June 2020 Southeast Edition by Autobody News

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A Look at the Impact of Driven Brands Purchase of Fix Auto USA & Auto Center Auto Body by Stacey Phillips

With Driven Brands’ purchase of Fix Auto USA and Auto Center Auto Body on April 21, the collision repair industry is experiencing another shift in landscape during a time of accelerating consolidations. FOCUS Advisors, Inc., a full-service mergers and acquisitions (M&A) firm specializing in the automotive aftermarket, announced the completion of the transaction for both parties in a press release to the industry. Autobody News had the opportunity to talk to David Roberts, man-

aging director of FOCUS Advisors, Inc., about the transaction and its impact in the industry.

tion?

Can you share some of the background of this transac-

Erick Bickett and I have been friends and professional colleagues for nearly 27 years. He and Shelly Bickett have had a huge impact on this industry for a long time and are some of the most sophisticated operators in the country. See Purchase of Fix Auto USA, Page 12

NC Authorities Investigating Stolen Vehicles from 11 Dealerships, Valued at More Than $1M by Auto Remarketing staff

As if dealerships didn’t have enough to concern them nowadays because of the coronavirus pandemic, reports out of one of North Carolina’s largest cities indicated 11 dealers and a rental car facility have seen nearly 50 vehicles stolen in the past month―inventory worth more than $1 million. The incidents reinforced the more than dozen security suggestions AutoRaptor made to help dealerships protect one of their most valuable assets.

According to a Facebook post from Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County, those 11 dealerships and rental location have sustained 18 break-ins since March 17. The post indicated 46 vehicles were reported as stolen in Winston-Salem. Those vehicles were reportedly valued at approximately $1,138,718.00. All but six of those vehicles have been recovered, according to Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County. The Winston-Salem dealerships See Stolen Vehicles, Page 16

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Car Rental Industry Braced for Impact from Coronavirus, Financing Concerns by Mark Zinn, News-Press NOW

With a recently estimated reduction of more than 90% of non-essential travel, car rental companies are feeling the ripple effect caused by the coronavirus outbreak. While most local car rental branches remain open, the excess amount of cars on their lots can only mean business is dwindling during a time the car-sharing industry has been hit hard by less demand. “Like others across the travel industry—and countless other companies large and small—we have wit-

Car rentals are down amid the COVID-19 outbreak. Credit: Mark Zinn, News-Press NOW

nessed an impact to our business,” said Lisa Martini, a spokesperson for Missouri-based Enterprise HoldSee Rental Impact, Page 14

As we move from medical crisis to economic recovery, Autobody News chooses to focus on information detailing how the economy is recovering and how companies are managing that process. Please check Autobodynews.com for the most current information.

NIADA Survey: Independent Dealers Getting Back to Business Employees are coming back to work and vehicles are beginning to sell as independent auto dealers ramp up to get back to business, according to a new survey by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association. The survey of 846 used vehicle dealers conducted from May 9-14—a follow-up to a survey taken a month earlier—found almost twothirds (63%) of the dealerships that had furloughed or laid off employees a month earlier have begun the process of bringing them back. Overall, 34% of the independent dealers said they are rehiring staff, 20% said they are not and 47% said the question was not applicable, meaning they had remained at full staffing level throughout the COVID-19 pandemic—the same percentage as the previous survey. Thirty-nine percent of those who

are rehiring said they had experienced no problems in doing so, but 31% said their employees were hesitant to come back because they were making more through the government’s

enhanced unemployment benefits than they had made at their jobs, and 19% said fear of the coronavirus was an issue. The survey also showed dealerships opening up again, with 44% doing business as usual (compared to 27% in April), 34% open by appointment only and 10% selling online See NIADA Survey, Page 20

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Empire Auto Parts Launches Service in North Carolina

CONTENTS CCA Pledges to Raise $250K in Product

Yoswick - Finding Some Hopeful Bits of Good News Amid the Pandemic Fallout ��36

Donations for Carolina Collision Schools Over Summer ��10 Classic Collision Continues Growth in FL with Palm Collision Center Acquisition ��8 DOT Funds $7.5M Project for Automated Fleet Driving Systems ��22 Empire Auto Parts Launches Service in North Carolina ��3 Florida Spine & Joint Institute Suing GEICO for More Than $750,000 ��16 GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing to Run on the Sun ��18 Honda, Toyota Reopen AL Plants With Pandemic Protection Measures ��14 Hyundai, Kia Reopen US Plants ��8 Legislative Fight Coming in NC Over Virus-Related Workers Compensation Claims ��16 Mediator Cancels Scheduled Session in Auto Glass AOB Fraud Lawsuit ��11 Mercedes-Benz to Idle AL Plant Next Week Over Parts Shortage ��6 NC Authorities Investigating Stolen Vehicles from 11 Dealerships, Valued at More Than $1M ��1 Police Break Up FL Chop Shop Ring Targeting ‘80s Classic Cars ��20 Restaurants Go to Half Capacity, Gyms Reopen Under FL’s ‘Full Phase One’ Plan ��6 VA Governor Signs Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Legislation ��20

NATIONAL 10 Shops Share What They are Doing to Get Work in the Door ��43 A Look at the Impact of Driven Brands Purchase of Fix Auto USA &

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli, Gary Ledoux Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano, Andrew Staicer (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 Editorial/Sales Assistant: Randi Scholtes Office Assistant: Dianne Pray

Serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina 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.

American Icon Automotive Finishes �� 14

Innovative Tools & Technologies �� 17

Athens Dodge-Chrysler-Jeep-Ram �� 13

Jim Cogdill Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram �� 18

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 37

John Heister Automotive �� 22

AutoNation Ford-Lincoln �� 10

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 41

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 45

LKQ Corporation �� 47

Certified Automotive Parts Association �� 16

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 44

Charlotte’s Premier Wholesale Parts Source �� 21

MINI of Charleston �� 32

City Kia of Greater Orlando �� 6

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 45

Classifieds �� 46

Montipower Americas, Inc. �� 11

Coggin Deland Honda �� 31

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 29

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet �� 34

NOROO Paint & Coatings. �� 48

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 42

Precision Body & Paint �� 20

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 43

Radley Chevrolet �� 35

Gus Machado Ford �� 26

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Naples �� 28

Haldon Company �� 15

Riverside Ford-Lincoln �� 19

Back to Business ��1

Hendrick Automotive Group �� 33

SATA Dan-Am Company �� 2

OE Certifications Update 2020—Part 2 of 2 ��34

Hendrick BMW/MINI �� 7

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes ��4-5

Scholarship Recipients Announced by WIN ��10

Hendrick Honda Pompano Beach �� 38

Southern Polyurethanes, Inc �� 9

Hendrick Kia Cary �� 27

Southside Kia �� 30

Hendrick Kia Concord �� 27

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 39

Hendrick Volvo Cars of Charleston �� 32

Symach �� 8

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers �23, 24-25

Tameron Hyundai �� 35

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 45

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 40

ACA Joins More Than 100 Business Organizations to Launch America’s Recovery Fund Coalition ��44 AutoNation, American Cancer Society Raise Funds ��18 Axalta Supports CA COVID-19 Response ��11 Car Rental Industry Braced for Impact from Coronavirus, Financing Concerns ��1 Enterprise Implements Complete Clean Pledge ��44 Fix Auto USA and Auto Center Auto Body Sold to Driven Brands ��46 Ford CEO on Weathering Coronavirus: ‘Don’t Waste a Crisis’ ��42 Ford, 3M Shipping Air-Purifying Respirators ��44 Ford’s Potentially Devastating F-150 Problem Has Been Solved ��42 Garmat Develops Walk-Up Testing Booth for Virus Abatement ��45 Glass Company Shifts Gears to Make ‘Sneeze Guards’ for Vehicles ��42 Honda Begins Making Vital Ventilator Parts for Dynaflo to Help Virus Patients ��19

Anderson - Not Busy? If You’re Leading the Business, You Sure Should Be ��35 Attanasio - Body Shop Owner Triples

for AZ Drivers ��32

State Auto Announces Plan to Help Customers

Advertising Budget During Pandemic ��40

in Response to Pandemic ��42

Chess - Kool Tools from SEMA 2019 ��28

Toyota Postpones North American Operations ��44

Sisk - Local Associations Discuss Impact

Tractable Donates to CIF Pandemic Fund ��43

of Virus on Members and Organizations ��38 Sisk - Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster of the Virus as a Shop Owner ��26

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

New Auto Insurance Limits May Be Costly

NIADA Survey: Independent Dealers Getting COLUMNISTS

now stocking and selling millions of dollars in inventory to their happy and loyal customer base. “This is the largest warehouse space that Empire has ever occupied and the first time we are simultaneously launching a satellite branch,” said Randall Bollander, corporate sales manager. “It is great to see the hard work and energy of all our staff pay off in this event. I cannot wait for the potential customers in our new delivery area to experience our level of service and quality.” Source: Empire Auto Parts

Auto Center Auto Body ��1

INDEX OF ADVERTISERS

REGIONAL

Empire Auto Parts, a leading distributor of quality replacement crash and cooling parts, announced the opening of its fourth distribution center. The new facility in Charlotte, NC, and new satellite location in Raleigh, NC, will allow Empire to provide exceptional service to the surrounding auto collision centers. Empire Auto Parts has a long history of providing quality parts in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic U.S. regions. Started in 1985, it has become one of the top auto body part distributors in the country,

Women of the Year Award Nominations Sought ��19

IGO Insurance Agency �� 12 autobodynews.com / JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

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Restaurants Go to Half Capacity, Gyms Reopen Under FL’s ‘Full Phase One’ Plan by John Haughey, The Center Square

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced May 15 that Florida gyms can reopen and restaurants’ indoor seating can expand to 50% capacity beginning May 18. The governor teased COVID-19 relaxations May 14, when he promised “a good announcement,” signaling he could authorize most of the state to move into phase two of his reopening plan. The state is not moving into phase two, however, DeSantis said during a news conference at Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital in Jacksonville, calling his May 4 reopening order “initial phase one.” “Today, we are going to move into a full phase one,” he said, noting reopening gyms and expanding restaurants’ indoor dining capacities are “things we could have done but didn’t do initially in our safe, smart, step-by-step approach.” Under “full phase one,” restaurants can expand to half capacity, ideally with spacing or partitions used to enforce a “low-risk environment;” retailers, museums and libraries can allow 50% capacities if local govern-

ments agree; and gyms and ﬁtness centers can reopen at half capacity. “Don’t we want people to have exercise? Don’t we want them to stay in shape?” DeSantis asked. “It would make them more resistant” to the COVID-19 disease.

A waiter wearing a protective face mask to help stop the spread of the coronavirus serves lunch to a family May 10 in Ybor City, in Tampa, FL. Credit: Chris O’Meara, AP

The governor said hygiene in enclosed areas where exercising people sweat always has been a concern and remains so. “Sanitize machines and surfaces after use. That should be done anyway,” he said. “Clean the dip bars when you’re done doing dips, c’mon.” “Full phase one” also will permit gatherings of up to 50 people in spaces that can accommodate social

distancing protocols, but won’t allow movie theaters and bars to reopen. “I’m not saying that we are not going to” reopen movie theaters, but “I need more information before I pull the trigger on that,” DeSantis said, adding “bars were not included in phase one. I didn’t see the need to jump over that.” The order also allows counties to submit plans to him for allowing vacation rentals to Florida residents, he said. “If you are going to rent out to people from New York City, I am probably not going to approve that,” DeSantis said. “It is going to be done on a case-by-case basis, but they got to submit a plan.” The governor reiterated his invitation to professional sports leagues to resume stunted seasons in Florida and called on those teams that cannot play in local venues when seasons resume to make the Sunshine State their temporary home ﬁelds. DeSantis said he’s also invited amusement parks to submit reopening plans to local governments and then to the state that identify “the date certain” they can protect guests and workers. DeSantis lifted his April 1 stay-

Mercedes-Benz to Idle AL Plant Next Week Over Parts Shortage by William Thornton, AL.com

Mercedes-Benz said it will halt production next week at its Tuscaloosa County, AL, factory due to a shortage of parts―a work stoppage it plans to make up later this summer.

A spokesperson for parent company Daimler said the interruption is due to international suppliers. Bloomberg News reported the parts shortage was from Mexico. Mercedes-Benz resumed production April 27 following a shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic. Alabama’s other automakers have also been opening up after spending more than a month idle during lockdown measures. This week, Honda resumed production in

Lincoln. Hyundai in Montgomery has been running a one-shift operation in vehicle assembly processes such as stamping, welding, painting and final assembly since May 4. The company says it plans to resume full capacity production, with a three-crew/three-shift operation, during the week of May 25. The plant’s engine machining and assembly operations are on a modified schedule. Mercedes-Benz began limited production last month with a “significantly reduced number” of employees in one shift. The company said it plans on working through a planned summer shutdown period to make up for the lost time next week. Mercedes says it relied on some of the company’s other plants in other parts of the world for best practices upon reopening, as well as the Centers for Disease Control, West Alabama Chamber of Commerce, Alabama Automotive Manufactures Association and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation. A spokesperson said some employees have been

sent home if they showed fever and needed clearance by a physician to return.

Hyundai also looked at its company’s processes at its plants in Korea, where COVID-19 infections and deaths have been much lower than other countries. Some of its safety practices have included thermal temperature scanning and mask distribution, staggering lunch breaks and shifts, barriers in workstations and partitions on break tables, and cleaning of high contact and high touch surfaces. Spokesman Robert Burns said employees showing symptoms such as fever have been encouraged to stay home. We thank AL.com for reprint permission.

at-home order, allowing 64 of 67 counties—excluding hard-hit Palm Beach, Broward and Miami-Dade counties—to advance into limited reopening May 4, leaving bars, movie theaters, gyms and personal-service providers, such as barbers and salon stylists, closed. Under DeSantis’ “initial phase one,” large venues remained shuttered, gatherings of more than 10 were prohibited, hospitals were permitted to resume elective procedures and restaurants were allowed to reopen but with inside dining limited to 25% capacity, the same restriction that applied for retailers’ interiors. Last week, DeSantis advanced Palm Beach County into phase one and allowed barbers, hair stylists and nail salon operators to reopen. On May 14, he authorized Miami-Dade and Broward counties to move into phase one, beginning May 18. In that order, he allowed restaurants to open at 50% capacity. “There is a light at the end of the tunnel. There is a path back,” DeSantis said. “This continues the journey.” We thank The Center Square for reprint permission.

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Hyundai, Kia Reopen US Plants by Paul A. Eisenstein, The Detroit Bureau

Korean carmakers Hyundai and Kia have reopened their U.S. manufacturing plants, albeit on a single shift. The two Korean siblings closed the two plants in March, about the same time most of their competitors shuttered their North American operations due to the coronavirus pandemic. Only a handful of automakers, including not only Hyundai and Kia but also Mercedes-Benz, have so far restarted U.S. production, with most other manufacturers hoping to reopen later this month. Production at the Hyundai and Kia plants will begin slowly, the latter automaker pointing to “the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on our supply chain.” In its statement, Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia said its West Point facility, for now, “will limit production operations to one shift.” As a result, they are expected to fall well short of capacity, at least for the near-term. Hyundai can produce up to 400,000 vehicles a year; Kia about 340,000, at their U.S. operations. The slow ramp-up might have less impact than during other times,

however, due to the near-collapse of U.S. auto sales. Demand tumbled 39% in March and about 50% in April, leaving significant inventory on dealer lots across the U.S.

Hyundai’s Alabama plant will start off on a single shift, well below its rated capacity.

But there are some exceptions. Demand for pickups has remained relatively strong, drawing down dealer stocks. And sales of both Kia Telluride and Hyundai Palisade have been solid, causing some concerns as supplies of those two SUVs were already short as the pandemic swept in. Of the two automakers, Hyundai was first to close its U.S. plant, a facility based in Montgomery, AL, after a worker there tested positive for the coronavirus. Kia’s West Point plant remained open until March 30, a point by which the entire North

American automotive network was grinding to a halt. Automakers originally hoped the shutdown would be brief, many initially laying out plans to start back up by mid-April. But, as the number of infections and fatalities began to soar, those plans were pushed back. As is the case with states laying out individual plans for lifting shelter-in-place orders, so automakers are now following their own timetables for reopening. Mercedes-Benz was first to start back up last week, resuming production on a single-shift basis at its Tuscaloosa, AL, factory. Like Kia and Hyundai, the German maker said in a statement that it did so only after implementing “robust and best practice safety measures.” There has been an unusual degree of cross-communications between automakers during the pandemic to compare best practice approaches, which include the use of masks and other personal protection equipment for workers, as well as methods to reduce direct contact within plants, both along the assembly line and in common areas such as restrooms and cafeterias.

Several other automakers are expecting to reopen within the next one to two weeks, including BMW, Honda, Tesla, Toyota and Nissan. Others have pulled back from previously announced target dates, including Fiat Chrysler, Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen. For Detroit’s Big Three, part of the problem is the extension of Michigan’s stay-at-home order through May 28th since they all have a disproportionate share of their parts and assembly manufacturing bases in that Midwest state. One of the questions the industry will face as manufacturers resume production is whether they will be able to get all the parts they need. That is one of the reasons cited by Kia for its plan to operate just one shift for now. Automakers, including Ford and Toyota, have said they are working with suppliers―many of whom have suffered serious financial problems caused by the pandemic― to ensure they are ready to start back up again while meeting best practice safety standards. We thank The Detroit Bureau for reprint permission.

Classic Collision Continues Growth in FL with Palm Collision Center Acquisition Classic Collision Inc., an Atlanta-based automotive collision repair company, announced it has acquired Palm Collision Center in the South Florida region. This acquisition solidifies Classic Collision’s presence in South Florida after the purchase of Carolina Auto Body in December 2019, now giving Classic eight South Florida locations. Palm Collision Center has served the Broward, FL, area since October 1983. “After 17 years as an independent body shop serving South Florida, it’s exciting to join an expanding company, Classic Collision, which shares the same values of great customer service, quality repairs and genuinely valuing every team member,” said Shane O’Connor, former managing partner of Palm Collision. “We are elated to join forces with Kevin Kelley and Shane O’Connor to transition Palm Collision over to the Classic Collision brand,” said Toan Nguyen, Classic Collision CEO. “Their business values and strong insurance relationships are aligned with the Classic model.” The addition of the Palm Collision Center to

the Classic family will increase the footprint to 35 shops in Florida, Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina, and add 14 new employees to the Classic team. With similar values, the two companies look forward to merging the Classic and Palm families and continuing to provide industry-leading service to their customers. Classic Collision is continuing to execute its plan to expand nationally, even with the challenges that the collision industry is facing during the coronavirus pandemic. “Despite the challenging market conditions, we are not slowing down our growth―we are accelerating it and plan on continuing to grow our business through acquisition,” said Nguyen. “Our best-in-class integration model and highly efficient operating playbook enable us to perform at a high level during a crisis. Continuing to acquire high-quality businesses makes sense for our teammates, stakeholders, landlords, the communities we serve, our insurance partners and the longterm health of the economy.” Source: Classic Collision Inc.

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CCA Pledges to Raise $250K in Product Donations for Carolina Collision Schools Over Summer Recognizing the need that North Carolina and South Carolina high school and college collision school programs have, the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) has pledged to raise $250,000 in in-kind, product donations for the states’ technical programs over the summer through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF.)

These donations, tax-deductible through CREF, include spare parts (fenders, bumper covers, etc.), tools, equipment, paint, consumables and other items that will assist instructors who face limiting program budgets. Donations will be collected and organized over the summer to then be distributed to the collision programs when they return for the fall school semester.

“While many businesses may not be in a position to contribute monetary donations as they navigate through these times, they may be able to help by donating needed items to collision programs,” said CCA Executive Director Josh Kent. “If there is an expectation from the industry that graduating collision students have the proper skills and technical education to be productive entry-level staff, the industry needs to help ensure instructors have the resources to provide that quality technical education. The Carolinas Collision Association members and industry contacts will work hard over the summer to gather as much support as possible to help our states collision school programs.” “I commend the Carolinas Collision Association for coming together to help their local collision programs as this type of support is needed now more than ever,” said CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode. “This will be quite the

FORD

Scholarship Recipients Announced by WIN

‘back to school’ gift for the collision instructors and students and a wonderful way to start off the new school semester.”

For additional information about CCA, visit www.CarolinasCollision Association.com.

There are 11 new recipients of the 2020 Women’s Industry Network (WIN) College Student Tuition and Conference Scholarship Award. The scholarhips are presented annually to deserving students enrolled in a post-secondary collision repair technology programs. Each recipient receives a $1,000 scholarship to continue their post-secondary education in collision repair and complimentary registration to attend the 2021 WIN Educational Conference. This year’s winners are Melissa Acosta, Tampa, FL; Taylor Berglund, Beaverton, OR; Jamie Frey, Windsor, CO; Errin Gill, Mount Dora, FL; Katheryn Hasty, Topeka, KS; Brooke Kline, Winona, MN; Breanna Ramirez, Katy, TX; Lilian Reed, Kimberly, ID; Kristina Tedesco, Ridgebury, PA; Nichole Turner, Grand Island, FL; and Elyssa Wilson, Liscomb, NS, Canada.

Source: CCA

Source: WIN

Industry members interested in joining the CCA and CREF in supporting North Carolina and South Carolina high school and college collision programs can contact Kent at oregon.josh.kent@gmail.com or Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ edfoundation.org.

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Mediator Cancels Scheduled Session in Auto Glass AOB Fraud Lawsuit by Emmariah Holcomb, glassBYTEs.com

Mediator Stanford Blake of Tampa, FL, ﬁled a notice of cancellation May 11 for a virtual mediation set for May 27 via Zoom in the ongoing legal showdown between Allstate Insurance Company, Allstate Fire and Casualty Insurance Company, Allstate Indemnity Company and Allstate Property and Casualty Insurance Company (collectively Allstate) and defendants Auto Glass America LLC (AGA) and its owner, Charles Isaly. The presiding federal court judge has yet to announce a new mediator or additional plans to continue the scheduled virtual mediation with another mediator. This news comes on the heels of last week’s reported schedule changes for the ongoing assignment of beneﬁts (AOB) fraud lawsuit. Case Background The lawsuit began with Allstate’s complaint alleging that both AGA and Isaly pressured its insureds into hiring them for windshield replacements, while obtaining

assignment of benefits (AOBs.) The lawsuit began to heat up as AGA and Isaly responded to Allstate’s emergency motion 24 hours before the presiding judge issued an order. AGA and Isaly filed another motion against Allstate. Shortly after a mediation was scheduled. The insurance company previously urged the court to deny AGA and Isaly’s motion to compel Allstate to provide its pricing agreements. Allstate cited confidentiality as its reason for not providing its pricing agreements. However, the presiding judge ordered the insurance company to produce its pricing agreements. From there, AGA and Isaly responded to Allstate’s emergency protective order. The presiding judge then issued an order regarding the emergency motion. Last week, Allstate requested additional time to meet with the defendants for mediation, to which the judge granted parts and dismissed parts. Ultimately the court

extended the mediation deadline until May 29. Following the mediation extension, Allstate filed an unopposed motion requesting additional time for the insurance company to respond to the defendants’ motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. Allstate then asked the court for a dismissal on AGA and Isaly’s motion to compel “computations of each category of damages” for each plaintiff, citing that the motion was frivolous. The court decided to discharge all of defense attorney Michael Laurato’s show cause orders. New dates, along with a virtual mediation, were scheduled at the beginning of May, but now the mediator selected filed a notice of cancellation. Look to a future edition of glassBYTEs for continued coverage of the suit. We thank glassBYTEs.com for reprint permission.

Axalta Supports CA COVID-19 Response Axalta, a leading global supplier of liquid and powder coatings, is partnering with Marathon Industries to coat truck bodies for the State of California’s COVID-19 response team using its Tufcote™ industrial products. Truck bodies are highly valuable in times of crisis due to their versatility and ability to haul both large and small amounts of critical supplies, as well as load from either side. Marathon Industries’ Reno, NV, facility and Axalta worked together to select Tufcote Low-VOC Primer and High Solids Black and White Topcoats for this job. Axalta Tufcote liquid coatings are designed for maximum performance, corrosion protection, gloss and color retention. They deliver consistent, high-quality results with a durable ﬁnish. Source: Axalta

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helping them strategize and put totheir package, they were able to Purchase of Fix Auto USA gether go to market with a coherent approach to potential buyers. I believe that’s one Some time ago, Erick, Paul and of the reasons they got the deal done, I started talking about their invest- even though we went from being in ment in Fix Auto USA and the best collision repair envithe way in which Fix USA ronment to maybe one of the was gaining momentum. worst. While Fix USA was deIt’s something we feel livering great value to its very proud of, but also at the franchisees, many of them end of the day, we are helpwere looking for additioning people who have investDavid Roberts, al capital or ultimately an ed a lifetime of effort buildexit strategy. Erick and managing director of ing a wonderful business and FOCUS Advisors, Inc. Paul saw an opportunity to now they get to realize some provide financing solutions to those of their rewards. franchisees through external capital sources. With so much uncertainty goDuring this time, Fix USA coning on in the world and the tinued to be regarded as a real class collision repair industry due to the act in the industry. Since its incep- pandemic, how does a deal of this tion, they invested in excellent sys- magnitude get accomplished? tems, leadership and helping shops upgrade their operations. Insurance We are all in the midst of this companies really trusted them. completely unforeseen, unWhen Paul, Erick and Shelly be- precedented time. However, we have gan to evaluate outside capital options, demonstrated that a good transacthey engaged us to represent them. We tion can actually get done. In fact, wrote a business plan and identified our belief is that things aren’t totally possible capital sources. After ap- collapsing at least for a big segment proaching a number of potential in- of the economy and certainly for vestors, Roark [Capital] and Driven our industry. We are very pleased to Brands showed the most interest and have a successful transaction for our eventually decided they wanted to client. own the entire firm. But no transaction is ever done What will the future hold for until the day it closes, and in this case, an independent shop owner? the day it closed was April 21, 2020. Currently, there are thousands Please tell us about FOCUS of single shops and small MSOs Advisors and your involve- across the country. They operate in ment in the transaction. different communities in unique situations, and have built prominent FOCUS Advisors serves au- businesses in their respective areas. tomotive aftermarket owners Many of these business owners want who are looking for advice and rep- to continue operating because they resentation about their future pos- are very successful and love what sibilities. We advise our clients about they do. growth and sale options and then repreAt the same time, everybody recsent them in mergers and acquisitions ognizes the need to be better at what or capital formation transactions. Over they do and one of the ways to do this the last five years, as managing direc- is getting together with other successtor of FOCUS and a prior firm, we’ve ful business owners. completed more than 22 collision and It doesn’t necessarily mean you paint distribution transactions. have to sell out. You can be part of What we do is help our clients a group and still stay independent. figure out what they really want and For example, franchise systems work with them to achieve that goal enable independent operators the in a really organized and well-docu- opportunity to participate in an ormented, well-articulated fashion. ganization larger than themselves, In this case, having known Er- while still maintaining their indeick and Shelly and Paul for years and pendent ownership. Continued from Cover

Q: A:

In a changing landscape, how can independent shop owner compete?

I have tremendous admiration for the people in this industry. They are some of the smartest, most creative and successful entrepreneurs that I know. But the landscape is constantly changing and getting tougher and tougher for small independents. The reality is that a two-shop operator who is competing against Caliber Collision, Gerber and Service King is going to have a tougher time unless they get more specialized, or closer to insurers, dealers or focus on particular brands. The alternative is to join other folks and get bigger yourself. We have clients around the country who have literally gone from a two-shop $10 million operation to an eight-shop $40 million operation in the last four or five years. They are figuring out how to do it on their own through retained earnings, paint rebates and some borrowing. As a result, they are getting bigger and more sophisticated and are delivering better service. They are not the only ones finding unique ways to

grow and stay relevant.

Q: A:

Do you have any concluding thoughts?

As an industry, we will recover. But it will change how we do business in ways we cannot now foresee. So stay safe, keep your family safe, conserve cash, take care of your customers, your referral sources and your staff. This is a condensed version of the full article, which can be found online at www.autobodynews.com. For more information about FOCUS Advisors, visit https://focus advisors.com/ or email David Roberts at david.roberts@focusadvisors. com. For more information about Driven Brands, visit https://www.driven brands.com/.

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Guidance on Reducing COVID-19 Risks The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) have published comprehensive guidance to ensure cleanliness and safety as Americans reopen businesses, schools, homes and public spaces. The guidance walks through how companies should develop, implement and maintain a plan for cleaning and disinfecting workplaces. It includes an EPA list of disinfectant products that can be used against COVID-19, and alternatives if approved disinfectants are unavailable. The guidance reviews social distancing practices and ways to reduce the potential for exposure and includes links to many other related resources. Visit epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-04/documents/316485-c_reopeningamerica_guidance_4.19_6pm. pdf Source: SEMA

Continued from Cover

Rental industry Impact ings. “This includes a decrease in reservations as travel has come to a standstill.” That standstill in reservations is highest at rental locations based at airports, said an industry expert. “Our business is down somewhere between 50% and 75% on average at the airport locations,” said Greg Scott, with the American Car Rental Association. Scott said neighborhood branch locations are seeing a decline in customers, but not at a rate as high as what the industry is seeing at airport branches. “There are people who are in accidents and need an insurance replacement vehicle,” he said. “And there are always people who don’t have a car and need one.” Scott estimated that a typical day for a branch would be having roughly 70% of available cars out for rent. “If 90% of them or 80% of them are are not out on rental, all of a sudden you’ve got a huge parking prob-

lem,” Scott said in an interview with News-Press NOW. “That’s been reported by a variety of media sources.” With an excess supply and a decrease in demand, car rental giants have announced massive layoffs and furloughs. Late last month, Hertz said it plans to lay off some 10,000 employees in North America. Meanwhile, the world’s largest fleet of rental vehicles, Enterprise Holdings, also announced a series of furloughs and layoffs. Enterprise Holdings is a privately held company that owns the rental brands Enterprise, Alamo and National Car Rental. Enterprise realized the layoffs were necessary because of the extension of some local shutdowns and recent extension of federal guidelines on social distancing, the company said. Some layoffs began March 23 while others began last week. The layoffs will affect Missouri employees in several jobs and locations, including at company headquarters in Clayton, MO. It wasn’t clear if either Enterprise, Hertz or Avis-Budget was laying off any St. Joseph employees.

Regardless of the uncertainty the car rental market faces, the industry has been deemed as essential by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and remains open for business. “We remain open and are committed to helping serve these critical transportation infrastructure needs during this challenging time,” Martini said in a statement to News-Press NOW. “While we remain open for business, we have modified our offerings at some locations for the benefit and well-being of both employees and customers. Part of these temporary operational changes, include curbside rental transactions at our open branch locations, as well as delivery, to promote social distancing.” There are an estimated 1.3 million rental cars currently in circulation in the U.S., according to Scott. The Associated Press contributed to this report. We thank News-Press NOW for reprint permission. www.autobodynews.com

Honda, Toyota Reopen AL Plants With COVID-19 Protection Measures by Michael Tomberlin, Alabama Newscenter

Honda Manufacturing of Alabama reopened its auto plant in Lincoln on May 11, the same day Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama started back its engine plant in Huntsville, AL.

The reopening of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama means all four of the state’s automotive operations are moving back into production following shutdowns due to COVID-19

Both plants had been closed since late March due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Workers are returning to sanitized workspaces and learning new ways to operate with social distancing and additional personal protective equipment. The reopening of the Honda and Toyota Ala-

bama plants is part of a resuming of all North America operations for the two automakers. They follow reopenings in Alabama of Mercedes-Benz U.S International, which resumed production in Tuscaloosa last week, and Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama, which has been running one shift since May 4. Plans are for Hyundai to run one of its three shifts for the first three weeks under its new COVID-19 guidelines, with an eye on running three shifts beginning May 26. Getting the automotive sector of the economy up and running again is important for Alabama, home to 40,000 automotive manufacturing jobs, including the automakers and engine plants, as well as more than 150 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers. Alabama elected officials have joined those from other automaker states in advocating for some sort of relief effort to support the U.S. auto industry after its losses due to the coronavirus pandemic. We thank Alabama Newscenter for reprint permission.

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Florida Spine & Joint Institute Suing GEICO for More Than $750,000 by Kim DelMonico, RY Ortho

Florida Spine & Joint Institute (FSJI) has sued GEICO for over $750,000, alleging intentional interference with contractual relations and defamation. FSJI claims GEICO refused to reimburse FSJI for personal injury protection (PIP) benefits coverage, and disseminated false statements concerning FSJI’s business practices. FSJI claims GEICO wrongfully denied claims for reimbursement FSJI submitted on behalf of its clients. Florida’s motor vehicle no-fault law requires motor vehicle owners to maintain PIP coverage, which pays the insured’s medical expenses regardless of fault. FSJI argues GEICO sent defamatory letters to its patients. The letters say in part “GEICO has a reasonable belief that a fraudulent insurance act under Section 626.989 or 817.234, Fla. Stat., has been committed with respect to [your] Claim. GEICO is therefore investigating [your] Claim for suspected fraud.” FSJI claims these statements were false, damaged FSJI’s reputation, and caused FSJI to lose clients. In support of its defamation claim, FSJI pro-

vided deposition transcripts from GEICO representatives. In one transcript, the representative states the letter was sent because GEICO needed “additional time to investigate the file” and the representative “did not know if a fraudulent act had been committed.” Four days after FSJI filed in state court, GEICO filed a separate lawsuit against FSJI and 17 other defendants in federal court. GEICO’s claim is for more than $2 million. GEICO alleges the defendants wrongfully obtained more than $2 million from the insurance company by submitting “thousands of fraudulent no-fault” PIP insurance charges through FSJI. GEICO also alleges FSJI’s “business is racketeering activity, inasmuch as the enterprise exists for the purpose of submitting fraudulent charges to insurers.” At the beginning of 2020, FSJI rebranded itself as iRise Spine and Joint. iRISE stands for “imaging, rehab, injections, surgery and extremity.” iRise has 18 facilities in Florida and Tennessee. GEICO is the second largest auto insurance company in the U.S. We thank RY Ortho for reprint permission.

Continued from Cover

Stolen Vehicles and rental location targeted in this crime spree include Flow Honda, Flow Lexus, Parkway Ford, Flow Audi, Modern Infiniti, Bob King Kia, Modern Toyota, Volvo Cars Winston-Salem, Parkway Ford, Flow Subaru, Flow Chevrolet and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County said detectives have identified 19 juveniles known to be involved in these thefts, with some of suspects being as young as 9. “Detectives are continuing their efforts to investigate these crimes and to prevent future thefts. Authorities are working with local dealerships to better secure their facilities and to initiate steps to prevent thieves from obtaining vehicles’ keys,” Crime Stoppers of Winston-Salem and Forsyth County said. Along with securing keys, AutoRaptor―which was recently selected by the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association NIADA as a bronze-level national corporate partner―offered 15 secu-

rity recommendations stores could implement. The suggestions ranged from improving lighting and cameras to periodically changing locks to even hiring security guards. “If you’re worried about the possibility of a dealership security breach, then it’s time to think about making improvements before it’s too late,” AutoRaptor wrote in a blog post with all of the security recommendations. “What if the stolen car belonged to a customer in for a service appointment? Or if there was already an agreement on a unit, and it was stolen the night before it was supposed to be delivered? It’s critical to put safeguards in place to avoid situations that can ruin your dealership’s reputation.” Meanwhile, authorities are asking anyone with information regarding the investigation in North Carolina to contact the Winston-Salem Police Department at 336-7737700 or Crime Stoppers at 336-7272800. We thank Auto Remarketing for reprint permission.

Legislative Fight Coming in NC Over Virus-Related Workers Compensation Claims by Travis Fain, WRAL News

A fight is brewing in North Carolina over workers compensation rules tied to COVID-19, with business groups that lobby the General Assembly pushing back against changes that would make it easier for employees to win claims.

House Bill 1057 would create a “rebuttable presumption” that first responders, health care workers and other essential workers infected with the coronavirus

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got it at work, qualifying them for compensation unless the employer could prove otherwise. The bill has nearly 60 sponsors, almost enough to pass the House. But business groups came out against the measure this week, sending lawmakers a white paper that labeled the proposal “a fundamental threat to the continued viability of the workers compensation system in our state.” Nearly 25 business groups signed on, including lobbying groups for retail merchants, pork producers, trucking companies, manufacturing companies, gas stations, restaurants, hotels and hospitals. The North Carolina Chamber and the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners signed on as well. We thank WRAL News for reprint permission.

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GM’s Spring Hill Manufacturing to Run on the Sun General Motors’ Spring Hill Manufacturing plant in Tennessee is expected to be powered by 100% solar energy beginning in late 2022. This green tariff agreement with the Tennessee Valley Authority is expected to supply up to 100 megawatts of solar energy per year, or the amount of electricity consumed by 18,000 U.S. households annually.* The energy will be supplied by a solar farm in Lowndes County, MS, currently under development by Origis Energy.** The commitment is made possible through the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Green Invest program, which is the federal electric utility’s green tariff solution. This project is expected to increase GM’s use of renewable energy to more than 50% of its sourced electricity by 2023, moving GM closer to its goal of sourcing 100% of electricity from renewables in the U.S. by 2030 at GM-owned sites. “Our commitment to renewable energy is part of our vision of a world with zero emissions,” said

Dane Parker, GM chief sustainability officer. “We’re committed to using our scale and relationships to increase renewable energy demand and availability.” Green tariff solutions are a key component of GM’s renewable energy strategy and allow the company to work with utilities to provide renewable energy solutions near its facilities. Spring Hill Manufacturing is the largest GM facility in North America, totaling 2,100 acres. Seven hundred of those acres are dedicated to farming, with an additional 100 acres dedicated to wildlife habitat, composed of wetlands and native grasses. The wildlife area has received Gold recognition and certification from the Wildlife Habitat Council. The plant builds the GMC Acadia and the Cadillac XT5 and XT6, as well as several engines. “We’re excited that GM chose Green Invest because TVA’s ability to meet the renewable energy needs of our customers will drive

vital investment and jobs across our seven-state region,” said Jeff Lyash, TVA president and CEO. “Moving forward, large-scale solar installations provide the best value for our customers to help meet their sustainability goals which makes Green Invest a win for everyone.” GM is ranked 12th on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s National Top 100 List of the largest green power users from its Green Power Partnership program. According to the EPA, GM’s choice to use green power helps advance the voluntary market for renewable energy, as well as the development of those sources. By moving the needle in the voluntary green power market, GM and other Green Power Partners are helping to reduce the negative health impacts of air emissions, including those related to ozone, fine particles, acid rain and regional haze. *According to the EPA greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator for 225,000,000 KWh. **Subject to environmental review. Source: GM

AutoNation, American Cancer Society Raise Funds AutoNation, Inc., America’s largest and most recognized automotive retailer, on May 5 announced it will partner with the American Cancer Society to help raise funds and awareness for its COVID-19 Response Fund. Beginning May 5, AutoNation offered its customers the opportunity to donate to the American Cancer Society via the credit card terminals in all 325 AutoNation locations from coast to coast, with 100% of all donations going directly to the fund. Under the best of circumstances, a cancer diagnosis can be frightening and devastating. Due to the COVID-19 crisis, the American Cancer Society, with the help of partners like AutoNation, is committed to ensuring critically important programs that support cancer patients will continue through the pandemic and beyond. Source: AutoNation

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Honda Begins Making Vital Ventilator Parts for Dynaflo to Help Virus Patients Honda has begun producing and delivering critical components for the production of much-needed ventilators to Dynaflo Inc. of Reading, PA. Honda teamed up with Dynaflo to increase Dynaflo’s production of diaphragm compressors, a key component of portable ventilators used in hospitals and by first responders throughout the country to help those stricken with the COVID-19 virus. The companies are aiming to produce 10,000 compressors per month once production reaches capacity. Honda and Dynaflo expect to maintain production of compressors through the end of August. “Honda associates have successfully transformed a portion of our technical training center into an assembly line that will help support the urgent need to produce ventilator components,” said Rick Schostek, executive vice president, Honda North America, Inc. “With our supply of these key components to Dynaflo, we hope to help address one of the most pressing needs within the COVID-19 crisis.” Honda has transformed a 6,000-square foot area of its Techni-

cal Development Center in Marysville, OH, into a space for associates to assemble the compressors.

A Honda associate carefully reviews his work assembling a Dynaflo compressor at the Technical Development Center in Marysville, OH.

The process was developed using production know-how from Honda’s experienced manufacturing associates, including parts tracking, build timing, quality checks and lot control. These practices were essential in enabling Honda associates to quickly ramp up production over the first weeks of the project while maintaining social distancing protocols. Dynaflo had been making these state-of-the-art compressors at the rate of about 75 per week prior to the COVID-19 crisis. In order to

increase its production capacity in response to the pandemic, Dynaflo required substantial help. To this end, Dynaflo and Honda partnered with Stop the Spread, a coalition of more than 1500 volunteer CEOs working in Washington, D.C., and around the U.S. to catalyze actions and support the government in response to COVID-19. Stop the Spread connected Dynaflo to Honda and the two companies teamed up to meet this critical need for more portable ventilators. “Being connected to Honda of America has been a godsend,” said William Fleming, president of Dynaflo. “Combining our diaphragm compressor technology with Honda’s expertise in mass production is a perfect combination to help meet the needs of this crisis.” To ensure consistency and quality, Honda associates have worked closely with Dynaflo personnel to learn best practices in compressor assembly. The training has provided Honda associates the ability to build and quality test the devices prior to shipping. Source: Honda

Women of the Year Award Nominations Sought Women in Auto Care, a community of the Auto Care Association, announced it is accepting nominations for the 2020 Women of the Year Awards. The Women of the Year Awards include “Auto Care Woman of the Year”, “Female Shop Owner of the Year” and “Auto Care Woman of Excellence,” and highlight women who have made a significant impact in the auto care industry. Award recipients will be honored at the Women in Auto Care press conference and reception during the 2020 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), taking place Nov. 3-5 in Las Vegas, NV. The deadline to submit nominations is June 26. For more information, including full entry requirements, visit autocare.org/women-in-autocare and click on the “Awards” tab. Source: ACA

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Police Break Up FL Chop Shop Ring Targeting ‘80s Classic Cars by Jeffrey Ross, Motorious

The St. Petersburg Police Department in Florida announced it arrested two men in connection with a string of stolen vehicles in the Tampa Bay area. Most were classics from the late ‘70s through early ‘90s. Surveillance video and an exposed tattoo helped police conclude their

A 1983 El Camino that was stolen in August 2019

10-month investigation with the arrest of James Nethery, 38, and Jason Canady, 39. According to police, the chop shop was operating in Nethery’s back yard, and more than 25 classic cars were stolen between July of last year and early 2020. In most cases, the cars were stripped and then dumped around

the Tampa Bay area, but WFLA is reporting that in the case of a 1986 Camaro IROC-Z, the car was stripped of valuable parts, repainted and then sold to an unsuspecting victim for $3,500. This car was stolen back in October from a man who had owned it for 17 years. The beautiful 1983 El Camino shown above was stolen in August 2019, and it was later found stripped and burned. St. Petersburg police worked in conjunction with five other city police departments as well as the Pinellas County Sherriff’s Office to arrest the two men. Nethery faces 19 counts, including 15 counts of grand theft auto, while Canady is being charged with eight, including one count of altering a VIN. In some cases, the stolen cars were used to commit other burglaries before being stripped, and the men are suspected of breaking into more than 30 businesses to steal everything from shoes and cigarettes to lawn equipment. We thank Motorious for reprint permission.

VA Governor Signs Vehicle Safety Inspection Program Legislation Earlier this year, Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam unveiled plans to eliminate the state’s motor vehicle safety inspection program. Northam said, “data shows that there is no connection between highway safety and these inspections. That’s why 35 other states don’t have them.”

In the final language of House Bill (HB) 1414 that was sent to Northam’s desk, however, the periodic motor vehicle safety inspection program remains in place. The bill states, “Motor vehicles, trailers and semitrailers required to be inspected pursuant

to the provisions of § 46.2-1157 shall be reinspected within 12 months of the month of the first inspection and at least once every 12 months thereafter.” The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has been a longtime advocate of state vehicle safety inspections and believes these programs prove to benefit the motoring public. Regular safety inspections by a qualified technician can identify and repair most safety issues arising from normal wear and tear on the vehicle. The bill will go into effect July 1. Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Northam issued an executive directive suspending the enforcement of the Motor Vehicle Safety Inspection Program from March 12 to July 31. Source: ASA Washington, D.C., office

NIADA Survey only. Just 11% remain closed temporarily—down from 27%—and one percent reported they have closed permanently. “I am encouraged that the COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t put more dealers out of business permanently, as was originally feared,” NIADA CEO Steve Jordan said. “Recovery and signs of life are showing, as 88% of dealers are open for business, with almost half open for ‘business as usual.’ “Unfortunately, open for business as usual doesn’t always mean sales have returned.” Indeed, sales remain below preCOVID levels for most dealers—53% of the respondents said their sales were down 50% or more for the previous two weeks. Twelve percent of dealers said their sales were back to normal levels and 6% said sales were actually better than before the pandemic. Rebuilding sales and customer traffic is by far the greatest challenge

currently faced by independent dealers, cited by 38% of respondents. That’s twice as many as the second choice, access to inventory at 19%, which was followed by funding and access to capital at 17%. The funding issue has been lessened for some dealers by government relief programs such as loans from the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program. The survey found 64% of dealers have received some sort of federal or state government funding. Of those who have not, 28% have applied and 4% have been approved. Another 8% said they were approved but told there was no money available. To view the complete results of the NIADA COVID-19 Dealer Impact Survey, visit covid19.niada.com. Source: NIADA

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DOT Funds $7.5M Project for Automated Fleet Driving Systems by CCJ staff

A new four-year study, led by the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI) in partnership with a 16-member team, is seeking to provide the trucking industry, regulators and the general public with practical guidelines for safely integrating automated driving systems into current fleets. The research is funded by a $7.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. “This research will accelerate the analysis of automated systems with the trucking industry,” said Virginia Secretary of Transportation Shannon

will include best practices for technology deployment, driver training, installation and maintenance, inspection procedures, insurance, roadway readiness, data and cybersecurity for automated driving systems. Penske Transportation Solutions is the lead maintenance and vehicle supplier to the program. The company’s truck leasing and logistics business units will help spec the vehicles, and define best practices for installing and maintaining automated driving systems, and perform road tests in a delivery setting. “We are excited to be part of this industry-leading collaboration to help identify and solve some of the

“The introduction of automation into heavy trucks is expected to have a profound effect. However, it is still unclear how these vehicles should best be integrated into fleet operations with conventional trucks,” — Richard Hanowski Valentine. “This will improve safety and maximize the economic investments in freight and commerce.” Additional funding is provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation and cost share from the project team members. “The introduction of automation into heavy trucks is expected to have a profound effect. However, it is still unclear how these vehicles should best be integrated into fleet operations with conventional trucks,” said Richard Hanowski, director of VTTI’s Center for Truck and Bus Safety. “This generous grant from the Department of Transportation will enable VTTI and our partners to produce critical data to help guide rulemaking and fleet operations.” The operational plan, formally called a fleet concept of operations,

challenges of deploying automated commercial trucks within a fleet setting,” said Sherry Sanger, executive vice president of marketing at Penske Transportation Solutions. The team will work with safety technology developer Pronto to demonstrate the safe and gradual integration of various levels of advanced automation technology into fleet operations on public U.S. roadways. Pronto’s technology will be retrofitted into existing heavy vehicles to support the research. Common driving situations, such as queuing in ports, drayage operations and exit-to-exit scenarios, will be tested using an evolutionary phased approach, resulting in a critical review of the extent to which the theoretical safety benefits of automation can be captured in practical, real-life truck-

ing operations. One demonstration will involve a highly automated truck driving across the country in the first uninterrupted cross-country journey of its kind. “We look forward to working closely with VTTI and the other partners to develop a practical framework for bringing advanced safety technologies to market,” said Robbie Miller, Pronto’s CEO. “Rather than building systems to replace drivers or attempting to ‘disrupt’ and compete with established trucking fleets and manufacturers, we think all stakeholders working together will result in new and meaningful solutions to bring more safety and comfort to the truck driving experience.” A primary objective of the study is to show how automated driving systems can be implemented in a safe, reliable, repeatable and commercially viable manner. As such, the team intends to demonstrate a realistic, “mixed-fleet” approach and generate data of practical importance to the trucking industry, regulators and the public at large.

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“Hub Group is committed to advancing technologies that make our roads safer, benefit our customers and reduce our impact on the environment,” said Phil Yeager, president and COO of Hub Group, a $4 billion supply chain solutions provider and one of only two trucking companies on the VTTI project team. “Autonomous Driving Systems represent great potential, and we’re thrilled to work alongside Pronto and the rest of the team on making safe, practical integration of autonomy a reality for our fleet and our nearly 5,000 drivers in the foreseeable future.” Roadshows are being planned to give truck drivers, fleet managers, government officials, insurance reps, inspection agencies and the general public the opportunity to learn firsthand about commercial vehicle Automated Driving System (ADS) technologies. Attendees will be able to meet technology developers and ADS integrators, as well as participate in hands-on demonstrations on closed tracks. We thank CCJ for reprint permission.

www.hiesterautomotive.com

3100 N. Main Street Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526

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

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

NO. C

Freeway Honda

Headquarter Honda

Ed Voyles Honda

Nalley Honda

800-987-0819 205-949-5460

800-497-2294 407-395-7374

800-334-3719 770-933-5870 Direct

866-362-8034 770-306-4646

Hendrick Honda Pompano Beach

Gerald Jones Honda

Birmingham

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5 greg_thomas@freewayhondaal.com FLORIDA

AutoNation Honda Clearwater Clearwater

888-205-2564 727-530-1173

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5; Sun 10-3 santosr1@autonation.com

AutoNation Honda Hollywood Hollywood

800-542-8121 954-964-8300

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5; Sun 9-5 hernandeze@autonation.com

Classic Honda Orlando

888-893-4984 407-521-1115

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-4 parts@classichonda.com

Coggin Deland Honda Deland

Clermont

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-5 pepe.guevara@headquarterhonda.com

Pompano Beach

954-425-8244

Marietta

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 hondaparts@edvoyles.com Augusta

800-733-2210 706-228-7040

Dept. Hours: M-Fri 7-6; Sat 7-5; gerardbruno@hendrickauto.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 tdunn@geraldjoneshonda.com

Rick Case Honda

Honda Mall of Georgia

877-544-2249

678-318-3155

Davie

Buford/Gwinnett

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-4 robbutton@rickcase.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 cdunlap@penskeautomotive.com

South Motors Honda

Milton Martin Honda

888-418-3513 305-256-2240

770-534-0086 678-989-5473

Miami

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7 mfranceschi@southhonda.com

Gainesville

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6 robertthomas@mmhonda.com

Honda of Newnan

GEORGIA

Newnan

Carey Paul Honda Snellville

770-985-1444

678-423-8183

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4 samuel.trapani@henrickauto.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 gperkins@careypaul.com

Union City

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 8-5 hondawp@nalleycars.com

SO. C

MISSISSIPPI

Patty Peck Honda Ridgeland

800-748-8676 601-957-3400

D fm

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 pmartin@pattypeckhonda.com NO. CAROLINA

Apple Tree Honda

Asheville

800-476-9411 828-684-4400

TENN

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 appletreeparts@hotmail.com

Crown Honda Southpoint Durham

855-893-8866 919-425-4711

Dept. Hours: M-Thu 7-11; Fri 7-6 Sat 7-5; Sun 11-5 www.southpointhonda.com

Dept.

McKenney-Salinas Honda

800-758-0007 386-626-1811

Gastonia

888-703-7109 704-824-8844 x 624

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 gbennett@cogginauto.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 parts@mshonda.com

ACURA FLORIDA

FLORIDA

GEORGIA

NO. CAROLINA

VIRGIN

Acura of Orange Park

Rick Case Acura

Nalley Acura

Leith Acura

888-941-7278 904-777-1008

800-876-1150 954-377-7688

800-899-7278 770-422-3138

800-868-0082 919-657-0460

Jacksonville

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-5; Sun 9-3 msweeney@acuraoforangepark.com

Duval Acura Jacksonville

Fort Lauderdale

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rubenramos@rickcase.com GEORGIA

800-352-2872 904-725-1149

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 byoung@nalleycars.com NO. CAROLINA

Cary

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4:30 parts@leithacura.com VIRGINIA

Jackson Acura

Flow Acura

Karen Radley Acura

877-622-2871 678-259-9500

800-489-3534 336-761-3682

800-355-2818 703-550-0205

Roswell

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 Cecil.adams@duvalacura.com

Marietta

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-6 kmcmillan@jacksonacura.com

Winston-Salem

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-1 www.flowacura.com

Woodbridge

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 coreythompson@radleyautogroup.com

24 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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NO. CAROLINA

-5 m

oint

-6

onda

VIRGINIA

Vann York Automall

Bill Gatton Honda

West Broad Honda

336-841-6200

800-868-4118 423-652-9545

800-446-0160 804-672-8811

High Point

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3

-5

TENNESSEE

SO. CAROLINA

Bristol

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-1 hondaparts@billgattonhonda.com

Breakaway Honda

Wolfchase Honda

800-849-5056 864-234-6481

800-982-7290 901-255-3780

Greenville

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 fmarshall@breakawayhonda.com

Piedmont Honda Anderson

800-849-5057 864-375-2082

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 swhite@piedmontcars.com

Richmond

Dept. Hours: M-Fri 7:30-6:30; Sat 8-5 wbhonda@aol.com

Bartlett

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7 ekerr@wolfchasehonda.com VIRGINIA

Checkered Flag Honda Norfolk

800-277-2122 757-687-3453

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7:30-6 honda.checkeredflag.com

TENNESSEE

Airport Honda

Hall Honda

800-264-4721 865-970-7792

800-482-9606 757-431-4329

Alcoa

Virginia Beach

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6:30; Sat 7:30-5 parts@airporthonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-5 fox@hallauto.com

AutoNation Honda West Knoxville

Valley Honda

Knoxville

800-824-1301 865-218-5461

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6 rossd1@autonation.com

Staunton

800-277-0598 540-213-9016

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 9-5 bwimer@myvalleyhonda.com

VIRGINIA

Radley Acura Falls Church

800-550-5035 703-824-5785

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-6; Sun 10-5 jimgraf@radleyauto.com

8-3 p.com

autobodynews.com / JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

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with Chasidy Rae Sisk

National News with Chasidy Rae Sisk

Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans. She can be contacted at crsisk@gmail.com.

Riding the Emotional Roller Coaster of COVID-19 as a Shop Owner Business ownership always has its shot off the chart, and my 10-year- on to your passion. We’re going to ups and downs, but the current eco- old hands dented the handlebars be- get back to all the things we enjoy; nomic climate has added loops and fore I finally relaxed towards the end we just have to be patient.” twists leaving many folks feeling of the ride. Taylor identified human behavwith Victoria Antonelli nauseated. ior as one thing that always “It was quite the journey, Dan Taylor, of Transformers In- and this situation has been remains the same. He disstitute, addressed “Riding the Emo- very similar to that.” cussed passive social herd tional Roller Coaster as an Owner,” “Society has been dramentality, meaning people tend to move in a herd, even during a recent installment of a col- matically impacted, but we when they do not necessarlaborative series of technical and are going to come out of ily endorse the behavior or management classes focused on nec- this,” he continued. “How Dan Taylor of believe it’s the right direcessary topics for navigating business can you ride this roller coastwith Gary Ledoux operations during the COVID-19 er both rationally and emo- Transformers Institute tion. Behavior is emotionaladdressed “Riding pandemic. tionally? Our brains work the Emotional Roller ly driven, Taylor explained. “Humans do things over The series is hosted by the Car- emotionally and rationally at Coaster as an Owner” and over again because we’re quest Technical Institute and World- the same time, and it doesn’t during a recent behoove us to stay in one area webinar, sponsored wired a certain way.” pac Training Institute (CTI+WTI.) Maslow’s Hierarchy is a “It has been an unbelievable six and not work with them both by CTI+WTI. Credit: All captured via psychological theory, in pyrweeks—we’ve never seen anything interlocked, because that’s screenshot amid form, identifying the like this,” Taylorwith began,Gary recalling his where we find the most harLedoux five basic needs of humans, which first roller coaster ride when he was mony and peace. “Remember that all roller coast- build upon the previous need. 10 years old. “As we started the as- cent, I was pretty relaxed, but as we er rides end, allowing you to return After physiological and safeproceeded down, my anxiety level home again. In the meantime, hang ty needs are met, the middle of the

Techs of Tomorrow

In Reverse

OE Shop Certification

pyramid indicates the psychological need for belonging and love. “As shop owners, we have a huge impact on employees in all three bottom categories. People need people,” Taylor stressed. “We are social and need to be connected with each other. We don’t like change, we like things to stay normal, and we want to remain in our comfort zones. We can’t operate effectively over long periods of time in fear because the fatigue factor will force change.” During the Great Recession, Taylor said, employers with five or fewer employees experienced a 30% failure rate, while companies with 10 or fewer employees had a 20% failure rate; for organizations that were less than five years old, that rate doubled. America is heading into a recession now, due to COVID-19’s impact on the economy, and noting 54% of small businesses have either

OE Shop Certification with Stacey Phillips

Shop Management with Ed Attanasio

Auto Body Attorney with Bruce Roistacher

ventory Largest In Lincoln of Ford • Parts • Mercury

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Truck Topics with Gary Ledoux • OE COLLISION PARTS, MECHANICAL REPAIRS AND HEAVY REPAIRS PARTS • SPECIAL PRICING FOR COMPETITIVE COLLISION AND MOTORCRAFT PARTS • EXPERT COUNTER LOOK-UP WITH MASTER CERTIFIED COUNTERMAN

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26 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

National Associations Southeast_Issue_0620.indd 26

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closed or will close within the next two weeks, Taylor predicted 24% of small businesses will close permanently if there are no changes in the next seven weeks. “We learn things when we look in the rearview mirror,” Taylor said. “Every recession or depression is followed by an economic improvement. After each macroeconomic trough, there will be a peak—it will rise again. This is a normal, anticipated cycle. We all have to exhale at some point.” There have been 22 million new unemployment claims since this crisis began, Taylor said. “The labor pool change will be advantageous to employers,” he said. “We’ve been experiencing a tech shortage so many shops hire who is available, but with more candidates available, attitudes will improve and shops will be able to be more selective about who is the right fit for their business.” Macroeconomics is concerned with large scale factors, while microeconomics focuses on the impact of individual decisions and factors. Macroeconomic impacts will be

seen in a decrease of new car sales, since consumer confidence will be shaken, Taylor said. “Dealers will employ creative tactics to survive, including aggressive service offers,” he said. “There will be work force reductions and both temporary and permanent closures. There will be failures in the marketplace; some of our peers and competitors will fail in the next weeks and months, unfortunately.” On the microeconomic scale, according to a recent survey by the Washington Examiner, 49% of employees live paycheck to paycheck, and 31% of Americans missed their April rent payment. The survey indicated it will take this segment of the economy considerably longer to recover, compared to other segments. Throughout all these catastrophic changes, it’s important to search for the positive. “There will be a void in the market for our services. Car sales, public transportation and Uber are all on the decline, which means the use of personal vehicles will rise, and that’s where we shine,” Taylor noted. “There are great opportuni-

ties for you to pick up clientele and expand your business. Failures will allow us to adjust labor rates, compensation levels, margin expectations and profit levels. You deserve to make healthy returns on your investment; I want you to make money.” Taylor emphasized the importance of being proactive and focusing on things that can be controlled. “Pour energy and focus into the future. Determine what steps you can take now to position yourself for future success,” he said. “Self-talk is the bulk of conversations you have, and you need to be positive. Spend time with positive people, and limit your exposure to the news. “Find something to look forward to—pick a date for when you plan to move forward, knowing that it will need to be flexible based on what happens with this pandemic, and focus on what you can do now to get ready for when the economy starts to reopen.” Taylor discussed the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ), which has been identified as the single factor distinguishing star performers in every field. He examined the various

soft skills that fall in this category, and explained how the five core emotions (happy, sad, angry, afraid, guilty) impact people on a regular basis, but particularly in the current environment. Taylor shared 11 tips for managing anxiety: create/maintain a schedule, limit time-consuming media and choose what media is consumed. “It’s important to get different perspectives so you obtain as much information as possible and keep emotions in check. There’s a lot of false information out there, so look for the truth,” he pointed out. Exercise and labeling emotions can also help people manage anxiety. Balance emotions with logic, maintain social support and focus on the things that can be controlled. Externalize anxiety, and schedule time to worry so it’s not overly consuming. If a thought becomes overwhelming, Taylor recommended trying to “argue the opposite. Ask yourself questions to try to rearrange your thoughts when you’re hyper-focused on something that’s enhancing your fears and anxiety.” See Emotional Roller Coaster, Page 32

d Nee em u ia Yo d Th K s t r e d Pa Ne nts ate ists u The n You c i o c e l ed ry Wh Dis f D ecia nto

ry se e e o e p a v v v i i S t l e m In ti r tisfy e c D e n Tea Parts ompe v ily ,I nsi • Sa a e e C t D d x m e E • Ti s an ers Fre • e • av ofit tom

Parts Dept.

888-837-3085 Fax 919-466-6354

Mon-Fri 7-6 // Sat 7-5 90 MacKenan Drive Cary, NC 27511

www.hendrickkia.com

Parts Dept.

877-686-9320 Fax 704-566-2140

Mon-Sat 7-7 7550 Hendrick Auto Plaza NW Concord, NC 28027

www.hendrickkiaofconcord.com autobodynews.com / JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

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Hey Toby! with Toby Chess

Toby Chess is an I-CAR program instructor, Training specialist, and former salvage yard operator. Toby is universally known in the collision industry for his work with first responders and advocacy for body shops and consumers. He can be reached at tcspeedster@gmail.com

Kool Tools from SEMA 2019 your compressed shop air into an endless supply of both regulated & high pressure nitrogen. PLUS you can also fill your customer’s tires with beneficial nitrogen and/or safeguard the internals of your pneumatic tools by powering them with nitrogen from the EZ Nitro Generator! The next item we found was stand-alone measuring system, from Accuvison 3D.

It is that time of the year again for was from Reliable Automotive EquipKool Tools of SEMA (6th edition). ment. Kye Yeung, Amber Alley and I walked the floor of SEMA (2019) to find more Kool Tools. As in the past, we found some interesting and unique tools that can save your and your shop with time and money. The David first itemMcClune we found was from Time Shaver.

California Autobody Association Fig. 3 - www.raeservice.com

The MEC600 pneumatic milling cutter tool has been designed to open welding seams for easy removal of the outer panels. The adjustable guide of the cutter allows the MEC600 to be easily adjusted to different anguFig. 1 - www.TimeShaverTools.com with John Yoswick lar positions of the metal sheets and They have a fantastic set of sand- no damages by preventing the cutter ing blocks. You cut up 4 sheets of from slipping off the edge. You can sand paper from 9”x 11” and attach all vary the depth of cut so that it does 4 sheets. As the top sheet becomes not damage parts under the part that worn, all you have to do is tear it is being cut. There are no spark and off and a fresh sheet is available. can move around tight spaces such as All metal parts are constructed from the tail lamp pocket. I would highly stainless steel, which will not rust. recommend that you go the RAE web They are contoured to fit your hand site and watch the demo. The forth and they come in 4 colors to fit dif- item we found (Kye purchased this Steffen ferent grit sandwith paper.Richard Finally, the tool) was from Glasbot Quarter Masspring locking device cuts end waste ter. by nearly 40%. The next product is from Evercoat.

Year in Quotes

Fig. 5 - www.dentfix.com

gen plastic welders sit a corner collecting dust. One of the biggest reasons is that there is no Nitrogen gas available. Well, the problem of getting a full tank of gas has been solved by Dentfix. Upgrade most brands of Plastic Welder with the DF-EZG1 EZ Nitro Generator and “Ditch the Bottle”, Never Run out of Nitrogen AGAIN! Dent Fix’s revolutionary Dual Chamber Separating System transforms

Fig. 6 - www.accuvision-3d.com

The system easily measures upper and lower body as well as openings

Collision Repair Association of CA.

• Delivery to 100 Mile Radius of Naples PARTS HOURS:

Transition Planning with John Yoswick

M-F Sat

7am to 6pm 8am to 5pm

PARTS DIRECT LINE:

Fig. 4 - 530-748-8880

239-734-3215 2 39 39 734 734 3215 21 Fax: 239-591-3051

5665 N. Airport Pulling Rd. / Naples, FL 34109

At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Naples,

Fig. 2 - www.evercoat.com

Ca C Call a l Us Us!! U

we’ we ee’re ’re re re yyou yoour oneee-stop -sto stop op ssho hop for for

Parts

Optex Super Build 4:1 Primer Glassbot® QuarterMaster Anchor highlights dents, low spots, scratches, one end of cutting element to body of and other surface imperfections while QuarterMaster, insert the other end of at the same time eliminating the need the cutting element into the throughfor messy carbon black powdered bore in shaft. Attach Tip Extension to guide coats. This 4:1 primer sprays shaft and rotate the shaft to remove the on pink and turnswith gray asKaryn it is sanded, window. You can even save the plastic Hendricks revealing high spots while low spots locating pins that always break when and scratches remain pink. It does take using other removal tools. Next up is a a little longer to dry than conventional Nitrogen generator from Dent Fix. primer (It was tested by Kye’s per- As I go into a number of shops on sonnel). The next product we found a daily basis, I notice that their Nitro-

Shop Showcase

28 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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such as door, window, trunk, etc. No additional accessories or adaptors are required to assemble for Upper-body measurements. Simply point and measure with the hand held pointer in 3D. No inconvenient rulers/gauges or tape measures. The system consists of only 2 units: Pointer and Measuring beam (stereo camera). There are no complicated mechanical assemblies, no gauges, no adaptors, no sensors, no magnets etc. You don’t need to spend precious time for installation and calibration of the system. Cameras track the position of the pointer and immediately indicate exact coordinates of the measured point and its deviation from the database. Camera and stand can be moved easily as needed to measure for an estimate or repair. Just tilt on its back wheels and move the system to where you need it. The database includes schematic and pictorial information about control points for upper and lower body of any vehicle found in the Mitchell database. Once you measure, results can be displayed in red (out of spec) or green (within spec) points with direction and magnitude of pull for correction. A table of XYZ axis on the

side of screen shows the variances in mm against the database. The results can be saved in PDF format, emailed or printed. Moving on, the next item was an adjustable wrench from Irega.

Fig. 7 - www.angloamericantools.com

This wrench is made in Europe and works like no American made adjustable wrench. A Reversible Jaw with Xtra Capacity allows working with bigger diameter nuts and pipes with the same adjustable wrench.

Remove the adjustable arm and reverse it and now you have a pipe wrench. I tried it on a 1 inch pipe first tightening the fitting with two pipe wrenches and loosening the fitting with one pipe wrench and this tool. The wrench has two scales— metric on one side and inches on the other and there is no “slop” with this tool when compared the rest of the adjustable wrenches on the market. I have been using the wrench as a go to tool first in my home shop. Next up, a one product cutting and polishing product from CSI Ceram-X.

beaten track at SEMA. I watched the demo and it was interesting, but I had reservations about it. First, you only need on product for cutting and polishing (Traditional method, 3 products, 3000 grit sand paper and three pads). Right!!! The owner sanded a black hood with 600 grit sand paper (owner recommends 1500 grit paper) and was able to remove the sand scratches with the wool pad. He followed up with the same product and a foam pad. When it was done, I was amazed that there were no swirl marks and the shine was

Fig. 9 - www.csishine.com

Kye turned me on to this product while we were walking the show. The company had a booth way off the

Fig. 8

Fig. 10 - www.beteginnovation.com

The right part makes the difference.

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30 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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fanta shop mys end time our an al repa teria repa usin adva very pans and pairs tool of th teria own adju and tion To g men ing c SEM putty cond

fantastic. I followed up with him at a shop in Southern California and tried it myself and it works as advertised. The end result is 40 percent reduction in time and materials. Going forward on our quest for new products, we found an aluminum hot box from Beteg. It has always been a challenge to repair aluminum panels due to its material characteristics using any type of repair method. The Alu T-Hotbox is using the material characteristics to its advantage and makes the reparability very simple. The extreme thermal expansion characteristics of the material and activating it locally makes the repairs fast and easy. In the first stage the tool measures the resonance frequency of the tool in resonance with the material. Every aluminum panel has its own and different frequency. Than it adjusts itself to the optimal frequency and activates the material. This activation allows the material to realign itself. To get the most out this piece of equipment, I highly recommend their training course. My next product found at SEMA is Hot Box from Solderweld. As a non-toxic, heat absorbing putty, Hot Block will block direct and conductive heat transfers of all types

of surfaces and metals. Stops all transfer of heat down from 3000 degrees and one half inch from heat source. It

is perfect for stopping warping when welding on flat panels and body work. Best of all, it is 100 percent reusable. I used this on a sail section of a quarter panel and there was not warpage when I was finished welding. Moving on to the next Kool Tools was from Vampire Tool Company.

all have. What do you do? Vampire tool has the answer. There first tool is a Philips screw extractor kit. The number one bit will extract most damaged screws, but if it does not work, then the number two bit will most likely work.

Fig. 13

Fig. 12 - www.vampiretools.com

Fig. 11 - www.Solderweld.us

Have you ever had a Philips screw strip out when trying to remove it? We

Start something special. Our dealership specializes in Honda Genuine parts. When you purchase parts from our dealership, you can rest assured that you are getting the highest quality parts from Honda parts professionals that know your vehicle.

The extraction/linemen’s pliers have a unique set of grooves on the jaws that allow you to grab virtually any type of screw head (won’t work on counter sunk screws) for easy removal. I bought of them and they really work. Going forward, Kye found an add on to the DJS Fabrication’s car dolly. DJS Fabrication added a “link adapter” to car dolly system. The link adapter adds stability to their system, which in turn allows for easier movement of the disabled vehicle. The next two items were found by Amber.

Coggin Deland Honda 2677 N. Volusia Avenue Orange City, FL 32763 Parts: Fax:

800.758.0007 386.917.1403

Mon-Fri 7:30am-6:00pm Sat 7:30am-4:30pm autobodynews.com / JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

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access to the far corners of your windshield or back window. Amber’s second pick was from SATA.

Fig. 14 - www.djsfabrication.com

The Stoner Invisible Glass Reach & Clean Tool makes it faster and easier to clean any glass surface. Imagine having an extra 14 inches of reach – that’s exactly what the Reach & Clean Tool gives you! The long handle and pivoting cleaning head gives you easy

Fig. 15 - www.amazon.com

Fig. 16 - www.sata.com

SATA has introduced the Ladies Pro-Series Women’s paint suit, the first paint suit tailor-made for women in the paint industry. This new paint suit was first showcased in the SATA booth at the 2019 SEMA Show. Next on my list is the crease killer from Keco Tabs. We featured the Keco Tab hot glue dent pulling system in Kool Tools of SEMA-2018 and they added a new

New Auto Insurance Limits May Be Costly for AZ Drivers

Continued from Page 27

New Arizona requirements for auto insurance coverage take effect July 1, as a result of Arizona Senate Bill 1087. This legislation increases the required auto insurance coverage limits to $25,000/$50,000/$15,000. Arizona limits are presently set at $15,000/$30,000/$10,000. A coverage increase was needed to help ensure that Arizona drivers have adequate protection, particularly considering the rising costs of medical care, automotive repairs and litigation. However, this increased protection comes at a price, and may result in sticker shock when policies come up for renewal. With those projections in mind, drivers who pay $100 per month now could pay $140 per month when their policies renew after July 1. This change applies to all insurance companies that sell insurance in Arizona. Auto insurance rates vary by carrier and state, so shopping with multiple insurers is key to saving money. Source: RightSure Insurance Group

Attendees were encouraged to be who they are. “Don’t be somebody that you aren’t. You can’t fake your way through leading your team during this crisis,” Taylor insisted. “We’re in a battle right now, but you have to stay true to yourself.” Taylor ended his presentation by encouraging folks to set new habits, improve their mindset, practice gratitude and find joy in ordinary life. “Be in the moment—your five senses, foods, Mother Nature, a warm bed—these things are awesome, and it can help to remember that you have plenty of things to be thankful for, no matter how hard things may seem.” A complete webinar schedule for this series is available here http:// worldpac.com/training/classes/online/ or here. https://ctionline.com/

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was free for anyone in the collision industry. SCRS and NuGen It collaborated last year to take the non-included list and have it open up on an estimate to show all these items on a pop up. It has the ability to be added to the estimate as separate line items. The program immediately identifies overlooked repair operations and dollar amounts. Finally, the tool received the SEMA New Product Award and 2020 SEMA Global Media Award. Pretty KOOL! Well that’s it for the Kool Tools SEMA 2019. Visit these companies’ web sites for videos on their products. You will find them informative and a better understanding how they work. The three of us are looking forward to walking the SEMA floor for more Kool Tools in 2020.

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OE Certifications Update 2020—Part 2 of 2 by Gary Ledoux

In last month’s edition of Autobody News, we began looking at OE shop certification programs, with three shops participating in several different programs for some time, and two consultants involved with many certified shops, fully familiar with the concept and with a broad view of the industry. We continue that conversation here. Do you think the OEMs need to do a better job helping certified shops promote themselves as such, and drive more customers of that brand to the certified shops? Chad Eldridge of Majestic Auto Body in Idaho said the OEs should do a better job of promoting their certified shops, especially when the shop first becomes certified, to help get them started. Terry Mostul of Artistic Auto Body in Oregon noted, “All the programs have a shop locator, which is fine—but there’s more that they could do.” “There are two things OEs should do,” said Mark Olson of Vehicle Collision Experts. “The first is receiving the first notice of loss. This way, they could give the customer a choice of OE certified shops, so the job gets done right and the brand is protected. “The second thing is to restrict certain repair parts to only certified shops. This will add validity to those shops and again, ensure a proper repair.” “From a shop’s perspective, especially in a DRP world, they pay to be on a certification program, or invest and qualify, the expectation is to get work driven to the shop’s door,” said Ron Kuehn of Collision Business Solutions. “I truly believe the OEs will eventually be able to help get the vehicles to the network. “However, the network needs to be properly trained, equipped, and have a culture to actually repair vehicles to the required OE standards. The OEs have to be able to monitor the network to make sure that the certified shops are actually doing what they’ve been entrusted to do,” Kuehn continued. “In my opinion, promoting the OE certified network will happen. The primary focus for both

the OEs and the shops [should be] to get the vehicles repaired safely and properly for the vehicle owners and their families.” If you could get all the OE certification program managers in a room at the same time, what would you tell them, or what would you ask for? Eldridge favors online training for body shop technicians. “In-person training is fine for managers or shop owners,” he said. “But to send a tech to school is very expensive when you figure not only travel cost but productivity loss. Online training is the way to go for techs.” “We need better communication between the shops and the OE,” Mostul said. “Honda does a good job with this because they have their own field people.” “I would ask where will they go next?” said Josh Fuller of Fuller Auto Body in Massachusetts. “How can we focus our efforts?” Both Olson and Kuehn agreed OE dealers need to be better informed on the technology of ADAS systems, and the concept and focus of OE certification programs and how they affect the OE brand. “I would ask them to educate their dealers, including service managers and technicians, on ADAS repair and what it takes to do it right,” Olson said. “We constantly hear of body shops subletting ADAS work to a dealership who either has no idea what they are talking about, or tells the body shop the recalibration procedures, or other post-repair safety procedures are not necessary.” “If I could tell them one thing, it would be to aggregate their information, including OE site usage, scanning info, parts usage, training participation, etc.,” Kuehn said. “I would ask for an expanded and stronger communication to the industry in regard to a focus on safe and proper repairs. The industry culture today recognizes the importance of structural repairs. It has been developed over decades. Today, electronics on vehicles is the ’structural’ of the future.” What do you think is the future of OE certification programs? “The programs will continue to evolve,” Mostul said. “Advancing technology will dictate that shops

work on a limited number of vehicle makes.” “OE certification is going to grow, and specialization of certain makes will become necessary,” Kuehn agreed. “The days of a shop capably repairing all makes and models are over.” “In the future, the OE will control the market, but shops will choose between being either an OE certified shop or a DRP shop,” Eldridge said. Fuller felt OE programs will continue to evolve, but there will continue to be a place for both DRP and OE certified shops. “Both OE certification programs and DRP programs will still be around, but the shrewd shops will choose them strategically,” Olson said. “The smart choice would be a mix of DRP arrangements and OE certifications.” “There is no doubt that OE certifications are necessary,” Kuehn said. “The connected vehicles of today and in the future have capabilities of first notice of loss/damage, which will help the vehicles end up in capable hands [OE certified shops] for repairs.” Ron Kuehn summed things up.

“A percentage of shops go above and beyond to learn the technology of their vehicles and become the best independent representative of their brand,” Kuehn said. “As for the others, I believe most shops are not intentionally repairing vehicles improperly. However, many do not know what they don’t know and improper repairs still result.” While OE certifications have come a long way, it will take just as much if not more political and cultural effort on the part of the OEs to bring certifications to the next level. Likewise, shops will need to adopt a culture of proper repair and aggressive promotion to get to their next level. As technology advances, so too must the OEs and shops.

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with Stacey Phillips

From the Desk of Mike Anderson with Mike Anderson

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

Not Busy? If You’re Leading the Business, You Sure Should Be When work slows down, shop owners need to get busy. Now isn’t the time to think there’s nothing you can do to respond to the current situation. Here are some positive steps you should consider taking. Close out those repair orders (ROs.) I’ve been preaching for years that ROs should be ready to close the day the car leaves, but I know that often doesn’t happen. Now is the time, however, to get any outstanding ROs closed and billed, and then recommit yourself to not getting behind on supplements and paperwork. Don’t put off knowing your options. Now may be a good time to get your bank or landlord on the phone and find out what your options are if you’re struggling to make a full payment. They might be willing to let you skip some or all of a month or two and tack that money on later, over time. Have those conversations before you

really need them, so you’re prepared. Manage your credit. Hopefully you have a good credit line established before now with a bank that’s a good partner for your business. But if not, start those conversations. Follow up. I mentioned this in a previous column about improving your “capture rate.” When a DRP assignment comes in, start contacting that potential customer immediately through multiple means. Go back through estimates you’ve written in the past six months to follow up with customers who didn’t schedule in the work. These are things that are easy to let slide a little when you’re busy, but now is a time to make them a priority. Get them committed. Consider asking a customer scheduling a repair for a small deposit to help ensure they don’t back out. Tell them parts can sometimes be a little harder to come by quickly, but for, say, a 10%

deposit, you can start the parts order immediately to help ensure they are there when the car arrives. Chase your money. If you have parts to return, that’s like money gathering dust on your shelves. And get after your receivables; that’s actual money of yours sitting out there. Look at your expenses line-byline. There are “must-have” expenses and there are “nice-to-have” expenses. Your estimating software subscription and business insurance are “musthaves.” But office cleaning services or landscaping services may be “nice-tohaves” but things you could be doing in-house. Don’t stop marketing. One expense I would not cut out is marketing. Now more than ever, your name has to be out there, top of people’s minds when they need you. Reduce staff only as a last resort. I’m not a fan of furloughing

or laying off staff unless you have little choice. There are some shops that may have gotten “a little fat” before this in terms of office stuff. But in any case, if you have to do it, make your choice judiciously. Consider who are the people you could always count on to be willing to stay late or come in during a weekend to help a customer or get a car out. Hang on to the people who are really going to help you and your business. If you must cut hours, do it fairly. If you’re trying to reduce the economic hit by spreading a reduction in work time for all of your hourly employees, try to find ways to do it equitably. I had one shop tell me they needed to temporarily have each of the company’s five office staff take one day off a week. Each week, they drew names out of a hat to determine, for the next week, who was staying at See Not Busy?, Page 46

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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.

Finding Some Hopeful Bits of Good News Amid the Pandemic Fallout

Shop Showcase

It was a bleak spring for many shops, and charging for the added vehicle but there have been some glimmers cleaning process. of hope for a better summer ahead. “Most insurance companies have with Ed Attanasio Here are some potential bits of good sent out a very nice ‘stay healthy’ bulnews for collision repairers. letin authorizing a charge for disin States are opening back up. fecting customers’ vehicles on arrival Eighteen states began reopening their and before return to the customer,” a economies and public life in early shop manager in an Idaho suburb said. May, and about another half dozen do- Nationwide Insurance sent a ing so in mid-May leaves than memo to its direct repair shops at the with Edfewer Attanasio half of states still shut down or severe- end of March, saying it would pay for ly restricted. Life and business won’t one labor hour and $25 in materials completely be returning to “normal” anywhere for a bit, but with businesses reopening and more people getting out and about, the need for collision repair work should beginEd to Attanasio rebound. with Traffic levels are growing since bottoming out in early April. Passenger vehicle traffic nationwide ticked up slightly April 18-24, the third week-over-week rise in a row. Though it remained just 59% of Ed whatAttanasio it was in with February, it was more than an 11% improvement from a month earlier, when it bottomed out at just 53% of “normal,” according to the traffic analyst firm INRIX. Traffic was up in all 50 states; for “sanitizing the vehicle when it arwith Rhode Island saw theStacey smallest Phillips in- rives and prior to delivery to the cuscrease (less than 1%), but seven states tomer.” No additional documentation (Wyoming, South Dakota, Montana, would be necessary unless charges Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota and Col- exceed this amount, Nationwide told orado) all saw week-over-week in- its direct repair shops. CARSTAR’s corporate staff told creases of 10% or more April 18-24. also was Personal vehicle its franchise shops in mid-April that withtraffic Stacey Phillips up that week in all 98 of the metro- State Farm had agreed to pay its dipolitan areas INRIX is tracking. The rect repair shops a similar amount for metro areas with the largest week- added vehicle cleaning. over-week improvements April 18- USAA on April 10 also said it 24 were Omaha, NE (up 12%), Den- would pay a “sanitize vehicle” estiver, CO, and Des Moines, IA (each mate line item, but the amount it said with Stacey Phillips up 11%), Colorado Springs, CO (up it would pay—one-half of a labor hour 10%), and Minneapolis, MN (up 9%.) and $15 in materials—was about half Many insurers are paying for of what State Farm and Nationwide COVID-19 cleaning. Added efforts had agreed to pay shops. to clean vehicles as they come in for Shops’ fears about business surrepairs, and before they are returned vival seem to be easing. One industo customers, towith reduce the riskPhillips of try survey in early April found that Stacey COVID-19 transmission has become almost 1 in 4 (23%) said they were a routine “repair operation” for most very (or extremely) concerned about shops, and it’s a procedure more and still being in business even just 30 more shops are now successfully bill- days in the future, but by the secing for as a line item. A survey of ond half of April that level of conmore than 650 shops found almost 3 cern was expressed by just 14% of out of 4 (73%) shops are performing shops.

Social Media for Shops

The percentage of shops that were not very (or not at all) concerned about their businesses surviving the next 30 days increased from 52% in early April to 63% by the end of the month. “We are strong financially due to 20 years of conservative practices and paying off debt,” the owner of a shop in Lubbock, TX, said, for example. Government financial assistance may well have played a role in easing

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some shops’ short-term concerns. Surveys indicate about 70% of shops that said they had applied for the Small Business Administration’s pandemic assistance have already received the funds. “The Paycheck Protection Program loan will make it possible to survive,” the office manager of a shop in Tulsa, OK, said. Many shops still voice concerns about their ability to stay in business when asked about longer time frames. But a majority in late April said they had little or no concern about being in business in 90 days or even over the next 12 months. The growth in the number of ADAS-equipped vehicles has slowed. The pandemic’s expected effect on sales of new vehicles could have one minor silver lining for collision repairers: a slow-down in the growth within the vehicle population of vehicles with crash-reducing advanced driver assistance systems. At the start of the year, the National Automobile Dealers Associa-

tion (NADA) was projecting about 16.8 million new vehicles would be sold this year, down somewhat from 17.1 million last year, the fifth year in a row when sales topped 17 million. NADA this spring slashed its projection for how many vehicles dealers will move this year, to between 13 million and 13.5 million. That would make it the slowest year for new car sales since 2011. New vehicle sales benefit collision repairers in that newer cars are generally insured and repaired after accidents, and are less likely to be total losses. On the other hand, robust new car sales also accelerate the percentage of ADAS-equipped vehicles in the U.S. fleet, something that appears to be slowly eroding accident frequency. The Independent Statistical Service (ISS) shows collision claim frequency was down 1.5% in 2018 and then down another 1.8% last year. CCC Information Services points to the growth of ADAS-equipped vehicles as a likely cause of the decline. Earlier this year, CCC stepped up its forecast for the rate of decline in accidents likely attributable to ADAS. CCC said that change was in part because of automakers’ ramped-up adoption of ADAS. Twenty major automakers, for example, had committed in 2016 to equip all new vehicles with frontal crash warning and automatic emergency braking by 2022, but many have done so well ahead of that deadline. “As a result, our projection this year shows a slightly faster increase in the reduction of vehicles in accidents annually,” a CCC report from earlier this year states. Whereas CCC had previously projected about a 5% drop in accidents by 2022, its subsequent forecast was for a decline more than 10%. The 10% decline CCC had projected for 2024 was upped to 15%. But now that decline in claims could become less steep if the significant drop in new car sales during the expected recession ahead slows the pace of ADAS growth in the U.S. vehicle population.

36 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Historical Snapshot with John Yoswick

Associations Assembling with Chasidy Rae Sisk

Local Associations Discuss Impact of COVID-19 on Members and Organizations

Southeast News

Collision repair industry associa- tinual basis, or possible layoffs due tions around the country may take to the reduction in business,” said different stanceswith Burl Richards, president of the Auto on various matters, Chasidy Rae Sisk but one shared commonality is the Body Association of Texas (ABAT.) intent of improving the businesses “This is a life-changing event that no one was prepared for.” of their members. The global pandemic is impacting Jeff Oldenettel, president of various communities and even individ- the Kansas Auto Body Associaual businesses in different ways. Sev- tion (KABA), pointed out shops Chasidy Rae Sisk are contending with different chaleral associationwith leaders graciously agreed to discuss some of the challenges than before. “Instead of needing techs, shops lenges they’ve seen, as well as some of the solutions they’ve presented, are worried about workload and while helping member shops navi- if they’ll lose their techs if they’re gate the current situation to the best forced to lay them off,” Oldenettel said. “That’s one of the biggest fears of their ability. with Chasidy Rae Sisk Addressing the impact that I’ve heard. It all comes down to shop COVID-19 has had on shops so far, culture. No one is truly knowledgethe consensus appears to be there is able about this situation because it’s so new. We’re all struggling through no consensus. Some shopswith are experiencing some new realities.” ChasidysigRae Sisk nificant reductions in workload, while Many shops have engaged in others have seen increases, and still new ways of communicating with others have shut their doors. customers and offering curbside op “While all shops have been im- tions to enhance customers’ comfort pacted, the severity ranges quite a bit,” level. said Amanda Henry, direc “Shops have taken extra meawithexecutive Chasidy Rae Sisk tor of AASP-PA. “Some shops have sures to offer touchless services such combated the effects of the impact as drive up estimates, drop off and of the virus by shortening their work pick up services. I have heard of shops week, changing their hours or laying arranging add-on sublet services, such off employees. All have ramped up as chip repairs and glass replacement, their marketing with offers, Chasidy some in rather so the customer doesn’t have to go to Rae Sisk creative ways, including offering to multiple places,” said Shelly Jones, run errands for their customers while president of Women in Automotive and they are servicing their vehicles.” Collision (WAC.) “The business impact on the in- The associations have also gotdustry has certainly not been insig- ten creative in response to social Chasidy Rae Sisk nificant, and it’swith created a financial distancing mandates, rescheduling strain on members,” said AASP-MN in-person events and taking advanExecutive Director Judell Ander- tage of online forums, like Zoom son. “Despite the workforce short- and Facebook Live, to provide netage, they’ve found ways to keep their working and educational opportunivalued employees on the payroll and ties to members. Most association with Chasidy Rae Sisk to provide safe, innovative service to personnel are working remotely, and the motoring public while restrictions some associations have been forced are in place. Like any other challenge, to reduce staff. those who have positioned their busi- They are all striving to answer ness strategically for the long term members’ questions and concerns and will survive, although probably with are distributing information by email a few battle scars.” with Ed Attanasio to keep members updated on the var “Everyone has had to change ious financial relief options available, some aspects of the way they do busi- and they’ve also updated their webness, whether it be meeting custom- sites to ensure the information is easiers outside, disinfecting vehicles and ly accessible. their working environment on a con- “We want to make sure they

Western Associations

Southwest Associations Southeast Associations Northeast Associations

know we’re a resource they can turn to for important information,” ASA Northwest President and Executive Director Jeff Lovell said. “There’s a lot of great free training out there right now, and we’re encouraging our members to take advantage of that as well.” “Many suppliers, trainers and other companies within the collision repair industry are offering tons of free webinars,” said James Rodis, vice chair of the Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA.) “Collision Hub’s courses have been great, and I don’t care how smart you think you are— you can always learn something new! Take the time to clean your shops and prepare to reopen, and get all your training done now!” ARA and CAWA have provided a template letter for essential employees, and both groups have been actively advocating to ensure that the

government considers their members’ businesses to be essential. “ARA also established a COVID -19 Relief Fund, which has already raised over $60,000 to benefit ARA direct members who struggle due to the pandemic,” said Sandy Blalock, executive director of ARA. CAWA has been “encouraging members to join the YANG effort to financially support the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation that assists aftermarket associates in time of crisis and need,” President and CEO Rodney Pierini said. When asked to offer advice for struggling shops, association leaders were quick to point out the opportunities that exist within this crisis. “Hang in there; we all need you. Once the floodgates open, I’m sure we’ll all be back in full swing and celebrating,” said Cathi Webb, executive director of the Northwest Auto-

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motive Trades Association (NATA.) “Lean on vendors, industry peers and members of organizations that you belong to,” Jones encouraged. “Tap into your network and connections to find resources and brainstorm ideas.” “While none of us have ever seen anything like this before, we’ve all weathered bad storms before and together we can get through this as well,” Henry pointed out. “One thing I’ve learned working in this industry is that shop owners are a strong, creative bunch, and the relationships built through the years are what will get us all through this as well. Lean on those relationships now—reach out and help one another if you can, even if it’s just to listen and commiserate.” Oldenettel suggested this is a great time to remodel and prepare for the future. “Work on your business so you’re ready when things start to calm down—it’s not all gloom and doom. There will be an end to this. As an industry, we need to see this as an opportune time to accelerate into the rest of this year. It’s an opportunity

if you just view it that way.” “Take the time to do all the things you have been putting off for years because you never have time to do it,” said Josh Kent, executive director of the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA.) “Educate your shop during this time. This industry needs to start taking back control

side and out. It’s time to plan for your future. We want to come out of this stronger, smarter, better and more educated than when we went in. “Ask yourself what you’re going to do differently. What do you need to do to survive? Your business won’t fix itself, so you need to determine the best way to run your business.”

“Shops have taken extra measures to offer touchless services such as drive up estimates, drop off and pick up services. I have heard of shops arranging add-on sublet services, such as chip repairs and glass replacement, so the customer doesn’t have to go to multiple places,” — Shelly Jones through education. It’s time to implement change and take that leap of faith to support state associations because we’re here to help everyone. The more change we can help create, the better it is for every shop and all of our customers.” “This is an eye opener for all of us,” said AASP/NJ President Jerry McNee. “It’s time to re-evaluate our business. Relearn your business in-

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Association leaders also expressed a lot of respect for shops going out of their way to help their employees and communities during this health and economic crisis. “Shops are very grateful to be considered an essential business during this time and are doing everything they can to keep their employees and hold on until the pandemic is over,” said Ricki Garrett, executive

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director of the Mississippi Collision Repair Association (MSCRA.) “Some are also helping their communities by providing extra masks, ventilators and sanitizer to their local hospitals.” “I’m impressed with the generosity, resourcefulness, business acumen and commitment that our members have demonstrated during this crisis. It’s going to be rough for a while, and the industry will emerge changed but stronger than ever,” Anderson added. “There’s a reason that auto and collision repair were deemed ‘essential’ businesses, and that’s because they are! The fundamental need for consumers to have their vehicles maintained and repaired has not changed and will continue after this crisis has passed—perhaps at even greater levels than ever before. “This industry has always been resilient, whether adapting to changing vehicle technologies or a shifting regulatory environment. If shops stay informed, take advantage of the resources available to them and adjust accordingly, they can weather the storm and come out wiser and stronger on the other side.”

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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

Body Shop Owner Triples Advertising Budget During Pandemic Bob Juniper, owner of Three-C Body he has chosen not to work with any Shop, Inc. in Columbus, OH, (see re- DRPs, Juniper focuses on consumer lated story this issue) has always been advertising, primarily via radio ads and Stacey in marketing andPhillips ad- billboards. a strong believerwith In a crowded market with one vertising. While many shops all over the body shop per every 7,000 peopcountry are abandoning much of its le, Juniper takes the high road and marketing during these uncertain won’t ever take the easy way to profit, he said. times, Juniper is tripling with Phillips “There are some shops his budget from 5% Stacey to a here who advertise the fact full 15%. That’s right—he that they will pay people›s is spending an unprecedendeductibles, which is bad for ted amount of money on all of us. Every dollar we put advertising even with an uninto our marketing adds vacertain immediate future for lue to our business at least his shop and his with crew. StaceyBob Phillips Juniper, the History often repeats it- owner of Three-C equal to that, so it’s one of self and Juniper knows this Body Shop, Inc. in the smart investments we can Columbus, OH, is take.” all too well. In 2008 when tripling his advertisJuniper has captured more the economy imploded, most ing and marketing shops scaled down marketing during the pandemic than 70% of the market when it came to outdoor advertiand advertising, but not Juniwith Stacey Phillips sing in Columbus. per. He saw the opportunity and seized it, and when everything returned back “I own 95 billboard locations to normal approximately 18 months here in town, so if you drive more later, he had captured more of the mar- than five minutes in every direction, you will see us,” he said. “They aren’t ket in Columbus. When the pandemic hit in March, all in ideal locations, but by buying in Juniper called his advertising vendors volume, the average price is low. We rotate 10 different themes and focus and told them it was Victoria go-time. The with Antonelli on educational topics like anti-steering, safety, antitexting and we also promote our community efforts, our car certifications and our app. “We have used literally with Ed Attanasio a hundred different mesIn addition to an aggressive radio ad campaign, Juniper sages over the years and owns the lion’s share of every billboard location available we’ve become well-known in town from our billboards. People prices were right and the market was come up to me all the time and menwide open, so Juniper starting nego- tion our most recent billboard.” In addition to being a master martiating a series of unprecedented long- with Gary Ledouxketeer, Juniper is also an inventor. In term deals. “No one else is advertising, espe- 2012, he created the Pink Button accially body shops,” he said. “It feels cident-help app with Leo Daugherty like I’m stealing, because they are III, the owner of Rampart Hosting, discounting everything. When all of Inc. Currently, he has 1,500 people this is over, I will still have these ama- using it and it brings him four to five zing rates. I am saving an enormous cars every week. with Stacey Phillips The formula Juniper uses to deamount of money.” The Columbus area—home of termine how much money he should The Ohio State University—is highly spend on marketing and advertising competitive, with more than 130 body during non-pandemic times is fairly shops all vying for the top spot. Since simple, he said.

Shop Strategies

“I have figured out over the years how much I save by not giving the insurance companies discounts through DRPs, and I use those funds on marketing. In addition, I retain full

Body Shops Giving Back

Some of Juniper’s billboard messages include anti-steering like the one here

Tips for Busy Body Shops control on each repair and run a steaMy SEMA

dy three-week backlog all the time, so who needs DRPs?” Radio advertising has also been extremely effective for Juniper and Three-C Body Shop, he said. “Thirty years ago, we did our first radio campaign and since then, we’ve produced more than 400 radio spots. We realized that television ad-

vertising doesn’t work well anymore for us because people now tape their shows and skip the commercials.” Juniper isn’t afraid to use his image in many of his billboard ads, and he also does all the voiceovers for his radio spots. They also have a catchy jingle that is well-known, he said. “In fact, customers sing it to me all the time.” Back when she was 8 years old, Juniper’s daughter, Jade, got her 15 minutes of fame as a local radio spokesperson. “We put her on the air and she was fantastic,” he said. “Listeners like the fact that we are a family business and these commercials reinforce it. Jade picked up all of the lingo quickly and now she is 19 and she still does an ad for us whenever she can. She is now in her third year of college and looking at a major in business.”

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Ford’s Potentially Devastating F-150 Problem Has Been Solved by Jay Traugott, CarBuzz

The Ford F-150 is critical for the automaker. For years, it has been the best-selling vehicle for the Blue Oval, as well as in America. Without this full-size truck, Ford would be a very different automaker. Last month, a tornado struck the BorgWarner factory in Seneca, SC, severely damaging the facility that produces transfer cases for the F-150 as well as the Ford Explorer and Expedition, and Lincoln Aviator and Navigator. The plant’s roof was ripped off and part of the building itself collapsed. Without this critical transmission component, Ford would have a serious problem―as if the coronavirus pandemic isn’t already enough of a problem. Fortunately, it seems Ford has dodged a bullet on this one. Automotive News reports Ford and plant officials moved fast with a damage assessment and numerous various other efforts and have managed to find a way to get the plant up and running. Within only 12 hours of the

tornado strike, repair teams were on the scene and quickly got to work. The plant’s roof has been temporarily repaired as well as the necessary computer rooms that manage the production line. As a result, Ford reports there will be no production disruption. “I’m extremely confident that when we start up our systems in the U.S. and North America, BorgWarner will support them. The risk is dropping every day,” said Gary Johnson, Ford’s chief manufacturing and labor affairs officer. “The decision was made to help retrofit the plant to make it viable to come back.” BorgWarner added it plans to resume production at the end of the month. And speaking of production, Ford said late last week it intends to restart production at its North American plants the moment the government gives approval. No specific restart dates have been set as of this writing. Meanwhile, Ford’s European plants are scheduled to reopen May 4. We thank CarBuzz for reprint permission.

Ford CEO on Weathering Coronavirus: ‘Don’t Waste a Crisis’ by Joann Muller, Axios

The coronavirus pandemic couldn’t have hit Ford at a worse time― midway through a restructuring effort, with several critical vehicle debuts just around the corner. With its factories closed and car demand sharply lower, it’s more important than ever for Ford to get the company back on track quickly so it can weather the storm. But some analysts are worried about what they see as a lack of urgency after Ford posted a $2 billion Q1 loss and predicted it would lose another $5 billion or more this quarter. Pressed during an earnings call about whether Ford would accelerate its restructuring actions in light of the pandemic, CEO James Hackett acknowledged “one truth, right? Don’t waste a crisis.” But he offered no new plans. “While the cash burn dynamics were in-line with what we had modeled, Ford did not appear to have a firm grasp on how it might accelerate restructuring

actions to offset what could be a lower sales environment even post-lockdowns,” Barclays analyst Brian Johnson wrote in a note to clients. Ford has $35 billion in cash after recent borrowings, enough to last through the year if there’s a prolonged crisis, CFO Tim Stone said. So far, none of the Detroit automakers appears to be in need of a bailout. Ford still owes the federal government $1.5 billion for government loans it received during the last crisis in 2009. It’s not clear when Ford will reopen its U.S. manufacturing plants but every day that it’s not producing cars means more red ink. Ford’s European factories are scheduled to gradually resume production starting Monday. We thank Axios for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

Glass Company Shifts Gears to Make ‘Sneeze Guards’ for Vehicles by Nathan Taylor, OrrilliaMatters.com

An Orillia, Ontario, Canada, company is doing its part to ensure the safety of those who are still on the road during the COVID-19 pandemic. Speedy Glass Orillia has been creating and installing partitions, or “sneeze guards,” for various vehicles. It started a couple of weeks ago, when nearby municipalities contacted the business to see if it would create the partitions for use in some passenger transportation vehicles. Then, word got out to security and waste collection companies as well as local auto dealerships, some of which have purchased the partitions for their shuttle vehicles. “People are staying home and we’re a little bit quieter than normal. We realized this was something we could do to keep us busy,” said Scott Stevens, owner/operator of Speedy Glass Orillia. “It’s good to help the community a little bit.” Those who are interested in purchasing the partitions or learning more about them can call

Speedy Glass Orillia at 705-3253500. The partitions come at a cost, but the company has agreed to donate $20 for each one installed to local food banks and shelters.

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Speedy Glass Orillia has been creating and installing these partitions, or sneeze guards, to keep drivers and passengers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Credit: Supplied photo

“We know the food banks and shelters are having a hard time right now with more people out of work than usual. We hope this can help out a little bit,” Stevens said. “We’re just trying to keep ourselves busy and benefit organizations and individuals in this unprecedented time we’re in.” We thank OrrilliaMatters.com for reprint permission.

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42 JUNE 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Tractable Donates to CIF COVID-19 Fund

10 Shops Share What They are Doing to Get Work in the Door by John Yoswick

What steps are shops around the country taking to get work in the door? Here is a quick run-down of 10 ideas from 10 shops. 1. William’s Collision in Eloise, FL, has picked up some revenue by adding spray-in truck bedliners to its list of offerings. 2. “We are offering free pick-up and delivery, mobile estimates, photo estimates through Podium, and utilizing CCC Engage for free,” said Zach DeGroot of Riverbend Body Shop in Grand Rapids, MI. (CCC Information Services is making its CCC Engage photo estimating and CCC Mobile available to its customers at no cost through July.) “We’re also advertising special promotions for first responders and front line workers, like free car washes, vehicle disinfecting services and discounts on deductibles.” 3. A 30-second ad (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EenStgoq_YY) posted by Arrowhead Autobody in

Duluth, MN, points to the mobile estimating and pick-up and delivery services the shop is offering customers, along with the added precautions it is taking to sanitize its office, loaner cars and customer vehicles. 4. “We are reaching out to all insurance companies to let them know we are open, and calling friends who are in car clubs to see if they need any clean-up work on collector cars,” said Joe Krebs of K&H Automotive Collision Center in Hamilton, NJ. 5. “We have upgraded our website and we are on Facebook every day,” said Sherry Card, owner of Collision Connection at Brookside in Tulsa, OK. 6. Randy Stabler of Pride Auto Body in Van Nuys, CA, said his company is contacting all past customers to offer discounted pricing on repair of minor damage. 7. Christy Jones of R Jones Collision 1 in Des Moines, IA, said promoting detailing services “has worked to fill in some gaps in our

production.” 8. Sherry Martin, office manager at Pro Collision Center in Orange, VA, said the shop has brought in some complete paint jobs that it normally wouldn’t do. 9. Rosann Kramer of Runway Auto in South Burlington, VT, said she is starting a quarterly email campaign and a YouTube channel for short videos “so people can see who we are as a business.” “We donate a vehicle every year through ‘Recycled Rides,’ and we haven’t used those donations in our marketing in the past, but this year I will be promoting our charitable endeavors,” Kramer said. 10. Many are finding ways to support other businesses in their community, like a “pay-it-forward” campaign started by Ernie’s Auto Body in Hayward, WI. “With any collision repair over $1,000, the customer gets to choose a $30 gift certificate from several local restaurants doing take-out,” shop owner John Magowan said.

Tractable answered the Collision Industry Foundation’s call for help for its COVID-19 relief fund in a very big way―by donating $25,000. Over the past month, more than 500 requests have been submitted by collision repair professionals asking CIF for financial assistance, through the CIF COVID-19 fund established in late March. The initial fund, including early contributions by half a dozen generous donors, had been nearly expired in mid-April, when CIF sent out a request for additional support from the industry. As funds became exhausted, CIF had to close its website to new applications. CIF was able to immediately re-open the website to accept new assistance requests, using Tractable’s donation to continue to provide assistance for new submissions. Source: CIF

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ACA Joins More Than 100 Business Organizations to Launch America’s Recovery Fund Coalition The Auto Care Association (ACA) announced it has joined America’s Recovery Fund Coalition, an alliance of more than 100 trade associations and business organizations advocating for a grant-based federal assistance program to power the resilience of American enterprise. Together, the coalition’s members span 30 business sectors and employ 45% of the nation’s workforce— more than 58 million workers. “The Auto Care Association is leaving no stone unturned in its continued effort to identify opportunities to help our members, American businesses and American workers to get back on their feet and get back to work,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, ACA. “Joining the coalition is another important step we have taken in order to secure more funding and resources that will be vital to keeping businesses within the auto care industry afloat during this unprecedented crisis.” In a letter sent to President Donald Trump, congressional leaders and the Secretary of the Treasury, the coalition noted:

“Today we are announcing the creation of America’s Recovery Fund Coalition, a group of over 100 organizations advocating for a grant-based federal assistance program to power the resilience of American enterprise. America’s Recovery Fund Coalition includes members representing more than 30 business sectors that together employ 58 million Americans and comprising more than 45% of the private workforce.” The coalition went on: “Existing programs like the Paycheck Protection Program were a well-intentioned effort to help defray the impact of the COVID-19 economic crisis, but we must build upon the current options and address the overwhelming need for additional capital support to businesses. A broad-based, efficient recovery fund that does not pick winners and losers is the best path forward. Without such a fund, our retailers, theatres, restaurants and many other industries will be decimated―and our communities will be poorer both economi-

Enterprise Implements Complete Clean Pledge

Ford, 3M Shipping Air-Purifying Respirators

Enterprise Holdings is reinforcing its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in the car rental industry. The company announced the implementation of its Complete Clean Pledge program across the Enterprise RentA-Car, National Car Rental and Alamo Rent A Car brands, as well as its comprehensive portfolio of transportation services. The pledge includes the company’s car rental operations, as well as its truck rental, vanpooling, corporate fleet management, retail car sales, carsharing and vehicle-subscription services. It’s one step in enhancements the company is implementing across the organization to ensure its customers feel safe and confident as they move forward and look to travel again. “Employee and customer safety are our top priority,” said Chrissy Taylor, Enterprise Holdings president and CEO. “Today and every day, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of cleanliness in the industry.” Source: Enterprise Holdings

The first Ford-built powered air-purifying respirators, developed in close collaboration with 3M, are on their way to help protect health care workers fighting COVID-19. Since late March, Ford has been working with 3M to create urgently needed PAPRs, using design guidance from 3M and off-the-shelf parts, like vehicle ventilator fans and power tool batteries. In a separate effort, 500,000 reusable medical gowns distributed by Ford will soon be on their way to the state of New Jersey. 3M is a leading provider of personal protective equipment, including powered air-purifying respirators. Demand for 3M PAPRs is exceeding supply due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Through partnerships with companies like Ford and others, 3M plans to increase capacity of its own PAPRs by ten-fold within the next several months. Source: Ford

cally and culturally as a result. “America’s Recovery Fund Coalition believes Congress must urgently create a federal direct assistance fund to provide rapid liquidity to businesses impaired by the COVID-19 national emergency. We believe the fund should be designed to help businesses maintain ongoing capital obligations during the prolonged crisis and the next months of economic healing, enabling employees to continue receiving pay, maintain benefits and helping employers rehire former employees while workplaces get back on their feet and safely reopen to the public.” To see the full list of America’s Recovery Fund Coalition members, click here. https://americasrecoveryfund.org/about-us/ To learn more about America’s Recovery Fund Coalition visit www. AmericasRecoveryFund.org. For more COVID-19 information and resources, visit autocare. org/coronavirus. Source: ACA

Toyota Postpones North American Operations Based on an extensive review with its supplier and logistics network, Toyota will postpone its ramp up of its North American manufacturing operations from the week of May 4 to the week of May 11. As previously stated, Toyota intends to gradually resume its manufacturing operations in compliance with federal health and safety guidelines, and local and state ordinances where its facilities are located. The health and safety of employees and stakeholders remain a top priority and it has implemented new protocols at all of North American manufacturing plants to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19. It will continue to follow all safety guidelines and monitor vehicle demand as it carefully ramps up production. Source: Toyota

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Garmat Develops Walk-Up Testing Booth for COVID-19 Garmat USA, a leading U.S.-based manufacturer of paint booths and refinish equipment, has joined the fight to help stop the COVID-19 epidemic, with a new idea that protects the medical provider while saving personal protective equipment (PPE.) The company’s COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Booth was developed in less than six days by Garmat entrepreneur Johan Huwaert, using expertise in airflow and differential pressure. The core of Garmat’s business is providing a clean environment through containment. The availability of safe and rapid testing is one of the most critical tools in the fight against COVID-19. In the weeks and months ahead, both the number of tests and availability of testing sites will need to grow exponentially. Garmat’s innovative COVID-19 Walk-Up Testing Booth enables a rapid and effective rollout of testing sites. This solution saves PPE and protects the provider, while providing a more efficient way to test masses of individuals.

Current testing methods are flawed when it comes to testing the masses of individuals in the months ahead. For example, in the medical office, when a patient is suspected of having the virus that causes COVID-19, the medical provider must don PPE. Most of these cases come back negative, so the PPE is wasted.

Testing stations in Colorado provide drive-through operations, which are unsafe, time-consuming and not viable for those without access to transportation. South Korea has been very

proactive in testing its citizens for COVID-19, which has led to a lower number of cases and deaths. One hospital in Seoul has set up four walk-up booths outside the hospital for patients to enter for testing. Before the development of these booths, patients were treated in large negative pressure rooms that took a long time to disinfect. The innovation to “individual patient” walk-up phone booth testing made processing 10 times faster, allowing for more patient testing each day. It also reduced the amount of PPE required by health care workers to perform the tests. The patient-centered booth in South Korea has one major drawback―it still requires a fulsome disinfection process after each patient. Brigham & Women’s hospital in Boston designed a three-sided plexiglass version, an improvement over

the South Korea booth, as it placed the health care provider inside, minimizing the surface area and time required for disinfection. Garmat’s latest innovation advances Brigham’s version, to provide additional protection for health care workers by fully enclosing the booth and applying positive airflow pressure, forcing contaminants from the interior of the booth. The size and convenience of these walk-up testing booths would allow for testing outside hospitals, urgent care centers, pharmacies, airports, universities and major sporting venues. Garmat has ample production capacity in its Colorado manufacturing facility. Units can be shipped fully assembled on a standard pallet, and install is as simple as placing the unit and plugging into a power source. Garmat USA is America’s leading manufacturer of paint booths serving auto collision repair and industrial refinishing customers. Read more at the Garmat USA website. Source: Garmat

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Not Busy?

Fix Auto USA and Auto Center Auto Body Sold to Driven Brands FOCUS Advisors announced the sale of the franchisor 79411, Inc. dba Fix Auto USA and its largest MSO franchisee, Auto Center Auto Body, Inc., to Driven Brands, a portfolio company of Roark Capital. See cover story this issue. With 152 current locations, rapidly growing Fix Auto USA, the U.S. licensee of the Fix Auto brand, is the franchise of choice for premier collision repair operators in the U.S. Auto Center Auto Body, a nine-location MSO in Southern California owned by Erick and Shelly Bickett, is also one of Fix USA’s top performing operations. Driven Brands operates more than 3,100 auto aftermarket locations in seven separate firms, including collision repair franchisors CARSTAR, ABRA and MAACO. David Roberts, managing director of FOCUS, who led the transaction, commented on the impact of this industry realignment and what it foretells. “Together with CARSTAR and their recent ABRA franchise

acquisition, Driven Brands is now positioned as the primary home for operators that want to remain independent in a time of accelerating consolidation,” Roberts said. “Additionally, the acquisition of ACAB positions Driven to begin building its own consolidation platform.” “As a competitor to Driven Brands’ CARSTAR franchise, we’ve been impressed with their increasing professionalism and marketing impact,” said Fix Auto USA CEO Paul Gange. “As an independent brand under the Driven umbrella, we expect to gain access to industry-leading franchise expertise, synergies and capital to accelerate and successfully manage the next phase of Fix USA’s growth.” Erick and Shelly Bickett, co-founders of Fix Auto USA, have been collision industry pioneers since they opened their first Auto Center Auto Body shop in 1984. They also co-founded CEICA in 1995, Cyncast in 2000 and CCI training institute in 2015. Shelly

and Erick Bickett will both continue to advise Driven Brands. “For years, we’ve contemplated how independent operators could continue to do what they do best and still have the opportunity to access capital and exit their businesses when they were ready,” said Erick Bickett. “We have worked with Dave Roberts over many years to help craft our strategy and ultimately represent us in our own exit event. The current climate made the combination more challenging but we are pleased to cement this vital partnership with Driven.” “Erick and I created Fix Auto USA to provide the kind of scale and professional support for smaller MSOs and individual shops that allowed them to effectively compete against the consolidators,” said Shelly Bickett. “With new capital and an expanded team, we expect to continue and expand our competitive position in the California market.”

home each day, so everyone took the same cut, and the choice was random and fair. Keep them busy. The last thing you want is people standing around with nothing to do but get negative or scared. If there’s no work, have employees take online training, or do maintenance and repair of equipment and the facility. Or offer them free use of the shop, by letting them bring in family members’ vehicles to change the oil or brakes. Keep them busy. This is no time for those leading a business to sit idle and just wait for things to change.

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