Mopar Masters Guild 32nd Annual Meeting Edition

From the Desk of MMG President Cody Eckhardt

“Growth, Support & Relationships”

As the newly elected President of the Mopar Masters Guild, I am honored to serve in this role and excited about the opportuni es ahead.

The vote at our 32nd Annual Mee ng at NADA 2024 was a humbling moment, especially considering I am the first service manager to hold this posi on.

A er collabora ng with the execu ve commi ee, one of our first decisions is to relocate our next annual mee ng to Las Vegas in the fall. This move is strategic, as it will coincide with the 2024 Mopar Service & Parts Business Conference, allowing us to tap into a broader audience and poten ally increase our membership.

It’s a bold step, but we all believe it’s the right one as we work to grow our community.

Our goal is not just to expand our numbers, but also to deepen our rela onship with Mopar. They are a key partner, and strengthening this partnership will benefit both sides. We want to ensure that our members have the best possible support and resources, and a strong rela onship with Mopar is crucial in achieving this.

I also want to take a moment to thank Joe McBeth, our previous president, for his dedica on and hard work. He has set a high standard for leadership, and I am commi ed to building on his legacy.

I look forward to working with all of you in the coming months. Together, we can make the Mopar Masters Guild stronger than ever.

Sincerly, Cody

Cody Eckhardt - Mopar Masters Guild Service Director - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT

“Those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything.”

— George Bernard Shaw

The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment

President Cody Eckhardt Ken Garff W. Valley CDJR W. Valley City, UT

V. Pres Jim Jaeger Bosak Motors Merrillville, IN

Secretary John Russo Dallas Dodge Dallas, TX

Treasurer Chris Hojnacki Serra CDJR Lake Orion Lake Orion, MI

Mopar Masters Guild Memebers

Come Together for 32nd Annual Event

Our des na on for the 2024 Mopar Masters Guild Mee ng was Las Vegas, Nevada.

Our hotel this year was the Palms Resort. Guests began arriving on Tuesday and gathered in the hotel lobby to catch up from the past 12 months.

Day 1 - Wednesday January 31st

Challenging circumstances in 2023 limited the a endance of a few members but President Joe McBeth remained posi ve in welcoming a endees to the Palm Resort mee ng room. “Welcome to the 32nd annual mee ng of the Mopar Masters Guild. This is probably the smallest group I’ve seen in my 28 years of a ending the Mopar Masters Guild Annual mee ng. We are all assuming that the combina on of being month’s end along with the effects of the recent UAW strike hampered a endance. But I’m glad y’all are here. You all care enough about your business to a end. You will bring some excellent ideas home with you this week along with poten al business solu ons to help you grow your business. Let’s all remember why we are here. We’re here to share informa on and ideas to make ourselves and everyone else be er at what we do. We’ll all interact with each other and listen to what new and exci ng products that our Suppor ng Vendors have to offer. We will all a end a great func on that we’ve planned for Thursday evening, culmina ng with our private mee ng with Mopar on Friday.

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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Our friends from Mopar are sending some great people so we certainly hope we can help them help us,” said McBeth. Let’s never forget our mo o of ‘the exchange of informa on by like-size dealers in a non-compeve environment’,” he con nued.

McBeth con nued, “We are here this week to find poten al solu ons to our problems, to share our ideas to help each other become be er. We have all been through challenging mes dealing with this pandemic. We know the changes that we’ve all gone through with Mopar. It’s been a challenge for Stellan s too. Let’s work together to face these challenges.”

A endees for the 2024 Mopar Masters Guild Mee ng were:

Joe Handzik Be enhausen Dodge

James Jaeger Bosak Motors

Ted Hawkins Cerritos Dodge

Casey Brown Covert CDJR

Joe McBeth Dallas Dodge

Derek Johnson Dallas Dodge

John Russo Dallas Dodge

Dean Taylor Dependable Dodge

Chris Brodeur Glenn E. Thomas Co.

Alan Yancey Hayes CDJR

Randy Rogers Huffines CJDR

Steve Ausencio Jack Powell CDJR

Rick Monteiro Jack Powell CJDR

Cody Eckhardt Ken Garff W. Valley CDJR

Jonathan Dworsky Park CJ

David Kiser Spartanburg Dodge

Dan Hu on Tom O’Brien CJD

Steve Anderson Tonkin Parts Center

A er the introduc ons, we were presented with the Treasurer’s Report. MMG Treasurer Chris Hojnacki was unable to a end but made sure to supply the MMG 2023 Treasurer’s Report for the mee ng. Secretary Jim Jaegar presented the Secretary’s Report from 2023. Mo ons were made to accept, seconded, and the mo ons were passed.

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We then covered the various Commi ee Reports with up-to-date informa on from our Suppor ng Vendor Mee ngs during the year and any of their new product offerings.

During this me, discussions were presented on poten al changes to our annual mee ng loca on. Vice President Cody Eckardt presented an idea that gained much interest from the group. Since it’s an idea in infancy, we will not disclose that discussion un l presented to the Execu ve Commi ee.

It was now me for our Mopar Masters Guild Elec on of Officers.

Nominated and elected to office were:

 President - Cody Eckhardt – Ken Garff W. Valley CDJR

 Vice President - James Jaeger - Bosak Motors

 Treasurer - Chris Hojnacki - Serra DCJR Lake Orion

 Secretary – John Russo – Dallas Dodge

Congratula ons to the new Officers of the Mopar Masters Guild. And a shout out to Cody Eckhardt for becoming the first Service manager to lead the Mopar Masters Guild. Another groundbreaking announcement!

We then moved on with guild business discussing ideas and ways to make our departments more efficient, produc ve, and profitable! Obviously, the biggest value you can derive from these mee ngs is the valuable informa on that you bring back to your dealership. Most of the me, the ideas, or changes that you implement from this forum usually ends up paying for your trip. Quite a value! Listening to what works and what presents a challenge in our daily business is such a produc ve part of these discussions. It’s the sharing of these ideas that helps make members more successful. If you hear an idea that appeals to your business plan you can feel confident that you can contact that manager for more informa on on implemen ng that idea in your store.

Some of our conversa ons were on:

 Daily Opera ng Procedures

 Customer Reten on

 Dealer Rewards – Handling reduced Rewards

 New & Innova ve Opera ons

 MRA’s

 Dealer Council

 D2D

 VOR’s

 Price Increases

 Promo Orders

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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 Dealer Connect

 Loss of 2 Suppor ng Vendors – CDK Global & Katzkin Leather

 How individual dealers handle situa ons; real world examples/challenges.

 Performance Group Mee ngs

 Increasing involvement with Parts & Service Managers at Annual Mee ng

 Comparing PDC’s

 StarParts Ordering: Does your service department help in ordering these parts or do you have access for parts to contact Star Tech Support on your own?

 Managed Alloca on

 Shipping

 Pricing/Margins

 Shortages

 Posi ve Ideas to present to Mopar on Friday

As we have talked about many, many mes during the existence of the Mopar Masters Guild, any informaon that is obtained via the newsle er will not offer a complete and concise picture of what went on at our mee ngs. We stress the importance of a ending these mee ngs and invite everyone who meets the Mopar Masters Club and MMG Guild criteria to join the Mopar Masters Guild, a end these mee ngs and enjoy the wealth of knowledge and informa on that is presented and shared. Our coverage of Vendor presenta ons, Mopar Execu ves’ presenta ons and dialogue will only lightly touch upon what was presented.

A er a short break we began our interac ons with our Suppor ng Vendors. Here is a current list of MMG Suppor ng Vendors:

Tier 1

 AER Sales

 Elite Extra

 OEConnec on

 QB Business Solu ons

 Reynolds & Reynolds

 Snap-On Business Solu ons

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Tier 2

 Ac vator

 Bow e Solu ons

 Endeavor Business Media

 Petra Automo ve Products

Our

first Suppor ng Vendor to present was Endeavor Business Media represented by:

• Chris Messer – VP/Publisher

• Melody Todd – Sr. Account Execu ve

Endeavor Business Media is the Exclusive Media Partner of the Mopar Masters Guild!

Messer began the presenta on with, “Why Partner with Endeavor? Did you know that we have over 100 Media Brands with an unmatched por olio of Marke ng Service that provide opportuni es to engage and educate?”

Chris covered:

High Performance Content that a racts over 13 million decision makers in high growth markets

 Avia on

 Infrastructure

 Commercial Vehicle

 Vehicle Repair

Melody Todd then presented a fun event. It was called “You’ve Been Ducked!” We all got to pick a duck with a number on it. Ques ons were based on Endeavor FenderBender – Ratchet+Wrench Sta s cs so the hope was that everyone paid a en on! And they did! The winner got a gi card donated by Endeavor.

Did you know Endeavor offers:

 Custom Print Adver sing

 Mopar Templated Ads

 Mopar Mul – Dealer Print Adver sing

 RepairLink Mul – Dealer Print Adver sing

 CollisionLink Mul – Dealer Print Adver sing NEW PROGRAM!

 Online Digital Adver sing

 Audience Extension Adver sing

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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Chris and Melody then covered more informa on with a Q&A Session with a endees.

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Presen ng next was one of our most recent Tier 2 Vendors, Bow e Solu ons – Your Service BDC Solu on for the Automo ve Industry

Bow e was represented by:

• Ma Raymond – CEO

Ma discussed:

Inhouse or Outsource

 What does it cost you monthly?

o Would you rather know it’s a fixed cost?

o Are you assigning a dollar value to that seat?

 What do you do with those employees who currently work for you?

 How o en do you meet with your BDC?

o What do you discuss?

o Are your goals clearly defined?

Accountability - Measurables

 # of missed calls

 # of TOs or status checks

 % of customers you connect with on outbound

 % of customers you schedule with from total opportuni es

 % of customers you schedule with based on who you connect with Process

 What is your Service BDC process when a call comes in?

 What is your reten on program that you have in place?

 How are you following up with:

o Recalls

o Declined Services

o Manifest lists

AI Will fix all my problems

 Who is using AI?

o Do you agree with that statement or disagree?

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 How many callers are hanging up on your AI Service?

o Do you know how many people defect once they hang up or don’t get a hold of someone?

 Does AI provide customer empathy?

o No. One call service because life is great with AI

o AI is powerful when it works in conjunc on with a human

 We have AI and we call it (AI) Actual Individuals

Read more at - h ps://bow eautosolu ons.com/

Great back and forth conversa on with Ma on this great product.

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Our next Suppor ng Vendor was Ac vator represented by:

• Bobby Gaudreau – VP of Sales & Marke ng

• Jeff Ornell – Na onal Sales Director

Unlocking the Value of Your Data: Don’t Let It Go to Waste

Bobby covered many topics for this presenta on:

 The Big ques on

o How do we ensure your DMS/marke ng data is accurate, reliable, and valuable?

 The Conundrum of Trapped Data

o These systems were never designed to talk to each other: CRM, DMS, Chat, SMS, Conversa on AI, In-Person Engagement, Direct Mail and Telephony.

 Outline the Complexity of Unified Data U liza on and Value of CDPs

 The Consequences of Inaccurate Data

o Duplicate Records

o Malformed Records

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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o Invalid Email Addresses

o 30% loss of customers

o 35% wasted spend me because of poor data quality.

o Poor Customer Experience

o Missed Connec ons

 Unifying Data from Mul ple Sources is Hard

 What is a Customer Data Pla orm (CDP)?

 Ac vator’s hybrid CDP and Journey Builder

 Quan fying and Unlocking the Value of a CDP

 Customer Use Case; Tempe CDJR with Ac vator

1. Warranty Labor rate has increased over $60 to almost $200/hr.

2. 2023 Parts and Accessories sales up over $2M compared to the previous year, including 40% M/M increase in October.

3. Top 20% in CSI Na onally and top upper band in First Year Service Reten on compared to BC Peers and Na onally

 Roadmap of Things to Start and Stop

Great informa on form these gentlemen. Members had many ques ons for our guests.

Contact Ac vator at www.ac vator.ai or Robert.Gaudreau@ac vator.ai

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Finishing up Day 1 of our presenta ons was QB Solu ons represented by

• Lumena Li s – Owner/President

• Pedro Liederman – Business Development Manager

QB Business Is Your One Stop Warranty Solu on Empowering Dealers & Eleva ng Services: Warranty Reimbursement & Claims Processing

Li s Introduced herself to all a endees. She spoke about who QB is.

Who is QB Solu ons?

With over 50 years of experience, QB Business Solu ons is your ONE-STOP solu on for retail warranty reimbursement. Their main objec ve is to make sure automo ve dealers are ge ng the money they are en tled to. Their focus is ge ng your Warranty Labor Rate close to your door rate and Parts Markup to na onal average or higher. As state laws and brands constantly change, their team of experts is your opera on partner, staying up to date with and adap ng to any new changes and training needed to obtain the best possible and sustainable results. Instead of taking on this complicated and me-consuming task in-house, rely on QB Business Solu ons to take on your Warranty labor rate and get you the results you’re looking for, so that you can focus on the more important things.

Warranty Reimbursement was then covered by Liederman. He asked us many ques ons to help us iden fy poten al issues and challenges.

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Says Liederman, “our slide here shows that favorable State Laws are there to help you. By law in most states, you are en tled to be reimbursed by your manufacturer for warranty work at ‘retail.’ That means you could be en tled to a significant increase in warranty gross profit if you take proper precau ons and ac ons. We will give you the tools you need.”

Pedro Liederman con nued the presenta on with great input from members. He then finished up with Best Prac ces and real me examples from dealers. For more informa on contact : h ps://qbbusinesssolu ons.com/

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Our Supporting Vendors: Support those who support you .

Our Supporting Vendors: Support those who support you

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Members and their guests enjoyed some of the nightlife that Las Vegas had to offer. And we all know, that was plenty!

Day 2 – Thursday February 1st

Our first Suppor ng Vendor presenta on of the day was AER Sales represented by:

• Jason Evans

Business Center Lead

• Steve Dewar

Na onal Program Director

Partners in Powertrain!

Jason presented:

Commi ed to growing Mopar branded Powetrain

 Dedicated “Mopar only” sales team members.

 28 Sales Territories lis ng the local area reps.

 Over 30K YTD IRF and fleet sales calls

o Sales Blitz

o Training events focused on teaching dealers how to sell Powertrain to IRF’s, wholesale and in the service drive

Building Brand Awareness

o O.E. Quality & Engineering

o Warranty

o Labor

o No hassle core

o Same/next day delivery

o No fleet restric ons

o Open Houses

2023 Partner Dealer Program

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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Service Drive

o Renewed focus on Service Drive training, sales support

o Top 10 dealers per sales rep monthly

o Lost opportunity report

o Training on “how to sell” in the service drive

o AER/Mopar training modules – Conquest Powertrain Sales

o Monthly follow up

o Overcoming objec ons

2023 Marke ng

• IRF Can-AM Commander Program

• Sales Results – 2 Day January Sales Push

• Monthly/Quarterly Purchases Incen ves

• 2024 Planned Promo Months

• Open discussion 2024 Programs/Promos

• Current Marketplace Trends

• Service Drive Advisors

• AER Sales Staff

• Expanded product por olio

• Core Retrieval

• Reduced Margin

• 2024 IRF Promo Details

This was all followed by Feedback/Ques ons

For more info contact:

h ps://www.aersales.com/

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Following a short break, we welcomed one of our long me Suppor ng Vendors, Reynolds & Reynolds represented by:

• Shannon Brown – VP of OEM Partnership

• Jeff Adams – Sr. Manager/Product Manager

Shannon began by having an open discussion with the group for feedback on R&R’s offerings. Great input from both sides.

Jeff then began by talking about the Reynolds MMG focus group mee ng and thanking the a endees.

“Many things that we do to benefit all users come from direct input from these mee ngs.”

New with R&R:

• Search Sales by Addi onal Criteria

• Previous Credit Memo Links

• Non-Returnable Indicator

• Part Availability Flag

• Parts Barcode Scanning

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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Why are you not taking advantage of all it benefits?

Using a barcode scanning system over a manual process results in a 50% reduc on in me and a 38% reduc on of employees required

Why are barcodes important? – ACCURACY!

Access the DMS in your hand

Digital Pick Ticket

SPG – Why is it important?

Saves Time

Puts Management in Control

Consistent Pricing for Customers

Don’t Forget Ancillary Parts

Jeff gave many examples why the use of SPF is cri cal

Jeff and Shannon then finished up with more input and feedback from the Guild

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We then welcomed another of our newest Suppor ng Vendors, Petra Automo ve Products represented by:

• Arnold Gacita Jr. – Global VP

• Mike Burns – Na onal Accounts Sales Director

“The Next Genera on in Mopar Automo ve Chemicals Built by Petra”

Says Burns, “The goal is to introduce more products and I look forward to talking to each one of you for input!

Mopar Automo ve Chemicals Launch

 11 Mopar Branded Products

 Service Incen ves

 Promo onal Opportuni es

 Direct Delivery

 Petra Sales Teams

 Marke ng Materials

 Training

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Fuel Category

Diesel Category

AC Category

Top Selling Mopar Fuel Kits

Diesel Cleaning Equipment

Arnold Garcita Jr. then covered Dealer Benefits

Revenue Projec ons

Customizable Menus

Ordering

Mee ng “Show Special” for MMG Members Only!

For more info go to h ps://petraautoproducts.com/

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We then welcomed CDK Global represented by

• Don Zogg – Product Marke ng

Zogg talked about Fixed Ops on the OEM side.

He covered:

 CDK ServiceView

o Video

o Engagement

o Sen ment

o Reports

Why CDK ServiceView?

 Customer Sa sfac on

 Efficiency

 Increased Revenue

CDK ServiceView with AI

 Share Informa on with clarity!

 Respond Professionally

 Elevate the Customer Experience

Take service appointment scheduling to the next level with AIVA

AIVA is an AI-powered Virtual Assistant that automates appointment scheduling and is integrated into CDK Appointment

Parts Scan Update

Don then took ques ons from a endees.

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Leaders in the Sale of Quality Mopar Parts

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Up next was another of our long me Suppor ng Vendors, OEConnec on represented by

• Gary Coveyou – VP Na onal Accounts

• Jon Palazzo – VP & General Manager of eCommerce

• Chris Smart – Collision Performance Pla orm Migra on Strategy

Gary thanked everyone for a ending saying that it’s his 9th year with OEC and joining us for the 9th me!

The OEC Agenda:

 Collision Upgrade

 Mechanical Strategy

 Payments

 PSX

Collision eCommerce Pla orm Upgrade

 Timing (As of today)

 Packaging

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 Upgrade

 Func onality

OEC Acquired OPS

 OPS Readiness Plan

 Launch Roll-out Phasing

New Dealer Portal log-in Page (Pre-Launch Experience)

Dealer Packaging

OEC Collision solu on Combining Assets

Upgrade Process

Jon then presented:

Mechanical & Payments

eCommerce – Products & Strategy

Ques ons and answers with plenty of informa on shared.

For more info, you can contact:

h ps://oeconnec on.com/

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Our final presenter of the day was another outstanding long me Suppor ng Vendor, Elite Extra represented by

• John Ward – Owner/Founder

• Jim Ward – VP/Chief Sales Officer

Covered by Extra:

Last Mile So ware Solu ons

 Rou ng & Dispatch

 Delivery Network

 Returns Automa on

Agenda:

 The Elite Extra So ware Suite

o Our Three Products

 What’s Changed with Epicor

o Updates from the Acquisi on

 The Future: Automa on

 Hear From Real Users

Rou ng & Dispatch

 Op mized & automated route planning

 Driver mobile app & tracking

 Real- me customer no fica ons

 Business analy cs & reports

 ERP, eCommerce Integra ons

 Released Jan 2010

Delivery Network

 On-demand third party delivery

 DoorDash, Uber, Roadie & more

 Third-party automated dispatch

 eCommerce integra on

 Centralized fleet management Released Feb 2019

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Returns Automa on

 Returns management dashboard

 Digital returns tracking

 Automated return policy enforcement

 Integrated customer portal

 Mobile returns handling

 Released April 2023

The Future is Automa on

 The Evolu on of Parts Delivery

 Last Mile Automa on in Prac ce

 Automated Parts Delivery

 Automated Parts Return

John & Jim then discussed the involvement with the MMG and what a great friendship is has become. This was followed by more input from the guild and how they are using the product.

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The rest of this day was dedicated to Guild discussions. A endees shared experiences in their dealerships with real me solu ons.

The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment

We then adjourned for the day to get ready for our Annual Cocktail Recep on at the Mob Museum!

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The exchange of information by like sized dealers in a non-competitive environment.

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Mopar Masters Guild Annual Cocktail Recep on

Our Annual Mopar Masters Guild Cocktail Recep on has always been the one night during our mee ngs that everyone looks forward to. Each year the guild tries to secure a venue that everyone will not only talk about, but will provide the comfort and excitement of being away from daily business. Together with our peers, industry execu ves and suppor ng vendors in a relaxed atmosphere, this year’s event was held at The Mob Museum. Please take some me to enjoy these pictures from our event!

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Day 3 – Friday February 2nd

A er a great night of enjoyment, we welcomed our guests from Mopar.

Mopar was represented by

• Steve Yandura – VP, Mopar US & Field Opera ons

• Shannon Chaffin - MOPAR Sales & Service - Sr. Manager - West Business Center

• Dus n Pedley – Sr. Manager – Mopar North America & Stellan s Global

• Mike Ritacca – Sr. Manager Stellan s, Head World Class Logis cs

• Drew Schanski – Jeep Brank Rela ons

The presenta on included:

 Dealer Service & Parts Revenue Trend

 S&P Dealer Margins & Absorp on

 YOY Sales Growth – Mopar Masters

 Top Volume YOY Growth Dealers

 Mopar Incen ve Programs – Updates & Changes

 Parts Return Allowance

 Supply Chain – Strike Effect vs Current Status

 2024 Challenges

 2024 Opportuni es

Call to Ac on

 Grow Service & Parts Revenue into another record year

 Consolidate our bproauto parts 2nd line, retain your business longer

 Master your Express Lane, sales opportuni es and flawless experiences

 Conquer all Accessory Opportuni es

 Share our ambi on and work towards becoming #1 in JD Power

December Supply Chain Results

Network Strategy & Design Update

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Vehicle Quality Improvement + Faster Service Fixes

The rest of our me with our guests was a mul tude of input and inquiries on how we can help as a group. Plenty of posi ve back-and-forth conversa ons between the Mopar Masters and the Stellan s group.

The Mopar Masters Guild would like to thank Steve Yandura and the team from Mopar/Stellan s for taking valuable me from their schedule to present and discuss business with our group. We look forward to our con nued mee ngs with Stellan s/Mopar in 2024 and beyond.

A er our interac ons with Stellan s/Mopar, MMG President Joe McBeth made a mo on to adjourn and this concluded the 32nd Annual Mee ng of the Mopar Masters Guild. NADA 2024 was in the books!

We then enjoyed lunch with guests from Stellan s/Mopar.

Thank you all for your a endance and we look forward to seeing more of you at our 33rd Annual Mopar Masters Guild Mee ng.

Submi ed by Don Cushing

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1st Party Website Data and Custom Landing Pages

Don’t chase a score; chase engagement. Personalize customer messaging with reliable 1st party website data and custom landing pages to say goodbye to lost visibility in your digital audiences. With Activator, it’s not just about a score; it’s about creating a seamless, personalized journey.

Digital + Social Advertising, Powered by Fluency Automation

Our hybrid CDP Integrations just got a significant upgrade. We now power our digital and social advertising powered by Fluency advertising automation and management platform, helping elevate your digital presence and upscale your service conquesting strategies. Dive into the future of automotive marketing.

Custom Campaigns powered with Salesforce

Recognizing the efficacy of one-time email initiatives from the past, Activator takes a significant stride forward by integrating automated multichannel campaigns at scale. Custom Campaigns are created and executed with our Journey Builder powered with Salesforce. Custom Campaigns are a dynamic component within Activator that sends personalized messaging and offers with multiple touchpoints via email and SMS (text) to a targeted audience.

For more information on Activator’s capabilities and how it can enhance your dealership’s performance, schedule a demo at www.activator.ai/demo or visit the website at www.activator.ai

October2023

TO: US Dealers

ATTN: PARTS MANAGER & SERVICE MANAGER

Subject: Expansion of Critical Core Return Shipping-Additional Part Numbers

*It is imperative ALL Service and Parts Personnelarefollowing this procedure*

Mopar is in critical and immediate needof core returns as quickly as possible for the following Core parts to remanufacture:

R/U8453637ABR/U8144176AG

R/U8210327AG-NEWR/U8414420AB

CSPM44A3AA-NEW Campaign R/U8599680AA

CSPM44A4AA-NEW CampaignR/U8156209AH

To expedite this process, we have a Critical Core Return VOR Program with AER Manufacturingthat MUST be followed on above part numbers.

Once the replacement/repair is complete and the claim has been SUBMITTED AND HAS CORE DISPOSITIONplease createCore Return ticket per normal via Global Core Return System (GCRS) and contact AER ONLY and use the Critical Core Return VOR Process EXCLUSIVELY for these select part numbers.

DO NOT RETURN VIA DDS OR ANY OTHER SHIPPING METHODFAILURE TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE MAY RESULT IN A $100 CHARGEBACK FOR NON-COMPLIANCE.

Instructions/form to arrange pick upof thesecore returns are included with this communicationand will be available on DealerConnector by contacting Global Core Returns via below.

We havemade this arrangement with AER and the Reman Suppliersto ensure the quickest possible turnaround to remanufacturethese Critical Cores.

Please ensure all pertinent personnel are aware of and using ONLY this processfor parts mentionedto expedite returns and avoid a non-compliance chargeback.

For any questions relating to Core Returnsor this process: Submit your inquiry onDealer Connect>Parts>Contact Global Core Returns(Preferred) Or you may call GCRS Customer Service Toll-Free at 866-254-2940(Limited Phone Support)

Core Pick-up and Returns Made Easy

Submit your return request via our cores portal

1. Go to: https://www.aercores.com/

2. Have your dealer code, part number and core tag number(s) ready.

3. Check your email for your pre-paid shipping label (Bill of Lading)

Sign and date the supplied Bill of Lading in the lower left corner marked shippers signature.

(The driver will sign as well as provide a tracking sticker. It is suggested to make an extra copy to retain for your records)

Ship your core to the authorized return warehouse. Be sure to adhere a copy of the provided packing list to EACH CONTAINER. (Pro number can be tracked on the carrier’s website 24hrs after pick up)

**** IMPORTANT ****

The provided BOL must be used for your return. Failure to use the BOL and carrier listed could result in excessive freight charges being billed back to you/ your company.

**Please email Chryslercores@aermfg.com if there are any issues with your pick-up request**

MAKE 2024 YOUR MOST PROFITABLE YEAR BY OUTSOURCING WARRANTY CLAIMS AND RETAIL WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT FOR PARTS AND LABOR:

In the hyper-competitive landscape of automotive retail, car dealerships continuously seek new avenues to enhance profitability and deliver exceptional service. Processing Warranty Claims efficiently is a crucial aspect that is often overlooked – an area where substantial revenues can be lost or gained.

In the realm of Warranty Reimbursement, we understand that the relationship between the manufacturer and dealership can feel like it’s working against you, and you may be able to get a much “better” Warranty Reimbursement deal with the roadmap to success we’ve laid out in our previous article

UNDERSTANDING THE COMPLEXITIES OF WARRANTY CLAIMS PROCESSING

Before we explore how outsourcing your warranty claims can revolutionize your bottom line, let’s dive into the common challenges dealerships face:

Complex Manufacturer Policies: Warranty policies are often riddled with complexities, leading to misunderstandings and incorrect claims submissions. These complications can often lead to delays and rejections throughout the warranty claims process.

Time-Consuming Process: Processing warranty claims can demand a considerable amount of time, especially when dealing with manual data entry and documentation.

Training Costs: Hiring and training specialized staff for warranty claims is an additional expense, and training for the position takes valuable time and resources.

Cash Flow Delays: Mistakes in submissions lead to delays in reimbursements, hindering your dealership’s cash flow.

Regulatory Compliance: Constantly changing regulations and manufacturer requirements can pose compliance risks if staff are not up-to-date with the latest local regulations.

Your Gateway to Seamless Warranty Claims Processing

Warranty Claims Processing Services are specifically designed to address and eliminate these inefficiencies. To accomplish these goals, we suggest following a comprehensive approach.

Expertise & Experience: Work with a team of industry professionals that have decades of combined experience with all manufacturer brands. Understanding the intricacies of warranty claims should be a top priority.

Consultative Solutions: Adopting a consultative approach for processing warranty claims, enhances meeting the dealer’s needs, leading to improved relationships, efficient problem resolution, and overall business success.

Continuous Training & Support: Stay on top of the latest automotive warranty guidelines, providing expert warranty claims processing services that dealerships can rely on.

Discover How to Boost Your Dealership’s Profitability In 2024

Continued on Page 58

Continued from Page 57

Optimized Claims Submission for Maximum Compensation: First and foremost, to ensure that each claim is submitted accurately, compliant, and optimized for maximum compensation, you should make sure to meticulously review each claim against manufacturer protocols maximize the opportunities for revenue from each claim. Little-known details often go unnoticed, and your busy team may not catch and correct oversights.

Cutting Operational Costs for Training and Support Investing in an in-house warranty processing team is resource intensive. Outsourcing your Warranty Claims for your dealership can redirect the cost savings obtained from reduced recruitment, training, and turnover into other key areas of your dealership’s operations. Your dealerships should always be running at peak performance. Compliance Assurance- Mitigating Risks Regulation is a constant in the automotive industry. With a dedicated team, your dealership will stay ahead of compliance requirements, avoiding costly penalties and preserving your reputation with manufacturers and customers alike.

Tailored Reporting for Informed Decision-Making

We believe in the power of datadriven decisions. Our services provide detailed reporting and analytics, offering insights into warranty claim trends, common rejections, and recommendations for preventative actions. These reports can serve as a strategic tool for effective management and planning.

Partnering for Excellence

As we look to 2024, the automotive industry’s landscape is set to become more dynamic. Manufacturers will demand higher standards, and customers will expect unparalleled service. Trust in a company that is on your side, expertly navigating warranty claims ensuring your dealership is on its way to exceeding expectations and experiencing a boost in revenue as a result.

UNLEASHING PROFIT POTENTIAL THROUGH RETAIL WARRANTY REIMBURSEMENT

Ever wondered how some dealerships secure impressive warranty rate increases while others miss out on potential profits? Knowing the answer is key, but turning this complex process into a seamless experience for your dealerships can be overwhelming. The key? Finding a company that handle the entire reimbursement process, ensuring your compensation aligns with the approval of your new rate by the Brand.

Strategic Collaboration for Guaranteed Results

Your journey begins by understanding the manufacturers’ goals. We believe there should be a collaborative approach, partnering with the management team to streamline processes and implement sound business practices. This not only guarantees results but also unifies the team, fostering a commitment to excellence.

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Market Comparison: How does your warranty rate stack up in your market, and are your customer pay rates competitive? Is your team conducting anonymous surveys to provide valuable feedback, empowering Service and Parts Directors to capitalize on financial opportunities?

Parts Matrix and Labor Grid Philosophy: What guides your dealership's approach to parts and labor? How do you explore these aspects to optimize strategies that drive profitability?

Rate Disparities: Is there a significant difference between your customer’s pay rate and warranty rate? Identifying and closing these gaps is pivotal for sustainable success.

How Does It Impact Your Overall Success?

Maintaining the status quo may attract customers, but what if there's an opportunity to unlock thousands of dollars annually? Simple adjustments in daily practices can lead to an average annual gross profit increase up to $500K..

The Path to Profitability Look for reviews and feedback from other dealers who have experienced warranty service and success. This can provide insights into the company's reputation and the actual customer experience.

Financial Stability of the Company: Ensure that the company providing the warranty is financially stable. This can be an indication of its ability to fulfill warranty obligations over the long term.

Customer Support: Access to responsive and helpful customer support is crucial. You should be able to get assistance if you have questions about the warranty, need to file a claim, or encounter any issues.

By thoroughly understanding these aspects, you can set appropriate expectations and make informed decisions when choosing a company for retail warranty reimbursement for labor and parts.

OEC and MOPAR:

Two decades of collaboration

Experience greater opportunities for fast, accurate mechanical and collision parts order processing!

RepairLink helps dealers & suppliers communicate with customers quickly and effectively, providing a competitive advantage through easy-to-manage OEM mechanical parts orders.

Not enrolled in RepairLink? Scan the QR code to get started!

Learn more about our other OEC products

How much time does your team spend retyping orders in your DMS? DMS Connect integrates DMS data with your OEC solutions, including RepairLink and CollisionLink.

Payments offers a secure, fast, cost-effective, and user-friendly solution to manage your business. Benefits include low fees, automated refunds for returned parts, and the option to charge a restocking fee. All features are seamlessly integrated into RepairLink.

OEC eMarketing provides seamless, professionally crafted marketing campaigns that use our data analytics engine to target your existing shops based on buying behaviors.

To learn more about OEC and our full offering of solutions, visit OEConnection.com!

and innovation

CollisionLink streamlines the collision parts ordering process and makes selling collision parts the easy part of the day with fast, accurate online parts order processing and manufacturer reimbursements on program part sales.

TraxCollision provides dealers with full coverage of the parts ordering process – procurement to delivery (and even returns)! Plus, TraxCollision helps dealers grow parts sales, increase productivity, and promote efficiency.

Ready to enroll?

Take advantage of the current Mopar Parts Programs available on CollisionLink and TraxCollision by enrolling now!

Upgrade coming soon! Enhanced OEC Collision eCommerce platform!

OEC is working to design a single, upgraded collision platform for OE dealers, parts suppliers, shops, and MSOs. As we get closer to launching this new and improved product with enhanced functionality and streamlined user experience, we want to provide a few insights into all the upgrades that are headed your way!

Here’s what you can expect:

• Improved base product

• New features & functionalities

• Enhanced user experience & interface (for current CollisionLink-only dealers)

• Improved experience for shops (for current CollisionLink-only shops)

• Optional upgrades

With all the upgrades, new tools, and enhanced functionality, we want to make sure you know that you will still have access to the world-class OEC support & resources!

Jeep CEO turnaround plan features price cuts, ‘freedom of

choice’ amid EV

transition

New CEO Antonio Filosa said the brand’s market share in the U.S. is ‘not where this brand deserves to be.’

Jeep is cu ng prices on some of its key models and taking new approaches to marke ng, branding and dealer rela ons in an effort to turn around flagging U.S. sales, CEO Antonio Filosa said.

“The brand is in transi on,” Filosa told journalists today at a roundtable at Stellan s’ North American headquarters in suburban Detroit. “We need to do something about market penetra on and market share because it’s not where this brand deserves to be.”

His comments come a er U.S. Jeep sales fell 6.1 percent in 2023 from a year earlier to about 642,000 vehicles, the fi h consecu ve year of U.S. sales declines a er reaching almost 1 million in 2018. The sales challenge coincides with Jeep preparing to launch its first two fully electric models for the U.S. market, the midsize Wagoneer S and the Wrangler-inspired Recon in the back half of the year, even as U.S. EV sales growth slows.

The core of Filosa’s strategy will be offering customers the “freedom to choose” vehicles with different propulsion systems, while keeping prices in check for U.S. consumers who have been impacted by infla on and higher prices for new vehicles.

‘Needed to do something’

“We recognize that we need to grow in market share in the U.S., and infla on was such a big, nega ve hit for families and people here in the U.S. that we needed to do something” to address that, said Filosa, who took over as head of the Jeep brand Nov. 1.

“We’re rolling back prices, and we’re adding back value to 90 percent of our sales volume.”

He said Jeep is offering an extra $3,000 in content on the Wrangler and Gladiator. Meanwhile, Jeep has cut the s cker price on the Gladiator by about $1,700 and by up to $4,000 on the Grand Cherokee, he said. It also cut the s cker price on the Compass by about $2,500, bringing pricing to less than $26,000, which Filosa said will help the compact crossover to be er compete in the market. The current Compass base price is $28,400. All pricing is before des na on charges.

Jeep intends to cut factory costs by rearranging contracts with suppliers, as well as by making different design choices. As part of that, the brand has created an industrial quality team that meets daily with leadership at its plants to discuss proposals to make logis cs, manufacturing and other processes more efficient, Filosa said.

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BEV launches

Produc on of the Wagoneer S, the first vehicle to ride on Stellan s’ STLA-Large pla orm, is set to begin in the second quarter, with sales star ng in the third quarter. The Wagoneer S will be followed by the Recon, which will hit the market toward the end of the year.

Filosa said the real test for those vehicles’ popularity will come in 2025, but Jeep expects to sell around 10,000 ba ery electric vehicles by the end of 2024. It also expects to sell around 175,000 plug-in hybrid EVs in the year.

The BEV launches are coming as the market for EVs has cooled off considerably, forcing compe tors including General Motors and Ford Motor Co. to delay EV launches, cut produc on targets and rethink their electrifica on strategies.

Stellan s is coming to electrifica on later than many of its compe tors, but Filosa said Jeep’s top priority is to enter the EV market “be er” than its compe tors, not necessarily sooner or later.

“Be er, to us, means more freedom of choice and means to provide a lineup that has different propulsion opportuni es for our customers,” he said. “What we have now is a full range of offerings that, probably, our compe tors will be later to get to.”

Asked whether Jeep is concerned with cannibalizing sales by launching two electric offerings during similar me frames, Filosa said the Wagoneer S and Recon cater to different markets.

“We decided in the midsize SUV segment to launch the Jeep Wagoneer S and to launch the Jeep Recon. Will they cannibalize each other? I believe not,” he said. “Look at the cars. One is the Wrangler’s soul. One is the Grand Cherokee’s soul. Those are the two souls of Jeep.”

Dealer rela ons

Filosa and other brand chiefs have been tasked by Stellan s CEO Carlos Tavares with improving dealer rela ons as part of the automaker’s larger U.S. strategy.

Speaking separately with reporters this week, Tavares said, “The quality of the rela onship with our dealers could be be er, and we are working on that.”

Filosa said he was in Washington on Thursday to meet with a “very important dealer” to the brand. Streamlining dealer programs and having stronger communica ons with retailers will be top priori es.

“We are working with the dealers and listening to them on a daily basis,” he said.

Filosa said Jeep’s strategy around the Wagoneer brand is being updated in part based on dealer feedback. Star ng with the Wagoneer S, the brand is “converging Wagoneer back into Jeep” — meaning Jeep branding will be more visible on the vehicles, as well as in marke ng and adver sing.

The company’s previous branding strategy was “a bit confused,” Filosa said.

Other priori es under his turnaround plan include installing new leadership, as seen with the recent appointment of William Peffer as head of Jeep in North America, and evolving its marke ng strategy to be er cater to both brand loyalists and poten al new buyers.

Source: www.AutoNews.com

Officers &

Officers:

President Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT

V. Pres - Jim Jaeger – Bosak Motors – Merrillville, IN

Secretary - John Russo - Dallas DCJ - Dallas, TX

Treasurer – Chris Hojnacki – Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

Executive Committee - All Officers Including:

Dan Hutton - Tom O’Brien DCJR - Greenwood, IN

Alan Yancey - Hayes CDJ - Alto, GA

Rick Cutaia - Rick Hendrick DCJR – Charleston, SC

Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

Susan McDaniel – Bill Luke CJD – Phoenix, AZ

Joe McBeth - Dallas DCJ - Dallas, TX

Guild Committees

Finance Committee

Chris Hojnacki - Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

Susan McDaniel - Bill Luke CJD – Phoenix, AZ

Don Cushing – MMG Magazine

Newsletter/Website/Social Media

Don Cushing – MMG Magazine

Vendor Committees

Reynolds & Reynolds

Rick Cutaia - Rick Hendrick DCJR – Charleston, SC (Co-Chair)

Susan McDaniel – Bill Luke CJD – Phoenix, AZ (Co-Chair)

Joe Handzik - Bettenhausen Auto - Tinley Park, IL

Randy Rogers - Huffines CJDR - Plano, TX

Kent Cogswell - Jack Phelan CDJR - Countryside, IL

*David Kiser - Spartanburg CDJR - Spartanburg, SC

*Chris Hojnacki - Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

CDK Global

Joe McBeth - Dallas DCJ – Dallas, TX (Chair)

Ian Grohs – Stateline CDJR – Fort Mill, SC

Mick Padgeon - Fred Beans Parts - Doylestown, PA

Robert Chatwin - Larry Miller DCJR - Sandy, UT

Dan Hutton - Tom O’Brien DCJR - Greenwood, IN

*Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

*Jim Jaeger - Bosak Auto Group - Merrillville, IN

OEConnection

Dan Hutton - Tom O’Brien CJD – Greenwood, IN (Chair)

Joe McBeth - Dallas DCJ – Dallas, TX

Jim Jaeger - Bosak Motors - Merrillville, IN

Chris Hojnacki - Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

*Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

Snap On Business Solutions

Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT (Chair)

Randy Rogers - Huffines CJDR - Plano, TX

*Steve Hofer – Park Chrysler Jeep – Burnsville, MN

AER Manufacturing

Robert Chatwin - Larry Miller DCJR - Sandy, UT (Chair)

John Waltereit - Serra Palace CDJR - Lake Orion, MI

Ted Hawkins - Cerritos Dodge - Cerritos. CA

Chris Hojnacki - Serra CDJR – Lake Orion, MI

*Josh Gouldsmith - Gladstone CDJR - Gladstone, MO

*Joe Handzik - Bettenhausen Auto - Tinley Park, IL

Vendor Chairs

Susan McDaniel - Bill Luke CJD – Phoenix, AZ

Cody Eckhardt - Ken Garff CDJRF - W. Valley City UT

*Alternate

Since 1992

The exchange of information by like-size dealers in a non-competitive environment