About Us

Ed and his two partners, Gerhard Heckmann and Richard Thiemann (one of his brothers), opened Heckmann & Thiemann Motors in June of 1968. Ed had been involved in the automotive industry since he was in high school and shared his brother's enthusiasm and love for cars while he was growing up. Being the baby of the family, Ed enjoyed time in the garage with his older brothers as well as at the track where they raced.

He went to Benson High School and really enjoyed the automotive program. After he graduated, he went to work for West Slope VW and Porsche. Ed completed all of their technical training and received Master Technician status. Gerhard came from Stuttgart, Germany where he was factory-trained and was sent to the Northwest through Volkswagen to work at Riviera Motors. Richard also worked at Riviera Motors and had gone to Benson High School prior to his employment.

Prior to the shop opening, Ed was drafted into the US Army and served in Vietnam. Upon his return, he resumed his co-ownership position. In 1988, Richard retired and in 2001, Gerhard retired. Ed and his wife, Phyllis, continue ownership and operation today. In October of 2018, our shop moved to a new building here in Portland, OR. In their free time, Ed loves to garden and Phyllis enjoys singing, gardening, cooking, and entertaining.

Heckmann & Thiemann Motors are members of Friends of Brooklyn Park, a local non-profit that provides activities throughout the summer for youth in the neighborhood. The shop collect toys for and supports Toys for Tots as well as Service to Service USA, a non-profit serving veterans and their families who are re-entering into civilian life and helping to connect them with needed services. The shop is also a member and supporter of the Crown Point Historical Society in Corbett. Additionally, the shop volunteers in programs for automotive technicians in the local areas’ high schools and community colleges.

When you need auto repair that you can truly trust here in Portland, OR, look no further than the professionals at Heckmann & Thiemann Motors.

Our Mission:

Heckmann & Thiemann Motors is a family owned and operated company that provides expert service for Volkswagen, Porsche, Audi and Subaru vehicles. We strive to consistently offer superior customer and automotive service by communicating effectively with our customers to answer any questions and meet their expectations. We are dedicated to providing excellence for the driving community, our employees and their families, while caring for the environment using energy and waste conscious practices.

Service:

In an era when real customer service often seems practically nonexistent, we strive to go the extra mile and deliver more than you expect. The foundation of Heckmann & Thiemann Motor’s success was built on customer satisfaction and our pledge is to never take your business for granted.

Quality:

Our goal is to always repair your vehicle right the first time. Although perfection is not always attainable, we pursue it diligently! We are committed to maintaining and repairing your vehicle at the highest level with the best available parts.

Experience:

With over 150 combined years in automotive know-how, we can truly say, “We have the experience!” Whether we are rebuilding an engine on your 356 Porsche, aligning your Subaru or diagnosing drivability problems on your late model Volkswagen or Audi, you can be certain that we have the knowledge and experience to do the job correctly.