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  • Toyota recalls Land Cruiser hybrids over fuel issue

    Toyota recalls Land Cruiser hybrids over fuel issue

    Toyota just announced a sweeping recall of more than 100,000 vehicles.

    Toyota is recalling 105,794 model year 2024–2027 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid vehicles. The fuel tube connection near the fuel tank may disconnect and leak fuel. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

    Dealers will inspect the connection and install a supplemental clamp. If necessary, they will replace the resin fuel tube and install a supplemental clamp. Repairs will be performed free of charge.

    Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Nov. 29.

    Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331 and reference recall numbers 26TB23 and 26TA23.

  • Mississippi community college opens new transportation technology facility

    Mississippi community college opens new transportation technology facility

    Meridian Community College Oct. 21, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for its new Transportation Technology Training Center (TTC).

    The center provides hands-on training in automotive and diesel technology, preparing students for careers in high-demand fields while helping meet the workforce needs of East Mississippi employers, according to a statement from thew college.

    “While we’re certainly excited about this facility, the beautiful classrooms, the state-of-the-art equipment, what we’re really celebrating today is opportunity,” said MCC President Dr. Tom Huebner. “Opportunity for our students, for our local businesses and industries and opportunity for our region.”

    Located in a renovated former automotive repair facility, the center features classrooms and equipment designed to give students practical experience with the systems and technologies used in today’s transportation industry.

    MCC’s Automotive Technology program prepares students for careers as automotive technicians and mechanics through hands-on instruction in diagnosing, servicing and repairing modern vehicles, including complex computer-controlled electrical systems. Students can earn an Associate of Applied Science degree while developing the technical and problem-solving skills needed in the automotive service industry.

    The college’s Diesel Mechanic Technology program offers a two-semester certificate that prepares students to maintain and repair commercial trucks, agricultural tractors, construction equipment and other diesel-powered machinery. Training covers engines, powertrains, hydraulic systems and other essential components, with instruction aligned with national certification standards.

    The center also supports MCC’s broader vision for transportation technology education, including future opportunities in aviation maintenance.

    “What we have in this program will make a huge difference for our region,” said Josh Waters, vice president of WATERS International Trucks, Truck and Tractor, spoke at the ceremony.

    The project was funded through a combination of state and federal investments, including a $2 million special state appropriation for construction, approximately $615,000 in federal funding for equipment and a $475,000 grant from the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission’s State Economic and Infrastructure Development program. MCC was the only educational institution in Mississippi selected for funding during that grant round.

    Through partnerships with nine employers, the center is expected to help address workforce shortages, support job creation and strengthen the region’s transportation industry.

    “We’re preparing students to become the very professionals that industry needs,” Dr. Huebner said.

    For more information, visit meridiancc.edu.

  • Volvo launches Silver Service Contarct comprehensive service plan

    Volvo launches Silver Service Contarct comprehensive service plan

    During the recent American Trucking Associations 2026 Management Conference & Exhibition in Charlotte, North Carolina, Volvo Trucks North America launched a new comprehensive service plan called the Silver Service Contract, covering preventive maintenance as well as repairs to major driveline components.

    The Silver Service Contract is available to eligible Volvo Trucks customers across the United States and Canada through Volvo’s network of nearly 400 authorized dealers and builds on the connected Blue Service Contract, launched in 2024.

    “Maintenance and powertrain repairs are the two largest and least predictable costs a fleet carries, and with the Silver Service Contract they sit inside a single monthly payment,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president, Volvo Trucks North America. “That is real peace of mind. Customers gain greater cost predictability for powertrain repairs and maintenance, backed by Volvo’s service network and support, helping them maximize uptime, reduce unexpected disruptions and stay focused on running their business.”

    Customers financing a truck through Volvo Financial Services can bundle the Silver Service Contract with their truck payment, allowing the cost of the service contract to be spread over the financing period interest-free.

    Volvo said the Silver Service Contract adds powertrain repair coverage, the engine, engine aftertreatment system, transmission, clutch (wearable clutch lining kit included) and other select driveline components. It also includes all the benefits of the Volvo Blue Service Contract, which uses connected vehicle data and artificial intelligence to adapt each truck’s maintenance schedule based on its powertrain operating conditions. For example, a truck operating under more demanding conditions may be scheduled for service earlier, while another truck may be able to safely extend the interval between oil changes.

    Each Silver Service Contract customer works with a Volvo fleet manager at their certified dealer. The fleet manager serves as the fleet’s central point of contact for maintenance planning and coordinates service based on information received directly from connected trucks

    The fleet manager also manages service campaigns, recalls and over-the-air software updates. If a truck experiences a breakdown away from its home dealer, the fleet manager can coordinate with the servicing dealer, supported by Volvo Action Service, Volvo Trucks’ 24/7 roadside assistance and service coordination network.

    “The Volvo Fleet Manager becomes part of the customer’s team,” Voorhoeve said. “They know the fleet, they know what preventive service is due, and they handle it.”

    Here’s what the Silver Service Contract covers:

    Preventive maintenance
    Routine service, including engine oil and filter change, fuel filter change, chassis lubrication, oil sample analysis and a multi-point inspection. Scheduled operations also cover long-life coolant and coolant filter, valve adjustment, fan and accessory drive belts and tensioners, air filter and fuel tank ventilation filter, diesel particulate filter cleaning, DEF tank flush and pump and tank neck filters, transmission oil and filter, rear axle oil, power steering fluid and filter, air dryer coalescing cartridge, chassis lubrication between intervals, and DEF dosage valve cleaning. Operations vary by contract mileage.

    Powertrain repair coverage
    Engine, EATS, transmission, clutch and chassis driveline components. The clutch lining kit is included as a wearable item.

    Optional additions
    Cabin air filter, complete vehicle alignment check, annual DOT inspection, quarterly BIT inspection, CVIP Inspection (Canada), truck wash, on-site maintenance, and pickup and delivery. Availability of optional dealer services varies by location.

    Connected services
    Service schedules are set using connected vehicle data from the truck and adjusted to actual powertrain operating conditions. Over-the-air software updates, campaigns and recalls are managed proactively by the customer’s Volvo Fleet Manager.

  • Trump pardons 2 diesel techs for installing ‘delete devices’

    Trump pardons 2 diesel techs for installing ‘delete devices’

    Two diesel mechanics received pardons from President Trump recently during a campaign rally for installing “delete devices” in violation of the Clean Air Act.

    Mechanics Zachary Czubak and Patrick Fleming, who both had been previously charged and pleaded guilty, were invited on stage with the President in Wasilla, Alaska. The two men and Michael Wayne Hanzuk tampered with and removed emission controls from at least 37 vehicles between July 2019 and September 2020, Federal prosecutors stated.

    “This means the world to me,” Fleming said on stage according to a report from The Hill. “We’re not criminals. We’re not trying to hurt anybody. We want to help Alaskans. We want to help people with diesel trucks, with vehicles across the world.”

    Court records state that Czubak, Fleming and a third man, Michael Hanzuk, owned an auto shop that specialized in diesel vehicles, Arm Rippin Toys. Prosecutors said they offered to remove the emission control systems in customers’ vehicles for a fee of $1,140 to $5,445.

    Trump had earlier this year pardoned several other technicians who had been convicted of similar offenses.

  • VIP’s moves its New Hampshire store; new location has 13 service bays

    VIP’s moves its New Hampshire store; new location has 13 service bays

     VIP Tires & Service — a northern New England provider of tires and service — recently announced the relocation and expansion of its Littleton, New Hampshire store to a larger, more modern shop.

    VIP’s new Littleton, NH location opened on Oct. 15 at 940 Meadow St, moving from its previous site at 862 Meadow St which it had been in since 2000. VIP had previously shared space with O’Reilly Auto Parts, which will now occupy the former VIP space.

    The new stand-alone facility is a 13,750-square-foot building featuring a spacious customer lounge and service area, restrooms, employee break room, 13 repair bays, and a large tire storage warehouse. The Littleton store is managed by Chris Pulse and also employs a team of 11.

    “This new location will allow us to better serve our customers in Littleton with more space, an improved layout, and state-of-the-art equipment,” said Tim Winkeler, president and CEO of VIP. “Our investment in these communities reflects our dedication to the customers we serve, and we look forward to providing top-quality service in modern, well-appointed, customer-friendly facilities”

  • Oct. 31 is deadline for Sonic Impact Scholarships

    Oct. 31 is deadline for Sonic Impact Scholarships

    The deadline for a scholarhsip program for technician students is at hand.

    Sonic Tools USA,has announced that applications are open through Saturday, Oct. 31, for the Fall 2026 Sonic Impact Scholarship Program.

    The program is designed to equip the next generation of automotive, aviation, and manufacturing technicians with professional hand tools, empowering students to focus on their education and pursue careers in their chosen industry instead of the debt often accrued from investing in professional toolsets.

    Sonic Tools USA is awarding a total of 10 scholarships: five recipients were selected in June, and five additional recipients will be chosen in November.

    Each scholarship winner receives a comprehensive set of professional hand tools and a dedicated toolbox curated for their trade that’s vetted by technical instructors, industry leaders, and Sonic Tools USA senior leadership. The trade-specific toolset options have listed retail values of up to $9,050 and come in Sonic Foam System (SFS) modules.

    Designed to support technicians who live by the values of passion, accountability, collaboration, and experience, Sonic Tools USA is seeking applicants who share these traits:

    • Passion: An unparalleled enthusiasm for one’s career and education.

    • Accountability: Being dependable, caring about, and taking responsibility for one’s work.

    • Collaboration: Working with others to achieve the best version of work.

    • Experience: Providing an ‘unbeatable experience’ for customers, peers, and co-workers.

    Students committed to their trade can apply by submitting the following application materials on the Sonic Tools USA website by October 31:

    • Proof of enrollment in an automotive, aviation, or manufacturing trade school (class schedule or student ID).

    • Letter of recommendation from the student’s instructor (including contact information).

    • 500-word essay on how the student exemplifies the values of P.A.C.E. while explaining “how I will make an Impact.”

    • 60–90 second video on “how Sonic will make an impact on my career.”

    Sonic Tools USA will review and analyze all entries, and may choose to contact applicants for additional information. The organization reserves the right to contact their instructors. Sonic Tools USA will reach out directly to the five scholarship winners in November.

    For more information, visit https://sonictoolsusa.com/scholarship/.

  • Left Lane Auto adds Wisconsin shop

    Left Lane Auto adds Wisconsin shop

    Left Lane Auto recently acquired J & L Tire & Service Center.

    Since 1990, J & L has served the Watertown and Johnson Creek, Wisconsin communities, providing tires, auto repair, heavy-duty services, alignments, oil change services and more. For more than three decades, their team has built strong relationships with customers and a reputation for being a shop their community can count on, according to a statement from Left Lane Auto.

    “We’re proud to welcome J & L to Left Lane Auto and look forward to carrying on and honoring the reputation Lyle Wuestenberg and his team built over the years, while continuing to serve the communities they know so well,” said Left Lanr Auto in a newsrelease.

    With the addition of J & L Tire & Service Center, Left Lane Auto now operates 105 locations.

  • Oct. 22 webinar focuses on ASE Connects student profiles

    Oct. 22 webinar focuses on ASE Connects student profiles

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) is hosts a free webinar on Thursday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. ET offering a look at ASE
    Connects Student Profiles and everything else ASE Connects has to offer. 

    Student profiles are now live on ASE Connects, giving shops and dealerships a new way to browse students actively looking for shop tours, job shadows, internships, part-time work and full-time jobs. This is a new feature, so profiles will trickle in as more students sign up.

    The webinar will also focus on the latest opportunities with ASE Connects, including new requests from automotive, diesel and technical education programs across the country. The webinar will explain how to find schools in the participants’ area, see what instructors need and identify simple ways a shop or dealership can get involved.

    For those already an ASE Connects member, the webinar will highlight what is new and where an impact can be made. For those not a member, they can sign up for a free trial through Dec. 31, and start connecting with schools and students right away, according to ASE.

    Click here for more information or to register.

  • Survey: Most Americans cannot afford an unexpected $500 car repair; some doing own work

    Survey: Most Americans cannot afford an unexpected $500 car repair; some doing own work

    Two-thirds of U.S. drivers (66%) would not be able to afford an unexpected $500 car repair, according to the first-ever Midas Consumer Pulse Survey. 

    Midas conducted the survey to better understand the economic pressures U.S. drivers are facing to better provide them with the best in auto care and customer service.

    As everyday costs continue to squeeze household budgets, the findings show many drivers are putting off the maintenance their vehicles need and looking for repair providers they can trust. Yet skipping routine maintenance today can mean bigger, costlier repairs down the road.

    Key findings from the Midas Consumer Pulse Survey include:

    • 66% of drivers would not be able to afford an unexpected $500 repair:
      • 21% say they honestly don’t know how they’d handle it
      • 20% would put it on a credit card and pay it off over time
      • 14% would delay the repair as long as possible
      • 11% would borrow from family or friends
    • 51% of drivers report moderate to extreme financial pressure from owning and maintaining a vehicle, and 28% call it “extreme pressure, a real hardship.”
    • Middle-income drivers are feeling it too: Only about 1 in 5 drivers earning $50K–$75K could cover a surprise $500 repair without financial stress, no better than drivers overall (19%). And 31% of those earning $75K–$99K would put it on a credit card.
    • Millennial drivers (ages 35–44) are the most stretched: 71% would struggle to pay an unexpected $500 repair, and they’re the most likely age group to say a payment plan matters when choosing a shop (26%).
    • Women feel it more: 26% say a $500 bill would be a serious problem vs. 14% of men.

    Drivers are delaying maintenance and taking repairs into their own hands:

    • 53% have delayed or skipped recommended maintenance in the past year, and half of those say it’s because they can’t afford it.
    • 39% say rising costs have led them to skip or delay services they know they need.
    • The services most often postponed when money is tight are oil changes (33%), tires (32%), and A/C repair (31%).
    • 37% have attempted DIY repairs they’d normally take to a shop, rising to 46% among 25–34-year-olds.
    • When a warning light comes on, the most common first response (33%) is to research a self-fix on Google, YouTube, or AI, ahead of scheduling service right away (23%).

    Trust remains key for vehicle repairs:

    • Trust and reputation (51%) is the top factor in choosing a shop, ahead of lowest price (47%) and transparency before work begins (45%).
    • 43% trust a family- or friend-recommended mechanic most, ahead of dealerships (26%) and national chains (20%).
    • What would get drivers to prioritize maintenance even when money is tight: a clear upfront estimate (42%), a trusted relationship with a mechanic (40%), and flexible payment options (37%).
    • In their own words, drivers describe trust as a mix of expertise (“can they fix it?”) and fair treatment (“will they treat me fairly?”).
  • Student competition returns to AAPEX; 9 teams expected

    Student competition returns to AAPEX; 9 teams expected

    The Automotive Aftermarket Product Expo (AAPEX) student competition is returning to the show this year with double the number of schools involved – and triple the number of teams. Nine teams from seven high schools and technical colleges are sending students to compete in the 2nd Annual AAPEX Student Competition.

    “After attending last year’s event and sharing my experiences with the class, my students were instantly hooked,” said Bob Parmley, an automotive instructor at Arapahoe Community College in Colorado. “While classroom instruction and lab work build a vital foundation, nothing compares to stepping into the heart of the global automotive industry.”

    Teams will race each other in a timed event to fully disassemble and reassemble a small block V8 engine in front of a live audience. The competition will unfold over two preliminary rounds with four teams competing at a time in one group and five teams in the other. Next, the four teams with the fastest times will compete in the final round for prizes and bragging rights.

    Organizers initiated the first-ever student competition last year at AAPEX 2025. Three teams competed, including two from community colleges and one from a Kansas-based high school, which took first place. The winners took home $2,000 in prizes last year, including $1,000 in gift cards and $1,000 in professional-grade starter tool sets. This year, the prize value for first place is valued at more than $5,000.

    The competition was part of a multi-year plan to improve the show and to call attention to the shortage of auto techs. The U.S. produced less than half of the 241,842 auto technicians it needed last year, according to the TechForce Foundation. The organization projects the country will be short 1.2 million auto techs over the next five years.

    “This is a national stage for these students as AAPEX is a ‘homecoming’ of sorts for the $599.7 billion U.S. automotive aftermarket,” said Bernard Tansey, the owner of Euro Clinic, an independent repair shop based in Santa Clara, Calif. “It takes initiative for students to sign up for this and work ethic to perform, which are characteristics many employers find desirable.”

    Tansey has been the driving force organizing the competition and also serves as a judge and emcee. He’s also been outspoken about the skilled labor shortage and penned an op-ed for the San Francisco Business Times. The piece, a version of which was later republished on the AAPEX blog, outlined pragmatic steps shop owners can take to address the issue.

    Jack Stow, an A.S.E. certified master automobile technician and automotive instructor with North Kansas City Schools, coached the winning team at last year’s event. He’s bringing an all-female team to the competition this year.

    The event was a highlight of the show last year. It attracted a sizable crowd of show-goers that was hundreds deep. Accordingly, AAPEX has made the event a little more fan-friendly by adding stadium-style seating and large-screen TVs for onlookers this year.

    The student competition is being held near Joe’s Garage, a staple feature of the AAPEX show. It will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 4. Preliminary rounds will start at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. The four fastest teams will advance to the final round that determines the winner, which will begin at 4 p.m. There is no cost to attend the student competition.

    The event is made possible by sponsoring businesses and volunteer members of the Auto Care Association Tool & Equipment Community, who coordinated the tools, prizes and gift bags.

    The engines are being supplied by Duralast Parts, a private label brand owned and operated by AutoZone, Inc. The engine stands are supplied by Dorman Products, a provider of aftermarket automotive parts and OE solutions.

    Prizes for the winning teams are sponsored by Milwaukee Tool and Carlyle Tools.

    Additionally, businesses sponsoring tools for the competition include: Snap-on Incorporated, Carlyle Tools, SP Tools USA, Lisle Corporation and SureWerx.

    Registration for AAPEX 2026 is open for automotive aftermarket professionals; register here. Passes to the show are $100. Students and members of the media are eligible for a complimentary pass to AAPEX.