Meineke Discount Mufflers Changes Name to Meineke Car Care Center

    CHARLOTTE, N.C., Jan. 27 -- Meineke Discount Mufflers has
changed its name to Meineke Car Care Center to more accurately reflect its
products and service offerings.  The announcement was made by Meineke
President Ken Walker.
    A new tagline -- Right Service. Right Price -- will accompany the new
name.
    Meineke, one of the most recognized and trusted brands in America, has
been a consumer friendly name since its establishment 31 years ago.  Founded
by Sam Meineke, the business began with only one store and a single product
line.
    It has now grown to approximately 900 stores in the United States, Canada,
Mexico, Guatemala, Venezuela, and the Caribbean offering a variety of auto
maintenance services.
    "The automotive business has changed dramatically over these 30-plus
years, and so has Meineke," Walker said.  "We have added a number of services.
At Meineke our customers can have their brakes serviced, air conditioner
recharged, wheels aligned, have factory-scheduled maintenance performed, and
even do something as simple as get their oil changed.
    "So to better define our expanded service, our company faced the need for
a more accurate name qualifier.  Even though exhaust today still represents
more than 40 percent of our total sales, 'Meineke Car Care Center' is more
reflective of our company's comprehensive service offerings," Walker
concluded.
    The company began looking at a name change five years ago.  However, in
1998 not many of the Meineke shops were performing extended services.  But
based on the number of shops providing a wide range of maintenance service
today, the company thought the change would now be appropriate.
    Walker said research showed the number of consumers going to Meineke for
transmission flushes rose 44 percent from 2001 to 2002, air conditioning
service increased 40 percent during the same timeframe, and cooling system
business jumped 32 percent.
    He said although the word 'discount' has been eliminated from the Meineke
name, the company will still focus on providing economical pricing for
customers.
    "At Meineke we have always strived for the highest quality and
professionalism in our workmanship.  We have high standards, and we never cut
corners," Walker said.
    In that respect, not much has changed since founder Sam Meineke opened his
first store in Houston, Texas in 1972.  Meineke's concept was simple:  to
provide quality products and workmanship at a fair price and fix vehicles
correctly, the first time.
    Recognized as one of the largest automotive franchises, Meineke has
serviced more than 50 million vehicles since its establishment in 1972.