By Bob Greenwood Everyone is aware that vehicle technology and business trends are moving forward at a constant pace. Things are changing so fast, in fact, that many automotive repair shops have had to devise strategies to help them keep…
11.8 years Average age of U.S. cars and light trucks on the road in 2019. IHS Markit 9.71 years Average age of Canadian cars and light trucks on the road in 2017 (most recent data). AIA Outlook Study…
Automotive retailers that are not tied to dealerships have a built-in advantage when it comes to attracting younger customers. Repeated surveys have shown that millennials – those born between 1981 and 2000 – are less suspicious of smaller shops than…
Here’s a useful exercise. If you normally refer to our industry as a “trade,” try replacing that word with “profession.” Not once in a while… but every time. It will be difficult at first, but soon it will become natural.…
By Bob Greenwood, AMAM A lot of repair shops still use a single catch-all labour rate. Jobbers who are watching the industry closely know these shops. If you’re selling parts to shops that stick to a single labour rate, it’s…
Off the Shelf By Susan Hitchon Spending a few days a month with manufacturers’ sales representatives is a time commitment, but it can pay real dividends to learn about the latest automotive products and taking them around to visit your…
5% The percentage increase in customer retention rate that will yield a 25%-100% increase in profits. Frederick F. Reichheld, The Loyalty Effect 49 Average age of technician in the United States. Automotive Training Managers Council annual survey…
Recently released products in the Diagnostic Tool space include the Autodiagnos Pro Automotive Diagnostic System from Continental; two new diagnostic oscilloscopes from Pico Technology; wifi capabilities for the VT56 from Ateq; a new integration for the ADS 625 from Bosch; and the Topdon ArtiPad…
Cam Young of Cam’s Auto Service in Toronto said a 1999 Malibu that limped into the shop had suddenly started shifting hard and the engine light came on. When a technician popped the hood, he found three squirrels alive and…
By Allan Janssen A new oil specification that offers better protection for modern engines bring new opportunities for shops to build trust with conscientious vehicle owners. GF-6 oils offer particular benefits to consumers who are determined to preserve the…
The new specification represents a significant upgrade to legacy fluids, allowing service providers to give their customers more confidence in their engine protection. By Allan Janssen The latest oil specification, which made its debut in May, was eight years in…
By Allan Janssen John Waraniak pulls no punches when he talks about the impact of advanced automotive technology on the automotive aftermarket. Armed with dozens of arresting slides in his presentation deck, the vice president of vehicle technology for…