Several States Declare April As ‘Car Care Month’

Several
governors across the country have declared April as Car Care Month in their
respective states, urging their residents to be car care aware and perform the
service necessary to ensure their vehicles are operating in a safe, efficient
and clean manner.

The following
governors have issued official state proclamations that April is Car Care
Month: Gov. Robert Bentley of Alabama, Gov. John Hickenlooper of Colorado, Gov.
Pat Quinn of Illinois, Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan, Gov. Susana Martinez of
New Mexico, Gov. John A. Kitzhaber, M.D. of Oregon, Gov. Nikki R. Haley of
South Carolina, Gov. Bill Haslam of Tennessee, Gov. Peter Shumlin of Vermont
and Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin of West Virginia.

“We want to
thank these governors for officially proclaiming April as Car Care Month,” said
Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “Car Care Month provides a
unique opportunity for the auto care industry and the government to educate car
owners on the importance of proper vehicle care. Motor vehicle safety continues
to be a major focus for state legislatures and regulatory agencies across the
country, so we commend each of the governors for making these important
proclamations.”

Spring is the
perfect time for motorists to make sure their vehicles are running reliably
after a rough winter and before the summer driving season begins. Many
independent repair shops and community organizations throughout the country
will conduct car care events during April. These events have revealed that
three out of four vehicles inspected are in need of some type of maintenance or
repair.

The
non-profit Car Care Council offers many free tools on its website to help consumers drive smart, save
money and be more environmentally friendly, including the popular 60-page Car Care Guide and a custom service schedule and email reminder service.

“By following a service schedule
and performing preventative vehicle maintenance, motorists can ensure that
their vehicles are safe and dependable. Plus, auto care can help save money in
many ways, including reducing fuel consumption and extending vehicle life,”
continued White. “We encourage all car owners across the country to get their
vehicles inspected this April.”

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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