June 2017 Midwestern Edition

Midwestern Midwestern Edition E Ed d i t i on Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Michigan Minnesota

Missouri Nebraska North Dakota Ohio South Dakota Wisconsin

35

YEARS

www.autobodynews.com ww ww.autobodynews.com

Indiana Body Shops Encouraged to Contact State Representative in Regards to Parts-Related Bill

originally introduced in January by House Representative Matt Pierce, After an Indiana parts-related D-Bloomington, would have bill failed to receive a comextended this right to thirdmittee hearing by the legislaparty claimants. tive deadline, body shops and “The bill would have other interested parties across helped protect consumers,” said Doug Martin, president of the state are being encouraged the Indiana Auto Body Assoto get involved and contact ciation. “Instead of having to their state representatives.

House file a claim through their own According to current InRepresentative Matt Pierce, insurance company, the thirddiana law, insureds have the D-Bloomington right to approve the type of party carrier would have had body parts used to repair their vehicles to abide by the same rules as they would for up to six years—the model year of as if it were their own policyholder.” the car plus five. House Bill 1559, See Indiana Parts Bill, Page 24

by Stacey Phillips

Michigan Looks to Kill 7-Day Car Insurance

See MI Insurance, Page 28

P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

Michigan is attempting to end sevenday auto insurance policies popular with cash-strapped drivers in Detroit and other urban areas, arguing the “jump start” policies undermine state law requiring continuous no-fault coverage.

The policies effectively allow motorists to skirt the law by obtaining insurance needed to renew their vehicle registration and license plate tabs each year without committing to keep coverage beyond seven days.

But supporters argue the weeklong policies are a “last resort” for motorists who simply cannot afford

high-cost insurance in Michigan and might otherwise resort to more drastic measures to renew their plates, including attempts to purchase fake insurance cards.

“Unfortunately, we have the highest auto insurance rates in the country, with Detroit being probably the highest on earth,” said state Sen. Joe Hune, R-Fowlerville, who chairs the Senate Insurance Committee. “So that’s the problem. The economic issue has caused people to find some creative solutions.”

The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services last month informed Integon National Insurance Company of North Carolina,

Change Service Requested

by Jonathan Oosting, Detroit News Lansing Bureau

VOL. 6 ISSUE 9 JUNE 2017

CIC Task Force Explores What “Secure Share” Will Mean for Exchange of Estimate Data

ing system, or third-parties like CSI providers, parts locating services, rental CCC Information Services’ newly- car companies, etc. launched “Secure Share” generated Under the current data-exchange both questions and criticisms at the method, a CCC ONE user can transfer Collision Industry Conference (CIC) that data to others using a standardheld in Pittsburgh, PA, in late April, ized “Estimate Management Standard although no company representative (EMS)” file. In many cases, those third-parties have—with a was there to respond. shop’s permission—placed a A new CIC task force “data pump” on the shop’s held a panel discussion related server to automatically pull to the new data-sharing systhe EMS files the shop has tem, and though CCC chose agreed to share. not to attend (citing antitrust concerns), it did send a fourCCC’s “Secure Share” changes this arrangement in page response to questions Frank Terlep several key ways. First, it posed by the task force.

“Secure Share” went “live” in early will transfer the data using a “Business Message Suite (BMS)” file, viewed by April (www.cccsecureshare.com), representing a significant change in terms many in the industry as a positive of how shops using CCC’s estimating change. The industry-developed BMS system can share estimate information standard in theory gives users more See CIC Task Force, Page 32 with a shop management or paint mixby John Yoswick

Automotive Attorney Erica Eversman Discusses Shop Liability and Protection

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On Tuesday, April 18, AASP-PA hosted a presentation during CIC Week in Pittsburgh, PA, featuring Vehicle Information Services Chief Counsel Erica Eversman. Her presentation focused on the liabilities shops are exposed to currently, how shops can protect themselves and tips on getting paid for proper repairs.

Eversman took time to discuss some of the key points of her presentation with Autobody News.

“The most important thing for shop owners to remember is that they are the professionals. They are responsible for making decisions, and they are subject to the burden of resolving issues with the consumer or insurance companies, whether it’s related to imitation parts or something else. If it’s not a safety concern; the

customer can make some decisions, but shops need to stand firm on safety issues,” Eversman said.

Referring to Berg v. Nationwide Insurance, a 2012 Superior Court of Pennsylvania case that handed down a sweeping decision that broadly interprets insurance bad faith under Section 8371, Eversman recounted the horrific tale of a newly leased Jeep Cherokee which the shop declared a total loss; however, the claim representative argued and coerced a repair since the insurer would lose money on the total loss. The repair took four months, but the insurance company only paid for 30 days of the customer’s rental car.

Eventually, the vehicle was returned to the consumers, but the shop was concerned about it being unsafe, and one of their technicians called the customer to warn them.

See Erica Eversman, Page 15

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244

2 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Contents Creates Graffiti Mansion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Member-Customer Industry Partnership’ . . 12

Chess - Know the Terms: Scanning, ESC,

Golf Outing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Phillips - Important Considerations When

AASP-MN Announces 23rd Annual

AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership

Conference Highlights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Advanced Production Management Course

Available in OH on June 7 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Antonelli - SkillsUSA Participant Works Full Time While Completing Auto Body

Program at Waubonsee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

ASA-OH Hosts asTech’s Jake Rodenroth

for Scan Tool Workshops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

SAS’s and ADAS? If Not, Read On… . . . . 38

Purchasing New Equipment for Your

Body Shop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Phillips - Industry Veteran Introduces MARP Methodology to Assess Structural

Automotive Realignment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Yoswick - Flashback: Panel Calls for End

of ‘Funny Time’ – Two Decades Ago . . . . . 54

NATIONAL

Auto Parts Supplier Flex-N-Gate Breaks

2017 National Leadership and Skills

Axalta Expertise on Display at 2017 FOCUS

Attanasio - Regal Collision in CA Wins Best

Ground in Detroit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Conference Discussing the Future of

Coatings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Baby Delivered at Salesville, OH, Body Shop . 15

Car Slams Into Monroe, MI, Body Shop . . . . 20

CARSTAR Centerline in Ohio Celebrates

Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

in Show at Dog Fundraiser . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Auto Care Careers Offers On-Campus

Recruiting Opportunities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Automotive Attorney Erica Eversman

Discusses Shop Liability and Protection . . . 1

25th Anniversary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Chevrolet Sees Spike in OnStar Spanish

No Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

CIC Task Force Explores What “Secure

Former Owner of MI Body Shop Pleads

Legislation Introduced to Give Michigan

Residents Choice of Auto Coverage . . . . . 28

Requests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Share” Will Mean for Exchange of

Estimate Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Lincoln Body Shop Open During Fire

Honda Kicks Off New Quality Repair

Michigan's High-Risk Auto Insurer Names

I-CAR® Welding Training & Certification Now

Clean-Up & Rebuild . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

New Executive Director. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Paint Toner Donation to Help Iowa Lakes

Campaign . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Required for State Farm™ Select Service®

Repairers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Student Learning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Polyvance Likes Caliber Collision’s

Conference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

PPG Certification Training Programs Keep

for Professional Restorers, Students . . . . . 10

SCRS Education Committee Presents

Plans Coming Together for WIA July

Tech Center in MI Hosts Annual Car Show

COLUMNISTS

“Changing Lanes” Initiative. . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Techs on Top . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Video on Scanning, Diagnostics

and Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Attanasio - CAA Takes on the Capitol With

The Dropout Who Branded a Sauce: Auto

Attanasio - Elite Electronics Gives Body Shops

Women’s Industry Network Announces

ASCCA and CalABC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

an In-House Mechanical Department . . . . 62

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, David Brown, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Sales Assistant: Jessica Day Digital Marketing Manager: Cass Heckel Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Michelle Lucas Accounting Manager: Pamela Cate

Body Owner-Trainer Spices it Green . . . . . 16

Winners of 2017 Scholarship Program . . . 71

the rheology (the study of the flow of liquid matter) of automotive paint coatings.

“The FOCUS conference is a valued tradition in the coatings industry and we are seeing a record level of interest from the automotive industry,” said Boland. “The FOCUS planning committee accepted a challenge from key automotive OEM customers to expand the technical agenda and add an increased ‘focus’ on application technology. This year’s program is set to deliver on that challenge and it is fitting to see Axalta experts play a key role in meeting that request.”

To celebrate the fusion of technology and design, Axalta’s exhibit will showcase its Automotive Color of the Year 2017 Gallant Gray, a luxurious color enhanced with blue and silver flakes that exemplifies modernity and sophistication. Gallant Gray debuted at the 2017 North American International Auto Show.

3M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 AkzoNobel. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 asTech . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 66 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . . 2 Bettenhausen Automotive . . . . . . . 12 Blue Springs Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 67 Bob Hook Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Borton Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CarcoonAmerica Airflow Systems . 32 CCC Information Services . . . . . . . 29 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 35 Charles Gabus Ford . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 ChemSpec USA, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Classic Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70 Courtesy Subaru. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Dominion Sure Seal . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . 22 Equalizer Industries, Inc. . . . . . . . . 38 Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills . . . 55 Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills . . 55 Eurovac, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ganley Westside Hyundai . . . . . . . 28 Ganley Westside Subaru . . . . . . . . 49 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 65 GYS Welding USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Herkules Equipment Corporation. . 30 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36-37 Hyundai Motor America . . . . . . . . . 17 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 56 Infiniti of Naperville . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Insta Finish Car Care . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Jack Phelan Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam of Countryside . . . . . . . . . . 25 Jake Sweeney Chevrolet . . . . . . . . 48 Kelly BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

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. ©2017 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com news@autobodynews.com

Midwest

AASPI Annual Meeting Brings ‘Value to

Attanasio - Long Island, NY, Shop Owner

Axalta Coating Systems, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, served multiple roles including presenter, exhibitor, and sponsor at the Future of Coatings Under Study (FOCUS) conference at the Michigan State University Education Center in Troy, MI on May 4, 2017. Matthew Boland, Axalta Vice President of Global Transportation Coatings Technology, and Jake Welland, Axalta Product Manager serve as Focus 2017 chairs and helped organize the event.

The 42nd annual FOCUS event titled, From the Can to the Car: Extending Boundaries of Technology featured presentations from automotive industry experts on innovative ways to utilize technology to transport the auto industry into the future. Joanne Hardy, Axalta Global Research and Development Director, led a panel discussion based on the conference theme with five other industry experts. Dr. Michael Koerner, Axalta Technical Fellow, presented on

Index of Advertisers

REGIONAL

Axalta Expertise on Display at 2017 FOCUS Conference Discussing the Future of Coatings

Kia of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . 69 Killer Tools & Equipment. . . . . . . . . 47 Lancer Insurance Company . . . . . . 27 Laurel Auto Group of Westmont . . . 61 Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru. 63 Luther Hopkins Honda . . . . . . . . . . 30 Maplewood Toyota-Scion . . . . . . . . 62 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 68 Midwest Parts Group . . . . . . . . . 18-19 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 64 Mirka USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40-41 Morrison’s Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . 52 NACE/automechanika Trade Show . . 5 Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 O’Reilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Polyvance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 ProLine Tool & Supply, LLC. . . . . . . 15 Promax America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Richfield-Bloomington Honda . . . . 46 Robaina Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . . 43 Russ Darrow Automotive Group. . . 54 SATA Dan-Am Company . . . . . . . . 13 Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 71 The Sharpe Collection of Automobiles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Toyota of Des Moines . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 64 Valspar Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 VanDevere Kia-GM . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Wesch Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 West Bend Insurance . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Wizards Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Zimmer Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram . 72

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Why Autonomous Vehicles are Suddenly Taking Off and the Implications for Body Shops

by Stacey Phillips

We’ve all heard predictions for the timeframe when driverless vehicles will become mainstream—three years, five years, a decade or even longer. Hod Lipson, a professor of engineering and data science at Columbia University in New York, recently gave a presentation during a Guild 21* podcast about autonomous vehicles. Guild 21 podcasts are sponsored monthly by Verifacts Automotive and attended by repairers, insurers and OEMs. During Lipson’s presentation, he shared insight about why driverless cars are suddenly taking off and the future implications for those involved in the body shop industry.

“If you are in the car repair business, it’s going to get more complex, more interesting, and more challenging,” said Lipson. “It’s not going to be something easy to do. More skills are going to be required for these cars.”

According to Lipson, the main challenge for driverless vehicles coming to market hasn’t been the ability for them to drive on the highway, in the dark or even parallel park. Lipson said the biggest hurdle has been to negotiate obstacles on the road and understand what they are seeing.

Just five years ago, the technology used in driverless vehicles didn’t allow the ability to reliably tell the difference

between a pothole and an oil spill, or a child and a fire hydrant. Now, with the development of what is called “deep learning,” driverless cars can understand what is going on around them. This has led to a variety of companies and car manufacturers developing prototypes of future vehicles.

Lipson, who co-authored the book “Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead” by MIT Press, has been involved in Artificial Intelligence (AI) research and robotics for the last 20 years. “When we talk about cars, they have fundamentally not changed in any big way over the last century,” he said.

He said soon after cars were first

introduced, people were already beginning to dream about the idea of driverless cars. In 1939, the Futurama exhibit sponsored by General Motors Corporation at the World’s Fair in New York showed a possible model of a city 20 years into the future. It included automated highways and vehicles. Then in 1956 GM came out with advertising that showed a family driving on a motorway with a vehicle that could track buried wire in the ground. Others followed suit.

Three years later, RCA built a car without a steering wheel and the UK Transportation Research Laboratory designed a device that attached to the front of a vehicle and could track buried wire.

Although the driverless technology was seemingly available, other priorities began consuming the auto industry that centered around issues such as safety and fuel efficiency. “This whole dream of making driverless cars fell by the roadside,” said Lipson. “It also turned out to be way too expensive to bury wires and maintain them.”

While the idea of building intelligent highways never fully went away, another story began to develop from the robotics industry—the development of small robots built by the AI community using software. Lipson explained that any technology based on software follows what is referred to as “Moore’s Law”—the law of exponential return.

“Whereas cars don’t improve in their

performance every so many months, anything that is software-related does,” he said. “When you want to understand why we’re seeing driverless cars today, you need to understand that the challenge of making driverless cars is really a challenge of software.”

Lipson said the hardware of autonomous vehicles, which includes the body and chassis, is nearly identical to a conventional car. “What makes a driverless car driverless is the control system,” he said.

The world of AI has been divided by two schools of thought for many years, according to Lipson.

The first is programming AI by writing programs or “rules” in the same way you would tell a computer how to play chess. This thinking has dominated the industry for many years. Alternatively, a computer can learn from example, in a process called “machine learning.” In the 1950s, machine learning was already developed, but mostly dismissed as impractical.

During the first 40 years when autonomous vehicles were built from 1950–1990, they were programmed using rules. Robots were built that could drive around obstacles in a lab; however, when the same software was used in cars that were taken out on the road, they were unable to drive very far. “You can write rules to play chess but it’s very

driving, it isn’t practical (and is dangerous) for humans to be on call for just five percent of the time.

3) Myth 3: Driverless cars will need a lot of infrastructure changes.

Lipson said the only necessities include having good roads, and good technicians.

4) Myth 4: Cars will communicate with one another to move around.

“They might benefit a little from talking to each other but really they get everything they need from the cameras on top of the vehicle and from stored data,” said Lipson.

5) Myth 5: People aren’t ready for driverless cars. Time and time again, Lipson said surveys show that most people would like to use driverless cars if they could be assured of their safety. According to a Cisco Customer Experience Report for the Automobile Industry conducted in May 2013, 57 percent of the 1,511 consumers asked

in 10 countries said they trust driverless cars.

6) Myth 6: Driverless cars have to be 100 percent safe before they can be allowed to drive on the road. “We don’t need 100 percent safe cars, we just need them to be slightly better than the average human drivers,” said Lipson. He said when driverless cars become common, similar to having a miles per gallon (mpg) rating and horsepower (hp) rating, there could possibly be a third rating to let people know how safe the vehicle is compared to a human—twice as safe, three times as safe or even more.

7) Myth 7: Cars will not be able to determine during an impending crash whether to crash into a mother and two children or a building. Accidents are predicted to be so infrequent, said Lipson, that it will most likely be a moot issue.

8) Myth 8: There are not going to

be many cars. When driverless cars become more common, Lipson said is expected that there will be more miles driven per capita. “Everyone in the automotive business should rejoice,” he said. “That means more cars being manufactured, maintained, and more mechanical work, road construction and repair.”

9) Myth 9: No more car ownership. While some people will no longer purchase a vehicle, many will buy one for the additional benefits included such as a bed or a working desk. It is also expected that there will be a wider variety of cars available.

10) Myth 10: Self-driving cars are going to be expensive. Lipson predicted that autonomous vehicles will be cost effective, especially since many of them are going to be electric.

“All of the smart technology is AI, and the software and sensors are very inexpensive,” said Lipson.

Hod Lipson, a professor of engineering and data science at Columbia University, holding a robot

See Autonomous Shops, Page 39

10 Myths About Autonomous Vehicles from “Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead”

by Stacey Phillips

During Hod Lipson’s Guild 21 presentation, hosted by Verifacts, the author and Columbia University professor of engineering and data science, highlighted 10 common myths about selfdriving cars.

1) Myth 1: There is going to be a gradual transition of driverless technology into fully autonomous vehicles.

Lipson said the technology is not an evolutionary development of conventional driver-assist technology. Instead, it is a very different technology and the vehicles are built to be fully-autonomous from the ground up.

2) Myth 2: Humans and computers can cooperate and a car can drive itself 95 percent of the time and humans will drive five percent of the time. “Human/computer cooperation is a great thing but not for driving,” said Lipson. He said when it comes to

4 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

AASP-MN Announces 23rd Annual Golf Outing

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers - Minnesota (AASPMN) invites all collision and mechanical industry professionals and vendor suppliers to attend its 23rd Annual Golf Outing, Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at Keller Golf Course in Maplewood. More than

150 AASP-MN members, employees, vendors, and insurance industry representatives are expected to enjoy the day of golf and socializing.

Play will begin at noon followed by a social hour and awards presentation. The cost to participate is $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome. Golf holes are also available to sponsor for $350 each.

For additional information, contact the AASP-MN office at (612) 623-1110 or 800-852-9071 or online at www.aaspmn.org.

Paint Toner Donation to Help Iowa Lakes Student Learning tomotive Refinish.

“The donation of these toners, A shiny topcoat just isn’t enough for worth $6,500, allows the program to the students and teachers in the auto use funds for student learning, other collision repair and paint Technology materials and supplies,” Rob Schultz, Program at Iowa Lakes Community assistant professor in the Auto Collision Repair & Paint Technology Program, said.

Toners have a significant effect on the outcome of a paint job. The donated toners will likely last more than three years and will allow students to match paint manufacturer’s formulas for almost any vehicle both foreign and domestic made from the 1960s up to today.

Students and staff from Iowa Lakes Community College “We appreciate the opporaccept a donation of $6,500 in paint toners for the Auto Collision Repair & Paint Technology Program. (l to r) Extunity for PPG and Arnold’s ecutive Dean Tom Brotherton; Randy Schultz, territory (Motor Supply), giving this manager with PPG Automotive Refinish; student Austin chance for students to use the Miller of Graettinger; student Brock Hubbell of Plover; product and gaining customers student Mitchell Wittmus of Fairmont, Minnesota; for life,” Randy Schultz of Grant Schenk, manager of Arnold Motor Supply, PPG said.

Spencer; and Rob Schultz, assistant professor in the More than 70 percent of area Auto Collision Repair & Paint Technology Program at auto body shops use PPG prodIowa Lakes. ucts. Using them helps students College — they know that what’s get experience with industry materials. below the sparkle counts too.

“The college greatly appreciates That’s why those in the program the support of industry and area busiare grateful for the recent donation of nesses, for students to learn profesautomotive paint toners from Arnold sional work standards, using industry Motor Supply, Spencer and PPG Au- quality materials,” Executive Dean

by Dickinson County News

Advanced Production Management Course Available in OH on June 7

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On June 7, the Vision Plus University will be offering a one-day interactive collision center workshop on Advanced Production Management at the Columbus Hilton at Easton in Columbus, OH. This course focuses on standardizing the repair process and eliminating barriers to efficiency by demonstrating the most efficient use of people, space and time in order to improve profits, deliver vehicles quicker, and increase collision center capacity.

Designed for damage writers, customer service representatives, collision center managers, lead technicians, production managers and coordinators, Advanced Production Management will focus on systemization, pre-repair management, throughput, organizing the production department, and effective utilization of VisionPLUS online to improve performance. Attendees will discover the importance selling the consumer first, writing complete and accurate damage reports, and obtaining all correct parts before dispatching the vehicle to the technician. Developing a pre-repair management process will help reduce work in progress and

production area chaos. The course also explores the importance of segregating small repairs and measuring and improving throughput, productivity, cycle times, quality and customer satisfaction. Strategies taught include a new production model designed to streamline scheduling, parts handling, sublet repairs and payment methods, thus eliminating inefficiencies in the repair process. After successfully completing this course, attendees will understand the concept, importance and benefits of increasing throughput. They will also practice new techniques of production management, including how to premanage a repair, and they will comprehend the importance of writing a complete damage report first, before beginning the repair. Advanced Production Management is sponsored by BASF, AMI, Glasurit, R-M and Limco.

This training is approved for Gold Class and Platinum points through the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance, and estimators taking this course are able to receive seven I-CAR hours by following I-CAR’s procedures. Contact your local BASF representative or distributor to register or for more information about this course.

6 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Tom Brotherton said.

Grant Schenk of Arnold Motor Supply said the donation should mean

Grant Schenk, manager of Arnold Motor Supply, Spencer, hands a bottle of toner to Rob Schultz, assistant professor in the Auto Collision Repair & Paint Technology Program at Iowa Lakes Community College.

an easier transition for students from school to work, since they’ll be using the same products in the field.

“Experience with this product makes the graduate more marketable in northwest Iowa,” Schenk said. “They are able to say ‘I can do that,’ because they’ve worked with this PPG product.”

The water-based paint system used with these toners has less environmental impact while still resulting in an exceptional finish, Brotherton added.

We thank Dickinson County News for reprint permission.

Comprehensive inventory of high quality OEM

VOLVO GENUINE PARTS Dedicated Wholesale Staff

Competitive Wholesale Prices

Exceptional Customer Service

Borton Volvo 905 Hampshire Ave. S. // Golden Valley, MN 55426

Parts Hours Mon-Thu: 7 AM - 6 PM Fri: 7 AM - 5:30 PM; Sat: 7 AM - 3:30 PM

Prompt & Dependable Delivery

parts@borton.com

800.328.7114

Fax 612.827.3496

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Former Owner of MI Body Shop Pleads No Contest to Vehicle Identity Fraud

by Bradley Massman, Huron Daily Tribune Staff Writer

The former owner of Russ’s Body Shop in Bad Axe, MI, has pleaded no contest to charges stemming from illegal operations that occurred within the business last year.

Russell C. Dunn, of Harbor Beach, was re-arraigned this week in Huron County Circuit Court. The 38year-old was originally charged, in two separate files, with concealing or misrepresenting the identity of a motor vehicle, false pretenses over $1,000 but less than $20,000, and two counts of no registration for a repair facility.

In Judge Gerald M. Prill’s courtroom, Dunn—who is being represented by Bad Axe-based attorney Andrew Lockard—accepted a plea agreement during the hearing. Per the agreement, he pleaded no contest to the concealing or misrepresenting charge as well as one count of the no registration for a repair facility.

In exchange, the remaining charges were dismissed, as was his Huron County District Court file.

Also part of the agreement, Dunn

must pay restitution in the amount to be determined.

The Harbor Beach-based body shop first went under scrutiny last August when the Secretary of State served a cease and desist order against the business. It was reported the business was operating without proper registration for two years after it expired in November 2014.

The Huron County Sheriff’s Office started investigating after receiving tips from a citizen about suspicious activity.

It was reported that Dunn swapped VIN numbers from one vehicle and replaced the VIN numbers with another vehicle. The incidents happened between March 8 and August 8, 2016, according to police reports. Reports also indicate vehicles were being scrapped that Dunn didn’t have titles for, which is believed to have happened June 17, 2016.

Dunn is scheduled to appear for sentencing on July 10. As of May 6, Dunn remains free on bond.

We thank Huron Daily Tribune for reprint permission.

8 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ASA-OH Hosts asTech’s Jake Rodenroth for Scan Tool Workshops

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On April 4-6, ASA-OH hosted Jake Rodenroth from asTech for several Scan Tool Workshops. According to

Matt Dougher, Executive Director for ASA-OH, “Jake Rodenroth provided an outstanding presentation on why and when to pre- and post-scan vehicles during the repair process.

He also provided information on the changing technology in today’s automobile and why a scan is imperative to safely and correctly repair a damaged vehicle.”

ASA-OH hosted this training as a means of providing association members with the latest information on scan technology tools and proper use of these tools. “We also wanted to provide attendees with what the

future holds for them in the collision repair industry,” Dougher states.

“Members look to ASA-OH to provide them with the education and information needed to be successful in the industry.”

Our 150 collision repair professionals participated in the offered training, exceeding the association’s expectations. Dougher notes, “The reviews received from members were very positive. Attendees were very pleased with the content of the event and really appreciated the information on how to correctly repair high tech vehicles. They also liked the information on what type of technology is coming and how they can be prepared to correctly repair automobiles of the future. Finally, they appreciated the opportunity to network with other shop owners.”

LIKE US US ON

FACEBOOK :

Autobody News

Lincoln Body Shop Open During Fire Clean-Up and Rebuild

by Jessica Lema, The Courier

Within one day of the April 19 fire that destroyed a building and injured one employee, the crew at Treu Body Works, in Lincoln, IL was eager to get back to business.

Owner Ray Treuhart said April 21 that auto repair and restoration work has continued, as scheduled, inside the main body shop building, despite the total loss of the company’s paint facility.

“We’re still figuring out how to do the same amount of work with less space, but we’re here, we’re open and we aren’t closing,” he said with a smile.

He said that the company would be at 75-80 percent operational ability

by April 24 or 25.

Treuhart noted that the outpourings of support he and his team have received in the last week and a half speak volumes about the character of this community.

“I knew that day that we’d rebuild.

I’m not ready to give it up,” Treuhart said.

“Lincoln and Logan County have been really good to me over the years.

I’ve had good employees and good customers from the start.”

Treu Body Works Manager

Phyllis White said, “We’ve had several folks in the community stop by and bring us lunch, offer their assistance and check on how we’re doing.”

Treuhart added, “Other local business owners have offered storage and man power—anything we need while we rebuild.”

man, had to be pulled from the flames and suffered severe burns to his arms and face. Firefighters from multiple agencies battled the blaze for over an hour and had to monitor the structure into the evening.

Treuhart said that his employee, whose name will remain unreleased, has been steadily recovering in a Springfield hospital and that he’s shown exceptional strength through the medical procedures that he’s undergone in the last week.

While the burned out remains of the paint facility were still on-site Friday, a new electrical pole had been installed and clean-up work Ray Treuhart (at left) and manager Phyllis White stopped was underway. Treuhart said for a photo Friday, April 28 inside the body shop building that the structure would soon at Treu Body Works. Credit: The Courier be demolished and replaced.

The owner had just left the shop Five vehicles that were parked inthat day when he got a call from his side the building were also destroyed, son just after 11:30 a.m. that the busi- including two vintage trucks that the ness’ paint building was engulfed in owner had restored for himself. flames. At the time, no one knew the Nontheless, Treuhart said that cause. he’s grateful the damage wasn’t more “I was home for maybe 10 min- extensive and that no one else was hurt utes before my son called and told me (which is incredible, he said, considwhat happened,” he said. ering the fact that another painter had One crewmember, a 45-year-old gone to lunch shortly before the fire

started).

Fire investigators suspect that a malfunction inside a paint-recycling machine was to blame for the blaze.

“If it weren’t for this community, I’d have called it quits and gone on vacation after that,” Treuhart said with a laugh.

The 75-year-old said that he’s been working on cars, tearing them apart and putting them back together, since he was 13 years old. After 24 years of working at Friendly Chevrolet in Springfield, Treuhart decided in 1982 to go into business for himself.

Treu Body Works began in a twocar garage and has since grown into a 12,000-square-foot facility that has built-up and sent out more cool cars than the owner could possibly name in one sitting.

On June 1, the Treu Body Works team will celebrate the business’ 35th anniversary.

“This isn’t the end. We’ve been able to operate mostly as usual in the last few days,” Treuhart said.

“I just want people to know that we’re still going to be in business while we rebuild. We’re not closed, we’re not gone and we won’t be.”

We thank The Courier for reprint permission.

Promax America Introduces ANI USA!

F1 SAM

SAM 3 R 150 MINI Black

R 150 MINI Click

Regulator For Information and Sales:

844-4PROMAX 844-477-6629 sales@promaxamerica.com

www.promaxamerica.com

We provide top tier automotive and industrial paints, primers, basecoats, clear coats and several other products that will get the job done right. www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

CARSTAR Centerline in Ohio Celebrates 25th Anniversary

Polyvance Likes Caliber Collision’s “Changing Lanes” Initiative

Paul Struhar of CARSTAR Centerline in Strongsville, Ohio celebrated his 25th anniversary as a bodyshop owner in April. Struhar, who began his career in the collision industry while in high school, credits his longevity in the business to great technicians and the support of CARSTAR. “I went to vocational school while I was in high school, and knew this would be my career path,” said Struhar. “When I became a bodyshop owner, the two things I knew I wanted to do was continue to work with vocational schools to develop talent and become a CARSTAR franchisee. I couldn’t imagine doing this without CARSTAR, the networking and benefits from being part of the brand is unbelievable.

“The first thing I remember about becoming part of CARSTAR in the early 1990s, was the three-ring binder they gave us to get started. Now the partnerships they help create, the DRP business, the continued education and the incentives they provide help us stay one step above the competition.”

Struhar is passionate about helping young technicians, working with three local vocational schools and promoting from within. He provides entry-level shadowing for students,

Polyvance announced its support of Caliber Collision’s “Changing Lanes” initiative. Changing Lanes is a free 18-week career skills program for military service members transitioning into an auto body industry career.

Polyvance will be supplying six of its 6085-C Nitro Fuzer nitrogen plastic welders to Caliber’s Killeen, Texas, training center. Caliber recognizes plastic repair as a gateway for new technicians to gain skills in the industry.

Graduates of the Changing Lanes program will be offered job placement opportunities with Caliber. For more information about the Changing Lanes program, visit the Community Involvement link at www.calibercollision.com.

Polyvance, a plastic repair innovator since 1981, was the first to commercialize nitrogen plastic welding in 2006 and is the only company to offer I-CAR® Industry Training Alliance® hands-on courses in nitrogen plastic welding.

www.autobodynews.com

Tech Center in MI Hosts Annual Car Show for Professional Restorers, Students

by Monique Lopez, WLUC-TV6

The Dickinson-Iron Tech Center in Kingsford held its 20th Annual Car Show on May 12. Car dealerships, car

The Dickinson-Iron Tech Center in Kingsford held its 20th Annual Car Show on May 12. Credit: WLUC-TV6

clubs, as well as students and the public were invited to showcase their vehicles.

This event takes place right outside of the tech center and is meant to be a fun, learning experience.

The show brings the automotive course students and experienced automobile restorers together. Students are able to see the work of seasoned auto body professionals and ask them questions about their finished products.

“They get a chance to understand how much time it actually takes to put into restoring an old car but, at the same time, the seasoned people have a chance to understand what new technology is out there on the new cars; the new designs and what’s upcoming,” said Dickinson-Iron Tech Center auto body instructor Keith Stachowicz. “Therefore, everybody kind of has a nice melt.”

A number of scholarships, totaling more than $2,000, were also given out at the car show.

tours of the shop for classes and product demonstrations with partners like 3M. He hires the majority of his new employees from the local schools and takes pride in mentoring them as they

continue to grow as technicians. In fact, he is still great friends with his vocational teacher from high school and considers him a second father.

CARSTAR Centerline is also a family business. His son, Paul Jr., is the shop’s production manager and his daughter handles the accounting.

But Struhar treats everyone as if they are part of the family business.

“I’ve been in the shoes of our employees and appreciate what they do,” said Struhar. “I know the importance of rewarding them for the work that they do and providing them with a spotless and top-notch work environment. You can’t have a good business without good employees. You can’t be afraid to spend money on them; it helps you build an experienced and cohesive team of employ-

ees. We are like one big family here.”

Struhar has expanded CARSTAR Centerline several times since 1992, including a 9,400 square foot addition in December of 2014. The current location is now a sprawling 18,000 square feet with 24 employees and a high retention rate. The shop is I-CAR Gold and ASE certified, on programs with several manufacturers like Honda, Infinity, Chrysler, Jeep and GM, and a preferred shop for most major insurance partners like State Farm, Nationwide and Allstate to name a few.

Struhar and his employees are also active in the community. They support local youth sports, are part of the Chamber of Commerce and host local food events.

“At the end of the day, I enjoy working in the shop as much today as I did in high school,” said Struhar. “I love training and mentoring the next generation of technicians and leaving a legacy for my kids and family.”

For more information, visit www .carstar.com.

www.autobodynews.com

UPDATED DAILY

SPECIALTY CLAMPS DESIGNED FOR THE

COLLISION INDUSTRY COLL The Ultimate timate in Speed & Funtionality

Universal Full Fram Clamp

Grapple Curved Clamp

Swivel Head Clamp

We thank WLUC-TV6 for reprint permission.

Call orwww.autobodynews.com Email Now for Rates:

800-699-8251

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

10 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Visit our Website to See Our Complete Line of Pulling and Straitening tools!

www.CollisionClamps.com 516-375-9943

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

AASPI Annual Meeting Brings ‘Value to Member-Customer Industry Partnership’

express the need for a unified voice.”

The event began at 8:30AM with a On March 25, AASPI held its 2017 panel discussion on where the industry Annual Meeting and Business Forum is heading, “Bringing Value to Cusat the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, IL. Ac- tomers Through Industry Partnership,” cording to AASPI Executive Director which featured Robert Gottfred of Michael Lane, “The event was well- Erie-LaSalle Body Shop, Jim Watson received with over 30% of our colli- of ABC Auto Parts and Sales, and Dan sion members in attendance. This Glavin, former Hartford DRP Coordinator. At 9:30AM, Katy McQuiston from the Auto Care Association presented “Telematics Initiative,” followed by “GM Pre-Post Collision Repair,” sponsored by Hawk Auto Group.

Following lunch which was sponsored by United Fire Group and Nicoud Insurance, attendees received a “Legislative Update” regarding AASPI’s legislative initiatives related to service tax, (l to r) The panel discussion on “Bringing Value to OE parts mandates and salvage Customers Through Industry Partnership” featured years. Hawk Auto Group also Dan Glavin, Jim Watson and Robert Gottfred sponsored an “Aluminum Reevent is important to AASPI because pair Discussion,” facilitated by Todd it gives us a forum to collectively Gillette, State Chairman of I-CAR for share what is going on in the industry, WI. including our legislative advocacy In “Internet Extortion - How One work. It allows members an opportu- Body Shop Was Held at Ransom,” nity to network with fellow shops and Lane recalls, “We had a member relate to ask questions of the organization. his recent experience with hackers To the industry at-large, it is a way to holding his company computer for ranby Chasidy Rae Sisk

som until he paid in bitcoin. We shared copies of an FBI brochure on how to deal with Ransomware with attendees.”

Feedback from attendees was favorable, ranging from “good information” to “the best event AASPI has put together for its members.” Lane notes,

“GM Pre-Post Collision Repair” was taught

by Jerry Templ, A.C. from Delcon/GM and sponsored by Hawk Auto Group during AASPI’s 2017 Annual Meeting

“Of course, we always wants a larger attendance to ensure our message reaches a broader audience, but having said that, we are confident that this year’s event will be a building block to future successful programs.”

Lane adds, “AASPI remains the only IL statewide organization focused on the well-being of both collision and

mechanical shops. Much of our effort plays out in the legislative arena regarding legislation we may initiate, like requiring shops to write for only OE parts during the warranty period of a vehicle, or legislation that is perpetrated upon the industry, such as sales tax on service. While legislative advocacy remains our single most important focus, AASPI also provides quality education and sponsors an annual golf outing that receives industry-wide support from shops and suppliers throughout IL.” AASPI will hold its 2017 golf outing at the Old Orchard Country Club in Mt. Prospect, IL on August 3.

Lane states, “The golf outing is a great social and networking event for our members, and proceeds from this event help with our legislative advocacy and allows AASPI to contribute to its golf charity, Misericordia Heart of Mercy which provide continuum of care for people with developmental disabilities.”

For more information about AASPI and its events, visit www.aaspi.org.

www.autobodynews.com

Faster & Easier Steel & Aluminum Repair SMART RESISTANCE SPOT WELDER

NEOPULSE 300-T2

AUTO MODE makes this machine extremely simple to use

Double pulse MIG/MAG 270A welding machine for unrivalled welding quality

GYSPOT PTI SMART WELDER AUTO MODE for easy operation on High Strength steel (UHSS/Baron), High Pressure clamping force with up to 14,500 amps of power

DENTSTATION COMBI STEEL & ALUMINUM DENT REPAIR

Jeep-

Repair instead of replace for less downtime and more profit

GYS Welding USA

636-405-2800

info@gysweldingusa.com www.gysweldingusa.com Join our distributor network 12 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

GYSPRESS 8T Universal car body self-piercing riveting system.

Operates on a pneumatic closed hydraulic system.

Adjustable speed and pressure up to 8 tons

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

SkillsUSA Participant Works Full Time While Completing Auto Body Program at Waubonsee

by Victoria Antonelli

Melanie Thomas decided her senior year that she was going to take every automotive course offered at Marengo High School in Illinois.

“I wasn’t the type of student who wanted to sit in the classroom and read about how to do something,” she said.

“I wanted to get my hands dirty.”

Thomas said before learning about the collision repair courses from a friend, she had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to do after high school, and that she changed her mind constantly.

“I knew I didn’t want to go to a four year school from the beginning, but I wanted to go for at least two years and decide from there,” she explained.

Thomas chose Waubonsee because she wanted to commute, and it was the closest community college to her home that offered an auto body program.

“I had heard about it from students who graduated from Marengo before me,” she said. “When I visited the school, I saw how great the shop looked

and how all the students seemed to know what they were doing.”

Thomas said she enjoys her painting courses the most.

When it comes to challenges she’s faced thus far, Thomas said a lot revolve around her being underestimated or overlooked because she is a

Waubonsee Community College auto body student, Melanie Thomas, has placed first three times in regional SkillsUSA competitions

“I love being able to see what a car comes in looking like and being able to fix it and paint it myself,” she said. “I love getting to make the cars look brand new again!”

14 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

woman working in a predominantly male field.

“During school, some students would say I was only in the automotive classes for the boys, but that was-

n’t the case,” she recalled. “I was there to learn how to fix cars. I wanted to be able to do everything for myself and not rely on someone else to change my brakes or oil for me.”

Thomas added that “some business owners may not want to even consider hiring a woman, because they may be used to the idea that this is a men’s industry.”

A highlight of Thomas’s collision repair career thus far has been participating in SkillsUSA in both high school and college.

“I had a great experience with SkillsUSA,” she recalled. “I took 1st place in Automotive Refinishing Technology for the high school competition and then took 1st for college two years in a row.”

Thomas has already competed in the national SkillsUSA competition in Louisville, KY twice, and will be competing for a third time this year.

“I took 17th my first year, 5th last year and this year, nationals is at the end of June,” she said. “The SkillsUSA competitions are so much fun.

Everyone is nervous to compete but once the competition starts, all the

nerves go away and you get to show everyone what you know.”

Thomas said she learned a lot from the competitions.

“They taught me to be confident, but not overly confident. The judges want to see that you know what you’re doing,” she explained. “I also learned that there are so many parts in this industry.”

Thomas recalled that all of the judges and volunteers are in the industry, ranging from insurers to paint suppliers to shop owners.

The Marengo, IL, native plans to graduate next spring.

“It’s a two year program, but I took a little longer to finish now that I am a full time painter’s helper at Marengo Auto Body and Glass,” she said.

After graduation, Thomas said she wants to work full time at a body shop for a few years and then maybe move into another part of the collision industry.

“Either way, I don’t plan on leaving this industry,” she concluded.

To learn more about Waubonsee Community College, visit www.waubonsee .edu

Baby Delivered at Salesville, OH, Body Shop

Continued from Cover

A fast-moving storm likely played a role in a baby being born on May 1st at a well-known garage in Salesville, OH. The mother and child were reportedly doing well after the delivery at Bill’s Auto Body & Towing just after 3 p.m.

The storm is believed to have had an impact on the emergency notification system for the Quaker City Volunteer Fire Department, thus delaying the arrival of an ambulance to transport the mother to the hospital before she delivered her child— a girl.

According to reports, Jerry Dale Lippert of Bill’s Auto Body & Towing contacted the sheriff’s office at 3:02 p.m. requesting an ambulance for the expectant mother at the Washington Street business.

A sheriff’s dispatcher attempted to phone the Quaker City department, but the phone system did not function properly, causing a delay in contacting emergency medical personnel in the village two miles away.

An ambulance from United Ambulance in Cambridge was dispatched to the scene, but the newborn was not

Eversman states, “It’s a long story with very bad actions taken on the insurer’s part. The shop did the right thing at the beginning but gave in to insurer pressures fueled by their fear of losing $12,000. The customer had to drive an unsafe car for three years, and Nationwide bought the vehicle at the end of the lease. In the meantime, their decisions put everybody at risk, and the situation could have been resolved early on if the shop had held firm in their professional opinions. Ultimately, these types of calls are the shop’s, no matter how involved they are with the insurer.”

Another concern Eversman has recently noticed is an increase in the use of photo estimating. Although she did not address this in her presentation, she discussed some of her observations with Autobody News.

This trend is in line with modern cell phone usage and certainly has a convenience factor in immediately documenting the accident and providing

willing to wait that long to make her entrance into the world.

As the United crew was en route to the garage, a caller reported the woman had just delivered the baby. The dispatch log at the sheriff’s office read “It’s a girl!!!”

A subsequent report indicated that the mother and child were good.

The identities of the mother and child were not available as of press time.

Emergency responders cleared the scene at 3:42 p.m., according to the dispatch log.

The mother and child were believed to have been taken to Southeastern Med for evaluation.

by Rick Stillion, GateHouse Ohio Media

We thank GateHouse Ohio Media for reprint permission.

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR

YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

Autobody News

Erica Eversman

See Erica Eversman, Page 22

Visit Us at Booth #1509 July 26-28 The Standard Package Includes: Main Component, Box Attachment and Bushing Kit

LK-4090 Vehicle Dolly Heavy Duty Built with a Two Ton Weight Capacity

Lift King Shown in the stored position, only requires 3ft x 3ft of storage space

The Big Truck Special Includes: Main component and Semi Hood Attachment

FPS-5100 Fender Paint Stand Easily adjusts to working height and stabilizes fenders durable and versatile PC-7700 Parts Cart Great parts management system folds up for easy storage

LK-4055 Box Dolly Designed to easily move a pickup bed around the shop Made in the USA

LK-4035 Semi Hood Dolly Easily move a Semi Hood around the shop.

Semi Hood Dolly in use (right)

www.prolinetoolsupply.com For more product information visit our website or call our business office.

989-315-8946 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

The Dropout Who Branded a Sauce: Auto Body Owner-Trainer Spices it Green

by Mitch Prentice, The Knox Student

The strange, green color of Dave’s Gator Sauce might turn you away or make you excited for a taste. The uncommon color, taste and labeling of the product is seen proudly displayed in its bottle at many restaurant throughout Galesburg, IL. If it happens to catch your attention, know that was the goal of Dave Dunn when creating the brand.

Besides owning and operating Dave’s Auto Body, Dunn also owns Masters Educational Services, a consulting and market managing firm. This operation teaches people from all over the world how to increase work output and market efficiency within a business. The group is constantly searching for new and exciting ways to improve upon a brand.

For Dave’s Auto Body, Dunn understands that the work they provide is a need-based system. In other words, no one goes to a body shop unless they need to invest in the provided services. There is no marketing gimmick that would make a person want to wreck their car, so in Dunn’s mind, the most they can do to encourage people to come in is to build a brand.

“It’s hard to have a relationship with somebody if you only see someone every seven years, which is statistically how often you see someone in collision repair,” Dunn said. “So we have many things, Gator Sauce being one of them, that continues that relationship outside of any transaction.”

Dunn went on to explain that the theory behind the gator sauce as a marketing tool is inspired by the Purple Cow Theory. The theory simply states that if you are driving near a farm and only see black and white spotted cows, they are indistinguishable and unremarkable. However, if you were to see a purple cow, you would pull over to the side of the road and tell all of your friends about it. This is where the inspiration for the green coloring of the sauce comes from.

The sauce itself is not made by Dunn or anyone in the shop, but is rather bought and relabeled through a company supplier in Louisiana called Cajun Chef Sauces. Dunn expressed no true interest in labeling himself as

Dave Dunn of Dunn’s Auto Body

a chef or food connoisseur, but rather saw an opportunity to create a product that would get the community talking.

The cost of providing this sauce free of charge at the body shop ($5 a bottle for an online purchase) is close to $20,000 a year, after production and labeling has been accounted for.

Throughout a typical year, the shop will distribute nearly 5,000 bottles total. Though the price might seem steep at face value, Dunn doesn’t see this as a setback, but rather a necessary expense for the business.

“When people ask me about the expense of such an endeavor, I ask them how much would they pay to develop a customer who has never walked through the door before and to create a new relationship with more people,” Dunn said. “We’ve had grocery chains ask to sell it for us and help spread the product, but I feel that that would defeat the whole premise behind it.”

The road to strategizing this marketing tool was a unique path. Dunn dropped out of high school at 16 and immediately went to work at a body shop. He recalls “how terrible they were,” which inspired him to start his own shop at 19 in Knoxville. It only lasted about a year, when a Mercury dealer asked him to take over their

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

800-699-8251

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

16 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

business in a management position.

Dunn recalls this opportunity expanding his knowledge of the business on a larger scale. In an unfortunate turn of events, the shop caught fire and burned to the ground, leaving Dunn jobless at 22. This caused Dunn to move back to Galesburg and start fresh. Dunn started researching new business techniques and even wrote his own book, titled Liquid Amalgam. From there, he claims “the rest is history.”

“Marketing has always been a big deal to me,” Dunn said. “The book covers the basis for the Masters educational program and management philosophy. We’ve had about 6,000 people go through the course.

The liquid part is about flexibility, and the amalgam is about ideas, principles and so on that are a basis for making decisions. The hope is that we can teach people to creatively fix problems that might come instead of having to script everything.”

Dave’s Auto Body now makes roughly $5,000,000 a year in business,

which Dunn explains is unheard of in a town the size of Galesburg. He believes it’s the only town in the country that has anything like it. Only 35 percent of the business comes from the 61401 zip code, meaning much of the business is coming from out of town.

“The way I see all of these marketing efforts, as long as you’re consistent in community and have a theme associated with it, you’ll have a chance to catch on,” Dunn said.

The Gator brand now works throughout the Galesburg area under the group named Gator Events. The group looks to increase community involvement and donation events, including a benefit run and even going as far as to dressing up as Gator Sauce bottles and participating in the polar plunge. Dunn sees this connection as a key to continue growing the ideals behind the product.

“People have great ideas all the time,” Dunn said. “For us, it’s not about making a buck or two on a bottle of sauce. It’s about forming relationships in unusual ways.”

We thank The Knox Student for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Midwest

DAILY DELIVERY Monday-Friday

Don’t Settle for Second Best

When we’ve got ALL YOUR OEM PARTS covered in ONE delivery!

LEWIS TOYOTA

Toll Free 888.273.2773 Direct 785.273.2224 Fax 785.273.0656

2951 SW. Fairlawn Rd. Email parts@lewistoyota.com Topeka, KS 66614

Start something special.

Honda of PARTS 816.452.3221 Tiffany Springs Mon-Fri 7:00am-6:00pm Sat 7:00am-4:00pm

CAR CITY HYUNDAI

Toll Free 866.594.2090

Direct 816.233.9149 3100 S. 169 Hwy. Fax 816.233.4366 St. Joseph, MO 64503

M-F 7-6, Sat 8-3

ED BOZARTH CHEVROLET

Toll Free 800.432.3584 Fax 785.266.3820

3731 S. Topeka Blvd.

Topeka, KS 66609

Toll Free 800.525.4533

Direct 913.631.7342 11501 W. Shawnee Fax 913. 631.1410 Mission Pkwy M-F 8-5, Sat 8-Noon

CAR CITY HYUNDAI

9200 NW Prairie View Rd Kansas City, MO 64153

SHAWNEE MISSION FORD

M-F 7-6, Sat 8-4

18 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Shawnee, KS 66203

TUMMINIA MAZDA

Toll Free 888.786.6990 Direct 913.780.6153 Fax 913.764.3075 M-F 7:30-5:30, Sat 8-2

1551 S. S Hamilton Circle Olathe, KS 66061

CAR CITY CHRYSLER/DODGE JEEP/RAM

Toll Free Direct 866.594.2090 Fax 816.233.4366 3100 S. 169 Highway St. Joseph, MO 64503 M-F 7-6, Sat 8-3

Parts Group Dedicated Delivery Serving:

Eastern Kansas s NW Missouri s SE Nebraska s Kansas City Area s Wichita INFINITI OF KANSAS CITY

Volkswagen of Topeka

Toll Free 877.501.0136

Direct 816.941.7869 Fax 816.410.3426 6960 W W. Frontage Rd. Rd

Local 785.266.8480

3030 S. Kansas Ave. Topeka, KS 66611 M-F 7:30-6

M-F 7:30-6, Sat 8-5

Merriam, KS 66203

KC 913.362.7656 Toll Free 800.825.0204

JACK MILLER KIA

Toll Free 800.926.1979 Di Direct 816.474.9413 816 474 9413 Fax 816.474.1401

2900 Burlington St St. N. Kansas City, MO 64116

M-F 7-5:30, Sat 7-2

FENTON NISSAN OF TIFFANY SPRINGS

Toll Free 877.540.5623 Di t 816.801.7001 Direct 816 801 7001 Fax 816.801.8682

9600 NW NW. Praire View Rd. Rd Kansas City, MO 64153

M-F 7-6, Sat 8-3

ED BOZARTH BUICK GMC

Toll Free 800.432.3584 Fax 785.266.3820

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

Original BMW Parts

M-F 7-6, Sat 8-4

3731 S. Topeka Blvd.

Topeka, KS 66609

JACK MILLER ISUZU

bmwusa.com

BMW of Topeka Local 785.266.8480 KC 913.362.7656 Toll Free 800.825.0204

• Original BMW Parts and Accessories 3030 S. Kansas Ave. M-F 7:30-6 Topeka, KS 66611

Toll Free 800.926.1979 Direct 816.474.9413 Fax 816-474-1401 M-F 7-5:30, Sat 7-2

2900 Burlington St St. N. Kansas City, MO 64116

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

Honda Kicks Off New Quality Repair Campaign

American Honda recently launched a completely new industry ad, foregoing the traditional OE focus on just parts and calling attention to the entire repair and performed in a complete and proper manner including the use of Honda and Acura Genuine parts. This is facilitated thanks to their association with I-CAR and VeriFacts, and through the use of Service Express, American Honda’s portal to service and repair information for independent shops.

Assistant National Manager for Honda’s Collision Marketing Group Gary Ledoux worked closely with his team to develop a new approach with a fresh message in this new national ad campaign. “We came up with the concept and then worked with a company called Creative Productions in Long Beach, CA, to refine it,” he said.

“From the beginning, our message has been the same—for proper fit, function, and reliability, OE parts are really the only way to go. But today, a proper repair is more than OE parts. It’s having the right tools, equipment, training, knowledge and current repair information to do it right. This is our new message. The full-page ad will run in various trade magazines throughout 2017.”

Through their association with ICAR and VeriFacts, American Honda has built a large network of ProFirst certified repair shops across the U.S. These shops have invested heavily in specific tools, training and equipment to do proper repairs on Hondas and Acuras.

“Our ProFirst network is almost complete, so not every shop will be ProFirst certified,” Ledoux said. “But every shop should have the ability to properly repair Honda or Acura products, or any car they repair. It’s not enough to just have the right parts anymore, because today’s cars are so sophisticated and the technology is changing all the time.”

In addition to showing support for both I-CAR and VeriFacts, American Honda’s new ad calls attention to Service Express.

“Honda Service Express is a website where shops can go to get service and repair information on Hondas and Acuras from us,” Ledoux said. “Our ProFirst shops get access to the site as part of our program and other shops can subscribe to the site as well. Service Express provides shops with easy access to the latest and most accurate repair information available. Shops can access it at www .techinfo.honda.com.”

20 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Car Slams Into Monroe, MI, Body Shop

knocked out several bricks in the building. Monroe Fire and Rescue Two people were injured on April 26 personnel returned to the scene after when a car left N. Telegraph Rd. and a worker was temporarily trapped slammed into an auto body shop. by the door, but it appeared he was not seriously injured.

Police said the driver of the car suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries and the teenaged passenger suffered minor injuries. Both were transported to Beaumont Hospital, Trenton. It was not determined why the driver left the road. Alcohol, at this time, does not appear to be a factor.

The accident, which caused significant damage to both the vehicle A car slammed into Monroe Collision Services on April and the building, remains 26. Two people were hurt. Photo credit: Alice Roop under investigation. AnyMonroe, MI Police reported one with information about the crash the accident occurred around 7:20 is asked to contact Officer Jacob a.m. at Monroe Collision Services in Winter at 243-3575. the 1200 block of N. Telegraph. PoWe thank Monroe News for lice said the car was being driven in reprint permission. the curb lane when it left the roadway, traveled across the parking lot and crashed into the building. www.autobodynews.com The impact caused the overhead door to fall onto the car and

by Ray Kisonas, Monroe News

UPDATED DAILY

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Leadership Conference Highlights The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) held its Annual Meeting and Leadership Conference, April 13, 2017, at the Doubletree by Hilton Bloomington – Minneapolis South, Bloomington, MN. With seminars covering topics on making meaningful connections, positioning yourself in the collision repair industry and increasing profits on maintenance, there was something for everyone. There were also numerous opportunities for networking and socializing with industry peers.

The opening general session, “Nice Bike – Making Meaningful Connections,” was presented by award-winning author Mark Scharenbroich. Scharenbroich’s message took attendees on a fun-filled ride, while inspiring them to be more engaged and passionate about connecting with others. One attendee commented, “The opening speaker was amazing and everybody was talking about the power of his speech.”

Following the general session, attendees had the option to participate in roundtable discussions covering 10 topics, ranging from parts management and tracking and equipment maintenance best practices to creating a marketing plan and strategies for employee recruitment. These discussions were facil-

Continued from Page 15

Erica Eversman

an estimate before disassembly; however, Eversman observes, “We all know that the visible scrapes and dings aren’t the extent of the damage, so the vehicle still needs to be properly evaluated by a collision repair professional. Photo estimating doesn’t really speed up the actual repair process.”

Discussing how shops can protect themselves against liability concerns, Eversman recommends utilizing good paperwork. An example would be an indemnification and hold harmless claim if the customer insists on using a part that the shop is uncomfortable using, but it’s imperative that the shop have both the customer and the insurer sign this document. Eversman also suggested that shops ensure their DRP agreements are approved by their garage insurers, and she warned them not to warrant imitation crash parts since that exposes the shop to federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act liability.

Eversman offers this advice to shops interested in receiving proper compensation for repairs performed:

itated by AASP-MN member experts.

During the lunch and business meeting, members received an overview of recent association initiatives, a legislative update from AASP-MN’s Lobbyist, Kevin Walli, and were introduced to the new Board of Directors. A highlight of the meeting occurred when newly-retired Roger Bonn of Peter’s Body Shop, St. Cloud, was presented with an Honorary Membership. Bonn is only the third AASP-MN member to receive the designation. When presenting the award, AASP-MN Executive Director Judell Anderson stated, “Roger always has a unique perspective and fresh ideas and doesn’t hesitate to share them – which is a good thing. Roger believes in what he believes, and he isn’t going to beat around the bush. This is why he has been such a great contributor to the association and has earned the respect of so many in our industry, and certainly, within AASP-MN.” The luncheon keynote, “The 3 Cs: Choice, Chance, Change,” was presented by Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. Anderson is a well-known and respected consultant to the collision industry. His inspirational message to make a choice to take a chance to make a change left attendees energized for the afternoon sessions.

“Be consistent and always make it a streamlined process. You need to be able to tell the insurer ‘we always charge for that.’ Shops also need to make a point to raise their labor rates on a consistent basis, regardless of what the insurance company says, ensuring rates are appropriate and reasonably profitable. Send notices about rates by certified mail on an annual basis—it’s a matter of conditioning the insurers just like they conditioned the collision repair industry.”

When an insurance company refuses to pay for a process, shops should use a standardized document requesting that they identify the part of the policy that indicates coverage doesn’t include that item and the consumer has to pay out of pocket. Eversman stresses, “They are obligated to pay what’s in the policy, and if they neglect to identify what they won’t pay for, they are stuck.”

FOLLOW US ON

INSTAGRAM :

@autobodynews

22 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Afternoon breakout sessions included, “Positioning Yourself in the Collision Repair Industry,” presented by Mike Anderson, along with Raymond Chew of CCC Information Services.

The session focused on the business analysis metaphor of a three-legged stool: sales and marketing; production; and accounting, finance and human resources. Jeremy O’Neal of Advisorfix.com, presented “Maintenance Profit Master,” which covered insiders’ secrets to sell maintenance on today’s vehicles.

Josh Dye of Convene LLC, presented “Lead! Create! How to Adapt Your Business & Thrive,” which covered how to inspire staff to take initiative to do something different, even at the risk of failure.

When the seminars were over, attendees enjoyed a happy hour with vendor exhibits displaying everything from business insurance to rental cars. The relaxed environment provided attendees opportunities to network and learn about the latest products and services available to the automotive repair industry. They were entertained by Jerry Frasier, a comic magician who mingled among the crowd.

Following happy hour, the fun and networking moved over to Pinstripes in Edina, where attendees enjoyed pizza, bowling and bocce ball.

Auto Parts Supplier FlexN-Gate Breaks Ground in Detroit

Auto parts supplier Flex-N-Gate has broken ground on a $95 million plant in Detroit.

A ceremony was held at the site of the new manufacturing facility in the Interstate 94 Industrial Park on the city’s east side.

The company says that up to 750 jobs could be added at the 350,000-square-foot plant, which is expected to open next year.

Flex-N-Gate makes exterior trim components and other products.

It will supply parts to Ford Motor Co. The Detroit City Council recently approved a nearly $6 million property tax abatement to support the project. The city says the company is committed to developing a plan to ensure permanent jobs for Detroit residents.

LIKE US ON

FACEBOOK :

Autobody News

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

Continued from Cover

Indiana Parts Bill

“It’s just a matter of fairness,” said Pierce. “You always feel like you’re at a disadvantage when you’re dealing with insurance companies. I think anything that the legislature can do to create equitable policies is something we ought to do for consumers.”

Pierce introduced the bill after being contacted by a constituent who was involved in an automobile acci-

dent. The other driver was at fault and the constituent requested that factory original parts be used on his vehicle.

The third-party insurance company informed him that OEM parts are only allowed when using a first-party’s own insurance company.

“He didn’t think that made much sense and I have to agree,” said Pierce.

“When I first heard that, I assumed he was mistaken or there was some kind of loophole in the law that was inadvertently put in there.”

Pierce then contacted the Leg-

Indiana Insurance Code § 27-4-1.5-8:

Sec. 8.(a) An insurer that is obligated to pay at least part of the cost of repairing the exterior of a motor vehicle under an insurance policy issued by the insurer may not direct a body shop to repair the motor vehicle until the insurer has presented the insured with a written notice that meets the requirements set forth in subsections (b) and (c).

(b) An insurer described in subsection (a) shall present the insured with a written notice that does

islative Services Agency, a non-partisan department that conducts research for the legislature, to check the statute and find out if it was a correct interpretation. He soon realized that in fact, it was.

“That’s the reason I went ahead and drafted a bill that basically creates parity,” said Pierce. “If you have that right with your own insurer, you should have that right when dealing with a third-party’s insurer when they were at fault in the accident.”

He talked to the committee chair

the following: (1)Informs the insured that the insured has a right to approve the type of body parts to be used in the repair of the motor vehicle.

(2)Gives the insured an opportunity, in approving the type of body parts to be used in the repair of the motor vehicle, to select from among the following: (A)New body parts manufactured by or for the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

24 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

and others involved in insurance issues. “My impression is that the insurance industry obviously has lobbyists and a fair amount of influence on decisions made by the legislature,” said Pierce. “My conclusion is that the insurance industry said they didn’t like that bill and therefore, it didn’t get a hearing.”

The bill, which would have been effective July 1, essentially died and the legislative session is finished for this year. Bills can be introduced again See Indiana Parts Bill, Page 67

(B)New body parts that were not manufactured by or for the manufacturer of the motor vehicle.

(C)Used body parts. (c)An insurer described in subsection (a) shall give the insured an opportunity to indicate in writing the type of body part that the insured approves for use in the repair of the motor vehicle. (d)This section applies only in the five (5) years after the model year of the motor vehicle.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

26 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Tips for Busy Body Shops with Stacey Phillips

Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry.

She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications.

She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.

Important Considerations When Purchasing New Equipment for Your Body Shop

by Stacey Phillips

Purchasing new equipment can be an exciting yet daunting task for a body shop. There are many options available and it often feels overwhelming and confusing. How do I decide which piece of equipment to buy? What method of payment is best to use? Is training included in the price?

Autobody News reached out to the industry to find out some recommendations to consider before making a major purchase. The following members of SCRS (Society of Collision Repair Specialists) shared tips to help shops navigate through the process: Michael Bradshaw, vice president of operations at K&M Collision in North Carolina; Kye Yeung, owner of European Motor Car Works in California; and Dave Gruskos, owner of Reliable Automobile Equipment (RAE) in New Jersey, which provides OEM certified equipment and training.

What advice would you give to a shop before purchasing equipment?

“First and foremost, I think the shop needs to identify what type of vehicles they are going to be working on,” said Bradshaw. Once that is accomplished, he said it’s important to reference the manufacturers’ repair manuals and other resources that include specific requirements that need to be addressed. “I think a lot of the problem is the misinformation that is generated by some of the sales people on the equipment side where they will tell you that a certain piece of equipment can do everything or is approved by multiple manufacturers when maybe that’s not the case.”

Yeung, who is currently opening a second location and very involved in acquiring equipment, recommends making a checklist of all the wants and desires of the shop. “On the checklist, you can focus on the necessary items and the wish items.” It will also enable

a shop to determine which items are going to provide the best productivity and a better streamlined process in the operation. Those obviously go at the top of the list.

Gruskos said a shop also needs to look at the relationship it has with the automobile dealer. “A dealership relationship becomes key,” he said. By researching the documentation supplied by the OEM, it will help direct a shop to purchase the correct approved equipment.

If a shop is part of a Direct Repair Program (DRP) or OEM certification, the owner doesn’t always have a choice on the type of equipment purchased.

How do we decide what type of equipment to purchase and narrow down the choices?

Once your list is complete, it’s time to do research.

“That is where the biggest issue comes in is that the shops just rely on

the person walking through the door to sell them a piece of equipment,” said Bradshaw. “There is a lot of information available but it’s not always in the same place.”

Yeung recommends making time to attend tradeshows to secure equipment. “I always try to time it during tradeshows like NACE and SEMA,” said Yeung. “The vendors are out there and if you are able to attend you can touch and feel the items.” By attending tradeshows, it also provides an opportunity to learn about the pros and cons of the equipment and ask questions about support and training.

Yeung said the vendors usually give good price concessions during these events as well.

In addition to attending tradeshows, it can also be helpful to talk to colleagues, other shops and associations.

“Associations, like SCRS, are a great way to find information. Members can See Equipment, Page 33

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

Continued from Cover

MI Insurance

which underwrites here, that it was withdrawing approval for seven-day policies the state had approved in 2011.

“The Jump Start Policy as a whole is designed to ensure that coverage will expire in just seven days, after which drivers are likely to experience periods of interrupted coverage without mandatory no-fault insurance,” insurance department Senior Deputy Director Rhonda Fossitt wrote in a March 15 letter.

The department also alleges the policies violate state requirements by automatically terminating after seven days without notice or automatic renewal, saying it is “designed to cause the policy to expire rather than renew.”

Integon had demanded a hearing and requested an extension to continue selling the policies, arguing the state has no legal justification for withdrawing its prior approval. A hearing date has not yet been set, according to insurance department spokeswoman Andrea Miller. She declined further comment, citing an ongoing administrative review.

After the dispute hearing, Director Patrick McPharlin will have the option to affirm, change or withdraw the department’s decision to end the seven-day policies, according to the Michigan Insurance Code. The state told Integon the company could also

seek approval for revised policies that “correct” various provisions.

Hune argues that by revoking its 2011 approval with little warning, the department is mistreating Integon and L.A. Insurance, a Royal Oak-based company that sells the seven-day policies here. He suggested the Legislature could attempt to intervene.

“This is crazy,” Hune said. “This is government at its worst, and it’s a bureaucrat literally out of control.”

Policies popular in Detroit In a March 22 letter contesting the DIFS decision, Integon said it was surprised the state tried to stop it from selling the policies “more than five years after these forms have been approved and have been in use without any intervening changes.”

“The length of a policy term has no effect on the requirement that insureds maintain continuous coverage,” company compliance attorney Dale Gunter said in the letter, obtained by The Detroit News. “Unless insurers are required to issue indefinite and unlimited policy terms this condition as stated by the Department can never be met.”

The policies are particularly popular in cities such as Detroit, Flint and Saginaw with large numbers of lowincome residents and high insurance rates, said Anthony Yousif, CEO of L.A. Insurance, which operates around 130 stores in Michigan.

The company probably processes 75 applications for seven-day policies

Legislation Introduced to Give Michigan Residents Choice of Auto Coverage

Rep. Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance) joined the auto insurance debate in Michigan with legislation designed to reduce car insurance costs by allowing residents to choose their level of coverage.

Sheppard’s bill would allow consumers to set their own level of insurance up to the current standard of unlimited coverage offered by the state’s No Fault Insurance. It would also create a fraud authority to oversee unlicensed drivers and illegal actions on the road.

“Michigan residents deserve to have choices when it comes to automobile insurance so they have the opportunity to lower costs for their families,” Sheppard said. “When we’re dictated what the level of coverage is instead of given a marketplace of varying rates and options, that is a problem

which must be addressed.”

Michigan’s insurance policies currently mandate purchase of unlimited lifetime medical benefits, which has made Michigan auto insurance some of the highest costing in the country. The high cost, however, has also made Michigan auto insurance benefits some of the most generous in the country as well.

“Since I came to Lansing, I’ve made it my priority to work on this,” Sheppard said. “We need to have automobile insurance on the same level as health and home benefit plans, where we have options for coverage.

Let the consumers choose what is best for themselves and their families.”

The bill now heads to the House Insurance Committee for consideration.

28 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

each month in urban-area stores, Yousif said, noting agents first try to sell customers longer-term policies underwritten by Progressive and Foremost Insurance.

“It’s an affordability issue right now,” he said. If the state ends sevenday policies, “we don’t know how these consumers are going to get their vehicles tagged. We don’t know how they’re going to get to work. Not only that, how are they going to purchase vehicles from used car lots?”

Michigan requires motorists to present proof of insurance for registering or renewing a vehicle and obtaining annual license plate tabs.

Ninety percent of auto insurance is verified electronically, but roughly 10 percent is done by a person submitting paper proof of insurance, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.

Between July 2015 and June 2016, motorists presented 90,701 seven-day policies. The Secretary of State conducted a random sample of those motorists 90 days later, and 16 percent of the motorists still had insurance.

“We don’t know enough about what DIFS is doing, but we generally support moving away from allowing

seven-day policies,” said Fred Woodhams, a spokesman for Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. “However, we do recognize people can cancel longerterm policies after renewing.”

Nearly 45,000 motorists presented valid insurance policies at the time they renewed their plates but were later cancelled, according to Secretary of State Office data from July 2015 to June 2016, leaving those individuals without continuous coverage.

There are various ways to “scam the system,” and the seven-day insurance policy is just one of them, said Pete Kuhnmuench, executive director of the Insurance Alliance of Michigan, which has not taken a position on seven-day policies but argue they reflect a larger cost problem.

“I could cancel my insurance tomorrow, and I’d get a rebate to the day of cancellation according to the law,” Kuhnmuench said. “You can do that with a normal policy, but seven day policies are obviously much more convenient for those particular individuals.”

Michigan regularly ranks among the most expensive states for car insurance, an average likely driven up by See MI Insurance, Page 30

GANLEY WESTSIDE HYUNDAI • Large Inventory of Genuine Hyundai OEM Parts • Competitive Pricing and Discounts • Experienced Staff Ready to Help You • Free Same Day, Next Day and Local Hot Shot Deliveries

Call Us Today for Genuine Hyundai Parts!

Parts Direct

GanleyWestsideHyundai.com

440-734-9375

Parts Hours: Mon: 7:30-8; Tue - Fri: 7:30-6; Sat: 9-3

440-686-3426

25600 Lorain Road North Olmsted, OH 44070

Fax

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

Continued from Page 28

MI Insurance

sky-high costs in Detroit but mostly blamed on the state’s nation-leading unlimited lifetime medical benefits for car crash victims. All sides in the debate agree the state’s high insurance costs are a major motivation for consumers to purchase seven-day policies.

L.A. Insurance operates in nine states and is authorized to sell sevenday policies in each of them, said Yousif, but Michigan is the only state where it chooses to offer the option.

The state “needs to take a hard look at the cost of auto insurance,” he said. “If they fix the problem, the seven-day goes away on its own.”

No-fault reforms stalled But fixing the problem is easier said than done. Michigan legislators have long vowed to address high insurance rates, but they’ve failed to find a consensus on a solution. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan has urged legislative leaders this session to tackle the issue.

Insurers attribute Michigan’s high auto insurance rates to the state’s unique no-fault law, which requires

unlimited lifetime medical benefits for motorists injured in auto crashes. The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association last month announced it is increasing the annual assessment motorists pay for the unlimited injury coverage from $160 to $170, effective July 1.

“If we’re able to make the product affordable, we have less people trying to find ways to skirt their obligation under the law,” Kuhnmuench said. “But then you get into the whole debate that nobody wants to give up benefits for lower premiums, that’s kind of the cycle we’re stuck in up here in Lansing.”

Others say costs could be driven down by revisiting mandatory medical provider fees required under the nofault law by more actively combatting insurance fraud or reducing collision coverage.

The Michigan Coalition Protecting Auto No-Fault, which opposes limiting lifetime medical coverage, this past week called on the state to investigate potential “red-lining” in Michigan, noting insurance quotes can be significantly higher for motorists in Detroit than their neighbors north of Eight Mile.

Michigan’s High-Risk Auto Insurer Names New Executive Director The Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility named Mark Wagenschutz its new executive director.

He replaces Terri Miller, who left earlier this month after 18 years with the Livonia-based agency.

Wagenschutz served in various leadership roles during his two dozen years at Bloomington, IL-based State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., including planning and strategy manager, according to a news release.

He brings auto underwriting, auto claims management and organizational planning experience, the release said.

Wagenschutz will lead MAIPF’s efforts to offer auto insurance to residents unable to obtain insurance in the

competitive market and its Help Eliminate Auto Thefts Program. The program is a confidential tip line (1-800-242HEAT) to report carjackings and auto theft-released insurance fraud.

“We are thrilled to add someone of Mark’s caliber to the team, and we’re confident that his long tenure and expertise in the industry position him well to continue the positive momentum of our organization,” MAIPF Board Chair Don Simon said in the release.

Wagenschutz earned a business degree from Hope College in Holland, Mich., and a master’s degree in organizational communications from Western Michigan University. He holds CPCU, ChFC and CLU certifications.

astrophic accident.”

Thank you to the Detroit News for reprint permission.

In general, CPAN argues the seven-day insurance policies “have been abused and there should probably be some tightening on how they’re used,” said spokesman Josh Hovey.

But he added, “We think it’s possible to bring some real savings to drivers and still protect the lifetime coverage that is so important in a cat-

FREE

4x Monthly E-Newsletter.

www.autobodynews.com

Luther Hopkins Honda

aCompetitive Pricing aFree and Fast Delivery aKnowledgeable Wholesale Parts Staff aLarge Inventory to Serve You Better Luther Hopkins Honda 250 5th Ave. South Hopkins, MN 55343

PH FX

952.908.8585 952.908.8581

Start something special.

Mon-Th 7:00am-9:00pm Fri 7:00am-6:00pm Sat 8:00am-4:00pm 30 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Continued from Cover

CIC Task Force

control over which portions of an estimate are transferred. It can limit a parts vendor’s access, for example, to only the portions of the estimate needed to accurately fill the parts order, rather than also including (as the EMS file does) information about the vehicle owner as well.

But CCC has also said that as of April of 2018, CCC ONE users will no longer have the ability to export an EMS file, and all BMS file transfers from CCC ONE will have to go through the “Secure Share Network.” A third-party’s ability to directly “data pump” information from a shop will be curtailed.

Shop owners and third-party companies with whom they share estimate information on the CIC panel highlighted some concerns they have about the new system.

“If your third-party providers decide not to participate [in Secure Share], how do you operate your business?” panelist Don Mikrut of AudaExplore rhetorically asked the shop owners on the panel.

In addition to writing code to ac-

cept CCC ONE users estimate data he sees control over what information through the “Secure Share Network,” shops share shifting from shops to vendors also must pay CCC a 50-cent CCC—which also happens to offers fee for each set of estimate data they its own part locating service that comreceive. In calling earlier this year for petes with Car-Part.com. the creation of the CIC task force on He acknowledged CCC “has been data-sharing, Frank Terlep estimated very cooperative” in working with his that a shop management system comcompany in terms of which estimate pany, for example, would pay CCC data fields the Car-Part.com system about $50 more a month for every $2- needs to receive from its shop cusmillion-a-year shop using its managetomers. But he also said the under the ment system.

“Secure Share” agreement, CCC can CCC has defended the new fee, cut off that access at any time, for any saying it “has made, and will continue reason. to make, significant investments in in“While we are justifying why we frastructure, application development, need [each] field, they have access to all and ongoing support to process thou- the information, and they’re competing sands of... transactions per with us and deciding whether minute.” or not they want to give us Panelists in Pittsburgh that field,” Schroder said. said it’s not yet clear whether Moreover, all vendors third-parties will pass this new wishing to use “Secure Share” expense on to shops – or if the have to agree that CCC is not CCC agreement with the venprecluded from developing or dors using the Secure Share acquiring systems “which are Scott Biggs system even allows them to competitive with your applido so. cation or other products or services proThere are also a number of other vided by you, irrespective of their elements of the agreement that ven- similarity to your current products or dors have to sign that panel members products that you may develop.” at CIC said are concerning. Jeff “If you compete with CCC, that Schroder, CEO of Car-Part.com, said company will have access to every sin-

gle transaction between you and your customer,” panel moderator Terlep said.

He also noted that vendors must waive their right to sue, agreeing to use arbitration to settle any disputes they have with CCC. “If two years from now they choose to cut off your [access to Secure Share], you have no right to sue for damages,” Terlep said.

Scott Biggs of Assured Performance said that arbitration clause may create “significant heartburn” for vendors.

“On the flipside, if 50 cents is not too much, and if there’s a lot of valueadded, if they make it a great service, then I think there’d be a lot of [vendors] who would say, ‘That’s alright, I’ll pay the fee if it has a justified value,’” Biggs said. “But there’s a lot of massaging that has to happen between here and there.”

Panelist Barry Dorn of Dorn’s Body & Paint in Mechanicsville, VA, said its incumbent on those in any segment of the industry with concerns about “Secure Share” to “make sure that those involved hear you.”

“Because guess what? I think all of us are customers of these data providers,” Dorn said. “And they need

Th The Carcoon A W Features: tttures: The T Th he C Carcoon Ca C arcoon America arco Amer Am A America eriiica ca Workstation Workstation W orkk ork ksttati kst ati tiion io i nF Fe F ea e eat atures: a tu ures

• A massive 179 square feet of filtration area.

• Two huge input filters (over 36sf ) clean the air going through the Workstation.

• Four Paint Arrest Filters (140+ square feet) and two Activated • Charcoal Filters ensure the air going back into the environment is clean and EPA compliant.

Different Diff fferent ffe ren nt Sizes Sizes Sizes Available—Including: S Availab A Availabl ble le—IIncludin ncllud diing: g:

• 13’x11’—Parts, pieces and motorcycles.

• 30’x14’—Any full size vehicle.

• 35’x16’x12’5” tall—As above but also Sprinter vans, small boats, and smaller RVs.

• 60’x16’x12’5” tall—Full size RVs, boats, large trucks, etc.

Lighting: LLighting: Ligh ghtiing g:

• Four large clear windows provide ample lighting.

• Additional stand lights can be placed outside the booth.

32 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

A Smart Solution.

The The Carcoon Car arco co oon on America Am A meerica ric Workstation Wo orksta atio on works work wo orks ks the the he same sam sa me and and just ju ust as effectively eff ffecctivvely as as a cross-flow ccrros rosss--fl flow flo fl w paint paiint booth. ootth The Th T he Carcoon Carrco Ca C oon America oo Am me erricca Workstation Work W Work kstation kst ation n is is EPA E A Certified.

Cer fi C fie ed Ideal Ideall for fo or the the busy b busy body b dy bod dy shop-mobile sh p-m mob bile technician/smaller techn tech hn nician/smaller nici ian n/sma alle er shop sh hop ho p with w th limited llim mited facilities. fac facil cilliti ities. es

866.910.0899 www.carcoonworkstation.com

to hear what their customers think.”

But panelist Brett Bailey of A&B CARSTAR in Kansas City, MO, whose company currently shares data from each estimate with as many as 11 “third-parties,” said his real frustration are the limits he sees on his ability to choose a different estimating system if he wanted to do so. Even though he operates all three major estimating systems at his shops, he said insurer mandates limit his choice of which estimating system he uses on all but about 20 percent of the 1,000 cars his company repairs each month.

He believes more insurers need to follow the lead of State Farm and Allstate and accept estimates from any of the Big 3 information providers.

“An open platform is the answer,” Bailey said. “It creates competitiveness in the marketplace.”

Biggs noted the irony that the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA), which developed both the BMS and EMS datatransfer protocols, was created decades ago to establish standards to allow for open platforms.

“That was the purpose, so you didn’t have to stay with one particular [estimating system],” Biggs said.

Continued from Page 27

Equipment

direct you to sources that you may have not considered in the past and give you advice on good and bad experiences they’ve had,” said Yeung.

“The network of advice in an association is priceless,” said Gruskos. “It will help a shop narrow down the proper people to deal with.” He stressed the importance of making sure you are purchasing from a reputable, structured company. “Most of the time when you talk about people who have problems with equipment or litigation, it’s because it might be a one-man show.”

Many shops also go online to read reviews and gather information about various pieces of equipment.

Yeung often watches YouTube videos that feature the equipment he is considering purchasing to get a better idea of how it operates.

It may seem like a lengthy process, but Bradshaw said the resources are available and shops just need to do their homework.

Once a decision is made, what method of payment is usually best?

Yeung said it’s important to really

think through how to buy the equipment, whether it is purchased outright using the bank, with a credit card or leasing.

“That would be something that a shop would want to talk to their accountant about and plan for that purchase and really determine what is going to be the best way to do it in in terms of their situation,” said Bradshaw.

Gruskos said credit card purchases are becoming more prolific because people want the earn the miles but that isn’t necessarily in the shop’s best interest. “Generally, they are going to be financing or leasing the equipment,” he said. In addition to talking to a tax advisor, he recommended that all shops read the purchase agreement carefully before signing it. “There are a lot of cases where people think they finance a piece of equipment and at the end they have a surprise payment,” he said.

What type of training is available?

It’s important to find out what type of training is necessary to operate the equipment.

“A lot of people I’ve run into mention that with all the new programs starting with OEMs, they buy a piece of equipment but there is no training as-

sociated with it,” said Yeung. “It winds up sitting in a corner because nobody knows how to use it.”

Bradshaw said that depending on the type of equipment you purchase, the majority of manufacturers provide some type of training whether it is onsite or conducted at a training facility.

“I’ve seen cases where that is included in the equipment purchase or where it is an additional fee,” said Bradshaw.

“The purchase of the equipment is not going to enable a shop on its own to repair vehicles properly,” said Bradshaw. “I think a lot of times certain shops look at that as a solution to a problem when it’s only part of the solution.”

“Training is key,” said Gruskos.

“Safety is a priority and if somebody is not trained in the proper, safe use of a tool, it can lead to either a bad repair or an injury.” He said that a shop can never train enough.

What are some other considerations?

“Sometimes when you buy a piece of equipment, many shops don’t realize that you have to buy accessories in order for it to work correctly,” said Yeung. He said that’s when research See Equipment, Page 45

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

OUR PARTS. YOUR PEACE OF MIND. Original BMW Parts & Accesories

DEDICATED MINI PARTS STAFF

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

Experienced and Dedicated MINI Parts staff Large Inventory of Original MINI Parts Prompt Daily Delivery Competitive Wholesale Discounts

Sharpe BMW

1010 28th Street SE Grand Rapids, MI 49508

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

MINI of Grand Rapids 888.708.1359 Parts Direct 616.452.1101 Fax

888.708.1359

Hours: M-F 7-6 / S 8-1

Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am - 6pm Sat: 8am - 1pm

©2016 MINI, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

The Best Parts to Get Them Back to the Jungle Free Reliable Delivery Experienced Professional Wholesale Parts Team Shipping Always Available

Land Rover/Jaguar Grand Rapids

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

888.708.1359 8

616.452.1101 Fax 61

Hours: Mon-Fri: 7am - 6pm Sat: 8am - 1pm

616.452.1101 24-Hour Fax

www.thesharpcollection.com www thesh www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

Industry Veteran Introduces MARP Methodology to Assess Structural Automotive Realignment

by Stacey Phillips

A:

Since the invention of the Model Industry veteran Greg Marion says A, vehicle frame straightening he has found the missing link to solve has been a mastered ‘lost art’ performed an age-old industry challenge: how to by a small majority of body repairmen efficiently evaluate and realign damalso referred to as frame men. They acaged vehicle body and frame struc- quired a unique understanding with tures. After receiving an issued patent how the vehicle structure reacted duron the methodology in 2012, Marion ing a collision. They also developed a is now introducing a new automotive rare feel for the transfer of metal within collision repair application he calls the crumple zone areas of a misaligned Multiple Automotive Revehicle frame. These craftsalignment Process (MARP). men were able to envision “The automotive colliand recreate the collision imsion repair industry has not pact by utilizing hydraulic evolved beyond ‘pull to fit’ components, chains, clamps structural realignment pracand primitive measuring detices. These ad hoc methods vices, guided by vague vehioften cause as much damage cle data illustration charts.

Greg Marion as they remove,” said Marion.

Through the early years of “Many vehicles are not efficiently evalthe collision repair industry, frame men uated; they are realigned inefficiently or played a very significant role in saving incorrectly, often at considerable extra body parts, time and money for the reexpense to the owners and to the insurpair technician, consumer and insurance ance industry.” industry. However, if you were to ask 50 He said with the introduction of of these experienced frame technicians the MARP application, it will help es- their process or approach in reference to tablish industry-wide standards that structural evaluation assessments, vehicould result in billions of dollars in cle anchoring methods and structural resavings to the collision repair and in- alignment order techniques, you would surance industries. receive 50 different interpretations.

Without a proven methodology, Autobody News recently spoke to Marion about this innovative developthe lost art of frame straightening was ment and how he thinks it will change unable to be passed on to educate and the collision repair industry. direct future generations of inexperienced body technicians.

Can you tell us about MARP?

Q: MARP’s patented process proA: vides a consistent even base in the collision repair industry, which

will allow collision centers and insurance companies to access the same precise structural analysis for vehicles. It can then provide specific procedures for proper realignment.

The process is derived from the application and measuring order of OEM-approved bench jig and fixtures. [Conceptually] it is comparable to [an internet] search engine.

The unique process provides webbased automotive structural evaluations with complete realignment order/structural component replacement or repair assessments, virtual reality training, and validated certification levels for industry professionals.

Why did you see a need to imthis in the industry?

Q: plement

benefit of having a print out sheet of the vehicle data readings for documented reassurance. In addition, it fea-

tural realignment training certifications were offered by I-CAR programs, technical colleges and vocational school institutions. These certifications and training methods were merely based on theoretical principles. The primary source of training was hands-on job performance ‘pull to fit,’ trial and error methods. These age-old industry practices are still used today in the 21st century.

Can you tell us about the introQ: duction of electronic measuring systems and how they have been used for structural vehicle evaluations?

With the electronic age and the A: introduction of the computerized electronic measuring system (EMS) in

the late 1980s, many in the collision repair industry thought that EMS offered the solution and would provide answers for structural vehicle evaluations and frame realignment protocols.

EMS is an effective and efficient means to relay the same three-dimensional vehicle data readings that a 3D measuring system or fixture bench system offer. EMS also provides the

Lavel Chisum’s prototype design for EZ-Liner II using the Multi-Axis measuring system

tures the convenience of viewing the 3D data illustration on a color flat screen monitor and the benefit of a few vague arrows on the data illustration that provides little systematical order for directional assistance for the reSee MARP, Page 42

Infiniti of Naperville

• Dedicated Parts Professionals

• Over $1,000,000 in

with 80 Years Combined Experience

Wholesale Parts Inventory

The Collision Parts You Can Trust Greg Marion said he was inspired by Lavell Chisum’s EZ-Liner design

I believe the only technical certification available was usually a three-toseven day training course offered by the frame rack or bench fixture manufacturing companies. The majority of the basic training was in reference to the proper operating procedures of the repair equipment. Any additional struc-

34 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Direct Line:

866-874-6346 Tom Ryan Wholesale Parts Manager

tryan@auto-plaza.com

Fax: 331-457-4661 Parts Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm; Sat. 8am - 4pm

1550 W. Ogden Ave. // Naperville, IL 60540 www.buyinfinitiparts.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

36 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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

HO N DA IL L I NOI S

M ICHI GAN

MIS SOU RI

OHIO

Honda Superstore of Lisle

Victory Honda

Bommarito Honda

Ch ica go/ Sub u rbs

P ly m out h

H a z e lwoo d

Be d ford

866-874-6632

800-824-4646 734-453-3600

800-731-8270 314-731-8270

800-509-9057 440-786-3363

M 7:30-8; Tue-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 Karl_messer@victoryplymouth.com

M-Sat 7-6 Lrowe@bommarito.net

M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 jayhondaparts@gmail.com

Schaumburg Honda Automobiles

Zeigler Honda

Ed Napleton Honda

Mike Pruitt Honda

S chau mb urg

K al am az oo

S t . P e t er s

Ak ro n

847-884-8898 847-884-6632

888-342-1678 269-585-5812

800-875-4190 636-928-4400

330-633-8197 330-633-6060

M-F 6:30am-Midnight; Sat 8am-5pm k.kelley@rohrman.com

M-Thu 7-8; F 7-6; Sat 8-4 bobsmith@zagteam.com

M-Sat 7-6 gethondaparts@napleton.com

Tue, W, F 8-6; M, Thu 8-8; Sat 8-4 edally@mphonda.com

M-F 7-5 hondaparts@auto-plaza.com

M INNE SO TA

IND I ANA

Frank Fletcher Honda C o lu m bi a

Jay Honda

W IS CO NSI N

Basney Honda

Brookdale Honda

Mi sh awak a

B roo kly n C en t e r

800-877-7477 574-255-2179

800-899-8900 763-331-6880

M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 gropp@fletcherauto.com

888-318-1671 414-586-5401

M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2

M-Th 7-9; F 7-6; Sat 8-6 parts@lutherbrookdalehonda.com

Frank Leta Honda

M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun 8-4 hondaparts@russdarrow.com

Buerkle Honda

888-680-6025 636-336-5003

Wilde Honda

800-592-9514 651-484-0975

M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 hondaparts@frankleta.com

800-526-3209 262-542-9300

M-Thu 8-9; F 8-6; Sat 8-4:30 hondaparts@buerkle.com

Honda of Tiffany Springs

M-F 7-9; Sat 8-4 wildehondaparts@gmail.com

Luther Hopkins Honda

816-452-3221

Bob Rohrman Honda Lafa yette

800-488-3537 765-448-1000 M 7:30-8; Tue-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3 Brho.partsmgr@rohrman.com

Bosak Honda Hig hla nd

800-542-6725 219-922-3102 M 8-5; Tue 8-8 W, Thu, F 8-5; Sat 8-4 davepropeck@bosakmail.com

Honda of Fishers F ish er s

800-806-6404 317-299-3723 M-F 8-6 honda-west@att.com

S t . P aul

Ho pkin s

800-328-6016 952-908-8585 M-Thu 7-9; F 7-6; Sat 8-4 tim.lewis@hopkinshonda.com

Richfield-Bloomington Honda R ichf ie ld

800-328-2703 612-866-8197

573-818-3650

S t . L ou is

K a ns a s C it y

Russ Darrow Honda M i lwa u ke e

Wa u ke sh a

M-Fri 7-6; Sat 7-4 parts@hondaoftiffanysprings.com

Roper Honda Jo p li n

877-244-6632 417-625-0846 M, W, Th, F 7:30-6; Tu 7:30-7; Sat 9-1 dvice@roperauto.com

M-Thu 6:30-9; F 6:30-6; Sat 6:30-5 parts@rbhonda.com

ACU R A OH IO

IL LIN OIS

ILLINOIS

Columbia Acura

Arlington Acura in Palatine

Ci ncinn a ti

P ala t ine

800-654-3553 513-530-0698

800-991-8438 847-991-9005

M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-12 columbiaparts@mail.com

M-W 7:30-7:30; Thu-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 aaip.partsmgr@rohrman.com

Ed Martin Acura

Continental Acura of Naperville

In di ana p oli s

C hic a go/ S ub ur bs

888-812-1269 317-706-1933

630-960-2175

IND I ANA

M 8-8; Tue-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 testridge@edmartin.com IL L I NOI S

Acura of Libertyville Lib er tyvi lle

847-680-7333 M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-4 kmilz@acuralibertyville.com

M-F 7-5:30; Sat 8-4 bobw@conacura.com

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove Mo rt on G rove

847-470-2309 M-F 7-9; Sat 8-6 acparts@mcgrathag.com

W IS CO NSI N

Muller’s Woodfield Acura H o f f ma n E st a t e s

866-475-9280 M 7-5; Tue-F 7-6 Sat 8-3 mcavallini@woodfieldacura.com

Acura of Brookfield Br oo k fi e l d

800-383-3936 262-439-6029 M-Thu 7:30-6; F 7:30-5; Sat 8-4:30 patrick.murphy@zimbrick.com

MIN NES OTA

Buerkle Acura M in ne a po l is

800-717-3109 763-488-1122 M, F 7-5:30; Tu-Thu 7-7; Sat 7:30-4 acuraparts@buerkle.com

Luther Bloomington Acura B l oo mi n gt o n

800-451-5078 952-887-0600 M 6:30-6; Tue-F 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonacura.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 37

Hey Toby!

Toby Chess is an I-CAR program instructor, Training specialist, and former salvage yard operator.

Toby is universally known in the collision industry for his work with first responders and advocacy for body shops and consumers. He can be reached at tcspeedster@gmail.com

Know the Terms: Scanning, ESC, SAS’s and ADAS? If Not, Read On... with Toby Chess

Before reading this article, I need you to go to the following web site (https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7SWC FQoMoA) and view the video.

Now that you have seen the video, my question to you is “what if a vehicle was involved in that accident and your shop repaired the vehicle, but failed to scan it and make sure that all of the ADAS were in operation?”

Who would be liable if this scenario wound up in litigation? You, of course. I know that scanning is the buzz word today, but is it something new?

The answer is “No.” At first there were few standards and each manufacturer had their own systems and signals. In 1988, the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) set a standard connector plug and set of diagnostic test signals. The EPA adapted most of their standards from the SAE on-board diagnostic programs and recommendations. OBD-II is an expanded set of standards and practices devel-

oped by SAE and adopted by the EPA and CARB (California Air Resources Board) for implementation by January 1, 1996. The next question is “What is ESC or electronic stability control?”

ESC is the process constantly

monitoring how the vehicle is responding to the driver and road conditions. If a problem starts to develop, ESC takes whatever measures are necessary to bring the vehicle under control. The engine power is reduced, letting off of the

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 1

38 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

throttle, retarding the timing and simultaneously applying the brake. All these processes coupled together will counter the forces that are causing the vehicle to lose traction or control. This whole process is accomplished without the driver’s input (Fig. 1).

See Know the Terms, page 46

Continued from Page 4

Autonomous Shops

hard to write rules to tell a computer how to drive a car and distinguish what is drivable on the road and what is not,” said Lipson. “People really struggled to create a system to negotiate traffic and understand obstacles.”

In 2004, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) held a competition involving self-driving cars called the Grand Challenge.

Participants competed for a one-milliondollar prize to write software that would allow a vehicle to drive 142 miles from Barstow, CA to Primm, Nevada. None of the cars finished the course and the longest distance a self-driving car could go was 7.4 miles. Although nobody finished the race or claimed the prize, there were major advances in the development of the technology for self-driving cars.

The following year, DARPA offered two million dollars to the winner of the Grand Challenge. A Stanford University team finished the course with their car “Stanley.” Sebastian Thrun, the team leader, said, “In the end we started relying on what we call machine learn-

ing, or big data. That is, instead of trying to program all these rules by hand, we taught our robot the same way we would teach a human driver.”

Lipson said machine learning is always a combination of an algorithm that learns and data that feeds that algorithm.

“We liken the data to the fuel and the algorithm to the engine,” he said. “They are both useless on their own but when you have a good engine and you have enough fuel, you can take off.”

He said that is what is happening to AI today. “It’s not just that we have faster, cheaper and better computers and it’s not just that we have better algorithms. We have tons of data and that data is fueling that AI revolution,” said Lipson. “It’s making driverless cars learn to drive better and better.”

With the accumulation of data, better algorithms and faster computers being introduced over the last few years, Lipson said computers can finally understand what they are seeing; they can look at image and understand if it’s a dog, a human or a chair. That was not possible just five years ago.

“Perhaps the most imminent revolution that is going to happen because of the ability of machines’ ability to understand what they are seeing are driverless

cars,” said Lipson. “That is the last piece of the puzzle that allows driverless cars to finally negotiate the road.”

All the technology is available free to access and Lipson said that is why we are now seeing an increase in companies building autonomous vehicles.

As they continue to develop, Lipson said we will continue to see new shapes and structures of vehicles as well as new modes of entertainment for passengers inside these vehicles. Although there are a lot of uncertainties in regard to self-driving vehicles, Lipson predicts the transformation will start in about 10 years and it will take an additional 20 years until the majority of cars on the road are fully autonomous.

He speculated there will be fewer collision repairs but more mechanical maintenance required. With the addition of sensors and software, there will also be more calibration necessary. Many say that services will no longer need to be offered during convenient times and locations. He said cars might drive in on their own for remote service during offhours.

“It’s going to be a very exciting time in the automotive industry but there are going to be a lot of changes,” said Lipson. “It’s not going to happen im-

mediately but something we definitely want to start thinking about and get ready for.”

Lipson’s book “Driverless: Intelligent Cars and the Road Ahead” is available to purchase on Amazon: https:// www.amazon.com/Driverless-Intelligent -Cars-Ahead-Press/dp/0262035227 Verifacts is a third-party onsite repair verification provider available to auto body repair shops. For more information about Verifacts Automotive, email: info@verifactsauto.com.

*What is Guild 21?

After the VeriFacts Symposium of 2013, a group of industry representatives attended a Leadership Course at George Mason University through their MBA Program. As a call to action, this Guild21 group created an Oath for the industry calling for individuals to commit to being inventors of our future.

Verifacts Automotive invites all repairers, insurers and OEMs to take the Guild 21 Oath: http://www.verifacts auto. com/guild-21/the-oath/ For more information or to join the Guild 21 calls, email: info@guild21 .com.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 39

40 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

Continued from Page 34

MARP

alignment process. I believe today’s EMS has very little to virtually no definitive information in reference to complete vehicle structural evaluation assessment, structural component replacement determination, the necessity of required tools, precise realignment order of directions, 3D image modeling or technical performance training assistance. The EMS diagnostics capability is subject to the interpretation of the end user.

Q:

How are you able to address this with MARP and your issued patent?

A:

Our mission is to implement informational MARP applications of technology into all existing 3D vehicle data illustration and EMS software. We have the following goals:

1) Introduce new standard practices for systematical structural realignment order.

2) Create innovative EMS diagnostic practices for complete and precise vehicle structure evaluation assessments.

3) Provide 3D real-time image modeling for EMS.

4) Provide robotic bench fixture capabilities.

5) Develop our patented process into a virtual reality simulation application to transform vehicle structural repair industry practices and establish industry-wide innovation with performance training.

6) Develop valid certification levels for technical advancement.

7) Distribute educational information worldwide to collision repair facilities, OEM certification programs, technical colleges and vocational institutes.

What is your background in the Q: industry?

I’ve worked in this industry for A: 43 years, specializing in structural automotive realignment. When I

was in high school, I attended an auto body course for two years at DCAVTLI. I went on to attend a 22-month course. I

was fortunate to have the same instructor for all four years—Ray Sweden.

Ray recognized my talent for welding and working with metal. I was able to graduate a month early with Ray’s help and he placed me in an automotive frame shop, in the mid-1970s, called

way to my issued patent. I give credit to Lavell’s design in equipment for being awarded an issued patent for ‘system and method for repairing and re-aligning damaged vehicle body and frame structures’ in 2012. Thank you Lavell!

Lavell is now 90 years young and this year marks the 50th anniversary of Lavell taking the legendary frame machine to market in 1967. Chief acquired the patent for the EZLiner in 1972 and the rest is history.

Lavel Chisum’s prototype design for EZ-Liner II using the Multi-Axis measuring system

MPLS Bee-line. I’ve been mastering this lost art ever since. Ray has been a great friend, inspiration and mentor throughout my 43-year career.

After working in the private sector for several years, I became self-employed in the mid-1980s. I operated a frame repair facility for a few years in my home state of Minnesota and then migrated to Phoenix, Arizona. There I met John Rang, a Celette distributor, who introduced me to the dedicated bench fixture repair system.

I was offered the opportunity to become a Continental frame equipment distributor-sales representative. This is when I gained a tremendous knowledge of using various frame machines, measuring devices, vehicle anchoring methods and bench repair systems. I took in dozens of used systems on trade, refurbished the machines, then utilized the various equipment in my repair facility, MFS, before reselling to the market.

How was Lavell Chisum instruQ: mental in the development of MARP?

A:

Once Chief acquired Continental’s universal measuring system (UMS) and data center in the early 1990s, I was offered a frame equipment distributorship from Prodigy ART (Advanced Repair Technology). This is where I met the renowned inventor of the EZ-Liner frame machine—Lavell Chisum. If it wasn’t for his innovative EZ-Liner 196 multiple hole bed design, I would never have gained a diverse understanding of ‘multiple simultaneous, realignment vectors.’ It allowed me to discover the math behind the age-old mystery of frame straightening. Lavell’s innovative mechanical measuring process gave me insight to a new dimension and paved the

42 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

How do you envision Q: MARP being implemented in the collision repair

industry?

The process can be implementing into existing EMS and 3D A: vehicle data software programs, which

provides continuous on-the-job diagnostic performance training with every repair.

MARP can be adopted throughout the collision repair industry as well as by vehicle manufacturers, insurance companies, and training facilities including technical colleges and vocational institutes. In addition, re-

alignment equipment manufacturers, vehicle data companies, OEM re-certification programs and virtual reality simulation centers might also see advantages integrating with MARP. We envision that users will subscribe or lease the process through a web-based port, which will provide access to EMS-enhanced vehicle data.

How would it make a differin the industry?

Q: ence The repair industry needs accuA: rate diagnostic structural realignment evaluation assessments on

the complete repair. MARP will allow collision repair center and insurance company personnel to obtain accurate evaluation assessments on structural repair. They will have remote viewing of customized step-by-step diagnostic realignment directions for efficiently repairing all types of vehicle structural damage.

For more information, contact Greg Marion at 651-583-4984, marion recon@hotmail.com, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grmarion/.

Details are also available on https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYkh2T BBvmk.

KELLY BMW

Original BMW Parts & Accessories

Large Inventory Competitive Pricing Experienced Staff Phone: 614.471.2277

Parts Direct: 614.337.3090

Original BMW Parts

Parts Fax: 614.476.2488

bmwusa.com

www.kellybmw.com Hours: M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-2pm 4050 Morse Rd • Columbus, OH 43230

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 43

Shop Showcase Regal Collision in CA Wins Best in Show at Dog Fundraiser with Ed Attanasio

Dogs and the collision repair industry seem to go together, and that’s why there are so many shop dogs working for free as they help their crews all

bond between canines and the body shop world.

When it comes to helping dogs and cats in their community, the people at Regal Collision Repair in Vallejo, CA do not paws for a second. Every year, the shop’s owners, Jim and Shellie Boyle, support the Humane Society of the North Bay (HSNB) in Vallejo through their participation in its annual Barkitecture Gala and Auction and other activities.

This year, the theme for the Barkitecture fundraiser was “Parrgh-ty Fur Ye Pets!” with a pirate motif throughout.

The “Pirate’s Ride” was made out of an old children’s pedal car and auctioned off for $5,000 at the Humane Society of Held on April 8th at the USA North Bay’s annual Barkitecture fundraiser in Vallejo, CA. (l to World Classics Event Center r) GM Kirk Kapfenstein, Technician Mike Elliott and Owner in downtown Vallejo, more Jim Boyle of Regal Collision proudly unveil their creation than 200 people attended a over the country. They work for hugs great evening with the grog a-flowing and treats and they never bark about and the good times pirating along. overtime, so there is definitely a strong Many people came in full costume

44 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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

while other landlubbers opted for standard garb. The Barkitecture’s evening included festive music, food from local restaurants, a premium raffle, a

Regal Collision’s Co-Owner Shellie Boyle with the “Pirate’s Ride.” More than $10,000 in parts and labor went into this show-stopping piece of art

silent auction and a live auction of items generously donated exclusively for the pirate’s party.

Every year, the crew at Regal Collision, led by Production Manager Kirk Kapfenstein, designs and builds a vehicle or other pet-related piece of usable art for this fundraiser. A few years ago, they took a children’s toy car and turned it into a cat tower on wheels and named it “Cruisin’ Down the Yellow Brick Road” to go along with that year’s Wizard of Oz theme.

For this year’s Barkitecture, Regal Collision created a “Pirate’s Ride”, a custom-built, car-themed pet habitat that was the hit of the evening. Featuring a working five-gallon aquarium nestled in an all-steel candy-painted vehicle wired for electricity and crowned with a Jaguar hood ornament, “Pirate’s Ride” provides a watery home for three fish passengers in the tank at all times.

Known for his nationally-acclaimed paint jobs on literally hundreds of motorcycles, Kapfenstein owns and operates Killer Candy in Concord, CA, when he isn’t running the production at

Regal. Kapfenstein dedicated more than 50 hours of his time to help the pets’ cause as a passionate artist/painter and the owner of two dogs named Simba and Nala.

Jim Boyle, the owner of Regal Collision Repair, loves doing community work, and Barkitecture is just another way to give back to the City of

In this photo, Jim Boyle realizes that his shop’s creation was just sold at auction for $5,000 at the 2017 Barkitecture pet fundraiser in Vallejo, CA

Vallejo, he said. “We have been making things for these fundraisers for several years now because it’s a great cause,” he said. “The Barkitecture Gala and Auction is exciting for all of us at Regal because we like the competition

with local businesses and community groups that create custom designed ‘creature’ comforts like dog dens, dog and cat furniture, bird roosts, bunny boudoirs, lizard lairs and other pet domiciles. We enjoy planning our next creation months before the event, and when we get the finished product, it’s very satisfying.”

The Humane Society of the North Bay provides much-needed shelter, care and adoption services to thousands of abandoned and neglected animals in the Vallejo area. HSNB Board President Stephanie Gomes was pleased with the evening’s turnout and the $5,000 that was raised with Regal Collision’s incredible creation, as it also captured the top prize.

“We depend on local businesses and community leaders to help us to fulfill our mission that not only helps animals, but it also helps our community as well,” Gomes said. “Last year, we saved more than 1,000 lives through adoptions, working with shelter and rescue colleagues around the Bay Area and returning lost animals to their families. We need companies like Regal Collision to support us so that we can continue this life-saving work.”

Continued from Page 33

Equipment

really pays off. “It gives you an overall idea of what you really need to use that equipment to its full extent,” he said.

Bradshaw said there may be additional hardware or software that needs to be purchased separately. “As a shop, you have to ask those questions. All of those costs have to be factored in,” said Bradshaw. “With most of the equipment, you are going to find that. Hardly any equipment has coverage for every vehicle on the road.”

Shops often have the expectation that they can repair any car with a certain piece of equipment. “You’re not going to get complete coverage,” he said. “That’s why it’s important to do the research and figure out what you are working on and try to tailor it to that.”

Safety and environmental concerns are also important factors in the decision-making process. “Shops should be very conscious of practicing the safe use of their tools and equipment,” said Gruskos. He said they should be aware of the equipment’s impact on the environment

whether that is in terms of cleanliness or from a pollution standpoint.

Yeung said to make sure all safety issues are taken care of before new equipment is implemented in the shop.

For example, when you purchase a welder, you need to buy welding helmets, jackets and gloves. “Sometimes when you are buying something, there is a whole other aspect you need to complete the project,” said Yeung.

“By doing research and purchasing proper equipment, it will ensure a proper repair in an efficient and timely manner,” said Gruskos.

2017 National Leadership and Skills Conference

SkillsUSA heads to Louisville, KY June 19-23, 2017, for the 53rd annual National Leadership and Skills Conference (NLSC), a showcase of career and technical education students.

More than 16,000 people, including students, teachers and business partners are expected to participate in the weeklong event.

For more information, visit http://www.skillsusa.org/eventstraining/national-leadership-andskills-conference/

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 45

since all vehicles produced for USA consumption from 2012 on have been equipped with ESC. The procedure resets the steering angle to match the vehicle’s new thrust line after the alignment has been completed (Fig. 6).

The collision industry over the years dealt with 2 and 4 wheel alignments and number on insurance carriers said ‘if you did work to the front suspension, only a two wheel alignment is called for.’

Today’s vehicles that are involved in an accident and require a wheel alignment, only one type of wheel alignment should be performed and that is a COMPLETE 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. The alignment process starts with adjusting the rear wheels so that they are parallel to the center line of the vehicle (zero thrust angle). Next the front wheels are adjusted so that they are in the same parallel plane as the rear wheels. When that operation is completed, the steering angle is set according to the OE’s specifications (Fig. 7).

It should be noted that the rear wheels are the directional wheels.

Note that the rear wheels have a positive thrust angle and arrow points to

Continued from Page 38

Know the Terms

Next question, which MIL tells you that ESC is not operating?

The answer is none of these lights and there are no MIL displays like this (Fig. 2). Most dash displays will look

Figure 7

Figure 4

like the next figure (Fig. 3).

And most manufactures do not have an MIL for a non-operating ESC system. Some vehicle makers do have a switch to disengage ESC (Fig. 4).

Figure 8

Figure 5

By the year 2012, the Federal Government mandated that all cars, truck and SUV’s have Electronic Stability Control. Next Question—What component produces the signal for the ESC computer module?

Answer—The Steering Angle Sensor (SAS) (Fig. 5).

See Know the Terms, Page 50

taken automatically. Question—when is the steering angle sensor calibrated.

Answer—every time you repair/replace/ R&I suspension components and in some cases, R&I a battery.

Question—How many vehicles have ESC/Steering Angle Sensors?

Hunter Engineering company states that Over 40 million vehicles on the road today require a reset/recali-

Richfield - Bloomington Honda At Richfield - Bloomington Honda we maintain a comprehensive inventory of high quality, Honda Genuine parts. Our Honda Parts professionals are here to answer your questions. Overnight parts ordering available.

Figure 6

As the steering wheel moves in either direction, the speed and number of revolutions are transmitted to the vehicle’s computer. If the ESC module thinks if vehicle stability is compromised, corrective actions will be

Parts Dept. Hours Mon.-Thu. 6:30am - 9pm Fri. 6:30am - 6pm Sat. 6:30am - 5pm bration of the steering angle sensor (SAS) following a wheel alignment, as instructed by the vehicles manufacturer, on certain cars equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

This number will continue to grow

46 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Phone:

612.866.8197

Fax: 612.866.9915

Start something special!

501 West 77th St. • Richfield, MN 55423

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

Western Associations

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

CAA Takes on the Capitol With ASCCA and CalABC with Ed Attanasio

Every year in April, the California Autobody Association co-hosts CAA/ ASCCA/CalABC Joint Automotive Aftermarket Industry Legislative Day as the automotive repair industry in the Golden State lets their voices be heard as they convene at the Capitol in Sacramento. On April 25 at the Capitol Event Center, 80 collision and mechanical repairers were on hand to discuss crucial issues that can affect their businesses in one way or another while preparing to meet with their representatives.

One particular bill—AB 1679 (Auto Body Repair)—was on the minds of all body shop owners in attendance at this year’s Legislative Day, but there are three others that can potentially affect their livelihoods in many ways: SB640: Tax Reform-Extending Sales to Services (Hertzberg, D-San Fernando); AB5: EmployersOpportunity Work Act (Gonzalez, DSan Diego); and AB 475: Salvage Vehicle Registrations (Chau, D-Monterey Park) were also hot items for conversation.

CAA Executive David McClune knows all too well that without defending its rights, the automotive repair industry in California would likely be decimated by regulations and new laws.

“We need to be vigilant, and that’s why we have a great lobbyist like Jack Molodanof that can stay on top of everything

ways gets briefed by Jack Molodanof, the lobbyist for all three organizations, who advises the members about the correct protocol to be used while meeting with their legislators.

(l to r) Spring Cutsworth and Mark Olsen with Vehicle Collision Experts and CAA State President Kathy Mello getting ready to meet with their local representatives in the Capitol

Molodanof always opens with a joke or humorous anecdote, but after that, he’s all business. Coaching the members of ASCCA/CAA about how to approach their local representatives is always crucial and that’s why Molodanof always sets down the rules first.

By strategically scheduling appointments throughout the Capitol’s offices all day long, ASCCA/CAA members break into smaller groups to cover as much territory as possible and then hit the halls immediately after their morning briefing.

sembly people and senators don’t know a lot about the collision repair industry, but they want to learn. It’s a great way to start a dialog and then build it from there. If you can get your representatives’ cell phone numbers, which some body shop owners have, it is a big deal to have that level of access.”

Molodanof was happy with this year’s turnout, he said, and is hoping to see more body shop owners at the Capitol in 2018. “I went out to some of the CAA chapters earlier this year and I am seeing more and more people who are coming out to be part of the process, and that’s excellent,” he said. “If we can get the shops to become even more active, CAA and the entire industry in this state will be that much stronger.”

CAA State President Kathy Mello has seen firsthand that making an impression every year in Sacramento is invaluable to the industry as a whole.

“Some years, we have bills that can impact the collision repair industry sig-

nificantly, and that is why we always need to be watchful,” she said. “This year, it’s AB 1679, and we are currently working hard to defeat it.”

Ben Clymer, Ben Clymer’s The Body Shop and BAR Deputy Chief Tim Corcoran networking at CAA/ASCCA/CalABC Joint Automotive Aftermarket Industry Legislative Day

A letter that was written by CAA Executive Director David McClune on April 12 and sent to Autumn Burke, California State Assembly, clearly states why the organization is strongly opSee CAA Takes on, Page 60

From OEM to aftermarket, see all the Collision Parts we have to offer!

• Large Inventory • Exceptional Service

513.782.2829 513.782.2846 FAX

• Genuine Chevy Parts • Ready To Serve You Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6pm Sat. 8am - 12pm 33 West Kemper Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45246

(l to r) Lobbyist Jack Molodanof, CAA State President Kathy Mello, CAA Executive Director David McClune, CAA Rep Pete Bezeck and Mike Passof, CAA officer and board member were on hand for 2017 Legislative Day

that is going on here at the Capitol,” he said. “If we can influence bills before they become laws and provide valuable feedback for our key decision makers, that’s our goal.”

This year’s slate of speakers at Legislative Day included Assembly Member Ed Chau and the Chief of the Bureau of Automotive Repair, Pat Dorais. To kick off the day, everyone al-

Moldanof has been involved in legislative industry events like this one for decades, so he knows the ins and outs of getting things done in Sacramento.

“This is a marathon, not a sprint, and in the end, it’s all about the relationships,” Molodanof said. “The first step is to let your representatives know about your business and the problems and issues you’re facing. A lot of these state as-

48 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.jakesweeneychevy.com

Subaru

Ganley Westside

Collision Repair Parts

www.ganleysubaru.com

• Delivery area counties: Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Huron, Erie, Medina, Sandusky, Ottawa, Summit and Lorain • Same-day, Next-day, Local Hot-shot Deliveries • Friendly, Fast Phone Ordering • Genuine Subaru OEM Parts Parts Department: rtment: e t • Competitive Pricing • Online Ordering Hours: Mon - Frii 7am - 77pm pm / Sat 8am - 4pm • Huge Inventory

440-788-7060

for all of your

accessory needs d

25730 Lorain Rd., North Olmsted, OH 44070 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 49

Continued from Page 46

Know the Terms

the right (car will move to the right and if everything else is in specs).

The front wheels steer the vehicle. Why is this important? Many of the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) systems work from a zero thrust angle on the rear suspension. Look at the graphics from

insurance adjuster wants to save a buck. What other ADAS systems involve a ESC/SAS? Here we go: Adaptive Cruise Control, Automatic Parking, Blind Spot Monitor, Forward Collision Warning, Hill Descent Control, Lane Departure

lision repair.

You are removing a door trim panel for paint access (Fig. 9).

Question: Do you think it will be necessary to perform a scan? The answer is ‘yes.’ Take a look at what Fiat-Chrysler Corp. has to say about scanning:

forward facing camera and radar, blind spot monitoring, and other automated electronic driver assistance systems, MUST be tested for fault codes (DTCs) that could be active (current) or stored following a collision. Use of the Mopar wiTECH vehicle diagnostic tester is

“Safety and security related systems, such as antilock brakes, supplemental restraint systems (SRS—air bags), occupant restraint controller (ORC), seat belts, active head restraints,

necessary before and after collision repair.”

“Furthmore, voltage loss, collisions, significant vehicle disassembly, interior trim repair or removal, and

Figure 9

Hunter Engineering Company not having a zero thrust line will cause the vehicles radar to read different than it is supposed to (Fig. 8).

So next time an adjuster wants only a two alignment, and you comply, you could put your customer in a very compromising situation where they are not aware of the risks. You are the professional. Do not put your customer’s safety in jeopardy because an

Figure 10

Warning, and Adaptive Headlamps to name a few. Again, all these systems are tied into the ECS/SAS. Let’s shift gears and take a look at the scanning process as it relates to col-

COURTESY

SUBARU It's It'ss How Business It s Not It' Not Jus Justt Our Our Name, Namee, It' Nam It How We Do Bus Busine iness ss

CONTACT OUR PARTS DEPARTMENT:

800-658-3054 P D F : PARTS DEPARTMENT FAX:

605-342-1178 Large Inventory Larg La rgee In Inve vent ntor oryy Local Free Fr ee LLoc ocal al Delivery Del D eliv iver eryy Years Combined Parts Experience 50+ 50 + Ye Year arss Co Comb mbin ined ed P Par arts ts EExp xper erie ienc ncee Call for Details Regarding Reggardingg Longg Distance Deliveryy

PARTS EPARTMENT ARTS DEPA EPARTM RTMENT ENT HOURS OURS:

M-F 7:30am - 5:30 pm p Sat 8 am - Noon Email: parts@courtesysubaru.com 601 East Omaha St. Rapid City, SD 57701 50 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

glass removal and replacement operations could trigger DTCs prior to or during collision repairs, which could result in improper vehicle performance.”

These two paragraphs were taken from the Fiat-Chrysler web site. Next,

Figure 11. 4-door

take a look at what Honda says about post scans: “Any repair that requires disconnection of electrical components in order to perform the repair will require a post-repair diagnostic scan to

confirm if the component is reconnected properly and functioning.

Damage that requires body parts replacement will always require a postrepair diagnostic scan.”

Remember, mirror switches, window switches, power door locks, fuel

door switch, and trunk switch can be attached to a door trim panel and they are connected to a computer module that uses electrical current to operate.

The charts here show the possible diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)

that can set for power window. Systems and DTCs vary by model, year and trim level; but this has been true for the past 10-12 years (Fig. 10).

Any of these items could set of DTM code. If you do not think this is nuts, look at the next flow chart from Honda (Fig. 11).

The chart here shows the Inputs and Outputs of the power window master switch, which is an electronic control unit (ECU) “computer” with inputs, processing, and outputs. Any on the 15 trouble codes can be triggered by just R&I of a trim panel and look what it takes to diagnose the problem.

Here is another example of a DTM code being set off which may seem crazy.

This is a photo of my 2012 Ford Pickup (Fig. 12). I was loaned an Air Pro Diagnostic Remote Scan Tool for this article (more about the tool later on in the article.) I hooked it up with the help of a Repair Shop Owner. The first thing he did was set up device that would maintain a constant voltage (more on this later also) during the scan. After a couple of minutes, I received by email the following printout on the scan (Figures 13a, 13b).

The technician on the other end

phoned me to explain that my radio antenna had a negative to ground DTM code. He asked me if I had my antenna off which I replied that two days prior, I had my truck washed and the antenna was temporarily disconnected. When the car wash replaced the antenna and started up the truck, it

Figure 12

triggered a code. This code did not affect the radio operation. The tech then proceeded to clear the code.

There are a number of ways that a shop can perform a pre- or health scan and a post repair scan.

You can purchase an aftermarket scan tool. They vary in price from inexpensive to expensive. Usually the

WHY SETTLE FOR AFTERMARKET, SALVAGE OR SURPLUS WHEN YOU DON’T HAVE TO!

GIVE YOUR CUSTOMERS THE QUALITY THEY DESERVE, USE GENUINE GM PARTS! With GM’s Bump program along with the Bob Hook Chevrolet Exclusive Price Match web portal, we make it easy to use Genuine GM Parts.

Bob Hook Chevrolet is Smashing Aftermarket Collision Parts, Call today to learn more!

Our Price match Program is second to None!

800-274-4665

www.bobhookgmparts.com

502-499-8060 M-F 8am - 5:30pm

· 15 Truck Fleet · Over 300 years of GM experience · Same Day and Next Day delivery · Exclusive Price match Portal · Truckload Fascia Program* *Unbeatable beatable prices on In-stock -stock Fascias

We make it easy to place your orders.

Call, Click or Fax.

4144 Bardstown Rd. / Louisville, KY 40218 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 51

higher the price, the greater the capabilities of the units.

Cons, the programs may not work on current year vehicles, programs have

/wp-content/uploads/ 2016/12/DRAFTScan-Tool-Overview-12-19-16.pdf).

Let’s take a look at how a remote diagnostic unit works. I am going to do

Figure 13b

the OB2 port (Fig. 14).

The prompts on the lap were followed. A report was sent to the shop after the scan was completed (Figures

15a, 15b).

Two fault codes were triggered by the blind spot system. The technician See Know the Terms, Page 56

d Family owne d and operate since 1958

Figure 13a

to be continually updated, and may not have OEM proprietary information.

Another way to have a mobile service come to your shop for each scan or sublet the work to a automobile service shop or OEM dealer. You know the pros and cons of both. Finally, there are remote diagnostic services that use the internet.

AsTech and Air Pro are companies that either supply an interface unit (AsTech) or a laptop (Air Pro) that connects to the internet or with a remote location where a technician can read the codes.

To get a better understanding about the pros and cons, go to the following CIC web site (http://www.ciclink.com

a pre scan on a 2017 Toyota Camry that had damage to the rear bumper and lower portion of the right rear quarter panel.

The technician from Marina Autobody hooked up his Air Pro Unit to

Local: 608.884.4436 Fax: 608.884.8215 m morrisons@morrisonsauto.com

Mention this ad and receive

10% Off

77 7 800.866.2277

your next purchase!

www.morrisonsauto.com om 6307 W. State Rd. 59 • Edgerton, WI 53534

Morrison’s Auto Parts is serious about delivering

Quality Auto Parts and Quality Service Figure 14

52 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

and our 11 Salespeople to help you get it!

Phone: Go Further 60 Years a Ford Dealer with over 314 Years Parts Experience!

515.270.9095 800.362.1679 Fax Your Order:

515.270.5008 üDedicated Wholesale Staff üPrompt & Dependable Delivery PARTS HOURS Mon - Fri 7:30am-6:00pm s Sat 8:00am-4:30pm

4545 Merle Hay Road Des Moines, IA 50310

OF DES MOINES • Over $1 Million in OEM Parts • Knowledgeable and Courteous Parts Team • Come see us at our NEW location

1650 SE 37th Street Grimes, IA 50111

The Right Part at The Right Price, Right Now! Hours: Mon- Fri 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4:30pm

PARTS: 515.276.4913 • 800.342.7045 FAX 515.276.0277

Electronic Parts Cataloging for Faster & More Accurate Service!

• Genuine Kia OEM Parts • Efficient Service on All Orders • Fast & Free Delivery • Parts Specialists On Call

515.727.1815 s 866.412.0152

Fax: 515.309.1412

Hours: Mon-Fri Mon Fri 7:00am-6:00pm 7:00am 6:00pm / Sat 7:30am-4:30pm 7:30am 4:30pm

4475 Merle Hay Road · Des Moines IA 50310 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 53

Historical Snapshot with John Yoswick

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988.

He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com). Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

Flashback: Panel Calls for End of ‘Funny Time’ – Two Decades Ago 20 years ago in the collision repair industry (May 1997) The “Write It Right Committee” of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) has announced its preliminary recommendations for eliminating “cost-shifting” in the current claims settlement process.

During the committee’s report in Chicago, California shop owner Al Estorga said “cost-shifting” occurs during the process of writing or negotiating a damage report or final bill for repairs when all or some of the cost of one line item is transferred to another.

“This may involve adding unnecessary procedures or exaggerating labor times or costs in one area to offset costs not included elsewhere in the damage appraisal or final bill,” Estorga said. “It may also involve using a less expensive part than one listed on the appraisal or final bill (or repairing a part that is listed as replaced) in order to cover labor times or costs

or parts not included elsewhere in the appraisal or final bill.”

The committee’s preliminary recommendations for eliminating cost-shifting included:

● That shop and insurance representatives sign a written pledge not to participate in cost-shifting.

● That all operations needed to restore the vehicle to pre-loss condition be listed on the damage report, including any procedures that are necessary but are not included in estimating database times. The resulting final invoice should be an exact reflection of what was done to the vehicle.

● That a dispute resolution board – consisting of shop, insurer and consumer or regulatory representatives – be established in each state to provide binding arbitration of differences re-

54 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

garding compensation for repair procedures.

● That repair “judgment times” be calculated based on “real time” and be paid, as necessary, at a different labor rate than replacement or “book times.”

participate in the recommended changes, committee members said insurers on the committee have supported or even suggested the proposals, including the resolution board.

“They’re sick of arguing about the same things again and again and again,” Holmes said.

“They were the strongest supporters of the recommendations that we have put here before you,” Estorga agreed.

“What we’re talking about is doing away with ‘funny time,’” California shop owner Tom Holmes said. He said that estimating database providers have already determined that because of breaks, inherent inefficiencies and other factors, a typical employee is productive for about 45-50 minutes per hour.

“What we’re saying is that if it takes 45 minutes to straighten a dent, you charge an hour,” Holmes said.

While a number of CIC California shop owner Gigi Walker (left) speaks with other participants questioned insur- attendees of the very first Women’s Industry Network ance company willingness to (WIN), held in Phoenix in 2007

– As reported in Autobody News.

15 years ago in the collision repair industry (June 2002) Joyce Arndt of Ray’s Auto Body in Vienna, VA said that recently an elderly gentleman came to the shop to pick up his vehicle. After he drove off in his repaired car, one of the shop’s technicians went to move the rental car. Imagine the tech’s surprise when he opened the door of the rental and found an elderly woman sitting in the passenger’s seat. She turned out to be the wife of the elderly man who had just driven away.

“I think your husband has left you behind,” Arndt said the technician told the woman.

“Yes, he’s getting awfully forgetful,” the woman replied.

The technician drove the woman home to her husband, who apparently still hadn’t noticed that his wife was missing.

– As reported in Hammer & Dolly.

10 years ago in the collision repair industry (June 2007) What do 100 women who are involved in the collision repair industry talk about when they gather for a confer-

ence of their own?

The technician shortage. Leadership skills. Customer service. Industry trends.

In other words, much of the same subjects discussed at other industry gatherings, just often from a slightly different perspective.

“It’s long overdue that the women in this industry had a professional forum to get together to develop ideas, build camaraderie, get to know one another and walk away with a new sense of confidence and awareness that they’re not ‘the only one,’” said Gigi Walker, a California shop owner and secretary of the Women’s Industry Network (WIN), which recently held its first conference.

The two-day event held in Phoenix drew about 115 attendees, including women involved in virtually every segment of the industry: shop owners and managers, technicians and vocational students, insurance company and vendor representatives. Organizers say the goal of WIN and the annual conference is not to compete with other industry groups and events but to offer something women in the industry have perhaps not always found at those other venues.

“I think this conference has been a great showing of support for women as well as a great networking opportunity,” said Geralynn Kottschade, a Minnesota shop owner and chairman of WIN’s board. “There’s so many women involved in our industry; they just need a place to come together to realize they’re not alone.”

In 1997, California shop owner worked on a committee that developed recommendations for eliminating “cost-shifting” in the claims settlement process

– As reported in Parts & People. WIN this year passed the 500-member mark; held its 10th annual conference in Denver, CO; and presented five female students a $1,000 scholarship each to continue their training to enter

the collision industry. See articles this issue.

5 years ago in the collision repair industry (June 2012) The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) held a meeting in recent weeks with I-CAR and representatives of many of the top automakers to discuss increasing the amount and availability of published OEM repair procedures. The meeting was the result of a joint statement by SCRS and other trade associations last November citing published automaker repair procedures as the “official industry-recognized repair standards for collision repair.” The associations also asked I-CAR to create an industry council “to identify gaps in existing OEM procedures and develop processes to close (those) gaps.”

Explaining the need for that effort, SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg cited an example of a sectioning procedure in an estimating system that the system provider defended by saying it wasn’t a procedure that was expressly prohibited by the automaker.

“The OEM had a procedure,” Schulenburg said. “The OEM said, ‘Put See Funny Time, Page 62

Original BMW Parts

ORIGINAL BMW PARTS bmwusa.com

Original BMW Parts and Accessories Fast, Friendly Service and Delivery We Know BMWs Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills

Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills

4065 W. Maple Rd., Bloomfield Hills, MI 48301 www.erhardbmw.com

38700 Grand River Ave., Farmington Hills, MI 48335 www.erhardbmwoffarmingtonhills.com

Phone: Fax:

Phone: Fax:

(800) 626-9787 (248) 642-0443

(888) 834-8635 (248) 699-3003 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 55

Continued from Page 52

Know the Terms

found that the blind spot monitor was not connected, which he proceeded to reconnect (Figures 16a, 16b).

It should be noted that Toyota in CRIB # 177 (Go to here for the CRIB: http://crrtraining.com/CRR2/ assets/pdfs/CRIB177-SRS-OccupantClassification-System-Initialization .pdf) states the following:

gardless of occupancy: • The OCS Electronic Control Unit (ECU) is replaced • Accessories such as a seatback tray are installed on the passenger seat • The passenger seat is removed and replaced or reinstalled • The vehicle is involved in an accident or collision.

In other words, a calibration of the OCS system needs to be performed (Fig. 17). The Air Pro technician also performed this operation when the tech-

Figure 16a

Figure 17

Figure 16b

Figure 15a

Any of the following conditions could set a DTC, illuminate the SRS MIL, or cause the PASSENGER AIRBAG light to indicate incorrectly, re-

nician performed the next scan (Figures 18a, 18b). Also the codes for the blind spot module were cleared.

With the codes clear, the vehicle was ready for its final Q/C and detail See Know the Terms, Page 58

THE RIGHT PARTS For Your Collision Job Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers

Indiana

CLASSIC HYUNDAI

317-536-1552 Fax

440-266-6763 Fax

Indianapolis 7101 E Washington St.

800-592-5170

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

Minnesota

LUTHER BLOOMINGTON HYUNDAI Bloomington 4801 American Blvd. West

877-801-0641 952-377-2081 Fax

Figure 15b 56 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Ohio

INDY HYUNDAI

Mon-Thu 7am - 7pm Fri 7am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 4:30pm parts@bloomingtonhyundai.com www.bloomingtonhyundai.com

Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd.

440-266-6750

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

Your #1 Source

for Collision Wholesale Parts in Ohio

CLASSIC CHEVROLET

ยง Comprehensive Inventory of High Quality Genuine OEM Parts in our 70,000 sq/ft warehouse ยง Fleet of 23 Wholesale Delivery Trucks ยง Competitive Discounts on all GM Parts including: Buick, Chevrolet, Cadillac, GMC Truck, Hummer & Pontiac

800 -951-7282 800-951-7282 24-Hour Toll Free Fax

PARTS DEPT HOURS: M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-1pm

800-352-7275

6877 Center Street // Mentor, OH 44060 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 57

Continued from Page 56

Know the Terms

for delivery.

I think there is enough information for you to grasp at this time. The next in-

Figure 18b

stallment will look at windshields (some OEs stated that aftermarket windshields will affect the function of ADAS), the difference between scanning, initializa-

Figure 18a

VANDEVERE KIA

tion, re-programing,and recalibration, repairs to bumpers, tires and misaligned body structure and how all ties in tripping codes and ADAS malfunction.

VANDEVERE CHEVROLET

Parts Dept. Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30am-5:30pm Sat 7:30am-1:00pm

Parts Dept. Hours:

Akron’s Largest KIA Parts Outlet Reliable, Professional Customer Service Express Parts Delivery in our 8 Trucks Your Source for OEM KIA Parts

VanDevere Kia 328 W. Market Street, Akron, OH 44303

800.362.9650 • Akron’s Largest GM Parts Outlet • Express Parts Deliveryy • Knowledgeable Staff with over rience!

175 Years Parts Experience!

Mon - Fri: 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat: 7:30am-1:00pm Phone:

330.836.4064 24 hour fax:

330.836.4074

800.362.9650 Phone : 330.836.4064 24 hour fax: 330.836.4074

58 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

1490 Vernon Odom Blvd.// Akron, Ohio 44320

Day Job/Night Job

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

Long Island, NY, Shop Owner Creates Graffiti Mansion with Ed Attanasio

Glen Cove, NY is a beautiful, laid back coastal town on Long Island and is well-known for things like its annual sailboat races and free summer concerts. Last year, when Joe La-

world-renowned graffiti artists to cover the entire building with their art both inside and out, it created a buzz that led to a big story in the New York Times and got the locals talking.

LaPadula buys and renovates old buildings in Glen Cove, so when he got the chance, he bought a 9,000 sq. ft. local historical landmark. It was originally owned by J.H. Coles, one of the first five families of Glen Cove that dates back to 1810.

His initial plan was to reopen the mansion as a restauTaking a mansion that was built 207 years ago and rant, but after renovations turning it into a piece of graffiti art was the brainchild were postponed, he got some of Joe LaPadula, the owner of Martino Auto Concepts Andy Warhol-like ideas. “I in Glen Cove, NY. Credit: Sean Basdaranos bought the building a year ago Padula, a body shop owner, bought and was trying to figure out the best an abandoned, centuries-old mansion way to use it,” LaPadula said. “No one in Glen Cove with big plans to reno- wanted it because of the age and the vate it, it barely made the local news. fact that part of the structure is an hisBut when he decided to work with 150 torical landmark, but I liked it. Then I

got the idea of just blasting it with graffiti throughout the entire building.

I figured after a while, I could start my

some art cars and other things in the past, so I knew that he was the right person to work with me on this project,” he said. “I told him that the building was in pretty bad shape, but we decided to cover the place with graffiti anyway. We covered some of the floors and beams to protect them, because it is vintage wood and started letting the artists in to do their magic.”

After the artists were done with their work and the house LaPadula (left) and his partner, Jon Holzer at Martino Auto was ready for the world to see, Concepts, are Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW-certified and LaPadula had an opening restore luxury vehicles. Credit: Sean Basdaranos party attracting 1,200 people. renovations and cover it all up and Some people in Glen Cove didn’t like that’s when it really took off.” the way it looked and there was a little For a partner in this artful enpushback until the New York Times deavor, LaPadula immediately thought and local TV stations showed up in about Sean Sullivan, a renowned force to cover the opening party. “The Bronx-born graffiti street artist with mayor told me to paint the outside of whom he had collaborated on other the building after the party, which we projects over the years. “Sean and I did See Graffiti Mansion, Page 67

BLUE SPRINGS FORD Call our Wholesale Parts Hotline Today!

800-248-7760 816-229-3750 816-229-0605 Fax

We’re Open: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6pm // Sat. 8pm - 4pm

• Dedicated Knowledgeable Wholesale Staff • Certified Parts Wholesaling Dealer • Powertrain Distributing Dealer • Over $1 Million in OEM Parts • Competitive Pricing • Online Ordering • Dependable Delivery 3200 South Outer Rd. // Blue Springs, MO 64015 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 59

Continued from Page 48

CAA Takes on

posed to AB 1679. Here are some excerpts from the official letter that clearly outlines CAA’s strong opposition to the bill.

“On behalf of the CAA, we must regretfully oppose AB 1679, because it is anti-consumer, anti-small business and anti-competitive,” McClune wrote. “The bill has two overreaching and troubling aspects: It corrupts the recently enacted voluntary labor rate survey guidelines and eliminates consumer protections with regard to consumers’ right to selecting a shop to have their vehicle repaired.”

Labor Rate Surveys By way of background, a labor rate survey is a process that allows an insurer to determine a reasonable range of prevailing rates auto shops charge

Guest speaker Assemblyman Ed Chau was on hand to discuss his salvage bill during 2017 Legislative Day

for labor to repair damaged motor vehicles. When properly done, a survey can be a useful tool for insurers to benchmark labor rates in a particular geographical area in order to pay a fair and reasonable labor rate. However, when improperly done, a labor rate survey can be used to artificially fix prices below market rates, forcing consumers to pay unnecessary out-ofpocket costs.

It is important to note that the vast majority of California insurers do not

conduct surveys; do not see the need to conduct surveys and nonetheless do fine by paying the shops regularly charged rates.

For years, the California Department of Insurance (CDI) has combated insurers’ abusive use of labor rate surveys, including taking disciplinary action and leveling fines against the most abusive insurers. The lack of standards in many of these surveys produced inconsistent, inaccurate and unreliable results. The CDI determined that regulations in this area were necessary to ensure consumers were protected. The recently enacted regulations were a result of a five-year process where all stakeholders (consumer groups, auto body shops, automobile dealers and insurers) were encouraged to provide feedback, identify concerns and provide data to support their assertions.

Specifically, AB 1679 allows insurers to: ■ Include in the survey shops that do not meet the minimum equipment requirements set by the state BAR; also that do not have proof of garage keeper’s liability insurance and workers comp insurance; in other words, insurers may use the underground economy to establish labor rates.

■ Make the unfair and unreliable surveys achieve a “rebuttable presumption” status under the law. Meaning that the “bogus” surveys will now be presumed to be statistically valid and not challengeable.

Consumer Choice Under current law, consumers have a right to select a repair facility to have their vehicle repaired. Unfortunately, some insurers use unfair tactics to “steer” consumers away from their chosen shop and into insurer-contracted repair shops. Although insurers have the ability to advertise and promote their insurer-contracted repair shops, some insurers make untruthful, deceptive and misleading statements to consumers that unreasonably influence a consumer’s right to select the repair facility. The CDI issued regulations to clarify and complement existing law to prevent steering and ensure unfettered customer choice of repair shops and more timely damage inspections. The new regulations provided guidelines for reasonable timeframes for insur-

ers to inspect damaged vehicles and identify what constitutes unreasonable distances in cases where an insurer requires the consumer to travel to obtain a repair estimate or have a vehicle repaired.

AB 1679 eliminates these important consumer protections:

■ Consumers will now have to travel over 15 miles in urban areas and over 25 miles in other areas to obtain a estimate or to have their vehicle repaired.

■ Deletes the requirement that insurers inspect a damaged vehicle within 6 business days, thus creating delays for weeks, while also creating unnecessary out-of-pocket expenses for consumers (e.g. rental costs).

■ Requires consumers to obtain a second estimate from an insurer DRP shop even though the consumer already obtained an estimate from their chosen shop. Consumers currently only required to obtain one estimate.

■ Opens the door for insurers to make misleading statements to consumers about their chosen shop.

■ Use DRP rates (negotiated rates with insurer in exchange for volume referrals) which will suppress market rates and skew results.

■ Use an artificially large geographically area (entire county) that does not reflect the local market resulting in a statistically invalid survey.

■ Use labor rates that are on shop invoices or third party software where the labor rate was forced upon the shop, further manipulating the survey results.

■ “Cherry pick” and survey insurer chosen auto repair shops (20%) rather than all the licensed and properly equipped and insured shops in the local marketplace.

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

800-699-8251

■ Keep unreliable surveys results “secret” from public view, thus failing to hold insurers accountable.

Shift into Genuine Nissan and Infiniti OEM Parts

Genuine Nissan and Infiniti OEM Wholesale Parts are superbly crafted to strict quality standards.

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

ILLINOIS

Infiniti of Naperville Naperville

866-874-6346

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

MINNESOTA

Eden Prairie Nissan Eden Prairie

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

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

60 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

952-567-2150

Laurel Auto Group of Westmont Accidents Happen

Laurel BMW of Westmont

Insist on Original BMW Parts and Accessories www.laurelbmw.com

(630) 654-5400

Laurel BMW of Westmont 430 E Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559

www.laurelbmw.com

• Two Deliveries Daily • 17 Delivery Trucks

Truth in Engineering

Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-3

Phone: (888) 545.6900 Fax: (630) 655.5999

Audi Genuine Parts

Large Inventory of OEM Parts Quick, Courteous Service Knowledgeable Staff Audi Westmont 276 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559 Parts Direct: (630) 230.2222 / Fax: (630) 655.5750 Hours: M-F 7-6 / Sat 8-4 www.audiwestmont.com

Mercedes-Benz of Westmont • Large Inventory • Exceptional Service 200 E. Ogden Ave Westmont, IL 60559 www.mercedesbenzofwestmont.com

Phone: Fax:

(630) 654.1039 (630) 654.8167

GENUINE PARTS

Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 61

Shop Showcase

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

Elite Electronics Gives Body Shops an In-House Mechanical Department with Ed Attanasio

After the economic implosion of another shop for some diagnostics or 2008, many body shops decided to an electrical repair is never a good add mechanical repair to their menus idea, not to mention what it can do to of services and quickly found out it your customers, cycle time or DRPs. In a world where specialwasn’t quite that easy. When the economy turned around a ization is king, Elite Elecfew years later, many of them tronics of Richardson, TX, fills a niche by providing the stopped offering these servfull gamut of mechanical reices because they realized pair services with a focus on that they needed to focus on fixing wrecked cars for body collision repair and not meshops and collision centers in chanical repair. They found Owner Don six states. The big four— out that it requires too many Smith began Elite ABRA, Service King, Gerresources, including equipElectronics with ber Collision and Caliber ment, tools, training and the his wife and one mechanic, and right people to be a real meCollision—all use the servchanical repairer. So they today, the company ices of Elite Electronics, with went back to doing what they employs 55 people 60% of their business comand serves more ing from MSOs, but they know, and most of them will than 200 also work with small indetell you that this was a smart customers pendents as well. move.

Elite Electronic’s mechanics can But if a body shop needs mechanical repairs on crashed vehicles in diagnose, repair, and correct vehicle their facility, what are their options? computer systems more quickly and Sending a vehicle down the street to affordably than body shops can, and

that’s why shops use their services on a regular basis. “We fix mechanical and electrical issues on wrecked cars every day, so we’re going to be faster on diagnostic processes than your aver-

look at things from a collision repairer’s perspective, he said. “If a body shop is trying to provide mechanical services to its customers, it’s difficult because it’s a completely different thought process.

You’re not repairing something that was damaged in a wreck; you’re fixing something that is just worn out or defective. We need techs who can think from the collision side so that they’re looking for the right things. We are able to fix not just electrical, but anything that is wreck-related or not.”

With a full fleet, Elite Electronics is able to respond quickly The story behind Elite when their customers call, which include MSOs such as Electronics began way back ABRA, Service King, Gerber Collision and Caliber Collision in 1996, when Smith was first age mechanic because we run into the exposed to the industry from the accessory-side, he explained. “I started same issues again and again,” Don out installing car stereos and car Smith, the company’s owner, said.

Smith trains his mechanics to get alarms and we had to be cognizant of the airbag systems while doing so. At out of the mechanical mindset and

MAPLEWOOD TOYOTA

MAPLEWOOD SCION

• Large Inventory of Genuine OEM Parts • Exceptional Customer Service

• Call Us First For All Your Parts Needs • Competitive Wholesale Prices

Parts Dept. Hours: Mon - Thur: 7am - Midnight Fri: 7am - 5:30pm, Sat: 8am - 4pm

651-288-2525

Phone: Fax: 651-490-2652

Serving all of MN and Western WI 2873 N Hwy 61, Maplewood, MN 55109 62 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Parts Dept. Hours: Mon - Thur: 7am - Midnight Fri: 7am - 5:30pm, Sat: 8am - 4pm

Phone:

651-288-2525

Fax: 651-490-2652 Serving all of MN and Western WI 2873 N Hwy 61, Maplewood, MN 55109

one point, we had to replace an airbag that deployed, and that got me interested in airbags. So a friend told me about a place called Friendly Electronics in Dallas, where I worked and learned the airbag side of it.”

In 2005, while in the military parttime and going to school full-time pursuing a business degree, Smith saw an opportunity and seized it. “We were able to scrounge some money together and start Elite Electronics,” he said.

“We saw some other companies trying to what we wanted to do and not really doing it successfully, so we put $40,000 together and went for it.”

In November of 2006, Elite Electronics opened its doors, and the company hasn’t stopped growing since.

“Day one, we already had our first mechanic with my wife helping us out with things like bookkeeping and accounting, so it was definitely a lean operation.”

Today, Elite Electronics employs 55 people and serves more than 200 customers in Oklahoma, Tennessee, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Texas with plans to open up in four additional territories later this year.

“The majority of what we do for

chanical repair is a different beast altogether.

“Occasionally, a body shop owner will tell us that they do all of their mechanical in-house and they don’t need our services,” Smith said. “But the reality is that every collision repairer is using one of the services we offer.

Whether they’re towing the vehicle to a local dealership to get an airbag light cleared or the mechanic goes on vacation and they have to hire someone else to do it, every body shop needs our services in one form or another. I haven’t found a situation where we’re not more cost-effective and timely than their current solution.”

Body Shop Director James Elite Electronics fills a niche by providing the full gamut of Kerby at Reliable Chevrolet mechanical repair services with a focus on fixing wrecked in Richardson, TX runs a busy cars for body shops and collision centers in six states operation, fixing roughly 400 still make money, and we also do the cars every month. So, when he needs work in a timely fashion to where they some mechanical or electrical work aren’t waiting on it and can make their done fast, he does not hesitate to call projections and keep their cycle time Elite Electronics. “They make the entire process easier, because they know where it needs to be.” what they’re doing,” Kerby said. “They Delegating anything can be difficult for some body shop owners and come here so we don’t have to do anymanagers who feel like they can do it thing. They do a mechanical inspection and give us a list of what needs to be all, but in the end, they realize mebody shops is what we call general repair,” Smith said. “They don’t have a mechanic and they need someone to come in and replace a knuckle, pull the engine, replace a sub-frame or an engine cradle—things like that. We work with their agreed-upon rate with their DRP program to where they can

Luther Bloomington Acura Our parts. Your peace of mind.

fixed or replaced and then we communicate it with the insurance company and we get the approval. It helps us tremendously because when we catch things earlier, we can get the parts here faster and get the job done on time.”

Jorge Hormaza is a parts director for Service King who oversees the central and southeast regions of the country for this large MSO. With 100 parts managers answering to him, Hormaza wants to hire a company like Elite Electronics that is willing to do what it takes to get the job done.

“They figure it out and that’s important,” he said. “Elite is one of our preferred vendors and we use them a lot.

Before, we had to move cars just to get a light cleared and now they come to us. This allows us to focus more on fixing the cars rather than letting some mechanical problems slow us down, which is a major benefit for us at Service King.”

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL:

Autobody News

Luther Bloomington Subaru R TER NTE YOUR SUBARU CAR PARTS CEN

800.451.5078 Toll Free 952.887.0600 Parts Direct 952.881.1787 24 Hour FAX parts@bloomingtonacura.com www.bloomingtonacura.com

• Free Local Delivery and Shipping • Experienced Parts Professionals • Extensive OEM Parts Inventory at Competitive Prices

PARTS DEPT. HOURS Mon. 6:30am - 6pm Tue.-Fri. 6:30am - 9pm Sat. 8am - 4pm 7801 Lyndale Ave. South Bloomington, MN 55420

Large Inventory of Genuine Subaru Parts Quality Tested Dedicated Wholesale Staff Committed to Service Servic Order Parts On-line 24/7 www.bloomingtonsubaru.com parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com

Luther Bloomington Subaru Hours: Mon: 6:30 - 6; Tue-Fri: 6:30 - 9; Sat: 8 - 4 7801 Lyndale Ave. South // Bloomington, MN 55420 Toll Free: Parts Direct: 24 Hr. FAX:

800-451-5078 952-887-0600 952-881-1787

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 63

Chevrolet Sees Spike in OnStar Spanish Requests Chevrolet owners are expected to use OnStar’s Spanish-speaking advisor team more in 2017 than any previous year. OnStar has provided Chevrolet owners with a dedicated Spanish language team for more than 10 years to

Connected Customer Experience.

“As a result, OnStar has a dedicated team of advisors who can help Spanish-speaking customers keep safe, connected and ready for the road ahead.”

help with everything from directions to emergency services. Last year, more than 1,000 Spanish-speaking Chevrolet drivers pushed the blue OnStar button in the United States every single day, an increase of 30 percent from 2013. Chevrolet already has seen nearly 100,000 blue button presses in the first quarter of 2017 and expects these numbers will continue to climb in 2017.

“We understand that not all Chevrolet owners speak English fluently or at all, but we didn’t want that to be an obstacle in providing them with the same service we offer all OnStar customers,” said Terry Inch, executive director of GM’s Global

Chevrolet owners can have their OnStar requests routed to a Spanishspeaking advisor if they prefer. More than 25,000 Chevrolet owners are currently routed directly to OnStar’s Spanish-speaking advisors when they push the blue button. There are two ways to sign up for Spanish-language assistance. Chevrolet owners can ask a dealer to enroll them at the time of purchase by pressing the blue OnStar button, prompting a welcome call.

During that call, the new owner can request that all future blue button presses route straight to the Spanish team. Existing Chevrolet owners with an active OnStar account can also press the blue button and make the re-

Continued from Page 55

quest to transfer to a Spanish-speaking advisor on a case-by-case basis or automatically for every call.

“Across the board, our data tells us that Spanish-speaking customers are well-informed when it comes to in-vehicle technology,” Inch said. “In addition to using OnStar core services, we’ve seen that Spanish-speaking customers are likely to use the myChevrolet mobile app to remote start their vehicles, lock their cars and even check their vehicle’s diagnostics.”

The OnStar Basic Plan is available for five years at no charge on all new Chevrolet vehicles. Any Chevrolet owner with a 2011 or newer equipped vehicle can also receive three free years of the Basic Plan by hitting the blue OnStar button and asking for “Three Years on Us.” The Basic Plan includes access to select features in the myChevrolet mobile app, Dealer Maintenance Notification and Advanced Diagnostics.

For more information, visit www .chevrolet.com.

www.autobodynews.com

Auto Care Careers Offers On-Campus Recruiting Opportunities

As part of its ongoing recruiting and job placement efforts, Auto Care Careers has expanded its college and vocational school outreach to include Auto Care Careers on Campus. The new program partners with universities, colleges and vocational schools to promote the thriving auto care industry as a dynamic place to work.

“The auto care industry has a great story to tell students, teachers and career counselors about the exciting career paths available to them in a wide variety of fields, from accounting and engineering to manufacturing and logistics,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “We have already conducted successful on-campus recruiting events in Pennsylvania and Florida and look forward to

bringing the Auto Care Careers on Campus program to more colleges, universities and vocational schools across the country.”

Working directly with the educational institution or through an industry company, Auto Care Careers on Campus will provide the tools and resources necessary to conduct on-campus events, whether in the classroom or as part of a career fair.

To date, Auto Care Careers on Campus events have been held at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, the University of North Florida, and the University of Northwestern Ohio.

To host an Auto Care Careers on Campus event at a local university, college or vocational school in your area, visit http://www.autocare careers.org/on-campus/ and fill out the online form.

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

800-699-8251

– As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), June 4, 2012. I-CAR since that time has worked with the automakers to improve the amount and availability of published OEM repair procedures, including creating a “Repairability Technical Support Portal” (https://rts .i-car.com/) for the information.

ILLINOIS Patrick MINI Schaumburg 847-605-4055 (847) 619-4511 Fax Hours: M-Sat 8am-5pm

THESE DEALERS are GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS.

Michigan

Sunshine Toyota 269-965-1000 BATTLE CREEK

269-441-1262 Fax The Dealers Above Are Original MINI Parts Distributors

LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

64 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

(the sectioning) here.’ Should they also have to say, ‘Don’t put it here, here, here or here?’”

Schulenburg pointed out that ICAR no longer recognizes some more generalized sectioning procedures that previously were considered industryaccepted because vehicle makes and models have become so different and specific in terms of what the automakers recommend.

“That’s why we need to define that the OEM recommended procedure is our standard of repair, and we need to work collectively with the OEMs to fill in those gaps (where procedures have not been published),” Schulenburg said.

Choose Original MINI Parts.

©2017 MINI, a division of BMW of North America,

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

Funny Time

M-F 7:30am-6pm jody@sunshinetoyota.com www.sunshinetoyota.com

INSIST ON GENUINE

GM PARTS Only Original Parts Protect The Vehicle’s Value.

CALL ANY OF THESE WHOLESALE WH PARTS DEALERS BELOW. Kentucky

Michigan

North Dakota

Ohio

Glenn Buick GMC

LaFontaine Buick GMC Cadillac

Gateway Chevrolet Cadillac

Sweeney Chevy Buick GMC

800-342-4260

800-476-0760

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

Bob Hook Chevrolet LOUISVILLE

800-274-4665

502-499-0917 Fax M-F 8 am - 5:30 pm

bmaberry@bobhook.net

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

Michigan

Alma Chevrolet Buick GMC ALMA

888-229-2336

989-463-0456 Fax M-F 7:30 am - 6 pm

parts@almabuickgmc.com

HIGHLAND

877-552-2580

734-793-6000 734-793-1101 Fax 734-793-1102 Fax Minnesota

Mills Parts Center WILLMAR

800-247-1158

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

Rosedale Chevrolet ROSEVILLE

800-247-0585

651-639-2120 651-639-2192 Fax M-Th 7 am - 8 pm F 7am - 6pm Sat 8 am - 4:30 pm

parts@rosedalechev.com

FARGO

701-282-8880 701-277-4565 Fax M-F 8 am - 7 pm Sat 8 am - 4 pm

Ohio

Classic Chevrolet

330-726-2297 330-726-0709 Fax M-F 7 am - 5 pm

mattf@sweeneycars.com

VanDevere Chevy AKRON

800-362-9650

MENTOR

330-836-4064 330-836-4074 Fax

800-352-7275 24-HR Fax

chevyparts@vandevere.com

800-951-7282 M-F 8 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 1 pm

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet CINCINNATI

513-782-2829

513-782-2846 Fax M-F 7:30 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - Noon jakesweeneychevy.com

Missouri

YOUNGSTOWN

M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm

Wisconsin

Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet GREEN BAY

800-242-2844

920-468-3658 920-468-3673 Fax M-F 7 am - 7 pm Sat 7 am - 2 pm

parts@gandrud.com

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 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 65

Plans Coming Together for WIA July Conference

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

On July 9 through July 11, Women in Automotive (WIA) will be holding its Summer Conference at the Omni Orlando Resort in ChampionsGate, FL. The conference is designed for automotive manufacturers, suppliers and dealerships, including collision repair centers, and Jody DeVere, Founding Board Member of WIA, notes, “We are very excited about this summer’s conference. We will have an all-star lineup of over 100 speakers, and our focus is on educating and empowering women and men in the automotive community on thought leadership and trends that impact employment and sales growth.”

WIA was founded by a small group of women who saw a need to focus on closing the gender gap by educating the industry about attracting, recruiting and retaining female employees, developing female leaders, and increasing marketing knowledge about female consumers.

The agenda for WIA’s Summer Conference includes a dozen workshops, a plethora of presentations from industry leaders, keynote awards and a mentoring program, as well as several networking opportunities. Workshops will focus on a variety of topics ranging

from new employees in the industry to developing leaders, branding and even workplace wardrobes. According to DeVere, “Our agenda is rich in content because we are teaching the industry as a whole about women’s employment, leadership, sales and marketing.”

This will be WIA’s third conference which attracted 425 attendees last year. “We expect 500 attendees this year,” DeVere reports. “We hope our efforts will help close the gender gap and increase the industry’s effectiveness at hiring women, advertising to women, and developing women into leadership roles.”

Some of the speakers at WIA’s Summer Conference include Keynote Speakers Shari Fitzpatrick, Founder of Shari’s Berries and Sharon L. Lechter, author, motivational speaker and philanthropist.

Additional presentations will be made by Alex Vetter, CEO of Cars.com and Steve Waterhouse, President and CEO of Predictive Results, among others. Key sponsors include GM Women’s Retail Network, Hireology, CDK Global, Cars.com and Facebook. Early bird registration for WIA’s Summer Conference is available through May 31 at a cost of $395. Regular pricing is $595 per attendee.

WIA will also be hosting a conference in Palm Springs, CA in December 2017, and the group holds smaller events around the country throughout the course of the year. WIA also hosts monthly webinars as part of their ongoing efforts to be an educational resource about important topics for the industry.

According to WIA’s mission statement, “Women in Automotive has quickly grown to be one of the country’s most crucial and influential conferences for the automotive industry. It is already being recognized as the destination for the automotive community to gain insight on recruiting, retaining and developing female employees and leaders, and also touches on the all-important aspects of selling and marketing to female consumers.”

For more information about WIA, visit www.womeninautomotive.com.

UPDATED DAILY www.autobodynews.com

SCRS Education Committee Presents Video on Scanning, Diagnostics and Calibration

On April 18th, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) premiered its newest SCRS Education Committee video discussion, filmed at the SEMA Garage in October 2016. If you missed the open meeting, the video was published to the SCRSCollision YouTube channel on the same day, and features members of the SCRS Board of Directors, SCRS Education Committee and I-CAR discussing the process of scanning and diagnosing vehicle diagnostic trouble codes, as well as the associated calibration steps.

SCRS encourages you to join Bruce Halcro, Jason Bartanen, Toby Chess and Barry Dorn as they discuss the process, the equipment, the business considerations and the impact to today's collision repair process.

To watch the video, type the following URL in to a browser: http: //bit.ly/2pQBWpf After you watch the video, share with your staff, your customers and your colleagues.

To learn more about SCRS, or to join as a member, visit www.scrs .com.

Audi dealers strive to make you an Audi Genuine Parts fan

Illinois

South Dakota

MINNESOTA

OHIO

Audi Exchange

Audi Sioux Falls

Brookdale Volkswagen Brooklyn Center

Brunswick Volkswagen Brunswick

Highland Park 847.432.5880 847.432.5708 Fax

Sioux Falls 888.540.6399 605.221.0550 Fax

gorejel@audiexchange.com

parts@grahamauto.com

763-331-6480

Fax: 763-331-6481 M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-4:30pm

Toll Free: 330-460-7080

parts@brookdalevw.com

Direct: 330-460-7080 Fax: 330-460-7082 M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-4pm

Burnsville Volkswagen Burnsville

SOUTH DAKOTA

Fax: 952-892-9471

Graham Automotive Sioux Falls

800-328-2842

parts@burnsvillevw.com

www.brunswickautomart.com

888-540-6399

Fax: 605-221-0550

parts@grahamauto.com

66 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Continued from Page 59

Graffiti Mansion

gladly did, so now we’re looking for our next move with the interior.”

Although LaPadula planned to make his graffiti exhibition only a placeholder before converting the house back into a restaurant, he is now thinking about making the building a museum where visitors can enjoy the graffiti and street art.

LaPadula, 48, grew up in the collision business and has always had paint dust in his veins, he explained. “Forget about it, I grew up working at the family gas station in Jackson Heights and I just kept rolling from there,” he said.

“My grandfather was in the business and my father after him, so I’m three generations in this industry.”

Twenty-six years ago, LaPadula jumped into the collision repair industry in a big way, which is the only way he travels. Today, Martino Auto Concepts operates out of a 25,000 sq. ft. facility and employs 24 people. The shop is Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW-certified and specializes on working on luxury, high-end vehicles.

LaPadula knows from experience

that his various activities in Long Island end up promoting his shop and leading to further business, he said.

“It’s difficult to market collision work to the consumer. It’s like going to the

be in car shows, curate art shows and market my main business through all of these other avenues.”

Does LaPadula consider fixing crashed cars a form of art? “Absolutely,” he said. “Collision repair is under appreciated.

We get these cars with airbags blown and wires everywhere and now we have to put them back together, guaranteeing their safety and a quality repair. And then after we’ve done all of our work, they just get back in the car and take it By creating art cars and working with artists on other for granted. I joke with my projects, LaPadula gets a ton of exposure for his shop artist friends that the only difwithout spending a dime on marketing or advertising. ference between the two of us Credit: Sean Basdaranos is I get paid for my work. My doctor, there’s nothing there to glorify. people are artists, no doubt, and I tell I have always been around custom them that all the time.” work and I like doing it, but really I do LaPadula’s graffiti art mansion is it to advertise my body shop. I do it not currently open to the public, but through my custom work and charity so many people were impressed by his car shows and now I work heavily with creation that they want to partner on the art community. We’ve done two this project with him in some form or arts cars—a Ferrari and a Lamborghanother. So stay tuned. ini—that really put me on the map. Our art cars get a lot of attention and as a www.autobodynews.com result, my shop gets a lot of free publicity, so it works well. Plus, they have UPDATED DAILY given me a lot of other opportunities to

Continued from Page 24

Indiana Parts Bill

beginning in late November and the next legislative session starts in early January.

The question now is what to do next. Pierce is contemplating whether to introduce a bill and hope to obtain enough persuasive powers to ensure the bill is heard or hope there is an opportunity to offer an amendment to another insurance-related bill and attempt to get the bill adopted on the House floor.

In the meantime, he is inviting body shops and other interested parties in the state of Indiana to contact their state representative and/or senator and explain why they think the loophole needs to be closed. “It’s a great time to do this during the summer and early fall because most legislators are back home in their communities.”

Martin also stressed the importance of body shops getting involved.

“The main thing is getting representation and helping our other representatives in Indiana understand why it’s important for all consumers across the state and how it will protect them in the event of a loss,” he said.

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

Original Thought #78

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 M-F 7:30am-6pm parts@basneyimports.com www.basneybmw.com

MICHIGAN

Erhard BMW of Bloomfield Hills

Bloomfield Hills 800-626-9787 248-642-0443 www.erhardbmw.com

Erhard BMW of Farmington Hills

North County BMW

www.ncountybmw.com

(800) 564-8222

North County BMW

www.ncountybmw.com

(800) 564-8222

North County BMW

www.ncountybmw.com

(800) 564-8222

North County BMW

www.ncountybmw.com

(800) 564-8222

• Original BMW Parts & Accessories

Farmington Hills 888-834-8635 248-699-3003

www.erhardbmwoffarmingtonhills.com

Okemos Auto Collection

Okemos 517-853-2600 517-853-2661 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm mbedard@lovewhatyoudrive.com www.okemosautocollection.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 67

PPG Certification Training Programs Keep Techs on Top

PPG continues to address evolving automotive refinish technologies with ongoing comprehensive certification training programs designed to keep paint technicians at the forefront of the industry. As OEMs introduce more complex and exotic finishes, PPG is making sure refinish technicians are prepared to meet the challenges the new finishes present.

“Maintaining alignment with the industry, PPG refinish systems are constantly advancing, and we want to ensure that collision center technicians are experts in using our products,” said Randy Cremeans, PPG director of training for automotive refinish. “PPG’s commitment to training is unrivaled in the industry—we train more techs than any other automotive paint company in the world, and we intend to maintain that lead.

Our certification training programs introduce technicians to the latest products and techniques for completing quality refinish repairs while maximizing paint booth productivity.”

More than 15,000 students and technicians participate in PPG training courses annually, and more than 400,000 refinish professionals have taken classes since PPG began its pro-

grams in 1980. Once certified, paint technicians must then be recertified every two years to stay current on the latest PPG products and repair

processes. Having a certified painter is among the requirements for collision centers offering PPG’s Lifetime Limited Paint Performance Guarantee.

PPG certification training offers five levels of expertise: Blue, Bronze, Silver, Gold and Master. The first certification course is open to technicians who have one year of professional experience. After achieving the initial Blue-level certification, technicians are eligible to graduate to successive

levels by attending qualifying classes every two years. After eight years, qualified technicians are eligible to graduate to the Master Certified Technician level.

Certification courses, blending classroom instruction with hands-on exercises, are offered at PPG Business Development Centers and various field locations across the United States and Canada. Courses are tailored for PPG’s premium DELTRON®, GLOBAL REFINISH SYSTEM®, ENVIROBASE® High Performance, NEXA AUTOCOLOR® 2K® and AQUABASE® Plus refinish systems. Training sessions last a minimum of eight hours over one or two days and educate 8–12 technicians at a time. Certification classes are led by 30+ full-time PPG training instructors.

According to Mike Gonzalez, zone manager, refinish training, in an effort to recognize completion of the certification courses, PPG is pro-

lected I-CAR since it has the largest network of instructors to deliver training and because of the financial benefit it provides our network facilities. This partnership will further strengthen our repair network’s integrity, efficiency and dedication to our customers.”

As a result of the State Farm commitment, Select Service network members will be eligible for I-CAR’s Pro Pricing program, which provides a 10 percent discount on the required training programs. As an added benefit, when more than the minimum required number of technicians at a Select Service facility register, attend, and become certified in an I-CAR welding event, each of those certified technicians will receive complimentary access to I-CAR’s Vehicle Technology and Trends 2017 (VT017E01) online course upon certification.

Repairers in the State Farm Select Service network are required to complete three Welding Training & Certification programs, each consisting of a four-phase process. The program begins with the Welding Capability & Readiness Assessment of the facility’s gear, equipment and infrastructure (Phase 1). Each program includes in-

68 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

For more information, visit www.ppg refinish.com.

FREE 4xwww.autobodynews.com Monthly E-Newsletter.

Subscribe Today! www.autobodynews.com

I-CAR® Welding Training & Certification Now Required for State Farm™ Select Service® Repairers I-CAR®’s Welding Training & Certification™ Program is now a requirement as a participant in the State Farm™ Select Service® program. Through in-shop instruction on welding theory, hands-on practice and coaching, then uniform certification testing, I-CAR will equip technicians with the necessary information, knowledge and skills to perform proper welding.

“With vehicles rapidly changing —featuring new advanced technologies and material combinations—it is crucial that we address the growing repair complexities our industry is facing,” said I-CAR CEO and President John Van Alstyne. “Estimates show approximately sixty-nine percent of technicians who weld in collision repair facilities today still lack formal welding training. I-CAR commends State Farm’s commitment to quality repairs and its recognition of I-CAR’s Welding & Training Certification program as the industry standard for quality welding training.”

“State Farm believes it’s important for Select Service program network members to have ongoing collision repair education,” said State Farm Media Specialist Justin Tomczak. “We se-

viding technicians with exclusive patches indicating the level of certification achieved as well as T-shirts featuring a unique graphic design by PPG custom trainer Jeremy Seanor.

“We appreciate our technicians and shops that are committed to training and dedicated to learning about new products and processes,” Gonzalez said. “PPG wants to recognize them and these are two ways we can express our thanks.”

Added Cremeans, “We understand training is a continuous process; it’s never complete, especially with the frequent changes we see in this industry. Technicians need to know how to work with the latest finishes like OEM tricoats and quadcoats. Training is a large part of our investment in our customers; it’s an investment we’re happy to make.”

shop instruction on welding theory (Phase 2), followed by a skills assessment, then intensive hands-on practice with coaching as appropriate (Phase 3).

Students are then required to pass a formal welding certification test to I-CAR standards (Phase 4).

Facilities with 10 technicians or less will be required to have at least one technician complete the three programs to maintain their certification, while facilities with 11 or more technicians will be required to have at least two technicians complete the three programs.

I-CAR Welding Training & Certification requirement deadlines, as defined

by State Farm for Select Service participants, include: • Completion of Steel GMA (MIG) Welding (WCS03) and Steel Sectioning (SPS05) by the end of 2017.

• Completion of Aluminum GMA (MIG) Welding (WCA03) by March 31, 2018.

For more information and to register, visit I-CAR.com/selectservicewelding.

The Right Parts.

A Perfect Fit.

Order Genuine Mazda Parts from these Parts Specialists in your area

OHIO

Brunswick Mazda Brunswick Toll Free

888-460-7080

Direct 330-460-7080 Fax 330-460-7082 M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com

ILLINOIS

MISSOURI

(708) 720-8972

(877) 221-4151

Hawkinson Kia Matteson

(708) 720-0657 Fax

M, W, F 6am-5pm Tu, Th 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-2pm jmihas@hawkinsonnissankia.com www.hawkinsonnissan.com/ez-parts

IOWA

Kia of Des Moines Des Moines

(515) 727-1815 (515) 309-1412 Fax

Lou Fusz Kia St. Louis

(314) 595-4942 Fax

M, W, F 7am-8pm; Tu, Th 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm fuszkiaparts@fusz.com www.kia.fusz.com

Napleton’s Mid Rivers Kia St. Peters

(888) 816-9729 (636) 926-0683 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4:30pm parts@kiadm.com www.kiadm.com

M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-3pm bprinster@napleton.com pschnare@napleton.com www.midriverskia.com

Kia of Lansing

St. Louis

MICHIGAN Lansing

(517) 393-5700 (517) 393-6767 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm mattr@lansingisyoung.com www.kiaoflansing.com

Seelye Kia of Holland Holland

(616) 582-1008 (616) 582-1009 Fax

M-F 8am-6pm rbundy@betterseeseelye.com www.seelyekiaholland.com

Suntrup Kia

(800) 727-8496 (314) 815-3060 Fax

M-F 7am-5pm www.suntrupkiasouth.com

NO. DAKOTA 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

VanDevere Kia Akron

(330) 836-4064 (330) 836-4074 Fax

Precise fit and finish, easy installation and a limited warranty direct from Kia— all genuine

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

advantages of Genuine

Bergstrom Kia of Appleton

Kia retailer has all the

WISCONSIN Appleton

(920) 993-3000

Kia Parts. Your local parts you need.

(920) 749-1588 Fax

M, Tu, Th, F 7am-6pm; W 7am-8pm; Sat 8am-5pm anoldner@bergstromauto.com www.bergstromkiaappleton.com

Russ Darrow Kia of Waukesha Waukesha

(262) 896-1151 (262) 896-1188 Fax

Jeff.krueger@russdarrow.com www.kiaofwaukesha.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 69

AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE

Technical Representative

Automotive, Fleet, OEM & Light Industrial Finishes

An extra hand for soldering • Base protects from solder splatters • Stores & dispenses from solder spools & tubes • Solder wires quickly & easy

Due to our unprecedented growth in the industry Lusid Technologies, Inc. is looking for Technical Sales Representa!ves in all areas of the North American Market. Candidates should be able to demonstrate excellent communica!on and hands on technical skills.

Successful candidates will find themselves working in a progressive and highly mo!vated and well trained team of people. Travel is expected to be extensive and the package on offer very compe!!ve.

ALSO OFFERING Repair System

Call Us Today!

For full details and applica!on requirements contact HR@LUSID.BIZ in the strictest confidence.

916-316-3672 info@therailsaver.com / www.tgproductstools.com

The Secrets of America’s Is noblwe for aila Greatest Body Shops avpurchase! by: Dave Luehr and Stacey Phillips

The Book That Will Challenge Everything You Know About the Collision Repair Business.

Order your copy today and join the Body Shop Secrets community!

www.bodyshopsecrets.com

Stop wasting valuable time looking for cardboard or cleaning mixing boards!

Clean Sheets®® Mixing Boards are used by thousands of repair shops to mix epoxies, body filler, fiberglass, plastics, gel, putty and touch-up paint.

• Prevents costly reworks • Bonded on 3 sides • Non-absorbing, heavy-duty paper with grip for mixing • Pays for itself the first week you use them!

Clean Sheets® “The Original Patented Mixing Pad

Since 1988”

Call your local Jobber or: 800-365-1308 www.cleansheetsmfg.com

For more information, contact the authors at info@bodyshopsecrets.com

When all you need to do is move a vehicle, use:

> EASY TO USE <

SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY

Go to www.forkliftwrecker.com and watch our video.

877.593.6959

Looking for Good Collision Personnel?

•1,262 Collision Techs resumes online •1,295 Painters resumes online •1,177 Estimators & Mgs resumes online •11,256 Mechanical Tech resumes online

ACTautostaffing.com or 727-733-5600

www.autobodynews.com

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.

800-699-8251

Don’t Miss the Weekly Industry NEWS Your Shop Needs!

Sign Up Today!

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

Call or e-mail now for rates: 800-699-8251 or ltedesco@autobodynews.com 70 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

Women’s Industry Network Announces Winners of 2017 Scholarship Program

The Women’s Industry Network (WIN®) is pleased to announce the recipients of the WIN College Student Tuition and Conference Scholarship Award. This award is presented to students enrolled in a post-secondary collision repair technology program.

Each scholarship recipient will receive a $1,000 scholarship to continue their post-secondary education in collision repair, a one-year WIN Membership and 2017 WIN Educational Conference registration fee to include travel.

bodywork. Her ultimate goal is to open her own shop.

Miranda Herron: Miranda attends North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville, GA. She is studying to be a skilled artist of automobile rectification and a master of image repair. Miranda would like to start her career working in a shop, learning as much as possible, but eventually own her own collision shop.

Vicky Lambert: Vicky attends Lake Tech College in Eustis, FL. Before studying auto collision repair, Vicky served in the Air Force.

Vicky’s long term goal is to manage a body shop. She believes that auto collision repair is her long

The 2017 recipients include:

Chelsie Golden: Chelsie attends Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Shelbyville, TN. Cars have always been a passion of Chelsie’s and she grew up watching her dad do

Chelsie Golden

Miranda Herron

term career because there are so many different jobs to be done and so many opportunities for advancement and

skill development.

Linda Myers: Linda attends Tennessee College of Applied Technology in Knoxville, TN. A member of the US Air Force for over 20 years

Vicky Lambert

Linda Myers

before retiring, Linda has now completed her first trimester of the 16 month course, passed two ASE tests and holds a 4.0 GPA. She was also selected to attend the April SkillsUSA State competition in Chattanooga, TN. Linda’s immediate goals are to pass the next three ASE tests and hone her repair and refinishing skills. Long term, she would like to find her niche in collision repair.

Jade Wasson: Jade attends Spokane Community College in Spokane, WA. Jade was drawn to the collision industry by her overall passion for cars and is currently the only female in her class. Jade’s future goal is to do what she loves in a

MINNESOTA

FOLLOW US ON

INSTAGRAM :

@autobodynews

SOUTH DAKOTA

Luther Bloomington Subaru

Courtesy Subaru

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

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30; Sat. 8-Noon parts@courtesysubaru.com

OHIO

(800) 903-2434

Bloomington

(800) 451-5078

Brunswick Subaru Brunswick

Toll Free (888) 460-7080

The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs.

Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today!

shop that values her. In addition to tuition scholarships, recipients will have the opportunity to be mentored by a Most Influential Women (MIW) Honoree or a member of the WIN Board of Directors. The MIW and Scholarship awards were presented during the 2017 WIN Educational Conference held May 8 -10, 2017 in DenJade Wasson ver, CO. Scholarship winners attending Conference had the opportunity to meet their mentors at that time.

Congratulations to all the 2017 scholarship recipients! To learn more about WIN, join online, or register for the WIN Educational Conference, please visit www.womensindustry network.com.

Direct (330) 460-7080 (330) 460-7082 Fax Mon.-Fri. 8-6; Sat. 8-4 www.brunswickautomart.com

Rapid City

(800) 658-3054

(605) 342-1178 Fax

WISCONSIN

Wilde Subaru Waukesha

(262) 544-1913 Fax

Mon.-Thu. 7-7; Fri. 7-5; Sat. 8-4 parts@gowilde.com www.wildesubaru.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 71

72 JUNE 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com