With a slightly new name, a logo refresh and more than four decades of family legacy committed to customer service and the community, Volz Automotive is looking toward the future.
“It’s more about the Volz family than the Volz brothers,” said owner John Volz Jr., who works alongside his sister Michelle managing the company started in 1982 by his father, John Volz Sr. who retired five years ago. After 43 years in the community, the business model continues to hold strong with the next generation.
“The things that were most important to my dad are still what are most important for the company,” said John Volz Jr.
Efficient, quality, same day service
Volz Automotive is a locally-owned shop for Subarus, Toyotas and Hondas located at 962 Golden Gate Terrace off Sutton Way in Grass Valley. A team of highly trained and skilled ASE Master Technicians provide top-tier automotive care and tires – from tune-ups to total repairs for gas-powered cars, hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. Attention to detail, efficient service and always having parts in stock equates to a quick turnaround time.
“We’re like a well-oiled machine here. Pretty much every car that comes in that morning leaves in the afternoon. We are really familiar with how to service the cars we specialize in,” said John Volz Jr.
Despite the ups and downs of the economy, staff has grown from five employees before the Covid pandemic to nine people today. Providing great living wage jobs with health care and benefits in the community is something John Volz Jr. takes great pride in. It’s a team with staying power and everyone on the team has been working together for eight to 12 years.
Environmentally conscious has been part of the business tagline since day one and Volz Automotive is a pioneer when it comes to handling waste. They were the first shop in Nevada County to recycle Freon used in air conditioning and one of the first shops in Northern California to recycle antifreeze and oil filters. Their commitment to recycle, reduce and reuse has been at the heart of operations for decades.
“We are very big on recycling. We buy in bulk to reduce waste. I‘m always looking at ways to do things cleaner,” said John Volz Jr.
Caring for the community is second nature
John Volz Jr. arrives every day at 6 a.m. and manages the day to day operations, keeps workflow running smoothly, makes sure customers are happy and oversees marketing, inventory and growth of the business. Born and raised in Nevada County, John Volz Jr. continues to make the area his home with his wife and three daughters. He came to work for the family business 16 years ago after finishing college where he earned a marketing and business degree, an education he uses every day at the helm of the family business.
“I work with my guys, I’m hands-on working in the shop to solve problems throughout the day but my favorite part of the job is the customers,” he said.
The team knows their vehicles and customer needs and can catch problems early. A small but mighty team does their job well and takes the time to provide clear, honest communication about the work they do to their audience. Being inclusive to all is important to the Volz clan and a recent survey shows their customer base is 60 percent women.
Over the years, Volz has become like a household name among loyal multi-generational customers. New fans who heard about Volz Automotive through word of mouth and walk-ins continue to discover the shop’s merits.
“We are very focused on customer service. It means more to me than a transaction. It’s more than auto repair, it’s a relationship,” said Volz.
Humble to the core, they play down their community donations. To date, Volz Automotive has rebuilt more than 80 vehicles for people in need and they have been big supporters and trusted mechanics for community organizations with value systems that mirror their own such as YubaNet, Bright Futures for Youth, KVMR, Bear Yuba Land Trust (BYLT) and Hospitality House.
“Volz Automotive has been an incredible asset to Hospitality House for over a decade,” said Nancy Baglietto, Hospitality House’s Executive Director.
“From routine maintenance to major repairs—including installing a new engine in our HAT van—their reliable service ensures we can continue providing vital transportation to our clients. Their generosity and professionalism are unmatched, and we trust them almost exclusively with our fleet,” said Baglietto, of the support Volz Automotive has shown the homeless resource center for years.
In 2024, BYLT named Volz Automotive Business Sponsor of the Year. The Volz family has quietly and humbly built a reputation in the community for more than four decades and sees the returns every day.
“We are tied to our clients and our community. That’s what keeps us strong,” said John Volz Jr.
Learn more at: volzautomotive.com