Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Names CARS OnDemand As A New Training Provider

SAN ANTONIO – The Automotive Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance announced that CARS OnDemand, an Internet-based training provider, will be its partner in Alliance University (Alliance U). Alliance U delivers a strong curriculum ofonline training that is available on any schedule with a full range of topics from human resources, safety, sales and automotive technology. Alliance U is a resource for distributors, parts stores and service centers. CARS will be in charge of the class content as well as providing the reporting platform so a student’s progress can be tracked.

CARS OnDemand delivers leading automotive technical training, having served the North American automotive aftermarket for more than 25 years. Starting as a traditional training provider, CARS offered automotive aftermarket employee programs in classroom settings.

In the mid 1990s, CARS launched "CARS Interactive Distance Learning (IDL)," a live satellite-television training service. CARS IDL broadcasted live scheduled training content weekly to automotive locations. In 2006, CARS migrated to the Internet with the launch of "CARS OnDemand." CARS OnDemand provides more than 400 video-based automotive technical and business training lessons over the Internet, through an on-demand basis that best suits participants’ schedules. Students can log in at any time of the day, from any location, to access industry leading automotive training, without the need for specialized hardware or receiving equipment.

In 2013, CARS OnDemand again broadened its delivery scope, providing training delivery to mobile platforms including tablets such at the Apple iPad, and smartphones including iPhone and Android.

Dave Kimbell, the Education and Training Committee chairman for the Alliance, said, "This will take Alliance University to the next level of content. Our sales and counter teams will have access to not only the technical courses that will help them find the right parts the first time for their customers. It will also provide cutting-edge mobile business training that will help them be more efficient at the store.”

The Alliance says it is delighted to be working with an industry frontrunner in the training and education sector and making top-notch training available to all members. The Alliance University will go live with CARS OnDemand content and reporting functionalities on Oct. 1, accessible through www.alliance1training.com.

Federated Auto Parts Distributors announced it is entering into a collaboration with the Association of Independent Oil Distributors (AIOD) – one it said will focus on mutual benefits for the respective members.

“Federated is constantly looking at ways to improve value for all constituents and this agreement provides that,” said Sue Godschalk, president of Federated. “This collaboration provides added volume and opportunities for our suppliers, new partners for our members, and added supply points and products for shop customers. We have enjoyed working closely with several AIOD members in the past and this agreement will expand and create further opportunities for both Federated and AIOD.”