Western Edition California Nevada Arizona
29
YEARS
VOL. 29 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2011
www.autobodynews.com ww ww.autobodynews.com
January Collision Industry Conference Votes Very Narrowly in Favor of SEMA for Fall Meeting by John Yoswick
Participants at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Palm Springs, CA, in January chose by a singlevote majority to have this fall’s CIC meeting in November in Las Vegas in conjunction with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show rather than the preceding month in Orlando with the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE). The decision marks the second year CIC will meet in conjunction with SEMA. This year’s meeting will
be split over two mornings, November 2 and 3. The 99–98 written vote followed a brief presentation by Ron Pyle of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), which owns NACE, in which he said that while ASA has and will continue to respect and parRon Pyle of ASA ticipate in CIC, he hoped participants would recognize the economic importance of NACE See CIC to meet at SEMA, Page 40
In keeping with Autobody News’ goal and policy of representing all sides of the collision industry, we introduce a new column called “The Insider” written by an Auto Insurance Executive. Although the writer wishes to remain anonymous, he will respond to serious questions and comments from readers about insurance issues.
Getting Past The Rhetoric—An Insurer’s Perspective on Steering by “The Insider”
Rich Evans and his customized 2010 Challenger RT at SEMA 2010. His exterior kit includes a lower front spoiler, left and right rocker, left and right rear flare, rear wing, hood scoop and insert, stripe kit, and wheels, all done over in an edgy, eye-catching blue and silver. See p. 50
Steering is an issue that has plagued the collision repair industry since the first insurance agent opened for business. No matter where you are located, you will find masses of body shop owners who emphatically state that steering is a major issue impacting their business. Ironically enough, even body shops that are deeply entrenched in direct repair programs insist that steering is an issue. Does someone who directly benefits from participating on a given insurance carrier’s direct repair program have a right to cry foul? I’m not sure you can find anything more hypocritical. Conversely, you will find relatively few insurance companies that
believe steering is an issue. In fact, some insurers might have you believe that steering is a word used only by disgruntled body shop owners who can’t get on a direct repair program. Other insurers would lead you to believe that steering is more rare than a unicorn sighting. Now that I’ve outlined a few of the perspectives from both sides of the industry, let’s place some framework with a few facts. First, steering does exist. It’s not a unicorn, a mirage, or the words of a disgruntled shop owner. It exists in many forms. But before you say, “Aha! I knew it,” let me explain. Although steering does exist, it doesn’t exist in the context that many of you reading this may See Steering, Page 19
Also in this issue... NEW COLUMN: Santa Barbara Shop
owner Walter Danalevich warns about Credit Card Processing Fees and what to watch out for . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 16 Mike's Auto Body Gives Away Vehicles Through its Own Benevolence Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 18 Toby Chess Explains 'Yaw Rate' and the importance of the ‘Steering Angle Sensor’ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .p. 46
Change Service Requested
P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
Presorted Standard US Postage PAID Ontario, Ca. Permit No. 1