Author: Professional Technician Staff

The federal government is investigating the national security implications of importing medium and heavy-duty trucks and truck parts.

The Department of Commerce recently posted a notice in the Federals Register about plans to investigate “the effects on the national security of imports of medium-duty trucks, heavy-duty trucks, and medium- and heavy-duty truck parts, and their derivative products.”

Industry stakeholders and others are invited to comment online on the following topics:

1. The current and projected demand for trucks and truck parts in the United States
2. The extent to which domestic production of trucks and truck parts can meet domestic demand
3. The role of foreign supply chains, particularly of major exporters, in meeting United States demand for trucks and truck parts
4. The concentration of United States imports of trucks and truck parts from a small number of suppliers and the associated risks
5. The impact of foreign government subsidies and predatory trade practices on the competitiveness of the medium- and heavy-duty truck industry in the United States
6. The economic impact of artificially suppressed prices of trucks and truck parts due to foreign unfair trade practices and state-sponsored overproduction
7. The potential for export restrictions by foreign nations, including the ability of foreign nations to weaponize their control over supplies of trucks and truck parts
8. The feasibility of increasing domestic capacity for trucks and truck parts to reduce import reliance
9. The impact of current trade policies on domestic production of trucks and truck parts, and whether additional measures, including tariffs or quotas, are necessary to protect national security
10. Any other relevant factors

The Commerce Department said for the purpose of the investigation, “medium-duty trucks” means trucks with a gross vehicle weight of more than 10,000 and under 26,001 pounds. The term “heavy-duty trucks” means trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more, according to the department.

The term “medium- and heavy-duty truck parts” refers to the individual components and systems of medium- and heavy-duty trucks, including engines and engine parts, transmissions and powertrain parts, and electrical components.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has designated June as Automotive Service Professionals Month.

ASE is encouraging industry members to use Automotive Service Professionals Month as an opportunity to show appreciation for service professionals and host recognition events, special programs and other celebrations.

In recognition of the recognition month, ASE has developed a commemorative logo for use by companies, organizations and individuals to show appreciation for vehicle service professionals. This logo and other ASE digital materials are available for download at www.ASEtoolkit.com.

It appears that American car and truck owners are trying to save money by doing some of their own repairs and maintenance. 

The market research firm Circana LLC says the U.S. consumer is looking ways to stretch their spending, which presents a range of opportunities for the retail automotive aftermarket. Vehicles on the road in the U.S. are aging as consumers continue to avoid the rising price tag associated with a new, or newer used, car.

Circana says recent data reveals that aftermarket consumers are taking on both do-it-yourself (DIY) and trade-down behaviors when it comes to their automobile maintenance and repairs.

“There are 20 million more vehicles in the aftermarket ‘sweet spot’ — those beyond their original warranty — than there were in 2020,” says  Nathan Shipley, automotive industry analyst for Circana. “Older cars mean more maintenance activity, but the cost of that maintenance can add up fast, leading consumers to find ways to save, including taking on some of it themselves.”

Higher-income households, earning $100K or more annually, have driven the largest growth in the DIY retail aftermarket in recent years. Initially, this trend stemmed from increased free time during the pandemic, as consumers undertook their own maintenance or worked on personal projects like cars, boats, and ATVs. 

More recently, the growth reflects a shift from do-it-for-me (DIFM) to DIY. According to a February 2025 Circana consumer survey, 29% of consumers reported switching from having a professional change their automobile’s oil to doing it themselves to save money. Retail sales are reflecting this behavior, with motor oil and filters growing in unit sales demand for the past two years.

Trade-down behaviors are increasingly evident across retail, and as prices rise, those behaviors are hitting the retail aftermarket. Tires, cleaning products, and wiper blades were most cited by consumers as product categories with higher prices that caused them to trade down to a different brand to save money. According to Circana’s tire sales data, the lowest-priced tier 4 tires surpassed the unit share of tier 1 brands in 2024, marking a significant behavioral shift. The average price of a tire in 2024 was nearly 50% higher than in 2019, and a tier 1 tire now has a price averaging $113 above that of a tier 4 tire.

“Looking ahead, the factors influencing the current auto aftermarket shifts will not stop or turn around quickly, even if in-office work accelerates or new car demand picks back up,” Shipley says. “Marketers in the aftermarket need to find ways to deliver and convey real value to the consumer, or risk losing out on this period of significant opportunity.”

Murphy-Hoffman Company (MHC) recently received six prestigious Kenworth North America dealer awards for its commitment to exceptional customer service and operational excellence.

MHC was named the 2024 Kenworth Parts and Service Dealer of the Year, recognizing service excellence by achieving 100% PremierCare Gold status at all 76 full-service locations. This acknowledges MHC’s commitment to its customers by offering premium services that maximize productivity, including ExpressLane, extended store hours, comprehensive parts inventories, highly skilled service technicians and roadside assistance.

This award is also complemented by MHC’s significant growth in PACCAR Parts purchases and retail sales, ensuring a 97% rate of parts availability at MHC dealerships.

“MHC is committed to investing in our people, facilities, capabilities and inventory to ensure our customers keep their trucks on the road and minimize disruptions to their operations,” said Chris Scheel, vice president of aftermarket parts. “Kenworth’s dealer network is the best in the industry and it’s an honor to receive this recognition, especially as we mark our 50^th anniversary this year.”

Additionally, MHC’s Kansas City region earned the Kenworth Medium Duty Dealer of the Year Award for its strong medium duty market share, diverse customer base and PremierCare Gold certification at all five locations. This marks the third consecutive win and seventh overall award for the region, covering locations in Columbia, Kansas City and St. Joseph, Missouri, and Olathe and Topeka, Kansas.

“We are honored to receive this award for the third consecutive year. It is a testament to the dedication of our truck sales professionals and MHC’s best-in-class parts, service and body shop teams,” says Corey Murphy, senior vice president and general manager. “MHC’s passion for the Kenworth product line and commitment to providing world-class support to our customers continues to be the foundation of our mutual success.”

MHC Kansas City and Oklahoma were also honored with Kenworth Gold Awards which recognize a select number of Kenworth dealers each year that achieve the highest level of performance in the dealer network. MHC Colorado and Georgia also received Kenworth Silver Awards for excellence in service, sales, operations and facilities.

Murphy-Hoffman Company is a full-service dealership network with 50 years of industry expertise. Starting with just one facility in Springfield, Missouri, MHC Kenworth has grown to more than 130 locations across 19 states, including 82 heavy and medium duty truck dealerships, 34 MHC Truck Leasing locations, 12 Carrier Transicold locations, five TRP locations, MHC RoadReady Center and RoadForce Manufacturing LLC, as well as a wholly-owned finance company, MHC Financial Services.

One of the important events on the trucking industry’s calendar is the mass inspection event aimed at commercial vehicles on the highways of the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

During the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s International Roadcheck scheduled for May 13-15, law enforcement inspectors will be on the lookout for violations pertaining to drivers and vehicles.

Last year, 48,761 inspections were conducted. A total of 9,345 vehicles and 2,290 drivers were placed out of service.

Each year, Roadcheck designates two areas of special emphasis; one for driver violations and the other for vehicle violations. During this year’s Roadcheck, drivers’ hours of service records will be closely examined. The focus for equipment will be on proper tire maintenance, as examiners conduct 37-step Level 1 inspections. 

 CVSA says, “The importance of proper tire maintenance cannot be overstated. Tire failure while in transit is a hazard to all motorists. It is also far more expensive and time consuming for motor carriers to repair an in-transit tire failure versus proactively maintaining tire health and addressing tire issues before the vehicle is on the road.”

During International Roadcheck, inspectors will check tires’ tread depth and proper inflation. They will also be on the lookout for tire damage, such as air leaks, tread separation, cuts, bulges, sidewall damage and improper repairs.

During the vehicle portion of the Level I Inspection, inspectors ensure a tractor-trailer’s various mechanical systems  are compliant with applicable regulations including:

• brake systems
• cargo securement
• coupling devices
• driveline/driveshaft components
• driver’s seat 
• fuel and exhaust systems
• Frames
• lighting devices
•  steering mechanisms
• suspensions
• tires
• wheels
• rims
• hubs
• windshield wipers

Inspections of motorcoaches, passenger vans and other passenger-carrying vehicles also include the examination of emergency exits, seating, and electrical cables and systems in the engine and battery compartments.

A vehicle that successfully passes a Level I or V Inspection without any critical vehicle inspection item violations may receive a CVSA decal, which is valid for up to three months.

If out-of-service violations are found during an inspection, the vehicle will be restricted from operating until all out-of-service violations have been properly addressed.

Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. recently announced it is acquiring auto repair giant Midas.

Terms of the deal, which is expected to close during this the second quarter of the year, were not disclosed. 

Midas provides automotive repair and maintenance services at about 2,000 franchised and licensed stores in some 20 countries, including nearly 1,200 franchised locations across the U.S. and Canada.

 The purchase will increase the number of Mavis stores to 3,500 in the U.S. and Canada, including nearly 1,300 franchised locations. 

Midas will continue to operate as a standalone brand and maintain its headquarters in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 

 “We are thrilled to acquire Midas, as it adds another highly regarded brand to our portfolio and represents a compelling opportunity to expand into attractive new markets,” said David Sorbaro, co-chief executive officer, Mavis Tire Express Services Corp. “Mavis has a strong track record of helping brands grow and working collaboratively with franchisees, and we are confident that Midas’s customers will continue to receive the same high-quality experience and service that they have come to expect.

A bill was recently introduced in the U.S. Senate aimed at giving vehicle owners expanded options for repairs.

U.S. Senators Ben Ray Luján (D-New Mexico) and Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act. The bill, according to a statement from Lujan, ensures vehicle owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket manufacturers have secure access to vehicle repair and maintenance data which is critical to the independent aftermarket industry’s ability to provide safe, dependable, and affordable repairs for consumers.

The REPAIR Act guarantees the rights of vehicle owners and their repair facilities to maintain and repair their vehicles while maintaining the same cybersecurity standards, intellectual property protections, and vehicle safety standards that the manufacturers use with their dealerships.

“Vehicle owners deserve to have options when it comes to safe, dependable, and affordable auto repairs,” said Luján. “Giving vehicle owners, independent repair shops, and aftermarket manufacturers access to vehicle repair and maintenance data is critical to improving repair options.”

Hawley said, “Big corporations have a history of gatekeeping basic information that belongs to car owners, effectively forcing consumers to pay a fixed price whenever their car is in the shop. The bipartisan REPAIR Act would end corporations’ control over diagnostics and service information and give consumers the right to repair their own equipment at a price most feasible for them.”

Lujan’s statement said the REPAIR Act protects consumers by:

• Preventing motor vehicle manufacturers from deploying barriers that limit the ability of a motor vehicle owner (or their designee) from accessing their vehicle-generated data
• Preventing barriers to an aftermarket parts manufacturer, a motor vehicle equipment manufacturer, a remanufacturer, a diagnostic tool manufacturer, or a motor vehicle repair facility (including their distributors and service providers), to access critical repair information, tools, and parts
• Requiring motor vehicle manufacturers to make “Vehicle-Generated Data” available to consumers (or their designees)
• Requiring motor vehicle manufacturers make “Critical Repair Information, Tools, and Parts” available to motor vehicle owners (and their designees), aftermarket parts manufacturers, remanufacturers, diagnostic tool manufacturers, and motor vehicle repair facilities (including their distributors and service providers)
• Ensuring that Over-the-Air  updates do not render aftermarket parts inoperable
• Prohibiting the mandate of a motor vehicle manufacturer the use of any particular brand or manufacturer of tools, parts, or other motor vehicle equipment
• Ensuring federal enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission.