Strategic Priorities for Fixed Operations Profitability 2026
It feels like the showroom floor gets all the glory, doesn’t it? Yet banking entirely on vehicle sales is incredibly stressful. Market shifts, inventory delays, or rate hikes can dry up revenue overnight. You watch the front end struggle while the bills keep coming, creating a frantic cycle where you constantly chase numbers just to […]
Why Service Department Execution Fails & How to Fix It
When service department execution falls apart, everything slows down. Technicians lose valuable time waiting for parts or approvals. Jobs pile up because workflows are clunky or outdated, and repair orders lack the detail needed to keep things moving. Frustration builds, customers get impatient, and trust takes a hit. Improving service department execution doesn’t have to […]
Why Service Managers Struggle with Managing Former Peers
Sitting down for lunch with your usual work friends suddenly feels different. The jokes don’t land the same way, office gossip makes you uncomfortable, and everyone feels the awkwardness. This shift from peer to leader often proves more challenging than mastering any technical part of your new role. You are caught between two worlds—staying too […]
Net Promoter Score in Fixed Ops: What Service Managers Need to Know
As manufacturers evolve how they measure customer experience, Net Promoter Score (NPS) is becoming a bigger focus in Fixed Ops. For manySERVICE MANAGERS and SERVICE ADVISORS, that shift creates confusion, frustration, and a lot of unanswered questions. In Service Drive Revolution #345, the conversation explores what Net Promoter Score really measures, how it differs from […]
Why Service Growth Plateaus After Early Wins & How to Fix It
Hitting a wall in your service business growth can be frustrating. Things were going well—steady sales, new customers, and solid progress. Then, everything seemed to stall. No matter what you try, growth feels stuck. It’s as if the strategies that worked before just aren’t cutting it anymore. Sound familiar? You’re not alone. The solution isn’t […]
Why Digital Vehicle Pricing Is a Game-Changer for Dealers
Shopping for a car can be complicated—not just for buyers but for dealerships too. Outdated price tags, manual updates, and inconsistent information create confusion and frustration on both sides. It’s tough to compete when pricing systems are slow and inefficient. Digital vehicle pricing offers a better way. With it, dealerships can instantly update prices, display […]
How to Solve Truck Workforce Retention Challenges Today
Turnover is a big challenge in the commercial trucking industry. Service advisors and drivers—two critical roles—are leaving at increasing rates. With service advisor turnover climbing to 34% and fleets struggling with driver shortages, dealerships and fleet managers are feeling the pressure to find lasting solutions. Better pay, clear communication, and smarter tools are just a […]
Common Automotive Service Manager Failure Traps in 2026
You were likely the best at writing tickets or fixing complex vehicle issues, so you got the promotion. But now, the skills that got you the job aren’t the ones helping you keep it. Many leaders find themselves stuck because they naturally drift toward what feels safe rather than tackling tough conversations or financial constraints. […]
Top Data-Driven Automotive Marketing Strategies for 2026
Many dealerships struggle to reach buyers who aren’t sure what they’re looking for. Without clear data to guide decision-making, it’s hard to target the right customers, highlight the right cars, and make the most of your marketing budget. Guesswork leads to missed opportunities, wasting money and time on strategies that don’t deliver results. Data-driven automotive […]
Service Training Failure: What’s Really Holding Teams Back
Service training often doesn’t work as well as we think it should. Maybe you’ve invested time, money, and effort into training sessions, only to see little to no improvement in how employees perform. The reality is, training programs often fall short because they focus more on completing the session than on creating lasting change. It’s […]
Why Fixed Ops Systems Matter More Than People in Dealership Service
Dealership service departments often face the same frustrations year after year. Customers complain about wait times. Advisors feel overwhelmed. Technicians struggle with efficiency. Managers work harder but see little improvement. The common response is to blame people. In Service Drive Revolution #344, the discussion makes one thing clear: most Fixed Ops problems are not people […]
Service Profit Erosion: Hidden Habits Killing Dealerships
Serving customers is a critical part of any dealership’s success, but all too often, profits from service operations aren’t where they should be. Long wait times, poorly organized processes, and outdated scheduling methods drive customers away. Add to that the perception of high costs, and it’s clear why many dealerships struggle to retain loyal service […]
