![](/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Facebook.png")
Fred’s Auto Repair is proud to announce its 50th year of providing automotive repair in Briarcliff Manor, Westchester County. Fred’s Auto Repair is grateful for being voted Best of Westchester for the third time in the past 8 years (2016, 2019, and 2023). Fred’s additional shop in Shrub Oak was opened in 2021.
I will begin this celebratory article the way I ended this one:
How lucky am I that I work with great people and learn every day doing what I love and earning your business!
My love affair with cars began when I was just starting school.
It continued in my teen years translating to BOCES and my professional path.
50 YEARS OF A CHANGING CAR MARKET
The decade before Fred’s opened, in the 1960s, consumers preferred “pony cars” such as the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Camaro or Dodge Challenger that featured V-8 engines and breathtaking acceleration. Then, the United States experienced the OPEC oil shock of 1973.
FUEL EFFICIENCY OR NEAR LUXURY?
By 1974, when Fred’s first opened, the most popular new car was the fuel-efficient Ford Pinto, selling 360K units.
From 1975 to 1983, the “cush” Oldsmobile Cutlass sold between 324K to 520K units per year and topped sales all year except 1982.
The Ford Escort grabbed the leader board in 1982, 1987 and 1988 – selling 337K to 381K each sales-leading year.
In 1984 and 1985, another small, fuel-efficient model, the Chevrolet Cavalier placed first with 400K units sold each year. Its sibling Chevrolet Celebrity claimed the top spot in 1986 with 409K units sold.
FAMILY VALUES
From 1989 through 2023, three mid-sized family sedan models have claimed the top selling car title:
The Honda Accord (4 times – 1989, 1990, 1991 and 2001 hovering around 400K units sold)
The Ford Taurus had a 5-year run from 1992 to 1996, averaging 387K units sold each year.
The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling (car) 26 times, including 22 consecutive years since 2002. Sales ranged from 290K to 430K units each year.
THE TRUCKS & SUVs HAVE ARRIVED
Overall, light trucks and SUVs have eclipsed car sales. Since 2015, the Camry has not been higher than third in overall sales. It has registered as low as 8th in certain years during that span.
The Ford F 150 has been the best seller since 2010 with 400K to 500K units sold each year. The Chevrolet Silverado has typically been the runner-up during this period. Annual sales range from 300K to 500K units. Since 2017, grabbing the bronze medal among trucks has been the Ram Pickup.
The SUV sales leader each year since 2017 typically includes the Toyota Rav 4, the Nissan Rogue and the Honda CR-V. Sales of each have hovered around 400K units per year, give or take 10K units for a given model.
50 YEARS OF CHANGING CAR TECHNOLOGY
Two consumer preferences that have leapt forward since the oil shocks of the 1970s have been Americans embracing less thirsty four cylinders and embracing more foreign cars.
From the regulatory side, environmental concerns have prompted numerous technological changes. From the supply side, efficiency, and safety goals have manufacturers further pushing the envelope:
- rear wheel to front or all-wheel drive
- disc brakes – introduced in 1965, most cars switched front drum to front disk brakes in 1980s
- anti-lock technology
- automatic seatbelts
- ABS technology
- entertainment options from cassette to CD player to MP3 players to streaming services
- catalytic converter 1973 – designed to reduce toxic emissions from exhaust fumes
- digital dashboard displays 1974
- airbags 1988
- OBD systems 1994 – providing mechanics performance information for different systems
- navigation systems 2000
- parking, parking assist or driver assist 1992 / 2003 / 2010
- hybrid cars 2000 beginning with the Toyota Prius but extending far beyond since
- reverse camera beginning with Nissan and soon to be standard on most new cars
- increased market share of electric cars, including Tesla boasting top 10 volume inclusion
In 1974 cars were mostly mechanical. Today, there are many digital components that require on board diagnostics (OBD) or computer interface. Mechanics must commit to lifelong learning. We achieve that objective by:
- obtaining and maintaining ASE certification
- Experiencing working on various makes and models daily.
50 YEARS OF CHANGING BUSINESS PRACTICES
In 1974, most repairs began with a phone call or a walk in. We have since embraced digital while staying human. Today many appointments are made via email, text, or our online options. Our website has become an integral part of our business – providing information to visitors and facilitating operations.
Our broad draw of visitors gave us the confidence to open our second shop in Shrub Oak in 2021 to complement our stalwart Briarcliff Manor location.
We could not accomplish much were it not for our excellent staff throughout the years.
Whatever we accomplish is also done in partnership with our customers who support us by choosing our service and returning year after year.
But the more things change, the more they stay the same. At our core, Fred’s has always invested in mechanical expertise while prioritizing excellence in customer service. In 2016, 2019 and 2023, we earned Best of Westchester recognition which validated our approach.
Now that we have looked back, let us look ahead.
At some point, we may have self-drive, all electric cars that partially hover and are shared – like Citibike – instead of individually owned. But that may be 50 years away. For the next few years, we will focus on having the best staff providing the best service at our two locations. Feel free to browse the hundreds of articles we have on our site. Or, if you need your car repaired, stop by either shop or give us a call on 914-762-1131.
