AMI Web Site Offers Online Training

The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) has a new education Web site - www.amieducationonline.com - that combines the strengths of instructor-led classroom training with the advantages of online convenience and accessibility.

These Web-based seminars - Webinars, for short - are just like an instructor-led seminar with all of its key interactive elements, including the ability to give, receive and discuss information among the participants. The difference is that participants view the presentation through their Web browser and listen to the audio through their telephone.

Monthly Webinars are scheduled through the end of this year on a variety of topics: employee management, customer service, telephone skills and more.

The Webinars will be held on the first Tuesday of each month. AMI invites you to visit its new Web site and register for the next Webinar training session.

AMI Certifies Mitchell Workshops

The Automotive Management Institute (AMI) now certifies Mitchell 1's Shop Management System Training Workshops. Attendees can earn 30 credits toward their Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) designation by completing one of Mitchell 1's comprehensive, two-day events.

"AMI's certification is a valuable industry endorsement that provides enhanced visibility, credibility and purpose to our training program, while also providing our customers with additional motivation to attend the workshops as a value to their shop's personal business growth," said Tim McDonnell, national training manager for Mitchell 1.

ASE/AYES/Skills USA Form Partnership

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), Automotive Youth Educational Systems (AYES), and Skills USA have agreed to provide co-branded end-of-program exams for students in secondary and post-secondary technology programs. The new exams will merge the well-known NATEF End-of-Program tests into a joint offering from the three groups. All three organizations agree this will best serve the needs of students, schools and the automotive service industry.

Through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), ASE will oversee development and delivery of the exams for all three organizations. Candidates and instructors will be able to access the exam through a single co-branded test entry portal. Partner Web sites will link to this common portal. A spring 2009 launch is anticipated.

I-CAR Announces 2009 Annual Meeting

I-CAR has announced that its 2009 international annual meeting - 30th anniversary celebration - will be held Feb. 5-7 at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C.

CarCareONE Never Strands Its Customers

The Emergency Roadside Assistance program that comes with a CarCareONE card is proving to be a powerful sales tool for enrolling new cardholders. This valuable customer service ensures that your customer will never be stranded on the highway without help. One phone call does it all. Emergency Roadside Assistance is available anywhere in the United States and Canada, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

CarCareONE cardholders who need assistance just call a toll-free number that is provided to them when they receive their new card(s) in the mail shortly after account approval and give the representative their CarCareONE account number for verification. A service vehicle is dispatched immediately.

The following services are covered:

• Jump Start

• Towing up to 10 miles

• Tire change (with the customer's inflated spare)

• Fluid replacement (fluids not covered)

• Lock-out service

If more extensive service is required, the cardholder is given a complete estimate of charges over the phone before a qualified service provider is dispatched. Once the problem has been fixed the cardholder simply signs for the services and is not responsible for any charges if covered services are provided. The CarCareONE Emergency Roadside Assistance program does not cover recreational vehicles and off-road vehicles.

"This service, plus extended financing like 90-days no-interest financing, are the two most popular features of the CarCareONE card," according to David Jelley, GE Money relationship manager for the CarCareONE program. "Taking the time to explain these features is a sure way to increase customer interest, which leads to more applicants and potentially a higher approval rate. Very few people will turn down these benefits when they only need to take two minutes to fill out an application."

GE Money, an ASA-sponsored benefit provider, administers the CarCare One program. If you are interested in learning more about this program, please call ASA's membership department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295.

American Honda to Reduce Price of Service Information Subscriptions

American Honda Motor Co. Inc., (AHM) has announced that, beginning Nov. 1, 2008, the factory service information Web site for Honda and Acura vehicles, Honda ServiceExpress, will sell combined subscriptions at reduced prices. The new price for a standard combined Honda and Acura three-day subscription will be $10, a 30-day subscription will be $50, and a 365-day subscription will now cost just $350. For less than a dollar per day, subscribers can receive access to all Honda and Acura service information, including service manuals, body repair manuals, wiring diagrams, service bulletins, parts catalogs and accessory installation info. Additionally, newly released animated circuit schematics and 3D repair procedures on select vehicles can be viewed through the Web site. Key code access is also available to qualified subscribers for an additional fee.

To help promote Honda ServiceExpress, AHM will participate in the upcoming International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) from Nov. 6-8, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. The AHM booth will feature brief demonstrations of the Web site, along with complimentary gifts for participants. For more information, please visit www.ServiceExpress.Honda.com. New subscription pricing will be effective Nov. 1, 2008.