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35
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VOL. 35 ISSUE 8 AUGUST 2017
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State Insurance Regulator Expresses Openness to Ideas Implemented in Other States
Takata Airbag Recall Expands by 2.7M More Vehicles, Ca2SO4 Desiccant is Now Suspect in Certain Inflators
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proach getting regulators to mechanism is to prevent the propelby Autobody News Staff lant, largely ammonium nitrate, from act. Collision repair shops and asThe CIC “Governmental In a dramatic expansion of what is al- becoming hydrated and therefore unsociations often express frusCommittee” began its presready the largest automotive recall in stable. In chemical terms instability tration in trying to work with entation with a look at the history, Takata Corp.—which recently can affect the burn rate of the comtheir state insurance regulaprospect of repealing the filed for bankruptcy protection—has pounds and behave unpredicably, leadtors on issues related to steer1945 McCarran-Ferguson just added 2.7 million vehicles to the ing to malfunction. Environmental moisture, high ing, use of non-OEM parts or Brooke Stringer of Act, the federal antitrust extotal. the National Associemption granted to insurers. temperatures, and age contribute to the other insurance claims pracVehicles made by Ford, Nissan ation of Insurance Bob Redding, the Automotive tices they consider unfair or and Mazda are using a type of airbag process that can disastrously fragment Commissioners Service Association lobbyist the airbags’ inflator mechanism. illegal. But presentations and inflator including a desiccant, or dry(NAIC) said NAIC NHTSA has determined the root discussions at a recent Col- supports state rather who serves as vice-chairman ing agent, that previously was thought lision Industry Conference than federal regula- of the CIC committee, said the to be safe. Commonly encountered cause of the inflator casing shattering tion of insurance (CIC) on state or federal regU.S. House has approved legdesiccants are solids that absorb water. problem is airbags that use ammonium ulation of the insurance industry may islation overturning the anThey are frequently used in nitrate-based propellent without a reoffer an example of how to appackaged foods to retain liable chemical drying agent, i.e., See Insurance Regulator, Page 12 o m c l e e s w ws g this iss reade crispness and are in without an effective desiccant. The e ue N in in rs y ead no way explosive in propellant oxidizes hydrated fuel granr a ules and wafers explosively, causing their own right. Auto Care Association Defeats Texas Bill However the the inflator’s casing to rupture and fire Eliminating Vehicle Safety Inspections desiccant’s role the shattered fragments with someTexas Senate Bill (SB) 1588, introthese states unin the Takata times lethal velocity. See Takata Adds to Recall, Page 16 duced by State Sen. Donald Huffines, derstand that airbag inflation R-16, died at the end of Texas’ legislathese programs tive session. If enacted, the bill would protect the moMahalo Nui Loa Mahal have terminated Texas’ vehicle safety toring public. LA Graduate Commuted to Campus an Hour inspection program. Shops are on the Away for 12 Months to Study Collision Repair Robert L. Redding Jr., ASA’s front lines when cusby Victoria Antonelli Washington, D.C., representative said, tomers fail to have their total for school each day to earn his col“We are extremely grateful to have brakes, tires and other critilision repair certification. seen the outpouring of opposition from cal safety issues addressed.” Jamal Mills graduated from Central “I felt like it was a good opportuour Texas members. Texas repairers Working closely with a coalition Louisiana Technical Community Colnity, and it was the closest campus to know the value of their program and of state and national partners, the Auto lege in May 2017, and is already workmy hometown,” he explained. “CLTCC did not hesitate to share their concerns Care Association pressured members of ing fulltime at Select Motors Auto has nine campuses, including one in my with their representatives. the Texas Legislature to defeat Senate hometown of Jena, LA., however, the Restoration & Repair in Ball, LA. “We have 15 state vehicle inspecBill 1588, which would have elimicollision repair program is only offered tion programs in the United States,” nated mandatory vehicle safety inspecat the Alexandria Campus.” Redding continued. “Our members in Mills said his love for cars and See Vehicle Safety Inspections, Page 16 desire to work with his hands led him to pursue this career. “My favorite course at CLTCC was refinishing/detailing,” he added. Mills said his family and friends always supported his decision to attend Jamal Mills said he enjoyed his refinishing a technical school. courses at Central Louisiana Technical “They were just glad that I was Community College the most going to college and getting a skill,” he said. Before working as an auto restoraThe Louisiana native said he did tion technician at Select Motors, which face some challenges when transihas been in business for almost 30 years, Mills was commuting two hours See LA Graduate, Page 21 by John Yoswick
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