I-CAR ® ANNOUNCES NEW OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE FOR F'08.5

Hoffman Estates, IL - July 17, 2008 - For improved strategic purposes and better financial planning, the I-CAR International Board of Directors approved a change in the I-CAR fiscal year from July 1 - June 30 to January 1 - December 31. Implementation of this change required a shortened, interim fiscal year of July 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 (termed F'08.5), with the first new calendar-based fiscal year beginning January 2009.

At its July 16 meeting, the International Board of Directors elected the following Officers and Executive Committee for F'08.5: Chairman Robby Robbs, NuCon Services Inc.; Vice Chairman Tom Moreland, Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.; Secretary Chad Sulkala, Allstate Insurance Company; Treasurer Mike Schoonover, Schoonover Bodyworks Inc. for Automotive Service Association; Member-at-Large Elise Quadrozzi, AssuranceAmerica; and Member-at-Large Terry Angell, Warren Tech.

The remaining directors include: Bruce Bares, Hi-Tech Collision & Glass Centers; William Brower, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company; Bruce Cooley, DuPont Performance Coatings; James F. Doherty, General Motors Corporation; Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance - Education Foundation Representative ; Rick Jazwin, Universal Technical Institute, Inc.; Robert Keith, CARSTAR; Sam Pezzullo, State Farm Insurance - Canadian Representative ; Greg Potter for Equipment & Tool Institute; Monica Rivers, BMW of North America, LLC; Eugene Scambray, Copart Auto Auctions; and Bill Stage, Akzo Nobel Coatings, Inc.

Board members whose terms have expired or are up for re-election will be elected at the February 2009 annual membership meeting, with the I-CAR International Board of Directors subsequently electing the Officers for 2009 at its February Board Meeting. A Call for Candidates will be sent to the I-CAR Membership in advance of the February 2009 meeting.

The board of directors sets the overall strategic direction for the organization and assists in obtaining resources in support of the I-CAR Mission. The board of directors is comprised of representatives from each of the following six industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools, and supplies; education, training, and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry services.

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I-CAR, founded in 1979, is an international not-for-profit training organization dedicated to improving the quality, safety, and efficiency of auto collision repair for the ultimate benefit of consumers.

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Crime Stoppers and Kingston Police are looking to the public to shed some light on the Cold Case disappearance and believed homicide, of Gord Andrew Cameron.

On March 26, 1993 Gord Cameron was reported missing by a family member. At the time of his disappearance, 30 year-old Gord was 171 lbs, 5'11" tall with brown hair in a short ponytail and brown eyes. He was self-employed as an auto body repair man and his shop was situated at Brule Road and Highway 2. His dental records are on file.

Kingston Police are offering a reward of $25,000 (until mid-September 2007) for evidence leading to the arrest and prosecution of the person or persons responsible for the murder of Gord Andrew Cameron, and/or information leading to the location and recovery of his remains. If you wish to remain anonymous however, Crime Stoppers will always pay a reward of up to $2,000 for this information.

I-CAR ® Education Foundation Appeals to the Industry to Help Raise
$100,000 to Fund Scholarships and Grants

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - JULY 16, 2008- Due to the tremendous success of the scholarships and grants awarded this past spring, the I-CAR Education Foundation has set a goal to award $100,000 worth of curriculum grants, instructor training grants and student scholarships in the spring of 2009 as part of its Collision Repair Education Campaign .

"Through the generous support of the collision industry at both the national and local levels, the Education Foundation was able to provide curriculum to 23 collision repair school programs, instructor training for ten school instructors and scholarships for 12 collision repair students to continue their education," said Russell Thrall III, Interim Associate Director of the Education Foundation. "The future workforce of the collision industry needs the support of the industry to assure that schools, instructors and ultimately, students who become the industry's employees, have access to the latest curriculum and training necessary to succeed."

Frank Thomas, an I-CAR volunteer who delivered the curriculum to one of the winning school programs comments on the positive experience he had: "It was like I was Ed Mc McMahon from Publishers Clearing House delivering a big check ... [The school] welcomed me with a tour of their facilities and classrooms and relayed again how important this grant was for the students of their program."

"The I-CAR Education Foundation is appealing to the collision industry to help support career and technical education," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "With the cost of education rising, these scholarships and grants can help make a difference for students, instructors, and schools."

There are several ways that organizations and individuals can contribute to the Collision Repair Education Campaign. Groups can host community events such as golf tournaments, casino nights, or awareness events with

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the proceeds going to the campaign. Information on hosting a fundraising event is available from the Education Foundation.

The Collision Repair Education Campaign can also accept donations directly from individuals and industry organizations to help fund these scholarships and grants. Any collision repair business or individual member of the industry can make a tax-deductible donation at www.ed-foundation.org or download a form and mail their donation to:

I-CAR Education Foundation
ATTN: Melissa Marscin
5125 Trillium Blvd.
Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

If you know of a school in your area that you would like to support, please contact the I-CAR Education Foundation at 888.722.3787, Ext. 282. You can also visit our website at www.ed-foundation.org for more information.

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The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.

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BASIC ESTIMATING COURSES OFFERED

More of the popular training
Commencing August 11th

The popular basic estimating collision repair training course is back to help shop or office employees, new estimators and insurance company staff who may need assistance in estimating collision damage on cars and light trucks in Ontario.

Taught by experienced apprenticeship instructor, Jim Miles, this six-night course includes, introduction to estimating, understanding vehicle construction, fundamentals of estimate writing, understanding collision manuals, additional charges and collision damage analysis.

The first evening course commences August 11 th , two classes per week over a three-week period.

Time & Locations:
Agincourt Mazda
5500 Finch Avenue
Scarborough, ON
6:30 pm to 9:00 pm
Monday and Wednesday evenings, commencing Monday, August 11th, 2008.

Cost:
Association Members - $350.00 plus GST, per person
Non-Members - $450.00 plus GST, per person

Students can register by contacting the Association and www.ciia.com office at 1-866-309-4272 or e-mailing info@ciia.com .

Prepayment is Mandatory
(Registration Deadline Is August 1, 2008)

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Automotive Service Association Contributes $5,000 TO the I-CAR ®
Education Foundation To SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - July 10, 2008- The Automotive Service Association (ASA) contributed $5,000 in May to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation's Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"Speaking as a representative of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees and the I-CAR Education Foundation staff, I want to express our deepest gratitude to Automotive Service Association for their support," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "The Education Foundation is proud to have financial contributors like Automotive Service Association that truly understand the importance of improving career and technical education."

Ron Pyle, president and chief staff executive of the Automotive Service Association, said, "ASA is honored to be able to contribute in this way to the I-CAR Education Foundation's education efforts, and the association is fully supportive of the important work the Education Foundation does on behalf of the collision industry and the ASA collision repair community."

The Automotive Service Association advances professionalism and excellence in the automotive repair industry through education, representation and member services. It is the largest not-for-profit trade association of its kind dedicated to and governed by independent automotive service and repair professionals. ASA serves an international membership base that includes numerous affiliate, state and chapter groups from both the mechanical and collision repair segments of the automotive service industry. For additional information, visit www.asashop.org.

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The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.

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Canadians "Hosed" By High Collision Parts Prices

VANCOUVER, BC, July 9, PARTSFORCE AUTOMOTIVE today released the results of a comparative study of collision replacement parts prices in Canada and the United States. Conducted last month on the behalf of an overseas manufacturer of generic replacement parts, it examined 10,407 different parts available from dealers representing Ford, General Motors and Chrysler, plus import brands including Toyota, Honda and Nissan. In the end, this effort revealed that Canadians continue to pay much higher prices, notwithstanding the parity in currencies that has existed for nearly a year. "Our study shows that Canadians pay 32 to 71 percent more per manufacturer on average," explains
PARTSFORCE's VP of Industry Relations, Gary Cross.

"The reasons this discrepancy continues to exist are many," explains Cross. First, Canadian taxes and operating costs are higher. Also, provinces such a British Columbia and Manitoba have public insurance. "Public insurers are typically less aggressive when it comes to pursuing the lowest costs parts," explains Cross. "This invites manufacturers to sustain higher prices." He adds, "The best explanation is also the most obvious -the marketplace isn't transparent and they can get away with it."

On both sides of the border, the established practice in the crash repair business is for parts to be listed in collision estimating systems by the original vehicle (OEM) manufacturer at their retail price or "list" price as it is more commonly called. Parts are then sold to collision repairers by the manufacturer's authorized dealers at a pre-negotiated discount to the list price. Repairers accept delivery of the parts, install them, and then resell them to consumers/insurers at the full list price. "Canada or the US, it doesn't matter," explains Cross. "The published list price comes from the OEM manufacturer."

The report's summary findings document that Honda list prices were 71 percent higher on average, followed by General Motors (59%), Ford (46%), Toyota (43%), Chrysler (37%), and Nissan (32%). "It's important to emphasize that these are averages," explains PARTSFORCE's president, Charlie Grahn. In many instances, Canadian prices are so much higher than those published in the US that it creates an interesting arbitrage opportunity. Cross explains: "It’s not hard to figure out - a bumper cover in Detroit can be worth half as much as it is across the river in Ontario. US dealers can make huge sums selling to Canadian dealers or selling to collision repairers and shipping by mail."

But will they get the chance? “Vehicles are depreciating today faster than ever,” explains Cross. “Canada’s high parts prices impact reparability; insurers are writing off claims because the vehicles aren’t economical to repair. This hurts everyone - insurers, consumers, parts dealers, and even the manufacturers who are unwittingly depriving themselves of marginal revenue.

About Partsforce Automotive
PARTSFORCE AUTOMOTIVE is a private company based in Vancouver, British Columbia. It is the leading provider of business intelligence and electronic parts marketing services to OEM collision parts vendors, aftermarket distributors and part by more than 130 collision parts wholesalers and their agents in the United States.

Contact: Charlie Grahn
Box 47003 Denman Place
1030 Denman Street
Vancouver, BC, Canada
V6G 3E1
(604) 831-7406

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NATIONWIDE Insurance COMPANY Contributes $10,000 TO the
I-CAR ® Education Foundation to SUPPORT THE COLLISION INDUSTRY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - July 7, 2008- Nationwide Insurance Company contributed $10,000 in May to support the I-CAR Education Foundation mission. This contribution to the Education Foundation's Industry Partners Annual Fund will support many Education Foundation activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.

"Nationwide Insurance Company has been a strong supporter of the Education Foundation for over 10 years," said Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees. "Their recent donation will help the Education Foundation to pursue its new mission which includes elevating the collision repair education system through school curriculum grants, instructor training grants, and student scholarships. Ultimately, Nationwide is paving the way for the future collision industry."

"Nationwide is pleased to add a new chapter to its long history of supporting the I-CAR Education Foundation. We see this as a way to extend our important work in the collision industry," said Nationwide Associate Vice President of Claims, Terry Fortner.

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more than $160 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks 104 th on the Fortune 500 list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial services, including auto, homeowners, life, health, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mutual funds, pensions and long-term savings plans. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

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The I-CAR Education Foundation, founded in 1991, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to securing donations that support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry. For information on how to donate to programs supported by the Education Foundation visit us on the Internet at: www.ed-foundation.org.

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INDUSTRY SUPPORTING AND UTILIZING I-CAR ® ONLINE TRAINING

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL - June 25, 2008 - In August of 2005, I-CAR announced a new revolution in its course offerings with the launch of I-CAR online self-study training. Students are able to complete the programs on their time, at their choosing, and print their own certificate after successful completion of each program's post test.

Now, less than three years later, I-CAR announces that online classes have reached the 10,000 mark. Online training has gained momentum over the years eclipsing 5,000 classes taken by August of 2007; and doubling that number less than a year later on June 10, 2008.

I-CAR Technical Director Jason Bartanen said, "I-CAR had a lot of students requesting access to training whenever and wherever they wanted it. I-CAR Online training offers students worldwide the flexibility to learn whenever it's most convenient for them. Students can attend training before work, while on their lunch break, or even at night after putting their kids to bed; all they need is a computer and access to the internet. It's truly 24/7 training."

What started out as 10 I-CAR Online programs at the time of launch has grown to 40 training programs available to the collision industry 24/7. Visit www.i-car.com/online for additional information and a complete list of the available training programs.

This summer, spend some time in 'your' I-CAR classroom.Free.
Purchase two new I-CAR discount coupons and use them for any I-CAR training or welding event scheduled between June 16, 2008 and July 31, 2008, and we'll reward you with a free I-CAR online training class of your choice. Simply mention promotional code E0808 when you call I-CAR Customer Care at 800-422-7872 to order your coupons and register for your classes.

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Are You A High Opportunity Company?

How to prepare for the new MOL-WSIB health and safety campaign

In the next few months, 11,000 service sector workplaces with room for improvement in their health and safety performance, will be approached by one of Ontario's three prevention partners: the Ontario Service Safety Alliance (OSSA), Ministry of Labour (MOL), or Workplace Safety & Insurance Board (WSIB).

The outreach program was launched in April 2008, and replaces the MOL High Risk and Last Chance initiatives with a single, combined program, using new criteria. It is a five-year program intended to help the WSIB and MOL meet an aggressive goal called the "Road to Zero": to reduce lost-time injuries by 35 per cent over the next five years.

Hope for the carrot

If you're one of the 11,000 firms identified as "high opportunity," you want to hope you're one of the lucky ones whose letter comes from your designated health and safety association, the OSSA. This means you're being offered a "carrot"-an opportunity to work voluntarily and collaboratively with OSSA professionals to build on the positive things you may already be doing to drive down injury rates at your firm. Take advantage of this invitation to fine-tune your health and safety system, and avoid reappearing on the list next year.

Prepare for the stick

If, however, your visit or letter comes from the MOL or WSIB, it means you could be facing MOL orders or a Workwell audit. If inspectors have already arrived at your door, the two most important things you can do are cooperate fully, and don't procrastinate. Orders often have short deadlines, so invest whatever time and money is required to implement your fix, fast. See "Don't walk this road alone," below.

Avoid surprises

If you suspect you might be identified as high opportunity, but haven't yet been contacted, be prepared by being informed. Here's how the initiative works:

•  The MOL and WSIB assessed all 200,000 of the active firms registered with the WSIB prior to 2006, comparing each firm's health and safety data with its predominant rate group; 37,000 firms were selected to receive assistance with their health and safety program, 11,000 of them in the service sector.

•  The criteria for selection uses WSIB data and rate groups that firms are already familiar with, so you can understand exactly how you are doing and why you have been approached; for example:

•  Overall injury and illness performance (as per lost-time and no-lost-time injury rates; claim costs; and growth in insurable earnings) in 2006;

•  A traumatic fatality in 2005 or 2006;

•  A record of safety incidents that is higher than that of the firm's peer group;

•  An escalation of safety incidents year over year;

•  Claims associated with one or more of the four priority hazard areas.

Don't walk this road alone

OSSA is your WSIB-approved provider of health and safety solutions. OSSA consultants have the experience and expertise you need to get out of trouble, and more important, help you build a durable health and safety culture in your organization. Ask for these OSSA interventions:

•  Compliance checklist: it will walk you through the regulations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act.

•  Professional review of your Joint Health & Safety Committee; health and safety policy and program; hazards; and orientation training. Find out what MOL inspectors typically look for.

•  Practice Workwell Audit: be prepared by voluntarily stepping through the process.

•  Customized recovery plan for your firm.

•  Health and safety compliance training.

Do it your way

The best part about being proactive? You implement a health and safety program that prevents injuries, saves lives and reduces your costs-and you do it at your pace, on your terms, and bearing your brand. That's not all. By helping to drive down injury rates and costs across our industry, you'll be contributing to lower WSIB premiums and a happier, more productive workforce across the province.

If you have questions or need help, call the OSSA at 1-888-478-6772 or e-mail info@ossa.com .

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COLLISION REPAIR TRADE ASSOCIATION OFFERS TRAINING
COURSES FOR LESS THAN $3 EACH

WHMIS, ISOCYANATES and AUTOMOTIVE LIFT TRAINING
are some of the courses being offered.

June 18, 2008

Calling it a major shift in how training is offered in the collision repair industry, the Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com (www.ciia.com ), representing Ontario-based collision repair associations, today started offering online training in 23 different courses for less than $3.00 each.

"Our members have been asking about isocyanate and Vehicle Lift Safety in order to meet Ministry requirements in their shops, and we wanted to provide for them a quick, easy inexpensive training solution. In cooperation with E.A.G.L. Enterprises in Pickering, Ontario, we are now able to offer health, safety and management training courses online that shops and staff can access at any time," says Mark Timson, a Caledonia area shop owner and a director of www.ciia.com

"Our instructor-led WHMIS course and our six-night Basic Estimating course are popular and are taken at our training centre or at a shop location. Also, we wanted to offer programs to help member shops that were more geographically distant. Vehicle Lift Safety courses are important and we could not arrange for a physical delivery of that course to date."

Member shops can access the collision repair industry web site at http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/itraining.html .  Registration forms can be faxed, e-mailed or completed online.  Member shops can call Monica at 1 866 309 4272 for more information.  Member shops pay $60.00 plus GST and get access to any or all of the courses for a full year.  Completion documents are provided after the member successfully completes an individual course exam online.  A training certificate identifying all courses taken is issued annually.

Other courses offered include Fire Safety, Back Safety, Due Diligence, Joint Health and Safety Committee, Understanding Bill C-45, Safety Inspections, Office Ergonomics, Stretches and Heat Stress.

For more information or to access online training courses call 1 866 309 4272 or e-mail info@ciia.com

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Top Ten Steps To A Safer And More Profitable Shop (20 pages)

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Autobody Profitability Workbook (82 pages)

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Issues Facing The Canadian Collision Repair Industry (39 pages)

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