Podcast: Talking CVTs with Transtar, part 1
CVTs, or continuously variable transmissions, have long been a hot topic in the transmission repair industry, but we can safely say they’re here to stay. So what do you do when one shows up at your shop? In this podcast, with Dave Hritsko of Transtar as featured guest, we dive in to the ins and
Road to AAPEX Ep. 4, Part 1: Shifting vehicle service gears, featuring a transmission replacement
A good project car brings people together. Driving the rare Lincoln Blackwood into Ohio Technical College (OTC) turned heads. And once Babcox Media’s Joe Keene, an ASE-certified technician, and the technicians-in-training at OTC got to pop the hood and slide under it on a creeper to get their hands in it, its service needs raised
Road to AAPEX Ep. 3: A rare Lincoln Blackwood means a hunt for rare parts
Three thousand three hundred and fifty-six. That’s how many Lincoln Blackwoods exist in the world. For comparison, the Ford F-150—the Blackwood’s inspiration—has spawned more than 40 million since its launch in 1948. Guess which one is harder to track down parts for. Babcox Media’s Joe Keene, an ASE-certified technician, has tracked down his fair share
Watch: Transmission fluid ingredients
In this video for Transtar, Andrew Markel describes the basic ingredients of transmission fluids and how they can differ based on performance and usage. Watch the video above for the details.
Watch: The functions of transmission fluid
In this video for Transtar, Andrew Markel explains the critical importance of having the right amount of transmission fluid and what can happen if you have too much or not enough. Watch the video above for the details.
Transtar launches new AC ad campaign with Vanilla Ice
Transtar has launched a new ad campaign that features musician Vanilla Ice, the “Ice Ice Baby” hitmaker, promoting its vehicle air conditioning (AC) product line. The Transtar AC product line is the organization’s first entry into non-transmission or driveline parts. “The company has grown and evolved in the past year and is more than just
Doing the little things right at Habby’s Transmissions
Habby’s Transmissions started as a radiator shop. When Warren Frie bought it in 1975 (keeping the name Habby’s from the previous owner), it took until the mid-1980s until he saw an opportunity in the transmission repair market, and transformed the business. “Then, when I was 19,” says Warren Frie Jr., the current owner, “I graduated
The Road to AAPEX Ep. 3: You won’t believe who and what you’ll see on Route 66
It’s the stuff road trips are made of: the unexpected, the interesting and even the bizarre. They’re the roadside detours that are so intriguing you can’t help but pull the car over and soak it all in. Luckily, the 33-year-old Cadillac Brougham was running well. Babcox Media’s ASE-certified technician Joe Keene fixed it up with
Transtar, Meineke announce partnership
Transtar Industries has announced a new partnership with the Meineke Dealers Purchasing Cooperative Inc. (MDPCI). Meineke is a chain of automotive repair and maintenance centers with more than 700 locations in the U.S. The MDPCI represents Meineke franchisees. Transtar says it will support Meineke with its product portfolio and nationwide distribution network. “Partnering with the
Transtar partners with Christian Brothers Automotive
Transtar Industries has partnered with Christian Brothers Automotive, a national chain of vehicle repair shops, as a preferred provider of products. Transtar says it will support this partnership with its expansive product portfolio and nationwide distribution network. “We are proud to support Christian Brothers with our complete transmission units, drivetrain components, air conditioning, fluid and
Transtar sells Nickels Performance
Transtar Holding Co. announced the sale of its Nickels Performance business unit to Summit Racing Equipment. Summit Racing, headquartered in Tallmadge, Ohio, is a retailer of performance and replacement automotive parts and accessories. According to the companies, this represents better market alignment for the Nickels brand, which distributes high-performance racing parts.
Podcast: Transtar’s Neil Sethi on the parallels between his medical study and the aftermarket business
During his recent AMN Drivetime podcast interview with Babcox Media CEO Bill Babcox, Neil Sethi, president and CEO of Transtar, shares his fascinating journey from studying biology and medicine as an undergrad to shifting gears and finishing with an MBA focused on finance. Throughout this journey, which continues today in his role at Transtar, some key
