News Briefs
Web site helps shops locate salvage parts
Body shops in need of recycled auto parts can access thousands of parts listings on the Locator On-Line Web site (http://www.partslocator.com), a product of The Locator Magazine.
Each month, auto recyclers across the country add listings to Locator On-Line's seven databases: wholesale parts, retail parts, rebuildables, wholesale dis-mantlers, retail dismantlers and suppliers, and the newest PARTS4.
All automotive industry members can sign up online to conduct free, live parts searches on the site by make, model, part type, location, year or seller. Site visitors can also search a national, online directory of auto recyclers.
Multimedia training for diagnostics, troubleshooting
Fluke Corporation announced the availability of a new training package from Prentice Hall's Multimedia Series in Automotive Technology. Created for automotive students, instructors and service technicians wanting to increase their diagnostic and troubleshooting skills, the new 405-page book "Advanced Engine Performance Diagnosis" includes a 300-page workbook and a CD-ROM.
The automotive training package covers everything needed to understand, troubleshoot and service today's complex electronic and mechanical systems governing engine performance. It also prepares the automotive student or service technician for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) L1 Advanced Engine Performance Certification Test and enhanced emissions testing (I/M 240) repair.
"Advanced Engine Performance Diagnosis" is currently available from Fluke distributors or through Prentice Hall book sellers.
AMI accredits management courses
Three more Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes management courses have been accredited by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI).
"Advantage Marketing" focuses on how to grow market share; "Advantage Hiring and Interviewing" walks attendees through the entire hiring process; and "Increasing Your Closing Ration" examines ways to improve the shop owner's sales technique during the estimating process. Each course earns participants 12 credits. For more information, contact AMI at (800) 272-7467, or a Sherwin-Williams representative.
Training program for Acura/Honda
JENDHAM Inc. has introduced a new training program on Acura/Honda PGM-FI systems that will cover diagnostic and repair information for engine controls, including EGR, EVAP, fuel, idle speed and ignition systems. All students will receive the exclusive 300-plus page training manual that includes sections on how to diagnose Acura and Honda onboard diagnostic (OBD) I systems, and a new section on OBD II systems. Students should have some experience in the repair of computerized engine controls and understand automotive electrical basics. For more information, call (800) 233-3182.
FTC approves divestiture of AutoInfo assets
The Automotive Recyclers Association was notified that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) approved the sale of Automatic Data Processing's (ADP's) AutoInfo assets to Cooperative Computing Inc. (CCI). ADP is divesting its AutoInfo assets as part of the agreement to settle an antitrust suit filed by the FTC which charged that ADP's 1995 acquisition of AutoInfo assets was in violation of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act. It was alleged that a monopoly resulted from the purchase.
As part of the agreement, ADP will divest the AutoInfo assets as an ongoing business so CCI can immediately service automotive recyclers who were former customers of AutoInfo and compete to gain new customers for automotive re-cycling information services.
Gold Class participation helps business, survey shows
In a recent survey sent to I-CAR Gold Class businesses, the majority of respondents indicated that qualifying for Gold Class helps them increase consumer awareness of their business and the customer's level of trust in their service.
To advertise their Gold Class businesses, an average of 53 percent of the respondents use print (yellow pages, newspapers, magazines), 37 percent use television commercials, 32 percent use direct mailings, 31 percent use radio commercials, 27 percent use billboards and 12 percent use the Internet.
Fluoro Tech acquired by F.T. Industries
F.T. Industries LLC has acquired the name, assets and manufacturing rights of Fluoro Tech Inc., Franklinville, N.J., but will continue to manufacture and sell refrigerant recovery equipment under the Fluoro Tech and Fluoromizer trade names.
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AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLVI, May 1998 (http://www.asashop.org)