Our Story

When Michael Suttle Sr. immigrated to the United States from at the age of 15 and opened his little bicycle shop in downtown NEWPORT NEWS at the turn of the century, he could hardly have foreseen the transportation dynasty he was founding.

Coming from Lebanon, Michael Sr. was looking for a place where he could work hard and support his family. Having 11 kids, it wasn't always easy.

His bicycle shop, then located at 25th and Jefferson Ave expanded to deal in motorcycles, auto supplies, repairs, and service. During the earliest years of the automobile, when batteries had to be recharged the company kept dozens of re-chargers on hand and rented them out.

In 1934, under the direction of Michael Sr's eldest son George, Suttle Motors became the first Oldsmobile franchised dealership in the Tidewater area. A year later, Suttle added Cadillac, added Saab in 1987, GMC Light Truck in 1989, Pontiac in 2001, and Buick in 2005.

Today, the Suttle family business remains as one of the oldest continuous car dealerships on the Peninsula. By the mid 1980's progress was nipping at the heels of Suttle Motors and downtown NEWPORT NEWS dealerships.

In advance of the construction of I-664, the company moved to its present location on Jefferson Avenue in November of 1983. The new facility, situated on 12 acres that once were woodlands and part of the Yoder Dairy, today employs over 160 people and occupies 96,000 square feet of space.

After the passing of George Suttle in 1986, his brother Michael Suttle Jr. became President and in 1996 Michael Suttle III took over as Dealer Principle and President. "Domestic and international competition is fierce in the automobile industry today" Michael Suttle III said. But his father pointed out that what has been at the heart of the family's success for nearly a century will continue to be so in the future.

"Work hard and treat customers fair and honest"

Now, Miles and his younger sister Jessie Suttle have made the dealership their life; working hard to carry on the tradition of their great grandfather. Once they take over, Suttle Motors will be part of only 3% of dealerships in the nation that are run by the fourth generation of family.