Directions
Web Ways
Attention: veteran attendees of the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), we need tips about how to have an enjoyable and productive NACE experience. We will post the responses on the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Web Site -- http://www.asashop.org -- in November.Any piece of advice, from what to pack, to what to attend, to where to eat, will be appreciated, and participants will receive a free AutoInc. mousepad, while supplies last. To participate, e-mail Angie Phillips, managing editor, at: angiep@asa.dataorg.com. You can also send a fax to Angie's attention at (817) 685-0225, or call her at (800) 272-7467.
New airbag technology to reduce risk to children is being encouraged by a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) proposal. The proposal would require new warning labels and optional cutoff switches for passenger-side airbags, which are blamed in the death of 22 children. The proposal also encourages the development of "smart" airbag systems that can detect when a child is in the passenger seat as an alternative to warning labels or cutoff switches.
Seven automotive aftermarket associations testified in support of California Air Resources Board (CARB) staff proposals to eliminate anti-tampering requirements from its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) II regulations at a July 24 meeting. Representatives from the associations raised concerns such as the need for service information in a standardized format and that car companies share information with scan tool manufacturers. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) was not one of the seven groups raising the concerns. However, ASA has been assured by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that service information availability requirements would not be jeopardized by agency actions taken in regard to California OBD II requirements.
Created last January by the merger of Globe Glass & Mirror Co. and Windshields America, the largest auto glass repair and replacement company in the United States will now be called Vistar. The company reports annual sales in excess of $440 million with more than 2,600 employees, 370 retail outlets in 42 states and 5,800 auto glass service providers nationwide.
Quality Ranks Highest In Collision Shop Selection
The quality of the repair, a satisfaction guarantee and communication during the repair process are the factors considered to be highest in importance when selecting a collision repair facility, according to a recent consumer study. Each of these factors averaged above a "9" rating on a 10-point scale, with "10" being very important and "1" being not important.The results are part of the Automotive Body Repair Advertising & Perceptions Study commissioned by the Yellow Pages Publishers Association for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). Wiese Research Associates, Inc. conducted the survey of 200 consumers who had auto body work done in the preceding six months. The interviews were done by telephone during April.
The primary purpose of the study was to provide ASA with an objective perspective on how consumers view various auto body repair outlets, as well as advertising associated with these types of businesses.
Your Turn
"How do you handle customers who are 'no shows' for appointments?""What we normally do if a customer does not show up, is call to see what the problem is. Sometimes they are having problems with their car and can't get here. In those cases, we will help them get their car started so they can bring it in. No shows are usually new customers and sometimes they just forget. We remind them -- in a nice way -- about their appointment."
Kurt Garbe, AAM
owner, Esquire Motors, Inc.
Portland, Ore.Future question: "Does your business participate in community events? Why or why not?"
To respond, call (800) 272-7467, ext. 219, or send e-mail to: angiep@asa.dataorg.com.
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RX For Rotors || Refinish Data: How Little We Know || Structural Repair Equipment Choices || Educating Service Advisors And Estimators || Middle Management Strengthens Family Business || Building Attitudes Of Motivation || Tech To Tech || TechTips || Stat Corner || News Briefs || News Briefs Extra || Taking The Hill || Directions || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLIV No. 9, September 1996