About Us
Welcome to Ruge's Chevrolet
Welcome to Ruge's Chevrolet, the leading automotive dealer in Millbrook, NY, and the answer to all your automotive needs. Our unique approach to the car-buying and owning process has earned us a stellar reputation throughout the region and gives our customers more reasons to get excited about buying their next vehicle. But what does that mean for you, and more importantly, what does it mean to invest in our team? It guarantees an experience like no other.
Our Story
Ruge's Chevrolet has a unique advantage as a veteran in the automotive business and a pillar in the community. Our story began in 1935 when Joseph Ruge opened a one-pump Sunoco fueling station and repair facility across from Beekman Arms, a beloved venue at the time. Within a few months, Joseph expanded his dream and became an authorized Oldsmobile dealer, relying on his brother, Herman, to ship vehicles via railway from the Bronx.
With Joseph unloading every model by himself at the Rhinecliff Train Station, the young Ruge showed his work ethic and dedication to his customers. This laid the foundation for success, giving Joseph the opportunity to expand the business to a three-bay garage on Montgomery Street in 1938. Although the garage was only a quarter-mile from the original Sunoco station, locals claimed it was "much too far out of town." Even so, Joseph continued to entice customers with his passion and promise to deliver a unique customer experience.
Over the next several decades, Joseph expanded the business and his life in many ways, starting with the birth of his son, Lewis. In the 1950s, he added an Oldsmobile showroom, followed by sales, auto service, parts, and accessories businesses that showcased his ongoing commitment to his customers. As a result, the Ruge name became synonymous with small-town values and big brand sophistication, two traits that would forever define the company.
A Family Affair
After spending his childhood learning the family business from his father, Lewis finished college and served in the United States Air Force before he returned to his roots in 1963. He became an official partner in the business and set out to build on his father's dreams, taking the Ruge name to a new level. Professionally, Lewis answered his customers' demands for a more economical car by making Ruge's one of the first Subaru dealers in America. At the same time, he pursued his passion for the community and, alongside his wife and three daughters, became a highly respected volunteer and philanthropist renowned for making the area a better and brighter place to live.
With Lewis at the helm, Ruge's became an industry leader in the Hudson River Valley and a top employer. Its ongoing growth took many forms, including the opening of the Chrysler Plymouth Dodge dealership in Red Hook in 1985 and the accompanying wholesale parts and accessories store in 1989. The new millennium brought next-level growth when Lewis purchased Audia Motor Sales and established Ruge's Chevrolet in Millbrook in 2016.
Where We Are Today
Today, Ruge's Auto Group continues the legacy that began in 1935 when Joseph opened his Sunoco fueling station and repair shop. Just as Joseph invited his son into the business, Lewis has done the same and is proud to welcome a third-generation Ruge, his daughter Kristin, as a partner. With Kristin's partnership, Ruge's Auto continues to expand and now includes four locations and over 100 employees that remain committed to Joseph's original vision: to offer a sophisticated experience rooted in small-town values.
Ruge's Chevrolet is proud to build on that vision, proving that even with growth, the core of who we are will never change. We remain committed to our customers and leaving the world a better place with everything we do. That's our tribute to Joseph and the community we continue to serve.
Why Choose Us
Our vast experience in the automotive business is integral to who we are and what you'll experience when you shop with Ruge's Chevrolet. This experience has taught us many valuable lessons, especially the importance of making our customers a priority. With so many dealerships to choose from, you chose us, and that's a great reason to celebrate.
Choosing Ruge's Chevrolet means never settling for less by working with a team of experts dedicated to putting the excitement back into the car-buying and owning experience. We're proud to do things differently, embodying Joseph's vision with our commitment to integrity, transparency, and respect. These values guide our dealership and guarantee a top-notch experience, whether you're working with our sales team, finalizing your purchase with our vehicle financing team, or relying on the expertise of the factory-trained technicians that run our state-of-the-art service center. What you see is what you get with Ruge's Chevrolet, and that's an experience like no other.