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 To request information from our advertisers visit www.macsw.org and click on the ACtion Reader Reply button. 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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

ACtion Magazine - March 2015