Carter Helps Eliminate Fuel Delivery Service Comebacks
Carter Fuel Delivery Products has developed a variety of innovative training tools and other materials to help aftermarket professionals eliminate customer comebacks and product returns associated with the diagnosis and repair of fuel system problems on millions of late-model vehicles.
Carter has introduced an interactive Fuel Delivery Diagnostics Guide, available via the Internet and in CD format, that helps technicians unlock the secrets to hundreds of common fuel delivery issues and ensure a complete, lasting repair on virtually any popular vehicle make or model. This free guide is intended to help technicians and shops reverse the increasing incidence of fuel system-related comebacks, which can dramatically impact business profitability and customer loyalty. The web-based version of the guide is available at www.carterfueldelivery.com, the DR is available through Carter distributors and Federal-Mogul sales representatives.
“The reality of today’s underhood service market is that shops and their parts suppliers have one chance to do the job right,” said Joe Stephan, director of marketing-fuel, chassis and brake products for Federal-Mogul. “If we fail to solve the customer’s fuel delivery problem the first time, we might lose that consumer relationship to a vehicle dealership service department.”
Cardone Jr. Elected 2005-’06 MEMA Chairman
Research Triangle Park, NC – Michael Cardone Jr., chairman and CEO of CARDONE Industries, has been elected 2005-’06 chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Board of Directors.
He co-founded CARDONE Industries with his late father, Michael Cardone Sr., in 1970. Today the family business spans three generations and is the largest family-owned remanufacturer of automotive parts in the world. Cardone becomes the first remanufacturer to lead MEMA as chairman.
MEMA’s other new officers are: vice chairman: Alfred L. Stecklein, group president, worldwide aftermarket, Gates Corp.; and secretary/treasurer: Eugene Ezzell, chairman, president and CEO, Crane Technologies. Scott Meyer, vice chairman of Ken-Tool will remain on the board as immediate past chairman.
Lubegard To Present Technical Seminar at Powertrain Expo
Seattle – LUBEGARD by International Lubricants, Inc. (ILI) will present an in-depth technical lubrication seminar at the upcoming ATRA Powertrain Expo in Las Vegas. The seminar will be Friday, Sept. 30, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
“The turnout last year of our first technical seminar was phenomenal,” said Kristen Clark, director of marketing for ILI.
LUBEGARD will present “Fluid Equivalence – The Next Challenge” hosted by the industry’s leading authorities, including Dr. Phillip Landis, Sam Memmolo and Pat Burrow. This seminar is a must-see for technicians with a good working knowledge of fluids already, who want to delve deeper into the technical realm.
“This isn’t about selling our products,” says Burrow, technical director for ILI. “It’s about discussing the leading topics today involving fluids, how they relate to the transmission technician and understanding its function and fit.”
GAAS Scholarship Awards Exceed 1,000 Students
Research Triangle Park, NC – The Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) awarded total of 145 students $1,000 GAAS scholarships in 2005, pushing the awards to over 1,000 students and more than $1 million in funding in its 10-year history.
“In our 10th anniversary year, GAAS had more than 700 students apply, a record number of applicants, and the quality of our applicants also was higher than ever,” said Peter Kornafel, chairman of the GAAS Scholarship Selection Committee.
“We also are pleased to see a trend of bright young women becoming automotive technicians among our scholarship applicants,” Kornafel added.
The annual investment to help develop future aftermarket industry leaders is primarily funded through proceeds from the annual symposium.
Carcare.org Consumer Website Now Features Activant Service Intervals Database
Austin, TX and Bethesda, MD – Activant Solutions Inc and the Car Care Council have announced that the extensive Activant Service Intervals vehicle maintenance database is now available for use by consumers through the carcare.org website.
Activant Service Intervals, powered by Mitchell1 data, enables consumers to quickly access detailed vehicle service schedules normally found only in their owner’s manual. Used in conjunction with the Activant ePartExpert electronic parts catalog – another key feature of the carcare.org website – Service Intervals encourages consumers to better manage the maintenance of their vehicles and, if they desire, identify the required replacement parts for virtually any repair.
The Car Care Council and Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) estimate that nearly $60 billion in automotive maintenance and repairs go unperformed each year. About 85% of vehicles checked by independent service shops during “National Car Care Month” events in April failed one or more parts of the inspection.
Hemi.com Gets Supercharged
Auburn Hills, MI – DaimlerChrysler launched a new edition of www.Hemi.com. The improved website has new stories, new photos, more in-depth history and specifications, and new multimedia features – including Hemi sounds. The new Hemi engine story is continued and expanded to include the 6.1L version.
Hemi.com presents three newly interactive historical timelines showing the development of all versions of the Hemi engine, starting with the legendary Chrysler FirePower Hemi in 1951. The development of the legendary 426 Hemi that revolutionized NASCAR and NHRA racing is featured in great depth, along with the new generation 5.7L and 6.1L Hemi engines. In addition, web surfers will find vintage photographs and biographies featuring the people who were behind the most famous automotive powerplant in the world.
“We updated the site to include even more detail on the Hemi story,” said Ron McDaniel, Chrysler Group Director of Advanced Service and Technical Information.
