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Collision Repair
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Monday, 13 May 2013 13:24 |
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| The Collision Repair & Refinish section of the 2013 SEMA Show will feature an expanded section in the LV Hotel. |
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Las Vegas, Nevada -- May 13, 2013 -- The 2013 SEMA Show will include enhanced features for the collision repair and refinish market, including an expanded Show floor area, targeted activities both inside and outside the Las Vegas Convention Center and the educational program. A statement from SEMA Show management says the upgrades come as a result of the fast-growing interest from both exhibitors and buyers in the collision market segment.
“As interest grows and the landscape changes, we continue to evolve and are excited about the plans for 2013,” said Peter MacGillivray, SEMA vice president of communications and events.
Last year’s SEMA Show featured 330 exhibitors in the Collision Repair & Refinish area and the Tools & Equipment area—the two sections where many exhibitors feature products for the collision repair market. These exhibitors were housed in more than 88,000 sq. ft. in the North Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center. For 2013, the Collision Repair & Refinish section will expand into an adjacent area of the LV Hotel, accommodating up to 20,000 sq. ft. of additional space.
“The expanded floor section makes it really easy and convenient for buyers to see all the products in the collision market within a defined area,” said MacGillivray. A statement from SEMA indicates that more than 20,000 SEMA Show buyers expressed an interest in collision repair products, and 87 per cent of all buyers have buying influence.
Those in the collision market are also able to network and expand their knowledge during several industry meetings and educational events taking place. The Collision Industry Conference (CIC), the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) are amongst the groups hosting meetings during the SEMA Show.
A comprehensive Repairer Driver Education program is also presented by the SCRS.
“We are really excited for this year’s Show,” said Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS executive director. Schulenburg says that the 2013 Repairer Driven Education program will include fresh and inspiring content, while continuing to remain relevant to collision repairers.
“Each year we have taken the feedback and used it to amplify our upcoming offerings,” he said, noting that 2013 will be the group’s fourth year partnering with SEMA to present the educational program. “The objective, however, remains the same: to address real issues faced by collision repairers, while providing tangible information that they can directly apply to their business when they return home.”
The 2013 SEMA Show is set for November 5 to 8, in Las Vegas. The annual event typically attracts more than 130,000 individuals from 125 countries. For more details, please visit SEMAShow.com.
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 13:30 |
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Collision Repair
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Monday, 13 May 2013 12:01 |
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Detroit, Michigan -- May 13, 2013 -- Greater use of structural adhesive and aluminum is helping Cadillac reduce overall weight of the ATS and all-new CTS sedans, contributing to better ride and handling and reduced cabin noise in both models.
The new CTS uses 387 feet of structural adhesive – more than the length of a football field – as a bonding agent that holds together and stiffens load-bearing parts and components. According to Cadillac, the extensive use of adhesive provides a damping effect, which reduces the transmission of vibration through the body structure. That pays off in fewer squeaks and rattles reaching a driver.
The heavy-duty material, along with traditional metal joining processes like spot welding, also makes a stiffer, more durable joint. These advanced techniques, in addition to the use of high-strength steels and efficient geometry helps make the new CTS sedan 40 percent stiffer than the previous model.
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| Greater use of structural adhesive and aluminum is helping Cadillac reduce overall weight of the ATS and all-new CTS sedans, contributing to better ride and handling and reduced cabin noise in both models. |
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Aluminum was used extensively to save weight. For the first time, all four doors will be constructed of aluminum; cutting 55 lbs. compared with the steel doors on the previous generation CTS.
“Reducing overall weight is a key element in producing a car that delivers agile handling dynamics,” said John Plonka, CTS program engineering manager. “By rethinking very traditional elements, such as such as materials used for bumpers and doors, we are able to save precious weight and stay true to delivering a vehicle that is fun to drive.”
Other aluminum contributions to weight savings:
- 13.1 pounds by replacing steel bumpers on the current generation CTS.
- 14 pounds by making front strut towers of cast aluminum compared with steel used in current CTS.
- 7.2 pounds from the instrument panel structure, where extruded and stamped aluminum replaced cast magnesium.
- 36.5 pounds by using extruded and cast aluminum vs. a steel powertrain cradle on the current model.
Strategic use of aluminum is also an integral component of the ATS luxury sport sedan, which shares architecture with the new CTS sedan. At just 3,315 lbs., ATS is among the lightest vehicles in its class.
The ATS powertrain features extensive use of aluminum. The ATS also has an aluminum hood, suspension cradle and cylinder heads.
The 2014 Cadillac CTS arrives in showrooms this fall. The ATS is Cadillac’s entry in to the most significant luxury car segment. Since its launch last fall, ATS has received several accolades, including the first Cadillac to win the North American Car of the Year award.
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 12:06 |
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Collision Repair
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Friday, 10 May 2013 19:00 |
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| Peter Richardson has joined Car-O-Liner as a Key Accounts Manager. |
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Wixom, Michigan -- May 10, 2013 -- Car-o-Liner has hired Peter Richardson as a Key Accounts Manager. In his new role, Richardson will work closely with Car-O-Liner's OEM and MSO partners across North America to understand their needs and offer solutions that will enhance their business.
“We are excited that Peter is joining the Car-O-Liner family. He is a powerful addition to our team,” said Jeff Kern, Car-O-Liner President of the Americas. “Establishing a strategic partnership with our customers is of high importance to us. Peter's knowledge of the industry is an asset to reinforce our relationships with key OEM and MSO partners.”
Richardson joins Car-O-Liner after 10 years at Shure Manufacturing where he was responsible for sales, marketing, and customer service. He developed and managed Shure’s long-term relationships with national automotive OEM equipment programs, as well as directed sales initiatives and strategies to increase brand awareness and sales both domestically and internationally. Before that, Richardson spent 12 years at SBC Telecommunications in various sales and account management positions.
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Collision Repair
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Friday, 10 May 2013 18:51 |
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Cambridge, Ontario -- May 10, 2013 -- Fix Auto Canada has announced that Fix Auto Cambridge has become a Toyota Certified Collision Centre (TCCC) and a Scion Certified Collision Centre. The facility is located at 1448 Bishop St. in Cambridge, Ont.
Toyota, Lexus and Scion have strong reputations for quality and dependability. According to the company, the Toyota Certified program aims to select only the finest shops that have passed a rigorous audit and demonstrate a high level of professionalism, customer service and guaranteed quality work.
With customer satisfaction being a key principal to the Toyota brand, choosing certified shops is an intensive process as the brands reputation is tested each time a certified shop is used by its customer base.
“This is a huge honour,” said Val Correia, Fix Auto Cambridge Fixed Operations Manager. “Our shop's focus has always been on doing quality work and customer satisfaction. I am pleased that this has now been recognized by Toyota. We are looking forward to serving their customers.”
All certified collision centres obtain information access regarding the brands' vehicles, collision repair manuals, wiring diagrams and service bulletins. In addition, TCCC shops will soon have access to online technical training, which is a part of the certification program for technicians.
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Last Updated on Friday, 10 May 2013 18:52 |
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Collision Repair
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Friday, 10 May 2013 11:45 |
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By Andrew Ardizzi
Toronto, Ontario -- May 13, 2013 -- The public may now access documents online detailing the backgrounds of tow truck drivers.
Thorough driver records detailing indiscretions such as past sexual assault convictions, Highway Traffic Act violations or any other crime are now available on the City of Toronto's website.
The decision follows the recent discovery that there was a four year gap between the mandatory background and criminal checks tow truck and taxi cab drivers must be subjected to. The city responded with a pledge to increase the frequency of the checks to every two years, with the possibility of annual background checks.
Toronto City Councillor Glenn De Baermaeker motioned to direct city licensing staff to investigate areas of concern connected to making drivers' records public, not the least of which includes the precise information that should be made available online.
Drivers must submit background and criminal checks when they first apply for their licenses, which must then be renewed annually. It's hoped that the motion to increase the submission frequency of drivers' checks will put the public at ease about who they entrust their lives -- and vehicles -- to, creating greater transparency in the towing industry.
Provincial Towing Association of Ontario (PTAO) executive director Doug Nelson says there's a lot of value in having the reports accessible online to ensure drivers are complying with basic standards and regulations.
"To report all of the issues is a good thing," he says. "I don't see any issues or have any concerns with the information being available online, as long as the information being published is factual."
While stricter protocols for drivers in the City of Toronto are welcomed, Nelson feels it does nothing for the consumer outside Toronto's city limits.
"There needs to be province-wide regulations because there's nothing stopping drivers from going to another municipality and getting their license there," Nelson says.
He says the PTAO submitted a regulations proposal to the Ontario government to expand the initiative across the province in an effort to make sure drivers don't pose a risk to consumers' safety. While the Toronto initiative is a step in the right direction, he says it is just a single step towards greater regulation and access to information.
"Municipal licensing in a nutshell is too late for the towing community," Nelson says. "It would be much more valuable if it was at the provincial level."
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Last Updated on Monday, 13 May 2013 14:25 |
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Collision Repair
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Thursday, 09 May 2013 14:01 |
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Dubai, United Arab Emirates -- May 9, 2013 -- 3M Automotive Aftermarket division, in collaboration with Rover Auto Center, has inaugurated its first Authorized Bodyshop in Dubai. The facility is the first of its kind from 3M in the Middle East region.
The new 3M Authorized Bodyshop was inaugurated in the presence of Irfan Malik, Area Vice President, 3M Middle East & Africa and Mr. B.P Vidyanandhan, Managing Director and Owner of Rover Auto Center.
According to a statement from the company, the 3M Authorized Bodyshop has been established to offer high quality and professional collision repair services to car owners by using proven 3M solutions, combined with 3M's decades of global expertise in the automotive aftermarket industry.
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| Irfan Malik of 3M Middle East & Africa and B.P. Vidyanandhan, Managing Director and Owner, Rover Auto Center cut the ribbon to officially open the first 3M Authorized Bodyshop in the Middle East. |
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With the inauguration of the new centre, 3M Middle East & Africa says it has established a dedicated one stop shop for car collision repairs in the UAE. Strategically located in the Al Quoz Industrial area, and well equipped with the latest technology for collision repair and car detailing, the newly inaugurated centre will offer 3M's complete range of automotive solutions with the assurance of a fast turnaround time for damaged cars.
Commenting on the opening of the new authorized centre, Irfan Malik, Area Vice President, 3M Middle East & Africa said, "Latest innovations that offer unmatched value and convenience to consumers is the hallmark of our solutions at 3M. The authorized body shop that has been inaugurated today is yet another example of the seamless application of our sophisticated technology platform for the benefit of car owners. 3M automotive aftermarket solutions have created a niche for themselves in the UAE and we are confident that our latest offering in the realm of collision repair will witness similar success and consumers will benefit immensely with the introduction of this new concept."
"Rover auto center has been at the forefront of implementing best auto care practices over the last decade and this reputation has earned us the collaboration with 3M automotive,” said B.P. Vidyanandhan, Managing Director and Owner, Rover Auto Center. “Car owners can now experience agency repairs like service and professional support for their collision repair and car detailing services. 3M collision repair products are renowned for delivering high quality work and we are proud to offer these solutions to our valued customers as we begin our association with 3M."
With the launch of its first collision repair facility in Dubai, 3M has also expressed interest in opening similar facilities across the United Arab Emirates and wider Middle East region, in collaboration with existing centres with proven track record, professional management and excellent customer feedback.
"For the past 100 years, 3M's innovative solutions have been implemented across various applications by the automobile industry around the world and now the same products have been tailored for direct consumer use as they are made available at the 3M Authorized Body Shop Center", said Kevin Miranda, General Sales & Marketing Manager Automotive Aftermarket Division.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 14:10 |
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Collision Repair
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Thursday, 09 May 2013 13:29 |
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Norcross, Georgia -- May 9, 2013 -- AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas is now accepting nominations for the 2013 FIT Sustainability Awards.
As a global leader in sustainability, AkzoNobel launched the FIT Program in 2009 in an effort to bring awareness and create a desire for change within the collision repair industry related to this critical global issue. FIT is an acronym for Focus, Innovation and Talent, the three key criteria for the award. The FIT program was established as an expansion of the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry Program.
The FIT award is presented to organizations and institutions that are on the leading edge of this issue and are seeking to advance sustainable business practices within the collision repair industry. Past recipients have included the California Autobody Association, Enterprise Holdings and Keenan’s Autobody, forerunners in their respective areas of the industry pertaining to the issue of sustainability.
2013 FIT award winners along with other industry leaders will participate in the annual AkzoNobel Sustainability Leadership Symposium. During this time AkzoNobel will also reveal plans for the AkzoNobel Education Challenge Grant for the Advancement of Sustainable Business Practices in Collision Repair. This grant, administered in collaboration with the Education Foundation, will go to secondary and post-secondary educational institutions and students that also choose to take a leadership role in advancing the sustainability movement within the collision repair industry.
“AkzoNobel is extremely pleased to be able to continue to promote this critical initiative within our industry,” said Mike Shesterkin, Director of Sustainability and Business Improvement for AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas. “It is our goal to raise the level of awareness for sustainability in much the same manner as we did for diversity and women in the collision repair industry with the Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry Program.
Deadline for submittals is June 30, 2013. Nominations can be placed by going to facebook.com/GoAkzoNobelAAC and click of the FIT logo or sending to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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