Why Central Minnesota Drivers Choose Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson Over Bigger City Dealers

A lot of people from Glencoe, Litchfield, Waconia, Dassel, Willmar, and across Central Minnesota drive past closer dealerships to buy or service their vehicle at Jay Malone Ford in Hutchinson. We hear this all the time. And while we appreciate every customer who makes that drive, we also think it's worth explaining why — because the reasons are real and repeatable, not just sentiment.

This isn't a list of marketing claims. It's an honest look at what we do differently, and why it keeps drawing drivers from across the 45-mile radius who have other options closer to home.

Why Do Drivers from Other Cities Choose Jay Malone Ford?

The short answer: because a family-owned dealership treats you differently than a corporate store. When your name is on the building, every customer interaction matters. Jay, Jake, and Jordan Malone have been doing this since 2005, and their reputation in Hutchinson and across McLeod County is built on how they do business — not on volume alone.

That reputation has spread. Drivers from Glencoe come in because a neighbor recommended us. Waconia customers stay because of how the service department handled a problem. Litchfield families return for every new vehicle because the process was actually straightforward the first time. These aren't flukes — they're the result of a consistent approach to doing things right.

What Makes the Drive Worth It for Glencoe and McLeod County Drivers?

Glencoe is just 18 miles from Hutchinson — an easy drive on Highway 212. For Glencoe-area drivers, Jay Malone Ford offers something that matters in a smaller market: consistency. The same advisors, the same service team, the same ownership, every time. You're not starting over with a new face on every visit.

McLeod County drivers also tend to value a dealership that knows rural and agricultural use. F-150s and Super Duty trucks used for hauling livestock trailers, pulling grain carts, or working on gravel roads have different wear patterns and different service needs than a suburban commuter vehicle. Brady Forst and the Jay Malone service team understand this — because they live it too.

Why Litchfield Drivers Make the 25-Mile Drive

Litchfield has had its own dealer options over the years, but Jay Malone Ford has earned a steady following there for a few reasons. The Ford lineup — especially the F-150, Super Duty, and Maverick — suits the Meeker County market well. Farmers, contractors, and families looking for a capable truck get the full lineup, the ability to locate or order exactly what they want, and a no-pressure process that respects their time.

We also don't charge to locate a vehicle. If the exact F-150 configuration you want isn't on our lot, we find it in the Ford system and get it here — at no extra cost. That matters in a market where dealers sometimes add locate fees or markup vehicles that had to be sourced from another dealer's inventory.

What Brings Waconia and Carver County Drivers to Hutchinson?

Waconia is about 40 miles from Hutchinson — closer to the Twin Cities metro than we are. So why do Waconia-area drivers make the drive? Typically, it comes down to the experience itself. Metro dealerships often move faster, push harder, and offer less personal service. Jay Malone Ford is the opposite of that.

For Waconia customers who are used to the metro dealership experience — high pressure, high volume, hard to reach anyone after the sale — Jay Malone is a reset. Jordan Malone can be reached directly. Brady Forst runs the service department personally. When something needs to be fixed, there's no 1-800 number to call.

Why Dassel, Willmar, and Western Minnesota Drivers Choose Jay Malone Ford

Dassel is just 20 miles west of Hutchinson — close enough that service visits are no different from a local errand. Willmar is about 35 miles northwest, and drivers from that area are often choosing between a larger dealership in Willmar or making the drive to Hutchinson. Many choose Hutchinson once they've had one experience here.

For drivers from the western corridor — Dassel, Darwin, Cokato, Willmar — Jay Malone Ford is often the right size of dealership. Big enough to have full inventory access and a complete service department. Small enough that you're treated like a person, not a unit.

The Service Department Is Its Own Reason to Make the Drive

A lot of people come to Jay Malone Ford initially to buy a vehicle and then stay because of the service department. Brady Forst has built a team of Ford Master Certified technicians who service all makes and models — not just Fords. The combination of certification and character is rare.

A few things the service department offers that other shops in the area typically don't:

• Free pickup and delivery — we come to your home, farm, or business, service your vehicle, and bring it back. No other shop on Highway 7 offers this.
• Motorcraft® Lifetime Brake Pad Guarantee — Motorcraft brake pads installed at Jay Malone Ford are covered for the life of your vehicle. Only available at Ford dealerships.
• Digital inspection report — sent to your phone during every service visit so you see exactly what our techs see.
• All makes and models serviced — whether you drive a Ford F-150, a Toyota Tacoma, or a Chevy Silverado, we service it with the same expertise.
• 7:30am open weekdays — one of the earliest open times of any shop in the Hutchinson area.

For drivers from Glencoe, Litchfield, Waconia, and across the region, this service experience is worth the drive on its own — especially when combined with the free pickup and delivery option that makes distance irrelevant.

Voted Best — But What Does That Actually Mean?

Jay Malone Motors has been voted Best Place to Buy a Vehicle, Best Auto Mechanic, and Best Place to Buy Tires in Hutchinson. These are community awards — voted on by neighbors, not by a manufacturer or trade organization. They reflect what people actually experience when they do business here.

Jordan Malone-Forst was named 2025 Young Leader of the Year by the Hutchinson Area Chamber of Commerce. She serves on the Chamber Board of Directors and is President of the Hutchinson Ambassadors. That level of community investment isn't incidental — it's a reflection of how the whole Malone family thinks about their role in the region.

For drivers from Glencoe, Litchfield, Waconia, Dassel, Willmar, and beyond — these community roots matter. You're not just buying a vehicle from a dealership. You're buying from people who are invested in the same region you live in.

What Cities Does Jay Malone Ford Serve?

Jay Malone Ford serves a 45-mile radius around Hutchinson, MN. Communities in our regular service area include:

• Glencoe, MN — 18 miles via US-212
• Litchfield, MN — 25 miles via US-12
• Waconia, MN — 40 miles via US-212
• Dassel, MN — 20 miles via US-12
• Willmar, MN — 35 miles via US-12
• Silver Lake, MN
• Winsted, MN
• Watertown, MN
• Howard Lake, MN
• Annandale, MN
• Buffalo, MN
• Kimball, MN
• Lester Prairie, MN
• New Ulm, MN
• Norwood Young America, MN