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Western News
- Crash Champions Rebrands All Southern California Fountain Valley Bodyworks Locations
- Carson City, NV, Auto Body Shop Donates Car to Woman Who Lost Home, Vehicle, Family Member in Tragic Fire
- The Boring Company Gets $6.25M for LVCC Loop, Permission to Dig More Tunnels
- West Coast Customs Announces Exclusive Collab With L.A. Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram Dealership
- Kitu Systems Deploys 190 EV Chargers at Fairplex, Home of the Los Angeles County Fair
Western News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
California mandates tire pressure checks except for body shops
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has mandated that all service centers are required to check and inflate customer’s tires to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure--regardless of whether or not the car’s service has anything to do with tires. California’s goal is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from cars driving around with under-inflated tires, which have higher rolling resistance. These circumstances result in cars using more fuel and thereby emitting more greenhouse gasses. Initiated in 2009, the law’s intent is to help car owners to have their vehicle’s tire pressure checked every time the car comes in for service.
In its third and latest revision, the regulation applies to all automotive service providers who do maintenance or repair service, but excludes certain automotive repair shops including auto body, auto glass installer, auto dismantlers, and auto parts retailers.
There could be gray areas if a service provider offers a mix of services, such as repair and body shop work. Also, consumers who have nitrogen filled tires can decline inflation service if the shop does not have nitrogen filling capacity. Shops would be required to keep accurate pressure gauges to check tires, but how they would ensure gauge accuracy is unclear. Questions remain on checking tire pressure in traditionally cold and hot states, as well as determining the responsibility of deciding if the tire is unsafe when performing the service.
U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Passes High-Tech Vehicle Legislation
The U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met July 21 for a markup of Senate Bill (S.B.) 3495, “The Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010”; S.B. 2843, “The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009” and S.B. 679, “The Heavy Duty Hybrid Vehicle Research, Development and Demonstration Act of 2009.” The committee did not finalize its work on S.B. 679 and will address this bill at a later committee meeting. Both S.B. 3495 and 2843 were reported out of the committee.
“The Promoting Electric Vehicles Act of 2010,” sponsored by Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., introduced last month, aims to reduce the United States’ dependency on foreign oil and significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The main component of the bill is Title I, “The National Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Deployment Program,” which aims to:
-Reduce the use of petroleum by accelerating the deployment of plug-in electric-drive vehicles in the United States.
-Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by accelerating the deployment of plug-in electric-drive vehicles in the United States.
-Facilitate the rapid deployment of plug-in electric-drive vehicles.
-Achieve significant market penetrations by plug-in electric-drive vehicles nationally.
-Establish models for the rapid deployment of plug-in electric-drive vehicles nationally, including models for the deployment of residential, private and publicly available charging infrastructure.
-Increase consumer knowledge and acceptance of plug-in electric-drive vehicles.
-Encourage the innovation and investment necessary to achieve mass-market deployment of plug-in electric-drive vehicles.
-Facilitate the integration of plug-in electric-drive vehicles into electricity distribution systems and the larger electric grid while maintaining grid system performance and reliability.
-Provide technical assistance to communities across the United States to prepare for plug-in electric-drive vehicles.
-Support workforce training across the United States relating to plug-in electric drive vehicles.
Introduced last year, S.B. 2843, “The Advanced Vehicle Technology Act of 2009,” sponsored by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., seeks to promote federal aid for developing and promoting new vehicle technologies. The main purposes of this legislation include:
-Developing and promoting the deployment of technologies and practices that:
A. Improve the fuel efficiency and emissions of all vehicles produced in the United States.
B. Reduce vehicle reliance on petroleum-based fuels.
-Supporting domestic research, development, demonstration, deployment, engineering and commercial application and domestic manufacturing of advanced vehicles, engines and components.
-Enabling vehicles to move larger volumes of goods and more passengers with less energy and emissions.
-Developing cost-effective advanced technologies for wide-scale utilization throughout the passenger, commercial, government and transit vehicle sectors.
-Allowing for greater consumer choice of domestic-made vehicle technologies and fuels.
-Shortening technology development and integration cycles in the domestic vehicle industry.
-Ensuring a proper balance and diversity of federal investment in domestic-made vehicle technologies.
-Promoting the integration of intelligent vehicle technologies with infrastructure-based information and communications systems and the electrical grid.
-Strengthening partnerships between federal and state governmental agencies and the private and academic sectors.
To view a complete summary of the legislation, along with the full text, visit the “Track Legislation” section of ASA’s legislative website, www.TakingTheHill.com.
The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA’s headquarters is in Bedford, Texas. ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA’s legislative website at www.TakingTheHill.com.
Nevada Gets New Insurance Commissioner, Brett J. Barratt
Nevada Department of Business & Industry Director Dianne Cornwall announced the appointment of Brett J. Barratt as the new Commissioner of the Division of Insurance.
Barratt replaces Scott J. Kipper, who resigned the position in June.
Barratt, an attorney, has extensive experience in insurance regulation. Beginning in February 2005, he served as the Insurance Counsel/Hearing Officer for the Division. In October 2009, he became the Chief Insurance Assistant for the Division.
“Mr. Barratt comes to us with extensive knowledge of insurance regulation as well as strong legislative expertise and legal experience,” Director Cornwall said. “He has already proven his ability to lead during a transition, and I look forward to his ongoing oversight of this dynamic agency.”
The Division regulates and licenses insurance producers, brokers and other professionals; sets ethical and financial standards for insurance companies; and reviews rates.
The Division also reviews programs operated by self-insured employers for workers’ compensation, and investigates claims of insurance fraud.
California Ends Hybrids’ HOV Status for Singles
According to the California Environmental Protection Agency's Air Resources Board, hybrid vehicles with the yellow Clean Air Vehicle stickers will no longer have access to High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) or carpool lanes with only one occupant.
The EPA decided to allow only white Clean Air Vehicle sticker carrying vehicles in HOV lanes with a single occupant after the popularity of hybrid vehicles has become too much for HOV lanes to handle.
California law allows single-occupant use of HOV lanes by qualifying clean alternative fuel vehicles. Use of these lanes with only one occupant requires a Clean Air Vehicle Sticker issued by the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
There are two types of stickers; White Clean Air Vehicle Stickers are available to an unlimited number of qualifying Federal Inherently Low Emission Vehicles (ILEVs). Cars that meet these requirements are typically certified pure zero emission vehicles (100% battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell) and compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles. Assembly Bill 1500 extended the expiration of white stickers to January 1, 2015.
A Brief History of Collision Repair Association of California
In the fall of 2006, five independent-minded shop owners in Northern California agreed that the collision industry needed steering —toward better protection for shop owners and consumers, that is.
“They were tired of the manner in which industry issues were being addressed and wanted to take a more aggressive stance on the issues,” says Lee Amaradio, CRA’s second president and owner of Faith Quality Auto Body in Murietta. “We lobby our positions vigorously,” says Amaradio.
Those founding members are current board members and shop owners Roy Carnevale, Anthony’s Auto Craft, San Rafael, and Blake Andros, Blake’s Auto Body, with shops in Marin and Sonoma counties, as well as Byron Orris, Byron’s Auto Body in Napa, an owner and general member.
Two of the original founders, Todd Bishop and Gene Crozat, are no longer members. Crozat, the original president and owner of three G&C AutoBody shops in Northern California, had been critical of CRA’s direction even before his departure.
“The association grew out of frustration with the way industry issues were being addressed,” says Allen Wood, executive director for CRA. Owner of a consulting business, he was formerly a program manager for the California Bureau of Automotive Repair.
Nevada Subcommittee Seeks Tire Pressure Check Law
A Nevada legislative subcommittee has agreed to seek a bill requiring auto shops to check the air pressure in customer vehicles.
State Sen. Mike Schneider, a Las Vegas Democrat, says it will increase highway safety, save gas and reduce air pollution.
The bill would be considered during the 2011 legislative session.
Not all lawmakers were for it.
Republican Assemblywoman Heidi Gansert of Reno said while checking air pressure in tires is a good idea, she opposed mandating tire checks, saying it comes down to personal responsibility.
More...
California Assembly Allows Crash Parts Bill to Die
The California Assembly Committee on Business, Professions and Consumer Protection did not take up Senate Bill 350, a bill regulating aftermarket crash parts. This replacement crash parts legislation prohibits insurers from mandating the use of non-original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) aftermarket crash parts (ACPs) unless the following requirements are met:
• The parts are at least equal to the original equipment manufacturer parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit and performance.
• The insurer specifying the use of non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts shall pay the cost of any modifications to the parts that may become necessary to affect the repair.
• The insurer specifying the use of non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts shall warrant that those parts are of like kind, quality, safety, fit and performance as original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts.
• All original and non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts manufactured on or after Jan. 1, 2011, when supplied by auto body repair shops, as defined in Section 9889.51 of the Business and Professions Code, shall carry sufficient permanent, non-removable identification so as to identify the manufacturer. This identification shall be accessible to the greatest extent possible after installation.
See July Autobody News for more details on this bill
California CDI and Attorney General's office responds to CRA observations regarding noncompliant non original equipment aftermarket crash parts
The California Department of Insurance and the Attorney General's Office held joint meetings on June 24th and 25th with insurers, suppliers, manufacturers and trade associations that are a part of the supply chain for aftermarket parts specified during the settlement of insurance claims.
CRA has challenged the insurance industry's compliance with regulations that call for aftermarket parts specified in the claims process to be at least equal to the original equipment manufacturer parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit and performance.
California Repair Association President Lee Amaradio stated, "It is encouraging to see the Department of Insurance and the Attorney General's office showing interest in the is important consumer issue, though the outcome is uncertain . We hope their involvement will result in permanent change and a fair and compliant claims process. All most all insurers have recognized the issue and stopped specifying non-compliant parts and they should be commended for that. We now need a permanent solution."
Amaradio added "this all started when Toby Chess demonstrated differences between OEM and non-original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts. CRA recognized the importance of his demonstration and moved the issue forward putting pressure on CDI to fulfill its regulatory mandate. It appears they may now be doing so."
CRA Executive Director Allen Wood added, "vehicles should not be reengineered as part of the claims process. The regulations governing these issues deal with insurance not auto repair. We want to insure that consumers (claimants) receive high quality, competent, safe repairs. The evolution of this issue is a graphic example of how a trade association that is responsive to the issues and is willing to step up can promote change. This is not over. However, with the Attorney General involved, we are extremely encouraged."
Pasadena CAA Chapter Meeting Hears ‘A Perfect Storm’ Presentation from Dale Delmege, Members Talk about Sting
The June 16th Pasadena CAA chapter meeting at the usual location, Brookside Country Club, was presided over by Linda Holcomb in the absence of President Curt Nixon. Linda reminded the group that July 1st, AQMD Rule 1147 goes into effect that, among other things, stipulates that a spray booth heater must be certified to meet a new 30 ppm requirement. A handout from Rely On Technologies provided specification details for the group.
Past President Nathan Simmons presented a CRA report and urged members to come to a fund-raiser for insurance commissioner candidate Dave Jones. Nathan pointed out that Dave has asserted that he has accepted no money from the insurance industry. (See flyer on p. 4 this issue.)
After dinner, Linda introduced the speaker for the meeting, Dale Delmege, Executive V.P. of Operations for Mitchell until 1994, and a principal with Chelsea Group and D.D. Partners, a marketing and organizational consulting company with clients like Dupont, BASF, LKQ, Carstar and ABRA.
Delmege’s topic, “A Perfect Storm,” had elements that will be included in a June 28th issue of Claims Magazine, under the title: “Watch Out For That Fourth Step.” With more than thirty years in the collision industry, Delmege promised to enlighten the group on what to do about the situation where 40,000 shops in the U.S. are competing for the declining amount of collision repair work that could easily be handled by 8,000 shops.
California State Assembly Hears Two Bills on Aftermarket Parts, CAA to Meet with CDI & DOI
The California Assembly Business and Professions Committee, chaired by Assembly member Mary Hayashi (D-Hayward), will hold a hearing Tuesday, June 22, on two measures dealing with collision repair parts after our press time.
Senate Bill 350, the original version of which was sponsored by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), would add a new section to the California Business and Professions Code that currently requires consumer disclosure in order to use aftermarket crash parts on a repair.
In addition to the current consumer disclosure requirement, SB 350 would add an additional list of requirements that must be met in order for an insurer to specify the use of aftermarket crash parts. Among them, the bill would require any insurer specifying the use of aftermarket parts to warrant that those parts are “of like kind, quality, safety, fit, and performance as original equipment manufacturer aftermarket crash parts.”
This requirement is already contained under Section 2695.8 (g) of the California Code of Regulations. The bill serves to codify existing law.
The bill, originally introduced by Senator Leland Yee (D-San Francisco), passed the Senate last year and is now awaiting approval by Hayashi’s committee. Hayashi is the Assembly member who in 2008 sponsored and passed Assembly Bill 1200, the measure that changed California’s anti-steering laws effective January 1, 2010.
The hearing is also scheduled to consider Senate Bill 427, introduced by Senator Gloria Negrete McLeod. SB 427 would require repairers to provide, on a signature page of the final invoice, a statement that installing parts other than those described on the estimate without prior approval from the customer is unlawful.
Both bills have already been approved by the Senate. Readers can go to www.autobodynews.com for an update on the results of the meeting.
The California Autobody Association (CAA) was invited to participate in a meeting on June 24 with both the California Department of Insurance (DOI) and the California Department of Justice to discuss the issues surrounding aftermarket replacement crash parts and provide recommendations in developing “policy and legal issues relating to the use of replacement crash parts.”
According to the CAA, this meeting is a culmination of a series of discussions and meetings CAA has been having with the DOI and the Attorney General’s office for the last several months which recently resulted in the DOI issuing a notice to all insurers specifying non-OEM replacement crash parts for the repair of an automobile. The memo stated that all non-OEM parts specified must be at least equal to the OEM parts in terms of kind, quality, safety, fit and performance, specifically noting aftermarket bumper reinforcement bars, and that the parts must have must have permanent, non-removable identification of the part manufacturer.
The CAA noted that California regulations Section 2695.8(g)(4) requires that “all original and non-original manufacture replacement crash pads, manufactured after the effective date of this subchapter, when supplied by repair shops shall carry sufficient permanent, non-removable identification so as to identify the manufacturer.”
As discussed with the DOI, the issuance of this notice to insurers is the first step in establishing a traceability system for parts in the state of California that will allow manufacturers to identify and track their parts in the event of a recall concerning safety, fit, and quality.
The CAA conducted a very successful stakeholder meeting in March of this year to begin addressing the need of tracking aftermarket crash parts. Many of those that were at that meeting will be in attendance at the June 24 meeting in Sacramento with the Department of Insurance.
The CAA’s position is that the issue of being able to have a uniform system to track aftermarket crash parts for the industry is a priority project that needs to happen now. Consumers should have the confidence that if a part fails or has been identified for possible failure there is a process in place to rectify it.
Peter Conlin, Counsel to the Commissioner, said in a letter to the CAA, “Commissioner Poizner places his highest regulatory priority on promoting consumer safety and I believe the CAA could play a significant role in developing a new policy consensus in the area.”