News Briefs
Three Companies Form Electronic Parts Network
The Dealer Services and Claims Solutions Groups of Automatic Data Processing Inc., CCC Information Services Inc. and The Reynolds and Reynolds Co. have announced plans to form an independent electronic parts network to link buyers and sellers in a cost-efficient, user-friendly solution for the multibillion dollar automotive parts market.
Subject to regulatory approval and the execution of definitive agreements, the transaction is expected to close by the end of March. The new company will create an online parts marketplace to enable the quick location, purchase and sale of parts. Its electronic parts network is designed to benefit consumers, automotive retailers and manufacturers, collision repair facilities, parts suppliers and insurance companies in an online business-to-business model. This new model will provide intelligent parts location, ordering, confirmation and tracking of parts as well as processing payments and billing.
ASE Announces Undercar Specialist Certification Designation
The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has announced its new Undercar Specialist certification designation. To earn this new certification, technicians must achieve a passing score on the new Exhaust Systems Test (X1), and be currently certified in Suspension and Steering (A4) and Brakes (A5) from the Automobile Test Series.
The new Exhaust Systems Test (X1) will debut during the spring test administration May 2. The registration deadline is March 31. Technicians may register via mail, fax, or the ASE Web site at www.asecert.org. Registration booklets can be requested by contacting the ASE toll-free information line at (877) ASE-TECH.
The Exhaust Systems Test (X1) is not a stand-alone certification. Instead, it serves as a technical complement to certifications in Steering and Suspension (A4) and Brakes (A5). When combined with these credentials, a passing score on the X1 test earns the ASE certification designation of Undercar Specialist. Both the A4 and A5 credentials are prerequisites to register for the new X1 test.
The X1 test is designed to measure technicians' knowledge of the inspection, repair, fabrication and installation of exhaust systems, plus emissions systems diagnosis and exhaust system repair regulations.
The scored portion of the test consists of 40 questions. There is also an unscored portion of the test consisting of 40 questions, which are included for statistical research purposes. Although these questions will not affect the test score, all test questions must be answered since test candidates will not know whether a specific question is scored or not.
Snap-on Pledges Continued Support to AMI
Snap-on Tools, a unit of Snap-on, Inc., has pledged an additional $150,000 to the Automotive Management Institute's (AMI's) resource development effort - EXCEL 2000. When combined with its original commitment of $100,000, Snap-on becomes a Charter Founder.
AMI established EXCEL 2000 to support management education programs tailored to the automotive service industry. Scholarships, additional courses, more on-site classrooms, as well as multi-media programs are included in AMI's strategic long-range plan.
SAE Releases Occupant Protection CD-ROM
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE International) has announced the release of the "SAE Occupant Protection Technology Collection" on CD-ROM. The collection includes over 650 full-text SAE technical papers that focus on the protection systems inside the passenger compartment and their interaction with the occupant.
Documents in this collection provide strategic design, analysis, and crash research information for automotive safety applications. The CD-ROM is particularly applicable for engineers, consultants, educators, lawyers or other professionals who rely on desktop access to technical information to improve performance, minimize passenger injuries, and control costs. Professionals can also use this collection to stay current with the latest engineering efforts to meet the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Topics include interior components, injury patterns, crash research, air bags, restraint systems, sensors, kinematics, dummy response, materials, occupant detection, test methodologies, foam and seating, rollover protection, seatbelts, smart technologies, and more. These documents have been presented at SAE engineering events from 1975 through 1999, and a complete database with bibliographic details and abstracts is also included.
CARQUEST To Support 2001 Special Olympics
CARQUEST Auto Parts has announced that it will be a Gold medal sponsor of the 2001 Special Olympics World Winter Games, to be held in March of 2001 in Anchorage, Alaska, pledging to raise a minimum of $200,000.
The corporation concluded a successful fund-raising campaign in the summer of 1999 when it raised over $1.2 million for the 1999 Special Olympics World Summer Games in North Carolina. CARQUEST Corporation began 26 years ago with 100 auto parts stores. Today there are almost 4,000 CARQUEST Auto Parts stores across North America. CARQUEST supplies the professional automotive service repair industry as well as do-it-yourselfers with replacement parts, tools and equipment.
Ant-Steering Law Challenged in Montana || Bondo & Bucks: Reducing Your Shop's Material Expenses || Y2K and Beyond: Trends for the New Millennium || High on the Job: Shop Policies on Illegal Drugs || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Shop Profile || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XLVIII, March 2000
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