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SERVICE SOLUTIONS: Challenges for the Lube Service Technician
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By Counterman
MAHLE showcased its full-service portfolio of products at AAPEX. The company said it aims to position itself as a “one-stop shop” for technicians, shop owners and drivers. Key offerings highlighted at this year’s AAPEX show included
link hidden, please login to viewgaskets, engine components, filters and thermal management solutions as well as the company’s battery diagnostic systems, A/C units and latest shop equipment. “Our goal is to further expand MAHLE Aftermarket’s leading role in the global market with attractive offers for repair shops and trade,” said Eduardo Spilla, general manager,
link hidden, please login to viewAftermarket North America. “We are particularly focused on electrification, digitalization, and sustainability in order to help create the future of transportation and do our part in providing high-quality solutions to customers around the world.” More information on MAHLE can be found online or by contacting MAHLE local sales representatives.
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By Mighty Auto Parts
The post
link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view. Selecting the right maintenance schedule is imperative for the health of the engine in preventing major engine repairs or in extreme cases preventing a total engine replacement. Neglecting the required service interval can result in an accumulation of sludge and deposits that can restrict the flow of lubricant to vital engine components. Consider the following: […]
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By Counterman
Rislone announced its new
link hidden, please login to view (p/n 4400), which it said improves oil performance to eliminate dry starts, reduce friction and wear, prevent oil breakdown and extend engine life. “Its concentrated formula delivers legendary Rislone Hy-per Lube performance in a compact, easy-to-use, and shelf-friendly bottle,” the company added. Hy-per Lube Engine Supplement is a premium additive blend formulated to work with all motor oils, including conventional, high-mileage, and synthetic, to make older, high-mileage, and high-performance engines run better and last longer than they would with oil alone, according to
link hidden, please login to view. It’s also suitable for use in manual transmissions, differentials and axles. Rislone said it previously offered the supplement in a one-quart bottle, making it easy to swap a quart of oil for a quart of Hy-per Lube at every oil change. Now that most consumers buy oil in larger jugs, Rislone added it took the opportunity to reduce the package size — and the price. Concentrating the formula enabled Rislone to package it in a 16.9 oz. bottle without diluting performance. The smaller bottle also reduces packaging waste and storage space.
“Adding Hy-per Lube Engine Supplement to petroleum or synthetic oils turns them into hyper-performance lubricants that deliver heavy-duty protection for all driving demands across a wide range of engine and vehicle types,” said Clay Parks, Rislone vice president of development. “In these days of high prices, we’re proud to have found a way to lower ours. Our concentrated formula saves consumers money at the counter and in years to come by helping their engines last longer.”
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By Counterman
“Humans think AI is going to replace them,” says Mike Mohler, executive vice president and chief purchasing officer with the Automotive Parts Service Group.
“It won’t. Somebody using AI to be better than you will replace you.”
The integration of artificial intelligence in the aftermarket is more advanced than many people might realize, according to Mohler. It’s already yielding impressive results for those who are using it effectively. The primary challenge is not just the availability of data, but the effective use of that data to drive actionable insights and decisions. Mohler cites a report from Accenture showing that AI-driven price optimization can result in a 5% increase in gross margin and a 15% boost in revenue.
“You look at some of our competitors, and they’re able to post comparatively outrageous profit margins,” says Mohler. “They’re using AI for logistical prowess. They’re using it for customer service. They’re using it to get the right pricing in play.”
The ability to make informed decisions based on comprehensive data analysis is a major advantage of AI. Data scientists in the aftermarket industry are increasingly using the technology to turn large sets of data into actionable insights. This includes identifying market trends, customer preferences and operational inefficiencies. The application of AI in this area can lead to better strategic planning and improved business outcomes. Mohler says those applications can have a significant impact on profitability.
“Let’s say the average WD would have a 25-45% gross profit margin, given their business model. Some competitors are posting 58%. AI is going to be the tool to help them catch up. We’ve got to get to 53% minimum, I think. That’s a rarefied position, but it’s been tested by some of the smartest people that I know, and it should be achievable when we’re planning and we’re hoping that it is,” Mohler explains.
A Customer Experience Revolution
AI’s application extends to customer service as well. Chatbots and virtual assistants are now commonplace, offering customers quick and efficient service. These AI-driven tools have evolved to the point where they can engage in conversations that are increasingly indistinguishable from human interaction.
“I wonder how many people know that they’re talking to a chatbot when they’re talking to a chatbot?,” asks Mohler.
Navigating the Risks
Despite its advantages, AI’s integration into the aftermarket raises several concerns. Cybersecurity is one of them, as increased reliance on data systems introduces new vulnerabilities.
“We have employees with access to the internet at a thumb’s notice, and if we’re not careful, they can mistakenly click on something that could disrupt our business for months,” Mohler explains.
Mohler also expresses concerns about protecting intellectual property. Misuse of data or inadequate protection against competitive eavesdropping could undermine trust and impact the industry’s integrity.
“Once the data hits the public domain, how do we protect it and how do we make sure that it’s not being used against us? How do we know that we’re not enabling our competitor who’s able to electronically eavesdrop on one another like never before?,” asks Mohler.
Envisioning AI’s Next Steps
Mohler stresses that AI’s influence on the aftermarket is only in its infancy. Over the next 5-10 years, he envisions an advancement from a basic understanding of AI as an algorithmic tool to more specialized applications tailored to industry-specific needs.
“So my thought would be that companies would have their own internalized GPTs and industries would have their own internalized GPTs. My hope is also that we will become as skilled at selling to disembodied customers via e-commerce as we are at selling to them when they’re across the counter from us or in our stores,” Mohler says.
Mohler references the seven stages of AI when looking ahead to the technology’s impact on the aftermarket.
“When it comes to supply chain, when it comes to logistically moving products around, when it comes to optimizing sale price, optimizing customer service, my hope is that we will be a little closer to stage seven. Right now, we’re really at stage one and a half, maybe two,” says Mohler.
As the technology evolves, moving beyond its current capabilities, AI’s exact impact on the aftermarket, and countless other industries, will be even more profound. Companies that invest in AI and adapt to its changes will be well-positioned to thrive in the future of the automotive aftermarket.
“It’s incumbent upon us to understand AI and to become data scientists ourselves, because everybody’s got access to the data. Whoever can use the most disparate sources for the best outcomes is going to win in my overall view of it,” says Mohler.
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view and Motorcraft announced a partnership on two new Motorcraft® Fuel System Cleaning products for Ford and Lincoln vehicles using approved Motorcraft fuel products, equipment and services at Ford locations throughout the United States. The companies said the goal of the Motorcraft Enhanced Maintenance Fuel Service Program is to diminish the adverse impacts of lost combustion chamber efficiency and restore fuel economy, power, and performance. The program recently moved to a nationwide launch for Ford & Lincoln dealerships across the U.S. “BG Products is extremely excited to partner with Motorcraft to offer the new Motorcraft Enhanced Maintenance Fuel Service Program,” said Darin Greseth, president, CEO, and chairman of BG Products, Inc. “This new program will assist Ford and Lincoln customers in keeping their fuel injectors and intake system clean to ensure like-new performance and fuel economy.”
Below are the approved Motorcraft and BG co-branded products, part numbers and mileage recommendations for enhanced service. The new Motorcraft Program is recommended at oil change intervals. More information is available at Ford and Lincoln dealers.
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