The GM Loan Tool Program (LTP) has updated several policies recently to help address the shipping and administrative costs of the program. These changes included an increase in the annual fee (beginning November 1, 2022) and the tool return penalty (beginning August 1, 2022).
The Loan Tool Program supplements the U.S. Essential Tool Program as a cost-effective alternative to purchases of high cost and/or infrequently used special tools. (Fig. 1) It does not replace essential tool shipments. Tools in the program range in retail price from $10 to $3,000. The Loan Tool Program was put in place in address special tool costs and availability.
Once a tool has been selected for loan on the website, the tool will be shipped to the dealership via UPS 2-day ground (overnight shipping is available by request at an additional charge) and then, after five days of use, the dealership returns the tool to the central distribution warehouse in Romeoville, IL.
Fig. 1
Loan Tool Returns
The penalty for not returning a loaned tool back to the Loan Tool Program within 5 days of receiving the tool is two times the normal cost of the tool. In addition, a $500 service fee now will be applied per instance of a non-returned tool. The service fee will help offset additional manufacturing and administrative costs incurred while Bosch is procuring a replacement tool. Promptly returning loaned tools will help reduce costs and facilitate maximum utilization of each tool in the program.
Loan Tool Program Access
The Loan Tool Program is coordinated and managed by Bosch Automotive Service Solutions. The LTP is funded by all U.S. dealerships through an annual subscription fee, which includes outbound and inbound ground shipping. Dealerships with multiple franchises at the same address are charged only one subscription fee for the program.
Special tools in the Loan Tool Program can be requested through the GM Special Tools website. Dealerships must access the GM Special Tools website through the GlobalConnect link in order to enable the Loan Tool button.
Select special tools for all GM divisions are included in the Loan Tool Program inventory, including high cost engine and transmission unit repair tools as well as special tools for low volume GM models.
In some cases, the deferment of just one special tool to the Loan Tool Program can offset the annual subscription fee (for example, the EL-51470 Night Vision System Alignment Target Tool has a cost of $2,661).
Ordering a Special Tool
The Loan Tool Program features a simple process for requesting special tools. (Fig. 2)
Fig. 2
- Dealership contacts Bosch via the GlobalConnect link to the GM Special Tools website. (Fig. 3) Once on the site, select the Loan Tools feature and enter the desired tool number in the Search box. If the desired tool is available for loan, select the Loan cart button to initiate the transaction.
Fig. 3
- Fill out the request form and Check Loan Availability. (Fig. 4) Continue to the checkout screen.
Fig. 4
- Bosch processes the loan tool request and ships the tool. 2-day shipping is included in the program (an overnight shipping option is an extra charge calculated at check out).
- Dealership has use of the tool for 5 days and then returns the tool using the provided return instructions and label. The loan tool requestor will receive two email messages from Bosch as reminders to return the tool. Incomplete or unreturned tools will be charged to the dealership at a rate of 2x the retail price of the tool.
- Bosch receives the returned loan tool, verifies its functionality, and places it back in the loan tool inventory.
Each year, new tools are evaluated for the Loan Tool Program. Currently, approximately 20% of all tool numbers are available through the Loan Tool Program.
Dealerships have the option to purchase all special tools available through the LTP via the online catalog or by calling 1-800-GM-TOOLS.
ToolNet Inventory System
The ToolNet Inventory System is included in the Loan Tool Program annual fee. The inventory system helps track special tools in the dealership and, since it is specific to a dealership’s BAC, allows the dealership to inventory their tools based on their storage location.
To access the site, select the ToolNet icon in GM GlobalConnect on the Service page of the App Center. ToolNet includes a variety of management features, including Tool Check-In/Out, Tool Maintenance Scheduling, Storage Location Customization, User Management, and Tool Usage Reporting. Check out the Help page for a number of videos with instructions and tips on using the features of ToolNet. (Fig. 5)
Fig. 5
– Thanks to John Staman
