WESTERN NEWS (360)
California, Arizona and Nevada
Autobody News Western print edition is mailed to 8,500 body shops monthly
Collision Authority, a four location auto body shop MSO in the Las Vegas area is supporting the Be Smart, Be Safe campaign.
See video HERE
California's SB 1460---the Aftermarket Crash Parts Bill ---Deceased... for Now
Written by Ed AttanasioSome legislative bills have more lives than cats. Usually when any piece of proposed legislation gets defeated for one or more reasons, it is then re-written, re-packaged and amended, hopefully just enough to make it through in a different form that will appeal to more legislators the second or third time through. If it eventually becomes a law, it means it survived several rounds and reincarnations in almost every case.
Recently, SB 1460, known as the “aftermarket crash parts bill” died when it didn’t get enough support to go up for vote by the Senate Committee on Judiciary in Sacramento on April 24. Written by Senator Leland Yee, the bill would have basically allowed the use of certified aftermarket parts in repairs, as long as they “shall be presumed sufficient to return the motor vehicle to its pre-loss condition.” Although it looked fairly harmless when read by the untrained eye, in the end the bill put all of the responsibility on the repairer and the manufacturer of the part and distanced the insurance companies from any accountability for the ongoing performance of the part when used in repairs.
Cooks Collision Centers Formally Announces Acquisition of Holmes Body Shop
Written by staffCooks Collision Centers, a Roseville, CA, operator of collision repair facilities in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay area, has acquired six locations previously owned by Holmes Body Shop, a multiple collision repair operator in Southern California. The acquisition has been in the works for some time and has been widely discussed in the California auto body community.
The addition of the Holmes Body Shop locations further expands Cooks' position as the largest independently owned and operated collision repair organization in California, with 25 locations throughout the state. The acquired collision repair centers are located in Alhambra, Canoga Park, Duarte, El Segundo, Riverside and Westlake Village, Calif.
San Diego's Mossy Toyota Collision Center Hosts SkillsUSA Contestants
Written by Joe Momber
The 45th Annual SkillsUSA California State Leadership and Skills Championships was held in San Diego, April 12th–April 15th, 2012. There were over 47 high school contestants at Mossy Toyota on the weekend. This event is known as the State Competition. The Winners of each competition will be able to attend the National Conference in June.
It was the largest showcase of career and technical education in the state of California. The best high school and college/ post secondary students from across the state came together at the event involving a total of 1,700 participants including students, parents, educators, and business and industry representatives. Students showcased their skills and abilities through competition and live demonstrations of their technical trade which in turn will be the future of America’s workforce. The students competed in over 100 contests from Automotive, Construction, Cosmetology, Firefighting, First Aide/CPR, welding, Prepared Speech as well as Delegation meetings covering business matters that affect the state organization in parliamentarian procedures. In addition, over 50 businesses and labor unions are working with SkillsUSA CA to help make it all happen.
To read or download this article as a PDF with photos click HERE
Poway, CA, Navy Veteran Has Vehicle Painted to Honor Troops
Written by staffKano Williams, US Navy Veteran HM1(FMF/PJ), had his 2006 Dodge Magnum RT painted as a tribute piece for all armed forces, active and retired, in October of 2011. At first Kano had the car wrapped with a vinyl graphic with a similar concept to the way the car is painted now. He decided to make the photos and concept permanent by having the design airbrushed on the car. All the photos on the vehicle are actual pictures of the 6 tours Kano has done throughout his career in the armed forces. The Purple Heart design is also inspired by Williams’ career as he is a Purple Heart recipient.
To read or download this article as a PDF with photos click HERE
CAA San Diego Chapter Meeting Goes Nuts Over Efficiency
Written by Erica SchroederPaul Amato, who owns Amato's Auto Body in San Diego, will be the first one to tell you that he's totally nuts. When he spoke recently on shop efficiency at the San Diego chapter of the California Autobody Association monthly members meeting, Amato prefaced his presentation by saying, "I might offend some people, so be prepared."
Equipped with shop efficiency tips and a few gag props, Amato opened his presentation by handing out some nuts. "I'm really nuts--so here's some nuts," said Amato. He broke out a pink elephant nutcracker that he introduced at the beginning of the night as the anti-trust rules were read, calling it 'the elephant in the room.' He used the elephant to crack the nuts that represented topics like aftermarket parts and DRPs, but continued to reiterate, "we can't talk about it," CRACK, "but we can't talk about it."
Collision Repair Industry vs. Sacramento at the Annual ASCCA/CAA Legislation Day
Written by Ed Attanasio
by Ed Attanasio
Imagine the film “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington” but with the title: “Body Shop Owners Go to Sacramento.”
ASCCA/CAA’s Joint Legislative Day on April 18 at the State Capitol did not have the same cast as the 1939 classic film, but the storyline seems familiar: The leading mechanical and collision repairers in the state convene to take on the powers-that-be and provide feedback about proposed legislation potentially impacting their businesses. “This is the one opportunity every year when we can meet with our political representatives en masse and get our message out there,” ASCCA President Tracy Renee said.
National Auto Body Show and Shine San Diego
Written by Erica SchroederCheck it out: HERE
http://www.fox5sandiego.com/videogallery/69604959/News/Throttle-National-Auto-Body-Show-And-Shine-2012
Who is BAR Chief John Wallauch and how did he get to be the new Sheriff for California’s auto repair industry?
Written by Ed AttanasioBAR CHIEF Job Description—
- Oversee an agency with about 640 employees
- Oversee 5,177 registered body shops in California
- Manage an operating budget of about $188 Million
- Supervise a statewide network of 12 field offices
Who is John Wallauch and how did he get to be the new Sheriff for California’s auto repair industry?
To read or download this article in PDF format with photos click HERE
Car show, barbecue in Vacaville, CA, to assist cancer patients
Written by staffGrab some barbecue, enjoy a car show and aid cancer patients at the same time this Sunday by supporting the BBQ & Car Show Fundraiser in Vacaville.
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., drop by A-1 Auto Body, 1306 Callen St., for an all-you-can-eat feast of pulled pork and barbecued beef sandwiches, roasted chicken and roasted turkey sandwiches, hot dogs and hamburgers.
Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for kids. Donations are also appreciated.
The car show will feature hot rods, race cars, sprint cars, Harleys and street bikes.
The show is in honor of Ryan Bartlett, a 21-year-old Vacaville resident whose prized possession was a bright orange Chevrolet Camaro and who lost his battle with cancer in January.
Proceeds will go to Pink Lemonade, www.pink-lemonade.org, to help provide meals and comfort to cancer patients during their treatments.
For more information, call Joey at A-1 Auto Body at 448-7101.
Fremonts Auto Body and Maaco Donate Complete Paint Voucher to Washington High School
Written by staffMaaco Auto Body and Paint in the Fremont, Newark and Union City areas, is donating a complete car paint voucher to Washington High School. The paint job will be raffled during the school’s Ninth Annual Car Show to raise money for tools and equipment needed by the school’s auto shop department.
"The first year we sponsored Washington High's car show, we thought it was a nice thing to do for the kids and the community,” Frank Barnard of Maaco Auto Body and Paint said. “I didn't expect it to be big or very interesting, but I had the best time. The kids and Doug Natale do an incredible job organizing the event, and the cars that get displayed are fantastic. You can expect a bit of everything from old classics to wildly modified hot rods to modern cars with outrageous engines, sounds systems, you name it."
Organized by students and automotive technology instructor Doug Natale, the event will close out the school year and will display student automative projects on May 12, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“The event has grown to be a significant car show in the region,” Barnard said. “Scores of vehicle owners come from all over the San Francisco Bay Area to display classic cars, hot rods, motorcycles and trucks.”
Registration costs $20 for cars or motorcycles, and $7 for bicycles, plus two cans of food per vehicle. Registration continues from 7 a.m. until 3 p.m., and there is no early registration.
Participants at the car show will have the chance to win great prizes, such as gift baskets, raffle items and certificates--all while supporting good causes. The school partners with the Tri-City Homeless Shelter and Mission Valley ROP (Regional Occupational Program).
For more information about the event or any of Maaco Auto Body and Paint’s services, call 510-745-9770, view the shop on the web at www.fremont-maaco.com or visit 37414 Centralmont Place in Fremont.
