Whether butcher, baker, or candlestick maker, it’s always interesting to talk to someone who is passionate about their work. So it is with James Thamm, Subaru Manager; Chris Townsend; and Todd Burgie, Subaru Specialists, and Joseph Hiatt , Service Manager, at Tindol Subaru. Their excitement and deep knowledge of Subaru is evident as we toured the Tindol Subaru facility across from Tindol Ford in Gastonia recently.
GA: You guys seem genuinely excited about Subaru and it’s not just
marketing hype. Why is that?
James: We believe in the Subaru products, they are so safe, and so much fun to drive! Subaru is a very unique vehicle in a sea of boring vehicles. Subaru is the best kept secret in the auto industry, and we are trying to tell the secret!
GA: What makes Subaru different?
Todd: Subaru is the only car manufacturer that builds 100% of their vehicles with all-wheel-drive. Subaru offers a four cylinder or a six cylinder boxer engine in all of their cars. The boxer engine design allows Subaru to place the engine very low in the engine compartment which gives the car a lower center of gravity. The All Wheel Drive and the lower center of gravity give Subaru vehicles better balance and handling. This is what makes a Subaru a Subaru, and why I own two Subaru Foresters.
GA: Safety is important to a lot of people-especially families with small children. You have small children, tell me about Subaru safety.
Chris: Every Subaru vehicle is a double best pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (www.iihs.org). Each new Subaru is equipped with 6 air bags, Vehicle Dynamics Control which helps the Subaru on its way in a panic situation, and a Ring-shaped reinforced frame for passenger safety.
GA: I know you guys are involved over at the US National Whitewater Center; what’s that all about?
James: Subaru is a major corporate sponsor of the US National Whitewater Center. The Subaru cars that are used by the Whitewater Center came from us! And, Natalie Tindol is on the board of directors there as well. Plus, we sponsor the River Jams held there on Thursday nights. So, we have a special relationship with the Whitewater Center. Todd is there just about every Thursday!
GA: As you have mentioned, 94% of all Subaru’s made in the last ten years are still on the road. That seems like a remarkable figure…
Chris: Isn’t it though? And that number would be higher except for the owners of Impreza WRX and STi models wrecking their cars on the track! The average ownership of a Subaru is seven years, and with Subaru’s reliability record, there doesn’t seem to be a reason to trade a Subaru-they are usually passed down to the next family member.
GA: Subaru is known for its commitment to the environment.
What’s happening there?
Todd: Subaru is committed to being ecologically responsible. All Subaru vehicles are manufactured in zero-landfill production plants in the US or in Japan. Subaru’s plant in Lafayette Indiana is the only U.S. automobile production plant to be designated a Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. And, all Subaru products are over 90% recyclable.
GA: How has working with Tindol Subaru been different than other dealers in
the area?
James: Being in a small town like Gastonia gives us some definite advantages; we have been able to have close relationships with many of our owners that live here in Gastonia. Since we give our customers our “Best Price First” on every new Subaru, this takes the animosity and anxiety out of buying a new Subaru, and our customers focus on getting the Subaru that fits their needs and their budget-they already know the price! I can genuinely say that most of our owners are our friends!
GA: And I am sure the Tindol Family name helps, too?
James: Oh yes, definitely, the Tindol name helps us. The Tindol name has been associated with quality for the last 35 years, and now Natalie continues that success story with Subaru. We take pride in our extensive commitment to the community, with organizations like the Girl Scouts,the Animal league, YMCA and more.
GA: What about servicing my Subaru?
Joseph: Well, we have two Subaru Certified technicians, and they are incredible! I try to send our owners photos of whatever is wrong with their Subaru, because they like to see the problem themselves. Since I have owned Subarus for a long time, and we have such a good relationship with our owners, they trust me and our technicians to fix it correctly. It’s neat.
Tindol Subaru
1908 E Franklin Blvd, Gastonia, NC 28054 (Across From Tindol Ford)
Sales: 704-884-0001 • www.tindolsubaru.com
