AFTER some 30 years in the business of auto mechanics, Service Manager at ATL Motors Steve Chin says he wouldn’t have it any other way.

The highly decorated ‘Honda man’ is as humble as they come, but has enough laurels to upstage any braggart.

“I’ve always loved cars and just the whole idea of tinkering around with machines,” said Chin.

Getting an early jump start at Excelsior High, he enrolled in the school’s technical programme and then continued his studies at the Jamaica-German Automotive School (JAGAS) before seeking internship opportunities. It was the apprentice years that would prove the most developmental in his journey and bring ‘the man and the brand’ together.

“I was working at a garage in Cross Roads in 1992 when a customer brought in a Honda Accord. The senior mechanic was having some issues with it and for about two weeks we sat stumped, unable to figure out the problem,” said Chin.

The senior mechanic, explained Chin, decided to give the Honda dealership a call and they sent over a technician.

“Within 15 minutes not only had the Honda technician diagnosed the issue, but he also repaired it. What had taken us two weeks to try and figure out, he had solved in quarter of an hour! I was very impressed and decided at that very point that I wanted to be like him or even beyond his level.”

Three years passed and Chin’s lucky break came with a phone call.

“My cousin, who also worked in the automotive industry, told me that there was an opening at Honda Jamaica. I knew I had to seize the opportunity. They hired me and I was more than anxious to get to work.”

With his foot now in the door, almost immediately Chin enrolled in the Honda Certified Training Programme, undertaking extensive modules in vehicle repair. In 1997, ATL Motors came on-board as the new operators of the Honda dealership and Chin was retained as a service technician. His appetite open for knowledge from his preliminary Honda studies, Chin also enrolled in the US-based Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), an accreditation course which validates professionals in the automotive repair and service industry.

“I thought this programme would be a good complement to my Honda training and would definitely put me on par with overseas technicians,” he said.

Working at the dealership by day and studying by night for both his ASE and Honda certifications, Chin came out on top earning not only certification in advanced diagnostic in general repairs, but also first class accreditation as an ASE master technician.

He also continued his extensive studies with Honda, travelling to dealer facilities all across the United States and in 2008 earned their highest honour — Master Technician certification. To achieve ‘Master tech’ status, mechanics must undergo a series of rigorous tests of their Honda-specific skills including technical processes, maintenance procedures, service diagnostics and repair support.

Chin became ATL’s first Honda certified master technician and was appointed service manager the following year. Fast forward five years since his appointment and Chin has reversed roles serving as teacher to new talent, leading a team of 11 technicians.

“Our team is a formidable one and we’ve all worked together for at least a decade. They are quick and very experienced but from time to time I still get my hands dirty,” he grinned.

Under his guidance and encouragement, two members of his team have also achieved Honda certified master technician status, with others scoring specialisations in maintenance, diagnostics and repair.

“Their vast knowledge-base offers customers the best service experience possible,” said Chin.

And indeed it shows. In 2012 ATL Motors was awarded the Honda Gold Star Distributor Certification in recognition of the team’s strong technical expertise. That year, Chin and his team also celebrated their fourth consecutive win of the highly coveted Honda Automobile Customer Experience (HACE) ‘Best in Customer Service’ award for the Caribbean and Latin America region. HACE measures satisfaction amongst new car and service customers. It is administered independent of the dealership by global marketing firm JD Power & Associates and is awarded to the dealer that scores the highest on Honda’s 3P’s — premises/process, people and product.

Thirty years later and Chin’s love and loyalty for Honda haven’t waned.

“The name Honda speaks to reliability and convenience and that’s why it is also Jamaica’s preferred car brand,” gushed Chin.

Honda’s progress in engine technology and innovation, he said, also keeps him on his toes and remind him that he is never too old to keep learning.

“Auto technology has advanced so much over the years and things become obsolete in a matter of months so new technicians, even established ones like myself, have to stay current. After all, I am the Honda man.”