The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) announced it has named five panelists and a discussion moderator for the featured presentation, “Validation of Collision Repair Workmanship: What Should OEMs Consider? What Do Shops Hope to Avoid?” in the March 19 NASTF Spring 2015 General Meeting at the NORTHEAST Show in Secaucus, NJ. Teresa Bolton (ASE) will moderate the discussion.
Farzam Afshar (VeriFacts Automotive), John Bosin (I-CAR), Aaron Clark (Assured Performance), Gary Ledoux (American Honda) and Gary Wano (G.W. & Son Auto Body) will serve as panelists in the discussion, which will seek to discover (1) what may be the most important elements for an OEM to consider when adopting a quality control program, and (2) what may concern shops in working under the various OEM strategies.
With OEMs, “certification appears to be a forgone conclusion” says Michael Quinn, NASTF Collision Repair Committee member and president of uParts (California). “But I believe the question is, what level of validation will exist, if any at all?”
Added Gary Ledoux, assistant national manager for Collision Parts Marketing at American Honda, “It’s important for OEMs and other entities to know that the vehicles under their umbrella are being properly and safely repaired as the vehicle’s performance reflects on their brand. To that end, some require I-CAR Gold Class status, VeriFacts VQ or Medallion status, or ASE Blue Seal as a means of doing this, thereby validating or verifying that the shop has a certain level of expertise.”
Some of the opening questions that will set the stage for an open dialogue on this collision industry topic include:
- Why are OEMs introducing validation programs?
- What is validation?
- What are OEMs hoping to validate?
“NASTF is very grateful to AASP-NJ for their invitation to host the NASTF Spring 2015 General Meeting as a prelude to their popular 38th Annual NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show and Conference,” said Allen Pennebaker, NASTF chair of the Board of Directors and owner of Orinda Motors (California).
The collision panel discussion is early on the agenda for the NASTF Spring 2015 General Meeting, which begins at 1 p.m. eastern in the Meadowlands Convention Center, Secaucus, N.J. To pre-register for the NORTHEAST Show, click HERE. To register for the NASTF General Meeting (not required but encouraged), click HERE.
