Wednesday, June 2, 2004

Allspeed redefines import auto service

His 1999 Volvo had been diagnosed by a Volvo dealer and another shop as having a major oil leak requiring a $3,000, three week repair. So the Peachtree City resident took his Volvo to Allspeed for a last opinion.

“It turned out to be a fairly simple fix,” said Allspeed co-owner Tim Hannon. “We correctly diagnosed and fixed the car for him that afternoon for $150. Needless to say he is a loyal customer for us now, and has sent in over a dozen of his friends and neighbors.”

Hannon and co-owner Glen Berry give this kind of honest, affordable service on both European and Japanese imported automobiles. Explains Hannon, “Allspeed is a brand new concept that combines a modern service facility and performance shop. We want to, through personal service and professional tools and skills, change what people expect.”

What would a customer expect to find in an auto shop? Dirty floors, grimy bathrooms, cramped, uncomfortable waiting rooms--not at Allspeed. Hannon manages a modern-look front showroom/waiting area that has the look of an upscale coffee house. And Berry, the import automobile doctor, wearing latex gloves as he “operates”, maintains a pristine shop in the back.

Sharing a passion for cars, Hannon and Berry opened Allspeed a little over a year ago. “When I sold a non-related business a few years ago, the time was right to start Allspeed. Glen had worked on cars for me in the past, and I knew he was the ideal partner,” says Hannon. “Through our shared ideas of what a quality facility should be, we formed our partnership and started the business.”

Both Hannon and Berry live and work in Fayette County. Hannon had 12 years of corporate experience, and Berry had almost the same in working at dealerships and in shops. Says Berry, “We enjoy coming to work because we are crazy about cars. They are our hobby, passion and profession.”

“We love when a client comes to us with a vehicle that has been properly serviced and maintained during its warranty period and wishes to continue that habit,” says Hannon. He continues, “We will provide a continued and documented service history at a substantial savings.” Allspeed offers certified service at prices 20 to 50% lower than dealers.

Allspeed has the know-how and resources to improve imported automobiles both cosmetically and mechanically. The 1200 square foot showroom displays some of their fine OEM and aftermarket parts and accessories, with access to thousands more, most with free shipping. Through a Dynojet Dynomometer, Allspeed can conduct “before and after” results for their mechanical improvements.

For Hannon and Berry, Allspeed Import is about earning their customer’s business. “By providing quality skilled people and a state of the art facility, we will change the definition and your expectation about what the vehicle service experience should be.”

Expecations were changed for a local woman whose Mercedes dash lights weren’t functioning. Hannon says, “She was told by the dealer it would require a diagnostic charge and probably was a fuse or control panel. She was quoted a $100 to $400 fix. She brought the car to us, and we discovered that the dash lighting had been turned off by a manual inside control that she didn’t know existed. We quickly identified this, showed her the switch and sent her on her way. No charge. Today she is a very loyal, long-term customer.”

Allspeed is located at 301 Kelly Dr. in Peachtree City. For directions or more information on their services, call 770-631-3966