[EMAIL] Get on the National Car Care Month Bandwagon
21 July 1999
Car Care Council 42 Park Drive Port Clinton, OH 43452 (419) 734-5343 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Donna M. Wagner (419) 734-5343 Get on the National Car Care Month Bandwagon October is opportunity month for the automotive aftermarket industry. It 's National Car Care Month, when car care events in communities throughout the USA again will be checking vehicles and providing preventive maintenance information to the motoring public. From these check lanes, manned by volunteers from various community organizations, have come reports of more than 80% of vehicles inspected needing maintenance. "As a marketing tool, it's a natural for sponsorship by people in the automotive service and parts business," declares Donna Wagner, Vice President of Car Care Council. "To this end, we make it easy with our 28-page Event Planner, an easy to follow, step-by-step manual. Because this program generally is carried out by community organizations which may not be familiar with such an activity, we provide everything the novice needs to know in our planning guide. The manual includes everything from a basic planning calendar to procedures for performing the inspection. Public service radio scripts and newspaper ad slicks are included, along with order forms for literature and promotional materials. Last year's inspections disclosed 32% of vehicles having cooling system discrepancies, 28% with low or dirty engine oil and 23 % with incorrect tire pressure. Twenty-one percent had worn or frayed drive belts and 20% had dirty air filters. "The consumer gains so much from these check lanes, " says Wagner, "as do the people who are in business to provide needed services. Taking care of one discrepancy often discloses others that need attention. The value in terms of vehicle safety and efficiency is obvious, as are the business benefits. It's a great fund raiser and we expect to see more communities holding car care events this year than ever before." Now in its 20th year, National Car Care Month is the only industry event designed specifically to educate and motivate consumers on the benefits of proper maintenance and repair of their vehicles. In addition to the check lanes this program incorporates a public relations campaign that provides information packets to news media throughout the U.S.A. To order the Event Planner (free to Car Care Council members) send a check or money order in the amount of $12.50 to Car Care Council, Department EP, 42 Park Drive, Port Clinton, OH 43452. Additional information can be accessed via the Council's web site www.carecarecouncil.org/nccm.htm.