Happy Thanksgiving from the ASA family to yours.
Thank you for your support in making 2008 another successful year!
|
Motorists Steer into Repair Shops
from Arizona Daily Star
 With auto sales slowed to a trickle and the economy in the tank, many auto-repair shops are cashing in. U.S. repair shop business is up 16 percent this year, according to the Automotive Service Association. In a poll by the trade group, 76 percent of shop owners said they expect increasing sales next year as well. But the picture is a little mixed when it comes to the kinds of work customers are willing to pay for. More
FTC Sues to Block CCC, Mitchell Merger
from ABRN
The Federal Trade Commission has filed suit to block the merger of CCC Information Services Inc. and Mitchell International Inc., charging that the merger would hinder competition in the market for electronic systems used to estimate the cost of collision repairs, known as "estimatics," and the market for software systems used to value passenger vehicles that have been totaled, known as total loss valuation (TLV) systems. More
Consumers Cautious about Effect of Auto Bankruptcy
from The Associated Press
Cash-strapped General Motors insists declaring bankruptcy would be disastrous because it would scare away customers. It's unlikely Chevrolet and Cadillac owners would be left with worthless warranties and no replacement parts, but the headlines about the Detroit Three's dire situation may already be keeping buyers away. And obtaining certain parts would be an issue. Independent collision repair shops get 80 to 90 percent of their parts directly from original equipment sources. "It's the area most impacted if there's disruption in the supply chain of replacement parts in the repair industry," said Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association. More
Democrats Expect Big 3 to Show They're Worth Helping
from The Associated Press
Leading Democrats expect U.S. automakers will show Congress next month they are worth rescuing and are capable of returning to global pre-eminence. Skeptical Republicans said Sunday that Detroit's Big Three needed to convince taxpayers that they deserve an emergency $25 billion lifeline. With the survival of a major manufacturing at stake, a top adviser to President-elect Barack Obama warned the companies that there is little the government can do without a viable plan to retool and restructure. More
 |
Product Showcase:
URG Offers Quality Recycled Parts Search Engine
 United Recyclers offers body shops and mechanical repair shops the ability to search used parts for cars and trucks. Each URG member provides quality assurance to the product. The result is a nationwide label that delivers consistently high quality parts and maximizes consumers, collision center, and estimator confidence. More info
|
Good Jobber, Shop Relationships Pay
from AutoInc. Magazine
Much has been said about the relationship of a jobber business toward its best shop-customers. Many jobbers are starting to listen to their clients and are reacting in a positive manner. These jobbers must be supported. That change has come with much struggle and resolve, but it has literally changed the direction and profitability of the independent sector within the automotive aftermarket industry. Consider the following 10 positive points that successful shops adhere to in regard to their jobber relationship. More
NASTF Releases SDRM Tutorial
from PR Newswire via MarketWatch
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) today announced a new tutorial for the Secure Data Release Module (SDRM), which provides online directions for service repair facilities and locksmiths wishing to become registered and thus be eligible to receive vehicle security information through the SDRM system. More
Official Toyota Wholesale Parts Web Site
 Free registration for independent repair shops. Order parts, communicate with your preferred Toyota dealer, and get access to the latest technical information from Toyota Motor Sales USA. Register now for your free benefits.
|
Inside the Wave
from MotorAge
Modern scan tools, both OEM and aftermarket, have come a long way. More data parameters to use, faster refresh rates and better graphing all have played a role in making scan tool diagnostics easier. But there are still those occasions when a technician wants to see what is happening directly without going through a "middle man," and those are the occasions they may use their scope. More
Who are Technicians A and B? Why Should I Settle Their Debate?
from Brake & Front End via Tire Review
I have been studying for the ASE exams this month. I have been reading test prep guides, books and articles to prepare. It was getting late one night and the test took on a life of its own. As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered, “who are technicians A and B” that the test preps are talking about? Like it or not, we have all been technicians A and B. Sometimes we are wrong and sometimes we are right, but we need to learn and keep up with new technology. This is the real importance of the ASE tests. More
Ford Tops All Automakers for Safety Ratings
from BusinessWeek
Ford Motor Co. got another shot in the arm from Tuesday when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reported the automaker had more vehicles than any other manufacturer on itss list of safest vehicles sold today. The IIHS reported that Ford had 16 of the top-rated vehicles, followed by Honda with 13. General Motors and Toyota each had eight vehicles on the list. More
ALLDATA TSBs solve problems!
 ASA members and ALLDATA® subscribers understand the value of OEM Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Technicians at dealerships, independent repair shops, collision shops and multi-location shops rely on TSBs to quickly identify and resolve time-consuming diagnostic issues. More info
|
Honda Claims Petrol Heads Will "Love" Hydrogen Sports Car
from BusinessGreen
Honda won plaudits from environmentalists and petrol heads alike last week after taking the wraps off its latest fuel-cell-powered concept car at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The Honda FC Sport applies the company's fuel-cell technology, already deployed in its FCX Clarity sedan, to a new three-seat sports car design. The company said the car, which will run using a fuel cell and electric motor that will result in zero carbon emissions, boasts a lightweight chassis and low centre of gravity that will allow it to offer "supercar levels of performance." More
Majority of Auto Supplier Executives Favor GM Bailout
from Street Insider
In a spot survey last week of 270 supplier executives representing 185 companies, 76 percent said they support a federal government bailout of General Motors. Without it, they said they'd have to downsize or close, resulting in over 275,000 people losing jobs at their companies. While the survey focused on GM, 71 percent also favored government support for Ford Motor Co., but only 54 percent felt Chrysler deserved help. More
Wisconsin Body Shops Brace for Surge in Deer Crashes
from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Wisconsin body shops are gearing up for the annual onslaught of car-deer collisions. Some body shop owners say the influx of deer hits comes at a time when business has slowed because of weakness in the economy. Daron Powers, sales manager at Goff's Collision Repair Centers, an ASA member shop with locations serving Waukesha, Pewaukee and Germantown, said the economy had affected business. "We did see a dip," he said. But since late last month, deer damage has brought business into the company's three locations. More
Family Receives Recycled Vehicle for Thanksgiving
from Forbes
A Tucson, Ariz., family will have a special reason to celebrate this Thanksgiving when they receive a vehicle from 911 Collision Centers, a member of the Automotive Service Association and the National Auto Body Council (NABC), GEICO and Casas Adobes Rotary Foundation. Recycled Rides, a national awareness project whereby members of the NABC repair and donate recycled vehicles to families in need in their communities, is scheduled to make nearly 60 vehicle donations throughout the country the week of Thanksgiving. More
|
The Industry Leader in D.C. Welding Technology
A.R.C. Manufacturing is the leading manufacturer in battery-powered dent pullers, mig welders, spot welders and jump starter equipment. More |
|
|
|
|
|
