Trade Associations Challenge Consumer Reports Story
The Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Tire Industry Association have sent a joint letter to the editors of Consumer Reports (CR), rebutting their May 20 article – “How a Cheap Oil Change Can Cost You in the Long Run” by Jon Linkov – that promotes a 2012 technical bulletin from Kia warning consumers not to use non-OEM filters.
ASA Mechanical Division Meets With NHTSA Administrator
On May 29, a group from the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) mechanical division leadership met with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) acting administrator to discuss the importance of vehicle safety inspection, as well as advancements in vehicle technology.
Trade Associations Insist That FTC Take Action Against Kia
The bulletin, which was referenced in an article posted by Consumer Reports, recommended that car owners either go back to the authorized dealer or use a Kia oil filter to avoid problems with oil- and filter-related warranty claims.
Herman Trend Alert: Changing Employee Attitudes
The prevailing belief is that if you are a good leader and you keep your people “happy,” they will stay. Not only is that logical, but we also saw that cause and effect playing out all over the world. Unfortunately, that may no longer be the case.
ASA Members Eligible For Huge Savings On Mopar TechAuthority Subscription
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is extending its offer for ASA members to subscribe to Mopar’s TechAuthority Online at a huge discount. Back by popular demand, ASA members who missed the initial sign-up deadline are now eligible to enroll for a 10-month subscription to receive TechAuthority access through May 4, 2015, with an activation date of July 2, 2014. The cost for the 10-month, full-access subscription is only $100, and ASA members must sign up for the ASA benefit by June 30.
AAPEX Attendee Webinar Connects Branding To Actual Results
“Real-World Branding for Profit,” a free AAPEXedu attendee webinar slated for Wednesday, June 11, at 4 p.m., EST, will show how branding is a strategic and tactical tool that can help businesses cut through the clutter in today’s world of “sameness” and commoditization of features and benefits.
CARS 2014: ‘Not Your Father’s Oldsmobile’
From ASA comes word that CARS this year “is not your father’s Oldsmobile.” This year’s CARS will be held July 30-Aug. 2 in Detroit and, for the first time, the focus will be on younger techs. Each program at CARS this year has been handpicked with an eye toward making your shop better, said Donny Seyfer, chairman-elect of the Automotive Service Association, which sponsors CARS.
Call For Entries For The ATMC National Excellence In Training Awards
The Automotive Training Managers Council (ATMC) has issued a call for entries for the 2014 National Excellence in Training Awards. The annual program is designed to highlight the importance of training to the success of the transportation industry by honoring highly effective or innovative training programs. The awards are open to any person or entity providing training in the industry.
Want To Increase A/C Sales?
Have your techs, as part of their preliminary checks, turn on the A/C and see if the system is working. Is the compressor turning on? Are all the fan speeds working? Is the system getting cold? Is there a smell from the vents?
The True Cost Of Comebacks
Comebacks are a hot topic today. You need to track all comebacks, determine the reason (tech error, part error, training issue, other) and then calculate the true cost of the comeback.
Phone Shoppers Made Easy
Although there is no silver bullet that will allow you to bring in every first-time caller, there are a number of things you can do to get more appointments. In this article, I would like to share some of the best practices your advisors can use that will generate immediate results.
The Secret To Price Advertising
Believe it or not, price advertising is a good thing. I am sure you will agree, everyone likes to find a good value, and price advertising lets people in your community know that you are looking for ways to help them save money. The problem most shop owners come across is that they’re unsure of exactly how to price advertise.