PitStop Garage Team opens a convenient branch in downtown Geneva

: Published: 11 February 2012

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PitStop Garage Team was recommended to Know-it-all passport® about 6 years ago and has been listed in the last 2 editions. As you know, all the listings in the book are free, but must come from a recommendation. The quote that was sent in by one of their clients was fantastic:

"Works on all makes of cars. Honest, trustworthy, organized, speaks English, and gets you the best combination of price and quality."

What great comments to say, especially about a garage in Switzerland! But after meeting with the owner, Emmanuel Stern, we were completely under his charm as well. His English is flawless, the corporate identity is professional and carried out through the garage in color and style, and the garage is modern and upbeat (one can almost imagine turning it into a trendy restaurant or nightclub).

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Emmanuel opened his first garage in Vernier in 2003 when he was only 24 years old. He now has 6 people working for him and just recently opened the second garage in the Pâquis area of Geneva. The specialty of the 2 garages are diagnostics, repairs, and excellent client service on ALL makes of cars. Apparently, even some of the specialized dealers have come to PitStop for repairs including Mercedes, BMWs, and other makes. Emmanuel is not just the owner but also gets his hands dirty. You will find him with his head under a car as he is fully trained in mechanical engineering. When he had finished his training he told us the next logical step for him was to open his own garage. He decided to market to the expat community as he knew how hard it was to communicate in a foreign language. As a native English-speaker (he came to Geneva with NGO parents from the US in 2000) targeting this niche was the obvious solution.

An opportunity to acquire a small garage located in downtown Geneva came about in 2011; the owner was retiring after a lifetime of business. This urban concept was just what Emmanuel was looking for and, after countless months of renovation, this second garage was born. The shell of the old garage remains but has had a new lick of paint, has been emptied of antiques and relics (don't worry: they all have found new homes), and the windows providing natural light have emerged after years of neglect.

Pitstop Garage Team is also on the cusp of technology. Not only do they have the latest diagnostic equipment, but they are ecology-minded. All their water used for the cars is recycled, the chemicals have low-impact, and they provide electric bicycles or segways that are charged by solar panels to clients while their car is being repaired (at the Geneva branch).

Make sure to tune into WRS radio station on Mondays 12h30-13h as Emmanuel, the owner, provides advice to clients on his "Motoring On" show.

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discount-button2 Emmanuel is offering all knowitall.ch and Know-it-all passport clients 15% off labor rates when you mention this article. Valid until June 30, 2012.