🎤 Discussing Average Rates

TOGETHER WITH

What are we doing here? Like right here. In this email. In our content. At our events.

We are putting up a beacon to the automotive community and it just so happens to mean we create content to serve that community.

Oh, and having a ton of fun doing it…with you!

Keep Pushing Back
-Paul, Kyle, & Chris

DEALERS

Lewis Toyota Serves Up Support

Lewis Toyota treated Topeka-area veterans to a complimentary sunrise feast at their local Hanover Pancake House last week, and service members were feelin’ the love. 🥞

“I think all veterans appreciate the support,” said attendee Jim Driggers, US Navy Veteran. “For somebody like Lewis Toyota to help provide that support is the greatest thing around.”

The event is the first in a series of gifted breakfasts to honor regional service members. The dealership intends to host similar events at different locally owned restaurants every three months.

But their generosity doesn't end at the last syrupy bite of pancake. Lewis Toyota also plans on donating $100 to veterans organizations like Folds of Honor and the Wounded Warrior Project for every car sold in May. Based on their monthly sales average, they foresee an approximate $14-16K donation on the horizon.

Telling it like it is - Lewis Toyota serves up warm veteran support with a heaping side of endless gratitude (...and bacon). 🥓

AUTOMOTIVE

Talkin’ Average Labor Rates

This week, David Long and the All Things Fixed Ops community took on ELR.

The Effective Labor Rate is a critical metric in the fixed ops business. It is the average price of an hour of service labor. ELR varies on the type of service, technician skill, and task and can be instrumental in measuring a service department's effectiveness and profitability.

The conversation held tips for driven people in any department:

Utilize Effective Labor Rates to Set Goals.

Use ELR improvement as a measurement of team growth. Then, invite your people to celebrate even small victories.

Consistency is Key

Rome was not built in a day, nor is a strong Fixed Ops department. Make a plan and consistently work toward your goal. ELR helps measure the effectiveness daily, weekly, and monthly to see how a consistent push for improvement moves the needle.

Improve MultiPoint Inspections

A well-implemented multi-point inspection program can significantly increase opportunities for service advisors. Moving the effectiveness of this program by even 20% can lead to substantial improvements in revenue. Ensure your team consistently conducts thorough inspections and communicates potential issues to customers.

Utilize All Opportunities to Sell

Consistently capitalizing on opportunities can increase revenue and customer satisfaction. Train your team to recognize these moments and provide them with the tools and knowledge to make the most of each customer interaction.

Seek Feedback and Suggestions from Your Team

Your team members, especially those with diverse experience, may offer valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. Encourage open communication and listen to their ideas, as these contributions could lead to more efficient processes or new avenues for growth.

Telling it like it is - Having a way to track the value of our hours would be really great for almost everybody except Netflix.

TOGETHER WITH AUTOMOTIVE TITLING COMPANY (ATC)

The Extra Mile

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ATC is not a service; they're your partner in closing more deals with less fuss! Request a demo today!

AROUND THE ASOTU-VERSE

Word-Ro-Nymns

VDP
Vehicle Details Page
A page on a dealership's site that is dedicated to a specific vehicle and contains all of the vehicle's information.

AUTOMOTIVE

Motor Morsels: Stellantis, Ford, Tesla

✋😤🙅‍♀️

Stellantis has (temporarily?) halted construction of its battery plant in Ontario due to a dispute with the Canadian government. Apparently, the Land of Politeness politely forgot to offer the automaker the same extra-generous deal they extended to Volkswagen in April, and supes jelly Stellantis is calling foul.

🥋✂️🇨🇳

Ford has decided to tighten its belt in China, aiming to bounce back from recent slumps in sales. The company plans to cut costs to become leaner and more agile but neglected to provide specifics. However, rumors suggest that job cuts are likely in the works.

🧑‍⚖️🔋📉

Tesla owners have filed a lawsuit against the EV maker, claiming that a recent software update designed to prevent battery fires has significantly reduced the battery capacity of their vehicles. As a result, drivers allege that their range has diminished, and some battery packs are dying altogether.

Sheesh…drivers are so picky. “No battery fires, please! No battery-destroying OTA updates! No watching my private personal footage!” The demands are never-ending.

TL; DR - Stellantis thinks Canada forgot something, Ford is planning some cuts in China, and Tesla owners are suing Tesla (because they can’t sue their own battery)

CULTURE

Vice, Sly, and Climbing Everest

Vice Media, with assets and liabilities between $500 million and $1 billion, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as it prepares to sell the company. A group of creditors have made a conditional bid, with other potential bidders invited over the next two to three months. This move follows a significant restructuring, including job cuts and discontinuation of programs. Don't worry; the CEO is confident their edgy reports on the same news everybody else is covering will survive this bump in the road.

We know what you're wondering, "Why has nobody combined the utterly unneeded drama of The Kardashian with Rocky?" Apparently, your prayers have been answered (also, you should pray for better stuff). The Family Stallone is a reality show following Sly and his family around as they navigate the challenging world of being filthy rich. Grab your popcorn.

A Sherpa has tied the record for reaching the top of Mount Everest. Pasang Dawa Sherpa hit the summit Sunday morning with a Hungarian climber, his 26th time since 1998. The other 26-time ascendant is another Sherpa, Kami Rita, who took his more recent trip last year. The weirdest part of this for us is that these Sherpa got paid to do it, opposite to most folks who climb the mountain. It makes you wonder why more climbers don't just become Sherpa, but that is between them and their life coaches.

Quick Hits

• Despite UK objections, Microsoft's $69B acquisition of Activision has received approval from the European Union. 🎮

• A Florida professor has set a record for living underwater. He doesn’t even seem to be roughing it. 🐡

• Job hopping has slowed down. The media is trying to coin “The Big Stay” to explain it, but we doubt it will catch on. 🤨

History

• 1817: Mississippi River steamboat service begins. ⛴️

• 1884: Italian inventor Angelo Moriondo received the first espresso machine patent. ☕

• 1965: SpaghettiOs are introduced by The Campbell Soup Company. ⭕

• 1984: “When Doves Cry" single released by Prince. 🕊️

• 1986: The OG "Top Gun" movie is released in theaters across the US. 🛩️