Recent Stories
As used-vehicle profits decline, dealers turn to software to speed up reconditioning

Competition among software vendors to help dealerships cut used-car reconditioning time is heating up.
Dealership groups debate the value of centralized reconditioning facilities

Some groups have moved away from centers, preferring that recon activities take place at the individual dealerships. Other groups say consolidating recon work at a central location offers substantial economies of scale.
As at-your-door mechanic services grow, dealers and automakers start to respond

As more customers demand that businesses deliver services and products to their home or workplace, dealerships and automakers are taking their first steps to get technicians out of the shop.
A day with a mobile mechanic

David Gingrass is a full-time service technician for Wrench in the Seattle area. It's a job he likes.
Amazon partners with aftermarket on sales and repair

Even as Amazon invites franchised dealerships to sell parts and accessories on its site, it is working with aftermarket providers to compete on such basic products and services as tire sales and installation and brake repair.
Mobile mechanics blaze trail for Amazon in service at customer homes, offices

New-vehicle dealerships haven't matched Amazon's mobile service offerings. But that could be changing as service departments look for new ways to stay competitive and profitable.
Amazon dominates online parts sales, but dealers still have advantages

Amazon is likely to capture nearly two-thirds of the online parts market this year. But it's not too late for dealerships to build a lucrative online parts operation independent of or working with Amazon.
Jeep dealers, Mopar work together to push accessories sales for new Gladiator pickup

Fiat Chrysler expects the new Jeep Gladiator pickup to be the most heavily accessorized vehicle in the automaker's lineup. That's good news for Jeep dealerships and FCA's Mopar parts division.
Lift kit wish list: Higher and higher

Automaker offered lift kits -- suspension additions that can raise ground clearance from an inch or two to Bigfoot-tall -- have routinely reached only 2 inches. But that's beginning to change.
Big data lets OEMs, dealers predict when vehicles will need service

New technology enables automakers and dealers to predict when Internet-connected vehicles will need maintenance and repair, notify owners.
Tailoring TV content to service clients eases controversy, creates marketing opportunities

Dealerships exert greater control over TV content in their service lounges to focus on marketing opportunities and curb political arguments among customers.
Dealers invest in training to cut service adviser turnover, improve customer relations

Dealership are boosting their investment in training service advisers to reduce turnover and improve customer satisfaction.
Dealership's combination of fixed ops technologies helps lead to big jump in sales

A Seattle dealership says its merger of separate fixed ops digital technologies has helped increase repair orders, boost tire and alignment sales.
5 minutes with Michael Knipe, vice president of fixed operations, Subaru of America
Michael Knipe, Subaru's fixed ops chief, is responsible for the automaker's aftermarket parts and service business development and North American parts and accessory supply chain planning and distribution. He answers questions for Fixed Ops Journal.
Dealers say they benefit from paying for service techs' certification
Dealers say that paying for service technicians' certification training and exams boosts employee retention and customer satisfaction.