Polyvance and Accountable Estimating Introduce First-Ever Plastic Repair Estimating Course

To address an industrywide need to educate estimators on plastic part damage assessment, Accountable Estimating joined forces with Polyvance to introduce the industry’s first course on the topic. Estimating Plastic Repair (EPR 101) is the second course in Accountable’s Estimating Technician Level One Certification series.

EPR 101 is an online training course divided into four modules, each designed to be less than 30 minutes in duration. Each module is designed to educate estimators on assessing the repairability of the many plastic components found on today’s vehicles, with a primary focus on bumper covers and headlights. Topics include a brief history of plastics, how to identify different types of plastics, and learning the three main types of plastic repair techniques used in the industry, plus a series of exercises designed to improve estimator skills.

The course is currently approved for continuing education credits (CEUs) by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). For course information and registration, visit www.accountableestimating.com.

New Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 Bison is Poised to Take on Untamed Trails

Chevrolet has teamed up with American Expedition Vehicles (AEV) to create the ultimate off-roader. Engineered to conquer the most difficult trails with ease, the aggressive-looking ZR2 Bison sports a higher lift than the standard Colorado, five skid plates made with hot-stamped boron steel, AEV-designed wheel flares, AEV-pioneered stamp-steel bumpers, 17-inch wheels, 31-inch Goodyear tires, and front winch provisions and rear recovery points. Other features include fog lamps, AEV logo-embossed headrests and floor liners, an optional snorkel and Chevy’s new Infotainment System. The ZR2 Bison is due to be released later this year.

Chevrolet teamed up with American Expedition Vehicles to create the aggressive-looking Colorado ZR2 Bison, tough enough to take on the roughest terrain.

Detail Mafia Shines at Gordon McCall’s Annual Motorworks Revival

Master detailer Renny Doyle and 16 of his most experienced Detail Mafia paint correction specialists recently took on the task of prepping multi-million dollar classics and exotics in preparation for car aficionado Gordon McCall’s 27^th Annual Motorworks Revival, held in conjunction with Monterey Car Week in Northern California.

More than 3,000 collectors, enthusiasts, celebrities and automotive professionals gathered at the McCall’s event, which included gourmet cuisine and an impressive array of vintage race cars, motorcycles and private jets. In addition to detailing the Motorworks Revival vehicles, Doyle’s team also provided detailing services to automotive collections valued at $15 to $20 million at The Quail Lodge & Golf Club, which included vintage racecars, supercars, Ferraris, custom coachwork, and sports and racing motorcycles.

Shawn Sepulveda (left) and Renny Doyle, shown here at McCall Motorworks, were part of the 17-man Detail Mafia crew responsible for prepping a dazzling array of classic and exotic cars in advance of McCall’s 27^th Annual Motorworks Revival, held in late August.

Expert detailers Justin “JL” Labato of JL’s Showroom Detailing (left), and Shawn Sepulveda, of A Perfect Experience Auto Detailing, working side by side at The Quail Lodge & Golf Club.

International Carwash Association to Host Women’s Leadership Experience

Join other high-performing and high-potential women in the car wash industry at the Women’s Leadership Experience presented by the International Car Was Association. The two-day event will kick off with an evening reception on Wednesday, November 14, at the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel.

The schedule on Thursday, November 15 is packed with sessions aimed at educating and empowering women in the car wash industry. Topics include “Attracting and Retaining Women in the Car Wash Industry,” “Communication, Body Language and Gender Differences,” and “Creating the Village: Mentorship and Network Building. The agenda also includes a networking breakout session.” For more information and to register, visit www.carwash.org.

Roadwire Partners with Olive Crest to Benefit Disadvantaged Children

For hundreds of at-risk Southern California children, the holiday season came early this year, as Roadwire Cares, the nonprofit charity of Roadwire Inc., a leading supplier of custom-crafted OEM and aftermarket leather interiors, recently partnered with Olive Crest to present “Christmas in July.” The community-wide event—the second year in which Roadwire has teamed up with Olive Crest—drew more than 400 children and their families to Olive Crest’s Los Angeles facility for a fun-filled day.

To mark the occasion there were displays of accessorized trucks and vintage Chevy Impalas furnished by a local car club, along with children’s games and a barbeque. The youngsters also had a chance to pick out favorite toys from amongst a huge selection donated by Roadwire and participating car owners. As a final treat the children also had a chance to judge the annual Kids Choice Award, presenting first place to a customized Chevy pickup decked out to resemble the McQueen car from the Disney Pixar “Cars” movie.

First place in the Kids Choice Award competition went to a Chevy pickup customized to resemble the McQueen car from the “Cars” movie.

LUVERNE Marks 55 Years of U.S Production

Founded 55 years ago in Luverne, Minnesota, by Bud Heck, Forest Jennings and Doc Martin, the company’s first product was a heavy-duty painted steel bumper designed for pickup trucks used in agricultural settings. In the 1970s, as the company continued to expand its warehouse and distribution footprint, LUVERNE added heavy-duty grille guards and running boards to its lineup.

Now located in a state-of-the-art, 206,000 sq. ft. facility situated on an 8-acre campus in Brandon, South Dakota, the company continues to build on the success of its auto and truck specialty lines, focusing on greater attention to style and adding tubular grille guards, nerf bars and side steps. In 2016, LUVERNE joined the Wisconsin-based CURT Group family of brands. www.luvernetruck.com.

LUVERNE’s flag-emblazoned show truck highlights the company’s long history of building products in the U.S.

Covercraft Industries Acquires Marathon Seat Covers

Covercraft has announced the acquisition of Marathon Seat Covers, whose automotive seat covers cater to outdoor enthusiasts. According to the announcement, the acquisition enhances Covercraft’s pattern library and expands the company’s assortment of custom-fit automotive aftermarket seat covers.

Since Covercraft partnered with Century Park Capital Partners in 2015, Marathon represents Covercraft’s third acquisition. Last year, Covercraft added GT Covers, a maker of precision-fit covers, and in 2016 added ADCOProducts, a supplier of RV covers and protection accessories.

“The addition of Marathon Seat Covers further solidifies our commitment to providing the largest assortment of premium interior protection products available in the automotive aftermarket,” said Mark Korros, Covercraft president and CEO.