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ASA opposes PARTS Act

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

U.S. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) and Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.) in the U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) in the U.S. Senate, recently introduced legislation titled the "Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade and Sales Act of 2013." Known as "PARTS Act," this legislation provides for an exception from infringing on U.S. design patents for certain component parts of motor vehicles. The bill would amend the U.S. design patent law to change the period of design patent protection for automakers from 14 years to 30 months.

Auto shop educates workers on business costs, remains in business

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

For auto repair shop owners, starting a business can be difficult — many close within the first three to five years. Auto repair shops are one of the more regulated businesses in the U.S. today. Sudley Car Care Center in Manassas, Va., is an exception to this rule. The company has been in operation for 23 years.

Arizona Expo & Convention to deliver business advice, networking, fun

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

Registration is open for the Automotive Service Association of Arizona’s Sunrise 2013 — Automotive Training Expo & Convention. Packed with peer networking opportunities, educational sessions to help your business thrive, golf and other fun activities, Sunrise 2013 will be held July 19-21 in Prescott, Ariz.

The registration deadline is July 12, and presenters include Doris Barnes, Walt Commans, Bob Cooper, Mike Hinman and Gary Wagnon. Sunrise will be held at the Prescott Resort & Conference Center. The direct link to register is www.asaaz.org/members/.

For more information about the event, visit www.asaaz.org; or contact Luz Rubio at (602) 544-2600 or luzrubio@asaaz.org.

Bill targets rental car companies loaning defective vehicles

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

By law, a car dealer cannot sell you a vehicle that’s under a safety recall until it's been repaired. But a company can rent you that vehicle or give it to you as a loaner. "This doesn’t make any sense," said Rosemary Shahan, president of Consumers for Auto Reliability and Safety, who has been pushing Congress to close the rental car loophole.

Ford projects rise in 4-cylinder vehicle sales

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

Automobiles with four-cylinder engines already comprise more than half of U.S. new-vehicle sales, and that number could grow to two-thirds by the end of the decade, according to projections by Ford Motor Co. The shift to the smaller engines is a result of strict federal fuel-efficiency standards — known as Corporate Average Fuel Economy, or CAFE — and means a growing share of cars, SUVs and trucks will join the four-cylinder fray by 2020.

Tesla's fight with America's car dealers

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

Tesla Motors doesn't want to sell its cars the way every other car company does, and that's making a lot of traditional automobile dealers mad. And those dealers are fighting back. Both sides insist they're only trying to protect car buyers.

Aussie travels the world searching for Tucker cars

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

On an extended drive-about from Australia, Brendan Edgerton parked his $150 right-hand drive 1989 Holden Commodore at the entrance to the Henry Ford Museum. Edgerton had come to see Tucker automobile No. 16, one of the world's 47 existing Tuckers built by automotive dreamer Preston Tucker in 1948. "I'm an Aussie surfing the world," he said, offering a shorthand description to explain his 'round-the-world pilgrimage from Melbourne to the U.S. to Europe, with a stop in Vladivostok, before heading back to Australia.

Sterling awards $27,000 in student scholarships, grants

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

Sterling Autobody Centers recently donated $27,000 worth of scholarships and tool grants to seven collision repair students through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The Education Foundation said Sterling’s financial support will provide the students with significant assistance to complete their technical education and become capable and efficient members of the industry after graduation.

Car runs on nothing but air

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

If you're looking for the car of the future, look no further than Peter Dearman's rusty, 25-year-old Vauxhall Nova. But look beyond the homemade at what's not there: No gas and no batteries. Dearman's engine — which sounds like a high-pitched golf cart — is powered only by liquid air. This may be the greenest car on the planet.

Aftermarket industry responds with accessories for electric cars

23 May 2013 10:56:24 CDT

The automobile aftermarket industry is huge. As more plug-in vehicles hit the market, we should expect a commensurate number of accessories specifically designed for zero-emissions vehicles. It's already starting.