News Briefs
Repair Specialists, Dealers Dominate Market Growth
Specialty repair shops and auto dealerships accounted for nearly two-thirds of the service market product growth in the United States between 1990 and 1995, according to a Lang Marketing Resources report. Specialty repair shops controlled 35 percent of the service market product growth, with dealerships slightly behind at 31 percent."Specialty repair shops achieved the greatest current dollar gain in service market product sales, up 50.8 percent during this five-year period," said James A. Lang, president of the Wyckoff, N.J., consulting and analysis firm. "New car and light truck dealers ranked second, running up a 31.4 percent increase in 1995 service market product sales compared to 1990." These two categories added $5.9 billion in product sales to their combined total.
Service stations and repair shops garnered 14 percent of the product growth, followed by tire stores and auto parts stores with 10 percent each.
"Differences in the share of service market product growth captured by different types of outlets will become more extreme over the balance of the decade," said Lang, "with such changes having significant consequences for the share of product volume represented by major distribution channels serving the light vehicle aftermarket."
Surf The Net For I-CAR Information
The latest news about the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is now available on the World Wide Web. The I-CAR home page (http://www.i-car.com) includes program, course and service information.Fel-Pro Awards Scholarships
The Fel-Pro Automotive Technicians Scholarship Program awarded 330 automotive technology students in the United States and Canada with $500 scholarships for the ’96-’97 academic year. These annual scholarships are presented to graduating high school seniors, high school graduates or equivalent, who plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in a full-time course of study. Scholarships may be renewed once, provided the recipient maintains eligibility requirements and makes satisfactory progress toward completion of his or her educational program.NHTSA May Allow Air Bag Deactivation
Automotive service technicians would be allowed to deactivate air bags under a policy being considered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The action is in response to reports of children being killed or injured and requests from persons with ear ailments whose hearing could be ruined by the noise from air bags. The new policy would replace special permission NHTSA has granted on a case-by-case basis, usually to people with medical conditions.Snap-on Announces Agreement With Penske
Snap-on Tools Co., a subsidiary of Snap-on Inc., has announced an agreement with Penske Auto Centers to provide car care and maintenance equipment for more than 800 Penske facilities in Kmart stores nationwide. A similar agreement with Pep Boys was announced earlier this year.JENDHAM, Inc. Offers New OBD II Seminar
An On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II technical training seminar has been developed by JENDHAM, Inc. and will be offered nationwide through the first quarter of 1997. The seminar will cover OBD II systems for domestic cars, vans and trucks from 1994 to 1996.Replacement Crash Parts Prices Drop
Ford motor company has announced reduced prices for key replacement crash parts for the 1997 Escort/Tracer. The new pricing affects fenders, hood assemblies and front bumpers, and will reduce prices an average of 48 percent. Similar pricing actions were previously announced for the 1996 Taurus/Sable and the 1997 F-150.NIAT Offers New Electronics Program
The NAPA Institute of Automotive Technology has released a new self-study training program on automotive electronics. The program is the first part of a two-part series and includes a videotape, a comprehensive course book and a final exam scored by NIAT. Part two is scheduled for release before the end of the year.ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
NACE Pre-Show Coverage
Keeping Up With Industry Trends
Colin Powell – Soldier, Leader ... Automotive Technician?
NACE Show Specials
How's Your Business? || Taking Your Scan Tool To The Next Level
Cruising Instead Of Abusing || Putting The Brakes On Payroll Headaches
What’s Ahead For The Collision Industry?
Guest Editorial -- The Mouse That Roared
Tech To Tech || TechTips || Stat Corner || News Briefs
Taking The Hill || Directions || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLIV No. 11, November 1996