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The Feds Will Have Rules for Self-Driving Cars in the Next 6 Months, Called “Aggressive and Ambitious”
gress. ‘We hope to work with many of you guys.’ This may also confirm previous reports that the search engine giant is partnering with reputable automaker Ford in making a self-driving car. Should the reported deal pushes through, reports claim that Ford would be developing the basic software as well as components, and Google, on the other hand, will be focusing on the car’s “smarts” while the manufacturing difficulties will be offloaded to a company that is expert on the field. According to a report submitted
Google impact The rules, if finalized, could prompt technology companies such as Google, and automakers such as Mercedes-Benz and Tesla, to look beyond California for their first deployment of self-driving cars. This summer, Google started testing its selfdriving cars in Austin, Texas, where a culture of businesswww.autobodynews.com friendly regulation could make it easier to introduce the technology to the public. In the December 16 statesafety of autonomous vehicles and the ment, Google decried the proposal, saysafety of the public who will share the ing California’s rules would hold back a road with these vehicles.” technology with the potential to prevent
car crashes and improve the mobility of people who currently cannot drive. “Safety is our highest priority and primary motivator as we do this,” spokesman Johnny Luu wrote in an email. ”We’re gravely disappointed that California is already writing a ceiling on the potential for fully self-driving cars to help all of us who live here.” The proposal stems from a law, passed in 2012 by California legislators, ordering the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to issue rules for the testing and use of autonomous vehicles. The DMV already has completed testing rules that require experimental vehicles to be operated by trained test
ulations, many of which were written more than 50 years ago. Foxx also announced that President Obama has proposed spending nearly $4 billion on autonomous vehicle pilot projects as part of the president’s broader effort to upgrade the country’s transportation infrastructure. Foxx announced that he’s giving the DOT six months to draft comprehensive rules governing how autonomous cars should be tested and regulated. The feds are also planning to fund new projects: President Obama’s 2017 budget proposal includes nearly
by Gabe Nelson, Auto News
In a statement on December 16, DMV Director Jean Shiomoto said the agency’s main concern is “the
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Google Seeks Help From Automakers For Its Autonomous Car Project The search engine giant’s autonomous automobile, also known as the Google self-driving car project, has been getting smarter and safer as the company further develops it. However, seeing that there is no such thing as too safe when it comes to the traffic, Google is seeking some help from traditional automobile manufacturers. ‘We are going to need a lot of help, and In the next stages of our project, we’re going to be partnering more and more for sure,’ said head of Google’s self-driving car project and former Hyundai CEO John Krafcik at the Automotive News World Con-
U.S. highway safety officials plan to take several steps this year to clear the way for autonomous vehicles—including those designed to operate without a driver—to hit the streets in Southwestern large numbers. U.S. TransEdition portation Secretary Secretary of TransTexas portation Anthony Oklahoma Foxx announced the moves at the Louisiana Detroit auto show, part of an effort to New Mexico Anthony Foxx remove the obstacles posed by current auto safety reg-
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VOL. 34 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2016
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See Federal Rules, Page 9
See Google Seeks Help, Page 17
California DMV Proposes Ban on Cars With No Drivers, All Vehicles to be Steerable, Google Objects
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The Guilt of the Self-Driving Car
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California regulators, calling for caution on self-driving cars, on DecemSoutheastern Edition ber 16 proposed rules that would sharply restrict their use on the state’s roads—and place an outright ban on Florida “driverless” cars that travelVirginia with no humansGeorgia onboard. Tennessee Under the proposal by the CaliCarolina fornia Alabama Department ofNorth Motor Vehicles, all Mississippi autonomous cars would need a South Carolina steering wheel and pedals when operating on California’s public roads. Behind the controls, they would need a licensed driver with an “autonomous vehicle operator certificate” capable of taking control if something goes awry.
Whew! Made it home from the body shop before my owner found out.
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit #2244
2 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Contents
COLUMNS Attanasio - Body Shop Owner in NH Shapes a New Career as a Sculptor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Attanasio - Marketing Dinosaurs That Should Be Extinct in 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38 Attanasio - Up and Coming Painter Shines at SEMA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Sisk - A Decade of WINning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Yoswick - Automakers discuss labor times, share other insights at ‘OEM Summit’ . . . . . 40
NATIONAL 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division Kicks Off Fourth Year of 3M Hire Our Heroes Program; 2016 Calendar Available with Donation to CREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 46 Technicians Honored at ASE Meeting in AZ. . 18 ALI’S 2016 Vehicle Lifting Points Guide Now Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Allstate Ranks Safest Driving Cities, Kansas City Rates #1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Auto Damage Experts Warning About Diminished Value . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Autologic Diagnostics in Long Island, NY, Expands Market Presence. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Automakers, Feds Agree to Safety Principles Akin to Aviation Industry. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56 Autotrader’s Tech Shopper Influence Study Shows 70% of Consumers Want Autonomous Features. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64 Body Shop in Spokane, WA Helps Mom with Trashed Car . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 CAA Chapter Meeting to Discuss Labor Rate Surveys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 CAPA: ‘Sheet Metal Parts Protected from Corrosion’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68 CCC Donates $4M in Software Subscriptions Through CREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Certified Collision Group™ Board Appoints Bruce Bares President and CEO & Announces Addition of AZ and CA MSOs . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Consumer Watchdog Urges Caution on Autonomous Vehicles, Drivers Intervened 341 Times Last Year. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
deductible or offer a rebate, gift, gift card, cash or coupon or anything of value to any person in exchange for either a referral of an insured to the auto glass repair facility in connection with an auto glass repair or replacement claim under an insurance policy or to induce the insured to file an auto glass repair or replacement claim under an insurance policy. ● Represent verbally, electronically or in any other way, including an advertisement or website or any marketing materials, that a claim for windshield repair or replacement under an insurance policy is free. A full list of what would be unlawful as well as details about the bill is available online: http://www.azleg .gov/legtext/52leg/2r/bills/hb2500p.pdf
Publisher & Editor: Jeremy Hayhurst General Manager: Barbara Davies Assistant Editor: Stacey Phillips Online Editor: Victoria Antonelli Contributing Writers: Tom Franklin, David Brown, John Yoswick, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Ed Attanasio, Chasidy Sisk, David Luehr Advertising Sales: Joe Momber, Sean Hartman, Bill Doyle, Norman Morano (800) 699-8251 Office Manager: Louise Tedesco Sales/Research Associate: Cass Heckel Art Director: Rodolfo Garcia
Abaris Training Resources, Inc. . . . .12 Alfred Matthews Buick-GMC-Cadillac .61 Allstate Insurance Company . . . . . .44 Audi Burlingame . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34 Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .68 Automotive ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 AutoNation Chrysler-Dodge-JeepRam-Fiat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 AutoNation Chrysler-Jeep-DodgeRam of North Phoenix . . . . . . . . .16 Axalta Coating Systems . . . . . . . .5, 27 BASF Corporation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . .63 Bob Smith BMW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Bob Smith MINI . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Capitol Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Car-Part.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18 Carstar Automotive, Inc. . . . . . . . . .13 CCC Information Services . . . . . . . .19 Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) . . . . . . . . . . .43 Chief Automotive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21 Classifieds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Colortone Automotive Paints . . . . . .28 Del Grande Dealer Group . . . . . .14-15 Downtown Motors of LA (Audi, VW, Porsche) . . . . . . . . . . .71 Earnhardt Hyundai . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 Eco Repair Systems of North America, LLC . . . . . . . . . . .31 Elk Grove Toyota . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46 Enterprise Rent-A-Car . . . . . . . . . . .26 Equalizer Industries, Inc . . . . . . . . .48 FBS Distribution Co., Inc. . . . . . . . . .9 First Auto Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50 Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .51 G & C Auto Body . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Galpin Motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 GM Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . .58 H & S Autoshot Mfg. Co. . . . . . . . . .39
Serving California, Nevada, Arizona and Utah. 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. ©2016 Adamantine Media LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516, Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com Email: news@autobodynews.com
Western
Cox Automotive Supports CREF’s 2016 Career Fairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 CREF Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Provides 2016 Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66 FinishMaster Purchases ColorMaster Automotive Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Free Certification Offered Via Designated Paint Suppliers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 FTC Hosts Workshop on Motor Vehicle Distribution. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Gas Monkey Garage Show Renewed for 8th Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Google Seeks Help From Automakers For Its Autonomous Car Project . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Google’s Own Robot Car “Disengagement” Report Shows Need For Human Driver Says Consumer Watchdog . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57 Hyundai in AL Sued Over Allegedly Defective Sunroofs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 I-CAR Launches New Courses on MIG Brazing, Rivet Bonding and Honda/ Acura Electrical Repair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 I-CAR® And National Auto Body Council Partner On NABC Membership Discount For Gold Class® Businesses . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Innovation Group Encourages Gold Class Commitment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Insurance Veteran Advises on What to Look for When Joining a DRP Program & Obtaining Garage Keepers Insurance. . . . . . 68 Insurers Brace for the Self-Driving Future, Fewer Accidents, KPMG Report: Insurers May Be First Casualties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60 Lyft to Operate Self-Driving Cars After GM Invests $500M . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 M-B Introduces ‘Magic Sky Control’ in New SLC Models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Awarded Test License for Autonomous Driving in Nevada . . . . . . . 20 MOPAR Masters Guild Pledges $2.5M in Parts to CREF . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 New ‘Who Pays for What’ Survey Results Show Wide Range in ‘Certified’ Aluminum Labor Rates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 NHTSA Fines BMW North America $40M for Failing to Meet Safety Requirements . . . . . . 49 NJ Pet Store Shut Down, Owner Arrested for Selling Puppies out of Body Shop . . . . . . . . 52 Pay it Forward’s “Every Swipe Benefits Charity” Assists Auto Body Shops With Giving Back. . 45 PBES 2016 Conference Registration Available in February. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Phillips - American Honda Addresses the Importance of Properly Repairing a Vehicle During Industry Update. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Phillips - Sharing Information Through the Mopar Masters Guild Has Lead to Business Success and Lifelong Friendships Among Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Recycled Rides, Caliber Collision & AAA Unveil Vehicle for Child With ALS on West Coast Customs TV Show . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Reflexxion Automotive Aluminum Cowl Induction Hood. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 SCRS Launches Bumper Prompt Decision Aide . 66 Soundcore Acquires Three Alloy Wheel Franchises . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 Symach Announces New Factory & Headquarters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58 Telematics Legislation Introduced in RI Senate . . 53 Tesla Model S Auto-parking Needs No Driver In The Seat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69 The Feds Will Have Rules for Self-Driving Cars in the Next 6 Months, Called “Aggressive and Ambitious” . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Valspar’s New Legacy EC21 Low VOC Euro Clearcoat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 VW Sales Stutter Makes Toyota, at 10.125 M, #1 Again . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65 Weschtools Announces Large Grapple Pulling Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Arizona House Representative David Livingston has proposed House Bill 2500. It is titled, “Unlawful Practices: Auto Glass Repair.” Dennis Hall, an attorney for the Arizona Automotive Glass Association, said it is designed to amend the insurance statute to regulate the marketing of automobile glass. It would make it unlawful to do the following: ● Threaten, coerce or intimidate an insured for the purpose of inducing the insured to file a claim for auto glass repair or replacement. ● Induce an insured to file an auto glass repair or replacement claim if the damage to the auto glass is insufficient to warrant auto glass repair or replacement. ● Waive or offer to waive the insured’s
Indexof Advertisers
REGIONAL Attanasio - Mike’s Auto Body’s Benevolence Reaches 59 Cars in 15 Years . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Attanasio - Vallejo Shop Gifts Car to Single Mother of Three . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Axalta Invites Custom Automotive Artists to UTI Campus for 5th Annual Winter Panel Jam . . . 6 California DMV Proposes Ban on Cars With No Drivers, All Vehicles to be Steerable, Google Objects. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Collision Industry Celebrates 1,000th Recycled Rides in CA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Exeter, CA, Body Shop has Curb Appeal . . . . . . . . 6 Phillips - After Joining CARSTAR, Collision Repair Shop at California Dealership Notices Improvement in Cycle Time, CSI and Closing Ratio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Phillips - Mitchell VP Predicts Parts Utilization on Average Estimate Will Decrease After Peaking in December; Enterprise Length of Rental Update With the Largest Increases in CA. . . 16 Possible Affects of AZ Bill 2500 on Auto Glass Companies. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 PPG Show Truck 2016 Tour Announced . . . . . 53 Reno Auto Body Shop Goes Green With Water-Based Paint . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Sisk - ASA-AZ Celebrates the Holidays & Prepares for 2016 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 SPEEDVEGAS Track to Open March 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 ToolTech 2016 to Take Place April 25-28 in Monterey, California . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 UTI Awards Scholarships to Los Angeles High School Students, Offers Behind the Scenes Look at One of World’s Biggest Monster Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Possible Affects of AZ Bill 2500 on Auto Glass Companies
Herkules Equipment Corporation . .20 Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36-37 Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers . .67 Kearny Mesa Subaru-Hyundai . . . . .49 Kia Motors America, Inc. . . . . . . . . .23 Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Larson Electronics, LLC. . . . . . . . . .22 Maita Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Mark Kia-Mitsubishi . . . . . . . . . . . . .40 Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .64 McPeek Dodge of Anaheim . . . . . . .24 Mercedes-Benz . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29 MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . .62 Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts Dealers . .64 MOPAR Masters Guild . . . . . . . . . . .11 MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers . .41 Moss Bros. Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge . . .7 NACE/CARS Trade Show . . . . . . . .25 Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Orio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17 PPG . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2 Puente Hills Subaru . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Riverside Kia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32 Riverside Metro VW-Honda-HyundaiNissan-Mazda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 SATA Spray Equipment . . . . . . . . . .33 Shingle Springs Subaru . . . . . . . . . .38 Sierra Chevrolet-Honda-MazdaSubaru . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .59 The Bay Area Automotive Group . . .35 Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers . . .66 U-POL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Urethane Supply Company . . . . . . .52 Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers . . . .68
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 3
ASA-AZ Celebrates the Holidays & Prepares for 2016 by Chasidy Rae Sisk
On December 9, several chapters of ASA-AZ celebrated Christmas with fun parties that gave members the chance to network and enjoy socializing with their peers in the industry. The Tucson Chapter held a festive dinner at Hotel Tucson, while the Prescott Chapter invited all local shops and their employees to dinner at Augie’s Restaurant in Prescott Val-
tendance, it was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy a great family-style dinner and conversation in a relaxed setting.”
Rubio stated, “These are forums to exchange ideas and best practices between ASA members. We invite members to share their knowledge and resources that can make our industry better.” Rubio said she is also excited to announce that the Automotive Training and Expo for 2016 is scheduled for June 10-12 at the WeKoPa Conference Center in Scottsdale, AZ. It will feature mechanical, collision, service advisor and management training. Although
Monte Crooks, Louie Gomez, Prescott Chapter
Dennis Martin, Carol Bell, past presidents board members Service Station Dealers of Arizona
ley. The Phoenix Chapter held their Holiday Dinner at The Yard in Central Phoenix. Luz Rubio, Executive Director of ASA-AZ, noted, “With over 60 shop owners, employees and spouses in atContinued from Cover
California DMV Proposes
drivers and to have a steering wheel when operated on public roads. The newest rules would effectively block the commercial deployment of “driverless” cars, which could function as robotic taxis that pick up passengers and drop them off at the destination of their choosing. Established car companies also are dreaming of such a capability, which could enable personal cars that drive themselves to faraway parking spaces as if guided by robotic valets. “Given the potential risks associated with deployment of such a new technology, [the] DMV believes that manufacturers need to obtain more experience in testing driverless vehicles on public roads prior to making this technology available to the general public,” the agency said. Under the proposal, autonomous cars would also need to meet new safety and performance requirements, with testing and certification by a thirdparty auditor. To get a three-year operating permit, manufacturers would need to submit regular reports on the safety
As 2016 begins, Automotive Roundtables are being held at several ASA-AZ chapters, and the schedule has been established for the first quarter of 2016. Both the Tucson and Yuma Chapters will hold Roundtables on January 5, February 2 and March 1. The Phoenix West Valley Chapter’s Roundtables will take place on January 13 and March 3, with Phoenix Central’s Roundtables occurring January 20 and March 9, and the Phoenix East Valley Chapter will host Roundtables on January 27 and March 16.
Tucson Holiday Dinner
program details will not be released until later in January, confirmed speakers include Mike Anderson, Mark Warren, Jeremy O’Neal, Calvin Higgins, Jerry Baarson, Maylan Newton, Jack Rosebro and Paul Bellows. For more information on registration and sponsorship, visit www.asaaz .org.
Reno Auto Body Shop Goes Green With Water-Based Paint Liberty Collision, an auto body repair shop in Reno, CA, recently transitioned to water-based paint for vehicles. The move away from solvent-based paint allows Liberty Collision to promote more environmentally -riendly practices by minimizing the use of oil. Auto body repair shops across the country have begun to transition to water-based paint. Representatives at Liberty Collision said the nationwide trend will grow as newer cars are initially painted with a water-based paint and manufacturers stop producing solvent-based paint beyond the clearcoat. The shop added that water-based paints provide a more brilliant color than solvent-based paints, due to the differences in how light is reflected from the different materials. “The water based paint allows us to match paints exactly with factory finishes on newer vehicle models, and our painter can still blend paint jobs on cars with solvent-based paints,” explained Donnie Thiessens, Reno native and owner of Liberty Collision. Liberty Collision uses PPG Automotive Refinish water-based paints and is trained by PPG representatives to ensure the highest quality automotive paint service.
and usage of their self-driving cars. As of Dec. 3, the companies certified to test autonomous cars on California roads were automakers BMW, Ford, Honda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Tesla and Volkswagen Group; suppliers Bosch and Delphi; and Silicon Valley technology companies Google and Cruise Automation.
Safety debate Developers of self-driving cars have generally warned the DMV that strict rules could slow the rollout of a nascent technology, while some consumer groups have called for regulation to ensure that self-driving cars are safe. The agency has “admirably served as traffic cop,” John Simpson, director of the privacy project at Consumer Watchdog, said in a statement, calling the December 16 proposal a set of “reasonable limits to protect public safety.” The DMV scheduled meetings to solicit public comments on Jan. 28 in Sacramento and Feb. 2 in Los Angeles. Thank you to Auto News for permission to reprint this article.
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CAA Chapter Meeting to Discuss Labor Rate Surveys
The California Autobody Association (CAA) announced that the National Auto Body Research (NABR) will be discussing labor rate surveys during the association’s March 9 meeting. It will be held at 6:30 p.m. at Brookside Golf Club, 1133 Rosemont Avenue, Pasadena, California 91103. Created by the NABR, the Variable Rate System (VRS) is a web-based survey that helps collect unbiased labor rate surveys. The CAA said this will allow shops to become better informed and more educated about a topic that impacts a shop’s ability to remain relevant in a competitive industry. Schedule: 6:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour 7:00 p.m. Meeting begins 9:30 p.m. Closing statements To RSVP, contact Cindy Shillito at (714) 944-4028 or email caaglendale @gmail.com.
Exeter, CA, Body Shop has Curb Appeal by Reggie Ellis, The Foothills Sun-Gazette
Just three months after taking over, half brothers Luis Cabrillo and Jorge Meza have given Exeter’s Auto Body and Paint Shop a complete overhaul.
Credit: The Foothills Sun-Gazette
To celebrate their new look in style, the brothers held a ribbon cutting on Dec. 17 with free tacos, Mexican sweet bread, coffee, tea, not to mention two radio stations. Both KJUG 106.7 FM and Radio Campesina 95.3 FM were set up in the parking lot of First Choice Auto Body and Paint, which bares almost no resemblance to the former Paint and Body by Sonny.
Axalta Invites Custom Automotive Artists to UTI Campus for 5th Annual Winter Panel Jam
Pinstriping, the art of applying very thin lines of paint to decorate a surface or create special graphics, is most commonly found on automobile and motorcycle bodies. Axalta Coating Systems’ fifth annual Winter Panel Jam will feature outstanding pinstriping artwork produced onsite and live by a host of renowned artists who will dazzle attendees with their creativity and original works of art. The event will take place in Long Beach, California at a new Universal Technical Institute (UTI) campus on February 1-2. The Winter Panel Jam attracts artists who specialize in custom pattern work, airbrushed murals, gold leaf and pinstriping. The artists will use Axalta’s Cromax® basecoats and clearcoats and Hot Hues™ candy dyes and pinstripe colors to create custom art on hoods, miniature car bodies, pedal cars, and more. Participating artists will compete to have their artwork named “best-in-show.” The winning design will be awarded the recently unveiled “We Paint Winners” Radiant Red Commemorative SATAjet® 5000 B spray gun. “The event brings together a group of talented artists to collaborate, learn from and teach each other, and ul-
timately create some fantastic artwork that Axalta will display at custom car shows across the country throughout the year,” said Harry Christman, Axalta Cromax brand manager. “We’re happy to give these students an opportunity to connect with the industry’s best. The first few years we did this at our Pomona, California Learning and Development Center. Last year, we decided to engage the trade school community by holding the event at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College in downtown Los Angeles. This year, we chose to work with UTI to celebrate our growing relationship, help promote the school's capabilities and to expose their students to this very unique aspect of automotive paint.”
The event schedule is as follows: • Monday, February 1, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. • Tuesday, February 2, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. For more information, contact Harry Christman at harry.j.christman @axaltacs.com or Steve Chaparro, Axalta product specialist at steven.c.chaparro @axaltacs.com. To learn more about Axalta, visit www.axalta.us and follow them on their North America Refinish social media channels.
6 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
“We really appreciate how welcoming everyone has been,” Meza said. “We couldn’t have asked for a better place to do business.” The entire metal building was repainted with a new logo and signage. The parking lot was repaved and landscaped along the edges. They even remodeled the office with sealed concrete floors, leather seats, a help and cashier desk with leather bar stools and a couch made out of the chopped rear of a 1961 Cadillac. “It’s a lot of money but we consider it a good investment,” Cabrillo said. “Exeter has been good to our family and we plan on being here a long time.” And the changes aren’t just cosmetic. Cabrillo said business has been so good they have increased their crew to five employees, including a tow truck driver, two body preppers and a detailer. The customer service was evident as three locals gave impromptu testimonials about the service they had received after being involved in fender benders. “The business has been here for
24 years so people know it,” Cabrillo said. “All we did was update the look to get the attention of people that don’t know we’re here.” The brothers bought the business from longtime owner Sonny Lowry in August. Prior to that, the brothers worked at Quality Paint and Body in Visalia for three years; Jorge as the head painter and Luis as his assistant. The South Central Los Angeles natives had been looking to open their own business for about 18 months when they heard that Lowry was ready to retire. First Choice Auto Body & Paint is located at 1100 Rocky Hill Dr. in Exeter. They offer paint, auto body and are continuing the tow service all started by Sonny Lowry. For more information, call the shop at 559-5944723. Thank you to The Foothills SunGazette for permission to reprint this article.
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Vallejo Shop Gifts Refurbished Car to Single Mother of Three a 15-passenger, personalized van from Jim and Shellie Boyle and their crew, On December 23, Regal Collision in led by Production Manager Kirk Vallejo, CA presented a completely re- Kapfenstein, as part of their annual furbished 1999 Toyota 4Runner to Benevolence program. Mariah McCauley, a single mother Jim said he is always looking to with three children who is a recovering help the community in Vallejo and he addict. believes that by giving people the gift of transportation they can enhance their lives and enable themselves and their families to do amazing things. “Every year, we always want a recipient who is willing to change his or her life,” he said. “We don’t want to just give someone a handout, we want to give them a hand up. Mariah was a perfect candidate for the vehicle this year, because once we heard her story, we felt compelled Mariah McCauley, a single mom, received a completely to help.” refurbished 1999 Toyota 4Runner from Regal Collision in McCauley, 40, drove a Vallejo, CA, with (l to r) Tanos, Josiah and Sayer. “tired” car that hung in there for a while, but when This giveaway marked the 10th the engine decided to retire itself, she anniversary of Regal Collision pre- was left in a tight spot. Still looking senting refurbished vehicles to people for employment after two years, Mcand non-profit organizations in need. Cauley could not afford car repairs Last year, the San Francisco Skate and was spending so much of her time Club, a non-profit group that mentors arranging transportation for her chilyouth through skateboarding, received dren, she couldn’t operate her busiby Ed Attanasio
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ness — a massage therapy clinic. “It has been hard for us for the last two years,” McCauley explained. “But having a car now will save us so much time and let us pursue so many other things. Before, getting to and from school and work was a big deal, but
The entire crew at Regal Collision was on-hand to participate in the vehicle presentation. They fixed the car, painted it and did all of the other work to make it looking pristine
now we can just jump into the 4Runner and drive there. It’s going to make life so much easier. It’s just such a blessing.” Jim and Shellie said McCauley was lured to the repair shop for a job interview, but once she arrived they told her about the surprise. “That part of it was really fun,”
Jim said with a devilish grin. “She had no idea and her expression was priceless. We figured, why not have a little fun with it? The hug she gave me after she realized what was going on is something I will never forget.” McCauley’s car was donated by Fighting Back Partnership, a nonprofit collaboration that partners with the businesses and government agencies to improve local neighborhoods and strengthen families. McCauley and family also received gift cards donated by several organizations in the community and the vehicle’s title and insurance will be paid for six months, according to Jim. John Allen, a former convict, is the associate director at Archway Recovery Services in Fairfield, CA. He helped to get the car for McCauley and worked closely with the Boyles and Mary Wilson, the person who originally suggested the deserving recipient. “The Boyles at Regal Collision gave me a van for our organization years ago, so I know they are very generous and always willing to help in any way,” Allen said. “We showed Mariah’s application letter to Shellie and Jim Boyle and they said ‘let’s do it.’ They
are amazing people because they believe in changing peoples’ lives through these vehicles and have seen the results over the years.” Even though he’s a veteran of the Regal Collision Benevolence, Allen gets emotional every time he sees a car giveaway such as this
Recipient Mariah McCauley (left) is realizing that she’s getting the car, along with Mary Wilson, who referred her to shop owner Jim Boyle
one. “I admit, I got a little misty, especially when Mariah’s kids started hugging everybody,” he said. “She’s a good mother and a great person and all she really needed was some help. This Toyota 4Runner will help her in so many ways and make her life so much easier every day.”
Continued from Cover
Federal Rules
$4 billion over 10 years for pilot programs testing connected vehicle systems. The news from Foxx’s DOT differs from the typical federal approach to regulating cars. Historically, NHSTA has been a reactive regulator: It lets the industry develop technology, then, once it knows what’s going on, creates new rules addressing it (for example, that everyone now needs airbags). “You’re gonna see us shifting a little bit,” Foxx says. In December, NHSTA announced plans to change crash safety standards, requiring the use of active safety features to earn a perfect fivestar rating. It’s a new way of encouraging technology that’s leading us toward fully autonomous cars, like forward collision warnings and lane keeping features. It’s a step automakers and others working on self-driving tech are likely to welcome, because they’ve long worried that states would do what the feds have not, and create a patchwork of rules and regulations that could hamper development of the technology.
“This is an aggressive and ambitious embrace of automated driving,” says Bryant Walker Smith, an assistant professor at the University of South Carolina School of Law and affiliate scholar at the Center for Internet and Society, who studies self-driving vehicles. The DOT is looking at safety benefits self-driving cars could bring—the current human system comes with more than 30,000 traffic deaths a year—but it’s been slow to take action. The last official word from the Department of Transportation came in May 2013, in the form of a tentative policy encouraging states to allow testing of the technology, but no more. There are two key points to Foxx’s announcement. First, the DOT plans to create model legislation, to encourage nationally consistent rules. Second, it’s pledging to be open to what the companies actually making this technology think. States’ attempts to govern autonomous technology has created a patchwork of rules. Nevada, California, Michigan, Florida, and Washington, D.C. have adopted laws regulating how self-driving car are tested and sold. Not surprisingly, these rules are inconsis-
tent. Nevada, for example, requires a special license and registration, but that only applies to vehicles sold in the state. Florida’s law is mostly useless, saying the state “does not prohibit or specifically regulate the testing or operation of autonomous technology.” That’s not a major problem right now. With so few vehicles going through testing in just a few places, automakers and others can take the time to figure out what rules they need to follow and where. But when the technology is ready for customers, that changes. No automaker wants to build a car that has to meet 50 different sets of rules or more. It’s a logistical nightmare, and automakers are public about how much they want to avoid it. “The technology benefits for uniformity from state to state and between states and the federal regulations,” says Audi spokesperson Brad Stertz. Sean Walters, director of compliance and regulatory affairs at Daimler, which introduced an autonomous 18wheeler last May, agrees: “National standards are critical to the trucking industry, especially with respect to new and innovative technologies.” See Federal Rules, Page 12
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 9
Sharing Information Through the Mopar Masters Guild Has Lead to Business Success and Lifelong Friendships Among Members As told to Assistant Editor Stacey Phillips by Mopar Masters Guild members
In 1989, Chuck Hartle met Bart Cooper at a 20 group meeting in Dallas, Texas. Over the next four years the two developed a great friendship that changed their lives as parts managers forever. During this time, the pair developed the idea of forming a National Mopar Parts Managers Guild. In 1992, the tandem became a trio with the introduction of Cy Yates. The three parts managers continued to conceptualize the idea of developing a National Parts Managers Guild. This was the beginning of the Mopar Masters Guild (MMG), as we know it today. All three later served as president of the MMG. In February of 1993, the first annual Mopar Masters Guild meeting was held in New Orleans, Louisiana. The small group met in conjunction with the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) annual convention. This tradition still continues today and gives managers a platform to tackle business challenges together as well as interact with Mopar. Realizing how important guild, vendor and brand interaction is, the Mopar Masters Guild has expanded its communication throughout the years. The Mopar Masters Guild Magazine, website, vendor meetings and Mopar events all contribute to the sharing of knowledge — knowledge that is beneficial to all Chrysler brand dealers. Since the first meeting in 1993, the guild has been active in the development of many factory programs. Members say that not a day goes by that a Chrysler brand dealership does not use a program that the guild has played a role in. Over the past 24 years, some members have moved on to new adventures. Likewise, many Mopar employees have also come and gone. Members say the most important thing however, remains the concept started with the three guild founders – the concept of sharing information with others has made many members, better managers and people. Today with the addition of a forum available to all Chrysler brand dealership employees, the Mopar Masters Guild’s future continues to looks bright.
The guild is governed by its own bylaws established that same year and are led by elected officers serving twoyear terms. The guild was founded on the principles of sharing ideas and best practices with like-size dealers in a non-competitive environment. The initial membership was invited from Chrysler’s Mopar Masters Club, which was a dealer group representing the top 100 distributors of Mopar parts in the country. The group has evolved into an established collective voice with
part of a local guild for many years he said, “I wanted to be exposed to these other larger dealers from across the country to learn how they conducted business.”
Rick Cutaia, president of the MMG and parts manager for Rick Hendrick Dodge Jeep Chrysler Ram, in South Carolina. Cutaia said he joined the MMG in 2005 by mistake. “I had signed up for a Performance group and as it turns out it was the MMG meeting that year in Orlando – best mistake I have ever made!”
Susan McDaniel, secretarytreasurer for the MMG and parts director at Bill Luke Dealerships, in Phoenix, Arizona. McDaniel has been involved with the MMG since 2002. She said Gerry Oakes and Marvin Windham walked up to her and introduced themselves right away. “They alLaura Windham (Marvin Windham’s wife); Dan Hutton (Indianapolis, IN long-time member); Rick Monteiro ready knew all about my (Escondido, CA long-time member); Alan Yancey dealership [Bill Luke] and (Lawrenceville, GA long-time member); JD Ipsen (Salt made me feel very welcome Lake City, Utah newer member), Paul Allred (Charlotte, as did all of the other memNorth Carolina long-time member ); Susan McDaniel bers,” said McDaniel. “We (Phoenix, AZ current Secretar/Treasurer); Rick Cutaia (Charleston, South Carolina current President); Marvin always try to pay close attenWindham (Birmingham, AL long-time member); and tion to the new members and Blaine Turner at an NADA reception in San Francisco, make it a point to go up and CA in 2015 talk with them so that they Chrysler as well as a proven sounding feel part of the group instantly. That is board, helping vendors better their very important to us.” product offering to the automotive inShe said a lot of members have dustry. known each other for many years and From its inception, MMG has speak to each other on a daily basis funded its meetings, interactions with but they are always anxious to welvendors, the website and newsletter come new members. “Right before through supporting vendor’s membermy predecessor retired he said to me, ship dues. ‘make sure you get as involved with Today, Mopar Masters Guild’s Mopar Masters as you can; you will mission statement is: The exchange of learn so much and it will be well information by like-size dealers in a worth it. If you don’t do anything else, non-competitive environment. do this.’ He was right.” Autobody News asked the following six MMG members about their ex- Gerry Oakes, parts director for Baxter perience with the guild over the years. Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, in Nebraska. Oakes is a charter member of the Paul Allred, parts director for Stateline Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, in South Mopar Masters Guild. When he reCarolina. ceived a call in 1992 from Chuck HarAllred has been part of the guild tle, who described his vision of the since 1992 after hearing about a couple MMG, Oakes said he decided that it of parts managers forming the guild at was a must to be involved. “Since NADA in New Orleans. After being 1993, I’ve been fortunate enough to be
10 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
involved with this great group of parts managers,” he said.
Andy Reed, vice president of MMG and parts director for Allen Samuels DCJ/Hyundai, in Waco, Texas. Reed has been a member of the MMG for seven years as a parts director. His store has been a member since day one. “The reason that we continue to be a part of the MMG is because the wealth of knowledge from the meetings is endless,” he said.
Marvin Windham, parts director for Benchmark Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, in Birmingham, Alabama. Windham’s first MMG meeting was in 1998 after being invited by another parts manager. “I had no idea of what to expect but was blown away at that first meeting,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate to have not missed a meeting since.” Autobody News asked these MMG members about the organization that has become so important to them over the years.
What are some of the long-term Q: benefits that you have found from being part of the MMG? Allred: It has played a huge role in my success. I would say 80 percent of the way we conduct business goes back to some conversation with our group. Probably the greatest reward has been the development of lifetime friends.
Cutaia: Over the last 10 years, I have been able to learn so much from the experience of so many very talented people. I have been able to take my parts department to not just the next level but to the next stratosphere. Anytime I had any question there was always someone willing to answer.
McDaniel: Learning new ideas. We all pretty much have the same goals (to grow our business and prosper!) and the same problems even though each store is different. You can take away a little something different from each individual. These conversations really get the ‘wheels’ spinning. I can guarantee you, you will go back to your store with a different mind-set, more positive than before, excited to take on
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 11
new challenges and make the necessary changes to do so. Not to mention the relationships you will build along with the support you will receive from your new friends.
Oakes: The benefits are endless. A new member could attend our meeting and not say one word and he/she would be able to walk away with ideas that would pay for the trip expenses tenfold. Of course, we want all members to participate and share their thoughts and ideas. Sharing our ideas is the cornerstone of the MMG. The MMG has really become a resource of knowledge for me over the past 23 years. Whenever I have a concern or an idea about my DMS, a business strategy, or my department employees, I always search out members of the guild for guidance. In every case, I receive their thoughts and ideas the same day.
Reed: You have a large group of friends that don’t feel threatened to share ideas and suggestions. All of the members are very knowledgeable and helpful!
Windham: I credit most of my personal success to ideas, processes and attitudes that I picked up in my association with the MMG. It is one of the two most important decisions I’ve ever made in business.
What goals do you hope to acQ: complish in the future as part of the MMG?
Allred: To continue to discuss and overcome the challenges of our changing business!
Cutaia: Having now served as president of the guild, I have accomplished most of my goals. Keeping the guild going for the next generation of parts Continued from Page 9
Federal Rules
NHTSA recognizes that its toolbox is much larger than regulations and recalls. The DOT, though, can’t just apply its rules to all 50 states automatically. The feds control how cars are made—they can require airbags and seat belts, for example—but it’s the states that regulate how vehicles behave, through the power of traffic laws. Self-driving cars blur that distinction—how they drive is a direct
managers is something I hope we can keep moving forward and to keep making us all better managers.
McDaniel: To create an even larger membership spectrum so that we can continue to grow stronger as a team and help each other to grow our businesses based on the knowledge we all share through our conversations as a group. Also, to continue to maintain our strong relationship with Mopar so that together we can ALL make this happen.
Oakes: Recently, I retired as parts director for my dealer group. However, I intend to do whatever possible to help the MMG continue to grow. I want all qualifying parts managers to experience what has been available to me through the MMG since 1993.
Reed: I hope to continue to gain knowledge and grow our business. With the MMG, I am able to learn different processes that work at different dealerships and I am able to implement them in my store. Being active in the MMG helps to keep us active and not allow our business to grow stagnant.
Windham: The business is changing rapidly and I believe only those that keep up and adapt will succeed. Our challenges are many but so are our opportunities. I hope to conquer the challenges and take full benefit of the opportunities with the help of my MMG association.
Is there anything else you Q: would like to share about the MMG?
Allred: It is the best thing I could have ever done for my career and personal result of how they’re made. “Most of the laws that will permit automated vehicles are going to be state laws,” Foxx told WIRED Magazine in November.
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life. Our group has become a fraternal organization that has much to offer anyone that will pursue and become active in it.
Cataia: I can truly say that being a part of such a group of talented people who are willing to share has made me such a better manager. I honestly believe I would not have been as successful of a manager had I not accidently joined this marvelous group that challenged me to become better and think outside the box. I have also made some friendships that have become an important part of my life and I feel blessed to have met some not only very intelligent but also genuine people that I am proud to call my friends.
McDaniel: Please join today, if you have not already. We welcome new members and new ideas. Each and every one of us who have continued our membership throughout the years can honestly say that we would not be as successful and open-minded as we are today without our involvement in the Mopar Masters Guild.
Oakes: Without a doubt the friendships that have been made through the
MMG are priceless. My wife and I consider many among our closest friends.
Reed: From the very beginning of my membership of the MMG all of the members welcomed me and embraced me. I have always felt comfortable talking and sharing ideas at the meetings and training classes. It really is a great group of people that are open to sharing and listening to new people and ideas.
Windham: My wife and I have developed many lifelong friends with whom we will remain close, even when we get to that distant future with golf courses providing us with all our challenges. These people are an important part of our lives now and into the future. For more information about the Mopar Masters Guild and to join, contact Susan McDaniel (602) 336-1557; Rick Cutaia (843) 402-6782; Andy Reed (888) 250-1852; Paul Allred (803) 5788099; Marvin Windham (205) 4584598; or Gerry Oakes (800) 642-1524. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC.
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 13
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Mitchell VP Predicts Parts Utilization on Average Estimate Will Decrease After Peaking in December; Enterprise Length of Rental Update With the Largest Increases in California Highlights from Mitchell’s Industry Update by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
Every winter, Greg Horn, Mitchell’s vice president of industry relations, said that he begins monitoring the number of parts used during the average repair estimate. “Notably, the number of parts on the average estimate increases, usually by over 1.5 parts per estimate and total parts spending typically increases by more than $100,” he said during the company’s latest industry update presentation for the fourth quarter of 2015. Horn noted that parts utilization usually peaks in December and falls off in January onwards due to the increased number of accidents that time. He said it is due to poor road conditions and what he referred to as “drivers’ amnesia” when winter begins. In addition, Horn said that it is typical for total loss percentages to increase during the early winter and then fall off during more severe weather. Looking at parts usage during the third quarter of 2015, Horn said there is an overall decrease in the number of new parts used for a repairable car. New OEM parts were down from more than eight parts per estimate in the first quarter of 2012 to 7.33 parts in the third quarter of 2015.
Horn said that none of the alternate parts measured — aftermarket, remanufactured or recycled — increased during the same period. “What we’re seeing is more repair going on from that first quarter to the third quarter,” he said. He attributed it to parts prices increasing and labor rates staying flat.
number of aftermarket parts being utilized compared to a year earlier, while fewer remanufactured parts are being used. “We’ve seen a lot of the remanufacturing facilities across the United States close down because it’s not as profitable as it used to be,” said Horn.
Length of Rental Continues to Increase Part of Mitchell’s industry report included statistics on Enterprise Rent-A-Car’s average Length of Rental (LOR) for repairable vehicles. Frank LaViola, assistant vice president of insurance replacement for Enterprise RentA-Car, said the U.S. average LOR increased in the third quarter of 2015 to 11.4 days overall. This is an increase of .4 days over the same time period Average Cost per estimate when Parts are Present the year before. “You can devote more repair hours per “We continue to see a rise in such facpart if the cost is going up and the labor tors as claims frequency, miles driven rate is staying flat,” he explained. and registered vehicles per licensed drivLooking ahead to changes in 2016, ers,” said LaViola. Horn said that he forecasts the trend will Horn added that the overall severity most likely continue. and number of parts per estimate were Overall, there is an increase in the stable in Q3 2015 compared to 2014.
16 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
“This suggests that the increase in total loss frequency for the quarter is driving length of rental,” said Horn. In the western part of the United States, the largest increases in LOR were in California with 11.5 days, and Utah with 10.4 days, both up .7 days. Arizona was up .4 days at 10.5. Nevada did not show an increase in LOR, staying the same at 11.6 days. In the southwest area of the United States, Texas and Oklahoma both showed an increase in LOR of .7 days from the third quarter of 2014. Texas had 12.9 days and Oklahoma had 12.2 days. New Mexico did not show any increase, saying at 11.6 days. Louisiana had the highest LOR, up .8 days to 13.4. In terms of DRP repairs, La Viola noted that the difference between DRP and non-DRP repairs is continuing to grow with DRP repairs dropping by 2.65 days. “This is due to processes in the DRP model that allow collision repair shops to begin repairs quicker than nonDRP shops,” he said. More details about LOR, and other topics covered during Horn’s presentation, can be found online in the industry report: http://www.mitchell.com/thoughtleadership.
Continued from Cover
Google Seeks Help
to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Google’s self-driving car had been in dangerous situations in a number of times, and there have also been instances wherein manual overrides were required. However,
it’s important to note that such incidents have been slowly decreasing. There have been 13 incidents where one of Google’s self-driving cars would have made contact with another object if not without the control of a test driver. Director of the Google self-driving car project Chris Urmson wrote on Medium that he expects such instances to decline over time. Google’s engineers
can replay such incidents to predict how the car would have been behaving through a simulator. All of the incidents, according to Google, are “driver-initiated disengagements,” wherein a manual passenger had to take control of the car.
Google Says Self-Drivers Crash Less Frequently Eager to demonstrate its self-driving vehicles are safe, Google says that its high-tech cars are involved in fewer crashes on average than vehicles with a driver behind the wheel. A study commissioned by Google and released by the Virginia Tech Transportation InstGoogitute shows, looked only at Google’s fleet of more than 50 self-driving cars, which has logged 1.3 million miles in Texas and California in self-driving mode. The test fleet has reported 17 crashes over the last six years, although none were the fault of the self-driving cars, Google said. After adjusting for severity and accounting for crashes not reported to police, the study estimated cars with drivers behind the wheel are involved in 4.2 crashes per million miles, versus 3.2 crashes per million miles for self-
driving cars in autonomous mode. Crash rates for conventional vehicles at all severity levels were higher than self-driving crash rates, the study found. Another study released in October by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute compared crash rates among Google, Delphi and Audi self-driving cars in
2013 and found they had a higher rate than for conventional cars. But that study noted the low volume of driverless miles – 1.2 million compared with 3 trillion miles driven annually on U.S. roads. In December, California proposed state regulations that would require all autonomous cars to have a steering wheel, throttle and brake pedals when operating on California’s public roads.
PBES 2016 Conference Registration Available in February
The Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment of the Auto Care Association announced on January 6 that it will hold its 2016 annual conference in Denver, Colorado on May 10-12. The 2016 conference theme is “Differentiate to Win.” The annual conference is a an opportunity for individuals and companies in all facets of the PBE industry to network and access educational resources. “Each year, we present our attendees with a new set of speakers, designed to challenge their business process and create opportunity for improvement,” said Keith Bell, committee chair, PBES. “This year, we are focused on building more networking in the conference and gearing our speakers to talk about Differentiating to Win.” The conference will be held at the Embassy Suites at the Denver Convention Center. Registration will open in late February.
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Certified Collision Group™ Board Appoints Bruce Bares President and CEO & Announces Addition of AZ and CA MSOs Certified Collision Group (CCG), a certifications and KPI-focused solutions provider to the automotive collision repair and insurance communities, announced the appointment of Bruce R. Bares to the position of president and CEO on January 11. In addition, he was elected to CCG’s board of directors. “Bruce’s extensive leadership Bruce Bares experience in both insurance claims management and collision repair uniquely positions him to lead CCG and manage the 1stCERTIFIED™ initiative,” stated CCG managing director, Thomas Adams. “Bruce’s vision for improving the competitive position of top performing, independent collision businesses while adding value for their key trading partners, is significant for the advancement of CCG’s mission.” Also in January, CCG announced that two MSOs with proven performance were selected to join CCG’s 1stCERTIFIED™ initiative. CCG now operates in five states with more than
34 locations. Brighton Collision Centers began operating in 2005 with its first location in Chandler, Arizona. Now, with five locations and a sixth underway, Brighton is Arizona’s largest independent collision repairer serving the Phoenix, Chandler, Casa Grande, Mesa, Glendale and Ahwatukee communities. Starting in the industry over four decades ago working at his father’s shop, CEO David Baum owns and actively operates all locations. Brighton is supported by its I-CAR Gold and Verifacts VQ status. “CCG provides Brighton a unique and effective solution to the competitive challenges we face in Arizona, particularly as our industry consolidates,” stated Baum. “We can now compete in an enhanced manner and on a level playing field, while retaining our community-centric brand. CCG’s strict affiliate selection process ensures that we are associated with only high-quality, KPI-focused collision repair businesses.” Alioto’s Garage of San Francisco, CA was founded in 1939 by Frank “Babe” Alioto Sr. With three locations covering San Francisco, third generation owners Matt and Chris Alioto
46 Technicians Honored at ASE Meeting in AZ
Forty-six automotive professionals were recognized on November 18, 2015, at the Fall Board of Governors meeting of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). It was held at Hotel Valley Ho in Scottsdale, Arizona. The annual awards banquet spotlights top scorers on the ASE Certification Tests. Thirty-six different companies from both OEM and
Forty-six technicians were honored in Arizona by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence
Aftermarket segments sponsored the individual technician recognition awards in the Auto, Truck, Collision and Parts categories, along with awards for instructors, students, service and parts consultants, and managers. In addition to looking for top scores on ASE tests, award sponsors examine on-the-job excellence, community service and other factors when selecting honorees.
“ASE has recognized the best of the best in our industry for more than 40 years, and this year we honored 46 outstanding individuals from all across the nation,” said Tim Zilke, ASE president and CEO. We couldn’t do this without the support of our many award sponsors, whose ranks include some of the bestknown names in the industry. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in the talented individuals receiving these awards each year. The enthusiasm and professionalism displayed by all of our award winners is a testament to the high-quality individuals wearing the ASE Blue Seal and we are proud to have them as part of the ASE family,” Zilke concluded. ASE was established in 1972 as a non-profit organization to help improve the quality of automotive service and repair through the voluntary testing and certification of automotive technicians and parts specialists. Today, there are more than 300,000 ASE-certified professionals at work in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges throughout the country. For more information about ASE, visit www.ase.com.
18 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
continue to manage this well-known business. Long recognized for its commitment to quality repair and customer satisfaction results, Alioto’s Garage has achieved I-CAR Gold and VeriFacts VQ status while attaining several significant OEM Certifications, including Porsche and Tesla. “As the collision repair segment’s competitive landscape continues to evolve, CCG provides Alioto’s a national relationship management platform to compete more effectively based on our highly-advanced repair capabilities and proven ability to achieve our client’s KPI objectives,” said CEO Chris Alioto. “CCG’s non-intrusive approach and adherence to a strong vetting process positions Alioto’s to benefit from both our strong local market reputation and CCG’s national brand.” CCG affiliates are centric to collision repair consumer satisfaction, insurer partnerships and certifications. Both current and future 1stCERTIFIED™ participants are required to consistently deliver verifiable marketleading performance in repair capabilities, customer satisfaction, cycle time and loss of use management. “The selection of Brighton and
Alioto’s are additive pillars to CCG’s 1stCERTIFIED™ initiative,” stated Thomas Adams, CCG managing director. “This expansion further validates a strong value proposition for independent collision organizations focused on certifications and partnerships to grow their market share. In a highly complex and competitive environment, organizations like Brighton and Alioto’s seek out viable alternatives to develop and enhance both current and new strategic partnerships. Our mission at CCG includes furthering stability and results for these leaders.” Visit www.certifiedcg.com for more information about CCG.
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 19
Recycled Rides, Caliber Collision & AAA Unveil Vehicle for Child With ALS on West Coast Customs TV Show The heartwarming and emotional unveiling of a specially refurbished and modified van for 10-year-old Dominic “The Dominator” Cumo — the youngest person to be diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) – was featured on an episode of the popular West Coast Customs television
dustry team up to refurbish and donate vehicles to individuals in need. The original 2012 Chrysler Town & Country van was donated by the Auto Club and repaired by technicians at Caliber Collision’s Chino Valley, California location who volunteered personal time as a community service. West Coast Customs joined the effort by installing a wheelchair lift, custom wheels, television and other interior upgrades. Despite his debilitating and degenerative illness, Dominic has always had a positive and cheerful spirit, eager for new experiences. The Recycled Rides van donation will provide him with more opportunities to enjoy his favorite activiDominic’s parents, Shawnee and Mateo Cumo, thank ties — traveling, football the team for the van. Donation games, music concerts, and show on Sunday, December 27 at 7 visiting fire fighters — just to name a pm PST/10 pm EST on Fox Sports 2. few. Dominic’s new ride was courtesy The customized van will also of Caliber Collision and the Auto provide comfortable transportation Club of Southern California as part of for the frequent 60-mile commutes the National Auto Body Council’s Re- from the family’s home in Apple Valcycled Rides™ program where auto ley, California to Loma Linda Unibody repair facilities, insurance com- versity Children’s Hospital, which panies, and others in the collision in- nominated the family for the Recy-
Mercedes-Benz E-Class Awarded Test License for Autonomous Driving in Nevada
Mercedes-Benz has revealed that their new E-Class is the world’s first standard-production vehicle to be awarded a test license for autonomous driving in the US state of Nevada. In a world first, three standard-production E-Class vehicles have been approved to drive themselves. To allow autonomous driving functions to be tested, test vehicles previously had to be equipped with special hardware and software. This included additional sensors, modified steering and an adapted ESP. That is no longer the case with the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class. The standard-production vehicle is already equipped with intelligent technology. This means that, for testing purposes, it is necessary merely to make some smaller software modifications to the DRIVE PILOT control unit. Profesor Thomas Weber, member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Group Research & Mercedes-Benz Cars Development, said, “The fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world’s first vehicle manufacturer to be awarded such a licence shows that we are a step ahead when it comes to autonomous driving. The new E-Class is therefore another big step to the fully automated vehicle.
“Nevada is proud to serve as the location where Daimler, an international automotive leader, can explore and test the possibilities of its cuttingedge autonomous vehicle,” said Governor Brian Sandoval. Self-driving tests are permitted on all interstates and state highways in Nevada, human drivers being required only for turning, merging and departing. The autonomous test drives in everyday traffic will be carried out by speciallytrained test drivers. Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (NDMV) rules also stipulate that there must be one passenger behind the wheel and a second passenger in the vehicle on test drives. The test vehicles are identified by a red licence plate reserved for autonomous driving. Nevada passed regulations on autonomous driving back in June 2011 and is seen as a pioneer. The desert state’s road network, landscape and traffic volume are highly representative of road conditions in the USA. Two self-driving Daimler trucks have been in operation on public roads since May 2015. More information about Mercedes-Benz is available online: www .mercedes-benz.com.
20 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
West Coast Customs studio in Burbank, CA. “When we first heard about Dominic and his courageous spirit, we immediately wanted to be part of this project and help make this vehicle special for a family in need,” said West Coast Customs Founder and CEO Ryan Friedlinghaus. “It was a pleasure to work with Caliber Collision and AAA to put something amazing together for such an inspirCaliber, AAA and West Coast Customs representatives ing young man.” with Dominic and his family The West Coast Cuscled Rides vehicle donation. toms television episode also included “We are thrilled to work with West a nostalgic tour by Friedlinghaus of Coast Customs to bring the national his former shop in Corona and prespotlight to the invaluable impact our view of renovation plans by Caliber collision industry has in providing reli- Collision, which purchased the facilable transportation for those in need ity for its new Corona location. through the Recycled Rides program,” said David Goldstein, Caliber Collision senior vice president of operations. “Most important, we are honored to be able to provide Dominic with this gift of transportation so he can indulge in life to its fullest.” The surprise van presentation to www.autobodynews.com Dominic was filmed in October at the
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Shop Strategies with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR
After Joining CARSTAR, Collision Repair Shop at California Dealership Notices Improvement in Cycle Time, CSI and Closing Ratio John Hine Sr. established John Hine Pontiac in San Diego, CA in 1957 and the John Hine Mazda franchise was established in 1971. John Hine Sr. received the Time Quality Dealer Award in 1991; his son, John Hine Jr. accepted the same award in 1994. Hine, Sr. passed away in 1996 at 91 years of age. “He believed in hard work, equality and fair treatment of both customers and employees,” said Steve Ranck, CARSTAR John Hine collision service manager, who has worked there for 37 years. “His legacy is our dealership’s dedication to delivering complete customer satisfaction and employee goodwill. I know that the continued success of our dealership lies within every employee’s ability to deliver his/her personal best.” John Hine, Jr., who had worked with his father since 1971, currently runs the dealership.
Steve Ranck, CARSTAR John Hine collision manager
Autobody News spoke to Ranck about the collision center’s decision to join CARSTAR in April 2015 and become CARSTAR John Hine Collision Mission Valley.
formance and optimizing our operations. We currently have seven direct repair programs. Since joining CARSTAR, our performance levels with our current partnerships improved in efficiency and accuracy. We improved our relations joining CARSTAR.
What has the reaction been from Q: your employees and your customers?
It’s an exciting new process. We have 32 employees and a A: lot of them have been here a long-
time. I have one employee who started with his dad as a helper 42 years ago. You worry about people when it comes to change. Our employees have been engaged since our partnership with CARSTAR. With our customers, we explain that we are still John Hine. We inform them of the change and reason we took this opportunity. Now being part of the largest MSO, we are able to provide additional value to our customers such as the life-time nationwide warranty. It provides customers more security in trusting us with their second largest investment. Our customers our just wowed by the way our shop looks.
Can you tell us about the CARQ: STAR branding that you have incorporated into your shop, which is
part of the new look in shops across the country?
What prompted the decision for We’ve done a lot of CARSTAR Q: John Hine Mazda to become a A: branding. We are now part of CARSTAR franchise in 2015? the largest MSO. We had to change.
A:
Most insurance companies are now heading to MSO partnerships to do their business. We noticed the trend and we wanted to get involved. The way of business yesterday is not the way of business today. Everything is done at the corporate level. Our market area is saturated with competitors. Some are large MSOs. We want to gain the competitors’ edge by attracting new business through per-
Our insurance partners and customers want a consistent feel, consistent message, and a trusted name. We have always been strong but we are now stronger, providing the competitive edge. All of our employees wear CARSTAR uniforms. We bought them all new uniforms that are different from the dealerships’ uniforms. We dress the same color one week (red) and another color the next (black). We do that to encourage a team atmosphere.
22 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
We want to let people know that we repair all makes and models and not just our Mazda brand.
What are some of benefits Q: you’ve experienced since joining CARSTAR?
Kenny Bailey said the addition of parts carts has helped keep the dealership more organized
When working at the same shop for 37 years, there is a tendency A: to do things the same way. You don’t
see new ideas that much. By joining CARSTAR, and engaging with EDGE
(Education, Development, Growth, and Excellence) Performance, it provides us with optimizing our business through sustainable process and repeatable success. We did our research and talked to other CARSTAR locations. The first thing you do is ask ‘Did they bring you business?” I talked to two different CARSTARs and I was told, ‘Steve, even if I don’t get one DRP, they are making me a better store.” When you have been in the same shop for so long, sometimes you can get tunnel vision. You don’t see the big picture. Being with CARSTAR, they really look at our operations and said, ‘Steve, this is what we suggest.’ Then we tried them out and it works.
What are some of the initial changes that were incorporated Q: after joining CARSTAR? See After Joining CARSTAR, Page 24
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 23
Continued from Page 22
After Joining CARSTAR
Engaging with CARSTAR’s A: EDGE Performance tier process, our shop is a lot cleaner and or-
ganized than what it used to be. For example, we never had parts carts. We optimized our parts and production department with the use of part carts. It created organization and efficiency throughout the operation. We noticed about a day and a half improvement in our cycle time by making that change. Another change was incorporating the DFR (dissemble for repair) process. We always called it tear down—you take the car apart and write your estimate. DFR is more than just taking the car apart. Now, instead of taking the bumper off, we take everything off that bumper, including the clips, side maker lights, etc. We do this because we want to know at the beginning of the repair process everything that is wrong with the car instead of at the end. This has helped us tremendously by being more organized and improving our cycle time.
employees. When CAR-STAR came in, they focused on our foundation first. They looked at our employees. Our ADO took the time to get to know the employees. Now when we implement
Javier Zamora, head painter at John Hines
something new, we do it together. When you change and clean up your shop, your employees start to notice and say, ‘Wow, there is something going on here.”
What are some of the recent Q: additions at your location? After talking to two other CARA: STAR locations in San Diego and the corporate store in Kansas, we
added a second computer so customers can see the actual estimate being built. We also started full repair mapping, which creates a repair plan prior to the vehicle hitting production. The main advantage is that a repair plan is created for a more predictable repair. Our Area Director of Operations (ADO) manager Mike Callahans comes in about once a month and helps us evaluate our shop. What CARSTAR does is help you put certain goals into place. If you want to be part of a DRP program, you have to be one of the top elite shops in the industry. They want you to reach a certain tier level. If an insurance company markets our shop to get more business, we need to have our cycle time, CSI and closing ratio in the right spot. What are some of the challenges Q: that you have encountered and how have you addressed them?
When you have any change in A: your shop, you’re going to have some challenges to address. First, you
have to look at the buy-in from your
24 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
What are some of upcoming the day. We keep the meetings under Q: goals at CARSTAR John Hine? 10 minutes and all the Metal men and Painters attend. Our upcoming goals are to get A: more work. To do this, we need Q: shops What is your advice to other considering joining an to improve our cycle time, CSI and MSO? closing ratio. We currently work on
about 135-140 cars per month. We can handle a lot more than that. I set up a goal board and every week I post what needs to be done that month. Then we can see how we are doing and track our progress. We’ve incorporated that recently and we’re finding that it brings everyone together so they are focused on the main goal of the shop. We also have a production meeting twice a day. This is when all of our employees meet and talk about what they have planned for
I’ve noticed over the years inA: surance companies are putting a lot of emphasis on MSOs. It makes it
easier for insurance companies to deal with one contact person for a large qroup of shops. The main reason for joining is they are going to make you a better shop. With the Edge performance platform and support with human resources, marketing, insurance contacts and legal, they will be a great partner in your business.
ToolTech 2016 to Take Place April 25-28 in Monterey, California The Equipment and Tool Institute’s ToolTech conference is being held April 25-28 in Monterey, Calfornia. It is an opportunity for industry professionals to network and meet with OEMs, tool and equipment companies, national chain stores, large suppliers, dealer groups, distributors, manufacturer reps, and many other industry leaders. ToolTech focuses solely on automotive-related tool and equipment companies and the individuals at the forefront of the industry and technological advances.
Attendee Opportunities at ToolTech: ● Promote themselves, their capabilities, their products, and to interface with industry insiders; ● Network with industry peers; ● Meet potential customers and potential product providers; ● Confer with customers; ● Convene in structured, private oneon-one meetings; ● Gain valuable insights from presentations by industry leaders; and ● Cost effective/ high-value way to meet with many OEMs and customers in one venue. Speaker Sessions ETI will partner with leading experts
to prepare you and your company for what lies ahead.
One-on-One Meetings ETI Member Companies can request pre-arranged, private, closed-door meetings with specific OEM personnel, ETI companies, automotive service providers, manufacturers, distributors, and others. Time slots are scheduled in 25-minute increments with five minutes in between meetings. This is your opportunity to meet with key people in the industry, introduce your company, and discuss your products and services. Discussion Groups The Discussion Groups are an opportunity for ETI Members to engage in productive discussions and exchange useful information on various topics. The purpose of the Discussion Groups is to provide a venue for communication and collaboration among ETI Members, focused on giving and receiving targeted feedback, engaging in in-depth discussions, meeting colleagues with similar interests, and gaining a better understanding of pertinent subjects that will benefit their business. The anticipated outcomes include: gain insightful information,
incorporate the information into goals or objectives, glean “best practice” ideas from peers.
Press Conferences ETI Member Companies will have a pre-scheduled time to hold a press conference with editorial media sources to introduce their new products or services and describe what they do, explain their features and benefits, and what sets them apart from what is currently available today.
Company Spotlight Happy Hour The Company Spotlight Happy Hour at ToolTech gives exhibitors the opportunity to display their products and services to attendees, speakers, and industry guests. Additional Networking Opportunities ● Opening Reception ● Company Spotlight Happy Hour ● Closing Dinner ● Lunches For more information, a schedule of events, or to register for ToolTech 2016, visit http://etools.org/ToolTech2016.
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MOPAR Masters Guild Pledges $2.5M in Parts to CREF
In recognition of the Collision Repair Education Foundation’s (CREF) 25th anniversary in 2016, the MOPAR Masters Guild (MMG) group has pledged to provide $2.5 million in donated scrap parts from its dealership members to local high school and college collision school programs across the country. The MMG and the Education Foundation will work towards having at least 50 dealerships each donating at least $50,000 in scrap parts such as bumper covers, fenders, doors, and other items which are in high demand from school instructors for their students to practice on and prepare for entry-level employment. CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “Scrap parts are regularly the number one needed and requested item by high school and college collision school programs across the country and the Education Foundation welcomes the opportunity to collaborate with the MOPAR Masters Guild group and their members for this incredible donation pledge.” For information about MMG, visit http://moparmastersguild .com. For information about supporting CREF, contact Brandon.Eckenrode @ed-foundation.org 847-463-5244. The sourceor for timely
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Collision Industry Celebrates 1,000th Recycled Rides in CA Collision industry representatives kicked off industry week in Palm Springs, CA by helping the National Auto Body Council (NABC) celebrate its 1,000th Recycled Rides™ car donation to a local area couple and their four children who have been struggling without transportation. In a special ceremony in front of the Hilton Palm Springs, Marcella and Damian Walls received keys to a 2015 Nissan Pathfinder donated by the Hertz Corporation and refurbished by Caliber Collision-Coachella Valley. Parts, materials and services were donated by LKQ Corporation, Palm Springs Nissan, Mohica Towing, and Valley Smog and Auto Repair. The Walls, both of whom became unemployed due to unexpected job layoffs, represent thousands of other individuals across the country whose lives have been positively impacted by the Recycled Rides program. Since the program’s inception in 2007, members of the NABC representing all facets of the collision industry, have had many significant achievements: ● Over 1,000 vehicles donated by insurance, rental car, salvage and auto auction companies; ● 65,000 volunteer hours by collision
repair professionals to refurbish the vehicles; ● $4 million in parts, materials and services donated by manufacturers and suppliers; and ● Total of more than $12 million in refurbished vehicles donated to veterans, active duty service members and struggling families.
While there are many worthwhile car donation organizations, most scrap donated vehicles and use profits to fund charities. The goal of the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program is to refurbish and donate vehicles so recipients can obtain employment, get to and from work, take care of their families and improve their quality of life. “Individuals and families without reliable transportation are in a catch-22 situation,” said Domenic Brusco, chair-
UTI Awards Scholarships & Offers Look at Monster Truck
teacher Joe Agruso, whose classes will benefit from the other prize, a custom UTI Top Tech Champion Snap-On tool chest and tools valued at more than $2,000. On January 29, the 2006 and 2010 Monster Jam World Racing Champion, Grave Digger, a 1,500+ horse power machine, was at UTI as part of the campus’s Monster Jam Open House. More than 300 high school guests were expected to attend, as well as UTI students and staff to see the Monster Jam truck live, meet the tech team and learn the science behind what powers the colossal Participants of the Top Tech Challenge hosted by Universal machine. They also had the opportunity to tour UTI’s training Technical Institute in Long Beach, CA facility and learn what it takes The student teams competed in to become successful technicians. This written and hands-on testing on vehicle event was by invitation only; not open to parts, brakes, diagnostics and electrical the public. systems for a chance to win one of 20 Charlie Pauken, Grave Digger UTI scholarships valued from $10,000 driver, Kyle Mohan, two-time winner to $1,000 each; a total of $59,000. The in the Long Beach Team Drift Chaltop three teams also won $5,000 worth lenge, and Larry Hohl, UTI Long of Snap-On® tools for their schools. Beach Campus president, interacted A team from Van Nuys High School with attendees, along with additional was awarded first place. Team members Monster Jam tech crew members. Rend Mandayo and Jaspal Dhillon Along with live entertainment ran to the stage with excitement when and giveaways, high school students their names were announ-ced to collect participated in hands-on STEM activ$10,000 scholarships to attend UTI. Just ities alongside UTI students and Monas excited about the victory was their auto ster Jam technicians. Fourteen two-person teams from 10 high schools in the greater Los Angeles, CA region squared off on January 16 to test their knowledge and expertise in automotive technology at the Top Tech Challenge hosted by Universal Technical Institute (UTI-Long Beach, CA).
26 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
man of the NABC “They struggle financially, cannot afford a car but without it, employment opportunities are limited. Thanks to the collaborative contributions from many in our collision industry, Recycled Rides provides the catalyst that many individuals need to restore independence, pride and selfesteem to become self-sustaining.” NABC members partner with local nonprofit charities who select recipients for Recycled Rides. The organization also partners with 1-800 Charity Cars, powered by AudaExplore, a Solera Company, which donates resources to help process the myriad of paperwork required to transfer and register vehicle titles for Recycled Rides recipients. The Walls Family was nominated by a local nonprofit organization, Variety the Children’s Charity of the Desert. Without steady income, the Walls lost their only car when they were unable to keep up with payments. Recently, Marcella started a new job at a local radio station while Damian works part-time as a high school referee and a youth umpire. Their four children, ages 5-18, are actively involved in church youth group and sports programs. The Walls do not live near a bus line, so the entire family walk or rely on friends for transportation.
Innovation Group Encourages Gold Class Commitment
The automotive industry is undergoing a transformative shift—also known as the “Technical Tsunami™”—with an estimated 142 new or redesigned vehicle models hitting the road in 2015 alone. Innovation Group, a global provider of insurance software solutions and business process services, is encouraging all of its network repair shops to achieve the Gold Class® designation. The Gold Class designation lets consumers know a collision repair shop has technicians who have received industry-recognized training that contributes to proper repairs and consumer safety. The company said shops that commit to training are building the knowledge required to properly deal with the increasing levels of vehicle technology complexity each new model year brings. Studies show Gold Class shops successfully translate training into KPI improvements; such as 14.35 percent improved cycle time, 33.75 percent improved touch time, an 11 percent drop in supplements for necessary repairs overlooked in the estimate and a five percent increase in customer satisfaction, and up to 43% shorter length of rental. To learn more, visit www.GoldClass.com.
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 27
SPEEDVEGAS Track to Open March 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada SPEEDVEGAS will start its engines come March 2016, when the 1.5-mile supercar track at Las Vegas’s newest attraction opens for business. By May 2016, the entire $30 million motorsports complex — including a multilevel welcome center, event center with a capacity of up to 1,000 guests,
only-in-Vegas-style experience. An onsite meetings and events facility means SPEEDVEGAS stands poised to accommodate not only leisure visitors, but also corporate and incentive group business. Keeping in mind the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority’s (LVCVA) stated goal of growing international visitation to the destination to 30 percent by the end of the decade, SPEEDVEGAS sought input from an international panel of travel and tourism experts in the development of its design. Plans incorporated input gleaned from a focus group SPEEDVEGAS hosted, composed of leading professionals from the LVSpeed Vegas track is scheduled to open March 2016 CVA, international tour opcafé and much more — will be com- erators from UK, Latin America and plete. The 100-acre supercar driving Asia, along with meeting and event experience broke ground in Septem- planners. For example, participants ber 2015. recommended shuttle service from the Designed for the truly global au- Las Vegas Strip, an option to be driven dience that comprises Las Vegas’s in the car instead of driving and fleximore than 40 million annual visitors, bility to arrive at the visitor’s leisure inSPEEDVEGAS will be a destination stead of committing to a specific time for not only exotic car enthusiasts, but and car. also anyone seeking an exhilarating, “We listened to our customers
Gas Monkey Garage Show Renewed for 8th Season
Valspar Automotive announced on January 19 the popular cable show featuring Gas Monkey Garage has been renewed for its eighth season. Star Richard Rawlings and his crew are using Valspar Automotive’s DeBeer Refinish and U.S. Chemical & Plastics products to help them turn run-down hot rods to fully restored, unique show pieces. Rawlings, the owner of Gas Monkey Garage and visionary behind the creRichard Rawlings, ations, said he is owner of Gas thrilled to conMonkey Garage tinue using DeBeer Refinish and incorporating U.S. Chemical & Plastics products into the show’s work. “Valspar has always taken care of my shop and our paint needs, and they continue to do so as we roll into our eighth season,” Rawlings said. “It’s critical that any paint we choose is easy to use, particularly in the fastpaced environment of our show. That’s what we get from DeBeer.” Rawlings and the crew of Gas Monkey Garage are using De Beer
BeroBase 500, a high-quality basecoat system. They are also incorporating U.S. Chemicals & Plastics body filler, putty and masking paper into the shop. “I’ve been using USC products for years. Their products are topquality,” Rawlings said. “They provide us with the tools we need to make the shop run more efficiently on a daily basis.” “From Ferraris to Trans Ams, the team at Gas Monkey Garage uses Valspar’s DeBeer 500 System and coatings to bring these beauties to life,” said Gina Mahan, brand manager for House of Kolor, Valspar's custom refinish brand. “Although DeBeer is an OEM approved refinish brand, Gas Monkey Garage showcases its versatility with the incredible builds they produce. We are proud to continue to support such talent and look forward to seeing where Season 8 takes Richard Rawlings and Gas Monkey.” For more information on Valspar, visit www.valspar.com and follow @ValsparCo on Twitter.
and industry colleagues to create the ultimate experience,” explained Aaron Fessler, founder and chief executive officer, SPEEDVEGAS. “It’s critical we stay nimble and able to ac-
Ken Gruskin, architect, and Aaron Fessler, co-founder and CEO
commodate different cultures. It’s also essential we offer ample and flexible space for groups. After all, the LVCVA’s emphasis on growing Las Vegas’ profile as an international destination and a global business hub demanded it.” The destination will offer an entire speed experience with activities such as drifting, demonstrations, simulators and driving the world’s most sought-after exotic and muscle cars.
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According to Auto Damage Experts, (ADE), a national insurer has attempted to use erroneous information to undervalue settlements in claims for diminution in value. In correspondence to a consumer/claimant, an Allstate Insurance claims person offered a diminished value claim settlement supported by information obtained from part of a CARFAX “History Impact” report. Content of the letter: “Enclosed for your records is a copy of your vehicle’s CarFax Vehicle History Report which indicates the value of your vehicle is worth an amount + $60.00 above retail book value.” CARFAX augmented their Vehicle History Reports with what they refer to as “History Impact.” In a reply to ADE, CARFAX said:“The CARFAX History Impact is not the same as diminished value.” The CARFAX History Impact analyzes millions of used car transactions to measure how the information impacts the vehicle’s value. ADE is concerned whereby this information may be used to harm consumers and would like CARFAX to state within their reports that the “History Impact” doesn’t constitute diminished value and shouldn’t be used as a basis for a settlement.
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28 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Auto Damage Experts Warning About Diminished Value
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American Honda Addresses the Importance of Properly Repairing a Vehicle During Industry Update by Stacey Phillips, Assistant Editor
During a recent Guild 21 presentation, Chris Tobie and Gary Ledoux gave a Honda & Acura Collision Repair Industry support update. They both stressed the importance of learning the correct requirements and procedures to properly repair a vehicle. Chris Tobie, an Tobie, an InstrucInstructional tional Designer for Designer for the Collision Re-Think the Collision ReProject at Think Project at American Honda American Honda, focused on new body structure issues that have occurred since the last Guild 21 presentation in August, 2014, when he gave comprehensive overview about high strength steel repair. Due to changes in collision test requirements, American Honda has made significant body structural modifications to some of its vehicles. He used the example of a 2012-14 Honda CRV body that does not contain ultra high strength steel in comparison to a
2015 Honda CR-V body that incorporates 980 and 1,500 MPA steel. “This completely changes how you approach repairing the vehicle,” said Tobie. “It may look like the 2012, but you can’t repair it the same way.” He said it becomes very critical to use the company’s Body Repair News and body repair manual in order to properly repair these vehicles. “You have to make that part of the culture in your shop,” said Tobie. “Anybody that is unable or unwilling to do that, is going to create a potential liability for you.” Tobie noted that the new 2016 Honda Pilot uses a door stiffener ring, which employs similar technology to the 2014 Acura MDX and 2015 Acura TLX. As a result, the repair method is the same. “The reason this is important is we sell roughly 125,000 Pilots per year, versus about 50,000 MDXs,” he said. “There’s a much better chance that you are going to see a 2016 Pilot collision repair just because there are more of them out there.” Constructed of 1,500 MPA steel, the door stiffener ring must be repaired
30 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
as a single assembly if it is damaged. Multiple stampings are spot welded together at the factory. When installed, Tobie explained that there is no access to the factory joints so they cannot be repaired. He stressed the importance of not using MAG welding or MIG brazing as a substitute where the factory stampings are joined with spot welds. In November, the 2016 four-door Honda Civic sedan was introduced with significant body technology upgrades. Fifty-eight percent of the vehicle is constructed of high-strength steel. “It’s absolutely critical that when a car using this type of steel is hit, that the entire vehicle is measured using a 3D measuring system to find out what moved so you can correct all the damage,” he said.
Equipment Tobie then discussed the critical equipment necessary to repair Honda and Acura vehicles constructed of high strength steel and ultra high strength steel. These include a squeeze-type resistance spot welder, a pulse-controlled MIG welder, silicon bronze wire and
Bosch DS980J MAG wire or an equivalent. “The requirement is that the filler wire must have a tensile strength equal to or greater to the lowest tensile of the parts being welded,” explained Tobie. The supply of DS980J is no longer available in the United States and Canada. In some cases, when welding 590 and/or 780 MPa steel parts, such as some frame rails, Tobie said 120 ksi MAG welding wire may be used. “The only time you absolutely need the DS980J is if you have to do a plug weld on 980 to 980 MPa steel,” he said. “That almost never happens in our cars.” An announcement about a replacement for DS980J wire is coming soon. Collision Parts Tobie said collision parts availability can be a challenge for body shops. In response, Honda developed a parts review process, in cooperation with the Parts Division in Ohio and Japan, to analyze and resolve collision service parts availability issues. “We absolutely believe that in order to have complete and proper
body repair, everybody should own that in the industry – from the dealer who sells the part to the shop that installs it to the manufacturer – we all have a piece in that.” He said information about these parts is widely available. Honda’s field staff of 10 Collision Select Marketing Managers are spread out across the country in support of this effort. Since December 2014, Honda has included a parts information bulletin in its parts catalog, which is linked to every part number that contains significant amounts of 980 or higher MPa steel. Each part is also tagged with an instruction sheet in up to 16 languages, so personnel will know that it has specific installation features and requires special handling. “Our mission is to educate the industry about the need for complete and proper body repairs,” said Tobie. The company embarked on an experiment to demonstrate how doing an improper repair on a vehicle will affect its future crash worthiness. Tobie explained that they used an Acura MDX and sectioned the one-piece door ring and incorrectly welded it back with MAG welding. Then a small overlap See American Honda, Page 32
ProFirst Certified Collision Repair Facilities
Gary Ledoux, administrator of the ProFirst certified program for American Honda, gave an overview of the ProFirst program during the Guild 21 presentation. The ProFirst program, which costs $2,700 per year per shop, now includes over 400 shops across the United States. Ledoux said there are a limited number of spots still available. Gary Ledoux, administrator of the “We want to have ProFirst certified enough shops so program for American Honda our Honda and Acura customers are served but not so many that they will be on top of one another.” Ledoux said that similar to other car manufacturers, Honda and Acura products are becoming increasingly more sophisticated. New
technology, such as collision avoidance and mitigation technologies, is evolving at an increasing pace. He stressed the importance of training technicians to use the correct tools and procedures and ensure they have access to current repair procedures. “It is extremely important to American Honda that Honda and Acura products are repaired correctly and completely at whatever body shop performs the work,” said Ledoux. Since there are only a small percentage of Honda and Acura dealers with body shops, he said Honda depends on the independent shops to do the majority of the collision work. “It is extremely important that ProFirst certified body shops reflect the Honda brand and the quality that Honda and Acura owners have come to expect,” he said.
Ledoux said that some of the benefits of the ProFirst program include: 1) increased recognition for body shops’ professionalism 2) helping promote customer confidence and loyalty. He said that he often hears from ProFirst shops that when customers see the ProFirst name outside their body shop chances are they are going to get the work. 3) Increased opportunity to reach more people 4) shops receive cost and time-saving tools to help make a better, faster repair. Qualifications for being a ProFirst shop include: 1) Has to have basic knowledge and skills with I-CAR gold class or VeriFacts VQ or Medallion shop. See ProFirst Certified, Page 32
www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 31
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American Honda
test was conducted according to IIHS specifications. Afterwards, the results were analyzed. That car became part of the Acura MDX collision display at the NACE and SEMA shows in 2015. It will also be part of the display used at the AASP NJ Northeast show in March. Tobie said if a repair is completed utilizing the body repair manual procedures, the car will be extremely close to its original design strength. “If you repair it improperly, the car may not perform the way it was designed to during the next crash.”
Service Publications & Training Body Repair News publications are posted on Honda’s independent repair website (www.techinfo.honda.com) at no charge. They are available for six Acura models, nine Honda models, and two non-model-specific issues. The information covers body structure issues, welding/brazing procedures, airbag system and general electrical repair requirements/guidelines and driver support systems.
Shops that are part of the ProFirst program also receive the body repair manual and parts catalog for free. Changes have been made to the body repair manuals starting with the 2016 Honda Pilot. A Body Repair Basic manual contains all of the basic procedures that apply to multiple models in one location. Previously, this wasn’t offered in the United States. In addition, the Body Repair Manual contains all of the model-specific issues and instructions for the vehicle. Honda is developing a training program for I-CAR to deliver. Three courses were launched in early 2015 and deal with service information, high strength steel and restraints repair. More than 6,500 classes have already been attended online. The newest addition is HON14, a course on Honda and Acura electrical collision repair. ProFirst shops are required to complete the courses within 90 days of their release.
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Continued from Page 31
ProFirst Certified
2) Honda and Acura Specific Training 3) Tools & Equipment requirements available on website: www.profirstinfo .honda.com 4) American Honda requests that shops have a CSI system and may use any existing commercial system. 5) They require the facility to be clean, professional and customerfocused As part of the company’s ProFirst program and in response to industry requests, Honda established a technical help line, which utilizes the VeriFacts Paint & Body Techline and the Ask I-CAR Repairability technical support tech line. “If repair questions cannot be answered at that level, VeriFacts and I-CAR personnel have direct access to repair and technical professionals at
Autologic Diagnostics in Long Island, NY, Expands Market Presence
Autologic Diagnostics, a worldwide provider of an aftermarket automotive diagnostics solution that enables repair shops to identify faults and repair cars, made two employee related announcements on January 19. The North American headquarters in Commack, Long Island, New York, welcomed two new professionals, while another employee was promoted. The company named Laura Boccardo, marketing manager; Gary Mueller, operations manager and promoted Justin Kidd to the post of new product specialist. Boccardo brings more than 13 years of marketing expertise to her new role. As marketing manager, she will oversee all marketing and sales-related marketing efforts for the Company’s North American operations. Prior to joining Autologic, Boccardo served in various marketing management roles, including, among others, those at TRIED Distribution, a security distributer based in Woodbury, Long Island, N.Y. and IVCi, LLC of Hauppauge, Long Island, a N.Y. provider of collaboration solutions. Boccardo is a resident of Huntington, and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Marymount Manhattan College in New York N.Y.
Mueller is responsible for customer service management for Autologic’s North American clients. In this position, he will manage the company’s North American call center, based in its Commack headquarters. Mueller joins from Air Techniques, a Melville-based manufacturer of products for the dental and medical industries. There he oversaw technical support and customer service. Earlier, he managed call centers for Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic in Smithtown and Santinelli International in Hauppauge. Mueller, who resides in Commack, earned his Bachelor of Science degree in business administration from the University of Missouri; Columbia, MO Concurrent with the new hires, the company promoted Justin Kidd to the role of new product specialist. Kidd joined Autologic in 2010 as technical support representative and, in 2012, was promoted to head of technical support, a position in which he headed all efforts of the North American technical support group. In his new capacity, Kidd, a certified Mercedes-Benz and BMW master technician who has spent more than a decade in the automotive industry, is focused on creating technical content and hosting weekly webinars.
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American Honda,” said Ledoux. “One way or the other, a shop’s questions will be answered.” Ledoux cited some of the additional benefits of the ProFirst program, which include a plaque and exterior aluminum signage suitable for public display; free access to Honda and Acura parts catalogs; free access to Honda’s Service Express for repair information, as well as access to communications information. All ProFirst shops are listed on the Honda corporate shop locator at collision.honda.com, which has approximately 15,00018,000 hits on average per month. VeriFacts is Honda’s technology partner and provides collision repair network certification, verification and auditing services. More information about the ProFirst program is available on profirstinfo.honda.com or by contacting profirst@ahm.honda.com.
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Mike’s Auto Body’s Benevolence Gifts 59 Cars in 15 Years Mike’s Auto Body’s North Broadway/North Main location. On Wednesday, December 16th, ChristAt the December 16th presentamas came early for four deserving famtion, Wade Harper, the mayor of Antioch, thanked Mike’s Auto Body for ilies when Mike’s Auto Body gave four completely refurbished vehicles to three their Benevolence program and issued families and one non-profit organizaa commendation for the company. The tion at a presentation held at their AntiContra Costa Fire Fighters Local 1230 och, CA location. This presentation was a big part of the presentation again this year by generously donating new bicycles and helmets for all the children of the recipients and Santa Claus was also again on hand. If you’re not familiar with the Mike’s Auto Body Benevolence program, it is a “community give back program” whose mission is to present cars to deserving individuals or Nicole and Justin Cantu, a couple with four children organizations during the holireceived a 2015 Ford Focus, donated by Enterprise and refurbished by the crew at Mike’s Auto Body’s Antioch day season. Everything is dolocation. They are pictured with Santa (AKA Autobody nated, including the cars, parts, News writer Ed Attanasio) paint, mechanical inspections, followed another car giveaway on Vettires and one full year of insurance. The eran’s Day when Mike’s Auto Body body and paint technicians at Mike’s presented a staff sergeant from Travis Auto Body donate their time and skills Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA and his to turn these cars into pristine “new” family with a Hyundai Sonata as part of a Benevolence presentation at the Fairfield location. The company has now given away 59 vehicles over15 years and thereby changing the lives of many families since 2001. These four worthy recipients drove away in “nearly new” vehicles as part of Mike’s Cami Viramontes, a single mother with one son received Auto Body’s Holiday Benevo- a 2014 Hyundai Elantra, donated by CSAA Insurance Group and refurbished by the crew at Mike’s Auto Body’s lence Program: ■ Nicole and Justin Cantu, Fremont Street location a couple with four children, received a used vehicles. In addition to the vehi2015 Ford Focus, donated by Enterprise cles, recipients also get a trunk load of and refurbished by the crew at Mike’s toys, food and other essentials, as well Auto Body’s Antioch location. as one year of car insurance. ■ Cami Viramontes, a single mother Cami Viramontes and her son JJ with one son, received a 2014 Hyundai were delighted about their “nearly Elantra, donated by CSAA Insurance new” 2014 Hyundai Elantra, donated Group and refurbished by the crew at Mike’s Auto Body’s Fremont Street location. ■ Youth Homes, a charity organization in Pleasant Hill, received a 2008 Ford Escape HEV, donated by Farmers Insurance Group and refurbished by the crew at Mike’s Auto Body’s Brentwood location. ■ Brittany and Austin Brilz, an The Rose family (with Santa – AKA Autobody Army Veteran, received a 2010 Toy- News writer Ed Attanasio) celebrated 56 cars ota Scion, donated by Safeco Insurgiven away in 15 years. From left, Ragen Rose, ance and refurbished by the crew at Mike Rose, Laurie Rose and Brennan Rose by Ed Attanasio
34 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
break. The people at Mike’s Auto Body are one-of-a-kind, because they want to help people. With our four kids and all of their activities, this car will soon become an important member of our family.” Mike Rose said he is proud of his company’s Benevolence Program and all of the people they’ve helped people over the years by giving them the gift of transportation. “We feel very fortunate to be involved with such a wonderful program and are very excited to be able to give back to the community that Brittany and Austin Brilz, an Army Veteran received a 2010 Toyota Scion, donated by Safeco Insurance and has supported us for more refurbished by the crew at Mike’s Auto Body’s North than four decades,” Mike Broadway/North Main location Rose said. “Repairing the veand I still can’t really believe that this hicles is the easy part, having to deis happening. Now I won’t have to call cide on a recipient is the part that’s people to arrange for rides to work— hard. After receiving hundreds of apI can do it all myself!” plications over the years and reading Justin Cantu, who received a the heart-breaking stories, we only 2015 Ford Focus, donated by Enterwish that we could do more. But prise, said he won’t have to ride a bihopefully with the increased publiccycle (or skateboard) to work every ity of our Benevolence Program other day anymore. “Yes, I’m definitely shops will adopt a similar program of going to give the bike a much-needed their own.” by CSAA Insurance Group. “I can’t believe I am holding the keys to this car,” Viramontes said. “This is an amazing, life-changing experience
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H OND A C AL I FO RN I A
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Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs. C AL IFOR N I A
CAL IFO RNIA
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Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 mickw@oceanhondasantacruz.com
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R es ed a
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Cerritos Acura Ce r r it o s
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Marin Acura C or t e M ad era
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To rran ce
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888-234-4498 702-568-3531
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800-461-6744 520-202-5770 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 robertevenson@chapmantucson.com
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Metro Acura
Acura of Peoria
M o n tc l ai r
Pe o r i a
800-446-5697 909-625-8960
866-347-4507 623-792-2559
Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 wholesaleparts@metrohonda.com
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866-455-6601 480-344-6703
H e nd e rs on
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Jody Wilkinson Acura S al t L a ke C ity
800-234-0875 801-323-0492 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rick@jodywilkinson.com www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 37
Media and Publicity for Shops Marketing Dinosaurs That Should Be Extinct in 2016 with Ed Attanasio
In all industries there are sworn-by emails getting a 0.12% response rate. marketing practices that will eventu- But, now the numbers have changed ally become archaic due to emerging dramatically, and in 2015 direct mail technologies andwith other Stacey factors. Like is pulling 3.7% response Phillips - ASSISTANTinEDITOR anything else, times change and things rate and many experts that were working 10-15 years ago are claim that email marno longer the best path to take. keting If you’re still driving a VW Thing, using VHS tapes and have a flip phone, you’re probably lost when it comes to the latest trends. Chances are, you’re also still doing direct mail and advertising in the Yellow Pages. If so, this column is a marketing wakeup call. Here are some marketing techniques that should be retired, right alongside the sea monkeys and liquid paper: is coming in at around 4–5%. Direct Mail: Looks at the numbers. In For lead generation, direct 2012, the Direct Marketing Associa- mail costs the sender roughly $19 per tion reported that an average response every customer acquired if using dirate for direct mail was 4.4% with rect mail, but with email marketing, it
Shop Strategies
costs $11 per new client.
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
The Yellow Pages: In 2013, I wrote a column declaring what everyone already knew—the Yellow Pages were dead or at least dying. But yesterday I looked at our YP directory here in San Francisco and there were more than 300 body shops still advertising there. I called one shop owner from the directory and he told me he’s spending roughly $1,800 annually to run a small display ad in the book, but he isn’t sure if it works. He keeps doing it, because he sees his competitors in there year after year. So here’s the 411-if you’re still buying ads or listings in any type of phone directory, you might as well go back to fixing cars
T C N I T X E
with an old, rusted frame machine and revert back to using repair manuals again. Take that money and put it into things like email marketing, online ads, social media and new content for your web site or blog.
Phone Work: Shops work hard to keep their customers in the loop and connected during the repair process. That’s a great thing and an integral part to any customer service model, but you don’t need to do it all via voice calls anymore. The Millennials are much more comfortable communicating by texting or emailing, because they’re more efficient and save time. Experts say that if you want to build relationships with your customers live in their world and emulate their habits. Stats show that young people aren’t exactly psyched about the old personal phone call and if you have a teenager you’d probably agree. Some post-40 types may still desire a
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voice call now and again, however so find out what they prefer and use that technique.
Spam: Spam filters are more sophisticated than ever and must be changing all the time to adapt to the tsunami of spam that grows at an incredible rate. But no matter how good spam filters get, some will invariably leak through. The problem is that even shops that properly tag their emails still could be inappropriately tagged as spam and discarded. In fact, your reader may never even know that the message was attempted at all, which is even more concerning. So, learn the ins and outs of how to avoid looking like spam. Here are some quick tips: Make sure the message in your subject line isn’t silly or ambiguous. Mailing to large batches of people at once will increase the odds of being tagged as spam, so break them up. Use a company-issued email address. Sending from a free email account like yahoo.com or gmail will increase the odds of getting tagged, so use a service like Constant Content or Mail Chimp. Avoid large images, intricate graphics and html code in your email and maybe most importantly spell check everything carefully before you send out anything, because when filters see bad spelling they figure it’s spam.
Keyword-Heavy Content: Writing online content for web sites and blogs that is stuffed with keywords in lieu of worthy and useful information will fail. Five years ago, writers had to adhere to rules like use the company name three times in the opening paragraph, to the point where it became ludicrous and much of the content ended up being illegible. Search engines today
will sniff out your keyword-heavy content without hesitation and ignore you. It used to be all about backlinks, but now it’s more about providing top quality content that your readers will be interested in.
Fake Testimonials/Ads: In the old days, you could misdirect a consumer with a bogus offer in order to direct them to your page, but that will not work anymore. Most people (even many seniors) have become online experts, so they can smell that it’s a rat before they move their mouse. In the same vein, fake (or hyped) customer testimonials are easy to see through and that’s why companies such as Yelp and Angie’s List are losing viewership and users. Customer reviews are still important, but now you need to monitor them a little more carefully, because an obvious fake testimonial can negatively impact your shop. By getting these marketing monkeys off your back, you should be able to invest more money in social media—the hottest form of marketing you’ll find in 2016. If you’re still not onboard with it, just take a look at the numbers. Around the world, there are now more than 2 billion active social media users (growing at a steady pace of 25 percent a year). This means more people now regularly use social media than the entire populations of the United States and China, combined, based on data provided by LinkedIn. So, for those of you who still use a dial phone or root for the Montreal Expos, maybe the time is right to update your life and marketing techniques this year, because “...once a new technology rolls over you, if you’re not part of the steamroller, you’re part of the road.” –Stewart Brand.
Valspar’s New Legacy EC21 Low VOC Euro Clearcoat
The Legacy line, by Valspar Refinish, unites performance with profits, according to a company press release. The company announced its launch of Legacy EC21 Clearcoat, a new, low 2.1 VOC, European style, polyurethane clearcoat with a 2:1 mix ratio. Valspar Refinish said that EC21 is formulated for ease of application with outstanding durability, flow and leveling.
Designed to deliver great quality with exceptional value, EC21 Clearcoat provides fast dry and polish times with exceptional gloss. “Whatever options your shop requires, Val- spar
Refinish has a performance combination that’s right for you,” a company spokesman said. For more information, visit: valsparrefinish.com. www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 39
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.
Automakers discuss labor times, share other insights at ‘OEM Summit’ with John Yoswick
During a recent industry event at balancing it against the P-pages and inwhich automakers discussed some of cluded operations…you have the opthe complexities of making collision portunity to…say, ‘Hey, this is not an repairs to their new vehicles, a shop included operation. This is a separate with Ed Attanasio owner asked the OEMs a decidedly operation. We need to add this as a line more business than technical question: item.” Are you working to come up with reA number of automakers stressed alistic labor times for the repair operthe importance of looking up collision ations on these vehicles? repair procedures before every repair The answers across the board because they can sometimes change were a qualified with “no.” Ed Attanasioeven within a model year or between “I don’t necessarily come up with design changes. Chris Tobie, an inlabor times. That’s not my sphere of structional designer with American influence,” Mark Allen, a collision reHonda cited several examples. “The pair programs specialist with Audi of 2014 Odyssey has 1500 megapascal America said. steel in it, whereas previously the car Allen said his “sphere of influonly had 780 megapascal in it,” Tobie ence” includes working with insurers said. “Same thing with the CR-V: The EdtoAttanasio and information with providers educate 2014 CR-V the body stops at 780 them “on what is necessary and proper” megapascal; 2015, all of a sudden, the in terms of collision repair of Audi vesills and the front pillars are 1,500 hicles. Allen said at least six major auto megapascal. That totally changes the insurers have sent personnel to Audi way you approach the repair. So if you training facilities, but he acknowledged just say, ‘This looks like the repair I with Ed10Attanasio that not even all of the Top insurers did last week,’ it could be a very dando that. gerous assumption and a very unsafe Brandin Benson, a service engirepair.” neer with Mercedes-Benz USA’s prodHere are some of the other highuct technical support team said his lights from automaker presentations response was much like Allen’s, with during the day-long “OEM Collision the company offering workshops for Repair Technology Summit” organwith Stacey Phillips ASSISTANT EDITOR of Collision Reinsurers. ized- by the Society “We tell them here’s why we do pair Specialists: this and why it may take longer,” Ben■ Audi’s Allen said the mix of son said, noting that labor times are materials and diversity of “joining” established by the estimating database methodologies are more reasons that providers. researching the OEM repair procedures “We’re very sympathetic to the has become crucial. “We’re about to need, but we are bound to stay in our launch our Q7, and from its previous swim lanes, and labor times are quite a generation it lost 800 pounds,” Allen few swim lanes over,” General Motor’s said. “So there is 41 percent aluminum Mark Szlachta, concurred. “The pricontent to the vehicle, and the rest is a ority when repairing these vehicles mixture of high-strength and ultrashouldn’t be getting it done as quickly high-strength steel throughout the enas possible. The priority should be gettire body. You really have to know ting them done properly and as safely what you’re dealing with. [In terms of as possible to return them back to facjoining methods], adhesives are not tory specifications. The labor times, we just glue. They’re also corrosion prowould hope, would reflect that. But we tection. You can’t just go to Sears and don't have any control over those.” get the pop-rivets you used to fix But Allen said the labor times Grandpa’s lawn chair. You have to use issue is yet another reason that downthe right rivets and right rivet gun and loading the OEM repair procedures is right technique. It’s a challenge for us such an important first step in every reto make sure the industry is ready for pair. it.” “Here’s where the shop has an op■ Several of the automakers cauportunity,” Allen said. “If you’re using tioned against TIG welding aluminum, the OEM repair procedures, and you’re noting that the heat vaporizes the mag-
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nesium or other elements used for hardening the aluminum. “TIG welding is a wonderful way to weld, no question, but it’s not very friendly in the automotive market,” GM’s Szlachta said. Audi’s Allen concurred, saying TIG welding can reduce the tensile strength of the metal by 50 percent. “The frequency and energy being put into the material, and the electronics in the vehicle, never play well together as well,” Allen said. ■ Several of the automakers said the weakening of the metal from heating is why the OEM procedures often call for use of a backing plate when joining to restore the full strength of that area of the vehicle. Audi, for example, uses the same “T4” temper aluminum that some other automakers use, because it can be formed into complex shapes in the manufacturing process. But unlike Ford (among others) that use thicker grades of the material to improve its strength, Audi and some other automakers put their vehi-
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40 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
cles through an age (or bake) cycle during production to raise the aluminum to a “T6” temper which can be at least 50 percent stronger than T4. This allows them to maximize weight reductions by using even thinner grades of aluminum. That’s why they require the use of specialized welders and a backer to build the strength back into a repaired area. ■ Given the increasing complexity of collision repairs on some vehicles, how are the automakers ensuring their vehicles go to a shop equipped and trained to do the work? “It’s a challenge getting a customer to understand that they have a special vehicle, and it’s also a very awkward conversation [at the time of purchase],” Allen said. “It’s kind of saying, ‘Welcome your new child into the world, and by the way, meet its mortician.’ That doesn’t fly well in a sales scenario. So it’s a balancing act See Automakers discuss, Page 57
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Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
Up and Coming Painter Shines at SEMA with Ed Attanasio
Adam Stone is one of the hottest the viable alternative, but jobs were quickly became less appealing, Stone emerging automotive painters in the hard to find even in the closest big said. “At first, I was making decent country today, especially he got town—Bakersfield. “I could only get money. I charged $50 per vehicle for with Edafter Attanasio three incredible creations in the 2015 work as a substitute teacher,” Stone pinstriping and the dealerships started SEMA show. With a car, a truck and a lining up. A lot of the jobs motorcycle on display in Las Vegas, started out at $50, but ended Stone’s work garnered accolades and up costing $250, because they positive reviews from major names would ask me to also paint like Gene Winfield, Rick Dore and the hood and the tailgate, etc. the cast of Overhaulin’ just to name a Pretty soon, I was making with Stacey Phillips - ASSISTANT EDITOR few. It was an exhilarating show for some serious money every Stone, 38, because his journey to sucday, so I knew then that my cess hasn’t exactly been a smooth teaching days were basically ride. over.” In fact, for several years it looked But, when the economy imlike Stone wouldn’t be able to get out ploded in 2008 and several of his hometown of Lindsay, CA, an local dealerships folded, Stone Adam Stone, 38, has been painting professionally for agricultural area with a population of had to re-invent himself or risk roughly a decade. For many years, he dreamt of getting a car in the SEMA show, but instead two cars and one around 12,000. While most of the peobeing painted into a corner. motorcycle were featured last November ple in Lindsay work in agriculture in “The pinstriping business fell one capacity or another, Adam wanted said. “The schools were passing out apart, so I decided maybe I should think to do something else, after seeing his pink slips and it just did not look like about painting complete cars,” Stone father toiling hard as a produce broker it was going to provide me with a explained. “The people at Lalanne’s for decades. good career. So, I started looking for Paint Supply helped me out, by setting “My Dad ran a local fruit & prosomething I could do that I like and me up with my first spray gun (an duce stand for 25 years on Cairns Cormaybe tap into my creative side.” ner in Lindsay,” Stone explained. “He So, Stone began teaching himself made a great living and was wellhow to do pin striping on cars—any known for having the best produce in car. Within six months, he was adept the area. He then began taking his at this detailed work and ready to start
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Iwata) and pointing me in the right direction.” Gary Lalanne, the owner of Lalanne’s Paint Supply in Porterville, CA is a third-generation owner for this jobber that has been in business since 1921. He has seen Stone’s path to success from the very first days and is happy to see the painter’s recent acclaim. “Adam came in here the first time and I think he was a teenager then,” Lalanne said. “He was asking questions and we’re very technical here, so we helped him, just like we do with every customer. We’re not surprised to find out that he is doing well. Axalta is working with Adam now and he is gaining a lot of exposure through things like SEMA. He still comes in here and buys stuff now and again, so he has been a customer here for more than a decade.” Two major highlights in his artistic journey happened in 2009, when the
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Stone’s 1936 truck was displayed at Axalta’s booth at 2015 SEMA
knowledge of produce and became a broker selling to supermarkets and cold storages throughout North America. It was a good job and he supported his family, but I knew that I wanted to do something that would be more fulfilling and help to make a difference in some way.” A career as a teaching looked like
a little business on the side. “I started doing pinstripes on new vehicles for local new car dealerships,” he said. “During that time, they were taking the newer trucks and turning them into low riders. They liked my work, so the business started to grow.” As more and more dealerships requested his work, substitute teaching
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very first car that Stone painted completely, a 1974 Chevy Caprice, ended up in Lowrider magazine, followed by an introduction to Danny Galvez (aka “Danny D”), the well-known custom automotive painter and pinstriper who is a legend in the lowriding world.
you can rest assured that you won’t see any factory colors in the finished product. “I make all my colors, including the pearls, candies and toners,” he said. “When I talk to the paint supplier, I tell them don’t give me codes, because I don’t want a standard
His 1983 Lincoln Mark VI was a huge attraction at the Indasa booth at SEMA
“Meeting Danny was a big deal, because he started introducing me to some of the right people and gave me a lot of encouragement,” Stone said. “He is a very generous person and he’s a true artist in every way, because he is always about the work.” If you get a car painted by Stone,
color. That way, when you get a car, truck or SUV painted by me, you’re getting a custom, one-of-a-kind paint job, because I create them all myself.” Several positive things that come with success include the media exposure you get and the fact that companies are willing to sponsor you, according to
44 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Stone. “I am now working with Axalta for my paint and INDASA is providing me with all of my tape, sand paper, abrasives and tools. It helps a lot, because when I am pinstriping, I use a ton of tape. When we’re done with a job, we often have a huge ball of used tape on the floor—the size of a big beach ball! On one truck I painted recently, we used more than 10 cases of tape.” Today, Stone Color Studio operates out of a 6,000 square foot facility with two employees. By attracting clients where money is not an issue, the business has been thriving. “We’re doing approximately 10 complete jobs and probably 20 smaller projects, adding graphics to other companies that are restoring vehicles. We also have some Arab customers and they’re willing to pay for premium work. We’re currently working on a 2003 Ferrari Spyder with a complete tribal paint job in black and charcoal custom colors and red trims.” How can Stone follow his success at SEMA? “I want to get more into painting hot rods, but I don’t want to forget my roots in pinstriping and lowriders either. SEMA opened some doors, no doubt, but now I just have to walk through them.”
Weschtools Announces Large Grapple Pulling Clamp
Weschtools announced that its unique, patented Large Grapple will be available for delivery February 1. The company plans to showcase this product at the \SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. According to Weschtools spokesman Brad Weschler, “The auto body repair business has become increasingly competitive and this requires cost efficient, easy-to-use clamps and tools.” Weschler said the clamp was designed and produced by Weschtools to pull depressed body panel surfaces to their original contour with minimal surface disruption.” Techicians drill a ¾ inch diameter hole at the desired location, insert and expand the three prongs of the clamp and pull until the panel is in its original shape. As with all Weschtool items, the clamp is constructed of high-tensile strength cast steel to provide years of service even when stressed with pulling forces exceeding 5,000 pounds. With a weight of only 8.5 pounds, he said the clamp is easy to use, handle, and store. In addition, it has a durable powder coat finish and all of the hardware is grade 8 or stronger. The companion clamps include an offset wheelhouse clamp, a curved clamp, a small grapple, and a double bar clamp. For information, visit www.weschtools.com.
Pay it Forward’s “Every Swipe Benefits Charity” Assists Auto Body Shops With Giving Back The “Every Swipe Benefits Charity” (ESBC) is an innovative, give-back program that allows auto repair shop owners an opportunity to benefit their business, customers and community. Through Pay it Forward Processing (PFP), a national credit card processing company, net proceeds are donated from each business account to a charitable organization, at no cost to the auto repair shop business. “Many auto repair shop owners want to help the greater good but don’t have the resources to make monetary donations,” explained Renee VanHeel, founder and president of PFP. “By choosing Pay it Forward Processing as your merchant services provider, the auto shop and its customers will be supporting a charitable cause with the ‘Every Swipe Benefits Charity’ program.” Here is how the program works: Each auto repair shop owner chooses from a list of carefully vetted “Every Swipe Benefits Charity” (ESBC is a separate non-profit 501c3 corporation) board-approved nonprofit organizations. The charities fall into categories such as animals, military, natural disasters, health issues or local community. PFP then donates the net proceeds to ESBC from the business’ account
each year—at no cost to the auto shop. ESBC then sends the funds to the business’ chosen charity. As an alternate, the auto shop owner can nominate a favorite charity to be vetted and become a beneficiary. “It’s a win-win situation—nonprofits gain valuable support and the auto shop enhances its status as a socially responsible company,” said VanHeel. “As a business owner who wants to make a difference in the world, just ask yourself—why wouldn’t you participate in the ‘Every Swipe Benefits Charity’ program?” PFP came to be from the ashes of Witch Creek Fires in San Diego in 2007 during which VanHeel’s home was destroyed. She, along with a number of other fire survivors, formed Fired Up Sisters, which raised $5 million in goods, services and money to help fellow fire survivors. “I was struck by the thought that if so much good could come as a result of tragedy, what could be done in good times?” said VanHeel. “We believe there is no better definition of success than truly loving what you do, serving a purpose and filling a need in the world. If this resonates with a business owner, we invite them to join the PFP family.” Partnering with PFP is simple:
every auto shop is assigned a personal account manager who customizes a program to fit their needs. There is no contract, no minimum usage fees and PFP matches or reduces a business’ current credit card fees. Funding and deposits are made within 24 hours including American Express. PFP sends each business a comprehensive monthly report with a breakdown of fees and cost for services. PFP works with a variety of businesses including those in auto repair, hotel/motel, retail, veterinary and banking, among others. The “Every Swipe Benefits Charity” program supports more than 25 local, regional and national non-profit organizations including Boys and Girls Clubs, American Institute for Cancer Research, Shelter to Solider, and the Arthritis Foundation. PFP also helps each of its business partners stay connected to their customers by using their own social media outlets such a Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn to promote their business. For more information on PFP visit www.pfprocessing.com or call 858-771-0076.
Reflexxion Automotive Aluminum Cowl Induction Hood
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Reflexxion Automotive, a Diamond Standard Group company that specializes in aluminum technology for Cowl Induction Hoods, announced that the Aluminum Cowl
2015-16 Ford F-150 Aluminum Cowl Induction Hood
Induction Hood for the 2015-16 Aluminum F-150 is now available. “The great looks and contours accent and enhance the beauty of the ground-breaking technology for light weight yet strong body panel advances,” stated a company press release. For more information, contact angiik@reflexxion.com or visit www .reflexxion.com.
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National Associations
A Decade of WINning
with Chasidy Rae Sisk
As the Women’s Industry Network tions for its 2016 MIW Awards, which (WIN) approaches its 10th anniversary are designed to recognize women who in 2016, the association celebrates Rae a have with Chasidy Siskenriched the collision repair indecade of WINning with big plans for dustry through their leadership, vision the new year after enjoying a successand commitment to excellence. Nomful 2015. Denise Caspersen, Chair of inations must be submitted WIN, shared, “With the wrap-up of on the official nomina2015, our WIN membership drive has tion form and will be surpassed our goal of 450 members evaluated by an imwith a year-end close closer to 500 partial third-party, with Ed AttanasioSandra Herron, members.” WIN’s sponsorship drive is unfounding princiderway, and the association is already pal and owner of nearing its goal of $135,000 for 2016. MiddleEdge, Inc. WIN has released a call for nominaMIW Honorees tions to choose this year’s WIN Scholwill be recognized arship recipients,with and the association during the MIW Gala Ed Attanasio is now accepting nominees for this at WIN’s 2016 Educayear’s Most Influential Women (MIW) tional Conference and will Awards. receive a Tiffany’s crystal award and WIN offers scholarships as a way commemorative pin. MIW Honorees of supporting females with a desire to will also participate in a mentoring excel in the collision repair industry. program with scholarship recipients Ed Attanasio In addition to with receiving financial and other young women transitioning awards to assist with tuition, educafrom their education to their career. tional opportunities and enrichment The organization is gearing up for events, scholarship recipients will retheir 2016 Educational Conference, ceive a one-year membership to WIN and in light of the association’s 10th to further support their journey and anniversary, this year’s theme is provide community guidance as they “Power of the Past, Force of the Fuwith Thomas Franklin pursue their career goals. ture.” The 2016 Educational ConferFor high school students enrolled ence will feature the Gala Dinner in a secondary collision repair techduring which the MIW awards will be nology program who intend to condistributed, as well as the Annual tinue their education at a technical Scholarship Walk fundraiser. Program school or college, WIN awards five specifics have not yet been released, $1,000 scholarships based on applicabut WIN promises a “comprehensive with Ed Attanasio tion competitiveness and the complelineup of professional development tion of scholarship criteria. WIN’s programming.” Wendy Rogers, one College Student Tuition and Conferof WIN’s 2016 Conference co-chairs, ence Scholarship is awarded to five anticipates that this year’s event “will qualifying students enrolled in a postprovide a look back and forward at the secondary collision repair technology continuing opportunities for success of program, and in addition to receiving the Women’s Industry Network and its with Chasidy Rae Sisk $1,000 towards tuition and educational members.” expenses, recipients will be invited to The 2016 WIN Educational Conattend WIN’s 2016 Educational Conference will be held at the Tampa ference with the registration fee and Hilton in Tampa, FL on May 2-4, 2016. travel expenses covered. Caspersen noted, “The 2016 WIN EdScholarship recipients will also ucational Conference marks the 10th have the opportunity of being mentored year of successful collaborations with Thomas Franklin by one of this year’s MIW honorees. among WIN volunteers, members and Applications for both scholarships are sponsors. One of the early Educational available on WIN’s website and should Conferences was held in Orlando, so be sent to WIN Scholarship Committee, this 10th Anniversary is the perfect time to return to Florida and reflect on c/o Beverly Rook-Twibell, Safelite Sohow the WIN network has grown and lutions, 1820 N. Corrington Avenue, Kansas City, MO with 64120. Ed Attanasiobeen enriched during this decade.” WIN is also accepting nominaStay tuned to Autobody News for news
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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. and updates on this event as it approaches! WIN has also recently released their annual call for applications from members interested in joining the organization’s diverse board of directors which is comprised of members from all segments of the collision repair industry, including repairers, shop owners, jobbers, suppliers, consultants, paint manufacturers, recyclers and insurers. Members from all segments of the industry are encouraged to apply as long as they are a current WIN member in good standing. WIN’s board of directors collaborate to promote the education, recruitment, retention and networking of women in the collision repair industry. During their monthly conference calls
and two annual in-person strategic planning sessions, these ladies decide upon the direction of the organization’s many initiatives, such as the annual Educational Conference, other industry events, scholarship awards and MIW awards. According to Petra Schroeder, WIN Vice Chair and co-chair of the Board Development/Nominating Committee, “Being a part of the WIN board is an outstanding way to shape the future of the collision repair industry. Participation allows members to not only contribute to the growth of the WIN organization, but also to contribute to their personal growth through leadership skills and industry relationships.” Application requirements and details are available at http://thewomens industrynetwork.ning.com/page/join -the-board, and the deadline for applications is February 29. New board members will begin at this year’s EdSee A Decade of WINning, Page 48
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I-CAR Launches New Courses on MIG Brazing, Rivet Bonding and Honda/ Acura Electrical Repair I-CAR will launch three new courses in the first quarter of 2016: MIG brazing, rivet bonding, and Honda & Acura electrical system repair. The new MIG brazing and rivet bonding courses are part of I-CAR’s new Hands-On Skills Development program, a new line of courses that are hands-on and conducted in-shop, while the electrical repair course is the fourth installment in an online series focused on Honda and Acura vehicles. All three courses have been designed to provide collision repair technicians with cutting-edge techniques that target today’s innovative vehicles. MIG Brazing Hands-On Skills Development (BRZ02) offers collision repair technicians an opportunity to develop their MIG brazing skills in their own shop environment. This technique is becoming a requirement for many high-strength steel (HSS) vehicles entering the market, making it a skill that technicians need to know. As a result of taking this course, technicians will have the knowledge and hands-on practice to consistently produce quality MIG brazing repairs.
“The need for technicians trained in MIG brazing is only going to keep growing. While MIG brazing is a new technique to some, Honda and Acura have been requiring it for over five years on certain repairs to some of our most popular current models, such as the Accord and MDX. We are pleased to see I-CAR deliver MIG brazing training in a way that technicians can practice and learn right at their own shop and on their own equipment,” said Chris Tobie, instructional designer for American Honda. Rivet Bonding Hands-On Skills Development (RVT01) introduces technicians to an attachment method that is quickly becoming more common as more vehicles are built using aluminum, steel and mixed materials, such as North America’s best-selling vehicle the 2015 Ford F-150. Rivet bonding requires careful timing and an organized approach making oneon-one coaching with the instructor an important component of the course. According to I-CAR, technicians who complete the course gain knowledge and skills they can immediately put to use in their shops. Honda & Acura Electrical Colli-
sion Repair (HON14e), the fourth in a series of American Honda-developed, I-CAR delivered online courses, gives technicians the information to perform proper and complete post-collision electrical system repairs on Honda and Acura vehicles. The course also empowers facilities to ensure that sublet repairs are done properly. The course is divided into three sections that highlight basic electrical system requirements, potential wiring harness issues, and Honda and Acura wiring repair policies, tools and resources. “Today’s vehicle manufacturers are introducing new technologies that are rapidly transforming the collision repair industry,” says Josh McFarlin, I-CAR director of curriculum & product development. “I-CAR is committed to helping repair facilities and technicians stay ahead of this ‘Technical Tsunami™’ by providing the most comprehensive instruction and critical skill development opportunities.”All new courses are available today. To learn more about the courses, visit icar.com/newcourses. For more information on I-CAR and the full training portfolio, visit the I-CAR website at:\ i-car.ca.
Continued from Page 46
A Decade of WINning
ucational Conference in May during which they will attend a new board member orientation. During the first quarter of 2016, WIN’s Industry Outreach Team will be mobile with appearances at CIC and CREF, plus the team will make their first appearance at the NORTHEAST Trade Show in March. Caspersen also reported, “As WIN grows, 2016 will be the year for technology as we have a goal of implementing a new association management software to better connect our members and provide great efficiencies to our all-hands-on-deck volunteers. WIN’s board of directors has also implemented a continuous strategic planning process, allowing our volunteers to keep track of WINning goals and be the Force of the Future for WIN.” For more information about WIN, visit http: //thewomensindustrynetwork .ning.com.
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NHTSA Fines BMW North America $40M for Failing to Meet Safety Requirements
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) imposed a $40 million civil penalty and a series of performance requirements to automaker BMW North America for a series of violations of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and NHTSA regulations. Under terms of a Consent Order issued to BMW, the company acknowledged that it violated requirements to issue a timely recall of vehicles that did not comply with minimum crash protection standards, to notify owners of recalls in a timely fashion, and to provide accurate information about its recalls to NHTSA. NHTSA imposed a $3 million civil penalty to BMW in 2012 for similar violations. “NHTSA has discovered multiple instances in which BMW failed its obligations to its customers, to the public and to safety,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The Consent Order NHTSA has issued not only penalizes this misconduct, it requires BMW to take a series of steps to remedy the practices and procedures that led to these violations.” The Consent Order resolves a NHTSA investigation into whether the
company failed to issue a recall within five days of learning that 2014 and 2015 Mini Cooper models failed to meet regulatory minimums for side-impact crash protection. In October 2014, a mini two-door hardtop Cooper failed a crash test designed to determine whether the vehicle met crash-protection minimums. The
duct. Under the Consent Order, BMW acknowledges that it failed to recall the noncompliant vehicles in a timely fashion. It also acknowledges additional violations discovered in NHTSA’s investigation, including failing in multiple recalls since its 2012 consent order to notify owners and dealers of recalls in a timely fashion and to provide required
“The company [BMW] must take this opportunity to reform its procedures and its culture to put safety where it belongs: at the top of its priority list.”
—NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind
company responded that the vehicle was listed with an incorrect weight and would pass the test if conducted at the proper weight rating, but agreed to conduct a recall to correct the incorrect weight rating on the vehicle’s Tire Information Placard and to conduct a voluntary service campaign, short of a recall, to add additional side-impact protection. In July 2015, NHTSA conducted a second crash test at the corrected weight rating on a vehicle with the additional side-impact protection, and the vehicle again failed. At that time, NHTSA learned that BMW had not launched the service campaign it had agreed to con-
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quarterly recall completion reports on time. “The requirement to launch recalls and inform consumers in a timely fashion when a safety defect or noncompliance is discovered is fundamental to our system for protecting the traveling public. This is a must-do,” said NHTSA Administrator Mark Rosekind. “For the second time in three years, BMW has been penalized for failing to meet that obligation. The company must take this opportunity to reform its procedures and its culture to put safety where it belongs: at the top of its priority list.” The order’s $40 million civil penalty
includes $10 million due in cash, a requirement that the company spend at least $10 million meeting the order’s performance obligations, and $20 million in deferred penalties that will come due if the company fails to comply with the Order or commits other safety violations. In addition to paying the civil penalties, BMW must: ● Retain a NHTSA-approved independent safety consultant to help the company develop best practices for complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and NHTSA regulations and submit those best practices to NHTSA. ● Evaluate, under the independent consultant’s guidance, all safety or compliance-related issues under the company’s review and provide a monthly written report to NHTSA on those issues. ● Launch a pilot program to determine whether the company can use data analytics capabilities to detect emerging safety-related defect trends. ● Establish a plan to deter BMW dealers from selling new vehicles with unremedied safety defects, a requirement stemming from the fact that during NHTSA’s investigation, a NHTSA representative purchased a new vehicle with an open safety recall from a BMW dealer. PARTS DEPT. HOURS:
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 49
Day Job/Night Job Body Shop Owner in NH Shapes a New Career as a Sculptor with Ed Attanasio
People change their careers every day, and, in some cases, it happens randomly and without warning. This was the case for John Lacz, 67, a former
John Lacz owned a body shop for 38 years, but his budding career as a sculptor allowed him to close his shop in 2010 and pursue a passion in art. This piece is called Cotton Candy
body shop owner who is now a nationally acclaimed sculptor with pieces in galleries that sell for as much as $9,000. Lacz’s career as a body shop owner wasn’t anything unusual— father moonlights fixing cars while his 10-year-old son learns the business. “I knew pretty quickly that working on cars was my passion,” Lacz said. “I wanted to learn as much about the trade as I could, so I worked for three different shops and built a few cars over a five-year period.” Then, in 1972 Lacz opened his own shop in Manchester, NH. The 22year-old put his name on the door (Lacz Body Shop) and assembled a crew of one. “It was just me at the beginning,” he said. “I focused on doing frame-off restorations, but we also did collision repair as well. At times, I would be working on four or five cars simultaneously, and pretty soon my customer list started to grow.” One day, John’s wife Terry asked him to go out and find a piece of art to put in their flower garden at home. After searching high and low for a good piece of sculpture that would work in the cou-
ple’s back yard, Lacz made a snap decision that would change his life. “I couldn’t find anything out there that she liked” he said. “So I made something myself. I had never done anything like this before, but I knew how to paint the piece once I was done with it, so I gave it a shot.” After the sculpture was complete, Lacz painted it at his shop and pretty soon this one-time need became a parttime hobby and eventually a full-time job. His eye-catching wood sculptures and unique steel figures started gaining attention almost immediately. Lacz’s wood carvings vary from three feet to nine feet high and are finished with Sherwin-Williams chameleon-like multi-tone paints. “The pigments contain crystals grown to act like prisms and they actually change color based on light refraction, giving it that unique look,” Lacz said. “I really enjoy creating my own colors to make my sculptures one-of-a-kind.” Lacz’s metal sculptures are made of solid steel and are painted with automotive paint, so that they can survive the relentless winters in the East. However, not every art buyer uses the original Lacz the same way. “Clients are fascinated with the form, imagery and coloration John is
Ed Attanasio is an automotive journalist based in San Francisco, California. He can be reached at era39@aol.com.
Tear Drops by John Lacz
creating,” Lee Forgosh of Art 3 Gallery in Manchester NH said, one of several art studios where Lacz’s creations are displayed. “He has sold major sculptural pieces to people with indoor gardens, but the form doesn’t
have to be in a garden setting. The pieces stand on their own as true art.” As Lacz’s art career began to flourish, he started to move toward the exit signs of his body shop. “I began to think about getting out of this business and the art helped me to do it” Lacz said. “Several things all happened together that made the decision easier. My #1 employee had a heart attack right here at the shop, so I began to ask, why am I pushing myself so hard? I was 63 at the time and I could see that I was losing the passion for this industry. So, after 38 years in this industry, I stepped away in 2010. I realized that pursuing my passion for art was more important than money.” Today, Lacz is a full-time professional artist, living half the time in New Hampshire and the other half in Florida. Currently, he has pieces in five galleries between the four states. “I make a point of visiting all of the galSee New Career as a Sculptor, Page 54
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NJ Pet Store Shut Down, Owner Arrested for Selling Puppies out of Body Shop
puppies. Garruto, 63, was arA long-troubled pet store in Avenel rested Sunday, Dec. 27 by was raided by the state and shut the Woodbridge Police in down Christmas Eve after authori- front of his garage, Crystal ties said the owner attempted to ille- Auto Sales, on St. Georges gally sell dogs. The owner was then Avenue. When he was ararrested three days later for trying to rested, he had one puppy sell more dogs out of his auto body and two dogs with him, poshop down the road, township offi- lice said. This was in violacials allege. tion of a Dec. 24 restraining It’s only the latest negative head- order that prevented him line for Fancy Pups and its owner from selling, transporting, Rocco Garruto, Jr.: The pet store has and holding animals, townbeen shut down before, and Garruto ship officials said. Credit: Woodbridge Patch claims he’s been the subject of phone That restraining order threats from animal activists after in- was served Christmas Eve as part of a able to get away with three dogs, vestigations he knowingly sold sick raid at Fancy Pups by the state SPCA, which he took with him to his nearby Woodbridge Animal Con- auto body shop. When they were trol and township police. found on Sunday, those three dogs Ten dogs were removed also needed to be treated for malnufrom the shop: Two went to trition, Green said. Garruto, who lives in Bridgewaa Boxer rescue, and eight to the Woodbridge Animal ter, N.J., posted his $2,500 bail and Shelter, where they are cur- was released Sunday. Fancy Pups will rently. All of them needed remain closed through Dec. 30. to be quarantined and were That’s the date Garruto is due in court treated for illness/parasites, for his restraining order violation. We would like to thank Woodincluding giardia, said Dennis Green, the Woodbridge bridge Patch for reprint permission. Director of Health and Fancy Pups pet store in Avenel, NJ was shut down on Christmas Eve for illegally selling dogs. Credit: Woodbridge Human Services. Patch However, Garruto was by Carly Baldwin, Woodbridge Patch
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Cox Automotive Supports CREF’s 2016 Career Fairs
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) announced a $25,000 sponsorship from Cox Automotive for the company’s participation in a number of 2016 collision career fairs the foundation is facilitating across the country. Through this first-time donation from Cox Automotive, their participation in these events will allow them to connect with collision students seeking entry-level employment. Cox Automotive will be specifically participating in the Houston, Denver, Seattle, Dallas, Atlanta, and Nashville career fairs scheduled to take place the first half of 2016. CREF Director of Development Brandon Eckenrode noted, “It is only through our industry supporters are we able to assist these schools, instructors, and students and ensure that their graduates are properly trained and prepared for industry employment.” For additional information on Cox Automotive, visit www.coxauto inc.com. Industry members interested in participating in the career fairs can view additional information online and contact Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@ed-foundation .org or 847-463-5244.
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FTC Hosts Workshop on Motor Vehicle Distribution
On Jan. 19, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) hosted a workshop titled, “Automobile Distribution: Current Issues and Future Trends.” During the workshop, the panelists addressed a range of issues associated with state regulation of motor vehicle distribution including: ● Regulation of Dealer Networks ● Warranty Reimbursement Regulation ● Direct Distribution ● Future Trends The workshop was comprised of presentations and discussion and will focus on the following topics: (1) the regulation of dealer location; (2) laws relating to reimbursement for warranty services;
(3) restrictions on manufacturers’ ability to engage in direct sales to consumers; and (4) new developments affecting motor vehicle distribution, including autonomous vehicles, connected cars and the rise of subscription-based automobile sharing services. The panels are comprised of representatives from across the industry including the FTC, the National Automobile Dealers Association, the American Automobile Association, Uber Technologies and several others. For more information on the program, visit https://www.ftc.gov/newsevents/events-calendar/2016/01/auto -distribution-current-issues-futuretrends.
Telematics Legislation Introduced in RI Senate On January 13, Dominick Ruggerio, Rhode Island Senate Majority Leader, introduced Senate Bill 2055. This legislation would regulate the generation, collection, analysis, dissemination and sharing of connected car vehicle data. The legislation seeks to protect
consumer rights relating to the access and sharing of that data. S.B. 2055 has been assigned to the Senate Judiciary Committee for further consideration. To view the text of S.B. 2055 and related items, go to ASA’s legislative website, www.TakingTheHill .com.
PPG Show Truck 2016 Tour Announced PPG Automotive Refinish revealed the 2016 appearance schedule of its 75-foot 2016 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer rig show truck. The
truck, with its spectacular red, white and blue finish, will begin its national tour March 4 at the Goodguys 7th Spring Nationals in Scottsdale, Arizon, continue on to 16 stops across 12 states, and conclude October 6 with the “Cruisin’ the Coast” event in Biloxi, Mississippi. The appearances include car, truck and hot rod shows sponsored by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and other prominent automotive enthusiast groups. The paint scheme, created by Steve Breakfield and his team at Motorhead Racing and Design Co., Charlotte, N.C., presents a unique design suggesting the stars and stripes of the American flag. Gerber Collision & Glass in Grand Rapids, Michigan painted the truck using premium PPG DELFLEET® Evolution products in-
cluding F3995 Epoxy Primer, the FBC Basecoat System and F3921 2.1 VOC Clearcoat. Veteran PPG driver Chad Hook will guide the truck across the country in what will be his final tour. Truck and car fans are invited to visit the show truck wherever it stops. Events and appearances are subject to change.
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Consumer Watchdog Urges Caution on Autonomous Vehicles, Drivers Intervened 341 Times Last Year Proposals by top federal auto safety officials indicating the agency is willing to allow auto manufacturers to detour US motor vehicle laws and regulations, particularly for unproven robot cars. If true, this would be a “wrong turn” for the agency, Consumer Watchdog said in a news release. “With multiple instances of deadly defective cars, a historic number of recalls, the Volkswagen scandal and the report that Google’s robot cars had hundreds of near misses, now is not the time for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to abdicate its responsibility to enforce auto safety through binding safety rules,” said Harvey Rosenfield, founder of Consumer Watchdog, a non-profit citizen organization. The Detroit News reported that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) would “announce an industry-government consortium aimed at putting safety breakthroughs into production faster than would happen through the traditional rule-making process” and that today, NHTSA Administrator Michael Rosekind would “announce an industry-government consortium aimed at putting safety breakthroughs into production faster than would happen through the traditional rule-making process.” Rosekind’s boss, Dept. of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, flanked by executives from Google, General Motors and other auto companies, promised that the agency would remove “roadblocks” for robot cars by granting manufacturers various exemptions from legal requirements. The “Proactive Safety Principles” released by NHTSA Administrator Michael Rosekind this morning in Detroit include a “commitment to work collaboratively” between NHTSA and automakers. However, sources say that Continued from Page 50
New Career as a Sculptor
leries at least twice during the year,” he said. “To see my work in these fancy galleries is a rush every time.” Now instead of juggling DRPs and worried about his cycle times, Lacz is able to retreat to his studio and simply create, without the multiple headaches associated with owning any business, let alone a body shop. What does Lacz miss about owning a body shop?
industry opposition to any standards—whether voluntary or mandatory—forced NHTSA to delay announcement of pact between the agency and automobile manufacturers. If implemented, the agency’s plans would set it on a “collision course with consumers,” Consumer Watchdog said. Consumer Watchdog and other leading consumer safety advocates formally petitioned NHTSA to issue a safety rule requiring auto companies to install new breaking technologies as standard equipment. And the consumer advocates caution that so-called “driverless vehicles”—intensely promoted by Google— “pose unprecedented safety, privacy and ethical questions that have yet to be addressed, much less answered.” Google admitted that its much-hyped “driverless vehicles” actually needed humans to take control 341 times during the previous year in order to avoid a crash or because the technology failed. “If this is the new NHTSA unveiled this week at the Detroit auto show, Americans aren’t going to buy it,” Rosenfield said. “We urge the agency to stay the course and stick to the job of carefully and thoroughly regulating the industry.”
Petition Seeks Braking Technology Requirement The petition submitted to NHTSA by Consumer Watchdog, the Center for Auto Safety and Joan Claybrook, former NHTSA Administrator and President Emeritus of Public Citizen, asks the agency to require automakers to install as standard equipment Automatic Emergency Breaking, a set of three technologies that use combinations of radar, lidar (reflected laser light) and cameras to prevent collisions. Noting that auto manufacturers had been lobbying NHTSA for permis“I used to love the satisfaction I got after restoring a car and then seeing the owner when he saw the finished product,” Lacz said. “I get that same feeling when someone buys one of my pieces and puts it in their garden, living room or office. What I don’t miss are the insurance companies. Now as a sculpture, I don’t have to play their little games anymore. I can dictate my own rates with my sculptures and I don’t have to listen to some college kid about how I should do it!”
54 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
sion to “‘voluntarily’ establish safety standards in place of …mandatory safety regulation,” the Petition points out that such self-regulation pacts “are developed behind closed doors, with no public involvement; are not binding on any company or particular vehicle or model at any given time and can be unilaterally (and secretly) abandoned; cannot be enforced by any members of the public, NHTSA or any other government agency; and often do not reflect objective, scientific or empirical research.” Read the petition here: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/ newsrelease/consumer-advocates-askauto-safety-agency-make-new-tech nologies-standard-equipment-urge-
Report to California DMV Shows Safety Issues in Robot Cars As part of its public safety first approach to robot cars, the California Department of Motor Vehicles requires companies testing driverless vehicles to submit an annual “disengagement” report to the DMV summarizing instances when human drivers had to take control of a self-driving robot car dur-
ing testing. Seven companies that were approved for testing self-driving cars in 2014 were required to file disengagement reports with the DMV by Jan. 1. The seven are Volkswagen Group of America, Mercedes Benz, Google, Delphi, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. The reports, released last Tuesday, showed that Google led in “disengagements”: over the 15 months ending on November 30, 2015, its robot technology failed and handed control to the driver 272 times and a test driver felt compelled to intervene 69 times. Read more information on the California self-driving vehicle disengagement reports: http://www.consumer watchdog.org/newsrelease/google’sown-robot-car-”disengagement”-report -shows-need-driver-behind-wheelconsumer-wa “The spectacle of top federal auto safety officials getting together with executives from the industry they are supposed to be regulating at an industry trade show and bubbling on about robot cars is troubling,” Consumer Watchdog said. “Auto safety policy should be developed in Washington, D.C., not made in Detroit.”
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Automakers, Feds Agree to Safety Principles Akin to Aviation Industry In a second major announcement by Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx at the American International Auto Show in Detroit, it was revealed that a group of 18 automakers and the Department of Transportation have agreed to a set of “proactive safety principles” and plan to work together to quickly spot and resolve problems before they endanger the public. The pact was announced at the North by Foxx with Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, GM CEO Mary Barra and several other top industry officials in attendance. Officials said most details are still to be worked out, but the pact marks a change in the relationship between the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the auto industry after revelations that serious defects went undisclosed to the public for years, and as automakers rapidly develop technologies that one day could lead to driverless cars. “Don’t underestimate what happened today,” said Marchionne, whose company was fined millions by NHTSA last year for not reporting safety defects fast enough and failing to follow
through on recalls. “It was the approach that the secretary and the administration took. I think you’ll see a huge change.” Foxx said it came out of meetings he requested with industry executives, and he conceded that the relationship has to change. “I don’t need to recount the crisis after crisis we’ve been dealing with,” the secretary said. “We know the stories, and we all know they haven’t been good for the industry, for DOT and, most importantly, for public safety.” Automakers and regulators will study whether the aviation industry’s voluntary safety reporting can be applied to autos, and they agreed to look at using big data to spot and report safety problems faster. They’ll also work together to increase the percentage of recall repairs done, and they will study and share cybersecurity information. In recent years, the U.S. public has learned of serious safety issues with cars on the road, such as defective ignition switches and faulty air bags, that went unreported for long periods and caused injuries and deaths. NHTSA imposed record fines last year on some
automakers for failure to disclose defects, but the agency was faulted for an inability to identify safety problems and take action. Foxx hopes to borrow from the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety management agreement with airlines, which requires them to share safety data. “It has dramatically reduced aviation accidents,” he said. “It relies on information sharing by industry and the trust established by the FAA and its stakeholders.” It’s hard to determine how much the FAA philosophy is responsible for the historically low level of aviation deaths. Many experts believe greater disclosure has improved safety, but also say credit goes to improvements in planes. Lessons learned from air crash investigations have been incorporated into new generations of airliners. Planes today are also highly automated, eliminating a lot of human errors. The auto industry pact, combined with an agreement on autonomous cars announced Thursday, is aimed at bringing voluntary agreements instead of regulations, which take years to get through the government bureaucracy
www.autobodynews.com and move too slowly to keep up with CHECK IT OUT! technology. Safety advocates have criticized such industry-government cooperation because regulators can become too reliant on automakers for information and data. But Foxx said NHTSA will keep its enforcement powers for use when needed, and North America ToHyundai advertise CEO ZuchowskiSales said the callDave Advertising at:cooperation800-699-8251 is needed so the government can keep up with changes. “The olde-mail: way of doing business advertising@autobodynews.com doesn’t work,” he said. “You have to have separation of church and state, but www.autobodynews.com you need to be able to move quicker.”
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Google’s Own Robot Car “Disengagement” Report Shows Need For Human Driver Says Consumer Watchdog Google’s just released report detailing when human drivers took control of a self-driving robot car being tested underscores the need—as required by California DMV draft regulations—for a driver behind a steering wheel of a self-driving car, Consumer Watchdog said. The nonpartisan, nonprofit public interest group also called on Google to release any videos of the incidents, as well as technical data gathered immediately preceding the disengagements. “The DMV got it exactly right and is putting our safety first,” said John M. Simpson, Consumer Watchdog’s Privacy Project director. “How can Google propose a car with no steering wheel, brakes or driver when its own tests show that over 15 months the robot technology failed and handed control to the driver 272 times and a test driver felt compelled to intervene 69 times?” Currently California has regulations covering testing robot cars on the state’s highways, which require a driver behind a steering wheel capable of taking control. The test rules also require companies testing self-
driving cars to file disengagement reports with the department. Read Google’s disengagement report here: http://www.consumerwatchdog .org/resources/cadmvdisengagereportdec.2015.pdf “Release of the disengagement report was a positive step, but Google should also make public any video it has of the disengagement incidents, as well as any technical data it collected so we can fully understand what went wrong as it uses our public roads as its private laboratory,” Simpson said Seven companies that were approved for testing self-driving cars in 2014 were required to file disengagement reports with the DMV by Jan. 1. The seven are Volkswagen Group of America, Mercedes Benz, Google, Delphi, Tesla, Bosch and Nissan. A DMV spokeswoman said the department expects to post the disengagement reports on its website. Last month the DMV issued draft regulations for the general use of robot cars on the state’s roads that will—like the testing regulations—require a driver behind the wheel capable of tak-
ing control. Google, which is testing 53 robot cars in California and Texas, said it was “gravely disappointed” and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom said the “draft regulations may prove too onerous, create road blocks to innovation, and may ultimately drive the development of this promising industry to other states.” “It’s imperative the DMV continue to put public safety first, and not cave to corporate and political pressure,” said Simpson. The department will hold public workshops to discuss the draft rules on Jan. 28 in Sacramento and on Feb. 2 in Los Angeles. Eleven companies—Volkswagen Group of America, Mercedes-Benz, Google, Delphi Automotive, Tesla Motors, Bosch, Nissan, Cruise Automation, BMW, Honda and Ford—are now approved to test robot cars on California roads. View the California DMV’s autonomous vehicle page here: https:// www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/vr/ autonomous/auto Visit Consumer Watchdog at www .consumerwatchdog.org
Continued from Page 40
Automakers discuss
for us.” Allen said Audi is using a website and working with insurers to help consumers find qualified shops. Szlachta said for the new Cadillac CT6, GM is following the lead of some other automakers and limiting the sale of certain structural parts – and access to vehicle measuring data – to only certified shops. ■ “The technician of yesterday doesn’t recognize that he shouldn’t go to work on just any car, based only on his experience,” Allen said in summarizing the need for shops to do more to prepare themselves for repairing complex vehicles. “The technician of tomorrow, based on his experience, recognizes not to work on a car until he has the proper training.”
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3M Automotive Aftermarket Division Kicks Off Fourth Year of 3M Hire Our Heroes Program; 2016 Calendar Available with Donation to CREF 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division has had a long standing commitment to helping our nation’s veterans. In partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), 3M has donated more than $500,000 since 2013 to be used toward scholarships and tool grants for over 150 military veterans and their families through the 3M Hire Our Heroes program. In 2016, 3M AAD will mark the fourth year of the program, and is introducing a new way for shops to get involved—the 2016 3M Hire Our Heroes Calendar. With a $200 donation to the CREF they will receive the commemorative calendar that contains a total of approximately $1,800 worth of monthly deals on 3M products, along with a window decal to showcase their support. “The calendar is a tremendous salute to both the military members serving our country and the veterans who have served,” said Dale Ross, U.S. marketing operations manager at 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division. “I think shops will be proud to have this on display, knowing that they have contributed to helping our veterans’ transition to careers in the automotive industry. The added bonus will
come in the form of coupons for free 3M goods, which they can redeem throughout the year.” Those who make a $200 donation will be able to take advantage of exclusive free product offers on a wide array of 3M products, such as the 3M™ Accuspray™ System, 3M™ DA Sander, 3M™ Flexible Abrasive Discs, 3M™ Sound Deadening Pads, 3M™ Pneumatic Sealer Gun, 3M™ PPS™ Color Match Film Starter Kit, 3M Spreaders, 3M™ Trim Masking Tape Kit, 3M™ Cubitron II™ File Belts and 3M Hire Our Heroes merchandise such as patriotic hats and a decorative hood designed by Chip Foose. Each month, shops will receive an email with the information they need to redeem the coupon for the free products, based on their qualifying purchases, made on one invoice, and entered online at www.3MCollision.com/promo. To make a donation and get a 2016 3M Hire Our Heroes calendar, shops can visit www.CollisionRepair EducationFoundation.org/Hire-OurHeroes.
Symach Announces New Factory & Headquarters
ALI’S 2016 Vehicle Lifting Points Guide Now Available
Symach announced in December that it has moved its operation into a new 160,000-square-foot location in Calderara di Reno (Bologna) Italy. Symach, an Italian-based company known for its fast-drying paint methods, is offering its products in North America as well as setting up body shops with its patented technology. Starting in March, the company will also open a new showroom and training center consisting of 20,000 square feet. This is where it will install all of its products in operation, including the FixLine SprayTron (10 paint jobs per day) and FixLine KombiTron (20 paint jobs per day,) in addition to FixStation for one panel repairs and the entire line of ShopLine furniture for bodyshops. Symach focuses on the construction of new body shops by designing the repair process, layout, and taking care of the installation and training for technical staff and managers. For more information, contact info@symach.com or visit www .symach.com. Videos are also available online at: https://youtu.be/3TzNsok7w88
About Hire Our Heroes The 3M Hire Our Heroes grants are
The Automotive Lift Institute, Inc. (ALI) announced the availability of the 2016 edition of ALI’s “Vehicle Lifting Points for Frame Engaging Lifts.” This updated guide is a single-source manual for lifting point information as recommended by the vehicle manufacturers. The 70-page Lifting Point Guide (LPG) for domestic and imported cars and light trucks uses over 200 undercarriage images to cover the most recent 25 model years. For this new edition, the 2016 model year vehicles were added, older images were revised, and additional cautionary notes were provided in an effort to clarify pick-up point locations for shop owners, technicians and other LP-Guide users. ALI sponsors this guide annually as an industry service, utilizing data furnished exclusively for ALI by Chek-Chart Products, MOTOR Information Systems. Many proactive companies and franchises now incorporate ALI’s LP-Guide and other safety materials as a component of their overall employee safety and training program. Visit ALI’s website www.autolift .org to order this guide, to locate automotive lift inspectors certified by ALI, or for information on other safety materials and standards sponsored by lift manufacturers.
58 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Free Certification Offered Via Designated Paint Suppliers
GRC-Pirk Management announced that it will provide complimentary certification for FinishMaster, AkzoNobel, Sherwin Williams, BASF Jobbers and shop owners to comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP, SUBPART HHHHHH) and Greenhouse Gas disclosure (CO2 & NOx emissions) under the Clean Air Act. Bill Kernahan, president of Bonding Solutions, said, “We are honored to provide this service via our authorized agents, compliments of the Property Assessed Clean Energy program, to e-commerce connected Jobbers and their customers, so they can attain the necessary NESHAP 6H compliance and Carbon Footprint disclosure requirements prior to the March 1st deadline.” March 1 will mark the first five-year recertification deadline for automotive paint stripping and surface coating shop owners since the initial compliance date of January 10, 2011. To assist the more than 30,000 collision repair facilities subject to U.S. EPA paint stripping and spray coating laws, the government has posted an online form where shop owners can download a sample from the EPA Technology Transfer Network website.
available for qualifying returning veterans and family members. Grants may be used for tuition, school fees, tools, textbooks and equipment at qualifying technical schools. For additional information and to apply, visit www.CollisionEducationFoundation .org. The ultimate goal of the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign is to support the U.S. Chamber of Commerce in raising awareness for hiring America’s heroes and help drive employment in the collision repair industry for these veterans and their families. In addition, 3M is a national board member of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes program. For more information on the 3M Hire Our Heroes campaign, contact Dale Ross, 3M Automotive Aftermarket, at daross1@mmm.com or visit www.3mcollision.com/hire. For more information about 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, contact 1-877-MMM-CARS, your local 3M distributor or 3M sales representative, or visit the website at www.3Mcollision .com. Follow 3M AAD on Facebook at www.facebook.com/3MCollision and on twitter @3M_Collision and Instagram @3MCollision.
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 59
Insurers Brace for the Self-Driving Future, Fewer Accidents, KPMG Report: Insurers May Be First Casualties As autonomous driving technology advances, perhaps the most notable benefit is the promise of a striking reduction in accidents, say reports in the New York Times. But fewer accidents could, according to a recent report, turn the entire auto insurance industry on its head. “We think that over the next 20 to 25 years, the number of accidents will fall by 80 percent,” said Jerry Albright, principal of actuarial and insurance risk practice at KPMG, the consulting firm that released the report. “From a consumer perspective, this is a very good thing. You’ll see improved safety, fewer deaths.” At Progressive’s investor relations meeting in 2013, John Curtiss, the company’s auto products development chief, said the industry had grown 90 percent over the previous 30 years, mostly because more vehicles were on the road. More recently, Mr. Albright said that most insurance companies had problems turning a profit over the last six years and that the changes autonomous vehicles would bring were sure to make profitability more elusive. At risk is the lifeblood of the in-
dustry—$200 billion in premiums that the insurers collect every year from policyholders, KPMG says. According to KPMG’s report, the insurance industry could contract by as much as 60 percent by 2040 as accident damage payouts and premiums fall. Even Warren E. Buffett, whose Berkshire Hathaway conglomerate owns GEICO, has said that widespread adoption of autonomous technology poses “a real threat” to the industry. “This technology will be disruptive to the insurance industry,” Mr. Albright said. “There will be winners, and there will be losers. There will be fewer companies than there are today. But the question is, Who will survive?” It could even result in fewer cars for companies to insure. A recent report from Barclays Capital said that autonomous technology would lead to a 40 percent decline in sales and a 60 percent drop in the number of cars on the road. Already, the changes are happening. Devices like automatic braking, adaptive cruise control (it adjusts the car’s speed to match that of the traffic
ahead) and sensors that automatically keep the car from drifting outside a lane are available. And this does not include the fully autonomous cars that companies like Google and automakers have been testing for years. Insurance companies have, accordingly, been examining potential changes to the current business model. KPMG’s report envisions a future in which insurers will depend more on commercial accounts for revenue as companies offering ride-sharing and mobility on demand become more prevalent. Individual policyholders will decline as households get by with one car, or no car at all. And as the cost of covering losses declines, so will the premiums insurers collect. “Currently, the personal auto sector accounts for almost $125 billion in loss costs,” the report said. “By 2040, we believe this sector could cover less than $50 billion in loss costs.” State Farm has been working with Ford, the University of Michigan Mobility Transformation Center and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, among others, to figure out how best to
adapt to what’s coming. “Automated technology has been a major industry issue,” Chris Mullen, director of State Farm’s technology research program, said in a telephone interview. “It’s been what everyone is talking about, so as you can imagine, we have put quite a bit of focus on understanding it.” Part of that understanding, she said, had been accepting that the changes had already begun—and are happening faster than many experts had predicted several years ago. “A lot of what is disturbing the industry is the pace at which this technology is expected to come,” she said. “State Farm has responded to changes in our industry throughout our existence. Changes are coming again, and we’re investing the resources to understand how these changes will affect the industry.” Ms. Mullen said that the changes to which insurance companies had to respond in the past included the advent of seatbelts, collapsible steering columns and airbags. Those devices changed automotive safety, but not until car insurance had been around
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for a few decades. New ‘Who Pays for What’ Survey Results Show Wide Range in ‘Certified’ Aluminum “This is not just about technolLabor Rates ogy,” she said. “There are issues of Promote your business with It would be easy to say that the na- and non-structural repairs (broken included” refinish article operations. Reports behavior that need to be understood— an exclusive featuring tional average labor rate for aluminum down by percentiles) for shops certiinclude analysis and resources to help how will people react to these new your products or services. repair being charged by OEM-certified by nine OEM aluminum certifishops better understand and use the insystems? Cybersecurity is another www.autobodynews.com Theprograms. source for timely fiedCHECK shops is about $92 per hour, but cation formation presented. issue that’s been at the forefront of IT OUT! information every that wouldn’t tell the whole story, acThe 75-page that survey report also “I’m hearing from shops every this.” body shop needs! cording to newly-released findings includes information on: what shops week who say participating in the surMr. Albright said that devising a from the quarterly “Who Pays for estimated they spent on equipment, veys is helping them improve their esstrategy to face the new world of auto Call for details! 800-699-8251 What?” survey series conducted by CALL training and facility changes to meet timating and repair planning,” Mike insurance would be as expensive for CRASH Network and Collision Ad- OEM aluminum repair certification Anderson of Collision Advice said. insurers as it was tricky. 800-699-8251 vice. requirements; mark-up rates reported “This aluminum repair labor rate in“It will take time and cost bilMail Nearly 800 shops participated in by shops Subscription for sublet work such as formation is particularly interesting to lions of dollars,” he said. “There’s the quarterly “Who Pays for What?” glass, towing, etc.; and payment fre- me. We will continue this series of enormous skepticism in the insurance To advertise survey this past October, and 130 of quencies among the eight largest in- surveys in 2016 with four more surindustry about the pace that changes call Advertising Sales at: those shops that are certified by one or surers for 29 different shop supply veys to help shops understand what’s will come, but they’re going to come 800-699-8251 more of the automakers to repair aluestimate line items, such as seam- happening in the industry.” Shops can sooner than people think.” e-mail: minum vehicles reported their hourly sealer, panel bonding adhesive and visit http:// www.collisionadvice.com/ Part of the problem, Joe SchneiRegister Yoursurvey Email for Our rates for aluminum repair. Those labor weld-through primer. to sign up to take the February der of KPMG pointed out, was that advertising@autobodynews.com rates spread over more than a $100 Also available on the website are survey. Shops participating in a surinsurance companies rely on past be- www.autobodynews.com range. At the low-end of rates for survey findings and analysis of earlier vey receive results at no charge. For havior to predict the future. What structural aluminum repair, a small “Who Pays www.autobodynews.com for What?” quarterly surinformation, contact John Yoswick, happens when there is little experipercentage of shops reported charging veys, which focused on “not-included” jyoswick@spiritone.com, (503) 335ence to base decisions on? only a few dollars more per hour than frame/mechanical operations, and “not- 0393. “The insurance industry is histortheir regular repair rates. Near the top, ically data-driven,” he said. “There’s there are shops charging in excess of been an actual person behind the Register Your Email for Our $145 an hour for certified structural wheel of every car for 100 years, and Be Seen by Our Readers! aluminum repairs. all of a sudden saying the rules are 4 Times Monthly E-Newsletter Advertising Sales at:at http:// findings, available going to be different going forward, CALLThe www.collisionadvice.com/survey, that’s a very difficult situation to wrap www.autobodynews.com show hourly labor rates for structural your head around.”
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M-B Introduces ‘Magic Sky Control’ in New SLC Models
Mercedes-Benz has premiered the new Mercedes-Benz SLC, which will be available in the spring of 2016. A press release from Mercedes-Benz stated, “A feature that continues to be unique to the SLC is the panoramic vario-roof with Magic Sky Control—this glass roof is lightened or darkened at the touch of a button. This means that it provides an openair feeling at any time, but when required gives welcome shade under a hot sun.” The feature uses Research Frontiers SPD-SmartGlass technology, is a carry over from the SLC’s predecessor model, the SLK roadster. The SLK was originally introduced with Magic Sky Control in 2011. Joseph M. Harary, President and CEO of Research Frontiers, the company which invented the SPD-SmartGlass technology used in Daimler’s Magic Sky Control panoramic roofs, noted: “It is great to see Research Frontiers’ patented SPD-SmartGlass technology featured so prominently here at the Detroit Auto Show in a growing number of Mercedes-Benz vehicles,” including the Mercedes-Maybach S600, is available for viewing at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit from January 11-24.
CCC Donates $4M in Software Subscriptions Through CREF
Through a program with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), CCC Information Services Inc. surpassed more than $4 million in software subscription donations to collision repair schools in 2015. The schools that received the subscriptions completed the CREF’s Collision Repair School Solutions Survey, which provides data on schools and areas where support is needed. The CCC ONE® Estimating software package provided to schools by CCC includes digital imaging capabilities, access to tire and recall databases, Paintless Dent Repair, frame specifications and access to CCC ONE® Touch, CCC’s mobile estimating solution that enables users to write estimates right at the car. “The CREF is proud to once again partner with CCC Information Services to provide this invaluable opportunity for schools,” said Clark Plucinski, CREF Executive Director. “It’s important that students can access and receive training on the technology and tools collision repairers use in their daily operations,” said Mary Jo Prigge, president, services operations, CCC.
I-CAR® And National Auto Body Council Partner On NABC Membership Discount For Gold Class® Businesses by Robbie Hargett, legalnewsline.com
An Alabama man is suing Hyundai over claims the company’s panoramic sunroofs spontaneously shatter. Billy Glenn, individually and for all others similarly situated, filed a class-action lawsuit Dec. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Co., alleging unjust enrichment, breach of express and implied warranties, and violations of California’s consumer protection laws. In the mid-2000s, according to the suit, car manufacturers introduced a substantially larger style of “pano-ramic” sunroof that spans almost the entire roof of the vehicle. Though aesthetically pleasing, the suit claims, these sunroofs, which require the replacement of metal roofs with large plates of glass, pose significant engineering challenges. The suit states Hyundai has not met these demands, with more than 100 drivers having reported to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) that their panoramic roofs spontaneously shattered. The suit claims Hyundai has known about the problem since at least October 2012, when the NHTSA investigated the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, prompting a par-
tial and limited recall. In December 2012, the Korean Automobile Testing & Research Institute also investigated the shattering of panoramic sunroofs of several manufacturers, including Hyundai, ultimately concluding these sunroofs were prone to spontaneous shattering at least in part due to ceramic tint used on the glass. Despite the company’s awareness, Hyundai has still not warned drivers, including Glenn and others in the class, about the risk of sunroof shattering, still sells the defective vehicles, and denies that the defect exists. Glenn and others in the class seek damages, restitution, interests, attorney fees, and other costs of the suit, together to exceed $5 million. They are represented by attorneys Eric H. Gibbs, Dylan Hughes and Steve Lopez of Gibbs Law Group in Oakland, California; by attorney Jason T. Dennett of Tousley Brain Stephens in Seattle; by attorneys Gregory F. Coleman, Lisa A. White, and Mark E. Silvey of Greg Coleman Law in Knoxville, Tennessee; by attorneys Shanon J. Carson and Eric Lechtzin of Berger & Montague in Philadelphia; and by attorney Paul C. Peel of Farris Bobango Branan in Memphis, Tennessee. Thanks to legalnewsline.com for permission to reprint this article.
62 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Lyft to Operate Self-Driving Cars After GM Invests $500M
Lyft, a ride-sharing service, announced on January 4 that GM invested $500 million in the company to assist with developing an on-demand network of self-driving cars and a series of shortterm car rental hubs across the United States. In California, a law was recently passed that requires manufacturers to receive certification and pass certain cybersecurity thresholds before releasing a self-driving car. In addition, a licensed driver must also be behind the wheel of the car at all times, reported blackenterprise.com According to PitchBook, GM’s financial backing is the largest direct investment by an auto manufacturer into a ride-hailing company in the United States. With the rise of car services such as Uber and Lyft, auto manufacturing companies are working to adapt to the future of the car market industry. The services are expected to lead to a decrease in car ownership, reported Black Enterprise. Several car manufactures have also entered partnership deals with auto-related startup companies. GM’s president, Mary Barra, will also sit on the board of Lyft.
FinishMaster Purchases ColorMaster Automotive Paint
FinishMaster, Inc., a distributor of paint and related products in the United States and subsidiary of Uni-Select Inc., a distributor of automotive products in Canada, announced on January 4 that it has completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of ColorMaster Automotive Paint, Inc. This transaction was initially announced on December 28, 2015 and its consummation was subject to certain customary closing conditions, all of which have been satisfied. “We are happy to welcome more than 76 new team members to the FinishMaster family. Our combined efforts will accelerate growth in new geographic areas and maximize our service, product, and technical support to new and existing customers,” stated Steve Arndt, president and COO, FinishMaster. “This acquisition of a leading regional player in the automotive refinish sector is a key strategic addition to our portfolio,” said Henry Buckley, president and CEO of Uni-Select.
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 63
Autotrader’s Tech Shopper Influence Study Shows 70% of Consumers Want Autonomous Features
Autotrader recently presented the findings of its 2016 In-Vehicle Technology Shopper Influence Study at the 2016 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and a not-so-surprising percentage of consumers would like more autonomous features in their vehicles. After surveying a panel of over 1,000 vehicle owners online last year, Autotrader found that 70 percent of the consumers surveyed are more likely to consider a vehicle with autonomous features, such as parking assistance, collision avoidance and automatic braking. One interesting finding, fleshed out by Autotrader’s associate research manager Rachelle Petusky, is that these in-car technologies are changing what many consumers perceive to be a luxury vehicle. “When we ask consumers about what defines a luxury vehicle, traditionally in the past consumers have broken it out by automakers that play in the luxury space, such as Audi or BMW,” Petusky said. “But technology’s really changing the game, and non-luxury vehicles are starting to be viewed as a luxury vehicle because of the technologies offered in the car. Things like Wi-Fi, lane change assistance, collision avoidance are helping
consumers perceive non-luxury cars as luxuries.” Since this is the second year that Autotrader has conducted this study, Auto Remarketing asked Petusky what the biggest change Autotrader has seen seen in consumer expectations over the last year. Petusky pointed to the 77 percent that want a car with all of the technology features they want regardless of car color. “Probably the biggest change that we saw was the fact that technology is becoming even more important than car color,” Petusky said. “Car color, I think, has been a part of a huge conversation. It still is very relevant in the purchase decision, but technology is definitely going to have more of an impact now than it did last year.” While Autotrader finds that the majority (60 percent) of the consumers surveyed think self-driving vehicles are a dangerous idea, there are plenty that are more than willing to pay extra for the new technologies that are out today. Forty four percent of those surveyed said they would pay up to $1,499, which Petusky says is a bit of a “magic number” in the technology package pricing game, for an in-vehicle concierge
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service. And 65 percent said they would switch brands to get features they want. On that note of branding, while Petusky says that in the immediate term it isn’t that cost effective to upgrade used vehicles with some of the new features that are coming out, the used cars that are most popular in the future will be heavily dependent on who adapts what technologies in their new vehicles now. “But I think as automakers and technology companies figure out how to make it more cost-effective, it is going to start shifting consideration,” she said. “We’re already seeing some consumers that are shopping for new cars that are going to switch brands if the technology that they want isn’t in the car that they want. “So I think even as people are looking at used cars, it may change which used car they’re considering depending upon which manufacturer is earlier to the game to introducing new technologies in their cars.” These new technologies are also expected to not only change how automakers certify used vehicles in the future, but also impact the value that used cars retain. “I think there’s definitely certain
things that they’re going to have to check to make sure they’re functioning properly,” Petusky said. “Our sister company, Kelley Blue Book, is actually seeing that vehicle technology is impacting the valuation price of used inventory. “I think that vehicles that are in good or excellent condition that have that additional technology in the car, it’s just going to be a way that they can ask for a higher price point and that inventory is going to move faster compared to certified inventory that doesn’t.” Petusky also thinks that dealers and aftermarket companies that can add some of the more affordable new technologies, especially backup cameras, to older vehicles, can reap the benefits. “That’ll really be a way to differentiate themselves from other dealers,” she said. There is one feature that customers don’t necessarily care for their vehicle to have completely integrated: navigation. Fifty seven percent said they would rather manufacturers focus on better integration with their smartphones, while 39 percent said they would prefer the navigation system on a smartphone rather than one built into the vehicle.
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(510) 267-0622 Fax M-F 7:30 - 5:30; Sat 8:00 - 4:00 info@oaklandmitsubishi.com 64 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
Allstate Ranks Safest Driving Cities, Kansas City Rates #1 Climate scientists are warning that one of the strongest El Niños on record could bring unusually wet conditions to roads in much of the country. And while this added precipitation might result in mayhem in some places, the 2015 Allstate America’s Best Drivers Report reveals certain cities are safer than others when factoring rainy or snowy conditions into collision frequency. “Whether it’s packing up the family to drive to a friend’s house in another state, or traveling a few miles to open gifts at the in-laws, it’s important to stay extra vigilant on the roads this holiday season,” said Jim Ledder, vice president of auto claims, Allstate. “Auto collisions are already on the rise across the country, and combining that with an especially powerful El Niño makes Allstate’s ongoing efforts to keep drivers, their families and communities safe more important than ever.” Recently, the National Safety Council estimated the U.S. is on track for its deadliest driving year since 2007. In the first six months of 2015, NSC reported traffic deaths were up 14 percent from a year ago, and serious injuries were 30 percent higher
over the same period. While there are many factors that impact highway safety, an improving economy and lower gas prices have led to an increase in the number of miles being driven. The Federal Highway Administration’s latest Traffic Volume Trend Report says cumulative travel for 2015 is up by 3.5 percent. The September report is based on hourly traffic count data reported by the states, using data collected at approximately 4,000 continuous traffic counting locations nationwide. Kansas City, KS, earned this year’s top spot, after also taking home the distinction for overall Safest Driving City when the report was released in September. Factoring in precipitation, Cape Coral, FL, and Brownsville, TX, came in second and third, respectively. The top 10 safest cities, when factoring in collision frequency and precipitation are summarized in the following table.
City Rank with Precipitation Factor—City—NOAA Average Precipitation (inches/year) Second Row: Average Years Between Collisions—Accident Likelihood (Compared to national average of every 10
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years) 1—Kansas City, KS— 39.1—13.3—24.8 percent less likely 2—Cape Coral, FL— 55.9—12.7—21 percent less likely 3—Brownsville, TX 27.4—13.3—24.6 percent less likely 4—Boise, ID— 11.73—13.1—23.5 percent less likely 5—Madison, WI— 37.3—12.2—18.2 percent less likely 6—Huntsville, AL— 54.3—11.7—14.7 percent less likely 7—Fort Collins, CO— 15—12.7—21.1 percent less likely 8—Port Saint Lucie, FL— 63.7—11.3—11.8 percent less likely 9—Cary, NC— 47.4 —11.6—13.8 percent less likely 10—Montgomery, AL— 52.8—11.4—12.4 percent less likely
The report is based on Allstate claims data and ranks America’s 200 largest cities in terms of car collision frequency to identify which have the safest drivers. The data uncovers how these cities rank when precipitation is a factor. These rankings are based on the expected driver performance given each city’s average annual precipitation as measured by NOAA.
VW Sales Stutter Makes Toyota, at 10.125 M, #1 Again
VW has said that it has delivered 9,930,600 units worldwide for the full year of 2015, down from a record 10.1 million in 2014. Volkswagen’s global deliveries were down 2 percent year-on-year, mainly due to a 5% decline of its Volkswagen passenger vehicle brand, and furthermore due to Volkswagen’s huge exposure to the flagging Chinese market. The dieselgate scandal did not help to improve this picture. As dieselgate developed only in the fourth quarter of 2015, the full impact of any lasting damages to the brand will be felt this year. With these numbers, Volkswagen conceded that again it fell short of regaining the title of World’s Largest Automaker, a crown the company has publicly coveted for many years. Reigning number one Toyota Motor Co. will publish its yearend data by the end of January, however, the company said last month that it expects the number to be 10.125 million units. General Motors will likely remain in third place.
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 65
SCRS Launches Bumper Prompt Decision Aide On December 18, 2015, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) released an instructional aide to help with “Answering the CCC One Bumper Refinish Prompt.” Developed due to frequent, widespread reports of the refinish process being misrepresented when responding to system-generated questions, the Bumper Prompt Decision Aide was designed in hopes that a clearly defined decision making process will minimize confusion and alleviate the misuse of a greatly debated mechanism in the estimating system. Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, called the prompt a “pretty exciting resource.” A prompt in the CCC One Estimating system asks, “Will the bumper be refinished in a separate procedure from the other panels?” If the response is “no,” the system will apply overlap deduction on the next refinished panel and will include the bumper cover in the 2.5 clear coat cap. If the answer is “yes,” the next refinished panel will be identified as the first major panel without overlap deduction and labor for the bumper cover refinish will not be included in the 2.5 clear coat cap. The appropriate response should be “yes” when a flex additive is utilized on plastic components and a separate
clear coat mix is produced, as is predominantly recommended by automotive refinish manufacturers. Unfortunately, because a selection of “no” results in a lower estimated value, the prompt is frequently answered inaccurately on insurance appraisals. Certain conditions, such as the bumper’s color and whether it’s in the paint booth at the same time as the rest of the vehicle, do no impact the appropriate response to the prompt. CCC provides several options for the estimating system’s configuration: no prompt, default to “yes,” or default to “no.” The system identifies a response of “no” with the symbol <> which indicates that the refinish operation will not be performed as a separate procedure from the other panels on the estimate. All estimating databases are intended for use only as a guide, so SCRS reminds collision repair professionals, “It is important to remember that the auto body professional performing the repairs is in the best position to thoroughly inspect, diagnose and identify the methodology and their unique cost of the vehicle damage repair.” For more information about SCRS, visit www.scrs.com.
Body Shop in Spokane, WA Helps Mom with Trashed Car by Lindsay Nadrich, KREM.com
A local auto body shop stepped up to help a mom in need this holiday season. On December 22, KREM 2 told Stephanie Roderick’s story about a grinch who tried to steal her Christmas. Her car was stolen and gutted before it was finally returned to her.
Credit: KREM.com
“It’s horrible, it’s hard being a single mom and I’ve tried everything to make it by myself,” said Roderick. “This $500 is 90% of my rent money, so to face having to buy a new car or replace what I have it’s hard.” Thanks to City South Auto Body Center, she does not have to make that choice. Within ten minutes of airing the story, KREM 2 got a call from City South Auto Body. They offered to repair the car for free, and not for the publicity. We posted the act of kindness on our Facebook page, and it was many of our viewers who asked for the name of the shop responsible.
“The family that owns the car is kind of strapped this year like a lot of families are, we decided to take it in and give this family a good Christmas present,” said Elmer Smith of City South. Smith said they will replace the glass in two broken windows, replace her tires, and even re-key the locks. “Tires will be a big issue. We kind of looked at them and we just kind of made the determination that we should step up and go ahead and get new tires on it because it’s a family running in this thing and we want them to be as safe as possible,” said Smith. City South Auto Body Center will also replace the car seat stolen from inside the car. “There’s times that you know businesses have to step up and take the hit and take care of the community and this is one thing we’re doing, take care of the community and make sure the young lady that owns this car and her kids are safe on the road when it leaves here.” Roderick called KREM 2 on Wednesday in tears. She said she was overwhelmed by how generous the company is and said it is all more than she could have ever expected. Roderick received her car back in time for Christmas. We would like to thank KREM .com for reprint permission.
CREF Celebrates 25th Anniversary, Provides 2016 Updates by Chasidy Rae Sisk
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, and as such, the organization has made a few changes as they move into 2016 in hopes of en-
couraging the support of more companies and individuals. First, CREF has revamped their Makeover Grant Program. “Instead of just asking schools to provide us with their $50,000 wish list of needed tools, equipment and supplies, the new Makeover Program will ask for a profile on the school in their ability to graduate qualified and productive collision students for the industry’s employment,” Brandon Eckenrode, director of development for CREF, explained. “Through the school’s application, they will be assigned to tiers that will designate them based on how equipped they are to gradu-
ate a quality student, and this list will be promoted to the industry to showcase which schools are doing well at this and who needs some help to bring them to another level.” CREF will also continue to promote job placement opportunities for recent graduates entering the collision repair industry, and Eckenrode reminded industry professionals, “Spring will be here sooner than we know it, and that is when many students will be traditionally graduating and looking for employment. We are in the process of gathering students’ resumes and contact information into a database that will be made available to our industry supporters this spring so they can view these students’ information for employment consideration.” Finally, registration has opened for CREF’s annual golf fundraiser which will take place this summer during NACE. Eckenrode encourages industry professionals to register only to show their support for CREF and the future of the collision repair industry.
66 FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS | www.autobodynews.com
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www.autobodynews.com | FEBRUARY 2016 AUTOBODY NEWS 67
CAPA: ‘Sheet Metal Parts Protected from Corrosion’
The Certified Automotive Parts Association says it requires all of its sheet metal parts such as hoods and fenders to be galvanized, even if the corresponding car company brand is not. Galvanization is the process of applying a layer of zinc over the sheet steel. The zinc coating protects the metal beneath it from corrosion and rust. Even if the zinc coating is scratched, the steel will continue to be protected by the remaining zinc. For replacement parts, the presence (or absence) of galvanization is significant because galvanization dramatically improves corrosion resistance, and subsequently, the life expectancy of parts. “Using a CAPA Certified sheet metal part is the only easy way to tell if a sheet metal part is made of galvanized material,” said Debbie Klouser, CAPA’s Director of Operations. “The yellow CAPA seal is your assurance that the part has been tested for galvanization as a part of the CAPA certification process.”
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Insurance Veteran Advises on What to Look for When Joining a DRP Program & Obtaining Garage Keepers Insurance interviews and conducted presentations foot. A significant dependency on one by Stacey Phillips as well as been a subject-matter expert customer or source of customers can become a problem, if not properly neAutobody News asked Gerald Cecil, for automotive businesses. Cecil recommended reviewing the gotiated,” he said. vice president of sales and marketing When asked about garage keepers at Arrowhead Automotive Aftermar- DRP agreement with legal counsel as ket, what to look for when joining a well as a business insurance provider. insurance, he said that most of those in Direct Repair Program (DRP). The He said the main advantage is that you auto service say they have garage keepKansas-based company provides busi- will be an informed negotiator before- ers insurance even though their dehand and if you scription or term for business insurance ness insurance programs for automoelect to accept the only describes only a portion of the tive businesses. terms, you have coverage typically purchased. How“Our recommendation is to go done so in an in- ever, shopowners use their shorthand, into any deal and especially a DRP formed way. “If calling their coverage “Garagekeepers” with your eyes open and being aware changes are com- as it is an important part of the insurof the benefits as well as possible negmunicated subse- ance package as it provides coverage ative outcomes of partnering with a quently in a casual for the shop owners’ exposure for the carrier,” said Cecil, a 30-year insurance manner, be sure customer’s vehicle in their care, custody veteran. “Too often the situation inGerald Cecil,vice you discuss and or control. volves all of the work business that president sales “The bottom line for garage keepunderstand the rewill be obtained or provided without and marketing quest and what it ers is that the shop owner work with regard to the contractual obligations or at Arrowhead means to you and specialists,” said Cecil. By dealing with requirements such as: hold harmless, Automotive the carrier with someone who is familiar with this area, primary non contributory and waiver of Aftermarket the DRP,” advised they can help manage the exposure and subrogation as well as a request that the in Kansas Cecil. “A casual re- explain the options in coverage availshop owner provide primary coverage when providing a temporary replace- quest may not be the correct way to make able. “It is also important to work with a change that could have a negative im- carriers and programs that have experiment vehicle or rental.” Cecil has spent the last 25 years pact on your experience if you are as- enced claims folks who are accustomed focused on automotive businesses, in suming more risk or exposure than you to seeing the type of claims shop owners have,” said Cecil. particular those in auto service repair realized.” His firm provides guidance on He stressed the importance of and parts businesses. He developed the purchase this type of insurance. to how of volume the “If strategic plan for the ASM Automotive DRP negotiations. Promote your business with Specialty Markets division of what was business is what you expect and the re- For more information, contact Gerald an exclusive article featuringCecil at 913-312-2808 or email Gcecil be long-term, is expected to then Universal Underwriters. In addi- lationship your products the right @arrowheadgrp.com. on services. get off or as well tion, he has written articles, provided you may
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Tesla Model S Auto-parking Needs No Driver In The Seat
Tesla Motors on Jan. 10 rolled out new software that will let some of its electric cars park in a garage or in perpendicular spaces without a driver behind the wheel. Owners of Model S and Model X sedans will be able to park them while standing outside the vehicle if it’s within 10 meters of a garage or narrow space, Tesla said. The cars can also be summoned from a parking spot, according to the company, which said the tools remain in a beta version. In cruise control mode, the car will now anticipate highway exits by slowing down if you have activated your turn signal, Tesla said. But the updated Autopilot driving system (7.1 software update)also put new limits on its hands-free operation. The function will now be restricted on residential roads or roads without a center divider, Tesla said, meaning that the car cannot drive faster than a maximum of the speed limit plus five miles per hour. Tesla’s Autopilot features lets cars change lanes with turn signals and parallel park. Tesla was one of the first companies to offer a hands-free steering system. Industry experts believe full autonomous operation may be available by 2020.
Soundcore Acquires Three Alloy Wheel Franchises
Soundcore Capital Partners, LLC, a New York-based private equity firm, announced in January that it has completed three add-on acquisitions to its portfolio company Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists (AWRS), less than two months after purchasing the company. The acquisitions of the Atlanta, Baltimore, and Indianapolis AWRS franchises represent an additional $9 million in annual sales, serving nearly 800 dealers and auto repair shops. Norcross, GA-based Alloy provides on-site repair of cosmetic damage to alloy wheel cores, off-site remanufacturing of structurally damaged wheels, and OEM replacement parts through a retail network. Wheel repair accounts for more than $750 million in annual revenues in the U.S. “I’m very pleased to kick off this new era for the Company with the acquisition of three of the bestperforming businesses in the AWRS network,” said Rob Wheeley, newly appointed CEO of AWRS. “As we bring more operations under the AWRS corporate banner, we’re confident that we will be able to enhance both the service we deliver to customers and the financial performance of the business.”
Hyundai in AL Sued Over Allegedly Defective Sunroofs by Robbie Hargett, legalnewsline.com
An Alabama man is suing Hyundai over claims the company’s panoramic sunroofs spontaneously shatter. Billy Glenn, individually and for all others similarly situated, filed a classaction lawsuit Dec. 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California against Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai Motor Co., alleging unjust enrichment, breach of express and implied warranties, and violations of California’s consumer protection laws. In the mid-2000s, according to the suit, car manufacturers introduced a substantially larger style of “panoramic” sunroof that spans almost the entire roof of the vehicle. Though aesthetically pleasing, the suit claims, these sunroofs, which require the replacement of metal roofs with large plates of glass, pose significant engineering challenges. The suit states Hyundai has not met these demands, with more than 100 drivers having reported to the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) that their panoramic roofs spontaneously shattered. The suit claims Hyundai has known about the problem since at least October 2012, when the NHTSA investigated the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, prompting a par-
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tial and limited recall. In December 2012, the Korean Automobile Testing & Research Institute also investigated the shattering of panoramic sunroofs of several manufacturers, including Hyundai, ultimately concluding these sunroofs were prone to spontaneous shattering at least in part due to ceramic tint used on the glass. Despite the company’s awareness, Hyundai has still not warned drivers, including Glenn and others in the class, about the risk of sunroof shattering, still sells the defective vehicles, and denies that the defect exists. Glenn and others in the class seek damages, restitution, interests, attorney fees, and other costs of the suit, together to exceed $5 million. They are represented by attorneys Eric H. Gibbs, Dylan Hughes and Steve Lopez of Gibbs Law Group in Oakland, California; by attorney Jason T. Dennett of Tousley Brain Stephens in Seattle; by attorneys Gregory F. Coleman, Lisa A. White, and Mark E. Silvey of Greg Coleman Law in Knoxville, Tennessee; by attorneys Shanon J. Carson and Eric Lechtzin of Berger & Montague in Philadelphia; and by attorney Paul C. Peel of Farris Bobango Branan in Memphis, Tennessee. Thank you to legalnewsline.com for permission to reprint this article.
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