Judy Curry was nearly speechless when she received the news that her shop has been named the 2010 Motor Age Top Shop.
Curry and her husband Matt own Curry’s Auto Service, a five-location group of shops in northern Virginia with its main location in Chantilly, Va. They were announced as the winner during the Automotive Service Repair Week (ASRW) Awards Lunch in Las Vegas.
The Currys “get it” in terms of shop operation. They have established a solid training network, all paid for by the shop, with in-house and outside education courses. During visits, customers receive snapshots of their vehicles with prioritized recommended services. A dedicated customer advocate follows up with customers after ever visit.
Technicians, nearly all of whom are ASE and/or factory certified Master Technicians, use the latest equipment and diagnostic tools. An on-staff technical director works with the technicians as a resource for diagnostic issues they face in the bay.
The shop experienced a 28 percent increase in gross revenues in 2009, despite the shaky economy, and expects similar growth this year. Strong marketing plans and customer service help with this, including monthly drawings, green processes and other customer service and charitable events. They also are certified Female Friendly by AskPatty.com.
A complete profile of Curry’s Auto Service will appear in the December issue of Motor Age.
The Currys were just the start of a great group of shop making this year’s Top Shops Contest a success. Rounding out the Top 10 are:
• Rad Air Complete Car Care, Parma Heights, Ohio
• Salem Boys Auto, Tempe, Ariz.
• Virginia Auto Service, Phoenix
• Hires Automotive Center, Fort Wayne, Ind.
• Downing Street Garage, Denver
• Pellman’s Automotive Service, Boulder, Colo.
• Specialized Auto Inc., Freedom, Calif.
• Precision Imports, Manchester, N.H.
• CARS – California Auto Repair and Smog, Redding, Calif.
Sponsors of Motor Age's 2010 Top Shops contest are:
