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State Farm’s PartsTrader Program Encounters Significant Opposition, Not Just From its DRPs State Farm’s forced implementation of its PartsTrader e-bidding process within its Select Service Program shops has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the industry, not just from its own DRPs. Usage of the PartsTrader software, developed in New Zealand, has been required by the insurer in several test markets nationwide, including Tucson, AZ, and Birmingham, AL, however several sources have reported shops dropping the Select Service Program as a result, up to 40% in some markets. The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP), the Society for Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) as and numerous independent industry observers have come out with strong statements cautioning their members against State Farm’s bidding process for parts procurement.
AASP called it “an unprecedented and uninvited intrusion into the business of collision repair.” The AASP released the following statement, which reads in part: “Despite posturing from the largest national insurance carrier on what it believes to be positive attributes of the program, collision repair facilities, parts suppliers, parts manufacturers and interested parties around the country have been consistent in their perception that this type of activity will ultimately harm their businesses and the customers they serve. “Collision repairers are in the business of selling parts, labor and materials at a retail level. Each of these revenue sources contributes to the overall success of the roughly 35,000 small businesses across the nation, allowing the business to provide employment opportunities to individuals within their community and invest in the necessary
REFINISH PAINT &
Twenty Million Dollar Art Collection Has Been Held in Long Island Body Shop for Years Man Ray may never have done any automotive art or be as well known in the collision repair community as our best liked airbrush artists or custom painters, but he has been called one of the most influential artists of the 20th century and his photographs, paintings, and drawings are highly sought-after in the international art markets. Man Ray was a ground-breaking American artist and experimental photographer, perhaps best known for his X-ray-style “rayographs” made with his own innovative photo-darkroom techniques, but without cameras. He spent much of his life in Paris and was a colleague of Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí. Man Ray died more than thirty years ago, but much of his work can be found carefully archived in a custom interiors shop called AutoMat in Hicksville on
See PartsTrader, Page 49
IA L SP E C T ISSUE PAIN
VOL. 2 ISSUE 3 JUNE 2012
of 3 issues
OGIES TECHNOL
New York’s Long Island. The shop is owned by Eric Browner and operated by his family. The shop’s auto interior -oriented showroom would not be mis-
taken for a museum and gives little clue to the art treasures housed nearby, which is lined with upholstered seat covers, it is the headquarters of the Man Ray Trust, which contains about 4,500 works from Eric Browner, brother the artist’s estate. of Man Ray’s widow, Now, the collecJuliet, has housed tion is being prithe Man Ray Trust in vately shopped to his Hicksville shop. museums. Man Ray’s art wound up in Long Island because the artist’s late wife, Juliet, set up the original trust before she passed away in 1991. Since her death everything has been passed down to her brother, Eric and his extended family, which owns the custom upholstery shop. The family knew very little about Man Ray but is now preparing to transfer ownership to a museum, with an expected valuation of about $20 million. Eric Browner, now 86 years old, manages 15,000 copyrights for the artist and oversees licensing contracts worth roughly $300,000 a year. Mr. Browner, who lives in Florida, told media sources that he’s been feeling family pressure lately to sell the archive before he dies. The trust’s proceeds are to be split among about a dozen heirs.
Summit Software’s President and Head Sherpa Frank Terlep talks with Autobody News about the state of Digital Media for the Collision Industry
by Melanie Anderson see p. 40
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2 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
COLUMNISTS Franklin - Positioning Your Shop . . . . . . . . . . 44 Gonzo - Ford Recalls 10.500 Vehicles for Transmission Sensor Issues . . . . . . . . . . 35 I-CAR Tech - Bonding and Rivet Bonding Technology on Steel BMW Vehicle Parts . . 58 Insider - Is the State Farm Elephant in the Room a Bad Elephant? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Nigro - Q&A with Chuck Gosney of Collision Billing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Sisk - Cole’s Collision Says It’s Quality & Caring That Customers Love . . . . . . . . . 22 Sisk - Larry Montanez Talks OEM Procedures and Repair Standards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Yoswick - Shops and Insurers Discuss Indemnification in DRP Contracts . . . . . . . 36
NATIONAL AkzoNobel Announces 2012 FIT Sustainability Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 AkzoNobel Announces 2012’s Most Influential Women. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 ASA Says it is ‘Fact Finding’ on State Farm’s PartsTrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 ASAA to ‘Educate’ Legislators on Aftermarket Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Auto Body World Opens 9th Shop in Phoenix, AZ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 BMW Recalling Diesel Vehicles or Fuses . . . . 34 BMW Replaces Toyota as Most Valuable Automotive Brand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Carfax Study Shows Consumer Threatened by Ignoring Recalls. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Chrysler Recalls 68,000 Jeep Wranglers for Fire Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Chrysler to Recall 127K Dodge Chargers and 300’s for Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Cooks Collision Centers Acquires 6 Shops in So. Cal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Distracted Driving No. 1 Killer, Especially of Texting Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 East Bay CAA Chapter Gets I-CAR Updates at April Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 Enterprise Introduces Customer Repair Notification Tool . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Ford Blocks JAC from Selling Blatant F-150 Knock Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Ford Recalls 10.500 Vehicles for Transmission Sensor Issues . . . . . . . . . . 34 Ford Tweaks GM and Doubles Down on Facebook Advertising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Forgetting to Use Blinkers Caused 2 Million Accidents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 GM to Stop $40M in Facebook Advertising— “it’s ineffective” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Google’s Driverless Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Gunder Presents at GCIA Legal Seminar in June. 28 I-CAR Introduces New Series of Online Courses. 62 KTM Supports Waters/Autobody Project K Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Museum for Ford’s Model A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Nissan Recalling Certain 2012 Titan Pickups for Mislabeling . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Norman, Oklahoma, Body Shop Narrowly Escapes Next Door Tornado Devastation . . . 3 SCRS Presents Repairer Driven Education Series at 2012 SEMA Show . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Service King Acquires Arizona’s Auto Body World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Smarter Cars and Collision Avoidance Tech May Appeal to Consumers . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 State Farm Issues Damage Control Video . . . . 8 State Farm’s PartsTrader Program Encounters Significant Opposition, Not Just From its DRPs . 1 Taiwanese Auto Parts Makers Eye Recovering US Market . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Web-Est Adds No Cost Paint Codes to Estimating Platform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Will Driving Become Too Safe for Body Shops and Insurers? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Women’s Industry Network 6th Annual May Conference Hosts 200 Women . . . . . . . . . 47
PAINT SPECIAL
Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Melanie Anderson Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, David Brown, John Yoswick, Lee Amaradio, Rich Evans, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Mike Causey, Tom McGee, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Jay Lukes (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Kristy Navarro Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia
Audi A3 Development with Master Jigs and Color Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 Auto Painting USA Collision Specializes in Cosmetic Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Custom Painter Jim Hetzler Started Out at Age 13 with a Model Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 DuPont™ Cromax® Pro is the Ultimate Upgrade for Your Refinish Painting Process . 48 House of Kolor® Colors Automotive World for 56 Years . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Legendary “Crazy” Painter Mitch Kelly Cites his Top 5 Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Top Hot Rod Shines ‘Brilliant Red’ Bright with Glasurit® Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Amato Agency. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . 59 BASF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 BMW Audi of Turnersville . . . . . . . 42 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 53 Central Avenue Chrysler-JeepDodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 CSS USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 DCH Family of BMW Stores . . . . . 37 DuPont. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Empire Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Equalizer Industries. . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . 51 Fred Beans Parts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Garmat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Glanzmann Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 61 Haydell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Healey Chevrolet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Hoffman Services, Inc. . . . . . . . . . 12 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32-33 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. 46 Jaguar Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 62 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49 Koeppel VW-Mazda. . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Lazare Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Lexus of Massapequa . . . . . . . . . . 29 Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . 47
Serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware 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. ©2012 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 721-0253 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com
Northeast
REGIONAL Acura Employee Faces Prison for $10 Million Theft . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cars Collide in Front of NY Shop . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Deadly Crash in Bronx Raises Concerns About NY Roads. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 DNA Solves Shop Burglary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Drunk Driver Crashes into Two Police Cars . . 20 Family of NJ Girl Battling Cancer Receives Donated Car from Britland Auto Body . . . . 28 Female Technician Leads New Reality Series for TV . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Florida Shop Owner Arrested for Impersonating Adjuster. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Former Pittsburgh Firefighter Faces Multiple Charges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Hit and Run Driver with 42 tickets lets his Mother Take the Rap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Leading Edge Receives BASF Automotive Refinish Distributor of the Year Award . . . . 46 LIABRA Meeting Held May 15. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Maaco Employee Arrested After Police Radio Stunt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Mahwah, NJ, Suspends Tow Driver for Insulting Cops . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 New Nissan Collision Center Coming to South Whitehall Twp. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 New York No Fault Insurance v. Medical Mills. 24 Newest Body Shop Boy Matt Ng Shines in Rumble. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 OSHA Fines San Antonio Parts Supplier Due to Fatal Accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Pottsdown, PA, Car Club Raises Money for Veteran’s Ford Galaxie 500 . . . . . . . . . 25 RI Police Charge Body Shop Owner with Three Felonies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Right to Repair Act Passes Massachusetts Senate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Shop Owner Arrested in ‘False Auto Theft’ Allegation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Shop Owner Brian Hapeman Passes Away in Arkport, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Ten Injured in Suspected DUI . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Theft Suspect Applies for Job. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Twenty Million Dollar Art Collection. . . . . . . . . 1 URI Students Recycle Automotive Scrap. . . . 12 Willets Point Owners Want City to Pay Legal Fees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
In tornado season in Oklahoma you don’t have to be superstitious to think bad things could happen on any given day, never mind Friday the thirteenth. But for Norman shop owner Philip DeFatta, this Friday, April 13, could have been a day out of the movies. At about 4:00 Leon Pierce Body Repair at 521 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, OK p.m., a tornado hit the heart narrowly escaped a tornado that ripped through the town on April 13. The building next door is being demolished after of Norman, Oklahoma and sustaining considerable damage. Photos courtesy of Philip cut roughly an eight-mile DeFatta, owner of Leon Pierce Body Repair. swath through the town, esthe tornado hit. DeFatta heard the buildpecially the southwest portion. According to local reports, the ing next door literally explode, and detornado hop-scotched through the bris from that building flew into his center of town, tossing telephone shop through the large garage door that was left open in his haste to reach safety. poles, shredding trees and ripping off “I was holding onto the frame rack roofs. At least 10 people were taken to thinking I was going for a ride with it.” the hospital with minor injuries. While his shop suffered no dam“I didn’t wake up that morning age, the building next door was dethinking anything bad was going to happen. I call that ‘stuperstitious,’” joked stroyed and is now being demolished. DeFatta, 43, owner of Leon Pierce Body Two cars, both owned by DeFatta, were damaged in the parking lot. One vehicle Repair at 521 N. Porter Avenue. was totaled and the other nearly totaled. However, that afternoon he was See Narrow Escape, Page 8 dashing inside his shop to take cover as
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Contents
Norman, Oklahoma, Body Shop Narrowly Escapes Next Door Tornado Devastation
Matrix System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Maxon Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Maxon Mazda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 55 Metric Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Millennium Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . 28 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . 41 Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54 Nucar Mazda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 PaintEx. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 PCL Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Plaza Auto Mall . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers. 60 PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Safety Regulations Strategies. . . . 47 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . 45 SCA Appraisal Company . . . . . . . 44 Scion Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . 52 Security Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep . . . 20 Solution Finish. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Stadel Volvo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Star-A-Liner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers DE, South NJ, PA . . . . . . . . . 18-19 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers North NJ, NY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Thompson Organization . . . . . . . . 17 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 50 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 56
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 3
Northeast News
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. She can be contacted at crsisk@chasidyraesisk.com.
Larry Montanez Talks OEM Procedures and Repair Standards with Chasidy Rae Sisk
After listening to Larry Montanez III ability protection, components failures of P & L Consultants discuss OEM supported by case studies, lawsuits procedures and repair standards at and court decisions, re-engineering with Chasidy Rae Sisk AASP NORTHEAST™ in March this design flaws, ensuring safe repairs and year, I wanted to know more about product, copyright and trademark prohim and his company. tection. First, a little personal history. As a teenager, Montanez was all but obses- Repair Standards sive about cars, both in real life and on The desire for repair standards results TV. Enamored with the Batmobile, he from the influence of outside entities, remembers that fast American muscle or according to Montanez, “repair cars were—then and now—“where standards are made up by people who it’s at.” It’s became a lifelong fascina- are trying to appease a different group tion. of people who have no business being As an adult, he became involved involved in collision repair, who are in the auto body industry as a fabrica- looking to save money on it.” tor and welder focused on customizaMontanez notes that collision retions and restorations. Around 2000, pairers want repair standards because Montanez became an I-CAR instruc- they are untrained and are reluctant to tor, and about six months later, he and search for them on OEM websites. his mentor, Peter Pratti, decided to MLO shop owners want them to make begin a consulting business aimed at insurance “partners” happy since inteaching both sides of the business to surers desire repair standards because both sides of the business, auto body they want to save money. Aftermarket shops and insurance agencies, in an suppliers are also driven by greed and effort to prove that everyone should be the desire to make sales, while many able to get along and to work together industry associations are influenced to figure out how things should be by insurers. Still, Montanez does not done. Montanez and Pratti strive to believe that the idea of creating repair teach the same material in the same standards is not completely wrong; he exact way, regardless of their audi- is just not comfortable with the parties ence. involved as their reasons for wanting Montanez and Pratti began by repair standards create a biased view. teaching classes on estimating as well If repair standards are created, as the triaging/blueprinting process, Montanez insists that it should begin providing two aspects of the same with the formation of an independent subject. Additionally, they offer group comprised of OEM represenclasses on damage analysis, welding, tatives, collision repairers, engineers, structural repair, airbag knowledge physicists, metallurgists, industry and safety information. P & L Con- experts and I-Car Tech Center’s sultants currently offers a dozen Jason Bartanen and Steve Marks. classes, six of which have been ap- Additionally, repair standards should proved for the Rhode Island Training only be created where none currently Certification program. exist and only after a request letter to the OEM has failed. They should also be supported by crash testing OEM Procedures In discussing OEM procedures, Mon- and computer animated drawings, tanez reasons that they exist to provide and they should be reviewable every OEMs with liability protection and six months. Montanez points out that because of component failure as supthis process should not include inported by testing, in addition to the surance companies because “no one pressure from government regulacares what the insurance companies tions, consumer advocates, IIHS crash think.” testing and NHTSA investigations, Specifically, both OEM and afterlawsuits and court decisions and demarket parts should be tested to prove fects attributed to design flaws. OEM that the aftermarket parts work just as position statements were created for well as OEM parts before their use is the purposes of or because of OEM li- encouraged.
Shop Showcase
Montanez lists the pros of creating repair standards as follows: more available procedures, lower insurer costs, lower severity, fewer totaled vehicles, more repaired vehicles, better insurer relations, more use of used parts, more sectioning procedures and more parts options. He also notes the following cons: more improper repairs, more liability exposure, more fatalities, more injuries, more diminished value lawsuits, more shop lawsuits, dangerous to motorists and more bad business decisions. The use of damaged components or inferior parts can lead to more injuries in collision because the vehicle will not react the way it should, and this can lead to catastrophic separation which becomes a hazard to the general driving public. In the case of improper repairs, even if due to the parts requested by the insurance company, liability falls
Mainstream Media
4 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
on the repair facility, the shop owner personally, the technician (in some states) and sublet jobbers. The supplier can also be sued, but the insurer will never be called to the courtroom for an improper repair. Because the shop is potentially liable, shops should inform the customer or the insurance company if they cannot repair cars that way to avoid liability issues. In the instance of liability, safety factors are important, so only the OEM guidelines matter. Because so much time, money and effort goes in to creating OEM procedures, these should always be adhered to. The goal behind their multiple engineering principles is to keep the occupants safe, therefore it is very important not to change the parameters of OEM guidelines. In order for repair standards to be made, a comparable amount of time, money and efSee Larry Montanez, Page 39
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 5
Mahwah, NJ, Suspends Tow Driver for Insulting Cops After a long debate, the Mahwah Township Council voted to suspend a Ramsey Auto Body tow truck operator from working in the township for a period of 30 tower rotation days beginning May 10. While off duty, the Ramsey Auto Body employee had responded to the scene of a three-car motor vehicle accident. He reportedly knew one of the people involved in that accident. According to a subsequent complaint lodged in mid-April by police officers on duty at the time and occupants from two of the three vehicles involved, the employee allegedly insulted police officers by calling them names and confronted the other drivers. Mayor Bill Laforet and business administrator Brian Campion recommended that the driver be barred from operating in the township for that 30-day period as a result, but some council members said they felt the punishment was not harsh enough. Councilman Samuel Alderisio said that three other complaints had been lodged against the driver over the past two to three years. “I think he should be suspended from [ever] towing in Mahwah,” he added. “I think 30 days is a slap on the wrist and too light,” council vice presi-
dent Harry Williams said. An attorney for the business emphasized that the towing company was “acutely embarrassed” by the employee’s conduct. Laforet said the individual had written him a “very serious” letter of apology. The employee cannot respond to any calls in Mahwah with any of the three corporate entities the business operates. Ramsey Auto Body, however, is excluded from the towing ban.
Museum for Ford’s Model A
Construction is underway in southern Michigan on a museum celebrating Ford Motor Co.’s Model A. Officials with the Gilmore Car Museum hope to finish construction on the Model A Ford Museum by Labor Day. The museum will be housed in a building designed to resemble one of the Dearborn-based automaker’s old dealerships. The museum is being built at Hickory Corners, about 115 miles west Organizers say it will be the largest public museum dedicated to the Model A, which was built in the late 1920s and early 1930s following the wild success of Ford’s Model T.
Acura Employee Faces Prison for $10 Million Theft
A former Acura dealership employee who stole $10.2 million from the Pittsburgh-area store where she worked could face six years in prison, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. In March, Patricia K. Smith, the former controller of Baierl Acura in Pine, Pa., pleaded guilty to wire fraud charges that included stealing $10.2 million over more than six years. She transferred money from Baierl to her own accounts more than 800 times from 2004 through 2011, according to the Post-Gazette. Smith, 58, used the money for travel, gambling, gifts to friends, house purchases for herself and family members and purchases of large amounts of jewelry and other items on TV shopping networks. Smith turned herself in after another Baierl employee sent her an email asking questions about transactions, the Post-Gazette reported. Assistant U.S. Attorney Steve Kaufman has argued Smith should serve a prison sentence of five to six years, while Smith’s
attorney, Tina Miller, has argued that the correct sentence is three and a half to four years, the PostGazette wrote. The government expects to be able to recover about $1 million for Baierl, Kaufman wrote. Miller wrote that her client has spent much of the past year “repenting, accepting responsibility and doing everything she possibly can to pay back what she stole from her former employer,” and that the fraud stemmed from untreated “depression and from an abusive childhood, which resulted in compulsive behavior, including excessive spending, shopping and gambling,” according to the Post-Gazette. Items that Smith and her relatives have turned over to the government since she turned herself in include four homes, 10 vehicles, Smith’s stock in a private airline company, more than $20,800 in cash that was in a bank account, over $30,000 in prepaid travel, 133 pieces of jewelry and 25 gold coins, the PostGazette reported.
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LIABRA Meeting Held May 15
The Long Island Auto Body Repairmen’s Association (LIABRA) held a meeting on May 15 at the Security Dodge Service Department in Amityville, NY. The group discussed the State Farm PartsTrader issue and listened to a standards seminar and a presentation by Larry Montanez and Jeff Lange, PE of Technical Investigative Training Resources (TechITR), on OEM repair procedures. Topics covered: ● OEM Repair Procedures & Position Statements ● Interpret & Utilize OEM Repair Procedures to ensure an accurate, profitable damage report (estimate) ● How OEM Repair Procedures & Statements Protect your Liability ● Pro’s & Con’s of developing General Repair Standards ● Legal Issues of General Repair Standards ● Who Should Develop Them? ● OEM Position Statements & P-Page logic that directly affect repair quality & your profitability In other news, save the date for LIABRA’s golf outing set for Sept. 24 at Port Jefferson Country Club. For more information contact LIABRA at http://www.liabra.org, or by phone: 631-941-9647.
Theft Suspect Applies for Job
RI Police Charge Body Shop Owner with Three Felonies
The owner of a Pawtucket, RI, auto body shop at the center of a fraud investigation was arraigned May 21 on three felony counts. Dino Coccia, owner of AmeriCar Sales and Collision Center at 626 Main St., is charged with obtaining money under false pretenses. A judge set bail at $5,000. He’s accused of selling or renting the cars of customers who brought them in to be fixed. Some customers say their cars are missing and that they may have been sold. Police said complaints against AmeriCar include allegations that it rented customers’ cars to other drivers. Police are asking anyone with a car rental or a loaner car from the company or anyone who has purchased a car from the business within the past year and has any suspicion or question about the authenticity of the purchase to come forward.
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A pair of cars collided into each other on Herricks Road and Broadway on the border of Garden City Park and Mineola on the afternoon of May 6, right in front of A1 Grand Auto Body. One car was attempting to make a turn from Broadway onto Herricks Road when the second car, a minivan travelling south on Herricks came and collided with the first. Two adults and two children with neck and back injuries were transported to Winthrop-University Hospital. No word on where the vehicles were taken.
At least 10 people were injured after a pickup truck hit several cars at a body shop on Route 51 in Pleasant Hills, PA. Police said the incident ended near the Lewis Run Road intersection when the suspect’s pickup truck hit a guard rai. Police said the driver first hit a parked car at an auto body shop, then struck several more vehicles. Officers tried to stop the truck, but the driver kept going, even hitting another vehicle head-on. Police believe the driver of the truckus hadyour been drinking before Give opinion on the crash. He will face charges after he is released from a hospital. Several victims were taken to the hospital.
Yorktown, NY, police have made an arrest in connection to a 2008 attempted burglary case. Elicer Olmo, 32 from Peekskill, NY, is accused of attempting to break into Adrian’s Auto Body in Yorktown, police said. He was charged with third-degree attempted burglary, a felony. Investigation began when the auto body shop owner reported to police on Aug. 8, 2008, that someone had attempted to break into the business. Police recovered DNA evidence at the scenethe andindustry. submitted it matters affecting to the Westchester County Lab for analysis. The DNA analysis identified Olmo. He was released on $250 bail.
10 Injured in Suspected DUI
DNA Solves Shop Burglary
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Philadelphia police say the suspect in a theft at a local body shop later came back to ask for a job. Harold Williams, 59, was arrested on the morning of April 27th. Police allege Williams entered Joe’s Auto Repair at 3250 Indian Queen Lane on April 23 and put a 1/2 inch impact wrench in a black bag and left. Four days later, Williams allegedly returned to Joe’s Auto to ask for work. A person at the shop recognized him and told him to start sweeping the front of the shop, then called police. Williams was taken into custody and charged with theft.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 7
State Farm Issues Damage Control Video State Farm video aims to address ‘misinformation’ on parts program for DRP shops
State Farm distributed a video to its Select Service shops to “clear up some misinformation” about its electronic parts ordering system that it introduced in four U.S. markets. Claims Consultant George Avery acknowledges that initial reaction to the program has not been positive. But he also defends the company saying “We recognize that no effort will succeed if there aren’t wins George Avery for all involved. A healthy, profitable repair industry it important to State Farm and our mutual customers who entrust their vehicle(s) to you for quality, safe and efficient repairs every day.” State Farm’s new program has been criticized by repairers, The Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the Alliance of Automotive Service
Providers, and other suppliers. In the video, Avery says, “Our company’s reputation was built on fairness and square dealing, and we take issue wit the way some in the industry have portrayed our organization.” Here is the transcript of the in the 3 minute 41 second video, which State Farm released to the media: As we discussed in previous videos, State Farm is working with PartsTrader on the development of an electronic parts ordering application. Recently, usability testing with repairers and their suppliers was completed as well as field testing in a couple of locations, which have led to enhancements to the application. Within the past few weeks, we have initiated pilots in a few markets and are receiving feedback from suppliers and members of Select Service Network who are participating. We acknowledge the significant change this represents to the repair industry, and frankly, reaction from a few in the industry has not been positive. We want you to know that we are committed to working through these
ASA Says it is ‘Fact Finding’ on State Farm’s PartsTrader
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is conducting a multi-segmented fact-finding mission on State Farm’s new electronic parts procurement program “to ensure the information collected and provided to the ASA membership and the broader industry is as accurate and thorough as possible.” An ASA Collision Division team consisting of operations committee members and staff recently interviewed George Avery, State Farm’s claims consultant, regarding the pilot program. ASA has since posed some follow-up questions and will issue further statements as conversations continue. Several additional interviews are being set up with other industry parties involved in the program. ASA says that as each exchange is factchecked for clarity, updates will be shared with ASA members and the industry at large. “State Farm’s pilot program has a potential to have a tremendous impact on the collision repair industry and the motoring public,” said Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager. “It is vital for ASA to approach this situation methodically with an emphasis on facts to ensure that the results of the pilot are in the best interest of the collision repairer.
ASA has an obligation to provide our membership, and the industry, as much factual information as possible – just as State Farm has an obligation to answer the community’s concerns. ASA also has a responsibility to address issues directly with the parties involved to provide recommendations and solutions benefitting repairers, consumers and the industry.” Several of ASA’s volunteer leaders representing the collision repair membership also spoke with Rob Cooper, CEO of PartsTrader LLC. ASA’s questions focused on implementation plans, supplier qualifications, data extraction and quality checks on recommended parts. ASA is also following up with Cooper with additional questions and comments. “This pilot program, which reaches beyond the insurer/repairer relationship, is at a pivotal point to potentially allow adjustments to the program as a result of industry input and analysis,” said Caspersen. “If this tool is to go forward and benefit the entire industry, it requires transparency, mutual understanding and collaboration. ASA is committed to a collaborative process that produces the best possible outcome for the collision repairer. ASA says the key questions are the financial impact of the program on body shops.
8 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
changes with our network in a collaborative and constructive way. From the beginning of this effort, we have remained focused on creating a more efficient and transparent part procurement process. And we have a responsibility to our policyholders to ensure effective oversight of their premium dollars. We recognize that no effort will succeed if there aren’t wins for all involved. A healthy, profitable repair industry is important to State Farm and our mutual customers who entrust their vehicle(s) to you for quality, safe and efficient repairs every day. Our company’s reputation was built on fairness and square dealing, and we take issue with the way some in the industry have portrayed our organization.
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Narrow Escape
Less than 30 minutes before the tornado hit, DeFatta heard the news on the radio about an approaching storm and he sent his five employees home. DeFatta stayed at the shop and was working under a frame machine when he heard the tornado sirens go off. He went outside to watch the storm. “I’m from Texas,” DeFatta said. “In Texas, you can watch the tornados because you can see them coming. So, I went outside looking for it. That was my takeaway lesson from this,” he laughed. “Don’t stand outside looking for a tornado.” The tornado came wrapped in swirling, heavy rain, making it impossible to see. “I never saw it, never heard it. It just came.” DeFatta, who has been in town for only a few years, is told by the older folks in town that it’s a rare occurrence for a tornado to hit the heart of Norman. Today, DeFatta says the town is still cleaning up. “Overall, we had mild damage but there are still messes, tree limbs, to clean up.” Damage to cars in town is making the shop busier these days too.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 9
Will Driving Become Too Safe for Body Shops and Insurers? Collision repairers are rightly concerned about collision avoidance technology reducing business in the future but may be suprised to learn that insurance companies are just as worried. What would happen to the auto insurance industry if automobile safety improves to the point that vehicle collisions become relics of the past? That’s the question explored by global consulting and research firm, Celent, in a new report that envisions a future of increasing emphasis on safety in the automobile industry and among government entities that leads to a massive drop off in auto insurance premium for U.S. property/casualty insurance companies. In its own introductory words, “A Scenario: The End of Auto Insurance—What Happens When There Are (Almost) No Accidents,” by Celent Senior Analyst Robert Light, “describes a provocative, but plausible, scenario for the not distant future of the US property/casualty market, and explores that scenario’s implications. “In that scenario, technology is widely deployed that radically reduces the frequency and severity of motor vehicle accidents. Consequently, the need for automobile insurance is substantially reduced — and insurers see a large reduction in their revenue as automobile insurance premiums drop.” Private passenger and commercial auto premiums accounted for 39 percent of the total premium for U.S. property/casualty insurers in 2011, according to the report. In the scenario proposed by Celent—and the authors make it clear that it is only a scenario that could or could not happen—the auto insurance portion of total P/C premium over the next decade would drop from 39 percent to just 13 percent.
Techno Trends The report examines four technological trends that are expected to have a significant impact on both the auto industry and the auto insurance industry during the next 10 years: telematics; collision avoidance; automated traffic law enforcement; and, to a lesser extent, robot cars. Three of those technologies— telematics, collision avoidance and automated traffic law enforcement— are available, though not necessarily widely used, today.
The report describes telematics as the “creation and use of data regarding driving behavior that is stored in an onboard device and made available to insurance companies and other entities.” Collision avoidance technologies include “a broad set of capabilities built into vehicles that warn the driver of dangerous situations and in some cases take active control of the vehicle to avoid a collision.” Among the law enforcement technologies currently in use to varying degrees are red-light cameras and speeding violation cameras that take photographs of driver infractions and are able to produce and send a violation ticket to the vehicle’s registered owner. While robot cars are in the prototype stage—Google’s driverless car may be the most well-known example (see sidebar)—they are vehicles “equipped with [their] own sensing devices, processors, data sets (e.g., Google Street View), and control systems.” The technologies allow the robot car to operate autonomously “in actual street and traffic conditions,” the report says. In the Celent scenario, if all of these technologies are utilized to their fullest extent: The insurance industry would see a decline in auto liability premium from 25 percent of the 2012 total to 20 percent of total 2012 industry premium over the first five years. Auto liability would then drop by another 10 percent of 2012 industry premium over the next following five years. Auto physical damage would drop from 14 percent of total 2012 industry premium to 10 percent by the end of the first five years and then to 3 percent in the second half of the decade. Between 2013 and 2017, total P/C industry premium would drop by 9 percent and by 26 percent from 2018 to 2022. The four functional units of auto insurers that would see the greatest impact are: marketing, sales and distribution, policy service and claims. A scenario of reduced auto collisions resulting in a decrease in auto premiums over the next decade, while not assured, is plausible because the impacting technologies already exist. Whether or not such a scenario plays out depends on political and economic decisions, according to the report.
10 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Technologies such as telematics, collision avoidance and, to some extent, robot cars are market-driven. If auto manufacturers believe consumers are willing to pay for such upgrades then the technologies will likely be improved upon and deployed.
In the political realm, federal and local governments will have to decide whether to mandate and deploy law enforcement “technologies given their very significant impact on how citizens and voters use motor vehicles,” the report concludes.
Google’s Driverless Car
Google’s self-driving car got its license as the state of Nevada became the first in the nation to license the company’s vehicles. More than 30,000 people are killed each year in crashes despite huge advances in auto safety. The overwhelming majority of those crashes are caused by humandriver error. Computer driven cars could reduce traffic deaths by a very significant degree, said David Champion, head of auto testing at Consumer Reports, but only if all cars are computer-driven. “I think if all the cars were selfdriving, it would be a benefit,” he said. “I think a mixture would be a bit chaotic.” That’s because humans are better at predicting the behavior of other humans than computers could ever be, he said.
“When I’m approaching an intersection, I look to see if the other driver is looking at me,” said Champion. “If he’s looking somewhere else and inching forward, I’m going to lift off the gas.” For the foreseeable future, human “drivers” will continue to bear the ultimate responsibility, even in Google’s self-driving cars. This means you won’t be able to lounge in the back seat and check email on your way to work. You’ll still have to sit in the driver’s seat and pay attention. Self-driving cars, like Google’s, use sensors to watch cars, pedestrians and other obstacles. They combine a number of technologies that are already available on cars today, including GPS tracking, wheel motion sensors and radar, with additional See Driverless Car, Page 14
Palm Beach Toyota Scion The smart shops are coming around. They are quickly learning THERE ARE BIG BUCKS IN THIS CUP. There are three systems for billing body and paint materials: one is averaging $33–35 per paint hour and a second is averaging $38–44 per paint hour, while PaintEx accounts are seeing $50–70 per paint hour. PaintEx stands the acid test with full documentation. PaintEx is not a calculator—it’s a cost accounting program, Mike Orso, president the ONLY cost accounting program. NYSACTA PaintEx tracks what each item in your shop costs, and how much of it is used on each and every job. It’s the truth guys—we can prove what your costs are, but you’ve got to change your word pattern. Don’t ask what they will pay; tell them what to pay. The smart shops are not asking for approval, they’re just presenting the final bill. And they are collecting! Mike Orso, President of the NY Auto Body Association, has been doing this for the past 9 years. It’s his most powerful and profitable tool. Try it out yourself for 14 days at no cost.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 11
URI Students Recycle Automotive Scrap Two University of Rhode Island undergraduates invested their own money to buy 12 Dumpsters, and Scrap Specialists Recycling was born. Their enterprise operates out of 386 South Pier Road, and saves several automotive businesses hundreds of dollars every month by properly disposing of their recyclables — for free. “We chose to start with automotive businesses because such a large percentage of their waste is recyclable,” Gregory said. “There isn’t anything in a car we can’t recycle.” Beginning last fall, Gregory and Harrigan tested the waters by partnering with Crown Collision, a successful auto body business with shops in Rhode Island. The students dropped off a Dumpster at each location and instructed employees to toss all recyclables — paper, boxes, plastics, auto parts and scrap metal. When a Dumpster is full, the URI students remove and sort the materials, bail them and vendors haul the bails away. The money vendors pay for the recyclables is put back into the business so Scrap Specialists Recycling can buy more equipment and take on
more clients. “We encourage people to take a ride to the landfill in Johnston. It is truly humbling to see that towering heap of trash which is going to be there for thousands years,” Gregory said. “It’s even more sickening to know that 70 percent of that garbage could have been recycled.” Crown Collision had to spend between $200 and $400 a month to keep a Dumpster at each shop to dispose of all its waste. Now, Crown Collision doesn’t pay anything for its scrap disposal and all of its scrap materials are recycled. “We give our clients an incentive to recycle by cutting their disposal costs,” Gregory said. Harrigan and Gregory already are developing plans to expand their business to include more recyclablesproducing industries, the development of their own scrap yard and a composting project. “We currently have seven accounts and are constantly looking for new ones to adopt our recycling program,” Gregory said. “Our current goal is to reach 30 to 40 accounts so we can expand our business and increase recycling awareness.”
12 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Deadly Crash in Bronx Raises Concerns About NY Roads A freak parkway accident that wiped out three generations of a Bronx family is being touted by some transportation advocates as more evidence that New York City’s aging highway system needs major upgrades. Seven people died, including three children, when the family’s SUV hit a concrete divider on the Bronx River Parkway, veered off a bridge and fell onto the grounds of the Bronx Zoo. Speed was a factor in the crash. Police said the vehicle was moving at 68 mph in a 50 mph zone. Still, the wreck seemed to validate the worst fears of motorists who navigate the city’s pinball-machine expressways with white knuckles. “The Bronx River Parkway is a glaring example of the deficiencies we see on area roadways,” said Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for the American Automobile Association. “These roads were never envisioned as being the commuter arterial roadways that they are now. The roads are twisty. They are hilly. The lanes are narrow. There are no breakdown lanes. The on-ramps are too short.” Yet, federal, state and municipal transportation safety statistics show that the city’s intimidating roadways
are also far less deadly than their rural and suburban counterparts, and have probably never been safer. New York City saw 243 people killed in traffic accidents in 2011, the lowest total in at least a century, according to the city’s Department of Transportation. A majority of those deaths involved pedestrians struck by vehicles on sidewalks and streets. Excluding pedestrians and bicyclists, the death count was 82, meaning you are many times more likely to die of accidental poisoning in New York than in a car wreck. Most of the deaths were on surface roads, not highways, although last year’s deadliest crash, a bus wreck that took 15 lives, happened on a wide-open stretch of I-95, right at the city limits. The national average for motor vehicle fatalities in 2010 was 1.11 deaths for every 100 million miles traveled by vehicles. That’s nearly twice the fatality rate of 0.64 in urban areas in New York state. Replacing highways, however, isn’t at the top of many urban planners’ wish lists. One factor is the enormous cost. Also, in one of the world’s largest and densest cities, there is simply no space for larger, straighter roads.
Former Pittsburgh Firefighter Faces Multiple Charges
A former Pittsburgh firefighter charged last fall with harassing a fire lieutenant is now facing multiple charges after police said he threatened two men with a gun in separate incidents in Ingram. Police said David Gregorich, 48, surrendered to Ingram police after he pulled a gun on a business owner and ordered the man to hide him from authorities. Police said they were looking for Mr. Gregorich because of a similar incident a few hours earlier on Noll Avenue in Ingram. Ingram police Chief Jack Doherty said officers arrested Mr. Gregorich after he pulled a gun on an employee of Wells Auto Body in Ingram and hid inside the auto body shop. When police questioned the worker about Mr. Gregorich’s whereabouts, the employee told police he was inside the building, police said. Mr. Gregorich was charged with two counts each of aggravated assault and making terroristic threats. Chief Doherty said he believes Mr. Gregorich’s actions were sparked by an incident that occurred involving the Pittsburgh fire department.
New Nissan Collision Center Coming to South Whitehall Twp. On May 16, the South Whitehall Township, PA, Board of Commissioners granted approval to Rothrock Motors to build a 24,000 square foot collision center. Ground will be broken on the project no later than the end of July, according to Mark Rothrock who was in attendance at the meeting. The collision center is a requirement of the Nissan Motor Company, said Rothrock. However the auto dealer is seeking special exception relief from a recreational fee they consider an “unfair financial burden for smaller businesses.” Even the exact amount of the fee was in debate, ranging somewhere from $15,809 to $16,000. The commissioners asked the Park and Recreation Department to consider the matter at their next meeting in June and offer their recommendations to commissioners before they rendered a final decision. While offering no formal opinion at the evenings’s meeting, President Christina Morgan did note the Parks and Recreation Department “had put a lot of energy” into the establishment of the fees.
Service King Acquires Arizona’s Auto Body World
Texas-based, Service King Collision Repair is partnering with Auto Body World, Inc., with nine large scale, high volume locations throughout metro Phoenix and Casa Grande. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The transaction is expected to close in July 2012. By joining Service King, Auto Body World will become a part of the third largest collision repair company in North America with 48 Texas locations throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin areas. Service King’s expansion across Texas over the last three years has taken Service King from the 6th to the 3rd largest collision repair company in North America, doubling revenue and location count. “We welcome our new teammates in Arizona to the Service King family,” said Service King’s President, Chris Abraham. “We’re excited about the opportunity here. Arizona is special because it’s our first venture outside of Texas, but it’s not our last.” “Service King is committed to continuing Auto Body World’s long tradition of excellent customer service and quality repairs with good relationships in the insurance industry. We look forward to adding Auto Body World’s
talented teammates and skilled technicians to our base of nearly 1,400 Service King teammates throughout Texas,” added Abraham. “We are very excited about Auto Body World joining the Service King Team,” stated Mark Turner, Auto Body World’s President. “Both companies believe that we’re a great match for each other, in that we share very common cultures, and while Service King brings national insurance relationships and financial strength, Auto Body World brings dominance in a new market, with a strong operations team and platform for rapid growth.” Cathy Bonner, CEO of Service King stated, “In DFW and Houston, Service King has been recognized as one of the “best places to work” by the Dallas and Houston Business Journals, and we plan to bring our same level of health, retirement, and career benefits to all new teammates in Arizona.” Said Eddie Lennox, “Service King is one of the fastest growing US based collision repair companies is because of the team we have in place. The people in this company focus on what’s most important and take pride in providing the best service and quality collision repairs, while caring for our customers.”
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 13
Smarter Cars and Collision Avoidance Tech May Appeal to Consumers Unless Infotainment Distraction Trumps Safety Technology Some of the new technology currently being developed by the OEMs makes the “vehicle as gadget” notion more than just futuristic speculation. For example, the key components of the concept Infiniti LE’s elaborate electronics system are improved versions of what you’d expect—navigation, movies, etc.—but what about gesture recognition, pupil tracking, fingerprint ignition “keys”? These add-ons come from Intel, better known for developing chips for personal computers. But there’s much more on the horizon. What about cloud-computing access? Video vehicle surveillance? A “Personal Assistant” 24/7 electronic concierge? Intel and Nissan, Infiniti’s parent company, said that many of these technologies will be in place and on the road next year. Global revenue from automotive infotainment components is projected to hit $33.5 billion in 2012, up 3% from 2011, according to a markettracking report from IHS iSuppli. One auto exec likened the competition in this space to “an arms race ... customers are expecting and anticipating this stuff.” Brake assist, lane-departure warning and parking-assist cameras are already offered by several manufacturers, and a cockpit camera in the Mercedes Benz S Class can alert the driver if he appears drowsy. Intel is also working with BMW and Toyota. “This is really the starting point of us becoming a significant player in the automotive market,” said Tom Steenman, VP for Intel’s intelligent-systems group. “The car is becoming the next big connected mobile device.” To that end, the company recently established a $100 million venture-capital fund to explore advanced uses for its chips. Cadillac is taking a same-but-different tack from Infiniti with its new CUE. The Cadillac User Experience appropriately premiered not at an auto show, but at the CTIA Wireless Association’s telecommunications show in San Diego. CUE uses a stunning 8-inch screen that, as with a smartphone, users can swipe, pinch or flick to control navigation, radio, heating and cooling functions. It also has now-
obligatory natural-language voice recognition. CUE will sync with up to 10 devices, including your phone. “CUE will be a big part of the way we market the XTS,” a Cadillac sedan arriving next month, said David Caldwell, brand communications manager for the company. It will be standard in the XTS and, eventually will migrate to other models as an option that will probably cost about $2,000. Working with Fallon, Minneapolis, on creative, “visually, we’ll try to get across, if you love the tablet and the smartphone, you’ll like the CUE,” Mr. Caldwell said. TV spots are expected to begin next month, he added. As far as adding on utilities that would allow drivers to hook up to Facebook, Twitter or other assorted applications, most are sensitive to the specter of distracted-driving issues. CUE, for instance, is preloaded with just a single smartphone-based app to keep the focus on basic navigation, hands-free phone use and some information displays, Mr. Caldwell said. Fast-forward from these advancements, and you’d presume that the autonomous car can’t be far behind. In fact, Google has tested a fleet of driverless Toyota Priuses in Nevada that can accelerate, steer and brake automatically using a combination of radar, sonar and laser-detecting devices. The company said last month that it is in talks with some major automakers. “The most important thing computers can do in the next 10 years is drive a car,” Google Project Manager Anthony Levandowski told a panel at an engineering conference in Detroit. General Motors is taking the concept for a test drive as well with its “Super Cruise” system. Using cameras that talk to the car’s GPS, Super Cruise will “steer” the car, centered between the lines on a highway or interstate (it’s not designed, yet, for use in city traffic). But it’s limited by weather conditions and indistinct white lines on the road. GM says the Super Cruise models could launch in production cars by “mid-decade.”
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14 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Continued from Page 10
Driverless Car
technology and sophisticated software that allow the car to read street signs and signals and actually drive itself through traffic. Google’s cars, modified Toyota Priuses, are still in the testing stages and aren’t available to the public. But some so-called “driver assistance” technologies are already helping to lower traffic deaths in cars you can buy now. Electronic Stability Control, which uses computers to help drivers maintain control during abrupt maneuvers, has been shown to reduce fatal crashes by as much as a third. ESC is now required on all new cars but was first used, on a wide scale, on SUVs. Statistics show top-heavy SUVs to be less prone to roll over in real-world crashes than regular cars. Beyond that, there are various other “driver assistance” technologies. Blind spot alerts warn drivers of cars in adjacent lanes and forward collision alerts sound an alarm when a driver is closing in too quickly on a car ahead.
“We’ll start seeing more features that will migrate from just these alerts and warnings to taking a little more control,” said John Capp, director of active safety technology at General Motors. GM’s new Cadillac XTS, for instance, will brake automatically if a driver fails to respond to an imminent collision. Nissan’s Infiniti division has a several models that provide slight braking to nudge a vehicle back into its lane if it begins to drift out. Many luxury cars are now also available with “active cruise control” that allows a car driving at highway cruising speeds to automatically maintain a safe following distance behind the car ahead. In some models, these systems can work even in stopand-go city traffic. Systems like these could be helpful, said Champion, but also present the possibility of over-reliance or abuse. “It all comes down to the person behind the wheel using the system,” he said. Sometimes these systems can cause confusion. For instance, some reports of unintended acceleration in Toyota cars were triggered by drivers failing to understand how an “active cruise control” system worked.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 15
Custom Painter Jim Hetzler Started Out at Age 13 with a Model Car
the young man under his wing, and even though Roth was in California Custom Painter Jim Hetzler, 53, of and Hetzler lived in Iowa, Roth Muscatine, Iowa is a world class pin- talked to young Jim over the phone stripe and airbrush artist whose career and became his mentor. “He is the started at the tender age of 13 when one who gave me direction,” Hetzler his hobby was building model cars. said. Hetzler became a selftaught artist when his interest in art grew over time in high school. His love of art, his friends’ referrals and word of mouth soon grew to be a fulltime business. In the early 80s his career took off, launched by the Honda Motorcycle Gold Wing touring bikes. “They came from the manufacturer in only three colors,” Jim Hetzler is a world-class pinstripe and airbrush artist Hetzler said. “People wanted who started painting when he was 13. custom paint jobs and the “It’s a funny thing,” Hetzler more I did, the more referrals I got and said. “I enjoyed building model cars my business grew to cars, trucks and as a pre-teen and I wanted to paint semis.” pinstripes on my cars but didn’t Today, Hetzler is a world class know how to begin. I wanted to learn pinstripe and airbrush artist and speand know the secrets of pinstriping, but back in those days it was hard to find someone to teach me.” One day he saw an advertisement in a magazine and bought a $5 book on how to pinstripe. That book was written by famous car builder and airbrush/pinstripe Jim Hetzler won the House of Kolor Prestigious Car Painter Award artist, Ed “Big in 2007 when he painted this 1940 Buick Daddy” Roth. Roth was the creator of the “Rat Fink and cializes in lettering, graphics, pingang” monster hot rod characters striping, gold leaf and airbrush and is which became rock-art icons, ap- highly recommended for his symmetpearing on airbrushed T-shirts, rical, multi-colored fine line stripes as posters and hot rods. Roth’s cartoon well as his realistic airbrush techcharacters were known for symbol- niques and ability to apply the most current techniques to any project. Jim and his wife, Chris, own and operate Hetz Pinstriping and JC Hetz Studio Signs and Graphics in Muscatine, Iowa. With 40 years experience as a pinstriper, 35 years as an airbrush artist and 25 years in the custom Jim Hetzler painted his own 1950 Ford Club Coupe painting business, Hetizing the rebellious nature of the zler has too many projects to count. 1960s hot rod movement. Roth took But some of his favorite projects inby Melanie Anderson
16 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
clude pinstriping the Good Guys 2009 Street Rod of the Year, custom painting his own 1950 Ford Club Coupe, and creating the paint job on a full-
One of the highlights of his career, Hetzler said, has been the honor of working with Jon Kosmoski, who founded House of Kolor in 1956. Today, they work together to create new products for House of Kolor. “When I first started using their paints 25 years ago, I was impressed and thought they had a great product. In my world, Jon is a rock star. To be involved with custom painting at this level is amazing One of Jim's favorite projects was painting this full-sized semi for for me.” the University of Iowa’s Hawkeye Football team. Hetzler often travsize tractor trailer semi for the Uni- els with the House of Kolor, taking his versity of Iowa’s Hawkeye Football talent on the road and showcasing Team. House of Kolor paints. He is a regular Jim was given the title of “Pin- showcase artist every year at the striping Legend” by Northern and SEMA show in Las Vegas. He also will Southern Rodder magazines and has be at the Back to the 50s car show in received many awards for his graph- Minnesota in June. In August, he’ll be ics and designs throughout the years. in Louisville, Kentucky for the Street In 2007 and 2011, Hetzler received Rod Nationals. In his spare time, he the House of Kolor Prestigious Painter holds his own workshops in pinstriping Award. He’s been using House of and airbrushing, as well as working as Kolor products for 25 years and for a pinstripe instructor for “getaway the past two years, has been testing the workshops” in Orlando and Las Vegas. new Shrimrin2 Formula. Hetzler’s trademark signature is “I like the new line even more,” “Hetz” and can be found on all his Hetzler said. “It’s incredible paint and projects. His online, Facebook and gives you the ability to create thou- personal connections in the custom sands of colors from 16 base colors. It’s easier to use and you can intermix it for any color combination.” The newest line of paint from House of Kolor, released in June 2011, is a solventbased paint with low VOC. What makes the Shrimrim2 Formula special, Hetzler says, is Jim Hetzler won the House of Kolor Prestigious Car Painter Award the ability to custom in 2011 for this 1934 Ford create a multitude of colors and intermixing Kandy with painting world have made him fabases and creating special effects with mous. “I can go anywhere in the U.S. its line of pearls and flakes. and people know who I am. It’s kind “House of Kolor has been my of scary,” Hetzler said. paint of choice for the last 25 years,” For more information, visit Hetzler said. “House of Kolor paints http://www.hetzstudio.com/ or contact is the foundation of all my artwork Jim at (563) 263-2803 or at jhetand graphics. It’s vibrant, easy to zler@machlink.com. work with and is convenient to mix colors. Using their paints has enwww.autobodynews.com hanced my artwork and really made CHECK IT OUT! the colors pop.”
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 19
Maaco Employee Arrested After Police Radio Stunt
Harrisburg police arrested a man after they said he broadcasted “shots fired” on a police radio. Police said they thought one of their officers had been shot, but when they arrived at an auto body shop at 17th and Brookwood streets they quickly realized a worker inside had been playing with a police radio. The radio call came from a police car that was being worked on at Maaco, police said. Police said the broadcast call was, “19th and Derry, I got a shooting, 19th and Derry, I got a shooting! Back-up, back-up!” Harrisburg police as well as officers from the surrounding area were called to the scene. Police arrested Maaco employee Carlos Albino, 22, and determined there were no shots fired in the body shop. “Carlos Albino came forward and admitted that he made the radio call from the police car. He claimed that he didn’t realize that the radio was activated,” a police news release stated. Albino will be charged with reporting false information to law enforcement. Police said Albino was also wanted on numerous warrants.
KTM Supports Waters Autobody/Project K Racing
KTM Motorsports has announce its sponsorship of Waters Autobody/ Project K Racing for the 2012 AMA Pro Flat Track race season in the Expert Twins division. The current team riders are Jeremy Higgins and Steve Murray. Team owners, Dave and Rhonda Waters, have been working diligently to establish a KTM presence in the realm of flat track racing since the team’s inception in 2008. Being a fledging privateer team among so many well established has proven to be a challenge, but with KTM’s assistance, Waters is confident that the durability and performance of the LC8 motors will be a key factor in the quest for the Grand National Championship. The water-cooled, 4-stroke, 75° V-Twin arrangement is used in the 2012 990 Adventure, 990 Adventure R and 990 Supermoto T. New York native and team rider, Jeremy Higgins, has been instrumental in developing the flat track machines for the past several years. He is joined by seasoned veteran Steve Murray from Kansas City, MI.
20 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Willets Point Owners Want City to Pay Legal Fees
A group of Willets Point property owners want the city to pay their hefty legal fees after pulling plans last week to take over their land through eminent domain proceedings. The city halted its controversial approach because it was instead nearing a deal with a developer to overhaul the industrial cluster of auto body shops and scrap yards next to Citi Field. Sources said the deal would be with Sterling Equities, lead by Mets owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon and Saul Katz. Michael Rikon, an attorney representing about two dozen Willets Point business owners, said he will file a petition for the city to repay his clients’ legal fees. Willets Point United members have shelled out more than $300,000 in legal fees since 2008. Rikon said his clients are entitled to the money under section 702 of New York State eminent domain law. The law reads: “In the event that the procedure to acquire such property is abandoned by the condemnor ... the condemnor shall be obligated to reimburse the condemnee.”
Drunk Driver Crashes into Two Police Cars
A West Virginia man whose blood-alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit told police he had fallen asleep when his van smashed into two parked police cruisers and a personal vehicle belonging to a police officer. The parked vehicles were in front of the police station on Market Street in Sunbury. Surveillance cameras outside the Sunbury Police Department caught it all. Police said the driver, Derek Lavoie, 31, of Sisterville, W. Va., was driving on Market Street when he hit the cars. Lavoie admitted he had too much to drink. Sunbury’s police chief said the loss of two patrol cars will affect the department as two of the Sunbury police department’s five patrol cars are no longer patrolling the streets. Instead they’re at an auto body shop. Sunbury Police Chief Stephen Mazzeo said a sergeant’s personal vehicle was was hit so hard it went up onto the sidewalk and hit a building on Market Street. According to court papers, after the crash Lavoie told police, “I guess I had too much to drink and tonight became what it became. It’s all my fault.”
Shop Owner Brian Hapeman Passes Away in Arkport, NY
Brian A. Hapeman, 47, formerly of Crosby Creek Road in Hornell, NY—passed away unexpectedly May 18, 2012. Brian had owned and operated Crosby Creek Collision for 15 years and recently established Hapeman Enterprises in Hornell. He had previously worked for Ken Backer in Canisteo in auto body repair, the former Elsenheimer’s Garage in Hornell. Brian enjoyed boating, camping with his family, snowmobiling, fourwheelers, was an avid NASCAR and Dale Earnhart fan as well as a Buffalo Sabres Hockey fan. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Clark Hapeman whom he married only recently, on March 24, 2012, his daughters, Hannah and Bethany Hapeman; his sister, Brenda Youngs of Prattsburgh; his brothers, Barry Hapeman of Ohio, and Kyle (Charlene) Hapeman of Prattsburgh. Memorial contributions can be made to: American Heart Assoc., P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, N.Y. 13220-3049, or to the American Diabetes Assoc., 595 Blossom Rd., Rochester, N.Y. 14610 or to Suzan Askins to set up a trust fund for Brian’s daughters, at 1577 Slate Creek Rd., Canisteo, N.Y. 14823.
Female Technician Leads New Reality Series for TV
Pam Oakes and the employees of Pam’s Motor City in Fort Myers, Fla., are starring in a new reality series, “Car E.R.” Sponsored by AC Delco, “Car E.R.” follows Oakes, Peter (her long time fiancé) and the rest of the gang at Pam’s Motor City as they deal with tricky automotive repairs, esoteric customers and serious attitudes within the shop. Of course, not everything’s a problem, and there’s a lot of fun and good times, too. Pam's Motor City was named a Motor Age Top Shop in 2008. Unique to this series is that Oakes owns and operates the repair shop, day in and day out. Not many women dare to venture into this highly male-oriented field of work, but she follows in her father’s footsteps, and gives the boys a run for their money. The series is slated for first-run distribution via the Internet, with future television broadcasts on the horizon. To see the first few shows click www.car-ershowcom and connect with the show on Twitter @CarERShow and Facebook. Pam is also the author of Car Care for the Clueless: Successful Used Car Buying 101.
OSHA Fines San Antonio Parts Supplier Due to Fatal Accident
A San Antonio company has been fined $46,000 by OSHA in connection with a fatal loading dock accident. A worker at Certifit Incorporated in San Antonio was preparing a loading dock for a delivery when the delivery truck backed over him. Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the auto body parts supplier is being cited for serious violations that compromised worker safety, including failure to make sure someone was available to give first aid. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Salt Lake City, Utah-based CertiFit Inc. for nine serious safety violations at the company’s facility in San Antonio. OSHA initiated the inspection after an employee, 40-year-old Solomon Roberts, was killed when a delivery truck backed into a loading dock. OSHA found the company failed to ensure that a trained person in first aid is present, provide training on evacuation procedures, repair and maintain electrical equipment and rolling ladders.
Hit and Run Driver with 42 tickets lets his Mother Take the Rap
A college student from Paoli, Chester County, is in a coma more than 1,000 miles from home after a hit-and-run driver plowed into Eliza Gresh in Miami, authorities say. The teen was crossing the street on April 27 when police say a hit and run driver plowed into Gresh. Police were looking for the car, a Mercedes Benz, and the driver, Luis Moya, 24. The car showed up at an auto body shop a week later, but not with Luis. Behind the wheel was Moya’s mom, Zoila. She told the shop owner she had gotten into an accident, but the shop owner recognized the car from police descriptions and called investigators. Police took Zoila into custody and got in touch with Luis Moya through his mother and told him if he did not turn himself in, they would arrest his mother and charge her with filing false and fraudulent insurance claims. Moya told them to go ahead and arrest her. Luis Moya has received 42 traffic tickets in the last five years, including tickets for reckless and careless driving.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 21
Shop Showcase
Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. She can be contacted at crsisk@chasidyraesisk.com.
Cole’s Collision Says It’s Quality & Caring That Customers Love with Chasidy Rae Sisk
Cole’s Collision, with three locations in upstate New York, focuses on community involvement and quality customer service. Owner John Cole, Jr. told me, “Our community efforts are quite substantial compared to other shops in our area. With the ability of our three locations to capture so much market share, we make it a point to be extremely customer oriented. Through our community involvement and large customer base, our customer service and quality of work maintains the customer’s loyalty. We pride ourselves on running a legitimate business and ‘doing the right thing’ at all times.”
no less concerned about the environment. The three shops have all converted to waterborne paints, and they
that mentality, as well as insurance companies strong reliance on the best shops they want representing them.” He has also noticed that insurance companies are minimizing the number of shops chosen for their DRP program, giving more referrals to the shops with the highest key performance indicators. John also believes that the future of the industry lies with independent shops taking collision business away from dealerships. “Since the insurance companies are strict with their criteria, I see the larger MSO’s becoming more powerful in the collision center arena because they have the market resources to provide the insurance companies with what they are looking for.” Additionally, he notes that the industry is following the digital trend, claiming his shop’s website allows him to chat with customers and insurance agents in addition to sending
Mainstream Media
John Cole
Cole’s Collision sponsors three local little league baseball teams, but Cole’s charity of choice is the MakeA-Wish Foundation. On their 5th anniversary, Cole’s granted a wish to a local boy with leukemia. Cole’s sent him and his family to Disney World. Additionally, Cole is a member of the Ballston Spa Business Professionals Association, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce in both Colonie and Saratoga. Cole and his shops work with BOCES technical school to help train and develop upcoming repair technicians. Cole has also hired several top students from the local community college where they received a two-year degree in occupational studies for technical services, auto body repair. While showing obvious concern for the community, Cole’s Collision is
have received Greenlinks’ CCAR Certifications. Additionally, all of the technicians employed by Cole’s are certified on hazardous waste, and the shops are currently working at becoming a paperless office with the use of their management system. Cole’s Collision was founded in January, 2007, by John Cole, Sr. John Jr.’s father did truck repair, and when John graduated high school early with honors at the age of sixteen and wanted a car, his father insisted he be able to pay for it himself. John Sr. helped his son get a part-time job in a nearby auto body truck shop. John Jr. enjoyed the work and started picking up more hours. Eventually, John left college for the auto body field where he has worked ever since. After opening his first location at 1904 Central Ave in Albany, NY in 2007, Cole acquired two additional locations in May, 2010, formerly Spa Body Works Ltd., and opened his second and third Cole’s Collision Centers in Ballston Spa and Saratoga, NY. Cole’s Collision Centers use PPG Aqua base paint systems, and John notes his shops made the switch with ease and comfort. “We are using the same technology as the manufacturers do to paint the vehicles being produced today. This allows us to produce a flawless match every time.” Cole’s Collision also has their own International tow truck which allows them to tow virtually any vehicle they can repair. Cole notes that customers seem to be relying more on independent collision shops instead of consistently going to their dealer for repairs. “I think strong customer service-oriented shops like ourselves are helping with
22 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
electronic surveys which allow the shop to receive customer service scores online.
All three of Cole’s shops are ICAR Gold Class Certified, which he believes is an important tool in showing his customers and the insurance companies that his shops are devoted to the latest information and training available. This also keeps all of the staff extremely knowledgeable and focused on quality repairs. As the fastest growing MSO in the area, John credits his employees and customer serv-
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ice staff, insisting “we hire the best.” Cole’s Collision employs 51 individuals in their three shops. Cole’s Collision in Albany, NY boasts a 16,000-square-foot facility that services 150 to 180 vehicles each
month. The shop utilizes a Car-OLiner frame machine with Laser Technology, a Chief EZ Liner frame rack with Genesis Laser measuring. John uses the Pro Spot I4 Welders at all three of his locations. The advanced welding technology not only reduces the touch time, but also ensures they are returning the vehicle to pre-accident condition. John notes that the Car-O-Liner equipment was a positive purchase as the laser measuring re-
turns the vehicle to its factory correct specifications. Cole’s Collision Center in Saratoga, NY, consists of a 12,000square-foot building where they repair 110 to 150 vehicles per month. They use a USI Italia Chronotech downdraft paint booth with drive through doors, a Mohawk 7000 lb capacity lift, with the same welders and individual lifts like the other locations. Additionally, they have two Chief Frame machines and use the Genesis Laser measuring systems. The 16,000 square-foot Ballston Spa location repairs 130–170 vehicles each month. The shop uses a Saima Full Downdraft paint booth, Chief Frame equipment with Genesis Laser measuring, Hunter Alignment machine and the same individual floor lifts with 6000 lb capacity.
Cole’s Collision Centers 1904 Central Ave Colonie, NY 12205 518-213-2070 www.colescollision.com
New York No Fault Insurance v. Medical Mills New York’s Cuomo administration is opening another front in its battle against no-fault insurance scams. State Financial Services Superintendent Ben Lawsky has announced a new regulations that give insurance companies more leeway to decline claims if they suspect fraud. “These reforms will ensure that New Yorkers get the proper and timely treatment for legitimate injuries that they deserve, while closing loopholes that allow criminal medical mills to scam the system and drive up insurance premiums,” Lawsky said. “The new regulations will give insurers more time to prove fraud and prevent payment, unlike the current system that requires insurers to pay no-fault claims within 30 days even when they suspect that health care services have not actually been provided.” Under the new regulations, insurers can delay and ultimately deny claims if they suspect fraud and can demonstrate that the medical services were never provided—even if it takes longer than 30 days to investigate the claim and prove fraud. If the insurer cannot prove fraud, however, the company must pay the claim plus an interest payment of 2%
a month for every month the payment was delayed. Insurers welcomed the change. “If implemented, these regulatory changes will help close the glaring loopholes that allow criminals to rip off the system and control the ensuing costs which are passed on to drivers by way of higher premiums,” said Kristina Baldwin, co-spokesperson for Fraud Costs-NY and assistant vice president for Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. The crackdown on insurance fraud was launched after federal prosecutors in February busted up a major no-fault car insurance scam that had been operating medical mills across the city for years. Lawsky has also vowed to crack down on doctors involved in the scams. In March, he sent letters to more than 100 doctors suspected of fraud, asking for information on their billing practices.
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Pottsdown, PA, Car Club Raises Money for Veteran’s Ford Galaxie 500 The Pottstown Classics Car Club and local businesses and community volunteers raised money to refurbish a disabled veteran’s 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 on April 28.
Hilltop Drive-In in Sanatoga is the venue for the Pottstown Classics Car Club fund-raiser to benefit the Herron Project. Credit Teresa McMinn
A fund to pay for the restoration of a car owned by a disabled U.S. soldier was down to its last $10 when Bill Struble donated money from his veteran’s benefits to help the cause. Struble, who served in the U.S. Army in Saigon during the early 1970s, recently gave $500 of his disability income (due to his exposure to Agent Orange) to the project. The
venture, led by the Pottstown Classics Car Club, aims to restore a 1967 Ford Galaxie 500 owned by Brad Herron, a local disabled U.S. Army veteran who served for six years in Iraq, Afghanistan and areas hit by Hurricane Katrina. “I wanted to help on behalf of all the veterans,” said Struble of Collegeville. “Plus, I’m a Ford fan.
Pottstown Classic Car Club’s Gary Pace holds the microphone at the organization’s April 28, 2012 fund-raiser for the Herron Project. Pace introduced the event organizer Don Villanova. Credit: Teresa McMinn
Struble owned a 1968 Galaxie. He also had to give up his yellow 1960 Chevy Impala when he was drafted into the Army, he said. On Saturday, Struble was at Sanatoga’s Hilltop Drive-In for a
PCCC Herron Project fundraiser where he displayed his silver 1999 Ford Mustang. The event, which included Boyertown-based Wicked Effects Car Club and Boobie Nation, plus donations made last week raised nearly $1,500, said PCCC’s Don Villanova. The Herron car, painted shiny vermilion, needs roughly $3,000 to be completed, said Jim Brennan, owner of Pottstown’s Brennan’s Auto Repair. When done, the car will include about $50,000 in parts and labor, said Gary Pace, who handles public relations for PCCC. “It took our club and the community and the businesses,” Pace said of work on the project, which included help from local high school students. “This was a whole town effort.” Pace said the car will be presented to Herron during one of PCCC’s upcoming monthly shows in Pottstown. Pace said he hopes other communities and car clubs will unite to help their local U.S. military veterans.
Enterprise Introduces Customer Repair Notification Tool
Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched a new customer repair status notification system for collision repair shops that uses text and email messages to keep customers updated on the status of vehicle repairs. Enterprise said the new customer repair status notification system was developed in response to studies conducted by J.D. Power & Associates that revealed customers of all ages prefer to receive repair status updates through email and text messages. The system is now part of Enterprise’s Automated Rental Management System (ARMS) suite of products. The feature allows shops to update all of its customers, not just its Enterprise rental customers, through either customized or automated messages. The system also provides shops with a written record of information communicated to customers to help avoid misunderstandings, Enterprise said. The system is available to all body shops that use the ARMS Automotive Data Manager application, Enterprise said. For more information, visit ARMSAutoSuite.com.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 25
The Community-Focused Body Shop
Domenico Nigro is the president of Nigro’s Auto Body, a very progressive shop for their community in Philadelphia. In addition to many productivity innovations, Nigro’s installs equipment for disabled drivers, has developed several phone Applications, and represents products which directly support charities such as United Way and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Contact him at: nigroautobody@comcast.net.
Domenico Nigro’s Q&A with Chuck Gosney of Collision Billing with Domenico Nigro
The following is an interview with great job of explaining what is inChuck Gosney, President of Collision cluded and not included and what to Billing, a company that could help ask for. We have all been to their with JanetindusCheney workshops and get excited and go out bring the changes the collision on Monday and start writing repair ortry desperately needs. In this interview, Domenico Nigro asks some ders the way we should. When you direct questions on exactly how this ask for those things, the insurance company’s response is that they don’t company could bring needed change. pay for that and the shop has no reDomenico: Chuck, what exactly is course to get paid for it and they stop with Frank Sherosky Collision Billing? asking for it. What the shop is lacking is data to substantiate the operation, or Chuck: Collision Billing was created someone who will challenge the into keep the insurance companies in surance company on the shop’s becheck and to help the auto body shops half. That’s where we come in, and get paid for the work they are doing. that’s how we’re different. Nobody was representing the shops, so we created Collision Billing to Domenico: How does your full billing level the playing field. We have two services work? main services that we provide for the collision industry, the first being our Chuck: Our full billing services are Full Billing Services, and, of course, similar to the professional billing servour Claims Database. ices used in the medical field, and much like a medical biller, we work Domenico: For years, there have been with the shop in submitting their final consultants that have been telling blueprint for repair to the insurance shops how to get paid by using the ref- company. We work with the shop to erence manuals, P-Pages, and other make sure they are billing for all optips on writing a complete sheet. How erations performed to repair their cusare you different? tomer’s vehicle to pre-accident condition. We then use data gathered Chuck: The other consultants do a from our experience and our claims
Shop Showcase
Industry Business Beat
Major Physical Damage Indicators Up For 6 Quarters
According to the latest available data from the Independent Statistical Service Inc. (ISS), Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), and the National Independent Statistical Service (NISS), the frequency of private passenger collision claims has now been on a gradual rising trend for six consecutive quarters. Having been in a near-constant down trend since the first quarter of 2008, data through the fourth quarter 2011 shows that collision claims frequency has risen to 5.66 claims per 100 earned car years. That represents an increase of 1.92 percent from the recent low of 5.56 claims per 100 earned car years reached in the second quarter of 2010. Paid losses for private passenger collision claims have been on the rise as well. The data shows over $16.4 billion in physical damage losses paid for the year ending with the fourth quarter of 2011. That is the sixth consecutive quarterly rise in paid losses. The average paid loss once again
broke above the $3,000 mark to end the fourth quarter at $3,029 compared to $2,946 a year earlier. The average paid loss, while rising recently, has held pretty steady through the recent recession years. The average paid loss reached a recent high of $3,027 in the first quarter of 2008 and declined fairly steadily through the first quarter of 2010, reaching a low of $2,922. It has been gradually rising ever since. However, even while claims frequency and paid losses have been on the increase in recent quarters, it has not necessarily meant a return of business for the collision repairer. That's because, according to ISO, the number of claims paid is still below the recent highs set in early 2008. In the 12 months prior to second quarter of 2008, the insurance industry paid 5.63 million private passenger physical damage claims. But as of Q4 2011, the industry paid 5.44 million claims over the prior 12 months.
26 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
database to justify the charges to the insurance company.
Domenico: So you simply submit the finished paperwork to the insurance company once the job is done?
Chuck: Actually, we work the job from the moment the car arrives at the shop to the time the shop receives final payment for the job. The estimator writes the original blueprint for repair and we take over from there, adding any additional R&I or other operations that may have been missed. From that point forward, we handle all communication with the insurance company. We then make them justify why they refuse to pay by using our arsenal of tools and experience to show them the validity of the operation. Domenico: So what has been the response so far?
Chuck: Given our knowledge of the three major estimating platforms, the P-Pages, database reference manuals and our Claims Database, we have been very successful in getting our clients paid on the work they have performed. We have helped shops get paid for operations where previously they were told “We don’t pay for that” and we were able to show that the insurance prevailing rates were not accurate to get some shops their true labor rates.
Domenico: I’m familiar with the PPages and reference manuals, but what exactly is the Claims Database?
Chuck: The Claims Database is our number one tool in assisting our clients in getting paid. It’s where we track different components of the estimates and log them for future use. For example, we can find if a certain insurance company has paid for a specific operation (such as a finish sand and buff or test drive car), paid for itemized materials, or are even suppressing the labor rates for the area with deceptive estimating practices. It’s real simple. We submit this data to prove our point.
Domenico: That sounds like it would be extremely useful. Do shops have to use your billing service to get access to that information?
Chuck: Actually, we realized early on how powerful the data was, and we wanted to make it available to the masses. So we created a subscription model that allows shops to submit their estimates along with the corresponding insurance estimates to contribute to the database. They can then request from Collision Billing information to be sent to an adjustor on specific operations or rates. To follow our earlier example, let’s say an insurance company claims they won’t pay for finish sand and buff, so we then show them examples of where they have. Now, it’s up to them to justify why the operation is paid on one side of town, but not on the other.
Domenico: You have mentioned a few times that you will pursue payment. What is meant by that and how far are you willing to take it?
Chuck: We are collecting and tracking a lot of information. We will use that information to get our members paid, period. We see trends where insurance companies have “policies” that they don’t pay for specific operations. We don’t see any justification for their “policies,” especially when the information providers state that those are not included operations. We will challenge them to do what’s right and start paying for the operations, and if we have to, we will take them to court. One of our partners and legal council, Erica Eversman, has successfully won many cases. With the data we are collecting, we will be able to achieve on a global scale what she has accomplished at the local and state level. This data can also be used to share with both the Department of Insurance and the States Attorney Generals to show patterns of unfair trade practices.
For more information on Collision Billing, call 517-489-4280 or go to www.collisionbilling.com.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 27
Family of NJ Girl Battling Cancer Receives Donated Car from Britland Auto Body Linda and Michael Downey’s 2002 car, at 250,000-plus miles, was on its last legs. They were about to plunk down at least another $600 for a brake repair when they heard some good news: they were eligible to receive a newer car for free.
Linda Downey with her 2007 Chevrolet Malibu and Britland Auto Body co-owner Edgar Chaves, his wife and bookkeeper Margot Chaves, and sons Edgar Chaves Jr., the office manager, and Diego Chaves, a customer service agent
The cash-strapped Somerville couple is delighted to get their new wheels—a remodeled 2007 Chevrolet Malibu donated by State Farm Insurance, Britland Auto Body in Green Brook, NJ, and a number of vendors that do business with the
Route 22 shop. But perhaps the biggest winner of this generosity is the Downey’s daughter, Charlotte. The 7-year-old girl has spent most of her life in the hospital struggling against a seemingly never-ending series of ailments: a heart defect, a kidney transplant, a brain tumor and now grueling chemotherapy for cancer. Without a reliable car, the family worried about how they could make the 100-mile round-trip on a regular basis. The parents, who also have a 10-year-old son, take turns spending the night with Charlotte at the hospital, which is where she and her father were that afternoon when Linda Downey and her sister Cori Peloso visited Britland to pick up the Malibu and visit with the people who made the gift possible. “They just don’t have a lot of money to buy another car. The medical bills are astronomical,” Peloso said. Linda Downey works as a personal trainer while Michael, a Marine veteran, is a professional
photographer. Britland employees repaired the car during their spare time using supplies donated by vendors, including Joy Automotive Products and American Tire, both in Green Brook, LKQ Parts and Cosmo’s Auto Salvage in Bayville. Britland co-owner Edgar Chaves said the work on the car cost at least $6,500. Jack’s Kids, a non-profit based at Somerville Elks Lodge 1068 that helps families of children with medical issues, selected the family for the car. The group also received a $500 check from Britland on Friday. Chaves said the car will be the first of many donations by his shop. “We want to keep doing things to give something to the community for people who need it,” he said.
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Gunder Presents at GCIA Legal Seminar in June
Ray Gunder will present a legal seminar, “Learn How to Stay Legal in Your Shop,” to the Georgia Collision Industry Association in late June. Gunder will address basic legal issues relating to operating a successful collision repair shop. The intent of this seminar is to provide information on legal basics including “Power of Attorney” and “Assignment of Proceeds” (aka Assignment of Benefits). Answers to attendee’s individual questions as to how it may benefit them, their business and their customers, will be available along with other topics such as: Understanding the Repairer’s Legal Responsibilities, Understanding the Customer’s Legal Responsibilities. Understanding the Insurer’s Legal Responsibilities, Recognizing Legal Liabilities and How to Avoid Them, How to Turn Potential Liabilities into Significant Profits, Making your Repair Authorizations Legally Iron-Clad and Profitable, The Importance of Knowing and Understanding your State’s Laws and Regulations as they relate to your business. For more information and date of seminar, see the GCIA website.
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GM to Stop $40M in Facebook Advertising—“it’s ineffective”
General Motors will stop advertising on Facebook, citing the ineffectiveness of the paid ads, The Wall Street Journal reported May 15. The move came days before Facebook’s initial public offering that valued the social media giant at near $100 billion. The automaker will still utilize free Facebook pages for marketing. Joel Ewanick, GM’s top marketer, said the company was “reassessing our advertising on Facebook, although the content is effective and important,” the Journal reported, adding that “the content” referred to the free pages. GM spends about $40 million to maintain all aspects of its Facebook marketing, including about $10 million on paid ads, the Journal reported. The automaker began to reconsider advertising on Facebook earlier this year, according to the Journal, and Ewanick and other members of GM’s marketing team recently met with representatives from Facebook but the meeting didn’t sway GM from its decision to pull the ads. GM spent $2.8 billion in advertising in the United States and $3.9 billion globally in 2010, the most recent year for which data is available.
Ford Tweaks GM and Doubles Down on Facebook Advertising
Responding to GM’s announcement that it is pulling Facebook paid advertising, a Ford representative tweeted: “It’s all about the execution. Our Facebook ads are effective when strategically combined with engaging content & innovation.” “We’ve found Facebook ads to be very effective when strategically combined with engagement, great content and innovative ways of storytelling, rather than treating them as a straight media buy,” a Ford spokesperson said in a statement. “We continue to have a strong, collaborative relationship with Facebook, which includes first-of-a-kind vehicle reveals, advertising and innovative ways of sharing content. Our engineers have also been working with Facebook engineers to develop unique and safer ways of integrating the car experience with Facebook.” Ford has been a vocal supporter of Facebook marketing for quite some time. Most recently, the company was one of the first to pay for Facebook’s new logout ads. The automaker has also been working closely with the social networking giant to figure out how to integrate Facebook into Ford Sync. Ford has 1.5 million Likes and 378,000 Likes on their Facebook Pages, respectively.
Florida Shop Owner Arrested for Impersonating Adjuster
A Florida body shop owner was charged with impersonating an insurance adjuster for three carriers at accident scenes to generate more business for his auto body shop, police say. Vincenzo Gurrera, 43, of Boynton Beach, FL, became the subject of an investigation after numerous complaints were filed against his shop, Collision World, at 610 Industrial Ave, according to the Palm Beach County sheriff’s office and the Sun Sentinel newspaper. Between August 2011 and April, Gurrera allegedly impersonated an adjuster from GEICO, Liberty Mutual or State Farm, giving specific directions to people to take their cars to his shop for repairs. It would often take weeks for the companies to find out about Gurrera’s transaction, the sheriff’s office said. The routine allegedly began in August 2011 and continued to April of this year. Those involved in the crashes told investigators they signed Gurrera’s release forms because they thought Gurrera was a “legitimate insurance representative.” Each victim identified Gurrera in a photo line-up, authorities said. Detectives received four sworn affi-
davits from the three insurance companies, which stated Gurrera does not currently work, and has never worked, as an insurance adjuster for their companies. The Florida Department of Financial Services confirmed to investigators that Gurrera was not Vincenzo Gurrera licensed. Anyone who suspects they are being lured into an insurance scam should call the Department of Financial Services at 877-693-5236. According to investigators, Gurrera was possibly receiving accident information from crash scenes and then filing claims based on that information. In Florida, however, accident reports are not released for 60 days after the crash. Police recommended that consumers who believe they were affected contact the Department of Financial Services, Division of Consumer Services by calling 1-877-MYFL-CFO (1-877-693-5236) or www.myfloridacfo.com/division/consumers for assistance, or to report a possible scam.
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Inside Insurance
The Insider is a corporate-level executive with a Top 10 auto insurer in the U.S.. Got a comment or question you’d like to see him address in a future column? Email him at Auto.Insurance.Insider@gmail.com
Is the State Farm Elephant in the Room a Bad Elephant? with The Insurance Insider
This is an interesting story and I don’t tinually raising it. I realize it’s not enknow quite where to start. How about: tirely the shops’ fault, but I can assure Elvis has just entered the building and you that when shops are repairing one Chasidy Rae of Sisk nobody noticed. with Is it possible for Elvis their own vehicles, they’re looking to walk into a room and take a seat yet harder for the best price on parts. have nobody notice that the King is in the house? It’s impossible, right? Well, it seems just as impossible that collision repairers didn’t mention State Farm and with parts atChasidy the most reRae Sisk cent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting. They are the most common words affectionately uttered by body shops owners throughout the country these days. So how is it possible that during one of the industry’s biggest stages, CIC, there wasn’t even a mention? Yes, there were some sidebar conversations during breaks. Yes, there was a lot of discussion at an associaWe all have a responsibility to be tion meeting held in conjunction with cost-conscious when spending someCIC. And yes, there have been some one else’s money. When you repair a press releases. customer’s vehicle, you are spending But when everyone had a chance THEIR money. Yes, you are spending to address State Farm publicly, no- THEIR MONEY. I don’t care if it’s an body noticed that the elephant was in insurance claim. The money the inthe room. I know the elephant was surance company pays you is from the there. insured’s premiums. Maybe a gag order was issued? If you understand and respect that Maybe the industry felt that State concept, you would treat an insurance Farm deserved a break? Or could it be claim like it was a customer-pay job that the industry realized that it’s not from a family member. Instead, we as bad as some have made it out to be? have an industry that couldn’t care I am among those who think State less about the cost of parts because Farm’s parts move isn’t as bad as they aren’t paying for them and will some make it out to be. While there make more money by choosing the are pros and cons, the reality is that highest-priced parts. overall it’s a good thing. If State Farm Don’t all of us have a responsibildidn’t take the lead on this, the indus- ity to make sure the customer’s car is try would have continued to flounder repaired in the most cost-effective around for years to come. The ineffi- manner possible? If the answer is cient parts ordering model employed ‘yes,’ why are body shops all over the by the collision repairers is archaic country crying foul? If State Farm was and wasteful. trying to eliminate your parts profit, Why wouldn’t State Farm want a like an ill-fated pilot program many shop to order the most cost-effective years ago, then you’d have a right to part on a given repair? Why should complain. But finding the most costState Farm have to reimburse a shop effective part shouldn’t be something for a more expensive part if the exact insurers have to ask or require you to same part is available at a cheaper do. You should have been doing it price? Paying more for the same part since the first car entered your buildis a waste of insured’s premium dol- ing. lars. Although insurance companies If shops were more cost-con- inserting themselves into the body scious over the past 10 years, insurers shop’s business isn’t a popular submay have been in a position to lower ject, you might as well get used to it. the cost of insurance instead of con- I’ve been around this industry long
Northeast News Shop Showcase
enough to know that unless an insurance company requires it, it’s not going to happen. Allstate requiring CCC’s first estimating system facilitated the widespread adoption of electronic estimating. If that didn’t happen, we might still be writing estimates by hand. Why is Allstate requiring their direct repair shops to be I-CAR Gold Class? It’s because the vast majority of the industry doesn’t want to invest money into training. Shops shouldn’t be forced to keep up with the latest technology and repair methodologies. They should be seeking training without any interference or mandate by an
Mainstream Media
30 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
insurance company. But they don’t. There are many other examples of insurance companies changing the industry but I think my point has been made. When there are inefficiencies in the system, money to be saved or a better way to serve the customer, unless an insurance company decides to play the role of the evil villain, shops aren’t going to do it willingly. If the majority of shops were operating at a high level (as a few are), there would be no reason for any carrier to manage the shops’ business. Insurance companies are similar to the government. You are better served resolving the problem yourself, otherwise your fate will be decided for you. Elvis sang a song titled, “Don’t Ask Me Why.” The next time you are at an industry meeting and want to complain about insurance companies taking over the industry, remember the King’s song…and this article.
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Autobody News
Chrysler to Recall 127K Dodge Chargers and 300’s for Fuses
Chrysler Group will voluntarily recall 127,346 2011 and 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans in the United States and Canada to fix a fuse problem that could disrupt the vehicles’ antilock brakes and electronic stability control systems. A plastic insert surrounding a fuse in the vehicles may become distorted because of thermal expansion and contraction, Chrysler said in a statement today. The problem could affect vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. Drivers are alerted to the problem by the vehicle ABS/ESC warning lamp, the statement said, noting that despite the failure, drivers will retain basic brake function. The recall affects all 2011 and 2012 units built before Dec. 20, 2011. The recall includes 119,072 vehicles in the United States and 8,274 in Canada. According to documents submitted to the NHTSA, the affected system is supplied by Global Automotive Systems of suburban Detroit, a unit of Dura Automotive Systems. The defective part is in the vehicle’s power distribution center. Chrysler said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the recalled vehicles.
Ford Blocks JAC from Selling Blatant F-150 Knock Off
The Chinese-made JAC 4R3 is a facsimile of Ford’s F-150, right down to the blue oval on the hood, and Ford has blocked the Chinese company from selling it. “Not going to happen,” said Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies in an interview. In the past, other car companies have found it difficult to protect their designs from Chinese copiers, but Ford is not among them. “We can protect ourselves in China, it’s not easy, but you can do it. Is it expensive? Not really.” The Chinese government requires foreign OEMs to partner with their own domestics but Ford and JAC are not partners. It remains to be seen whether JAC will respect the decision, or build its knock off F-150 anyway.
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Nissan Recalling Certain 2012 Titan Pickups for Mislabeling
Nissan Motor Co. is recalling certain Titan pickup trucks from the 2012 model year because they have improper seating-capacity labels that could lead owners to overload the vehicles and increase the risk of a crash. The recall reflects tight safety regulations in the auto industry and the fact that manufacturers cannot depend on the common sense of drivers to insure vehicles are operated in a safe manner. Customers may contact Nissan at 615-725-1000.
Chrysler Recalls 68,000 Jeep Wranglers for Fire Concerns
Chrysler is recalling about 68,000 Jeep Wranglers manufactured in 2010 due to the chance of a vehicle fire resulting from debris collecting in the transmission. The automaker said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Association that the pullback of 67,872 Jeeps with an automatic transmission reflects concerns that the transmission skid plate, which is close to the catalytic converter, can collect debris and ignite without warning. The company said it will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate free of charge. The move comes after the NHTSA began investigation complaints about fires in 2010 Wranglers earlier this year.
Distracted Driving No. 1 Killer, Especially of Texting Teens
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving is the number-one killer of American teens. Five seconds is the average time a driver’s eyes are off the road when texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field. According to a national survey released by the Ad Council, 60 percent of young adult drivers (16–24) said they have texted while driving. In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed and an additional 416,000 were injured due to distracted driving, which includes texting while driving.
34 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Carfax Study Shows Consumer Threatened by Ignoring Recalls
A new study from Carfax shows that choosing to ignore auto recalls threatens the safety of consumers everywhere. In 2011, over 2.7 million used cars were for sale online with safety recalls that were never fixed. Car owners and sellers can help improve public safety by actively checking for open recalls and having them fixed by franchise dealers. There’s no excuse—recall repairs are free and finding cars with open recalls is easy. “We’re making a lot of progress, but there are still too many open recalls out there,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax. “Many of these cars change hands without the buyer ever knowing a recall exists, increasing the safety risks both to passengers in the car and others on the road. We all need to do our part to make sure these cars are identified and fixed—buyers, sellers and owners alike. A simple online check for open recalls is all it takes to help make our roads safer.” California, Florida and Texas lead the nation with the most used cars for sale with open recalls, each having well over 100,000 last year. More about recall campaigns is available at www.safercar.gov.
BMW Replaces Toyota as Most Valuable Automotive Brand
BMW has overtaken Toyota as the world’s most valuable automotive brand, an annual ranking of the world’s top brands shows. MercedesBenz, Volkswagen and Audi improved their brand value, according to the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study released by market research company Millward Brown. The world’s most valuable car brands in $ billion 1. BMW $24.6 2. Toyota $21.8 3. Mercedes $16.1 4. Honda $12.7 5. Nissan $9.9 6. VW $8.5 7. Ford $7.0 8. Audi $4.7 9. Hyundai $3.6 10. Lexus $3.4
June 2012 BMW Recalling Diesel Vehicles or Fuses
BMW is recalling 24,340 vehicles equipped with diesel engines from the 2009-11 model years that may fail to meet U.S. and California emission control requirements. About 2,740 2011 and 2012 model year X5 xDrive 50i and X6 xDrive 50i vehicles, and 21,600 3-series diesel models, will be recalled, the automaker said. The recalls were scheduled for May 9, with a customer letter to follow, BMW North America spokesman Dirk Arnold said. The vehicles were manufactured at factories in Spartanburg, S.C., and Germany. BMW said certain emissions components, including the SCR catalyst, the DEF mixer and the EGR valve, may improperly overstate vehicle mileage, causing emissions standards to be exceeded and the illumination of the “Service Engine Soon” light. BMW said the repair will require the inspection and replacement of one or more of the emissions components and the reprogramming of the vehicle’s engine control unit.
Ford Recalls 10.500 Vehicles for Transmission Sensor Issues
Ford is recalling 10,500 vehicles, including the 2012-’13 Ford Mustang, 2012 Ford Expedition, 2011-’12 Ford F-150 and 2012 Lincoln Navigator, due to transmission and light calibration problems. “These vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (TRS) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear,” said NHTSA. “If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “R” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “R” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the F-150, Expedition or Navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the F-150, Expedition, Navigator or Mustang vehicles may not illuminate. The recall is expected to begin on June 25. Owners can contact Ford at 1-866-4367332.
Gonzo’s Toolbox
This is a new story by Scott “Gonzo” Weaver as posted on his website, www.gonzostoolbox.com. Gonzo has been serving the Tulsa area at Superior Auto Electric for over 27 years. See his book “Hey Look! I Found The Loose Nut”, which provides a Good Laugh for Mechanics of Any Age. The book is available at amazon.com. Contact Gonzo at Gonzosae@aol.com.
Comparing Automotive Parts: Is it Apples to Apples? with Gonzo Weaver
“Yes, I need a price on an alterAlternators, starters, voltage regulators, window motor assemblies, light nator for my car,” the caller asks. I bulbs, serpentine belts… the list goes give them a price for the brands I sell, on and on of the various cheaply and before I’m even finished they’ll with Richard Arnold made replacement parts available. tell me how much the last guy would Being able to distinguish what parts sell the part for. That’s fine, I know are good or bad is part of being a pro- everyone is looking for a bargain, and fessional in this crazy world of auto- shopping around for prices is all part of it. However, let’s compare apples motive repair. When a customer calls wanting to apples — not just prices to prices. prices on a certain than A perfect example is the comwithjob, Edmore Attanasio likely this isn’t the first phone call mon external regulator for a Ford they’ve made today. The way I can product. The prices will range from a tell this is how they answer certain few bucks to as much as $30. The difquestions I ask to narrow down the ference is quality, of course. You can options on that particular part or job. tell the difference for yourself by just “What’s the motor size? Two- or four- picking one up. The cheap regulator EricaIfSchroeder door? Automaticwith or manual?” these feels like a feather compared to the questions aren’t a hit and miss an- more expensive one. The question is swer, chances are they’ve been … do they both work? Yes they do, through this before, and have a pretty but there’s no doubt the cheaper one good idea what the cost is, or at least will not take any abuse, or a fluctuatwhat they’ve found out from the auto ing signal, or load variations as well as the better made part. No doubt the parts cheapo depot.
Jobber Journal
cheaper one will need to be replaced sooner than you think. From the professional side, it takes just as long to diagnose a problem and make the repair with a wellmanufactured part as it does to put on one of those bottom-of-the-barrel parts. The big difference is you only have to do the job once, rather than repeatedly. That eats up diagnostic time, shop time, and doesn’t make for a very happy customer. Over the years, the number of times I’ve had someone bring in a car and tell me they have put five or six alternators on the car, and it still doesn’t work, is beyond comprehension. The unsuspecting customer will almost certainly have the same reaction on the phone or at the service counter. “There has to be something electrically wrong with the car,” they’ll say. Even though I haven’t checked the car out yet, I’ll still ask them, “Where are you buying your parts?” Nine chances out of ten they are buying the cheap knock-off brands because of the cost, and under certain applications, these knock-off brands fail constantly. By the time I get the car in the shop and run the needed tests, I’m already stretching their pocket book just to give them the answer I already assumed it would be. “It’s a cheap part that’s causing the problem,” I’ll tell them, and when I give them the price of the “quality” part I know I’m in for an argument. “It shouldn’t cost that much. I’ll just go get another one myself,” the now irate customer will tell me. It could be they really wanted me to find something else wrong with it, because they know it can’t be the part. Then again, it could be because they don’t want to change it again. Whichever the case may be, I’m the lucky guy taking the brunt of the customer’s meltdown at the front counter. Why is it that the second largest purchase most people make in their lifetime is left to using cheap discount parts as a way to keep their family truckster on the road? You know, if
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the original manufacturer used some of these discount parts, most of those cars wouldn’t make it from the manufacturer to the show room floor without breaking down. One morning when I arrived at the shop, a customer was waiting for me with a rear main seal for me to see. I had just replaced the seal in his car a few weeks earlier. There wasn’t a problem with the car, his problem was that he believed that I over charged him for the seal. While he was at one of those discount parts stores, he purchased a rear seal himself, and after having some time to think about it, he figured I should know just how ticked off he was. Needless to say, now he’s thinking every bit of the labor cost must have been exaggerated as well. There was only one way to solve this problem. I called my supplier and had them send down another seal just like the original one I had purchased. With the customer standing in front of me, we took both of the seals out of their boxes and laid them on the counter. “You see, they are actually the same,” the aggravated customer tells me, “They’re the same color, same design and obviously are identical. You overcharged me!” I’ll admit they looked the same, and I was getting a little worried that I wouldn’t find a difference between the two of them. I wanted to prove my point that not all parts are created equal, but how? As this anger management class dropout got even more steamed, he started to make his point known how he felt about mechanics in general, parts stores, and the world at large. I picked up the two seals while he was standing on his soap box proudly putting down anyone who had anything to do with the car business. When I gently snapped the actual seal area that touches the crank shaft back and forth, I had the answer and the difference was obvious. “Sir, if you’ll calm down a minute, I’ll show you the difference. The one you brought from the discount part store has fewer coils on the See Apples to Apples, Page 43
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 35
Industry Insight
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.
Shops and Insurers Discuss Indemnification in DRP Contracts with John Yoswick
Should repairers be held solely re“The argument from the repairer sponsible if a repair process or part standpoint is that if the insurer…had they choose fails—even if that process left me to do what I do—put the part or part was chosen at the behest of an on I want to put on, or do the operawith Ed Attanasio insurer? tion the way I wanted to do it—none That was one of the questions at of us would be in that court to begin the heart of a panel discussion on “in- with,” Wano said. demnification” at the Collision IndusPerhaps not surprisingly, insurers try Conference (CIC) held in on the panel viewed the issue differOklahoma City in late April. ently. Allstate’s Randy Hanson said Rick Tuuri,with who Ed chairs CIC’s that, first, he’s not sure it’s much a Attanasio “Insurer-Repairer Relations Commit- topic of concern. He said that in the tee,” said the topic was triggered by decades he’s been involved with his the indemnification clause found in company’s DRP, he doesn’t recall a many direct repair agreements. That question from shops coming up about clause requires the participating shop it. to “indemnify” (or “hold harmless”) “I can also say in 30-plus years, I the insurer, which could prevent the have not once evoked an indemnificashop from pursing a legal claim tion clause in a contract for a DRP against the insurer, or make the shop partner,” Hanson said. “Not once.” responsible to compensate or defend He said five of the six indemnifithe insurer in a legal claim arising cation elements in the Allstate DRP from repairs made under the agree- agreement have nothing to do with rement. pair issues. They prohibit such things “I think for repairers it ultimately as a shop making a claim against the comes down to this: If the contract is insurer if a shop employee makes a going to hold me to indemnify the in- workers’ compensation claim, or surer against anything caused by the someone having repaired vehicles repair, then insurers should ultimately under the agreement seeking Allstate say, ‘You’re responsible for indemni- employee benefits. fying us, so you make all the (repair) But Hanson said Allstate needs decisions and we’ll pay you for what repairers to fix cars for its policyholdthe repair is,’ ” panelist Aaron Schu- ers, so if concerns about indemnificalenburg, executive director of the So- tion prevented enough shops from ciety of Collision Repair Specialists signing the agreement, his company (SCRS), said. “I think most repairer would have to find ways to address would be fine with that. I think where that. the issue comes is when insurers start “I don’t want to be so crass as to to be involved in the process by spec- say take it or leave it, but they’re not ifying part types or repair proce- going away.” Hanson said of the indures—to identity how the repair shop demnification clauses. “Everybody is does their job – protecting themselves to a certain exwhile also asking tent. To an extent that we can’t do to be indemnified business together? Let’s have a conagainst anything versation. I’m open for that. I think that results from we’ll listen. And I think we’ll make that. If there’s in- changes where it’s appropriate.” volvement in the Panelist George Avery, a claims decision-making consultant with State Farm, said at Gary Wano process, I think the first that like Hanson, he hasn’t seen repairer believes there should also be the indemnification clause being involvement in the liability.” much of an issue for shops on his Oklahoma shop owner Gary company’s direct repair program. But Wano agreed. He said he thinks that, he also said State Farm did make a indemnification or not, if a problem significant change to its indemnificaoccurs based on a repair, the shop and tion clause. insurer will both find themselves in “Our initial Select Service agreecourt. ment did have a 1-way hold-harmless
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against us,” Avery said. “It was in our benefit. As a result of input from our (repairer) advisory council, we changed that and now it’s both ways. We added a two-way hold-harmless for both the repairer and for us.” But he also pointed out that some of what shops consider insurer involvement in the repair process is driven by the insurer’s policy contract with its customers. He said State Farm’s insurance policy, for example, says it can designate the type of replacement parts for which it owes. “George has a good point: The policy is the policy,” Schulenburg conceded. “You’ve set an expectation with your policyholder on what you owe for. I don’t think there’s an issue there at all. You owe for what you contracted for. However, there are third-party claimants, and they don’t have a policy with you.” Schulenburg also pointed out that
insurers attempt to involve themselves in repair decisions beyond just parts. The policy doesn’t inform the consumer that the insurer may say, “We’re going to section this rail here versus putting it in at a factory seam,” Schulenburg said. He said that intrusion by insurers into the repair process, pressing shops to do something that deviates from OEM recommendations or their own repairers expertise, is why shops are concerned about the indemnification clause. Speaking from the floor of CIC, California shop owner Randy Stabler raised several other concerns he has related to indemnification. He said the fact that Avery and Hanson haven’t seen indemnification result in an issue doesn’t mean it couldn’t. “I’ve never had a fire in my shop, but I have fire insurance,” Stabler cited as an analogy.
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He also said it would seem fair that insurers cross-indemnify shops, in case an adjustor, for example, slips and falls while at the shop, or makes inappropriate comments to a shop employee that results in a claim against the shop. He also pointed out that shops have business insurance to protect themselves in the case of an error or omission, but that insurer offering that coverage is basing that policy on protecting the shop, not the insurer with which the shop has a contract. “When you actually go to your (business) insurance company and say here’s my DRP agreement and they actually look at that, they go, ‘Ooooh. Ooooh. We don’t like that Randy Stabler so much.’ So that’s another practical issue we have to be aware of.” Schulenburg pointed out that the indemnification discussion came about as part of the committee’s effort to craft a set of guidelines for the “most beneficial and productive repairer-insurer relationships.”
“So insurers could say, ‘Look, it’s in there; you should read your documents and if you don’t like it, don’t sign it,’ and repairers could say, ‘Let me fix the car and get out of my business.’ But neither of those things really get us to the goal of this committee, which is to build better relationships between the two parties.” To that end, committee chairman Tuuri said he drafted a position statement on the topic that reads in part, “Indemnification clauses in DRP agreements…should be fair to both insurer and repairers.” Wano, Avery and Schulenburg said that initially that seemed like a good addition to the committee’s guidelines for mutually-beneficial insurer-shop relationships. “We’re not solving the world’s problems here,” Wano conceded. “But as long as the carriers and repairers are willing to sit down and take a look at these things…”
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Shop Owner Arrested in ‘False Auto Theft’ Allegation
Massachusetts police arrested a man turn the Acura when he got his on charges of stealing a car from a money back for the Honda. body shop, then arrested the owner of Munoz told police he agreed to the body shop on charges of filing a pay Gonzalez back in return for the false stolen vehicle report and mis- car, but then decided to go to the poleading or lying to police during the lice to report the car stolen. Munoz investigation. admitted he knew who had taken the The 2007 Acura TL sedan was Acura but didn’t provide that inforreported stolen by Jose Munoz, 41, mation to the officer who took the reowner of Munoz Auto Body, 11 Alden port. He told police Gonzalez had Court, in Lawrence, MA, on April threatened to kill him if he went to 26. Police said Munoz knew who had the police. stolen the car and agreed to come to During the interview at the pothe station to speak to police. Munoz lice station, Munoz received several said he had sold a Honda Accord to calls from Gonzalez threatening Gorki Rafael “Bebo” Gonzalez, 26, Munoz and his family because he of 25 Hale St. Gonzalez came back knew Munoz was at the station. to the shop April 25 saying he didn’t Munoz was still at the police station like the color of the Honda and when he received a call from his wanted his money back, which brother that Gonzalez was at the Munoz said he wouldn’t do. body shop with his friends, causing a Munoz told police he went to scene. Police went to the body shop the paint room to paint another car, and arrested Gonzalez, charging him and when he returned to the office, with larceny of a motor vehicle, exnoticed the Acura that had been tortion by threat of injury and threatparked in front of the business was ening to commit a crime. missing. A security video showed Capt. Michael Driscoll said the Gonzalez entering the office, taking investigation continued and Munoz theGive keys to Acura, then driving was arrested and charged with filing usthe your opinion on matters affecting the industry. off in it. a false report of a motor vehicle theft, Munoz told police he called and misleading or lying to police Gonzalez, who told him he would re- during an investigation.
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Continued from Page 4
Larry Montanez
fort should be utilized. When OEM procedures are not available, a panel needs to collaborate to create repair standards to form a consensus that enhances the safety of collision repairs for all drivers and protects collision repair facilities from issues of liability. Montanez reminds repairers that it generally takes three to four years to develop a vehicle, and manufacturers have spent many millions of dollars on designing and testing, using crash tests, CAAD drawings, algorithms and so forth, and their instructions need to be taken seriously. Though some aftermarket parts are not very different from OEM parts, a problem arises if the OEM changes the substrate of their material which can change corrosion rates and multiple other variables. For example, using an aftermarket radiator that does not meet OEM standards can cause overheating which will not be covered under the OEM’s warranty.
These standards can be referenced at i-car.com or nastf.org which both provide links to OEM websites. Alldata.com and autoepi.org also offer information on some OEM procedures. Some OEM guidelines follow to give you a minimal reminder on specific OEM cautions, processes and procedures.
ACURA/HONDA Aftermarket/Alternative Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle. Replacement of Structural Components: recommends OEM parts to restore vehicle to pre-crash condition. Salvaged/Used Airbags: not recommended, recommends use of new OEM airbags. Salvaged/Recycled Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle Steel & Aluminum Wheels Repair: major repairs not recommended/no metal work, repairs should be limited to minor cosmetic sanding/polishing that removes only the finish. Sectioning Frame Components: not recommended, collision specialists should follow repair manuals for sec-
tioning frame components.
AUDI Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for ASF: specifies training to repair ASF. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Definition of Structural Repair: specifically defines structural repair.
BMW Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Repair Equipment: recom-
mends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Graf/Combo: specifies training to repair Graf/Combo. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Rivet-Bonding: recommends use of specific rivet-bonding. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Body Filler Thickness: specifies thickness of body filler recommended/required. Specific Steering Gear Damage: specifies how to repair steering gear damage. Specific PDR: recommends specific PDR procedures.
CHRYSLER/JEEP Weld Bonding Procedures: recommends specific weld bonding procedures to be used in repairs. Reconditioned Wheels: major repairs not recommended/no metal work, reSee Larry Montanez, Page 56
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 39
Why Your Body Shop Can’t Ignore Social or Digital Media “Social Media is Word of Mouth on Steroids” —Frank Terlep by Melanie Anderson
There’s no escape. Nearly everyone and their grandmother is using social or digital media. Is your shop up to speed with the age we live in? According to Frank Terlep, CEO of Summit Software and Marketing Solutions, more than 112 million generation X and Y consumers, 60 million baby boomers and 20 million seniors are on the Internet, emailing, texting or using social media. And these numbers don’t even reflect the younger generation, those between 18–34 who comprise an outsized proportion of consumers who watch online videos, visit social networking sites and blogs, own a tablet and use a smart phone. “In today’s world, every shop needs a website and social media presence to attract consumers to their brand and business,” said Terlep. “Getting involved with digital and social media is not a matter of ‘if’ - it’s a matter of ‘when’ - because shops will end up doing it anyway and they may as well do it now and be a winner instead of a loser. Waiting to join the social media world is losing an opportunity to increase your business.” To connect with, market to, service or retain today’s ‘digital consumer,’ a shop must consider several digital marketing tools, techniques and strategies, such as digital databases, email, text messaging, social media, mobile and location-based marketing, smart phones, phone apps, micro sites, search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, digital ads, promotions, e-coupons, videos and more, said Terlep. A digital consumer is an individual who uses smart phones, text messaging, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, YouTube and other digital or social media technologies to perform their jobs, communicate with business associates, friends and family or to educate and entertain themselves. According to Terlep, the three most critical steps repair and collision shops should take regarding social or digital media are: #1. Know how their website is performing #2. Continue communication with existing or previous customers #3. Participate in social media
Your Website “The shop’s website is the hub of the shop’s whole digital marketing strategy,” Terlep said. “A shop’s website is their online lobby.” Knowing how well their website is performing should be a priority for every shop. “Shops need to make sure their consumers can find their website from
this,” Terlep said. Social and digital media are successful ways to stay in touch with your customers to get them back in the door for other services.
Your ‘Friends’ One of the biggest reasons why a body shop should be on social media is because their customers are already there.
Frank Terlep uses ‘personal media’ to engage a group of shop owners invited by Sherwin-Williams to San Diego’s Petco Park for a talk and a baseball game on April 26
anywhere, whether it is a local search or from a variety of search engines,” Terlep said. “A website is performing well if your shop ends up on the first page of engine search. Less than two percent of customers will go to the second page of a search.”
Your Customers Staying in touch with previous or existing customers is an important marketing strategy that many shops overlook. Terlep believes that most shops don’t market to previous or existing customers. “It’s easier to get business from old customers than it is to find new customers,” Terlep said. “Shops think, ‘Why should we keep in touch with previous customers if, on average, consumers only use a body repair shop only seven to 10 years?’ Car accidents are a bad experience and most customers want to forget about it as soon as possible, and that means they forget about the shop too. After a couple years, people tend to forget where they even had their car repaired.” Getting customers back in the door is important to the success of a body shop, and the way to do that is to offer additional appearance-related services, such as detailing, glass repair, headlight restoration, mechanical repair services, or any other type of non-collision repairs. “There is a huge opportunity to market to existing or previous customers and many shops aren’t doing
40 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Terlep suggests a shop focus on one of the ‘Big 5’ —Facebook YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google Plus. Posting items that are educational and entertaining and offering exclusive deals will get more attention than random facts.
Shops should participate in social media for two important reasons: it helps shops stay in touch with their customers, and it gives them the ability to position themselves to be online experts in their field with an online audience within their community. “A shop should want their customers to know them as an expert so their customers can tell their friends, and being on social media is the best way to do that. Social media is word of mouth on steroids,” Terlep said. Email Marketing With all that said and despite the frenzy over social media, Terlep said the best digital marketing is still email because “80% of consumers still prefer email over Facebook or Twitter to get their information.” Customers are comfortable getting surveys, e-newsletters, ecoupons and other promotions by email. Terlep said shops are moving away from phone-based customer surveys because electronic surveys garner better and more honest feedback, as well as improved tracking. Another good reason to switch over to digital marketing is it is much less expensive than traditional marketSee Frank Terlep, Page 61
Sherwin-Williams’ Digital Marketing Seminar
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes A-Plus University (a value-added program
for Sherwin-Williams body shop customers) is partnering with Summit Software
and Marketing Solutions to offer a digital marketing advanced business class
specifically for collision repair facilities. The program is launching in multiple lo-
cations this year throughout the country.
A recent workshop was held April 26 in a skybox media suite at Petco Park,
the home of the San Diego Padres, and concluded with a catered dinner and pre-
mium seat viewing of the night's game.
The four-hour workshop was designed for shop owners and managers to
help them meet the challenges body shops face in today’s rapidly changing digital
and information age.
Troy Neuerburg, Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes' Marketing Manager,
Business Services, led the meeting, with input from Chris Lynch, Falls Communi-
cations. Frank Terlep, CEO of Summit Software and Marketing Solutions, presented the program. Terlep's rapid-fire style covered a huge menu of topics
touching on shop-consumer communications via social media, smartphone
apps, and digital marketing for the busy shop. The digital and social media strate-
gies covered included: What digital marketing means; Why digital marketing is re-
quired for success in today’s world; What a shop’s potential digital marketing
audience is; The benefits shops can expect to receive from digital marketing; The
importance of a digital marketing database; and Digital marketing tools that are
available. For more information, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 41
Auto Painting USA Collision Specializes in Cosmetic Repair
Auto Painting USA Collision (APUSA) is a production auto painting and collision shop specializing in cosmetic body repair and auto repainting. APUSA offers four varieties of paint finishes starting with The American, which is a low-cost synthetic enamel factory basecoat/clearcoat paint job. The American paint service is guaranteed for two years against cracking, peeling and flaking. The most popular paint job is The Floridian, which is a DuPont Nason 2K Polyurethane paint job. The Floridian is guaranteed for three years against cracking, peeling, flaking, and fading. The Simulator includes a simulated basecoat/clearcoat, three full coats of integrated clear, free pinstripes, and a five-year guarantee against fading. The Ultimate includes a factory-like basecoat/clearcoat, ultra wet look, free pinstripes, and a lifetime guarantee against fading or paint failure. Along with full paint jobs, APUSA also performs spot work for those cars that only need small areas repaired and some minor body work, up to $5,000-$6,000 per job. The ticket
average is approximately $650- $700 per car, with an average of seven to 10 cars per day, 25 to 40 cars per week. The cost to paint a car is $55 to $75 for paint and materials, with a profit margin between 20% to 30% after all ex-
Tom Kobus, President and Daughter Heather
penses. Sales are approximately $750,000 per shop per year. APUSA is committed to customer satisfaction and is proud to say there are zero complaints with the Consumer Affairs Dept. of Florida. It is their policy to bend over backwards for customers. As a car enters the production line, it first goes to the body person for
any repair work that is necessary. Typically, that includes rust damage and minor dents or body work. Next, the car moves into the area where it is sanded and prepped for painting. From the prep area, it proceeds to the masker for taping and then into the paint booth where a gallon of paint, or the equivalent of three coats, is sprayed on the car. Before the car is finally ready for delivery, a detailer cleans all paint overspray from the windows, tires, and bumpers, then cleans all the windows, Armor-alls the tires and dashboards, and blows all the dust and dirt out of the interior. Presently the company has three locations between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. These locations are supervised by Vice President, Claudio Casasnovas. Claudio has been a valued employee with APUSA for over 20 years. A new location opening in Phoenix, AZ, with two or three more locations in the works. These new locations are part of a Licensing Agree-
ment Program, which allows new or already established auto paint and body shops to license the name and purchase materials at a huge discount. By becoming a licensed owner of an APUSA shop, shops benefit from a name that is recognized and associated with quality and value. They also become part of a team that is well known and respected in South Florida for over 35 years. Training is offered to all licensees to run a smooth and profitable business. In addition, advertising through direct mail, TV, radio and Internet is provided. For more information on joining the team and Licensing Agreement Program, go to www.autopaintingusa.com and click on business opportunities. Auto Painting USA Collision (APUSA) originally started in Delray Beach, FL and has its roots in a company called Electro Bake Auto Painting. Tom Kobus, the owner and President of APUSA, began working for Electro Bake Auto Painting in 1975. Tom started as a manager, then was a supervisor and became ExecuSee Auto Painting USA, Page 46
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42 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Audi Turnersville 3400 Route 42, Turnersville, NJ, 08012 Parts Direct: (877) 826-2558 Fax: (856) 649-7185 Fax www.auditurnersville.com Email: mgoldstein2@penskeautomotive.com Parts Manager: Matt Goldstein Hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Newest Body Shop Boy Matt Ng Shines in Rumble For some time now, Edwards Paint and Body, in St. Augustine, FL, has been making shop space available a to about 20 young martial artists who call themselves the Body Shop Boys. The group’s benefactor is co-owner Jimmy Edwards, who with his son-in-law, Todd Raven, felt the boys needed a place to compete other than the streets, said shop co-owner Chris Cheshire. The Body Shop Boys’ newest member already has something to brag about around the garage. Former Menendez athlete Matt Ng won his first local match at Rumble in the Ancient City mixed martial arts event at Ketterlinus Gym. Ng recently moved back to St. Augustine. It wasn’t long before Ng became one of the Body Shop Boys, training for fighting events weeknights at Edwards Paint and Body. “Everybody has something to teach,” Ng said. Fighting at 158 pounds, Ng said he’s trained all over and most recently fought in Georgia. He said the St. Augustine event was a great thing to get people interested in the sport. “It’s a good-sized event,” he said. “I do it because I love it. I’d really like to do more. Ng wasn’t the only member of the Body Shop Boys to compete in the early matches. Joseph Green, who was not on the original schedule,
picked up a victory over Michael Dukes in a submission grapple match. With Russell unable to fight Saturday, the main event was probably the 155-pound title bout.
Matt Ng throws a kick in his bout with Bert Smallwood during Saturday’s Rumble in the Ancient City mixed martial arts event at Ketterlinus Gym. Photo by Gary McCullough
St. Augustine fighter Teddy Hudson came in with a 5-0 record and was the two-time defending Ancient City champion. Yet he was stopped by challenger Richard Evers. “It was awesome,” Evers said. “I love to fight like that. I was nervous and excited,” he said. Evers came out aggressively and put Hudson into the ropes multiple times. However, Hudson never really panicked and kept himself in the fight.
Continued from Page 35
Apples to Apples
retaining spring. This spring is what keeps the rubber seal up against the crankshaft to prevent any leaks. Look at the one I just purchased, and you’ll see it has twice as many coils on the spring,” I calmly explained to him. (OK, I “tried” to say it calmly). After a bit of scrutiny on his part, he did see the difference between the two so-called “exact” parts. He apologized for his belligerent ranting and said he would make good on his promise not to buy any more parts based on the dollar amount. I hope so — that sure would make my day go a lot smoother. These days, with even more parts coming in from different countries, and at different quality levels, the tech has to be on his toes to make sure what they are installing on a customer’s car is actually a decent component. Even today, I’ll do my best to sway the customer into buying quality parts rather than going the cheap route. If they insist on using a cheaper part, I’ll be the first to tell them what the results will be.
A Smart Solution
Comparing apples to apples is still a good method of explaining things to someone who might have a difference of opinion. One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch; even good parts fail sometimes. But I’d put my money on a quality part any day. Service is the name of the game in the automotive repair business — knowing which “apple” is the right one for a customer’s car is just another part of the service good shops provide. There are plenty of apples out there in the orchard, and sorting out the bad ones aren’t about who has the best TV commercial or newspaper ad. Ask a mechanic, he’ll www.autobodynews.com know the difference between good parts and CHECK bad ones.IT AsOUT! the old saying goes; “Ya get what ya paid for.”
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On Creative Marketing Positioning Your Shop with Thomas Franklin
can stay first in people’s minds beIn the world of big corporation marketing, how a company or product is cause they drink beverages every day, “positioned” is a big deal. For exam- but few people need collision repair ple, a shop that is known to be the more often than once every three biggest, or the fastest, or (not likely years. Nevertheless, now and then a but possibly) the cheapest, or (as shop succeeds in capturing mass pubmany would like to claim), the highest lic attention. 3-C Collision Center in quality, would be likely to hold that Ohio captured a lot of publicity by atposition in people’s minds indefi- tacking shops that catered to insurance with Dick Strom nitely, unless something radically companies. He also created a new catchanged their mind. In copiers, Xerox egory in which he could be first—a is still thought of as the standard, in “no-insurance-connection-shop.” This is one way a shop can becomputers IBM is still first in most people’s minds, and Hertz is still the come first: Create a new category to top rental car name people think of. be first in. Sometimes new technology In marketing, it’s well established creates that opportunity for you. In that it’s always better to be first than to most areas, one shop became the first be better. Charles Lindbergh flew the to use waterborne paint. As high-end Atlantic solo first, but Bert Hinkler car manufacturers began the switch to did it faster, consuming less fuel. He aluminum structures, one shop had the was second and never heard of again. opportunity to be first with the costly with Amaradio Jr. machine needed to work on aluGeorge Washington wasLee the first pres- frame ident. Who was second? Neil Arm- minum structures. Of course these opstrong was first to walk on the moon. portunities were short lived as other Who was second? Second place is shops made the same move to the new generally no place. So, is it too late to technology, but if the first shop capibe first in your area? It all depends on talized on being first and promoted first… at what? And are there other al- that fact effectively, that position of “first” could remain in the minds of ternatives? One problem with being recog- key referral source coordinators. The question now is, what new nized in the collision repair industry is the infrequency that people even think category might a shop use to vault about or look for a shop. Coca-Cola into a number one position, and if so with Sheila Loftuswhat could be done to make that fact broadly known? I recently wrote about a shop that closed off its drivethrough area and made it available for a meeting of 40 professional women belonging to a networking group called “Power Babes.” Another shop sponsored an even larger group called “The Women’s Resource Network.” These shops successfully positioned themselves as “firsts” to recogPlace an ad in our nize the repair purchasing power in AUTOBODY professional women’s groups in their with Janet Chaney area. Although these were not moves MARKETPLACE to grab a large mass audience, they section of were sufficient to capture an emerging, significant market. Autobody News. This may be the most effective way a collision repair shop that’s not part of a large chain or franchise can create a marketing category. As baby kmangum@autobodynews.com boomers get older, another category that might work well is reaching out to AARP members or even handi-
Opinions Count
Action Counts
Tom Franklin has been a shop sales and marketing consultant for fifty years. He has written numerous books and provides marketing solutions and services for many businesses. He can be reached at (323) 871-6862 or at tbfranklin@aol.com. See Tom’s columns at www.autobodynews.com under Columnists > Franklin
capped people. On the other end of age-related categories, becoming a specialty shop for driving schools and new drivers could reach significant numbers of people. Another approach is becoming known for championing a highly respected charity. Some possibilities might be transportation for the blind or special events for autistic or handicapped children. It’s well known that children and pets capture people’s attention in ads and media. Helping almost any charity that focuses on these will draw attention to your shop and enable you to get free publicity. One other marketing strategy that has worked well in getting a business positioned profitably is seeking the number two position with contrast. Perhaps best known is the slogan used by Avis in competing with Hertz Car Rental: “We try harder.” Another was the success of Pepsi-
Cola competing with Coca-Cola’s number one position by creating “The Pepsi Generation.” If a competing shop in your community has somehow captured the number one position in people’s minds, you may be able to capture part of that glory with a clever contrasting campaign. “We produce top quality faster.” “No one produces a safer repaired vehicle than our shop.” “Top quality doesn’t have to go for top dollar.” The trick is to identify what you do that can be better than what is perceived as “the best.” And then find a way to communicate to the right public to receive that message. You have the power to create a profitable position in your market. You just have to recognize it and work at it.
Your Turn
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Industry Overview with Janet Chaney
44 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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AkzoNobel Announces 2012’s Most Influential Women AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas (A&AC) announced the three recipients of its 2012 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry (MIW) Award. AkzoNobel’s annual MIW award program, which launched in 1998, recognizes and promotes the contributions of key leaders within the collision repair industry. The company said 69 women have received the award over the program’s 14-year history. The 2012 MIW awards will honor three women who hold leadership positions within the U.S. and Canadian collision repair industry. AkzoNobel said the recipients were selected for their contributions to the organizations they represent, the collision industry at large and their respective communities. This year’s three recipients are: Kim Parsons, president of Automotive Collision Technologies Inc. in Randallstown, MD. Catherine Mills, executive director of the Florida Autobody Collision Alliance in Orange Park, Fla. Kim Roberts, manager of Fix Auto in Barrie, Ontario, Canada. “The collision repair industry’s collective strength, image and longterm sustainability is dependent on in-
dividuals who have a passion, a vision and a vested interest in its future,” said Margret Kleinsman, general manager for AkzoNobel A&AC Americas. “The leaders we are honoring with this prestigious award all share these qualities and are among the top tier of those who continue to make this a vital industry.” AkzoNobel said it will present the 2012 MIW awards during a ceremony July 19 at the San Antonio Convention Center in San Antonio, in conjunction with the 2012 I-CAR Industry Event and Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting.
Web-Est Adds No-Cost Paint Codes to Estimating Platform
Web-Est announced the addition of paint codes to their collision estimating application. “We’re excited to launch this new feature in our program,” said CEO Eric Seidel. “This feature will provide the paint code of the vehicle to the estimator using the vin decoder. This will make it easier to match the paint color of the vehicle that the shop is working on.” Mr. Seidel also says that this new feature will come at no extra for the user. Web-Est can be had for $99 per month.
AkzoNobel Announces 2012 FIT Sustainability Awards
AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas (A&AC) announced that three US companies have been selected as winners of the third annual FIT Sustainability Award, an industry recognition program devoted to honoring businesses and organizations actively engaged in practices that advance the concepts of sustainability through Focus, Innovation and Talent, the three key principles of FIT. The 2012 FIT Sustainability Award winners will be recognized at a special industry recognition program hosted by AkzoNobel on July 19, 2012 in San Antonio, TX. The winners include:
• Oka’s Auto Body, Waipahu, HI • Keenan Auto Body, Clifton Heights, PA • Enterprise-Rent-A-Car, St. Louis, MO “Corporate sustainability is at its core, a long-term commitment to implementing business practices that meet today’s needs for profitability, personnel development and environmental stewardship; yet at the same time keeps a focused eye on the impact these decisions will have on the future,”
said Mike Shesterkin, Director of Sustainability and New Business Innovations for A&AC Americas. “The 2012 winners of the FIT Sustainability Award have all taken different approaches to achieving this goal, but collectively share in the passion and pursuit of global sustainability, with leadership that has paved the way for others to follow.” The FIT Sustainability Award program was created in 2009 and serves as the umbrella under which the Most Influential Women (MIW) program operates. MIW was established in 1998 to recognize and advance the contributions of women in the collision repair industry. The remarkable industry popularity of MIW, which recognizes individuals, helped serve as a catalyst for the development of the FIT Sustainability Award and its focus on the contributions of key corporate leaders within the collision repair industry. The by-invitation-only program will be held at the San Antonio Convention Center. It coincides with the I-CAR Inter-Industry Conference and Collision Industry Conference (CIC) events.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 45
Leading Edge Receives BASF Automotive Refinish Distributor of the Year Award
BASF Automotive Refinish presented its Distributor of the Year Award to Leading Edge Auto Refinishers, Inc.,
thinking and ability to differentiate itself in Arizona. With a strong record of continued growth and outstanding cus-
Chuck Soeder, far left, Vice President, Automotive Refinish and Industrial Coatings Solutions for BASF; and Denise Kingstrom, far right, Strategic Accounts Manager, Automotive Refinish for BASF present the business’s Distributor of the Year Award to the Leading Edge team. From left are: Soeder; Travis Leybeck, Paul Derdich, Mike Priest, John Rang, Matt Johnson, David Brannon, Troy Schooley, Steve Balsley, and Vaughn Lindberg of Leading Edge; and Kingstrom
Phoenix, Arizona, at its annual ColorSource™ Conference on April 19 in La Jolla, California. “Leading Edge received the award because of its innovation, forward
tomer service and support, as well as commitment to waterborne conversions, Leading Edge is a true partner with BASF,” said Denise Kingstrom, BASF’s Strategic Accounts Manager.
Leading Edge has been family owned and operated since 1993. “We are very proud to receive this award on behalf of the entire team at Leading Edge. It would be hard to imagine operating Leading Edge without all the talented people in the organization,” said Matt Johnson, co-owner of Leading Edge. “We would also like to thank BASF for supporting our business initiatives. Without BASF’s singleline ColorSource PREMIER program, much of what we have accomplished in Arizona would have not been possible. BASF is vital to our success. It’s a unique partnership because we all succeed together.” ColorSource PREMIER is a program designed by BASF exclusively for single line distributors of BASF refinish paints and coatings. ColorSource PREMIER distributors are key strategic partners with BASF. To learn more about becoming a ColorSource PREMIER distributor, please contact Denise Kingstrom at denise.kingstrom@basf.com, or 248632-2420, or visit www.basfrefinish.com.
Continued from Page 42
Auto Painting USA
tive Vice President before buying two shops in 1982 in Delray and Lake Worth. In 1984, Tom bought Congress Auto Paint and Supply Inc. (the holding company) and the remaining two shops, Pompano and Stuart. Over the next four years, Tom opened the remaining five shops: Davie, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale. In 1987, Tom changed the name of the company to Auto Painting USA and in www.autobodynews.com 1988 the holding company was IT OUT! changed CHECK to Auto Painting USA Enterprises Inc.
To advertise call Advertising Sales at:
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advertising@autobodynews.com
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See these Hyundai dealers below for all your collision parts needs! See the N
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46 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Women’s Industry Network 6th Annual May Conference Hosts 200 Women
The sixth annual Women’s Industry Network Conference kicked off in Atlanta with over 200 women from all segments of the collision repair industry. The first day included a keynote address on “Extreme Change: Adapt, Overcome & WIN as One” by Robyn Benincasa, World Champion Adventure Racer, San Diego City Firefighter and Founder of World Class Teams and Project Athena Foundation. Dr. Linda Gravett of Gravett and Associates inspired conference attendees with her strategies for managing stress and maintaining inner peace utilizing exercises borrowed from Tai Chi, Yoga and Tae Kwon Do. The afternoon session included an update on vehicle design and collision avoidance technology and its impact on the industry presented by Kim Hazelbaker, Senior Vice President, Highway Loss Data Institute. Included in the day was recognition of the nine conference scholarship winners including six students: Nicolette Cole, Le’Trina Ervin, Tiffany Owen, Leslie Mendoza, Jennifer Watkins, Kinsey Simmons; one instructor, Greg Brink; and two
collision repair facility employees: Deborah O’Kean and Jessica Gauthier. Margaret Knell was awarded this year’s Cornerstone Award, given each year to a board member that exemplifies the values and ideals of WIN. Also recognized were WIN’s 2012 Corporate Sponsors: AkzoNobel; DuPont; Allstate; ASE; BASF; Enterprise Rent-a-Car; State Farm Insurance; Hertz; 3M; LKQ; Sterling Autobody Centers; Geico; Fix Auto; Carstar; PPG; ABRA Auto Body & Glass; CAPA; Finishmaster; Symphony Advisors; Sherwin Williams; Mitchell; CCC Information Services; Insurance Auto Auctions; Audatex and Car-Part.com. “We want to thank every one of our sponsors for their support of WIN. Their commitments are essential to achieving our mission of engaging women in the collision repair industry,” said Victoria Jankowski, WIN’s chair. Day two at the WIN conference started off with the Annual Scholarship Walk Presented by Fix Auto where more than 100 women laced up their
sneakers and trekked through Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Over $1700 was raised through individual donations. The funds will be directed toward WIN’s various scholarship programs. Following the walk, WIN’s second keynote speaker, Cathy Bonner, CEO, Service King Collision Repair Centers, shared the top performing skills that she has learned through forty years of professional and personal success. Cathy had a unique message that has been built on years of teaching leadership through the programs she developed called Leadership America and Power Pipeline and her own management experiences in both the public and the private sectors of America. Susanna Gotsch, Director Industry Analyst, CCC Information Services, gave an industry update titled “The Latest Trends, Market Dynamics & Business Drivers Impacting Our Industry.” Ms. Gotsch explored the ways economic and demographic changes have impacted the automotive claims and repair industries. The afternoon continued with
three breakout sessions: “Why Women Should Do Business with You” presented by Lori Johnson, Owner of Ladies, Start Your Engines!®; “Quality Control: Are you Looking Closely Enough and at the Right Time?” presented by Shawn Collins, a Senior Technical Service Engineer at 3M; and “Customer Service…Back to Basics” presented by Dianne Young, Founder and Master Instructor for Propel Training and Development. After two exciting, fast-paced days spent networking and learning from dynamic speakers, the conference wrapped up with the closing session “Take Control…Be the Change.” Michelle DeMaris, WIN member and conference attendee, said, “I’ve learned we have to take charge of changing the perception of females in the industry and own that concept.” Linda Sommerhauser, a long time WIN member, added her thoughts, “I feel energized and invigorated to go back and work more with our schools and advisory boards and to advocate for shops to sponsor internships within their facilities.”
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 47
DuPont™ Cromax® Pro is the Ultimate Upgrade for Your Refinish Painting Process
The transition to waterborne paint is well underway countrywide. Today, volatile organic compounds (VOC) in paints are seen as harmful to the environment and because of that many states in the U.S. have enacted regulations that are making auto body shops switch to waterborne basecoat to reduce VOC emissions while ensuring they meet all standards. Europe and Canada already use waterborne and many OEM’s have also converted to using water-based paints. Most paint companies are developing new low-VOC primers and clearcoats along with color coats to meet the expected regulations that the entire country will need to comply with in the coming years. Auto body shop owners will tell you, the change to water is happening and the majority agree that it is not as difficult or as costly as many first suspected. The decision on choosing which waterborne paint to use can be critical to shop productivity. DuPont™ Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat is helping shops meet all of the new requirements while also meeting production goals. Cromax® Pro is formulated with 88% less solvent but 25% more pigment. The results have been astonishing. Painters are calling it the easiest waterborne to use and most productive waterborne basecoat available. Cromax® Pro also complies with the toughest emissions regulations and helps to reduce cycle times and improve shop efficiency. “DuPont did more than formulate a basecoat to help our customers meet all of the environmental regulations,” said Harry Hall, DuPont Performance Coatings North America Sales Director. “With Cromax® Pro, you can paint cars faster than ever before. And that speed of production improves your bottom line.” Cromax® Pro delivers single-visit application, 1.5 coat coverage for the majority of colors and application is easier, faster and more dependable. No flash time between coats helps to significantly reduce cycle times. Cromax® Pro’s wet-on-wet process means that basecoat can be applied non-stop until full coverage is achieved. Fewer coats reduces the opportunity for dirt and contamination and fewer bake or drying cycles reduce energy costs. You can paint more cars in less time because painters get the job done with a single trip into the booth.
“We made the switch in November 2007 and since then, Cromax® Pro is all I use,” said Rande Lance, Lead Paint Technician & Paint Shop Manager at Prestigious Auto Body & Painting, Goleta, CA. “It’s very userfriendly and holds up extremely well when you push it to the limit. Plus, it’s a great finish. It looks better than solvent, and it’s much better in regard to speed and efficiency.” Cromax® Pro also has excellent color match because DuPont has industry-leading digital color tools that work in all types of shops and provide ease-of-use and confidence as well as fan decks that are sprayed with actual Cromax® Pro colors.
Step 4: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte. Step 5: Basecoat Application – Second coat: apply one medium coat to repair area. Step 6: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte. Step 7: Effect Coat Application – Apply a final half-coat to complete hiding and to set the flake. Step 8: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte. Step 9: Final Step – Clearcoat is applied. Cromax® Pro eliminates up to four steps in the repair process so you can move more cars through your shop every day. The changeover from solvent-borne to Cromax® Pro bring shops a number of important advantages. Body shops that make a living on being able to paint fast, match colors perfectly and are economical in the process are winning with this product. A lot of collision shops have put off the transition, in part beAttendees learn the benefits of DuPont Cromax® Pro at a DuPont cause of cost concerns Refinish Systems North American Training Center with equipment and DuPont™ Cromax® Pro water training. But according to Harry Hall, borne basecoat is a 5-step process: that isn’t the case. “When switching Step 1: Surface Preparation – Repair to waterborne, you don’t need to buy area is cleaned, degreased, primed and all kinds of new equipment and new sanded to prepare for basecoat. spray booths to make the conversion,” Step 2: Blender Application – Apply said Hall. “Shops will, however, need one or two closed coats on the fadea new stainless steel spray. Because of out area. the water, you need a gun that won’t Step 3: Wet-on-Wet Basecoat Appli- rust.” cation – Spray one full coat of CroIn addition to a new paint gun, max® Pro to 75% hiding. Follow waterborne paint does have a little difimmediately with a half-coat to comferent technique. DuPont trains plete hiding and to set the flake. painters at one of their 11 DuPont ReStep 4: Flash Basecoat – Allow finish Systems North American Trainbasecoat to flash until matte. ing Centers and will also spend a Step 5: Final Step – Clearcoat is apweek at the shop once they are fully plied. setup to make sure painters are comCompare to competitors’ waterfortable. Your employees are your most borne basecoat 9-step process: Step 1: Surface Preparation – Repair valuable asset. Providing them with opportunities to increase their knowlarea is cleaned, degreased, primed and edge and improve their skills makes sanded to prepare for basecoat. good business sense. It’s a smart way Step 2: Blender Application – Apply to increase productivity, profitability one or two closed coats on the fadeand customer satisfaction. out area. DuPont offers outcome-based, Step 3: Basecoat Application – First continuing education that is designed coat: apply one medium coat to repair to enable even the most experienced area.
48 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
painters to raise the bar for quality, productivity and cost efficiency. The Refinish Systems Training Centers are located throughout the United States and Canada and educate over 4,000 collision repair technicians annually. In Canada, they are located in Pointe-Claire, QC (Montreal), Ajax, ON (Toronto) and Coquitlam, BC (Vancouver). In the United States, the Centers are located in Lionville, PA (Philadelphia), Marietta, GA (Atlanta), Jacksonville, FL (Florida State College of Jacksonville), Plymouth, MI (Detroit), Itasca, IL (Chicago), St. Louis, MO, Pomona, CA (Los Angeles) and Anaheim, CA. The centers are fully equipped and staffed by capable instructors who have a solid background in collision refinishing. “My body shop switched to DuPont Cromax® Pro and I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Rob Daku, Owner and Production Manager at Daku’s Auto Body Shop, North Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. “DuPont’s waterborne paint is easy to use, looks great when applied, and is so much faster. DuPont made sure that we were comfortable with waterborne and their training was great.” “Not all waterborne basecoats are the same. Give us the chance to show you our product and I am sure you will want to upgrade to Cromax® Pro,” continued Hall. Environmental requirements and regulations are coming, so make the decision to go with DuPont waterborne and join the thousands of body shops around the country that are upgrading to the next level of productivity. For more information about DuPont Cromax® Pro, go to upgrade2cromaxpro.dupontrefinish.com or call 1-800-GET-DUPONT. To register for a DuPont training course, call 1-800-338-7668, prompt 7, fax/email Student Enrollment Form, or login to www.pc.dupont.com, click on DuPont Refinish, click on Training then log into eCareerTrack.
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equipment and training needed to provide customers with safe, quality repairs. As is the case with all types of business—including the business of insurance—the pursuit of a return on investment (profit) is a core principle, and one that collision repairers should neither apologize for nor relinquish to the influence of other parties. “Insurers are in the business of insuring risk and then settling losses at market value when those losses occur. As the payer of claims, insurers should not be “market makers” for pricing of individual products and services that are components of final invoices. To date, insurance pressure and influence over collision repair market pricing has driven average profit margins to low single-digit figures, despite the fact that the business of collision repair has a high cost of entry and requires ongoing capital investments to keep pace with automotive technologies. “Feedback from other markets outside the U.S. familiar with insurermandated bidding platforms indicates
that the State Farm parts bidding program is a win-lose scenario, with repairers losing both profit and control of their business. Furthermore, the negative impact of this parts program has the very real potential to quickly spread beyond parts to other areas, such as paint, and beyond the boundaries of voluntary direct-repair program (DRP) agreements to the industry at large. If State Farm contends that this parts program is indeed good for the collision industry, surely the industry would embrace the program on a voluntary basis – assuming the benefits of the program did indeed extend to more participants than just the carrier. “The collision repair industry has gradually transitioned from a proud trade of hard-working owners and employees to a service provider that subcontracts to the insurance industry, working on net margins that it no longer controls and that jeopardize its ability to invest in its business and attract and train qualified employees to ensure safe and quality repairs. AASP has grave concerns for its members’ future welfare if giant insurance corporations are permitted to trample on the free market philosophies that support a
culture of small business success.” John Shoemaker, of JSE Consulting, released the following statement; “The collision industry has weathered situations like this as in the Safelite Glass Program and Greenleaf salvaged parts program. Both these insurance company directed programs whittled away the shop owner’s ability to make a business decision that benefited the shop. All shop owners develop an expectation on how their business should operate as well as establishing the profit margins necessary to ensure survivability. They have developed business partnerships with local businesses to ensure that their profit margins are maintained. In-turn the local business have relocated stores to become more convenient, stocked more parts and negotiated with shop owners to maintain an edge on their market. The State Farm Parts Program negates these partnerships forcing shop owner’s to purchase parts from an unknown outside their market. As insurance companies move farther away from insuring vehicles and go deeper into the repair process shop owners will see further erosion of their ability to run their business. First it was glass, now
it is parts, tomorrow it could be paint. “Another issue I have with the State Farm Parts Program is the distraction it has caused in the collision industry. Every blog I read, every magazine I open up and every shop owner I talk to has the State Farm Parts Program on top of their mind. Everybody is up-in-arms about it and not paying attention to the immediate tasks on hand. If you look around you will see that this program has caused distractions far beyond parts! “My last thought on this is that shops are dropping State Farm as a DRP, up to 40% in some markets and State Farm does not care. They are contacting shops that were previously dropped from the DRP program for multiple reasons and signing them back up if they agree to the parts program. Does that mean that you can be a poor performer and as long as you accept their parts program you are good again?” See additional reaction at www.autobodynews.com, including SCRS’ statement and Scott Biggs’ blog: “State Farm – Parts Trader: It’s about losing profit, control, and your very survival” which can be read at ScottBiggs.com.
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www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 49
Top Hot Rod Shines ‘Brilliant Red’ Bright with Glasurit® Paint
Greening. “We knew up front that he would be going to Detroit with the car, so we had the goal of going for the Ridler from the beginning.” The shop has been a loyal BASF customer for years, after Sales Representative Ray McCutcheon called on them and helped them solve some particularly challenging paint issues. “Ray got us started with Glasurit years ago, and we’ve been working with him and BASF ever since,” said Greening, who runs the full-service street rod shop with his father Dwayne Peace's Ridler-Award-winning '55 T-Bird gets its Jeff. first prime coat at Greening Auto Company “The ‘55 T-Bird represents ativity, engineering and workmanship our typical approach and quality finwas chosen from among 63 very ish,” observed Greening. “What made strong contenders that had been pared it different were some of the areas we down to the “Great 8” before the ultidon’t normally get into. Just look at mate winner was announced at the the underbody and engine compartDetroit Autorama® back in February. ment detail.” The ‘55 T-Bird had been in the Greening Auto Company looks to family for more than 20 years and the BASF to help them deliver show-wincustom build was a family affair, handled by Peace’s sons in an outbuilding behind his house. The uncompromising design and build of the custom hot rod brought in a number of outside shops and some of the country’s top automotive craftsmen. Greening Auto Company in Nashville, Tenn., was one of these partner shops, called upon to handle the paint Final fitment of all billet parts took place after the car work and some machining du- had been primed ties. ning results with every project, and In a meticulous process that took that sometimes involves the kind of six months, Greening machined all of problem solving that started their rethe side trim, as well as the grill, tail lationship. “One example where we lights and wheels; and painted the lean on Ray for technical help is when show-stopper with BASF’s Glasurit® we’re facing problems with a repair 90-Line™ Brilliant Red waterborne that involves blending back into an alpaint. In the process, they demonready-painted panel,” said Greening. “Fortunately, we don’t do this very often, but when we do it needs to be flawless.” Greening Auto Company’s work on the Ridler-Award-winning ‘55 TBird is a great example of how BASF’s industry-leading products and commitment to adding value after the sale gives its customers a competitive edge. “Our focus is on adding value to strated once again why the premium our products and supporting our cusGlasurit line is a favorite of top cus- tomers to help them be more efficient, tom builders. cost-effective and successful,” said “Dwayne Peace found us through Market Segment Manager Tony a customer referral,” recalled Jesse Dyach. “That translates into the top This year’s winner of hot rodding’s top prize—the Don Ridler® Memorial Award—was a 1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Dwayne Peace of Tyler, Texas. This masterpiece of cre-
50 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
quality finishes that make our customers stand out.” The commitment to customer satisfaction demonstrated by McCutcheon’s work with Greening Auto Company is an integral part of BASF’s business model and company culture. “Our work with high-end cus-
and to add value through expert, responsive service with all of our customers, including the collision repair shops that are the core of our business.” It’s no wonder that many of the country’s top custom builders choose to go with BASF. And it’s no coincidence that Glasurit paint has been on six of the last 11 Ridler Award winners. That same commitment to excellence extends to every BASF Automotive Refinish customer, and also to their demanding customers. So, it should come as no surprise that among users of Glasurit paints, more than 50 The '55 T-Bird took hot rodding's top prize at the 2012 percent of their volume is in Detroit Autorama, the latest Ridler Award winner to high-end and luxury vehicle sport premium Glasurit paint applications — twice that of tomizers, restoration specialists and the premium brand’s nearest comstreet-rod builders like Greening re- petitor. flects the ‘passion around the paint’ For more information about that makes our business fun and perBASF Automotive Refinish products sonally satisfying,” said Dyach. “In and services, contact your BASF repturn, our passion at BASF is to offer resentative by calling 800-825-3000, the world’s finest automotive coatings or visit www.basfrefinish.com.
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ASAA to ‘Educate’ Legislators on Aftermarket Parts
The Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA) recently launched a national Legislator Education and Awareness program meant to increase recognition among state policymakers about the positive economic and consumer benefits generated by the automotive aftermarket parts and service industry. The ASAAA said it is becoming critical for new and returning lawmakers to be educated about the benefits of alternative aftermarket replacement parts and services as policymakers in U.S. states are addressing aftermarket parts issues on many legislative fronts. The ASAAA said its Legislator Education and Awareness program is designed to promote the importance, quality, value and availability of aftermarket replacement parts and services. The ASAAA developed a blueprint to help state associations and industry companies send unified industry messages and implement educational processes to inform state policymakers about the significance of the aftermarket parts industry to help ensure consistency and fairness in the government affairs process, and to eliminate misconceptions
about the value that aftermarket replacement parts play in the American economy. “In state Capitols nationwide, industry advocates are faced with the challenge of educating legislative bodies about the value and importance that aftermarket replacement parts and service contribute to the nation’s economy and the motoring public,” said Barbara Crest, president of ASAAA. “However, when describing aftermarket replacement parts and service, words like ‘imitation,’ ‘inferior’ and ‘not of like kind and quality’ are used by our opposition to confuse policymakers and discredit our industry.” The ASAAA said its campaign was developed and financed by a team of industry experts, including representatives from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), AutoZone, LKQ Corp., General Parts Inc.— CARQUEST, Genuine Parts Co.— NAPA, Advance Auto Parts, Robert Bosch Corp. and Remy Power Products.
Cooks Collision Centers Acquires 6 Shops in So Cal Cooks Collision Centers, a Roseville, CA, operator of collision repair facilities in northern California, has acquired six locations previously owned by Holmes Body Shop, a multiple location collision repair operator in southern California. This transaction represents Cooks Collision’s initial platform acquisition in the southern California market. The addition of the Holmes Body Shop locations further expands Cooks’ position as the largest independently-owned and operated collision repair organization in California, with 25 locations throughout the state. The acquired collision repair centers are located in Alhambra, Canoga Park, Duarte, El Segundo, Riverside and Westlake Village. “The acquisition of the six Holmes locations is a key step in executing our strategic plan by expanding to the Los Angeles basin and serving Southern California consumers,” said Rick Wood, co-CEO of Cooks Collision Centers. “Cooks Collision is committed to providing our new southern California customers the same high quality collision repair, customer service and value that our northern California customers have come to expect for the past 33 years.” Added
Chris Rose, vice president of southern California operations, “The scale of this initial acquisition will enable Cooks Collision to serve our insurance partners and dealership clients and provide consumers with six convenient locations. We plan to add many additional locations throughout the southern California market.” “We’re very excited about Cooks Collision assuming ownership of our six locations,” said Tom Holmes, owner and CEO of Holmes Body Shop. “Since 1972, our team has focused on delivering outstanding customer service and quality collision repairs to our customers. We made our final decision to join the Cooks team based on the honesty and integrity of the entire Wood family and Cooks employees that we met and dealt with.” Holmes will continue to own and operate the Holmes Body Shop location in Pasadena.
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Legendary “Crazy” Painter Mitch Kelly Cites his Top 5 Projects by Ed Attanasio
If there’s a list somewhere containing the names of the automotive industry’s top artisans/painters, Mitch Kelly is right up there at the top. The
owner of Kelly & Son in Bellflower, California and the creator of Crazy Paint, Mitch and his father Tom are proud to say that they’re not average painters and they run a shop that is not average either. Tom Kelly’s grandfather started pinstriping vehicles back in the 1940s and Tom is well-known for working with Von Dutch as well as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and still works alongside his son on a wide range of projects.
colors, stripes everywhere, including gold leaf—-it’s just really cool stuff.” It all began 39 years ago when a teenager started to learn the family business to make some walking around money. “When I was 13, my dad told me to tape off some wheels on some vans,” Kelly explained. “He was doing lots of vans back then. In the 1960’s everybody had a van and they wanted graphics on them. He was fast. He’d lay them out, paper them and Scotch Bright them and I learned how to do it all. The first thing I did was paint wheels. They used to have those old western-style wheels with ribs on them and you’d have to paint between the ribs and color match them to the vehicle. I would do a couple sets of wheels every day and Dad would give me $10-$15 per wheel. So, as a 13year-old, I was making good money, sometimes $150 per day.”
little pinky. I realized early on that I a magazine! It was my first really sedidn’t want to do pinstripes, murals or rious graphic effort and I was so hand lettering, so I figured out that I proud.” needed to get into the painting side. I Mitch Kelly’s number two projlearned about as much as I could ect came at age 19. “After a while, I about two-color toning, fading and started getting better and better at graphics to where I could do them at a painting cars. One day, a couple high level. My father and I are still a brought in a 1969 Corvette that they team. He’s 72 now and we still work wanted candy red. I used a red and together.” gold pearl base with the red candy on ABN sat down with Mitch Kelly top. It came out with a very different recently to chronicle his top five projects over the years and the first one he cited was the very first car he painted completely from start to finish while a high school student. “My friend had a 1978 Z-28, and asked ‘would I put some stripes on his car’? I said yeah, but not for free. For $200, I put three-colored stripes around his car for a hot Kelly includes this truck he painted for Thor Wear as one of his top five projects ever rod look. That was my first success, because it made the cover of effect by just messing around with the Hot Rod magazine. I was still in high colors. school and I got my first cover! I They wanted a silhouette of thought to myself, “I must have at them together painted on the hood, least some talent to make the cover of so we ghosted it in. It looked awetC 2011
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One of Kelly’s current projects is this 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The crew at Kelly & Son is (from left) John Weening, Mitch Kelly, Brandon Hedden, Thomas Kelly (Mitch’s son) and Tom Kelly (Mitch’s father)
Mitch Kelly, 52, is at a stage in his professional career where he is ready to start giving back to the industry in which he made his name. “I have a ton of knowledge and at this point in my life, I want to share it,” says Kelly. “Back in the day, my cars were on at least three magazine covers every year, whether it was a truck, motorcycle or hot rod magazine. More recently, a motorcycle that I painted will be appearing on the cover of Ground Pounder magazine. It’s a cinnamon-colored Harley painted with PPG paint and I really like working on bikes lately. We did one Harley that has more than $13,000 worth of paint, with multiple
Tom Kelly didn’t want his son’s future in the paint business. “At one point, my father told me, ‘This is fine and all, but I want you to get a regular job.’ I worked six hours a day in a cabinet shop, but I also stayed on at my dad’s shop. Between the cabinet shop, my dad’s shop, and school, I was putting in 13-hour days. Eventually I went to work with my father full-time in 1978. “My father is probably the best pinstriper in the world, in my opinion, and many will agree. His talent and his ability to stripe stuff is phenomenal,” Mitch says with evident pride. “He’s a super artist and he’s very creative. He’s got all my ability in his
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some and the customers loved it. They gave me a $300 tip, which was unheard of way back then! That rocked my world and I realized how important good customer service can be. Meeting deadlines and giving them exactly what they want is crucial, and I learned a lot about it with that Corvette.” Number three on the Mitch Kelly countdown happened roughly 20 years ago, he said. “One day in 1992, I got a phone call from the people at the Association of Volleyball
their sponsor. They asked me, can you airbrush a mural of a 30-40 foot volleyball player diving for volleyball on the side of a semi-truck? And I told them, yes—we can do that. After I hung up the phone, I turned to my dad and said, ‘Uh, we can do this, right?’ and he said we’ll give it our best shot! We got the job and did an image of Sinjin Smith, who was one of the world’s top volleyball players at that time and they were really happy with it.” That semi led to a lot of new business on a corporate level, Mitch explained. “After that initial meeting with the people from Miller Lite, things really started happening. It’s totally different from working with customers off the street. For one, my business clients never even come to look at Mitch Kelly is well-known for painting semis, including the trucks after they’re finthis beauty he designed and painted for one of his ished. They just send the sponsors, PPG check after seeing it on TV Professionals (AVP). At that time, or in publications. We started doing a they had a countrywide tour featurlot of these semi trailers for the AVP ing some of the country’s best vol- and they let us do the things we do leyball players and Miller Lite was best—our graphics, fading and
blending. We worked closely with their designers to make them pop and it’s been a great relationship.” The fourth notable accomplishment for Kelly is another truck proj-
to do more of those!’ I’ve done at least 15 trucks for them over the years and at least a total of 50 jobs overall, so it has turned out to be an excellent account.” This now takes us to the fifth fabulous project performed by Mitch and his crew—another semi for a major brand name. “Fifteen years ago, we got a call from the people from Mazda’s racing team and did a semi for them featuring a Mazda race car on the side and with the logos. Mitch Kelly is well-known for his amazing work on When the people from motorcycles. This green beauty is his own personal Mazda saw it, they were ride and proud of it thrilled. The next call was ect that came from some of his another car and trailer. They needed motorcycle work, he said. “I’ve alit in just three weeks time and it had ways loved motorcycles of all kinds to be in Texas for a TV commercial. and I was racing for a while. So, we They said we don’t care about the were painting a bike one day for a price. It was the biggest project money-wise that I had ever done. We company called Thor Wear and they asked us to bid on a truck job for got it done three days early and it led them. We got the bid and then worked to a bunch of work with Mazda after with their designer and it came out that.” great. They loved it! We took it to a For more information about big show and it got amazing reviews. Mitch and his work, go to: The big boss saw it and said, ‘We need www.kellyandsoncrazypainters.com
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House of Kolor® Colors Automotive World for 56 Years by Melanie Anderson
Back in 1956, House of Kolor®, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded by world-renowned custom painter, Jon Kosmoski, and 56 years
later, is still a strong player in the world of automotive color. House of Kolor produces basecoats, surfacers, primers, sealers, thinners, reducers, dry pearls and flakes and other specialty products. The company is known in particular for its premium custom finishes.
1930 Ford Pickup, Mike Smyth
tom paints that wouldn’t tarnish, crack or sun-fade, even in severe climates or radical temperature changes. In addition, he wanted paints that could withstand the many coats required for a custom job. When Jon’s products and
skills came together, his paint jobs began to win awards, and people began to talk. Word spread and by 1965, House of Kolor was nationally renowned as high-caliber paint for customizing vehicles. In 1997, House of Kolor became part of the Valspar Automotive Coatings Division. Jon continues to play an important role in House of Kolor. He travels around the world conducting training classes and continues to share his innovative ideas, helping to keep House of Kolor on the leading edge of custom automotive coatings. “After all these years, I’m still passionate about House of Kolor as ever,” said Jon. “In fact, I can walk through a car show and pick out the cars that have the House of Kolor paint on them. They are that much richer and brighter. The people at House of Kolor know that it is all about quality and longevity. That’s why we use the best pigments and solvents that money can buy.”
The company’s roots were inspired by a ‘40 Chevy Coupe. Jon had rebuilt the car and took it to the best paint shop in town. But the paint job was less than satisfactory and Jon knew it could be done better and so he decided to learn how. And, as they say, the rest is history. Jon quickly became well-known for his skills as a custom painter, however, he was displeased with the problematic nitrocellulose laquers and alkyd enamels of the day, which would sometimes sun1956 Chevrolet 210 Post, Gary Uhas fade or cold-crack. Jon wanted something better and House of Kolor maintains its inif it wasn’t already available, then he tegrity and reputation as a leader in the decided he would have to invent it. custom coatings industry by using Together with a doctor in polymer only the finest ingredients in the prochemistry, Jon set out to produce cus- duction of its award-winning paint
54 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
products. The unique product line gives custom painters the freedom to use their imaginations to design, invent, and create “one of a kind” custom paint jobs. The newest paint from House of Kolor is called Shrimrin2 and comes with a supporting line of new clears, primers and more, said Nick Dahl, General Manager with House of Kolor. Shrimrim2 is the second generation of the proven Shrimrin Basecoat technology introduced in 1982. “Through new polymers and innovative chemistry, we are able to meet and exceed waterborne with a solvent-based system which allows the painter to create an unlimited pallet of easy-to-mix colors and to use colors that are the most exciting,” said Dahl, who has been with the company for 17 years. “Shrimrim2 basecoats are ultra productive, easy to apply and range from metallic, pearl and kandy basecoats. Shrimin2 Basecoats are a three-component system that consists of our S2-FX Karrier Bases, S2-FX Effect Pacs and RU Series Kosmic re-
ducers. This new system is the future of custom painting and is available now and compliant throughout the United States, including the strictest
1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe, Robert Darrow and Jim Hetzler
districts in California. House of Kolor is hitting a home run with solventbased custom paints that are coast-tocoast compliant.”
For more information, visit HouseofKolor.com or contact: 901 3rd Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota. Phone: (800) 845-2500 Phone: (601) 798-4731 Email: houseofkolor@valspar.com
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Forgetting to Use Blinkers Caused 2 Million Accidents
Blink, blink. A new study suggests failure to properly use turn signals causes 2 million accidents annually, a more serious problem than distracted driving. When’s the last time you used your own turn signals? According to research by the Society of Automotive Engineers, drivers either neglect to use their signals when changing lanes, or fail to turn the signals off 48% of the time. And when making a turn, the failure rate is around 25%. That works out to 2 billion times a day drivers fail to use signals, or 750 billion times annually. A lack of courtesy? Laziness? Poor training? Whatever the reason, the SAE study says the problem results in about 2 million roadway collisions annually. That’s more than twice the 950,000 accidents linked to distracted driving, which has become one of the central topics of the U.S. Department of Transportation under Sec. Ray LaHood. “This is a first of its kind report on a subject that amazingly, has never been studied,” said Richard Ponziani, P.E., President of RLP Engineering and author of the report. Yet, despite the fact that turn signals are simple, ubiquitous and “extremely effective,”
there is an epidemic lack of compliance even though “all drivers have an ongoing duty to use it, just as they have a duty to stop at a stop sign or at a red light.” Anecdotal evidence suggests that police put little effort into enforcement, less than they devote to speeding, or running stop signs and red lights. Other than shifting priorities, the new study suggests an alternative that it dubs the “Smart Turn Signal.” They “are the perfect complement to the Stability Control System since Stability Control predominately prevents single-vehicle crashes, whereas the Smart Turn Signal prevents multivehicle crashes,” suggested Ponziani. Such a system would automatically shut off a turn signal, likely by timing out after a set delay or by detecting when a vehicle has finished changing lanes, much as today’s cars automatically cancel the signals after making a turn at an intersection. For scofflaws who simply don’t use their signals, the system would work much like a seatbelt reminder. It would be able to sense if drivers routinely ignore their turn signals and start to flash what the study calls a “friendly” reminder.
RX-8 2012
Taiwanese Auto Parts Makers Eye Recovering US Market
Sales of new cars in the U.S. grew 10% from the same period of last year, showing a positive sign for that market, as well as good news for major auto-parts suppliers in Taiwan. Industry sources said that major American automakers are optimistic that the U.S. new car market will reach about 15 million units this year, and Taiwan’s suppliers of original equipment (OE) parts to American automakers can expect bigger orders. Hota Industrial Manufacturing Co., Ltd., a major supplier of transmission parts, for example, currently indirectly supplies differentials and torque converters to the Big-Three American carmakers through major customer BorgWarner, is preparing for increasing orders this year. In the third quarter of 2011, Hota won an order for torque-converter parts for Chrysler`s pick-ups, saying that the order volume has been increasing month by month, leading to its record-high monthly revenues in the first three months this year. Increasing orders from the U.S. and smooth exports to China motivate institutional investors to forecast that Hota`s revenue could challenge a new
high of NT$3 billion (US$100 million) this year. The aftermarket (AM) replacement parts market in the U.S. is also expected to benefit from increasing new car sales, said industry sources. Taiwan, as the largest supplier of AM collision replacement parts to the U.S. market, is also expected to win more orders. Tong Yang Industrial Co., Ltd., the world`s largest maker of AM plastic body parts, began capacity expansion for AM products at its headquarter factory in Tainan, southern Taiwan in 2011, and has raised capacity of plastic parts, sheet-metal parts and cooling-system parts by 23%, 75% and 73%, respectively, hence is fully prepared for increasing AM-parts orders from the recovering U.S. market. Crispin Wu, Tong Yang`s president, pointed out that employment in the U.S. has shown recovery, and consumer spending in February set a seven-month high, in addition to new car sales growth in March, all of which show an almost confirmed economic recovery, which will also pump up demand for AM parts in the second half.
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Continued from Page 39
Larry Montanez
pairs should be limited to minor cosmetic sanding/polishing that removes only the finish. Aftermarket/Alternative Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle. Salvaged/Used Airbags: not recommended, recommends use of new OEM airbags. Seatbelts: all need to be replaced after accident; new seatbelts should be intended specifically for vehicle in which they are installed. Replacement of Structural Components: recommends OEM parts to restore vehicle to pre-crash condition. Use of Heat During Repairs: specifies how heat should be used during repairs to keep parts working in best condition possible. Specific PDR: recommends specific PDR procedures. Clipping/Sectioning: disapproves, voids warranty for that part.
FORD/LINCOLN Aftermarket/Alternative Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle. Reconditioned Wheels: major repairs not recommended/no metal work, repairs should be limited to minor cosmetic sanding/polishing that removes only the finish. Salvaged/Used Airbags: not recommended, recommends use of new OEM airbags. Open Blending: specifies procedure to use. Clipping/Sectioning: disapproves, voids warranty for that part. Seatbelts: all need to be replaced after accident; new seatbelts should be intended specifically for vehicle in which they are installed. Specific PDR: recommends specific PDR procedures.
GM Salvaged/Used Airbags: not recommended, recommends use of new OEM airbags. Aftermarket/Salvaged/Recycled OEM Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle. Wheels Repair: major repairs not recommended/no metal work, repairs should be limited to minor cosmetic sanding/polishing that removes only the finish. Panel Bonding Procedures: specific
procedures are specified. Clipping/Sectioning: disapproves, voids warranty for that part. Specific PDR: recommends specific PDR procedures.
HYUNDAI/MAZDA Aftermarket/Salvaged Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle.
JAGUAR Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Aluminum: specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels.
LAMBORGHINI Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Aluminum: specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Training for Carbon Fiber: specifies training for repairing carbon fiber. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Definition of Structural Repair: specifically defines structural repair.
MERCEDES BENZ Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems.
56 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Aluminum: specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Specific Steering Gear Procedure: specifies procedure to repair steering gear.
NISSAN/INFINITI Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Aluminum: specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders.
Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Salvaged Components: not recommended, use voids warranty for that part of vehicle.
PORSCHE Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipment. Specific Training for Aluminum: specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies training for repairing steel. Specific Welding: specifies how to complete welding repairs. Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: specifies parts and procedures to use
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Trust your order to the collision parts specialists at these fine Dealers
when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Definition of Structural Repair: specifically defines structural repair.
Right to Repair Act Passes Massachusetts Senate
VW AUTO GROUP Spot Welders: recommends use of specific spot welders. The Massachusetts Senate took its year. The state’s consumers will get Bench Systems: recommends use of next step to “right to repair” with a bill their own chance to vote for passpecific bench that advanced to the the House of Repre- sage on the November ballot. Re- to Give ussystems. your opinion on matters affecting industry. Want to Contribute Specific Repair Equipment: recomsentatives. The state’s Senate ap- cent polls have shown support level mends use of specific repair equipproved the measure to “protect both for Right to Repair as high as 87 ment. new car dealerships and independent percent. Specific Training for publisher@autobodynews.com Steel: specifies repairers.” Supporters of the publisher@au Senate-passed training for repairing steel. “We thank Chairman Tom legislation say it makes certain that Specific Welding: specifies how to Kennedy and the legislation’s senate new car dealers derive the same bencomplete welding repairs. sponsor, Sen. Jack Hart. Without their efits and have the same ability to obPromote your busines Specific Repair Procedures/Parts: leadership, consumers would still be tain identical repair information as specifies parts and procedures to use an exclusive waiting for this step,” said Art Kins- neighborhood repair shops. article fe when repairing vehicle. man, a spokesman for the MassachuAt the federal level, the Motor your products or ser advertise OEM Components/Wheels: “We Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act The source forrecomtimely setts Right to RepairToCoalition. call Joe Momber at: mends replacement parts tothat be OEM information every applaud the Senate for acting and look (HR 1449) was introduced into the parts and wheels. forward to passage in the House and U.S. House of Representatives by 800-699-8251 body shop needs! Definition of Structural Repair: then on to the Governore-mail: for his signa- Reps. Todd Platts (R-PA) and Edolspecifically defines structural repair. ture. Consumers are waiting.” phus Towns (D-NY) currently has for CALL:and Joe Momber CALL 800-699-8251 Morejmomber@autobodynews.com than 100,000 Massachu- 50 co-sponsors. www.autobodynews.com 800-699-825 signed the Right to The ASA continues to oppose Start Your FREE setts citizens Repair ballot initiative earlier this right to repair. Mail Subscription.
write us!
www.autobodynews.com TOYOTA/LEXUS/SCION Specific Repair Procedures: CHECK IT OUT!specifies procedures to use when repairing vehicle. OEM Components/Wheels: recommends replacement parts to be OEM parts and wheels. Salvaged Components: not recomadvertise mended, useTovoids warranty for that Advertising Sales at: partcall of vehicle. Specific800-699-8251 Repair Equipment: recommends use of specific repair equipe-mail: ment. advertising@autobodynews.com Specific Training for Aluminum: www.autobodynews.com specifies training for repairing aluminum. Specific Training for Steel: specifies Search: training for repairing steel. Spot Welders: recommends use of See the NEW specific spot welders. Bench Systems: recommends use of specific bench systems. Specific Welding: specifies how to www.autobodynews.com complete welding repairs.
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Bloomfield (800) 782-7597 (973) 429-3193 Fax Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6; Sat. 7:30-2 www.lynnessubaru.com The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today! www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 57
I-CAR Tech
This article first appeared in the I-CAR Advantage Online, which is published and distributed free of charge. I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a not-for-profit international training organization that researches and develops quality technical education programs related to collision repair. To learn more about I-CAR, and to subscribe to the free publication, visit http://www.i-car.com.
Bonding and Rivet Bonding Technology on Steel BMW Vehicle Parts As BMW Groups’ vehicle construcAnother reason for bonding and tion technology advances, so does the rivet bonding is the increased corrorepair process required to fix them sion resistance of the repair joints. properly. Conventional welding, Corrosion protection is extremely imwhich has been used primarily in portant during repairs because BMW BMW Groups’ repair processes in the offers a 12-year corrosion warranty. past, is slowly becoming the secondary method to bonding and rivet bond- Repair Overview ing technology. BMW currently The recommended BMW sectioning recommends primarily using bonding joint on outer body panels requires a with Lee Amaradio Jr. and rivet bonding to replace exterior pre-fabricated E-coated reinforcement body panels, structural parts, and sec- plate, available from BMW, along tioning specific locations in conjunc- with VIN-specific repair information. tion with VIN-specific repair The sectioning joint locations are in a procedures. Changes in recommended similar area as the previously recomrepair procedures affect all current mended weld joint, but may have production models. This does not moved to accommodate the reinforcemean that all models, and all parts, are ment plate. The reinforcement plate affected though. Consulting VIN-spe- has studs built into the part. This recific repair procedures should always quires notches to be placed into the be the first step in the repair process. existing part and the new part. The same is true for Mini and for Special plastic lock nuts are used Rolls-Royce vehicles (see Figure 1). to hold the parts in position until the adhesive cures. If the joint calls for them, rivets, which may be special blind rivets or punch rivets (also called self-piercing rivets or SPRs), are then installed on mating flange areas where applicable. When the adhesive is cured, the studs on the reinforcement plate are removed and the surface is prepared for the application of the BMW-recommended epoxy metal filler. Figure 1 - This BMW 5 Series has several parts The sectioning procedure for a that need to be rivet bonded withduring Danrepairs Espersen rail is similar to an outer body panel. BMW Group has been recomThe difference is this repair joint uses mending bonding and rivet bonding a repair element that fits into the rail. techniques to replace damaged aluA bolt is inserted into the repair eleminum parts for over a decade. The ment. When the bolt is tightened recommendation has now been brought to repairs on steel vehicles. The theory behind the repair of both aluminum and steel parts is similar, although the adhesives and preparation material used can vary by the repair situation and the materials being joined (see Figure 2).
Amaradio Explains CRA
Consumer Callout
Still Some Welding Bonding and rivet bonding does not replace all welding procedures for BMW. There are some areas that will still require welding to be done. These areas can only be identified with the correct repair information.
Tools and Equipment Availability All of the tools and parts, including the reinforcement plates, repair elements, rivets, and adhesives needed to complete bonding and rivet bonding procedures for BMW are available to independent collision repair facilities. It is highly recommended, however, that before any repairs are attempted, the technician acquire training from BMW on the tools and techniques to correctly perform these repairs. It is also critical to have access to the most current and up-to-date repair procedures and sectioning locations from BMW.
ALL OEM Information
The Right Cause with Mike Causey
Reasons for the Change There are several reasons that BMW has made the transition from conventional welding and STRSW to bonding and rivet bonding. One of the main reasons is the use of heat-sensitive steel. With bonding and rivet bonding, there is no heat generated that would weaken the steel, allowing the steel to retain its strength.
Figure 2 - The repairs on this aluminum front end are similar to the repairs on steel vehicles
down, the repair element expands against the inside of the rail, causing the adhesive to emerge. The bolt is removed once the rivets have been installed and the adhesive is cured.
Automaker Actions and Announcements
58 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
with Janet Chaney
Conclusion BMW recommends primarily using adhesive bonding and rivet bonding to replace exterior body panels, frame rails, and when sectioning. The repairs are vehicle specific and require special tools, equipment, and procedures. BMW recommends specific training before doing these repairs, and having access to their specific repair information. The recommended change in repair procedures from BMW is just one of the many examples of the challenges that collision repairers face on today’s HSS and UHSS vehicles. While traditional repair methods are still used on these vehicles, how and where those repair methods are used is constantly changing. For more information on working on HSS and UHSS vehicles, attend I-CAR’s Best Practices For High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) course.
Audi A3 Development with Master Jigs and Color Matching by the Audi Quality Assurance Department for the A3
Exterior Master Jig At Audi, the master jig is the main instrument used by the Quality Assur-
Front cubing measurements with CNC coordinate machine
Master jigs are used to optimize dimensional fits and the colors and materials matching operations.
These parts range from sheet metal panels such as doors, engine hoods and trunk lids to exterior trim parts such as bumpers, headlights, taillights, windows, mirrors, door handles, spoilers and decorative trim strips.
ance department to attain a premium impression and perfect fits. The task of the exterior master jig is to optimize and fine-tune dimensional fits on every vehicle project before a production launch. This involves coordinating the fits of all parts that are visible on the exterior with one another.
Optical measurements on joints master jig
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Rear cubing measurements with CNC coordinate machine
The measurement and analysis fixtures of the exterior master jig are housed in a dedicated building together with the interior master jig. Other tools—which are also fundamental to successful coordination—are used in this area before work is performed on the exterior master jig. The joint master jig is used to check for dimensional conformity of the underbody and its individual components, such as the front and rear floors and to coordinate them to one another. It ensures that all components can be joined without stresses. This is necessary to be able to produce a highquality body in the later production process, which is the foundation for the premium image of Audi vehicles. Using what are known as exterior function cubes, experts analyze the vehicle’s exterior trim parts in a local zero-reference environment. Correction data is derived from this process, which is used to optimize components at an early phase. When they fit to the cubes, they are added to the exterior master jig for further fine tuning. Work in the zero-reference environment of the exterior master jig begins about nine months before production launch. Previously inspected panel parts of the body’s exterior skin and the parts mounted to them, such as doors and hoods and lids, are built up on a frame constructed of solid aluminum profiles. Exterior trim parts are also added to the assembly to analyze the interplay of all body parts. This gives specialists a stepwise method for perfecting the dimensional tolerances of parts, achieving flush fits and perfecting the lines of joints. An additional fine-tuning step involves working with reference bodies that are equipped in a way similar to that of an exterior master jig.
This is done so that the paint application can also be considered in a final fine-tuning step. Although the paint is only as much as 15 hundredths of a millimeter (0.04 inch) thick, by Audi’s way of thinking, even this plays a major role in dimensional optimization. The seam pattern on the new Audi A3 does not always follow exact mathematics; in some zones, subjective impressions are also considered in the tuning process. Take the front bumper, for example, which is slightly offset to the rear at its transition to the fender so that the customer always perceives a harmonious transition when looking at it from above. Another example: the seams at the fuel filler door. The upper seam was intentionally made smaller than the lower one, to give the subjective impression of a better fit for the observer. Along with dimensional conformity, the exterior master jig also yields information on color fidelity, gloss level and the tactile feel of sheet metal, aluminum and plastic parts. In addition, it provides information on the firm seating of all components and their easy assembly and whether optimization potential exists in the component concepts. Audi specialists are always faced with exciting new challenges in their work at the exterior master jig—challenges they must overcome to fulfill stringent requirements for the overall impression of the vehicle’s exterior. Different materials such as steel, aluminum, plastics, rubber and glass must be cleanly fitted to one another. The overall impression is only distinctive and high- end if all edges and their radii fit precisely to tenths of a millimeter; only then is the run of the tornado line from the fender over the door to the side wall frame pleasing to the eye. Interior Master Jig The interior master jig is a body produced to a specific design level that does not exhibit any deviations at the points where interior components are mounted. Ten months before production launch, the components are coordinated and fitted to one another using optical and tactile measurement methods.
www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 59
Along with verifying functional criteria—free movement of parts, firm seating, ease of installation, harmonious actuation forces and sounds— the primary focus of measurement work with the interior master jig is on visual properties. All parts are inspected for grooves, voids and blisters. Special attention is given to checking of seams, e.g. on the centre console that is made up of numerous individual components—from knee pads to the MMI terminal. The four air nozzles in jet design at the front of the cockpit are highly complex parts. Each consists of over 30 individual components. Allowable tolerances are on the order of a few hundredths of a mil-
Measurements on instrument panel with coordinate machine
limeter in the design feature for adjusting the air stream to spot mode or diffuse mode. Therefore, the supplier assembles and checks every part in a 100 percent automated process. A parts that helps to ensure optimal sitting comfort is the center armrest with its height and length adjustments. A high-quality aluminum die cast body with a two-component material joint ensures full adjustment acoustics. Another highlight in the Audi A3: the three-dimensional decorative trim strips in the doors—they are embedded in a soft film without any gaps. The complex mounting feature on the rear side was not released in the internal master jig process until it was perfectly tuned to assure an elegant impression and no noise. The decorative ring on the gear shift grip is embedded with a precision of just a few hundredths of a millimeter to assure perfect tactile feel for the driver. Audi has even implemented elaborate solutions in the luggage compartment of the new A3: when the cargo floor is folded upward, springloaded plastic latches hold it in place for the customer. Special cubes are used to check the fits of functionally relevant vehicle
Visual surface inspection of a trim strip
subassemblies. In the doors of the new A3, quality experts worked until pleasant-sounding window tracking and door closing acoustics were assured under all conditions. This was technically implemented by features such as “post-tracking,” in which the window slides into the window guide starting at the front. Only then did the window seal perfectly on the roof profile of the window guide with a constant insertion depth. Another focal point was the double seal between the door and the body. A continuous seal was attained with the help of color imprint methods and optical measurement technology. Only with this high level of precision could the stringent quality requirements for closing noise, closing comfort and interior acoustics be met. On the interior master jig, specialists also ensure that the door trim has precise, uniform gaps in its transition to the body door to ensure noisefree operation over the entire life of the vehicle at the customer. A new fastening concept with a flocked stop rail was coordinated and implemented.
Audi A3—Color matching The interior of the new Audi A3 integrates about 150 colored components; customers can choose from five color schemes.
Discussing analysis results of functional cubing for door
All parts, from decorative trim strips to the carpeting, must be precisely matched and coordinated. Audi Quality Assurance coordinates them
60 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
all and resolves any issues with suppliers. The colored parts in the A3 interior are extremely diverse. They consist of 34 different types of semi-finished goods—such as fabrics, leathers and films—and ten types of plastic; they come from 45 suppliers across the globe. This broad variety of materials results in many difficult neighboring interactions. For example, when smooth plastic meets textured surfaces, such as in the area of the center console, the different reflectance values of the materials can generate different, undesirable colors as perceived by an observer.
Visual color evaluation of roofliner
Special pigments are necessary to dye parts with different material
chemistries in the same color hue. All components are dyed through, and
Color hue check and gloss measurements in cockpit
many are also painted—some with high-gloss paint. In the new A3, for example, high-gloss components include the control panel for the climate control system and the frame of the MMI monitor. UV-stabilizers in the plastics prevent colors from bleaching out over a period of years. Quality Assurance coordinates colors in its light studio whose lighting system can be adjusted to produce three different light environments: clear daylight, warm evening light or artificial light as in a showroom. This is necessary, because individual materials give a different color
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impression under different lighting conditions. This effect—known as metamerism—must of course be avoided. Visual surface inspection of a trim strip. All employees participating in color matching efforts must first pass a special vision test, because the optical measuring instruments at Quality Assurance—such as the spectral photometer—can only provide objective measured values of the surfaces. Such instruments cannot measure the impression the color makes on a person, because only people can simultaneously detect and evaluate color, gloss level and surface texture. Therefore, if there is any doubt, in the end it is the subjective impression of trained employees that is the decisive factor in achieving perfect color harmony. Color matching work is also performed in the finished, assembled interior, i.e. with components in their mounted positions and from the viewing perspective of the driver. This is done, because the appearance of certain components such as pillar trim changes due to the texture of the trim material.
Auto Body World Opens 9th Shop in Phoenix, AZ
Auto Body World Collision Centers, with locations throughout Phoenix and Casa Grande markets, announced plans to open its ninth location in Phoenix in June. Auto Body World has been acquired by Texas-based Service King in a deal to be finalized this summer. The 13,000-square-foot facility will serve the Deer Valley community of north Phoenix and is located on 19th Avenue. “This addition complements our footprint very nicely as it allows us to serve customers and our insurance partners along the 1-17 corridor in the north valley,” said Auto Body World President, Mark Turner. “This addition is another important step in Auto Body World’s overall growth strategy. With the recently announced partnership with Service King, we are excited about the opportunity to accelerate growing out across this market.” Auto Body World Collision Centers continues to seek out collision repair centers throughout Arizona. Interested owners are asked to contact Auto Body World President, Mark Turner at m.turner@autobodyworld.com.
Continued from Page 40
Frank Terlep
ing. E-newsletters cost only about $50 a month compared to thousands of dollars it costs to print and mail print versions of newsletters. And social media is free!
Phone Apps Another digital marketing tool for shops to consider is a phone app for their business. According to Terlep, more than 50% of the U.S. population who own a cell phone use a smart phone, and that percentage will increase as the older cell phones become obsolete. He recommends an Apple or Android app as those two platforms have the majority of the smart phone market. The benefit of a body shop having an app is that it will allow a consumer who has just been in an accident to be able to push the app on their phone without having to remember the location, phone, name or email address of the body shop. An app allows the customer to take photos, file a report and send information to the body shop, insurance and po-
lice. “A body shop who has their own app owns a piece of real estate of the consumer’s smart phone,” Terlep said.
Goodbye TV? The three most prevalent screens today are, in order: the TV, PC and then the smart phone, tablet or mobile device. In the next five years, that order will reverse as the smart phone will become the No. 1 screen people will look at the most, becoming more popular than the television or computer screen. So, why aren’t shops up-to-date in the electronic world we live in? It’s time and expertise, Terlep said. Most shops don’t have time during their daily operation to properly market their business digitally. And many just don’t have the expertise. “They don’t know what they don’t know,” Terlep lamented. “Social media and digital marketing is not a passing fad. It’s here to stay. Body shops will end up using digital marketing at some point, and those who don’t wait will benefit the most,” Terlep said. For more information about Terlep’s business, visit their website at www.emarketingsherpas.com.
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I-CAR Introduces New Series of Online Courses
SCRS Presents Repairer Driven Education at 2012 SEMA
The Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, presented by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), is returning to the SEMA Show for the third consecutive year. Complete details, including course descriptions and a registration link, are available at http://www.semashow.com/event/2012/10/30/scr s-repairer-driven-education-rde-series. With courses individually selected or crafted by the SCRS, the program includes nearly two dozen sessions taking place during the SEMA Show on Tuesday-Friday, October 30-November 2, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Headline Session, “Game Changers - Innovation Forum,” takes place November 2 and features industry leaders discussing what innovation can look like in the collision repair business and how it is becoming core to business strategy. Other sessions explore how digital marketing, social media and related tools can increase customer retention and
loyalty, as well as those that examine how new metals that are being used in the construction of today’s vehicles are impacting the repair process. “As more and more collision repair businesses attend the SEMA Show, SCRS is pleased to partner with SEMA Show organizers to enhance the overall experience for our segment of the industry,” said Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS Executive Director. “The RDE series is a tremendous educational opportunity for the collision industry, providing accessible and affordable education on topics that address issues that truly matter to those working in repair facilities. We were fortunate to be able to present the series at the last two SEMA Shows, and look forward to expanding the program this coming year.” SCRS partnered with Show organizers to present the RDE program at the 2011 SEMA Show. The annual trade show, which saw nearly 30 percent more attendees
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from those representing collision repair facilities compared to the previous year, brings manufacturers of automotive parts and accessories together with industry buyers from all over the world. Manufacturers represent every segment of the automotive specialty equipment market, including restyling, hot rod, trucks & SUVs, and racing & performance. “The SEMA Show features products from every automotive niche, which makes it the ideal venue for buyers to discover new markets,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications. “Because the collision market is so closely related to many of our traditional market segments, it’s become one of the fastest growing areas and is of huge interest to our attendees.” In addition to the SCRS RDE series, the SEMA Show will feature nearly 60 educational seminars throughout the week.
I-CAR has introduced a new series of online courses that provides foundational knowledge on the basics of the collision repair process for professionals across the collision repair inter-industry. The Intro to Collision Repair Series is designed for such roles as entry-level technician, entrylevel appraiser, front office staff, customer service rep, sales staff, call center agent and vo-tech student. The series includes a set of 14 onehour online courses that covers topics such as vehicle parts terminology; mechanical repair terms and vehicle protection; tools, equipment and attachment methods; and collision repair process overview. The intro series is customizable to a business, and staff members can take all the courses or only the ones they need. “Efficiency is key to running a successful business, and ensuring that your team has a solid understanding of the basics of the collision repair process can benefit a business in several areas,” said John S. Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and president. Special introductory pricing of 30 percent off the total purchase price of the entire set of 14 courses is available through July 30, 2012. See next story for more info.
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East Bay CAA Chapter Gets I-CAR Updates at April Meeting certified by the California Department of Insurance to facilitate Continuing Education course work to insurance agents. Lopez has earned the AMI accreditation AAM (Accredited Automotive Manager). He has also held
revolves around what they call “releI-CAR volunteer since 1994. vant training,” Lopez explained. “All Lopez shared valuable informaOn April 17, the East Bay California of the training now has to be relevant tion about recent changes within IAutobody Association (EB-CAA) to each collision professional’s particCAR and hoped to dispel any held its monthly meeting at Scott’s ular job capacity. Everyone in the misconceptions amongst collision Seafood in Walnut Creek to network shop has to take classes that apply to professionals and body shop ownwith other collision professionals and their specific job. For example, a reers/managers about the renewed purlisten to the evening’s featured finish tech will not get credit for takpose and new direction for the training speaker, Gene Lopez. Lopez was ing estimating classes. If someone entity. hired in 2009 by I-CAR as a regional wants to take training outside of their First, you need to say goodbye to manager to head the organization’s role, it’s fine, but it just won’t progress I-CAR’s former requirements and say Southwest region, headquartered in them along in their Platinum Individhello to the new and improved but Glendora, CA. Before receiving the ual requirements. In the past, there more stringent rules, Lopez said. “The assignment, Lopez was the Director of was a lot of what we call random old rule was that anyone who worked training, because we allowed people on cars in the shop had to complete Development for Seidner’s Collision to take courses that they weren’t going five I-CAR courses and pass the assoCenters and was also a part-time instructor for I-CAR. to use in their jobs. Before, a body ciated post tests. But now in 2012, the Gene Lopez Lopez’s experience includes mashop would have everyone come in on requirements have changed and each terial inventory management in aero- several volunteer positions in the col- organization’s four role representaa Saturday and take the same class, space, medical implant devices and lision repair industry, including serv- tives (one estimator, one non-strucwhether it applied to their role or not. automotive refinish sales. He has re- ing as a committee chairperson for tural tech, one structural tech and one You could take two damage analysis ceived numerous awards and recogni- CIC, participating on several high refinisher tech) need to fulfill Procourses and everyone would fulfill tion in management, sales and school and college advisory boards, Level 1® Platinum individual require- their ongoing training requirement. personal development. He is the re- and serving as a member of the South ments to qualify their company as a But the problem was—is that helping cipient of the Automotive Manage- Coast Air Quality Management DisGold Class Professional designation. a painter? Is he going to be able to use ment Institute (AMI) “Tom Babcox trict’s task force on Monitoring, “The old rule was this—if every- that information when he comes into Award” for his desire to improve the Recording, and Reporting Volatile Orone passed five tests and took two work on Monday? Obviously not. automotive service industry through ganic Compounds. He has been a formore courses every year ongoing— Now, if you’re a painter, you take management education. He has been mer part-time I-CAR instructor and an that fulfilled the requirement,” Lopez re-finishing courses. If you’re a body said. “ But, we changed it in July of man, you take collision courses, and if 2010 when we started Phase I of the you’re an estimator, you take damage AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE Professional Development Program® analysis classes.” and until 12/31/11, we offered two opBody shops who reach the covtions: 1) They can stick to the original eted Gold Class Professional® status Rent Auto Body Repair Business 5/2 plan, as long as they maintain it; are exceptional and among the leaders Currently Open and Busy • Almost $1M Sales/Year or 2) They now have to achieve 100% in the collision industry, according to PRO Shop Contracts • Rack / Meas. Sys., Spray Booth, Lift... ® for the organizaof the ProLevel 1 Lopez. “Of the approximately 35,000 4,000 sq. ft. Open Bays & Office on Busy 6 Lane US Hwy. 1 tion’s four role representatives, and collision repairers in this country, only Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 • Owner (516) 380-0864 that’s very important. Everyone else 4,100 are Gold Class Professional® Give us your opinion on matters affecting the industry. in the organization that repairs to vehiTo reach that designation Want to Contribute this businesses. Southwest Edition? cles has to complete a six-hour annual and maintain it, the organization has requirement (two classes) to maintain to make training and education a pria ProLevel 1®.” ority from their four role representapublisher@autobodynews.com publisher@autobodynews.com Up until 12/31/11, the four role tives and everyone else on the staff representatives within each organizathat fixes vehicles.” tion could reach ProLevel 1® by comOther misconceptions in the past pleting 60% of the required class about I-CAR revolved around the Promote your business with Promote your business with work. But now, those individuals have misnomer that businesses had until exclusive article article featuring right the end an to be atan 100% of ProLevel 1® featuring of exclusive 2012 to meet the profesyourthey products ortoservices. your products or services. now. In 2013, will have meet sional development requirements, but To advertise The source for timely 100% of the requirement for ProLevel the deadline for businesses is their call Joe Momber at: 2®. And then in 2014, they will have Gold Class Professional renewal information that every 800-699-8251 to complete the classes that are ac- date. If you’re not currently a Gold body shop needs! quired to achieve ProLevel 3, which is Class business, you have until Dee-mail: Search: CALL: Joe Momber for details! Calltofor details! jmomber@autobodynews.com the highest recognition any individual cember 31, 2012 achieve 100% CALL 800-699-8251 can achieve through I-CAR and in the ProLevel 1® status for your four role www.autobodynews.com 800-699-8251 800-699-8251 Start Your FREE collision repair industry. Everyone representatives and everyone else has Mail Subscription. else in the shop only requires six to adhere to the same six-hour ongoing training requirement. If you don’t hours training annually, but those four get it done by the end of 2012, then role representatives are key personnel you have to complete both ProLevel® and they need to proactively hit those EW Register Your Email for Our Call or e-mail now for rates: 1 and 2 by the end of 2013, Lopez levels every year, Lopez outlined. 800-699-8251or kmangum@autobodynews.com said. Another big change with I-CAR by Ed Attanasio
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