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Couple Injured in Honda Fit Case Awarded $31.5 M from Shop, Tracy Firm Resumes State Farm Lawsuit

by Ed Attanasio

On Oct. 2, a Texas jury found that John Eagle Collision Center’s improper repair was liable for the severity of the crash of a 2010 Honda Fit, awarding the injured couple $42 million in damages, but assigning 25% blame to the driver of the other vehicle, a 2010 Toyota Tundra, leaving the shop responsible for 75 percent of the couple’s injuries, and owing approximately $31.5 million under the verdict.

Attorney Todd Tracy, who represented plaintiffs Matthew and Marcia Seebachan, was pleased with the award and not at all surprised with

the result.

“I think it was vindication for the Seebachans in many ways,” Tracy said.

“Once the jury weighed all of the evidence and went through the testimony, they could clearly see that most of the liability rested with the body shop. One of the more influential members of the jury said that John Eagle Collision Center made a business decision when they glued the roof instead of welding it on the Honda Fit. She concluded that since it was a bad decision, the shop had to pay for it and the award indicates that thinking.”

See $42M Verdict, Page 10

The New Car Paint Lexus Spent 15 Years Creating

by Richard Aucock, Motoring Research

Lexus has launched a new color called Structural Blue—after spending a staggering 15 years developing the paint technology behind it. However, painting cars with it is so complex,

only two Structural Blue cars a day can be made.

The firm has been working for the past decade and a half with a specialist company in California to invent the new paint. VIAVI Solutions Inc. is an expert in thin-film optical coatings, and has helped Lexus take the Structural Blue color into production.

Originally shown as a concept, the first iteration of the color was made up of no fewer than 40 layers. The two companies reduced this down to seven layers, which are ap-

VOL. 35 ISSUE 11 NOVEMBER 2017

Texas Shops Speak Out Against Photo Estimating

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

Since insurance companies began utilizing cell phone apps for photo estimating a few years ago, it has become a topic of great concern among many collision repair professionals.

Although the insurer estimated repairs on this 2015 BMW at $1,044.19, shop manager Chad Kiffe predicts the repair will cost over $7,000

Although insurers claim that photo estimating is more convenient for consumers, collision repair indus-

try leaders have predicted that the short-term convenience may be negated by additional time required for supplements, as well as the potential for consumers to receive less money for diminished value than they’re owed. Now that they’ve been involved with this process for some time, shops in Texas are finally speaking out about how photo estimating impacts the repair process and the consumer experience.

Chad Kiffe, General Manager for Berli’s Body & Fine Auto Finishes, says, “Photo apps allow the consumer to start their claim faster without the need to go to a shop for an estimate.

This is a big plus for consumers when considering the value of their time, but photos very rarely show the extent of damages due to numerous reasons, resulting in poor estimates. This causes unnecessary delays since most photo See Photo Estimating, Page 14

See New Car Paint, Page 12

An estimated 33,000 Harvey-damaged vehicles are being stored at the Texas World Speedway.

TWS is located on approximately 400 acres with direct access to Highway 6 south of College Station, Texas. The vehicles there are estimated to be about 10% of the total vehicles damaged.

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2 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

COLUMNISTS Attanasio - Alan Johnson: Author, Artist, Pinstriping King . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Attanasio - Why Are Shops Scaling Back Their Marketing Efforts?. . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Phillips - George Avery: Will DRP Shops Reach an ‘Efficiency Ceiling?’ . . . . . . . 44 Phillips - How to Improve Your Interviewing Process & Hire for Keeps . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Yoswick - Association Agreement with Automakers 15 years ago Seen as Key to Access of OEM Information. . . . 40 Yoswick - Forum Highlights How Much ‘Diagnostics’ Have Become Part of Collision Repair World . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Yoswick - Recent “Who Pays for What?”

Survey Looks at Body Labor Operations, Estimating System Use, Training . . . . . 46 NATIONAL 3M Files Lawsuit for Patent and Trademark Infringement . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 AASP/NJ Hosts Webinar to Prepare Members for OSHA Inspections . . . . . . 41 Affordable New Chief Wheel Alignment Equipment Ideal for Body Shops . . . . . 64 Auto Care Association Identifies Alibaba as Notorious Market for Counterfeit Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 BASF Supports Young Spray Painters as a Global WorldSkills Competition Sponsor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Body Shop Owner and Wife Aid Hurricane Victims . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Both Hurricane Irma and Harvey Damaged 1 Million Cars. What’s Next? . . . . . . . . 65 California Autobody Association Prepares for AB 1679 ‘Fight of their Careers’ . . . 60 CCC Uses a Single Photo to Process Smart Claims via Machine Learning Algorithms. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Chief Helps in Caliber’s Changing Lanes Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 CIC Education & Training Committee— Collision Repair Employee Survey . . . . 65 CREF Announces New Board of Trustees Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Gary Ledoux, Retired from American Honda, Launches New Historical Column: ‘In Reverse’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Geoffrey Adams Crane Obituary . . . . . . . . . 8 GFS Names Ramis VP of Automotive Refinish Sales . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Hawaii Auto Body Business Owner Still Reeling from Losses after Fire . . . . . . . 17 How Open Source is Transforming the Automotive Industry . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Industry Leaders Form Texas Automotive Manufacturing Association. . . . . . . . . . 11 International Auto Crafters Nominated for Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Learn from BASF Experts at SEMA 2017 . . 58 Mercedes-Benz to Produce EQ Brand Electric Cars in the U.S. . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mitchell Parts Extended with Strategic Integration Agreement with OEC . . . . . 11 New Mirka® DEOS Sander Ready . . . . . . . 52 Paul Massie Joins Assured Performance as VP, Network Management . . . . . . . . 20 PPG-Painted Cars Capture Top ‘Shades of the Past’ Awards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Repairify, Inc. Announces Plans to Expand Globally . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Service King and CREF Announce New Grant in Honor of Mario Malacara. . . . . 59 Symach FixLine System Increases Efficiency and Production at New Facility . . . . . . . 55 Symach FixStation Installation Supports Plans by Carglass to Expand Into Auto Body Repair. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Team PRP Automotive Recycling Network Expands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Team PRP Mobilizes to Help with Disaster Relief for Victims of Harvey, Irma, and Maria . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59 The New Car Paint Lexus Spent 15 Years Creating. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Undercurrent of Autonomous Revolution Emerges on Scottsdale, AZ, Streets . . . 22 WMABA Adds WV to Territory and Launches Facebook Group. . . . . . . . . . 54

Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Contributing Writers: John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Rich Evans, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr, Stacey Phillips, Victoria Antonelli Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Digital Marketing Manager: Bill Pierce Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia Graphic Designer: Michelle Lucas Online and Web Content Editor: Rochelle Beckel Accounting Manager: Heather Priddy

Ancira Volkswagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Apollo Sprayers International . . . . . 11 Audi South Austin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 53 AutoNation Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . 60 AutoNation Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam NRH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 AutoNation Chrysler-Jeep-DodgeRam of North Phoenix. . . . . . . . . 10 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . . . 15 BASF Corporation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Bill Luke Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 65 Bob Howard PDC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Celette, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA). . . . . . . . . . . 19 Chapman Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 ChemSpec USA, LLC . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Chevyland . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Chief Automotive. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Classic BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55 Classifieds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 Dallas Dodge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 Dent Magic Tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Diamond Standard Parts, LLC . . . . 47 Dominion Sure Seal . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Don Carlton Auto Group . . . . . . . . . 38 ECS Automotive Concepts . . . . . . . 28 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . . 41 Eurovac, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Finnegan Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge . . . . 2 Flatirons Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . 61 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . 63 Greeley Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Sales Assistant: Randi Scholtes Serving Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah 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. ©2017 Adamantine Media LLC.

Southwest

REGIONAL Advance Auto Parts location Opens in Springville, UT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 CARSTAR East Valley Opens in Mesa, AZ . . 6 CO Body Shops Help Beat-up Police Cruisers Get New Paint Jobs . . . . . . . . 16 Couple Injured in Honda Fit Case Awarded $31.5 M from Shop, Tracy Firm Resumes State Farm Lawsuit. . . . . . . . . 1 In NM Sales Scam, A Flooded Engine Is Exactly That . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Puckett’s Collision Center in OK is a family tradition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Service King Makes it 15-Straight on the Dallas Fort-Worth Best Places to Work List. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sisk - No Bull about Successful Texas Auto Body Trade Show. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Texas Shops Speak Out Against Photo Estimating . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Traditional Values are the Driving Force for Griffith Auto Body in Fort Morgan, CO . . 30 TSTC Auto Collision Students in TX Receive Recognition . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

out his career, including the ProFirst certification program. The industry veteran recently retired from Gary Ledoux began his cathe company on October 1. reer in the collision repair inIn addition to authoring a dustry helping a small-town book about the history of the jobber mix paint and deliver collision repair industry in paint and supplies to body America, Ledoux will be shops. writing a regular column for Over the next several years, he worked in the parts afterAutobody News titled “In Gary Ledoux Reverse,” as well as various market and for car dealerfile photo ships in various capacities, including feature articles.

“I consider it a personal triumph sales, service and parts.

“I always wanted to work for a to go from where I started, to ending large company in a capacity where I my full-time career managing one of the most respected body shop certificould really make a difference,” said cation programs in the industry for an Ledoux. “I found an opportunity with American Honda and jumped at the international company like Honda,” chance.” said Ledoux. “I’ve been blessed to That was almost 30 years ago. work with so many terrific people at Since then, Ledoux has helped create Honda, our great ProFirst certification and administer many successful pro- team and all of the wonderful colligrams for Honda and Acura throughSee Launching Column, Page 32

by Stacey Phillips

Indexof Advertisers

Contents

Gary Ledoux, Retired from American Honda, Launches New Historical Column: ‘In Reverse’

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

GYS Welding USA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Herkules Equipment Corporation. . . 6 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34-35 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers. . 58 Insta Finish Car Care . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Lancer Insurance Company . . . . . . 49 Lusid Technologies . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Malco. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Matrix Automotive Finishes. . . . . . . 43 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 67 Mike Calvert Toyota. . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Mirka USA, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 39 MWMtools.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 Nissan Wholesale Parts Dealers. . . 64 North Freeway Hyundai . . . . . . . . . 54 O’Reilly Auto Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Ray Huffines Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . 48 SATA Dan-Am Company . . . . . . . . . 9 Sorbothane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 South Pointe Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge. 33 Spanesi Americas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Subaru of Little Rock . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . 59 Toyota of Laredo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . 58 Valspar Refinish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67 Wizards Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Young Chevrolet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Senators Drop Trucks from Self-Driving Bill

by Keith Laing, Detroit News Washington Bureau

Lawmakers in the U.S. Senate have dropped self-driving trucks from legislation that would allow automakers to operate thousands of autonomous cars per year on U.S. roads.

The action came after a high-profile campaign from labor unions to protect the jobs of professional drivers.

The measure, drafted with input from U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, DBloomfield Township, would allow automakers each to operate more than 100,000 self-driving cars per year on U.S. roads. But commercial trucks are excluded under a bipartisan agreement that was reached between Peters and U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-SD, who is chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Both lawmakers touted the agreement to move forward on the self-driving bill without trucks as a necessary compromise to keep the autonomous vehicle legislation moving in Congress.

They said the Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on the revised legislation on Oct. 4.

“This legislation proposes common sense changes in law to keep pace with advances in self-driving technology,” Thune, who had argued in favor of including trucks in the self-driving bill, said in a statement.

Peters, a member of the Senate

Commerce Committee who was opposed to including trucks in the legislation, added, “Self-driving vehicles will completely revolutionize the way we get around in the future, and it is vital that public policy keep pace with these rapidly developing lifesaving technologies that will be on our roads in a matter of years.”

Trucking groups expressed disappointment that they lost out in the fight over whether commercial vehicles should be included in the self-driving legislation. They had pressed lawmakers to offer the same protections for self-driving truck operators that they are considering for autonomous cars.

“If more automated cars and trucks are to share the roads, they should also share the same framework,” American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear said in a statement, arguing that lawmakers will still have to address the advent of self-driving trucks in the near future.

“Delaying an inevitable, common sense solution will only make the issues surrounding more automated trucks more difficult to deal with,” Spear said.

Labor unions mounted an aggressive campaign against the inclusion of commercial vehicles like trucks in the self-driving legislation, pointing out that they could cost thousands of professional drivers their jobs. They applauded lawmakers in the Senate for agreeing to move forward without

trucks in the self-driving legislation.

“This approach will give Congress more time to thoroughly examine how driverless technology will impact the jobs, wages, and safety of bus and truck drivers, and develop a plan to address these concerns,” said AFL-CIO Transportation Trades Department President Larry Willis.

Automakers applauded lawmakers in the Senate for reaching an agreement to move the self-driving bill forward.

“Legislation like the bill introduced today will allow manufacturers to conduct more testing and to safely deploy self-driving vehicles to realize the safety, mobility, congestion, environmental, land-use and other benefits of this transformative technology,” General Motors Co. said in a statement.

The Washington, D.C.-based Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers, which represents major auto manufacturers, added, “Chairman Thune’s and Senator Peters’ bipartisan leadership on the AV START Act will help advance self-driving technologies and help keep the United States at the forefront of these innovations.”

The Senate’s self-driving measure would allow the Secretary of Transportation to grant exemptions to federal motor vehicle rules that require cars to have human operators. Initially, 50,000 cars per automaker could be operated if companies can prove they meet existing safety standards for traditional cars. After a 12-month period, the num-

ber of exemptions per manufacturer would increase to 75,000, and would go up to 100,000 in the third year.

Automakers would be able to apply for exemptions to operate more than 100,000 self-driving cars after five years, under the proposed legislation.

The current limit for such exemptions to federal auto standards is 2,500 cars for two years at a time.

A similar measure that would allow automakers each to operate up to 100,000 self-driving cars per year on U.S. roads was approved by the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this month.

Both versions of the proposed legislation prohibit states and other local jurisdictions from adopting regulations related to cars’ design, construction, software or communication. States still would be allowed to regulate registration, licensing, liability, education and training, insurance or traffic laws.

The new proposed exemptions would apply to vehicles in which there is a system that operates with the expectation that a human driver will take over upon being prompted. The legislation would also cover cars with high automation levels, where the automated driving can perform maneuvers even if a human driver does not take over when promoted—and for full automation, when the automated system is responsible for all driving tasks.

We thank The Detroit News for reprint permission.

duce the number and severity of accidents caused by human error---the primary catalyst for the vast majority of current automobile accidents. However, the benefits will extend well beyond roadway safety to matters such as aiding in traffic congestion and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of transportation systems.

The rise of this new technology brings an array of unique and thorny legal issues that will cause wholesale changes to many different areas of the law in the years to come. By far the most predominant legal issue concerning the advent of autonomous vehicles pertains to liability for accidents involving self-driving cars.

trary to humans, however, autonomous vehicles don’t drink and drive, text and drive, or otherwise get distracted at the wheel. As autonomous vehicle technology becomes standard, there will be fewer negligent people on the road, which will negate the primary rationale underpinning motor vehicle accident litigation today—driver negligence.

While the human error element may be removed from our roadways, it does not mean car crashes and related litigation will become a thing of the past. Rather, the type of litigation that arises out of car crashes will change. Instead of focusing on driver negligence, future litigation involving autonomous vehicles will focus on the safety of the self-driving vehicles involved in the collision.

Accordingly, motor vehicle accident litigation will shift from driver

negligence—and liability on the part of the operator—to products liability, making the automotive industry the principal responsible party for liabilityrelated matters. Consequently, while vehicles and roadways become safer, vehicle manufacturers, technology manufacturers and other suppliers will almost certainly see their liability exposure increase considerably, with the autonomous automotive industry bearing a bigger slice of a smaller pie of total accident costs.

Who’s Liable when Autonomous Cars are Involved in Accidents?

by David J. Oberly, PropertyCasualty360.com

Desktop computers. Mobile phones.

Wi-Fi. Seemingly almost overnight, these advances in technology have fundamentally transformed the way society operates and functions on a daily basis.

However, these and other modern technological developments may pale in comparison to the impact felt in connection to the introduction of autonomous vehicles on our nation’s roadways.

Today, the world’s leading car makers are racing to build fully autonomous vehicles. The goal for many is to have self-driving cars on the road by 2020. The benefits of this advanced technology will be significant, as autonomous vehicles will substantially re-

The shift to products liability law Human error is the predominant cause of automobile collisions today. Con-

4 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

4 keys to determining product liability Products liability law has already been applied to many types of famous litigation involving automobiles, including the Ford Pinto’s fuel system, Takata air bags and Firestone tires. As such, existing liability frameworks exist to assist See Who’s Liable?, Page 26

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

Body Shop Owner and Wife Aid Hurricane Victims

by Lisa Esquivel Long, The News-Sentinel

As U.S. citizens struggle in Puerto Rico after the most recent devastating hurricane, more Fort Wayne and area churches and groups are continuing to help survivors of earlier Hurricanes Harvey and Irma.

Donna Smith and her friend Laurie Hammond shopped Sept. 22 at J.C. Penney in Glenbrook Square for clothing for Harvey survivors in Katy, TX. Smith’s husband, Gene, owns GT Autobody, which has been collecting sheet rock and other building materials not available in Katy, TX, along with hygiene items such as toothpaste and diapers.

“We’ll have 32,000 pounds of supplies” headed to Katy, Gene Smith said.

The Smiths’ church, Abundant Life Church, 3301 Coliseum Blvd. E., stepped in to “adopt” 16 families in Katy. So, Donna Smith and Hammond are using about $5,000 in donations to buy seven outfits, including shoes, for each adopted family member—about 400 outfits for everyone from senior citizens to toddlers. They also were buying toys for the children.

“I’ve just been amazed at the support” Donna Smith said.

She was hoping to find a way to individually package each family member’s outfits and toys so it had a more personal touch. They are under a time crunch because the semi-tractor trailer will leave the next Monday. Twins Transport of Columbia City is donating the vehicle and transportation costs.

Laurie Hammond helps her friend, Donna Smith, right, shop at J.C. Penney in Glenbrook Square for clothes for survivors of Hurricane Harvey in Katy, Texas. Credit: Lisa M. Esquivel Long of The News-Sentinel

The Chapel, which collected items such as generators, dehumidifiers and shop vacs, and added diapers, water and other personal items, had a trailer leave Sept. 19 for Sarasota, FL, to help after Hurricane Irma stormed over the state Sept. 10. It was the Chapel’s third trailer, said associate pastor Dave Walters. Brookside Church, 6102 Evard Road, was collecting items this week, so whatever donations the Chapel re-

In NM Sales Scam, A Flooded Engine Is Exactly That

by Ellen Marks, Albuquerque Journal

If there’s been a disaster, there’s going to be a slew of scams that try to capitalize on it.

Besides the usual warnings about fake charities, here’s a different kind of trap to avoid falling into: the stormdamaged used car scam.

This one involves unscrupulous car salesmen who scoop up vehicles damaged by floods and hurricanes and ship them across the country for resale.

“While these cars may look and run fine at first, flood-damaged vehicles often have malfunctioning airbags or hidden rust and mold problems, and may not run properly in the long term,” says Fraud.org, which is part of the National Consumers League.

Here’s what to do: ■ Check a vehicle’s history report through a reputable source like the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s free database, found at www.nicb.org.

■ Look for signs of flooding like water stains in the glove box or fogging inside headlights and tail lights.

■ Take a big whiff. While the scent of

mildew is an obvious warning sign, a heavy disinfectant smell should also set off alarm bells as well. Heavyaroma cleaners can be a sign that someone is trying to hide mold.

The ubiquitous Craigslist scams are victimizing Albuquerque-area residents, state Attorney General Hector Balderas says.

One woman who fell for it ended up losing $2,000 to a bogus rent-toown listing “without receiving all the keys—and being locked out of and unable to occupy the house,” the AG says.

In another instance recently, a Craigslist advertiser offered a house for rent and asked for a deposit of earnest money, even though the “landlord” did not own the house.

“Both might have been avoided by consumers who were a little more suspicious and cautious about paying any money over to anyone prior to taking possession of a property,” the AG says.

We thank the Albuquerque Journal for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

6 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ceived would be given to Brookside, Walters said.

Volunteers were keeping an eye on Hurricane Maria, Walters said earlier this week. Maria struck Puerto Rico, the strongest storm in over 80 years, and has left its 3.4 million residents without electrical power as they try to recover from flooding, mudslides and other destruction caused by the hurricane.

While the American Red Cross of Northeast Indiana didn’t expect to send anyone to Puerto Rico, the national agency was holding back any bilingual volunteers who might be needed in the U.S. territory from other assignments, said Katherine MacAulay, executive director of the regional agency.

During “gray skies,” the agency sees a lot more interest in volunteers for its disaster response area, MacAulay said. Volunteers must attend training, usually 4.5 hours in the morning and 4 hours in the afternoon, to prepare them.

Fewer hours are needed for those in the medical field, including licensed practical nurses and emergency management technicians. Training is going on continuously, MacAulay said, so potential volunteers can apply online at www.redcross.org or call 484-9336.

We thank the News-Sentinel for reprint permission.

CARSTAR East Valley Opens in Mesa, AZ

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announced the opening of CARSTAR East Valley Collision at 50 W. Broadway Road, Mesa, AZ 85210.

The CARSTAR location is owned by John and Catherine Condon. CARSTAR East Valley Collision offers free collision repair estimates, mobile auto body repair estimates, auto paint and body work, free pickup and delivery and 24-hour towing.

Additional services include complete exterior and interior detailing, window tint, wheel alignment, glass replacement and spray-in bedliners.

Business hours are 7:30 a.m.5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and by appointment on Saturday.

“We continue our growth across Arizona, and are proud to welcome CARSTAR East Valley and owners John and Catherine Condon to our CARSTAR family,” said Michael Macaluso, President, CARSTAR North America. “With our expanded network, we can serve drivers across the state with the highest-quality collision repair.”

For more information on CARSTAR, visit www.carstar.com.

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Geoffrey Adams Crane

Mr. Geoffrey “Geoff” Adams Crane, 70, died Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017, in Olive Branch, MS. Born in Elizabeth, NJ, Mr. Crane lived in Olive Branch, MS, and the surrounding area most of his adult life. Mr. Crane was a proud memGeoffrey Crane ber of Getwell Road Church, and was wellknown for his entries in many barbecue contests, his passion for cars, especially sports cars, and fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee, where he spent his summers both at Camp Wyanoke and with his parents. Mr. Crane was the former Director of Industry Relations in the Diamond Standard Brand Parts Group based in TN. Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch is in charge of the arrangements. Online condolences may be left on the Tribute Wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.

www.autobodynews.com

TSTC Auto Collision Students in TX Receive Recognition Texas State Technical College students Hector Corujo and Jose M. Rodriguez have a lot in common.

Corujo, 34, and Rodriguez, 45, are natives of Puerto Rico and U.S. Army veterans. They are both studying in TSTC’s Auto Collision and Management Technology program and have received a national scholarship for members of the military and veterans.

The students received the 2017 3M Hire Our Heroes scholarship sponsored by the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division and the Collision Repair Education Foundation. Corujo and Rodriguez were among 12 veterans receiving $2,000 scholarships. The students also were among 40 veterans who received tool grants.

“It helped me a lot,” Corujo said.

“It took a burden off my shoulders. I feel like when I go out in the industry, I will be a more complete technician.”

The students were encouraged to apply for the scholarship by Clint Campbell, department chair of Auto Collision and Management Technology at TSTC in Waco.

“Any of the ex-military students tend to be mature coming to class and doing their work,” Campbell said.

“They are prompt in being on time.

They become leaders in the class.”

Service King Makes it 15-Straight on the Dallas Fort-Worth Best Places to Work List

For the 15th straight year, Service King Collision Repair Centers and its teammates were recognized by The Dallas Business Journal as part of the publication’s annual DFW Best Places to Work list.

The announcement came Sept.

21 at a ceremony in Frisco, TX, where Service King was named the No. 5 business in the Extra Large Company category.

Service King has now finished among the Top 5 businesses in the DFW Best Places to Work rankings for seven straight years, and finished No. 1 as recently as 2015. The company operates 35 high-quality collision repair centers in the DFW area, where the organization also hosts its National Support Center.

“We take immense pride in our growing organization and Service King’s roots as a family company,” said Shawn Dyer, Service King’s Dallas-Fort Worth Market Vice President. “It’s certainly special to continually be recognized for remaining true to our core values, and we firmly believe that culture extends to a bestin-class service for our customers and business partners across the country.

The Service King Way is alive and well and continues to guide our business, and our people, each and every day.”

Service King Collision Repair Centers has called the Dallas FortWorth Metroplex home for 41 years since its founding in 1976 by Eddie Lennox. Currently, the organization employs more than 1,100 teammates in the Dallas area and has grown into one of the largest providers of highquality automotive repair service in the U.S., with 330 locations in 24 states.

To qualify for the Best Places to Work list, employees voluntarily complete comprehensive surveys conducted by the Dallas Business Journal’s partner company, Quantum Workplace. Companies are then ranked by employee engagement to determine the final rankings in various categories.

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8 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Corujo moved as a teenager from Puerto Rico to Florida, where he graduated from high school. The Killeen resident spent 14 years in the U.S. Army and worked as a light wheel vehicle mechanic. His Army stint included three tours of duty in Iraq.

Texas State Technical College in Waco,TX, students and military veterans Hector Corujo (left) and Jose M. Rodriguez (right) are recipients of this year's 3M Hire Our Heroes scholarship

Corujo is studying for the Associate of Applied Science degree in Auto Collision and Management Technology - Refinishing Specialization with future plans to pursue the Advanced Technical Certificate in Auto Collision Refinishing.

He is scheduled to graduate in December 2018. His goal after graduation is to open his own auto collision and refinishing shop and own a home

in the Hill Country with horses.

“I just like working on cars,” he said. “It keeps me at ease in dealing with PTSD.” Rodriguez, of Kempner, grew up in Puerto Rico and studied criminal justice, but could not find a quality job. His sister convinced him to join the military at 32, and he spent 11 years working in military intelligence. Rodriguez did one tour of duty in Afghanistan and two tours of duty in Iraq.

Rodriguez is working on a certificate in Auto Body Refinishing and is scheduled to graduate in December. He wants to work in an auto body shop after graduation.

He hesitated to apply for the scholarship at first because he felt others needed it more than he did. But in the end, Rodriguez said he was happy he received the recognition.

Rodriguez said he has enjoyed meeting other veteran-students while at TSTC. “You exchange experiences and advice and opinions,” he said. “You get to help the younger students be more proactive. We tell them to look ahead of the situation and think two steps ahead.”

For more information on Texas State Technical College, go to tstc.edu.

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

Continued from Cover

$42M Verdict

Tracy said that he is now going after State Farm, the insurance company that covered the Seebachans at the time of the accident, in a new civil suit. He strongly believes that based on this case, he will be able to prove that the shoddy repair was directed by the insurer.

“The message is that you had better do the repairs at OE standards, because if you don’t you might get sued big-time,” Tracy said. “The OE procedures from I-CAR are the industry’s Bible, so this is what happens when you don’t follow the Bible. I want the insurance companies out of the collision repair industry now, and the decision in this case is a definite step in that direction.”

Tracy Law Firm Expands Actions Tracy and the Seebachans have refiled a lawsuit against State Farm for its alleged role in influencing the roof repair, which used an adhesive instead of being welded. According to John Eagle’s body shop director Boyce Willis, State Farm wouldn’t pay the shop unless the

repair was done according to its specifications as opposed to Honda’s.

Boyce Willis said in a deposition that the facility in 2012 bonded a replacement roof to a 2010 Honda Fit in clear contradiction to the OEM repair procedures. (Willis insisted he knew using the 3M 8115 panel bonding adhesive was a better repair, as did the defense during the trial.)

Ford GT engineer and plaintiff consultant Neil Hannemann wrote that in his expert opinion, the failure of the roof of the Seebachans’ 2010 Honda Fit during a crash compromised the overall structure and collision energy management of the vehicle—contributing to the Seebachans being trapped inside and a subsequent fire.

“According to John Eagle’s corporate representative, in sworn testimony taken on July 7, 2017, State Farm dictated to John Eagle how the car was to be repaired, i.e., to use adhesive rather than spot welding,” the lawsuit read. “Furthermore, according to John Eagle’s corporate representative, State Farm can ‘trump’ the OEM (Honda) specifications because the repair facility needs to get paid. However, profits should never trump safety.”

10 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

The Seebachans filed suit against State Farm in August but dropped the suit a few days later as not to interfere with the timeline of their case against John Eagle.

“No insurance company should ever dictate to a collision repair center or body shop how to repair a vehicle.

To do so is extremely negligent, and shows a wanton disregard for human life and the safety of others,” Tracy argued. “John Eagle did not repair the subject 2010 Honda Fit to Honda’s body repair specifications due to State Farm’s instructions, threats, and/or coercion.”

The couple is suing the insurer for negligence and breach of warranty.

“This case is bigger than money,” Tracy said to Dallas News. “This case is about industry-wide change.”

Tracy Firm to Discuss Suit at SEMA “The Anatomy of a Lawsuit: The Cru-

cial Details of the $42 Million Verdict” on Wednesday, Nov. 1, will feature Tracy Law Firm attorney Todd Tracy at SEMA. According to SCRS, Tracy’s presentation of the case can: ● Help collision repair businesses avoid their own “$42 million dollar verdict.”

● Help clarify the facts that led a jury to conclude that OEM procedures were paramount.

● Define how business decisions made in the course of repair can have dramatic effect on both the repair outcome and ultimate responsibility.

“Anatomy of a Lawsuit” will be held from 10:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 1 in Ballrooms D-E of the Westgate Las Vegas, located right next to main SEMA venue Las Vegas Convention Center.

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ltedesco@autobodynews.com

Industry Leaders Form Texas Automotive Manufacturing Association

by CCBP Staff, Fort Worth Business Press

Leaders in the automotive manufacturing industry in Texas have come together to create the Texas Automotive Manufacturing Association (TXAMA). The organization’s creation was announced at the Southern Automotive Conference in Birmingham, AL. The organization said in a news release that its purpose is to “advance the collective goals of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and their suppliers in the state, and to promote the automotive manufacturing industry overall.”

TXAMA consists of representatives from the automotive manufacturing industry, Texas members of the Southern Automotive Women’s Forum, and legal and publishing firms dedicated to serving the Texas automotive industry, the release stated.

“The automotive manufacturing industry in Texas continues to grow and thrive,” said Amy Moffatt, senior manager of the Operations Management Development Division at Plano’s Toyota Motor

North America, in the release. “This highly competitive industry is stronger under unified leadership and collaborative partnerships.

Working together to address challenges and opportunities we face as an industry will foster growth and prosperity for Texas-based OEMs and suppliers.”

Emily Lauder, the general manager for Human Resources Strategic Partnering for Toyota Motor North America, said TXAMA will provide members with a forum to discuss best practices, network and engage in leadership opportunities.

“Through statewide partnerships, TXAMA will offer industry regulatory and legislative advocacy to promote and protect the interests of our members,” she said in the release. “The association will advance the Texas automotive manufacturing industry in every way possible.”

We thank Forth Worth Business for reprint permission.

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Mitchell Parts Extended with Strategic Integration Agreement with OEC Mitchell has announced it has extended Mitchell Parts and signed an integration agreement with OEConnection (OEC). The solution is designed to provide the industry with the largest, most accurate, OEM parts procurement solution and with a more streamlined parts procurement process directly through Mitchell Parts.

Mitchell Parts is designed to simplify and streamline parts sourcing and ordering. The agreement with OEC broadens Mitchell’s existing network of part suppliers and now will integrate the most comprehensive OE Dealer network in the collision industry. Over 8,000 dealers across all automakers using OEC’s CollisionLink will process parts orders originating from Mitchell Parts.

The integration with OEC delivers value to the industry by simplifying the parts ordering process, while helping to improve accuracy and cycle time.

Olivier Baudoux, Vice President, Product Management & Strategy, Mitchell Auto Physical Damage said, “Mitchell Parts is another Mitchell cloud-based solution and

reinforces Mitchell’s commitment to its rapid evolution to a full cloud and browser-friendly offering. We’re excited about integrating into OEC’s CollisionLink solution and robust dealer network. Our users will benefit from a streamlined parts procurement process, leading to shorter cycle times and a more consistent experience.”

Bill Lopez, Vice President & General Manager, Collision for OEC added, “Mitchell has had a strong long-standing relationship with OEMs, and this agreement shows Mitchell’s commitment to delivering a best-in-class solution for the industry by more deeply connecting our dealer network with Mitchell repair facilities. Our mission has always been to streamline the dealers’ order fulfillment workflow in addition to driving incremental sales opportunities, and integrating Collision Link with an estimating platform through Mitchell Parts will do just that.”

Mitchell Parts, powered by uParts, is already available today to hundreds of repair facilities using See Mitchell & OEC, Page 33

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 11

Puckett’s Collision Center in OK is a Family Tradition

by Staff, The Edmond Sun

Johnny Puckett just couldn’t let the family business go. Seeing the Puckett’s Auto Collision sign as he drove down South Broadway in Edmond, OK, tugged at his heart.

Owner Johnny Puckett sits behind a desk as he works towards rebuilding the family business he was able to take over

The auto body repair shop had been in the Puckett family since the 1920s. Johnny’s older brother, B. J., had inherited the business in 2005, making him the fourth generation of Pucketts to oversee the operation.

But by 2016, the nearly centuryold business was no longer being operated by a Puckett. This had come Continued from Cover

New Car Paint

plied in a 12-step process that involves a mighty 20 individual quality inspections—hence the limited daily production volume out of Lexus’ Motomachi, Japan factory.

It’s launching on special edition LC Structural Blue editions.

A butterfly inspired it, says Lexus. The Morpho butterfly has, at least to the human eye, deep and

about following the long-term illness and death of B. J. In 2011, the Oak Tree neighborhood resident suffered injuries in a golf-cart accident.

Knowing the family was no longer in the collision repair business haunted Johnny, despite his own successful career as a software developer at a local corporation. When he saw an opportunity this summer to continue the family’s former business, he couldn’t pass it up.

“The chance to come in and rebuild the family business came at a perfect time for me,” the new owner of Puckett’s Collision Center said. “It was as if my dad and B. J. had paved the way for me to continue what my family had built up since the 1920s.”

Great-grandfather Everett Puckett had been a pioneer in auto body repair back in the 1920s in Ponca City.

His son, Bill, moved the business to downtown Oklahoma City after World War II. Following relocations to Capitol Hill and later to S.W. 23rd and Walker, by 1972 the shop was operated by Johnny’s father as John Puckett’s Auto Collision Center.

In 1992, the business relocated to its South Broadway address under the name of John Puckett’s Auto Collision of Edmond. John continued to

shimmering blue wings, although they’re actually colorless—a lattice on the surface of the wings distorts light to make them appear blue.

To replicate this, Lexus applies paint containing ultra-fine nano-structures in 15-micrometre layers. Normal metallic paint pigments reflect barely 50 percent of visible blue light. The ones in the new Structural Blue color reflect almost 100 percent. Each car carries 300 grams of paint pigment— within this, about 300 billion pigment flakes…

But if you’re thinking that, actually, it doesn’t look all that impressive in the images, rest assured: Lexus adds that “it is designed to work on the eye rather than on a camera lens.”

We’ll thus have to take the firm’s word for it that its 15-year labor was not in vain.

Thank you Motoring Research for reprint permission.

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12 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

operate the shop until his death in 2005, when it transferred to his elder son, who owned and ran the business until his accident and subsequent death.

“I’m burnt out working for corporations, and my last employer had been steadily laying people off for several years,” said Johnny, a 39year-old Edmond resident. “My plan is to run the shop as a little bit of a mix of what my dad did and what my brother did. Both Dad and B.J. walked every customer to their car to ensure they were pleased with the service.”

Pucketts’ Wrecker is pictured as it appeared in 1947

Too many current businesses offer substandard service, Johnny says, and he intends to ensure that Puckett’s is not one of them. Just as

his brother, father and grandfather before him, Johnny says he intends to strive for 100 percent customer satisfaction.

Business founder Everett Puckett is among those pictured in earlier days of Puckett’s Auto Collision

He will need the help of some of his veteran workers to maintain quality service, he readily admits. Some of these employees had worked for his father and B.J, with one dating back to 1979.

“Couldn’t do it without them,” Johnny said.

Assuming operation of his new business in August, he has been pleased with the steady flow of customers.

“Our motto will be: If you come to us, we’ll treat you like family,” Johnny said. “The Puckett family is back in the collision repair business.”

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

Continued from Cover

Photo Estimating

estimates are so far off that repairs cannot begin until the insurance company comes out on a supplement.”

“The major benefit to photo claims is that the consumer is in control of starting their claim, which makes them feel empowered, but that is where the convenience ends,” agrees Eric McKenzie, Director of Body Shop Operations for Park Place Dealerships. “The major drawback is that these estimates are being written significantly lower than they should be, and we are seeing estimates that are nowhere close to what they should be. For the consumer who elects not to repair their vehicle, they are being grossly underpaid for the money that is rightfully theirs from a claim, but when the vehicles do make it to a repair shop, it is adding significantly more time to the repair planning and supplemental processes.”

Weighing in, Burl Richards, owner of Burl’s Collision Center, adds, “The estimates are grossly unrealistic—sometimes, only one-tenth of the actual cost to make the repair! In theory, it would be a great way to save time if the shop could call in a supplement, get approval that day and continue with the repair, but it seems to put much more administrative burden and time on the shop, straining our relationship with the insurers, plus the insurer’s initial estimate is basically worthless, so we have to start from point A.” Richards believes that photo estimating only benefits the insurers, as they save money on hiring estimators and other associated costs. Kiffe agrees that photo estimating makes financial sense for insurance companies, but he points out that it also causes unnecessary friction between the shop and the insurance carrier.

“The estimate is so far off that it’s really slowing down the process,” Kiffe said.

Kiffe cites examples of these inaccurate estimates: The shop wrote a $5,500 estimate on a keyed vehicle, but when they submitted photos as requested, the insurer returned a $265 estimate. When a customer brought in their Honda Fit that was hit by a Hummer H3, the insurance company provided a $1,000 estimate for which four hours of repair time was accounted.

Berli’s Body and Fine Auto Finishes’

supplement countered with a $6,800 cost for repairs needed to replace the lift gate and rear body panel.

Although supplements are a normal part of the process, insurance companies are often taking days or weeks to respond, preventing the shop from moving forward or taking additional work. The Honda Fit was brought to

photo estimating to be convenient at first, the lack of financial fairness often causes them to question their insurers’ motives and grow frustrated with the delays associated with supplement approval.

“Additionally, many customers may choose not to repair their vehicle.

When this happens, the insurance

“The major benefit to photo claims is that the consumer is in control of starting their claim, which makes them feel empowered, but that is where the convenience ends,” — Eric McKenzie

the shop on Sept. 20, and a supplement was submitted two days later, but it took until Sept. 29 for the insurance company to approve the supplement, finally allowing the shop to move forward with repairs.

Kiffe also worries about how photo estimating, designed to be convenient, actually negatively impacts the customer.

“Our customers have been irritated about the poorly written estimates and concerned that the insurance company will pay for the repairs,” Kiffe said. “Customers lose trust in the in-

company that was supposed to protect them and cover them has now cheated them,” Kiffe notes.

McKenzie adds, “Once a customer elects not to repair the damage, they get short-paid (most, probably unknowingly). Or they bring it to the repair facility where the claim takes longer to process, which does not benefit the consumer. We’ve even had several clients mention how poor they thought the initial photo estimates were written when they dropped their vehicles with us.”

A greater consumer concern is the issue of safety that arises when a customer accepts a check based on the photo estimate. These individuals may opt to forgo the repair without realizing they’ve been short-changed, or worse, additional damage that could not be seen in the estimate may be present and cause safety concerns when the vehicle is driven. Consumers using their insurance carriers’ photo app for convenience are unlikely to be aware of how inWhen a Hummer H3 hit this Honda Fit, the insurer’s accurate photo estimates could estimate included four hours of repair time and a impair the future safety of their $1,000 cost, but the shop’s supplement indicated a families or lead to diminished total repair cost of $6,800 to replace the lift gate value on their vehicle. and repair the rear body panel After driving a damaged surance company when they see the vehicle for a week, a college student final repair cost, which is sometimes 10 asked Berli’s Body & Fine Auto Fintimes the original estimate. Customers ishes to repair a 2015 BMW that had a who unknowingly take their vehicles to tire and wheel impacted by a cement an average repair shop don’t always rewall. ceive a quality repair. Many shops may Kiffe shares, “This vehicle needs not supplement everything needed for a quarter panel replacement and a right fear that they will upset the insurance rear door shell. The estimate totals company. Some shops may not ask for $1,044.19 with a customer deductible more or will settle for the cheap estiof $1,000, so the customer comes mate and cut corners thinking they are away with a $44.19 check, but the final helping the customer, but in fact, they repair amount will easily be above are exposing the customer to poor qual$7,000 once completed, and the car ity repairs.” could possibly have side wall damage While Kiffe’s customers found to the tire.”

14 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

The possibility of hidden damage was so prevalent that the insurer’s estimate actually noted, “TIRE, Potential hidden damage, please ask your repairer to inspect when your vehicle is brought in for repairs.” This raises the important question of how insurers can write estimates when they acknowledge that they cannot determine the damage.

“It is never advisable to write an estimate from photos because so much can be missed, and that is why we will not do so,” McKenzie stresses. “We have not seen a photo estimate yet that was anywhere close to accurate. It just takes more administrative time and downtime than a properly written initial estimate.”

While advocates of photo estimating claim that there’s no increase in the frequency of supplements, shops are reporting an increase in the severity of supplements, as well as delays in approval of the supplement. This prevents repairers from ordering parts and starting the repair. Richards mentions an industry peer whose $900 original estimate resulted in a final approval of more than $9,000.

“These photo estimates are ridiculously out of the ballpark,” Richards says. “They aren’t even close! Our supplement rate is pretty much 100 percent on every claim. They’re virtually never correct, and although they may seem more convenient for the customer initially, they take longer in the end due to the ridiculous amount initially written.”

Kiffe concurred, stating, “We have not received a single photo estimate that was even close to what it would take to repair the vehicle, and we’re seeing that some vehicles are even making it to us when they should have been totaled upfront if a solid estimate had been written. We’re also experiencing delays because the majority of photo estimates are not accurate or even enough to start repairs.”

“Being a non-DRP shop, we always experience insurer delays, and the only real change has been further supplement delays because there are now fewer field adjusters,” McKenzie explains. “The biggest issue is severity since the initial estimates are so far off. It just makes the insurance company look incompetent because the photo estimates are laughable at best.”

www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

CO Body Shops Help Beat-up Police Cruisers Get New Paint Jobs new decal logos.

“The new design was so well-reLaw enforcement vehicles have been ceived by the public that it was detransformed, thanks to the generosity cided to seek donation funding to of some local businesses. repaint several of our older Crown Extreme Auto Body, Southwest Victoria patrol units to match the new Motors and D&S Paint Center have black-and-white design. In all, 12 units been teaming up for the past several have been repainted.” months to repaint beat-up police cruisLee Herrera, who owns Extreme ers that have had paint peeled off and Auto Body, said that in recent months his business—along with Southwest Motors and D& S Paint Center—have contributed to repainting six to seven Pueblo Police Department vehicles, and the group is repainting a car for the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office.

And before that trio of busiSeveral businesses around town have donated time and nesses became involved, numanpower to repaint and rehabilitate a dozen Pueblo merous other companies and Police Department cruisers. Unit 939 is shown before some individuals—including its makeover. Courtesy Photo Champlain Auto Body, Keith have worn down throughout the years. and Karen Swerdfeger, AMR, K.L.I. “The project was commenced Landscaping, Pueblo Association of Reshortly after Chief Luis Velez took altors, St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center office,” Kim Wittrup, the Pueblo Po- and McDonald’s—helped with the projlice Department’s fleet manager, said. ect, according to Wittrup.

“When we purchased several new Herrera said there are also plans Ford Explorer Interceptor SUVs, to spruce up more vehicles with paint.

Velez directed that these new units be The businesses have been proin the black and white design with viding these services free of charge to

by Ryan Severance, The Pueblo Cheiftain

16 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Herrera said he and Mike Zavislan, owner of Southwest Motors, saw the rough shape some police cruisers were in and decided to help out.

“I’ve seen them around town and how bad they look,” Herrera said. “It didn’t look good for them to be representing the city in cars like that, so we thought we could help out. I know they’re tight with their budget, so I thought we should give back.”

Wittrup said he’s appreciaSeveral businesses around town have donated time tive for what the businesses and manpower to repaint and rehabilitate a dozen have done and continue to do.

Pueblo Police Department cruisers. Unit 939 is “The budget is tight. We shown after its makeover wouldn’t have had any way D&S Paint Center has donated to do this without this assistance,” the paint and everything necessary to Wittrup said. “This just wouldn’t have paint the vehicles, while Champlain been possible. With them kicking in Auto Body and Extreme Auto Body and offering to paint by their own genhave done the repaints. The other busi- erosity, it’s very appreciated.” nesses mentioned have contributed We thank The Pueblo Chieftain funding and labor. for reprint permission.

law enforcement.

It costs anywhere from $2,800 to $3,200 to repaint each car, according to Herrera.

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Hawaii Auto Body Business Owner Still Reeling from Losses after Fire

by Tiffany DeMasters, West Hawaii Today

A warehouse fire in New Industrial Kohanaiki Park has left the business owner baffled and frustrated.

A warehouse that housed Diamond Auto Workz in the New Industrial Kohanaiki Park was damaged during a fire on Sept. 11. Credit: Tiffany DeMasters/West Hawaii Today

About 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 11, the Hawaii Fire Department responded to Diamond Auto Workz on Hulikoa Drive.

Upon arrival, the northern half of the structure was engulfed in flames. According to a Hawaii Police Department report, when crews arrived on scene, the front gate of the property appeared to have been forcibly removed.

The gate looked as if it had been rammed from the inside out, police said.

Tools, equipment and at least four cars were destroyed in the blaze. A company truck was also taken from the scene.

Business owner Blake Hornbacher went to the warehouse that morning. He said the gate, which is normally locked during non-business hours, was ripped off. Firefighters on scene told him they found the gate in the road.

“When I got up there at 5 a.m., they were still trying to put it out,” Hornbacher said of the fire.

Diamond Auto Workz is an auto body, paint, detail and towing service.

The warehouse was divided into three bays. Hornbacher said someone broke in and started a fire in the first bay— the paint booth.

Between the equipment, tools, cars and warehouse, Hornbacher estimates it is a $1 million loss.

“It’s someone I know, guarantee,” Hornbacher said.

The truck stolen still hasn’t been recovered.

“I heard it’s in Puna—I hear it’s here or there, but when I try to follow up, it leads to nothing,” Hornbacher said of his stolen truck. “I think it’s just stories.”

Hornbacher said he feels like po-

lice haven’t really done much about it.

Police Maj. Robert Wagner said the case is continuing and authorities have deemed the circumstances to be suspicious. A detective in the Criminal Investigations Division is investigating it.

The Hawaii Police Department continues to investigate a fire that destroyed a warehouse that housed Diamond Auto Workz in the New Industrial Kohanaiki Park on Sept. 11. Credit: Tiffany DeMasters/West Hawaii Today

Hornbacher and his crew members are still operating out of a different site in the industrial park where they’re doing small repairs and selling used tires. The company still offers the tow service.

Hornbacher said he would like to get back to the warehouse, but it will cost a lot to do so. He is also trying to

work with insurance companies to see if they will cover any of the damage.

The office for the business Hawaiian Trailers is adjoined to the warehouse that burned down. The morning of the fire, onsite manager David Hess said the power and water went out.

Water was restored to his part of the building. However, he has been without power.

Hess said he hopes the bays are fixed, and Hornbacher returns to the lot.

“I miss those guys running around,” he said.

Hess said people in the industrial park care about one another.

“No one wants to see Blake like this,” he said. “He doesn’t realize how much his friends appreciate him.”

Business neighbors are looking at ways to raise money for Hornbacher.

“He’s really a good guy,” Hess said. “One way or another, we’ll get him back here.”

A GoFundMe account was set up to help Hornbacher get his business back up and running.

Those interested in donating can visit www.gofundme.com/diamondautoworker-crew-help-funds.

We thank West Hawaii Today for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Southwest Associations

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.

No Bull about Successful Texas Auto Body Trade Show with Chasidy Rae Sisk

On August 24–26, the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) hosted its 3rd Annual Texas Auto Body Trade Show at the Hurst Conference Center in Hurst, TX, with a theme of “That Ain’t No Bull.”

According to ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle, “The event was a huge success and exceeded our expectations. While our attendance was

Grande Collision Repair Association, Beaumont and West Texas, all gathered for food and fellowship.

Tuggle recalled, “This was the night Hurricane Harvey was hurling into Texas. We were lucky to welcome many shop owners from that area, and our hearts and prayers went out to our colleagues from the Houston area.

Billy Bob’s was a great Texas welcome for everyone—a place for this industry to make new friends, see old friends and stay updated about the Texas collision industry.”

Friday’s educational segment focused on management courses, including those related to diagnostics, financials and research.

ABAT President Burl Richards opened with, “We Honda talking to Toyota after OE panel discussion are here to share information negatively impacted by the hurricane with our industry. We have brought toin Houston, we still had about 200 in gether a line-up of nationally known attendance throughout the length of speakers who are sharing the knowlthe event. The speakers were even edge we all need to move forward in more dynamic than expected, the ven- this business.” dors were classy and gracious, and the Friday morning’s sessions invenue was beautiful. We are proud of cluded “Building the Basic Case for this event and are already immersed in Diagnostics in Collision Repair” with planning the 2018 Texas Auto Body asTech’s Jake Rodenroth and ColliTrade Show.” sion Advice’s Mike Anderson, who ABAT Board Member Eric presented “Who Pays for What” and a McKenzie chimed in, “It was our third best practices update. and largest conference yet. We had many great speakers educating us about the hottest topics in the collision industry. We had tremendous support from vendors with fantastic displays of their newest offerings of tools, service and support systems to help in nearly every area of the collision center.

There were too many awesome door prizes to count, donated by those same vendors, and we also enjoyed our greatLots of great Trade Show Talk est show attendance yet from all over Texas, the surrounding states and even After lunch, Roger Cada of Acas far away as Oregon, North Carolina, countable Estimatics moderated an Arkansas and New Jersey!”

OE Panel Discussion on proper repair The Conference commenced on procedures with reps from Toyota, Thursday evening with the Texas As- Honda, I-CAR, and Auto Vehicle Exsociation Dinner at Billy Bob’s in Fort perts. Attendees also heard about variWorth, TX. There were nearly 100 able rate surveys from the National collision repair professional members Auto Body Research’s Sam Valenof the various industry associations in zuela.

Texas, including ABAT, the Houston On Friday night, ABAT hosted a Auto Body Association (HABA), Rio Welcome Reception.

18 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Tuggle shared, “The welcome reception was a hit as usual. The doors opened with dimmed lights, a glowing Texas flag colored chandelier, and a sing-along to ‘Deep in the Heart of Texas.’ The evening was presented

ABAT visits Tracy Law Firm facility in Dallas

cocktail-hour-style and provided a laid back atmosphere for networking with colleagues and exhibitors.”

Attendees were separated into two groups on Saturday morning, with AMI’s Jeff Peevy discussing the importance of education and understanding change, while industry favorite

Larry Montanez of P & L Consultants talked about the accelerated pace of change in materials, processes and procedures.

Management seminars ran concurrently with Roger Cada presenting “Building the New Shop Culture,” while Robert McDorman of Auto Claims Specialists covered “Get More Work in Your Shop.”

The entire group was then reunited, and ABAT Board Member David Osburne explained, “For the rest of that morning’s educational offerings, we thought it would be good to bring everyone together so they would hear the same thing.”

First, Anderson moderated a panel discussion on “Current and Future Technologies,” which featured Celette’s Bastien Dias Da Costa, Tim Morgan of Spanesi and Car-O-Liner’s Tim Curran.

According to Osburne, “This opened See No Bull, Page 20

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

Continued from Page 18

No Bull

up a positive discussion about repairability and accuracy. It gave attendees a stronger understanding of the process and equipment needed to repair to OE specifications.”

The last speaker on Saturday morning was not scheduled. ABAT introduced Todd Tracy of the Tracy Law Firm in Dallas, TX, to the room full of attendees, filling them with apprehension as he was the prosecutor in the John Eagle Collision lawsuit (which he has since won).

Tuggle explained, “ABAT makes it a habit to give our members the information they need to hear—not always what they want to hear. So we decided to bring the ‘fox into the hen house.’ We wanted our members to face the very real possibility of litigation coming to their doorsteps. The presentation was focused on how to keep ‘sharks like me out of your business,’ as Tracy put it. He continually emphasized safety and OE Repair Procedures. Tracy complimented the audience of 250 collision repairers for their commitment to doing the right thing.

His presence alone emphasized the importance of proper repairs to this audience.

“Tracy earned a standing ovation at the end of his very dynamic performance. Tracy was excited about being in the middle of the collision repair industry in Texas and told us ‘I

(l to r) Sabrina Richardson, wife of Auto Body Association of Texas President Burl Richards, and their son, Davis Richards, ride the bull at Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth to kick off the Texas Auto Body Trade Show

have learned more this morning at your classes than I have ever learned at SAE (Society of Automotive Engineers) and other programs I have been involved in.’ Tracy’s presentation was electrifying and spoke to the heart of our industry.”

Saturday afternoon concluded with the Trade Show, and by the day’s

Paul Massie Joins Assured Performance as VP, Network Management

Assured Performance Network announced that Paul Massie has been appointed Vice President Network Management and Integration for Assured Performance. Following his retirement after a 34-year career with Ford, Massie will be returning to the collision industry to help shepherd the introduction, use, and expansion of Assured Performance’s Certified Network Management systems. In his new position, he will assist existing and new strategic partners to leverage the turnkey systems and wide assortment of technically advanced network management solutions developed by Assured Performance.

Most recently, Massie comes to Assured Performance as Ford’s US Quick Lane Manager where he developed and led efforts to grow the Quick Lane Stand-Alone facility network.

Previously, he was the Powertrain and Collision Product Commodity Team manager where he led efforts to launch a certified/recognized body shop network capable of repairing Ford’s High-Strength, Military-Grade Aluminum Alloy F-150 and collision customer education. At Ford, he split his career between working with deal-

erships in the customer service/fixedoperations areas of their business and in Dearborn within Ford Customer Service Marketing, Sales and Service operations. He was also former Chairman of the OEM Collision Repair Roundtable and an active participate in CIC for many years.

Scott Biggs, CEO and Founder of Assured Performance said, “Paul is a great addition to our team with his extensive knowledge and experience to help us drive all of our cutting-edge network management systems.” He added, “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Paul over the last 25 years so it was an honor to pull him back into our side of the industry and not let him get away to retirement.”

Massie said, “I have had a wonderful career as an OEM employee and I am pleased in my next phase of life to rejoin the Collision Repair Industry with this new position at Assured Performance. It gives me the best opportunity to help drive initiatives that will make major improvements to the collision and claims industry and advance Assured Performance towards their vision.”

20 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

close, ABAT had sold over $650 in raffle tickets, to be donated to Hurricane Harvey Relief Efforts.

Richards shared, “The training, seminars and overload of information set a great stage for the Texas Auto Body Trade Show. The Trade Show was very busy! Feedback from our exhibitors was outstanding. We were told numerous times that the quality of attendees made way for sales that rivaled some of the larger national shows they attend. Attendees were blown away by the educational portion and had time to visit with vendors they had never discovered. We exceeded the expectation that since this show is only 3 years old, it would still be quite small. We actually outgrew the facility this year before we even opened the doors, which was double the amount of space we had the previous year, so this show really is expanding exponentially.”

Tuggle discussed the importance of this type of industry event.

“Association-sponsored events keep our members informed, engaged and communicating well together,” Tuggle said. “Association events provide the opportunity for shop mangers to get to know one another, and they

are then more willing to reach out to one another with questions. We bring in the best speakers in our industry and present on the hottest topics. We couple information and technology with practical application and processes for the modern day body shop. It is virtually impossible for the shop owner or anyone who works on a vehicle to keep up with the information needed to repair today’s cars safely, so we try to pack as much as we can into two days and continually throughout the year.

ABAT is laser-focused on the pursuit of OE-compliant collision repair and the struggle to remain profitable in doing so. We aim for our shops to have the reputation of a guaranteed safe repair.”

ABAT’s focus for the remainder of 2017 will be on growing its membership, but Tuggle is already looking forward to 2018.

“When we learn together, we can stand together to raise the industry standard,” Tuggle said. “These events are important to our industry because they provide the platform to raise that industry standard. The shop of the future will follow OE guidelines, fix cars the correct way and never stop learning. The body shop of the future will not only survive, but thrive.”

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

Undercurrent of Autonomous Revolution Emerges on Scottsdale, AZ, Streets

by Melissa Fittro, Scottsdale Independent

The modern-day automobile industry and marketplace is on the brink of evolution, according to one autonomous vehicle consultant.

Imagine, rather than walking into the garage, getting into your car and driving to work five days a week, the average person ordered a self-driving car through a subscription service to be in their driveway within minutes.

Fully autonomous vehicles—driverless, self-driving or robotic cars— are expected to emerge in the automobile marketplace within the next 20 to 30 years, diminishing the nearly 100-year-old tradition of personal automobiles.

No longer are Saturdays spent washing the car with the children and family dog, or rotating the tires and changing the oil every few thousand miles.

Sweet 16 birthdays, a tradition for American families who see their high school-age sons and daughters grasp freedom on the open road for the first time, could become long forgotten.

Autonomous vehicles have the ability to be customized to individuals’ settings, and remember the rider each time they get in. The vehicle knows where to go, speaking to other cars on the road at the speed of light, and can park itself once the rider is dropped off, or continue picking up riders throughout the day.

Will a child born in the next couple of years even need a driver’s license?

Scottsdale resident Christopher West, co-founder of Jackson-West Consulting, says perhaps not.

Mr. West gave the Scottsdale Transportation Commission a lengthy presentation on autonomous vehicles during a Sept. 21 meeting. Ultimately, Mr. West’s message was: autonomous vehicles are coming—be ready.

Mr. West was not contracted by the city, but rather invited to present by Transportation Director Paul Basha, after seeing his presentation at a previous event.

These futuristic cars are capable of sensing their environment and navigating without human input. A handful of semi-autonomous vehicles are already available on the market, with fully autonomous vehicles close behind, Mr. West explained to the Transportation Commission.

In 2016, there were an estimated

40,000 U.S. highway fatalities, 2.5 million injuries, and more than 6 million car accidents. Ninety-four percent of car accidents are attributable to human error, according to the nation’s Energy & Commerce Committee, the oldest standing legislative committee in the House of Representatives.

Over the next few decades, Mr. West says the world will be devoid of modern-day traffic and automobiles.

Not only do autonomous professionals expect car accidents to decrease by 90 percent—or 30,000 lives—by the year 2050, but the future of traffic lights, parking lots, residential garages, car ownership, driver licenses, and auto insurance could all be changing.

Furthermore, 2017 is being eyed as the peak year for personal car ownership; the equivalent was horses in 1920, Mr. West noted. In addition, the average expense for vehicles per year is estimated to decrease from $9,000 to $2,000, depending on subscription models that emerge.

“This is not really something new; it’s an evolution of safety features,” Mr. West explained to the four Transportation Commission members in attendance. “These items are currently in your vehicle now—you have lanechanging sensors, [and] cars park themselves with the push of a button.

This really is something that’s come along steadily throughout the years and throughout the traditional automobile development.”

In August 2015, Gov. Doug Ducey signed the country’s first executive order supporting the testing and operation of self-driving vehicles in Arizona.

In addition, a bill titled the Self Drive Act, H.R. 3388, is working its way through the legislation process and could increase the amount of betatested self-driving vehicles from the current amount of 2,500 to hundreds of thousands in the next couple of years.

It passed the House of Representatives on Sept. 6, and is now in Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, according to Mr. West.

In Scottsdale, the testing of autonomous vehicles is witnessed daily.

The Valley of the Sun landscape creates an ideal atmosphere for technology gurus, as there is minimal weather to interfere with programming.

Different types of autonomous vehicles, some seen with a spinning can-

22 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

ister on top while others are less noticeable, have been testing on local thoroughfares for more than two years.

“The initial companies told us they’d be using our streets and asked us not to share that information out of the fear that Chris just mentioned,” Mr. Basha said of the public’s reaction, during the Commission meeting.

“We did have multiple meetings with a variety of disciplines, including our attorney’s office. Our attorneys were very nervous, but said we couldn’t keep them out. So driverless cars were being operated for approximately two years before anyone was aware of it.”

A split industry The six levels of automation range from Level 0, an automobile handled 100 percent by the driver, such as a 1960s car without power-steering, to a Level 5, which is fully controlled by an automated driving system.

The pace at which technology in this industry is moving is comparable to the smart phone, Mr. West said, noting that the current car industry is worth about $2 trillion per year. Ford believes its autonomous transportation

market is worth $5.4 trillion a year, he said.

“There’s a split in this particular industry—you have your traditional auto makers, your Ford, your GM, Volkswagen, BMW—but you also have technology companies, [such as] Apple, Uber, Waymo, sort of leading the charge and traditional auto makers are playing catch up,” Mr. West explained.

Today, Ford Motor Co. has the largest line-up of semi-autonomous features with more than 30 options, and is expected to have the largest autonomous offering by the end of 2017, Mr. West said.

The future of the evolving marketplace might present an opportunity for the tech companies to buy out the traditional auto manufactures, Mr. West said.

“Uber’s not in the manufacturing of the car business, so they’ll have a product that can sit on an existing car or they’ve got enough cash that they can walk in and buy a GM or Ford outright, pay cash for them, and start producing their own vehicle,” Mr. See Revolution Emerges, Page 24

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Revolution Emerges

West said. “Which is astounding when you think of the size of these companies.”

The autonomous consultant says Google’s parent company, Alphabet, has enough cash to buy Ford and General Motors outright. Apple could buy Ford, GM and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in a “big three” value pack.

“So the second one of these car companies, if they choose, could essentially go in and start making their own vehicles,” he said.

By 2020, 10 million semi-autonomous vehicles—Level 2 and Level 3—will be on roads across the county, Mr. West said.

“Fully autonomous vehicles are 20 to 30 years away,” he said. “An estimated $25 billion will be spent on research before 2020; $42 billion by 2025; and $77 billion by 2035.”

There have been reports of autonomous vehicle accidents—one happening in Tempe this year. With the increase of legislation and testing of autonomous vehicles, the regulations they follow might have the same

standards that regular cars have.

“The key caveat with that is they don’t have to have the same safety standards as the ones we’re driving,” Mr. West noted. “For instance, they could put a vehicle on the road that has no steering wheel, no gas pedal, no way to interact or reaction, should something go wrong.”

Local-level testing The city of Scottsdale has companies such as Uber and Waymo testing their vehicles on local roads, and there could be many more, Mr. Basha says.

Waymo, formerly the Google selfdriving car project, started its autonomous testing in 2009, and became Waymo in 2016. It offers an “early-riders” program for people to begin using the on-demand car service throughout the Phoenix-metro area.

Uber began its self-driving pilot in the Phoenix area in February. UberX users who want to experience a selfdriving car can request a ride. If a selfdriving Uber is closest to you and the trip falls within an operational area, it will pick you up.

Uber spokesperson Sarah Abboud says self-driving cars can make a city safer, cleaner and more efficient

24 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

and affordable. With Uber’s combination of network, hardware and software, the car service believes it is uniquely positioned to lead innovation in self-driving.

“There are more autonomous companies and vehicles in Scottsdale every day,” Mr. Basha said in a Sept. 27 emailed response to questions, noting all autonomous vehicles in Scottsdale have human drivers, even if they don’t need them. “We do not know how many companies and vehicles regularly drive Scottsdale streets—there are many. Most of us see at least a dozen every day.”

The emerging industry remains in the future, with positive and negative aspects that will be spurred from the increase in autonomous vehicles, Mr. Basha said.

“It will be beneficial to transportation departments as collisions will substantially decrease. Congestion will increase,” he said. “While fewer people will own cars, cars will be used more. Most people currently use their personal car a relatively short portion of each 24-hour day and 7-day week. With autonomous vehicles, each vehicle will be used much more of the day and week.”

Waymo’s Head of Operations, Ellice Perez, says the tech company currently has about 100 vehicles in its fleet, and will be adding another 500 vehicles soon. The actual number of Waymo’s autonomous automobiles fluctuates from day to day, she said in a Sept. 28 emailed response to questions.

“They can see 360 degrees—and across the length of two football fields—as well as in pitch black,” Ms. Perez explained. “With this kind of awareness, we believe that self-driving cars will make our roads safer.”

The Waymo vehicles have worked with local law enforcement and fire departments to teach the cars how to respond to emergency lights and sirens, and learn everyday situations— like getting stuck behind a slow watering truck.

“That’s why our self-driving cars can handle everything from a vehicle parked on the side of the road, to a cyclist gesturing to change lanes, to even the most unexpected situations, like a man wielding a chainsaw in the street,” she explained. “We’ve even taught our cars to honk!”

Ms. Perez says Waymo’s confident in the safety of its vehicles be-

cause of the more than eight years of technology development and 3 million miles driven on public roads.

“We believe that fully self-driving technology has tremendous potential to save lives, make commuting more enjoyable, and improve mobility for the millions of people who can’t drive today,” Ms. Perez said, adding that in October 2015 Waymo completed its first fully self-driving trip on a public road when Steve Mahan, who is legally blind, took a trip around an Austin, TX, neighborhood in a car without a steering wheel or pedals.

“This is the kind of fully self-driving experience we’re working to bring to millions of people.”

A new marketplace Autonomous vehicles could potentially spur two other markets: intercity transit, and the renting out of vehicles.

People who own an autonomous vehicle could potentially rent it out to others on an hourly basis, Mr. Basha said.

“Increasingly fewer people will own their autonomous vehicle—they will simply rent an autonomous vehicle when they need one,” he said.

“The advent of autonomous vehicles will likely increase the need for both

intercity and intracity transit, as people will be less likely to own cars so will use transit more. People might choose to rent an autonomous vehicle to get to a high speed rail station for a multiple-hour trip, then rent another autonomous car when they arrive at their destination.”

Scottsdale Vice Mayor Suzanne Klapp believes that right now is an exciting time for transportation planners and the industry. In a Sept. 27 email to the Independent, she outlined a few potential impacts autonomous vehicles could have on the West’s Most Western Town.

“It might be necessary to update all of our traffic signals so they communicate directly with vehicles. Eventually, we may eliminate signals altogether when vehicles communicate directly with each other,” she said in the prepared statement. “We may not need nearly as much parking when a car drops off its passengers and then drives far away to stand by for later passenger pick-up. Reduced requirements for parking spaces will change the way urban areas are designed.”

Ms. Klapp says as residents and visitors alike alter the way they come and go, downtown Scottsdale could

look very different.

“Downtown Scottsdale 20 or 30 years from now may look very different due to changes in how people come, go and move through the area,” she said. “What about the vehicles the city uses to deliver service? Could an autonomous recycling truck roll along neighborhood streets collecting household waste? Certainly—and since Scottsdale pioneered mechanized trash collection in the 1950s and 1960s, perhaps we will be the community that pioneers autonomous recycling and trash collection as well.

“Could our trolleys become autonomous? Local Motors is developing a small self-driving electric trolley that could be a perfect fit for an area like downtown Scottsdale or the Scottsdale Airpark. The trolley doesn’t just drive itself, thanks to cognitive computing from IBM’s Watson—it can also offer tips on good restaurants and give an update on tomorrow’s expected weather.”

Infiltrating life Mr. West provided a few recommendations to Scottsdale’s Transportation Commission following his presentation, mostly advising the city to get

engaged and be open with the public.

“The biggest hurdle on this is public acceptance,” Mr. West said.

“What you don’t want is to get to a day in two or three years when there are 100,000 of these on the roads and everyone within the city of Scottsdale, or Mesa, or wherever, is scared to death to get in these vehicles.”

Mr. West’s recommendations included being involved with the companies testing autonomous vehicles and seeing what value the city might have.

“Ask them what they’re doing, see what value maybe to you they might have. Feel free to have a voice and speak up, be an equal partner to this testing,” he explained. “This isn’t just Transportation Commission. It’s going to be IT folks—we’re really talking about a computer on wheels here.”

With the possibility of school buses and even semi-trucks being autonomous, Mr. West expects this technology will infiltrate every facet of life.

“It’s really going to sort of impact each and every department and agency, both within this city and within this See Revolution Emerges, Page 33

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Continued from Page 4

Who’s Liable?

in resolving the legal issues that will arise in connection with autonomous vehicles.

Fortunately, modern products liability law is adequately developed to allocate fault for injuries and damages stemming from autonomous vehicle accidents, which will allow litigants to utilize the current law to answer the question of whether an autonomous vehicle is at fault for a collision. Moving forward, the legal framework for autonomous vehicle accident liability will be segmented into strict product liability, breach of warranty liability, misrepresentation liability and negligence liability.

Products liability litigation Strict liability is the dominant legal theory in products liability litigation, and is thus poised to be the theory most consistently applied to autonomous vehicle accident litigation. Strict products liability requires that: (1) the product was defective when it left the manufacturer’s control; (2) the product was unreasonably dangerous; and (3) the defect was the proximate cause of the injuries.

As automobiles become more autonomous, manufacturing defects will likely represent a large portion of defect claims, as errors on the production line will never vanish completely. Here, manufacturers can be found strictly liable for manufacturing defects even if they have exercised “all possible care” in manufacturing the vehicle. Similarly, the automobile industry will almost certainly see an uptick in the amount of design defect claims asserted against designers and manufacturers of autonomous vehicles.

Breach of warranty liability Warranty theories of liability are also likely to increase. There are several different types of warranties that apply in the context of autonomous vehicles.

First, express warranties will be created through promises made by the seller to a prospective buyer pertaining to the sale of the vehicle, including those created through written vehicle warranties, descriptions of the vehicle made during the sale process, or promises made in connection with the marketing and advertising of the vehicle.

In addition, implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a partic-

ular purpose (that the vehicles or their technology will be fit for the purpose for which they are sold) will also apply in the arena of autonomous vehicle litigation.

Misrepresenting quality Misrepresentation liability regarding the quality of autonomous vehicles may also come into play in from accidents involving self-driving cars. Misrepresentation involves the communication of false or misleading information, and liability in this respect can occur when a person reasonably relies on the misrepresentation and sustains injury.

For example, if an autonomous vehicle actually requires more human input and oversight than claimed by the manufacturer and this leads to a collision, responsibility for the accident may rest with the manufacturer under a misrepresentation theory of liability.

Negligence liability Finally, designers and manufacturers of vehicles can also be held liable under negligence theories in relation to autonomous vehicle accidents.

Manufacturers owe a duty to use reasonable care in the design of their automobiles to avoid unreasonable risk of injury, and to minimize the severity of injury in the event of an accident.

In addition, manufacturers also owe a duty to construct their vehicles without latent or hidden defects, which would encompass defective autonomous vehicle technology. Here, in addition to products liability-oriented theories, manufacturers would also face common law negligence liability where an accident occurred as a proximate result of a vehicle operating in autonomous mode, creating a new hybrid type of legal action involving a mixture of negligence and products liability theories.

Allocating fault between driver & vehicle Although autonomous vehicles are designed to operate on their own and without the use of a driver, many vehicles are being designed to place the operator in a position to assume control of a vehicle in a variety of circumstances, allowing drivers to effectively share operation of the vehicle with the automobile’s autonomous technology. Where vehicles are not operating in autonomous mode, but are being driven by a human, the driver will ordinarily still be subject to liability even in the context of an autonomous vehicle acci-

26 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

dent.

However, determining whether the driver or the vehicle was operating the automobile at the time of an accident may turn out to be a very thorny task, as it is not always entirely clear where the line between the driver and the vehicle falls.

Accordingly, many lawsuits will involve suing both the driver and the manufacturer due to questions surrounding which party is at fault for the accident. In such instances, establishing liability on one party or the other might be difficult, causing some more complex lawsuits where car manufacturers and drivers identify each other as the responsible party for a collision resulting in injury or damage.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, along with the Society of Automotive Engineers, has developed a six-tiered rating system that classifies vehicles according to their level of automated function. Zero represents complete human control, and five denotes a vehicle operating in fully autonomous mode.

Under this system, any accident occurring while a vehicle is driving at a level of automation of two or below will be deemed to be the result of

human error, as opposed to the vehicle’s autonomous technology.

However, the NHTSA’s liability paradigm is merely advisory, and does not represent binding regulation. Ultimately, responsibility for classifying autonomous vehicles—and determining how to best allocate liability between driver and vehicle—will rest with the individual states.

At what juncture this liability shifts from driver to vehicle will be a point of significant debate across the country in the coming years. States will be required to establish a liability scheme that does not dissuade the automobile industry from introducing fully autonomous vehicles to the consumer marketplace, while at the same time holding designers, manufacturers, and suppliers responsible for collisions caused by the vehicles themselves.

The final word The appropriate approach to liability for autonomous vehicles is merely one of a number of difficult legal issues that will have to be addressed as autonomous vehicles become more prevalent on our nation’s roadways, and the law catches up with this rapidly advancing technolSee Who’s Liable?, Page 33

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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.

Forum Highlights How Much ‘Diagnostics’ Have Become Part of Collision Repair World with John Yoswick

The Advanced Technology and Diagnostic Repair Forum held last summer during NACE Automechanika in Chicago offered more evidence that the lines between “collision repair” and processes more traditionally considered “mechanical repair” continue to blur.

Speakers included representatives of Bosch and Delphi, companies not regularly on the agenda at auto body events in the past. However, the focus was certainly on collision repairers, who made up most of the audience.

Matt DeWalt of Legacy Autobody Group said differences in how automakers organize and present collision repair information can create difficulties

Panelists, for example, discussed the increasing need for review of automaker collision repair procedures as part of the estimating or “diagnostic” process, as well as the difficulties that doing so can sometimes pose.

For example, Matt DeWalt, coowner of Legacy Autobody Group, which operates four shops in Pennsylvania, said the significant differences in how automakers organize and present collision repair information is challenging.

“It’s almost like we need training just on how to access the information,” DeWalt said.

Other panelists agreed. Darrell Amberson, president of operations for LaMettry’s, a Minnesota-based multishop collision repair business, agreed that the technical repair information is out there, but “it takes way too much digging to find it” because it’s not as accessible as it should be. Vince Claudio of the Gerber Collision & Glass chain said shops sometimes have to check multiple sites to find all the information needed and confirm that it

is correct and current.

“If we could bring that information together, and if it resided within the estimating system that we’re going to be using anyway, it would make it a lot easier to get the information that relates to that specific repair,” he said.

State Farm’s Chris Evans seconded Claudio’s view, saying the industry’s “information providers” need to step up and provide more information “at the right time in the right place,” relative to repair processes.

“It is an enormous mountain that they are going to be climbing,” Evans said of the task of incorporating more information in the estimating systems.

“But if they are going to remain relevant and responsive to the marketplace, it’s going to be important that they become more sophisticated.”

Labor times are only part of the equation, Evans said. The systems need to help shops and insurers understand, for example, when diagnostic scanning or systems calibration must be done.

“If that is necessary, it needs to be part of the repair time that the information providers print out on an estimate,” Evans said.

Part of that process, he said, is the automakers providing more guidance within specific repair procedures, rather than just position statements, when steps such as vehicle scanning are necessary. He said that would help alleviate shops’ liability concerns about when scanning is needed.

“We don’t just need more posi-

Vince Claudio of Gerber Collision & Glass said collision repair shops often have to check multiple sources to find all the current technical repair information needed

tion statements,” Evans said. “We need specificity and detail: In the event of this type of accident, with this type of damage, when these advanced

28 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

systems are affected, you must do this, that or the other thing… If the vehicle needs to be pre- or post-scanned because some system…has been re-

Jake Rodenroth of Collision Diagnostic Services said the increasing complexity of vehicle technology is posing new challenges to the use of non-OEM parts

paired or was damaged, that should be in a technical repair procedure and it should be part of the overall repair process, not just a position statement.

I know car companies are working toward that. But we’re clearly not there

yet. That gap between those two often causes the friction and tension that exists in the industry today.”

All of this has triggered an evolution in the type of employee categories shops need in-house, Amberson said.

“We’re accustomed to having body techs, painters, estimators, etc., but now we all need this really highcaliber technician who embraces the electronics, has a passion for it and wants to gain more understanding,” Amberson said. “It’s not your typical type of mechanic who can remove and reinstall engines and handle suspension work. This is a different breed of cat, so to speak. We now get into all sorts of calibrations, and understanding the systems and how they behave, and understanding where to look for the information, is the the kind of person we need to handle this type of technology.”

Collision repairers are experiencSee Forum Highlights, Page 33

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

Traditional Values are the Driving Force for Griffith Auto Body in Fort Morgan, CO

by Jon A. Yamamoto, Fort Morgan Times

Driving west on Platte Avenue in Fort Morgan, CO, one can take a ride down memory lane as old American-made cars from the ‘50s through the ‘70s can often be seen in front of Griffith Auto Body, located on the north side of the street.

Many of the vehicles are Griffith’s, but some are his customers’ that are waiting to be restored.

The building itself is deceptively larger than it looks. It is the new home of Griffith Auto Body.

The shop has been open for business at the new location for eight months. It is not uncommon to see an older vehicle such as a 1953 Chevy pick-up truck or a Morgan County Sheriff’s vehicle at the shop.

Troy Griffith and a customer’s 1953 Chevy pick-up at his shop. Credit: Jon A. Yamamoto/ Fort Morgan Times

Not only did Troy Griffith grow up here in Morgan County, but he has also spent 36 years working in the auto body business. Eleven years ago, he started Griffith Auto Body, which was located at 112 East Burlington Ave. His grandfather had a hog farm outside of Wiggins. It was a business that his father continued, so Griffith grew up on a farm.

“I really did not like farming,” said Griffith.

Griffith remembers purchasing his first vehicle when he was 14 years old.

“The first one I bought from a junk yard was a 1961 Ford pick-up truck, and by the time I was 16, I had a car to drive,” said Griffith.

He attended Fort Morgan High School, but did not graduate. Griffith had already discovered his career.

“I actually started painting cars when I was 16,” said Griffith.

Troy and his wife, Lori, are the

primary owners of Griffith Auto Body, and Angel Vargas also has a percentage of the stake. It is just one of the family-owned businesses that the Griffiths own here in Fort Morgan.

The business is unique and offers more than just auto body work.

“We are set up to do things that other shops cannot do,” said Griffith.

A quick visit to their website shows that Griffith will restore just about anything made of metal, including refrigerators, pedal cars, pop machines, and old gas pumps.

Both Griffiths have a love of old cars and are avid motorcyclists. The shop also works on restoring motorcycles.

“We are the only place in town that restores motorcycles,” said Griffith.

While restoration work is a passion for Griffith, he points out that many customers don’t realize the cost of doing it. Finding some of the old parts and the time it takes to do the job right are some of things that people don’t really consider when starting a project.

“On restorations work, you are lucky if you can break even on it,” said Griffith.

Even though it is not a moneymaking part of the business Griffith said if he could just do restoration work, he would.

Insurance and collision work provides the solid financial base for operating an auto body shop, according to Griffith. Griffith Auto Body offers free estimates on repairs.

The shop can fix anything from minor dents to a major collision, including ones that require frame straightening.

He takes pride in the quality and service that his business provides its customers. One of the advantages of dealing with a family-owned business is that Griffith stands behind his shop’s work.

“We guarantee our work for as long as you own the car,” said Griffith.

Griffith also offers detailing, window tinting and complete exhaust system work.

“Though we are not advertising the detailing service, we are doing about one car per day,” said Griffith.

Having a chrome machine is an additional benefit for Griffith, as they are currently the only place within 50 miles to offer the chroming service.

As the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations have changed, so has the process of

30 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

chroming. Fewer body shops offer this service, as many car manufacturers have gone away from using chrome on their vehicles, said Griffith.

Troy Griffith in front Griffith Auto Body located at 301 W. Platte Avenue. Credit: Jon A. Yamamoto/ Fort Morgan Times

With the chrome machine, not only can bumpers and trim be restored, but he can also chrome just about anything, including a tennis shoe.

Seventy percent of their business comes from insurance or collision work, 20 percent is auto restoration and 10 percent is composed of motorcycles, exhaust and other miscellaneous restorations.

The waiting area is filled with restored cars or a couple of motorcycles.

This room also is decorated with a collection of Hot Wheels cars still in their original packaging, old motorcycle and car signs, license plates, various posters and photographs.

Griffith admits to having a couple thousand Hot Wheel cars, which is more than enough to cover all of the walls in his shop. The showroom/lobby area is a tribute to Americana, something that both Griffiths have a passion for. Old Harley Davidson automotive signs, pictures and posters cover the back showroom wall.

Griffith noted that business continues to be good, but like any businessman he would like to see it busier.

Griffith Auto Body is open seven days a week at its new location of 301 West Platte Ave. Weekday hours are from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call for weekend hours. The phone number is 970867-9071 and they have two websites: griffithautobody.com and griffithautobody.net. Their e-mail is: restorations bytroy@hotmail.com.

We thank Fort Morgan Times for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Continued from Page 3

Launching Column

sion industry people with whom I’ve been able to interact. I’m looking forward to continuing to serve the collision industry in a different capacity.”

Autobody News reached out to Ledoux to learn more about his career in the collision repair industry and find out what readers can expect in his new column.

Q:

Congratulations on your recent retirement Gary! How did you get your start in this industry?

A:

Prior to Honda, I worked for several years at two automotive jobbers that also sold paint and body supplies, where I was first exposed to the collision industry. One of my first jobs was custom-mixing pints of DuPont Lucite lacquer and DuPont Duco lacquer. Then, I sold new and used trucks at a Ford dealership, became a service advisor at another Ford dealership, and worked at various capacities including parts manager at dealerships for Honda, Acura, Mercedes, Toyota and Subaru.

What are some of the different Q: roles you held while working at Honda?

I started at American Honda on A: July 5, 1988 as a district parts manager for the Acura Division cover-

ing the New England region including NH, VT, MA, CT, RI and upstate NY. My main focus was ensuring parts departments were properly stocked and the parts managers were trained in the many newly opened Acura dealerships.

A year later, I transferred to the southeast area doing the same job in FL, GA, SC, NC, VA and WV. I then accepted a job as a trainer for American Honda, moved to California and began working out of the national office. Forty weeks a year for the next six years, I traveled to different cities to train parts managers on proper parts department management, including inventory control, cost control and asset protection. I started working with Honda auto and Acura dealer parts managers and eventually included parts managers at Honda motorcycle and power equipment dealerships. At the request of our Export Department, I created materials and taught classes tailored specifically for

32 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

our auto and motorcycle dealers and distributors in Central and South America and the Caribbean.

In 1998, I accepted a promotion and began working in the Parts Marketing Department, concentrating first on the wholesale mechanical side of the business and then on the collision side. The last four years or so have been especially rewarding being on the leading edge of the current industry wave.

Is there a special memory you Q: would like to share during your time at American Honda?

As a young trainer for Honda A: covering basic parts department operations, I encountered an older gen-

tleman who had been a parts manager for 30-plus years. I was intimidated.

“What can I possibly tell this guy that he hasn’t heard a million times before?” I thought. At the end of the three-day seminar, he came up to me, shook my hand and said, “Thank you!”

I asked what he was thanking me for.

He replied, “Thanks for reminding me about all the basic things I need to do— but have since forgotten.” The moral is: “Basics matter.”

What prompted you to retire Q: and what can readers expect from your new column “In Reverse?”

What prompted me to retire?

A: Thanks to some planning, some luck and the proper alignment of the

sun and stars, I just knew it was time.

My last official day with Honda was October 1. Not one to waste time, I began writing for Autobody News on October 2. My ongoing column—“In Reverse”—will be launched in the November issue. It will focus, not surprisingly, on the history of the industry.

Eventually, I’ll produce other feature articles covering all facets of the collision repair industry, including a closer look at OE certification programs.

We’ve heard about another project you have been working Q: on for quite some time. Can you fill us in on the details?

In the fall of 2010, I started a A: special project—writing a book about the history of the collision repair

industry in America. Nobody has done that before, and I thought it was about time. My objective is to provide an See Launching Column, Page 44

Continued from Page 28

Forum Highlights

ing an increase in the need to access information stored in the vehicle, just as their counterparts in the mechanical repair industry have done for years. Given that this information is legally considered to belong to the owner of the vehicle, collision repairers’ customer authorization forms need to evolve as well.

“We obtain an authorization not only to access the data, but also to use the data,” DeWalt said, noting that even customers paying for repairs themselves haven’t declined having their vehicle scanned.

“We incorporated some verbiage Continued from Page 26

Who’s Liable?

ogy. Ultimately, as vehicles become more autonomous, liability will shift from the operator to the manufacturer or the supplier of the vehicle’s autonomous technology systems. At what point this liability shifts and by how

into our customer authorization form that, first, gives us the authority to [access] information from the vehicle systems, and second, gives us the authority to share that with the insurer,” Amberson agreed.

He said customers are increasingly safety-conscious and seem to embrace the need for shops to access vehicle information as part of repairs.

He recalled one job his company retained—when the customer was being persuaded to go to a direct repair shop for the insurer involved—because the scanning processes had been explained to them at LaMettry’s.

“They chose our shop because they liked the idea that we were scanning the car to make sure everything was done correctly,” Amberson said. much will be heavily debated as states develop legislative and regulatory schemes to allocate liability for autonomous vehicle crashes.

Reprinted with permission from the October 10, 2017 edition of PropertyCasualty360.com© 2017 ALM Media Properties, LLC. All rights reserved.

Further duplication without permission is prohibited.

Continued from Page 25

Revolution Emerges

state. It’s really going to turn everything upside down,” he explained.

“Don’t keep it a secret. I know a lot of these vehicle companies are out there testing, naturalistic testing where they don’t want folks to know they’re out there testing and what they’re doing.”

Mr. Basha says he will suggest to companies that they do introduce the public to their vehicles, but believes driver-required vehicles will always exist.

“There will be fear-based resistance to change, which will delay their entry,” Mr. Basha said. “Also, United States drivers have had a love affair with personal automobiles since before automobiles were first invented.

This love affair will continue forever.

People will always have the opportunity to purchase driver-required vehicles.”

We thank the Scottsdale Independent for reprint permission.

www.autobodynews.com

Continued from Page 11

Mitchell & OEC

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

H OND A TEX AS

Bankston Honda L e w is v i ll e

800-344-8611 972-219-0021 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 www.bankstonhonda.com

Fiesta Honda S a n A n t on io

800-727-8705 210-340-0831 Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-5 hondaparts@safiestahonda.com

Cleo Bay Honda K i ll e en

877-253-6229 254-699-2478 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 parts@cleobay.com

Honda Cars of McKinney M c K in n ey

972-569-4276 972-569-4222 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 Gene.chenault@hendrickauto.com

Honda of Frisco F ri s c o

866-442-2711 972-731-3176 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-5:30 cedgar@mcdavid.com

AC U RA TEX AS

Autonation Acura Leag u e Cit y

800-749-6227 713-371-4700 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 hoehns@autonation.com

David McDavid Acura Aus t in

800-575-3553 512-401-5976 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 jraygo@mcdavid.com

David McDavid Acura Plan o

972-964-6044 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 dgrajczyk@mcdavid.com

34 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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

T E X AS

TE XAS

LOU IS IA NA

C OL ORA DO

McDavid Honda Irving

Rusty Wallis Honda

Superior Honda

Ir vin g

D a ll a s

Harvey

Boulder

800-492-4464 972-790-6003

877-466-3272 214-328-3891

800-943-4227 504-368-5687

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-6 srichardson@mcdavid.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 darryldotsy@rustywallis.com

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30 parts@superiorhonda.net

800-274-0985 303-415-1528 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2 parts@fisherauto.com

Honda of San Marcos

Wholesale Parts Direct

Walker Honda

Honda of Greeley

Au s t i n

A l exa nd r i a

G re el e y

800-234-4441 512-458-2910

318-448-8255 318-445-6677

888-903-1101 970-506-2795

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

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

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

San Ma rco s

866-392-1313 512-392-1313 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 9-5 csmith@hondasanmarcos.com

Howdy Honda

O K LAHOM A

N EW MEX IC O

A u stin

Don Carlton Honda

Garcia Honda

877-941-6513 512-443-4300

Tu l s a

A l bu qu erque

800-722-2379 918-622-9670

800-677-6632 505-260-5002

Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-3 partsmgr@howdyhonda.com

Kelly Grimsley Honda Od ess a

844-453-5594 432-334-6632 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-12 april@kellygrimsley.com

Russell & Smith Honda

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 hondaparts@doncarlton.com

Fowler Honda No r m a n

866-369-5376 405-573-5719 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-9; Sat 8-4 parts@fowlerhonda.com

Hou st on

Fenton Honda of Ardmore

800-833-0180 713-663-4266

Ard m o re

580-226-1000

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

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-2 travis.pierce@fentonmotors.com

T E X AS

LO UIS IANA

Mac Churchill Acura

Acura of Baton Rouge

Fo r t Wo r t h

B a to n R o u ge

888-824-9634 817-806-0571

866-733-2861 225-756-6166

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

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

Sterling McCall Acura

Walker Acura

Ho u st on

M e ta i r i e

713-596-2337 713-596-2338

800-359-8555 504-465-8555

Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-4 rkahl@sterlingmccallacura.com

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

OK LAHO MA

Don Carlton Acura of Tulsa

CO LO RADO

Flatirons Acura

Tu lsa

B o ul d e r

888-550-7278 918-664-2300

800-648-4488 303-442-1767

Dept. Hours: M-Sat 7-6 acuraparts@doncarlton.com

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

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

Fisher Honda

Mile High Honda D en v er

800-548-4730 303-369-7800 Dept. Hours: M-S 7-6 lhoover@autotree.net

AR IZON A

Chapman Honda Tu cs o n

800-461-6744 520-202-5770 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 carlkeefe@chapmantucson.com

Earnhardt Honda Av on da l e

800-350-6537 623-463-4380 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-9; Sat 7-6 gluna@earnhardt.com

C OL OR AD O

U TAH

Mile High Acura D e nv e r

800-548-4730 303-369-7800 Dept. Hours: M-S 7-6 lhoover@autotree.net

Pikes Peak Acura C ol o ra do S pr in gs

800-456-9568 719-955-1715 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 joe_benson@pikespeakacura.com

Jody Wilkinson Acura Salt Lake City

800-234-0875 801-323-0492 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rick@jodywilkinson.com

Mike Hale Acura Murray

800-292-4595 801-263-0202 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 7:30-5 pgoold@mikehale.com

AR IZON A

Acura of Peoria Pe o r i a

866-347-4507 623-792-2559 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 dcavanaugh@vtaig.com www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Media and Publicity for Shops

Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

Why Are Shops Scaling Back Their Marketing Efforts? with Ed Attanasio

A few years ago, I spoke at a collision trade association meeting about marketing and advertising in the body shop world.

One shop owner approached me after my talk.

“Why do I have to spend money on marketing, because we get 150 cars every month from the insurance companies?” he asked. “We probably get five or six vehicles every year when people wander in here, but 99 percent of the time we get them through our insurance partnerships.”

I’ve heard lately that more and more shops have decided to cut back on their marketing expenditures, because the economy is booming with no end in sight. Saving money by cutting costs is always a good idea, but what happens when things go sideways or when you lose a DRP or two for a wide range of reasons? Are you established enough in your region that marketing and advertising are no longer smart investments?

I think it’s a good question, so I reached out to a group of shop owners from all over the country who are known for their marketing and advertising efforts. Why are they still in the promotional game while many shops have decided to shed at least part of their marketing budgets recently?

Brad Zara, the owner of Zara’s Collision Center in Springfield, IL, has been aggressively marketing his highly successful business since day one. He is well-known for his series of humorous and engaging outdoor billboards and his strong presence online.

“We continue to invest heavily in marketing and community support initiatives even though we are heavily DRP,” Zara said. “Our belief is that DRP customers still have a choice to make, in most cases, from a list of preferred shops in their area, so we want to be the most recognizable name on that list. Our approach to marketing is not intended to tell people what we do, as that’s already a given. We want them to know more about whom we are–established with a good sense of humor, and deeply rooted in our community.”

Lefler Collision and Glass is a

third-generation, family-owned-andoperated, full-service collision and glass repair center with four locations in Indiana and Kentucky. Owner Jimmy Lefler said marketing is indispensable and that he approaches it through a combination of strategies.

“We ask ourselves—what if the DRP model changed tomorrow? How long would it take for you to catch up to me on name recognition? Marketing builds trust from the community and creates personal relationships as long as you actually get involved in the events sponsored. I agree that you are wasting money if you do nothing more than just air TV and radio commercials. Part of our strategy is the use of social media. I personally look at customer reviews and online feedback prior to purchasing products and services.”

Marketing Director Megan Williams at Lefler Collision and Glass Repair Centers agrees that without marketing, shops can lose control of their image and profits.

“A huge part of our marketing strategy is just as much public relations as it is anything else,” Williams said. “Relying on DRPs to send us business is taking the control out of our hands, while maintaining positive marketing and public relations efforts helps us control and sustain our own revenue. Marketing plays a big role in promoting and cultivating a positive brand image and company culture, which is helpful when it comes to hiring and retaining employees. Also, many studies show that younger generations prefer to spend their money with companies that give back.”

Jim Keller, President of 1Collision, headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, advises his network shops on marketing every day. Although he agrees that the industry’s method of gaining new customers is heading more in an electronic direction, some things will never change.

“Yes, things are evolving quickly, but good old referrals from people to people will always be a big reason why some shops fail and others don’t,” Keller said. “Customers can still be heavily influenced by many things, and that’s not going to change

36 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

just because the process is changing.

As long as the consumer is able to make the decision or at least play a role in it, marketing is essential. The final arbiter is the customer and in many ways, the technology has made them smarter and more discerning.

The technology has made us more independent and it enables us to make our own choices. Years ago, people would take their cars to the shops their insurance company recommended, but now they know more about their cars and many of them want to play a role in that decision.”

Dino DiGiulio, owner of Body Best Collision in Sonoma, CA, does more marketing than some MSOs. “New shops come to town, the competition picks up and the MSOs are always looking to take more of the market,” he said. “So, if I’m not out there promoting my business, the insurance companies are going to look around for the best deal they can find.

Marketing is not something you can turn off and then turn back on when things change for whatever reason, because you never know when the next accident will occur.”

DiGiulio saw the writing on the wall four years ago, so he started pursuing certifications and shedding DRPs, but his marketing budget has actually increased during that entire time.

“I promote to my database, which is the best source of referrals we’ve ever used,” he said. “If you don’t promote your business, your shop will shrink. It may not happen tomorrow or the next day, but eventually you will look up and realize that you’re losing work to other shops that are marketing themselves better than you are.”

Big Sky Collision Center, with two locations in Montana, is a secondgeneration business run by Matthew See Marketing Efforts, Page 49

MIKE CALVERT TOYOTA www.mikecalverttoyota.com

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 37

Tips for Busy Body Shops

Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry.

She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications, and is co-author of “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.”

She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.

How to Improve Your Interviewing Process & Hire for Keeps with Stacey Phillips

When Mike Davidson started his first day on the job at a car dealership in Arkansas, the business owner asked him to stand aside and watch him fully detail a GMC S15 pickup truck.

It was a cold day in November, and 19-year-old Davidson recalls the owner demonstrating exactly how he wanted the job completed. That experience, which he refers to as “Wash the Truck,” has stayed with Davidson his entire career. Not only does the industry veteran ensure he gives his employees a clear understanding of his

expectations while on the job, but he also takes the time to hire employees who fit the culture of his business.

Davidson, president of the American Skilled Labor Association and owner of Parkway Automotive in Little Rock, AR, recently spoke to shop owners and managers at an AkzoNobel Acoat Selected performance group meeting held in September in San Diego, CA, about how to improve their interviewing process. The presentation was part of the company’s early bird training sessions offered

As a result of his learnings over the years, Davidson developed a step-bystep process that he now shares with other small businesses across America.

He said his seminar can be applied across any industry:

1) Prescreen Document: First, the prospective employee is asked by the office manager or service advisor to fill out a 10-question document with the absolute requirements of the company (e.g. driver’s license, do you smoke, how many driving violations in the last three years).

2) Application: A job-specific application is filled out.

3) Interview: The prospective employee is interviewed using questions developed by management and staff that will help determine if the candidate will be a good fit for the business culture.

4) Interview with staff: If the first interview is successful, the candidate is given an opportunity to talk to the staff and ask questions about the facility and how the business is run. Once that is complete, the staff meets to determine if the job applicant is a good fit for the team. Davidson said that at his business, it has to be a unanimous decision in order for the candidate to be hired.

5) Job offer: A thorough job description is prepared at this stage and compensation is discussed.

6) Tech report card: All staff members fill out a report card about the new hire after 30, 60 and 90 days to gain feedback about his/her performance. The new employee is also asked if there is anything the business is doing that is keeping him/her from doing a really great job.

38 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

during the week-long event, which was attended by more than 200 body shop representatives, distributors, AkzoNobel employees and guests. Held twice a year, the performance group gives shops the opportunity to take time away from working in their business to work on their business.

During his presentation, titled “Hiring for Keeps,” he shared examples of what he learned over his 35year career in the automotive industry, as well as the specific hiring process he developed after setting out to discover how he could improve the way he hired staff.

Part of this was based on his learnings from Leadership IQ, an organization that focuses on leadership training. After reading books and completing video training over a oneyear period, he found that one of the common themes with successful companies, such as Southwest Airlines and Chick-fil-A, was the similarity in the

Don Carlton ACURA OF TULSA

918-627-6457 Fax

888-550-7278

Member of the Tulsa Parts Connection

employees’ attitudes, no matter where they were located across the country.

As a result, he incorporated what he had learned and put it into practice at his business.

“No matter who we are as business owners, hiring the right people makes a big difference with the internal customers—our employees. We hire people for what they know; we fire them for who they are!” he said. “Some people, no matter how hard you try, just don’t fit the job.”

The key, according to Davidson, is to hire employees who fit your culture rather than hiring someone primarily based on their skills.

“I believe the people you hire are the people who are going to create consistency within your organization,” said Davidson. “Consistency creates your brand.”

Although having excellent skills is very important, he also recomSee Hire for Keeps, Page 42

Don Carlton

HONDA OF TULSA

918-392-9665 Fax

800-722-2379

Member of the Tulsa Parts Connection

Excellent service Competitive pricing

Knowledgeable staff First class service

4905 S. Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74145

4141 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74145

Parts Hours: Mon-Sat. 7:00am - 6pm

Parts Hours: Mon-Sat. 7:00am - 6pm

Parts Manager: Diane Finch acuraparts@doncarlton.com

Parts Manager: Nick Young hondaparts@doncarlton.com

www.doncarltonacura.com

www.doncarltonhonda.com

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 39

Historical Snapshot with John Yoswick

—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.

Association Agreement with Automakers 15 years ago Seen as Key to Access of OEM Information 20 years ago in the collision repair industry (November 1997) Instead of looking at the negative sides of our leadership, perhaps we should focus on what is positive about what they’re doing. Some of our leaders are at the forefront of our industry’s consolidation, for instance. They’re buying up existing shops, usually at good prices, in an effort to make their own businesses larger and more profitable.

Consolidation has several frightening aspects; what will happen to owners of smaller shops, for example?

But it could potentially be a boon to our industry. For a long time, we’ve bemoaned the lack of unity in our business. With fewer independent shops, we will presumably have more unity and more power. Thirty-facility operations will be in a far stronger position vis-àvis the insurance industry than a threeperson shop.

With consolidation, we might see more dynamic leadership from our leaders. Instead of scrambling to make a living, they’ll be in a good economic position and will have the financial security to concentrate on helping our fellow repairers. Also, by buying up existing facilities, they’re offering the owners of these facilities, many of whom will probably be near retirement age, the chance to reap a good profit from their life’s work.

This is leadership by example.

I did not set out to write an apologia for our industry leadership. There’s still something disturbing about the close relationship many of our leaders have with the insurance industry.

There’s no question that would be better off if we have a leader who was truly selfless, who was more concerned for the people in our industry than for himself, and who would stand up and tell the truth.

People like this are rare in any field. And until we find a Martin Luther King or Joan of Arc, we might want to look at the positive things our leaders are doing.

We might also look at ourselves. If we feel our leadership isn’t doing what they should be doing, we should be ready to step to the podium.

– from an editorial by trade association executive Sheila Loftus, pub-

lished in Hammer & Dolly.

15 years ago in the collision repair industry (November 2002) When the Automotive Service Association this fall announced a surprise agreement with the automakers regarding access by independent repairers to the same service and repair information available to dealerships, it used words like “historic” and “a success and a victory” to describe the accord.

In 2007, State Farm’s George Avery explained his company’s launch of a pilot program involving automaker discounts on OEM parts

“This agreement is an investment in the future of independent automotive service,” said Dan Frohlich, chairman of ASA’s national board and the owner of a collision repair and mechanical business in Pennsylvania. “By building bridges between manufacturers and the aftermarket, ASA is ensuring the longterm viability of independent repair. One cannot overstate the historical significance of this covenant.”

But within days, a number of other groups that along with ASA had been pushing for federal legislation that would require the OEMs to make service repair information and tools available to non-dealerships were questioning the value of the ASA agreement and saying they would not halt their legislative efforts.

Under the ASA agreement, two OEM trade groups representing a total of 35 automakers have committed to provide independent repair shops by August 2003 the same service and training information available to franchise dealerships. ASA and the automakers said the agreement nullifies the need for legislation mandating the release of the information.

Backers of the legislative mandate, however, say it is needed to ensure the automakers comply.

40 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

– As reported in Autobody News.

Though federal legislation mandating the release of the information by the automakers was never passed, a law later enacted in Massachusetts did. That, coupled with the ASA agreement, has led to general agreement that the automakers have done a reasonable job making information available to the aftermarket.

10 years ago in the collision repair industry (November 2007) In the week prior to State Farm launching a test of an electronic parts procurement program with its Select Service shops in San Diego and Indianapolis, a spokesman for the insurer said the company is considering what role it can play in streamlining other aspects of collision repair claims.

“I don’t think this is it. This is not the end,” George Avery, a claims consultant with State Farm, told those attending the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas in November. “We’re looking at rental. We’re looking at towing. We’re looking at ways to make you efficient because…of the customer that we share. I want to make it a positive experience. That positive experience, we believe, can be achieved by getting into what is really making it inefficient.”

Improving such inefficiencies in the parts procurement process is the reason the insurer has launched its latest test program, Avery said, emphasizing that it is a test only. Select Service shops in the two markets are required to order parts using two electronic systems—because not all auto manufacturers are using the same system—from dealers also using the systems.

State Farm has negotiated various discounts of about 3 percent off parts list prices from at least six of the largest auto manufacturers. Avery reiterated that the program has been designed to not cut into a shop’s parts profit. He asked shop owners at CIC to visualize the dollar amount of profit they currently make on a particular hood.

“When the discount that we have negotiated with the OEs results in a lower price for that hood, the amount that’s your profit dollars will remain the same,” Avery said.

He later emphasized again that it’s

not that a shop will receive the same percentage of a lower retail price, but instead will still receive the same actual profit dollars as before the discount program.

The test is designed, Avery said, to see if the electronic parts ordering and pricing systems work, if dealers are willing to participate, and if it helps shops operate more efficiently by, among other things, reducing parts errors and returns.

In terms of State Farm’s additional involvement in other aspects of the collision repair business, Avery used an analogy of the threshold of the front door of his home; he said he interacts with some people who never cross that threshold, others who are invited in to the entry-way, and others invited in even farther, but that no one but family goes upstairs.

“That’s none of your business up there,” Avery said. “And I see it that way for the repair industry. That’s what we need to work through with the advisory council, drawing that line on what State Farm’s goal is on that threshold and what that business relationship is that you allow. I don’t want

In 2012, Michael Giarrizzo Jr. of DCR Systems spoke at SEMA about staffing and pay structure changes he views as important to success in the industry

to go upstairs. I’m not interested in being in the house all the time, but if there are some advantages that we both see to be more efficient, I’d be glad to talk about that.”

– As reported in Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT. State Farm’s parts discount program was later scrapped, reportedly because of automakers’ decisions not to offer (or continue to offer) the discounts. But the program did pave the way for State Farm’s mandated use by shops of PartsTrader, which began in 2012.

5 years ago in the collision repair industry (November 2012) During a panel discussion at SEMA, Michael Giarrizzo Jr. of DCR Systems, which operates collision repair shops for dealerships, said shops have ended up with office staffs of equal number to their production staffs in part because they segment out roles in the office, such as estimator and parts manager. But shops rarely need a consistent number of people in any of those positions throughout the week, he said. So by cross-training, shops can move staff based on the

demands of the work at any given time.

“You may be a star wide receiver, but darn it, sometimes you have to go out and throw a couple blocks to make a difference,” said Giarrizzo, who spent four years with the Sterling Autobody Centers chain after it acquired his family’s 4-shop business in Ohio.

He also said that flat rate or commission pay structures are often based more on “management laziness” than innovative thinking. Giarrizzo said paying employees hourly does shift some of the risk to the shop if the sup-

ply of work slows. But that risk can be offset by the reward of fixed labor costs.

“You pay the same paychecks whether you fix two cars or 200 cars,” Giarrizzo said. “So getting to the breakeven point is a bit more challenging. But after that break-even point, cash rains.

You’re now dropping dollars to the bottom line at a rate of 55 or 60 percent of every dollar.”

– As reported in CRASH Network (www.CrashNetwork.com), November 19, 2012. Giarrizzo remains CEO of DCR Systems.

On Thursday, October 5, 2017, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), in conjunction with American Compliance (ACS), provided members with a helpful tool to avoid fines and penalties resulting from OSHA inspections. In this free, one-hour webinar, members were warned about what OSHA has been looking for, and ways to prevent thousands of dollars in fines. Recently, local body shops have seen a dramatic increase in OSHA inspections due to a National Emphasis Program (NEP)

that has been targeting auto body shops. Under the NEP, OSHA area offices are mandated to conduct inspections, often fining shops anywhere from $10,000-$40,000.

“We’ve noticed many of our members being hit with pretty large fines,” said AASP/NJ Executive Director Charlie Bryant. “We partnered up with American Compliance to create this webinar to arm our members with as much preventative knowledge as we possibly can. If they know what OSHA is looking for, they can prepare in their shops

accordingly.” For many years, American Compliance has worked with AASP/NJ members in complying with OSHA requirements, in addition to fighting OSHA penalties. In the webinar, members were shown actual citations other shops have recently received, and what they can do to avoid these fines going forward. The webinar was such a success, the association plans on having another webinar in the coming days to educate even more members on how to plan for future OSHA inspections. Visit aaspnj.org.

AASP/NJ Hosts Webinar to Prepare Members for OSHA Inspections

Chief Helps in Caliber’s Changing Lanes Program

Chief® will provide welding and computerized measuring equipment for Caliber Collision’s Changing Lanes program. Chief will give a MultiMig 522 MIG/MAG welder, an MI200T spot welder, a LaserLock LiveMapping system and two MultiMig 190 welders to each of the Changing Lanes programs near Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina and Fort Hood in Killeen, Texas. Changing Lanes is the first program in the country to provide active duty service members with training and employment opportunities in the collision repair industry prior to transitioning out of the U.S. Armed Forces. The no-cost, 18-week career skills program with hands-on training results in job placement opportunities in Caliber Collision locations across the U.S. upon successful completion of the program. “Our service members have given so much to our country,” says Bob Holland, director of strategic relationships, Chief Automotive Technologies. “Chief is honored to be an active participant not only in Changing Lanes, but in helping to positively change the future of these fine men and women as they transition to civilian life.”

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

Continued from Page 38

Hire for Keeps

mends owners/managers determine if prospective employees have the ability to get along with staff, understand the company’s strategy and structure, and share the same values.

“If you have someone working on a customer’s car who doesn’t share your values, he or she is going to take shortcuts you don’t want, and is going to put out a product that you don’t want to be put out. Every time,” he said.

Davidson discussed the interviewing techniques he uses on a regular basis.

“You have to have a process in place and you have to have a system that will help you determine if the person is the right person for your organization,” he said.

By altering the traditional interviewing method and listening to an interviewee’s answers, Davidson said it’s easier to discover if a person is the best fit for the business.

He advised shops to eliminate what he referred to as “hypothetical” questions. Some of the examples he shared included: “What song best describes your work ethic,” “What kitchen utensil would you be,” and “How would you rate me as an interviewer from a scale of 1 to 10?”

“None of these questions help determine who the person really is,” said Davidson. “Questions should have different responses from different candidates. If the answers are the same for everyone, you have the wrong question.”

Other questions to be avoided include those that lead the interviewee on how to answer them. For example, rather than asking someone to talk about a time he or she had to adapt to a difficult situation, he recommended asking about a time the person was in a difficult situation.

“Then, pause and give them an opportunity to think and let them answer the question,” he said.

Davidson said the ultimate goal is to ask questions that reveal what every business should be looking for—a high performer.

“There are two types of people who walk into an interview—the problem-bringers and the problem-solvers,” explained Davidson. “Your job is to decide which one of those people is sitting in front of you.”

He classified them as low per-

formers and high performers.

He described a low performer as someone who will hear a problem and do nothing more, whereas a high performer will offer a solution to the problem at hand. To tell the difference between the two, Davidson said that shop owners and managers need to change the way they listen during a job interview.

A good first step is to interview

When Mike Davidson (left) presents “Hiring for Keeps,” he performs a live interview at the end of the seminar that demonstrates what you lvearn. During the presentation for AkzoNobel, he demonstrated a mock interview with Drew Holdren (right), Services Consultant Acoat Selected Services for AkzoNobel

your current staff to learn more about your culture. Not only does it allow you to identify the actions you want to see in your business, but it also helps you figure out the ones that you do NOT want in your business culture and that already may be there.

Once you have figured out the characteristics for your culture, you can begin the interviewing process.

Davidson said there are many benefits: You’ll deepen your hiring pool, discover untapped talent, reduce the risk of hiring the wrong people, and cut turnover.

“It’s not easy work, but it’s important work,” he said.

He advised owners to put on their “attitude eyes.”

“We need people who can handle problems with the right attitude,” he said. “You have to find attitudes in your organization that identify the low performers and high performers.”

Every question, according to Davidson, should be a cliffhanger.

“It must be open-ended and conversational,” he said. “You must allow them to think.”

When deciding where to hold an interview, Davidson recommended creating an environment that fosters dialogue rather than a monologue. It might mean meeting at a comfortable place like a Starbucks couch or sitting sideby-side in the conference room.

“Avoid sitting across a desk, which is a physical barrier,” he advised.

42 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

Davidson shared examples of interview questions he has found to be helpful when determining low performers versus high performers, and offered insight about each one.

“Could you tell me about a time you lacked the skills or knowledge to complete an assignment?”

It fosters openness and encourages conversation.

“Can you tell me about a decision you made that felt risky or you might fail?”

Low performers always seem to play it safe, and high performers take a risk even if it means failing.

“Tell me about a time when an organizational rule created a barrier to achieve an outcome you wanted?”

Low performers, for the most part, do not like playing by the rules whereas high performers respect the rules.

“Can you tell me about a time you didn’t have the information you needed to complete a project?”

Low performers need constant handson attention, and high performers excel at getting the information they need to work independently.

“Can you tell me about a time when you had to think outside the box?”

Low performers recycle the same thoughts over and over, whereas high performers generate unique ideas.

“Can you tell me about a time you received negative feedback from a boss?”

Low performers find ways to blame someone else for their problems, and high performers choose their words carefully and help solve problems.

“Could you tell me about a time you were given an assignment outside your role?”

This question helps determine if the prospective employee is a team player.

Davidson said that no matter what questions you develop with the assistance of your team, there is a five-part question he always recommends including during the interview process.

He calls it the “coachability question,” and stressed the importance of listening to each response carefully to help you get to know a prospective employee: 1) What is your boss’s name and can you spell it for me?

2) Tell me about xx as a boss.

3) What is something that you could have done differently to enhance your relationship with xx?

See Hire for Keeps, Page 50

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Shop Services

Stacey Phillips is a freelance writer and editor for the automotive industry.

She has 20 years of experience writing for a variety of publications, and is co-author of “The Secrets of America’s Greatest Body Shops.”

She can be reached at sphillips.autobodynews@gmail.com.

George Avery: Will DRP Shops Reach an ‘Efficiency Ceiling?’ with Stacey Phillips

Former State Farm executive George The survey addresses assignments, Avery predicts there will come a time estimate preparation, supplements, when collision repairers who participhotographs, total losses, final repair pate in Direct Repair Probill, training and informagrams (DRPs) are going to tion, and performance manreach an “efficiency ceiling.” agement.

“They are going to say, During the Guild 21 pod‘I can’t get any more efficast, Avery asked attendees cient because if I participate eight questions representative in more than one DRP, I of the survey to gain addihave to do things differently tional input and give shops an George Avery in all of the programs,’” said idea of what types of quesAvery during a Guild 21 podcast held tions are asked (percentages are an apin October, sponsored by Verifacts proximation): Automotive.

After talking to others in the in- 1) How do you prefer to have an apdustry with a similar viewpoint, Avery pointment scheduled? set out to survey repairers and reach a 50% – a phone call consensus about the current adminis- 8% – scheduled online by the insurer trative processes being used with in- 30% – scheduled online by the customer surers.

4% – other He formulated the survey with the assistance of a nine-person committee 2) When do you prefer to upload the consisting of repairers and insurance original repair estimate? companies. It was released in early Oc18-20% – immediately tober.

15% – within 24 Hours “The survey is intended to identify 12% – within 48 Hours common and inconsistent administra60% – after the repair plan tive practices between Direct Repair 2% – not required Programs that may cause inefficiencies in the repair facility’s overall repair 3) How do you prefer to notify when process and performance,” Avery exthe vehicle is a possible total loss? plained. “Repairers use the letters A–E 4% – not required while filling out the survey to identify 20% – phone call or fax the DRP relationships of their choice, 10% – website which are not intended to represent or 30% – e-mail identify any particular insurer.”

40% – Mitchell / ADP / CCC As of Oct. 13, 133 repairers responded to the survey. When the final 4) Preferred number of photos for results are tallied, Avery said they will COLLISION loss? (not including T/L be shared with insurers and repairers to or Supplements) find ways to improve repair efficiency 18% – it should be at repairer’s disand the customer experience. cretion Before filling out the survey, re2% – 0-1 spondents are asked how many repairs 2% – 2-4 they complete each month and the 63% – 5-10 number of DRP relationships they have. 18% – 20 or more Continued from Page 32

Launching Column

overview of the industry, the factors affecting it, and how it evolved from the early 1900s to today. I had to set the project aside for some time, but now, in retirement, I’ll go “full-steam”

to finish it.

I am still looking for any and all input from anyone in the industry, including company histories, product histories, old body shop photos, and first-hand stories about working in the industry, especially at the shop level.

Gary Ledoux can be reached at: mayorclum@yahoo.com.

44 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

5) Preferred number of photos for COMPREHENSIVE loss? (not including T/L or Supplements) 28% – it should be at repairer’s distcretion 2 % – 0-1 4% – 2-4 50% – 5-10 20% – 20 or more

6) Preferred number of photos for a TOTAL LOSS? 16% – it should be at repairer’s discretion 0% – 0-1 0% – 2-4 47% – 5-10 38% – 20 or more

7) Preferred number of photos for a SUPPLEMENT? 41% – it should be at repairer’s discretion 0% – 0-1 43% – 2-4

15% – 5-10 0% – 20 or more

8) What is the most efficient way to request a supplement?

38% – not required 2% – by telephone / fax 22% – by website 36% – e-mail 5% – other

Next steps include analyzing the survey results to determine if a follow-up survey is relevant and possibly conducting a secondary survey or meeting with insurers. Avery said the intent is to further discuss these issues during the Verifacts Automotive Forum scheduled for February 2018.

Verifacts is a third-party onsite repair verification provider available to auto body repair shops. For more information, email: info@verifactsauto .com.

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 45

Industry Insight with John Yoswick

—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.

Recent “Who Pays for What?” Survey Looks at Body Labor Operations, Estimating System Use, Training

Mike Anderson of Collision Advice than 1,000 shops across the country resaid his “Who Pays for What?” surveys sponded to the April “Who Pays” surcontinue to show that even when a sigvey on body labor operations. nificant percentage—or even a majorThe surveys break the results ity—of shops report routinely being down by 11 different geographic repaid for a particular “not included” opgions, and they have found some moderation, there can be many other shops est regional differences in shop billing not even putting it on their estimates. practices. Shops in the New England “Clean-up of old urethane” fol- region, for example, are more likely to lowing removal of glass is a good ex- charge for the “not-included” body reample of this. Although 37 pair operations than are shops percent of all shops taking in other U.S. regions. The the “Who Pays” survey in contrast is particularly clear April said they are paid for when New England is comthis operation “most” or “all” pared to the South Central reof the time when it is needed gion, where the percentage of and billed for, more than 60 shops saying they “never percent of the shops respondasked” to be paid for not-inMike Anderson ing to the question are not cluded body repair operations even billing for it. is the highest. Combining all 21 repair Similarly, 58 percent of shops body labor procedures asked about in said they are paid “most” or “all” of the survey shows that shops in the the time to “replace vapor barriers” South Central states did not seek paywhen it is necessary, particularly on ment on these procedures in 35.6 pervehicles with airbag pressure sensors cent of cases. That compares to just within the doors, but about 40 percent 20.8 percent of the cases in New Engof shops say they haven’t billed for land facilities. that procedure.

Even though these two regions “If you don’t bill for it, you will represent both the “most” and “least” never be paid for it, yet the biggest likely to itemize “not-included” operapercentage of shops not billing for tions on invoices, shops in both regions these procedures say they never appear to have the same likelihood of thought of billing for them when they being paid for these procedures when they do include them on their estimates. In New England, shops reported being paid “always” or “most of the time” for these procedures in 64.5 percent of the cases, when they include them on their estimates. In the South Central region, that figure is just 3.6 are required as part a repair,” Anderpoints lower (60.9 percent), a differson said. “These surveys were de- ence that is not statistically significant. signed to help raise that awareness.”

In addition to the body labor opThe latest of the 2017 “Who Pays” erations, the April survey also asked surveys, focused on aluminum repair shops about their choice of estimating and shop supplies, is being conducted and electronic parts systems; body throughout the month of October. Click labor and storage rates; and how much here (https://www.crashnetwork.com/ training shop employees receive. collisionadvice) for more information Nationally, for example, the meor to take the survey. dian number of hours of training proEach of the quarterly surveys, vided to technicians is 10 per year. A conducted by Collision Advice and discouraging 13 percent of shops adCRASH Network, focuses on a differmitted to providing zero hours of trainent aspect of collision repair, asking ing per year. Others are offering 40 or shops about which “not-included” promore hours to each of their technicedures they bill for, and about how cians, though that amount of training frequently each of the largest auto inis higher than that offered by 95 persurers pays for those procedures. More cent of all other shops.

46 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

CRASH Network compared those findings to numbers reported earlier this year by the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) “Education and Training Committee.” The committee asked

annually, and European automakers called for even more, 23 to 76 hours.

Paint manufacturers on average thought painters should receive about 24 hours of training each year.

About 54 percent of shops report being paid “always” or “most of the time” for “applying weld-thru primer,” up from 46 percent in 2016, yet more than 1-in-4 shops say they’ve never billed for that procedure

paint manufacturers and automakers how much annual training they believe technicians should be receiving. Asian vehicle manufacturers said technicians should get between 16 and 20 hours of annual training, while domestic vehicle manufacturers suggested 19 to 27 hours

“If the ‘Who Pays for What?’ results are indicative of the entire industry, then 75 percent of all shop technicians are not getting enough ongoing training,” Anderson said.

The survey also found a sizable See Who Pays for What?, Page 50

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

Day Job/Night Job Alan Johnson: Author, Artist, Pinstriping King with Ed Attanasio

By taking his experience in custom paint and expanding on it, Alan Johnson has made himself well-known for many things—such as his blossoming fine art career.

He’s also an author, a teacher and known as one of the world’s leading experts in pinstriping, a unique art form that is 100 percent American. He is 71 years old and has his work placed in art galleries all over the world, while still going strong with no plans to retire. Johnson’s motto, which he tells anyone who’s interested in learning the craft of pinstriping, is to “just get the brush.” That is what he enjoys doing every day.

Originally from River Plaza, NJ, Johnson worked his way through the Newark School of Fine Industrial Art in the 1960s by painting, airbrushing and lettering everything from fresh produce signs to cars at the local Raceway Park. His first shop was in a greenhouse at Julie’s Farm Stand on

Route 35 in Middletown, NJ, where he refined his skills on cars, motorcycles, guitars, helmets, boats, skis and even airplanes.

Alan Johnson, the owner of Alan Johnson Grafix in Blairstown, NJ, wrote How To Pinstripe, published by Motor Books

In 1968, he began his career as an Art Director at a New York advertising agency, working on big national

campaigns. Six years later, he decided that the commercial art world was not where he wanted to be, so he moved his family to the country and started his own business. His studio, Alan Johnson Grafix, is located in a restored barn and grist mill that was built in 1825. With all of his children grown up and out of the house, Johnson spends half the year in his other studio in Loveland, CO, so he can be near his sons and grandchildren.

Today, Johnson is continually sought after for his 40 years of experience as an independent pinstriper and custom auto artist. He is a consultant for automotive paint and brush manufacturers and writes a series of “How To” articles for trade periodicals. He has his own line of signature brushes with the Mack Brush Company and is the author of How To Pinstripe, published by Motor Books in 2007.

Johnson has been invited to Fin-

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Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.

land, England and Scotland to demonstrate and pass on his knowledge of pinstriping, and enjoys sharing his skills with budding painters all over the planet. His book has been the definitive step-by-step guide on how to

Johnson’s lettering and pinstriping skills can be seen on this boat

perform a wide range of pinstriping projects, including information on how to prepare surfaces and how to experiment with asymmetrical design.

Assisted by his wife, Judy, Johnson is able to dedicate all of his time

to creating award-winning masterpieces that adorn vintage auto and boat restoration projects that have appeared in museums and private collections all over the country. Every year, he organizes and participates in five charity events, raising money primarily for children through the Make-A-Wish Foundation and the Special Olympics.

He is also one of the original organizers of the “Pinheads”, an elite group of master pinstripers. In 2009, he received the Pinstripe Legend lifetime achievement award for his unique artwork in the Kustom Kulture world.

After painting on cars and boats for many years, Johnson decided to stretch his wings artistically when he began painting other images in his studio in Loveland, CO. Today, he sketches and paints southwestern landscapes and other subjects with bold colors. His experimental painting techniques and unique color sense are utilized in his fine art painting, all of which are well-known for their spiritual nature.

“I decided to try other things, and it has really taken off from there,” he said.

“I sell a lot of posters now through Fine Art America, and that is very satisfying.

I still love custom painting cars, but this

In addition, Johnson said he instructs young artists on pinstriping and encourages them to pursue their creative sides.

“I really enjoy teaching and showing people how I do the pinstriping,” he said. “Pinstripers and lettering people often tell me that my book is the best written on the subject, and of course that is very satisfying. Initially, I had to actually look at my hand to see how I do the pinstriping, so that I could relate it to other people. I had been doing it for so many years, I had to sit down and think about how I could write about the process so that readers could understand.”

If you’ve been to a classic car show, you’ve likely seen With 42 years under his Johnson’s work more than a few times belt (or easel), Johnson looks Brush Masters in Chicago. Exciting back, but only for a moment. projects that he completed recently in“I’m just a kid from the New Jerclude a gold leaf lettering job on a sey shore who got this ability from 1929 Packard Speedster; gold leaf let- God, so I love sharing it and experitering , airbrush and pinstriping two menting with new projects and new restored 1960s Gassers for Ida Auto- techniques all the time,” he said. “I motive; gold leaf lettering on restored give these young people a brush and a classic wood boats, a 1934 Packard panel and show them how to convey for Pebble Beach Concourse at Stone their personality through the art. What Barn Restorations. can be better than that?” stage in my art career has really been amazing.”

2017 has been a great year for Johnson, full of activity and great reviews. Earlier this year, he painted and donated his artwork to two car shows— Pinstripe Legends in Milwaukee and

Continued from Page 36

Marketing Efforts

McDonnell, an owner who is surprised when he hears about shops that are cutting their marketing budgets.

“We have these crutches in this industry, like DRPs, and after a while we rely on them too much,” he said.

“We expect them to keep giving, but we are all one mistake away from losing a DRP, regardless of wherever you are. One bad comment by a customer and you can be dropped without hesitation, which does not seem like a true partnership, but that’s the reality of the situation. We try to educate our customers through videos and commercials, and they really do work. We have one DRP now—our business gets better every year and our promotional efforts are a huge part of that. If you look at the most successful shops in any area, they are the ones doing most of the marketing and advertising. So what does that tell you?”

www.autobodynews.com

www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 49

Advance Auto Parts location Opens in Springville, UT

A new 6,889-square-foot Advance Auto Parts location in Springville held its grand opening Sept. 14.

“The Springville store is a great location in Advance Auto Parts’ core market, and it shows its commitment to continue expansion into the Salt Lake City area,” said Dave Hanby, retail development partner for the chain’s construction.

Advance Auto Parts has been the largest automotive aftermarket parts provider in the United States for the past 85 years. It is headquartered in Roanoke, VA, and operates 5,200 stores, with locations throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Canada.

www.autobodynews.com

UPDATED DAILY Continued from Page 42

Hire for Keeps

4) When I talk to xx, what is he going to say about your strengths?

5) When I talk to xx, what is he going to tell me about your weaknesses?

Davidson also offered interview tips to consider: • Count to three before you speak to give the interviewee time to respond.

• If you need clarification, ask questions such as: “Were others involved?”

“Can you give me specifics?” “What was the timeframe?” “Where did this take place? Tell me more about what made you choose that action.”

• Look for the warning signs of low performers: They want individual recognition, make excuses for why it won’t work, are quick to blame and eager to escape accountability, throw up their hands, have a negative disposition and are highly sensitive.

• Look for character traits of high performers: They are highly collaborative, help one another without being asked, are self-directed learners, ask questions to gain greater clarity, and

Continued from Page 46

Who Pays for What?

drop in the number of repair facilities with multiple estimating systems compared to the prior year. About 26.5 percent of more than 750 shops answering the estimating system question said

may be due to shifting insurer requirements, given that 40 percent of AudaExplore users say the primary reason they chose the system is because an insurer requires it. The same is true for 38.5 percent of Mitchell users.

Although CCC had the highest percentage of users who said “qual-

CCC appears to be gaining market share among estimating systems users as the percentage of shops having multiple systems appears to be declining

they had two or more systems installed, ity of product” was the chief reason down from 34.1 percent who reported the shop chose that system, still having more than one estimating sysnearly 1-in-3 (32.4 percent) CCC tem in 2016. users said the primary reason they AudaExplore appears to have lost the most customers among those with two or more systems during this period, with a drop of 8.5 percentage points in the number of facilities that said they use Almost two-thirds of shops say they are paid at their body that system. Mitchell Interna- labor rate to install a radiator, but installing an air conditional saw a drop of 4.8 per- tioning condenser is split more evenly between those centage points. This trend being paid at a mechanical versus body labor rate go out of their way to support their peers.

• Pronouns can often tell you a lot about a person. High performers will always talk about themselves and what they learned. Low performers talk about other people.

The ultimate goal, according to Davidson, is to find and hire employees with the right attitude and who fit the culture of your business.

“You can’t do it quickly,” said Davidson. “You must do it methodically, have a process, assimilate the information, and then you’ll wind up making a really good decision. Hire the wrong person, and you just hired your weakest link.”

This article was based on the presentation “Hiring for Keeps,” held during the AkzoNobel Acoat Selected performance group meeting in September in San Diego, CA. For more information and to schedule a presentation, contact Mike Davidson at 501-993-6121 or email at miked@parkwayautomotive.net.

For more information about the AkzoNobel Acoat Selected program, visit www.acoatna.com.

50 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

chose CCC was to satisfy insurer requirements.

Anderson said more than 2,500 shops have taken one or more of the “Who Pays for What?” surveys since they began in 2015, and he says they often tell him that “just participating in the surveys is a great reminder of procedures they are performing every day, but may not be listing on estimates or invoices.”

Shops can take the current survey (or sign up to be notified about future surveys) at https://www.crashnetwork .com/collisionadvice. The surveys each take about 15–20 minutes, and should be completed by the shop owner, manager or estimator who is most familiar with the shop’s billing practices and the payment practices of the largest national insurers. Individual responses are not released in any way; only cumulative data is released.

At the website, shops also can download the results of previous surveys, reports that break down the findings by region, by insurer and by DRP vs. non-DRP. The reports also include analysis and resources to help shops better understand and use the information presented.

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 51

Repairify, Inc. Announces Plans to Expand Globally Repairify, Inc., the makers of the patented asTech™ diagnostic device, announced the appointment of Evangelos Antypas as President, International. Mr. Antypas will assume responsibility for international sales, marketing and business development activity, including future joint-ventures and license agreements.

Evangelos has more than 20 years’ international business experience in the automotive, technology, and consumer goods industries. He has held executive positions at Solera Holdings, Gibson Musical Instruments, and Philip Morris International. During his career, Evangelos has worked throughout the world including assignments in Venezuela, Switzerland, the Middle East and the U.S. Mr. Antypas said “the market for servicing today’s vehicles

sophisticated electronic systems is expanding rapidly and asTech’s patented device allows experts to connect to a vehicle from virtually anywhere in the world. This ability to service vehicles remotely carries even greater value outside the U.S. where access to dealerships can be a challenge.”

Doug Kelly, CEO of Repairify, Inc. said “We have received interest from repair organizations, insurers, glass companies, tool providers and other potential strategic partners around the world to sell or license our patented asTech™ technology, and the good news is we now have the person that can lead our international expansion. Having successfully scanned vehicles in China, Dubai and Mexico, we’ve proven we can scan cars virtually anywhere there is internet access.”

GFS Names Ramis VP of Automotive Refinish Sales

Effective September 1, 2017, Global in engineering, project management, Finishing Solutions® (GFS) is pleased sales and business development. His to announce the promotion of Mick educational background includes a Ramis to the role of vice president of bachelor’s degree in manufacturing automotive refinish sales. engineering from the Uni“I am excited to take versity of Wisconsin–Stout on the responsibilities and and an MBA with an emchallenges of the automophasis in sales and markettive refinish business unit ing through the University and use my experience to of Wisconsin–Eau Claire. capitalize on opportunities James Faragher, presiand bring success to GFS, dent of Global Finishing our distributors and our cusSolutions, says “Mick’s Mick Ramis tomers,” says Ramis. leadership and business Since joining GFS in 2016, acumen has created significant value Ramis has made contributions to our in the short time he has been with our company as the manager of both our company. We are confident that his parts and filters and service and pre- leadership of our refinish business ventative maintenance departments. will result in strengthening our posiPrior to GFS, Ramis worked for a tion in the market by creating value Fortune 250 global leader in motion that will benefit our partners and cusand control technologies, with roles tomers.”

Team PRP Automotive Recycling Network Expands

Team PRP’s automotive recycling network continues to expand its nationwide footprint with the addition of three exceptional recycling facility partners. The newest locations to join with its thriving organization are Carolina Salvage (Rock Hill, SC); Wayne Auto Salvage (Goldsboro, NC); and ABC Auto Parts (Riverdale, IL). Each of these locations is ideally situated near major metropolitan areas— Charlotte, Raleigh and Chicago.

“I could not be more excited to announce the addition of three more fantastic facilities,” noted Mark Gamble, Executive Director of Team PRP. “Over the course of the last two years,

Team PRP has added more than 20 new facilities. From the moment we began our earnest expansion, we have focused diligently on a quality over quantity mantra. There is no doubt we have strongly adhered to this objective, as we continue to add to the Premium designated in the Team PRP name!”

Further augmenting Team PRP’s high-quality network of parts trading and transporting, the addition of these newest top-tier facility locations will result in an increase in parts availability as well as providing greater efficiency and faster delivery times —providing great benefit to repairers and repair customers alike.

52 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

New Mirka® DEOS Sander Ready

Mirka is introducing the Mirka® DEOS, a Direct Electric Orbital Sander with a revolutionary design. Joining the Mirka electric tool portfolio, the Mirka® DEOS brings you closer to the

surface, featuring a low profile of just 4 inches making it easier to sand areas, such as corners and in-between tight spaces. Its innovative features incorporate a powerful brushless motor, with adjustable speed from 5,00010,000 OPM, providing a high power to weight ratio when in use.

Mirka has been able to reduce the weight, size and height of the sander, providing customers with a compact, lightweight and easy to use high performance tool.

The DEOS electric orbital sander has been optimized for dust-free sanding. When combined with Mirka’s

‘NET’ and multi-hole abrasives, it offers an excellent, consistent scratch pattern and a dust-free work environment. Available in two sizes, 2.75” x 8” (DEOS 383CV) and 3.2” x 5.2” (DEOS 353CV), both feature a 3mm orbit making it ideal for automotive, woodworking, marine repair and other refinishing industries.

In addition, the Mirka® DEOS has an integrated vibration sensor with Bluetooth technology. The tool can be connected to any mobile device and paired with the new myMirka app, which provides users with information on tool vibration, speed and usage.

The Mirka® DEOS will be available in late October 2017.

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 53

WMABA Adds WV to Territory and Launches Facebook Group

by Chasidy Rae Sisk

The Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) took a break from active meetings over the summer, but is excited to announce that it will be expanding its membership territory to include West Virginia, and will also be launching a Facebook group.

WMABA Executive Director Jordan Hendler promises, “We also have lots in the works!”

The association launched its Facebook group in July to encourage dialogue between association members about what’s going on in their businesses and how they can improve the collision repair industry in their area.

WMABA’s group can be found at facebook.com/groups/WMABACollision Group.

On Sept. 21, WMABA announced the addition of WV as part of the association’s membership territory. The addition of WV was largely encouraged by a specific Mountaineer: Steve Krieps, Shop Manager for Greg Cline Automotive in Winfield, WV, who is also WMABA’s new board member.

Explaining the importance of WV joining the association, Krieps stated, “The collision repair industry is chang-

ing at a rapid pace. As vehicle technology advances, the repair process must evolve as well. As repairers, it is absolutely critical that we stay informed on local issues, and act when necessary.

We must educate our consumers so

they can make informed decisions and stay consistent with our training, to the benefit of consumer safety and quality of repair.

“WMABA has been navigating the socio-economics and technical aspects of the collision repair industry for nearly 50 years. With their presence at trade conferences across the country, they are on the forefront of progress. This partnership with WMABA will be instrumental to the Mountain State, and we are ecstatic and honored to be members of the WMABA family. We are more than prepared for a brighter future.”

Hendler is also very excited about the addition of WV to WMABA’s coverage area. She noted, “When the legislation to change the aftermarket parts

requirements came up, Steve was right on the case! Throughout that process of combatting the change, we got to know each other some, and I think he saw the value in the association and having representation. It kindled something in him, I think, to start the hunt to gather shops around this cause. While adding West Virginia is a really big deal, that could just be the beginning of us doing more things. Or even adding another state that doesn’t have representation, like Delaware. The others are covered, but partnerships could be the way to go and grow along with our other state affiliates of SCRS!” WMABA is also gearing up for its mid-century anniversary, as 2018 will mark the group’s 50th year in operation.

According to Mark Schaech, President of WMABA, “WMABA has two major milestones cresting into 2018, with the 50th Anniversary and now the West Virginia addition. I am

www.autobodynews.com Don’t Miss the Weekly Industry NEWS Your Shop Needs.

so pleased to see this new growth, probably to go along with additional re-branding opportunities, and the excitement of this is very refreshing. As collision repairers, we can get bogged down in the minutia of shop life. It’s easy to lose sight of all we are really capable of when we lock together. It could be the best thing to happen in my time with WMABA, both on the board and as a longtime member.”

WMABA’s Board of Directors is very pleased with the potential opportunities offered by all of these milestones.

Hendler added, “Coming in the near future, WMABA will also release additional information about the anniversary and initiatives in the works for continuing to be at the forefront of education, mentoring, and membership advocacy.”

For more information about WMABA, visit www.wmaba.com or call 804-789-9649

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Symach FixLine System Increases Efficiency and Production at New Facility Earlier this year, European Autobody relocated its 30,200 sq. ft. business in Ontario, Canada, and incorporated an entirely new repair process into the facility—Symach’s FixLine system.

The collision repair shop specializes in repairing Ferrari, Maserati, BMW, Ford and other luxury brands, and moved to a larger facility in Vaughan the first quarter of 2017.

Manuel De Luca, the manager of European Autobody, said the Symach process and equipment have greatly helped improve operations at their facility.

“Every collision center, big or small, should consider these products, do their research and see that Symach is a feasible way to be successful,” he said.

European Autobody is part of the Remo Ferri Automotive group, which includes 13 locations in Ontario. After learning about Symach from a colleague, De Luca spent time researching the FixLine system and watched several YouTube videos about the Italian-based company.

“I was intrigued almost immediately and knew right way this is the future, and we had to be part of this,” he said. “We strive to be ahead of the curve, which changes just as fast as it

comes, in order to provide our customers and partners the best repair procedures and services available.”

In addition to purchasing Symach’s body shop equipment, De Luca was interested in the Italian company’s FixLine process to run day-to-day operations in his shop. “We felt it would allow our facility to be successful and to take the next steps in building our business,” he said.

By encompassing all aspects of the repair, De Luca said the FixLine process has allowed operations to be more efficient, ensured a quicker repair time for customers, and has decreased rental costs to insurance partners. He also said the system is helping to minimize delays of vehicles in the prep and paint department.

“We have been able to reduce a typical two-day minimum down to one day,” said De Luca.

Before installing the new equipment, the shop repaired approximately 45 vehicles a week. With the use of Symach’s FixLine system, which includes “SAP” Symach Application Process, Drytronic technology, and seven robots, the production capacity has already increased to 90 repairs per week with the same number of technicians and no overtime. It has the potential of completing more than 120

repairs per week.

“The robots drastically reduce drying times of all substances,” said Osvaldo Bergaglio, CEO of Symach.

“Our international team trained the staff at European Autobody to help achieve the maximum output of vehicles and ensure they are successful in their new location.”

“Osvaldo has been amazing throughout the entire process; we had many revisions, and every time he professionally handled us with patience and gratitude,” said De Luca. “I am amazed how efficient he and his team have been.”

He said the Symach process and equipment have helped his shop continue to grow and be successful. “It’s the latest technology on the North American market,” he said. “You only have one chance to do an excellent job. Make sure you capitalize on those chances!”

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CREF Announces New Board of Trustees Members

The Collision Repair Education Foundation announced the appointment of four new members to its Board of Trustees.

These include: Kevin Burnett, Gerber Collision & Glass; Don Mikrut, Audatex, a Solera Company; Jay Sharp, National Coatings & Supplies; and Karen Sullivan, Allstate Insurance.

Through the guidance, support, and direction of the Board of Trustees, the Collision Repair Education Foundation is able to continue its support of secondary and post-secondary collision students, their school programs, and instructors.

Russ Hoffbauer, Chairman of the Foundation Board, said, “We are excited to have new representatives of these very supportive organizations join the foundation. Our vision is to help supply the collision repair industry with a sufficient number of qualified employees.”

Clark Plucinski, Executive Director of the Foundation, stated, “All of us at the Collision Repair Education Foundation are thrilled to include such committed and dedicated individuals to our Board of Trustees.”

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 55

BASF Supports Young Spray Painters as a Global WorldSkills Competition Sponsor

To support up-and-coming automotive refinish spray painters and young talent, BASF’s Coatings division is a global sponsor of the WorldSkills International association until at least 2019.

“As a sponsor of the WorldSkills competition, BASF Automotive Refinish wants to encourage young talent to consider refinish painting as a profession,” said Marvin Gilfillan, BASF Vice President, Business Management, Automotive Refinish. “We’re focusing on promoting the next generation of automotive refinishers.”

The WorldSkills competition will take place in the Middle East for the first time from October 14-19, 2017. Approximately 1,200 young people will demonstrate their skills in 51 individual competitions in Abu Dhabi. During the competition, par-

ticipants will exclusively use products from the comprehensive portfolio of BASF’s refinish brands Glasurit and R-M, depending on the country, as well as the RODIM brand range of paint-related products.

“Our commitment emphasizes the significance and viability of a career as an automotive refinisher,” said Gillfillan. The competition, which also includes the international R-M Best Painter Contest, illustrates the diverse nature of the occupation, which calls for both craftsmanship as well as sustainable thinking and efficiency.

To qualify for the final at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, in which 76 national WorldSkills associations will be represented, the candidates must win the national competition of their respective country. About 100,000 visitors are expected to attend the competition, including 10,000 international visitors, making the WorldSkills competition the biggest event ever to be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. At the 2017 WorldSkills final, the automotive refinish contenders will compete using Glasurit premium brand products, exclusively. For more information visit: basf.com

CCC Uses a Single Photo to Process Smart Claims via Machine Learning Algorithms

CCC Information Services Inc. has introduced its CCC Smart Total Loss™ solution that uses and analyzes a single photo to help auto insurers predict a vehicle total loss in seconds, with superior accuracy, and without human intervention. The solution uses deep learning algorithms to help predict the most effective appraisal method for insurers, which improves triage decisions that can reduce related expenses and reduce the disruption caused by total loss vehicles at repair shops. CCC, the automotive claims leader who first went into production with machine learning capabilities in 2011, is now in market trials with carriers testing the first integrated solution that combines digital technology with powerful AI to bring decisionmaking precision and a streamlined experience to claims processing.

“Claims that require little-to-no human intervention are an ambitious goal and one that needs to be approached intelligently and with the betterment of the industry, its participants, and consumers in mind,” said Barrett Callaghan, GM and SVP, Insurance Services Group, CCC. “The introduction of CCC Smart Total Loss is the first tangible step on a journey toward truly intelligent claims. CCC has processed

Symach FixStation Installation Supports Plans by Carglass to Expand Into Auto Body Repair

Symach recently installed its versatile FixStation product in five Carglass® branches in Belgium. They include Ans, Anvers, Drogenbos, Hasselt and Charleroi. Each location now contains a double cabin as well as a paint mixing station.

Carglass®, a vehicle glass repair and replacement company, currently operates in 34 countries worldwide and is part of the Belron® family. Part of Carglass®’s long-term growth strategy includes offering auto body repair to its customers in Belgium and Luxembourg.

“Our ultimate goal is to become the natural choice for glass and car body repair and replacement,” said Stefaan Hermans, operations director. “As Carglass® continues to expand its business and begins to offer auto body repair work to customers, Symach products will be an important part of our growth.”

In April of this year, Carglass® acquired 15 additional locations in

Belgium from Care. Two of the locations were already using Symach equipment. Hermans said it was a natural decision to purchase the new FixStations following the acquisition.

“We want to be top of mind for our customers so we can solve their problems and make it very convenient for them to have their vehicle repaired,” said Hermans. “We feel that Symach offers professional equipment that is efficient and delivers high productivity.” Symach’s FixStation with a Flydry robot works as both a spray booth and workstation.

“It is truly a body shop in one box,” explained Osvaldo Bergaglio, CEO of Symach. “One multi-skilled technician can perform an average of four to six repairs per day without moving the vehicle, resulting in one repair every one and half or two hours.” He said this guarantees a keyto-key time of half a day.

“Our goal is to provide customers with very low waiting times, while we repair their cars to the highest standards,” said Hermans. “Symach’s products are very professional and we feel that they will help us deliver exceptional work to our customers.”

56 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 57

Learn from BASF Experts at SEMA 2017 BASF is conducting three educational sessions at the SEMA Show.

The seminars will help collision shops improve productivity, write more thorough estimates and gain a greater understanding of how new Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) colors are developed. SEMA takes place Oct. 31–Nov. 3 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

“Education is the key to staying on top of the latest trends, techniques and innovations in the collision repair industry,” said Jeff Wildman, BASF Manager, OEM and Industry Relations. “As the number one chemical supplier to the automotive industry, BASF has unique insights into OEMs and the latest trends. Through these seminars, we are sharing this knowledge and encouraging new ideas to help our customers be more successful.”

The Basics of Blueprinting (Session RDE5) – Tues., Oct. 31, 9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. – BASF’s John Shoemaker will delve into completing a damage appraisal, and how to reach a final bill with the most complete list of work performed. Using available tools such as the SCRS Guide to Complete Repair Planning, OEM Position papers

and processes, Shoemaker will show a repair planner how to document required repairs.

“Through my course, the repair planner will better understand the need to involve a parts person as well as a paint technician,” said Shoemaker. “This simplifies the work with the disassembly technician when identifying all the required repairs.”

The Creation of Car Colors of the Next 3 to 5 Model Years (Session FREE1) – Tues., Oct. 31, 11:30 a.m.

- 12:15 p.m. – BASF’s Paul Czornij will discuss where car-color pallets come from, who decides the popularity and direction of colors on future car models and share colors of the future that will soon have to be repaired in collision shops.

“Attendees will understand what areas influence the selection of color and color effects, how technology brings a color idea to reality in the market and how to

better gauge what factors will continue to influence designers as they push to newer, innovative colors, said Czornij.”

Thorough Estimate Techniques for Special Finishes (Session RDE20) – Wed., Nov. 1, 3:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. –John Niechwiadowicz of QLC, and instructor of BASF VisionPLUS University courses, will focus on special finishes from OEMs that have become a trend recently, such as liquid metals, matte finishes, tricoats and quad-coats, and how to properly prepare customers for the time and cost commitment associated with these repairs.

“My course concentrates on tips, tools and techniques that will result in more efficient workflow processes, such as communication with the customer and within the shop, use of BASF SmartTRAK and more,” said Niechwiadowicz.

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3M Files Lawsuit for Patent and Trademark Infringement

3M and 3M Innovative Properties Co. filed a lawsuit in the Western District of Wisconsin against Chinabased Thunder Finish Co. Ltd., alleging infringement of patent and trademark rights related to 3M’s PPS™ technology used in the automotive collision repair industry.

The suit alleges certain Thunder Finish after-market spray gun paint cup products, which are made in China and sold in the U.S., infringe 3M patent rights directed to 3M™ PPS™ technology that enables the efficient mixing and spraying of coatings for automotive collision repair and other applications. The suit also alleges that Thunder Finish’s marketing materials for these products infringe 3M’s registered trademarks.

3M is committed to protecting its substantial investments in research and development and innovative technologies. 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division provides a comprehensive range of products and solutions to the collision repair industry, including its PPS™ technology that enables painters to mix less paint, reduce the amount of solvent used, and speed clean-up.

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58 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

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Team PRP Mobilizes to Help with Disaster Relief for Victims of Harvey, Irma, and Maria

In the wake of enormous devastation caused by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, Team PRP partners around the U.S. mobilized swiftly with an efficient strategy to offer assistance to those in urgent need. Immediately following Hurricane Harvey’s destructive impact in Texas, Team PRP locations gathered critical supplies.

They then utilized their own transportation network and began shipping donations to a Holland, Texas member facility, Snyder’s Auto Salvage.

As Snyder’s employees received each delivery, numerous items including bottled water, household supplies and diapers, were then sorted and taken to various Texas charities and

service organizations for distribution.

With an overwhelmingly generous and rapid response from their partners, Team PRP was then able to shift their intended support to include the thousands in Florida and Puerto Rico who were then experiencing similar destruction following Hurricanes Irma and Maria. All Pro Auto Parts in Auburndale, FL, took on the monumental and ongoing task of accepting numerous tractor-trailer loads of donations.

Phil Riffel, owner of All Pro Auto Parts, noted how remarkable it was that Team PRP partners “were able to do so much, so quickly.” Riffel initially worked with local churches

and charity collection points that provided aid to those in Florida, but he was soon able to transport more donations to a port in Jacksonville where these desperately needed items are shipped by barge to Puerto Rico.

Team PRP transportation providers, Out Of The Box and Midwest Auto Transport, played a tremendous role in the coordinated relief efforts as well, as they generously donated their time and services.

Mark Canapa, Team PRP’s Director of Logistics who acted as the coordinator of the relief efforts, was quick to express his heartfelt observation. “It has been great to observe our partners and our suppliers working to-

gether to serve one another and their customers, and now we seem them going even further to serve those in our community who are in need. This enormous charitable effort certainly exemplifies the true spirit of Team PRP.” Team PRP is the largest national network of independent auto recyclers united in supplying premium recycled parts, exceptional warranties, and personal service to the mechanical and collision repair industries. With over 130 facilities and six million parts in inventory, a Team PRP member can offer their customers the best warranties, quote and delivery guarantees available.

Service King and CREF Announce New Grant in Honor of Mario Malacara The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is administering a new grant, “The Service King Way Grant: In Honor of Mario Malacara,” on behalf of Service King Collision Repair Centers. Malacara was a highly admired and respected 14-year Service King teammate who tragically passed away in December 2016. The Service King Way Grant was created in memory of

Malacara’s dedicated service, loyalty to the industry and the indelible impact he had on countless people during his career.

This year’s recipients of the Service King Way Scholarship, in memory of Mario Malacara ($1,000) include: • Asael Medina, UTI (Houston, TX) • Justin Maldonado, TSTC (Harlin-

gen, TX) • David Noyola, TSTC (Waco, TX) • Xavian Henry, UTI (Houston, TX) During his time at Service King Collision Repair Centers, Malacara was influential in many ways— whether mentoring a co-worker or fighting for legislation change at the State Capitol, he continually strived to be an advocate for the industry.

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Subaru of Little Rock Little Rock (888) 690-8030 (501) 725-4375 Fax Mon.-Fri. 7-6; Sat. 7-3 micah@subaruoflr.com www.subaruoflittlerock.com COLORADO

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 59

California Autobody Association Prepares for AB 1679 ‘Fight of their Careers’

by Ed Attanasio

With AB 1679 now a “two-year” bill (see prior coverage at autobodynews.com), the California Autobody Association (CAA) is getting ready for what many body shop owners in the Golden State believe is going to be the fight of their careers. To prepare, the organization is asking current members to call upon other shops to help them take on this potentially disastrous bill as they enter 2018.

In an announcement, CAA Executive Director David McClune briefed its membership on the current state of AB 1679.

“The Assembly Appropriations Committee has delayed consideration on AB 1679 until next year,” he stated.

“Yes, it’s good news, but the battle has only begun. We are still David against the Goliath insurance industry and whatever reincarnation of AB 1679 will appear next, we need your help. The insurance companies can re-introduce it in January and they likely will, but it’s good news that they didn’t come up with another bill this year. We can win this thing, but only if every shop, each staff member, each employee, and every family member does their part, and we are going to do everything we

can to make it easy for each and every one of you to be heard.”

McClune is calling for new members to join CAA and use the power of the organization to defeat AB 1679 in 2018.

“Every few years, we get a bill like this one that has the potential to change the collision repair industry in California in a big way,” he said. “If you’re a shop owner and you’re concerned about AB 1679—which you should be—this is the ideal time to join us.”

McClune and CAA are poised and prepared to take on the insurance companies, backed by Insurance Commissioner David Jones.

“AB 1679 is a serious threat to every body shop in California, be-

cause (it) will tighten the insurance industry’s grip over the auto repair process, weaken the only advocate (independent body shops) consumers have when dealing with their auto insurer, and cause cuts in employee pay and benefits, layoffs and more,” McClune said. “It is unfair and unreasonable. Simply put, AB 1679 threatens us and our livelihood and hurts consumers. A few big insurance companies want to lower our pay so they can ‘save consumers from higher premiums’ and make even bigger profits. In the long run, the auto repair industry will become less competitive because the insurance companies will completely control it. And we all know what happens to costs, wages and consumer protection when things become less competitive.

“AB 1679 also takes away rights of consumers to freely choose their repair shop by weakening the existing anti-steering law. There is a reason that law was passed 14 years ago, and that reason has not gone away. On October 21 in Huntington Beach, CA, we will be holding a board meeting in order to devise a battle plan against AB 1679. We have David Jones in office for one more year, so the time to defeat this is now.”

Another proposed bill currently on CAA’s radar is a new regulation on electronic documentation and authorization that was discussed during a hearing held on Sept. 26.

“It basically expands the current authorization definition, which allows the customer to provide authorization (that is) either written, verbal or electronic—digitally, magnetic, wireless, optical or electromagnetic, to name a few—so they want to make sure to cover all their bases,” McClune said.

“Before, it was only allowed through writing, but now this new regulation will enable customers to use all three methods of authorization.”

CAA recently added two new sponsors to its list of business partners— KPA and the Automotive Training Institute (ATI). KPA works with the collision repair industry to ensure that standards and regulations are followed by implementing a series of environmental and safety programs. ATI has been conducting management classes for body shops all over the country since 1980.

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 61

Mercedes-Benz to Produce EQ Brand Electric Cars in the U.S. Tuscaloosa, AL, plant will manufacture SUV models for the company’s EQ brand and a new battery plant.

Mercedes-Benz will set up electric vehicle production in the United States. The company plans to produce EQ-branded SUV models at MBUSI (Mercedes-Benz U.S. International), its Tuscaloosa, AL, facility.

At the time of launch, the EQ models will feature the latest status of automated driving always under the premise of safety and in compliance with the statutory regulations. In addition, a battery plant will also be built near the existing passenger-car plant ensuring availability of cuttingedge technology for future generations of Mercedes-Benz vehicles built in the U.S. In total, Mercedes-Benz plans to invest $1 billion in the expansion of

its industrial footprint in the region, most of which is slated for the electric initiative. It is expected that once completed, these investments will create more than 600 additional jobs.

Final details of the plans are still being worked on in partnership with the state of Alabama.

Electric vehicles from EQ branded product Mercedes-Benz will start producing SUV models of the EQ brand in Tuscaloosa at the beginning of the next decade. EQ models will be integrated into the series production at the plant. This is possible because of the early investments in flexibility and technical equipment at the plant that offer trailblazing Industry 4.0 technologies. With the Tuscaloosa plant, Mercedes-Benz will have electric mobility hubs on three continents, serving customers’ demand around the globe.

By 2022, the company will electrify the entire portfolio of Mercedes, offering customers at least one electrified alternative in all segments, from smart to large SUVs. The company is planning to offer more than 50 electrified vehicle variants. At the same time, Mercedes-Benz will be

Auto Care Association Identifies Alibaba as Notorious Market for Counterfeit Auto Parts The Auto Care Association submitted comments Oct. 2 urging the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to relist Alibaba and its family of e-commerce platforms, including Taobao and AliExpress, as notorious markets that facilitate the sale of counterfeit auto parts.

The letter was submitted as part of the USTR’s request for comments in identifying internet and physical markets based outside the United States that engage in copyright piracy and trademark counterfeiting for its annual Special 301 Out-of-Cycle Review of Notorious Markets Report.

“Despite Alibaba’s efforts to address the proliferation of counterfeit products, our members report that their brand protection tools and enforcement program have been unsatisfactory,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO, Auto Care As-

sociation. “Not only do counterfeit products threaten the U.S. economy, and impact our members’ sales and brand value, but counterfeit auto parts do not comply with any safety regulations and are a danger to the safety of consumers.”

The Auto Care Association submitted comments in response to member complaints regarding the proliferation of online supply chains based in China that allow the online distribution of counterfeit parts. These online B2B and e-commerce sites advertise branded counterfeit products for sale at rates that significantly undercut the margins of members’ original products. In its letter, the Auto Care Association outlined general principles that Alibaba should adopt to address the proliferation of counterfeit products on its various platforms.

The Auto Care Association commends the USTR’s efforts to combat piracy and counterfeiting. The association looks forward to continuing this dialogue with the USTR and representatives from the identified websites to protect and enforce intellectual property rights.

62 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

continuously supporting the development of plug-in hybrids and the introduction of 48-volt-systems. The first EQ series model, EQC, will go into production in 2019 in Bremen, Germany. Technology and product brand EQ is an integral part of CASE, which stands for the intelligent combination of the strategic pillars of connectivity (Connected), autonomous driving (Autonomous), flexible use (Shared & Services) and electric drive systems (Electric).

Fifth Mercedes-Benz factory to produce batteries The battery factory near plant Tuscaloosa will be part of the global battery production network of Mercedes-Benz Cars for local demand and export. In total, Daimler will invest $1.18 billion (more than 1 billion Euros) in the battery production network, which will also include production facilities in Germany and China. As in vehicle production, the battery production network will react flexibly and efficiently to market demand. This strategy ensures the ongoing availability of modern battery technology through local production hubs in Europe, China and the U.S. and puts Mercedes-Benz in a highly

competitive position for its electric initiative. Construction work for the new 1 million-square-foot facility in Tuscaloosa is expected to begin in 2018, with operations planned to start at the beginning of the next decade.

Mercedes-Benz Tuscaloosa plant MBUSI located in Tuscaloosa County, AL is the production location for the GLE, GLS and GLE Coupe SUVs around the world, as well as the C-Class sedan for North America. In 2016, the plant produced more than 310,000 vehicles. MBUSI currently employs more than 3,700 team members and supports 7,000+ jobs on the approximately 1,000-acre site. In September 2015, MBUSI announced a $1.3-billion plant expansion and new jobs to pave the way for production of future SUVs. The expansion makes plant Tuscaloosa one of the “smartest” automotive facilities in the world.

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Parts You Need.

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www.autobodynews.com | NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS 63

PPG-Painted Cars Capture Top ‘Shades of the Past’ Awards PPG-painted cars took home major awards at the recent Shades of the Past 35th annual Hot Rod Roundup and the Goodguys 31st West Coast Nationals.

Both events attract some of the nation’s best custom car builds.

At Shades of the Past, held September 8–9 at Dollywood’s Splash Country in Pigeon Forge, TN, the Street Rodder Triple Crown of Rodding—consisting of three prestigious honors: Best Street Rod, Best Street Machine and Best Street Cruiser— drew a competitive field with PPG cars claiming two of the three major awards.

The Best Street Rod award went to a 1932 Ford Tudor Sedan owned by George Poteet, Memphis, TN, and built by the capable craftsmen at Johnson’s Hot Road Shop in Gadsden, AL. Greg Chalcraft painted the Ford and gave it a rich, deep black finish using VIBRANCE COLLECTION® VP2050 DTM High Build Primer, DP90LF Non-Sanding Epoxy Primer Black and

DELTRON® 2000 DBC9700 Basecoat Black along with GLOBAL REFINISH SYSTEM® D8115 Matte Clearcoat, D8117 Semi-Gloss Clearcoat and D8152 Performance + Glamour Clearcoat.

“Inferno,” a bright yellow 1969 Camaro owned by John Wilkus of Lakeville, MN, captured the Best Street Machine title. The Camaro was built and painted by the Roadster Shop, Mundelein, Ill., under the direction of Jeremy and Phil Gerber. Alan Palmer used ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne basecoat, Global Refinish System D8152 Performance + Glamour Clearcoat, OEM colors McLaren Volcano Yellow (code 937178) and Ferrari Argento Nurbur-

gring (code 36520), and Deltron DMD1683 Basecoat Black toner to give the car its award-winning finish.

At the Goodguys 31st West Coast Nationals, a 1933 Ford Roadster dubbed “Renaissance Roadster” took home the top prize when it was named America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod.

The car is owned by Buddy Jordan of San Antonio, Texas, and was built by Steve Frisbie at Steve’s Auto Restorations in Portland, OR. The original design for the roadster came from a rendering by designer Chris Ito with

additional inspiration from Frisbie and another team member, designer David Brost. Painter Jay Spencer gave the Ford its candy-apple red and black appearance spraying an array of PPG refinish products. These included several products from the Deltron brand: 2000 DBC9700 Basecoat Black, DCU 2021 CONCEPT® Urethane Clear, and DMD1696 Coarse Silver Dollar Aluminum along with Vibrance Collection RADIANCE® II DMX214 Red Violet and DMX213 Red (Blue Shade) Dye and CRYSTALLANCE® VM4501 Silver from the glass flake collection.

The Shades of the Past show includes hot rods, street rods, classics and customs up to 1972. PPG is a strong supporter of the event and its participants.

Affordable New Chief Wheel Alignment Equipment Ideal for Body Shops Controlling cycle times is crucial to staying profitable in the collision repair business. Yet, most shops today give up some of that control whenever they send a car to an alignment shop instead of doing the work in-house.

In a recent survey* of independent collision repair shop owners, 58 percent reported that they send out all their wheel alignment work. Most said they do so because they don’t have space available for an alignment bay and the alignment equipment itself is too expensive.

Chief has changed all that.

Chief’s new line of wheel alignment systems can be used on almost any lift or Chief frame rack already in the shop—no need to dedicate a bay and no massive towers to install.

Quick checks can be done virtually

anywhere, for faster, more accurate estimates. Plus, Chief wheel alignment systems cost less than half the price of legacy systems.

“Sending out alignment work wastes time, stretches out cycle times and costs shops money,” says Lee Daugherty, director of collision sales, the Americas, for Chief parent company Vehicle Service Group (VSG). “Chief’s new line of wheel alignment equipment makes it affordable for shops to keep their alignment work in-house, so they maintain control of their customers’ vehicles, their cycle times and their costs.”

Chief offers a choice of three wheel aligners. The C3080 3D is equipped with fixed cameras with automatic target search and recognition, tire-grabbing clamps and remote-con-

trolled sensors and can provide an alignment reading in just eight seconds. The C3060 CCD provides wireless efficiency as all the characteristic angles of both vehicle axles are controlled by means of four measuring heads with eight CCD sensors and infra-red transmission. The C6000HD is a fast, accurate, easy-to-use system suitable for larger commercial vehicles.

All Chief wheel aligners feature portable consoles that can be positioned anywhere for maximum convenience. Unlike systems that require a large fixed tower, Chief’s tower-free aligners maximize available workspace and have no minimum bay space requirements. Chief systems provide automatic and instant target visualization. And while other systems only work on a dedicated lift at a single height, Chief systems can be used at any height.

Call orwww.autobodynews.com Email Now for Rates:

64 NOVEMBER 2017 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com

800-699-8251

ltedesco@autobodynews.com

International Auto Crafters Nominated for Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence

International Auto Crafters has been nominated by Verifacts Automotive for the Shop of the Year: Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence (ACE).

The ACE Award for exceptional collision repair centers recognizes remarkable collision repair facilities that consistently produce and deliver verified repair quality. Director of Sales for VeriFacts Automotive, Mr. Chris Dismukes, explains, “These shops have truly embraced a commitment to outstanding collision repair and a culture of quality that ultimately benefits the consumer during the time of great stress as a result of an automobile accident.” VeriFacts Automotive was founded to address the difference between a repairer’s potential to produce repair quality through the documentation of production inputs, such as repair equipment and current levels of technician training, versus verification of the output repair quality actually being produced. The VeriFacts Verified Quality (VQ) Program conducts independent third party verification, onsite repair procedure observations, technician skills coaching and provides comprehensive reporting on all findings.

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CIC Education & Training Committee—Collision Repair Employee Survey

The CIC Education and Training Committee wants to hear from those who work directly in collision repair facilities.

With your help, we can better inform the industry and ultimately work to improve the education process and opportunities for you.

If you are a: ■

Body Tech

■

Detailer

■

■

■

Refinish Tech Estimator

Mechanical Tech

■ Administrator (Office/Customer Service),

CIC wants to hear from you!

To take the survey, go to: www.autobodysurvey.com Results of the survey will be available in the future at www .ciclink.com.

Both Hurricane Irma and Harvey Damaged 1 Million Cars. What’s Next?

by Shazir Mucklai, Equities.com

With Hurricane Maria damage still being assessed in Puerto Rico, the cost of the damage from Irma and Harvey has only recently become apparent. Many companies with a large presence in Texas have also taken a major hit.

Estimates on the high side show Hurricane Harvey damages totaling at $180 billion and Hurricane Irma damages hitting $100 billion. If these numbers prove to be true, it could no doubt be one of the most expensive disasters in the history of the United States.

As one can assume, most of the recovery-related expenses will go towards property damage. However, due to the massive flooding, vehicle losses will also be extremely costly.

How Many Cars Did Each Hurricane Destroy?

Both hurricane Harvey and Irma were Category 4 storms that made landfall within the same two-week span. Harvey destroyed an estimated staggering 400,000 vehicles, according to Cox Automotive estimates.

Harvey and Irma submerged cars and property across the southern U.S. as the two Category 4 storms

made landfall within the same twoweek span.

Hurricane Harvey destroyed 300,000 to 500,000 vehicles in Houston alone, according to Cox Automotive estimates. The cost of licensed cars lost in the storm—excluding ve-

hicles flooded while waiting in dealership parking lots—falls between $2.7 and $4.9 billion.

Due to the sheer amount of property damage caused to vehicles, the aftermath of the hurricanes could help drive October as one of the best U.S. sales months this year. Additionally, through the end of the year, analysts have predicted that cars that were damaged and need replacement during Hurricanes Maria and Irma won’t be showing up for at least another month.

“When you have hundreds of

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thousands of people affected by an event of this magnitude,” said Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell, “not everyone will hit the market at once.”

Insurance companies are also expected to take a massive hit on their P&L’s for the quarter. State Farm reported that it has sent a record 1,000 people to affected areas. Some insurance firms have also reported, on average, the cost of an interstate household move is about $4,300 (distance of 1,225 miles) and the average cost of an intrastate move is about $2,300 (4 movers at $200 per hour).

State Farm stated that it has received almost 37,000 auto claims in Texas alone and has paid out more than $345 million to car owners impacted by Harvey. Furthermore, it has paid out only about $35 million to auto customers impacted by Irma, which made landfall in Florida about two weeks later. This will reduce its working capital significantly for the next couple of quarters, as it will have to downplay its cash outlay.

We thank Equities.com for reprint permission.

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How Open Source is Transforming the Automotive Industry

by Dan Cauchy, The Linux Foundation

One key benefit of open source is its ability to enable rapid innovation.

Collaborating on non-competitive pieces of technology frees up resources, enabling companies to focus more on developing new products and services.

We are seeing this play out now in the automotive industry as automakers are adopting open source software for core technologies like the infotainment operating system. This allows them to focus more resources towards the industry-wide race to develop new technologies, mobility services, and autonomous vehicles.

According to the 2017 Autotrader Car Tech Impact Study, 53 percent of consumers expect vehicle technology to be as robust as their smartphone.

Unfortunately, the automotive industry has fallen behind the smartphone in terms of features and functionality.

Automotive innovation is too slow, time-to-market is too long, and there’s very little software reuse.

Part of the problem is that today’s connected car uses approximately 100 million lines of code. Compare that to the Android operating system, which runs on 12–15 million lines of code,

and the average iPhone app, which uses fewer than 50,000 lines. It’s no wonder that the product development cycle for automotive companies is so much longer than for tech companies.

According to some industry data, the development of an infotainment system traditionally takes 36–39 months.

In that time period, three or four versions of iPhone and Android phones will be released.

One of the main obstacles preventing automakers from innovating as quickly as tech companies is that the infotainment landscape is very fragmented. Imagine for a second if each PC or laptop manufacturer had its own version of an operating system; this would mean that application developers would have to make sure their software works with each manufacturer.

What a mess! Yet this is exactly the situation we have in the automotive market. Each automaker has its own proprietary system that was built using a custom version of Linux, QNX, or Windows Embedded, and there’s very little code reuse.

Innovating with Open Source To reduce this fragmentation, the Automotive Grade Linux (AGL) community at The Linux Foundation is building an open source platform that

can serve as the de facto industry standard. Sharing a common platform enables developers to build an application once and have it work everywhere. Automakers can focus on developing new products and innovative new features that can be brought to market faster.

The AGL infotainment platform, the Unified Code Base (UCB), is quickly gaining momentum across the industry. Toyota has adopted the AGL platform for its next-generation infotainment system, which debuts on the 2018 Toyota Camry and will roll out to most Toyota and Lexus vehicles in North America. And we expect to see more products and vehicles with AGL roll-out over the next couple of years.

AGL’s first focus was on infotainment, but we are planning to address all software in the vehicle including instrument cluster, heads-up-display, telematics, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), and autonomous driving. As the race towards self-driving cars continues to heat up, it’s become clear that the amount of code needed to support autonomous driving is too large for any one company to develop on its own.

An open source platform for autonomous driving will help accelerate the development of self-driving technology while creating a sustainable

ecosystem that can maintain it as it evolves over time. The Linux Foundation believes the first step is to create an open, crowdsourced mapping database where automakers can contribute and access real-time 3D map data.

AGL will soon be in millions of cars on the road. With the support of its rapidly growing community, The Linux Foundation hopes to drive the cross-industry collaboration needed to accelerate development for autonomous vehicles.

Software has become one of the backbones of the automotive industry.

It powers applications from infotainment to advanced driver assistance systems and autonomous driving. By bringing the industry together around a shared platform, AGL is enabling automakers to innovate faster, and quickly bring new products to market that will enhance the customer experience and impact the bottom line.

We thank The Linux Foundation for reprint permission.

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