Neftin opens doors to Mazda

Howie Neftin Despite the recent trials and tribulations of the automotive industry, it's still full throttle ahead for Agoura Hills resident Howie Neftin.

The Neftin Westlake Car Company recently cut the ribbon on a new Mazda showroom at the Thousand Oaks Auto Mall.

The dealership that the Neftin family started 30 years ago made a decision to introduce Mazda as a replacement for Volvo, who's sales were sagging. Neftin also has a Volkswagen dealership next door.

"The opportunity to get Mazda was overwhelming," Neftin said. "There is an amazing array of models to choose from that would work so well with the demographics (of the Conejo Valley)."

Neftin's father, Murray, started the family business, which has been carried on by Neftin and his two siblings, Sam and Laura.

"We all came from different venues in the car business," Neftin said. "I was selling cars; Sam was working in the parts department, and my dad was working in the manufacturing end of it. We raised a couple nickels and got started in 1977."

He said the automobile industry has had its ups and downs but that the current slump is troubling. With the cost of gas rising almost $1.50 since last August, drivers are paying close attention to miles per gallon when purchasing a new car—making larger vehicles increasingly less popular.

"Luckily, with the Mazda franchise, we have a lot of cars that get 30 miles to the gallon," Neftin said. "We have a seven-passenger SUV that gets in the high 20s, so we have some cars that people need."

Along with being a successful businessman, Neftin has long been involved in the community as a volunteer youth baseball coach and a corporate sponsor for local concerts and events.

Neftin is a sponsor for the Agoura Hills Concerts in the Park and is the founding sponsor of the Great Race of Agoura.

"He's been our major sponsor once and one of our gold sponsors for as long as, I can't even remember how many years," said Nick Newkirk, Agoura Hills community services coordinator.

For the past seven years Neftin has been a middle school baseball coach at Oaks Christian School, not because he has a child on the team but because he enjoys giving his time back to the community.

Neftin says he and his wife Andrea feel it's important to be involved in the community. People who have purchased cars from Howie Neftin often see him at local events and say they feel comfortable coming back as repeat customers.

"I think it's important; you hear all the time to give back to the community, but we believe it —we live it," Neftin said.