Keywords: evanston car repair, evanston foreign car repair, toyota, lexus, honda, vw, bmw, mercedes, volvo, porsche, audi, oil change, used car inspections, emission control, engine repairs, brake repairs, brake inspections, exhaust muffler repairs, air conditioning repair, heating repair, transmission repair
Interview Q&A
How long have you been in business?
33 years
What is your primary product or service?
Complete European Asian & Domestic car repair and maintenance
How did you first become interested in your line of business? (if owner) - What is your background? (If owner or store manager)
Rolf, the founder had been a master mechanic in Germany for 25 years when he decided to come to the United States. Together with his wife he opened a small car repair shop on Hartrey in Evanston. Rolf’s friends and neighbors (our first customers) were recommending the independent shop and its’ hard-working owners to all their friends and neighbors. Rolf had to hire more mechanics and a couple of years later had to find a bigger place, to serve the fast-growing number of people looking for quick, expert and no-nonsense car repairs.
That’s how we ended up at our present location on 2015 Dempster Street. Only blocks away from the original shop, because Rolf wanted to stay close to his friends and customers. Quite a number of them, as well as their children and grandchildren now, are still having their cars cared for by Rolf’s. Because many of them also owned domestic cars, Rolf's started taking care of them, too.
How do you differentiate yourself from other businesses in your category and area?
Integrity, expertise and value. Rolf was a master mechanic with over two decades of experience with repairing foreign cars in Europe, as well as teaching and training mechanics to become master mechanics themselves. After coming to the US, Rolf recognized the lack of quality training and experience with repairing import vehicles. In addition, he recognized that the relative ignorance of many import car owners in the United States regarding their vehicles allowed many dealers and independent shops to charge way too much for their services. Rolf's Foreign Repair, also known as Rolf's Auto Care (since we repair domestic cars as well)was Rolf's answer to offering the highest level of automotive service experience, the highest quality parts and ongoing education of our customers on what their cars needed, and why. Rolf's business model has always been based on helping our customers to keep their car in the best possible condition, for the least possible cost. So before our customers spend any money we'll spend the time to explain to them, and showing them on their car, why we recommend a service. Our experience and our longstanding customer relationships are geared to providing the greatest automotive service value long-term. Rolf's Auto Care's key to success has always been the great word-of-mouth of our customers and a mutual loyalty.
How many locations do you have and do you have plans to expand?
One location, with no immediate plans for expansion.
What type of payments do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, debit cards, checks and cash
Which areas do you service?
Our customers come from the all over the North Shore and Chicago. Our area of concentration comprises Evanston, Skokie, Wilmette, Winnetka, Morton Grove, Glenview, Lincolnwood and Rogers Park.
Who owns your company or runs daily operations?
Rolf's Auto Care is still family owned and operated.
What are your hours of operation?
Mon-Fri: 8am - 5:30pm
Sat: 8am - Noon
Sun: Closed
What is the best compliment anyone can give you?
A return visit.
What is your favorite quote or Bible verse?
“Honesty is the first chapter of the book wisdom.”
― Thomas Jefferson
Contact Rolf's Foreign Car Repair:
