What’s New… (December 01, 2004)
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AIA Addresses Right-to-Repair
The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) has announced their intention to form a coalition of provincial Automotive Service Provider associations, consumer groups, and emissions related government organizations to work on the issue of ensuring access to vehicle repair information in Canada. AIA will act in an administrative and leadership role on this complex issue. This group will formulate the steps involved in creating a voluntary agreement with the OEMs similar to the one in the US, request an amendment to the regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) for emissions related repairs, and pursue stand-alone right to repair legislation (over the long-term). For more information or to provide tangible examples of refusal to vehicle repair data, please contact AIA President Ray Datt at 1-800-808-2920 ext 229 or email Ray Datt at datt.ray@aiacanada.com. In a related release, AIA has announced that the association will be hosting an event for Automotive Service Provider (ASP) associations in January in Toronto. ASP associations from across the country will be invited to discuss common areas of concern and share ideas. The main areas of discussion will focus on government relations, such as access to diagnostic and repair information and environmental legislation that impacts the independent service provider shops, as well as image enhancements initiatives such as the Be Car Care Aware consumer awareness campaign and recruitment initiatives. Other areas will also be discussed. For more information, contact Scott Smith at scott.smith@aiacanada.com or call 1-800-808-2920 ext 234.
Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week Attendance Shatters Record
More than 117,000 people attended the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) exhibitions, in Las Vegas last month shattering record attendance numbers from 2003 by 12,000, according to show organizers.
AAIW is comprised of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) and the SEMA Show, and represents the $250 billion aftermarket.
Most significant to the more than 38,00 exhibiting companies at AAIW is the 20 percent increase in buyers attending the shows — an all-time high attendance of 59,476. “Our exhibitors reported not only an increase in the number of buyers, but in the number of decision-makers attending the show,” said Bill Glasgow Sr. of W.T. Glasgow Inc., AAPEX show manager.
This year also marked another milestone for the AAIW shows — 90% of attendees pre-registered online, an all-time high.
Ontario MOE Targeting Aftermarket Mustang Exhausts
The Automotive industries Association (AIA) has revealed that the Ontario Ministry of the Environment’s emissions enforcement team is targeting consumers with replacement exhaust systems that are not identical in configuration to the OEM part. In particular, they appear to be focussing on 1987-1995 Mustang specialty exhausts. AIA is trying to determine if the situation is limited to Ontario, or if other jurisdictions are also targeting aftermarket exhaust systems. AIA has had conversations with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment on this issue, and hopes to announce a resolution shortly. The AIA would like to know more from the repair community on this issue. For more information, or to share details of similar situations, contact Scott Smith at scott.smith@aiacanada.com or call 1-800-808-2920 ext 234.
Meineke Canada Announces Alliance with Network Franchising International
Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc., has announced an agreement with industry leader Network Franchising International to manage a major Meineke expansion initiative in Canada.
“There have been significant changes in the Canadian auto repair industry,” said Ken Walker, President & CEO of Meineke Car Care Centers, Inc. “We feel it’s the right time to aggressively grow our chain in Canada and we’re pleased to have Network Franchising International (NFI) on board to help with our expansion.”
“I am very excited about our new association with Meineke in Canada”, remarked Cliff Richler, President of NFI. “It will be a great combination”, added Duane Arbeau, Meineke VP of Canadian Operations. Meineke VP OF Franchise Development Mark Street noted, “We have been in Canada for a number of years now, but really have not achieved the level of penetration we’re looking for. We feel the timing is right for expansion and look forward to working with NFI as we move in this direction.”
There are approximately 900 Meineke franchises throughout Canada, USA, Mexico, Ecuador, Guatemala, Venezuela, and the Caribbean.
SPX’s Service Solutions Group Buys AutoXray
SPX has announced the addition of Tempe, Arizona., based AutoXray. The move comes less than four months after it acquired the Cleveland-based diagnostic tool maker Actron Manufacturing, which is primarily focused on the DIY diagnostic tool market.
The addition of AutoXray’s tools should give SPX a full spectrum of offerings. Specific details of the transaction were not disclosed, but SPX officials stated that some capabilities will remain in Tempe, Arizona.
AutoXray co-founder Bill Miller will remain with the company, serving in a similar capacity. David Kowalski, the president of SPX Service Solutions, said: “The addition of AutoXray’s patented low-cost scan tool technology further strengthens Service Solutions’ access to the automotive aftermarket do-it-yourself marketplace, as well as improves our capabilities across the full spectrum of automotive and heavy-duty vehicle test equipment used by the professional technicians that we serve today.”
MOTORSPORTS NEWS
Tall Pines Wraps Rally Season With Come From Behind Victory For L’Estage
It was a come-from-behind thriller for Antoine L’Estage and his Hyundai Tiburon at the Rally of the Tall Pines on November 28th.
“We’ve been waiting for it for a long time,” said the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Que.-based driver on Saturday, after he and co-driver Yanick Napert drove hard to his first-ever national victory at the sixth and final round of the 2004 Canadian Rally Championship presented by Subaru.
The victory put an end to an otherwise perfect season for Subaru Rally Team Canada’s Pat Richard. No Canadian has ever completed every round of the championship undefeated and the Whistler, BC driver had hoped to be the first.
Richard, with his sister Nathalie in the co-driver’s seat, thrilled their many fans with lightning speed and aggressive style on the road but transmission trouble forced them out of the contest early. “It’s still the Tall Pines curse for me,” mused Richard, who has never managed better than a second-place finish at this race despite record-breaking achievements at rallies on both sides of the border.
The brutal race saw a packed field of nearly 50 entries plummet to just 21 finishers as competitor after competitor succumbed to the conditions.
The win was long overdue for L’Estage, who has shown promise but earned inconsistent results throughout his career. Second and third on the podium went to two-wheel drive rivals Jon Nichols, from Lachine, Que., and Gord Olsen, from Brooks, Alta. The two Volkswagen drivers have been locked in a tight battle for the class title all year, and this deciding race offered them the toughest contest of the season. Ultimately, it was Nichols’ undisputed expertise on slick surfaces that earned him second-place overall and the 2004 Group 2 championship win.
It was another successful day for Suzuki factory team drivers Bill Bacon and Thierry Mngoz, who both finished at the top of their class to lock up the P-2 production championship on Saturday.
NASCAR Enters Strategic Alliance with CASCAR
In a joint effort to increase fan interest and visibility for stock car racing in Canada, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) and the Canadian Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (CASCAR) have entered into a multi-year operational and marketing agreement. “NASCAR is looking forward to working with CASCAR in a growing market for stock car racing,” said George Pyne, Chief Operating Officer of NASCAR. “NASCAR will lend operational and marketing expertise to help grow Canada’s only national stock car series. This partnership further demonstrates NASCAR’s support of grassroots racing throughout North America and our efforts to bring sponsorship and licensing opportunities to businesses at every level of the sport.”
“In the past 23 years, CASCAR has grown from a regional racing series to a national organization,” said Tony Novotny, President of CASCAR. “NASCAR’s experience and resources will strengthen and support racing in Canada while establishing a foundation for future growth.”
Earlier this year, NASCAR formed NASCAR Canada, a partnership with TSN that established a Canadian base of operation in Toronto, as well as NASCAR Mexico, based in Mexico City. These new offices support local racing and extend the marketing of the sport to borders north and south of the U.S.
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