News

The Federated Car Care “Pick Your Pickup” Sweepstakes has begun. Hundreds of prizes will be awarded and the grand prize winner will have the choice of deciding between a fully restored 1949 pickup or an innovative 2015 pickup.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is reporting that much of this year’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be all-new. Cars have changed and so has CARS, said Donny Seyfer, ASA’s chairman-elect. ASA sponsors CARS, which this year will be held July 30 through Aug. 2 in Detroit, as part of Industry Week.

On May 29, a group from the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) mechanical division leadership met with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) acting administrator to discuss the importance of vehicle safety inspection, as well as advancements in vehicle technology.

The Auto Care Association, Automotive Oil Change Association, Service Station Dealers of America and Tire Industry Association have sent a joint letter to the editors of Consumer Reports (CR), rebutting their May 20 article – “How a Cheap Oil Change Can Cost You in the Long Run” by Jon Linkov – that promotes a 2012 technical bulletin from Kia warning consumers not to use non-OEM filters.

Following up on the excitement surrounding its 2013 promotional giveaway vehicle, the Raybestos Rattlesnake off-road Toyota Tundra built by Addictive Desert designs, the company today formally unveiled plans for its 2014 giveaway project already underway: a Raybestos-edition 1971 Camaro RS “G-Machine,” built with a Pro-Touring sensibility.

Collision and Service Repair facility personnel who belong to an I-CAR Gold Class business or hold the ASE Blue Seal certification will receive a 50 percent discount on the training and conference sessions at NACE/CARS 2014. In addition, any individual who is currently I-CAR Platinum or an ASE Master Technician will be entitled to the same 50 percent discount.

“Real-World Branding for Profit,” a free AAPEXedu attendee webinar slated for Wednesday, June 11, at 4 p.m., EST, will show how branding is a strategic and tactical tool that can help businesses cut through the clutter in today’s world of “sameness” and commoditization of features and benefits.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is extending its offer for ASA members to subscribe to Mopar’s TechAuthority Online at a huge discount. Back by popular demand, ASA members who missed the initial sign-up deadline are now eligible to enroll for a 10-month subscription to receive TechAuthority access through May 4, 2015, with an activation date of July 2, 2014. The cost for the 10-month, full-access subscription is only $100, and ASA members must sign up for the ASA benefit by June 30.

The bulletin, which was referenced in an article posted by Consumer Reports, recommended that car owners either go back to the authorized dealer or use a Kia oil filter to avoid problems with oil- and filter-related warranty claims.

If you ask anyone in the workforce, particularly managers or business owners, what their experiences and thoughts are about working with Millennials (Gen Y), I can guarantee that they will have something to say about it. It seems to be a hot topic of discussion these days and is having a big impact on the workplace, how companies do business and how they attract and retain employees.

I’m tired of hearing about winter, talking about winter and experiencing winter, and I bet you are, too. However, what has been the worst winter in a generation may in fact be a blessing in disguise for independent repair shops across the country.

Federated has developed a new training program titled “Connecting with the New Generation of Auto Repair Customers.” This instructor-led program is designed to assist Federated Car Care Centers and other professional service provider customers in improving customer service by applying new and proven techniques.