Oklahoma Dealer Larry Battison Expands Into Auto Repair With Plans for 15 Shops
- Larry Battison, owner of a Honda dealership and the co-owner and co-founder of an auto dealership consulting company, plans to launch 15 Bosch Auto Service centers in Oklahoma.
- Battison hopes to give back to Oklahomans with transparent, honest service and by creating well-paid positions at each franchise location.
- His daughter and her husband are partners in the current and upcoming Bosch franchises.
- Bosch Auto Service’s franchise support, combined with growing demand for automotive aftermarket services, creates a strong opportunity for franchise owners.
Larry Battison, a longtime auto dealer who has owned dealerships since 1983, has branched out to become a Bosch Auto Service franchisee. He saw the automotive aftermarket services industry as a lucrative opportunity for himself and for communities in his state, providing jobs to Oklahomans as well as serving customers with transparency.
In November 2024, Battison – who also is the principal owner of Battison Honda in Oklahoma City – signed an agreement to open 15 Bosch Auto Service centers in Oklahoma by late 2030. His deal entitles him to exclusive Bosch Auto Service franchise rights throughout the Sooner State.
Why Battison Invested
Battison’s path toward the Bosch Auto Service franchise began unfolding a good while ago, when he noted the steadily growing demand for automotive aftermarket servicing. (Mordor Intelligence statistics bear that out, estimating that the market will be worth about $211 billion this year and predicting that compounded annual industry growth should be 6% to 10% from now through the early 2030s.)
His observation about Americans’ needs for car repairs planted the seed of Battison’s potential entry into yet another offshoot of the automotive industry, and the Bosch brand entered the picture a few years later. “I read an article in Automotive News that Bosch was going to franchise auto repair centers,” he says. “I reached out to them and said I was very interested.” For Battison, the opportunity stood out because it offered a chance to build something new in Oklahoma while creating career opportunities and bringing a modern approach to auto service.
When Battison first reached out, Oklahoma wasn’t yet part of Bosch Auto Service’s initial expansion plan. But his interest opened the door to a broader conversation. Bosch evaluated the market, saw the opportunity and worked with Battison to explore what expansion in Oklahoma could look like. From there, the relationship moved forward, and Battison invited his Global Dealer Services partners, his daughter Courtney Battison-Osteen and her husband, Beau Osteen, to join him in the venture.
There are other auto services franchises, but Bosch particularly appealed to Battison. “I was most attracted to Bosch because of their fabulous reputation, technical expertise and the fact that they have been serving auto manufacturers and retailers worldwide for generations. Today’s automobiles are very complex, and Bosch is a leading expert in our industry.”
Generational Business That Gives Back
The Oklahoma expansion was underway, and Battison sees it as a rewarding endeavor. “We’re very excited about this opportunity to develop careers for people and serve the great folks of Oklahoma with quality auto repair at a fair price and complete transparency,” he says. In addition, building the Bosch Auto Service business alongside his daughter and son-in-law provides an opportunity to establish a lasting family enterprise for the next generation.
He and his partner group already have opened their first shop, a Bosch Auto Service Ambassador location in Moore, Okla. Ambassador locations offer enhanced benefits to franchisees in the form of premium branding, tools, a full training center and marketing support that extend beyond the typical Bosch Auto Service Franchise workshop. Ambassador locations can serve as a flagship location for multi-unit franchisees.
Bosch’s Plans and Perks
Bosch Auto Service is looking to expand further in the United States. CEO Uli Jaschek is looking for franchise owners who share the brand’s focus on integrity, customer service and overall excellence. They also should be adaptable and have an entrepreneurial drive and a collaborative mindset, she says.
Jaschek says Bosch Auto Service gives franchise owners the support, technology and training needed to operate a modern repair business. The model is designed around today’s vehicles and today’s drivers, with advanced diagnostic capabilities, ongoing technical training and a premium customer experience. Bosch’s own track record is a big attraction, too: Almost 90% of domestic vehicles operating today contain parts made by the German-based parent company.
Automotive Services Aftermarket a Plus
Beyond those advantages, Bosch franchise owners have an unprecedented opportunity because of the booming automotive aftermarket service industry. Several factors feed the demand for professional vehicle care, including:
- U.S. cars are staying on the road longer than ever, partly because new ones are so costly, with the average price nearing $50,000, according to Public Broadcasting Service News.
- Older vehicles require more maintenance – something that is a necessity, not a wish, for U.S. consumers.
- Today’s vehicles are increasingly complex, with advanced computer systems, sensors, safety technology and evolving powertrains that require specialized training, diagnostic tools and technical expertise to service properly.
All of those circumstances position Bosch Auto Service franchisees for a bright future, Jaschek says. The shops that will lead the future of auto service are the ones that combine technical expertise with clear, transparent communication. When drivers trust both the work and the people behind it, that trust becomes the foundation for long-term growth.
To Learn More
For additional information about opportunities with this expanding franchise, visit the Bosch Auto Service website.
