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ASA Arizona Mechanical Report
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NASTF: New Agreement.
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During the final quarter of 2008, automakers and NASTF Board of Directors finalized and began the implementation of the document building upon and reinforcing the success of the original ASA/OEM Service Information Agreement from 2002.
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This new document, NASTF Automotive Service Information Standards, contains the detail of the improvements to the original agreement as well defining the method to initiate binding in arbitration in extreme cases where service information has allegedly been withheld.
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The process for initiating and filing service information request is being expanded and streamlined. Membership in the i-ATN, the International Automotive Technicians Network, will no longer be required in order to file an on-line service information request.
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NASTF: Vehicle Security Committee.
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The SDRM, Secure Data Release Model, is up and running smoothly. ALOA, The Associated Locksmith Of America, reports over 22,000 successful transactions completed within the independent sector over the past 90 days.
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NICB, the National Insurance Crime Bureau reported that over 125,000 transactions were screened nationwide during this same period including all independent, new dealerships and roadside service providers.
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| NICB also flagged over 128 fraudulent attempts to use the SDRM. This information is then forwarded to law enforcement and insurers in order to initiate investigations and prosecutions for criminal activity related to vehicle theft and insurance fraud.For more information, to read or download copies of NASTF Committee Reports and the Automotive Service information Standards Agreement, please visit the NASTF website. www.nastf.org
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SCAN TOOLS: Counterfeiting Cloning.
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Recently, General Motors, Bosch/Vetronix and Ford Motor Company have issued warnings and policy amendments regarding changes in the methods they will now employ when updating and or repairing legitimate scan tools.
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Bosch for example, recently discontinued their Tech 2 exchange program. When ordered, a legitimate Tech 2 would be shipped to the repair shop who would then return the unit needing repair to Bosch. This method substantially reduced down time for repair shop.
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| Due to the increase of counterfeit tools being shipped to Bosch by those taking trying to advantage of this excellent service, the program has been suspended. |
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Ford has more information regarding these issues on the Motorcraft website.
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Our recommendation is to use extreme caution when looking to purchase any scan tool over the internet or from any source other than licensed providers. |
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Counterfeiting and cloning is a $12 billion dollar a year worldwide enterprise affecting many areas of the automotive industry from filters to spark plugs and now scan tools.
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Report submitted 03/06/09
Dave Lanspeary |
