Gordon Chevrolet, the only automotive dealership in Carrollwood, has been sold to the David Maus family and is now Maus Family Chevrolet.
Located on north Dale Mabry Highway, midway between Van Dyke Road and Bearss Avenue, it is the only dealership in the north Tampa area until the State Road 54 corridor in Lutz.
“Our location makes us unique, because we’re the only dealer for several miles and we’re surrounded by residential neighborhoods that have grown up around us,” said David Maus Jr., who co-manages the dealership with Patrick Abad, a family friend and longtime Maus employee.
“Patrick and I are proud to be an integral part of the community, and excited to be enhancing and expanding automotive services for our neighbors,” said Maus.
“We love shaking the hand of everyone who stops by, and welcoming them to the Maus family. We like to say we’re small enough to know you, but big enough to serve you.”
In addition to selling new Chevrolet vehicles, the dealership has a large inventory of pre-owned trucks, SUVs and cars, a customer-focused service center and a professional body shop.
“We believe it is important to be a full service dealership, so our customers can count on us for all their automotive needs,” said Maus.
Maus adds that the dealership sells all makes of pre-owned vehicles, and that its service center and body shop take care of vehicles from just about every automobile manufacturer.
Family is at the heart of every Maus dealership, and is the center of its core values.
“We operate using Biblical principals, and look to Jesus as an example of how to serve people,” said Maus.
For over 10 years, the Maus family has managed its businesses following a corporate philosophy they call IMPACT.
“IMPACT stands for ‘Implementing More Positive Actions Creating Togetherness,’” said Maus. “And, that’s truly what we do — we are a positive, forward thinking company that works hard to do the right things to bring us together as a family.”
One reflection of this is the position his sister, Savannah, heads up for the company — Customer Appreciation. Her job is to make sure every customer has a positive experience, whether they are buying a new vehicle or having their vehicle serviced.
Another example is the David Maus Foundation, which has donated millions of dollars to children’s charities throughout Florida, including Pasco Sherriff Charities and Ronald McDonald House Charities.
There are close to 20 family members who work for Maus family dealerships in New Port Richey, Homosassa, Crystal River and now north Tampa.
“Every member of our family adheres to these values,” said Maus. “We all live in this area, attend church here, send our children to school here. We are committed to this community, which is why we believe so strongly in treating everyone we serve as members of our family.”
David Maus Sr., started his automotive career in the mid 1990s in Orlando, where he eventually owned several auto dealerships. In 2014, he sold those dealerships and moved to Tampa Bay, where he bought a Nissan dealership in New Port Richey from Ferman Automotive.
“We knew we wanted to be in the north Tampa area as well, and my father had his eye on Gordon Chevrolet for several years,” said Maus. “We couldn’t be more happy for the opportunity to buy Gordon Chevrolet and add it to our family of dealerships.”
Maus has worked closely with his father his entire life, and credits his dad for making him the man he is today.
“I am so proud of my Dad. He is a man of faith and family, driven by hard work to succeed and provide for his family. Everything we do here is because of the lessons learned from our father,” said Maus.
David is the oldest of five children. His older siblings also work in the business — Savannah in customer appreciation, and his brother, Tyler, as a used car manager.
Before becoming general manager and vice president of Maus Family Automotive, Maus worked in several positions at the company, learning the business from the ground up.
“On my 15th birthday, my dad asked me what I wanted, and I said a job, and he gave me a job stocking parts in the service department,” said Maus. “When I turned 16, dad moved me to the service counter and I began helping customers. At 17, I became a full-time detailer, probably the most fun job I’ve had – cleaning, buffing and detailing vehicles, and seeing the customer’s excitement when their vehicle was delivered.”
At 18, Maus’ father told him it was time to go into sales, and he began selling vehicles at David Maus Toyota in Sanford.
“I was working with sales people in their 40s with many years of experience, and I doubted that I could succeed,” Maus said. “But, I learned that sales is mostly about listening and serving, and asking the right questions to put a customer in the right car that works well for their lifestyle and budget.”
Instead of going to college, Maus continued to learn on the job about management, financing, communicating, writing and providing excellent customer service.
“I always wanted to be very good at every position I held in the company before moving up to the next one,” he said. “I want to earn everything I have by working hard, just like my father did.”
Maus invites you to meet him and his staff at Maus Family Chevrolet.
“Please stop by anytime so we can shake your hand and welcome you to the Maus family,” he said. “This is the best time of the year to buy a new vehicle, and the Maus family is here to help you,” said Maus.
Published December 12, 2018
