Orphaned vehicles (nameplates for which dealers no longer exist) and stranded vehicles (cars and light trucks whose selling-dealer closed) offer a multi-billion-dollar, 10-year growth opportunity for independent repair outlets. Lang Marketing estimates over one-fifth of all vehicles on U.S. roads are either orphaned or stranded. For owners of these vehicles (nearly 50 million cars and trucks) independent (non-dealer) repair outlets are their most convenient and, in some cases, their only repair choice. Lang Marketing calculates orphaned and stranded cars and light trucks represent over $32 billion in 2012 aftermarket parts and service at user-price.

December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness Month

Learn more by reading our publication, Identity Theft And Your Social Security Number.

SACRAMENTO, December 26, 2012 - The Air Resources Board has approved the first car for sale in California that meets ARB's most stringent smog-emission standard to date.

 

The 2014 Honda Plug-In Hybrid Accord produces only 20 milligrams of combined smog-forming emissions per mile. This makes it the first gasoline-powered car in California to meet what is known as the SULEV20 standard, the most stringent in the nation and one-third cleaner (in terms of smog-forming pollution) than the previous lowest state standard. In addition, this Honda model has lower greenhouse gas emissions than the fleet average standard required by all cars in 2025, the equivalent of a 50-percent reduction from current required levels.

 

"Once again, Honda is the first to comply with ARB's most stringent standard," said Tom Cackette, ARB's Deputy Executive Office and head of the mobile source program. "Honda has demonstrated that a dedicated commitment to the environment and advanced engineering at every level of the company can deliver the cleanest cars well ahead of schedule."

 

Honda has a history of being the first manufacturer to comply with California's strict emission standards. In 1995, the 1996 Civic was the first certified Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) gasoline vehicle. In 1997, the 1998 Accord was the first ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) gasoline vehicle. The following year, in 1999, the 2000 Accord was the first certified Super Ultra-low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) gasoline vehicle. In 2001, the 2001 Civic GX powered by compressed natural gas was the first certified Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT PZEV). In 2002, the 2003 Civic Hybrid was the first certified Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle. (AT PZEV) hybrid vehicle.

 

The Executive Order allowing Honda to sell the newly certified ultra-clean cars in California was signed on December 21, following a detailed examination of emissions and performance test results. Honda began production of the car that same day.

 

As a result of the advanced technology in its design, the full-size sedan model achieves 124 MPGe city / 105 MPGe highway in hybrid mode, and 47 MPG city / 46 MPG highway in standard (gas only) mode.

 

The low emissions standards that this Honda model meets are part of the state's Advanced Clean Cars package of regulations, adopted in January 2012, that will ensure increasingly cleaner cars for sale in the state, and provide for increased choices of zero-emission vehicles.

 

When fully in force in 2025, the new set of standards will reduce smog-causing pollutants from low-emission vehicles 75 percent from current levels, and greenhouse gases by 34 percent. This will result in less overall vehicle emissions and cleaner air, along with more efficient cars that will ultimately require less fossil fuel to operate. The new requirements will save California drivers $5 billion in operating costs in 2025, and $10 billion by 2030 when more advanced cars are on the road.

 

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In his own words:

"I was raised in the shop where my dad was part owner and I started working with him when I was 15years old. I wanted to learn what made the car tick. I always loved to take things apart, fix it and put them back together!

 

It was June 1976 when I started working at Bill's Auto Electric & Repair. It was the business that my dad (Bob Toepp ) started working at in 1958 and in 1971 he and a partner, Don Bordessa bought from the owner, Bill Siemsen. I worked my way up the ladder from mopping floors, cleaning parts to working on cars. I went through the automotive apprenticeship program, went to Santa Rosa Junior College and graduated with an AA degree in automotive in June 1981. I knew that the automotive business was in my blood. I worked along side my dad until November, 1986 when he passed away. I stayed at Bills working for Don and in June 2007 I bought the business. Now I have 3 full-time employees and hoping to add another in 2013.

 

The ASCCA has been a big part of my business. I never would have otherwise found all of the available resources I have found in ASCCA for my business and for being the Chapter President & Chapter Representative for our local ASCCA Chapter 28 in Santa Rosa. It's all about having so many people in an organization to help you in business. Help is just a phone call away and that is PRICELESS.

 

My first set of advice that I would offer a shop owner in California is to get involved! By joining ASCCA you now belong to the biggest independent organization in the state of California. Together we make our voice louder, from the state capitol, fighting legislation against our business to CARB & BAR asking us for our help changing rules and regulations that pertain to our industry. Also, meeting with other shop owners at your local chapter meetings to statewide shop owners at Team Weekends and summer conferences, talking about new business ideas and going to training classes that will help improve your business. This also is PRICELESS.

 

Be the cream of the crop and join ASCCA now!"