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validation gives shops the ability to verify the operation was completed and then validate whether it was done correctly by passing or failing it,” Rush said. “It includes an event log to demonstrate the QC validation and protect shops from liability by showing that we have a deliberate in-process QC system. These documents verify that we’re serious about our QC process, and they will stand up against scrutiny.”

The application also allows users to sort and distribute finished records, emailing them to anyone during or after the repair. It also removes blockages and allows for labor optimization by enhancing internal communication.

“The minute I hit ‘fail,’ the app communicates to those who need to know,” Rush said. “The instant real-time communication is the most powerful aspect for me.”

Shops can load as many customized SOPs as desired, and the app also allows technicians to pull down OEM repair methods directly from the manufacturer and save them to the repair order, demonstrating responsibility and due diligence with regard to liability and risk.

The Quality Validation dashboard allows users to analyze where failures are occurring most frequently so they can evaluate whether processes need to be modified to reduce failures.

“Today, we have nothing. We’re intuitive to a degree because we know a little, but we really don’t know what we don’t know. We want to have these records and reporting ability so we can review them, document them and improve our repair process based on that data,” Rush advised.

“Highly technical vehicles require highly technical repairs. Quality validation must be an accessible, simple-to-use solution to address a complex problem, plus it must provide high-level dynamic quality checks and produce a full digital reporting trail,” Rush said. “This app offers a mechanism to record and remove errors, improve quality and efficiency, and reduce repair liability while improving internal communications, which also reduces errors.”

Rush proceeded to demonstrate how to use the app to conduct quality validation through the repair process, showing how photos can be added inapp and raving over the communication piece. He also showed different customizable features before answering attendees’ questions.

Sherwin-Williams’ Collision Core Quality application is available to anyone in the collision repair industry; users do not need to be customers of Sherwin-Williams.

“Traditionally, we don’t inspect quality until the repair is completed, but we really aren’t inspecting quality―we’re just repairing the vehicle, passing it to the next department, and hoping they find the issue if there is one,” Rush said in conclusion. “We’re checking boxes but not really inspecting quality while the repair is in-process.

“We don’t inspect quality, and we have to change that behavior. The industry needs to create a new tradition of quality validation.”

For more information about TCRA, visit MyTCRA.com.

On the federal level, 6H will continue to be a focus. Also, we expect to see increased enforcement under the Clean Air Act penalty policy for car and truck modifications that reduce the original manufacturer emissions settings or equipment.

The ultimate goal should be to have an overall compliance program for your business. We all have challenges hiring workers and if we’re down one or two employees due to an entirely preventable safety accident, it speaks directly to the bottom line. By implementing good strategies and being compliant, the fewer incidents shops will have and the less likely they will be involved in litigation.

From an owner’s perspective, you can sleep better at night knowing you have an established compliance program in place to help ensure a safe, healthy, compliant and productive workplace. You limit your risks and know your employees will return home in good health to their family members.

UAW Suggests EV Tax Credit Should Only Apply to U.S.-Built Cars

by Steven Loveday, Inside EVs

According to a report from Automotive News, in late April, the UAW suggested electric car tax incentives should only apply to cars assembled in the U.S.

The existing tax credit of up to $7,500 has no requirement that the cars be made on our shores.

The report quotes UAW Vice President Terry Dittes:

“The UAW is working with the Biden administration and Congress to make sure that the final legislation extending electric vehicle subsidies is clear that those investments subsidize the jobs of U.S. workers.”

This comes on the heels of an announcement from General Motors stating it has plans to invest $1 billion in Mexico to build EVs in the country starting in 2023.

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-MI, followed up with a statement that EVs “must be built in America” and money should not be spent to ship jobs to Mexico.

While there was no official response from The White House related to the UAW’s comments, President Joe Biden has already talked about the $174 billion plan to support U.S. EV production.

“There’s no reason why American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries,” Biden said.

GM made the UAW aware it already has plans to spend $9 billion on domestic battery manufacturing facilities and job creation domestically.

The UAW also recently went after Ford for its plans to build an EV plant in Mexico. According to Automotive News, Ford was planning to build EVs in Ohio, but changed course to assemble them in Mexico, where the Mustang Mach-E is being produced.

This is a developing story. As more concrete details become available, Inside EVs will continue to publish related articles.

We thank Inside EVs for reprint permission. AUTOBODY

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