Each month, TechShop readers share the top 5 tools they use in their shop and on the job. Award-winning companies are determined based on the number of times a company or product is mentioned by shop owners and technicians in the 2015 issues of TechShop in the Top 5 Favorite Tools section.
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced that 46 automotive professionals were recognized on Nov. 18 at the fall Board of Governors meeting of ASE held at Hotel Valley Hotel in Scottsdale, AZ.
The SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund offers financial assistance of up to $5,000 to help foster the next generation of automotive aftermarket industry leaders and innovators. Students can apply for the scholarship at sema.org/scholarships. Deadline for the program is March 1, 2016.
Robert Bosch LLC introduces the all-new Clear Advantage Wiper Blade program. The new program reduces the SKU count from 19 in the previous program to 12 part numbers, while increasing the vehicle coverage to more than 98 percent. Blade lengths range from 13 to 28 inches.
MAHLE Aftermarket Inc. announced the 2015 MAHLE Engine Builders of the Year for the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series. The MAHLE Engine Builder of the Year award is presented to the top engine builder in each of the NASCAR series who accumulated the most points based on qualifying, laps led and finishing position.
Ford is officially enrolled in the California Autonomous Vehicle Testing Program to test autonomous vehicles on public roads. The testing is further advancement of Ford’s 10-year autonomous vehicle development program and a key element of Ford Smart Mobility, the plan to take the company to the next level in connectivity, mobility, autonomous vehicles, the customer experience and data and analytics.
Bosch eCat-online has now been expanded by means of additional product information and 360-degree pictures in order to aid in the quick and reliable identification of Bosch products. With the 360-degree pictures, users can now view more than 5,000 spare parts from all sides.
Stop the Roadkill features five characters – including a singing deer and a rapping skunk – sharing their personal stories in a plea for driver safety on the roads. The chorus repeats the central theme, “Don’t be a killer car, let’s see what’s ahead … get your wipers on fleek.”
On Dec. 2, the Automotive Service Association (ASA), ASA-Midwest and the Missouri Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP-MO) held the second annual Vehicle Safety Inspection Forum. Attendees heard presentations from a number of automotive safety experts, shared their own experiences with safety inspections and collaborated on strategies to improve public awareness of the importance of preventive maintenance.
The owners of Perfection Automotive and Chris’ Auto Repair reported that between $30,000 and $40,000 worth of tools and equipment were taken from each of their repair shops. Each owner is offering a $2,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the thieves.
Elite has announced that Randy Pickering has joined the company as its newest business development coach. In his new role, Pickering will utilize his 39 years of experience as a shop owner to provide one-on-one business building guidance to current shop owners throughout the U.S.
Robert Bosch LLC has added 27 new aftermarket part numbers to its product portfolio in December. Additions were made to the braking, rotating machines, fuel pumps and throttling devices categories; in addition, a new LED work lamp program was announced.
