Guest Editorial: National Car Care Month

Guest Editorial: National Car Care Month

April provides a great business building opportunity to service providers.

By Rich White, Executive Director of the Car Care Council

April is National Car Care Month and there is no better time to improve your customer relationships while at the same growing your business.

Each year, $50 billion in vehicle maintenance and repairs go unperformed. That’s a lot of service, repair and parts sales sitting on the sidelines because so many consumers don’t know what needs to be done to their vehicle and why it’s important.

Hosting a free (and fun) community car care event during National Car Care Month in April is an inexpensive and highly successful way to capture a greater share of that potential new business.

This year, with gas prices on the rise, National Car Care Month provides an extra opportunity to show motorists in your area how they can save money at the pump with a preventive maintenance plan that is sure to earn their respect and their business.

Whether you host a vehicle check event on site at your shop or you get involved in an expanded, multi-faceted event in your community, you have a tremendous opportunity to increase the goodwill and trust with your customer base.

A recent study conducted by the Car Care Council shows that motorists welcome the opportunity to participate in a free car care event. At the same time, you will have a chance to provide them needed information that will help them make informed decisions about preventive maintenance in a non-stressful environment.

Customers will appreciate the fact you are offering them this free event and will look to you for their future service and repair needs.

The Car Care Council can help you develop a plan to host a successful car care event. A free video is available on the council’s website (www.carcare.org/NCCM) that gives repair shops, stores and other industry organizations a “test drive” of community car care events with vehicle inspections.

Loaded with footage of events in several states and candid testimonials from industry professionals, the video illustrates how community car care events grow new business, increase traffic, improve employee morale and demonstrate community good will.

Shop and store owners on the video explain how the cost of holding a car care event is minimal compared to traditional advertising and describe the tool kit of marketing, event management and other resources available from the Car Care Council.

A point of sale kit (www.carcare.org/point-of-sale-kit) is also available. This kits includes consumer education brochures, posters, bay banners, mirror hangers, vehicle inspection forms, an English/Spanish countermat and the very popular Car Care Guide.

Research reveals that more and more motorists are holding on to their current vehicles longer while at the same time, they are also taking better care of their vehicles. Motorists are very interested in finding ways to save money as it relates to their second largest investment. By working with your customers and developing a game plan for them, you will see a very gratified customer base that serves as a great word-of-mouth advertiser.

Don’t sit out another National Car Care Month. Start planning today for what could be the start of a real game changer for your business. For more information on National Car Care Month and the Be Car Care Aware campaign, visit www.carcare.org.

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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.

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.”

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