Debbie Briggs, Author at Import Car
Community Automotive Repair: Success Through Specialization And Creating An Inviting Environment For Customers And Employees

Having been repairing European makes and models in Grand Rapids, MI, since 1975, Community Automotive Repair owner Dick Zaagman has learned how to navigate the automotive repair field, both in terms of customer service and employee retention. According to Zaagman, the best practices that work in one facet of shop management often translate to another.

Community Automotive Repair: Success Through Specialization And Creating An Inviting Environment For Customers And Employees

Having been repairing European makes and models in Grand Rapids, MI, since 1975, Community Automotive Repair owner Dick Zaagman has learned how to navigate the automotive repair field, both in terms of customer service and employee retention. According to Zaagman, the best practices that work in one facet of shop management often translate to another.

Shop Profile: Foreign Affairs Auto In West Palm Beach, Florida

While change can be good, and some might say inevitable, sticking to what’s worked for nearly 35 years is probably a good idea. Foreign Affairs Auto has served the European car owners in the West Palm Beach, FL, area since 1982, and General Manager Jonathan Ortiz says a focus on the customer has always served the shop well.

Mark’s Auto Service: Staying Modern While Remembering The Past

In a society that is increasingly becoming accustomed to instant gratification (you can find just about any information with a quick Google search), it should come as no surprise that the motto at Mark’s Auto Service in Rockford, IL, is, “We fix it all, right here, right now!”

Gross & Stevens: Putting Customers First In A High-Tech World

In a day and age where Internet presence is often expected, Gross & Stevens, a preeminent brake and wheel service repair shop in Visalia, Calif., is bucking the trend and focusing on something else: good, old-fashioned customer service.

Westside Auto Pros: Internet-Savvy Shop Still Going Strong After 16 Years

In today’s ever-changing digital media landscape, with thousands of tweets per minute and videos going viral every day, it’s becoming more and more important for shop owners to stay on top of marketing technology. Ron Haugen, owner of Westside Auto Pros in Des Moines, IA, has seen first-hand how a well-mastered, intentional social media plan can attract new customers.

Harley’s Automotive: Resilient North Dakota Shop Bounces Back After Severe Flooding; Stays True to Core Values

When residents and business owners in the Souris River Valley were told last May that a flood was imminent in the coming weeks as a result of heavy rains and snow runoff, the owners of Harley’s Automotive Center in Minot, ND, sprang into action.

Osceola Garage: Distinguished By Delivering the Utmost Customer Repair Experience

When Joe Marconi finished high school, he did what most recent graduates do: He enrolled in college on the advice of his guidance counselor. But he quickly found out that route to higher education wasn’t for him. But that wasn’t the end of learning for Marconi; far from it. The owner of the garage he was working at encouraged him to keep learning to be the best in his profession.

Shop Profile: Louden Motorcar Services, Inc. – A 30-year Success Story

We present an update on shop owner Steve Louden, who was first featured in ImportCar 30 years ago. While many things have changed since Steve opened Louden Motorcar Services, Inc. in Dallas back in 1977, one thing hasn’t: integrity. It’s what has helped him build a customer base that trusts him implicitly to ensure that their Mercedes, BMWs and Porsches are repaired quickly
and accurately.

Waiting Rooms: Waiting Room Redo…Never Underestimate the Power of a Comfy Couch

Power of a Comfy Couch We’ve all been there — stuck in a less-than-desirable waiting area. Maybe you look at one every work day! I remember one in particular where I was afraid to even sit down. Empty pop cans littered the shelves; dirt was visible on just about every surface. And yes, this was

Safe Shop: See to it That Your Shop is a Safe Place to Work

When technician Frank Maier lost his right eye in a shop-related accident 36 years ago, the phrase “Personal Protective Equipment” (PPE) was a relatively new concept mandated by the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. He’d be the first to tell you though, that wearing eye, hand and ear protection while working in an

40-Year-Old Volvo

Starring at an auto show near you, it’s “The 40-Year-Old Volvo,” a tale of a 1966 1800 that just keeps running, and running, and running. . . By Debbie Briggs, Contributing Writer When Irvin Gordon bought his sporty red 1966 Volvo 1800, or P1800 as it’s known in Europe, on June 30, 1966, he had