What’s the next piece of shop equipment you plan to purchase? Lift related - 33%   Brake Service Equipment - 0%   A/C/Coolant Equipment - 33%   Diagnostic Equipment - 33%   Torch/Welding Equipment - 0%   Tool Storage - 0%   Computer/Office - 0%

Have you noticed longer than normal order times or low inventory conditions with some of your parts suppliers? Yes - 83%   No - 17%

As your company plans for 2010, do you plan to add, maintain or reduce staff? We will maintain the same number of employees - 58%   We will add employees - 15%   We will reduce the number of employees - 27%

Have your parts suppliers become more strict about returns and cores since the economic downturn? Yes - 43%   No - 28%   Have not noticed - 30%

Are you concerned with the quality and safety of brake rotors your shop purchases and installs? Yes, I am concerned - 77%   No, I am not concerned, I trust my supplier and/or manufacturer. - 23%

Gas prices are again expected to climb to nearly $4 per gallon this summer. How will this impact your business? Positive Impact - 100%   No Impact - 0%   Negative Impact - 0%

It has been reported that miles driven has started to rise again slightly after months of decline. Do you believe miles driven will continue to climb? Yes - 42%   Possibly if the economy improves - 30%   No, I believe they will go back down again as gas prices rise - 27%

The U.S. House of Representatives just approved a $1billion "Cash for Clunkers" bill and the legislation is now under review in the Senate. How will passage of "Cash for Clunkers" impact your business? Positive Impact - 12%   No Impact - 31%   Negative Impact - 57%

With the recent news of massive dealership closings (780 Chrysler and 1,100 GM), what will be the impact to your shop? (check all that apply) There are a lot of dealership closings in my area, so I expect to get increased service business in the process - 19%   I don’t expect to see an immediate effect - 42%   I may be able to buy dealership service equipment at significantly reduced prices, which will allow me to upgrade my shop equipment at a reasonable cost - 16%   Now is the time to increase shop advertising so that I can promote my shop to former dealership customers - 23%

Did your shop offer any special promotions in support of National Car Care Month in April? Yes - 30%   No - 70%

Do you offer evening and/or weekend hours at your shop? Select all the responses that apply. Open 1-2 evenings per week - 4%   Open more than 2 evenings per week - 18%   Open Saturdays - 38%   Open Sundays - 5%   Not open any of these times - 35%

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