Jump to content

  • Welcome to Auto Parts Forum

    Whether you are a veteran automotive parts guru or just someone looking for some quick auto parts advice, register today and start a new topic in our forum. Registration is free and you can even sign up with social network platforms such as Facebook, X, and LinkedIn. 

     

Recommended Posts

Posted

In our 2022 Distribution Preview in

link hidden, please login to view
, aftermarket leaders talk about some of the key issues affecting the industry, and discuss their plans, goals and expectations for the year ahead.

This year, we added several fun “Lightning Round” questions that you won’t want to miss.

Here’s our Q&A with Robert Roos, president of the Pronto Automotive Distribution Network.

AMN/CM: What did your organization accomplish in 2021 that you are most proud of? 

RR: Obviously at the beginning of 2021, we announced our merger of the Pronto and Automotive Distribution Network groups. We anticipated that the merger process would be a lengthy one that would encompass all of 2021. I am so very proud of our internal team, the collective membership and all we have accomplished. We have consolidated systems, processes and procedures to allow us to become a more productive and efficient group. While there is still much to be done, we are together a much stronger group than we could have ever been independently. I applaud the efforts of everyone involved in making our dream a reality.

AMN/CM: What are your thoughts about the business environment for the automotive aftermarket in 2022?

RR: Currently, we are anticipating the business environment heading into 2022 to be very similar to what we have experienced in the past year. Supply chain issues will continue to challenge us for the foreseeable future. We are hopeful that as we become more accustomed to these challenges as an industry, we will find new and improved ways to navigate these waters and mitigate the impact on our businesses. Even with the headwinds we face, we are optimistic about our industry and our ability to persevere.

AMN/CM: What do you feel is the greatest threat facing the automotive aftermarket right now? 

RR: Another year behind us and it seems like the answer to this question continues to be “Right to Repair” and our access to vehicle data. The independent automotive industry won a huge battle in late 2020 when Massachusetts voters passed the Right to Repair bill, but the fight is far from over. Legal battles continue in the courts and our ability to access the necessary data to repair vehicles is still up in the air. We must continue to press the issue and educate people on this important issue. AMN

AMN/CM: What phrase describes your “words to live by?”

RR: “We cannot become what we want by remaining what we are.” – Max Depree

AMN/CM: What is your best icebreaker at a networking reception?

RR: “Hello. I’m Robert …” I definitely need a better line.

AMN/CM: What is your dream car, or favorite vehicle you’ve owned?

RR: Dream car – not a good question to ask me. I’m driving an older vehicle now, so I would be happy with just about anything newer.

The post

link hidden, please login to view
appeared first on
link hidden, please login to view
.

link hidden, please login to view

Sell your car with CarBrain

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

  • Similar Topics

    • By Counterman
      The Pronto Network announced it will offer up to 12 $2,500 annual scholarships to the sons, daughters or employees of their Pronto Auto Service, Parts Plus Car Care Center or Auto Service Experts programs, who are choosing an automotive career path. These scholarships are funded by The Pronto Network and its warehouse distributor members. They are available to any active Pronto Auto Service, Parts Plus Car Care Center or Auto Service Experts Center currently purchasing from a Pronto Network member (Pronto Auto Parts, Parts Plus, Auto Pride WDs).
      Students who are attending any two- or four-year accredited college, any ASE/NATEF certified post-secondary automotive/ heavy duty/ collision technician training program or any licensed and accredited vocational school are eligible for these awards. Students who are graduating from high school this year and heading to any of those post-secondary programs also qualify.  The
      link hidden, please login to view said students pursuing an automotive career will be given preference for this scholarship. Eligible students must apply online at
      link hidden, please login to viewto be considered for a scholarship. An added benefit to applicants is that the Pronto Network is one of more than 30 other organizations and donors who also award scholarships to students who apply at this site. Each student’s complete application will be considered by every organization where they meet that group’s qualifications. To qualify for the Pronto Auto Service Center scholarships, applicants must do the following THREE things:
      Fill out the form below on the page “Pronto Network Scholarship Vetting Information” and submit per the instructions before the deadline. All fields must be completed. Apply online at link hidden, please login to view, by clicking on the “Apply now” button on this page.  For your application to be considered, all three steps must be completed by the deadline of March 31. The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      link hidden, please login to view announced the release of 164 new automotive repair solutions this month for its Light Duty segment. The new products join a growing Light Duty catalog of over 133,000 SKUs, offering millions of new sales opportunities for automotive parts distributors, retailers and repair shops, as well as more accessible solutions for vehicle owners, according to Dorman. This month’s releases include a dozen new Dorman OE FIX repair innovations that provide customers with improved performance and repair convenience that they may not be able to obtain with parts acquired from a dealership,
      link hidden, please login to view said. The company added that one of those OE FIX innovations is an upgraded camshaft bridge cover designed for select Volkswagen and Audi vehicles equipped with 2.0L engines. The original equipment cover may fail from pressure pulsations that can cause internal component damage. The Dorman replacement features several design improvements that help mitigate the pulsations and prevent filter clogging that can starve the engine for oil and harm vehicle performance.
      “At Dorman, innovation drives everything we do,” said Eric Luftig, senior vice president. “We’re proud to bring groundbreaking solutions to the automotive aftermarket, helping consumers find the right parts when they need them most. Our commitment to empowering vehicle owners and repair professionals with quality, accessibility and reliability continues to fuel our passion for progress.”
      Dorman said it continues to expand its components for turbocharger repair and replacement, adding a new OE FIX oil feed line constructed of braided stainless steel over the line’s flexible sections. The line is engineered to offer a more durable replacement compared to the original equipment’s braided nylon sheathing used in certain Ford Escape and Ford Fusion models, the company said.
      Additional highlights for March include:
      An OE FIX radiator outlet hose for select Dodge Durango and Jeep Grand Cherokee SUVs. The line features a rugged aluminum Y-connector in place of the factory’s plastic connector. A main battery fuse with coverage designed for a significant number of Cadillac and Chevrolet vehicles, and engineered to match the performance of the original equipment fuse. A new transmission oil cooler designed to match the performance of the factory cooler on select Dodge Durango SUVs. The cooler joins a comprehensive lineup of quality fluid coolers from Dorman.
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Dorman Products
      Beyond the basics: best tools for auto repair DIYers and technicians
    • By Counterman
      link hidden, please login to view, a division of link hidden, please login to view, announced it is adding new general repair parts commonly used by transmission repair shops in over 50 locations. With the addition, these general repair parts will now be available at the majority of Transtar’s 70 locations, simplifying complex vehicle repair by enabling repair shops to find the parts they need in one location, the company said. The aftermarket brands with which Transtar is partnering as part of the expansion, and their respective repair parts, include:
      • Denso – ignition coils, oxygen sensors, spark plugs
      • ProMax – Brake pads, rotors, chassis, control arms
      • Sunsong® – Brake hoses
      • GSP® – CV axles, hub assemblies
      • DFC – Brake pads, rotors, calipers
      “The addition of general repair parts at a significant number of our locations is an exciting enhancement and one that is a part of Transtar’s overall commitment to becoming a one-stop solution for our customers,” said Tom DeMille, executive vice president, sales and marketing. “We’re committed to supporting shops in all types of repairs. Whether that’s a general automotive repair or more complex transmission repair, Transtar has the parts needed to keep the world moving.”
      For a complete listing of Transtar locations and products, visit
      link hidden, please login to view. The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view
    • By Counterman
      Congressman Neal Dunn (Fla-02) introduced the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the “REPAIR Act,” a bill that would ensure vehicle owners have access to important repair and diagnostic data needed for auto repairs, on February 25, 2025. Currently, automakers are restricting vehicle owners and automotive repair shops from accessing repair data and tools, resulting in higher repair costs, fewer service options and longer wait times for vehicle maintenance.
      link hidden, please login to view would affirm that this data belongs to the vehicle’s owner, not the manufacturer. “American consumers deserve full control over their vehicle repair and maintenance data to ensure they can find the best service for their vehicle at a reasonable price. Unfortunately, vehicle manufacturers are standing in the way of American consumers accessing their own data to use the repair shop of their choosing, limiting consumer choice,” said Congressman Dunn. “For far too long, manufacturers have championed anti-competitive practices by withholding crucial maintenance information, squeezing their customers and independent repair shops.
      “Your vehicle belongs to you, not the manufacturer. I am introducing the REPAIR Act to provide a binding, workable solution to anti-competitive behavior in the auto repair industry to reaffirm consumer control over their vehicle maintenance data and empower them to work with repair shops big and small.”
      “Americans are tired of lip service about lowering prices or respecting the trades. We want to be able to fix our own stuff and to be stewards of our stuff and not reliant on a stream of cheap disposable crap. But auto manufacturers have made it increasingly difficult to have real agency,” said Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez. “It’s time for Congress to listen to ordinary Americans and pass right to repair legislation.”
      “We sincerely thank Dr. Dunn for his leadership in tackling this existential threat to consumers and standing up for the rights of vehicle owners and vital businesses,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “The REPAIR Act gained significant support and momentum in the previous Congress, demonstrating the broad, bipartisan recognition of the need to protect consumers’ right to repair their vehicles. Lawmakers, industry leaders, and everyday drivers understand that fair access to vehicle repair data is essential for competition, affordability, and consumer choice. With its reintroduction, we have an even greater opportunity to get this critical legislation across the finish line.”
      “Americans want a car repair market that guarantees choice and protects accessible, affordable, and safe vehicle repairs,” said Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition. “We commend Rep. Neal Dunn and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership in upholding consumer rights and promoting a free and fair car repair market. Today’s reintroduction of the Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act marks an important step forward in limiting unfair repair restrictions and empowering consumers to fix their vehicles on their own terms.”
      “NFIB is excited to work with and support Rep. Dunn on this important legislation. The REPAIR Act is a much-needed piece of bipartisan legislation to increase competition in the automotive repair industry,” said Andrea McGee, principal of federal government relations at NFIB. “Almost 90 percent of NFIB members support right to repair, making it one of NFIB’s top 10 priorities. NFIB thanks Rep. Dunn for his tireless work on this issue that impacts so many small businesses across all industries.”
      “MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers thanks Congressman Dunn for reintroducing the REPAIR Act. This bill is a critical step toward protecting consumer choice, competition and innovation in the automotive aftermarket. Ensuring fair access in a cybersecure way to critical repair and maintenance data allows aftermarket manufacturers to continue innovating and providing high-quality, affordable parts to consumers. Without this access, competition is stifled, costs will rise, and consumer choice will be diminished. MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers strongly supports this legislation to protect a vibrant and competitive aftermarket that benefits drivers, repairers, and manufacturers alike,” said Paul McCarthy, president of MEMA Aftermarket Suppliers.
      “PAMA’s member companies and independent automotive maintenance shops around the country play a vital role, ensuring that consumers have access to timely and cost-effective repair options for their automobiles,” said Justin Cialella, former PAMA president and chair of the Government Affairs Committee. “We commend and applaud Congressman Dunn for his leadership on the REPAIR Act, a critical milestone in our industry’s effort to protect consumers rights, preserve a fair marketplace with regard to vehicle telematics, and combat deceptive marketing practices.”
      The post
      link hidden, please login to view appeared first on link hidden, please login to view.
      link hidden, please login to view

×
  • Create New...