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10 Top Takeaways for Body Shops from the Southern Automotive Repair Conference in MS by Stacey Phillips
National paint companies, equipment and tool manufacturers, major vehicle OEMs and industry experts all came together during the Southern Automotive Repair Conference (SARC) in April. Held at the IP Resort Casino & Spa in Biloxi, Mississippi, the two-day event was hosted by industry associations in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi and Tennessee. Georgia Thorson, the co-organizer of the event, said the goal of the conference is to provide an annual industry forum for collision repair pro-
(l to r) Robert McKenzie, executive director of RDA; co-organizers of the event Georgia Thorson and Steve Plier; and Moose Simmons, Overnight Parts Alliance
fessionals in the Southeast region of the United States. “We want to offer an opportunity for attendees to visit exhibits, See 10 Top Takeaways, Page 10
Axalta and NASCAR® Legends Open New Customer Experience Center in Concord, NC by Autobody News staff
In Concord, North Carolina, the industry had the opportunity to get a first-hand look at Axalta’s new Customer Experience Center during the grand opening on May 16. Axalta Coating Systems held a press conference and tours of the fa- (l to r) Rick Hendrick of Hendrick Automotive Group and cility as part of the event, which Jim Muse, director of sales Axalta Coatings Company was officiated by Charlie Shaver, Axalta chairman and CEO, and owner of 12-time NASCAR® Cup SeMichael Carr, Axalta president-North ries champion Hendrick Motorsports America. Special guests included Jeff and founder / chairman of Hendrick Automotive Group. Gordon, four-time NASCAR® Cup See Axalta and NASCAR®, Page 18 Series champion and Rick Hendrick,
VOL. 8 ISSUE 4 JUNE 2017
CIC Task Force Explores What “Secure Share” Will Mean for Exchange of Estimate Data
ing system, or third-parties like CSI providers, parts locating services, rental CCC Information Services’ newly- car companies, etc. launched “Secure Share” generated Under the current data-exchange both questions and criticisms at the method, a CCC ONE user can transfer Collision Industry Conference (CIC) that data to others using a standardheld in Pittsburgh, PA, in late April, ized “Estimate Management Standard although no company representative (EMS)” file. In many cases, those third-parties have—with a was there to respond. shop’s permission—placed a A new CIC task force “data pump” on the shop’s held a panel discussion related server to automatically pull to the new data-sharing systhe EMS files the shop has tem, and though CCC chose agreed to share. not to attend (citing antitrust concerns), it did send a fourCCC’s “Secure Share” changes this arrangement in page response to questions Frank Terlep several key ways. First, it posed by the task force. “Secure Share” went “live” in early will transfer the data using a “Business Message Suite (BMS)” file, viewed by April (www.cccsecureshare.com), representing a significant change in terms many in the industry as a positive of how shops using CCC’s estimating change. The industry-developed BMS system can share estimate information standard in theory gives users more See CIC Task Force, Page 12 with a shop management or paint mix-
by John Yoswick
Automotive Attorney Erica Eversman Discusses Shop Liability and Protection by Chasidy Rae Sisk
On Tuesday, April 18, AASP-PA hosted a presentation during CIC Week in Pittsburgh, PA, featuring Vehicle Information Services Chief Counsel Erica Eversman. Her presentation focused on the liabilities shops are exposed to currently, how shops can protect themselves and tips on getting paid for proper repairs. Eversman took time to discuss some of the key points of her presentation with Autobody News. “The most important thing for shop owners to remember is that they are the professionals. They are responsible for making decisions, and they are subject to the burden of resolving issues with the consumer or insurance companies, whether it’s related to imitation parts or something else. If it’s not a safety concern; the customer can make some decisions,
but shops need to stand firm on safety issues,” Eversman said. Referring to Berg v. Nationwide Insurance, a 2012 Superior Court of Pennsylvania case that handed down a sweeping decision that broadly interprets insurance bad faith under Section 8371, Eversman recounted the horrific tale of a newly leased Jeep Cherokee which the shop declared a total loss; however, the claim representative argued and coerced a repair since the insurer would lose money on the total loss. The repair took four months, but the insurance company only paid for 30 days of the customer’s rental car. Eventually, the vehicle was returned to the consumers, but the shop was concerned about it being unsafe, and one of their technicians called the customer to warn them. See Erica Eversman , Page 27
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