When Baxter Auto Group of Omaha, Neb., realized it could not run its collision repair business as profitably as local independent competitors, the company, with 15 stores in three states, sold its three body shops.
Conversely, the managers at Bowman Chevrolet, just north of Detroit in Clarkston, Mich., evaluated every part of their store's collision repair business then decided to invest in growing it.
When it comes to playing their cards with body shops, dealers face more choices than just hold 'em or fold 'em.