Simulating Seniors: How do Engineers Know what the Older Generation Needs?
You can produce cars that appeal to young people easily enough, but how do you make sure those cars also suit the unique needs of senior citizens and members of AARP? Simply adopting the ad slogan, “Built for those of you with muscle aches and hemorrhoid pain,” isn’t going to be enough to convince seniors
What “Time” Is It
“It’s not so much how busy you are, but why you are busy. The bee is praised and the mosquito swatted.” – Marie O’Connor
Dent Fix Brings New Glue Technology to PDR
Let’s face it. The PDR, or Paintless Dent Removal, market is hot and getting hotter every day. Just open any trade magazine and you’re deluged with all the PDR tool offerings that exist. Manufacturers are offering every configuration of tool imaginable in exotic materials, color coded, titanium centers with kryptonite tips. It gets overwhelming when
Letters to the Editors
Does Your Shop Measure Up? Your article was incredible [“Does Your Shop Measure Up?” March 2002, pg. 40]! I found (literally) my first UMS the same way your picture showed it in early 1980 in a Toyota dealership in upstate Vermont. I had just closed my small shop because of the recession and was amazed
Is the Industry Suffering from Widespread Billing Fraud and Repair Defects
Editor’s Note: Some background: In 2000, California’s Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) launched an Autobody Inspection Program after Gov. Gray Davis signed legislation (2000-S.B. 1988) requiring the BAR to conduct a pilot program to determine the extent of autobody fraud in the state and to then recommend solutions to the legislature.
Vehicle Repair Nightmare: What Were the OEMs Thinking?
Technical feature by Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.: The OEMs are working to make vehicles easier to repair – but it’s not an easy undertaking.
Are Double Standards OK, Depending Who’s Paying the Bill?
A double standard [where you write a different estimate if the repair is paid by an insurance company rather than a customer paying out of pocket] creates an image of what this industry is trying to defeat, which is that we’re crooks. I don’t want to present one image to one customer and another image
Would St. Peter Grant You a Porsche – or a Pinto?
Three men who died arrived together at the pearly gates, where Saint Peter greeted them by saying, “I know you’ve been forgiven for your sins because you’re all here. But before I let you into heaven, I have to ask you a couple of questions – and you have to be honest or you won’t
Point – Counterpoint
Are Double Standards OK, Depending Who’s Paying the Bill?
Shop Profile: Collins Collision Center
Shop Name: Collins Collision Center Location: Atlanta, Ga. Established: August 1998 President: Jeff Collins Shop Size: 17,000 square feet No. of Employees: 10 Average Repair Volume: 175 cars per month Average Repair Cost: $1,950 Cruising Right Along While shop owner Jeff Collins is only 42 years old, he says buying his PT Cruiser a couple
PRIDE Award Winners Selected
Check out the stories behind this year’s award winners. St. Charles, Ill. – The National Auto Body Council has once again singled out those businesses, individuals and groups in the collision repair industry that have distinguished themselves and the industry by performing humanitarian and/or service deeds outside of their normal job responsibilities. This year’s PRIDE
No Problem!
The team concept can increase morale, production and efficiency.