S G Auto Repair

Sergio Garcia: A Silver Lining

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

PINOLE — As a young man living in Mexico, Sergio Garcia never planned to become an auto mechanic. However, when he found himself in a position to learn the trade, he took to it like tires to the road. “In my early 20s, I worked as a taxi driver,” he remembers. “My father knew how to fix cars, so whenever my taxicab broke down, I always brought it to him. After a while, I realized I needed to learn how to do my own repair work, so I jumped in and started learning the trade. That’s pretty much where it all started.”

If Sergio’s involvement with automotive work was sparked by necessity, his eventual career was precipitated by fate—a silver lining to an otherwise unfortunate incident. “After I came to the U.S., I got a job working in a warehouse,” he recounts. “One day, while lifting a heavy box, I fell and broke my back. I wound up being on disability for the next two and a half years. During this time, I enrolled in automotive classes at College of Alameda. Later, when I got my insurance settlement, I used the money to open my own auto repair business. That was in 1997 and I’ve been doing it ever since. My son, Caesar, now works with me at the shop, so it has been neat to pass on the trade to the next generation.”

Today, as owner of S G Auto Repair, Sergio says his favorite part of his job is the satisfaction of making customers happy. “It feels good to repair a customer’s car and see the relief on their face when it’s returned to them. I enjoy reading some of the feedback we get from customers online. When someone goes out of their way to express their appreciation for your work, that’s a great feeling.”

A resident of Contra Costa County, Sergio spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I love being outside, whether hiking or going to the beach. My wife and I also like to go on road trips to different parts of California. Some of our favorite spots to visit are Pismo Beach and Lake Tahoe.”

Regarding a professional philosophy, Sergio espouses the importance of honesty. “We’re always honest, even when the customer isn’t watching,” he affirms. “If something isn’t done correctly, they’re going to find out, and that’s not the way we do business. Honesty isn’t something we brag about—it’s something we show by how we act.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: Are you an early bird or a night owl?
A: I’m an early bird.

Q: What’s your favorite type of food?
A: Mexican food.

Q: What’s your favorite sport?
A: Boxing.

Q: What was your first car?
A: A yellow 1972 Volkswagen with 500,000 miles on it. The first time I took my wife out for dinner, we drove to a nearby city and the car broke down at least three times during the trip.