Mount Pleasant Magazine March/April 2016

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Alot has changed inmount
Pleasant’s automotive industry over
the past 38 years. Cars have evolved
from simple mechanical devices
to complex computer systems,
the economy has had its ups and
its downs and the number of
automotive repair businesses, once
only a few, is now dozens.
As times change and
technology evolves, the staff at
Hudson’s Import Service has
remained on the cutting edge of
technology while holding steadfast
to the timeless importance of
quality customer service.
“We’re not just taking
care of cars; we’re taking care
of customers,” said company
President Cliff Hudson. “That’s
our slogan for a reason; we do
both and we do them well.
We are specialists in the brands we service, but satisfied
customers are the reason we have been in business for
nearly four decades.”
Hudson loves cars.
“They are my career, my hobby and my passion,” he
stated. “Almost everything I do has something to do with
an automobile.”
He began tinkering on cars under his family’s carport
as a child and started working in the automotive industry
at the age of 14. He opened Hudson’s Import Service in
Mount Pleasant in 1978 and continues to take a hands-
on approach at the shop, interacting with his staff daily to
ensure accurate diagnoses and quality service and repairs.
Hudson believes in daily supervision of the shop.
“The quality and efficiency I demand aren’t possible as
an absentee owner,” he said.
Hudson’s Import Service specializes in servicing and
repairing Volkswagen, Audi, Volvo, Toyota, Lexus, Honda,
Acura, Nissan and Infiniti automobiles.
“Our staff is larger than most independents, and we have
a specialist under our roof for each specific brand we service,”
Hudson explained. “In today’s environment, cars are so
technologically sophisticated, it makes the best business sense
to specialize in particular brands so that we can be proficient
in their service and repair. Each model requires special
software, training, tools and technical support. Not only is it
cost-prohibitive for an independent shop to attempt to service
every brand produced, you find yourself wasting what would
be productive repair time because you’re not familiar with
the product.”
True to their slogan, the
staff at Hudson’s Import Service
goes the extra mile to take care
of their customers. Their repair
warranty is twice the industry
standard at 24 months or
24,000 miles. They also offer a
customer shuttle service, wireless
Internet, free carwash coupons
for service or repairs over $50
and a service reminder program
to help customers keep their cars
running at their optimal performance. The building’s recent
renovation was also designed to help better serve customers,
and a future expansion is planned.
Hudson has learned a lot about his industry in more
than four decades and is a recurring guest on WCIV News
4’s Lowcountry Live show, where he discusses a wide range
of automotive subjects. He has served on the Trident
Technical College Automotive Technology Department
Advisory Board for over 30 years and is currently the
chairman. He also participates in the college’s Automotive
Department orientation by addressing new students from
an industry perspective and chairs its annual car show, the
Spring Spin Off.
As technology continues to drive the future of the
automotive repair and service industry, Hudson’s Import
Service will continue to evolve as experts in their field while
providing impeccable customer care.
For more information on Hudson’s Import Service, visit
149 | |
PhotobyBrianSherman.
Ask the Experts
Still on the Cutting Edge
Hudson’s Import Service
By Anne TOOLe
The Hudson’s Import Service staff: Left to right: Gains Hudson,
Marc Olivetti, Frank Myers, John McDowell, Stephanie Shieder,
Craig Davis, Phillip Gandy, Cliff Hudson and Sean Rogerson.