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Collision Repair
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Friday, 03 February 2012 10:26 |
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Arlington, Virginia -- February 3, 2012 -- Vehicles that warn drivers of hazards, put the brakes on for them, and keep themselves in their lanes already are on the road. Cars that can talk to each other are just over the horizon. Is a world without collisions just around the corner?
Not quite. It’s true that safety features being introduced now could potentially eliminate millions of crashes. But even if these features were capable of preventing all crashes — and right now they’re not — they won’t be available in the vehicles most people drive for many years to come.
A new report from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) shows that it typically takes three decades for a promising safety feature first introduced in a few luxury cars to spread through the fleet. More precisely, it will take at least that long before 95 percent of vehicles on the road could have a given feature, either because it came as standard equipment or was offered as an option. For example, the authors of the study predict that it won’t be until 2016 that 95 percent of all registered vehicles could have frontal airbags, even though manufacturers began adding frontal airbags in meaningful numbers during the mid-1980s.
Forward collision warning, which was rolled out in the United States in 2000, could take even longer. If it continues to follow its current trajectory, the crash avoidance technology won’t be available in 95 percent of registered vehicles until 2049, HLDI predicts.
“Technology is changing fast, but it takes time for it to reach the majority of vehicles,” says Matthew Moore, an author of the report and vice president of HLDI, an Institute affiliate. “New features that prove beneficial aren’t instantly available in all new models. And once they are, not everyone rushes out to replace their old vehicle right away.”
Crash avoidance systems introduced in the past few years in luxury vehicles could cut crashes substantially. The Institute has estimated that if all vehicles were equipped with forward collision warning, lane departure warning, side view assist, and adaptive headlights, 1.9 million crashes — including 1 in 3 fatal crashes — could potentially be prevented or mitigated if the systems worked perfectly. In the first real-world study of one such feature, HLDI found that claims under property damage liability coverage were filed about a quarter less often for Volvo XC60s equipped with City Safety, a low-speed forward collision avoidance system, than for similar SUVs without it.
Future technology could include other potential game-changers. A consortium of automakers is developing vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communications platforms that could take crash avoidance even further. Some manufacturers predict these systems could appear in vehicles as early as 2015. Meanwhile, Google has a fleet of cars modified to operate without a driver and has been granted a patent for the technology.
What’s your opinion? Let us know in the comments below.
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Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:44 |
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Barcelona, Spain -- February 2, 2012 -- IBIS 2012 – the accident repair industry’s premier global event – is now at 80 percent capacity and demand for the event continues to surpass all expectation. Collision Repair magazine is the official IBIS Publisher Partner for Canada.
IBIS 2012 takes place, once again, at the spectacular Hotel Arts Barcelona, Spain on 21-23 May 2012.
IBIS sales director, Nicola Keady said, "At this stage, IBIS 2012 is set to reach capacity very soon. Demand for the event is greater than ever with sponsors and delegates alike recognising the importance of being present at the most influential global collision repair event. It really is the case now of ‘be at IBIS or miss out.’"
The theme of this year’s symposium – winning relationships – will focus on understanding and building relationships, exploring how they grow, evolve and what makes a win-win partnership. Alongside the formal business proceedings of IBIS 2012, there will be a host of networking opportunities to engage with business partners, colleagues and friends.
The delegate package for IBIS 2012 costs £1695. The package includes two nights accommodation at the Hotel Arts Barcelona; attendance at all IBIS sessions; the Welcome Dinner; the International Dinner, and Departure lunch.
For more information on IBIS, please visit ibisworldwide.com.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 02 February 2012 14:47 |
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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 16:03 |
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By W. Mike Dineen
Etobicoke, Ontario -- February 1, 2012 -- Fire crews responded to a 2-alarm fire at T & D Auto Collision, a collision repair facility located at 32 Taber Road in Etobicoke, very early on Wednesday morning. Video footage of the fire shows crews battling the flames at 1:50 am. Reports describe small explosions from the facility as a result of propane tanks.
Toronto fire platoon chief, Len Stadler, reports the fire was “through the roof” when fire crews arrived. Though the garage portion of thefacility was “completely destroyed” by the fire, Stadler reports that he and his fire crew were able to save the office portion of T & D Auto Collision.
The cause of the fire has not yet been determined. Staff at T & D Auto Collision could not be reached for comment at time of publication.
City TV has video of the blaze available here.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 16:09 |
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Collision Repair
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Wednesday, 01 February 2012 15:37 |
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Louisville, Kentucky -- February 1, 2012 -- Online registration for Auto Glass Week 2012 is now open. Auto Glass Week is scheduled for September 20-22 at the Louisville Marriott Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. The Exhibition/Extravaganza which will host the repair and replacement competitions will be held September 21-22 at the Kentucky International Convention Center.
Interested attendees can register online today for an early bird discounted price of $179 and save $50 per person. The early bird discount ends June 29, 2012. Attendee registration includes registration to all seminars, workshops, social events and admittance to Auto Glass Week Exhibition/Extravaganza.
Registration is also open the 2012 Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics and the Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics. The competitions will be held September 21-22, 2012 as part of Auto Glass Week with the champions being announced Saturday evening at the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony.
The registration deadline for contestants is July 27, 2012, and there is no on-site registration to compete. Competition registration includes admission to all seminars, workshops, social events, one ticket to the Gala Awards Reception and Ceremony, and access to Auto Glass Week Exhibition/Extravaganza where the competition will be held. NWRA members get a discounted rate to compete in the Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics. AGSC (formerly AGRSS) registered company technicians, NGA Certified and/or IGA Members get a discounted rate to compete in the Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics.
Auto Glass Week will bring together all of the major auto glass groups, including the Auto Glass Safety Council (formerly the AGRSS Council Inc.), Independent Glass Association (IGA), National Glass Association (NGA), and the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA), along with AGRR magazine's Pilkington Clear Advantage Auto Glass Technician Olympics and Walt Gorman Memorial Windshield Repair Olympics. The International Window Film Conference and Tint-Off also will be held concurrently. The event is managed by AGRR magazine.
For more information, visit autoglassweek.com.
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 01 February 2012 15:38 |
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Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:23 |
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By Jonathan Barrick
Toronto, Ontario -- January 31, 2012 -- Collision Repair magazine has added a new columnist to its roster. We welcome Jonathan Barrick of Global Finishing Solutions to the line-up, starting in our next issue. In his column, Barrick will share practical, targeted tips on how collision repair professionals can access the rich world of social media and use it improve many aspects of the business. Below is a special preview of Barrick’s first column.
Welcome to the first in a series of quick tips designed to help you understand social communications, get started on the right foot and build a thriving online presence. It’s not as daunting as it may seem at first. If you haven’t made your way in to the social arena yet, fear not. It’s never too late to do things right.
Customers are flocking in mind-boggling numbers to social media networks like Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. They’re tuning out of traditional media and tuning in to these new media channels where they are in charge. Some are tired of being shouted at by traditional advertising, some are looking to heap praise and compliments on their favourite brands, some are looking for discounts or exclusive offers and some are looking to sound their complaints and have their voices heard. But if we take a step back and look at what the real motivator is, we can see that people really want one thing above all else: to be valued.
They want to be appreciated, above and beyond a simple “thanks for your money.” In a small, very personal way, they want to become a part of the brands they do business with. When a customer “Likes” your page on Facebook, or “Follows” you on Twitter, they’re giving you a public thumbs-up and approval to talk to them directly. They’re giving you the opportunity to prove that they really matter. In return, they essentially become a part of your team.
When someone interacts with you in the public forums of social media, they are now one of your brand reps, one of your market research sources and one of your media contacts. They are your most valuable business partners because they are your customers. Nobody understands what it’s like to do business with you better than they do.
“Social” is important because it offers you opportunities to be better than ever before, to understand the real motivators that drive your customers, to understand your market more intimately than you could ever have done previously and to build a lasting and valuable relationship with your customers and your community. Do it right and stick with it, and the benefits will be huge.
The implications for collision repair shops are significant. The inherent nature of the industry is that customers don’t tend to do a great deal of research or looking around until they are already in a bad situation. Providing useful, helpful information and advice through your social media efforts builds a solid online reputation of trust and legitimacy. When customers start hunting for a repair service, how valuable would it be for their search results to be peppered with links to your website, blog, Facebook page, Twitter feed or YouTube channel?
Real-time communication with your customers means you will be able to achieve higher customer retention, better understanding of your markets and greater reach of your messages. You will become more “findable” through improved search engine rankings and a greater presence across some of the most popular web properties. Your business will become more authentic, and the brand image of your business will be strengthened by real-time public testimony of your customers. The benefits of social communications are real, and they are powerful.
Social communications are exciting, and you should be getting excited for the opportunities they present for your business! In coming articles, we’ll get into more hands-on tips to ensure your company is setup properly in social media, starts sharing the kinds of content that will resonate with your fans, and really makes a positive effort to connect with your customers.
Jonathan Barrick is the Marketing Manager for Global Finishing Solutions, and a strong proponet of social media for business. He can be reached at 705-719-4014 or via email to
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 15:27 |
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Tuesday, 31 January 2012 14:52 |
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Hamilton, Ontario -- January 31, 2012 -- Carstar Automotive Canada has expanded again with the addition of Carstar Kanata (Allard’s). This is the fourth Carstar location in the Ottawa market.
Some of the team at Carstar Kanata (Allard's). From left: Ted Mills, Jeff Dunlay, Yvon Allard, Irini Narooz, Marlene Bedborough, Charlene Gardner and Scott Trowbridge.
Carstar Kanata (Allard’s), with over 22,000 square feet of production space, is one of the largest Carstar collision centres in the network. Located at 33 Edgewater Street in Kanata, this location is fully equipped to meet the needs of customers and insurance partners in Eastern Ontario. The building also boasts approximately 2,000 square feet of office space for its 44 employees.
Carstar says its stores in Eastern Ontario have built a strong reputation among their insurance partners and customers, and with the addition of this location, it will help strengthen Carstar’s market share and presence in this region.
Carstar Kanata (Allard’s) is owned and operated by collision industry veteran Yvon Allard. Allard has over 35 years of experience and is a well-respected member of the industry; he is very excited to become part of the Carstar network. Allards’s key staff members include Controller and Human Resource Manager Irini Narooz, General Manager Ted Mills and Store Manager Jeff Dunlay.
“We are impressed by Carstar’s extensive guidance and impeccable training programs,” says Yvon. “Our ultimate goal has always been to provide an unsurpassed customer service experience and we will continue to do that as part of the Carstar network.”
This location employs an impressive array of equipment to make it a one-stop centre for customers, including computer controlled wheel balancing and digital wheel alignments. Carstar Kanata (Allard’s) also recently installed two brand new spray booths to keep up with the high demands of the store. Fully trained staff members are also very important at Carstar Kanata (Allard’s). Allard has an I-CAR instructor on staff as well as a health and safety committee with two CPR certified staff members.
“We want every one of our customers to remain a lifetime customer,” says Allard. “I know how frustrating it can be after being involved in an accident, I’ve seen it in the faces of my customers for over 35 years. We try to alleviate that frustration as much as possible by getting their vehicles back on the road safely and efficiently.”
Allard is confident that by becoming a Carstar Franchise Partner, he can better service his strong customer base and streamline insurance and operations systems.
For more information on Carstar, please visit carstar.ca.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 31 January 2012 14:58 |
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