Latest from Mark Elias

Dave Wright wants to change two things at the dealership group where he works: Providing alternatives to flat rate pay schedules and providing free tools to the wrench turners in his shops.

LenZ, a hands-free headset equipped with a camera, four microphones, a speaker and an adjustable display screen, allows service techs to talk in real-time with product experts at Nissan's Tech Line call center in Smyrna, Tenn.

The Kia program is free for veterans, who also receive a stipend as part of the GI Bill.

Finding mechanics for your car dealership's service department takes work, skill and more than a little bit of imagination.

Luckily for Phil Almas, service director at Ganley Subaru, the guy with the flat tire was a mechanic. Almas hired Serge Akilimali, who brought along a fellow tech. In fact, Almas hired many of Akilimali's family.

Kia, along with other automakers, helps service departments search the automaker's national database for back-ordered parts.

In addtion to new EV tools, proper safety training for technicians and other service department staff who may come in contact with the vehicle — from parts runners to porters — is essential.

Training expert Carol Broadwell Dietrich discusses the importance of electric vehicle safety training for every dealership employee who may come in contact with them, and how EV training might evolve in the coming years.

More EVs on the road mean more will be needing service and maintenance from dealerships. Manufacturers are ramping up safety training for technicians before they are allowed to work on the vehicles.