Top 5 VSP.com articles of the week: Rebates, toolboxes, and mergers

April is already here, but business hasn't slowed down at all. With 2025 quickly racing by, let's take a look at the week's most-viewed articles that appeared on VehicleServicePros.com for the last full week of March 2025.

5. NAPA Auto Care introduces Team Tool Rebate for 2025

One of the most contentious parts of being a technician is buying tools. While some shops don't compensate employees for any tool purchases, NAPA Auto Care is taking a different approach this year. The company introduced its Team Tool Rebate, which allows NAPA Auto Center technicians to get back a percentage of any purchases they make with NAPA. 

4. Lift trends veer toward technician productivity, safety

A shop's needs are constantly changing -- electric vehicles need new systems to handle their batteries safely, OEMs update their requirements, and so on. A good chunk of the time, those changes mean more work and less efficiency, at least temporarily. Lifts, unfortunately, get forgotten about and left on the metaphorical backburner, but as it turns out, the latest lifts can offer a solution and increase a shop's productivity.

3. Best in the Bay: Toolbox edition

A lot of technicians define themselves by their brand loyalty. Some refuse to even try another brand after decades of relying on a single company. Well, it's time to stand up for whatever box you believe in with our Best in the Bay competition. Vote on which box you think is the best before April 16, 2025.

2. ISN and National Oak Distributors agree to merge

The Integrated Supply Network and National Oak Distributors have announced a merger, with NOD's CEO taking over as head of the new organization. Catch up on the details that have been shared so far by reading this story.

1. Tech Tip: Removing mangled or swollen lugs

This industry sees some of the biggest and most game-changing news stories out there, but at the end of the day, even the biggest headlines can't outrank what's happening in the repair bay. In fact, even if you're not a technician or shop owner, chances are that you'll have to tussle with swollen lug nuts at some point. Check out this tech tip from CTA Tools for some advice for when you do.