Turning recalls into profits
Volvo has recently recalled more than 7,000 of their models, due to faults with their software and Volvo is not on its own as the news follows the announcement that Renault has had to recall 15,000 vehicles fitted with their 1.5-litre dCi engines, due to recalibration of the engine control unit.
Although these examples will provide immediate business for franchised dealerships, there is also an opportunity for the independent workshop to get in on the action as they can benefit from previous recalls, all they need is a licence to a use TecRMI, one of Europe’s leading providers of technical service and repair data.
TecRMI, which is part of the TecAlliance group, offers users an option to access additional information held within its data that details manufacturer recalls, as well as any additional repair instructions that may have been issued post the vehicle’s production. This is a feature unique to TecRMI and is known as the Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) option.
Although these recent recalls do not benefit independents instantly, there is the scope for them to generate additional revenue on every vehicle that comes in to be serviced or repaired, as vehicles are consistently being recalled. With TSB, the workshop can check on the system to find out if there has been a recall or a service addition on a vehicle when it is in for a service and whether it has been carried out. If it has not, they are equipped with the information required to carry out the update, which can result in extra revenue for the workshop and a reassured and happy customer.
Shaun Greasley, general manager for TecAlliance UK and Ireland said: “By adding the TSB option to the standard TecRMI package, workshops are able to directly access internal vehicle manufacturers’ bulletins, service notices and recalls, including current changes being made to vehicles.
“Each function provides the user with a service action, which states the fault symptom, the cause and the solution. It also lists the parts that are required to complete the job, along with their part numbers and any special tools that are needed.
“With this option, workshops using a customer database can proactively target their customers with a specific recall message, which could contain crucial safety information. If, on the other hand, they operate without a customer database, the system can still be interrogated to search for relevant recalls on vehicles that are in the workshop on the day.
“In the same way, the service notice element allows the workshop to remain fully up-to-date with any new developments to an existing service schedule or with a particular amendment that needs to be made due to an unforeseen component reliability issue.
“As a result, TecRMI and the additional TSB option provide workshops with information that will help their business efficiency, profitability and overall customer service level, as well as allowing them to actively target the franchised sector.”