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California’s DOI Calls Meeting, Drafts Reforms to Labor Rate Surveys, DRPs, and Steering In a letter to ‘Certain Interested and Affected Parties’ the California DOI has taken a second step to address concerns of collision industry stakeholders. In November the DOI’s legal division hosted a meeting to discuss proposed revised aftermarket part regulations. The results of that discussion are under review by the department (see http://tiny.cc/ydvp6). Now the DOI, under Commissioner Dave Jones, is taking on the issue of Labor Rate Surveys, DRPs, and Steering. Departmental attorney, Teresa R. Campbell has organized a January 25th meeting (10–12:00 noon at the
DOI in Sacramento, and has drafted contemplated revisions to the California Code of Regulations, impacting Direct Repair Programs and Labor Rate Surveys. Steering is also addressed in language concerning insurer recommendations of automobile repair dealers. Although welcoming input and discusssion, the ‘rulemaking file’ will not be opened until formal notice is given by DOI and that comments must be submitted during the formal public comment period. The language (complete text follows) proposes that insurers shall reSee DOI Meeting Page 16
CARSTAR Launches Expansion Effort in California, Sees “Tremendous Opportunity” For drivers in California, the risk of an auto accident is higher than many other parts of the country because California has more licensed drivers than any other state—more than 22 million drivers on the road. It’s no wonder then that there are close to 6,000 active shops in California, and more that do some custom or occasional repair work. While some also say California is also the hardest place to run a profitable shop due to legislative and othe factors, CARSTAR is looking for franchise opportunities in the golden state. Last fall CARSTAR announced a
new business development team, appointing Mark Behrens, Director of Network Development for California, and saying he would focus on expansion of the CARSTAR brand into California and adding new franchise partners to existing CARSTAR markets. Now CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts has announced an agressive expansion effort in California to offer select body shop owners an opportunity to join North America’s largest MSO network with over 400 stores in the United States and
VOL. 30 ISSUE 2 FEBRUARY 2012
‘Standards’ Replace Non-OEM Parts as Focus of Debate at Latest CIC by John Yoswick
A report at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) on the findings of a study into what consensus exists within the industry about the development and implementation of formalized repair standards led to as much discussion about the value and validity of the study as it did to discussion of standards themselves. “I do believe this has set us backward instead of forward,” Dusty Womble of Roger Beasley Collision Center in Austin, Texas, said of the study. “I’m sorry, but honestly, I don’t see any value in the research that has been done.” But Massachusetts shop owner Chuck Sulkala—who has not participated on the committee that organized the study but was one of those
interviewed by the consultant conducting the research—said some at CIC were incorrectly presuming that the committee was trying to make more of the report than it was. “Some of the conversations here are getting us down into the weeds right now when I don’t think we’ve even gotten in the boat yet,” Sulkala said. “We’re still looking to see where the boat and lake is, to see what’s going on rather than trying to catch fish. I think we’re still in the very beginning stages.” The Study and Findings Russ Thrall of the Repair Standards Advisory Committee (an off-shoot of CIC) was clear in presenting a portion of the study’s findings that it was never intended to be a statistically See CIC Palm Springs, Page 54
Rich Evans’ Charity Build for PatriotOutreach (see p. 58) and also Baby Cancer Foundation Autobody News custom columnist Rich Evans had a busy fall and holiday season at his shop in Huntington Beach, CA. As they have for the past four years, Rich and Patricia Evans held their Christmas party at Huntington Beach Body Works on Saturday, December 17. The party benefitted America’s
Baby Cancer Foundation. The party also included a special appearance from Santa with gifts,
See CARSTAR, Page 10
Rich Evans with party attendees showing off some of the gifts they received
Benefit attendees lined up for a chance to visit with Santa
food, drinks, and special motor sports themed entertainment. For more information please visit www.babycancer.org or www.huntingtonbchbodyworks.com. See Rich’s column this issue.
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