At Crown Dodge in Ventura, the familial partnership Bob Crown Sr. and Bob Crown Jr. have enjoyed over the past 28 years is alive and well.

While not uncommon for a father and son to be in business together, the automotive business is a different kind of animal. In fact, is it an entire species apart from other industries.

Dealerships are governed in part by the automakers, which oversee and enforce policy and procedure to assure products are represented according to corporate profiles.

If this seems a little too corporate, the Crowns can change your mind and perceptions on how business in the automotive world is conducted and how people are best served by upholding the highest standards.

Bob Sr. has enjoyed more than 40 years in the automotive business, passing his passion for the industry to his son, Bob Jr., who brought fresh perspectives to the business upon graduating from USC.

"I studied marketing at USC, and at the time, Lee Iacocca was running Chrysler Corp.," Bob Jr. said. "Iacocca had engineered the company's turnaround and it was a focus of our studies. We studied his ideals, his motives and his marketing genius since he was one of the most prominent figures in business at the time."

Bob Jr. says he dreamed of being in business with Iacocca, who was the speaker at his commencement ceremonies, after learning so much about the man.

"Being the only child, I was in a natural position to enter the business my Dad had built," Bob Jr. said, "So, in a way, I am working with Iacocca — what he built and what my Dad built."

Together, the Crowns are very hands-on as owners and managers, with one or both of them onsite almost all of the time.

"My Dad still enjoys the car business and coming in to oversee operations, from the back of the lot to the front," Bob Jr. said. "We talk about everything and are true business partners."

Reflecting on the past and looking to the future, Bob Jr. says that although times have shifted and the automotive business has changed dramatically with technology and operations, business boils down to people and relationships established with them. "That goes for the relationship I have with my Dad, with our staff, customers, vendors, and corporate representatives with Chrysler."

Crown Dodge has earned recognition as a Five-Star Dealership for 2007 and is considered an elite franchise. As such, it requires complete accountability each month.

"We can lose our Five-Star status at any time over the course of the year, so we have to be well managed, focused, driven and passionate about our positions to each other and our customers," Bob Jr. said. "As a new regime sets in, Chrysler Corp. wants fewer better dealers and those who have earned Five-Star are at the top of the ladder. It (Five-Star recognition) is a line in the sand. We have to be the best.

"We revere and applaud Chrysler's Five-Star philosophy at Crown Dodge; it is a way of life for every person on our team. It is imperative to listen to your customers and make changes where needed — this is the essence of Five-Star relationships — we want to work for the customer. We also must have a solid working relationship with Chrysler since it is important to have strong ties, which not only benefit the customer but help our dealership to grow into the future.

"The automotive industry is a dynamic business to be in," Bob Jr. said. "Staying ahead of the curve, keeping up with communication and sharing it with our team and our customers is vital for both my Dad and I."

While the Internet has changed the automotive business and car-buying experience, people still visit dealerships in person.

"People want to experience the vehicle, kick the tires so to speak," Bob Jr. said. "Buying a car is an emotional experience and it reflects your personality, your life. It's a purchase that cannot be completed over the Internet and that is why everyone here (at Crown Dodge) is completely trained and updated on a daily basis to new features, industry trends and policy and procedures. We all are on the same page every day of our operation and this directly benefits the customer."

Staff members are continually recognized for individual efforts and praised for going above and beyond stellar service.

"Longevity is something my Dad and I value," Bob Jr. said. "We have one employee in our business office that has been with us from day one 28 years and our current service manager has been here for 25 years. These individuals know our customer base and are a wealth of information, not only for our customers, but internally and in our relationship with Chrysler Corporation."

Built on service, integrity and trust, the folks at Crown Dodge exemplify excellence, a distinguished hallmark proven through its long-standing relationship in the community and with customers.

Crown Dodge is located in the Ventura Auto Mall at 6300 King St.

For more information, call 639-8250 or visit Crown Dodge's Web site at www.4CrownDodge.com.