AASP-MN Reflects on Successful Year in 2013 The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) recently took stock of its efforts during 2013 and declared the year a resounding success. The Association can claim significant accomplishments in each of its four main areas of work: legislative and regulatory advocacy, education and training, member savings and information and networking. As a result, AASP-MN was rewarded with membership growth of over 6.5% for the year, fueled by an impressive 94% retention of existing members. AASP-MN started the year strong with three legislative victories: changing the point of imposition of
sales tax on auto repair paint and materials from the wholesale to the retail level, changing the definition of a “high-value vehicle” for salvage title purposes from $5,000 to $9,000 and warding off a proposal to expand sales tax to automotive repair labor. In the regulatory arena, the Association filed a formal Complaint with the Minnesota Department of Commerce requesting administrative action to prevent State Farm from mandating the use of the PartsTrader parts procurement platform. The status of that complaint is still pending. On the training front, during the course of the year over 540 industry See AASP-MN Reflects, Page 17
Axalta Racing Paint Scheme Wows Fans in Charlotte, NC, Fans Treated to Brilliant Flames for Charity
SS race car, driven by fourtime NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Jeff Gordon, last week at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, NC. When the cover was removed, there were gasps, claps and even an “awesome” could be heard from the crowd. Motorsports announcer, Winston Kelley moderated a panel discussion comprised Rick Hendrick, Jeff Gordon, and Nigel Budden pictured of race car driver Jeff Gorwith No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet SS don; VP Axalta Coating SysAxalta Coating Systems officially untems and Head of North American veiled the 2014 Brilliant Flames paint Business Nigel Budden; and Henscheme on the No. 24 Axalta Chevrolet See Axalta Racing, Page 34
VOL. 3 ISSUE 6 MARCH 2014
Perry, FL, Dealership Shot Up by Long-Term Employee, Sheriff’s Deputy Still in Serious Condition
Earl Edward Clauge, Jr., 51, an employee of Timberland Ford in Perry, FL, crashed a vehicle into the front of the dealership, exited the vehicle, and began shooting, at about 10:30 AM Wednesday, February 5. Taylor County Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Lundy was in the dealership having his car serviced when Clauge smashed through the glass in his black Nissan truck. On Wednesday, Clague had called in sick, but showed up a short time later, when he crashed through the front window with his truck and opened fire. An employee of the store ran to get Lundy, who was having his patrol car fixed in the service center. Lundy responded by firing his service weapon and Clauge was killed by Lundy’s action, but not before Clauge hit Lundy with a shotgun blast. Clauge also shot two other employees, said Gretl Plessinger with the Florida
Department of Law Enforcement. Two civilians were shot and are recovering at local hospitals while three additional victims suffered minor injuries. In addition to the Remington 12gauge semi-automatic shotgun he shot Robert Lundy and two other employees with, Clague had another fully loaded pump-action shotgun in his truck as well as a fully loaded rifle. Additional ammo was found on his person and in his truck. FDLE spokeswoman Plesinger said: “The shooter has been confirmed as 51-year-old Earl Edward Clague, Jr. We know that he’s from Taylor County, and he was a current employee of the dealership. We don’t have a motive yet.” Clague had worked for the dealership off and on for the past 15 to 20 years. “While we don’t know his motive, we feel confident that his intent was to shoot and hurt as many people as possible,” said Don Ladner, Florida DeSee Dealership Shooting, Page 31
Midwest Auto Body Trade Show is March 20 in Altoona, IA
The Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA) sponsored Midwest Auto Body Trade Show convenes for its 4th year on March 20 at the Prairie Meadows Event Complex in Altoona, Iowa. Organizers have assembled a wealth of new resources focused on the future of the collision repair industry. In addition to 60+ booths, attendees will get the latest on all the industry’s hot topics from an impressive speaker list—including Iowa State Senator Brad Zaun. Topics include exciting info on the new aluminum Ford F-150 with information fresh from Ford Motor Company along with profit centers, aluminum welding, insurer mandate updates, IT best practices and more. A wealth of training programs & vendor exhibits make this year’s show a must-go for anyone in the industry: 8:30-11:30 am – ICAR’s New Technology for 2014 Makes & Models Instructor Scott Schuerman
12:00- 1:30 pm – “There is No Free Lunch” Industry Luncheon ($30) Iowa Sen. Brad Zaun and ICRA Lobbyist Scott Weiser: “Update on Insurer Mandates” NuGen IT’s Pete Tagliapietra: “Information Technology & the Future of Collision Repair” 2:00 – 7:00 pm - Trade Show Feat. 60+ Vendor Booths plus free “Training in the Round” Ford’s Video Introduction To Aluminum F-150 Pickup Truck Parts Procurement Training Social Media Training New Revenue Stream – Wire Repair vs. Replacement The Prairie Meadows is offering attendees a special discount on accommodations until March 10th: Mention code 031920141W when booking your reservation. More information about the show is available on the ICRA website. For more information go to: http://www.iowacra.com.
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