| They say that the auto aftermarket industry grew at | | | | potentially damaging the automobile permanently. But it |
| 3.7% in 2002. That 214 million cars are on the road, | | | | also tells us that the consumer desires other things |
| That 40% of those cars are over 10 years old.Source: | | | | with their dollar, which they vote with more? Like |
| Automotive Week/green sheet shows 77 billion in | | | | what? Like an extra night at the movies, filling up their |
| un-used annual maintenance. Wal-Mart will do 1 billion in | | | | Starbucks card, a new Plasma TV on credit, cable TV, |
| oil changes and with their latest program we figure 2 | | | | additional minutes on their cell phone, new shoes, nicer |
| billion in car washes as they are establishing their own | | | | car meaning higher payments, etc. Then it is the |
| brand of car washes along side their Super Wal-Mart | | | | industries fault for allowing the consumer to neglect |
| gas card fill-up stations. Well that sure sounds great | | | | their cars. It is the industries fault for failing to put |
| but that still leaves 74 Billion annually on the table.In the | | | | customers at ease, developing report, making them |
| latest survey during Car Care Aware program they | | | | confident in our abilities.Why is the industry failing? |
| found that 21% of all cars needed wiper blades. We | | | | Consumers point to the price point and cost, they go in |
| have discussed wiper blades on this site before and | | | | for a $19.99 oil change and then come out with a |
| we have all read articles in NOLN; National Oil and | | | | healthy whopping bill for $150.00 they were not |
| Lube News about this important add-on profit center. | | | | expecting and were angry about? If they were angry |
| At the 2003 SEMA show and APEX Show in Las | | | | then someone did not explain the full impact of the |
| Vegas we saw many wiper blade wholesalers, | | | | issues, which were serviced? Someone over charged |
| manufacturers and knock offs, some stolen counterfeit | | | | them, sold them something they did not need or in the |
| parts issues and PTO problems. (the Department of | | | | case of a woman, many women claim they treated |
| Commerce estimated that it is a 12 Billion Dollar | | | | me like an imbecile? Did your employees do this? It |
| problem already doubling every year and that America | | | | really makes them mad. The industry needs to wake |
| could put 210,000 people back to work if we could | | | | up and think about the image they portray.Consumers |
| stop it -- Ouch !!!).Back to the subject the Car Care | | | | remember those 60 Minute shows of behind the |
| Aware program to enlighten consumers also found | | | | scenes dirty deeds of unscrupulous operators. I hate to |
| that 46% of all cars needed washer fluid. That 38% | | | | tell you but I too sometimes think ill of the rest of you |
| were over 5500 miles since last oil change, 25% were | | | | out there. And I am in the business. The industry can |
| low on power steering fluid, 15% low on coolant, 10% | | | | do a much better job. In the car wash industry less |
| were low on brake fluid...Stop... Why is this happening? | | | | than 12% of the customers are regular weekly or |
| Could it be due to consumer confidence in the | | | | bi-weekly customers. That is way too low, they let |
| industry? That the consumer is tapped out? That the | | | | their cars get disgusting and this hurts the paint. We |
| consumer buys a new car every 3.3 years on | | | | have done studies and can get the repeats up to over |
| average? Maybe, but what about the 40%, which | | | | 40% by treating the customers with respect, explaining |
| drives a car 10 years old or older, me included? What | | | | the services properly and babying their cars. That car |
| is their problem with not getting services done? After | | | | represents in many cases the second largest |
| all if they have an old car which runs okay and they | | | | investment they will ever make in their entire life, that |
| are fond of it, obviously it pays to keep it in working | | | | car is an extension of self in our country. The great |
| order and without the high insurance payments or car | | | | love of the American Automobile is well known in our |
| payments that the average consumer forks over | | | | society. It is time that the industry got with the program. |
| each and every month shouldn't they be in to see you | | | | We are. Service the customer, or we will."Doing your |
| more often? Yes. The survey went on to show that | | | | best is not enough, unless you are the best." My |
| 19% of the cars needed belts one or more, 16% had | | | | prediction is that there will be 980 new quick lubes in |
| dirty air filters many quite disgusting. 12% had hoses | | | | the US in 2004, will you have sufficient lines and |
| ready to pop, and in the survey, which you can read | | | | volumes in order to justify being one or even afford |
| online at; over 90% of the vehicles failed in two or | | | | another? Don't ask me, ask the customer if they are |
| more categories? What does this say? It says the | | | | happy, they understand the importance of regular |
| consumer does not understand that simply putting the | | | | service and if they love you enough to refer their |
| gas in and an oil change when ever they get around to | | | | friends.Lance Winslow - Online Think Tank forum |
| it next year is not enough.It is not safe, not smart and | | | | board. |