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VeriFacts Automotive Hosts 11th Symposium

The 11th VeriFacts Symposium was held last month, focusing on the future of the collision repair industry, the coming impact of advanced repair requirements, converging technology, and commitment to providing the safest and most cost-effective collision repair for consumers.

The symposium featured two days of discussion on the changes ahead for the collision repair industry, collaborative solution development, exhibitor clinics and keynote speakers.

“We are sailing in changing seas,” said Farzam Afshar, CEO of VeriFacts Automotive. “The OEMs and insurers are partnering on insurance policies embedded in the car purchase/lease, consolidation is continuing, OEM certification is starting to replace DRPs, and we are shifting from the first notice of loss to the first notice of need, thanks to advanced technology.”

The three key topics that presentations and panellists focused on were:

Repair Process and Standards – how the collision repair industry addresses them today and prepares for changing repair processes tomorrow
Converging Technology – how all of the advanced technology from artificial intelligence (AI) to augmented reality, robotics, blockchain, quantum computing and more will converge, impacting all areas of the industry
Industry Consolidation and Collaboration – how consolidation of insurers, OEMs and collision repair shops will continue to drive change, and how new collaborations, like joint insurance/OEM offerings, will create new opportunities

“The 2020 VeriFacts Symposium was an exclusive gathering of the premier collision repair industry leaders for two days to gain clarity on how we can collectively deliver the highest quality, safest, cost-effective collision repair for consumers throughout the country,” said Afshar. “The VeriFacts Symposium is a safe place for like-minded colleagues to discuss the changes ahead for the collision repair industry. Looking ahead, we are collectively working to chart the course for success and navigate the future of collision repair together.”

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Axalta Receives Multiple Certifications From CESVI

Axalta has received seven certifications from the Center for Experimentation and Road Safety (CESVI), becoming the coatings company with the highest number of approvals granted by the organisation in Mexico.

The certifications recognise products that meet or exceed rigorous quality standards, specifications and performance metrics.

“We are honoured to receive these certifications from such a prestigious institution,” said Manuel Maestro, Regional Sales and Strategic Accounts Director, Axalta Mexico. “With more than 150 years of experience, we understand the automotive market and the needs of customers in Mexico and will continue to deliver the highest quality products, services and technologies that grow our customer businesses.

“Sustainability and high performance are central to our business. We are committed to introducing innovative products that help to increase throughput in body shops around the world.”

Axalta says it provides regular free training to automotive refinish painters at its body shops through the “Axalta on Tour” programme, which has helped over 20,000 painters in Latin America become better, more productive and more energy efficient.

In addition, Axalta’s loyalty programme in Mexico, “The Painter’s Club,” has over 3000 refinishers enrolled and “recognises the dedication and hard work of refinishers in Mexico”.

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Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City And AMR Postponed Until Further Notice

Messe Frankfurt has announced that the Automechanika Ho Chi Minh City (AMHCMC) and Auto Maintenance and Repair (AMR) have been postponed in the wake of the recent coronavirus outbreak. Both shows were originally scheduled from 5 to 7 March 2020 in Ho Chi Minh City and 15 to 18 March 2020 in Beijing respectively. New dates are yet to be announced.

On 30 January 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that it had declared the recent novel coronavirus outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The assessment signifies that the spread of the virus has become a public health risk, with the WHO calling for greater international collaboration on disease control.

Following this, Vietnam’s Prime Minister, Nguyen Xuan Phuc, urged the public to suspend non-essential crowd gatherings, while in Beijing, the municipality had already declared the highest level of public health emergency on 24 January 2020. Beijing started to carry out a series of disease prevention and control measures, advising citizens to avoid going to crowded places or taking part in public activities.

With these measures in place in the fairs’ two host cities, Messe Frankfurt said it had decided to reschedule AMHCMC and AMR. Updated show dates will be announced in the near future.

“As a responsible player in the global trade fair industry, Messe Frankfurt is committed to delivering a safe environment for business exchange across all of our trade shows,” said Stephan Buurma, Member of the Board of Management of Messe Frankfurt Group. “Accordingly, the health of fairgoers, contractors and staff is our top priority, and we actively support local governments’ actions to prevent the spread of the virus.”

For enquiries on AMHCMC, contact Messe Frankfurt New Era Business Media Ltd at +852 2802 7728, or email [email protected]. Updates can also be found on the show’s website: www.automechanika-hcmc.com.

For questions related to AMR, contact Messe Frankfurt Traders-Link (Beijing) Co Ltd at +86 10 8472 8428, or email [email protected]. The show’s website is at www.amr-china.cn and features the latest information.

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BASF Says White Was Most Popular in 2019

BASF has released its annual colour report, the BASF Colour Report 2019 For Automotive OEM Coatings, revealing that 39 per cent of all cars built around the world are painted white. In Asia Pacific, almost every second car is white, whereas in North America and EMEA, it’s nearly every third car.

Black, grey and silver are the next three most popular colours, counting a combined 39 per cent of all cars that rolled off the assembly line in 2019. About nine per cent of vehicles produced globally were blue, while seven per cent were painted red. BASF said that each colour addresses an emotional motive that goes with car ownership and individuality.

In the EMEA region, 77 per cent of all vehicles have achromatic colours with white dominating the numbers, grey and black in second and third place respectively, and blue in fourth with 11 per cent.

North America sees white, black, silver and grey as the leading colours in that order, also sitting at 77 per cent of the market’s cars in total. BASF also made a special reference to pickup trucks in North America, noting that they are mostly white at 38 per cent and followed by red at a “relatively high” 11 per cent.

Most vehicles in Asia Pacific are achromatic, also holding 77 per cent colour share which is unchanged from the previous year. Almost every second car is white which dominates at 49 per cent – the highest among all regions. Black is low compared to other regions but is getting more attention as a sporty and individual form of expression.

White is still the favourite among South American customers, holding a market share of 39 per cent. Silver rates second with 23 per cent, grey third at 14 per cent and black fourth at 11 per cent. Red is still the favourite chromatic colour in South America with eight per cent of market share, followed by blue and beige which both held two per cent each.

The BASF Colour Report 2019 For Automotive OEM Coatings analyses data from BASF’s Coatings division based on global automotive production and paint application to light vehicles in 2019. To read the full report, click here.

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New Book Unveiled For The Collision Repair Industry

Authors John Stuef and Amy Bradshaw have released a book, titled From Doing to Leading: Your Guide for Inspiring People on the Front Lines.

“The book is written for the ‘doers,’ the frontline workers in the collision repair and service industries who are out there every day running their shops and doing their best to lead their teams and businesses,” said Stuef. “It is a great read for anyone in the industry who is looking for some guidance on successful leadership techniques.”

Stuef said that while he was working as a regional manager in charge of running six collision shops, he realised how little managerial training was available for people looking to run a successful shop and decided to write a book. He has owned, operated and managed collision repair facilities over his 40-year career.

“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to learn and grow as a leader,” said Stuef. “I saw a real need for leadership advice that catered to frontline workers, specifically in the body shop business. I’m the first to admit that I’ve made some mistakes and wanted to share what I have learned so I could save others from making some of the same mistakes.”

Stuef said he met Bradshaw, a professor at the Medical University of South Carolina and they soon appreciated a shared keen interest in human nature and in helping people tap into their inner purpose.

“Amy and I had a few inspired conversations and then decided we should write this book together. We both believe that anyone can be a great leader if they can inspire a team. Great success lies in team empowerment.”

In the book, the authors talk about the pitfalls of traditional leadership techniques and discuss the importance of understanding human behaviour and the science behind how the brain works.

“I truly believe that everyone has the potential for being a great leader but first, they need to understand human behaviour,” he said. “We share proven methods that help people learn to draw the best from those on the team and we provide information about the science behind motivation in a way that body shop guys like me can understand.”

The paperback and Kindle versions of the book can be purchased on Amazon and are also available for streaming on Audible.

John Stuef.

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CIECA Announces 2020 Board Of Trustees Officers

The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) held a board meeting in California on 15 January to elect four new officers to the Board of Trustees for 2020.

Kim DeVallance Caron, Enterprise Holdings, was elected Chairwoman; Jeff Schroder, Car-Part.com, Vice Chair; Michael Naoom, Safelite Solutions, Treasurer; and Greg Best, California Casualty Management Company was elected Secretary.

A more detailed biography of the Board of Trustees officers can be found on the CIECA website here. The officers will serve on CIECA’s Executive Committee, which oversees business matters throughout the year and plans the agenda for CIECA’s board meetings.

“For the past 25 years, CIECA has served the collision repair ecosystem by creating electronic communication standards that allow the industry to be more efficient,” said DeVallance Caron. “With cars becoming increasingly complex, the industry is embarking on new ways to handle claims. As a result, data will need to be communicated and CIECA will help meet this need.”

DeVallance Caron said that it’s important that all segments of the industry continue to work together to adapt to the new technology being introduced. She added that she encourages all segments of the industry to join a CIECA committee, learn more about the organisation and help shape the future.

About CIECA
CIECA develops electronic standards, codes and standard messages, and provides implementation guides to make the industry more efficient. All standards are developed by members. CIECA membership is open to the collision repair and property restoration industries, along with related segments: repairers, insurers, OEMs, parts and material suppliers, information and software providers, car rental companies, towing companies, salvage and recycled parts providers, auto glass replacement facilities, subrogation providers, general service providers and property restoration providers. CIECA’s goals are to deliver benefits to all participants through reduced development and support costs, lower cost of implementation, reduced barrier to entry and faster development times.

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HD Repair Forum Forms Committees For Issues In Industry

The HD Repair Forum, a gathering of the heavy-duty collision repair industry executives and leaders, has formed four committees to address issues in the industry: Education, Technology, Parts and OEM Repair Standards.

More information regarding each of the committees will be presented during the 2020 HD Repair Forum, to be held from 24-25 March in Fort Worth, Texas, and will be co-chaired by leaders from various segments of the market.

“The purpose of these committees is to address challenges and solve problems throughout the year, not just during the HD Repair Forum,” said Brian Nessen, HD Repair Forum President. “The key to the success of these committees is strong leaders who share a passion to drive change and a vision for a path that improves the industry for all stakeholders. We are fortunate to have this diverse group of leaders pave the way for a brighter future.”

Education Committee Co-Chairs

Doug Schlueter – I-CAR
Brandon Eckenrode – CREF

OEM Repair Standards Committee Co-Chairs

Kevin Clary – Daimler Truck North America
Rohit Mathew – Carlisle & Co

Parts Committee Co-Chairs

T.J. O’Hanlon – Navistar
Mark Polzin – Budget Truck & Auto

Technology Committee Co-Chairs

Chuck Olsen – AirPro Diagnostics
Aaron Polzin – Budget Truck & Auto

HD Repair Forum says collision repairers, shop owners and management, fleet repairers, OEMs/manufacturers, insurance professionals and appraisers, equipment/service/technology companies, and any others serving the heavy-duty collision repair industry are encouraged to participate.

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Axalta Announces 2020 Global Automotive Color Of The Year

Axalta unveiled its 2020 Global Automotive Colour of the Year, “Sea Glass”, a turquoise blue that is inspired by nature’s waterways and oceans, and glitters in sunlight.

Axalta’s 2019 Global Automotive Colour Popularity Report stated that blue vehicles comprise seven per cent of the global automotive market, ranking fifth overall following white, black, grey and silver. The regions with the highest level of blue vehicles are North America and Europe at 10 per cent.

“The trend toward turquoise blues is growing,” said Nancy Lockhart, Axalta Global Product Manager – Colour. “Sea Glass was designed for all vehicle types, from compact and sport vehicles to medium sedans and large SUVs and trucks. Bright and pearlescent, Sea Glass is designed to be transmissible for radio detection and ranging (RADAR), meeting the colour trends of today for the autonomous vehicles of tomorrow. The transmission properties of Axalta’s Sea Glass, as well as many colours in our expansive colour portfolio, allow vehicle-to-vehicle detection to occur.”

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Ford Issues 2020 Global Trend Report

Ford has released its latest Global Trend Report which addresses several important issues in today’s world, focusing most on trust as a dominant global theme that companies are working to earn back from customers.

The report surveys 14 countries across the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Middle East and suggests that people’s ability to trust peers, communities, elected officials and businesses has a large impact on their day-to-day lives.

“The rate of change globally has been on the rise and without the trust in the institutions, brands and peers to rely on, a majority of people are feeling extremely overwhelmed,” said Sheryl Connelly, Global Consumer Trends and Futuring Manager at Ford. “Consumers want to believe that companies are doing the right thing, but companies also need to give them a clear reason to do so. At Ford, we remain deeply focused on improving the lives of consumers and their communities, so we can continue to have a trusted relationship that moves us forward together.”

Ford’s report outlined other consumer trends which include The Green Paradox, Call to Stand, All Alone, Below the Surface, Great Expectations, Identity Matters and The Second Time Around.

The Green Paradox addresses climate change fears and consumers who aren’t changing behaviours due to belief that their behaviour can’t make a difference, while Call to Stand tackles consumer standpoints on product-based mindsets against value-based mindsets.

All Alone talks about loneliness in the younger generation, Below the Surface touches on trust and transparency between customers and companies and its importance, and Great Expectations focuses on customer expectations for brands over time. Identity Matters opens up about sexual identity and how people understand it, while The Second Time Around discusses how used goods are more acceptable to customers than they were some years ago.

To read Ford’s full Global Trend Report, click here.

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CIECAst Webinar Announced For January 2020

CIECA has announced its next CIECAst webinar – It’s 2020: Where Are Claims & the Collision Repair Market Heading? The webinar will be held on Tuesday 21 January, 2020 at 11 AM CST, will run for one hour, and will feature Sean Carey, President of SCG Management Consultants.

Carey will talk about where claims and the collision repair market are heading in the future, while also discussing the best way to prepare based on industry segment – independent shop, MSO, insurer, OEM or supply chain provider. Carey will also give a long-term view of the market.

Carey has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry. He has worked at Nissan as manager of its London Certified Collision Repair Program, at Fix Auto where he was jointly responsible for CynCast, and established Carter & Carter International. In 2009, Carey established SCG Management Consulting and has since consulted with all sectors of the automotive claims industry. Over the past five years, he has become a regular speaker at industry conferences regarding telematics and the potential impact it will have on the claims and collision market.

To register for the CIECAst, click here.

Attendees will have the opportunity to take a short quiz to earn credit toward a professional designation from the Automotive Management Institute (AMi) after the CIECAst webinar.

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