About I-CAR - Current Events/News: E-newsletter: 2007 E-newsletter Archives: October 22, 2007

I-CAR adds another program to its Online Training library! I-CAR introduces the latest addition - the Collision Warning Systems (CWS01) training program. A collision warning system is a vehicle-based system designed to predict a collision. A collision warning system uses forward object detection along with additional information such as vehicle speed to predict an imminent collision. This determination is made early enough to prevent the collision from happening, or minimizing the resulting damage.

Analyzing damage and making repairs to a damaged collision warning system may require the use of special tools and calibration procedures. This program will present basic information about the operation of and repairs to some collision warning systems.

Topics covered in this program include:

identifying various collision warning systems.
identifying parts of collision warning systems.
identifying how various collision warning systems operate.
diagnosing collision warning system problems.
repairing or replacing collision warning system parts.

Click here to learn more about this program.

Did you know?

I-CAR Online Training works in sync with the Gold Class Professionals and Platinum Individual programs. Available 24/7, Online Training is a convenient way to earn ongoing training and keep the Gold Class designation for your business and the Platinum status for yourself. It's I-CAR training - right at your fingertips!

ANNOUNCING UPDATES TO ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM - KEYLESS ENTRY (KEY01)

One of the benefits of I-CAR Online Training is having access to all of the latest program updates as soon as they are available. This feature ensures that I-CAR students always have the latest, most relevant information to help them at their jobs. The Keyless Entry (KEY01) online training program has been updated to include some of the latest features that have become standard on many late-model vehicles, as well as innovative features that are now available on select vehicles.

If you have already purchased the Keyless Entry program, it has now been updated in your online training library. This update is yours at no additional cost. If you have not yet purchased the Keyless Entry online training program, you can do so here.

KEYSTONE EXCLUSIVE SPONSOR FOR FREE I-CAR ONLINE TRAINING DAY

Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. is once again the exclusive sponsor of Automotive Body Repair News (ABRN) magazine's Free I-CAR Online Training Day scheduled for November 14, 2007. The first 250 registrants who sign up online or at the 2007 International Autobody Congress & Expo (NACE) in November will win free enrollment in any one online training program currently available through I-CAR.

"This is a valuable program for repair facility technicians," said Christopher Northup, Vice President of Keystone Automotive Industries. "It delivers quality technical training which supports positive growth for the industry."

"Keystone Automotive's continued support of the ABRN I-CAR Online Training Day provides the industry with an opportunity to obtain some of the latest training available at no cost. Not only does this sponsorship demonstrate a commitment to the industry, but more importantly to the technicians who will benefit from the training that is made available through this program. I-CAR thanks Keystone for their continued support," states Tom McGee, I-CAR President and CEO.

I-CAR currently offers over 30 online training programs. For more information about the Free I-CAR Online Training Day, visit the Keystone exhibit, #3755, or the I-CAR exhibit, #8423 at NACE or log on to www.abrn.com/freeonlinetraining

STEEL UNITIZED STRUCTURES TECHNOLOGIES AND REPAIR (SPS07): THE MOST SIGNIFICANT I-CAR LIVE TRAINING PROGRAM IN 20 YEARS PREMIERS AT NACE

There is a good chance that by now, you've either been asked or wondered, "what's all of the buzz about these new, advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) being used on today's vehicles and what does it mean to the collision industry?" In an effort to address many of the concerns and questions, I-CAR is excited to announce the I-CAR Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) training program. This new program is one of the most significant I-CAR training programs developed in the past 20 plus years. The I-CAR Steel Unitized Structures Technologies and Repair (SPS07) will be released at NACE and will be available for North American delivery in early November.

Many industry professionals believe that advanced high-strength steels are only found on some of today's high-end vehicles. That is simply no longer true. The 2006 Honda Civic is made of over 50% high-strength steel (38% of which is at least 590MPA); up from 30% in '05. Honda sold 398,716 units in 2006. That's a lot of cars. The GM Lambda platform (GMC Arcadia, Saturn Outlook, and Buick Enclave) also uses an extensive amount of AHSS. These are just two examples of high volume vehicles that are not only on the road today, but also being repaired in collision repair facilities across North America. This program contains the information to help the industry understand how to restore a damaged 5-star collision protection rated vehicle back to the original level of safety built into it at the manufacturer. More than ever, using the correct repair techniques on today's vehicles is essential to keeping vehicle occupants safe, and minimizing liability exposure to the collision industry.

There is a lot of advanced high-strength steel on the road and the collision industry has a lot of questions about what can and can't be done:

What is AHSS and how do steels such as Dual Phase, Complex Phase, Boron, and Martinsitic affect repairs?
What can I straighten?
Can I use any heat?
Are there partial replacement recommendations available for AHSS parts?
What are the recommended attachment methods for AHSS parts?

These are just a few of the questions that are addressed in this new I-CAR Live training program. The importance of this training program cannot be overemphasized.

This exciting new program premiers at NACE and will not be available to the rest of the industry until the first week of November, go to the quick class search on the I-CAR home page to find a class near you and pre-register today!

NEW LIVE TRAINING PROGRAM STEEL FULL-FRAME TECHNOLOGIES AND REPAIR (SPS08) PREMIERS AT NACE

I-CAR is pleased to announce that the new Live training program Steel Full-Frame Technologies and Repair (SPS08) will also premier at NACE.

This training program covers the following topics:

Identifying Trends in Full-Frame Vehicle Design and Construction
Identifying Issues Related to Full-Frame Repair
Repairing Full-Frame Damage Following Vehicle Maker's Procedures
Repairing Unitized Body Damage Following Vehicle Maker's Procedures

This exciting new program will not be available to the rest of the industry until the first week of November, go to the quick class search on the I-CAR home page to find a class near you and pre-register today!

All I-CAR classes taking place at NACE are filling up fast! For a full I-CAR Live class schedule please go online.

QUALIFICATION TESTS HAPPENING AT NACE

See the Mobile Qualification Test truck on the NACE show floor and step just outside the convention center to test on site! It's not too late to pre-register for a qualification test at NACE! Students interested in completing the Automotive Steel GMA (MIG) Welding Qualification Test are encouraged to contact I-CAR as there is only a certain amount of testing spots available for each day.

To pre-register for the qualification tests at NACE, send your contact information to mqtinfo@i-car.com and note that you are interested in the NACE testing.

RE-RELEASE OF ONLINE TRAINING PROGRAM ADVANCED HIGH-STRENGTH STEEL OVERVIEW (AHS01) LAUNCHES AT NACE

The week of NACE, I-CAR will re-release the online training program Advanced High-Strength Steel Overview (AHS01) with new information you can use. Updates to the program include additional vehicle maker repair recommendations, new steel identification equipment, an expansion on steel making technologies, and much more.

Please note: If you have already taken this program the information will automatically update in your online training library.

Watch the I-CAR web site for the re-release of the online training program.

I-CAR "BLUE FRIDAY" AT NACE 2007

I-CAR announces "Blue Friday" at NACE 2007 to identify, recognize, and thank I-CAR volunteer committee members, program instructors, and other industry supporters of I-CAR in the United States and Canada. These individuals were distributed the blue I-CAR polo shirts at the Spring 2007 I-CAR zone conferences and are being asked to wear them on Friday, November 2 of NACE 2007. Upon stopping by the I-CAR booth (#8423), these individuals can register for several prizes and promotions.

I-CAR Director of Field Operations Jeff Peevy stated, "The blue I-CAR polo shirts were distributed to the volunteer committee members, program instructors, zone trainers, and other industry I-CAR supporters to help recognize them for their outstanding efforts of delivering I-CAR technical training to the collision industry. These individuals are the V.I.P.'s of the I-CAR field staff and are now taking an active role with the I-CAR Education Foundation in raising funds for the future of the industry. With the industry coming together for NACE 2007, I-CAR Blue Friday is meant to help the rest of the industry identify these individuals and I encourage you to thank anyone with an I-CAR blue polo shirt on that Friday for their efforts in helping raise the level of professionalism in the industry."

For additional information about I-CAR Blue Friday or to donate a prize, please contact I-CAR Supervisor of Marketing Communications Brandon Eckenrode at Brandon.Eckenrode@i-car.com.

CONTACT YOUR MQT ADMINISTRATOR/DRIVER TODAY!

Contacting your MQT Administrator/Driver is now easier than ever. Go to the I-CAR web site and you will find their name, contact information, and the states/provinces they serve.

Contact a MQT Driver/Administrator near you today to test. Qualification Tests are the easiest way to achieve 4 I-CAR points and these points apply to Gold Class and Platinum Individual training designations.

I-CAR TECH CENTRE 3RD ANNUAL GOLF OUTING BENEFITS LOCAL TECHNICAL COLLEGES AND HIGH SCHOOLS

The I-CAR Tech Centre held their third annual golf outing on August 15, 2007, hosting over 100 golfers and raising thousands of dollars to better the future of the collision industry.

Thanks to the generous contributions of individuals and local collision industry partners, funds raised will be allocated to the I-CAR Education Foundation, Fox Valley Technical College (FVTC), Freedom High School, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College (NWTC), and Oconto High School.

Jason Bartanen, Technical Director for I-CAR states, "On behalf of the I-CAR Tech Centre and the I-CAR Education Foundation, I would like to thank all of the sponsors, participants, and volunteers for their outstanding support and look forward to hosting this event again in 2008."

"Special thanks go to the local supporters of this event; we are very grateful for their commitment to the future of the industry. The funds raised will make a difference for the schools and students who will receive the much needed assistance in the form of curriculum, props, consumables and simulators, as well as scholarships," said Clark Plucinski of True2Form Collision Repair Centers and the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees Immediate Past Chairman."Participating in an event like this is not only rewarding, but also a lot of fun."

Following the golf tournament, all participants were treated to dinner, and hundreds of raffle prizes donated by area businesses were awarded. Photos from this event can be found at the I-CAR Education Foundation web site at www.ed-foundation.org by clicking on the golf ball graphic.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS:

MANUFACTURERS' INFORMATION BECOMES A TARGET IN AUSTRALIA

The last I-CAR Training Today e-newsletter mentioned the response by the industry to the GM Holden CD available for the Commodore VE range. Since that release I-CAR has continued its push with other manufacturers, such as Toyota, Subaru and Mitsubishi to name just a couple, to gain access to recommended or endorsed collision repair methods. While the availability of measurement specifications for these models may be reasonable; the task of gaining access to the repair method and the location of high strength or ultra high strengths steels has been an ongoing effort. Working in conjunction where necessary with other parties, I-CAR will continue to work with the local manufacturers for this technical information. The ultimate goal is to host the information on the "Technical Information" section of the I-CAR Australia web site.

ANNOUNCING AUSTRALIA'S FIRST PLATINUM INDIVIDUAL

The honor of being the first Platinum Individual recipient in Australia goes to Matt Evans of Matt Evans Smash Repairs in Murwillumbah, New South Wales. In announcing Matt's award, I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt said, "Matt is typical of so many of the Australian collision industry operators who have committed to training not only his staff but also himself. Matt gained his points through a combination of live training in Australia as well as successfully completing the (steel or aluminum) welding qualification test at NACE in 2006." It is anticipated that more than 50 industry professionals will earn the Platinum Individual training designation in the coming month, following completion of the latest round of I-CAR Live training in Australia.

AUSTRALIAN 2008 TRAINING PROGRAM TO FOCUS ON STRUCTURAL TRAINING ISSUES

Comparative results from the student post tests reinforces industry belief that overall knowledge of automotive manufacturing trends, coupled with an in depth understanding of the new technologies, is not a strong point among Australian collision industry participants. Influenced by the absence of that sort of information and combined with a lack of formal education packages from the vehicle manufacturers or other agencies - the knowledgeable collision repair professional has been basically self taught. Until now, information has been gathered by searching the internet, reading industry publications, information from industry suppliers, or by word-of-mouth from other repairers, based on their repair experience.

As a result, the 2008 I-CAR Australia training calendar will feature programs based on the knowledge required to make an informed decision on the correct method of structural repair. These programs include the soon-to-be re-released I-CAR Online training program, Advanced High-Strength Steel Overview (AHS01) available the week of NACE. The 2008 Australian I-CAR schedule will be posted online in mid-November.

AUSSIES TO INVADE NACE 2007

From all reports, over 200 Australian repairers are expected to attend NACE as part of their "study tours" to the USA in November. Hosted primarily by the refinish companies, these organized events will combine a mix of business and social activity, all focused on providing greater information and knowledge on emerging trends and technology to industry professionals. I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt commented, "the I-CAR stand will become a landmark exhibition booth for the majority of these visitors, most of whom are loyal I-CAR supporters. We look forward to welcoming each and every repairer who makes the journey, and introduce them to our American buddies."

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Page Last Revised: Monday, October 1, 2007
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