European Auto Garage is a AAA Approved Service Center, is licensed by the ASE, and also is Knoxville’s preferred installer for TireRack.com.
Owner – Rich Defrancisco
We all believe around here that Rich was born with a wrench in his hand (maybe those shades too). Rich started 20 years ago with BMW and worked his way up to BMW Master Tech and eventually into BMW North America where he went to technician school programs and taught up and coming techs on the INs and OUTs of BMWs. Rich eventually made his way down to Tennessee and worked for a few of the local dealers eventually ending up at EAG. The rest as they say is history. On weekends you can find Rich racing in Chump Car Series, fishing, HPDEs, and spending time with his family and the real boss of the shop … his wife, Cyndi.
Technician -
Mark Magnusson
Mark has been with EAG since it’s birth 5 years ago. Mark has 5 years of BMW dealer service. Along with another 5 years in Lexus dealer service. Since working at EAG Mark has become our goto guy for any Porsche related repair from 944s to Boxster IMS bearing repairs. Mark is a very technical guy and makes sure that all the Is are dotted and the Ts are crossed. Mark our Magnum PI will figure out the most complicated of jobs. Mark takes tremendous pride in his work. Mark became a father a little over a year ago to a baby girl.
Technician -
Paul Severson
Paul has been with us for 8 months now. For our customers who are Pearl Jam fans that are keeping track. Yes Eddie Vedder is a distant cousin. No Eddie will not be by the shop. Yes Paul will give autographs. Before EAG he worked for the local BMW dealer for 10 years. While there he received several awards from BMW for achieving Master level on the latest generation of BMWs. Paul wanted a change of pace from the dealer world and joined up with EAG. Paul has brought EAG tremendous knowledge on all the newer BMWs that are now coming out of warranty. Paul also knows a thing or two around the old school BMWs, he owns a BMW 2002. Before his days at BMW he busted tires for two years. Then went to Washington Voctech. After there he worked for a local shop in Seattle quickly moving to shop manager position within a year. Just like Mark, Paul takes pride in every car he touches. We look at Paul as the Dos Equis man. (Clearly that pic shows it). Because with Paul “if he were to give you directions, you’d never get lost, and you’d arrive AT LEAST 5 minutes early”. On weekends you can find Paul with his family, watching some Nascar, and helping friends out.
Technician -
Bryan Barbee
Bryan is our newest technician. Around here he is known as the “Honey Badger”. It doesn’t matter what make or model Bryan is willing to tackle it (or even fly to the moon with it like the M62 pictured). Bryan has graduated from UTI program. His first love is Land Rovers, but it could also be his first hate? Anything related to Land Rovers he is the guy. Just by looking at a design cue he can tell you what year it is and if it is a limited edition. His passion for them runs deep. Bryan has worked for Land Rover and BMW. He also has extensive expertise in Volkswagens. The Honey Badger takes pride in all his work (or flying to the moon on a M62) just like everybody else in this shop. Just ask the bird or snakes. You’ll find Bryan on the weekends wrenching away on anything with wheels, racing dirt track cars, or riding some motorcycles.
