AAA Arizona has announced its eighth annual list of Top Shops, auto repair facilities that AAA says provide customers with honest, reliable service. This year, the auto club is recognizing 27 Approved Auto Repair facilities throughout the state, including nine first-time recipients and four recipients that have carried Top Shop designation since the award’s inception in 2001. Five body shops made AAA’s list.

To be considered for the Top Shop designation, facilities must first be a part of AAA’s Approved Auto Repair network, which is comprised of more than 150 auto repair and auto body facilities across the state. These facilities must adhere to more than 20 standards established by the auto club, including:

• Annual inspection by AAA Arizona representatives.
• Staff an Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certified technician or equivalent for each area of service offered.
• Guarantee effectiveness of repairs, parts, labor or components for a minimum of 12 months or 12,000 miles.
• Accept the final decision of AAA club representatives in resolving complaints concerning service to AAA members’ vehicles.

In addition to meeting AAA’s Approved Auto Repair standards, Top Shops must go the extra mile by agreeing to:

• Maintain customer surveys with at least a 90 percent approval rating.
• Remain actively involved in the community through service groups and charities.
• Uphold an exemplary business reputation.

Following are the 2009 Top Shops:

• Hardin Brothers Automotive, Catalina, Ariz. Owner: David Hardin
• Tobias’ Automotive Specialists, Cave Creek, Ariz. Owner: Andy Tobias
• Crown Collision Center (4 consecutive years), Gilbert, Ariz. Owners: Ron Buckman & Kevin Kemp   
• Bell Tire & Auto Service (7 consecutive years), Glendale, Ariz. Owners: Dave & Marguerite Bankston
• Hickey Automotive (8 consecutive years), Green Valley, Ariz. Owners: Ron & Kim Hickey
• AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair (4 consecutive years), Marana, Ariz. Center Manager: Mike DeCosmo
• Greulich’s Automotive Service (3 consecutive years), Mesa, Ariz. Owner: Chris Greulich
• Greulich’s Automotive Collision, Mesa, Ariz. Owner: Chris Greulich   
• Invision Auto Body, Mesa, Ariz. Owner: Chuck Danielson   
• Thompson’s Auto Repair & Towing (4 consecutive years), Mesa, Ariz.Owner: Bryan Vivian
• 25th Street Automotive (3 consecutive years), Phoenix, Ariz. Owner: Tony Guido
• APCO Hi-Tech Car Care (7 consecutive years), Phoenix, Ariz. Owner: Jim Garnand
• Greulich’s Automotive Service – Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Ariz.Owner: Chris Greulich
• Kelly Clark Automotive Specialists – Bell Road  (7 consecutive years), Phoenix, Ariz. Owner: Kelly Clark
• Kelly Clark Automotive Specialists – Glendale Ave. (6 consecutive years), Pheonix, Ariz. Owner: Kelly Clark
• Tony’s Auto Service Center, Phoenix, Ariz. Owner: Steve LaFleur
• Jim’s Auto Clinic, Phoenix, Ariz. Owner: Jim Booth
• Airpark Auto Service (8 consecutive years), Scottsdale, Ariz. Owner: Nadine Grobmeier
• Greulich’s Automotive Collision (2 consecutive years), Scottsdale, Ariz. Owner: Chris Greulich
• Marshall’s Service Center (8 consecutive years), Scottsdale, Ariz. Owner: Marshall Gerston
• Mike’s Sun City Union (4 consecutive years), Sun City, Ariz. President: Mike Johnson
• Sun Cities Tire & Auto (7 consecutive years), Sun City West, Ariz. Owners: Wally & Cathy Moreland
• 911 Collision Centers, Tucson, Ariz. Owner: Patrick O’Neill
• AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair (4 consecutive years), Tucson, Ariz. Center Manager: George Hammel
• AASTRO Transmission & Auto Repair (3 consecutive years), Tucson, Ariz. Center Manager: Jim Houpt
• Borst Automotive (8 consecutive years), Tucson, Ariz. Owner: Jon Bradford

AAA Arizona’s 2009 Top Shop award recipients were presented with a plaque at a luncheon at the Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort in Phoenix on June 18.