What is Anticipated in the 2024 Nevada Legislature

The Legislature will not be in session in Nevada in 2024. However, CAWA will remain vigilant to assure government issues of interest are followed throughout the year in the Silver State. For further information or questions, contact our Reno/Carson City based legislative advocate, Gabriele McGregor at 775.331.4555 or gabriele@theferrarogroup.com.

Updates Regarding Enforcement of the California Air Resources Board's Advanced Clean Fleets Regulation

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) does not plan to take enforcement action on the drayage or high priority fleet provisions of the Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) regulation until the U.S. EPA grants a preemption waiver applicable to those regulatory provisions or determines a waiver is not necessary. This enforcement discretion does not apply to State and Local Government Fleets.

CARB encourages fleets to voluntarily report and comply while the waiver request is pending and reserves all of its rights to enforce the Advanced Clean Fleets regulation in full for any period for which a waiver is granted or for which a waiver is determined to be unnecessary, including (but not limited to) the right to remove non-compliant vehicles added to fleets while the waiver request is pending. CARB will also accept requests for the extensions and exemptions available under the ACF regulation during this period.

The enforcement notice contains Information on how this directly affects drayage, high priority, and state and local government fleets. Additional information may be found on the ACF Regulation and Advisories page.

CAWA Thanks Sponsors for the 2024 Newsletter and Website

In 2024, the following companies will sponsor: CAWA’s website – The Parts Authority; and CAWA’s newsletter, “Connections” – BBB Industries. CAWA thanks both companies for their sponsorship and continued support.

California Employment Law Update – What’s in Store for 2024

With a new year comes a cornucopia of new laws and court rulings for California employers. In a time of economic uncertainties and evolving workplace challenges like wage and hour traps, union unrest, and hybrid work, there have never been more headwinds confronting businesses in the Golden State. Our diverse team of seasoned attorneys will share invaluable information and insights about significant developments in labor and employment law. Learn More. Source: Littler

2023 Dues Deductibility Statement

For federal income tax purposes, CAWA dues may be deductible as a business expense but not as a charitable contribution. CAWA estimates that 35% of your dues for 2023 are not deductible as a business expense because they are attributable to lobbying as in accordance with the Internal Revenue Code Section 6033. Contributions to the Political Action Fund are not deductible as a charitable contribution or as a business expense for federal income tax purposes. For more information, consult with your accountant or tax attorney.

Four Strategic Priorities for Distributors in 2024

As distributors navigate inventory levels to be more appropriate, they have trusted partners in place to help them overcome lockdowns and shipping delays. Supply chain disruption was an ongoing concern, but distributors managed it by maintaining larger inventory levels and securing a deeper bench of potential vendors. As distributors navigate inventory levels to be more appropriate, they have trusted partners in place to help them overcome lockdowns and shipping delays. Higher interest rates impacted capital decisions and slowed some investment, but most distributors handled inflationary pressures quite well. Parties across the value chain communicated openly, so vendors and distributors were able to handle price increases or pass them on to end consumers. Some challenges persisted — and will continue in the year ahead. Labor is an ongoing issue for distributors, and economic and geopolitical uncertainties are keeping everyone on their toes. With a U.S. presidential election ahead, distributors are steeling themselves for the unknown. Most are strengthening partnerships and adding layers of strategy to avoid any major disruption. See more discussion here. Source: Supply & Demand Chain Executive

Significantly Increase Sales by Practicing

Every sports team practices. Not just the pros. College, high school, pee-wee, shoot I remember my Pony League baseball team practicing when I was five years old. Add to this the fact that many, if not most, professionals practice. Would you want a heart surgeon who hasn’t practiced on cadavers, and in many other ways, shapes, and forms, doing open-heart surgery on you? Of course not. Actually, in that case, you’d hope that they not only had tons of practice before their first surgery and between the others, but you’d also hope that they got lots of game experience too. As a salesperson, practice can have a significant, positive impact on sales numbers. In an article a few years back I referenced an old sales book: Secrets of Closing Sales by Charles B. Roth. In the book he talked about a group of salespeople in Detroit who roleplayed various sales situations with each other and their manager. In a year they increased their sales by 100%. He then talked about another group in NYC that used this idea of roleplaying and increased sales by 150%. Finally, he cited several examples of individual salespeople who increased their sales by as much as 400% using this idea. See more discussion here. Source: John Chapin

AACF: Lending a Hand to the Auto Care Industry

The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation helps those in the auto care industry who are struggling. For many in the auto care industry, their careers have grown from passion and dedication into lasting success, but life events–such as illnesses and natural disasters–can destroy years’ worth of work in only a fraction of the time it took to build. Many in the industry have found themselves in this situation, and it can affect not only them but families and local communities as well. In a time when talent is needed in the aftermarket field more than ever, Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) Executive Director Joel Ayres wants to reach as many people as possible to help those in need recover from tragedy and to empower the industry. See more details here. Source: RATCHET + WRENCH

Also, Mr. Ayres will be at the CAWA Leadership & Educational Forum in Napa in February to speak to the attendees. For more information on the Forum click here.

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 that 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

CAWA Memorial Scholarship Awards for Students

This scholarship program supports educational opportunities for you, your family, employees and those interested in a career in the auto care industry. Applying is easy! The online application process allows students interested in auto care industry careers to submit one application each year online at www.automotivescholarships.com and receive consideration for several scholarships. Preference will be given to those seeking a college level, vocational or technical program pursuing a degree, accreditation or certificate in the auto care industry. A candidate’s permanent residence must be located in the states of California, Nevada or Arizona. Applications are accepted through March 31 of each year. Scholarships will be awarded in June of each year. The applicant with the highest ranking each year will receive the Mort Schwartz Scholarship Award. NEXT DEADLINE: March 31, 2024. APPLY HERE!