New Online Tool Poised to Improve Automotive Dealership Customer Service

TROY, MI, September 8, 2005 -- When the average consumer leaves an automotive dealership after having his car serviced, he usually has little to show for it but a hefty bill and paper floor mats. With a new online tool designed to make consumers more knowledgeable about automotive service and repairs, however, that's about to change.

Servassist Online (www.servassistonline.com) is a new Internet service intended to facilitate communication between service advisors and customers, and improve customer relationship management (CRM) at automotive dealership service departments. Customized for each individual dealership, the tool is being used by service advisors to guide customers through the service and repair process.

"There has always been an inherently adversarial relationship between service departments and car owners," says Servassist founder Grant W. Repsher. "This product provides a platform for discussing car repairs and maintenance, and allows dealerships to provide better customer service."

ServassistOnline.com includes such features as service schedule information specific to each brand and model year, service pricing, and automotive diagrams that make illustrating repairs quick and easy. Service advisors can also use it to maintain communication with off-site customers by delivering service updates and reminders via e-mail.

"Studies show that a 5 percent increase in service customer retention can increase a dealership's revenues by 25 percent, but Servassist is as much about improving the relationship between customers and dealerships as it is about boosting their business," Mr. Repsher says.

An automotive writer who has contributed to Automotive News and the American International Automobile Dealers Association, Grant Repsher hatched the idea for Servassist after working in an automotive dealership in Florida last year. First to use the tool is Fred Lavery Company, a Porsche, Audi, Land Rover dealership in Birmingham, Michigan. Mr. Repsher hopes to implement it in service departments across North America.

About Servassist Online
Servassist Online (www.servassistonline.com) is a free Web-based automotive service and maintenance resource headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Through online service schedules, helpful articles, and up-to-date information, Servassist aims to assist consumers with every aspect of car care to help ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of their vehicles.

Contact Information:
Tessa Wegert
Media Relations, Servassist Online
248-930-8255

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