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U.S. Agency Opens Probe into Fatal Tesla Vehicle Crash that Killed 3
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1Collision Adds All Magic Paint & Body's 4 California Locations
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Plover Appointed to CAWA's Manufacturers' Advisory Council
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QCD Orders 30 More Electric Volvo Trucks for Southern California Fleet
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CAWA Leadership Forum Set for June 22-24 in Redondo Beach, CA
Western News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
Mitchell Hosts CAA-San Diego at Open House
Mitchell International hosted an open house for San Diego CAA members at their new Mitchell Corporate Headquarters in the University City area of San Diego on July 24th.
The California Autobody Association—San Diego Chapter partnered with Mitchell International to host the open house so that CAA members could get an insider’s view into the world of collision information software and development.
The event was well attended with over 50 participants.
Sonoma Shop Owner Gives Wheels to Prosper By
Dino DiGiulio of Sonoma, CA started repairing cars at 14 and knew right away that he liked working on autos. After high school, he took a job in an auto body shop detailing cars. In 1990, at the age of 21, he took every penny he had and opened his own 1,800-square-foot shop, Body Best Collision Center, on Sonoma’s 8th Street East. He had one employee.
Today the shop has grown to 12,500 square feet and DiGiulio employees 14 people.
A few years ago, DiGiulio started thinking about giving back to the community. “I have such loyal customers,” he said.
Electronic Proof of Insurance Raises Privacy Concerns
Lawmakers in California say the heavily supported AB 1708, which would legalize electronic types of insurance proof, raises privacy concerns about authorities’ access to personal information stored on mobile phones. Three unanimous votes pushed the legislation through the state Assembly in less than two months, and the Senate recently amended the bill again on July 5. The legislation was introduced to keep up with new technology.
Some concerns are related to information stored on mobile phones that, when presented to authorities, could be accidentally revealed when a driver offers the phone as proof of coverage.
Scott’s Body Shop Certified by ‘Monterey Bay Green’
For Scott’s Body Shop in Santa Cruz, CA, thinking green started a few years ago as more car parts were being made of plastic. Rather than spend hundreds of dollars on a larger trash container, the owners changed their operations to recycle more and waste less. That mindset led to their recognition as the first body shop in the city of Santa Cruz to be certified green. The first in the county to be certified green is Professional Touch in Scotts Valley. Both “were exceptional and went above and beyond” the requirements, according to Jo Fleming of Monterey Bay Green Business, the certifying entity.
New Look Collision Wins Perfect Google Rating
New Look Collision Center in the Henderson and Las Vegas valley area is excited to announce that they received a perfect score, 30/30, on Google Plus Local.
CDI Holds Hearing on “Workmanlike Repairs” and Aftermarket Parts, Insurers Object to Shop Benefits
The California Department of Insurance (CDI) held a hearing Aug. 9 in Sacramento to review newly proposed regulations to clarify “workmanlike auto body repairs” and the use of aftermarket crash parts.
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Proposition 33’s Price Setting Controversy, Lawsuit to Rewrite Proposition 33 Fails, Joseph Spends $8.3M
A proposition on the November ballot in California is getting a lot of attention from people on both sides of the insurance pricing issue. However, a lawsuit filed by supporters of Proposition 33 in late July over the official wording of the measure has been thrown out by a California Superior Court judge.
Proposition 33 is an initiative aimed at maintaining discount auto insurance for people that switch car insurance companies but still keep continuous coverage. And it happens to be backed by the chairman of Mercury General Corp to the tune of $8.3 million.
Solera Holdings, Inc. Awards Cypress College with $25,000 Makeover Grant
Cypress College in Cypress, CA has been awarded a portion of Solera’s Matching Makeover grant through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. The Solera grant was made available exclusively to California secondary and/or post-secondary schools, and Cypress College will have its $50,000 wish list of needed tools, equipment, and supplies fulfilled to benefit its collision program. This $25,000 grant is a portion of the $100,000 donation made to the Collision Repair Education Foundation in 2010 by Solera, Holdings, Inc. and its CEO, Tony Aquila, and is the largest cash donation ever received by the not-for-profit organization. Current industry supporters of the California Matching Makeover grant program for Cypress College that will fulfill the second $25,000 of the grant include: 1-800-Radiator & A/C, ALLDATA, Assured Performance Network, Chilton Auto Body, Collision Services, Crockett’s Premier Autobody, FIX Auto, Hobart, Matco Tools and Oakland Autobody.
CAA Has Concerns with State Farm's Parts Bidding Program; Will Shops Only Choice be to Adapt & Survive?
The California Autobody Association released the following statement on August 8:
The California Autobody Association's (CAA) Executive Board has been evaluating the State Farm Parts Bidding program over the last few months and has concerns with the anticipated roll-out of their parts bidding program in California. This program is currently in a pilot test in four small regions, Grand Rapids, MI; Tucson, AZ; Birmingham, AL; and Charlotte, NC. (but not in California as of yet).
For CAA members that are not aware of this program, State Farm launched a parts bidding pilot program earlier this year with 158 of their Select Service direct repair shops. These shops are required to source parts from vendors through PartsTrader, using their web-based parts procurement program in which vendors bid for the order. State Farm has stated that their new program should improve parts availability, process efficiency, order accuracy, and create a better experience for the customers.
Sacramento Teen Gets Make-a-Wish Transformation of his BMW
Golden State Collision Centers Inc. of Orangevale, CA and the Make-a-Wish Foundation revealed a renovated BMW to a local Make-a-Wish teen on his 17th birthday on July 27.
The young man received a wish come true when he was presented with a complete transformation of his 1993 BMW 318i, coordinated through Golden State Collision Centers, Inc. and the Sacramento and Northeastern Chapter of the Make-a-Wish organization.
Alex Koryayev received the wish of a lifetime when his BMW, completely transformed, was revealed to him on his birthday at the Golden State Collision Center, 9439 Greenback Lane, in Orangevale, CA.