Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association Held 2019 Spring MAP Technical Conference

Industry professionals and executives from leading companies in the automotive aftermarket industry met in Chicago to participate in dialog around various topics affecting the industry during the Motorist Assurance Program (MAP) Spring Technical Conference. This day-and-half meeting is sponsored by the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association (AMRA) and included informative and technical presentations covering topics that affect how service providers repair and maintain vehicles, as well as their ability to build trust with the motorist. 

The topics highlighted in the meeting were:

• "Diagnostic Scan Tool Update"

            PART ONE – Duane Watson, BOSCH DIAGNOSTICS

            PART TWO – George Lesniak, AUTEL 

• “Small Truck Diesel Service Opportunities" Tom Rayk, NAPA Autotech
• "ADAS Problems and Solutions" Randy Briggs, CARQUEST Technical Institute (CTI)
• "Their Safety is Riding on it – An Automotive Lift Safety Discussion" Bob O’Gorman, Automotive Lift Institute (ALI)
• "Recalls Outreach to Increase Repair Completion" Kil-Jae Hong, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)

“Leading up to the event, we were very excited with this meeting’s agenda. We knew we had something to offer for everyone and the presenters were going to deliver world class presentations. In addition to the presentation we have been focusing on improved networking opportunities for all our members and its paying off. The meeting’s attendance continues to grow and be more functionally diverse” said Jeff Cox, president of AMRA. 

The event kicked off with two presentations from two industry veterans representing Bosch and Autel on diagnostic scan tools which covered changes in technology and capabilities of aftermarket and OE tools. Both presentations discussed the increased demand for scan tools to complete common services and repairs as well as the challenges the industry is facing with increased vehicle security. 

The afternoon resumed with NAPA Autotech presenting on service opportunities with light duty diesel truck. With more and more, light duty trucks utilizing diesel engines this gave service providers plenty of ideas to grow their service offerings. Followed by Carquest Technical Institute giving an in depth presentation on real world faults in ADAS systems and the diagnostic and repair process to resolve them. Day one ended with a networking event, allowing attendees to network and enjoy food and drinks while discussing the day’s meeting. Day 2 started off with Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) presentation on proper lift use and inspection. 

Followed by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sharing some of the initiatives they have created to increase recall compliance and the importance of educating consumers about vehicle recalls. The day and a half meeting closed with a demonstration of the newly launched Motorist.org website featuring many new tools and resources directed at consumers. This new website is designed to better educate the consumer and help them find a trusted shop near them. 

AMRA hosts three MAP Technical Conferences each year that are open to all members. Each meeting includes presentations to provide relevant knowledge on servicing the latest vehicle systems to service providers as well as ensuring that the Uniform Inspection and Communication Standards are updated. The next MAP Technical Conference will be held August 20 and 21 in Chicago.

For more information about AMRA’s Technical Committee Meetings or memberships, contact the group at 847-947-2650 or [email protected].