Hi Al,
Have you investigated what dealerships like yours are doing in your zone?
Anyway if your looking for generalized performance, log on to the NADA web site (
www.nada.org.) Select "Industry Info," then Facts & Figures," then "Parts, Service & Bodyshop." You'll have to do some of the math to arrive at specific ratios, but the site does offer some good information.
As far as your performance staying the same goes, is your parts and service team trained to sell? In other words, what do you do as far as marketing and retailing goes? Don't misunderstand me. I don't condone over selling customers or selling products and services that customers do not need. However, its good practice, good service, and can be very profitable to sell ancillary or related parts and services. For example, if a retail customer purchases brake parts, is a can of brake parts cleaner recommended? Or if a customer is in for service having a front cover seal replaced does the service advisor check to see if the timing belt was ever replaced?
My book (order # R-219) available through the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International,
www.sae.org) bookstore includes tips on improving performance and customer service. If you wish to speak with me one-on-one, please feel free to contact me at (570) 824-1258, or e-mail me at
gss83@aol.com.
Gary J. Naples
GNA
[This message has been edited by Gary J. Naples (edited 07-14-2000).]