Inside Automotive
Fixed operations after COVID: more work, more profit — Jim Pena | Ocean Cadillac
The fixed operations space is experiencing unprecedented changes in the way it does business. As technicians and dealers look to adopt new tools and techniques, it becomes more important than ever to get a boots-on-the-ground view of the service department. On this episode of Inside Automotive, host Jim Fitzpatrick heads to Ocean Cadillac in Miami to meet with the store’s service director Jim Pena, a graduate of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Academy with 14 years in the car business, to discuss the status of dealership repair and maintenance work. Watch full segment here.
Top Stories
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, IIHS, recently tested crew-cab versions of the Chevrolet Colorado, Ford Ranger, Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma, and none of the trucks received top ratings for rear-occupant safety. The institute updated its moderate overlap front collision test last year. In that test, cars at 40 mph collide with a fixed barrier occupying 40% of the car’s width. According to the institute, “research showed that in newer vehicles, the risk of a fatal injury is now higher for belted occupants in the rear than for those in the front.” Read More
Alef Aeronautic’s Model A flying electric vehicle has received a limited special airworthiness certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), making it the first car to clear the U.S. government’s operation and safety standards for aerial transportation. The Model A, as advertised, is a $300,000 two-door, all-electric vehicle capable of both land and air travel. On the ground, the EV reportedly boasts 200 miles of driving range using its hub motor, while in the sky, Alef Aeronautics claims the flying car can travel up to 110 miles using eight propellers. Read More
In another step toward deploying the Tesla plug on all-electric vehicles, a major U.S. automaker organization has announced that it will set performance standards for Tesla’s EV charging cords. Soon after Ford, General Motors, and Rivian announced they would adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard connector in new EV models, SAE International, formerly known as the Society of Automotive Engineers, announced that they would join Tesla’s extensive Supercharger network. However, a competing connector, CCS, remains present and continues to be used in thousands of EVs. Read More
Stellantis has announced a new partnership with marketing firm TKT & Associates, representing the car manufacturer’s first time hiring a Black-audience-focused advertising agency of record. TKT & Associates, a Black-and-woman-owned company based in Louisville, Kentucky, has previously worked with Stellantis on the automaker’s National Black Supplier Development Program. Going forward, the firm’s creative division, TKT Collab, will work with the car manufacturer’s head of merchandising, licensing and multi-cultural marketing, Kim Adams, to diversify the automotive company’s advertising campaigns in North America. Read More
For Dealers
Unleashing growth: what Tom Masano Auto Group did that transformed their dealership operations
In the ever-evolving automotive industry, staying ahead of the competition requires embracing innovation. That’s exactly what Kevin Pitts and Tom Masano Auto Group did when they chose a company that looks beyond what has always been, and instead develops, educates, and delivers a customer-driven, seamless selling experience. In this article, Kevin Pitts, GM of BMW of Reading, discusses the transformative impact of this transition on Tom Masano’s culture, processes, and overall success. Read More
Is there a disconnect between your service managers and technicians? Here’s how to fix it
Strong connections between service department managers and technicians are vital on two fronts: productivity and customer satisfaction. But sometimes poor communication, lack of training, and other factors impact workflow and the fixed ops bottom line. Let’s explore what causes this friction and how to smooth things over to foster teamwork and camaraderie. Read More
