Senate Committee emphasizes safety, federal regulation and cybersecurity. The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, convened a hearing titled “Hands Off: The Future of Self-Driving Cars,” chaired by Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. The hearing explored advancements in autonomous…
Why Michigan shop owner Dick Zaagman says he chose ‘downward mobility’ in establishing his business and his life. Community means a lot to Dick Zaagman, past,…
Redesigned Chevy Volt undergoes inspection. Is the second generation better than the first? There have been no redesigns of any plug-in cars except the Chevy Volt. The Nissan Leaf did get a larger capacity battery pack and the motor/inverter underwent…
Why having someone with the skills to manage your business technology is not an option but a requirement. I’m certain most of you have experienced challenges with technology from time to time. Whether it’s dealing with an update or a…
As shop owners and managers, the busier we are, the better the business. But do you ever feel that something is happening, and you’re too busy to pay attention? You really need to pay attention. At the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers…
To sell tires, or not to sell tires? How one shop owner’s inquiry into new technology led him to burn rubber in a new direction. Some “truths” are true or untrue, depending on an individual’s perspective. For example, up until…
Check out these nine expert tips for streamlining your collision estimating process and learn how to apply them in your shop. Estimating the cost of repairs in a collision shop is one of the most important steps in the repair…
The essential questions you must ask, and answer, before spending a penny on marketing your services and yourself. “Marketing” is such a broad term. It includes everything from a billboard to a tweet. How do you deal with your marketing…
Panelists question why repairs limited to dealers only. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently held a one-day public workshop to explore competition and related issues in the context of state regulation of motor vehicle distribution and to promote more informed…
Fun and functional high–tech tools that you might not think to buy - but should. We’ve found the Droid MAXX smartphones to be a stable platform with tons of battery life. These phones get plugged in…
He’s a talented but belligerent tech, and he’s ruining the morale in the shop. What you can do to make peace. I was finally able to hire a tech that I had been chasing for a few years. His knowledge…
How to make your shop a success by making it the kind of place where you’d want to work. It’s no secret that we have an extreme shortage of competent people throughout our industry. As an employer, you’ve got to…
Mark Sanders grew up in the collision repair business. Now he operates the largest such company in the nation. What does he know that you don’t? Mark Sanders might…
Use these expert tips to avoid the pitfalls of converting your shop to ‘advanced material’ repairs. Aluminum repair is more a business challenge for collision repairers than a technical one. Aluminum hoods 1have been in use for years, and even…
What it takes to rebuild your employees’ morale and get everybody working toward the same goals. I was reading an article from the Society For Human Resource Management and came across this statement: “With a daily diet of news about…
Insurance committee considers ASA position on parts procurement bill. The Michigan legislature is back in session and has insurer-mandated parts procurement legislation on its agenda. Michigan State Sen. Joe Hune, R-22, chairman of the…
At Chicago’s Sinclair Auto Clinic, the cars and the times have changed but not the treatment. No doubt about it. James F. “Jim” Sinclair is old school.…
What’s in it for you to perform courtesy checks? Plenty. But getting your techs into the habit takes planning and effort. Here’s how. A lot has been written about the value of the courtesy-check process – mostly about how important…
