ASA Announces Collision Division Operations Committee, Mechanical Division Operations Committee
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced its 2005 Collision Division Operations Committee. Darrell Amberson, AAM, Lehman’s Garage, Bloomington, Minn., will continue to serve as Collision Division director. As such, Amberson serves on ASA’s board of directors and chairs the ASA Collision Division Operations Committee.
PERA Officially Launches EngineDataSource.com
The Production Engine Remanufacturers Association (PERA) officially launched its new Web site — www.EngineDataSource.com — designed to serve as a complete source of engine data. PERA first announced a beta version of the site in June 2004. PERA planned to officially launch the new site today during the opening of the AERA Expo in Las Vegas, just prior to the PERA Spring Meeting taking place tomorrow and Friday.
Group Issues PSA Alerting Consumers About the Risks of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
While the industry is trying to cope with the current supply and demand issues related to HFC-134a mobile A/C refrigerant (also known as R-134a), vehicle manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other organizations are warning car and truck owners to avoid the use of flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, which are being marketed as substitutes for R-134a, on the Internet, at flea markets and swap meets, and in some service shops. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are not authorized for this use and can pose risk to both vehicles and service technicians.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Checks Out National Car Care Month Events
It’s April and Spring has sprung. While springtime marks the start of many seasonal rituals, the Car Care Council wants to make sure that consumers add vehicle maintenance to their springtime to do lists. From event planning kits, to brochures, signage and promotional efforts, the Car Care Council has made it incredibly easy for aftermarket manufacturers, distributors and installers to get involved. It’s a win-win situation — the aftermarket gains a better image, better reputation and hopefully more business; the consumer walks away with a safer, better maintained car, increased vehicle knowledge and awareness and (hopefully), an improved perception of our industry. To find out how the industry is taking advantage of this opportunity, we asked a repair shop and a manufacturer: What are you doing for National Car Care Month?
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks to Shop Owners About Counterfeiting
For several years now, the automotive aftermarket, as an industry, has made great strides to increase awareness of the issues of counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations. With these efforts, we’ve come to learn of the startling problems taking place. While efforts are being made to stop trademark violations at the manufacturer level and to keep imported knockoff auto parts from entering the country, if a counterfeit part were to make it into the distribution chain, would shops know what to look for? For this week’s Ask the Industry, we talked to two shop owners to learn more about their knowledge and experiences with counterfeit auto parts.
Executive Interview with Guy Bargnes, Director of Marketing, North American Operations for BASF Corp. Refinish Group
Guy Bargnes has spent his entire life in the collision repair industry. He was born and raised in Buffalo, NY, where his father ran a family business, V. H. Bargnes Co., Inc., which distributed automotive paints, supplies and equipment to area collision shops. In 1992 Bargnes joined BASF full-time, and he is now director of marketing, North American Operations, for the Refinish Group. Bargnes recently sat down to a phone interview with aftermarketNews and shared with us some of the insights from his lifelong career in the industry. Join us as Bargnes talks about BASF’s four leading principles, trends in the refinish business and the return of paint companies to industry trade shows.
AAIA Legislative Summit Drives Home the Message
With record numbers and spirited optimism, representatives from the aftermarket industry assembled in Washington, D.C., for the Aftermarket Legislative Summit this past Tuesday and Wednesday. More than 250 attendees representing 37 states made the journey to the lobbying rally to discuss with members of Congress the issues that affect the aftermarket.
AAMCO Founder Robert Morgan Dies
Robert Morgan, 87, chairman and founder of AAMCO Transmissions Inc., died Feb. 11, at his home in Gladwyne, Pa. Morgan redefined the automotive repair industry in 1963 with the founding of AAMCO, the world’s largest transmission specialist. At that time, franchises were few in number, as were automotive aftermarket specialists, which were only beginning to emerge.
Asian Manufacturer Recalls Replacement Hoods for 2001-2003 Hyundai Elantras
Asian manufacturer Yih Sheng Auto Parts Ind. Co., Ltd., has issued a recall of its aftermarket replacement hoods for the Hyundai Elantra, model years 2001 – 2003, sold during 2004. All parts were sold under the Yih Sheng brand name, and are being recalled because of a possible faulty latch assembly.
Be Car Care Aware Kits Offered at a Special Price for a Limited Time
The Car Care Council is offering “Be Car Care Aware” point-of-sale kits for the special price of $95 until March 15, 2005. Designed to help aftermarket companies and organizations get involved in the on-going “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign, the kits can be easily ordered through the Car Care Aware web site — www.carcare.org.