Contact:	Angie Wilson (800) 272-7467, ext. 216 angie@asashop.org
For Release:	Immediate News Bulletin ASA-43 July 30, 2007

Repairability Factors of High Interest to ASA Collision Division

ASA Operations Committee Seeks Opportunities for Input

BEDFORD, TEXAS, July 30, 2007 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is exploring ways to provide input into how today's vehicles are designed, with an overall goal to address repairability issues that affect independent automotive service and repair businesses.

Initial steps taken by ASA's Collision Division Operations Committee included contacting major automobile manufacturers to determine existing opportunities in which ASA could participate in repairability-related discussions through committee involvement or other avenues. The Auto Manufacturer Subcommittee contacted various manufacturers earlier this year, under the direction of Dan Bailey, subcommittee chairman, and president and chief operating officer of CARSTAR Franchise Systems Inc., Overland Park, Kan.

"With an increasing number of vehicles being totaled, members of the Auto Manufacturer Subcommittee recognize the importance of working directly with auto manufacturers before the new vehicle designs enter the marketplace," said Bailey. "To date, Ford Motor Co. and General Motors Corp. have spoken with ASA. Members of the subcommittee, who have more than 150 years of collective collision repair experience, are seeking opportunities to work with the various manufacturers to improve vehicle collision repairability and reduce totals."

Working in conjunction with the operations committee, Bill Haas, ASA's vice president of education and training, recently attended ETI Week in Detroit seeking avenues in which the association might further its efforts to address repairability issues.

ASA welcomes invitations to participate on existing repairability committees and related groups, and is also interested in creating opportunities for discussion where they may not currently exist. To learn more about ASA's efforts regarding repairability, contact Denise Caspersen, Collision Division manager, at (800) 272-7467, ext. 236, or denisec@asashop.org.

The Automotive Service Association is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. ASA's headquarters is in Bedford, Texas.

ASA advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. For additional information about ASA, including past news releases, go to www.ASAshop.org, or visit ASA's legislative Web site at www.TakingTheHill.com.

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