Six foolproof ways to protect you and your customers from mishaps caused by counterfeit parts. The word “counterfeit” means a copy or replica of something manufactured with the intent to defraud. If, for example, you bought a Rolex from a…
Automotive telematics is here. And experts say it will transform the way that service centers interact with and respond to their customers. How will you prepare to deal with it in your shop? Telematics is one of the most discussed…
Don’t be clueless about wireless connectivity. Rapid advances in vehicle security technologies have put the industry on the cutting edge ‑ and on edge. Working on modern vehicles equipped with such a wide variety of security systems is becoming more…
Join the brave new world of hiring and learn how to retain your top technicians. If you’re having trouble finding, hiring and keeping good technicians, you’re not alone. With today’s shortage of qualified techs, the aftermarket-hiring situation has become a…
What the increase in the salary test means for the automotive service industry. Two years after the president directed the Department of Labor (DOL) to change the minimum salary for exemption as a “white collar” worker, and over a year…
Redesigned Chevy Volt undergoes inspection. Is the second generation better than the first? There have been no redesigns of any plug-in cars except the Chevy Volt. The Nissan Leaf did get a larger capacity battery pack and the motor/inverter underwent…
To sell tires, or not to sell tires? How one shop owner’s inquiry into new technology led him to burn rubber in a new direction. Some “truths” are true or untrue, depending on an individual’s perspective. For example, up until…
Fun and functional high–tech tools that you might not think to buy - but should. We’ve found the Droid MAXX smartphones to be a stable platform with tons of battery life. These phones get plugged in…
What’s in it for you to perform courtesy checks? Plenty. But getting your techs into the habit takes planning and effort. Here’s how. A lot has been written about the value of the courtesy-check process – mostly about how important…
Should your customers fix their old cars or buy new ones? It depends on if they understand “cost of ownership.” Do you? By Pete Rudloff It’s not unusual to have a customer in my shop who is pondering whether to…
Two of the Automotive Service Association’s leading authorities on the new technologies tell where you need to focus your attention. Connected Cars: The Mechanical Side by Donny Seyfer For many years, ASA has been involved in the issue of how…
Five things you don’t know about NASTF & the VSP Registry – but should. Thirteen years ago, a group of individuals and organizations came together to create the next step in automotive service technology. It was built on the idea…
Many years ago I watched my next-door neighbor use a dime to remove and reinstall a screw in an attempt to fix a toy of mine.…
To have a meaningful discussion regarding how a shop should be layed out, let’s get one thing established: The purpose of a shop is to provide the best possible setting for producing revenue. The numbers I am about to mention…
The candidate profiles on the following pages comprise the official ballot for the 2015 elections for the Automotive Service Association (ASA) national board of directors. All regular members in good standing with ASA are eligible to vote for one position…
The ASA Marketplace brings you a variety of savings and special offers on products and services exclusively for ASA member-shops. How to Log in to the ASA Marketplace Step 1. Go to asa.bizunite.com. Log in to the ASA Marketplace with…
Advances in technology that have led to new safety, infotainment and communications features in automobiles are drawing interest nationwide. From trade shows to showrooms, functions that could save lives and improve the driving experience are beginning to reach the market.…
AutoInc.’s 24th Annual Shop Management Software Guide gives an overview of the shop management software systems on the market today and which features they offer. This year, 21 mechanical software companies and five collision companies participated in the survey. The…
