VSP News: Industry Insights, Episode 12 - NASTF responds to counterfeit scan tools

Aug. 1, 2013
Editor Elliot Maras talks with NASTF's Skip Potter on why the auto aftermarket should focus on counterfeit scan tools.

One of the most talked about issues in today's automotive aftermarket is counterfeit diagnostic tools. The growth of the Internet has made it easier for manufacturers of counterfeit tools to sell to the aftermarket. Some automotive technicians knowingly buy these products, thinking it saves them money. But many comments on industry forums note that these products typically become ineffective and can result in an incorrect diagnosis and/or cause damage to a vehicle.

The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) is an organization dedicated to addressing the service gap that presently exists in the automotive aftermarket. Many OEM automakers are active with NASTF to make sure the independent shops have access to the tools, training and information to work on late model vehicles.

This fall, during the NASTF meeting during the AAPEX and SEMA trade shows in Las Vegas, NASTF will address the issue of counterfeit diagnostic tools. 

Skip Potter, executive director at NASTF explains why this topic is on the agenda.

VehicleServicePros.com, in the last few months, conducted on online reader poll and we found that a strong majority (about 85 percent) of readers said they never knowingly purchased a counterfeit scan tool. Do you believe this figure is representative of the technician universe, and if so, is counterfeit scan tools still an important issue?

Sponsored Recommendations

In this on-demand webinar from the AMCS Group, discover how mobile access to maintenance data empowers fleets to make faster decisions, optimize scheduling, and generate real ...
Experts from 3M, John Ascheman and Todd Mathes, emphasize the importance of using digital inventory and billing tools like 3M™ RepairStack™ to document materials usage in detail...
Are you aware of the hidden costs lurking behind ignored maintenance? This eBook reveals how neglecting upkeep can inate repair bills, induce downtime, and harm reliability. ...
Are your KPIs driving real fleet improvement? Learn how to set smarter, data-driven benchmarks, track success like top-performing fleets, and apply proven strategies to optimize...