American Car Care Centers Inc. (ACCC) and CARQUEST Auto Parts formed a new strategic marketing partnership that will be marketed by ACCC as MaxPak. The partnership waas announced Mar. 14 during a special press event in Raleigh, N.C.

During the press event, Len Lewin, CEO of ACCC, and Temple Sloan III, president and CEO of General Parts Inc., a member of the CARQUEST network, defined that the MaxPak program, which officially started Apr. 1, includes training, marketing and promotional assistance and a business and health insurance offering for ACCC dealer members.

MaxPak will consist of two primary elements: ACCC University and a range of marketing and promotion offerings.

ACCC University is a series of Web-based, self-paced training modules, including nine non-technical courses, 10 ASE test-prep courses, two tech assessment classes, two other technical courses, and more.

Marketing and promotion elements of MaxPak include 19 elements – preferred discount cards for service tech purchases at CARQUEST locations, a Carfax service link, customer satisfaction mail-back mirror hangers, Enterprise rental car program for loaner cars and Identifix online diagnostic tool access.

In addition, the program features an extensive business, life and medical insurance offering, giving member dealers a preferred group rate on medical, life, short- and long-term disability for employee benefits and complete business and personal insurance packages.

ACCC has partnered with CARQUEST for more than 10 years on national account programs to independent tire dealers, ACCC said.

“It is important for us to partner with a company that shares the same vision for our customers, and CARQUEST is that partner,” said Dave Crawford, ACCC director of marketing. “We are very pleased to be able to draw on the many resources this partnership has made available to us. We are proud to be strategically aligned with such a fine company.”

“We are proud to continue our partnership with American Car Care Centers,” Todd Sanders, CARQUEST vice president of national account development, remarked. “By expanding our relationship between the local CARQUEST Auto Parts stores and ACCC members, we are able to support a key national account customer with innovative business solutions.”

“By implementing MaxPak in addition to ACCC’s other programs and elements, ACCC members have a solid framework for success,” added Denise Rawls, program development manager at ACCC.

Orientation meetings for ACCC dealers will be held over a 90-day period starting in mid-March, as the program is rolled out by ACCC member-distributors. ACCC is picking up 50% of the annual cost for its dealers.

In addition, the program provides ACCC dealers with discounts on computer and computer supply purchases from CDW; a motorist information rack with brochures explaining various vehicle services; a dealer-specific customer newsletter allowing dealer-specific information and coupons; discounts on protective mats; covers and key tags; discount from Staples for online office supply purchases; a preferred rate from London Leasing to lease equipment; customer loyalty keytags that can allow for discounts; and a cellular phone discount program from Sprint.