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Thriving in the Digital Era of Automotive Repair: Insights from Chris Cotton
In today's fast-paced automotive industry, technology isn't just an option—it's essential for survival. Join Chris Cotton, a seasoned industry expert, as he explores the crucial role of Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs) and other innovative tools that are reshaping shop operations. Discover how embracing these advancements can enhance customer trust, streamline processes, and ultimately boost profitability.
Alex Rapp, Joe Toscano & Chris Cotton
February 25, 2025 • Read Time: 3 minutes
Talking Shop: How Digital Tools Are Changing Auto Repair with Chris Cotton
In the world of auto repair, keeping up with technology isn't just nice to have anymore—it's how shops stay in business. We recently sat down with Chris Cotton, who knows the industry inside and out, to talk about how digital tools are changing the game for repair shops.
Old Ways Are Fading Fast
"The shops that just refused to change or operated the same way they did 15 or 20 years ago are quickly fading," Chris told us.
Digital Vehicle Inspections: Game Changers for Your Shop
Remember when customers were always suspicious about what was really wrong with their cars? Digital Vehicle Inspections (DVIs) are helping fix that trust problem.
Here's what's impressive: Chris shared that shops using DVIs see their average repair order jump by $242 per ticket. That's real money in your pocket while building better relationships with your customers.
Check out our guide to DVI’s to learn more about how you can use them in your shop to increase profitaibility.
"DVIs are like the lifeline for shops; they've transformed how we communicate with customers," Chris explained. Pictures and videos don't lie—they show customers exactly what's going on with their vehicles.
The Digital Toolbox Every Shop Owner Should Consider
Chris doesn't just talk the talk—his shop uses several digital tools that work together to run a smoother business:
TekMetric for managing the whole shop
Auto Ops to keep scheduling on track
Shop Marketing Pros to get found online
Cinch CDXP to keep customer communication flowing
One thing Chris hammered home:
"When you track it and measure it, you can fix it." The data from these tools shows you exactly where your shop can improve.
What's Coming Next: AI in Your Shop
Chris is particularly excited about how artificial intelligence could make shop owners' lives easier. Imagine if a computer program could listen to your service advisors' calls and give them tips on how to do better—automatically.
"If I could train AI to do that, it could reduce a 30-minute analysis down to 30 seconds," Chris said. That's the kind of time-saving technology that could be a game-changer for busy shop owners.
Bottom Line
The message is clear: embracing digital tools isn't just about looking modern—it's about making more money, gaining customer trust, and working smarter instead of harder.
Want to hear more insights like these? Subscribe to LeadFoot Automotive's podcast for conversations that help shop owners like you stay ahead of the curve!
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