July of 1983, Don Moore Jr. decided to work full time in the farming industry and Don Moore III was made General Manager of the Dealership. In 1986, Don Moore III agreed to purchase Sturgeon Pontiac - Nissan from the Charlie Sturgeon Family. This marked the beginning of Riverview Pontiac - Nissan. In 1992 Don Moore added Mitsubishi at the Downtown location. In 1993 Don Moore purchased Van Slyke Toyota from the Don Van Slyke family. This purchase included a new location on Frederica Street. Riverview was relocated to the newly acquired property and the AutoMall was established. In June of 1996 Don purchased Feldhaus Oldsmobile-Honda. He then relocated Honda at the AutoMall location and moved Oldsmobile downtown. Don also agreed to sell Roberts Motors the Pontiac franchise in order to complete a dealership reorganization required by General Motors. In 2000 the Group purchased Thompson Ford-Mercury-Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep in Hartford Kentucky. In 2005 Don Moore agreed to purchase the Tapp Motor property on south Frederica Street. In 2006 Hyundai was also added to the family of dealerships and placed at the newly remodeled property on south Frederica. Today Don Moore III, and his brothers John Moore and David Moore operate 5 dealerships and 13 franchises (Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, Scion, Ford, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, and Hyundai). The Moore Automotive group is a four generation family business that has continued its growth for over 97 years. The group of dealerships currently sells over 5500 new and used vehicles annually. Over 50,000 people will come to the Moore Automotive group annually for service and they are serviced by the 180 dedicated Don Moore employees.
