• A bill (HB 1444) that would have ended the state’s vehicle safety inspection program has been dropped from the Missouri House of Representatives calendar. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and AASA opposed the proposed legislation, which never received a floor vote.
• Registration is now open for Vision 2018 South of the Border, a biennial management training and networking event for automotive service professionals, that will take place Nov. 8-12 in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic. ASA Midwest is hosting the event. For more information, visit visionsouthoftheborder.com.
• The Car Care Council has released a new video on YouTube to educate motorists about the importance of oil changes. The video — which was produced in conjunction with AutoNetTV — also is available in the AutoNetTV digital management system for use by repair shops.
• ASA has launched a private Facebook group intended to connect ASA member shops with the association’s operations committee members in order to discuss business management topics and exchange ideas and best practices.
• Denso Products & Services Americas has added advanced A/C training to its lineup of instructor-led Technical Training Program courses.
• Yokohama Tire’s ongoing instructional video series, “Tire Tips,” returned in May with 10 new segments. Topics included “Choosing the Right Tire for Your SUV/CUV,” “When is a Tire Repairable and When is it Not?” and “Correct Speed and Load Ratings.” The video series is designed to increase consumer awareness and educate the public about a variety of tire-related subjects.
• Bridgestone Americas is introducing a new Retail Showroom Program for affiliated tire dealers, promising a more customer-centric environment. The new program accommodates a range of showroom sizes and layouts, according to Bridgestone, and includes a variety of new services, including custom design support and increased in-store branding.
• Bridgestone Americas has relaunched TireSafety.com, a consumer website dedicated to providing drivers with tire and driving safety information, including how to check tire pressure and tread depth and how to choose tires.
• Bridgestone Retail Operations has launched its annual “Driving Great Futures” campaign to support Boys & Girls Clubs of America. With the funds raised during the campaign, the company will provide grants to help clubs purchase new vans or improve/maintain their existing vehicles.
• Maryland-based Bay Area Tire & Service is implementing VAST point-of-sale and business management technology from MAM Software.
• Nexen Tire USA has revamped its website, nexentireusa.com, with an interactive tire finder and enhanced dealer locator.
• Jiffy Lube International has recognized Team Lucor as its “Franchisee of the Year.” Lucor has 158 Jiffy Lube shops in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
• Tint World Automotive Styling Centers (Boca Raton, FL) has six franchise locations set to open this summer in Arizona, Delaware, California, Michigan, Tennessee, and Texas, which will increase the total number of Tint World franchises to more than 60 locations. Additionally, a new Tint World location is poised to open in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates this month.
• The Safelite Group, the Columbus, OH-based vehicle glass services company, has reached an agreement to acquire the assets of Richardson Auto Glass, which has shops in Texas and Louisiana.