Cash-Strapped Consumers Fuel Unperformed Vehicle Maintenance Trend
For those who fix cars daily and are responsible for keeping America rolling, it’s disheartening to learn that not everyone has such an allegiance. A recent Consumer Reports poll may have you shaking your head, or, better yet, nodding in agreement on the amount of unperformed maintenance that’s there for the taking.
Editor’s Notes: New CAFE Standard To Take Effect By 2025
On July 29, President Obama announced the next phase in the Administration’s program to increase fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas pollution for all new cars and trucks sold in the U.S. Automaker fleets will need to average 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 – about 2 mpg less than the earlier fuel-economy target of 56.2 mpg.
Editor’s Notebook: Learning Starts at the Top
This industry has top talent all around it. From the manufacturer/supplier ranks, to the parts distribution system, to the service and repair specialists who collectively keep America’s vehicles running, we have so many to applaud.
Editor’s Notebook: Got Top Techs? We Want to Know Who They Are
Calling all best techs! Do you make your customers’ vehicles charge ahead, run like a champ and cross the finish line first?
Editor’s Notebook: Gender May Influence Vehicle Selection
A report released earlier in the year by CarGurus shows that “guy” car and “girl” car stereotypes hold true, confirming the “love affair” that consumers have long had with their vehicles lives on, but also validating the influence of gender on vehicle preferences.
Vehicle Service Should Not Trump Customer Service
With passion for their vehicles running so deep, your customers’ expectations for a pleasant vehicle repair experience may run as high as having their vehicles fixed expertly and efficiently, especially among your female customers. Weighing in on this topic is Frank Scandura, owner of Frank’s Mercedes Service, with locations in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. His multi-bay locations specialize in Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Jaguar and VW service and repair, with an emphasis on driveability.
Volz Bros. Auto Service – Brand-Building Efforts Pay Dividends in Customer Loyalty
There’s no place like home, and for John Volz, home in this reference is the Volz Bros. Auto Service shop that he started 28 years ago. After 20 years of working 50-60 hours a week building his business, Volz sold the Grass Valley, CA, repair shop in 2001 to shop foreman Bill Greenman to retire to the Oregon coast where he spent seven years. Then, moved back to Northern California in 2008 to work in the auto parts business.
Personalized, Precision Service: Formula H Motorworks’ Business Ethic Engages Customers for Life
“If we weren’t working on Hondas, we probably wouldn’t be in the auto repair business,” affirms Jeff Baker, co-owner of Formula H Motorworks in Middletown, NY. In referencing both his and co-owner brother Brian’s love of all things Honda, Jeff also reinforces the duo’s specialization in and commitment to the Honda/Acura brands.
Paving the Way to Profits and Increased Market Share
With the year quickly winding down, as a shop owner in this business, there are likely certain strategies, policies, practices that you are really emphasizing now to ensure your shop finishes the year on a more solid note.
AAIA Town Hall at AAPEX: Industry Resets, Realigns Aftermarket for Growth and Prosperity
The resounding message echoed among panel members was that the economic reset that resulted from the recent recession has prompted an industry reset that will position the aftermarket for growth, but they cautioned that we should not forget the lessons we learned the past year.
Car Care Awareness Pays Dividends for Shops and Consumers
If you haven’t given thought to getting involved in a Be Car Care Aware Campaign, think again. It’s the perfect opportunity to do something good for your customers, showcase your technicians’ repair expertise and spotlight your commitment to quality repairs and exemplary customer service.
Key Person Insurance: Proactively Protecting Your Business
If you consider your employees to be your most important
business asset, then it would be short-sighted of you not to
insure them. Key-person life insurance policies help ensure continuity in a business after the loss of a partner or important employee and also offer valuable employee retention benefits.
