Legacy

A Legacy of Excellence

A global performance and racing powerhouse, HG Performance has changed the definition of quality and performance. Involved in service, design, production, and motorsports, HG brings over 60 years of experience to the racetrack. Their commitment to design, function, and performance allows HG to bring dreams to life for each customer they serve. HG is true to their calling, captured in their company motto, “We Live At Red Line.” We invite you to experience the HG history today.

1956 - Crew Chief, Augie Pabst Racing

In 1956, Heinz Gietz became the crew chief for Augie Pabst who was racing the 300sl Gullwing. Heinz Geitz’s experience and vast knowledge of the platform allowed him to make a natural transition into the crew chief position. During this transition Heinz Gietz solidified his expert knowledge of racing, gaining notoriety for his abilities on the track.

1961 - The Beginning of Mercedes-Benz of San Diego

After moving to San Diego in 1961, Heinz Gietz was brought in as Service Manager and helped to establish Mercedes-Benz of San Diego. Heinz recruited young German mechanics to join him in serving the Mercedes-Benz owners.

1969 - Starting Autohaus

Heinz bought a piece of land in La Jolla where he opened Autohaus, a privately owned and operated Mercedes-Benz dealership specializing in the Gullwing Platform. This experience afforded Heinz the realization that his hard work had paid off, as he had become a pillar of the community. Heinz was instrumental in turning La Jolla – historically a Cadillac town – into a Mercedes dominated market. During this time, Heinz serviced vehicles for some of the most famous faces of the 1960s including Sears Roebuck and Neil Morgan, then Publisher of the San Diego Tribune

1990

Heinz Gietz remains as the last of the original service-only dealers in the US. Focusing on customer satisfaction and high quality work allowed Heinz Gietz Autohaus to maintain a faithful customer base. Heinz Gietz Autohaus continues to increase its loyal following of dedicated clientele.

2006 - Creation of HG Performance

HG Performance was born. The legacy of the HG name lives on in a new generation through grandson and racing champion, Dieter Heinz. Dieter has taken the legacy of quality and workmanship and has expanded that to other platforms, passing the baton of quality service to other European platforms and honoring the track mentality having first originated with Heinz Gietz and Mercedes Benz.

2012 - HG Performance Opens

Propelled by passion, the discerning client, and the ever evolving platform, HG Performance embarks on a path that caters to track/street minded individuals that demand the foremost in craftsmanship, performance and customer service. Expanding into its new facility located in San Diego’s Sorrento Valley, HG Performance provides the ultimate in state of the art equipment, factory trained Master Certified Performance Technicians, unparalleled customer service coupled with its continued passion for motorsports. This is also when Omar Mehr, longtime technician at Heinz Gietz Autohaus stepped into his role of Shop Foreman.

2013 - The Return of HG Autohaus

Heinz Gietz Autohaus was brought back into the fold by Omar Mehr, this time as HG Service. Not only did they maintain their level of excellence in the performance world but they found their niche within dealer-alternative service. Omar’s background with the original Autohaus in La Jolla made him the perfect candidate to reinstate it within the new company.

2016

In April 2016 Omar became the General Manager of HG Motorsports. His experience and passion for high performance and quality service made him the obvious choice to carry the company into the future. It is also at this time that Alain Alba, the first technician ever hired by Dieter-Heinz at HG Motorsports, takes over as Shop Foreman.