Why Dealerships Struggle with Service Bay Utilization
Getting the most out of your service bays is tough when inefficiencies pile up. You’re paying for space that isn’t being used, technicians who can’t stay productive, and vehicles that sit idle waiting for parts or approvals. The impact? Lost revenue and frustrated customers. Service bay utilization is the key to turning this around. Smarter […]
Customized Dealer Service Training for Fixed Ops Growth
A service department can make or break a dealership. If your staff isn’t trained to effectively deal with customers, you risk losing opportunities, having a poor customer experience, and even losing income. It’s not just about managing vehicles—it’s about managing people. Without clear processes and effective training, things fall apart fast. The solution starts with […]
How to Reset a Toxic Shop Culture and Get Your Technicians Back on Your Team
There’s no easy button for fixing a struggling shop culture—but there is a process. And if you’re a service manager or service advisor trying to regain control of a shop where the technicians are “running the show,” you already know the stakes are high. Technician morale, productivity, respect for leadership, CSI, and even retention are […]
Auto Dealership Consolidation Trends Reshaping the Market
Auto dealerships are changing, and not every business is keeping up. Smaller dealerships are struggling with deteriorating profit margins, aging systems, and increased competition contra larger, well-funded groups. It’s clear that the old model of running a dealership isn’t cutting it anymore. Consolidation is becoming the go-to solution. By merging operations, dealerships can reduce costs, […]
Success Boost: Finance Office as Dealership Leadership Hub
Running a car dealership is a high-stakes operation. The automotive industry generates over $1 trillion in annual sales and employs more than 2 million people in the United States. But, did you know? In such a demanding environment, the finance office often gets overlooked. It is perceived as where paperwork is done, not a growth […]
Extended-Range Electric Vehicles Growth and Global Interest
Getting more people to switch to electric vehicles hasn’t been easy. High prices, limited driving range, and a lack of convenient charging options have kept many buyers from making the switch. For some, the idea of relying solely on battery power feels risky—especially with long road trips. Here comes extended-range electric vehicles (EREVs), solving the […]
Data Risks in Dealerships: Protecting Customer Information
Current dealerships handle large volumes of personal customer information, including credit ratings and bank account information. However, as AI-driven infotainment systems become more common, there is an increasing threat that such data will be revealed or misapplied, particularly when combined technologies are not managed correctly. These risks may result in violations, legal disputes, or even […]
Service Department Leadership: How to Survive Bad Bosses, Bias & Broken Systems in Fixed Ops
If you’ve spent any time in a dealership service department, you already know the truth:Most of the chaos doesn’t come from customers—it comes from the leadership inside the building. Bad bosses, biased decision-making, missing processes, and broken communication systems damage performance far more than RO backlogs or parts delays. In this episode of Service Drive […]
Why Dealers Are Shifting to AI-Powered Infotainment in Vehicles
Driving used to be all about getting from one place to another, but let’s be honest—using traditional infotainment systems can feel frustrating. Unintuitive controls, outmoded interfaces, and limited functionality make drivers wish for more intelligent, less complex tech that would make road trips more enjoyable and less distracting. The good news is that artificial intelligence […]
Service Department Roundtable: What’s Changed in Fixed Ops Leadership
When the Service Drive Revolution team gets together for a roundtable, you know you’re about to hear some hard truths mixed with real dealership wisdom. In this episode, Chris Collins and his team reflect on how the service drive has evolved over the years—and how the core challenges for SERVICE ADVISORS and MANAGERS remain surprisingly […]
Proven Fixed Ops Success: Client Results That Define ‘Record-Breaking’
You don’t just need a program—you need a proven track record in Fixed Ops Profit Turnaround. At Chris Collins Inc., our coaching programs are specifically designed to deliver quantifiable, bottom-line results and the fastest service department turnaround worldwide. We are consistently capturing some of the most dramatic turnarounds and sustained profit growth in the industry. […]
SERVICE & PARTS DEPARTMENTS ARE CARRYING AUTO DEALERSHIPS THROUGH ONE OF THE ROUGHEST MARKETS IN MEMORY
AS THE ON-ROAD VEHICLE AGE RISES FROM NINE TO THIRTEEN YEARS, FIXED-OPS IS ONE OF THE FEW GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEALERSHIPS IN 2025. THE AVERAGE ON-ROAD VEHICLE AGE IS UP TO 13, ALMOST 14 YEARS FROM 9. AS INFLATION PERSISTS AND CREDIT MARKETS TIGHTEN, CUSTOMERS ARE KEEPING THEIR VEHICLES LONGER THAN EVER. LOS ANGELES (October […]
