Episode 1 - ASTA Board, School of the Year, and Inspection Updates
Braxton Critcher [00:00:05]:
Welcome to Automotive Repair news Today. I'm Braxton Critcher. The Automotive Service and Tire Alliance ASTA welcomed a fresh wave of leadership as they inducted a new board and board president, signaling a pivotal moment for the automotive industry. ASTA, a prominent organization representing service centers and tire their dealers, made the announcement amidst a backdrop of evolving technological landscapes and consumer expectations. Newly elected ASTA board president Mike Allen on why this particular board arrangement stands alone in the experience and desire to move the industry forward.
Mike Allen [00:00:42]:
I believe it's the most energetic and dynamic board of a trade association out there. All of them are thinking with a heart towards making a better trade. I think we've captured lightning in a bottle, and there's the potential for just amazing things right now.
Braxton Critcher [00:00:56]:
Tomorrow's technician, an organization dedicated to training young technicians, selected Chapel Hill High School as their 2023 School of the Year, a national contest to highlight that year's best technician training school in the country. Chapel Hill High School received a $10,000 wix filters donation to the school's program, Wix filters gear, a visit by tomorrow's tech staff and others. The program, led by Robert Ballard, has grown from 35 students to more than 100. Everything is going paperless these days. Now the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence is joining the fold. ASE is moving its certification test for the Automobile Advanced Engine performance specialist L One and the medium heavy truck electronic diesel engine diagnosis specialists l two to a paperless format. Dave Johnson, ASE president, says the move will help repair shops cut costs and save time. Recently, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles discussed moving state inspections from yearly to every other year.
Braxton Critcher [00:02:05]:
Eliminating emissions inspections was also on the table. As for state inspections, some senators believe that based on low failed inspection numbers, that requiring inspections yearly is unnecessary. Reese Hester, automotive service and Tire Alliance ASTA member with years of experience in the tire and repair industry believes that skipping a year would be dangerous.
Reece Hester [00:02:28]:
It's not necessarily so much about me, myself and I and my vehicle. It's also those that are around us going down the road. Our argument on a two year is things can happen rapidly in two years when we're talking about vehicles and what can go wrong versus within one year.
Braxton Critcher [00:02:51]:
More news to come on this the ASE chairman scholarship is due by March 31 for consideration in the 2024 2025 school year. To qualify, applicants must be a graduating high school senior or have previously graduated with a GED and planning to attend a two or four year university as a full time student. Again, that deadline is March 31, and to apply, visit automotivescholarships.com applyonline I'm Braxton Critcher, and thanks so much for listening to automotive repair news today. To submit a news story for consideration on this podcast, email braxton@automotiverepairnews.com. That's braxton@automotiverepairnews.com. If you like the show, please rate and subscribe on your favorite podcast platform close.
