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More Than a Century: Maryland’s Rich History of Selling Cars

But first, a word from our sponsor
“Crovato BG Products and Services is the official supplier of BG Products and Services. We offer Service Solutions that generate efficient, effective, and profitable fixed operations revenue."
IT’S EVENTS


Thank you to our current sponsors!
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2025 MADA Annual Golf Outing & Crab Feast
When: September 16, 2025
Where: Queenstown Harbor Golf
IT’S SOCIAL
Quiet on the set with Terry McLaurin. Stay tuned for the new Eastern Automotive Group commercial! #AtEasternMotors #scaryterry
🎉 Happy Birthday, Abdul! 🎈 We loved surprising you with a balloon today, just a small way to celebrate someone who brings so much to the team. Your positivity, dedication, and great energy never go unnoticed. Here’s to another year around the sun! ☀️🥳
🛠️ Team Spotlight: Rich 🛠️
Meet Rich, our Shop Foreman, who brings 40 years of automotive experience to the team, with 27 of those years right here at this location! His expertise, leadership, and dedication help keep our service department running smoothly every single day.
Fun fact: When he's not in the shop, Rich enjoys fishing and cheering on his favorite teams. Go Orioles and Ravens! ⚾️🏈
Thank you, Rich, for your decades of hard work and commitment. We’re proud to have you as part of the Ourisman family!
Happy National Delaware Day from Subaru and the Ourisman team! 💙🌊
We’re proud to stand with the First State and proud to serve communities beyond the DMV!
Here’s to strong roots, trusted roads, and the people who keep us moving. 🚗✨
IT’S HISTORY
More Than a Century: Maryland’s Rich History of Selling Cars
Maryland's automotive history dates back to the early 20th century, aligning with the rise of the American automobile industry. As cars gained popularity, dealerships began appearing in big cities — Baltimore became among one of the front runners. As a convenient northeast port, the city was perfect place to introduce the automobile to our region. As early as 1899 showrooms started popping up around the city for wealthy consumers to browse their products.
Believe it or not, the first of these showrooms featured custom cars made right here in the state. Carl Spoerer’s Sons Company produced an early automobile called “The Spoerer Car” in Baltimore City that saw production in 1909. These early autos were not for everyone. Affordability was a serious issue. One notable luxury car for sale at the time was the Lozier — selling for what is nearly $250,000 today. (And you thought new car prices were high now)
As the 20’s rolled around, the automobile became a key part of American society, and larger, new car dealerships selling more affordable brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Oldsmobile moved into town. Around this time, smaller brands started to disappear and dealers that we all know and love today started their journey.
That’s right — for over 100 years, names like Pohanka, Anderson, and Jones Junction have been selling cars to the people of our great state. From very humble beginnings and with years of hard, dedicated work, these groups have navigated the ever-changing landscape of auto sales and service — building empires in the process.
By the end of World War II, the automobile had evolved completely. Everyone had access to a new car — and everyone wanted one. Dealers began to move outside of Baltimore to locations we are more familiar with today in search of larger lots to sell more cars. By the 60’s groups like Ourisman, Len Stoler, and Fitzgerald Auto Mall spanned the state, and carry the torch to this day.
We owe a lot to the early pioneers of our industry who bravely set up shop in hopes of supplying Marylanders with one of our most cherished traditions — The Automobile.
For more resources and further learning please visit:
PRODUCT SHOWCASE
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Crovato Products & Services
BG Rev-It Automated Throttle Actuator Tool
The BG Rev-It Tool creates labor without requiring a technician to "babysit" while the service is being performed. Like having a "free helper" that never calls out sick, complains, or requires vacation!
Contact Crovato Products & Services to learn more about the Revit-It and how you can improve productivity today!
Phone — (703)405-7855
Email — [email protected]
IT’S A REMINDER

Make sure to check these off your to-do list!
WATCH
Episode 7 of DRIVEN by MADA out NOW
Today Amanda Kodeck joins DRIVEN by MADA to break down the MileOne Cares Program and share how they achieve near impossible donation goals annually. Amanda, the MileOne Chief Giving Officer and founder of the MileOne Cares program, has developed a strategy to organize and optimize giving on a company level. If you have an existing philanthropic program or are looking to take your giving to the next level, listen in and take notes - MileOne has it figured out!
RECOMMEND
MADA Charitable Initiative
In our ongoing efforts to both recognize and support the philanthropic efforts of our dealers, MADA also strives to give back as much to the community as possible. That same community includes YOU — That is why we are coming to YOU to help us choose our next charitable initiative. We want to know what the community needs the most and where our donation dollars will make the biggest impact.
So, that is why we are leaving it to YOU. Please, if you have suggestions or would like to team up with MADA, fill out the form below and let’s make a change!
NOMINATE
Time Dealer of the Year Award 2026
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2026 TIME DEALER OF THE YEAR AWARD (TDOY), which will be presented at the National Automobile Dealers Association Show in Las Vegas, February 3-6, 2026