News Briefs
State Farm to Provide Higher Level of Repair Service
State Farm Mutual is testing a new program designed to provide a higher level of crash repair service to its customers.
The State Farm Select Service program will be tested in limited areas near Chicago and Detroit starting Feb. 1. Sterling Autobody Centers, based in Natick, Mass., has been selected to participate in the initial test of this program.
Sterling is one of the nation's largest body shop consolidators, operating 30 facilities in six states-Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Texas.
As part of its agreement with State Farm, Sterling promises to provide: a limited lifetime written repair guarantee for as long as the customer owns the vehicle; pickup of the damaged vehicle and delivery of the customer's repaired vehicle, if requested by the customer, within a 30-mile radius; assistance with arrangement for car rental services; a guaranteed completions date for repairs; and professional cleaning of the vehicle prior to delivery to the customer.
"Because of a high volume of business and specialization by their technicians, Sterling promises its shops can deliver competitively priced, high-quality repairs in a shorter period of time," said Bill Hardt, assistant vice president of auto property claims for State Farm. "If this improved efficiency helps insurers reduce the overall cost of handling claims without compromising quality, then it should also help them keep insurance coverage affordable."
Hardt stressed that State Farm's other repair programs will continue to be available to customers in the test areas. These include Service First, in which a participating shop prepares the vehicle repair estimate, and traditional service center operations, in which the company prepares estimates for customers.
"Selected State Farm agents in the test areas will offer the Select Service program as an option to customers who ask for help in finding a shop," Hardt said. "In no way will the customer be directed to the Select Service shop. As is always the case with State Farm, the choice of shops is the customer's."
After a six-month test period, State Farm will evaluate the program to determine whether it will be expanded to other areas.
MACS Announces Location for 2000 Convention
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) has announced that its 2000 convention will be held at the Rio Suite Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. The dates of the 2000 MACS convention will be January 18-20, 2000.
For more information or to register for the convention, call MACS at (215) 679-2220.
Bell & Howell, ADP to Provide Full Integration
Bell & Howell and The Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. have announced that the companies will provide full integration between Bell & Howell's ePAR electronic parts catalogs and ADP dealer management systems.
The companies will integrate Bell & Howell's ePAR systems with the Elite dealer management system on the Millennia3 platform and the PC-based Alliance software.
Both ADP's John Gray, senior vice president of development and technology for the Dealer Services Group, and Ted Fellows, Bell & Howell's senior vice president of publishing services, agree the integration will substantially improve the dealer's ability to retrieve parts information - ultimately saving both time and money.
CARB Approves Scrappage Program
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved final regulations instituting an aggressive scrappage program across the state. Under the new regulation, CARB will crush up to 150,000 cars a year for 10 years to meet emissions reduction goals. Despite California law to the contrary, the regulations will not allow for salvage or recycling of vehicle parts or engines.
Toyota Offers Free Issue of STAR Service News
Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc. has announced the availability of a free trial issue of its STAR Service News magazine.
The full-color bi-monthly STAR Service News, full of in-depth information and detailed diagrams, provides Toyota parts and repair information.
For example, a typical issue might contain general automotive information on such topics as wheel alignment, suspension design or climate control systems. Other articles are specific to Toyota vehicles.
Of particular interest are periodic factory service bulletins to correct problems or provide information on service-related issues. These bulletins would ordinarily be available to dealer technicians. Technicians wanting a free trial issue of STAR Service News should call (800) 537-6033.
Long-Term Emissions Policy || Beating the Hazards of Contaminated Refrigerants || Salvaged Air Bags || Creating an Employee Handbook || Guest Editorial || Tech to Tech || Tech Tips || News Briefs || Taking the Hill || Around ASA || Net Worth || Stat Corner || Shop Profile || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ® Vol.XIVII, March 1999
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