ZF [pro]Service transforms commercial vehicle workshop support with integrated platform and new retrofit opportunities

Topdon US has formalised a new year-long sponsorship with the ASE Education Foundation, investing over $300,000 in automotive technician training, and expanding its support through collaborations with UTI, regional colleges, and community projects to address the growing skills gap in the industry.Rockaway, N.J.—TOPDON US has officially formalized a new sponsorship deal with the ASE Education Foundation, really emphasizing their ongoing commitment to supporting the education and training of future automotive pros. The ASE Education Foundation is a well-respected non-profit dedicated to evaluating and accrediting entry-level automotive technology programs, all while helping students along their path to becoming ASE-certified technicians. As part of its bigger TOP-UP Academic Initiative, TOPDON US has chipped in more than $300,000 in products and financial aid to various organizations involved in automotive technician education and training. This latest year-long sponsorship, which was finalized back in August, allows TOPDON to broaden its reach—providing career, educational, and technical resources directly to ASE-accredited programs. Plus, the agreement opens doors for TOPDON to participate in the Foundation’s live webinar series and boost their visibility through features on the ASE Foundation’s website, printed materials, and newsletters. “ASE offers one of the most respected certifications an automotive repair professional can get,” said Chad Schnitz, VP of TOPDON US. “It’s kind of like a benchmark for the automotive workforce and really stands for the dedication of each technician toward their craft. The need for qualified technicians has never been more pressing, and we’re proud to support the ASE Education Foundation and help raise the standards of quality across the industry.” Now, TOPDON’s support for technician education goes beyond just this sponsorship. Earlier in 2025, they teamed up with Universal Technical Institute (UTI) for a five-year collaboration aimed at electrifying their training programs around electric vehicle (EV) maintenance and repair. They donated some pretty advanced diagnostic tools, such as the Phoenix Max with EV Kits and Tornado120000 smart programming power supply, to UTI campuses focusing on EV training. This deal really aims to tackle the fast-paced changes in automotive tech, especially the growing importance of EV expertise. And that’s not all. TOPDON has also been working with regional education providers. Recently, they partnered with Area 31 Career Center in Indianapolis—donating products and cash to support students competing in the Skills USA Championships and even offering scholarships for students wanting to continue their automotive studies after high school. Over in Texas, a two-year agreement with Northeast Texas Community College supports the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program by providing professional-grade tools like jump starters, thermal cameras, and diagnostic scan tools—helping students get hands-on experience and better prepare for the workforce. In addition, TOPDON is involved in community projects, like their partnership with Vehicles for Change (VFC) in Maryland. They donate diagnostic tools to support justice-involved students working toward ASE certification and independent transportation. They’ve also renewed their sponsorship with the TechForce Foundation for the 2025-2026 school year, continuing to provide cash and product donations to back automotive education and job placement efforts at the national level. To add, TOPDON runs various campaigns—like their 2024 holiday initiative, where they pledged to donate five percent of all online U.S. product sales to the TOP-UP program. Those funds go right back into community colleges, trade schools, and other higher ed institutions that are shaping the next generation of automotive workers. Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation, said, “We’re really excited to have TOPDON’s support as we work toward preparing the next wave of automotive professionals. They’re making consistent efforts—both through top-notch automotive tools and by actively training technicians across the country. This partnership just solidifies our shared mission of promoting excellence, innovation, and career growth in automotive service.” As the aftermarket industry faces a growing skills gap, these joint efforts from TOPDON reflect a smart, long-term investment—in building a more skilled and technically savvy workforce. For manufacturers, OEMs, distributors, shops, and fleet managers, it’s reassuring to know that the technicians of tomorrow are being better prepared to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving, tech-heavy vehicle landscape. 📌 Reference Map: - Paragraph 1 – [1] - Paragraph 2 – [1] - Paragraph 3 – [[1]], [[2]] - Paragraph 4 – [[3]], [[5]] - Paragraph 5 – [[7]], [[6]] - Paragraph 6 – [[4]] - Paragraph 7 – [[1]] Source: Noah Wire Services

As UK car manufacturing declines and global trade tensions threaten exports, industry charity Ben enhances support for displaced workers with proactive upskilling and mental health initiatives in a bid to stabilise the sector's future.The UK automotive industry is currently going through quite a tough patch, with production numbers declining, a significant number of jobs being lost, and a real urgency to tackle skills shortages. Industry charity Ben has stepped up its support for automotive workers affected by redundancies. They're not just offering immediate help for those losing their jobs but also focusing on proactive solutions like upskilling and career coaching. For instance, with UK car manufacturing dipping nearly 12% in the first half of 2025, and thousands of jobs being cut across the supply chain, Ben’s expanded ‘Work, health & wellbeing’ services aim to serve as a safety net. These include free online tools, personalized coaching for CV writing, job hunting strategies, managing stress, and financial advice. Plus, there's added digital mental health support programs to back workers up. Rachel Clift, Ben’s CEO, points out that the industry faces a two-fold challenge: “The automotive sector is dealing with redundancies while also having a long-term technician shortage,” she explains. This concern isn’t unfounded — predictions suggest that by 2035, the industry may need to fill over 111,400 new and replacement roles, including 45,800 technician positions. Ben also works closely with key industry players like Rygor, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). These groups provide tailored career resources to help workers manage these turbulent times. Right now, things are made worse by a handful of economic and geopolitical issues. Recently, Lotus announced plans to cut 550 jobs in the UK — around 40% of their 1,300-strong workforce. The company cited falling sales and financial instability caused by global uncertainties such as trade tensions and tariff implications. Although Lotus said it plans to keep manufacturing at its Norfolk plant, the company’s shift towards third-party production and consolidating globally reflects broader instability across the industry. Interestingly enough, this restructuring follows a government-backed intervention that previously prevented the plant’s closure, which really highlights just how fragile UK automotive manufacturing has become given the changing trade policies. Tariffs from the US are still a huge threat, especially to the UK’s luxury brands like Aston Martin, Bentley, Jaguar Land Rover, and McLaren. These companies face a 25% import tariff on foreign-made vehicles, and Mike Hawes, SMMT's CEO, has warned that these tariffs are quickly eating into export volumes. Unless the government steps in or manages to negotiate better trade deals, thousands of jobs — estimates suggest over 25,000 — could be at risk. These tariffs push up costs and also scare away wealthy American buyers, which directly hits order books and company forecasts. Industry experts warn that unless something changes, many jobs in the UK automotive sector could be lost. On top of that, suppliers in Germany connected with car manufacturing are also feeling the pinch. Thyssenkrupp, for example, announced plans to cut around 1,800 jobs, blaming weak market conditions and tariff concerns. Meanwhile, recruitment firm Hays has issued a serious profit warning, mainly because of reduced hiring in Germany’s automotive sector. That market’s been especially hit by US tariffs and economic headwinds. These issues highlight how intertwined the European automotive supply chain is — problems in one area quickly ripple out and affect employment and investment confidence throughout. Despite a slowdown in job openings across the UK motor trade — vacancies dropped to a vacancy rate of 2.7% in May 2025, a 21% decrease from the previous year — there’s still a strong demand for skilled technicians. Many automotive firms report difficulties in filling these technical roles, and wages are climbing for those positions. The average salary for vehicle technicians is now well above the government median, which shows how competitive the market for skilled, hands-on workers has become. This ongoing skills gap underscores the importance of initiatives like the ones Ben supports—focused on reskilling and career development—to help secure a sustainable workforce long term. As the industry grapples with all these challenges, there's a growing consensus that a unified support system is crucial. Combining immediate aid for workers who’ve lost their jobs with longer-term investments in talent development seems to be the best way forward. While companies and policymakers are trying to navigate economic and trade uncertainties, charities and industry organisations are playing an increasingly vital role — helping automotive professionals shift careers, and ensuring the workforce’s capabilities adapt to evolving industry needs. Source: Noah Wire Services

Hunter Engineering has launched a major software update for its ADASLink diagnostic tools, introducing features like ADAS Align and expanded vehicle support to enhance calibration speed, accuracy, and shop efficiency in the growing field of ADAS servicing.Hunter Engineering has recently rolled out a pretty significant software update for its ADASLink diagnostic scan tool — and honestly, it’s a move that really helps strengthen their position in the rapidly growing field of ADAS calibration tech, especially for aftermarket auto service shops. The standout of this update is the introduction of ADAS Align, which is basically a rebranded and streamlined version of what used to be called Bosch ADAS Positioning (BAP). Now, this new app gives technicians easier, more direct access through a shortcut on their devices, making it faster to activate vehicle cameras, connect smoothly to diagnostic tools, and get more precise when squaring, centering, and setting the distance of calibration fixtures. These upgrades really aim to optimize the calibration process — so, in the end, shops can perform more calibrations, faster and with better accuracy. Another nice addition is the ability to schedule software updates at times that suit the shop's operating hours. Before, monthly updates required the tool to be constantly available, which could sometimes interrupt workflow or delay services. Now, shops can set updates to run outside of working hours, which is definitely a plus in keeping downtime to a minimum. Plus, the update brings in the Net Promoter Score (NPS) feature, which lets users give feedback on their ADASLink experience. That way, the developers can gather data on user satisfaction and make smarter improvements down the line. Beyond that, the software now covers vehicles from the 2026 model year — and it also supports a bunch of 2024 and 2025 models with many new calibrations for ADAS systems. That’s pretty handy for workshops that need to stay on top of the latest OEM calibration requirements, especially as vehicles become more advanced and driver assistance tech becomes more widespread. It’s all about making sure calibration stays accurate and compliant as the automotive industry shifts. Alongside this software update, Hunter recently introduced the HawkEye Elite Xpandable system — and this really is a ‘future-proof’ setup that isn’t just about wheel alignments anymore. It includes features for ADAS calibration, too. The system uses Quick Grip adapters and runs on WinAlign software, plus it’s equipped with the ADASLink tool that has secure gateway functionality. This combo supports everything from dynamic calibrations and pre- and post-scan diagnostics to steering system resets. It’s designed to help technicians perform advanced diagnostics, analyze trouble codes, conduct special tests, and even do part coding or pairing. Ultimately, it broadens the scope of services workshops can offer, making them more comprehensive and potentially more profitable when it comes to alignments and ADAS calibration jobs. In addition to hardware, Hunter has made accessible a package of 13 OEM-approved ADAS calibration targets—these can be ordered via the HunterNet 2 customer portal. They cover a wide range of sensor setups, including surround-view, lane-watch, forward-facing cameras, and radar systems. This suite aligns with the Ultimate ADAS system, providing full calibration capabilities. Plus, subscriptions for the ADASLink and DAS 3000 tools are now available online, and there's a detailed ADAS Coverage Guide that maps out calibration and alignment procedures for vehicles from 2006 all the way up to today. These resources really come together to form an integrated platform, supporting both precision calibration and efficient workflows across many vehicle makes and systems. Overall, Hunter’s latest software updates plus their new hardware and service options mark a pretty strategic move for shops looking to meet the rising demand for ADAS calibration expertise. By making tools easier to access, expanding vehicle support, and enabling more flexible system operations, Hunter continues to equip auto service providers with the tech they need to navigate the increasingly complex world of vehicle safety and driver assistance technology. It’s pretty interesting, right? Seems like they’re really investing in the future of automotive repair. Source: Noah Wire Services