2018 NACE Automechanika Atlanta

Previously held in Chicago, NACE Automechanika
selected Atlanta for its 2018 aftermarket showcase.

Covering the entire spectrum of the automotive aftermarket industry, NACE Automechanika lead the industry in a showcase of the latest technology, August 8 - 10, in Atlanta, Ga. 

The daily training schedule.

 

The explosion of new technology in today’s vehicles means technicians must keep pace. NACE Automechanika was THE venue for shop-level training in North America. For the past three events, NACE Automechanika has not only brought world-class exhibitors to their attendees; they have brought the opportunity for world-class training as well.

 

Dan Black spoke about the 2018 Jeep Wrangler and
2019 RAM 1500's new technology.

The Atlanta event was no exception. The list of presenters was a “Who’s Who” of the best aftermarket trainers in the industry, including both independents like John Thornton and Bernie Thompson and corporate gurus like Carquest Technical Institute’s Randy Briggs and NAPA’s Tom Rayk. Many of the trainers are also regular contributors to Motor Age. Among the contributors presenting in Atlanta were G. Truglia, Brandon Steckler, Scott Shotton, Eric Ziegler and Jaime Lazarus. 

Topics, which were as varied as the presenters themselves, included electrical fundamentals, diesel technologies, drivability diagnostics and advanced diagnostic techniques.

 

This app made navigating the seminars so easy.
I thank the kindness of a stranger for being my model.

 

I-CAR CEO & President John Van Alstyne announced the enhancements to the Automotive Collision Repair Industry Knowledge and Skills Protocol for 2019.  "This has been a work in process for several years. We wanted an educational program that was relevant to cars today, that was explainable, something that was sustainable, and something that was affordable. At the end of the day, we want a much better learning experience,” said Van Alstyne at the Georgia Wold Congress Center.

 

I-CAR CEO & President John Van Alstyne

 

As a result of extensive input from industry organizations, committees, advisory councils, benchmarking, and DACUM (Designing A Curriculum) workshops, I-CAR has significantly enhanced its industry training standard, which since 2010 has been focused on knowledge requirements. 

I-CAR will also be launching Spanish versions of all core courses. All of this has been coordinated, reviewed and embraced by industry subject matter experts, including Repairers, OEMs and Insurers.

 

Proof that brands DO help each other out ...

Automotive Service Association (ASA) also hosted its popular Technology and Telematics Forum at the 2018 NACE Automechanika trade show.  The six sessions held shared a common theme — the impact Advanced Driver Assist Systems (ADAS) are having on both the collision and mechanical repair industry segments,  and the path these systems are paving on the road to full autonomy. 

Presenters included representatives from Ford, General Motors, VW and Audi as well as leading aftermarket representatives like NASTF Executive Director Donny Seyfer, former ASA Chair Darrell Amberson, and Carquest’s Randy Briggs and Chris Chesney. The sessions were a near equal split between individual presentations and panel discussions that focused on pressing issues facing both collision and mechanical repair business owners, as well as offering observations on what the future may hold for the industry. 

Hunter Engineering's  LED lit scissor lift rocks. It makes an automotive technician's job easier. In order to show you the full effect, I got on my knees and crawled under the vehicle that was lifted 24 inches above the ground. I did it in a dress and yes, I was wearing pearls!

 

This was my first NACE Automechika.  Now that it will be held in Atlanta, I hope it will not be my last.

China was well-represented.

For information about NACE Automechanika 2019, or other Messe Frankfurt shows, visit the link below: 

www.nace-automechanika.us.messefrankfurt.com/chicago/en/for_attendees/welcome.html

 Photography by www.bonniemoret.com.