Live from AAPEX: MotorVac Showcases New Product Line
MotorVac Technologies, which makes proprietary technological solutions for the automotive service and repair industry, this week launched three new products at the AAPEX Show in Las Vegas.
Federal-Mogul Named National Brake System Supplier to Monro Muffler Brake & Service
Monro Muffler Brake & Service has named Federal-Mogul as its supplier of replacement brake system components. Federal-Mogul will provide Monro with pads, shoes, rotors, hydraulics and other products marketed under the Wagner Brake brand.
Be Car Care Aware Declared New On-Going Program For IAPA and ASP
Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) has joined the Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign and will integrate it with IAPA’s ongoing programming. According to Mike Kamal, IAPA executive director, the group also will embrace National Car Care Month (NCCM) as Automotive Service Professional (ASP) member shops and IAPA retail stores host NCCM car check-ups and related activities in April.
AMN Bids You Bon Appetit: Where to Eat in Las Vegas
While it may not have been a hard-hitting question about POS, Right to Repair or some other hot industry topic, our question in last week’s poll garnered enough responses to know that you won’t be ordering room service in Vegas. We asked those of you who have attended industry trade shows in Las Vegas for many years what favorite restaurant you like to visit when in town. Readers shared with us more than 20 different restaurants on and off the Las Vegas Strip.
AAIA Calls on Regulators to Review GM Licensing Fee
In a Sept. 7 letter, AAIA called on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to take action regarding the recent announcement by General Motors (GM) that it is increasing the licensing fee for use of its data stream information to $50,000 from the current $10,000. In addition, the agreement spelled out by GM in a letter to tool companies requires that even if a company does not want to use 2004 model year information, they still must pay the new licensing fee if the tool providers want to include data stream information for past model year vehicles on their products (notwithstanding the fact that they may have already paid the fee to GM for that information under previous licensing agreements).
ASA Offers Members Discounts on Mitchell 1’s OnDemand5 System
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced a new special member benefit that may provide cost savings to its membership. ASA national members who begin new subscriptions to Mitchell 1’s OnDemand5 Repair and Estimating system are eligible for exclusive pricing on both the activation fee and the monthly subscription fee.
New ALLDATA Product Release Includes i•SHOP Implementation and Data Enhancements
ALLDATA, a leading provider of computer-based automotive repair information and software solutions for service providers, has released its third quarter 2004 product suite for repair professionals, which includes implementation of the i•SHOP standards.
NACE 2004 to Offer Continuing Education Courses for Claims Professionals
This year, the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) educational conference will include an Insurance Track with sessions designed specifically for today’s claims professional, including continuing education credit opportunities. NACE is scheduled to take place Nov. 3-6, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Las Vegas.
Midas’ European Operations Gets New Owners
Midas has confirmed the pending sale of its licensed operations in Europe and Latin America. Currently owned by Magneti Marelli, a member of the Fiat Group, Marelli will sell the operations to France’s Norauto Group. Midas sold its interests in Europe and Brazil to Marelli in October 1998, when the companies entered into a long-term license agreement for which Midas received $100 million in cash and on-going royalties throughout the term of the license agreement.
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.