COVID-19 COVERAGE

PANDEMIC PROCEDURES

Avoiding COVID-19 in the bodyshop

BY ALLISON ROGERS

Bodyshops across North America are taking extra precautions to avoid the highly contagious virus.

As the coronavirus continues to grip the globe, bodyshops across North America are taking extra precautions to avoid the highly contagious virus.

All businesses are adding precautions to their list of daily duties.

Step one in avoiding COVID-19 should come naturally to most—more frequent handwashing and sanitization. According to a recent survey conducted by more than 80 percent of shops have introduced new handwashing procedures to do their part in combatting COVID-19.

Feeling queasy? Quarantine! If any of your employees show flu-like symptoms—such as a nasty cough, fever or severe headache— you shouldn’t wait for things to get worse. Send them home with strict instructions to rest and recuperate.

Another simple precaution suggested by business owners is wearing gloves when inspecting customer vehicles. As one owner pointed out, people tend to be far more comfortable sneezing and coughing in the comfort of their own vehicles—therefore, techs should be extra careful and wear protection when opening door handles, touching steering wheels or checking mileage during the estimation process.

And, if business does start to lag, consider some compromises. Several shops are combatting slow business amid the virus by offering customers the option of interacting with estimators via video chat or take photos of vehicle damage themselves.

There is still a lot of uncertainty when it comes down to how the ongoing pandemic could affect business in the bodyshop. With China’s automotive hub of Wuhan shut down for over a month, parts delays are pending. Several sources say contingency plans are in effect for industries that use Chinese suppliers—and the list is extensive.

According to the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters, members are already experiencing supply chain disruptions. Flavio Volpe, president of

Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturer’s Association, says his organization is exploring alternative plans for sourcing parts.

the Automotive Parts Manufacturer’s Association, says his organization is now exploring alternative plans for sourcing parts.

“We’ve tipped into our contingency planning— where can you re-source?” said Volpe.

Ferrari has shut down two of its Italian factories as the country battles the outbreak. The company had expected to continue production through the week—albeit at a much slower rate—though ultimately was forced to close due to parts shortages.

INDUSTRY

When Iouri Ovtchinnikov was working in his own bodyshop, he developed a bright idea for an app that could make autobody repairs easier—and cheaper—for drivers. He developed AutoBuddy Technologies, an app where drivers upload images of their vehicle damage and bodyshops in the area can respond with estimates. Ovtchinnikov got the idea for AutoBuddy when he owned his own repair centre and decided to drive around the area with his own lightly scratched car, visiting his competitors to see how their rates compared to his.He said he would have charged between $700 and $800 for the job, but received a range of estimates, from $400 to $1,700. A facility in Richmond, B.C. has used the software and calls it a “win-win,” while ICBC has also preached support for “any app that helps make more informed decisions” when it comes to auto repairs. BODYSHOP BIDDING

Louri Ovtchinnikov has developed an app that “helps keep bodyshops honest,” he says.

According to J.D. Power’s 2020 U.S. Vehicle Dependability study, overall vehicle dependability has improved 1.5 percent from 2019. The study, which is in its 31st year, measures the number of problems per 100 vehicles experienced in the past 12 months by original owners of three-year-old vehicles, with a lower score reflecting higher quality. The study covers 177 specific problems that have been grouped into eight major vehicle categories.Key findings of the study said dependability is improving, though at a slow rate; crossovers and SUVs have become more dependable and in-vehicle technology has shown significant strides toward improvement. For overall vehicle dependability, the 2020 industry average came in at 134 diagnosable issues per 100 vehicles— an improvement of two problems per 100 vehicles when compared to 2019’s results. RAISING RELIABILITY

J.D. Power’s recent report, vehicle dependability is improving at a slow rate.

According to a recent report detailing legal issues facing the automotive industry in 2020, consumers are becoming more aware of their data and are demanding greater transparency when it comes to choosing repair centres. As smart technology increases in vehicles, so does the amount of personal information they collect. Just as a cybersecurity breach may signal to consumers that their data is not safe, and a company’s breach of applicable privacy regulations could send a similar message. Making privacy a priority is crucial for businesses, says the report. It reads, “With this shared interest as a foundation, companies should additionally be transparent about their privacy policies and practices and should engage with consumers’ questions or concerns. Cultivating this kind of trust is crucial as connective and autonomous innovations and privacy concerns continue to grow.” The full report, published by Wisconsin law firm Foley and Lardner, discusses further risks, such as cybersecurity and supply chain protection as two chief challenges in 2020’s automotive industry. CUSTOMER SERVICE CRACKDOWN ELECTRIFYING INSIGHTS Collision repairers who have not invested in preparing for the arrival of electric vehicles may be in for a shock, according to Mitchell International’s latest Industry Trends Casualty Report. The company said the difficulty of repairing EVs—which make use of lightweight materials—is leading to a significant increase in the severity of repairs. The report also showed that, comparatively, other areas of the broader automotive sector are increasingly prepared for the widespread arrival of EVs. Automakers are pushing electric models, and even late adopters of EV trends like Subaru have plans to offer hybrid or electric variants of every model by the mid-2030s. Governments are also actively supporting electric infrastructure and, according to Mitchell’s report, 41 percent of the general public is looking toward an EV for their next vehicle purchase.

TICK TOCK

At January’s Canadian Collision Industry Conference (CCIF) Toronto, CCIF chair Paul Prochilo took to the stage to discuss increasing cycle times in the bodyshop. Armed with data from AutoHouse technologies, Prochilo outlined how cycle times have increased from 33.6 days between the first notice of loss and final vehicle delivery in 2016 to an average of 41.5 days in 2019. Prochilo used the data as a launching pad for his discussion on CCIF’s new conference workshop sessions, of which the first was held on Jan. 30 at CCIF Toronto when Axalta’s Steve Trapp discussed profitability and optimizing gross profit in a comprehensive three-hour session. The next session—targeting increased cycle times—will be held at CCIF Montreal in May. Armed with data from AutoHouse Technologies, CCIF chair Paul Prochilo said Canadian collision cycle times have been on the rise since 2016.

TECH TRENDS

SNOWY STRIDES

Self-driving vehicles are constantly undergoing development tests—even as Canada continues to experience its typical winter weather. Recent data from the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo will help train self-driving cars to handle the challenges of winter driving, say Steven Waslander and Kyzysztof Czarnecki, professors at U of T and UWaterloo, respectively. The dataset was created with Autonomoose, a Lincoln MKZ hybrid equipped with a full suite of sensors, including eight onboard cameras, a lidar (light detection and ranging) scanner and a GPS tracker. Over the past two winters, the teams have taken the Autonomoose around southwestern Ontario, recording data from more than 1,000 kilometres of driving. Of this, approximately 33 kilometres in harsh, snowy conditions were selected to form the basis of the dataset.

RUGGED REVAMPING

General Motors is working on reviving the Hummer name—but with a sustainable twist. The Hummer EV was teased during a Super Bowl commercial featuring basketball superstar LeBron James, and is said to feature the brand’s Ultium battery system, which claims to boast a 644-kilometre range. Keeping with the environmentally-friendly wave, the new Hummer will not have a leather interior—just synthetic, renewable or recyclable materials. And for brand fanatics, don’t fret—the boxy vehicle seems to have retained its shape and is wide as ever.

GM’s Hummer EV prototype was teased during a Super Bowl commercial featuring basketball superstar LeBron James.

Recent data from the University of Toronto and the University of Waterloo will help train self-driving cars to handle the challenges of winter driving.

Canadian Tire will be adding nearly 300 EV chargers at retail locations across the country by the end of 2020. Working alongside FLO, Volkswagen Canada subsidiary Electrify Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Tesla, the retail giant will be installing 240 fast chargers and 55 Level 2 chargers at 90 locations nationwide. The federal government will be spending $2.7 million to build 54 of the chargers in the westernmost provinces in an effort to push further EV sales,. Once completed, Canadian Tire’s network will reportedly be one of the largest in the country. CANADIAN TIRE CONTRIBUTION

REBATE RECONSIDERATION

The federal government may need to rethink its federal EV incentive plan after issuing more than $134 million in rebates in the last ten months, says Transport Canada. The program initially intended to allocate $300 million over the next three years to the program but, thanks to Canada’s over-eager car purchasers, those funds may be entirely gobbled up by the end of this year. The program, launched last May, offers up to $5,000 off the price of buying a new electric or hybrid passenger vehicle.

MACH-E MISS

Pricing for Ford’s anticipated EV, the Mustang Mach-E is set at $50,495, prior to delivery and additional fees, making the EV ineligible for Canada’s federal rebate program. In Canada, federal rebate-eligible vehicles must have six seats or fewer and a base-model trim with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of less than $45,000—thus, the Mach-E misses the mark for the $5,000 rebate. The car will still qualify for rebates in B.C. and Quebec, where owners can receive $3,000 and $8,000, respectively—but the rest of Canada is left to cover the full cost. The Mustang Mach-E is Ford’s answer to the waves of automaker electrification. It is said to feature both rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions, be built in Mexico and boast a 480-kilometre range.

TRAINING

FUNDING FEMALE FUTURES

The Canadian government recently launched support for Build a Dream Canada, a Windsor, Ontario organization designed to encourage young Canadians to explore careers in the trades. With $728,000 in funding, highschool-age women will benefit through career expos and exploratory workshops where they can ‘try a trade’ and have access to online resources. The program also allows young women to connect with professional skilled tradeswomen and explore supports to help them launch their careers.

The Canadian government recently launched support for Build a Dream Canada with $728,000 in funding.

EQUIPMENT UPLIFT

Two high schools in Maple Ridge, B.C., are getting a $25,000 boost to their automotive trades programs, thanks to Lordco’s Ed Coates Memorial Foundation. The foundation, established in memory of Lorco Auto Parts’ founder Ed Coates, donated an automotive hoist to Maple Ridge secondary, while a metal lathe was donated to Samuel Robertson Technical. Both pieces of equipment are brand new and valued at around $25,000. The trades programs at Maple Ridge and Samuel Robertson allow high school students to earn post-secondary credits, certifications and career skills prior to graduation. In financial assistance alone, Lordco now provides more than $30,000 annually to students pursuing studies in automotive trades programs. Lordco’s Ed Coates Foundation recently donated an automotive hoist to Maple Ridge secondary, and a metal lathe to Samuel Robertson Technical.

Audatex recently donated more than US$2 million worth of software subscriptions to schools in the U.S. and Canada offering collision repair training programs. The donation is in partnership with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and serves as part of an initiative to train future repair workers on the same software used in collision repair facilities. As of now, the two groups have brought Audatex software to upwards of 300 collision repair programs across North America. Audatex also donated $25,000 in an effort to support collision repair students. The funds come after a five-year commitment the company made in 2018 to ensure industry training programs were provided with the tools and equipment needed to run. CLASSROOM CONTRIBUTION

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association is officially kicking off its design competition for the Project Arrow concept car initiative. The design contest is open to eligible students at colleges and universities across Canada, said APMA president Flavio Volpe. The finalists and their design submissions will be unveiled at the APMA’s annual conference on June 11 in Windsor, Ontario. The project will consist of three stages: design, a virtual concept and construction. Suppliers will bid on the project in the fall and a ‘virtual concept’ will be unveiled next year. The fully-built zero-emissions concept vehicle, comprised of parts entirely sourced from Canada’s supply chain will be unveiled in 2022. PROJECT ARROW FOR TAKEOFF

The Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association is officially kicking off its design competition for the Project Arrow concept car initiative.

As automotive technology students from across Ontario went head-to-head at the 21st annual Toronto Automotive Technology competition in February, St. Brother Andre Catholic School came out on top, claiming the crown for the fourth-straight year. Anthony Vecchiarelli and Alexander Liao, students at the Markham, Ontario high school, reigned victorious, thanks to always-stellar coaching from their teacher and cover star for last issue of Bodyworx Professional, Jason Rehel. The competition—presented by Centennial College and the Trillium Automobile Dealers Association (TADA) in partnership with Cars and Jobs—tested analytical skills and knowledge regarding electrical suspension and brakes, engine mechanical, waveform analysis and a virtual engine management simulator. With 120 minutes to complete five working stations, the pressure was on. Vecchiarelli and Liao will go on to represent their school at the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City this April. FOUR YEARS RUNNING

St. Brother Andre Catholic High School Anthony Vecchiarelli and Alexander Liao reigned victorious at the Toronto Automotive Technology Competition in February.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

LARGE AND IN CHARGE

After discovering an old military firetruck in a local wrecking yard, auto enthusiast Kirk Strawn had a wild idea–built the biggest Volkswagen Bus the world has ever seen. The massive masterpiece was built on the chassis of a 1963 military firetruck and is outfitted with two floors, 85 speakers and neon lights. The Bus, affectionately named Walter, is exactly twice the size of an original VW Bus, standing at a whopping 13 ft. 2 in. It also contains absolutely no VW parts. To achieve the build, Strawn cleared out the interior and assembled a custom body using the old roof of the truck as the floor for the upper level. The driving position was also moved to the roof by extending the controls up, and the sides were built up to close in the upper and lower sections. Strawn has taken Walter to the Burning Man music festival and various special events, but mostly it seems he just gets a kick out of driving it around. With a very commanding view of the road and a sound system worthy of a dance club, we can definitely see this being the ultimate party bus.

This double-deck VW bus was built on the chassis of a 1963 military firetruck and is outfitted with two floors, 85 speakers and neon lights.

CLOGGED CAUSEWAY

Ontario’s Highway 401 had quite the clog when two trucks collided and unleashed thousands of rolls of toilet paper onto the busy roadway. The incident occurred near the Thousand Islands U.S. Bridge. One of the trucks hilariously happened to be carrying a lifetime supply of toilet paper rolls, which exploded onto the highway post-crash. Once the internet got ahold of the strange news, the puns started pouring in. “They’ll just have to roll with it,” joked one Twitter user. “This mess should be wiped up pretty quickly,” wrote another.

TRANS-CANADA TOPPLE

A car hauler recently took a nasty tumble along the Trans-Canada Highway when it rolled over, taking the seven vehicles it was carrying for a rowdy ride. The incident occurred just west of Swift Current, Sask. and police blamed “large ice buildup” for the crash. The vehicle had hit an icy patch and came to rest in the middle of the two-lane highway. The semi was originally travelling east but, after hitting the icy terrain, it ended up facing west.

EMOJI ROAD RAGE

Lawmakers in Vermont are currently engaged in a rigorous debate involving the state’s license plates—should it allow its motorists to request plates with emojis plastered on them? Democratic representative Rebecca White introduced the draft bill in January and, if approved, could create a license plate that adds an emoji to the random numerical sequence assigned. Drivers would be allowed to choose from six pre-approved emojis—though the state has yet to reveal which six it has in mind. The move wouldn’t be unprecedented, either—drivers registering a car in the Australian state of Queensland can pay about AU$340 for the right to put one of five emojis on their custom plates. Drivers can choose between the laughing out loud emoji, the sunglasses emoji, the heart eyes emoji, the winking emoji or the simple smiley face emoji.

Highway 401 got TP’d in January after a transport truck filled with toilet paper was involved in a collision.