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By Counterman
This episode of the Road to AAPEX takes us to Grand Rapids, Mich., for a trip to Auto-Wares, where host Joe Keene learns about the company’s history, operations and distribution of auto parts. Auto-Wares works closely with manufacturers like BCA Bearings, a division of NTN, to ensure high-quality OE replacement parts are delivered to where they’re needed most.
That leads us to our next stop—NTN’s Mt. Prospect, Ill., location. There, we take a close look at the company’s focus on manufacturing high-quality products. NTN also discusses the importance of AAPEX as a platform to showcase new products and to connect with customers. Then, it’s back to Michigan, and Tamrox Automotive in Jackson, Mich., for an NTN wheel bearing replacement. Watch the video for a demonstration of the process and for insights on customer service and technician retention.
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By GreenGears Auto Limited
The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation, driven by the synergistic forces of connectivity and autonomous driving. These technological advancements are poised to reshape the transportation landscape, promising safer, more efficient, and more accessible mobility solutions for individuals and societies alike.
Connectivity, the ability of vehicles to communicate with each other and their surroundings, is laying the foundation for intelligent transportation systems that can revolutionize the way we navigate our roads. Autonomous driving, on the other hand, envisions a future where vehicles can operate without human intervention, offering the potential for unprecedented levels of safety and convenience.
This in-depth exploration delves into the complexities of connectivity and autonomous driving, examining their underlying technologies, current progress, challenges, and the transformative impact they are expected to have on our world.
The Evolution of Connectivity: From Isolated Vehicles to Interconnected Networks
Historically, vehicles have been isolated entities on the road, relying solely on the driver's perception and decision-making. However, the advent of connectivity has transformed cars into sophisticated communication hubs, capable of gathering and exchanging vast amounts of data in real-time.
This transformation has been made possible by a convergence of technological advancements, including:
Sensor Technology: Vehicles are now equipped with a wide range of sensors, including cameras, radars, lidars, and ultrasonic sensors, that enable them to perceive their surroundings in detail. These sensors collect data about the vehicle's position, speed, proximity to other objects, and road conditions. Wireless Communication: Technologies like Dedicated Short-Range Communications (DSRC) and Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) allow vehicles to communicate wirelessly with each other and with infrastructure elements like traffic lights and road signs. Cloud Computing and Data Analytics: The vast amounts of data generated by connected vehicles are processed and analyzed in the cloud, enabling real-time decision-making and the development of intelligent transportation systems. Types of Connectivity:
Connectivity in the automotive realm manifests in various forms, each with its own distinct benefits:
Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V) Communication: Enables direct communication between vehicles, allowing them to share information about their speed, location, and intended maneuvers. This creates a virtual awareness network, enhancing safety by alerting drivers to potential hazards and enabling cooperative driving behaviors.
Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Communication: Facilitates communication between vehicles and roadside infrastructure, such as traffic lights, road signs, and toll booths. This allows for optimized traffic flow, reduced congestion, and improved safety through real-time information sharing.
Vehicle-to-Network (V2N) Communication: Connects vehicles to cloud-based services and applications, providing access to real-time traffic updates, navigation assistance, and other infotainment features.
Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P) Communication: Enables vehicles to communicate with pedestrians and cyclists, particularly in urban environments. This can enhance safety for vulnerable road users by alerting them to the presence of vehicles and potential dangers.
Benefits of Connectivity:
The widespread adoption of connectivity has the potential to unlock numerous benefits for individuals, society, and the environment:
Enhanced Safety: By facilitating real-time data exchange and situational awareness, connectivity can help prevent accidents and reduce fatalities on the roads. Features like collision avoidance systems, lane departure warnings, and blind spot monitoring leverage connectivity to provide drivers with timely alerts and assistance.
Improved Traffic Flow: Connectivity enables intelligent transportation systems to optimize traffic flow by adjusting signal timings, providing real-time traffic information, and recommending alternative routes. This can lead to reduced congestion, shorter travel times, and improved fuel efficiency.
Enhanced Convenience and Comfort: Connected vehicles offer a plethora of features that enhance the driving experience, including:
Remote vehicle access and control In-car entertainment and infotainment systems Personalized navigation and route optimization Real-time vehicle diagnostics and maintenance alerts Over-the-air software updates Environmental Sustainability: By optimizing traffic flow and promoting fuel-efficient driving behaviors, connectivity can contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and improving air quality.
The Path to Autonomous Driving: From Assisted to Fully Autonomous
Autonomous driving, often referred to as self-driving technology, aims to automate the driving experience entirely, freeing drivers from the need to control the vehicle. This technology is being developed in stages, with increasing levels of autonomy, as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE):
Levels of Autonomous Driving
Level Description 0 No automation. The driver is fully in control of the vehicle at all times. 1 Driver assistance. The vehicle provides limited assistance with tasks such as steering or accelerating, but the driver remains primarily in control. 2 Partial automation. The vehicle can control both steering and acceleration/deceleration under certain conditions, but the driver must remain alert and ready to take control at any time. 3 Conditional automation. The vehicle can perform all driving tasks under specific conditions, but the driver may still need to intervene in certain situations. 4 High automation. The vehicle can perform all driving tasks under most conditions, and the driver may be able to disengage completely. 5 Full automation. The vehicle can perform all driving tasks under all conditions, and there is no need for a human driver. Key Technologies Enabling Autonomous Driving
The development of autonomous vehicles relies on a complex interplay of various technologies:
Sensor Fusion: Combines data from multiple sensors like cameras, radars, and lidars to create a comprehensive and accurate picture of the vehicle's surroundings. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning: Enables the vehicle to perceive, interpret, and respond to its environment in real-time, making decisions based on complex algorithms and learned patterns. High-Definition Mapping: Provides detailed maps of the environment, including road layouts, lane markings, traffic signs, and other relevant information. Vehicle Control Systems: Actuators and control systems enable the vehicle to execute commands from the autonomous driving system, such as steering, accelerating, braking, and changing lanes. Current State of Autonomous Driving
While fully autonomous vehicles (Level 5) remain a long-term goal, significant progress has been made in developing and deploying lower levels of autonomy.
Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS): Features like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, and automatic emergency braking 1 are becoming increasingly common in new vehicles, representing Level 1 and Level 2 autonomy. Robotaxis and Autonomous Shuttles: Several companies are testing and deploying autonomous vehicles in controlled environments, such as designated areas within cities or university campuses. These vehicles often operate at Level 4 autonomy, with limited human supervision. Commercial Applications: Autonomous trucks and delivery vehicles are being developed and tested for logistics and transportation applications, offering the potential for increased efficiency and reduced costs. Challenges and Concerns
Despite the significant progress, several challenges and concerns remain on the road to fully autonomous driving:
Technological Limitations: Current sensor technologies and AI algorithms still struggle to handle complex and unpredictable scenarios, such as adverse weather conditions, construction zones, or interactions with pedestrians and cyclists. Safety and Liability: Ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles and determining liability in the event of accidents are critical concerns that need to be addressed through robust testing, validation, and regulatory frameworks. Public Acceptance: Gaining public trust and acceptance of autonomous vehicles will require addressing concerns about safety, job displacement, and the potential for misuse of the technology. Infrastructure: Widespread adoption of autonomous vehicles will necessitate significant investments in infrastructure, including intelligent transportation systems, high-definition maps, and communication networks. The Transformative Impact of Connectivity and Autonomous Driving
The convergence of connectivity and autonomous driving has the potential to revolutionize the transportation sector and society as a whole:
Improved Safety: By eliminating human error, which is a leading cause of accidents, autonomous vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce fatalities and injuries on the roads. Studies suggest that autonomous vehicles could reduce traffic fatalities by up to 90%.
Increased Efficiency: Connected and autonomous vehicles can optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and improve fuel efficiency. This can lead to significant time and cost savings for individuals and businesses, as well as a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
Enhanced Accessibility: Autonomous vehicles can provide mobility solutions for individuals who are unable to drive, such as the elderly or those with disabilities, enhancing their independence and quality of life.
New Business Models: The advent of autonomous vehicles could give rise to new business models and services, such as ride-hailing, car-sharing, and delivery fleets. These models could transform the way we think about transportation, making it more accessible and affordable for everyone.
Urban Transformation: Autonomous vehicles could lead to a redesign of urban spaces, with less need for parking lots and potentially more space for green areas and pedestrian zones.
The Road Ahead: Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities
The path to a fully connected and autonomous transportation future is filled with both challenges and opportunities. As technology continues to advance and regulatory frameworks evolve, we can expect to see a gradual but steady shift towards a more automated and interconnected transportation landscape.
The automotive industry, along with governments, technology companies, and other stakeholders, will need to collaborate to address the challenges and ensure the safe and responsible deployment of these technologies. Public education and engagement will also be crucial in building trust.
www.GreenGearsAuto.com
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By Counterman
The
link hidden, please login to view is calling on its members and the wider auto care community to take immediate action in the fight for the right to repair with the launch of the “#RighttoRepair, RIGHT NOW” challenge. The initiative encourages every member to send a new letter to their legislator, demanding swift action on Right to Repair legislation. The challenge is designed to amplify the voices of consumers and industry professionals alike, ensuring that their message reaches the halls of Congress. As part of the challenge, participants are asked not only to urge their legislators to pass H.R. 906, “The REPAIR Act,” but also to spread the word by tagging three colleagues, friends or industry peers on social media, urging them to do the same.
Here’s how to participate in the #RighttoRepair, RIGHT NOW challenge in three steps:
Send a New Letter: Visit repairact.com to send our updated letter to your legislator. Take a Selfie: Take a selfie featuring a message that you took action. Post about your action on social media, using the hashtag #RighttoRepair. Tag More People: Challenge three others to do the same by tagging them directly in your post. “As summer comes to a close and Congress picks back up from its August recess, it is now a critical moment for us to make as much noise as possible on the right to repair issue to capture the attention of our elected officials,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO,
link hidden, please login to view. “We want to make sure Congress knows how important right to repair is to the American people, and one of the best ways to capture their attention is through grassroots efforts like the ‘#RighttoRepair, RIGHT NOW’ challenge. In the shadow of an election that is less than 100 days away, I ask that all members of our industry partake in this social media campaign with us to keep this fight for the right to repair alive on Capitol Hill.” The Auto Care Association provides all the resources necessary to participate in this campaign, including letter templates, legislator contact information, and
link hidden, please login to view. You can get started by visiting link hidden, please login to view today and sending a new letter. The post
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By Counterman
link hidden, please login to view and link hidden, please login to viewhave declared Avery Breneman of Blackfoot, ID, the 2024 Technician of the Year. Breneman is the owner of Avery’s Auto Repair, a Bumper to Bumper Certified Service Center and customer of NPW Companies. Breneman was named the winner during Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper’s Technician of the Year program in Detroit, Michigan, this July. “This recognition is humbling. I deeply appreciate the experience and I am proud to be the 2024 Technician of the Year Champion. The support from Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper has been incredible. I want to thank NPW and our sales rep, Hoss Prestwich, for encouraging me to compete,” said Breneman.
Sixteen top technicians from across the United States and Canada traveled to Detroit to participate in the 2024 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year finalist competition. Sponsored by DRiV and Garage Gurus, the annual competition included a custom Automotive Service Excellence examination as well as a series of Garage Gurus’ hands-on skills tests.
“With over 3,700 Certified Service Centers within the Auto Value & Bumper to Bumper network, becoming a technician of the year finalist is no easy task,” said JC Washbish, president at the Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. “The goal of this program is to recognize top technician talent within the industry, bring honor to the trades, and highlight the skills required to be a top tech. This year’s competition did not disappoint. We had a wonderful group of Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper technicians! We’d like to thank DRiV and Garage Gurus for their continued support of this fantastic event.”
The technician finalists were treated to a variety of entertainment and experiences in Metro Detroit including a day at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village, a tour of the Ford Rouge Factory, racing at the Champion® Motor Speedway in the M1 Concourse and the luxury of a suite at Comerica Park for a Detroit Tigers’ game.
“For Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper to once again partner with Garage Gurus on the technician of the year event is fantastic. The opportunity for our team to interact with top technicians from the certified service center network while representing our Champion, Fel-Pro, Moog, Monroe, Walker, Wagner and Garage Gurus brands is special,” said Mike Hinderer, technical product specialist field manager with Garage Gurus. “To the professional technicians in the industry, we are here, we see you and we support you.”
DRiV and Garage Gurus have been the host sponsor of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year event since 2019.
“Our team at DRiV is very proud of our continued sponsorship and support of the Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year program,” says Tony Genna, vice president North America sales at DRiV. “Hosting these extremely talented technicians from across North America is really something special and we are always appreciative of our time together. A program like this is important for our industry and no one does it better than the team at Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper.”
The 2024 Auto Value and Bumper to Bumper Technician of the Year Finalists include:
Scott Anderson; Canyon Meadows Auto Repair; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Central Auto Parts Sean Blakeley; First Choice Automotive Repair; Killeen, TX; 4M Parts Warehouse Rafael Borja; Robertson Automotive; Tyler, TX; ABC Auto Parts Avery Breneman; Avery Auto; Blackfoot, ID; National Performance Warehouse Jeremiah Clark; Clarks Auto Repair and Service; Pleasureville, KY; Moog Louisville Warehouse Bim Gill; Gills Service Center; Harpersville, AL; National Performance Warehouse Michael Golda; Kerners Auto Service; Shelby Township, MI; Auto-Wares Group of Companies Jake Fehr; Chad’s Auto Repair Shop; Winkler, Manitoba, Canada; Piston Ring Service John Kincaid; Grainger Automotive; Bean Station, TN; Hahn Automotive Warehouse Brandon Osman; Square Deal Garage; Pinole, CA; Trimon, Inc. Mike Powers; Joe’s Garage; North Little Rock, AR; Parts Warehouse, Inc. Ryan Radtke; Village Mobil; Waunakee, WI; Automotive Parts Headquarters Inc. Matthew Reitmeier; Travel Care Regina Ltd; Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada; Auto Electric Service Rob Richardson; Maclane’s Automotive; Downingtown, PA; Eastern Warehouse Distributor, LLC Stephen “Chris” Scott; Accelerated Auto Service; Bennington, NE; The Merrill Company Doug Smith; Telle Tire and Automotive; St. Louis, MO; All Car Automotive Warehouse, Inc. The post
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By Counterman
The automotive aftermarket often celebrates its long and historic legacy—manufacturers that engineer solutions, distribution channels that crisscross the country, parts stores and repair shops that keep America moving. Today, the aftermarket is paving the foundation of a new legacy—dreaming up innovation in new and existing powertrains, leveraging digitally driven solutions and forging stronger relationships. This year’s Road to AAPEX traverses the crossroads where history meets ingenuity to drive the industry down the road toward its future legacy.
Babcox Media’s Joe Keene, an ASE-certified technician, navigates the automotive aftermarket landscape, starting at the Crawford Museum in Cleveland, Ohio. A location rich in automotive history, the Crawford Museum displays a parallel path between early automotive designs and modern vehicles that shows off the continuous advancements that have shaped the industry.
Meanwhile, David Sickels, Babcox Media editor, will delve into the aftermarket and the significant contributions of independent companies within the supply chain. He’ll travel the country to chart the history of the aftermarket, the key players, and the processes involved in manufacturing automotive parts. He will interview key figures in the industry and examine the processes that bring aftermarket parts from conception to market, providing valuable insights into the operational aspects and historical development of the aftermarket sector.
Then there’s Babcox Media’s Scott Shriber, automotive aftermarket guru, who will focus on the logistics and distribution chains that deliver parts to local technicians and repair shops. He’ll explore the history of parts distribution, tracing its growth and evolution into the complex system it is today while providing a detailed look at how distribution networks have adapted to meet increasing demand and technological advancements, ensuring parts are delivered efficiently and reliably.
Of course, it all ends where the rubber meets the road—the hard-working automotive repairs shops that put the parts and solutions to work to get customer vehicles back on the road. Joe Keene will take us on a tour of the automotive aftermarket front line to talk with shop owners and technicians about how they’re innovating within their own businesses to keep America moving.
Watch the video for a deeper understanding of the industry’s dynamics and the factors that drive its continuous evolution. Be sure to stay tuned for more episodes of Road to AAPEX.
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