CARCHITECTURE
Making Automotive Software Safe

Automobiles today can have a hundred or more onboard computers spread across many integrated systems. Besides the mechanical and electronic hardware involved, there are thousands of electronic circuits and millions of lines of software code to develop, run, monitor, debug and safeguard. Should we be worried about the vehicles we drive?

TOOLS & PARTS
Generic Versus Brand Name Auto Parts: There Is a Difference

When shopping at your local grocery store for green beans, do you reach for the store brand or the Green Giant can? When you need shampoo, do you grab the "Shoppers Choice" instead of the Head & Shoulders bottle? When a customer bounces into your shop on worn-out shock absorbers, do you recommend the shocks in the white box instead of the national brand?

EDUCATION & TRAINING
No Free Rides

One of my most persistent personal experiences has been that there are a fair number of people who believe that the mechanics they know should be willing to work on their vehicles for free. And they don't feel guilty for expecting it, even when a mechanic works for hours and hours fixing their cars. From their point of view, mechanics should be willing to help out motorists because they love what they do.

THIS IS YOUR NASTF
Independent Service Information Providers Support NASTF

The NASTF bylaws, adopted in 2006, specify that up to one seat on the group's Board of Directors will be made available to independent service information providers. The founders of NASTF felt it would be appropriate for these organizations to have a voice in the industrywide initiative NASTF has undertaken, considering the unique interest they have in the availability of OEM service and repair information.

VOICES
Have I Got a Proposition for You

It's time for shops to understand why they need to belong to an association and make the commitment to actively participate to improve the professionalism of the industry from which they derive their livelihood. In my opinion, it is also high time for independent automotive repair professionals to raise the bar for themselves on behalf of the consumers they serve.

MULTIMEDIA
Innovation & Infusion

How do you explain why some organizations are able to innovate and achieve success that others can't, time after time after time? Simon Senek suggests it is because their leaders think, act and communicate the exact same way: they inspire innovation and its adoption. Learn how it's done. (Video - TED Conferences LLC)

MULTIMEDIA
Software Challenges

Implementing the increased use of software architecture in vehicle electronic and electric systems with minimal recalls is one of the greatest challenges facing automotive developers today, according to Fraunhofer IESE, a renowned automotive software engineering firm. Learn more about the company’s innovations by visiting Fraunhofer IESE.

MULTIMEDIA
ZF 8-Speed Transmission Increases Fuel Economy and Lowers Emissions

Why follow time when you can be ahead of it? Take a look at ZF Friedrichshafen AG’s innovative 8-speed transmission, which reduces fuel consumption by 11 percent, lowers emissions and employs adaptive-control software that results in reaction times faster than human perception. For more information from ZF, visit ZF Friedrichshafen AG.