Victorian repair group Accident Solutions had joined I-CAR as a corporate member, furthering both organisation's quest for quality in repair finish for damaged vehicles.
I-CAR Australia CEO Richard Pratt announced the arrangement with Accident Solutions which presently has seven body repair shops in its stable.
"The decision of the group to join and support I-CAR follows a series of meetings between the parties in which common goals were identified and shared," Mr Pratt said.
Mr Pratt said the Accident Solutions philosophy was exemplified in its vision statement "Our repairs are about quality, safety and the reinstatement of your vehicle to manufacturer's standard" and fits hand in glove with I-CAR's position on the correct method of damaged vehicle repair.
"In welcoming Accident Solutions to the I-CAR family in Australia, we welcome yet another of the industry's leading groups to the membership. The membership of I-CAR reads as a who's who in the industry. The support from Accident Solutions, along with all of our members, positions I-CAR strongly for the future. This industry wide support is much appreciated and will ensure that I-CAR retains the inter-industry focus and independence on which it was founded," Mr. Pratt said.
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 the consumer.
Accident Solutions was set up by Jerry Altun who sought out other industry professionals who shared his vision and commitment to delivering a new level of service.
This "strength in numbers" is successfully employed to counter the "divide and conquer" strategy used by insurance companies to control the automotive repair industry for many decades, he said.
Mr Altun said Accident Solutions was different to other repairers because they repair cars to the manufacturers original specifications, consider the car is owned by the client and not by the insurer, and do not cave in to pressure from insurance companies.