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By Counterman
In our cover story for
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AMN/CM: What did your organization accomplish in 2022 that you are most proud of?
BH: I am most proud of the work our communities have done to engage and develop the industry. AWDA celebrated its 75th anniversary this year and as I noted during their awards ceremony, AWDA is represented on every single Auto Care community and committee and is engaged in every aspect of the industry. Women in Auto Care drew the largest crowd at the AAPEX stage during their awards ceremony, their breakfast had a waitlist, they raised more than $100k for scholarships and the registration for their upcoming Leadership Conference is the highest ever. YANG (Young Auto Care Networking Group) had record-breaking attendance at their reception at AAPEX and donated more than $20k to the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation in 2022 through various fundraisers, including their Top Golf meetup that was attend by more than 160 young executives nationally. Automotive Content Professionals Network started off our Connect Conference in May with record attendees and continues to set the example for welcoming newcomers to the industry. Auto Care has invested in all our communities through increased staff representation and the creation of a community engagement department to facilitate the collaboration and growth of all Auto Care communities.
AMN/CM: How is the ongoing Right to Repair issue impacting your business?
BH: From an industry perspective we have seen ongoing awareness of Right to Repair in our sector as well as agriculture and consumer electronics. The more exposure this consumer issue receives, we gain increased mindshare of legislators and regulators. The Auto Care Association has been helping to vigorously support our position to implement the will of the voters in the Massachusetts court case, and after numerous delays we are hoping to have a ruling soon. We are also working with CARE to support a ballot initiative in Maine to further expand our state strategy. We are also working with AASA, SEMA and the CAR coalition to reintroduce our REPAIR Act in Congress, which would provide a nationwide/federal solution for the access of telematics data and are encouraged by the momentum around the issue that we see. The European Union, Australia, South Africa and our Canadian colleagues all have Right to Repair initiatives taking place and we are working hand-in-hand with them to provide support and guidance as needed. We are also working with other aftermarket associations around the globe to support their Right to Repair initiatives and are in the process of developing a global Right to Repair positioning statement that unifies our industry in our approach.
AMN/CM: What do you feel is the greatest threat facing the automotive aftermarket right now?
BH: The biggest threat is two-fold: meeting the challenges of today’s technology on the vehicle and finding young men and women to repair and maintain those vehicles. Our industry has always adapted to technology. However, the financial investment required by a shop to keep up with that technology has become increasingly difficult. ADAS calibration, for example, requires more than $100k in equipment, not to mention the amount of space required to conduct those calibrations. Attracting talent to our service bays requires an investment on all our parts by providing scholarships and apprenticeships. I firmly believe that a national apprentice program is long overdue, and such a program will help reduce student-loan debt while providing good-paying jobs. Our good friends and members at Dynamic Automotive in Frederick, Maryland, are a great example of a progressive shop working with state and local governments to provide meaningful apprenticeship programs that groom qualified technicians for the next generation of technology.
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By Counterman
Advance Auto Parts announced a multiyear agreement to become the official sponsor of IndyCar’s checkered flag used at each NTT IndyCar Series race through the 2025 season.
The partnership connects Advance’s distinctive logo, which features the checkered-flag icon, with the iconic flag NTT IndyCar Series drivers aspire to see first at the end of each race. Through the agreement, Advance also becomes the official automotive aftermarket retail partner of IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS).
Advance’s marks will be displayed on the iconic IMS scoring pylon and other digital boards throughout the Racing Capital of the World for its signature events, including the Indianapolis 500 in May and the Brickyard Tripleheader race weekend in August.
Advance’s partnership with IndyCar will include a charitable component during the 2023 season. As race-winning drivers strategically use “advance” as a verb in their post-race interviews, Advance will gift winning drivers a cash prize to be donated to a charity of their choosing.
“It’s a privilege to associate the Advance brand and our checkered flag with those used at the Indianapolis 500 and every IndyCar race,” said Jason McDonell, Advance’s executive vice president of merchandising, marketing and eCommerce. “We know IndyCar fans are incredibly passionate about the sport, its heritage and future. Whether they’re road tripping to the next race or tackling their everyday commute, race fans know we’ll be ready with quality auto parts and expert advice to help them advance to their own checkered flag.”
Advance and IndyCar also will team up on a unique content series viewable on the NTT IndyCar Series’ Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Leading into each race weekend, IndyCar will create a video highlight reel celebrating the most exciting wins and checkered-flag moments at that track, giving race fans an opportunity to witness some of auto racing’s most historic wins though archived footage.
“We’re honored to welcome Advance Auto Parts to both the IndyCar and Indianapolis Motor Speedway families,” said Mark Miles, president and CEO of Penske Entertainment Corp. “Advance is a world-class and highly respected brand, and the perfect partner emblem to display on the checkered flag welcoming our NTT IndyCar Series drivers to the finish line at the iconic Yard of Bricks and across all of our events.”
IndyCar kicks off the NTT IndyCar Series season with the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg (Florida) on Sunday, March 5 (noon Eastern time on NBC, Peacock). In 2023, the series will feature 17 high-speed and highly competitive races across the United States and Canada.
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By Counterman
Tendeco Sales Inc. has hired Scott Howat as national sales manager, responsible for aftermarket sales in North America for Litens Aftermarket.
Prior to joining the
link hidden, please login to view team, for three decades Howat has made an impact across sales, marketing and product management for the Auto Care Association, Affinia Group, Dana, Echlin and Gates Corp. Howat holds a Master Automotive Aftermarket Professional (MAAP) designation from the University of the Aftermarket and has served in leadership positions throughout the industry, including the Automotive Communications Council and Auto Care Association Marketing and Communications Committee. He was past chairman of the Auto Care Association Events Committee. In addition, he is a past chairman of the AASA Marketing Executives Council, and past member of the MEMA Government Affairs Committee and Brand Protection Council.
“We are thrilled to have an experienced leader like Scott to head our North American Aftermarket efforts as we expand the reach of the Litens brand,” said John Lussier, president of Tendeco Sales Inc. “His broad knowledge of the aftermarket ecosystem will support our strategic initiatives and better serve the needs of our Litens customers.”
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By Counterman
Federated Car Care will be the presenting sponsor of the Superstar Racing Experience (SRX) race on July 16 at the Federated Auto Parts Raceway in Pevely, Missouri.
The race is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Central time and will be televised nationally on CBS-TV.
“We are excited for Federated Car Care to be a part of the SRX series, which has quickly become one of the most fun and popular racing series in the country,” said J.R. Bishop, motorsports and event marketing director for Federated Auto Parts. “We are also thrilled that Federated’s great friend, Kenny Schrader, will be one of the competitors. We know our members and Federated Car Care customers across the country will be cheering on Kenny.”
Announced in July 2020, the SRX series was founded by NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart, NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham, George Pyne and Sandy Montag. The series made its debut last summer and is presenting six races this summer, all airing nationally on CBS.
For the Federated Car Care race in Pevely, Schrader was chosen to drive a special all-star car designated for the driver who represents the local track. Schrader, the longtime Federated spokesperson, has co-owned the Federated Auto Parts Raceway for almost 20 years.
A NASCAR veteran, Schrader joins previously announced full-time drivers Paul Tracy, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Bobby Labonte, Ryan Newman, Marco Andretti, Michael Waltrip, Greg Biffle and Stewart in the July 16 SRX race.
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