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Car Maintenance

Millennials and Automotive Service: Trust and Commonality

2024-12-05

According to the latest AIA Canada study on millennial Canadian vehicle owners, it becomes evident that while there are distinctions between millennials and the overall 18+ population in Canada when it comes to automotive service, there is also a growing amount of commonality. Millennials, now ranging from 25 to 44 years old, are facing the realities of car ownership.

Key Findings on Millennial Automotive Service

Helplessness in Maintenance and Repair

More than a third of millennials feel helpless bringing their vehicle in for maintenance and repair, with 36% expressing this sentiment. Interestingly, there is no difference between millennial men and women, both registering at 36%. This shows that regardless of gender, millennials face similar challenges in this regard.

Although 57% of millennials reported being somewhat knowledgeable about vehicle maintenance and repair, the split between men and women is significant. 75% of men said they were somewhat knowledgeable, while only 39% of women felt the same. This indicates that while men may think they know more, they are actually just as helpless as women when it comes to automotive service.

Preference for Reminders

Maintenance reminders play a crucial role. Windshield stickers are preferred by 83% of millennials, closely followed by vehicle dashboard messaging at 87%. Email reminders come in third at 78%. However, millennials show a higher affinity for reminders through their smartphones, with 78% finding an app helpful compared to 63% for the national average. Text message reminders also have a similar rate of 78% for millennials versus 70% for the national average.

This shows that millennials are more likely to respond to reminders through mobile devices, which is an important aspect for automotive service providers to consider when communicating with their customers.

Trust in Service Providers

Only 37% of millennials believe that dealerships outperform automotive service providers (ASPs), meaning that a strong majority, 63%, do not feel that dealerships have an advantage. Similarly, a minority of millennials think that techs working in dealerships are better trained than those in ASPs. Only 35% of millennials believe that their vehicle warranty is nullified if they bring it to an ASP.

On the other hand, while ASPs are seen to provide value for money more than dealers, neither is viewed as overwhelmingly trustworthy. 34% of millennials trust ASPs, and 30% trust dealers. This highlights the importance of building trust with millennial customers.

Areas for Improvement

Shops could work on providing proactive notifications, EV competence, and the length of warranty on new parts. Communication seems to be a key issue, as only 13% of millennials said that ASPs had a cleaner shop than a dealer, compared to 53% on the dealer side.

Additionally, millennials would become more trusting if more time was spent explaining the impact of maintenance and repair (72%), if the same technician worked on their vehicle (70%), if there was better planning for the short, medium, and long-term (70%), and if they received emails and websites explaining the scope and importance of maintenance and repair (59%).

This report is free to AIA Canada members and available to non-members for $99 CAD.CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO ORDER A COPYCheck out these stories too!

The 2024 Snowball Derby has truly come alive in the vibrant city of Pensacola, Florida. Late Model drivers are now gearing up and taking those crucial practice laps on the half-mile track of Five Flags Speedway. This event is not just a race; it's a spectacle that showcases the skills and determination of these talented drivers. Let's dive into the details and explore the action on the track.

Uncover the Speeds and Stories of the 2024 Snowball Derby

Practice 1: The Initial Heat

During the first practice session, the drivers were all vying for that perfect lap time. Derek Thorn set a time of 16.508, closely followed by Chandler Smith with 16.521. Buddy Sheppard was not far behind with 16.530, and Haeden Plybon added to the competition with 16.536. Cole Butcher also made his mark with a time of 16.568, and Brent Crews followed with 16.582. Kaden Honeycutt, Jermy Doss, Giovanni Ruggiero, Michael Hinde, Bubba Pollard, Ty Majeski, Jake Garcia, Kole Raz, Jake Finch, Sammy Smith, Jace Hansen, Carson Kvapil, Timothy Watson, Conner Jones, Bill VanMater, Dawson Sutton, Stephen Nasse, Michael Scott, David Gilliland, Matthew Craig, Vito Cancilla, Dylan Fetcho, William Sawalich, Connor Okrzesik, Derek Kraus, Dustin Smith, John Bolen, and Nick Loden all contributed to the intense competition. Each driver was pushing their limits and showing what they were made of.

Practice 2: The Intense Battle Continues

In the second practice session, the competition heated up even more. Chandler Smith took the lead with a blistering time of 16.498, followed closely by Ty Majeski with 16.516. Derek Thorn was not to be outdone, setting a time of 16.526. Dawson Sutton also joined the top ranks with the same time. Kaden Honeycutt continued to perform well with 16.553, and Cole Butcher maintained his pace with 16.580. Haeden Plybon added to the excitement with 16.609, and Jace Hansen showed his skills with 16.643. Giovanni Ruggiero, Michael Hinde, Nicholas Naugle, Jake Finch, Dylan Fetcho, Billy VanMater, Bubba Pollard, Treyten Lapcevich, David Gilliland, Conner Jones, Timothy Watson, Sammy Smith, Carson Kvapil, John Bolen, Jeremy Doss, Kasey Kleyn, William Sawalich, Vito Cancilla, Caden Kvapil, Conner Okrzesik, Kyle Steckly, Michael Scott, Matthew Craig, Stephen Nasse, Cayden Lapcevich, Noah Gragson, Jake Garcia, Buddy Shepherd, Kole Raz, Brent Crews, Derek Kraus, Nick Loden, Luke Fenhaus, and Dustin Smith all continued to battle it out on the track. Each driver was giving it their all, and the times were getting closer and closer.

Major shifts are underway at Kaulig Racing as the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series team unveils alterations to its competition leadership. Mike Cook, a former lead engineer at Stewart-Haas Racing with drivers like Kurt Busch, Aric Almirola, and Chase Briscoe, is now joining Kaulig Racing as Technical Director. This move marks a significant step in the team's growth and development.

The Impact of Mike Cook's Arrival

After a decade of honing his skills, Mike Cook is excited to contribute to Kaulig Racing's ongoing success. As the winner of the 2017 Daytona 500, he brings a wealth of experience and expertise. "Nothing in racing happens overnight," he said. "But with the tools and support at Kaulig Racing, I'm confident I can make an immediate impact." His leadership is expected to bring a new level of innovation and performance to the team.

The Technical Director's Role

The Technical Director plays a crucial role in a racing team, overseeing the technical aspects and ensuring the cars are optimized for performance. Mike Cook will be responsible for developing and implementing strategies to enhance the team's competitiveness. His experience at Stewart-Haas Racing has equipped him with the knowledge and skills needed to handle the challenges of NASCAR racing. He will work closely with the drivers and the rest of the team to achieve the best possible results.

AJ Allmendinger's New Crew Chief

AJ Allmendinger has a new crew chief for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season. Andrew Dickenson, a former Richard Childress Racing engineer, has moved over to Kaulig Racing and been named crew chief for Ty Dillon's No. 10 team. Dickenson developed his motorsports acumen in the Australian V8 Supercars Super2 Series and within the United States. His recent work with Kaulig Racing's technical alliance partner Richard Childress Racing has given him valuable insights into the sport. "Andrew has the demeanor and stability that I think will give Ty the best opportunity he has ever had at the Cup level," said Mike Cook. "Both drivers are hungry and dedicated, and I'm confident this team will be strong in 2025."

Trent Owens' Return

Further changes to the pit box include long-time crew chief Trent Owens reuniting with AJ Almendinger as he makes his return to the NASCAR Cup Series. Last season, Almendinger raced in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and qualified for the Championship 4 in Phoenix. Owens has over 20 years of experience in motorsports and his teams have achieved significant success, winning one NASCAR Cup Series race, five NASCAR Xfinity Series races, and one NASCAR Craftsman race. His return is expected to bring stability and continuity to the team.

The Team's Debut

The revamped Kaulig Racing team will make its track debut on February 2, 2025, during the NASCAR Clash at Bowman in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The green flag is scheduled to drop at 8:00 p.m. (ET), marking the beginning of a new era for the team. With a talented competition leadership group in place, Kaulig Racing is poised to make a strong showing on the track and compete for championships in the coming years.