NASTF Marks First Anniversary of Incorporation

LEESBURG, Va., Aug. 23, 2007 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the National Automotive Service Task Force enters its second year as a formal organization, it is a good time to review positive accomplishments as well as look to the future. Although NASTF has existed through the efforts of many hard-working volunteers for many years, last summer marked the beginning of the newly formed 501(c)-6 organization. In addition to continuing its five+-year history of facilitating communication between independent repair facilities and original equipment manufacturers upon identification of a gap in availability of information, NASTF is highlighting several accomplishments during the past year:

      --  Ongoing work on the Secure Data Release Model (SDRM), which will
          give appropriately qualified and registered technicians and
          locksmiths a means of accessing key codes and other types of
          security data and service support systems
       -- Establishment of a Collision Repair Committee to address those
          issues unique to the collision industry
       -- Launch of a redesigned website incorporating a new logo, a new
          color scheme, and other improvements

"We've come a long way in the past year," said Mary Hutchinson, NASTF Administrator, "but there is still a lot to do. Pilot testing for the SDRM with live users is gearing up, and we are in the planning stages of the development of a brand new online module for submitting service information requests when information is missing."

"The process of incorporating NASTF brought together many diverse parts of the automotive industry," said Charlie Gorman, NASTF Chairman. "We've secured the funding necessary to get the organization formalized and made significant progress on key issues. Our ongoing challenges include developing a permanent funding model and improving the reporting process for obtaining the necessary service information from the vehicle manufacturers. We also want to continue to expand the involvement of all automotive service organizations."

Founded in 2000 to address the issue of information availability for the independent aftermarket, NASTF has processed more than 200 separate information requests, with only a few still outstanding. The NASTF Board of Directors is made up of representatives from the independent service dealer, tool and equipment, vehicle manufacturer and dealer segments, along with industry associations.

NASTF was established in 2000 to identify, communicate and resolve gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, service training, diagnostic tools, and equipment for the benefit of automotive service professionals and their customers. NASTF was incorporated in 2006. Additional details can be found at www.nastf.org/.

  Mary Hutchinson
  (703) 669-6643
  E-mail: mhutchinson@ase.com