Education Can Help Overcome the OE Dealer

Tony Cristello knows there are ways for retailers, WDs, jobbers and the rest of the aftermarket to restake their claim to the industry, and pull it away from the OE dealers. Cristello, senior VP BB&T Capital Markets Equity Research, says the aftermarket has to find a way to find the specs and continue to educate, have good diagnostic and repairs, and build the element of trust.

Sunroof Innovations from Webasto

One of the leading manufacturers of innovative products to the transportation industry, Webasto provides high quality solutions for both aftermarket and OEM markets. Here you'll see John Thomas discussing Webasto's new sunroofs, and their unique, user-friendly designs and features. Go to www.webasto.com to learn more about Webasto and its cutting-edge sunroofs.

Project Parts Chaser

Mike Anson, editor-in-chief of Styling & Performance, introduces Project Parts Chaser, the magazine's sweepstakes truck given to a lucky jobber, installer, retailer or WD who registers to looks up parts on search-autoparts.com, the industry's premier automotive aftermarket portal and specialty parts sourcing database. This modified 2007 Ford F-150 truck debuted at SEMA and features parts by Styling & Performance sponsors including: Proliance, Superchips, Hella, MSD Ignition, Clevite, CTEK, Edge Products, Kramer Rack Plus, Akebono, HD Wheels, K&N Air Filters, SPEED TV, Odyssey, and Continental Tire. All parts were installed by Project Parts Chaser installation and distribution sponsor 4 Wheel Parts Transamerican Wholesale. To look up more than 500,000 parts and improve your odds of driving home the Project Parts Chaser truck in 2008, log onto http://www.search-autoparts.com today.

Zoom Performance Products

ZOOM Performance is not new to the performance clutch market. They have been building performance clutch products for 41 years! Eric Waters discusses Zoom's clutches, and how they differentiate themselves from the competition. Go to www.zoomperformance.com to learn more about the company and its products.

Shops Rely on Suppliers for Education, Training

The individual customer not only is the most important person to a WD or jobber, but it can be the biggest challenge. Ron Pyle, president of the Automotive Service Association, says if the aftermarket misses the opportunity to educate and train individual repair shops on new vehicle technology and business management, the results could be disastrous.

Taking A Tougher Stance

Jeff Schuyler, president of Import Auto Supply in Yuma, Ariz., says proper pricing in a tough economy is essential for profitability. Schuyler discussed pricing at the APA Conference n San Antonio. For conference details go to http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/motorage/article/articleDetail
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Good Customers Do More Than Pay On Time

Jim Puckett, owner of Parts, Inc., a warehouse distributor in Brentwood, Md., discusses what makes an ideal customer: it boils down to those who pay the bills, along with a few other factors. Puckett's comments were made March 6 during a break at the APA Conference in San Antonio. For conference details go to http://motorage.search-autoparts.com/motorage/article/articleDetail.jsp?id=501062&sk=f3e1114c5143f519fa1d24bf368d2560

The Value of ASE Certification

Trish Serratore with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) explains the return on investment associated with techs who are ASE certified. She also outlines for viewers some of the unique offerings ASE has online, such as test tips and the Blue Seal of Excellence Program. Go to http://www.ase.com to learn more about ASE and those who are preparing for the next round of ASE testing should visit http://passthease.com

Ready, Set, Launch

After launching six new tire lines in the last three years, plus two new competition tires at SEMA, General Tire now has 80 percent coverage of all applications in the industry. Watch Tony Talbert from General explain the benefits of this extensive market coverage. Go to www.generaltire.com to learn more about General Tire.

GM's Bob Lutz Sees Opportunity in Accessories

Bob Lutz, Vice Chairman, Global Product Development for General Motors, says his company has established a group internally focused on developing a stronger accessories business and eyeing downstream opportunities. Like most OEMs, GM knows that by staying in contact with consumers via repair and other services the dealers will benefit when those customers start shopping for a new vehicle.

Fidanza: Performance and Power

Vice President Bob Scheid discusses Fidanza's street product lines, including its new twin disc clutch package aimed at offering exceptional performance and horsepower to the automotive enthusiast. Go to http://www.fidanza.com to learn more about Fidanza and its products.