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Press Release
September 29, 2006
Don Sommer, Founder and Chairman
Of the Meadow Brook Concours d’ Elegance
Turns Reigns Over to Larry Smith of Bloomfield Hills
Don Sommer, 73 of Troy, Founder and Chairman of the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, today announced that he is retiring from his position as Chairman of the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance. Larry Smith, 55, of Bloomfield Hills will take over as Chairman of the event. Smith, President of Autometric Collision, has been involved with the Meadow Brook Concours for years as a judge, committee member and participant.
“After 28 years, it is time for me to turn over the reigns of this great event to someone younger,” said Sommer. “I am delighted that Larry Smith has accepted the Board of Director’s offer to take on the position. Larry has been involved with the Concours for many years in numerous leadership positions. He is a great car collector who brings appreciation, knowledge and passion to this new role. I believe under his direction the Meadow Brook Concours will continue its great tradition.”
Accepting the new position Smith said, “ I am honored to have been chosen to take over this chairmanship. With the support of the Big 3 Auto Makers the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance has become one of the greatest automotive events in the world and will maintain its prominence. In the past 28 years Don Sommer and the committee have done a wonderful job showcasing the most incredible automobiles ever made and we are lucky to have this event take place at Meadow Brook Hall, an architectural jewel of our region. “
Keith Crain, of the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance Board of Directors said, “The heritage that Don Sommer gave the Concours will serve as the foundation for the new vision that Larry Smith brings with him to this important event.”
In 1977 Sommer wrote a letter to Meadow Brook Hall suggesting the idea of holding a classic car concours type of event on the elegant grounds of the historic Tudor home of Matilda Dodge Wilson, widow of John Dodge. It was this letter that served as the basis for what was to become the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance of today. Shortly thereafter Don recruited a core group of dedicated car collectors, automotive designers and enthusiasts to help organize the event. They included Dave Holls of General Motors, Otto Rosenbusch of Chrysler, Jim Quinlan of Ford and Del DeRees and Dick Teague of American Motors.
Sommer’s great idea grew over the years to earn recognition as one of the three most prestigious car shows of its kind in the world. Annually it features over 200 of the most revered classic and vintage autos brought to the site by the major car collectors worldwide.
Sommer is president of American Arrow Corporation of Clawson, manufacturer of specialty parts for classic and vintage autos.
Smith founded Autometric Collision in 1975. With 7 locations throughout Metro-Detroit, it has become the premier state of the art automotive body repair facility in the Midwest.
Under Sommer’s leadership the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance was the first major vintage car event to display automotive art, the first to display 50’s cars and introduced porcelain license plates. It raised over 6 million dollars for the preservation of Meadow Brook Hall.
The 29th annual Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance will take place August 5, 2007 on the grounds of Meadow Brook Hall. For more information visit www.meadowbrookconcours.org.
Contact: Linda Ashley 248-548-3779 or 248-219-4385 cell
June 9, 2005
Autometric Collision Named
Only Independent Authorized Repair Center For Jaguar and Mercedes
in Michigan
Autometric Collision is a homegrown collision shop with an
exotic reputation.
Its reputation for being a cut above any other collision shop
was cemented this year when Jaguar named Autometric in Pontiac
a Jaguar Authorized Aluminum Collision Repair Center for Structural
Repairs. This makes it the only independent Jaguar authorized
shop in Michigan.
This distinction comes after Autometric received similar
certification from Mercedes – Benz USA last year when
Autometric Collision in Pontiac was awarded Michigan’s
first and only dealer sponsored “Certified Collision
Facility” approved by Mercedes –Benz USA, LLC. The
sponsorship stems from Autometric’s long-term relationship
with Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills.
In addition, this year Autometric was named “Best Place
for Car Repair” for the second year in a row by HOUR
Detroit magazine.
“Reaching this important milestone with Mercedes-Benz
and Jaguar has been a goal since I started the company in
Center Line.” says Autometric owner Larry Smith, of Bloomfield
Hills, who founded the company in 1975 and may be one of the
most modest entrepreneurs you will ever meet.
Smith opened that first Autometric collision shop with $2,000
he had saved and a lot of faith and hardwork. A few years
later he opened the Eastpointe and Utica stores. A European
sports car enthusiast since high school in Grosse Pointe,
Smith transformed Autometric from one collision shop into
a multi - million dollar far flung operation with seven metro
locations and 150 employees.
Current sites are Center Line, Eastpointe, Royal Oak, Utica,
two Pontiac sites and Southfield. Most striking about Autometric
is Smith’s management practices. He instills his personal
philosophy of customer satisfaction in each employee through
his managers.
“Most of our expansion is due to serving people the
way they expect and want to be served. The money thing just
follows,” he says.
The concept for Autometric is upscale all the way. The main
shop on the southern edge of Pontiac boasts authentic automotive
art paintings and poster art on the walls. A well-appointed
modern lobby has a comfortable wait area. Computerized billing
and repair systems can rival those of any upscale dealer shop.
The collision shop area is spotless.
That’s because Autometric caters to the automotive crowd
and is best known for exacting repairs on expensive imports.
However, more than 60 percent of its business is domestic
makes and 40 percent is import brands, says Smith. ###
Contact: Linda Ashley 248-548-3779, LashleyPR@aol.com
BACKGROUND ON:
Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz Certification Requirements
For Autometric Collision
Requirements for Jaguar certification
After successful completion of the Jaguar Aluminum Structural
Certification Program, Autometric Collision’s Pontiac
location has been welcomed as a “Jaguar Authorized Aluminum
Collision Repair Center for Structural Repairs.”
“We have met or exceeded the stringent training, facility,
equipment and customer service standards that Jaguar set forth
to be part of this elite program,” said Autometric owner
Larry Smith. “Repairing today’s vehicles, especially
the all aluminum Jaguar XJ sedan, requires skills and tools
not found in your average body shop. We continuously go through
considerable effort to insure that the cars we repair far
exceed industry standards.”
Requirements for Mercedes-Benz certification
Autometric Collison has earned the highest honor in the collision
industry by becoming Michigan’s first and only dealer
sponsored “Certified Collision Facility” approved
by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. The sponsorship stems from Autometric’s
long-term relationship with Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills.
This distinction is in recognition of Autometric Collision’s
Pontiac location meeting Mercedes-Benz’ s strict criteria
for special tools, equipment and training. The equipment requirements
included a new state of the art Cellette Bench which, in the
repair process, duplicates the original platform jig that
the car was constructed on when being built in Germany.
February 18, 2004
Autometric Collision, Pontiac, Michigan awarded Michigan's first dealer sponsored
"Certified Collision Facility" designation by Mercedes-Benz USA.
Autometric Collision has earned the highest honor in the collision industry
by becoming Michigan's first and only dealer sponsored "Certified Collision
Facility" approved by Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC. The sponsorship stems from
Autometric's long term relationship with Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield Hills. This
distinction is in recognition of Autometric Collision's Pontiac location meeting
Mercedes-Benz's strict criteria for special tools, equipment and training. The
equipment requirements included a new state of the art Cellette Bench which, in
the repair process, duplicates the original platform jig that the car was constructed
on when being built in Germany.
Larry Smith, president and founder of Autometric Collision says "Reaching
this important milestone with Mercedes-Benz has been a goal since I started the
company in Center Line in 1975." Since that time, Autometric Collision has
grown to seven locations in the Detroit area and is recognized as one of the leaders
in the industry. Although Autometric is known for being an import specialist,
over 60% of their business is with domestic brands.
Sponsor Chuck Ghesquiere, president and owner of Mercedes-Benz of Bloomfield
Hills states, "We chose Autometric Collision almost 20 years ago and have
referred all our customers since then. Simply put, they are the best. The installation
of the new "Cellette" system and use of genuine factory parts ensures
the vehicle's integrity and preserves the value of each repaired vehicle. By duplicating
all aspects of the original vehicles fit and finish, including the ability to
repair the new high-tech composite materials used by today's automotive manufacturers,
we are confident our customers are at the best facility in the Midwest."
Autometric Collision provides continued education and training for its highly
skilled 150 employees. Discriminating auto owners receive a superior repair experience,
exceptional customer service, on-time delivery and a lifetime guarantee. These
core principles are Autometric Collision's special trademarks for unmatched success
in the industry and sustained business growth.
For more information, please contact Larry Smith, president,
Autometric Collision at
248-332-0600, Or, online at www. autometriccollision.com
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