June 2012 Southwest Edition

Southwest Edition Texas Oklahoma Louisiana New Mexico

30

YEARS

www.autobodynews.com ww ww.autobodynews.com

Norman, Oklahoma Body Shop Narrowly Escapes Next-Door Tornado Devastation

by Melanie Anderson

In tornado season in Oklahoma you don’t have to be superstitious to think bad things could happen on any given day, never mind Friday the thirteenth. But for Norman shop owner Philip DeFatta, this Friday, April 13, Leon Pierce Body Repair at 521 N. Porter Ave. in Norman, OK could have been a day out of narrowly avoided a tornado that ripped through the town on April 13. The building next door is being demolished after the movies. At about 4:00 sustaining considerable damage. Photos courtesy of Philip p.m., a tornado hit the heart DeFatta, owner of Leon Pierce Body Repair. of Norman, Oklahoma and cut roughly an eight-mile swath happen. I call that ‘stuperstitious,’” through the town, especially the joked DeFatta, 43, owner of Leon Pierce Body Repair at 521 N. Porter southwest portion.

According to local reports, the Avenue.

However, that afternoon he was tornado hop-scotched through the center of town, tossing telephone dashing inside his shop to take cover poles, shredding trees and ripping off as the tornado hit. DeFatta heard the roofs. At least 10 people were taken to building next door literally explode, and debris from that building flew the hospital with minor injuries.

“I didn’t wake up that morning into his shop through the large garage thinking anything bad was going to See Friday 13th, Page 11

IA L SP E C T ISSUE PAIN

REFINISH PAINT &

of 3 issues S

OGIE TECHNOL

VOL. 30 ISSUE 6 JUNE 2012

State Farm’s PartsTrader Program Encounters Significant Opposition, Not Just From its DRPs

State Farm’s forced implementation of its PartsTrader e-bidding process within its Select Service Program shops has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the industry, not just from its own DRPs. Usage of the PartsTrader software, developed in New Zealand, has been required by the insurer in several test markets nationwide, including Tucson, AZ, and Birmingham, AL, however several sources have reported shops dropping the Select Service Program as a result, up to 40% in some markets.

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP), the Society for Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), and the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and numerous independent industry observers have come out with strong statements cautioning their members against State Farm’s bidding process for parts procurement.

AASP called it “an unprecedented and uninvited intrusion into the business of collision repair.” The AASP released the following statement, which reads in part: “Despite posturing from the largest national insurance carrier on what it believes to be positive attributes of the program, collision repair facilities, parts suppliers, parts manufacturers and interested parties around the country have been consistent in their perception that this type of activity will ultimately harm their businesses and the customers they serve.

“Collision repairers are in the business of selling parts, labor and materials at a retail level. Each of these revenue sources contributes to the overall success of the roughly 35,000 small businesses across the nation, allowing the business to provide employment opportunities to individuals within their community and invest in the necessary equipment and training needed to provide customers with safe, quality repairs. As is the case with all types of business—including the business of insurance—the pursuit of a return on investment (profit) is a core principle, and one that collision repairers should neither apologize for nor relinquish to the influence of other parties.

“Insurers are in the business of insuring risk and then settling losses at market value when those losses occur.

As the payer of claims, insurers should not be “market makers” for pricing of individual products and services that are components of final invoices. To date, insurance pressure and influence over collision repair market pricing has driven average profit margins to low single-digit figures, despite the fact that the business of collision repair has a high cost of entry and requires ongoing capital investments to keep pace with automotive technologies.

“Feedback from other markets outside the U.S. familiar with insurermandated bidding platforms indicates See PartsTrader, Page 8

Summit Software’s President and Head Sherpa Frank Terlep talks with Autobody News about the state of Digital Media for the Collision Industry

by Melanie Anderson see p. 40

Change Service Requested

P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Ontario, Ca. Permit No. 1

This Thiis Brand Th Brand Stands Stands for for Savings Savings

Acura of Austin • Over $400,000 Parts Inventory • 15,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Experienced Crew • In State Next Day Shipping w/Quick Local Delivery • Great Discounts

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 7 pm Saturday 8 am - 5 pm • Sunday Closed

Honda of Frisco

Participating in Collision Link Wholesale Parts Specialist: John Raygo » 512-401-5976 Watts 800-575-3553 Parts 512-401-5976 Fax 512-401-5988 jraygo@mcdavid.com

Acura of Plano • Over $500,000 Parts Inventory • 15,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Experienced Crew • In State Next Day Shipping w/Quick Local Delivery • Great Discounts

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 7 pm Saturday 8 am - 5 pm • Sunday Closed

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 6 pm Saturday 7:30 am - 4 pm • Sunday Closed

Participating in Collision Link Wholesale Parts Specialist: Doug Grajczyk » 972-964-6044 972-964-6000 Fax 972-964-6070 dgrajczyk@mcdavid.com

Parts Manager: John Keith Phone 972-964-5000 Fax 972-985-3114 jkeith@mcdavid.com

Nissan of Houston • Over 1.3 Million Parts Inventory • 28,000 Parts • Trained Experienced Crew • Texas & Louisiana Next Day Shipping • Great Discounts

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 6 pm Saturday 8 am - 5 pm • Sunday Closed

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 8 pm Saturday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm • Sunday Closed

Phone 972-731-3175 Toll Free 866-442-2711 Fax 972-731-3179 cedgar@mcdavid.com

Honda of Irving

Lincoln of Plano • Over $400,000 Parts Inventory • 8,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Experienced Crew • In State Next Day Shipping w/Quick Local Delivery • Great Discounts

• Over $600,000 Parts Inventory • 11,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Wholesale Crew: Mario, Phillip Participating in Collision Link • In State Next Day Shipping w/Quick Local Delivery Parts Manager: Chris Edgar • Great Discounts

Visit our E-Store: Estore.mcdavidnissan.com

• Over $1,000,000 Parts Inventory • 17,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Wholesale Crew: Gary, Marie, Jim • In State Next Day Shipping Participating in Collision Link w/Quick Local Delivery Parts Manager: Dan Zieber • Great Discounts

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 9 pm Saturday 8 am - 5 pm • Sunday Closed

Phone 972-790-6008 Toll Free 800-492-4464 Fax 972-790-6066 hondaparts@mcdavid.com

Honda of Houston

• Over $1,000,000 Parts Inventory • 100,000 Parts in Stock • Trained Experienced Crew • Texas & Louisiana Next Day Shipping Participating in Collision Link w/Quick Local Delivery Parts Manager: • Great Discounts

Hours: Monday - Friday 7 am - 6 pm Saturday 8 am - 5 pm • Sunday Closed

Robert Quintero Phone 800-444-1263 Fax 713-948-1949 rquintero@mcdavid.com

Welcome to

GENUINE SERVICE & PARTS

Participating in Collision Link Parts Manager: Dick Graham Phone 800-231-9657 Fax 713-948-1949 nissanparts@mcdavid.com

2 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

www.davidmcdavid.com

COLUMNISTS Franklin - Positioning Your Shop . . . . . . . . 42 I-CAR - Bonding and Rivet Bonding Technology on Steel BMW Vehicle Parts. 18 Insider - Is the State Farm Elephant in the Room a Bad Elephant?. . . . . . . . . . 12 Nigro - Q&A with Chuck Gosney of Collision Billing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Sisk - Larry Montanez Talks OEM Procedures and Repair Standards . . . . 14 Weaver - Comparing Automotive Parts: Is it Apples to Apples? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Yoswick - Shops and Insurers Discuss Indemnification in DRP Contracts . . . . . 16 NATIONAL ABRA Opens 20th Body Shop Location in Macon, GA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 America’s Car Museum Celebrates Grand Opening. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 ASAA to ‘Educate’ Legislators on Aftermarket Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Audi A3 Development with Master Jigs and Color Matching . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 BMW Recalling Diesel Vehicles or Fuses . 26

BMW Replaces Toyota as Most Valuable Automotive Brand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Body Shop Customer Attempts Rescue of Elderly Fire Victim . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Carfax Study Shows Consumer Threatened by Ignoring Recalls . . . . . . 26 Carroll Shelby—Race Driver, Designer, Industrialist—Dead at 89 . . . . . . . . . . . 15 CCC Becomes Exclusive Provider of UpdatePromise . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Chrysler Recalls 68,000 Jeep Wranglers for Fire Concerns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Chrysler to Recall 127K Dodge Chargers and 300’s for Fuses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Collision Repair Education Foundation to Award Two $50K Grants . . . . . . . . . 46 Collision Section Secures Exhibit Space at SEMA Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Distracted Driving No. 1 Killer, Especially of Teens . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Enterprise Introduces Customer Repair Notification Tool. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Ford Blocks JAC from Selling Blatant F-150 Knock Off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Ford Recalls 10.500 Vehicles for Transmission Sensor Issues . . . . . . . . 26 Ford Starts Shipping its first EV, the Focus Electric, to Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . 32 I-CAR Introduces New Series of Online Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Leading Edge Receives BASF Automotive Refinish Distributor of the Year Award. . 35 Major Physical Damage Indicators Up For 6 Quarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Museum for Ford’s Model A. . . . . . . . . . . 11 Newest Body Shop Boy Matt Ng Shines in Rumble . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 Nissan Recalling Certain 2012 Titan Pickups for Mislabeling . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Romney Claims Credit in Auto Industry Turnaround . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 St. Louis, MO, Hail Damage Hit Rental Fleets Too . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 State Farm’s PartsTrader Program Encounters Significant Opposition, Not Just From its DRPs . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Why Your Body Shop Can’t Ignore Social or Digital Media . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Women’s Industry Network 6th Annual May Conference Hosts 200 Women . . . 39

PAINT SPECIAL

Auto Painting USA Collision Specializes in Cosmetic Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Custom Painter Jim Hetzler Started Out at Age 13 with a Model Car . . . . . . . . . . . 38 DuPont™ Cromax® Pro is the Ultimate Upgrade for Your Refinish Painting Process. 22 House of Kolor® Colors Automotive World for 56 Years. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Leading Edge Receives BASF Automotive Refinish Distributor of the Year Award. . 35 Legendary “Crazy” Painter Mitch Kelly Cites his Top 5 Projects . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Top Hot Rod Shines ‘Brilliant Red’ Bright with Glasurit® Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

talented teammates and skilled technicians to our base of nearly 1,400 Service King teammates throughout Texas,” added Abraham.

“We are very excited about Auto Body World joining the Service King Team,” stated Mark Turner, Auto Body World’s President. “Both companies believe that we’re a great match for each other, in that we share very common cultures, and while Service King brings national insurance relationships and financial strength, Auto Body World brings dominance in a new market, with a strong operations team and platform for rapid growth.”

Cathy Bonner, CEO of Service King stated, “In DFW and Houston, Service King has been recognized as one of the “best places to work” by the Dallas and Houston Business Journals, and we plan to bring our same level of health, retirement, and career benefits to all new teammates in Arizona.”

Said Eddie Lennox, “Service King is one of the fastest growing US based collision repair companies is because of the team we have in place. The people in this company focus on what’s most important and take pride in providing the best service and quality collision repairs, while caring for our customers.”

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Melanie Anderson Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, John Yoswick, Lee Amaradio, Dan Espersen Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Mike Causey, Tom McGee, David Brown, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Jay Lukes (800) 699-8251 Sales Assistant: Kristy Navarro Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia

Southwest

REGIONAL 50 PBE Professionals Attend PBES Session in Oklahoma City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Abilene’s 2011 Perfect Storm Still Brings Benefits to Body Shops . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Antique Car Restorer Andy Hope, ‘The Man in White,’ Dies at 97. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 ASA Asks Texans to Help Fix the Franchise Tax Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 ASA Says it is Fact Finding on State Farm’s PartsTrader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Caliber Collision Opens New West San Antonio Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Caliber Collision Teams with Farmers for Recycled Rides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Corpus Christi Body Shop Burns, Arson Suspected . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fiat of Austin Sells More than 100 of its only Vehicle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Hit and Run Driver with 42 tickets lets Mother Take the Rap . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Louisiana Insurance Commissioner and U.S. Treasury Join Forces in Campaign to Target Money Laundering . . . . . . . . . 10 Norman, Oklahoma Body Shop Narrowly Escapes Next Door Tornado Devastation . 1 OSHA Fines San Antonio Parts Supplier Due to Fatal Accident . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Private Sector Solution Should Lower OK Health Premiums . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 SCRS Hosts Standards Meeting in Oklahoma City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Service King Acquires Arizona’s Auto Body World . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Service King Opens 12th Location in Houston. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 TIAA Holds Spring Meetings. . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Van Tuyl Group Holds March of Dimes Chili Contest Benefit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Yukon, OK, Student Wins State SkillsUSA Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Texas-based, Service King Collision Repair is partnering with Auto Body World, Inc., with nine large scale, high volume locations throughout metro Phoenix and Casa Grande. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

The transaction is expected to close in July 2012. By joining Service King, Auto Body World will become a part of the third largest collision repair company in North America with 48 Texas locations throughout the Dallas, Ft. Worth, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin areas.

Service King’s expansion across Texas over the last three years has taken Service King from the 6th to the 3rd largest collision repair company in North America, doubling revenue and location count.

“We welcome our new teammates in Arizona to the Service King family,” said Service King’s President, Chris Abraham. “We’re excited about the opportunity here. Arizona is special because it’s our first venture outside of Texas, but it’s not our last.”

“Service King is committed to continuing Auto Body World’s long tradition of excellent customer service and quality repairs with good relationships in the insurance industry. We look forward to adding Auto Body World’s

Indexof Advertisers

Contents

Service King Acquires Arizona’s Auto Body World

Serving Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico and adjacent metro areas, Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2012 Adamantine Media LLC.

Autobody News

Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018; (800) 699-8251 (760) 721-0253 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com

Accudraft. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 BASF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 37 Chevyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Classic BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 CSS USA, Inc.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Dallas Dodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 David McDavid Auto Group . . . . . . . 2 Equalizer Industries . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers TX, OK, LA, NM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Fowler I-240 Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge. 19 Garmat USA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Gene Messer Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . 18 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 45 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24-25 Huffines Hyundai Plano . . . . . . . . . 28 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . 39 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers. 23 LKQ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 43

Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City . 30 Mike Calvert Toyota. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 29 North Freeway Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . 8 OE Reman. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 PCL Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Ray Huffines Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Reliable Chevrolet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Replica Plastics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Safety Regulations Strategies. . . . . 32 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . . 6 Scoggin-Dickey Buick . . . . . . . . . . 15 Solution Finish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 South Pointe Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge. 13 Toyota of Fort Worth . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Toyota of Laredo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 41 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 44 Young Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Abilene’s 2011 Perfect Storm Still Brings Benefits to Body Shops

The economy in Abilene, TX is still cashing in on the 2011 Easter storm that dumped 2.4 inches of rain in three hours and hammered cars, shattered windshields and punched holes in rooftops with pea to softball size hail.

According to Hector Guerrero, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service, four weather elements combined to create a “perfect storm” on Easter Sunday 2011.

At 2 p.m. April 24, a dry line moving in from West Texas collided with a stationary cold front running east to west along Interstate 20, right above Abilene. At the same time, Guerrero said, an upper-level disturbance generated “tremendous energy aloft.” The final ingredient was great atmospheric instability caused by lots of cold air at high altitude needing to trade places with warm air at the surface.

“Basically, you had all of the makings of really bad severe weather,” he said.

In Abilene, residents caught away from home reported being stuck inside stores as the rain and hail pelted down,

and tornado warnings were announced on TV and radio. Motorists sought shelter under highway overpasses and gas station awnings. One of those seeking shelter was Barry Smith, who was trying to protect his daughter’s day-old car.

More than a year ago, that storm created huge hailstones that battered roofs, punched holes in shingles and shattered windshields. Soon afterward, garage bays filled with cars needing dent repairs and roofers from out of the area swarmed the city.

“It’s about one of the best things that’s going to happen to the economy in Abilene for a long time,” State Farm agent David Ballard said in the week after the storm.

He was right.

There are no existing numbers to exactly quantify the April 24, 2011, hailstorm’s boost to the economy, but the storm generated $505,000 in permit fees for the city, 26 times more than the five-year average for roofing permits. Over the last 12 months, the city has issued

Service King Opens 12th Location in Houston

Service King Collision Repair Centers, a Texas-based operator of collision repair facilities in the Houston, Dallas-Ft. Worth, San Antonio and Austin markets, announced the opening of their 12th new collision center within the Houston marketplace on May 22. The shop is located in Clearlake, Texas, at 17080 Mill Forest Rd. This facility is the 48th location in Texas.

“Our strategic goal is to choose locations that are convenient for our customers and focus on the areas where the most growth occurs,” said Chris Abraham, president of Service King.

Added Justin Regan, vice president of the Houston market, “The new Service King facility represents the completion of our service coverage around the Beltway. We’ve been looking forward to this facility for over three years, and we’re very excited about it.”

The 40,622-square-foot facility will employ around 20 people at startup and more than 45 as operations ramp up. It will be able to house more than 150 vehicles in production at any given time.

“This repair facility fits in line with our national growth strategy to serve growing communities with large populations,” said Regan. “Our methods for growth include acquiring existing collision repair shops as well as

renovating brownfield locations and even greenfield locations if they’re in a prime location. Along with all of our Houston locations, this facility houses an onsite Enterprise Rent-A-Car location.

“Our number-one focus is to make sure each store is running at 100 percent in terms of quality repair, ontime delivery and customer service. We also want to make sure we’re offering the superior value and service that our insurance partners have come to expect from all of our Texas locations.

“The services offered by Service King throughout Houston are a mirror image of any Service King Collision Repair Center one would find throughout Texas, with a focus on customer service, quality repairs and on-going training. All repair work is backed by a written lifetime guarantee, providing the ultimate in quality and customer satisfaction, and visitors can expect the same clean, comfortable customer lobbies, accommodating to both customers and insurance partners.”

With 23 Dallas-Fort Worth locations, 12 Houston locations, eight San Antonio locations and five Austin locations, Service King recently announced national expansion plans to acquire nine collision center locations owned by Auto Body World in Arizona in July 2012.

4 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

9,838 roofing permits to contractors and repair companies. That’s 24 times as many as the average number of permits issued in the preceding five years, according to records from an online city database.

Roofing repairs may have been the most visible, but other industries also benefited from the shellacking.

Half a dozen Abilene painting companies reported more work in the months after the hail as they added coats of paint to roughed-up siding and pummeled fences.

Hail didn’t just pound roofs and tree limbs. There were thousands of shattered car windshields and dented hoods.

Auto body repair business jumped dramatically last spring after the storm and stayed high for months.

Glen Gibbs, manager at Gibbs Paint & Body, said the hailstorm was “very profitable” for the shop, which still sees a few customers every week needing hail damage repairs from last year’s storm.

“Right after the storm it was a rush,” he said. “It was overwhelming.

We were overwhelmed. We learned a lot about how to improve with customers.”

After a time, shops changed their procedures to ensure they could handle the increase.

“Shops got smarter about scheduling out so that they could handle all the volume coming in,” said Armen Norman, owner of Norman’s Collision Plus. “At first there were too many, and places couldn’t get everybody in. Some people just waited and are just now coming in. We got three or four in last week that still needed repairs from last year, so there’s still some out there.”

Just days after the ‘perfect storm’ hit Abilene, the same four severe weather elements would combine several hundred miles to the east in a weather system that unleashed hundreds of lethal tornadoes throughout the South. As the storms moved east and north out of Abilene, they generated several tornadoes: one confirmed east of Potosi, one north of Baird in Callahan County, and one near Moran in Shackelford County.

WATS:

Call Us For Your Sa t Parts Alsou. rn

800-955-6282 Parts Direct:

972-202-2300 Hours: Monday - Friday 7 to 7 Saturday from 8 to 5

Ray Huffines Chevrolet Plano, TX

• 9 Salesmen • Over $2 Million Genuine GM Parts • 7 Delivery Trucks • Extensive GM Collision Parts Inventory • Free Delivery within Texas (call for details) • GM Engines and Transmissions at truck load pricing (call for details)

Collision Centers & Body Shops • We “Meet or Beat” aftermarket pricing. Ask your salesman about “Bump the Competition” and “GM Outlet Shop”.

• Cycle time costs you money. Let our huge GM collision inventory work to your advantage.

• Online ordering through OEConnection (call for details) www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

Corpus Christi Body Shop Burns, Arson Suspected

A Corpus Christi body shop owner is picking up the pieces after his shop went up in flames in the early morning of May 9. Around 2:30 a.m., the Corpus Christi Fire Department was dispatched out to Baiza’s Paint and Body at 601 Brownlee in Corpus.

Crews arrived to find heavy smoke and flames spewing from the business. The shop restores old cars and the owner, who doesn’t have insurance, estimates the damage to be about $75,000.

Fire investigators believe the blaze was the work of an arsonist. It took about an hour to get the blaze under control. No one was injured, and firefighters were able to save a dog that lives in the shop.

“And for me, I say, ‘why, does it happen?’ This, because I’m a good guy, I do favor to anybody and why does this happen to me?” said Luis Baiza, owner of Baiza Paint and Body. “A friend of mine says he saw someone running from the shop.

Pero, we don’t know who it is. I want to know who it was,” says Baiza.

See autobodynews.com for video of the fire. Anyone with information is asked to contact authorities.

50 PBE Professionals Attend PBES Session in Oklahoma City

As part of its ongoing “PBES Connect” learning series, the Paint, Body & Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) held its latest session, How Will Your Customers Thrive? on April 25 in Oklahoma City, OK. The event was attended by about 50 industry professionals.

PBES Connect is an ongoing informational series tailored specifically to the needs of PBE distributors and supply chain members. Typically held in conjunction with the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), the programs provide in-depth exploration of the industry’s most critical and complex issues, including those affecting the collision repair customers supported by PBE professionals.

The April meeting featured a presentation by George Avery, claims consultant with State Farm, on the insurer’s electronic parts ordering initiative using PartsTrader, and a counterpoint by Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). See related stories.

6 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Caliber Collision Opens New West San Antonio Location

Caliber Collision Centers announced that it has acquired Legend Collision Center and reopened the location as Caliber West San Antonio.

“West San Antonio center brings our total number of locations in the San Antonio market area to 10 as we continue to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions,” said Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision Centers’ Chief Executive Officer. “This new center also creates additional capacity across this important market as we provide our insurance clients the customer focus, operational consistency and cost management they require in today’s competitive insurance market.”

The newly acquired 19,900square-foot collision repair facility is at 11720 Culebra Road, San Antonio, TX 78253.

“Our new West San Antonio center provides another example of how Caliber Collision continues to grow across the Texas market,” added Mark Sanders, Chief Operating Officer for Caliber Collision Centers.

“This brings our total number of centers in Texas to 49.”

Caliber Collision Teams with Farmers for Recycled Rides

Caliber Collision partnered with Farmers Insurance in its 7th Recycled Rides presentation of the year, donating a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta to a local veteran at Caliber’s Woodlands, Texas location on Wednesday, May 2.

Michael Ryan Lease received keys and title to his newly refurbished vehicle in a special ceremony to thank and honor him for his service to our country. After serving four years in the Army, from 2003–2007, Lease has struggled emotionally and financially. Lack of reliable transportation has made it difficult for him to find steady employment. He recently landed a full-time position with an industrial painting company but has to borrow a car or arrange rides to get to work. Finding transportation is equally challenging for Lease as he tries to spend as much time as possible with his three young children, ages 5–9. Lease was nominated for the Recycled Rides vehicle by ReserveAid, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to military families. Farmers Insurance donated the vehicle and Caliber Collision provided the resources and services to refurbish it for Michael Lease.

Yukon, OK, Student Wins State SkillsUSA Contest

A Yukon High School and Canadian Valley Technology Student competed for eight hours to win a state SkillsUSA championship.

All that went through Blake Price’s mind at the recent SkillsUSA state contest was it didn’t go as well as planned. However, Price won the state championship in Collision Repair at the recent statewide SkillsUSA contest. He sought perfection, even while realizing that was not possible.

After eight grueling hours of body work, plastic repair, welding and written estimates, Price was awarded the gold medal at the state championship in the collision repair event.

The Yukon High School senior was competing for Canadian Valley Technology Center, where he has trained in auto body technology for two years.

“I had a lot of fun,” Price, 18, said. “I was thinking about every little thing I could have done wrong, but I was happy with how I did.” Price, who is considering seeking an associate degree, would like to own a body shop one day. Price will compete in a national competition in June in Kansas City, MO.

OSHA Fines San Antonio Parts Supplier Due to Fatal Accident

A San Antonio company has been fined $46,000 by OSHA in connection with a fatal loading dock accident.

A worker at Certifit Incorporated in San Antonio was preparing a loading dock for a delivery when the delivery truck backed over him.

Investigators with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration said the auto body parts supplier is being cited for serious violations that compromised worker safety, including failure to make sure someone was available to give first aid.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Salt Lake City, Utah-based CertiFit Inc. for nine serious safety violations at the company’s facility in San Antonio. OSHA initiated the inspection after an employee, 40-year-old Solomon Roberts, was killed when a delivery truck backed into a loading dock.

OSHA found the company failed to ensure that a trained person in first aid is present, provide training on evacuation procedures, repair and maintain electrical equipment and rolling ladders.

Private Sector Solution Should Lower OK Health Premiums

Oklahoma’s small businesses might be saving some health insurance premiums due to Governor Mary Fallin’s signing of Senate Bill 1621. The measure will allow small employers to purchase group insurance through an employer association, which can pool resources with like businesses. Insurance Commissioner John D. Doak said, “SB 1621 has been a top priority this session because it will greatly strengthen Oklahoma’s business environment by allowing industry associations to offer large group policies to small employers.” Doak expressed his appreciation to the Governor, as well as to Representative Glen Mulready and Senator Bill Brown for their hard work on the legislation. The bill requires associations to meet the federal guidelines of a ‘bona fide’ association. The four requirements are: 1) the association must have been in existence for 5 years, 2) have been formed and maintained in good faith for purposes other than obtaining insurance, 3) the association cannot condition membership on any health-status related factor relating to any individual and 4) the association make the insurance available to all members regardless of health status.

TIAA Holds Spring Meetings

The Texas Independent Automotive Association met April 19 at the Barn Door in San Antonio, Texas. There were 55 members and guests in attendance. Guest speaker Sid Hurlbert spoke on customer service and how answering the phone correctly can retain customers. The Alamo chapter of TIAA awarded $4,000 in scholarships.

The May 23 TIAA meeting, held at Pompeii Italian Grill in San Antonio, was a collision specific meeting. Jeff Franco, who was the past president of the Arizona Collision Association, was the guest speaker. He talked about his history with the California Autobody Association, and his involvement in state legislation, aftermarket parts issues, insurance company issues and some of the bills that were passed in Arizona while he served as the state president of that association. Franco spoke about the benefits of belonging to an association and working as a team to tackle the issues that collision shops deal with on a daily basis.

Franco touched on how to deal with issues not only on a state level, but on a national level as well, and being represented at industry-leading conferences, such as the CIC.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Continued from Cover

PartsTrader

that the State Farm parts bidding program is a win-lose scenario, with repairers losing both profit and control of their business. Furthermore, the negative impact of this parts program has the very real potential to quickly spread beyond parts to other areas, such as paint, and beyond the boundaries of voluntary direct-repair program (DRP) agreements to the industry at large. If State Farm contends that this parts program is indeed good for the collision industry, surely the industry would embrace the program on a voluntary basis – assuming the benefits of the program did indeed extend to more participants than just the carrier.

“The collision repair industry has gradually transitioned from a proud trade of hard-working owners and employees to a service provider that subcontracts to the insurance industry, working on net margins that it no longer controls and that jeopardize its ability to invest in its business and attract and train qualified employees to

ensure safe and quality repairs. AASP has grave concerns for its members’ future welfare if giant insurance corporations are permitted to trample on the free market philosophies that support a culture of small business success.”

John Shoemaker, of JSE Consulting, released the following statement; “The collision industry has weathered situations like this as in the Safelite Glass Program and Greenleaf salvaged parts program. Both these insurance company directed programs whittled away the shop owner’s ability to make a business decision that benefited the shop. All shop owners develop an expectation on how their business should operate as well as establishing the profit margins necessary to ensure survivability. They have developed business partnerships with local businesses to ensure that their profit margins are maintained. In-turn the local business have relocated stores to become more convenient, stocked more parts and negotiated with shop owners to maintain an edge on their market. The State Farm Parts Program negates these partnerships

ASA Says it is ‘Fact Finding’ on State Farm’s PartsTrader

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is conducting a multi-segmented fact-finding mission on State Farm's new electronic parts procurement program “to ensure the information collected and provided to the ASA membership and the broader industry is as accurate and thorough as possible.”

An ASA Collision Division team consisting of operations committee members and staff recently interviewed George Avery, State Farm’s claims consultant, regarding the pilot program. ASA has since posed some follow-up questions and will issue further statements as conversations continue.

Several additional interviews are being set up with other industry parties involved in the program. ASA says that as each exchange is factchecked for clarity, updates will be shared with ASA members and the industry at large.

“State Farm’s pilot program has a potential to have a tremendous impact on the collision repair industry and the motoring public,” said Denise Caspersen, ASA Collision Division manager. “It is vital for ASA to approach this situation methodically with an emphasis on facts to ensure that the results of the pilot are in the best interest of the collision repairer.

ASA has an obligation to provide our membership, and the industry, as much factual information as possible – just as State Farm has an obligation to answer the community’s concerns.

ASA also has a responsibility to address issues directly with the parties involved to provide recommendations and solutions benefitting repairers, consumers and the industry.”

Several of ASA’s volunteer leaders representing the collision repair membership also spoke with Rob Cooper, CEO of PartsTrader LLC. ASA’s questions focused on implementation plans, supplier qualifications, data extraction and quality checks on recommended parts. ASA is also following up with Cooper with additional questions and comments.

“This pilot program, which reaches beyond the insurer/repairer relationship, is at a pivotal point to potentially allow adjustments to the program as a result of industry input and analysis,” said Caspersen.

“If this tool is to go forward and benefit the entire industry, it requires transparency, mutual understanding and collaboration. ASA is committed to a collaborative process that produces the best possible outcome for the collision repairer. ASA says the key questions are the financial impact of the program on body shops.

8 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

forcing shop owner’s to purchase parts from an unknown outside their market.

As insurance companies move farther away from insuring vehicles and go deeper into the repair process shop owners will see further erosion of their ability to run their business. First it was glass, now it is parts, tomorrow it could be paint.

“Another issue I have with the State Farm Parts Program is the distraction it has caused in the collision industry. Every blog I read, every magazine I open up and every shop owner I talk to has the State Farm Parts Program on top of their mind.

Everybody is up-in-arms about it and not paying attention to the immediate tasks on hand. If you look around you will see that this program has caused distractions far beyond parts!

“My last thought on this is that shops are dropping State Farm as a DRP, up to 40% in some markets and State Farm does not care. They are contacting shops that were previously dropped from the DRP program for multiple reasons and signing them back up if they agree to the parts program. Does that mean that you can be a poor performer and as long as you

accept their parts program you are good again?”

See additional reaction at www.autobodynews.com, including SCRS’ statement and Scott Biggs’ blog: “State Farm – Parts Trader: It’s about losing profit, control, and your very survival” which can be read at ScottBiggs.com. See also the Insurance Insider column, this issue.

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

Place an ad in our AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE section of Autobody News.

800-699-8251 kmangum@autobodynews.com

North Freeway Hyundai

The right part makes the difference.

www.northfreewayhyundai.com www. ww w.no w. nort no rthf rt hfre hf reew re eway ew ayhy ay hyun hy unda un dai.i.i.co da com co m

• N.L.S. Delivery • Genuine Hyundai OEM Parts • • Helpful Staff • 30+ Years Experience •

866.645.4986

Fax: 832.446.4081

Hours: Mon-Fri 7am-6pm; Sat 7.30am-4pm 13915 I45 North • Houston, TX 77090

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

Louisiana Insurance Commissioner and U.S. Treasury Join Forces in Campaign to Target Money Laundering Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon and James H. Freis, Jr., Director of the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) within the U.S. Treasury, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at boosting anti-fraud efforts.

The MOU, signed April 27, will allow Freis, as the nation’s federal Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulator and Commissioner Donelon, as the insurance regulator for the state of Louisiana, to share important information enabling both parties to better protect the industry and consumers from criminal activity and fraud.

The new MOU will allow both parties to improve and enhance the level of AML cooperation and seeks to efficiently maximize their combined resources in discharging their statutory obligations to defend against money laundering, fraud and other financial crime. The collective goal is to enhance communication and coordination between FinCEN and the Louisiana Department of Insurance to help Louisiana insurance companies better identify, deter and

interdict financial crime and efficiently convey that information to FinCEN. With the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, Louisiana becomes the first state to partner with FinCEN. “This is a significant tool that will enhance our efforts to better protect our consumers from fraud and other criminal activity,” said Commissioner Donelon.

“FinCEN looks forward to forming new partnerships with state insurance regulators to share information to detect and deter illicit financial activity including insurance fraud,” said Director Freis.

“FinCEN has a solid record of working with state financial regulators. Commissioner Donelon’s influential role as president-elect of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners will help set the standard for other states to follow.”

www.autobodynews.com CHECK IT OUT!

SCRS Hosts Standards Meeting in Oklahoma City

On April 25th, the Society of Colli- as the standard of repair for our insion Repair Specialists (SCRS) dustry.” hosted a face-to-face meeting of naThe work group established key tional repair associations, I-CAR, contacts, further refined the commuthe OEM Roundtable and the vast nications strategy and developed majority of the top automakers in agenda items and tasks which were Oklahoma City prior to the start of assigned as internal action items. Parthe Collision Industry Conference ticipants exchanged reports from each (CIC). of the organizations involved, includThe meeting was a continuation ing a report from I-CAR on the of the major step more than two dozen progress of their consideration to faadditional state, regional, national and cilitate an industry council as request international collision repair organi- by the repair community in Novemzations took last November, recogniz- ber of 2011. Future meetings, timeing OEM repair procedures as the lines and work product were industry’s official repair “standard” discussed as the groups came to confor collision repair. This meeting fur- sensus on the next steps to presenting ther advanced the unified efforts and easily attainable technical standards served as an opportunity to take sig- of care for collision repair. nificant next actions in a coordinated effort by all parties by establishing a About SCRS tangible working agenda and action- Through its direct members and 39 afable items. filiate associations, SCRS is com“A clear takeaway from each of prised of 6,000 collision repair the meetings we have held is that the businesses and 58,500 specialized progroup indeed is powered with a fessionals who work with consumers clearly defined sense of purpose,” and insurance companies to repair colstated SCRS Chairman Aaron Clark. lision-damaged vehicles. Additional Giveis us yourconsensus opinion affecting the industry.

“There complete thaton ourmatters information about SCRS including task at hand is to ensure that collision other news releases is available at the repairers across the nation are able to SCRS website: www.scrs.com . You easily access and attain the technical can e-mail SCRS at the following adinformation that has been recognized dress: info@scrs.com publisher@autobodynews.com

write us!

A Smart Solution To advertise call Advertising Sales at:

800-699-8251 e-mail:

advertising@autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

• Simple drive in access providing a completely unique and fully enclosed working environment.

• Patented technology uses a massive 179 square ft. filter area including Triple Layer Paint Arrest filters.

• High Volume Low Pressure airflow technology including airlock access.

• Meets the emission requirements of 98% capture efficiency. (EPA- RULE 6H)

CSS USA, Inc. Phone: (904) 567-3825 (866) 910-0889 www.carcoonusa.com info@carcoonusa.com

THE CARCOON WORKSTATION The source for timely

information that every body shop needs!

CALL 800-699-8251 Start Your FREE Mail Subscription.

See the NEW

Autobody News Website www.autobodynews.com

To advertise call Sean Hartman at:

800-699-8251 e-mail:

shartman@autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

10 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

To advertise call Joe Momber at:

800-699-8251 e-mail:

jmomber@autobodynews.co

www.autobodynews.com

Register Your Em

Free Monthly

at www.autobod

DeFatta stayed at the shop and was working under a frame machine when he heard the tornado sirens go off. He went outside to watch the storm.

“I’m from Texas,” DeFatta said.

“In Texas, you can watch the tornados because you can see them coming. So, I went outside looking for it. That was my takeaway lesson from this,” he laughed. “Don’t stand outside looking for a tornado.” The tornado came wrapped in swirling, heavy rain, making it impossible to see. “I never saw it, never heard it. It just came.” DeFatta, who has been in town for only a few years, is told by the older folks in town that it’s a rare occurrence for a tornado to hit the heart of Norman.

Today, DeFatta says the town is still cleaning up. “Overall, we had mild damage but there are still messes, tree limbs, to clean up.” Damage to cars in town is making the shop busier these days too.

Continued from Cover

Friday the 13th

door that was left open in his haste to reach safety. “I was holding onto the frame rack thinking I was going for a ride with it.”

Phillip DeFatta

While his shop suffered no damage, the building next door was destroyed and is now being demolished.

Two cars, both owned by DeFatta, were damaged in the parking lot. One vehicle was totaled and the other nearly totaled.

Less than 30 minutes before the tornado hit, DeFatta heard the news on the radio about an approaching storm and he sent his five employees home.

Search:

Autobody News on Facebook

Museum for Ford’s Model A

ASA Asks Texans to Help Fix the Franchise Tax Code

Construction is underway in southern Michigan on a museum celebrating Ford Motor Co.’s Model A. Officials with the Gilmore Car Museum hope to finish construction on the Model A Ford Museum by Labor Day. The museum will be housed in a building designed to resemble one of the Dearborn-based automaker’s old dealerships. The museum is being built at Hickory Corners, about 115 miles west Organizers say it will be the largest public museum dedicated to the Model A, which was built in the late 1920s and early 1930s following the wild success of Ford’s Model T.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is concerned about inequities in the Texas Tax Code. Currently, in the Texas Franchise Tax Code, automotive repair and collision shops owned and operated by new or used car dealerships are taxed at half the rate used to tax independently-owned automotive repair businesses doing identical work. The tax code classifies dealership sales as “retail” and allows their service and repair business to be included under that banner. Texas independent repairers are seeking similar treatment.

Fiat of Austin, located at 11011 Domain Drive in the Texas state capital, sold 107 Fiat 500s in April, or about three percent of the new brand’s 3,849 sales across 158 dealers. Pretty good for a year-old dealership with just under 6,000-square-feet of showroom space and a single lineup to sell. Fiat expects Austin, Texas to be one of its top markets for the Fiat 500. The Nyle Maxwell Auto Group owns Fiat of Austin which features the car on a rotating stage similar to a fashion runway.

The Van Tuyl Group of Irving, TX, will host a chili contest to benefit the March of Dimes on June 2 from 3-5 p.m. at 8333 Royal Ridge Parkway.

Every dollar raised by this event will be donated to March of Dimes to help them reach their goal of every baby being born healthy. Admission is free!

Besides the best-dang chili this side of Terlingua, this event will include: Sprint Cup Series No. 5 Farmers Car, activities for the kids, vendor expo, raffle, silent auction and a live auction.

Fiat of Austin Sells More than 100 of its only Vehicle

Van Tuyl Group Holds March of Dimes Chili Contest Benefit

SICK & TIRED of DEALING with AFTERMARKET, RECYCLED and RECONDITIONED PARTS? OE remanufactured parts are different and a far better value!

Step 1

Scan the QR code and watch our video.

Step 2 Place an order with one of these fine distributors and experience the difference.

• Competitively priced • Limited lifetime warranty • Only NEW factory original parts

• NEVER in a wreck or taken off a wreck!

• Refinished, NOT reconditioned = best value for alternative part • Why settle for recycled or reconditioned when you can use refinished?

LOUISIANA Lamarque Ford 504-443-2141 Fax: 504-463-1283 mikehellmers@lamarque.com

TEXAS Gullo Ford Conroe 936-756-8860 Fax: 936-441-1031 parts@gulloford.com

Trophy Nissan, Mesquite 800-876-7696 Fax: 972-279-9574 mglazier@vtaig.com .com

OKLAHOMA United Ford PDC Tulsa 800-800-9001 Fax: 800-676-8509 adodson@penskeautomotive.com

Mac Haik Ford, Lincoln, Houston 713-932-5050 Fax: 713-932-5044 jquintero@machaik.com

Russell & Smith Ford, rd, Houston 800-392-1983 Fax: 713-664-0965 fordparts@russellsmith.com ll ith.

www.oeremandirect.com ndir t.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

Inside Insurance

The Insider is a corporate-level executive with a Top 10 auto insurer in the U.S.. Got a comment or question you’d like to see him address in a future column? Email him at Auto.Insurance.Insider@gmail.com

Is the State Farm Elephant in the Room a Bad Elephant? with The Insurance Insider

This is an interesting story and I don’t tinually raising it. I realize it’s not enknow quite where to start. How about: tirely the shops’ fault, but I can assure Elvis has just entered the building and you that when shops are repairing one Chasidy Rae of Sisk nobody noticed. with Is it possible for Elvis their own vehicles, they’re looking to walk into a room and take a seat yet harder for the best price on parts. have nobody notice that the King is in the house? It’s impossible, right?

Well, it seems just as impossible that collision repairers didn’t mention State Farm and with parts atChasidy the most reRae Sisk cent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting. They are the most common words ‘affectionately’ uttered by body shops owners throughout the country these days. So how is it possible that during one of the industry’s biggest stages, CIC, there wasn’t even a mention?

Yes, there were some sidebar conversations during breaks. Yes, there was a lot of discussion at an associaWe all have a responsibility to be tion meeting held in conjunction with cost-conscious when spending someCIC. And yes, there have been some one else’s money. When you repair a press releases. customer’s vehicle, you are spending But when everyone had a chance THEIR money. Yes, you are spending to address State Farm publicly, no- THEIR MONEY. I don’t care if it’s an body noticed that the elephant was in insurance claim. The money the inthe room. I know the elephant was surance company pays you is from the there. insured’s premiums.

Maybe a gag order was issued?

If you understand and respect that Maybe the industry felt that State concept, you would treat an insurance Farm deserved a break? Or could it be claim like it was a customer-pay job that the industry realized that it’s not from a family member. Instead, we as bad as some have made it out to be? have an industry that couldn’t care I am among those who think State less about the cost of parts because Farm’s parts move isn’t as bad as they aren’t paying for them and will some make it out to be. While there make more money by choosing the are pros and cons, the reality is that highest-priced parts. overall it’s a good thing. If State Farm Don’t all of us have a responsibildidn’t take the lead on this, the indus- ity to make sure the customer’s car is try would have continued to flounder repaired in the most cost-effective around for years to come. The ineffi- manner possible? If the answer is cient parts ordering model employed ‘yes,’ why are body shops all over the by the collision repairers is archaic country crying foul? If State Farm was and wasteful. trying to eliminate your parts profit, Why wouldn’t State Farm want a like an ill-fated pilot program many shop to order the most cost-effective years ago, then you’d have a right to part on a given repair? Why should complain. But finding the most costState Farm have to reimburse a shop effective part shouldn’t be something for a more expensive part if the exact insurers have to ask or require you to same part is available at a cheaper do. You should have been doing it price? Paying more for the same part since the first car entered your buildis a waste of insured’s premium dol- ing. lars.

Although insurance companies If shops were more cost-con- inserting themselves into the body scious over the past 10 years, insurers shop’s business isn’t a popular submay have been in a position to lower ject, you might as well get used to it. the cost of insurance instead of con- I’ve been around this industry long

Northeast News Shop Showcase

enough to know that unless an insurance company requires it, it’s not going to happen. Allstate requiring CCC’s first estimating system facilitated the widespread adoption of electronic estimating. If that didn’t happen, we might still be writing estimates by hand.

Why is Allstate requiring their direct repair shops to be I-CAR Gold Class? It’s because the vast majority of the industry doesn’t want to invest money into training.

Shops shouldn’t be forced to keep up with the latest technology and repair methodologies.

They should be seeking training without any interference or mandate by an

Mainstream Media

12 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

insurance company. But they don’t.

There are many other examples of insurance companies changing the industry but I think my point has been made. When there are inefficiencies in the system, money to be saved or a better way to serve the customer, unless an insurance company decides to play the role of the evil villain, shops aren’t going to do it willingly.

If the majority of shops were operating at a high level (as a few are), there would be no reason for any carrier to manage the shops’ business. Insurance companies are similar to the government. You are better served resolving the problem yourself, otherwise your fate will be decided for you.

Elvis sang a song titled, “Don’t Ask Me Why.” The next time you are at an industry meeting and want to complain about insurance companies taking over the industry, remember the King’s song…and this article.

Chevyland NEED GM PARTS?? You’re in go good ood hands.

Largest Inventory in Tri-State Area!

800-551-8189 (318) 425-3417 - (318) 425-1705 Fax

WE DELIVER TO TX, OK and LA. Bud Nelson Outside Sales

Skeeter Raney

Order in by 5pm, Arrives Next Day 7:00am - 6:00pm M-F Online Parts Look-ups Jeral Lawler, Parts Mgr. We price match!

Call for quote.

Outside Sales

www.chevyland.com 7500 Youree Dr., Shreveport, LA 71037

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

Northeast News

Chasidy Rae Sisk is a freelance technical writer from Wilmington, Delaware, who writes on a variety of fields and subjects, and grew up in a family of NASCAR fans.

She can be contacted at crsisk@chasidyraesisk.com.

Larry Montanez Talks OEM Procedures and Repair Standards with Chasidy Rae Sisk

After listening to Larry Montanez classes, six of which have been apIII of P & L Consultants discuss OEM proved for the Rhode Island Training procedures and repair standards at Certification program. with Chasidy Rae Sisk AASP NORTHEAST™ in March this year, I wanted to know more about OEM Procedures him and his company.

In discussing OEM procedures, MonFirst, a little personal history. As tanez reasons that they exist to provide a teenager, Montanez was all but obOEMs with liability protection and besessive about cars, both in real life and cause of component failure as supon TV. Enamored with the Batmobile, ported by testing, in addition to the he remembers that fast American muspressure from government regulacle cars were—then and now— tions, consumer advocates, IIHS crash “where it’s at.” It’s became a lifelong testing and NHTSA investigations, fascination. lawsuits and court decisions and deAs an adult, he became involved fects attributed to design flaws. OEM in the auto body industry as a fabricaposition statements were created for tor and welder focused on customizathe purposes of or because of OEM litions and restorations. Around 2000, ability protection, components failures Montanez became an I-CAR instrucsupported by case studies, lawsuits tor, and about six months later, he and and court decisions, re-engineering his mentor, Peter Pratti, decided to design flaws, ensuring safe repairs and begin a consulting business aimed at product, copyright and trademark proteaching both sides of the business to tection. both sides of the business, auto body shops and insurance agencies, in an efRepair Standards fort to prove that everyone should be The desire for repair standards results able to get along and to work together from the influence of outside entities, to figure out how things should be or according to Montanez, “repair done. Montanez and Pratti strive to standards are made up by people who teach the same material in the same are trying to appease a different group exact way, regardless of their audiof people who have no business being ence. involved in collision repair, who are Montanez and Pratti began by looking to save money on it.” teaching classes on estimating as well Montanez notes that collision reas the triaging/blueprinting process, pairers want repair standards because providing two aspects of the same they are untrained and are reluctant to subject. Additionally, they offer search for them on OEM websites. classes on damage analysis, welding, MLO shop owners want them to structural repair, airbag knowledge make insurance “partners” happy and safety information. P & L Consince insurers desire repair standards sultants currently offers a dozen because they want to save money. Af-

Shop Showcase

termarket suppliers are also driven by greed and the desire to make sales, while many industry associations are influenced by insurers. Still, Montanez does not believe that the idea of creating repair standards is not completely wrong; he is just not comfortable with the parties involved as their reasons for wanting repair standards create a biased view.

If repair standards are created, Montanez insists that it should begin with the formation of an independent group comprised of OEM representatives, collision repairers, engineers, physicists, metallurgists, industry experts and I-Car Tech Center’s Jason Bartanen and Steve Marks. Additionally, repair standards should only be created where none currently exist and only after a request letter to the OEM has failed. They should also be supported by crash testing and computer animated drawings, and they should be reviewable every six months. Montanez points out that this process should not include insurance companies because “no one cares what the insurance companies think.”

Specifically, both OEM and aftermarket parts should be tested to prove that the aftermarket parts work just as well as OEM parts before their use is encouraged.

Montanez lists the pros of creating repair standards as follows: more available procedures, lower insurer costs, lower severity, fewer totaled vehicles, more repaired vehicles, better insurer relations, more use of used parts, more sectioning procedures and more parts options.

He also notes the following cons: more improper repairs, more liability exposure, more fatalities, more injuries, more diminished value lawsuits, more shop lawsuits, dangerous to motorists and more bad business decisions. The use of damaged components or inferior parts can lead to more injuries in collision because the vehicle will not react the way it should, and this can lead to catastrophic separation which becomes a hazard to the general driving public.

In the case of improper repairs, even if due to the parts requested by the insurance company, liability falls

Mainstream Media

CCC Becomes Exclusive Provider of UpdatePromise

CCC Information Services Inc. announced it is now the exclusive provider of the customer status update communications platform UpdatePromise.com for the automotive claims and collision repair industries.

The text message and emailbased UpdatePromise product will be rebranded as CCC ONE UpdatePlus, and will be integrated with the CCC ONE Total Repair platform, CCC said. The technology integration will make repair status and post-repair updates with customers and insurers automatic for shop users.

“CCC has been working with UpdatePromise for several months to develop an easier-to-use, integrated and more streamlined status update solution for the APD industry,” said Jim Dickens, senior vice president of CCC’s Automotive Services Group.

“With the CCC ONE platform, we have found that true integration is what drives efficiency and this is just another example of that philosophy at work.

“We’re very excited about how this can help repairers and insurers improve the customer experience.”

14 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

on the repair facility, the shop owner personally, the technician (in some states) and sublet jobbers. The supplier can also be sued, but the insurer will never be called to the courtroom for an improper repair. Because the shop is potentially liable, shops should inform the customer or the insurance company if they cannot repair cars that way to avoid liability issues.

In the instance of liability, safety factors are important, so only the OEM guidelines matter.

Because so much time, money and effort goes in to creating OEM procedures, these should always be adhered to. The goal behind their multiple engineering principles is to keep the occupants safe, therefore it is very important not to change the parameters of OEM guidelines. In order for repair standards to be made, a comparable amount of time, money and effort should be utilized. When OEM procedures are not available, a panel needs to collaborate to create repair standards to form a consensus that enhances the safety of collision repairs for all drivers and protects collision repair facilities from issues of liability.

Montanez reminds repairers that it generally takes three to four years to develop a vehicle, and manufacturers have spent many millions of dollars on designing and testing, using crash tests, CAAD drawings, algorithms and so forth, and their instructions need to be taken seriously.

Though some aftermarket parts are not very different from OEM parts, a problem arises if the OEM changes the substrate of their material which can change corrosion rates and multiple other variables. For example, using an aftermarket radiator that does not meet OEM standards can cause overheating which will not be covered under the OEM’s warranty.

These standards can be referenced at i-car.com or nastf.org. Both provide links to OEM websites. Alldata.com and autoepi.org also offer information on some OEM procedures. At www.autobodynews.com you can read a list of OEM guidelines to give you a minimal reminder on specific OEM cautions, processes and procedures.

Carroll Shelby—Race Driver, Designer, Industrialist—Dead at 89 Carroll Shelby International, Inc., announced that Carroll Hall Shelby, a man whose vision for performance transformed the automobile industry, died at age 89. Mr. Shelby passed away at Baylor Hospital in Dallas.

The cause of death was not disclosed.

Born on Jan. 11, 1923, Carroll Shelby was one of America’s greatest success stories. Championship-winning racecar driver, “flying sergeant” wartime pilot, philanthropist, entrepreneur, car manufacturer and racing team owner, he embodied the ingenuity, tenacity and grit to overcome any obstacle.

He is perhaps the only person to have worked at a visible level with all three major American automobile manufacturers.

Carroll Shelby founded Carroll Shelby International, a publicly held corporation involved in many indus-

tries. His licensing arm has agreements with industry giants, such as Mattel, Sony, Ford Motor Company and Electronic Arts. His car company, Shelby American, has a thriving parts business as well as a line of muscle cars including the Shelby GT500 Super Snake, Shelby GT350 and Shelby GTS. The Las Vegas-based company also manufactures a limited number of the 1960s Shelby 289 “street,” 289 FIA, 427 S/C and Daytona Coupe Cobras.

Shelby considered his greatest achievement to be the establishment of the Carroll Shelby Foundation™.

Created in 1992 while Shelby was waiting for a heart transplant, the charity is dedicated to providing medical assistance for those in need, including children, educational opportunities for young people through automotive and other training programs

and benefitting the Carroll Shelby Automotive Foundation.

Shelby remained active in the management of each of his companies and the Foundation until his death, even though he endured both heart and kidney transplants in the last two decades of his life.

“We are all deeply saddened, and feel a tremendous sense of loss for Carroll’s family, ourselves and the entire automotive industry,” said Joe Conway, president of Carroll Shelby International, Inc. and board member. “There has been no one like Carroll Shelby and never will be.

However, we promised Carroll we would carry on, and he put the team, the products and the vision in place to do just that.”

Shelby is survived by his three children Patrick, Michael and Sharon, his sister, Anne Shelby Ellison of Fort Worth, and his wife Cleo.

Donations to the Carroll Shelby Foundation are encouraged in lieu of flowers. Information about the Carroll Shelby Foundation is available at www.carrollshelbyfoundation.org.

Hit and Run Driver with 42 tickets lets Mother Take the Rap

A college student from Paoli, Chester County, is in a coma more than 1,000 miles from home after a hit-and-run driver plowed into Eliza Gresh in Miami, authorities say. The teen was crossing the street on April 27 when police say a hit and run driver plowed into Gresh. Police were looking for the car, a Mercedes Benz, and the driver, Luis Moya, 24.

The car showed up at an auto body shop a week later, but not with Luis. Behind the wheel was Moya’s mom, Zoila. She told the shop owner she had gotten into an accident, but the shop owner recognized the car from police descriptions and called investigators.

Police took Zoila into custody and got in touch with Luis Moya through his mother and told him if he did not turn himself in, they would arrest his mother and charge her with filing false and fraudulent insurance claims. Moya told them to go ahead and arrest her.

Luis Moya has received 42 traffic tickets in the last five years, including tickets for reckless and careless driving.

THE PROFESSIONAL CHOICE FOR GENUINE

GM PARTS

Manufacturer recommended parts are an important part of maintaining your vehicle’s optimum performance.

We offer the same high quality parts your vehicle was built with and we keep a large inventory of these genuine parts in stock at all times.

www.sdparts.com TOLL FREE: 800-888-4251 DIRECT: 806-798-4103 FAX: 806-798-4086

BUICK LACROSSE ‘10

SALES:

MON-FRI SAT

7:30 am-6:30 pm 8:30 am-12:30 pm

BUICK

5901 Spur 327 • Lubbock, TX 79424 www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

Industry Insight

John Yoswick is a freelance writer based in Portland, Oregon, who has a body shop in the family and has been writing about the automotive industry since 1988. He is the editor of the weekly CRASH Network (for a free 4-week trial subscription, visit www.CrashNetwork.com).

Contact him by email at jyoswick@SpiritOne.com.

Shops and Insurers Discuss Indemnification in DRP Contracts with John Yoswick

“I think for repairers it ultimately Should repairers be held solely responsible if a repair process or part comes down to this: If the contract is they choose fails—even if that process going to hold me to indemnify the inor part was chosen at the behest of an surer against anything caused by the with Ed Attanasio insurer? repair, then insurers should ultimately That was one of the questions at say, ‘You’re responsible for indemnithe heart of a panel discussion on “in- fying us, so you make all the (repair) demnification” at the Collision Indus- decisions and we’ll pay you for what try Conference (CIC) held in the repair is,’ ” panelist Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the SoOklahoma City in late April.

Rick Tuuri,with who Ed chairs CIC’s ciety of Collision Repair Specialists Attanasio “Insurer-Repairer Relations Commit- (SCRS), said. “I think most repairer tee,” said the topic was triggered by would be fine with that. I think where the indemnification clause found in the issue comes is when insurers start many direct repair agreements. That to be involved in the process by specclause requires the participating shop ifying part types or repair proceto “indemnify” (or “hold harmless”) dures—to identity how the repair shop the insurer, which could prevent the does their job –while also asking to be shop from pursing a legal claim indemnified against anything that reagainst the insurer, or make the shop sults from that. If there’s involvement responsible to compensate or defend in the decision-making process, I the insurer in a legal claim arising think the repairer believes there from repairs made under the agree- should also be involvement in the liability.” ment.

Shop Showcase

Social Media for Shops

Oklahoma shop owner Gary Wano agreed. He said he thinks that, indemnification or not, if a problem occurs based on a repair, the shop and insurer will both find themselves in court.

“The argument from the repairer standpoint is that if the insurer…had left me to do what I do—put the part on I want to put on, or do the operation the way I wanted to do it— Gary Wano none of us would be in that court to begin with,” Wano said.

Perhaps not surprisingly, insurers on the panel viewed the issue differently. Allstate’s Randy Hanson said that, first, he’s not sure it’s much a topic of concern. He said that in the decades he’s been involved with his

company’s DRP, he doesn’t recall a question from shops coming up about it.

“I can also say in 30-plus years, I have not once evoked an indemnification clause in a contract for a DRP partner,” Hanson said. “Not once.”

He said five of the six indemnification elements in the Allstate DRP agreement have nothing to do with repair issues. They prohibit such things as a shop making a claim against the insurer if a shop employee makes a workers’ compensation claim, or someone having repaired vehicles under the agreement seeking Allstate employee benefits.

But Hanson said Allstate needs repairers to fix cars for its policyholders, so if concerns about indemnification prevented enough shops from signing the agreement, his company would have to find ways to address that.

Classic BMW

www.classicbmw.com 800-865-4269

Call us for all your parts needs We stock almost $2 million dollars worth of Original BMW Parts Our parts team has 350+ years of collective experience with 200+ of those BMW specific We’re the Only BMW Dealer to receive two shipments daily to both an authorized and certified collision repair center

Classic BMW 6800 Dallas Pkwy., Plano, TX 75024 www.classicbmw.com Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm / No Deliveries on Saturday 16 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Original BMW Parts & Accessories Mitch Mitchell Sandy Priesmeyer Javier Perez

(800) 865-4269 Fax: (214) 778-2814 Habla Español

“I don’t want to be so crass as to say take it or leave it, but they’re not going away.” Hanson said of the indemnification clauses. “Everybody is protecting themselves to a certain extent. To an extent that we can’t do business together? Let’s have a conversation. I’m open for that. I think we’ll listen. And I think we’ll make changes where it’s appropriate.”

Panelist George Avery, a claims consultant with State Farm, said at first that like Hanson, he hasn’t seen the indemnification clause being much of an issue for shops on his company’s direct repair program. But he also said State Farm did make a significant change to its indemnification clause.

“Our initial Select Service agreement did have a 1-way hold-harmless against us,” Avery said. “It was in our benefit. As a result of input from our (repairer) advisory council, we changed that and now it’s both ways.

We added a two-way hold-harmless for both the repairer and for us.”

But he also pointed out that some of what shops consider insurer involvement in the repair process is driven by the insurer’s policy contract

with its customers. He said State Farm’s insurance policy, for example, says it can designate the type of replacement parts for which it owes.

“George has a good point: The policy is the policy,” Schulenburg conceded. “You’ve set an expectation with your policyholder on what you owe for. I don’t think there’s an issue there at all. You owe for what you contracted for. However, there are third-party claimants, and they don’t have a policy with you.”

Schulenburg also pointed out that insurers attempt to involve themselves in repair decisions beyond just parts.

The policy doesn’t inform the consumer that the insurer may say, “We’re going to section this rail here versus putting it in at a factory seam,” Schulenburg said.

He said that intrusion by insurers into the repair process, pressing shops to do something that deviates from OEM recommendations or their own repairers expertise, is why shops are concerned about the indemnification clause.

Speaking from the floor of CIC, California shop owner Randy Stabler raised several other concerns he has

related to indemnification. He said the fact that Avery and Hanson haven’t seen indemnification result in an issue doesn’t mean it couldn’t.

“I’ve never had a fire in my shop, but I have fire insurance,” Stabler cited as an analogy.

He also said it would seem fair that insurers cross-indemnify shops, in case an adjustor, for example, slips and falls while at the shop, or makes inappropriate comments to a shop employee that results in a claim against the shop. He also pointed out that shops have business insurance to protect themselves in the case of an error or omission, but that insurer offering that coverage is basing that policy on protecting the shop, not Randy Stabler the insurer with which the shop has a contract.

“When you actually go to your (business) insurance company and say here’s my DRP agreement and they actually look at that, they go, ‘Ooooh.

Ooooh. We don’t like that so much.’

So that’s another practical issue we have to be aware of.”

• Toyota Star Elite Dealer • Free Delivery to All of Texas • Free Toyota Electronic Parts Catalogue for our Wholesale Customers

Schulenburg pointed out that the indemnification discussion came about as part of the committee’s effort to craft a set of guidelines for the “most beneficial and productive repairer-insurer relationships.”

“So insurers could say, ‘Look, it’s in there; you should read your documents and if you don’t like it, don’t sign it,’ and repairers could say, ‘Let me fix the car and get out of my business.’ But neither of those things really get us to the goal of this committee, which is to build better relationships between the two parties.”

To that end, committee chairman Tuuri said he drafted a position statement on the topic that reads in part, “Indemnification clauses in DRP agreements…should be fair to both insurer and repairers.”

Wano, Avery and Schulenburg said that initially that seemed like a good addition to the committee’s guidelines for mutually-beneficial insurer-shop relationships.

“We’re not solving the world’s problems here,” Wano conceded. “But as long as the carriers and repairers are willing to sit down and take a look at these things…”

Toyota

of LAREDO Call Toll Free:

888-818-5176 Fax Your Order:

956-718-4234

Parts Dept.

D Hours: Monday - Friday: 7:30am - 6pm Saturday: 8:30am - 5pm www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

I-CAR Tech

This article first appeared in the I-CAR Advantage Online, which is published and distributed free of charge. I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a not-for-profit international training organization that researches and develops quality technical education programs related to collision repair. To learn more about I-CAR, and to subscribe to the free publication, visit http://www.i-car.com.

Bonding and Rivet Bonding Technology on Steel BMW Vehicle Parts As BMW Groups’ vehicle construcAnother reason for bonding and tion technology advances, so does the rivet bonding is the increased corrorepair process required to fix them sion resistance of the repair joints. properly. Conventional welding, Corrosion protection is extremely imwhich has been used primarily in portant during repairs because BMW BMW Groups’ repair processes in the offers a 12-year corrosion warranty. past, is slowly becoming the secondary method to bonding and rivet bond- Repair Overview ing technology. BMW currently The recommended BMW sectioning recommends primarily using bonding joint on outer body panels requires a with Lee Amaradio Jr. and rivet bonding to replace exterior pre-fabricated E-coated reinforcement body panels, structural parts, and sec- plate, available from BMW, along tioning specific locations in conjunc- with VIN-specific repair information. tion with VIN-specific repair The sectioning joint locations are in a procedures. Changes in recommended similar area as the previously recomrepair procedures affect all current mended weld joint, but may have production models. This does not moved to accommodate the reinforcemean that all models, and all parts, are ment plate. The reinforcement plate affected though. Consulting VIN-spe- has studs built into the part. This recific repair procedures should always quires notches to be placed into the be the first step in the repair process. existing part and the new part.

The same is true for Mini and for Special plastic lock nuts are used Rolls-Royce vehicles (see Figure 1). to hold the parts in position until the adhesive cures. If the joint calls for them, rivets, which may be special blind rivets or punch rivets (also called self-piercing rivets or SPRs), are then installed on mating flange areas where applicable. When the adhesive is cured, the studs on the reinforcement plate are removed and the surface is prepared for the application of the BMW-recommended epoxy metal filler.

Figure 1 - This BMW 5 Series has several parts The sectioning procedure for a that need to be rivet bonded withduring Danrepairs Espersen rail is similar to an outer body panel.

BMW Group has been recomThe difference is this repair joint uses mending bonding and rivet bonding a repair element that fits into the rail. techniques to replace damaged aluA bolt is inserted into the repair eleminum parts for over a decade. The ment. When the bolt is tightened recommendation has now been brought to repairs on steel vehicles. The theory behind the repair of both aluminum and steel parts is similar, although the adhesives and preparation material used can vary by the repair situation and the materials being joined (see Figure 2).

Amaradio Explains CRA

Consumer Callout

Still Some Welding Bonding and rivet bonding does not replace all welding procedures for BMW. There are some areas that will still require welding to be done. These areas can only be identified with the correct repair information.

Tools and Equipment Availability All of the tools and parts, including the reinforcement plates, repair elements, rivets, and adhesives needed to complete bonding and rivet bonding procedures for BMW are available to independent collision repair facilities.

It is highly recommended, however, that before any repairs are attempted, the technician acquire training from BMW on the tools and techniques to correctly perform these repairs. It is also critical to have access to the most current and up-to-date repair procedures and sectioning locations from BMW.

Conclusion BMW recommends primarily using adhesive bonding and rivet bonding to replace exterior body panels, frame rails, and when sectioning. The repairs are vehicle specific and require special tools, equipment, and procedures.

BMW recommends specific training before doing these repairs, and having access to their specific repair information.

The recommended change in repair procedures from BMW is just one of the many examples of the challenges that collision repairers face on today’s HSS and UHSS vehicles.

While traditional repair methods are still used on these vehicles, how and where those repair methods are used is constantly changing. For more information on working on HSS and UHSS vehicles, attend I-CAR’s Best Practices For High-Strength Steel Repairs (SPS09) course.

Gene Messer Hyundai We’re ready to serve you!

ALL OEM Information

The Right Cause with Mike Causey

Reasons for the Change There are several reasons that BMW has made the transition from conventional welding and STRSW to bonding and rivet bonding. One of the main reasons is the use of heat-sensitive steel. With bonding and rivet bonding, there is no heat generated that would weaken the steel, allowing the steel to retain its strength.

Figure 2 - The repairs on this aluminum front end are similar to the repairs on steel vehicles

down, the repair element expands against the inside of the rail, causing the adhesive to emerge. The bolt is removed once the rivets have been installed and the adhesive is cured.

www.genemesserhyundai.com • Large Inventory • Experienced Sales Staff

888.786.8128

with Janet Chaney

Fax: 806.785.2238 csides@genemesser.com

Hours: Mon-Fri 7:00am-7:00pm; Sat 8:00am-6:00pm 4025 W Loop 289 • Lubbock, TX 79407

Automaker Actions and Announcements

18 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

• Genuine Hyundai Parts • Exceptional Service

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

The Community-Focused Body Shop

Domenico Nigro is the president of Nigro’s Auto Body, a very progressive shop for their community in Philadelphia. In addition to many productivity innovations, Nigro’s installs equipment for disabled drivers, has developed several phone Applications, and represents products which directly support charities such as United Way and the National Breast Cancer Foundation. Contact him at: nigroautobody@comcast.net.

Domenico Nigro’s Q&A with Chuck Gosney of Collision Billing with Domenico Nigro

The following is an interview with Domenico: For years, there have been Chuck Gosney, President of Collision consultants that have been telling Billing, a company that could help shops how to get paid by using the reference manuals, P-Pages, and other bring the changes the collision with JanetindusCheney tips on writing a complete sheet. How try desperately needs. In this interview, Domenico Nigro asks some are you different? direct questions on exactly how this Chuck: The other consultants do a company could bring needed change. great job of explaining what is inDomenico: Chuck, what exactly is cluded and not included and what to with Frank Sherosky Collision Billing? ask for. We have all been to their workshops and get excited and go out Chuck: Collision Billing was cre- on Monday and start writing repair orated to keep the insurance compa- ders the way we should. When you nies in check and to help the auto ask for those things, the insurance body shops get paid for the work company’s response is that they don’t they are doing. Nobody was repre- pay for that and the shop has no resenting the shops, so we created course to get paid for it and they stop Collision Billing to level the playing asking for it. What the shop is lacking field. We have two main services is data to substantiate the operation, or that we provide for the collision in- someone who will challenge the industry, the first being our Full surance company on the shop’s beBilling Services, and, of course, our half. That’s where we come in, and Claims Database. that’s how we’re different.

Shop Showcase

Industry Business Beat

20 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Domenico: How does your full billing services work?

Chuck: Our full billing services are similar to the professional billing services used in the medical field, and much like a medical biller, we work with the shop in submitting their final blueprint for repair to the insurance company. We work with the shop to make sure they are billing for all operations performed to repair their customer’s vehicle to pre-accident condition. We then use data gathered from our experience and our claims database to justify the charges to the insurance company.

Domenico: So you simply submit the finished paperwork to the insurance company once the job is done?

Chuck: Actually, we work the job from the moment the car arrives at the

shop to the time the shop receives final payment for the job. The estimator writes the original blueprint for repair and we take over from there, adding any additional R&I or other operations that may have been missed.

From that point forward, we handle all communication with the insurance company. We then make them justify why they refuse to pay by using our arsenal of tools and experience to show them the validity of the operation.

Domenico: So what has been the response so far?

Chuck: Given our knowledge of the three major estimating platforms, the P-Pages, database reference manuals and our Claims Database, we have been very successful in getting our clients paid on the work they have performed. We have helped shops get

paid for operations where previously they were told “We don’t pay for that” and we were able to show that the insurance prevailing rates were not accurate to get some shops their true labor rates.

Domenico: I’m familiar with the PPages and reference manuals, but what exactly is the Claims Database?

Chuck: The Claims Database is our number one tool in assisting our clients in getting paid. It’s where we track different components of the estimates and log them for future use. For example, we can find if a certain insurance company has paid for a specific operation (such as a finish sand and buff or test drive car), paid for itemized materials, or are even suppressing the labor rates for the area with deceptive estimating practices. It’s real simple. We submit this data to prove our point.

Domenico: That sounds like it would be extremely useful. Do shops have to use your billing service to get access to that information?

Chuck: Actually, we realized early on how powerful the data was, and we wanted to make it available to the masses. So we created a subscription model that allows shops to submit their estimates along with the corresponding insurance estimates to contribute to the database. They can then request from Collision Billing information to be sent to an adjustor on specific operations or rates. To follow our earlier example, let’s say an insurance company claims they won’t pay for finish sand and buff, so we then show them examples of where they have. Now, it’s up to them to justify why the operation is paid on one side of town, but not on the other.

Domenico: You have mentioned a few times that you will pursue payment. What is meant by that and how far are you willing to take it?

Chuck: We are collecting and tracking a lot of information. We will use that information to get our members paid, period. We see trends where insurance companies have “policies” that they don’t pay for specific opera-

tions. We don’t see any justification for their “policies,” especially when the information providers state that those are not included operations. We will challenge them to do what’s right and start paying for the operations, and if we have to, we will take them to court. One of our partners and legal council, Erica Eversman, has successfully won many cases. With the data we are collecting, we will be able to achieve on a global scale what she has accomplished at the local and state level. This data can also be used to share with both the Department of Insurance and the States Attorney Generals to show patterns of unfair trade practices.

For more information on Collision Billing, call 517-489-4280 or go to www.collisionbilling.com.

All opinions presented are those of the author. Autobody News does not endorse or recommend any company or service discussed by columnists in the course of their editorial submissions.

www.autobodynews.com CHECK IT OUT!

ABRA Opens 20th Body Shop Location in Macon, GA

A vacant former car dealership in north Bibb County is becoming a new body shop. Minnesota-based ABRA Auto Body & Glass bought the 20,129 square-foot former BMW dealership at 111 Riverside Parkway in Macon, GA, and spent nearly four months renovating the building, said David Kulkis, regional business development director in Atlanta.

“We believe it’s an excellent market for our business model,” Kulkis said. “And the research we did indicates we should be very successful there. It fits the profile and what we look for size, cost to renovate it, visibility from the road, proximity in the city and where the growth is (located).” The store is expected to open with about seven employees “but will grow rapidly,” he said. “We will eventually have about 30 people.”

This will be ABRA’s 123rd location in the country and the 20th in Georgia, Kulkis said.

Since the company has been “very, us your opinion on ma veryGive successful in Atlanta,” it wanted another location in this area, he said.

ABRA opened a location on Carl Vinson Parkway in Warner Robins in January. publisher@autob

write

• Spraybooths • Prep Stations To advertise The source for timely call Advertising Sales at: information that every • Mixing Rooms 800-699-8251 body shop needs! e-mail: • Waterborne Systems CALL 800-699-8251

advertising@autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

Start Your FREE Mail Subscription.

See the NEW

Autobody News Website www.autobodynews.com ECOTECH SYSTEMS LLC

To advertise call Sean Hartman at:

800-699-8251 800 e-mail:

Call your local distributor Eco Tech Systems at:

524-0340

shartman@autobodynews.com

www.accudraftpaintbooths.com

www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

DuPont™ Cromax® Pro is the Ultimate Upgrade for Your Refinish Painting Process

The transition to waterborne paint is well underway countrywide. Today, volatile organic compounds (VOC) in paints are seen as harmful to the environment and because of that many states in the U.S. have enacted regulations that are making auto body shops switch to waterborne basecoat to reduce VOC emissions while ensuring they meet all standards.

Europe and Canada already use waterborne and many OEM’s have also converted to using water-based paints. Most paint companies are developing new low-VOC primers and clearcoats along with color coats to meet the expected regulations that the entire country will need to comply with in the coming years.

Auto body shop owners will tell you, the change to water is happening and the majority agree that it is not as difficult or as costly as many first suspected. The decision on choosing which waterborne paint to use can be critical to shop productivity.

DuPont™ Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat is helping shops meet all of the new requirements while also meeting production goals. Cromax® Pro is formulated with 88% less solvent but 25% more pigment. The results have been astonishing. Painters are calling it the easiest waterborne to use and most productive waterborne basecoat available. Cromax® Pro also complies with the toughest emissions regulations and helps to reduce cycle times and improve shop efficiency.

“DuPont did more than formulate a basecoat to help our customers meet all of the environmental regulations,” said Harry Hall, DuPont Performance Coatings North America Sales Director. “With Cromax® Pro, you can paint cars faster than ever before.

And that speed of production improves your bottom line.”

Cromax® Pro delivers single-visit application, 1.5 coat coverage for the majority of colors and application is easier, faster and more dependable.

No flash time between coats helps to significantly reduce cycle times. Cromax® Pro’s wet-on-wet process means that basecoat can be applied non-stop until full coverage is achieved. Fewer coats reduces the opportunity for dirt and contamination and fewer bake or drying cycles reduce energy costs.

You can paint more cars in less time because painters get the job done with a single trip into the booth.

“We made the switch in November 2007 and since then, Cromax® Pro is all I use,” said Rande Lance, Lead Paint Technician & Paint Shop Manager at Prestigious Auto Body & Painting, Goleta, CA. “It’s very userfriendly and holds up extremely well when you push it to the limit. Plus, it’s a great finish. It looks better than solvent, and it’s much better in regard to speed and efficiency.”

Cromax® Pro also has excellent color match because DuPont has industry-leading digital color tools that work in all types of shops and provide ease-of-use and confidence as well as fan decks that are sprayed with actual Cromax® Pro colors.

Step 4: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte.

Step 5: Basecoat Application – Second coat: apply one medium coat to repair area.

Step 6: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte.

Step 7: Effect Coat Application – Apply a final half-coat to complete hiding and to set the flake.

Step 8: Flash Basecoat – Allow basecoat to flash until matte.

Step 9: Final Step – Clearcoat is applied.

Cromax® Pro eliminates up to four steps in the repair process so you can move more cars through your shop every day.

The changeover from solvent-borne to Cromax® Pro bring shops a number of important advantages.

Body shops that make a living on being able to paint fast, match colors perfectly and are economical in the process are winning with this product.

A lot of collision shops have put off the transition, in part beAttendees learn the benefits of DuPont Cromax® Pro at a DuPont cause of cost concerns Refinish Systems North American Training Center with equipment and DuPont™ Cromax® Pro water training. But according to Harry Hall, borne basecoat is a 5-step process: that isn’t the case. “When switching Step 1: Surface Preparation – Repair to waterborne, you don’t need to buy area is cleaned, degreased, primed and all kinds of new equipment and new sanded to prepare for basecoat. spray booths to make the conversion,” Step 2: Blender Application – Apply said Hall. “Shops will, however, need one or two closed coats on the fadea new stainless steel spray. Because of out area. the water, you need a gun that won’t Step 3: Wet-on-Wet Basecoat Appli- rust.” cation – Spray one full coat of CroIn addition to a new paint gun, max® Pro to 75% hiding. Follow waterborne paint does have a little difimmediately with a half-coat to comferent technique. DuPont trains plete hiding and to set the flake. painters at one of their 11 DuPont ReStep 4: Flash Basecoat – Allow finish Systems North American Trainbasecoat to flash until matte. ing Centers and will also spend a Step 5: Final Step – Clearcoat is apweek at the shop once they are fully plied. setup to make sure painters are comCompare to competitors’ waterfortable.

Your employees are your most borne basecoat 9-step process: Step 1: Surface Preparation – Repair valuable asset. Providing them with opportunities to increase their knowlarea is cleaned, degreased, primed and edge and improve their skills makes sanded to prepare for basecoat. good business sense. It’s a smart way Step 2: Blender Application – Apply to increase productivity, profitability one or two closed coats on the fadeand customer satisfaction. out area.

DuPont offers outcome-based, Step 3: Basecoat Application – First continuing education that is designed coat: apply one medium coat to repair to enable even the most experienced area.

22 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

painters to raise the bar for quality, productivity and cost efficiency.

The Refinish Systems Training Centers are located throughout the United States and Canada and educate over 4,000 collision repair technicians annually. In Canada, they are located in Pointe-Claire, QC (Montreal), Ajax, ON (Toronto) and Coquitlam, BC (Vancouver).

In the United States, the Centers are located in Lionville, PA (Philadelphia), Marietta, GA (Atlanta), Jacksonville, FL (Florida State College of Jacksonville), Plymouth, MI (Detroit), Itasca, IL (Chicago), St. Louis, MO, Pomona, CA (Los Angeles) and Anaheim, CA. The centers are fully equipped and staffed by capable instructors who have a solid background in collision refinishing.

“My body shop switched to DuPont Cromax® Pro and I couldn’t be more pleased,” said Rob Daku, Owner and Production Manager at Daku’s Auto Body Shop, North Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. “DuPont’s waterborne paint is easy to use, looks great when applied, and is so much faster. DuPont made sure that we were comfortable with waterborne and their training was great.”

“Not all waterborne basecoats are the same. Give us the chance to show you our product and I am sure you will want to upgrade to Cromax® Pro,” continued Hall.

Environmental requirements and regulations are coming, so make the decision to go with DuPont waterborne and join the thousands of body shops around the country that are upgrading to the next level of productivity.

For more information about DuPont Cromax® Pro, go to upgrade2cromaxpro.dupontrefinish.com or call 1-800-GET-DUPONT. To register for a DuPont training course, call 1-800-338-7668, prompt 7, fax/email Student Enrollment Form, or login to www.pc.dupont.com, click on DuPont Refinish, click on Training then log into eCareerTrack.

Search:

Autobody News on Facebook

De Montrond Kia Houston

Wats 1-800-392-6704 (281) 872-3909 (281) 872-3914 Fax

Fredy Kia Houston

Toll Free 800-883-1933 Direct (713) 941-3600 (713) 947-8053 Fax 7:00am - 6:00pm M-F 7:00am - 12:00 Noon Sat Free local delivery Free DSI shipping

Gene Messer Kia Lubbock

888-786-8128

(806) 785-2238 Fax

M-F 7:00-7:00, Sat 8:00-6:00 csides@genemesser.com

Huffines Kia Denton Denton

940-321-2504

(940) 497-2920 Fax

M-F 7:00-7:00, Sat 8:00-5:00 Local Delivery Available www.Huffines.net

Huffines Kia McKinney McKinney

469-525-4450

(469) 525-4459 Fax

M-F 7:00-7:00, Sat 8:00-5:00 Local Delivery Available www.Huffines.net

LOUISIANA

Kia of Baton Rouge Baton Rouge 5740 Siegen Lane

TEXAS

Archer Kia Houston

1-888-983-1425

(225) 490-8000

(281) 983-1437 Fax

OKLAHOMA

13573 North US Hwy 183 Austin

(225) 490-8014 Fax

Ferguson Advantage Imports Broken Arrow

800-880-8815

(918) 317-6280 Fax

Capitol Kia

(512) 583-1900

(512) 583-1899 Fax 7:30am - 6:00pm M-F

Central Kia Irving

(972) 257-7602

(972) 257-7650 Fax

M-F 7:30-7:00, Sat 8:00-5:00

Central Kia Plano

(972) 422-9320

(972) 633-5761 Fax M-F 7:30am - 7:00pm Sat 8:00am - 5:00pm

Moritz Kia Hurst

(877) 651-4542

(817) 595-8325 Fax

Southwest Kia

39650 LBJ Freeway South Dallas

Toll Free 888-544-9249 Direct (972) 616-0069 (972) 421-0294 Fax

M-F 7:30-6:00, Sat 8:30-5:00

Open M-F 7:00am - 6:00pm

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 23

WILL YOUR SHOP QUALIFY?

24 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Subscribers:

The Honda and Acura Dealers Listed Here are HO N DA T EX AS

TE XAS

TEX AS

L OU IS I AN A

Bankston Honda

Honda of Burleson

Wholesale Parts Direct

Lewis v il l e

Bu rl e s o n

A us t i n

Ridgeland, MS

800-344-8611 972-219-0021

888-682-3965 817-782-8735

800-234-4441 512-458-2910

800-748-8676 601-957-3400

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 www.bankstonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 dcurran@hondaofburleson.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6 sales@wholesalepartsdirect.com

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

Benson Honda

Honda of Frisco

San A nt on io

F ri s co

800-727-8705 210-340-0831

866-442-2711 972-731-3176

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-12 hondaparts@bensonhonda.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-5:30 cedgar@mcdavid.com

Cleo Bay Honda

Honda of San Marcos

K il le e n

Sa n M a rco s

877-253-6229 254-699-2478

866-392-1313 512-392-1313

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

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 9-5 csmith@hondasanmarcos.com

Gillman Honda

McDavid Honda of Houston

Hou st on

H o us t o n

800-999-8309 713-776-4834

800-444-1263 713-941-0400

Walker Honda

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 gduckworth@gillmanauto.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6 rquintero@mcdavid.com

318-448-8255 318-445-6677

Honda Cars of McKinney

Russell & Smith Honda

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 hondaparts@walkerautomotive.com

M cK in ne y

H o us t o n

800-786-9579 972-569-4222

800-833-0180 713-663-4266

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 Gene.chenault@hendrickauto.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 7-4 rnarvaez@russellsmith.com

Patty Peck Honda

Superior Honda

OKLAHOM A

Don Carlton Honda Tu l s a

800-722-2379 918-622-9670 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 hondaparts@doncarlton.com

Joe Marina Honda

H ar v e y

800-943-4227 504-368-5687 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30 parts@superiorhonda.net N EW M EXI CO

Garcia Honda

Tu l s a

A l b u q u e rq u e

800-722-0520 918-491-0110

800-677-6632 505-260-5002

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 parts@joemarinahonda.com

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

Santan Honda

LOU IS IA NA

A l exa nd r i a

C h a n d l e r, A Z

800-765-1353 480-285-2804 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 7-5 wholesaleparts@santanhonda.com

Showcase Honda P h oe n i x , A Z

800-537-8236 602-230-7306 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5; Sun 9-4 dfoote@vtaig.com

AC U RA T EX AS

TE XAS

OKLAHOM A

Champion Acura

Gillman Acura

G ul f Fre e wa y

H o us t o n

800-749-6227 713-371-4700

800-288-9180 281-209-4214

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 championacuraparts@autonation.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6 jcastellow@gillmanauto.com

David McDavid Acura

Mac Churchill Acura

L OU IS I AN A

Don Carlton Acura of Tulsa

Walker Acura

Tu l s a

800-359-8555 504-465-8555

888-550-7278 918-664-2300 Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 acuraparts@doncarlton.com

F o rt Wo rt h

800-575-3553 512-401-5976

888-824-9634 817-806-0571

Acura of Baton Rouge

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 jraygo@mcdavid.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 6-7; Sat 8-5 jguin@macchurchill.com

866-733-2861 225-756-6166

David McDavid Acura

Sterling McCall Acura

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

Pl a no

H o us t o n

713-596-2337 713-596-2338

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 dgrajczyk@mcdavid.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2 parts@walkeracura.com

LOU IS IA NA

A u stin

972-964-6044

M e t a ir ie

B at on Ro ug e

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-4 rkahl@sterlingmccallacura.com www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Service, Diagnostic and Mechanical NEWS

www.autobodynews.com

Autobody News

Chrysler to Recall 127K Dodge Chargers and 300’s for Fuses

Chrysler Group will voluntarily recall 127,346 2011 and 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300 sedans in the United States and Canada to fix a fuse problem that could disrupt the vehicles’ antilock brakes and electronic stability control systems. A plastic insert surrounding a fuse in the vehicles may become distorted because of thermal expansion and contraction, Chrysler said in a statement today. The problem could affect vehicle control and increase the risk of a crash. Drivers are alerted to the problem by the vehicle ABS/ESC warning lamp, the statement said, noting that despite the failure, drivers will retain basic brake function. The recall affects all 2011 and 2012 units built before Dec. 20, 2011. The recall includes 119,072 vehicles in the United States and 8,274 in Canada.

According to documents submitted to the NHTSA, the affected system is supplied by Global Automotive Systems of suburban Detroit, a unit of Dura Automotive Systems. The defective part is in the vehicle’s power distribution center. Chrysler said it was unaware of any accidents or injuries related to the recalled vehicles.

Ford Blocks JAC from Selling Blatant F-150 Knock Off

The Chinese-made JAC 4R3 is a facsimile of Ford’s F-150, right down to the blue oval on the hood, and Ford has blocked the Chinese company from selling it. “Not going to happen,” said Bill Coughlin, president and CEO of Ford Global Technologies in an interview. In the past, other car companies have found it difficult to protect their designs from Chinese copiers, but Ford is not among them.

“We can protect ourselves in China, it’s not easy, but you can do it. Is it expensive? Not really.”

The Chinese government requires foreign OEMs to partner with their own domestics but Ford and JAC are not partners. It remains to be seen whether JAC will respect the decision, or build its knock off F-150 anyway.

TEXAS • OKLAHOMA • LOUISIANA • NEW MEXICO

Nissan Recalling Certain 2012 Titan Pickups for Mislabeling

Nissan Motor Co. is recalling certain Titan pickup trucks from the 2012 model year because they have improper seating-capacity labels that could lead owners to overload the vehicles and increase the risk of a crash.

The recall reflects tight safety regulations in the auto industry and the fact that manufacturers cannot depend on the common sense of drivers to insure vehicles are operated in a safe manner. Customers may contact Nissan at 615-725-1000.

Chrysler Recalls 68,000 Jeep Wranglers for Fire Concerns

Chrysler is recalling about 68,000 Jeep Wranglers manufactured in 2010 due to the chance of a vehicle fire resulting from debris collecting in the transmission. The automaker said in a filing with the National Highway Traffic Association that the pullback of 67,872 Jeeps with an automatic transmission reflects concerns that the transmission skid plate, which is close to the catalytic converter, can collect debris and ignite without warning. The company said it will notify owners, and dealers will replace the skid plate free of charge.

The move comes after the NHTSA began investigation complaints about fires in 2010 Wranglers earlier this year.

Distracted Driving No. 1 Killer, Especially of Texting Teens

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that distracted driving is the number-one killer of American teens. Five seconds is the average time a driver’s eyes are off the road when texting. When traveling at 55 mph, that’s enough time to cover the length of a football field.

According to a national survey released by the Ad Council, 60 percent of young adult drivers (16–24) said they have texted while driving. In 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed and an additional 416,000 were injured due to distracted driving, which includes texting while driving.

26 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Carfax Study Shows Consumer Threatened by Ignoring Recalls

A new study from Carfax shows that choosing to ignore auto recalls threatens the safety of consumers everywhere. In 2011, over 2.7 million used cars were for sale online with safety recalls that were never fixed. Car owners and sellers can help improve public safety by actively checking for open recalls and having them fixed by franchise dealers. There’s no excuse—recall repairs are free and finding cars with open recalls is easy.

“We’re making a lot of progress, but there are still too many open recalls out there,” said Larry Gamache, communications director at Carfax.

“Many of these cars change hands without the buyer ever knowing a recall exists, increasing the safety risks both to passengers in the car and others on the road. We all need to do our part to make sure these cars are identified and fixed—buyers, sellers and owners alike. A simple online check for open recalls is all it takes to help make our roads safer.”

California, Florida and Texas lead the nation with the most used cars for sale with open recalls, each having well over 100,000 last year.

More about recall campaigns is available at www.safercar.gov.

BMW Replaces Toyota as Most Valuable Automotive Brand

BMW has overtaken Toyota as the world’s most valuable automotive brand, an annual ranking of the world’s top brands shows. MercedesBenz, Volkswagen and Audi improved their brand value, according to the BrandZ Top 100 Most Valuable Global Brands study released by market research company Millward Brown. The world’s most valuable car brands in $ billion 1. BMW $24.6 2. Toyota $21.8 3. Mercedes $16.1 4. Honda $12.7 5. Nissan $9.9 6. VW $8.5 7. Ford $7.0 8. Audi $4.7 9. Hyundai $3.6 10. Lexus $3.4

June 2012 BMW Recalling Diesel Vehicles or Fuses

BMW is recalling 24,340 vehicles equipped with diesel engines from the 2009-11 model years that may fail to meet U.S. and California emission control requirements.

About 2,740 2011 and 2012 model year X5 xDrive 50i and X6 xDrive 50i vehicles, and 21,600 3-series diesel models, will be recalled, the automaker said. The recalls were scheduled for May 9, with a customer letter to follow, BMW North America spokesman Dirk Arnold said.

The vehicles were manufactured at factories in Spartanburg, S.C., and Germany.

BMW said certain emissions components, including the SCR catalyst, the DEF mixer and the EGR valve, may improperly overstate vehicle mileage, causing emissions standards to be exceeded and the illumination of the “Service Engine Soon” light.

BMW said the repair will require the inspection and replacement of one or more of the emissions components and the reprogramming of the vehicle’s engine control unit.

Ford Recalls 10.500 Vehicles for Transmission Sensor Issues

Ford is recalling 10,500 vehicles, including the 2012-’13 Ford Mustang, 2012 Ford Expedition, 2011-’12 Ford F-150 and 2012 Lincoln Navigator, due to transmission and light calibration problems. “These vehicles may have a transmission range sensor (TRS) that was calibrated out of specification for reverse gear,” said NHTSA. “If this condition exists, the transmission may not go into reverse or when the driver pushes the shift lever in the reverse “R” position and the vehicle’s transmission does go in reverse, the “R” may not illuminate on the dashboard of the F-150, Expedition or Navigator models and/or the backup lamp on the rear of the F-150, Expedition, Navigator or Mustang vehicles may not illuminate. The recall is expected to begin on June 25. Owners can contact Ford at 1-866-4367332.

Gonzo’s Toolbox

This is a new story by Scott “Gonzo” Weaver as posted on his website, www.gonzostoolbox.com.

Gonzo has been serving the Tulsa area at Superior Auto Electric for over 27 years. See his book “Hey Look! I Found The Loose Nut”, which provides a Good Laugh for Mechanics of Any Age. The book is available at amazon.com. Contact Gonzo at Gonzosae@aol.com.

Comparing Automotive Parts: Is it Apples to Apples? with Gonzo Weaver

“Yes, I need a price on an alterAlternators, starters, voltage regulators, window motor assemblies, light nator for my car,” the caller asks. I bulbs, serpentine belts… the list goes give them a price for the brands I sell, on and on of the various cheaply and before I’m even finished they’ll with Richard Arnold made replacement parts available. tell me how much the last guy would Being able to distinguish what parts sell the part for. That’s fine, I know are good or bad is part of being a pro- everyone is looking for a bargain, and fessional in this crazy world of auto- shopping around for prices is all part of it. However, let’s compare apples motive repair.

When a customer calls wanting to apples — not just prices to prices. prices on a certain than A perfect example is the comwithjob, Edmore Attanasio likely this isn’t the first phone call mon external regulator for a Ford they’ve made today. The way I can product. The prices will range from a tell this is how they answer certain few bucks to as much as $30. The difquestions I ask to narrow down the ference is quality, of course. You can options on that particular part or job. tell the difference for yourself by just “What’s the motor size? Two- or four- picking one up. The cheap regulator EricaIfSchroeder door? Automaticwith or manual?” these feels like a feather compared to the questions aren’t a hit and miss an- more expensive one. The question is swer, chances are they’ve been … do they both work? Yes they do, through this before, and have a pretty but there’s no doubt the cheaper one good idea what the cost is, or at least will not take any abuse, or a fluctuatwhat they’ve found out from the auto ing signal, or load variations as well as the better made part. No doubt the parts cheapo depot.

Jobber Journal

cheaper one will need to be replaced sooner than you think.

From the professional side, it takes just as long to diagnose a problem and make the repair with a wellmanufactured part as it does to put on one of those bottom-of-the-barrel parts. The big difference is you only have to do the job once, rather than repeatedly. That eats up diagnostic time, shop time, and doesn’t make for a very happy customer.

Over the years, the number of times I’ve had someone bring in a car and tell me they have put five or six alternators on the car, and it still doesn’t work, is beyond comprehension.

The unsuspecting customer will almost certainly have the same reaction on the phone or at the service counter.

“There has to be something electrically wrong with the car,” they’ll say.

Even though I haven’t checked the car out yet, I’ll still ask them, “Where are you buying your parts?”

Nine chances out of ten they are buying the cheap knock-off brands because of the cost, and under certain applications, these knock-off brands fail constantly.

By the time I get the car in the shop and run the needed tests, I’m already stretching their pocket book just to give them the answer I already assumed it would be.

“It’s a cheap part that’s causing the problem,” I’ll tell them, and when I give them the price of the “quality” part I know I’m in for an argument.

“It shouldn’t cost that much. I’ll just go get another one myself,” the now irate customer will tell me. It could be they really wanted me to find something else wrong with it, because they know it can’t be the part.

Then again, it could be because they don’t want to change it again.

Whichever the case may be, I’m the lucky guy taking the brunt of the customer’s meltdown at the front counter.

Why is it that the second largest purchase most people make in their lifetime is left to using cheap discount parts as a way to keep their family truckster on the road? You know, if

Shop and Product Showcase Shop Showcase Shop Snapshot with Erica Schroeder

Young Chevrolet

Parts for Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, Oldsmobile, Pontiac

Consumer Callout

• 60,000 part numbers • Same day shipping until 5:30 EST • 13 parts pros eager to serve you • Next-day air until 4:30 EST • 4.2 million inventory with Ed Attanasio • 15 radio-dispatched trucks • 97,000 square-foot warehouse Camaro 2010

Custom Corner with Ed Attanasio

Company Connections with Chasidy Rae Sisk

We want your business!

Shop Strategies for Savings

Genuine GM Parts at Genuine GM Prices Toll Free: 800-451-0108

parts@youngchevrolet.com

www.youngchevrolet.com with Walter Danalevich

Main: 214-328-9111, Opt. 5

9301 E. R.L. Thornton Fwy, Dallas, TX

214-328-8381 Fax (main): 214-328-6675 Fax (wholesale): 214-328-0716 Direct:

Inside Insurance with The Insurance Insider

the original manufacturer used some of these discount parts, most of those cars wouldn’t make it from the manufacturer to the show room floor without breaking down.

One morning when I arrived at the shop, a customer was waiting for me with a rear main seal for me to see. I had just replaced the seal in his car a few weeks earlier. There wasn’t a problem with the car, his problem was that he believed that I over charged him for the seal. While he was at one of those discount parts stores, he purchased a rear seal himself, and after having some time to think about it, he figured I should know just how ticked off he was.

Needless to say, now he’s thinking every bit of the labor cost must have been exaggerated as well.

There was only one way to solve this problem. I called my supplier and had them send down another seal just like the original one I had purchased.

With the customer standing in front of me, we took both of the seals out of their boxes and laid them on the counter.

“You see, they are actually the same,” the aggravated customer tells me, “They’re the same color, same design and obviously are identical.

You overcharged me!”

I’ll admit they looked the same, and I was getting a little worried that I wouldn’t find a difference between the two of them. I wanted to prove my point that not all parts are created equal, but how? As this anger management class dropout got even more steamed, he started to make his point known how he felt about mechanics in general, parts stores, and the world at large. I picked up the two seals while he was standing on his soap box proudly putting down anyone who had anything to do with the car business. When I gently snapped the actual seal area that touches the crank shaft back and forth, I had the answer and the difference was obvious.

“Sir, if you’ll calm down a minute, I’ll show you the difference.

The one you brought from the discount part store has fewer coils on the See Apples to Apples, Page 30

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

Top Hot Rod Shines ‘Brilliant Red’ Bright with Glasurit® Paint

Greening. “We knew up front that he would be going to Detroit with the car, so we had the goal of going for the Ridler from the beginning.”

The shop has been a loyal BASF customer for years, after Sales Representative Ray McCutcheon called on them and helped them solve some particularly challenging paint issues. “Ray got us started with Glasurit years ago, and we’ve been working with him and BASF ever since,” said Greening, who runs the full-service street rod shop with his father Dwayne Peace's Ridler-Award-winning '55 T-Bird gets its Jeff. first prime coat at Greening Auto Company “The ‘55 T-Bird represents ativity, engineering and workmanship our typical approach and quality finwas chosen from among 63 very ish,” observed Greening. “What made strong contenders that had been pared it different were some of the areas we down to the “Great 8” before the ultidon’t normally get into. Just look at mate winner was announced at the the underbody and engine compartDetroit Autorama® back in February. ment detail.”

The ‘55 T-Bird had been in the Greening Auto Company looks to family for more than 20 years and the BASF to help them deliver show-wincustom build was a family affair, handled by Peace’s sons in an outbuilding behind his house. The uncompromising design and build of the custom hot rod brought in a number of outside shops and some of the country’s top automotive craftsmen. Greening Auto Company in Nashville, Tenn., was one of these partner shops, called upon to handle the paint Final fitment of all billet parts took place after the car work and some machining du- had been primed ties. ning results with every project, and In a meticulous process that took that sometimes involves the kind of six months, Greening machined all of problem solving that started their rethe side trim, as well as the grill, tail lationship. “One example where we lights and wheels; and painted the lean on Ray for technical help is when show-stopper with BASF’s Glasurit® we’re facing problems with a repair 90-Line™ Brilliant Red waterborne that involves blending back into an alpaint. In the process, they demonready-painted panel,” said Greening.

“Fortunately, we don’t do this very often, but when we do it needs to be flawless.”

Greening Auto Company’s work on the Ridler-Award-winning ‘55 TBird is a great example of how BASF’s industry-leading products and commitment to adding value after the sale gives its customers a competitive edge.

“Our focus is on adding value to strated once again why the premium our products and supporting our cusGlasurit line is a favorite of top cus- tomers to help them be more efficient, tom builders. cost-effective and successful,” said “Dwayne Peace found us through Market Segment Manager Tony a customer referral,” recalled Jesse Dyach. “That translates into the top This year’s winner of hot rodding’s top prize—the Don Ridler® Memorial Award—was a 1955 Ford Thunderbird owned by Dwayne Peace of Tyler, Texas. This masterpiece of cre-

28 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

quality finishes that make our customers stand out.”

The commitment to customer satisfaction demonstrated by McCutcheon’s work with Greening Auto Company is an integral part of BASF’s business model and company culture. “Our work with high-end cus-

and to add value through expert, responsive service with all of our customers, including the collision repair shops that are the core of our business.”

It’s no wonder that many of the country’s top custom builders choose to go with BASF. And it’s no coincidence that Glasurit paint has been on six of the last 11 Ridler Award winners. That same commitment to excellence extends to every BASF Automotive Refinish customer, and also to their demanding customers.

So, it should come as no surprise that among users of Glasurit paints, more than 50 The '55 T-Bird took hot rodding's top prize at the 2012 percent of their volume is in Detroit Autorama, the latest Ridler Award winner to high-end and luxury vehicle sport premium Glasurit paint applications — twice that of tomizers, restoration specialists and the premium brand’s nearest comstreet-rod builders like Greening re- petitor. flects the ‘passion around the paint’ For more information about that makes our business fun and perBASF Automotive Refinish products sonally satisfying,” said Dyach. “In and services, contact your BASF repturn, our passion at BASF is to offer resentative by calling 800-825-3000, the world’s finest automotive coatings or visit www.basfrefinish.com.

HYUNDAI PLANO Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm • Sat 8am - 5pm

• Wholesale Collision Specialist • One of the Largest Inventories in the State • Free Delivery to TX, OK, LA

Toll Free:

800-955-5388 800-9 955-5 5388

909 Coit Rd., Plano,TX 75075

Local: 972-202-2200 Fax: 972-202-2195

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

Collision Section Secures Exhibit Space at SEMA Show

After debuting at last year’s SEMA Show, the Collision Repair & Refinish section will return to provide buyers with a dedicated area on the show floor where they can quickly and easily meet with major refinish companies, paint booth manufacturers, parts suppliers and manufacturers, estimating and management software companies, manufacturers of structural repair and welding equipment, safety equipment and other related products.

The section has been identified as one of the fastest growing areas of the show, and is on track to surpass last years’ numbers. The 2012 SEMA Show takes place Tuesday through Friday, October 30 through November 2, in Las Vegas, NV. “We’ve seen interest from the collision repair market increase over the years,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA VP of events and communications. Last year, due to significant growth and interest from the collision repair industry, show organizers created a new floor section called “Collision Repair & Refinish” to make it easy for those in the professional repair business to connect with manufacturers in the industry. SEMA Show exhibitors are categorized by

market segments and display their products in sectionalized floor areas.

Buyers interested in the Collision Repair & Refinish segment, for example, often visit the Tools & Equipment section of the SEMA Show. The related section features products, such as new lifts, grinders, jacks and more, to help shop owners work smarter and faster.

Last year’s SEMA Show featured more than 300 companies that were of high interest to the collision repair business owners attending the show.

“One of the unique things about the SEMA Show is that is encompasses the entire automotive parts and accessories industry,” said MacGillivray. “Participants are able to accomplish a great deal in a short amount of time.”

Other floor sections at the SEMA Show are Business Services, Global Tire Expo Powered by TIA, Hot Rod Alley, Mobile Electronics & Technology, Powersports & Utility Vehicles, Racing & Performance, Restoration Marketplace, Restyling & Car Care Accessories, Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road, and Wheels & Accessories.

Continued from Page 27

Apples to Apples

retaining spring. This spring is what keeps the rubber seal up against the crankshaft to prevent any leaks. Look at the one I just purchased, and you’ll see it has twice as many coils on the spring,” I calmly explained to him.

(OK, I “tried” to say it calmly).

After a bit of scrutiny on his part, he did see the difference between the two so-called “exact” parts. He apologized for his belligerent ranting and said he would make good on his promise not to buy any more parts based on the dollar amount. I hope so — that sure would make my day go a lot smoother.

These days, with even more parts coming in from different countries, and at different quality levels, the tech has to be on his toes to make sure what they are installing on a customer’s car is actually a decent component. Even today, I’ll do my best to sway the customer into buying quality parts rather than going the cheap route. If they insist on using a cheaper part, I’ll be the first to tell them what the results will be.

Comparing apples to apples is still a good method of explaining things to someone who might have a difference of opinion. One bad apple doesn’t spoil the whole bunch; even good parts fail sometimes. But I’d put my money on a quality part any day. Service is the name of the game in the automotive repair business — knowing which “apple” is the right one for a customer’s car is just another part of the service good shops provide. There are plenty of apples out there in the orchard, and sorting out the bad ones aren’t about who has the best TV commercial or newspaper ad. Ask a mechanic, he’ll www.autobodynews.com know the difference between good parts andCHECK bad ones.IT AsOUT! the old saying goes; “Ya get what ya paid for.”

To advertise call Advertising Sales at:

800-699-8251 e-mail:

advertising@autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

WHOLESALE COLLISION PARTS

See the N

Autobody New

www.autobodyn

Pictured:

2006 SL600 Roadster

Qualified Mercedes-Benz Parts Pros are available now.

OKLAHOMA

Mercedes-Benz of Oklahoma City Nationwide Toll Free

1-800-657-2582 (405) 272-1737 FAX Drop Ship Available

30 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

To advertise call Sean Hartman at:

800-699-8251 e-mail:

shartman@autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com

Audi A3 Development with Master Jigs and Color Matching by the Audi Quality Assurance Department for the A3

Exterior Master Jig At Audi, the master jig is the main instrument used by the Quality Assur-

Master jigs are used to optimize dimensional fits and the colors and materials matching operations.

ance department to attain a premium impression and perfect fits.

The task of the exterior master jig is to optimize and fine-tune dimensional fits on every vehicle project before a production launch. This involves coordinating the fits of all parts that are visible on the exterior with one another.

These parts range from sheet metal panels such as doors, engine hoods and trunk lids to exterior trim parts such as bumpers, headlights, taillights, windows, mirrors, door handles, spoilers and decorative trim strips.

The measurement and analysis fixtures of the exterior master jig are housed in a dedicated building together with the interior master jig.

Other tools—which are also fundamental to successful coordination—are used in this area before work is performed on the exterior master jig.

The joint master jig is used to check for dimensional conformity of the underbody and its individual components, such as the front and rear floors and to coordinate them to one another.

It ensures that all components can be joined without stresses. This is necessary to be able to produce a highquality body in the later production process, which is the foundation for the premium image of Audi vehicles.

Using what are known as exterior function cubes, experts analyze the vehicle’s exterior trim parts in a local zero-reference environment.

Correction data is derived from this process, which is used to optimize components at an early phase. When

they fit to the cubes, they are added to the exterior master jig for further fine tuning.

Work in the zero-reference environment of the exterior master jig begins about nine months before production launch. Previously inspected panel parts of the body’s exterior skin and the parts mounted to them, such as doors and hoods and lids, are built up on a frame constructed of solid aluminum profiles.

Exterior trim parts are also added to the assembly to analyze the interplay of all body parts.

This gives specialists a stepwise method for perfecting the dimensional tolerances of parts, achieving flush fits and perfecting the lines of joints.

An additional fine-tuning step involves working with reference bodies that are equipped in a way similar to that of an exterior master jig.

This is done so that the paint application can also be considered in a final fine-tuning step. Although the paint is only as much as 15 hundredths of a millimeter (0.04 inch) thick, by Audi’s way of thinking, even this plays a major role in dimensional optimization.

Front cubing measurements with CNC coordinate machine

The seam pattern on the new Audi A3 does not always follow exact mathematics; in some zones, subjective impressions are also considered in the tuning process.

Take the front bumper, for example, which is slightly offset to the rear at its transition to the fender so that the customer always perceives a harmonious transition when looking at it from above. Another example: the seams at the fuel filler door. The upper seam was intentionally made smaller than the lower one, to give the subjective impression of a better fit for the observer.

Along with dimensional conformity, the exterior master jig also yields information on color fidelity,

gloss level and the tactile feel of sheet metal, aluminum and plastic parts. In addition, it provides information on the firm seating of all components and their easy assembly and whether optimization potential exists in the component concepts.

Audi specialists are always faced with exciting new challenges in their work at the exterior master jig—challenges they must overcome to fulfill stringent requirements for the overall impression of the vehicle’s exterior.

Rear cubing measurements with CNC coordinate machine

Different materials such as steel, aluminum, plastics, rubber and glass must be cleanly fitted to one another.

The overall impression is only distinctive and high- end if all edges and their radii fit precisely to tenths of a millimeter; only then is the run of the tornado line from the fender over the door to the side wall frame pleasing to the eye.

Interior Master Jig The interior master jig is a body produced to a specific design level that does not exhibit any deviations at the points where interior components are mounted.

Ten months before production launch, the components are coordinated and fitted to one another using optical and tactile measurement methods.

Along with verifying functional criteria—free movement of parts, firm seating, ease of installation, harmonious actuation forces and sounds— the primary focus of measurement work with the interior master jig is on visual properties. All parts are inspected for grooves, voids and blisters.

Special attention is given to checking of seams, e.g. on the centre console that is made up of numerous individual components—from knee pads to the MMI terminal.

The four air nozzles in jet design

at the front of the cockpit are highly complex parts. Each consists of over 30 individual components.

Allowable tolerances are on the order of a few hundredths of a millimeter in the design feature for adjusting the air stream to spot mode or diffuse mode. Therefore, the supplier assembles and checks every part in a 100 percent automated process.

A parts that helps to ensure optimal sitting comfort is the center armrest with its height and length adjustments.

A high-quality aluminum die cast body with a two-component material joint ensures full adjustment acoustics.

Another highlight in the Audi A3: the three-dimensional decorative trim strips in the doors—they are embedded in a soft film without any gaps.

The complex mounting feature on the rear side was not released in the internal master jig process until it was perfectly tuned to assure an elegant impression and no noise.

The decorative ring on the gear shift grip is embedded with a precision of just a few hundredths of a millimeter to assure perfect tactile feel for the driver.

Audi has even implemented elaborate solutions in the luggage compartment of the new A3: when the cargo floor is folded upward, springloaded plastic latches hold it in place for the customer.

Optical measurements on joints master jig

Special cubes are used to check the fits of functionally relevant vehicle subassemblies. In the doors of the new A3, quality experts worked until pleasant-sounding window tracking and door closing acoustics were assured under all conditions.

This was technically implemented by features such as “post-tracking,” in which the window slides into the window guide starting at the front.

Only then did the window seal perfectly on the roof profile of the window guide with a constant inserSee Audi A3, Page 45

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Antique Car Restorer Andy Hope—‘The Man in White’—Dies at 97

The first car he had ever restored, the dark-green beauty with the jetFrom Model A door handles to black fenders, was too much like famLaSalle chrome grills, the antique car ily to part with. buffs who converged on Andy Hope’s It had won him a roomful of troplace for his heralded going-out-of- phies at shows, and, moreover, he still business auction found plenty to get enjoyed driving it in parades. revved up about.

But truth be told, Hope had treated all of his customers’ antique cars like family.

The snow-white coveralls he wore were his way of showing them that.

Hope, who became known as “The Man in White” because of his apparel, “wanted people to know they weren’t going to have some greasy guy climbing all over their cars,” his son Ron Hope said.

Andy Hope, longtime Tulsa-based antique automobile restorer who “At shows you later turned to restoring vintage toy trucks, appears here at his shop in his trademark white coveralls. Hope, who became known as “The could see him from Man in White,” died May 10. He was 97. Tulsa World file the other side of the Well-known nationally for his room in his whites,” he said. “He alwork on antique cars, the longtime ways stood out. He didn’t mind, Tulsa-area auto-body man had built up though. Dad was a bit of a ham.” a mind-boggling collection of old and, Andrew Hoyet “Andy” Hope, in many cases, rare car parts over 25 who operated shops in Tulsa before years. opening one near Mannford, died May In 1980, with the news that he 10. He was 97. was retiring and auctioning most of it A graveside service was held off, hopeful bidders from across the Tuesday under the direction of Floral country came flocking.

Haven Funeral Home of Broken At least one thing of Hope’s re- Arrow. mained hands-off, though: his restored Growing up in Poteau in a family 1915 Willys-Overland touring car. of sharecroppers, Hope left school

by Tim Stanley, Tulsa-World Staff Writer

Ford Starts Shipping its first EV, the Focus Electric, to Dealers

Ford started shipping its first electric passenger car to dealers the weekend of May 19, according to Reuters.

About 350 Focus Electric cars will be sent to 67 dealers in California, New Jersey and New York over the next couple weeks. Manufacturing executives signed off on the decision on May 18. Each dealer will get about six cars, one of which will be a demonstration model, the reports said. Ford declined to comment on the news. The people asked not to be named because the plans are confidential.

“We are still on track to begin shipping the Focus Electric this spring,” Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood said.

The Focus EV will compete in the burgeoning electric vehicle market against Nissan’s Leaf and GM’s Co.’s

Chevrolet Volt.

In April, Ford CEO Alan Mulally said he would not consider it a failure if Ford sold fewer than 5,000 Focus EVs in its first year.

In the first four months of 2012, GM sold 5,377 Chevrolet Volts, while Nissan sold 2,103 of its Leaf electric cars. Both vehicles were launched in late 2010.

Ford expects hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric cars will represent up to 25 percent of its sales by 2020, with hybrids accounting for the majority. Americans have been slow to adopt electric cars due to their high cost and concerns over their range.

Automakers have also improved the fuel efficiency of their traditional gaspowered engines more quickly than expected.

32 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

after the fifth grade when his father became ill. As the oldest of six children, he helped support the family.

Hope’s affection for automobiles began early.

He fondly remembered one 1916 Model T Roadster pickup, from the back of which as a kid he had peddled watermelons and peaches. Later, he bought and restored one just like it.

To get his own first car as a teenager, Hope traded a .22 rifle and a saddle.

A career in auto body work followed, and in 1954, he expanded into restoring antique cars.

Leaving the engine work to others, Hope devoted himself to auto bodies and paint with the seriousness of an artist.

His clients were usually wealthy, and he met many influential people through his work.

One of his biggest thrills, Ron Hope said, was a trip to the Indianapolis 500, where he got to chauffeur Indy founder Tony Hulman and oil magnate J. Paul Getty around the track in a 1936 Packard.

After retiring in 1980 from fulltime work, Hope continued to do occasional vehicle restorations.

And he discovered another passion: restoring vintage toy trucks.

Over 30 years at his workshop, Hope restored thousands of trucks from the early- to mid-1900s, making onetime playthings into sought-after collector’s items.

He eventually sold more than 300 of them to Hard Rock Café for display in its restaurants.

Hope’s beloved Willys Overland is still in the family. His grandson Adrian Hope, a lieutenant colonel in the Army, has the car with him in Virginia.

Andy Hope, who bought it in the early 1950s from its original owner, a World War I veteran, “wanted it to either stay in the family or go to a museum, someone who would appreciate it and care for it,” Ron Hope said.

Hope’s survivors include two sons, Ron Hope and Jim Hope; 10 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

Hit a HOME RUN! with our Genuine Ford Parts s

When it comes to Ford Genuine Parts, go with a winning team.

Use Genuine Ford Parts for your customers’ late model Ford vehicles.

Shelby GT500 2012

You're always guaranteed that they will fit right the first time, every time.

Hit One Out of the Park!

Call your local Authorized Ford Wholesaler today!

These dealers are Genuine Ford Parts wholesale specialists.

Bob Tomes Ford, Lincoln, Mercury M cKI N N E Y

800-792-1155 214-544-5081 214-544-5194 Fax

Casa Ford, Lincoln E L PAS O

915-490-8437 915-775-8259 Fax gilbert@casaford.com www.casaford.com

Champion Ford Gulf Freeway HOU S TON

Wholesale Direct

800-388-4005 713-371-4111 713-371-4101 Fax

TEXA S

Gene Messer Ford, Mazda, Lincoln, Mercury AMARI L LO

Wholesale Direct

806-355-7417 806-352-9604 Fax

ribarra@genemesser.com Fordparts.com/genemesser

Gullo Ford CON ROE

936-756-8860 800-404-7781 WATTS 936-441-1031 Fax parts@gulloford.com

Helfman Ford S TAF F ORD

800-634-8008 281-240-0642 Fax

www.fordparts.com/champion

parts@helfmanford.com www.fordparts.com/helfman

N ORTH R I CHL AN D HI L L S

HOU S TON

Five Star Ford Wholesale Direct

800-895-7827 817-577-2781 817-577-0558 Fax www.5starford.com

Joe Myers Ford

800-533-3609 713-482-5000 713-744-3253 Fax

parts@joemyersford.com

Kinsel Ford BE AU MON T

Wholesale Direct

800-468-4550 866-339-7711 Fax

Mac Haik Ford, Lincoln

GE ORGE TOW N /AU S TI N

800-804-4423 512-930-6345 Fax

parts@machaikflm.com www.fordparts.com/machaikflm

McRee Ford D I CKI N S ON

281-337-1529 281-534-2009 Fax

rbeeman@mcreeford.com www.mcreeford.com

Russell & Smith Ford HOU S TON

800-392-1983 713-663-4222 Direct 713-664-0965 Fax

fordparts@russellsmith.com www.rsfordparts.com

Tommie Vaughn Motors HOU S TON

800-944-4415 713-869-4755 713-293-4309 Fax

www.tommievaughn.com

Waxahachie Ford WAX AHACHI E

972-825-4578 Direct 972-825-4576 Direct lyanez@landerscorp.com www.waxahachieford.com

OK LA H OMA

Bob Moore Ford OKL AHOMA CI TY

877-831-4183 405-246-2393 405-246-2348 Fax

OK LA H OM A

United Ford PDC TU L S A

Wholesale Direct

800-800-9001 800-676-8509 Fax

adodson@penskeautomotive.com www.fordparts.com/unitedford www.unitedford.com

LOU ISIA N A

Lamarque Ford KE N N E R

888-882-0577 504-443-2141 504-712-5053 Fax

mikehellmers@lamarque.com www.lamarque.com

gburns@bobmoore.com

Sewell Ford Lincoln OD E S S A

800-592-4762 432-498-0434 Direct 432-498-0283 Fax

greg.johnson@teamsewell.com www.teamsewell.com

Make us your one-stop shop today! www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

Auto Painting USA Collision Specializes in Cosmetic Repair

Auto Painting USA Collision (APUSA) is a production auto painting and collision shop specializing in cosmetic body repair and auto repainting. APUSA offers four varieties of paint finishes starting with The American, which is a low-cost synthetic enamel factory basecoat/clearcoat paint job. The American paint service is guaranteed for two years against cracking, peeling and flaking. The most popular paint job is The Floridian, which is a DuPont Nason 2K Polyurethane paint job. The Floridian is guaranteed for three years against cracking, peeling, flaking, and fading.

The Simulator includes a simulated basecoat/clearcoat, three full coats of integrated clear, free pinstripes, and a five-year guarantee against fading. The Ultimate includes a factory-like basecoat/clearcoat, ultra wet look, free pinstripes, and a lifetime guarantee against fading or paint failure.

Along with full paint jobs, APUSA also performs spot work for those cars that only need small areas repaired and some minor body work, up to $5,000-$6,000 per job. The ticket average is approximately $650- $700 per car, with an average of seven to 10 cars per day, 25 to 40 cars per week.

The cost to paint a car is $55 to $75 for paint and materials, with a profit margin between 20% to 30% after all expenses. Sales are approximately

$750,000 per shop per year. APUSA is committed to customer satisfaction and is proud to say there are zero complaints with the Consumer Affairs Dept. of Florida. It is their policy to bend over backwards for customers.

Tom Kobus, President and Daughter Heather

As a car enters the production line, it first goes to the body person for any repair work that is necessary. Typically, that includes rust damage and minor dents or body work. Next, the car moves into the area where it is sanded and prepped for painting. From the prep area, it proceeds to the masker for taping and then into the paint booth where a gallon of paint, or the equivalent of three coats, is sprayed on the car. Before the car is finally ready for delivery, a detailer cleans all paint overspray from the windows, tires, and bumpers, then cleans all the windows, Armor-alls the tires and dashboards,

Major Physical Damage Indicators Up For 6 Quarters

According to the latest available data from the Independent Statistical Service Inc. (ISS), Insurance Services Office, Inc. (ISO), and the National Independent Statistical Service (NISS), the frequency of private passenger collision claims has now been on a gradual rising trend for six consecutive quarters. Having been in a near-constant down trend since the first quarter of 2008, data through the fourth quarter 2011 shows that collision claims frequency has risen to 5.66 claims per 100 earned car years.

That represents an increase of 1.92 percent from the recent low of 5.56 claims per 100 earned car years reached in the second quarter of 2010.

Paid losses for private passenger collision claims have been on the rise as well. The data shows over $16.4 billion in physical damage losses paid for the year ending with the fourth quarter of 2011. That is the sixth consecutive quarterly rise in paid losses.

The average paid loss once again

broke above the $3,000 mark to end the fourth quarter at $3,029 compared to $2,946 a year earlier.

The average paid loss, while rising recently, has held pretty steady through the recent recession years.

The average paid loss reached a recent high of $3,027 in the first quarter of 2008 and declined fairly steadily through the first quarter of 2010, reaching a low of $2,922. It has been gradually rising ever since.

However, even while claims frequency and paid losses have been on the increase in recent quarters, it has not necessarily meant a return of business for the collision repairer. That's because, according to ISO, the number of claims paid is still below the recent highs set in early 2008. In the 12 months prior to second quarter of 2008, the insurance industry paid 5.63 million private passenger physical damage claims. But as of Q4 2011, the industry paid 5.44 million claims over the prior 12 months.

34 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

and blows all the dust and dirt out of the interior.

Presently the company has three locations between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami. These locations are supervised

by Vice President, Claudio Casasnovas. Claudio has been a valued employee with APUSA for over 20 years. A new location opening in Phoenix, AZ, with two or three more locations in the works. These new locations are part of a Licensing Agreement Program, which allows new or already established auto paint and body shops to license the name and purchase materials at a huge discount.

By becoming a licensed owner of an APUSA shop, shops benefit from a name that is recognized and associated with quality and value.

They also become part of a team that is well known and respected in South Florida for over 35 years. Training is offered to all licensees to run a smooth and profitable business. In addition, advertising through direct mail, TV,

radio and Internet is provided. For more information on joining the team and Licensing Agreement Program, go to www.autopaintingusa.com and click on business opportunities.

Auto Painting USA Collision (APUSA) originally started in Delray Beach, FL and has its roots in a company called Electro Bake Auto Painting. Tom Kobus, the owner and President of APUSA, began working for Electro Bake Auto Painting in 1975. Tom started as a manager, then was a supervisor and became Executive Vice President before buying two shops in 1982 in Delray and Lake Worth. In 1984, Tom bought Congress Auto Paint and Supply Inc. (the holding company) and the remaining two shops, Pompano and Stuart.

Over the next four years, Tom opened the remaining five shops: Davie, Hollywood, West Palm Beach, North Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale.

In 1987, Tom changed the name of the company to Auto Painting USA and in 1988 the holding company was changed to Auto Painting USA Enterprises Inc.

TOYOTA OF FORT WORTH

l r Pick Only Origina ai ep R t ex N r ou For Y

!

TOYOTA PARTS • 70+ Years Combined Parts Team Experience • Volume Discounts HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm / Sat. 7am - 5pm

parts@toyotaoffortworth.com

Call Us Today!

Parts Hotline Fax

817-560-3649 866-295-8384 817-916-1557

9001 Camp Bowie W. • Fort Worth, TX 76116

Leading Edge Receives BASF Automotive Refinish Distributor of the Year Award

BASF Automotive Refinish presented its Distributor of the Year Award to Leading Edge Auto Refinishers, Inc.,

thinking and ability to differentiate itself in Arizona. With a strong record of continued growth and outstanding cus-

Chuck Soeder, far left, Vice President, Automotive Refinish and Industrial Coatings Solutions for BASF; and Denise Kingstrom, far right, Strategic Accounts Manager, Automotive Refinish for BASF present the business’s Distributor of the Year Award to the Leading Edge team. From left are: Soeder; Travis Leybeck, Paul Derdich, Mike Priest, John Rang, Matt Johnson, David Brannon, Troy Schooley, Steve Balsley, and Vaughn Lindberg of Leading Edge; and Kingstrom

Phoenix, Arizona, at its annual ColorSource™ Conference on April 19 in La Jolla, California.

“Leading Edge received the award because of its innovation, forward

tomer service and support, as well as commitment to waterborne conversions, Leading Edge is a true partner with BASF,” said Denise Kingstrom, BASF’s Strategic Accounts Manager.

Leading Edge has been family owned and operated since 1993.

“We are very proud to receive this award on behalf of the entire team at Leading Edge. It would be hard to imagine operating Leading Edge without all the talented people in the organization,” said Matt Johnson, co-owner of Leading Edge. “We would also like to thank BASF for supporting our business initiatives. Without BASF’s singleline ColorSource PREMIER program, much of what we have accomplished in Arizona would have not been possible.

BASF is vital to our success. It’s a unique partnership because we all succeed together.”

ColorSource PREMIER is a program designed by BASF exclusively for single line distributors of BASF refinish paints and coatings. ColorSource PREMIER distributors are key strategic partners with BASF. To learn more about becoming a ColorSource PREMIER distributor, please contact Denise Kingstrom at denise.kingstrom@basf.com, or 248632-2420, or visit www.basfrefinish.com.

I-CAR Introduces New Series of Online Courses

I-CAR has introduced a new series of online courses that provides foundational knowledge on the basics of the collision repair process for professionals across the collision repair inter-industry. The Intro to Collision Repair Series is designed for such roles as entry-level technician, entry-level appraiser, front office staff, customer service rep, sales staff, call center agent and vo-tech student. The series includes a set of 14 one-hour online courses that covers topics such as vehicle parts terminology; mechanical repair terms and vehicle protection; tools, equipment and attachment methods; and collision repair process overview. The intro series is customizable to a business, and staff members can take all the courses or only the ones they need.

“Efficiency is key to running a successful business, and ensuring that your team has a solid understanding of the basics of the collision repair process can benefit a business in several areas,” said John S. Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and president. Special introductory pricing of 30 percent off the total purchase price of the entire set of 14 courses is available through July 30, 2012.

Find Your GM Parts Here!

• Highly Competitive Discounts • Genuine GM Parts • Se Habla Español • Free Delivery Please call or fax your inquiries today!

866.754.3244 Fax: 972.952.8151

Parts Department Hours: Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6:30pm Sat. 8am - 5pm 800 N. Central Expy.

Richardson, TX 75080

www.reliableGMparts.com

RELIABLE CHEVROLET THE NORTH TEXAS CHEVY STORE www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Legendary “Crazy” Painter Mitch Kelly Cites his Top 5 Projects

by Ed Attanasio

If there’s a list somewhere containing the names of the automotive industry’s top artisans/painters, Mitch Kelly is right up there at the top. The

owner of Kelly & Son in Bellflower, California and the creator of Crazy Paint, Mitch and his father Tom are proud to say that they’re not average painters and they run a shop that is not average either.

Tom Kelly’s grandfather started pinstriping vehicles back in the 1940s and Tom is well-known for working with Von Dutch as well as Ed “Big Daddy” Roth and still works alongside his son on a wide range of projects.

colors, stripes everywhere, including gold leaf—-it’s just really cool stuff.”

It all began 39 years ago when a teenager started to learn the family business to make some walking around money. “When I was 13, my dad told me to tape off some wheels on some vans,” Kelly explained. “He was doing lots of vans back then. In the 1960’s everybody had a van and they wanted graphics on them. He was fast. He’d lay them out, paper them and Scotch Bright them and I learned how to do it all.

The first thing I did was paint wheels. They used to have those old western-style wheels with ribs on them and you’d have to paint between the ribs and color match them to the vehicle. I would do a couple sets of wheels every day and Dad would give me $10-$15 per wheel. So, as a 13year-old, I was making good money, sometimes $150 per day.”

little pinky. I realized early on that I a magazine! It was my first really sedidn’t want to do pinstripes, murals or rious graphic effort and I was so hand lettering, so I figured out that I proud.” needed to get into the painting side. I Mitch Kelly’s number two projlearned about as much as I could ect came at age 19. “After a while, I about two-color toning, fading and started getting better and better at graphics to where I could do them at a painting cars. One day, a couple high level. My father and I are still a brought in a 1969 Corvette that they team. He’s 72 now and we still work wanted candy red. I used a red and together.” gold pearl base with the red candy on ABN sat down with Mitch Kelly top. It came out with a very different recently to chronicle his top five projects over the years and the first one he cited was the very first car he painted completely from start to finish while a high school student. “My friend had a 1978 Z-28, and asked ‘would I put some stripes on his car’? I said yeah, but not for free. For $200, I put three-colored stripes around his car for a hot Kelly includes this truck he painted for Thor Wear as one of his top five projects ever rod look. That was my first success, because it made the cover of effect by just messing around with the Hot Rod magazine. I was still in high colors. school and I got my first cover! I They wanted a silhouette of thought to myself, “I must have at them together painted on the hood, least some talent to make the cover of so we ghosted it in. It looked awe-

MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA www.mikecalverttoyota.com

One of Kelly’s current projects is this 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The crew at Kelly & Son is (from left) John Weening, Mitch Kelly, Brandon Hedden, Thomas Kelly (Mitch’s son) and Tom Kelly (Mitch’s father)

Mitch Kelly, 52, is at a stage in his professional career where he is ready to start giving back to the industry in which he made his name.

“I have a ton of knowledge and at this point in my life, I want to share it,” says Kelly. “Back in the day, my cars were on at least three magazine covers every year, whether it was a truck, motorcycle or hot rod magazine. More recently, a motorcycle that I painted will be appearing on the cover of Ground Pounder magazine.

It’s a cinnamon-colored Harley painted with PPG paint and I really like working on bikes lately. We did one Harley that has more than $13,000 worth of paint, with multiple

Tom Kelly didn’t want his son’s future in the paint business. “At one point, my father told me, ‘This is fine and all, but I want you to get a regular job.’ I worked six hours a day in a cabinet shop, but I also stayed on at my dad’s shop. Between the cabinet shop, my dad’s shop, and school, I was putting in 13-hour days. Eventually I went to work with my father full-time in 1978.

“My father is probably the best pinstriper in the world, in my opinion, and many will agree. His talent and his ability to stripe stuff is phenomenal,” Mitch says with evident pride.

“He’s a super artist and he’s very creative. He’s got all my ability in his

36 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

• Overnight Delivery in Most Areas of TX & LA unts • Volume Discounts pping • One-Stop Shopping Local

(713) 558-8272 Fax

(713) 558-8131 Toll Free

1-800-527-5368 Download at www.CollisionLink.com

2333 S. Loop West • Houston, TX 77054

some and the customers loved it.

They gave me a $300 tip, which was unheard of way back then! That rocked my world and I realized how important good customer service can be. Meeting deadlines and giving them exactly what they want is crucial, and I learned a lot about it with that Corvette.”

Number three on the Mitch Kelly countdown happened roughly 20 years ago, he said. “One day in 1992, I got a phone call from the people at the Association of Volleyball

their sponsor. They asked me, can you airbrush a mural of a 30-40 foot volleyball player diving for volleyball on the side of a semi-truck? And I told them, yes—we can do that.

After I hung up the phone, I turned to my dad and said, ‘Uh, we can do this, right?’ and he said we’ll give it our best shot! We got the job and did an image of Sinjin Smith, who was one of the world’s top volleyball players at that time and they were really happy with it.”

That semi led to a lot of new business on a corporate level, Mitch explained.

“After that initial meeting with the people from Miller Lite, things really started happening. It’s totally different from working with customers off the street. For one, my business clients never even come to look at Mitch Kelly is well-known for painting semis, including the trucks after they’re finthis beauty he designed and painted for one of his ished. They just send the sponsors, PPG check after seeing it on TV Professionals (AVP). At that time, or in publications. We started doing a they had a countrywide tour featurlot of these semi trailers for the AVP ing some of the country’s best vol- and they let us do the things we do leyball players and Miller Lite was best—our graphics, fading and

blending. We worked closely with their designers to make them pop and it’s been a great relationship.”

The fourth notable accomplishment for Kelly is another truck proj-

to do more of those!’ I’ve done at least 15 trucks for them over the years and at least a total of 50 jobs overall, so it has turned out to be an excellent account.”

This now takes us to the fifth fabulous project performed by Mitch and his crew—another semi for a major brand name. “Fifteen years ago, we got a call from the people from Mazda’s racing team and did a semi for them featuring a Mazda race car on the side and with the logos.

Mitch Kelly is well-known for his amazing work on When the people from motorcycles. This green beauty is his own personal Mazda saw it, they were ride and proud of it thrilled. The next call was ect that came from some of his another car and trailer. They needed motorcycle work, he said. “I’ve alit in just three weeks time and it had ways loved motorcycles of all kinds to be in Texas for a TV commercial. and I was racing for a while. So, we They said we don’t care about the were painting a bike one day for a price. It was the biggest project money-wise that I had ever done. We company called Thor Wear and they asked us to bid on a truck job for got it done three days early and it led them. We got the bid and then worked to a bunch of work with Mazda after with their designer and it came out that.” great. They loved it! We took it to a For more information about big show and it got amazing reviews.

Mitch and his work, go to: The big boss saw it and said, ‘We need www.kellyandsoncrazypainters.com

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

You only get one chance at the first repair.

Original Thought #78

Texas

BMW of San Antonio

BMW of Houston North

San Antonio (210) 732-7121 (800) 880-1430

Houston (888) 215-7431 (281) 875-4021 Fax

Dallas (800) 245-7269 (972) 241-3953 Fax

Plano (214) 778-2673 Direct Wholesale (214) 778-2674 Direct Wholesale (214) 778-2814 Fax

BMW of Dallas

Classic BMW

Oklahoma

BMW of Tulsa

Tulsa (800) 331-3996 (918) 665-1360 Fax

Original BMW Parts • Original BMW Parts & Accessories

bmwusa.com

New Mexico Sandia BMW

Albuquerque (800) 642-2697 (505) 217-0289 Fax

Original BMW Parts

bmwusa.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 37

Custom Painter Jim Hetzler Started Out at Age 13 with a Model Car

the young man under his wing, and even though Roth was in California Custom Painter Jim Hetzler, 53, of and Hetzler lived in Iowa, Roth Muscatine, Iowa is a world class pin- talked to young Jim over the phone stripe and airbrush artist whose career and became his mentor. “He is the started at the tender age of 13 when one who gave me direction,” Hetzler his hobby was building model cars. said.

Hetzler became a selftaught artist when his interest in art grew over time in high school. His love of art, his friends’ referrals and word of mouth soon grew to be a fulltime business. In the early 80s his career took off, launched by the Honda Motorcycle Gold Wing touring bikes.

“They came from the manufacturer in only three colors,” Jim Hetzler is a world-class pinstripe and airbrush artist Hetzler said. “People wanted who started painting when he was 13. custom paint jobs and the “It’s a funny thing,” Hetzler more I did, the more referrals I got and said. “I enjoyed building model cars my business grew to cars, trucks and as a pre-teen and I wanted to paint semis.” pinstripes on my cars but didn’t Today, Hetzler is a world class know how to begin. I wanted to learn pinstripe and airbrush artist and speand know the secrets of pinstriping, but back in those days it was hard to find someone to teach me.” One day he saw an advertisement in a magazine and bought a $5 book on how to pinstripe. That book was written by famous car builder and airbrush/pinstripe Jim Hetzler won the House of Kolor Prestigious Car Painter Award artist, Ed “Big in 2007 when he painted this 1940 Buick Daddy” Roth. Roth was the creator of the “Rat Fink and cializes in lettering, graphics, pingang” monster hot rod characters striping, gold leaf and airbrush and is which became rock-art icons, ap- highly recommended for his symmetpearing on airbrushed T-shirts, rical, multi-colored fine line stripes as posters and hot rods. Roth’s cartoon well as his realistic airbrush techcharacters were known for symbol- niques and ability to apply the most current techniques to any project. Jim and his wife, Chris, own and operate Hetz Pinstriping and JC Hetz Studio Signs and Graphics in Muscatine, Iowa.

With 40 years experience as a pinstriper, 35 years as an airbrush artist and 25 years in the custom Jim Hetzler painted his own 1950 Ford Club Coupe painting business, Hetizing the rebellious nature of the zler has too many projects to count.

1960s hot rod movement. Roth took But some of his favorite projects inby Melanie Anderson

38 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

clude pinstriping the Good Guys 2009 Street Rod of the Year, custom painting his own 1950 Ford Club Coupe, and creating the paint job on a full-

One of the highlights of his career, Hetzler said, has been the honor of working with Jon Kosmoski, who founded House of Kolor in 1956.

Today, they work together to create new products for House of Kolor. “When I first started using their paints 25 years ago, I was impressed and thought they had a great product. In my world, Jon is a rock star. To be involved with custom painting at this level is amazing One of Jim's favorite projects was painting this full-sized semi for for me.” the University of Iowa’s Hawkeye Football team.

Hetzler often travsize tractor trailer semi for the Uni- els with the House of Kolor, taking his versity of Iowa’s Hawkeye Football talent on the road and showcasing Team.

House of Kolor paints. He is a regular Jim was given the title of “Pin- showcase artist every year at the striping Legend” by Northern and SEMA show in Las Vegas. He also will Southern Rodder magazines and has be at the Back to the 50s car show in received many awards for his graph- Minnesota in June. In August, he’ll be ics and designs throughout the years. in Louisville, Kentucky for the Street In 2007 and 2011, Hetzler received Rod Nationals. In his spare time, he the House of Kolor Prestigious Painter holds his own workshops in pinstriping Award. He’s been using House of and airbrushing, as well as working as Kolor products for 25 years and for a pinstripe instructor for “getaway the past two years, has been testing the workshops” in Orlando and Las Vegas. new Shrimrin2 Formula.

Hetzler’s trademark signature is “I like the new line even more,” “Hetz” and can be found on all his Hetzler said. “It’s incredible paint and projects. His online, Facebook and gives you the ability to create thou- personal connections in the custom sands of colors from 16 base colors. It’s easier to use and you can intermix it for any color combination.”

The newest line of paint from House of Kolor, released in June 2011, is a solventbased paint with low VOC. What makes the Shrimrim2 Formula special, Hetzler says, is Jim Hetzler won the House of Kolor Prestigious Car Painter Award the ability to custom in 2011 for this 1934 Ford create a multitude of colors and intermixing Kandy with painting world have made him fabases and creating special effects with mous. “I can go anywhere in the U.S. its line of pearls and flakes. and people know who I am. It’s kind “House of Kolor has been my of scary,” Hetzler said. paint of choice for the last 25 years,” For more information, visit Hetzler said. “House of Kolor paints http://www.hetzstudio.com/ or contact is the foundation of all my artwork Jim at (563) 263-2803 or at jhetand graphics. It’s vibrant, easy to zler@machlink.com. work with and is convenient to mix colors. Using their paints has enwww.autobodynews.com hanced my artwork and really made CHECK IT OUT! the colors pop.”

Women’s Industry Network 6th Annual May Conference Hosts 200 Women

The sixth annual Women’s Industry Network Conference kicked off in Atlanta with over 200 women from all segments of the collision repair industry. The first day included a keynote address on “Extreme Change: Adapt, Overcome & WIN as One” by Robyn Benincasa, World Champion Adventure Racer, San Diego City Firefighter and Founder of World Class Teams and Project Athena Foundation. Dr. Linda Gravett of Gravett and Associates inspired conference attendees with her strategies for managing stress and maintaining inner peace utilizing exercises borrowed from Tai Chi, Yoga and Tae Kwon Do. The afternoon session included an update on vehicle design and collision avoidance technology and its impact on the industry presented by Kim Hazelbaker, Senior Vice President, Highway Loss Data Institute.

Included in the day was recognition of the nine conference scholarship winners including six students: Nicolette Cole, Le’Trina Ervin, Tiffany Owen, Leslie Mendoza, Jennifer Watkins, Kinsey Simmons; one instructor, Greg Brink; and two

collision repair facility employees: Deborah O’Kean and Jessica Gauthier.

Margaret Knell was awarded this year’s Cornerstone Award, given each year to a board member that exemplifies the values and ideals of WIN. Also recognized were WIN’s 2012 Corporate Sponsors: AkzoNobel; DuPont; Allstate; ASE; BASF; Enterprise Rent-a-Car; State Farm Insurance; Hertz; 3M; LKQ; Sterling Autobody Centers; Geico; Fix Auto; Carstar; PPG; ABRA Auto Body & Glass; CAPA; Finishmaster; Symphony Advisors; Sherwin Williams; Mitchell; CCC Information Services; Insurance Auto Auctions; Audatex and Car-Part.com.

“We want to thank every one of our sponsors for their support of WIN. Their commitments are essential to achieving our mission of engaging women in the collision repair industry,” said Victoria Jankowski, WIN’s chair.

Day two at the WIN conference started off with the Annual Scholarship Walk Presented by Fix Auto where more than 100 women laced up their

sneakers and trekked through Atlanta’s Buckhead district. Over $1700 was raised through individual donations.

The funds will be directed toward WIN’s various scholarship programs.

Following the walk, WIN’s second keynote speaker, Cathy Bonner, CEO, Service King Collision Repair Centers, shared the top performing skills that she has learned through forty years of professional and personal success. Cathy had a unique message that has been built on years of teaching leadership through the programs she developed called Leadership America and Power Pipeline and her own management experiences in both the public and the private sectors of America.

Susanna Gotsch, Director Industry Analyst, CCC Information Services, gave an industry update titled “The Latest Trends, Market Dynamics & Business Drivers Impacting Our Industry.” Ms. Gotsch explored the ways economic and demographic changes have impacted the automotive claims and repair industries.

The afternoon continued with

three breakout sessions: “Why Women Should Do Business with You” presented by Lori Johnson, Owner of Ladies, Start Your Engines!®; “Quality Control: Are you Looking Closely Enough and at the Right Time?” presented by Shawn Collins, a Senior Technical Service Engineer at 3M; and “Customer Service…Back to Basics” presented by Dianne Young, Founder and Master Instructor for Propel Training and Development.

After two exciting, fast-paced days spent networking and learning from dynamic speakers, the conference wrapped up with the closing session “Take Control…Be the Change.”

Michelle DeMaris, WIN member and conference attendee, said, “I’ve learned we have to take charge of changing the perception of females in the industry and own that concept.”

Linda Sommerhauser, a long time WIN member, added her thoughts, “I feel energized and invigorated to go back and work more with our schools and advisory boards and to advocate for shops to sponsor internships within their facilities.”

See these Hyundai dealers below for all your collision parts needs!

TEXAS

Allen Samuels Hyundai

Gene Messer Hyundai

Automax Hyundai

NORTH RI CHLAN D HI L L S

L U BBOCK

800-888-2079 817-589-7882 Fax

888-786-8128 806-785-2238 Fax

866-619-6406 405-364-3307 405-364-6504 Fax

Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm Sat 7am - 4pm sgressley@asag.net

Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm Sat 8am - 6pm csides@genemesser.com www.genemesserhyundai.com

Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 1pm

Hub Hyundai

James Wood Hyundai

Don Carlton Hyundai of Tulsa

Hyundai Genesis 2012 HOU ST ON

800-856-2212 281-955-2311 Fax

QUALITY IS ALL WE THINK ABOUT. THAT AND QUALITY.

OKLAHOMA

Mon-Fri 7:30am - 6pm Sat 8am - 3pm hubparts290@hubhouston.com www.hubhouston.com

NORMAN

DE CATU R

TULSA

940-627-4607 940-627-4653 Fax

800-627-0705 918-622-2843 Fax

Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5:30pm hyundaiparts@jameswood.com

Mon-Sat 7am - 6pm hyundaiparts@doncarlton.com www.doncarlton.com

Van Hyundai CARROL LTON

972-512-4200 972-512-4202 Fax Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm Sat 8am - 3pm ktaylor@vtaig.com www.vanhyundai.com www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 39

Why Your Body Shop Can’t Ignore Social or Digital Media “Social Media is Word of Mouth on Steroids” —Frank Terlep

by Melanie Anderson

There’s no escape. Nearly everyone and their grandmother is using social or digital media. Is your shop up to speed with the age we live in?

According to Frank Terlep, CEO of Summit Software and Marketing Solutions, more than 112 million generation X and Y consumers, 60 million baby boomers and 20 million seniors are on the Internet, emailing, texting or using social media. And these numbers don’t even reflect the younger generation, those between 18–34 who comprise an outsized proportion of consumers who watch online videos, visit social networking sites and blogs, own a tablet and use a smart phone.

“In today’s world, every shop needs a website and social media presence to attract consumers to their brand and business,” said Terlep.

“Getting involved with digital and social media is not a matter of ‘if’ - it’s a matter of ‘when’ - because shops will end up doing it anyway and they may as well do it now and be a winner instead of a loser. Waiting to join the

social media world is losing an opportunity to increase your business.”

To connect with, market to, service or retain today’s ‘digital consumer,’ a shop must consider several digital marketing tools, techniques and strate-

saging, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Google, YouTube and other digital or social media technologies to perform their jobs, communicate with business associates, friends and family or to educate and entertain themselves.

Frank Terlep uses ‘personal media’ to engage a group of shop owners invited by Sherwin-Williams to San Diego’s Petco Park for a talk and a baseball game on April 26

gies, such as digital databases, email, text messaging, social media, mobile and location-based marketing, smart phones, phone apps, micro sites, search engine optimization, pay per click advertising, digital ads, promotions, ecoupons, videos and more, said Terlep.

A digital consumer is an individual who uses smart phones, text mes-

According to Terlep, the three most critical steps repair and collision shops should take regarding social or digital media are: #1. Know how their website is performing

#2. Continue communication with existing or previous customers #3. Participate in social media

Your Website “The shop’s website is the hub of the shop’s whole digital marketing strategy,” Terlep said. “A shop’s website is their online lobby.” Knowing how well their website is performing should be a priority for every shop.

“Shops need to make sure their consumers can find their website from anywhere, whether it is a local search or from a variety of search engines,” Terlep said. “A website is performing well if your shop ends up on the first page of engine search. Less than two percent of customers will go to the second page of a search.”

Your Customers Staying in touch with previous or existing customers is an important marketing strategy that many shops overlook.

Terlep believes that most shops don’t market to previous or existing customers. “It’s easier to get business from old customers than it is to find new cus-

Sherwin-Williams’ Digital Marketing Seminar

WANT EVERY JOB TO BE A BANG-UP JOB?

for Sherwin-Williams body shop customers) is partnering with Summit Software

These dealers are Genuine VW Parts Wholesale Specialists.

Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes A-Plus University (a value-added program

and Marketing Solutions to offer a digital marketing advanced business class

specifically for collision repair facilities. The program is launching in multiple lo-

cations this year throughout the country.

A recent workshop was held April 26 in a skybox media suite at Petco Park,

the home of the San Diego Padres, and concluded with a catered dinner and premium seat viewing of the night's game.

The four-hour workshop was designed for shop owners and managers to

help them meet the challenges body shops face in today’s rapidly changing digital

and information age.

Troy Neuerburg, Sherwin Williams Automotive Finishes' Marketing Manager,

Business Services, led the meeting, with input from Chris Lynch, Falls Communi-

cations. Frank Terlep, CEO of Summit Software and Marketing Solutions, pre-

sented the program. Terlep's rapid-fire style covered a huge menu of topics

touching on shop-consumer communications via social media, smartphone

apps, and digital marketing for the busy shop. The digital and social media strate-

Texas

Oklahoma

Boardwalk Volkswagen

Cable Volkswagen

R ICHA R D S O N

O K L A HO MA CITY

FAX: 214-453-5055 www.vwoncentral.com

FAX: 405-789-3317

1-800-777-9047

1-800-522-6793

Fowler Volkswagen NO R MA N

1-877-737-6986

FAX: 405-310-3719 www.fowlervw.com

gies covered included: What digital marketing means; Why digital marketing is re-

quired for success in today’s world; What a shop’s potential digital marketing

audience is; The benefits shops can expect to receive from digital marketing; The

importance of a digital marketing database; and Digital marketing tools that are

available. For more information, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com.

40 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

WE WANT TO BE YOUR SOURCE FOR REAL VOLKSWAGEN PARTS. With your skill and our parts, every collision repair will be a bang-up job. And that will add up to more repeat business for both of us. Call your order in today.

tomers,” Terlep said. “Shops think, ‘Why should we keep in touch with previous customers if, on average, consumers only use a body repair shop only seven to 10 years?’ Car accidents are a bad experience and most customers want to forget about it as soon as possible, and that means they forget about the shop too. After a couple years, people tend to forget where they even had their car repaired.”

Getting customers back in the door is important to the success of a body shop, and the way to do that is to offer additional appearance-related services, such as detailing, glass repair, headlight restoration, mechanical repair services, or any other type of non-collision repairs. “There is a huge opportunity to market to existing or previous customers and many shops aren’t doing this,” Terlep said. Social and digital media are successful ways to stay in touch with your customers to get them back in the door for other services.

Your ‘Friends’ One of the biggest reasons why a body shop should be on social media is because their customers are already there.

Terlep suggests a shop focus on one of

the ‘Big 5’ —Facebook YouTube, Twitter, LinkedIn or Google Plus. Posting items that are educational and entertaining and offering exclusive deals will get more attention than random facts.

Shops should participate in social media for two important reasons: it helps shops stay in touch with their customers, and it gives them the ability to position themselves to be online experts in their field with an online audience within their community. “A shop should want their customers to know them as an expert so their customers can tell their friends, and being on social media is the best way to do that. Social media is word of mouth on steroids,” Terlep said.

Email Marketing With all that said and despite the frenzy over social media, Terlep said the best digital marketing is still email because “80% of consumers still prefer email over Facebook or Twitter to get their information.” Customers are comfortable getting surveys, e-newsletters, ecoupons and other promotions by email. Terlep said shops are moving away from phone-based customer surveys because electronic surveys garner

better and more honest feedback, as well as improved tracking.

Another good reason to switch over to digital marketing is it is much less expensive than traditional marketing. E-newsletters cost only about $50 a month compared to thousands of dollars it costs to print and mail print versions of newsletters. And social media is free!

Phone Apps Another digital marketing tool for shops to consider is a phone app for their business. According to Terlep, more than 50% of the U.S. population who own a cell phone use a smart phone, and that percentage will increase as the older cell phones become obsolete. He recommends an Apple or Android app as those two platforms have the majority of the smart phone market. The benefit of a body shop having an app is that it will allow a consumer who has just been in an accident to be able to push the app on their phone without having to remember the location, phone, name or email address of the body shop. An app allows the customer to take photos, file a report and send information to the

body shop, insurance and police. “A body shop who has their own app owns a piece of real estate of the consumer’s smart phone,” Terlep said.

Goodbye TV? The three most prevalent screens today are, in order: the TV, PC and then the smart phone, tablet or mobile device.

In the next five years, that order will reverse as the smart phone will become the No. 1 screen people will look at the most, becoming more popular than the television or computer screen.

So, why aren’t shops up-to-date in the electronic world we live in? It’s time and expertise, Terlep said. Most shops don’t have time during their daily operation to properly market their business digitally. And many just don’t have the expertise. “They don’t know what they don’t know,” Terlep lamented.

“Social media and digital marketing is not a passing fad. It’s here to stay. Body shops will end up using digital marketing at some point, and those who don’t wait will benefit the most,” Terlep said.

For more information about Terlep’s business, visit their website at www.emarketingsherpas.com.

Parts You Need.

People You Trust.

Genuine Mitsubishi Replacement Crash Parts are close at hand through the following quality dealerships.

Exceptional customer service, wide selection of in-stock parts and the experience necessary to ensure your repairs proceed smoothly.

THESE DEALERS ARE GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS. T EXAS

2012 Lancer Sportback TEXAS

Don Herring Mitsubishi - Irving

866-375-4074 (469) 443-1872 Fax

#3 Volume Parts Dept. in the Nation. $600,000 Inventory.

West Loop Mitsubishi

SAN ANTONIO

800-224-1968 (210) 681-4583 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 6:00 pm #1 Volume Dealer in All of Texas. wlparts@lonestar-auto.com

OKLAHOMA

Cable Mitsubishi

OKLAHOMA CITY

866-751-1055 405-787-6582 (405) 789-8500 Fax

Freeman Toyota Scion

Toyota of Laredo

817-287-5349 Fax

956-718-4234 Fax

HURST

888-628-7626

Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm; Sat. 8am - 3pm parts@toyotatime.com www.freemantoyota.com

LAREDO

888-818-5176

Mon. - Fri. 7:30am - 6pm; Sat. 8:30am - 5pm www.toyotaoflaredo.com

Toyota of Fort Worth

Sterling McCall Toyota

817-916-1557 Fax

713-270-3942 Fax

FORT WORTH

817-560-3649

Mon. - Fri. 7am - 7pm; Sat. 7am - 5pm www.toyotaoffortworth.com

HOUSTON

800-231-1440

Monday - Friday 7am - 7pm Saturday 7am - 4pm

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

On Creative Marketing Positioning Your Shop with Thomas Franklin

about or look for a shop. Coca-Cola In the world of big corporation marketing, how a company or product is can stay first in people’s minds be“positioned” is a big deal. For exam- cause they drink beverages every day, ple, a shop that is known to be the but few people need collision repair biggest, or the fastest, or (not likely more often than once every three but possibly) the cheapest, or (as years. Nevertheless, now and then a many would like to claim), the high- shop succeeds in capturing mass pubest quality, would be likely to hold lic attention. 3-C Collision Center in that position in people’s minds indef- Ohio captured a lot of publicity by atwith Dick Strom initely, unless something radically tacking shops that catered to insurance changed their mind. In copiers, companies. He also created a new catXerox is still thought of as the stan- egory in which he could be first—a dard, in computers IBM is still first “no-insurance-connection-shop.”

This is one way a shop can bein most people’s minds, and Hertz is still the top rental car name people come first: Create a new category to think of. be first in. Sometimes new technolIn marketing, it’s well established ogy creates that opportunity for you. that it’s always better to be first than to In most areas, one shop became the be better. Charles Lindbergh flew the first to use waterborne paint. As highAtlantic solo first, but Bert Hinkler end car manufacturers began the did it faster, consuming less fuel. He switch to aluminum structures, one Lee of Amaradio Jr.had the opportunity to be first was second and with never heard again. shop George Washington was the first pres- with the costly frame machine needed ident. Who was second? Neil Arm- to work on aluminum structures. Of strong was first to walk on the moon. course these opportunities were short Who was second? Second place is lived as other shops made the same generally no place. So, is it too late to move to the new technology, but if be first in your area? It all depends on the first shop capitalized on being first… at what? And are there other al- first and promoted that fact effectively, that position of “first” could reternatives?

One problem with being recog- main in the minds of key referral nized in the collision repair industry is source coordinators.

The question now is, what new the infrequency that people even think with Sheila Loftuscategory might a shop use to vault into a number one position, and if so what could be done to make that fact broadly known? I recently wrote about a shop that closed off its drivethrough area and made it available for a meeting of 40 professional women belonging to a networking group called “Power Babes.” Another shop sponsored an even larger group called “The Women’s Resource Network.”

These shops successfully positioned Place an ad in our themselves as “firsts” to recognize the repair purchasing power in profesAUTOBODY with Janet Chaney sional women’s groups in their area.

MARKETPLACE Although these were not moves to grab a large mass audience, they were section of sufficient to capture an emerging, sigAutobody News. nificant market.

This may be the most effective way a collision repair shop that’s not part of a large chain or franchise can kmangum@autobodynews.com create a marketing category. As baby boomers get older, another category that might work well is reaching out

Opinions Count

Action Counts

Your Turn

Advertise in our CLASSIFIED SECTION for $50 per column inch!

Shop Showcase

800-699-8251

Industry Overview with Janet Chaney

42 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Tom Franklin has been a shop sales and marketing consultant for fifty years. He has written numerous books and provides marketing solutions and services for many businesses. He can be reached at (323) 871-6862 or at tbfranklin@aol.com.

See Tom’s columns at www.autobodynews.com under Columnists > Franklin

to AARP members or even handicapped people. On the other end of age-related categories, becoming a specialty shop for driving schools and new drivers could reach significant numbers of people. Another approach is becoming known for championing a highly respected charity. Some possibilities might be transportation for the blind or special events for autistic or handicapped children. It’s well known that children and pets capture people’s attention in ads and media.

Helping almost any charity that focuses on these will draw attention to your shop and enable you to get free publicity.

One other marketing strategy that has worked well in getting a business positioned profitably is seeking the number two position with contrast. Perhaps best known is the slogan used by Avis in competing with Hertz Car Rental: “We try harder.”

Another was the success of PepsiCola competing with Coca-Cola’s number one position by creating “The Pepsi Generation.”

If a competing shop in your community has somehow captured the number one position in people’s minds, you may be able to capture part of that glory with a clever contrasting campaign.

“We produce top quality faster.”

“No one produces a safer repaired vehicle than our shop.”

“Top quality doesn’t have to go for top dollar.”

The trick is to identify what you do that can be better than what is perceived as “the best.”

And then find a way to communicate to the right public to receive that message. You have the power to create a profitable position in your market. You just have to recognize it and work at it.

America’s Car Museum Celebrates Grand Opening

ACM is dedicated to preserving and highlighting America’s love affair with the auto. The facility will host concerts, collector car shows and drive-in movies.

A free concert by six-time Grammy winner “Asleep at the Wheel” will be the America’s Car Museum celebrates its grand opening on June 2 featured Grand Openin Tacoma, WA ing Day entertainment, LeMay America’s Car Museum opens with Tacoma native and recent “The June 2 in downtown Tacoma, WA. Voice” contestant Kim Archer as the The museum explores how the auopening act. tomobile has fulfilled a distinctive role of the American experience and shaped our society. The spacious museum with rotating exhibits is designed to be the centerpiece for automotive history as well as an educational center and library.

The museum, located adjacent to the Tacoma Dome, also contains a 3.5-acre show field, theatre, café, banquet hall and meeting facilities. The 165,000square-foot museum has been named one of the “8 big open- 1914 Detroit Electric Priscilla on display at the Alternative ings of 2012” by USA Today Propulsion exhibit at the new America's Car Museum. and will feature more than 350 The Priscilla represents Detroit Electric, one of the most successful early electric cars cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Give your customers what they deserve... The Best.

Genuine Mazda parts are specifically designed, engineered and tested for Mazda vehicles. Customers and repair professionals prefer the quality and satisfaction that only comes from genuine Mazda parts.

RX-8 2012

TEXAS

Ingram Park Mazda

Kinsel Mazda

6980 NW Loop 410 San Antonio

Beaumont

800-580-7278

Fax 409-923-5856

800-454-6735

Direct 210-681-6018 Fax 210-543-0739

Order your Genuine Mazda Parts from one of these parts specialists in your area.

Body Shop Customer Attempts Rescue of Elderly Fire Victim

St. Louis, MO, Hail Damage Hit Rental Fleets Too

A 69-year-old woman died in a house fire in South Salt Lake City, UT, despite heroic rescue attempts by her neighbor and a local body shop customer. Oralyn Reay was pulled from her burning home but unfortunately did not survive her injuries. Neighbors had already pulled her dog from the burning house before firefighters arrived. Investigators were not sure if she died before the fire started.

Sonny Gines said he was standing on his porch smoking a cigarette when he smelled smoke, then realized Reay’s house across the street was on fire. He ran toward the house.

Meanwhile, Thomas Brent was nearby at The Painter’s Center when he saw the fire. He joined the neighbors and ran toward the blaze. Gines said he kicked in the front door and was greeted with a wall of black smoke. Brent arrived once the door was open.

“The fire wasn’t that bad when I went in,” Brent said. “There was a lot of smoke.” Brent crawled in on his belly. He and Gines pulled Reay outside. “It was just instinct,” Gines said.

“I would hope someone would do it for my family.”

The impact of hail storms that hit St. Louis in early May is still being felt as thousands of owners of homes and cars continue to make, or await, repairs.

Hail the size of baseballs, even softballs, fell in some parts of the St. Louis region. Reports indicated that up to 50,000 cars in the area were damaged. Many repair shops brought in extra help from out of state to meet demand.

As thousands of vehicles were damaged, so were the rental fleets.

Car rental companies had to scramble to fix or replace their own fleets. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that Enterprise Rent-A-Car brought in more than 1,000 vehicles from other states to replace cars damaged in the storm. Of those damaged, about 800 were at Lambert Airport.

Avis had more than 300 cars damaged at the airport. The company honored some reservations but had to put some customers on waiting lists until more cars arrived from other areas. Some car rental companies had to suspend reservations until their fleets were replenished.

For some time now, Edwards Paint and Body, in St. Augustine, FL, has been making shop space available a to about 20 young martial artists who call themselves the Body Shop Boys. The group’s benefactor is co-owner Jimmy Edwards, who with his son-in-law, Todd Raven, felt the boys needed a place to compete other than the streets, said shop co-owner Chris Cheshire.

The Body Shop Boys’ newest member already has something to brag about around the garage. Former Menendez athlete Matt Ng won his first local match at Rumble in the Ancient City mixed martial arts event at Ketterlinus Gym. Ng recently moved back to St. Augustine. It wasn’t long before Ng became one of the Body Shop Boys, training for fighting events weeknights at Edwards Paint and Body.

“Everybody has something to teach,” Ng said. Fighting at 158 pounds, Ng said he’s trained all over and most recently fought in Georgia. He said the St. Augustine event was a great thing to get people interested in the sport.

“It’s a good-sized event,” he said.

“I do it because I love it. I’d really like to do more. Ng wasn’t the only member of the Body Shop Boys to compete in the early matches. Joseph Green, who was not on the original schedule, picked up a victory over Michael Dukes in a submission grapple match. With Russell unable to fight Saturday, the main event

was probably the 155-pound title bout.

St. Augustine fighter Teddy Hudson came in with a 5-0 record and was the two-time defending Ancient City champion. Yet he was stopped by challenger Richard Evers.

Newest Body Shop Boy, Matt Ng, Shines in Rumble

Matt Ng throws a kick in his bout with Bert Smallwood during Saturday’s Rumble in the Ancient City mixed martial arts event at Ketterlinus Gym. Photo by Gary McCullough

“It was awesome,” Evers said. “I love to fight like that. I was nervous and excited,” he said. Evers came out aggressively and put Hudson into the ropes multiple times. However, Hudson never really panicked and kept himself in the fight.

Knowing how close the match was, both fighters came out swinging wildly in the final round. Neither contender was able to dominate, and Hudson reacted with complete disappointment when the winner was announced.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 43

House of Kolor® Colors Automotive World for 56 Years

by Melanie Anderson

Back in 1956, House of Kolor®, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was founded by world-renowned custom painter, Jon Kosmoski, and 56 years

later, is still a strong player in the world of automotive color.

House of Kolor produces basecoats, surfacers, primers, sealers, thinners, reducers, dry pearls and flakes and other specialty products.

The company is known in particular for its premium custom finishes.

1930 Ford Pickup, Mike Smyth

tom paints that wouldn’t tarnish, crack or sun-fade, even in severe climates or radical temperature changes. In addition, he wanted paints that could withstand the many coats required for a custom job. When Jon’s products and

skills came together, his paint jobs began to win awards, and people began to talk. Word spread and by 1965, House of Kolor was nationally renowned as high-caliber paint for customizing vehicles.

In 1997, House of Kolor became part of the Valspar Automotive Coatings Division. Jon continues to play an important role in House of Kolor.

He travels around the world conducting training classes and continues to share his innovative ideas, helping to keep House of Kolor on the leading edge of custom automotive coatings.

“After all these years, I’m still passionate about House of Kolor as ever,” said Jon. “In fact, I can walk through a car show and pick out the cars that have the House of Kolor paint on them. They are that much richer and brighter. The people at House of Kolor know that it is all about quality and longevity. That’s why we use the best pigments and solvents that money can buy.”

The company’s roots were inspired by a ‘40 Chevy Coupe. Jon had rebuilt the car and took it to the best paint shop in town. But the paint job was less than satisfactory and Jon knew it could be done better and so he decided to learn how. And, as they say, the rest is history. Jon quickly became well-known for his skills as a custom painter, however, he was displeased with the problematic nitrocellulose laquers and alkyd enamels of the day, which would sometimes sun1956 Chevrolet 210 Post, Gary Uhas fade or cold-crack.

Jon wanted something better and House of Kolor maintains its inif it wasn’t already available, then he tegrity and reputation as a leader in the decided he would have to invent it. custom coatings industry by using Together with a doctor in polymer only the finest ingredients in the prochemistry, Jon set out to produce cus- duction of its award-winning paint

44 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

products. The unique product line gives custom painters the freedom to use their imaginations to design, invent, and create “one of a kind” custom paint jobs.

The newest paint from House of Kolor is called Shrimrin2 and comes with a supporting line of new clears, primers and more, said Nick Dahl, General Manager with House of Kolor. Shrimrim2 is the second generation of the proven Shrimrin Basecoat technology introduced in 1982.

“Through new polymers and innovative chemistry, we are able to meet and exceed waterborne with a solvent-based system which allows the painter to create an unlimited pallet of easy-to-mix colors and to use colors that are the most exciting,” said Dahl, who has been with the company for 17 years. “Shrimrim2 basecoats are ultra productive, easy to apply and range from metallic, pearl and kandy basecoats. Shrimin2 Basecoats are a three-component system that consists of our S2-FX Karrier Bases, S2-FX Effect Pacs and RU Series Kosmic re-

ducers. This new system is the future of custom painting and is available now and compliant throughout the United States, including the strictest

1934 Ford 3 Window Coupe, Robert Darrow and Jim Hetzler

districts in California. House of Kolor is hitting a home run with solventbased custom paints that are coast-tocoast compliant.”

For more information, visit HouseofKolor.com or contact: 901 3rd Avenue South Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Phone: (800) 845-2500 Phone: (601) 798-4731 Email: houseofkolor@valspar.com

volvo Genuine parts Right Part. Right Price.

Right Now.

Your Source for Wholesale Volvo Parts Texas

Volvo of Dallas DALLAS

800-498-7402 972-963-9750 972-963-9749 Fax

Trust your order to the collision parts specialists at these fine Dealers

Continued from Page 31

Audi A3

tion depth.

Another focal point was the double seal between the door and the body.

A continuous seal was attained with the help of color imprint methods and optical measurement technology.

Only with this high level of precision could the stringent quality requirements for closing noise, closing comfort and interior acoustics be met.

On the interior master jig, specialists also ensure that the door trim has precise, uniform gaps in its transition to the body door to ensure noise-

Measurements on instrument panel with coordinate machine

Visual surface inspection of a trim strip

free operation over the entire life of the vehicle at the customer. A new fastening concept with a flocked stop rail was coordinated and implemented.

Audi A3—Color matching The interior of the new Audi A3 integrates about 150 colored components; customers can choose from five color schemes.

All parts, from decorative trim strips to the carpeting, must be precisely matched and coordinated. Audi Quality Assurance coordinates them all and resolves any issues with suppliers.

The colored parts in the A3 interior are extremely diverse. They consist of 34 different types of semi-finished goods—such as fabrics, leathers and

OUR PARTS IN THE T R AINE D H A N DS O F A P RO F E S SI O N A L

GM Parts Finish Second to None.

Together it

Ray Huffines Chevrolet

’s a Masterpiece!

Texas

Reliable Chevrolet

800-955-6282

866-754-3244

PLANO

972-202-2300 972-596-5571 Fax

RICHARDSON

972-952-8151 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7-7; Sat. 8-5 Call Us For Your Saturn Parts Also.

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6:30; Sat. 8-5 www.reliableGMparts.com

Louisiana

Banner Chevrolet

800-477-8603 NEW ORLEANS

504-242-4624 504-253-8490 Fax www.bannerauto.com

films—and ten types of plastic; they come from 45 suppliers across the globe.

This broad variety of materials results in many difficult neighboring interactions. For example, when smooth plastic meets textured surfaces, such as in the area of the center console, the different reflectance values of the materials can generate different, undesirable colors as perceived by an observer.

Special pigments are necessary to dye parts with different material chemistries in the same color hue. All

color matching efforts must first pass a special vision test, because the optical measuring instruments at Quality Assurance—such as the spectral photometer—can only provide objective

Visual color evaluation of roofliner

Discussing analysis results of functional cubing for door

components are dyed through, and many are also painted—some with high-gloss paint. In the new A3, for example, high-gloss components include the control panel for the climate control system and the frame of the MMI monitor. UV-stabilizers in the plastics prevent colors from bleaching out over a period of years.

Quality Assurance coordinates colors in its light studio whose lighting system can be adjusted to produce three different light environments: clear daylight, warm evening light or artificial light as in a showroom.

This is necessary, because individual materials give a different color impression under different lighting conditions. This effect—known as metamerism—must of course be avoided.

Visual surface inspection of a trim strip. All employees participating in

measured values of the surfaces.

Such instruments cannot measure the impression the color makes on a person, because only people can simultaneously detect and evaluate color, gloss level and surface texture.

Therefore, if there is any doubt, in the end it is the subjective impression of trained employees that is the decisive factor in achieving perfect color harmony.

Color matching work is also performed in the finished, assembled in-

Color hue check and gloss measurements in cockpit

terior, i.e. with components in their mounted positions and from the viewing perspective of the driver. This is done, because the appearance of certain components such as pillar trim changes due to the texture of the trim material.

Enterprise Introduces Customer Repair Notification Tool

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has launched a new customer repair status notification system for collision repair shops that uses text and email messages to keep customers updated on the status of vehicle repairs.

Enterprise said the new customer repair status notification system was developed in response to studies conducted by J.D. Power & Associates that revealed customers of all ages prefer to receive repair status updates through email and text

messages. The system is now part of Enterprise’s Automated Rental Management System (ARMS) suite of products.

The feature allows shops to update all of its customers, not just its Enterprise rental customers, through either customized or automated messages. The system also provides shops with a written record of information communicated to customers to help avoid misunderstandings, Enterprise said.

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 45

Romney Claims Credit in Auto Industry Turnaround

Mitt Romney argued against the bailout of the U.S. auto industry in 2008, in an article entitled “Let Detroit Go Bankrupt,” notes Chris Isidore, writing for CNN. Now three years after the Bush, then Obama administration, bailed out General Motors and Chrysler Group, and with U.S. auto industry sales, profits and hiring all rising, Romney believes he deserves credit for that turnaround.

“I’ll take a lot of credit for the fact that this industry’s come back,” he told an Ohio television station, May 7. “My own view is that the auto companies needed to go through bankruptcy before government help. And frankly, that’s finally what the president did. He finally took them through bankruptcy.”

Romney is right that the 2009 bankruptcy reorganizations at GM and Chrysler played a major role in the turnarounds at those automakers. It allowed them to shed billions in debt, along with plants, workers, brands and dealerships they could no longer afford.

And he’s correct that the automakers and the United Auto Workers union were initially opposed to the bankruptcy process, uncertain that the companies would survive what they expected could be months if not years in bankruptcy court.

But the billions of dollars from the federal bailout helped the bankruptcy process get done in about two months, much faster than anyone thought was possible, said Van Conway, CEO of Conway MacKenzie, a restructuring firm in Detroit. And Conway said the idea of a managed bankruptcy was not unique at the time.

“Romney might very well have had the

idea, but it’s not an idea no one else had on their own,” Conway said.

Other supporters of the bailouts, and even some critics of them, say that Romney deserves no credit for the turnaround, given that he opposed the federal bailout that kept the companies alive during the bankruptcy process.

Without that $81 billion in funding, the companies would have been forced to go out of business and liquidate, according to those experts.

“There was no way they could get financing,” said Conway. “They were burning money so fast, with no end in site, that no one but the government was going to give them money.”

Steve Rattner, who served as the car czar for the Obama administration, has repeatedly said that the government was the only source of financing to keep the automakers alive through bankruptcy. Rattner said in a recent New York Times opinion piece that he “spoke diligently to all conceivable providers of funds, and not one had the slightest interest in financing those companies on any terms.”

“If Mr. Romney disagrees, he should come forward with specific names of willing investors in place of empty rhetoric,” he added. “I predict that he won’t be able to, because there aren’t any.”

While Rattner is a long-time Democratic supporter, his view is echoed by some conservative executives in the auto industry, among them Bob Lutz, who was then vice chairman of GM. “He thinks we didn’t try to borrow money from the banks,” Lutz told the Detroit Free Press in February.

“The banks were even more broke than we were. Who had the money?”

The Collision Repair Education Foundation’s 2012 Ultimate Collision Education Makeover $50,000 school grant application is now available online and two grants (one secondary, one post-secondary) will be awarded this year. The winning schools will be announced during SEMA 2012. As part of the Makeover grant application, schools provide their own itemized wish list, which can include any tools, supplies and equipment that are needed by the collision program.

Each of the winning schools will have their $50,000 wish list fulfilled through the Collision Repair Education Foundation and through industry donors/supporters. The application is available at the Education Foundation’s website (www.CollisionEducationFoundation.org), and must be completed by August 31, 2012. Instructors are advised to begin the application process early and industry

professionals are encouraged to get involved with the Makeover grant by working with their local schools’ collision instructors to help them apply.

The GCIA encourages all its member shops to get in touch with their local schools and help the instructor apply for the grant. Part of the application requests schools to include their personalized $50,000 wish list of needed tools, equipment, and supplies. Those lists (even if they don’t win the Makeover grant) are distributed, asking for donations for the schools. If a school doesn’t apply, their wish lists can’t be fulfilled.

The goal of the Ultimate Collision Education Makeover grant is to honor a school that has been doing an outstanding job in educating students in collision repair, but needs some financial assistance to improve their program’s teaching materials and equipment.

Collision Repair Education Foundation to Award Two $50K Grants

46 JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ASAA to ‘Educate’ Legislators on Aftermarket Parts

The Alliance of State Automotive Aftermarket Associations (ASAAA) recently launched a national Legislator Education and Awareness program meant to increase recognition among state policymakers about the positive economic and consumer benefits generated by the automotive aftermarket parts and service industry.

The ASAAA said it is becoming critical for new and returning lawmakers to be educated about the benefits of alternative aftermarket replacement parts and services as policymakers in U.S. states are addressing aftermarket parts issues on many legislative fronts.

The ASAAA said its Legislator Education and Awareness program is designed to promote the importance, quality, value and availability of aftermarket replacement parts and services.

The ASAAA developed a blueprint to help state associations and industry companies send unified industry messages and implement educational processes to inform state policymakers about the significance of the aftermarket parts indus-

try to help ensure consistency and fairness in the government affairs process, and to eliminate misconceptions about the value that aftermarket replacement parts play in the American economy.

“In state Capitols nationwide, industry advocates are faced with the challenge of educating legislative bodies about the value and importance that aftermarket replacement parts and service contribute to the nation’s economy and the motoring public,” said Barbara Crest, president of ASAAA. “However, when describing aftermarket replacement parts and service, words like ‘imitation,’ ‘inferior’ and ‘not of like kind and quality’ are used by our opposition to confuse policymakers and discredit our industry.”

The ASAAA said its campaign was developed and financed by a team of industry experts, including representatives from the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automotive Warehouse Distributors Association (AWDA), Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), and numerous national companies.

AUTOBODY MARKETPLACE

Body Shop Business FOR SALE

• Fully Operational • Good Traffic Location • Storage Lot • Owner Retiring • Asking $65,000 • Building Is For Lease

J and I Autobody Repair 1517 W. Main St. La Porte, TX 77571 E-MAIL Jesse JSY_53@yahoo.com

WHEELS AMERICA

Nine Locations in the USA!

• Thousands of OEM Remanufactured Wheels in Stock 102 • Lifetime Guarantee • CNC Quality • Powder Coated

888-4-FIX-RIM $109 to repair with this ad www.fixrim.com

www.autobodynews.com | JUNE 2012 AUTOBODY NEWS 47