NORTH RICHLAND HILLS, TEXAS – ASA has a new leader. Ray Fisher, executive director of ASA’s Michigan affiliate, has been selected to head the Automotive Service Association as its executive director/president, beginning Jan. 2, 2019.…
At one of the darkest times of my life, after just losing my business partner, who was also my beloved husband and best friend, I chose to take my first solo trip to an industry convention. …
We are about to move into a new year. It’s time to “refocus” to achieve great results in 2019. I would like to challenge you to commit to this for the next 90 days as it will really bring clarity…
I own a shop in a small town and have a great reputation. Recently we had one of our regular customers bring us a 2000 Toyota Camry with over 200,000 miles on it. The…
EDITOR’S NOTE: Two technicians – Isaac Rodell and Johnathan Dickerman – were interviewed for this article. We appreciate their input. Time has proven that American drivers love SUVs. But do technicians who have to fix them feel the same way?…
Sixty-seven years ago, ASA printed the first issue of what is now AutoInc. magazine. Beginning in 2019, the magazine will no longer have a print edition. Instead, the magazine – and the same outstanding content – will be offered on…
We’d love to feature you and your shops! When you have a successful event, a shop expansion, a fantastic employee, a new addition to your family or find yourself experiencing the coolest vacation, please send our way. Don’t be shy!…
ASA-Colorado had so much success with its “first annual” golf tournament in September that it plans on holding one in 2019. Eighty golfers joined 10 “primary sponsors” to make the event a “great success,” said Julie Massaro, the Colorado ASA…
ASA-Michigan leader Ray Fisher isn’t shy about magnifying the intangible benefit of ASA having representation in Washington, D.C. And now, Fisher said it is more important than ever, especially as vehicle manufacturers are beginning to mandate repair procedures, equipment and…
If you want to read something that causes you to raise your eyebrows, just look at some of the latest findings from the Lang Aftermarket iReport. Did you know a “growing share” of Americans ages 18 to 34 have elected…
Automobiles have become extremely complex – and it is more important than ever for independent repair shops to understand what safety equipment is on particular vehicles. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s VIN Decoder is a top-notch tool that does…
As a business owner and chairman of ASA, I often find myself wishing for more time. It’s not an unusual situation, and one that most of you reading this I’m sure have experienced. Growing a business while raising a family…
During the 1970s, concern about the impact of ozone depleting substances reached a feverish pitch. Although there was much interest in those substances that likely depleted the ozone, the use of the chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-12, used at the time in motor…
Vehicle repairers have watched a slow hemorrhage of state vehicle safety inspection programs for a number of years. These programs go back to 1926 beginning with a voluntary program in Massachusetts, and increased to 31 states plus the District of…
I’ve been experimenting with specials to be used in direct mail, boosted Facebook posts and other such advertising mediums. One such special is a summer kickoff special, which is an air conditioning inspection and service for only $139. The wording…
"They” say new car dealers are feeling aggressive and confident. Car dealerships are also looking at aggressive methods to keep the purchasers of their used cars in their bays. Dealerships want the lucrative aftermarket business, they are going after it,…
A multi-store shop owner sends in the following situation: We recently had a 2015 Ford F150 V8 with 46,000 miles brought into one of my shops with a check engine light on, as well as a drivability problem. My technician…
I just couldn’t resist. It was just the detective in me. “Yes, I will take a look at it,” I said to a new customer when she said her car would stall but only occasionally. Why would I do such…
