2005 Industry Week UpdateEPA: OE Web Site Audit
Moving Forward
LAS VEGAS (Nov.1, 2005) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that Congress has approved funding for an audit of auto manufacturer's service information Web sites. Holly Pugliese, environmental protection specialist, EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality, made the announcement at a special meeting during last week's annual Automotive Aftermarket Products Exposition (AAPEX).
Pugliese also stated that a controller has been hired to oversee the project, which is scheduled to begin in December and run for approximately three months. The audit itself will be carried out by volunteers recruited through the Agency's OEM Audit Web site (www.oemaudit.com) and other technicians-only Web sites such as iATN.
Volunteer auditors will be asked to use the OE information Web site for three months and report their findings through a questionnaire. Regular progress reports will be posted on the OEM Audit Web site.
Pugliese reported that an informal 'mini-audit' already found that information on Mode 6 testing, test-enable criteria and PCM reprogramming is difficult to locate and not always useful once found. She also reminded the audience that this was only a quick look, not a comprehensive evaluation, and that EPA is only concerned with and authorized to enforce regulations pertaining to emissions-related diagnostics and service information. Audit results will be measured against SAE Standard J2534, which provides a basic definition of availability and usefulness of service information.
Panel: Don't Procrastinate OnSuper Warranties Legislation
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 2, 2005) - Do you need to worry about super warranties? Will they have an impact on your business? A five-person panel, moderated by Charlie Elder, AAM, chairman of the Automotive Service Association's (ASA) Government Affairs Committee, explored the issue with mechanical repair professionals during a CARS pre-event conference held Wed., Nov. 2 in Las Vegas.
California's adoption of low-emission vehicle standards has pushed the importance of the super warranties issue to the forefront in recent months, the panel reported. The Clean Air Act of 1990 sets federal vehicle emissions standards, but it allows states to adopt California's standards relative to low-emissions vehicles. The federal regulations were instituted to make vehicles 99 percent cleaner than vehicles produced 30 years ago. ASA has taken an official stance to not support California's emissions standards, as the state's regulations require a 15-year/150,000-mile new vehicle warranty.
Two of the greatest problems associated with super warranties, "is that the consumer has lost the right to choose who will service his or her vehicle, and the independent shop has lost business as a result of the dealer doing the repair work," said panelist Bob Wills, owner of Wills Auto Service.
The panel agreed that the greatest impact of super warranties on the independent repair shop is the likely loss of business to dealership service centers, especially in the area of vehicle maintenance. As a result of California's action, other states, such as Washington and Oregon, have explored low-emission vehicle standards and may be close to adopting California's standards.
In fact, in September, Oregon Governor Theodore R. Kulongoski (D) recently used his line-item veto authority on Section 6 of Oregon House Bill 5135 to pave the way for new emissions standards. The Oregon legislature passed H.R. 5135 that would have excluded the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality from enacting the California vehicle emission standards in the state. Without Oregon's agreement to adopt the standards, Washington state would not adopt the California standards either. Washington's legislation, H.B. 1397, signed by Governor Christine Gregoire, was dependent on Oregon also adopting the standards. What this means for independent service dealers, the panel urged, is that they must get involved as more states explore the adoption of stringent vehicle regulations, such as those in California.
Addressing some of the problems associated with super warranties, Vince Mow, Vincent Mow Consulting, said that, in order to compete with the automakers, independent shops must have the right equipment and that technicians must have refined training and certification that is equivalent to the service training of dealers' technicians. "Let's not wait until our client base is completely gone to do something," Mow urged attendees.
In addition, Louis Collins, a shop owner from Arizona, said that owners must be proactive in addressing the super warranty issue and get involved from the ground up. "We need to get more shop owners involved in the process," he said. "We need to educate them about this issue, and we need to stand as one cohesive voice." Collins sees California setting a "dangerous precedent" in regard to super warranties that can drive independent repair shops out of business if they are not prepared to meet the issue head on and get involved, he added.
For more information on super warranty legislation activity, ASA directed participants to visit its legislative Web site,
www.takingthehill.com.
(Source: Automotive Service Association)
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 3, 2005) - Independent shop owners and technicians got a preview of the vehicles they will be servicing in the near future. Representatives from seven auto manufacturers held OEM new product technology sessions at this year's Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS).
Representatives from Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Chrysler and Delphi lead the sessions. These individual sessions allowed each manufacturer an opportunity to provide attendees information on new systems or features that are being incorporated into today's automobiles.
* Delphi's representative, Jim Moore, provided attendees with information on the Ion Sense Ignition System and Displacement on Demand Systems.
* GM's Mike Militello provided attendees with information about the automaker's new technology and recent changes to GM's diesel engines.
* Jon Turnbull from Honda discussed the five new technologies used in future vehicles including HIDS (Honda Intelligent Driver Support System).
* Stefan Grell, Dereke Okoniewski and Henry Marnett from Mercedes-Benz showed attendees items on their Web site that independent shops could obtain for free or various prices.
* Volkswagen's Kurt Immekus gave presentations ranging from electromechanical steering systems to direct shift gearboxes on the Audi A3 and Volkswagen Jetta.
* Chrysler's representative, John Mann, informed attendees about the various components of the Cummins Diesel Fuel Systems.
(Source: Automotive Service Association)
Awards Dinner CelebratesIndustry Success Stories
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 4, 2005) - It was a night showcasing the successes of the repair industry. Kicking off with a graduation ceremony that recognized 150 Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) graduates, the Automotive Service Association's (ASA) second annual "Celebration of Excellence" awards dinner was dedicated to honoring the achievements of ASA members and other industry leaders.
(Photo: ASA)
More than 50 graduates in full cap and gown were able to attend this year's ceremony, and they were each honored individually with a diploma on stage.
(Photo: ASA)
Afterward, George Witt, George Witt Service, Lincoln, NE, was presented the Automotive Management Institute's (AMI) Annual Recognition Award for his involvement in the creation of AMI's "Advanced Curriculum" program. An AMI-approved instructor since 1999, Witt has served on the AMI board of trustees since 2004 and currently holds the vice chair position. Witt is also a contributing editor to Motor Age.
Steve Johnson of Number 1 Tire & Service in Warwick, RI, was presented with the Chairman's Club Award for recruiting 10 new members for ASA. In addition to his recruiting efforts, Johnson also serves as the vice president of the ASA-Rhode Island affiliate.
Luz Rubio from ASA-Arizona accepted the ASA's Affiliate of the Year award. This new award is based upon several factors, including membership growth, educational events, participation in ASA National programs, legislative activities and overall contributions of their membership to the automotive industry.
(Photo: ASA)
The Benefit Provider of the Year is presented to an associate member in appreciation of its relationship with ASA and for the price, quality and professional service it offers to members. Traditionally, it is awarded annually to only one provider; however, this year three sponsored programs were recognized. The Collision Division Benefit Provider of the Year went to CCC Information Systems. Jeff Lagges and Kerry Keller of ALLDATA accepted the award for the Mechanical Division Benefit Provider of the Year. Lou-Anne Demonstranti accepted on behalf of the ASA Federal Credit Union, which received the award for services provided to both mechanical and collision members.
(Photo: ASA)
ASA's highest honor - the Humanitarian Award - recognizes selfless acts, both inside and outside the industry, to those who promote general goodwill. This year, the award was presented to Sheri Hamilton, executive director for the ASA-Missouri/Kansas affiliate. Hamilton was recognized for her volunteer work with her local Red Cross chapter and her work in Mississippi shortly after Hurricane Katrina.
Bob Poole, who is retiring after 20 years of service to ASA and its members, was presented with ASA's Outstanding Service Award. "With high standards for his professional and private life, Bob's work ethic is dependable and he has been a great example for our membership team," said Denny Kahler, ASA chairman.
(Photo: ASA)
The Alpha Award, which recognizes an ASA Mechanical Division member for their generous and far-reaching contributions to the automotive service industry, was presented to Joan Koebernick of Dakota-K Auto Repair and Tire Center in Arlington Heights, IL. Joan joined ASA in 1998 and earned her Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) in 2003. Not only is Joan a business owner, but she is also an accredited AMI instructor conducting classes on business ethics, software management programs and strategic planning, as well as a contributor to the pages of Motor Age.
Russell McCloud, Accurate Automotive Attention in Yuma, AZ, was awarded ASA's Communicator of the Year. This award recognizes an ASA member shop for outstanding efforts in communication promoting his or her business in the community and industry. Through creative TV and radio commercials, McCloud not only spotlights his mechanical repair facility, but also showcases his valued employees.
(Photo: ASA)
The 2005 ASA Legislative Award was presented to Eddie Ehlert, president and owner of Mazdonly, Ltd., Chamblee, GA. The award recognizes members who have made an impact on legislative and regulatory activities. Ehlert was cited for his commitment to ASA, specifically the numerous trips he made to Washington, DC, to meet with members of Congress to testify before the U.S. House of Representatives' Small Business Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and Government Programs.
The final ASA award presentation - the Chairman's Award of Excellence - was made to Brent Black, founder of the International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN). Recognizing individuals for their outstanding contributions to ASA and the automotive repair industry, Black's creation of iATN 10 years ago was recognized as a powerful and recognizable networking tool for automotive service professionals.
(Photo: ASA)
In addition, Motor Age and ABRN magazines presented Denny Kahler with their annual recognition award to the current ASA chairman. Kahler, the 2005/2006 ASA chairman, received a die-cast scale model of a 1932 Ford V-8 Deuce Coupe for his work this year with ASA, as well as his efforts to promote training and certification within the industry.
(Source: Automotive Service Association)
CARS Attendees Net PrizesLAS VEGAS (Nov. 4, 2005) - CARS attendees didn't have to risk their money in the casinos to gain some benefits for traveling to Vegas this year. ASA reports that more than $10,500 in prizes was given away during Friday's Exhibitor Luncheon and Showcase.
Each trade show exhibitor contributed prizes, which were awarded randomly during the luncheon. Top prize-winners include Jeff Jones with an all-expense paid trip to CARS 2006 (a $1,700 value), from the Automotive Service Association (ASA); Wendy Whittmore, the winner of on Vetronix MTS-5200 Engine Analyzer (a $2,995 value) from CARQUEST; and Mark Switek, Nicolet Area Technical College, Rhinelouder, WI, who won a one-week Guru Training School training class with Jim Linder of Linder Technical Services, Indianapolis, IN.
(Source: Automotive Service Association)
ASE Honors Top Scorer(Photo: ASA)
LAS VEGAS (Nov. 5, 2005) - Thomas Piippo knows his stuff - at least where automotive service is concerned - and that knowledge translated into the ASA/ASE Top Score Award for him at this year's CARS convention.
Piippo, owner of Tri-county Motors in Rudyard, MI and an ASA member, was recognized at Saturday's luncheon by ASA's Mechanical Division and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) for achieving the highest score on a 2005 National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) test.
"Tom has always been an advocate of automotive technical and management training," said Earl Dohner, ASA Mechanical Division director. Piippo also was selected by ASE to update the L-1 Advanced Engine Performance Test and review the scoring on the A2 Automatic Transmission/Transaxle test. Dohner and Chuck Roberts, executive director, Industry Relations, ASE, presented the award.
(Source: Automotive Service Association)
Redding Provides Capitol Hill UpdateLAS VEGAS (Nov. 5, 2005) - At the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) breakfast meeting, Bob Redding, Washington, DC representative for the Automotive Service Association (ASA), provided an update of legislative matters to those in attendance.
In addition to an overview of the Supreme Court nomination, hurricane disaster relief, drought relief in the West, federal budget reconciliation and the Bush administration's trend towards lower taxes, a stronger defense and smaller government, Redding covered several items related to the automotive aftermarket. These included:
* Service Information Access - ASA's position supporting a non-legislated solution was reaffirmed by Redding. He reported that there had been a reduction in the number of sponsors for proposed Right to Repair legislation, and that an effort to make politicians aware that most of the industry support for legislation was within the parts distribution channel, while support for a non-legislated solution was greater in the shop and automaker segments. Redding also indicated that legislators were ready to move onto issues other than Right to Repair.
* House Subcommittee for Energy and Commerce Hearing - A series of meeting initiated by Right to Repair sponsors and facilitated by the Better Business Bureau, to attempt a non-legislated solution had ended without agreement. Since the breakdown on September 30, the staff of Representative Joe Barton has been meeting with individual participants to discuss why the deadlock occurred, in preparation for a subcommittee hearing on Nov. 10. Redding expects the proposed legislated be marked up to reflect some of the concerns raised, prior to reintroducing it into the House of Representatives. Redding stated that an industry solution was close, and that the talks should between the automakers and those who service and repair vehicles.
* Super Warranties - This issue will require more attention going forwards. The trend towards low emission vehicles is continuing, with 11 states now having adopted California standards.
* Clean Air Act Reform - While there are industry concerns regarding vehicle inspection and maintenance that may end up as add-ons to the act, Redding reported there was little chance that major reforms would be discussed by the Senate in 2006. He added that how they or the Supreme Court will react when the reforms are considered is unknown, although they have supported the Environmental Protection Agency before.
* Individual State Issues - Issues that will continue in 2006 include licensing of shops and technicians, vehicle inspection and maintenance, recycling, refrigerant concerns and safety inspections are the main issues being considered by various individual states. Other regulation being considered centers on the environment, airbags and tires.
Redding reminded ASA members that they would be able to interact with their senators and state legislators through the "Taking the Hill" Web site.
- Bob Chabot, Contributing Editor
