Thank you for participating in our 2026 Industry Survey!
New Jersey Automotive, the official publication of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), is seeking your input on your shop and the day-to-day issues that affect your business. Please answer these questions honestly; your responses will be kept anonymous.
Please categorize the main focus of your business:
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Collision repair
Mechanical repair
Collision & mechanical repair hybrid
Other (please specify)
Would you say that business in your company is up or down compared to last year?
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Up vs. last year
Down vs. last year
About the same
Additional comments (optional)
How would you rate your current state of business?
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Worst
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Best
10
1 is Worst, 10 is Best
What, if anything, gives you optimism about this industry over the next 12 months?
What do you feel is the most critical issue affecting the industry right now?
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Labor Rates
Insurer involvement in the repair process
Lack of help / tech shortage
Increasing costs
Lack of consumer education
Other (please specify)
Collision businesses: Are you a DRP shop?
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Yes: 1-5 programs
Yes: 6-10 programs
Yes: more than 10 programs
No DRP relationships
N/A: Mechanical repair
Which insurer is most difficult to deal with? Please explain your answer.
How do you feel insurer-shop relations have changed over the past 12 years?
Has your business seen an increase in total losses over the past 12 months?
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Yes
No
What is your current labor rate?
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$50 - $60
$61 - $70
$71 - $80
$81 - $90
Over $90/hr
What do you think your labor rate SHOULD be?
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Less than $90/hr
$91 - $100/hr
$101 - $110/hr
$111 - $120/hr
Over $121/hr
What is your current daily storage rate?
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$50 - $60
$61 - $70
$71 - $80
$81 - $90
Over $90 per day
Are you incorporating AI into your business?
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Yes
No
What are your greatest concerns about AI?
If approached by an MSO, would you consider selling your shop?
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Yes
No
Not sure
Additional comments (optional)
Over the past 12 months, have you submitted any complaints to the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI)?
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Yes - multiple complaints
Yes - one complaint
No
If you responded "no" to the previous question (you have not submitted any complaints to NJDOBI), why not?
Are you aware of AASP/NJ's current legislative efforts?
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Yes
No
How many employees does your company have, including yourself?
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Approximately how old is your youngest employee?
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Approximately how old is your oldest employee?
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How many employees have you hired over the past 12 months?
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What has been your biggest challenge in attracting and retaining employees?
What has been the most successful for your business in attracting new personnel?
What type of training could your staff benefit most from?
What do you do in your business to promote a positive work culture?
How do you educate your current and potential customers?
If you could transform or fix any part of this industry, what would it be?
If applicable, what is your current backlog of work?
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N/A - no backlog
Less than 14 days
14-30 days
31+ days
Additional comments (optional)
How does your shop handle ADAS calibrations?
*
We handle them in-house
We sublet them to the dealership
We sublet to an ADAS calibration vendor
If you handle ADAS calibrations in-house, who performs them?
Shop owner/manager
Repair planner
Dedicated calibration tech(s)
Whoever is handling that particular repair
Other (please specify)
Are you diversifying your business by incorporating any of the following (check all that apply)
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N/A - not pursuing diversifying my business
Glass repair
Wheel alignment
Paintless dent repair (PDR)
Coatings, wraps, paint protection
Other (please specify)
Does your business perform vehicle safety inspections?
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Yes, on every repair
Yes, when required or recommended by the OEM
No
If you answered "yes" to the previous question on safety inspections, do you:
Perform inspections in-house
Sublet inspections to an outside company
If you do not perform vehicle safety inspections, why not?
What's your favorite thing to read in New Jersey Automotive magazine?
What would you like to see more of - or less of - in New Jersey Automotive?
AASP/NJ members: What benefits would you like to see us offer for your business?
AASP/NJ members: What would you like to see AASP/NJ focus on in the coming year?
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Education / training and information for shops
Legal action against parties negatively affecting shops
Legislation / hire a lobbyist, help pass laws that would help shops
Additional comments (optional)
Anything else you'd like to add? (optional)
We welcome your feedback regarding New Jersey Automotive, AASP/NJ or the industry in general!
ABOUT YOU
For internal verification purposes only; responses will be kept anonymous
Name & Company
*
Name (first & last)
Your company
Email
*
example@example.com
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