As today’s vehicles have become more technologically advanced, educating your customers thoroughly about auto care will help them better understand all the data that is now available on their dashboard. Seeing the term “oil life” displayed on an in-car screen may mean different things to different people. Helping your customers clearly understand these terms will go a long way to helping them be more proactive when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
Conducting a free vehicle check event or car care clinic during National Car Care Month is a valuable educational opportunity and will demonstrate that your knowledgeable, trained technicians are up-to-date on the latest vehicle technology.
Vehicle check events are an excellent marketing opportunity, providing a chance to interact with the community and attract new business. Providing motorists with a list of items that need service and explaining why goes a long way in building customer loyalty and trust.
Car care clinics allow you to spend more time with your customers in a hands-on training environment where you can educate them about the basics of car care and the latest features of their late-model, highly computerized and increasingly connected vehicle. This will allow them to have a better understanding of the new technology available on today’s vehicles.
This type of car care education session provides a good opportunity to explain to your customers that they have a choice when it comes to sharing the information generated by vehicle technology. In other words, because they own the vehicle, they own the data it generates and should have the final say regarding who is allowed access to that information. Your customers should be able to share access with you to the information generated by their vehicles so your shop, as an independent service provider, can properly repair their vehicles.
Many customers may be afraid to ask questions about vehicle repairs, so conducting specialty clinics can also be a good way to make attendees feel comfortable. Car care clinics for women, seniors and teens are good ways to educate motorists in a relaxed, fun environment. These informative sessions have become quite popular around the country and have turned out to be great business-building opportunities. For example, since women are often the primary decision-makers when it comes to vehicle service and repair, a car care clinic for women during National Car Care Month can be a way to attract more new customers and repeat business.
Whether you’re planning a car care clinic or vehicle check event, the Car Care Council can help. By visiting the council’s Industry Tool Box at www.carcare.org/industry-tool-box, you will find useful tools and information to help you conduct a successful National Car Care Month educational event. The Car Care Council provides most materials free of charge and, if you register it, the council will share your event on its website and social media platforms.
The Industry Tool Box website features the council’s popular Car Care Guide — a perfect takeaway item to help further educate your customers. Available in English and Spanish, the 80-page guide has recently been updated to include information about the connected car. Car Care Guides can be ordered at www.carcare.org/industry-tool-box/, and custom printing with a company logo on the back cover is available in bulk quantities.
National Car Care Month can provide a valuable business opportunity if you have the right plan in place. It’s the perfect time to build awareness of your business, increase car counts and educate consumers about how much of their vehicle’s maintenance is going unchecked. With the additional service opportunities that may arise from new vehicle technology, there is even more reason to conduct an event and keep your customers informed.
Whatever your plans, big or small, be sure to celebrate National Car Care Month. For more information about National Car Care Month and the “Be Car Care Aware” campaign, visit the Car Care Council at www.carcare.org.
