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Author: Professional Technician Staff

  • Cummins announces lineup of training sessions; registration opens

    Cummins announces lineup of training sessions; registration opens

    Cummins has unveiled its 2026 lineup of free, in-person aftermarket parts training sessions to help technicians across North America learn about the maintenance and repair of heavy-duty commercial vehicle brake systems – including both cam and air disc brakes.

    Running from March through October, the program is open to the public and offers 23 dates at 29 locations across the U.S. and Canada, making it easier for technicians to access hands-on training close to home, at no cost.

    “Our goal is to give technicians the confidence to maximize vehicle uptime, reduce violations and ensure safe, efficient operations,” said Joe Baumer, Aftermarket Training Manager – Cummins Drivetrain and Braking Systems. “These sessions dive into critical topics such as brake adjustment, brake balance, automatic slack adjusters, reduced stopping distance, preventive maintenance, inspection best practices and advanced diagnostics.”

    In addition to in-person sessions, Cummins offers BullPen – a free online training portal with 24/7 access to on-demand courses covering Meritor products, including clutches, drivelines, drive and steer axles, suspension, wheel ends and brakes. This platform enables technicians to learn at their own pace while giving managers tools to track progress and stay ahead of evolving technologies.

    Registration for in-person training sessions is now open, and seats are limited, so early sign-up is encouraged. For additional learning resources, explore BullPen, where you’ll find free, on-demand training courses.

  • HD Repair forum announces program details

    HD Repair forum announces program details

    Details for the 2026 HD Repair Forum, taking place at the Music City Convention Center in Nashville, March 18 and 19, were released recently.

    Highlights of the two-day program include presentations from economist Dr. Christopher Thornberg, Beacon Economics, Pro Spot, Bee Line, KPA, Bendix, 3M, PPG, and more.

    The two-day conference will host presentations, panel discussions, and educational breakout sessions that will feature collision repair industry and US economic data and trends, OSHA compliance, new vehicle technology, welding and rivet bonding and a deep dive into industry challenges. Collision repairers, insurers, equipment manufacturers, service providers, and educators should plan to attend this event to not only stay informed of the latest trends but to make connections with the leaders in the heavy- and medium-duty collision repair markets.

    This year’s event will be co-located with the American Trucking Association’s annual TMC meeting. Both meetings will take place in the Music City Convention Center with minimal overlap. Reciprocal opportunities exist with discounts on both events and a single hotel room block.

    HD Repair Forum advisory board member, Jamie Prince, President & Owner at Ace Truck Body & Trailer Repair in Georgia said, “The HD Repair Forum has benefited my business in many different ways. The networking opportunities with the peers and leaders in the collision industry has been a top contributor. However, the education for our technicians and estimators has been a close second.” 

    For more information on this year’s program, go to hdrepairforum.com/agenda

    For direct access to registration go to na.eventscloud.com/hdrf2026

    The HD Repair Forum is the only event dedicated to heavy-duty, medium-duty, and commercial vehicle collision repair.

  • Automotive diagnostics companies announce collaboration

    Automotive diagnostics companies announce collaboration

    Repairify’s diagnostics brands, asTech and BlueDriver, and Opus IVS recently announced their intent to combine in order to accelerate innovation across the automotive diagnostics industry.

    The combination brings together complementary technologies, deep technical expertise, a strong talent pool, and a shared commitment to helping repairers confidently and efficiently service today’s increasingly complex vehicles, according to a statement from the organizations.

    As automotive technology evolves and demand for accurate diagnostics and ADAS calibrations grows, the combination of Repairify’s diagnostics brands and Opus IVS creates a more robust foundation for delivering innovative solutions with expanded coverage and capabilities, the companies said.

    “Diagnostics and calibrations are becoming central to every repair,” said Srisu Subrahmanyam, CEO of Repairify. “By bringing together asTech’s remote service excellence, Opus IVS’s advanced hardware engineering and software platform capabilities, and BlueDriver’s broad mechanical repair presence, we can innovate faster and deliver more value to our repairer customers. Following the close of the transaction, our talented, collective diagnostics leadership teams will remain intact, with Brian Herron as the CEO of the diagnostics business comprised of asTech, Opus IVS, and BlueDriver.”

    “asTech and Opus IVS share a vision for helping diagnose, calibrate, and repair the most complex vehicles,” Herron added. “Together, we are beginning the next chapter of innovation and the future of vehicle repair. Our north star has been and will remain our commitment to enabling our repair customers to grow their business by delivering services and diagnostic technology so they can take on the most complex vehicle repairs. This combination will accelerate our ability to deliver solutions the repairers, while still maintaining the focus and expertise that our collective customers have come to expect.”

    asTech, Opus IVS, and BlueDriver will remain distinct brands within the combined diagnostics organization and will continue to support their current products and customers. Over time, the businesses plan to integrate capabilities, deliver new innovations that expand our customers’ diagnostic capabilities, increase access to technology, and streamline workflows for the industry, the companies said.

    The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory approvals.

  • Snap-on’s John Wolf new president of ASE

    Snap-on’s John Wolf new president of ASE

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) recently announced its officers and board members for the upcoming year.

    The new chair of the board of directors is John Wolf, president, Snap-on Business Solutions and Tom Palermo, general manager, Preferred Automotive Specialists is vice chair.

    John Hanighen, president and CEO at Cloyes Manufacturing and Gary Uyematsu, national technical training manager at BMW of North America are serving as treasurer and secretary, respectively.

    Last year’s chair, Jason Rainey, vice president, NAPA AutoCare/AAA, is now serving as past chair.

    Six new governors are serving on the ASE board of governors. They include:

    • Aaron Charbonneau of General Motors
    • Chris Charton of Toyota
    • Brent Franks of North Texas Automotive Dealers Association
    • Mike McSorley of Goodyear
    • Gerry Mead of TravelCenters of America
    • Jake Sorenson of McNeil’s Auto Repair

    “On behalf of the ASE team, I look forward to collaborating closely with the new officers and board members whose knowledge and experience will be invaluable to ASE,” said Dave Johnson, ASE president and CEO. “Together, we will continue to reinforce ASE’s leadership in the transportation industry and explore new ways to best serve technicians, service providers and vehicle owners.”

  • College of Southern Idaho opens $15 million Transportation Technology Center

    College of Southern Idaho opens $15 million Transportation Technology Center

     The College of Southern Idaho (CSI) recently celebrated its new Transportation Technology Center. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held, at the new facility, located at 255 North College Road in Twin Falls. 

    Classes began in the new $15 million facility Tuesday.

    The Transportation Technology Center will house the college’s Heavy Equipment Ag Technology and Diesel Technology programs. The 28,000 square foot building will also support industry and workforce training in the transportation sector and will allow for expanded dual credit collaboration with the Twin Falls School District. 

    “The completion of this new facility has given us the ability to bring our diesel-related programs together under one roof.” said CSI President Dr. L. Dean Fisher. “It provides a state-of-the-art lab space for those students as well as our dual credit students, which further strengthens our relationship with the Twin Falls School District and their commitment to training the next generation in these in-demand careers.”

    The building replaces a smaller one, which had limited enrollment for the past 10 years.

  • Free engine management webinar Feb. 7

    Free engine management webinar Feb. 7

    An hour-long webinar titled Understanding Engine Management will be offered at 6 p.m.Eastern Feb. 7 by Motor Age Training.

    The webinar will be pesented live in the shop by TST’s “G” Jerry Truglia and Pierre Respaut. It offers a quick overview of PCM functions, covering inputs, outputs, and how sensors and actuators regulate engine performance. This class will discuss sensors, actuators, fuel trim, ignition systems, and O₂/Air Fuel sensors essential for efficient engine operation.

    Attendees will learn how to:

    • Explain the primary functions of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM), including how inputs, outputs, sensors, and actuators interact to control engine performance
    • Identify key engine management components—such as fuel trim systems, ignition systems, and O₂/air-fuel ratio sensors—and describe their role in efficient engine operation
    • Apply a foundational understanding of PCM logic to interpret sensor and actuator behavior during real-world diagnostic and performance scenarios

    The free webinar is sponsored by Duralast. You can register here.

    Founder/President of Technicians Service Training (TST), G. Jerry Truglia has extensive experience in the automotive field as a technician, service manager, shop owner and technical writer. He is a senior curriculum developer who provides training programs for automotive and truck inspection and repair programs. He has provided on-board diagnostic system, OBDII and automotive training all over the country. He is the owner, curriculum developer and instructor for Automotive Technician Training Services (ATTS) in Mahopac, New York.

    Pierre Respaut has been in the automotive industry for over 55 years as a Master ASE Certified Technician & L1, diagnostician, shop owner and as part of the BIMRs.org, STS and TST among others.

  • New CAT AI Assistant can be a technician’s ‘partner’ while making repairs

    New CAT AI Assistant can be a technician’s ‘partner’ while making repairs

    Caterpillar Inc. recently unveiled Cat AI Assistant, an AI-based solution that allows Cat customers to engage with Caterpillar’s equipment and portfolio of digital applications in new, powerful ways.

    With Cat AI Assistant, Caterpillar said it is making it easier for customers to buy, maintain, manage and operate their equipmen no matter where they are. The launch marks a major step forward for Industrial AI, redefining how work gets done by combining data, AI and heavy equipment to help customers improve productivity, efficiency and safety, according to a statement from CAT.

    Caterpillar said it plans to bring the off-board Cat AI Assistant live in the first quarter of this year and is in the final stages of validation for in-cab applications, which will help machine operators work more safely and efficiently. Caterpillar demonstrated these capabilities on the mainbstage of CES 2026 in Las Vegas recently.

    Built on more than a century of Caterpillar innovation, Cat AI Assistant unifies Caterpillar’s portfolio of digital applications and vast amounts of high-quality data into one simple, conversational experience. It operates against the entire Caterpillar knowledge base and serves as a proactive partner for customers, providing personalized data and insights and enabling faster, smarter decisions, according to the company.

    “Caterpillar’s strong digital foundation, including our Helios data platform that manages over 16 petabytes of data, is helping us move fast and deploy new AI capabilities to help our customers succeed,” said Ogi Redzic, Caterpillar Chief Digital Officer. “Cat AI Assistant is a major leap forward in how Caterpillar supports customer success through best-in-class digital solutions, whether they’re working from corporate headquarters or at a remote jobsite.”

    With industries facing talent and skills gaps, and customers managing increasing jobsite complexity, Cat AI Assistant can help a less experienced operator improve productivity, or help a Cat dealer provide better, more tailored insights to customers.

    For technicians
    For a technician, Cat AI Assistant is a dependable partner that can, with a simple voice command, and without interrupting the task at hand, quickly access the right section from a library of thousands of instruction manuals. It provides step-by-step guidance on repairs, highlights common issues and suggests additional parts needed to complete the job, saving valuable time and resources.

    For fleet managers & owners
    For business owners, Cat AI Assistant is an extra set of eyes on their equipment — evolving alongside their operations, continually refining insights and recommendations to help turn unplanned incidents into planned maintenance and to match the pace of their growing businesses.

    For machine operators
    For an operator, Cat AI Assistant connects every step of the workday — from machine startup to shift handoff. It’s a coach in the cab, providing operators with information to work smarter and safer without switching screens, returning to the yard or losing focus. Cat AI Assistant leverages the NVIDIA Jetson Thor platform to run speech recognition and advanced AI models and can even assist with directing the machine — at the edge, where work is done.

  • 150th class graduates from Peterbilt Technician Institute

    150th class graduates from Peterbilt Technician Institute

    The Peterbilt Technician Institute (PTI) recently announced the graduation of its 150th class since the program’s launch.

    The milestone achieved at the Irving, Texas campus underscores PTI’s ongoing commitment to developing highly skilled service technicians prepared to support today’s advanced vehicle technologies, the company said in a statement.

    “Reaching our 150th graduating class is more than a milestone, it highlights our steady support in preparing the next generation of qualified service technicians,” said Danny Landholm, Peterbilt director of Dealer Network Development. “Our graduates are trained not only to service and maintain today’s most sophisticated trucks but also to adapt as technology evolves.”

    PTI was established to meet the growing demand for skilled technicians across Peterbilt’s dealer network, becoming a leading diesel technology training program for aspiring technicians throughout North America. The program features an immersive curriculum combining classroom learning, real-world
    experience, factory-level certification and advanced instruction on the latest Peterbilt technologies, including alternative fuels, electric powertrains, diagnostics and telematics.

    Upon completing the program, students earn factory-trained technician credentials that can help fast-track their careers at more than 430 Peterbilt dealerships across the United States and Canada.

    Interested students can learn more about the PTI program by visiting https://peterbilt.tech/institute.html.

  • University of Aftermarket Foundation has $900k in scholarhsipsn available

    University of Aftermarket Foundation has $900k in scholarhsipsn available

    The University of the Aftermarket Foundation (UAF) will award a record amount of automotive, heavy duty and tire industry scholarships. 

    Interested students may submit applications by the March 31 deadline at the foundation’s Aftermarket Scholarship Central websites at AutomotiveScholarships.com and HeavyDutyScholarships.com.

    Hundreds of scholarships totaling more than $900,000 will be awarded for the 2026-27 academic year to students enrolled in four-year and two-year colleges as well as ASE/NATEF certified automotive, collision and heavy-duty/diesel post-secondary programs. This record-setting amount includes scholarships for students planning a wide variety of automotive careers, including service and repair, engineering, supply chain, finance, IT/cybersecurity and other fields of study.

    The foundation’s websites are streamlined, mobile-ready portals with easy navigation and a simplified online application process for students interested in careers in the motor vehicle aftermarket. By completing a single application online, students will be considered for multiple scholarships for which they are eligible. The websites allow applicants to view the details of all scholarships available and continue to update their application until the March 31 deadline.

    A complete list of scholarships offered by UAF and affiliated organizations is featured on the websites with links to information outlining each organization’s scholarship details, eligibility requirements and awards. To be considered for as many scholarships as possible, UAF urges applicants to read the individual pages thoroughly to ensure they include the proper information required by each organization with their application.

    “We encourage all those who are interested in applying to visit the website soon to complete and submit their applications in advance of the March 31 deadline,” said Mike Buzzard, AAP, trustee and chairman, UAF scholarship committee. “The UAF scholarship program will have another record year in 2026. We will be awarding more scholarship funds than ever so the recipients can get the education and training they need to begin a successful automotive or heavy-duty career.”

    To receive information, reminders and updates about the UAF scholarship program, interested parties can text their name and email address to 720-903-2206. To learn more about the University of the Aftermarket Foundation, visit UofA-Foundation.org.

    Since 1986, the University of the Aftermarket Foundation has funded millions of dollars of scholarships, grants, research and ongoing educational programs to help develop a strong, knowledgeable aftermarket work force. The foundation encourages industry support, including donations for the purpose of honoring or memorializing individuals or otherwise recognizing special events, to help ensure the continued availability of training and education that strengthen the industry.

  • ASE certification registration opens

    ASE certification registration opens

    The winter registration period for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification testing is now open. Those who register by the March 31 deadline will have 90 days to schedule an appointment to take their selected ASE certification tests.

    To register, create or sign in to your myASE account at myASE.com. Once logged in, users can click on “orders” and then “store” where they can locate the tests they want to take. After adding those tests to the cart, they can check out and registration is complete.

    To register, ASE provides three convenient certification options:

    1. In-Person Testing: All tests can be taken in person at over 450 secure, proctored Prometric test centers, available year-round on weekdays, evenings and weekends.
    2. ProProctor Remote Testing: This online option allows individuals to take ASE recertification tests remotely. In addition, the auto maintenance and light repair (G1) initial certification test can be taken remotely through ProProctor.
    3. ASE Renewal App: For those who have been certified in the automobile certifications (A1-A9) series, the renewal app offers a streamlined way to manage recertification on a mobile device. If automotive service professionals have expired A-series tests, they can still use the app, but it will take at least eight months to get certified that way.

    To help with test preparation, ASE provides free study guides that include test overviews, sample questions and study tips, and are ideal for assessing readiness and focusing preparation efforts.

    For assistance, registrants should contact ASE customer service at 800-390-6789.