SWISS MOTORS - Key Persons
Howard is the newest addition to our team but has been working in the Automotive Industry for over 10 years. He is an ASE Certified Service Writer and has extensive knowledge and experience working with Mechanical Warranties. Born and raised in Southern California he has been a car enthusiast since childhood and is always working on modifying or upgrading his vehicles.
Job Titles:
- Technician
- Senior Member of Our Staff
Other than the founders, Jose is the most senior member of our staff having been with the company for over seventeen years.
He is an old-school mechanic who will always make sure your vehicle is safe before it leaves the lot.
He is a father of one son.
Marcel grew up in Zürich (Switzerland) and started his automotive career with a four year apprenticeship at a major Mercedes/Renault dealership.
During this time Marcel joined the Renault Alpine & Renault Turbo race teams, serving as a race mechanic in the Swiss and European Championships.
In 1982 he performed his obligatory military service in the Swiss Army for 17 weeks and received special training on servicing military vehicles with gas and diesel engines.
After completion of his military service he joined a specialized Porsche Shop in Lausanne, working as a Porsche race mechanic at the European Rally and Road Race Championship Tour.
Robert was born in Switzerland and grew up just outside of Zurich. He began his automotive career with a 4-year apprenticeship in Zurich at a Mercedes/Renault dealership from 1977-1981, where he met Marcel. Robert and Marcel became quick friends and soon started taking on additional work, fixing their friends' vehicles for extra income. After the apprenticeship, Robert worked for three years as head mechanic at a small Alfa Romeo/Nissan dealership. Late in 1984 Robert took a position at an independent garage in Los Angeles, which at that time imported Ferraris, Porsches and Mercedes for the grey market. His role was modifying the vehicles so that they were compliant with California's strict emissions regulations. Two years later Robert was hired at an independent Ferrari garage in Van Nuys. During this time he also began working on cars privately out of the back of his house in West LA.
As his private business ventures flourished Robert left his day job to work full time from his home. This arrangement soon became a burden as demand for his services grew. It was at this point in time that he got together with his old friend Marcel and they founded Swiss Motors. Swiss Motors stands today in the same location and under the same management as the day it was established in April of 1988.
Since then Robert has married and raised two daughters, most recently welcoming one grandchild into his life. He is an active participant in the triathlon community and can often be found cycling or trail running on weekends in the Santa Monica mountains. During the week, he keeps his fitness up with pool and ocean swims before work.
Robert still works as the head mechanic at Swiss Motors and oversees all work done within the shop; nothing leaves the lot without his approval. Robert is an active member of several technician groups and keeps up with all the latest technologies in the automotive world. He and his technicians attend yearly seminars.
Sergio joined our team in January 2008.
He is a highly skilled technician and BMW enthusiast.
A father of two children, he keeps his skill up by visiting seminars regularly.