ASCCA What You Need To Know

February 23, 2015

ASCCA is Movin' On Up!

We are excited to report that the ASCCA central office is moving from Suite 320 to Suite 800. Our confirmed move-in dates are March 2-3. To facilitate the move of the phone service, system and networking to the new suite our office will be closed Tuesday, March 3.

NorCal Leads 53-44 in ASCCA Countertop Display Contest

NorCal's lead was cut in half this past week. NorCal leads 53-44; a week ago they led 47-29. 16 NorCal shops have sent in entries for an average of 3.3 points per entry; SoCal has 12 entries and is averaging 3.7 points per entry. For updates, go to ASCCA's Facebook page. If you did not receive a countertop display in the mail, or to send contest entry photos, email Phil at: pboerner@amgroup.us

2015 ASCCA Convention: Registration is Now Open!

Registration is now open for the 2015 ASCCA Summer Conference, June 12-14 in Irvine, CA. All the details can be found at our new summer conference web page. Questions? Contact Rachel Hickerson in the ASCCA office (rhickerson@amgroup.us or 800-810-4272)

Order Raffle Tickets Here

The Importance of Marketing to Millennials

Gen Yers (those born after 1980) will make up 75 percent of the U.S. workforce by 2025 -- are you starting to earn their loyalty now? GenYers want to spend locally and want to support companies that are involved in their communities. They know nothing about carburetors and regular mechanical breakdowns. How can you reach them?

Read the advice from Ratchet & Wrench

ASCCA's Legislative Day is Set for April 14! Join Us!

ASCCA recently settled on the date for our annual Legislative Day, and it will be April 14, 2015. Join us for a day at the Capitol! California Autobody Association (CAA) is partnering with ASCCA for the 2015 Legislative Fly-In! Don't miss out on this opportunity to connect with others in the industry. Fill out this registration form and book your airfare. We're taking care of the rest.

More information here

Car Care Council: Order Car Care Guides for National Car Care Month

The Car Care Council reminds shop owners, counterpersons and technicians to order the popular Car Care Guide in time for National Car Care Month in April. Available in English and Spanish, the recently-redesigned Car Care Guide can be easily ordered by visiting the Car Care Council website.

Order Car Care Guides here

ASCCA Establishes Advocacy Fund; Seeks Your Donation

The ASCCA has established a fund to enhance our advocacy with the state legislature (e.g., legislative advocate's travel, ASCCA's annual legislative day lobbying, Government Affairs Committee initiatives).

Your donation support's ASCCA's core purpose: To elevate and unite automotive professionals, and give them voice. If you have any questions, call ASCCA at 916-924-9054 or email us at: info@ascca.com.

Click here to make a donation

Cerritos Community College's Automotive Technology Program Profiled in Parts & People

ASCCA-Member Cerritos Community College's Automotive Technology Program was featured in Parts & People's monthly automotive educator newsletter. The program at Cerritos is thriving, with well over 1,000 students. The automotive technology program started in 1957 but keeps changing with the times.

Read the article
(Reprinted with permission from Parts & People)

Mentoring: One Way to Grow Automotive Repair Technicians

Brian Canning in Motor Age writes a column about automotive repair technicians as an endangered species, and what he proposes be done about it. Automotive technicians are one of the hardest positions to fill in the U.S. Canning suggests assigning a senior technician as a mentor to encourage the junior technician to stay in the car repair business as a career.

Read the article from Motor Age

Apple Appears to Be Building a Self-Driving, Electric Car

Apple, the California computer company, has set up a secret lab to create their own self-driving, electric car. By 2030, when fully-automated cars will be on the roads, there will be quite a market for the software to run a self-driving vehicle, along with mapping and car-recharging services.

Read the article from Reuters

Body Shops Accuse Insurance Companies of Pushing Them to Use Cheap, Dangerous Parts

In a lawsuit filed against State Farm Insurance in Louisiana - and which has gained the interest of 500 garages from 36 states, which are joining the lawsuit - body shops are alleging that insurance companies insist they use inferior, salvaged, or counterfeit parts when making repairs, so as to save the insurance companies money. This puts consumers at risk when they drive back on the road.

Read the article from CNN.com

Member Discount Alert! ASCCA Partners with Educational Seminars Institute (ESi) for Discounted Courses

Seminar courses are normally $149.95. ASCCA members pay only $95 per attendee -- a savings of almost $55 per class! Service writer courses are normally $1,500. ASCCA members pay only $950 per attendee!

Click here to take advantage of this offer

ASCCA's Member of the Month for February: Darren Gilbert

Darren Gilbert of Gilbert Motor Service in Alhambra is ASCCA's Member of the Month for February 2015. He is very active in Chapter 5 and currently serves as chapter president. Darren has brought in several new ASCCA members and promotes our association every chance he gets. He lobbies for ASCCA members at our annual legislative days and attends all summer conferences. Darren also sets up classes for members and is always willing to help others. Congratulations, Darren!

Read about past members of the month here

Recall Notices from the NHTSA

There are so many recalls from NHTSA each week that it is becoming impossible to keep up with them. Therefore, here are links to a few places that list the recalls as they come in.

NHTSA Facebook Page

NHTSA Website

Thank You ASCCA Sponsors!