Recent Stories
Automakers, dealerships see mobile service as investment in customer loyalty

Some dealers are convinced he's found a way for his service department to broaden its reach.
Porsche's glasses connect service techs with factory in real time

Porsche's Tech Live Look technology uses online augmented-reality technology to enable dealership techs to communicate in real time with the automaker's Atlanta-based technical support team about thorny repair issues.
“I had never even picked up an impact gun,” says apprentice Justin Moran, “but now I’m able to change brakes, I can do tire rotations, alignments, oil changes and even some troubleshooting.”
N.J. dealers launch tech apprenticeships

The New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers created a new program to train tech workers with a $907,000 grant from the state.
Almost 10 years later, Paul's still on call for service customers' emergencies

Nearly a decade after he launched a hotline for service customers' emergencies, a dealership executive continues to staff it 24/7 -- personally.
Replacing lube techs with oil-draining devices can save money, boost efficiency

Pairing a single quick-service tech with a device that extracts used oil automatically from a car or truck during an oil change can save dealerships at least $95,000 a year, according to an Orlando parts and service director.
New wiper tool gets into tight spots, but do techs really need it?
New wiper puller is designed to help technicians remove blade arms more quickly, but some techs question the need for the device
Artificial intelligence helps automakers, dealers improve fixed ops
Car companies, automakers, dealers, insurers and suppliers are making big investments in artifcial intelligence to make fixed operations more efficient, in such areas as parts supply chains, collision assessments and repair processes.
Software helping dealers manage loaners
Managing a loaner fleet requires service departments to maintain an adequate supply of cars and trucks, and prevent customers from keeping loaner vehicles too long or otherwise abusing the system. Software vendors are helping dealerships automate their loaner processes.
Florida dealers find 'silver lining' in chance to rebuild, upgrade
Hurricane Irma did not spare some new-vehicle dealerships — including their service departments — when it assailed Florida last month.
Picking up service vehicles helps customers, and the shop
Paragon Honda in New York City's Queens borough, and a sister Acura store a block away, are offering valet pickup for service customers. It has worked out well for both the customers and the dealerships.
Broker connects service shops with online customers
An online vendor is exploiting consumers' reliance on their smartphones to compete with -- and increasingly to work with -- franchised dealerships in arranging vehicle service.
Service technicians retire after working together for 30 years
Service techs Des Gibbs and Clem Hall retire from the body shop at JM Lexus June 30. So what? So they've worked together as a team for 44 years.
Why is it so hard to predict how long it will take to fix a car?
How important is "promise time" -- a reliable prediction of when a service customer's vehicle will be ready? Automakers and analysts say it's crucial; dealers counter that communication during the repair process is more meaningful.