Viewpoint: Empathy and Old Ladies
In 1994, I was working at major chain repair/tire shop in Birmingham MI, as a service writer. I had not been there too long and was just learning the ropes. The shop was located in an affluent suburb of Detroit. The customers were a mixture of old money, new money and retiree money from folks
Viewpoint: Salary and Benefits Survey
The automotive repair industry beats national averages. I recently received the preliminary results for our 2006 industry survey and the results are very promising for our industry. The full results will be in the September issue of BRAKE & FRONT END, but I am going to share with you the results that receive the most
Viewpoint: Net Neutrality
Bigger issue than Right to Repair? Imagine that you are logging onto your usual websites for repair and parts information to fix a vehicle. OEM vehicle repair websites and other resources are crawling along or do not even work at all. When you try to access your parts supplier website, it does not come up
Viewpoint: Borrowing Brains
Can I borrow one of your tools? When you work as a technician, you hear this phrase far too often. Sometimes, it is a legitimate need. They may be asking for a tool that they need in a pinch and they might buy the tool for next time. But, you always have the chronic borrowers.
Viewpoint, AAMCO, Cottman, Monro, Procare: With Size Comes Responsibility
In the past month, we have seen some historic events in the world of undercar service. The reunification of Cottman and AAMCO and the acquisition of ProCare by Monro Muffler have changed the landscape of the undercar service industry. Some people say that the Cottman and AAMCO deal was a shocker. When Rich Silva (Cottman)
Viewpoint, Is the Wrench More Powerful Than the Pen?
nzy of press kits, executive fluff interviews and the free meals, the journalists become brainwashed by their own egos. They think that their words are selling cars and putting wind into the sails of car companies’ stock prices. But, many of their facts and opinions are quickly disproved in a very short period of time.
Viewpoint: Quality not Price
During the AAPEX show in Las Vegas, I visited the lower level where many overseas companies were exhibiting aftermarket parts. In small 10’x10’ booths arranged by country, they displayed their wares in hopes of a buyer. The former underground parking structure of the Sands Hotel and Casino was filled with the two best things America
Viewpoint: The Bi-Polar Aftermarket Image
Last month’s editorial titled the “Pricing Game” spured an unexpected discussion with fellow readers on the current state of the image of the aftermarket and what should be done to create a more uniform message that benefits all involved. There have been numerous threads on iATN making this problem sound like an “us against them”
Viewpoint: Criminal Inspection
I often work on co-worker’s cars in the BRAKE & FRONT END company garage. Some of the pictures that you see in this magazine are taken while I am working on their cars. Usually, beer and a home-cooked meal are all that I ask for in return for my work. But, a recent case in
Scania Now Producing Next-Level BEVs
Production will begin for trucks with R and S cabs with 400 or 450 kW of engine power.
