Tom’s Automotive is proudly celebrating our 54th anniversary this month! It’s been our honor to serve Seattle’s auto repair and maintenance needs for over five decades. Cars are more than our business, and drivers are more than our customers–it’s our community, neighbors, and mission. We love taking the stress out of car ownership and helping keep the roads safe by providing experienced, honest service for our Seattle neighbors.
As we celebrate 54 years, we’d like to extend a heartfelt thank-you to all our customers and supporters. Your trust and business are our favorite parts of the Tom’s Automotive story.
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Your Trusted West Seattle Auto Repair Shop Since 1971
54 years ago in February of 1971, Tom Smith opened the doors to a new West Seattle auto repair shop. He and the Tom’s Automotive Service team built a reputation for honest, reliable work that allowed our shop to grow and thrive.
Kandie Jennings joined Tom’s Automotive twenty years later in 1991. In 2010, she purchased the shop from Tom and continued his work and legacy. Tom’s Automotive Service has been your trusted West Seattle auto shop ever since. We’ve provided quality auto repair and maintenance for the community at a competitive price, always striving to provide the best service for both the car and the customer.
In the last five decades, the car industry has seen enormous change and growth, and so has Tom’s Automotive. We’ve stayed true to the roots that made us your trusted auto shop, but we’ve also evolved with the times so that you can count on our expertise and skill in the changing landscape of cars.
How We’ve Stayed True to Our Roots
Cars change, as do the tools and methods we use to repair or maintain them. What doesn’t change is our commitment to excellence. We offer the same consistency and quality of service whether it’s for your vintage 2000’s car or your brand new Tesla.
Sticking to the Principles and Values You’ve Come to Trust
Tom’s Automotive was founded on three core principles: quality car repair, maintenance, and communication. From the beginning, we’ve believed in the importance of open communication and responsive customer service.
Our work is often less mechanical and more electrical now. And we can take online appointment requests, something we definitely weren’t doing in 1971! But the values we started with are as strong as ever. We have always been and will always be committed to providing the best service for you and your car with a solution-finding attitude, open communication, and honest advice.
How We’ve Grown
Our dedication to quality service won’t change, but the type of service does. What cars needed in 1971 looked a lot different than what cars need now. That’s why our team is made up of technicians, not mechanics. The elbow grease of working with mechanical parts is still there, but now, your car likely has a computer system, not just gears and belts. Our technicians have the skill and know-how for both the gears and the computer.
At Tom’s Automotive, we go above and beyond to make sure we’re staying up to date on what your car needs and how to do it. As the industry has evolved, so have we.
Commitment to Ongoing Education
Our owner, Kandie, is a firm believer in ongoing communication. She recognizes the importance of taking every opportunity to grow and improve and applies that to our auto shop. That’s why the Tom’s Automotive team gets yearly training to stay ahead of the curve. We close the shop and pay for every team memver to attend a three-day training as well as evening classed throughout the year.
Changing with the Industry: EVs, Hybrids, and Constant Updating
Thanks to our devotion to ongoing education, our team has the knowledge, skills, and equipment to handle your auto repair and maintenance needs for cars, trucks, SUVs, hybrids, and EVs. We service many makes and models, and if yours isn’t one we feel confident in, we’ll happily give you a referral. But as hybrid and electrical vehicles become more common, you can count on Tom’s Automotive to continue offering competitive, expert service.
The Tom’s Automotive Team
Our team is at the heart of our success. We hire only ASE-certified technicians who believe in great communication and service and are up to the challenge of continual learning and growth. You’ll find a mix of old-timers and new recruits, but you’ll get the same Tom’s Automotive dedication from all of us.
As we celebrate the shop’s 54th anniversary, we’d also like to celebrate our shop manager John’s 44th year with Tom’s Automotive as of last November, and Kandie’s 34th as of last month!
Cheers to 54 Years and Many More to Come at Tom’s Automotive!
We’re excited to commemorate 54 years of quality service in West Seattle, and even more excited for the years to come. As cars continue to evolve, so will we, but we’ll always stay true to the service mindset that built our success.
From the entire Tom’s Automotive team, thank you to all our loyal customers. Cheers to another year of safe cars and stress-free auto repair!