FI showroom red and grey logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Google Study Reveals Opportunities for Dealer Service Departments

In a new study commissioned by Google, 81 percent of drivers said they agree that quality service is more important than price. The tech giant says the stat means dealership service departments are primed to steal business from service chains.

by Staff
August 13, 2013
2 min to read


MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Eighty-one percent of drivers agree that quality service is more important than price, Google found in its recent study, “The Road to Winning Drivers: What Drivers Want in Automotive Aftermarket Service.”

Among other goals, Google set out to discover if digital influences drivers in their automotive maintenance decisions, and the search engine giant concluded that “drivers are yours to win." “Drivers tend to stay with one shop due to lack of differentiation among service providers rather than high satisfaction,” Google stated in its research.

Ad Loading...

Survey respondents were asked to name which chains come to mind when they think of vehicle service. While 7 percent responded “Ford” and “Midas” and 10 percent answered “Jiffy Lube,” 59 percent of customers could not recall a brand name at all. Honda, Pep Boys, Firestone, AAMCO, Toyota, AAA and Goodyear each received two percent of respondents’ recalls.

Google also found that one in three drivers is uncommitted to a particular auto service provider. Even the committed drivers can be converted, the company added, with 36 percent of survey respondents indicated that they don’t favor a specific mechanic. “I go wherever is affordable/convenient,” respondents answered.

The study also found that each month, 70 million searches on Google are for aftermarket services. Drivers are also looking online for help on changing oil filters and brake fluid, as well as fixing fuel pumps. “These topics alone represent one year of video content,” according to Google’s internal data on YouTube site visits.

Because 43 percent of drivers perform a search online or on a smartphone when considering where to service their vehicle, Google said, “It’s critical to connect with drivers whenever and wherever they are searching for their next service.”

Despite the potential opportunities its finding present for dealers, Google noted that 62 percent of consumers will research a service technician’s recommendation. The company added that 51 percent of service customers are watching online videos for that research, while 15 percent contacted another shop. Additionally, 13 percent of respondents said they visited another shop’s website and searched on phone or tablet, while 8 percent said they searched on a computer.



Topics:F&I

More F&I

Headshot mockup thumbnail.
F&I•October 1, 2026

Modern Technology Objection Handling

In this video, Trent White shares how to confidently handle technology-based objections by helping customers understand the value of protection, even with modern vehicle technology.

Read More →
man standing in front of podium
F&I•by Lauren Lawrence•October 1, 2026

Consistency at Scale: Driving F&I Performance

With 75 rooftops across the Sunshine State, Morgan Auto Group has proven to Floridians that it knows a thing or two about driving performance in a competitive market. But it didn’t start at the top.

Read More →
Insurance contract signature page with black inkpen on top
F&I•by Hannah Mitchell•September 22, 2026

Gitty Up on GAP

The foundational finance-and-insurance product hasn’t kept up with the latest conditions for auto dealers. Is the time ripe?

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Easycare White paper cover See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability
Sponsored•September 8, 2026

How AI-Powered Coaching Is Transforming F&I Performance

See how AI-powered coaching can turn F&I customer conversations into actionable insights that support compliance, performance and profitability

Read More →
Assurant, Sell Value Build Trust, F&I Series, Expert Trainer Trent White
F&I•September 2, 2026

Sell Value, Build Trust

In this video, Trent White explains why selling on value, not fear, builds lasting customer trust, reduces cancellations, and drives long-term success.

Read More →
2026 StoneEagle summary
F&I•by Hannah Mitchell•August 31, 2026

F&I Sales Give Dealers First-Half Lift

Product business shored up total profits to avoid an overall revenue tanking as product penetrations held steady, StoneEagle reported.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
man with white hair and glasses delivering a speech standing next to a podium
F&I•by Lauren Lawrence•August 31, 2026

Targeted Training Drives Results

Today’s technology, instead of threatening F&I managers, can actually make them better, according to an industry veteran who’s watched market setbacks roil the unprepared.

Read More →
Man's hand holding pen over a paper document
F&I•by Justin B. Gasman•August 20, 2026

Double the Change, Double the Chance

When an F&I manager gets a customer refusal, it’s a wise move to tweak more than one thing in the product offering.

Read More →
Laptop computer, tablet, calculator and notebook on a desk
F&I•by John Tabar•August 20, 2026

Just Do It

F&I managers need training, but instead of resisting application or expecting perfection, they should improve by simply acting on what they learn.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
stacks of coins, a calculator, paperwork, and a pair of glasses in the background, text Lender Experience Drives Dealer Decisions, F&I and Showroom
Auto Finance•by Lauren Lawrence•August 12, 2026

Dealer Lender Preferences Revealed

When lenders provide consistent, fast service, their overall satisfaction scores with dealers greatly improve, according to JD Power research.

Read More →