Directions: Vehicle Age and Smaller Engines Increase Vehicle Maintenance
While the small increase in 2010 vehicle total mileage would seem to be negative for aftermarket product expansion, the changing driving habits of Americans are causing more vehicle wear per mile driven today than in the past.
80 YEARS YOUNG: 960 issues without missing a beat!
How does a magazine stay in business for 80 years? People may say flashy covers, good leadership or deep pockets to survive the rough times. It does take all of these things, but above all it takes successful readers that are valued or potential customers of our advertisers.
Editor’s Notebook: Got Top Techs? We Want To Know Who They Are
Calling all best techs! Do you make your customers’ vehicles charge ahead, run like a champ and cross the finish line first?
New Tool Line Ratchets Up the Competition
I recently had the honor of attending the Kobalt Tools new tool launch in Charlotte, NC, courtesy of Lowe’s. I was on-hand to represent Babcox Media and to be among the first to try out some of the company’s new Kobalt tools. But long before the media arrived, a much more famous group worked
ETI’s ToolTech 2011 Explores the Shop of Tomorrow
The TechShop team recently traveled to Miami Beach, FL, to attend the Equipment and Tool Institute’s ToolTech conference at The Gansevoort Hotel May 3-5. More than 110 industry professionals representing 55 companies were in attendance. ToolTech gave attendees a chance to learn about changing industry trends and standards and how they’ll affect the Shop of
Directions: Oils Well that Ends Well
Across the country, more and more Americans are adjusting their lifestyles to become more “green” – whether carrying their groceries in re-useable shopping bags, recycling the plastics, glass and paper from their garbage, or using a non-disposable water bottle with a built-in filter to cutback on disposable water bottles.
Brand-Building Efforts: Pay Multiple Dividends For Your Shop
With the gas price spike a daunting reality, and no down-tick in sight, there’s no telling what measures consumers will take to keep their vehicles on the road. At press time, the national fuel price average was up 29.2 cents a gallon, a $1.01 surge per gallon over year-ago prices.
Directions: Cost of Owning and Driving a Vehicle Climbs
According to AAA, despite seeing reduced costs for maintenance and insurance this year, there is an overall increase in the costs to own and operate a vehicle in the U.S.
Recovery & Ruin: Could the Recovery Mean Tough Times for Shops?
With many economic indicators like unemployment, same store sales and the stock market pointing to a final recovery, it is time to look at what it really means for your shop. While these are some of the toughest times to operate a shop, it is also a period of great opportunity and prosperity for shops willing to make investments in training, tools and people.
Directions: Driving History
Whatever your taste in vehicles may be, there is an automotive museum that will satisfy your interest.
Editor’s Notes: A World-Class Tour of Tools
The TechShop team recently returned from the Mac Tools, Matco Tools and Cornwell Quality Tools tradeshows.
Editor’s Notebook: Gender May Influence Vehicle Selection
A report released earlier in the year by CarGurus shows that “guy” car and “girl” car stereotypes hold true, confirming the “love affair” that consumers have long had with their vehicles lives on, but also validating the influence of gender on vehicle preferences.