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Tag: Newsletter 5th Article

  • VIPAR Heavy Duty’s upcoming conference features new format

    VIPAR Heavy Duty’s upcoming conference features new format

     VIPAR Heavy Duty announced that plans are set for their 2026 IMPACT Conference, taking place Oct. 18-23 at the JW Marriott Marco Island in Florida.

    The 2026 IMPACT Conference agenda features a new format designed to enhance interaction, collaboration, and engagement among distributors, suppliers, and industry partners. Building on the event’s tradition of bringing the heavy duty aftermarket together, this year’s conference will introduce new opportunities for attendees to connect, share ideas, and participate in conversations that help shape the future of the network and the industry.

    “This year’s IMPACT Conference is designed to create even more opportunities for meaningful engagement across our network,” said Chris Baer, President & CEO of VIPAR Heavy Duty. “Every distributor, supplier, industry partner, and team member plays a role in our collective success. By bringing everyone together to share ideas, build relationships, and align around common goals, we’re reinforcing what makes our network unique and positioning ourselves for continued growth.”

    Highlights of the reimagined agenda include:

    • The conference will open Monday with a Distributor Welcome & Kickoff featuring Kyle Scheele, an entrepreneur, author, and nationally recognized speaker known for helping organizations unlock creativity and innovation. His presentation, “Becoming an Idea Factory: How to Build a Culture Where Innovation Is Inevitable,” will challenge attendees to think differently about problem solving, leadership, and creating environments where ideas can thrive.
    • Additional distributor-focused Monday experiences will emphasize peer engagement, connection, and shared insight through Distributor Roundtables, True Group Value Focus Groups, and Supplier Spotlight sessions. 
    • For the first time, the entire network of distributors, suppliers, and industry partners will come together at the General Session on Tuesday to explore industry trends, network priorities, and collective opportunities while reinforcing the value of alignment across the channel.

    The annual event’s highly-valued, signature agenda items return, including 1:1 Meetings, Trade Show, Receptions, Network Lunch & Keynote Speaker, and Annual Dinner & After Party.

    VIPAR Heavy Duty will also continue to honor industry friends and their contributions to the network and aftermarket through the IMPACT Memorial Golf Tournament. For the second year in a row, the beneficiary is the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF), a 501(c)(3) organization that supports people employed in the heavy duty aftermarket industry and their families during times of hardship. They will also host a trade show booth to provide information about both the giving and receiving missions of their organization. 

  • Strickland Brothers adds three new stores in Texas

    Strickland Brothers adds three new stores in Texas

    Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change, recently opened its three newest Texas shops in Midland, Odessa and Lubbock.

    Strickland Brothers now has more than 20 locations across Texas.

    Founded in 2016 and headquartered in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Strickland Brothers quickly beca,e known for its signature 10-minute oil change, drive-thru service model and customer-centric approach. The brand’s rapid expansion reflects a focus on efficiency, operational excellence and unparalleled service, helping fuel strong market performance and long-term success, according to a statement from the company.

    “Opening our newest locations in West Texas is another important milestone for Strickland Brothers,” CEO & Founder Justin Strickland said. “As we continue to grow, our focus remains the same: providing a quick, reliable oil change experience built on exceptional customer service, transparency and convenience.”

    Strickland Brothers said it differentiates itself through a simple value proposition: high-quality, convenient oil changes delivered with integrity and hospitality. This customer-first culture resonates with both consumers and local communities, creating a network well-positioned for scalable growth in the competitive quick-lube sector, the company said.

    For more information or to find a Strickland Brothers location near you, please visit sboilchange.com.

  • ASE to explain accreditation standards changes in Sept. 30 webinar

    ASE to explain accreditation standards changes in Sept. 30 webinar

    The ASE Education Foundation is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, Sept. 30 at 4 p.m. ET entitled “Accreditation Standards Update.”

    In this webinar, representatives from the ASE Education Foundation will provide an overview of upcoming changes to accreditation standards. The session highlights key updates, discusses considerations for implementation and emphasizes the importance of ongoing readiness and compliance.

    Topics to be covered include:

    * An overview of upcoming accreditation standard changes

    *Key implementation timelines and transition considerations

    *Discusses programs preparedness for changes

    Participants will receive a certificate of attendance for this session that is for professional development purposes only. Please allow one week for automatic email delivery of the certificate.
     
    Not sure you can attend? Register anyway and participants can view a recording of the session at any time and still get a certificate. Registrants receive priority access to the recording.

    For more information and to register, click here.

  • Steve Shannon Tire acquires 3 Pennsylvania stores

    Steve Shannon Tire acquires 3 Pennsylvania stores

    Steve Shannon Tire recently announced the acquisition o three locations in Pennsylvania.

    Previously Reliable Tire, these three locations in the Altoona area will now be operated as Steve Shannon Tire & Auto Centers. The new locations inlcude:

    • 3025 Walnut Ave, Altoona
    • 2110 7th Ave, Altoona
    • 111 Union Street, Hollidaysburg

    In a social media post, Steve Shannon Tire said, “We’re excited for this transition and even more excited to meet our new customers, neighbors and friends in the Altoona and Hollidaysburg communities. As a family-owned and operated business, we’re proud to bring the same hometown service we’ve been known for since 1988 to these new locations.”

  • Peterbilts, Kenworths recalled for possible fire risks

    Peterbilts, Kenworths recalled for possible fire risks

    Two major heavy-duty truck brands have announced recalls.

    Paccar is recalling some Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks due to an issue with the seat assemblies that could cause a short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

    The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the recall includes about 811 model year 2027 Kenworth T680, T880 and W990 trucks, and 2027 Peterbilt 567, 579 and 589 trucks.

    In the affected trucks, the seat ventilation harness may be missing heat-shrink, which can result in a short circuit.

    Dealers will replace the harnesses, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed Oct. 20. Owners can contact Peterbilt’s customer service at 1-940-591-4220 or Kenworth’s customer service at 1-425-828-5888. PACCAR’s number for this recall is 25PACE. NHTSA’s recall number is 26V-544.

  • Major Florida dealership adds Curbee for mobile service

    Major Florida dealership adds Curbee for mobile service

    Curbee, a leading mobile service platform for automotive dealerships, recently announced that Bozard Ford Lincoln, a leader in dealership mobile service, has selected Curbee as its new mobile service technology platform.

    The move represents one of the most significant technology transitions yet in dealership mobile service, Curbee said in a statement.

    ‍Bozard operates one of the country’s largest dealership mobile service programs, completing more than 2,000 mobile service appointments each month with a fleet of more than 40 service vehicles serving customers across Northeast Florida.

    ‍“Innovation is the key to distinguishing ourselves as leaders,” Bozard Ford Lincoln COO and General Manager Ed Roberts said. “If we’re going to continue extending our lead, we have to keep challenging ourselves to improve. Curbee shares our vision for innovation. They’ve been incredibly responsive to our needs, and they have the flexibility to grow alongside us.

    ‍“Curbee’s pace of product development, willingness to collaborate and ability to rapidly build new capabilities ultimately won the dealership over.”

    ‍“Bozard challenged us to think differently, move faster and build new capabilities that will improve mobile service for every Curbee dealer,” Curbee CEO Amit Chandarana said. “This wasn’t simply winning a customer, it was earning the trust of the dealership that has defined what automotive mobile service can become.”

    While many dealerships expand mobile service primarily through oil changes and recalls, Bozard performs nearly every repair that does not require major engine or transmission work at customers’ homes or workplaces.

    ‍Roberts said convenience – not the vehicle purchase – is what creates lasting customer loyalty.

    ‍“Customers don’t remember buying a vehicle nearly as long as they remember owning one,” Roberts said. “If we can service a vehicle where the customer already is and give them their time back, that’s what creates loyalty. Mobile service removes friction from ownership. That’s why we keep investing in it.”

    ‍Bozard has operated mobile service since 2015, steadily expanding from basic maintenance into diagnostics and increasingly complex repairs in the field. Today the dealership serves customers throughout Northeast Florida and beyond.

  • ASE Connects launches campaign to collect technician compensation data

    ASE Connects launches campaign to collect technician compensation data

    ASE Connects (formerly WrenchWay), the workforce platform by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), recently announced the industry’s most ambitious effort yet to solve a problem that has persisted for decades: the lack of reliable, current data on what automotive, diesel and collision shops actually pay and offer their technicians

    To fuel that effort, ASE is offering free ASE Connects memberships through Dec. 31, to any shop or dealership that completes the required sections of its Industry Data Exchange, covering technician pay, benefits and company policies.

    “Shops have been making some of their biggest decisions around technician pay and benefits based on guesswork,” said Dave Johnson, president and CEO of ASE. “The only way to fix that is to get enough real data into the system that shops can trust. This free trial removes any excuse not
    to pa rticipate.”

    To qualify, shops and dealerships sign up for ASE Connects at no cost and no credit card required, then complete the anonymous technician pay, benefits and policy survey that feeds into the Industry Data Exchange. The survey takes about 10-15 minutes to complete, and all submitted information is aggregated and kept strictly anonymous before it becomes part of the dataset.

    Shops that complete the survey receive full access to ASE Connects through the end of 2026
    which includes:
    *Industry Data Exchange
    *School Assist
    *Members-only content
    *Student profiles (launching this fall)

    “Every shop that contributes data makes the entire exchange more accurate for everyone in it,” said Johnson. “This is the kind of industry-wide effort that only works if enough shops participate, and giving shops free access removes the biggest reason they might sit on the sidelines.”

    ASE said the push comes as the technician shortage continues to strain shops, dealerships and OEMs across the country, many of which have no reliable way to benchmark their pay or policies against competitors in their local market. ASE Connects has positioned the Industry Data Exchange as the first tool of its kind built specifically for the automotive, diesel and collision industries by combining self-reported data with comparisons by location, shop type and industry that update as more shops join.

    Shops interested in the free membership offer can sign up at wrenchway.com/solutions/shops/free- trial/ and complete the required Industry Data Exchange sections to activate full access through Dec. 31.

  • 2027 Work Truck Week set for March 9-12 in Indianapolis

    2027 Work Truck Week set for March 9-12 in Indianapolis

    Work Truck Week, one of North America’s leading commercial vehicle industry event, will return to Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis March 9–12, 2027.  

    New for the 2027 event, NTEA — working in collaboration with NAFA Fleet Management Association (NAFA) — is launching Future Truck Summit on Tuesday, March 9, replacing the long-running Green Truck Summit. This full-day conference will move beyond the traditional focus on sustainability to address the rapidly changing software, hardware and advanced vehicle technologies shaping the next generation of commercial fleets.  

    Work Truck Week 2027 schedule includes:  

    • March 9: Future Truck Summit 
    • March 9–11: Educational program 
    • March 10–11: Work Truck Week Ride & Drive 
    • March 10–12: Work Truck Show exhibit hall open 

    For more than 25 years, the annual event has served as a cornerstone gathering for chassis OEMs, fleet managers, upfitters, truck dealers, engineers, and other industry professionals who attend Work Truck Week to experience the latest vehicle and equipment innovations, share expertise and forge partnerships. Attendees can expect:  

    • 500+ exhibitors: A massive showcase of new commercial vehicles, truck equipment and connected vehicle technologies. 
    • OEM updates: Exclusive integration guidance, upfitting solutions and critical design changes presented straight from leading chassis manufacturers.  
    • TCO and spec optimization: Dedicated sessions focused on specifying vehicles to improve safety, performance and lower total cost of ownership. 
    • Industry networking: A comprehensive central hub to connect with thousands of suppliers, customers and peers.  

    Industry professionals can sign up for event updates and receive notification when registration and housing open this fall by visiting worktruckweek.com/about.

  • Stoops Freightliner-Western Star opens new dealership in northern Michigan

    Stoops Freightliner-Western Star opens new dealership in northern Michigan

    Stoops Freightliner-Western Star is proud to announce the upcoming opening of its newest medium and heavy-duty truck dealership location in Grayling, strategically positioned to serve the transportation, vocational, and fleet needs of central and northern Michigan. This expansion represents a significant investment in the region and reinforces Stoops’ commitment to delivering exceptional service where customers need it most, according to a statement from the company.

    For years, trucking companies, fleet operators, municipalities, and vocational businesses in northern Michigan have faced challenges accessing quality heavy-duty truck sales and service. The new Grayling location directly addresses this gap, bringing Freightliner-Western Star, Cummins, and Allison Transmission expertise closer to the customers who depend on reliable equipment to keep their operations running.

    “We’re excited to establish a strong presence in Grayling and throughout Northern Michigan,” said David Shane, vice president of Operations. “This dealership is designed specifically to meet the unique needs of the region’s municipalities, logging, construction, agricultural, and transportation industries with the quality semi-trucks, expert parts, knowledge, and responsive service they deserve.”

    The Grayling facility features nine service bays purpose-built for the demands on Northern Michigan’s on-highway, heavy-duty, and vocational fleets:

    • Deep bays (70-foot) specifically designed to accommodate Michigan gravel trains and extended equipment configurations
    • Standard bays (40-foot) for conventional semi-trucks and efficient service turnaround
    • Vocational specialists with expertise in logging, construction, and specialized applications
    • On-highway technicians trained on Freightliner and Western Star platforms
    • Experienced staff committed to minimizing downtime and maximizing fleet uptime

    Stoops Freightliner-Western Star Grayling will offer:

    • Daily parts delivery service with dedicated delivery routes throughout the region (goal of 3x weekly minimum)
    • Two delivery vans ensuring fast fulfillment to customer locations
    • All makes and models parts availability, including aftermarket options, and not limited to Freightliner and Western Star
    • Experienced parts staff providing expert guidance and efficient order fulfillment
    • Customer-focused experience prioritizing quick turnaround and accurate orders
    • Online ordering capabilities with insight into on-hand inventory

    The Grayling dealership will serve as a dual-brand location offering:

    • Freightliner trucks, including the renowned Cascadia and M2 box truck configurations, for fleet and regional hauling applications
    • Western Star trucks with focused vocational outreach for logging, construction, dump truck, and specialized heavy-duty applications
    • New and used inventory (used inventory anticipated Spring 2026)
    • Fleet consultation and customized solutions for operations of all sizes
    • Dedicated sales and technical specialists for both on-highway and vocational segments

    The Stoops Freightliner-Western Star Grayling location will serve customers across an extensive regional footprint, including Clare, Gaylord, Alpena, Cheboygan, West Branch, Roscommon, Houghton Lake, and surrounding counties. The dealership aims to serve:

    • Trucking and logistics companies
    • Construction and excavating contractors
    • Logging operations
    • Agricultural businesses
    • Beverage, moving, propane, pickup/delivery/distribution, and utility industries
    • Municipal fleets
    • Independent owner-operators

    In Michigan, Stoops Freightliner-Western Star operates locations in Traverse City, Wayne, and now Grayling.

  • Goodyear opens new Detroit location during Woodward Dream Cruise

    Goodyear opens new Detroit location during Woodward Dream Cruise

    Just in time for the 2026 Woodward Dream Cruise, Goodyear is opening its Goodyear Motor City Garage, its first retail concept store in Detroit.

    The Goodyear Motor City Garage will be open to the public during Dream Cruise weekend on Saturday, Aug. 15, at 8 a.m. Located at 3075 East Grand Blvd. in Detroit, this special Goodyear Auto Service Center showcases the company’s products, technology and heritage and gives a look at the vision for the future of vehicle care.

    “Some of the best vehicles in the world have been laying down Goodyear rubber in Detroit since Henry Ford put them on his 999 race car in 1901. From track to tarmac to trail, Goodyear makes tires worth bragging about, and we’ll be doing just that during the Woodward Dream Cruise,” said Goodyear CEO Mark Stewart. “Whether you’re an enthusiast looking for ultra-high performance or just need help picking the best tires to get your SUV through the school pick-up line, we’re looking to show you how easy Goodyear can make vehicle care. Detroit’s car culture makes it the perfect place to showcase our new retail concept alongside our Mobile Garage service that can install tires and service your vehicle right in your driveway.”

    Inspired by destination concepts such as a Starbucks Reserve Roastery or a Nike House of Innovation, the Goodyear Motor City Garage is more than a traditional tire and service location. The space is designed as a gathering spot where enthusiasts can connect with car culture, explore the latest tire technology and engage with Goodyear in a new way.

    Services the Goodyear Motor City Garage will provice

    • Tire sales and installation
    • Oil changes
    • Alignments
    • Brake service
    • Battery replacement
    • Free vehicle inspections
    • Preventive maintenance

    As a tribute to the city that helped shape American car culture, the Goodyear Motor City Garage will showcase a custom, one-of-a-kind Detroit-themed Eagle racing tire. This tire is laser-carved with a love letter to Detroit that celebrates the city’s automotive heritage and Goodyear’s longstanding connection to the Motor City and its auto enthusiasts. The letter concludes with “We might be from Akron, but we grew up here. Still. Always. Forever.”

    At the Goodyear Motor City Garage during Woodward Dream Cruise weekend, Goodyear will display the famous 1973 Ford Mustang convertible from the opening sequence of “The Mary Tyler Moore Show,” courtesy of the Ford Motor Company Heritage Collection.

    Also on display from the General Motors Heritage Center and Archive is the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am W72 “Bandit.” This black-and-gold special edition was inspired by the movie, “Smokey and the Bandit,” starring Sally Field and Burt Reynolds. This Trans Am originally was outfitted with Goodyear GR70/15 GM Custom Tread tires.

    Additional vehicle displays and featured automotive attractions will be announced closer to the event