Ramping Up Refinish
No matter which business performance number you’re looking to improve – productivity, cycle time or profitability – all roads lead through your paint department.
Features
Developing women leaders in the aftermarket
There’s roughly a four-to-one ratio, men-to-women in employment in the automotive industry. Our industry has over the past four to five years begun to see more clearly the value of having not just women, but women in leadership, and influential…
Redding: How can we change the conversation for vehicle safety inspection?
Vehicle repairers have watched a slow hemorrhage of state vehicle safety inspection programs for a number of years. These programs go back to 1926 beginning with a voluntary program in Massachusetts, and increased to 31 states plus the District of…
The Leading Edge of Cybersecurity: Three trends reshaping vehicle security
Cybersecurity continues to occupy much attention in the automotive world. We are soon going to have millions of connected land, sea and air vehicles traveling the globe. Those vehicles, connected businesses and other users will all require and rely on…
Finding the Right Parts
Choosing and correctly installing the right part is no simple task these days.
Benefitting from Cause Marketing
For many shops, hiring women is about putting forward an atmosphere of friendliness and trustworthiness, particularly to women customers, who, as we all know, account for 85 percent of all purchase decisions. It turns out that hiring women involves more…
Being 'extremely literal' important when writing repair orders
I’ve been experimenting with specials to be used in direct mail, boosted Facebook posts and other such advertising mediums. One such special is a summer kickoff special, which is an air conditioning inspection and service for only $139. The wording…
Confidence Building
"They” say new car dealers are feeling aggressive and confident. Car dealerships are also looking at aggressive methods to keep the purchasers of their used cars in their bays. Dealerships want the lucrative aftermarket business, they are going after it,…
WWYD: Customer asks for refund after learning warrant should have covered part
A multi-store shop owner sends in the following situation: We recently had a 2015 Ford F150 V8 with 46,000 miles brought into one of my shops with a check engine light on, as well as a drivability problem. My technician…
The Lucido Brothers: Like father, like sons
RENO, Nevada - It all started with them holding a flashlight for their father. Now, years later, brothers Vinnie and Anthony Lucido have turned what they learned as youngsters into an extremely successful auto repair shop – CoAuto – in…
Intermittent 'no start' Camry woes
I just couldn’t resist. It was just the detective in me. “Yes, I will take a look at it,” I said to a new customer when she said her car would stall but only occasionally. Why would I do such…
Connect with the Best! Join ASA’s New Facebook Group
ASA’s new members-only Facebook Group debuted May 31 on ASA’s 67th aniversary. Join with other shop owners/managers in discussions of business management topics designed to help you run a more successful shop. ASA-member shops are known nationwide for their commitment…
Redding: Repair procedure restrictions are late-season legislative focus
Although several states have seen legislation and debate regarding original equipment manufacturer (OEM) repair procedures, companion bills in Rhode Island have gained the most traction. Senate Bill (SB) 2679, introduced by Senators Maryellen Goodwin, Dominick Ruggerio and Michael McCaffrey on…
Don’t Get Left Behind
Every industry needs to prepare for its next generation of employees, which, ideally, continually flows in. The collision repair industry currently faces an aging population in several ways.
The Digital Decision
Digital vehicle inspections (DVI), everyone is talking about it, but not everyone is doing it – yet. Increased efficiency, higher average repair order, fewer customers with buyer’s remorse and being environmentally friendly top out some of the reasons to switch,…
