Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Which AMC model, advertised in its second year as America’s first subcompact car, was introduced on April Fools’ Day 1970?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Gremlin

National Car Care Month provides the perfect opportunity for you to do something nice for your customers and focus on maintaining and building your customer demographics.  Promote preventive maintenance by offering discounted oil changes with multiple point inspections.  Take the time necessary to help your customers understand how certain repairs can add vehicle life, improve gas mileage and eliminate future more expensive repairs.  Furnish a clean waiting room with coffee and donuts, grill hotdogs and hamburgers or provide ice cream to draw a crowd.  Offer free car washes for the month of April, for that added touch of customer service your customers will remember for years to come.  For tips and ideas to make April a successful month, visit www.carcare.org.

What will you do to promote National Car Care Month?

  

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: Which Ferrari model shares its name with the company’s founder?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: Enzo

When it comes to all-wheel drive transmissions, Jasper Engines & Transmissions makes it a point to include the gearbox with each remanufactured unit.

In the GM 4T65E, for example, JASPER has found components inside the gearbox that will fail over time and cause damage to the internal gears.

“There’s a washer hidden underneath the final drive sun gear of the 4T65E AWD gearbox (see Figure 1) that is a high-wear item,” says Craig Leuck, JASPER Transmission Division Manager. “There are five tabs on this washer that will either wear down or break off (see Figure 2). That metal will damage, or destroy, the gears inside the case (see Figure 3).”

JASPER takes the stand that even though the vehicle’s current gearbox may not appear to be worn out, it’s only a matter of time before metal pieces appear inside the case. “Do you want to take the chance on a gearbox having a worn washer that may not have completely failed yet,” asks Leuck. “Or, would you like a complete unit that’s a quality product to the customer?”

  

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: What sports car, originally manufactured in Northern Ireland, featured stainless steel body panels and gull-wing doors?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: DeLorean DMC-12

Would you like your repair facility to be busier? Would you like to grow and improve your profits? Are you looking for simple and effective things you and your staff can do to grow? If you answered YES to any or all of these questions, the JASPER “Strive To Thrive” program will benefit you.

“Strive To Thrive” was designed by JASPER’s Customer Advisory Group to help independent garage owners (IGOs) grow and be more profitable. The program has been tested in major cities with amazing results. Some IGOs have reported some super results in just 60 days!

The cost to attend Strive to Thrive? Four hours of your time, initially. If your spouse, child, partner or key Associates want to attend, they are welcome too.

Doug Bawel, President of JASPER, is the presenter of Strive To Thrive. His resume reads like the “Who’s Who” in the automotive industry:

• 1973-1976 - Ruxer Ford, Youngest member of the Ford 500 Club
• 1976 - Present - Jasper Engines & Transmissions
• President of Jasper Motorsports
• President of Penske Jasper Racing

Doug’s real passion is helping others. He believes in the success of the small independent business operation and has devoted a large portion of his life to helping others. In 2003, Doug was named Business Man of the Year by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. 

“During the presentation, we will share over 50 ideas that work,” says Bawel. “Only ideas that work will be shared.”

Upcoming Strive To Thrive events for 2010 include: 

Take advantage of this opportunity to help your business grow. Learn more about the Strive To Thrive program by contacting your JASPER Sales Representative!

  

Check our blog next Friday for the answer and another Friddle.

Last Week’s Friddle: The Clean Air Amendments of 1990 mandated the elimination of lead from all U.S. motor fuel by what date?

Last Week’s Friddle Answer: January 1, 1996

March 2, 2010 - Jasper Engine and Transmission Exchange announces the transfer of 100% of their stock to a newly formed company - Jasper Engine and Transmission 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Doug Bawel, President/CEO, said “We are so proud of what our Associates have built the last 68 years.  We wanted to have a method to reward our people for their efforts, preserve the jobs in the Communities of Southern Indiana and Willow Springs, Missouri, along with passing along the JASPER Legacy.  It was a natural fit and the right thing to do.”

“This ESOP, unlike most ESOP’s, is 100% financed by the Shareholders”, Bawel added.  “We want our Associates to know the management team is going to be very active to make sure our Great Company is poised for generations to come. We are excited to be a part of this transition and legacy. Our Customers will continue to experience the highest quality products and service in our industry.”  He went on to add, “Our benefit and pay package remains unchanged including our very successful Quarterly Bonus and 401-K Profit Sharing Plan.”

This 100% Employee Stock Ownership Plan is an additional retirement benefit made available to All full time Associates throughout all subsidiaries of the country.