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C&C Auto Show to host asTech with live Q&A

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The C&C Auto Show will livestream a two-hour show featuring a discussion about scans and calibrations along with a question and answer session with asTech officials on Saturday, Nov. 2. 

Viewers will be able to listen live on WGAC 95.1 FM out of Georgia or watch a YouTube stream on the show’s website. The show starts at 8 a.m. Eastern time. 

Questions can be asked live by calling 800-224-9090 or typing live on the website at www.CCAutoShow.com

David Clark, CEO of Kendrick Paint & Body, said the first portion of the show will feature a discussion with officials from Mobile Automotive Services Solutions (MASS) about the latest advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) and why scans and calibrations are needed to keep ADAS functioning safely. 

During the second portion of the show, Chris Chesney, Repairify vice president of training and organizational development, will discuss asTech services and recen business decisions. 

Clark said the discussion will include questions about a standardized pricing agreement between asTech and GEICO, which has raised concerns across the industry. He also hopes others in the industry will take the chance to ask questions they might have about the agreement. 

“I want to have a raw, honest conversation,” Clark said. “I think it could be an epic event for people to call in and ask questions. “ 

The radio show offers a different type of experience for the industry to be involved in the conversation, Clark said. He said it isn’t scripted in the way industry conference panels are. 

“We are just car repair guys,” Clark said. “You don’t have to be college-educated. I can tell right from wrong. I can read what these procedures say.” 

Clark said asTech also will not be given questions ahead of time. 

“My hope is that enough people call in,” Clark said. “I want people’s questions. It is time for shops to step up and say something.” 

GEICO first announced the agreement to its Auto Repair Xpress (ARX) via an email in July. As the news swept through a Collision Industry Conference (CIC) meeting that was happening at the same time, attendees crowded a mic scrutinizing the agreement

While representatives with asTech answered questions during the July meeting, they’ve avoided answering many questions from Repairer Driven News and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) about the agreement in the months following. 

Instead of answering a list of 25 questions sent by SCRS, Jason Vilardi, asTech VP of Sales, Insurance and Estimatics, told SCRS that asTech is focused on sharing details about the Rules Engine and testing process on its social media channels. He said these details should address many of the questions SCRS asked. 

Vilardi also said the company was directly speaking with customers. 

Days after SCRS sent the list of questions, Repairify posted on Facebook directing followers to The Rules Engine FAQ

The page seems to address a couple of the questions asked by SCRS. For example, it states that the Rules Engine can be customized to fit OEM certification requirements. However, it doesn’t provide an explanation of what a shop should do if they are certified and within GEICO’s network. Overall, the page avoids answering nearly all of the questions asked by SCRS. 

In an email sent to its Certified Collision Network (SCCN) in August, Subaru reaffirmed that it requires the use of Subaru Select Monitor (SSM) software for vehicle scans and does not approve “OEM compatible” scans.

The OEM says it will continue to approve asTech remote diagnostic scanning as one of the options for SCCN standards. However, it says the Rules Engine must be configured to comply with Subaru standards.

“We believe that the questions that have been posed are important for the industry to receive answers,” stated SCRS Executive Director Aaron Schulenburg, in an early October SCRS release. “While both companies have indicated they will speak directly with their ‘partners’ and customers, the decisions they’ve reached together around their customer to standardize pricing and process are introducing new challenges in the claims process. We continue to receive communications from collision repair businesses around the country that are not asTech users, and are not GEICO ARX network shops, but who are being told that claim reimbursement is restricted to the pricing secured by GEICO through asTech.” 

The next CIC meeting will be Nov. 5 in Las Vegas. The topic is not on the agenda but open mic is scheudled for 10:10 a.m., 12:15 p.m., 2:55 p.m. and 4:40 p.m.  Visit here for more information.

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