This month, we connected with Nicole and Ana Lira, manager and office Coordinator of San Antonio Collision Center in San Antonio, Texas to learn more about their business’s growth as a Certified Repair Provider. Not only does their shop proudly process around 70 cars a month, but they also have a 5-star rating that makes their respected role in their community evident.
Why Did San Antonio Collision Center Decide to Become A Certified Collision Care Provider?
San Antonio Collision Center was built from a big dream made true with lots of love and effort. In 2018, Ramon Lira Sr., Ramon Lira Jr., and Jesus Rodriguez started the business, hosting a grand opening in January 2019. The founding owners soon realized that their business was a place that people loved to work and where their community trusted them to provide safe repairs. Soon after they opened, they became officially Assured Performance and Manufacturer Certified.
Knowing that a new business requires extra care, San Antonio Collision Center kept its focus on 2 key elements — quality and safety. That focus and determination paid off and it wasn’t long before business was booming. Tragically, during the height of the pandemic, one of the founding owners and patriarch of the family, Ramon Lira Sr. passed away, unexpectedly, due to COVID-19. While that absence is still undeniably felt, Rosa Lira along with Ramon Lira Jr. and Jesus Rodriguez did what Ramon Lira Sr. wished for – a successful business. With that legacy in mind, they stayed motivated by a desire for their collision business to serve their community with guaranteed, unmatched quality. San Antonio Collision Center’s role is also one of education. Nicole Lira explains that by helping their customers learn more about their vehicles and the quality repairs their shop provides, “We make sure that every person that leaves our body shop has gained knowledge on the process of repairs then they came in with… and a repair that will keep their family safe.”
They’ve even found a way to use their 5-star Google reviews to give back to their supportive community. Once a month, they put all the reviews into an opportunity bowl and draw one lucky winner. The winning customer is provided with a gift card of their choice, to thank them for their loyalty and support of their body shop. Drivers find their shop through word of mouth, insurance company referrals, city recommendations, and on social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook. They promote the Certified Repairs they offer on their website and through social media.
San Antonio Collision Center is on the 24 hours drop-off list for Bexar County where the city of San Antonio is allowed to tow vehicles in their facility for those drivers who experience late-night collisions. Their shop’s Certifications include FCA, Nissan, INFINITI, Hyundai, Kia, and others! It is no surprise that their shop has grown to have 15 hardworking employees with co-owner, Jesus Rodriguez, proudly holding the title of “Certified Master Technician.”
As one of Ramon Lira Sr.’s biggest dreams was to own a Certified Collision Care business with his family by his side, and his loving family has made it their mission to continue to evolve and grow their business and skillset. With this in mind, they began using RepairDOC to properly document every repair. In addition to wanting to gain new Certifications, they plan to keep their shop fitted with the best technicians, tooling, and equipment. Says Ana Lira, the sister of the late Ramon Lira Sr., “ We emphasize our employees having a good education. What we serve here are quality repairs done right.
“Certifications are now being required due to the new technology advancements in vehicles. At our shop, a certified repair is one of the things that keeps our customers and referral coming back because they want a precise repair.” They also mandate that every customer’s car be fully sanitized before being returned.
Jesus Rodriguez and Ramon Lira Jr.
Knowing that only 5% of body shops in North America have what it takes to become Assured Performance Certified, the owners of San Antonio Collision Center make it a point to tell their customers that they have a choice about who they go to for their repair and the repair they receive. By keeping their awareness of technology at the forefront of their business, and the automotive safety standards required with proper repair documentation, technicians at San Antonio Collision Center receive specific manufacturer training to keep their business and skillset moving forward.
Nicole encourages other shops to become Certified, “It helps to prove to your customers that they made the right choice.”
Even as they continue on with their successful business, Nicole often thinks of her father, “My father worked his way up … as he wanted to create a business that would be the pride of San Antonio, Texas. He did this by having high standards for both the body shop and his employees.” By adding that pride and joy into their daily routine, San Antonio Collision Center has big plans to continue their family’s dream.
If you live near San Antonio, Texas, be sure to stop by San Antonio Collision Center and get a fully documented Certified Repair completed by one of their well-trained technicians. You’ll have peace of mind that your repair prioritized the use of quality parts, manufacturer’s repair procedures approved paint systems, and completed ADAS and calibration scans.
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Drivers— are you ready to learn more about safe Collision Care? Help to ensure the fit, finish, functionality, durability value, and safety of your vehicle with FULLY DOCUMENTED Certified Repair. Visit our blog run by our independent non-profit organization for the Collision Care Industry today! www.CollisionCare.org
