National Car Care Month Is On The Horizon

With severe weather striking most of the country this winter, it’s hard to believe that National Car Care Month in April is on the horizon. However, it’s not too early to think about ways to leverage the Car Care Council’s national consumer media campaign to help grow your business.

“After a harsh winter like this one, customers’ vehicles will need extra attention to make sure they are ready for the spring and summer driving season, and that means more business for shops throughout the country,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Participating in National Car Care Month is time well spent and gives you a chance to build awareness of your business, increase car counts and educate consumers on how much of their vehicle’s maintenance is going unchecked.”

The Car Care Council suggests five quick and easy ways to get involved in National Car Care Month:

1. Suggest your customers sign up for the free customized service schedule and e-mail service from the non-profit Car Care Council at http://www.carcare.org/car-care-service-schedules/custom-service-schedule/.
2. Send your customers to www.carcare.org/car-care-guide to view the free digital Car Care Guide, available in English and Spanish or order a free printed copy for their glove compartment.
3. Print out car care tips at http://www.carcare.org/car-care-resource/car-care-tips/ and leave them out for customers to read while they are in a waiting room or standing at the counter.
4. Hang a Car Care Month poster and banner, and place a Car Care Month mirror dangler on each customer’s rear view mirror. Make your own signs or get a special point-of-sale kit from the Car Care Council at http://www.carcare.org/pos-starter-kit/.
5. Hosting a car care event in your community? Visit http://www.carcare.org/industry-participants/host-an-event/ to list your event at no charge on the Car Care Council’s website.

Many auto repair shops and parts stores throughout the country celebrate National Car Care Month by hosting community car care events. At these events, businesses volunteer their time to check components on vehicles that typically get overlooked, including tires, air filters, lubricants and fluids, belts and hoses, battery cables and lights. These free vehicle inspection events emphasize the importance of preventive maintenance and educate consumers about how to take proper care of their cars.

The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For a copy of the council’s Car Care Guide, which is now available electronically, or for more information, visit www.carcare.org.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

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