Highline Warren Becomes Exclusive Filter Supplier for Mobil 1
Highline Warren has announced a collaboration with Mobil 1 to be its sole supplier of filters, according to a press release.
Effective Feb. 1, Highline Warren is now delivering filters designed to meet or surpass the specifications required for Mobil 1 filters.
“The transition to Highline Warren will be seamless for our customers," said Reed Colerick, Highline Warren senior vice president of special projects. “We are committed to maintaining the current SKU mix, pricing and shipping terms while identifying potential enhancements and new product introductions as needed.”
Automotive Lift Institute Releases 2025 Edition of Vehicle Lifting Points Guide
The Automotive Lift Institute has released the 2025 edition of its lifting points guide, “Vehicle Lifting Points for Frame Engaging Lifts,” according to a press release.
Updated annually, the ALI-sponsored Lifting Points Guide aims to assist lift operators in finding OEM-recommended lifting points, with over 250 undercarriage images showcasing proper lifting points.
This year’s edition covers model year 2000 to 2025 cars, SUVs, vans, light-duty trucks, and EVs sold in the U.S. and Canada, and is offered digitally or bundled with a print version.
“The guide is very handy for technicians and home mechanics because most lifting points aren’t marked on the vehicle and they may change from model year to model year as the OEMs redesign vehicles or components,” said R.W. “Bob” O’Gorman, ALI president. “That’s why it’s important to look them up. And that’s where ALI’s Lifting Point Guide comes in.”
J.D. Power Report Shows Increased Satisfaction in Quick Oil Change Service
The latest J.D. Power U.S. Aftermarket Service Index Study shows satisfaction continuing to improve throughout the aftermarket service sector, but highlighted areas needing attention from the industry.
Of the three aftermarket segments looked at, tire replacement had the biggest spike in satisfaction, increasing by 19 points on a 1,000-point scale. The second-largest improvement was quick oil change with a 17-point bump, followed by full-service maintenance and repair with a 15-point increase.
The study also found the aftermarket sector is lagging franchise dealerships in customer trust for the use of technology to make service more efficient. Additionally, although 56% of tire replacement and quick oil change customers preferred receiving text messages for service updates, some shared they receive phone calls instead.
This can play a major role in satisfaction—when customers who prefer text messages are contacted via their preferred method, their overall satisfaction score is 854, and satisfaction with their advisor is 861, marking a respective 34- and 31-point increase over the study’s average in these areas.
For quick oil change providers specifically, providing charging stations had the greatest impact on satisfaction, bringing an additional 101 points. For tire replacement, the biggest increase in satisfaction (+103 points) came from snacks and beverages.
Within the quick oil change segment, Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers topped the list for a third consecutive year, with a score of 845, followed by Take 5 Oil Change’s score of 826, and Jiffy Lube’s 819.
New Tool Helps Auto Care Association Members Calculate Potential Tariff Costs
The Auto Care Association has launched a tool for shops to calculate potential tariff costs they may face on parts, as shared in a recent press release.
Available exclusively for ACA members, the Auto Parts Tariff Calculator tool will help shops determine which tariffs apply to them, and also provide a step-by-step process to determine potential tariff exposure based on stacking rules, exemptions, and product-specific considerations.
“The recent rounds of tariffs on automotive imports have introduced additional complexity to supply chain planning and cost management,” said Lisa Foshee, ACA’s senior vice president of government affairs and general counsel. “U.S. automotive companies are reviewing sourcing strategies and production logistics to maintain operational efficiency and meet regulatory requirements in a shifting trade environment. We are pleased to be able to offer this new tool to our members to simplify the process.”
Hyundai Outlines Plans to Mitigate Potential Cost Hikes from Tariffs
Hyundai recently outlined plans to help mitigate potential cost hikes from a 25% tariff on the automotive sector at the 2025 New York International Auto Show, according to Yahoo Finance.
Claudia Marquez, Hyundai Motor America's COO, said the automaker plans to help with any cost increases through its recently launched Hyundai Assurance Program.
Though building new plants is something that requires extensive time and money, Hyundai already produces around 40% of its vehicles in the U.S., with a factory in Alabama and Hyundai’s Metaplant that recently opened in Savannah, Georgia.
“When it comes to the customers, which again is tough and even for us just for planning purposes, what we wanted to make sure is that we have a plan, so we launched our Hyundai Assurance Program, which is confirming and assuring to customers that [prices] are not going to go up, at least this next couple of months,” said Marquez.
Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change Raises Over $100K for Schools Nationwide
Strickland Brothers 10 Minute Oil Change announced the conclusion of its spring fundraiser in a recent press release, raising over $100,000 for schools across the U.S.
The initiative offered customers a raffle entry in exchange for any donation of $3 or greater. By the fundraiser’s conclusion, over 200 raffle winners were notified they won a free oil change.
Donations were raised from customers through DonorsChoose—a crowdfunding platform for teachers, donors, and district administrators—with funds being allocated to school projects local to the community of each donation.
“Our customers continue to amaze us with their kindness and support,” said Strickland Brothers CEO and founder Justin Strickland. “What we accomplished in such a short time speaks volumes about the Strickland Brothers community and our commitment to giving back. We set out to make a difference, and thanks to the dedication of our teams and the generosity of our customers, we surpassed expectations.”
Jiffy Lube in Aiken, South Carolina, Sold for Over $1M
A Jiffy Lube in Aiken, South Carolina, has recently switched hands to new ownership, according to Aiken Standard. Located at 1025 Pine Log Road, the store was sold by Alpine of S.C. Inc. to AAG Aiken LLC for $1.064 million. The deal closed March 24.
The one-story, 1,848-square-foot shop isn’t the only Jiffy Lube in Aiken, joined by another one at 3558 Richland Ave. W.
Formed in Delaware this past February, AAG Aiken is listed under an address in Irving, Texas.
Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers Franchisee Opens Fifth Virginia Store
An Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers franchisee in Virginia recently opened his fifth store in Powhatan, Virginia, according to a Richmond BizSense report.
Located at 1840 Stavemill Crossing Lane, off Anderson Highway in the eastern part of the county, the shop opened in April, and is franchisee Robley Bates’s fifth store.
Bates first learned of the brand in the early 2000s while working as an investment banker in Charlotte, North Carolina, after serving in the Marine Corps for eight years. His firm worked with Express Oil Change’s corporate office, and Bates was impressed with how well the company was doing.
After working as a technician at an Express store in Alabama for a couple of years, Bates went on to open his first store in Midlothian, Virginia, in 2013. Since then, he’s expanded to Mechanicsville, Virginia, in 2016 and Chester, Virginia, in 2019, before opening a second Midlothian store in 2023, located across the street from the first one.
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NOLN Staff Reporters
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