Four Decades Strong: How El Monte Chevron Accelerated Growth with a Digital Partnership
Date Published
Mountain View, CA — In an industry constantly shaped by new technology and changing consumer habits, Hassan Khaziri, the seasoned owner and operator of El Monte Chevron at 1010 El Monte Ave, Mountain View, CA stands as a testament to enduring quality and adaptability. With over four decades of experience in the automotive service industry, Mr. Khaziri has been a fixture in the Mountain View, Los Altos, and Palo Alto community, offering comprehensive mechanic shop and Smog Check services at his current location since 1993.
For years, El Monte Chevron's reputation was built on word-of-mouth and dependable service. The Smog Check service was a steady, reliable offering—a necessary task for local drivers. That all changed recently with a strategic decision to embrace the digital marketplace.
A History of Mixed Marketing Results
Before finding success with a SmogCheck.com, Mr. Khaziri experimented with various mainstream digital and traditional marketing avenues. Over the years, he invested in advertising on platforms like Yelp, offered steep discounts through services like Groupon, and engaged in classic outreach through local mail outs and publications.
The results from these efforts were often mixed. While these promotions occasionally brought in new customers, the return on investment (ROI) was rarely satisfactory. The steep discounts required by some deals significantly cut into profit margins, and the broad reach of general advertising often meant a low conversion rate. Ultimately, the increased volume was not worth the effort or the cost to the core business when profitability was considered.
Nearly Doubling Smog Check Business
Mr. Khaziri took the step of partnering with SmogCheck.com in 2024, and the results were immediate and transformative.
"I've been running this shop for so long, I thought I knew exactly how many smog checks we could expect," says Mr. Khaziri. "Partnering with the right online platform showed me the sheer number of customers I was missing out on."
Since the partnership, El Monte Chevron has seen the number of customers visiting the shop specifically for a Smog Check increase by 70 percent, almost doubling revenue from Smog Check segment of his business.
This dramatic surge has fundamentally changed the role of the Smog Check service at the shop. What was once a supplementary service has now become a viable, primary revenue stream, significantly contributing to the overall financial health of El Monte Chevron.
A Lesson in Digital Adaptation
Mr. Khaziri's success story proves a critical point for small business owners: even a well-established business with a loyal customer base can greatly benefit from leveraging specialized online platforms.
In today's digital landscape, customers often begin their service journey with a search query. By partnering with SmogCheck.com, El Monte Chevron ensured that they were visible and easily accessible exactly when local drivers were searching for smog testing services.
A New Goal: Star Certification
The positive impact of this growth has sparked a new ambition for Mr. Khaziri. The increased volume and visibility have highlighted the importance of official credentials in the digital age.
"Before, I focused only on the work in the bay," he explains. "Now that we have so many new customers finding us online, I see the value in every certification."
Motivated by this success, Mr. Khaziri is now actively pursuing Star Certification for his shop—a distinction he had never previously felt was important. This move is a testament to his renewed drive to not only maintain the quality his long-time customers expect but also to meet the high standards sought by the new wave of customers finding him through digital channels.
Hassan Khaziri's journey shows that while decades of experience lay the foundation for a great business, a strategic digital partnership can be the key to unlocking extraordinary growth and securing the future of the company for years to come.