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OVER 135 EXHIBITORS ONE TRADESHOW PASS GRANTS ACCESS TO TWO SHOWS LOWEST PRICES GUARANTEED • FREE SHIPPING AVAILABLE • SE HABLA ESPANOL • ASK FOR JOSH OR MIGUEL (888) 735-7988 “IF WE DONT HAVE IT WE CAN GET IT” MANAGEMENT & TECHNICAL SEMINARS Honda’s 2012 Civic EX Coupe is model of consistency by Rob Merwin The ninth generation of Honda’s compact Civic 2DR EX Coupe, recently tested by Parts & People, has been redesigned for 2012, though the improvements are subtle, whether you are a consumer or technician. But that should not detract from the Civic’s reputation for reliability and innovations. Under the hood, new powertrain technologies include a re-engineered single overhead cam (SOHC) 1.8-L inline four-cylinder design with 16 valves, i-VTEC, and a dual-stage intake manifold with enhanced fuel economy. The engine, which produces 140 HP at 6,300 RPM, and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 4,300 RPM, has an estimated EPA city/highway fuel economy rating of 28/36 MPG when equipped with the five-speed manual transmission, as tested. It features a high-rigidity aluminum block with low-friction internal components. Increased use of high-strength steel The coupe features a rigid and lightweight unit-body design made possible by increased use of high-strength steel. The Save the date Oct. 29-31 Las Vegas Hilton Held prior to AAPEX &SEMA KICK OFF Industry Week with us! bigrshow.com 703-968-2772 To register visit: atraexpo.com 866-464-2872 The 2012 Civic Coupe 2DR EX is just as aerodynamically efficient as its appearance suggests, resulting in the improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and the improved handling we discovered at higher speeds. rigid body allows for noise and other disturbances to be more efficiently isolated by bushings and other dampers throughout the vehicle, though when we tested the car, there was still considerable road noise. The unit-body structure — introduced in the 2006 model and enhanced for 2012 — enables the vehicle’s fuel economy and disperses crash energy in frontal collisions, according to the company. The 2012 Civic integrates the manufacturer’s most advanced safety technology, including the Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure with two-row side curtain airbags and front side airbags in every model and trim level. The ACE body structure improves occupant protection and crash compatibility in frontal crashes, and the ACE design uses a network of connected structural elements to distribute crash energy more evenly throughout the front of the vehicle. ACE also increases the likelihood of the two vehicles’ bumpers absorbing energy in a collision, including larger and smaller vehicles and those with differing bumper heights, the company said. Aerodynamic improvements The 2012 Civic Coupe 2DR EX is just as aerodynamically efficient as its appearance suggests, resulting in the improved fuel efficiency, reduced emissions, and the improved handling we discovered at higher speeds. The improvements, the manufacturer said, are the result of extensive modeling and testing conducted during the design process and include a guide under the front bumper that directs airflow into the engine compartment for cooling; lightweight plastic parts under the engine bay, fuel tank, and parts of the rear underbody to improve airflow; and a new flat underfloor that improves aerodynamic efficiency by helping air to move over, around, and under the vehicle — resulting in a 3.4- percent lower coefficient of drag compared to the 2011 Civic. Chassis The 2012 Civic chassis has improved the driving experience as well as passenger comfort and safety. It features Honda’s MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension systems, along with motion-adaptive electric power steering for steering performance and improved efficiency. We discovered that the chassis also helps provide a more responsive vehicle. It also affords additional interior space in the sedan while the overall length, width, and height are the same as in previous models, according to the manufacturer. The chassis results in a slightly shorter wheelbase (reduced 1.2 inches in the sedan, to 105.1 inches; and reduced 1.1 inches in the coupe, to 103.2 inches), which lends to the increased overall maneuverability. Wheels and Tires The 2012 Civic uses new tires that are 5 percent lighter with 10-percent improvement to the rolling resistance coefficient (RRC) as compared to the previous model tires. Constructed of low-mass tread material, thinner sidewalls, and an optimized structure, the new tires help reduce fuel consumption while maintaining comparable durability and projected service life. Instrumentation All 2012 Civics are equipped with an “Econ” button that modifies several operating parameters of the vehicle to further improve fuel efficiency. With Econ mode activated, the “Drive-by-Wire” throttle system provides a more gradual response, and climate control operation is altered. Every Civic also has a “Maintenance Minder” system that tracks service-related items based on vehicle use. Maintenance Minder automatically indicates when standard service should be performed based on actual driving conditions. Seating Similar to previous generation Civics, the 2012 models can accommodate five passengers. The two front seats have been completely redesigned with a more supportive seat construction, and the coupe has deeper side bolsters than the sedan. Overall, the sporty Honda Civic 2DR EX remains a model of consistency and is a fun drive to boot. Not bad for the $20,475 price tag on the model we tested. n Page 16 October 2011 Parts & People www.partsandpeople.com
Collision Repair Long time shop owner says success comes to those who work, not wait Give Us A Try. Were Driven to Satisfy! Inland Empire, We want your wholesale parts business! 2 Hour Inland Empire Delivery No charge Over $600,000 in Parts Inventory & Over $36 Million in Parts Available for Next Day Delivery No Cut-Off Times. We Visit Most areas 3 – 4 Times Daily. Lake Chevrolet is on: The quick solution for all your body order needs. Or, just give us a call, were here to help! Pat Shrewsbury says hard work and industry involvement have been key aspects of his 30 years as a shop owner. by John Yoswick Westminster, Calif.—Pat Shrewsbury said his business philosophy is more or less summed up by a slogan in a recent Chrysler advertising campaign. “There’s that ad that says, ‘Some people say good things come to those who wait, but the truth is, good things come to those who work,’” said Shrewsbury, who along with his wife, Olga, own and operate Prestige Quality Collision Repair. “That’s a pretty true statement. The people who are successful work for it.” Shrewsbury hasn’t shied away from work in the 30 years he’s been a shop owner. In addition to continuing as an ASE-certified technician and the shop’s painter, he was an I-CAR instructor for more than a dozen years, teaching the organization’s painting, detailing, and workplace hazardous materials courses. He’s served on the advisory board for a college collision repair training program, and helped teach color matching there. He’s been a long-time member of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) and a founding member of the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association. And he’s a twotime past president of the Orange County Chapter of the California Autobody Association, having also served in other leadership roles within the chapter as well. Shrewsbury said having launched his business during a tough economic period in the early 1980s and operating during several other downturns has served him well in recent years. “I’ve always tried to give back to the industry, because if you want a better industry, you’ve got to build it.” “I’ve seen so many shop owners, after things have been good for six months or a year, suddenly have a boat or an airplane or a lot of new equipment debt, and then, boom, when things drop, they have serious problems,” Shrewsbury said. “We’ve always managed to stay fairly humble. We never had it real easy or real, real hard. It’s been a long time since we really had to struggle.” That said, Shrewsbury last year restructured the shop’s lease, squeezing production into 4,500 square feet to bring the company’s overhead more in line with the reduced amount of work available. But his experience also helps him remain optimistic about the future. “I think that’s the biggest thing, not getting over extended and just realizing that if times are good, it may not be good forever, but on the other side, things always seems to come back after they have been bad,” he said. “It’s not going to come around overnight, but things will gradually get better.” The Shrewsburys have three employees, including a lead technician, Billy Gauze, who has worked with them for more than 20 years. The shop was among the first in the state to begin using Sherwin-Williams’ waterborne paint line, serving as a test site for the paint company. “It was nice that they felt confident enough to let us try it in a real-world test, and it went off without a hitch,” Shrewsbury said. “We’ve used Sherwin- Continued on page 18 31201 Auto Center Drive Lake Elsinore, CA 92530 www.lakechevrolet.com HOURS: M-F 7 AM – 6 PM • SAT 8 AM – 4 PM (888) 839-0777 (619) 668-7782 Parts Direct www.drewvolkswagen.com importorder@drewauto.com Hours: M – F 7 AM – 6 PM, Sat 8 AM – 5 PM DREW HYUNDAI Use Only Original Hyundai Parts! 12 Trucks Serving San Diego, Imperial and Southern Riverside Counties Large Inventory Fast, Free Delivery Order Hotline: 888-878-3018 Fax: 951-674-3519 DREW VOLKSWAGEN Your Parts Source For All Things Volkswagen! 12 Trucks Serving San Diego, Imperial and Southern Riverside Counties Experienced Wholesale Specialists Ready To serve You Fast, Free Delivery (888) 839-0777 (619) 668-7782 Parts Direct www.drewhyundai.com importorder@drewauto.com Hours: M – F 7 AM – 6 PM, Sat 8 AM – 5 PM Parts & People October 2011 Page 17
Page 1 and 2: Automotive Counseling & Publishing
Page 3 and 4: Collision Repair / Suspension, Alig
Page 5 and 6: Cooper Tire awarded $1.5 million gr
Page 7 and 8: Engineering innovations keep KYB sh
Page 9 and 10: 2011 INSTALLER AND BODY SHOP REBATE
Page 11 and 12: Turbo Wholesale Tires focuses on SU
Page 13 and 14: Cutting-edge design and development
Page 15: Parts & People October 2011 Page 15
Page 19 and 20: Back In With Envirobase ® High Per
Page 21 and 22: See us at NACE in booth N1413 Parts
Page 23 and 24: Behind every great bodyshop owner s
Page 25 and 26: Collision Repair Training Notes I-C
Page 27 and 28: BE THE HERO. Save the day with Mopa
Page 29 and 30: BG Products refocuses on fuel and b
Page 31 and 32: TIA and 170 business groups ask Oba
Page 33 and 34: FEWER STEPS. MORE PROFIT. WHEN WAS
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Page 41 and 42: People & Places SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
Page 43 and 44: Continued from page 38 and later me

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