[asphaltgambler]

It's an interesting discussion, my much older brother started as a general service tech in high school, late 60's at a local mom / pop Chevy dealership. He then worked as a tech briefly, then to a 'service assistant' which is now called service writer. Lots of changes since then, I've worked in 2 Euro dealerships and @100 indies.

I think manufacturers absolutely need dealership principles, and vice /versa. But what is changing is how customers want to do business. The service business model remains largely unaltered from the 1930's. But retail service / parts pricing continues to increase the COD (Cash on Delivery) work will dry up completely. As I last checked, warranty work makes up @82% of service dollars. While warranty work is necessary, the profit margin is waaay less than COD work.

A good example: the Duramax diesel engine in the Chevy Trucks have some issue where the heads need R&R'd to fix leaks, injectors or something related. COD time = 45 labor hours. Warranty time/ 14.5...…...