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GEICO Wins Appeal in Case Filed by Miracle Body & Paint Over Labor Rates in TX by Takesha Thomas, SE Texas Record
A San Antonio, TX, auto body shop has lost an appeal against GEICO to recoup funds it says were lost in a breach of contract claim. On Feb. 13, the 4th Court of Appeals in San Antonio affirmed the 45th Judicial District Court of Bexar County’s ruling granting a traditional and no-evidence summary judgment to GEICO Casualty Co. Chief Justice Sandee Bryan Marion ruled that MRG Inc. and Miracle Body and Paint “failed to produce evidence of mutual assent to
the terms of an express or implied contract.” Miracle is a San Antonio-based, independently owned auto body shop. The company sued GEICO over allegations of breach of contract, breach of implied contract, quantum meruit and suit on a sworn account, and, in the alternative, negligent misrepresentation, fraud and fraud by nondisclosure. According to the ruling, Miracle performed auto body work on vehicles insured by GEICO, and GEICO paid Miracle according to the labor See GEICO Wins Appeal, Page 6
2,200 Attendees Hit the City by the Bay for 2019 NADA Show by Ed Attanasio
This year, more than 2,200 industry professionals attended the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Show from Jan. 24–27 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, CA. U.S. and international new car dealers, commercial truck dealers, automaker executives and allied industry professionals from 37 countries converged in the City by the Bay for four days of work and fun. At the start of the show, NADA forecasted sales of 16.8 million new
37 YEARS
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM Vol. 37 / Issue 3 / March 2019
ABAT Partners With TGP for 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show, Four Years On, Growth is Substantial by Chasidy Rae Sisk
The Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) recently announced its partnership with Thomas Greco Publishing (TGP) to manage its 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show. According to ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle, “We are excited to add Thomas Greco Publishing to our trade show planning team. They have an excellent reach with their publications and their work with the NORTHEAST® show. We want our show to reach that same level, and we are confident that TGP will take it to the top.” TGP President Thomas Greco shared, “We are thrilled to be involved with the show and ABAT. We have had much success with our partnership on Texas Automotive. We
plan to achieve the same level of success with this show—making it THE can’t-miss event for the Southwest.” “We are very excited! The ABAT board sees this as a new chapter going forward, and we are enthusiastic about what TGP will bring to the table,” ABAT President Burl Richards added. “With TGP’s experience—and knowing what they are capable of—it’s going to be a great win for everyone. Once we get new attendees to the show, they will want to come every year. There is just so much value education-wise—and with all the technology of today, it’s a great opportunity for vendors to show new equipment.” The Texas Auto Body Trade Show began just four years ago and has quickly grown to become the preSee ABAT Partners, Page 10
New ASA Executive Director Ray Fisher Shares His Goals for the Industry by Chasidy Rae Sisk
UpdatePromise was on hand in full force to unveil new products and meet with current clients. (l to r) Owner/CEO Curtis Nixon, merchant services manager Krista Lucchino, product specialist Bridgette Amador, product specialist Taylor Su, marketing manager Jennifer Marmolejo and sales rep Adam Guizado See 2019 NADA Show, Page 24
Recently appointed Automotive Service Association (ASA) Executive Director Ray Fisher held a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 10 to provide some information on his plans and goals as he transitions into his new leadership responsibilities. “I’m excited to bring my background into this role, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity,” Fisher stated. “We definitely want to engage our membership more. We want to listen to our members and provide venues for quicker availability. All facets of the industry across the globe are caught in different demographics and attempting to reach their constituents. We plan to utilize different mediums and platforms to reach ASA’s membership. My main goal is to represent my customer; our memberships are
our customers, and it’s important that we represent them well.” Fisher emphasized the association’s focus on its mission statement: to enhance the professionalism of the industry.
“I believe our industry is made up of a bunch of professionals, and ASA represents that professional group,” he said. “That was our foundation in 1951 and continues to be today. We plan to take that into 2019 and listen to our membership, enhancing our interactions and commuSee ASA Executive Director, Page 18
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