The annual Vision Hi-Tech Training & Expo always exceeds my expectations, and this year’s event held March 6-9 at the Overland Park Convention Center in Kansas City, delivered on all accounts. I try to attend every year, take some classes, browse the Expo, and meet up with some old friends. Classes range from hybrid service, scope and scanner reading, diesel and gas engine driveability, to shop management. Some of the top instructors gather at this convention and put together some of the best classes I’ve ever attended.
Federal-Mogul’s ANCO Wipers brand is showing its support of youth hockey leagues across North America through an innovative online video contest that will award $10,000 in youth hockey sponsorships to teams that best demonstrate their commitment to the game. ANCO is The Official Wiper Blade of the National Hockey League.
The American Petroleum Institute unveiled its newly refurbished website for the Motor Oil Matters (MOM) program, featuring a completely redesigned interface intended to offer improved functionality and an overall enhanced user experience. The mobile-optimized site boasts new content and architecture, helping to clearly identify and direct consumers and industry audiences to the right content for their needs.
Lengthy vehicle ownership is the new normal, even as the economy improves, according to AutoMD.com’s 2014 Vehicle Mileage Survey, with nearly 80 percent of consumers comfortable with a 10-plus years or “until it dies” vehicle lifespan. And, the majority who are keeping their vehicle for longer say that an improving economy will not change that, as evidenced by the steady growth in miles they are reporting on their primary vehicles.
Federal-Mogul’s Wagner brake products brand has introduced into the aftermarket rear brake pads for 2014 Jeep Cherokee models. These Wagner ThermoQuiet CeramicNXT low-copper pads (No. QC1734) and three additional new pad sets for late-model applications are available immediately through leading automotive parts distributors.
Legislation (SB 994) has been introduced in California that aims to provide control for vehicle owners on data generated by vehicle telematic systems. Introduced by State Senator Bill Monning, D-Carmel, SB 994 aims to address concerns that extensive information regarding a vehicle, including diagnostic and mileage driven and GPS information, is sent to vehicle manufacturers without the knowledge of car owners.
Automotive Video Innovations’ (AVI) 19th annual Sanibel Training Conference, held Feb. 6-9 at the Sanibel Harbour Marriott Resort, has become the annual gathering place for shop owners, techs, trainers and industry leaders who are serious about training, and who also enjoy the camaraderie of industry friends.
Recent additions to the Federated Car Care program include the MechanicNet expert automotive marketing program, allowing individual car care centers to create marketing plans specific to their own business, and the BusinessVoice on-hold marketing program that helps shops increase customer share by updating callers on services and driving them to take the next step in the buying process.