TUCSON, Ariz. — The first SAM kiosks, a first-of-its-kind, drive-up diagnostic tool for cars and light trucks, will begin rolling off the assembly line in one week.
SAM, an innovation in automotive diagnostics, will debut in five key U.S. markets in February 2007. SAM kiosks were invented by Smart Automotive Management LLC and are being manufactured by Flextronics International at its Plano, Texas, facility.
Legendary race-car driver Mario Andretti is the spokesman for SAM, and the voice and image that appears on the kiosk, which gives vehicle owners instructions on when and how to use SAM.
"I have been looking forward to introducing SAM to the public," Andretti said. "I think every vehicle owner who has access to a SAM kiosk needs to try it when something on their dash board lights up, or in advance of taking their vehicle on a trip. It's an amazingly smart tool for vehicle owners."
In about 10 minutes, for $15, drivers with a 1996 or newer vehicle can connect to SAM's diagnostic scanner to identify problems with their vehicles. SAM allows drivers to see beyond the vague check-engine light to pinpoint existing and pending problems with their vehicles' engines, transmissions, safety systems, bodies, chassis and more. SAM provides consumers with the same information previously accessible only by car mechanics and dealerships.
SAM checks more 2,000 vehicle fault codes to reveal actual and pending problems, such as if a vehicle is in need of warranty work or if the manufacturer has issued technical service bulletins.
