March 2020 Midwest Edition by Autobody News

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With Auto Rate Relief Promised, Michigan Gives New Scrutiny to Insurers by Jonathan Oosting

who choose to buy policies with limited medical benefits. To help ensure that happens, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is contracting with six independent firms to review underlying risk assumptions insurers use to set their rates, director Anita Fox told reporters in a media roundtable. “It’s a big change for all of us after more than 40 years of the old system,” Fox said of the new law, which will prohibit insurers from selling policies without prior apSee New Scrutiny, Page 12

PF3 Paint Supply Opens Michigan’s First Independent Training Center by Ed Attanasio

There are a lot of body shops and product jobbers, as well as paint and equipment manufacturers all over the country that like the idea of using their facilities to provide things such as training, I-CAR classes, insurance agent continuing education, trade organization meetings and other industry events. It’s a potentially smart business move, because it brings a wide range of different industry people into your building. But it does involve a significant investment in both time and

money and that’s why some companies balk. In this case, Paul Fus, the owner of PF3 Paint Supply with three stores in Wixom, Grand Rapids and Detroit Mi decided that the value of establishing a 4,000 sq. ft. state-ofthe-art training center outweighed the costs. PF3 is a full-line distributor of paint and related products for the automotive, commercial fleet, and industrial markets serving more than 400 body shops. As an official distributor for Akzo Nobel and Valspar DeBeers

AUTOBODYNEWS.COM Vol. 9 / Issue 6 / March 2020

Detroit-Hamtramck to be GM’s First Assembly Plant 100 Percent Devoted to Electric Vehicles General Motors’ vision of an all-electric future is coming into clearer focus and gaining momentum with a $2.2 billion investment at its Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant to produce a variety of all-electric trucks and SUVs. GM’s first all-electric truck will be a pickup with production scheduled to begin in late 2021. This will be followed soon after by the Cruise Origin, a shared, electric, self-driving vehicle unveiled by Cruise in San Francisco last week. Detroit-Ham-

tramck will be GM’s first fully-dedicated electric vehicle assembly plant. “Through this investment, GM is taking a big step forward in making our vision of an all-electric future a reality,” said Mark Reuss, GM president, during a press event at the plant with Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other local and state officials. “Our electric pickup will be the first of multiple electric truck variants we will build at DeSee Detroit-Hamtramck, Page 18

CIC Subcommittees Offer Competing Suggestions on How to Deal With “Opt-OE” Parts by John Yoswick

Heated exchanges that erupted during the “Parts and Materials Committee” presentation at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas in November sounded “exactly what committee meetings feel like,” Aaron Schulenburg, committee co-chairman joked, and demonstrated, according to

See PF3 Paint Supply, Page 24

Ken Weiss said six definition labels his subcommittee defined help make clear the nuances among part types. Credit: John Yoswick

PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA

PAID

Change Service Requested P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE Midwest_Issue_0320.indd 1

38 YEARS

co-chairman Ken Weiss, “why we ended up with two subcommittees.” The committee about a year ago inherited from another CIC committee the task of trying to resolve the is-

sue of a variety of types of parts being listed as “opt-OE” on parts platforms or estimates. Weiss and Schulenburg said the committee had been so polarized on the issue that they decided to break into two “more like-minded” work groups to each form a proposal on how to most clearly describe parts available in the marketplace for those making parts decisions. Weiss said his work group came up with six different categories of new parts that differentiate, for example, an “OEM dealer” part from the exact same part sold in the same packaging but outside the automaker’s dealer network (described by his sub-committee as an “OEM non-dealer” part). Two other of the six categories would differentiate a certified non-OEM part from one that is not certified. In between were two other categories for parts produced by the same manufacturers that produce the same parts for the vehicle manufacturer; Weiss’ subcommittee dubbed those as “Tier 1 OEM” parts if they bore the same branding as the See “Opt-OE” Parts, Page 22

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CONTENTS That’s It! He’s Had it! Part 2 ��36

Brandon Honda wins DealerRater’s 2020 Award ��22 Detroit-Hamtramck to be GM’s First Assembly Plant 100 Percent Devoted to Electric Vehicles ��18 Jefferson City, MO, Auto Body Shop Owner Sues Over 2019 Explosion ��16 LaFontaine Automotive Group Installs Largest Solar Array For a Dealership in the Midwest ��16 Lordstown Motors Planning to Use $200 Million Federal Grant to Help With Production ��20 Matt’s Automotive Opens New State-of-the-Art Building in North Moorhead ��14 Michigan Opens Door for Tesla Service

NATIONAL Amazon’s First-Ever Electric-Powered Delivery Fleet Set for 2021 Launch ��50 ASE Announces New Officers for 2020 ��18 ATMC Announces New Officers for 2020 ��3

Non-Azide Inflators ��50 CIC Subcommittees Offer Competing Suggestions on How to Deal With “Opt-OE” Parts ��1 CREF Invites Dealers to Become Part of the Solution with New Initiative ��48 Dave Luehr’s Next FREE Elite Webinar Series: “CCC ONE Estimating Features

Prohibits Dealerships ��10

& Tips,” with Jason Kitchen of CCC ��46

Meeting of 2020 ��6 Toyota Indiana Completes $1.3 Billion Modernization Project; Includes 550 New Jobs ��15 Twin Cities Auto Show Announces Plans for First Ever National Truck Summit ��8 With Auto Rate Relief Promised, Michigan Gives New Scrutiny to Insurers ��12

Father and Son Win Maaco Cup Award ��15 FHD Repair Forum March 24th-25th Details ��10 From Prison to Collision: The Jabari Hayes Story ��40 Leading the Ethical Revolution in the

Anderson - Few Collision Repairers Are Separating Out Scanning Time Versus Diagnostic Time ��38 Anderson - Understanding and Performing Required Test Drive Procedures Isn’t an Option ��26 Attanasio - Automotive Artwork Adds Class to Your Waiting Room ��30 Ledoux - The 1980’s – The Evolution of the “Patch Panel” ��42

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli, Gary Ledoux Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano, Kelly Hall (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Digital Marketing Manager: Bill Pierce Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Vicki Sitarz Accounting Manager: Heather Priddy Editorial/Sales Assistant: Randi Scholtes Office Assistant: Dianne Pray

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2020 Adamantine Media LLC.

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 48

Lusid-General �� 19

AutoNation Collision Parts �� 11

Malco �� 14

Axalta Coating Systems �� 15

Matrix Automotive Finishes �� 5

BASF Corporation �� 13

McGrath City Hyundai �� 44

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 51

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 50

Bob Hook Chevrolet �� 30

MontiPower Americas, Inc. �� 18

Car-O-Liner �� 23

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers ��32-33

CARSTAR �� 17

Morrison’s Auto Parts �� 22

Certified Automotive Parts Association �� 16

Motor Guard Corporation �� 6

Autobody News P.O. Box 1516 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

Collision Repair Industry ��34

Classic Chevrolet �� 43

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 50

More Bad News at Nissan ��52

Classifieds �� 54

Patrick BMW MINI �� 38

Courtesy Subaru �� 41

Patrick Hyundai �� 34

Eckler’s Automotive �� 35

PPG Refinish �� 9

ECS Automotive Concepts �� 31

Richfield-Bloomington Honda �� 36

Equalizer Industries, Inc. �� 24

SATA Dan-Am Company �� 7

Gandrud Parts Center �� 21

Sears Imported Autos, Inc �� 26

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 49

Shaheen Chevrolet Parts Warehouse �� 40

Hawkinson Kia �� 10

Spanesi Americas �� 20

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers ��28-29

Steck Manufacturing Company �� 8

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 46

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 52

Infiniti of Naperville �� 44

Sunmight USA Corporation �� 25

Innovative Tools & Technologies, Inc �� 37

Symach �� 12

Program Outfitted With Volvo’s Advanced

Kelly BMW �� 42

The Porsche Exchange �� 10

and Electrified Vehicles ��51

Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 53

The Sharpe Collection of Automobiles �� 47

Launch Tech USA �� 55

VanDevere Chevrolet �� 39

Laurel Auto Group of Westmont �� 45

VanDevere Kia �� 39

LKQ Corporation �� 2

Zimmer Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram �� 56

PF3 Paint Supply Opens Michigan’s First Independent Training Center ��1 Rivian’s Partnership with Ford will Bring

COLUMNISTS

Jim Goepfrich, industry advocacy and development manager, DRIVE, serves as past chair. Joining the board of directors for a three-year term are: Michael Williams from Daimler Trucks North America, Rick Hill from FCA and Chris Chartron from Toyota Motor Sales. Other directors include Colin Duncan from Great Dane and Rob Morrell from WORLDPAC. Transitioning off the board after valued service are Ron Kato from Toyota Motor Sales and Jim Boyd from Southeastern Freight Lines.

Audi Recalls Vehicles Equipped with Takata

Centers and Showrooms but Still

St. Louis I-CAR Committee Holds First

The ASE Training Managers Council (ATMC) has announced the new officers and members for its 2020 board of directors. The new chair is Laura Lyons, president and CEO, ATech Training; vice chair is Glenn Dahl, manager–technical development, Bridgestone Retail Operations; treasurer is Josh McFarlin, vice president of strategic business operations, AirPro Diagnostics and secretary is Tim Zilke, president and CEO, National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

REGIONAL

ATMC Announces New Officers for 2020

Lincoln its First Luxury Electric Vehicle ��4 RM Sotheby’s Will Offer Single-Owner Collection of 230 Cars ��6 Tesla’s Focus on Batteries is Being Proven Right, and Other Carmakers are Paying the Price ��4 Universal Technical Institute’s Core Automotive

WIN Opens Registration for 2020 WIN Educational Conference ��24

Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru �� 27 autobodynews.com / MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

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Rivian’s Partnership with Ford will Bring Lincoln its First Luxury Electric Vehicle by Joey Klender

Rivian has teamed up with Ford to develop and produce an electric vehicle for Lincoln: Ford’s luxury brand that has produced comfortable and stylish sedans and SUVs since 1917.

Rivian R1T in Blue. CREDIT: Revian

The vehicle will be Lincoln’s first attempt at an all-electric car, but not its first attempt at battery-operation in its vehicles. Lincoln has manufactured two plug-in hybrid SUVs in the past and is aiming to take on a project that would create a vehicle that would not operate on petrol-based products.

The vehicle will be manufactured on Rivian’s “skateboard” platform that is comprised of the Lithium-ion batteries being packed in the car’s floor. Rivian will produce the skateboard design at its plant in Normal, Illinois. However, neither company would confirm if the Lincoln EV would be produced in a Rivian or Ford factory. Ford has broken into the electric car market by producing a number of its own battery electric vehicles (BEV). The company stated in March 2018 that it would be creating 16 electric vehicles and 40 electrified vehicles by the end of 2022. After unveiling its F-150 EV in July and the Mach-E in November, Ford seemed to be transitioning its product line toward more sustainable options. However, the company decided to put a hefty $500 million investment into Rivian. When Ford joined forces

with the Plymouth, Michigan-based electric car maker, they stated the companies would work jointly to produce an electric car. Rivian CEO RJ

Scaringe stated the partnership would help move the world toward environmentally-friendly modes of transportation. “This strategic partnership marks another key milestone in our drive to accelerate the transition to sustainable mobility. Ford has a long-standing commitment to sustainability, with Bill Ford being one of the industry’s earliest advocates, and we are excited to use our technology to get more electric vehicles on the road,” Scaringe said in a company press release. Ford is not the only large company to inject a large sum of money into Rivian’s future plans to produce sustainable electric cars. Amazon decided to contribute with a $700 million investment into the company,

along with the purchase of 100,000 electric vans that will eventually deliver the company’s packages. In the company’s most recent investment round, Rivian rallied a total of $1.3 billion in total investments. The partnership between Ford and Rivi-

an will do what RJ Scaringe intends it to do: accelerate the transition to sustainable forms of transportation. While Tesla continues to hold a sizeable lead in the electric vehicle sector on the heels of its Q4 2019 earnings call, Rivian seems to be gaining some momentum through the support of some of the world’s biggest companies. We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.

Tesla’s Focus on Batteries is Being Proven Right, and Other Carmakers are Paying the Price by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati

As more and more automakers begin the transition to electric vehicles, it is becoming increasingly apparent that Tesla’s intense focus on batteries was right all along. Tesla’s strategies have always been criticized and examined under a microscope, and the company’s decision to build Giga Nevada, a facility dedicated to battery production for the Model 3, was no exception. But as veteran automakers like Jaguar and Mercedes-Benz are now finding out, investing tons of effort and resources on batteries matters a lot. Tesla is among the industry’s most vertically-integrated companies. Similar to Apple’s consumer electronics and SpaceX’s rockets, most of what goes inside a Tesla electric car is designed and built in-house. Tesla is so serious about this; the company actually made its own seats. The same is true for the electronics that goes inside every Tesla. They are so different and superior to off-the-shelf components that teardown expert Sandy Munro compared them to the electronics of

a literal fighter jet. A lot of Tesla’s resources are dedicated to its battery improvements. Teslas stand tall among their rivals in the EV marketplace today primarily due to their efficiency and range, and this is made possible by the company’s battery tech. The company is not showing any signs of stopping too. Tesla has acquired several companies that could further improve its batteries, such as Maxwell Technologies and Hibar Systems. The electric car maker is even looking to produce its own batteries, with reports indicating that work is already underway to develop custom cells for Tesla’s next generation of vehicles and products. It’s a difficult pill to swallow, but veteran automakers have reached a point where they must honestly admit that when it comes to batteries, Tesla has a notable lead. The very representation for this idea is the Porsche Taycan, an otherwise excellent high-performance electric vehicle whose ~200-mile EPA range is an Achilles Heel. Porsche, similar to other EV makers, opted for off-theshelf batteries for the Taycan, and it

shows. The car performs beautifully, and it’s arguably the only EV that can beat a Model S fair and square in a race, but it simply does not have the range or the efficiency to beat Tesla’s flagship sedan on all metrics. It’s not just about the battery tech and specific cell chemistries either. Over the years, Tesla also had the foresight to secure ample battery supply for its vehicles and products. From Panasonic, which has been Tesla’s partner since its early days, to CATL, which is the company’s partner for Giga Shanghai, the electric car maker has made careful preparations to ensure that its vehicles and products will always have enough batteries. Other EV makers are not as fortunate. This is one of the reasons why the Jaguar I-PACE, one of the most decorated vehicles in modern auto history, actually stopped production for a week. Just like the Taycan, the I-PACE is actually a pretty decent EV, with its plush interior and aggressive exterior. But behind the I-PACE’s looks lies off-the-shelf batteries that are also used by other companies. This meant that when LG

Chem could not supply enough cells for the vehicle, Jaguar had no choice but to stop the vehicle’s production temporarily. The Mercedes-Benz EQC is in the same boat. Once deemed as a potential “Tesla Killer,” the EQC’s production target for 2020 was halved by the German automaker from 60,000 vehicles to just 30,000 units. The reason was something that is pretty familiar: Daimler just could not secure enough batteries. Even companies like Dyson and Aston Martin, both of which had plans to make EVs, eventually suspended their efforts to enter the electric car market. Tesla is not a perfect company by any means. CEO Elon Musk would be the first to admit that the company has made many mistakes over the years. But for all its delays and production issues, there is very little that can be criticized about Tesla when it comes to its batteries and the company’s foresight in improving them and securing their supply for years to come. We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.

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RM Sotheby’s Will Offer Single-Owner Collection of 230 Cars

cles, a wooden boat, collectibles and more, the auction house said in its Editor’s note: On January 18, the announcement. “The quality of the cars and the South Bend (Indiana) Tribute reported that the “Elkhart Collection” com- way that the Elkhart Collection has prises cars owned by Najeeb Khan, been maintained and looked after is former owner of Interlogic Outsourc- incredible,” Gord Duff, global head ing Inc., who was accused of fraud of auctions for RM Sotheby’s, was and is involved in multiple lawsuits quoted in the news release. “The as a result. His car collection is being building that they’ve been housed in is much more than a storage facility sold to pay his creditors. and has been designed specifically for the care of collector cars. “More than ever, it’s true to say that there is quite literally something for anyone in the collector car hobby within this group of cars, from microcars, to classics, ‘50s and ‘60s sports cars, the modern era, and beyond,” he added. Some of the 230 cars going to auction May 1-2 in “If there’s something you Elkhart, IN, from a single collection Credit: RM Sotheby’s like, you’ll likely find it in As it readied for its annual Ar- the Elkhart Collection. izona auction of collector cars, RM “These cars are all great exSotheby’s announced it will stage amples of their kind, meticulously a 230-car single-collection auction chosen for the collection, and we’re May 1-2 at Elkhart, Indiana. The excited to bring them to market aldocket also will include 30 motorcy- most entirely without reserve for an by: Larry Edsall, The Classic Cars Journal

auction the entire hobby can enjoy.” While not revealing the consignor, or perhaps the estate involved, RM Sotheby’s said the docket will include

owned by General Motors designer Henry Lauve, a 1969 Lamborghini Miura upgraded to SV specification, a 1964 Aston Martin DB5 upgraded

“The quality of the cars and the way that the Elkhart Collection has been maintained and looked after is incredible.” — Gord Duff

trucks and trailers and that nearly all of the cars, motorcycles and automobilia will be offered at no reserve. “The culmination of decades of careful and targeted collecting of some of the finest motorcars by a single owner, the Elkhart Collection comprises some of the most exceptional marques and models in automotive history,” the auction house said. “The focus is at once broad yet highly selective, from sporting British and Italian cars to microcars, classics, supercars, modern sports cars, 1950s convertibles and coachbuilt icons.” Although it has yet to reveal the complete docket, RM Sotheby’s said the vehicles will include a 1953 Fiat 8V Supersonic by Ghia formerly

to Vantage spec, and a 1963 Jaguar E-type lightweight continuation car. Also, a 1968 Iso Grifo GL Series I upgraded to 7-liter spec and a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S. However, it added, the docket will include vehicles valued from $10,000. “Additional cars on offer range from a London-to-Brighton veteran and still-eligible 1903 Clement 12/16 HP Rear-Entrance Tonneau, to the Classic Era beauty of a genuine factory-supercharged 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged ‘Sportsman’ Cabriolet, and the unmistakable tailfins of a Hampton Green 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz,” the auction house said. We thank The Classic Cars Journal for reprint permission.

St. Louis I-CAR Committee Holds First Meeting of 2020 by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Jan. 9, the St. Louis I-CAR Committee hosted its first meeting of 2020 in Room 211 of the Rodenheiser Automotive Building at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO. According to Shelly Jones, chair of the St. Louis I-CAR Committee, “We had 26 people attend from 16 companies and schools. It was a tremendous turnout.” During the meeting, Robbie Saladino, principal of business development for I-CAR’s southcentral region, discussed changes made to I-CAR classes and explained how to navigate I-CAR’s new website. Next, Gene Slattery, education coordinator for the St. Louis I-CAR Committee, shared information about the 2020 St. Louis I-CAR Job Fair, scheduled for Oct. 2 at World Wide Technology Raceway. Information packets for the 2020 Job Fair can be obtained by emailing Gene@automotivetechnology.com. Jones shared, “During the meeting, committee members signed up to be a liaison to the schools attending the job fair. We anticipate 14

schools, with 900 automotive and collision program students, to attend again this year.”

St. Louis I-CAR Committee Chair Shelly Jones leads the group’s meeting on Jan. 9. Credit: St. Louis I-CAR Committee

The St. Louis I-CAR Committee is also excited to announce that partners who register online and pay for their table by May 1 will receive a $100 discount. Registration is available at https://icarstlouis.weebly .com/. The St. Louis I-CAR Committee will meet on March 12 in the Rodenheiser Automotive building at Ranken Technical College. Jones stated, “All are welcome to join us for meetings and on the job fair planning committee.” For more information, visit facebook.com/ICARSt LouisCommittee.

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Twin Cities Auto Show Announces Plans for First Ever National Truck Summit The Twin Cities Auto Show, Minnesota’s largest annual trade show, announced today plans for a first-of-itskind, annual National Truck Summit that will take place on Friday , March 6, prior to the opening of the annual Twin Cities Auto Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. Minnesota leads the nation in truck sales, making it a perfect place to hold the event. Each year, the Twin Cities Auto Show serves as a gate-

of power, style and luxurious interiors that have raised the bar of what people expect from a truck. When you think of a pickup truck, construction workers or farmers might come to mind, but RAM has broadened its base by offering amenities and technologies that make its trucks more than capable of being everyday vehicles that can take the place of a utility vehicle or car. Nagode has been a critical piece in the transformation of RAM inte-

“This purpose of this event is to show the capabilities of today’s trucks and to show how future trends will continue to keep these relevant in the marketplace,” — Matt Weiss way for light truck and SUV sales in the Upper Midwest. The Minnesota light truck/SUV market is over 82 percent of all vehicles sold, while nationally sales are just 69 percent of all vehicles sold. Crossovers, SUV’s and light trucks clearly dominate U.S. vehicle sales, to the point where companies like Ford are phasing out sedans. Light truck retail sales in the US in 2019 increased to 12.2 million units, the highest level on record. The National Truck Summit will feature industry leaders from a variety of truck manufacturers including keynote speaker Ryan Nagode from RAM. The panel will also feature Jay Sackett from Toyota, Tim Stoehr, Ford North America Product Line Manager for Trucks and Matt Weiss from JATO Dynamics. Nagode was named Chief Designer, RAM Truck/Commercial/Performance - Interior Studios in January 2017. He is responsible for developing a cohesive and consistent interior design language that is representative of each brand and its heritage. Since first joining the company in 2003 as a Product Designer, he has been involved with numerous vehicles and has held a series of positions of increasing responsibility. RAM has been able to make an impact in the pickup market with a mix

riors. The plush interiors are a key differentiator that helped Ram surpass the Chevrolet Silverado in sales for the first time in 2019. While Ram wasn’t first with a true luxury pickup interior – that honor belongs to King Ranch editions of the Ford F-series pickup – Nagode’s team has raised the stakes for all competitors in the segment. Matt Weiss from JATO Dynamics will be at the summit to share information and lead a panel discussion about everything from the potential for Amazon to enter the vehicle marketplace to people, companies like Tesla creating new brands to sell light trucks, to the impact driverless and electrified vehicle development could have on light trucks and its thriving marketplace. “An event of this type is long overdue,” said Weiss. “Light trucks and SUV’s are becoming looked upon as luxury vehicles for the amenities they have.” “The truck market doesn’t have one particular niche,” said Weiss. “These evolving vehicles are being sold to people from all walks of life. To have an opportunity to showcase all of the things trucks and SUV’s are capable of now and in the future is important to further raise awareness of this key part of our economy.”

Sackett is an Executive Program Manager at the Toyota Technical Center. He has more than 25 years of experience with Toyota in several roles including vehicle performance development. “This purpose of this event is to show the capabilities of today’s trucks and to show how future trends will continue to keep these relevant in the marketplace,” said Weiss. “Having this event in a hotbed for truck sales is very fitting and I look forward to being at this event prior to the Auto Show.” National Truck Summit At-A-Glance: What: National Truck Summit Who: Ryan Nagode; RAM, Jay Sackett; Toyota, Tim Stoehr; Ford North America Product Line Manager for Trucks, Matt Weiss; JATO Dynamics When: Friday March 6th, 2020. Where: Ballroom of the Minneapolis Convention Center Why: Go to http://www.National TruckSummit.com Promotional Partner: Automotive News Attention Editors & Reporters – a

limited number of travel reimbursement packages covering expenses to cover National Truck Summit are available to eligible media outlets. Media inquires should be submitted direct to National Truck Summit publicist Robb Leer robbl@ leercommunication.com or call 612701-0608. Deadline to confirm travel will be February 20th. About the Auto Show Truck Summit: The Twin Cities Auto Show Truck Summit will take place March 6th, 2020, prior to the opening of the Twin Cities Auto Show at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The Summit will be presented in a fireside chat format featuring manufacturers and new truck products. A luncheon hosted by Automotive News Publisher Jason Stein, will include a data reveal and demonstrations of truck capabilities. For more information please visit http://www.NationalTruckSummit. com or go to http://twincitiesauto show.com/show-features/national -truck-summit.

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Michigan Opens Door for Tesla Service Centers and Showrooms but Still Prohibits Dealerships by Bruce Walker

An agreement between government officials and Tesla will allow Michigan consumers to purchase the automaker’s products as well as permit manufacturer authorized service of those vehicles in the state. However, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel held firm in denying Tesla the right to legally own and operate dealerships in Michigan. Tesla filed suit against the state of Michigan in 2016, claiming the state’s 2014 amendment to the automobile dealer law was unconstitutional. That amendment denied the procurement of a Class A sales license to car companies that, in other words, prohibited automotive manufacturers from owning and operating their own dealerships. The amendment thereby requires automakers to conduct vehicle sales with franchise retailers. The agreement stipulates that Tesla may operate “one or more galleries in the State to educate cus-

tomers and facilitate transactions out-of-state so long as Tesla does not transfer legal title to the vehicles within the State….” The agreement outlines the galleries’ “permissible activities” “include (but are not limited to) conducting demonstration drives;

discussing prices, service, financing, leasing, and trade-ins with potential customers; helping potential customers configure a vehicle; facilitating ordering and purchase of a vehicle for which the legal title transfers out-of-state; and facilitating customer transaction paperwork for a sale for which legal title trans-

FHD Repair Forum March 24th-25th Details The HD Repair Forum announced the release of its’ educational programand agenda (www. hdrepairforum.com/agenda) for this years’ installment of the only event dedicated to the heavy-duty collision repair market. The two-day event is filled with a fast-paced agenda, with speakers from industry leading companies and individuals driving change in the industry. Some of the topics include: • Frame, Cab, and Trailer Repair • Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Scanning, and Diagnostics • Business Strategy and Employee Relations • Steering, braking, and other key repair knowledge The speakers and content for this program are a derivative of the work, input, and direction of the HD Repair Forum Advisory board www.hdrepairforum. com/advisory-board.

fers out-of-state….” According to a statement from Kelly Rossman-McKinney, a spokeswoman for the attorney general: “Today the state of Michigan defendants Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a stipulation to dismiss with Tesla that recognizes that any Michigan resident may lawfully buy a Tesla and have it serviced in Michigan.” Rossman-McKinney continued: “The stipulation acknowledges that Tesla may: operate under existing Michigan law; sell cars to Michigan customers as long as the sales contract indicates the sale took place in a state other than Michigan; and, indirectly own service and repair facilities in Michigan through a subsidiary, Tesla Michigan.” Daniel Crane, a professor of law who teaches contracts, antitrust and intellectual property, and legislation and regulation

at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, told The Center Square he considers the retention of the no-dealership regulation “annoying,” but says the agreement poses “no great inconvenience” to potential Tesla customers in Michigan. “Tesla was never a custom operation to begin with,” Crane said. “Although there’s no good reason to prohibit the company from owning and operating its own dealerships, customers can still visit galleries for test drives and product information.” He continued: “The only difference is the product cannot be driven off a showroom floor on the day of the purchase. Instead, buyers can have their new vehicles delivered to their homes and offices.” More important, said Crane: “Tesla can now open service centers in Michigan whereas Tesla owners requiring maintenance were forced previously to have those services performed out-of-state.” We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.

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10 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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With Auto Rate Relief Promised, Michigan Gives New Scrutiny to Insurers by Jonathan Oosting

Michigan is giving new scrutiny to auto insurance rates, beefing up anti-fraud investigations and mounting a public education campaign in an effort to help drivers realize savings promised in a new law that takes effect this summer, a top state official said Wednesday. No-fault auto reforms pushed by the Republican-led Legislature and signed by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will require insurers to reduce personal injury projection premiums for consumers who choose to buy policies with limited medical benefits. To help ensure that happens, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services is contracting with six independent firms to review underlying risk assumptions insurers use to set their rates, director Anita Fox told reporters in a media roundtable. “It’s a big change for all of us after more than 40 years of the old system,” Fox said of the new law, which will prohibit insurers from selling policies without prior approval from the state. “We want to make sure that the new rates comply with the law.” Michigan had been a “file and use” state, allowing insurers to sell policies immediately upon submitting paperwork to the department. They were still subject to subsequent review, but the state had only one actuary to assess policies offered by more than 100 insurers. It was “more of a spot check to make sure the ducks were in a row,” Fox said of the old system. Insurers are required to offer new policy choices to consumers by July 1, and with that date fast approaching, several companies have already filed proposed policies with the state. “Nothing has been approved or completely rejected right now, but there certainly have been objections,” Fox said, telling reporters the department has already told some insurers to revise policies that did not fully comply with new requirements. Michigan auto insurance rates have routinely ranked among the highest in the nation. Reformers

claim that’s largely because the state had long required unlimited lifetime medical benefits for catastrophic crash victims. The new law instead gives motorists a choice to purchase policies with as little as $250,000 in medical coverage or opt out entirely if they have Medicare health insurance. In exchange for that flexibility, insurers will be required to roll back average personal injury protection premiums by at least 10 percent for eight years. Critics contend the promised cost savings may prove a mirage because the law also requires consumers to purchase additional bodily injury liability coverage to protect themselves in the event they cause an accident and are sued by another driver. Drivers who purchase plans with reduced medical benefits and sustain catastrophic injuries “will spend their benefits within a few weeks, if not sooner,” according to a warning from The Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault, which is leading a lawsuit over separate hospital fee schedules and hourly attendant care caps also included in the law. “Meanwhile, any dollars saved through reduced PIP premiums will likely be offset by increases in liability premiums required under the new law,” the group claims. But the state is not expecting that to happen, Fox said Wednesday. Even for consumers who elect to continue unlimited lifetime medical benefits, “our anticipation is they will see a rate decrease,” she said. Total costs will depend on an individual’s driving record and policy choices, but the department does not expect higher liability premiums to “zero out” the savings. Legislative Republicans who pushed the state reform have predicted an annual average savings of between $120 and $1,200 per driver, likely more in cities like Detroit that are known for astronomical rates. Fox said the state is also reviewing proposed policies to make sure auto insurers are not basing rates on non-driving factors prohibited under the new law, including gender, marital status, home ownership, educa-

tional level, occupation, credit score or ZIP code. Insurers can still base rates on territorial boundaries, but those should not be “substitute for ZIP codes,” she said. Funding for the new law has allowed the department to hire roughly 20 new employees, including staff now working on a beefed up anti-fraud unit in collaboration with Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office. Former Gov. Rick Snyder first created an anti-fraud auto insurance unit through executive order in 2018, but the state had not actually provided any funding for the department to hire staff. As a result, more than 1,600 complaints had piled up without formal action, Fox said. Investigators are now in the process of “triaging” that backlog to set up cases for possible protection by the attorney general. “We are very excited about what’s going to happen in that unit for the coming year,” said Fox, who Whitmer appointed to the post in early 2019. Criminal prosecutions

will serve as a deterrent for “industries that have built up to take advantage of consumers, or consumers trying to get around the law by buying policies that weren’t really policies just to get their plates.” State officials are expecting some public confusion over the new law but say they are ramping up efforts to help consumers navigate the new system. Insurance agents will be required to explain new policy choices to motorists, and the state has created a sample form with four pages of detail. As of last fall, just 12 percent of motorists said they were “very familiar” with the auto insurance reform law, according to a survey conducted for the Michigan Health and Hospital Association. A majority of drivers said they’d only “heard of” the law or were “not at all familiar” with it. Roughly 24 percent of motorists said they would “opt out” of medical coverage all together if given the option, according to the hospital asSee New Scrutiny, Page 15

12 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Matt’s Automotive Opens New State-of-the-Art Building in North Moorhead by Helmut Schmidt

Matt’s Automotive Service Center is back to where it began. Eleven months after a heavy snowfall collapsed the roof at 1234 1st Ave. N., totaling the old structure, a new state-of-the-art two-story service center now stands. The 9,750-square-foot building opens for service on Monday, Feb. 10, with an open house scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 15. It sports a big, climate-controlled service bay with seven lifts, extensive sound insulation, plenty of windows to bring in natural light, and touches that range from a $30,000 tire tread checking system to a room set aside for staff training and customer classes. Owner Matt Lachowitzer said the $1.7 million investment is both a recruiting tool and a thank you to a part of Moorhead that helped him jumpstart his Fargo-Moorhead fleet of auto and collision repair centers. “Obviously, we think it was important to rebuild here. We’ve been here a long time,” Lachowitzer said Thursday, Feb. 6.

As workers installed and calibrated equipment or toted in new furniture, Lachowitzer showed off the building he had designed to his specifications.The customer intake area is fully enclosed, leading to an auto detailing area, and then a repair bay with room for 20 cars to be worked on at the same time. The repair bay is brightly lit and is air conditioned in the summer. The building’s sound system is also zoned to allow workers in different areas to listen to the music or news they enjoy most. Lachowitzer said he wants to make the environment as welcoming as possible for employees. “I wanted this to be like a talent recruiting tool, basically,” the former auto technician said. “The whole thing was built around ease of use. If I was a technician still, this is exactly what I would want.” Nearly everything is new, but there are some touches of the old. Lachowitzer made sure that lift doors, heaters and other items that could be salvaged from the old shop were incorporated into the new shop. The first floor customer waiting area has four televisions, a coffee bar,

USB ports and plenty of plug-ins for computers, Lachowitzer said. But you won’t see tires or other auto merchandise, he said. “I wanted it to really feel like you’re in a living room, not an automotive shop,” he said. Upstairs are storage areas and a room for pumps and the fluids used in the shop. The second floor also has an area for the company’s marketing team, as well as a lunchroom/training room with a projector and large screen for staff training and customer classroom events. A small office for Lachowitzer and an adjoining conference room take up the remainder of the second floor. Lachowitzer said he had a lot of sleepless nights when designing the facility. “It was a big decision for us to go this big or not,” he said. “I had a chance for a fresh start. I designed this building,” Lachowitzer said. “We’re very, very proud of this facility” and feel it will be an asset to the downtown and the city. Since he had other service stations in town and offers for the property, he did ponder selling, but dismissed that thought. Customer loyalty weighed heavily in that decision.

“This store had been where we started. It was important to me in that sense. This area had been very good to us” and it had been one of his top-producing stores, he said. “We’re hopeful the community will support us as they have for the last 10 ½ years,” Lachowitzer said. “I built this with the community in mind. Everything in here is the state of the art. I didn’t cut one corner.” Lachowitzer now has six shops in the Fargo-Moorhead area. He said a nearby auto repair shop and offices purchased after the roof collapse has now been repurposed. The building at 1321 Center Avenue has been rebranded for his Hammer Promotional and Valpak companies. The repair bays will be refitted for off-site mechanical work on vehicles that requires higher-tech repair equipment, Lachowitzer said. Saturday’s celebration will include door prizes, food, child-friendly fun including inflatable games, various prizes, including door prizes for the first 250 people, and tours of the facility, Lachowitzer said. We thank INFORUM for reprint permission.

14 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Toyota Indiana Completes $1.3 Billion Modernization Project; Includes 550 New Jobs Furthering Toyota’s commitment to better serve customers and build vehicles where they are sold, Toyota Indiana (TMMI) invested an additional $700 million and added 150 new jobs to complete the transformation of its plant modernization project, announced in January 2017.

Credit: Toyota

The project adds 550 new jobs and represents a total new investment of $1.3 billion, which was used for retooling, new equipment installation and advanced manufacturing technologies to further modernize the facility and meet strong demand for the all-new 2020 Toyota Highlander. Since 1996, Toyota Indiana’s total investment is approxi-

mately $5 billion and total employment exceeds 7,000. The plant has the capacity to assemble more than 420,000 vehicles annually. This new investment is part of a broader commitment from Toyota to invest $13 billion in its U.S. operations over a five-year period through 2021. To date, Toyota has committed approximately $7.1 billion of the announced total; cumulative direct investment in the U.S. exceeds $28.4 billion. “Hoosier manufacturers are driving our economy forward, building the products that power our world every day,” said Governor Eric Holcomb. “For more than 20 years, Toyota has been providing quality career opportunities and helping train Indiana’s future workforce. I am so grateful that Toyota remains committed to Indiana, and am thankful for all they are doing to continue making Indiana the best place to live, work and play.” “Part of Toyota’s tremendous success in North America is building vehicles where we sell them,” said

Christopher Reynolds, chief administration officer, manufacturing and corporate resources for TMNA. “Our $1.3 billion investment at TMMI is further proof that our Hoosier workforce is rededicated to producing safer, high-quality vehicles our customers love to drive.” Today’s news was announced at a celebration in Princeton, IN, where the all-new 2020 Highlander recently began production. In addition to the plant investment, Toyota Indiana committed $1 million to a new, regional workforce program that will connect students with career opportunities in advanced manufacturing while still in high school. “This program will allow students to get a jump start on their careers while receiving hands-on training with industry experts and educators,” said Leah Curry, Toyota Indiana plant president. “By collaborating with our local schools, we are creating a workforce solution— but, more importantly—providing greater visibility to student career options and pathways in the region.” Obtained via pressroom.toyota.com.

Father and Son Win Maaco Cup Award Jim Powell's son Jamie became his partner 10 years ago and the father-and-son team has delivered year-over-year sales increases the last eight years, while achieving Maaco Diamond Certification status. Diamond certification is the premier level within the Maaco system, meaning that the center has all the equipment and training necessary to repair the complex vehicles that are on the road today. Diamond certification also means the center and its technicians are I-CAR® Gold Certified and are qualified to participate in an insurance company DRP (Direct Repair Program) as well as Maaco’s national fleet program. The Powell’s commitment to excellence and continuous improvement, as demonstrated by their Diamond certification, is one of the reasons that they were selected as a Maaco Cup Winner. “Becoming Diamond Certified was very important to us and our objectives for continued growth,” said Jim and Jamie Powell.

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LaFontaine Automotive Group Installs Largest Solar Array For a Dealership in the Midwest LaFontaine Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Fenton announced today it has completed the installation of the largest array of solar panels on any dealership in the Midwest as part of an ongoing strategy to increase its green initiatives. The 428 panels – installed through a partnership with POWERHOME – produces nearly 180,000 kWh annually and is expected to reduce the dealership’s electric need by 60 percent in its first year. “My mom, Maureen LaFontaine, was a true pioneer in terms of our dealerships focusing on green initiatives,” said Ryan LaFontaine, chief operating officer, LaFontaine Automotive Group. “Being better stewards of the environment makes great business sense. Our sustainability efforts have had a positive impact on our bottom line, our workplace culture and our customers.” The nearly 38,000 square-foot LaFontaine CDJR Fenton dealership was the second CDJR dealership in the nation and the first in Michigan to incorporate Fiat Chrysler America’s new design and technology. The LaFontaine family invested heavily

on the sustainability aspects of the dealership, building on best practices learned in the construction of their existing LEED-certified dealerships.

The best green practices used during the build of the LaFontaine CDJR Fenton dealership include: Additional roof insulation equal to R-38 White solar reflective roof All LED lighting, interior and exterior, with advanced control systems High recycled content in 90% of building materials Waste stream management High-efficiency HVAC system and controls, occupancy controls and timers with Wi-Fi system controls and monitoring Low flow and measured fixtures for water efficiency

Sourced materials regionally when possible “We applaud the green investments undertaken by the LaFontaine family,” said FCA U.S. Head of Sales Reid Bigland. “Their efforts are an example for the entire automotive industry as we all work to improve and protect our environment.” A recent McKinsey paper stated dealers need drastic business-model changes in the approaching age of autonomous, electric and shared vehicles. These changes include reducing operating costs through improved efficiency. “The fact that LaFontaine will own a majority of their power at their Fenton location says a lot about how much they believe in the value of solar,” said Jayson Waller, CEO of POWERHOME. “LaFontaine already is a leader in the U.S. auto industry, and adding renewable energy will further position the dealership as environmentally conscious.” Founded in 1980 by Michael Sr. and Maureen LaFontaine, the award-winning and nationally-recognized LaFontaine Automotive Group includes 36 retail franchises, seven collision centers and 17 Michigan retail

locations. The group employs nearly 1,400 individuals. It’s the mission of the LaFontaine Family to personalize the automotive experience by building lifelong relationships that connect families and strengthen the community. The LaFontaine commitment to customers, staff, and local communities is demonstrated by active participation and contributions to numerous non-profit organizations, educational institutions and charities throughout southeast Michigan. The combination of both the mission and core values provides the basic foundation of our promise … to treat every customer like they are members of our family. From sales, to service to parts, LaFontaine Automotive Group is able to meet any customer’s specific needs. LaFontaine represents the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Fiat, Genesis, Honda, Hyundai, Jeep, KIA, RAM, Subaru, Toyota, Volvo and Volkswagen. The LaFontaine Family Deal; it’s not just what you get, it’s how you feel. Visit www.familydeal.com for additional details.

Jefferson City, MO, Body Shop Owner Sues Over 2019 Explosion by Matthew Sanders

A Jefferson City auto body shop owner is suing MFA Oil Co. and one of its employees for an explosion that left him with serious injuries. Christopher Russell and his wife, Elizabeth Russell, and their company Xtreme Body and Paint, LLC, filed the personal injury suit last week against MFA Oil and one of its employees. In the lawsuit, the Russells claim the actions of MFA Oil and its employees led to the 2019 explosion that left Christopher Russell with severe burns to his head, neck, arms and body and “substantial damage” to his eyes. The lawsuit labels the injuries “permanent, disabling and disfiguring.” The explosion happened at about 4:30 a.m. Jan. 31, 2019, at 1007 Lomo Drive, where the Russells’ home and shop were located. According to the lawsuit, an MFA Oil employee sent “hundreds of gallons” of propane gas through an unused line on the Russells’ property when servicing applianc-

es. The propane built up underground and in the auto body shop leading to a large explosion, the lawsuit claims. Court records indicate MFA Oil was served with the lawsuit Tuesday. A summons was issued for the employee, Charlie Houchins, last week, records show.

The Xtreme Body and Paint shop after an explosion Jan. 31, 2019.

No attorneys were listed for MFA Oil or Houchines in online court records. An MFA Oil spokesperson said the company would not comment because the lawsuit is ongoing. Louis Accurso, a Kansas City lawyer representing the Russells, was not available for comment Friday afternoon. We thank ABC 17 News for reprint permission.

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Detroit-Hamtramck troit-Hamtramck over the next few years.” When the plant is fully operational, this investment will create more than 2,200 good-paying U.S. manufacturing jobs. GM will also invest an additional $800 million in supplier tooling and other projects related to the launch of the new electric trucks. Since the fall of 2018, GM has committed to invest more than $2.5 billion in Michigan to bring electric vehicles to market through investments at Orion assembly, GM battery lab in Warren, Brownstown and today’s announced direct investment in Detroit-Hamtramck. The plant’s paint and body shops and general assembly area will receive comprehensive upgrades, including new machines, conveyors, controls and tooling. GM’s joint venture with LG Chem – which is investing $2.3 billion to manufacture battery cells in Lordstown, Ohio – will supply battery cells

for the electric vehicles manufactured at Detroit-Hamtramck. A key driver behind GM’s decision to make the commitment to Detroit-Hamtramck was the support this project received from the state of Michigan. “The support from the state of Michigan was a key element in making this investment possible,” added Reuss. “This investment helps ensure that Michigan will remain at the epicenter of the global automotive industry as we continue our journey to an electrified future.” Detroit-Hamtramck currently operates on one shift of production and builds the Cadillac CT6 and the Chevrolet Impala. Approximately 900 people are employed at the plant. As previously confirmed, the plant will be idled for several months beginning at the end of

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February as the renovations begin. The plant has built more than 4 million vehicles since opening in 1985. Hourly employees at Detroit-Hamtramck are represented by UAW Local 22. General Motors (NYSE:GM) is committed to delivering safer, better and more sustainable ways for people to get around. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Cadillac, Chevrolet, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, Maven, its personal mobility brand, and Cruise, its autonomous vehicle company, can be found at http://www .gm.com.

AUTOBODY www.autobodynews.com

ASE Announces New Officers for 2020 The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has announced the officers for its 2020 board of directors. The new chair is Bobby Bassett, North American national training manager, Gates Corporation. Mark Polke, manager of sales and consulting, Bosch Workshop Concepts, North America, Robert Bosch LLC, is vice chair; Brad Pellman, president, Pellman's Automotive in Boulder, Colorado, is treasurer; and Glen Nicholson, senior director, learning and development, TBC, is secretary. Tom Trisdale, vice president, quality, Toyota, serves as past chair. Also announced were newly elected board members. Tom Palermo of Preferred Automotive Specialists begins a term on the board of directors, while Jason Rainey of the NAPA AutoCare Program will serve on the board of governors. Stepping down as their terms expire are Annette Sykora, Jamie Bulli, Mike Phillips and Rafael Garcia.

18 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Lordstown Motors Planning to Use $200 Million Federal Grant to Help With Production by Todd DeFeo

Lordstown Motors plans to use a $200 million U.S. Department of Energy loan to update a former General Motors plant in Northeast Ohio. The company intends to hire as many as 400 workers by the end of this year and start production of electric-powered pickup trucks.

General Motors’ decision to shutter the Lordstown facility drew condemnation from a spate of officials, including President Donald Trump. Lordstown Motors purchased the plant in November. “Our community in Northeast Ohio has a long auto-manufacturing history,” U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, who recently met with Lordstown Motors CEO Steve

Burns, said in a news release. “I’m pleased that Lordstown Motors understands our community’s expertise and skills in this field and plans to put us back to work doing what we do the best – building award-winning vehicles.” Lordstown Motors is applying for a $200 million Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan through the energy department. The loan program supports the manufacturing and engineering of fuel-efficient, advanced technology vehicles and related components. “We think we are worthy of government help,” Reuters quoted Burns as saying in an interview. “We don’t want a handout – we want a loan. It’s just going to be more jobs faster if we get it. We are viable without it.” Lordstown plans to debut its electric pickup truck during June’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, The Detroit News reported. Earlier this month, a bipartisan group of 10 members of the U.S. House and U.S. Senate from Ohio, including Ryan, penned a letter to

Secretary of Energy Dan Brouillette in support of the loan application. “Northeast Ohio saw its economy suffer when General Motors announced in October that it was

The company could receive performance-based tax subsidies from JobsOhio, which receives funding from liquor sales revenue. Last April, Ryan jumped in the

“I’m pleased that Lordstown Motors understands our community’s expertise and skills in this field and plans to put us back to work doing what we do the best – building award-winning vehicles.” — Steve Burns permanently closing its Lordstown Assembly Plant,” they wrote. “As a result, thousands of workers were forced to move, retire, or obtain other jobs, dealing a severe blow to the regional economy.” The lawmakers called it a “high priority” to support Lordstown Motors “so that it will be successful and provide high-paying job opportunities in the region.” Separately, General Motors selected a 160-acre site near Lordstown for a new battery cell assembly plant.

race for president and cited the closure of the Lordstown plant as one reason for running. He has since abandoned his bid for The White House. “I’m heartened that Lordstown Motors will be providing high wages to Ohio workers, and I will do everything I can to help them secure an ATVM loan and keep moving this project forward,” Ryan said. We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.

20 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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“Opt-OE” Parts OEM (i.e., “if the BMW part has a BMW logo on it, then this part will have the BMW logo on it”), or “Tier 1 with Branding Differences,” such as one lacking the automaker logo. Schulenburg’s subcommittee took much of the same approach in terms of determining different part attributes (who makes the part, how it is packaged, who distributes it, who backs it with a warranty), but concluded that only a two-pronged way to classify the parts is needed. An “OEM part,” the subcommittee said, is one manufactured by or for the automaker, sold in the automaker’s packaging and within the automaker’s authorized supply chain, and warranted by the vehicle manufacturer. Any part not meeting all four of those attributes, Schulenburg said his subcommittee decided, is a “non-OEM part.” “We really tried to approach it like: Here’s ‘OEM.’ Anything that doesn’t meet that definition is ‘nonOEM,’” Schulenburg said. “That’s super clear for a consumer to understand. It doesn’t make [non-OEM] bad or wrong or an unacceptable option. There are thousands and thousands of non-OEM parts that are legitimately chosen every single year. But we first defined ‘OEM,’ and anything that doesn’t meet that definition from our vantage point is a ‘non-OEM part.’” Weiss said he’s not necessarily opposed to the other work group’s proposal, but said he thinks those making parts decisions would need more information about all the different parts designated as “non-OEM,” such as who manufactured a particular part, not just the supplier. Tier 1 suppliers to the automakers, such as Denso and

Bosch, he said, produce quality parts that consumers on the mechanical side of the industry regularly choose. “There are companies out there that have a well-respected name, and it can mean more to you to know you’re getting it from that manufacturer as opposed to a company that may not use the same quality and may not have the same reputation,” Weiss said. Weiss also noted that the California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR), which has said terms like “optOE” and “alt-OE” cannot be used, has said an OEM part not purchased from a dealer can be called “OEM.” “We have one very large state that has decided that warranty has nothing to do with the part [designation],” Weiss said. Schulenburg acknowledged that Weiss is correct about the BAR’s decision but added, “Just because California got that one attribute wrong isn’t reason enough for us not to try to define it correctly for the other 49 states. Then California might rethink their position.” He said that currently a part may get dubbed by the seller as “OEM surplus” when it wasn’t made for the automaker and isn’t in the automaker’s packaging. When there’s no matching line for “OEM surplus” in the parts platform where the part is listed, it gets described as “opt-OE,” and then if sold in California, it is switched to “OEM.” “What ends up on the estimate to the consumer is not at all reflective of the part that comes in the box or what goes on their vehicle, and that’s what we’re trying to get away from,” Schulenburg said. But given that “opt-OE” has been a “catch-all bucket” for multiple types of parts, wouldn’t lumping in all parts not meeting the subcommittee’s definition of “OEM” result in a variety of

Brandon Honda wins DealerRater’s 2020 Award Brandon Honda has been awarded DealerRater’s 2020 Honda Dealer of the Year Award for the fourth year, as well as its sixth Consumer Satisfaction Award among Honda auto dealerships throughout Florida. The awards are based on Brandon Honda’s customer reviews of its customer service, quality of work, friendliness, pricing and overall customer experience, as posted on www.DealerRater. com during calendar year 2019. Brandon Honda has a cumulative custom-

er satisfaction rating of 98%, with a score of 4.9 stars (out of a maximum of 5.0) over 8,796 lifetime reviews. “Car buyers have spoken and given Brandon Honda the highest satisfaction ratings among all Honda dealers in the state of Florida,” said DealerRater’s General Manager, Jamie Oldershaw. “The high quality and number of reviews of Brandon Honda speak volumes about the topnotch experience it provides its customers.”

types of parts under the “non-OEM” label, Schulenburg was asked. “I think there are ways for us as an industry to figure that business-to-business piece, and to differentiate them [within the parts platforms],” Schulenburg said. “But I think what is more important is the consumer understanding.” The six labels the other subcommittee proposes for the parts, he said, won’t be clear to consumers. “I think they serve to validate parts that a consumer should understand aren’t OEM,” Schulenburg said. He said the two subcommittee’s proposals remind him a little of the 2017 internet meme in which different people, looking at the same photo of a pair of shoes, see them as either pink and white or mint and gray. “The way we are each wired to perceive it is going to be how our brain determines what color that shoe actually is,” Schulenburg said. The parts debate, he said, is a challenge because everyone approaches it from their own vantage point and their own business objectives. Instead, he suggested, the industry might want to think of it more

from the perspective of Marcia and Matthew Seebachan, the Texas couple who earlier in the CIC meeting in Las Vegas had shared what the impact of a poorly-repaired vehicle had on their lives. “My personal opinion is at the end of the day, we need to look back at that presentation and think about that rather than our own personal vantage points,” Schulenburg said. “What do we do to make all of this clear to [consumers like them], so they never have to sit in that seat and tell that kind of story.” Several CIC participants in Las Vegas voiced heated condemnations of one or both of the subcommittees’ approaches. Schulenburg said those exchanges demonstrated the dilemma the committee faces, “where we each have defined our perspectives but haven’t found a middle ground, or a roadmap to get to it.” He said the committee has “experienced professionals within the industry who just vehemently disagree with one another,” trying to determine where to go next. “I don’t think we have an answer,” Schulenburg said. “I think the point here was to establish where we are today. I think we’ve done that.”

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22 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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PF3 Paint Supply paint lines, the company also represents big names like Spanesi, Carborundum, Sata, Devilbiss, Dynabrade, Iwata , Finixa, Hutchins, Fusor, Upol, Fiberglas Evercoat,and USC, among others.

From left, Owner Paul Fus, Paul’s wife Debbie Fus and David Kindig from Kindig It were on hand at the grand opening of the new PF3 Paint Supply Training Center in Wixom, MI

Fus saw the need for a training center in Michigan and filled it without cutting any corners along the way. “We are the only paint and supply distributor in the state of Michigan that offers an independent

non-affiliated training center. Our goal is to bring our customers the latest technology, products and support through this facility.” The center’s classroom has comfortable seating for 30 people, and the shop area features a raised downdraft Spanesi spray booth with an oversized mix room, ideal for every aspect of paint training. It also features the latest body shop equipment, including a Spanesi Multi bench Frame Machine, Spot Resistant Welder, 3-in-1 Q5 Welder, Touch Measuring System, Aluminum Tool Cart and Rivet Guns, among others. For larger hands-on classes, the center’s shop floor can accommodate as many as 80 people, which is also ideal for trade organization meetings and larger I-CAR classes. Once the word gets out, the PF3 Paint Supply Training Center will also be used for other industry-related classes, events and training sessions, Fus said. “We want to ideally provide a comfortable place where people can learn and become better at their jobs. We want them to see and actually use products, tools and equipment and promote networking as well.”

Last summer, Fus and his team hosted an Open House to officially unveil their new training center. It

The facility is designed to accommodate 30 people in its classroom and approximately 80 for on-hands training sessions

featured vendor’s booths, product demonstrations and a special appearance by David Kindig from Kindig It and one of the stars of Bitchin’ Rides on Motor Trend TV. It was a great way to kick off the training center and reach out to local body shops, Fus said. Fus goes back three decades as a jobber/distributor; so, it’s in his blood. “My first job out of college in 1989 was selling products to body shops out of a vehicle, so yes—I was a wagon peddler,” he said. “But it

was a great opportunity to learn the business by visiting a lot of shops and finding out what they needed and how they operated.” In 2007, Fus bought two locations from an established jobber in Illinois and hit the ground running. “In 1993, I moved to Michigan and now we have three locations and a training center equaling more than 25,000 sq. ft. that serves the entire state as well as Toledo, OH and employ 20 people.” Making a better industry one class at a time is something Fus wants to be involved in and his new center is going to achieve exactly that. “Training today’s technicians is of utmost importance to PF3,” Fus said. “This facility separates us from our competitors as we are the only distributor in Michigan to make this type of investment for the future of our customers and the industry we love.”

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WIN Opens Registration for 2020 WIN Educational Conference The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) is pleased to announce that registration for the 2020 Educational Conference is now open. This year’s Conference will be held May 3-5, 2020 in Newport Beach, Calif. “Driving the Future,” the Conference theme, will be reflected throughout the agenda of the two-and-a-half-day event that brings education, connection and celebration to collision industry professionals each year. “For our 2020 Educational Conference, we are excited to shake up our agenda a bit and offer more networking time,” says Wendy Rogers, Conference Committee Co-Chair. “We will be hosting a charity opportunity to give back to the community, and we will be taking our annual Scholarship Walk in late afternoon that gives way to a short reception and a free night to explore and sample the restaurants and nightlife in fabulous Newport Beach, Calif. “ Register and receive the early bird price of $300 if you purchase before March 31st. After

that, the member rate is $475 and a non-member ticket is $700. Attendance at the Most Influential Women and Scholarship Winners Gala only is $80 per person. Room blocks are available at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach for booking at the hotel until April 13th. If you are not yet a member, join today or before March 31st for $95 and you will be eligible to purchase a ticket to the conference at the member rate. More information to come regarding speakers and session topics. To register for Conference and view the agenda, please visit https://thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym.com/page/Conference. WIN is a 501(c)(6) not-forprofit organization. WIN recognizes excellence, promotes leadership, and fosters a network specifically for and among women. For more information go to www.womensindustrynetwork. com.

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with Stacey Phillips

From the Desk of Mike Anderson with Mike Anderson

Mike Anderson is the president and owner of Collision Advice, a consulting company for the auto body/collision repair industry. For nearly 25 years, he was the owner of Wagonwork Collision Center, an OEM-certified, full-service auto body repair facility in Alexandria, VA.

Understanding and Performing Required Test Drive Procedures Isn’t an Option In a recent column, I talked about why I believe shops need to separate out their charge for vehicle scanning from their diagnostic labor to address the results from those scans. Another key item I feel a lot of shops are overlooking is conducting, documenting and potentially invoicing for is the increasingly complex process of performing required test drives. Our “Who Pays for What?” survey last summer, for example, found that while almost one-third (31%) of shops that bill for necessary test drives they conduct post-repair say they are paid for that procedure “most” or “all the time,” about 2 in 5 shops (38%) say they have never sought to be paid such test drives. The statistics are even worse for test drives that are done diagnostically prior to repairs; 1 in 5 shops (19%) said they are paid regularly for such test drives, but two-thirds of shops have never billed for those. I want to emphasize that my concern here is not whether shops are billing for test drives. My concern is that they are performing them as a required step to safe and proper repairs. “Test drives” aren’t what they used to be. In the past, you took a repaired vehicle out for a brief drive to check for wind noise, pulling conditions or vibrations. Now you’re doing that but also doing the drives to calibrate and confirm the function of advanced vehicle features and systems like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitors lane departure warning systems, satellite navigation and traction control. That’s why a Collision Industry Committee has adopted a new definition for this type of test drive that they are calling a “dynamic systems verification road test.” The automakers vary somewhat in what the terms they use for what we generally call “test drives.” Some use that term, but others talk about “road tests,” or “actions tests.” Some automakers reference it by saying vehicles must be “brought up to operating temperature.” Despite terminology differences, it’s important to understand what specific requirements an automaker

has for the vehicle you are test driving. Does the OEM procedure, for example, specify: ▪ How far the vehicle needs to be driv-

en; ▪ How much time the vehicle needs to be driven; ▪ At what speed(s) the vehicle needs to be driven; ▪ What driving pattern needs to be followed; and or ▪ What road conditions are necessary. I recently was writing an estimate on a vehicle, and the OEM procedures said after I reinstalled the blind-spot monitors on the rear bumper assembly, I needed to test drive the vehicle in a straight line for two miles above 20 mph. On another vehicle, after we disconnected and reconnected the battery, an initialization required us to drive the vehicle for at least 15 seconds above 20 mph on a road that had clear lane markings. If you replace a windshield on a vehicle with a compass in the rearview mirror that may require that you drive the vehicle in a circle, or in a figure-eight, to recalibrate that compass. I have seen a procedure for one automaker’s vehicle that requires six different test drives at six different speeds and stopping patterns to see if the seat belts are working properly. Unlike the relatively simple test drives we did for free in the old days, these can be exacting and time-consuming procedures. Depending on whether your shop is in an urban or rural area, you may need to drive

miles away in order to meet the road and speed conditions required. Getting paid for them requires good documentation. I recommend estimators or repair-planners have dual monitors so they can copy the test drive requirements from the OEM procedures and paste them into a line note on the estimate or invoice. Some shops are using a cell phone camera or GoPro to document the test drive. Even the owner’s manual for many vehicles talk about necessary test drives. The last thing you want is a vehicle owner asking about a required test drive in their manual and not being able to show them that you did it. It’s also important that you let the customer know in advance about the test drives you will need to perform as part

of repairing their vehicle. One side note: When I owned my shops, once a year I would submit my employees’ driver’s license information to our company’s insurance company to ensure they could be allowed to drive vehicles on behalf of my company. You can’t risk having test drives conducted by someone with a suspended driver’s license. As always, what you decide to charge for is a business decision; but, understanding, performing and documenting the required vehicle test drives isn’t an option for safe and proper repairs.

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HONDA ILLINOIS

MICH

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847-884-8898 847-884-6632 Dept. Hours: M-F 6:30am-Midnight; Sat 8am-5pm k.kelley@rohrman.com INDIANA

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Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs. MICHIGAN

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with Stacey Phillips

Shop Management

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

with Ed Attanasio

Automotive Artwork Adds Class to Your Waiting Room During my career as a journalist co- But, what’s on the walls? vering the automotive repair industry, What I often find are pictures of Little I have probably been in more than League teams, I-CAR and OE certifi600 body shop’s waiting rooms, and cations, rusty old traffic signs, plaques with Bruce Roistacher unless it’s an MSO, they’re all diffe- for the Employee of the Month or other forms of community or professional recognition. These types of things can reinforce your already stellar reputation, but are they really pleasing to the eyes? Putting all of these things on your with Gary Ledoux walls is nice, but in the end, many waiting rooms look like mini-museums or large bulletin boards. Remember that when any Alan Fearnley focuses on classic and racing cars that feature individual enters your facilipeople, architecture and landscape to accent the images ty, he or she can potentially rent. Some shops go over the top, with become a customer for life. Stand fountains, beverage bars, contempora- out and impress them and begin the ry furniture and big-screen TVs, etc. process on the right foot. Of course, Others hire interior designers to create you’ll have to do a great job on their with Stacey Phillips a customer-friendly environment. car, but that’s given. In a world whe-

Auto Body Attorney

Truck Topics

National Associations

re social media can help or hinder a business overnight, a good first impression is more important than ever. There are a handful of options for decorating your walls in an attractive and uncluttered manner. In some waiting rooms, I’ve seen a series of black and white photos of their town featu-

and then had them nicely matted and framed. It’s a smart move because the message is that you’re connected to your community and hopefully vice versa. Another cool way to give your waiting area that “wow” factor is with a mural. You can hire a local artist and come up with a concept that is unique and suited for your shop and your story. Many shops have murals on the exterior of their buildings, so why not one inside? The only thing is you better like the finished product, because changing it isn’t as easy as moving a couple paintings or posters around. Paul Chenard is well-known for his racing images drawn I once wrote an article by using pencils and pastels about Luscious Garage in ring different scenes throughout the San Francisco, that converted part of years. They went to the local library, its shop into an art gallery featuring made high-res copies of the photos, the works of local artists. They cura-

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te it carefully, rotate the images every few months and the owners must have good taste, because the art is always A-List. If you want to do something that’s a little more conventional, hanging automotive art is always a winner, in my opinion. Whether it’s a giclee or a print, it won’t be cheap but you won’t need to apply for a small business loan either. A giclee looks more like the original and costs more, but digital prints are extremely affordable. I have chosen four painters of automotive art whose works appear in body shop waiting rooms all over the world. I like their work and have chosen four with differing styles. When I was in Italy recently visiting shops, I saw images created by at least two of the artists that I’m featuring here. Alan Fearnley: The paintings of British artist Alan Fearnley focus on classic and racing cars that feature people, architecture and landscape to accent the images. He has created more than a 100 automotive paintings on this subject, and 70,000-plus copies of his works sold worldwide, as well as three books published of his work. Fearnley’s style has been descri-

bed as impressionism, and I would bet that you’ve seen his images on prints, posters, albums, calendars, etc. Paul Chenard: Canadian artist Paul Chenard’s fine drawings using pencils and pastels have been popular for more than 25 years. His passion is for the history of automobile

ling that the spectator has watching the race, their favorite driver in battle or the classic racecar at rest,” Chenard said in his artist’s statement. “I’m also trying to feature the stories that give racing history depth and texture.” Michael Irvine: Working primarily with watercolors, Irvine is known for creating clean and sharp images that are alive with “color and narration.” This approach to watercolor, together with his background in illustration and his love of classic cars, has turned Irvine into a major player within the world of automotive art. “My goal is to continually challenge myself. I want to give the viewer something they cannot see in ‘real life,’” Irvine said. David Snyder’s images have been described as alive with “I always want to draw “color and narration.” the viewer into a painting, racing, which eventually led to col- giving them more, the longer they lecting vintage toy racecars and then look.” his illustrations. Irvine’s work has appeared on ‟Through my motorsports art- the covers of the Mopar Collectors work, I’m trying to capture the fee- Guide and Muscle Car Enthusiast.

He offers reproductions of all of his paintings as limited edition prints, artist proofs and gallery edition canvases. David Snyder: David Snyder started drawing cars, airplanes and trains at the age of six. His passion for transportation history continues today. Snyder’s art portrays memories of growing up with cars from the ‛50s through the American Muscle era. He takes you down memory lane inviting you to ‟step right in” to his paintings and visit the past. The period architecture, signage, oil cans in the garage bay - no detail is too small for Snyder. Known for his detailed images, he spends countless hours on research before beginning a painting. Other popular automotive artists of note include Kelly Telfer (pastels), John Ketchell (semi-abstract), Tim Layzell (30s and 40s cars), James Hart Dyke (watercolors), Dan Gwinnett (large canvases), Bobbie Crews (murals), Bill Bravo (commissions for classic car owners), Dan Reed (realism) and Tony Sikorski (sculptor).

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Leading the Ethical Revolution in the Collision Repair Industry by Stacey Phillips

When Jeff Peevy was named chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in 2019, he placed an empty chair on the stage at each meeting. The chair represented “the consumer,” those who are in accidents and have their cars repaired. During the last CIC meeting of 2019 in Las Vegas, Peevy filled that empty chair with special guests Marcia and Matthew Seebachan. The Seebachans were the owners of the Honda Fit that was in

Jeff Peevy, chairman of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and president of the Automotive Management Institute (AMi)

the accident resulting in a $42 million lawsuit. Peevy and his wife, Marie, interviewed the couple about their experience as well as the human impact of poor repair decisions. Following the impactful interview, Dave Luehr, owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, invited Peevy to talk about the personal impact of the interview during an Elite Body Shop Academy webinar. Peevy’s presentation also included recommendations on how collision repair businesses can lead the ethical movement in the industry. “Listening to the discussions at CIC, I started to realize that more times than not, the consumer, the motoring public and their families are riding in vehicles our industry repaired and get very little consideration during our discussions,” said Peevy, who is also the president of the Automotive Management Institute (AMi). “I thought it would be important for us to keep the people riding in the vehicles that our industry repairs at the forefront of our decisions and discussions.” Peevy realized how a cross-section of the industry began to refer to the chair. “I’m really proud of attendees

at CIC for respecting what that chair represents,” he said. Many have read industry publications and heard presentations about the Seebachans’ experience and Peevy said the young couple was often looked at as people out of a storybook. “My goal with the empty chair was to make the people who have impacted our industry real,” he explained. What Peevy didn’t realize when he set up the interview was how it would impact him personally. He soon learned that his daughter and son-in-law are the same age as Marcia and Matthew, and had purchased a preowned Honda Fit vehicle around the same time as the Seebachans. Also, Peevy’s daughter is going to school to become a licensed clinical social worker—the same job held by Marcia. These parallels resulted in the experience becoming more personal to Peevy and he recognized that the accident could have happened to anyone. “I don’t think I was fully prepared for what it would do to me and I probably have become a little less compromising around doing the right thing and making sure we think about the vehicles we are repairing,” said Peevy. Leading the Ethical Revolution During the Elite webinar, Peevy asked attendees to consider whether they place the value of human life at the top of everything. “We’ll typically say ‘yes,’ but then follow up with a ‘but’ and blame some other segment of the industry,” observed Peevy. “We always need to put the value of human life above all else. I believe it’s unethical if we do anything that jeopardizes anyone in the cars we repair.” Peevy shared a quote from Marcia Seebachan that she said during the interview at CIC. “One of the things drilled into us from day one in any social work course is our code of ethics and part of that is only using evidence-based practices with our clients…” she said. “We are trained to look into practices and theories and methods that are supported by evidence and there has been research and proof showing why this intervention is effective with this

specific diagnosis or need with a client and I just can’t fathom practicing any other way.” Peevy said the same is true in many professions. “Somehow, in our industry, we’ve taken liberties and not always used evidence-based practices and OEM procedures,” said Peevy. “I think OEM procedures are probably the closest thing to evidence-based procedures that we have. We can all agree there is a lot of research and design that goes into the design of vehicles.” As a result, he recommended that collision repair businesses ready to help with the ethical revolution in the industry, start with OEM procedures. An essential part of this is educating consumers. “The law says consumers have the right to decide where to take their car … they often get help from family and friends,” said Peevy. However, he pointed out that the majority of those making the recommendations are unqualified and as a result, the consumer’s life can be put

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in risk. “We need to do what we can to educate consumers because they are put in the position to make a decision and more than likely will be uninformed,” said Peevy. Then, after making that choice, consumers are asked if they are happy with the repair. Although cycle times and Customer Satisfaction Indexing (CSI) are important, Peevy said just because consumers say they are happy with the repair and received the car on time, the carpet is vacuumed and the paint is shiny, those are not assurances the vehicle was repaired correctly and safely. “We don’t really have any good measurements,” said Peevy. He encourages collision repairers to think about how to best address this in the future. During the interview, Peevy said Marcia shared a vital observation. “She said that getting hit by a car was an accident; the extent of the injuries were not but based on deciSee Ethical Revolution, Page 41

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That’s It! He’s Had it! Part 2 by Gary Ledoux

Owning and operating a collision shop today is a daunting task. It’s not uncommon to hear some owners say that they would just as soon get out and close their shop… but then, what would they do? In last month’s edition of Autobody News we produced part one of this two-part series on alternatives to operating a body shop. Here are a few additional ideas on alternative but related options and the conclusion of this series. Work For an OE: Car makers have a lot of people on the payroll - a lot of people with many talents, levels of education, experience and expertise. OE’s, at the national level, specialize in establishing dealerships, distributing cars, administering sales programs, warranty administration and ensuring a steady flow of spare parts. To do this they spend the majority of their time concentrating on their dealership network. Up until fairly recently, they spent little to no time on the collision side of the business and thus have few people who are well versed in it. A former body shop manager could provide expertise in any number of areas including field work, training, producing training or service materials, or administering body shop certification programs, just to name a few. Third Party/Consulting: Vehicle Collision Experts LLC, better known as VECO Experts, owned by industry icon and former shop owner, Mark Olson, offers a number of different consulting, training, coaching and auditing services to body shops. He also serves as an expert witness for court cases including collision and vehicle defects. In addition, he manages shop inspections for OE shop certifications programs for Subaru and several other OEs. To do this he employs over 20 associates…many of them former shop owners. Olson says, “I would like to have ten more former shop owners. Someone with 10 to 15 years in the business knows what they are doing… and do a good job at it.” Independent Consultant: It is not uncommon for a former shop owner

to lend their expertise to any number of different related companies who need a consultant on a part time basis, or to conduct a special project. Two that immediately come to mind, and are both former shop owners are Lou DiLisio of Automotive Industry Consulting, Inc. and the ever-popular Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. Technical Instructor: Doug Irish is the Department Chair for Collision Repair and Refinish Technology for

be passionate about, and talk to the booth representative. If they are not looking for new people, they probably know someone who is. In either case, it’s a great place to network. Website Design, Social Media and Promotion: To be “alive” in the business world today requires a well-designed and constantly updated website and appropriate social media presence. Some people are good web designers but know nothing about the collision

“If someone is looking to get out of their body shop and do something else, they first must be engaged with what they are doing now and where the industry is headed in order to be valuable to someone else.” — Frank Terlep the Fayetteville Technical Community College (FTCC) in Fayetteville, NC. “People become instructors for colleges, tech schools or high schools for a number of different reasons and in a number of different ways” says Irish. “But it’s good to have someone with several years’ experience and someone who knows the industry.” Irish notes that an instructor’s position will not command the paycheck that a shop owner’s will, but in many ways the job is less demanding, but, like any job, not without its challenges. Magazine Reporter: Since the 1970’s, scores of shop owners have authored magazine articles, some even had their own monthly column. Some did it while they were still running their shop, some after retirement. They wrote about everything from spray painting technique, to how to buy the correct equipment to tips for running an efficient front office… and everything in between. One thing they all had in common as writers – credibility. Representative for Other Industry Related Products: If you have never attended the ever-growing collision section of the SEMA show, take a few days next fall, book a room in Las Vegas and check it out. Just about every product you have ever used, or wanted to use in your shop is represented there. Find a product that you like, one that you believe in and can

business or how to relate to people. As a former shop manager, you definitely know the business, and know what to say (and what not to say) to potential customers. If you know how to produce websites and manage social

media, or know someone who does and you can manage their efforts, you have a ready-made and very lucrative business. Engage in Emerging Technologies: Industry veteran and author of the new book, Auto Industry Disruption, Who and What is Being Disrupted and What to Do About It, Frank Terlep notes, “If someone is looking to get out of their body shop and do something else, they first must be engaged with what they are doing now and where the industry is headed in order to be valuable to someone else. The future in this industry is electronics and you must watch the trends.” This includes autonomous cars, artificial intelligence, and alternative motive power and fuels. “AirPro Diagnotics is a good example of this emerging technology” noted Terlep. “They are diagnosing vehicle electronics from a remote location.” Industry veteran, former chairman for the Collision Industry Conference See He’s Had it! Part 2, Page 46

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with Stacey Phillips

From the Desk of Mike Anderson with Mike Anderson

Few Collision Repairers Are Separating Out Scanning Time Versus Diagnostic Time It’s been just over a year since I wrote about the inconsistency in how shops are billing for scanning, and it’s still an issue that concerns me. The results of our “Who Pays for What?” survey this last October related to scanning charges are similar to those from a year earlier. In 2019, among the more than 800 shops responding to the survey, about 1-in-4 of those who perform scans in-house charge a flat fee. Nearly 50 percent charge up to 1.0 labor hour at a mechanical labor rate; but, the remaining 25 percent of shops scanning in-house were all over the map. There was similar variety in how shops bill when they use a remote scanning service. The real problem, I believe, is the inconsistency in what shops are including in that scanning charge. Shops need to separate scanning time from their diagnostic time. Scanning involves performing

the output or functionality test on the vehicle to gather the diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). The diagnostic time begins once the scanning is complete. For example, say I scan a vehicle and it has seven DTCs. For each of those codes, I have to search for that code in the OEM repair procedures. I have to find out what it means. In some cases, it may be simple and clear, an indication that a certain part needs to be replaced. Oftentimes, the diagnosis is more complicated. The OEM information may site four to six or eight potential causes for that DTC, and I must go back to the vehicle and go through that list, one-by-one, to see which is the cause on that vehicle. The OEMs sometimes offer a flowchart for this process and navigating that takes some time. So, that vehicle with seven DTCs

will require ‘x’ amount of diagnostic time, far more than the vehicle where the scan finds no DTCs, but less than the vehicle where the scan finds 50 DTCs, each of which needs to be researched. It’s that variation in research or diagnostic time that I think many shops are missing. Here are some tips that may help with the diagnostic step. First, be aware that across manufacturers, DTCs begin with a letter that helps point you to the origination of the code. A DTC that begins with a “P” is powertrain-related. One that starts with a “B” is body-related. A “C” at the start of a DTC indicates it is chassis related. The one that’s a little less obvious is a DTC that begins with a “U,” which indicates it is network related. This refers to network communication, and collision repair work frequently causes such codes. It hap-

pens, say, when we unplug a component when we remove a door mirror or handle, remove a headlight, or then drive the vehicle from the body shop to the paint department. The control module is looking for that component we’ve unhooked and can’t find it, so it stores a “U” code for lost communication. These codes need to be cleared, much like a dirt nib needs to be taken out of the refinish. Such codes are sometimes referred to as a “cyber fingerprint,” because if you don’t scan the vehicle post-repair and clear those codes, someone down the road who scans the vehicle will be able to see what you’d removed without clearing the codes. The other tip I would offer is whether you are scanning vehicles inhouse or using a third-party provider, make sure you collect and save the See Scanning vs. Diagnostic, Page 48

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From Prison to Collision: The Jabari Hayes Story by Ed Attanasio

From being a highly-recruited collegiate track star to a convicted felon, Jabari Hayes’s journey was a surprise to many people who knew him. He didn’t look like a gangster and everyone was impressed by his intelligence and engaging personality. But he got involved in a drug trafficking operation, which eventually led to a lengthy sentence in federal prison. And that’s where the story begins. Upon his release from prison, Hayes landed a job at a body shop and learned an industry he knew nothing about before acquiring a shop himself. Today, he is the co-owner of Bavarian Collision in Atlanta, GA, a shop that repairs 30-40 cars every month out of a 10,000 sq. ft. facility with 11 employees. Hayes’s life story is featured in Miles in the Life: The Story of a BMF Drug Trafficker, a documentary that can be seen on Amazon Prime and has received excellent reviews. In 1994, Hayes was on top of

the world as an All-American track athlete, a graduate of Morehouse College, and an up-and-coming entrepreneur with a highly successful valet service. Things were going well especially for a kid who was raised by a crack-addicted mother in the infamous Gowanus Projects in Brooklyn, NY.

Jabari Hayes’s life story is featured in Miles in the Life

Five years later, his life took a sudden and dangerous turn when he got involved in a drug trafficking operation. It was run by the infamous Black Mafia Family (BMF), known then as the largest African American drug organization in the Southeast.

Driving a limousine and posing as a legitimate limo company, Hayes was moving huge amounts of cocaine. With so many quick money opportunities lying at his feet, he gradually found himself slipping more and more into the drug-running lifestyle of high-end vehicles, pricey real estate and more money than he could possibly spend. His bosses liked him because he was punctual and reliable and soon Hayes was taking bigger and bigger risks. This caught the attention of BMF’s kingpin, Duke, who then persuaded Hayes to transport one thousand kilos of cocaine in a luxury RV across the country. With a fiancé and their first son on the way, Hayes wants to make this his final run and exit the game once and for all. But every tragic hero has a tragic flaw. Without spoiling the story, Hayes got caught and that’s when things began moving in the wrong direction. When he was sentenced to 87 months, it rocked his world, but he decided to turn it into a positive experience, he said. “God has been

watching me the whole time, even when things looked really bad. I got a good lawyer and the judge could see that I was non-violent and a firsttime offender. Otherwise, I might still be sitting there. I look back at it and I’m blessed, happy and grateful.” While serving his time in a minimum-security facility, Hayes wrote a book, took 22 classes and actually taught two himself. Upon release, Hayes landed a job as an estimator for a body shop, and immediately hated it. “Working for that shop was more stressful than living in a crack house in Brooklyn in the 1980s—there was no comparison. The owner just threw me in there and figured I would just deal with it because I was fresh out of prison. People treat ex-offenders like infants because they figure we have no ability to discern right from wrong. They forget that before you were incarcerated, you owned successful businesses, so you have to start all over again in many cases.” But, amidst the chaos, Hayes began learning as much as he could

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about the collision repair industry before his entrepreneurial spirit kicked in. “Like they say, if you fail to plan you plan to fail. After two years, I was tired of all the sleepless nights, but I thought I could do this myself and the right way.”

Hayes (left) and his partner Mike Lembcke opened the doors at Bavarian Collision in Atlanta, GA in 2012

That’s when Hayes met Mike Lembcke who owned a mechanical repair shop right across the street from where he was working as an estimator. “I was telling him about my ideas and how to approach the body shop business and he said let’s do it here. So Bavarian Collision opened in 2012 and we haven’t looked back since.” Without guardian angels help-

ing him every step of the way, Jabari wouldn’t be where he is with a flourishing body shop and a great future. “People stepped up and literally saved me,” he said. “My dad came and pulled me out of Brooklyn when I was a kid, because it was a crazy environment there,” Hayes said. “My mother was addicted to crack, so he brought me to live with him in St. Louis to get me away from it all. Then years later I met Mike, my business partner and we’ve worked hard to build a great business.” Hayes is also embarking on a whole new career as an inspirational speaker with a positive message. “I want to talk to inmates and show them what I’ve done,” Hayes said. “I want to show them that they’re not destined to fall in the same traps as other inmates. They don’t have to be a stat. I made it in this industry, but it wasn’t easy. I made a commitment to myself and was willing to work harder than everyone else and I want to share that with others.”

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Continued from Page 34

Ethical Revolution sions made by others,” said Peevy. As a result, Peevy said the lives of this young couple will be changed forever and they won’t have the quality of life they should because of these decisions. Marcia also made another statement that resonated with Peevy. “We were fortunate that we got the answers that we have because I think it would be intentionally naïve to pretend that there aren’t people who have been injured or had fatal accidents that weren’t impacted by something like this,” said Marcia. The bottom-line, according to Peevy, is to recognize that it’s all about choices and the decisions made by those who repair vehicles. Rather than beginning to work on a car as soon as it arrives at the shop, repairing it as best and as fast as possible, moving it through the shop and trusting it was done correctly, Peevy stressed the importance of following OEM procedures and doing every-

thing possible to repair the vehicle safely and correctly. This extends beyond liability and the economics of running a business. Peevy said that in some countries, there are bad accidents and vehicle owners still drive around because they are just trying to survive. If the cars are repaired, they are often patched up rather than repaired properly. However, in the United States, he said shops can afford to do it right without compromise. He recommended that anyone involved in the collision repair industry watch the video and digest what the young couple shared. “We need to stop some of the stuff we’re doing and really be sincere in reviewing everything we do to ensure human life is placed above all else,” he said. To watch the free replay of this webinar, visit https://daveluehr. mykajabi.com/products/dave-luehr -s-elite-webinar-series/categories /1931663/posts/6467462. The entire Elite webinar series is available by signing up for free using the following link: www.elite bodyshopsolutions.com/academy.

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with Victoria Antonelli

In Reverse with Gary Ledoux

Gary Ledoux is an industry veteran with 48 years’ experience in the automotive and OEM collision parts industry. His column appears exclusively in Autobody News. He can be reached at YesterWreck@yahoo.com

The 1980’s – The Evolution of the “Patch Panel” In the early 80’s, the term “patch pan- overnight, alternative buying sources el” was still being used to describe have become available to collision non-OE sheet metal body panels used shops… It’s a growing business that primarily to replace rusted-out rocker someday is going to be big business.” with Garybuckets Ledoux Also, in 1984, an ad for Collipanels, floor pans, headlight and the like. (In the 50’s, 60’s and sion Parts Distributors of Grand Rap70’s, rust was a major problem. A car ids, MI touted availability for hoods, could be only three years old, be me- fenders, doors and grills for Datsun, chanically sound, but with rust holes Honda, Toyota, Mazda, Volvo, Audi, already poking through rocker panels BMW, Fiat, Peugeot, Mercedes, Reand fender wells, hence the need for nault and Volkswagen as well as pop“patch panels.”) ular Chevy, Ford and Chrysler appli-

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“We are getting parts with certified stickers and the parts still don’t fit. When people promote something that it is not, it is fraud in any other industry.” — John Loftus

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with Edmagazine Attanasiocations. A mid-1984 ad for Keystone An early 80’s trade article noted that when the Big 3 body parts promoted front fenders for were changing sheet metal design 80-84 Ford pickups, tailgates for 73-80 every model year, it didn’t make fi- Chevy pick-ups and front fenders for nancial sense for the aftermarket to 80-84 Oldsmobiles. The aftermarket make fenders for such a short-run body repair panels market was rolling. of a vehicle model. However, with During that time, conspicuousChevy pick-ups keeping the same ly absent from the growing number with Bruce Roistacher basic body design for many years, it of trade magazine articles dedicated now made sense to invest in tooling to the burgeoning body repair panel to make the fenders in the aftermar- market was the mention of insurance ket. Also cited as recently becoming companies and their insistence that available were fenders for the Chevy the shop use more aftermarket parts. Chevette and Citation. But that wouldn’t last long. By 1985, Fueling the “patch-panel” market, insurers began to prescribe aftermara number of aftermarket parts suppliers ket parts as a way to reduce severity with Gary Ledouxand cost. began to emerge. Some sold direct to shops, while In the summer of 1986, a trade some sold through jobbers. Some magazine article about the difference claimed that their parts were better than and growing controversy over OE OE, while some claimed some really versus aftermarket crash parts notes poor-fitting parts were in the supply that it is “…the touchiest and most stream – but “not carried by their com- controversial situation to hit the colpany.” Some suppliers noted that they lision repair industry many years.” concentrated more on service rather The article notes that some people see than the part’s quality. Some suppliers no difference. The OE’s claim that the noted that they offered a longer war- aftermarket parts do not measure up, ranty than the OEwith to relieve any appredo not fit properly, are not properly Stacey Phillips hension that a potential customer may rust-proofed and have less then desirhave. It was the “Wild West” days of able primer on them. The aftermarket the “patch panel” market. claims that their parts are comparable By 1984, “patch panels” were to OE at lower prices and saves constarting to have an impact. One trade sumer’s money. The article notes that magazine noted “Crash parts used to the controversy about aftermarket be a one source buy-OE parts from VS OE did not really start until body the local dealership. But seemingly, shops were forced, by the insurance

companies, to use aftermarket VS OE. Prior to that, aftermarket parts were not given a second thought by most. Once they discovered aftermarket parts and the cost savings, more and more insurance companies began to call for aftermarket parts on an estimate. This, according to some, has caused a cost decrease for aftermarket parts. Aftermarket parts tend to be lower in cost for a number of reasons including, economies of tooling, labor costs (being made in countries where unions don’t exist), and priced at a niche-carving rate. And while the lower costs affect how much an insurance company has to pay for a claim, it also reduces the amount of money a body shop makes on parts. Shop owners maintained that aftermarket parts are not the same quality. They say they have to slot aftermarket fenders and other parts to make them fit. Aftermarket proponents note

that slotting must be done on some OE parts, the result of a bad body pull. (Let the sniping begin!) Aftermarket parts were also criticized for inadequate rust-proofing. Ford Motor Company tested parts under a 500-hour salt spray test. Ford noted that generally, the aftermarket parts did not hold up. They said that OE’s use a superior rust-proofing treatment that is not economically feasible for aftermarket suppliers. Aftermarket opponents say that aftermarket parts are available only on a limited scale. While General Motors may carry 17,000 designated collision parts, aftermarket suppliers will have about 420 part numbers. Aftermarket suppliers carry only the most popular parts while the OE has to have every possible part available, something that also contributes to the higher overall price of an OE part.

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Having limited availability of aftermarket parts causes other problems for shops. A shop may be put at odds with their OE parts supplier if they only use that supplier for the hard-to-get parts. This could put them at an economic disadvantage if the shops want to negotiate with the OE dealer for better parts prices. It didn’t take long for dealer parts managers to figure this out and reduce the discount extended to a shop that only bought “dealer-only” items. What was left out of the argument, in many cases, is the consumer. Insurance companies claim they save the consumers money by using aftermarket parts. Detractors of this idea claim that insurance premiums were never reduced because of the use of aftermarket parts. OE’s maintained that their reputation was at stake and at the very least, consumers have a right to be informed what parts go on their cars. A GM spokesperson said that ninety-nine out of one hundred customers have no idea what parts are being used in the repair of their car. In 1986, some in the industry tried to get I-CAR to take a stand

on the use of aftermarket parts. In the fall of 1986, I-CAR announced that it will take no position regarding aftermarket versus OE parts. Jeff Silver, then I-CAR’s executive vice president noted that “I-CAR can best serve its constituency by providing a forum for discussion” and not taking a position for or against aftermarket parts. Many in the industry were dismayed, but understood the reasoning behind the decision. In response to the growing tide of aftermarket parts, General Motors took out a full-page ad in a collision trade magazine condemning the use of aftermarket parts and at the same time announcing a price reduction on many fast-moving body parts. In yet another full-page industry ad, Nissan made a stance against the use of aftermarket parts. Among other things, the ad emphatically noted, “Nissan believes that until a law is passed requiring imported imitation parts to be inspected and certified, the use of such parts should be discouraged.” In December, 1987, the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) was formed as a non-profit corpora-

any answers to this ongoing controversy.” Despite the question of a consumer’s rights to have non-OE parts, a bigger issue of fit, finish and safety was broiling in the body shops and within many shop associations; and the fact that there were so few aftermarket parts that were CAPA certified. John Loftus of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists said, “Our members continue to report aftermarket sheet metal that doesn’t fit but the insurance companies continue to promote the parts. We are accused by the insurance companies and by others of not wanting to use the parts because of the money, but the fact is, the parts don’t fit. It comes down to fit and aftermarket parts manufacturers have failed miserably to bring the parts up to a standard. We are getting parts with certified stickers and the parts still don’t fit. When people promote something that it is not, it is fraud in any other industry.” Today, some 35 years later, many of the same questions and issues exist – and may never be solved.

tion. CAPA acquired the Aftermarket Body Parts Association’s existing certification program with the intention of increasing its scope. The testing and quality assurance program used for certifying the aftermarket parts was developed in cooperation with the Detroit Testing Laboratory (DTL). By August, 1988, the legislative fight over OE parts versus aftermarket parts was in full swing. A trade magazine article notes that, at that time, some sort of collision parts legislation was pending in 30 states, and recently enacted in 12 states ranging from simple consumer disclosure to more complex regulations. Many states required disclosure to the consumer but did not require consent. Most laws did not require independent certification of the aftermarket parts to determine whether or not they were of like kind and quality to the originals. Some laws required that non-OE parts carry a warning to consumers, most did not. The article ended with, “Pending legislation and enacted regulations have begun to appear in some states; however, it is still too soon to tell if they will provide

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Continued from Page 36

He’s Had it! Part 2 and former shop owner Mike Quinn now serves as the Senior Vice President for Business Development for AirPro Diagnostics. Quinn said, “We can all see which way this industry is going. The future is in those companies that service a car’s electronics. Right now, this is handled by people who are more versed in the mechanical side of the auto repair business because they have had to deal with it longer. What they may not be as familiar with is the protocols and nuances of the collision repair business. That’s where the collision industry veterans could help.” To amplify comments from Frank Terlep and Mike Quinn above, Tim Ronak, industry veteran, former shop owner and now a business consultant for AkzoNobel noted, “One of my favorite sayings is ‘Learn or die.’ Everyone’s role in the collision industry is changing and evolving. Whether you are staying in your shop, or going somewhere else, you need to keep up with the industry and the technology.”

Bruce Cooley, now retired, has over 40 years in the collision repair industry having worked for DuPont and Sherwin Williams, and has called on hundreds of body shops. Cooley maintains that, among shop owners there are those that are self-employed, and those that are entrepreneurs. The entrepreneurs tend to concentrate on business concepts and business models. They employ people to do the actual work, as opposed to doing the work themselves and thus are quite adaptable to alternative but related businesses. Cooley says, “It is the entrepreneurs, those who are really engaged in the industry who will have the easier time transitioning to a different but related business. But because of their entrepreneurial spirit, may have a more difficult time simply working for someone else – especially when they have been the sole decision maker for their business for so long.” Leave your shop – or stay? It’s a harrowing question. With fast-changing technology and an ever-evolving business and socio-economic climate, it’s a challenge either way. Have you “Had it?”

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Mon-Fri 8am - 5pm www.mcgrathhyundai.com

PATRICK HYUNDAI

For Your Collision Job. Visit these Genuine Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers:

DON FRANKLIN HYUNDAI

Indianapolis 7101 E Washington St.

800-592-5170

GANLEY WESTSIDE HYUNDAI North Olmsted 25600 Lorain Rd.

440-734-9375

859-263-5020 859-263-8527 Fax

nicholas.b@ganleywestside.com

888-823-7335 Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 4pm

CLASSIC HYUNDAI

INDY HYUNDAI

ONE users how to better use their estimating software,” said Dave Luehr. ‘A tool is only as effective as the skill of the user and using tools to their full potential results in less body shop chaos!’ Attendees of the Elite Webinar Series are always encouraged to bring their questions for the presenter to address and this webinar provides a unique opportunity to not only talk to someone who really understands CCC® ONE but also interact with and learn from other users. Every month, the Elite Academy highlights a topic to keep collision repairers and those that serve them well-informed with relevant information required to be successful in today’s challenging business environment. The webinars feature a wide range of top industry leaders in an interactive and often entertaining format. For more information about Elite Body Shop Solutions, visit www. elitebodyshopsolutions.com.

Lexington 3340 Richmond Rd.

847-619-4511 Fax

Indiana

PARTS

Kentucky

rogerwalker@donfranklinauto.com

Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5pm www.patrickhyundai.com

COLLISION

Dave Luehr’s Elite Body Shop Solutions announces the next installment in the FREE Elite Webinar Series: “CCC® ONE Estimating Features & Tips.” Jason Kitchen, CCC® ONE Elevate Advisor, will present on Tuesday, February 25th, at 1 p.m. CST. To register, visit: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/8484qan. Those who are unable to attend the live event can watch the recorded webinar by joining the Elite Body Shop Academy for free at http://www.elitebodyshopsolutions.com/ews. This presentation will cover features and best practices to help CCC® ONE users optimize their utilization of CCC® ONE Estimating. Kitchen will cover estimating topics such as database options, guide, clear coat calculation and commonly missed items along with features like electronic parts sourcing to add efficiencies to your estimating process. “We are excited to have Jason joining us to teach CCC®

Schaumburg 1020 E. Golf Rd.

847-605-4055

The RIGHT

Dave Luehr’s Next FREE Elite Webinar Series: “CCC ONE Estimating Features & Tips,” with Jason Kitchen of CCC

Ohio

Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd.

440-266-6750 440-266-6763 Fax

Mon-Thu 7am - 7pm Fri 7am - 6pm; Sat 7am - 3pm gregj@driveclassic.com www.driveclassichyundai.com

440-686-3426 Fax Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

WAIKEM HYUNDAI Massillon 3748 Lincoln Way East

800-225-0281 x1446 330-478-2800 x1446 330-478-9957 Fax

M 7:30am - 8pm Tu-F 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 4pm webbmcnutt@waikem.com www.waikemhyundai.com

317-536-1552 Fax

Mon 8am - 8pm; Tue-Fri 8am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 1pm inss.partsmgr@rohrman.com www.indyhyundai.com

Hyundai Parts Dealers: 46 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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SHARPE

BMW MINI Jaguar Land Rover

Original BMW Parts & Accesories. Sharpe BMW can help you restore their Ultimate Driving Machine to Pre-Loss Condition. Knowledgeable and Experienced BMW Parts Professionals. Same Day Delivery on All In-Stock Parts. E-mail or Fax Your Order in for Faster Service and Delivery.

Sharpe BMW 1010 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Parts Direct:

888.708.1359 616.452.1101 24-Hour Fax sharpebmw.com

tmosier@thesharpecollection.com

OUR PARTS. YOUR PEACE OF MIND. DEDICATED MINI PARTS STAFF. Experienced and Dedicated MINI Parts staff. Large Inventory of Original MINI Parts. Prompt Daily Delivery. Competitive Wholesale Discounts.

MINI of Grand Rapids 1010 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 miniofgrandrapids.com

Land Rover Jaguar Grand Rapids Parts Direct:

888.708.1359 616.452.1101 Fax

1010 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508 Free Reliable Delivery Experienced Professional Wholesale Parts Team Shipping Always Available

The Best Parts to Get Them Back to the Jungle

Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am - 6pm Sat: 8am - 1pm www.thesharpcollection.com autobodynews.com / MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

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Continued from Page 38

CREF Invites Dealers to Become Part of the Solution with New Initiative The Collision Repair Education Foundation is excited to announce the creation of their new “Part of the Solution” initiative which provides dealers and dealer groups with an opportunity to support future technicians by donating leftover parts that would otherwise be discarded, allowing students to train on current model vehicles. “Our philosophy is a higher quality program will attract a higher quality student which will make for a higher quality industry employee,” stated Christen Battaglia, Director of Strategic Partnerships for the Foundation. “When the technicians entering the industry are well-trained on current vehicles, using modern equipment and tools, the entire automotive industry benefits.” Parts are the most frequent need reported by schools with collision repair education programs, including fenders, hoods, bumper covers and a variety of other parts. Without access to these parts, many students are learning on vehicles and parts that are at least a decade old, but with the frequent advances in technology, this leaves student unequipped for a successful career after graduation.

Recognizing that most dealers trash thousands of dollars’ worth of parts monthly, the Foundation developed the “Part of the Solution” initiative in order to connect local schools with these dealers and dealer groups. CREF has compiled a list of over 500 schools across the U. S. in need of scrap parts that can be donated at little to no cost to the donor facility. “Hendrick Automotive Group is excited to partner with CREF’s initiative to provide students with current vehicle parts to practice OE repair procedures on that will better prepare them for today’s Collision repair environment,” said Roger Mesiemore, Corporate Director of Collision and Service Operations for Hendrick Automotive Group which has already signed on to support the future generation of technicians by participating in “Part of the Solution.” Dealers and dealer groups can also support future technicians by donating professional uniforms through the Foundation’s Student Technician Shirt Project. Supporters purchase professional Cintas technician shirts

for their local collision education programs, receiving a logo patch on the shirt in recognition of their dedication to the industry. According to Battaglia, “Receiving professional uniforms fills students with a sense of pride and teaches them what it means to look professional in the workplace. It instills confidence in them, reminds them that plenty of us believe in them, and reaffirms that they will have support as they pursue their education and enter the automotive industry as well-trained professionals.” Industry members interested in supporting the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s efforts to assist secondary and post-secondary collision repair training programs should contact Christen Battaglia at (302) 377-5202 or Christen.Battaglia@edfoundation.org. The Collision Repair Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a notfor-profit organization dedicated to supporting collision repair educational programs, schools, and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with an array of career opportunities.

Scanning vs. Diagnostic “freeze-frame” or “snapshot” data. This varies by vehicle manufacturer. Some automakers capture “freezeframe data” that tells you the exact date, time and mileage when the fault code occurred. This can clarify what was crash- or repair-related, and what DTCs may be unrelated. Other manufacturers capture “snapshot” or “key-cycle” data, which tells you only how many times the keys have been turned on and off since the fault code occurred. This can be a little less definitive in determining what is claims related, but is still helpful to have. Capturing this data when you do a scan, or having your scanning-provider capture and provide it to you, can be a critical resource in billing for your scanning and diagnostic labor. I hope a year from now to be able to say I’m seeing more consistency in the industry in terms of separating the time for scanning and the time for the resulting diagnostic work.

Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

Audi Part Professionals are experts on collision parts, replacement components and mechanical items.

ILLINOIS

WISCONSIN

Audi Exchange

Audi Milwaukee

847.432.5880 847.432.5708 Fax gorejel@audiexchange.com

414.543.3000 414.543.5150 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm parts@iamilwaukee.com

Highland Park

MISSOURI Kansas City Audi

Audi North Shore

866.949.9500 Toll Free 816.941.4969 Direct 816.942.3156 Fax M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm cfowles@molleaudi.com

414.371.2277 414.355.9815 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm rfritsch@audinorthshore.com

Kansas City

Audi dealers strive to make you an Audi Genuine Parts fan.

West Allis

Brown Deer

Regardless of the age of your customer’s Audi, Audi dealers have access to over 200,000 part numbers and are supported by a nationwide network of distribution centers to help ensure non-stocked parts are delivered the next day.

48 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS ONLY ORIGINAL PARTS PROTECT THE VEHICLE’S VALUE.

Call Call Any Any y of of These These Wholesale Wholessale Parts Parts Dealers Dealers Below Below Kentucky

Michigan

Minnesota

Ohio

Bob Hook Chevrolet

Rosedale Chevrolet

LOUISVILLE

BettenBaker Chevrolet Buick GMC

Sweeney Chevy Buick GMC

502-499-0917 Fax

888-229-2336

800-274-4665

M-F 8 am - 5:30 pm bmaberry@bobhook.net

Don Franklin Buick GMC LEXINGTON

800-880-5020

859-263-5022 859-263-8527 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Sat 8 am - 5 pm aworkman@wgautogroup.com

Indiana

Schepel Buick GMC MERRILLVILLE

800-588-7757

219-769-7757 219-755-0339 Fax M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm parts@schepel.com

ALMA

989-463-0456 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 6 pm dsitts@bettenbaker.com

LaFontaine Buick GMC Cadillac HIGHLAND

877-552-2580 734-793-6000 734-793-1101 Fax 734-793-1102 Fax

Shaheen Chevrolet Parts Warehouse LANSING

800-452-2828

877-900-0718 Fax M-F 7 am - 6 pm

shaheenparts@shaheenchevrolet.com

Minnesota

Mills Parts Center WILLMAR

Iowa

Shottenkirk Automotive FORT MADISON

877-310-0513

888-945-3729 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm gmparts@shottenkirk.com

800-247-1158

866-235-6700 Fax M-F 8 am - 5:30 pm

ROSEVILLE

800-247-0585 651-639-2120 651-639-2192 Fax

YOUNGSTOWN

800-476-0760

330-726-2297 330-726-0709 Fax

M-Th 7 am - 8 pm F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 4:30 pm rosedalechev.com

M-F 7 am - 5 pm mattf@sweeneycars.com

Missouri

800-362-9650

Bob McCosh GM COLUMBIA

800-800-8071

573-449-4103 573-441-5632 Fax

M-F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 7 am - 3 pm gmparts@bmcmail.com

VanDevere Chevy AKRON

330-836-4064 330-836-4074 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm chevyparts@vandevere.com

Wisconsin

Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet GREEN BAY

Ohio

Classic Chevrolet MENTOR

800-951-7282

800-352-7275 24-HR Fax M-F 8 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 1 pm

800-242-2844

920-468-3658 920-468-3673 Fax M-F 7 am - 7 pm Sat 7 am - 2 pm parts@gandrud.com

Joseph Chevrolet CINCINNATI

800-752-1423 513-741-6735 513-741-3814 Fax

M-F 7:30 am – 5:30 pm Sat 7:30 am – Noon josephgmparts@yahoo.com

autobodynews.com / MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 49

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Audi Recalls Vehicles Equipped with Takata Non-Azide Inﬂators by David A. Wood

Audi TT, A8, A6 and A4 vehicles need new inflators because airbags may underinflate.

Audi is recalling more than 116,000 vehicles equipped with non-azide driver inflators as part of Takata airbags at risk of not deploying properly. 2000-2001 Audi TT Roadster 2000 Audi TT Coupe 1999 Audi A8 1998-2000 Audi A6 1999-2000 Audi A4 Nearly 107,000 Audi vehicles are recalled in the U.S. and more than 9,100 are recalled in Canada. Owner recall notifications are expected to begin March 27, 2020, but concerned customers may call 800-253-2834 and ask about recall number 69AE. We thank CarComplaints. com for reprint permission.

Genuine Nissan & INFINITI OEM Wholesale Parts are Superbly Crafted to Strict Quality Standards.

Amazon’s First-Ever Electric-Powered Delivery Fleet Set for 2021 Launch by Brad Bergan

Amazon is developing 100,000 electric-powered delivery vehicles in Detroit, due to hit the road by 2021. Amazon is pushing 100,000 electric-powered delivery vans, due to hit the road in 2021. Production

Credit: Amazon News

of emissions-free electric vehicles is underway in Plymouth, near Detroit. Part of The Climate Pledge, this massive order is Amazon’s push to meet conditions stipulated by the Paris Agreement 10 years early. The pledge obliges signatories to become net-zero carbon across their entire businesses by the year 2040, 10 years ahead of the 2050 goal of

the Paris Accord. “We’re trying to build the most sustainable transportation fleet in the world,” said Ross Rachey, the director of Amazon’s fleet and products. “It also needs to be the most functional, the highest performing, the safest.” For 18 months, Amazon’s transportation team meticulously assessed a variety of electric vehicle options for the lowest carbon footprint. But since Rachey’s team had to move at lightspeed to meet their deadline, they dispatched conventional options in favor of a totally new and customized electric vehicle. You could say their designs beyond convention are the state of the industry. Next-gen delivery and zero emissions If successful, this next-gen delivery van will reduce carbon emissions, improve driver safety, and bring technology and other design elements up to par for best-in-class

driving experience. Constructed in Rivian’s plant in Normal, Illinois, the vans come in three sizes, and work with multiple battery types, to suit the disparate demands of specific delivery routes. “We are focused on driving efficiency into every aspect of the vehicle design — everything from cabin heating to driver ergonomics to drivetrain design has been optimized for time and energy,” said R.J. Scaringe, CEO of Rivian. “And then the echo effect of this, of causing other logistics players in this space to also look at how they drive up efficiency within their fleet, will have a very large impact.” As a world community, we’re only on the cusp of the biggest industrial revolution ever — rivaled only by the last, in the 1900s. But the unique synergy of ambition, innovation, and global awareness could make the next few decades the most exciting time to be alive. We thank Interesting Engineering for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

The following dealers proudly stock genuine parts for your Nissan or Infiniti repairs.

NISSAN MINNESOTA

WISCONSIN

Eden Prairie Nissan

Gandrud Nissan

952-567-2150

800-242-2844

Eden Prairie

(952) 567-2197 Fax M-F 6:30-7 parts@edenprairienissan.com www.edenprairienissan.com

Green Bay

(920) 785-5868 (920) 884-0882 Fax M-F 7-7, Sat. 7-2 nissanparts@gandrud.com

INFINITI ILLINOIS

INFINITI of Naperville Naperville

Illinois

Michigan

Patrick MINI

MINI of Grand Rapids

Schaumburg 847-605-4055 (847) 619-4511 Fax Hours: M-Sat 8am-5pm patrickMINI.com

Grand Rapids 888-708-1359 (616)-452-1101 Fax miniofgrandrapids.com

The Dealers Above Are Original MINI Parts Distributors

866-874-6346

(331) 457-4661 Fax M-F 7-7, Sat. 8-4 www.buyinfinitiparts.com tryan@auto-plaza.com

Choose Original MINI Parts.

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

50 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Universal Technical Institute’s Core Automotive Program Outfitted With Volvo’s Advanced and Electrified Vehicles Volvo Cars USA LLC has announced it will contribute 36 new vehicles to include twin-engine plug-in hybrid vehicles to Universal Technical Institute’s core automotive training program as part of its national Vehicle Lease Program for Schools initiative. The effort supports Volvo’s strategy to work directly with UTI and other educational institutions to put stateof-the-industry technology into the hands of students training for transportation careers, and ultimately increase the number of skilled technicians in the field. “For nearly 20 years, Volvo has trusted Universal Technical Institute to train the technicians who maintain and service its products across the nation,” said UTI Executive Vice President of Campus Operations Sherrell Smith. “This new program will give more students the opportunity to work on the latest technology in the market – ensuring they graduate from UTI ready to hit the ground running in a fast-evolving industry with high demand and earning potential.” The new cars – to be delivered across 11 UTI campuses nationwide – will support UTI’s hands-on train-

ing with Volvo’s advanced technologies, such as collision avoidance and advanced electrical diagnosis. In preparation for this unique access to these state-of-the-industry vehicles, UTI is revising its core curriculum to ensure that all students have the opportunity to experience learning on the Volvo cars in the lab.

have the option to continue their studies through the 14-week Volvo Service Automotive Factory Education (SAFE) program, exclusively offered at UTI’s campus in Avondale, Arizona. Successful MSAT applicants often are sponsored by Volvo and local dealerships to cover the cost of tuition. After two years of

“This new program will give more students the opportunity to work on the latest technology in the market – ensuring they graduate from UTI ready to hit the ground running in a fast-evolving industry with high demand and earning potential.” — Sherrell Smith “Volvo Cars sees an increasing demand for qualified technicians as the company is rapidly adopting electrified powertrains across its entire lineup,” said Jeffrey Jennings, Senior Manager, Technical Training at Volvo Car USA. “Getting our hybrid vehicles in the hands of future technicians is critical to the growth of our business.” Upon completion of UTI’s core training programs, UTI students who wish to specialize in Volvo vehicles

employment, and ASE Master Certification, they’re eligible for Master Technician status. UTI is unique for its 11 automotive Manufacturer Specific Advanced Training (MSAT) programs. The specialized manufacturer training and certifications that students receive through UTI’s MSAT programs, including the Volvo SAFE program, are acquired in just a few months and can often take two years

or more to garner in the field. With more than 220,000 graduates in its 54-year history, Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE: UTI) is the nation’s leading provider of technical training for automotive, diesel, collision repair, motorcycle and marine technicians, and offers welding technology and computer numerical control (CNC) machining programs. The company has built partnerships with industry leaders, outfits its state-of-the-industry facilities with current technology, and delivers training that is aligned with employer needs. Through its network of 13 campuses nationwide, UTI offers post-secondary programs under the banner of several well-known brands, including Universal Technical Institute (UTI), Motorcycle Mechanics Institute and Marine Mechanics Institute (MMI) and NASCAR Technical Institute (NASCAR Tech). The company is headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona. For more information, visit www. uti.edu. Like UTI on www.facebook. com/UTI or follow UTI on Twitter @ UTITweet, @MMITweet, and @NAS CARTechUTI.

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR. Illinois

Laurel BMW of Westmont

Westmont 630-230-2890 Direct Wholesale M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-3pm www.laurelbmw.com

Patrick BMW Schaumburg

847-605-4055 847-619-4511 Fax M-Sat 8am-5pm

Indiana

Basney BMW

South Bend 800-274-8504 574-273-5075 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm parts@basneyimports.com www.basneybmw.com

Kentucky

BMW of Louisville

Louisville 502-499-4552 502-499-4476 Fax M-Sat 8am-5pm bmwparts@louisvillebmw.com

Michigan

Sharpe BMW

Missouri

Grand Rapids 888-708-1359 616-452-1101 Fax M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-1pm tmosier@thesharpecollection.com www.sharpebmw.com

Autohaus BMW

St. Louis 888-811-6199 314-880-8428 Fax M-F 7am-6pm brian.ﬁscher@bmwautohaus.com

When you repair a BMW, use the parts that are identical to those used in Series production – and just as reliable. Choose Original BMW Parts and Accessories. Because you can’t repair your reputation. ©2020 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. autobodynews.com / MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 51

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More Bad News at Nissan by Rob Stumpf

Nissan is shrinking again. Not in the sense that it plans to build smaller cars, but that the Japanese automaker is downsizing its workforce in an attempt to stabilize a company at risk of circling the metaphorical drain.

On Tuesday, Nissan announced that it will reduce its U.S. workforce of 20,000 employees by offering buyouts to workers across its core and luxury brands. The automaker says that the buyout offer will be voluntary, available to both hourly and salaried workers aged 52 years and older. Nissan doesn’t specify

the number of employees that it plans to target, nor if there will be mandatory layoffs should that number remain unmet. This news comes just months after the automaker announced a nine-percent cut to its global workforce, placing 12,500 total jobs on the chopping block worldwide. It’s unclear if this round of buyouts is related to that decision. In summer 2018, Nissan reduced its North American production capacity by 20 percent due to declining sales. “Like many other automotive companies, Nissan North America is taking proactive steps to assess our structure, workflow, and operational efficiencies amid a challenging industry environment,” wrote Nissan’s head of sales and senior VP, Airton Cousseau, in a letter sent to dealers obtained by Automotive News. “This reorganization will create office synergies that will enable a leaner organization while still focusing on dealer profitability and your ability to continue providing a quality customer experience. You will continue to receive all the support you need.”

Buzzwords aside, this move is Nissan’s response to not only its own slumping sales figures but also an industry-wide downturn after a momentous decade of growth and positive cash flow. The auto industry as a whole is beginning to watch as consumers realize that they’ve had their fill–especially with new car sales not do-

Nissan Titan Platinum

ing so hot right now. According to CNBC, this downward trend means that manufacturers exited 2019 with one of the worst sales years since the 2008 recession. Restructuring is a sign that Nissan is looking to resize its company to a more appropriate proportion aligned with its current sales figures, a number which drooped nearly 10 percent last year. Forward-looking projections don’t look so great either. Nissan

has also announced that it plans to switch its financial and sales reporting from monthly to quarterly. The automaker says that this move is to “provide a clearer picture of sales performance over a longer period of time,” permitting it to smooth out its sales over a three month period rather than report up-and-down trends, effectively removing the sting of poor numbers month-over-month. This is a method that has been adopted by other industry players (including Fiat-Chrysler, Ford, GM, BMW, and Porsche) over the past year to help investors look past declining month-to-month sales. Will smoother financial reporting and reduced costs be enough to save the automaker from itself and the market? Carlos Ghosn, the brand’s former CEO-turned-fugitive, has reportedly claimed that the writing has been on the wall for years, foreshadowing a company-wide bankruptcy by 2022. Meanwhile, dealers are begging Nissan for increased support and a better brand image before it all boils over. We thank The Drive for reprint permission.

Think Genuine Subaru Parts. MINNESOTA

OHIO

Luther Bloomington Subaru

Waikem Subaru

Bloomington (800) 451-5078 Direct (952) 887-0600 (952) 881-1787 Fax Mon 6:30-6; Tue-Fri 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com www.bloomingtonsubaru.com

Massillon (800) 225-0281 x2189 (330) 478-2800 x2189 (330) 639-0140 Fax Mon 7:30-8; Tue-Fri 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 dandager@waikem.com www.waikem.com SOUTH DAKOTA

OHIO

Ganley Westside Subaru

We’re focused on getting you the Genuine Subaru Parts you need — fast and competitively priced. Put us to the test on your next Subaru repair or service job.

North Olmsted Toll Free (888) 850-0633 Direct (440) 788-7060 (440) 788-7085 Fax Mon-Fri 8-7 jtjoyce@ganleywestside.com

Courtesy Subaru Rapid City (800) 658-3054 (605) 342-1178 Fax Mon-Fri 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-Noon parts@courtesysubaru.com

The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today! 52 MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Kia.com

Precise fit and finish, easy installation and a limited warranty direct from Kia— all genuine advantages of Genuine Kia Parts. Your local Kia retailer has all the parts you need.

MISSOURI Lou Fusz Kia

St. Louis (877) 221-4151 (314) 595-4942 Fax M, W, F 7am-8pm; Tu, Th 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm fuszkiaparts@fusz.com www.kia.fusz.com

From headlights to tail lights, bumpers to fenders and hoods, there is no substitute for genuine. The only way to assure that you are getting Genuine Kia parts, backed by the Kia Warranty, is to order them from your local Authorized Kia Dealer. Contact your local Kia dealer for assistance and delivery of the parts you need. *Genuine Kia replacement parts (except battery) sold by Authorized Kia Dealer under warranty are covered for the greater of (1) the duration of the New Vehicle Limited Warranty or (2) the first 12 months from the date of installation or 12,000 miles, whichever comes first. Labor charges not included when not installed by an Authorized Kia Dealer. Warranty is limited. See Kia’s Replacement Parts and Accessories Limited Warranty for further details.

ILLINOIS

Hawkinson Kia

Matteson (708) 720-8972 (708) 720-0657 Fax M, W, F 6am-5pm Tu, Th 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-2pm jmihas@hawkinsonnissankia.com www.hawkinsonnissan.com/ez-parts

Raymond Kia

Antioch (847) 395-3600 (847) 838-7997 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-2pm kweber@raymondchevrolet.com

KANSAS

Midwest Kia

Wichita (316) 652-2960 (316) 652-2992 Fax M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm wsturm@midwestkia.com

MICHIGAN Kia of Lansing

Lansing (517) 393-5700 (517) 393-6767 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm mattr@lansingisyoung.com www.kiaoflansing.com

Napleton’s Mid Rivers Kia

St. Peters (888) 816-9729 (636) 926-0683 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-3pm bprinster@napleton.com pschnare@napleton.com www.midriverskia.com

Suntrup Kia

St. Louis (800) 727-8496 (314) 815-3060 Fax M-F 7am-5pm www.suntrupkiasouth.com

NO. DAKOTA

VanDevere Kia

Akron (330) 836-4064 (330) 836-4074 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm chevyparts@vandevere.com www.vandevere.com

Waikem Kia

Massillon (800) 225-0281 x1447 (330) 478-0900 (330) 478-9957 Fax M 7:30am-8pm Tu-F 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 4pm mmiller@waikem.com www.waikem.com

WISCONSIN Russ Darrow Kia of Waukesha

Waukesha (262) 896-1151 (262) 896-1188 Fax Jeff.krueger@russdarrow.com www.kiaofwaukesha.com

Kia of Fargo

Fargo (800) 728-7601 (701) 282-5924 Fax M-F 7am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm

OHIO

Montrose Kia

Sheffield (440) 934-6699 (440) 934-5247 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm bgordon@gomontrose.com www.montrosekia.com

autobodynews.com / MARCH 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 53

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March 2020 Midwest Edition

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