Northside
Autosports ® Ajax/Pickering Shop
Profile
– May 25th, 2012
< Leadership Franchise - Excels in customer service, promotion of the brand, sales growth, etc >
**Check the bottom of this article for special promotional offers from the owners of this location.
From a "corporate" perspective this shop started out just like any other. Eager owner/operator, backers, support network, good enthusiast team in the region, etc. All they needed was a thought out and proven structure, financial structure, marketing programs, strategic supply lines, an established brand and some training and they would establish themselves as the premier aftermarket auto store in their city. But this shop has been a little different then most, yes they have succeeded sales wise but more importantly the actual family who manages this outlet have really started something special. Their family really has grown by an exponential rate to include literally thousands of people in Durham who started as customers, developed into friends and now are not far off from family. It's hard to see it when your as busy as they are, but they have positioned themselves as the nexus for automotive maintenance, tires/wheels, accessories, performance parts & audio-security equipment in there area in a very short time and for a reason. Its not just "all business" with them and like all long lasting businesses with them its always personal. Pictured above is the main man himself, Cody Collins.
Cody just recently hosted his first car show at the Ajax/Pickering location (1033 Toy Avenue right behind the Tim Hortons on Bayly) and the local community definitely "showed up". The day started out slow (due to other various events in the GTA) but by 2pm the lot was rammed with more then 50 show cars, tons of models, dj & entertainment and 100's of people. The crazy thing, Cody and family could name most of the people by first and last name. These weren't just "bandwagon hoppers" these people were legitimate customers/friends of the family and more then eager to show up. Generally speaking a lot of the current line up of shows at or around our locations have been very good, but usually not with this short notice and only minor event planning. The fact that the event was as good as it was showed a lot of people, this family was here to stay and they had more then enough support around them to make that statement a reality.
***For more picture of this event please see that posting in the April Archives of this BLOG.
But regardless of their personable traits as with any business if your not passionate about what you are doing, you really will never do that well with it. With that said here are some interview questions with Mr Cody Collins himself ;
Q - Northside Autosports - Blogger / What is it you love about this industry (the enthusiast side of things)?
A - Cody Collins -
"I
have always loved the aftermarket industry and how you can take a normal every
day vehicle and make it into a true show car.
Everybody
has something that they love doing that really expresses who they are and how
they feel inside, for some people its art, for some its music, others its
tattoos, for us its customizing our vehicles.
I
look at a vehicle as a blank canvas. There is so much you can do to personalize
and alter the looks, performance, and sound of your vehicle. The sky is the
limit to what you can do.
The
reason I love this industry so much is because your vehicle becomes a part of
who you are and when you’re driving down the road and everyone stops and looks
at you, you feel like a king, but the main reason I love this industry is
because the look on the guys face who is driving a $200,000 Ferrari when he
gets beat by a $20,000 car is priceless"
Q - Northside Autosports - Blogger / What was your first car?
A - Cody Collins -
"My
first car was a 2000 Mercury Cougar. It was the V6 but it was an automatic. The
car looked ok but it was a complete lemon. I blew 3 different motors in it all
within 2 months. It also didn’t like shifting out of first gear, I had to push
the gas, then let off the gas, then put it in neutral, then back in gear, then
press the gas again, and then it would shift into second. Needless to say, I
sold that car shortly after and moved on to a civic. From there, my cars just
kept getting better and better with everything from a done up civic that was
all looks, a Suzuki GSX-R 1000 with custom paint, a dodge Dakota on air ride, a
ford F-550 that was the biggest truck in Durham with a 16” lift and a 3” body
lift, 20” rims on 55” tires, a completely done show car Dodge SRT-4, to what I
have now which is a 1993 Mazda RX-7 twin turbo.
My favourite project out of all the cars I have
had has to be my SRT-4. The car was 100% stock one summer, then I did
everything over the winter and the following summer it was a show winning car.
The list of mods would be way too long but I can list a few off the top of my
head such as, Tokiko struts, Eibach springs, Konig rims, Buddy club body kit,
custom made hood, custom made back seat enclosure, reverse flip trunk, racing
seats, full sound system, full exhaust, air intake, stage 3, bigger
intercooler, bigger turbo, bigger fuel pump, upgraded ECU, boost controller,
turbo timer, NOS system, and much more. This car was putting out 360hp to the
wheels without my NOS, the nitrous system was adjustable from a 50hp shot to a
200hp shot. I loved when people would say “it’s just a neon” and then they
would watch me walk all over V8’s all day long"
Q - Northside Autosports - Blogger / What makes your location unique?
A - Cody Collins -
We
are also the area’s largest detail/polishing shop, have custom decal cutting
services in house and yes ALSO offer DYNO tuning services in house!"
Q - Northside Autosports - Blogger / What's the most interesting request you have received to date since opening your location?
A - Cody Collins -
"In
this industry you get all kinds of request for different parts and services but
I would have to say the oddest request I have had so far was a Subaru legacy
that wanted me to put a 4” lift on it and tiny 13” rims. Even though business
is business, I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t ruin the guys car no matter how much
he paid me. I ended up selling him on a rim and tire package without the lift"
**Check the bottom of this article for special promotional offers from the owners of this location.
Message from Cody ---> Special thanks to Steve for all his hard work, Leo & Anita (mom & dad) who have helped make this all possible, my sister and brother in law and everyone else who has helped support me in reaching my goals and dreams.
To thank you all for taking the time to read about my shop, I want to offer you the following specials;
- Purchase 4 Wheels/Tires receive a Full Basic Detail for FREE ($109.99 Value)
- Purchase 1 Gold Details ($129.99) receive a second detail @ 50% off!
- Just mention you read this article and I will do a Tire Rotation For $10! ($20 off)
- Purchase any lifetime K&N or GREEN air filter & I will install it for free ($40 value)
- Purchase $150 or more of any KICKER, POWER BASS OR VIBE audio products and I will give you 50% off installation (average savings of $160 in labour)
- $40 Off ANY HID kits (must be purchased with installation as a package)
- FREE Northside Autosports decal with the purchase of any detail package
Last thing "remember to bring your TOYS to Toy Avenue"!
www.northsideautosports-ajax.com
905 239 8605
http://www.twitter.com/NAutosportsajax
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