Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Collision Repair Training | Australia
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Current Events/News: I-CAR Press Releases: 2000 Press Releases
May 5, 2000 TV SHOW, 20/20, DEMONSTRATES NEED FOR INDUSTRY GOLD CLASS PROGRAM (Rolling Meadows, IL) A recent episode of ABC's 20/20 aired a disturbing segment on the Collision Industry. The segment featured extensive footage of body shops deliberately causing additional damage to customer vehicles and "repairing" vehicles in a manner resulting in shoddy and unsafe repairs. In light of stories such as this, it is simple for the consumer to stereotype the entire Collision Repair Industry. ABCNEWS Correspondent Arnold Diaz reported the story, and interviewed Industry representatives to gather this information. The expose also mentioned that body shop fraud is not easy to detect and most consumers don't realize it until something goes terribly wrong. Diaz reported that passengers have a greater risk of being severely injured or killed in accidents if the vehicle's structural elements are not properly repaired. There was one positive outcome to this story! When Barbara Walters inquired as to how to find a good body shop, Arnold Diaz recommended looking for the Gold Class designation because this designation signifies the business has received special training. He also mentioned that there are thousands of Gold Class shops across the country. Tom Mack, the Executive Vice President and CEO of I-CAR, had the following reaction: While I was watching the show, I am sure I had the same sinking feeling that most of the people in our Industry had as the show focused on the negatives of our Industry. However, the recommendation of Gold Class Professionals showed that if the Industry takes concrete actions to ensure a complete and safe repair, then good things can happen. Good public relations are important, but if we cannot demonstrate that there is substance behind the words, then we cannot expect the Collision Industry image to improve. This is an important reason why I-CAR is adopting an "Outward Vision" to work more closely and cooperatively with all segments of the Collision Industry. The focus will be to help ensure more constructive things are being done in the Industry that demonstrate we care about the consumer. Tom went on to add that the I-CAR International Annual Meeting in July will be the official "kick-off" of I-CAR’s new Outward Vision. "Much of the Annual Meeting will be devoted to explaining how I-CAR can help solve the problems raised by the 20/20 show. This will be a great opportunity for Industry leaders to learn how I-CAR can work more effectively with their organization to make meaningful improvements in the Collision Industry." I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international, not-for-profit, training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.
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Page Last Revised: Wednesday, June 28, 2000 |
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