By Joshua Larson
TROUP — In a quiet stretch just outside of Troup, a small European auto repair shop is doing something rare in the world of mechanics — leading with honesty, education and precision.
East Texas Bavarian, owned and operated by a seasoned technician with more than 25 years of experience, is carving out a niche by focusing on ethical, high-quality service for European vehicles — and doing it in a way that puts the customer, not the bottom line, first.
“We knew no amount of money was going to give us back time with our kids,” said the owner, who moved to East Texas from California with his wife and children. “So we made the choice to build something here that could provide not just for us, but for the community.”
His journey into business ownership wasn’t planned. Nearly two years ago, he was severely injured in a parking lot accident when two vehicles collided on a nearby highway and struck him. The crash shattered bones, ended his employment and left him searching for a new path.
East Texas Bavarian was born out of that adversity.
Specializing in brands such as BMW, MINI, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Audi and Volkswagen, the shop focuses exclusively on European vehicles to maintain depth of knowledge and service quality. But what truly sets the business apart isn’t just what it works on — it’s how.
“I don’t want to take someone’s money if I can’t fix their car,” he said. “If I can’t do it right or don’t have the resources, I’ll send them to someone who can.”
Rather than use fear-based sales tactics, the shop offers a tiered repair recommendation: immediate safety issues, upcoming maintenance, and long-term concerns — all with detailed explanations and no pressure to commit. “It’s about giving people the information and letting them decide,” he said.
Even the parts he uses reflect that philosophy.
“I won’t buy inferior parts,” he said. “If it’s not from the factory or the manufacturer’s supplier, it’s not going on your car. Because if it fails, everyone loses — me, the customer and the car.”
Despite the shop’s technical skill and ethical stance, gaining traction in East Texas has been challenging.
We’ve tried it all — print ads, Google, Yelp, Facebook, even golf course signage — but 90% of our traffic still comes from basic Google searches,” he said. “Exposure has been the biggest hurdle.”
That hasn’t shaken his long-term vision, though. He’s not chasing franchise dreams or large-scale expansion. Instead, he wants to maintain a modest schedule of a few cars per day, provide paid mentorships to the next generation of technicians, and continue spending meaningful time with his family.
“Success is relative,” he said. “I’m not looking to run a giant operation. I just want to do good work and be present.”
Looking ahead, East Texas Bavarian is planning an October event called “Beers, Brats and Bavarians,” welcoming local enthusiasts of European cars for food, conversation and community.
“I’m not here to change Texas,” he said. “I moved here because I believed I could contribute to it.”
From repairing complex German engineering to teaching his daughter how to change her own oil, the work happening at East Texas Bavarian goes far beyond the hood of a car.
It’s a return to craftsmanship, honesty and the kind of small-town service that earns trust the old-fashioned way — one repair at a time.
