'You better put that thing back together before your father gets home!'
In 1964 America, the threat of father finding out you did something bad had all the weight of a nuclear explosion along with the extended fallout.
Features
Recruiting, hiring, development & retention of quality employees
The competition for quality technicians is very keen right now, and sadly the numbers entering the automotive service profession, especially in the role of technician, seems sadly slim.
ASA appoints well-recognized industry leader to head organization
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.…
Larson: Networking a key to success
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. …
For the Love of Hybrids & SUVs
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?…
AutoInc. 'Going Fully Digital' in 2019
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…
Schnepper: The importance of quality time
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…
Michigan family builds strong business by creating lasting relationships
Experience isn’t a problem at Gentile’s Collision in Shelby Township, Mich. “We are four generations strong,” said Mark Gentile Jr., whose family has owned the business for nearly eight decades. “We have three technicians who have been with us more…
Redding: U.S. EPA highlights refrigerant regulations
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…
Fuel Cells, Body Shops & the Future
Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEV) are here, not a lot of them, but they have arrived. In 1999 there were 23 hybrids sold in the USA. Now, we have millions. FCEVs are sold or leased mostly in California, but if…
Ramping Up Refinish
No matter which business performance number you’re looking to improve – productivity, cycle time or profitability – all roads lead through your paint department.
Developing women leaders in the aftermarket
There’s roughly a four-to-one ratio, men-to-women in employment in the automotive industry. Our industry has over the past four to five years begun to see more clearly the value of having not just women, but women in leadership, and influential…
Redding: How can we change the conversation for vehicle safety inspection?
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…
The Leading Edge of Cybersecurity: Three trends reshaping vehicle security
Cybersecurity continues to occupy much attention in the automotive world. We are soon going to have millions of connected land, sea and air vehicles traveling the globe. Those vehicles, connected businesses and other users will all require and rely on…
Finding the Right Parts
Choosing and correctly installing the right part is no simple task these days.
Benefitting from Cause Marketing
For many shops, hiring women is about putting forward an atmosphere of friendliness and trustworthiness, particularly to women customers, who, as we all know, account for 85 percent of all purchase decisions. It turns out that hiring women involves more…
