News Briefs

By Levy Joffrion

SEMA Program Off to Good Start

From the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) comes word that its Installer Certification Program is off to a good start with more than 100 installers well on their way to attaining the SEMA Certified Accessory Specialist designation.

The SEMA program to certify technicians who install accessories on cars and trucks includes four modules: Z1/Electric Sunroofs, Z2/Body Exterior Components, Z3/Leather Interiors, and Z4/Roof Treatments. To receive SEMA credentials, installers must also pass the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) A6 exam on electrical/electronic systems. This exam will next be offered May 7. SEMA exams will be conducted May 9. Examinations are conducted in many locations across the country for the convenience of the technicians working toward certification.

Independents Gain Ground on Dealers

While new car dealers have lost roughly 25 percent of their service capacity in the past 12 years due to a decline in service bays, the independent aftermarket has added nearly 200,000 service bays during the same period, according to a new market research report from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).

The report reveals that since 1989, the number of service bays per dealership have shrunk, resulting in a loss of 75,000 service bays, from 296,000 to 221,000. During the same 12-year period the number of service bays at auto parts stores has increased 70 percent and general repair shops have added 35,000 bays.

“More than 70 percent of the motoring public relies on the independent aftermarket to manufacture, deliver, sell and install automotive parts and accessories,” said Alfred L. Gaspar, AAIA president and CEO. “This perspective reinforces why it's so important for our association to continue to fight legislative and regulatory battles such as SB 1146 in California and HR 2735, 'The Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair Act,' here in Washington, D.C., which ensure that independents will continue to have the ability to provide competitive and effective repairs for late model vehicles equipped with mandated on-board diagnostic II computers.”

Gold Class Firms Increase 25 Percent

Gold Class Professionals business locations across the United States have increased 25 percent since January 2001. The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) attributes this to many factors, including the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum and the implementation of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, which increase the number of training opportunities for Gold Class businesses.

“With the new Enhanced Delivery curriculum, the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, and Gold Class becoming an industry training standard, we are seeing the collision industry becoming more receptive to the need for technical training,” said Tom Mack, I-CAR executive vice president and CEO. “This growth of Gold Class is truly an indicator of an increase in professionalism in our industry.”

The Gold Class Professionals program was created in 1990 to recognize businesses committed to quality and excellence through training.

In other news, I-CAR announced its technical publication, Advantage, will no longer be offered in print. Instead, Advantage Online technical articles are now offered as a regular feature of I-CAR's biweekly e-newsletter. Industry professionals can subscribe to the free e-newsletter by visiting the I-CAR Web site at www.i-car.com.

CARQUEST Helps Raise Money

CARQUEST Auto Parts selected Saturday, April 6, as National Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Awareness Day at the company.

Hosting and cosponsoring specific events with law enforcement Torch Run officials allows participating CARQUEST Auto Parts stores to raise money for local programs.

The mission of the Torch Run is to raise funds for, and awareness of, the Special Olympics worldwide. Law enforcement officers from every state and more than 30 countries carry the Flame of Hope honoring Special Olympics athletes.

It also has been announced that the CARQUEST North American Sales Force has earned the National Institute for Automotive Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of ExcellenceRecognition. ASE gives the Blue Seal to organizations that have at least 75 percent ASE-certified representation. The CARQUEST North American Sales Force holds a total of 415 ASE certifications and joins the CARQUEST Technical Institute as being ASE Blue Seal approved.

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