Mercedes-Benz of Rockville Centre - Mercedes

Mercedes-Benz Club of America
STARDEALER
Mercedes-Benz of
Rockville Centre
Long Island, New York
ARTICLE
NYC-L ONG I SLAND S ECTION
F
or more than 55 years, Mercedes-Benz of Rockville Centre
(MBRVC) has represented the finest traditions of the
Mercedes marque. MBRVC holds the distinction of being
one of the original U.S. Mercedes-Benz dealers, as well as the
oldest dealership on New York’s Long Island. Through superior
service, as well its brand-new sales and service facilities, MBRVC
was honored with Mercedes-Benz USA’s distinguished Best of the
Best Dealer Recognition Award in 2012.
The dealership’s beginnings are humble. During the Great
Depression, German immigrant Fred Meyer couldn’t find a job.
After securing a $7,000 loan in 1932, he opened a gas station
and auto repair shop, Ideal Auto Repair, on Lakeview Avenue
in Rockville Centre, New York, acquiring a Studebaker franchise
a few years later. Meyer owed his early success to his warm
personality and belief that “the customer is king,” a tradition that
would continue for generations to come.
Business grew steadily until rationing during World War II
took its toll on the entire auto industry. After the war, the industry
needed time to rebuild. When new vehicles became available,
Meyer was able to complete a new showroom and body shop
for his business. And with Studebaker now in possession of U.S.
distribution rights for Mercedes-Benz, Ideal Auto Repair officially
began its relationship with the classic brand July 12, 1957.
During the following decades, America’s car culture boomed;
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the economy was on the upturn. The Dwight D. Eisenhower
System of Interstate and Defense Highways crisscrossed a vast
nation. After spending nearly four decades selling and repairing
cars, Meyer retired, leaving the now-renamed business, Lakeview
Auto Sales and Service, in the capable hands of his son, Edward.
The younger Meyer kept a steady hand on the company,
seeing it through another growth period in the 1990s. When
the need for space became pressing, Lakeview expanded to a
luxurious new car showroom built just two miles away on Sunrise
Highway in 1997.
Little more than a decade later in 2012, the service and parts
departments relocated to a new state-of-the-art facility with
more than 100,000 square feet situated on four acres.
At the same time, the showroom on Sunrise Highway
underwent a complete renovation, accommodating more than 90
vehicles in a 35,000-square-foot indoor showroom that includes a
rotating display that’s a real show stopper (and client attraction).
Having moved from the original Lakeview Avenue location – and
in keeping with corporate nomenclature – the business name was
changed once again to Mercedes-Benz of Rockville Centre. These
changes came under the leadership of David Meyer, who took
over after his father, Edward, retired in 2001.
Sales are important, but MBRVC prides itself in exceeding
expectations for every customer, from searching out the per-
fect vehicle for each customer to welcoming a client’s family
and friends into the MBRVC fold. The numbers prove it: the dealership sells more than 2,000 new and certified pre-owned automobiles each year. General Sales Manager Jeff Frankel sums up
MBRVC’s sales philosophy: “We have the opportunity to help fulfill
people’s dreams of owning a Mercedes-Benz, and that is a very
pleasant place to be.”
Though MBRVC has changed since Fred Meyer first started
selling Mercedes-Benz cars in 1957, service remains the key element to the dealership’s success. Sales may begin the relationship, but excellent service maintains it. Respect for a customer’s
time is paramount at the new location. From the moment customers drive into the spacious, climate-controlled service area,
visit the beautifully appointed lounge or browse the boutique, it
is clear the Service & Parts Center sets a new benchmark. Clients
can observe factory-trained technicians in the workshop, relax
with a massage at the onsite hair salon and spa or practice putting
on the indoor green.
Reflecting on the company’s tremendous growth, General
Manager Wil Jansen said, “While our new facilities are incredible,
it is really our amazing dedicated team that stands out, working
to delight our customers every day.”
Clients often remark on the dealership’s consistency in
service and excellence – certainly serving a region for more than
half a century can have that effect. A large part of that success in
keeping clients happy is attributed to the tenured staff. Service
Manager Vinny Ruggieri is an example. Ruggieri started working
at MBRVC as a technician and worked his way up to shop foreman
before earning his current position. With nearly three decades’
experience under his belt, there’s hardly any issue he does not
know how to remedy.
Today, MBRVC continues to grow. This year, the dealership
became an AMG Performance Center, as well as adding the
Sprinter franchise to its portfolio. As MBRVC and David Meyer
consider the next 55 years, one thing that will remain is Fred
Meyer’s original commitment to treating the customer right. At
MBRVC, every client is treated like family … by the family that
brought Mercedes-Benz to Long Island.
Rockville Centre’s dealership has enjoyed a long history of
involvement with the Mercedes-Benz Club of America and is
looking forward to hosting its next tech session with the NYCLong Island Section at the new service and parts facility February
8, 2014.
Above: MBRVC’s state-of-the-art, award-winning service department
is always ready to help. Below: Owner David Meyer overlooks his
impressive new showroom. The luxurious Mercedes-Benz of Rockville
Centre showroom, where the customer is king. Clients can relax in the
elegant and modern client area, book a massage at the spa and shop
for Mercedes-Benz accessories in the tasteful boutique area.
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