The Subaru Love Promise
The Subaru Love Promise is a commitment by Subaru and its retailers to positively impact the community by actively engaging in local communities and supporting causes that matter. Mark Miller Subaru, a dedicated and passionate retailer, has adopted this ethos wholeheartedly through our seven pillars: Earth, Help, Pets, Learning, Care, Veterans, and Diversity. By supporting initiatives in these areas, Mark Miller Subaru aims to create a lasting impact, improve lives, and spread the love that is at the heart of the Subaru brand.
1919: Mark Millers Roots
The roots of our present day Mark Miller Subaru store began over 100 years ago in Idaho Falls, ID, where Fred. A. Carleson owned and operated his own Ford Agency.
1934: Salt Lake Pontiac
More than a decade of operating his business in Idaho, Fred Carleson moved to Salt Lake City after recognizing it was a commercial center of the Intermountain region and offered an exceptional opportunity for business development.
That same year, Fred and his brother Harry Carleson opened the first Ford dealership in Salt Lake City, located downtown at the Ken Garff building at 120 East 500 South. Shortly after, they relocated to a new, state-of-the art facility at 535 S. Main Street, the current home of the Grand America Hotel.
The effects of the Great Depression impacted nearly every aspect of life, including the automotive industry. The next five years, 1934-1939, were very difficult and trying years for Fred and Harry, but the biggest challenge was navigating a crisis of conscious surrounding their business relationship with Henry Ford, a known Nazi sympathizer and overall unethical business partner.
“There never lived a more ruthless, domineering and heartless man in the business than old Henry Ford.” - Fred Carleson.
In his personal memoir, Fred recalls: “Along with selling Ford products, we were given quotas of subscribers to Mr. Ford’s publication, The Dearborn Independent, which was full of anti-Semitic content.” This requirement by Ford was soon suspended following a lawsuit and the publication was terminated.
1939: Carlson Distribution
Their disdain for Henry Ford and his business practices, in addition to Ford’s anti-Semitic ideology, led Fred and Harry to return their Ford distributorship and be awarded the Pontiac and Cadillac distribution rights for Utah, part of Idaho, Wyoming, and Nevada. Fred recalls this transition “the beginning of a very happy and prosperous chapter in our automotive life.” During the first year, they almost doubled Pontiac sales in the area and had established several new dealers.
1941: We Kill Millions Daily
“Everything was going nicely until December of 1941 when Pearl Harbor and the war commenced in earnest” - Fred Carleson
World War II crippled the production of new vehicle inventory forcing Fred & Harry to rely almost exclusively on buying & selling used vehicles which were also hard to obtain. Fred and Harry traveled as far east as New York State to buy used vehicles and ship them back to Salt Lake City. Their innovative spirit would ensure that the family business would endure another few years of unprecedented challenges.
To appeal to the public demand for clean, used cars, Fred Carleson Pontiac/Cadillac started to sterilize and purify used cars through their “germ-free-ized” treatment process. It was the only dealership around offering this service, which was a big deal at the time due to the inability to get new vehicles because of the war.
Fred organized the Triple Annuity Corporation and started acquiring properties throughout Salt Lake City and Murray. He started to divest his interests in the automotive business and eventually dissolved The Fred A. Carleson partnership, making Harry the proprietor of the family auto business. In 1965 Little America purchased Triple Annuity Corporation and the property on which it now resides.
1953: Second Generation
After working in the automotive industry for several decades in Idaho, Nevada, and Utah, Harry awarded a franchise to his son-in-law Laury Miller.
This marks the first transfer (second generation) of the family business.
Laury Miller opened a Pontiac-Cadillac dealership at 4919 S. State Street with a grand opening that promoted “free gifts for ladies and balloons for children” when visiting the new facility. The dealership later added GMC trucks and Rambler vehicles.
1963: Charitable Donations
Giving back to our local community has long been part of the family business. In what was thought to be the first ‘craftmobile’ in the area, the Carleson-Miller family donated a vehicle as a mobile craft shop to deliver materials, instruction, and tools to shut-ins in hospitals and homes and would include equipment such as looms, spinning wheels, and lapidary gear.
1967: 3535 S State Street
Laury moved the dealership to 3535 S State Street in addition to dropping Cadillac and GMC trucks from the dealership lineup. This location will become the future home of Mark Miller Subaru and is where we currently operate today.
1970: Marks Choice
Laury approached his son Mark with an opportunity that would change the course of his future. The Office Manager/Fixed Operations Manager was leaving the company and Laury offered the position to Mark, but only gave him 3 days to decide. Mark left college to take the job and officially entered the car business full-time. He trained for about 2 weeks before he was on his own.
1971: Coin Flip
Laury was presented with an opportunity to be awarded either a Subaru or Honda franchise. Although Subaru was not well-known at the time and not the obvious choice, the final decision was made by a random coin flip and Subaru won. This was the beginning of Laury Miller Pontiac-Subaru.
1975: Third Generations
After more than two decades of being the business leader, Laury Miller sold the dealership to his son Mark Miller, making Mark one of the youngest General Motors dealers in the country at age 26.
This marks the second transfer (third generation) of the family business.
1980: A New Beginning
Larry H. Miller started his first Toyota dealership in Salt Lake City in 1979. Although there was no family relation between the two, the public confusion between Laury Miller and Larry Miller was so confounding that Mark and Larry negotiated a settlement in which Larry would operate his dealerships under Larry H. Miller and Mark would change his dealership name to Mark Miller Pontiac-Subaru.
1985: Mark Miller Subaru
As the Subaru brand continued to grow and gain market share, Mark opened his first standalone Subaru dealership under the name Mark Miller Subaru at 3734 South State Street, while Mark Miller Pontiac kept the 3535 South State Street location.
1990: Mark Miller Toyota
Mark purchases a Toyota dealership in downtown Salt Lake City, introducing Toyota to the portfolio of automobiles. Mark Miller Toyota opens at 84 West 700 South, creating three dealership locations for the business: Mark Miller Pontiac, Mark Miller Subaru, and Mark Miller Toyota.
1995: Mark Miller Pontiac-Kia
Mark purchases a Kia franchise and Mark Miller Pontiac becomes Mark Miller Pontiac-Kia.
1999: Mark Miller Buick
In its early years, Kia was full of ups and downs and four short years after acquiring the franchise, Mark sold Kia in order to purchase a Buick franchise.
2009: Mark Miller Subaru South Towne
Mark is presented with the opportunity to purchase a second Subaru dealership in the South Towne Auto Mall, located in Sandy. With the addition of Mark Miller Subaru South Towne, the South Salt Lake location would now be known as Mark Miller Subaru Midtown.
2010: Mark Miller Subaru Loves the Earth
Marking the end of a 74 year relationship between the Carleson-Miller family and General Motors, Mark made the decision to sell the Pontiac and Buick franchises back to GM.
After working in the family business for more than 30 years, Mark Miller appoints his son Jeff Miller as General Manager of both Mark Miller Subaru stores after working his way up the chain as a service advisor, salesperson, finance manager, and as a new and used car manager. For the next ten years, Mark Miller Subaru is led by both Mark and Jeff.
Also during this time, Mark Miller Subaru Midtown undergoes a significant remodel, creating one of the nicest Subaru facilities in the country with energy efficiency and water conservation at the heart of the redesign.
2017: Mark Miller Subaru Commits to the Community
Benefit-Corporations (B-Corps) are a growing trend among businesses nationwide, holding themselves to a higher standard of creating a material positive impact on society and the environment. Mark Miller Subaru Midtown restructures and incorporates as a B-Corp, and remains the only automotive retailer in the State of Utah registered as a Benefit-Corporation.
2018: Retailer of the Year
From the early days of Fred Carleson on through to the Miller family, giving back to the local community has always been a special characteristic of the family business. Since 2010, Mark Miller Subaru has donated more than $2.8 million to local charities, and in 2018 Subaru of America named Mark Miller Subaru as the Retailer of the Year in recognition of excellence in customer experience and extraordinary commitment to our community. This highly distinguished honor is only given to one Subaru retailer nationally each year, and Mark Miller Subaru was the fourth retailer to receive this award since its inception. Mark Miller Subaru is honored to be the only Subaru store in the State of Utah to hold this distinction.
2020: Four Generations
After four decades in the automotive industry, Mark Miller retires and sells both Mark Miller Subaru franchises to his son Jeff Miller and also sells Mark Miller Toyota to his other son, John Miller. This marks the third transfer (fourth generation) of the family business.
Did you know? Only about 3% of family businesses make it to the fourth generation!
Mark Miller remains actively involved in the community in a variety of ways, including a math tutoring program for elementary and middle school students that he personally created with members of Mark Miller Subaru staff and United Way. Additionally, Mark serves on many boards and is well known in the local community through his personal philanthropy efforts made possible by The Mark and Kathie Miller Foundation.
Mark Miller Subaru Midtown and South Towne currently employ over 260 full- and part-time associates with annual sales that exceed $150 million, and a passion towards leaving a MARK on our community.
2021: Mark Millers 50th Anniversary
As Mark Miller Subaru celebrates its 50th Anniversary, it is time to reflect on the journey thus far and envision a promising future for the beloved dealership. On November 5, 2021, Jeff Miller and Mark Miller marked half a century since they were awarded the Subaru franchise. Since then, they have been providing customers with the award-winning Subaru lineup. As the dealership continues to grow and evolve, the future of Mark Miller Subaru is focused on sustainability, innovation, and community engagement.
As Mark Miller Subaru embarks on its next 50 years, the dealership is poised to excel in a rapidly changing automotive landscape. By embracing sustainability, technological innovation, community engagement, and workforce development, Mark Miller Subaru will continue to be a leading force in the industry and a trusted partner to its customers.
Work for Mark Miller Subaru
Here at Mark Miller Subaru we pride ourselves on having a strong focus of promoting from within. We are an open organization with leadership that truly cares about every employee and wants to see them succeed. Giving back to the community is an integral part of who we are. We do it not because it's good for business but because it's the right thing to do. Simply put, Mark Miller Subaru is a great place to start your life long career.
Mark Miller Subaru South Towne Founded 2011
Mark Miller Subaru South Towne est. 1971
When the opportunity arose for the Miller Family to acquire a second Subaru dealership, nestled within the vibrant South Towne Auto Mall in Sandy, they seized it with unwavering determination. The addition of Mark Miller Subaru South Towne marked a significant milestone in the dealership's journey, solidifying its presence and influence in the region. As a result of this strategic move, the existing South Salt Lake location was rebranded as Mark Miller Subaru Midtown, signifying the dealership's evolution and the seamless integration of its expanded offerings. Today, Mark Miller Subaru South Towne stands tall as a testament to the vision and foresight that have propelled the Mark Miller Subaru brand forward.