National Car Safety Inspection Standards Proposed

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced a new bill that would establish national standards for state-level vehicle safety inspections. House Bill 229 - the Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 - would require states to establish minimum annual vehicle safety inspection programs or lose specific federal funds.

U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX) introduced a new bill that would establish national standards for state-level vehicle safety inspections.

House Bill 229 – the Michael Jon Newkirk Transportation Safety Enhancement Act of 2011 – would require states to establish minimum annual vehicle safety inspection programs or lose specific federal funds. Other than requiring working seats belts and speedometer, the bill, as currently written, does not address any specific vehicle systems or recommended safety performance.

Jackson-Lee also introduced House Resolution 259, which proposed to establish state safety inspection programs and national standards for state safety inspections of motor vehicles across the U.S. No action was taken on that resolution.

As for HB 229, the bill states that states must enact and enforce “a law that requires the owner of a motor vehicle registered in the state to present the vehicle for inspection on an annual basis to ensure that the vehicle meets or exceeds motor vehicle safety standards to be established by the state.”

The ASA said that less than half the states have vehicle safety inspection programs and of those programs that do exist, many have inconsistent standards. The association said it “supports federal legislation mandating periodic state motor vehicle safety inspection with a minimum level of safety standards.”

ASA said that Missouri and Pennsylvania have conducted studies demonstrating the importance of periodic motor vehicle safety inspections as a deterrent to vehicle accidents, injuries and deaths.

When Your Shop Is Worth Much More Than You Thought

Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.

Case Study: Owner of San Francisco-based Import Service Shop Delighted to Discover Just How Valuable His Business is to Qualified Buyers
I sometimes share case studies of the clients I have been able to assist in my role as an aftermarket business broker and provider of intermediary and advisory services. I do that when I think the story will provide a reader in similar circumstances with new insights or helpful information.
In the case of Cowden Automotive, Inc., I acted in a consulting capacity assisting the owner and his broker in valuing the business, creating a marketing plan, finding a qualified buyer, and arranging financing for the sale.
Although every sale of a shop in which I am involved has its own unique set of circumstances, which makes my job both very interesting and very challenging, Cowden Automotive stands out as particularly memorable because I was able to demonstrate to the long-time owner, Paul Cowden, that his business was worth about three times what he had initially thought.
Needless to say, delivering that kind of good news to a shop owner is a rewarding experience. Discovering that the sale of his business would result in his retirement nest-egg being substantially larger than he had ever thought was a fitting tribute to someone who had spent his entire working career as a busy automotive service shop owner.

Read Full Article