Quantcast
Jump to content


New Car Sales are up. Good or Bad News for Repair Shops?

Joe Marconi

By Joe Marconi
in Automotive Parts & Suppliers

 Share

Recommended Posts

Tires Too Collaborator

Tires Too

Posted
Posted

I think this year will be a good one for the aftermarket. New car dealers have definitely been doing a better job of keeping the service business over the last 5 to 8 years with "free" maintenance coverage, but new car sales have been rebounding from a low of 10.5 million vehicles in 2009 to about 16.5 million vehicles in 2014. As many of the "free" maintenance coverages expire, I don't see the dealerships having enough bays to service these older vehicles. We saw a significant hole in the age of vehicles coming into our shop as a result (I believe) of the Cash for Clunkers program. We are starting to see an increase in the 2009 through 2012 model year vehicles coming into our shop which should continue for the next 2 - 3 years.

  • Like 1
Richard Ehler Explorer

Richard Ehler

Posted
Posted

I think Joe is right to be concerned. My goal is to get "everybody" within 3 miles of store to come in for something. May be tire repair, emissions test, oil change, bulb, etc. Then do my best to persuade them that if this visit was easier than going to new car dealer, why no make all visits easier by bring "all" work here.

  • 3 weeks later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Available Subscriptions

    See all Subscription Plans

  • Have you checked out Joe's Latest Blog?

    • Joe Marconi
      The Toolbox is Last to Leave, First is the Heart
      By Joe Marconi in Joe's Blog
         0 comments
      It always amazes me when I hear about a technician who quits one repair shop to go work at another shop for less money. I know you have heard of this too, and you’ve probably asked yourself, “Can this be true? And Why?” The answer rests within the culture of the company. More specifically, the boss, manager, or a toxic work environment literally pushed the technician out the door.
      While money and benefits tend to attract people to a company, it won’t keep them there. When a technician begins to look over the fence for greener grass, that is usually a sign that something is wrong within the workplace. It also means that his or her heart is probably already gone. If the issue is not resolved, no amount of money will keep that technician for the long term. The heart is always the first to leave. The last thing that leaves is the technician’s toolbox.
      Shop owners: Focus more on employee retention than acquisition. This is not to say that you should not be constantly recruiting. You should. What it does means is that once you hire someone, your job isn’t over, that’s when it begins. Get to know your technicians. Build strong relationships. Have frequent one-on-ones. Engage in meaningful conversation. Find what truly motivates your technicians. You may be surprised that while money is a motivator, it’s usually not the prime motivator.
      One last thing; the cost of technician turnover can be financially devastating. It also affects shop morale. Do all you can to create a workplace where technicians feel they are respected, recognized, and know that their work contributes to the overall success of the company. This will lead to improved morale and team spirit. Remember, when you see a technician’s toolbox rolling out of the bay on its way to another shop, the heart was most likely gone long before that.

  • Similar Topics

    • Joe Marconi
      Business Slowing Down? Before You Spend More Money On Advertising, do this...
      By Joe Marconi

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • carmcapriotto
      Poker Theory And Automotive Diagnostics With Rich Falco [E160] - Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z
      By carmcapriotto
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      Matt Fanslow welcomes mobile diagnostic technician Rich Falco to explore the intriguing parallels between poker strategies and automotive diagnostics.
      Show Notes
      Watch Full Video Episode Discussion on Poker (00:01:02) Evolution of Poker Strategies (00:02:22) Game Theory and Diagnostics (00:04:35) Common Misunderstandings (00:12:07) Real-World Diagnostic Scenarios (00:13:26) Electric Vehicle Training (00:15:46) Power Window Diagnosis (00:16:44) Poker Predictions (00:18:05) Understanding Poker Players (00:19:01) Reading Opponents (00:20:14) Experience in Diagnostics (00:22:03) The Importance of Training (00:23:22) Shop Culture Changes (00:26:09) Technology in Poker (00:30:21) AI and Diagnostics (00:31:08) Access to Training Resources (00:32:07) Young Technicians' Knowledge (00:33:05) Poker vs. Automotive Diagnostics (00:33:24)
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.
      Contact Information
      Email Matt: [email protected] Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio
    • Transmission Repair
      Overcoming Sales Objections
      By Transmission Repair

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • JustTheBest
      It’s like a Car Count Cheat Sheet!
      By JustTheBest

      Premium Member Content 

      This content is hidden to guests, one of the benefits of a paid membership. Please login or register to view this content.

    • carmcapriotto
      The Power of Curiosity [E159] - Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z
      By carmcapriotto
      Matt Fanslow discusses how genuine curiosity can enhance diagnostic practices and improve interactions with clients and colleagues. Matt emphasizes the importance of approaching situations with curiosity rather than judgment, both in technical diagnostics and workplace relationships. He illustrates how curiosity can lead to more effective repairs and better understanding of employee performance. 
      Show Notes
      Curiosity vs. Judgment (00:01:18) Scientific Method in Diagnostics (00:03:00) Understanding Electrical Systems (00:04:25) Preparing for New Technologies (00:07:01) Curiosity in Management (00:08:16) Exploring Performance Issues (00:09:39) Identifying Systemic Issues (00:13:05) Open Communication in the Workplace (00:14:12) Customer Interactions and Curiosity (00:15:29) Cultural Impact of Judgment (00:17:50) The Importance of Curiosity in Diagnostics (00:19:10) Curiosity in Personal Relationships (00:20:16) Curiosity as a Tool Against Judgment (00:21:30)
      Thanks to our Partner, NAPA Autotech
      NAPA Autotech’s team of ASE Master Certified Instructors are conducting over 1,200 classes covering 28 automotive topics. To see a selection, go to napaautotech.com for more details.
      Contact Information
      Email Matt: [email protected] Diagnosing the Aftermarket A - Z YouTube Channel
      The Aftermarket Radio Network: https://aftermarketradionetwork.com/
      Remarkable Results Radio Podcast with Carm Capriotto: Advancing the Aftermarket by Facilitating Wisdom Through Story Telling and Open Discussion. https://remarkableresults.biz/
      Diagnosing the Aftermarket A to Z with Matt Fanslow: From Diagnostics to Metallica and Mental Health, Matt Fanslow is Lifting the Hood on Life. https://mattfanslow.captivate.fm/
      Business by the Numbers with Hunt Demarest: Understand the Numbers of Your Business with CPA Hunt Demarest. https://huntdemarest.captivate.fm/
      The Auto Repair Marketing Podcast with Kim and Brian Walker: Marketing Experts Brian & Kim Walker Work with Shop Owners to Take it to the Next Level. https://autorepairmarketing.captivate.fm/
      The Weekly Blitz with Chris Cotton: Weekly Inspiration with Business Coach Chris Cotton from AutoFix - Auto Shop Coaching. https://chriscotton.captivate.fm/
      Speak Up! Effective Communication with Craig O'Neill: Develop Interpersonal and Professional Communication Skills when Speaking to Audiences of Any Size. https://craigoneill.captivate.fm/
      Click to go to the Podcast on Remarkable Results Radio


  •
    Joe Marconi

    Five Proven Tips to Improve Your Bottom Line

    By Joe Marconi, in Selling Automotive Repair,

    0 comments 50 views
    Joe Marconi

    Money Isn’t The Motivator We Think It Is

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Management,

    0 comments 52 views
    Joe Marconi

    Isn’t It Time We Rethink What a Master Level Technician Is?

    By Joe Marconi, in Automotive Industry,

    1 comment 52 views

  • Our Sponsors

Main Sections

More Sections

Discussion Forums

×
×
  • Create New...