July 2023 Midwest Edition

NHTSA Tells Automakers Not To Comply With MA’s Right To Repair Law

The National Highway and Transportation Safety Authority (NHTSA) on June 13 sent a letter to 22 automakers, telling them not to comply with a Right to Repair law recently enacted in Massachusetts, citing “significant safety concerns.”

to dealership service centers.

It was first approved by Massachusetts voters in 2020, but delayed for years by a lawsuit brought by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing automakers.

Credit: Shutterstock

“While NHTSA has stressed that it is important for consumers to continue to have the ability to choose where to have their vehicles serviced and repaired, consumers must be afforded choice in a manner that does not pose an unreasonable risk to motor vehicle safety,” the NHTSA said in the letter.

The law requires automakers to allow access to their vehicles’ data, so owners can get them fixed by independent repairers if they choose, rather than be forced to go

Finally, in March, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell announced she would begin enforcing the law June 1, despite the lack of a decision in the federal lawsuit. A last-minute motion to block the enforcement by the Alliance for Automotive Innovation was denied.

The letter from the NHTSA claims the Massachusetts law is in conflict with and is therefore preempted by the Safety Act, which

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Midwest

Collision Repair Trade Show Hosts Successful Second Annual Event

By Cole Strandberg Autobody News

The Midwest Collision Repair Trade Show was held May 19-20 in Kansas City, MO. Despite being only in its second year, the event expanded its trade show floor and attracted top industry speakers and regional shop operators.

Hosted by several auto body associations, including the Missouri Auto Body Association, Kansas Auto Body Association, Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA), South Dakota Auto Body Association and the Iowa Collision Repair Association (ICRA), the show offered valuable insights and information over the course of two days.

REGIONAL NEWS

The energetic weekend started May 19 with Mike Anderson’s “Be Extraordinary” presentation, setting a positive tone. Panels covering various

topics such as EVs, estimating technology, marketing and culture received favorable feedback from

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GM To Invest $1 Billion in Flint, MI, Manufacturing Facilities

General Motors Co. announced June 5 plans to invest more than $1 billion in two of its Flint, MI, manufacturing sites—Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center— to prepare those plants for production of the next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) heavy-duty trucks.

This investment will enable the company to strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck business. Product details and timing related to GM’s future HD

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

trucks are not being released at this time.

The announcement brings GM’s U.S. manufacturing and parts distribution facility investment commitments to more than $30.5 billion since 2013.

“Today we are announcing significant investments in Flint to strengthen our industryleading full-size pickup business by preparing two plants to build the next-generation ICE HD

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

Columnist Mike Anderson: How to Create a Winning Customer Experience

Columnist Abby Andrews: Mitchell Hosts High School Students to Show Career Opportunities in the Collision Repair Industry

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Solving the Tech Shortage: Providing Direction, Showing Vulnerability & Re-messaging the Collision Repair Job

Columnist John Yoswick: Auto Body Shop Owners Decide Where to Focus Attention, Resources in Near Future

Mike Anderson of Collision Advice presented “Be Extraordinary.”

Abby Andrews

Inaugural Episode of Webinar Series

Looks at IIHS’ Study of Issues Reported with ADAS Repairs 26

Mitchell Hosts High School Students to Show Career Opportunities in the Collision Repair Industry 8

Stacey Phillips

Providing Direction, Showing Vulnerability & Re-messaging the Collision Repair Job 4

Index of Advertisers

Stacey Phillips — Solving the Tech Shortage

Providing Direction, Showing Vulnerability & Re-messaging the Collision Repair Job

With a passion for creating new products, Erin Suchara joined 3M as a research and development intern in 2019. After graduating from the University of Michigan the following year with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, she took on a full-time role at the company as an advanced application engineer in Maplewood, MN.

a key role in structuring Caliber’s Technician Apprentice Program (TAP), created for aspiring auto body technicians to acquire the skills necessary to begin a career in the industry. Sorensen also encourages others to get passionate about taking steps to solve this challenge.

“We all need to have a driving force,” he said. “If we don’t have that

part of a local collision repair program to help influence the curriculum for producing skilled technicians and getting involved in the community to raise awareness about the industry. He also encouraged participation in programs such as SkillsUSA.

“It’s one of my favorite activities and has been so rewarding,” he said. “I’ve seen so many incredible stories of young adults getting involved with SkillsUSA and building a career.”

In addition to young people coming out of school and entering the industry, Sorensen has found adults are also interested in a collision repair career. As a result, he said shops need to work toward providing a career path to help them reach their potential.

“We need to be there to guide them through that,” he said. “I’m up here on stage because somebody at my company wanted me to reach my full potential.”

Show Vulnerability

USA. “I think it’s easier when you’re surrounded by people to take time to reflect.”

“Part of it is that we get back to our normal life—the day-to-day operations—and we have so many different things going on,” added Bartanen. “We need to plan better, think about these things, embrace them and feel like we are going to make a change.”

This includes listening to staff, being empathetic and having a sense of purpose.

He pointed out the industry might not be attractive to many based on comments industry professionals make on social media and some of the regular exchanges that take place in shops. “We need to be better behaved if we’re going to attract and retain talent,” he recommended.

Re-messaging the Job

“I’m from the Gen Z generation… We like to know what we’re doing and why it has a purpose,” explained Suchara. “My job is exactly that. I know what I’m making, who is using it and the difference it’s making.”

Hoping to encourage other Gen Zs to join the collision industry, Suchara participated in a panel discussion in April at IBIS USA focused on overcoming the talent shortage. The panel was moderated by IBIS Worldwide CEO Jason Moseley and included Jason Bartanen, Collision Hub’s director of industry relations, and Max Sorensen, senior vice president of operations for Caliber Collision.

Panelists provided the following insight on providing direction, showing vulnerability and remessaging the job.

Provide Direction

Sorensen oversees approximately 375 collision centers in the Midwest and Northeastern regions of the U.S., and is dedicated to educating young people about the collision repair industry and helping them reach their potential. He estimates the industry will require around 110,000 technicians over the next five years.

In response, Sorensen has played

force as an industry, in five years from now, we will be in a bad spot.”

He stressed the importance of providing new entrants structure, so they can continue their journey to become technicians.

Suchara agreed. Joining 3M during the pandemic, she said it was difficult to connect and learn with people in the lab. She soon realized the importance of creating structure to be successful.

“My job changes on a daily basis,” she said. “I talk to everyone from product developers to marketers, so having structure for what I do has helped me at the start of my career.”

Bartanen recommends having employees specialize and learn to excel in certain areas.

“By doing that, I think we’ll have safer and more efficient repairs,” he said.

Create a Culture & Career Path

According to panelists, creating a culture and career path is critical to a business’s success.

“Make sure that you have the culture set and there’s an expectation of it down the line,” said Bartanen, who leads Collision Hub’s in-shop virtual training and coaching program.

Bartanen suggested becoming

Since she didn’t grow up in a body shop environment, Suchara has learned everything from scratch. Being able to ask questions and learn from mentors has helped her advance in her career.

As a younger employee, Suchara has tried to be more vulnerable.

“Sometimes, I play the new card and say, ‘I don’t know,’ and ask questions,” she shared. “It’s not always easy to do and doesn’t always come naturally.”

“I couldn’t agree more with that, whether you call it vulnerability or humility,” said Bartanen. “That’s not inherently what we have done in the collision industry.”

Rather than saying they know everything, Bartanen encourages employees to have the humility to admit they don’t always know, put trust in their research and leverage the expertise of other staff and peers for assistance.

“I think a lot of self reflection needs to happen,” he recommended. “Taking the humble route is a great way to go.”

Be a Disciple

After talking about talent shortage solutions, many find it is challenging to implement new ideas.

Suchara said it’s often more natural to reflect on these issues while attending conferences like IBIS

When Suchara entered the industry, she was surprised her role wasn’t advertised as a job that required a lot of skill and had the potential to earn a good wage. “I think the messaging could use a little refresh,” she acknowledged.

“We definitely have to change the narrative because it’s not just working with your hands anymore,” said Sorensen. “Technicians need to know the ins and outs of that vehicle because it’s a supercomputer on wheels.”

“Who better to do that than the digital natives… who were born with a tablet in their hands,” added Bartanen.

When people share information about a collision repair career, Bartanen often hears them start by saying not everybody will be a doctor or a lawyer.

“That immediately sets the tone that technical education is a secondary option,” he said. “Why can’t we go after the valedictorians? Many of them surely like to work with their hands, are creative and like technology.”

He encourages the industry to look at everybody as a potential job candidate. “Let’s not just isolate it based on our preconceived beliefs of what happened when we were younger, when kids were shuffled to ‘that end of the school’ because they weren’t the best at math or English,” he said. “You need all those skills now.”

Pictured, left to right, are IBIS Worldwide CEO Jason Moseley; Max Sorensen, senior vice president of operations for Caliber Collision; Erin Suchara, advanced application engineer at 3M; and Jason Bartanen, Collision Hub’s director of industry relations.

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AASP-MN Awards Scholarships To Automotive Students

The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASPMN) is pleased to announce it has awarded 22 scholarships totaling $20,000 to help automotive service and collision repair students pay for tuition or tools during the 2023-24 school year.

The scholarships are in the amounts of $500 to $1,500 and are made possible by the generous donation from the Minnesota State I-CAR Committee, as well as proceeds from AASP-MN’s Annual Race for Automotive Education fundraiser.

Thirty college and high school students from 10 schools submitted completed applications. Applications were reviewed by a committee of industry representatives, with consideration given to scholastic achievement, education and career goals, financial need and written recommendations.

The recipients are:

Gregory Arreola, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, auto body collision repair

Jonathan Broenen, Dakota

County Technical College, Rosemount, auto body collision repair

Isaac DeBilzan, Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park, automotive service technology

Joshua Hogan, Century College, White Bear Lake, automotive service technology

Catherine Jacobs, Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis, auto body collision repair

Jacob Lee Marwyn Paulson, Century College, White Bear Lake, automotive service technology

Lex Lewison, Riverland Community College, Albert Lea, automotive service technology

Sydnie Mailer-Kelly, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, automotive service technology

College, Duluth, automotive service technology

Landon Stookey, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, automotive service technology

Julia Swanson, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, auto body collision repair

Tomas Szambelan, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, auto body collision repair

Samweil Tawfik, Century College, White Bear Lake, automotive service technology

Joshua Taylor, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, automotive service technology

Matthew Foster, Lake Superior College, Duluth, automotive service technology

Mason Frank, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, automotive service technology

Ty Gregor, St. Cloud Technical & Community College, St. Cloud, automotive service technology

Jonathan Herrera-Martinez, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, automotive service technology

Cindy McCulley, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie, auto body collision repair

Zack McLaughlin, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, automotive service technology

Eric Otam, Dakota County Technical College, Rosemount, automotive service technology

Peter Rozeboom, Dunwoody College of Technology, Minneapolis, auto body collision repair

Margaret Sager, Lake Superior

Congratulations to all this year’s recipients!

The scholarship awards are the centerpiece of AASP-MN’s Automotive Education Fund, established to provide financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in the independent automotive service industry.

Source: AASP-MN

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Mitchell Hosts High School Students to Show Career Opportunities in the Collision Repair Industry

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

San Diego, CA-based Mitchell recently teamed up with the owner of a regional MSO and a local high school to show students in both the automotive repair and robotics programs career possibilities they might not have considered before.

He said he got the idea to also invite students in robotics programs when his daughter took a robotics class and he noticed similarities in the components of robots and new cars.

Luke Burger, senior solutions specialist for Mitchell, told the students the goal was to show them all the different facets of the automotive industry, especially collision repair.

“We want you to see the software, tools, different components to get data from vehicles,” he said. “Hopefully you’ll find something interesting.”

Ben Sikora is the auto body instructor at Santana High School. He said when he took the job at the beginning of the previous school year, it was clear the program had “gotten passed by the industry over a decade ago.”

be interested in re-opening it. A week later, Sikora had the keys to the school’s shop.

Leger had another reason to support the re-establishment of the auto body program—he owns three Fix Auto body shops in the San Diego area that all need to be staffed.

one at a high school in Ramona, CA, where he co-owns a fourth Fix Auto shop, until that program was closed.

Over two consecutive days, about 50 students from Santana High School in Santee, CA, first stopped by Mitchell’s Technical Research Center in San Diego, and then visited Fix Auto Poway.

At Mitchell, students saw a static calibration of a 2018 Honda Accord equipped with ADAS features along with 3D imaging software, used to determine vehicle dimensions that appear in the company’s estimating solution and database of repair and reference information. They also got a chance to look at a pair of Rivian R1T electric trucks. After lunch, they went to Fix Auto Poway to see every step of the repair process, from intake to delivery.

The demonstration was part of Mitchell’s efforts to address the growing technician shortage problem in the collision repair industry; the company also donates software subscriptions to schools around the country through the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), and is a supporter of the Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College collision engineering program.

Scott Baierl, senior vice president of engineering and content for Mitchell, said the hope is to show young potential technicians all the cool new technology on today’s vehicles to get them interested, while helping schools get the tools needed to train them.

“It was important to modernize it so students are ready to get a job working on cars that actually exist,” Sikora said.

Sikora got to work immediately applying for grants with CREF and other organizations. He has won enough funds to purchase new welders and a waterborne paintmixing system, and will soon have estimating software, thanks to Mitchell. He said he hopes to also get a calibrating system like the one demonstrated.

“Cars are changing, but they’re not going away,” Sikora said. “People are still banging them into each other.”

Sikora said he started working in a collision repair shop when he was 17. He later owned a custom restoration shop, which was how he met Gary Leger, the owner of a 1967 Bronco and the father of a student at Santana High School. Leger knew the auto body program at the school had just been shuttered after the last instructor retired, and asked Sikora if he would

“The older generation is aging out,” Leger said. “We have to show [younger people] it’s not just banging on fenders anymore. There are more computers in a Honda than in a 737.”

Leger said he has been involved with the auto body program at Santana High School for about four years, and was also working with

He said a graduating senior from Santana’s program will start working at one of his shops full time in June.

“I’m lucky to have a bit of a younger crew,” he said.

Later that afternoon, Leger and one of his employees led the students in smaller groups around the shop floor at Fix Auto Poway, which has 27,000 square feet of production space and repairs about 200 vehicles per month—including Rivians, which has certified the shop as a repair center.

“Cars are changing, but they’re not going away. People are still banging them into each other.”

BEN SIKORA AUTO

BODY INSTRUCTOR, SANTANA HIGH SCHOOL

Neal Hoffman, far right, solutions specialist, and Luke Burger, senior solutions specialist, second from right, both with Mitchell, demonstrate using a device to scan a 2018 Honda Accord equipped with ADAS features.

High school students watch a demonstration at Mitchell’s Technical Research Center in San Diego, CA.

Gary Leger, owner of Fix Auto Poway, leads students on a tour of his 27,000-square-foot shop.

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How to Create a Winning Customer Experience

A lot of people think Collision Advice is just Mike Anderson, but I think it’s important people understand it’s so much more. We have 12 people on our team right now, amazing teammates who all have certain expertise. We have Maria Quintero and Mark Head, who both specialize in accounting assistance, for example, and we have Jeff Oldenettal and Danny Gredinberg, who specialize in estimating and parts. So we’re really a complete team.

Every year, we have a theme that shapes the work we do as we train and coach the shops we work with. This year’s theme is: Be extraordinary. Kevin Brown, author of “The Hero Effect,” spoke at our recent conference, and said he believes nobody notices normal. That’s why we need to be extraordinary in everything we do.

Sheryl: Sure. Customer service and customer experience are definitely two different things. When you think of customer service, those are individual moments or aspects of the customer experience. The customer experience is the entire customer journey: How are we making the customer feel, what are the emotions they feel when they interact with our brand?

system in place where I can schedule an appointment, or request a photobased estimate? Again, is it easy to do business with you?

Mike: Right, and you’re not talking about a photo-based estimate as a claims settlement strategy, but more as a marketing strategy. Because we’ve found that when customers have had an accident, they’re feeling a high level of anxiety. If they can submit photos to you or request information from you outside of normal business hours, it kind of lowers their anxiety because they feel like at least they’ve got the ball rolling. We’re not trying to write a repair plan based on photos. We’re trying to provide convenience for our customers to get the process started.

acknowledging the emotions you’re hearing from them. It can be as simple as, “I understand how frustrating this is, and I am here to help you every step of the way.”

And then that leads us to guiding them through the process. They need our direction. Unless they just got their car repaired by you just a couple weeks ago, they need you to guide them every step of the way on what the repair process looks like. All this has to be authentic, so it should never be scripted. You can use scripts to practice with, but if that wording doesn’t feel natural, do not say it that way. You don’t want to come across as inauthentic. Think about what you would say if a friend called you and told you they had been in an accident.

So for my column this month, I wanted to have one of my awesome teammates, Sheryl Driggers, share some of her insights on something she’s very passionate about: creating the extraordinary customer experience. Sheryl is a former shop owner in Florida, and she and I recently presented together on this topic at the Midwest Collision Repair Trade Show in Kansas. Here’s what we talked about.

Mike: Sheryl, let’s start out with what you see as the difference between “customer service” and the “customer experience.”

The customer experience actually starts with your employees’ experience. In order to create an extraordinary customer experience, we first have to create an extraordinary experience for our employees. How we talk to our employees, how we treat our employees, their ongoing experience with your company directly influences the experience of your customers. So that is No. 1.

Mike: And the customer’s experience is shaped even before they start to interact with those employees, doesn’t it?

Sheryl: Yes, even before they pick up the telephone and call us. It starts the moment they have any kind of interaction with our brand. We have to make it radically easy for customers to do business with us. And I don’t mean just easy, I mean radically easy.

We live in a world where you can order almost anything and get it the next day, if not the same day. Customers want that instant gratification, that instant response. So if I were to do a Google search, would your shop come up on the top of the list? Is there a chat feature on your website? And can I do business with you at 2 a.m. when I’m actually finally getting to my todo list? Is there an auto-reply set up, so when I reach out at 2 a.m., I’m not wondering whether I actually submitted something and you’ll get back to me in the morning, or if it went into a black hole. Do you have a

Sheryl: Exactly. Next, when they pick up the telephone and call your shop, what kind of information are they going to get from your customer service team? We of course have to have the conversation about insurance and the claim information, but that is not what we should lead with. We should first and foremost be building relationships from the first moment that we interact with a customer.

We can do that through the three things that you’ve taught for years, Mike, and that’s trust, empathy and direction. Start to build trust with the customer by pointing them to your online reviews, to your social media pages, to what other people are saying about your shop. If you have certifications, are you mentioning that to the customer, and then explaining what that means to them? Demonstrate empathy with at least one statement

Mike: So how about when they arrive at your shop?

Sheryl: When a customer walks through our doors, studies show that we have seven seconds to make a first impression. Even if we’re on the telephone with another customer, we can absolutely acknowledge the customer who walks through our doors through non-verbal cues. We should never communicate that we’re thinking about all the other tasks we need to complete. We should be completely focused on who is in front of us, actively listening to that customer, providing a personalized customer experience.

One of the best questions to ask during a repair consultation is: What is concerning you the most about this process? Whether it’s the claims process, or the repairs process, every single customer is different. And so that really helps us not just regurgitate information, or just check things off a task list.

We don’t want to just “process” a customer. We want to build relationships. So even in that first interaction, our focus needs to be on listening in order to understand what is most important to them so we can provide an individualized, extraordinary customer experience

I’ll share more about what Sheryl and I talked about in my next column.

Sheryl Driggers, one of the teammates at Collision Advice and a former shop owner, shares some of her insights on creating the extraordinary customer experience.

“One of the best questions to ask during a repair consultation is: What is concerning you the most about this process?” SHERYL DRIGGERS COLLISION ADVICE

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trucks,” said Gerald Johnson , executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Sustainability. “These investments reflect our commitment to our loyal truck customers and the efforts of the dedicated employees of Flint Assembly and Flint Metal Center.”

This investment bolsters GM’s U.S. manufacturing operations, which include more than 50 assembly, stamping, propulsion and component plants and parts distribution centers nationwide. It also highlights the company’s commitment to continue providing customers a strong portfolio of ICE vehicles for years to come.

In 2022, GM achieved a 38% yearover-year increase in HD pickup sales with nearly 288,000 trucks sold. Additionally, the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado HD was the best-selling retail full-size HD pickup.

At Flint Assembly, GM will invest $788 million to prepare the plant to assemble GM’s next-generation ICE HD trucks. Plant updates will include a body shop building expansion, general assembly conveyor expansion, and new tooling and equipment.

At Flint Metal Center, GM will invest $233 million for new stamping dies to support production of GM’s next-generation ICE HD trucks, as well as press refurbishments and new equipment.

“When business is booming as it has been for the past decade—due to the hard work of UAW members— the company should continue to invest in its workforce,” said Mike Booth , UAW vice president, GM department. “It is good to see that GM recognizes the hard work you, the UAW membership, contribute to the success of this company. We are proud that UAW-GM members will continue to build quality, unionmade products here in the USA.”

GM has announced more than $1.7 billion in investments for Flintarea operations in 2023, including $579 million in Flint Engine Operations for sixth-generation Small Block V-8 engine production and $103.5 million in Davison Road Processing Center for technology upgrades to improve workplace safety and ergonomics.

S ource: GM

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NABC Recycled Rides Presents Refurbished Cargo Van

To Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio

On May 18, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program, along with car donor Hertz and repair partner Gerber Collision & Glass, presented a 2020 Ford Cargo Van to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. The van will help with the transportation needs of the facility, including bringing in supplies for visiting families.

“We are thrilled to work with Hertz and Gerber Collision & Glass to provide a needed cargo van for RMHC. This is a great opportunity for us to help one of the leading Columbus organizations helping families,” said Kevin Creegan, NABC Recycled Rides committee co-chair.

“McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio relies on the generosity of people and organizations, and this vehicle is a tremendously generous donation. We can’t thank enough the NABC, Hertz and Gerber Collision & Glass for pulling together to make this gift possible,” said Ryan Wilkins, chief marketing officer, Ronald

McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio.

NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the NABC Recycled Rides program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,000 vehicles valued at some $42 million.

Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation included Auto Glass Now, a Driven Brands company, Copart and I-800 Charity Cars.

Source: NABC

Midwest Collision

both attendees and vendors. Renowned speakers and panelists included Dirk Fuchs from I-CAR, Jake Rodenroth from Lucid Motors, Rod Cahoy from PPG, Dan Risley from CCC, Danny Gredinberg from DEG, Casey Lund from Collision Leaders (formerly Warrensburg Collision), Mark Claypool from Optima Automotive and more. The first day concluded with a trade show featuring vendors from around the country.

Gina Cotton, executive director of the Nebraska and Missouri auto body

associations and show coordinator, expressed her appreciation for the warm welcome from Kansas City and the sponsors.

“It has been amazing,” Cotton said. “We are so appreciative of Kansas City for welcoming us and I’m so appreciative of all the sponsors.”

Day Two continued May 20 with breakout sessions and an open trade show floor throughout the day. During lunchtime, attendees enjoyed a keynote speech by Dan Meers, also known as “KC Wolf,” the beloved mascot of the local Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs. Attendees also savored local BBQ from the renowned Kansas City Jack Stack BBQ.

The show wrapped up with a panel, “There is Nothing Without the Right Culture,” moderated by Frank Terlep from Opus IV. Panelists included Lirel Holt from Powered By U, Lund, Anderson, Ron Reichen from Precision Collision Centers, and Dillon Lapp from Twin River Body Shops.

“Hopefully, we’ll see you at our 2024 Midwest Trade Show!” said Cotton.

Keynote speaker Dan Meers, aka the Kansas City Chiefs’ mascot, “K.C. Wolf,” on the main stage.

Jeremy Baines, left, and Lori Handke, right, at the Car-Part.com booth.

Terry Ticell, left, and Tom McFinch, right, both of I-CAR, in front of the FOCUS Investment Banking Booth.

Mike Anderson, left, and Mark Claypool, right, at the Optima Worldwide booth.

Cole Strandberg of FOCUS Investment Banking, left, and Jake Rodenroth of Lucid Motors, right, walk the show floor.

A panel discussion, “There is Nothing Without the Right Culture,” featured, left to right: moderator Frank Terlep of Opus IV, panelists Mike Anderson of Collision Advice, Lirel Holt of Powered by U, Ron Reichen of Precision Collision Centers, Casey Lund of Collision Leaders, and Dillon Lapp of Twin Rivers Body Shop.

Everyone in Collision Repair Process Plays a Part in Solving Problems With Supplements

By John Yoswick Autobody News

Virginia shop owner Barry Dorn said he doesn’t see “who is winning” as the time involved with processing supplements grows.

“My concern is that we all lose that trust with that customer,” Dorn said, during a panel discussion on supplements during this spring’s Collision Industry Conference (CIC). “They see a $1,000 photo estimate turn into a $20,000 blueprint. The trust is lost. The customer knows somebody is lying to them. They just don’t know who.”

He said it’s also hard on frontline employees---both at shops and insurance companies—who have to “go through this frustrating, laborious process,” and might question if it’s something they really want to continue to do, at a time when there’s already a labor shortage.

supplement, the vast majority had two supplements, and some had three or more supplements,” Amberson said, noting about three-quarters of the 100 jobs were non-DRP. “The average response time, from the time we submitted the first supplement, to when we got the response from the insurer, was 4.2 days. When you looked at the DRP jobs, those were obviously much lower because we get almost immediate response. Those were less than one day.”

But one of the larger insurers had average response time of more than six days, and another more than eight days.

“And I’m not talking about resolution. I’m just talking about a response,” Amberson said. “This is detrimental to all of us, including the insurer. My question is: How long is it going to take the insurers to figure this out so they can get response times down? Those of us who have been around a while recall a time when non-DRP response times were far less than that.”

Andrew Batenhorst of Pacific BMW Collision Center in Glendale, CA, said his shop also measures insurer response time.

Wright said the pandemic may have sped up insurers’ move toward “no-touch” or “low-touch” claims processing, but that transition started at least a decade ago in an effort to reduce claims processing costs.

“That’s measurable to the guys in the ivory tower,” Wright said. “They can’t control severity. Severity is biproduct of the technology we have today and the complexity of the car. So what’s important to the insurance executives, is controlling [claims processing] costs. That means finding a way to handle claims faster—not necessarily better, but faster. Unfortunately it’s caused this [supplement] dilemma we have that’s gotten worse.”

“We’re caught in the middle most times on the supplement process,” he said. “We don’t get paid in general to write supplements. When we have to come back, that’s a cost. It’s factored into our cost of doing business, but when there’s not documentation, or if we can’t find the vehicle or there’s nobody there to walk through the vehicle with us, we almost have to start over.”

Documentation Should Help

Aaron Schulenburg of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists agreed shops that aren’t providing adequate photos, OEM procedures and other documentation to support the supplements they submit need to start doing that.

“It’s almost cruel and unusual punishment,” concurred Mike Giarrizzo, CEO of DCR Systems, which operates eight collision repair shops under partnerships with dealers. He said his company explains to customers what to expect.

“We tell them we’re going to provide their insurer with every bit of evidence and documentation necessary to fix the vehicle correctly,” he said. “We’re going to go out of our way to provide any information that their insurer needs, and convey what needs to be done and why. But we can’t control the way they respond to that.”

Cycle Time Impact

Darrell Amberson of LaMettry’s Collision in Minnesota pointed to the cycle time ramifications of getting supplements approved. He said his company looked at 25 insurance jobs from each of four of the company’s locations.

“Virtually all of them got one

“And I have a conversation with the local [claims] managers about how they’re doing,” Batenhorst said. “If we get measured all the time on [key performance indicators], I like to flip the table back on them, and a lot of them are really surprised by what we show them. Having that open conversation can make a difference. Not every carrier is going to be open to that. But one by one, if you start opening up a dialogue, and you realize there’s a way to talk about these things, you can make a difference. They have different metrics than we do, obviously, but we all need to figure this out together.”

The Insurer View

Two of the panelists representing the insurance industry during the CIC discussion shared their perspectives on what could improve the supplement process. Consultant Roger Wright, a former vice president of claims at AIG, sees a role for the automakers.

“We really need the OEs to help clarify some of the procedures they have,” Wright said. “They just don’t make sense to insurance companies, and that’s why they’re so resistant sometimes to paying for certain things.”

Wright said while many shops are doing better at blueprinting and documentation, much of the industry still isn’t, also contributing to supplement processing issues. Phil Langley, vice president of client services for SCA Claim Services, agreed.

“But a big part of the problem is that if the repair industry does a better job of meeting those expectations, there should be a change in outcome,” Schulenburg said. “I think where the frustration rises is there are so many shops who have prioritized doing exactly that, and are doing it very well, and instead face almost a more difficult challenge” in getting supplements approved.

Shop owner Dorn agreed shops should provide good documentation supporting the supplements they submit.

“But I think that needs to be a twoway street when there’s a denial,” Dorn suggested. “If we have to fully document why we are doing something, I think the other industry stakeholders need to document why they’re not [paying for] it.”

Dorn said he sees the industry at a turning point in terms of supplements.

“I can guarantee you that already today—it’s what, about 11 o’clock— we’ve probably already had 100 shop visits where someone from our company shows up and no one is there to even show us where the vehicle is,” Langley said. “If we could work on that, that would be a good first step.”

He said after working with hundreds of insurance companies and thousands of shops, each with their own processes, some standardization across the industry would help.

Credit: Shutterstock

“We can’t continue to go down this path,” he said. “Fundamental change has to happen. We have to get away from the archaic ways that we’ve been doing things for 30 years. Everyone is frustrated. No one is winning. No one is happy about this. So let’s agree we have to change the process.”

Mike Giarrizzo of DCR Systems said making shop employees negotiate through the supplement process has become “almost cruel and unusual punishment.”

Phil Langley of SCA Claim Services said more standardization in how shops and insurers handle supplements would be a positive step

“We have to get away from the archaic ways that we’ve been doing things for 30 years.”

— BARRY DORN

OWNER, DORN’S BODY & PAINT

Auto Body Shop Owners Decide Where to Focus Attention, Resources in Near Future

By John Yoswick Autobody News

An article published in the June 2023 issue of Autobody News asked a half dozen shop owners to reflect on a recent change they had made in their business and how it worked out.

Now, some of those same shop owners—and others—look ahead rather than back, sharing what challenges they see and where they will be focusing added resources in the next year or two.

Melanie Allan of Craftsman Collision in Long Beach, CA, said she’s a little concerned about the impact of a recession, if one occurs.

“The number of $1,000 deductibles that I’m seeing is just off the charts,” she said. “It used to be $250 and $500. Now everybody seems to have $1,000 deductibles, and that’s a big chunk of money. We just fix regular cars, Corollas and Accords. There’s not a lot of affluence around here. So I’m concerned that people will not keep going on a claim when they realize they have a $1,000 deductible.”

Walker’s Auto Body in Concord, CA, said her shop is also gearing up to repair Rivian’s electric vans.

“We’ve been working on electric transit buses for a long time, and haven’t had any issues, but we are getting a little bit nervous about bringing in the Rivian vans,” Walker said. “I really have to brush up on the safety part of it: Where are we going to store these vans when sitting idle? There’s lots of stories out there.”

Another potential focal point Walker mentioned: “I’m probably going to be working toward selling my shop in the next three years,” she said. “I’ve been doing this for 35 years. But I also don’t want to just walk away from the industry, because I feel I have so much information I can share.”

purchased,” Hamm said. “The guy and and his father worked there, and they were just done. I bought it from him, and he actually became an estimator for me. We’ll be able to grab more work from a neighboring town.”

Hamm said he’ll also be focused on getting more OEM certifications and streamlining processes.

“I’ve also been thinking about shifting to a four-day work week,” he said. “That way people have more of a balance between work and home, and I think it will help us keep our guys and get more people to jump on board. I’m kicking that around to

see how I can implement it.”

Repair Quality

Second-generation shop owner Tiffany Silva of Accurate Auto Body in Richmond, CA, said her company is staying focused on proper, safe repairs.

“We just brought on AirPro Diagnostics,” she said. “We have multiple scanners here and we preand post-repair scan every car, but I just pre-scanned a car and the [aftermarket] scanner didn’t catch there was a blown airbag. How frustrating is that?”

She said the shop holds some OEM certifications.

“But I’m letting go a lot of the OE ‘recognition’ and sticking with just the ‘certifications,’ the ones that have brought value to me,” she said.

She’s investing in ongoing technician training, noting she’d just flown two techs for training by Equip Automotive Systems.

“It was $7,500 for two days, but I’m reassured they are doing a safe, proper repair when it comes to replacing a quarter-panel as the OEMs want, with the OEM procedures,” she said.

She said Yelp and Google reviews now have a “massive” impact.

“So we do whatever we can for customers. We’re bending over backwards for customers right now, more than ever,” she said. “We have to keep that up.”

In Slidell, LA, Frank Rinaudo of Frank’s Accurate Body Shop also said Google reviews are a main focus.

“I think there was a time when customers trusted that if their insurance company said, ‘Go here,’ they did that,” Rinaudo said. “Now they do their own research. We monitor why they came to us, and Google reviews are the No. 1 thing.”

He said his shop is non-DRP but has nine OEM certifications.

“We’re heavily pursuing that, particularly in the electric vehicle arena,” he said. “We’re onboarding with Rivian, Lucid and Mercedes currently. So marketing, certifications and training are the three big focuses.”

EVs, Customer Co-Pays

Like Rinaudo, Gigi Walker of

Tom Ricci, owner of Body & Paint Center in Hudson, MA, said with most insurers in his market paying labor rates of $43 or less, he’s considering whether to start collecting more from customers.

“There seems to be a wave going on of people getting off all the programs and starting to do a copay just like with medical and dental insurance,” Ricci said. “We’re faced with that. How many customers will we lose? And can we afford not to? I think the numbers are going to drive me there. We just can’t do it for this rate any more. That to me is the next big hurdle. I’ve heard a lot of people say you don’t lose that many customers, but I’m not sure how warmly it will be received.”

A New Location

Keith Hamm, owner of AutoCraft Collision, a 10-employee, 11,000-square-foot shop in Paso Robles, CA, said he’s currently focused on the opening of a second location.

“It was an existing shop in a great location, about 20 miles away in a neighboring town, that we

Shop owners are looking at how to tackle the biggest issues facing the collision repair industry today.

“We monitor why [customers] came to us, and Google reviews are the No. 1 thing.”

— FRANK RINAUDO OWNER, FRANK’S ACCURATE BODY SHOP

The Benefits of Bringing More Services In-House for Auto Body Shops

Body shops have always focused on repairing vehicles after an accident, but there are many other services they could provide to increase revenue and profits and improve customer satisfaction. One way to expand their offerings is by bringing in-house some services they currently outsource, such as ADAS calibration,

and training for technicians. Body shops will also need to ensure that they have the necessary processes in place to manage these services, including developing new workflows for ADAS calibration, training staff on new processes, and developing pricing strategies for these services.

This, for the time being, is optional

wraps, ceramic and protective coatings, performance upgrades and more. These services can provide customers with the ability to personalize their vehicles and make them stand out from the crowd.

There are several benefits to adding a customization component to a collision business. Firstly, it can provide an additional source of revenue and profitability for the body shop. This can help to diversify the business and reduce its dependence on collision repairs.

Secondly, offering customization can improve customer satisfaction, build loyalty, generate repeat business and meet the needs of a wider range of customers. Additionally, offering customization can provide a competitive advantage over other repair-only body shops.

Thirdly, offering customization can help to attract new customers. By promoting these services, the body shop can attract people who are looking for things beyond repair and

give clients more excuses to walk into your building. As an added benefit, customers for these services tend to be in a bit of a better mood and more willing to spend on non-insurance, more profitable work.

Bringing things like ADAS calibration, alignment and customization services in-house can provide numerous benefits for body shops. By investing in the necessary equipment, training and processes, body shops can offer a more complete and efficient repair service to their customers while also increasing profitable revenue and improving customer satisfaction. It is important for body shops to evaluate their current offerings and consider the potential benefits of expanding their services to include these in-house options. With the right investment and approach, body shops can differentiate themselves from the competition and position themselves for long-term growth and success.

alignment and customization services. As an added benefit, most of these services have high margins and tend to be “easier” than the bulk of collision repair work. Plenty of shops are doing these things inhouse. Should you?

ADAS Calibration

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become increasingly common in modern vehicles. These systems use cameras, radar and other sensors to assist drivers with tasks such as lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control. However, if these systems are not calibrated correctly after a collision repair, they may not function properly. This can compromise the safety of the vehicle and its occupants.

By bringing ADAS calibration inhouse, body shops can ensure they are providing a complete and safe repair service to their customers. This can also help to reduce the time and cost associated with outsourcing these services. Additionally, having inhouse ADAS calibration capabilities can provide a competitive advantage over other body shops that do not offer these services.

To bring ADAS calibration inhouse, body shops will need to invest in the necessary equipment and training. This may include ADAS calibration tools, software

for many OEM certifications. As evolution in vehicle safety systems continues to advance, it won’t be. Get ahead of the curve with this one.

Alignment

Proper wheel alignment is critical for vehicle handling, fuel economy and tire wear. After a collision repair, it is essential to check the wheel alignment and make any necessary adjustments. However, if the body shop outsources this service, it can add time and cost to the repair process.

By bringing alignment in-house, body shops can provide a complete and efficient repair service while reducing turnaround time and cost. It can also provide a competitive advantage over other shops.

To bring alignment in-house, body shops will need to invest in the necessary equipment, such as alignment machines and lifts, as well as training for technicians.

Oh, and did I mention alignments are among the most profitable services body shops can offer?

Customization

In addition to collision repairs, there are many other services body shops can provide to customers. One area often overlooked is customization and accessories.

Customization services can include a wide range of options, such as aftermarket wheels, vinyl

Cole Strandberg

Credit: Shutterstock

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2200KG(4894LBS)

Conformstoregulations: 2015

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U.S.EPAclass/stds: LDV/TIER2

Group: FGMXV01.80111.2L Evap:SFI/HO2S/TWCFGMXR0095805

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VEHICLEEMISSIONCONTROLINFORMATION

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Conformstoregulations:2016MY Not for sale in states with California emissions standards.

U.S.EPA:T2B4 LDV

FEDOBDII

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2.3L-Group:GFMXV02.3VJW Evap:GFMXR0125NBV

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Not To Comply

requires automakers to initiate a recall of vehicles that contain a safety defect—which, according to the NHTSA, includes the open remote access to vehicle telematics required by the state law.

“Open access to vehicle manufacturers’ telematics offerings with the ability to remotely send commands allows for manipulation of systems on a vehicle, including safety-critical functions such as steering, acceleration or braking, as well as equipment required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards such as air bags and electronic stability control,” the NHTSA said. “A malicious actor here or abroad could utilize such open access to remotely command vehicles to operate dangerously, including attacking multiple vehicles concurrently.

“Vehicle crashes, injuries or deaths are foreseeable outcomes of such a situation,” the NHTSA said.

The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition released a statement condemning the NHTSA’s letter, calling it the “latest auto manufacturers’ stall tactic.”

“On behalf of 2 million voters and thousands of independent auto repair shops across Massachusetts, we are outraged by the unsolicited, unwarranted and counterproductive letter from NHTSA that conflicts with the Department of Justice’s statement submitted two years ago in federal court stating that there was no federal preemption,” said Tommy Hickey, executive director of the Right to Repair Coalition.

“NHTSA’s letter is irresponsible, having been transmitted without any new evidence and after the conclusion of the federal trial, despite having been asked by the judge to participate in the court proceeding and declining.

“NHTSA’s letter fails to acknowledge the evidence and testimony presented at the trial that demonstrated the viability and security of an open access platform,” Hickey continued. “This is yet another delay tactic the manufacturers are using to thwart the will of their customers, Massachusetts voters who voted 7525 in favor of their right to get their car repaired where they choose. The FTC, the Biden Administration and many members of Congress have all come out in support of Right To Repair.”

Francis Energy Awarded Funds For EV Stations in IL

Francis Energy, owner of the fourth-largest EV fast-charging network in the country, announced June 5 it has been awarded grant funds by the Illinois EPA to build and operate three new charging stations in high-traffic areas along the state’s highways, in Beach Park, Troy and LeRoy.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the state of Illinois to build safe, convenient, reliable and affordable public fast-charging infrastructure that will give EV drivers peace of mind as they travel across the state,” said Francis founder and CEO David Jankowsky. “Our comprehensive statewide network in Oklahoma is the model we are using to expand across the country. With these awards, we are delighted that Illinois becomes our eighth state in that effort. This is a proud moment for Francis.”

Added Jason Pitcock, head of government relations for Francis Energy, “We appreciate the state’s leadership in the transition to electric mobility and we look forward to upcoming funding opportunities to grow the Francis network throughout Illinois.”

Source: Francis Energy, LLC

“We are grateful for the opportunity to partner with the state of Illinois to build safe, convenient, reliable and affordable public fast-charging infrastructure that will give EV drivers peace of mind as they travel across the state,”

DAVID JANKOWSKY FRANCIS FOUNDER AND CEO

GM Discusses Collision Repair Network Program, Easing Parts Challenges

By John Yoswick Autobody News

Representatives of General Motors, speaking at the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Educational Conference in May, talked about recent and upcoming changes to the automaker’s Collision Repair Network (CRN), which currently includes just over 700 auto body shops.

Megan Sullivan, collision program manager, said nearly all of the required tools and equipment to

C8 and Cadillac CT6—can now participate in a “sharing program” for the specific fixtures and tools that level of the network requires.

“We realize they may only see a Cadillac CT6 a couple of times a year in their shop, and we were getting feedback that some of the tools were really expensive for the low amount of repairs,” Sullivan said.

CRN shops with technical questions about repair procedures— or the lack of a procedure—can email the automaker’s collision repair technical support team.

CRN shops also can use a free dashboard through AutoHouse technologies that allows them to see how they compare to other shops in terms of cycle time and other metrics.

the day after a crash is detected, but only if the driver contacted OnStar after the accident and if no injuries were involved.

Given the automaker’s access to that telematics data, the GM representatives were asked if GM has future plans to partner with insurance companies.

“Yeah, we absolutely do,” Doherty

Doherty said. “Is it getting better? It is. We’ve seen a back-order decrease of about 30% since the beginning of the year. So we’re getting some relief, but it is difficult.”

She said the current increase in new car sales “helps our case for the need for service parts.”

qualify for the program are now specbased, rather than requiring specific brands or models. Shops seeking to qualify for the second level of the program—which is required in order for a shop to purchase restricted structural parts for the Corvette

Kelli Doherty, independent aftermarket collision manager at GM, said that dashboard will in the future be used as part of a ranking program of CRN shops.

In terms of more proactively driving work to CRN shops—beyond GM’s shop locator site and the marketing assets available for shop use—Sullivan said OnStar subscribers are emailed a link to the shop locator

said, noting OnStar Insurance has launched to help GM “understand that market better.” “OnStar has a great read on what happens to a vehicle the instant there’s an accident. So we have some great data. We have to figure out how that translates to what’s in the best interest of the consumer, and how we can get that vehicle repaired safely and properly.”

Sullivan and Doherty were asked about the continued challenge with back-ordered parts.

“It’s painful. I’m not going to lie,”

The owner of an independent shop at the conference told Doherty she’s experienced dealers not performing needed calibrations she has sublet to them, despite providing the service department with exactly what collision repair work had been done to the vehicles. Doherty said dealers are held to the same standards as independent shops in terms of GM’s shop certification, and “if we find out [needed calibration] is not happening, there’s clearly some communication that will happen.” Doherty was also asked about when the automaker describes a procedure as “required” versus “recommended.”

“You need stronger language, is that what you’re asking? We’ve heard that feedback,” Doherty said, saying she is working with the GM engineering team about such language, and that GM “understands the position it puts you in.”

“We’ve seen a back-order decrease of about 30% since the beginning of the year.”

KELLI DOHERTY INDEPENDENT AFTERMARKET COLLISION MANAGER, GM

19-State Coalition Challenging EPA on California Truck Regulations

By Mary Stroka The Center Square

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird announced June 6 she’s leading a coalition of 19 states challenging an EPA decision regarding trucks, emissions and California.

The coalition filed a petition for review June 5 in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit regarding the EPA’s April 6 decision to grant the California Air Resource Board waivers on regulations for heavyduty on road vehicles and engines.

EPA found the California board’s Advanced Clean Trucks, Zero Emission Airport Shuttle Bus and Zero Emission Powertrain Certification regulations meet criteria for a waiver under the Clean Air Act.

In the Clean Air Act, Congress decided there would be two programs for control of emissions from new motor vehicles: EPA emission standards under the Clean Air Act and California emission standards under state law. Other states can adopt California’s standards, as

Congress determined California could be a pioneer for new emission standards and control technologies.

Amendments; the Advanced Clean Trucks Regulation, the Zero Emission Airport Shuttle Bus Regulation and the Zero Emission Powertrain Certification Regulation, EPA announced March 31. The ACT Regulation requires manufacturers produce and sell more medium- and heavyduty zero-emission vehicles and near zero emission vehicles in California.

thousands of dollars, according to a news release from Bird’s office. Eight other states have adopted California’s ban, and more are considering it.

“California’s truck ban will not only increase costs, but it will devastate the demand for liquid fuels, such as biodiesel, and cut trucking jobs across the nation,” the release said.

EPA can deny a California waiver request in three cases: if California’s determination that its standards are at least as protective as applicable federal standards is arbitrary and capricious; if California has no need for such standards to meet compelling and extraordinary conditions; or if California’s standards and accompanying enforcement procedures are inconsistent with section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act.

EPA granted a waiver for the 2018 Heavy-duty 2018 Warranty

The Advanced Clean Truck regulation requires truck manufacturers who certify vehicles with combustion engines to sell an increasing percentage of zero-emission trucks for California sales from 2024 to 2035,the board said. By 2035, zero-emission truck/chassis sales would need to be 55% of Class 2b–3 truck sales, 75% of Class 4–8 straight truck sales and 40% of truck tractor sales. Owners of at least 50 trucks must report on their existing fleet operations so the board can help ensure fleets purchase and use available zero-emission trucks.

Currently, 2% of heavy trucks sold in the U.S. are electric, and electric trucks cost hundreds of

Iowa’s trucking industry currently provides almost 100,000 jobs, or nearly one in 13 jobs in the state, the release said.

According to Bird’s office, California’s Advanced Clean Trucks regulation violates the Clean Air Act and other federal laws.

“Iowa isn’t going to take a backseat as the EPA and California try to regulate truckers out of business,” Bird said. “We’re pushing back.”

Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ohio, South Carolina, Utah and West Virginia have joined the petition.

Credit: Shutterstock.

Crash Champions Sponsoring Collision Engineering Program Students At IL School

The industry-leading Collision Engineering Program (CEP) on May 31 announced a new partnership with Crash Champions, one of the country’s largest collision repair multi-shop operators (MSO), to sponsor eight CEP students from College of Lake County (CLC) in Grayslake, IL.

Using the apprenticeship model founded by Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College, CEP students will apprentice at local Crash Champions repair centers throughout their two-year program, working alongside and learning from professional mentors in the industry.

As part of CEP’s emphasis on collaboration between schools and industry, students gain realworld experience from the very beginning of their program with eight-week rotations between lab or classroom instruction and apprenticeships at local collision repair centers.

“The growing demand for highly trained collision repair technicians is well documented,” said Crash Champions founder and CEO Matt

Ebert. “That’s why we’re determined to invest in the next generation of skilled technicians and partnering with CEP is a creative opportunity to expand those pathways. We believe in the apprenticeship model, and this is just another step forward in our overall vision to invest in the future of the industry.”

With a growing network of more than 600 high-quality collision repair centers across the country, Crash Champions understands the need to invest in building a proven pipeline of talent and is committed to doing its part to address the demand. While this is the first time Crash Champions is sponsoring CEP students, both organizations are eager to expand the partnership to other CEP schools across the country.

“Schools don’t just need employers, we need partners,” said Octavio Cavazos , automotive collision repair instructor at College of Lake County. “It takes an industry to raise a technician, and it’s about so much more than just giving our students a place to work. It’s a long-term commitment

to being a mentor and guiding new collision engineers throughout their journey.”

how we can make a real difference when the industry comes together. This is an amazing opportunity for our students to gain on-the-job training to prepare them for a career after graduation, a model that is critical to building a pipeline of qualified collision engineers for the future.”

The New Fusor 800HD Plus Series

Crash Champions has committed to sponsor CLC students for the full two years of the program, as they rotate every eight weeks between the classroom and collision repair centers while earning their associate degree. As part of CEP’s earn-while-you-learn model, students will receive a rising hourly wage for their work with Crash Champions. The goal is that the apprenticeships turn into fulltime jobs after graduation.

“Short-staffed collision repair centers are feeling the effects of the skills gap and talent shortage every day,” said Enterprise Holdings Vice President Mary Mahoney . “This new partnership with Crash Champions shows

The first group of CLC students began their apprenticeships with Crash Champions in March, after completing their first eight weeks of classroom instruction that began in January.

In addition to the College of Lake County, the Collision Engineering Program is active at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA; Collin College in Allen, TX; Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX; Parkland College in Champaign, IL; and Metropolitan Community College in Omaha, NE.

For more information about the Collision Engineering Program, visit www.beacollisionengineer.com.

Source: Collision Engineering Program

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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

Superior Honda Omaha Omaha 402-408-1100

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

ILLINOIS OHIO

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

Morton Grove

847-470-2308

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

Jay Wolfe Acura of Overland Park

Overland Park

913-648-2287

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

Acura of Troy Troy

800-935-0923

248-643-0900

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

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

Columbia Acura Cincinnati 844-677-4902

513-530-0698

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

Apostolakis Honda

Cortland

800-900-4600

330-638-3060

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Jay Honda Bedford

800-509-9057

440-786-3363

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

Inaugural Episode of Webinar Series Looks At IIHS’ Study of Issues Reported With ADAS Repairs

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

AirPro Diagnostics’ new webinar series, TechTalk 360, hosted its firstever episode May 17, “Consumer Experiences with Crash Avoidance Feature Repairs,” presented by David Zuby, executive vice president and chief research officer for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS.)

A full replay of the presentation is available on AirPro Diagnostics’ YouTube channel, at youtube.com/@ airprodiagnostics1282.

The webinars, co-hosted by Jordan Hendler and George Avery, will be presented every other month.

During the roughly one-hour webinar, Zuby discussed IIHS’ recent report on its survey of owners

the vehicle’s original owner. Most sought a repair of the feature due to a recall or service bulletin from the automaker, but one in five owners did so because the vehicle had collision damage. The least common reason to seek a repair was because the car displayed an error code.

Of the respondents, about two-thirds took their vehicle to a dealership service center. The rest either went to an independent repair shop or didn’t know.

Zuby said a majority of the respondents said the features were recalibrated as part of the repair, which he said is good news.

they were covered by insurance or a warranty, and respondents were largely satisfied with how much they had to pay out of pocket for the repair.

“As the number of features on cars on the road is growing, it may

to be fully addressed.”

Zuby said there is a concern that if consumers continue to experience problems, there will be less interest in the technology, and car buyers as a whole will be less likely to purchase vehicles with those features.

“As a safety organization, we’d like to see more cars equipped with them,” Zuby said.

The IIHS will continue to study the reasons behind the high rate of postrepair issues.

of vehicles with repaired crash avoidance features, also known as Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS.)

Zuby said U.S. roadway deaths hit a low of about 32,000 in 2011, but since then, they have been steadily rising—increasing 32% over the next decade to about 43,000 deaths in 2021, the most recent year of data available.

The popularity of ADAS features is also increasing, Zuby said. Nearly half of the entire car parc on U.S. roads has a rearview camera at this point, while other features, like active lane centering, are still only available on a few new models.

“These features are important because [data] shows they are helping drivers avoid crashes,” Zuby said. “They work, so we want to make sure when they’re involved in a crash, they go back on the road working properly.”

However, the features also drive up the cost of repairs, requiring more labor for recalibrating and more expensive replacement parts.

“Mistakes in repairs are leading to a decrease in effectiveness,” Zuby said.

IIHS surveyed 500 people who owned vehicles, mostly from model years 2015-2021, with at least one repaired ADAS feature; 85% were

“We have heard a lot of windshield repairs and others aren’t getting the recalibrations required,” Zuby said. “So at least from this sample of owners’ perspectives, [recalibration] is by and large taking place.” Significantly more respondents reported problems with the feature after it was repaired by an independent shop compared to a dealership service center. “That speaks to the lack of availability of repair information to independent repairers, which Right to Repair legislation would make more widely available,” Zuby said.

Post-repair issues were also more likely if the vehicle went to the shop for collision damage or a windshield replacement, as compared to a recall or service bulletin.

“That reflects that crash repairs have gotten complicated,” Zuby said. “The info needed to get it done is not fully available to all repairers yet.”

Zuby said those results surprised IIHS researchers.

“It speaks to fact the calibrations are complicated, and even when they’re being carried out, they’re not being done right,” he said. “Calibration instructions are often not clear, and they can change year to year, model to model within the same OE.

“It’s a cause for concern that the industry needs to pay more attention to making sure information about calibrations is not only clear, but also followed,” Zuby added.

Respondents also reported some features had to be repaired more than once---about a third had more than one repair, and about a third later needed a repair for a separate problem. But the repairs generally improved the feature’s performance, the survey showed.

Since most of the vehicles owned by survey respondents were newer,

lead to more repair issues initially, but over time, I think the problems people experience will decrease,” Zuby said.

As an example, he pointed to Ford’s introduction of an aluminum body on the F-150.

“The repair costs initially were higher and took longer [than for steel], but in the most recent update, there was no difference,” Zuby said. “It just takes time for these new issues

“We suspect part of it is growing pains, but we also suspect we need to make repair info more readily available, to not just OE shops but also independent shops,” Zuby said.

“Self-diagnostics were the least common reason to seek repair; we also think the auto industry could do more to make systems capable of alerting when a repair is needed,” he added.

Zuby said automakers have an obligation to make repair processes as simple as possible, and insurers also have to understand what they’re insuring so they’re not pushing back against estimates.

“It’s a cause for concern that the industry needs to pay more attention to making sure information about calibrations is not only clear, but also followed.”

— DAVID ZUBY IIHS

MINNESOTA

Minnesota Auto Repair Shop Named Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year

By Amanda Lillie Austin Daily Herald

When Jose Carrazco first opened West Oakland Auto Repair in Austin, MN, all he wanted was to keep himself employed doing something he enjoys. Now, 11 years later, the U.S. Small Business Administration has named him the 2023 SBA Minnesota Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year.

“We were just a couple guys who were trying to keep busy and create their own employment,” Carrazco said. “We kept growing as time passed by. When we talk to other business owners and our friends and I see their reaction, it’s like, ‘Wow, this has got to be big.’”

Carrazco first immigrated to the U.S. from Mexico in the 1990s. He lived in Iowa his first three years in the country, and then moved to Austin in 1999 where he did construction jobs, spent a stint at Quality Pork Processors, and worked at a body shop before beginning to work on cars more in his free time. As his knowledge base grew, so did his interest in becoming a mechanic.

“Once I start working on it, I dedicate to it,” he said. “Here we are right now. It takes dedication to do things you want to do and if you want to be successful.”

When a customer brings their car in for work, Carrazco and his team take the time to explain what needs repairing and why, along with any potential negative consequences if the car goes unrepaired.

“Once we find out what’s going on with the vehicle, we’ll take videos and pictures and show them what’s going on with it. Or while in the middle (of the repair), we’ll bring them in and show them what we’re replacing. That way we can create trust with everybody,” he said. “Having the right team will make a difference.”

professional paint booth, one that we got thanks to funding from the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF),” he said.

SMIF is the organization that nominated Carrazco’s business for the SBA’s Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year Award.

When it comes to the business side of his shop, Carrazco said he’s always been willing to ask questions, especially once he discovered the business resources available to him through organizations like DCA, SMIF and SBA.

In 2012, Carrazco stepped out on his own and rented a facility to open West Oakland Auto Repair. His only employees at the time were his dad and nephew. His dad still works for the shop, as does Carrazco’s wife, and over time they added eight partand full-time employees. Carrazco credits his team’s hard work and their transparency with customers for much of his shop’s success.

With no business experience when he first opened, Carrazco wasn’t sure how he’d even pay the shop’s rent. But customers were so impressed with his work, they kept coming back.

By 2016, he was already looking to purchase a building to house the shop. During the buying process, he procured a loan but came up a little short. That’s when he reached out to the Development Center of Austin (DCA) for support.

“We were finally able to move into our new place in 2017, and with that came the addition of a

“We have always went and asked questions about the finances,” he said. “We got help from these foundations, and it’s probably the greatest thing we have run into.”

Carrazco also isn’t afraid to ask questions of other business owners, even if they are considered competitors.

“Help is always out there. If I need to ask or stop into another shop, that won’t stop me, I’ll go right in and talk to someone,” he said. “That has opened up a lot of doors to me. I don’t look at others like competition. If I don’t know something, I’ve got to go ask.”

“We were just a couple guys who were trying to keep busy and create their own employment. We kept growing as time passed by. When we talk to other business owners and our friends and I see their reaction, it’s like, ‘Wow, this has got to be big.’”

JOSE CARRAZCO

OWNER, WEST OAKLAND AUTO REPAIR

NHTSA Proposes Automatic Emergency Braking Requirements For New Vehicles

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on May 31 announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require automatic emergency braking

The proposed rule is a key component of the Department’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, launched in January 2022 to address the national crisis in traffic fatalities and serious injuries. The

systems and features that help to prevent crashes.

The NRSS is complemented by unprecedented safety funding included in President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and in February, the department announced more than $800 million in grants to help communities carry out projects that can address highcrash areas. DOT also launched the next phase of the NRSS, its Call to Action campaign, and released a one-year progress report and accompanying data visualizations that highlight the extent and magnitude of the U.S. roadway safety problem.

the use of the technology to save even more lives. That’s why our proposed rule would require all cars to be able to stop and avoid contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 miles per hour. And the proposal would require pedestrian AEB, including requiring that AEB recognize and avoid pedestrians at night,” NHTSA Chief Counsel Ann Carlson said. “This proposed rule is a major safety advancement.”

If adopted as proposed, nearly all U.S. light vehicles (gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less) will be required to have AEB technology three years after the publication of a final rule.

and pedestrian AEB systems on passenger cars and light trucks. The proposed rule is expected to dramatically reduce crashes associated with pedestrians and rear-end crashes.

NHTSA projects this proposed rule, if finalized, would save at least 360 lives a year and reduce injuries by at least 24,000 annually. In addition, these AEB systems would result in significant reductions in property damage caused by rearend crashes. Many crashes would be avoided altogether, while others would be less destructive.

“Today, we take an important step forward to save lives and make our roadways safer for all Americans,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. “Just as lifesaving innovations from previous generations like seat belts and air bags have helped improve safety, requiring automatic emergency braking on cars and trucks would keep all of us safer on our roads.”

NRSS adopts the safe system approach and builds multiple layers of protection with safer roads, safer people, safer vehicles, safer speeds and better post-crash care. As part of the safe system approach, this rule highlights safer vehicles and USDOT’s effort to expand vehicle

An AEB system uses various sensor technologies and subsystems that work together to detect when the vehicle is close to crashing, and then automatically applies the vehicle brakes if the driver has not done so, or applies more braking force to supplement the driver’s braking as necessary to avoid or mitigate the severity of the crash.

“We’ve seen the benefits of the AEB system in some passenger vehicles already even at lower speeds, and we want to expand

This notice is a direct response to a provision in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to create a rule to establish minimum performance standards requiring that all passenger vehicles manufactured for sale in the U.S. be equipped with an AEB system. A Preliminary Regulatory Impact Analysis that presents the benefits and costs associated with the proposed rule also accompanies the NPRM.

S ource: NHTSA

Credit: Shutterstock

Automakers Being Pressured To Make Emergency Calling Tech Standard and Free

Most new cars come with built-in technology that can automatically call for help in an emergency and give the precise location of your vehicle, even if you are unable to call. This technology—known as automatic crash notification—has been in use in the U.S. since OnStar debuted in 1996.

This life-saving feature is now mandatory in all new cars sold in most of Europe. But in the U.S., it’s only optional, and it can cost a lot of money. In a recent investigation, Consumer Reports (CR) found most automakers still require a subscription fee that can be more than $100 a year to keep automatic crash notification active, and they’ll disable it if the fee’s not paid.

CR found 14 car brands do offer free automatic crash notification on at least some vehicles, while seven offer free trial periods of five years or longer. Two automakers—Tesla and Fiat—don’t offer this service at all in the U.S.

More than 700 lives could be saved each year if all new vehicles had this safety feature, according to a 2019 study from the National Highway Traffic

Safety Administration. Fifty-one percent of Americans say it’s either extremely or very important that their next vehicle has a system that will call emergency services when the airbags deploy, according to a new nationally representative survey conducted by CR in March.

To help save lives, CR is ramping up a new campaign to pressure automakers to make automatic crash notification come standard in all new vehicles, and keep it active for free.

More than 20,000 consumers signed a new CR petition in its first three days. It’s aimed at the automakers General Motors, Stellantis, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Tesla, which do not offer free automatic crash notification in all their models.

CR has raised this issue with the auto industry in the past, and one automaker says it made a difference. Hyundai recently announced it will include automatic crash notification free on new vehicles sold after 2024 as part of its BlueLink connected suite, and it noted CR’s advocacy played a role

in its decision.

“We believe providing these customer benefits at no cost is the right thing to do and is in alignment with our brand DNA over the years,” a spokesperson for the automaker said in a statement. “Consumer Reports’ information was one piece in our decision-making process.”

CR said it’s time for more automakers to make the same move.

“Automatic crash notification can save lives. It should come standard on all new cars, and remain active—and free—regardless of what happens with subscriptions for other connected services,” said William Wallace, CR’s associate director of safety policy.

Wallace noted automatic crash notification is often bundled with convenience features such as remote start, WiFi hotspots and concierge services. But CR’s engineers have found it would be easy for automakers to separate automatic crash notification and offer it free while still charging for other connectivity services.

“People injured in a crash shouldn’t have critical medical care

delayed because they choose not to pay for features like remote start or a mobile hot spot,” Wallace said. “It’s one thing for automakers to charge extra for conveniences, but this is about safety, and safety isn’t optional.”

It’s not just safety advocates who are calling for change.

“All cars should be required to have this feature, and nobody should pay for it,” said Dr. Eileen Bulger, a professor of surgery with University of Washington Medicine in Seattle who has researched the benefits of this feature on crash survival rates and presented those findings to the federal government. “It’s a safety feature.”

Today’s new cars and trucks come with standard safety features that used to be optional for an extra charge, including seat belts and rearview cameras. Automatic crash notification is a proven safety feature that makes a real difference in saving lives. It’s time for automakers to make it available for all consumers in the U.S., just as many of them are already doing for consumers in most parts of Europe.

Source: Consumer Reports

Seat Belt Problems Cause Recall of 175,000 Ford Broncos

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

Ford Bronco front seat belt problems have caused a recall of more than 175,000 Broncos with five-door body styles.

The 2021-2023 Broncos have front seat belt latch plates which may be difficult to access from their stowed positions.

block unhindered access to the latch plate,” Ford said.

The government contacted Ford in May about a 2023 Bronco five-door vehicle that had problems with the front seat belt latch.

Ford said a Bronco occupant could “experience some dissatisfaction or be discouraged if they are unable to easily access the seat belt latch in its stowed position.

In addition to causing problems for drivers and their passengers, the seat belt problem also violates federal safety standards.

As of May 10, Ford is not aware of any warranty or field reports, or crashes or injuries related to the seat belt latch plates.

“The stowed position of the latch plate, as determined by the seat belt webbing sewn loop, is in a position that does not have enough space between the seat back and the interior trim to allow the test

Ford Bronco recall letters will be mailed June 30. Ford dealers will add a sliding clip latch stop to the driver and front passenger seat belts.

Ford Bronco owners may call 866-436-7332 and ask about recall number 23C16.

Lordstown Motors Test Vehicle Catches Fire At Foxconn Plant

By Dan O’Brien Business Journal

Lordstown Motors Corp. confirmed May 22 that a nonsalable Endurance pickup test vehicle caught fire May 21 at Foxconn’s manufacturing plant in Lordstown, OH.

The all-electric Endurance was in storage at the site, and the company is investigating the cause, according to a statement.

“Emergency protocols were followed and the Lordstown Fire Department was called to the scene,” according to Lordstown Motors. “No one was injured and the company will investigate the cause of the fire.”

Firefighters were called to the plant at 7:32 p.m. May 21, said Travis Eastham , chief of the Lordstown Fire Department. “I had help from three different jurisdictions, mainly for water supply,” he said. Fire departments from Warren Township, Newton Falls and North Jackson were called to the scene.

The vehicle was stored in a separate building apart from the assembly and manufacturing plant and was specifically used for crash-test purposes, Eastham said.

WIN Presents Cornerstone Award

employees or firefighters, Eastham added, and there was no damage to the building

Lordstown Motors has been beset with problems since the launch of the Endurance late last year. Since deliveries began in November, the company has issued three recalls on the vehicle and has limited its production because of cost concerns.

This year’s Women’s Industry Network (WIN) Educational Conference was held May 1-3 in San Antonio, TX, and, Laura Kottschade, operations manager of Jerry’s ABRA® Auto Body & Glass – Mankato in Minnesota, and Jeanne Esquivel, business development manager, Enterprise Holdings, were presented the WIN Cornerstone Award by WIN Chair Tanya Sweetland, general manager, OEC.

It took approximately one hour to contain the blaze, which engulfed the entire pickup, Eastham said. “It was a total loss. There’s nothing left of the truck.”

Four other crash-test vehicles were also damaged, the fire chief reported. “These vehicles were already crash-tested and wrecked prior to this incident,” he said.

There were no injuries to

On Jan. 13, 2021, an Endurance EV caught fire during its first road test drive in Michigan, resulting in a total loss for that vehicle, according to earlier reports.

Foxconn purchased Lordstown Motors’ plant in May 2022 for $230 million. The Taiwanese company, the largest electronics contract manufacturer in the world, builds the Endurance for Lordstown Motors at the plant, formerly a General Motors complex.

The WIN Cornerstone Award recognizes high impact actions and unique contributions that demonstrate commitment to the WIN mission and vision, and set an example for others to follow.

WIN scholarships are presented annually to deserving students enrolled in a post-secondary collision repair technology program. The 2023 program’s expansion was designed to attract more students and increase the number of awards, starting with doubling the award rate this year and enabling a variety of students to grow in their collision repair career journey. There were a record 20 WIN scholarships awarded this year.

Source: WIN

GM Investing $632 Million in Fort Wayne Assembly For Truck Production

General Motors Co. announced June 12 plans to invest $632 million in Fort Wayne Assembly in Indiana to prepare the plant for production of the next-generation internal combustion engine (ICE) full-size light-duty trucks.

This investment will enable the company to strengthen its industry-leading full-size truck business. Product details and timing related to GM’s future trucks are not being released at this time.

Today’s announcement brings GM’s U.S. manufacturing and parts distribution facility investment commitments to more than $31.6 billion since 2013.

“Today we are announcing a significant investment to continue our industry-leading full-size truck business by preparing Fort Wayne Assembly to build the nextgeneration ICE full-size light-duty pickups,” said Gerald Johnson, executive vice president, Global Manufacturing and Sustainability. “This investment reflects our commitment to our loyal truck customers and the hard work of the dedicated Fort Wayne team.”

This investment bolsters GM’s U.S. manufacturing operations, which include more than 50 assembly, stamping, propulsion and component plants and parts distribution centers nationwide.

Repairify Announces

AsTech® All-In-One

of the Fort Wayne team members, both hourly and salaried, helped the 2023 Chevrolet Silverado to be the best-selling retail full-size lightduty pickup in 2022. Fort Wayne Assembly hourly employees are represented by UAW Local 2209.

This investment will support new conveyors, tooling and equipment in the plant’s body and general assembly areas.

“When business is booming as it has been for the past decade— due to the hard work of UAW members—the company should continue to invest in its workforce,” said Mike Booth, UAW vice president, GM department. “It is good to see that GM recognizes the hard work you, the UAW membership, contribute to the success of this company. We are proud that UAW-GM members will continue to build quality, unionmade products here in the USA.”

Repairify™, a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC, on June 8 announced the upcoming release of the new asTech® AllIn-One solution for local and remote automotive diagnostics, calibrations and programming to simplify the repair process.

The asTech® All-In-One is a comprehensive tablet-based solution with local and remote capabilities that’s enabled for both asTech® remote OEM tool solutions and OEM Compatible diagnostics, as well as ADAS calibrations and programming.

It also highlights the company’s commitment to continue providing customers a strong portfolio of ICE vehicles for years to come.

Fort Wayne proudly builds the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500. The quality and care

GM has announced nearly $2 billion in investments for Fort Wayne Assembly and more than $2.8 billion in Indiana manufacturing operations since 2013.

Source: GM

The asTech® All-In-One is the most powerful solution of its kind available in the automotive repair market. It features the broadest capabilities of any asTech® device and the most comprehensive OEM vehicle coverage, including those using the DOIP, CANFD, K-Line and secure gateway protocols.

The asTech® All-In-One was officially available June 12. For more information, visit astech. com/all-in-one.

Source: Repairify

“Today we are announcing a significant investment to continue our industryleading full-size truck business by preparing Fort Wayne Assembly to build the next-generation ICE full-size light-duty pickups,”

Gerald Johnson EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL MANUFACTURING AND SUSTAINABILITY.

Michigan Announces Push To Achieve Global Semiconductor Superiority

The Great Lakes State is launching its largest-ever campaign to promote careers, recruit talent and attract new businesses to fill jobs in Michigan’s thriving semiconductor industry, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced May 24.

Joined by Michigan education and business leaders along with the head of the Michigan Development Economic Corporation’s Talent Solutions Team, Gilchrist outlined Michigan’s plan to achieve superiority in the global semiconductor industry during a virtual press conference.

“Michigan is going all in to make it clear that our talented people make our state the best place to start and grow business in the semiconductor industry,” Gilchrist said.

“Michigan is a global leader and hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation, and we have grown our semiconductor industry footprint aggressively,” he said. “Let’s keep working together to bring advanced manufacturing and critical supply chains home as we create economic opportunity in every region and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

Gilchrist was joined by MEDC Executive Vice President and Chief Talent Solutions & Engagement

Officer Kerry Ebersole Singh; University of Michigan President Santa J. Ono; Michigan State University Interim President Teresa K. Woodruff; Wayne State University

University President Richard J. Koubek; Delta College President Michael Gavin; Lansing Community College President Steve Robinson; Washtenaw Community College President and CEO Rose B. Bellanca; KLA Global ESG Leader and Ann Arbor Site Lead John McLaughlin and Bay City-based SK Siltron CSS CEO Jianwei Dong

“Michigan is leading the nation with an “all-hands-on-deck” consortium that has successfully identified key skills and competencies most needed by employers to drive future microchip industry development,” Ebersole Singh said. “That’s not just the Gov. Whitmer Administration or the MEDC saying that. That’s what we’re hearing from leaders of the semiconductor industry who are encouraged and excited by what Michigan is doing right now.”

and shortages. As Michigan seeks to support research and development and manufacturing facilities, an increase in supply of engineers and technicians will be critical to semiconductor success.

Michigan’s Semiconductor TAT has already successfully built a consortium that includes seven higher education partners, 15 semiconductor employers and two industry associations that are collaborating with the state to focus on five semiconductor roles with demand across priority value chain areas: computer engineers, electrical engineers, industrial/process engineers, semiconductor processing technicians and aintenance and repair workers.

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Mark Lawrence Kornbluh; Michigan Technological

The MEDC’s Semiconductor Talent Action Team (TAT) is a collaborative, public/private partnership aimed at making Michigan a top state for semiconductor talent solutions and growth. The TAT will build on the Great Lakes State’s push to onshore critical supply chains of semiconductors back to Michigan, creating goodpaying jobs and reducing delays

Michigan is among the first states in the nation with a consortium that has successfully identified key skills and competencies most needed by employers to drive future microchip industry development.

MEDC TAT officials say more of Michigan’s four-year- and two-yeardegree institutions are invited to join the consortium, especially as community colleges are considered a crucial piece of the microelectronics workforce puzzle that Michigan is looking to solve.

“Michigan is a global leader and hub for advanced manufacturing and innovation, and we have grown our semiconductor industry footprint aggressively, Let’s keep working together to bring advanced manufacturing and critical supply chains home as we create economic opportunity in every region and build a brighter future for Michigan.”

GARLIN GILCHRIST II LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MICHIGAN

To support this effort, launching is an online application (TAT Semi Grant | Michigan Business) for prospective higher education consortium members to apply for up to $3 million in grants to:

Create a Semiconductor Scholars incentive within The Michigander Scholars Program that will mirror the state’s popular EV/mobility student recruitment campaign. The Michigander Scholars Program’s EV/Mobility cohort has already identified more than 30 Michigan university students who are eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarships and starting full-time positions and internships in Michigan with partner employers. Furthermore, the cohort has more than 200 students actively participating in networking and programming with industry leaders.

Develop semiconductor education curricula and flexible training models to jump-start career paths to the five in-demand job roles.

Expand and launch new PK-12 semiconductor engagement and awareness efforts such as skills boot camps.

To learn more about how Michigan is a leader in the semiconductor industry, go to www.michiganbusiness.org/ semiconductor.

Source: State of Michigan

Skilled Labor Shortage Impacts Southwest Minnesota

By Sawyer Drent for The Globe

The U.S. is seeing a continued shortage of trade and skilled workers nationwide, and this is happening at the state and local level, in Worthington, MN.

Many businesses are looking for workers, many of which don’t require a college degree.

According to Minnesota State’s Careerwise website, among 50 of the high demand jobs projected to grow in the state between now and 2026 are landscaping, maintenance, carpentry, freight, mechanics and construction workers. Some of these will require some schooling, while others use skills that can be learned right on the job site.

A look at jobs locally on Indeed. com confirms there is a great need for workers in the area. In a oneday search, 61 jobs were listed in Worthington in fields including transportation, maintenance, repair, installation, manufacturing, utilities, construction and supply chain.

According to Jeff Drent, an industrial technology teacher

PARTS

800-362-1679

515-270-9095

515-270-5008 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 parts@charlesgabus.com

MICHIGAN

734-721-2550

734-721-0980 Fax

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

at Heron Lake-Okabena High School, who teaches courses in automotive mechanics, auto body repair, construction, welding, woodworking and small engines, he frequently hears from employers.

“They are looking for workers who are responsible, stay off their phones, show up on time, are respectful and willing to work,” Drent said. “The employers have openings and will train hard working people for the specific skills needed on each job.”

There are jobs waiting for anyone who is willing to work hard. Cities near Worthington are experiencing the same high demand in these trade and skilled worker areas.

In a promotional video for his construction management program, Matthew Haynes, instructor at Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls, SD, said, “Students don’t have a hard time at all finding a job when they get done with their two-year associate’s degree, or with their one-year certificate degree.

“I’ve got employers calling me every day asking for who’s

614-861-8251 Fax

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

available,” Haynes said. “Landscape design, estimators for commercial construction companies, in the field being project managers. They might even go off on their own and be their general contractors and build residential houses or commercial.”

If you or someone you know is interested in pursuing a trade and skill position to fill these jobs and reduce the trade and skilled worker shortage locally, consider contacting advisors at Minnesota West Community & Technical College to find out more about entering the fields of carpentry, automotive work, plumbing, electrical work, welding, mechatronics and dozens of options in high demand fields. Call 1-800-658-2330 or visit mnwest. edu today, and you will be on your way to helping on a local, statewide and national level to reduce job shortages in trade and skilled worker fields.

In the end, filling these high demand job positions will help better the community of Worthington and the surrounding areas.

414-425-3085

800-462-4685

414-529-1014 Fax

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

WICHITA

316-685-9131

316-685-7759 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5

Rusty Eck Ford

Jack Demmer Ford

Volkswagen ID.Buzz Headed To North America, Marking Return of an Icon

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Volkswagen officially launched the long wheelbase version of its all-electric ID.Buzz van coming to the U.S. and Canada, June 2 in Huntington Beach, CA, a wellknown surfing spot. The electric van is inspired by the company’s minibus transporter—the Bulli or T1 Transporter—from the 1950s. Volkswagen vans were popular with surfers back in the day. Some might say the Volkswagen microbus is the precursor vehicle that inspired van life. “The original T1 was introduced in late 1949/early 1950, and with the help of some memorable Volkswagen advertising was becoming popular all over the world. The T1 was produced for around 17 years, so there were plenty of used, more affordable models around for surfers to travel in, live in and, more importantly, transport their surfboards, either inside or on top,” explained Andrew Burgess from Revolution Campers.

For the North American market, Volkswagen increased the wheelbase of the ID.Buzz to 127.5 inches—9.9 inches longer than the European version— providing room for a spacious third row for up to seven

new heat pump for increased efficiency in the winter. It also is available with a new 282 hp electric drive motor. The ID.Buzz coming to North America will have an 85 kWh battery pack.

CREF Names New Executive Director

Congratulations to Brandon Eckenrode, newly named executive director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).

seats. The German automaker believes the long wheelbase ID.Buzz is primed for the North American market. Meanwhile, in Europe, Volkswagen aims to keep customers on their toes by expanding the ID. Buzz’s “range of applications.” The long wheelbase ID.Buzz has a

Michigan

MAPLE HILL HYUNDAI

Kalamazoo

5622 W. Main St. 800-323-0022

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

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

Missouri

DEAN TEAM HYUNDAI Ballwin

14754 Manchester Rd. 636-591-0507

636-591-0509 Fax

Mon-Fri 7am - 5pm

As for features, Volkswagen equipped the ID.Buzz with a heads-up display, a nextgen infotainment system and remote parking with a smartphone. It also has a high-tech panoramic sunroof with smart glass, which can change from transparent to opaque via voice assistant or touch slider.

Volkswagen ID.Buzz vehicles bound for North America get a little extra love since they feature air-conditioned seats and an illuminated VW logo at the front. The German automaker plans to start delivering the first ID.Buzz units in the U.S. by 2024.

Ohio

CLASSIC HYUNDAI

Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd. 440-266-6750

440-266-6763 Fax

Mon-Fri 7am - 6pm Sat 7am - 3pm jkash@driveclassic.com www.driveclassichyundai.com

COLUMBIA HYUNDAI

Cincinnati 10981 Montgomery Road 513-489-6333

866-381-9975 Fax

Mon-Fri 8am - 5:30pm; Sat 8am-12pm columbiaparts@josephauto.com www.columbiahyundai.com

While Eckenrode’s collision industry career began in 2002 in I-CAR’s marketing department, he joined the foundation’s team as associate director of development in 2009. As director of development from 2012 through 2021, Eckenrode was heavily involved with CREF’s successful growth through his management of various projects and events that helped the organization gain visibility within the industry and beyond.

For the past two years, he served as the foundation’s managing director, a role that has required him to “work closely with CREF’s Board of Trustees, staff and our partners to execute the organizational goals and strategic mission.”

His skill and passion have earned him the well-deserved promotion to executive director of the foundation. Eckenrode is honored by the opportunity to “lead the amazing CREF team.”

Source: CREF

GANLEY WESTSIDE

HYUNDAI

North Olmsted

25600 Lorain Rd. 440-734-9375

440-686-3426 Fax

Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm nicholas.b@ganleywestside.com

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

Fax

M-Th 7 am - 7 pm

F 7 am - 6:30 pm

Sat 8 am - 2 pm dlucas@sheasavings.com

Minnesota Mills Parts Center WILLMAR

800-247-1158

866-235-6700 Fax

M-F 8 am -

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 mattf@sweeneycars.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

Toyota To Build New Automotive Battery Lab At Michigan R&D Headquarters

Toyota Motor North America, Inc. announced June 8 it will invest nearly $50 million to construct a new laboratory facility at its North American R&D headquarters in York Township, MI, to evaluate batteries for electric and electrified vehicles in North America.

As part of its evaluation process, the new Michigan battery lab will ensure that Toyota’s batteries meet North American customer requirements by confirming performance, quality and durability of automotive batteries made by Toyota. Operations at the new battery lab are expected to begin in 2025.

“This new investment in our North American R&D operation, which has been a key pillar of the Michigan automotive industry for more than 50 years, shows Toyota’s directional shift towards electrification for all,” said Shinichi Yasui, executive vice president of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA), Research and Development. “By adding these critical evaluation capabilities around automotive batteries, our team is positioned to better serve the needs of our customers, including Toyota Battery Manufacturing

BendPak Opens New Global HQ

BendPak, Inc., a leading manufacturer of vehicle service equipment and specialty consumer products, purchased a new global headquarters in Agoura Hills, CA.

The 22,256-square-foot administrative building, built in 2012 for the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, is situated on 12 acres in the foothills of the Santa Monica Mountains, just west of Los Angeles. BendPak expects to move from its current Santa Paula, CA, offices by the end of the summer.

The award-winning building is modern, environmentally sensitive, and energy-efficient. It earned LEED Platinum® certification, the highest level available for sustainable buildings from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The new headquarters will be home to client and customer service, engineering, product development, marketing, information technology, human resources, accounting and management.

Source: BendPak

North Carolina and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, the latter of which will soon be assembling the recently announced all-new, threerow, battery electric SUV.”

The team will also work with other North American partner suppliers to incorporate locally-produced battery parts and materials in support of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to reducing carbon emissions through its portfolio of hybrid, plugin hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric product offerings. Beyond battery development, other lab activities are expected to include evaluations using Level 2 and Level 3 charging as well as connectivity to power sources and infrastructure. Further, chassis dynamometers at both Toyota R&D campuses in York Township and Ann Arbor are being upgraded to accommodate full battery electric vehicle evaluations.

In addition to working with current battery production, lab engineers will explore new battery configurations for future products. Their research may also contribute to Toyota’s development of new electrified vehicle architectures. Toyota will explore further expansion of the lab’s

capabilities and opportunities for supporting the needs of the battery and BEV ecosystem.

The new facility will be included in Toyota’s enrollment in DTE Energy’s MIGreenPower program. This voluntary renewable energy program enables all of Toyota’s Research and Development operations in Michigan to attribute 100% of its electricity use to renewable energy projects starting in 2026. A pioneer in electrified vehicles, Toyota has put more than 23 million hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric and battery electric vehicles on the road globally. The company currently offers 22 electrified vehicle options in the U.S. across the Toyota and Lexus brands, the most among any automaker. By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally.

Over the last two years, the company has invested more than $8 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations primarily to support its product electrification efforts. On a global scale, Toyota plans to invest more than $70 billion in vehicle electrification by 2030.

Source: Toyota

Autel Debuts Remote XLink Programmer

Autel released the MaxiFLASH XLink, a 3-in-1 programming, communication and Remote Expert-ready touchscreen device.

With the 6.5-inch standalone XLink, technicians can use Autel’s widely-used Remote Expert platform to contract experienced programmers and diagnosticians with OE software subscriptions and tools to complete needed tasks.

The XLink enables technicians via the Remote Expert platform to obtain expert help and access to OE data remotely, a J2534 passthru programming capability allows techs to flash modules with a Windows PC and OE subscriptions onsite, and an enhanced VCI that supports the latest communication protocols and is compatible with all Autel MaxiSYS tablets.

The XLink’s standalone Remote Expert capabilities enable technicians to use the Remote Expert platform without tying down their MaxiSYS Ultra, MS919 or MS909 tablets.

Visit Autel.com to learn more about the MaxiFlash XLink.

Source: Autel

©2023 MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.

We’ve Got Your Parts Covered

ILLINOIS

Hawkinson Kia

Matteson

(708) 720-8972

(708) 720-0657 Fax

M, W, F 6am-5pm Tu, Th 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-2pm

jmihas@hawkinsonnissankia.com www.hawkinsonnissan.com/ez-parts

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.

Classic Collision Adds Location in Twin Cities

Classic Collision, LLC, announced a new closing April 14—the acquisition of Suburban Auto Body in Little Canada, MN.

For 40 years, Suburban Auto Body has gone the extra mile to meet the needs of each individual customer and take away the headache of auto repair. With the use of advanced materials and technology, paired with their knowledge and training, they were able to repair the next generation of vehicles properly and safely.

“I have built this company with a focus on making our customers happy and know that Classic Collision too takes passion in customer satisfaction,” said Dennis O’Connell, former owner of Suburban Auto Body.

“Suburban Auto Body has been a high performer in the Twin Cities, and we look forward to welcoming them to the Classic family as we continue to expand our efforts across Minnesota while providing additional options for customers,” said Toan Nguyen, CEO of Classic Collision.

Source: Classic Collision

Tesla Reportedly Tells Cybertruck Parts Suppliers To Expect 375K Annual Production

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Tesla has told suppliers to prepare for Cybertruck production by stating it plans to build 375,000 units of the all-electric pickup every year, according to a new report.

call earlier this year.

The truck has amassed a significant number of pre-orders: nearly 1.5 million, according to a reservation tracker. With production nearing, Tesla has finally started communicating to suppliers regarding its plans for annual output, according to a report from Electrek.

terms of engineering and design

Tesla is set to have initial release candidates for the Cybertruck ready by August, the report also said. Tesla has not officially released any details regarding the pickup’s first deliveries, only saying the pricing and other important details would be given at a delivery event sometime in the third quarter.

The Tesla Cybertruck was unveiled in November 2019 and has been delayed several times since, but the automaker has finally started making significant strides toward initial production. The first lines have already been built at Tesla Gigafactory Texas, which the company showed during its first quarter earnings

Tesla has evidently called the Cybertruck program “Project Everest” and is already asking suppliers to meet a base production volume of 375,000 Cybertruck units per year, according to the report.

This is a significant figure for initial production, especially considering CEO Elon Musk has stated in the past on several occasions that the Cybertruck has been one of the most difficult vehicles to figure out in

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

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

Tesla has brought forth new designs for the Cybertruck from its initial production prototypes unveiled in 2019 or later. The most recent Cybertrucks, seen at Investor Day earlier this year, were equipped with a variety of new features, including a new yoke steering wheel design.

Tesla has also finalized the design for the Cybertruck, which gives even more indication production is likely going to start soon. This has been confirmed by both Musk and Tesla’s Chief Vehicle Designer Franz von Holzhausen

Dean Team Subaru Ballwin

(636) 227-6527

(636) 591-0071 Fax

Mon-Fri 7-5

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

Carbeat Ignites Digital Transformation

AkzoNobel’s automotive refinishing customers are experiencing a digital transformation using Carbeat, a datadriven digital project management process simplifying the shopfloor workflow, while tracking critical data using a seamless blend of technology and services.

Historically, collision repair shops used manual processes to monitor a vehicle’s repair process. Carbeat transformed this process with a powerful and intuitive digital production workflow dashboard that collects all datapoints while a vehicle cycles through the repair shop.

AkzoNobel’s customers are experiencing a 10% to 15% reduction in vehicle cycle time by applying the Carbeat visual communication and data management processes, which depending on a shop’s volume of vehicle repairs, may result in reducing the total time required to repair a vehicle by one to three days.

For more information and additional customer transformation success stories using Carbeat, access the Carbeat website at www. carbeat.com.

AkzoNobel

MA Senators Want Explanation from NHTSA on Right To Repair Position

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey , who both represent Massachusetts, on June 15 sent a letter to federal officials asking for an explanation of the letter sent earlier the same week to automakers, telling them not to comply with the state’s recently enacted Right to Repair law. The letter was addressed to U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg and National Highway Traffic Association (NHTSA) Deputy Administrator Sophie Schulman

Warren and Markey said “NHTSA’s decision to give auto manufacturers a green light to ignore state law appears to favor Big Auto, undermine the will of Massachusetts voters and the Biden Administration’s competition policy, and raise questions about both the decision process and the substance of the decision by NHTSA’s leadership.

“We are asking NHTSA to explain its rationale for its

harmful actions and respect Massachusetts state law by reversing course,” the senators continued.

The letter pointed out that NHTSA had “ample opportunity” before the law took effect June 1 to raise preemption arguments through the judicial process, and even declined multiple requests from the judge to participate.

“Instead, NHTSA sent the June 13 letter with no warning, circumventing the legal process, contradicting a judicial order, undermining Massachusetts voters, harming competition and hurting consumers, and causing unnecessary confusion by raising this novel view two weeks after enforcement of the law began,” the senators wrote.

The senators said NHTSA’s position goes against the Biden administration’s policy to combat monopolies in repair markets.

NHTSA’s letter to automakers relies on the same argument used by the automakers themselves, the senators said: “an irresolvable conflict between maintaining data security and providing independent repair shops with the data they need to conduct repairs. Auto manufacturers have routinely raised safety concerns as a way to ‘change the subject’ and distract consumers from the fact that vehicle repair and maintenance services from independent repair shops keeps the cost of service and repair down.”

The senators said those safety concerns had already been addressed in a U.S. district court, which concluded they did not override Massachusetts’s right to enforce the law.

Audi Part Professionals are experts on collision parts, replacement components and mechanical items

MICHIGAN

Maple Hill Volkswagen Kalamazoo

800-323-0022

Direct 269-978-0191

Fax: 269-342-0065

M-F 8am-5:30pm www.maplehillauto.com

MISSOURI

Dean Team Volkswagen of Ballwin Ballwin 636-227-6527

Fax: 636-591-0071

M-F 7am-5pm

MISSOURI

Molle Volkswagen Kansas City

816-941-4969

816-941-1969

M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-3pm jbarczak@mollevw.com ewolf@molleautogroup.com

OHIO

Byers Volkswagen Columbus

614-552-5490

M-F 7:30am-6pm; Sat 8am-12pm wholesaleparts@byersauto.com

Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

ILLINOIS Audi Exchange Highland Park 847.432.5880 847.432.5708 Fax audi.parts@audiexchange.com

MICHIGAN

Audi Kalamazoo Kalamazoo 800.323.0022 Toll Free 269.978.0191 Direct 269.342.0065 Fax

M-F 8an-5:30pm www.maplehillauto.com

MISSOURI

Kansas City Audi Kansas City 866.949.9500 Toll Free 816.941.4969 Direct 816.942.3156 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm ewolf@molleautogroup.com jbarczak@mollevwgroup.com

OHIO Audi Columbus Columbus 614.552.5490

M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-12pm wholesaleparts@byersauto.com

Source:

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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.

©2023 Adamantine Media LLC.

Autobody News P.O. Box 1516 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

2023 Techs Rock Awards Announces Winners

TechForce Foundation® announced the category winners in the 2023 Techs Rock Awards, created to honor professional technicians who are full of passion and grit, exhibit true excellence in their work and inspire the next generation of techs.

Meet the category winners at TechForce.org/Vote. Voting for the grand prize winner is closed, but the results will be announced soon.

More than $18,500 in prizes will be awarded to this year’s honorees. Each of the five category winners received prizes valued at more than $1,900 from TechForce partners Advance Auto Parts, AutoZone, Cengage Learning, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Snap-on Industrial and WD-40 Company.

In addition to their category winner prizes, the grand prize winner, chosen by popular vote, will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to STX 2024 in Nashville, TN, valued at $3,000, courtesy of Advance Auto Parts; and additional prizes valued at $6,000 from AutoZone, CRC Industries, Ford Motor Company, Nissan, Snap-on Industrial and WD-40 Company.

State Farm Facing Class Action Lawsuit Over Luxury Vehicle Repairs

By Mika Pangilinan Insurance Business Magazine

State Farm has been hit with a class action lawsuit over allegations that it refused to cover the cost of repairs for luxury vehicles.

Filed in Broward County in Florida on May 18, the lawsuit stems from an incident involving Assaf and Ada Sasson, who owned an all-electric 2022 Porsche Taycan insured with State Farm for more than $100,000.

The Sassons’ vehicle was damaged in a May 2022 collision, which prompted them to seek repair services.

The vehicle was taken to a Porsche dealership and was then referred to a local Porschecertified collision shop. This referral was made to ensure the repairs were conducted according to the manufacturer’s specifications and to preserve the vehicle’s warranty, according to the lawsuit.

The recommended shop provided an estimate of

$8,360.87 for the necessary repairs that was allegedly rejected by State Farm.

Instead, the insurance giant created its own estimate of $6,267.03 for the damages, the lawsuit claimed, based on

and the actual costs of the repairs.

An initial breach of contract complaint was filed against State Farm in August 2022 with regards to this incident. However, lawyers said they discovered evidence suggesting State Farm has consistently failed to honor the policy requirements for determining collision benefits on high-value vehicles.

alternative labor hourly rates not representative of the prices charged by certified repair facilities.

According to the suit, State Farm offered to pay only its estimated amount, minus a $500 deductible. The Sassons were consequently forced to cover the difference between the estimate

Working on this new information, the Sassons sought to amend their initial complaint and pursue a class action lawsuit, encompassing claims that date back to September 2018.

State Farm spokesperson Roszell Gadson declined to comment specifically on the case when approached by Law.com, stating “the filing of a lawsuit does not substantiate the allegations within the complaint.”

Source: TechForce Foundation