Texas Automotive October 2019

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The official publication of the Auto Body Association of Texas and the Houston Auto Body Association

October 2019 $5.95

PLUS: Todd Tracy on Airbags & ADAS Real Talk from Shops & OEMs “GAP on Top of GAP” www.grecopublishing.com

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Contents

OCTOBER 2019

ON THE COVER Representatives of ABAT and HABA celebrate their merger, which was announced during the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show. Front row (left to right): ABAT Board member Manuel Rubio, ABAT member Brandon Gillespy, ABAT Board member Chad Neal, ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle and HABA President John Kopriva. Back row (left to right): ABAT Board member Chad Kiffe, ABAT Board member Mike Williams, ABAT Chairman of the Board Corey Pigg, ABAT President Burl Richards and ABAT Treasurer David Osburn Photo by Joel Gausten

HIGHLIGHTS coverage begins on page 14

ABAT Hosts Record-setting Texas Auto Body Trade show ABAT and HABA Announce Official Merger “Technology Is Your Worst Enemy:” Todd Tracy Returns The Changing World of OEM Repairs Body shop Panel Explores Evolving Industry

ABAT BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Vice President Brandon Dodd Lloyd's Body Shop brandon@lloydsbodyshop.com (903) 734-5175

President Burl Richards Burl's Collision Center burl@burlscollision.com (903) 657-8082

Chairman of the Board Corey Pigg S&W Expert Collision Repair coreyp@swcollision.com (936) 634-8361

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Burl Richards Why We’re Here

Treasurer David Osburn South West Collision Center dosburn@southwestautogroup.com (855) 395-2720 Executive Director Jill Tuggle jill@abat.us (817) 899-0554

ABAT BOARD MEMBERS

Kevin Ellison Westway Ford kellison@vtaig.com (972) 584-9033

Chad Neal Innovative Collision Equipment Chadwneal@yahoo.com (817) 527-2143

Chad Kiffe Berli's Body & Fine Finishes chadk@berlisbody.com (512) 251-6136

Darrell Smith McDaniel’s Quality Body Works Inc darrell-mcdaniels@sbcglobal.net (903) 753-5391

Dean Griffin Moritz Dealerships dean.griffin@moritzmail.com (817) 696-2000

Robert McDorman Auto Claim Specialists rmcdorman@autoclaimspecialists.com (817) 756-5482 Eric McKenzie Park Place Dealerships emckenzie@parkplace.com (214) 443-8250

DEPARTMENTS

4 6 8 11

Official publication of the Auto Body Association of Texas and the Houston Auto Body Association

Manuel Rubio Miracle Body & Paint manuelr@miraclebp.com (210) 843-9564

Mike Williams All Star Collision Center sales@allstarcollision.us (903) 589-3160

PUBLISHER Thomas Greco / thomas@grecopublishing.com

EXECuTIVE DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE By Jill Tuggle It’s Time to ‘Go’ Places

SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli / alicia@grecopublishing.com ADVERTISING SALES: Jill Tuggle / jill@grecopublishing.com

EDITOR’S MESSAGE By Joel Gausten What a Ride!

ASK THE EXPERT By Robert L. McDorman “GAP on Top of GAP: How Can This Be?”

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Lea Velocci / lea@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Joel Gausten / joel@grecopublishing.com EDITORIAL/CREATIVE COORDINATOR Alana Bonillo / alana@grecopublishing.com

ASSOCIATION NEWS 24 HOuSTON CHAPTER NEwS

26 ABAT MEMBER APPLICATION

OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco / donna@grecopublishing.com Published by: Thomas Greco Publishing, Inc. 244 Chestnut Street, Suite 202, Nutley, NJ 07110 Corporate: (973) 667-6922 / FAX: (973) 235-1963

ADVERTISERS’ INDEX 300 Advantage ..........................................................22 AAMStraining.com ....................................................23 Beacon Equipment Resources ..............................25 CAR-O-LINER Southwest ........................................7 Charles Maund Toyota ............................................10 Dallas Dodge..............................................................OBC Ecotech ........................................................................IBC FindPigtails.com ........................................................10 Goliath Carts ..............................................................5 Innovative Collision Equipment ............................IFC

Intrepid Direct Insurance ........................................8 J&J Paint Supply ........................................................9 Norton Saint-Gobain ................................................23 Park Place....................................................................19 Reliable Automotive Equipment............................20 Sherwin-Williams ......................................................13 Spanesi ........................................................................IFC Tasco Auto Color ......................................................12 Wheel Technologies ................................................25

3 October 2019 Texas Automotive

www.grecopublishing.com TEXAS AUTOMOTIVE is published monthly and is sent to ABAT and HABA members free of charge. Subscriptions are $24 per year. TEXAS AUTOMOTIVE is published by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc., 244 Chestnut St., Nutley, NJ 07110. The editorial contents of TEXAS AUTOMOTIVE are copyright © 2019 by Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. and may not be reproduced in any manner, either in whole or in part, without written permission from the publisher and/or editor. Articles in this publication do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Thomas Greco Publishing Inc. Stock Images courtesy of www.istockphoto.com.

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President’s Message

Why We’re here

A

As I write this message, I’m still coming down from the excitement of the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show. As anyone who attended this year’s Trade Show knows, it was by far the most extensive event that ABAT has ever hosted. My thanks to everyone – especially our incredibly supportive exhibitors and presenters – for taking the time out of their weekend to join us. Our attendance increased dramatically over last year, and almost every class was standing-roomonly.

On a personal note, I walked out of the Will Rogers Memorial Center a more educated and involved business owner

thanks to everything I picked up by attending as many of the seminars as possible. e Trade Show provided information that we simply couldn’t find anywhere else, and I’m confident that your shops are now stronger and more productive as a result of being there.

Shortly after the Trade Show, I received an email from a new ABAT member who took in some classes. He shared with me that these Trade Show courses made him realize that his market was behind in knowing and implementing the practices necessary to properly repair vehicles. He is now in the process of retooling and rebranding his shop to

Burl Richards ABAT President better inform the motoring public that his facility has what it takes to do things right.

He believes doing so will “open the door for an untapped market.” is is exactly the kind of response ABAT wants to inspire through our Trade Show and other activities. is new member took a shot, came to our association and realized he needed guidance on how to better perform proper procedures at his shop.

He left our Trade Show with a new mindset that will go a long way to better ensure consumer safety and decrease liability. is is exactly why ABAT exists – and why our members need to be a part of our Trade Show and the other training/networking events we hold throughout the year.

In closing, I’d like to give special thanks to Todd Tracy for returning to our Trade Show and again opening our eyes to some of the major realities impacting our industry. He introduced us to vehicle technologies that most of us had never seen before, and we will take the information he shared with us to heart as we move forward. I appreciate Todd’s continued support of our association and industry, and I hope he did a lot to rattle your cage into becoming a smarter and safer collision repair professional.

TXA

burl@burlscollision.com 4 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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5 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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Executive Director’s Message

It’s time to ‘go’ places When was the last time you were truly inspired? Where were you? The 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show was a place of inspiration for shop owners across the country, all because they took the time to go. These days, going to and being in a place have a different meaning than they did 20 years ago. You used to have to actually “go” to “be somewhere.”

Not today. You can “be” almost anywhere, thanks to the internet.

Jill Tuggle ABAT Executive Director

O

One thing that is evident in business today is the decline of human interaction. It runs the gamut in terms of good, bad and ugly: Conference calls, online demos, virtual boardrooms, robocalls, spam emails, call spoofing, social media groups and so on. While some of these things have provided great value and connected corners of our industry that may have never joined without them, nothing will ever take the place of the use of our five senses and human interaction to make a decision. is is why events like this are important, successful and impactful.

Almost every year, we have doubled our attendance from the previous Trade Show, and 2019 was no different. Hundreds traveled to Fort Worth to attend the show and our educational sessions. Many new faces walked the show floor, and ABAT membership was a hot-selling item.

ABAT uses several means by which to get the word out about who we are and what we stand for, and many of those avenues are digital. Even Texas Automotive, which boasts an impressive print circulation of over 5,000 readers per month, is available online to help further spread ABAT’s message throughout the industry. However, the avenue that produces the best ROI for us is in-person communication – hands down. We get the opportunity to show emotion, answer questions and relate to

people – all things that can’t be expressed with our beloved emojis and memes. e Texas Auto Body Trade Show provides the best venue for these interactions.

Catalog pages, YouTube videos and descriptions from your local rep about new equipment and technology work great, but there is something exciting about seeing or using it in action. A little test drive, if you will. It never fails that, as connected as we are in this industry, there is always something new to be found at the Trade Show. It feels good knowing that you have seen a real live version of the piece you’ve had your eye on – and being the first in your town to have the latest and greatest isn’t bad, either. e education ABAT provides at this event is something not just to hear, but to experience. Webinars can be great, but when was the last time you were fully engaged in a webinar? As products of a digital age, we are always multitasking while “listening” (like checking your email or that side text with another virtual meeting attendee about how Jim forgot to mute his phone again). e live ABAT education experience just can’t be beat. Panel discussions were engaging and provided shops the opportunity to ask questions to OEM executives and address issues we face.

Cheering could be heard through the walls as Matthew McDonnell presented

“Shop Procedure Implementation.” We brought together two powerful voices in our industry: Ron Reichen of Precision Body and Paint and the “Man Behind the Curtain,” Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG). Of course, Todd Tracy is a master at engaging his audience. He pulled volunteers from the crowd to sit inside the vehicle slices he brought as props. I could go on and on about the education and how it changed the way Texas shops do business, but only the experience of being there could do it justice. e growth we have seen at this Trade Show is certainly something to be proud of for a young association, but I cannot help but wonder why it hasn’t “exploded” yet. Attendees return year after year - we always add a couple hundred more - but with over 700 shops in Dallas-Fort Worth alone, it’s time we get out more. Stop relying on experiencing everything virtually.

Unwrap yourselves from these cords that have mummified the part of us that engages with other humans, and be truly inspired like we used to be when leaving the office was the only choice we had. I think there is some untapped power in marrying the old with the new. By doing that, we can really start to “go” places.

TXA jill@abat.com

6 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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Editor’s Message

What a ride!

Joel Gausten Editor

Wasn’t this year’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show incredible?

W

Within a handful of years, ABAT has grown from a small group of dedicated repairers to one of the most prominent collision repair associations in the country. It is a Herculean effort to pull off a massive two-day industry show, but the association – along with a slew of supporting vendors, organizers and presenters – delivered an experience that far exceeded anyone’s wildest expectations. is month’ issue of Texas Automotive celebrates this fact by presenting recaps of many of the groundbreaking events that took place throughout the weekend. Further coverage of the topics discussed will appear in future editions of this magazine.

For me, the greatest highlight of this year’s Trade Show was seeing how much stronger ABAT has become in 12 short months. It was clear throughout the weekend that the association is fully embracing the importance of adhering to

OEM-recommended/required procedures and putting consumer safety first. e ABAT Board is committed to sharing critical repair information and industry news with members throughout Texas, and every person who took the time to attend the Trade Show walked away with new ideas and information that could drastically improve their daily business and their customers’ peace of mind. Now, this mission will be even more impactful throughout the state thanks to the merger between ABAT and the Houston Auto Body Association (HABA). Texas is making waves – and history – in the national collision repair industry, and ABAT’s best days and greatest successes are still to come.

I hit the airport at the end of the weekend energized by the Trade Show, excited for ABAT’s future and thrilled to have the continued opportunity to share so many great things with Texas Automo-

tive readers. anks to everyone involved for making the Trade Show one of the most important and memorable events of 2019!

TXA

joel@grecopublishing.com

ABAT CAlENDAR OF EVENTs November 16, 2019

Holiday Celebration St. Luke Catholic Church Parish Hall 4603 Manitou San Antonio, TX 78228 Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.

Event ends at 11:00 p.m.

Dinner Served at 6:30 p.m.

Barbeque Dinner, Music and Dancing Business Casual Attire Door Prizes, Silent Auction Donation $100 For tickets or more information Email: jill@abat.us

8 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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9 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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10 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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Ask the Expert

By Robert l. McDorman

“GAP on top of gap: how can this be?”

Dear Mr. McDorman: Auto Claim Specialists has assisted many of our clients over the years with their total loss claims, inherent diminished value claims and various other policy-related issues.

When we have a client who has a total loss, one of the first questions we ask is if they have GAP coverage. In the past, when the client informed us they had GAP, we didn’t recommend you to them to review their proposed settlements. However, one of the clients we recently sent you with a 2018 Toyota Corolla later found out they had GAP, and you discovered that they would have had a lagging balance due to their lender even with that coverage. How can this be? ank you for your question, and thank you for referring your clients to us. Yes, this is correct. In most cases, the GAP Addendum will not cover the full balance between the proposed insurance settlement and the payoff at the date of loss. In Texas, GAP products are addendums – not insurance policies. ey are not regulated by the Texas Department of Insurance. In Texas, GAP Addendums are regulated and overseen by the Office of Consumer Credit. ere are no standard GAP Addendums, and each has its own contract terms and conditions. Each of the GAP Addendums we have in our library has the contractual right to passthrough factored deductions arbitrarily taken by the carriers with no scientific methodology.

In reference to the client you referred – who, even with GAP, would have had a lagging balance due to their lender without our assistance – the client’s carriers proposed total loss settlement was $15,341.84 after applicable sales tax and minus the deductible. e payoff on the Corolla as of the date of loss was $18,010.77. e difference between the payoff and the proposed settlement was $2,668.93.

We requested the client provide us with a copy of their GAP coverage before proceeding. Upon review of the client’s GAP Addendum, the contract allowed

for pass-through deductions (such as projected sold adjustment, condition adjustments, prior damage and mileage) from the carrier’s settlement. e loss settlement valuing tool used by this client’s carrier deducted $156.27 for a condition adjustment and $554.60 for a projected sold adjustment. e passthrough deductions for this client totaled $710.87.

If the client had accepted this settlement after the GAP benefit, they would have been left with a $710.87 lagging balance to their lender. At this point, it became necessary to analyze the proposed loss settlement.

We sent the client’s proposed loss settlement to our subsidiary, Vehicle Value Experts, to review.

After reviewing, Vehicle Value Experts issued a fair settlement range between $18,200 and $18,700. is settlement range would make the client whole.

After discussing the volatile situation with the client, the client retained Auto Claim Specialists as their public insurance adjuster agency and Vehicle Value Experts as their independent third -party appraiser. e client invoked their right of appraisal in a contest of the loss settlement. e carriers’ independent third-party appraiser and Vehicle Value Experts agreed on a loss settlement of $18,626.91 after applicable sales tax and minus the deductible. e revised settlement represented a $3,285.07 (or 21.4 percent) increase. e client was able to alleviate the potential $710.87 lagging balance and made whole by receiving $616.14 back from their equity in the Corolla.

In today’s world of motor vehicle insurance policies, claim management, frequent changes in insurance carrier claim handling policies and various GAP Addendums, there are many variables that could affect the resolution of the claim. Over the years, we have found it is always in the best interest of the insured or claimant to have their proposed insurance settlement reviewed prior to accepting. ere is never an upfront fee for Auto Claim Specialists to review a motor vehicle claim or proposed settlement and offer our professional opinion as to fairness of the settlement. continued on pg 12

Robert is a recognized Public Insurance Adjuster and Certified Vehicle Value Expert specializing in motor vehicle-related insurance claim resolution. As the general manager of Auto Claim Specialists, Robert expertly leads this National Public Insurance Adjuster Agency, which is currently licensed in 11 different states and specializes in providing automotive-related claim liquidation techniques, strategies and motor vehicle valuation services to all parties, including individual consumers, body shops, auto dealers, repair facilities, towing and storage operations, lenders, finance companies, banks, legal professionals, governmental agencies and others. The firm’s consistent success can be attributed to Robert’s 35+ years of automotive industry knowledge, practical hands-on experience and multiple certifications, including licensure by the Texas Department of Insurance as a Public Insurance Adjuster. Auto Claim Specialists clients can absolutely trust that they will be provided with analytical, sophisticated, state-of-the-art, comprehensive, accurate, unbiased and up-to-date data and information that all parties can rely upon as both factual and objective.

Robert can be reached at (800) 736-6816, (817) 7565482 or asktheexpert@ autoclaimspecialists.com.

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Ask the Expert continued from pg 11 e appraisal process in most policies will allow the insured the relief needed to ensure they are made whole. e appraisal process in most policies grants the insured the right to remove the inexperienced claim handler’s ability to mismanage the claim and place it in the hands of experienced professionals to adequately manage the loss. e spirit of the Appraisal Clause is to resolve loss disputes fairly and in a timely and cost-effective manner. rough the Appraisal Clause, loss disputes can be resolved relatively quickly, economically, equitably and amicably by unbiased experienced independent third-party appraisers when compared to mediation, arbitration and litigation.

Please call me should you have any questions relating to the policy or covered loss. We have most insurance policies and GAP Addendums in our library. Always keep in mind that a safe repair is a quality repair, and quality equates to value. I thank you for your questions and look forward to any follow-up questions that may arise.

Sincerely, Robert L. McDorman TXA

In Memoriam: Billie Jean “BJ” Mullins Texas Automotive is sad to share the news that Billie Jean “BJ” Mullins, mother of Houston Auto Body Association (HABA) Chairman of the Board Greg Luther, passed away on September 14 at the age of 64.

BJ is remembered for her generous and giving heart and for always being there to lend a helping hand. She could cook anything and was often found in her kitchen. She had a fondness for all types of crafting. She was a hard worker who excelled at numerous jobs, most notably as a caterer. Additionally, she was once a member of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo cook-off team for 93Q. BJ is survived by her husband, Chris Mullins; son Greg Luther and his wife, Christie; daughter Kristi ompson; son Braden Mullins and wife, Alyssa; stepdaughter Ashley Garlington; mother Sue Ray; sister Wonda Forrest; stepsister Donna omas and husband, Chuck; stepbrother Aaron Ray; grandchildren Darren Luther, Kaelee Luther, Alicia Elizondo, Brielle Ray, Kyla Hulsey and Mason Mullins; and great grandchild Nzari Isaac. She is also survived by numerous extended family and friends.

ABAT, HABA and Texas Automotive offer Greg and the rest of BJ’s family our deepest condolences. TXA

12 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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show Highlights ABAT HOsTs RECORD-sETTING TEXAs AuTO BODY TRADE sHOW

On September 20 and 21, the Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) hosted the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth. Hundreds of repair professionals in Texas and beyond gathered to connect with exhibitors and take in a robust two-day schedule of seminars and presentations. omas Greco Publishing, Inc., publishers of ABAT’s Texas Automotive magazine and event managers of the annual NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show for the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), oversaw the show for the first time this year. e event’s education schedule was managed by Janet Chaney of Cave Creek Business Development. is year’s show marked the highest attendance in the event’s five-year history. “is year’s Trade Show was bigger and better than we could have imagined,” comments ABAT President Burl Richards. “e continued on pg 16

ABAT and HABA Announce Official Merger On September 21 during the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show, Auto Body Association of Texas President Burl Richards and Houston Auto Body Association President John Kopriva announced the official merger of the two associations under the ABAT banner.

“We’re going to be one large association for the State of Texas,” remarked Richards. “When we started ABAT about four and half years ago, I reached out to John. We’ve been joined at the hip the whole time. John and I communicate probably twice a week, every week. We wanted to be able to talk about the same things in the Houston area that we’re talking about in our other markets with ABAT so that we’re sending the same message.”

“This is going to be good for both of our associations, and it’s going to be good for the State of Texas,” commented Kopriva. “I saw how we worked together when we went to Austin for House Bill

1348. We had over 100 member shops from throughout the state who helped us carry our bill forth… I think [this merger] is so important because our industry has been divided for so long, and this is bringing us all together. We’re going to be unified, and I think there’s strength in numbers. ABAT has such a strong appearance and approach to their training and what they’re doing, and it just made it natural for us to come on board.”

TXA

ABAT and HABA representatives celebrate the union between the two groups at this year’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show.

Top: ABAT President Burl Richards (left) and HABA President John Kopriva

14 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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By Joel Gausten

15 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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show Highlights show floor saw great traffic, and our seminar rooms were full both days. We’ve always had great classes, but we took it to another level this time. We’re already planning for an even stronger show in 2020.” “is was the best show we’ve had in the five years we’ve hosted the event,” adds ABAT Executive Director Jill Tuggle. “We’ve already received encouraging feedback from exhibitors and attendees who are already gearing up to return next year. We couldn’t have done this without the amazing support of our ABAT members and the exhibitors who took the time to attend both days to network and grow our industry here in Texas.” e Trade Show’s many highlights included presentations by Dallas-based attorney Todd Tracy, Danny Gredinberg (Database Enhancement Gateway), Ron Reichen (Precision Body & Paint), Mark Olson (VECO Experts), Richard and Sam Valenzuela (National AutoBody Research), Robert McDorman (Auto Claim Specialists), Matthew McDonnell (Big Sky Collision Center) and many others. e Trade Show also featured the public announcement of ABAT’s merger with the Houston Auto Body Association (HABA).

Chris Ollila, regional director and coach for exhibitor VeriFacts Automotive, joined Richards in co-presenting a special seminar, “Collision Repair Coaching: Giving Technicians What ey Need to Do the Right ing,” twice during the Trade Show.

He admired the event’s commitment to proving indepth education. “e different speakers really touched on things that many in the industry weren’t aware of. I hope the takeaway from the Trade Show is that we understand, as an industry, how important the right training, the right equipment and access to the right information is to repairing a vehicle properly today.”

Texas Auto Body Trade Show Platinum Sponsor AkzoNobel drew special attention thanks to an appearance of a virtual spraying unit that attracted attendees to their popular display.

AkzoNobel Account Sales Representative Richard Dragulski was impressed by the steady flow of attendee traffic his company enjoyed both days – including some new distributing and collision center leads. “e Trade Show had a larger attendance [this year]. I had to leave for an hour or two to get some things for the booth; when I came back, parking was all the way in the third parking lot!” continued on pg 21

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“Technology Is Your Worst Enemy:” Todd Tracy Returns “Adapt or die.”

When Todd Tracy delivers these words to a packed seminar room, you can trust that the statement isn’t just hyperbole. Armed with years’ worth of repair data Attorney Todd Tracy closed out this year’s Trade and independent automotive research, the Dallas-based attorney truly knows the Show with his trademark no-nonsense approach. potential dangers surrounding non-OEM-specified repairs.

On September 21, he closed out ABAT’s 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show with his latest presentation, “Life after the Lawsuit: An Hour with Todd Tracy.” This time, he moved beyond discussing the history of his landmark legal victory against John Eagle Collision Center and instead gave attendees a thorough – and often jaw-dropping – look at new and developing technologies that will soon have an impact on shops’ potential liabilities.

“Technology is your worst enemy. What you have to do today versus five years ago is exponentially more because of manpower, certifications, equipment and training.”

Naturally, the industry’s growing emphasis on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) has caught Tracy’s attention – and led him to issue a stern warning to Trade Show attendees.

“If you touch the car and you make a dollar, you’ve got to get paid for recalibration. If you don’t, you’ve got to do it for free, because [attorneys] are going to line up for you when something bad happens. If you want to get sued, don’t do this.

“Do not trust the instrument panel,” he added. “If you don’t see anything lit up, that’s not good enough…You have got to scan [for] diagnostic trouble codes every single time that vehicle comes in your shop, and you do it when it goes out. If they don’t pay you for it, chalk it up to experience - and you’ll get it back later – or write it off.”

To illustrate his point, he noted that the Honda Fit – the vehicle at the center of his multimillion-dollar suit against John Eagle – has 510 diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).

Tracy spent considerable time educating the room on the growing presence of seat cushion airbags in certain vehicles, particularly Toyotas since model year 2012. In addition to their deployment being difficult for even the most seasoned technician to spot, these special components are rarely acknowledged in the industry – even by some automotive manufacturers.

“How would you know to look? They don’t put it in their owners’ manuals; they don’t put it in the repair manuals.”

Other technologies covered included high-strength and ultra-high strength steels and center-mounted airbags. Tracy also cautioned that rear airbags are set to hit the industry in a huge way within the next three years.

At last year’s Trade Show, Tracy made national headlines by revealing the result of a special vehicle crash test (funded in part by ABAT and HABA, among other industry entities) that demonstrated that aftermarket crash parts do not perform as well as OEM replacement parts in a subsequent collision. Tracy’s position on non-OEM products remains unchanged in 2019.

“If you’re using certified aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts, you’d better be prepared to get sued, because I’m telling you we know the story now.”

Above all, he stressed that the collision repair industry needs to step up its game to better ensure consumer safety and keep lawyers like him at bay.

“When you guys have a bad day, people Tracy picked audience members Joe Townsend (left; Dunshee Body & Frame; die…You’ve got to be bigger than this.”

Kalamazoo, MI) and Jerry McNee (ultimate Collision Repair; Edison, NJ) to demonstrate the importance of performing proper airbag and seat belt repairs.

17 October OCTOBER 2019 Texas Automotive

TXA

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show Highlights The Changing World of OEM Repairs On September 21, the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show dove deep into advanced technologies, OEM repairer recommendations, proper equipment requirements, vehicle repairability, certification and training during a special panel discussion with guests Kelli Doherty (General Motors), Gary Wano, Jr. (G.W. and Son Auto Body; Oklahoma City, OK), Nicole Riedel (Subaru), Wayne Krausse (Mitchell International), Dave Gruskos (Reliable Automotive Equipment), Josh McFarlin (AirPro Diagnostics) and Clint Allen (Mercedes-Benz USA).

Mark Olson (VECO Experts) and Ron Reichen (Precision Paint and Body; Beaverton, OR) moderated the 90-minute discussion.

With a show of hands revealing that only about 30 percent of the audience had at least one OEM certification, the need for a discussion of this nature is paramount as automakers seek more facilities to properly repair their vehicles. For Subaru, this means making its equipment requirements as flexible as possible.

“We know that some of our specs overlap with other OEs, so we don’t want you to buy two very similar items,” explained Riedel.

Like Subaru, General Motors’ equipment requirements are spec-based.

“We really give you a lot of options,” Doherty said. “This is not a money-grab for tools; we really just want a safe and proper repair.”

McFarlin noted that the need for pre-and post-repair scanning in modern vehicles has led to a growth in third-party vendors that aim to provide convenient and dependable solutions for shops.

“The manufacturers are all stepping up their game as it relates to requirements about what you have to do when the vehicle comes in and before it goes out…There are a number of companies out there, like ours, that are trying to get involved and help out with that to make sure you’re able to do what you need to do.”

Although OEM certification programs are an increasingly attractive option for many shops, Wano cautioned that pursuing them can be costly. His education/training budget for 2016 alone reached $316,000. This figure factored in recertification costs for Tesla and Land Rover and the shop’s loss of production due to technicians being away for days at a time to attend training.

Nicole Riedel

Kelli Doherty

Dave Gruskos

“The investment was significant and something you need think about as a repairer today,” he offered. “It’s not about being part of a program because you want to be part of a program; it’s about the dedication of not only the technicians, but of the ownership and management as well.”

As Krausse observed, the rise in new automotive technologies has resulted in greater precision in automotive construction and less room for error on the shop floor.

“Ten to 15 years ago, it was not uncommon for us to have to get two or three of the same vehicle to create an average of what those dimensions might be…Today, we get one vehicle in, and it’s one and done. The tolerances are that tight.”

These days, performing proper procedures often means using only the parts and tools specifically designed and/or approved by the manufacturer of the vehicle. Gruskos reminded attendees that even rivets are subject to this trend.

“There’s a tremendous amount of science in every one of those little rivets. I can’t stress enough that when you need a rivet, buy it from the car company – don’t buy a rivet from an aftermarket person.”

“You want to have the car company’s spec for their tools, and you want to buy it through the proper channels,” he added.

“You could buy from a friend who’s a tool driver, and you’ll fail the inspection because it wasn’t bought through the proper channels. It’s very important, so do your homework.”

Reichen observed that this “homework” should also include determining whether incorporating aftermarket parts into a repair would lead to negative consequences.

“The ability to have whatever percentage of used or aftermarket parts on your repair plan is going to [come] down to whether or not we can effectively reprogram this vehicle.”

As their vehicles continue to grow in complexity, OEMs are increasing their efforts to promote the use of genuine parts to both the industry and the motoring public.

“We have position statements about only using OEM parts on our cars,” stated Allen. “The only way around that is if the customer owned the car. If they own it, it’s their car – they can do whatever they want. But if they don’t own it, especially if it’s a leased car, there’s only one repair that can be done.”

“In the next few months, we’re going into a really big marketing launch to try to educate our owners that [they] need to demand these parts, because they’re the ones who really have a lot more control than me or you or anybody else,” added Riedel. “We can’t force genuine parts on cars. It’s the owner’s car; it’s their decision on what they’re going to do.”

Gary wano, Jr.

TXA

Josh McFarlin

18 October 2019 Texas Automotive

wayne Krausse

Clint Allen

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show Highlights Stefano Moretto, national sales manager for first-time Trade Show exhibitor USI of North America, traveled to Texas to introduce area customers to his company’s new waterborne technology and other products. He “absolutely” plans to return next year based on the positive response he received.

“Texas is a state with a lot of body shops. I believe that [the Trade Show] should only grow in the next couple of years as more people get into the family of the association and get more involved.”

For David Willett, general manager – automotive industry for Intrepid Direct Insurance, returning for the 2019 show after a successful debut as an exhibitor last year enabled him to strengthen his connection to the Texas automotive community.

“It is definitely a good area for collision repairers, and we have a strong relationship with some of the leadership in the association. We’re trying to help vitalize that type of association in Texas.

We’re always jumping on board to help the industry where we can.

“You go [to the Trade Show] to see potential customers, but you also go there to learn and strengthen your relationships with other people who support the industry,” he adds. “at was definitely possible.” e 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show was presented by ABAT with support from the following sponsors: Diamond Show Sponsor: BASF; Platinum Show Sponsor: AkzoNobel; Gold Show Sponsors: Axalta Coating Systems, Autel; Silver Show Sponsors: Beacon Equipment Resources, English Collision Equipment, AirPro Diagnostics, Reliable Automotive Equipment, Sherwin-Williams, PPG, NCS / Single Source, Inc., English Color & Supply, Tasco Auto Color; Refreshment Break Sponsor: NortonSaint Gobain; and Education Sponsors: CARSTAR, FinishMaster, Vale Training and KriTech Solutions.

For more information on the Auto Body Association of Texas, please visit abat.us.

TXA

Left to right: Manuel Rubio (Miracle Paint and Body), ABAT President Burl Richards (Burl's Collision Center), David Osburn (Southwest Ford Collision), Brian Brunson (Auto Tech Services) and Rocky Champion (CARSTAR Barrett Collision Center).

Body Shop Panel Explores Evolving Industry On September 20, the 2019 Texas Auto Body Trade Show’s Friday evening event schedule ushered in with a special Body Shop Panel with Manuel Rubio (Miracle Paint and Body), ABAT President Burl Richards (Burl’s Collision Center), David Osburn (Southwest Ford Collision), Brian Brunson (Auto Tech Services) and Rocky Champion (CARSTAR Barrett Collision Center). The discussion was moderated by ABAT Board member Eric McKenzie (Park Place Bodywerks) and Mark Olson of VECO Experts.

The ultimate takeaway from the discussion was the fact that the technological and training demands facing repairers are constantly evolving.

“We’re putting in a lot of standard operating procedures that we didn’t have five years ago on how to do things correctly,” commented Champion. “We just kind of flew by the seat of our pants five years ago.”

In addition to maintaining I-CAR Gold status and various OEM certifications at his operation, Osburn has become a strong advocate for vehicle scanning.

“We’re scanning almost every car we touch that comes through the door, and we’re looking up OEM procedures every day.”

Rubio opined that successfully embracing change is as much about addressing the mindset of employees as it is about making sure the right tools and equipment are in place.

“I work a lot on the culture to make sure that everyone from the technicians to the estimators and managers all understand that our future depends on continuing to learn, invest and perfect our repairs and customer service.”

Rubio added that association membership has been a tremendous asset along the way.

“ABAT is really what’s triggered a whole lot of movement at my company. The education starts with us; we’re going to learn here, and then we go share that with our companies.”

Brunson noted that a fellow ABAT member introduced him to a beneficial practice of copying the customer on all emails with the insurer during the repair process.

“It holds the insurance company more accountable, speeds up the process and instantly builds a ton of credibility with what we have to go through to actually get paid properly to repair the vehicle. If things start going sideways, you know who gets involved really quickly? The customer, and it works really well.”

Despite Texas being home to the history-making John Eagle Collision Center case, Brunson revealed that some repairers have yet to learn how critical OEM-required/ recommended procedures truly are in today’s industry.

“We had an F-150 pop in the door; a tree fell on the roof. We opened this thing up, and we found out its roof was improperly replaced – no rivets. We contacted the insurance company and asked them how they wanted to proceed. We ended up installing the rivets, and they paid us to do the repairs properly.”

Champion offered a straightforward perspective on the landmark litigation.

“The manufacturer’s specifics do matter. I know I couldn’t afford $42 million.”

Richards stressed that any shop operating in Texas and beyond needs to perform each repair with potential liability in mind.

“I think the relationship we have with [attorney] Todd Tracy now keeps that on the forefront…There’s a lawyer out there around the corner waiting on you if you’re not fixing it right.” TXA

21 October OCTOBER 2019 Texas Automotive

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Houston Chapter News New Technologies, strong opportunities: industry veteran ronnie brush looks ahead Ronnie Brush, collision center manager at Westside Lexus, has seen a lot of changes in his 27 years with the dealership and nearly four decades in the industry. But one thing that has absolutely remained constant is his commitment to providing the most professional repairs possible.

With the support of his 43-person staff, Brush oversees an average of 315 repair orders each month. In addition, the facility provides around 60 reconditioning jobs monthly for the dealership’s pre-owned sales department. Six months ago, the collision center moved into an expanded area as part of Westside Lexus’ extensive two-year renovation project. e move has provided Brush and his crew with greater bay and office space and expanded their customer service capabilities through the addition of an in-house rental service and a new waiting area.

“Lexus is a luxury brand, and the customers are tremendously loyal to us and all Lexus stores,” he explains. “We take care of them from the point of sale to service to collision repair. We invest a lot in technology in terms of equipment and our facilities and training – all the things needed to deliver unmatched service to our customers.”

Not surprisingly, this strong focus on consumers has led Brush’s operation to fully embrace the proper repair of advanced driverassistance systems (ADAS) and perform the necessary pre- and post-repair scans, among many other critical OEM-recommended/ required procedures.

“In the last few years, the pace at which change has come with vehicle designs and the use of multi-strength steels and assembly techniques has meant that we need to be careful. You might fix a 2019 vehicle one way, but you can’t fix a 2020 vehicle that same way.”

In addition to his dedication to Westside Lexus, Brush has been an active member of the Houston Auto Body Association (HABA) for

Houston collision repair mainstay Ronnie Brush (photo courtesy of westside Lexus)

more than a decade, most notably serving as vice president in recent years.

“It’s been a great experience. I want to try to give back to the industry that’s given a lot to me for a long time.”

Like many repair professionals in the Houston market, Brush is excited to see HABA recently merge with ABAT. “I think it’s going to be great for the industry. ABAT’s been pulling a lot of local areas together. We all have the same challenges, but instead of all these smaller groups trying to do something with limited funding and membership, we’re all working together. I can only see better things coming out of this collaboration.”

With industry representation in the Lone Star State now stronger than ever, he looks forward to receiving even more value from his association membership – and hopes others in his area will do the same. “e collision industry as a whole wants safe, quality repairs. We want industry members to be aware of the training that’s available to them and be aware of industry trends that we’re blessed enough to see coming. I also enjoy the networking aspect of the association and talking to different people from around Texas and around the country and getting different insight on industry problems and solutions.”

After decades in the collision repair business, Brush still approaches each repair with the same passion and enthusiasm that first drove his decision to make this his career.

“I still enjoy getting up every day and coming to work. at should say a lot in itself. I’ve done this a long time, and I’m very passionate about it. Collisions are like snowflakes; no two are exactly the same. It’s kind of an abstract business, but it’s exciting to me. It keeps you on your toes.” TXA

westside Lexus boasts one of the state’s most active and sizable collision centers. (Photo courtesy of westside Lexus)

24 October 2019 Texas Automotive

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