J U M P S TA R T
RIGHT TO REPAIR GARNERS MOST ATTENTION AS AAPEX KICKS OFF
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As electric cars become a bigger part of the future, Godschalk said the original equipment manufacturers will push even more for all repairs and updates to be done at their dealerships. And with no oil changes and less brake work to name just a few of the changes coming with electric vehicles, she said the aftermarket industry needs to fight to have access to the information to those cars and their components.
FORD BUILDS ELECTRIC F-100 PICKUP Ford built a one-off concept truck based on the 1978 F-100 pickup to display at The SEMA Show. The truck is powered by two electric motors to make 480hp. The platform comes from Ford’s EV crate motor, called Eluminator. It’s a transverse-oriented EV powertrain that retails at around $3,900. “Ford owners have personalized, customized and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning—from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, global director,
vehicle personalization, accessories and licensing, in a press release. “Our F-100 Eluminator concept is a preview of how we’re supporting customers as they go all-electric and embrace zero-tailpipe emissions performance, even for our heritage vehicles.”
ASA-NORTHWEST SEEKS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR The ASA-Northwest, which will soon be the Northwest Auto Care Alliance, is seeking somebody to lead the organization. The group is looking for somebody to lead daily operations of the NWACA, which is based in Tacoma, Wash. The organization covers automotive service and repair industry in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. NWACA hopes to fill the position by February 1. Candidates with post-secondary degrees, automotive industry experience, trade association experience, business management experience, and other related skills will be considered, according to a press release. Applicants can contact Brian Kelley at brykelley@gmail.com.
MTD ARCHIVES
More than 920 people filled a large ballroom at The Venetian in early November in Las Vegas to kick off the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association and Paul McCarthy, president and CEO, Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association, gave a state of the industry address but both seemed more excited to actually be talking with real people in person. No more Teams or Chat or Zoom. They were humbled to note that the more than 4 million workers in the automotive aftermarket were deemed essential at the height of the COVID-19 prevention measures in early 2020. They also noted that the technicians and other automotive front-line workers were proud, too. A panel of industry experts in the aftermarket were part of the more festivities, and they went through a litany of topics, but the words that were often mentioned at the breakfast were: the right to repair. The panel included Corey Bartlett, president and CEO, Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc.; Sue Godschalk, president, Federated Auto Parts; Tom Greco, president and CEO, Advance Auto Parts; Kevin Herran, president and COO, Genuine Parts Co.; Gregory Johnson, CEO and copresident, O’Reilly Auto Parts; Bill Rhodes, president and CEO, AutoZone. Everyone on the panel mentioned the right to repair, all amplified the news from earlier this year that the voters of Massachusetts voted in favor of the proposal with 75% in favor. Now the same types of initiatives are working their way through Congress and state legislatures around the country. Not only does the right to repair help customers with the availability of a choice in auto work on the vehicles, the panelists said, but also it is important to the industry moving forward.
