Follow Us
Subscribe
TRENDING

Tag: Newsletter 2nd Article

  • Automotive Service Association’s NACE/CARS conference Sept. 29 in San Antonio

    Automotive Service Association’s NACE/CARS conference Sept. 29 in San Antonio

    What are the most perplexing challenges facing collision and mechanical repair shop owners today – and, more importantly, how can they solve them?

    The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is bringing together shop owners, industry experts, OEM representatives and leading industry partners at the newly reimagined NACE/CARS on Sept. 29 at the Hilton Palacio del Rio in San Antonio to address those and other questions.

    NACE/CARS will feature eight interactive roundtable and small-group sessions designed to encourage candid conversations, problem-solving and practical takeaways that shop owners can put to work in their businesses, according to a statement by organizers.

    “Shop owners are navigating unprecedented change on both the collision and mechanical sides of the industry,” said Dan Stander, chairman of ASA. “NACE/CARS is about bringing the right people together to talk openly about those challenges and, most importantly, identify solutions. We want attendees to leave with information, ideas and relationships that can help them run safer, stronger and more profitable businesses.”

    The program addresses many of the issues reshaping automotive service and collision repair, including advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), increasingly complex OEM repair procedures, changing insurance and claims processes, artificial intelligence, government regulation and mounting profitability pressures.

    The day will open with a panel discussion, “State of the Auto Collision and Repair Industry,” featuring nationally recognized collision industry authority Kristen Felder; Robert Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative; and shop owners discussing insurance negotiations, artificial intelligence and other major issues affecting repair businesses.

    Following lunch, John Wilson of CBL Training and Consulting will present “AI Under the Hood: Understanding and Using AI as a Business Force Multiplier.” Wilson will examine how repair businesses can understand and effectively use AI, followed by an afternoon breakout session providing a deeper dive into the topic.

    Additional interactive sessions will include experts representing OEMs and industry organizations and companies, including Honda, Subaru, Hunter Engineering, BASF, 3M, NCS and CCC.

    Among the featured speakers is Loren Stowe of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, who will lead a Hunter Engineering-hosted discussion examining the regulatory process surrounding ADAS and automated driving systems, upcoming legislation and what those developments could mean for repairers.

    Jason Scharton will serve as 3M’s special guest speaker, drawing on his collision industry relationships and experience to facilitate conversations surrounding industry standards and practices.

    Nicholas Walker, wholesale marketing manager for American Honda, will also participate. Walker brings more than 17 years of automotive industry experience spanning parts, service, technical operations, wholesale marketing, collision repair network development and body shop certification programs.

    The format reflects ASA’s goal for the new NACE/CARS: not simply telling repairers what is changing, but giving them an opportunity to sit down with experts and fellow shop owners and work through what those changes mean for their businesses.

    Attendees will choose four of the eight interactive sessions. Registration also includes the opening session and keynote, a light breakfast, lunch and an evening reception.

    NACE/CARS will be held from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event will be co-located with the CONNEX conference hosted by the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA).

    For complete session information and registration, visit ASAshop.org. Registration is $395 for ASA members and $495 for nonmembers.

  • Plaza Tire opens in Bowling green, Kentucky; 600th store in Sun’s network

    Plaza Tire opens in Bowling green, Kentucky; 600th store in Sun’s network

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the opening of a new Plaza Tire Service location in Bowling Green, Kentucky, marking a milestone as the 600th store in the Sun Auto Network.

    Since 2017, the company has expanded from aboiut 30 locations to one of the nation’s largest independent tire and automotive service retailers.

    “This milestone represents far more than a store count,” said Tony Puckett, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Auto Tire & Service. “Reaching 600 locations is a testament to the thousands of teammates who deliver exceptional service every day and the customers and communities who trust us with their vehicles. As we continue to grow, our focus remains unchanged: providing clear communication, trusted guidance and expert care through the local brands our customers know and rely on.”

    The new location expands access to Plaza Tire Service’s trusted tire and automotive care offerings, including a broad selection of leading tire brands, expert installation, wheel alignments, tire rotations, balancing, flat repairs and comprehensive automotive maintenance and repair services.

    The opening coincides with Sun Auto’s recent achievement of Better Business Bureau accreditation across all its network of locations, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency, integrity and customer service, according to a statement from the company.

    Consistent with its commitment to supporting the communities it serves, Plaza Tire Service is investing in local education and youth development efforts in Bowling Green. Through a partnership with the Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC) Foundation, the company recently awarded two scholarships to local students pursuing educational and career opportunities in the region.

    The Sun Auto Network is also launching Drive With Purpose Fundraising Campaign, its inaugural community fundraising campaign, in partnership with the Bowling Green High School Cheer Program. Throughout the month-long initiative, a portion of proceeds from every oil change service performed at the Bowling Green store will be donated to the program. By participating, customers can make every mile matter while helping support fundraising efforts that benefit student-athletes and strengthen opportunities for the cheer program throughout the school year.

    BBB Accreditation is earned and signifies a business’s commitment to BBB’s Standards for Trust, a comprehensive set of principles and best practices focused on integrity, transparency, honoring promises, and responsiveness in the marketplace. Trust is built through consistent actions, and Accreditation provides consumers with an additional resource when evaluating businesses and making informed marketplace decisions.

  • He took an unconvetnional path to becoming a diesel technician

    He took an unconvetnional path to becoming a diesel technician

    When Kyle Adair graduated from high school, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. Growing up with a father who worked as a mechanic, he had always enjoyed turning wrenches and working with equipment. What he didn’t know was how to turn that passion into a career.

    “I’ve known what I wanted to do. I just didn’t know how to get there,” Adair said.

    That path led him to Central Tech’s Diesel Technology program, but not in the way many people might expect. While many students attend Central Tech during their junior and senior years of high school, Adair took a different route. He enrolled as an adult learner after graduation, proving it’s never too late to take the next step toward a career.

    Through the CHOICES Tuition Waiver, Adair was able to attend tuition-free and begin building a future in the diesel industry. The waiver gave him the opportunity to take that next step without the financial burden that can often stand in the way of additional training.

    To balance school with work, Adair started the program as a half-day student. The flexible schedule allowed him to continue earning a paycheck while building new skills and industry knowledge. After completing his first year, he decided to fully commit to his education and transitioned to full-time training. The additional time in the shop each day allowed him to build confidence, sharpen his skills, and take a more active role in projects.

    “You’re able to complete a task more efficiently because you might work with two different groups, but you know what the morning group did versus the afternoon,” Adair said. “You can kind of help guide everybody else along. It allows you more time to dig into stuff.” That extra time also helped him discover something unexpected about himself.

    Under the guidance of Diesel Technology Instructor Liam Shaklee, students work on a wide variety of equipment. For Adair, that exposure opened doors he didn’t know existed. “Mr. Shaklee’s done a very good job of having you work on anything from light-duty pickups to tractors to semis,” Adair said. “You get to know what you like to work on and what you don’t like to work on. That’s kind of a fun thing about it.”

    That variety helped Adair discover a career path he never expected. “I didn’t know I liked working on tractors until I came here and started going through the coursework,” he said. Like many adult learners, Adair entered the program with an interest in the field but without a clear understanding of where his interests would fit within the industry. The exposure to multiple types of equipment helped him find his niche and ultimately shaped his career direction.

    Today, Adair works for P&K Equipment in Stillwater, where he puts those skills to work every day. His journey from adult learner to diesel technician shows how career training can help adults gain skills, earn certifications, and get to work faster.

    Since beginning his career at P&K, Adair has continued to make an impact beyond the workplace. His strong work ethic and performance helped strengthen the relationship between Central Tech and the company, creating additional opportunities for future students.

    According to Shaklee, Adair’s transition from student to industry professional has come full circle. “Kyle has been a huge resource for Central Tech,” Shaklee said. “He made a great impression at P&K and helped open the door for us to work more closely together.” In just two years, Adair has gone from student to serving on the program’s advisory committee, helping provide industry insight that supports the next generation of diesel technicians. “He’s a great young man with a bright future ahead of him,” Shaklee said. “I’m glad Central Tech was here to help him get the career he wanted started.”

    For Adair, the combination of hands-on training, industry-relevant experience, and certifications helped prepare him for the workforce. “It does make it easier to get hired if you have certificates,” Adair said.

    His advice is especially relevant for adults who may be considering a career change, pursuing additional training, or looking for a way to turn an interest into a profession. Sometimes the next step is simply finding the right path forward.

    This story originally appeared on the Central Tech website.

  • Webinar covers brake inspection & service procedures

    Webinar covers brake inspection & service procedures

    Technicians Service Training (TST) will hoold a free, one-hour webinar Aug. 29 covering inspection and service procedures for modern brake systems.

    Sponsored by Duralast, the webinar will be led by G. Jerry Truglia and Pierre Respaut. Topics will include inspecting and replacing pads, rotors, and hydraulic components; safely retracting brake pistons; performing a brake fluid flush; and using ALLDATA to locate technical service bulletins (TSBs).

    Truglia is the founder and president of TST and has worked as a technician, service manager, shop owner, technical writer, and training developer. Respaut is a Master ASE Certified Technician and L1 diagnostician with more than 55 years of automotive industry experience.

    The webinar is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 29, at 6 p.m. EST.

    Click here to register.

  • Truck Centers expands vocational offering with Battle Motors partnership

    Truck Centers expands vocational offering with Battle Motors partnership

     Truck Centers, Inc. , a heavy-duty truck dealer network based in Troy, Illinois, announced a new partnership with Battle Motors, Inc., a manufacturer of purpose-built Class 7 and 8 vocational trucks. Through the partnership, TCI will offer Battle Motors’ diesel, compressed natural gas (CNG) and electric vehicles at its locations in Indiana, Illinois and Missouri.

    The addition of Battle Motors expands TCI’s vocational vehicle portfolio and provides customers with access to a broader range of powertrain options for demanding commercial applications. Battle Motors customers will also benefit from TCI’s, established Midwestern service network, experienced technicians and comprehensive parts and maintenance support.

    “Truck Centers has the regional reach, technical expertise and customer-first service infrastructure that fleet operators depend on,” said Jason Coleman, CRO at Battle Motors. “This partnership strengthens our ability to support customers throughout the Midwest—not only when they purchase a Battle Motors truck, but throughout the vehicle’s entire operating life. We are proud to welcome TCI to the Battle Motors dealer network.”

    TCI’s portfolio includes Freightliner and Western Star vehicles, as well as trucks and equipment featuring Cummins engines and Allison transmissions. The addition of Battle Motors will allow TCI to serve a broader customer base across a range of vocational industries and applications

     “This partnership is an opportunity for Truck Centers to expand our vocational product offerings to a broader customer base across various industries and applications, while providing Battle Motors with a seamless customer experience across multiple markets in the heart of the Midwest,” said Katie Hopkins, president and CEO for Truck Centers, Inc. 

  • ASE opens summer registration for certification testing

    ASE opens summer registration for certification testing

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has begun its summer registration period for ASE certification testing. Those who register by the Sept. 30 deadline will find a new website, making registration more efficient.

    To register, create or sign in to the 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 their cart, they can check out and then registration is complete.

    After registration, service professionals will have 90 days to schedule an appointment to take their selected ASE certification tests. They can choose from three convenient test-taking 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. 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 earned automobile certifications (A1-A9), the renewal app offers a streamlined way to manage recertification on a mobile device. Those with expired A-series tests can still use the app, but it will take at least eight months to get certified through the app.

    To help with test preparation, ASE offers wide array of resources including ASE licensed test prep partner information. For more information on ASE test preparation, visit https://ase.com/test-prep-and-training/.

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

  • Isuzu creates apprenticeships for veterans to become truck technicians

    Isuzu creates apprenticeships for veterans to become truck technicians

     Isuzu Commercial Truck of America (ICTA) officially launched the Isuzu Veterans Apprenticeship Program (IVAP), a nationwide initiative designed to connect transitioning service members and military veterans with careers in the commercial transportation industry and to help Isuzu dealerships build the next generation of skilled technicians.

    Developed with ERS Elite, a leader in veteran workforce transition and talent development, IVAP creates a structured pathway from military service to civilian success through paid employment, hands-on experience, mentorship, and OEM-aligned technical training.

    IVAP is built around a simple mission: Build a disciplined pipeline of highly skilled veteran technicians for Isuzu commercial truck dealerships across the United States.

    Isuzu said veterans bring a unique combination of technical aptitude, leadership, discipline, and commitment to excellence. IVAP harnesses those strengths through a framework designed to deliver measurable results for Isuzu dealerships and meaningful career advancement for apprentices.

    For Isuzu dealers, the benefits extend far beyond recruitment. By developing technicians through a structured and repeatable process, dealerships gain access to a reliable pipeline of talent that can improve shop productivity, support service growth, reduce hiring risk, and strengthen long-term operational performance.

    For veterans, IVAP provides more than a job. It provides a career pathway within a vital industry, one that offers technical advancement, professional development, financial stability, and the opportunity to continue serving communities in a new capacity.

    Veterans interested in apprenticeship opportunities, as well as Isuzu dealerships seeking technician talent, should visit IsuzuVets.com for more information and to register in the program.

    At a time when the commercial vehicle industry faces an unprecedented shortage of qualified technicians coupled with evolving technology, IVAP represents more than a hiring initiative. It is a long-term workforce development strategy designed to strengthen dealership operations, increase service capacity, and create sustainable career opportunities for the men and women who have served our nation, according to ICTA.

    “America’s veterans have spent their careers serving a mission larger than themselves while developing technical expertise, discipline, leadership, and accountability,” said Shaun Skinner, president of Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. “Through IVAP, we are creating a pathway for those skills to continue making an impact in civilian life while helping our dealer network build the next generation of highly skilled Isuzu technicians.”

    Through the program, veterans with technical military experience will enter a structured apprenticeship pathway that combines real-world dealership experience with Isuzu-specific training and professional development. The result is a workforce solution that benefits both the veterans and Isuzu dealers, accelerating technician readiness while building long-term retention and career growth.

  • South Texas Vo Tech adds automotive technician program

    South Texas Vo Tech adds automotive technician program

     Ancora Education, a workforce training and solutions provider, has announced its South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT) campus in McAllen, Texas is adding to its skilled trades offerings with the launch of an Automotive Service Technician (AST) program on June 29.

    STVT’s AST program prepares students for an entry-level position as an automotive service technician through classroom and hands-on training in engine repair, vehicular inspection, diagnostic procedures, preventative maintenance services, transmission repair, basic electric and more.

    STVT students enrolled in the program will be prepared to sit for the Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) exams and EPA 609 A/C Technician certification by graduation.*

    “By introducing the Automotive Service Technician program, STVT is expanding the pathways available to students pursuing hands-on careers,” said Vanessa Pardo, President at STVT McAllen. “This addition reflects our commitment to meeting evolving employment openings for skilled automotive professionals.”

    This new expansion of STVT’s vocational skills training reflects Ancora’s commitment to furthering educational opportunities for local students and contributing to the skilled workforce in South Texas. The Automotive Service Technician program is also offered at STVT Arlington, STVT Corpus Christi, and STVT San Antonio, expanding access to hands-on automotive training across the state. For more information about the Automotive Service Technician program and/or to talk with an admission representative, visit: Automotive Service Technician |Training in South Texas (stvt.edu).

    South Texas Vocational Technical Institute has six convenient locations across Texas offering 11 training programs in business, healthcare, skilled trades, and transportation (programs vary by location).

  • Canada’s 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts joins Vipar

    Canada’s 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts joins Vipar

    VIPAR Heavy Duty is pleased to announce that 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts Inc., headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada has joined the VIPAR Heavy Duty network of independent distributors, adding five locations to the organization’s network in Canada.

    Founded in 2017, 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts Inc. is a full-line heavy duty aftermarket distributor serving customers throughout the Toronto Area. It was started by Abdul Mian and David Langley with a vision to deliver a strong customer-focused approach to truck and trailer parts distribution. 

    “We set out to build a business centered around accessibility and customer support with things like extended hours (all stores are open 7 days a week, 364 days a year) and hiring former truck mechanics to work on our counters. Most importantly, we listened to our customers and our valued vendors to ensure that we have the parts that they need when they need them,” said Langley.

    401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts Inc. is led by Mian, CFO Sofia Mian, Vice President Umayr Mian, and Langley, Director of Sales and Marketing, who is a veteran of the heavy duty aftermarket with more than 30 years of industry experience. The organization employs about 40 team members and operates a fleet of delivery vehicles to support regional customers.

    The company has grown from a single location into a multi-branch operation with facilities in Mississauga, Cambridge, London, Bolton, and Brampton, Ontario, supporting fleets, diesel and trailer repair shops, and government accounts across Canada’s largest trucking market.

    At its headquarters in Mississauga, 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts Inc. operates alongside ASA Truck Repairs (also owned by Mian) at the same facility. This integrated model allows drivers and fleets to source parts and complete repairs or preventative maintenance efficiently at a single location.

    The company offers a comprehensive inventory with over 9,000 different parts in stock, including air and brake products, filters, cooling, lubricants, truck lighting, accessories, and specialized products such as wiring harnesses, NOx sensors, and DEF filters. Complementing its in-store inventory, 401 Heavy Duty Truck Parts Inc. provides delivery services for larger parts orders and maintains an experienced team of parts professionals to support customers. All locations offer flywheel resurfacing or exchange.

  • Bosch opens first franchise in Oklahoma, 14 more to come

    Bosch opens first franchise in Oklahoma, 14 more to come

    Bosch Automotive Workshop Services LLC recently opened its first ground-up franchise location in Oklahoma City.

    The new location represents the first of 15 planned Bosch Auto Service locations across Oklahoma, led by longtime local Battison Honda dealership owner and entrepreneur Larry Battison.

    The 10,000-square-foot facility was purpose-built and features a 7,000-square-foot technician workspace equipped with advanced diagnostic and calibration technology, including a Bosch ADAS calibration machine.

    The shop also features Bosch Home Comfort, Bosch Power Tools and Bosch Dealer Equipment Services, Bosch Diagnostics, OTC and Robinair solutions, tools and equipment.

    Bosch Auto Service locations are supported by Bosch training, diagnostic technology and operational resources while allowing owners to maintain local leadership and community ties.

    A June 13 grand-opening community event will also highlight workforce development and technical education through the Battison Foundation.

    The foundation will award $60,000 in scholarships, including six $10,000 scholarships to students attending Oklahoma City Community College, Metro Technology Centers, Francis Tuttle Technology Center, Tulsa Community College, Tulsa Tech and Norman Moore Technology Center.