Practical articles for dealership teams on the service drive, the sales floor and in the F&I office.
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Service Drive
"What's in it for me?” In sales, it’s critical that you answer this question. A famous sales quote says, “Customers don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” Showing customers…
Ted Ings2 min read
Service Drive
Cutting back on dealership conveniences is penny-wise and dollar-foolish. Sure, it can be tempting to cut back on conveniences when sales are down. You may think customers won’t notice if you take…
Ted Ings3 min read
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
Nearly half of all customers value certification, the problem is, they don’t know if their technician is certified. Dealerships not promoting employee credentials are to blame. A recent study found…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
Even though the fast food industry gets a bad rap, it hides some important customer service methods that can increase business at your dealership. Do you want fries with that burger? How about a tire…
Ted Ings3 min read
Service Drive
At first glance, it appeared to be nothing more than a catchy title. A title that - in reading the article - later reminds us of how vital the walk-around is in the sales process. Given that the…
Ted Ings7 min read
Service Drive
Fully autonomous cars that whiz passengers from destination to destination aren’t here, yet. But, already, there are advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) that take duties from the human behind…
Ted Ings4 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
Flat rate, the pay scale where technicians are paid by the job, has been the industry standard for many years. Most shops choose the system as opposed to compensating their technicians hourly. But are…
Ted Ings3 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
Sales of diesel vehicles are increasing along with the desire for greater fuel economy Oil burners are around 25% more efficient than their gasoline counterparts, which means you’ll be seeing more and…
Ted Ings3 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
Mr Ings has been an automotive industry professional since 1981 and has personally delivered thousands of retailer initiatives internationally as well as successfully implemented dozens of OEM…
Ted Ings5 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
Large dealer groups and small dealerships alike require fixed operations training on a regular basis. But with many training companies out there, it isn’t always easy to choose the right one for your…
CPI2 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