$1.48 BILLION PAID FOR LICENSES

Industry Canada also sells in-car radar frequencies

February 19, 2001

The federal government completed its auction of 62 wireless licenses across Canada, raising $1.48 billion from some of the country's largest mobile-phone service providers.

Rogers Wireless Inc. spent a total of $393.5 million for 23 new licenses, while Bell Mobility spent the most with a total of $720.5 million for 20 licenses.

Collision avoidance radar is also just down the road for Canadian motorists.

Industry Canada has opened a new frequency band (46Ghz and 76ghz) to support a range of consumer radio products including in-car radar systems which assist drivers to maintain a safe distance from other vehicles by automatically adjusting the throttle and brakes.

The move gives the right-of-way to automakers such as Mercedes-Benz, which already offers the radar option in the United States and Europe and lobbied to have frequencies made available in Canada.

Mercedes-Benz says the option will cost Canadian motorists approximately $3,850 and will be available with the 2002 models this fall. Initially, use is expected to be limited to high-end vehicles but the move is seen as a first step towards wider consumer acceptance of such devices.

Guy Mitchell of Industry Canada is quoted as saying that today's collision-avoidance radar systems generally use a field disturbance sensor, hardwired to the vehicle's cruise control system.

ADP CHANGES SUBARU FIX TIME

HARA member's inquiry leads to new review

February 15, 2001

HARA shop member, Gino Venneri, of North-End Collision in St. Catharines, Ontario was working on the rocker panels on a collision damaged 1997 Subaru Legacy.

When he checked the time allowed for the repair on the ADP cd-rom, he knew there was an error. The time allowed was far below what was needed.

He took his complaint to the HARA office and ADP. Their reply was:

"Thank you for taking the time to submit a request for review on the 1997 Subaru Legacy.

After review of manufacturer's information and our Labour Department procedures, the rocker panel time will increase from 9.0 hrs. to 10.2 hrs. If your vehicle has mud flaps as an option your time would be 10.4 hrs. We did increase our weld times and added another necessary operation for the rocker panel replacement.

However our research did not indicate the Fender R & I as a necessary operation for the replacement of the rocker panel. If you feel it is absolutely necessary, the Fender R & I need to be picked from the additional labor list on our system."

This change will be effective on our 03/2001 CD.

SHOP ATTAINS ISO 14001 STATUS

First collision shop in North America to be environmentally registered

February 10, 2001

After being certified for ISO 9002 status some three years ago, HARA member shop, Discovery Collision, went even further and assured itself and their customers that their collision damaged vehicle would be handled in a consistent environmentally friendly fashion.

The Burlington, Ontario collision repair and auto refinish facility became the first facility in its industry to be registered under an environmental ISO (International Organization for Standardization) program known as ISO14001.

KPMG registered the facility after handling the shop's ISO9002 registration in 1998.

Over a dozen HARA member and associated member shops and businesses have attained the ISO9002 designation already and the program appears to be gaining support from suppliers and customers. Some of the current registered ISO9002 facilities include: 427 Auto Collision, Bay King Collision Centre, Johnston Motors, CARSTAR Automotive Canada, CARS Collision, Taylor Chrysler Collision Centre, and more.

ISO was established in 1947 to develop international standards in quality management systems . ISO is also important because of its systematic orientation and the institutionalization of procedures in the business

For more information on how ISO standards can work for you,

WANTED- CO-OP STUDENTS INTERESTED IN A CAREER IN THE COLLISION REPAIR INDUSTRY

Summer paid employment also offered

February 5, 2001

The collision repair and auto refinish industry has a number of shops that are looking for co-op students and apprentices interested in a career of repairing and repainting damaged cars and trucks.

Due to a significant increase in motor vehicle collisions, increasing non-insurance paid work and a number of current and planned retirements, the industry needs students who are eager to use their in-school knowledge and learn new skills in the high-tech world of vehicle structural repair and auto refinish.

Under the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program that is offered at all secondary schools in the new City of Hamilton and in Halton Region, students can work on a trial basis through a co-op placement for one semester (half day). Students have the opportunity to "prove" themselves to the employer and successful students stay with that employer to begin their apprenticeship. This is done through an additional co-op placement (half or full day) during their final year of high school. Students can be working as an apprentice, while at the same time completing requirements for their high school diploma. It's a "win-win" situation for both the student and the employer.

As part of this placement, specific shops will offer summer paid employment to the student and then arrange for the student to take their first in-school apprenticeship training at Mohawk College at a planned college apprenticeship program starting in late August, 2001. The college training is funded by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

If you are serious about a career in the collision repair industry please contact your local co-op placement counselor, or the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board, Catholic Board, the Halton School Board or the Coordonnateur Education cooperative, Conseil Scolaire De District Du Centre-Sud-Ouest. Students can also contact the Hamilton District Autobody Repair Association (HARA) at 1-800-318-DENT.