ASA Locks In Discounted Registration Rate for 2009 Annual ConventionRegister Online at www.ASAshop.org/Annual09
from Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association has locked in the discounted early registration rates for its 2009 Annual Convention, to be held April 30-May 2 at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. After considering the economic challenges many shop owners are facing today, ASA has decided to offer the reduced pricing for the remainder of the registration process. More
ASA to Host Capitol Hill Fly-In
from Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) will host a Capitol Hill Fly-In for ASA collision members July 28-29 in Washington, D.C., allowing members to meet with policymakers to discuss industry issues. Two of the most important issues for the collision repair industry are the future of insurance regulation and how the federal government may address automotive parts policy. More
Obama Taps a Healer for the Pain
Edward Montgomery faces one of the toughest jobs in the Obama administration: soothing the pain of remaking the U.S. auto industry. The former deputy labor secretary was picked by President Barack Obama this week to minister to the communities likely to be hurt by the government's restructuring of General Motors Corp. and Chrysler LLC. Obama compared Montgomery to someone who helps towns heal after a hurricane. More
ASA Publishes Consumer Guidelines for Extended Service Plans
from Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced a new and timely tool to help explain extended service plans to consumers. "Extended Service Plans (ESPs)/Extended Warranties - Consumers' Guidelines to ESPs" is available for free to consumers at www.ASAshop.org. With research indicating that more motorists are keeping their cars longer and getting them serviced, as opposed to purchasing new vehicles, this document helps educate motorists about the different types of extended service plans and how to select the right one to meet their needs. More
Mechanic Driven by a Passion for Vehicle Restoration
Steve Park is blessed. He wakes up every day and not only looks forward to going to work in Newton Township, N.J., but is excited about it. He is so passionate that many times he is at his auto body repair shop, Steve's Car Care, by 4 a.m., raring to go. With a small shop with room for five cars at the most, Park prides himself on the customer service he provides. He cherishes the relationships he has developed with his customers and has many pictures of his accomplishments tacked on the wall of his office, which is the size of a large closet. More
New Incentives to Lure Wary Car Buyers
Opening Day came early for employees at Jack Kain's Ford, Lincoln, Mercury dealership, when Ford Motor Co. announced a new program that would help buyers in the event of a job loss. "When I read it to our sales people, you would have thought we just knocked a home run," said Jack Kain, a dealer in Versailles, Ky. "We've been waiting for this for a long time." Weighed down by the lowest sales levels in 27 years and consumer confidence at historic lows, Ford and General Motors Corp. announced two programs that would cover buyers' monthly car payments in the event they lose their jobs. More
Honda to Cut North American Production, Worker Pay
Honda Motor Co. said it will cut North American production further, reduce pay of its salaried employees in North America, and for the first time, force its hourly workers to take unpaid leave, as vehicle sales continue to plunge. The company will reduce output by 62,000 units over three months starting May 1, according to a Honda spokesman. More
Is Recession Good or Bad for Auto Repair Shops?
Pumping money into the old jalopy isn’t just for the thrifty anymore. As the economy worsens, and with new car sales down by more than 50 percent nationally, some Springfield automobile repair shops are noticing increased business. Others, though, say business is down because cash-strapped motorists simply aren’t doing the maintenance they used to, or they're replacing a vehicle rather than take on a big repair bill. More
ASA Annual Convention Will Include Celebration of Excellence, AMI Graduation
from Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association's (ASA) 2009 Annual Convention will be held April 30-May 2 at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Among the highlights of the event will be ASA's annual Celebration of Excellence - a special evening function dedicated to honoring the achievements of ASA members. ASA's Celebration of Excellence will take place Saturday, May 2, from 6:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. "The independent service and repair industry has enjoyed a rich tradition of inspired volunteer leadership," said Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive. More
Chrysler, Fiat May Face 'Impossible Goal' on Alliance
Chrysler LLC may face an "impossible goal" in completing an alliance with Fiat SpA and meeting an Obama administration deadline to erase debt and win more union concessions by April 30. Chrysler got its blueprint for the next month yesterday from President Barack Obama’s task force, which said that $6 billion in new aid hinges on "extinguishing the vast majority" of outstanding secured debt and new givebacks from the United Auto Workers. More
U.S. Raises Vehicle Mileage Standards
The U.S. Department of Transportation has posted the new fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks for the 2011 model year. The new standards will raise the industrywide combined average to 27.3 miles per gallon, a two mpg increase over the 2010 model year average, as estimated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. More
Women of Collision Repair Live, Learn & Lead at WIN
Once again, women from all across the collision repair industry have gathered together at the Women's Industry Network (WIN) conference. The 2009 event was held in Dallas. The theme for this year's conference, "Live, Learn, Lead" challenged the 125 attendees to explore opportunities to expand their horizons while encouraging and teaching others. Keynote speakers included Marjorie Brody, an executive coach and well-known speaker who encouraged the group to market their magic and learn to self-promote. More
2009 Cadillac Escalade Platinum Hybrid Revealed
We wouldn't call the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid spartan, but a new model -- the 2009 Escalade Platinum Hybrid -- packs even more luxury into an already classy vehicle. Cadillac already offers both hybrid and Platinum variants of the Escalade, but this latest offering combines the 'green' powertrain of the former with the amenities of the latter. Platinum models add a number of distinctive touches both inside and out, including a unique grille, LED headlamps, Aniline leather seating, magnetic ride control, and unique 22-inch aluminum wheels. More