Let’s get the introductions out of the way: my name is Kaleb Bengston. I’m the marketing director for Stuteville Ford Lincoln in Ponca City. I’m going on eleven years in the car business, from the lube bay to a director title. I’ve done it all.
I hate the car business.
Originally, I’m from Iowa. I’ve worked in the big dealerships, the small shops, the independent parts counters. When I moved to Oklahoma, I was looking for something to change the pace and trajectory of my career. But somehow, and the automotive industry always does this, I ended up back on the showroom floor.
I’ve been told by my elders all my life that getting a job is easy. That you can just “walk in, shake a hand, and get a job.” I’ve always believed that was hooey. I’m a young Millennial/Gen Z (depends who you ask) and I’ve grown up on Indeed and online applications. It always seemed like a thing of the past, the way people will tell you to if you save $3 a day not buying Starbucks, you’ll be able to save for a home—in about 60 years at that rate.
But Stuteville was different. Actually, all of Oklahoma is different. I—and no joke—walked onto the showroom of Stuteville Ford, shook a couple hands, had an interview, and now I’m the marketing director of a dealership.
You’re probably saying right now: “whatever you’re getting at, get to it.” Okay, okay. Jeez.
I was impressed by Stuteville Ford. So much so that I threw away my desire to get out of the business. I’ve seen exorbitant fees, crazy profits, and downright predatory behavior in my career. But Stuteville Ford in Ponca City is different.
They price everything as transparently as possible. And definitely to their detriment. I saw the way they do stuff—no hidden addendums, no crazy doc fees, pricing to actual market value—and decided it was worth another shot. Because the people there are real. Because, for the first time in my life, I was able to look at a dealership’s backend processes and not feel my stomach turn inside out.
That’s why we’re creating the “Ponca City Promise”. It’s not even a new thing. We’re just finally putting a name to the thing they’ve been doing all along: being an honest, real, small town dealership. It’s really that simple—but keep an eye out as we will explain it further.
We may not have the bells and whistles, but you want to know why?
Because they’re not robbing you. They don’t take an extra grand per deal to buy a billboard. They don’t do TV spots. They don’t do radio.
So, what do they do instead?
They give you the best deal and invest in Ponca City, Tonkawa, Blackwell, and Newkirk, to name a few. We invest in 4H, Ponca City sports, all of the high schools surrounding us, the Ponca City Chamber of Commerce, and so much more. I personally host a disc golf clinic for the youth of this city every year. We help fund the 101 Wild West Rodeo. Right now we’re raising gifts to give the underserved youth in our community a real chance at a good Christmas.
That’s worth so much more than a billboard.
I couldn’t be prouder of what we’re doing here at Stuteville Ford. Of what we’re doing for our communities.
Oh… and I no longer hate the car business.
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