2008 National Finals Competition Recap
Wisconsin Team Takes Home a Victory

On June 24, 2008, the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills National Finals brought together 50 pairs of students representing their high schools and home states in a battle for the coveted title of best high school student automotive technician team in the nation.

Crossing the finish line in 73 minutes and 40 seconds, aspiring auto technicians Paul Bretl and Chris Cheek from Grafton, Wisconsin, drove their fully repaired 2008 Ford Focus to victory in the 59th annual national finals. Logging hundreds of hours in preparation with their instructor, Carl Hader, the pair was ready to battle their technology-savvy peers from schools from the other 49 states.

The 50, two-person teams that competed in June at the Ford World Headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan triumphed over more than 8,000 auto tech students who entered the competition last fall at high schools across the country. Following an online exam, the highest scorers advanced to their states’ hands-on competition, then onto Dearborn, where the 100 finalists sat for another written exam worth
40 percent of their overall score.

The Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Competition is open to high school juniors and seniors enrolled in automotive technology courses. Each team participating in the national finals won their state title with the best combined written and hands-on exam scores during state competitions.

The registration deadline is fast approaching for the 2009 Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills State Qualifying Exams. Applications are due December 10, 2008. To access your 2009 application materials, check out the 2008 top-10 teams, and view a
live-action video of the competition day, click Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills.

For more information, contact John Morse, manager, Student Auto Skills,
(407) 444 7762.

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Student Success Stories
Calling All Auto Skills Alumni

Next year marks a special year for the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills program. AAA will celebrate the 15th year with Ford Motor Company as co-sponsor, 25th year of sponsoring the competition, and the 60th year since the program was created.

To help celebrate these great milestones, AAA is seeking your former student competitors that have gone onto successful automotive careers. We want to provide them with the special recognition they deserve. Please e-mail John Morse the following information:

• Automotive Instructor Name
• School
• School City and State
• Former Student Competitor Name
• Phone Number
• e-Mail Address
• Success Story

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your response.

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Communication Skills for Future Technicians
Customer Service Can Make or Break Future Business

Developing your students’ technical knowledge and skills is a significant challenge. Automotive technology theory and principal continues to be an ever changing course of study with the constant introduction of new technology. As an automotive and educational professional, you know it takes more than technical knowledge and skills to be successful in an automotive service career.

Effective communication with service customers has become an absolutely critical part of the entire service business transaction.  In fact it has become so important that it is a make or break factor in ensuring future business with the same customers.  Many customers rank effective communications at the same level as having their vehicle fixed right the first time. It’s important to understand that it is not just verbal communications, but also the way technicians write their diagnosis and repair story on every repair order.

Aspiring young technicians need to be prepared for customer communications.  Many customers want to talk directly with the technician that actually diagnosed and repaired their vehicle. Sometimes it may be to understand what was wrong with their vehicle and how the technician repaired the problem.  At other times customers may be seeking the opinion of the technician regarding suggested scheduled maintenance or installing an accessory.

Customers value the recommendations and opinions of a trusted technician. Now is the time to help your students understand the importance of these skills and also provide opportunities so they can practice applying these skills.

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Glad You Asked
Q. What is the AAA Approved Auto Repair Program?

A. AAA has the largest independently certified repair network in North America. AAA and affiliated clubs in Canada annually inspect and approve over 8,000 independent and dealer auto repair facilities in four categories. Approved Auto Repair (AAR) shops perform mechanical repairs and can be found across the continent. In addition, many areas offer Approved Auto Body, Approved Auto Glass, and specialty services.

The AAA approval process is rigorous. When a shop applies, a service specialist inspects the facility for cleanliness, proper tools, adequate technical training, and appropriate technician certifications. Facility customers are then surveyed to obtain their opinions on how well the business meets their automotive service needs. Every question on the survey must receive at least 90 percent positive responses before the facility will be considered for approval. AAA also checks the facility's reputation with government and consumer agencies, and runs an insurance and financial background check. A committee of AAA officials makes the final decision on whether a facility receives approval.

AAR facilities must sign a contract in which they agree to provide customers with: a written estimate not to be exceeded by more than 10 percent without prior approval, a 12-month/12,000-mile parts and labor warranty, the return of old parts if desired, and the right to have AAA arbitrate any dispute between a AAA member and the facility. AAR full service mechanical repair facilities also agree to provide AAA members with a free maintenance inspection on request in conjunction with other paid repairs. Although the AAR program standards do not require discounts, many AAR shops offer savings to members by voluntarily participating in the AAA Show Your Card & Save® program.

So, why is this information important to you? Approved Auto Repair shops provide viable employment opportunities for quality technicians. For additional information on the Approved Auto Repair program, check out the “Business Opportunities” section on the Automotive page of AAA.biz, or contact Michael Calkins, manager, Approved Auto Repair, (407) 444-8337.

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