2026 TDOY Nominee

“Duke” Scott Jr. is one of a select group of 47 dealer nominees from across the country who will be honored at the 109th annual National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show in Las Vegas, NV, on February 5, 2026.  
 
The TIME Dealer of the Year award is one of the automobile industry’s most prestigious and highly coveted honors. The award recognizes the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrate a long-standing commitment to community service. Scott was chosen to represent the Pennsylvania Automotive Association in the national competition — one of only 47 auto dealers nominated for the 57th annual award from more than 20,000 nationwide.

A third-generation dealer and lifelong Pennsylvanian, Scott leads Scott Honda of West Chester — founded in 1984 — where he owns the business and employs 155 team members. After earning a B.A. from Dickinson College (1990) and an M.B.A. from West Chester University (1994), Scott joined the family enterprise in 1991, progressing from finance to used- and new-car management, then dealer in 2007 and, today, president of the group.

"I am a third-generation dealer, so I guess you could say that I was born a car dealer, but that statement isn’t exactly the truth," Scott said. "I grew up with sports 24 hours a day … I decided that I wanted to be a coach … but I thought to myself, I have an opportunity to learn from someone who is one of the best in the business, my Dad. I have to explore the opportunity and find out if I can succeed. So, I decided to join the family business full time in May 1991."

Under Scott’s leadership, the dealership has expanded thoughtfully to meet customer needs. He acquired the property next to his current location and launched Scott Select, a dedicated pre-owned campus for non-Honda and non-certified Honda vehicles, and added Kia rooftops in Springfield (2017) and Limerick (2024). Scott has also committed to Honda’s 4th-generation “Blue Stage” facility renovation, set to begin in 2026. 

"We bought the property next to us in 2010 and expanded our used car facility … and we branded the facility Scott Select," he explained. "We have committed to the new 4th-generation ‘Blue Stage’ renovation and we are excited to get started in 2026 … After a few years of excellent service and sales in Springfield, we were awarded an open Kia point in Limerick … completed in 2024."

Operationally, Scott emphasizes consistency and customer experience across locations. Over the past 18 months, he implemented a 31-page Sales Process Playbook for the entire Scott Auto Group — one unified process for every sales consultant — which streamlines onboarding, sets clear expectations, and enables seamless transfers between stores.

"One gigantic process improvement has been our development of our sales process playbook for the entire Scott Auto Group," Scott said. "We now have one process for every sales consultant … We focus and refer to it all the time … It saves time, and it communicates clear expectations on how we want our people to interact with the customer."

The focus on process and care shows in the service lane as well. When a guest’s vehicle needed an extended repair and later a new battery while the family was out of state, Scott’s service manager personally drove two hours to Fenwick Island, DE, to diagnose and replace the battery — turning a stressful situation into a five-star experience. 

"We had a customer bring their vehicle in for a check engine light … it took roughly six months to get the parts and begin repairs," Scott said. "About a week after pickup … the vehicle … would not start. Our Service Manager … made the two-hour drive to Fenwick Island to test the vehicle … replaced [the battery] for the customer and made the two-hour trip back home." The customer later wrote, "Your service department has become like family to me … I recommend your dealership to a high level."

Scott’s stores are recognized for excellence in care and efficiency, earning Honda’s Customer Service Experience Award (2022–2024; 93.7 in 2024), Fixed First Visit (2022–2024; 97.8 in 2024), and Express Elite (2021, 2022, 2024). Coming out of the pandemic, he refocused on inventory turn and retention.

"The first thing that comes to mind is the pandemic … our front-end grosses soared," he noted. "We started to sell less new cars … our retention numbers started to decline. We had to reverse the trend … We made the tough decision of parting ways with a long-term employee, and for 2025, we have started an upward climb back to what we believe is our normal customer sales level."

Scott has also served the industry as secretary-treasurer (2021), vice chair (2022), and chairman (2023) of the Pennsylvania Automotive Association, helping preserve one of the nation’s strongest franchise frameworks on behalf of dealers and consumers. 

Community and culture are cornerstones for Scott. Inspired by his mother and sister, both breast-cancer survivors, he has partnered for more than a decade with Unite for HER (breast and ovarian cancer support), participating in the organization’s fashion show, fall fundraiser and 5K.

"Inspired by my Mom and sister, who both had breast cancer … I have been partners with this organization for over 10 years," he said. "82% of Unite for Her revenue goes towards program services and outreach." Inside the dealership, employee wellness is supported with a full on-site gym: "We have provided a gym … treadmill, rowing machine, elliptical, a Peloton … a functional trainer with smith machine and free weights. Employees use it prior to work, during lunch breaks and after work."

Scott also points to a recent family milestone as a career highlight.

"My son … called me to tell me that he wanted to come into the family business," Scott shared. "DJ … started selling Hondas in May. He is a 4th generation and he continues the legacy of the family name … His peers respect him … I try to treat him like everyone else … It has been particularly gratifying to work with him."

Scott was nominated for the TIME Dealer of the Year award by the Pennsylvania Automotive Association. Duke and his wife, Melissa, have two children, Mina and DJ. In 2025, DJ joined the sales team — continuing the fourth generation of the Scott Family in retail automotive.