Ocean Auto Tech: Personal Family-Run Auto Maintenance

by Alana Quartuccio and Sofia Frishta EsHaq

Sal Fiore believes strongly in old-fashioned core values, always putting the needs of the customer first. That is the foundation of his business, Ocean Auto Tech, which has been going strong for nearly four decades and shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Located in Brick, Ocean Auto Tech offers a full range of auto maintenance service from oil changes to entire engine replacements for all kinds of vehicles. 

“This past July 3, we have been here 39 years,” Fiore proudly boasts. His decades of experience began in Newark, where he originates from. “I owned a Sunoco station on Raymond Avenue right across from Penn Station. In 1981, we moved to Toms River, but I drove back and forth because I still had the station in Newark. 

“In 1985, the city wanted the property for an office building, which was fine because I was tired of driving back and forth,” he laughs. “A year later, I bought this place, we moved in on July 3, 1986, and we’ve been here ever since.”

Ocean Auto Tech is a three-bay automotive repair shop with a BP gas station. “We were Sunoco, but about 10 years ago, I switched to BP.” They also offer U-Haul truck rental service. He has six employees including his son, Sal Jr. 

Fiore’s passion for automotive work began at Irvington Tech High School, where he was introduced to the inner workings of vehicles. Reflecting on his love for cars, Fiore believes “they get more challenging as the years go by. There’s more technology, a lot of changes happening. The federal government is pushing the automakers on more stringent emissions standards, which affects the products they put out. Sometimes good, sometimes bad. It’s a challenging business, but it’s rewarding.”

Fiore takes pride in the fact that he’s maintained old core values over the years, making the business unique and unlike corporate-owned automotive shops. 

“Our design isn’t the format that dealers and all the corporate shops use – they push their mechanics by volume, by what they could sell the customer. We still do it the old-fashioned way of paying our employees by the hour. I just feel it’s better that way, because customers won’t get things that they don’t need. What’s recommended is actually what is needed.” Fiore strives to always do right by his customers – a method that has proven to be satisfying over the years.

Quality work has led to repeat business from loyal customers. “Customers have been coming to us for years,” explains Fiore. “Unfortunately, we see customers pass away. We also see customers that move in, and their neighbors tell them where they go, and they start coming here and become long time customers. It’s the way it works.” Similarly, Fiore explains that the shop does “a little bit of advertising, but our main advertising is word of mouth.” 

As one of the association’s newest mechanical shop members, Fiore believes “AASP/NJ has the knowledge and the niche to offer knowledge, experience and representation” to automotive businesses in the state. 

Fiore jokes that working in this business has brought upon high blood pressure and an aching back and knees, but despite all that, he has much to be thankful for. “My family wants for nothing. It’s provided us with a good living.” 

Passion for the industry and dedication to core philosophies have carried Fiore to where he is today. “I dedicate myself to this wholly and nothing else, really,” he adds.

Want more? Check out the August 2025 issue of New Jersey Automotive!