It’s Not Your Father’s Vo-tech – Warwick, RI, Area Career & Technical Center Named Nation’s Best
Many high school seniors worry about what they will do after graduation. But thanks to a school program and a mentorship, Jason Marley, a senior at Warwick Veterans Memorial High in Rhode Island, already has a job. Marley is one of 45 students in the Warwick Area Career & Technical Center’s automotive training program. This past summer, the 17-year-old student started working under a mentor at Bald Hill Subaru, repairing cars.
Price Drives Options When Consumers Face Engine Problems, According to AAIA
A new report from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) shows that when faced with major engine problems, price was the most frequently cited factor for consumers when deciding whether to install a new, used or remanufactured engine into their vehicles.
Collaboration — Growing Tool & Die Weapon
Not long ago, tool and die was a fiercely competitive and highly individualized industry, but in the wake of global competition and a growing demand among customers for cost cutting measures, an increasing number of companies are forming partnerships to remain competitive.
AASP-MN Announces Fall Educational Offerings
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) has released its schedule of fall educational programs. AASP-MN will host an educational program on “Inflatable Restraint Systems,” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minn. AASP-MN will host an educational program on “Inflatable Restraint Systems,” from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 17 at Dunwoody College of Technology in Minneapolis, Minn.
Ford, Magna Face Multi-Million-Dollar Class-Action Suit Over Door Latches
Up to 400,000 Canadians might be driving Ford vehicles with faulty door latches that could lead to serious injury or death, according to a class-action lawsuit commenced Tuesday against Ford Motor Co., Magna International and several of its subsidiaries.
Champion Parts Reports Continued Profitability for Second Quarter
Champion Parts, Inc., a remanufacturer of automotive parts, announced net income for the second quarter, which ended on June 27, of $322,000, or 9 cents per share, compared to $613,000, or 17 cents per share for the same period in 2003. Net sales were $5,124,000, compared to $6,973,000 in 2003.
Installer or Technician — What Are You?
“He thinks I’m working on parts. I’m working on concepts.” I recently came across this sentence in the book “Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance.” Unfortunately, this sentence describes the mentality of some elements in the aftermarket. It really got me thinking about an incident that happened to me earlier in the week. I was talking to a person involved in the aftermarket and he kept using the word “installer” to describe shops and technicians. Personally, I find the word “installer” to be very offensive. It does not describe the full role of the professional automotive technician in the aftermarket. It reduces technicians to merely “parts swappers” and not diagnosticians.
Executive Interview with Tom Ward, President, Snap-on Diagnostics
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Tom Ward, president of Snap-on Diagnostics, a global business focused on improving technician and workshop productivity around the world. Join us as Ward gives us an inside look at Snap-on Diagnostics, including information on some recently launched products. Ward also talks about the trends and challenges in automotive diagnostics and repair and how the division works to address these issues.
Shortage of Technology-Oriented Mechanics May Lead to Higher Repair Costs
Motorists, already facing soaring gas prices, can expect higher repair costs in the future because of a lack of qualified mechanics. Even as today’s cars and trucks become more technologically advanced, there are fewer students who can read well enough to understand manuals that explain how to repair them, mechanics and automotive instructors say.
Pro-King Debuts on Two Guys Garage
Several transmission products from Pro-King Automotive Products will be featured on an upcoming episode of SPEED Channel’s popular show Two Guys Garage. The episode will air on June 19 and again in September. Pro-King has been in the business of providing transmission parts for both automatic and manual units for 40 years.