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Academy Ford, on Baltimore-Washington Boulevard in Laurel.
LAUREL, Md. (Map, News) - Tom Woods, general manager of Academy Ford Laurel, knows first-hand about the opportunities at car dealerships.
Woods joined Academy Ford as a service advisor 11 years ago and rapidly moved up the ranks to become the general manager. But Woods said his story isn’t unique.
“This is a team atmosphere,” said Woods. “It’s not ‘I’ or ‘me’ or ‘you.’ It’s ‘us.’ We communicate in this dealership and we want people to succeed.”
Woods is not naïve about what it takes to move up the ranks, especially in these days of a sagging car market. Dedication, perseverance and a true rapport with the customers are necessary ingredients for success, he said.
“You have to stay motivated,” he said. “You work long hours and you meet a lot of people. It’s meeting all of those different people that is really the enjoyment of the job.”
For that reason, Woods always looks to hire candidates who have abundant enthusiasm and people skills. He hopes that employees make careers at Academy Ford and move progressively up through the dealership.
“That’s my goal,” he said of the approximately 90 employees on his staff. “I really like to mold people, to bring them through the ranks.”
The dealership, which has remained at the same site since 1967, reaps rewards such as loyal clients who drive hundreds of miles for sales and service.
“We know our customers,” said Woods. “We go in the waiting room, we talk to them, and we know everyone. Here we build relationships.”
Mike Robinson, the dealership’s parts manager, said the camaraderie shown to customers is also shared among the employees. That, he said, also benefits the customers.
“This place gives better customer service than anyone else,” said Robinson, who has worked at other dealerships. “At a typical dealer, the different departments never talk to each other. Here everyone talks. And everyone knows our customers come first.”
At a glance
Academy Ford
» Where: 13401 Baltimore-Washington Blvd., Laurel
» Phone: 888-256-8739
» Web site: www.academyford.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
10:33 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 13, 2008 re: "Riding in style at Auto Showcase"
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10:04 PM MST on Mon., Jul. 21, 2008
re: "The Subaru 360"
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10:19 AM MST on Sat., Jun. 21, 2008
re: "The Subaru 360"
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2:40 PM MST on Mon., Jun. 9, 2008
re: "‘A win-win situation’"
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6:46 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 28, 2007
re: "A drive to succeed"
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4:59 PM MST on Wed., Aug. 22, 2007
re: "The Subaru 360"
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9:34 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 31, 2007
re: "The Subaru 360"
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1:24 PM MST on Wed., Jul. 18, 2007
re: "The Subaru 360"
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9:09 AM MST on Mon., Jul. 16, 2007
re: "Daimler-Chrysler Smart car might let you down"
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6:53 AM MST on Fri., Jun. 15, 2007
re: "Tips to keep your rides safe"
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2:00 PM MST on Thu., May. 10, 2007
re: "Creature comforts in Cadillacs"
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Examiner Reader said:
Stay away from Auto Showcase Motor Cars of Baltimore!! Disregard the "Asking Price" in the website ads. Be sure to read the "fine print". Scroll way down to the bottome to the "Terms of Sale Overview" and read very carefully: "** Advertised prices exclude taxes, tags, dealer fees & aftermarket rims,all prices reflect $3,000 down payment. " Hence.... every Auto Showcase ad is far from honest in the advertised "Asking Price". This represents the value to be financed!. Add $3,000 for the down payment for the actual total price!! Rude personnel!! Total waste of time!!!!!!
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Examiner Reader said:
found a running subaru 360 in upper michigan needs paint and minor body repair but car is solid and fun to drive needs windshield can anyone help
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Examiner Reader said:
Hey i just had one of these cars given to me on 6-20-08 what a neat little car this is.I'm in Texas.It needs a motor and interior.This will be a cool progect for me.So if anyone has extra parts and etc let me know.
2 agree | 2 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
WHAT SETS THE NORRIS AUTOMOTIVE GROUP APART: OUR REPUTATION. We do what we say we're going to do. We are motivated by doing the right things for the right reasons. To bad David Norris Cook doesn't deliver and do what he says he will do... much less the right thing!
4 agree | 3 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
He should also teach them customer service.
186 agree | 170 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
If there are only 3 Subaru 360s still in existence in the US, how about the 100 owned by the 400+ member families in the SUBARU 360 DRIVERS' CLUB, now in our 29th year and still growing? www.subaru360club.org PS - I have driven Subaru 360s more than 300,000 miles since 2/75 and have never (yet) been stuck on the road with one. I get 40 - 50 mpg, and can cruise at 60-65 mph al day.
241 agree | 272 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I just saw one come into a junk yard yesterday. it was all there except the seats. they put a battery in it and it turned over..I'm sure with gas itt would start..do you think I should offer them a few hundred for it?
278 agree | 271 disagree
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Phil Morneault a Subaru 360 Owner said:
Just a few notes, there are alot more surviving 360s than 3, they are in the hundreds. Also the sedan only had two doors not four. They CAN acheive 60mph (no head wind preferred) Also with the ethenol based fuel they acheive about 40mpg. To learn more about the Subaru 360 take a look at the club website. www.subaru360club.org ~ Phil
288 agree | 285 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
Wow, great math skills. go back to school. 55 miles per hour equals around 88 kilometers per hour...the kilometer is a smaller measurement than a mile. 100 kilometers per gallon would translate to about sixty...about what the diesel is supposed to get.
801 agree | 312 disagree
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Join ABATE said:
That was a very entertaining article, though I don't think it was intended to be so funny. I doubt if the reporter is a motorcyclist, based on the comical safety tips she offers. As an example, there is no mention of rider training or driving sober, which are the two most significant ways riders can reduce their risk. But considering her reliance on AAA as a source (they lead the anti-motorcyclist lobby), I'm not surprised she recommends 'extremely' tight helmets and motorcycle airbags. Instead of fantasizing about safer crashes, bikers should hone their skills at dodging inattentive drivers. That's how to stay alive and in one piece.
307 agree | 291 disagree
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Examiner Reader said:
I own a 1990 Cadillac Coupe DeVille and agree with you 100%. I like the '88-93 Devilles the best, and I also believe they are among the best mechanically. The 4.5 V8 in my 90 is still going strong with 100k+ miles and never a problem. I did have an 84 Deville prior with the 4.1 that needed engine replacement very early on.
599 agree | 376 disagree
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