The Automotive Service Association (ASA)
is reporting that much of this year’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service
(CARS) will be all-new.

Cars have changed and so has CARS, said
Donny Seyfer, ASA’s chairman-elect. ASA sponsors CARS, which this year will be
held July 30 through Aug. 2 in Detroit, as part of Industry Week.

Seyfer said CARS is intended to be a
place where “the best and brightest can learn, discuss and improve. Our focus
is to give the repair industry an event – and a week – that is dedicated to
them.”

This year’s show will feature
topic-driven training that answers the questions members are asking the most.
Those questions include:
• How do I adjust my business model for
the future?
• What are the cutting-edge diagnostic
techniques that will help my techs every day?
• How do I move my less-experienced
techs forward?
• What’s happening in vehicle and repair
technology?

With those questions in mind, CARS event
planners scheduled live demo areas, a technology & telematics forum and a
solid lineup of classes by some of the industry’s favorite trainers. The live
demo areas will be where showgoers can learn about the latest in scan tool
technology from the folks who make them.

Sponsored by the Alliance of Automotive
Manufacturers, a new telematics and technology forum will afford an excellent
opportunity to meet OE engineers and learn about technologies that will soon be
in automotive service and repair shops. Automakers are designing remarkable
innovations for new vehicles, recognizing that technology provides many
solutions to meet consumer needs. Several of the world’s leading automakers
will join experts in vehicle security, telematics technology and diagnostics and
repair to discuss how advanced technologies, connectivity and the Internet are
changing modern automobiles. An in-depth panel discussion and keynote speaker
will highlight the session, in addition to a technology demonstration and
workshop designed to discuss practical repair topics in the modern shop.

Classes and trainers lined up for CARS
2014 include:
• Vin Waterhouse – Does it seem like
everyone else is setting your rates?
• Bill Haas – Creating a culture for new
hires to succeed.
• Young Technicians’ Symposium, powered
by Bosch – A two-day special program to bring daily electronics skills to techs
with two to three years of experience.
• Pete Rudloff – Unraveling the
Mysteries of Chrysler Diagnostics, an all-new class by ASA’s Chrysler expert.
• Donny Seyfer – Ford Ecoboost, Sync and
Integrated Diagnostic System; Ford’s total approach from design to diagnosis.
This will be a new class sponsored by Ford’s training group.
• Chris Chesney – Technician Challenges
in Understanding and Recognizing Feedgas Anomalies, Diagnosis on the edge by
CARQUEST’s diagnostic wizard.

Also new this year will be a special
vendor area for CARS-specific exhibitors and a host of tours, including visits
to:
• The General Motors Co. Heritage Center
• Chrysler Museum (which is closed to
the public)
• The Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield
Village
• Windsor, Canada
• The Ford Motor Co. F-150 plant
• Chevy Volt Plant
• BASF Color Trends
• OnStar Facility

Dan Risley, ASA’s president and
executive director, said, “Since CARS will be held in the Motor City, original
equipment manufacturers will have a bigger presence than ever.” He also pointed
out that CARS is part of a new Industry Week with an overriding purpose to
bring the industry together. Among industry organizations that will host
meetings, events and/or exhibit during the week are I-CAR, CIC, ASE, CEICA,
NABC, SCRS, AMI, CCIF, OEM Collision Roundtable, CREF, Alcoa Aluminum
Transportation Board, MERA, AASA and ETI.

“This gathering of the industry – plus
the fact several of the world’s major car manufacturers are headquartered in
Detroit and will participate in Industry Week – creates tremendous opportunity
for education, collaboration and networking,” said Risley. “Our focus is giving
the service and repair industry an event – and a week – that is dedicated to
them. It will be good to see the entire industry come together.”

Also part of Industry Week is NACE,
which is dedicated to collision repair professionals. For additional event
information, visit www.NACEexpo.com or www.CARSevent.com.