Brown Automotive opened a new Isuzu Truck Service Center in April at its dealership in Toledo to provide service for its latest brand and other truck models.

The Isuzu Truck Service Center is located behind the Brown Honda-Mazda-Mitsubishi dealership on West Central Avenue. The 4,500-square-foot facility is large enough to house a full-size semi truck and trailer for maintenance or repairs.

“We’re just getting started with Isuzu. We opened the truck service center that lends credibility to our new Isuzu franchise,” said Robb Brown, president of Brown Automotive.

From left, Mark Henderson, Robb Brown and Robert Alexander observe Lorin Lee working on an Isuzu truck in the service center.

Brown Automotive officially began representing Isuzu trucks Nov. 1, 2010. Brown said the first used Isuzu truck was recently sold and they look forward to selling their first new truck.

The center will specialize in repairing and servicing Isuzu trucks, utilizing certified truck technicians and many years of experience working on models up to the largest Class 8 trucks.

The new facility is the only service center for Isuzu trucks in Northwest Ohio, with the closest facilities located outside Cleveland, in Lima, Fort Wayne, Ind. and Farmington Hills, Mich.

Specializing in commercial Isuzu trucks, the center can repair and perform maintenance on Chevrolet, GMC, Hino, Fuso, Ford, Dodge, Sprinter and UD medium duty trucks and all Class 3 through 8 trucks and trailers, according to Service Manager Mark Henderson.

“We are ready with new expanded service and we have the best factory-trained service technicians available in our area,” Henderson said.

Lorin Lee, a certified Isuzu truck technician with 17 years of experience, was recently working on an Isuzu for Aaron’s Sales and Leasing operation in Toledo in the new facility.

The Isuzu Truck Service Center carries a full line of Isuzu parts and has access to parts for all makes and models, according to John Nauman, truck parts manager at the facility. Rob Parish serves as general manager of the service center and Robert Alexander as Isuzu sales manager.

Woody Wlodarczyk, outside sales and fleet manager for Isuzu and other truck brands, is visiting area business owners to make formal introductions about the new service center.

The Brown dealership sold its last Pontiac model on Oct. 31 after the brand was discontinued by General Motors, Brown said.

After it lost the Pontiac franchise, Brown reported that they reduced their staff by one third and concentrated on its existing Honda and Mazda brands.

The dealership added Mitsubishi cars and trucks in December 2009 and now Isuzu trucks.

“Mitsubishi was a good addition. It has good quality and reputation in the industry. Isuzu was a natural progression with a lot of similarities in durability and inexpensive operation. I started looking at truck business for delivery trucks used by so many local businesses. Now, we have the only truck repair shop in Toledo,” Brown said.

Isuzu recently introduced its new line of Reach vans and trucks in 10, 12 and 14-foot lengths. Isuzu represents 75 percent of the cab-forward market and has built trucks for Chevrolet and GMC, Brown said.

He understands that Federal Express and UPS are considering the Isuzu Reach models that get 35 percent better fuel economy at about 19 miles per gallon.

The location of Federal Express and UPS distribution facilities in Northwest Ohio could provide additional maintenance and repair business for the service center at Brown, he said.

“We’ve made a lot of major investments in our facilities recently. Even though the economy is tough, we’re still expanding, thriving and here to stay,” Brown said about the family business that has 120 employees.

His grandfather, Willis Brown, established the Pontiac dealership in Toledo in 1926.

His sons, Bob and Willis, ran the business for many years.

Brown started in the family business after graduating from the University of Toledo in 1982.

He said he did everything from washing cars and sweeping floors to selling cars until he took control of the daily operation of the dealership in 1992.

“We’ve been selling and servicing cars longer than anybody in the Toledo area,” Brown said.

The service center hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment for evenings and Saturday work.

For service appointments, call (419) 531-0151, ext. 2287 or visit www.brownisuzu.com.

Tags: Brown Honda-Mazda-Mitsubishi, Isuzu Truck Service Center

This entry was posted on Friday, May 6th, 2011 at 8:54 pm and is filed under Nuts and Bolts, Wheels.
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