DON’T TRIP OVER THE CHAIN
President and CEO of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters (CME), Dennis Darby released a statement today, addressing concern over several policy changes recently made by the Ontario government that manufacturers are worried could negatively impact the Canadian supply chain.
Derby’s statement is as follows: “Over the past year the role and importance of the manufacturing sector has been on full display. As manufacturers have demonstrated on countless occasions during the pandemic, manufacturing is not only vital to our economic success, but essential to helping our country face our toughest challenges. From the production of PPE to the manufacture of vaccines and medicines, a strong and healthy Canadian manufacturing industry is in Canada’s best interests.
Today, we are deeply concerned about the Region of Peel’s orders regarding businesses and ignoring their contribution to this fight. Although we recognize that the situation is critical right now, this unilateral decision could have a catastrophic impact on Ontario’s manufacturing sector.
It is troubling to see politicians taking actions that are not based on science and that could endanger our food, PPE, and drug supply, in addition to undermining global supply chains of some of Canada’s most important economic contributors like automotive and aerospace. As you might know, the Canadian manufacturing sector is interconnected. So, by taking these actions without a broader coordinated approach, the Region of Peel is putting the integrity of our supply chain at risk.
We therefore call on the provincial government to intervene and ensure a coordinated plan for manufacturers across the province that is connected to broader societal and economic realities. We also once again offer to the government to leverage our sector’s capabilities to increase rapid testing and to speed vaccination efforts and call on the government to focus their attention for their efforts in the Peel region and other hotspot areas.”
ONTARIO’S ACES
Pfaff Autoworks of Vaughan, Ontario, has been named a finalist in VeriFacts Automotive Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence (ACE) award for 2020. Each year, VeriFacts Automotive recognizes a collision repair center that has participated in the VeriFacts Verified Quality (VQ) Program for a minimum of six months and has consistently delivered superior output repair quality. The finalists for the ACE Award for exceptional collision repair center have all displayed an industry-leading commitment to safe, correct and smart repairs, according to VeriFacts.
Pfaff Autoworks was the first Canadian shop to receive a VeriFacts Quality Medallion in 2019. Collision Repair mag recently spoke to General Manager Jeff Pabst, where he said the facility has recently been focused on preparing for ever-increasing influxes of technology in the industry, including the shift toward electric vehicles.
“We’re a Tesla-certified facility, so we’ve seen first-hand the increase in volume in [the EV sector]. We’re also a Volkswagen, Audi, MINI, BMW and Porsche-certified shop; those manufacturers are all pushing hard and heavy on EVs. So, we’ve been looking at this for about a year now, gearing ourselves up so we’re not caught behind the eightball when they really start to flood in,” he said. “We’re anticipating somewhere in the neighbourhood of 20 to 30 percent of the cars that we repair in the next three to five years will be EVs.”
The winner of the 2020 ACE Award will be announced by VeriFacts later this year. For a full list of finalists, visit verifactsauto.com/2020-ace-awards-exceptional-repair-center-finalists.
MODIFIED DECISION
After modifying his sportscar a 21-year-old Ontario man was denied an insurance claim. According to a Global News article, Modasir Ayobi decided to lease a 2020 Subaru BRZ for $500 per month, as per an agreement made a year ago. Ayobi takes great pride in his sports car. He even works two jobs to be able to afford it. So, after he got in an accident in March, and his insurance company refused to pay, he was devastated. “They denied the whole claim, around $35,000,” Ayobi told Global News.
The claim was denied because Ayobi had modified the exhaust system, without the permission of his insurance company. “If I knew modifications would affect insurance, I wouldn’t have done that,” he said. In a letter that was sent to Ayobi he was initially insured, Desjardins Insurance did warn him about the risk of modifying his vehicle. “Your vehicle is considered to be modified if it has been changed in any way from its original condition in order to improve or alter its performance, appearance or increase its value. If you make or plan to make modifications to your vehicle, contact us to make certain we are able to insure you properly,” the document says.
Ayobi had the exhaust system upgraded, but kept the original. So, it could be reinstalled after his four-year lease ended. This minor modification ended up costing him not only his car, but his insurance policy was also cancelled. However, Ayobi’s story does have a happy ending. After Global News contacted the insurance company. The company re-examined the case and has now decided to pay in full.
However, other drivers may not be as fortunate. If a person does want to modify their vehicle the safest route is probably to check-in with their insurance company first.
