LAS VEGAS — Few would argue there has been a lot of change in the last year in the automotive industry. But Ron Pyle, Automotive Service Association (ASA) president, says that there are glimmers of hope.
There are glimmers of change, as well, as Pyle during his address during ASA’s annual press conference spoke briefly about changes that could be on the way. Following a survey of members during the last year, the association is taking stock and making sure its offerings truly represent what members need.
“Last year was a year that it was obvious that there was turmoil and there was eminent change in the marketplace and a lot of folks were uncertain. And you could see it on the show floor (last year),” he says. “We had a successful event, but it was clear there was some real anxiety about what the future would bring.
While Pyle said in the conference he could not go into detail yet about some of the changes, networking will be near the top of the focuses ASA will take.
“We believe that is an inherent obligation of our organization,” Pyle says.
ASA is changing the way it approaches the future of the association, by moving o more digital formats to attract future technicians. Robbie Addison, mechanical division manager, says ASA will turn to e-mail, Facebook and other digital means to reach the next generation.
“We’ll be reaching out not only to just the young people, but to the guidance counselors at schools and the parents,” she says.
Focus on what’s in the box also is a priority for the mechanical division in the coming year, Addison notes. “We want to ensure that we get the quality part that looks, fits and performs to the quality of the part that came on the car,” she explains. That’s important as many consumers don’t care what brand a part is, just that it works. “In their eyes, the shop is the name on the part.”
Other focuses include being more responsible with the EPA, working on the relationship between the insurer shop and consumer on the collision side and implementing standards for consumers when going to repair shops. Pyle says this would help consumers find ethical locations, which is key as they want more value now than in the past.
Changes also are unfolding as in 2010 independent repair members will be invited to a Washington, D.C., event with legislators. Similar to the event that brought collision shop personnel into the capital this summer, the Capitol Hill Fly-In will be May 11 and 12. ASA members from mechanical and collision sides will have the chance to talk with representatives and voice their feelings on issues facing the federal government.
“We feel there’s an opportunity here to better regulate our industry,” says Darrell Amberson, collision division director.
