The National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides announced that during the NACE | CARS Expo in Detroit, a total of six vehicles – two each day – will be presented to Detroit-area individuals and nonprofit organizations who are in desperate need of reliable transportation. The Recycled Rides program is a collaborative effort by NABC members in the collision industry to repair and donate vehicles to those in need.
NABC members also have donated vehicles for live demonstrations on the show floor by Detroit-area first responders as they practice extrication techniques on late-model vehicles. The First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE) program provides unique, hands-on exposure to advanced vehicle technology, including high-strength steels, sophisticated electronics and multiple airbag systems.
“These program presentations at NACE showcase the professionalism, integrity and impact of the collision industry,” said Chuck Sulkala, NABC executive director. “We are proud of the impact National Auto Body Council members make in local communities nationally through our Recycled Rides and First Responder Emergency Extrication programs. We urge NACE attendees to carve time out in their busy show schedules to personally witness these inspiring programs first-hand and talk to us about how to implement these same programs in your own community.”
Recipients of the Recycled Rides vehicles at NACE include:
- A Gold Star, single mother enduring the devastating losses of her 18-year-old son in the Iraq War, her husband, and then her mother – all within a few years
- An Army Reserve veteran rebuilding his life with the help of the Michigan Veterans Foundation
- A struggling young mother determined to begin a new chapter in her life with support from United Way for Southeastern Michigan
- A family struggling with the needs of an autistic child, nominated by the Autism Society of Oakland County, Michigan
- Leader Dogs for the Blind, which needs a reliable vehicle to transport visually impaired clients to orientation and mobility training programs
- Alternative for Girls, whose mission is help homeless and high-risk girls and young women avoid violence, teen pregnancy and exploitation
All Recycled Rides presentations will take place on the main stage of the NACE show floor. The First Responder demonstrations will be at Demo Zone 5. The NABC booth number is no. 1100. The schedule is as follows:
Thursday, July 23
2:30 p.m.
Recycled Rides presented by Gerber Collision & Glass, Allstate and GEICO
3:30 p.m.
First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE). Vehicles donated by Farmers Insurance and Hanover Insurance
Friday, July 24
12:30 p.m.
Recycled Rides presented by Gerber Collision & Glass, Butler’s Collision, Hertz and State Farm
2:45 p.m.
First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE). Vehicles donated by State Farm
Saturday, July 25
10:00 a.m.
First Responder Emergency Extrication (FREE). Vehicles donated by State Farm
2:00 p.m.
Recycled Rides presented by Suburban Collision, Service King, Enterprise Rent-A-Car and Allstate
To read more on this year’s NACE | CARS Expo in Detroit, click here.
