As the Wrench Turns

Tom and Ray Magliozzi, aka Click and Clack, the Tappet Brothers from NPR's "Car Talk" are getting ready to tackle TV. 

"As the Wrench Turns" is set to premiere July 9 on PBS. The show follows Click and Clack's exploits co hosting a nationally syndicated radio show and running a car repair shop, which mirrors their real-life Good News Garage in Cambridge, Massachusetts. 

To preview a clip of "As the Wrench Turns" or to learn more about the show, click here.

Lubes in the News

A quick rundown of fast oil change facilities making headlines around the nation and the world:

• An award for Canada's Mr. Lube quick lube chain.

• On the Go Quick Lube gets ready to open its doors.

• Gas-saving tips from the Automotive Oil Change Association and Jiffy Lube.

• And, a California lube shop hosts an auto show.

Prices on the Move Again

More reports of price increases from Tom Glenn at Jobbers World. ExxonMobil has announced a price increase of 15 percent on lubricants and greases, while Castrol followed suit with an announcement of a 20 percent price increase, with hints of more to come.

Expect other majors to follow suit as record crude oil prices push base oil and additives prices sky-high.

Atlantic Coast Enterprises

You might not have heard of Atlantic Coast Enterprises, but it's a subject we'll be touching on in months to come. ACE, from what we've been able to gather, is a partnership between veteran lube operators Al Chance and Steve Allison. You might remember Al Chance as a former NOLN Operator of the Year and the creator of the Connecticut-based ExpressWay chain of fast lubes. That 23-store chain was sold to Galena Associates, a VIOC franchisee, in spring 2007. 

Now, it seems Chance is back in the lube business, having formed ACE and purchased 43 corporate-run Jiffy Lube facilities from Jiffy Lube International that will now be operated as franchised stores. Additionally, ACE purchased eight facilities from Xpress Lube of NMB, Inc., the company owned and operated by Steve Allison. Allison, who had been serving as Secretary/Treasurer of the Automotive Oil Change Association's Board of Directors, has resigned from the Board to fill an as-yet-undisclosed position with ACE. The Shell Rapid Lubes owned by NMB will also be converted to Jiffy Lubes, giving ACE a total of 51 lube facilities and instantly making it one of the largest Jiffy Lube franchise organizations in the country.

As the details are still being ironed out and the principals involved have requested a bit of time to adjust before being interviewed, expect a full report on ACE in our September issue.

Proof Oil Changes Work

Interesting article here about how motor oil is most effective if changed at routine intervals. Not only that, but the article also notes that clean oil reduces fuel consumption, which saves pennies at the pump and cuts down on the amount of emissions being created by vehicles. Good news for everyone -- regardless of what the California Integrated Waste Management Board might say!

Lubes in the News

• Interesting piece here about the training VIOC execs receive before they get too comfy in their offices.

• Article here about oil change and carwash centers in the Middle East.

• Here is what happens when an oil delivery goes wrong.

• The Indiana AG went after a lube company for charging customers for one oil but installing a different type.

• A lube shop gets into a zoning dispute in this article.

• Another Jiffy Lube franchisee closes up shop, this one in West Virginia.

• And, a lube/wash owner finds a new way to cut down on his water bill.

Economic Gloom and Doom?

Interesting story from the Washington Post about the economy and peoples' attitudes. Seems that the economy isn't as bad as the general public believes it is. Somewhat humorously, the Post attempts to defend media coverage of the economy, when all the public has seen and heard for much of the past year is gloom and doom. Gee, when all you read about or view on TV is that the sky is falling, after a while you'll begin to believe it. Even when the sky is safe and sound, thank you very much.

There's little doubt that negative media coverage regarding the economy is a major cause of the poor attitudes that many Americans possess. The Post notes that the media covered the last two recessions much the same way, but what they fail to mention is the vast growth in the amount and type of news available now. The Internet was still an infant during the last recession. Now, news and information -- especially economic news and information -- are everywhere. The long and the short of the Post article: Things really aren't as bad as they seem!

Monro Financials

Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. (which has added the term "& Service" to many of its stores reflecting a greater emphasis on routine maintenance) recently released its financial results for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year. Overall sales were down for the quarter ($107.2 million compared with $107.7 million), though the company blamed that primarily on the calendar causing one less selling week in 2008 versus 2007.

The company reported that comparable store sales increased 7 percent for brakes and 1 percent for maintenance. Overall, comparable store sales decreased 5.3 percent, due mainly to declines in exhaust work and alignments.

Net sales for the fiscal year increased 5.3 percent to $439.4 million. Gross margin was flat, at 39.7 percent compared with 39.9 percent for the previous year. Net income was $21.9 million.

More Economic News

Whither the recession? That bastion of fair journalism, The New York Times, recently buried this little economic gem deep within its pages. Retail spending up in May? Couldn't be. The old gray lady has been assuring us for months that we're in the throes of a massive recession, and it's all the fault of the current presidential administration. So how is it possible, then, that consumer spending actually increased in May? Oh, the government rebate checks. 

But hold on. The bulk of those weren't scheduled to be mailed until late May and into June. I'm afraid in this instance, the Times' explanation just doesn't hold water.

Hypermilers

Ran across this article on so-called "hypermilers," or people who try to wring every last bit out of a gallon of gas. Interesting notion. One thing that caught my eye was the extreme emphasis these people place on maintenance, proving that a well-maintained car really is a more efficient one. In these days of $4/gallon gas, it seems it actually pays to keep your car maintained!