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FOR RELEASE: January 22, 2001 CONTACT(S):
Miami And Dallas Celebrate Opening Of Country's First Goodwrench Auto Body Centers
MIAMI / DALLAS - The first Goodwrench Auto Body Centers (GABC) in the country, part of a national network of dealer auto body repair centers, made their debuts with openings in both Florida and Texas this month. The Goodwrench Auto Body Centers by Kelley Chevrolet in Hallendale, Fla, Crest in Plano, Texas and Classic Chevrolet in Grapevine, Texas offer local residents high-quality, hassle free vehicle repairs, all under the Goodwrench banner. Goodwrench Auto Body Centers are unique body repair shops that provide customers with quality, trusted collision repair services. The GABC's goal is to establish a nationally recognized, highly capable, value-added collision repair network that meets both customer and insurance industry expectations. The insurance industry today is aligning itself with highly efficient, quality suppliers who can not only provide high caliber repairs to their customers, but also offer better claims and customer management," said Duane Miller, general sales manager, GM dealers. "We believe that to remain competitive in the rapidly consolidating collision repair market, we must support our dealers with an industry leading, nationally branded and marketed body shop program. The Goodwrench Auto Body Center program will provide qualified dealers the tools necessary to offer customers a hassle-free vehicle repair, while supporting the insurance industry's needs for timely, quality repairs and customer care." Owned and operated by local GM dealers, Kelley Chevrolet, Crest and Classic Chevrolet, the GABCs in Hallendale, Plano and Grapevine all qualified and met GM's strict program standards, which are focused on consumer and insurer needs. Customers receive timely vehicle repairs and a single point of contact during their collision or paint repair. Furthermore, all repairs performed at the GABCs are backed by a network lifetime limited warranty. In addition to the network lifetime limited warranty and stringent facility and equipment standards, GABCs provide other consumer benefits in the form of customer lounges with magazines, complimentary beverages and snacks, child play areas and a designated customer reception area. Under the program, GM has provided Kelley, Crest and Classic with a template for every aspect of business, including operation and production systems, tools for attracting, maintaining and training personnel and quality and efficiency support for maintaining strong insurance industry relations. "Dealers are looking for systems and processes to help manage their businesses," said Diana Frye, general manager, Kelley Chevrolet. "We have systems and processes for sales and service. Now, with the Goodwrench Auto Body Center program, we have a comprehensive process to help us manage our body shop operations as well. Through this program, we benefit from improved efficiency in our collision and paint repair business. Our customers benefit with a more timely and customer-friendly repair, all under a national brand." "This is an idea whose time has come," said Rob Larriviere, fixed operations director at Crest in Plano. "Ours is a high-volume, complex shop. Through the Goodwrench Auto Body Center program, we began seeing results immediately. Qualifying for this program and working with GM to meet and maintain its strict standards has definitely been worth our time and investment." "The Goodwrench Auto Body Center program is designed to establish trusting and long-term relationships both with our customers and with the insurance industry," said Bill Kelley, owner of the Goodwrench Auto Body Center by Kelley. "By working with GM and utilizing the business tools provided under the program, we feel confident that we will be able to meet and exceed all of our customers' expectations." GM Service Parts Operations has worked closely with the insurance industry to identify key market requirements. Additional centers will continue to be launched as markets and qualified dealers are identified. SPO, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Mich., markets automotive replacement parts and accessories worldwide under the GM and ACDelco brand names. SPO also provides business management consultation and recommendations for improving parts, accessories and service merchandising under the GM Goodwrench Service Plus banner. For more information, visit the GM Goodwrench Service Plus web site at http://www.gmgoodwrench.com and the ACDelco web site at http://www.acdelco.com. General Motors (NYSE: GM), the world's largest vehicle manufacturer, designs, builds and markets cars and trucks worldwide. In 1999, GM earned $5.6 billion on sales of $176.6 billion. It employs about 388,000 people globally. |
