Business Spotlight - Sebago Lake Automotive

Sebago Lake Automotive has a long, storied history in the lakes region and this family owned business takes what they do seriously, ready to help the customers with whatever they need. Co-owners and brothers Mitch Woodbrey, who handles the service department, and Brad Woodbrey, who handles the sales end of the business, have been a part of the Sebago region for all of their lives. 
 

“They are a local business that powered through the recession. A third generation dealership, they lost the GM franchise and survived in spite of it,” said sales agent Mike Fitzgibbons. 

From World War II when there were no cars to sell to height of car sales just before the housing crash, Sebago Lake Automotive has continued doing what they do best, selling and servicing cars. Their dedication to the industry has left them with many loyal customers who return again and again to purchase cars from the Woodbreys. 

“We have all of your automotive and transportation needs,” said Brad. Brad’s philosophy on selling cars is simple. “Sell them cars and make them happy.”

The cars at Sebago Lake Automotive have all been checked and have a good Auto Check. The inexpensive, yet quality cars start at $7,000. Trucks and SUVs are some of the more popular items and they start in the low $20,000s. Most of the vehicles are between two and eight years old. 

 

The sales department is low key and not high pressure. They will help you find a car that matches what you are looking for and what your needs are. If they don’t have it on the lot, they will try to find it for you through their channels. 

They also offer financing through area banks and take trade ins. The trend right now is to purchase small SUVs and trucks, but the trends are always changing, Brad added. 

The original Sebago Lake Garage opened in 1920 under the ownership of Mitch and Brad’s grandfather and the grandfather’s brother. They were asked to be a franchise of Chevrolet in 1928. Through war time and into the 1970s Mitch and Brad’s father owned a fleet of buses that took children to school and drove people into Portland and South Portland to the docks. 

In 1984, they opened the newest location at 847 Roosevelt Trail and have been there for 30 years and have seen a variety of cars come across their lot. 

There are 23 employees including those in the service department at Sebago Lake Automotive. They have a great body shop, a well-stocked parts department, a thorough service department, which includes detailing. They are especially well versed in GM cars. 

The service department is well known for quality work that fixes issues the first time and fixes them right. 

“Mitch is not afraid to be hands on,” said Fitzgibbons. 

The service department has a high level of quality control using AC Delco parts, GM parts and Fisher Plow parts as well as lots of after-market brands to fix all makes and models of cars, trucks and SUVs. They do specialize in GMC because of their history with the company. The service department offers loaner cars while cars are being repaired. The body shop is knowledgeable in all aspects of body collision repairs and works with insurance companies. 

“We specialize in fixing things that are hard,” Mitch said. 

The five technicians in the service department have over 120 years of combined experience. Mitch himself has 31 years on the job. 

“We give a personal level of service. We talk with them and find out what they need, and what they can afford,” said Brad. 

Last year, Sebago Lake Automotive became a UHaul rental agency and also went into business with Hertz car rental as a new service to their customers.  

The hours of operation are Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. The sales department is open online at www.sebagolakeautomotive.com. 

“We can keep them on the road with a car that can give them a good ride,” Brad said.