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Steet Ponte Auto Group’s 12th Annual Halloween Costume Contest Was a Spooktacular Success!

Steet Ponte VW Halloween 2025

We’re 12 years strong with our Annual Halloween Costume Contest, and this year was another blast! Every year, we love seeing how creative, funny, and inventive our employees can be with their costumes — and 2025 did not disappoint. From solo outfits to entire store groups getting into the spirit, the competition was fierce and the results were amazing.

For the past several years, our contest categories have been judged by none other than Joe Steet Sr. and Steve Ponte Sr., and this year, our winners are:

🎨 Best DIY: Rain Storm — Suzi Smith, Steet Ponte VW
😂 Funniest: Technician Bananas — Steet Toyota Yorkville
📺 Best Pop Culture: Pirates of the Caribbean — Liz Uebelhoer & Will Marriott, Steet Ponte Ford Lincoln
Most Creative: Moana Family — Josh Perez, Steet Ponte Chevy
👥 Best Group: Crayon Box — Steet Ponte Nissan (entire store dressed up!)
🏆 Joe’s Favorite: 50’s Sock Hop — Cyndi Wilson, United Auto Sales
🌸 Steve’s Favorite: 70’s Hippie — Amy Biggie, Steet Toyota Johnstown

From clever DIY costumes to full-group efforts, our employees never fail to impress. The creativity, humor, and teamwork shown in this year’s contest reflect the fun-loving spirit that makes our Steet Ponte Auto Group family so special.

Steet Ponte Auto Group 2025 Halloween Costumes

A huge congratulations to all of our winners and participants — your efforts helped make this another memorable and festive Halloween across all of our stores.

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Steet Ponte Auto Group Team at Mohawk Valley Community Choice Awards 2026 Gala

Steet Ponte Auto Group & United Auto Sales Honored with Five 2026 Mohawk Valley Community Choice Awards

The Steet Ponte Auto Group and United Auto Sales are incredibly honored and grateful to announce that we have been named winners in every automotive category we were nominated for in the 2026 Mohawk Valley Community Choice Awards! This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the support of our amazing customers, friends, families, and community members who took the time to vote, share our posts, and continue placing their trust in us year after year. 2026 Mohawk Valley Community Choice Award Winners We're proud to have earned the following awards: 🏆 Best Used Car Dealer 🏆 Best New Car Dealer 🏆 Best Repair Shop 🏆 Best Oil Change 🏆 Best Salesperson – Vinny Ward of Steet Ponte Chevy These awards reflect the relationships we've built with generations of families throughout the Mohawk Valley and the commitment our employees bring to work every single day. Thank You for Believing in Us From all of us at every dealership within the Steet Ponte Auto Group, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported us during this year's voting. Whether you've purchased your first vehicle from us, trusted our service department to keep your vehicle running its best, recommended us to family and friends, or simply shared one of our Community Choice Award posts, you helped make this possible. These awards belong just as much to our customers as they do to our team. Serving the Mohawk Valley Since 1945 For generations, the Steet Ponte Auto Group has been committed to making vehicle ownership easy, transparent, and enjoyable. Today, our family of dealerships proudly includes: Steet Toyota of Johnstown Steet Toyota of Yorkville Steet Ponte Chevy Steet Ponte Ford Steet Ponte Lincoln Steet Ponte Volkswagen Steet Ponte Nissan Steet Ponte Mazda United Auto Sales Every member of our team shares the same goal: providing exceptional customer service before, during, and long after the sale. Whether you're shopping for a new vehicle, searching for a quality used car, truck, or SUV, scheduling routine maintenance, or visiting one of our award-winning service departments, we're honored to be your trusted automotive partner. Our Community Is the Reason We Do What We Do As a family-owned business, we've always believed that our success is directly tied to the strength of the communities we serve. Supporting local schools, youth sports, charities, first responders, nonprofits, and community events has been a core part of who we are for decades. From our family to yours, thank you for your trust, your loyalty, and your continued support. We truly would not be where we are today without you. We look forward to continuing to serve drivers throughout Utica, Rome, New Hartford, Herkimer, Ilion, Little Falls, Johnstown, Gloversville, Amsterdam, Oneida, and communities across the Mohawk Valley for many years to come. See Why Our Customers Always Say... "It's so easy to do business with the Steet Ponte Auto Group!"

2025 VW ID.Buzz at Steet Ponte VW

Meet the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz: The Family-Friendly EV Ready for Every Adventure

Electric vehicles are changing the way families travel, and the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is bringing back a beloved Volkswagen icon with a modern, all-electric twist. At Steet Ponte Volkswagen, we’re excited to introduce families to a vehicle that combines the nostalgia of the classic VW Microbus with the technology, comfort, and convenience today’s drivers need. Designed with families in mind, the new ID. Buzz offers incredible versatility, impressive space, advanced safety technology, and the benefits of electric driving—all while making every trip more enjoyable. A Spacious EV Built for Families Finding an electric vehicle that works for the whole family doesn’t have to mean sacrificing space. The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz was designed to provide the room, flexibility, and comfort families need for everyday life. Whether you’re loading up for a road trip, heading to soccer practice, packing for a weekend getaway, or simply managing the daily routine of school drop-offs and errands, the ID. Buzz is ready. Family-friendly features include: Three rows of seating to comfortably accommodate your family and passengers Flexible seating configurations to adapt to changing needs Ample cargo space for groceries, sports equipment, luggage, strollers, and more Sliding rear seats to help maximize passenger comfort and storage A spacious interior that gives everyone room to relax The ID. Buzz proves that choosing an EV doesn’t mean giving up the practicality your family needs. Say Goodbye to EV Charge Anxiety One of the biggest questions families have when considering an electric vehicle is: “Will I have enough range?” Volkswagen designed the ID. Buzz to make EV ownership simple and convenient. With an impressive driving range, easy charging options, and access to a growing charging network, the ID. Buzz is ready for everyday adventures and weekend exploring. Most families will find that their daily driving routine is easier than ever with an EV. Many owners charge at home overnight, meaning your vehicle can start each morning ready for the day—just like charging your phone. The ID. Buzz also makes longer trips easier with: Fast-charging capability when you need to recharge on the go Convenient access to public charging stations Smartphone integration to help locate charging stations and plan your route The ability to monitor charging and vehicle information right from your phone Whether you’re commuting, running errands, or taking a family road trip, electric driving can fit seamlessly into your lifestyle. Technology Designed Around Your Family The 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz brings smart technology into every drive. From keeping passengers entertained to helping drivers stay confident behind the wheel, the ID. Buzz offers features designed for modern families. Available features include: Large touchscreen infotainment system Wireless smartphone connectivity Advanced driver assistance features Multiple USB-C charging ports to keep devices powered Premium available audio options Convenient digital displays and controls Every detail was designed to make family travel easier and more enjoyable. Safety and Confidence for Every Journey When it comes to choosing a family vehicle, safety is always a top priority. The ID. Buzz includes Volkswagen’s advanced safety technology to help provide peace of mind wherever the road takes you. Available driver assistance features help support you with everyday driving situations, including highway travel, parking, and busy traffic conditions. From morning routines to weekend adventures, the ID. Buzz is built to help protect the people who matter most. Electric Driving Meets Volkswagen Personality The ID. Buzz isn’t just practical—it’s fun. With its unmistakable design, customizable colors, and iconic Volkswagen-inspired styling, it’s a vehicle that stands out everywhere it goes. It’s perfect for families who want something different: a vehicle that is environmentally conscious, incredibly functional, and full of personality. Experience the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz at Steet Ponte Volkswagen If you’ve been considering an electric vehicle but weren’t sure if it would fit your family’s lifestyle, the 2025 Volkswagen ID. Buzz is worth a closer look. Stop by Steet Ponte Volkswagen today to explore this exciting new all-electric family vehicle, learn more about charging options, and take a test drive. Our team is here to answer your questions and help make your transition to EV ownership easy. The future of family adventures has arrived—and it’s ready to take you there. Visit Steet Ponte Volkswagen today and discover why it’s so easy to do business with us!

Kyle Kahler at New Hartford Farmer's Market with Steet Ponte VW's VW ID.Buzz

Steet Ponte Volkswagen Brings the VW ID. Buzz to the New Hartford Farmers Market

The Steet Ponte Volkswagen team recently had a fantastic time connecting with the community at the New Hartford Farmers Market, where we showcased one of the most exciting vehicles in the Volkswagen lineup—the all-electric VW ID. Buzz! The market was filled with local vendors, families, and community members enjoying a beautiful day, making it the perfect place to introduce the iconic ID. Buzz to drivers throughout the Mohawk Valley. Fun for the Whole Family Representing Steet Ponte Volkswagen at the event was our Business Development Representative, Kyle Kahler, who welcomed visitors to our booth throughout the day. Families stopped by to test their skills on our Hot Wheels race track, where kids raced cars head-to-head for bragging rights and plenty of fun. We also handed out a variety of Volkswagen-themed giveaways, including: Volkswagen notebooks Coloring books VW keychains Peace sign necklaces Flower headbands And plenty of fun prizes for kids It was wonderful meeting so many local families, answering questions about Volkswagen vehicles, and sharing the excitement surrounding the return of one of the most recognizable vehicles in automotive history. Meet the VW ID. Buzz The Volkswagen ID. Buzz takes inspiration from the legendary VW Microbus while bringing it into the future with an all-electric powertrain, cutting-edge technology, and modern comfort. Designed for today's families, the ID. Buzz perfectly blends nostalgic styling with innovative features that make every drive enjoyable. Some of our favorite highlights include: Fully electric performance with instant acceleration and zero tailpipe emissions. Spacious seating with room for the whole family and flexible seating configurations. Generous cargo space for groceries, sports equipment, luggage, camping gear, or weekend adventures. AWD for added confidence during Upstate New York's changing seasons. Advanced driver-assist technology, including available IQ.DRIVE® safety features designed to help keep your family protected. Large digital displays and intuitive infotainment features that make every trip more connected and convenient. Panoramic glass roof that creates an open, airy cabin everyone will enjoy. Whether you're taking the kids to school, heading to soccer practice, planning a road trip, or visiting one of the many parks and attractions around Central New York, the ID. Buzz was designed to make every journey more enjoyable. Why Families Love the ID. Buzz The ID. Buzz isn't just another electric vehicle, it's built around family life. Parents appreciate the roomy interior, easy access for passengers, flexible cargo space, and advanced safety features, while kids love its fun personality, colorful design, and unique appearance. It's a vehicle that turns everyday errands into memorable adventures. With its combination of practicality, efficiency, comfort, and unmistakable style, it's easy to see why the ID. Buzz has quickly become one of the most talked-about electric vehicles on the road. Thank You, New Hartford! We'd like to thank everyone who stopped by our booth at the New Hartford Farmers Market to say hello, race a Hot Wheels car, pick up some Volkswagen swag, or learn more about the exciting new ID. Buzz. Community events like these give us the opportunity to meet our neighbors outside the dealership and share our passion for Volkswagen with drivers of all ages. If you weren't able to see the ID. Buzz at the market, we invite you to visit Steet Ponte Volkswagen to experience it for yourself. Take a seat behind the wheel, explore its innovative features, and discover why it's becoming one of the most exciting family vehicles available today. We proudly serve drivers from Yorkville, Utica, New Hartford, Rome, Whitesboro, Clinton, Oneida, and communities throughout the Mohawk Valley, offering a great selection of new Volkswagen models, quality used vehicles, expert Volkswagen service, and genuine VW parts. We hope to see you at our next community event—and if you see the ID. Buzz around town, don't forget to wave! It's hard not to smile when this modern icon rolls by.