Johnson Controls, Inc. (JCI) is stepping into the spotlight through the recent launch of a new brand communications platform and refreshed corporate identity that incorporates a new logo (called the “open globe,”), corporate slogan and advertising campaign — all designed to better align its image and marketing efforts with the company’s current strategic direction.
Using the slogan, “Ingenuity Welcome,” Johnson Controls is promoting itself as a diversified, multi-industrial company organized into three divisions, Automotive Experience, Building Efficiency and Power Solutions.
During a press conference at AAPEX in November, JCI’s Power Solutions’ President Alex Molinaroli told attendees that the company wants to focus on its vision of helping consumers create and live in a more “comfortable, safe and sustainable world.”
The presentation also included an overview of JCI’s Optima battery — a performance battery developed with a unique spiral cell, a colored top and “six pack” shape. Other differentiating factors include absorbent glass-mat separators, tightly compressed cells, high-purity lead grids, solid cast connections and a completely sealed case.
Central to Optima’s value proposition is that it has two times the life of a typical battery and is 15 times more vibration-resistant. It also touts more starting power, and maintenance-free operation, plus it’s non-spillable and has multiple applications. Target customers include drivers with added electronics in their vehicles, truck, SUV, 4×4 and performance vehicle owners, as well as automotive and marine enthusiasts.
JCI is the world’s largest manufacturer of lead-acid automotive batteries, producing about one-third of the lead-acid automotive batteries in the world. About 80% of the batteries manufactured by JCI are sold through the automotive aftermarket. JCI also makes OE batteries for several carmakers including BMW, Chrysler, Ford, GM, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and VW.
Tomorrow’s Technician Magazine Re-launches Enhanced Website
Babcox Publications has redesigned its Tomorrow’s Technician (T2) website, www.tomorrowstechnician.com, providing users with improved navigation, an in-depth training center section, community-based postings and other exciting features for both students and instructors.
The redesigned website enables quick access to back issues, along with an improved article/content search function. Other materials, such as printable T2 Crossword Puzzles and Pop Quiz documents, are now archived in an easily accessible format.
“The redesign of the Tomorrow’s Technician website allows greater interaction between students and their peers, as well as between students and the various automotive product and equipment suppliers and manufacturers,” said Beth Skove, associate publisher of Tomorrow’s Technician. “The site provides training videos and instruction materials in the Training Center, reader-loaded videos and photos in the Flix and Pix room, a Career Center, automotive blogs, the latest news for students such as scholarship opportunities, fun polls asking and measuring their opinions, and improved article printing capabilities.” In addition, shop owners who are looking to hire an entry-level technician, heavy-duty mechanic, engine builder, collision repairer, tire changer, parts delivery person or other staff member at their shop can take advantage of the Career Center on the website.
All you need to do is e-mail your shop name, city and state, contact information (phone, fax, e-mail address, etc.) and the job requirements to [email protected], and your “help wanted” ad will be run for free in the Career Center — a new job search service housed on the redesigned site.
For more information on the Career Center, visit www.tomorrowstechnician.com or e-mail the editor, Ed Sunkin, at [email protected].
Federal-Mogul Ferodo ThermoQuiet Brake Pad Wins Award
Federal-Mogul Corporation’s Ferodo ThermoQuiet Light Vehicle Brake Pad has won the EQUIP AUTO Grands Prix Gold Award for automotive innovation. Winners were chosen by an international jury of 82 journalists from 27 countries, and were announced at the 11th International Grands Prix Awards ceremony at EQUIP AUTO. Ferodo’s ThermoQuiet is the first brake pad to use revolutionary technology to enhance all elements related to comfort and durability without compromising friction performance. Developed within Federal-Mogul’s global network of friction research facilities, the pad features an innovative one-piece design with a patented Integrally Molded Insulator (IMI) anti-noise technology.
CCPN Launches New Online Learning Center
The Car Care Professionals Network (CCPN), a segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), has launched the new CCPN Learning Center, its online portal to education and training for the repair and maintenance professional. The Learning Center offers online courses in the following categories: technical assessment, ASE prep, general service, vehicle maintenance and professional development. In addition to the online courses, the Learning Center will provide links to other training approved by CCPN. For more information or to subscribe, visit the CCPN Learning Center at www.aftermarket.org/learningcenter or call (301) 654-6664.
Bosch Celebrates 40th Anniversary of Fuel Injection
Forty years since it introduced electronic fuel injection, Bosch continues to upgrade the technology as it supplies automobile manufacturers and the aftermarket around the world with advanced fuel injection systems. Bosch provides the aftermarket with a comprehensive after sales service and replacement parts program ranging from the original D-Jetronic to the latest in Bosch technology systems.
The Bosch D-Jetronic, the world’s first electronically controlled gasoline injection system in a mass-produced passenger vehicle, was introduced 40 years ago in a Volkswagen 1600 at the International Motor Show in Frankfurt in 1967. The original Jetronic has progressed through the continually modernized K-Jetronic, Mono-Jetronic and Motronic with greater electronic control, and Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI), which is the most advanced and efficient fuel injection system available.
Offshore Auto Parts Suppliers ‘Eye’ NORTH American Aftermarket
The largest automotive aftermarket in the world is here in North America. This alone could explain the large attendance at the seminar sponsored by the Auto International Association (AIA) during AAPEX last November. The audience from countries around the world learned about the complexities and dynamics of the aftermarket, and how opportunities must be assessed – in advance – before investments can be profitable. Henry Allessio, managing director of Walden Consultants, was the featured speaker. He shared his insights from consulting with foreign companies on entering and competing in American markets: “Non-American suppliers must honestly evaluate their competitive capabilities before investing in this market. It seems easy because of access to business people and market information in America; but, it does not mean it is an easy market in which to gain inroads and make money.” With proper planning, a small share of the American aftermarket can yield an attractive volume of business for offshore parts suppliers.
ACDelco & ASE Promote Confidence in Auto Repair
Independent Service Centers (ISCs) that participate in ACDelco’s Total Service Support (TSS) program already have exclusive access to a wealth of tools, training and benefits to enhance nearly every aspect of their business.
Now, existing ACDelco TSS accounts — as well as potential ones — have one more reason to align with ACDelco. ASE will work closely with ACDelco to potentially qualify more than 8,000 U.S. ACDelco TSS accounts for the ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition Program (BSRP), thereby increasing the number of ASE-certified technicians at ACDelco TSS shops.
“ACDelco’s arrangement with ASE is a ‘win’ for all parties involved. It’s aimed at delivering a higher level of automotive service to consumers,” said Jeff Spitzer, director, ACDelco Service & Business Support. “ACDelco is honored to work with such an industry-respected organization as ASE to help give consumers an additional vote of confidence to take their vehicles to ACDelco TSS service centers.”
Rotary Lift Offers Free ‘White Paper’ on Choosing the Right Vehicle Lift
Vehicle lift manufacturer Rotary Lift Consolidated has published a free “white paper” to help independent repair shop owners choose the right vehicle lifts for their facilities. Automotive Vehicle Lifts: A Resource Guide is available for download at www.rotarylift.com/whitePapers.
The 30-page, illustrated white paper covers many of the factors independent repair shop owners should evaluate when buying new vehicle lifts. It includes sections on the impact of lift choice on the bottom line, the advantages and disadvantages of various types of vehicle lifts, facility planning, lift purchasing considerations, the importance of ALI certification, advice on how to evaluate a lift manufacturer and supplier/installer, and guidelines on how to keep vehicle lifts functioning properly. For more information, go to www.rotarylift.com.
iATN Reaches ‘Million Message’ Milestone
When the web forums on iATN were started a little more than 11 years ago, the web was in its infancy, and e-mail was the tried-and-true best method of exchanging information (and still plays a huge role for iATN today, through the TechHelp system).
iATN has now reached the 1,000,000th forum message mark, with more than 2,000,000 items in the entire iATN knowledge base, searchable by iATN sponsoring members. At the current rate of participation, iATN could be celebrating again in half the time it has taken to reach this first milestone.
Tele-Name Expands 1-800-Imports Marketing Program
Tele-Name Communications has expanded its 1-800-Imports marketing program to all 50 states and Canada. “Our customers have had so much success with using our 1-800-Windshield and 1-800-Insurance marketing programs,” said David Ashley, president of Tele-Name Communications, Inc., “now we are bringing that experience and value to automotive companies with 1-800-Imports.”
According to Ashley, 1-800-Imports instantly brands and communicates to customers what you do and makes it simple for them to call your shop first — without having to look up your number in the phone book. The key to having success with the 1-800-Imports vanity phone number is to first lock up the rights to it for your market area (based on area code routing) and then promote the number through signage, vehicle lettering, direct mail, radio, billboards and newspaper ads. For more information, call 1-800-948-0700.
Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper Races into Fourth Year of NASCAR Sponsorship
Moving into a new year marking the fourth season of sponsorship, Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper has contracted with Gillett Evernham Motorsports as the primary sponsor for six 2008 NASCAR races. This partnership embraces the entire Gillett Evernham family of drivers including Kasey Kahne, and the legendary Ray Evernham.
Taking the wheel of the Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper No. 10 Dodge for two 2008 Sprint Cup races will be new Gillett Evernham Motorsports team mate, former IndyCar Series and Champ Car driver, Patrick Carpentier. The Canadian native made a splash in his NASCAR debut in Montreal by qualifying on the pole and finishing second in his first career Busch Series race.
After completing his final race for Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper on Nov. 3, 2007 at Texas Motor Speedway, Elliott Sadler is ready to begin his second year of driving duties for the aftermarket company in two nationwide series races in 2008.
Mitchell 1 CRM Now Available With Other Shop Management Systems
Mitchell 1 announces it has opened its Customer Retention Marketing (CRM) program to work with non-Mitchell 1 management systems including NAPA Tracs, ALLDATA Service Center, R.O. Writer and many more.
“We expanded our popular CRM program to make it available to a wide range of users,” said David Niemiec, general manager, Mitchell 1’s Business Performance Services. “So even if your automotive repair shop is not a Mitchell 1 Manager subscriber, you can still benefit from our CRM program to help improve your customers’ loyalty and increase monthly car counts.”
Mitchell 1’s CRM program helps repair facilities increase their revenue and improve their customer loyalty. Participating shops are able to contact their patrons with professional, personalized reminders, in mail and e-mail form, when they are due for scheduled maintenance. The automated nature of the program allows CRM shops to reach their customers several times a year, with a minimal time investment on their part. In other company news, Colin Hoffard from Willow Street, PA, received the Technician of the Future award, sponsored by Mitchell 1 and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), during a ceremony that took place in Scottsdale, AZ. Hoffard was recognized for having the highest score in North America on the ASE exam.
Hoffard is employed as an automotive technician at BMW of Bel Air, located in Bel Air, MD. He graduated from the BMW Step Training Program in December 2006, and received an associate degree of applied science, automotive technology, Ford ASSET emphasis, with high honors, from the Pennsylvania College of Technology in May 2006.
ASA Mechanical Division Presents ASA/ASE Top Score Award
Rickey Haley, owner of Papillion Foreign Motors in Papillion, NE, received the Automotive Service Association (ASA)/
National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Top Score Award during the 2007 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) in Las Vegas. The award recognizes the ASA Mechanical Division member who received the highest score on the 2007 ASE master automobile certification test. Haley began working at Papillion Foreign Motors part-time while he was in high school and continued there part-time through college. In 1982, at the age of 22, Haley bought the business from his employer.
