Recently I was reminded of another project that I had volunteered to participate in. It started last November when I went to Las Vegas to attend the 2000 Congress of Automotive Repairs and Service (CARS) convention.

On Wed., Nov. 1, as a prelude to CARS, I attended the first annual Forum on the Future of I/M and Safety Inspection. Since my shop is in Oregon, which is one of 29 states, that does not have a Safety Inspection program, I was very curious as to what I could learn at the forum. During the morning session a panel of industry experts presented information that only increased my desire to learn. After lunch, attendees were given an opportunity to break into two groups, Emissions Testing or Safety Inspections. I chose to attend the safety group. This article will focus on the value of safety inspections in your state.

In March, there was a conference call of the Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) Safety Committee. This committee is comprised of a cross-section of industry representatives, from repair shop owners to equipment manufacturers to state regulators. There were very few national reports mentioned during the conference call that provided statistics that pointed to the value of safety inspections. Outside of the United States, there are numerous international studies that have collected data to support the value of safety inspection programs within their countries.

There appears to be very little official data tracking accidents to poor vehicle maintenance. The reason for this is generally the officers at an accident scene are the ones filling out the report and they are not trained to determine what mechanical failures may have occurred. Also, at the accident scene there is not enough time to properly investigate the possible underlying cause(s) of the accident. For example, a tire blow out would be a visible cause for the accident versus the invisible cause of faulty brakes.

After hearing the discussion regarding the lack of studies in the United States, it seemed strange to me that the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) had not been more active in collecting data with regard to mechanical failures as being the cause of accidents. ASA's Washington, D.C., representative, Bob Redding, hopes the NHTSA reauthorization will include funding for collection of data and a report of its findings.

The safety committee determined there are two areas that need to be addressed. One is to increase the public and industry awareness for the need of safety programs. Second, is to educate the automotive industry in the value of safety inspection programs.

It was frustrating for me to learn during this conference call that our own industry has helped to defeat legislation for safety inspection programs. So, I asked why?

Some answers I received were cost for equipment, state inspections don't pay for the time a technician spends doing the job, some states require that you do the re-inspection for free, and public reluctance to accept safety inspection programs.

Some incidents were given during the conference call. The first incident was where a safety inspection was done and the steel cord was visible on the left front tire. This was noted on the paperwork. The owner drove the car off the lot, switched the two front tires and brought it back for the re-inspection. The technician, by law, was only allowed to inspect the defective left front tire; therefore he had to note that the tire had been replaced.

Another case was that a windshield was inspected and had excessive cracks in the drivers viewing area. The customer came back for re-inspection with the windshield removed, therefore no cracks were noted and the vehicle passed the inspection (how he got it out and reinstalled without total destruction might be hard to believe). I am sure that there are more incidents like these.

I recently learned of a bill proposed in the state of Oregon for a safety inspection program. This bill was only going to require inspection of a used vehicle at the time of sale. Fortunately, the bill was defeated.

All the reasons I heard for not having a safety inspection program could be overcome if, as an industry we were involved in the process. I believe it is time to take a proactive role in the development of a safety inspection program rather then having to react after it becomes law.

What impact will safety inspection programs have? I believe a periodic motor vehicle inspection could be beneficial to my business because customers would have to repair and/or maintain their vehicles in order to pass safety inspections. This would provide additional revenue for my business. And, of course, my friends, family, and customers would be traveling in safer company.

Years of work and preparation by the former Administration for the United States to take part in the Kyoto Protocol ended when President George W. Bush decided not to take part in the treaty. Environmentalists' and United States allies are disappointed by the Administration's decision. German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder said, “Will appeal on behalf of the European Union's 15 countries that the United States embrace the treaty.”

White House officials said U.S. involvement in Kyoto was finished but indicated President Bush will develop a strategy less stringent to the U.S. economy.

European and Japanese officials concurred this was a blow to the treaties' advancement. Chancellor Schroder stated, “the United States should assume responsibility as the world's largest producer of greenhouse gases.” According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. releases 6.6 tons of the world's greenhouse gases but only represents 4 percent of the global population.

According to the White House, President Bush feels the treaty would present too many economical strains and is unfair when developing nations, such as China, are only required to reduce emissions voluntarily.

The last Congress made a faithful attempt to overhaul the nation's Superfund law. What has become a potential threat for independent repairers and a real nightmare for some across the country, Superfund brings forth hours of debate about the environment and the small business community. The current law that governs the cleanup of polluted industrial sites has never been overhauled.

Central to the deliberations is whether these small businesses should be exempt totally or in part from liability. Legislation will be introduced soon providing a liability exemption for businesses with no more than 100 employees. The exemption applies if a business is responsible for generating less than 110 gallons of liquid waste or 200 pounds of solid waste. Businesses meeting these criteria will not have to pay for cleanup. The burden of proof for these criteria falls on the small business.

Businesses previously found to be in violation of the Superfund law would be ineligible for the new exemption.

The new legislation is being referred to the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on the Environment and Hazardous Materials. The Senate passed a bill last month by 99 to 0 that overhauls part of the federal law, which includes mildly contaminated sites or brownfields. Many House members believe the Senate legislation does not go far enough.

ASA supports Superfund reform and exemptions for small businesses.

In an unprecedented case against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Agency has agreed to post clean air laws or State Implementation Plans (SIP's) on the Internet. The EPA was sued by a group of environmentalists who sought to move EPA to provide information about SIP's to the general public. SIP's do frequently change. Currently SIP information is provided through the Federal Register but is not readily obtainable by the general public.

The 8th Annual CARS convention will take place at the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nov. 1 - 3, 2001. This is the premiere event of the ASA Mechanical Division. CARS 2001 will feature 10 technical training classes conducted by the "creme of the crop" instructors. There will also be two management classes from the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). All of this in just two days and in one location! The convenience of CARS being held in Las Vegas at the end of Industry Week makes it both practical and affordable for you to attend.

The Welcome Party on Thursday night (Nov. 1) will be hosted by more than 35 exhibitors that provide products and services to help ASA members compete in today's marketplace. Many of these companies will offer special promotions for extra savings during CARS. This is the 3rd year for CARS to provide an Exhibitor Area.

Friday morning's General Session will offer keynote address by Steve Ford (The Car Guy). His keynote address and the theme for CARS 2001 will be “Servicing the Machine of 2015”. Don't miss it!

The General Session on Saturday morning, will provide legislative update from Bob Redding, Jr., ASA Washington, DC, representative. His update will include information availability, shop regulations, and other issues affecting mechanical repair shop owners.

As a prelude to CARS, ASA and the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators invite you to participate in a one-day forum on the status and future of safety inspections and emissions inspection and maintenance. The 2nd Annual Forum on the Future of I/M and Safety Inspections will be held from 9 am - 5 pm on Thursday, Nov. 1, at the Tropicana.

This is the only meeting during CARS that is dedicated to inspection and maintenance issues and it promises to be full of interesting and valuable information. State and federal policymakers and aftermarket representatives will give presentations. The forum will include both panel and group discussions and will provide time for questions and answers. Watch your mail for more detail!

Several bills have been introduced in state legislatures to expand or amend the current Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) programs. A bill in Maine will amend their current state program and two bills in Illinois will amend the performance of inspections.

Maine House Bill 1254, if enacted, the current I/M program will be expanded to the entire state, it is currently only in Cumberland County. The bill calls for the I/M program to be phased in over a period of two years beginning on Jan. 1, 2002. The fee for the inspection would be $6.50. The bill also establishes a tax credit for inspection stations to purchase catalytic converter testing equipment.

The Illinois bills introduced in the State Senate and a companion bill introduced in the State House of Representatives, S 30 and H 3372, establish official I/M stations. SB 30 amends the Illinois Vehicle Code, and establishes official inspection stations. It sets up contracts between the inspector and the state for up to 9 years, which allows inspectors to officially give tests. The bill states for any car damaged during an emissions inspection, a lawsuit can be brought against the inspector.

Illinois House Bill 3372 establishes criteria for an inspector and lists testing methods to be used. Each inspector must be certified through the Illinois Pollution Control Board and complete training and tests. The inspection will consist of loaded mode exhaust analysis, evaporative system integrity test, On Board Diagnostic (OBD) testing for 1996 models and younger, and any emissions related repairs to be completed.

As a service to its members, ASA continually seeks the most effective shop information systems and electronic management program software. To that end, ASA recently announced a new national member benefit which gives member shops substantial discounts on the Electronic Operations Manual (EOM) developed by Business Development Group.

EOM is an electronic management database used to organize the various administrative functions of a shop, including operating procedures, human resources, and vendor/insurer information. Each section of the database is filled with a full range of documents designed specifically for automotive service businesses. EOM allows its user to customize each document to fit specific shop needs.

ASA National members are eligible for sizable money-saving discounts on the full line of EOM management software. For information on this or any other member benefit, please contact the ASA Membership Department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295.

President George W. Bush reversed his policy recently on regulating carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants. Several Congressmen have instead introduced a four-pollutant bill, including CO2, from North Eastern states.

The bill is aimed at creating the mandatory regulation of emissions from electric power plants. President Bush said the reason he removed CO2 as a pollutant to be regulated, was because it was not included in the federal Clean Air Act of 1990.

President Bush stated, “The nation has got a real problem when it comes to energy. We need more sources of energy. We need more power plants.”

U.S. Sen. Jim Jeffords, R-Vt., introduced a four-pollutant bill with 14 co-sponsors entitled, “The Clean Power Act of 2001.” The Clean Power Act is aimed at reducing toxic emissions from power plants. The bill calls for a considerable reduction in nitrogen oxide (NOx), sulfur dioxide (SO2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and mercury by 2007.

U.S. Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y., a co-sponsor of the bill, stated, “Carbon dioxide continues to accumulate in the atmosphere threatening changes in the global climate.” He indicated he is pleased with the bipartisan effort to reduce toxic emissions.

A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) report on the recent increase in fuel cost in the Midwest found no evidence of antitrust violations by the oil companies. The report identified factors contributing to the price increase. “Most of the causes were beyond the immediate control of the oil companies,” stated FTC Chairman Robert Pitofsky.

The report cited several reasons for the price increases such as, high usage, low inventory, use of the oxygenate ethanol, unexpected occurrences and errors in forecasting. Reformulated gasoline (RFG), required by the Clean Air Act, saw a significant increase in price in the Midwest due to mandates by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to use RFG. The FTC investigation was prompted after several members of Congress received complaints from citizens over the high cost of fuel.

The report also stated the required use of reformulated gasoline contributed to the high cost in the Midwest. The Clean Air Act requires RFG to contain methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) as a substitute for ethanol, which is readily available in the Midwest. The report stated the unavailability of MTBE as an oxygenate was a secondary cause of the problem.

In a statement, by FTC Commissioner Orson Swindle commented, “A change mandated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), from one formulation of gasoline (RFGI) to another formulation (RFGII) that caused unforeseen production difficulties.”

Denny Kahler, AAM, owner of Kahler's Werkstatt in Dublin, Ca., received the ASA 2001 Mechanical Division Alpha Award during the ASA Annual Convention. The award recognizes Kahler's commitment to the automotive service industry and his business and community involvement.

Kahler has been actively involved with ASA since 1993. He is an ASE certified master technician and has represented ASA's mechanical division as a participant in an information availability demonstration held in May 2000 for the U.S. House Commerce Committee in Washington, D.C.

Throughout his 25 years in the automotive repair business, Kahler has continually demonstrated his commitment to his community by being involved in programs such as his local little league, sheriff's association, chamber of commerce, and a women and children's shelter.

Bud Merwin, former president of ASA, received the association's 2001 Humanitarian Award. The award, presented by Chairman Howard Lewis during ASA's annual convention, is the association's highest honor.

Merwin's career began in 1948 when he worked as a bodyman's helper in his father's Kansas shop. After serving in the Korean War, Merwin returned to the family business, serving first as manager and, eventually owner.

As a shop owner, Merwin “grew to recognize and appreciate the importance of an association representing independent automotive service professionals,” Lewis said. Merwin became active as a member in the Independent Garage Owners of America (IGOA) in Kansas, being elected state president in 1968.

In 1973, IGOA merged with the Auto Body Association of American. The resulting association adopted the name Automotive Service Councils (ASC). Following this merger, Merwin left the service side of the industry and joined the ASC national staff as director of technical services. One year later he was named executive vice president and chief operating officer of ASC.

In 1986, Merwin was instrumental in the merger of ASC and the Independent Automotive Service Association into the Automotive Service Association. He served as executive vice president and chief operating officer of the newly-merged group. In 1989 he was named president of ASA, a position he held until his 1998 retirement.

There are a small handful of ASA national members who meet together for the greater benefit of all ASA members. These members are volunteers who comprise the 2001 mechanical division operations committee. They sacrifice valuable time from their business and families to offer input and direction to improve the automotive industry.

The mechanical division operations committee works for you. Your input, concerns, questions, and opinions do make a difference. These gentlemen represent you so don't hesitate to make your voice heard. Phone and fax numbers for each committee member are provided on the back of this newsletter.

The 2001 Mechanical Division Operations Committee members are:

• Bill Filley, AAM Division Director, Salem, Ore.
• Don Seyfer, AAM, Vice-Chair, Wheat Ridge, Colo.
• Rick Allison, Eugene, Ore.
• Rick Bigham, AAM, Lubbock, Texas
• Dale Bright, AAM, Chino, Calif.
• Aaron Clements, AAM, Augusta, Ga.
• Earl Dohner, AAM, Brookville, Ohio
• Todd Egge, Sioux Falls, S.D.
• Charlie Elder, AAM, Tallahassee, Fla.
• John Francis, Jr., AAM, West Chester, Pa.
• Dave Hoefel, AAM, Albuquerque, N.M.

If you are an owner, manager or employee of an ASA shop and want to further your business or technical education, apply now for the Tom B. Babcox Memorial Scholarship. The 2001 scholarship winner is awarded $1,000 toward their expenses to attend the 2001 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) convention.

CARS 2001 will be held Nov. 1 - 3 at the Tropicana in Las Vegas, Nev.

The Babcox Scholarship is made possible through the generosity of Babcox Publications working with the ASA Mechanical Division and the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). Scholarship applications must be returned to ASA national headquarters no later than August 3, 2001. Scholarship recipient will be notified by AMI on or before September 4, 2001. No cash substitution will be given. To receive an application, please call the mechanical division at (800) 272-7467, ext. 224.

ASA and ALLDATA are offering a special price on ALLDATA's computer-based automotive repair information for professional service providers.

ASA national members may take advantage of discounts on both the initialization and set-up fee and monthly subscription fee.

“ASA's decision to offer ALLDATA to its membership supports the evolution of the automotive aftermarket industry's requirements for electronic technical information,” said Walt Samuelson, ALLDATA's executive vice president and chief operating officer for customer satisfaction.

To begin taking advantage of the discounted pricing, ASA members should contact their ALLDATA representative, or the ASA membership department at (800) 272-7467, ext. 295.