Miller Auto Group Hub

The Miller Auto Group has been in business for more than 110 years.  The details of its founding and the unique individuals that account for its success are intriguing.

In 1880 Henry Miller constructed a building in Hartland, Vermont establishing the Excelsior Carriage Company where a variety of carriages were sold.  Miller became an exclusive agent of the Excelsior Carriage Co. of Watertown, NY.  This being the era of railroad dominance, the Excelsior insisted Miller find space in White River Junction, a regional hub and fast developing trade center.  The move was made in 1895.

In 1904 when Henry Miller was away, 18 year old son Garfield “Dusty” Miller signed an order for a car load of Jaxon steam cars.  This thrust Excelsior Carriage into the car business!  One of the first transactions was to exchange a Jaxon for a one cylinder Cadillac owned by a man in New Hampshire.  A year later Dusty made ten trips to Boston’s Cadillac dealer, purchased a vehicle, then drove it to Vermont and sold it.  “Dusty” Miller then decided he wanted to become a full fledged dealer.

Dusty Miller signed his first order for Cadillac motor cars just months after the first models had been released in Detroit.  Cadillac sold all cars to dealers on a C.O.D. basis.  The fact that “Dusty” sold all cars purchased indicates that Miller was no ordinary salesman.  It is hard to imagine what a bold step Miller took in 1903.  At the turn of the century there were few paved roads, no gas stations and a small number of drivers.  With a car sale also came instructions of operation, electric starters did not arrive until 1910.  Drivers needed to learn how to crank, stoke and adjust and repair these mechanical novelties.

By 1910 the thriving business dictated that new buildings are constructed especially designed for auto sales and repair.  Miller Auto now boasted 28-employees and was New England’s largest Cadillac dealer.

1920s Pontiac is added to the company lineup.

1933 Miller begins selling Chevrolets

1970s & 80s William “Bill” Miller, 3^rd generation operator of Miller Auto adds Fiat and Isuzu vehicles to the holdings

1986 Hired by Bill Miller, 20 year old Joe Cicotte begins working as a car salesman at Miller

In 1987 The Miller Auto tradition continued when Bill Miller passed the management to his step son, Cam Eldred.  Like Bill Miller, Eldred grew up very interested in automobiles.  Bill encouraged Cam to operate the Miller Automotive Company into the next century, acting as his advisor.  Cameron joined the family business and eventually took over ownership.

1991 Miller Auto buys Phil Mans McNamara Motors’ Nissan Jeep Eagle.  Cicotte moves into the finance department at the dealership and then becomes sales manager and eventually general manager.

1995 Miller Auto buys the Car Store’s Route 120 dealership, selling Mazda and Dodge cars.

1996 Joe Cicotte leaves Miller and buys Green Mountain Lincoln Mercury in Barre, Vt.  The business sold just 13 cars a month.  In the first year under Cicotte it became the top Lincoln Mercury dealer, by volume, in the Maine, Vermont and New Hampshire region. “By implementing systems, managing inventory correctly and being aggressive, just turned the business around in those first four years.” In five years, the company had grown to 30 employees.

2001 At Eldred’s request, January 2, Cicotte returns to Miller Auto with 51 percent ownership in the company.  Eldred knew Cicotte’s business was doing well.  Eldred also knew Joe to be energetic, smart and a quick study.

2005 Joe Cicotte becomes the sole owner of the Miller Auto Group

2006 Miller Auto buys former Dean Hill Buick Pontiac GMC dealership in Lebanon, bringing holdings to five dealerships, four in Lebanon and one in White River Junction.

2007 Cicotte wins bidding to buy former Dean Hill Motors Saab dealership in White River Junction that now houses the stand alone Nissan dealership.  Later in February Miller Auto signs a purchase and sales agreement for Hartford Motors’ Chrysler franchise. 

2008 Miller Auto Group’s holdings are under five roof tops Chrysler Jeep Dodge, Cadillac Chevrolet, Volkswagen Volvo, Buick Pontiac GMC and Nissan.  Miller Auto, which had been an average-size operation in the mid-1980s, has become a dominant force in the Upper Valley auto sales – bringing with it immense opportunity.  “For all the challenges that being the biggest car group has, there’s benefits to it as well,” Cicotte says.  “I believe the benefits outweigh the challenges.”