Articles Written By J.B. (Jerry) Smith:

ATE event draws hundreds to training classes and tradeshow (May 2008)

Auto Notes - May (May 2008)

Northwest May Calendar of Events (May 2008)

Northwest May People & Places (May 2008)

Northwest recyclers doing good job in their battle for compliance, officials say (May 2008)

Puget Sound-area shop group flourishing with well-trained, tenured staff (May 2008)

Lynnwood, Wash.-Almost 28 years ago, Jeff Gietzen said, he started Jeff's Auto Repair in a one-car garage--actually a loading ramp at a former fuel depot--and ran the operation himself. Today, Gietzen has seven operations that span from his corporate headquarters and shop in Lynnwood to two shops in Renton, he said. Included are five repair facilities, a 76 gas Station with a C-store, and an auto salon.  Read Full Article

VMMC attendance up for 2007 conference (May 2008)

Alcan Winter Rally traverses across treacherous terrain in wilderness (April 2008)

Auto Notes-April (April 2008)

Longtime Oregon repair shop offers cool '50s setting for customers and a limo (April 2008)

Maple Valley repair facility has steadily grown over its 15-year history (April 2008)

Maple Valley, Wash.-Keith Lewis, AAM, said he was always fixing cars at home and even paid for much of his college education by repairing vehicles. "I would let my customers know when I would be home from Central (Central Washington University in Ellensburg) so they could schedule times to get their cars repaired," said the owner of Motorplex Auto & Truck Repair.   Read Full Article

Northwest April People & Places (April 2008)

Northwest Calendar of Events (April 2008)

Recently Driven: The 2008 Chevrolet Malibu (April 2008)

ASA Washington names Bellingham shop owner Industry Leader of the Year (March 2008)

Auto Notes-March (March 2008)

Automotive Training Expo in March on target for capacity participation (March 2008)

Calendar of Events (March 2008)

Downtown repair facility diagnoses, repairs a wide variety of vehicles (March 2008)

Northwest March People & Places (March 2008)

Recently Driven: The 2008 Hyundai Veracruz (March 2008)

Spokane Valley repair shop specializes in diagnostics (March 2008)

Adjoining restoration businesses work on specialized, long-term projects (February 2008)

Annual fleet maintenance conference set for March 24-27 at University of Washington (February 2008)

Annual fleet maintenance conference set for March 24-27 at University of Washington (February 2008)

ASL to host online talk shows in Northwest; its CEO to present seminar at ATE (February 2008)

Auto Notes February (February 2008)

Northwest Calendar of Events (February 2008)

Northwest February People & Places (February 2008)

Recently Driven: The 2008 Civic EX-L (February 2008)

Scholarships offered for Automotive Training Expo (February 2008)

Two Portland teams to participate in the grueling Alcan Winter Rally (February 2008)

Portland - It's not a race, but it is one of the most demanding of Time-Speed-Distance (TSD) rallies staged in the world, and it takes skill and patience to survive. The Alcan Winter Rally will test the endurance of participants over snow- and ice-covered roadways in British Columbia, the Northwest Territory (N.W.T.), the Yukon Territory (Y.T.), and Alberta from Feb. 17 to 26, the 20th anniversary of the first winter rally.   Read Full Article

West Coast's largest training expo to be held in Seattle area in late March (February 2008)

Auto Notes January (January 2008)

Northwest January People & Places (January 2008)

Northwest parts and service professionals provide an industry preview for 2008 (January 2008)

Recently Driven: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (January 2008)

West Coasts largest training expo to be held in Seattle area in late March (January 2008)

Auto Notes December (December 2007)

Longtime diesel specialist grows with expanding market and addition of alignment services (December 2007)

Longtime Poulsbo repair facility includes full-service shop and lube center (December 2007)

Northwest Calendar of Events (December 2007)

Northwest December People & Places (December 2007)

Recently Driven: The 2008 Land Rover Range Rover (December 2007)

Unique twist using service technology helps reduce carbon emissions and funds environmental projects (December 2007)

28 SUVs tested at 14th annual Mudfest competition (November 2007)

Auto Notes November (November 2007)

Family-owned repair centers serve growing customer base with engine diagnostics, maintenance (November 2007)

Northwest November Calendar of Events (November 2007)

Northwest November People & Places (November 2007)

Recently Driven: Mini Cooper - Honda CR-V (November 2007)

Spokane truck dealer and parts supplier covers the market from light-duty to heavy-duty products (November 2007)

Spokane--"We're not a traditional warehouse distributor in the industry," said Dave Masinter, vice president and general manager of Titan Truck Equipment & Accessories. "We have evolved from a traditional light-truck WD to a business that offers so much more today."  Read Full Article

Auto Notes October (October 2007)

Largest automotive trade event in the world provides something for everyone (October 2007)

Northwest October Calendar of Events (October 2007)

Northwest October People & Places (October 2007)

Recently Driven: The 2007 Saturn Aura Green Line Hybrid, The 2008 Acura TSX NAVI (October 2007)

Seattle tire store markets high-quality Monroe ride control products to its retail and commercial customers (October 2007)

Tire and repair shop thrives in Rose City market (October 2007)

West Coast's largest automotive training event slated for March in Seattle (October 2007)

Accessory, performance, and specialty products market still growing, Northwest distributor says (September 2007)

Renton, Wash.--While some elements of the parts business are experiencing 3 to 4 percent growth, according to industry sources, the specialty products market continues to have double-digit increases for a variety of reasons.

  Read Full Article

Auto Notes September (September 2007)

Family-owned truck dealership thrives in eastern Washington market (September 2007)

Longtime Seattle auto dealer continues to expand service and parts operations (September 2007)

Motorsports alive and well in the Northwest region-schedule of events (September 2007)

Northwest September Calendar of Events (September 2007)

Northwest September People & Places (September 2007)

Second annual Summer Run in the Sun event (September 2007)

ASA retreats to hot eastern Washington (August 2007)

Auto Notes August (August 2007)

Calendar of Events in the Northwest (August 2007)

Northwest August People & Places (August 2007)

Puget Sound chain of repair shops celebrates 20 years in business (August 2007)

Second-generation Idaho shop provides retail service, repair, and wholesale parts (August 2007)

Valley Gear & Transmission provides specialized powertrain parts to the Northwest and beyond (August 2007)

Seattle--Since 1966, Valley Gear & Transmission has been a fixture for transmission, differential, transfer case, and other specialized parts.  Read Full Article

ASA panel addresses GAAS on training perspectives (July 2007)

Auto Notes July (July 2007)

CARQUEST distribution center in Kent services Washington and Idaho jobbers (July 2007)

GAAS panel of industry leaders provides multinational view of automotive aftermarket (July 2007)

General Automotive Supply continues growth in the Northwest market and beyond (July 2007)

Northwest July People & Places (July 2007)

Tire industry legend Les Schwab leaves a legacy beyond selling tires (July 2007)

ASA-WA receives two awards at ASA national convention (June 2007)

Auto Notes June (June 2007)

Electrical rebuilders stage annual gathering in Portland (June 2007)

Lynnwood Honda has long history of offering parts and service (June 2007)

Northwest and National Events Calendar (June 2007)

Northwest June People & Places (June 2007)

Pacific Raceways transforms itself with major renovations and new management team (June 2007)

Performance Warehouse Jobber Trade Show draws attendees from six states (June 2007)

Family-owned Oregon dismantler focuses on environmental issues (May 2007)

Import specialist provides undercar maintenance and repair services with experienced staff (May 2007)

Seattle--While the Car Tender had been in existence since 1980 under the ownership of Greg Gurunlian, the repair facility changed dramatically in 1999 when Steve Malland and partners John McDermott and Russell Kimble purchased the Capital Hill shop. All experienced import specialists, the trio all worked at a local BMW dealership, Malland said, and had a plan to be in an independent business offering high-quality import vehicle repair service.

  Read Full Article

ITEC-Ascettes race raises $23,000 for automotive education (May 2007)

Marysville repair shop offers more than just quality auto repair (May 2007)

May Auto Notes (May 2007)

Northwest May People & Places (May 2007)

AAA Oregon/Idaho expands its Approved Auto Repair program to include specialty markets (April 2007)

AED stages annual meeting and trade show in Portland (April 2007)

Auto Notes April (April 2007)

Car Care Month activities planned for Northwest region during April (April 2007)

Northwest April People & Places (April 2007)

Portland shop offers full-service repairs at its longtime location (April 2007)

Recently Driven: 2007 Volvo XC90 and the Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (April 2007)

Recently Driven: Ford F-Series 2008 Super Duty trucks (April 2007)

Seattle shop performs underhood and A/C services for its loyal customer base (April 2007)

April is National Car Care Month in the Northwest and across the country (March 2007)

Auto Notes (March 2007)

Bates Technical College offers four automotive training programs at its south campus (March 2007)

Diagnostic Services offers training in Northwest and across the country (March 2007)

Northwest People & Places (March 2007)

Portland repair shop relies on diagnostic equipment and data to provide quality service (March 2007)

Recently Driven: '07 Acura RDX Tech and the Jeep Compass Limited (March 2007)

Shop licensing issues addressed by industry panel during CARS (January 2007)