Practical articles for dealership teams on the service drive, the sales floor and in the F&I office.
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Service Drive
By Robert Stage, Service Director, Germain Jaguar Land Rover of Easton As of late, I have seen many posts on LinkedIn that decry the technician shortage that we face in the automotive industry. I have…
CPI6 min read
Service Drive
Across the United States, there’s a technician shortage. From New York City to Los Angeles, Fargo to Albuquerque, dealerships are scrambling to fill empty workbenches with experienced technicians…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Seasonal Service Packages Supplement the Manufacturer’s Maintenance Schedule Some customers don’t want to follow an oil life monitor for their vehicle maintenance. They might rather change their oil…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Almost three-quarters of new car customers disappear from the service drive by the time their warranty is over. They’ve defected; gone somewhere else for their maintenance and repairs. And while…
CPI1 min read
Service Drive
Understanding Starbucks Coffee Company's simple strategies will make your entire dealership more profitable ... Ahhh. ... It's autumn and the distinct aroma of pumpkin spice latte has returned to a…
CPI4 min read
Service Drive
It’s a situation that’s happened to every service advisor, and almost daily. A customer drops off their car for the day with a concern that needs to be diagnosed. The work order is written, the…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
The service industry is extremely fickle, and retaining your current clients is as difficult as earning new customers. What is it the competition, the automotive aftermarket service industry, does so…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
There's a science of storytelling. You might wonder how exactly stories apply to the retail automotive selling process. How can storytelling improve your service department hours per R.O.? A…
CPI3 min read
Service Drive
There are days you just don’t want to do anything. You’d rather ignore the ringing phone, the emails stacking up, and the customers who want your time. Or, you might be stuck in a rut, working hard to…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
The difference is vast. Service customers who have had their vehicle concerns fixed on the first visit have glowing CSI scores for the dealership. Those who haven’t had their car’s problem fixed on…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
The demand for automotive service technicians is greater than ever. According to a new report from the TechForce Foundation, the shortage of automotive technicians is much more severe than previously…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
The average maintenance and repair costs for a three-year-old vehicle is $1186, according to a recent AAA study. That number is well-known, and car buyers and owners expect there will be upkeep costs…
CPI1 min read
Service Drive
If you’re the average American, you’ll identify with the feeling of always being in a hurry. There’s always somewhere you need to be, something to do, and there’s no time to wait. The feeling is so…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Full synthetic engine oil is the best choice for almost any vehicle. When you offer customers a full synthetic oil change, do you get shot down like a barfly with a bad pickup line? If so, you’re not…
CPI4 min read
Service Drive
You won’t find this question on a Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI) survey. The results would probably tell a story very much in line with the overall CSI score. If the customer responded that the…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Vehicle owners often assume the check engine light is unimportant and ignore it. Educating customers can make you money. Plus, it can help protect them from additional repairs. On the Internet…
CPI4 min read
Service Drive
It’s hard to pin down an exact number from any source, but an estimated 30 percent of every dealer’s parts inventory is comprised of idle parts. Those are pieces in inventory that are obsolete…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
Someone needs to introduce new car buyers to the service department. For sales professionals and financial service advisors alike, it seems like a job that’s not in their description. They’re in the…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
A record number of travelers are about to hit the road with their families as Memorial Day comes closer…and it happens without fail. As a long weekend approaches, the prices at the pumps creep higher…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
The new car smell. A clean washed and waxed vehicle. Sun gleaming of freshly shone rims. Everyone loves a clean car. It makes the car owner more relaxed and feeling satisfied. It’s the perfect end to…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
It’s a scenario that happens many times a day in every service department. The service advisor completes a walkaround with the customer, explains the maintenance requirements, asks for the sale…and…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
In 2017, more than 28 million recall notices went out to car owners. But that pales in comparison to 2016 where nearly 53 million recalls were issued. It’s something that instills fear into drivers…
CPI1 min read
Service Drive
‘Free’ happens when mistakes are made, pure and simple. Online draws reward applicants for submitting a response, charity drives give away freebies, and sports teams throw t-shirts and cheap giveaways…
CPI2 min read
Service Drive
One Chevrolet dealer in Wells, Minnesota has created quite the stir recently. A brand new Silverado, customized to look like a 70s-retro Chevrolet Cheyenne C10 pickup, has drawn attention across North…
CPI2 min read