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By Counterman
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 Steve Tucker, president of Automotive Parts Associates.
AMN/CM: What did your organization accomplish in 2021 that you are most proud of?
ST: That is a long list! In addition to bringing on several new team members to our headquarters, I guess I am most proud of the fact that we have been able to grow the group both in volume and in membership. The independent-aftermarket WD is alive and well, and we are proud to be able to capitalize on that point.
AMN/CM: What are your thoughts about the business environment for the automotive aftermarket in 2022?
ST: We see demand continuing to be strong. Despite fuel prices being up, miles driven is still doing well, the car parc continues to grow, and while used-car prices may be softening somewhat, consumers are still investing in their cars and having needed repairs done to keep them on the road. We are all suffering on the supply side and I sincerely hope we can overcome all the issues related to those issues. These supply shortages have forced us to become more creative in finding what we need to service our customers, and, in doing so, we have started relationships with suppliers that we might not have previously known or considered. Vendors are also looking at alternatives to the status quo, and we expect that by mid-year the worst of the supply chain issues will be behind us.
AMN/CM: Our industry’s technical skills gap (and tech shortage) has been labeled as a huge challenge. But there are some great long-term opportunities for young people in the automotive aftermarket right now, especially in the area of emerging technology, which is going to require that “next-level” tech. How can we better put our industry in the spotlight, and get young students excited about automotive?
ST: Wow, this is my “hot-button” issue for sure. The aftermarket has proven again and again that we can source the parts to fix any technology the OEMs choose to throw at us. Getting access to the information needed to use those parts is something that is mission-critical to our industry, and this goes hand-in-hand with getting the next generation of techs on board and able to service these “high-tech” vehicles going forward. The OEMs have done a great job of partnering with trade schools and creating a great breeding ground for their technician needs. We, as an aftermarket, need to undertake similar initiatives. Additionally, we need to do more to educate independent repair shops not only from a technical perspective but also from a business standpoint. Too many shops undercharge for their services in my opinion and that, in turn, limits what they can offer to “A”-level technicians in terms of salary and benefits, and even working conditions. We all need to join forces and focus on this issue. I truly believe it is the make-or-break topic for our industry.
AMN/CM: What phrase describes your “words to live by?”
ST: Share the credit and take the blame!
AMN/CM: What is your dream car, or favorite vehicle you’ve owned?
ST: 1968 Cadillac Coupe DeVille Convertible
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By Auto News
While you’re busy preparing for another holiday season, don’t let car care take a back seat. Neglected auto care almost always means much higher costs down the road in the form of more extensive repairs or lost resale value. The non-profit Car Care Council recommends that you be car care aware to ensure your car doesn’t gobble up your hard-earned money.
“If you’re like most people, you’re busier than ever this time of year and may find yourself putting off vehicle maintenance,” said Rich White, executive director, Car Care Council. “It’s important to remember that routine auto care means big savings by improving fuel economy, extending vehicle life and reducing the chance of costly car trouble.”
The Car Care Council suggests a quick vehicle check to help avoid the unplanned expense of a breakdown when traveling by car this holiday season.
Check the tires, including tire pressure and tread. Uneven wear indicates a need for wheel alignment. Tires should also be checked for bulges and bald spots. Check all fluids, including engine oil, power steering and brake and transmission, as well as windshield washer solvent and antifreeze/coolant. Check the hoses and belts that can become cracked, brittle, frayed, loose or show signs of excessive wear. These are critical to the proper functioning of the electrical system, air conditioning, power steering and the cooling system. Check lighting to identify any problems with exterior and interior lighting, as the chance of an accident increases if you can’t see or be seen. Check wipers. Wiper blades should be replaced every six months. Make sure the windshield wipers are working properly and keep the reservoir filled with solvent. The Car Care Council also recommends that motorists restock their emergency kit. To save on fuel costs during the trip, the council suggests that motorists avoid aggressive driving, observe the speed limit and avoid excessive idling. Gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing should be replaced to prevent gas from spilling or evaporating.
The Car Care Council’s link hidden, please login to view is a simple way to help you take better care of your vehicle this holiday season and throughout the year. It is an easy-to-use resource designed to help you drive smart, save money and make informed decisions.
The Car Care Council is the source of information for the “Be Car Care Aware” consumer education campaign promoting the benefits of regular vehicle care, maintenance and repair to consumers. For the latest car care news, visit the council’s online media room at
link hidden, please login to view. To order a free copy of the popular Car Care Guide, visit the council’s consumer education website at link hidden, please login to view. The post
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By Erica Zhu Feilong Jiangli
Chongqing Feilong Jiangli collects the latest information for you, so that you can get the most cutting-edge technical information. With the development of autopilot technology in the direction of wider application, it has made a lot of progress in imaging. However, a technical challenge associated with improving safety is the ability of a self driving vehicle to not have a strong ability to observe the surrounding corners.
Imaging and sensing are the key technologies of automatic driving, and also the key areas of 3D laser scanning system, such as lidar (optical detection and ranging). Such a system allows automatic driving vehicles to detect and avoid obstacles by using rotating laser beams to drive safely. However, the current imaging technology needs to be improved in order to improve the performance of the self driving vehicle. According to foreign media reports, researchers at Boston University have conducted a study to develop a new method that allows artificial intelligence components in autonomous driving vehicles to see the corners of vehicles around the University.
Researchers at Boston University have succeeded in making autonomous vehicles perceive the surrounding corners without using advanced optical devices. The technology is based on a standard digital camera and a special algorithm called "computational periscope".
It works like a toy periscope, a device consisting of two mirrors or prisms that allow people to see objects blocked by obstacles. Although the technology does not rely on mirroring, the principle is similar. The algorithm developed by Boston University uses the fact that light can be reflected from structures similar to walls in different modes to assess the degree of disorder created by different objects. The main task of the AI component is to interpret the scattered reflection image.
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By Jacky Xine
Recently, Chevrolet introduced a 2019 Silverado 1500 1:1 size Lego model, which is 72 inches high (about 1829mm), 240 inches long (about 6096mm), 96 inches wide (about 2438mm). It costed 18 people for more than 2,000 hours and was completed by hand picking and installing 334,544 LEGO. The most common building block is the 2X8 stud brick. At the end of the day, the Lego Silverado weighed 3,307 pounds (about 1,500 kg), and it was very surprising that there were work lights and very fine details in this model.
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