It was in 1914 that an automobile business was born. J. O. Mertz started selling Model “T” Fords in Northumberland as a sub-dealer for the Ford Motor Company. Ten years later, Mertz purchased the Ford dealership in Sunbury, establishing Sunbury Motor Company at Fifth and Arch streets. His sons, Wilson and Charles, operated the company until their sons, Bob and Dick Mertz, became active in 1961.

By 1968, they had outgrown the location and purchased property on North Fourth Street occupied by Boyer Chevrolet. This facility would be used for new Ford and used-vehicle sales. The next expansion occurred during the early 1980s.

Land was purchased behind the Fourth Street sales department and a state-of-the art service complex was built to house both parts and service departments of Sunbury Motors.

In 1989, Dick’s son Tom joined his father and second cousin Bob to continue the succession of the Mertz family as a fourth generation family-run business.

Sunbury Motors added a KIA franchise in 1998. KIAs were sold out of the North Fourth Street Ford showroom until 2001, when land was purchased on Routes 11/15 in Hummels Wharf and a new KIA showroom was built.

Lincoln Mercury Franchises Added

In August 2002, the Lincoln Mercury franchises were added to the Ford lineup in Sunbury and in early 2003 the Mertz family purchased the former Bi-Lo supermarket and parking lot. They renovated the Bi-Lo supermarket into a “Gallery” style Lincoln Mercury showroom with Sterling heavy trucks also being sold from this location. In July 2006 Western Star was added to the commercial truck department. The next major acquisition occurred in the summer of 2007 when the Mertz’s purchased the Hyundai franchise. Hyundai and Lincoln Mercury share the former Bi-Lo building as their showroom.

As Sunbury Motors customer base increased, there became a need to expand their service department. In September 2006 a six bay Quick Lane Tire and Auto Center was added to their service department. Sunbury Motors soon grew to over capacity in their Quick Lane. They added two more bays in August 2010.

The Mertz family is proud of their growth and their family heritage. They are also grateful to all employees who have been dedicated to the company for the 96 years, along with the continued support of the community.