ASE Education Foundation Updates Collision Repair Standards
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By Counterman
Plews & Edelmann has introduced a complete Electric Power Steering (EPS) repair category—Edelmann EPS drive belt kits, torque sensor replacements, couplings, and proprietary service tools—that eliminate the need for expensive full rack replacement on millions of modern vehicles. The company said the product line delivers more than 50 percent cost savings compared with rack replacement while restoring full power steering assist with a straightforward installation using common hand tools.
Electric power steering is now standard on most modern vehicles. Inside every belt-driven EPS rack is a rubber belt connecting the electric motor to the steering gear. When that belt wears or breaks, steering reverts to manual mode—heavy, unresponsive, and unsafe. Until now, the only fix was complete rack replacement: a repair that routinely exceeds $1,000 in parts alone, requires module reprogramming and realignment, and can leave vehicles out of commission for days.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits
According to the company, Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits provide everything needed for a complete repair in a single box, including a replacement drive belt, belt housing gasket, O-rings, inner and outer boot clamps, additional seals as needed and rack-specific video installation instructions. No module re-flash is required, no realignment and no specialized diagnostic equipment.
“The industry treated EPS failure as a rack problem,” said Dan Billie, CEO of Plews & Edelmann. “While others claim repair innovations, we looked at the root cause and realized, in many cases, it was a belt problem. That’s a fundamentally different repair—and it means professional technicians and DIYers now have a cost-effective option where one simply didn’t exist before.”
Couplings Expand Vehicle Coverage
Replacement couplings extend this repair-first philosophy to even broader vehicle coverage. The 9700 Pinion Driven Motor Coupling covers over 5.8 million vehicles in operation across Buick, GMC, and Chevrolet vehicles—where the alternative rack replacement costs average $1,750. The 9701 and 9702 Column Driven Motor Couplings cover 7.6 million Kia and Hyundai vehicles and Toyota and Lexus vehicles respectively—where unit replacement runs $1,100.
Torque Sensor Replacements
link hidden, please login to viewhas further expanded the EPS repair category with Edelmann Torque Sensor Replacements. The torque sensor is one of the most critical components in an electric power steering system—it measures steering wheel force and direction, sending real-time data to the EPS control module. When a torque sensor fails, drivers experience uneven steering effort, intermittent warning lights, or complete loss of power assist. Part 9704 covers some Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles, while part 9705 covers some Chevrolet Malibu, Pontiac G6, and Saturn Aura applications. Both feature OEM-replacement design with mounting hardware and alignment marks, backed by U.S.-based ASE-certified technical support.
Chamfer Ring Removal Tools
link hidden, please login to viewsaid it also developed proprietary Chamfer Ring Removal Tools designed specifically for electric rack and pinion systems, ensuring safe, efficient belt replacement on the highest-volume applications. “By developing a purpose-built repair solution for EPS systems, we’re giving technicians the ability to service a category that was previously replace-only,” said Anthony Holguin, director of category management at Plews & Edelmann. “These products provide opportunity and convenience by turning a $1,000-plus replacement into a repair that can be completed the same day with tools already in the shop. Plus, part stores can rely on a much smaller inventory footprint than stocking several different racks to achieve the same end.”
Coverage and Availability
Current EPS kits, couplings, and torque sensor coverage spans high-volume domestic and import applications, providing a critical service option where replacement components are scarce or backordered, getting vehicles back on the road quickly.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits and replacement components are part of the Plews & Edelmann broader Total Solution strategy—the philosophy that a complete power steering repair addresses every component in the system: pump, rack, hoses, cooler, filter, and fluid. With over 100,000 application-specific power steering bundles, all-new manufactured hard parts (not remanufactured), and a 100-year/1,000,000-mile warranty on Edelmann Elite products, Plews & Edelmann has built a portfolio designed to eliminate warranty returns by ensuring the repair is done right the first time.
Edelmann EPS Drive Belt Kits, Couplings, Torque Sensors, and Chamfer Ring Tools are available now through authorized aftermarket distributors. To learn more or find kits for specific applications, visit the
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By Counterman
The Auto Care Association announced the release of ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0, the latest updates to the industry’s data standards, along with supporting reference database schema updates. The new versions follow a comprehensive, yearlong industry review and introduce enhanced capabilities designed to support more accurate, flexible and scalable data exchange across the automotive aftermarket. Updated schemas in this release include VCdb 2.0, Qdb 2.0, PCdb 2.0, PAdb 5.0 and Brand Table 2.0.
Standardized data for evolving global and regulatory needs
ACES (Aftermarket Catalog Exchange Standard) and PIES (Product Information Exchange Standard) serve as the industry’s standardized, machine-readable (XML) methods for exchanging product fitment and product information data across the Americas. These standards are used by manufacturers, distributors, retailers, e-commerce platforms and solution providers across multiple sectors.
“ACES and PIES are foundational to how the aftermarket communicates product data,” said Jonathan Larsen, vice president, digital products and standards,
link hidden, please login to view. “These updates are focused on helping the industry to deliver richer content, improve data accuracy and adapt to evolving global and regulatory needs.” New in ACES 5.0
Support for vehicle- and part-specific non-diagram digital assets within the App Segment; Multiple descriptions for a single digital asset; and Expanded multilingual capabilities for the “MfrLabel” field. New in PIES 8.0
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) packaging data to support regulatory compliance; Multiple package configurations at a single pack level; and Digital asset file hashing and record sequencing to improve data validation and organization. Increased accuracy and efficiency across the supply chain
Together, these updates to ACES and PIES make it easier to deliver richer product content, improve data consistency across partners and better support compliance and evolving market demands. The result is more accurate product listings, fewer errors and a more efficient flow of data across the supply chain.
Compatible with Catalog Assessment Reporting Tool
In addition, the AutoCareVIP.com Catalog Assessment Reporting Tool now supports ACES 5.0 and PIES 8.0 files. This free tool helps users evaluate and improve the quality of their ACES and PIES data.
Full details on the ACES and PIES release are provided in the Auto Care Association’s latest
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By Counterman
Autel U.S. announced that its Autel Academy ADAS Training Program has received accreditation from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
ASE and I-CAR Accreditation
The ASE and I-CAR accreditation confirms that Autel’s instructor-led training program meets the requirements for technician training and development as defined by these organizations. ASE and I-CAR are widely recognized as benchmarks in automotive service and education, and their endorsement signals that Autel’s curriculum delivers industry-relevant instruction aligned with current technological demands.
Matt Shepanek, vice president of credential testing programs at ASE, emphasized the significance of the accreditation process, noting that it delivers meaningful value for both training providers and the industry. “Accreditation provides training organizations with recognized credibility, ensures their curriculum aligns with current industry standards, and verifies that they are maintaining high-quality instruction, facilities, and resources,” said Shepanek. “Autel successfully met all of these criteria, and we are pleased to recognize them as an ASE-accredited training provider.”
ADAS Calibration Training Program
link hidden, please login to view link hidden, please login to view launched its ADAS calibration training program in 2023 at its U.S. corporate headquarters in Port Washington, New York. The program combines structured classroom instruction with hands-on experience in a dedicated training bay, allowing technicians to work directly with ADAS calibration equipment and real-world vehicle scenarios. The classroom portion delivers a foundational understanding of ADAS theory, including system architecture, sensor types, OEM calibration requirements, and workflow best practices. Hands-on training reinforces this foundation as technicians perform static and dynamic calibrations on vehicles in a controlled, real-world environment.
The program also emphasizes diagnostic strategy and troubleshooting to help technicians identify and resolve common calibration issues encountered in shop settings. Topics include alignment variables, target placement errors, environmental factors, and system fault conditions.
Following strong demand,
link hidden, please login to view has expanded its training footprint to additional locations, including Michigan, Missouri, California, and Florida, making advanced ADAS education more accessible to technicians across the country. Technician Certification Assessment and Continuing Education Credits
To further enhance the program, Autel will introduce a third day of training to its current two-day course. This additional day will include a technician certification assessment, enabling participants to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum.
Successful completion will provide technicians with ASE and I-CAR continuing education credits, reinforcing both their technical competency and professional credentials.
“We are proud to have our ADAS Training Program recognized by ASE,” said Chris Gutierrez, Product and Training Director – ADAS, Autel North America. “This accreditation validates the depth and quality of our curriculum and our hands-on approach. Our goal is to ensure technicians leave our program well prepared to perform accurate ADAS calibrations with confidence and consistency in real-world shop environments.”
Technicians and ADAS Systems
For technicians, this training represents an opportunity to build expertise in one of the fastest-growing and most technically demanding areas of automotive service. ADAS systems directly impact vehicle safety, and improper calibration can lead to system malfunctions or compromised performance.
Through Autel’s ASE and I-CAR-accredited program, technicians gain the confidence to perform precise calibrations, reduce liability risks, increase shop efficiency, and position themselves as trusted specialists in advanced vehicle technology.
With this accreditation, Autel continues to strengthen its role as a trusted partner for repair shops, technicians and industry professionals seeking reliable tools and comprehensive education in ADAS technologies.
For more information or to book your class today, click
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view announced it is rolling out a new approach to inventory verification. The move aims to improve efficiency and expand margins, according to Northcoast Research. The company is implementing handheld technology from link hidden, please login to view. The system allows distribution centers to verify inventory before shipment. Store teams previously scanned all incoming inventory. This process required about two trucks per week and eight labor hours per store.
With the new system, employees confirm deliveries without scanning each item. Northcoast Research estimates savings of eight labor hours per store weekly. This equals about $26 million in annual labor savings.
The firm views the change as a key driver of SG&A reduction and margin expansion.
Employee feedback and operational considerations
Employee feedback on the new process has been mixed. Some employees raised concerns about shipment accuracy from distribution centers. They noted that missing parts could create delays at the counter.
These issues could offset time savings and impact customer experience. Other employees reported minimal issues under the new system. They cited regular cycle counts as maintaining inventory accuracy.
link hidden, please login to view views the pushback as a temporary response to workflow changes. The firm expects process improvements and technology to reduce these risks. Broader transformation strategy and outlook
The inventory initiative supports a broader transformation at
link hidden, please login to view. Leadership outlined several actions taken over the past two and a half years before executing its core strategy. These include the sale of Worldpac and distribution center consolidation. The company also reduced headquarters headcount and invested in frontline employees.
Management continues to execute a three-pillar strategy. The strategy focuses on merchandising, supply chain optimization and store footprint improvements. Initiatives include AI-driven assortment planning and improved distribution productivity.
Northcoast Research expects benefits to build over time. The firm projects about $8 million in SG&A improvement by 2027. It also expects about $15 million in net savings by 2028.
Information in this article has been provided by Aaron Reed, a research analyst at Northcoast Research. He can be contacted via email at [email protected]
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view‘s digital commerce platform Transend Auto Tech announced a new promotion designed to reward repair shops that leverage online ordering for their automotive parts needs. For a limited time, qualifying customers who place orders through Transend will receive 5% off all orders plus free local delivery, providing repair facilities with immediate cost savings while streamlining their parts procurement process.
The initiative reflects NexaMotion Group’s continued investment in digital solutions that help independent repair shops operate more efficiently while gaining faster access to the parts they need.
“Transend is designed to make ordering parts faster, easier, and more transparent for repair professionals,” said Kevin Rozsa, EVP, Transtar & M&A at NexaMotion Group. “By placing orders through Transend, shops can instantly access our extensive inventory network, see real-time availability and pricing, and now take advantage of additional savings through this promotion. It’s another step in helping our customers run more efficient and profitable businesses.”
Unlike traditional phone ordering, Transend allows repair professionals to:
Instantly locate parts across NexaMotion Group’s extensive distribution network View real-time availability and pricing Order at any time without waiting on hold Improve shop productivity and technician efficiency By shifting ordering to digital channels, repair shops gain both speed and cost advantages, while NexaMotion Group continues advancing its mission of simplifying complex vehicle repair to keep the world moving.
The promotion is available to qualifying customers and applies to orders placed through the
link hidden, please login to view platform. *For qualifying customers only. Other restrictions may apply.
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