Alex Kwanten

A proper dealership service drive appraisal program requires processes specific to service, a dedicated employee to manage them and buy-in from advisers.

The nation is slowly reopening as more people are getting vaccinated. Still, many service departments don't plan to stop sanitizing customers' vehicles.

Of the 12 costliest hailstorms in Colorado history, nine have taken place since 2008. Caught directly in the crosshairs of No. 8 on the list was Denver-based Schomp Automotive Group.

A growing number of dealers are using podiums and open-plan desks so advisers can show customers the full process of putting together their repair order on a screen.

Volvo hopes to recruit 225 new technicians by 2023, and the need is urgent. To help with recruiting, the automaker launched its Volvo Technician Tool Program in August.

The sudden importance of service marketing in the early days of the pandemic led many dealers to closely examine new strategies.

Woody Buick-GMC in Naperville, Ill., is spending $2,500 a month on highly targeted social media and SEO efforts. It's money well spent.

Even before social distancing became a thing, consumers were trending toward transacting with the service lane on their mobile phones.

Self-service kiosks came to airports in 2000, to fast food in 2014 and to dealership service lanes around 2017. And just as many flyers eventually moved to using mobile phones to check in, customers in the service lane may soon follow.

Finance products specifically devoted to repair lending have emerged in recent years. No one expected them to come in handy during a pandemic, but they have.

Video recorded multipoint inspections have taken on added value in the service lane since the coronavirus pandemic sparked anxiety over face-to-face interactions.

The coronavirus pandemic has reduced demand for ride-hailing, but experts expect gig driving to thrive long after the crisis. 

To better cater to ride-hail drivers, it is important to understand their schedules and needs. The Reedman-Toll Auto Group has profited from that understanding.