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Rita Neimeyer, General Manager

Pacific Volkswagen

14900 Hindry Avenue in Hawthorne | 310-531-9400 LAcarGUY.com

Pacific Volkswagen is a proud member of the LAcarGUY family of dealerships, which has been a Los Angeles fixture since “Sully” Sullivan opened his first dealership in 1964. Today, LAcarGUY is led by Mike Sullivan and includes 10 award-winning dealerships throughout Los Angeles and a state-of-the-art body shop. Rita Neimeyer, general manager of Pacific Volkswagen in Hawthorne, joined the company in July 2008 with 30 years of professional experience in the retail automotive industry. Rita is directly responsible for all aspects of the store’s sales and service departments, overseeing more than 70 employees. And she is passionate about customer service. “We’re a dealership known for its long-term relationships and word-of-mouth marketing,” Rita says. “Our customers often say their Volkswagen is like a member of the family who happens to sleep in the garage.”

What does the future hold for your company?

“We are especially excited about the new 2012 Beetle—inspired by the original, with exterior design and interior features meant to reflect the original model’s smart and simple purpose. But the inspiration drawn from the past is applied with a modern interpretation. If you’re a VW fan, you have to see and drive it.”

Tell us a bit about your working style.

“My working style is best defined as MBWA (Management By Walking Around). I have an office at Pacific Volkswagen, but you’ll likely find me wandering around the service or parts departments, as well as the sales floor. I believe that you can’t really reach people other than through personal contact.”

Do you think trusting your instinct is important to grow your business?

“Yes. I believe that business leaders need a high EQ more than a high IQ. There are plenty of smart managers in the world, but emotional intelligence is much more important for solving problems, which is what allows us to grow our business. The awareness to sense that something is wrong is invaluable in solving customer service issues.”

What’s most rewarding about your work?

“Helping match people to the car of their dreams. Our low-pressure approach provides a unique car buying experience that the customer enjoys, instead of dreading that trip to the dealership.”