National Car Care Month Vehicle Check-Up Events Double

The number of vehicle check-up events held during National Car Care Month in April has doubled in 2014, according to the Car Care Council. The council attributes a portion of the overall increase in National Car Care Month interest to the recent harsh winter weather and the need to address postponed service and repairs.

The number
of vehicle check-up events held during National Car Care Month in April has
doubled in 2014, according to the Car Care Council. The council attributes a portion
of the overall increase in National Car Care Month interest to the recent harsh
winter weather and the need to address postponed service and repairs.

“During the winter months, many motorists put off needed vehicle
maintenance. Many organizations realize that community car care events are a
unique opportunity for them to educate motorists about their vehicles’
condition and how postponing routine vehicle
maintenance can greatly impact safety, dependability, performance, air quality and
operation cost,” said
Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council.

The Car
Care Council’s website featured more than 1,000 vehicle check-up events held
nationwide by repair shops and auto parts stores, as well as vocational schools
and other auto care industry organizations. The free inspections held during
these events provide an opportunity for technicians to talk one-on-one with
motorists in a fun, non-threatening environment.

An analysis of vehicle inspection forms, submitted by
volunteers who conducted car care events last year, found that eight out of 10
vehicles need service or parts. The top problem areas were identified as engine
oil and fluids, air filters, brakes, battery cables, belts and hoses. The Car
Care Council created a vehicle
maintenance infographic to illustrate these findings.

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

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 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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