From Garage Dreams to Community Reality

What started as a 15-year-old’s passion project in his parents’ garage has grown into Carmel’s most trusted automotive destination. Chris Rini’s journey began with a simple love for cars and a commitment to helping neighbors keep their vehicles running smoothly. Working on just a couple cars each month while attending high school, Chris discovered that word-of-mouth recommendations quickly outpaced his ability to keep up with demand.

This early success wasn’t just about mechanical skill, it was about treating every customer’s vehicle as if it were his own family’s car. By August 1991, that teenage dream became Chris’ Automotive Center, establishing a foundation built on quality workmanship and honest pricing that continues to define our approach today. The transition from a small side business to a full-scale automotive facility happened naturally as our reputation for reliable service spread throughout the Carmel community and beyond.

We are an official New York State Registered Repair Facility

Early Bird / Night Drop Service

At Chris’ Automotive, for your convenience, we offer early bird or night owl service.  This service is a drop key slots that is a secure outdoor box, that allow customers to drop off vehicle keys for after-hours service. This process involves the customer parking their vehicle, taking an envelope from the box, filling it out with contact and service information, placing the keys inside, sealing it, and dropping the envelope into the slot. The next business day, our staff will retrieve the envelopes and process the service requested.

Expert Team Dedicated to Your Vehicle’s Health

Our growth from a single-bay operation to a state-of-the-art 12-bay facility reflects our unwavering commitment to serving our community’s automotive needs. When we moved to our current location at 349 NY-52, Carmel, NY 10512 in 1995, we had six service bays and a vision to become the area’s premier automotive service center.

The 2013 expansion doubled our capacity and introduced cutting-edge diagnostic equipment, allowing our team of 22 skilled professionals to handle everything from routine maintenance to complex mechanical repairs.

Each member of our team brings specialized expertise to ensure your vehicle receives the precise care it deserves, whether you’re dealing with engine diagnostics, brake service, or comprehensive auto body repairs. Our technicians stay current with the latest automotive technologies and manufacturer specifications, ensuring that vehicles of all makes and models receive service that meets or exceeds factory standards.

Community-Focused Service You Can Trust

At Chris’ Automotive Center, we understand that car troubles can disrupt your entire day, which is why we’ve built our services around your convenience and peace of mind. Our comprehensive approach includes not just mechanical repairs and auto body work, but also 24-hour towing services to ensure you’re never stranded when automotive emergencies strike.

We accept all major payment methods including American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover, cash, and checks, making it easy for you to get the service your vehicle needs without financial stress. You can reach us at (845) 225-3054 during our regular business hours of Mon-Fri: 7am – 6pm on weekdays and Sat: 7am -1pm on Saturdays.

As we approach our 34th anniversary this August, we remain committed to being the automotive service center that Carmel residents can depend on for honest assessments, fair pricing, and quality repairs that stand the test of time.

Our Facility Photo Gallery