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Volume 1, Issue 1 |
WORLDPAC Industry News |
Oct 2006 |
It is with great pleasure we introduce this inaugural issue of the WORLDPAC Industry News, Global Coverage with Local Service. The WORLDPAC Industry News is a newsletter written for you, about you and as requested by you the WORLDPAC customer. After surveying thousands of our customers, we have structured a periodic communication tool that will cover topics including; the future of automotive repair, industry trends and statistics, technical information, marketing strategies and tactics, business management tips, WORLDPAC products and services, leading edge technologies, shop profiles and best practices.
This past February we asked you, via our speedDIAL survey, to help us name this newsletter. Nine of you offered the name “WORLDPAC Industry News” and one the tagline “Global Coverage with Local Service”. We’d like to thank and acknowledge those winners.
- Damon from German AutoSport
- Thomas from Team Motors Inc.
- Joe from Holzhauser's Foreign Car
- Mike from Mikes Foreign Car Service
- Mike from Precision Import Repair
- David from 4 Wheel Drive Specialty
- Mark from Crosby's German & Import Car Service
- Ken from Davenport Motor Company
- Luck from Auto Precision
- Barbara from Herr Schmidts
- Kevin from Elite Foreign & Domestic Auto
As with any good two-way communication tool, we hope to hear from you on the topics our editors write, or on anything that is important to you. This is your newsletter. Submit your comments and ideas to, WIN@worldpac.com
There’s no question a key support element to running a successful shop is product quality and availability. In fact, topping the list of industry surveys of independent shops for as many years as I can remember is product quality and availability. At WORLDPAC we understand that and have committed ourselves to the edict “the Right Part at the Right Time”. We also understand how well we live up to these words will be reflected in the actions of our customers.
Chances are you recognize this as the opening statement from ABC’s Wide World of Sports, a show where each week we tuned in to see the thrill of victory, and of course that poor guy who experienced the agony of defeat. A show where one week we could watch a boxing match from South Africa, and the next week the 24 Hours at Le Mans. A show that in its own way made the world seem just a little bit smaller.
Marketing your shop properly has become a critical element for growth not to mention survival. Traditionally, we have relied on yellow pages and word of mouth to sustain our shops. Today, with increased competition and significant changes in consumer behavior (welcome to the information age) we have to be aware of how to reach new customers, retain existing customers and meet the ever changing needs of the consumer
Each issue of WORLDPAC’s Industry News will feature a profile and interview with a WORLDPAC customer. These profiles will take an in depth look into successful shops and extract new and innovative ideas we can all implement to improve the image of the automotive aftermarket.
Our expansive purchasing and product development team works every day to identify the parts needed on new models (many parts for 2007 models are already cataloged). Their daily work schedule includes identifying the OEM manufacturer for new items, cataloging the parts in speedDIAL, contacting manufacturers and ultimately, placing orders
WORLDPAC open house events are a great place to meet the WORLDPAC team, industry leading parts manufacturers, as well as learn important information about the products and services we offer. You may even win an exciting prize just for attending. Special Events: From time to time, throughout North America, WORLDPAC conducts “Open House” events. Most of these events are held on a Saturday at your local WORLDPAC warehouse. During these events we try and have something for everyone. Attending customers report an increased understanding of WORLDPAC, what’s going on in the automotive industry and generally have a terrific time.
We receive numerous questions about resetting service lights/codes. Here are a few tips for BMW, Mercedes, Volvo, Honda and Toyota. In future issues we will explore common issues in Cooling Systems, Ignition Systems, Fuel Control Systems and other service related areas on European, Japanese and Korean automobiles.
The WORLDPAC, WTI Technical Training Program provides intensive Apprentice, Advanced and Master level diagnostic and repair training for the independent repair specialists.
The WTI Technical Training Classes are anchored around the factory technical training models and materials to promote the highest possible standards. With our team of specialist instructors, WTI has trained over 5500 students.
There are two basic sources of revenue for service centers; the number of vehicles that come in for service or repairs (car count), and the amount of dollars produced by each repair order (repair order average). Measuring these two areas allows the owner or manager to see where adjustments need to be in the business to increase sales. Car count is a marketing function and repair order average is a selling function.
WTI (WORLDPAC Training Institute) has been offering repair shop management workshops for almost 10 years. Over the years we have trained more than 4,000 shop owners, managers, and service consultants in many areas of the service business. Topics such as financial management, employee management, marketing, selling service, service consultant training, help define the troubled areas many businesses are challenged with. All of our instructors have years of experience and welcome follow-up telephone calls and emails from our customers.
The recent proliferation of vehicle models has given the consumer a dizzying array of options over the last few years. Along with the model selection, a J.D. Powers study concluded that consumers give high levels of consideration during their car buying decision process for options such as: adaptive headlights, anti-whiplash seats, brake-by-wire systems, heated/cooled seats and electronic stability control (EBC). They also expressed interest in night vision devices and sensors that detect objects in blind spots.
