About Us

We are your hometown repair shop! Import Performance Auto Repair features ASE Certified Auto Repair Specialists who work on all makes and models, from Sprinter Vans, Toyota, Subaru, BMW, and everything in between. Multiple free loaner cars, state-of-the-art digital inspections sent to your cell phone, and a staff that is truly top-notch. The new shop is impeccably clean and beautiful, it just attracts people to it. The best technicians want to work here. Experience auto repair taken to the next level at Import Performance Auto Repair in beautiful Bend, Oregon.

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Under The Hood

Is the shop heated? Air conditioned?

We have multiple gas heaters in the shop, its also very well insulated and only 8 years old. No AC in shop, Its Bend! We do have two very large swamp cooolers that help in the brief hot period. AC is in the break room and front office areas.

What is the size of the team I’d be working with?

Six technicians, one lube tech and one shop helper. 3 service advisors and one parts professional. Two owners.

What are the shop hours and what are the shift timeframes?

Monday through Friday from 8 to 5. We are never open on weekends!

What tools does the shop provide that are available for all technicians to use?

Multiple updated Scan tools, specialty tools, welder, shop press, two Pro-cut brake lathes, AC machine, Hunter alignment machine, shop toolbox, smoke machine, programming tool, tire machines, strut machine, battery chargers, transmission jacks, floor jacks, engine hoist, engine stands, band saw, parts washer, etc. Multiple repair database subscriptions.

What type of break room facility is provided?

Large brake room with fridge, sink, tv, microwave, small oven, and coffee. Heated and cooled.

How many bays does your shop have?

12 bays

How many repair orders do you average per month?

330 cars

What is your parts ordering process?

Service advisors order all parts. Technicians use parts request forms to get correct parts.

What is your policy on side work?

All technicians get keys to shop after trial period. Working on family and personal cars permitted. No side work for money allowed in the shop.

Are there any other unique features of the work environment worth noting?

This is a green shop listed in the state of Oregon. We recycle everything including used oil filters, used oil, antifreeze, cardboard, scrap steel, etc. We have a large solar system on the roof of the building. We have an EV shuttle car and charging station. We purchase recycled printer paper, bulk antifreeze, and eco-oil from Castrol. Our shop has LED and other efficient light bulbs.

Do you offer any skills training or continuing education opportunities?

Yes, we try to do all the available in-person tech classes in our local area. Since Covid, this has been less. We just did a good EV class last month. We used to send all the technicians to Portland so they could go to Worldpac classes which are still shut down for in-person. We also do some lunchtime Zoom classes with Worldpac.

Can you describe opportunities for career growth at your business?

We have turned many shop porters into full on line technicians over the years. We always want to technicians to get better and have goals. Technicians get paid for passing ASE tests and make more money when they go through the ranks. We would love all our technicians to be considered A techs.

Can you describe your performance review process?

We have individual performance meetings once a year with goal setting and plans to achieve them. For new hires we do 30 day and 6 month meetings to get people up to speed with our shops programs.

What type of safety training is required?

We have a couple safety meetings a year. One is focused on fire extinguishers, one is on personal safety and lastly we have a strict driving policy to keep our employees protected and safe.

Can you describe how Techs work with and mentor younger techs?

Lube technicians are trained by the owner. We have different check sheets and policy's for technicians that are in training.

How does your shop get involved with the local community?

We have been in the area for 20 years so we have lots of involvement within the community. We have sponsored MBSEF(Mt.Bachelor ski education foundation) for years. We also sponsor Bend FC Timbers. We have been involved with FAN(family access network). We are a long time Bend Environmental Center supporter as well.

Do you do anything with local high schools or tech schools to encourage more students to enter the profession?

We have hosted a few shop tours for high school students so they can see the shop and learn about being a technician as a career.

Do you phone screen applicants before doing in-person interviews?

It depends on if they are local or not. Meeting face-to-face can be better, but a phone interview makes a lot of sense if the applicant is out of the area. Talking to local applicants on the phone before the interview just breaks the ice and gets some basic questions out of the way. More communication is mostly always better.

What do your in-person interviews entail?

Review job description and benefit packages first to see if its a fit. Addressing all concerns and questions out of the way pronto. I don't like to waste my time or other peoples time. If I have any concerns that I want clear up I ask those questions in this face to face interview. If the in-person interview goes well I then like to offer a working interview next.

Do you perform background checks, drug screening, or personality tests before hiring an applicant?

We do basic background checks for criminal activity only.

Do you perform a skill assessment before hiring an applicant? If yes, what does it entail?

We do not require a written test but a working interview is required for all technicians. This is a great way for the owner/manager to see how well the technician will fit in with the group. Its also very helpful for the technician to see how well they like it before committing to the job. It has to be a great fit for everyone to work well in the long term.

After an in-person interview, approximately how long should I expect to wait for a rejection or an offer?

The answer to this question depends on how many applicants we have. On average, it usually takes 24 hours to find out if you get the job or not.

Approximately how long does the full hiring process take from submitting the application to the time of the hiring decision?

We move pretty fast at this shop. If you're the right candidate it could potentially only take a few days. With lots of applicants, it could take a couple weeks but that is worse case scenario.

Is there anything else you’d like to mention about your hiring process?

We are always searching for the most skilled people in the industry which can take time. Many times though the most skilled are not the best fit for our team. We would rather hire an upbeat B tech rather than a pessimistic A tech. We all work closely together and fix problems every day. A caring attitude goes a long way in working with a team and aligning with our shop goals.

Shop Talk

Top Shop Challenge: In honor of Valentine's day, please share what you love most about the industry and working at your shop. The more specific, the better!

Being Valentine’s Day we always have four dozen roses to give out to our customers! Its really fun making people’s day! Some ladies blush when we hand them a rose, and the guys always want to take the most because they have not gotten anything for their significant other! We really enjoy helping people and surprising them with our top-notch service! I think it is the single most rewarding thing about this business that makes us happy to do it on a daily basis. It’s really important to have something to keep you motivated. I give my Service Advisors a lot of wiggle room to do what ever they need to really stoke people out! Free loaner cars, Uber rides, drop in bulb replacements, free car washes, and many other things to go above and beyond people’s expectations. Happy Valentine’s Day Wrenchway followers!

Top Shop Challenge: What do you feel needs to change in order to attract more kids into our industry?

In my area of Central Oregon, kids are attracted to the industry. They love cars and enjoy working on their own cars. My son’s high school is full of these kids! The problem is getting them on the right path to lead them into an auto repair shop. I think parents and the schools could do much better with guiding these kids into this future. I personally went straight into a technical school after high school, all because they came to our auto class and gave a presentation. My son’s high school does not even have an auto program! Its not good! Is there still a stigma of becoming a mechanic and not going to a four year college? I feel like this has gotten much better in my life time, but possibly this could still be a factor. Changing the perception of a technician’s career should be one of our focuses as shop owners. It’s a greats job that has many benefits! I could spend an hour talking about all the great things this career has given me. I will elaborate this point in another Wrenchway video. My main point to answer this questions is this, being an automotive technician in a good shop after ample training is a darn good career! It can supply you with everything you need to be successful in life. Do not count it out if you’re interested in becoming an auto technician.

Top Shop Challenge: Who has the coolest toolbox in your shop? Tell us about it. Better yet, show us some pics.

A technician’s toolbox is an extension of the technician themselves. How organized and stocked it is, almost always reflects the experience and success of the technician. This is Zach’s toolbox. He is a bad ass! All of his work is done in an orderly fashion, just like his toolbox. He has everything he needs close at hand and understands the value of being ultra organized. After every job, everything is put back in its place so he can efficiently tackle the next job. Excellent job Zach! And thanks for showing off your beautiful toolbox!

6:02

Top Shop Challenge: What are a few things you are looking to improve on your team in 2023

We want more ASE Master certified technicians, so we are pushing the guys to get those tests completed! We are also trying to find new ways to be more and more professional in our industry. Let's go 2023!

9:27

December update along with how we ended our 2022 year successfully! After all these years as an owner, I'm still having fun! Two amazing technicians are mentioned for their abilities in this video. Please watch video to see what these guys can do. They are truly impressive technicians!

Top Shop Challenge: What are you most proud of from your technician team in 2022?

Here at Import Performance Auto Repair we have an amazing group of technicians. They are a younger group that have great experience and professionalism. I love how they get along and work together. Each individual is very important to the team and have specific roles in the shop to make it perform at a high level. These guys have hit 145% technician efficiency as a team! The moral is high in the shop, if anyone needs help they all jump to it. When a technician needs help pushing in a car we usually have an excess of people helping which just adds to the fun in this lively group!

Import Performance, Inc. - Technician Jobs in Bend, OR

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