December 2020 Northeast Edition by Autobody News

39 YEARS

N ORTHEASTEDITI ON

AUTOBODY CT / DE / ME / MD / MA / NH / NJ / NY / PA / RI / VT

MA Consumers to Automakers: We Want the Right to Repair Our Vehicles Election Day in the U.S. proved to be a moment of victory for the auto care industry. On Nov. 3, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly voiced their support at the ballot box for Ballot Question 1, which will preserve their right as vehicle owners to have access to and control of their vehicle’s mechanical data necessary for service and repair at the shops of their choice. “The Auto Care Association is extremely pleased that Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly supported passage of Question 1 on

this year’s ballot,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. “Approval of Question 1 ensures that car owners can control the mechanical data that is being transmitted by their vehicle through telematics. “This referendum also means that despite advances in technology, owners will be able to have their repair data shared directly with their trusted independent shops.,” Hanvey continued. “Not only is this a clear win for the Right to Repair Coalition that is comprised of thousands of See MA Consumers, Page 28

AUTOBODYNEWS.COM Vol. 11 / Issue 9 / December 2020

2020 Collision Repair Industry: A Year in Review by Chasidy Rae Sisk

It’s undeniable that 2020 has been a year for the history books—the amount of change over the past 12 months is unprecedented and has been disruptive in every imaginable way. As 2020 comes to its conclusion, the world reflects on the year’s events, and a handful of collision repair industry leaders share their thoughts on the most impactful memories for their associations in 2020. The strongest force this year has been the spread of COVID-19, and attempts to curb it. This has translated into many virtual events, and Zoom has become much more than

onomatopoeia, with nearly every association adopting the new normal. “The Automotive Women’s Alliance Foundation (AWAF) was able to quickly pivot to virtual events after the start of the pandemic, which enabled us to continue to serve our members,” said Susan Rokosz, the association’s president. “From happy hours to professional development events, going virtual enabled us to remain connected to our members. ‘AWAF also committed to increasing the diversity of both the membership and the board, and we are working to increase diversity in the talent pipeline for the automotive See 2020 Collision, Page 4

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine 94.5% Effective in Phase 3 Study, Doesn’t Require Extreme Cold

Internal Memo From Bill Ford Offers Reassurance, ‘No Matter Who is Running the Country’

by Bethany Blankley, The Center Square

by Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press

Biotech company Moderna announced Nov. 16 that its new COVID-19 vaccine has proven to be 94.5% effective. The company said it intends to submit for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in the coming weeks and expects the EUA to be based on the final analysis of 151 cases and a median follow-up of more than two months. Known as the COVE study, Moderna enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the U.S. to test the

Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Co., emailed the Ford team Nov. 6 “a message on the U.S. Election” as protesters gathered in Detroit and tensions nationally ran high over the presidential election. Ford, 63, is known to send periodic messages when he feels such communication is appropriate. The outcome of the 2020 election remained uncertain though polls closed Nov. 3. He urged calm and reassured employees globally that, separate and apart from the political outcome, the company his great-grandfather founded has a clear vision and focus on the future. He emphasized that the company has weathered political change all over the world. “As I have said many times, we always look to establish and follow our own North Star of values and objectives that allow us to thrive— and to be stable—regardless of the political environment,” Ford wrote. “This has been a difficult and un-

Credit: Ted S. Warren/AP

vaccine. The study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National See Vaccine 94.5%, Page 24

PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA

PAID

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

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 1

certain year,” he wrote. “But no matter what results this election yields, the importance of our values—our work, our people, our families, doing the right thing and building a better tomorrow—will transcend, as they always have.”

Ford Motor Co. Executive Chairman Bill Ford poses for a photo in Michigan Central Station in Detroit. Credit: Ryan Garza, Detroit Free Press

The letter, which appears to have a 5:31 p.m. time stamp, was obtained by the Free Press shortly after it was sent. It reads in full: Dear Ford Team: See Bill Ford Page 26

11/17/2020 7:17:33 PM

THE SYSTEM FOR THE CUSTOMER T H AT WA N T S

ONE ONE SOLU T I ON

PA RT N E R YOUR SYSTEM IS SUNFIRE PRO ™. YOUR PARTNER IS SHERWIN-WILLIAMS ® AUTOMOTIVE FINISHES.

IT IS TIME TO CONVERT. www.sherwin-automotive.com/sunfirepro

2 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 2

11/17/2020 7:17:37 PM

REGIONAL AASP/NJ Elects Brad Crawford of Livingston Collision to Board of Directors ��24 AASP/NJ Treasurer Elected President of AASP National Board ��10 Car Part Thefts Plague Rome, NY, Businesses ��30 Collision Course: Body Shops Fight for Control of White Plains, NY, Garage ��27 Keep on Truckin’: Some CT Car Dealerships

the Complete SEMA360 Experience ��63 Auto Club Announces More Financial Relief ��56 Automakers Report October Sales ��28 AutoNation No. 1 Public Auto Retailer ��6 Average American Failed Insurance Quiz ��27 Be Prepared and Be Ready: Tips for Selling Your Business ��44

McGovern Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram �� 18

American Icon Automotive Finishes �� 20

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City �� 13

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 49

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington �� 13

CREF, Partners Give Scholarships, Equipment ��8

AutoNation Collision Parts �� 7

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus �� 40

Customer Service is King: The Modern

Bical Auto Mall �� 14

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester �� 13

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers ��42-43

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington �� 27

Cadillac of Mahwah �� 35

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 57

Central Avenue Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram �� 15

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 44

Cherry Hill Nissan �� 56

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers ��36-37

Choice Bumper �� 12

New Holland Ford �� 51

Classifieds �� 62

New Holland Toyota �� 38

Colonial Automotive Group �� 31

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 58

Courtesy Mitsubishi �� 48

Northstar Kia �� 30

DePaula Chevrolet-Ford �� 6

Nucar �� 39

Eckler’s Automotive �� 19

Open Road Acura of East Brunswick �� 16

Empire Auto Parts �� 28

Packer Norris Parts �� 21

Equalizer Industries, Inc �� 12

Porsche Huntington �� 24

FI. TIM SRL �� 8

Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 50

Flemington Auto Group �� 25

Prima Welds, Inc �� 17

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 55

Rafferty Subaru �� 8

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 45

Rapid Tac �� 23

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers ��32-33

SATA Dan-Am Company �� 5

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 58

Schultz Ford �� 41

Infiniti of Norwood �� 34

Security Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram �� 26

Innovative Tools & Technologies, Inc �� 29

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes �� 2

Jaguar Land Rover Cherry Hill �� 46

Spanesi Americas �� 9

Jeff D’Ambrosio Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge �� 10

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 59

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 53

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 63

Kia of Attleboro �� 48

VIP Honda �� 22

Killer Tools & Equipment Corp. �� 11

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 61

Kundert Volvo �� 54

White Plains Volkswagen �� 38

Long Automotive Group �� 47

Yonkers Kia �� 54

Body Crafters: A COVID-19 Experience ��52

the Right to Repair Our Vehicles ��1 Mariano Rivera’s Son Opens Auto Body Shop in Chester, NY ��14 New Jersey Joins California in Calling for Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales Ban by 2035 ��16 New Jersey Man Charged for Fraudulent Insurance Claim After DWI Wreck ��12 Newton, MA, Auto Repair Shops Feel the Pandemic ��8 NY County Official Secures Masks for Auto Body Students to Continue In-Person Classes ��10 NY Official Fines Four Insurers $2.1M, Secures $10.6M in Consumer Restitution ��18 Rutgers Law Professor Addresses AASP/NJ Members on Insurance Claim Settlement Issues ��11

CCC Introduces ADAS Insights ��38

Customer Journey ��46 Financial Incompetence is No Excuse! ��40 Ford Fund Pledges $200K to Keep Students Learning During Pandemic ��60 Ford Reports Strong Q3 ��11 Grade Insurers’ Performances ��19 Guild 21 Meeting to Cover ADAS ��18 I-CAR Introduces ‘Get to Gold Class’ ��14 Internal Memo From Bill Ford Offers Reassurance, ‘No Matter Who is Running the Country’ ��1 KABA and NABA Collaborate on Online Educational Series, Kicks Off with ADAS and Ford Training ��55 Manufacturers Continue to Offer Exclusive Discounts to SEMA360 Attendees ��63 Mike’s Auto Body Gives 2 Cars in Conjunction with Hemophilia Foundation ��54

COLUMNISTS Anderson - Hands-On Testing Shows Limitations of Relying Solely on DTCs or Aftermarket Scan Tools ��38 Attanasio - Marketing in 2020: Will People Find You and What Will They See? ��48 Yoswick - Perspectives, Ideas Shared by Dealership Management Helpful for Independent Shops as Well ��34

Moderna’s COVID-19 Vaccine 94.5% Effective in Phase 3 Study, Doesn’t Require Extreme Cold ��1 New Tech for Hail Claims Launched ��12 New Vehicle Subscription Platform ��26 Schedule ASE Tests Now ��62 Set Yourself Up for 2021 Marketing Success with Shop Marketing Pros ��50 Tesla About to Make Producing 1 Million EVs Per Year Unremarkable ��60

NATIONAL 2020 Collision Repair Industry: A Year in Review ��1 Active Driving Assistance Systems Have Limitations ��28 AkzoNobel Hits SEMA360 in a Big Way, Virtually ��56 asTech Shares Information About Its Services & Importance of Scanning During SEMA360 ��47 Autel Diagnostics Develops Autel Virtual for

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

Acura of Westchester �� 52

with Fully Electric Fleet ��59 CARSTAR 92nd Among Franchise Systems ��59

MA Consumers to Automakers: We Want

Serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2020 Adamantine Media LLC.

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 60

Impact ��20 Rates Clears NJ Senate Committee ��19

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli, Gary Ledoux Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Griffin Reinhard, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Digital Marketing Manager: Bryan Malinski Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Vicki Sitarz Online and Web Content Editor: Abby Andrews Accounting Manager: Heather Priddy Permissions Editor: Randi Scholtes Office Assistant: Dianne Pray

Accudraft Paint Booths �� 64

Bentley to Go Carbon Neutral by 2030

Expanding Despite Pandemic’s Economic Legislation to Combat Unfair Auto Insurance

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

CONTENTS

Tesla and How President-Elect Biden Could Help the Automaker’s Cause ��51 Tesla Finally Admits ‘Design Flaw’ in Model 3 Bumpers Falling off in Rain ��56 Volvo Airbag Death Causes S60 and S80 Recall ��62 Woman Who Sued Body Shop Over Aston Martin Repair Bill Now Ordered to Pay $250,000 ��58

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 3

11/18/2020 4:45:47 PM

Continued from Cover

2020 Collision industry.” When ASA Northwest’s ATE 2020 had to be canceled a week and a half before the event due to COVID restrictions, the association’s leaders “went into scramble mode and canceled our live event with over 1000 attendees,” said ASA Northwest President and Executive Director Jeff Lovell. “We knew we needed to keep our ASA Northwest members engaged and let them know that we are here for them, so we started having Zoom meetings, called ‘Lunch and Learn,’ with members every week to keep them updated on the latest information,” Lowell said. “ASA Northwest has adapted to the new technology and was the first automotive trade association to do a full-blown virtual training event with the help of Advance Professional, CTI-WTI and Worldpac. We hosted the first Virtual ATE in August with 32 classes and close to 200 attendees from all over the world, it was truly amazing to put that together.” COVID-19 also provided an opportunity for associations to find new ways to support their members, outside of virtual training. “This year, our biggest impact for members was partnering with Alerus Bank, a small local bank, to help shop owners apply for and receive their much-needed Paycheck Protection Program loans,” said Diana DeLeon, executive director of ASA-AZ. “Many members submitted applications to larger banks with no success, so we were very happy to have this relationship in place to help.” “The opportunity to offer our members-only an exclusive health insurance plan was most memorable for AASP/NJ; we partnered with World Insurance, a global leader in benefits, and more members participating will help lower our group rate, something individual shops can’t do,” said Jerry McNee, president of AASP/NJ. “With a potential average saving of 30% and annual premiums increasing yearly, offering an option for members to save thousands of dollars in premiums, this is a welcome benefit, considering all other

yearly increases within our businesses—this is truly a game changer, helping our members. “COVID-19 has affected everyone, so having the ability to offer a health plan that benefits members in a positive way is outstanding.” “Since March 2020, as COVID-19 hit the United States and began to shut down the country, ARA went into high gear to stay ahead of the situation,” said Sandy Blalock, executive director of the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA.) “This multi-pronged, proactive response is the most important thing ARA accomplished this year and included many parts. “With the assistance of amazing industry partners, we created an automotive recyclers COVID Relief Fund, with over $46,000 distributed to auto recyclers in need,” Blalock said. “Through active regulatory work and connections with policymakers, ARA ensured that automotive recyclers were an ‘essential business’ to continue operating through the pandemic, and the association acted as a watch dog of all COVID legislation, for both the states and federal government, as well as providing members with information to help them navigate the crisis.” ARA also “partnered with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s COVID Liability Coalition to educate Congress about the need for businesses to have liability protections related to COVID-19, and to urge Congress to pass legislation that would protect businesses from liability associated with COVID-19,” Blalock added. “In addition to creating a COVID-19 dashboard on our website with federal and state guidelines impacting the industry, ARA put together a guide detailing important information relating to the SBA’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program,” Blalock said. “This guide provides background information on the EIDL program and also describes its costs and benefits.” Adapting to change was a huge theme among industry associations this year, as it has been for shops. “Just as our members did, AASP-MN had to quickly shift gears in response to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Judell Anderson, executive director of

AASP-MN. “Members turned to the association like never before to get the information they needed to navigate this new environment and maintain their business operations. The alliance responded by providing ongoing member updates containing ‘need-to-know’ information about COVID-19 related legislation, regulations and other measures relevant to auto service and collision shops. “We also connected shops to share experiences, best practices and lessons learned for adapting business practices due to COVID-19, and we moved networking events and educational programming to virtual platforms,” Anderson said. “Another highlight would be the release of our membership video, which features authentic and sincere testimonials about what it means to be a member of the alliance. It reinforces the work that we do each day to be their champion and their ally.” The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) had to really “think outside the box when it came to fundraising and how we can continue to support collision school programs in 2020,” said Brandon Eckenrode, director of development for CREF. “Instead of holding physical career fair events, our team quickly coordinated online presentations with companies to help instructors with industry guest speakers for their students,” Eckenrode said. “We also helped communicate which companies opened up their online technical training to help instructors with industry resources. “With regards to fundraising, we had to be respectful and sensitive of what companies were going through when asking both annual and new partners for funding,” Eckenrode continued. “Our insurance partners and their 2020 support essentially saved CREF by being able to continue to support us. Also, we got creative by utilizing our industry member partnerships with their ‘celebrity’ brand ambassadors, connections and create unique auctions and fundraiser initiatives.” CREF wasn’t the only industry association focused on the next generation of technicians in 2020. “I am proud of WIN for stepping up and continuing to focus on our goals during this unusual year,” said the Women’s Industry Network

(WIN) Chair Cheryl Boswell. “WIN ‘Resourced the Industry’ by sponsoring uniforms for 100 vo-tech women students and by conducting a survey to understand the collision repair technician pipeline and how to attract and retain technicians. “WIN ‘Strengthened the Network’ by offering seven educational webinars, and by launching the first WIN-developed technical class,” Boswell said. “In the true spirit of WIN, it was an honor to celebrate 12 scholarship recipients and three Most Influential Women in 2020.” In a year ravaged by turmoil, many associations are celebrating their survival and their ability to keep members informed about the ongoing changes. “Through our leadership, we managed our operations and finances well, like many other companies, through an unknown virus and its impacts on our members, the aftermarket industry and the association itself,” said Rodney Pierini, president and CEO of CAWA. “Our first thought was how can we help the ASA Northwest members during this time,” Lovell recalled. “Within a week, we were able to turn our ASA Northwest website into a resource center for members to get information on COVID-19. Our regional allied member, Integrated Claims Management, worked with us to make sure ASA Northwest was the place to turn for information.” “One of the most important things we have been able to do is keep our membership informed of all the issues regarding running their business in the shadow of the COVID crisis,” said AASP/MA Executive Director Lucky Papageorg. “This is important because our members and their customers are our number one concern as they are the reason we exist as an association. We are here to protect their interests in the insurance claim and repair process.” “ASA Arizona made sure our members were updated almost daily with changing information as we all navigated through the unknown of COVID-19,” DeLeon added. “Offering members online meetings and networking was a success to keep everyone connected when we couldn’t be together. We took an extra step to reach out and offer all these connections and information to shop owners See 2020 Collision, Page 22

4 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 4

11/17/2020 7:17:37 PM

SATAjet X 5500 + SATA RPS The Dream Team for perfect finishes The revolutionary

The Original

SATAjet X 5500

SATA RPS

REVOLUTIONARY: The X-nozzles are taking atomization to a whole new level NOTICEABLY QUIETER: Whispering nozzle™ due to optimized air flow geometry INDIVIDUAL: Matches any application requirement, climatic conditions and application method PRECISE: Optimized material distribution LOW MAINTENANCE: No air distribution insert required CONSISTENT: Constant fan size across the entire nozzle spectrum EFFICIENT: The optimized atomization concept enables to realize considerable material savings

CLEAN: The cup can be easily, cleanly and safely separated from the spray gun SAFE: Firm connection between lid and cup (thread) REFILLABLE: The cups can be easily refilled BENDABLE: The SATA RPS cup can be safely tilted* by up to 45° forward, right and left

* applies to all SATA RPS standard cups, however not to cup lids with minijet connection.

www.sata.com/rps

SATAjet X 5500 video www.sata.com/x5500io

Stay safe and healthy The exclusive independent distributor of SATA products in the US and Puerto Rico

Phone: 800-533-8016 www.satausa.com E-mail: satajet@satausa.com

SATA, SATAjet and/or other SATA products referenced herein are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SATA GmbH & Co. KG in the U.S. and/or other countries.

ge 22 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 5 SATA.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 5

10/29/20 9:38 AM

11/17/2020 7:17:38 PM

MA Consumers to Automakers: We Want the Right to Repair Our Vehicles ElectionÂ Day in the U.S. proved to be a moment of victory for the auto care industry.Â On Nov. 3, Massachusetts vot ers overwhelmingly voiced their support at the ballot box for Ballot Question 1, which will preserve their right as vehicle owners to have access to and control of their vehicleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mechanical data necessary for service and repair at the shops of their choice.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Auto Care Association is extremely pleased that Massachusetts voters have overwhelmingly supported passage of Question 1 on this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s ballot,â&#x20AC;? said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care Association. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Approval of Question 1 ensures that car owners can control the mechanical data that is being transmitted by their vehicle through telematics. â&#x20AC;&#x153;This referendum also means that despite advancesÂ in technology, owners will be able to have their repair data shared directly with their trusted independent shops.,â&#x20AC;? Hanvey continued. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Not only is this a clear win for the Right to Repair Coalition that is comprised of thou-

sands of shops throughout the state, it is also a victory for the car owners of theÂ commonwealthÂ whoÂ saw through the scare tactics from the manufacturers.Â

plementation of Question 1,â&#x20AC;? said Aaron Lowe,Â senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs, Auto Care Association. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Auto Care Association has worked with

â&#x20AC;&#x153;This referendum also means that despite advancesÂ in technology, owners will be able to have their repair data shared directly with their trusted independent shops.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Bill Hanvey, â&#x20AC;&#x153;The people of Massachusetts have decidedly favoredÂ competition in auto repair,â&#x20AC;? Hanvy concluded.Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;Furthermore, weÂ areÂ greatlyÂ appreciative ofÂ each and everyÂ aftermarketÂ companyÂ around the countryÂ that stepped upÂ in supportÂ ofÂ this important campaign.â&#x20AC;?Â â&#x20AC;&#x153;While thisÂ wasÂ aÂ hard foughtÂ campaignÂ over many months, it isÂ nowÂ our hope that the manufacturers will receive the strong message from consumers for control of their mechanical data andÂ that theyÂ willÂ nowÂ work toward im-

cyber security experts to ensure that in-vehicle data can be securely made available to car owners and independent shops. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We stand ready to provide the manufacturers with any technical assistance necessary for effective and timely implementation of this referendum.â&#x20AC;? For more information, visitÂ massrighttorepair.org. For questions, contact Lowe atÂ aaron.lowe@ autocare.org.Â Source: Auto Care Association

M - F - 7:30AM - 6PM S - 8AM - 5PM

785 C A A , NY 12206

$1M+ Onsite Inventory of Genuine GM Parts Dedicated Wholesale Parts Professionals B : 518-489-7747 (100 Years Combined Experience) M : 518-489-7746 B : 518-489-0122 Fleet of 8 GPS Equipped Trucks parts@depaula.com for Daily Deliveries www.depaulachevrolet.com Competitive Pricing and Discounts

AutoNation, Inc., Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest automotive retailer, announced Oct. 26 it is again Americaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s No. 1 Public Automotive Retailer according to the October 2020 Reputation.com Automotive Reputation Report. This marks the third consecutive year AutoNation is recognized as No. 1 by Reputation.com. Leading the automotive industry, AutoNation boasts a 717 Reputation Score (on a scale of 0-1000), above the automotive industry average Reputation Score of 616. The 2020 Automotive Reputation Report provides dealerships, dealer groups and OEM brands with detailed insights into their strengths and weaknesses, uncovering opportunities for operational improvements based on insights from analyzing unstructured data in customer reviews, surveys and more. It also details recommendations for helping brands and dealerships improve their sales and service performance and raise their Reputation Scores. Source: Reputation.com

Partner with Depaula Ford for all Your OEM Ford Parts

Your Source for GM Parts in NY State, Western MA, Western CT and Southern VT

P H :

AutoNation No. 1 Public Auto Retailer

P H :

M - F: 7:30AM - 6PM SAT: 8AM - 5PM

799 C A A , NY 12206

P 518-489-1210 F : 518-489-0126 mhensel@depaulaford.com www.depaulaford.com

$1M+ Inventory Updated Daily 3 Senior Certified Ford WS Parts Specialists Ready to Assist You 8 Delivery Trucks and Priority Rush Delivery in Our Hot Shot Vans Internet Ordering Available on Our Website or via Ford

6 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 6

11/17/2020 7:17:40 PM

30+ OEM BRANDS DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR. Buy the parts you need from AutoNation. Order parts for top manufacturer brands and get them delievered to your door fast with free delivery.

30+ MANUFACTURER BRANDS RIGHT PART, RIGHT PRICE, RIGHT FIT- GUARANTEED* OVER $200M IN INVENTORY TO FILL YOUR PART NEEDS

Turn us on as a preferred vendor.

Â®

*We guarantee that if the part delivered does not fit the vehicle it was designed for, we will replace the part at no extra charge. Excludes any order that was placed for an incorrect part.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 7

11/17/2020 7:17:44 PM

Newton, MA, Auto Repair Shops Feel the Pandemic by Jenna Fisher, Patch

Owners of Newton, MA, auto repair shops are feeling the pandemic and want people to not forget about them as they look with a wary eye toward the future. “Probably like every industry, there’s just a lot of uncertainty,” Molly Brodeur, president of the Massachusetts Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, said in a phone interview. One question shop owners in the area are asking themselves is: What happens if another significant surge is followed by another stay at home order? Some 13 communities have already had to take a step back in reopening plans. “A lot of repairers across the board are concerned about that,” Brodeur said. “At the beginning of the pandemic, everyone stayed home dramatically,” said Brodeur, who owns a body shop in Marlborough. “That’s when shops were really struggling.” Now, even as the state has begun to reopen in some areas, a large swath of people are working from home, and that means fewer cars on the road. Massachusetts’ toll revenues dropped by a third in the first eight

months of 2020 compared to revenues from the same period last year, the Associated Press reported earlier this month, pointing to about 33% reduction in traffic.

Owners of Newton auto repair shops are feeling the pandemic and want people to not forget about them as they look with a wary eye toward the future amid pandemic means for them. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)

And with that, collision shops have seen about a 20% to 30% drop in sales this year, she said. Though some businesses, such as Waltham’s Creonte Tire, where the owner services commercial fleets or those with a list of regular clientele are able to weather that storm better than others. Tony Daher of Tony’s Auto on Watertown Street said he’s owned his auto repair shop since 2007 and business for him is at an all-time low. In

April, he had to close for two weeks and lay off two employees. He was able to rehire them both, but business has been down about 40 percent he estimates. “We try to take any kind of work just to survive,” he said. The owner at J&K Auto Services, which has been around for about 35 years, said business for him, too, has been rough. While he couldn’t give an exact percentage, he said business is much slower this year than it has been in previous years. “It’s really tough, people don’t go out of their house, they don’t drive their cars,” John Peidis told Patch. Though, he said, when they do start to drive, they’re finding problems with their cars associated with not driving them. They’ve had to help replace batteries and a number of people have come in to have brakes replaced because of rust. Business seems to come in starts and fits around holidays or long weekends, but the mechanics say uncertainty surrounds the business. J&K didn’t shut down amid pandemic, but they did have to lay off one employee. “It’s like up and down and like a roller coaster, it’s unpredict-

able,” Peidis said. Still, the business has been helped by regular customers and owners don’t think they’re in danger of closing up shop any time soon. “A lot of shops have done an awesome job of pivoting and implementing programs to help vehicles still serviced and repaired, many have launched pick up and drop off programs, contactless transactions, signing forms virtually, payments virtually, mobile estimating tools,” she said. “Everyone has done an amazing job very quickly adapting.” But they are also bracing for this trend to continue for the foreseeable future, she said. Brodeur said shops worry about the overall state of the economy because of what that means for them. If jobs decline in general, that will likely mean people will put off repairing their cars, and opt to use insurance money they might receive from crashes or damage for more essential needs.“And that is a real concern that many of us have,” she said. “It’s hard to know what the industry will look like three months from now.” We thank Patch for reprint permission.

CREF, Partners Give Scholarships, Equipment The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced Nov. 13 several scholarships and equipment recently distributed to collision repair students thanks to collaborations with CARSTAR, BASF, TechForce and Craftsman. CARSTAR and CREF awarded 15 collision repair students with $1,000 scholarships to help support their education. Along with CREF, BASF donated a SATA spray gun to 87 high school and college students studying collision repair around the country. After obtaining a past donation of many Craftsman tool kits, CREF spread the fortune nationwide. Nearly 100 high school and college collision repair students from around the country will be receiving these valuable tools to help prepare them for a career in the collision repair industry. Three lucky recipients will each receive a $2,000 scholarship from CREF, funded through a donation from the TechForce Foundation.

4700 West Chester Pike Newtown Square, PA 19073

ABOVE GROUND BENCHES

IN GROUND BENCHES

ABOVE GROUND LIFTS

IN GROUND LIFTS

610-353-6906 610-353-4116 24 Hr. Fax www.raffertysubaru.com raffertyparts@aol.com

M-F 7:30am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm

U.S. Patent

LIFTING CAPACITIES UP TO 11000 LBS TWO STYLES OF TRACTION AVAILABLE - 6 & 10 TONS

n Delivery to PA, NJ and DE n Competitive Pricing & Discounts

Source: CREF

FI.TIM Importer - in the Northeast: TO VIEW FI.TIM CATALOG CLICK HERE www.fitim.com PADUA - ITALY

COLLISION EQUIPMENT CONSULTING NEW YORK, NY www.collisionequipment.net TDinnella@aol.com 516-361-9220

8 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 8

11/17/2020 7:17:45 PM

WE HAVE EVERYTHING, VIRTUALLY.

VIRTUAL TOURS AVAILABLE NOW (NO RESERVATIONS REQUIRED)

SpanesiÂ® manufactures a complete equipment line for your collision repair facility. On display 24 hours a day, we invite you to take a tour of our offices to see the Touch electronic measuring system, PULL UP! repair system, spray booths, preparation stations, our line of welders and straightening benches. No other collision repair equipment manufacturer has everything you need under one roof. www.spanesi-americas.com/vrtours/spanesinorthamerica Spanesi Americas, Inc. 123 Ambassador Dr. STE 107 Naperville, IL 60140

2020 - 10 Autobody News Spanesi REV1.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 9

224-SPANESI (224-772-6374) www.spanesi-americas.com facebook.com/spanesiamericas

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY 9/16/20NEWS 2:11 PM9

11/17/2020 7:17:46 PM

AASP/NJ Treasurer Elected President of AASP National Board The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/ NJ) congratulates Tom Elder, current treasurer and past president, who was elected president of the AASP National Board during its virtual semi-annual meeting held Oct. 20. For the past two years, Elder has served as vice president of AASP National. He is a longtime member of AASP/NJ and has been actively involved with local collision and mechanical repair associations since the 1980s. He is the president of Compact Kars, Inc. of Clarksburg, NJ. “I am pleased to be elected as president of the national board and am hoping that we can further the cause through the U.S.,” said Elder. “I look forward to directing the board to make a difference for our member shops throughout the country.” “Tom has been such a strong advocate at the state level for so many years and he will, no doubt, bring that same level of commitment and passion to our work at the

national level,” said Judell Anderson, AASP national administrator. In addition to Elder being elected president, the following were elected to the AASP National Executive Board. Vice president is Molly Brodeur of AASP Massachusetts, secretary/treasurer is Mike Moehlenkamp of AASP Missouri, and chair of executive directors is Amanda Henry of AASP Pennsylvania. Bill Adams, of the New York State Association of Service Stations and Repair Shops, will serve as immediate past president. AASP is a national association representing the automotive service industry in the U.S. The New Jersey chapter is one of many across the nation. AASP was founded in 1999 by a coalition of state and regional organizations representing the industry. AASP affiliates represent more than 8,000 automotive aftermarket businesses in strategic alliances and monitors federal legislation and regulations. For more information on AASP/NJ, visit aaspnj.org. Source: AASP/NJ

NY County Official Secures Masks for Auto Body Students to Continue In-Person Classes Erie County (NY) Legislator Frank Todaro secured special respiratory masks needed for auto body students to continue in-person classes at Erie 1 BOCES Harkness Career & Technical Center. The masks will help students in Amherst, Alden, Akron, Lancaster, Depew and Cheektowaga. Todaro, a former student of Erie 1 BOCES and current advisory board member, went through the very same program and knows how valuable it is to have hands-on experience. The masks were hand delivered to Robert Verso and his students at the shop Nov. 5. “When I heard Bob and his students needed these masks to continue teaching in-person, I

knew I had to step in and help,” Todara said. “As a former student and owner of an auto body shop myself, I know just how import-

ant hands-on learning is in order to get the best experience. Bob is doing a great job and I hope this will help him continue sharing his wealth of skills with each of his classes.” Source: Erie County Legislature

FREE 4x Monthly E-Newsletter. Subscribe Today! www.autobodynews.com

AUTOBODY

THE RIGHT FIT FOR THE PERFECT FINISH.

PROTECT YOUR CUSTOMER’S INVESTMENT WITH ORIGINAL MOPAR® PARTS Authentic Mopar® Parts are built to fit perfectly and function properly every time. This ensures your customers are getting the highest quality parts manufactured to meet the original specifications and safety standards of their vehicle. Providing more peace of mind for each customer you serve.

Jeff D’Ambrosio Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Check out MoparRepairConnection.com for resources, promotions and technical information. ©2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC. Magneti Marelli is a registered trademark of Magneti Marelli S.p.A.

10 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com 43232_COL11_H_ABN.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 10

1221 E. Lancaster Avenue Downingtown, PA 19335 Order Hotline: (610) 363-8250 or (800) 922-7932 Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Fax: (610) 363-8227 Email: partsteam@dambrosio.us We are a Parts Trader, CollisionLink, OPS Trax and CCC dealer!

7/28/20 12:32 PM

11/17/2020 7:17:47 PM

Rutgers Law Professor Addresses AASP/NJ Members on Insurance Claim Settlement Issues The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) hosted its annual virtual membership meeting via Zoom on Oct. 29. The evening presentation featured guest speaker Jay Feinman, Rutgers Law professor and author of “Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don’t Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.” Feinman’s discussion addressed the ongoing claim settlement issues auto body shops experience with various insurance companies. “Things seem to be getting worse, and the reason I think is because of what is known as ‘delay, deny, defend,’ the title of my book. Insurance companies increasingly delay payment of claims, deny valid claims in whole or part, force policyholders to litigation to get what they are entitled to and then aggressively defend that litigation.” To illustrate how the trend began, he provided background into how insurance companies were advised by management consultants back in the 1990s to increase profit by reducing payments on smaller

claims. “This is why you have the problems you have with $2,000, $5,000 and $10,000 claims. It is much more effective for them to save money there because there are just so many [of them].” Although the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance (NJDOBI) is in place to promulgate state regulations governing auto physical damage claims and unfair claim settlement practices, the complaint process thus far has been largely ineffective. Feinman believes there are a number of things repairers can do to fight the battle. One method involves having customers file complaints with the NJDOBI in greater numbers. He encouraged repairers to see to it that complaints are filed in order to force the NJDOBI to investigate these actions and perform market conduct examinations. These forms of communication will also go on to create better information for consumers. “If your customer has a significant problem [with an insurer], I

encourage you to have them file a complaint form. These complaints get compiled; annually, the Department publishes a ranking starting with the worst insurance company.” Currently, the most crucial component in the fight to improve insurance claim practices is to get behind AASP/NJ’s support of the New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act (A1659), which would create a private cause of action for first-party claimants regarding certain unfair or unreasonable practices by their insurer. Additionally, successful claimants would be entitled to (among other things) reimbursement for their loss and court and attorney’s fees. “When this legislation comes up [in session], we need everyone to make calls, write letters and support it,” stressed AASP/NJ Executive Director Charles Bryant. “This industry needs to do something, and we can’t do it by whining and carrying on. We have to take action, and I’d greatly appreciate it if everyone got involved.” Source: AASP/NJ

Ford Reports Strong Q3 Ford produced solid financial results in the third quarter of 2020 through a combination of great operating execution; benefits from focusing on its strengths in high-demand, profitable vehicles; and a reversal of business effects from the coronavirus pandemic. According to President and CEO Jim Farley, the robust third-quarter performance reflected Ford’s better execution and benefits from the company’s decision two years ago to reallocate capital to franchise strengths—pickup trucks, SUVs, commercial vehicles and iconic passenger vehicles—and phase out unprofitable sedans. The company made the most of stronger than expected vehicle demand and net pricing, with inventories limited following the virus-related, first-half factory shutdowns. Those factors—together with Ford Credit’s strongest performance in 15 years— led to total company adjusted EBIT (earnings before interest and taxes) margin of 9.7%. Source: Ford

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 11

11/17/2020 7:17:48 PM

New Jersey Man Charged for Fraudulent Insurance Claim After DWI Wreck A Roselle, NJ, man has been criminally charged with filing a fraudulent insurance claim for repairs on a luxury vehicle he wrecked while intoxicated earlier this year, acting Union County Prosecutor Lyndsay V. Ruotolo and Roselle Police Chief Brian Barnes announced. Brian Bullock, 31, is charged with second-degree insurance fraud, second- and third-degree falsifying government documents, and third-degree tampering with public records or information. This comes after members of the Roselle Police Department responded at 12:38 a.m. June 20 to find that Bullock had struck a parked vehicle with his car, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor Michael Henn, who is prosecuting the case. Bullock was subsequently charged with driving while intoxicated and other traffic violations, and then released on his own recognizance. An investigation led by Roselle Police Detective Terrell McGriff and Sgt. Michael Manochio of the Prosecutor’s Office’s

Special Prosecutions Unit revealed that a little more than seven hours after the accident, Bullock contacted Progressive Insurance to obtain an insurance policy for the 2013 Audi S5 that had just been heavily damaged earlier that day.

The day after the accident, Bullock allegedly filed an accident claim on his new policy for the $23,586 repair bill, documenting the collision had taken place at 12:38 p.m. June 20, not 12:38 a.m. Bullock allegedly repeated that

800-874-8341 choicebumper.com

assertion multiple times during the application process, and after obtaining a copy of the official accident report several days later, he also allegedly digitally altered and falsified the time stamp and then submitted it to Progressive to back his claim. Bullock was served the criminal charges at his home on Oct. 29 after which he was released on his own recognizance pending a first appearance scheduled to take place in Union County Superior Court. Convictions on second-degree criminal offenses in New Jersey are commonly punishable by five to 10 years in state prison. These criminal charges are mere accusations. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law. We thank Insurance Journal for reprint permission.

New Tech for Hail Claims Launched The Claims Bridge International (TCBI) announced the U.S. launch of its cloud-based technology, EziClaims Suite, to assist the collision industry deliver contactless hail claims for customers. As part of the launch, TCBI is offering U.S. insurers an enterprise subscription free of charge in 2021, so they can evaluate the benefits of the technology. “With EziClaims Suite, insureds can photograph and document the damage to their vehicle on a mobile device in less than five minutes,” said Bill Park, TCBI president Americas. “They receive a simple link to a mobile-enabled website without having to download an app.” Once approved, the insured can book the vehicle into TCBI’s national network of repair shops, which are all integrated into the platform. To request a free subscription, contact Stacey Phillips at sphillips@radiantwriting.com or 858-401-2692. Source: The Claims Bridge International

Auto Glass Tools

Rust Repair & Restoration Adhesives Sealers Body Panels Weather Stripping Paint Fuel Lines/Tanks Cooling & Heating Radiators Condensers Intercoolers Cooling Fans Cabin Air Filters Body & Collision Bumpers Fenders Grilles Mirrors Lights Pre-Bent Lines & Hoses Brake Lines Fuel Lines Oil Lines Transmission Lines

PROFESSIONAL RELIABLE INNOVATIVE DEDICATED 100 N 9th Street l Philipsburg, PA 16866

Booth #236

TTE TTUUHHSS NNMM II AATT GGAAS TTOOS.

sales@equalizer.com • 512.388.7715 • www.equalizer.com

12 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 12

11/17/2020 7:17:49 PM

Start Earning Reward $$$ with us Today! Log onto MBStarRewards.com to set-up an account today! There is no cost for signing up.

We will take an extra $100.00 off the next 2 orders over $500.00 for every Customer that opens a new Star Rewards account before the end of the year! Please call for details.

Three Locations to Serve All of Your OEM Parts Needs.

YourMercedes.com

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington

267-419-1414 215-540-0263

Order Fax

404 Pennsylvania Ave., Fort Washington, PA 19034 Mon - Fri: 7:30-6; Sat: 7:30-5

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester

484-313-1110 215-540-0263

Order Fax

1260 Wilmington Pike, West Chester, PA 19382 Mon - Fri: 7:30-6; Sat: 7:30-5

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City

609-645-9310 215-540-0263

Order Fax

6623 Black Horse Pike Egg Harbor Township, NJ 08234 Mon - Fri: 7:30-6; Sat: 7:30-5

As 2020 comes to a close we want to say Thank you for being our Customer! In appreciation, we want to extend an additional 5% off all parts orders until year end. Please mention discount code YEND2020 when placing orders.

G E N U I N E PA R T S

One discount / coupon per transaction, certain restrictions apply. Expiration date 12-31-2020. Please call for details.

Look us up on Collision Link and Repair Link for price matching! oeconnection.com repairlinkshop.com

Order Direct

MBPartsWholesale@YourMercedes.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 13

11/17/2020 7:17:54 PM

I-CAR Introduces ‘Get to Gold Class’ I-CAR announced Nov. 11 the launch of Get to Gold Class, an all-inclusive package customized for shops working toward I-CAR Gold Class recognition. The new Get to Gold Class package features a customized training prescription based on shop size and existing knowledge base, turnover protection considerations, flexible payment options and discounts, and a simplified “one-stop” enrollment process. Get to Gold Class is ideal for both shops in the process of achieving Gold Class, and for those that are not currently training but are ready to commit to receiving high standards of education, professionalism and quality. For complete details of I-CAR’s Get to Gold Class Package, visit www.i-car. com. Source: I-CAR

Mariano Rivera’s Son Opens Auto Body Shop in Chester, NY by Donna Kessler, Times Herald-Record

Mention the name Mariano Rivera and you would be talking about of the greatest New York Yankee closing pitchers of all time. He was unanimously elected to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of its class of 2019 in his first year of eligibility. But Rivera has another passion, and that is cars.

Mariano Rivera Jr. recently opened Mr. Auto Body in Chester, NY. Credit: Donna Kessler/ Times Herald-Record

The Rivera family owns a Toyota dealership in Mt. Kisco and is opening a Honda dealership in Port Jefferson on Long Island. Mariano’s son, Mariano Rivera Jr., also has a passion for cars, and recently

opened an auto body shop, Mr. Auto Body, in Chester at 30 Lehigh Avenue. Rivera Jr. was born in Panama and now resides in White Plains. The opportunity arose to start his business in Chester and he grabbed it, plus there’s plenty of collision work with all the deer. You can’t miss the building with its huge Mr. Auto Body graphic on the front, and at the rear is a mural of his dad’s Ferrari on the wall. It’s definitely an eye catcher. Besides collision work, Mr. Auto Body does detailing, paint corrections and ceramic coating to name a few of the other services offered. Mr. Auto Body deals with all types of vehicles, including classic and antique, but says their specialty is paint. The shop uses the PPG brand. “I believe that paint is our specialty with our experienced painter and brand of paint to the equipment we use,” Rivera Jr. said. “I am a firm believer in treating the customer as family and customer service and satisfaction is important to me.” Rivera Jr. was drafted by the

Yankees in his junior year at Iona College and played for four years with the Potomac Nationals Minor League baseball team, but he just always wanted to do something with cars. Being that the family owned the dealership, Rivera Jr. obtained the training and experience he needed to finally open his own shop, and Dad is very proud. Rivera Jr. is a hands-on guy at the shop, not a delegator. He wouldn’t have it another way. A celebration of the shop opening was held Oct. 24 with Rivera Sr. present signing autographs for fans and a number of local dignitaries. Rivera Jr. said more events will be held. The shop seems to be off to a great start and Rivera Jr. certainly has the customer in mind. Sounds like it’s a home run. Mr. Auto Body is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information on services or to make an appointment, call 6105800 or find them on Instagram. We thank the Times Herald-Record for reprint permission.

Partner with BICAL Auto Mall for All Your OEM GM Parts • $500,000 + Onsite Inventory of Genuine OEM GM Parts • Competitive 33% Discount Offered • Free Delivery to the Five Boroughs and Long Island

• 10,000 + sq. ft. Cutting Edge Wholesale Warehouse • 6 GM Wholesale Parts Consultants Dedicated to WS Clients • Two GPS Equipped Delivery Trucks

Your Source For Genuine GM Parts in the NY City Metro Area

Parts Hours:

M-F 8am - 5pm Sat 8am - 4pm 24 Hr. Fax:

718-484-6624 2859 Flatbush Ave. Brooklyn, NY 11234

Call Us Today!

718-484-6903

Partner with BICAL Auto Mall for all your OEM GM Parts (formerly Kristal Auto Mall)

14 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 14

11/17/2020 7:17:56 PM

ORIGINAL.

JUST LIKE OUR PARTS.

Mopar® Parts. There’s nothing like them. Compared to aftermarket replacement parts, Mopar Collision Parts offer better fit, function and reliability. What an original concept. RIGHT ON TIME PARTS – WE ARE YOUR ONE STOP SOURCE FOR MOPAR OEM COLLISION PARTS.

WHOLESALE DIVISION

1015 Saw Mill River Rd. Bldg. #5 Yonkers, NY 10710 P: (800) 967-5298 F: (914) 361-1508 Saturday Only: (914) 961-5424

Mon.–Fri. 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. www.centralave.com

©2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC.

62457_COL20_F_AB.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 15

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 15 12/11/19 1:52 PM

11/17/2020 7:17:57 PM

New Jersey Joins California in Calling for Gas-Powered Vehicle Sales Ban by 2035 by Joseph Szczesny, The Detroit Bureau

New Jersey is joining California in calling for a future ban on the sale of gasoline-powered motor vehicles to combat global warming. The recommendation to stop the sale of gasoline-powered vehicles starting in 2035 was included in a new report from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which was asked by the state’s legislature to find ways to fight global warming. Global warming has led to rising sea levels, which threatens the swamp the state’s long coastline on the on the Atlantic Ocean, the DEP report noted. “Currently, gasoline-fueled vehicles account for over 70% of the transportation sector’s emissions. The 2019 EMP least cost scenario modeling, which assumed a 15-year lifecycle, calculated that 88% of new light-duty vehicle sales (passenger cars, SUVs and light-duty trucks) will need to be battery electric or hydrogen-powered by 2030, rising to 100% by 2035, in order to achieve the 80×50 goal,” the report said. “This strategy coupled with complementary social strategies, such as working from home and the growth of livable, walkable communities, reduce the need for transportation, ensuring the New Jersey can significantly reduce its emissions profile.” The report noted the risk to New Jersey’s coastal communities from sea-level rise is acute. “Warning that under even a moderate emissions scenario, sea levels could rise by as much as 5.1 feet by the year 2100 and 8.3 feet by the year 2150, eroding large land areas of the state, risking near total loss of our barrier islands and devastating our tourism industry and larger economy,” the report said. Recognizing the need for climate action, New Jersey’s legislature passed the Global Warming Response Act (GWRA) in 2007 and updated the law in 2019. Under this law, the DEP is responsible for assessing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions and, in collaboration with other state agen-

cies, presenting recommendations for reducing emissions by 20% below 2006 levels by 2020 and 80% by 2050—known as the 80×50 goal. Last month, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, in a move that is certain to kick off a major legal, philosophical, economic and political row, plans to outlaw the sales of motor vehicles that use gasoline or diesel oil for fuel by 2035 as part

lion to convert an assembly plant in sion, and more than a dozen other Spring Hill, TN, to build the first-ev- states. er all-electric Cadillac, the Lyriq. The Trump administration also Meanwhile Fiat Chrysler Automo- has withdrawn from the Paris Clibiles N.V. confirmed it will invest mate Accord, which set a series $1.2 billion in a plant in Windsor, of voluntary curbs on greenhouse Ontario, to build EVs in addition to emissions by nations across the its Chrysler Pacifica minivan. globe and other efforts to slow cli Bans on vehicles with gasoline mate change. or diesel engines underscore the Newsom’s political mentor, fordilemma facing carmakers. On the mer California Gov. Jerry Brown, one hand, they would pre- was an ardent supporter of the Parfer to keep selling vehicles is accord. California by itself is the with gas engines for which world’s fifth-largest economy, cathere is a ready demand. pable of fashioning its own agenda, On the other, the bans independent of the Trump adminiscould accelerate the shift tration, to fight climate change, acto electric vehicles, which cording to Brown, who got several is currently moving slowly other states in the Northeast to foland leave them with bil- low his lead. However, battery-electric vehilions of dollars in stranded cles will account for just 8% of overinvestment. Meanwhile, the Trump all fleet of global passenger vehicles administration has ordered by 2030; expected to rise to 31% This could becomes a very common site in New Jersey if federal fuel-economy stan- by 2040, according to estimates by the state follows a recommendation to end gas-powered dards rolled back over the Bloomberg News. vehicle sales by 2035. objections of the state of of its effort to reduce emissions of California, which has gone to court We thank The Detroit Bureau for recarbon dioxide that contribute to cli- to protect its regulations on emis- print permission. mate change and global warming. The announcement came after record high temperatures and We have you Covered Front and Back with a lengthy drought exacerbated the ACURA GENUINE PARTS changing climate have led to fires that scorched millions of acres from suburban edges of Los Angeles to pristine wilderness in the High Sierra. “We’re experiencing a climate CRISIS,” Newsom said via Twitter. “Transportation is responsible for over 50% of CA’s greenhouse gas emissions. It’s time to be as bold as the problem is big,” he said. “Today we announced that by 2035 every new car sold in CA will be an emisOpen Road sion free vehicle,” added Newsom, who speaks for more than a dozen Acura of other states that follow California’s East Brunswick lead on controlling emissions from car and trucks. Parts: Car makers from the U.S., Asia 24 Hr Fax 732.238.5466 robert.talbot@openroad.com and Europe are preparing for a fuwww.openroadacuraofeastbrunswick.com ture where electric vehicles become the prevailing form of both com• Competitive Pricing • Free and Fast Delivery mercial and personal transporta• Knowledgeable Wholesale Parts Staff tion. • Acura Genuine Parts Just this week, General Motors unveiled its new GMC HumMon-Fri 8am-5pm • Sat 8am-4pm mer all-electric pickup truck and 1041 NJ Rte 18 South l East Brunswick, NJ 08816 announced plans to invest $2 bil-

732.238.0777

16 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 16

11/17/2020 7:17:58 PM

ther

also Clieries ouse the cli-

forown, Parthe canda, inisacveral fol-

ehivercles 31% s by

r re-

www.primawelds.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 17

11/17/2020 7:17:59 PM

Guild 21 Meeting to Cover ADAS Guild 21 will hold its next meeting at 2 p.m. ET Dec. 10, “The Journey of ADAS from Factory to Repair,” featuring David DeBoer, CEO of Burke Porter Group. Are you prepared to repair vehicles with ADAS and other advanced technology as we look at automobiles in 2021 and beyond? Join the December Guild 21 meeting to learn more about the future of ADAS and the requirements to ensure proper vehicle calibration. For decades, Burke Porter Group (BPG) has been a leading supplier of factory end of line (EOL) testing systems. Today, with products at nearly every vehicle OEM, BPG understands the future of ADAS and the requirements to ensure proper vehicle calibration. To register, go to https:// us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIkfuqupjIrE9ycbSIqnTExr_GKGMcuiTLw Source: VeriFacts Automotive

NY Official Fines Four Insurers $2.1M, Secures $10.6M in Consumer Restitution New York State Superintendent of Financial Services Linda A. Lacewell announced the Department of Financial Services (DFS) fined Allstate Insurance Group, State Farm Insurance Group, AIG Property Casualty Company and TriState Consumer Insurance Company a combined $2.1 million for violations of insurance statutes and regulations. Allstate and State Farm also paid a total of $10.6 million in consumer restitution. The fines and restitution are the result of DFS market conduct investigations of the insurers’ handling of personal automobile claims over several years. “These fines are a measure of economic justice for New York consumers who were harmed because of improper notifications and claims handling,” said Lacewell. “DFS will continue to protect consumers from insurers who violate our insurance laws.” DFS’s investigations found numerous violations of Insurance Regulations 68 and 64 pertaining to auto claims practices, and of insurance statutes related to pol-

icy cancellations and notice requirements. These failures directly harmed New Yorkers by denying them their full policy benefits.

ability of the third-party designee notice procedure DFS required Allstate and State Farm to pay $784,168 and $9.8

“These ﬁnes are a measure of economic justice for New York consumers who were harmed because of improper notiﬁcations and claims handling, DFS will continue to protect consumers from insurers who violate our insurance laws.” — Linda A. Lacewell The most significant violations found included failures to: • Pay or deny no-fault claims in a timely manner • Pay statutory interest on overdue no-fault payments • Correctly calculate no-fault payments for loss of earnings from work • Send the explanation of benefits form to the injured party at least every six months • Notify senior citizen insureds annually in writing of the avail-

million, respectively, in restitution to adversely affected consumers due to systemic noncompliance of no-fault claims handling. In addition, DFS imposed fines of $671,200, $644,700, $583,900 and $217,300 on Allstate, State Farm, AIG and Tri-State for their respective violations. Read full copies of the consent orders on the DFS website. Source: New York Department of Financial Services

TRUST MOPAR® FOR THE PERFECT FIT AND FINISH. Don’t take chances with aftermarket parts. If it’s not Mopar®, it’s not engineered to the original specs for the most durable performance and highest safety standards. An aftermarket part hasn’t been through the same rigorous testing, so it’s not designed to work in concert with the vehicle as a whole. Don’t compromise the integrity of the whole safety system for a lesser part. Partner with us to get it done right the first time with authentic Mopar parts.

MCGOVERN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

THERE’S NO MARKET FOR AFTERMARKET HERE. 18 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com 60673_COL14_H_AB.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 18

777 Washington Street Newton, MA 02460

Order Hot Line: (800) 741-7563 Mon.–Fri. 7:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. www.mcgovernauto.com

12/11/19 1:43 PM

11/17/2020 7:18:00 PM

Legislation to Combat Unfair Auto Insurance Rates Clears NJ Senate Committee In response to high automobile insurance assessments, New Jersey’s Senate Commerce Committee passed legislation sponsored by Sens. Nia Gill, D-Essex/Passaic; M. Teresa Ruiz, D-Essex; Nilsa Cruz-Perez, D-Camden/Gloucester; and Nellie Pou, D-Bergen/Passaic; that would prohibit the use of education, occupation, homeownership status, marital status or credit score in certain automobile insurance determinations. “The use of factors such as employment status and credit score in calculating insurance premiums carries a severe economic consequence for working-class families. A person’s income or education has no bearing on driver safety or risk and only serves to reinforce existing inequalities,” said Gill. “The pandemic has given new importance to how we determine eligibility. Millions of New Jerseyans are experiencing economic hardship; this will inevitably impact their credit scores, occupation and employment status. “This bill is critical to ensure people are not subject to increased

premiums based on metrics that have nothing to do with driving, and it will ensure drivers are not subject to increased premiums based on unforeseeable consequences of the pandemic.” The bill, S-111, would prohibit automobile insurers from assigning an insured or prospective insured person to a rating tier based on educational level, credit score, marital status, homeownership status, or employment, trade, business, occupation or profession. “Newark has some of the highest car insurance rates in the country. Under our current laws car insurance companies are preying on New Jersey’s most vulnerable, charging low income customers significantly more regardless of their driving history,” said Ruiz. “Every sponsor has done tremendous legwork to bring an end to this harmful practice. “I am proud to have been a driving force in the final push to move this important legislation and to ensure it included prohibiting the use of credit scores. Insurers should be basing their rates on

the likelihood that someone will be in an accident, not his or her ability to pay for those damages out of pocket.” “It is absurd that someone with a bad credit score pays more for car insurance than someone who has been convicted of a DUI,” said Cruz-Perez. “We cannot allow insurers to continue basing rates on credit history or socioeconomic status rather than someone’s driving record.” “We must stop penalizing people for being poor,” said Pou. “This legislation will hold insurance companies accountable and help to ensure that our most vulnerable citizens are given fair pricing for policies that are a requirement to drive.” The bill would take effect 90 days after enactment. Source: Insider NJ

FREE

4x Monthly E-Newsletter.

www.autobodynews.com

Grade Insurers’ Performances Collision repair professionals once again have a unique opportunity to grade the performance of the insurance companies in their state, with the launch of CRASH Network’s “Insurer Report Card.” The “Insurer Report Card” asks collision repairers to grade each insurer based on how well each carrier’s claims practices ensure quality repairs and customer service. By assigning insurers a grade from A+ to F, shops can let consumers know which insurers have their eye on quality repairs and customer service—and which may have some room for improvement—when consumers have a claim. The “Insurer Report Card” can be completed in less than three minutes. Participating shops that provide an e-mail address will be sent the results, at no charge, once they are compiled. Go to http://www.CrashNetwork.com/gradebook to grade the insurers. Source: CRASH Network

HIGHER QUALITY • LOWER PRICES THE ONE-STOP SOURCE FOR ALL YOUR RESTORATION AND MODIFICATION NEEDS Visit Ecklers.com and MacsAutoParts.com for all the classic Chevy and Ford restoration and modification parts and accessories your customers need

WHOLESALE INQUIRIES WELCOME • CALL FOR YOUR FREE CATALOG USE CODE WHL-ABODY TO RECEIVE UP TO 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER, PHONE ORDERS ONLY • CODE VALID UNTIL 3.31.21

Ecklers.com

MacsAutoParts.com

800-276-6805 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 19

11/17/2020 7:18:00 PM

Keep on Truckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;: Some CT Car Dealerships Expanding Despite Pandemicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Economic Impact by Luther Turmelle, New Haven Register

Some Connecticut car dealerships are forging ahead with expansion plans in the state, even as the coronavirus pandemic has suppressed sales. About a half-dozen dealers of new cars around the state either are in the midst of expansions or recently completed such work. Reasons for the expansions vary, but dealers said the improvements were designed to improve the shopping experience for potential customers.

The entrance to the Collision Center at Richard Chevrolet in Cheshire on Oct. 27. Credit: Arnold Gold, Hearst Connecticut Media

Jeff Aiosa, a member of the executive board of the Connecticut Automotive Retailers Association who represents Connecticut on the National Automotive Dealer Association Board, said new car sales in the state are off compared to this time last year. However, he said the sales decline â&#x20AC;&#x153;is not because of demand, but because of supply.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;Manufacturersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; production schedules are behind schedule by between six to eight weeks because of an inability to get parts from vendors and suppliers,â&#x20AC;? said Aiosa, who also is president and owner of Mercedes-Benz of New London. â&#x20AC;&#x153;That has resulted in an inventory shortage.â&#x20AC;? At Richard Chevrolet in Cheshire, sales of new cars â&#x20AC;&#x153;were deadâ&#x20AC;? during March and April, said Jason Vianese, general manager of the dealership and one of its owners. But sales have improved steadily since then, Vianese said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re behind where we were last year, but not dramatically,â&#x20AC;? he said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;And last year was a good year. Sales are pretty good right now.â&#x20AC;? What has benefited new car dealers during the pandemic, according to Vianese and Aiosa, is the

publicâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s reluctance to make use of mass transportation. â&#x20AC;&#x153;There has been a pivot to personal transportation,â&#x20AC;? Aiosa said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Maybe before the pandemic, people were willing to get on a plane or a train to travel. But now, a personâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s car is more important to them than it was before and that is the only way they will travel.â&#x20AC;? Consumer reluctance What dealers are seeing doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t necessarily square up with what consumers are saying about new car purchases. About a half-dozen people responded to social media inquiries made by Hearst Connecticut Media about what the pandemic has done to any plans they might have had for purchasing a new car. Sana Sim from Bridgeport had been considering getting a new car because her current vehicle is more than 13 years old. â&#x20AC;&#x153;But I decided not to just in case I lose my job,â&#x20AC;? Sim said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I can use that extra money on other things.â&#x20AC;? Elsa Obuchowski of Norwalk said she and her husband had been thinking about replacing their oldest car this year. Obuchowskiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s husband has some mobility limitations and orthopedic conditions that make finding a car with the right fit critical. â&#x20AC;&#x153;As seniors, my husband and I have had to put all kinds of activities on hold, including shopping for everything except groceries and medicine,â&#x20AC;? she said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We had been planning to replace our oldest car this year, but that is definitely not going to happen. We will have to wait until the community spread of COVID is well under control, which we hope will come true when a safe, effective vaccine is widely available to the general public.â&#x20AC;? Julie Egan said she purchased a new car in May, even though she and her family initially had not been in the market for a new vehicle at the start of the year. â&#x20AC;&#x153;General Motors incentives and cash back deals were too good to pass up,â&#x20AC;? Egan said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When the deals came out we jumped on it.â&#x20AC;? The expansion at Richard Chevrolet involves relocating its body shop

and used car sales operation about a half-mile south of the dealership on Route 10. A new 29,000-square-foot facility will be built on what now is a vacant field on the east side of Route 10 near the intersection of Realty Drive, according to Vianese. The expansion project will be rolled out in two phases, he said. The first phase will be done during the winter, weather permitting, with installation of lighting, pavement and other types of infrastructure, Vianese said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;When we do the building itself depends on how our business does during that time,â&#x20AC;? he said. Vianese said making the decision to move ahead with the expansion during a pandemic involved â&#x20AC;&#x153;recognizing opportunities and making sound business decisions.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;We think by expanding, it gives us a better opportunity to service our customers,â&#x20AC;? he said. At Toyota of Wallingford, the decision to expand was dictated on how far along the project already was when the pandemic hit, ac-

cording to Steve Zion, owner of the Route 5 dealership. Zion said the first phase of the dealership expansion involved the construction of a 9,000-square-foot service and quick-lube center, which already has been completed. The next phase will involve the construction of a 12,000-square-foot, two-story showroom, he said, which will begin in November and be completed late next spring. â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was too far in the middle [of the project] not to move ahead with it,â&#x20AC;? Zion said. â&#x20AC;&#x153;The steel is already lying out on the front lawn of the dealership.â&#x20AC;? The expansion of the dealership is being done by Pat Munger Construction of Branford. The goal of the expansion, Zion said, is â&#x20AC;&#x153;to improve the overall experience for our customers.â&#x20AC;? â&#x20AC;&#x153;A lot of our business is by word of mouth and we hoping this will make it better for our customers,â&#x20AC;? Zion said. Aiosa said local car dealerships See Keep on Truckinâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;, Page 24

The New

Auto Body Shop

Go to www.AmericanIconFinishes.com/autobody FOR SPECIAL PROMOTIONS

ÂŠ 2020 P.O.R. Products

â&#x201E;˘ American Icon Automotive Finishes is a registered trademark of P.O.R. Products

20 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 20

11/17/2020 7:18:04 PM

www.packernorrisparts.com

8800 Citation Road Baltimore, MD 21221

6.5 MILLION+ INVENTORY OF FORD & MOTORCRAFT PARTS Parts Direct Phone Number

410-574-8305 OR

855-PNP-PART (855-767-7278)

ge 24

Collision to Performance & Maintenance to Repair Wholesale Parts 24 Hour Fax

HOURS Monday-Friday 7:00am-5:30pm Saturday 8:00am-3:00pm

410-574-8389

parts@packernorrisparts.com mgillman@norrisautogroup.com lmiller@packernorrisparts.com

We have the Parts youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re looking for!

58 58+ 8 Daily D il D Departures t FREE Delivery to Parts of MD, DE, PA, NJ, DC and Northern VA Contact us to see if we can deliver to you! autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 21

11/17/2020 7:18:06 PM

Continued from Page 4

2020 Collision in our surrounding states.” “2020 has definitely been a challenging year for everyone,” said Cathi Webb, executive director of the Northwest Automotive Trades Association (NATA). “Between COVID, the riots in Portland and the election year, we have encountered a lot turmoil here in the great Northwest. “The most memorable event for our members is the fact that the automotive industries were deemed essential businesses,” Webb said. “Our association members stayed strong and some members had their best months during this COVID shutdown. NATA members were blessed that we could all stay in business. My heart goes out to all the small businesses that had to close because of COVID and then could not reopen.” Despite everything, some associations managed to grow in 2020. The Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) was formed from

the merger of the NCACAR and the SCACAR. In addition to combining the two associations, “we added 20% new members and retained 98% of our current membership,” said CCA Executive Director Josh Kent. “We established a Code of Ethics, and we put together a consumer, legal and trade school committee.” Kent recently assumed the executive director’s role for the Tennessee Collision Repairers Association (TCRA). “We rejuvenated TCRA and added 25 more people to our membership,” Kent said. “We started a new website, added training videos and hosted our first quarterly meeting this year.” “The NABA had a great year,” according to James Rodis, vice chair of the Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA.) “We more than doubled our association size, plus added some amazing shops that are now part of our committees. Our vender committee has blown our expectations out of the water, offering us a completely different perspective. “We interviewed lobbyists this year and are proud to say we have hired Plucker/Kelley to represent

the association and push some legislation for our members and guests,” Rodis said. “Due to COVID, we were not able to have our Annual Education Day, so we opted for a great series of seven virtual events, in collaboration with KABA, that will feature great names like Kristen Felder, Mark Olsen, Tim Ronak, GM, Ford and even Rivian at the start of next year.” Legislation is always an important effort associations make on behalf of their members, and although 2020 presented even more challenges in this respect than normal, leaders’ devotion to doing the right thing for consumers fortified them in their battles. The Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) developed customer complaint forms to be sent to state legislators and the Texas Department of Insurance (DOI.) “Legislators need to know that their constituents aren’t being indemnified properly for safe and proper repairs, and it helps educate the customer on the issue,” said ABAT President Burl Richards. CCA was also “able to pass legislation on towing and storage,

preventing changes to the wording,” Kent said. “We also created a consumer page with videos and simple education regarding a customer’s rights and the difference between OEM and non-OEM parts.” For Bob Amendola, president of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC), the year’s most exciting success was when “our association’s legal counsel, attorney John Parese, helped national efforts to successfully preserve the 1963 Consent Decree.” The collision repair industry changed and developed in a variety of ways in 2020, and the experiences gained have positioned the industry’s associations to continue enhancing their membership benefits, training opportunities, efforts on behalf of the next generation and legislative initiatives as 2021 rolls around. Autobody News looks forward to continuing to provide all the latest association news in 2020. Happy holidays from our family to yours!

www.autobodynews.com

Superior Superior Service Huge Fleet of Delivery Vans Highly Competitive Discounts Over 30 Years Experience and $1 Million Inventory VIP Honda 700 Rt. 22 East N. Plainfield, NJ 07060

Start something special.

PH FX

908.753.1680 908.753.5135

www.viphonda.com

Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:00pm Sat 8:00am-3:00pm

22 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 22

11/17/2020 7:18:07 PM

ng,” conmple mer’s ween Bob Auto ticut iting on’s rese, fully ee.” ustry varixpethe inue benfforts and rolls

COLD WEATHER IS HERE Is your APPLICATION SOLUTION for cold installations

ward latappy rs!

Go to www.rapidtac.com to find your closest Rapid Tac Products Distributor now.

APPLICATION FLUID - ADHESIVE REMOVER - WAX AND SILICONE REMOVER - FINAL FINISH SPRAY - DURAFLEX SQUEEGEES Made in the USA autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 23

11/17/2020 7:18:08 PM

ership in the 500 block of Main Avenue. The dealership currently is located at 10 Tindall Ave., about two miles from the new location, the site of a former Ethan Allen furniture showroom. Officials with Garavel Subaru did not respond to requests for comment about the new showroom. And BMW of Watertown, one of 10 dealerships that are part of the Hoffman Auto Group, is relocating farther, from Watertown to Waterbury. The BMW dealership soon will be moving to Schraffts Drive, located off the Exit 25 interchange of Interstate 84. Construction has been underway for months at the 5.5-acre site, but Hoffman Auto Group officials did not respond to requests for comment about when the new dealership location might open. We thank the New Haven Register for reprint permission.

Continued from Page 20

AASP/NJ Elects Brad Crawford of Livingston Collision to Board of Directors During its recent virtual Annual Meeting, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) elected Brad Crawford, of Livingston Collision, Inc. in Livingston, NJ, to its Board of Directors. “It’s an honor,” Crawford said. “I was excited just to be nominated [to the board], so being elected was just great. It is nice to be a part of a unified front in an industry where it kind of feels like we are all on an isolated island until you get to talk to like-minded people to exchange problems, come up with ideas and find solutions.” Crawford immersed himself in the industry after joining his family’s longtime business several years ago. He is a co-owner of the shop, which was established in 1961, along with his mother and brother. Upon first getting familiar with the ins and outs of collision repair, Crawford quickly learned that “you don’t know what you don’t know.” “I started talking to [AASP/ NJ Executive Director] Charles Bryant, reaching out to him when

Continued from Cover

Vaccine 94.5% Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Moderna details the criteria used for the analysis of cases evaluated in its statement, including which number of volunteers received the vaccine or a placebo and how many days apart. The vaccine combines Moderna’s messenger RNA delivery platform with the stabilized SARS-CoV-2 spike immunogen developed by NIAID scientists at NIH. “This is a pivotal moment in the development of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate,” said Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna. “Since early January, we have chased this virus with the intent to protect as many people around the world as possible. This positive interim analysis from our Phase 3 study has giv-

I had a problem or two. I realized that there were people out there who would fight for us. It was the driving force for me to get involved and join AASP/NJ.”

Crawford looks forward to having an opportunity to bring his knowledge, skills and experience to the board. “We are trying to restore our customers’ vehicles to pre-loss condition and restore their confidence in that vehicle. At the same time, it’s just getting harder and harder to get properly compensated to do that,” Crawford said. “I hope that by being part of the board and being surrounded by people who are willing to educate themselves, train and implement policies and procedures, I can bring some of that flavor to it and help move the industry forward.” Source: AASP/NJ

en us the first clinical validation that our vaccine can prevent COVID-19 disease, including severe disease.” The NIH announced an independent data and safety monitoring board oversaw the Phase 3 trial of the COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 and found “the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 in adults.” In its interim analysis of 95 cases of symptomatic COVID-19 volunteers, it found that after they received the vaccine, they tolerated it well. NIH reported “a vaccine efficacy rate of 94.5%,” which it says is “statistically significant, meaning they are likely not due to chance.” Moderna says it expects to ship roughly 20 million doses of the vaccine to the U.S. by the end of the year. Next year, it expects to distribute roughly 500 million to 1 billion doses worldwide. We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.

AUTOBODY

Keep on Truckin’ have to deal with what are known as facility image programs. The programs, which are imposed on the dealerships by the automotive manufacturers, have very specific requirements regarding how they want the individual dealerships to look, he said. “Periodically, they want to refresh the looks of the dealerships in the form of some kind of upgrade,” Aiosa said. “It’s usually a period of every seven to 10 years, depending upon the manufacturer.” Dealerships on the move Garavel Subaru in Norwalk currently is before that city’s Planning and Zoning Commission with plans for a new 45,506-square-foot car deal-

FREE 4x Monthly E-Newsletter. Subscribe Today! AUTOBODY

www.autobodynews.com

As Perfect as the Original. Porsche Genuine Parts.

◼ Friendly, Professional, Attentive Service ◼ Large Inventory of Original Porsche Parts ◼ Free Delivery to Nassau & Suffolk Counties Porsche Huntington Ph: 631-424-1310 Fax: 631-424-1318 Hours: M-F 7:30 - 6 / Sat 8 - 5 parts@porschehuntington.com www.porschehuntington.com 855 East Jericho Turnpike Huntington Station, NY 11746

24 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 24

11/18/2020 4:46:15 PM

NJ PARTS OF FLEMINGTON

One Stop Collision Wholesale Parts MERCURY

A Superior Level of Customer Service With FREE DELIVERIES 6 Days a Week!*

1-877-NJ-PARTS 1-877-657-2787

www.NJParts.com

Brought to you by...

Fax: 908-782-1795 *State and other restrictions may apply.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 25

11/17/2020 7:18:15 PM

New Vehicle Subscription Platform Automotive retail innovator Scott Painter on Oct. 29 announced a new venture, NextCar Holding Company (NXCR.) NXCR was launched in response to COVID-19 and the heightened relevance and expected demand for a Car-as-aService (CaaS) mobility model for consumers. Vehicle subscription allows consumers to pay a monthly usage fee for a flexible term, eliminating the long-term commitment of a traditional loan or lease. Subscription services bundle insurance, maintenance and other vehicle operating costs into a single, affordable monthly payment. According to a recent Mckinsey study, “The New Realities of Premium Mobility,” 20% of the automotive retail market is forecast to be used for car sharing driven primarily by subscriptions and autonomous taxis by 2025. Source: NXCR

Continued from Cover

Bill Ford As I write this, the results of the United States election are not fully known and still may not be for some days. No matter where you might be on the political spectrum, I think you will agree that this has been quite a year. Today, I want to share with you my perspective as someone who has been through plenty of turmoil and turbulence, and who has helped lead a company that has always risen to meet challenging times. In the 117 years Ford has been in business, we have worked with 20 presidents, with the time split almost evenly between both parties, and 25 governors in the state of Michigan. When you add political churn within the 200 countries in which we operate worldwide, shifts in the political and regulatory environment have been constant. Change is not the exception, it is the rule. Our relationships with every U.S. president since Theodore

Roosevelt have been built squarely on the credibility and independence of our company. Ford is one of the largest manufacturers and largest employers in America, and our company has always charted its own path. As I have said many times, we always look to establish and follow our own North Star of values and objectives that allow us to thrive—and to be stable—regardless of the political environment. We have also been through all manner of external challenges— economic meltdowns, World Wars, oil shocks, natural disasters and global pandemics. And in the face of every one of those threats, we battled, survived and became a rallying point for Americans and for the world. Ford steps up in times of need, and we are still very much in a time of need. Regardless of which party will control the diﬀerent levers of government, a strong manufacturing base will be essential, and Ford will have an important role to play. No matter who is running the country, our responsibility and commit-

ment to Ford’s role as an engine of progress for America and the world will not change. This has been a diﬃcult and uncertain year. But no matter what results this election yields, the importance of our values—our work, our people, our families, doing the right thing and building a better tomorrow—will transcend, as they always have. Bill When asked for a response to the internal message, Mark Truby, chief communications officer, said, “It speaks for itself.” Bill Ford is a former CEO of the Dearborn automaker and widely viewed as a comforting presence to employees and the public during times of uncertainty. We thank the Detroit Free Press for reprint permission. www.autobodynews.com

UPDATED DAILY

GENUINE MOPAR PARTS.

DELIVERED FAST.

® We come off the line in record time when you need the quality and value of Mopar Parts. Our commitment to same-day delivery helps you achieve faster repair times and more satisfied customers. Keep your shop running at peak performance with our Authentic Mopar Parts. ®

Visit MoparRepairConnection.com for the latest complimentary resources, guides and repair manuals. T I R E D O F H O L D I N G U P YO U R M O N E Y A N D C U STO M E R S — C A LL U S F I R ST !

SECURITY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM 16 Sprague Avenue Amityville, NY 11701

Order Hot Line: (718) 76-PARTS or (631) 789-2255 Fax: (631) 789-2043

Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m. Sat. 8:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. www.securitydodge.com

We accept orders via CollisionLink, RepairLink and CCC True Par ts. ©2020 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC.

26 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com 42885_GEN8_H_AB.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 26

12/11/19 11:56 AM

11/17/2020 7:18:17 PM

ne of orld

and what imork, the etter they

the uby, said,

O of ideence ring

s for

Collision Course: Body Shops Fight for Control of White Plains, NY, Garage by Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com

Massachusetts residents spoke out and voted “yes” on the Right to Repair Bill. According to the results, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly voiced their support at the ballot box for Ballot Question 1, which will preserve vehicle owners’ rights to have access to and control of their vehicle’s mechanical data necessary for service and repair. “It passed three to one, so it passed by an overwhelming majority even though the opponents spent a lot of money,” said Seth Maiman, Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) director of public aﬀairs. “It clearly has a consumer consensus, a public mandate—always a good thing to have when legislating.” Approval of Question 1 ensures car owners can control the mechanical data being transmitted by their vehicle through telematics. This referendum also means owners will be able to have their repair data shared directly with auto glass repair and replacement shops. This is seen as a safety measure for

the industry. “The AGSC got involved in supporting this Massachusetts legislation for safety reasons, because we believe that consumer safety would be jeopardized if repair facilities

chusetts would have access to critical vehicle data,” said Maiman. “As a practical matter, if the car manufacturer has to do that for cars sold in Massachusetts, it may decide to do that for all of its vehicles, and there-

“It has obvious broad implications across the nation”— Seth Maiman didn’t have access to the telematics in a vehicle,” explained Maiman. “The idea that a vehicle owner would be able to take their vehicle to a shop to be repaired, in this case to repair or replace auto glass, that didn’t have access to vital safety data has been concerning to AGSC.” Beginning with vehicles in model year 2022, cars sold in Massachusetts that use the telematics system will have to have an interoperable standardized and open access platform so the vehicle’s information will have to be shared with an interoperable system. “The interoperable system will have to be established so that any repair or replacement shop in Massa-

fore the hope is that the manufacturer’s obligation to comply with this Massachusetts law will help drive what happens in reality throughout the country.” According to Maiman, the industry will have to wait and see how vehicle manufacturers react to the Right to Repair legislation. “It has obvious broad implications across the nation. AGSC believes other states might elect to follow Massachusetts’s lead and have their legislators pass similar state laws,” Maiman said. “It is also likely this is the way cars will be manufactured in the future.” We thank glassBYTEs.com for reprint permission.

Average American Failed Insurance Quiz ValuePenguin quizzed more than 1,000 respondents on the specifics of liability and comprehensive auto coverage, finding that—in most cases—the general population is misinformed about auto insurance. The average American flunked the auto insurance literacy quiz. Respondents on average answered 3.8 out of 9 questions correctly, resulting in a grade of 42%. While more than half knew what personal liability was, only 8% knew what comprehensive car insurance was, while 24% could correctly define property damage liability. 71% of respondents were very confident that they had enough car insurance to pay for any damage, while another 24% were somewhat confident. Two in three consumers didn’t shop around for a better deal the last time their auto insurance policy was up for renewal. That percentage jumps to 76% for baby boomers and 73% for Generation Xers. Source: ValuePenguin

* Large Inventory of Genuine Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter Parts * Free DailyDelivery to DE, NJ, MD and PA * Attentive and Professional Service. Call our Wholesale Parts Experts for All Your Repair and Collision Parts Needs

GENUINE PARTS

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington

TOLL FREE PARTS:

800-800-1949 800-800-1949

PARTS PART PA RTS LOCAL LOCA LO CA AL L DIRECT: DIIR D DIRE RE EC CT T:

302-995-5030 302-995-5030

FAX: FAX FA X::

302-995-5033 302-995-5033

www.mbofwilmington.com parts@mbofwilmington.com

Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30 am - 5:00 pm Sat. 8:00 am - 2:00 pm 3801 Lancaster Pike / Wilmington, DE 19805

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 27

11/18/2020 4:51:45 PM

Active Driving Assistance Systems Have Limitations by David A. Wood, Car Complaints

Active driving assistance systems have made progress with regulators and auto safety advocates, but those systems seem to be giving drivers a false sense of security that could cause crashes, not prevent them. A previous survey conducted by AAA showed 40% of consumers expected the systems, with system names such as Autopilot and ProPILOT, to have the ability to drive the cars without input from drivers. Now new research conducted by the AAA Foundation for Trafﬁc Safety indicates automakers are causing consumers to forget the limitations of active driving assistance systems. Researchers found the names of the systems and the marketing used to advertise the systems confuse consumers concerning the capabilities and convenience of the systems. Advertising that suggests “automated” driving is possible can cause drivers to forget the limitations of the technology, leading to dangerous driving conditions for everyone on the roads.

Continued from Cover

MA Consumers shops throughout the state, it is also a victory for the car owners of the commonwealth who saw through the scare tactics from the manufacturers. “The people of Massachusetts have decidedly favored competition in auto repair,” Hanvey concluded. “Furthermore, we are greatly appreciative of each and every aftermarket company around the country that stepped up in support of this important campaign.” “While this was a hard fought campaign over many months, it is now our hope that the manufacturers will receive the strong message from consumers for control

“These systems assist the driver and take some of the stress out of driving, but they don’t eliminate the need for drivers to pay attention,” said Dr. David Yang, executive director of the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety. AAA recruited 90 participants for the research and provided them an overview of a realistic active driving assistance system, but the system name was fictitious. Half of the participants were told their system was called “AutonoDrive,” and they were given “upbeat training” that emphasized the system’s capabilities and the convenience of using the systems. But the other half of the participants were told their system was named “DriveAssist,” and researchers say the training placed greater emphasis on the system’s limitations and driver responsibility. The drivers training with AutonoDrive had greater confidence in the systems, and researchers found some of those drivers had too much confidence. After the training was concluded and after driving the test vehicle,

of their mechanical data and that they will now work toward implementation of Question 1,” said Aaron Lowe, senior vice president, government and regulatory affairs, Auto Care Association. “The Auto Care Association has worked with cyber security experts to ensure that in-vehicle data can be securely made available to car owners and independent shops. “We stand ready to provide the manufacturers with any technical assistance necessary for eﬀective and timely implementation of this referendum.” For more information, visit www. massrighttorepair.org. For questions, contact Lowe at aaron.lowe@auto care.org. Source: Auto Care Association

42% of the participants using AutonoDrive said its name made the system sound more capable than it was. In comparison, only 11% of DriveAssist users felt the same way. AAA researchers say they understand automakers are in business to manufacture, market and sell vehicles, and to do that an automaker will focus on the alleged convenience and capabilities of driving assistance systems. But words have meaning, and car companies need to use words that won’t give drivers a false sense of security or false expectations. Safety researchers advise owners to read the owner’s manuals to learn the limitations of the systems, limitations that may not be mentioned in advertising for the vehicles. Additionally, leave out the assumptions about the driver assistance systems and recognize the diﬀerences between active driving systems and self-driving systems. We thank Car Complaints for reprint permission.

EMPIRE AUTO PARTS www.empireap.com

Lamps

Bumper Covers

Radiators

Hoods & Fenders

Door Mirrors

Steel Bumpers

Cooling Fans

Grilles & Bezels

NJ DISTRIBUTION CENTER

www.autobodynews.com

MA DISTRIBUTION CENTER

800.624.4561

888.366.5155

NC DISTRIBUTION CENTER

MD DISTRIBUTION CENTER

Serving CT, DE, MA, NJ, NY, PA, VT

Serving GA, NC, SC, VA

AUTOBODY

Several automakers reported sales results from October. Kia Motors America posted October sales of 56,094 units, marking both the best-ever total October sales volume and the best-ever October retail sales volume in company history. Kia’s total volume sales posted a 12.2% increase and retail sales grew by 18.9% over the same period last year. Subaru of America, Inc. reported 61,411 vehicle sales for October 2020, an 11% increase compared with October 2019. October also marked the sixth consecutive month of 50,000-plus vehicle sales for the automaker in 2020. Hyundai Motor America reported total October sales of 57,395 units, a 1% increase compared with October 2019. Retail sales were up 10%. Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total October sales of 22,736 vehicles, an increase of 16.5% compared to October 2019. Source: Kia, Hyundai, Subaru, Mazda

Spend more time running your business and less time worrying about your parts.

800.318.5030 Don’t Miss the Weekly Industry NEWS Your Shop Needs. Sign Up Free Today!

Automakers Report October Sales

Serving ME, MA, NH, RI, VT

888.700.8074

Serving DC, DE, MD, NC, PA, VA, WV

Parts Accuracy

Quality Assurance

Friendly Sales Team

Fast, Free Delivery

28 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 28

11/18/2020 4:52:07 PM

SIMPLY THE BEST

> INNOVATIVE PAINT PREP CART WITH MASKER PART # I-MCWM

> INNOVATIVE PARTS CART Bâ&#x201E;¢ FULLY LOADED PART # SSPC-B/FL

> INNOVATIVE TRUCK BED DOLLY PART # I-TBD > INNOVATIVE ULTRARACK PART # URPS

VISIT WWW.INNOVATIVETOOLS.COM TO VIEW VIDEO DEMONSTRATIONS AND TO FIND A DISTRIBUTOR NEAR YOU autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 29

11/17/2020 7:18:25 PM

Car Part Thefts Plague Rome, NY, Businesses by H. Rose Schneider, Observer-Dispatch

For more than a year now, the city of Rome, NY, has been hit by a rash of catalytic converter thefts, mostly at businesses such as auto body shops and used car lots, police report. Colin Smith, who has a personal garage and previously worked at a car dealership in Rome, has spoken to several Rome business owners, and estimates around 250 cars have been hit, possibly more. That number is hard to track, Rome police Lt. Sharon Rood said, because the charges can vary with each incident—and include auto stripping, grand larceny, criminal mischief or criminal tampering. Police are patrolling areas such as used car lots, and several arrests were made in connection to these thefts over the past year, Rood said. “But with bail reform it’s often the same people,” she said. “They get their appearance ticket and they’re back at it.” Judges can no longer set bail on most misdemeanors and nonviolent felonies after changes to New York’s bail laws took effect in January. Rood believes the change has caused crime to go up this past year in Rome, with the same offenders in cases such as catalytic converter theft being arrested multiple times, she said. Tracking the thefts is also further complicated because catalytic converters can be easily sold to scrapyards with no way of telling where the parts came from, Rood said. “I wouldn’t be able to tell one catalytic converter from the next,” she said. “It could be a legitimate sale.” The catalytic converter, which

he sent an email to state Sen. Jo- ers or similar entities. Scrapyards seph Griffo, state Assemblywoman would also be required to record Marianne Buttenschon, state Sen- the purchase. ate Majority Leader Andrea Stew- Smith had six catalytic conard-Cousins, state Speaker of the verters taken since January. He reAssembly Carl Heastie cently posted a $2,000 reward for and New York Gov. An- the conviction of anyone who has drew Cuomo. stolen catalytic converters in the Buttenschon, D-Mar- area, he said. cy, said after receiving the Paul Uvanni, owner of Victomessage her office began ry Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of researching catalytic con- Rome, also put up a $1,000 reward verter theft. for a conviction, after around 16 “It’s actually an issue were stolen from his dealership. that’s occurring across “It’s an ongoing issue,” Uvanni New York, but also across said. “A lot of dealers in the area are this nation,” she said. feeling it. A lot of neighborhoods in While the state assembly the area are feeling it.” Michael Santos, manager of is currently not in session, Broadway Tire in Rome, NY, seen Nov. 13, is one of several businesses impacted by thefts at auto body shops and Buttenschon has drafted a Broadway Tire in Rome, said it was dealerships, mostly of catalytic converters. Credit: H. Rose bill that would create the nearly a year ago that their shop Schneider/Observer-Dispatch misdemeanor offense of was broken into to steal tools to cut “They can get three converters in second- and third-degree theft of the parts off cars in nearby lots. about five minutes,” he said. “It’s a catalytic converter and the felo- “Every morning, you’re uncrazy, all you need is a sawzall and ny offense of first-degree theft of a locking the door, wondering if that’s it.” catalytic converter. The bill would something is missing,” he said. Metals within the part—in- also require catalytic converters cluding platinum, rhodium and to be sold to scrapyards only by We thank the Observer-Dispatch palladium—are also highly val- state-registered repair shops, deal- for reprint permission. ued right now, Smith said. But while the part will sell for scrap for perhaps hundreds of dollars, it costs d T S the roa upwards of $1,000 to replace. And R A P n because a state law requires catalytI N E back o U ic converters not be reused, it may G E N t them be impossible with older cars, he ge said. t to i f For individuals worried their and y t i l vehicles were hit, it’s not hard to Qua tell. When Joseph Mastrangelo, owner of Mastrangelo Truck Refinishers, started the engine of a van he was working on, the sound was deafening. The van, which was in for repairs, had its catalytic converter cut from its exhaust system Oct. 15. Mastrangelo said the next day reduces toxic gases and pollutants a vehicle’s exhaust, is not usually covered, and, especially with larger vehicles, within easy reach, Smith said.

a i K

Advertise in our Classified Section for $50 per column inch!

800-699-8251 AUTOBODY

ltedesco@autobodynews.com www.autobodynews.com

• Team of Kia Wholesale Parts Specialists • Competitive discounts - Extensive inventory We’ll help you save time, increase profits and satisfy your customers Parts Dept.

718-683-5300

Fax

718-489-9889

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:30-5; Sat 8-2

www.northstarkiany.com 46-05 Northern Blvd., Long Island City, NY 11101

30 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 30

11/18/2020 4:52:26 PM

Wholesale Parts Network Our knowledgeable and helpful parts professionals want to earn your business and will provide you with the highest level of customer friendly service.

• We We stock over $2,000,0000 in collision colllision & mechanical parts • We deliver throughout Massachusetts, We Massachussetts, Rhode Island and New Hampshire every day New • Our Our reputation is built on providingg you the best SERVICE • Save Sav a e time, improve profits and keepp your your customers loyal • Place any order on line with our parts order buy ycolonial.com Pla lace or form at buycolonial.com • Daily Dai aily shipping available throughout New England Eng ngla land nd and and the the Northeast • Joinn our growing list of satisfied customers

Colonial Ford 147 Samoset St., Plymouth, MA 02360 Ph: 800-233-8109 / Fx: 508-830-1658 Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 7:30-4

Colonial Ford of Marlboro 428 Maple St., Marlborough, MA 01752 Ph: 888-617-3599 / Fx: 508-460-3464 wtrottier@buycolonialfordmarlboro.com

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

Colonial Nissan 104 Mystic Ave. Medford, MA 02155 Ph: 781-395-3025 Fx: 781-475-5063 Hours: M-F 7:30-5 Sat 8-4

Colonial Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram 24 Coolidge St. (Rte. 62), Hudson, MA 01749 Ph: 978-568-8000 / Fx: 978-562-1213 Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 www.buymoparpartsnow.com

North End Mazda 747 Chase Rd. (Rte.13) Lunenburg, MA 01462 Ph: 800-322-1241 Fx: 978-582-9841 Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 Sat 8-4

Colonial South Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge-Ram 42 State Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747 Ph: 508-984-1900 / Fx: 774-328-9915 Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-3 parts@buycolonialsouthcjd.com www.buymoparparts.com

Colonial Honda of Dartmouth

225 State Rd., Dartmouth, MA 02747

Colonial Volkswagen 89 Turnpike Rd. (Rte. 9), Westborough, MA 01581 Ph: 888-322-6570 / Fx: 508-616-0445 Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-4

Colonial VW of Medford 340 Mystic Ave., Medford, MA 02155 Ph: 781-475-5208 / Fx: 781-391-3506 Hours: M-Th 7-7; F 7-5; Sat 8-4 nmedeiros@vwmedford.com

Wellesley Volkswagen 231 Linden St., Wellesley, MA 02482 Ph: 800-228-8344 / Fx: 781-237-6024 Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 7:30-4 wellesleyvwparts@aol.com Contact: Dan Bettencourt / Wholesale Parts Manager

Toll Free: 888-240-2773 Parts Dir: 508-997-2919 Fx: 508-730-6578 Hours: M-Th 7-7; F 7-5:30; Sat 8-4:30 jdelcolle@buycolonialhonda.com www.hondapartswholesaledirect.com

Cityside Subaru 790 Pleasant St., Belmont, MA 02478 Ph: 617-826-5013 / Fx: 617-489-0733 Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@citysidesubaru.com North End Subaru 757 Chase Rd. (Rte.13), Lunenburg, MA 01462 Ph: 888-686-4387 / Fx: 978-582-9843 Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@northendsubaru.com www.northendsubaru.com

Colonial Cadillac of Woburn 201 Cambridge Rd., Woburn, MA 01801 Ph: 781-935-7009 / Fx: 781-933-7728 Hours: M, T, Th, F 7-5; W 7-8; Sat 8-4 www.buycolonialcadillac.com Colonial Chevrolet 171 Great Rd., Acton, MA 01720 Ph: 978-263-3994 / Fx: 978-263-8587 Hours: M-F 7-5; Sat 8-4 parts@colonialchevrolet.com Colonial South Chevrolet 361 State St., Dartmouth, MA 02747 Ph: 508-997-6711 / Fx: 508-979-1219 Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 parts@colonialsouthchevrolet.com Colonial West Chevrolet 314 John Fitch Hwy., Fitchburg, MA 01420 Ph: 978-503-7480 / Fx: 978-345-1152 Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 31

11/17/2020 7:18:34 PM

HONDA CONNECTICUT

MASS

Curtiss-Ryan Honda Shelton

800-523-4190 203-929-0635

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5; Sat 7-4 callen@curtissryan.com

Lia Honda of Enfield

LIA

De NEW

Enfield

800-221-3131 860-741-3401

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 jdoucette@liacars.com MAINE

Berlin City Honda

South Portland

800-640-6685 207-774-6685

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 mmmparts@berlincity.com

D sba

Prime Honda Saco

207-391-7910 207-282-0900

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Th. 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-4 klavalle@driveprime.com

Dept. H anth

MARYLAND

Criswell Honda Germantown

866-738-2886

Dept. H ms

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-9; Fri 7-7:30; Sat 8-6 hondaparts@criswellauto.com

Dep

ACURA MASSACHUSETTS

Acura of Boston

NEW

Brighton

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-5 bruce.fisher@acuraofboston.com

D m

800-254-1169 617-254-5400

Acura of Peabody Peabody

800-878-3600 978-532-9110

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 8-5 dbritt@acurapeabody.com NEW JERSEY

D b

Acura Turnersville Turnersville

888-883-2884 856-516-6060

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 kristen.powell@penskeautomotive.com

32 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 32

11/17/2020 7:18:34 PM

D r

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

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

LIA Honda Northampton

Route 22 Honda

Lia Honda of Albany

Shadyside Honda

800-369-7889 413-587-2900

973-705-9100

800-272-6741 518-482-2598

800-468-2090 412-390-2908

Northampton

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-3 dstanisewski@liacars.com NEW JERSEY

Clinton Honda Annandale

877-657-2787

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5 chrish@clintonhonda.com

Honda of Turnersville Turnersville

800-883-0002 856-649-1584

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4 sbaptist@penskeautomotive.com

Hudson Honda West New York

866-483-6917 201-868-9500

Hillside

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7:30; Sat 8-5 rt22hondaparts@route22honda.com

Sussex Honda Newton

Lia Honda of Williamsville

VIP Honda

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7:30-8; Fri 7:30-5; Sat 8-5:30 liaparts@liacars.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5 realhondaparts@sussexhonda.com

North Plainfield

908-753-1680

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3 kevinh@viphonda.com NEW YORK

Brewster Honda Brewster

845-278-4177

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 kbennett@liacars.com

Dick Ide Honda

Madison Honda

800-462-0056 (N.Y.) 585-586-4919

Madison

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-8; Fri 7-6; Sat 8-6; mschumer@madisonhonda.com

Rossi Honda Vineland

800-893-3030 856-692-4449

Dept. Hours: M, T, W, F 7:30-5:30; Thur 7:30-8; Sat 8-5 mjerard@liacars.com

800-842-0557 973-579-3500

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-5; Sun 8-3 anthony.perrone@hudsonhonda.com

800-648-0293 973-822-1710

Albany

Rochester

Dept. Hours: M-Thur 8-8; Fri 8-5:30; Sat 8-5 parts@dickide.com

Lamacchia Honda Syracuse

Williamsville/Buffalo

877-659-2672 716-632-3800

Ray Laks Honda West Seneca

716-824-7852

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-8; Sat 7:30-5:30 ekuznicki@raylaks.com

Pittsburgh

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5 shadysidehondaparts@hotmail.com

Shenango Honda Hermitage

800-858-0849 724-981-7106

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@shenangoauto.com

Sussman Honda Roslyn

800-682-2914 215-657-3301

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 rendrick@sussmanauto.com VERMONT

PENNSYLVANIA

Apple Honda York

800-960-9041 717-848-2600

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4; Sun 10-4 applehondaparts@appleauto1.com

802 Honda Berlin

802-223-9700

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-Noon hondaparts@802cars.com

Baierl Honda Wexford

724-940-2006

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 johnryan@baierl.com

315-471-7278

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 9-1 parts@lamacchiahonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 6:30-5; Sat 7:30-3 dave@rossihonda.com

NEW JERSEY

Bill Vinceâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bridgewater Acura Bridgewater

908-704-0307

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-4 mattn@bridgewateracura.com

Elite Acura Maple Shade

856-722-9600

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 bmartinsen@group1auto.com

Open Road Acura of East Brunswick East Brunswick

732-238-0777 732-238-5466

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 robert.talbot@openroad.com

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

Park Ave Acura

Paragon Acura

Baierl Acura

888-690-7621 201-587-0028

718-507-3990

800-246-7457 724-935-0800

Maywood

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-3 ron@parkaveacura.com NEW YORK

Acura of Westchester Westchester

914-834-8887

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-8; Sat 8-4; Sun 9-4 acura.parts@yahoo.com

Curry Acura Scarsdale

800-725-2877 914-472-7406

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 parts@curryacura.com

Woodside

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5; Sun 9-4 johnp@paragonacura.com

Smithtown Acura St. James

888-832-8220 631-366-4114

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@smithtownacura.com

Wexford

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 johnsabella@baierl.com

Davis Acura Langhorne

866-50-ACURA 215-943-7000

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-4 markh@davisacura.com

Sussman Acura Jenkintown

800-826-4078 215-884-6285

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 rendrick@sussmanauto.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 33

11/17/2020 7:18:35 PM

with Erica Schroeder

Industry Insight with John Yoswick

—John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon who 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.

Perspectives, Ideas Shared by Dealership Management Helpful for Independent Shops as Well

Shop Showcase

In a series of webinars in October, fected every service advisor’s office of her focuses, asking service advidealership fixed operations and ser- and all the technicians’ work stations, sors at each morning meeting to share vice department managers shared even though the dealer had a compa- something positive that happened the with Ed Attanasio their experiences and lessons learned ny already doing that overnight. day before. They’ve bought lunches during the pandemic, including per- “I sprayed everything,” Kroeger or brought desserts out to employees. spectives and ideas that could be said. “I just did it myself “This is going to sound helpful for independent collision re- because then I knew it was really silly, but I went out pairs as well. done. I felt safe. My biggest and bought a huge num During one of the online group focus day in and day out is ber of smiley face helium discussions, three of the four panelkeeping my parts and serballoons and placed one at with Ed Attanasio ists said they’d had personnel test vice people safe so that we every advisor’s office, one positive for COVID-19. at the parts counter and on can stay open.” the tables in the café in the “It got pretty scary for a little bit, She said early on, the Scott Doering of when we had a couple people who dealership owner chose to Volvo Cars USA said dealership,” Kroeger said. tested positive,” said Becca Kro- offer free maintenance labor customers want an “I bought helium replace“Uber-like experieger, service manager at Universal for all first responders. ment, and for the month and ence” from shops Nissan in Orlando. “We got right on “It was amazing how offering pick-up and a half when things were really with Ed Attanasio it. As soon as we found out someone much business it brought delivery of vehicles rough, we kept those smiley had symptoms, they had to self-quar- in during those times,” she faces going. You’d be amazed antine for two weeks. They would said, noting that service advisors of- how much people appreciated it. It just have to be tested and get a negative ten found other needed work on those reminded everybody to smile, even beresult to come back.” vehicles. “We were able to upsell. So hind the masks.” Each time, with she said, she went Her advice as the pandemic conEd Attanasio we absolutely came out ahead.” into the dealership herself and disin- Keeping up morale has been one tinues?

Social Media for Shops

SEMA Show Goes On

Media and Publicity for Shops Shop Strategies

INFINITI OF NORWOOD with Stacey Phillips

Body Shops Giving Back

“The thing I learned from day one is to be flexible,” she said. “You never know what another [employee] has going on personally, or what they’re thinking. If they’ve needed to go home, I absolutely let them. It did not matter what the situation was. I didn’t question them.” Francisco Mora, service manager for Esserman International Volkswagen in Doral, FL, said management at the dealership considered closing for a time after a parts counter employee, who delivers parts to technicians, tested positive. Instead, they sent half the staff out to be tested and quarantined for two weeks, then sent the other half out for two weeks when the quarantined employees returned. “So I was half-staffed for a month,” Mora said. “We’ve done that process probably four or five times when other people have had [COVID-19]. So a lot of employees have had to wear other

888.340.4442 FX

781.702.6804

Proud Recipient of the 2013 Award of Excellence for outstanding customer service

with Stacey Phillips

Tips for Busy Body Shops with Stacey Phillips

√ 24-Hour Delivery √ Full Parts Inventory √ Overnight UPS Service √ Serving All of New England √ Call before 7pm for Next Day Delivery

Genuine Infiniti Parts and Accessories deliver model-specific enginee engineering, perfect fit, reliability, and ent Manufacturer. like new performance for your vehicle you would expect from an Original Equipment Genuine Infiniti Parts and Accessories fit the first time, helping you save time and money. with Stacey Phillips

My SEMA

“You have my guarantee of personal service. We do what it takes to get the right Infiniti parts to you u on time.” -Kevin Donnelly, Parts Manager

866 Boston Providence Highway Norwood MA

Shop Strategies with Victoria Antonelli

34 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 34

11/17/2020 7:18:36 PM

hats. I was a cashier for about a week. My parts manager was a parts counterperson for about a week. We’ve got to do what we’ve got to do. The point was to stay open.” Mora said the dealership kept employees incentivized even for the two slowest months in the spring by paying time and a half for flat rate workers, and by ensuring everyone would make what they averaged the prior year. “A lot of our employees said, ‘You know what, the owner has our back, so we’ll have his back,’” Mora said. “They came to work when we asked them to work. They worked hard.” The management team went through the difficult process of building a furlough list of employees just in case, he said, but it fortunately wasn’t needed. The hourly techs in the dealership’s express department were high on the list, given their expense and the lack of business in that department last spring, but they were kept on to instead handle all the pick-up and delivery of customer vehicles to keep the rest of the shop busy, Mora said. By June, the shop’s repair order count was close to normal, and more

recently it was a “September to remember,” he said, “the best month for parts and service we’ve had since March of 2017.” His lesson heading into the end of the year: “Consistency. We have to remain consistent,” he said. “What happens is if people get too comfortable, they’ll forget to put the mask on, they won’t wash their hands, they won’t keep social distancing,” Mora said. “For the coming months, we have to make sure we remain consistent in enforcing PPE. Because we want to remain open, and I want to continue to grow. But we have to continue to work through this together.” With body shops more frequently offering pick-up and delivery of customer vehicles during the pandemic, they may be interested in what some automakers and dealers are learning about using that service to draw more work into dealership service departments. Scott Doering, vice president of customer service for Volvo Cars USA, said his company was about a year into a pilot of Volvo Valet with about 20 dealers when the pandemic hit, so

they could ramp it up quickly. It has had 21,000 bookings since March. “With COVID-19 hitting, consumers were looking for different solutions. They wanted convenience,” Doering said. “It’s a user-friendly platform for our retailers, and provides consumers with an Uber-like experience, a fully-transparent experience.” Consumers can use an app or call to schedule pick-up, and the app allows the customer to see where the driver coming to get their vehicle is, and when the driver will arrive. That driver generally is dropping off a loaner at the same time, taking images of the condition of both vehicles at the handoff. Customers receive notification when their vehicle arrives at the dealer’s shop, and a similar process is used when the vehicle is ready to be returned. Dawn Matthews, service and parts director for the David Auto Group in Glen Mills, PA, said they are working with a third-party vendor to provide a similar service for their Jeep, Dodge and Chrysler customers, and agrees that transparency is the key. “That Uber-like experience,

where a customer can track the driver on their phone, I think customers really yearn for that,” she said. “The customer is looking for all the tools they have when they use DoorDash.” Doering said though it’s too early for Volvo to know if its valet service will positively affect customer retention as hoped, service ROs for customers using the valet service have been 21% higher compared to non-valet service ROs. “I think it comes down to trust and taking care of the customer’s problem,” he said. “If we can administer service in a way where we can be very transparent and provide convenience, consumers are willing to pay.” He said Volvo this year is providing a per-leg reimbursement to dealers to cover their labor costs for valet drivers, but is working toward implementing a convenience-fee model next year. “In every other industry, consumers pay for convenience,” he said. “People pay to have groceries or food delivered because the convenience is a value to them. Why shouldn’t that be the case with something like pickup and delivery?”

Your #1 Source for GM Collision Wholesale Parts • Free Delivery to Northern New Jersey, Rockland, Westchester, Orange and Putnam Counties in New York and the Bronx

• Register with Cadillac of Mahwah to Receive an Introductory Discount on Your GM Parts Order

• A “Bump the Competition Conquest” Dealer

• Extensive Inventory of Genuine GM Parts

201.579.6497 201.579.6506 FAX

www.cadillacofmahwah.com

Parts Hours:

Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 5pm Sat. 8am - 3pm

319 Route 17 North // Mahwah, NJ 07430

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 35

11/17/2020 7:18:37 PM

Co be Th ve

52 En (8

CR JE

84 Ga (3

OU DO

12 Cl (4 Fa

OU DO

24 Bo (2

24 W (8 (3

FIT AND FINISH IS NO PLACE TO GET CREATIVE.

Â©2 FIA 36 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com ABN_Northeast_2pgSpread_2018.indd 1

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 36

11/17/2020 7:18:38 PM

GET IT DONE RIGHT WITH ORIGINAL MOPAR PARTS. ®

Collision repair is no place to cut corners. It’s also no place to drill holes or do extra welding to make the wrong part fit better. Only Mopar® parts are made from the original specs for durability, performance and the highest safety standards. They’ve also undergone rigorous testing as part of a whole safety system. So don’t compromise the integrity of the whole vehicle for a lesser part. When you partner with us, you’ll get the right part for the job – Authentic Mopar. CONNECTICUT

ARTIOLI CHRYSLER DODGE 525 Enfield Street Enfield, CT 06082 (888) 436-6727

MARYLAND

CRISWELL CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

84 Bureau Drive Gaithersburg, MD 20878 (301) 212-4453

OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

MASSACHUSETTS

KELLY JEEP CHRYSLER

353 Broadway – Route 1 North Lynnfield, MA 01940 (800) 278-8558 Fax: (781) 581-2490 kjcparts@kellyauto.com

MCGOVERN CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM

777 Washington Street Newton, MA 02460 (800) 741-7563 NEW JERSEY

12430 Auto Drive Clarksville, MD 21029 (410) 988-9570 Fax: (410) 988-9591

DOVER DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP

OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

FRANKLIN SUSSEX AUTO MALL

2406 Crain Hwy. Bowie, MD 20716 (240) 245-1966

WALDORF DODGE

2450 Crain Highway Waldorf, MD 20601 (866) 843-1905 (301) 843-1905

158 S. Salem Street Dover, NJ 07801 (888) 676-6727 315 Route 23 Sussex, NJ 07461 (888) 528-2200

NIELSEN DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP RAM

175 Route 10 East Hanover, NJ 07936 (973) 515-2010

TURNERSVILLE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM 3100 Black Horse Pike Turnersville, NJ 08012 (856) 875-2627

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

CARBONE CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

BROWN-DAUB CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE

CENTRAL AVENUE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE WHOLESALE DIVISION

NEW HOLLAND CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM

5017 Commercial Drive Yorkville, NY 13495 (315) 736-3371

1839 Central Park Avenue Yonkers, NY 10710 (800) 967-5298 Fax: (914) 961-4313

EASTCHESTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE 4007 Boston Road Bronx, NY 10466 (914) 597-7018

3903 Hecktown Road Easton, PA 18045 (800) 274-3151

508 West Main Street New Holland, PA 17557 (800) 367-3232 RHODE ISLAND

BALD HILL DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP

“We’re As Close As Your Phone.” Warwick, RI 02886 (800) 822-3015

NEMER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE RAM OF SARATOGA

617 Maple Avenue Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (518) 584-0058

ROCKLAND CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE 60 Route 304 Nanuet, NY 10954 (845) 623-1367 Fax: (845) 623-0903

SECURITY DODGE CHRYSLER JEEP 16 Sprague Avenue Amityville, NY 11701 (718) 76-PARTS (631) 789-2255

VISION DODGE

920 Panarama Trail South Rochester, NY 14625 (585) 385-1275 Fax: (585) 385-6049

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 37 10/29/20 2:07 PM

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 37

11/17/2020 7:18:38 PM

with Stacey Phillips

From the Desk of Mike Anderson with Mike Anderson

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

Hands-On Testing Shows Limitations of Relying Solely on DTCs or Aftermarket Scan Tools I’ve had the good fortune recently to spend some time working with Nissan/Infiniti as they prepare some new hands-on training they are developing, and it gave me a chance to spend some time scanning and learning about calibrations on their newest vehicles. That led to a couple of key takeaways that I wanted to share with you here. The first item I discovered made its way into a six-minute video that can be found on Jake Rodenroth’s LinkedIn page (https://www.linkedin. com/feed/update/urn:li:activity: 6712096365968666624/). Jake and asTech were also at the Nissan/Infiniti training pilot, and his video demonstrates that shops can’t rely solely on the absence of diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) as an indication that all advanced driver assistance systems on a vehicle are calibrated and ready to function properly. It also shows why even minor damage to a vehicle is enough to warrant a scan. “I have a 2020 Nissan Titan, my personal vehicle, with some minor freight damage on the front,” Jake said. “There are no DTCs present for the radar. But because of the damage, the radar is actually off-center. The horizontal alignment is measured in degrees, and the spec is plus or minus 3 degrees. My truck is pointing at negative 3.38. It’s out of spec according to Nissan’s manual. But it hasn’t triggered a DTC.” That’s why shops need to do

a thorough review of a pre-repair scan—not just checking for DTCs— to identify the need for something like that to be adjusted. Don’t rely just on the presence or absence of a DTC to determine an ADAS requirement. Aside from checking for DTCs, check the “values” of the ADAS components—the horizontal and vertical specifications, for example. Just like a four-wheel alignment, you can’t verify if something is properly aligned unless you verify what it is and what it should be, given any acceptable tolerance. You simply cannot determine if specific ADAS components are within specs on a Nissan or Infiniti vehcile without using a scan tool. The second thing I confirmed while I was working with Nissan is something I don’t always win friends by saying, and that’s this: What you find when scanning a vehicle absolutely varies depending on whether you are using a factory scan tool or an aftermarket scan tool. We did sideby-side comparisons on four brand new Nissans and a new Infiniti, and every single aftermarket tool we tried failed to connect with at least one or more of each vehicle’s control modules. On a Sentra, for example, the aftermarket tool we used picked up three control modules. The Nissan scan tool picked up 22. You read that right: 22. The aftermarket tool didn’t get past the gateway to be able to pick up anything more than data from the emissions-related controllers.

CCC Introduces ADAS Insights CCC Information Services Inc. (CCC) announced Nov. 9 the availability of CCC® VIN Connect-ADAS, the latest in a series of innovations that support underwriting precision at the point-of-quote. CCC VIN Connect-ADAS provides a vehicle-level view of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), providing underwriters with an easy way to understand available safety features to assess risk more accurately.

CCC VIN Connect-ADAS is part of a broader offering that helps underwriters gain a 360-view of a driver and their vehicle. The VIN Connect portfolio connects underwriters to ADAS and driving behavior data via a single API. CCC Quick View is a mobile app that can be presented within an insurer’s own policyholder app experience.

There’s also another key distinction. Scanning tools aren’t just about reading a module to determine if there are DTCs. It’s about bidirectional control. Can that tool not just read the data, but can it “talk back” to the vehicle? Can it send that vehicle a command that it reacts to? “When you do ADAS calibrations, that’s all you’re doing,” Jake said of bidirectional control. “You’re telling the camera, ‘Hey, I’m going to calibrate you, and so I want you to look for a particular pattern.’” It’s a similar process If you’re doing a radar calibration. You’re using the scan tool to send the module a command to activate the radar. Because otherwise that radar doesn’t even activate until the wheels are turning. Makers of aftermarket scan tools talk about having “coverage” for a wide swath of vehicles. But does that

mean full coverage? Can that tool not just read codes but clear codes? Can it reach all the modules on board? So while some people don’t like that I point out key differences between factory scan tools and aftermarket, I will challenge them to prove me wrong. I’ll meet you wherever you like with a brand new Nissan and the factory scan tool. You bring whatever aftermarket scan tool you like, and together we’ll do a side-by-side comparison. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for aftermarket scan tools. It’s just important to recognize the key limitations, and as with any tool, not to presume it can do things that it cannot. And when it comes to scanning and ADAS calibrations, any such limitations can have serious consequences for the driver and passengers in that vehicle post-repairs.

WHITE PLAINS VOLKSWAGEN

NEW HOLLAND TOYOTA

410 Saw Mill River Road Elmsford, NY 10523

888.774.9926 914.372.7056 Fax

www.whiteplainsvolkswagen.com jmershon@whiteplainsvolkswagen.com

M-F 7:30am-5:30pm w/ Delivery Sat 8am-2pm No Delivery n

Free Daily Delivery Professional Staff n Competitive Pricing n Extensive Inventory

528 W. Main Street New Holland, PA 17557

800-367-3232 717-354-4907

717-354-3906 Fax www.newhollandauto.com

M-F 7am-5:30pm

n Wide Delivery Area n Competitive Pricing

Source: CCC

38 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 38

11/17/2020 7:18:39 PM

PARTS

Right on Time!

Tell us what you want and when you need them by, and we’ll get them to you.

What we offer: • 80 wholesale professionals ready to serve cturer deliveries • Same night manufacturer ry on-site • $6.2 million inventory y • Open 22 hours a day elivery y • Automated order delivery and tracking • Regional / national parts locating • 24 hr. return / creditt process

CLOSED 9 - 11pm

O OPEN OP PE N

Here to Help

with Any Parts Needs. For new customer inquiries, email: parts@nucar.com or call Nick Halliday at:

302-613-5593 “Call me with any questions you have”

PH: 800-633-6606 FAX: 800-346-5285

email: parts@nucar.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 39

11/17/2020 7:18:41 PM

Financial Incompetence is No Excuse! by Dave Luehr

Struggling businesspeople can often be heard reciting all the reasons they aren’t making enough money. When pressed, however, they rarely know how to make money. In fact, they usually can’t even tell me what their revenue is so far this month or how much they need to make to be profitable! Look, I agree. It’s tough out there. But I really believe the ones doing most of the complaining are often the ones who need to do most of the learning! In most countries, we have been given the legal right to open and conduct a business; however, we do not have the right to operate a business successfully, unless we learn business skills! More precisely, financial skills. Let me take you back to 1991. There I was on another typical gray, rainy, Oregon afternoon. I was traveling at a speed which felt dangerously high for my Mazda pickup. I knew the I-5 corridor very well from

the many trips between my shop in Salem and Portland, where all the large dealership parts warehouses were. I knew where most of the cops would hide. On that particular day in 1991, though, I was looking extra hard for them because I had my name painted down the entire side of the truck, “Luehr’s Auto Body” in bright colors. Plus, I really couldn’t afford to get caught. Here’s why. You see, 30 minutes prior, I was notified by my receptionist that I didn’t have enough money in the bank to meet payroll today unless the blue 1986 Buick got picked up and fully paid for! The only problem was we didn’t have the parts we needed to finish the Buick! Thank God Ron Tonkin Chevrolet had these parts in stock. Now, if I could just get to Portland and back in just under two hours, we may be able to deliver the car, get the check and race my employees to the bank so their checks would clear! The ridiculous thing? This was not the first time this race had taken

place. No, far from it. If I was going to survive in business, this madness had to stop! The Decision This was when I decided to take personal responsibility for my financial incompetence and learn how to take back control of my business by knowing, proactively and in advance, what my financial situation was going to be each and every day so that I could make adjustments and take action in the moment to “make my month” every day. If you can relate to my story, or if you often say things like, “I can’t make any money,” I want to ask you something: how do you know? The truth is a huge percentage of the shops I talk to in North America are simply not equipped with the financial knowhow required to be highly successful in today’s challenging marketplace. They think they are not making money because the checkbook is out of checks! It is a shame shops continue to struggle with this, because it is a rel-

atively easy fix if they are willing to put forth some effort into learning. If you are anything like I was way back in my early business days, you can—and you must—seek to acquire a basic understanding of how to operate a business by the numbers. If a guy like me, who barely made it out of high school, can run a successful business by the numbers, so can you! Here are some suggestions to get you started. The Basics While I recommend shop owners learn as much as they can about the financial side of their business, I believe they should at least learn the basics. The more advanced stuff can be outsourced in many cases to trusted partners such as bookkeeping services or CPAs. If you need help getting started or need an ongoing financial expert, we at Elite Body Shop Solutions also have advisors who can help. Or maybe you are like me? Once I learned the basics, I became

40 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 40

11/17/2020 7:18:41 PM

addi stuff math with stan 1. P Profi that vario mate the e ing botto your usua the m to an er, it sam each oppo such each itabi late. job and ning

addicted to mastering the financial stuff! After all, once you master the math, you can master the money! So, what are the basics? To begin with, a shop leader needs to understand these four things: 1. Profit and loss Profit and loss is the simple equation that shows revenue coming in the various departments like parts, labor, materials and sublet, then subtracts the expenses involved, thereby leaving a profit or a loss in revenue. The bottom of a P&L statement shows your net profit. Profit and loss statements are usually produced each month, after the month is over. This is a great way to analyze past performance; however, it is a history report. Smart operators also use the same basic P&L structure to analyze each job during the month. This is an opportunity to check profit centers such as parts, labor and materials on each job so shops can optimize profitability on each job before it’s too late. This practice, commonly called job costing, is a proactive approach and is a critical component of running a business by the numbers.

The profit and loss statement, P&L or Income Statement is a document most shops produce monthly to show operating performance. This document will indicate if the business is operating profitably or not; the only problem is that, as important as this information is, it doesn’t tell the whole story. 2. The difference between profit and cash It is important to know the difference between profit and cash. I know many businesses that are actually profitable, while running negative cashflow. That is something I learned the hard way back in 1991. I grew my business so fast I had too much work in process and ended up draining all my cash. In other words, I was buying parts and materials for cars I wasn’t going to begin repairs on for several more weeks. Another area that chews up cash in an otherwise profitable business is accounts receivable. I learned early on I needed to keep my paperwork and supplements in real time with the vehicle repairs so I could keep A/R to a bare minimum.

3. Breakeven What is breakeven? My friend Bruce King describes breakeven as the day of the month where you make exactly zero money! As funny as that sounds, he is exactly right. Breakeven is usually described as a moment in time, typically a day in the month, when the shop has earned enough gross profit from revenue to meet the shop’s indirect costs. Simply understanding a shop’s breakeven number allows proactive action from management to reach the number as early in the month as possible and to start accumulating profit during the remaining days. And, unless a shop owner knows his or her numbers every day along the way, compared to a goal, the shop is flying blind! Finally, there are several numbers that shop owners should keep track of every single day! 4. Five Numbers You Need to Know Every Day MTD Revenue vs. Goal MTD Labor Hours vs. Goal MTD Deposits vs. Goal

WIP vs. Goal Scheduled WIP vs. Goal Wrapping It Up I don’t want to come off too harsh here, but it is critical for shop leaders to understand this. We work in a time and in an industry that is becoming dominated by “businesspeople” who understand how to run businesses by the numbers. Financial incompetence is no longer an acceptable excuse for poor business performance primarily because the education is so widely available. Whether a shop owner chooses to obtain some basics and then outsources the complicated stuff or wants to master it him or herself, it is time to start creating a prosperous financial future! Like I said, if I can learn this stuff so can you!

LIKE US ON

FACEBOOK: Autobody News

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 41

11/17/2020 7:18:41 PM

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR.

Orig

Connecticut

Kee

BMW of Watertown

Watertown 844-895-6839 860-274-5471 860-274-0617 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm Sat 7:30am-4pm John.musco@hoffmanauto.com

BMW of Darien

Darien 203-328-1325 203-978-0043 Fax M-F 8am-5pm wholesale@bmwdarien.com

BMW of Silver Spring Silver Spring

301-890-3015 800-288-6982 301-890-3748 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm wholesaless@mileone.com www.bmwofsilverspring.com

New Hampshire BMW of Stratham

Stratham 800-989-5200 603-772-9436 Fax jmaxwell@group1auto.com www.bmwofstratham.com

Maryland

New Jersey

Catonsville 855-996-2906 410-818-2600 Fax M-F 8am-5pm www.bmwofcatonsville.com

Morristown 973-796-3145 973-796-3146 Fax M-F 8am-6pm

BMW of Catonsville

BMW of Morristown

BMW of Newton

Newton 973-579-6020 973-579-6702 Fax M-F 8am-5:30pm www.bmwnewton.com

BMW of Flemington Flemington (877) 657-2787 (908) 782-1795 Fax M-F 7:30am to 6pm Sat 8am to 2pm www.njparts.com

BMW of Tenafly

Tenafly 877-276-9159 201-567-2712 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm bmwtenaflyparts@penskeautomotive.com www.bmwoftenafly.com

wholesaleparts.bmw@openroad.com

www.bmwofmorristown.com

Circle BMW

Eatontown 732-440-1238 732-440-1239 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-3pm Wholesale@circlebmw.com www.circlebmw.com

Park Ave. BMW

South Hackensack 888-349-5168 201-291-2376 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm al@parkavebmw.com www.parkavebmw.com

New York

BMW of Bayside

Bayside 516-304-3733 516-570-4268 Fax M-Sat 8am-5pm bmwparts@bmwbayside.com www.bmwbayside.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 42

11/17/2020 7:18:42 PM

Lath 877 518 518 M-F Sat bmw www

Penn

App

York 717 717 M-F Sat appl www

Original BMW Parts & Accessories. Keeler BMW

Latham 877-553-3909 518-785-4197 518-785-4710 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm bmwparts@keeler.com www.keelerbmw.com

Pennsylvania Apple BMW

York 717-849-6597 717-843-2948 Fax M-F 7am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm applebmwparts@appleauto1.com www.applebmwofyork.com

Rhode Island

BMW of Newport

Middletown 401-847-9600 401-841-0680 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm gromani@metromotorgroup.com wwwbmwofnewport.com

When you repair a BMW, use the parts that are identical to those used in Series production – and just as reliable. Choose Original BMW Parts and Accessories. Because you can’t repair your reputation.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 43

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 43

11/17/2020 7:18:43 PM

Be Prepared and Be Ready: Tips for Selling Your Business by Chasidy Rae Sisk

If you own a collision repair business, you will eventually have to ask: “Is it time to sell?” Rick Schwartz of Schwartz Advisors discussed this important decision Oct. 21 during “Tips on Selling Your Business,” part of ASA’s Webinar Wednesday series. Tony Molla, ASA vice president of industry relations, introduced Schwartz and the presentation: “While it’s not uncommon to have a succession plan in place, changing circumstances can and often do require a different strategy. It’s an individual decision that can only be made by a business owner.” Beginning by looking at mergers and acquisitions (M&A) over the last decade, Schwartz pointed out the strength of M&A in the automotive aftermarket industry. Though COVID-19 had a significant impact earlier this year, this industry is recovering faster than many others, with private equity firms investing and selling companies. “Be prepared and be ready,” Schwartz advised. “If you haven’t already, you will have to address mergers and acquisitions eventually—whether it’s your business, your competitors or others in your market. There’s a lot of opportunity to take advantage of M&A.” Although current M&A interest creates a lot of opportunities, buying or selling a business is a personal decision made by the business owner. “This might be the most important business decision you’ll ever make, so you have to be clear about what your objectives are,” Schwartz said. “If you’re ready to consider selling your business, be prepared! Business owners that do their homework before starting the sale process get better results.” According to Schwartz, automotive repair business valuations are high right now because large corporations want to grow and many are backed by private equity investors, causing a rush to consolidate local and regional chains; however, “valuations ebb and flow with the economy, and they will not always be this unbelievably high,” he cautioned. Those considering selling must

determine what they need to net, if they want to continue working, what the value of the business is and who potential buyers might be. “Buyers who see the strategic value in your business will always be inclined to pay a little more for your company,” Schwartz stressed. After making the decision to sell, you must decide if you will work for the new owner or if you will leave after a transition period. You should also be clear about which employees will continue to work for the new owner. “Your business is probably one of the most important assets that you own,” Schwartz said. “Figuring out what it’s really worth and who the likely buyers are is not easy, but it is possible to get a handle on things. This is your decision, so think through what your needs are and be prepared before you decide to start a sale process.” Before beginning the process, there are three topics that Schwartz suggests being well-versed on: your numbers, what makes your business valuable and your legal business structure. The sales process begins with the numbers, but many business owners are concerned this first step is too complicated. In addition to providing three years of financial statements, the seller must show a schedule of adjustments, identifying one-time expenses the new owner won’t have to pay for. “This is really critical in getting the optimal valuable for your company,” Schwartz explained. Reasonable projections for the next three to five years must also be included. Determine what makes the business valuable may not be as clearcut as you’d think—besides your customer list, key suppliers, physical assets and intellectual property, your employees and your own skills and reputation may be part of what makes the purchase so attractive. “A lot of times, YOU are what makes the business valuable, so how will it thrive if you’re leaving? You need to be able to show that the business will be able to survive without you, and then you need to be able to communicate this to a potential

buyer,” Schwartz said. “Knowing what makes your business exciting and valuable will help you negotiate with a buyer.” The legal structure of the business also has a significant impact on valuations and can help determine the best form of a transaction. Taxation laws also vary depending on whether the shop is registered as a corporation, partnership, LLC, etc. Selling your business is very emotional and disruptive, but Schwartz assured, “It does end. If you’re prepared and can avoid any hiccoughs, you have a shot at getting a better deal… even while you’re in the middle of the sales process, you have to continue running your business to take advantage of opportunities in the marketplace. Selling a business feels like a full-time job, but you can’t neglect your current job.” The bottom line, according to Schwartz, is that figuring out what your business is worth and sizing up your options for the future is doable. “It’s not rocket science, but it does take some thought and effort.

You have the ability to choose a path that works best for yourself, your family and your employees. Know what you want in the deal! If you only sell your business once in your life, make sure you plan for a successful deal.” ASA’s Oct. 21st Webinar Wednesday presentation was sponsored by DELL Technologies. ASA’s next three webinars include: “Tax Tips for Closing 2020: Are You Ready?” presented Oct. 28 by Eric Joern of James Hamling & Companies CPAs and Advisors; “Using Technology to Create a Competitive Advantage,” presented Nov. 18 by Chris Cloutier and Craig O’Neill of autotext.me; and “ASE Entry-Level Certification Helps Shop Owners Find New Talent,” presented Dec. 9 by John Saia from ASE Education Foundation Management. For more information or to register for ASA’s webinars, visit asashop. org/webinars. www.autobodynews.com

Choose Original MINI Parts. New York

Maryland

Keeler MINI

MINI of Montgomery County

Latham 877-553-3909 518-785-4197 Parts (518) 785-4710 Fax M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 miniparts@keeler.com keelerMINI.com

Gaithersburg 240-238-1204 Parts (240) 238-1493 Fax M-F 7:30-6:00; Sat 8-4 minipartsmd@ miniofmontgomerycounty.com

44 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 44

11/17/2020 7:18:44 PM

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

Call Any of These Wholesale Parts Dealers Below Maryland

Massachusetts

New Jersey

New York

Criswell Chevrolet

Mastria Buick Cadillac GMC

Open Road Cadillac

East Syracuse Chevy

888-572-1045

973-538-6978 Fax

GAITHERSBURG

866-922-1636

301-590-1457 Local 301-670-0936 Fax

M-F 7 - 7:30; Sat 7 - 6 partssales@criswellauto.com

Ourisman Chevrolet of Rockville ROCKVILLE

800-345-4640

301-424-5332 Local 301-294-6381 Fax M-F 7 - 5:30

RAYNHAM

508-822-4074 Fax

M-Th 7:30 - 7:30; F 7:30 - 6 Sat 7:30 - 5 wholesale@mastria.com

New Jersey

Barlow Chevrolet DELRAN

800-220-1452

856-461-8417 856-764-1498 Fax

Massachusetts

M-F 7 - 6; Sat 8 - 4 pseay@barlowautogroup.com

Balise Chevrolet Buick GMC Business Elite

Cadillac of Mahwah

413-233-2185

201-579-6497

SPRINGFIELD

413-733-8617 Fax

M-F 8 - 5 lvazquez@baliseauto.com

Boch Chevrolet NORWOOD

800-559-9210

MAHWAH

FLORHAM PARK

973-845-3014

M-F 7:30 - 5; Sat 8 - 3 partsdept@esyrchevy.com

Open Road Chevrolet

West Herr Chevrolet

800-981-9451

716-662-7707

UNION

908-686-2727 908-687-4267 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8 - 4 david.connell@openroad.com

New York

717-597-2131

347-218-9771

Malouf Buick GMC

BICAL Automall

Tom Hesser Chevrolet

800-669-6256

718-484-6903

800-435-9586

M-F 7 - 5

NORTH BRUNSWICK

732-821-5410 732-821-7549 Fax

BROOKLYN

718-484-6624 Fax M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4

508-820-9322

800-769-6256

800-870-7573

781-585-7570 781-585-2966 Fax

717-597-6932 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8-2 jsnyder@blaisealexander.com

201-579-6506 Fax

518-489-0184 Fax

KINGSTON

GREENCASTLE

Mon-Sat 8 am - 5 pm parts@bayridgechevy.com

Long Cadillac

Martyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Buick GMC

Pennsylvania

718-232-4488

BROOKLYN

Malouf Chevrolet Cadillac

M-F 7:30 - 5 tschube@longauto.com

716-688-5519 Fax

M-F 7:30 - 5; Sat 8 - 4 sgraham@westherr.com

Blaise Alexander Chevrolet

DePaula Chevrolet

800-982-2258 508-879-1212 Fax

ORCHARD PARK

Bay Ridge Chevrolet

M-F 8 - 4:30; Sat 8 - 1 bsnyder@malouf.com

SOUTHBOROUGH

315-437-5464

315-437-0878 Fax

M-F 7 - 5 martin.kolbusch@openroad.com

781-762-9210 800-991-1009 Fax

M-F 7:30 - 5 bchwholesale@boch.com

EAST SYRACUSE

NORTH BRUNSWICK

732-821-1517 Fax

SCRANTON

570-558-3677 570-342-8645 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8 - 2 mhanson@tomhesser.com

ALBANY

800-727-8357

M-F 7:30 - 6; Sat 8 - 5 parts@depaula.com

M-F 7:30 - 5 kdiperi@malouf.com

Nielsen Chevrolet DOVER

973-366-1730

973-366-5867 Fax

M-F 7 - 4:30; Sat 8 - 4:30 parts@nielsenchevy.com

M-F 7:30 - 5:30; Sat 8 - 4 brucem@martysbuickgmc.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 45

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 45

11/17/2020 7:18:44 PM

Customer Service is King: The Modern Customer Journey by Ed Attanasio

During SEMA360, SCRS hosted a series of educational offerings with topics that deal with scanning and diagnostics, repair procedures and marketing. One of the latter was “The Modern Customer Journey,” presented by Enterprise Account Executive/ Professional Services Bob O’Brien at Podium. Podium is a privately held technology company headquartered in Lehi, UT, that develops cloud-based software to help businesses that want to modernize customer interactions through Podium’s Interactive Management System. This class outlined the way customers are changing and how body shops can adapt to succeed, but it requires forward thinking and a proactive approach because the technology is changing rapidly. The pandemic has changed everything, but those shops that are rolling with the punches and making alterations to their marketing, adver-

tations, adapting to customers and navigating the new modern customer journey. “The only constant is change,” he said. “It’s no longer all about the big fish eating the small fish. Today it’s the fast fish eating the slow fish.” Those who resist change or are slow to adapt, especially during COVID-19, are going to struggle. “There are more digital channels than ever and people’s expectations have changed as a result, notably in the world of collision repair. In the old days, customers could come to the shop, shake the manager’s hand and talk to an estimator, parts person or technician, for example.” New platforms can provide a more attractive, convenient and efficient way to communicate, and texting is now leading the way, O’Brien said. “The surge in ‘near me’ searches illustrates that we want immediate solutions and we want them right now. Consumers are looking for new ways to leverage these devices that are in their pockets and performing

tising and customer service processes will stay ahead of the game. O’Brien set the stage to open his presentation. “Within the last half decade, we have all witnessed one of the world’s most significant shifts in the customer journey,” he said. “Mobility and technology are impacting how customers communicate with your business and how businesses interact with customers.” One of the largest shifts is directly connected to the fact that customers now expect immediate and convenient information delivered promptly. The average consumer will no longer sit on hold, and pretty soon the personal phone call will approach extinction, he explained. Phones are literally pocket-sized computers, offering instantaneous searchability for anything we desire. They are valuable tools body shops can use to improve their customer service, as long as they are willing to change. O’Brien concentrated on three main points: Understanding expec-

more and more tasks with them at an exponential rate.” Already popular during normal times, texting has gained even more momentum since the pandemic became a daily part of our lives, O’Brien said. “Over 90% of people now prefer texting over any other form of communication. Therefore, using phone calls and emails as your main channels of communication is becoming a liability to the efficiency and quality of your business.” With new technology, consumers expect your shop will use the latest systems in order to provide optimum customer service. “Studies have revealed that 85% of all consumers expect local businesses to offer more convenient communication and services now more than prior to the outset of COVID-19.” Things aren’t going to revert back any time soon, and that’s why body shops will be forced to change the ways they’ve been doing business for decades, he said. “More than half of all consum-

JAGUAR LAND ROVER CHERRY HILL parts

856.324.3630 856 324 3630

JAGUARLAND ROVER FINALLY TOGETHER IN CHERRY HILL

Jaguar Land Rover Cherry Hill

M-F 7:30am -5pm

2000 Route 70 East Cherry Hill, NJ 08003 www.landrovercherryhill.com

856.663.2800 Local 856.663.1663 24hr Fax jasons@Irch.com

—

ALL THE PARTS YOU NEED, NOW IN ONE PLACE

• Comprehensive Inventory of Quality Genuine Jaguar and Land Rover OEM Parts • Professional and Highly Knowledgeable Wholesale Specialists to Help You • Free Daily Deliveries to the Greater Philadelphia / South Jersey Metro Area

46 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 46

11/30/2020 5:39:23 PM

ers s vide lose ple a out cust ees ery v after

than nolo

eryo acro a cu a sh mor onli

smo to fi sche catio antic appr

beca getti tom cy a

ers say that shops who will not provide pandemic-friendly services will lose their patronage,” he said. “People are going elsewhere and seeking out shops that are focused more on customer safety, such as all employees wearing masks and cleaning every vehicle inside and out before and after the repair.” Consumers are more tech savvy than ever and unfazed by new technology. “As one industry changes, everyone then drags their expectations across other industries,” he said. “If a customer loses any confidence in a shop, more and more people are more than willing to pivot and go online to find a new one.” As a result, people demand a smooth and easy process from start to finish. Finding a shop online, scheduling appointments, communication during the repair—consumers anticipate an “in and out on the go” approach, O’Brien said. It also benefits the shop as well, because the payment process and getting a positive review from customers is also streamlined. Efficiency and convenience for the shop and

its customers has changed the consumer experience forever. Capturing online reviews is an ongoing process because people covet more recent reviews less than three months old. “Some companies proactively pursue reviews for a period of time and then stop, which is a mistake,” he said. “If you have a bunch of reviews from 2018 and then very little after that, it’s not a good sign.” People are not afraid to change their habits if they see a logical and convenient way of doing things, he said. “Consumers will pivot and go online without hesitation. You can have long-term customers who will alter their behavior if you can engage with them in a timely and easy manner.” Customer service has always been important, but even more essential in a modern world. “Customer service is overtaking price and product,” O’Brien said. “It’s the differentiating quality. Price and quality are still a part of the decision, but customer service is now king.”

asTech Shares Information About Its Services & Importance of Scanning During SEMA360 by Stacey Phillips

During the SEMA360 virtual show, asTech shared detailed information with attendees about the services the company offers and what sets the company apart from others in the industry. “Most people think of asTech as providing hardware, but we’re really a service provider,” said Don Mikrut, asTech’s chief development officer. Mikrut explained that asTech ASE-certified and dealer-trained technicians use their patented technology to run OEM scanning tools remotely and ensure electronic vehicle systems are returned back to OEM standards post-collision repair. The asTech tool is currently going through an iteration expected to be complete in late summer or early fall 2021. “One of the exciting things about the next generation of the asTech tool is that it allows for enhanced communication for the industry,” said Mikrut.

During SEMA360, 20 asTech team members were on-hand to provide information about the company and its offerings. “The asTech unit is an enabler and I think that’s one of the things we were able to share during the virtual show this year,” Mikrut said. asTech coordinated a variety of roundtable sessions throughout the week, focusing on topical industry issues. They also spent time talking about how the industry looks at scanning, and educated attendees on the differences between OEM data and OEM tools. Mikrut said the team received a lot of great reviews from current clients who visited the virtual booth, as well as prospective customers who wanted to learn more about the company’s offerings. “We jumped in with both feet to support SEMA360 this year,” said Mikrut. “It was sad that the show had to go virtual, but we certainly understand. We love what SEMA has done for the industry.”

Since 1927

Insist On Genuine GM Parts. Direct:

800-982-2298

Fax#: 508-879-1212

parts@longauto.com www.longautoparts.com Hours: Mon - Fri 8am - 5pm

218 Turnpike Rd. Southboro, MA 01772

ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT FIT AND FINISH • CONFIDENCE • WARRANTY • Internet Based National Parts Locator • Over 2 Million in inventory • 40,000 sq/ft. Warehouse • 30,000 Part Numbers in-Stock • Fleet of 18 Wholesale Delivery Trucks GPS-Equipped • GM and ASE Certified Staff

• Snap-On Electronic Parts Catalog • Experienced and Accurate Sales Staff • Competitive Discounts • Liberal No-Hassle Return Policy • GM Bump the Competition Conquest Program • OE CollisionLink Dealer

The Right Part The Right Price, , at The Right Time ! autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 47

11/17/2020 7:18:47 PM

SEMA Show Goes On with Ed Attanasio

Media and Publicity for Shops

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

with Ed Attanasio

Marketing in 2020: Will People Find You and What Will They See? The marketing game is more import- to marketing online has to do with ant in 2020 than ever before. Are images, and Grieve went through a people finding your business online, series of examples to illustrate their with Phillips importance. and if they are what areStacey they seeing? He showed slides of shops with Are you getting leads online or di- photos of unflattering of things, sappearing altogether? These were some of the ques- such as cluttered waiting rooms, tions that were answered dirty shop floors and beatduring a presentation at up cars in parking lots. He with Stacey Phillips SEMA360, part of the SCRS warned shops should never 2020 Repairer Driven Educapost about unrelated things tion series, co-hosted by PR online—like politics, for Media Coach Eric Reamer example—and that if you and Owner Robert Grieve have photos of vehicles, you at Nylund’s Collision Center, PR Media Coach Eric must not show cars’ license a 30-year-old shop in Englehelps body numbers, a mistake many with StaceyReamer Phillips shops and small wood, CO. make. Reamer and Grieve businesses with their “Photos are more importonline presence addressed two critically ant than ever, especially in important aspects of markethe COVID place where we ting your shop—how to force Goo- are right now,” Grieve said. “More gle to attract more of the right cus- and more people are now shopping tomers to your business, and howPhillips to online and doing their research onwith Stacey win their business before they ever line. It was a preference for many step foot on the property. years, but now it’s more like a ne In this class, Reamer and Grie- cessity. ve described exactly how to jump “We believe that images are a the line in Google search results by critical piece because images such as answering the same questions your photography and multimedia have prospects are asking day. And an immense impact on the consuwithevery Victoria Antonelli once they find you—how to mer’s purchasing behavior seal the deal by appealing to because they provide a way what matters most to them. for them to make a visual Grieve specifically shaconnection with a product red valuable information abbefore they buy it,” he conout how shops can accelerate tinued. “The goal is to convisibility online and close nect to a consumer without with Ed Attanasio more sales with people al- Owner Robert Grieve them being in your shop ready leaning in to their offe- at Nylund’s Collision physically. Good images Center has been rings. will foster confidence in the doing his shop’s “‘If you didn’t know customer’s eyes and it haponline marketing pens in milliseconds.” where you’re going, it really since day one Reamer strengthened the doesn’t matter what you do to get there’ is an old saying that ap- case about images by citing the fact with Gary Ledoux plies in many ways to the way shops that 90% of all visual messages, with photos, will stick in someone’s mind, market themselves,” Reamer said. To point collision repairers in while only 20% will read your webthe right direction, Reamer initially site’s content. Sixty-three percent cited some stats to support his claims. reported images are more important One number that stood out was the to them than a product description, fact 92% of all people use Google to for example. In addition, people who with Stacey Phillips perform their searches. shop on their phones say images are “Almost every computer out the most important feature. there comes with Bing installed, but Body shop people need to think no one uses it,” Reamer said. like their customers if they want to One of the main components win on Google.

Shop Strategies

Body Shops Giving Back

Tips for Busy Body Shops My SEMA

Shop Strategies

“Stop looking through our lenses and eyes and look through our existing and potential customers’ lenses,” Reamer said. One of the best ways to connect with new and old customers is by creating relevant content that meets Google’s standards. “Making Google happy is key,” Reamer said. “Coming up with original articles, for a blog or social media, and optimizing them is important. To do this right, you have to do Google-speak and play by their rules. We’re in their sand box, so they call the shots. “Google is a god online, but with a lower ‘g’. If you do everything correctly, Google will funnel people onto your site, Yelp or social media, and connect to the 4% of all customers who are out there already thinking about you.” The mission for any piece of

new content is to get customers to share it with their friends and colleagues online. “It’s so much more powerful when your customers tell you story for you,” Reamer said. “Your website is one of the only places online where you can control everything, so determining what people are looking for is key. Maybe they want to see your facility, talk about specific vehicles, compare prices, online reviews, etc.—you want to be able to address all of their questions through your content.” Reamer explained shops don’t need to attract the masses, only the 1% to 4% of those people who are already within your potential market. It’s not rocket science, he said, but in the end, you have to learn about things such as meta tags, search engine optimization (SEO) and what

Dedicated Wholesale Staff! Find all your Genuine Kia Parts With Us

Product Innovation

OE Shop Certification

See Marketing in 2020, Page 55

Competitive Prices and Discounts Always Fast, Free Daily Delivery to MA and RI

fmedeiros@kiaofattleboro.com www.kiaofattleboro.com

Parts Hours

Kia of Attleboro

PARTS 508-761-9300

FAX 508-761-0768

795 Newport Ave. • South Attleboro, MA 02703

Courtesy Mitsubishi PARTS 508-761-9700 FAX 508-761-4285 16 Scott St. • South Attleboro, MA 02703

Product Innovation

M, W 8am-8pm TU, TH, F 8am-5pm SAT 8am-4pm

Genuine OEM Parts for the Perfect Fit Every Time Find all your On-line Mitsubishi Parts With Us

www.drivecourtesy.com wbrown@courtesy-mitsu.com Parts Specialist: sean@mitsubishima.com

Committed to Excellence! Find all your Genuine Mitsubishi Parts With Us

Parts Hours

M-F 8am-5pm SAT 8:30am-2pm

From the Desk of Mike Anderson

48 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

with Mike Anderson Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 48

11/17/2020 7:18:49 PM

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

s to llea-

erful tory webnline hing, loont to cific e ree to ough

onâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t the are marsaid, abarch what

ge 55

Audi dealers strive to make you an Audi Genuine Parts fan. Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers. MARYLAND Audi Silver Spring Silver Spring

301.890.3015 800.288.6982 301.890.3748 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm wholesaless@mileone.com www.audisilverspring.com

MASSACHUSETTS Audi Shrewsbury Shrewsbury

888.751.7214 508.581.5880 508.845.1642 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm audiwholesaleparts@mcgovernauto.com

NEW JERSEY Audi Meadowlands North Bergen

201.408.2085 201.223.7842 Fax M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-2pm jpooler@bbmcc.com

Bell Audi Edison

732.396.9630 732.396.9090 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm dmcsorley@bellaudi.com

DCH Millburn Audi Maplewood

800.553.9250 973.762.2381 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm ddipalma@dchusa.com www.dchmillburnaudi.com

Flemington Audi Flemington

877.657-2787 908.782-1795 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm Sat 8am-12pm www.njparts.com

Paul Miller Audi Parsippany

800.356.4553 973.575.7793 973.575.5911 Fax M-F 8am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm www.paulmilleraudi.com Audiparts@paulmiller.com

NEW YORK Audi Albany Latham

518.783.5554 518.213.8182 M-Sat 7:30am-6pm audiparts@audialbany.com

Audi Brooklyn of Bram Wholesale Parts Network 866.770.5999 718.392.6570 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm parts@lexusofqueens.com

Audi Southampton Southampton

631.204.2565 Tue-Sat 8am-5pm parts@audisouthampton.com www.audisouthampton.com

Regardless of the age of your customerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Audi, Audi dealers have access to over 200,000 part numbers and are supported by a nationwide network of distribution centers to help ensure non-stocked parts are delivered the next day.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 49

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 49

11/17/2020 7:18:50 PM

Set Yourself Up for 2021 Marketing Success with Shop Marketing Pros by Chasidy Rae Sisk

With 2020 quickly coming to an end, collision repair shop owners should start thinking about their marketing plans for next year. “It’s easy to get so focused on the here and now that we forget about the future, but it’s time to think about what you want to accomplish in 2021 and how to plan for that,” said Kim Walker of Shop Marketing Pros. “What are your overall business goals? You need to know your goals in order to determine your marketing plans.” In Shop Marketing Pros’ newest class, Walker explains how aligning your overall business goals with your marketing plans can help increase revenue, attract new customers, increase the frequency of existing customers’ visits, improve web traffic and add social media followers. The first step in designing your marketing plan is to set some time aside to really think about what you want from your business. Sched-

ule some time in an environment where you won’t be interrupted and think about “what works for you and your shop,” Walker said. “Your tactics may be different from other shops’—everybody’s plan is going to be different, and that’s OK.” Next, evaluate the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats impacting your business. Develop related SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, timely) goals, but “don’t make them too easy,” Walker cautioned. “Your goals should be something you have to reach for.” Examine your marketing KPIs. These include website visitors, social reach, EMM, Google Ads and more. Calculate your marketing budget for 2021, and look at how you spent your advertising budget in 2020. Figures should be based on facts, such as your total revenue. Examine what’s working and what isn’t working—keep doing the things that generate revenue and stop doing the things that don’t. Most importantly, know your

target audience; who are your ideal customers, and how can you capture their attention? “Once you know who your audience is, figure out how to present yourself as a guide that’s going to solve the customer’s problems,” Walker advised. “Set time aside to develop your marketing plan; the more often you meet with yourself, the shorter each meeting can be!” After determining what you want from your marketing plan, it’s time to develop an action plan. To accomplish your goal, break it down into smaller, quarterly actions, and determine which tactics will be needed at each stage. Establish your core message, and take a look at your calendar to make specific plans for the slower times of the year. If you want your marketing plan to succeed, you need to get everyone on board. Educate your team to make sure they know what’s going on and understand their part in it. “Each employee is an extension of your marketing team,” Walker stressed.

“Out of sight, out of mind,” Walker pointed out. “Make it visible so everyone can see it. Put your goals on display. Include quarterly benchmarks, and have a monthly meeting to discuss the goals and your progress.” Once you’re ready to make it happen and implement your marketing plan for 2021, break your quarterly goals down to weekly action plans. “Get it planned out, put it on your calendar and invite others from your shop to join you in creating content. If you listen to customers’ questions, you’ll have content and marketing material forever—if customers are complaining about allergies, record a short video for your website and social media channels explaining why it’s important to replace their cabin air filter,” Walker suggested. “Marketing is about sharing useful information and helping customers solve their problems,” she continued. “We have to be proactive because marketing fails when it’s

Confidence through the corners, because we never cut them. Porsche Genuine Parts and Service, only at your local authorized Porsche dealer. Porsche Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD 800-288-6982 301-890-3748 Fax

Flemington Porsche Flemington, NJ 800-216-5124 908-782-9397 Fax

Porsche Princeton Lawrenceville, NJ 609-945-1500 609-799-0879 Fax

rmuir@flemington.com

princetonporsche.com

Porsche Manhattan New York, NY 347-226-3913 212-208-0916 Fax

Porsche Norwell Norwell, MA 781-261-5230 781-261-5274 Fax

Porsche Monmouth West Long Branch, NJ 732-483-8560 M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4:30

Porsche Huntington Huntington Station, NY 631-424-1310 631-424-1318 Fax

Porsche of Southampton Southampton, NY 631-204-2565 631-204-2559 Fax

wholesales@mileone.com

porschenorwell.com

avacchiano@penskeautomotive.com

evan@porschehuntington.com

parts@manhattanmotorcars.com

gspano@porscheofsouthampton.com

50 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 50

11/17/2020 7:18:52 PM

reactive. Be thoughtful and intentional in your marketing. How do you know if your marketing plan is successful? Track your results, and conduct regular progress checks, adjusting as needed until you reach your goals.” Don’t forget to celebrate! As you reach each small goal, you should be rewarding yourself and your team. Ringing a bell, taking the team out for dinner or distributing bonuses are all great ideas for celebrating your successes, but how you take your victory lap is really about “what’s relevant to you and your team,” Walker said. “Figure out what actually matters to them, and cater your rewards to your team. “You’re going to have bumps in the road, but you need to fail forward,” Walker said. “Pick yourself up and move on—just keep swimming and be better than you were yesterday.” Shop Marketing Pro’s presentation, “Set Yourself Up for 2021 Marketing Success,” has been presented to ASA Florida and ASA Northwest. To learn more or schedule a presentation, visit shopmarketingpros.com.

Tesla and How President-Elect Biden Could Help the Automaker’s Cause by Joey Klender, Teslarati

After the U.S. citizens chose to forgo incumbent Donald Trump’s second term in favor of a new president, Joe Biden will take office in early 2021. A new president means new goals, new changes and new policies, all of which will eventually affect the companies that choose to do business here. Being one of those companies, Tesla will feel the effects and changes of the change in tone from Trump’s White House to Biden’s, and several of them are sure to help the electric automaker. Biden’s strong plan for clean energy and providing American workers with automotive manufacturing jobs will surely benefit the Tesla mission. In Biden’s “Build Back Better” policy goals for clean energy, car companies who tend to lean toward manufacturing electric cars, which are better for the environment, will receive more benefits than those who are focused on gas and diesel-powered engines. In an article from CNBC, a list of Biden’s potential Tesla-helping

terms were listed, which included, but were not limited to: • Building out electric vehicle charging infrastructure, adding at least 500,000 more charging stations in the U.S. • Creating 1 million new jobs in the U.S. auto industry alone • Working with states to create stricter emissions guidelines for internal combustion engine vehicles • Giving rebates, reminiscent of the bygone Cash for Clunkers program, to consumers who trade in less-efficient vehicles for newer, greener cars made in the U.S. • Increasing battery related research and development, domestically Tesla could potentially benefit from the increase in automotive jobs simply due to the influx of employment opportunities that could be provided through the government’s suggestion. While most of these jobs will likely be provided by large-scale car companies like Ford and General Motors, who are working toward

adopting electrification for their vehicles, Tesla could see the construction of a new Gigafactory in the Northeastern U.S. within the years of Biden’s term. Since the company’s projected goals and missions line up with the eco-friendly points Biden has made throughout the campaign, there is plenty of evidence to suggest Tesla could be on the president-elect’s good side as the sector becomes more comprehensive and competitive. When Biden takes his new position in the coming months, there is sure to be a slight adjustment period simply based on the fact he and Trump are technically polar opposites on many issues. With Biden’s campaign providing more focus on green energy jobs, there is a possibility Tesla’s automotive campaign could benefit greatly, but let’s not forget about the solar side too, which could see massive benefits in terms of larger incentives and tax break packages for those who choose to power their homes with the sun. We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.

Ford OEM Parts, Quality, Value & Peace of Mind Power Stroke Diesel Headquarters

800-367-3232 Call our Wholesale Parts Hotline Today!

717-354-4907 Parts Direct 717-354-9633 24 Hr Fax

Hours Mon - Fri 7:00am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 12pm

• Over $1.5 Million in Inventory of Ford OEM Auto,

Truck and Power Stroke Diesel Parts • Manufacturer - Trained, Professional, Wholesale Staff Ready to Help You

• Free Daily Deliveries to Lancaster, York, Dauphin, Lebanon, Berks and Chester Counties • Internet Ordering Available via our Website www.fordparts.com/newhollandparts

New Holland Auto Group 508 West Main Street | New Holland, PA 17557

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 51

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 51

11/17/2020 7:18:53 PM

Body Crafters: A COVID-19 Experience by Gary Ledoux

It’s tough enough, even in the best of times, to buy a second shop that needs updating. But when you buy that shop and a pandemic hits that keeps people at home and off the roads, that’s a real challenge. Jon Wise started his collision repair career right out of high school, at Body Crafters Auto Body in Broadhead, WI. After a few years, Wise decided to strike out on his own and open Midwest Fox Rods, a small shop in Rock City, IL, where he combined his love of building custom cars and trucks with some collision work to help pay the bills. He partnered with a technician who was supposed to specialize in mechanical work. But soon his potential partner bailed, out leaving Wise on his own. Undaunted, Wise carried on and his reputation in both collision work and custom work grew. People were coming to him for miles around for everything from quality collision repair to customizing modern Mustangs to classic Chevelles. Then Wise hit a patch of bad luck, and through a series of bad turns, he found himself homeless. With nothing else to do, and a need to survive, Wise worked in his shop 16 to 18 hours a day and slept on a couch in his office when he got tired. Eventually things turned around, his reputation grew, business improved and he hired two other techs to help him. As both the collision repair and customizing businesses improved, Wise knew he needed a bigger shop. One evening, while having a casual dinner with the people who still owned Body Crafter Auto Body, the first shop where Wise worked, a discussion ensued about how the present owners wanted to retire and get out of the business. They had been at it for 30 years and wanted to move onto the next chapter of their life, but didn’t want to sell it to just anyone. They knew Wise turned out quality work, and he let them know he needed a way to expand. One thing led to another and on Sept. 1, 2019, Wise pur-

chased Body Crafters Auto Body. “The shop was doing alright when I took it over; it was making money, but I knew we could take an already great shop and make it better,” said Wise. “The shop badly needed some updating, and new and better procedures to put cycle times where they should be.”

Wise continued, “We first retrained the young crew, basically restructuring how they worked and what their duties were so there was as little worker overlap as possible. Changing paint lines with better color match technology and clears with less bake time saved us on materials, faster color matches and cut our utility costs in half. “New LED lighting in the shop was also done, not only to brighten the shop up but cut our light bill down. Savings on clear coat alone saved enough money to pay for part of my technicians’ medical and dental insurance each month, which they didn’t have before.” Another problem was the equipment. “Some of the equipment was 20 years old,” said Wise. “The paint booth had seen little maintenance. The poor physical condition of the shop slowed everything down. We consolidated equipment and added some new pieces like a couple electric sanding stations to keep a cleaner shop and less reliance on air-powered tools.” But the biggest problem, said Wise, was “the techs were not working together and did not understand their roles.” It seems the painter was never happy with the finish sanding job the body techs gave him, so the painter would spend even more time sanding the same spot, again, slowing production to a crawl.

Eventually, Wise had to consolidate things. He laid off one tech at each shop and combined all his personnel from both shops at the Body Crafter location. The techs from the two shops learned how to work together, cut waste and be more efficient. Things were looking up. Cycle time had been cut in half, waste was minimized and the shop was making more money. And then COVID-19 hit. Just when his new business was starting to gain traction, March 2020 saw a dramatic drop in cars coming through the door. But Wise kept advertising and promoting the shop. “It was scary for a while,” said Wise. “But then things picked right up again. We are in a rural area just south of Madison, one of only three shops in this area. We have been able to pull some business from Madison and because we are close to my old shop, my existing customers followed me. It worked out.” When asked if they did anything special to generate business during the height of the pandemic, Wise replied,

“We do a lot of radio ads. In one of our ads we offered to write the estimate at the vehicle owner’s home. If they agreed to have us do the work, we would pick up the car, complete the repair and return a repaired and disinfected car to the customer. They would never have to leave their home. “Despite all the talk about staying home and staying safe, no one ever took us up on our offer. Work kept rolling in the door.” Now, a year after taking over Body Crafters, and despite the COVID-19 slowdown, Wise is setting sales and profit records for the shop. “We have only one DRP arrangement, and that’s with State Farm,” said Wise. “We have a good working relationship with them. We have plenty of collision work, and few insurance company issues.” And as for the custom work, Wise replied, “Custom work is fun and interesting, but sometimes it’s tough getting paid, so I pick and choose what I work on. Right now, I have a two-year backlog on custom work. It’s nice to be in demand!”

Acura of Westchester

HOURS:

Mon. - Fri.: 7:30am - 8pm

Sat.: 8am - 4pm

Sun.: 9am - 4pm acura.parts@yahoo.com

2155 Palmer Ave. Larchmont, NY 10538

Call or e-mail us Today!

• Large Inventory • Delivering to Westchester, Rockland, Putnam • NYC 5 Boroughs & Connecticut • Fast Free Delivery • Great Discounted Prices

914-834-8887 914-833-1812 FAX

www.acuraofwestchester.com www.oeconnection.com

52 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 52

11/17/2020 7:18:54 PM

Contact These Dealers For Your Kia Genuine Parts Needs MASSACHUSETTS Kia of Attleboro

South Attleboro 508-761-9300 (508) 761-0768 Fax 8am-8pm Mon, Wed; 8am-5pm Tue, Thu, Fri 8am-4pm Sat frank@courtesyma.com www.courtesyma.com

MARYLAND Bob Bell Kia

Baltimore 800-638-4967 (410) 285-1376 Fax 7am-7pm Mon-Fri 7am-5pm Sat smelson@bobbell.com

NEW JERSEY Liberty Kia

Ramsey 201-818-8995 (201) 783-8848 Fax 8am-5pm Mon-Sat parts@libertyhyundai.com

NEW YORK

PENNSYLVANIA

New Hampton 888-374-6575 (845) 374-4718 Fax 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-3pm Sat

Easton 610-829-3020 (484) 546-0292 Fax

Kia of Middletown

nissankiaofmiddletownparts@yahoo.com

www.kiaofmiddletown.com

Northstar Kia

Long Island City (718) 683-5300 (718) 489-9889 Fax M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm www.northstarkiany.com

Yonkers Kia

Yonkers 914-268-0279 (914) 652-7665 Fax 7:30am-8pm Mon-Thu 7:30am-7pm Fri; 8am-5pm Sat

Brown Daub Kia

Kia of Coatesville

Coatesville 610-384-7700 (610) 384-2171 Fax 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12pm Sat Alan@kiaofcoatesville.com www.kiaofcoatesville.com

Kia of West Chester

West Chester 610-429-3500 (610) 429-0164 Fax 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12pm Sat Alan@kiaofcoatesville.com www.kiaofwestchester.com

Outten Kia

Hamburg 610-562-4166 (610) 562-9436 Fax 7:30am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12pm Sat jhenne@outtencars.com www.outtenkia.com

RHODE ISLAND Bald Hill Kia

Warwick 800-822-3015 (401) 822-8135 Fax 8am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-4pm Sat www.shopkiaparts.com

VERMONT

Berlin City Kia

Williston 800-684-5779 (303) 928-6905 Fax 6am-6pm Mon, Wed, Fri 6am-7pm Tue, Thu 7am-3pm Sat ableau@berlincity.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 53

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 53

11/17/2020 7:18:54 PM

Mike’s Auto Body Gives 2 Cars in Conjunction with Hemophilia Foundation by Ed Attanasio

Mike’s Auto Body is celebrating its 20th anniversary of giving cars to deserving individuals, families and nonprofit organizations, with a grand total of 92 vehicles donated since 2000. On Oct. 21, the company collaborated with the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, Farmers Insurance and NABC Recycled Rides to present two refurbished cars to two Bay Area families. Javier Caro Valdez received a 2015 Hyundai Elantra, and Nicholas DeFalco was presented with a 2016 Honda Fit, with trunks full of gifts, gas cards and car safety kits. All local guidelines regarding public gatherings were followed at the event, including social distancing, and the wearing of masks. The presentation also included the grand opening of Mike’s Auto Body’s newest location in Pleasanton, CA. The Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California (HFNC) serves the needs of people impacted by

bleeding disorders through enhancing quality of life by providing support, education, outreach, advocacy and research. This marks the fourth time Mike’s has found worthy recipients from HFNC through its benevolence program. Mike’s Sal Contreras has emceed its car presentations for many years, but he never gets tired of working with local nonprofit organizations to help people in need. “We are excited to work with the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, NABC Recycled Rides and Farmers Insurance as we celebrate our 20th anniversary,” he said. “It’s always so satisfying to see how the lives of these individuals and organizations change dramatically through the gift of transportation.” Owner Mike Rose described the program and its value to the community. “We feel very fortunate to be involved with such a wonderful program and are very excited to be able to give back to that communi-

ties that have supported us along the way,” he said. “After receiving hundreds of applications over the years and reading the heartbreaking stories, we only wish that we could do more. But hopefully with increased publicity of our program, other shops will adopt similar programs of their own.” Director of Marketing Dane Dearlove talked about all of the people needed in order to give away 92 cars over the last two decades. “One Team, One Mission says it all,” he said. “Without our business and insurance partners, as well as our managers and employees, we wouldn’t have been able to do this for 20 years at this level. It’s an honor to work with this company and these people.” After Contreras opened the presentation with an invocation, speakers included Dearlove, Vice Mayor of Pleasanton Kathy Narum, Pete Barbounis from the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California, Farmers Insurance district managers Daniel Brown and Rachel Craw-

ford and Farmers Insurance agent Ruben Herrera. Local companies that donated products and services included National Auto Parts, PPG Automotive Refinish, Geronimo’s Detail WC, Big O Tires, All-Star Hyundai, Lexus of Concord, Four Corners Union 76, Dan’s Glass, Winter Honda, Glasstek, MAB Towing, Adolph’s Autohaus, West Coast Wheels, Pacific Rim, Vinyl Touch, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts, SRS Extreme Airbag and AutoNation Hyundai. Photos in “Mike’s Auto Body” folder in Dec 20 Production: 1: Mike’s Auto Body gave away two vehicles in conjunction with the Hemophilia Foundation of Northern California. 2: Javier Caro Valdez received a completely refurbished 2015 Hyundai Elantra with a trunk full of gifts, gas cards and car safety kits. 3: Recipient Nicholas DeFalco was presented with a 2016 Honda Fit.

Comprehensive inventory of high quality OEM

VOLVO GENUINE PARTS Dedicated Wholesale Staff

Competitive Wholesale Prices

KUNDERT Volvo 140 Route 17 N

Exceptional Customer Service

URCE

Prompt & Dependable Delivery

O PARTS S YOUR KIA

The right part makes the difference.

Parts Dept.

Hasbrouck Heights, NJ 07604

201.288.8895 201.288.8 8895

Parts Dept. Hours Mon-Fri: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Sat: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

www.volvoofhasbrouckheights.com

Yonkers Kia

• Genuine Kia OEM Parts • Fast & Free Delivery

www.yonkerskia.com

• Efficient Service on All Orders • Fax Your Order Today

914.268.0279

Fax: 914.652.7665

Hours: Mon-Thur 7:30am- 8pm / Fri 7:30am-7pm / Sat 8am-5pm 1840 Central Park Ave. • Yonkers, NY 10710 54 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 54

11/17/2020 7:18:56 PM

Continued from Page 48

Marketing in 2020

KABA and NABA Collaborate on Online Educational Series, Kicks Off with ADAS and Ford Training

exactly constitutes of original content. “I would search your topic— ‘how to find the best body shop,’ for example—online and create a better article that is better than 10 others you can find. Look at what your competition is doing and do it better. You don’t have to outrun the bear, just the guy in front of you,” Reamer said. By taking some of these ideas and using them after SEMA360, shops will hopefully be able to win when it comes to Google, because what we’ve learned is that it is truly the only game in town.

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

TWITTER:

@autobodynews

Although the cancellation of so many training events this year may have led many to believe that continuing education is no longer important, the Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA) and the Kansas Auto Body Association (KABA) know that’s the furthest thing from the truth. Beginning in October, the two neighboring state associations have collaborated to host an online educational series, emphasizing the value of continued training and education to their members. “In today’s rapidly changing vehicle designs, it is important that we continue to educate ourselves regarding materials, inspections, ADAS systems, repair methods and more to ensure we’re equipped to repair vehicles in a safe and proper manner,” said KABA Vice President Tony Adams. On Oct. 28, Jerry Mungle, program specialist and instructor at Raytheon, taught “GM ADAS Training,” which focused on the ADAS systems installed on various vehicles, such as forward collision warning,

automatic emergency braking, lane keep assist, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, park assist and others. He explained how the systems operate, as well as how to diagnosis issues and service ADAS and their components. Gerry Bonanni, senior engineer, paint and body repair for Ford Motor Company, discussed “Ford Repair Procedures” on Nov. 2. After providing an overview of the new 2021 Ford F-150 and Mustang Mach E, he engaged in a Q&A session regarding Ford repair procedures. During both sessions, Adams and NABA Vice Chair James Rodis served as moderators, fielding questions from the audience. “We had several questions submitted and good engagement from the audience,” said Adams. “The first two events in our educational series were successful! Both presenters, Jerry and Gerry, exceeded our expectations, and we are looking forward to the next series of events.” NABA and KABA have scheduled five additional presentations for the remainder of the year. On Nov. 9, Collision Hub CEO

Kristen Felder will discuss “Missing Lines on a Boxside,” and AkzoNobel’s Tim Ronak will provide insight related to “Creating an InHouse Tech Program” on Nov. 16. November’s agenda will conclude Nov. 23 with “How to Help Fix the Estimating Systems,” presented by Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway. Mike Merrifield, Woodhouse Wholesale parts director, will provide information on “Parts Procurement” on Dec. 7, and one week later, VECO Experts’ Mark Olson will address “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).” “We want to bring value to our members and ensure they receive the education and training to be successful,” Adams said. “Our plan into next year is to continue with two webinars each month. With KABA and NABA working together on the webinars, we attract a great group size and are able to bring in amazing presenters.” Additional information about KABA is available at kansasaba.com. More information on NABA can be found at nebraska autobody.com.

TRUST FORD PARTS

CERTIFIED PARTS WHOLESALING DEALERS CERTIFIED PARTS WHOLESALING DEALERS MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW JERSEY

Bob Bell Ford

Colonial Ford of Plymouth

Ditschman/Flemington Ford

Nielsen Ford

410-689-3038 410-766-1275 Fax

888-754-3380 508-830-1650 508-830-1658 Fax

877-657-2787 908-782-1795 Fax

973-702-8000 973-875-7016 Fax

GLEN BURNIE

Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 tpurcell@bobbell.com www.bobbellford.com

PLYMOUTH

Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 7:30-4 www.buycolonialford.com

Packer Norris Parts

Sarat Ford Lincoln

855-767-7278 410-574-8305 410-574-8389 Fax

888-809-5648 413-786-4474 413-789-3715 Fax

BALTIMORE

Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 8-3 www.packernorrisparts.com

AGAWAM

Hours: M-W 7-6; Th 7-8; F 7-5; Sat 8-4 www.saratford.net

FLEMINGTON

Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-3 www.njparts.com

Malouf Ford Lincoln Mercury NORTH BRUNSWICK

800-959-6256 732-951-1429 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 fordparts@malouf.com www.maloufparts.com

SUSSEX

Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-3:30 gbraden@nielsenford.com

PENNSYLVANIA

New Holland Ford NEW HOLLAND

800-367-3232 717-354-9633 Fax Hours: M-F 7-5:30

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 55

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 55

11/17/2020 7:18:57 PM

Auto Club Announces More Financial Relief AAA members who insure their vehicles through the Interinsurance Exchange of the Automobile Club will receive a third round of premium refunds totaling approximately $46 million. This latest COVID-19 financial relief is in addition to almost $92 million in refunds provided in May and $58 million in July, bringing the total amount returned to Auto Club auto insurance policyholders to approximately $196 million. Every policyholder with auto insurance in effect from Aug. 1 to Sept. 30 will receive a 10% policy refund for this period. Refunds will be applied as a credit to the member’s policy. Checks will only be issued for policies that were canceled or that were paid in full. Members do not need to take any action to receive their refund. Source: Auto Club

Tesla Finally Admits ‘Design Flaw’ in Model 3 Bumpers Falling off in Rain by Fabienne Lang, Interesting Engineering

Tesla has spoken up and admitted there is a problem with its Model 3s built up to May 2019.

Credit: loganjamal/Instagramr

The issue is that the body panel of the rear bumpers has been falling off when going through puddles of water. The issue has been known for a while now, but it took until now for Tesla to admit to a design flaw, as per Electrek. The flaw meant that some Tesla Model 3 owners were noticing their rear bumpers falling off when going through water puddles or when heavy rainfall was happening.

After the rear bumper issue with its Model 3s was made public, Tesla said it would look into the matter. That was roughly two years ago, per Electrek, and just this year the EV-maker admitted its design fault in the matter.

It’s an odd thing to happen, to experience your car losing its rear bumper merely by being wet. Moreover, it was supposedly tricky for certain Tesla owners to have their EVs repaired under the company’s warranty after they underwent this problem. The company was pushing back on how deep the water was when the owners drove over these puddles. From the footage you see on YouTube and on Twitter, these puddles really weren’t very big, and sometimes it was just heavy rainfall that led to the issue.

It’s only after a particular video of a Model 3 losing its rear bumper went viral that Tesla fessed up. Electrek got their hands on the company’s service bulletin, which stated, “In rare instances, certain components on Model 3 vehicles built at the Fremont Factory before May 21, 2019, might be damaged when driving through standing water on a road or highway with poor drainage or pooling water. “In these rare instances, the rear fascia might detach from the vehicle and harnesses and/or body fasteners/mounts might also be damaged. This document clarifies that damage caused during these instances is covered under warranty,” it read. The good thing is, there won’t be any warranty issues anymore. So if you own a Tesla Model 3 that was built after May 21, 2019, you should be fine come rain or shine. We thank Interesting Engineering for reprint permission.

AkzoNobel Hits SEMA360 in a Big Way, Virtually by Ed Attanasio

When things change fast like in 2020, some companies adapt and succeed, and AkzoNobel is one of those companies. When SEMA 2020 was cancelled, AkzoNobel Marketing Communications Manager/ North America Jen Poliski saw it as an opportunity as opposed to an obstacle. She and Regional Marketing Support Specialist Sue Jaszkowski decided to take full advantage of SEMA360. “SEMA360 is like nothing we’ve ever experienced, with virtual booths and virtual meetings, which many believe will be the new normal,” Poliski said. “We looked at this carefully and considered our participation, but in the end, it was a no-brainer. “This is unknown territory and it was definitely a tough call,” Poliski continued. “SEMA has always been critical to our success at AkzoNobel and we always invest a ton of resources into it. This is where we engage with our clients and prospects, so we decided

to get involved and use this new platform to achieve our goals.” AkzoNobel has 17 team members in its virtual booth working in shifts, just like in a real booth. You can meet with any of them—virtually, of course—and discuss your refinish needs. To check out its roundtable discussions and/or all of the AkzoNobel product brochures, visit the virtual booth or access AkzoNobel.com. During the educational offerings at SEMA360, AkzoNobel Senior Services Consultant Tim Ronak will discuss how a repairer might have to charge a higher rate just to break even on equipment or OEM certification expenses, and explained how GAAP could demystify an insurer’s “cost of doing business” in his presentation, “Overcoming Insurer Objections to Payment for Needed Repair Procedures,” available to view until Aug. 31, 2021.

AUTOBODY

DEPENDABLE AS THE PARTS YOU SELL Always Trust Genuine Nissan Parts

856-667-8010

Call our Wholesale Parts Hotline Today!

Purchasing Nissan OEM parts has never been easier and more cost effective. It’s a huge benefit to your customers to offer OEM parts at aftermarket prices!

Parts Hours: Mon-Thu 8am-7pm / Fri-Sat 8am-5pm parts@cherryhillnissan.com

Fax 856-667-9422

2325 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ 08002

www.PartsAdvantage.NissanUSA.com

The Best for Much Less Aggressive Price Matching Available Free Daily Delivery to the Greater Philadelphia Metro area including South/Central NJ and Northern Delaware Large Inventory of Genuine OEM Nissan Parts Updated Daily

Order Parts Online at: www.cherryhillnissan.com

56 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 56

11/17/2020 7:18:58 PM

Finish It Like a Masterpiece with

Genuine Parts

The Dealers Below Are Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts Specialists:

DELAWARE

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW JERSEY

PENNSYLVANIA

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington Wilmington

Mercedes-Benz of Burlington Burlington

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City Egg Harbor Township

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington Fort Washington

302-995-5030 302-995-5033 Fax

617-275-2182 Direct 781-229-1600 Main

215-540-0263 Fax

parts@mbofwilmington.com www.mbofwilmington.com

parts@mbob.com www.mbob.com

MARYLAND

NEW YORK

Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis Annapolis

Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge Goldens Bridge

443-875-0290 443-875-0315 Fax

914-232-5733 Fax

800-800-1949 M-F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 2pm

888-801-2369 M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-1pm

rhamilton@mileone.com

833-768-5924 M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm

914-232-8146 M-F 8am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 2pm

dkorkatzis@mercedesbenzgb.com

Mercedes-Benz of New Rochelle New Rochelle

800-581-2705 914-206-3797 Fax M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 5pm

parts@mbnewrochelle.com www.mbnewrochelle.com

609-645-9310 M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm

267-419-1414 M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm

mbpartswholesale@yourmercedes.com

Mercedes-Benz of Newton Newton

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester West Chester

888-302-2369 973-383-1284 Fax

215-540-0263 Fax

800-842-0557 M-F 8am - 5pm

realmercedesparts@mbofnewton.com

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus Paramus

888-30-PARTS 201-265-7808 201-483-2782 Fax

M-Th 7:30am - 7:30pm F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 5pm parts@prestigemb.com

800-220-7278 M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm

mbpartswholesale@yourmercedes.com

RHODE ISLAND

Viti Mercedes-Benz Tiverton

800-544-5580 401-624-6181 401-624-4817 Fax M-F 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 9am - 5pm eric@viti.com www.viti.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 57

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 57

11/17/2020 7:18:59 PM

Woman Who Sued Body Shop Over Aston Martin Repair Bill Now Ordered to Pay $250,000 by Michael Karkafiris, Car Scoops

A judge rejected claims by the owner of a crashed Aston Martin DB9 that a body shop tried to scam her, and was ordered to pay more than CA$330,000 or about US$250,000 in current exchange rates. The three-year legal battle between Jessica Liu, the owner of a crashed Aston Martin DB9, MCL Motor Cars, a dealership based in Vancouver, and Burrard Autostrasse, the body shop in question, came to an end as the owner now has to pay almost twice the value of her car. Jessica Liu crashed her 2014 Aston Martin DB9—worth around CA$200,000 at the time— in December 2015 into a rock and had the car towed to Burrard Autostrasse. Liu, who only had basic insurance, received a formal initial estimate of between CA$85,000 and CA$132,000 Canadian (US$65,000 to US$100,000) as the car had suffered structural damage. Liu paid a deposit of CA$50,000 (US$38,000) but refused to pay the remaining sum, filing instead a lawsuit against

the auto shop and the dealership. In her lawsuit, Liu claimed that she had been taken advantage of due to her lack of English skills and perception of wealth, and accused the dealership and the auto shop

day. In her lawsuit, Liu was seeking CA$300,000 Canadian (US$226,000) as compensation as she claimed she suffered a long list of personal injuries that included depression and anxiety, sleeping disorders and low self-esteem among others. She went through four different law firms before eventually representing herself in court. In her ruling of the case, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Nitya Iyer found there was no evidence and no legal basis for any of Liu’s claims. The judge ordered Liu to settle not only the unpaid cost of the repairs and indoor storage fees, 2012 Aston Martin D89. Credit: Stock photo courtesy of which amount to about Aston Martin US$330,000 Canadian of breach of contract and collusion (US$250,000), but to pay some of between the two defendants, Rich- Burrard’s legal costs as well. “Ms. Liu’s claim is meritless mond News reports. Since the owner didn’t pick up and she has made resolution of the the car, Burrard Autostrasse stored the issue virtually impossible,” Iyer Aston Martin DB9 indoors for pro- wrote, as reported by TheBreaker. tection and charged her CA$200 per “Objectively assessed, her allega-

tions of fraud, conspiracy, fraudulent misrepresentation, or breach of fiduciary duty are without legal foundation and she should not have advanced them. It is clear that Ms. Liu’s conduct of the litigation has been frustrating and extremely unpleasant for Burrard. “Notably, over $97,000 of this amount represented the cost of the parts Burrard purchased from Aston Martin to perform the repair. Burrard’s labour cost was about $12,000, or just under 9% of the total invoice,” the judge continued. “She claims damages for various personal injuries and for travel to and from China, along with the value of a new vehicle, $300,000 and increased costs,” said Iyer’s verdict. “The stated legal basis for her claims is coercion, breach of fiduciary duty and extortion of her as a ‘financially well off’ person whose first language is not English. None of the evidence before me supports these allegations.” We thank Car Scoops for reprint permission.

The RIGHT

COLLISION PARTS FOR YOUR COLLISION JOB. Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers

Genuine NISSAN & INFINITI OEM Wholesale Parts are Superbly Crafted to Strict Quality Standards. THE FOLLOWING DEALERS PROUDLY STOCK GENUINE PARTS FOR YOUR NISSAN OR INFINITI REPAIRS.

Maryland

BOB BELL HYUNDAI Glen Burnie 7117 Ritchie Hwy.

410-689-3038 410-766-1275 Fax

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

ROUTE 2 HYUNDAI Leominster 743 North Main St.

NISSAN MARYLAND

MASSACHUSETTS

888-240-3495

Bob Bell Nissan

Boch Nissan

Mon-Thu 7:30am - 7:30pm Fri-Sat 7:30am - 6pm parts@rte2hyundai.com www.rte2hyundai.com

800-638-4967

781-619-7270

978-534-9933 Fax

Massachusetts

Baltimore

(410) 282-2432 (410) 285-1376 Fax M-F 7-7, Sat. 8-5 smelson@bobbell.com

Norwood

(781) 619-7280 Fax M-F 7-5, Sat. 7-4 rlindner@boch.com

BOCH HYUNDAI Norwood 391 Providence Hwy.

800-559-9210 781-762-9210 800-991-1009 Fax

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5pm bchwholesale@boch.com 58 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 58

11/17/2020 7:19:02 PM

Bentley to Go Carbon Neutral by 2030 with Fully Electric Fleet by Loukia Papadopoulos, Interesting Engineering

Bentley Motors has announced it plans to become a global leader in sustainable luxury mobility with what it calls its Beyond100 strategy. The firm is promising to deliver truly sustainable luxury vehicles by reinventing its business to become an end-to-end carbon neutral organization.

Credit: Bentley

The plan includes a switch to offering exclusively plug-in hybrid or battery electric vehicles by 2026 and fully electric vehicles only by 2030.

Bentley will achieve its lofty goals through a structured, business-wide sustainability program that includes the development of

throughout all of its present and future cars. Bentley has already achieved an important milestone in its quest to

“Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.” — Adrian Hallmark electrified models and upgrades on its operational environmental impact. In addition, by 2023, every model line will be offered with the option of a hybrid variant and Bentley’s first fully electric model will be introduced in 2025. By 2026, Bentley’s offerings will focus exclusively on plug-in hybrid and electric models, and by 2030, this will change to solely producing battery electric vehicles. Furthermore, the firm will use only sustainably sourced materials

be carbon neutral. Its production facility in Crewe became the first luxury automotive factory in Britain to be certified carbon neutral by the Carbon Trust in the last year. Looks like the carmaker is well underway to a zero-carbon future. Adrian Hallmark, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said in a statement, “Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.” We thank Interesting Engineering for reprint permission.

Subaru of Keene

Framingham (800) 982-2298 (508) 879-1212 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5 tschube@longauto.com

Metrowest Subaru LLC Natick (888) 456-2200 (508) 745-2004 (508) 647-1539 Fax

repair or service job.

Source: CARSTAR

Cityside Subaru

Long Automotive Group

fast and competitively priced. Put us to the test on your next Subaru

Recognized by entrepreneurs and franchisors as a top competitive tool of measurement, the Franchise Times Top 200 placed CARSTAR 92nd on the list, up from the 99th position. CARSTAR was the top collision repair company for the overall automotive category. It leads the industry with a North American customer service score average of 85%, record-breaking annual sales in 2019 and accelerated growth in total locations.

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 parts@citysidesubaru.com

We’re focused on getting you the Genuine Subaru Parts you need —

CARSTAR, North America’s premier network of independently owned collision repair facilities, has risen in its rank among the top 100 in Franchise Times magazine’s Top 200, the most comprehensive ranking of the 500 largest U.S. franchise systems.

MASSACHUSETTS

Belmont (617) 826-5013 (617) 489-0733 Fax

Think Genuine Subaru Parts.

CARSTAR 92nd Among Franchise Systems

Keene (866) 832-0013 (603) 757-0013 (603) 719-0932 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-5 ztheodorou@fentonautosales.com NEW JERSEY

Flemington Subaru Flemington (877) 657-2787 (908) 782-1795 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5 bseymour@flemington.com www.njparts.com

Mon.-Sat. 7-9 parts@metrowestsubaru.com NEW HAMPSHIRE

Belknap Subaru Tilton (800) 358-4029 (603) 729-1300 (603) 729-1301 Fax

Liberty Subaru Emerson (888) 782-9493 (201) 261-3261 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6 parts@libertysubaru.com www.libertysubaru.com

Mon., Wed., Fri. 7:30-5 Tue., Thu. 7:30-7; Sat. 9-3 awright@belknapsubaru.com

The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today! autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 59

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 59

11/17/2020 7:19:04 PM

Tesla About to Make Producing 1 Million EVs Per Year Unremarkable by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati

It’s a bit amazing that just over two years ago, Tesla was struggling to hit a production rate of 5,000 Model 3 per week at the Fremont Factory in California. The target, which proved elusive enough to warrant extreme attention from TSLA short-sellers, was achieved at the end of Q2 2018, six months behind the company’s initial schedule. Over the course of 2018, Tesla delivered a whopping 245,240 cars, a new record for the company. Since then, Tesla has steadily ramped its vehicle production capabilities, and Nov. 11, the company is aiming to deliver around half a million electric cars by the end of the year. That’s despite a pandemic that has shaken the world, which has resulted in shutdowns in Tesla’s two production facilities, the Fremont Factory and Gigafactory Shanghai. Giga Shanghai is only in its first year of operations too and is not yet fully ramped. But Tesla, if any, is a beast of optimism and possibility. It’s the one carmaker that is still growing during a pandemic, and its vehicles, particular-

ly the Model 3 sedan and the Model Y crossover, are seeing strong demand from consumers.

Credit: The Kilowatts/Twitter

With this in mind, Tesla has noted that it intends to ramp its vehicle production capabilities to the millions within the next years. It would not be surprising at all if the company announces that it would be producing and delivering 1 million cars by next year. Such an idea might sound implausible now, but so was the idea of pursuing a delivery goal of 500,000 vehicles in a year that’s weighed down by a pandemic. What is rather noteworthy is that over the years, Tesla has steadily established itself as a capable automaker that has what it takes to deliver on its goals. The company may not always be on time and it may hit snags with the build quality of its first-pro-

Ford Fund Pledges $200K to Keep Students Learning During Pandemic by Kyle Johnson, The News Wheel

Ford Motor Company Chief Customer Experience Officer Elena Ford and Ford Fund made a $200,000 investment in October to support education services for students affected by the pandemic. The funds help students in the Dallas, Houston and Phoenix areas by covering 30,000 books and putting must-have supplies in the hands of 1,500 educators. This investment is the latest step in a partnership between Ford Fund and First Book. Since 2015, the partnership has provided 130,000 books to students across the U.S. Ford Fund’s contributions over the life of the initiative total $600,000. Elena Ford kicked off this latest round of contributions with a virtual reading for 10,000 students. She and author Andrea Beaty read the latter’s “Rosie Revere, Engineer,” which lines up with Ford’s push to encourage girls to get involved in the

STEAM fields. After the reading, educators received gift cards to cover books, classroom supplies and cleaning goods like sanitizer. The $200,000 donation helps students from underserved communities hit hardest by COVID-19. “We’re showing the kids that no matter where you learn— school or home—books can inspire dreams and spark interest in subjects that could be the beginning of an exciting career,” said Elena Ford. “We want kids to understand that reading is fun and rewarding and will allow them to take advantage of educational opportunities that can help them achieve personal success.” Ford Fund invests over $13 million each year in education programs and initiatives. In 2020, Ford Fund has committed almost $3 million to help communities deal with the ongoing pandemic.

duction vehicles, but it does stay true to its word. The same is true for Elon Musk. FSD may have been delayed for some time, for example, but the limited beta that’s testing today is very real, and its potentials are vast. With these milestones comes a normalcy of sorts for Tesla. While the company made headlines when it first broke the 5,000 Model 3 per week barrier, for example, such things are simply unremarkable today. And that’s really where Tesla’s magic lies. The company simply has the capability to make something remarkable seem normal. This was true with regards to the public’s perception of the power and capabilities of electric cars against their gas-powered rivals. This will likely be true when it comes to vehicle production capabilities as well. This is already starting for the electric car maker. Just recently, data from the Chinese Passenger Car Association (CPCA) revealed Tesla China was able to produce 22,292 Model 3 in Gigafactory Shanghai in the month of October. This translates to a run-rate of 275,148 vehicles per year. Interestingly enough, leaks from

industry insiders have suggested that Tesla China is aiming to produce 550,000 cars in 2021, with 300,000 of those being the Model 3. Considering Tesla China’s October production figures, it would appear the company is already well within striking distance of its 2021 Model 3 production goal. It wouldn’t be surprising if Tesla hits a run-rate of 300,000 China-made Model 3s by the end of the year, and it would be quite silly to assume the company would stop optimizing Gigafactory Shanghai at that level. If Gigafactory Shanghai can build 550,000 cars in 2021, Tesla would have a pretty solid chance of producing 1 million vehicles in one year. This would no doubt be a milestone for the company. But if Tesla’s previous years are any indication, it would only take a few years before vehicle production rates in the level of millions will be considered expected, or even better, unremarkable. Once that happens, then one could probably declare the electric car age is truly beginning. We thank Teslarati for reprint permission.

The Right PARTS. A PERFECT Fit.

Order Genuine Mazda Parts From These Parts Specialists in Your Area

MARYLAND

VIRGINIA

Ourisman Mazda Of Rockville

Brown’s Fairfax Mazda

855-417-4511

Fax 703-591-5348 M-F 7:30-6

Rockville

Fax 240-499-2488 M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-5 rockvilleparts@ourismanautomotive.com

Fairfax

703-385-3994 Joe.wood@brownscar.com www.brownscar.com

www.rockvillemazda.com

We thank The News Wheel for reprint permission.

60 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 60

11/17/2020 7:19:04 PM

From helpful direction to assistance with your next order of Genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts, our team is well read on ways to make your job easier.

CONNECTICUT

NEW JERSEY

NEW YORK

Curran Volkswagen Stratford

Flemington Volkswagen Flemington

Hudson Valley Volkswagen Wappingers Falls

203-378-6516

877-NJPARTS 877-657-2787

845-298-2365

Fax: 203-380-3732 M-Th 8am-6pm; F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-2pm parts@curranvw.net www.curranvw.net

MARYLAND Ourisman VW of Rockville Rockville

855-417-4511 Fax: 240-499-2488 M-F 8am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm rockvilleparts@ourismanautomotive.com

www.rockvillevolkswagen.com

MASSACHUSETTS Volkswagen of North Attleboro North Attleboro

508-695-7131 Fax: 508-695-0321 M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm kenr@driveavw.com www.driveavw.com

Fax: 845-224-3686 M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-5pm

Fax: 908-782-1795 M-F 7:30am-5pm www.njparts.com

billsantoro@thepremiercollection.com

Open Road Volkswagen of Bridgewater Bridgewater

516-822-4800

908-685-1068 Fax: 908-685-1547 M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-3pm vwb.parts@openroad.com www.openroadvwparts.com

Platinum Volkswagen Hicksville Fax: 516-822-4831 M-F 7:30am-5:30pm parts@platinumvw.com www.platinumvw.com

Paul Miller Volkswagen Bernardsville

908-766-1600 Fax: 908-766-6171 M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-4pm aaitchison@paulmiller.com www.paulmillervw.com

Contact your local Volkswagen dealer or visit Wholesale.VWServiceandParts.com to place your Genuine VW Collision Parts order today. “Volkswagen” and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. ©2020 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 61

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 61

11/17/2020 7:19:05 PM

Volvo Airbag Death Causes S60 and S80 Recall by David A. Wood, Car Complaints

A Volvo airbag death has led to a recall of more than 54,000 model year 2001-2003 S60 and S80 vehicles that were sold or registered in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan) and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The Volvo airbag death involved a driver-side frontal airbag inflator manufactured by ZF Group that exploded and sent metal fragments into the driver. The automaker didn’t release information about the death, but Volvo, ZF and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) believe it’s the only reported Volvo airbag rupture fatality worldwide. Volvo, ZF and NHTSA investigated the inflator rupture and believe moisture affected the propellant used to deploy the airbag. Although it’s similar to stories

involving exploding airbags supplied by Takata, the Volvo airbag death involves a different propellant. Takata airbag inflator ruptures were caused by the propellant ammonium nitrate which became unstable when affected by heat, humidity and moisture. But according to Volvo, the airbags in the S60 and S80 vehicles “are from the introduction of propellant 5 AT 148 N.” It may be a different propellant which caused the Volvo airbag death, but the surrounding circumstances do involve heat, humidity and moisture as in the Takata inflator explosions. Volvo says if the propellant tablets are exposed to elevated moisture levels and frequent high airbag inflator temperatures, the tablets can start to decay and form dust particles. Dust increases the burn surface area and burn rate, resulting in higher combustion chamber pressure and increasing the risk of a ruptured inflator. According to documents filed

with NHTSA, Volvo first learned about the airbag death in June 2019 when contacted by an attorney concerning the fatality. Volvo Airbag Replacements May Take Months Model year 2001-2003 S60 and S80 owners will likely have concerns after hearing about the Volvo airbag death, but the automaker says replacement airbags aren’t ready to go. Volvo will send interim recall notices to owners beginning Jan. 4, 2021, then second recall notices will be sent when replacement airbags are available. According to the automaker, the parts should be available sometime during the first quarter of 2021. A dealership will install a new “driver airbag with a modern state-of-the-art propellant/inflator.” Concerned S60 and S80 owners may call 866-870-2046 and ask about recall number R10058. We thank Car Complaints for reprint permission.

Schedule ASE Tests Now The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) encourages service professionals to visit the new myASE.com web portal and register now to renew certifications expiring Dec. 31. “Because we extended ASE certifications expiring June 30 to the end of December due to the pandemic, more service technicians than usual will be scheduling tests before their certifications expire at the end of the year,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. Each order for ASE tests automatically includes the new, lower registration fee of $34. Test fees remain the same. ASE tests are conducted days, nights and weekends at nearly 500 secured, proctored test centers. Before registering, check test center availability. Source: ASE

AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE Ditch the mask. Try our new line perfection tape. Our new and unique line perfection tape is abrasiveresistant and allows you to achieve crisp, sharp body lines. Sand directly on the durable tape surface without shredding. As tape wears, orange appears to warn of wear-through.

When all you need to do is move a vehicle, use:

• Works for blocking, sanding body filler and primer

> EASY TO USE <

• Chemical resistant • Conforms to contours

SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY

• Helps eliminate the need for constant reapplication of tape • Saves time and material

Go to www.forkliftwrecker.com and watch our video.

Give it a try! We’ll send you a free roll of Perfect Line with any online purchase. (Expires 12/31/20)

www.crashwrap.com | 888.264.3770

The Secrets of America’s Is noblwe for aila Greatest Body Shops avpurchase! by: Dave Luehr and Stacey Phillips

The Book That Will Challenge Everything You Know About the Collision Repair Business. Order your copy today and join the Body Shop Secrets community!

www.bodyshopsecrets.com For more information, contact the authors at info@bodyshopsecrets.com

877.593.6959

Waterborne Wax and Grease Remover SINCE 1985

R CKE

A R C Y L

Available from YOUR local Jobber or CALL: 973.335.2828 FAX: 973.402.7222 polycracker@netscape.com

Looking for Good Collision Personnel? •1,262 Collision Techs resumes online •1,295 Painters resumes online •1,177 Estimators & Mgs resumes online •11,256 Mechanical Tech resumes online www.actautostaffing.com or 727-733-5600

FREE 4x Monthly E-Newsletter. Subscribe Today! AUTOBODY

www.autobodynews.com

62 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 62

11/17/2020 7:19:06 PM

Manufacturers Continue to Offer Exclusive Discounts to SEMA360 Attendees by Della Domingo, SEMA

Following up on previous SEMA eNews items, below are additional specials, discounts and previews from SEMA360 manufacturers. 1-800EveryRim OEM Wheels will offer qualifying companies a onetime, 10% discount valid through 2020 on any non-special order whee(s). During SEMA360, the company will be featuring its RimText system (951-RimText/951-746-8398) and online portal www.EveryRim. com. ALLDATA will offer 25% off its ALLDATA product bundles, as well as host live product demos and oneon-one interaction with account reps providing details on its OEM repair information software, diagnostics and shop management solutions. Fluidampr will have tech support staff ready to share information about their products, along with downloadable catalogs and educational materials. They will also have best-of content and influencer contributions, including videos from industry-leading engine builders Gale Banks and Mike Kojima, and two “Learn @

Do it Right!

Lunch with Fluidampr” presentations, at noon PST Nov. 3 and Nov. 5. SCANGRIP A/S is offering almost half off the regular price of its Nova-UV S, MiniMatch, and Multimatch R. They will also feature the UV-Gun, Scangrip’s newest UV curing lamp that helps speed up the curing process in the collision repair industry, and a new and improved design for its popular wheel stand. Miller Electric Manufacturing Co. LLC will hold live training and demonstrations of aluminum welding theory and techniques. They will also cover basic and advanced machine settings using the Multimatic 220 AC/ DC and answer welding-related questions, each at 11 a.m. PST Nov. 3, 4 and 6. TWN Industries will offer free training ($2,000 value) and $1,500 off to SEMA360 attendees for its we manufacture films and paints used to turn boring plastic dashboards and interior trim into carbon fiber or realistic wood grain finishes. Bolt On Technology will be waiving set up fees for purchases made during SEMA360. The company offers Digital Vehicle Inspection

by Ed Attanasio

Use These Dealers are Genuine Wholesale Parts Specialists.

Downeast Toyota / Scion BREWER

800-432-0220

207-989-4610 Fax M-F 7am-5pm; Sat 7am-4pm partsdepartment@downeasttoyota.com www.downeasttoyota.com

Intercomp Racing will be highlighting new products that make it possible to use a mobile device as a second wireless indicator via Bluetooth on all of its wireless scale systems. Other new products include a wireless load stick and billet scale pad levelers. Additionally, the company is featuring its line of valve spring testers, shock dynos and digital camber/ caster gauges. Illinios Lock Company (ILC) will showcase its Blue Origin, Electronic Rotary Latch Series and Position Control Hinges, with product specialists available throughout the week. Blue Origin is ILC’s latest product that allows access to the truck or cab of a vehicle via Bluetooth. Manufacturer Showcases are only available on SEMA360. Login for SEMA360 will be provided to all those who register and are approved to participate. Early registration is recommended to receive login details as early as possible. Additional details about SEMA360 taking place entirely online on Nov. 2-6 are available at www.sema360.com. We thank SEMA for reprint permission.

Autel Diagnostics Develops Autel Virtual for the Complete SEMA360 Experience You can explore everything that’s new from Autel Tools, including advanced diagnostics, ADAS calibration, TPMS tire service, key programming and much more.

Maine

reports to new and used car dealer service centers, auto body shops, parts vendors, import car, truck, RV, motorcycle and marine repair specialists, fleet managers and other sectors of the automotive aftermarket. The reports give drivers the ability to see photos of their repairs and read technician recommendations on a mobile device. Bishop Innovations—HOZEEZ will have a discount code available for download from its Showcase, which can be used on their website after SEMA360. The company offers HOZEEZ, which allows consumers to wash cars without the hose getting stuck under tires, and Merchandising Display to display HOZEEZ. On their Showcase, attendees will also see product videos, including one featuring a 5,000-lb. SUV driving over the HOZEEZ. Clean Supply Pro—Sanitizer and Multi-Surface will offer 35% off all products at www.TheCleanSupply.com/SEMA. The company offers hand sanitizer, sprays and multisurface cleansers formulated with 80% ethyl alcohol and health care-grade ingredients to meet all WHO recommendations.

Autel Diagnostics created Autel Virtual specifically for SEMA360

Watch video highlights of each tool line, dive deeper on our in-depth category pages and even speak live with an Autel Product Expert at SEMA360. Autel has seven people ready to answer all of your questions, including National Sales Manager & Training Director Michael Flink, an expert on automotive diagnostics.

One of their newest products in the Autel IMMO & Key Programming tool line is the IM608PROKPA, a comprehensive packaged bundle. The included Adapter Kit and XP400Pro expand European vehicle coverage and EEPROM function including 2,000 component types. “Whether you have one or multiple shops, Autel has an ADAS calibration system fit for you,” an Autel spokesperson said. “Our portable MA600 Frame folds easily for transport, helping shops affordably target a new revenue stream. The sturdy standard frame is ideal for single shops or for use with an alignment machine.” Autel is the only manufacturer to offer a complete TPMS solution to the collision repair industry. The TS508, TS508WF and TS608 feature four MX-Sensor programming methods and enhanced system status screen. The dual-frequency 1-Sensor is 99% OE-compatible with a quick release Press button so aluminum and rubber valve stems can be easily replaced. Learn about The MaxiSYS Ultra at SEMA360. It is Autel’s most

ambitious diagnostics tablet to date, featuring a large 12.9-in. tablet and the MaxiFlash VCMI, a 5-in-1 communication and testing tool. The Ultra offers the most advanced approach to vehicle diagnostics with its dynamic topology module mapping for supported vehicles, combined with its Intelligent Diagnostics feature that guides the technician from code to repair to test with detailed repair information and illustrations. “We continue to expand with our newest product line of battery testers and electrical system diagnostics,” Flink said. “The star of the show, the BT608, is a comprehensive battery and electrical system diagnostics tool featuring adaptive conductance technology to identify low-capacity batteries and thereby reduce battery misdiagnosis. The Android-based, WiFi touchscreen tablet tool displays a quick battery health status, and enables an automatic battery registration.”

AUTOBODY

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 63

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 63

11/17/2020 7:19:07 PM

No Money Down & No Payments For 6 Months*

ITALIA ALTO

The perfect paint booth for commercial vans

Insulated Dual Skin Construction

SmartPad Digital PLC Controls With EnergySmart*

EZ-Clip Ceiling Filters

Smooth Glide Hinges

Vertical Light Fixtures Full Lower Lights on Every Wall

Free LED Light Upgrade

Includes: (2) 10 HP VFD’s Digital PLC control panel “Standby” Economy mode Full lower lighting package (every wall)

(2) 10HP VFD Package

12’

EvenFloTM Downdraft Balancing System

(2) 14,000 CFM Direct Drive Turbines

Superior Ceiling Filtration

*Automatically drops to idle when no spraying is detected

Choose Your Exterior Color Accudraft Blu™

Finishing Systems

Ultra White™

Furia™

Grigio™

SAIMA of North America Inc. | Randolph, New Jersey 07869 | (800) 524-0340 info@accudraftpaintbooths.com | www.accidraftpaintbooth.com

64 DECEMBER 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Northeast_Issue_1220.indd 64

11/17/2020 7:19:07 PM