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