London, Ontario -- December 5, 2012 -- OARA has launched its catalytic converter "Cat Drive" fundraising program for the OARA Employee Scholarship Program. This year the program provided 43 scholarships to the children of OARA Employees, a total of $34,000.
OARA funds this program through a number of events throughout the year, including the salvage vehicle auction at the September Meeting and the Casino auction at the Annual Meeting. OARA is now asking Members to send in any of their catalytic convertors that they can spare.
The "cats" are being collected at AADCO Auto Parts in Brampton, Ont. until March 8, 2013. Participating auto recyclers can drop off catalytic converters at either AADCO Auto Parts directly, or at the OARA Drop Zone, noted as a pick-up for AADCO.
Cardinal Couriers has graciouslyagreed to waive the shipping charges for any catalytic converters that cannot be dropped off at OARA or the Drop zone, but all cats must be marked as for the OARA "Cat Drive."
Once the catalytic converters are at AADCO, John Bruner from Coreline Auto Parts will sort them and convert them into a donation to the OARA Employee Scholarship Program.
London, Ontario -- December 5, 2012 -- The Sunshine Foundation of Canada has announced that its 53rd DreamLift will depart from Toronto, Ont. on June 11, 2013, sponsored by the Ontario Automotive Recyclers Association (OARA).
A DreamLift is a one-day, whirlwind adventure to the Magic Kingdom. The DreamLift offers a taste of independence for boys and girls with severe physical disabilities and life-threatening illnesses. For many, it is their first plane ride or their first day away from their parents. Some have never been able to travel due to their daily treatments, special feeding requirements or the physical challenges involved in their day-to-day care.
Earlier in 2012, OARA, along with partner Ontario Tire Stewardship (OTS), ran a wildly successful Tire Take Back event. In one week in May, participating OARA Members collected 139,000 tires and donated $358,000 to the Sunshine Foundation.
"We are tremendously grateful to OARA and OTS for making the 2013 Toronto DreamLift happen,” says Nancy Sutherland, National Executive Director of the Sunshine Foundation. “We know that DreamLifts have a huge impact on children’s lives. OARA and OTS are making a real difference to these kids.”
“We are looking forward to our second DreamLift with the Sunshine Foundation,” notes Steve Fletcher, OARA Executive Director. “The joy the DreamLift brings not only to the kids, but to our Members is invaluable.”
Plans are already underway for the 2013 Tire Take Back Event, scheduled for the week of May 27, 2013. "Our Members are enthused to be involved again, and while I can't say that we will break last year’s record, we have some interesting plans to try. With the DreamLift occurring just 10 days after the close of the 2013 tire collection event, we know our Members are going to be pumped, and we hope the community gets involved too," says Fletcher.
The Sunshine Foundation of Canada makes dreams come true for children who are challenged by severe physical disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. For more information, please visit sunshine.ca.
For more information on OARA, please visit oara.com.
Please see the slideshow below for photos of the 2012 DreamLift event.
Toronto, Ontario -- December 5, 2012 -- OMVIC, the regulator of motor vehicle sales in Ontario, has been alerted by the Oklahoma Used Motor Vehicle and Parts Commission (UMVPC), of a potential online scam specifically targeting Canadian car buyers.
UMVPC alleges Ambient Auto Center of Oklahoma City advertises on the Canadian sites of Autotrader, Wheels, E-bay, Craigslist, Kijiji and Autocatch: their ads offer high-end late model vehicles at prices that may be ‘too good to be true’. UMVPC Investigator John Cobb states, “We have received numerous enquiries about this operation. Their website became active in October and yet they are not a licensed dealer. From what we have seen thus far, all their advertising is targeting Canadians.”
Ambient Auto Center’s address -- 9734 N Kelley Ave, Oklahoma City, Okla. -- as seen from Google Earth.
A review of Ambient Auto Center’s website finds claims of “hundreds of used exotic vehicles” for sale and “award-winning service”, and they offer to “ship world wide” (sic). However, according to Cobb, “this dealer has no physical presence - the advertised address for this supposed extensive dealer operation is in fact an empty corn field next to a warehouse owned by the State of Oklahoma. We are making this information public to stop this scam from finding a victim.”
OMVIC also strongly cautions Ontarians about buying vehicles remotely, whether privately, or from a dealer in another state or province. According to Terry O’Keefe, OMVIC Manager of Communications and Education, “Ontarians are only protected by OMVIC and Ontario’s consumer protection laws when they buy from an Ontario-registered dealer. If consumers buy privately and something goes wrong, they are basically on their own. Further, if a consumer buys from a business in another province or state and then need help, they will have to utilize the regulatory body, if any, in the jurisdiction where they bought the vehicle.”
When shopping for a car online, O’Keefe also warns consumers “not to get sucked in by an 'amazing deal.' If something is priced below market value, it should usually be seen as a warning, not an opportunity.”
Oklahoma’s UMVPC would like to hear from any consumers who have dealt with Ambient Auto Center. Please contact the association at 405-521-3623.
Oshawa, Ontario -- November 27, 2012 -- The Oshawa community is now home to Canada’s largest and most advanced salvage auction facility. More than 300 buyers, insurers, auto industry professionals and local dignitaries joined Impact Auto Auctions as the company announced the grand opening of Impact Toronto, located at 535 Wentworth Street West in Oshawa.
Impact Toronto increases the company’s capacity to serve customers in the insurance, automotive remarketing, and auto recycling and repair industries. The company’s newest location features 37 acres of vehicle storage as well as a 12,000 sq. ft. office, auction and inspection building. The site has increased the company’s Greater Toronto Area storage capacity to 5,500 vehicles, an increase of 60 per cent. The site also features office and training space for insurance appraisers and an enhanced early tow and appraisal area.
Impact’s internet-based LiveBlock Hybrid Auction technology brings buyers from around the world side-by-side with live bidders. Customers can select the convenience of reviewing and bidding on each salvage vehicle right from their own desks, or they can join the live crowd in-person to see each vehicle as they place bids.
Impact’s signature Run and Drive auction process brings through driveable vehicles at a rapid clip and allows buyers to see and hear the condition of each one. Each week, expert auctioneers and a crowd of motivated bidders creates what Impact’s customers know as the “Action of the Auction.”
“LiveBlock and Run and Drive present huge advantages for sellers and buyers,” said Terry Daniels, Impact’s Managing Director. “By showcasing the unique condition of vehicles and attracting Canada’s largest buyer base, we create an exciting, high-energy auction that brings the right money for each vehicle.”
Impact also announced the newest addition to its list of online services for insurance, fleet, and rental customers. Document Express is a new feature that simplifies the tracking of branding forms, titles and other sale documents.
Trois-Rivières, Quebec -- November 27, 2012 -- It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Yvon Hamel of Pieces d'Autos Hamel in Trois-Rivières, Que. Hamel was also President of ARPAC, Quebec’s professional automotive recycling association, from 2006 to 2011.
Hamel passed away on November 23, 2012 after a battle with lung cancer. He was 50 years old.
The family will receive condolence at Complexe Funéraire J. Philibert et Fils, at 1350 Ste-Marguerite St. in Trois-Rivières on Friday, November 30, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and on Saturday, December 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. There are no restrictions on sending flowers.
