Würzburg, November 20, 2007
73 percent of car drivers are absolutely loyal to their garage. However, 96 percent would consider changing the service company if repairs were carried out poorly. Other reasons for leaving are unfriendly staff (80 percent), prices that are too high (75 percent) and long waiting times for service appointments (60 percent). These were the findings of a survey conducted by Santander Consumer Bank and the trade magazine "kfz-betrieb" Wochenjournal & Online. 1,000 car drivers in Germany were surveyed. kfz-betrieb" will report on the detailed results in issue 47, which will be published on November 22, as well as on the Internet at www.kfz-betrieb.de.
Low prices (91 percent), detailed advice (90 percent) and professional expertise (88 percent) are at the top of the list when choosing a service company. At the same time, 56 percent of drivers do not care whether their garage is a service partner of a car manufacturer or importer.
For two thirds of car owners whose cars are seven years old or older and for 62 percent of women, the make of garage does not play a role. Nevertheless, the majority of respondents (57 percent) usually have their car serviced and repaired at an authorized garage. A third of respondents prefer an independent garage.
13 percent of drivers took their vehicle to a specialist store or branch such as A.T.U and Pit-Stop. However, just under a quarter could imagine having workshop work carried out by such discount-oriented chain stores. 71 percent also described system workshops such as AD-Auto-Dienst, Bosch-Car-Service and Autofit as an affordable alternative to the vehicle manufacturers' authorized dealerships.
"kfz-betrieb" is a trade magazine published by Vogel Auto Medien, Würzburg. The most widely read trade magazine in the automotive industry has been informing the automotive trade and service sector for 97 years. "kfz-betrieb" is the official organ of the German automotive trade (ZDK), the professional lobby for over 40,000 car dealerships and workshops. Daily news from the entire automotive industry can be found at www.kfz-betrieb.de and in the daily newsletter.
If you have any questions, please contact
Norbert Rubbel
Editorial office "kfz-betrieb" weekly journal & online
Service & Technology Department
Vogel Auto Medien GmbH & Co. KG
Max-Planck-Strasse 7/9
97064 Würzburg
Phone +49 931 418-2634
Fax +49 931 418-2060
E-mail: norbert_rubbel@vogel-automedien.de
