Central Oregonian

Bringing excellence to automotive repair and transmission work

The two co-owners of AA Automotive Repair and Transmission bring a wealth of experience and diversity to their business

October 29, 2012

Kelly Lawrence and Rick Maul opened AA Automotive Repair and Transmission this past July.

The two co-owners bring years of experience to the new business. Maul’s expertise is with engines and suspensions. He’s experienced, first-hand, the needs of high-tech engines.

“Down in California I worked with both Roger Penske and Bobby Allison on their race car engines and then I started building and driving my own sprint cars,” said Maul.

Maul believes that experience directly helps his customers’ general automotive needs here in Prineville.

“The high-tech nature of racing cars demands that everything be perfect with no failures. This translates directly to what I do on cars here. I look at the whole picture of what’s going on so the owner knows exactly what has gone wrong; or what to do to keep their vehicle in top condition.”

Lawrence brings many years of transmission experience to the business. His expertise comes from years of “R & R,” removing and replacing transmissions in both domestic and foreign vehicles.

“My Step Dad was a transmission rebuilder and I learned the trade, hands-on, from him. My first automotive job was in a transmission shop removing and replacing transmissions. I’ve been working on them now for 14 years,” said Lawrence.

Lawrence is quick to add that many people don’t think about regular maintenance on their transmissions — but should.

“Transmissions do go out if you don’t keep them serviced. About every 15-20 thousand miles is recommended by manufacturers,” he added.

Many of the automotive problems that Lawrence and Maul have seen are the result of not paying attention to regular maintenance.

“We’re coming across problems mainly caused by people not paying attention to maintenance issues — timing belts, tune ups, oil changes, etc.,” said Lawrence.

“A lot of people don’t pay attention to routine maintenance issues until a timing belt breaks and they wonder why their car won’t start. We want to help people avoid those problems,” added Maul.

Business has been steady since opening the shop in July. The co-owners attribute this to their personal touch and honest work.

“We pride ourselves on honesty, giving people a good job for a fair price. Some shops charge a lot of money for work, sometimes we’re half of what other people have charged,” said Maul.

“We’ve been shocked by some of the prices customers have been quoted elsewhere. And we won’t sell you something you don’t need,” added Lawrence.

AA Automotive Repair and Transmission works on both domestic and foreign vehicles. Repair work includes everything from oil changes to transmission rebuilds.

“We offer free 48-point inspections and free diagnostics to all our customers,” added Lawrence.

Both Lawrence and Maul are committed to the community and to their families. In fact, Lawrence’s wife, Michelle, works in the shop several days each week.

“My main job is to keep these guys in line,” joked Michelle.

AA Automotive Repair and Transmission

Address: 1586 N.W. Studebaker Drive

Phone: 541-447-2558

Email: 1aaautomotive@gmail.com

Web Site: www.aaautomotive.biz

Hours/Days: Monday – Friday 8 am to 5 p.m.