How can you know who to trust in the auto collision repair industry? That’s a tricky question. There are great collision repair businesses in the world, but it’s hard to make a hiring decision based on a shop’s appearance alone.
That’s why Women Auto Know offers an online directory of auto shops near you. If you haven’t done a search yet, I encourage you to give it a try after you read this post. Today I’d like to share an extra search tool that might be useful for anybody who had a car wreck or fender bender.
Last fall, I had the pleasure of speaking with Ann Gonzalez, senior director of marketing for I-CAR®.
I-CAR supports the constantly evolving needs of the Collision Repair Inter-Industry. They aim to improve the quality and safety of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of both the industry and the consumer.
To understand I-CAR’s impact, imagine the key moments in a vehicle’s life.
First, it is constructed with raw materials like steel and aluminum. It arrives on a dealership floor before being driven home by a new owner. Mechanics and technicians keep the car in good condition. If you have a wreck, you might have to call your insurance company and get help from a collision repair shop.
I-CAR provides training for every individual involved in a repair. That’s a lot of people, huh? Yep. But it’s necessary. Technology changes fast nowadays. If collision repair employees aren’t in-the-loop, they can’t do their jobs. There’s no way to repair a vehicle’s frame without an understanding of how it works.
John Van Alstyne, president and CEO of I-CAR, believes the auto industry is having a “Technical Tsunami™.” There are so many changes and advancements on new cars today. Self driving cars are a great example. This might be a lot to wrap your head around. Let me demonstrate these points with a case study.
You’re probably familiar with the Ford F-150, the #1 best-selling vehicle in North America.
Aware they had a hit on their hands, Ford tagged in I-CAR for an assist. Ford did what they do best (make trucks), while I-CAR worked behind-the-scenes to ensure collision repair professionals knew how to fix those vehicles. Basically, I-CAR eliminates the confusion that would follow new vehicle launches.
Wouldn’t it be frustrating to buy a new car, get in a traffic accident, and be unable to find somebody who can fix it? You would miss days or weeks of work. You couldn’t drive your kids to school. It would be super inconvenient. An average of 75 vehicles are released every year. That’s a lot to keep up with. I-CAR simplifies the process.
I-CAR provides a Gold Class® designation that may be earned by collision shops who train the technicians involved with collision repairs. If you see a Gold Class plaque hanging on a shop’s wall, it means every member of their collision staff has taken the industry standard of training required to perform complete, safe and quality repair.
What does this mean for drivers?
You can feel more confident the next time you hire a collision repair professional. It’s easy to find a qualified auto body shop near you. Click the link in the previous sentence to take advantage of I-CAR’s Gold Class Shop Locator Tool. Visit www.goldclass.com to learn more.
Let’s close with a safety tip from I-CAR: “Get your vehicle checked before a long journey. This includes checking lights, tire pressure, spark plugs, and other important components of your car. Traveling in a properly prepared car may reduce your risk of getting into an accident due to an avoidable malfunction.”
Great advice! Thanks to Ann Gonzalez for sharing her insight. If you’d like to educate and empower your friends, click here to share this blog on Facebook.