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n VIVA

LAS VEGAS

The sights, sounds and tired feet of SEMA Week in Vegas. Page 20

FATHER KNEW BEST United Auto Sales and Services has been a family affair for more than 55 years. Page 14

supercharged service New shop blends all-makes /all-models service with high-performance service. Page 16

SKYLIGHTS & VEGETABLE OIL A new dealership leads the way in green facilities — including the service department. Page 24

COMPONENTS

CONTENTS

04

NUTS & BOLTS

08

THE GOODS

10

BREAK ROOM

16

STREET CRED

18

SERVICE BAY

26

SMART MOVES

30

REAR VIEW

INTUNE ADVISORY BOARD

ACDelco Marketing Director Nancy McLean ACDelco Advertising Manager Chris Brandt Advertising Specialist Kerri Dunton

Publishing Staff

Publishers Pam Riehl & Bree Erin Brownlee Senior Editor Barry Kluczyk Art Director Elizabeth Raab Copywriter Cynthia Curry Contributor Amy Lenard Copy Editors Jennifer Lang & Karen Mauck Print Production Laura Bronczyk Studio Production Mundocom Detroit

Contact Us [email protected] Intune is published for ACDelco, General Motors Corp., by Leo Burnett, 3310 W. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, Mich. 48084. General Motors is an equal-opportunity employer. Manuscripts and photographs are submitted at the sender’s risk. Submission of letters and photos implies the right to edit and publish. ©2009 by Leo Burnett. All rights reserved. Cover image copyright Michael William, 2008. Used under license from Shutterstock.com.

NUTS & BOLTS

NUTS & BOLTS

A WORD TO THE GM Service Information ePromotion Continues Throughout 2009 ACDelco continues the GM Service Information (SI) WIP/ WISE / WISEConnect ePromotion throughout 2009. It allows users to receive GM SI at no additional charge for the following month after they reach a target of $3,000 in ACDelco purchases, via WIP/WISE/ WISEConnect in any given month. Photo Bruce Balfour

60 years for Mac’s Radiator Service, Bellflower, Calif. Bruce Balfour, president of Mac’s Radiator Service, has owned and operated the business for 24 years. He is the third owner, and he’s proud to carry the shop’s torch through its 60th year. Mac’s was founded on Nov. 15, 1948, just outside of Los Angeles. It was a one -man shop at a time when radiator service played a larger role in vehicle maintenance. Today, Mac’s employs 22 people and has eight service bays located in two buildings. One building is the original shop, and the other is a newer facility that was erected 14 years ago. The shop has been an ACDelco TSS affiliate since the program began. Mac’s main expertise is repairing and installing radiators on industrial and vintage vehicles. Besides being a complete auto repair facility, Mac’s other specialties include air conditioning and fuel tank repair and installation. 04

“Back in the old days, vehicle owners needed to go to a specialty shop to have radiator work done,” says Balfour. “That’s no longer the case, so Mac’s has evolved over the years from solely a radiator shop to a complete auto repair facility.” With his shop’s Los Angles-area connection, Balfour and his team occasionally work on celebrity vehicles, including radiator work on a few cars in Carroll Shelby’s collection, and a special gas tank for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s HUMMER. To celebrate 60 years of exemplary service, Mac’s hosted a giant anniversary party with food and music at its Bellflower location for local residents. The celebration featured several fire-fighting antiques from the County of Los Angles Fire Museum Association, including an original Bellflower fire vehicle and a fire hydrant from New York used on September 11, 2001. Prizes were raffled and all proceeds went to the Fire Museum Association. n

WIP/ WISE/ WISEConnect users may combine their purchases from multiple accounts, such as WISE, WISEConnect and even WIP accounts from multiple DDGs, to count toward the incentive, as well as all other ACDelco nationally administered ePromotions. To combine multiple accounts, the WIP/ WISE / WISEConnect user simply selects the “Tools” tab, followed by “Account Profile.” Once inside the Account Profile, select “Link Accounts” and enter the applicable WIP/ WISE / WISEConnect account numbers to be combined. Once the process is completed, it does not need to be repeated for future promotions. The ePromotion continues through December 31, 2009. n 05 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

NUTS & BOLTS

NUTS & BOLTS

TECH FOCUS: Magnetic Ride Control

With the capability of reading the road every millisecond and making corresponding adjustments, Magnetic Ride Control is one of the fastestreacting suspension systems offered in regular-production vehicles. In the United States, it debuted as an option on the 2003 Chevrolet Corvette. It is currently standard equipment on the Corvette ZR1 (optional on base models), as well as Cadillac CTS-V and XLR series. Magnetic Ride Control is a technology that uses shocks controlled by electromagnets, rather than mechanical valves. Tiny iron particles suspended in magnetorheological fluid fill the shock damper. Under the presence of a magnetic charge, the particles align in tight formations to provide more damping resistance with incredible speed; the greater the charge, the stronger the resistance. The elimination of mechanical valves greatly accelerates response, given that magnetic charges are virtually instantaneous. A network of sensors reads the road every millisecond and when more damping force is needed, more electric charges are sent, enabling the system to make constant damping adjustments to all four corners of the car. The result is extremely precise control of body motions and maximum tire-to -ground traction, which is particularly important in keeping the vehicle composed during hard cornering, acceleration, braking or other dynamic maneuvers. An independent controller is linked to the special dampers, drawing and responding to sensor inputs on road conditions. The system is adjustable, too. On the ZR1, for example, the driver can select different levels of damping, ranging from relatively cushy to racetrack- firm. n 06

Fuerst Automotive’s customer appreciation event raises money for sick child When it comes to hosting customer appreciation events at their shop, Bob and Sheri Stout of Fuerst Automotive like to make them community affairs. In fact, it’s common for local businesses around the Stouts’ Broadview Heights, Ohio, hometown to offer customers a chance at product giveaways or discounts on restaurant fare. They say it’s all part of being partners in the community. Last summer, as Fuerst Automotive celebrated its 40th anniversary, the Total Service Support ( TSS ) member played an even greater community role by focusing the event on raising money for a local teenager awaiting a third heart transplant.

“In this business, customers are your most valuable asset, and it’s important to show them that they mean so much,” Bob Stout says. “When we learned that a girl needed help, everyone rallied together.” While a sizeable donation was raised at the event, customers also enjoyed a day of excitement courtesy of ACDelco. With a drag racing driving simulator on site, customers tested their reaction times on a pro-style staging light. They also were treated to photo opportunities with the ACDelco NHRA Pro Stock Chevy Cobalt driven by Kurt Johnson. Customers went home with ACDelco T-shirts, hats, photos of Johnson and more, as the ACDelco Racing trailer also made an appearance. In all, it was a fun day for a fulfilling cause. n 07

THE GOODS

A box that’s worth

a thousand photos

MORE PARTS FOR MORE CUSTOMERS ACDelco Expands Lineup of Belts and Hoses, Steering Components ACDelco recently added to its comprehensive list of products for a variety of makes and models, with 70 new parts to the belts and hoses lineup and 54 new parts in the steering components line.

Taking part in history at the inauguration of President Obama.

The expansion of the belts and hoses lineup includes a variety of timing belts and related parts, along with tensioners and coolant hoses (see bulletin 08D-149). Also included is a new Unicoil “tackle box” assortment of different-size hose benders. ACDelco’s Unicoil benders enable permanent reshaping of hoses when a pre - bent hose is unavailable. They can bend a straight hose up to 90 degrees and are designed to be left in place indefinitely.

ACDelco’s great parts are found throughout the world. Now it’s your turn to show us where. Grab any ACDelco part box off the shelf or find the one featured in Counterman or Motor Age and take it with you wherever you go. Snap a photo of the ACDelco box, then send it to Intune for a chance to see it in our next issue.

The 54 new steering components cover hundreds of late-model applications and include: • Forty-five power steering pressure hose assemblies

Send photos electronically to: [email protected]

• Eight power steering hose return assemblies • A new power steering service kit Refer to bulletin 08D-150 for a more detailed list and application information on the steering parts. All of the newly added products greatly contribute to ACDelco being your shop’s one-stop resource for replacement and service parts. n 08 05

Taking a drive in the Windy City with ACDelco.

Or mail to: Leo Burnett Detroit Attn: Intune – Bree Erin Brownlee 3310 West Big Beaver Suite 107 Troy, MI 48084

BREAK ROOM

BREAK ROOM

NO IDLING Active 90-year-old puts off retirement to work at Cal-State Auto Parts

“I’m really pleased to work here and have met some very good friends,” Lindsey says. “My wife died about 12 years ago, and I needed something to keep me occupied, so I decided to help fill orders. I get along great with everyone here, and I have a good time.” One of his three children, Mike, has followed in his father’s footsteps and works as a parts manager for a Chevrolet dealership in California as well.

The ’10 Cadillac CTS Sports Wagon Already one of the most distinctive cars on the road, the Cadillac CTS stretches for the 2010 model year into an all-new wagon model — and a stylish one, at that. The CTS Sport Wagon is built on the same 113.4-inch wheelbase as the sedan and features a sleek, fast design that looks much more performance-oriented than conventional wagon designs. The roof styling cleverly hides attachment points for an available roof cargo system, too. A V-shaped motif characterizes the tailgate area, giving the vehicle an intricate appearance from the rear that is highlighted by large, LED- lit taillamps. Inside is a luxurious cargo area with in- floor cargo management features and a 25-cubic-foot capacity. Access to that space is easy with the power-operated liftgate. The rest of the vehicle is virtually identical to the CTS sedan, including a 3.6L V-6 with direct injection that’s rated at 304 hp. A new 3.0L direct-injected V-6 will also be offered. Six-speed transmissions are paired with both engines.

10

Lindsey’s passion for life and adventurous hobbies, which have included drag racing, rodeos, motorcycles, fishing and more, have made a positive impression on his fellow staff members at the warehouse, says Dave Orlaska, Cal-State’s aftermarket sales manager.

VEHICLE TYPE: Wagon ENGINE: 3.6L VVT DI or 3.0L VVT DI IN SHOWROOMS: Spring 2009

By Amy Lenard Photo Jim Lindsey

Retirement is not high on Jim Lindsey’s to-do list. At age 90, he would rather be skydiving and racing his four-wheeler across the California sand dunes — or happily pulling automotive parts from the warehouse shelves at Cal-State Auto Parts, where he works three days a week. “I haven’t slowed down a whole lot. I never did completely retire,” Lindsey says. “You’ve got to have something to do, and I’m not a person who can just sit in a house. I’m a really sociable guy, and I like to be around people.”

Four-wheel independent suspension, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system round out the CTS Sport Wagon’s performance specs.

Lindsey has been working for Cal-State Auto Parts, an ACDelco Warehouse Distributor (WD) based in Anaheim, Calif., since 2000. He mainly assists in locating parts in the warehouse and helping out where needed.

A generation ago, the word “sleek” and “wagon” would never have been mentioned in the same story, but the CTS Sport Wagon is a new breed of people hauler. n

His experience as a long-time Chevrolet parts manager for a Paramount, Calif., dealership has benefited him throughout his later-in-life career working for WDs in the area, including Cal-State.

“Jim does a great job for us,” Orlaska says. “He’s got a great attitude and a strong work ethic, probably from being part of the Greatest Generation and a World War II vet. He sets a great example for the rest of the staff because he is such a hard worker.” Orlaska says Lindsey always has a great story to share and loves to talk with people in the warehouse. His expertise in the industry also has been a huge benefit. “I think it definitely helps the younger guys on staff see someone like him working and wanting to keep working,” Orlaska says. “He shows great respect for those around him, sharing his knowledge of the business and inventory ideas. It’s been a pleasure having him around.” 11 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

SHOP TALK

GOOD

TO KNOW

James Sarros

he’d take it to Rom at Autoworks. He’s been “hanging around” ever since then. “I really enjoy the challenges of working in the auto repair business, especially the problem-solving aspect of finding a vehicle issue using modern automotive diagnostic equipment,” he says.

4th TIME’S THE CHARM By Eric Lingaur

Florida tech achieves fourth consecutive ACDelco TSS Educational Scholarship Winning an award or a scholarship is an achievement to be proud of, for sure. Receiving back-to-back awards is even more impressive, but James Sarros of Okeechobee, Fla., has impressively earned four consecutive ACDelco TSS Educational Scholarships. They’re awarded for academic excellence in the classroom and technical prowess in the service bay. Sarros, who’s only 22, is an ASE-master-certified technician and has worked at Autoworks, an ACDelco TSS auto repair shop also in Okeechobee, for more than four years. Autoworks is owned and operated by Ivan Rom. “Without the help and support of the ACDelco scholarship program I wouldn’t have been able to go to college,” says Sarros. “I sincerely believe the ACDelco program to be a blessing, not just for me, but to all students who have the desire, just not the means.” The ACDelco TSS Educational Scholarship was established in 2000 and is awarded by the TSS Advisory Council every year to five technicians /staff members and five dependents of TSS shops. Visit acdelcotechconnect.com or ask your ACDelco representative for more information about the program. Sarros first got his feet wet repairing vehicles by working on his own car, and when a repair got too complicated 12

Sarros used his first ACDelco scholarship in 2005 to finish his associate degree in automotive service management. Upon completion, he decided to continue his education with a four-year degree. He is currently a senior at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), where he is majoring in general management and marketing.

Dear ACDelco Reps, Just a note of interest. In August of 1996 I purchased a 1993 Lincoln from a private party. That battery has never been replaced, it is still going strong after 15 years. It has never failed though my car has 140,000 miles on it. To me this is amazing service. Thought you might want to know. Sincerely, Ellsworth Nelson

It is a 180-mile round-trip commute from Okeechobee to FAU’s campus in Boca Raton, Fla., so working full-time during the day and attending night classes has been a challenge. So far, so good. If all goes according to plan, Sarros will graduate in May 2010 with plans to open his own automotive service shop in the future. If and when that day comes for Sarros to venture out on his own, shop owner Rom will have a void to fill at his business. “The automotive service industry is constantly upgrading technology and techniques, and it pays for my technicians to further their education by participating in the training programs offered by ACDelco,” says Rom. In recognition of Sarros’ efforts, Rom invited him to the 2008 ACDelco TSS summit held in Nashville, Tenn., at the Gaylord Opryland Resort, last fall. Sarros appreciated the acknowledgement and enjoyed attending the summit. The perpetual learner’s only wish was that more time at the summit be allocated for professional development and attending educational seminars. Rom’s Autoworks is a family-run business that opened in 1997. It has been an ACDelco TSS affiliate for 10 of those 12 years. Sarros is one of three techs who work among the five service bays there.

March 2009 Dear Mr. Nel so

n,

On behalf of ev your great ex er yone at ACDelco, th ank you for perience w taking the tim ith our batt personal. A er y. For us, e to tell us nd we really high quality about appreciate and dependa you letting Thank you us share yo bility are again for yo ur persona ur suppor t l stor y! and loyalty. Best regard s,

Nancy McL ean Director, AC Delco Marke tin

g

Rom is a member of the ACDelco TSS Advisory Council and is a strong believer in training and the continuous education of his staff. 13

GM loyalty

FATHER KNEW

BEST

United Auto has been an ACDelco TSS affiliate since the program’s inception, but was connected with ACDelco long before the creation of the TSS program; all the way back to when ACDelco was known as United Delco. “Our loyalty and relationship to ACDelco continues today with the great support of our Connecticut warehouse,” says Charlie Longo. “We are proud to be able to use ACDelco products on almost all the vehicles we work on, because they’ve always provided great fit and performance.” When United Auto opened in the 1950s, they serviced only General Motors vehicles. Today, they can still repair any GM vehicle, as well as all makes /all models — but GM cars remain the heart of their business. They also sell used GM vehicles out front and conduct state-mandated emissions testing for all vehicles. United Auto has been at the same location — and in the same building — since it opened. Of course, they’ve added on here and there, but it still sits at the corner of Congress and Washington Avenues, evolving and growing with the surrounding community. It is located at the center of Waterbury, in a residential neighborhood that has strong Italian and Lithuanian influences. With a population of roughly 100,000, Waterbury has seen its ups and downs, particularly with the recent tumults in the economy, but United Auto has been a mainstay for the people of its community. Over the years, it’s also earned a number of accolades, including technician Lou Codianna, Jr., finishing in the top 10 of ACDelco’s Technician of the Millennium Competition in 2007. The shop also earned a Top Shop honor from Front End magazine back in 1993.

Exceptional service is kept in the family at United Auto Sales and Service By Eric Lingaur Photos courtesy of United Auto Sales and Service

What makes a good automotive repair shop? Most TSS affiliates would tell you it’s the quality of their work, the value of their service and having access to the latest, greatest diagnostic and repair tools. Those are undoubtedly integral components, but it’s the people behind those attributes that foster trust and loyalty with customers. With more than 55 years in business, the Longo family that operates United Auto Sales and Service, in Waterbury, Conn., can safely say customer service means more than merely a quick oil change. Every good business starts with a solid foundation, and that’s exactly what Joseph L. Longo and his partner, John Augustine, established back in March 1953, when they started United Auto. Longo was a very personable guy who truly cared for people and enjoyed working on 14

The Longo brothers also continue their father’s commitment to the community by working with Waterbury’s Safe Place program, which provides refuge areas for children who have been mistreated or feel threatened. They also support numerous activities through the local church, including Catherine’s Place, a crisis pregnancy counseling center. Currently, there aren’t any other family members lined up to take over the business, but with a little grooming there’s hope to keep United Auto in the family for another 50-plus years, continuing the service and community support founded by Joseph L. Longo.

cars. He also was a very humble man, with a strong connection to his family, church and his community — traits that were reflected in the way he ran his shop. Through the years, Longo would do little things for the community that many didn’t even know about, such as provide tuition support for financially struggling families. He successfully ran the business through the 1990s, before handing the reigns over to his children, Charlie and Joseph Jr. Sadly, the senior Longo passed away from a brief illness in July 2008. Despite the passing of the business’ founder and family patriarch, United Auto continues as a family-run business and remains committed to service and retaining its outstanding reputation. There are 12 employees and eight service bays. It’s a well- rounded operation that performs everything from maintenance to mechanical repairs, as well as maintaining a full-service collision repair facility. 15 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

STREET CRED

STREET CRED By Barry Kluczyk Photos Steve Ali

If Ali sounds like a man with a plan, he is. Along with studying other service facilities before designing his own, he also did his homework for the perfect location. “Even with the fluctuating economy, North Ridgeville is still growing,” he says. “There wasn’t a premium service facility like ours anywhere around here, so it was the perfect place to establish the business — and we’ve attracted lots of new, repeat customers.” At 40, Ali says the vision for Xtreme Performance has been with him for about 30 years. He’s been turning wrenches for the last 25 years — including a long stint as a diesel mechanic — and bought his Sunoco station as his entry in entrepreneurship.

SUPERCHARGED SERVICE New Ohio shop blends all-makes/all-models service with high-performance service HawkEye high- definition digital imaging alignment rack that is the only one like it in Ohio, along with the latest in diagnostic tools, tire machines and more. They’re maintained in a bright, clean environment that wouldn’t look out of place in a NASCAR race shop. TM

When the shop owner’s personal car is a 620- horsepower, modified 2000 Corvette, you know you’re taking your car to someone who understands automobiles. That’s the case at Xtreme Performance, a new, state -of-the - art facility in the Cleveland suburb of North Ridgeville, Ohio. The 14-bay shop — complete with a 1,000 - gallon aquarium in the lobby — is the fulfillment of owner Steve Ali’s decades- old dream to build a first-class, uncompromised service and performance center. “There’s nothing else like our shop in the area,” says Ali. “We incorporated the very best tools and equipment, with facilities that rival the best dealerships.” Those facilities include a new, advanced Hunter

“It was a big investment, but one that I believe will prove worth it in the long run,” says Ali. Xtreme Performance was built on 3.5 acres in growing North Ridgeville with room to expand. It’s all-new construction, too, not a renovated facility. Ali says he benchmarked dozens of shops and dealerships before going to his architect with his vision. It also represents a big leap from Ali’s other shop, a Sunoco station and three - bay service center that’s located about seven miles away.

“It’s a very busy shop there, but we just didn’t have the room to do what we really wanted,” says Ali, who’s been a TSS affiliate at the Sunoco location for about eight years and, of course, an affiliate at the new business since it opened last summer. “We’ll change a customer’s oil in one bay and install a supercharger in the next,” he says. “There are always a few hot rods in the shop. There are not a lot of places people can take their cars for quality modification upgrades, and we provide a premium service for them.” An in-ground chassis dynamometer is on the to-do list for Ali. It’s a performance tool that measures horsepower and torque delivered to the drive wheels. It will allow him to fine-tune modifications and also demonstrate before-and- after results to the customer. The shop’s specialty is late-model Corvettes. “During construction, we had the budget for either the HawkEye alignment rack or the chassis dyno, but not both,” he says. “The alignment rack will be of greater everyday use, so the executive decision was to go with it first.”

Ali attended nearby Ohio Technical College and serves on its board today. He’s also a strong proponent of ACDelco’s TSS program and sponsors a student in the training program. “It’s an excellent way to groom technicians,” he says. “To have a shop of this caliber, you absolutely need the best-trained people.” Indeed, the future looks bright for Ali and Xtreme Performance. As Intune went to press, he was looking to add another technician to the roster. “Customers have been very receptive,” he says. “We’ve got a first- class facility, and I believe they know they’re receiving first-class service. That’s what I’ve wanted to do for 30 years.” Editor’s note: Check out Xtreme Performance on the Web at xtremeperformance.biz. 17

SERVICE BAY

REW RDING

EXPERIENCE Streamlined ACDelco Exclusively yours® Rewards program brings points at lower threshold If you’re a TSS member and haven’t yet signed up for the ACDelco Exclusively yours Rewards program, you may be missing out on great earnings. It’s streamlined this year, too, offering better rates on purchases below $18,000. Here’s how it works: When you sign up, you receive an Exclusively yours card and account number. Your monthly purchases of ACDelco products greater than $1,500 generate points on your card that can be applied toward the purchase of goods or service from a wide variety of participating retailers, from Bass Pro Shops to Pottery Barn. The points can also be applied to products in an ACDelco-supplied catalog of products.

Do you or your technicians have a story to tell? How about a tip on increasing customer retention or driving new customers to your TSS shop? We want to hear about it — and it may just land your story in ACDelco Intune. We’re looking for: • Shop and technician milestones, such as 50 or more years in the same location

Each Exclusively yours point equals a dollar of buying power, and they are earned in the following manner:

• Best practices to share with other TSS shops

• Two percent paid on ACDelco purchases between $1,500 and $2,999

• Customer lead and retention tips

• Three percent paid on ACDelco purchases between $3,000 and $4,499 • Four percent paid on ACDelco purchases from $4,500 and greater The percentage is based on ACDelco purchases made in one month, with the tally resetting at $0 at the start of each new month. The percentage tiers and the monthly payouts are simplified from 2008, which enables members to earn points at significantly lower purchase levels. For more information on the program, or to sign up for it, contact ACDelco program headquarters at 800.253.3428, or visit it on the Web at acdelco.programhq.com. n 18

Help Tune Up ACDelco Intune

• Community involvement, such as sponsorships, volunteerism, car shows, etc. • Motorsports involvement, such as a shop-built or shop-sponsored racecar And if you’ve got a fantastic customer or repair story that begins, “You’ll never believe it, but ...” we want to hear it, too. Contact us at [email protected]. We’ll respond to all submissions and follow up on those that fit our upcoming publication schedule.

When it comes to automotive spectacles, you’ve got NASCAR’s Daytona 500 in the racing world and the Woodward Dream Cruise for classic car enthusiasts. For those in the business of cars — whether repairing, accessorizing or restoring them — nothing comes close to the annual fall blitz in Las Vegas, Nev., known as SEMA Week. The SEMA Show, put on by the Specialty Equipment Market Association, is the largest and highest-profile of three automotive industry conventions held on the first week of November, along with the AAPEX Show and the NACE /CARS convention. Only the Consumer Electronics Show draws a larger crowd to Vegas each year. It’s the hot spot for hot rods and a summit for parts and service. At the SEMA Show, the emphasis is on highperformance and appearance accessories, including everything from superchargers for Corvettes and Mustangs to specialized off-road components for 4x4s. It’s a showcase for the manufacturers to show distributors and other customers what’s new — and all those new, high-performance parts are bolted to leadingedge customized show cars. The collection of hot rods and muscle cars makes the SEMA Show one of the country’s premiere showcases of modified iron, but it’s closed to the public. Like the other conventions in the city, it’s open only to industry insiders, buyers and the like. A small army of fashion models is hired each year to ramp up the excitement factor of the cars, too. They pose for photos, sign posters and hand out product literature. It may not seem like the hardest job in Las Vegas, but doing it for an entire week on the shoes those women wear has got to take its toll.

Story and Photos By Barry Kluczyk

The only models in the giant GM display, however, are the cars themselves. Last fall’s SEMA Show was headlined by Chevrolet’s newly introduced 2010 Camaro, and the GM display featured a quartet of Camaro concepts — including one personalized with the assistance of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Each was designed to jump-start the imaginations of the companies that will bring exterior, interior and performance enhancements to market for this reborn muscle car. 21 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

The GM display also included customized HUMMERs, modified Pontiacs and a raft of new high-powered crate engines from GM Performance Parts. It was a showcase that couldn’t have been imagined by SEMA’s founders when the trade organization was launched in 1963. Today, SEMA is the collective voice for approximately 7,000 companies in the $35 billion automotive specialty equipment market. The annual convention in Vegas has grown from a 98-display/ five-car event held at Dodger Stadium in 1967 to the enormous and influential event of today, with thousands of member displays and approximately 2,000 show vehicles. The SEMA Show absorbs nearly all 3,200,000 square feet of the sprawling, feet-numbing Las Vegas Convention Center (the gigantic south wing is devoted mostly to wheels and tires ­— with more rims growing to cartoonish 30-inch-diameters and greater). It’s virtually impossible to take it all in, so if you’re planning your first trip to the show later this year, take this advice: Wear comfortable shoes, pack a few days of emergency rations in your briefcase and bring a GPS navigation system. Oh, and don’t forget cash. You’ll be charged $4 for a bottle of water, and you may need a co-signer when buying any meal on-site.

AAPEX: Quiet yet vital The AAPEX Show, sponsored by the Automotive Aftermarket Equipment Manufacturers Association and Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association, doesn’t cover as much floor space or have the glitzy image of the SEMA Show, but it is equally important in the eyes of attendees who are interested in the more nuts-and-bolts aspect of the aftermarket world. Here you’ll find service replacement parts, from water pumps to remanufactured engines, along with accessories ranging from wiper blades to air fresheners. They aren’t the parts that show up on the cover of Hot Rod, but they represent a broader spectrum of customers. Sure, it’s quieter at the Sands Convention Center (attached to the Venetian Hotel). The number of fashion models is reduced by a factor of, oh, 99.99 percent, and celebrity car designer Chip Foose isn’t overseeing the buildup of a vintage Ford in the corner, but it arguably has a greater impact on the everyday automotive businesses. The new service tools and replacement parts shown at AAPEX will be used by a greater number of customers — both shop owners and their customers — than the specialized accessories seen at SEMA. 22

Indeed, the booth represents the very essence of the ACDelco 360 mission to provide full-circle support to distributors and their customers. ACDelco is more than parts; it is about relationships and venues like AAPEX that enable great personal interaction in a relaxed, inviting environment. TSS affiliates who visit Las Vegas for any of the conventions should make time to visit the booth at AAPEX.

CARS and more You can think of AAPEX as the beef stew main course and SEMA as a plate of brightly frosted cupcakes topped with lit sparklers — and served by a bikini-clad waitress. After that, the NACE (National Autobody Congress and Exposition) / CARS (Congress of Automotive Repair and Service) affair is more like a relaxing, after-dinner drink. NACE is focused on the auto body repair business, while CARS caters to the tools and equipment of service centers. They’re combined in the same space, and if you enjoy touring paint booths and examining body pullers, a stroll through the aisles here is like a walk on the beach.

If you didn’t take it to heart earlier in the story, believe us when we tell you to bring comfortable shoes. You’ll be on your feet for long hours, whether walking the shows, standing in line or hiking for seeming days to get across stadium-sized hotel lobbies and up to your room. And if you’re visiting from a climate that doesn’t share Las Vegas’ single-digit humidity levels, you’ll want to pack some lip balm and walk with a bottle of water. When it comes to meals, you can pretty much assume they’ll be expensive, but if you can budget your breakfast and lunch accordingly, splurge on dinner. There are countless great restaurants throughout the hotels on and off the Strip, so indulge. It’s Vegas, after all.

As with SEMA and AAPEX, GM is well-represented at NACE /CARS. A treat for attendees at the ’08 show was the full-size cutaway of the 2010 Camaro that highlighted its body structure components. It was an X-ray look at the new car for the professionals who’ll be mending it in the near future. ACDelco participates with training seminars that offer attendees glimpses at new or upcoming products, tools and services. Complemented by a visit to the ACDelco booth at AAPEX, the NACE /CARS convention caps an informative visit that brings unprecedented interaction with ACDelco representatives.

Advice to the uninitiated If you plan to attend one or, ambitiously, all of the events this year, plan your moves carefully. Fortunately, registration for SEMA automatically gets you into AAPEX, and NACE /CARS will wave you right in with your SEMA credential. You’ll want a centrally located hotel, and if your travel budget is a factor, stay as far off of the Strip as possible. Parking can be tough, so taking cabs and shuttles is ultimately easier, but expect long wait lines at peak times. Most hotels offer shuttles to the convention centers and there is a shuttle that links SEMA to AAPEX, but no shuttle out to Mandalay Bay for NACE /CARS.

RESOURCES For registration and convention information on the 2009 events, start with the sponsoring associations’ Web sites: sema.org aapexshow.com naceexpo.com carsevent.com

23

SKYLIGHTS & VEGETABLE OIL



By Barry Kluczyk Photos General Motors Corp. Used with permission

A new dealership offers ‘green’ ideas for TSS shops Last fall, when the LaFontaine Automotive Group first turned on the lights in their newest store, LaFontaine Buick-Pontiac-GMC-Cadillac, in Highland Township, Mich., there were fewer to illuminate. That’s because the dealership uses nearly 100 light-directing skylights that bathe the facility in natural light. The skylights represent one of dozens of features built into the dealership that contribute to it being one of the most “green” in the United States. In fact, the principles of sustainable design and construction outlined by the U.S. Green Building Council guided the design and construction of the 63,000-square-foot facility. The council’s Green Building Rating System recognizes new environmentally responsible construction with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. The LaFontaine store is undergoing the certification process and if it receives certification, it will be among the first auto dealerships in the country to receive the prestigious recognition. The dealership left no detail untouched in its quest to achieve LEED certification. That includes everything from the use of recycled materials to an elaborate $600,000 geothermal heating and cooling system. In the service department, the vehicle lifts use biodegradable vegetable oil rather than conventional hydraulic fluid. It’s a significant change that points to upgrades that are adoptable by independently owned service centers. In fact, many of the features at the new LaFontaine facility are transferable to TSS shops that want to make a difference, from simply painting the roof white (to deflect heat) to the installation of skylights. Many shops have already experimented with vegetable-based hydraulic fluid, as well as other biodegradable oils, such as Citgo’s AquaMarine products. Additionally, features such as compact fluorescent and LED lighting contribute to reduced energy costs, while demonstrating to customers that energy conservation is a priority. It’s a business model that the LaFontaine Automotive Group is betting will pay off for years to come. 24

A FULL HOUSE ACDelco’s Winning Hand Promotion Returns for ’09 ACDelco’s Winning Hand Promotion is back for 2009, helping drive business to TSS and ISC shops with a valuable consumer rebate program. The promotion spans the month of May, with customers offered a 10-percent mail-in rebate on all ACDelco parts on their repair invoice when they participate in the rebate. As with previous Winning Hand Promotions, this one is seasonally timed, giving TSS and ISC shops the opportunity to reinforce seasonal maintenance needs to customers, from wiper blades and filters to brakes, belts, hoses and air conditioning. ACDelco is also investigating a viral campaign to capture new customers. Because ACDelco’s Winning Hand rebate is offered to consumers regardless of where the parts sale occurs, TSS and ISC accounts that install ACDelco automotive replacement parts will have a leg up on the competition by enrolling in the promotional program. Enrollment begins in March and runs through April on acdelcotechconnect.com. Go to the “2009 Winning Hand” link within the What’s New section. The $25 enrollment fee includes unlimited productfocused ePostcards to customers touting the rebate program. Paper postcards are available for an additional cost. Also, for the ACDelco CRS subscriber, the promotional fee is waived for shops that enroll in the Winning Hand Promotion. MechanicNet, ACDelco’s customer support center and eBusiness center are available for enrollment assistance. n 25 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

SMART MOVES

SMART MOVES

ACDelco’s ‘ePass’ initiative brings TSS shops to eBay

If you’ve spent any time on eBay, you’ve probably used it only as a way to find a specific thing — a new water pump, a rust-free fender for a ’68 Firebird or even replacements for those baseball cards your mom threw away years ago. ACDelco’s recently launched “ePass” initiative adds a twist to the popular Web site’s format by adding service to the mix. The concept involves TSS - affiliate service centers offering parts and service specials through eBay, giving customers an easy, online avenue to ordering parts or scheduling service appointments. “The program enables participating TSS shops to offer special rates for oil changes and other services,” says Steve Sigg, ACDelco’s eBusiness manager. “It’s a new way of reaching customers that we believe has great potential.” 26

By clicking on the eBay Motors home page, customers can enter a search for, say, “ACDelco oil change.” The site follows with listings of the participating TSS shops, along with their ZIP codes and pricing. “We’ve provided the tools, but the TSS affiliates upload their parts and services to their online store and set their own prices,” says Sigg. “Once the initial setup of the site is completed, it is very easy for the shop to make changes, such as adding new specials or services or changing prices.” A quick scan of several shops’ eBay stores revealed specials for brake pad replacement service, battery replacement service, serpentine belt replacement service and more — all with ACDelco parts, of course. “What customers will find is a set price and the ability to schedule the service to fit their schedule,” says Sigg.

“It’s a concept that has the potential to grow into many different areas.” One of those areas might be college towns, for example. With the online service, a parent could schedule and pay for an oil change at a TSS shop in his or her child’s college town, ensuring the typically cash- strapped student of a properly maintained vehicle.

“ I’m sure there are possibilities we haven’t even thought of yet,” says Sigg. “ We’ve only just begun the program and are continuing to experiment with it.” ACDelco launched the ePass initiative through select regional Warehouse Distributors and some of their area TSS shops. TSS affiliates interested in participating should contact the ACDelco TSS help desk for more information, or call 1.800.acdelco (223-8526). n 27

Move over sprinters, swimmers and skiers. You’re not the only ones who can earn gold medals. The students at Greenville High School’s (GHS) automotive technology program have a pretty full trophy case in Greenville, Ohio. GHS is a comprehensive, academically integrated high school that offers both traditional academic courses and career technical programs. Its automotive technology program has been offered since 1981 and is an Automotive Youth Education System-certified program. Since 2001, the students in the automotive technology program have participated in the national SkillsUSA Tech Prep Showcase, bringing home seven gold medals in eight years of competition. Their “off” year still brought them a bronze medal. SkillsUSA is a national competition of more than 5,000 career and technical education students that takes place every June in Kansas City, Mo. Participants compete and present in 91 different trade, technical and leadership fields. ACDelco is a strong supporter of the SkillsUSA organization and its efforts. Enrollment for the automotive technology program at GHS is limited to an average of 15 juniors per year, with the combined junior and senior classes consisting of around 30 students. All participate in the project-based learning activities of building, researching and preparing the project. However, SkillsUSA rules allow only three presenters to represent the school.

MAKING THE

GRADE Greenville High School’s automotive program is turning out gold-medal-winning future technicians By Eric Lingaur Photo Greenville High School

Greenville’s automotive technology program is taught by two ASE-certified instructors, Jim Anderson and Travis Nicholas. Anderson is the automotive instructor for the junior class and has been teaching for more than 26 years. Nicholas is the senior class instructor and a previous student of Anderson’s. “Students enroll in the automotive technology program because they are interested in the automotive or transportation industry,” says Anderson. “Sixty to 70 percent of the kids in the program will either pursue post-secondary education in automotive technology or will enter the workforce as entry-level personnel.” The award-winning program also has an advisory board. Ron Fair of Schultz Motors, an ACDelco TSS affiliate in Greenville, is on the board and has been involved with the program since its creation. Fair is the owner and operator of Schultz Motors, which is a third-generation family- run business that opened in 1936. It is an all-makes/all-models service center that employs six technicians and operates seven service bays.

“Winning a couple of gold medals back-to-back really put a feather in the program’s cap, as far as recognition and respect on not only a local level but on a national level as well,” says Fair. “I’m very proud to be a part of this program.” The GHS automotive technology program has become so respected for turning out top-grade automotive talent that Fair has hired several GHS graduates over the years, as have other service centers in the area. General Motors has sponsored Greenville’s automotive technology program and SkillsUSA team for three of the last eight years. In 2004, GM donated a Chevrolet TrailBlazer, which the students used to demonstrate the importance of dash warning lights. The title of their presentation was, “Your Vehicle is Communicating, Are You Listening?” It received a bronze medal. Their 2005 project, titled “OnStar on Call,” earned a gold medal and showcased the functionality of OnStar. The students used components from a Cadillac CTS that were donated by GM to design an OnStar-equipped pedal car that could be GPS-located and even have its doors remotely unlocked. GHS’s 2008 gold medal-winning presentation was titled, “E85 and You with Active Fuel Management.” With the help of a Chevrolet Tahoe donated by GM, the students directly compared the differences between using ethanol and gasoline in an engine. They were also able to demonstrate how an Active Fuel Management system works on a FlexFuel vehicle. For the purpose of the project, the students took the cylinder heads off of the Tahoe’s engine and had two cylinders machined to make a functioning simulator. It may seem like pretty technical stuff for a few 16-to-18-year-olds, but it was a normal day for students in Anderson’s class. The student’s 2009 project is a demonstration of the co-efficiency of friction. It is titled, “Preventative Maintenance: What is the Life Expectancy of Your Vehicle?” The students have created a Web site where they manage to digitally document the progression of their project. Visit greenville.k12.oh.us/GHS/Career_Tech.htm and click on Auto Technology to see how this year’s project is advancing. With the automotive industry constantly changing with new technologies and more fuel-efficient powertrains, it’s nice to know there are classes like Greenville High School’s automotive technology program that educate new technicians to succeed in today’s automotive environment. 29 acdelco.com 800.ACDelco

REAR VIEW

’69 GTO JUDGE PONTIAC

The 1969 GTO Judge was equipped with a 400-cubic-inch Ram Air III V- 8 rated at 360 hp, with a higher-power Ram Air IV version optional. A classic Hurst shifter was part of the package when the car was equipped with a 4- speed manual transmission. Judge - specific content included a rear spoiler and wider tires, along with multicolored stripes and “The Judge” decals.

You’re Covered. When you install a GM OE-quality engine, automatic transmission, or transfer case, it comes with a 3-year/100,000-mile limited warranty,* covering both the part and your labor. With our warranty, same- or next-day delivery from Powertrain Wholesale Program dealers, and OE quality, you have the coverage to complete your repairs with confidence. For all your powertrain needs, call 1.866.OE.PARTS for a dealer location and technical assistance.

By Barry Kluczyk Photo General Motors Corp. Used with permission, GM Media Archive The muscle car era of the late 1960s and early 1970s broke new ground in marketing. Plymouth offered the budget-minded Road Runner and not only used the cartoon character’s likeness on the car’s sheet metal, but created a “beep-beep” horn that mimicked his signature sound. Pontiac was aggressively courting youth culture, too. The company commissioned a pair of radical custom GTOs to be used on the Monkees TV show. Those MonkeeMobiles toured the country and spawned profitable merchandising spin- offs, including toys and model kits. It was a different, more edgy television show that inspired the name of a regular-production GTO model in 1969. The show was Laugh-In and the car’s name, the Judge, came from a recurring character played by Sammy Davis, Jr. His trademark line, “Here come da’ judge,” was part of 30

the pop culture vernacular, making it a topical reference for a top-of-the-line muscle car. Of the more than 72,000 1969 GTOs built, fewer than 7,000 were Judge models — and of them, only 109 were convertibles. That handful of convertibles is among the most desired by muscle car collectors today. The provocative name of the special GTO also generated some controversial advertisements, including a magazine ad that suggested judicial corruption. Its simple tag line: “The Judge can be Bought.” GTO Judge production lasted only three years and despite its relative rarity, the GTO Judge remains a bold, iconic remnant of Detroit’s muscle car wars. Automotive historians have speculated, however, about whether the car would have made as big a splash with its originally proposed name: E.T. (a reference to Elapsed Time in drag racing).

You’re Saving. The right parts and the right fit come together to save you time. So if your time is money, make it a genuine GM OE-quality part. Call 1.866.OE.PARTS today.

*Whichever comes first. Warranty applies to engines, transmissions, and transfer cases installed in passenger car and light-duty truck series 10-30. This warranty does not apply to any unit installed under the General Motors New-Vehicle Limited Warranty and covers only those parts that are marketed by GM as Goodwrench or GM Parts. Transfer cases purchased prior to 1/1/09 have a 2-year/24,000mile limited warranty. ©2009 GM Corp. All rights reserved.