Aug. 15 Deadline for AMI Scholarships

There's still time to apply for eight scholarships to be awarded this year by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). But hurry! Applications must be received by AMI on or before Aug. 15.

The scholarship recipients will then be notified by AMI on or before Sept. 15. It is OK to apply for more than one scholarship.

Three of the scholarships are for expenses to attend the 2008 International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas Nov. 5-8. Five of the scholarships are for expenses to attend the 2008 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas Nov. 5-8.

To request an application for any of these scholarships, fill out a scholarship application online at www.amionline.org or call AMI at (800) 272-7467, ext. 241.

Nagy Collision Center Receives Honor

Ron Nagy

Nagy's Collision Center in Wooster, Ohio, has been named that city's Small Business of the Year.

Ron Nagy, AAM, is co-owner of three Nagy's Collision Centers in Ohio, including the one in Wooster. He is assistant director of ASA's Collision Division, a member of ASA's board of directors, and president-elect of ASA-Ohio.

Fuel Efficiency Classes Scheduled

With all the emphasis these days on fuel efficiency as a result of high gas prices, your technicians might do well to attend some classes on that very subject.

Classes scheduled include sessions Aug. 18 in Houston; Aug. 19 in San Antonio; Aug. 20 in Austin, Texas; Aug. 21, Denton, Texas; Aug. 23, Fort Worth, Texas; Sept. 15, Olympia, Wash.; Sept. 16, Seattle; Sept. 17, Bellingham, Wash; Sept. 18, Tacoma, Wash.; Sept. 29, Westchester, Pa.; and Sept. 30, Lancaster, Pa.

For additional dates and locations, contact TDJ Auto Training at (713) 725-1895.

2.5 Millionth Tech Completes I-CAR Training

A Los Angeles technician has become the two-and-a-half-millionth professional to complete I-CAR Live training.

To celebrate this occasion, the 2.5 Millionth collision industry professional who has taken I-CAR Live training will be awarded the opportunity to take two free Live Training Programs and two free Online Training Programs equating to 2.5 I-CAR Points once training is completed and passed. Abraham Deleon of Mr. Polish Auto Body in Los Angeles is the lucky recipient. Mr. Polish Auto Body is an ASA member.

GM Providing Key Info for Locksmiths

General Motors Corp. is implementing a nationwide process for registered locksmiths to obtain information to make replacement keys and obtain immobilizer PIN information for GM vehicles.

GM is making this information available as part of an automobile industry voluntary action. It worked in collaboration with the National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF), Associated Locksmiths of America (ALOA) and National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Key code information will be available for most GM vehicles as far back as the 1998 model year. GM will provide access to this information on a 24/7 basis.

ASA Store Offers AVI Products

Through an agreement with ASA, Automotive Video Inc. (AVI) provides a 15 percent discount on 25 of its selected products.

One of those selected products includes the OEM service information seminar, "Beyond the Books ... OEM Service Information Web Sites," which is taught by Bill Haas, ASA's vice president of education and training.

To purchase this or other products, visit the ASA Online Store at www.ASAstore.com.

ALLDATA Posts White Papers on Alldata.com

ALLDATA LLC has announced the availability of white papers on its Web site, www.alldata.com. White papers on topics of interest to automotive service and collision professionals cover subjects such as tire pressure monitoring systems, preventive maintenance, shop management systems, hybrid technology, advanced high strength steel, the value of OEM information and more.

"As the provider of manufacturers' repair information to the mechanical and collision repair industries, we are committed to helping our customers and prospective customers any way we can," says Helene Ton, marketing director for ALLDATA. "White papers offer both general and specific knowledge to shops and consumers alike."

Links to white papers are found on each of the product pages at www.alldata.com. Additional white papers will be added periodically.

Ton adds, "We want everyone to understand the issues that confront the automotive service and collision industries. Education is the key to success."