OEM Info and High-Strength Steel Focus at I-CAR Meeting

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OEM Info and High-Strength Steel Focus at I-CAR Meeting

Written by CRM News

Monday, 28 July 2008

SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- July 28, 2008 -- The past fiscal year for I-CAR was one of change and progress. That’s the message from John Edelen, I-CAR’s president and CEO at the 2008 I-CAR International Meeting. The meeting took place July 24 – 26, at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, AZ.

Edelen recapped the major fiscal year accomplishments:
•   Improving engagement with the marketplace
•   Obtaining the voice of the customer
•   Building upon a strong foundation of volunteers and program instructors through improved support
•   Improving the infrastructure for improved quality and efficiency

“For me, the local market network of committees, volunteers and program instructors is at the heart of I-CAR,” said Edelen. “It is largely where the heritage and traditions of this organization are kept alive. It has been the eyes and ears of the organization, as well, over the years – providing insights and feedback on the needs of our customer, the auto collision inter-industry. Since last November, we have begun to supplement the feedback we get from the frontlines with other mechanisms: Industry Segment Advisory Councils, Market Segment Teams, industry relations activities, and others.”

The meeting also featured numerous OEM technical clinics, from manufacturers such as GM, Chrysler, Porsche, and Toyota.

Dave Anderson of the American Iron and Steel Institute provided an overview of repair issues regarding advanced high-strength steels (AHSS). Various types of AHSS are already being in use in Honda’s Ridgeline, Ford’s Mustang, a number of Mercedes-Benz models and other vehicles. Anderson says that although there are concerns about working with all of the new and improved steels, work done by AISI shows that these materials can be repaired within certain guidelines.

I-CAR will celebrate its 30th anniversary at the 2009 I-CAR International Annual Meeting being held February 5 - 7, 2009, at the historic Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. This event will combine the annual meeting of the I-CAR membership, company board meetings, and a national conference for I-CAR volunteers and program instructors. Additional information will be posted at i-car.com and collisionrepairmag.com as it becomes available.

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