Spitzer Motor City

With a totally revamped management team and souped-up customer service, the 104-year-old tradition continues to evolve at Spitzer Motor City. Here’s what’s new.

By: Ken McEntee
Date: 09/23/2008
The nostalgic era of the pumped-up American muscle car completed its comeback last year with the reintroduction of the 425-horsepower Dodge Challenger SRT8. That’s not the only history repeating itself at Spitzer Motor City, where the Spitzer family’s 104-year tradition continues under the all-new management team of general manager Rex Davidson, service director Mitch Mincey and sales managers Kevin Szatala and Al Bucy.

Since February, the Spitzer Dodge dealership has revamped its team with an infusion of leaders dedicated to making their world revolve around their customers.

“We fix your car right,” promises Mitch, who joined Spitzer two months ago. A former service manager at two other area dealerships, Mitch was called out of retirement to take over the Spitzer service department in July.

“We have a lot of knowledge here,” Mitch says, scanning the large, clean service center. “Our techs are highly educated and some have been here for 30 years. We can do warranty work on Chryslers and Jeeps as well as Dodges, and we service just about any make of car on the road—American and import.”

Spitzer makes it convenient to have your car serviced. They offer shuttle service and loaner vehicles, but if you want to wait for your car, you can hang around in a clean waiting room with coffee and snacks. All of the cars they service will come out of the shop freshly washed.

And you don’t need an appointment for routine service like an oil change.

When you bring your Chrysler product to Spitzer, your tech can hook it directly to a diagnostic computer at the corporate headquarters in Detroit.

“An engineer in Detroit can actually change settings on your car by computer,” Mitch says. “That’s something that the average garage can’t do.”

With a focus on customer service, Chrysler now offers an industry-leading lifetime warranty on the power trains of most of its vehicle. Unlike many Dodge dealerships, Spitzer has a specially certified Viper and SRT technician on staff to maintain your high-performance vehicles.

“Challenger is by far the hottest muscle car on the road right now,” says Kevin about the reintroduced classic of the 1970s. “We’re a huge sports car store, but with Dodge’s line of 13 cars, trucks and SUVs, we have something for everybody in every price range.”

The Challenger SRT8, which came onto the market last year boasting a 6.1-liter (that’s 370 cubic inches for you old-school gearheads) Hemi V8 that cranks out 425 horsepower, has been joined this year by two V6 models that bring back old memories while using less gasoline.

“The Challenger is flashy, fuel efficient—and affordable,” Kevin says.

New for 2009 is the Journey—an intermediate-sized SUV. And Dodge continues to feature the rugged Ram pickup, the versatile, family-friendly Grand Caravan, the sporty Charger and the mid-sized, practical Avenger.

“Our sales staff takes a down-home, no-pressure approach,” Kevin promises. “That’s why our customers keep coming back—and sending their kids and grandkids. Once you’re a customer, you’re family.”

That’s why, when you pick up your new Dodge, you’ll be introduced to the people in the parts and service departments—like assistant service manager Carl Heinl, who with Mitch have more than 42 years of experience in the industry.

Dodge is no longer leasing vehicles, but Kevin promises that the Spitzer sales team can make a great deal on a purchase—especially on the closeout 2008s that are among the 280 cars on the lot. And your purchase will include $1,300 worth of service coupons.

“It adds up, especially when you consider the price of gas,” Mitch says. “It’s something we like to do to show our appreciation.”

If you want to save even more money, mention this article and get 10-percent off parts and labor on your next service visit. And if you don’t need service or a new car, Kevin says, feel free to drop for a cup of coffee, or just to say, “Hi.”

Spitzer Auto World is located at 13001 Brookpark Road, at the corner of West 130th Street—close to I-480—in Parma. Call 216-267-2100, or visit www.spitzer.com for more information.

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