In-person SMART Course aims to improve shop owners’ bottom line

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Indie Garage contributor, training professional and RPM Training founder Murray Voth is offering a unique three-day SMART (Service Management And Results Training) Course in Toronto for shop owners, service advisors and technicians. The course, to be held at the end of June, will focus on the primary key performance indicators in shop management today, and the systems and procedures required to achieve them. Sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Retailers of Ontario, the SMART course is, in Murray’s words, “the Why, Where, When, Who , What and How of operating a high-performance, professional auto repair shop.” Among the insights you’ll learn…
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Here’s how US auto sales shook out in the first half of 2023

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Six months into 2023, the supply shortages that had handcuffed sales for several years were fading, and volume was up year over year in nearly every vehicle segment. General Motors outsold Toyota at the halfway point for a second consecutive year, and Ford was on pace to become the top brand for the first time in three years. Hyundai-Kia leapfrogged Stellantis to become the No. 4 automaker, as Tesla — based on estimates since it doesn’t report US results — climbed to No. 8. Tesla still has three of the four most popular electric vehicles, though others are grabbing more…
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Digital Filters: A New Way to E-Wear Jewellery with Lab Grown Diamonds 

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The world of jewellery is constantly evolving, and technological advancements continue to shape the industry in exciting ways. One such innovation that has gained significant attention is the use of digital filters to enhance the experience of e-wearing jewellery. With the rise of lab grown diamonds, this digital revolution is set to transform the way we engage with and appreciate jewellery. Digital filters, popularized by social media platforms, offer users the ability to apply various effects, enhancements, and overlays to their photos and videos. These filters have become an integral part of self-expression, allowing individuals to modify and enhance their…
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Who are the leading innovators in TPM mounting accessories for the automotive industry?

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The automotive industry continues to be a hotbed of innovation, with activity driven by the need for enhanced driving experience, fuel efficiency, and engine performance, and the growing importance of technologies such as electrification, and connected and autonomous vehicles. In the last three years alone, there have been over 1.2 million patents filed and granted in the automotive industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in Automotive: TPM mounting accessories. However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle…
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The latest numbers on the automotive microchip shortage

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There are more signs that the microchip shortage is easing, even as automakers cut 82,573 vehicles from production plans worldwide last week, according to the latest estimates from AutoForecast Solutions. North American factories lost 38,677 vehicles because of a lack of semiconductors last week, in addition to 21,700 cut from assembly plants in China and 22,196 removed from production schedules elsewhere in the Asia-Pacific region. For the second consecutive week, AutoForecast Solutions lowered its full-year production-loss estimate for North America. It now expects about 954,206 vehicles to be cut in the region by year’s end, an improvement from the 1.01…
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Here are all the used EVs that qualify for the new $4,000 tax credit

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January 1, 2023 marked the dawn of another year for the world, but in the realm of EVs, purchases made by US consumers more specifically, the date kicked off a fresh start of new tax credits for vehicles both new and used. While much of the dust is still settling on the Capitol as it works to implement new qualifying terms for tax credits, we do have some information about what EVs will and will not qualify for. Here’s what we know so far.A used EV might be the way to go in 2023 Although the $7,500 federal tax…
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What if You Should Repair or Replace Your Windshield?

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If your windshield has recently been cracked, the first question you might ask yourself is: Does my windshield need repairing or replacing? Many Jacksonville, FL, vehicle owners have the same question. Below you’ll find some tips to help you decide if you need windshield repair or windshield replacement. When to Repair a Windshield Most people prefer to repair a windshield rather than replace it because it’s less costly. A chipped windshield is almost always repairable, and, in some situations, your insurance company might even cover the cost of the repair. For a chip to qualify for repairs, it shouldn’t exceed…
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Talkin’ Bout My Generation – FormingWorld

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This article first appeared in the February 2023 Automotive Special Issue of MetalForming magazine (www.metalformingmagazine.com), and is reprinted here with permission granted by the Precision Metalforming Association. You’ve probably seen references to 3rd Gen steels—implying that there are 1st and 2nd Gen steels as well. This article explores their similarities, differences and evolution. The automotive industry drives much of this development, but the benefits offered by newer grades promote applications in other industries. Where it Began: 1st Gen Steels During the era of tail fins and sock hops, automakers had only a handful of sheet-steel grades from which to choose.…
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