WESTERN NEWS (573)
California, Arizona and Nevada
Autobody News Western print edition is mailed to 8,500 body shops monthly
Californians to Benefit from New Electric-Car Charging Network
Written by staffCalifornians will benefit from the nation’s most comprehensive electric vehicle fast-charging network to be built by NRG and eVgo.
NRG Energy, through its eVgo subsidiary, has been cleared to provide Californians with the nation’s most comprehensive electric vehicle (EV) charging network including fast chargers that allow drivers to add 50 miles of range in 15 minutes at premier retail environments. With the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approval of the agreement between the California Public Utilities Commission and NRG, eVgo can now begin work on a network that will raise the bar on convenience for EV drivers.
Carlsbad, CA, Auto Dealer Nominated for 2013 TIME Dealer of the Year Award
Written by staffRobert Hoehn of Hoehn Motors in Carlsbad, CA, has been recognized as one of the nation’s most successful auto dealers who also demonstrates a long-standing commitment to community service.
Californians Buy More Hybrids and Electric Cars Than Other Drivers Across the United States
Written by staffCalifornia car buyers are America’s top consumers of hybrid and electric vehicles, reports Edmunds.com.
Edmunds.com, an automotive shopping and information site, conducted a thorough analysis of hybrid and electric car buying in each of the 50 states (plus the District of Columbia) and found that California residents are buying a larger proportion of these vehicles.
The city of San Mateo is backing off enforcement of auto shop vehicle lifts and temporarily not issuing any new permits, saying it would rather find solutions with businesses who were hit with costly violations in recent weeks during inspections for other public nuisance problems.
“We understand this came as a surprise to many in the auto shop community and we are aware of and sensitive to the concerns which have been expressed by the business owners,” City Manager Susan Loftus wrote in an Oct. 19 letter to the shops.
WIN Collision Center Hosts Verifacts Training Clinics
Written by staffOn Oct. 16, WIN Collision Center in Carson, CA, hosted two Verifacts training clinics. More than 80 people attended with approximately 67 of those attendees being insurance adjuster and appraisers. The clinics covered training on hybrid vehicle repairs and MIG brazing. According to Anthony Guinn, WIN Collision Center General Manager, the hybrid clinic was very educational and gave a very good view of the technical areas that are new to the industry.
The Inland Empire Chapter of the California Autobody Association will meet Nov. 15 at a new venue, Mill Creek Cattle Company, 103 N. Lincoln Ave. in Corona, CA, and host guest speaker Lynnette Madsen from BPG Consulting. Madsen, president/CEO of BPG Consulting, Inc., a risk management firm, will address identify theft, federal laws and requirements. Madsen is a certified ID Theft Risk Management Specialist and will help members become aware of what mitigation plans you need, as well as IT requirements. In addition, the meeting will cover the risk of "the cloud" and third party downloads.
Registration begins at 6 p.m., speaker starts at 6:30 and dinner will be served at 6:45. Cost is $30 for CAA members or $45 for non-members. Vendor cost is $150.RSVP to Cindy Shillito at (714) 944-4028 or to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
Los Angeles/South Coast CAA Chapter Back On Its Feet
Written by CAA staffThe Los Angeles/South Coast CAA Chapter has been dormant for the past year, but the chapter is coming back to life. The newly revived chapter is seeking board members. If you are interested in becoming a board member, please attend the dinner meeting set for Tuesday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held at the WIN Chevrolet Collision Center, 2201 E. 223rd Street in Carson, CA.
It was recently announced that Anthony Guinn, General Manager of WIN Collision Center, will be the chapter's new president. Guinn will host the Nov. 13 meeting and officers will be elected.
Please RSVP to Cindy Shillito, CAA Southern California Representative, at (714) 944-4028; or at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Dinner will be provided by Enterprise Rent-A-Car.
Cypress College Receives $50,000 in Makeover Tools, Equipment
Written by Melanie AndersonTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The Collision Repair Education Foundation hosted an Open House Sept. 25 at Cypress Community College in Cypress, CA to present new equipment and tools to its collision repair instructor and students - the first recipients of the $50,000 California Matching Makeover Grant.
15 Years of Successful Toying—But Will it Keep on Truckin’?
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
The California Autobody Association East Bay Chapter (CAA-EBC) once again will be hosting its annual Toys for Tots Model Truck Customizing Competition to be held Nov. 20 at the prestigious Blackhawk Auto Museum in Danville, CA. It’s the event’s 15th anniversary, but some are concerned that this could be its last year.
San Diego High School Opens New Tech Training Facility
Written by Melanie AndersonTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
Morse High School in San Diego, CA, recently celebrated the opening of its new auto body and engineering facility with a dedication and open house. The school’s auto body and engineering program provides students with a professional working environment while still in high school. The new and remodeled College, Career and Technical Education (CCTE) facilities for auto body and engineering were funded by state Prop. 1D and local Prop. S.
East Bay CAA Members Get Schooled at University of Toyota
Written by Ed AttanasioTo view a pdf file of this article with photos, click HERE.
They don’t have a sports team, a fight song or a mascot, but it’s a major institution that can help body techs and painters throughout the country to work smarter while repairing a leading car brand. It’s called the University of Toyota and it offers the collision industry a unique opportunity to learn how to work on 27 different models of one of the world’s most popular vehicles ever made.
