Christian Brothers Automotive Announces 2025 Franchise Expansion Plans
Christian Brothers Automotive has identified five U.S. markets it will be expanding its franchise system to in 2025, according to a press release.
The company has signed Letters of Intent as part of its 2025 franchise development pipeline. The newly identified growth markets include New Berlin, Wisconsin; Mobile, Alabama; Stafford, Virginia; Coralville, Iowa; and Derby, Kansas.
Franchise recruitment efforts are already underway in each region. This comes after a record-breaking year in franchise growth for the company in 2024, which now has more than 310 locations across 30 states.
“Each of these new markets represents a powerful opportunity to expand our mission of serving others through exceptional automotive care,” said Brad Fink, chief growth officer at Christian Brothers Automotive. “We're seeing strong demand in these communities, and we're looking forward to identifying the right franchise partners to bring the CBA experience to life.”
Jiffy Lube International Names DENT Quick Lube Franchisee of the Year
Jiffy Lube International has named DENT Quick Lube as its 2024 Franchisee of the Year, according to a press release.
First joining the Jiffy Lube network in December 2020, DENT Quick Lube has since expanded to eight locations in Oregon and Washington, owned and operated by Jeff Edwards.
In 2024, the stores scored above the Jiffy Lube system average for both Google Average Star Rating and Net Promoter Score, which measures consumer loyalty. The company is an active supporter of local high school activities, such as swimming, basketball, band, and other youth sports teams.
DENT Quick Lube also shares success it sees with employees through vacations and bonuses whenever a milestone is reached.
“We're thrilled to win Franchisee of the Year. The award reflects the outstanding work by my partners and incredible employees across all of our stores,” said Edwards. “Joining the Jiffy Lube system less than five years ago has proven to be a great decision, and I look forward to continued growth in the future and doing what we can to provide excellent service in the communities in which we operate.”
Monro to Close 145 Automotive Service Stores by End of June
Monro recently announced plans to close 145 of its auto service locations by the end of the month, reports CoStar News.
The company operates 1,308 company-owned and franchised stores, primarily located in the Northeast. Its stores go under names including Monro Auto Service & Tire Centers, Tire Choice, Mr. Tire, Car-X, and more.
Monro has declined to share what stores will be closed, but plans to operate 1,115 company-owned stores by the end of these store closings. The company did not detail plans for its current 48 franchised stores, but said it will focus on opening new stores “in the best locations, without regard to the form of ownership required to develop the locations.”
A decline in sales has been caused by consumer anxiety surrounding inflation, leading to customers putting off more expensive automotive services and not purchasing as many tires.
“We have identified four key areas of focus as opportunities for improvement,” said Monro Chief Executive Officer Peter Fitzsimmons. “These include closing 145 underperforming stores, improving our customer experience and selling effectiveness, driving profitable customer acquisition and activation and increasing merchandising productivity, including mitigating tariff risk.”
American Petroleum Institute Releases Updated API Motor Oil Guide
The American Petroleum Institute has released the latest edition of its API Motor Oil Guide, with information about the new ILSAC GF-7A and GF-7B motor oil standards launched this past March.
According to a press release, the guide offers detailed information on current and previous motor oil standards, and can be downloaded.
API SQ specification, without Resource Conserving, provides performance requirements for engine oils that are backward compatible with previous API S categories. This can include heavier viscosity grades, as well as the ultra-low viscosity grade performance requirements of SAE 0W-8 and 0W-12 engine oils in modern engines.
Additionally, the guide goes over API Certification Marks for the new GF-7 standards: The “Starburst,” which signifies oils meeting GF-7A requirements; and the “Shield,” which exclusively marks SAE 0W-16 oils certified under GF-7B.
Women in Automotive and Northwood University Partner to Offer $20,000 in Scholarships
Northwood University has announced five new scholarships it is offering as part of a partnership with Women in Automotive, according to a press release.
Applications are now open for the scholarships, which are each valued at $20,000 and dispersed in annual increments of $5,000 over four years.
Women in Automotive is a board-led, volunteer-driven organization that focuses on recruiting, retaining, mentoring, and developing women in the automotive industry, from entry-level to executive.
LIQUI MOLY Launches New Motor Oil for Stellantis Models
LIQUI MOLY has released a new motor oil to accommodate the latest standard for PSA engines, Stellantis FPW9.55535/03.
As shared in a recent press release, the new product—Top Tec 6320 5W-30—is intended for engine types that require a lubricant with the specification Stellantis FPW9.55535/03 or PSA B71 2290, PSA B71 2297, as well as ACEA C3 and API SP.
The new engine oil can be used for EB2 gasoline engines and for DV5R, DW10F, and DW12R diesel engines built from 2012 onwards.
As noted by Reiner Schönfelder, application engineer in LIQUI MOLY’s research and development department, these engines often feature a toothed belt that runs in oil, leading to greater abrasion and wear. The new low-ash, low-friction motor oil aims to protect the engine from wear and soot deposits. It’s also designed to prevent the low-speed pre-ignition that sometimes occurs in modern downsized gasoline engines with direct injection.
Influx of Counterfeit Auto Parts Entering U.S. Supply Chain
The Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council is drawing attention to the rise of counterfeit auto parts coming into the U.S., and how it could impact the supply chain, according to a report from Detroit Free Press.
In fiscal 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized over 211,000 counterfeit parts, which is double the number seized the previous year. However, it’s likely that the number of counterfeit parts coming in is actually much larger.
Demand is particularly high for airbags, due to Takata airbags being under the largest recall in U.S. history—but other maintenance parts like spark plugs, fuel injectors, key fobs, tire pressure sensors, backup sensors, and more are prone to being counterfeit too.
Most counterfeit parts are coming in from Asia, including China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Many use drop-ship facilities, which may make the product appear to ship from the U.S., but is actually coming from a foreign seller before entering a U.S. warehouse to be distributed. They’re typically sold online, even on big platforms like eBay or Facebook, and are sent in small parcels for cheaper shipping.
With counterfeit parts having become more prevalent since the COVID-19 pandemic, the Automotive Anti-Counterfeiting Council has warned auto repair shops to be vigilant of what supply chains they utilize. The council recommends purchasing parts directly from dealers, distributors, or large chain auto parts retailers.
