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Join Us for a Night Out at the Ballpark!

Below Cost Selling in the Northeast

Right to Repair Fight Continues

Governor Murphy Signs Auto Theft Bills

Auto Mechanic Teacher Job Opportunity

Building Electrification Mandate

MBP Spotlight: Consumers Oil Corp. 

Ballgame

Looking to have some fun this summer? We have been looking for ways to engage our membership and get people out again. These events we run are for you, our members, to show you that your association is not only working for you, but we hope to be able to get members more involved in the work that we are doing. We have reserved groups of tickets at the Jersey Shore Blueclaws ballpark to take you all out to the ballgame! Arrive by 6 PM to enjoy BBQ and stay after the game for fireworks. Again, this event is completely FREE for our members and their family or employees. You just need to sign up ASAP as tickets are limited! Find the registration form at njgca.org/baseball, and sign up before Monday July 17th to secure your tickets, we have a limited amount! 

Below Cost Selling

Last week, as part of a July 4th promotion, Sheetz lowered the price of gas at their locations to $1.776.  A 76 gas station in Virginia also offered 76 cent gas during a customer appreciation day. You can imagine customers were understandably happy with the huge savings, but can you picture what it would be like to compete with a promotion like that? Thankfully, imagine is all you have to do, since selling gasoline below cost is illegal in the state of New Jersey. Those celebrating Sheetz’s seemingly ‘feel-good’ and ‘generous’ promotion may not realize that it’s a predatory act. A giant corporation with nearly 700 locations in six states can afford to sell gas below cost, knowing full well that small businesses can’t match it. Once competitors have been eliminated, the company is free to charge as much as they want and use the extra earnings to subsidize losses at new locations. NJGCA was founded as the NJ Gasoline Retailers Association in 1937, and the ban on below cost selling was enacted in 1938. Make no mistake, without NJGCA in existence, and with the amount of strength we have, that law would be gutted or repealed like it is in most states. A few years ago one major company even fought a costly lawsuit to kill the law but lost in court, NJGCA had filed an amicus (friend of the court) brief and we were successful in keeping it on the books. If you suspect a competitor is breaking this law, please email Nick@njgca.org and assist the State in getting the law enforced.

Right To Repair

There were conflicting reports released about right to repair this week. There was an announcement by the group that represents auto manufacturers and two smaller groups that say they represent the independent repair market that they have come to an updated agreement to expand right to repair to telematics. Obviously, this would be great news and it’s something we have talked a lot about before. However, the AutoCare Association, which has long been the major advocate for right to repair nationwide, put out a release a few hours later saying this new agreement had no real teeth and the groups that signed on only represent a tiny fraction of the industry. They will continue to push for true right to repair coverage for telematics via the Repair Act in Congress, which has a growing list of bipartisan support. We will be sure to keep you updated on any progress.

Auto Theft Bills

We have been reporting on the uptick in automotive-related crimes throughout the last several years, and we’re sure you’re all very aware of security at your business. This week, the governor signed a couple of pieces of legislation aimed at cracking down on this. According to the press release, the four bills strengthen the criminal penalties associated with auto theft, with a particular focus on persistent, repeat offenders and large-scale automobile trafficking networks. You can read more about it HERE. He also took time to promote the bill that NJGCA supported to crack down on catalytic converter thefts that was signed a couple weeks back. 

Job Opportunity

We recently came across the following job opportunity that we thought to bring to our members’ attention. If anyone is interested and living in the area, we encourage you to reach out:

The Bergen County Technical Schools in Paramus, NJ is in need of a Teacher of Auto Mechanics.  If you know of anyone who might be interested in either of these positions please forward my contact information to them.  If your organization has any job boards or does employment placement, please feel free to share.

Thanks,

Jon Chevalier Ed.D

Bergen County Technical Schools

Administrator, Curriculum Office

201-343-6000 ext. 7600

Building Electrification Mandate

We also wanted to share with you this link regarding the Governor’s plan to require that all buildings, both your home and business, run entirely on electricity and not natural gas or heating oil. NJGCA is not running this campaign, but we know many of you are rightly concerned about this proposal, you can read more about the details and take a stand against it by visiting https://www.smartheatnj.com/take-action/

MBP Spotlight: Consumers Oil Corporation

Consumers Oil Corporation has been exceeding expectations in gas delivery for more than 85 years and we’d like to discuss how we can partner with you to reach your goals. We distribute ExxonMobil and Shell fuels.

Third generation family owned and operated, we take pride in doing business the “old fashioned way,” with a personal touch. Our strategy throughout the years has been to align ourselves with branded dealers who see the value of a quality brand. In fact, Consumers Oil Corporation proudly boasts more than 40 years as an ExxonMobil branded marketer and nearly as long with Shell.

Looking to sell or lease your location? Feel free to contact us. Consumers Oil Corporation is happy to work with you. 

Based in Trenton, New Jersey, we own and supply stations throughout the state and in Eastern Pennsylvania markets. Our philosophy is simple: We believe in straight-forward, honest business dealings, offering competitive supply contracts and providing personal hands-on service
 

Be Well-

Your Association Staff

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All classes held at NJGCA HQ -- 615 Hope Road, Building 2, 1st Floor, Eatontown, NJ 07724

ASE Training Course - Reach Out Today!

Are you (or an employee) getting ready to take your A6, A8, or L1 in preparation to recertifying your Emission Repair Technician (ERT) credentials through the State's Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP)?  

We can help --- but we need to hear from you, first! 
NJGCA wants to hear from students interested in our ASE-prep training program, so we can gauge demand and schedule our next session series. 

As you know, the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) has always maintained a "dual-track" system to allow technicians to earn their Emission Repair Technician (ERT) credentials through New Jersey's Emission Technician Education Program (ETEP). In doing so, technicians were allowed to certify as ERTs through either an ASE-test track or an ETEP-educational class track. Starting on January 1, 2020, NJDEP amended the ETEP criteria, and the ETEP-educational class track was abolished.  

Today, only the ASE-test track remains, and all ERTs must certify or re-certify their credentials though ASE to remain in the Program. 

NJGCA has recently offered an ASE-prep class to help you get ready for the A6, A8, and L1. In doing so, students were welcome to participate in a ten-session preparatory class that covered material for all three ASE exams. We also had a handful of students who joined us only for the A8 or L1 sections.  

Once completed, students took their ASE exams with a local ASE-approved test proctor (NJGCA can train you to prepare for the ASE exams, but are not permitted to offer the actual exam - students must make these arrangements individually themselves). 

Building on that success, we are now seeking student participation in our next training series session. To make arrangements and organize a session, we need to hear from you! 

If you are interested, please email us at training@njgca.org ASAP. 

We'll record your interest, inquire on your availability, and schedule a class once we have a full complement of students.   

Only with your feedback can we gauge student headcount and participation.  

Please reach out to us today, and thank you for your interest! 
 

Contact Nick De Palma at Nick@njgca.org to inquire about potential trainings and class dates

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6/5/23

RaceTrac to Acquire Gulf Oil

RaceTrac Inc. announced that its wholly owned wholesale fuel supply and trading subsidiary, Metroplex Energy, has signed a definitive agreement with Gulf Oil L.P. to acquire Gulf Oil LLC. As part of the transaction, RaceTrac will acquire Gulf’s nationally recognized fuel brand across the United States and U.S. territories, all of Gulf’s branded distributor and license agreements and the exclusive rights to market fuel at Gulf’s retail locations along the Massachusetts Turnpike. This acquisition reflects RaceTrac’s ongoing strategy to accelerate growth in its core business activities and drive enhanced operating efficiencies. The combination of Metroplex and Gulf creates a fuel network with a presence in high-demand markets across the country and adds another renowned consumer-facing brand to RaceTrac’s family of companies.

6/7/23

The Cost Of Car Repairs Is Surging Amid Widespread Shortages

The next time your car breaks down, expect to fork over more money — and wait longer — for repairs. Why it matters: Americans already face record-high debt after a long battle with inflation, and pricey repairs for vehicles they rely on to get around will likely only worsen the situation. Driving the news: Multiple shortages — a lack of mechanics, parts and new vehicles — combined with higher prices on all types of goods have hiked repair costs, experts say. The cost of car repairs was up by 19.7% on an annual basis, according to the latest federal consumer price data. More broadly, motor vehicle maintenance and repair was up 13.5% for the 12 months ending in May, the new figures from the Labor Department show. The average cost hit $378.18 that month — a nearly 24% increase from May 2020, when the average was $305.57.

6/7/23

U.S. Oil Boom Blunts OPEC’s Pricing Power

U.S. petroleum production is on pace for a record-breaking year, helping to keep energy prices stable despite the efforts of Saudi Arabia and other major oil exporters to drive them higher. U.S. crude output this year through April is up 9% from a year ago, surprising analysts given that oil futures were sliding and the country’s shale boom was showing signs of peaking. The surge is being driven in part by improved production efficiency, and signals that the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries’ power to control prices could be waning as output continues to grow in the rest of the world. 

6/8/23

UAW Wants EPA To Soften Vehicle Emissions Plan

The United Auto Workers union on Friday called on the Biden administration to soften its proposed vehicle emissions cuts that would require 67% of new vehicles to be electric by 2032. The UAW, which represents workers at General Motors, Ford Motor and Chrysler parent Stellantis, said the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed standards should be revised to "better reflect the feasibility of compliance so that the projected adoption of (zero emission vehicles) is set to feasible levels, increases stringency more gradually, and occurs over a greater period of time."

6/10/23

Op-Ed: Advanced Clean Car II Rule Isn’t Right For NJ Consumers

I agree with the headline on Scott Fischer’s June 8 Op-Ed, “NJ must act now to speed the transition to electric vehicles,” but disagree that the adoption of the California Advanced Clean Car II rule (ACCII) is the best way to accomplish this important goal. . . Blindly adopting ACCII will create a cascading wave of unintended consequences that will hurt New Jersey consumers. And it is conceivable that ACCII will make it more difficult to reach New Jersey’s aggressive EV goals, not easier. 

6/10/23

Unsold Electric Cars Are Piling Up On Dealer Lots

The auto industry is beginning to crank out more electric vehicles (EVs) to challenge Tesla, but there's one big problem: not enough buyers. Why it matters: The growing mismatch between EV supply and demand is a sign that even though consumers are showing more interest in EVs, they're still wary about purchasing one because of price or charging concerns. It's a "Field of Dreams" moment for automakers making big bets on electrification — they've built the cars, and now they're waiting for buyers to come, says Jonathan Gregory, senior manager of economic and industry insights at Cox Automotive.

6/11/23

New Jersey’s EV Drivers are Getting a Free Ride

As the state’s annual budget process is now in the rearview mirror, some attention is due to an emerging issue for next year in Trenton – a reauthorization of the state’s Transportation Trust Fund (TTF), which finances the annual capital program of the New Jersey Department of Transportation and NJ Transit. . . One issue that is likely to be front and center in the upcoming debate is who is not paying the gas tax – the owners of Electric Vehicles (EV), which continue to grow in popularity.  Currently in New Jersey, those drivers do not contribute a cent to the maintenance and upgrade of New Jersey’s roads via the gas tax. Among the ideas that have been floated across the country is a mileage tax, which would require monitoring of how many miles a vehicle drives, but comes with a myriad of issues, including accounting for miles driven out of state and unfairly penalizing low wage earners without access to public transit who are dependent on vehicles for significant commutes.

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Each week, the Energy Information Administration publishes a list of average gasoline prices for the previous three weeks. NJGCA will begin including this list with the Weekly Road Warrior. Remember, these prices are reflective of self-serve everywhere except NJ.

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