I-CAR ® AND INDUSTRY LEADERS TAKE STEPS TOWARDS FURTHERING THE ORGANIZATION'S NEW ROLE IN THE INTER-INDUSTRY

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – May 12, 2008 – I-CAR and industry leaders took important steps on May 7 with the first meeting of the Collision Repair Facility Industry Segment Advisory Council. I-CAR is diligently gathering feedback from the industry to provide product and services that are effective, relevant, contemporary, and meet the training needs across all inter-industry segments. To deliver on this new customer-focused role, I-CAR is engaging with the inter-industry on a segment basis to ensure that it has a clear view of the needs and interests of each segment, and strives to address them as efficiently and effectively as possible through its curriculum design and delivery.

“I appreciate the candor and the open and honest discussion that has taken place. Some of the tough talk can be difficult to hear, but for me it feels good to come back to a new and customer-focused I-CAR,” explained Barry Dorn, Dorn's Body & Paint. “I sincerely appreciate the recent efforts of I-CAR and am fully engaged in the organization's revitalized role within the inter-industry.”

“When I-CAR set out to find the right industry professionals for their feedback, we specifically looked for leaders who aren't afraid to be open and honest with us, I believe we found the right people for the job,” exclaimed Jeff Peevy,

I-CAR Director of North America, Field Operations. “I am proud of the work we have been able to accomplish so far. We are determined to use their feedback to make the right changes quickly.”

“We are continuing to make traction in truly becoming a customer-focused organization that is determined to provide the industry with timely and relevant training. The collision repair leaders provided I-CAR the critical qualitative and quantitative information needed to aggressively move forward,” explained Joyce Kasmer, I-CAR Director of Marketing.

I-CAR would like to acknowledge the following Collision Repair Facility Industry Segment Advisory Council members: Craig Griffin, Laney's Collision; Barry Dorn, Dorn's Body & Paint; Paul Blaski, Sterling Autobody Centers; Brett Bailey, CARSTAR; Rose Grenell, ABRA; Jim Pickett, Service King; Aaron Clark, Collision Solutions; and Chuck Lee, Gerber Collision & Glass . “The commitment of these individuals speaks volumes as they took it upon themselves to not only volunteer their time but also cover all of their own travel expenses too,” said Joyce Kasmer, I-CAR Director of Marketing. “I-CAR sincerely appreciates the dedication and motivation of these individuals.”

-More-

The first Industry Segment Advisory Council representing the insurance industry is scheduled for May 22, at the I-CAR Training Support Center in Hoffman Estates, IL.

###

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.

(See Headlines)

SPONSORS ENSURE SUCCESSFUL GOLF TOURNAMENT

39th Annual Golden Horseshoe Tournament
Held Tuesday, May 6, 2008

For thirty-nine years, professionals in the collision repair industry have met for a friendly game of golf, conversation and competition. The 39th Annual HARA Golden Horseshoe Golf Tournament was held on Tuesday, May 6 th at Dundas Valley Golf and Curling Club in Dundas, Ontario.

With 80 golfers playing a "scramble " type event, game day was fun and valuable for all.

This Year's Sponsors Ensuring A
Successful Day Are:

•  Akzo Nobel Coatings

•  Audatex

•  BASF Canada

•  Canada Brokerlink (Ontario)

•  Carcone's Auto Recycling

•  Co-Auto Co-operative

•  DuPont Canada

•  Fix Auto

•  Impact Auto Auction

•  LKQ Dominion Auto Recycling

•  Miller's Auto Recycling

•  Ontario Service Safety Alliance

•  Rush's Auto Parts

•  Sherwin-Williams Automotive Refinishing

•  Standard Auto Wreckers

•  Treschak Enterprises

Special hole prizes, such as a men's racing bicycle courtesy of Co-Auto Co-operative and BASF, BBQ courtesy of Rush's Auto Parts and gift certificates from LKQ Dominion Auto Recycling and Standard Auto Wreckers made HARA's 39 th Annual Golden Horseshoe tournament a success.

"Without the generosity and support of the sponsors for the tournament, this event would not be possible. The Association thanks them for their assistance." says Tony Nigro, President of HARA.

For more information contact the HARA office at 1-866-309-4272 or info@ciia.com

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® EDUCATION FOUNDATION AWARDS OVER $70,000 WORTH Of
GRANTS UNDER THE ORGANIZATION'S NEW MISSION

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – May 1, 2008 –The I-CAR Education Foundation has proudly awarded curriculum grants to 23 schools providing I-CAR Live Curriculum and training grants that will assist 10 instructors to attend the I-CAR Instructor Qualification Workshop (IQW). The curriculum grants, with a retail value of more than $65,000, and training grants, with a value of $4,000, are funded by the Collision Repair Education Campaign , formerly the $100 per Collision Repair Facility per Year Campaign, and general donations made to the Education Foundation.

Chris Evans, Chairman of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees said, “This is the first chance that the Education Foundation has had to show the success of our new mission. These grants will make a huge difference in the education of the students attending these schools and the businesses that ultimately employ them.”

The schools receiving curriculum grants include:

Arcadia Valley AVTS (Ironton, MO)

Beck Career Center (Red Bud, IL)

Brashear High School (Pittsburgh, PA)

Butler County AVTS (Butler, PA)

Clearfield County Career & Technology Center (Clearfield, PA)

Dover High School and Regional Tech Center (Dover, NH)

Fayette County Area Vocational Technical School (Uniontown, PA)

Honolulu Community College (Honolulu, HI)

Hurst-Euless Bedford Technical Education Center (Bedford, TX)

J. Everett Light Career Center (Indianapolis, IN)

Madison Park Technical-Vocational HS (Boston, MA)

Miller Career and Technology Center (Katy, TX)

Modesto Junior College (Modesto, CA)

Montana State University-Great Falls (Great Falls, MT)

Nashoba Valley Technical High School (Westford, MA)

New England Institute of Tech (Warwick, RI)

Omaha Career Center (Omaha, NE)

Oneonta Job Corps (Oneonta, NY)

Ramona High School (Ramona, CA)

Southeast Career Technical Academy (Las Vegas, NV)

Sunnyside High School (Tuscon, AZ)

Warren County Voc-Tech (Warren, PA)

Whitewater Technical Career Center (Connersville, IN)

The 23 schools will each receive part of a package of the I-CAR Live Curriculum covering tasks required by the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation (NATEF). In addition, each school will become a member of the I-CAR Industry Training Alliance SM within the next year. Once a member of the Industry Training Alliance, the schools can award their students I-CAR credits (points) upon graduation.

The Instructor Qualification Workshop (IQW) grant recipients are: Bill Burnette from Regional Career Tech Center (Ypsilanti, MI); Edward Callico from Blue River Career Program (Shelbyville, IN); Garry Carr from Maine Vocational Region Tech (Brunswick, ME); Kurt Chrysler from Saginaw Career Complex (Saginaw, MI); Keith Crocker from Fred P. Hamilton Career Center (Seneca, SC); John Doty from Central Nine Career Center (Greenwood, IN); Rod Everson from New Market Skills Center (Tumwater, WA); Jaron Grayless from Ivy Tech State College (Fort Wayne, IN); Mike Patten from Grant Career Center (Bethel, OH); and Rick Starbard from Lynn Vocational Tech School (Lynn, MA).

The IQW will help the instructors learn how to teach using the I-CAR Live Curriculum. In addition, completion of the IQW is one of the steps needed to induct the instructor's school into the Industry Training Alliance.

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.

###

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.

(See Headlines)

Publication Of The Proposed Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Concentration Limits For Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations

Dear Madam / Sir,

Stakeholders are invited to forward their comments on the proposed Regulations during a 60-day public consultation period which ends June 25, 2008 . All received comments will then be reviewed and considered by Environment Canada during the finalization of the Regulations. The final Regulations will be published thereafter in the Canada Gazette , Part II.

Background information on the proposed Regulations is available on Environment Canada's VOCs in Consumer and Commercial Products website at the following address: www.ec.gc.ca/nopp/voc/

If you have any questions regarding the proposed Regulations , please contact  Guy Gagné at guy.gagne@ ec.gc.ca or 819-994-5787.

Yours sincerely,

Joan Pollock
Di rector, Products Division 
Environment Canada
351 St. Joseph Boulevard, 12th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A  0H3

(See Headlines)

I-CAR ® Education Foundation Announces 2008 Scholarship Winners

HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL – APRIL 29, 2008 - The I-CAR Education Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of the $30,000 in collision repair training and education scholarships that were created to assist deserving students pursuing a career in the collision industry. This scholarship is funded in part by contributions from local industry businesses to the Collision Repair Education Campaign , formerly the $100 per Collision Repair Facility per Year Campaign . Additional funding for the scholarship program came from the I-CAR Education Foundation's Industry Partners Annual Fund supported by industry donations.

The top scholarship winner in the Secondary category is Matthew Landman, a student at Beaver County Area Vocational Technical School in Monanca, PA. Landman will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue his education and career in the collision industry. Mike Murdoch, an instructor at Beaver County Area Vocational Technical School said, “Matt has been a student here for two years now and I have come to rely on him to be a self-starter and leader in the shop. His classroom participation is excellent. His positive attitude leads by example both in shop and in class. His focus on learning hands-on skills shows interest in succeeding in the collision repair field.”

The top scholarship winner in the Post-Secondary category is Michael Luna, a student at St. Philip's College in San Antonio, TX. Luna will also be awarded a $5,000 scholarship to continue his education and further his career. Richard Little, an instructor at St. Philip's College said, “Michael is an excellent student. If I owned a shop, he would be employed with me. Michael travels over 100 miles per day for school and has not been late or absent. He is dedicated to his studies and to reaching his goals. Michael someday will be an asset to this industry.”

In addition to Landman and Luna, ten runner-up scholarships were awarded to students from career and technical schools and colleges. All of the runner-up winners will receive a $2,000 scholarship to continue their education. In the Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Brandon Dennis from Medford Vocational Tech High School in Medford, MA; Joseph Doolan from Triplett Tech in Mt. Jackson, VA; Will Harpham from Nichols Career Center in Jefferson City, MO; Tamaira Jackson from Fayette Technical Center in Lexington, KY; and Justin Lucius from Saginaw Career Complex in Saginaw, MI.

-More-

In the Post-Secondary category, the Education Foundation congratulates: Daniel Adami from St. Philip's College in San Antonio, TX; Craig Johnson from Portland Community College in Portland, OR; Travis McVay from Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, IA; Megan Reynard from Triplett Tech in Mt. Jackson, VA; and Sarah Zamarripas from Texas State Technical College in Harlingen, TX.

“On behalf of the I-CAR Education Foundation Board of Trustees and our many donors, I would like to congratulate each of these young people on their choice of the collision industry for a career,” said Russell Thrall III, Interim Associate Director of the Education Foundation. “The scholarship awards these individuals receive will help them fund their continuing education and start them on the path of a successful career.”

The I-CAR Education Foundation Student Scholarship program was announced in March 2008. Students were required to submit an essay explaining why they have chosen the collision industry as a career. Additionally, the applicant's instructor had to submit a recommendation.

A selection committee comprised of members of the Education Foundation Board of Trustees, along with local I-CAR volunteers, made the final selection of scholarship recipients. Committee members included:

Geralynn Kottschade, Jerry's Body Shop, Inc. – chair

Terry Angell, Warren Tech

Paul B laski, Sterling Autobody Centers

Joe Burda, State Farm

Mike Devoss, State Farm

Tom Lantz, Leading Edge

Terry McEvers, Wurth USA

Craig Roberts, Manheim Total Resource Auction

John Saia, Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc

Greg Settle, Mercedes-Benz, LLC

John Ward, Enterprise Rent-A-Car

(See Headlines)

GOVERNMENT SAYS NO STUDY DONE ON IMPACT OF REGULATIONS
ON REPAIR SHOP PROFITABILITY

Government says as high as $772 million industry cost will close some shops.

April 26, 2008

Environment Canada today released their long-awaited low-VOC regulations for auto refinish paints in Canada, taking pains to not mention waterborne paints once.

Although shops are not regulated in this federal announcement, the new content rules for product, that takes effect at the beginning of 2010, means that the major coatings firms that possess more than 85% of the Canadian market will not be allowed to manufacture, offer for sale, sell, or import auto refinish coatings that do not conform with VOC content regulations announced. Exceptions apply, in aerosol spray containers, small volume applications (touch-up), OEM manufacture, lab use and export as well as a possible discussion on “exempt” solvents.

For auto refinish shops, who are regulated provincially, this means that obtaining some of the current product they use now will not be possible after the start of 2010, and current inventories need to be depleted. Although Environment Canada, in its enforcement budget, has only allocated less than a loonie per shop to deal with violators, it is expected that shops will need to at least change over to a low-VOC basecoat to be able to ensure continuing product supply. In most cases, for light vehicle painting, this is offered as a “waterborne” paint replacement, however Environment Canada says that most product in Canada now will not meet new standards.

Environment Canada admits that with 72% of the shops in Canada being in the “small category”, that there will be impacts on their profitability and staying in business, although they admit they never studied shop profitability due to a lack of data. It is expected that shops will need to spend $141 million in new equipment costs, $125 million for new paints and $55 million in training to meet the new regulations, although a government “worst case scenario” identifies costs as high as $772 million in total. Paint costs are expected to rise 5 % per year for four years (largely due to transport and storage costs) and less after that. Government again admits that there is significant uncertainly that these figures are accurate.

Some shops will close, forecasts Environment Canada but they expect technicians to be hired by other repair shops. They admit that cost-cutting by insurers means shops are not in a position to increase the repair price, while the decline in the number of repair jobs results in lower revenues and profit margins for all repair shops. The government also expects that consumer paid repair price increases will be unlikely.

It is expected that shop costs will be between 1% and 2.5 percent of gross revenues, each year for the next 25 years. Taken in dollars, it means that the average shop must now budget an extra average $6000 per year, every year for the next 25 years for these new expected costs, assuming paint cost increases are as forecast.

Environment Canada did not announce any efforts to address underground economy or illicit product use operations, which was a major concern of the industry shop trade associations. No special credit or tax incentives for shops were offered although the government has identified the ongoing Canada Small Business Financing Program (CSBFP) for possible financing applications from shops.

Voluntary actions, rather than regulatory means, were promoted by the auto refinish shop industry to address lowering VOCs in Canada, with positive voluntary effort by industry accounting for a nine kiloton reduction to date in VOC emissions. The government diminished those actions, calling them insufficient, and that new regulatory methods announced will reduce emission from shops by a further 2 kilotons a year (or a further 40% of current emission level). These reductions anticipated through regulation would mean that auto refinish industry contribution to VOC reduction in total Canadian emissions will be one tenth of one percent of all VOC emissions.

“Our association has worked for cleaner air and lower emissions for many years and welcomes further emission reductions for the industry, and we also recognize that the costs of this regulation may be tough for some shops but the regulations will change the industry face forever, towards a better operating, more compliant, environmentally friendly new image.” said HARA and www.ciia.com President and shop owner, Tony Nigro.

For more information, please call the association at 1 866 309 4272 or
see www.autobodyhelp.ca

(See Headlines)

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

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Autobody Profitability Workbook (82 pages)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Issues Facing The Canadian Collision Repair Industry (39 pages)

NOTE: To view these files you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer. This Reader is free and you can download it from the Adobe Website