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Ford gets dealers on board to build 120 commercial service centers
Andy O’Donnell, operating partner at Valley Truck Centers and Valley Auto Group, which owns three Ford stores in Ohio, said he’s planning to build two Elite Commercial Service Centers. The first, in Cleveland, will be between 55,000 and 63,000 square feet and is scheduled to open by year end. It will have 30 service bays — up from 18 at the store today — as well as a technician training center and cost between $8 million and $9 million to build. O’Donnell, who is part of Ford’s dealer council, said his Cleveland store has about 350 open repair orders a day and he expects to double the store’s throughput when…
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Associations & lawmakers working to build education pipeline for collision, automotive & other skilled trades
In an effort to shed light on the career paths that are available in the automotive industry, two organizations have partnered to form a new program while in Oregon and California more attention, including funding, is also being brought to education in skilled trades across the board. The new program, formed by ASE Education Foundation and Goodguys Rod and Custom Association, along with partners in the industry, focuses on automotive design and engineering, manufacturing, mechanical, fabrication, paint, marketing, media, and sales discipline. “Goodguys events are ideal to bring together future professionals and the companies that drive the industry. Goodguys events are not only fun, but they give students the chance…
