Carter Taking Lead in Helping Aftermarket Professionals Eliminate Comebacks and Product Returns
Carter Fuel Delivery Products has developed a variety of innovative training tools and other materials to help aftermarket professionals eliminate customer comebacks and products returns associated with the diagnosis and repair of fuel system problems on millions of late-model vehicles.
CARE Testifies Passage of Act Needed to Protect Small Businesses, Economy
The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE) called for passage of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, H.R. 2048, to provide fairness and free market competition for small businesses in the automotive aftermarket industry. The automotive aftermarket is a $200 billion a year industry with over 495,000 automotive aftermarket locations.
Changes Announced in Snap-on Management
Alan Biland has been named president of Snap-on Tools Company, LLC, responsible for the company’s worldwide dealer organization. He has also been named a senior vice president of Snap-on Incorporated, effective immediately. Biland succeeds Michael Montemurro, senior vice president of Snap-on Inc., who recently announced plans to retire in the near-term after serving the company for nearly 35 years.
SPX Sells GSE Tech-Motive Tool to Atlas Copco
SPX Corp. announced today it has completed the sale of its GSE tech-motive tool business to Atlas Copco-owned Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. GSE tech-motive tool manufactures and distributes specialized tightening solutions for customers with critical assembly applications. Based in Novi, Mich., the business has annual revenues of approximately $25 million.
ASA Responds to CBS’ Consumer Alert Feature on Auto Repair Issues
Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), has responded publicly to the recent CBS News segment on repair issues at independent auto repair shops. In a letter dated Jan. 28, Pyle responded to the CBS News feature and said the premise that independent shops don’t have access to the information necessary to repair vehicles is false.
New Tire Inflation Positioning Switch Said to Allow Smarter TPMS Servicing
Detroit-based Spectrum Composites has introduced a new Tire Inflation Positioning Switch (TIPS), billed by the company as a “state-of-the-art, sensor-triggering Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) tool for tires.” The company describes TIPS as a tool that re-programs a vehicle’s computer each time the wheel position changes (each tire rotation).
Thomson Delmar Learning Releases Chilton 2005 Labor Guide Manual and CD-ROM
Thomson Delmar Learning, part of The Thomson Corp., has announced publication of the 2005 Chilton Labor Guide Manual and 2005 Chilton Labor Guide CD-ROM. Thousands of labor times for 1981-2005 domestic and imported cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs reflect technicians’ use of aftermarket tools and training, according to the company.
Japan’s Automakers and U.S. Tool and Equipment Manufacturers Meet in Japan for 17th Annual Tech Week
A 24-member delegation from the Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI), led by current president Greg Potter of Chief Automotive Systems, met with Honda, Isuzu, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki and Toyota in Japan earlier this month. The visit marked the 17th annual ETI Japan Tech Week, co-sponsored by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA). This year the meeting attracted a record number of ETI participants, up 60 percent from the last time the event was held in Japan in 2002.
SPX Service Solutions Acquires AutoXray
SPX Corp. announced yesterday that its Service Solutions business has acquired Tempe, Arizona-based AutoXray, Inc., which designs automotive diagnostic test equipment and instrumentation marketed to professional technicians and retailers.
FTC Letter Rekindles Right to Repair Flame
In the continuing legislative process regarding HR 2735 — The Motor Vehicle Owner’s Right to Repair Act, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently sent a letter to U.S. Rep John Dingell (D-Mich.), a member of the Energy and Trade Committee, in response to the Dingell’s request for feedback from the FTC on the proposed legislation.