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Vol. 9 / Issue 5 / February 2020
Midwest Association Event Announcements: February 2020
Two GM Engineers Arrested After Recklessly Driving New Corvettes in KY
by Chasidy Rae Sisk
by Jay Traugott, CARBUZZ
ASA Ohio Launches Collision Performance Leaders Group In 2020, ASA Ohio will launch its all new Collision Performance Leaders
Group (CPL), moderated by Mike Anderson of Collision Advice. The CPL Group is designed as a focus
group for an advanced network of Ohio collision repair shops to share insights into the toughest challenges they face and to hold one another accountable to reaching their goals. ASA Ohio promises that each meeting will be concentrated on the Midwest market, and the self-governed group will determine the location and agenda topics for their three full-day meetings each year. The CPL Group will focus on fine-tuning processes in all facets of their collision businesses and find new ways to maximize profits through peer-toSee Event Announcements, Page 6
Prevalence of Vehicle Scanning – and Insurers’ Willingness to Pay for it – Have Risen The industry’s adoption of vehicle scanning as an indispensable part of the repair process can be seen in the results of the “Who Pays for What” surveys conducted for several years by Collision Advice and CRASH Network. In the survey conducted this past fall, 11% of shops said they might skip a post-repair scan because no dash lights are lit – not a legitimate reason – but in the same survey in 2016, nearly half of all shops (44%) said that was a reason they might skip the scan. Likewise, three years ago, about 1 in 5 shops said they did-
n’t perform scans because they don’t have the tools necessary to perform the scans. In the latest survey, 2% used that as an excuse. Payment practices have evolved as well. Back in 2016, a “Who Pays” survey found more than 30% of all shops said that one of the reasons they didn’t perform a post-repair vehicle scan was that insurers didn’t pay them for the procedure. Three years later, just 12% of shops say a lack of insurer payment is one of the reasons they might not perform a vehicle scan. More than 97% of shops See Vehicle Scanning, Page 18
There’s no doubt the all-new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is fast. Its official 0 to 60 mph time has been clocked at 2.9 seconds when equipped with the optional Z51 package. With-
out it, that time drops by a mere tenth of a second. That’s fantastic when drivers are on a closed track, but not on public roads. A pair of Corvette engineers have just learned that harsh lesson.
According to Automobile, two GM employees have been arrested and jailed for “racing” two new C8s in Bowling Green, KY, the home of Corvette production. The Kentucky State Police pulled over the engineers, identified as Alexander Thim and Mark Derkatz, for exceeding the 45 mph speed limit as well as for reckless driving and racing motor vehicles on a public road. Turns out Thim was clocked driving his Corvette at 120 mph while Derkatz at 100 mph. There was a third C8 Corvette at the scene but was “not participating in the racing.” Following the pairs’ arrest, their Corvettes were hauled away and impounded. GM representatives picked up the See Recklessly Driving, Page 6
What We Know About US Jobs and Other Details of Fiat Chrysler, PSA Merger by Breana Noble, The Detroit News
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and French automaker Groupe PSA said their boards unanimously supported a binding agreement to merge and create the world’s fourth-largest automaker. The deal is one step further than Fiat Chrysler got earlier this year with Renault SA, another French carmaker. The combination of PSA and FCA is expected to provide cost savings, create a hedge against cyclical downturns and have the scale to invest and compete in an electric and self-driving future. Although the companies are calling the deal a 50-50 merger, PSA would hold a board majority and appoint six of the 11 board members. That includes PSA CEO Carlos Tavares, who is expected to lead the
combined company. Here is what else to know about the deal: What comes next? With the binding agreement signed, the automakers can pursue obtaining antitrust and regulatory approval from the companies in which it operates. They also must receive approval from their shareholders. The process is expected to take 12 to 15 months. “We don’t feel we have any concerns with antitrust” laws, Tavares said. “We’ve reviewed this topic and are very comfortable we have no problem on antitrust” regulations. What is the name of the new company? The name of the new company has not yet been announced. Information See US Jobs, Page 30
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