Effective February 23, 2022, the purchase or lease of used zero-emission vehicles is exempt from provincial sales tax (PST). The exemption is in effect until February 22, 2027. The Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) applauds the announcement by the B.C. government to remove the PST on used zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). The ARA’s Ken Hendricks and Adrian Scovell […]
The ARA Welcomes PST Exemption on Used ZEVs Read More »
The Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) is focused on helping its members and staff keep safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the situation evolves, updates will be provided below with the newest information added on top. February 15, 2022 British Columbia’s Provincial Health Officer Is Easing COVID-19 Restrictions Premier John Horgan and Dr. Bonnie Henry have
COVID-19: B.C.’s Updates & Recovery Plan for Businesses Read More »
At last, an event to look forward to! We are all aware of how difficult the past two years have been—a challenge for many—but even more so in British Columbia, with the implementation of ICBC’s repair programs for collision and glass. Despite the challenges, however, these programs have also identified just how critical it is
Collision/Glass Trade Show Coming in June 2022 Read More »
Another ARA certification program evolves, raising the level of industry professionalism. Just as experienced in other sub-sectors, industry consolidation and technological advancement pose many challenges for collision repair independents as they attempt to remain profitable and/or competitive. The ARA’s Certified Collision Repair program was one of the first to be introduced as an industry standard
Certified Collision Repair (CCR): Program Evolution Read More »
The ARA has introduced certification programs to raise the level of industry professionalism in the areas of automotive glass, collision repair, automotive recycling, and towing. With industry consolidation and technological advancement, many challenges exist for independents as they attempt to remain profitable and/or competitive. Additionally, for the automotive glass industry, once technicians have completed their
Certified Auto Glass Service: A Glass Training Standard Read More »
ICBC will run out of seven-digit driver’s license numbers (DLN) in 2023 and in preparation, ICBC expects to increase the length of driver’s license numbers from seven to eight digits by the fall of 2023. Driver’s licenses issued before this will not be changed or affected. BCID numbers will not change. The new eight-digit number
Changes Coming to Driver’s Licence Number System Read More »
As the towing and recovery industry in B.C. is experiencing a critical shortage of workers, the ARA is engaging industry leaders, government, and stakeholders in an effort to tackle some of the labour challenges and help B.C. towing industry thrive. To collect necessary data to develop labour attraction/retention funded projects, programs, and services, the ARA is
Labour Attraction Survey: Towing Industry Read More »
Photo: (L to R) Rick Francoeur, 360 Collision Centres; Nicole-Ann Poitras, Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau; MP Brad Vis and children making a donation to the toy drive; Daryl Francoeur, 360 Collision Centres When news that the Lower Mainland Christmas Bureau, the organization which brings holiday toys to thousands of underprivileged children annually, was in need
360 Collision Centres Helps Flood Affected Communities Read More »
A new online training will be available to towing and recovery industry in B.C. in early 2022. The ARA is pleased to announce Emergency Response Traffic Control Training for towing and recovery operators. On December 1, 2021, WorkSafeBC (WSBC) will be announcing important changes to Part 18: Traffic Control of the WSBC Regulations. The introduction
Emergency Response Traffic Control Training Read More »
The Automotive Retailers Association of British Columbia (ARA) is pleased to announce the launch of EVfriendly, an industry-led program, sponsored by the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Low Carbon Innovation, designed to cultivate a higher degreeof confidence in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) ownership. The program helps ensure that only trained and qualified industry professionals are selling,
British Columbia Is EV Friendly Read More »