National Car Care Month a Resounding Success -

National Car Care Month a Resounding Success

Increased industry participation and a multi-platform marketing communications program helped make National Car Care Month in April a resounding success.

Increased industry participation and a multi-platform marketing communications program helped make National Car Care Month in April a resounding success.  

“With the rapid rise in gas prices and the struggling economy, being ‘car care aware’ is on the minds of motorists and the media more than ever,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “The council’s messages about the economic benefits of performing preventive vehicle maintenance and repairs captured the attention of these core campaign audiences. Coupled with increased industry participation, National Car Care Month 2011 was a resounding success.”  

During National Car Care Month in April, a record number of community car care events were held nationwide. These events, most often conducted by independent repair shops, auto parts stores, vocational schools and other aftermarket organizations, have become a great way to share service and repair information with motorists in a fun, non-threatening environment.

“More and more members of our industry have realized what a great business-building opportunity hosting a community car care event has become,” White said. “The Car Care Council provides a complete tool kit that contains all the essential items needed to conduct a successful event. If your organization has not hosted a community car care event before, we suggest you start planning soon for Fall Car Care Month in October.”
 
In addition to a rise in the number of community car care events conducted during National Car Care Month, other highlights include:

• Outstanding trade media support including interviews, guest columns, audio interviews and other coverage of National Car Care Month and its benefits.

• Extensive national and local media coverage with interviews on television, radio, print and digital media.

• Increased popularity of the council’s social media efforts including the promotion of more community car care events on Car Care Council and Car Care Professionals Network Facebook pages.

• Expansive coverage of the Car Care Council’s award-winning syndicated stories.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide, which is now available electronically, or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

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By Joe Marconi of Elite
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.
Here are a few things to consider:
• The loss of time when performing the comeback; time that the tech can use to
perform other work and generate profit;
• The misc costs, such as overhead costs, supplies, cleaners, etc.;
• Towing costs, rental, etc.;
• Cost to morale;
• Reputation damage; and
• Reduction to your profit margin.
For every part issue, you need to
inform your supplier. Sit down with suppliers on a regular basis. Don’t return defective
parts until you have listed the parts, and maintain a report. Document
everything.
Part issues are increasing. Every shop
owner I speak to is frustrated over this.
Remember, comebacks kill your bottom
line. The more comebacks you have, the more they’re killing your profits.
This article was contributed by Joe Marconi.
Joe is one of the 1-on-1 business coaches who helps shop owners through
the Elite Coaching Program, and is the
co-founder of autoshopowner.com.

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