For every 10 technicians retiring, only two are coming into the industry, according to John Paulik, senior vice president and general manager of Tri State Truck Center, a Freightliner and Western Star dealership in Shrewsbury, Mass. “We are also lo

Some time ago I interviewed shop owners about the most critical marketing strategies for their shop.  Here are their answers.  I think you’ll find this info valuable. Let me know if I missed any. (FYI: Part of this was posted as an article on Rep

In the early 1970s, Fram began a television advertising campaign emphasizing the importance of automotive maintenance. The ads featured a middle-aged technician explaining to the viewers that they can spend a little money now for engine oil and a fil

If you happened to stumble upon my last column, you will recall I began a treatise on a most interesting editorial published in a recent ever-so-smart Harvard Business Review publication. The title was “Why Strategy Execution Unravels,” and after

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) — A local auto body shop is giving women the tools they need to take charge of their cars and their safety. Trubilt Collision Center opened its shop Tuesday to women in the community to teach them car safety. The center

Life in the retail automotive industry is taxing. Managers and employees work long hours and, in many cases, are with their co-workers more than they are with their families. Miscommunications, tension or arguments can detract from the efficiency of

If fingers point to the top, the lack of focus on fixed operations is a burden shared between both dealer/principals and manufacturers. The amount of effort directed at parts and service from either party is underwhelming compared to that of new vehi

It’s the Daytona 500 of vehicle manufacturing: the race to bring connected cars, light trucks, and SUVs to market. Unprecedented safety, driver assistance, and infotainment features promise to revolutionize the driving experience. Still, few indust

You know what they look like and where they are. They’re the service interval reminders, and they come in the form of a tiny piece of plastic that clings to the upper driver’s-side corner of every windshield. Your service advisors take the time t