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Letter to the Editor

ASA Encourages OEMs to Open Communication Channels

Bedford, Texas -- Develop and maintain open lines of communication between repairers and car manufacturers. This is the guiding principle driving a number of initiatives currently underway by the Auto Manufacturer Subcommittee of the Automotive Service Association (ASA) Collision Division Operations Committee.

As representatives of repair professionals, the subcommittee is working with manufacturers on such issues as reparability, serviceability, damageability, and access to technical information.

Additionally, this subcommittee is seeking legislative support for written disclosure and consent legislation requiring car owners' approval of the types of parts used in the repair of their vehicles.

During NACE 2000, subcommittee members met with representatives of the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) roundtable. ASA requested improved means for repairers to inform OEMs of reparability and parts replacement concerns as they are discovered during the repair process.

The ASA representatives also requested more information from OEMs to educate repairers about future automotive developments, such as repairing aluminum parts.

Another concern being addressed is the OEM's need to focus efforts on developing a recyclable plastic compound composite. The chair of the subcommittee, Mike West, owner of Southtowne Auto Rebuild in Tukwila, Wash., said it is "crucial that a recycling stream be developed by the auto manufacturers, exemplifying good environmental policies."

Conversations between ASA and manufacturers have been ongoing since NACE. Other issues being discussed include working with OEMs on such matters as the availability of training for safety and special reparability issues. ASA is also requesting the OEMs make available their recommended repair procedures for collision repairers. This information should be available in an easy-to-access format, such as CD-ROM, West said.

Through an 11-member Collision Division Operations Committee, and its subcommittees, ASA equips committee members with specific tasks and goals, with the ultimate goal of improving collision repair. The committee is comprised of ASA members from all regions of the nation and from shops of varying sizes.

In addition to West, other members of the Auto Manufacturer Subcommittee are Bob Anderson, Anderson's Automotive, Sheffield, Ohio; Dan Brothers, Brothers Collision, Rochester, N.Y.; Kevin Caldwell, Autobody by Caldwell, Laguna Hills, Calif.; Chris Dameron, True2Form Collision Repair Centers, Raleigh, N.C.; and Jim Keller, Motorcar Collision, Milwaukee.

Repair professionals who have concerns regarding reparability or serviceability are encouraged to contact the ASA collision division at (800) 272-7467, ext. 228.

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