By Clyde Noel

Warren McCord Motorsports and Dean’s Automotive (formerly Dean’s Foreign Car), which were in Mountain View for more than 30 years, recently merged. The new company is called Dean’s Automotive, Inc.

“We both had a growing business for years and shared customers on foreign and American cars,” McCord said. “When he decided to sell we sat down and talked about it.”

McCord, who acts as general manager of the new corporation, has been a partner in the business for more than 20 years. The co-owner is Rich Larsen, who was the crew chief for McCord when he was on the open-wheel racing circuit. Larsen acts as service manager for Dean’s Automotive.

Both Dean’s Foreign Car and Warren McCord Motorsports earned strong customer loyalty through the years because of diagnostic ability and attention to detail. Through the merger, the two shops offer more than 64 years of shop expertise.

Larsen brings to the business a consumer’s point-of-view with a different approach using his high-tech background.

“In this new age of auto maintenance and repair, it becomes more technical with each new car model,” Larsen said. “With my technology background I understand it and I can teach it or make it easier for our technicians.”

“Our merger means major benefits for all our customers,” McCord added. “I think with the merger we can provide a place where customers can enjoy our technical care and customer service.”

Donna McCord, marketing manager for Dean’s Automotive said “We care, we’re here, we listen and we make things easy for the customer.”

Dean’s Automotive makes it easier with their customer service. The company has an “early drop-off or late-pick up” service. You don’t have to worry about being stranded while the vehicle is serviced because a free shuttle service is available for Mountain View, Los Altos and Palo Alto.

McCord said car owners are not required to take their new car to the dealership for maintenance service to keep the warranty valid. As long as you meet the manufacturer’s required services and intervals designated to keep the warrant valid, and complete records are kept that detail every service performed, the warranty remains valid. “We do that.” said McCord.

Other advantages of the merger include additional specialists available to customers. Dean’s Automotive has five technicians and three are ASE Master technicians, which are the highest-trained in the industry.

“ASE technicians love finding the cure for difficult problems that other shops can’t repair because of time restraints,” McCord said. “We have made a strong commitment to keep technicians up-to-date on automotive diagnostic and maintain the most modern diagnostic equipment.”

Dean’s Automotive customers are both American and Foreign Car owners.

They service passenger, sports, luxury, light trucks and SUVs.

Dean’s Automotive is located at 2037 Old Middlefield Way, Mountain View.

For more information, call 961-8569.