Since opening its doors in 1977, Rafferty Subaru has been part of the fabric of Newtown Square and Delaware County. What began as one man’s vision for a family-owned automobile dealership has grown into a thriving third-generation business—one built as much on relationships and community as it is on cars.
As Rafferty Subaru approaches the celebration of its 50th anniversary, Newtown Square Friends & Neighbors is proud to recognize a longtime Sponsor whose values closely reflect our own mission of Bringing People Together. Through five decades of change and growth, the Rafferty family has remained committed to a simple philosophy: It’s All About You!
The story began in 1977, when Robert Rafferty opened the dealership in Newtown Square. Robert had entered the automobile business after returning home from the Air Force. After years of selling cars, working for a national leasing company and gaining experience at a Cadillac dealership in Boston, he decided it was time to build something of his own.
From the beginning, his goal went beyond selling cars. He wanted to create a business that treated customers well, took care of its employees and supported the community that supported him.
His sons, Kevin and Bob, grew up in the dealership, working parttime during high school and college before eventually joining the business full-time. At the time, Newtown Square and Edgmont were still largely rural communities, and the dealership sold several brands, including Pontiac and GMC.
As the surrounding community changed, Rafferty changed with it. In 2000, the dealership made the strategic decision to focus exclusively on Subaru. The timing proved fortuitous as the Subaru brand grew alongside Rafferty and the community it served.
Today, Bob and Kevin run the business, and the family’s third generation is carrying the tradition forward. Bob’s son, Bobby, is Rafferty Subaru’s Sales Manager, while Kevin’s daughter, Jillian, has been a familiar face on television and voice on the radio since she was a child. Over the years, customers have watched Jillian grow up, marry and start a family of her own.
That sense of continuity would have meant a great deal to Robert, who remained a familiar presence at the dealership until his passing in 2018. “My father was always focused on making people happy, whatever it took,” Kevin recalled. “He worked in the business for over 60 years, and his love for it was always obvious.”
Growing Without Losing Sight of What Matters
Rafferty Subaru has changed considerably since 1977. A major renovation completed in 2018 doubled the dealership’s square footage and number of service bays, adding a spacious customer lounge, coffee bar, kids’ room and climate-controlled service lanes.
The amenities may have changed, but the philosophy behind them hasn’t.
“We may have added fancy features and sleek design elements, but our passion for service and commitment to customer satisfaction remained the same,” Bob said.
Today, customers have access to more than 115 loaner vehicles, complimentary car washes with service appointments, free multi-point vehicle inspections and free lifetime Pennsylvania state safety inspections.
But Kevin believes the personal connection remains the most important part of the business. “I like working with people,” he said. “One of the aspects of this business I really enjoy is that you get to meet and work with new people every day.”
That approach has helped Rafferty build relationships that extend across generations. Customers who bought their first Subaru years ago have returned for their second, third and fourth—and, in many cases, their children have become customers as well.
A Commitment That Extends Beyond the Dealership
For the Rafferty family, being a local business has always carried a responsibility to give back, with deep roots in Delaware County, the Rafferty family has always made supporting local organizations, families and causes an important part of the dealership’s mission.
Over the years, Rafferty Subaru has supported schools, nonprofits and community initiatives throughout the region, including Partners in Outreach, Living Beyond Breast Cancer, Blood Cancer United, Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association, Providence Animal Center and Project Greenhouse.
The organizations represent very different causes—from cancer support and addiction recovery to animal welfare, environmental stewardship and assistance for families in need—but each reflects Rafferty Subaru’s belief that a successful local business should help strengthen the community around it.
Perhaps no partnership illustrates that philosophy better than Rafferty’s relationship with Providence Animal Center in Media. The partnership began in 2017 when the organization approached Rafferty about working together. As Kevin learned more, he discovered a connection that seemed almost tailor-made.
“Over half of Subaru owners also owned dogs,” he said. “It was a perfect match.”
Rafferty began hosting adoption events and created the Rafferty Rescue Pet of the Week, helping shelter animals find permanent homes. The dealership went a step further by donating a Subaru Outback—the Rafferty Rescue Vehicle—to help Providence Animal Center carry out its mission.
Rafferty’s community involvement also includes support for Project Greenhouse in Chester, assisting its addiction recovery and community outreach efforts. Through initiatives such as Subaru’s Share the Love program and Operation Warm, Rafferty has also helped provide coats, shoes and other assistance to local children and families.
Partnerships with Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Blood Cancer United support individuals and families facing serious illness, while the Chester Ridley Crum Watersheds Association represents another important piece of the Rafferty philosophy: caring not only for the people who call this area home, but for the community itself.
50 Years—and Still a Family Business
Newtown Square looks very different today than it did when Robert Rafferty opened the dealership in 1977. What was once a largely rural area has grown into a vibrant community filled with new neighborhoods, businesses and development.
The automobile industry has transformed as well. Subaru has grown dramatically, vehicles have become increasingly sophisticated, and hybrid and electric models are helping define the industry’s next chapter.
Through it all, Rafferty Subaru has continued to evolve without losing sight of what made the business successful in the first place.
For Kevin and Bob, reaching the 50-year milestone isn’t simply about looking back at how many vehicles have been sold or how much the dealership has grown. It’s about the people and relationships behind those numbers—the employees who have built careers there, the customers who have returned generation after generation, and the community organizations Rafferty has been privileged to support.
Robert Rafferty built the business around a straightforward idea: take care of your customers, take care of your people and take care
of your community.
From its beginnings in 1977 to nearly five decades later, that idea has carried Rafferty Subaru through three generations of family leadership and remains at the heart of the dealership today.
And perhaps that’s the best explanation for why Rafferty Subaru’s familiar message has endured for so long:
It’s All About You!
To learn more about Rafferty Subaru, visit their showroom at 4700 West Chester Pike, Newtown Square. The showroom is open Mon.–Fri. 9am–8pm and Sat. 9am–5pm. You can also reach them by calling 484-492-0697 or visiting RaffertySubaru.com