The AskPatty team of women Jody DeVere CEO, expert women Amy Mattinat of AutoCraftsmen of Vermont, Bogi Lateiner 180 Degrees Automotive in Phoenix and automotive senior editor Diana Claussen were in full force for SEMA, the TIA Global Tire Expo, I-CAR and AAPEX last week, covering all the female-friendly events, products and news!

Scott Williams, president of Lex Brodie’s Tire, Brake & Service Co an AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® clientsin Honolulu, was named Tire Business’ 2011 Tire Dealer Humanitarian Award winner. I was in attendance when Scott won this well deserved award Oct. 31 at the Tire Industry Honors event sponsored by the Tire Industry Association during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas. He was presented with a medal symbolizing the spirit of giving and a $1,000 donation to two charities, Hawaii’s Institute for Human Services, which supports homeless in the area, and the Lex Brodie’s Tire Co. Foundation, which provides donations to Hawaiian schools.

Attended and supported the Collision Industry Foundation 2nd Annual Gala Fundraiser to benfit Crash Hunger on November 2nd at teh Las Vegas Hilton, a joint donation and volunteer project to combat hunger in the USA. While also raising awareness for hunger initiatives, during the month of February members of the collision industry will be asked to donate their time at local food banks. AskPatty.com donated a beautiful Passchal.com travel bag for the silent auction.

Congratulations to Audra Fordin, one of our AskPatty.com automotive expert women, of Great Bear Auto Shop, named the first “Female Service Shop Owner of the Year.” The announcement was made at the 2011 Car Care Council Women’s Board reception Tuesday evening. Audra Fordin educates women on car care in Flushing New York through a weekly radio call-in show called “The Auto Lab” and through her website, www.womenautoknow.com.

Great News! Continuing to broaden its outreach to women, Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. announced during SEMA its plans to expand its partnership in 2012 with AskPatty.com Inc. Cooper Tire, which began a relationship with us this past July,  will continue to engage women customers through AskPatty’s growing educational interactive platforms, social media and online outreach. The Findlay-based tire maker cited research showing that 74 percent of American women feel automotive marketers could understand them better—“a concern that Cooper Tire is working to change by developing female-targeted brand messages with a focus on tire maintenance and education,” the company said. Cooper said its continuing partnership “highlights the importance of tire maintenance and education, especially for busy women.

Jody Devere CEO AskPatty.com spoke on 'What Women Want' at the TIA Global Tire Expo SEMA educational sessions and was also named the 2011 winner of the SEMA Businesswomen's Network annual Athena Award, established to honor an industry person (male or female) or company for outstanding contributions to women in the automotive aftermarket, during the SBN Breakfast on Thursday November 3rd.

 

New Female-Friendly SEMA / AAPEX Products:

The AutoTex PINK PLUS wiper blade was launched and is the optimal wiper replacement for drivers who are both concerned with ensuring safety through improved visibility on the road and making a bold  statement. A high quality, molded rubber wiper blade with aerodynamic, pink colored steel frame, and polymer sleeve that meets or exceeds Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) specifications, AutoTex PINK PLUS wipers are perfect for all-weather conditions and are guaranteed to be nearly 100% compatible with vehicles using existing metal wiper blades. In addition, AutoTex PINK donates a portion of every windshield wiper sale to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.

ESCORT Inc, the leading manufacturer of premium automotive electronic accessories and maker of the world's best radar and laser detectors, announced at the 2010 SEMA Show the release of the patented PASSPORT iQ™, the world's first and only driving accessory that integrates radar/laser detection and GPS navigation, and also provides important driving information, such as speed traps and speed limit data, in a single compact device. I recently reviewed the PASSPORT iQ™ and now call 'her' Lola and don't drive without her! Check out the new Limited Edition Passport 9500ix Susan G Komen version that benefits breast cancer.

The SEARS Craftsman brand unveiled several new products to the Craftsman NEXTEC line of tools for 2011 that I think are great for women, powered by the same interchangeable, compact and lightweight 12-volt DieHard lithium-ion battery. Each tool allows the user to perform various tasks around the home, in the garage and on-the-go. From charging your phone to inflating a flat tire or cleaning out your car, Craftsman’s new NEXTEC tools have you covered.

Our FAVORITE PICK the Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator:  This very small light-weight digital inflator utilizes powerful, adjustable air pressure that quickly inflates objects from 0.5 pounds per square inch (PSI) to 200 PSI, allowing users to inflate a variety of objects such as vehicle tires, pool toys, sports equipment and more. The Craftsman NEXTEC Inflator (29641) retails for $39.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.

Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light:  This florescent work light has a clear poly carbonate lens to direct and focus light, eliminating shadows or blinds spots on the workspace. The lens contour throws light forward and outward to provide a full range of 320 degrees of light.  The work light has a long-lasting, 13-watt, 300 lumen ENERGY STAR®-rated fluorescent bulb that lasts 1.75 hours on a single charge.The Craftsman NEXTEC Multi-Purpose Work Light (2966) retails for $29.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.

Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum: This dual stage vacuum cleaner uses a Gore® filter that is reusable and dishwasher safe. A powerful vortex suction quickly and easily removes dirt and debris from automobiles, the workbench or common household items such as blinds, draperies and furniture.  The Craftsman NEXTEC Vacuum (29642) retails for $49.99 as an add-on tool without the battery or charger.
 
Each of these new products will be available at Craftsman.com, K-Mart and Sears stores nationwide.  For more than 80 years, Craftsman has developed innovative products. To learn more about Craftsman’s assortment of innovative hand tools, power tools and lawn equipment, visit www.craftsman.com, www.facebook.com/craftsman or one of the many Sears or Sears Hometown Stores nationwide.

Teen Safety!

Took a great test drive with Mitsubishi Motors North America to demonstrate Scosche’s cellCONTROL in a moving vehicle the All-New 100% Electric-Powered Mitsubishi i with an Impressive EPA Rated 62 Mile/98 Mile LA4 Mode Range and 112 MPGe Rating arriving in 2012.

Scosche’s Safe Driving System helps parents monitor their teen drivers by automatically disabling the most distracting functions of a smartphone including handheld phone calls, texting and emailing capabilities. As the vehicle begins to move, cellCONTROL will automatically connect to the users phone via Bluetooth to disable distracting functions. The system is completely tamper proof and will automatically alert the system’s administrator with any removal, deactivation or other misuse.

Scosche’s Safe Driving System easily connects to a vehicle’s OBD2 port and communicates with the smartphone in the vehicle.  Scosche’s cellCONTROL Safe Driving System retails for $129.95 and is available at www.scosche.com and at specialty retailers.  Like the Scosche’s Facebook Page for a special 20% off promo code https://www.facebook.com/scoschecaraudio

Scosche also makes a ton of cool mobile phone accessories. OUR TOP PICK the iPhone case with a kickstand called the switchBACK g4 with Polycarbonate Case with Interchangeable Backs for iPhone 4S and 4 (Verizon, Sprint and AT&T)
$29.99. For more information visit our website at www.scosche.com.

Bendix launched a "Brakes for Teen Safety”  a social media campaign aimed at educating teens and their parents about proper vehicle care to keep them safe on the roads. This digital program launched in October to coincide with National Teen Driver Safety Week. It includes a series of online videos and a designated Facebook page that offers relevant tips and safety information, enabling teens and parents to post their own questions and advice.

The first two videos, “What Teens Don’t Know About Car Safety” and “The Top Five Car Care Tips for Teens,” address the importance of regularly checking and changing brakes and other components, and highlight proper vehicle maintenance habits for safe driving. They can be found on the brand’s YouTube channel and on the campaign’s Facebook page. 

More SEMA / AAPEX coverage coming soon, so stay tuned.