ASCCA What You Need To Know

November 24, 2014

ASCCA Office to Close November 27 and 28 for Thanksgiving

The ASCCA office will be closed Thursday, November 27 and Friday, November 28, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The staff at ASCCA would like to wish you and your family a very happy Thanksgiving!

Report on the BAR Educational Group Meeting of Nov. 15

Jack Molodanof and Phil Fournier share their perspectives on the BAR Educational Group meeting that occurred on Saturday, November 15 in Sacramento. Topics included the new citation training program, the Automotive Resource Center website, a STAR update, BAR-certified instructors, and BAR-certified update courses.

Read the report

NASTF Panel Begins Dialogue on OEM Education Resources

A three-person panel discussed key issues relating to Aftermarket Access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) Education Resources in a one-hour session during the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) Fall 2014 General Meeting, November 5 in Las Vegas. The dialogue centered on the frustration shared by OEMs and technicians over aftermarket access to OEM education resources.

Read the press release from NASTF

New Car Sales Surge 9% in Third Quarter of 2014

Statewide new car sales surged nearly 9% in the third quarter of this year, compared to the same time period last year, according to the California New Car Dealers Association. This outpaces the U.S. average. The Honda Accord is the best-selling model, just ahead of Toyota's Prius and Camry.

Read the article from The Sacramento Bee

Survey Says: Positive Relationships Lead Customers to Keep Choosing Independent Auto Shops Over Dealerships

According to a survey by AutoMD.com, and as reported in Ratchet & Wrench, better relationships are what drive customers to independent repair shops rather than dealerships. Consumers are familiar with and trust their local mechanic. Secondly, customers are attracted by a fair price, as they are wary of being overcharged for repairs at dealerships, since dealers have higher business overhead, marketing expenses, required use of OEM parts, and upselling requirements.

Read the article from Ratchet & Wrench

ASCCA Member of the Month - November

The ASCCA's member of the month for November is Steve Elstins, owner of West Coast Muffler in Concord. Steve was nominated by Chapter 20 because of his passion to make a difference in the industry. He has organized a Father's Day car show for the last 20 years and donated the proceeds to charity. Steve is also an ASCCA board member, chairs ASCCA's Education, Training and Information Committee, and is a member of ASCCA's Summer Conference and Government Affairs committees.

Know someone deserving of being ASCCA Member of the Month? Nominate them! More info here

Click here to read about previous ASCCA members of the month.

Be the Best Option, Not the Cheapest

Long-time supporters of ASCCA were among those interviewed for an article in Ratchet & Wrench about why independent auto shops should not strive to offer the lowest price. Tim Ross, president of Mudlick Mail, Maylan Newton of Educational Seminars Institute, and longtime industry consultant Bill Haas share their thoughts in the article. Auto repair is a service, and quality of work, honesty, speed of the job and customer service matter more than price, they say.

Read the article from Ratchet & Wrench

Rosekind Nominated to Head NHTSA

President Obama is nominating Mark Rosekind to lead the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which has had an interim administrator this past year. The NHTSA is the nation's top auto safety agency. Rosekind has been a member of the NHTSA since 2010.

Read the article from The Detroit Free Press

ASCCA Members Can Take ESi Courses at a Big Discount; Course Dates are Dec. 1 and Dec. 2

One of ASCCA's newer member benefits is being able to take Educational Seminars Institute (ESi) classes, which usually cost $149.95, for only $95! Classes coming up are on "Sales and the Customer Experience" and are offered Dec. 1 in Santa Clara and Dec. 2 in Fairfield. All proceeds from course registrations go back to ASCCA, helping us bring you even more member benefits. The number of ASCCA discounted courses is limited, so register today!

Link to more information and the registration area

Member Benefit Extended! ASCCA Discount on DAD Device Good Through the End of this Year

Applus Technologies, Inc. ("Applus") is pleased to offer ASCCA members a 15% discount off the retail price of each Applus Smog DADdy� full system. To obtain the discount, Applus Technologies asks that ASCCA members wishing to purchase the units order on their website www.smogdaddy.com and enter promotion code "ASCCA" in the appropriate space on the order form.

This offer will expire December 31, 2014. ASCCA members will receive their discount immediately upon purchase. In cases where established members have made purchases prior to the date of this agreement, Applus will adjust the purchase price to reflect the aforementioned discount.

Recall Notices from the NHTSA this Week