Dovi Motors, Inc. – Celebrates 70th Anniversary

One of the most telling features of the age of Dovi Motors is the gumball machine that sits just inside the entrance door.  While other gumball vending machines of today require you to deposit a quarter or sometimes even two, the machine at Dovi Motors only requires you to deposit one thin dime.

Tony Dovi, a mechanic who had worked on B-17 engines, started his automobile repair shop on the corner of Warren and Pearl Street Extension, working on tubes, tires, and batteries. From these humble beginnings, the business moved to its current location on Tompkins Street and became Dovi’s Garage, with a full-service, two-pump Texaco service station. In 1956, the showroom was added. Then the Dovis bought the building next door and added the body shop in 1987. The dealership is a three-generation business, involving Tony, his sons Phil, Tom and Joe, and their sons Jesse, Luke, and Tommy.

Dovi was a Mercury-Lincoln dealership until 2008.  They switched to Ford brand during the global economic crisis when Ford decided they no longer wanted to shoulder the expense, and offered Dovi the Ford enterprise.

The change brought Dovi’s sudden prosperity, because while Ford styles were remarkably similar to the Mercury-Lincoln cars, they were significantly less expensive. The success can be by the link with Ford styles. The sudden boom in business became overwhelming, so Dovi hired Erin Robinson, Dovi’s office manager, in 2009, and Robin Riley, parts manager, was also added.  

Jesse Dovi, who came on part-time in 2008, believes that some of the key elements that have helped the steady growth have been Kevin McCaskill, Dovi’s service advisor, whose entire career encompasses decades of service experience, and Josh Dickinson, both of whom he describes as “strong service individuals”.  

Jesse attributes Dovi’s continued growth to old-school  business practices. “We don’t shuffle them around to different people. We don’t have a flashy facility. This is a simple place. We are simple people; we are Cortland people,” he said. “When you call here, you get a person on the phone. We have the easiest buying process: all prices are clearly marked on the website and on the lot. Luke and I handle all the sales. When someone comes in to look for a vehicle, they can sit down with one person and find out everything they need to know about the car, including its history, and their trade-in options.”

Dovi Motors, Inc. is located at 263 Tompkins St., Cortland, NY. You can come in and browse, or you can shop online them online at www.dovimotors.com. They are open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 8-7; Tuesday and Friday, 8-5, and Saturday, 8-12. If you have questions, Sales can be reached at 877-813-9997, Service at 877-814-7449, or Parts at 877-816-6778. Stop by and wish Dovi Motors a Happy 70th Anniversary!