by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 20, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
In the modern service lane, the wrench is only half the battle. As we move into 2026, the automotive industry has reached a tipping point: transparency is no longer a luxury—it’s a requirement. Major brands and top-tier dealership groups are increasingly mandating...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 15, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
Let’s be real: we’ve all been told that “attention spans are disappearing” and that customers want everything in 30 seconds or less. But when it comes to a $2,000 repair recommendation, a 15-second clip of a shaky flashlight pointing at a leaky strut...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 6, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
In the world of modern automotive service, the Video Multi-Point Inspection (MPI) has become a double-edged sword. On one hand, Service Managers and Fixed Ops Directors see it as a transparent way to build trust with customers and increase average repair order (ARO)...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Mar 2, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
The automotive industry is changing faster than a dual-clutch transmission, but many tech school curriculums are still stuck in the era of paper clipboards and carbon-copy forms. While students are learning to tear down engines, they’re missing the single most...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Feb 25, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Video MPIs
The automotive industry is in the middle of a digital revolution, and it’s an exciting time to be an aspiring technician! At Surfwrench, we believe the next generation of mechanics shouldn’t just be great with their hands—they should be masters of the modern...
by Caitlin Vandewater | Feb 22, 2026 | Fixed Ops, Merchandising
In the world of automotive retail, 2026 is less of a “new year” and more of a “meticulously calculated recalibration.” If the last few years were a chaotic scramble of supply chain ghosts and “market adjustment” stickers, 2026 is...
