By Alissa Arford-Leyl
Web Wise
Automotive Industry News Online
If you want to get the latest news about the automotive industry, you can now head for your computer instead of a television, radio or periodical. In the past, it was almost impossible to get this kind of industry information so quickly. Now all you need is access to the Internet and you can find out about everything from new paint products to pending legislation affecting shops in your state.
News Web Sites
The CNN and MSNBC Web sites probably seem like the most normal sources of news on the Web, but nowadays almost all Web sites offer news dealing with their industries. Most news sites allow you to register at the site and make a personalized news Web page. For local information, look for an online version of your city's daily newspaper. (Note: All Web sites are listed below.)
Although you can personalize information and search for automotive-related topics in general news Web sites, it may be more productive to go to industry-specific Web sites for the most comprehensive news. Association Web sites are a great place to go for industry news. (For a list of association Web sites, see the March 1998 issue of AutoInc.)
The ASA Web site, like many others, contains all news releases online (under ASA News). The ASA Web site also offers a "What's New" section with the latest news and updates to the ASA Web site. ASA members have access to the "This Just In" section, which contains weekly news updates. Also available in the "Members-Only" section are weekly updated summaries of state legislative and regulatory issues.
The auto.com Web site contains daily news about the entire automotive industry, including reviews of new cars, stock updates, discussion forums, news about auto shows, racing and much more.
For information about specific companies, go directly to their Web sites. There you can find out about new products, the latest technological advancements and general information. Look in the AutoInc. Advertiser Index for a list of informative automotive company Web sites.
Mailing Lists
You can join electronic mailing lists at many Web sites that will provide you with daily, weekly or periodic e-mail messages dealing with a variety of topics. Some lists are discussion lists, where you can actually post messages to the group. However, most news-focused lists are distribution lists, where the sponsoring company or Web site e-mails information to all members of the list. The NewsPage Web site lets you personalize your news and receive daily e-mail messages with information on your chosen news topics.
ASA's News-Network and Image-Network are mailing lists you can join by visiting the ASA Web site or by sending e-mail to asainfo@asashop.org. The Image-Network is ASA's electronic mailing list used to discount negative publicity and to distribute positive, factual research and news about the automotive service industry to various audiences. The News-Network is an electronic mailing list used to distribute association and industry news to ASA members.
The International Automotive Technicians' Network (iATN) has a discussion mailing list where industry-related topics are discussed. iATN also offers a bulletin board and chat room at its Web site.
Discussion Boards
Automotive news is discussed daily at many Web sites on discussion boards and in chat rooms. This is an easy way to communicate with other shop owners or technicians about issues affecting the industry. Even though discussion boards are popular sources of online news, remember that information found on them should generally not be considered factual until verified. Visit the "Related Links" section of the ASA Web site for a complete listing of automotive industry Web sites.
ASA Web Ways
Go to your Web browser's general preferences and make the ASA Web site your home page!
www.asashop.org
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