THE MIGHTYMIGHTYAUTOPARTS.COM VOL. 18 NO. 2 PREPARING FORE MIGHTIER! THE RISE OF EVS A GREAT DEBATE IS ENSUING ABOUT WHEN ELECTRIC VEHICLES WILL IMPACT THE INDUSTRY A CRASH COURSE ON AUTOMOTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE - ADAS AI IS DEFINED AS THE SIMULATION OF HUMAN INTELLIGENCE PROCESSES BY MACHINES ADDRESSING THE LABOR SHORTAGE MIGHTY’S ONGOING PARTNERSHIP WITH TECHFORCE FOUNDATION™
CONTENTS 03 ADDRESSING THE LABOR SHORTAGE It doesn’t take long to see why Jason has been 04 so successful at a young age. 06 Mighty’s ongoing partnership with TechForce Foundation™ 07 08 CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: JASON BERRY 10 11 NOLN Operator of the Year MIGHTIER DESPITE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS What is Mighty doing to keep parts on shelves? FIGHTING THE BATTLE AGAINST CARBON BUILDUP How to avoid buildup and be Mightier PREPARING FOR THE RISE OF EVS Currently, a great debate is ensuing UNDERSTANDING EUROPEAN LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS A quick look at EU oil specifications by application type AUTOMOTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE Defined as the simulation of human intelligence processes by machines The bottom line? Electric vehicles are coming. 2 THE MIGHTY PROS: VOL. 18 NO. 2
ADDRESSING THE WOMEN MAKE LABOR SHORTAGE UP 52% OF THE POPULATION BUT MIGHTY’S ONGOING PARTNERSHIP ACCOUNT FOR WITH TECHFORCE FOUNDATION™ LESS THAN 3% OF TRANSPORTATION TECHNICIANS. The ongoing labor shortage is impacting all industries and is shining a light specifically on the lack of transportation technicians. Inspiring a future generation of transportation technicians has always been important and amid the nationwide labor shortage, is now more critical than ever. There is a huge need for not only more technicians at this moment but to also educate and inspire the younger generation, so they grow up wanting to enter the field. To address this, we have partnered with TechForce Foundation™ and their industry- wide campaign, the FutureTech Success® initiative. TechForce Foundation is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit with the mission to champion students to and through their education and into careers as professional technicians. Mighty is proud to be joining their FutureTech Success initiative. FutureTech Success is an industry-wide initiative to solve the technician shortage in America. It champions the vehicle technician profession and helps young people with natural tactile intelligence become aware of, exposed to, and trained for this successful career path that fits their skill sets. Women make up 52% of the population but account for less than 3% of transportation technicians. Together with TechForce and their FutureTech Tuesday program, we have been celebrating women techs to get more women into the field. Mighty customer and the National Oil and Lube News 2020 Technician of the Year, Tamara Utley is a huge role model to current and future female technicians. When asked to advise young women looking to enter the industry, her response was, “Fear not. And find a good role model, leader, or coach that will get you to where you want to be. When I started in this field, the only thing I had was a driver’s license—I did not even know there was such thing as preventive maintenance. But I gravitated to it, like cereal and milk.” Mighty has been participating in a series of FutureTech Success social media campaigns targeted toward young people and women interested in the transportation industry. The ultimate goal is to reposition the image of the technician profession as an in-demand, rewarding, middle-class career choice that is respected and supported by key influencers, like parents, mentors, and teachers. Together with the TechForce Foundation, we are optimistic “FEAR NOT. AND FIND A GOOD ROLE MODEL, LEADER, OR COACH THAT WILL GET that we can help solve the labor shortage and bring more YOU TO WHERE YOU WANT TO BE. WHEN I STARTED IN THIS FIELD, THE ONLY THING I talented technicians into the field. HAD WAS A DRIVER’S LICENSE—I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THERE WAS SUCH THING AS PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE. BUT I GRAVITATED TO IT, LIKE CEREAL AND MILK.” – Tamara Utley, Mighty customer and NOLN 2020 Technician of the year 3
CUSTOMER SPOTLIGHT: MEET JASON BERRY: NOLN OPERATOR OF THE YEAR When you first meet Jason Berry, you immediately like BECOMING AN OWNER OPERATOR him. He’s very friendly, has a great shy smile, and exudes humility and a love for his community. After selling insurance for five years after college, Jason wanted to run his own business. He had become close friends with Gary and Tammy Sandlin, a couple It doesn’t take long to see why he’s been so successful at a young age – both in who started the lube shops in Cullman and Hartselle. When it came time to sell their life and business, and why he was chosen as NOLN’s 2021 Operator of the year. business, one of the first people they thought of was Jason. Tammy remembered that when her father was in the hospital, Jason would often come with his grandparents Jason owns two Havoline® xpress Lube® locations in Alabama, one in Hartselle to visit. His character impressed both Tammy and Gary. And so, in 2019, Jason and one in Cullman. Both locations happen to be on the same road, just 20 miles purchased the first store from them and later bought the second in early 2021. apart from one another. Jason never imagined that he’d be an owner-operator of a quick maintenance business. He grew up in his father’s metal fabrication KEYS TO GROWTH AND SUCCESS business, and one of their jobs was for a local quick lube to fabricate the underground tanks. Ironically, the tanks he once helped to install, he now owns! While both shops were already doing well, Jason sought to make improvements. The first thing he did was to take good care of the locations’ experienced, strong employees instead of making sweeping cost-cutting measures. In fact, he did just the opposite. He quickly began remodeling and updating the facilities. Employees would come to work and find Jason installing new flooring himself. “What drives me are the people on my team. And thinking of their wives, husbands, and children. That drives me to do what I can to make this business a success,” says Jason when asked what motivates him. He pays close attention to his employees’ needs, and that in turn produces a great culture. “I’m at both of my stores every day.” His presence and interest in the business and his people are evident. This produces a close family culture. It also provides positive business results. In 2019, the Hartselle location averaged 48 vehicles a day. In 2020, it increased 33% to 64 vehicles a day. Now into 2021, he’s at 70 vehicles daily. Jason says his five-year goal was a 10-car-a-day improvement, but it didn’t take nearly that long! “WHAT DRIVES ME ARE THE PEOPLE ON MY TEAM. AND THINKING OF THEIR WIVES, HUSBANDS, AND CHILDREN. THAT DRIVES ME TO DO WHAT I CAN TO MAKE THIS BUSINESS A SUCCESS.” 4 THE MIGHTY PROS: VOL. 18 NO. 2
CUSTOMER SATISFACTION KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM JASON BERRY Another reason for the growth is that Jason and his team take great care of 1. L ook for young talented people to bring into your business and their customers. It starts with a friendly greeting to every customer and ends mentor. They may end up buying your business when it’s time! with wishing them a good day. A clean, welcoming physical environment is also part of the formula. Thoughtful customer service is at the heart of the 2. T ake good care of your employees! Spend time with them. experience. Treating the customer the way you want to be treated is the Keep their families in mind as well. motto. And that’s not just a saying to Jason, because it is deeply embedded in the culture at both locations. 3. U pdate and upgrade your facilities. Keep them clean, fresh, and inviting. Jason’s locations took part in a Havoline customer service satisfaction pilot program, which included secret shoppers. The results were an impressive 4. Set specific goals for your business. It could be an increase in 94.2 percent customer satisfaction score and 99 percent on the “image vehicle counts, an increased RO average, or an improved customer audit” visual report. These stellar results reflect the hard work, attention to satisfaction score. Then track your results and celebrate when you detail, and focus on customer service that Jason and his team have day in achieve your goal! and day out. 5. S et the example for your team. Be present and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. 6. Find suppliers you can partner with and who help you and your business succeed. Jason’s advice to anyone who wants to get into the automotive service business is simple, “Just be open-minded and expect a lot of hard work. It’s all about putting the time in.” Well, after getting to know Jason a little bit, it’s clear that he’s not only a very hard worker but someone who truly cares about people. That’s a powerful combination, worthy of imitation. From all of your friends at Mighty, congratulations Jason on your recognition as NOLN’s 2021 Operator of the Year. You deserve it! WAY TO BE MIGHTIER! SUPPLIER PARTNERS Strong supplier relationships are very important to Jason. It’s about business, but it’s also about making friends and partnering with people you like and trust. One of those strong work relationships is with Mighty and specifically with Matt, his Mighty rep. When asked about Matt, Jason says, “Matt goes above and beyond to make sure my businesses are succeeding. If I have a run on something and need him, he’ll get me what I need, even on the weekend. I can’t say enough good things about any of the guys I’ve met from Mighty. They really listen to me and then provide what I need.” 5
MIGHTIER DESPITE SUPPLY CHAIN DISRUPTIONS By now, you have probably heard months. Chicago shut down their rail yard on multiple expenses and then needed to rebuild their on-hand about the challenges in the global occasions to allow themselves to clear the backlog stock. Strong ties to North American manufacturers supply chain. It has affected and handle COVID-19 cases. have also allowed Mighty to avoid much of the global everything from chicken wings to traffic jam. Sourcing from multiple tier-one suppliers furniture and will have a significant The truck driver shortage has been in the headlines in key product categories provides flexibility, which is impact on holiday shopping. recently, but this has been a steadily growing issue more important than ever. Mighty’s priority remains to over the past decade. In a 2014 online article keep parts on the shelves of our customers and at a Unfortunately, there is no single cause, but currently, from The Truckers Report, the American Trucking quality that meets Mighty’s strict standards. there’s a bottleneck at every step in the supply chain. Association forecasted a shortage of 239,000 truck How did this happen, and what is Mighty doing to drivers by 2021. Older drivers are retiring, and there keep parts on shelves? are not enough younger CDL drivers taking their place – and the pandemic is only amplifying this The global traffic jam begins in the Pacific Rim, where shortage. The lack of truck drivers has left truckloads finished goods are sitting on factory floors due to a of products stranded in warehouse parking lots when shortage of shipping containers. Once a container is they should be on the way to store shelves. available, there are delays as containers cannot be Regrettably, challenges will continue for the remainder booked onto cargo ships. Even when one is booked, of the year and will likely worsen before they get the container may be bumped due to overcrowding. better as the holiday season increases supply chain Bottom line, there is too much stuff headed this way stress and labor demands. Chinese New Year soon and not enough seats. after means there will be another rush to ship products before factories close for multiple weeks. As ships arrive at US ports, the log jam continues. The ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach continue setting Despite these challenges, Mighty has seen new records for the number of ships off the coast and record demand and put a record number of parts the number of days those vessels are waiting. Usually, on customers’ shelves. We had a head start five to 10 ships are waiting in line for less than a day. by maintaining inventory throughout 2020 and These numbers have ballooned to over 70 vessels, supporting customers deemed essential throughout each waiting for a week or longer! the pandemic. This gave us an advantage over distributors who reduced inventories to save on Once shipments clear customs, they are parked in rail yards awaiting room on freight trains – causing additional weeks or even months of delays. For example, our Mighty Product Center (MPC) had a container stuck in a Seattle rail yard for nearly two USUALLY, FIVE TO 10 SHIPS ARE WAITING IN LINE FOR LESS THAN A DAY. THESE NUMBERS HAVE BALLOONED TO OVER 70 VESSELS, EACH WAITING FOR A WEEK OR LONGER! 6 THE MIGHTY PROS: VOL. 18 NO. 2
GASOLINE DIRECT INJECTION & FIGHTING THE BATTLE AGAINST CARBON BUILDUP Today’s vehicles have Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) small-displacement, high-output engines that are getting unprecedented fuel economy to meet both EPA and consumer needs. However, this comes at a cost. These engines are prone to carbon buildup that robs performance and fuel economy and ultimately becomes a hard-to-remove problem. To combat this common issue, Mighty has developed two state-of-the-art products: VS7® Total Intake System Cleaner and VS7® Syntramax Complete Fuel System Cleaner featuring Dual-Tech. The VS7 Total Intake System Cleaner is incredibly effective at removing and liquefying carbon deposits – and its aerosol delivery system makes it simple and quick to use. Whether you are a seasoned technician or new to the industry, you can easily do a VS7 Intake service and attack the carbon buildup through a positive vacuum source or a MAP sensor service in half the time as the competition. Our other carbon-fighting product, the VS7 Syntramax Complete Fuel System Cleaner featuring Dual-Tech, is cutting-edge thanks to its microencapsulation technology. For many years, Polyetheramine (PEA) was the best way to clean fuel deposits and carbon. However, vehicle technology has changed, and so has the approach to cleaning. Our VS7 Dual-Tech is a PEA molecule wrapped in a polyisobutylene amine (PIBA) that fights both soft and hard carbon for maximum cleaning. WHAT IS GDI VS. PFI? The GDI is one of the industry’s hallmark technological advancements. Unlike Port Fuel Injection engines, Gasoline Direct Injections have the fuel injector in the combustion chamber for better fuel efficiency and performance. As mentioned previously, the downside is that there is no wash of fuel across the intake valve, creating a serious challenge when carbon buildup takes over. Port Fuel Injection (PFI) Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) BEFORE HOW TO AVOID BUILDUP & BE MIGHTIER AFTER With VS7 new performance brand chemistries and a one-two punch approach with the Total Intake System Cleaner and the Complete Fuel System Cleaner, it’s easier than ever to get your vehicle at its peak performance. Don’t get stuck using the technology of yesterday in today’s vehicles. Don’t forget to protect your investment with the VS7 Double Guarantee Warranty. Visit www.mightyautoparts.com for more details. ? DID YOU KNOW Have you ever wondered why some parts are shown bold in Mighty MIC? It’s simple really. Parts marked bold are Mighty’s recommended parts. This is based on the OE recommended part, but may occasionally point to an alternative aftermarket option which we deem the best option for the vehicle. The bold font leads your eye right to the information you need to pick the primary part quickly. Of course, you can always look through the other alternative parts to see if one better fits a specific need, such as high mileage, severe duty, or extended service interval. Otherwise, go bold! 7
PREPARING FOR THE RISE OF EVS Currently, a great debate is ensuing about when electric vehicles (EVs) will impact the industry on a large scale – and with this debate comes an onslaught of questions. What role will governments and manufacturers play gas-powered cars in the state by 2035, and New “somewhat likely” or “very likely.” You probably in encouraging the sale and purchase of EVs? What York is following suit. Manufacturers have announced guessed that most often, the younger the will be the adoption rate by consumers? When will their electric vehicle plans that include anything respondent, the more likely electric cars and trucks infrastructure, like charging stations, be readily available? from expanding options for consumers to going fully were on their brains. electric over the next 15 – 20 years. For example: All good questions, so let’s start with where we are With this shift in consumer mindset, infrastructure today. In the United States, there are approximately • General Motors has announced 30 new EV will follow. Remember when gas stations were also 290 million registered vehicles on the road, more models by 2025 repair facilities? Over time, convenience stores rose registered vehicles than registered drivers! The to dominance. While a third of all charging stations US fleet primarily consists of internal combustion • Honda is targeting 100% of new car sales as in the US are in California, they will continue to engines, hybrids, and battery electric vehicles (BEVs). zero-emission EVs by 2040 develop and spread nationally, likely starting in According to the Auto Care Association, the average urban and suburban areas. age of cars and light trucks is 12 years. The quality of • K ia wants to sell 1.6 million EVs by the end of today’s vehicles keeps them on the road longer, which the decade The bottom line is that electric vehicles are coming. is a positive for the automotive repair industry. Financial analysts and industry associations disagree • In four years, Mercedes will have all-new a bit on the speed, but they predict that anywhere Furthermore, only about 2% of annual new car production facilities for EVs only from 22% - 38% of annual new car sales will be EVs sales were BEVs over the past five years. That’s by 2030, ballooning to 74% - 91% by 2050. If that not a huge number, but it is important to note Manufacturers are moving aggressively into happens, electric vehicles will represent 5% - 8% of that more than 500 BEV models are in the works electrification, but what about consumers? Pew vehicles in operation by 2030, and 34% - 49% by globally. California has moved to ban the sale of Research conducted a study in April of 2021 on 2050. So, what can you do to prepare? the likelihood of US adults considering an electric vehicle as their next car, and 39% responded as PEW RESEARCH CONDUCTED A STUDY IN APRIL OF 2021 ON THE LIKELIHOOD OF US ADULTS CONSIDERING AN ELECTRIC VEHICLE AS THEIR NEXT CAR, AND 39% RESPONDED AS “SOMEWHAT LIKELY” OR “VERY LIKELY.” 8 THE MIGHTY PROS: VOL. 18 NO. 2
THE BOTTOM LINE IS THAT ELECTRIC VEHICLES ARE COMING. FINANCIAL ANALYSTS AND INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS DISAGREE A BIT ON THE SPEED, BUT THEY PREDICT THAT ANYWHERE FROM 22% - 38% OF ANNUAL NEW CAR SALES WILL BE EVS BY 2030, BALLOONING TO 74% - 91% BY 2050. TRAINING TOOLS SUPPLIERS These new cars and trucks are computers on wheels, You will need the right equipment, like diagnostic Some of our standard product categories, like oil filters and your technicians and store managers need the tools, to assess these vehicles. EVs require specialized and exchange chemicals, will see a demand decline training to understand electric vehicles and how to knowledge, and having the correct equipment in your in the long term. Still, other products, like batteries, service them. They are complicated, so investing hands is essential to performing the service work. sensors, ADAS equipment, and car appearance today to understand this growing market could set products, will likely increase in popularity. Make sure your business apart. you partner with a supplier that can provide the tools and parts electric vehicles will need. We often read about how EVs may hurt our industry, but the automotive repair market is incredibly resilient. Electric vehicles are unlikely to dominate new car sales anytime soon, but they will have a more significant impact on the US fleet in the coming years. The beauty of our industry is that change is evolutionary, so we can see it coming far in advance, giving us time to prepare. Turning over 290 million registered vehicles is no easy task. However, start training, gathering the tools, and aligning yourself with the right suppliers now to differentiate and expand your business because EVs need professional auto repair service, too! 9
A GUIDE TO UNDERSTANDING EUROPEAN LUBRICANT SPECIFICATIONS We talk a lot about the importance of oil specifications, the quality of our Engine Guard® Lubricants, and always following manufacturers’ recommendations for viscosity and specifications when assigning oils to vehicles. European automobiles are even more sensitive to using the right oil and specifications for the application. This is because of the quality of fuel and the high number of automotive diesel engines in Europe. To ensure we communicate the importance of using the right European oil, we must first understand how European oil specifications are applied to lubricants. American oils follow American Petroleum Institute (API) categories and specifications. In comparison, European oils follow the European Automobile Manufacturers Association or ACEA specifications (French abbreviation for Association des Constructeurs Européens d’Automobiles). ACEA standards are based on testing developed by the European Engine Lubricants Quality Management System (EELQMS). Think of ACEA as the SAE of Europe and EELQMS as the API/ILSAC in the U.S. Here is a quick look at European oil specifications by application type. For more specific information on what the specs mean, click or scan the QR Code. A/B: For Gasoline and Diesel Engine Oils C: Catalyst compatibility oils: E: Heavy Duty Diesel engine Oils: (click or scan the QR Code for specific (click or scan the QR Code for specific definitions of the oils) definitions of the specs) Passenger Car & Light Truck Gas & Low SAPS applications ACEA E4 For certain emission requirements ACEA A3/B3 Diesel engines. Extended Drain Intervals ACEA C1 and Low Viscosity Oils ACEA A3/B4 Same as ACEA A3/B3 but for Direct ACEA C2 Certain Mid SAPS applications ACEA E6 Applications having Diesel Particulate Injected Diesel Engines as well ACEA E7 Filters (DPF) and Exhaust Gas ACEA E9 Recirculation EGR Low SAPS applications. (Sulfated Ash, Certain Mid SAPS applications ACEA A3/B5 Phosphorous, and Sulfur). Low Viscosity ACEA C3 Provides excellent wear control, soot handling, and lubricant stability Oils. Not for use in certain engines. Different DPF, EGR, and SCR ACEA C5 Certain Mid SAPS Applications applications. In conjunction with low sulfur diesel fuel Effective May 2022, the new changes to European specifications are as follows: Passenger Car Motor Oils Diesel Engine Oils Heavy Duty A7/B7-21 C6 F8 E8 and E11 Oils meeting these specifications Oils meeting this specification will be • Improved Fuel Economy levels for • A CEA will replace E6 with E8 and E9 will be manufactured to provide manufactured for optimum protection for: diesel engines with E11 optimum protection for turbocharged gasoline direct-injected engines and • XW/20 Oils • Improved HTHS (High-Temperature • Oils meeting this specification will meet turbocharger compressor deposits for High Shear) levels the needs of low SAPS direct-injected engines: • L ow SAPS (sulfated ash, phosphorous, and sulfur) • H igh SAPS (sulfated ash, phosphorous, and sulfur) • Midlevel SAPS • Low-Speed Pre-Ignition (LSPI) • Turbocharged direct-injected engines • Engines with select catalyst reduction • Engines with gasoline and diesel particulate filters The new specifications are being verified by five new engine tests. Two of these tests were borrowed from API. 10 THE MIGHTY PROS: VOL. 18 NO. 2
A CRASH COURSE ON AUTOMOTIVE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE – ADAS Artificial Intelligence (AI) is defined as the simulation ADAS sensors are positioned in various locations throughout the vehicle. Most of human intelligence processes by machines, commonly, they are found in the front and rear bumpers, side mirror cameras, and especially computers. front windshields. To provide accurate input to the various systems, it’s critical that these sensors are properly calibrated. Automotive manufacturers indicate that In the automotive industry, this intelligence is known as ADAS or Advanced it is mandatory to recalibrate ADAS with any of the following scenarios: Driver Assistance Systems. ADAS includes technologically advanced • ADAS warning lights illuminated or flashing features that enhance the safe operation of automobiles by increasing • Vehicle collision the driver’s reaction time to potential driving dangers. These systems use • Modifications that change vehicle road height sensor technologies to sense the world around a vehicle and either warn • Sensor replacement the driver or take corrective action if needed. • Windshield replacement There are two types of calibration methods: dynamic calibration and static calibration. Recognizable forms of ADAS began in the early 2000s. Examples Dynamic calibration involves a handheld device plugged into the vehicle’s system. include Cadillac’s Night Vision and Infiniti’s Lane Departure Warning The vehicle is then driven a specific distance and speed, based on the vehicle technology. Today’s technology incorporates safety systems such as: manufacturer’s requirement. This will adapt the ADAS to regular road conditions. Static calibration is performed on a stationary vehicle in a specialized workspace. • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) – Automatically adjusts vehicle Handheld devices are replaced with ultra-sensitive equipment that uses targets to speed to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles. read each module or feature and returns sensors to optimal functionality. Whether it’s advancements in safety features or the future development • Anti-lock Braking (ABS) – Reduces braking distance by of autonomous vehicles, ADAS will continue to be the AI that drives these preventing wheel lockup and vehicle skids. technologies. Tomorrow’s technicians will not only need the training, but also the proper equipment to restore these safety systems. • Collision Avoidance System (CAS) – Monitors vehicle speed, the speed of a vehicle in front, and the distance between 11 vehicles, to provide a warning if the distance becomes unsafe. • Adaptive High Beam Assist – Tailors headlight range to maximize range of beam while avoiding interference with other drivers. • Lane Departure Warning (LDW) – Warns a driver when the vehicle drifts out of its lane. This warning system is muted when a turn signal is activated in the same direction. • Traction Control System (TCS) – Prevents the loss of traction, or wheel-spin, to the drive wheels of the vehicle. Activation occurs when accelerator input and torque transfer do not match road surface conditions.
MIGHTY VS7 ® BE MIGHTIER! POWERFUL PRODUCTS BACKED BY A POWERFUL PROGRAM Why Mighty VS7? Beyond the cutting-edge chemical formulations, it’s the complete PROGRAM that makes the difference. VS7 features easy to use equipment, online and hands on training, motivating incentives, industry-leading consumer protection plans and more- all designed to boost your business and help you BE MIGHTIER! Visit mightyautoparts.com/VS7 to learn more and to contact your local rep for a free program catalog. QUALITY PRODUCTS INVENTORY MANAGEMENT BUSINESS INSIGHT CUSTOMIZED TRAINING
Search
Read the Text Version
- 1 - 12
Pages: