Shop owners and automaker reps share concerns over certification’s costs and ROI. But what’s the bottom line? Now that more collision repair shops have experience with automotive manufacturers’ certification programs, it’s common to hear comments of concern from shop owners…
Six foolproof ways to protect you and your customers from mishaps caused by counterfeit parts. The word “counterfeit” means a copy or replica of something manufactured with the intent to defraud. If, for example, you bought a Rolex from a…
Follow these 10 proven marketing techniques to better communicate your message to female consumers. You’ve heard it before: Women are the majority purchasers and influencers in the automotive industry today. This has been true for more than a decade now,…
What’s the worst that could happen if you don’t read it? I think we’re all guilty of checking the “I agree” button at the end of a full-page disclaimer, just to get an app on your phone or sign up…
To move forward as an independent shop owner in today’s business environment, it’s time to get your attitude in order. Here’s how. With all the daily pressures of running an automotive service or collision repair business, it’s amazing how the…
The following scenario was sent in by Andy Daniels of Frank’s Automotive in Tulare, Calif. “A first-time customer had her 2008 Hyundai Sonata V6 towed in for a no-start condition. We ran several tests and determined that the fuel pump…
Illinois shop owner creates value for his customers with a service approach that he calls ‘anti-retail.’ Dave Becker is a man with a plan. Becker, owner of Wheeling Auto Center in Arlington Heights, Ill., entered the auto service industry about…
The 2017 118-hp, 2.0-liter model looks good, but is it? Ford Motor Co. saw the light in hybrid technology with the introduction of the model year (M/Y) 2005 Escape hybrid. Since then, they’ve made many improvements and gained market share.…
If you work in this business you either embrace change or change leaves you behind. You’ve heard, or read, that technology is growing at an alarming pace, and it seems that every time I attend a connected-car event the countdown…
Increase in traffic fatalities prompts interest in preparing guidelines for federal and state policymakers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released policy guidelines for automated vehicles. Although NHTSA has communicated with the automotive industry and other manufacturers, states…
AutoInc. asked ASA member-shops to complete a questionnaire about how their businesses were performing through the first six months of 2016. Here are some select figures that represent the highlights of what they told us. This year’s “How’s Your Business?”…
With changes taking place so quickly in the collision repair industry, here’s how estimators can learn to improve their current processes to write it right. Start a discussion about the process of creating an estimate in the collision repair industry,…
Automotive telematics is here. And experts say it will transform the way that service centers interact with and respond to their customers. How will you prepare to deal with it in your shop? Telematics is one of the most discussed…
Believe it or not, they could be the key to the future of your shop – and the future of your industry. For those of you who don’t know me, my wife, Deb, and I started ASA-Massachusetts in 1993 while…
If you follow ASA’s press releases or Facebook page, you’re probably aware that we have made some groundbreaking announcements in the past few months. If you don’t follow these channels, let me catch you up on a few things as…
This 26-year-old Jeep Cherokee requires a bit of investigation, but if you follow the clues you’ll reach a solution. If you’ve been working in an independent shop for a while, you’ve seen your share of Jeep Cherokees come through your…
How this veteran shop owner built his successful business by making sure every customer gets the same experience. Mark Simons is one of those lucky people who live their life in the right place, right time. Simons, owner of Rolf’s…
Pennsylvania legislature considers bill requiring consumer notice. State vehicle safety inspection programs have seen good times and bad since the Highway Safety Act of 1966. This law mandated that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) prescribe uniform standards for mandatory…
