WASHINGTON-The Coalition for Safer, Cleaner Vehicles (CSCV) has formed a council to help shop owners, large service providers and state officials identify automotive repair instructors capable of providing effective technician education. The new Council of Advanced Automotive Trainers will operate under the direction of CSCV's National Education Resource Center (NERC). According to the coalition, the center's National Train-the-Trainer Program has produced more than 500 instructors to train in-service technicians.
CSCV said it expects its trainer network to grow to more than 1,000 instructors by March 1996.
``The formation of the council is just further evidence of CSCV's `hands-on' commitment to helping enhanced (inspection/maintenance) programs succeed by assuring effective education and support to the repair industry,'' said Nick Positano, NERC's director of education.
Tom Mettner, an independent trainer with 23 years of industry experience, including positions as a technician, manager and owner, will direct the new council, which is open to all in the automotive industry.
APAA says tire store total declined in '94
BETHESDA, Md.-The Automotive Parts & Accessories Association reports that the number of tire stores nationwide declined in 1994, resulting in a net loss of 700 units.
As a result, the association said, the combined number of ``traditional'' automotive product outlets-that is, auto parts stores and tire stores-fell more than 3 percent, or 1,700 units last year.
Retail sales of automotive products continue to grow, the APAA said, but consolidation within the industry has resulted in fewer automotive product retail outlets. While the number of chain outlets grew, the total number of auto parts stores declined 2.4 percent, or by about 1,000 stores last year.
The APAA said the long-term reduction in the number of service stations continued in 1994, with a 2.5-percent decline resulting in fewer than 100,000 stations now in operation.
The association also noted that the number of new-car and truck dealerships continued their decade-long decline, losing an additional 400 units in 1994.
NHTSA standardizes brake requirements
WASHINGTON-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has established a new federal motor vehicle safety standard, ``Passenger Car Brake Systems,'' to harmonize U.S. brake standards with those of many European countries.
NHTSA Administrator Dr. Ricardo Martinez said the action ``maintains safety for American motorists while making it easier for both U.S. and other manufacturers to build cars for export,'' as well as create jobs and increase trade.
The new standard, to be phased in over five years, differs from the current one primarily in its revised testing procedure, developed during discussions between NHTSA and the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe.
Dr. Martinez said when U.S. and European brake regulations are made compatible, the requirements will then be recognized and accepted by all vehicle importing and exporting countries, resulting in standardized brake systems that should reduce costs for both producers and consumers.