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Owners’ manual language underscores need for better OEM/independent aftermarket relations; Organizations are doing their part; Are you?
By Elliot Maras - Friday March 22, 2013
Automakers are recognizing the need to support the independent aftermarket, given the inability of their own dealer networks to handle aftermarket demands as cars are made better and consumers are holding onto them longer. But there’s still a long way to go. Last week, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) and three other aftermarket groups (the Automotive Oil Change Association, the Tire Industry Association and the Service Station Dealer of America and Allied Trades) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) claiming the MINI Cooper’s owner’s manual violates federal warranty law. The complaint claims the manual requires that only MINI dealers are to perform oil changes as a condition of warranty... -
Sparking electric vehicle (EV) research
By David A. Kolman - Monday March 18, 2013
I am predicting transformational new battery systems for electric vehicles, and I am confident this will happen. Why? Because the world’s leading scientists, engineers and manufacturers in energy storage are coming together under a single organizational roof and are being provided with the tools, resources and market reach necessary to produce major breakthroughs. A multi-partner team, led by Argonne National Laboratory, has been awarded of up to $120 million over five years to establish a new Batteries and Energy Storage Hub. The Hub, to be known as the Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR), will combine the R&D firepower of five U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) national laboratories, five universities and four... -
Torque wrench shootout: Digitool Solutions vs. the premium brand
By Craig Truglia - Friday March 15, 2013
If you watch this video , you get to watch my alter ego "Wrenchin' Roger" put the DTS Electronic Torque and Angle wrench from Digitool Solutions to the test against the gold standard of torque wrenches. I was very happy for two reasons. First, my expensive torque wrench doesn't need to be calibrated yet, which saves me money. Second, the Digitool Solutions torque wrench was extremely impressive. To sum it up, which you can gather from the video, these are the features which are unique to the DTS torque wrench, aside from extreme accuracy: Units can be changed between ft/lbs, in/lbs and nM with a click of the button. This means not having to look up conversions, which take up time throughout the day. The unit doesn't click, but... -
A 30-year perspective of the fleet market
By David A. Kolman - Monday March 11, 2013
In one his presentations to this year’s Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week (HDAW), Stu MacKay of specialized management consulting and market research firm MacKay & Company provided a 30-year perspective of the fleet market, from 1982 to 2012. One of the things he noted was how the ranking of the largest fleets has changed over the time period. MacKay said that in 1982 the top 10 fleets were: 1. UPS 2. Roadway 3. Consolidated Freightways 4. Yellow Freight 5. Ryder Truck Lines 6. McLean Trucking 7. North American Van Lines 8. Pacific Intermountain Express 9. ABF Freight System 10. Overnite Transportation Last year, the top 10 carrier fleets were: 1. UPS 2. FedEx Corporation 3. Conway 4. YRC Worldwide 5... -
Daylight saving time equals fewer car accidents
By Craig Truglia - Monday March 11, 2013
When I woke up this morning and it was pitch black, I was getting really mad at daylight saving time. I mean, it's great when we gain an hour, but losing one? It feels horrible. Being that we are not an agricultural economy anymore, sometimes I really wonder why we go through all of this. Well, aside from the benefit of it not being broad daylight at 5 AM in the morning in June, daylight saving time to this day still saves energy and lives. According to IHlaw.com : "What many do not know is that Daylight Saving Time also reduces traffic accidents and deaths. The 1970 [D.O.T.] study also showed DST reduced traffic accidents, saving 50 lives and about 2,000 injuries in March and April of the years studied. We have no definitive... -
As technology raises the bar for the aftermarket, professionalism must evolve in how we speak about each other
By Elliot Maras - Thursday March 7, 2013
Advanced automotive technology is giving aftermarket professionals an opportunity to achieve a higher public image. Computer diagnostics, telematics, start/stop functionality and other advances are making true professionals out of technicians and shop owners. The space between the professional and the DIYer is greater than ever. But aftermarket specialists have to act like professionals. There has long been a tendency towards informality in the aftermarket, for better and for worse. For better, the camaraderie among shop owners and technicians has boosted morale and pride in what we do. But for worse, it has fostered a tendency among some individuals to badmouth one another at will. The aftermarket trade has to assume a stronger sense... -
Why are U.S. roads more dangerous than Canada's but safer than Russia's?
By Craig Truglia - Wednesday March 6, 2013
Have you ever watched one of the videos online that show crazy driving in Russia? If not, take a quick look. The roads in Russia are extremely unsafe for all the stereotypical reasons you might expect: snowy weather, long rural and suburban stretches of highway with people driving at unsafe speeds, substance abuse and bad roads. In fact, the roads are so dangerous in Russia it's a mainstream part of culture to drive around with a "dash cam" at all times, video recording everywhere you go. The result? Tons of videotape of catastrophic car crashes. Now, two things in these videos stick out to me. First, there are many examples where Russians exhibit a reckless lack of respect for human life. An example of this is a huge dump truck... -
Some thought-providing statements from a former president
By David A. Kolman - Monday March 4, 2013
While perusing my e-mail recently, a daily newsletter, Ragan’s PR Daily , from Lawrence Ragan Communications - a publisher of corporate communications, public relations, and leadership development newsletters - caught my eye. This newsletter featured an article, 6 Abraham Lincoln quotes to inspire communicators . Being one of those people that truly enjoy reading collections of quotes, I immediately clicked through to the article. It was written by Hana Bieliauskas , a project manager in the Columbus, OH, office of CMA - a national public relations agency based in Kansas City, MO. I found her article so interesting that I asked her if I could share her article, and she kindly agreed. See if the six Lincoln quotes see... -
Getting the most from your fleet's performance
By John Walters - Thursday February 28, 2013If you manage a fleet of trucks, you know how important everyday performance is to your bottom line. How you treat your vehicles has a direct impact on how efficiently they function, how often they require repairs and, ultimately, how long they last. Be sure that you are taking all the correct operational measures and necessary maintenance steps to get the most from your fleet. Find out if the fuel, lubricant and additive solutions that you use are best suited for the demands of your business. These aspects of fleet management may be the key to making the following operational improvements: Better Fuel Efficiency Poorly chosen or poorly maintained engine oil may be costing you a fortune in fuel. Inferior or infrequently changed... -
Fuel handling: A safer business is a better business
By John Walters - Thursday February 28, 2013Safety is paramount to the health of your business. This is especially true when it comes to fuel handling. Compliance with all regulatory standards and safety protocols in the transportation, delivery and storage of fuel is critical to the wellbeing of your personnel and the success of your company. When you go to extra lengths to ensure the safety of your employees, your clients and your community, you aren’t just fueling your fleet. You’re fueling the future of your business. Whether your fuel handling is conducted onsite by your employees or offsite by a third-party provider, your compliance with the proper safety protocols contributes positively to the following business objectives. Earnings The Occupational Safety & Health...