3 minute read
BUSINESS PROFILE
ADVERTORIAL BUSINESS PROFILE WHAT YOU—AND YOUR CAR—DESERVE
For many, their vehicles are merely a means of getting from point A to point B. But at Podium Body Works, a car both a sanctuary and the second biggest investment after a home. “It’s where you can get peace and quiet,” owner Kevin Keehl says. “You can get away from the chaos life brings. It’s a sanctuary—that’s how we treat our vehicles.”
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The auto body shop is new to the area, having opened its doors in January, but Kevin is excited to build a foundation in Liberty Hill with a team of experienced technicians and community involvement efforts. Inspired by an auto shop elective in high school as well as a mechanical engineer father who instilled a love of cars in him, Kevin began a motorsport career by getting involved in a number of different on-and off-road racing programs. Over time his successes led to an opportunity to work as a preproduction test driver for Audi of North America and as a stunt driver for TV and film productions. He later established a private research and development facility for off-road racing teams in the Mojave Desert and channels his intensity into repairing and customizing vehicles as well as sharing his clients’ excitement in getting their cars back on the road. “Even if it’s just as simple as repairing a customer’s fender or a complete restoration on a classic car, bringing a vehicle back to life is a rewarding job,” he says.
MORE THAN A BODY SHOP
“We don’t just fix dents,” Kevin says. Described as a specialty collision repair facility for domestic and foreign cars, Podium provides collision repairs as well as custom upgrades, including suspension modifications, window tinting, custom wheels, vehicle wraps, performance upgrades, and more. “Your car makes a statement about you and customizing it is about making it unique to you. For that, we want to be your one stop shop,” he says, adding that his team takes pride in their work. “We strive to provide our clients with excellent customer service and help reduce the stress of being involved in an accident.”
Some of that stress comes from insurance companies, he says. Most will urge clients to go to a corporate auto body shop for repairs after an accident. “Texas law states a customer gets to choose where repairs are done,” he explains but cautions that corporate shops negotiate contracts with insurance companies in an effort to save money, which can compromise the quality and safety of the repair being performed. “Podium Body Works would like to earn your business because our team has the experience and training to perform a high-quality repair and get your car safely back on the road.”
Kevin with his wife Renee, daughter Liata and son Emery.
LOCAL, PROFESSIONAL, ENGAGED
A resident of North Austin, Kevin felt that the growth opportunity and “being close to home for our business makes Liberty Hill a good location. We want to be in the highly visible 183 corridor and easily accessible from anywhere in the Austin area.” Their base of operations also allows room for expansion, as he plans to add two buildings for his racing and manufacturing programs. He also plans to host monthly car meet-and-greets including an open house of the paint facility and lab; “We want to show folks what it’s like behind the curtain at the body shop.”
512-548-6979
939 US Highway 183, Liberty Hill
