LIVE FROM GAAS – Baseball, Beer and Big Machines: AASA’s Opening Pitch Reception at the Henry Ford Museum
Aftermarket professionals attend industry events like the Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) to gather new tools for improving business, but we all know, cocktail hour is the real highlight of events like this. This year’s Global Symposium is no different.
Unperformed Maintenance Drops in 2005 to $52 Billion, According to AASA Research
Unperformed maintenance dropped to $52 billion in 2005, according to an upcoming report from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). While the $52 billion represents a drop of $4 billion from 2004 figures, many American vehicle owners are still neglecting many of the vital maintenance and service procedures that their cars and trucks require to operate safely, reliably and fuel-efficiently, according to AASA.
Unperformed Maintenance Drops in 2005 to $52 Billion, According to AASA Research
Unperformed maintenance dropped to $52 billion in 2005, according to an upcoming report from the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). While the $52 billion represents a drop of $4 billion from 2004 figures, many American vehicle owners are still neglecting many of the vital maintenance and service procedures that their cars and trucks require to operate safely, reliably and fuel-efficiently, according to AASA.
‘Be Car Care Aware’ Merchandise Now Available Onlineable Online
The Car Care Council’s branded “Be Car Care Aware” merchandise is now available for purchase on the Council’s website at www.carcare.org . Visitors to the “industry” section of the site will find a virtual store containing items such long sleeve denim shirts, short sleeve “polo” shirts, t-shirts and caps, as well as premium items such as calculators, key chains, travel mugs, balloons, pens, calendars and memo pads.
Obituary: Bill Laber, 66, Focused on Life’s Simple Pleasures
Today, I am reminded of how important it is to reach out to those you admire most, care about most, long for most, look up to most, trust most, respect most and enjoy most. Each of those feelings describes how I felt about Bill Laber. I was shocked to learn this morning that Bill passed away on Friday. I remain dazed, angry, confused, deeply saddened and remorseful that I hadn’t seen him in person in more than a year. We communicated often, almost every week if not more, but e-mail and phone calls are never enough.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: Readers Respond
Two weeks ago, in our last “Ask the Industry” column, we talked about the impending tech shortage that seems to be making waves around this industry as of late. As we’ve highlighted several times before in these pages, the article intended to point out that perhaps it’s not all about the numbers, but about helping technicians and shop owners do their jobs better. We asked you, our readers, to share with us any aftermarket-specific technician recruitment or training initiatives that you know of.
University of the Aftermarket to Present ‘Advanced Selling Strategies for the Heavy Duty Aftermarket’ in March
Northwood University’s University of the Aftermarket will present “Advanced Selling Strategies for the Heavy Duty Aftermarket” March 6-8 at Northwood’s Cedar Hill, TX, campus. The seminar will be presented by two veteran aftermarket sales professionals, Robert Gracey MAAP, senior vice president, sales for Affinia Under Vehicle Group; and Mark Iasiello MAAP, heavy-duty national sales manager, Dayco LLC.
Dates Set for 2006 Aftermarket eForum in Chicago
With three distinct educational segments, the 2006 Aftermarket eForum promises to be another blockbuster event. Scheduled to take place July 17-19 at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Chicago, the 2006 eForum is designed to appeal to executives and decision makers as well as IT and e-business managers from all segments and functions of the industry. The show provides an educational and business development symposium dedicated to e-commerce and supply chain technology solutions in the vehicle aftermarket.
Equus Products Names its 2005 North American Sales Rep of the Year
Equus Products, a manufacturer and distributor of automotive aftermarket test equipment and gauges, has selected Grant Brothers Sales Limited as its 2005 Manufacturer Sales Rep Agency of the Year. The award was presented during the AAPEX Show held last month in Las Vegas. Established in 1945, Grant Brothers is one of Canada’s largest manufacturers’ representatives.
CARS Increases Lineup of Management Seminars for 2005
The Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) has increased its lineup of management seminars for 2005, emphasizing the need for continuing education in the competitive automotive service industry. CARS 2005 will be held Nov. 3-5 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. All five of the management seminars are approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and qualify for AMI credit.