Tag Archives: auto repair

Customer Satisfaction Up at U.S. Dealer Service Departments

Posted on 13 March 2013 by Ken Zino

The CSI rankings are based on dealer service performance during the first three years of new-vehicle ownership, which typically represents the majority of the vehicle warranty period. After the warranty expires, dealerships traditionally have little chance of getting maintenance work as more than two thirds of customers then resort to independent repair shops and mass merchandiser tire, transmission, brake and muffler chains. Continue reading →

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Right to Repair Bill Passes Massachusetts Senate

Posted on 18 May 2012 by Ken Zino

A version of the bill, omitting dealerships, is currently before the Massachusetts house, with unknown prospects. However, more than 100,000 citizens signed a Right to Repair ballot initiative earlier this year. If the legislature does not pass a final bill, the state’s consumers will get their own chance to vote—on the November ballot. Recent polls have shown support level for Right to Repair as high as 87%. Continue reading →

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Right to Repair on Massachusetts Ballot. National Bill Stalled

Posted on 30 December 2011 by Ken Zino

A similar national measure, the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 1449), died from inaction in the 2011 U.S. Congress. Various forms of Right to Repair bills have been tied up in successive Congresses since 2002. It is not surprising that the National Association of Automobile Dealers opposes the legislation. NADA says that automakers provide emissions service and some other data available to any technician who needs it already. Continue reading →

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The Latest Safety Problem – Deferred Auto Maintenance?

Posted on 21 December 2011 by Ken Zino

The latest pernicious problem of the flagging U.S. economy comes in the guise of drivers who deferred auto maintenance at the potential cost of their safety. According to a new survey, 40% of respondents who are involved in repair decisions said they are postponing car maintenance or repairs on their primary vehicle. Continue reading →

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Bosch Car Service Opens 1,000th Shop in China as part of World’s Largest Independent Repair Network

Posted on 28 July 2011 by Ken Zino

Bosch said it now has the world’s largest independent workshop network of 15,000 shops, 90 years after the first one opened in Hamburg. The range of services includes traditional Bosch fields of automotive electrics, electronics and diesel servicing, as well as general mechanical vehicle repairs, oil changes, air-conditioning service, in-car multimedia, tires and auto glass service. Every day, more than 82,000 associates complete service and repair work on more than 180,000 vehicles. Continue reading →

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AAA Asks Congress Yet Again to Pass “Right to Repair Act”

Posted on 18 May 2011 by Ken Zino

Dealerships used to thrive on automaker-paid warranty repairs, paid for by the factory at reduced labor rates. In order to compensate technicians for this factory dictated lower rate, dealers charged higher rates for non-warranty parts and repairs. In effect, car owners were subsidizing the cost of poor quality at automakers if they went to a factory store. Continue reading →

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Fight for Auto Repair Dollars Heats up at Ford and GM

Posted on 3 February 2011 by Ken Zino

Once upon a time in the new car business, dealers used the “back end” or the service bays to cover the entire cost of running the operation. Good dealers could have a “service absorption rate” of 100% or more, which … Continue reading →

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