In 1997, Georgia shop owner Gene Hamilton suggested that the money industry vendors were spending on large parties at the annual NACE convention could be used to address larger industry issues.

CIC ends parts test-fit demonstrations, feds launch new insurance oversight agency

The “OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit,” hosted in November by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, gave representatives of the automakers an opportunity to weigh in on a variety of topics raised by collision repairers.

As another new year begins, the collision industry can expect more big changes in terms of vehicle technology, repair requirements, judicial and regulatory actions, state and federal legislation, and insurer involvement in the claims process.

Here’s a look at some of what’s in store for the coming 12 months.

Jack Rozint, Vice President of Sales & Services, Repair for Auto Physical Damage Business Unit, Mitchell International, Inc. and CIC Committee Chair

Scanning of vehicles for diagnostic trouble codes as part of the collision repair process continued to be a key topic at meetings held in conjunction with SEMA in Las Vegas in November. A Collision Industry Conference (CIC) committee examining some of the issues the industry needs to address related to scanning, for example, reported in Las Vegas that it continues to identify as many questions as answers.