top 20 tools

Every year MOTOR Magazine runs a contest to find the top 20 tools.

Motor's top 20 list in pdf -- click here

BTW --the magazine MOTOR is not offered free in Canada - but is an excellent magazine -- you can see it here .... Motor web site -- but since they use an odd layout--we can't give you the link -- you need to work your way thru

1) click on MOTOR Magazine on right hand
2) click on ARTICLES & FEATURES - this gets you the current issue
3) click on BACK ISSUES on blue bar to see past issues

Winner is ....

The winner was Vandui Bui the owner of Bavarian Auto Service ---special thanks to NGK Canada for donation of wide band o2 sensor tuning kit -- some racer will be very happy. Draw was pulled by instructor - Lary Goudge.

Again --thanks to NGK. You broke many hearts from guys who wanted to be the lucky one.

See you all at the next class Nov 28 & 29

CTI classes start Wed Oct 24 & Thur Oct 25

Hello

well-- it is that time of year again -- CTI class training ....

Click this link --to see a SPECIAL DOOR PRIZE we will be awarding some lucky participant. Enter your name and e-mail adress on Wed night --and we will draw a lucky winner on Thur night during the Tim Horton coffee break. This prize is courtesy of NGK -what a fitting prize to make that tuneup on that special vehicle just that much better ...

http://www.ngk.com/more_info.asp?AAIA=&pid=20509

NGK Prize --- NOTE --this is NOT even stocked in Canada !!!!! --- wow .....

Identifix turns 20

Identifix started life as a call in help center - then as the internet adapted and grew - they added a web site side of things as well. CARQUEST has an affiliation with them and offers a discount to join thru CARQUEST as a national program

Here is article of 20 years

aftermarket article - 20 Years of Identifix

Here is the web site CARQUEST DirectHIT

You can have a free no obligation demo over the phone at your convenience - just call Jeff Meyer at 1-866-698-1976 x 2055 and please -- mention you saw this on the CTI blog --thanks

TPMS info

This is a test to see how we can link to uTube video's

The KTI-71990A tool currently on sale at CARQUEST is the same tool as the TIPS shown in the video

----TIPS home page---
----KT Tool home page---



If you do NOT see the youTube video - then you are being blocked by WebSense (done for corporate JV stores and Warehouses) --copy this link and play on your computer

-link to You Tube Video here -

still need shop enrollments - 2008 course posted

The new 2008 courses have been posted --see to the RIGHT HAND link -- along with many other links that are very helpful for shops to grow and prosper. Know another shop who you are friends with -- encourage them to attend as well. Knowledge doesn't cost - knowledge pays.

Download this and POST

The SHORT answer ---

click HERE and post this for your customers

The LONG ANSWER -----

Market research conducted by AIA Canada has identified an alarming misconception among Canadian motorists which is costing the aftermarket $1.3 billion in lost revenues annually. 41% of motorists in Canada believe that it is mandatory to take their vehicle to a dealer for maintenance services in order to maintain warranty coverage. This confusion limits freedom and convenience for consumers, while aftermarket companies miss out on service opportunities for newer vehicles.

Currently there are $3.2 billion spent annually in maintenance work on vehicles under warranty in Canada. If 41% of these owners believe they HAVE to take their vehicle to a dealer for their maintenance work, it translates to $1.3 billion in potentially lost business for the aftermarket.

New car dealers are increasingly aggressive in advising consumers that they are the only choice for service and maintenance while the vehicle is under warranty. Informing consumers about the aftermarket alternative is imperative to protecting consumer choice.

AIA Canada’s Retail Council has developed an industry-endorsed statement assuring Canadian vehicle owners that aftermarket shops are equally qualified and capable of maintaining a vehicle while it is still under the manufacturer’s original warranty or an extended warranty.

The Notice to Consumers, now available as a printable PDF document at www.aiacanada.com, tackles two key issues. It confronts the dealer assertion regarding who is allowed to do the work and its impact on warranty coverage. It also addresses the issue of qualifications and the ability of aftermarket shops to provide service and repair during the warranty period.

AIA Canada’s Right to Repair efforts as well as our ASP accreditation initiative are two ways the Association is working as an industry to address this misconception. Both initiatives will help improve consumer confidence in the aftermarket and improve viability of the independent repair facility. To learn more about how to take advantage of this opportunity to educate your clients join AIA at this year’s AXIS event on Friday, November 23rd. Dave Meunier, President of TACT, will talk about his Warranty Manager software and process which allows shops to build a relationship with existing customers who purchase a new vehicle to keep that customer coming back even while the vehicle is under warranty. And John Watt from Petro-Canada Certigard will discuss the merits of the MAP Canada program and how it can improve your customer satisfaction levels.

TPMS Catalog

Here is a PDF of the 2006 TPMS catalo -- there is a NEW application guide out very soon -- with even MORE parts and applications -this is a rapidly changing market

click here to see and download TPMS Catalogue

Watch for more items to help you understand the TPMS 'stuff' -- great clinic last night -- eh!

Sample e-learning courses available

You have access to sample courses >>>

click here

for CTI participants. Note -- if you are also a TECH-NET shop -- see your sales rep- as you have some of these courses paid for thru Tech-Net.

See your CARQUEST sales rep for more details

TPMS stand alone clinic offered Wed Sept 19th

a repeat of the course offered last year - tire pressure monitoring systems ( TPMS ) is offered as a stand alone course. perhaps you have a new tech who missed the course last year - now they can get up to speed.

We have other items on the blog for TPMS - do a search

Here is the flyer --click to make larger

engine video

Try this ..... enjoy

engine assembly screensaver

2007-08 course line - up

The first draft for the 2007-08 CTI classes is available.

Click here to download .pdf copy >>>> 2007-08 Advanced Course

training for smoke machines

If your shop still doesn't have a smoke machine --here is a link to view video's on operations -- many shops are finds a wide variety of uses to make smoke machines make the shop good money and to really save time in finding the problem THE FIRST TIME.

This smoke machine is $1200 ( stripped down machines start less - but 99% of all units are this one) and uses baby oil - so the price on the machine and the refills are most sensibly priced.

REDLINE video's

Horizon shop management forms

here is link to Horizon's web page

from last shop management class

they sell forms and site offers links to other management courses they offer - just in case you need an excuse to go south or west for a combo vacation and training.

Horizon website

Pricing Matrix for parts -- just a suggestion

At the recent CTI shop management class - Alban mentioned the parts matrix pricing -- here is a TEST -- you have to look at the pieces and set your own -- but this might get you thinking along these lines ...please leave a comment if you like or dis-like

Mark up - vs - Margin

Alban mentioned how many ( darn near everyone !! ??) gets the difference between mark-up and margin wrong at some point in their life --- see the post from Thur Dec 7th 2006 -- time for a refresher? Download the sticker template and print off for your staff? Make more money?

What is AMI ?

From Day one of Alban Bennett's management course - Alban mentions credit for course from AMI - Automotive Management Institute ....here is web site link ....... AMI

Go explain and see what else you can learn. Use the internet to grow your business and expand your knowledge.

For example --- Instructor blog

alumni blog info

student blog info

re-post of June 20 & 21 management course

last course of the year ..........


same location -- Location: St. Clair College, Room 320


BMC-601 Maximizing Your Labor Opportunity 6/20/07 & 6/21/07
CARQUEST welcomes you to a Business Management class designed to
give you the critical skills necessary to develop a comprehensive business plan that
will maximize the profit opportunities for you, your employees, and your company. As
part of our FOCUSED Business Solutions program, "Maximizing Your Labor
Opportunity" is the first critical step to success.

Labor is the single largest source of revenue in your service center and the one
least understood and often mismanaged. In this workshop you will learn to measure:

!" Understanding what you sell
!" Calculating your labor opportunity
!" The Nature of time
!" Measuring time
!" Proficiency
!" Productivity
!" Efficiency
!" Realizing full labor potential
!" Impact of not selling all your time
!" Gross profit / sales demand
!" Labor rate calculations
!" Service Consultant labor skills
!" Service Consultant labor tools
!" Time keeping systems
!" Plan for improvement
!" Implementation / Action plan

Instructor: Horizon Management Instructor Albain Bennett ( not the tech instructor Lary Gouge )

CARQUEST Direct Hit ( Identifix )

as requested - here are details for CARQUEST Direct Hit

If you want to book it directly with Identifix $129/ mth ( first 3 months special for $99/ mth )

If you want to book thru CARQUEST as a customer of CARQUEST Direct Hit CARQUEST ... $124/ mth ( 3 mths for $94/ mth special)

If you are a TECH-NET shop ... you are $114 /mth ( all prices in US Funds -- but our stronger dollar is helping ) ( 3 mth special $84/ mth )

And as another special --for any shop who is NOT a current Identifix hot-line subscriber -- you will get unlimited hot line support for the 3 months-- included in the introductory price --some restriction apply --so call for details ... 866-698-1976 --this hot line is a great back up for when all else fails.

jeff Meyer is the sales rep for the Ontario area -- call Jeff at 866-698-1976 extension 2055 9:00 to 5:30 est - he can set up demo's for your shop

scholarships

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE

Deadline approaching quickly!



Marion Roberts Memorial Scholarship

· Applicants must be the dependent child or spouse, of a full-time employee in an active AIA member company in good standing. Confirmation of the parent's/spouse's employment must be provided by the Member Company and be sent along with the scholarship application.

· Applicants must be enrolled in a full-time post secondary program leading to a degree, certificate or diploma at an accredited university, college, technical school or C.E.G.E.P. (Quebec).

Application Deadline: July 31st, 2007


Hans McCorriston Motive Power Machinist Grant Program

· For students pursuing careers as motive power machinists.

· Applicants must be enrolled in the AIA Motive Power Machinist Training Program or a college-level machinist training program within Canada.


Application Deadline: October 15th, 2007

Visit www.aiacanada.com for detailed information or contact

Lisa at (800) 808-2920 ext 227

Email: lisa@aiacanada.com

Completed applications can be faxed to (613) 728 -6021 or mailed to:

Automotive Industries Association of Canada

1272 Wellington Street West, Ottawa, ON K1Y 3A7