Sept. 15 Deadline for Top 10 Web Sites

For more than 10 years, AutoInc. magazine has set out to find the very best shop Web sites. Since its inception, AutoInc.'s annual Top 10 Automotive Repair Web Sites feature has been a guide to help shop owners understand the capabilities of the Internet in the automotive repair industry.

To have your shop's Web site included in the selection process, please visit www.autoinc.org/top10.htm and fill out the electronic form.

Deadline for entry submission is Sept. 15, 2008.

Web sites should have a pleasing appearance with professional graphics and an easy navigation scheme. Judges look for basic information like services offered and easy-to-find contact information. But interactive features that help build your customer base, such as vehicle repair tracking, online customer surveys and online appointment scheduling can help your site stand apart from others.

Glass Technicians To Compete at NACE

The Auto Glass Technician Olympics will be held again this year at NACE and your technicians are invited to compete. They will be judged on installation skills, customer service skills and overall ability to complete a replacement safely and effectively.

A top prize of $10,000 in cash will be awarded to the first-place winner.

For more information, call (540) 720-5584 or e-mail the event director at hbiller@glass.com.

NACE will be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas Nov. 5-8. The glass competition and demonstrations by top technicians will be held Nov. 7-8.

WIN Introduces'Diversity' Program

If your business, educational institution or association in the collision repair industry is committed to the advancement of women and minorities, then the Women's Industry Network (WIN) might like to spotlight your organization on its Web site, www.womensindustrynetwork.com.

Qualifying entities will be given the opportunity to describe what they have done on WIN's Web site.

WIN's purpose in identifying these entities is to both acknowledge their good work and to provide a forum where interested parties can go for ideas and examples should they wish to institute similar programs or projects of their own. It's all part of WIN's "Diversity Works" program.

For more information, contact Marcy Tieger at marcy.tieger@symphonyadvisorsllc.com.

NABC Credits Vendors for Project Success

From the National Auto Body Council (NABC) comes word that its 2008 Recycled Rides project is moving forward swiftly. And for that, NABC credits the support of vendors across the United States.

The Recycled Rides initiative, which kicked off in April, aspires to donate 100 vehicles to 100 families in need on the Monday before Thanksgiving. NABC members repair and donate recycled vehicles to the needy families. Repairers, insurers, car rental companies, paint suppliers, parts suppliers and material vendors all contribute in their own ways.

Bosch Celebrating 30th Anniversary of ABS

Bosch is celebrating the 30th anniversary of the antilock braking system (ABS), a landmark contribution to driving safety.

Developed by Bosch and introduced in 1978, ABS has been a major step forward for motorists and the automotive industry worldwide, and paved the way for electronic stability control systems.

Win a $100 Gift Card to The Home Depot!

Check your mailbox to see if you were one of 500 randomly selected AutoInc. readers to receive a short readership survey. The survey consists of five simple questions and just takes one minute to complete. As thanks for your participation, you can be entered into a drawing for a $100 Home Depot gift card.

Note: All responses remain anonymous. Please return the survey as soon as possible, but no later than Sept. 8, 2008. The drawing will be held Sept. 15, 2008.

Mitchell 1's OnDemand5.com with Google Search Receives More than One Million Hits a Month

Mitchell 1 integrated its OnDemand5.com with the Google search feature in April of 2008. Since then, the site has received more than 1 million hits per month.

"We're thrilled by the reaction that we've received to our OnDemand5.com with the Google Search feature," said Gary Hixson, product manager for Mitchell 1. "With several million hits since its inception in April, OnDemand5.com Google has become the place to visit for superior relevancy returns that go beyond the article titles and headlines to find answers within the body of the article. Users are able to find what they're looking for faster and easier than ever before."

OnDemand5.com's new Google search incorporates features such as Google's own spell check feature, search results with context information, and a "search suggest" feature that helps users pick exactly the right words they are looking to search. Additionally, Mitchell's new Google search also searches TSBs and exclusive OnDemandLive Tips so that users can easily find all of the incredible time-saving information stored in OnDemand5.com.

Mitchell 1's OnDemand5.com delivers comprehensive data for 1983-current domestic and import vehicle models. It includes the new OnDemand Live feature, where users view and share tips, as well as access clear illustrations and full-color wiring diagrams, complete diagnostics, tech bulletins and recalls, scheduled maintenance with labor times, automatic monthly data updates and OEM parts and pricing. To find out more about OnDemand5.com, visit www.ondemand5.com.