OTTAWA, Ontario — The Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada has launched an Automotive Service Associate Program (ASAP), an initiative that provides participants access to a "host of solutions" critical to their business success.
"We are seeing the arrival of a fundamental change in the vehicle maintenance and repair environment, where electronics, telematics and vehicle data are rapidly forming the heart of the diagnosis process," according to Andrew Shepherd, senior director of industry programs, AIA Canada.
"Aftermarket service providers are going to need a connection to new training and new equipment, but more importantly a connection to a community where challenges can be faced and solutions can be developed. ASAP is that community."
Among the benefits AIA said are part of the program — which is geared to both mechanical repair and collision repair shops — are:
- tailored research at the shop-level;
- labor market information;
- training events geared to management and technical issues facing repair shops;,
- a national shop finder service;
- financial services for shop customers; and
- technical expertise on vehicle reprogramming.
Joining ASAP costs $179 (Canadian) per year.