DIXIE November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 1

R VOL 29, NO 8 www.AutomotiveReport.net november 2020 Monthly News for the Local Automotive Industry in Central and Southern Alabama, Georgia and North Florida, Monthly Newsincluding for Body the Shops, Local Mechanical ShopsAutomotive and Dealers. Industry

want to continue to bring education to the for consumers to more easily file a com- Trade Groups: Helping the automotive shops in the safest way possible.” plaint against an insurance company as Tuggle said difficult economic times well as send that information to their local repair industry through challenging times such as these are when association mem- lawmakers to raise awareness of the issues, bership can matter most for shops. she said. “We understand that things are far from “We will be pursuing legislation in the By John Yoswick business they serve. normal from a financial aspect for many spring that, if passed, would have a posi- Automotive Report asked trade associa- businesses, ABAT included,” she said. tive impact on a shop’s ability to seek reim- This has been a disruptive year for the tion leaders to offer an update on their cur- “Our educational slate will be centered bursement for OEM recommended repair dozens of state, regional and national trade rent activities and upcoming plans in this around the importance of being a profitable processes,” Tuggle said. associations representing shops, just as unprecedented time. shop and ways our members can increase For more information about ABAT, it has been for their membership as well. Texas group plans smaller events profits.” check the group’s website (www.abat.us). Executive directors and their boards have The Auto Body Association of Texas One initiative the association has under- Continued on page 6 found themselves canceling events such as (ABAT) is among those that had to can- taken this year involves creating a means trade shows — often a key source of fund- cel many events, including the Texas Auto ing for the associations, learning how to Body Trade Show, a primary fundraiser for hold online training and meeting online, the group. coordinating staff now all working from “In response to this, we are looking at home, seeing legislative efforts put on hosting smaller regional events, Jill Tug- hold, and working to remain relevant to the gle, executive director of ABAT said. “We ‘Car Doctor’ offers advice for thriving in tough times

By Sheryl Bussard owned shop, R\A Automotive in Wald- wick, New Jersey — as he has for roughly Since 1991, Ron Ananian has informed, the past three decades. That all changed on educated, and entertained millions of lis- March 15, when he sent his lead mechanic, Joe Hudson’s Collision Repair - 8 teners through his nationally syndicated ra- Danny, home with pay and closed the shop dio program, “The Car Doctor.” Broadcast due to the pandemic. But by mid-April, the live every Saturday, Ananian takes calls phone had already started ringing again, from car owners and technicians seeking he brought Danny back full time, and busi- his definitive ness has picked up steadily ever since. take on automo- “We’re actually about 15 percent over tive repair. A normal,” Ananian said. “People don’t want recent broadcast to go into debt right now; they want to covered topics hang on to what they’ve got and take care ranging from of it.” the future of di- When asked what it’s going to take for agnostic costs shops to survive and thrive in the current to transmission economy, Ananian stressed two key busi- issues on a 2018 ness philosophies that have guided him Grand Cherokee throughout his career: know your costs and to the best spark plugs for a ’78 GMC mo- know your customers. torhome. Know your costs Before the pandemic hit, in addition to Thirty years ago, Ananian created a his Saturday radio program, Ananian was Continued on page 10 1961 Ghia Dual - 14 putting in five days a week at his family- Shops report measurement issues with some steering columns 4 ‘Not just a shop class’ teacher wins $50,000 award 11 Car built in Washington state sets a world record at 316 mph 12

DIX1120

Presorted Standard U.S. POSTAGE PAID Franklin, TN Permit No. 357 Dated Material 2 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020

and are adapted for the unique character- mation centers help owners navigate the 2022 GMC Hummer EV has istics of the HUMMER EV’s electric pro- capabilities and selectable features of the pulsion system. They include an in-vehi- vehicles: cle Trailering App with Trailer Light Test, Energy Assist — Monitors energy use, jaw dropping HP and torque Trailer Electrical Diagnostics, Trailer Tire sets up charging schedules, battery tem- Pressure and Temperature Monitoring, perature conditioning and more By GM Press Release unique sounds through the Bose speakers Pre-Maintenance Reminders and Depar- Off-Road Widgets — Offer a myriad of and screen animations. The vehicle also ture Checklist. information related to the HUMMER DETROIT – The 2022 GMC HUM- lowers 2 inches to prepare for the launch, “The HUMMER EV is all about the EV’s selectable capabilities and perfor- MER EV experience puts drivers in the utilizing a lower center of gravity. experience — where it will go, what it mance readouts in off-road driving sce- middle of every moment, with revolution- “It’s an amazing demonstration of just can do and the feeling of freedom it will narios — everything from the ride height ary on-road performance features enabled how fast 1,000 horsepower and 11,500 provide,” said Oppenheiser. “It’s meant and eLocker engagement to compass by next-gen EV power, head-turning lb-ft of electric propulsion can move you to be an exceptionally versatile truck; and headings, pitch/roll status and more looks and an unmistakable stance. — regardless of the vehicle’s size,” said by offering features like Watts to Free- ProGradeTrailering App — Based on the “The all-new GMC HUMMER EV will Oppenheiser. “It’ll put a smile on your dom, Drive Mode Control and ProGrade Trailering App developed for GMC’s full- be the first of its breed — an open-air, all- face every single time.” Trailering, it’s also exceptionally fun.” size trucks, this widget allows the owner electric supertruck with zero emissions The HUMMER EV’s driving experi- In-vehicle technology is a fundamental to create a trailer profile, perform a trailer and zero limits,” said Al Oppenheiser, ence can also be tailored by the driver for element of the HUMMER EV’s immer- light test, establish pre-departure check- HUMMER EV chief engineer. “It will different conditions through Drive Mode sive experience and will be responsible lists and more have the capability to go almost Digital Key anywhere, on- or off-road, com- With the Bluetooth and bining screaming performance Ultra-Wideband-enabled Digi- with a nearly silent ride.” tal Key, owners will be able HUMMER EV’s unprec- to use their smartphone as the edented capabilities will blend key fob for their HUMMER with engaging technologies, EV. The technology detects the creating a sense of intensity and owner’s phone and its location drama for drivers and passen- in proximity to the vehicle, gers. enabling a number of passive HUMMER EV’s on-road per- operations such as approach formance matches its off-road lighting, entry unlock and chops. Three electric motors vehicle operation. The technol- within the Ultium Drive system ogy was pioneered on GM EVs offer a GM-estimated best-in- used in ride-sharing programs class 1,000 horsepower and, and is enhanced to offer greater when multiplied through the convenience for HUMMER EV front and rear drive unit gear owners. ratios, offer more than 11,500 At a glance, there’s no lb-ft of torque (GM estimate) mistaking this truck as anything to the wheels, enabling unprec- but a GMC HUMMER EV. edented performance capability. Control. It includes four pre-configured for everything from tracking range and Its formidable styling cues, including The ultimate expression of that perfor- modes: Normal, Tow/Haul, Off-Road locating charging stations, to monitoring wheels at the corners and a high stance, mance will be delivered in HUMMER and Terrain, along with the configurable vehicle performance on and off the road are rooted in a capability-first mantra, EV’s own launch control mode, known My Mode — featuring a new Adrenaline — and even ensuring the right soundtrack where off-road functionality such as as Watts to Freedom. This driver-select- Mode. is playing on that Moab excursion. approach and departure angles take pre- able feature channels the propulsion sys- Each has specific chassis, suspension It will all be accessible through two cedence in the design. tem’s tremendous power into acceleration and propulsion characteristics, includ- large displays: a 13.4-inch diagonal color “We had a unique opportunity: Create bursts — including GM-estimated 0-60 ing the maximum torque delivered to the touchscreen that’s part of the GMC info- something people will instantly recognize mph in approximately 3 seconds. wheels; and along with the distinctive tainment system and a 12.3-inch diagonal while challenging perceptions by creat- “Watts to Freedom unlocks the full suspension and torque variables, the inte- color driver information center display. ing a zero-emissions, zero-limits electric potential of the propulsion system and rior display screen graphics and colors, The cabin experience will be enhanced truck,” said Phil Zak, HUMMER EV puts all of its available power to the along with unique vehicle sounds, will be by advanced sound technologies, with design executive director. “ pavement,” said Oppenheiser. “It’s an changeable with the different modes. HUMMER EV’s Bose Premium sound The design is infused with signature all-encompassing experience unlike any- The HUMMER EV will offer GMC’s system with Centerpoint surround sig- cues, from the low-turret upper, upright thing else — purpose-built for straight- ProGrade Trailering Technology, a suite nal processing and 14 high-performance windshield and rugged execution. Its con- line fun.” of smart, intuitive technologies, includ- speakers to deliver a powerful and immer- temporary, muscular design also commu- As the vehicle readies itself for Watts to ing an additional camera view designed sive listening experience. Beyond music nicates a technological leap forward: The Freedom, a series of interior experiences to enhance trailering confidence. reproduction, Electric Vehicle Sound front and rear lights feature charge indica- convey the feeling of a “pre-launch count- ProGrade Trailering Technology fea- Enhancement uses Bose Active Sound tion, and the front light signature serves down,” including interactive controls, tures were proven on other GMC trucks Management capabilities, combining as the face of the vehicle. sound enhancement with noise masking The design further incorporates clever to optimize the vehicle’s cabin acoustic details such as the distinctive HUMMER environment. EV “H” motif seen in several elements, Call us for all Powered by Epic’s Unreal Gaming including the headlamps, taillamps and 31 S. Alabama Ave. Monroeville Alabama 36460 your Genuine Engine, HUMMER EV’s graphic HMI wheels. displays make features and selections Additionally, the industry-leading GM parts! easy to find and intuitive to navigate at Infinity Roof is a signature element of a glance. The start-up animation, along the HUMMER EV’s expressive design, with different screen colors and distinc- offering open-air driving via modular, A professional staff with years of parts tive graphic displays for different drive transparent Sky Panels. Even the I-Bar experience plus daily local delivery. Call modes enhance the interactivity of the mounting frame for the panels is remov- Lee Motor Co. today. technologies and apps. able, for a totally open experience above, Some functions can be activated by while a power-drop rear window takes the voice command, while smartphone- open-air concept even further. (800) 239-2898 like swipe functionality makes scrolling Under the full-power-equipped hood, Fax: (251)575-7916 . www.leemotorcompany.com and feature selection simple within the the roof panels can stow in accessory infotainment system. Feature selection cases inside the front storage com- through the driver information center is partment known as the “frunk,” when available through steering wheel controls. equipped with the dealer-available acces- Three fundamental in-vehicle infor- Continued on page 4 November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 3

RECALLS 5 Starting in January 2021 SHOP PROFILE - Joe Hudson’s Collision Center 8 the Automotive Report RACING NOTES 12 will be online only! REARVIEW - 1961 Ghia Dual 14 December 2020 will mark the end of an era. For over 32 years we’ve been printing and mailing DIXIE the Automotive Reports. We are moving into the digital age. R Monthly News for the Local Automotive Industry

VOL. 29, NO 8 • November 2020 For the last couple of years we have

Editor up-loaded the Automotive Report Barry Forkum Publisher / Advertising Director online and we have established Garnett Forkum a large following. So much so that it Art Director Allen Forkum has 10 times the readership of our Copy Editor Tom Williams print publications combined. Contributors John Yoswick, Steve McLinden Go to: Jay Hirsch, Sheryl Bussard, Robert Bravender, Tom Williams www.automotivereport.net Advertising Sales Tom Williams (615) 757-3042 • Fax: (888) 607-0921 View the current issue and past articles, you can also [email protected] sign up for a free subscription notification that will Marj Pierce email you each time we post the new issue. Go today. Phone: (901) 466-0903 Cell: (901) 497-0926 • Fax: (901) 466-9415 Email: [email protected]

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mittee” is continuing to push for more use. So that part might be identified as Shops report measurement issues consistency in how parts are defined and “OE Discount” in one parts platform and described within the industry. During the estimating system, and as “Aftermarket” recent CIC, the committee showed how in another parts platform and estimating with some steering columns the list of parts categories varies among system, resulting in the same part being parts platforms and estimating systems. labeled differently on estimates. By John Yoswick tomaker that provides better illustrations The committee showed several flowcharts In another example, the committee than some other automakers as to what dis- that demonstrate how all these variations showed where an “OEM take-off” part can Safety inspections required by some au- tances on the columns are to be measured. in parts categories can result in the exact end up categorized on an estimate as “Re- tomakers as part of post-collision repairs But any incorrect measurements in the same part being described two different cycled” or “OE Surplus.” sometimes include measurement of the OEM information, he said, may be impact- ways on estimates. Confusion — or intent to confuse? steering column to ensure it was not dam- ing cycle time and repair costs, damaging In the first example, a vendor selling Ken Weiss, who co-chairs the CIC com- aged as part of the accident. Speaking at credibility with consumers, fostering ten- OEM parts outside of the authorized OEM mittee, said parts suppliers may be genu- a recent virtual Collision Industry Con- sions between shops and insurers, and channel enters those parts into a platform inely unclear as to how to identify parts ference (CIC), Jason Bartanen of CIC’s placing undue burden on the parts supply that uses the “OEM Surplus” category for they are putting into the parts platforms (or “Emerging Technologies Committee” said chain. such parts. That platform feeds into an directly into the estimating systems). such requirements have led more shops to “All those things aside, my biggest con- estimating system that uses the “Optional “But there are others who deliberately measure steering columns — and in some cern is we finally have this momentum of OEM” label for those parts. California will elevate their part to the highest pos- cases to find discrepancies in the OEM in- people starting to read and follow OEM regulators, however, prohibit the use of the sible scenario they can,” Weiss said. formation. procedures, and if they’re getting bad in- “Opt-OEM” label. “This is where specific terms with spe- Bartanen said General Motors, for ex- formation, we’re going to have techni- “So while that part can go into the es- cific definitions benefit the industry, rather ample, has a requirement to inspect the cians and repair facilities and insurance timating platform as ‘Opt-OEM,’ the end- than leaving things open to supplier inter- steering column for “bending, twisting, personnel start to ignore those OEM pro- user is required to choose what they are pretation or decision,” Schulenburg said. buckling or any type of damage” after any cedures,” Bartanen said. “They may think: going to call it on the estimate,” Aaron “We need to be doing our best to be as collision. In one instance, Bartanen said, a ‘If this is bad, what else in the manual is Schulenburg, who co-chairs the CIC com- transparent as possible. There’s a big dif- shop found the steering column in a GMC inaccurate? What else can I just arbitrarily mittee, said. “You then have a situation ference in someone looking at something Sierrra appeared to have collapsed slightly ignore because maybe it’s wrong? Maybe where a shop repair plan, and an insurance called an ‘OE Surplus’ part and assuming because it measured 273 mm, not the 286 that sectioning procedure was put in the company estimate, may each potentially that’s an OEM part, versus the impression mm called for in the GM collision repair wrong place. Maybe the material type or choose different nomenclature for the ex- of what a ‘recycled’ part is. I think we need information. But the new replacement col- thickness was wrong.’ If we’re ignoring act same part. One may identify that as an to do everything in our power to make sure aftermarket part, and one may identify it as we are distinguishing parts appropriately.” an OEM part, and you have an estimating The committee, however, has had diffi- platform that allows for that choice.” culty reaching a consensus on what defini- In a second example, a parts supplier tions and names for the parts types should may refer to a part as a “Tier 1 Replace- be. Bartanen said the discrepancy could ment” part because it is manufactured and “That’s the struggle we got hung up on sold by Tier 1 suppliers to the automakers, last year,” Weiss said. • be based on data from OEM engineer- such as Denso and Bosch. That’s a parts category none of the systems currently ing drawings not matching the actual part once it went into production. In ... HP and torque some cases, it could be shops are not Continued from page 2 enough to get dirty and handle what you measuring the columns correctly; ... sory storage tray. throw at it,” said Brett Golliff, HUMMER “The Infinity Roof embodies the EV color and trim manager. “Everything HUMMER EV’s spirt of adventure,” we did, from visibility and seating to fea- said Zak. “It figuratively and literally ture control location, was done to enhance removes the barrier between passengers the overall driving experience on- and umn the shop received measured 278 mm, the procedures, ultimately we’re going to and the world, for a more immersive off-road.” also short of the measurement in the auto- compromise customer safety. That’s not driving experience.” Convenience is also built into the maker’s documentation. okay. We need information that’s accurate, Pioneered on the GMC Sierra, the HUMMER EV’s interior, with handy Another shop, he said, similarly found and we need collision repair professionals HUMMER EV incorporates the six- storage solutions throughout, including a steering column in a Nissan Versa was following that information to ensure we’re function MultiPro Tailgate tailored spe- a roomy two-tier front floor console — shorter than indicated in that automaker’s putting our customers back in vehicles that cifically for the design of the all-electric enabled by the flat floor of the EV archi- collision repair information — only to then are safe.” supertruck. The six functions include: tecture — along with multiple storage find that it was the same length as several General Motors this past summer also primary gate, primary gate load stop, bins and a lockable glove box. replacement columns the shop ordered. said its published requirements for inspec- easy access, wide step, inner gate load And like the exterior, clever design So what should a shop do in such in- tions that it currently says must be com- stop and inner gate with work surface. cues abound inside the cabin, including stances? pleted “after any collision” to see if they The five-passenger HUMMER EV’s a stylized “H” for the instrument panel’s “That’s the question we’re trying to get can be scaled back for vehicles needing bold cabin design is geometric and tex- central air vent and other details waiting some clarification for from the vehicle only minor repairs. tured. Its newly developed surface mate- to be discovered. manufacturers,” Bartanen said, saying in “We recognize that the requirements and rials contribute to the premium look and At launch, the 2022 HUMMER EV the case of the GM column, the shop in- processes we had laid out … are extreme- feel commensurate with GMC’s high will be offered in Edition 1 trim, featur- stalled the replacement part given that the ly labor intensive and vehicle invasive,” standards for craftsmanship and rugged- ing a white exterior color, a unique high- column in the car was even 5 mm shorter GM’s John Eck said. ness. contrast Lunar Horizon interior color and than the replacement part. A survey of 17 automakers showed that There’s no conventional carpet in the special Edition 1 interior badging. It also “The people I’ve talked to are, for the GM and Subaru are the only two that re- interior, either. A versatile and easy-to- includes the Extreme Off-Road Pack- most part, putting the old column back in if quire extensive inspections following any clean vinyl floor, topped with rubber age, which adds Adaptive Air Suspension it’s measuring the same as the replacement collision, regardless of severity. But Eck flooring made from recycled material, is with available Extract Mode capability, 4 column.” emphasized that prior to its new proce- functional and instilled with distinctive Wheel Steer with CrabWalk, 35-inch-OD Troublesome issue dures being finalized, GM’s current post- design elements. Rubber inserts for each Goodyear Wrangler Territory MT tires, Bartanen said the discrepancy could collision inspection requirements remain passenger position are designed for easy underbody armor, rock sliders, under- be based on data from OEM engineering in place. removal and clean up after a day on the body cameras and more. The HUMMER drawings not matching the actual part once “Until then, nothing has changed,” Eck trail. EV Edition 1 will have a starting price of it went into production. In some cases, it said. “HUMMER EV will offer a refined $112,595 including destination, when it could be shops are not measuring the col- Same part, different name and rugged interior for owners who want goes on sale in the fall of next year. • umns correctly; he said Subaru is one au- The CIC “Parts and Materials Com- something fresh and new, yet capable November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 5

Recalls Edmunds compares 2020 Honda Compiled from AP, manufacturer, EPA and NHTSA news releases. CR-V and Toyota RAV 4 hybrids

BMW of North America is recaling 4,509 vehicles, including certain BMW and By AP Wire Service are more comfortable than the Toyota’s. In Mini Cooper models. Debris may have entered one or more of the hybrid battery both vehicles, rear passengers get ample cells during production. When a remedy for this is available, owners will be noti- The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is the brand’s legroom but will likely prefer the higher fied. best-selling hybrid, with 2019 sales out- seating position in the CR-V Hybrid. pacing even those of the Prius. It provides Honda also does a slightly better job of FORD Motor Co. is recalling 9,628 2019 F-250 and F-350 trucks that may have significantly higher fuel economy - an es- making the CR-V’s interior materials look been assembled with a wheel and yoke that was not properly welded to the axle tube timated 40 mpg combined - than the regu- and feel more upscale. The CR-V Hybrid end. Dealers will inspect the trucks and replace any axles found to be defective. lar RAV4 SUV with minimal compromise. also offers excellent isolation from road There is a new alternative for shoppers imperfections and engine vibrations, add- GENERAL MOTORS is recalling 3,317 2020 vehicles — including Corvettes, to consider, however: the Honda CR-V ing to a more luxurious driving experi- CT4 and CT5 Cadillacs, and certain Buick Encore and Chevrolet Trail Blazer mod- Hybrid. The 2020 model year is the first ence. The RAV4’s engine can sound ex- els — to replace the electronic brake boost module due to possible contamination. time Honda has offered a hybrid version ceedingly coarse under acceleration. of its top-selling SUV. The regular CR-V Winner: CR-V Hybrid HYUNDAI Motor America is recalling 6,707 2019 and 2020 Kana electric vehi- also happens to be Edmunds’ top-rated INFOTAINMENT AND DRIVING cles. The lithium ion battery may short circuit after it is fully charged. Dealers will nonhybrid SUV, considerably outranking AIDS update the battery management system. the regular RAV4. The RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid Is the CR-V’s all-around goodness offer fairly comprehensive suites of driv- JAGUAR LAND ROVER America is recalling 11,950 2020 and 2021 Range Rover enough to overcome Toyota’s hybrid er aids. Features such as adaptive cruise Sport vehicles to correct a problem with the instrument cluster software that may expertise? Edmunds’ team of expert re- control, lane keeping assist and automatic not notify drivers when the tire pressure drops 25 percent below the recommended viewers compare the 2020 Honda CR-V emergency braking are standard. As for pressure. Hybrid and 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid to operation of these systems, we’ve found determine a winner. the Honda’s to be a little more prone to VOLKSWAGEN of America is recalling 1,829 2020 Passat vehicles to replace the PRICE AND FUEL ECONOMY unnecessary or annoying alerts. front passenger airbag assembly. The airbag was not folded properly during assem- Toyota and Honda ask for a modest Infotainment offerings are broadly simi- bly and could have reduced deployment force. premium, just under $3,000, for the hy- lar, though the design of each vehicle’s in- brid versions of fotainment interface their popular SUVs. leaves something to Starting at $29,870, be desired. Honda’s including destina- Is the CR-V’s all-around system looks dated, Ford recalls over 700K vehicles; backup tion, the CR-V Hy- goodness enough to overcome and its virtual but- brid runs neck and Toyota’s hybrid expertise? tons can be tough cameras can go dark neck with the RAV4 Edmunds’ team of expert to press and slow Hybrid, which starts reviewers compare the 2020 to respond. The DETROIT — Ford is recalling more than 700,000 vehicles in North America because at $29,675. Pric- Toyota system’s the backup cameras can show distorted images or suddenly go dark. ing is similar even Honda CR-V Hybrid and dated graphics don’t The recall covers most 2020 versions of Ford’s F-Series trucks, as well as the 2020 when you look at a 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid to do it any favors ei- Explorer, Mustang, Transit, Expedition, Escape, Ranger and Edge. Also included are the fully loaded model. determine a winner. ther, but its easier- Lincoln Nautilus and Corsair. F-Series trucks are the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. Both of these hybrid to-press buttons The company says in documents posted by the U.S. government’s National Highway SUVs come stan- and availability of Traffic Safety Administration that a poor electrical connection is causing the problem. dard with all-wheel drive. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smart- Ford says it doesn’t know of any crashes or injuries caused by the problem. The EPA estimates that the CR-V Hy- phone integration on every RAV4 Hybrid Dealers will replace the rearview camera at no cost to owners. The recall is expected brid will get 38 mpg in combined driving. tip the scales. to start Nov. 7. (AP) • But in our real-world testing evaluation, Winner: RAV4 Hybrid we had difficulty replicating the EPA num- DRIVING PERFORMANCE ber. Our test CR-V Hybrid ended up get- Straight-line performance isn’t usu- ting 32 mpg overall. In contrast, we found ally at the top of a hybrid buyer’s list, but US probes Mercedes vans for possible it easier to get close to the RAV4 Hybrid’s having enough power to merge onto the EPA estimate of 40 mpg combined. Our freeway or pass on a two-lane road is still unwanted acceleration test RAV4 Hybrid posted 36 mpg. important. The RAV4 Hybrid feels quick- Winner: RAV4 Hybrid er than the CR-V Hybrid when you mash DETROIT — U.S. auto safety regulators are investigating speed sensor problems INTERIOR ACCOMMODATIONS the gas. In Edmunds testing, it was about with Mercedes-Benz Sprinter full-size vans that could cause unwanted acceleration. The RAV4 Hybrid and CR-V Hybrid of- a second quicker in getting to 60 mph. The probe by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration covers about fer spacious interiors with ample room for The CR-V Hybrid does beat the RAV4 160,000 Sprinter 2500 and 3500 vans from the 2011 through 2018 model years. both front and rear seat passengers. Both Hybrid when it comes to handling and The agency says it has 44 complaints of rear wheel speed sensor problems that caused are easy to get in and out of and offer good braking performance and feel. The Honda large fluctuations in speed and erratic transmission shifting. visibility thanks to their elevated driving offers confidence-inspiring handling and Owners also reported the vans went into limp-home mode, and dashboard warning positions. smooth, powerful brakes. The CR-V Hy- lights were activated. There were no reports of crashes or injuries in documents posted These small SUVs also boast tons of brid also provides a smoother transition on the agency’s website. practicality. But the Toyota offers greater from electric to combustion engine pro- The majority of the complaints were about vans converted to recreational vehicles, cargo capacity - 37.6 cubic feet compared pulsion. which account for about one-third of the Sprinter population. The agency says 11 own- to the CR-V Hybrid’s 33.2 cubic feet - as Winner: CR-V Hybrid ers reported multiple sensor replacements. It says the problems may be caused by mois- well as rear seats that are easier to raise EDMUNDS SAYS: The 2020 Honda ture getting into the sensors. and lower. CR-V Hybrid and 2020 Toyota RAV4 Mercedes said that it is communicating with NHTSA and will “continue to fully co- Toyota has placed numerous bins and Hybrid are both smart buys that justify operate with the agency.” shelves inside the cabin for storage of their slightly higher costs compared to NHTSA says it will investigate how often the problem happens and the safety conse- small items. But the CR-V’s options the conventional models. They are closely quences. The probe could lead to a recall. (AP) • are generally more versatile and clever. matched, and your decision could come Should car seat installation be a daily oc- down to personal taste. But in the end currence, Honda’s slightly more generous Edmunds recommends the CR-V Hybrid. rear seat legroom makes loading and un- Though it’s not as efficient as the RAV4 visit our web-site loading your precious cargo a little easier. Hybrid, its superior mix of refinement, Winner: tie practicality and comfort makes it more www.AutomotiveReport.net COMFORT AND REFINEMENT enjoyable to drive every day. (AP) • The Honda CR-V Hybrid’s front seats 6 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020

lision repair professionals but by them,” CCC Information Services’ estimating sys- ... Trade groups Aaron Schulenberg of SCRS said. “We tem, but a version for one of the other two worked with our partners at NuGenIT to estimating systems is expected to be avail- Continued from page 1 Experts, I-CAR, SEM, CCC, etc.,” Kent develop the BOT, which will essentially able before the end of this year. Consumer education one focus said. run your estimate through an audit tool to SCRS offers live online demonstrations Consumer education is also a focus Virtual event planned for January identify any potentially missed operations. of the BOT every Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. for the Carolina’s Collision Associa- The Automotive Service Association We recognize the complexity of today’s Eastern. Visit the SCRS website (www. tion (CCA), according to Josh Kent, the of Texas (ASA-Texas) is the state affili- estimates and how easy it is to overlook scrs.com) for details about the demos or group’s executive director. ate of the national ASA, which represents things that could or should be included on other SCRS activities and membership “We put together a committee of mem- both collision repair and mechanical repair the sheet in the blueprint development pro- benefits. • bers to come up with ways that we could shops. cess. This has increased the efficiency of educate consumers, and out of that came Jennifer Elfert Vredenburg, executive that process for that shop, and provides a John Yoswick, a freelance writer based the idea of building a webpage with a zip director for ASA-Texas, said one of the return on investment by capturing things in Portland, Ore., who has been writing code search that, once finished, will pro- new things the group offers its members is that otherwise would have been over- about the automotive industry since 1988, mote safety as well as inform consumers an automotive content library, ready-to-use looked.” is also the editor of the weekly CRASH Net- about what they should look for when social media postings, and monthly mar- Schulenburg said subscriptions for the work bulletin (www.CrashNetwork.com). choosing a shop,” Kent said. “We will keting resources. Every four to six week, tool start at $139 a month, but SCRS mem- He can be contacted by email at john@ have videos from manufacturers as well as members receive an updated pass code that bers receive a discount that more than cov- CrashNetwork.com. some shops. Our shops will have a code of gives them access to the content of hun- ers the annual dues for membership. The ethics that they will voluntarily sign and dreds of automotive-themed images, with tool initially has worked only with the post in their shop that will allow them to new content added monthly. Customized be found in the zip code search by the con- graphics can be requested, and shops can sumers.” use the content as-is or add their own shop One association’s efforts at recruiting students The association is also working with a information to them. third-party to conduct labor rate surveys Vredenburg said this summer and fall By John Yoswick and to educate shops on tools that can she has been consumed with planning for help them calculate appropriate rates and an upcoming event. One of the projects developed by the ents and educators about career opportu- understand averages in their market. “Although the title is still unofficial and Alliance of Automotive Service Provid- nities in the collision repair industry. Members also have access to educa- the scope still expanding, we are working ers (AASP) affiliate in Minnesota could Though it features Minnesota schools tional webinars and other resources that with industry partners across the nation to offer a model for other associations to and students, a two-minute video added can help their shop, Kent said. CCA’s create a new virtual global event for auto- follow in working to attract new entrants to the site last year could be used for “Trade School Committee” is “working on motive repair and collision shop commu- into the collision repair industry. In student recruiting throughout the indus- ways to improve and educate and attract nities,” she said in mid-September. “The 2016, AASP-MN helped create and fund try. The non-profit MNCARS also offers younger people to the industry.” And it’s event will be in January, and ASA-Texas is “Minnesota Careers in Auto Repair and an online toolbox of other excellent “Legal Committee” is developing defini- thrilled to help create opportunities for our Service (MNCARS)” which launched a resources to promote careers in the indus- tions to help shops better understand lan- industry like never before.” website (https://carcareers.org) specifi- try guage in insurance policies and state stat- For more information on ASA-Texas, cally focused on educating students, par- utes in North and South Carolina. visit its website (www.asatx.org). For more information, visit the CCA Offering estimate auditing tool website (https://carolinascollisionassocia- Aaron Schulenburg was asked back in tion.com). July about what role associations play dur- Looking for an association in your state? Working in collaboration ing a tough year like this one. “For us as an association, one of the Kent does double-duty, also serving as By John Yoswick executive director of the Tennessee Col- biggest challenges we see ahead is build- lision Repairers Association (TCRA). As ing optimism within an industry facing In addition to the five associations Georgia Collision Industry Association: such, CCA and TCRA each benefit from all these challenges,” said Schulenburg, highlighted in this article, here are some www.gcia.org the synergies of working together on executive director of the national Society of the other associations serving the some projects. Kent said the TCRA has of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). industry in their market. Independent Garage Owners of North rebranded itself, including a new website “While this is a great industry that we are Carolina: https://igonc.com/ (https://mytcra.com) that includes some of exceptionally proud to be a part of and to Alliance of Automotive Service Provid- the same resources for shops found on the support, I think it’s a tough time for small ers (AASP) Missouri: https://aasp-mo. Mississippi Collision Repair Associa- CCA website. business owners, and I think in the months org/ tion: https://mscra.net/ The Tennessee group also has similar ahead, maintaining optimism is going to be legal, trade school and consumer commit- a challenge.” Automotive Service Association of Flor- Northwest Louisiana Collision Repair tees to bring similar education and assis- One of the SCRS projects Schulenburg ida: www.asaflorida.org Association: http://nwlcra.org/ tance to shops, consumers and educators is most excited about is the launch earlier in that state. this year of the Blueprint Optimization Automotive Service Association “We team up with CCA to provide non- Tool (BOT). (national): www.ASAshop.org stop education for Tennessee repairers as “It’s a Windows-based auditing software well, working with Mark Olson of VECO auditing software not just designed for col- Here’sHere’s youryour chancechance toto “grade”“grade” thethe insurersinsurers You know some insurers are better than others when it comes to claims practices that help ensure quality repairs and customer service for drivers after a crash. Now you can help drivers understand that difference, too. Take a few minutes right now to fill out the “Insurer Report Card,” aconfidential way for collision repairers to grade the auto insurers in your state. We’ll let consumers know that body shop professionals who interact with insurance companies every day see that some companies deserve an “A”...while others don’t. Visit www.CrashNetwork.com/gradebook The “Insurer Report Card” is brought to you by CRASH Network, the ...a confidential way for collision repairers weekly newsletter that since 1994 has been bringing subscribers to grade the auto insurers in their state. news, information and ideas they won’t find anywhere else. November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 7

Former VW boss faces trial for 2nd set of charges BMW fined $18 million for BERLIN — A German court has ruled that former Volkswagen CEO Martin Win- terkorn must face trial on a second set of charges in the company’s diesel emissions scandal, these ones related to alleged market manipulation. inflating monthly US sales The announcement by the Braunschweig state court followed a decision earlier this month that he must stand trial on fraud charges. By AP Wire Service figures and will continue to focus on thor- The company had for years been using software that recognized when vehicles were ough and consistent sales reporting.” on test stands and turned emission controls on, then turned the emission controls off DETROIT — BMW will pay an $18 BMW is the second automaker in recent during normal driving. million fine to settle allegations that it in- years to face penalties for inflating sales Prosecutors accuse Winterkorn of knowing about the installation of an illegal “defeat flated its monthly U.S. sales numbers for figures. Last year Fiat Chrysler agreed device” and deliberately failing to inform markets in good time of a “significant finan- five straight years. to pay $40 million to settle an SEC com- cial risk” that had started to materialize in early 2015. The court said it sent the charges The Securities and Exchange Commis- plaint alleging that the company misled to trial unchanged. sion said that the German luxury auto- investors by overstating its monthly num- Winterkorn’s lawyer has rejected charges that the former CEO had early knowledge maker kept a reserve of unreported sales bers over a five-year period. The company of the use of the software in U.S. diesel cars, saying that significant information did not that it drew on to meet monthly targets inflated sales by paying dealers to report reach him. from 2015 to 2019. fake numbers from 2012 to 2016, the SEC Volkswagen has paid more than 30 billion euros ($35 billion) in fines and settle- • BMW disclosed the misleading infor- alleged in a complaint. (AP) ments over the scandal. (AP) • mation while raising about $18 billion in several corporate bond offerings, the agency said. “Companies accessing U.S. markets to raise capital have an obligation to provide accurate information to investors,” Steph- anie Avakian, the SEC’s Enforcement Di- vision director, said in a statement. The actions helped BMW maintain a LONG-LEWIS FORD of Hoover “Companies accessing Alabama’s Oldest Ford Dealer U.S. markets to raise capi- tal have an obligation to Alabama’s most qualifi ed Ford Power Stroke Parts provide accurate informa- Department with over 160 years of combined Ford tion to investors,” Stepha- nie Avakian, the SEC’s Parts Experience Enforcement Division di- • 5 Wholesale Reps • 6 Local Delivery Trucks rector, said in a statement. • 3 Out-of-Town Delivery Trucks • 19,000 Square Feet of Genuine Ford, leading retail sales position among other Motorcraft and Power Stroke Parts luxury automakers, the agency said. BMW of North America also improper- ly adjusted its sales reporting calendar in 2015 and 2017 to meet internal targets or bank excess sales for use in future months, according to the SEC. The reserve of un- reported sales was referred to internally as “the bank,” the agency said. BMW also paid dealers to designate vehicles as dem- onstrators or loaners so that they could be counted as sales, the SEC said. The SEC said that BMW cooperated with its investigation, even as the coro- navirus outbreak forced it to close offices and make workers stay home. The coop- eration was taken into account when the penalty was imposed, the agency said. BMW AG, BMW North America and BMW US Capital did not admit or deny the agency’s findings. All three agreed to pay the fine and to stop violating securities laws. In a statement, BMW said much of the conduct happened more than three years ago, and that it occurred due to negli- gence. “There is no allegation or finding in the order that any BMW entity engaged in intentional misconduct,“ the company Hoover, Ala. • 877-234-5664 • 205-989-3000 • [email protected] said. “The BMW Group attaches great Monday thru Friday 7 am to 5:30 pm; Saturday 8 am to 2 pm importance to the correctness of its sales 8 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020 Shop Profile

of time in this or that department, X amount crew were able to set up the shop the way of time being put back together.” they wanted. And each time a car moves from body to “Me, the painters and the body men, we paint, then to reassembly, finally to detail, a all got together and decided where to put notification is sent to the customer, keeping the frame machine, where to put the lifts, them in the loop. where their stalls were going to be, the “Then we’ve got a call list like every paint booth, all that stuff. I can take one two days, telling us what customers to call look out my window and see what every- so when can tell where their vehicle is at, body’s doing.” what we’re doing, etc.,” Sutherland said. While Joe Hudson’s presence on the The jobs in the shop break down into Motor Mile puts them in proximity to some four body men, a detailer, and one painter. of the city’s bigger dealerships, Suther- Up front there’s an office manager, an estimator, a parts manager, and Sutherland. For his part, Sutherland wasn’t with the shop those first few months in Johnson City. He was working at the Kingsport store when Joe Hudson’s bought it, but then the Covid-19 quarantine was enforced, and he was temporarily furloughed. “We slowed down when it first hit, but now we’re picking back up to pre-Covid levels,” he Shop manager Jason Sutherland explained. “And when they brought me back I made the jump to Johnson City. I came in land reported that most of the corpora- at the end of April as an estimator/manager, tion’s business comes from being a direct then became the shop manager.” repair shop for nearly all the major insur- Sutherland’s own professional career in ance companies. One exception is a Nis- the industry began in 1997, when he started san dealer, for whom they’ve started doing at a dealership as a detailer. Working his warranty work. way up through the ranks, his most perti- “I worked with them in the past, and nent experience was as a service advisor and body shop manager, but this still didn’t quite prepare him for overseeing the move from the old shop to the brand new one. “It was a stressful few days,” Sutherland said, laughing. “We actually Joe Hudson’s Collision Center located in Johnson City, TN did it the week before last. Had to make sure everything was working By Robert Bravender Sutherland. like it needed to be, and The staff also rolled over in what get everybody set up in Have you ever walked into a shop to find amounted to a turnkey operation. their space. Of course it’s been open only a week? Well, in this “They kept a lot of the people from the Joe Hudson’s had some new facility, at least, that was the case. original shop, and that helps,” noted Suther- people up here to help Joe Hudson’s Collision Center, Inc., is land. “They just retrained the personnel on pack equipment.” actually a regional chain of state-of-the- Joe Hudson’s way of doing things.” Corporate muscle — art body shops that’s been around since For the I-CAR-certified technicians, a lot literally. And there’s the 1989. Based out of Montgomery, Ala., they of that involved documentation. equipment itself. currently have 113 stores in eleven states, “For instance, if you weld a quarter “Anything that we and recently expanded into the Tri-Cities panel on a car, we take pictures of all the might possibly need, Joe Body shop technician Caleb Nelson region of Tennessee. welds before they’re roughed up or any- Hudson’s makes sure we “I think they moved into the area at the thing, to document what we did,” he cited. have it,” he proclaimed. first of this year with the Kingsport store,” “If we’re bondo-ing a panel, we’ll actually “The pinch welder, for example; that was a once they found out I was here, they started said shop manager Jason Sutherland. get a picture of it going together, and then major investment. Like if you’re putting a sending work down here to us,” he admit- “Around that same time they also bought a picture of the bonding material that we’re roof skin on a car, that’s the tool you need. ted. “But I think it all works the same; you the Johnson City one.” Eventually a store using. We use AllData, and it will give us The frame machine, of course, a Chief.” try to get the car in, get it fixed right, and in Bristol was purchased, making a clean the exact locations of each weld, and what At 18,000 square feet, the new facility is out the door, as quickly as possible.” sweep of the Tri-Cities. of materials to use.” probably twice the size of the old shop. While a big company like Joe Hudson’s As it happened, the store in Johnson City They also use an integrated program “And it’s laid out quite a bit differently,” can’t build that kind a local reputation was a package deal; besides the original called RTS, which Joe Hudson’s had cus- Sutherland commented. “Everything here overnight, they do have resources most shop, located in a cove off the municipal- tom-made for the company. is wide open; the other shop was cut up shops only dream of, like a regional review ity’s Motor Mile, the previous owner had “Say a body technician logs onto a car into little sections where they had added board which functions essentially as a buf- also recently bought an empty lot right on when they start on it, and log off when it on here and there over the years — it was fer between the shop and the insurance the road itself. goes to the paint department,” Sutherland like a puzzle. You were running all around companies. “He already had plans to build a new said. “Then the painter does the same, log- to get stuff done. Now everybody’s in one “When we write an estimate,” explained shop here, and that just rolled over to Joe ging on and off the car as they work on it. space and there’s great work flow.” Sutherland, “before it goes to the insurance Hudson’s as part of the sale,” reported That way we can tell a car spent X amount With this clean slate, Sutherland and his Continued on page 15 November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 9

Ohio tells GM to repay tax break after it shut Auto racing is in Iowa down plant man’s blood LORDSTOWN, Ohio — General Motors must repay roughly half of a $60 million tax incentive package because of its broken promise to keep open its assembly plant near By KELBY WINGERT said. “I’ve always said racing is worse Youngstown, a state agency said recently. than any drug you could take because The Ohio Tax Credit Authority also said GM must invest $12 million in workforce OTHO, Iowa - Racing isn’t just a hobby once it’s there, it don’t go away and it and education needs near the former Lordstown plant, which the automaker closed last for Marty Pringle. It’s not just a sport. It’s costs more than drugs.” year. An economic development deal from more than a decade ago gave GM millions a lifestyle. It’s in his blood. While visiting with the “Pickers,” Prin- in tax breaks in exchange for keeping the Lordstown plant operating at least through Pringle, who lives in Otho and runs the gle stumbled upon an old “Otho’s” sign, 2027. State officials told the automaker in March that the plant’s closing violated the Iowa Hall of Fame and Racing Museum, which now hangs proudly from a pole in agreement. has been around racing his entire life. front of Pringle’s home. GM said in a statement that it has a large manufacturing presence in Ohio, noting that His father, Jim Pringle, raced cars at “It’s from Louisiana in the 1940s,” he it is currently building a new electric battery cell factory in Lordstown next to the site of the Webster City race track for decades. said. They’ve never figured out what the the much larger assembly plant it shut down in March 2019 after more than 50 years of Marty Pringle and his brothers all raced sign was originally made for, but it fits production. in Webster City, too. Both Jim and Marty in just fine in this small Webster County The former assembly plant, meanwhile, has since been sold to a start-up company have been inducted into the Hamilton town. (AP) • that intends to make electric pickup trucks. (AP) • County Speedway Hall of Fame. “My Dad raced, so it was just natural for me,’’ Pringle told the Fort Dodge Mes- senger. “If I’m not racing, I’m flagging or running the race track or doing something to do with racing.” It was that love and passion for the We Specialize in Power Stroke sport he grew up around, for the family he collected along the way, that motivated Pringle to start a reunion of all the old Sales and Service! drivers the senior Pringle raced with over the years. The first reunion was 14 years ago. Since then, Pringle has created the rac- ing museum, located at 603 Hayes St. in Low, Low Prices! We beat any Otho _ a place to showcase and commem- orate the thousands of racing memorabilia price in our area! Call us today! he’s collected over the years. In 2018, the racing museum also inducted its first class of racers into the Iowa Hall of Fame. At the museum in Otho, Pringle has thousands of items on display, and even more in storage for lack of space. Rac- ers and racing families donate or gift the Our large inventory means we can sell cheaper! items to the museum in hopes of preserv- ing the racing legacy in central Iowa. Overnight delivery available on: 7.3, 6.7, 6.4 and 6.0 “The racing community is a whole differ- ent group,” he said. diesel engines – plus injectors and high Unlike sports like basketball or base- ball, where athletes head into the locker pressure pumps. rooms at the end of the game, Pringle said race car drivers often spend time with their fans, getting to know them and forming relationships. And it’s not just stock car racing that the museum honors. Pringle also collects items from drag racing, figure 8 racing and motorcycle racing. There’s so much stuff that’s been col- lected for the museum, that Pringle and the museum’s board of directors have been looking for a new permanent loca- tion for a larger building for the items. Pringle can usually be found in his garage next to the museum, tinkering on the next race car he’s working on restor- ing. The racing aficionado is always eager Don’t forget . . . to show visitors his collection of helmets Gerald Jones Ford and fire suits, the tens of thousands of we sell photos for which he’s working on iden- 3480 Wrightsboro Rd, Augusta GA 30909 tifying the subjects, and the dozens of trophies. He’s even got an original pay Genuine Ford PARTS DIRECT: 706-738-8000 out sheet from 1957 from the Fort Dodge Sports Park track. Parts too! [email protected] One of Pringle’s most prized posses- sions is the 1934 Ford Coupe his father used to race. Pringle has the old car restored and running. In 2014, he was featured in an episode of the History Channel’s ``American Pickers,’’ where he raced one of the hosts in that old car. “Racing is just a natural high,” Pringle 10 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020

Car Doctor” radio program. The show A prescription for success ... thriving in tough times quickly grew in popularity and for the next Ananian points to the immense respon- five years. He did a show every Saturday, sibility every auto repairer must accept building up an enthusiastic following. when it comes to providing safe and ac- A series of serendipitous life events curate repairs. landed “The Car Doctor” a weekly time “A shop has to fix a car like their family Continued from page 1 when customers have even more anxiety, slot on WOR 710 radio, “The Voice of is riding in it or next to it, because we hold cost-of-doing-business spreadsheet and Ananian stresses the importance of listen- New York,” and eventually nationwide that responsibility,” Ananian said. “We figured out his fixed costs — how much ing carefully, reading body language, and syndication. Today “The Car Doctor” is hold that person’s life in our hands.” money it takes to open the doors and being empathetic. He also recommends As to the Car Doctor’s progno- turn on the lights, whether that’s fixing a working with customers to prioritize their sis for the auto repair industry, single vehicle or 100. Then he calculated short- and long-term vehicle repair needs Ananian says what he would tell how many hours a repair shop would be and carefully explaining all the options shops to remember is that the hard- open during the year, and set his labor and necessary steps. est thing to do is to keep your head rate based on that, so that the labor rate is “My customers know that if they need when everyone around you is los- both competitive and sufficient enough to to keep a car running for a few more years ing theirs cover the overhead, new tools, software, until the son is out of college, they trust me “Now is the time the true profes- taxes, etc. to get those extra miles. They know that sional is going to rise in the mar- “Repair shops now, if they’re smart, I’ve got their back.” ket,” he said. “The shops that have they’re looking at what their real costs are But he also cautions about being too trained, that are equipped, that are and making sure they’re prepared to ex- empathetic with the customer who wants prepared — they’re going to stand plain [with detailed notes on labor] why to negotiate a discount based on their own out.” they’re charging the rates they charge.” personal circumstances. Listen to or download “The Car As an example, he cites a shop that “My advice to shops is that you have to Doctor” podcasts on iTunes or might be doing $29.95 oil changes to put the business first; you can’t make cus- broadcast from Ananian’s state-of-the-art iHeart Radio. You can call “The Car Doc- compete with the shop down the road, tomers’ problems yours — there needs to home studio and reaches listeners through tor” hotline with repair questions 24/7 at but doesn’t realize that he’s losing money, be a price of admission into your shop,” more than 100 station affiliates nation- (855) 560-9900. because he doesn’t know his real costs or Ananian said. wide. The show’s podcasts, which now what his labor rates should be to cover his Prescribing automotive fixes since 1991 rank in the top 200 podcasts in the country, Sheryl Bussard is a copywriter for ALL- overhead. Part of Ananian’s aptitude for automo- are on track to do a half-million downloads DATA. He also spoke about the hidden costs of tive repair comes naturally: his father was this year. customers walking in with parts they’ve a lead mechanic for American Airlines bought on Amazon, which he considers during World War II, in charge of President one of the biggest liabilities facing the in- Franklin Roosevelt’s DC-3 aircraft when- Tennessee factory becomes GM’s 3rd electric vehicle plant “A shop has to fix a car like their fam- DETROIT — General Motors plans to spend $2 billion to convert its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant into a third U.S. site to build future electric vehi- ily is riding in it or next to it, because cles. The Detroit automaker also says it will spend another $153 million to upgrade we hold that responsibility,” Ananian five Michigan factories for future vehicles. said. “We hold that person’s life in our The company will build the Cadillac Lyriq, a small electric SUV, at the Spring Hill factory. Gasoline-powered Cadillac SUVs will continue to be built at the hands.” plant, and it will also get additional unspecified electric vehicles, GM said in pre- pared statement. ‘We’re investing in U.S. manufacturing to ensure that GM can build the vehicles dustry. ever it came into La Guardia. that customers love today as well as transition to an all-electric future,’’ Gerald “Let’s say that you, as the profession- “I was that kid sitting on the fender help- Johnson, GM’s executive vice president of global manufacturing, said during an al, put brakes on the car that somebody ing my dad, handing him tools,” Ananian online announcement. “We want to put everyone in an electric vehicle.” bought on Amazon. Six months later, the said. “I learned my fractions, I learned The Lyriq is due in showrooms sometime late in 2022. GM announced details of rotor fails, the brakes fail, the driver gets what a straight-blade screwdriver was, a an all-electric GMC Hummer pickup truck. They’re among 20 electric models the killed — a clear case of defective parts,” Phillips-head screwdriver.” company plans to sell globally by 2023. said Ananian “Who are the lawyers go- After his father passed away in 1968, GM already has announced that electric vehicles will be built at its plant in ing to sue? The last guy who touched it, Ananian put all his time and attention in Orion Township, Michigan, and at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant, which straddles not some obscure manufacturer. So think mechanical things. the border between the city of Detroit and the hamlet of Hamtramck. about that before you let customers try to “I took apart washing machines. I fixed Currently the 7.9-million-square-foot Spring Hill facility employs about 3,400 talk you into using parts they purchase on dishwashers. I fixed mini-bikes, bicycles,” hourly workers who make the Cadillac XT5 and XT6 gas-powered SUVs as well their own. You can’t be making enough he said. “My backyard looked like a junk- as a GMC SUV. The complex, which is GM’s biggest in North America, also money to put up with that kind of aggra- yard. I liked taking things apart and putting makes four engines that go into GM trucks and SUVs. vation — and liability.” them back together, making them work.” The paint and body shops at Spring Hill will see major expansions, and the gen- Ananian says that one of the best prac- Ananian started working at a gas station eral assembly area will get new machinery, conveyors, controls and other equip- tices he’s adopted in recent years is keep- when he was 16 and put himself through ment. Renovation of the plant will begin immediately, GM said in a statement. ing a journal right with the order when he college repairing neighbor’s cars at night. The investments aren’t expected to create additional jobs, but will help keep the gets involved with a big job. He writes After graduating from Kean University ones at the Tennessee and Michigan factories. down exactly what work is performed and with a degree in industrial arts, he taught GM laid off about 680 Spring Hill workers and ended the plant’s third shift on how many hours it took. That way, if ques- shop for eight years, a profession he calls July 31 due to the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic. New staffing tions arise, it’s all right there, every detail. “a privilege.” Along came marriage, kids, levels at the plant will be determined as they get closer to production, spokesman Know your customer and thoughts about his next move. He Matt Ybarra said. According to Ananian, auto repair is a found a location and started R\A Automo- Other factories getting investments include the $100 million being spent at the very human experience, a very emotion- tive, building a business that would earn Delta Township plant near Lansing, Michigan, to make the GMC Acadia crosso- al experience, and that successful repair accolades including the New Jersey Au- ver SUV. That SUV will be transferred from Spring Hill. shops never forget that equation. tomotive “Mechanical Shop of the Year.” GM’s Flint Assembly plant will get $32 million for future production of heavy- “The auto repair industry absolutely For decades he went to work in the dark duty pickup trucks, while the powertrain plant in Romulus, Michigan, will get $17 amazes me,” said Ananian. “It’s made up and come home in the dark. million for automation and to increase the output of a 10-speed automatic trans- of some of the smartest, most common- Around 1990, he started teaching night mission that goes into pickups and large SUVs. sense people I’ve ever met in my life. classes in automotive shop repair and sell- Also, the Orion Township plant will get $3.5 million and a plant in Brownstown They have so much knowledge on such a ing equipment, eventually with a team Township, Michigan, will get $750,000, both to help build a test vehicle for the broad range of topics, but I find that a lot of trainers. One day a student of his who Cruise autonomous vehicle unit. of them can’t talk to customers.” owned a Sunoco gas station said he wanted Over the past 19 months, GM has announced investments of more than $4.5 bil- Especially during these uncertain times, to do a radio show, and that started “The lion at the three future electric vehicle factories. (AP) • November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 11

motive technology classes practice on the eral funding for vocational training has ‘Not just shop class:’ teacher same car month after month. At Gulfport, dropped 35%. students learn in part by repairing par- There’s been something of a resurgence ents’, teachers’ and other students’ cars in career and technical education in the wins $50,000 award for free. last several years, but Caylor’s colleague The class does about $30,000 in free Dave Huffman still feels there is a stigma By ISABELLE TAFT pared in Caylor’s honor, with frosting auto repair work every year, Caylor esti- against skilled trades classes. Huffman trim in Gulfport High’s blue and orange. mated. and fellow teacher Patrick Wadsworth GULFPORT, Miss. - For nearly 15 Senior Charles Nobles said he plans to go In his shop, a beat-up 1970 Mustang won the Tools for Schools teaching award years, Robert Caylor has taught Gulf- to college and wants to be able to fix his is one of the vehicles hanging from the three years ago. port High students how to repair cars own cars for the rest of his life. ceiling in the open space. This is Project “People think it’s just for kids who aren’t and watched as they started careers as Junior Eric Mitchell wants to join the Mustang, launched around Christmas last going to college,” Huffman said. “It’s not mechanics all over the Coast, but on Oct. Air Force, and thinks the training he’s year. The goal is to replace all the old just shop class, it’s more than that.” 14, he was rewarded in a different and getting from Caylor’s class will help him parts and carefully restore the body. To date, all three of Mississippi’s win- surprising way. as a pilot or engineer. “We’re going to make it Cruisin’ The ners of the teaching prize are Gulfport Caylor got $50,000 from the Harbor And Dhafir Freeman, a junior, wants Coast worthy,” Caylor said. High teachers, Walsh said. Freight Tools for Schools Prize for Teach- to become a mechanic. Caylor’s class is Along with the money, Caylor will ing Excellence. The prizes honor skilled showing him what that might look like. A NATIONAL HONOR receive an all-expenses-paid trip to Los trades teachers at public schools around “I’m not really academically secure, so The honor Caylor received was Angeles every summer (COVID-19-per- the country. Caylor is one of just 18 win- I’m just trying to make a way in life,” he launched in 2017 by Eric Smidt, the mitting) for a conference with other win- ners nationwide, selected from more than said. “We learn something new every- founder of tool retailer Harbor Freight ners of the award from around the coun- 600 applicants this year. day.” Tools. The aim is to honor teachers of try. Caylor learned he had won in a surprise skilled trades, who have long provided Huffman said the conference is an ceremony at school. Students lined the TEACHING AND SERVING diverse opportunities for high school stu- opportunity to learn from diverse col- hall outside his classroom and cheered as Why did Caylor become a high school dents. leagues. This year’s conference was vir- he returned from the cafeteria. He said he teacher? The short answer is Hurricane “We really believe skilled teachers are tual, but he and Wadsworth came away was smiling underneath his face mask. Katrina. The storm destroyed his auto unsung heroes,” said Erin Walsh, consult- with at least one idea they could imple- “Watching the kids grow up, I see them shop and his home. His son was a stu- ing program director of Harbor Freight ment at Gulfport: tool bags that virtual from the time they’re really young and dent at Gulfport High at the time, and the Tools for Schools, who Zoomed into the students could check out to work on proj- have never held a tool, to the time they’re school had an opening for an automotive ceremony for Caylor. “They don’t get the ects at home. professional mechanics,” he said. technology teacher. Caylor applied and recognition they deserve.” Caylor will receive $15,000 from the Unlike many classes that last for just started working in 2006. A recent article in EducationNext prize, and the rest will support Gulfport part of a school year, Caylor’s students Over the years, he’s built relationships explains that over the last few decades, High’s skilled trades classes. study with him for their junior and senior with local companies so he can tailor his vocational education programs in Ameri- He said he hasn’t decided exactly what years. They learn technical skills that they teaching to the skills that will make his can schools have declined, largely due to he’ll do with his winnings. But a fence can use for the rest of their lives, whether students competitive for jobs after gradu- anxieties about academic performance around his yard for his three dogs to or not they pursue a career in mechanics ation. He invites guest speakers to intro- starting in the 1980s. Schools increased run around and lots of toys for two new or engineering. duce his students to particular skills, like academic requirements for students grandchildren are probably in the works. Three of Caylor’s current students bodywork. and reduced opportunities for skill- and (AP) • stood in line for pieces of the cake pre- At many high schools, students in auto- career-focused classes. Since 1985, fed-

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By Jenna Fryer Richard Petty won at the half-mile State By FCA Press Release the crown as Tommy Johnson Jr. and Ron Fairgrounds Speedway in Raleigh on Sep- Capps also remain in the mix. CHARLOTTE, N.C. — NASCAR tember 30, 1970. Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) wheel- From his No. 1 seeded position on the promised radical changes to the 2021 The March 28 dirt race will replace man Jack Beckman earned his third win eliminations ladder, Hagan drove his spe- schedule and they delivered with six road Bristol’s traditional spring race on the of the 2020 National Hot Rod Association cial edition Pennzoil paint scheme Dodge courses, the first dirt race for the Cup Se- concrete as NASCAR chose the track over (NHRA) Drag Racing Series season at Charger SRT Hellcat through elimina- ries since 1970 and new stops in Nash- dozens of existing and proven dirt tracks the 35th annual AAA Texas FallNationals tions with wins over Todd Simpson, J.R. ville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas. across the country. The most noticeable over Funny Car points leader Matt Hagan Todd and teammate Capps to advance Dropped from the lineup were Ken- snub was to the Tony Stewart-owned El- in an all-Dodge final. The win by Beck- to his fourth final round appearance of tucky Speedway and Chicagoland Speed- dora Speedway in Ohio, which hosted the man extends his team’s undefeated streak the year. Despite the loss to Beckman, way, two “cookie-cutter” intermediate Truck Series from 2013 until this year’s to a NHRA record 12 consecutive Funny Hagan’s runner-up finishes in back-to tracks that were part of a staid schedule race was canceled by the pandemic. Car victories which DSR has maintained back events have helped him maintain the that lacked variation or originality. Michi- NASCAR scheduled a full release of since last year’s event at Texas Motor- points lead. gan International Speedway, Dover In- the 2021 lineup later, but individual tracks plex. “All-in-all another really good day ternational Speedway and Texas Motor began announcing their plans earlier. Beckman made his way to the final here at Dallas for this Pennzoil/Mopar Speedway each lost one of two Cup Series Kentucky Speedway is off the schedule elimination round by defeating Cruz team,” said Hagan who made his third points races. for the first time since 2011. The original Pedregon, Tim Wilkerson and Bob Tasca. final round appearance at Texas following Atlanta Motor Speedway and Darling- owners of the track in Sparta filed a fed- He scored his first-ever victory at the Dal- wins in 2016 and 2019. “(Jack) Beckman ton Speedway in South Carolina each eral lawsuit against NASCAR for the right las track earning a Wally trophy, the 33rd just had a little better day. They have a added a second race to their schedules. to host a Cup Series race and the fight of his career, and the track’s signature great race car, but we have a great race Indianapolis Motor Speedway will dragged on from 2005 until 2009. Speed- cowboy hat with a 0.070-second reac- car too. We’ve been keeping pace and move the Cup Series cars to its road course way Motorsports eventually bought the tion time and 3.908 second pass at 328.46 we’re going to keep doing our thing for after 27 years of racing on the big oval. property and moved a race to Kentucky in mph to out run Hagan’s 0.069-sec. start the next two races and see how this thing The revamped “Brickyard Weekend” also 2011. and 3.943 sec./324.20 mph effort. plays out. I’m super excited we get to do will feature a new IndyCar Series race, The battle to land Cup races has long “Maybe the best weekend ever,” said it again in a few days at Houston next making it a doubleheader for the second been difficult as NASCAR controlled Beckman. “I mean doubling up at Indy weekend. We have a lot of momentum. in 2015 is going to be awfully hard to The team is working great. The guys are exceed, but I so wanted to win at Dal- doing a great job. We just have a little Bristol will also experiment with a dirt las. My dad (Bob Beckman) lives close more work to do.” to here and he’s been supporting me my Winner of the Mopar Express Lane race by filling the 0.533-mile bullring with whole career and he’s 83-years-old. That NHRA Midwest Nationals near St. Louis might have been my last shot at Dallas earlier this fall, No. 2 seed Johnson Jr. dirt for the first race of its kind since Rich- and it’s going to be extra special to give was looking to go rounds in his MD him that cowboy hat from the (Texas) Anderson Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat ard Petty won at the half-mile State Fair- Motorplex. It’s perfect. I don’t know that and keep the battle for the championship I’ve ever had a better weekend at a drag as close as possible heading into the final grounds Speedway in Raleigh on Septem- strip than this.” two races of the season that will conclude With just two national events remain- with a “points-and-a-half” format at the ber 30, 1970. ing to determine a Funny Car world season finale. Unfortunately, Johnson champion, the victory keeps the Infinite saw his racecar lose tire adhesion in the Hero Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat driver quarterfinals against Bob Tasca and lost year in a row. the schedule and tracks paid sanctioning within four markers of the category leader a little traction in the points as well while Indinapolis joins Road America in rural fees to host events. Because NASCAR Hagan and also keeps fans guessing as to remaining third in the standings. (AP) • Wisconsin and the Circuit of the Americas also owned most of the major facilities, it which of the four DSR drivers might take in Austin as new road course events on a controlled the market and dictated which schedule that already included Sonoma tracks got Cup races. (Calif.) Raceway, Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Legal challenges began in 2002 when Car built in Washington state sets a world and the Charlotte Roval. NASCAR for a Texas man named Francis Ferko filed decades ran at just two road courses eac a lawsuit demanding a second race at record at 316 mph season and will now have six to satisfy Texas Motor Speedway. The suit dragged fans who have begged for more diversity on until settlement talks between Speed- BELLINGHAM, Wash. — A Washington state car company says it’s set a world on the schedule. way Motorsports, owner of Texas Motor record after its newest vehicle reached an average speed of 316 mph (510 kph) Speedway Motorsports will promote Speedway, and International Speedway along a highway in Nevada. the road course event at COTA after mov- Corp., the arm of NASCAR that con- Guinness World Records said Richland-based SSC North America’s Tuatara ing its traditional spring date at Texas Mo- trolled its properties, delivered a second model is the fastest production car, The Bellingham Herald reported. Set Oct. 10, tor Speedway in Fort Worth to the venue. race to Fort Worth. the milestone surpasses the 278 mph (447 kph) reached by Swedish car company To compensate for the loss of the points Little has changed to the schedule since Koenigsegg Automotive in 2017. race at TMS, Speedway Motorsports has Kentucky was added, and in 2015 NAS- The world record takes the average of times driven during the attempt. British moved the All-Star race from Charlotte to CAR signed five-year sanctioning agree- race car driver Oliver Webb, 29, reached a top speed of 331 mph (533 kph) during Fort Worth. ments with the tracks that guaranteed race his last pass along Highway 160 in Pahrump, Nevada. “Everything is bigger in Texas, includ- dates through 2020. The contracts left “Accomplishing a feat of engineering that pushes the limits of a road-legal car ing our passion for NASCAR and NAS- little room for overhaul, but NASCAR un- by a margin this large is both exciting and inconceivable, even to me,`` Webb said. CAR will be even bigger and better in derstood fans had grown disgruntled with “We are entering a time when we are no longer faced by the limit of machines, but Texas in 2021 with the addition of this the same old schedule. by the human factor.” race in Austin,” Texas Gov. Greg Abbott NASCAR vowed to address it in 2021, Company owner Jerod Shelby said it was “monumental” for him and his said. the first year after the contracts expired. 24-employee company. The All-Star race began in 1985 and The pandemic this season forced a slew SSC North America announced its second-model Tuatara in 2011 and started was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway of changes, including doubleheader week- production in 2019. The car is being sold for $1.9 million, and only a dozen are every year but one until this season, when ends, midweek races and a shared week- expected to be produced this year. (AP) • the pandemic caused a relocation to Bris- end with IndyCar. tol Motor Speedway in East Tennessee. The 2021 schedule has no midweek Bristol will also experiment with a dirt races on it because television ratings did visit our web-site race by filling the 0.533-mile bullring not match the perceived fan enthusiasm www.AutomotiveReport.net with dirt for the first race of its kind since for Wednesday nights. (AP) • November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 13

said. “We all need help. I need help in videos provided to me from Gainesville Tweet lures Camping World in my businesses, I need more customers; that showed there are far more families they need help in their business, they and multi-generational families. grand- need more customers. And I’m attracted parents, parents, kids, all around campers. as new NHRA title sponsor to things that are in crisis. I am a person And I was very impressed by the amount that likes to look for the things that look of diversity, both in gender and race.” By Jenna Fryer pandemic. The schedule of 24 events undervalued and underserved.” Lemonis brokers deals directly and he was decimated by cancellations, teams The banter between Lemonis, the rapidly closed the deal. He has seen social CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Marcus Lem- struggled to make budgets work and John NHRA, its competitors and fans at first media reaction accusing him of “dump- onis first learned the NHRA drag racing Force, the immensely popular 16-time appeared to be playful with perhaps some ster diving,” but defended his business series had abruptly lost its title spon- Funny Car champion, sidelined his four- potential. strategy. Lemonis said he must act in the sor via Twitter and used the same social car organization when racing resumed in “It was really me flirting more than best interest of shareholders and employ- media platform to alert the league he was July. anything else,” Lemonis said. ees, just as the NHRA is required. interested in helping. “If you want to be opportunistic in Lemonis tweeted on Sept. 22 to NHRA business and have it work for both sides, that Camping World isn’t “scared of our you do things quickly,” he said. commitment to racing... let’s sit down The new sponsorship was announced and talk sponsorship.” Just 12 days later, The NHRA sponsorship issue was during the Midwest Nationals and Camp- NHRA announced a multi-year partner- tagged to him on Twitter by another ing World immediately assumed NHRA’s ship with Camping World as its new title naming rights. NHRA, five days before it sponsor. user and he immediately began his lost Coca-Cola, had reached a multi-year “This is the power of social media, extension with Fox across its networks it really is. Welcome to 2020,” NHRA due diligence. for the biggest television platform in the President Glen Cromwell said. “Marcus sport’s history. Just days later, NHRA is extremely good at positioning himself released a 22-race schedule for next sea- and his company in a great light on social son. media and he took advantage of a great This season will ultimately have just 11 Then he began to research the series, What could have been a disastrous year opportunity, probably within 24 hours of events and the abrupt and unexpected loss had conversations with industry insiders, for NHRA is now three events away from the news.” of the title sponsor was going to be a sig- studied attendance and ratings figures, its conclusion. Limited spectators have Lemonis took notice the same day nificant blow. and sent a team to the Gatornationals in been permitted and the series takes pride NHRA filed suit against sponsor Coca- Then Lemonis took notice. Florida just three days after the Twit- in how well it adapted during the pan- Cola after Coke severed its 19-year spon- Camping World has sponsored NAS- ter relationship began. Lemonis was not demic. sorship agreement that ran through 2023. CAR’s Truck Series since 2009 and Lem- interested in marketing to one audience, “Our stakeholders, our fans, our race The suit alleges Coca-Cola, which mar- onis is already a significant contributor and if drag racing catered to NASCAR teams, our track partners and our spon- keted various products during the deal, to the motorsports industry. The NHRA customers he already served, there was sors have all really come together to “seized on global tragedy, the COVID-19 sponsorship issue was tagged to him on no reason to move forward. understand the challenges we’ve faced in pandemic, as a pretext” to walk away to Twitter by another user and he immedi- “I was shocked at how the reports 2020,” Cromwell said. “That’s allowed us save money. ately began his due diligence. came back in almost every instance that to race this year, provide great racing for NHRA, like most businesses, has had “I do spend a lot of time working with the audience and the viewership was dif- our fans and really set a springboard into a turbulent season while navigating the people that want some help,” Lemonis ferent,” Lemonis said. “I had photos and 2021.” (AP) • Starting in January 2021 the Automotive Report will be online only! Here’s what you need to continue to read all the great content and find the parts you are looking for, all in one place.

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Autographic’s Automotive Report 1121 Airport Center Drive, Nashville Tn. 37214 14 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020

Rearview

1961 Ghia Dual

Photo by Jay Hirsch

By Jay Hirsch car was produced entirely in Italy in hopes offered as a hardtop coupe only, as seen in vogue any longer. of reducing the cost and expenses of ship- here. As for the ride, the Ghia is more mod- Most new cars leave the factory on giant ping the chassis to Italy and then having The 1961 Ghia weighed in a 4,000 ern than a car that is almost 60 years old. transport trucks, which is an industry unto it shipped back to Detroit to be fitted out pounds, was rear-wheel drive, and the 383 With its low height, 383 cid V-8, and tor- itself. One of the pioneers in that business mechanically. V-8, rated at 335 hp, was mated to a Torque sion bar suspension, the car is right at home was Gene Cassaroll of Detroit. Another reason why the Ghia was now Flite three-speed automatic. The Ghia rides on any highway cruising at 75 to 80 mph. During WWII Cassaroll had a con- made entirely in Italy was that in 1960 all on 7.10 x 15 tires, is 210 inches long, 75 The Ghia has Girling disc brakes in front tract with the government to transport Dodge and Chrysler vehicles were unit inches wide and 52 inches in height — with drum brakes in the rear, so stopping huge bomber fuselages. For this work he body cars, as opposed to a chassis on sepa- which is more in line with some new lux- the 4,000 pound car is not a problem as devised a truck with two engines using rate frame automobile. This engineering ury performance cars than an early 1960s compared to pre-1970 cars that had drum mostly Dodge parts. From the use of two made it almost impossible to send a chas- American cruiser. Torsion bars were used brakes at all four wheels. The Connolly engines came the name Dual Motors. sis to Turin, Italy, to have a custom body in the front with leaf springs in the rear. hide leather seats are soft to the touch and Cassaroll, being a car guy, had a vision installed upon the frame. Though much To put the price of $15,000 for the Ghia firm when sitting in them. This Ghia is an of a personal luxury-type car for the Amer- of the original Dual Ghia design features in perspective, in 1961 the average cost of original car with just minor engine work ican car market in the late 1950s, based were incorporated into the new Ghia. a home was $12,500, the average cost of a done — water pump rebuilt, the transmis- loosely on the early 1950s show cars of sion resealed due to the aging of rubber Dodge, the Fire Arrow and Firebomb. Cas- components, battery replacement, and nor- saroll contacted Ghia Auto Body works in mal maintenance as needed. Turin, Italy, to make this vision into reality. The Ghia holds four very comfortably in Cassaroll hired Paul Farrago, from Detroit, The custom-bodied cars were then sent back those leather wrapped seats, and visibility to rework the two-seat Fire Arrow into the is excellent for the driver with a windshield car that could hold some friends or fam- to Detroit where the engine and drive-train, the that is not sloped at an extreme angle, ily members. Farrago was an Italian-born which puts the header of the windshield mechanic, stylist, and race car driver. interior trim, and all power accessories were directly in front of your eyes. The cars were to be based on the Dodge The occupants have the vast expanse of Chassis with a D-500 engine. The chassis added to the car. The car had a price of $7,600. glass to look out onto the passing scenery were sent to Turin where the main frame without craning their necks and there is was cut according to the engineered speci- In 1957 this was a high price for a car with no room in the trunk for a week’s worth of fications of Cassaroll. luggage/bags for four people. The custom-bodied cars were then sent proven background. In hopes of making a profit this time back to Detroit where the engine and around, the price of the 1961 Ghia was drive-train, the interior trim, and all power now $15,000, which did not help in the accessories were added to the car. The car marketing of the car. Problems also began had a price of $7,600. In 1957 this was a The next generation Dual Ghia, 1961– new car was $2,850, and gas was 27 cents to rise at Turin, and overhead costs contin- high price for a car with no proven back- 1963, called simply Ghia, received a minor a gallon. ued to soar. Production was halted in 1963 ground. A Cadillac or Lincoln convertible face lift. The rear tail fin was eliminated Michael, who owns this Ghia, “likes all with just 26 cars being produced. was about $5,300. Production was halted and the parking lights were mounted inside cars” but has a penchant for low produc- In a late 1950s Dell’s New Guide a in 1958 with 117 cars produced — all but of the grill, adjacent to the headlights. The tion, custom-built, sporty-type cars of the description of the Ghia ends with “we pre- two were convertibles. The cars were sold front and rear bumpers became more slen- 1950s and early 1960s. Michael also has a dict that this car will be the forerunner of mainly to Hollywood celebrities. Among der, and the Ghia had minimal amounts of preference for the wide white walls which many new ideas in fine cars.” owners of the 1957–1958 Dual Ghia’s chrome that did not serve a function. were used on cars in the 1950s and started The Ghia was about 45 years too early. • were Frank Sinatra, Peter Lawford, Lucille The 1961 Ghia model is commonly to be fazed out in 1961 on many new cars. Ball, and Ronald Reagan. known as the L6.4, as it was powered by By 1963 all American cars now had the This articles and pictures can not be repro- In 1961 Casserole decided to revive the Chrysler’s OHV V-8 383 cubic-inch/6.3- narrow one inch white wall or black wall duced without written permission by the Ghia. The difference this time being the liter engine with 2-4 bbls. The car was tires when new. Wide white walls were not author. November 2020 Dixie Automotive Report 15

... Joe Hudson’s Collision Center

Continued from page 8 whatever needs to be aimed, calibrated, company, it goes to actual Joe Hudson etc. Then we wouldn’t have to be depen- people who have worked for the insurance dent on the dealers to get them in and out, companies, like adjustors, etc. They go and help our cycle time.” through and double check our estimates In the meantime, Sutherland feels confi- and make sure that we got everything right dent with the resources at his disposal. for the insurance companies. “The biggest thing here is I’ve got an “They’ll send it back to us, and they’ll army behind me,” he emphasized. “If I run say ‘correct this,’ or ‘great job,’ or ‘get into a problem car, I can call one of the better photographs,’ stuff you wouldn’t guys that do the reviews and he’ll call the have thought of when you’re an indepen- insurance company and say ‘Hey, this is dent,” he continued. “That team double what we’ve got.’ Or if the insurance com- checks everything we do, which is a great pany wants us to repair something versus resource, because it helps us know we’re replacing it, we’ve got the muscle behind doing it right.” us to get done what needs to be done for the Body shop technician Bo Clark sanding a truck bed. And since there’s no waiting for an repair of the vehicle.” • adjustor to come out, this helps speed up the process for the customer. “On every repair we have a pre-repair stand and a post-repair stand,” Sutherland explained. “That will tell us if there is any kind of trouble codes in the vehicle before we start, and then when we’re done it will help us see if there was something we caused, or something wreck-related that we wouldn’t have seen because there were no trouble lights on, but there was a trou- Remanufactured ble code in the vehicle. That’s a big help with safety, and it’ll tell us if any cameras need to be calibrated.” ALLAN VIGIL FORD LINCOLN Such calibration still has to be done Diesel Engines Morrow, GA 800-222-3597 opt #5 • 770-960-1208 Choose The Remanufactured [email protected] Diesel Engine That Can’t Be Beat: - OEM Perfect Fit Every Time Gerald Jones Ford Augusta, GA - No-Risk Core Return 706-738-8000 - Bore Spray Technology [email protected] - Same or Next Day Delivery - Competitive Prices LONG-LEWIS FORD OF HOOVER - Nationwide Warranty Coverage* Hoover, AL * See Service Advisor for warranty details. 877-234-5664 • 205-989-3000 [email protected]

RIVERSIDE FORD LINCOLN Macon, GA 800-637-4807 • 478-464-2961 [email protected] Body shop technician Caleb Nelson painting a Honda Civic. TALLAHASSEE FORD LINCOLN Tallahassee, FL through the dealerships, however. “You’ve got to have like 40 feet of space 800-342-1128 • 850-877-6190 around the vehicle to set up the targets for these cameras,” noted Sutherland. “I try to [email protected] keep a good working relationship with all the dealers because of that. We can get a backlog sometimes, and I’ll call them up and say ‘we’re hurtin’.” The company they use for the post repair stands also has a mobile calibration unit in the Knoxville market. “And supposedly they’re getting one together in this area where we could call them and have them come out and aim 16 Dixie Automotive Report November 2020

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