March 2024 Midwest Edition

Farmers Insurance Group of Cos. raised its private auto insurance rates by a weighted average of 17.6% across 43 states in 2023, outpacing the rate hikes of its competitors but part of the broader trend in the industry, where double-digit increases have become the new norm.

states like New Jersey, Vermont and Colorado experiencing increases below 10%.

This pattern of substantial rate hikes was not unique to Farmers Insurance. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., another industry giant, reported a 16.0%

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s RateWatch, not only did Farmers Insurance lead this surge, but all 10 of the top auto insurers in the U.S. also imposed double-digit increases throughout the year, a shift from the more moderate rate changes observed between 2018 and 2021.

For Farmers Insurance, the 2023 rise was approximately 3 percentage points higher than its 14.5% rate change in 2022. Nebraska witnessed the company’s highest increase at a weighted average of 30.4%. In contrast, North Carolina had the smallest rate hike at 1.8%, with other

weighted average rate increase in 2023. Similarly, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s GEICO Corp., despite having the lowest effective rate change among the top insurers at 10.1% in 2023, had experienced the previous year’s highest at 17.2%.

REGIONAL

Script Sign Showcases Talents of Ohio Students

By Marah Morrison The News-Herald

Students in the welding and auto collision repair programs at Auburn Career Center in Concord Twp., OH,

recently completed a Wickliffe script sign, modeled after the popular Cleveland script signs located throughout the city.

According to Auburn Career Center, the sign was painted white, and it will be able to change colors when lit up.

“Expertly designed and crafted by our welding students and painted by the Automotive Collision Repair program, this sign showcases the amazing talent of our students,” the career center said in a statement.

The 18.5-foot-long sign’s letters are 4 feet high, and it is made of 2,000 pounds of

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Illinois Car Insurance Rates Soar Over $1.25 Billion in 2023

Illinois drivers were hit with a significant increase in car insurance rates, surpassing $1.25 billion in 2023—the second year in a row where rate hikes exceeded $1 billion dollars.

According to a recent analysis by the Illinois PIRG Education Fund, the 10 largest car insurance companies, which represent 81% of the state’s market, were responsible for the increase. When including smaller companies, the overall increase for Illinois drivers

Recent hikes follow a period where insurers reportedly overcharged customers during the

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

Columnist Mike Anderson: How to Ensure You – and Your Techs –Have Adequate Business Insurance Coverage 6 Columnist Abby Andrews: Collision Repair Industry to Be Influenced by Supply Chain, Vehicle Complexity in 2024 14 Columnist Stacey Phillips Ronak: CES 2024 Unveils Future of Transportation Technology 8 Columnist John Yoswick: Mitchell Joins CCC, Audatex in Giving Users Flexibility with Blend Formula 12 INSIDE THIS ISSUE

first

CIF Charity Event Raises Awareness, Funds For Collision Repairers in Crisis

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Over the last two decades, the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) has relied on contributions from collision repair businesses and individuals to aid hundreds of industry members in times of crisis. On Jan. 16, CIF hosted its 13th annual charity event, “Cocktails for a Cause,” in Palm Springs, CA, the day prior to the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). Nearly 200 attendees were at the function, many of whom were firsttime supporters.

“There were a lot of people who drove this initiative and made the event successful, including co-chairs Kelly Broderick and Cheryl Boswell, as well as Petra Schroeder,” said Dan Risley, president of CIF and vice

colleagues — many of whom have lost their livelihoods and need help from hurricanes, fires, COVID-19, etc.,” she said. “It takes minimal effort for something that means the world to people.”

Boswell, CFO of DCR Systems, served on CIF’s board for nine years and now volunteers for the organization. She and Broderick have co-chaired the annual fundraiser for many years and continue to do so, although they no longer serve on the board.

“It’s our annual fundraiser where we raise funds to assist industry members who have experienced a natural disaster so they can get back to work,” Boswell explained. “Our event includes great networking opportunities, a drawing for prizes and a live auction.”

president of quality repair and market development at CCC Intelligent Solutions.

Broderick, sales director of strategic accounts at The Sherwin-Williams Company, joined CIF’s board in 2013 as a trustee and later served as vice president. Although she retired from the board in 2022, Broderick remains involved in the organization.

“The annual CIF event is simply a great time to connect with others and raise funds for individuals within the industry we all love and belong to,” she noted.

Broderick added the event has grown over the past several years.

“I am happy to have been involved in that progression,” she said. “I appreciate those who come to the event, sponsor it and spread the word. It has been a tremendous way for CIF to give back.”

Broderick said many collision repairers have grown up in the industry, and CIF is a great organization that needs support and praise.

“Over the past 10 years, I’ve been privileged to raise funds for

She said CIF is fortunate to have many sponsor the cause.

“Attending the gala, sponsoring CIF and spreading the word are all ways you can help,” Boswell shared. “We want to make sure everyone knows that CIF exists for them!”

“Interest and support in the event are growing,” said “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder, CIF’s administrator and a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees. “At the same time, it is great to have familiar faces attend.”

Schroeder noted the charity event is an important part of raising money and awareness to further CIF’s mission to provide emergency relief to collision repair professionals who have experienced significant losses due to natural disasters or other catastrophes. At one time, it was planned as the primary fundraiser. In 2021, the CIF Annual Donor program was instituted, allowing individuals and companies to donate throughout the year.

“The awareness that we create by having these events is priceless because more people learn about CIF

and what we do,” said Schroeder. “As a result, we receive commitments for the Annual Donor program.”

In addition to monetary donations, Schroeder said the industry has helped spread awareness about CIF in various ways, such as liking and sharing social media posts. In recent years, birthday fundraisers have been initiated on Facebook, money has been raised through office competitions, and other creative ideas have been developed.

“There are many ways CIF can benefit from these initiatives,” said Schroeder. “It just takes a company to come up and execute ideas.”

CIF Treasurer Jim Ocampo, national strategic accounts sales manager for Axalta Coating Systems, said he always enjoys the evening of the CIF charity event.

“It’s refreshing to see everyone come together and contribute to a worthy cause,” said Ocampo. “While ‘Cocktails for a Cause’ is important to our fundraising efforts, the evening is about bringing awareness to CIF’s mission.”

During the evening, Ocampo handed out auction items and prizes with Paul Hill, vice president of sales and marketing for Headlights.com, which sells through the Original One Parts and Headlights Depot brand. Hill began volunteering for CIF in 2022 and joined the board of trustees the following year.

“The highlight for me is always the opportunity to be the auctioneer,” recalled Hill. “Standing up on the stage and seeing such a great crowd support CIF is an amazing feeling.”

Hill said CIF is the one charity singularly focused on assisting great individuals in the collision industry in their time of need.

“Once I understood the organization’s mission, I knew I needed to help CIF succeed,” he said.

“One of the many things that I love about the collision industry is how we all come together for a cause,” noted Nick Callum, business development

manager and platform manager for Headlights.com. “The CIF gala highlights that perfectly.”

Callum recently joined CIF’s Board of Trustees and he and Hill co-chair a new committee focused on CIF awareness.

“I have always gone out of my way to help people the best I can,” he shared.

“Joining CIF has allowed me to align with other like-minded individuals and contribute in a larger capacity.”

Kurt Lammon, president of Polyvance, is a new CIF Board of Trustees member who has donated to the cause and attended prior events for the past few years. This year, he and Cindy Reeves, vice president of sales at Enterprise Mobility, checked in those who hadn’t pre-registered.

“It feels good to volunteer because you know your efforts are going to aid others,” said Lammon. “It also gives you the feeling of the industry being like a close-knit family.”

Lammon said it’s a pretty small industry and he has noticed several individuals make job changes thanks to the network they built volunteering.

“[CIF] can be good for your career, too!” he added.

Jeff Wildman, BASF’s expert for the automotive aftermarket industry, has been a CIF trustee for seven years and served on several committees.

“With the increasing frequency of weather-related incidents, I’d like to think that people remember our mission and spread the word to collision repair professionals in distress that CIF is available to provide assistance,” he said.

Schroeder encourages people to reach out when they learn about someone in an emergency.

“The organization still does not receive enough applications when there is disastrous flooding, hurricanes and other damage,” she explained. “It’s very rewarding to give back but we need to find victims.”

For more information about CIF, visit www.collisionindustryfoundation.org or email collisionindustryfoundation@ gmail.com.

Pictured, left to right, are Scott Walton, The Sherwin Williams Company; Mandy Wynn, DCR Systems; and “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder.

Pictured, left to right, are Chris White, KECO; Michael Bradshaw, K&M Collision; Barry Dorn, Dorn’s Body & Paint; Amber Alley, Barsotti’s Body & Fender; and Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS.

Pictured, left to right, are Kurt Lammon, Polyvance; Sabrina Thring, Driven Brands, and Jim Ocampo, Axalta.

Mike Anderson

Anderson

How to Ensure You—and Your Techs—Have Adequate Business Insurance Coverage

One of my team members unfortunately lost her home to a fire a while back, and to this day, several years later, she’s still going back and forth with the insurance company, partially related to the personal property contents of her home. Put yourself in her situation: Would you be able to list every item in your home and know when you bought it? Do you have the receipts? I know I couldn’t do it.

That made me start thinking about this not just personally, but also for anyone who owns a business. Hopefully this will never happen, but if a fire or other catastrophe struck your shop, would you be able to list all of its contents and know when and what you paid for each item?

One good first step you need to take: Once a year you should absolutely ask your CPA for a copy of your asset list. Look it over for items you’ve added since it was last updated, and for items you no longer have that should be deleted.

Next, you need to have documentation related to all those items. Obviously, keeping your receipts for every asset purchase is the best way to document it all. Another set of copies—paper or digital—of those records should probably be kept off-site as well.

I would also encourage you to once a year to walk through your shop using your phone to create a video, narrating it as you go, as another way to document what you have. Again, keep a copy of that video in a safe, in the cloud or otherwise offsite. It could help remind you visually of all the assets in your shop, so that if the unthinkable happens, you’re not remembering assets you forgot about—a grinder, a torque wrench, air hoses, etc—until months after you’re already settled a claim.

The topic of business insurance is so important that I invited my friend David Willet from Spark Underwriters to come speak to some of my Spartan 300 20-groups. Spark Underwriters specializes in business insurance for our industry nationwide. As its website says, they are more than insurance people: they are ASE certified, I-CAR trained and involved with industry groups like AMi, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), CIECA and many shop associations. David shared the suggestions I wrote about here regarding documentation of your assets, and

he agreed to review each member’s business insurance policy.

That led to a discussion about coverage for your employees’ tools. Your policy probably includes some

the business already has this.”

He said business owners should understand any co-insurance provisions in their policy. Those are provisions that imposes a penalty on

the value of the insured building or business personal property.

“You need to understand what those provisions are, and if you can get the co-insurance removed, that’s key, because then all of a sudden, all you’re doing is trying to make sure you get paid for what you have,” David said. “Otherwise, you’re having to prove you had enough insurance, or you might get hit with a penalty.”

“Business owners should read their policy carefully when it comes to employee tool coverage.”

DAVID WILLET SPARK UNDERWRITERS

CES 2024 Unveils Future of Transportation Technology

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Innovations in connected and autonomous mobility were highlighted this year at the CES 2024 Show, Jan. 9-12 in Las Vegas, NV. Owned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES showcases consumer technologies in various product categories, including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, smart cities and vehicle technology. More than 135,000 attendees had the opportunity to see the latest tech trends on display from more than 4,300 exhibitors.

Show organizers said CES is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing auto mobility and transportation events. With more than 600 mobility exhibits, showgoers could view the future of autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs), micromobility, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and flying cars, as well as assistive mobility and safety systems.

Automotive exhibitors included BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Magna, Mercedes-Benz, Paccar, Recaro, Sony, Supernal, Togg and VinFast.

Announcements were made by automakers throughout the week.

Honda introduced the “Honda 0 Series,” launching in 2026; Kubota showcased the new fully electric, multi-purpose Agri Concept vehicle; and VinFast unveiled VF WILD, a new electric pickup truck concept vehicle.

Radar Architecture for Autonomous Mobility Systems, which received a CES® 2024 Innovation Award.

“We are honored to be recognized with the prestigious award,” said Steven Hong, vice president and general manager of Radar Technology at Ambarella.

The award recognized the company’s investment and innovation in pioneering centralized 4D imaging radar processing, which Hong said enables significantly higherperformance radar systems through the combination of the company’s Oculii™ artificial intelligence (AI) radar technology and CV3-AD AI domain control system-on-chip (SoC) family.

“For the auto body industry, this innovation will provide a significant benefit to customers with 4D imaging radar sensors in their vehicles, as these radar modules are typically installed behind the bumper in several different locations,” Hong said. “Because Ambarella’s centralized radar technology enables radar heads without any processor inside, the cost of replacing those processor-less radar modules after an accident can be greatly reduced.”

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ARaymond shared its fastening, electrical connection and cleaning systems solutions for future vehicle needs. The fastening department displayed wire harness and tube routing fasteners, as well as high strength clipping solutions for various EV applications. The cleaning systems group showcased sensor and camera cleaning system components and assemblies to demonstrate innovations made in that growing field.

“We’ve seen huge growth in the automotive and mobility area at CES, not only what you expect with mobility with cars, but we’re seeing it on land, air and sea,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA’s president and CEO.

Autobody News talked to some CES 2024 exhibitors and participants.

Ambarella

Ambarella demonstrated its developments in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, including its Centrally Processed 4D Imaging

Daniel Marin, business development manager for Mobility/EV Solutions, ARaymond North America, said the automotive market is shifting with the push for EVs or electrification and challenges are becoming apparent with new or different assemblies being added to vehicles.

“As electric vehicles are ramping up in volumes on the market, there is a greater need for simplified assembly techniques and serviceability aspects that are challenging the standard way vehicles are constructed,” said Marin.

He said vehicle designs are going toward lightweight, simple designs that are fast to assemble while keeping in mind the need for service down the road.

OWL Autonomous Imaging

OWL Autonomous Imaging demonstrated its Advanced DriverAssistance Systems (ADAS) safety technology for nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB). It combines the company’s digital high-definition thermal camera with artificial intelligence software trained to find pedestrians and measure their distances from the car.

“This combination provides ADAS computers with the information

SHM also announced its collaboration with Epic Games and unveiled technology that can simulate external environmental conditions such as information from other vehicles, pedestrians, terrain and weather.

Squad Mobility

Squad Mobility, a Dutch company founded by Robert Hoevers and Chris Klok in 2019, showcased the Squad Solar City Car and the special edition solar buggy.

The two-person car is about 6.5 feet long and automatically charges its batteries with solar energy from the integrated solar panel on the roof. The solar panel can charge up to 19.2 miles in Las Vegas. The vehicle is powered by 48-volt electric motors and batteries, which allows it to be used at night, in winter, or indoors, and can be charged at 220 volts or 110 volts.

they need to avoid collisions day or night, even when the road ahead is obscured by rain or snow, fog or smoke,” said Chuck Gershman, OWL AI CEO.

Gershman said the ideal position for a forward-looking thermal camera is behind the rear-view mirror.

“Since the infrared radiation detected by thermal cameras will not pass through glass, new windshields have been developed that include a small infrared transmitting insert in front of the camera,” he explained. “If the windshield must be replaced after a collision, this specific type must be used.”

Sony Honda Mobility

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) exhibited its prototype vehicle, AFEELA, introduced last year and currently in the development stage for production.

The four-door sedan is expected to be produced at one of Honda’s 12 plants in the U.S. Its overall styling concept is based on movement, color and sharpness.

According to a company representative, “The AFEELA prototype invokes mobility that people can feel as an intelligent entity through new technology.”

During the show, Representative Director, President and COO Izumi Kawanishi discussed the company’s focus on “AI for ADAS” and “Mobility as a Creative Entertainment Space.”

The four swappable and portable batteries provide a range of 62 miles, excluding solar.

Regarding repairability, Hoevers noted the vehicle’s bodywork is injection-molded plastic. “It can be easily replaced and the solar panel is handled the same as a front windshield,” he explained.

Indy Autonomous Challenge

A CES highlight was the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), in which university teams worldwide compete in a series of challenges. The goal is to advance technology that can speed up the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deploy ADAS to increase safety and performance. TUM Autonomous Motorsport from the Technical University of Munich won this year’s challenge, reaching speeds of more than 150 mph.

IAC also announced the launch of its Next Gen Autonomous Vehicle Platform, the IAC AV-24.

“This cutting-edge platform represents a significant leap forward in autonomous hardware and software technology,” said Paul Mitchell, IAC’s president. “After three years and more than 7,000 miles of high-speed racing, the IAC and its industry partners have evolved the robot inside the IAC AV-24 to become smarter and more capable, providing the world’s fastest autonomous racecar with increased functionality that will enable AI drivers to reach new levels of performance.”

Ambarella’s centrally processed 4D imaging radar architecture for autonomous mobility systems received a CES® 2024 Innovation Award

During CES, ARaymond team members shared fastening, electrical connection and cleaning systems solutions for future vehicle needs

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from the 11.4% national average increase recorded in 2022.

States like Nevada, Minnesota and Washington faced some of the steepest increases, with Nevada topping the list with a 28.3% rate hike. At the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii and North Carolina recorded the lowest weighted average effective increases at 3.8% and 4.3%, respectively.

The continuous climb in rates over the past two years has resulted in substantial cumulative increases. Texas emerged as the state with the highest cumulative rate increase over the two-year period at 45.5%, closely followed by Ohio with a 38.9% rise.

Minnesota Launches EV Rebate Program To Boost Clean Energy Transition

As of Feb. 7, Minnesota residents can apply for rebates on purchases of both new and used electric vehicles, part of the state’s initiative to combat climate change.

The rebate initiative, authorized by the Minnesota Legislature last session, aims to accelerate the adoption of EVs in a state where they currently constitute less than 1% of all vehicles on the road.

“The state is doing this to incentivize the clean energy transition, particularly the transition in the vehicle space for our cars and light trucks,” said Peter Wyckoff, assistant commissioner for federal and state energy initiatives at the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

benefit from one rebate per fiscal year.

However, there are specific requirements regarding the type of vehicles eligible and their cost, with new vehicles capped at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $55,000 and used vehicles at a purchase price of $25,000 or less.

“That’s pretty significant. That really makes it much more affordable for a lot of families that might not have considered an electric vehicle because of that upfront cost.”

DIANA MCKEOWN CO-DIRECTOR OF THE CLEAN ENERGY RESOURCE TEAMS AT THE NONPROFIT GREAT PLAINS INSTITUTE

incentives could significantly lower the upfront cost of electric vehicles, making them a more viable option for many families.

“That’s pretty significant,” said Diana McKeown , codirector of the Clean Energy Resource Teams at the nonprofit Great Plains Institute. “That really makes it much more affordable for a lot of families that might not have considered an electric vehicle because of that upfront cost.”

However, with a finite budget allocated for the rebates – $10.6 million for this fiscal year and $5.2 million for the next – the program may run out of funds quickly, especially given its wide eligibility criteria. The rebates will be available until June 30, 2027, or until the funding is exhausted, whichever comes first.

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Eligible participants can receive up to $2,500 for new electric vehicles and up to $600 for used ones, with no income requirements restricting eligibility. This program is not just limited to individuals; businesses, nonprofits, and government entities can also

The rebates are designed to complement existing federal incentives, which offer up to

Those interested in applying for a rebate should act swiftly to secure their spot in the program. Applicants can find more details

Spanesi Americas Showcases Products At SEMA 2023, Shares Future Plans

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

At Spanesi Americas, COO Tim Morgan said the company is passionate about offering collision repair equipment and training to meet customers’ needs.

During the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, Spanesi showcased various products. These included the company’s 106 EXT Bench,

and painting stations set up to provide attendees the opportunity to rate their skill level.

“Spanesi is always looking for new ways to innovate and always has things in the pipeline,” noted Morgan. “This year will be no different with exciting products to be launched throughout 2024.”

This includes additional process and course offerings that will be available at Spanesi’s research and training center in Naperville, IL, and regional centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

multibench, Touch Measuring System and a line of MIG/MAG and spot welders.

Spanesi also featured its “Pull Up” Glue Pull system, which has many levels of kits.

New this year were virtual welding

The company’s roots date back to 1958 when Orazio Spanesi, a body technician with a passion for “the tools,” began working in a body shop in Italy when he was 14. After learning the required skills and techniques to repair vehicles, he opened a shop in 1969 to pursue high efficiency and OEM quality repairs. A decade later, Spanesi began developing and manufacturing equipment in Padova, Italy, to ensure it met the performance he strived to achieve.

Since then, the Spanesi leadership

team has stayed in contact with body techs to meet the needs of the collision industry. In 2019, Spanesi celebrated its 50th year in business by revamping its showroom and training center at the Italy factory that hosts educational events associated with the Spanesi Academy program.

Since Spanesi was founded, Morgan said it has stayed true to its mission of not offering tools that collision repair technicians have to adapt to, but instead, making tools tailored to technicians’ needs and meet OEM requirements. The company is part of 38 certified OEM programs in North America and 46 globally.

The company has a worldwide presence, providing sales, support and consulting. In addition to the U.S. headquarters in Illinois, the company operates offices in Bangkok, China, France, Germany and India, and has a global headquarters in Padova, Italy.

Spanesi also owns and operates a collision repair facility in Italy where products are tested daily.

These include Spanesi products and processes to improve repair efficiency.

Morgan said the company takes pride in continuing to innovate, design and manufacture a range of collision repair equipment, such as the Touch measuring system, multibenches, welders, paint booths and vacuums.

As the company grows, Morgan said they will continue to add staff internally and through distribution to meet customers’ needs.

“Spanesi is beyond an equipment supplier,” said Morgan. “With our many years of vast experience, we serve as coaches, trainers and advisors to our customers for longterm proven results.”

The Spanesi team at SEMA 2023

During SEMA 2023, Spanesi COO Tim Morgan, left, Fred Randazzo, center, and Constantine Uliano, right, demonstrated virtual reality training at the company’s booth

Mitchell Joins CCC, Audatex in Giving Users Flexibility With Blend Formula

By John Yoswick Autobody News

Mitchell International said the company’s cloud estimating system will now allow users to set up at the profile level their own default settings for clear coat, three-stage, two-tone, blend, finish sand and buff, de-nib and finesse, and refinish adjustments.

“Being at the profile level, you can set up one for walk-ins, and a different one for each insurer, so giving a ton of flexibility to our customers,” Jack Rozint of Mitchell International said in making the announcement at the latest Collision Industry Conference (CIC), held in Palm Springs.

Rozint was asked if any of its formulas for those items will be changed.

a CIC committee presentation about the committee’s study of 26 vehicles—not connected to any particular automaker nor type of shop—for which significant repair problems were found during a postrepair inspection.

“About 50% of them had moderate to severe frame issues that were unaddressed,” said Daniel Rosenberger of BASF, a committee member.

Dent said the committee’s presentation highlighted the cost of bad repairs to everyone— shops, consumers, insurers and automakers—and demonstrates the need for all segments of the industry to work together on the problem.

“I think insurers and the OEMs probably should take this as an opportunity to get engaged to try to solve this,” he said. “I know that I want to have that conversation for sure. If there are insurers who’d like to share in that, I’d love to have it.”

ADAS-Related Refinish Issues

Another reason for the measurement: It can help document what was done to the vehicle since shops cannot rely solely on a successful calibration of the system as an indication that all refinish procedures were followed.

“We’re going to put our money where our mouth is in that sense because it is important.”

DAN DENT NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY

“If I don’t put it back to the condition that’s asked for by the OEM [and paint manufacturer], it can still pass calibration but not actually read correctly,” Brown said. “So we need to make sure we obtain the repair procedures, and we actually get them [applied] to all cars involved.”

The back of the bumper cover needs to be masked or protected during refinish, Wildman said. “You

Make the Industry a Better Place to Work

Also during CIC in Palm Springs, Andrew Batenhorst, manager of Pacific BMW Collision Center in Glendale, CA, said he personally was “extremely embarrassed and disappointed” at what a survey of collision repair technicians found last year. The survey, commissioned by I-CAR and SCRS, found that among more than 800 responding technicians, only about 7 in 10 said they were satisfied with their career, and as a group they have a negative “net promoter score,” meaning the majority would not recommend the career to friends or family. Only about 15% said their benefits included health insurance, paid time off or a retirement plan, and about a similar percentage said compensation plans lead to skipped steps during repairs.

“Our defaults have not changed at this time,” Rozint said.

Mitchell becomes the third of the Big 3 estimating system providers to provide greater flexibility to users on establishing blend times that differ from the default 50% of full refinish. The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has been among those calling on the information providers for a blend formula change since the association conducted a study in 2022 that showed blending takes more time than a complete panel refinish.

OEM to Check on Certified Shops

In another announcement at CIC, a Nissan Motor Company representative said this spring, the OEM will begin doing repair quality audits at its certified body shops.

“In April, we’re going to start doing inspections to make sure that our shops are doing what they’re told to do per our processes,” said Dan Dent, who oversees the certified collision repair network for Nissan. “We’re going to put our money where our mouth is in that sense because it is important.”

Dent’s announcement followed

Another panel discussion at CIC focused on some of the cautions related to refinishing bumper covers or other parts installed over ADAS-related radar sensors. Jeff Wildman of BASF and Ryan Brown of AkzoNobel noted “radar-approved” colors must not be tinted—doing so can impact the ability of the radar to perform as designed through the finish—and therefore more blending around such parts may be required. Film thickness must be consistent over the radar area—so no blending of base or clear coat can occur over these areas—and total film build must be within the range provided by the automaker and paint manufacturer.

“If it says two coats of base coat, it’s two coats of base coat, not a third coat because I have some paint left in the gun,” Wildman said. “It’s two coats because that third coat could make the radar not work.”

Brown and Wildman agreed the total film build should be measured after refinishing.

“Painters have kind of like a fingerprint or a DNA of how they spray,” Brown said. “And so they’re generally fairly consistent. But across a field of different technicians, they’re all going to be vastly different [from one another]. And whether a part is painted lying out flat or standing up can influence the amount of the paint layer that is on there.”

don’t want lot of overspray on the back of that bumper because that’s adding more material between the radar and whatever is out there that it’s bouncing off of,” he said.

Brown said all of this points to the need to make sure the refinish department has easy access in the paint shop to OEM and paint manufacturer refinish procedures related to underlying radar sensors.

“We really haven’t had a time in years past where the responsibility for refinish technicians has been the safety of the people driving the car,” Brown said.

“We have only one group of people, in my opinion, to blame for the technician shortage, and that’s us right here,” said Batenhorst, who serves on the SCRS Board of Directors. “We have not made this an attractive industry to work in. My food for thought would be: As a CIC body, we may want to consider how we develop leaders and the type of skills that are needed for the current influx of people that are getting into managing shops. Because that to me is the lowest-hanging fruit that’s out there. If you want to see people start coming into our industry, we ought to make it a lovely place to work. And that’s not just pay. It’s not just benefits. It’s how we as leaders make ourselves available, to be involved with quality control, with process, with repairs, with all aspects of running a shop. And to me, it was disappointing to see that kind of feedback come through on that survey.”

Batenhorst urged shops—whether at CIC or not—to take the issue seriously.

“The answers are out there. It’s just up to us if we’re going to make a difference or not,” he said, drawing applause from CIC attendees.

Ryan Brown of AkzoNobel, left, and Jeff Wildman of BASF, center, discussed ADAS-related refinish issues during a panel discussion moderated by Aaron Schulenburg, right

Andrew Batenhorst, manager of a Southern California shop, said the findings of a survey of 800 technicians show the industry could do a lot to improve working conditions for employees

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Since 2004, we have brought four different generations of the Mini-Ductor® to the automotive aftermarket industry. From our original Mini-Ductor® to our latest cutting-edge model of the Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP, we are firmly established as the trendsetters for removing components without having to risk the use of an open flame or chemicals.

The Evolution of Mini-Ductor®

From the beginning, Induction Innovations has revolutionized induction heating tools for the automotive aftermarket industry. We consistently lead the way in induction heating technology, culminating in our prestigious Mini-Ductor® Series.

1. Mini-Ductor® MD-600 (2004-2012) – Our pioneering model set the pace. Introduced in 2004, it provided techs a taste of the revolution to come.

2. Mini-Ductor® II (2009) – A leap forward with the upgraded Mini-Ductor® II boasted a more robust design, readily available parts, and safety certification.

3. Mini-Ductor® Venom® (2016) – Takes ergonomics to the next level. Weighing in under 3 lbs., this model was the lightest handheld induction heater on the market. With a patented twist lock design, our model is streamlined and functional. The first three generations of the Mini-Ductor® run on 1000 watts, allowing it to heat most applications quickly without worrying about collateral damage.

4. Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP (2020) – Power redefined. Packing a hefty 1800-watt punch, this latest release can quickly heat a bolt in 3-5 seconds, making work more efficient and faster.

Why Mini is Better

Induction Innovations’ Mini-Ductor® series was meant to free up components quickly using induction heat. When applied to ferrous metals such as iron and steel, an eddy current heats them within a mere 3-15 seconds. Our products leverage this by exciting the molecules, harnessing the resistance they emit to rapidly heat applications to free them up.

With the Mini-Ductor® series, you can tackle challenges like Loctite, rust, and more. Seized components are quickly freed up, saving time and frustration. Our Mini-Ductor® line is designed to help techs cut down on ticket times and say “Forget the Torch!”

The Bottom Line

At Induction Innovations, we’re not just vendors; we’re trailblazers – and give you precision, safety, and heat all without the flame. As the original innovators, we see the handheld induction heater as both a technological marvel and a practical utility. Try any of the superior Mini-Ductor® series for safe, reliable, and precise heat, when and where you need it. You’ll be amazed! Join the evolution and see where we leap forward next.

For more information visit us at www.theinductor.com or give us a call at 877-688-9633.

Collision Repair Industry to Be Influenced by Supply Chain, Vehicle Complexity in 2024

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

The collision repair industry is poised for another year of change in 2024, according to Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International.

Mandell was the featured guest for CIECA’s first webinar of the year, “Top Collision Industry Trends to Watch in 2024,” held Jan. 25 and available for viewing on at www.cieca. com/MEETINGS-EVENTS/ciecastwebinars.

Mandell said the four biggest factors affecting the industry this year will be the used vehicle market dynamics, increased vehicle complexity driving up repair costs, supply chain volatility and continued growth of electric vehicles’ share of the car parc. Used Vehicle Market Mandell said the used vehicle market is being affected by inflation, which is predicted to hit 2.4% in 2024, and high interest rates, which show little chance of declining this year. That affects customers’ ability to finance all types of loans, but especially ones to buy vehicles.

In 2023, total loss frequency was 19.2%, Mandell said. As vehicle values rose, repairers had more room to fix crash-damaged vehicles instead of writing them off. As vehicle values stabilize, Mandell said, total loss frequency will start to increase again.

“2024 is most likely going to be less volatile than recent years,” Mandell said, adding there are “so many variables at play here, we could see an increase in volatility if other things change.”

Increased Complexity

The increased complexity of vehicles – including more technology and a shift to lightweight materials to absorb crash energy and improve EV range and ICE fuel efficiency – is the biggest item driving changes.

Mandell said while data from 2023 is not yet complete, it has already shown a 6% increase in average severity in the U.S. and 9% in Canada compared to 2022.

As repairs get more complex, they average more labor hours to complete – while the average labor rate also increases, showing a one-year 6% increase in the U.S. in 2023, after remaining static sometimes for years at a time.

The cost of parts is also going up – in 2022, the cost of aftermarket parts rose 17%, while OEM parts

rose 10% — as is the average number of replacement parts per repair, up almost one full part in a single year as more systems require being brought back to pre-accident condition.

“It’s a perfect storm in terms of cost drivers that are contributing,” Mandell said.

In 2024, the average severity is forecast to be around $5,300 in the U.S. and $5,700 in Canada.

the downstream impacts on parts availability halfway through 2024. End user costs will likely rise as well as the average cost to move a shipping container increases.

“This new wave of supply chain disruption’s overall impact remains to be seen,” Mandell said. “Look at an action plan – repairing more parts, finding different sources. We need to have those conversations.”

EV Growth will Continue

As the number of EVs on the roads grows, so too is the number coming into repair shops.

ICE vehicles – but the likelihood of air bag deployment in an EV higher.

Mandell showed the results of a study conducted by Mitchell to compare repair costs for a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and a 2022 Ford F-150 XLT that had each suffered a moderate front end impact.

Both trucks needed a new bumper assembly, grille assembly, headlamps and a hood panel, and the left and right fenders blended.

Lightweight materials like aluminum, carbon fiber and magnesium can be repairable, but are more likely to crack than dent, requiring replacement. Mandell said currently 54% of lightweight metal parts are repaired, compared to 58% of mild steel.

Scanning is also on the rise. In 2023, 76% of vehicles repaired in the U.S. and 85% in Canada required a pre- and post-scan. About 35% of repaired vehicles in 2024 will require calibrations.

“How do you bring this into your business?” Mandell said. “You have to decide to make the investment to do it in house or partner with a third party, considering cost, cycle time and throughput.”

The Supply Chain

After seeing some improvement in supply chain woes in 2022, recent events, including the six-week UAW strike in late 2023 and current geopolitical conflicts in the Red Sea, could “really put a wrench in those trends,” Mandell said.

About 12% of global cargo goes through the Red Sea. Attacks on cargo ships has led some companies to use longer routes to avoid it, or bring in naval ships to escort them through.

“This will affect shipping times and cost,” Mandell said. “The rest of the network is going to be stressed. It has a snowball effect, and I think we will be grappling with it for some time.”

Mandell said he expects to see

Mandell said the average cost of repair of an EV is 37% higher compared to ICE vehicles, but there is a caveat –  the average EV is only 3 years old, compared to 6.5 years for ICE vehicles. The average cost is only 14.5% higher when compared to ICE vehicles that are model year 2020 or newer. A lack of moving parts make EVs less likely to be determined non-drivable after a crash – 10.5% of EVs vs. 14.1% of

The Lightning’s replacement parts were more expensive, and it had an additional grille reinforcement and a bumper isolator, not present on the XLT. The Lightning also required the battery to be removed before the bake cycle in the paint booth, which added 3.5 labor hours. In all, the Lightning cost $3,500 more to repair than the XLT.

“EVs have less moving parts but more crash parts,” Mandell said. “The internal combustion engine in the XLT is integral in crash energy absorption, so they need to find other ways to absorb that in EVs. Adding these parts closer to exterior parts of EVs makes them more susceptible to damage.”

As used vehicle values stabilize in 2024, total loss frequency will start to increase again. Image via Shutterstock.

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in 2023 is even more pronounced.

State Farm and Allstate, two Illinois-based insurers, led these rate increases, raising rates by $364 million and $210 million respectively. Since 2022, these increases amount to almost $2.4 billion, with State Farm and Allstate alone accounting for a significant portion of this rise.

This pattern of escalating costs comes despite Illinois being one of only two states where regulators lack the authority to reject or modify excessive insurance rates. The other state with similar regulatory limitations is Wyoming, the least populous state in the U.S.

“Illinois car insurance customers deserve the same basic consumer protections most Americans take for granted,” said Abe Scarr , director of the Illinois PIRG Education Fund. “2023 should be the last year insurance companies can raise our rates by anywhere near—let alone more than—a billion dollars without scrutiny from the public and regulators.”

These recent hikes follow a period where insurers reportedly

overcharged customers during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, the top four insurance companies by Illinois market share—State Farm, GEICO, Progressive and Allstate—earned approximately $500 million more than necessary to maintain their 2019 profit levels.

Despite returning about $220 million to customers in 2020 under public pressure, these companies still profited significantly from the pandemic, leading to calls for greater regulatory oversight.

In response to these increases, the Illinois Coalition for Fair Car Insurance Rates, along with state Rep. Will Guzzardi , D-39, and Sen. Javier Cervantes , D-1, introduced legislation to empower the Illinois Department of Insurance to oversee and potentially modify excessive car insurance rate hikes.

“These premium increases fall on the backs of the families who can least afford to pay more,” Guzzardi

said. “We need rules to make sure the car insurance industry is accountable, transparent and fair in setting its rates.”

The Illinois General Assembly has already passed legislation empowering the Department of Insurance to regulate rate hikes in the individual and small business health insurance market. Cervantes emphasized the need for similar oversight in the car insurance sector, especially given the discriminatory impact of nondriving-related factors in rate setting.

Illinoisans are also grappling with steep hikes in homeowners insurance rates, with an increase of 20% to 30% since January 2022, one of the sharpest in the country.

The Illinois PIRG Education Fund’s analysis was based on more than 300 filings by the top 10 insurance companies.

kcashman@autobodynews.com 800-699-8251

Gerber Collision Abandons Plan For IL Location

By David Giuliani Patch

Gerber Collision & Glass, based in Elmhurst, IL, is abandoning its plan to convert an old CVS Pharmacy in Darien, IL, into an auto body shop. In November, a divided Darien City Council approved the shop, despite opposition from neighbors who later sued the city. In a letter to the city Feb. 1, the company said it was confirming it would not develop the site southeast of Lemont Road and 83rd Street. In an email Feb. 5, City Administrator Bryon Vana told Patch the city attorney and other lawyers will meet to discuss the litigation and the special use permit the city approved for the site. In January, the city’s attorney, John Murphey, asked a DuPage County judge to throw out the lawsuit, saying the neighbors failed to detail how the auto body shop would hurt them. The neighbors’ attorney, Elizabeth Uribe of Downers Grove, could not be reached for immediate comment.

By Zachary Viscont Teslarati

Rental car company Hertz has halted its plans to purchase EVs from Polestar, on the heels of slowing down its electrification strategy by selling off some of the EVs it already owned.

After a filing in January revealed Hertz decided to cut its EV fleet by around 20,000 vehicles, CEO Stephen Scherr reportedly asked Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath to pause purchases in 2024, according to a report from the Financial Times. Ingenlath said the automaker agreed to waive requirements to purchase a certain number of Polestar EVs this year, so long as Hertz agrees to avoid selling the vehicles early, or for significantly cheaper than they were purchased.

According to Ingenlath, the companies agreed Hertz would “keep the cars longer than a year, we work with them, and we have the right to first refusal whenever

Hertz Pausing Polestar Purchases in Shift from EVs Do you know Bob?

they want to take them out of the fleet.”

Polestar has sold Hertz about 13,000 of the 65,000 units agreed upon in the 2022 deal. Despite the pause on 2024 sales, Ingenlath said the companies have a “clear intention” to reintroduce large-scale Polestar sales in the future, though they’ll “have to review at the time” whether to reboot the company’s EV sales in 2025.

In January, Hertz started selling off some of its Tesla inventory, ahead of the company’s filing stating it was looking to slash its EV fleet.

The news comes just days after reports suggested Polestar’s parent company, Volvo, could be preparing to off-load Polestar, with Volvo owner Geely set to take over. It also comes after Polestar announced plans to cut around 15% of its global workforce, and just months after the automaker entered production of the Polestar 4 crossover SUV.

Script Sign

sheet steel. More than 10 students worked on the 6,000-hour project, which took approximately nine school months to complete. Eight weeks were spent finishing and painting.

“The Auburn teachers and students pulled their talents together to make this happen,” said Superintendent Brian Bontempo.

Among the students who worked on the project was Nathan Suszynski, of the Chardon School District. Suszynski said the project was challenging in many ways. When asked how it felt to be a part of this and knowing it will be enjoyed by many, he stated he felt proud.

“The wrapping of each letter was a huge challenge for the students to overcome,” said welding instructor Jared Rogge. “It is very tedious. People can’t believe this was done by high school students, from the design and craftsmanship to the finished product. They knocked it out of the park, and it’s absolutely stunning.”

Once the welding students were finished with their part, automotive

collision repair students handled the finishing touches and painted it. Ace Locher, of Chardon Schools, as well as Logan Crissey and Alexander Skory, both of Riverside Schools, were the lead ACR students on the project.

The students stated it was amazing how much they learned and how their skills grew while working on the sign, and how they kept raising their standards.

“It’s not every day you can get 17- to 18-year-old kids to stay focused on a job this tedious with no instant gratification,” said ACR instructor Justin Bruno. “It was week in and week out. I’m proud of these students and their dedication and maturity to see it through.”

According to Wickliffe Mayor Joe Sakacs, the sign is either going to be in front of Coulby Mansion or in front of the pond at Coulby Park so that, at either location, it will be able to be seen by motorists on Ridge Road.

“Auburn Career Center has gone above and beyond,” Sakacs said. “This is just another piece in making Wickliffe perfect.”

The city service department is slated to install the sign in the near future.

Bob’s a Shop Manager. Age 37.

He hasn’t looked in the mirror and seen the ambitious young man he used to be in years. He’s stuck at the shop trying to troubleshoot DTC codes, pulling his hair out and missing target delivery dates.

Don’t be like Bob, switch to AirPro for your total ADAS Calibrations and

Stacey Phillips Ronak — Solving the Tech Shortage

Caliber Collision Technician Apprentice Program Shows Tremendous Growth

Like others who want to make a difference in the collision industry, Caliber Collision recognized the critical need to address the technician shortage.

“We’re all affected by it,” said Eddie Hightower, Caliber’s senior vice president of sustainability/social responsibility. “The industry, drivers and policyholders are all impacted by not having enough technicians.”

Hightower said Caliber realized this problem would not get better unless someone took action.

now leads TAP.

The program consists of 16 competencies based on I-CAR training. It typically takes apprentices about 10 months to one year to complete.

About three to four months into the program, apprentices begin helping their mentors work on production vehicles. They must demonstrate they meet the required competencies before graduating.

However, the training doesn’t end there. Apprentices are watched closely for the next six months to ensure

“Given our position in the industry, we felt a special obligation to do our part,” he said.

After much research and discussion, the company created the Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) in 2022. The program was spearheaded by Yohanna Peet, Caliber’s TAP’s senior program manager.

“Scaling TAP across our organization is one of my proudest career moments,” said Peet. “I had the opportunity to engage with teammates across the country to understand what was important to them through their journey in TAP.”

She said the bottom line for all is purpose.

“Our mentors felt a responsibility to develop the next generation of technicians,” she said. “Many of them shared the same sentiment, ‘Someone taught me; now it’s my turn to teach.’ For many of us, TAP is our opportunity to give back to this industry that has given so many of us, so much.”

TAP was formally launched that year to Caliber’s 30,000 teammates at 1,700 locations in 40 states.

Unlike other industry programs, Hightower said TAP is focused on skills development.

“It is a competency-based program that is somewhat different from some of the other time-based programs available that are two to three years in length,” explained Hightower, who

vehicles are repaired to pre-accident condition and are safe to drive.

“We want to make sure that our apprentices know how to do the job of a technician,” said Hightower.

As the program began rolling out, experienced technicians were asked to help train body helpers to become fullfledged technicians.

Hightower said they pass on knowledge and expertise daily but often don’t realize they are doing it. By formalizing the program, supporting mentor techs and incentivizing them with a bonus, Caliber is finding mentors with much success.

After experiencing what it is like to help an apprentice, Hightower said mentors typically look forward to working with their next mentee.

“Our mentor techs benefit from the program because they have a person working on their team who is actually turning a wrench,” he said.

Another difference compared to other industry programs is apprentices are paid more than the typical entrylevel wage. They also receive health benefits and are eligible for a 401(k) retirement program with a company match. Upon graduating, they are provided with a tool allowance as a gift.

“They receive the benefits of being an actual teammate from day one, and when they graduate, their earning potential is around $70,000,” said Hightower.

Apprentices earn I-CAR and welding certifications, as well as the EPA AC certification.

Caliber has found these benefits have helped reduce the turnover rate among technicians.

Hightower said the program has really taken off; the goal is to continue building it out.

In its inaugural year, Caliber graduated more than 250 techs. In 2023, more than three times that number of technicians completed the program. About two-thirds of Caliber’s locations are now participating in TAP, which equates to 2,000 active apprentices teamed up with 2,000 mentors.

With the technician shortage worsening, Caliber’s goal is to continue producing 2,000 technicians a year for the industry.

“The only limiting factor is having enough mentors and technicians to fill the need,” he noted.

Throughout the country, field recruiters visit high schools and trade schools looking for participants.

Although the average age of apprentices is 18 to 21 years old, there are older participants looking to change careers, such as those in the technology sector. Caliber has also found many women interested in careers as technicians.

For students who are looking for a hands-on career focused on art and technology, Hightower said this is a perfect fit.

“We call them artisans because they can look at a crumpled fender on a car and see what they can produce,” he said.

Hightower said this is a big deal to apprentices.

“These are lifelong skills that are fully transferable,” said Hightower. “We’re changing their lives by setting them up with a skill they own.”

Landon learned about TAP while attending the collision repair program

at Tennessee College of Applied Technology. He has been enrolled in Caliber’s program for about a year.

“I have learned many of the nuances and procedures essential for the best outcomes possible while also managing my workflow and time,” he said. “Better time management leaves more room to produce better work.”

Since joining TAP and being paired with a mentor, Landon said he feels as if he can accomplish twice as much in the same amount of time without stress.

Gabriel, who has been at Caliber for nearly six years and currently works at Caliber Milpitas in California, decided to become a mentor to share his knowledge with the younger generation.

“As an apprentice myself in this industry, I understand how hard it is not having a mentor to help me improve,” said Gabriel. “I wanted to make a change by being there for someone like me.”

Gabriel has worked with a few apprentices, demonstrating basic teardowns and repair methods.

“We start with plastic welding and repairing bumpers, then move on to dents and using the correct tools to pull,” he explained. “I teach apprentices how to remove spot welds without damaging panels and allow them to practice.”

Gabriel shows apprentices how to rack up cars correctly on the frame machine when learning how to do sheet metal pulls. He encourages apprentices to keep an open mind when repairing vehicles and stresses the importance of organization and quality.

“I teach each apprentice the seriousness of safety while repairing vehicles, and that includes disconnecting batteries to make sure that we are safe during repairs,” he said.

Gabriel stressed the importance of mentoring the next generation by building their confidence.

“That way, when they go out on their own, they know they can do their work and not question their ability,” he said.

TAP was formally launched in 2022 to Caliber’s 30,000 teammates at 1,700 locations in 40 states.

About two-thirds of Caliber’s locations are now participating in the Caliber Technician Apprentice Program.

Caliber’s goal is to produce 2,000 technicians a year for the industry.

California Techs Get a Jumpstart on Tools Thanks To Toby Chess

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

When Mike Schaffer joined Selman Chevrolet in Orange, CA, as the collision center manager in 2012, he implemented the True2Form Collision Repair

specifically look for good people. We do not hire for aptitude; we hire for attitude and teach aptitude.”

He said taking this approach helps extend the careers of their best, most experienced people.

However, Schaffer said it can be challenging to confirm if they are good people and typically has

apprentice program at the 72-yearold dealership. Since then, he has focused his attention on attracting and retaining technicians.

“There is no shortage of good people,” said Schaffer. “We

employees begin helping in the detail department to ensure they will show up for work and be worth training.

He also finds it challenging to be profitable with an apprentice

within 30 days. As a result, the team teaches basic skills and efficiency.

“Giving each equal focus allows us to keep training and making money,” noted Schaffer.

Schaffer met Toby Chess when the first I-CAR welding certification class was held at Selman.

In support of Schaffer’s apprentice program, Chess provided tools and training to Schaffer’s apprentices.

“Toby is very supportive and inspirational to the new folks and the team leaders alike,” said Schaffer. “He includes everyone equally and goes out of his way to teach young and old alike.”

To encourage shop owners and managers to develop apprentice programs, Chess supplies a set of tools to the helper and asks shop owners to provide toolboxes. He also shares best practices documents he created that can be used in conjunction with OEM repair procedures and proper personal protective equipment.

Does your facility have an apprenticeship program in place? Autobody News would like to learn more. Email aandrews@ autobodynews.com.

Hunter Wins Optimizely Award

Hunter Engineering announced it was named a winner in the Optimizely 2023 Customer Awards contest, in the “Greatest Use of Technology” category.

The organization-wide award recognizes customers who have deployed and maintained a technology ecosystem with Optimizely at the center of their digital planning and execution.

Optimizely is one of the largest digital experience platform companies in the world. Hunter employed several Optimizely products to help provide exceptional customer experiences. With the assistance of Optimizely CMS, Hunter’s corporate website, Hunter.com, saw a 70% increase in monthly average pageviews.

A large portion of this growth was driven by the HunterNet® 2 portal built within Optimizely, where customers log in for personalized data about the Hunter equipment installed at their business, as well as valuable information for technicians and service writers.

Mike Schaffer, center, with Alondra Salgado and her mentor Phat Troung, left, and Melissa Perez and her mentor Rod Perez, right.

Lawmakers: Probe Supply Chain of Michigan EV Plant

By Scott McClallen The Center Square

A letter urges an investigation into suppliers of a Ford electric vehicle plant in Marshall, MI.

Republican U.S. Reps. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, chairman of the House Select Committee on the CCP, and Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Washington, chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, signed the letter.

The lawmakers are urging an investigation into four companies allegedly supplying goods and services to the People’s Liberation Army, the government of North Korea, China’s Ministry of Public Security, companies engaged in the genocide of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang and companies already on the Commerce Entity List.

Reuters first reported the letter written to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo urging the probe would “safeguard American interests, supply chains, and the billions of taxpayer dollars that the CATL-Ford facility will receive.”

The letter follows the committee’s

investigation into the proposed partnership between Ford and Chinese battery maker Contemporary Amperex Co. Limited (CATL), Ford’s “technical service provider.”

The Ford site was set to receive a $1.75 billion subsidy, including $630 million in site infrastructure development, $772 million in tax credits over 15 years, a $120 million grant through the Michigan Strategic Site Readiness Program, a $210 million grant through the Michigan Critical Industry Program and $36 million through the Jobs for Michigan Investment Fund Loan Program before it cut 800 jobs amid weak demand for EVs.

The lawmakers sent a similar letter to U.S. Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Ford President and CEO James Farley. The latter requested an interview by Feb. 5.

“We respectfully request that Ford make available for an interview a company official who will be able to speak with us about the due diligence Ford conducted before and after it entered into the agreements with CATL,” the letter said.

The letter says four PRC companies are involved in the proposed U.S. battery facility’s design, construction and information technology processes.

data flows iPaaS tools are designed to facilitate.”

Ford’s Richard Binhammer, with corporate and public policy communications told The Center Square in an email the company welcomes any information about supply chain integrity.

“It is unconscionable for Ford to purchase critical IT infrastructure from a Chinese company that facilitate sanctions evasion activity on behalf of the North Korean government,” the letter said. “Indeed, this poses significant cybersecurity risks, including the potential for malicious actors to exploit the very connections and

“We’ve been helping the committees understand this Ford wholly owned and operated project,” Binhammer wrote. “Ford has always been and remains fully committed to following all government regulations across our business. Beyond legal requirements, Ford suppliers are required to meet our high standards and codes of conducts, including those to protect human rights, and are obligated to extend those requirements to suppliers with whom they might work. We welcome any information from any source concerning the integrity of our supply chains and partners.”

Ford plans to produce lithium iron phosphate batteries at the plant starting in 2026.

MSOs Use Variety of Models For Handling Scanning, Calibration Work

ByJohn Yoswick Autobody News

As collision repair businesses of all sizes navigate how to best handle the growing amount of scanning and calibration work required on a daily basis, there’s indications there is no one best solution for all.

Among five multiple shop operators (MSOs) represented during a recent panel discussion of the topic, for example, each is handling calibration work in different ways, or combination of ways: mobile providers, their own stand-alone calibration centers, in-house at a subset of their locations, etc.

Moderating the panel at the MSO Symposium held in conjunction with the SEMA Show, Dan Risley of CCC Intelligent Solutions asked the panelists to discuss why they’ve chosen the model they have.

Crash Champions, which operates more than 600 shops in three dozen states, started a separate company, Automotive Technology Experts (ATE), doing mobile calibrations onsite for its shops that have the necessary site conditions, like a level floor, as well as doing some calibration work remotely.

Huggins, national collision director, was asked if those shops sublet their ADAS calibration work to the dealerships’ service departments.

“Absolutely not,” Huggins said. “In a dealer model, we’re all about trying to keep our work in-house, right? Even though we are a dealer, service operates in a different world than we do. And if you ever have to, as a dealer, send it to the service department, they have a tendency to take too long to do it. Even a basic alignment. Our mechanics in our own [collision] shops and our own collision centers are so busy, we don’t even really use our own mechanics for scanning and calibration. We have 19 of our 32 centers that have their own Tru-Point [ADAS calibration system] at this point and do all their own calibrations.”

without mechanical departments to do scanning and basic calibration work.

“All the more difficult, demanding calibrations go to our calibration center,” he said.

The company has invested heavily into calibration work because it’s too big a part of the overall repair not to.

“I remember a few years ago reading an article quoting a representative from one of the vehicle manufacturers who said, in the future, 60% of the cost of repairs will revolve around new technologies. And I’m not sure when ‘in the future’ is, or how you exactly measure that, but I found that terribly compelling. I was thinking to myself: How do you explain subletting 60% of your work in the future? To me,

that didn’t seem like a promising way to approach collision repair long term.”

Having the company’s employees conduct most calibration work has helped production even more than expected, he said.

“One of the things we’ve learned is we can cycle cars quicker than we thought,” Amberson said. “We can do more [calibration work] than what we first thought. We can do most jobs certainly within a day, and many of them same day.”

He said lots of other collision repair businesses tour LaMettry’s calibration center and ask what piece of equipment they should buy.

“I’m thinking to myself: We’ve got five calibration stations representing four different brands,” Amberson said. “This is not for the faint of heart, especially if you’re going to service all the major brands. So keep in mind, while we talk about all these advantages [of doing your own calibration work], it’s not for everybody. Maybe you’re a smaller shop. Maybe you can address certain brands. Maybe you can handle certain equipment. But if you’re going to be really serious about it and address all situations and all brands, it’s a large, large task.”

“We wanted to keep as much [business] as we can in-house,” said John Panagopoulos of ATE. “But it’s also customer satisfaction and cycle time. It’s quicker.”

ATE was founded as a separate business because it’s a different type of business, he said.

“A lot of times, folks who are running collision repair centers want to try to operate a [calibration] business kind of similar to collision repair, but it’s completely different, especially when you go mobile,” Panagopoulos said. “The technicians aren’t the same. The technology is different. Pricing systems. Everything we do is just a completely different business model.”

Not Using Dealership Service Departments

New-car dealer Berkshire Hathaway Automotive operates 32 collision centers around the country. Darren

How have they found staff for that work?

“We’ve had really good luck finding gamers that are in their parents’ basement that want to live there forever,” Huggins joked. “And they might Uber to work, but they’ll come because they’re really interested in technology. So we’ve had really good luck finding these type of people and training them to be our calibration scanning technicians. We’re really pretty much staying to our core business, and we’ve kind of created our own department within our department, and it’s working really well for us.”

Does the company using a huband-spoke model for their collision shops without a Tru-Point?

“No, not really,” Huggins said. “We’re partnered with asTech, so they’ll have mobile services for us, or there are some situations where asTech actually has an in-shop technician that will take care of that.”

Smaller Chain Keeping Work InHouse

Darrell Amberson of LaMettry’s Collision said that company has a mechanical department in four of its 10 locations in Minnesota, along with two stand-alone mechanical shops and a calibration center. The company sends employees into its locations

Darren Huggins of Berkshire Hathaway Automotive said the company has specialty departments within its 32 collision centers to handle calibration work.

A panel discussion about calibration work included, from left, John Panagopoulos, Darrell Amberson, panel moderator Dan Risley and Darren Huggins.

John Panagopoulos said Crash Champions started a separate company, Automotive Technology Experts, to do mobile calibrations onsite for its shops.

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Michigan Veteran’s Life Transformed by Donated Vehicle

Joseph Brewer, a U.S. Army veteran from Fenton, MI, was recently presented with a refurbished 2019 Chevy Equinox through the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program, along with partners Citizens Insurance and CARSTAR Ellis Brothers Collision.

Brewer, who served honorably in the Army, is the sole provider for his family, which includes his wife and three children. The family’s previous vehicle, nearly a decade old, was unreliable and inadequate for their needs, particularly for commuting to work and attending crucial medical appointments for the children. The new vehicle promises to provide the Brewers with dependable transportation, facilitating access to employment and educational opportunities.

“The No. 1 reason that we get involved in a program like the NABC Recycled Rides is to give back to our community,” said Dave Ellis, owner of CARSTAR Ellis Brothers Collision. “In this case we are giving back to a

veteran, which is something near and dear to my heart. My brother is a Marine, and to all the veterans out there I just want to say – thank you!”

The presentation, which took place at the CARSTAR Ellis Brothers location in Milford, MI, included an additional surprise from The Hanover Insurance Group and the Michigan Community Insurance agency staff. They filled the vehicle with automotive essentials and gift cards for gas and other necessities.

“I very much appreciate my car,” said Brewer. “This will help me get my wife and kids safely back and forth to work and to school. This is just phenomenal what you all have done. You guys are the real heroes!”

The NABC Recycled Rides program, since its inception in 2007, has brought together various stakeholders from the collision repair industry to donate more than 3,300 vehicles, valued at approximately $47 million, to individuals and families in need.

In an effort to refine its brand presence and keep pace with luxury market dynamics, Lincoln announced Jan. 25 it closed approximately 100 U.S. dealerships last year, a record number for the company, as it aims to realign its retail footprint with that of other premium brands. Lincoln, the luxury arm of the Ford Motor Co., is undergoing this transformation through individual negotiations with dealers, said Anika SalcedaWycoco, a spokesperson for Lincoln. However, details of these buyouts remain undisclosed. The decision follows a period where Lincoln’s U.S. sales dipped by 2% in 2023, reaching nearly 82,000 vehicles, contrasting with a 9% increase in Cadillac sales and a near 24% surge for Lexus.

“Our priority is to be where the luxury clients are and where the luxury market is,” said SalcedaWycoco. The reduction in dealership count is part of a broader, multi-year consolidation strategy. Lincoln ended 2023 with about 500 dealerships, a significant decrease

from 685 in 2021. The brand’s goal is to bring this number down to approximately 400 by the end of this year. This shift is also seen in the brand’s focus on exclusive, luxury experience-oriented dealerships. Currently, Lincoln boasts 164 brand-exclusive locations, including 58 boutique-style “vitrine” stores, with plans to add 23 more this year.

The trend of dealership closures is not unique to Lincoln. Buick, part of General Motors Co., reported a 47% reduction in its dealer count after initiating a buyout program in 2022. This program brought down Buick’s U.S. dealers from 2,000. Cadillac also saw a significant reduction in its dealer count through a similar initiative. Automotive News initially reported these developments in the luxury automobile sector, highlighting the industry’s ongoing adjustments to meet changing consumer preferences and market conditions. Lincoln’s move mirrors a broader trend in the luxury automotive market, focusing on quality and exclusivity over quantity.

Car ADAS Solutions Announces New Licensee in Minnesota

Car ADAS Solutions, a leading provider of Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) calibration technology and services, announced the addition of a new licensee location owned by C.J. Peeters, Minnesota ADAS Solutions in Waite Park, MN.

C.J. opened his first location, Fargo ADAS Solutions, in Fargo, ND, in September 2022. His second facility began operating in October 2023.

“I decided to join as a licensee to become an expert in the ADAS calibration center business,” said Peeters, who worked in the education and coaching field prior to opening the calibration center.

“C.J.’s passion and the sole focus of his locations revolve around vehicle safety systems which are in perfect alignment with our core purpose of ‘Protecting lives by verifying that vehicle safety systems perform as engineered,’” said Kevin Caruso, COO of Car ADAS Solutions.

Before C.J.’s father, Greg Peeters, established Car ADAS Solutions in 2020, they discussed the business model for months.

“I really wanted to test the process and model myself,” said C.J. Peeters. “It has been a great partnership.”

After deciding to open an ADAS calibration facility, Peeters began using Car ADAS Solutions’ 12 key elements. These include market evaluation, real estate assistance, finding equipment and tools, technician certification, marketing, proprietary management software, quality control and more.

“Car ADAS Solutions has a methodical, specific plan from start to finish,” he explained. “It is mapped out even before you become a licensee.”

Peeters said this has been very beneficial to his company.

“Similar to any new business, you have to troubleshoot constantly,” he said. “Without Car ADAS Solutions’ expert help and daily support, we would not be able to grow or succeed as we have.”

Peeters has found the support and information-sharing with other Car ADAS Solutions locations have been very beneficial.

“I have approached this adventure with a growth mindset,

trying to learn how shops operate and identifying pain points along the way from an outsider’s perspective,” noted Peeters. “Through this experience, I have learned that those systems are responsible for keeping drivers, passengers and other vehicles on the road safe.”

the industry.

“There is only one way to calibrate correctly,” said Peeters. “There is a particular environment that needs to be maintained, a very specific process with documentation that needs to be carried out, and then tested to ensure a safe vehicle is being returned to its original condition.”

Peeters has also realized there is so much more to the business than software, equipment, billing or location. As a result, his team works with the Car ADAS Solutions team daily to ensure they are correctly setting up, running and growing their facilities.

Since learning about the collision industry, Peeters said he now understands the importance of performing an ADAS calibration and stresses the importance of setting calibration standards for

“If they can educate me without a background in the automotive industry, I am confident their process and support can help anyone,” he said. “The team has been there for me and other licensees every step of the way to ensure a successful business with ethical, accurate calibrations without compromising safety.”

C.J. Peeters opened Minnesota ADAS Solutions in Waite Park, MN, in October.

Please contact these dealers for your Honda or Acura Genuine parts needs.

HONDA

ILLINOIS

Honda of Lisle

Lisle

866-874-6632

630-437-5299

Dept Hours: M-F 7-5 WholesaleParts@HondaofLisle com

INDIANA

Bob Rohrman Honda

Lafayette

765-588-9984

765-448-1000

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3

Brho partsmgr@rohrman com

MICHIGAN

Suburban Honda

Farmington Hills

248-427-7996

Dept Hours: M, Thu 7-8; Tue, W, F 7-6; Sat 8-3 nowiesny@suburbancollection�com

Victory Honda

Plymouth

800-824-4646

734-453-3600

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 8-4 Robert rosenau@victorytoyota com

ACURA

ILLINOIS

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove Morton Grove

847-470-2308

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-4 acparts@mcgrathag com

KANSAS

Jay Wolfe Acura of Overland Park

Overland Park

913-648-2287

Dept Hours: M-F 7-5; Sat 8-4 wozburn@jaywolfe�com

Ziegler Honda

Kalamazoo

855-513-4477

269-585-5812

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-2 glenloubsky@ziegler com

Brookdale Honda

Brooklyn Center

800-899-8900

763-331-6880

Dept Hours: M-Thu 7-9; F 7-6; Sat 8-6 parts@lutherbrookdalehonda com

Luther Hopkins Honda

Hopkins

800-328-6016

952-908-8585

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 parts@hopkinshonda�com

Richfield-Bloomington Honda

Richfield

800-328-2703

612-866-8197

Dept Hours: M-Thu 6:30-7; F 6:30-6; Sat 6:30-5 parts@rbhonda com

MICHIGAN

Acura of Troy Troy

800-935-0923

248-643-0900

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6 parts286@acuraoftroy com parts287@acuraoftroy com

MINNESOTA

Luther Bloomington Acura Bloomington

800-451-5078

952-887-0600

Dept� Hours: M 6:30-6; Tue-F 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonacura com

MISSOURI

Bommarito Honda

Hazelwood

800-731-8270

314-731-8270

Dept Hours: M-Sat 7-6 cmelvin@bommarito net

Ed Napleton Honda

St Peters

800-875-4190

636-928-4400

Dept� Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 gethondaparts@napleton com

Columbia Honda

Columbia

573-818-3650

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-4 gropp@columbiahonda com

Honda of Tiffany Springs

Kansas City

816-452-3221

Dept� Hours: M-Fri 7-6; Sat 7-2 parts@hondats com

NEBRASKA

Superior Honda Omaha

Omaha

402-408-1100

Dept Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 7-5

OHIO

Columbia Acura

Cincinnati 844-677-4902

513-530-0698

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-12 columbiaparts@email com

OHIO

Apostolakis Honda

Cortland

800-900-4600

330-638-3060

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@apostolakisauto com

Jay Honda

Bedford

800-509-9057

440-786-3363

Dept� Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4 jayhondaparts@gmail com

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

Toyota Issues ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning For 50,000 Older Vehicles

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A Toyota Takata airbag recall announcement warns owners of these older models to stop driving their vehicles until they are repaired:

• 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla

• 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix (Toyota Matrix)

• 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4

About 50,000 vehicles are involved in the Toyota Takata airbag recall do not drive warning.

Calling the airbag recall “URGENT,” Toyota said the airbags could explode and shoot metal fragments into vehicle occupants, primarily due to the age of the vehicles.

Toyota Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 owners should stop driving the vehicles and call their dealerships.

A Toyota dealer can visit the location of the vehicle and perform a mobile repair, or an owner can arrange to have the vehicle towed to the dealership for free.

Toyota will cover the cost of vehicle pickup and delivery.

Toyota will repair or replace the airbags, and owners can learn if their vehicles are affected by visiting Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Toyota RAV4 owners with questions or concerns may call the automaker at 800-331-4331.

Illinois County Boosts Small Businesses With $50M in Grants

Cook County in Illinois unveiled a substantial $50 million grant initiative, part of the Cook County Small Business Source program, to inject vitality and sustainability into the small business sector.

Fifty-four small businesses from Arlington Heights, IL, have been selected to receive grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, to “foster resiliency in the post-pandemic economy,” according to Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle’s office. With more than 16,000 applications reviewed, the selection process was rigorous, involving a lottery to ensure fairness and transparency among the pool of eligible applicants.

Among the businesses awarded, 60% are located in suburban areas, with a focus on sectors deemed priority, such as arts and entertainment, childcare, hospitality, retail trade

and transportation. The program also extended its support to 45 veteran-owned businesses.

“Small businesses have shown a unique tenacity and staying power in surviving the pandemic, and they are important assets to our community,” Preckwinkle said.

The grants are intended for a range of business expenses, including payroll, operating costs and inventory acquisition, though they exclude capital improvements and personal expenses.

Funding for this grant program originates from the American Rescue Plan Act, with Cook County allocating $50 million from a received $1 billion pool. The initial plan to distribute $40 million was expanded due to the overwhelming interest from the business community.

For more information and a full list of grant recipients, visit www.cookcountysmallbiz.org.

Toyota Investing $1.3

Billion in Kentucky Plant To Produce Electric SUVs

Toyota announced a $1.3 billion investment in its flagship Kentucky facility, to assemble an all-new, threerow battery electric SUV for the U.S. market. The announcement brings Toyota’s total investment in the Kentucky plant to $10 billion.

The investment will support the previously revealed plans for future Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) assembly at Toyota Kentucky. Additionally, it will establish a new battery pack assembly line within the facility, sourcing batteries from Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina. Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear lauded the investment, highlighting Toyota’s significant impact on the Bluegrass region and Scott County, and praising the company for setting high standards for quality jobs in the commonwealth. Since its inception in 1986, Toyota Kentucky has been at the forefront of the automaker’s North American operations, assembling popular Toyota nameplates, including the Camry, America’s best-selling passenger car for 22 consecutive years. The plant’s nearly 9,400 team members have been instrumental

in Toyota’s success. “Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to vehicle electrification and further reinvesting in our U.S. operations,” said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. “Generations of our team members helped prepare for this opportunity, and we will continue leading the charge into the future by remaining true to who we are as a company and putting our people first for generations to come.”

“Every investment Toyota makes is proof of its commitment to employees,” said Chris Cohelia, group leader at Toyota Kentucky. “I joined this company 26 years ago as a production team member. Job stability, competitive pay and opportunities for growth are all reasons I love working here. It’s also exciting to be a part of the team building Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle in North America.”

This investment is part of Toyota’s broader initiative, where it has announced new investments totaling $17 billion into its U.S. manufacturing operations since 2021 to support electrification efforts.

IONNA, a joint venture among global automotive giants, has officially commenced its journey to create one of North America’s most extensive and powerful EV charging networks. Spearheaded by industry veteran Seth Cutler as CEO, IONNA is set to deploy at least 30,000 high-powered charging stations across the continent.

With the backing of seven of the world’s most influential automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis – IONNA’s initiative marks a pivotal moment in the push for widespread EV adoption.

“Our shared commitment to creating an extensive, highpowered charging network reflects our dedication to revolutionizing the entire EV charging experience,” said Cutler.

Under Cutler’s leadership, who boasts a distinguished career in electric mobility and infrastructure development, IONNA aims to elevate the customer charging

experience. The network promises accessibility to all EVs equipped with NACS or CCS connectors, offering an integrated, top-tier charging service. This includes providing amenities such as restrooms, food services and retail outlets at charging locations, ensuring customer comfort and convenience.

The charging stations will not only support long-distance EV travel, but also align with the sustainability goals of the participating automakers by being powered by renewable energy sources. The placement of these stations throughout North America will start with the U.S. in 2024 and eventually expand into Canada.

Twin Cities Schools Get Celebrity Help in Go-Kart Build-Off

In an exciting collaboration between Minneapolis Public Schools and Lakeville North, students have been given the unique opportunity to engage in a hands-on educational experience through the Rat Rod Go-Kart Buildoff, reported WCCO News.

Part of the Tools for the Trades program sponsored by Northern Tool + Equipment, the program not only fosters practical skills in automotive design and fabrication but also brings invaluable insights of celebrity mentors like Billy Lane

Since June 2023, students from both schools have dedicated themselves to the meticulous task of constructing go-karts from scratch. With the tools and resources provided by Northern Tool + Equipment, along with regular mentorship sessions from industry veterans like Lane and Richard Petty, the project has become more than just an extracurricular activity—it’s a pivotal moment in these young learners’ education.

Lane, a renowned figure in the automotive world, has been particularly instrumental in guiding the students through the intricacies

of welding, fabrication and design. His presence not only elevates the technical aspects of the project but also brings a broader message about the value of vocational education and the diverse paths to personal and professional success.

Lane’s advocacy for the trades as a viable and rewarding career choice resonates deeply with the students, many of whom are already envisioning futures in automotiverelated fields. His emphasis on the importance of hands-on skills in an increasingly digital world highlights a crucial counterpoint to the prevailing narrative around traditional four-year college degrees.

As the build-off progresses, the anticipation builds for the final reveal of the go-karts at the 2024 Back to the ‘50s Weekend in June at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds. This event not only serves as a showcase for the students’ hard work and creativity but also as a testament to the collaborative efforts of educators, industry professionals and the community in supporting alternative educational pathways.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unveiled a new grant program aimed at upgrading and standardizing state crash data systems across the U.S. Backed by up to $350 million in grants, the initiative is designed to facilitate full electronic data transfer to NHTSA, fostering more efficient intrastate data sharing and enhancing the precision, timeliness and accessibility of critical fatality data.

“These grants will mean more state data coming to NHTSA faster, which means we can put this information to good use in pursuing our shared safety goal – saving lives,” said Sophie Shulman, NHTSA’s deputy administrator. “State data tells us what’s happening on our roads and allows us to develop effective and responsive strategies, countermeasures, research, rulemakings and consumer education campaigns.”

The State Electronic Data Collection (SEDC) program,

fulfilling a mandate from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, invites applications from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands and the Secretary of the Interior on behalf of Indian tribes. This widespread eligibility aims to ensure a comprehensive upgrade of crash data systems across the nation.

NHTSA’s approach involves awarding SEDC grants to states and territories that present a clear plan for modernizing and standardizing their data collection systems. Selected participants will be granted a five-year window to implement full electronic data transfers to NHTSA.

The application deadline is May 1, and NHTSA plans to distribute the grants by December. This new program aligns with President Joe Biden’s broader goals under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.

Nebraska Launches Small Business Support Initiative

The Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), in partnership with the GROW Nebraska Foundation, unveiled the Nebraska Small Business Assistance Act (NSBAA) program, designed to provide crucial support to individuals initiating or expanding small businesses within the past five years.

Under the program, eligible small businesses—defined as those with no more than five full-time equivalent employees, excluding the business owner— can benefit from funding for professional services and grant opportunities.

Qualified applicants may access professional services that include strategic planning, accounting, website development and more, to lay a solid foundation for their business operations. Additionally, the program offers two types of grants: up to $25,000 for new businesses and up to $12,500 for existing businesses, covering a range

of business needs from startup costs to equipment purchases.

This program was authorized by Legislative Bill 450 in 2022.

The DED has allocated $4.2 million for the NSBAA program for the fiscal year 2023-2024, with the possibility of continued funding based on the program’s success and available resources.

The GROW Nebraska Foundation, tasked with administering the program, collaborates with various partners to ensure the NSBAA’s reach extends statewide, offering equitable opportunities for small business development across Nebraska.

Interested individuals are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit a pre-application at grownebraska.org/nebraskasmall-business-assistanceact. With a rolling application process, the program aims to support as many eligible businesses as possible until the allocated funds are fully used.

The Biden-Harris Administration recently announced a more than $5 billion investment in semiconductor research, development and workforce initiatives, aimed at reinforcing U.S. leadership in the critical technology sector. This move, part of the broader CHIPS and Science Act, seeks to revitalize America’s role in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing, addressing both national security concerns and the need for a skilled workforce.

Semiconductors, the cornerstone of modern technology, were once a domain where the U.S. led globally. However, current figures show the U.S. producing less than 10% of the world’s supply, including none of the most advanced chips. This investment aims to reverse the trend of declining government R&D investment, which has fallen below 1% of GDP in recent years, by leveraging the CHIPS and Science Act’s historic funding provisions. The National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) is

the focal point of this initiative, representing a collaborative effort between government, industry, academia and other stakeholders to foster innovation and accelerate the commercialization of new technologies. The NSTC, supported by a public-private consortium, aims to ensure U.S. supremacy in next-generation semiconductor technologies through design, prototyping and piloting initiatives.

In addition to the NSTC, the investment plan includes significant funding for workforce development. The creation of a Workforce Center of Excellence and other programs aims to establish equitable training pathways, connecting Americans to high-quality jobs in this vital sector. These efforts are complemented by investments in other key R&D areas, such as the development of a semiconductor manufacturing digital twin institute and advancements in semiconductor packaging technologies.

West Virginia, South Dakota Introduce Bills Supporting ICE

Lawmakers in both West Virginia and South Dakota have introduced legislation that would prevent any county or city in the state from limiting access to internal combustion engines (ICE) and related technology.

In West Virginia, the bill was introduced by Del. Gary Howell, R-87, who is also chairman emeritus of SEMA’s State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. His bill

would prevent limiting access to engines powered by any particular source, not only fossil fuels.

In South Dakota, the bill awaits consideration by the House Local Government Committee.

West Virginia and South Dakota are the first two states to introduce this legislation in the 2024 state legislative sessions, but follows seven other states—Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina—that have previously passed similar legislation and resolutions.

SEMA supports both states’ bills, and believes those states’ residents, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families.

SEMA enourages residents in West Virginia to send tell their representatives to support the bill by visiting p2a.co/fxqwxpn, and those in South Dakota to do so by visiting p2a.co/z3siWQ9.

Ohio College To Host Spray Finishing Workshops

Carlisle Fluid Technologies, known for its brands Binks, DeVilbiss, Ransburg, MS and BGK, and Owens Community College are set to host specialized spray finishing technology workshops, designed to cater to professionals involved in industrial, contractor or maintenance spray finishing applications, as well as those in spray equipment sales and distribution. Scheduled for May 1-3 and Nov. 6-8 in Toledo, OH, these three-day intensive training programs promise to deliver a comprehensive learning experience from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. The curriculum is carefully crafted to encompass a wide array of critical topics, including

equipment types and selection, equipment setup, operation, maintenance, surface preparation, defect analysis, material selection and crucial safety and regulatory concerns.

Jaime Wineland of Owens Community College’s Workforce and Community Services Division, is the primary contact for those interested in registering or seeking additional information. Prospective attendees are encouraged to reach out toll-free by phone at 800-466-9367, ext.7320, or via email at jaime_wineland@ owens.edu. Further details can also be found at www. owens.edu/workforce_cs/ workandplay-results. php?q=Spray+Finishing.

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Steps

Ford and GM both recently announced moves to help improve affordability – and profitability – of their electric vehicle offerings.

Ford is developing its nextgeneration EVs to “surprise customers and be profitable within a year of launch,” CFO John Lawler said during the company’s recent 2023 earnings presentation, while GM announced the appointment of former Tesla executive Kurt Kelty as the new vice president of batteries.

During Ford’s earnings presentation, CEO Jim Farley disclosed plans to concentrate on EVs in sectors where Ford holds a competitive edge, such as trucks and vans.

“Our next Gen 2 products will be profitable in the first 12 months of their launch,” Farley assured.

Farley said two years ago, Ford formed a “super-talented skunkworks team” tasked with creating a low-cost EV platform, which led to the development of a versatile platform that can underpin a range of vehicle types while supporting a vast ecosystem of software and services.

The push for affordability and

efficiency is not just about staying competitive; it’s a response to the evolving market dynamics and consumer expectations.

customers. “We learned that as you scale EVs to 5,000 to 7,000 units a month and you move into the early majority customer, they are not

“All of our EV teams are ruthlessly focused on cost and efficiency in our EV products because the ultimate competition is going to be the affordable Tesla and … Chinese OEMs,” Farley said.

Farley admitted past missteps, particularly in understanding the price sensitivity of mainstream EV

willing to pay a significant premium for EVs,” he noted.

At GM, Kelty, known for his role in Tesla’s battery development, will bring more than three decades of experience, with the mission to enhance battery technology and reduce costs.

Kelty, set to begin his role

Feb. 19, will spearhead GM’s comprehensive battery cell strategy, encompassing the management of raw materials, advancement and commercialization of new battery technologies, and the lifecycle of batteries, aiming to address the industry’s critical challenge of balancing affordability with high performance at scale.

The hiring comes at a time when GM is under pressure to make its EV segment profitable, amidst reliance on revenue from its traditional gaspowered vehicles. CEO Mary Barra has projected profitability in the EV sector later this year.

GM President Mark Reuss said Kelty’s background in battery chemistry development, supply chain establishment and system partnerships will be instrumental in achieving GM’s ambitious electrification goals and establishing the company as a frontrunner in EV technology.

The company plans to invest $35 billion in EVs and related technologies by 2025. Kelty’s addition to the team is expected to significantly bolster GM’s position in the rapidly evolving EV market.

A worker builds a Ford F-150 Lightning at the Rouge EV Center in Michigan.

ILLINOIS

H AWK CHRYSLER

DOD GE JEEP

7911 W. Roosevelt Road Forest Park, IL 60130 (708) 366-8820

JACK PHELAN DODGE

5436 Dansher Road

Countryside, IL 60525 (800) 643-6343

RIVER FRONT CHRYSLER

DODGE JEEP

200 Hansen Blvd.

North Aurora, IL 60542 (630) 907-0300

INDIANA

EXPRESSWAY DODGE

5401 E. Virginia Street

Evansville, IN 47715 (800) 800-1259

Fax: (812) 437-9590

KAHLO CHRYSLER

DODGE JEEP RAM

9900 Pleasant Street Noblesville, IN 46060 (317) 773-6363

parts@hellokahlo.com

IOWA

STEW HANSENS DODGE CITY

12103 Hickman Road

Urbandale, IA 50323 (515) 331-2901

KANSAS

PARKS MOTORS

11987 SW US Highway 54 Augusta, KS 67010 (316) 775-4390

MICHIGAN

ZEIGLER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM ALFA ROMEO FIAT

4200 Parkway Place Dr SW Grandville, MI 49418 (800) 881-3097 (616) 532-4929

MINNESOTA

MILLS PARTS CENTER

2508 Airport Drive SW Willmar, MN 56201 (800) 247-1158

OHIO

CLASSIC CHRYSLER

DODGE JEEP 6300 North Ridge Road Madison, OH 44057 (440) 417-1063 (877) 940-8670

KEN

DODGE JEEP RAM

310 Broadway Avenue Bedford, OH 44146 (440) 232-4950

Enterprise released Length of Rental (LOR) data for Q4 2023, showing the overall average LOR in the U.S. was 17.7 days, a one-day decline from the same period in 2022.

In the last quarter of 2022, the LOR of 18.7 days was up a half day from Q4 2021. The trend of declining year-over-year LOR started in Q2 2023, and continues.

In Q4 2023, Colorado had the highest LOR at 20.9 days, a 0.3day increase from Q4 2022. West Virginia, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Kentucky were the next highest, respectively, all with an LOR of 20 days or higher.

Hawaii had the lowest LOR at 13.1 days, followed closely by North Dakota at 13.3 days. Iowa, Nebraska and Washington, D.C., had LOR under 15 days, with five other states—Vermont, Wisconsin, Maine, Illinois and California—all coming in with an LOR under 16 days.

Only three states saw year-overyear LOR increases from Q4 2022: Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Of these, Wyoming had the highest increase, up 0.6 days.

For the last few years, Louisiana s overall LOR was often the highest in the nation. While Louisiana s LOR is still in the top 10 overall, the

state recorded a drop of 2.7 days, the largest decline in LOR in the country. Nebraska had the nextlargest drop, two full days lower than Q4 2022. Nineteen states saw a drop of greater than one day, while 20 more had declines of greater than half a day.

John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, offered some insights on the fourth quarter.

Some decline in LOR in Q4 2023 lines up with some easing we saw in shops backlog of work during that period,” Yoswick said. “The national average backlog in October dropped slightly to 4.1 weeks, down from 4.3 weeks in July. After drops the prior two quarters as well, shop backlog by last fall had fallen by a total of 1.7 weeks over nine months and was about 1.1 weeks lower in Q4 than the same period in 2022.

While October delivery times were negatively impacted for the Big 3 because of the UAW strike, the fourth quarter saw median delivery days lower than the same quarter last year,” said PartsTrader Chief Innovation Officer Greg Horn. “This is congruent with the overall LOR reduction that Enterprise is seeing.

Yoswick added: In other good

news for the industry, shops continue to have fewer jobs inprocess within their shops, reducing production challenges. We measure work-in-process as the number of jobs, or car count, a shop has inprogress compared to that shop s typical monthly job count. More than 300 shops shared that in Q4 2023 they had work-in-process that, on average, was equal to 68% of their typical monthly volume. That was up 4 points from the prior quarter, but still 10 percentage points lower than a year earlier.

“It will be interesting in the coming weeks to see what happens with backlog in Q1 2024,” Yoswick continued. “Historically, backlog has always risen between October and January. But if the overall trend of declining backlog continues—or if any increase is smaller than typical in past years—that may suggest that the multi-year logjam at shops is really starting to clear, and LOR will likely fall further. We ll know more in February.

Drivable

For rentals associated with drivable claims, LOR was 16.0 in the fourth quarter, down 0.2 days from Q4 2022. Colorado had the highest drivable

LOR at 19.2 days, followed by Rhode Island at 19.0 days and Oklahoma at 18.9 days.

North Dakota had the lowest LOR at 10.8 days, just above Hawaii at 11.6 days—the only two states under 12.0 days. Iowa, Vermont and Nebraska all had LOR lower than 13 days.

Colorado also had the highest increase, up 1.5 days, followed by Wyoming (+1.3) and New Mexico (+1.2). Only 13 other states, plus D.C., had LOR increases.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nebraska saw a decrease of 1.5 days, followed by Louisiana (-1.3) and Montana (-1.2). Eight additional states had decreases greater than one half day, with Wisconsin, California and Florida down 0.9 days each.

Non-Drivable

Non-drivable LOR in Q4 2023 was 24.7 days, a 2.4-day drop from Q4 2022. This is a significant reduction, as Q4 2022 s LOR of 27.1 days was an equally significant rise (+2.8) from Q4 2021, when non-drivable LOR was 24.3 days.

West Virginia had the highest non-drivable LOR at 32.1 days, a 0.6-day increase over Q4 2022. New Mexico followed at 29.9 days, with Colorado (29.7) and Washington

(29.4) just behind.

Iowa had the lowest non-drivable LOR at 21.2 days, just under Nebraska at 21.3 days. New York (21.8) and Virginia (21.9) were the other states under 22 days.

Vermont also saw LOR go up 0.6 days, with Hawaii seeing an increase of 0.1 days.

Every other state, plus D.C., had a year-over-year decrease, with the largest being Louisiana—down a massive 5.5 days from Q4 2022, which follows what was observed in Q3 2023, when Louisiana s nondrivable LOR declined 5.1 days. South Dakota (-4.3) and Arizona (-4.0) had the next-largest decreases.

In Q4 2022, 10 states had a nondrivable LOR greater than 30 days. There were another eight states with LOR greater than 29 days. These results were significant for those first-party customers with rental reimbursement policies, as the majority of those policies only allow 30 days coverage.

In Q4 2023, only West Virginia averaged more than 30 days, with New Mexico, Colorado and Washington above 29 days.

Shops also may be processing more work more quickly as they gain the ability to do more ADAS calibration and related work in ways other than subletting it to

new-car dealers, who also are often swamped with work,” Yoswick said. “The quarterly ‘Who Pays for What?’ surveys we conduct with Mike Anderson of Collision Advice offer evidence of this change over time.

“In 2019, the surveys found that about 1 in 3 shops were sending virtually all of their calibration work to dealers; this past fall, just 12% of shops said they were still doing that,” he continued. “Third-party ADAS vendors have doubled their market share in that time, performing an estimated 40% of calibration work compared to 19% five years ago. The percentage of calibration work conducted in-house at shops also has increased from an estimated 24% in 2019 to 32% today.

Total Loss

LOR associated with total loss claims was 16.3 days in Q4 2023, a 1.9-day drop from Q4 2022. Total loss LOR in Q4 2021 was 17.6 days, so the current results are the lowest seen since before the pandemic.

Vermont had the highest total loss LOR at 20.2 days, with Wyoming, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maine and Washington all 19 days or higher.

Florida, Missouri and North Dakota tied for the lowest total loss LOR at 14.7 days each.

TRUST

Jack Demmer Ford

SOUTHEAST

734-721-2550

515-270-9095

515-270-5008

Hours:

KANSAS

Rusty Eck Ford

WICHITA

316-685-9131

316-685-7759 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5

734-721-0980 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-6 parts@demmer.com

Varsity Ford

ANN ARBOR

734-996-2411

734-996-5917 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-2 wholesaleparts@varsityford.com

Only six states—Vermont, Wyoming, Alaska, Maine, Oklahoma and Wisconsin—had total loss LOR increases in Q4 2023. All other states, plus D.C., saw decreases, with Hawaii s (-7.1 days) decrease almost double that of the nexthighest decreases in Tennessee and Oregon (both -3.8 days).

Summary

As the numbers show, the trend of “predictable” seasonal LOR continues; the LOR decrease is positive, and many repairers are finding ways to anticipate and operate in the new normal. However, challenging market conditions remain, and overall LOR remains significantly higher than it was prepandemic.

We see a slight decrease in the average number of parts ordered per repair as a result of a mild fourth quarter winter compared to last year s early and heavier winter,” Horn said. “Parts are still a major factor in length of rental, but the decreases appear to be a result of a milder winter. Now that we are seeing significant weather in Q1 2024, we can expect

continued parts challenges in Q4 2023,” Yoswick said. “In late 2022, a CRASH Network survey found that only about 1 in 4 shops said they were seeing more parts challenges than they had a year earlier---and 40% said they were seeing at least some improvement in parts availability. But [in December 2023], it was just the opposite. About 42% of the more than 300 responding shops were seeing increased parts issues— including almost 1 in 5 who said they were experiencing significantly more parts challenges compared to late 2022.

As always, Enterprise is committed to partnering with insurers, repairers and suppliers on all the issues impacting repair times and LOR. Through foundational support provided by the Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Enterprise is spearheading the Collision Engineering Program, designed to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry. Enterprise is thrilled to expand its longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic

WISCONSIN

Hiller Ford

FRANKLIN

414-425-3085

614-861-8251 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-6 parts@masheter.com

800-462-4685

414-529-1014 Fax

Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 7:30-12pm parts@hillerford.com

Vehicle Dependability Declines in 3-Year Ownership

Owners are finding their vehicles less reliable over three years of ownership, a recent study by J.D. Power revealed. The 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) showed an increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), marking a concerning trend in long-term vehicle dependability.

The study, which spans 184 specific problem areas in nine major vehicle categories, found the industry average for problems has risen to 190 PP100, up from 186 PP100 in the previous year. This deterioration in dependability is surprising, given that J.D. Power’s VDS model results typically mirror those of the Initial Quality Study for the same model year.

“This can likely be attributed to the tumultuous time during which these vehicles were built, and owners are keeping their vehicles for much longer,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

Infotainment systems have emerged as a significant source

of frustration for vehicle owners, with issues in this category nearly doubling those in the next-highest category, exterior. Connectivity problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with built-in voice recognition difficulties, are the most prevalent issues.

Additionally, the study highlights growing annoyance with driver assistance system alerts, which increase over time rather than becoming more familiar to the driver. This includes

alerts from features such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning.

Electrified vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are reported to have more problems than their gas-powered and hybrid counterparts. BEVs, in particular, pose the most issues, with a significant number of owners having to replace tires within the first three years of ownership.

Despite the overall downturn in dependability, Toyota Motor Corporation stood out for its high number of segment awards, the most received by any automaker since 2017. Lexus, a Toyota brand, ranked highest overall in vehicle dependability for the second consecutive year.

The most improved brands in terms of reduced problems per 100 vehicles include Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.

The 2024 study was based on responses from more than 30,000 original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles.

Maple Hill Subaru

Kalamazoo (800) 323-0022

Direct (269) 978-0191 (269) 342-0065 Fax

Mon-Fri 8-5:30 www.maplehillauto.com

Luther Bloomington Subaru

Bloomington (800) 451-5078

Direct (952) 887-0600 (952) 881-1787 Fax

Mon 6:30-6; Tue-Fri 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com www.bloomingtonsubaru.com

Morrie’s Brooklyn Park Subaru

Brooklyn Park (800) 343-6999 (763) 765-1462 (763) 765-1487 Fax

Mitchell 1 Offers Scholarship

Mitchell 1 has opened applications for its annual Automotive Technology Scholarship, which includes a $2,500 award, an additional $500 check and roundtrip airfare and accommodations for the recipient and a guest to attend the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference, July 22-25 in Indianapolis, IN.

Eligibility is limited to U.S. and Canadian citizens who are either high school seniors enrolled in auto shop repair courses or current college students majoring in automotive technology. Applicants must have a nomination from their NACAT instructor, maintain a minimum overall 3.0 grade point average, and plan to attend or be already enrolled in an accredited college or university.

By applying through the Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Central website at www. AutomotiveScholarships.com, students not only apply for the Mitchell 1 scholarship but are also considered for multiple other scholarships for which they may be eligible. The deadline is March 31.

Byers Airport Subaru

Columbus

(614) 552-5490

Mon-Fri 7:30-6; Sat 8-12 wholesaleparts@byersauto.com

Ken Ganley Subaru

North Olmsted North Olmsted

Toll Free (888) 850-0633

Direct (440) 788-7060 (440) 788-7085 Fax

Mon-Fri 8-7 Tue-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-5 jtjoyce@ganleywestside.com

Mon-Fri 7-7; Sat 8-5 bpsubaruparts@morries.com www.brooklynparksubaru.com

Survey respondents reported nearly twice as many issues with their cars’ infotainment systems as in the nexthighest category, exterior. Image via Shutterstock.

MICHIGAN

OHIO

MINNESOTA

Illinois

Piehl Motors PRINCETON

800-845-8964 815-875-4411

815-875-4293 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Sat 7:30 am - 12 pm p.lenhausen@piehlmotors.com

Indiana

Schepel Buick GMC MERRILLVILLE

800-588-7757

219-769-7757

219-755-0339 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm parts@schepel.com

Iowa

Shottenkirk Automotive

FORT MADISON

877-310-0513

888-945-3729 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm gmparts@shottenkirk.com

Michigan

Ed Rinke Chevrolet Buick GMC CENTER LINE

586-497-4100

586-754-5030 Fax

M, Th 8 am - 9 pm

T, W, F 8 am - 6 pm

LaFontaine Buick GMC Cadillac HIGHLAND

877-552-2580

734-793-6000

734-793-1101 /1102 Fax

M-F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 2 pm kmason@lafontaine.com

Minnesota

Mills Parts Center WILLMAR

800-247-1158

866-235-6700 Fax

M-F 8 am - 5:30 pm

Missouri

Bob McCosh GM COLUMBIA

800-800-8071

573-449-4103

573-441-5632 Fax

M-F 7 am - 6 pm

Sat 7 am - 3 pm gmparts@bmcmail.com

North Dakota

Rydell

Chevrolet Buick GMC GRAND FORKS

800-354-7278

701-746-0412

701-335-2556 24 Hr Fax

M-F 7am - 6 pm parts@rydellcars.com www.rydellcars.com

Ohio

Classic Chevrolet MENTOR

800-352-7276

800-352-7275 24-HR Fax

M-F 8 am - 6 pm

Sat 8 am - 3pm

Ohio

#1 Cochran Chevy Buick GMC

YOUNGSTOWN

800-476-0760

330-726-2297

330-726-0709 Fax

Mon-Thu 7am-6pm

Fri 7am-5:30pm Sat 7am-3pm matt.fullerton@cochran.com

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet

SPRINGDALE

800-582-5253

513-782-2829

513-782-2846 Fax

M-F 7:30 am – 6 pm Sat 8 am – 2 pm

cscott@jakesweeney.com

www.jakesweeneychevy.com

Joseph Chevrolet

CINCINNATI

800-752-1423

513-741-6735

513-741-3814 Fax

M-F 7:30 am – 5:30 pm Sat 7:30 am – Noon josephgmparts@yahoo.com

Wisconsin

Ivan Gandrud

Chevrolet

GREEN BAY

800-242-2844

920-468-3658

920-468-3673 Fax

M-F 7 am - 7 pm

Sat 7 am - 2 pm parts@gandrud.com

GOP Governors Want To Stop Biden’s EV Mandate

By Chris Woodward The Center Square

A group of Republican governors is calling on President Joe Biden to halt his electric vehicle mandate proposal.

In a letter to the president, the governors said they aren’t opposed to electric vehicles, but rather overreaching federal government mandates that “penalize retailers and do not reflect the will of the consumer” in the U.S.

“Even with deep price cuts, manufacturers’ incentives and generous government funding, federal mandates on electric vehicles are unrealistic,” the governors wrote.

The EPA is pushing for twothirds of vehicles in the U.S. to be battery-powered by 2032 in an effort to help combat manmade climate change and reduce America’s dependency on oil.

The administration has taken steps in recent months to build more charging stations, but lack of infrastructure is an issue for the governors. They add in the letter there’s a concern about “grid

ASE Welcomes New Leadership

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced Dave Johnson, the newly appointed president and CEO, has taken the reins from Tim Zilke, who retired after a commendable 30plus year tenure with ASE.

In addition to Johnson, the ASE team welcomes Donna Wagner as the new vice president of industry and media relations. Wagner previously served as assistant vice president of the ASE Education Foundation. She replaces Trish Serratore, another long-serving member who retired at the end of last year.

The organization’s Board of Directors also sees fresh faces with Tom Trisdale taking on the role of the new chair. He is joined by Jason Rainey, who will serve as vice chair. The board’s new treasurer and secretary are John Wolf and Tom Palermo Homer Hogg, the previous year’s chair, will now serve as the past chair. ASE’s Board of Governors has been expanded with the addition of eight new members.

capacity and reliability.”

Thousands of car dealerships have also signed on to a letter asking the Biden administration to “tap the brakes” on the EV mandate proposal, The Center Square previously reported.

are appealing, the reality is that the lack of a strong, domestic marketplace makes electric vehicles prohibitively expensive for the American consumer.”

Republicans who signed on to the letter are Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, Louisiana Gov.

Jeff Landry, Missouri

Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen, Nevada Gov.

Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Dakota

Gov. Doug Burgum, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, South Dakota Gov.

Kristi Noem, Texas Gov.

“There are a number of reasons why consumers are leaving these cars on dealership lots—the cost, the infrastructure required, and the battery content requirements are untenable for today’s car buyers,” the governors’ letter said. “Even if consumers determine over time that battery electric vehicles

Greg Abbott, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon

“Ultimately, we must continue to maintain consumer choice. Your mandates are unrealistic, costly and prescriptive solutions that harm American consumers,” the governors wrote.

All BASF customers go through a certification process. Until today, this process involved a twoday mandatory training where attendees completed in person classroom learning and handson training.

To reduce travel expenses and time away from the shop floor, BASF has converted one day of in-class instruction to online training hosted in its Learning University. This blended learning approach allows customers to start training whenever and wherever they are and still benefit from the face-to-face portion.

The online learning portion is comprised of eight to 10 modules, with an assessment after each module instead of a final exam. Once the online portion is complete, customers can schedule their in-person class at the location of their choice, where they will receive face-to-face training and assessment. Participants will have 45 days to finish this process and can access their certificate of completion online.

The letter said the governors oppose overreaching federal government mandates. Image via Shutterstock.

U.S. House Passes Tax Bill That Could Benefit Auto Repair Businesses

On Jan. 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, by a vote of 357-70. It will now move on to the U.S. Senate.

The bill, introduced by House Ways and Means Committee

Chairman Jason Smith, R-MO, and Senate Finance Committee

Chairman Ron Wyden, D-OR, aims to alleviate financial strains faced by independent repair shops, grappling with rapid technological advancements and an evolving automotive landscape, as they will need to continue to invest in facility and equipment upgrades, some of which may require taking on debt.

This tax proposal would:

Reclassify interest paid on certain business loans as allowable deductions.

Provide for a 100% bonus depreciation allowance for qualified property—such as equipment and vehicles— acquired and placed in service between Dec. 31, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2026.

Raise the maximum amount a business may expense for qualifying property from $1 million (reduced by the amount by which the cost exceeds $2.5 million) to $1.29 million (reduced by the amount by which the cost exceeds $3.22 million), adjusting for inflation for taxable years after 2024.

“Advancing the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act closer to enactment is a huge win for independent automotive repairers.”

BOB REDDING

ASA’S WASHINGTON, D.C., REPRESENTATIVE

One provision in the framework of significant consequence to many repair business’ employees is the expansion to the Child Tax Credit. The bill would:

Change how the maximum refundable credit is calculated by including consideration for the number of children in a household.

Increase the maximum perchild limit from $1,600 to $1,800 for tax year 2023, along with annual increases to the cap adjusted for inflation each ensuing year through 2025.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) applauded and expressed its gratitude to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 7024.

“Advancing the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act closer to enactment is a huge win for independent automotive repairers. The U.S. House of Representatives sent a strong message, through yesterday’s vote, that small businesses—like those represented by ASA— deserve a chance to thrive,” said Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative. “H.R. 7024 helps make that vision possible. Many thanks to U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith for his leadership in putting this package together. ASA eagerly awaits the Senate’s consideration and passage of this bill so that it may ultimately receive the president’s signature.”

I-CAR announced Opus IVS™ has joined its Sustaining Partner Program.

Opus IVS’s commitment to I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program aligns perfectly with the increasing demand for advanced training and support in navigating the complexities of modern vehicle repairs. By investing in education and professional development, Opus IVS and other I-CAR sustaining partners are contributing to a safer and more proficient automotive repair ecosystem. Collaboration across the industry is crucial for relevant educational and technical solutions, particularly in response to the accelerating technological advancements requiring specialized knowledge and skills for proper repairs.

Sustaining partners play an important role in advancing I-CAR’s vision by actively contributing to the funding of I-CAR’s work, which in turn supports repair facilities and schools across the industry.

515-278-2917

Summit Partners Invests in CollisionRight

CollisionRight, a collision repair shop consolidator in the U.S., on Jan. 30 announced a majority investment from Summit Partners, a growth equity investment firm.

The new capital will help support CollisionRight’s growth plan, which is focused on acquiring and operating highquality, customer-friendly collision repair shops across the central and Mid-Atlantic regions.

CollisionRight founder and CEO Rich Harrison will retain significant equity ownership in the business by investing alongside Summit, as will several other members of the company’s senior management team.

Founded in 2020, CollisionRight has acquired 89 shops in the past 3.5 years, establishing the company as one of the leading consolidators and providers of collision repair services in the U.S. The company and its skilled repair technicians aim to provide high-quality, reliable repairs for consumers, using modern technology, paint and parts, and to be an equally

reliable partner to the company’s insurance carrier partners who pay for the overwhelming majority of repairs undertaken by CollisionRight.

leader in the collision repair industry, and we are excited to help Rich and his team extend this leadership position,” said John Carroll, a managing

“Partnering with Summit will help CollisionRight enter a new and expanded era of growth,” said Harrison. “Summit’s growth focus and commitment to operational excellence align with our desire to continue to partner with the country’s best shop operators and provide the driving public with timely and high-quality repairs. Our goal is to create an industry leader that will set the standard for growth, excellence and customer service. We are confident that partnering with Summit will help us to achieve that goal.”

“CollisionRight has quickly established itself as a market

U.S. New-Vehicle Sales Slow in January Despite Price Drops

The U.S. new-vehicle market experienced a slowdown in sales pace in January, despite a drop in average transaction prices (ATP) and an increase in buyer incentives, per Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company. The report indicates a significant reduction in new-vehicle ATPs at $47,401, marking a 2.6% decrease from December 2023 and a 3.5% decline compared to January of the previous year. “It is common to see lower transaction prices and sales in January, as December typically is a hot month for luxury vehicle sales,” said Erin Keating, an executive analyst for Cox Automotive. “However, the year-over-year new-vehicle ATP decline of 3.5% is notable.” She added that prices have been on a downward trend for about six months, driven by automakers’ efforts to enhance deals to sustain sales. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), an indicator of sales pace, was 15.0 million in January, a decline from 16.1 million in December 2023 and

below the 15.1 million rate from January 2023. This slowdown occurred despite dealers and manufacturers increasing discounts and incentives, which averaged 5.7% of ATP in January, up from 5.5% in December and significantly higher than the 2.8% average in January 2023 when new-vehicle inventory was considerably lower. Luxury vehicles and full-size pickup trucks saw some of the highest discounts, while incentives for small pickups, full-size SUVs and minivans remained below the industry average, at less than 3% of ATP. The luxury vehicle segment, in particular, witnessed a decrease in prices, with the average price for a luxury brand vehicle dropping to $60,978, the lowest since the summer of 2021, and year-overyear price declines in luxury cars and compact SUVs reaching 9.7% and 11.9%, respectively.

The report also highlighted the revised EV transaction price data, reflecting the ongoing downward pressure on electric vehicle prices.

director at Summit Partners who will join Harrison on the CollisionRight Board of Directors.

“The collision repair industry remains highly fragmented, large and, in our view, very attractive,” said Robert Grady, an advisory partner at Summit who will also join the CollisionRight Board of Directors. “We look forward to working closely with the CollisionRight team to capitalize on this opportunity and enhance the company’s position as a growing, high-quality, customerfocused company.”

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Autel announced it has partnered with automotive data provider MOTOR Information Systems to provide an improved experience for users and more streamlined access to OEM repair information using MOTOR’s TruSpeed Repair. MOTOR TruSpeed Repair will be available for integration into Autel’s diagnostics software on all North American Ultra series tablets including Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) capable tools.

Autel Ultra series tablet users can access the most up-to-date automotive service and repair content within days of being published by the OEM. The TruSpeed Repair information will include component locations, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), maintenance schedules, repair procedures, specifications, technical service bulletins (TSBs) and wiring diagrams.

The paid subscription service will also provide OEM Position Statements and ADAS-related repair details. The software update and integration is expected to be released in the late first quarter of this year.

ILLINOIS

Gerald Kia of Matteson Matteson

(708) 720-8972 (708) 720-0657 Fax

M, W, F 6am-5pm Tu, Th 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-2pm mattesonkiaparts@geraldauto.com www.geraldkiamatteson.com

Raymond Kia

Antioch

(847) 395-3600 (847) 838-7997 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-2pm kweber@raymondchevrolet.com

KANSAS

Midwest Kia

Wichita

(316) 652-2960

(316) 652-2992 Fax

M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm jjensen@midwestkia.com

MICHIGAN

Kia of Lansing

Lansing

(517) 393-5700

(517) 393-6767 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm mattr@lansingisyoung.com www.kiaoflansing.com

Seelye Kia of Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo

(269) 488-0614

M-F 7am-6pm gmeskil@seelye.com

MINNESOTA

Lupient Kia of Brooklyn Park

Brooklyn Park

(800) 569-5735

(763) 424-9437 (763) 424-4631 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm

MISSOURI

Lou Fusz Kia

St. Louis

(877) 221-4151 (314) 595-4942 Fax

M, W, F 7am-8pm; Tu, Th 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm fuszkiaparts@fusz.com www.kia.fusz.com

Napleton’s Mid Rivers Kia St. Peters (888) 816-9729 (636) 926-0683 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-3pm bprinster@napleton.com pschnare@napleton.com www.midriverskia.com

Suntrup Kia

St. Louis (800) 727-8496 (314) 815-3060 Fax

M-F 7am-5pm

www.suntrupkiasouth.com

NO. DAKOTA

Kia of Fargo

Fargo

(800) 728-7601 (701) 282-5924 Fax

M-F 7am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm

Genuine Kia Parts* are specifically manufactured from original engineering specs to ensure the same exceptional quality, performance and safety as when you first drove your Kia off the lot. Plus, they’re covered by our 12-month Replacement Parts Limited Warranty.

I-CAR’s Collision Careers Launches Innovative Talent Drive

I-CAR’s Collision Careers unveiled a digital advertising campaign aimed at attracting new talent to fill an estimated 100,000 skilled technician vacancies. The initiative, “Bolt Ahead with Collision Careers,” features a series of dynamic videos intended to draw interest to the field.

“The launch of this first-ofits-kind campaign is a natural next step on the critical work I-CAR has undertaken through its Collision Careers program to attract talent to the industry and to illustrate the benefits of this stable, growing, innovative career journey,” said Dara Goroff, vice president of planning and industry talent programming.

Developed in partnership with ad agency Push 22, the campaign is set to run primarily on YouTube, targeting both students and their parents in key markets such as Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. These areas were specifically chosen for their high demand for skilled technicians and their proximity

to leading collision repair educational programs.

The initiative not only aims to fill the current talent gap but also to establish a new way of marketing the collision repair industry to a younger audience.

Gerald

708-720-2185

(708) 720-3709 Fax

M-F 8-5:30, Sat. 8-3 mattesonnissanparts@geraldauto com

www geraldnissanmatteson com

Hubler

800-960-9811

(317) 888-9227

(317)

M-F

social media.

Collision Careers plans to extend its reach later in the year by partnering with organizations and marketing leaders within the industry to co-create content and develop co-op advertising campaigns. This broader strategy is designed to further promote career opportunities within collision repair.

Credit: Shutterstock.

“We are taking a very current consumer marketing approach and applying it to an industry that has never approached positioning itself in this way to attract talent,” said Arianna Sherlock, senior director of marketing at I-CAR. The campaign seeks to engage Gen Z where they spend a significant amount of time—online and on

Launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and the recipient of the 2023 SEMA Global Media Award, Collision Careers provides comprehensive resources for individuals considering a career in collision repair. This includes students, career changers, parents and school counselors. Through these efforts, I-CAR aims to unify the industry, align its initiatives, and effectively bridge the technician gap, ensuring a sustainable future for the field.

CIECA welcomes ADAS Find as a new CIECA corporate member. Founded in 2023 by Owen VanEck and Aiden Foley , the Michigan-based company was established to provide the auto repair industry with a simple and affordable platform for identifying necessary ADAS calibrations and initializations.

VanEck and Foley learned about CIECA through extensive industry research and networking within the automotive repair sector.

VanEck said the company joined CIECA to actively contribute to advancing industry standards and connect with like-minded professionals.

For ADAS Find, adhering to CIECA standards is crucial in delivering high-quality, standardized solutions to theirclients, promoting trust and reliability in the industry.

By becoming a CIECA member, VanEck said they aim to actively participate in shaping and influencing industry standards.

Self-Driving Cars’ High Accident Rate Sparks Concern

Statistics showing self-driving cars are involved in significantly more accidents per mile driven than their human-operated counterparts is contributing to deep-seated concerns and skepticism among Americans towards the burgeoning technology, Forbes Advisor reported.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), selfdriving vehicles are involved in 9.1 crashes per million vehicle miles driven, more than double the 4.2 crashes involving conventional vehicles.

This high accident rate is a key factor behind the 93% of Americans who harbor concerns about self-driving cars, with safety and technology malfunctions being the primary worries, according to a study conducted by Forbes Advisor and OnePoll, which surveyed 2,000 Americans.

The survey also revealed a significant lack of trust in autonomous vehicles, with 81% of respondents admitting

they have never been in a selfdriving car. Moreover, 61% of Americans stated they wouldn’t trust a self-driving car with the safety of their loved ones or

62% of consumers have lost confidence in Tesla.

Despite the challenges, 30% of Americans surveys expressed excitement about the future of self-driving vehicles. Potential benefits cited include enhanced mobility for the elderly and people with disabilities, increased efficiency in transportation logistics, and the possibility of multitasking while driving.

Safety and technology malfunctions were the primary worries among survey respondents. Image via Shutterstock.

children, and more than half (51%) are somewhat or very unlikely to own or use a selfdriving vehicle within the next five years.

Tesla, a company often associated with leading the charge in autonomous driving, has not been immune to these concerns. Following a series of safety and technology recalls,

However, the road to widespread adoption of self-driving technology appears long and winding. McKinsey & Co predicts that by 2030, only 12% of new passenger vehicles will be sold with advanced autodrive technologies, a figure expected to rise to 37% by 2035. High costs and consumer reluctance to pay a premium for self-driving capabilities are likely to slow adoption, with only 29% of consumers willing to pay extra for these vehicles.

PPG announced the launch of the PPG ADJUSTRITE® Repair Management tool, the latest feature of the PPG AdjustRite commercial estimating system, which provides enhanced productivity for commercial vehicle repairs.

The mobile-friendly platform offers technicians a time clock system and automated tracking of work hours per repair order. Shop managers and estimators benefit from a centralized approach to delegate tasks, gain insights from productivity metrics and efficiency data, and use dynamic charts for a thorough overview of repair orders and technician activities.

The PPG AdjustRite system is the first and only commercial estimating tool that considers the overall repair process, including overhaul, overlap, included operations, additional operations and additional parts or materials associated with the repair.

Learn more at www. adjustrite.com.

Co-President & Publisher

Nathan Gregory

Co-President & Publisher

Paul Stepanek

Editor

Abby Andrews

Contributing Writers

Mike Anderson,Stacey Phillips, John Yoswick, Cole Strandberg

Advertising Sales

Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar

Office Manager

Kelly Cashman

Digital Marketing Manager

Bryan Malinski

Art Director

Rodolfo Garcia

Senior Designer

Vicki Sitarz

Accounting & HR Manager Heather Priddy

Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher.

©2024 Autobody News, LLC.

Autobody News

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» Rebates are based on achieving each level of OEM parts share*.

» Nissan and INFINITI certified shops are eligible for an additional 2% rebate, 1% for being certified, and

CRN shops.

Here is an example of a $2,250 estimate/order:

OEM Parts Share: 89% Total Earnings: $51

Once a shop gets above 90% share, rebates increase quickly. In this example, by purchasing only $150 more OEM parts, the rebate jumps up $50.

OEM Parts Share: 100% Total Earnings: $101

» New enrollments made between February 1 and April 30, 2024 are eligible*.

» After your enrollment date, purchase a minimum of $1,500 of OEM parts from an authorized Nissan and/or INFINITI dealer in 2 of the following 3 months after you enroll.

» Achieve 65-100% OEM market share per order.

» Fulfill all other requirements of Genuine Parts Direct Rebate Program*.