NEWS

AUTODATA reckons there is service profit in almost 1 in 3 cars on the road if garages can diagnose it.
30 percent of cars on the road have incorrect front or rear wheel alignment.
Owners often won’t know about this until tyres wear prematurely.
Now, Autodata has helped firms easily diagnose it, with an updated version of its [...]

MOTOR Codes is hitting the mark with UK garage users as 93% say they’d recommend a Codes-approved garage.
Over 3700 people were surveyed, on how impressive their overall garage experience was.
Findings showed that over 9 in 10 would subsequently recommend the Motor Codes-approved garage they used to friends and family.
There will be no shortage of them [...]

AUDI is to fit headcams to its technicians that will allow car owners to watch what’s going on with their motor – live.
The Audi Direct Reception system means customers will be given a two-way link with the Audi technician.
This means they will be able to talk to them while they work!
Owners will watch the technicians [...]

SERVICE plan provider EmaC says car dealers should drop the ‘after’ in ‘aftersales’ to boost returns.
By taking aftersales selling to core new and used car point-of-sale desks, returns can double, reckons the firm.
‘With around 40 percent of the lifetime value of any customer held in after-sales, it makes great commercial sense to un-tap the opportunity,’ [...]

BLACK box recorders that permanently monitor car health could offer dealers a new way of customer contact.
Telematics expert Trimble MRM has developed a black box health recorder that watches vehicle health and service condition - just like F1 teams do.
This is already being used in many large car fleets but the firm says there’s also [...]

FORD says 15 percent of car owners admit to putting off car services - or even skip them completely - to save money.
Younger drivers are the worst of all, adds the blue oval.
Even worse, 1 in 5 UK drivers has no breakdown cover to cover them for any subsequent breakdowns – and for younger drivers, [...]

INDEPENDENT car garages have a prime opportunity to win profitable fleet contracts says one expert.
Network Automotive reckons extensions to fleet car cycles is leading to many more 4- and 5-year-old company cars.
Independents are perfectly placed to take up the reigns of maintaining these motors and ensure firms fulfill Duty Of Care laws without sending [...]

AA Patrols are to boost their roadside repair success rate thanks to a new data provision initiative.

Patrols are now able to get technical and diagnostic information from Autodata.
This is the same diagnostic data normally used within the professional workshop environment, and means the AA will be able to complete many more repairs on the move, [...]

HYUNDAI and SEAT continue to showcase new ideas for car buyers with groundbreaking new developments.
Innovative Hyundai has introduced a cherished car disposal service for sentimental car owners.
Using special ‘Garages of Rest’, the new offer humanely dismantles cars, or bury them in special beauty spots and public parks around the UK.
The full burial service conveniently [...]

CAR dealers should target company car fleets with information about their service offers to drive extra business.
The trend towards keeping cars on fleet for longer means some firms may be unaware of the extra maintenance demands required.
If they fail to keep close tabs on these, warns software firm CFC Solutions, both condition and resale values [...]