Fixed Ops
SEMA offers more than glitz and glamourIn these tough times, it’s essential to maximize each customer’s visit by providing products and services with real value. Among all the glitz and glamour at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas in November, there was a real trend toward selling peace of mind. This can m... Read more November 26, 2009 |
Canadian Tire to become a stronger competitorCanadian Tire has announced that it is combining the strengths and resources in all aspects of its automotive business “to approach it with a single strategic clarity and drive growth.” The company has appointed Michael Medline as president, Canadian Tire automotive and dealer relations to oversee this ... Read more November 17, 2009 |
Spending on vehicle maintenance and repairs declinesAverage annual expenditures on vehicle maintenance and repair services have declined by approximately sevev percent from 2008. In addition, new-car dealers continue to lose market share to aftermarket service providers, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Customer Commitment Index ... Read more August 20, 2009 |
Rousseau offers drawers that combine high density and bulk storageCompatible with more than 35 different brands of shelving, Rousseau’s modular drawer systems are a fast and easy way to reclaim valuable floor space and combine high density with bulk storage. The drawers can be customized for specific needs with partitions, dividers, plastic bins and more.... Read more May 29, 2009 |
Women feel they aren’t treated as well as men by auto repairersWhen it comes to auto repairs, Canadian women don’t believe they are treated as well as men, according to a survey conducted for Speedy Corporation, an aftermarket automotive service provider. Fully 43 percent of women feel they receive worse service than men and 42 percent think they pay more, too, th... Read more April 20, 2009 |
CARS conducting national labour surveyThe Canadian Automotive Repair and Service Council (CARS) is conducting a national survey to identify human resources challenges - including staffing, training, and career development - in the areas of automotive repair and service, collision/autobody repair, heavy duty truck repair, and parts wholesale. Business owners, managers and employees in the au... Read more March 17, 2009 |
Right-to-Repair Bill is backWhile economic issues have been at the forefront of automotive industry news recently, another issue of major importance to dealers has risen to a critical level in Ottawa. Windsor’s NDP Member of Parliament, Brian Masse, has reintroduced his Private Member's Bill - C-273 - on so-called "Right to Repair" legislation in... Read more March 17, 2009 |
CARS Council updating auto sector human resources studyThe Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council is currently updating an extensive 2005 study which examined the human resource and training needs of the motive power repair and service in... Read more January 19, 2009 |
Opportunities in fixed opsAt a time when vehicle sales are less than robust, dealers with vision are looking beyond just their core operations to optimize opportunities in the wider area of fixed operations. Some elements, like the quick lube facility add directly to the bottom line. Others generate a payback by contributing to CSI as well as... Read more Mary Hughes | September 30, 2009 |
Profit potential in seasonal tire storageWith winter not far over the horizon, it’s time to ramp up your winter tire sales campaign. If you haven’t already done so, how about leveraging its effectiveness by offering to store the tires removed from your customers’ vehicles as well? The option of tire storage adds a whole new dimension to tradition... Read more | September 30, 2009 |
SNAPSHOTS FROM INDIAOn a recent trip to India, Canadian auto dealer’s Jim Bell visited a number of auto dealers to see how they compared with and differed from those here in North America. What he found were many similarities and just as many differences.... Read more Gerry Malloy | March 13, 2009 |
Best Practice - Opportunity exists in the detail(s)ingWaterloo store finds a better alternative to a body shop.Like many other dealers, Bill Bustard and Brent Ravelle, principals in Bustard Chrysler Dodge Jeep of Waterloo, Ontario, found themselves struggling to come to grips with their body-shop business, which was going the wrong direction. Insurance companies were increasingly steering their business, and the store’s customers, to... Read more | November 2, 2006 |
Facing the technician shortageWhen asked what their major business challenges are today, the almost-universal response from dealers is, "finding and retaining good people!" If it is not at the very top of their list, it is very close - and for good reason. It really is a problem that spans the whole industry, at multiple levels. And ... Read more Canadian auto dealer | May 12, 2006 |
2006 and beyond - Way beyond!The current pace of change in our industry is leaving many of us breathless, longing for some stability. But we had better get our second wind, for that ride has just begun.The first half-decade of the 21st century has seen more frantic change in the automotive industry than any five-year period since the automobile's infancy. Those ch... Read more Gerry Malloy | February 20, 2006 |
All we did was ask questions!A dealer principal once told us that when we first walked into his service department it scared some of his staff, so we were curious as to what it was that caused such a negative reaction. His reply was: “Well, you asked a lot of questions.” We read somewhere that young children ask o... Read more Jim Bell | November 26, 2009 |
Could it be we need bill C-273?There has been a lot of talk recently – almost hysteria, in fact – on the proposed ‘Right to Repair’ Bill, C-273. For sure, it has areas that leave much to be desired. But when was the last time you read an automotive bill written by politicians that you actually liked? ... Read more Jim Bell | November 3, 2009 |
If not now then when?You may have read an article we wrote in the March issue of Canadian auto deealer about the automotive service industry in India. Whenever we asked the question, “where is the money?” the answer always came back loud and clear: “The Service Department.” Those dealers knew that even in an expanding mark... Read more James Bell Jr. | September 30, 2009 |
As General George Custer was once heard to say... Tired of listening to the woes of our own auto industry I decided to visit India and take a look at their automotive market, which is expanding at a mind-blowing pace.... Read more Jim Bell | March 13, 2009 |
Are you out to lunch?It might be a good place to learn something about process.We recently spent a whole morning with a seasoned service manager trying to convince him that what was really lacking in the service department was a simple-to-follow process for running the business and making the staff accountable. This should have be... Read more Jim Bell | November 3, 2008 |
Making oil changes more profitable ...In four easy steps. Let’s face facts. Today’s customers are looking for fast, efficient, quality service for their vehicles, and that is especially true when looking at the oil-change business. But many dealerships are still not geared toward handling quick service, nor do they give the impression of really wanting that ... Read more James G. Bell Junior | January 9, 2007 |
If you build it they will come...or will they?Adding bays may not be the best way to increase capacity. I would like to own five acres of land on the edge of Lake Ontario in my hometown of Oakville, Ontario, and build a small but elegant castle there. The problem is, however, even if I could afford to buy ... Read more Jim Bell | December 13, 2006 |
Giving "Meals On Wheels" a whole new meaning!Not only are the independents eating our lunch - we’re delivering it!OK, I admit it; abbreviations get me totally confused. Like what’s the difference between CRS, CMS, CRM, and PMS? Answer is not much, I guess; they all cause a degree of frustration and head-aches. But just in case we don’t have enough acronyms, here co... Read more Jim Bell | November 2, 2006 |
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Whatever you think of CSI as a
Branding your servic
The automotive industry is mat
