ACtion Magazine - March 2015 - (Page 34)
Consumers give nod to
independents
Elvis Hoffpauir
W
hen it comes to consumer press about automotive service and repair, usually no news is
good news. When someone does shine a light on the industry, it's usually to take a pot shot
at it. An article in the March 2015 issue of Consumer Reports magazine starts out that way:
"For most of us, taking the car to the mechanic ranks right up there with getting root canal surgery."
Happily, the opening paragraph goes on to deliver a positive message for independents, reporting
that "Our latest survey of repair satisfaction found that when your car is ailing, odds are that you'll be
more satisfied with an independent repair shop than with a franchised new-car dealership."
According to Consumer Reports, "independents outscored dealership service once again for overall satisfaction, price, quality, courteousness of the staff, and work being completed when promised."
The article did note that the electric carmaker Tesla outscored the independents.
The survey was conducted by Consumer Reports National Research Center and based on satisfaction reported on repairs of "more than 121,000 vehicles - 80,000 of which were repaired at franchised
dealers and more than 41,000 at independent repair
shops."
The article also noted, "To be fair to mechanics
"...more satisfied with an
at franchised dealerships, our respondents also reported being very satisfied overall with their repairs
independent repair shop...
from top to bottom - despite trailing the ratings of
the independent shops."
And in other news, perhaps Millennials are
"warming up" to the automotive experience. In July
2013 in this space I noted a report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Education Fund, which
concluded that "the Millennial generation is leading the change in transportation trends. Sixteen- to
34-year-olds drove a whopping 23 percent fewer miles on average in 2009 than in 2001 - the greatest
decline in driving of any age group. Millennials are more likely to want to live in urban and walkable
neighborhoods and are more open to non-driving forms of transportation than the older generation of
Americans."
But this month, MTV, a division of Viacom, unveiled its new research study, "Millennials Have
Drive," at the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Convention and Expo 2015, "uncovering an increase in young people's passion for cars and car ownership with 3 in 4 young people
agreeing they would rather give up social media for a day than their car and 72 percent agreeing they
would rather give up texting for a week than their car. Additionally, the study unearthed key points of
entry for the automobile industry to win over this segment of the population with more targeted car
advertising, increased customization options and a more transparent buying process."
The Viacom release observes, these "findings establish that 8 in 10 Millennials get around most
often by car as opposed to any other form of transportation - a stark contrast to studies in recent years
that show driving on the decline among young people. This shift in driving behaviors and attitudes
towards automobiles can be attributed to Millennials aging up into car ownership, an improving
economy and the fact that more Millennials are able to afford cars now than a few years ago.
"Millennials' passion for driving versus other generations is underscored with 70 percent saying
they "like driving a lot" versus 58 percent of Boomers and 66 percent of Gen Xers. Moreover, young
people are exhibiting a broadening desire to buy and own cars."
I call that good news. ❆
"
Elvis Hoffpauir,
Editor-in-Chief
You can reach Elvis at elvis@macsw.org
34
ACTION * March 2015
Advertiser Index
1-800-Radiator & A/C............................2
ACDelco ........................................ 14,15
AGS Company..................................... 26
Automechanika .................................. 31
BVA Inc. ............................................. 18
Continental ........................................ 27
DENSO ............................................. 35
Four Seasons ...................................... 36
Global Parts Distributors ..................... 19
Hella ...................................................9
Honeywell ......................................... 13
Mahle Service Solutions ...................... 11
MEI Corporation ............................... 6, 7
Omega .............................................. 25
Polar Mobility ......................................8
Robinair ............................................ 29
Santech ............................................. 33
Schrader ............................................ 30
T/CCI Mfg. ......................................... 23
Trans/Air Mfg. .................................... 28
TSI Inc./SuperCool ................................3
Tubes 'n Hoses International ............... 12
TYC /Genera ....................................... 21
Universal Air Conditioner ......................5
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ACtion Magazine - March 2015
Engine cooling systems: Electric cooling fan operating strategies
System Charge Determination
Outlook
Service Port
Leonard's Law
Virtual View
Heavy duty and off road
Last Watch
Coolin Corner
Letters to the Editor
By the numbers
Industry News
Association News
In Memoriam
New Products
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