In 1975, Byron and Bonnie Anderson purchased Partie McPhearson Auto Service, located on the corner of State and Lancaster. Byron, a 1974 graduate of Denver Automotive and Diesel College, had a dream of owning a large automotive repair facility. With just one technician and one tow truck driver, Byron worked tirelessly to keep the business running while always prioritizing exceptional customer service.
In 1978, we purchased the current property on Lancaster Drive, and by May 1, 1981, we completed the first phase of the facility—the front shop—and moved in. As the business continued to grow rapidly, we finished the second phase, the rear shop, in 1984. By then, our team had expanded to three technicians and one tow truck operator.
In 1986, we became the service and towing contractor for AAA of Oregon/Idaho in the Salem area and its surrounding regions. To support this growth, we added two new trucks, bringing our fleet to five trucks and two service vehicles. The following year, AAA Oregon/Idaho launched a program to certify automotive repair shops, ensuring higher standards of service for AAA members. We were honored to be the very first AAA Approved Auto Repair facility in Oregon, a distinction that set us apart for our commitment to quality.
Throughout the 1990s, we continued to grow and focused on training our staff to enhance customer service. In 1991, we purchased the property to the south, which allowed us to expand parking and storage areas. We were honored to receive the “Best of Salem” award from Statesman Journal readers in January 1996, as well as the “Best of the Mid-Valley” award starting in 2009 and every following year to date.
In 1996, P&M Automotive became an approved Napa Auto Care Center, giving us access to valuable training and extended warranty programs, which further improved our customer service. By 1998, our team had grown to over 20 employees, with over 250 combined years of experience in automotive repair and towing. The towing department also expanded, adding more service vehicles, bringing our fleet to 10 tow trucks and 3 service vehicles.
In 2000, we began planning an expansion project to address our growing space needs. Our facility required updates, and we were still operating with just one office. Construction kicked off in early 2001, starting with the addition of eight new work stalls to ensure we could maintain operations during the extensive remodel. The new space also included work areas and large hoists to accommodate motorhomes and trucks.
The addition took about seven months to complete, and it had to be finished before any remodeling could begin on the front building. Once the new space was ready, we demolished the entire interior of the existing front building. Over the next 18 months, we worked to expand the facility, increasing the number of work bays to 20. We also added five new offices, a larger customer reception area, an improved service advisor section, and a spacious employee lounge with a full kitchen, locker room and shower.
To give the remodel a unique touch, we decided to add something no one else had—a full-scale NASCAR car rotating on the roof of the shop. This special feature was made possible thanks to Bill McAnally Racing (BMR).
At P&M Automotive, we believe that providing the best quality service to our valued customers starts with offering the best working conditions for our team. We are proud to have over 27 employees, some of whom have been with us for more than 20 years, with an average tenure of over 5 years. My wife and I are especially proud to have awarded our 10-year ring to ten exceptional individuals whose dedication to our customers and the company is truly immeasurable.
We take great pride in our staff’s commitment to serving our customers and would love the opportunity to show you that dedication in action.
We at P&M Automotive are committed to offering you, our customer, the highest professional automotive service and repairs available in the industry. We strive to provide you with quality service in a timely manner and at a competitive price.
Our pledge to our customer is to uphold a sound business practice, with the highest ethical standards, to exceed our customer‘s needs and expectations, through providing exceptional customer service, maintaining a professional level of repairs through the use of up-to-date training, technology and equipment.
