SPECIAL EDITION OF
COLLISION REPAIR CAREER STATS, COAST TO COAST
BODYWORX THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS
PROFESSIONAL
NEXT-GEN
leaders Kevin Dhaliwal and Lovepreet Mann roll out the red carpet at Runway Auto Collision
JOB=SECURED Nail your next job interview with tips from top-notch managers
APPRENTICESHIP RECRUITMENT STATS ACROSS CANADA | PAINT COMPANIES DELIVER HOT HUES | BMW’S COLOUR-SHIFTING CAR +MORE VISIT BODYWORXMAG.COM SPRING 2022 l $7.95 l Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632 l 86 John Street, Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2
CONTENTS
SPECIAL EDITION OF
COLLISION REPAIR CAREER STATS, COAST TO COAST
BODYWORX THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS
PROFESSIONAL
16
>>>
COVER
SETTING THE STAGE NEXT-GEN
leaders
JOB=SECURED
Kevin Dhaliwal and Lovepreet Mann roll out the red carpet at Runway Auto Collision
CONTENTS
Nail your next job interview with tips from top-notch managers
APPRENTICESHIP RECRUITMENT STATS ACROSS CANADA | PAINT COMPANIES DELIVER HOT HUES | BMW’S COLOUR-SHIFTING CAR +MORE VISIT BODYWORXMAG.COM
See how Kevin and Lovepreet of Runway Auto Collision use their insurance-oriented approach to win the trust of their Brampton, Ontario community.
SPRING 2022 l $7.95 l Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40841632 l 86 John Street, Thornhill, ON L3T 1Y2
FEATURES 12 THE EV-JEEBIES Buckle up for some muchneeded electric vehicle myth busting as some of the nation’s leading experts dive into common EV misdeeds.
26 SCOPING THE SCENE What’s the state of autobody apprenticeship in Canada? Bodyworx weighs in.
28 WELCOME, ALL
20
It’s 2022—customer accessibility isn’t a compromise.
Drawing in talent to the shop can be tough; learn how some of Canada’s top collision centres go about sourcing their staff.
30 FEWER SHADES OF GREY The auto industry’s biggest names in paint provide a lay of the land on how North Americans prefer to colour their cars.
COLUMNS 04 PUBLISHER’S PAGE by Darryl Simmons
34 FINAL DETAIL by Allison Rogers
24 Deciding between one colour or the other may soon be a thing of the past, thanks to a new experimental paint technology being developed by BMW.
BODYWORX THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS
PROFESSIONAL SPRING 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 3
>>>
BODYWORX
PUBLISHER’S PAGE
THE VOICE OF COLLISION REPAIR TECHS & PAINTERS
THE BEST POLICY CLICHÉ AS IT MAY BE , IT IS HONEST Y BY DARRYL SIMMONS
PROFESSIONAL PUBLISHER Darryl Simmons publisher@collisionrepairmag.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Orest Tkaczuk | orest@mediamatters.ca EDITOR Allison Rogers | allison@mediamatters.ca STAFF WRITERS Max Reid | max@mediamatters.ca Kate Ng | kate@mediamatters.ca ART DIRECTOR Yvonne Corvers | yvonne@mediamatters.ca
W
ould you call yourself a liar? Probably not, right? Even though you’ve no doubt told a lie or ten in your lifetime. One of the folks you’ve most likely lied to? Your boss. Don’t worry, I’m not about to call up the head honcho at your workplace. These lies are likely small ones, like exaggerating what step in the repair process you’re at; fibbing about bumping the quarter panel in the paint booth and knocking it to the ground, much to the dismay of your coworkers. Small, in the sense that you likely won’t see the harshest of repercussions—but large enough to waver your reputation with
story behind their friend’s build. Certain people, however, will flounder under pressure and end up walking out of the interview with a whole new portfolio of made-up skills under their belts. What happens when the buck finally drops and you actually have to use these skills? Let me tell you, the outcome is never good. I’ve witnessed it times over, in both autobody and publishing. Now, I’m not suggesting I believe any of our readers are the type to lose grip on reality mid-interview, but things happen. Nerves can get the best of you. The bright lights of a pristine paint booth can make
“It may be tempting to exaggerate your skills in the face of a lucrative job opportunity.”
VP OF INDUSTRY RELATIONS & ADVERTISING Gloria Mann 647.998.5677 | gd.mann@rogers.com DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS SOLUTIONS Ellen Smith 416.312.7446 | ellen@mediamatters.ca INDUSTRY RELATIONS ASSISTANT Wanja Mann (647) 998-5677 wanjamann1@gmail.com DIGITAL OPERATIONS MANAGER Cassie Doyle | cassie@mediamatters.ca AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT MANAGER James Kerr | james@mediamatters.ca CONTRIBUTORS Ros MacDonald
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the crew…and weigh on your conscience, if that’s your thing. Or perhaps you’re perfect and have never lied in your life. I’m not the authority on lying nor ethics. I’m not going to peer behind these pages and judge your choices—those are entirely your own to evaluate. What I am going to advise you, though, is to never lie in this particular situation: job interviews. It may be tempting to exaggerate your skills in the face of a lucrative job opportunity. Sure—you helped your buddy with the pinstriping on their latest build. You held the flashlight—because for some reason they’d decided to do the job under the darkness of night—and let out a sharp sheesh with every crisp line. The lines came out great, but you never wielded the brush. In that situation, what do you do when your potential future boss asks, “Have you ever done pinstriping?” It may seem like a simple answer; for most, they’d simply say no, or explain the
the brain think crazy things. When you’re facing your dream workplace, you might just do anything for a chance to work within those walls. A word to the wise—hold honesty to the highest standard. Feel free to brag on your skills—but only those you actually have. When hiring, especially when hiring apprentices, many shopowners are more concerned with bringing an eager-to-learn individual on board, as opposed to one with a suitcase of skills they’ve claimed to master. A knowledgeable employee is great—but in our industry, there’s something new to be learned every day.
44 BODYWORXMAG.COM BODYWORXMAG.COM || BODYWORX BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL PROFESSIONAL
dedicated to serving the professionals of the collision repair industry. It is published by Media Matters Inc. Material in Bodyworx Professional ™ may not be reproduced in any form without written consent from the publisher. The publisher reserves the right to refuse any advertising and disclaims all responsibilities for claims or statements made by its advertisers or independent columnists. All facts, opinions, statements appearing in this publication are those of the writers and editors themselves, and are in no way to be construed as statements, positions or endorsements by the publisher. PRINTED IN CANADA ISSN 1707-6072 CANADA POST CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL SALES PRODUCT AGREEMENT No. 40841632 RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED Send change of address notices and undeliverable copies to: 317 Reid St., Peterborough ON K9J 3R2
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>>>
IN THE HEADLIGHTS
INDUSTRY SUMMER OF ‘67
CALM COMPENSATION
The last time light vehicle production in Canada was this poor, the Maple Leafs were still winning Stanley Cups. According to a report from DesRosiers Automotive Consultants, last year’s vehicle production of 1.1 million vehicles was on par with levels not seen since 1967. Production numbers have been in a steady decline since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, with the industry putting out two million vehicles in 2019, down to 1.4 million in 2020. DesRosiers said Toyota led production among Canada’s top five automakers with about 427,000 units. General Motors only managed to produce about 36,500 vehicles this year, however, that number is likely to jump up by next year thanks to the addition of a second shift at GM’s Oshawa assembly plant.
The Direct Compensation for Property Damage (DCPD) system for Alberta’s auto insurance industry came into effect on January 1, moving the province toward a model that incorporates more fault-free policy options. Albertan drivers are now able to claim vehicle damage that they are not responsible for to their own insurance company and not that of the at-fault driver. The Insurance Bureau of Canada’s (IBC) western vice-president, Aaron Sutherland explained the motive behind the concept, saying “If someone else hits your car, it requires your insurance company to subrogate those damages back to the insurer of the at-fault driver. That can lead to complications, that can lead to delays, and this (change) eliminates all of that.”
SUPPLY SEER
The last time Canadian vehicle production was this low, the Toronto Maple Leafs still stood a shot at the Stanley Cup.
RUSH TO REDUCE Axalta is attempting to push the environmental envelope, announcing a commitment to reduce 50 percent of certain greenhouse gas emissions in its operations by 2030. This announcement pushes the global coatings developer into good position to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040, ten years ahead of the deadline set by the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Axalta also established a set of ten sustainability goals to be achieved by 2030, chief among which is to feature some amount of sustainability features in at least 80 percent of the company’s products by the end of the decade.
“Our new goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 enables us to lead our industry by example and to inspire our customers as we work to ensure the long-term well-being of our planet, our partners and our business,” said president and CEO of Axalta, Robert Bryant.
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Martinrea International has joined forces with Next Generation Manufacturing Canada (NGen) to develop a “supply chain resiliency platform” to predict and inform manufacturers, and in turn, the industry, of potential disruptions. This announcement comes alongside an $8 million funding injection from NGen for the project that will be led by ThinkData Works Inc., along with Palantir Technologies Canada. ThinkData’s CEO Bryan Smith said “Powerful AI fuelled by external data gives manufacturers a competitive edge, and the ability to avoid potential supply chain disruptions before they occur. It’s a game-changer for the industry.” Martinrea estimates that outcomes will include more than $40 million in annual value from avoided disruptions and optimizations. No timeline has been provided yet for the release of the platform.
REBOUND TRAFFIC Canadians are travelling even more than before the COVID-19 pandemic started, with travel rates reaching a peak of 130 billion km travelled in the third quarter of 2021, according to a study by StreetLight Data and released by AIA Canada. The report showed the last peak of 126 billion kilometres driven was recorded during the same quarter of 2019. In 2020, that number dropped to 116 billion kilometres. The average daily kilometres travelled also hit an 11-quarter high of 1.4 billion km from July to September of 2021.
“Canadians enthusiastically resumed their pre-pandemic levels of road travel [in Summer 2021], reflecting their collective desire to break free from pandemic isolation and confidence in the strong vaccination levels across the country,” the report read. “The pendulum may have swung further than usual this quarter as Canadians eagerly celebrated the possibility of a post-pandemic world.”
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>>>
IN THE HEADLIGHTS
TECH TRENDS RIGHT FIT
WHY NOT BOTH
Both Bentley Motors and Ford made 3D-printing announcements to kick off the year, with the former announcing its exploration in 3D printed vehicle components, down to powertrains, and the latter releasing open-source files for customized interior accessories. Bentley’s announcement came alongside an investment in the automaker’s additive manufacturing (AM) capacity at its Crewe, England, factory, where all its models are assembled. The AM unit has been tasked to create physical components for several prototype Bentleys, down to full-scale powertrain and aerodynamic wind tunnel models. Ford, on the other hand, has opened a treasure trove of personalization options alongside the release of open-source CAD files for customers to 3D print accessories for the Maverick pickup truck. The files are for the Maverick’s Ford Integrated Tether Systems (FITS), a series of slots at the rear of the centre console and the under-seat storage bins that allow for customization with a wide variety of accessories, from dog water bowls to (likely non-functional) mini-Yeti coolers.
PPG has found North Americans cannot seem to make up their minds on just one colour and have developed an affinity for twotone finishes, as shown the company’s 2021 automotive colour popularity report. PPG’s press release issued alongside the report suggests that progression in the fields of colour science and application technology has given way to an increased desire for colour personalization among consumers. “Along with special-order colours, tinted clearcoats, tri-coats and matte finishes, two-tone finishes better reflect vehicle owners’ individual preferences and personalities,” said PPG colour styling manager Misty Yeomans. The company says it has developed a method for achieving a two-tone finish that eliminates labour-intensive body masking and repeated runs through the spray booth that have historically prevented the trend from taking off on a mass-production scale. “PPG’s precision application process can reduce paint shop application time by approximately 50 minutes per two-tone vehicle,” the company claims in its press release.
NIGHT MOVES
Bentley’s recent investment in its additive manufacturing facility (pictured), where all its models are assembled.
KEEPING IT LIGHT The Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association’s (APMA) Project Arrow will feature crash system components from Canadian manufacturer Cymat Technologies and its design partner Tesseract Structural Innovations. Cymat and Tesseract will design and supply several components for specific areas of the Project Arrow concept car, including Cymat’s SmartMetal aluminum foam, which the company says combines ultra-lightweight features with high-strength aluminum skins. The companies said Project Arrow’s doors, battery enclosures and front and rear crash systems could incorporate the SmartMetal tech. “The challenge in building the vehicle of the future is to balance active technology with a lightweight philosophy,” said APMA president Flavio Volpe. “To win the range game, Automakers need a transformational materials science strategy. This is Project Arrow’s bet on Cymat.”
The IIHS has announced that it is putting in the work to develop testing to address one of the most glaring downfalls of modern vehicle safety—nighttime AEB functionality. New research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has shown that AEB systems are often ineffective in low-light situations, such as on roads without streetlights. A preliminary nighttime test was conducted with eight vehicles, none of which performed adequately according to IIHS standards. Current IIHS data shows that vehicles equipped with AEB systems are in crashes 27 percent less frequently and have an injury reduction rate of 30 percent. “This is the first real-world study of pedestrian AEB to cover a broad range of manufacturers, and it proves the technology is eliminating crashes,” said Jessica Cicchino, IIHS vice president of research and the study’s author. “Unfortunately, it also shows these systems are much less effective in the dark, where three-quarters of fatal pedestrian crashes happen.”
APP AWARENESS
Project Arrow’s all Canadian concept will incorporate Mississauga, Ontario-based Cymat’s SmartMetal aluminum foam, which the company says features ultra-lightweight features with high-strength aluminum skins.
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Onboard vehicle technologies come together with new vehicle purchases nowadays, but that doesn’t necessarily mean vehicles are becoming safer, advocates say. “This is a major and an increasing issue,” said Ian Jack, head of public affairs at the Canadian Automobile Association. “It’s becoming increasingly challenging for people to manage these things inside their vehicle.” CAA’s campaign comes as distracted driving, which includes tasks such as eating, talking with passengers and using vehicle technology, has been a rising contributor to fatal and serious collisions. The Traffic Injury Research Foundation show that as of 2018, distracted driving contributes to one in four fatal crashes. Canada introduced guidelines in 2019 for limiting distractions from displays, but they’re not enforceable. Transport Canada spokeswoman Sau Sau Liu said in a statement that the agency “encourages vehicle and electronics manufacturers to design devices that are compatible with safe driving and to follow all relevant safety guidelines and best practices.” She said Transport Canada would continue to update guidelines as the technology evolves.
>>> FINAL DETAIL
IN THE HEADLIGHTS
TRAINING FOR THE FUTURE
FAIR TRADES
British Columbians and skilled trades employers will soon learn more about the economic value of apprenticeships, thanks to a study funded by the B.C. government and the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA). In 2006 and 2009, CAF-FCA conducted two national studies to calculate the economic return on training investment for skilled trades employers who hired apprentices. In 2006, using a cost-benefit model, CAF-FCA found that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship training, an employer receives an average benefit of $1.38. When the study was repeated in 2009, the return had increased to $1.47. To develop up-to-date data regarding the value of apprenticeship training to employers in B.C., CAF-FCA will update and replicate its 2009 study across 21 skilled trades. The research is expected to take 20 months, with estimated completion in July 2023. Working in partnership with the British Columbia Construction Association (BCCA) through focus groups and surveys, the project will examine employment in the skilled trades sector, determine the prevalence of apprenticeship training among employers, and quantify the return on training investment for employers in B.C.
With current projections predicting that about 700,000 skilled trades workers will have retired from 2019 to 2028, the federal government is hoping that its new online skilled trades platform will help engage new tradespeople and fill the gap. The government is hoping that Canada.ca/ skilled-trades will prove to be a one-stop-shop for new and experienced tradespeople and are supplementing its launch with the announcement of annual $1 billion investments for apprenticeship grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding, as well as support for the Red Seal Program.
ON TOUR A welding program at a New Brunswick high school received valet treatment in January thanks to the “Welding on Wheels” trailer, which found its new temporary home at Rothesay High School in Fredericton, N.B. The trailer is built to accommodate 16 students and eight welding booths and also features a grinding and cutting station and a testing area.
The final report will identify strategies for encouraging higher levels of participation in apprenticeship training among employers to ensure the skills and training needs of the current and future labour market can be met.
CLEAN SLATE Ontarians can bid farewell to the old Ontario College of Trades as the provincial government has announced that its replacement, the Skilled Trades Ontario agency, has officially launched. The Ontario government is viewing this new institution as a step toward better aligning the province with a model that addresses the ever-increasing demand for skilled trades workers. Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Monte McNaughton said that this announcement marks a “redrawing” of the system that will better streamline the path to education for Ontario’s tradespeople. Skilled Trades Ontario’s inaugural chair, Michael Sherrard, said “The creation of Skilled Trades Ontario is an important milestone, and one I am thrilled to be a part of leading. The implementation of a successful apprenticeship and skilled trades system is critical to the economic growth and success of our province, and today’s announcement is the next step in securing that future for us all.”
The Skills Trades Ontario agency website features comprehensive guides on countless Canadian trades, including Auto Body Repairer. Guides and information can be viewed at skilledtradesontario.com.
The $240,000 cost of building the trailer was split equally among the partners, who include the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, Ocean Steel & Construction Ltd. and Source Atlantic Ltd.
NEO SCOTIA 3000 Nova Scotia has been riding a high since its population broke the one million mark in December and has announced a plan to double the population by 2060 through a skilled trades recruitment campaign. “Our population is growing at record rates. We want healthcare workers and skilled tradespeople to know there’s both a great life and a great job waiting for them,” said Premier Tim Houston. Houston’s plan aims to bring 25,000 new Nova Scotians to the province by returning provincial taxes on the first $50,000 of income for workers aged 30 years and under in designated trades. “We are unabashedly asking for workers in the trades and in healthcare to make Nova Scotia their home,” said Jill Balser, Nova Scotia’s Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration.
SPRING 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 9
>>>
IN THE HEADLIGHTS
CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS?! BIG FISH
WHEN THE LIGHT IS RIGHT
The adage, “like a fish out of water,” could soon been rendered ancient, thanks to Israeli scientists that claim they taught a goldfish to drive. Scientists from Israel’s Ben-Gurion University say they have successfully taught a goldfish to maneuver a robotic car on land via a top-down camera that monitors fish movements around a small tank. Fishie’s first car uses motion-sensing technology to send a signal to one of the machine’s four wheels when the fish swims close to any side of the tank. The fish were trained to reach a pink-coloured target at the opposite end of the room. If successful, they would receive a reward in the form of fish food. The fish repeatedly proved they could successfully reach the target, said scientists, even maneuvering toward it when obstacles were placed in its way. The scientists say the results of their experiment “hint that navigational ability is universal rather than specific to the environment,” said Shachar Givon, a PhD student at the university’s Life Sciences department, who worked on the experiment.
A good captain always goes down with their ship; or at least snaps some goofy selfies atop the sinking wreckage…for insurance purposes probably. Ottawa police have charged a woman with dangerous driving after she was seen standing on top of her vehicle and taking selfies as it sunk into the Rideau River in January. Comments from Twitter claim that the driver had been first seen on the ice 30 kilometres south in Kemptville. “Thankfully no injuries and an amazing job by local residents saving the driver by using a kayak and quick safe thinking,” Ottawa police tweeted. Police continued in a further news release, saying “This portion of the river has thin ice compared to other areas of the river. Ice conditions at this time of the year can be unpredictable. The Ottawa Police Service would like to remind residents to stay off the ice and remember ‘No Ice is Safe Ice.’”
As fishy as it seems, scientists in Israel are convinced they’ve taught a goldfish how to drive.
EXPLOSIVE EXPRESSION If you’re a fan of supercars and still not positive on what an NFT is, prepare for a one-two of confusion as it turns out that the act of blowing up a Lamborghini could be made more expensive. As part of their latest project, entitled “$CAR”, “NFT performance artist” Shl0ms took a pre-owned Huracan out to an undisclosed location in an American desert, strapped it in explosives and detonated it in 4K. A total of 999 NFTs were created from high-resolution videos of the individual parts, post-detonation, with 888 to be auctioned off to the public. The auction has been temporarily postponed considering global tension, however, when the auction is eventually held, bidding will start at 0.01 ETH, which is about $34 per token.
The driver captured the memory with a selfie as bystanders rushed to check on her. Image credit: Lynda Douglas, Twitter.
ACCIDENT PREVENTION
Get your hands on some lucrative (virtual) parts with artist Shl0m’s new project, in which he blew up a Lamborghini Huracan to sell its parts as NFTs.
10 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL
Sometimes work stinks so bad you feel like someone just dumped 30,000 pounds of diapers in front of you—other times, work stinks so bad you are responsible for cleaning up 30,000 pounds of diapers in the middle of a snowstorm. An overturned tractor trailer on Ontario’s Highway 401 near Maitland marked its territory across several lanes in mid-January. The driver suffered minor injuries; however, a tow truck did manage to get the stink-rig back on its wheels. OPP commissioner Thomas Carrique noted that this made up one of more than 7,000 calls fielded over the course of the storm. To be clear, the diapers were not actually used. That would be weird.
SELFLESS SACRIFICE Success is not a straight path—ask Jamie Gray
A
t the end of 2021, Assured Automotive presented Jamie Gray, a graduating student of Fanshawe College’s 310B Program, with the Jerome D’Silva Memorial Award. Typically, awards are given to those who perform best in their realm; and while Jamie did graduate with a 3.84 GPA, the chief legacy of this award circles around the values of Honesty, Integrity and Respect the recipient display amongst their peers and community. Jamie’s story entering our industry is humbling, and daily he makes sacrifices to support those around him. From a young age, Jamie says his mother was bluntly honest and did her best to prepare him for life. He knew that, if he wanted to go to college, he would have to pave that path himself. Jamie had been interested in collision repair since he was a child. Influenced by his father, a body technician, and his uncle, a painter. Dealt an enormous challenge at 16 years old, Jamie was forced to drop out of school and find a career. After working various
roles, he found a gig as a tow truck operator, where he stayed for ten years. But Jamie still wanted to get into collision repair. It came down to a point where Jamie would be on a drop off job and he would be asked if he knew any technicians looking for work. Finally, Jamie asked – what do I need to do to become a technician? Bill and Ben Weir, the owner and manager of a local collision centre, had known Jamie for several years and were familiar with the strength of his work ethic. They explained to Jamie that he’d need his GED and advised him to take a three-tiered program to become a technician. They would support him by taking him on as an apprentice to fulfill the practical experience portion. It all sounded great to Jamie, but there was a slight problem—he needed his high school diploma, and full-time school would not allow him to work simultaneously. At this point, Jamie looked to his partner, Charlotte, to see if they could face the challenge together. She would be the only
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one working, and their family was about to grow—not by one, but by four; the pair had just completed the adoption of four siblings aged six through 15, in addition to already having one child. Jamie and Charlotte felt that, if they truly wanted to move their family forward, they’d have to take a step back. In 2020, Jamie enrolled in the 310B program at Fanshawe College. Tragedy struck soon after when Charlotte’s sister became ill and passed away. She had a four-year-old son, whom Jamie and Charlotte took in without a second guess. They became a family of eight. For the next year and a half, Jamie buckled down to complete his required training. He had passion for the trade in addition to support on all fronts: at school, at home from his family, and from Bill and Ben. And Jamie’s advice to anyone thinking about getting into collision repair? “Don’t overthink it, just take the leap. If you have a passion for this, you’ll make it work.”
>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
THE EV-JEEBIES
ELECTRIC VEHICLES AREN’T AS SCARY AS YOU THINK
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
>>>
“For every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles, there are about 1,600 vehicle fires. Whereas, with 100,000 electric vehicles, there are about 25 vehicle fires. The risk is very, very low. Far lower than in a gas-powered vehicle.” — David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada
David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada.
“A gas-powered Kona to an electric Kona— they’re identical, for the most part, other than their powertrain.” — David Giles, co-founder, All EV Canada
BY ALLISON ROGERS
C
ollision repairers, buckle up. Your everyday life is about to get far more shocking. Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming more common on Canadian roadways. Last June, the federal government announced its goals to nix new sales of gas-powered vehicles by 2035. Several provinces offer incentives to persuade consumers to opt for EVs when purchasing new vehicles, in addition to the Liberal government’s federal incentive. Like it or not, electric vehicles are on the horizon— and there’s a lot you’ll need to know on how to repair them. The first step is dismantling the truth from the hubbub. Electric vehicle enthusiasts know the Chevrolet Bolt’s plights well. In September, General Motors issued a warning, cautioning Bolt owners to take three precautions to mitigate the risk
of fire in their vehicles. First, the automaker warned to set charging limits to 90 percent; then, to charge vehicles more frequently to avoid depletion below 113 kilometers of range and, finally, GM warned Bolt owners to park outside “immediately after charging,” and should not leave vehicles charging indoors overnight. In a similar trend, Stellantis announced in February that an internal investigation led to the discovery of 12 fires among model-year 2017 and 2018 vehicles. The release noted all the vehicles that were reported to have caught fire were parked and turned off, eight of which were connected to chargers. Combine those trends with a Summer 2021 study suggesting electric vehicles could burst into flames up to 24 hours after a collision. David Giles, electric vehicle expert and co-founder of AllEV Canada, says the frequency
of electric vehicle fires is merely a matter of perspective. “For every 100,000 gas-powered vehicles, there are about 1,600 vehicle fires. Whereas, for every 100,000 EVs, there are about 25 vehicle fires,” he told Bodyworx Professional. “The risk is very, very low. Far lower than in a gas-powered vehicle. “For an EV to just burst into flames, just sitting there would be like winning the lottery—it’s just so rare. Something typically has to be connected, like if you’re charging a vehicle and something happens in the module. In fact, with the Bolt recalls, it wasn’t an issue with the batteries themselves; it was the construction and how the units were put together. The batteries themselves are very stable.” Giles deals with misinformation around EVs on a near-daily basis.
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>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
“[An EV owner] once drove two hours down to one of our facilities for a tire change. He had tried to get his local place to do it, but they said the local fire department was unable to supervise the job,” he chuckled. The lack of EV awareness across the board spurs fears of increased write-offs. With today’s technologies already imposing restrictions on post-collision repairability, many fear that the problem will only grow with EVs outweighing internal combustion engines. “We acquired several total-loss listed vehicles in our early days at All EV Canada, all with minimal damage,” said Giles. “I actually called one of the owners—he was in Ontario—and he was very upset his vehicle was seen as total loss when he drove it home from the accident. The reason it was written off? Because it had taken so long to wait for the parts required in the repair.” Giles said he has personally spoken with appraisers to answer questions on EV repairability. “Most of the questions are about the battery and whether it's been damaged in the
collision. I typically pose the question, ‘Do you replace your iPhone every time you drop it on the ground?’ These batteries are very well protected and designed to take impact. In fact, many of them are structurally incorporated into the vehicle. “I’ve seen some heavily damaged batteries—they did not burst into flames. Even a battery fire does not burn the entire battery; plenty of the material in a burnt battery is still recyclable. “Vehicles that may look like they are fire-damaged or total loss—there will still be materials there for the taking.” Plus EVs, particularly their batteries, carry
“massive warranties,” added Giles, sometimes upwards of eight years. Giles is convinced that, as more information circulates, the fog will continue to clear, as evident by the last decade. “In the beginning, total losses were definitely a big concern. Now, as we uncover more information, collision repairers are getting better at repairing electric vehicles and realizing there aren’t many differences in safety aspects and what they need to learn. “Once you understand the basic safety procedures, you follow OE procedure and it’s really no different than repairing a regular gas-powered vehicle.”
The Blueprint for Success is Right in Front of You.
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Is your company interested in appearing in a webinar? We should talk! Visit collisionrepairmag.com or call 905-370-0101 To register for upcoming webinars visit www.collisionrepairmag.com/open-dialogue-webinars/
>>> ON THE COVER
16 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL
ON THE COVER
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION KEVIN DHALIWAL AND LOVEPREET MANN SET THE STAGE FOR SUCCESS AT RUNWAY AUTO COLLISION BY MAX REID
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Rana, Lovepreet’s father, started the Runway Auto brand in 2005 with his mechanical shop. In 2016, Lovepreet Mann and Kevin Dhaliwal started Runway Auto Collision.
big ego doesn’t get you quite as far as it used to in this industry. The glory days of semi-improvised dent repair and cutting corners in the paint booth are a thing of the past. The standards have risen for shops who intend on keeping their doors open and an always-expanding aftermarket industry is succeeding in levelling the playing field for young upstarts looking to get a foothold in the industry with elite-quality equipment. So where do the truly great shops separate themselves from the rest? It’s about being the shop that customers want to send their cars to, not the one they have to. It’s about setting ego aside, letting top-quality repair work happen behind-the-scenes and leaving focus on the real importance of the job—helping people get their lives back on track. Kevin Dhaliwal and Lovepreet Mann of Runway Auto Collision have found a way to put that theory into practice just about perfectly. Co-owners Kevin and Lovepreet have been steeped in the auto industry for their entire
lives; the former spending his teenage years building an appreciation for car modding and bodywork; and the latter expanding on a foundation built by her father and developing a collision repair business philosophy all of her own. “My father worked as a mechanic for about 37 years. My siblings and I have always been in the family business—it’s like a second home for us,” said Lovepreet, over Zoom with Bodyworx. The Runway Auto brand was first established in 2005 in Brampton, Ont. by Lovepreet’s father Rana, who still runs his mechanical shop to this day, and was followed by the launch of Kevin and Lovepreet’s venture, Runway Auto Collision, which first opened its doors in 2016. Lovepreet spent ten years learning the business of insurance and listening to the voice for customer. “While listening to the customer, I always felt that there was a gap between the shops or vendors and the insurance policy, and it was always the customer who got squeezed in between the two,” said Lovepreet.
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>>> ON THE COVER
The Runway Auto brand was first established in 2005 in Brampton, Ont. by Lovepreet’s father Rana, who still runs his mechanical shop to this day, and was followed by the launch of Kevin and Lovepreet’s venture, Runway Auto Collision in 2016.
Co-owners, Kevin and Lovepreet have been steeped in the auto industry for their entire lives.
“The insurance companies are in the policy business and the collision shops are in the autobody business, but we are in the people business.” This thought would come to inform the entire business philosophy for Runway Auto Collision going forward. “We’re trying to shift our focus from being in the collision industry, to being in the accident management industry,” said Lovepreet. “We wanted to create something that closes that gap for the customer, where they are
able to get a seamless experience from their policy and are benefitting from the coverage that they pay for.” Customers who enter Runway Auto Collision are given the opportunity to become educated on the specifics of their insurance policy in a way that few other shops are capable of providing. “They don’t entirely understand or experience that policy because it’s just a pink slip you get in the mail, shove in a drawer in your car and never look at again. I don’t think people
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even read what they get because it’s so long and full of fine-print. “Then you get in an accident and you want coverage for everything because you’ve paid for something for so long that you’ve never used.” In this way Kevin and Lovepreet make it their goal to address the specific personal needs of their customers as yet another step along the repair process. “For some people it might mean the difference of whether they can drop their kids off at school every day, or attending doctor’s appointments or just living their life the way they normally do,” said Lovepreet. But all this good intention only goes so far if there isn’t solid repair work to back it up. Luckily, Runway has Kevin; a Red-Seal-certified auto body technician, shop manager, and the glue that holds the customer experience together. “Kevin is a big part of the human aspect of the shop,” said Lovepreet. “He’s a very relatable person, so customers love him. He can speak to them on their level, whereas sometimes throughout the conversation I might get a little bit technical. The customer is walked through how repairs
ON THE COVER
should be completed as per the manufacturer recommendations.” The love Kevin puts into his work is returned in kind by the customers he works for, who are more than happy to show an extra bit of appreciation. “They know my birthday; they come here with balloons and a cake,” said Kevin. “We have customers who bring us lunch; one customer bakes us a cake every month.” “We won’t even be repairing their car and they’ll still bake us a cake!” said Lovepreet. All things considered, cake and meals are really only a small prize for the great work that Runway Auto Collision does in their local Brampton community. From their donations to Sick Kids, their sponsorship of a local youth hockey team, or the fact that they managed to send 180 local kindergarteners on a field trip to Ripley’s Aquarium in Toronto, Runway is never lacking in ways to return the support they have been given back to the community. “We also donate to Match for Marrow which is a foundation for matching Leukaemia patients with stem cells,” said Lovepreet. The partners shared one story in particular that perfectly demonstrates the key difference
of being in the people business versus ordinary collision repair. “We had a customer who was in collision who was at-fault and didn’t have rental coverage on her policy,” said Lovepreet.
“We have customers who bring us lunch; one customer bakes us a cake every month. Our repairs go beyond just fixing accidents.” – Kevin Dhaliwal, co-owner, Runway Auto Collision “She inquired two days later to see if her vehicle was ready. When I said it wasn’t, she mentioned that she needed her car to get to chemotherapy because she’s been taking a taxi and it’s been adding up.
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“Obviously, we weren’t aware of that, so we had a discussion and we decided to lend her out a rental vehicle, at the shops expense, for the time that the vehicle was being repaired.” What Lovepreet said next is a lesson that everyone should learn from—everyone—all companies in all industries—everyone. “You make money every day, but you can’t make money from everything.” Right now, Runway Auto Collision and Repair Inc. spans across three buildings on adjacent properties: Rana’s Runway Auto mechanical shop, Kevin and Lovepreet’s original 6,400 sq.-ft. auto body facility, which will be converted into an express paint facility, as the pair recently opened the doors of a third neighbouring facility of 12,000 sq.-ft. that will complete the bulk of Runway’s complex repairs. The Dhaliwal-Mann duo has nowhere to go but up as Runway’s reputation continues to grow in Brampton and as the seeds of kindness they have sown in their community begin to take root. “Everyone is always trying to change the world,” said Lovepreet. “If you can change your home, that’s enough. If everybody does a little bit of that, the world changes.”
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>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
HOW THEY HIRE
COLLISION CENTRES ON HOW THEY SOURCE THEIR STAFF
Learn how you can be the belle of the bodyshop in your next interview process.
BY ROS MACDONALD
I
Knowing just one person could connect you to a chain of talented collision centres across Canada.
f you’re looking for a job in the collision repair industry, now is the perfect time. Of course, the industry has been experiencing a skills shortage for upwards of a decade—but the effects of COVID-19 mingled with a steadily aging workforce has not aided the problem. Hands-on training all but went extinct in the height of pandemic lockdowns and, when schools did kick-off their classes, many students were met with newly developed hybrid-styled programs with a 50-50 split of in-person and practical experience. In short, everything has changed. Collision centre owners, managers and production floor teams are feeling the heat of the looming situation—and they need your talents. Bodyworx Professional spoke to some collision centre representatives across Canada to hear what kind of approach they take to the hiring process—and how you can appeal to the traits managers love at your next interview.
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Social Butterfly 101 One of the simplest and most effective ways to get your foot in the door is through connection. The more people that know of your talents, the more people spreading the word of your greatness—and you never know who may be listening. Emily Lowe, a human resources and certification specialist at CSN OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body in B.C., explained that her family business finds the best candidates through everyday conversations. “We typically find the most success when it’s a referral from a current employee,” she told Bodyworx. An existing staff member would never recommend someone who would only add slack to the team, nor would they jeopardize their relationship with their employer by recommending someone with a poor work ethic. Plus, this method of sourcing offers an employer a far more curated pool of candidates compared to an Indeed post.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
Displaying a willingness to learn is another great way to get hired—but you must mean it.
Indeed, it works Speaking of Indeed, job posting platforms are still a viable strategy that hold the power to expand a business’s search beyond their immediate contacts—an obvious benefit to an applicant that may lack connections to the repair facility they’d like to work. This method provides a few strategies you can take to catapult yourself to the top of that eligibility list and secure yourself an interview. First, read the job posting carefully. Make a list of any words you see repeated more than once, and underline the words rewritten more than twice. Make a point to use those words in your cover letter—which you absolutely should be writing for any position you apply for. A cover letter does not have to be any more than 100 words, or ten sentences. Introduce yourself with your name and qualifications and add a sentence or two about your relevant experience, training or what you feel you could add to the team. If you’re no Shakespeare that’s fine, too—just take the initiative to call the business you’re applying to and introduce yourself to the manager or senior staff member available. It could be your ticket to securing the position.
Reputation is everything The Canadian collision repair sector is a tight-knit community. Knowing just one person could connect you to a chain of talented collision centres across Canada. Effective businesses will always use their connections to their advantage. If you pique the hiring managers attention in the preliminary process, chances are they’ve asked their team of colleagues if they know about you, your attitude and your skill level. If they don’t receive enoughinformation or want additional details, then they’ll reach out to your provided list of references. In the event the applicant’s contacts are unreachable, the interview could include a demonstration portion in lieu of a reference. “If the applicant has no previous experience or is from out of province, we’ll sometimes have them prep a job for us,” said Lowe. “Just a small task—a painter would spray something for us. Just so we can get an idea of their skill level." In short, come to your interview prepared to show the skills you’ve bragged about.
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Locally owned and operated, CARSTAR facilities employ certified technicians to provide premier repairs to their communities. Learn why CARSTAR is the leader in collision repair excellence at CARSTAR.ca
SPRING 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 21
>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS Ready to learn The highest performing collision centres take initiative to train their staff to handle the ever-changing world of collision repair. If you’re not keen on participating in that training, it’ll only hurt you in the long run. Not only will your skills lag in comparison to colleagues as they rack up new techniques in their portfolios, but you miss out on team building experiences and ultimately risk hurting your workplace’s productivity. Bob Allen, shop manager at Grove Collision Repairs explains, “Sometimes they have to go for external training, and we take care of that for them.” Taking care of employees, no matter their skill level, is a key ingredient in his recipe for success: “It’s a family run business, so we are really big on family and taking care of people. We do everything we possibly can to make it a good experience.”
Pop on the personality
Emily Lowe of CSN OpenRoad Richmond Auto Body says candidates should come prepared to show their skills in the event their references don’t pull through.
Your work ethic and overall attitude as a team player can make or break a job offer. When it comes to the actual sit-down interview segment, managers never underestimate the importance of a positive attitude, work ethic and cooperation. According to Wayne Faria, bodyshop operations manager at Don Valley North Collision Centre, confirming the candidate is a positive addition to the existing shop culture is crucial to the hiring process. “We have a very strong culture here and it took us a long time to achieve that. The last thing I want to do is bring someone on board who won’t fit into the culture and be a team player, no matter how talented they may be,” he said. A positive attitude is just as important as the practical skills you retain. New skills can be taught, but a good attitude is unchangeable.
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Visit ibisworldwide.com to find out more and book your place today. To explore sponsorship opportunities, email suzie@ibisworldwide.com 22 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL IBIS 2022 - calendar advert - US half-page.indd 1
04/02/2022 09:30
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FINDING A NEW CAREER HAS NEVER BEEN EASIER
Looking for Painters, Body Technicians, Shop Managers, Customer Service Administrators, Collision Estimators and More
Finding new staff or finding your dream job in this exciting industry has never been easier. Check out collisioncommunity.com for multiple job listings or post your own opportunities.
>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
BY MAX REID
A
new colour-changing paint technology being developed by BMW will allow drivers the ability to shift between colour shades with the push of button; but the tech’s implications for future energy management research are far from black and white. The German automaker showed off a concept model of the iX electric SUV at CES 2022 in Las Vegas during the first week of January. What was notable wasn’t the vehicle’s colour— but its colours. The model was designed using a technology the readers out there may already be familiar with: E Ink; commonly used to reduce glare on e-reader screens. E Ink sounds like some sort of confusing cross-section of chemicals and computers, but the tech is actually quite straightforward. An E Ink surface is covered in millions of tiny microcapsules that are about the diameter of a single human hair. Each microcapsule contains positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles suspended in a clear fluid.
BMW says its new tech will allow drivers to shift between colour shades with the push of button.
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IN BLACK AND WHITE BMW UNVEILS COLOUR-CHANGING CONCEPT CAR
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
A positive or negative electric field would then cause either the white or black particles to shift to the top of the microcapsule, making that colour visible to the eye. The iX at CES was spotted wrapped in E Ink, atop a turntable and shifting from black-to-white like some sort of unspeakably expensive disco ball. Not only is this just a super cool cyberpunk-looking thing to do, but it also opens up the potential for the body of the vehicle to become a sort of energy conduit for its internal systems.
BMW’s work with E Ink is regarded internally as an “advanced research and design project” with no plans for integration into current consumer models, though the automaker says it is exploring the ways in which the tech can be used to improve overall energy efficiency in vehicles. A first step being taken is to address small issues of driver comfort. “A white surface reflects a lot more sunlight than a black one. By implication, heating of the vehicle and passenger compartment as a result of strong sunlight and high outside
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temperatures can be reduced by changing the exterior to a light colour,” wrote BMW in a January press release. Questions have been raised as to whether this logic could be extended to improve things like battery performance. As well, paint companies and automakers alike have noted an increase in desire among consumers for more personalization options to come with new models. Well, how much more personalized can you get than a car that can change colours on the whim of the driver?
BMW’s new colour-changing concept car.
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>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
COLLISION COAST TO COAST HOW LUCR ATIVE IS THE EVERYDAY APPRENTICE?
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t’s no secret Canada is amid a skilled worker shortage. No trade is safe—not even the glistening metallics and sparkling headlights of collision repair. Check out Bodyworx’s compilation on the state of apprenticeship enrolment across Canada.
RED SEAL RATES ACROSS CANADA As of 2019, the certification rate for Red Seal Motor Vehicle Body Repairers was 25.3, meaning every 1.5 years (the duration of the average Red Seal certification program) 25.3 new Red Seal certified autobody repairers. The most popular Red Seal trade, Powerline Technician, held a certification rate of 62.1 every 1.5 years, as of 2019.
British Columbia Between 2020 and 2021 the Pacific province’s Industry Training Authority (ITA) witnessed a massive uptick in its number of active apprentices in automotive refinishing. The 2020/2021 study cycle reported 48 automotive refinishing technicians; in the next report, that number hopped to 139. Other verticals of collision repair reported 16 apprentices (Automotive Refinishing Prep Technician), 267 apprentices (Automotive Glass Technician) and 338 apprentices (Auto Body and Collision Technician).
Manitoba Red River College’s most recent Graduation Satisfaction and Employment data from the 2018/2019 term reported 28 graduates in the Collision Repair and Refinishing program. All but one of the students who responded to their college’s post-graduation survey were employed in training-related occupations, reported Red River.
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Alberta Alberta’s 2020 data showed a minor increase in autobody apprentice enrolment. In 2020, there were 490 new autobody technicians, 23 new preppers, 75 new refinishers and 44 new repairers. All categories, save for preppers and repairers, were up in 2020. Overall, Alberta’s autobody apprenticeship status was up two percent.
Saskatchewan In June 2019, the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) reported 119 Auto Body and Collision Technicians. By June 2020, it counted 145, thanks to 46 indentures and only four cancellations. Sixteen apprentices finished their programs and graduated with certification by the first six months of 2020, says SATCC. In the Automotive Refinishing Technician role, SATCC noted only two apprentices in June 2019 and again in June 2020.
INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Québec Canada’s Red Seal Motor vehicle body repair program does not apply in Québec. Vocational training is available, as well as many general autobody repair and mechnical training courses offered through the Centre de formation professionnelle, Centre d’études professionnelles and others. Based on its 2020/21 summary report, the Centre de formation professionnelle said its forward-looking goals are to increase its graduation rates, increase its retention rates and increase its number of motivated students. In the report, it found that a large percentage of its new trainees were individuals with mental health or ADHD struggles or students that were unable to complete their studies in vocational training. The province of Québec also announced in late February that autobody workers would be added to its list of occupations that qualify for the province’s facilitated Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program every year. With a spot on the list, which features the most in-demand occupations in Quebec, employers hiring autobody workers do not need to demonstrate they have tried to hire and failed to find suitably qualified Canadians, greatly expanding the talent pool available to Québec employers.
Data was not available for all Canadian provinces/territories.
Ontario Locating up-to-date Ontario apprenticeship data proves a feat, though Employment Ontario’s Open Data source suggests 1,160 Auto Body and Collision Damage apprentices operate in the province, with a further 144 studying the 310Q course code for Auto Body Repairer. Thirty-seven apprentices are participating in Automotive Glass Technician studies, and 121 are working toward their Red Seal in Automotive Painting. Employment Ontario’s data also provides an age breakdown, showing that more than 20 apprentices working toward Auto Body and Collision Damage careers are in their twenties, and more than 20 are between the ages of 30 and 54.
Nova Scotia Nova Scotia has kept its apprenticeship status consistent in recent years, though it did mark a one percent increase between 2020 and 2021. In 2019, the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency reported 140 Auto Body and Collision Technician apprentices and reported 164 the following year. In 2021, Nova Scotia held 162 Auto Body and Collision Technician apprentices: 139 male-identifying and 23 female-identifying.
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>>> INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
WELCOME, ALL ADDRESSING ACCESSIBILIT Y IN THE AUTO REPAIR BUSINESS
BY KATE NG AND ALLISON ROGERS
N
o one likes to be left out. That being said, have you gauged how accessible and inclusive your workplace is toward its customers? Even further, are you doing all you can to make sure your customers feel safe, secure and welcome when dealing with the collision process? Pair the feelings of exclusion with the stress of a vehicle collision—that’s something no person should have to endure. As an accessibility consultant, Marco Pasqua is dedicated to eradicating such feelings. He believes that a business should not purely be based on its financial transactions, but rather on its ability to navigate human interactions, as that’s what matters most, he says. The TEDtalk speaker delivered his foundational tips during Skills Canada’s virtual Level Up event in late February.
Let’s Talk Terminology When helping customers with disabilities, collision centre employees should make an effort to speak directly with them first. In the event the customer is accompanied by an attendant or interpreter, addressing questions toward anyone who is not the customer can be seen as demeaning. Similarly, avoid using negative language or unflattering words like crazy, insane, handicapped or challenged. There should never be an instance, in a collision repair setting, wherein you’d need to discuss a customer’s medical information, or even discuss the customer in any context other than in relation to their vehicle. The only time a customer’s personal information should be of your concern is in the event of an emergency. Never, under any circumstances, should there be a situation where you touch a person’s mobility device without permission.
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INDUSTRY INSIGHTS
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Make Way, Coming Through Accessibility is a massive issue in modern society. The volume of accessible parking spots, a curb with no dip or access point, the angle of your entrance ramp and the roughness of your floors are all factors that can make or break a customer’s experience in your workplace. Look at the lot you work in—is the entrance accessible to someone travelling on a set of wheels, or are there obstacles that may pose a risk? Bringing up such concerns to a superior could result in changes that ensure all customers feel welcomed.
Clean Up Your Act In the age of COVID-19, plexiglass barriers and face masks have become commonplace. While effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, such barriers can prevent certain customers from understanding what you are saying or communicating back to you. One accommodation for individuals that are hard of hearing could be a dual-way mic. If that’s not in the budget, a sanitized pad of paper and a pen could also do the trick. There are countless creative ways to communicate in the event of challenges—be understanding and make every effort to keep the customer comfortable. Screaming will get no one anywhere. Businesses should also consider implementing multiple options for bathroom hygiene and hand sanitizer stations. Not everyone can use foot pumps or squeeze bottles on a countertop—try to provide multiple options for soaps and sanitizers.
Is your workplace accessible? In 2022, a ‘no’ is inexcusable.
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>>> PAINTER'S CORNER
FEWER SHADES OF GREY AUTOMOTIVE COLOUR TRENDS IN 2022 MONOCHROME TONES REMAIN KING—BUT NOT AMONG CONSUMERS BY KATE NG
M
odern automotive coatings are more complex than ever— radar detection, EV sensor compatibility and supply chain issues are some of the factors companies must consider before developing the colour hue itself. Most customers don’t see that though— pretty colours are more obvious than flecks of radar-reflecting material. According to BASF and Axalta, blue’s time in the sun has passed, dropping four percent in popularity, back to red’s nine percent. Blue is still the most popular chromatic colour, it is now comfortably below all the chromatic
colours, but competing with silver for the fourth most popular colour. Red remains the second most popular chromatic colour, but can easily overtake blue. Other colours like green and beige remain minuscule but shouldn’t be ignored. Much like red and blue, these colours are competing for the space held by white, black and grey. While reports by BASF and Axalta agree that white, black and grey remain the most popular automotive colours worldwide, there is less of a consensus on the direction white will go in North America’s automotive industry. Axalta says white’s popularity in North
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America is declining, BASF says white’s popularity in the North American market is only growing. You might wonder how these companies came to different conclusions and still be correct. The reason? Consumer needs versus corporate needs. White is typically the colour of choice for corporate vehicles: it’s cheap in bulk, presents a blank canvas for logos or slogans and almost certainly matches older vehicles in the fleet. On the other hand, consumers have more variance with personal choice and colour trends taking a greater role than pure costs and practicality.
PAINTER'S CORNER
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While reports by BASF and Axalta agree that white, black and grey remain the most popular automotive colours worldwide, there is less of a consensus on the direction white will go in North America’s automotive industry.
When accounting for corporate vehicles on the road, almost three in four vehicles in North America are achromatic. Infographic by BASF, BASF Color Report 2021.
This is shown in Axalta’s 2021 Consumer Survey, which collected data from 1,003 vehicle owners across the United States. 30 percent said their favourite colour was black, while 24 percent favoured blue or red—only 15 percent preferred white. Compared to Axalta’s 2021 global automotive colour popularity repor t which
examined market data, 20 percent of the North American market had vehicles painted black while 18 percent had blue or red vehicles. White made up a whopping 28 percent, far outweighing consumer preference. BASF suspects the reason for North America’s boom in achromatic hues, particularly white, has two primary factors: changing consum-
er preferences, and automotive production requirements. “With demand high and supply trending lower, buyers could be forced into making more pragmatic choices and fewer emotional choices. Consumers have quickly shifted to more familiar shades in the achromatic space,” said Paul Czornij, head of Automotive Design for the Americas.
With consumer vehicles, variety is still a key factor. infographic by Axalta, 2021 Consumer Survey in USA SPRING 2022 | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL 31
>>> PAINTER'S CORNER
Despite the rising popularity of chromatic shades like red and blue, BASF’s 2021 colour report says nearly one in three Nor th American vehicles are white. Combined with 2021’s supply shocks and material shortages, production “seemed to favour the larger, more popular platforms in the midst of the downturn,” said BASF. The platforms in mind? SUVs and trucks. BASF explains that these vehicles are the most profitable platforms during economic slowdowns. With automakers producing more SUVs and trucks, to allocate resources profitably, we likely saw more white vehicles on the road - neon delivery vans haven’t caught on (yet).
Effectively, we are seeing data polled from different audiences. Axalta’s polls seem to focus on non-corporate vehicle owners and reflect trends in the consumer market. White, black and grey remain essential colours for the autoworker’s toolkit, but reds and blues are slowly rising in popularity. Out of 25 percent of consumers who considered repainting their vehicles, 28 percent chose black while 31 percent chose blue or red. Only 9 percent chose white, emphasizing the weight of corporate customers in the automotive industry. Whether you work with corporate vehicles or your neighbour’s Ford, the impact of corporate spending is almost guaranteed to impact your shop in some way.
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Out of 25 percent of customers considering a repaint, 28 percent chose black hues; 31 percent chose blue or red and nine percent chose white, emphasizing the weight of corporate customers donning white vehicles.
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Bodyworx Professional – Pride. Passion. Skill. Bodyworx Professional is the only publication in Canada written exclusively for professional autobody technicians. The magazine is dedicated to celebrating the pride, passion, and skill of the men and women working back of shop. Bodyworx Professional features accomplishments, underscores the importance of training in a rapidly developing technology-based industry, showcases career achievements and highlights the burgeoning customization and restyling market. The focus is on providing relevant content that taps into the dreams, aspirations, and excitement that this industry offers. Every issue of every publication brings focused, relevant and current information through articles, profiles, trends, breaking news, and solutions. Our editorial content speaks to each area and more.
SUBSCRIBE TO BODYWORXMAG.COM Bodyworx Professional is printed quarterly. To learn about advertising with us email info@mediamatters.ca or call 905-370-0101. We would love to hear from you.
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FINAL DETAIL
GOING VIRAL IN A GOOD WAY
BY ALLISON ROGERS
I
n the age of apps like TikTok, today’s teens have but one goal—to go viral online. TikTok, for one, has made internet ‘fame’ a much more attainable reality for all users, not just teenagers. The app features a comprehensive algorithm that is scarily accurate in predicting what videos the user will like. In a matter of what seems like less than ten videos, the coding already has you figured out and knows exactly what to show you to keep you hooked for hours. Trust me, I know it all too well.
spend eight-plus hours a day on. The average video likely takes less than 20 minutes to create, yet PremiumAutoStyling touts nearly seven million ‘likes’ and 700k followers. Another example among hundreds is Billy the Brush, who goes by @ str8lines on TikTok. His mesmerizing pinstriping videos have garnered 13 million ‘likes’ and nearly 600k followers. You may be punching these pages in frustration if you’ve already tried to take off on social media, to no avail. But the key to success
TikTok, for one, has made internet ‘fame’ a much more attainable reality. Whether you’re a social media person or not, TikTok offers an incredibly useful toolkit. It offers a forum in a similar fashion to Reddit, a popular site featuring thousands of sub-forums for communities with niche interests to interact. TikTok offers an albeit less-organized format of the idea, in the sense users are largely shown material they’ve shown interest in the past. Some users have made attempts to manipulate the content they are shown by only interacting with and ‘liking’ videos on specific topics; after a mere day of only interacting with videos on those topics, the users found would only be shown videos on that subject going forward. Sure, there was the odd straggler—but the more they interacted with their desired topic, the fewer irrelevant videos would pop up on their page. In essence, anyone with a marked interest in autobody, automotive painting, welding techniques—you name it—will be shown the very same content. Think of what a talented painter, a skilled welder or even a budding apprentice could do with a platform like that. PremiumAutoStyling is but one automotive platform that’s found success on TikTok. The account posts near-daily clips of staff performing wraps, applying paint protection film—just brief clips of what the staff
34 BODYWORXMAG.COM | BODYWORX PROFESSIONAL
in any social media is consistency. If you’re posting one piece of content per week, likely less than a minute in length, no one is going to remember you. The more you pop up on people’s feeds, the more you’ll pop up in their minds. And hey, even if the social media schtick isn’t your thing, nothing beats seeing a video of your work with a cool track and cinematic effects layered over it.
Allison Rogers is the editor of Bodyworx Professional. She can be reached at allison@mediamatters.ca, or 905-370-0101.
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