Three industry veterans have been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers' Advisory Council. They are: Russell Kruse of Wells Vehicle Electronics, Ryan Maas of ENEOS and Dave Stewart of Dorman Products. During the appointment process, Michael Rukov, Chair of the Board of Directors, commented: “As the MAC continues to grow, we are pleased to have these three individuals join our leadership team and contribute to our discussions of current and future industry issues”. “We look forward to their participation and contributions which will assist the Association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive aftermarket industry organization”, continued Rukov.

See the complete press release regarding these appointments here.

It is essential that independent repair shops retain access to the vehicle data, tools, and equipment necessary to repair cars that consumers bring to their shop. “Right to Repair” is currently a prevalent issue across industries—from small electronics and home appliances to agricultural equipment and automobiles. In many cases, the advent of new technology has prompted some original equipment manufacturers to restrict access to the tools and information necessary for repairs.

In July of 2021, President Joe Biden signed the “Executive Order on Promoting Competition in the American Economy” that directed the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to craft rules enforcing the consumer right to repair. In the months since this order was signed, President Biden has spoken on right to repair on multiple other occasions.

At the American Farm Bureau Conference in January, the President reiterated his support, saying that family farmers and ranchers deserve the right to repair the equipment they own, either themselves or at an independent shop.

Read more here. Source: Motor Age Newsletter

~Mike Mohler, Automotive Parts Services Group

In talking with several companies over recent months, it's clear that many of you are experiencing problems with stuck or lost containers at ports and terminals across the nation and paying a huge cost in demurrage. It’s bad enough not being able to access inventory you desperately need. But, to pay storage fees when you are not at fault is unacceptable.

In an effort to help with this issue and knowing that this problem is not going away anytime soon, I’ve put together the attached list of names, phone numbers and email addresses of the appropriate people/offices (here) that your team members can reach out to at each of the major ports and terminals around the country to help access those stuck containers or find the lost ones.

Furthermore, here is the latest in what is going on in ocean shipping and movements in the halls of government that just might ease some of your pain. For those of you that are unaware, the US Trade Representative has just reinstated 352 of the section 301 China tariff exclusions. See here for more details.

Three times in the past two weeks, prospects or clients have asked me about hiring salespeople; so, here are my tips.

Tip #1: Start with people skills.

If someone lacks people skills, they will never be able to sell effectively.

Tip #2: Look for self-esteem, self-confidence, work ethic, integrity, and the right attitude.

After people skills, these are the key character traits. These can’t be trained; people have them or they don’t. You have to look for these and test for them in your hiring process.

See 15 more tips here. Source: John Chapin

A bill, supported by CAWA, to decrease Arizona’s commercial property tax assessment ratio to 15% over the next five years would achieve a goal set decades ago by the Citizen’s Finance Review Commission and others if it becomes law. Senate Bill 1093, sponsored by state Sen. J.D. Mesnard, R-Chandler, would continue the scheduled assessment ratio decrease under last year’s SB 1108, which called for a gradual reduction from 18% to 16%, but lower it an additional percentage point by 2027.

See more here.

For additional information, contact CAWA’s Phoenix based Legislative Advocate, Stuart Goodman at 602-617-5708 or sgoodman@goodmanschwartz.com.

Should your company be interested in sponsoring a meeting or event at the upcoming CAWA June Leadership Meeting, contact programs@cawa.org to review the opportunities. Sponsorships go fast, so your attention to this offer is appreciated.

With electric vehicles (EVs) lining up on the horizon and zooming into the nearest local showroom, auto dealers are preparing today to serve the EV customer of tomorrow by investing in training, education, infrastructure and, most importantly, positioning themselves as EV retail experts and resources for these new buyers.

The stage is set for massive growth and opportunity, said Kristen Balasia, Vice President of Consulting Services at IHS Markit, now S&P Global. “To say the BEV [battery electric vehicle] landscape is growing exponentially is an understatement,” Balasia said during a Saturday panel discussion on the NADA Show Live Stage. And it’s not just niche manufacturers like Tesla making big plans for EVs. “By the end of the decade, about 90% of electric vehicles will come from traditional, mainstream brands, just like the ones you already have relationships with at your dealerships,” she said.

See more here. Source: NADA

Situations like these often are confusing for employers and can lead to significant exposure to liability due to the employer’s strict obligations under the law to prevent harassment and discrimination in the workplace. This is due in large part to a misunderstanding about when and where an employer may intervene in conduct that occurs away from the workplace during nonworking hours.

See more here. Source: Our Friends at the California Chamber of Commerce

The automotive industry has rallied in 2021, growing year over year despite the COVID-challenged economy. Now automotive businesses can enhance their health plan benefits for their valued employees with the CAWA Arizona Health Trust (CAWA) Association Health Plan through Blue Cross® Blue Shield® of Arizona (BCBSAZ). For more details, click here. You could be saving your company many insurance premium dollars! Another member benefit.