Accident-prone drivers, heavy batteries, technician shortages create weighty EV repair issues.

As customer and vehicle servicing becomes more fragmented between digital and physical needs, focusing on reducing friction and creating a more seamless experience for vehicle owners should be paramount.

The change is costly to dealers who delivered on manufacturers' instructions to invest in CCS-standard connectors.

Car dealer John Luciano appreciates auto technicians so much he’s thinking of becoming one when he retires.   

Dealers can play a significant role in helping reduce the overall number of vehicles with recalls. Reaching out to owners of these vehicles and getting them into the dealership drives revenue and builds better customer relationships.

Offering factory-certified parts and highly trained technicians gives dealerships a competitive edge, a CDK survey says.

“If we establish ourselves as the experts at BEV repair and maintenance, people will come to us,” says Ed Roberts of Bozart Ford Lincoln.

Other positions in Fixed Ops and beyond allow technicians room to grow when life circumstances change.

Dealerships were evaluated on how quickly and efficiently they handled service-appointment calls.

There are 1,387 Ford dealers enrolled in the voluntary program, and the manufacturer reports the number is “growing every day.”