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Letter to the Editor
Monday June 6
ASA Collision Division Operations Committee Member Jerry Burns Addresses NASTF at Semi-Annual Meeting
Automotive Service Association (ASA) member Jerry Burns, AAM, assistant division director of ASA's Collision Division Operation Committee, recently attended a National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) meeting and voiced his concerns regarding the limited availability of training, tools, and replacement parts to independent shops by some auto manufacturers. Burns is the owner of Automotive Impressions Inc. in Rio Rancho, N.M. NASTF's semi-annual meeting was held in Detroit April 11 in conjunction with the SAE World Congress.Of specific concern to Burns is that in some cases, tools and training can only be obtained through OE dealerships. Burns explained that an independent collision shop's ability to obtain needed training or equipment is potentially dependent on a dealership's level of cooperation.
"NASTF's focus has been on mechanical repairs and it is important they understand the collision repair shop's needs for training and technical information," said Burns. "Collision repair needs are immediate as new year models enter the market."
It was established that when an independent collision repair facility encounters obstacles in acquiring training or equipment, such issues should be brought to the attention of NASTF by submitting a complaint form, which can be found at www.nastf.org or through a link on the ASA Web site, www.asahop.org (click on Related Links, then OEM Service Matrix).
"I commend Jerry Burns for calling upon the OE manufacturers to pay attention to the needs of collision repair professionals," said Darrell Amberson, AAM, ASA's Collision Division director and the president of Lehman's Garage Inc. in Bloomington, Minn. "As new vehicle technology advances, we will no doubt be ever more dependent upon OE manufacturers for repair information. The majority of collision repairs are performed by independent shops, and NASTF is a forum where the needs of the collision repair industry can be expressed."
NASTF was established to facilitate the identification and correction of gaps in the availability and accessibility of automotive service information, technician training, diagnostic tools and equipment, and communications for the benefit of automotive service professionals. Complaints to NASTF are forwarded to the appropriate OEM for further investigation and response.
ASA's Collision Division, along with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), first raised concerns regarding the limited sale of collision-related replacement parts at an NASTF meeting in November last year, which Burns also attended. As a follow up to those concerns, NASTF reported at its April meeting that only a few manufacturers have indicated that they offer models with special body/platform construction techniques or materials that require special training or tools. Of those that do, each has indicated they have programs in place to allow independent collision shops to receive the necessary training and tools to repair those vehicles.
The next NASTF meeting will be held Nov. 2, 2005, preceding the Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). CARS 2005 will be held Nov. 3-5 at The Mirage in Las Vegas and is sponsored by the Automotive Service Association's Mechanical Division.
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