Shop Toolkit
Serving aftermarket service centers and their skilled technicians
Shops provide essential services to keep the nation's 288 million vehicles on the road safer, longer through affordable and convenient repair options. Explore our service center toolkit below to find exclusive benefits for your shop.
advocating for the industry
For over 100 years, the Auto Care Association’s mission has been to protect and advance the interests of businesses providing aftermarket products and services, businesses like you.
As vehicles become more and more technologically advanced, their ability to share repair and maintenance data directly and exclusively with the vehicle manufacturer increases.
We are committed to securing your ongoing ability to service your customers with newer model vehicles. You invest your time and resources into ensuring that your team is trained in the latest repair and diagnostic procedures and maintains state-of-the-art equipment to diagnose and repair the latest models. We all need to action to secure your rights to a free and competitive aftermarket by writing a letter and engaging with your association, the Auto Care Association.
Tap into our toolkit of resources and benefits for Auto Care Professionals
With more than 273,060 service outlets in the United States, the Auto Care Association is committed to keeping service center professionals equipped with the latest resources and information at your fingertips.
We offer 6 opportunities through awards, scholarships, and partnerships with TechForce Foundation and ASE Education Foundation to recognize your talent, and more importantly, fuel your future.
We know continuing education gives you an edge in our fast-paced industry. As a member, you have access to more than 50 webinars through the Digital Hub by signing in with your autocare.org login.
Awards, Scholarships and More
CCPN Installer's Choice Award
This category is for business-to-business systems that are either web-based or client-side install (app) supported. Client based installations need to have test environments pre-configured for ease of use during judging.
Female Shop Owner amd Team Member of the Year Award
This award is presented annually to an outstanding female shop owner who demonstrates role model behaviors, leadership and commitment to the advancement of women by the Women in Auto Care community.
ASE World Class Certification
The Auto Care Association and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) work together to recognize professional technicians who have tested and obtained ASE certification in 22 specialty areas established more than 30 years ago.
Hiring Technicians
Auto Care Association has formed a strategic alliance with both TechForce Foundation and ASE Education Foundation. Both organizations are focused on recruiting the next generation of technicians for the auto care industry.
Women In Auto Care Scholarships
Each year, Women in Auto Care grants thousands of dollars in scholarships and toolsets with their partners to deserving women pursuing careers in the auto care industry.
Leadership Development Program
Leadership 2.0 is a cornerstone in the industry’s efforts to foster the development of a new generation of visionary executives who will help drive the aftermarket to new levels.
Car Care Professionals Network
The Car Care Professionals Network provides a structure to foster and promote communications between car care professionals and manufacturers, distributors, retailers and other members of the Auto Care Association.
Gain access to a series of recommended best practices with the latest addition on how to protect yourself and your customers if you run an automotive repair shop during COVID.
exclusive hands-on training at aapex
Nothing replaces seeing an automotive system in action. But the opportunity to get this kind of close-up look at new products doesn’t happen as often these days. Enter Joe’s Garage, sponsored by Shop Owner. This real-world shop setup with eight service bays, provides a platform for exhibiting brands to demo their equipment. Beyond just talking products, this area within Repair Shop HQ lets you:
See equipment demos in a real-world shop setup with lifts and running vehicles, thanks to a source capture vehicle exhaust extraction system
- Understand how tools can help with shop management and communication
- Discover digital inspection tools for optimal service
- Talk capabilities, benefits, and utilization in real-time
- Get complete under-hood to under-vehicle solutions
- Receive precise training and ask questions to enhance your competitive advantage
Like any Repair Shop, Joe’s Garage will include exhibits tailored to your front counter staff. Here you will be able to check out the latest:
- Shop management software
- Customer relationship management
- Digital inspection software
- Website designers
- Digital signage and menu boards
- Integrated and text-to-pay solutions
Techs: Get a Free Trip to AAPEX!
The Sponsor a Tech program welcomes exhibiting companies and warehouse distributors to invite technicians to AAPEX. Technicians will receive a scholarship package to AAPEX to participate in hands-on training and live demos, visit the show floor to see new products and technologies, and attend keynote sessions and special networking events. Tell a company to sponsor you by contacting Bill Glasgow.
Scholarships for Training and Tools
Servicing or supplying parts for vehicle maintenance and repair can be a rewarding career. An automotive scholarship can help pave the way. Browse available scholarships through partners of the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.