POJA Warehouse Elects New Officers for 2008
POJA Warehouse, a regional marketing and distribution group with 20 members operating 28 wholesale auto parts distribution points, has elected new officers for 2008. POJA Warehouse was founded in 1995 by a group of family owned auto parts wholesalers. Its members serve professional automotive technicians in the New Jersey , Delaware and Eastern Pennsylvania markets.
Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association, GAAS Collaborate on Industry Scholarships
The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) Scholarship Committee and the Ohio Valley Automotive Aftermarket Association (OVAAA) will be collaborating in creating an online scholarship resource for students planning to pursue careers in the automotive aftermarket. This industry association cooperation will allow students interested in aftermarket careers to submit one application for 2008 scholarships online at www.automotivescholarships.org and receive consideration for the following scholarships: Association of Diesel Specialist (ADS), Automotive Aftermarket Association of the Carolinas and Tennessee (AAACT), Automotive Parts & Service Alliance (APSA), the Breslow Foundation, California/Nevada Automotive Wholesalers’ Association (CAWA) and Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS).
Seventh Annual National Tire Safety Week to Take Place in April
The Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) announced that the Seventh Annual National Tire Safety Week will be held April 20-26, 2008. The annual event is an initiative of the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s "Be Tire Smart — Play Your PART" program, a year-round effort designed to help drivers learn the simple steps they can take to ensure that their tires are in good working condition. For National Tire Safety Week, tire manufacturers and retailers nationwide will work to educate motorists about proper tire care and maintenance. RMA provides tire retailers, auto dealers and automotive repair shops with free "Be Tire Smart" brochures and other materials. Many participating retail outlets will use the opportunity to promote tire care through advertising, promotions, free tire pressure checks and conducting media outreach.
OBITUARY: Eight-Time Indy 500 Starter Freeland Dies at 82
Don Freeland, an eight-time starter in the Indianapolis 500 from 1953-60 and the third-place finisher in 1956, died Nov. 2 in San Diego after a period of declining health. He was 82. Freeland had perhaps his best Indianapolis 500 run in 1955, when transmission failure robbed him of finishing second only 22 laps from the end. He also finished seventh in 1954 and 1958.
Bob Arlotta Named 2008 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year
NAPA Auto Parts and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Bob Arlotta of Millington, NJ, the 2008 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. NAPA selected Arlotta for the prestigious honor in recognition of “his 25 years of automotive experience, endless commitment and service to customers, continual dedication to his employees and leadership in the industry.” Owner of Long Hill Auto Service in Millington, Arlotta is ASE certified in 26 different categories and is recognized as a Master Technician in the automotive, medium and heavy duty areas.
Online Applications Now Available for 2008 GAAS Scholarships
Applications are now being accepted online for the 2008 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) scholarship, awarded to students planning automotive aftermarket careers. The application process is now entirely electronic through the GAAS scholarship website, www.automotivescholarships.com. The deadline to apply is March 31, 2008.
Auto Repair Race Nets College Cash: Students Use Technical Finesse in Competition
One hundred high school students raced Tuesday to repair identically bugged 2007 Ford Fusions, with problems ranging from brake light malfunctions to faulty sensors, in hopes of winning college scholarships. Fifty two-person teams toiled under the sun on the lawn of Ford’s World Headquarters in Dearborn , MI , using computer diagnostic equipment to repair the cars. The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition drew a surprise visit from Ford Motor Co. CEO Alan Mulally, who excitedly told spectators and competitors that it is important for people to pursue careers in the automotive service industry.
AAIA Wins ASAE’s 2007 Associations Advance America Award of Excellence
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has won the Award of Excellence in the 2007 Associations Advance America (AAA) Awards program, a national competition sponsored by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) & The Center for Association Leadership in Washington, D.C.
Aftermarket Industry Veterans Among Several to Receive Honorary Doctorates from Northwood University
During commencement ceremonies held earlier this month at Northwood University’s Michigan and Florida campuses, three well-known aftermarket executives were presented with honorary doctorate degrees. At commencement ceremonies on Northwood’s Michigan campus, Mort Schwartz, co-chair, Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium; and O. Temple Sloan, Jr., founder, chairman and CEO of General Parts International were presented with the Doctor of Laws, honoris causa. Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association, was presented with an honorary doctorate during commencement ceremonies on Northwood’s Florida campus.
GAAS 2007: Meeting the Needs of Today’s Vehicle Owners
While day one of the 2007 GAAS in Chicago provided insights and perspectives from experts working within every channel of the automotive aftermarket, day two kicked off with a somewhat different perspective – that of the end user, the U.S. driver.