February 18, 2026 Newsletter
Club Study Spotlight & February Xchange Group Schedule
As service, aftersales, and warranty leaders balance operational pressure with rising complexity, MAPconnected continues to provide focused forums for practical dialogue and informed decision-making. This week, we’re highlighting our upcoming Spring Club Study, sharing a final opportunity to join this week’s Xchange Groups, and outlining the February–March Xchange Group calendar.
Featured Event: Spring Club Study
June 17–18 | Hosted by Mitsubishi Logisnext | Houston, TX
Our 4th Annual Spring Club Study will be hosted at Mitsubishi Logisnext’s new Customer Experience Center in Houston, bringing together senior leaders for immersive, working-level discussions combined with real-world operational exposure.
Program highlights include:
- Facilitated executive working sessions
- Assembly & technical training tours
- Warranty failure analysis
- Hosted networking dinner
- Integrated sessions with the AI-SWLM Think Tank
Key focus areas:
- Improving accuracy and consistency in manual claim assessment
- Strengthening diagnostic quality to prevent downstream issues
- Identifying practical, high-impact AI use cases from repair to claim
Experience the Value of a Small, Focused Peer Group
See why past attendees found the Bridgestone 2025 Club Study so impactful—watch the video to hear first-hand how small, niche group discussions deliver deeper benchmarking, actionable insights, and practical takeaways.
Still Time to Join: Xchange Groups — February 19
There is still an opportunity to join two Xchange Group sessions happening February 19, bringing together peers for timely, issue-driven discussion:
Recall, Customer Campaigns & Legal Xchange Group
Over-the-Air (OTA) Updates & Regulatory Management | Meetup #1 | 11am-12pm ET | 60-min Virtual
This session explores how OEM leaders manage OTA software updates—balancing defect identification, safety assessment, customer communication, and regulatory engagement.
Discussion topics include:
- Determining when an OTA issue constitutes a defect
- Safety assessment approaches and supplier testing protocols
- Internal and external communication strategies
- When and how to engage NHTSA and other regulators
Facilitator: Varun Jain, Of Counsel, K&L Gates
Financial Products & Insurance Xchange Group
Program Structure & Risk Architecture | Meetup #1 | 3pm-4:15pm ET | 75-min Virtual
This peer benchmarking session examines how OEMs and dealers design and govern risk across warranties, extended service contracts, and traditional insurance programs.
Focus areas include:
- Risk ownership and allocation models
- Governance and oversight structures
- Capital and reserve strategies
- Portfolio integration and dealer alignment
Facilitator: Jimmy Bynum, CEO, Garde Solutions
Upcoming Xchange Group Calendar
Additional February and March Xchange Group sessions include:
February 24
- Parts Return & Quality Analysis Xchange Group
Parts Return Strategy & Cost Optimization - TAC Technical Assistance Centers Xchange Group
TAC Strategy & Technology Enablement
February 26
- Warranty Administration Xchange Group
Managing The Impact Of New State Laws on Warranty Reimbursement Processes
March 24
- Purchasing & Supplier Cost Sharing Xchange Group
Reducing Supplier Administrative Burden
See the MAPconnected Community in Action
Our Year in Review video captures how members engage throughout the year—across Xchange Groups, Spring Club Study, and the Leadership Summit—to inform strategy, reduce risk, and improve execution.
Why Membership Matters
MAPconnected membership supports year-round engagement and collaboration:
- Xchange Groups: Three virtual facilitated sessions + one in-person working session
- Club Study Access: June immersive program at Mitsubishi Logisnext
- Members Hub & Marketplace: Ongoing discussion, resources, and partner access
- Exclusive Events: AI-SWLM Think Tank and unlimited virtual programs
Pay as you go ($295 per Xchange Group facilitated event) or upgrade to a year-long membership for unlimited participation and free Service & Warranty Lifecycle tickets.
| I’m happy to answer any questions as you consider which membership is the best fit for your organization. Email me at info@mapconnected.com or fill out an online form. |
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