Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: With Land Rover coming in second, what is the oldest off-road vehicle brand?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: ”Jeep” In 1940, the American Bantam Car Company in Butler, Pennsylvania built the first (Bantam BRC) Jeep prototype for the U.S. military. Yet, it was Willys-Overland who initially took ownership of the Jeep brand in 1941, after being awarded the military contract over Bantam and Ford.

You may operate a top shop, but does your local community know it? Do your customers and prospects alike know about the range of your shop’s services, the extent of your investment in top-of-the-line tools and equipment, your commitment to using the highest-quality parts in the repair process and your dedication to restoring their vehicle to peak performance levels?

While advertising is a primary medium to target your message to the masses, there are other ways you can communicate to consumers about all that your shop has to offer.  Getting involved in your local community is an ideal place to start.

With the goal of providing you with input on ways to get involved in the community, Babcox Research asked a sample of shop owner readers for their ideas on the topic.  Some of those responses are listed below.

1. Attend local car shows, so you can personally talk to members of the community.  Remember that consumers tend to do business with people they know and trust.

2. Hold an “Open House” at your shop to tout your shop’s services and techs’ expertise, and to promote all the value you bring to the vehicle repair process.

3. Interact with young people in local schools to give them positive feedback about careers in the automotive industry. Consider on-the-job training for high school students (co-op educational programs), or “job shadow” programs.

4. Sponsor local sports teams; it’s a highly visible way to get your name out in the community.

5. Donate to worthy causes - i.e. United Way campaigns, local charities, police and fire departments, and food banks.

6. Offer tire pressure checks and child car seat installation inspections at your shop.

7. Participate in a call-in radio car care show - an opportunity to educate the public about the value of routine maintenance and a chance to promote your shop in the process.

8. Hold car care clinics at your shop.  One reader offers free car clinics for single moms and the elderly as part of his community outreach efforts.  Another helps the needy through church outreach programs.

9. Volunteer to speak at Career Day events, and mentor future techs by getting involved in the local vo-tech school.

10. Participate in “scout” troop activities and offer the use of your flatbed trailer or truck for local parades.

Reprinted with permission of Babcox Publishing, Underhood Service March 2009.

Friddle: With Land Rover coming in second, what is the oldest off-road vehicle brand?

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Chrysler only produced two cars with RWD in the year 2001.  What models were they?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: The Dodge Viper and Plymouth Prowler

Jasper Engines and Transmissions will once again be exhibiting at the ATRA Powertrain Expo at the Riviera Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas November 1-2. JASPER’s booth numbers are 415 and 514.  ATRA is the Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association.

Event hours are 10:00 am - 5:00 pm on Sunday, November 1 and 9:00 am - 2:00 pm on Monday, November 2.

For your convenience,  please find the FREE trade show floor pass below.

Friddle: Who invented the first pickup truck?

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Why were 1915-1925 Ford Model T’s only available in the color black? 

Become a fan of Jasper Engines & Transmissions on www.facebook.com/jasperengines

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