Dealerlogix Becomes GM Service Lane Tool Partner
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In an effort to improve its dealer operations and win back business from independent mechanics, GM has partnered with Vehlo, which offers the Dealerlogix communication platform service intended to streamline the automaker’s Service Lane Tool Program.
Dealerlogix describes its service as an “all-in-one solution for dealership fixed operations” that GM dealers can make use of for everything from scheduling and texts to service check-in, video inspections, and a range of billing and payment-related functions.
This communications, record-keeping, and payment suite will be available to GM dealership service departments across The General’s core brands. According to Vehlo strategy vice president David Stalzer, the Dealerlogix platform will “help their dealerships offer easy repair and payment experiences that create lifelong customers for them.”
GM appears to be hoping the cloud-based platform will enable dealerships to offer an improved, convenient service experience to customers. Increasing customer satisfaction with faster, simpler scheduling and other interactions is intended to win back service business from independent repair shops.
The Dealerlogix platform allows customers to handle all stages of service, from scheduling to payment, using their smartphones. Vehlo’s executive vice president, Euwart Anderson, says the versatile platform “creates transparency to help the customer feel they are an important piece in their repair process.” He added that “when communication is clear, a customer’s trust is gained.”
GM tested Dealerlogix thoroughly before partnering with Vehlo to ensure the platform worked properly with existing Dealer Management Systems and as a standalone. Approximately 50 percent of General Motors dealers are already using some kind of Vehlo technology.
Evidence that vehicle owners are turning more frequently to independent service businesses instead of relying on dealership service likely catalyzed The General’s partnership with Vehlo. Cox Automotive recently found that 33 percent of owners used independent mechanics versus 31 percent using dealer services in 2023, the first time independents came out ahead in consumer preferences.
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It’s not a battle over in -house repairs or independent repairs. It’s not a battle of cost. It’s a battle of honestly which dealers from the sales to the service are notoriously deceptive reputation. Of Corse not all dealers are deceitful but i have yet to found one that is totally honest.
Most dealers are sales oriented. They couldn’t do a brake job or transmission service if their life depended on it. Typically, service technicians get free rein without checks and balances. As long as they’re generating profit, dealers don’t care what goes on. Very few technicians can do diagnostic work anymore. All they can do is change and dealers like to sell parts.
It will be a very long time before I visit a GM dealer. how about 30 days advanced appointment for an OIL CHANGE. I had a transmission failure. I called the deal not once not twice but three times and they NEVER called me back. Now this was not just one dealer. It was 3 different dealers. Just before this mass happened. I had an oil change done. The dealer noted that I needed front brakes. Then I looked at the report that said the pads had 14/32 left on the pads.
Not only can’t you trust a deal to service your vehicle. You can’t trust them to buy the vehicle either
This is why the likes of Nansen & Toyota are taking over the mass of car sails. Ford & Mopar is no better
Dealers can’t hire technicians. Young people aren’t going into the trades. It’s only going to get worse. America needs to wake up and get busy building trade schools.
“America needs to wake up and get busy building trade schools.”
America needs to stop thinking success can only be had through a $100,000+ piece of paper.
Yes, surgeons and structural engineers need the qualifications and certifications. Problem is the obscure studies degree that leaves the newly-minted graduate less qualified to do anything than someone with real-word vocational training.
I know others who don’t like dealers, but it is a mixed bag. I had a brake squeal and thought I needed brakes. The dealer service advisor set me up with a loaner and off I went. While driving home in the loaner he gives me a call and says you don’t need brakes. So I bring the loaner back and no charge for any of it. I’ve also had other dealers try to charge me for warranty work. As I say mixed bag. I’ve also had an independent try to upsell me on things I don’t need. It is a dog eat dog world, and if you find a place that does you right, stick with them until they don’t. Trust but verify. Recently a friend who’d been using a Honda dealer for years ran into some fault codes on the dash. He called the dealer and the dealer said I can get you an appointment for next week and we will need the car 3-4 days for a diagnosis. He was not happy nor would I be. 3-4 days to hook it up to a diag box is crazy. He found a new dealer.
GM and dealers, you want to compete with the independents?
1. Answer and return your calls.
2. Set up a Ford-style quick lane for the easy stuff. An oil change shouldn’t require a formal service appointment and take 90 minutes.
3. Drop the upsell. A vehicle does NOT need that “recommended fuel system service” every 6000 miles….