Your Monthly Minute
March 2017
Does the automotive aftermarket have a future? 
Will your job or business still be there in the future? Or will your livelihood disappear? Our study on disruptors is looking to find this out as we are surveying companies to understand their backgrounds, attitudes and openness towards changes in the industry. 

Complete this survey and help us capture data,
give direction, knowledge and insight needed for businesses to succeed in a time of great change and disruption.
 
To complete the survey please click here
Groundbreaking automotive aftermarket labour market project announced
Here's a capture of the ALMI through
AIA's latest project, the Aftermarket Labour Market Intelligence (ALMI), was officially launched on March 3rd at Centennial College in Toronto. The project aims to provide unprecedented access to functional and timely labour market information and, more importantly, shed light on the lack of knowledge pertaining to skill gaps, labour shortages and compensation.

What does access to OEM repair information mean to you?
In 2009, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada was a signatory on what was a historic agreement for the aftermarket industry in Canada. The Canadian Automotive Service Information Standard (CASIS) came into effect six years ago after many years of lobbying and hard work by industry stakeholders. The agreement ensures that the automotive aftermarket has equal access to OE repair information, allowing service and repair shops to fix vehicles and conduct 'flashes' or updates. Six years later, the agreement remains unchanged. Recently, AIA Canada conducted an informal survey of a few repair shops asking them about their knowledge of the agreement and their use of the OE repair sites. The results of this tell us that there may be gaps in information on the agreement and that there may be barriers to accessing the information on the OE sites. We need to hear from you. We want to understand what works or doesn't work for you as a service provider when you have a vehicle in your shop that requires a reprogramming or update. Your feedback will allow us to make recommendations to the CASIS Task Force, a group that includes the four (4) agreement signatories. Otherwise, the agreement will stand as is.

As new technologies continue to emerge it is very important for the industry to understand our current abilities to service traditional vehicles. The survey results from this project will also tell us what we need to do as an industry to prepare for the future. 

To complete the survey:
Lobby Day on the Hill: April 4th
A IA Canada is excited to announce its upcoming advocacy day on Parliament Hill: April 4, 2017. The day will  consist of meetings with federal ministries, offices, committees and caucuses during which AIA Canada will deliver messaging on a variety of topics that include innovation, skilled workforce and consumer choice. To cap off the day, AIA staff, AIA members and government will come together for a reception.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Erin Chreptyk at [email protected]
On February 22, 2017, new insurance rules for self-driving cars were introduced in British (UK) parliament. Insurance products for automated vehicles will cover two different "drivers" - the human and the car. 
If predictions hold, it is estimated that by 2020, "there will be more than 29 billion devices connected to the Internet at all times. That will include new cellular phones and tablets, but also coffee makers, thermostats, door locks and eventually autonomous vehicles, to bring us back to the world of driverless cars." (Erik Kruse, Head of the Networked Society lab at Ericsson, Ottawa Citizen). 
Globe and Mail, 7-part series, Self-Driving Cars, The Future of Mobility, Autonomous Vehicles are Going to Dramatically Change the World - So When Does the Revolution Begin?, investigates changes that will accompany the introduction of autonomous vehicles, including the rise of "smart cities". 
Interested in learning more about government relations at AIA? Are there issues happening in your region that impact the aftermarket that we should know about? 

Reach out to Erin Chreptyk at [email protected]
AIA Presents: A Knowledge Exchange Series (Ontario)
The Future of Automotive Shops Starts With You!

Change is coming, and your shop needs to be ready for it.

In this 'can't miss' event, you will hear about what's ahead that will disrupt the industry and potentially your business. 

Will the automotive aftermarket be the next Kodak? 

In addition, you will hear about your customer or the customers that got away, what's driving them to you or what's driving them to the dealership? How do you fare in comparison to other service shops? March 29th marks a full day of information that will help you remain sustainable for years to come.

March 29, 2017
9:30 am - 3:30 PM
Paramount Event Space, 222 Rowntree Dairy Road, Woodbridge, ON
 
$199 per person

Who should attend? Jobbers and managers/owners of service repair shops.
 
This is an event you can't afford to miss! Click here to register.
Mark Your Calendars on May 16th
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the members of the Automotive Industries Association (AIA) of Canada will be held on May 16th* beginning at 11:45 am at the Hilton Meadowvale Hotel & Conference Centre, 6750 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, ON.
 
In addition to the AGM, all members are invited to attend the AIA Volunteer Recognition Luncheon where we will honour this year's recipients of the AIA Distinguished Service Award and the YES Young Leader of the Year Award. 

*Please note that this is a new date.
Special BOGO offer to our YES Conference
Join us on Tuesday March 28th as AIA Canada kicks off its 2017 events season with the YES Conference,taking place at the Paramount Event Space in Woodbridge, ON. Designed to provide insight and connections to put young executives at the forefront of trends and new initiatives, the YES Conference attracts future industry leaders and decision-makers.

$329 per person.

Take advantage of our BOGO offer - buy one, get a second registration for $50!

AIA Ontario Division Kicks Off 2017
Members of the AIA Ontario Division joined together for their first meeting of 2017 on February 14th at the Worldpac Canada office. Along with discussion on upcoming initiatives, AIA Ontario Division contributed $10,000 to the High Fives for Kids Foundations. AIA Canada and the High Fives for Kids Foundation express gratitude towards the generous contribution.   
L to R - Diane Freeman, AARO; Michael Koval, Continental ContiTech; Tom Dunlop, Specialty Sales & Marketing; Steve Phillips, DENSO Sales Canada; David Cochrane, Delphi; Joe Mercanti, Worldpac Canada; Brad Cochrane, Mevotech LLP; Dave Lange, Ideal Supply Company; Kevin Patterson, Napa Auto Parts; Michael Raven, NAPA Auto Parts. Missing from picture is Doug Moody, Active Green Ross who had to leave prior to picture being taken.
BC Division Update - Service Provider Activities
Among other initiatives, the new BC Division has been working to support AIA's focus on Automotive Service Providers (ASPs). To that end, an evening meeting was held on January 12th to which a number of ASPs were invited to exchange points of view about "What keeps you awake at night?" The meeting was facilitated by Greg Sims, AIA Executive Director for Western Canada and focused on the participants' thoughts and concerns about running their businesses and what was happening in the industry in general.

AIA Canada Gives Back
AIA staff recently raised close to $400 in tulips and ferns for The Lung Association - Ontario. Each year we are excited to give back to our community and support a variety of causes. #AIAgivesback
Have you read our latest report in the consumer behaviour series, 'Car Care Information: What Media Channels Are Canadians Using?' It provides great insights on how consumers understand information related to their cars in today's fast-paced world. 

It is a must read for your business! Get it here: https://goo.gl/4mKW1O
In This Issue
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Knowledge Centre
Access the latest in market research and industry data. 

Latest Research 
 
The Changing Automotive Landscape: An Introduction

E-tailing: Online Shopping Habits of Canadian Car Owners




Coming soon

Consumer Series: Repair & Maintenance Views of 2,000 Canadians

Consumer Series: Telematics & the Canadian Consumer

Innovation in the Aftermarket: What's on the radar?


N.B. Member login required to download free reports. Non-members can purchase reports online.

Industry Job Board

N.B. Free member benefit.
Membership
Welcome to the following new members:

Collision World Agency


Upcoming Events

March 2017

28 - YES Conference

29 - AIA Ontario Regional Event

May 2017

16 - AIA Annual General Meeting & Network Reception

25 - CCIF Frederiction 2017

June 2017

15 - Women's Leadership Conference


See more...
2017 Golf Tournaments

June 2017

1 - Quebec Division Golf Tournament

September 2017

7 - Ontario Division Golf Tournament

75th Anniversary Gala - Join the Celebration!
Taking place at the Westin Hotel in Ottawa, Ontario on Friday November 24th, join us for the AIA event of the decade.

Enjoy an evening full of great food, dazzling entertainment and warm camaraderie.