Register for CAWA’s Summer Leadership & Educational Forum in Newport Beach Next Month

See the registration materials here. Join your colleagues for networking, listening to presentations on contemporary industry issues, social events, informative meetings, learning new business ideas and much more. So, come join the Association on June 19-21, 2024 at the Renaissance Hotel in close proximity to the John Wayne (Orange County) Airport.

TechForce Wants to Hear from Technicians

The Techs Talk survey is soliciting responses which aims to understand the perspectives of the next generation of technicians. This survey is being conducted on behalf of TechForce Foundation with the purpose of understanding the perceptions and experiences of young people (Gen Z) whether they're tech students or newly working tech professionals. This survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Please complete the survey by May 24, 2024. Simply share this link with your employees and customers and know that responses are 100% anonymous. They want to hear the voices of students and new working techs (ideally within their first 2 years of employment)! Help out TechForce!

What to do About too Many, Poor Quality Meetings

One recent survey concluded that meetings are ineffective 72% of the time, and earlier research found that executives average nearly 23 hours a week in meetings, compared to under 10 hours in the 1960s. Fixing meetings is arguably the most low-lying opportunity for most organizations to improve performance and worker engagement. What can be done? See here. Source: Charter Works, Inc.

Global EV Sales Expected to Increase by 21% in 2024

This represents a significant decline from growth rates of 31% in 2023 and 60% in 2022, ABI Research said. The latest forecasts from global technology intelligence firm ABI Research found that global EV sales are expected to grow by 21% in 2024 and 19% in 2025. This represents a significant decline from growth rates of 31% in 2023 and 60% in 2022, ABI Research said. “A shortage of chargers and limited ranges are not to blame for this decline. It’s evident from sales data and statements by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) that the EV market is slowing down and failing to meet its targets,” Dylan Khoo, an electric vehicles industry analyst, said. “While insufficient charging infrastructure and range limitations are often cited as reasons for this slowdown, they don’t fully explain the stagnation, especially considering that these aspects are actually improving rather than deteriorating. Additionally, these explanations fail to consider the region-specific trends driving the EV sector changes.” See more discussion here. Source: The BUZZ – EV News

Six Success Traits of Top Producers

There are six important success factors that top salespeople possess. Although some of these factors are arguably more important than others, they are all critical to a salesperson’s success. When I talk about top salespeople, I’m referring to people who are great salespeople and great human beings. Over the years there have been salespeople who are good at pushing product with little regard for customers. This kind of success doesn’t last; moreover, the other areas of their lives are often plagued by neglect and mismanagement. I hope you’ll use these tips to get great at selling while also helping customers. See the six sales success factors here. Source: John Chapin

Banking & Financial Services Small-Business Grants You can Apply for in 2024 — and Where to Find Them

There are a multitude of small-business grants available for businesses in 2024. Small-business owners in 2024 are facing a number of big obstacles, but there are a number of grants, loans and other business assistance programs to help them navigate those challenges. Those challenges include high interest rates on business loans, the rising cost of lawsuits and litigation and inflation, among many others. The Playbook has compiled a list of small-business grants that business owners can apply for in 2024. We have also included subsidized loans, government programs and other resources for small-business owners. See more here. Source: Sacramento Business Journal

Automatic Emergency Braking Required in All New U.S. Vehicles After 2029

With the passage of the 2021 infrastructure law, NHTSA was directed to implement standards for automatic emergency braking systems. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this week said that all new vehicles sold in the U.S. must be equipped with automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems by September 2029, reports Reuters. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a spike in pedestrian traffic deaths, with 2023 seeing a fatality rate higher than any pre-pandemic year since 2008. In 2022, the number of pedestrian deaths rose by 0.7%, marking a new record since 1981.

After 2029, all cars and trucks must be able to stop and avoid collision with vehicles in front of them at a speed of up to 62 mph. In the event that collision with a vehicle is imminent, AEB must be applied at up to 90 mph. When a pedestrian is detected, AEB must be applied up to 45 mph. NHTSA claimed that the new rule will save 360 lives each year and prevent 24,000 injuries. In 2016 a voluntary agreement was made by 20 automakers, stating that they would make AEB standard on nearly all U.S. vehicles. In 2023, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety found that all 20 automakers have followed through thus far, having equipped 95% of their products with AEB. Source: Ratchet+Wrench

Escalating Middle East Tensions Trigger Surge in Freight Rates

As the situation unfolds in the Middle East, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential impacts on global trade and shipping markets. On April 13, Iran launched a coordinated attack involving hundreds of drones and missiles against Israel. Despite support from allied forces (France, the United Kingdom, and the United States), Israel intercepted most of the projectiles, but the incident has raised fears of wider escalation and disruptions to maritime operations. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders are closely monitoring developments and preparing for potential impacts on global trade and shipping markets. See further discussion and key takeaways here. Source: Food Logistics

Last Call for Automotive High School Teacher Scholarships

CAWA’s scholarship program is called The Motorcar Parts of America – Selwyn Joffe Scholarship Award Program - Awards for Automotive High School Teachers. The oftentimes forgotten individuals in educating and training students in preparation for automotive careers is the high school automotive teacher. Whether it’s their use of personal funds to keep their programs going or their need for certification to keep their instructor and program status, CAWA wants to assist them in achieving success.

The Association has established a scholarship program to help these teachers in several ways, including financially. CAWA represents manufacturers, distributors and retailers that could supply these high school automotive teachers with products, tools and other resources for classroom use to assist them in providing relevant, up to date and quality education and training for their students. Access to industry training being conducted by CAWA members could be made available to the automotive high school teachers for their own knowledge and development.

Teachers who are interested in applying for a scholarship should complete an application for consideration, found here (PDF) or fill out the online form here or request an application from programs@cawa.org. NEXT DEADLINE: May 31, 2024