News Briefs
NATEF Releases Free Career Videos
The National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF), in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), has released a new Career Encounters video. The video, titled Alternative Fuels Vehicle Technician, is available in a 28-minute general audience version and a 15-minute recruiting version. The videos are intended to elevate interest and highlight the growth potential in the area of alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) service.
While supplies last, both videos, along with a presenter's guide, are available free of charge under a grant from the DOE's Certification of Higher-learning in Alternative Motorfuels Program (CHAMP). For more information about the Careers Encounters series, or the DOE-CHAMP program, contact NATEF at (703) 713-0100.
Domestic Cars Reach Record Average Age
Domestic cars in the United States reached a record high average age of 9.5 years as of Jan. 1, 1997, according to Lang Marketing Resources, Inc., in Wyckoff, N.J.
"Light trucks have captured a growing share of new domestic vehicle sales since the mid-1980s. As a result, the average age of domestic cars on U.S. roads has soared, dramatically impacting the mix of aftermarket products sold, where products are purchased, as well as where vehicle service is performed," said James A. Lang, president of the research company.
Lang reports that the average age of domestic cars in the United States has surged more than 1.5 years since the beginning of the decade. In addition, the average age of domestic cars west of the Mississippi is significantly higher than the 9.5 year average of all domestic cars in the United States.
Cooper Donates To Community College
Automotive aftermarket supplier Cooper Automotive recently donated about $8,000 worth of products and teaching aids to the automotive technology program at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Ill. The donation included 300 spark plugs, dozens of sets of spark plug wires, a fuel-injection cleaning kit, battery cables, and all of the product catalogs and application guides necessary to put the materials to use.
"The donation from Cooper Automotive will assist the college in providing real-world, hands-on experiences for students in our automotive technology program," said Dan Ensalaco, associate dean of technology, mathematics and physical science for Waubonsee Community College. "This type of partnership between industry and education is critical in providing the automotive industry with qualified personnel."
ASE Reports Top Ten List Of Vehicle Neglect
Changing the oil and filter is the most frequently neglected service by car owners, according to a survey of ASE-certified automotive technicians by the National Institute of Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). Although changing the oil and filter was the top choice of 21.7 percent of those surveyed, neglecting the cooling system, belts and hoses was a close second, listed by 19 percent of technicians. Other services neglected by car owners include transmission (12.3 percent); periodic maintenance (10.3 percent); tune-ups (8.7 percent); tires (8.5 percent); suspension and steering (8.2 percent); brakes (7.7 percent); timing belts (2.4 percent); and body/paint work (1 percent).
Study Shows Benefits Of I-CAR Programs
A recent collision industry research study compiled by AutocheX indicates that the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals Program improves the quality and efficiency of repairs.
The study includes opinions of owners of Gold Class businesses, owners who have participated in I-CAR, owners who have not participated in I-CAR, students who have attended I-CAR training, I-CAR instructors, I-CAR volunteers, insurers, vendors and consultants from the industry.
A majority of respondents replied that technicians trained by I-CAR produce higher quality repairs than those who do not receive I-CAR training; 76 percent of students said that I-CAR training helps them to produce a higher quality repair. It was also found that the two main reasons that respondents enrolled in I-CAR training were to gain collision repair knowledge and to educate/train employees.
More than 74 percent of the respondents who have not participated in I-CAR training plan to do so, and more than 72 percent of business owners indicate they intend to achieve I-CAR Gold Class status.
Pennzoil Advances Oil Technology
Pennzoil has announced a significant technological advancement in its motor oils - one that starts with a pure, clear base oil, which is the basic ingredient in motor oil. According to Pennzoil, its new refining process destroys virtually all of the contaminants and harmful components in crude oil.
The Right Time For OSHA Review || Computerizing Your Business Can Be Easy || How To Schedule Vacations || Guest Editorial: Congress Responds To Workers' Need For Flexibility || Tech To Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking The Hill || Around ASA || Shop Profile || Net Worth || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLV No. 7, July 1997