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Tag: Newsletter 4th Article

  • Jailed diesel tech prompts bill to eliminate emissions control devices

    Jailed diesel tech prompts bill to eliminate emissions control devices

    The story of a jailed diesel technician has inspired a Wyoming senator to introduced legislation takes aim at eliminating emissions control devices on diesel engines. 

    Senator Cynthia Lummis, a Republican from Wyoming, last week introduced The Diesel Truck Liberation Act, legislation to end what she called “the Obama and Biden EPA’s war on truck owners and mechanics.”

    The bill has no co-sponsors and no companion bill in the House.

    In specific, Lummis said her proposed legislation:

    • Prohibits the federal government from requiring manufacturers to install or maintain emissions control devices or onboard diagnostic systems
    • Removes EPA authority to enforce Clean Air Act requirements related to vehicle emissions controls
    • Individuals cannot be prosecuted or sued under federal law for tampering or improving emissions equipment
    • Vacates existing prison sentences for emissions-related violations and expunges criminal and civil records related to these offenses

    Lummis said in a statement her bill was “inspired by Wyoming resident Troy Lake’s weaponized prosecution and imprisonment.” 

    Troy Lake is a 65-year-old diesel mechanic now in a Colorado federal prison after being convicted of violating EPA clean air regulations by performing numerous so called “deletes” on the diesel engines of heavy-duty truck and other vehicles. Such procedures deactivate an engine’s particulate filter that traps soot and other contaminants in diesel exhaust, and are illegal under federal law.

    Lake was convicted late last year and sentenced to a year and a day in prison and fined $52,500. His family is appealing to President Donald Trump for a pardon.

    “The Biden EPA threw Troy Lake and other mechanics in prison for keeping school buses, fire trucks, and ambulances running in cold, harsh climates,” said Lummis in a statement about the bill. “When Washington bureaucrats can make you a criminal without Congress ever voting on it, we have a huge problem. I want this overreach to end. Democrats weaponized the EPA to wage war on rural America, and we cannot let that happen again. This legislation is the first step toward justice and sanity.” 

    Troy’s case is explained in a detailed story by Clair McFarland in the Cowboy State Daily.

  • Nevada community college adds 3 new tech program certificates

    Nevada community college adds 3 new tech program certificates

    Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) in Reno, Nevada recently said it is strengthening its commitment to preparing students for careers as diesel and heavy equipment technicians with the introduction of three new stackable skills certificates debuting this fall.

    These additions to TMCC’s Diesel Program provide clear pathways toward certificates of achievement and ultimately an associate of applied science degree, specializing in either diesel technology or heavy equipment technology.

    This fall, TMCC introduced three new certificates the college said are designed to provide students with specialized, stackable credentials:

    • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Diesel Equipment Technician, Heavy Equipment Electrical Skills Certificate
    • Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Diesel Equipment Technician, Heavy Equipment Hydraulics Skills Certificate
    • Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician Certificate of Achievement

    “These new certificates allow students to quickly gain targeted skills and progress step-by-step toward advanced qualifications and career growth within the diesel industry,” said Jeremy Coggin, Lead Diesel Instructor at TMCC.

    At the heart of TMCC’s Diesel Program is immersive, hands-on training in fully-equipped shops, according to the college. Coursework includes critical heavy equipment systems such as hydraulics, brakes, electrical systems, and fuel diagnostics. Instruction aligns closely with ASE certifications, ensuring graduates possess the competencies employers demand.

    “Students don’t just learn theory—they work on real equipment to master the skills their future employers expect,” Coggin explained.

    TMCC’s Diesel Program benefits from strong partnerships with local and national industry leaders. Companies like MOPAR CAP and Caterpillar provide students access to cutting-edge technologies, internships, and employment opportunities. A recent alliance with Speed of Air, a leader in clean engine technology, exemplifies TMCC’s forward-thinking approach, according to the college.

    “Our updated Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technician CoA and AAS emphasis are designed specifically to meet workforce needs,” said Coggin. “Graduates leave the program ready for high-demand roles.”

    For information, contact the Applied Technology Division .

  • 5 new Grease Monkey locations in Texas

    5 new Grease Monkey locations in Texas

    DFW Oil Change recently announced the addition of five Grease Monkey locations across North Texas.

    The newly added locations include:

    These stores previously operated as WshGuys Car Wash & Automotive.

    With this transition, the car wash operations will remain under the WashGuys brand, while the automotive and lube service centers will now operate as Grease Monkey under the ownership of DFW Oil Change.

  • Major parts supplier files for bankruptcy

    Major parts supplier files for bankruptcy

    Cleveland-based aftermarket parts supplier First Brands Group ealier this week filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Texas.

    The owner of numerous national brands of parts said it has $1 billion ion assets and $10 billion in debts. It has obtained $1.1 billion in debtor in possewssion financingto continue operations during is reorganization efforts.

    Many of the brrands owned by the company are nationally-known staples in the auto repair business. They include:

    • Autolite spark plus
    • FRAM and Luber-finer filters
    • TRICO and ANCO wiper blades
    • Raybestos, Centric Parts, StopTech, and Carlson brakes
    • Carter and Airtex pumps
    • REESE, DrawTite, Bulldog, Tekonsha, and Fulton bitches and towing components
    • StrongArm lift components
    • lighting systems, wheel bearing hub assemblies and remanufactured parts

    Chief Restructuring Officer of First Brands said, “Today’s actions mark an important step toward stabilizing First Brands’ operations and securing a long-term future for the Company’s world-class portfolio of aftermarket automotive part brands. With committed funding from our key financial partners, we remain focused on supporting our employees, working with our valued suppliers, and delivering best-in-class aftermarket automotive technology for our customers globally. We are confident in the strength of First Brands’ industry-leading portfolio and the essential role we play in the automotive supply chain.”

    First Brands said in a statement its global operations are expected to continue without interruption during the chapter 11 cases, with full continuity for the Company’s international customers, partners, and employees. Importantly, the company’s international operations are not part of the court-supervised financial restructuring process, First Brands said.

  • New Alabama Fausak location has 8 service bays

    New Alabama Fausak location has 8 service bays

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the opening of a new Fausak Tires & Service location in Mobile, Alabama. This new development follows just a few months after the acquisition of the long-time Mobile staple.  The strategic greenfield serves to further grow the company in the Gulf Coast region, joining existing Fausak locations in Mobile as well as Delta World Tire locations in Mississippi and Louisiana.

    This new Fausak Tires & Service facility features over 10,500 square feet of space with 8 service bays. The facility is equipped with the equipment to handle tire installations and repairs, wheel balancing, alignments, brakes, shock and strut replacements, oil changes, battery replacements, and more.

    Founded in 1962, Fausak Tires has been a trusted name in the Mobile community for more than 60 years. Built on a foundation of community-minded service and a commitment to doing quality work, the business has earned a loyal customer base across the Gulf Coast. Now part of the Sun Auto Tire & Service family, Fausak Tires continues to serve guests with the same familiar team – now backed by expanded resources and operational support to enhance the customer experience and carry the legacy forward.

    Sun acquires Martin’s Automotive; has 22 bays

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced the acquisition of Martin’s Automotive, a large 22-bay facility in Terrell, a growing community in the eastern portion of the Dallas-Fort Wprth Metroplex.

    Martin’s Automotive has been serving Kaufman County since 2001 and is top-rated in the community for quality automotive repair.

    “Martin’s Automotive is a great new addition to our team”, said Regional Vice President Steve Powell. “Growing our footprint to serve the Metroplex will allow us to continue serving an ever-growing market and keep delivering quality service to our neighbors.  It’s even better for our guests, as this local facility is now backed by the national resources and commitment of the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network.”

  • Bendix: ‘Technicians are the backbone of trucking’

    Bendix: ‘Technicians are the backbone of trucking’

    Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems salutes all professional technicians during this the sixth annual National Technician Appreciation Week, now through Saturday.

    Sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and its Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), this year’s observance follows the ATA TMC fall meeting and the TMCSuperTech National Technician Skills Competitions – held Sept. 14-18 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

    “Technicians are the backbone of trucking,” said Nicole Oreskovic, Bendix vice president of sales and marketing. “They’re working at all hours, in every condition, helping to make sure vehicles and drivers can do their jobs safely. Vehicles not properly and regularly maintained contribute to increased downtime, the ripple effects of which reach every part of daily life. The responsibilities technicians handle are demanding and central to the industry, and their contributions merit acknowledgment year-round.”

    Bendix once again served as a sponsor of the TMCSuperTech competitions, supporting two skill stations focused on advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and brakes, respectively – where technicians demonstrated their knowledge through written exams and hands-on challenges.

    Sponsors of this unique program help fund the TMC’s ongoing efforts to burnish the image of professional technicians and attract new talent to the field through scholarships, outreach, and high-visibility programs. Bendix’s continued involvement underscores its commitment to supporting the professionals who keep commercial vehicles operating safely and reliably.

    In addition to its sponsorship role, Bendix said it has built a decades-long record of providing education and support to technicians. As new technologies reshape commercial vehicles and expand the skills technicians need, Bendix delivers resources that help vehicle operators and their maintenance teams stay prepared.

    Its in-person Brake School is one of the industry’s longest-running training programs, blending hands-on sessions with virtual instruction to offer practical tools and up-to-date knowledge. Available 24/7 since its launch more than a decade ago, the Bendix On-Line Brake School consists of more than 120 courses covering braking and active vehicle safety systems, with options to customize learning plans for fleets and track technician progress.

    Additional resources include:

    ·         On-site demonstrations and troubleshooting education – Direct instruction from Bendix experts to help technicians address on-the-ground challenges.

    ·         B2Bendix.com Document Library – Service data sheets, operating manuals, product training documents, installation instructions, and more.

    • Knowledge Dock– Blogs, podcasts, and Tech Tips for ongoing insights.

    ·         Bendix Tech Team (1-800-AIR-BRAKE) – An expert group providing real-time technical support, training guidance, and product troubleshooting. The team forms the heart of Bendix’s education programs, along with the company’s field-tested sales and service professionals and veteran field technical support team.

    “At Bendix, we build safety systems and support the people who maintain them,” Oreskovic said. “Technicians help make the difference between technology on paper and safety on the road. Our role is to provide the resources that help them do that job with confidence.”

  • Sun Auto & Tire makes acquisitions in North Carolina and Arkansas

    Sun Auto & Tire makes acquisitions in North Carolina and Arkansas

    Sun Auto Tire & Service recently announced a pair of acquisitions in Arkansas and North Carolina, which the company said are strategic additions aimed at strengthening its network targeting two existing markets.

    Sun Auto acquired Jackson Auto Worx in Winston-Salem North Carolina and Hindsman & Son Tire and Service in Russellville, Arkansas. Ters of the deal were not disclosed.

    Founded in 1976 by Lee Jackson, Sr. and Julian Stith, Jackson Auto Worx has been a trusted repair provider in Winston-Salem for nearly 50 years. Its addition to the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network strengthens the company’s foothold in the Piedmont Triad, linking the Piedmont Tire Service location in King with multiple Tire Max locations across the metro area. The acquisition further adds to Sun Auto’s presence in Central North Carolina, enabling operational efficiencies and expanding brand visibility across the Greensboro–Winston-Salem corridor, according to the company.

    “For almost 50 years, Jackson Auto Worx has been part of Winston-Salem,” said Lee Jackson, Jr. “Joining Sun Auto ensures our customers will keep receiving the personal service they value, backed by the resources of a national network. We’re proud of what we’ve built and excited to see the next chapter under Sun Auto’s leadership.”

    Sun Auto also acquired Hindsman & Son Tire and Service in Russellville, Arkansas. Established in 1987 by Tommy Hindsman, the company has been serving the Russellville community for nearly four decades. Under the leadership of Sam and Kellie Hindsman, the business has become a staple in the Arkansas River Valley.

    By adding Russellville, Sun Auto strengthens its presence in Arkansas by filling a strategic gap between existing Plaza Tire Service locations throughout North Arkansas. This facility provides tire distribution capability, market visibility, and additional operating leverage—reinforcing Sun’s ability to serve guests seamlessly across the state while honoring the legacy of a respected family business.

    “After nearly four decades of serving the River Valley community, deciding to sell was not easy,” said Sam and Kellie Hindsman. “But we believe Sun Auto is the right step forward for our family, our employees, and our loyal customers. We are deeply grateful for the trust and support our community has shown us, and we are confident that Sun Auto will continue to deliver the same exceptional service and care our guests expect.”

    “Both acquisitions demonstrate how we continue to execute on our strategy of adding density in key markets where we already have strong brand presence,” said Chris Ripani, chief operating officer of Sun Auto Tire & Service. “By building scale in places like the Piedmont Triad and central Arkansas, we increase efficiency, unlock synergies across our network, and preserve the strong community relationships established by these local operators while providing even more value to guests of the Sun Auto Tire & Service Network.”

    Sun Auto Tire & Service is a national network of more than 500 neighborhood tire and service shops.

  • Stellantis plans $41 million distribution center north of Atlanta

    Stellantis plans $41 million distribution center north of Atlanta

    Automaker Stellantis recently announced it plans to spend more than $41 million to build a new Mopar Parts distribution center (PDC) in Forsyth, Georgia.

    Located about 60 miles south of Atlanta, the nearly 422,000-square-foot facility will further strengthen the company’s U.S. parts distribution network, supporting dealers and customers of the Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Alfa Romeo and FIAT brands throughout the Southeastern United States.

    The facility will feature a 16,000-square-foot AutoStore automated storage and retrieval system. The AutoStore system uses 66 robots designed to retrieve parts from a high-density grid of bins, transporting them to processing stations where employees prepare final shipments. This next-generation automation enhances order processing speed, accuracy and inventory control while reducing the physical footprint required for storage, according to a statement from the company.

    The new Georgia facility will support about 90 UAW-represented jobs.

    The Georgia investment builds on Stellantis’ broader transformation of its parts distribution network. In July, the company announced a $388 million investment to create a Metro Detroit Megahub, its largest PDC project to date, and earlier this year celebrated the opening of a $64 million PDC in East Fishkill, New York.

  • ASE offers free webinar on Fuel Trim

    ASE offers free webinar on Fuel Trim

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers the free webinar “Fuel Trim: Teaching Essential Skills for Engine Performance”Tuesday, Sept. 9, at 4 p.m.

    Instructors from ATech Training will present this online webinar to learn how to master short term (STFT) and long term (LTFT) fuel trim analysis for effective engine diagnostics. The webinar covers:

    • Air-fuel ratio fundamentals
    • Sensor operation
    • Fuel trim interpretation
    • OBD-II scan tool usage
    • Troubleshooting common fuel trim issues

    Participants in this webinar will receive a certificate of attendance for this live session. Allow one week for automatic email delivery of the certificate.

    Click here for more information or to register.

  • ASE announces 5 tests to be discontinued as of Dec. 31

    ASE announces 5 tests to be discontinued as of Dec. 31

    The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence recently announced the discontinuation of several tests as of Dec. 31.

    The tests affected are:

    • Test E1: Truck Equipment Installation and Repair
    • Test E2: Electrical/Electronic Systems Installation and Repair
    • Test E3: Auxiliary Power Systems Installation and Repair
    • Test P4: General Motors Parts Consultant
    • Test X1: Undercar Specialist Exhaust Systems

    Both certifications and recertifications for these five tests will be retired at the end of 2025 and will no longer be available, according to a statement from ASE..

    “Those individuals who want to be certified or recertified in these test areas should act now and definitely no later than Dec. 31,” said Matt Shepanek, vice president, credential testing programs for ASE. “ASE is constantly being asked by industry partners to create new credential tests. By retiring some of the lower volume tests, we will be able to free up resources to work on some of these new requests.”

    ASE said it is committed to ensuring that all impacted users and systems are notified accordingly.

    “Along with transportation industry leaders, we continuously evaluate the need for new and existing certifications to best serve consumers and industry,” said Dave Johnson, ASE president and CEO. “As part of that ongoing review, we are also in the process of updating some automotive series tests and we will be adding new certifications focused on today’s advanced vehicle safety and security systems.”