September 2023 Midwest Edition

Length of Rental Decreases Year-Over-Year

For First Time Since Start of Pandemic Collision Engineering Program Expands To Nebraska School

Enterprise released Length of Rental (LOR) data for the second quarter of 2023, showing a 0.3-day decrease— from 17.7 days to 17.4—compared to the same quarter last year, the first dip in LOR year-over-year since the initial stages of the pandemic.

LORs was 9.6 days, compared to a gap of 9.0 days in Q2 2022. In the contiguous 48, the gap was 7.2 days between Georgia (20.5) and Iowa and North Dakota (both 13.1). In Q2 2022, this gap was 8.9 days between Louisiana and North Dakota.

Enterprise Holdings, through the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, on July 19 announced Metropolitan Community College (MCC) in Omaha, NE, will offer the industryleading Collision Engineering Program (CEP) curriculum as part of its existing auto collision technology program.

CEP, now active at seven schools across the U.S., is helping catalyze a new era of collision repair built upon a foundation of motivated, skillful and passionate workers committed to advancing alongside today’s rapid pace of vehicle technology. Founded by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, the program aims to help fill the more than

110,000 collision technician job openings expected before 2026 through a two-year associate degree model where students rotate between classroom instruction and a paid apprenticeship in a collision repair facility.

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

It was also a 1.5-day decrease from the first quarter of this year, when LOR was 18.7 days, which fits historical seasonal trending of a decrease from the first quarter to the second quarter.

While positive, these results continue to reflect the new normal, as the LOR for the second quarter in 2021 was 13.2 days.

Alaska recorded the highest overall LOR in Q2 at 22.7 days, followed by Georgia (20.5), Colorado (20.2) and Louisiana (20.1).

Hawaii had the lowest LOR with 13.1 days. North Dakota and Iowa were next-lowest at 13.3 days each, with DC (13.5) and Nebraska (13.9) completing the states under 14 days.

Interestingly, the gap between the highest—Alaska—and lowest—Hawaii—

Only three states saw a yearover-year increase of a day or more: Minnesota (+1.4), New Mexico (+1.2), and Montana (+1.0). Eighteen additional states saw increases while five other states were flat.

Notably, 24 states, plus Washington, D.C., saw decreases. Rhode Island (-2.0), DC (-1.9) and Louisiana (-1.8) had the largest decreases.

John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, said: “We’re seeing a number of trends that could account for some—though not a lot—of decline in LOR, at least for now. Shops’ backlog of work tends to drop in the spring, and this year was no exception. The national

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 10

REGIONAL NEWS

Ohio Lawmakers Want Vehicle Emission Tests Stopped in 7 Counties

By J.D. Davidson The Center Square

A group of northeast Ohio lawmakers wants the state Environmental Protection Agency to stop a nearly 30-year-old federal anti-pollution program they say puts a heavy burden on citizens in seven counties.

The E-check program began in 1996 and requires vehicle owners in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties near Cleveland to pass

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

regulatory emissions requirements. No other counties in the state are impacted.

In a letter to Ohio EPA Executive Director Anne Vogel, a bipartisan group of state representatives said the program is subjectively applied and places an undue burden on people in those seven counties.

“While this program was wellintentioned 30 years ago, the air quality is significantly cleaner in the Cleveland/Akron area compared to

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

Columnist Abby Andrews: SCRS Executive Director Responds to Criticism of Right to Repair Pact Signed with Automakers

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Body Shop Owners Discuss Mentorship Programs Initiated with Support from Toby Chess, Part 2

Columnist John Yoswick: SCRS Meeting Includes Presentations from State Organizations in Ohio, Indiana

Index of Advertisers

SCRS Executive Director Responds To Criticism of Right To Repair Pact Signed

With Automakers

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

On July 11, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), the Auto Service Association (ASA) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation announced they had signed a “landmark agreement on automotive right to repair,” reaffirming a 2014 Memorandum of Understanding stating independent repair facilities shall have access to the same diagnostic and repair information automakers make available to authorized dealers.

Later that same day, the Auto Care Association (ACA) and CAR Coalition released statements criticizing the pact, calling it a “thinly veiled attempt to confuse lawmakers and drivers” from federal right to repair bills currently being considered by Congress, including the REPAIR and SMART acts.

“While the agreement purports to be relevant, all it does is affirm the 2014 MOU rather than implement a meaningful solution to preserve the entire automotive aftermarket and the competition and consumer choice that it creates,” ACA said in its statement.

dealers. The foundation of that agreement is the fact that we’re all working toward the same goal.

It wasn’t about replicating the 2014 agreement; it was about collaborative work between organizations that have built a trust all trying to accomplish the same thing.

Access to information, data, tools, equipment and procedures for collision repairers is critical in performing proper repairs. The agreement is an acknowledgment that we all believe—SCRS, ASA and the alliance and all the automakers it represents—that consumers deserve a safe, proper repair and that independent repair facilities should be and are able to access the information that’s necessary to do that.

I’m not sure I understand how or why any organization that claims to support right to repair would dismiss or oppose an agreement that reinforces that position. If we’re truly interested in or in favor of the right to repair, an agreement that enforces that independent repair facilities will continue to have access to the information they need to perform the repairs—the same diagnostics—this should be a good thing, and it’s odd that it’s not.

Q:Is the pact taking away focus from the REPAIR and SMART acts? Is it meant to be in place of or in addition to those laws, should they be passed?

opportunities with, in our opinion, an emphasis on upholding quality and safety standards, training, proper equipment, to perform repairs as designed by engineers. And the consumer choice has been more limited by proponents of other initiatives.

I’ll give you an example. The CAR Coalition is comprised of used and aftermarket parts groups, alternative parts sourcing platforms and insurance companies. All those groups, interestingly enough, have been waving this banner claiming to be in support of consumer choice and right to repair because independent businesses are being deprived of the information needed to fix the cars properly. But all of those companies have a financial interest in pushing consumers to the cheapest possible repair. Many of those businesses have also opposed initiatives that would hold repairers accountable to using the data already made available to them.

Again, our agreement is that independent repair facilities should continue to have access to the same diagnostics and repair information available to automakers’ dealers.

It’s a win for consumers, a win for the industry to affirm a commitment for that. We view it as a genuinely positive commitment for our members and their consumers.

Q: What is SCRS’ position on the REPAIR and SMART acts?

A: There are some concerns on our end, specifically around the proponents. The SMART Act is one [SCRS] has had conversations about in the past. We do not support it. We do believe in intellectual property rights. [The SMART Act] is not in consumers’ best interests for entities looking to create the cheapest possible option for safe and proper repairs, so we have not supported that.

Q: What is the response to the criticism the pact doesn’t address safety and security of the telematic data?

A:We specifically said telematics systems would not be used to circumvent the commitments made in the agreement, that automakers will provide access to diagnostic data to the extent it’s needed to complete a repair. The safety and security of that data is an obligation the automakers have in their compliance with safety standards.

On July 18, Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, spoke about the criticism in an exclusive interview with Autobody News.

Q:What is the response to the ACA and CAR Coalition’s concerns about the pact?

A:Last week was an announcement between repairer organizations and automakers, who provide information and data necessary for repairs, that established independent repair facilities should have access to the same information available to

A:[The pact] is meant to be in recognition of our members’ needs. I can tell you the independent repair facilities we represent are not coming to SCRS saying they are struggling to gain access to tools or data needed to fix these vehicles correctly. What they are struggling with is downward pressure through insurance claims practices and others, that place challenges on them and their consumers and discourage the use, in many cases, of the available repair data.

It’s interesting because many of those proponents of the REPAIR Act don’t often act in the marketplace as if they support the use of OEM information in the process of repairs.

That’s part of the challenge here—you’ve got this scenario where automakers have really worked closely with SCRS and the independent collision repair community to develop repair

Q:ACA pointed out the pact is non-binding, doesn’t include some automakers, like Tesla, or compel any to join. What is the response to that?

A:It is an agreement. The nature of it, when you make public commitments, is that people are going to hold you accountable to them. It is true that agreement is between SCRS, ASA and the alliance, which has its direct members. SCRS only represents the collision group.

The agreement is not one we took lightly. It’s been under development. It’s one we all anticipate being held accountable to and one we all anticipate living up to as well.

I think the challenges of the authenticity of the agreement are just misguided to be frank. I certainly think that groups that truly believe there should be a right to repair for independent facilities should be championing it rather than casting aspersions at it.

Our interest as a representative of the collision repair group is to make sure our members have access to the information they need to perform those repairs properly. I would encourage talking to the alliance specifically about their concerns of safeguarding that information. It’s a pretty critical point of their conversations at the state level, making sure that info isn’t just open to anyone.

Relative to the SMART Act, there’s nothing in it that addresses safety concerns and that’s one of our biggest objections—vehicles are often one of a family’s biggest purchases, but the people who occupy it are irreplaceable. It’s important safety be prioritized in these conversations because consumers expect proper repairs, which are not a given. But to consumers, a collision repair should assure their vehicle is restored to the same condition as before that accident, and the safety systems will operate the same.

I think there’s just a lack of focus on how we restore the consumer, and much of the initiative is how we protect the companies that would otherwise benefit from consumers being pushed to cheaper, imitation parts.

Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, is seen here speaking at an SCRS board meeting earlier this year.

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Faribault, MN, Auto Body Shop Upscales To New Spot

By Colton Kemp Faribault Daily News

It’s been a quarter-century since Willy Malecha started his auto body business in his parents’ garage.

On July 17, the owner of Malecha’s Body Shop opened a building of his own at 190 20th St. NW in Faribault, MN, near the Rice County Fairgrounds and next door to the new Kwik Trip.

According to Willy, all the shop’s employees and even his family spent the weekend moving supplies into the new location, which is about four times the size of their old location. Willy’s wife, Ali, said they’d simply outgrown their old space.

“We were clearly out of room at our other location and that was, in the last year, becoming more visible to even our customers,” she said. “We’ve just been very busy. My husband runs a very good business, and that just showed.”

They also unboxed a lot of new supplies to stay up-to-date on the latest technology.

“We’ve got all new state-ofthe-art equipment to handle all these new vehicles coming out,” Willy said. “Technology has completely changed. If you do not have the equipment to properly

Malechas said the pandemic only made the move more necessary.

“We stayed busy,” Willy said. “All of my employees, everybody, worked all the way through COVID, and none of us got sick. None of us. Really, we did good.”

He said the community has been overwhelmingly supportive over the years, and attributes his success to the quality of work.

“We’re supported because of the quality of work we do,” he said. “I treat every vehicle like I’m putting one of my family members in it. And my employees are the same way.”

good work, quality work, honest work, which you don’t always find in body shops.”

Malecha’s Auto Body employees are paid by the hour, rather than on commission. Willy said this is to keep them from any temptation to cut corners.

“Let’s say one technician has six jobs he’s working on and he’s flying through all six of them,” he suggested. “If he did six fenders, and they all pay two (labor) hours, and he replaces six fenders in four hours: He makes more money, the faster he gets. … There’s nothing wrong with (paying commission). But you can get the wrong technician that all they care about is how many hours they turn because they make more money.”

repair these cars, you shouldn’t be working on it. … All our guys in there have their training, and we’ve got the equipment we need to work on anything, from the cheapest cars you can buy, up to high-end cars.”

Malecha’s Body Shop was leasing its old location. The

Ali agreed her husband’s work speaks for itself.

“We’ve got people who come in and introduce themselves by saying, ‘Willy worked on my car back since 2000, and we don’t go anywhere else,’” she said. “So, here we are. I mean, people keep coming back to him. He does

Along with the new location comes several new positions. He said he’s looking to hire two more technicians, add a part-timer for detailing vehicles and add an estimator manager.

It’s not the business owners’ only recent expansion. In December, the Malechas purchased Dave’s Body Shop in Waseca, MN.

Malecha’s Auto Body recently moved up the road to a larger location at 190 20th St. NW. Credit: Colton Kemp/southernminn.com

Technical and Financial Considerations Related to Your Paint Department

Based on a question I received from an Autobody News reader, I’m going to focus my next couple of articles on refinish-related items I think you should know or think about.

For instance, as ADAS continues to become more prevalent, some automakers are saying an approved paint line needs to be used, because some paint products can affect the way blind spot monitors work behind a bumper. Nissan North America, for example, put out just this type of requirement for its ARIYA model. Similarly, Toyota put out a bulletin (CRIB #201) noting select 2023 Toyota and Lexus models use 77 Gigahertz (GHz) radar sensors, which require special refinish precautions that may mean the bumper cover cannot even be repainted.

less than $30, while in others it’s $50 or higher.

So I think it’s really important to

it may make more sense to using invoicing versus the multiple method. Paint materials profitability also

Average Paint Labor Hours Per Estimate in 2022

out a lot of calibration or other ADAS work—which is a growing portion of the total repair cost—paint materials may now account for 8% or 9% of your total sales. Or if you repair a lot of high-end luxury vehicles, your parts bills may be higher, also reducing the percentage of sales for your paint materials.

So while I’m not saying you shouldn’t still benchmark paint materials as a percentage of sales, I think it’s also important to monitor the average number of refinish labor hours per repair order. As the state-by-state averages for paint labor hours shown on the table demonstrate, there’s certainly a range for this. (The averages shown are for all insurance claims, both DRP and non-DRP combined.)

If you look at that data, you’ll see North Dakota is the lowest at 7.5 hours, and Rhode Island is the highest at 11.1 hours. Nationally, the average is 9.7 hours. But again, your mix of work can affect your average refinish hours per job. Are you doing more heavier hits or smaller jobs? Train wrecks versus dealership shipping damage or rental car parking lot damage?

So researching OEM repair procedures from a paint perspective is becoming very, very critical.

Now let’s talk about calculating reimbursement for paint materials. There continues to be two methods in our industry. There’s the traditional multiplier method, which is a set dollar rate multiplied by the number of refinish labor hours on the estimate or repair plan. If a job has 10 hours of paint labor and your material rate is, say, $40, you’re going to get $400 for paint materials. That’s still the most widely used method, but that’s changing.

Our “Who Pays for What?” surveys over the past several years have found a growing percentage of shops using an invoicing system for paint materials—at least some of the time. There are several ways to produce an invoice for materials: a paint company’s mixing scale, Mitchell’s Refinish Materials Calculator, PMC Logic, etc.

Which method makes the most sense for your shop may depend on your market. Paint material rates vary across the country. In some markets, the multiplier rate may be

understand there’s not a one sizefits-all approach. But as we see more three- or four-stage paint, or more “limited use toners”—which tend to be expensive and not widely used, so generally not stocked in shops—

requires writing solid repair plans, particularly if you are using the multiplier method. In the past, the benchmark was paint materials should account for about 10% of sales. But if you’re a shop that sublets

That’s why another method to monitor this is by average paint labor hours per $1,000 in sales. The goal for that is typically about 2.7 paint labor hours for each $1,000 in sales. I recently ran a graph**** from our portal where we track the performance of many shops we consult with, and over the eight months, they were averaging between 2.03 and 2.16 average refinish hours per $1,000 in sales, and just under 11 refinish hours per repair order.

One other thing to keep in mind: If you’re doing a lot of smaller jobs without a lot of refinish labor hours, you may need to set a minimum you collect for paint materials per job. If a customer only needs a mirror replacement, you may only get an hour of refinish time, but that one hour times your multiplier rate may not adequately cover the cost of the refinish materials needed.

In my next article, I will discuss what’s actually included in “materials,” both in the past versus what we see today, with more and more shops moving to itemize things on estimates and repair plans, including stock parts.

In 2022, the average number of refinish labor hours per repair order varied by state, but on a national basis the average was about 9.7

Data from a group of Collision Advice shop clients show they were averaging just below 11 refinish labor hours per repair order, and about two refinish labor hours per $1,000 in sales

“Our ‘Who Pays for What?’ surveys over the past several years have found a growing percentage of shops using an invoicing system for paint materials.”

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average backlog was 4.7 weeks in Q2 2023, down from 5.8 weeks the prior quarter.

“Prior to the pandemic, the typical second quarter decline in backlog was about three days. This year, the drop was almost eight days, and the percentage of shops that could schedule a job in two weeks or less increased 14 percentage points to 27%,” Yoswick continued. “While that is the highest percentage of shops with a ‘normal’ backlog since October of 2021, it is still far from the prepandemic second quarter average of 72 percent. Nearly half of all shops (46%) were still scheduling work four or more weeks into the future. That is a significant decline from 60% in the first quarter of this year, but also far from the typical 7% with that length of backlog pre-pandemic.”

According to PartsTrader’s Chief Innovation Officer Greg Horn, “The overall Q2 2023 measure of median plus two standard deviations of delivery days for all part types was actually lower overall in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022; several statelevel increases align with the LOR results. States that saw increases in overall LOR in Enterprise’s data, such

as Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Minnesota, also saw similar trends when comparing parts delivery days. Parts delays are still a significant factor in repair time and length of rental, and shops are making a great effort to schedule repairs for drivable vehicles to maximize shop throughput.”

It’s also important to consider the impact from the luxury segment, both ICE and EV.

Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, shared some insight: “Luxury make repair frequency increased nearly half a point to 13.28% of all repairable estimates in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022 (12.79%). On average, luxury vehicle estimates are written for nearly two additional labor hours (1.83) compared to common make vehicles, as well as an additional 1.3 replacement parts.”

Mandell also shared an important consideration about calibrations, which impact overall repair time: “The frequency of ADAS calibrations increased from 11.28% in Q2 2022 to 16.11% in Q2 2023.”

Drivable

For rentals associated with drivable repairs, LOR in Q2 2023 was 15.5 days, a 0.3-day increase. Alaska also had the highest drivable LOR in Q2 2023 at 18.8 days. Georgia (18.6),

Tennessee (17.8) and Louisiana (17.7) were the next-highest.

The lowest drivable LOR for was found in North Dakota (10.5), Hawaii (11.3), Iowa (11.6) and D.C. (11.8)

The highest year-over-year drivable increases were found in Minnesota (+1.6), Alaska (+1.5) and New Mexico (+1.2). Three other states (Washington, Arkansas and Utah) had increases of one day or more. A total of 39 states had drivable increases, with only three flat and eight states, plus D.C., showing drivable decreases.

Non-Drivable

LOR for non-drivable claims was 25.6, a 0.8-day decrease from Q2 2022.

Montana had the highest LOR at 36.0 days, a 3.1-day increase. Next highest was Alaska (35.4), followed by Colorado (32.2). All told, eight states had non-drivable LOR greater than 30 days, with six more states at 28 days or higher. Oregon (31.5) had the highest increase at 3.3 days.

Positively, only 13 states had non-drivable LOR increases, while 37 states plus D.C. had decreases. Compare this to Q2 2022, when every single state and D.C. had an increase of at least 1.2 days.

The lowest non-drivable LOR belonged to New York at 21.1 days, followed by D.C. (21.2), Iowa (21.6) and Nebraska (21.9).

Delaware had the highest decrease, down 3.4 days. Rhode Island (-3.2), D.C. (-2.5) and Indiana (-2.4) also saw significant decreases.

Yoswick also offered some insights from his latest survey regarding repair and supplement approval times: “From about 500 shops who responded to a CRASH Network survey in June, the average time those shops spend waiting for a supplement approval hit another record high in 2023, approaching times that are nearly double what they were pre-pandemic. Shops say they are waiting 4.9 days on average for an insurer to complete an in-shop inspection to approve repairs. Prior to 2020, that time was just 2.9 days. Wait times for a remote desk review—or ‘virtual inspections’—are averaging 4.3 days, almost two full days longer than the 2.4-day average reported in 2018.”

According to the CRASH Network results, shops cite approval times— along with some continued parts availability issues—as contributing to having more jobs at some stage in process, a factor that generally cuts into overall productivity.

Among the shops who shared data in CRASH Network’s June survey, the average shop had work in process (WIP) equal to 66% of their typical monthly volume. That’s down from the fourth quarter of 2022 when

shops’ WIP was averaging 78% of their monthly volume. But the average WIP is still higher than it was a year earlier when shops’ WIP averaged 59% of their typical monthly volume.

Total Loss

For rentals associated with total loss claims, LOR was 16.5 days, a 0.8-day decrease over Q2 2022.

While Alaska had the highest results at 25.3 days (+5.1 days), the next highest was Kentucky at 20.3 days, followed by Montana at 20.0 days.

D.C. had the lowest total loss LOR at 13.5 days, followed by Nebraska at 14.5 days.

Total Loss LOR varied greatly; excluding Alaska, the highest increases were Wyoming at +2.2 days and Maine at +2.1 days. Twenty states (less Aalaska) had an increase of 0.9days on average. However, 29 states plus D.C. had an average decrease of 1.6 days, with 17 states plus D.C. down an average of 2.2 days.

Summary

As the numbers show, the trend of

“predictable” seasonal LOR continues. The LOR decrease is positive, and many repairers are finding ways to anticipate and operate in the new normal. However, challenging market conditions remain, and overall LOR remains significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Enterprise is committed to partnering with insurers, repairers and suppliers on all of the issues impacting repair times and LOR. Through foundational support provided by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Enterprise is spearheading the Collision Engineering Program, designed to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry.

Enterprise is thrilled to expand its longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Fund, to expand the program and help address this ongoing industry challenge. For more information, visit www. beacollisionengineer.com.

Source: Enterprise

Midwest CARSTAR Group Holds 30th Annual Charity Golf Tournament

The CARSTAR MO-KAN Group, consisting of 14 CARSTAR locations throughout Kansas and Missouri, recently teamed up for the 30th Annual MOKAN Invitational Charity Golf Tournament, June 15 at the Adams Pointe Golf Club.

each hole of the tournament. All proceeds raised from the event will directly benefit the Kansas City chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

A celebratory lunch and party followed the afternoon of golfing.

After raising $10,000 at last year’s tournament, the CARSTAR MO-KAN Group was eager to host this exciting event for another year. Following the tournament, CARSTAR MO-KAN Group is proud to have raised $10,000 through registration costs, sponsorships and an interactive raffle that featured prizes at

“I am incredibly honored to have worked alongside my community for three decades to collectively raise funds and give back to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation,” said MJ Alaga, owner of CARSTAR Crystal 135th Street and CARSTAR Crystal Lenexa. “This effort would not have been possible without the selfless support of our community and our driven team across Missouri and Kansas. Together, we can add tomorrows for children with cystic fibrosis.”

In 2023 alone, CARSTAR MOKAN Business Group has raised more than $55,000 for cystic fibrosis.

Source: CARSTAR

Stacey Phillips — Solving the Tech Shortage

Body Shop Owners Discuss Mentorship Programs Initiated with Support from Toby Chess

This is the second part of a twopart series. Check out the August 2023 issue of Autobody News or autobodynews.com to read about more shops in the program.

Toby Chess recalls planning a collision repair training day for about 80 high school students in Hawthorne, CA, 25 years ago. Since then, he’s had a passion for training young people and bringing them into the collision industry.

About two years ago, he was visiting a body shop and a newer employee was asked by his supervisor to sweep floors and do menial tasks.

“I asked his supervisor why he didn’t buy him some tools so he could feel part of the team,” said Chess, who ultimately bought tools for the budding technician. “The expression on his face was unbelievable.”

Fast forward to the present and Chess said shops are in the same predicament as they were when it comes to hiring and retaining staff.

“We all need technicians,” said Chess. “We’ve been talking about that for years but what are shops doing about it?”

Chess stresses the importance of keeping young people engaged and setting a career path for them.

“It’s critical to find ways to motivate these young people and keep them engaged or they won’t stay,” said Chess, who embarked on a project to encourage independent shop owners to initiate mentorship programs.

Chess supplies a set of tools to the helper and asks shop owners to provide toolboxes. He also shares best practices documents he created that the mentor and mentee can follow to help standardize the repair and can be used in conjunction with OEM repair procedures and proper personal protective equipment. These include repair planning, corrosion protection, bumper repair, vehicle measuring and glue tab dent repair.

“We have to take steps to give back to the industry and address the technician shortage,” said Chess. “Otherwise, nothing will change.”

As a long-term instructor with I-CAR for more than 25 years, Chess reached out to the organization about the program. I-CAR is offering support to his endeavors and working with him to amplify his efforts.

“I-CAR is proud to support the efforts of leaders in our industry, like Toby, who are making strides to foster a learning culture and growth

mindset in our shops—particularly with new technicians,” said Dara Goroff, I-CAR’s vice president of planning and industry talent programming. “It’s an exciting time to be a professional in collision repair and we want to highlight the purpose new technicians find within it when they’re presented with opportunities that contribute to a complete, safe and quality repair for the safety of their customers.”

Six shops in Southern California shared information about the support Chess has provided with their mentorship programs, supplying tools to mentees and training. Here is what the second three shop owners had to say.

European Motor Car Works

In the 1970s, Kye Yeung enrolled in an auto body and paint course at the local community college to repair his car and didn’t realize it would become a lifelong passion. He opened European Motor Car Works in Costa Mesa, CA, in 1975 when he was 20, just out of college.

involved in organizations such as the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). He has been part of both organizations for more 15 years.

Yeung met Chess and wellrespected shop owner March Taylor when they visited his facility in 2005.

When Taylor passed away, Chess asked if Yeung would like to take his place on the CIC Technical Committee.

“We went on to spearhead the SCRS Educational Committee and founded the Kool Tools of SEMA videos and presentations,” said Yeung. “We are lifelong friends and I have the greatest respect for him.”

Jim & Jack’s Collision Center

Jim & Jack’s Collision Center in El Segundo, CA, was established in 1967. Many of the employees at the family-owned and operated facility have been with the company for more than 15 years.

he said.

Kizirian has known Chess for 25 years.

“There isn’t anyone I have met who is so passionate about the industry and to help in any way possible,” said Kizirian. “Toby will always go the extra mile to help a friend or technician in need and I’m extremely fortunate to know him as a colleague and a friend!”

Marina Auto Body

Tom Williamson, owner of Marina Auto Body, operates three locations, Marina Del Rey, Inglewood and Huntington Beach, CA. The company has 49 employees and is a Lexus Authorized Collision Center as well as the collision center for Toyota of Huntington Beach and Lexus of Westminster.

He currently has 25 employees, many of whom are family members who have been with the company for more than 20 years; the longest is 39 years. These include his daughters Nichole and Jennifer, his son-in-law Mike Hubbard and grandson Connor Many of other employees have relatives who also work at the shop.

Yeung has put many processes in place to help hire and retain technicians. These include maintaining a healthy work environment, giving employee bonuses for referrals, offering top pay and the necessary tooling to perform tasks, and providing OEM training to allow constant growth.

“We keep them interested by diversifying what they do day-to-day,” said Yeung. “Having them work in different departments allows us to gauge where they are most proficient.”

He stresses the importance of the industry working together to address the technician shortage and getting

Richie Kizirian’s uncles, Jim and Jack, gave him opportunity to run the business in 2003 and implement innovative ideas.

“Customer service is our No. 1 priority,” said Kizirian. “We have serviced the South Bay communities for over 56 years and have become a household name to our clientele.”

The company has 18 OEM certifications and prides itself on having friendly management who ensure everyone feels like family.

Kizirian has taken many steps to hire and retain technicians. These include providing a clean work environment, investing in tools and OEM certifications, paying above market rate to ensure staff has financial stability and providing benefits such as paid vacations, health insurance and a 401K.

Kizirian said it is critical the industry supports local trade schools.

“Quality technicians are depleting and providing support to new talent is the only way to combat the shortage,”

Williamson acknowledges the challenge and expense of hiring, training and retaining technicians.

“We all know the industry is aging out,” he said. “The shortage of skilled labor has had a negative impact on all trades.”

To help meet the challenge, Williamson said he offers a good wage, benefits, clean, well-equipped shops and training.

He hired a recent tech, Brandon Candelaria, after meeting him at a local car show. The two discussed their mutual interest in Pontiacs and Williamson learned Candelaria was taking auto body classes at a community college. He asked him to come and work at Marina Auto Body and offered to compensate Candelaria for learning and supply him with tools as he continued to show growth.

“He is a future super star of the industry,” said Williamson.

Williamson is appreciative of the tools Chess supplied Candelaria. Throughout their long friendship, Williamson said Chess has always been available to share training and repair techniques.

“He has been supportive with trainees by supplying basic hand tools, training and encouragement for the trainee,” he said.

Pictured, left to right, are Kye Yeung, Connor Kelly and Mike Hubbard of European Motor Car Works.

Richie Kizirian, center, is pictured with Henry Mejia, left, and his son, Fernando, right, who joined Jim & Jack’s Collision Center in 2022 and is being mentored by his father to become a technician.

Brandon Candelaria, left, and Cyndi Osthus, right, Marina Auto Body manager.

Oct 31 - Nov 3

Booth #33036

Rivian To Turn Kentucky Coal Mine Into Solar Energy Center

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Rivian plans to convert the Starfire Mine in Kentucky to a solar energy center. The conversion is estimated to be a $1 billion solar project.

Ohio Lawmakers

The Starfire Mine was once one of the largest coal mines in the U.S. It will be one of

“Shifting our energy system toward carbon neutrality goes beyond electrifying the roughly 1.5 billion vehicles in the global fleet,” said Rivian founder and CEO RJ Scaringe . “We must also support the decarbonization of our energy infrastructure through the responsible deployment of renewable energy. We are thrilled to collaborate with organizations like The Nature Conservancy and BrightNight to bring Starfire to life and help create a scalable model for a modern grid that provides reliable, affordable and carbon-free energy for all.”

Once complete, the Starfire

households annually. BrightNight plans to construct a 20-mile transmission line for the project, enabling an additional 1GW of clean power generation for the site.

“Rivian is one of the most innovative and forward-thinking manufacturers in America, and we are proud that they have chosen BrightNight and the Starfire Renewable Energy Center to help achieve their sustainability goals,” BrightNight CEO Martin Hermann said. “Together, we are transforming a coal mine, reinvesting in a region eager to continue its role as an energy leader, and demonstrating the incredible impact of corporate power procurement.”

The development will happen in four phases. Phase 1 is expected to start in 2025 with initial construction.

Rivian has committed to purchasing 100 MW of renewable energy from Phase 1 of the project buildout. The EV automaker has already signed a power purchase agreement with BrightNight.

Greater Columbus,” the letter said. “To maximize results, the policy should be aimed at ameliorating the greatest source of air pollution which is in Central Ohio and not Northeast Ohio. We believe the policy should be adjusted to best reflect this data. We respectfully request the Ohio EPA to consider ending the E-C.”

As previously reported by The Center Square, lawmakers tried the stop the program two years ago when the House passed a resolution calling for the end of the program.

The resolution called on Congress to review and amend the Federal Clean Air Act and for the Environmental Protection Agency to find more effective alternatives to the program. It also asks for companies to be allowed to find innovative solutions to air quality issues to help grow the economy.

At that time, Rep. Diane Grendell , R-Chesterland, said it cost people in the seven counties more than $19 million annually.

E-check continued despite lawmakers’ efforts.

SCRS Meeting Includes Presentations from State Organizations in Ohio, Indiana

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The executive director of the Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Repair said it now primarily uses administrative hearings to enforce the state’s shop registration requirements---rather than injunctions and locking violators out of the facilities where they are repairing vehicles.

Speaking at a Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) meeting in Indianapolis this summer, Mike Greene said the state’s current attorney general prefers his organization give suspected violators 30 days’ notice to attend a hearing to explain to the agency’s seven-member board--which includes five collision repairers--why they think they don’t need to be registered, and that enforcement method is working.

“We’ve sent out a lot of those notices, and nobody has asked for a hearing,” Greene said. “Everyone has called and we’ve come to an agreement.”

About 2,000 businesses in Ohio are registered with the board, including body shops, auto glass shops, airbag repair and replacement companies, paintless dent repair providers and window tint installers. Unlike a more

comprehensive licensing program, registration primarily requires a business provide evidence of having garage keepers’ insurance, a tax identification number, an EPA permit number and unemployment insurance.

before there was no consequences, but now there are,” he said.

The board’s five-person staff includes two field investigators who often are tipped off by registered shops to work being done at unregistered facilities. He said those investigators often will find evidence of other violations at those unregistered facilities: improper handling of hazardous waste, tax fraud, paying workers “under the table,” stolen vehicles and parts, or, in one case, conversion of semi-automatic weapons to fully automatic in what was designed to look like an auto repair shop.

“Now we can’t investigate all that, but we can get the right agency in there,” Greene said.

director repair program. And contrary to what some shops may think, registered shops aren’t subject to more regulatory scrutiny, Greene said, pointing to one Ohio collision repairer who is on the board of both SCRS and Ohio Board of Motor Vehicle Repair.

“There’s probably never been an investigator in Mike’s shop,” Greene said. “Because if he doesn’t give me a problem, I’m not going to waste my time. That’s the way it usually works.”

The goal when the board was formed in the late 1990s---originally registering collision repair shops only--was to level the playing field, “so shops doing everything right weren’t having work taken away by back yard shops with no overhead,” Greene said. Registered shops “see the benefit when they see Joe down the street now has to up his game a little bit because

The board has pushed for changes over the year to expand the requirements---such as adding registration of mechanical shops, prohibiting insurers from making payments to an unregistered shop, or licensing or training requirements for individuals working in the industry--but hasn’t found enough legislative support. That’s in part because “the insurance companies are very powerful in Ohio,” Green said.

That said, the state’s Department of Insurance about 10 years ago did put out a letter saying registration is required for any shop on an insurer’s

Also speaking at the SCRS meeting, Andy Tylka, president of the Indiana Auto Body Association (IABA), said that organization has worked with the state’s Department of Insurance (DOI) to develop a third-party complaint form that allows a shop to file a complaint on behalf of a customer.

“Now body shops can put the correct verbiage into these complaints, because these issues are very complex because the vehicle safety systems are very complex,” Tylka said.

The work with the DOI, he said, was part of the association’s effort to “move away from the legislative side” and get more involved with insurance regulators.

“Which was fantastic, because they didn’t even know we existed,” Tylka said of the DOI. “The collision repair side was just not a focus of theirs.”

Andy Tylka, presdient of the Indiana Auto Body Association, said that group is interacting more with insurance regulators in the state The Mini-Ductor Venom HP is the highest powered Mini-Ductor yet. Generating Invisible Heat®, the Venom HP allows users to heat metal components faster than ever before! Manufactured with genuine OEM parts. Follow Us on Social Media:

Area 31 Career Center Prepares Indiana High Schoolers For Variety of Careers

The halls of Area 31 Career Center in Ben Davis High School in Indianapolis, IN, are quiet. It’s a Friday afternoon in the second week of school, and behind each door, a new career path awaits.

Patrick Biggerstaff, director of career and technical education, opens the door to the automotive collision repair course and the empty hallway is suddenly engulfed in sound. Tools line the walls and cars of all makes and models fill the space. Students wearing safety goggles hose and mop the floor.

Behind another door is an ambulance fully equipped with lights, a stretcher and several training mannequins. Yet another door hides a salon where students are perfecting a type of pin curl. Instead of pencil cases and notebooks, yellow boxes full of brushes and clips are located at each workstation.

Other rooms host a multitude of professional possibilities with kitchens packed with huge mixers and restaurant-size bottles of seasoning, mock medical stations furnished with hospital beds and wheelchairs, and computer labs housing cybersecurity students engrossed in an activity about hacking.

Area 31, which serves 11 high schools, including Ben Davis, allows students to work towards certification or obtain college credit. The center provides opportunity in a state where the college-going rate has hardly changed since last year’s report on the class of 2020 showed around 53% went to college.

While Area 31 Career Center is not new, Biggerstaff, who started at Ben Davis as a teacher 17 years ago, said he recognizes changes. In the past, Biggerstaff said, Area 31 programs were seen as last resorts for students who were behind academically, but over the past decade, students now have a wide range of strengths.

Biggerstaff said Area 31 is working hard to make sure students can achieve certification or college credit.

Tola Aluko, who’s in the pharmacy tech program, first heard about Area 31 when she was in eighth grade. She was interested in the Early College Career Center with Vincennes University, which allows students

to complete associate degrees in select programs, like pharmacy tech. Now a senior, she said she hopes to study forensics and pharmacology in college.

Aluko said she feels like she’ll have an advantage in college because the program helped her learn about medication and lab practices.

Biggerstaff said the state routinely emphasizes the three routes students can take after high school: employment, enlistment or enrollment. But in his opinion, it’s not fair to push a student down one path without giving them the opportunity to explore the others.

“I had two high school principals tell me I’d never graduate high school,” Biggerstaff said. “You can’t look at a kid and know for sure where they’re going to be. We’ve got to prepare them for all three of those routes, and then let them make the decision. And guess what? It’s probably going to change.”

Applying for Area 31

At the beginning of a new school year, most Indiana students are in classes for eight hours. For students at Area 31, that rhythm looks a little different.

Students attend three-hour career center classes in the afternoon or morning. For the rest of the day, students attend their normal high school classes. Some career center classes remain on campus, while others might be held at places like construction sites and medical facilities for students to gain practical experience.

Students, typically juniors and seniors, can apply in January and rank programs they’re interested in; their counselors then determine if they have time for a three-hour class. An enrollment committee makes final decisions based on GPA, attendance and behavior.

Class size varies depending on the program. For example, a construction trades class can have up to 40 students because the bus to a construction site can seat that many students, Biggerstaff said.

Welding is Area 31’s most indemand program, with 75 students on the waitlist, Biggerstaff explained.

Forrest Lee, a senior at Cascade High School, said he was inspired to look into the career center because of his brother, a welder. While Lee didn’t want to do welding, he wanted to do something similar, so he chose construction trades.

“I like seeing the progress you’ve made with a building especially,” Lee said. “Just seeing at the end of the day what you’ve done, I think that’s really awesome.”

Preparing Students for Real-Life Situations

The center has many instructors who have work experience in the fields they teach. Lauren Freeman, an instructor in her second year of the pre-nursing program, is a registered nurse and previously worked at Ascension St. Vincent Hospital.

Even though students have just entered the program, they’re already learning about professionalism and skills employers are looking for, Freeman said.

Some students have already started applying those skills in professional environments. Seniors Ashley Neese and Paige Allen-Price are in the horticulture program, and worked together at Dammann’s

Garden Center and Greenhouse. Neese still works there and said it’s made her job that much easier.

“I’m able to identify species better or I can answer questions about chemicals,” Neese said. “Now I can tell which is full sun and what’s not full sun, what’s gonna come around every year, what’s not gonna come around. I have a lot more respect at my job than I used to.”

Neese listed the positives of being part of Area 31: she feels more responsible and has developed a broader worldview. “And you make friends!” Neese said, gesturing towards Allen-Price. “So many friends.”

Biggerstaff said he wants students to choose whichever career path is right for them. On the way into Biggerstaff’s office is a sign on the wall that reads in simple black lettering, “work hard and be nice to people.”

“So many families in our country look at that four-year college degree attainment as that status symbol,” Biggerstaff said. “Like I as a parent have failed, if my kid doesn’t go to a four-year college. But the reality of our environment is that there are many, many paths to success.”

Sales Tax on Gas Drops in Indiana in August

By Steve Bittenbender The Center Square

Indiana drivers saw a little relief at the pump starting Aug. 1.

The Indiana Department of Revenue issued a memo announcing the sales tax rate in August for gasoline is 19.4 cents per gallon. That marks the first time the sales tax on gas has dropped since February.

Before that, Indiana motorists had endured increases over the previous five months on the gas sales tax rate. State officials adjust the rate monthly based on the average retail price.

State officials determined that price to be $2.77 from June 16 to July 15, a more than 15-cent drop from the average price the month before. The state’s formula then calculates the 7% sales tax to the average price and rounds up to the nearest tenth of a penny.

At 19.4 cents, drivers filling up a 16-gallon tank will pay

$3.10 in sales tax in August. In February, those same 16 gallons had a total sales tax of $2.75.

Indiana’s sales tax is one of two the state levies on motor fuels. It also imposes an excise tax. That is set at 34 cents, and that penny increase took effect at the beginning of July.

The excise tax provides a revenue stream for the Indiana Department of Transportation, helping it maintain existing nearly 30,000 lane miles of roads and more than 5,700 bridges, as well as construct new ones across the state.

Of Indiana’s neighboring states, only Illinois has a higher gas tax. The Land of Lincoln raised its rate to 45.4 cents at the beginning of July, and Illinois also includes its 6.25% sales tax on gas purchases.

Michigan also adds a sales tax of 6% on top of its 28.6cent gas tax. Kentucky does not impose its sales tax in addition to its 28.7-cent levy on gasoline.

Digital Innovations for the Mixing Room

Solutions recently launched for the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem are leading collision centers into a new era of refinish paint mixing that can significantly spark gains in key-to-key productivity. The PPG LINQ digital ecosystem is comprised of interconnected hardware, software and innovative services, using a cloud-based platform.

PPG VisualizID Software

The first of its kind in the industry, this advanced software enables technicians to compare 3D renderings of the retrieved colors and compare multiple “virtual sprayouts” in a matter of minutes. A sprayout can be compared from flash, flop or face angles, rotated in any direction and compared from “blend” and “edge” views.

Carl Garcia, owner of Carl’s Collision Center, Fall River, Massachusetts, is a huge fan of PPG LINQ digital tools, particularly since his workforce is primarily younger. “These kids today grew up with computers, with smartphones—it’s a totally different mentality. So we need to adapt to the changing workforce.”

PPG DIGIMATCHTM Spectrophotometer

This small spectrophotometer takes readings of a vehicle’s color from six imaging angles as well as six reflective angles to provide color and texture information—including effect pigment particle size.

The color reading is seamlessly loaded into PPG retrieval software to find color formulations providing the best match. The spectrophotometer’s readings work in concert with another PPG innovation to further enhance the ability to determine the best match—PPG VISUALIZID™ software.

“In the old days, we would have to do our own sprayouts to test the colors,” explains Garcia. “It would take us a minimum of 15 minutes for each car, sometimes over an hour. So instead of having to do sprayout cards, we are able to do a virtual sprayout.” Once satisfied with the match, the technician hits a button and sends the formula to another PPG innovation that Garcia’s operation has incorporated into their process—the PPG MOONWALK ® system.

PPG MoonWalk Mixing System

This award-winning, automated paint mixing system is designed for use with the PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance refinish system. “This is a great advantage for us,” says Garcia. “It’s 100% accurate. No waste. And it’s increased our efficiency by at least 15%.”

Echoing praise of automated mixing is Frank McClosky, owner of Frank’s Collision Center, operating six locations in the Houston, Texas, area. “We’re getting a highly accurate mix and color matches every time. This system is so precise, down to the hundredths of a gram. And we haven’t over-poured any product yet.”

For more information on the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem and MoonWalk automated mixing system, contact your local PPG distributor or PPG sales representative.

How new technologies from PPG are proving to save time, reduce waste and enhance color-matching accuracy.

“MCC is proud to partner with CEP to expand access to opportunities and resources for students who want to pursue rewarding careers in auto collision technology,” said Joe Baker, MCC auto collision technology instructor. “We are excited to grow our auto collision technology program to support the needs of local industry and educate and train the next generation of skilled workers for this high-demand field.”

Industry Support ‘Instrumental’ to Program Growth

With support from CEP and Chief® Collision Technology, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of collision repair products and services, MCC will upgrade its training facilities with Chief’s Meridian™ Live Mapping™ System. This sophisticated laser measuring tool delivers comprehensive 360-degree vehicle measurements critical for diagnostic purposes, providing MCC’s students with the valuable experience of learning on an industry-standard system while equipping them with the capability to visualize structural damage,

formulate effective repair plans and conduct post-repair quality assessments. This tool will enhance MCC students’ education and understanding of repairing a vehicle back to pre-accident condition.

“I have personally benefited from my experience attending technical school,” said Mike Croker, director of product management at Chief Collision Technology. “Growing up, traditional school just wasn’t for me. Fortunately, I found an amazing technical program and discovered this whole other world of opportunities. Chief is thrilled to be able to pay it back by supporting this program and the next generation of collision engineers.”

During the program, MCC auto collision technology students will alternate quarters taking classes at MCC’s state-of-the-art Automotive Training Center on the South Omaha Campus, then participate in a mentorship and paid internship at a local sponsoring business the next quarter.

With its proximity to leading repair facilities in four Nebraska counties, as well as the major metropolitan area of Omaha, the addition of MCC to the CEP footprint creates opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience and make valuable connections with

industry professionals. Fifteen local employers have already expressed interest in a CEP apprentice when the first cohort begins this fall.

“Many industry partners are recognizing the importance of collaboration to strengthen the talent pipeline of collision technicians,” said Mary Mahoney, Enterprise Holdings vice president. “Their ongoing support has been instrumental to CEP’s expansion to seven schools over the past two years, and we’re excited to continue this momentum as the program grows in the U.S. and beyond.”

In addition to MCC, the program is available at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO; College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL; Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA; Collin College in Allen, TX; Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX; and Parkland College in Champaign, IL.

MCC’s auto collision technology program is currently accepting applications for the first cohort of CEP students, with classes beginning later this year. For more information regarding the program and application process, visit www. beacollisionengineer.com.

Source: Enterprise Holdings

Polyvance Reduces Price of

Polyvance announced the immediate price reduction of its two paid online training courses, allowing more people to gain valuable knowledge about plastic repair. The PR-03 Headlight Repair Course is now $29 and the EPR-01 Estimating Plastic Repair Course is now $49.

The PR-03 Headlight Repair Course demonstrates the repair of broken headlight tabs using the nitrogen plastic welding system. It is about an hour long and demonstrates eight unique repairs.

The EPR-01 Estimating Plastic Repair course is designed to educate estimators on assessing the repairability of the numerous plastic components found on today’s vehicles. The course is divided into four modules and takes around two hours to complete.

The PR-03 and EPR-01 are available on Polyvance’s LMS, alongside the company’s two free Polyvance University training courses. More information on all Polyvance’s online courses can be found at polyvance. tortal.net or by emailing training@ polyvance.com.

Source: Polyvance

Autobody News Remembers Friend and Writer Ed Attanasio

The team at Autobody News was heartbroken to learn our longtime writer and friend Ed Attanasio passed away July 18, 2023.

Barbara Davies, co-owner and CEO

“I’ve known Ed since 2009. Ed met our publisher, Jeremy Hayhurst , at an industry event in 2009, and he became one of our regular writers right after that. He became one of our family.

“He [loved] all the people in this industry. It didn’t matter if he was interviewing the CEO of a major manufacturing company or the tech intern at a body shop. He gave everyone the same level of respect and importance, which came through in all his articles. The industry has lost someone very special that touched many lives.

“Ed was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He would always put the spotlight on others and never himself. He had a heart of gold.

were both invited to a day-long event hosted by a vendor in the industry. Rather than ‘talking shop,’ he was quick to enthusiastically discuss other interests we shared: movies, art, baseball. I ended up feeling like we knew a lot about each other in a short period of time—and I know many others had a similar experience with Ed.

“That’s why I thought his ‘Day Job/Night Job’ series for Autobody News was such a perfect fit for him, because while he talked to people

laughing and joking with him.

“Ed, although you are gone from my sight, you will forever occupy a special place in my heart. You will be missed. Rest in peace, Ed.”

Norm Morano, regional sales manager

“Ed was a bona fide renaissance man with so many talents and interests that ran the spectrum—from writing, to art, to baseball, to people, to living. Such a sweet man with a beautiful soul. He’ll be missed.”

Ed wrote for our publication since 2009, and over the years he covered a wide range of industry topics while always keeping a keen eye for the stories that highlighted the human element, particularly in his long-running Day Job/Night Job series.

Ed was a lot more than a journalist, however. He was a baseball historian, stand-up comedian and an animal lover, which he combined with one of his other many interests—art—to create the Pandemic Pet Project. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed drew hundreds of people’s pets as sketches on Post-It notes, asking in return only a donation to a local animal shelter. His favorite rescue was Muttville in San Francisco, which specializes in finding homes for senior dogs.

Ed’s team members at Autobody News shared their memories.

“Ed had been to most of the ball parks in the U.S., but had never been to Petco Park in San Diego. I invited him to come down from San Francisco a few years ago for a game at Petco and he was like a kid in a candy store! His passion for baseball came through just as strongly as his passion for our industry.”

Stacey Phillips, columnist

“I met Ed when I first started working at Autobody News in 2014. Ed was always a phone call away when I had a question about the industry or an article. When I started working from home and writing freelance articles, Ed was a tremendous support. I always admired how he enjoyed learning about other people and sharing their stories.

“Like everyone who knew him, I will miss Ed and appreciate how he always brought a smile to the faces of those around him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

John Yoswick, columnist “I met Ed sometime in the 1990s when we were each writing for different collision industry publications and

about their work in the industry, he found ways to also get to know so much more about interesting aspects of their lives.

“While I probably crossed paths with Ed at industry events only once or twice a year in the 25+ years after we met, I’d more often open my email to find a recommendation for a documentary he’d just seen that he thought I’d like—and asking me for my latest finds.”

Joe Momber, regional sales manager

“Ed was a gentleman with a soft soul and a huge heart. He spoke kind words and shared a smile that lit up any room or conference hall. I am extremely saddened and will miss

Abby Andrews, editor

“I learned a lot about the industry through editing Ed’s articles. He had a real knack for finding the little details that could make a topic go from ho-hum to interesting.

“When Ed started the Pandemic Pet Project in 2020, I sent him a picture of my dog, Pepper. The PostIt note sketch he sent back captured Pepper so perfectly---he was my ‘grumpy old man’ by that point. I lost Pepper to cancer in 2021. Out of a million pictures I had taken of him over the years, that sketch is one of the best.”

Our deepest condolences go out to Ed’s family and friends.

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Kansas College With Auto Restoration Program Gets $1B Donation from Anonymous Source

By Christopher Smith Motor1.com

For students and faculty at McPherson College in central Kansas, the future just got a bit brighter. One might say it’s a billion times brighter—or greener—thanks to a jaw-dropping gift of $1 billion from an anonymous donor.

exceeded expectations by raising $342 million. In turn, the donor exceeded the cap and then some, offering a cool $1 billion to the college.

With the pre-existing endowment and other commitments factored in, McPherson College will have an endowment of nearly $1.6 billion, the largest of its kind for any small college in the U.S.

For

Testing

2023 Pebble Beach Concours d’ Elegance taking place in August. They aren’t just showing it off— they’re going with plans to win.

The endowment will go towards expanding academic programs and helping with college affordability. It’s called the WardBurkholder Endowment, named after two school alumni who went on to teach at McPherson.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has made vouchers available for EV certification testing.

The college located in McPherson, KS, shared the news in an announcement July 21. The unnamed individual offered a double-match challenge to the college’s fundraising efforts, pledging $2 for every $1 donated by others through June 30.

The donor initially set a cap at $500 million, but then the school

This is obviously extraordinary news, but it garners special attention in the motoring world because of McPherson’s comprehensive automotive restoration program. The school website states it’s the only fouryear bachelor’s degree program of its kind in the nation, offering emphases in historic auto tech, restoration management, communications, restoration design and auto restoration tech.

We aren’t just talking about rebuilding old Buicks, either. Another generous donor previously gifted a classic Ferrari to the school. Students are preparing a 1953 Mercedes-Benz 300 S Cabriolet they restored for the

“Today is historic, not just for McPherson College, but for all small liberal arts colleges in America,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider “I am incredibly grateful to our anonymous donor for giving us an unprecedented opportunity— and responsibility—to build and implement our strategic vision of becoming a destination learning community. We have also been given an amazing opportunity to honor two legendary alumni and professors, Dr. Ward and Dr. Burkholder.”

Founded in 1877, McPherson College offers more than 40 areas of study and hosts approximately 800 students.

ASE previously announced the creation of Electric Vehicle Technician/ Shop Personnel Electrical Safety Standards, to minimize exposure to hazards and their associated impacts, developed in conjunction with vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket personnel and other electric industry subject matter experts. Visit www.ase. com/ev to see the standards.

In addition to the standards, ASE launched two tests in this series: the xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification (Level One), designed for anyone who may encounter an EV in the workplace, and the xEV Technician Electrical Safety Certification (Level Two), for professionals, technicians or specialists who have received training, have demonstrated skills and knowledge, and maintain a safe working area and use PPE.

Automotive service professionals and shop owners who want to purchase ASE EV test vouchers for their employees can visit the myASE portal.

Source: ASE

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Ziegler Honda

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855-513-4477

269-585-5812

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

Brookdale Honda

Brooklyn Center

800-899-8900

763-331-6880

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

Luther Hopkins Honda Hopkins

800-328-6016

952-908-8585

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

Richfield-Bloomington Honda

Richfield

800-328-2703

612-866-8197

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

Bommarito Honda

Hazelwood

800-731-8270

314-731-8270

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

Ed Napleton Honda

St Peters

800-875-4190

636-928-4400

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

Columbia Honda Columbia 573-818-3650

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

Honda of Tiffany Springs

Kansas City

816-452-3221

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

Superior Honda Omaha

Omaha

402-408-1100

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

Apostolakis Honda

Cortland

800-900-4600

330-638-3060

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

Jay Honda Bedford

800-509-9057

440-786-3363

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

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

Morton Grove

847-470-2308

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

KANSAS

Jay Wolfe Acura of Overland Park

Overland Park

913-648-2287

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

MICHIGAN

ILLINOIS OHIO

Acura of Troy Troy

800-935-0923

248-643-0900

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6

parts286@acuraoftroy�com

parts287@acuraoftroy com

MINNESOTA

Luther Bloomington Acura

Bloomington

800-451-5078

952-887-0600

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

Columbia Acura Cincinnati

844-677-4902

513-530-0698

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

MICHIGAN MINNESOTA

MISSOURI

MICHIGAN

Mitchell 1 Names Ohio Teen 2023 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student

Jack Fowler of Mount Vernon, OH, has been named the 2023 Mitchell 1 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student, a recognition that comes with a $2,500 scholarship.

Every year, Mitchell 1 honors a U.S. or Canadian student for their outstanding achievement in automotive technology and auto shop repair scholastics. The scholarship program is administered through the University of the Aftermarket Foundation.

“Mitchell 1 is proud to recognize Jack Fowler for his outstanding achievements and dedication to pursuing a career as a professional service technician,” said Nick DiVerde, senior marketing director, Mitchell 1. “We have full confidence that he will accomplish his goals and thrive in a highly successful career within the auto care industry.”

A recent high school graduate, Fowler will attend the University of Northwestern Ohio in the fall, where he is enrolled in the College of Applied Technologies’ automotive department, and work towards a degree in automotive–high performance technology.

Fowler participated in the 2022 SkillsUSA Automotive Service Technology competition, where he won first place in the Southeast Ohio region and placed seventh in the state. He has earned ASE entry-level certifications in electrical/

BMW Is I-CAR Sustaining Partner

his technical knowledge from his father, who owned an automotive machine shop, and his mother, who encouraged him to join clubs such as the 4-H Lego Robotics Club to broaden his experience.

“I’d like to thank both of my parents for supporting my career path,” he said. “My goal is to own a repair shop, and in the future, start a manufacturing operation in the automotive aftermarket industry.”

I-CAR announced July 21 that BMW of North America joined I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program, designed for partners to demonstrate advocacy and provide funding for I-CAR’s work executed across the industry, which have lessened the need for price increases in an era of high inflation.

electronic systems, manual drive train and axles, brakes, engine performance, maintenance and light repair, suspension and steering, automotive service technology, engine repair, automatic transmission and transaxle, heating and air conditioning.

Fowler noted he gained much of

To be eligible for the Mitchell 1 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student scholarship, applicants must be a current student majoring in automotive technology/auto shop repair course work and meet the following criteria: be nominated by his/her NACAT instructor, maintain a minimum overall 3.0 GPA, have plans to attend (or already be enrolled in) an accredited college or university and be a U.S. or Canadian citizen.

For more information about Mitchell 1, visit www.mitchell1. com, call 888-724-6742, or locate an independent sales consultant at www.mitchellrep.com.

Source: Mitchell 1

The program was also established to provide partners access to the complete array of I-CAR’s relevant technical education and service resources and benefits OEM partners with talent engagement and cost mitigation for collision repair facilities adhering to network training requirements.

Sustaining partners help fund I-CAR curriculum and student fees in career and technical schools, which have become I-CAR fixed training sites; that funding exceeds $3 million since 2018. Sustaining partners also fund all Industry Training Alliance training credits since the end of 2019 for individuals who train with curriculum from approved Industry Training Alliance partners, amounting to significant savings plus the elimination of redundant training for those individuals and businesses.

Source: I-CAR

Jack Fowler, 2023 Mitchell 1 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student.

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

Michigan Hands-Free Law Has Prevented 650 Crashes, 2 Fatalities

Cambridge Mobile Telematics (CMT) on Aug. 1 announced an analysis of the impact of the new hands-free law in Michigan, which began June 30. The analysis showed Michigan drivers spent an average of 1 minute and 47 seconds per hour on the road handling their phones in June. Since the start of the hands-free law, phone motion distraction has fallen to an average of 1 minute and 35 seconds per hour, a drop of 11.2%.

CMT’s data shows that every 10% decrease in distracted driving reduces the crash rate by 1.4%. CMT estimates the 11.2% reduction in distraction in Michigan since June 30 has helped prevent 650 crashes, two fatalities and $15.5 million in economic damages.

“We are extremely encouraged by the initial results of Michigan’s handsfree legislation,” said Steve Kiefer, chairman of The Kiefer Foundation and chairperson of CMT’s Road Safety Board. “These life-saving laws are especially critical during the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer when crashes and fatalities typically increase by 15%. We hope the recent results from Michigan and Ohio inspire the remaining 21 states to enact similar legislation that reduces distracted

driving, prevents crashes, and saves lives.” In addition to Michigan, CMT has measured the impact of hands-free legislation across Ohio and Alabama since April. Ohio has seen a sustained reduction in distracted driving of 10% since its law began in early April. Alabama, which introduced its law June 16, experienced a 2.4% reduction before returning to pre-law levels after just one month. Both Michigan and Ohio made distracted driving a primary offense. Alabama’s law made distraction a secondary offense, where a police officer can’t ticket a driver for distracted driving unless they commit a primary offense, like speeding.

“The results from Michigan and Ohio show the need to create strong legislation for hands-free initiatives, from making distracted driving a primary offense, to running awareness campaigns, to ensuring police are ready to enforce the law and educate the public during grace periods,” said Ryan McMahon, senior vice president of strategy for CMT. “Now, the challenge for states like Michigan and Ohio is to measure and maintain these results, and to build the capabilities to respond to increases in distraction over time.”

The reduction in distracted driving in Michigan and Ohio to date follows a similar pattern to other states that have introduced hands-free laws. Across eight states that enacted handheld bans from 2018 to 2021, phone motion distraction remained 13% lower after three months. However, by the end of 2022, the average distraction rate was 3% higher compared to the month before the law, demonstrating the need for continued measurement and programs. CMT defines phone motion distraction as when the phone is rotating with the screen on while the vehicle is moving. The analysis includes driving data from 1 million trips across Michigan from June 1 through July 30.

The drop to 1 minute and 35 seconds of distracted driving per hour is Michigan’s lowest rate since 2020. In 2020, Michigan drivers spent 1 minute and 40 seconds on the road distracted. In 2021, that number jumped to 1 minute and 49 seconds, where it hovered until June 30. Across the U.S., phone motion distraction increased by nearly 21% from 2020 to 2022.

Source: Cambridge Mobile Telematics

To address the industry-wide need for advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration in the automotive aftermarket, Burke Porter Group (BPG), a leading global supplier of OEM end-of-line testing solutions, on July 19 announced the creation of a new aftermarket business unit, expanding market opportunities for its ADAS calibration business.

Additionally, the company has appointed industry veteran Doug Kelly as president of the new division, to report to CEO Jeffrey Moss

An automotive and technology industry veteran of more than 20 years, Kelly will leverage his expertise as well as the company’s existing global OEM end-of-line leadership position, to establish strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders in the ADAS market segment. As car manufacturers increasingly look to innovate with new technologies and safety features, the complexity and challenge of servicing them increases exponentially.

Source: Burke Porter Group

WHERE CONNECTIONS ARE BUILT

Minnesota Abra Auto Body Shops Shine Bright As National Standard Setter

The votes are in, and Minnesota employees have spoken. Star Tribune recently announced its 2023 National Standard Setters for top workplaces in the state of Minnesota and Abra Auto Body was fortunate enough to grace the list.

director.

“I am so proud that my employees feel appreciated at work and are excited to show up each day and bring their best self,” said Wendland. “Creating an encouraging, positive culture is incredibly important to me and I can rest easy knowing this resonates with my team.”

Abra Auto Body is deeply grateful for the employees who provided their honest reviews and experiences.

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Tesla is heading to court against former employees who joined rival automaker Rivian in a lawsuit claiming they breached nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) related to trade secrets.

employees and taking secrets.

Tesla stated in the complaint, “Misappropriating Tesla’s competitively useful confidential information when leaving Tesla for a new employer is obviously wrong and risky.”

Minnesota employees were surveyed using Energage, an employment engagement platform, and results were published at the end of summer. The honored locations include Abra Cloquet, Abra Duluth, Abra Elk River, Abra Princeton and Abra St. Cloud/Waite Park, where Danyell Wendland serves as operations

“Success isn’t all about car count and repair ratio,” said Wayne Kelly, vice president of operations and development, Abra. “It’s integral to the success of your business to find the right talent, keep them happy, and the success will follow. I look forward to watching Danyell continue to find success in this region with the determined and capable team she has in place.” For more information, visit www. abraauto.com.

Source: Abra Auto Body

On Aug. 2, the former Tesla and now Rivian employees attempted to have the suit thrown out via a summary adjudication ruling. However, a state court judge tentatively denied their request, so the lawsuit will be going forward.

The judge did grant the employees’ request for a ruling on Tesla’s claim they accessed company computers illegally to copy and steal important data, according to Bloomberg.

If that ruling is approved, it would allow the breach of contract issue and the claim Tesla made against Rivian that it violated California’s trade secret laws to head to a trial.

Tesla opened the lawsuit in late July 2020, stating it had seen an “alarming pattern” of poaching

It also claimed Rivian had hired at least 70 former employees, some of whom were “caught red-handed” stealing information related to technology and nextgen batteries.

Additionally, Tesla CEO Elon Musk said in an interview in 2020 that Rivian was “doing bad things, so we sued them.”

“It’s not cool to steal our IP, and for people to violate their confidentiality agreements,” Musk added.

The trial had stagnated to an extent in December 2021, when Judge Peter Manoukian said Tesla had 30 days to produce documents relevant to the suit.

The case has moved forward with these latest developments, although Rivian has denied any wrongdoing and claims the suit is Tesla’s attempt to derail competitors in the EV sector.

Toyota Indiana Announces New Grand Highlander SUV, $11 Million Community Investment

Toyota Indiana on Aug. 2 celebrated the start of production of the first-ever Grand Highlander, an all-new three-row SUV. In 2021, Toyota announced an $803 million investment in Indiana to produce two all-new SUVs. First up, the 2024 Grand Highlander, featuring the latest technology, a spacious, adultsized third row and plenty of cargo space for family adventures.

The announcement also included a five-year, multimillion-dollar commitment to help create limitless possibilities for Indiana schools. The Toyota USA Foundation announced Driving Possibilities grants of up to $11.1 million to prepare students for future science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) careers. Driving Possibilities focuses on PreK-12 education to ensure all students have access to rewarding careers, including opportunities in the auto industry.

The initial funds will be distributed through Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation, North Gibson School Corporation, Building Blocks and Youth First Inc. to provide access

to quality PreK education, resources to support student mental health, multi-language learning and handson STEM programs for students and teachers.

“Toyota is always looking to the future, by introducing new products like the Grand Highlander, and innovative community initiatives like Driving Possibilities,” said Toyota Indiana President Leah Curry. “Driving Possibilities sets the foundation for powerful learning experiences to prepare area students for future STEM careers.”

“Today is another Toyota Terrific day for the state as they roll out their first Grand Highlanders down the production line,” said Gov. Eric J. Holcomb. “And not only that—we also celebrate Toyota’s continued contribution in early learning programs, which will further help strengthen investments we’re making across the state and set the stage for some of our youngest Hoosiers to pursue a future in STEM.”

In 2022, the Toyota USA Foundation announced Driving

Possibilities, a $110 million national, career readiness and community engagement initiative, launched to prepare youth for the careers of tomorrow. It is a unique approach that brings together educators, local and national nonprofits, and communities to create limitless possibilities for all. With efforts across the PreK-12 education continuum, the program is the largest and most comprehensive in Toyota’s history. The initiative is funded by Toyota USA Foundation, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).

“Our goal is to increase awareness of future STEM careers while helping build sustainable programs in the communities where our Toyota team members live and work,” said Tellis Bethel, group vice president of social innovation, Toyota. “It’s exciting to see the expansion of Driving Possibilities near our Toyota Indiana plant with up to $4.2 million in the first year and more in years to come.”

Source: Toyota

The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announced the first CAPA Certified ultrasonic sensors are now available, manufactured by CAPA participant Hushan Autoparts Inc.

These ultrasonic sensors, certified to the CAPA 703 standard, join Hushan’s line of CAPA Certified rearview cameras (CAPA 702), and are now available to be requested from automotive part suppliers.

According to a New York Times report, “Why Car Repairs Have Become So Expensive,” the cost of the average car repair is 36% higher now than it was in 2018, buoyed by ongoing part shortages and the increased use of expensive components such as rearview cameras and ultrasonic sensors. CAPA believes the availability of affordable, high-quality aftermarket alternatives for these parts is key to battling longer wait times, higher insurance premiums and increased cost to drivers.

Source: CAPA

Bollinger Motors Receives $3 Million Jobs Creation Grant from Michigan

Mullen Automotive, Inc., an emerging electric vehicle manufacturer, announce July 26 that Bollinger Motors received final approval from the state of Michigan for a $3 million grant aimed at promoting job creation in the state. In a unanimous decision, the Michigan Strategic Fund Board approved the incentive through the Michigan Business Development Program.

“Bollinger Motors is poised for growth and we’re proud to be focused on expanding our company’s operations as we approach start-of-production,” said Robert Bollinger, founder and CEO of Bollinger Motors. “I appreciate Michigan’s faith in our plan and our product as we seek to electrify America’s fleets.”

The grant funds will be distributed to the company as they reach job creation milestones over the next five years. The award also includes access to an estimated $2 million in talent services and training support through Oakland County Michigan Works!

The company anticipates deliveries of its first vehicle, the

Bollinger B4 chassis cab, to begin in July 2024 and are expected to be eligible nationwide for a federal purchasing incentive of 30% of the cost of the vehicle, up to a total $40,000, through the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

Cool Boss™ Releases

Overhead Fans

the undisputed leader in vehicle electrification and future mobility,” said Quentin L. Messer Jr., CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and president and chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. “This project is a win for Southeast Michigan and the entire state.”

“I applaud the Michigan Strategic Fund’s approval of a job creation grant for Bollinger Motors,” said State Rep. Natalie Price, D-5th District. “Not only will this grant help create hundreds of jobs in Oak Park, but it will continue to spur innovation in the electric vehicle market, leading us all towards a clean energy future.”

Cool Boss™, a division of BendPak, expanded its product lineup beyond evaporative coolers with the new Tempest and Windstorm series of high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) industrial overhead fans, are designed to deliver optimized temperatures in large interior spaces while drastically reducing energy costs.

“We are thrilled to begin this next chapter of Team Michigan’s partnership with Bollinger as we continue to position Michigan as

The award followed a series of announcements in recent months illustrating the company’s commitment to the region, including partnerships with Our Next Energy in Troy, MI, to supply the company with batteries and related components and Roush Industries in Livonia, MI, to manage vehicle assembly operations.

Source: Mullen Automotive

In commercial or industrial buildings, Cool Boss overhead fans create a more comfortable environment while maintaining low energy consumption. Running the fans counterclockwise in the summer provides the expected cooling effect. But it doesn’t stop there. In the winter, running the fans clockwise mixes heated air rising from below with cooler air sinking from above to provide an optimum temperature without running heaters as often—resulting in up to 30% energy savings.

Cool Boss HVLS fans are available in a range of sizes. Learn more at coolboss.com/large-hvlsindustrial-ceiling-fans or call (855) 2BE-COOL.

Source: Cool Boss

“I applaud the Michigan Strategic Fund’s approval of a job creation grant for Bollinger Motors. Not only will this grant help create hundreds of jobs in Oak Park, but it will continue to spur innovation in the electric vehicle market, leading us all towards a clean energy future.”

NATALIE PRICE STATE

NABC Recycled Rides® Program Donates Refurbished Vehicles

To Indianapolis Veterans

On July 18, two deserving Indianapolis veterans experienced a life-changing event—the presentation of a vehicle to provide them each independence and the ability to work and take care of their families—thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program along with car donors Allstate and Farmers® and repair partners Connan’s Paint and Body Shop and Andy Mohr Collision Center, both members of Collision Advice Spartan.

The presentation was part of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and was held at the Soldiers and Sailors Monument in downtown Indianapolis, IN. The deserving recipients were selected by Helping Veterans and Families (HVAF) of Indiana.

John Brewer, who received a 2020 Hyundai Kona, is an U.S. Army veteran who was stationed in Korea and served from 1983–1986, receiving an honorable discharge. He is a resilient single father raising his son the best he

can without a car. Brewer currently relies on the Indianapolis bus system to get to work, the grocery store, medical appointments and to transport his 16-year-old son to activities. He has worked as a school bus driver, truck driver, forklift driver and auto detailer. He now works at the VA during the week and weekend, but on the weekends, he has to use Uber because the buses are not running when he is off work. Receiving this vehicle will be a blessing that will open doors for him and help his family thrive.

U.S. Navy veteran Anthony Johnson, who received a 2017 Honda Pilot EX, served on the USS America as an E3 from 1980–1983. Following a hip replacement six years ago, an infection developed in his left leg that left him confined to a wheelchair. While he has obtained numerous jobs over the past four years, he lost them due to lack of his own reliable transportation and inadequate public transportation. Having reliable transportation will

help him stay employed and seek higher paying jobs.

“This is truly a blessing, an incredible blessing,” said Johnson. “I can now get to work without relying on rideshares or friends, go to doctor appointments and take care of my family. I’m grateful to the American Legion and everyone who made this possible.”

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 Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity, Great Water Auto Care and INA Towing Network.

Source: NABC

I-CAR on July 18 marked the official launch of CollisionCareers. com, a seminal online experience dedicated to connecting individuals to rewarding opportunities in collision repair.

CollisionCareers.com achieves the first objective of the Talent Attraction marketing strategy by providing a neutral brand and platform under which industry partners can collaborate on strategic programming and marketing efforts to reposition the industry as a growing, exciting and stable field while amplifying efforts to solve a talent crisis that, because of a combination of unfilled roles and expected retirements over the next five years, is estimated to leave the industry 100,000 skilled technicians short. CollisionCareers.com and its associated social media channels offer aresource for students and career changers as well as the parents and school counselors who often influence their decisions.

Source: I-CAR

A

new study,

“Auto

Insurance:

The Uncertain Road Ahead,” released July 19 by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), revealed insurance claims inflation has continued to rise faster than the underlying consumer price index (CPI), far outpacing increases in auto insurance premiums.

The combination of rapidly increasing overall economic inflation and claims inflation has driven up auto insurance losses and combined ratios.

“In addition to inflation trends, the private passenger auto insurance sector is also experiencing several other trends such as increased frequency and severity of claims cost, riskier driving behavior by the public, cost increases for medical and hospital services, and outsized growth in lawsuit verdicts and legal system abuses, that are negatively impacting and pressuring the industry with increased losses,” said Robert Passmore , department vice president for APCIA and coauthor of the paper.

Key Data Findings

APCIA found that losses on underwriting in 2022 for private U.S. property casualty insurers were $25.6 billion, more than double the losses in 2021 and the worst result since 2011.

Private passenger auto insurance experienced the highest direct loss ratio among major lines of business at 80.2% (excluding loss adjustment expenses) in 2022, which represented an increase of 12.2 points from 2021 and 24.1 points from the low-water mark of pandemic-impacted 2020.

U.S. private passenger vehicle damage claim severity (i.e., the average cost per claim for property damage liability and collision) increased nearly 50% from 2018 to 2022, impacted by rising auto repair and labor costs, inflation and theft rates, among other things. Over the same period, average bodily injury claim severity increased 40%, reflecting an acceleration in medical inflation, legal system abuse and a sharp increase in deadly motor vehicle accidents.

Insurance Due To Inflation, Other Concerns

Property casualty insurers’ premiums for personal auto increased just 6% for the year, far below the 24% rate of escalating losses.

accelerating from May’s 4.5% increase. It was the sixth-straight monthly increase.

“All indicators suggest elevated auto repair and replacement costs will stretch well into 2023 and potentially beyond,” said Passmore. “Medical inflation is also accelerating. Although insurers continue to monitor the situation closely, as claim costs continue to rise, insurers may be forced to pass these loss costs along to policyholders.

The Motor Vehicle Insurance CPI compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes a basket of goods and services auto insurers require to settle claims, and the June figure was up 6% year-over-year,

“Given the trends, insurers are strongly encouraging drivers to minimize their risk by avoiding risky driving behaviors that may result in a loss,” Passmore continued. “Insurers are also advocating for better infrastructure, including reliable supply chains for critical auto parts and safer roads, which should result in fewer accidents and lower claims costs that help keep insurance premiums affordable for consumers.”

Source: American Property Casualty Insurance Association

“Insurers are also advocating for better infrastructure, including reliable supply chains for critical auto parts and safer roads, which should result in fewer accidents and lower claims costs that help keep insurance premiums affordable for consumers.”

ROBERT PASSMORE DEPARTMENT VICE PRESIDENT FOR APCIA

Michigan Dealerships Lose Nearly Entire Inventory Due To Baseball-Sized Hail

By Michael Gauthier CarScoops

Powerful storms pounded Michigan on July 20 and left a trail of destruction.

Most of the damage was caused by hail. The Detroit Free Press spoke to National Weather Service meteorologist Steve Considine, who said the Davison

area was among the hardest hit as “tennis ball- and baseball-sized hail rained down.”

Hail that size can be deadly and it resulted in extensive damage, particularly to dealerships that had countless vehicles on their lots. Among the hardest hit was Todd Wenzel Buick GMC of Davison, which posted on Facebook, “We have sustained damage to a large portion of our inventory and our building.” The dealership added it’s open for business, but asked “that you please have patience with us as we take steps to repair the damage.”

Nearby Hank Graff Chevrolet was also hit, and posted photos on social media of hail roughly the size of a baseball, saying, “Our business, along with many of our friends in the Davison community endured quite the hail storm. While we sustained damage to some buildings and a large number of our inventory, we are open for our normal business hours across all departments.”

ASE Instructor Training Conference a Huge Success

The 2023 ASE Instructor Training Conference, held in July in Concord, NC, welcomed hundreds of high school and college instructors from auto, truck and collision repair programs nationwide, where they had the opportunity to participate in a wide array of sessions conducted by the transportation industry’s leading trainers and instructors.

“This year’s instructor training conference was a huge success, from the instructional sessions to the networking opportunities to the informational resources that instructors can integrate into their automotive programs,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The attendees heard from experienced OE and aftermarket trainers, enjoyed a keynote speech by Eric Chester and learned about ‘Revving up Diversity in the Classroom’ from Bogi Lateiner.” Hosted by the ASE Education Foundation, the four-day annual conference is the largest of its

kind. In addition to training and motivational sessions, attendees had time to network with their peers from across the country and share best practices.

Also on the agenda was Chester’s keynote speech, “Building Rockets That Fly: Ensuring the Success of our Graduates,” focused on ways to help graduates of automotive educational programs to succeed in their careers. In addition, Lateiner shared ways to enhance diversity in automotive programs with a standing-roomonly audience.

“Being together under one roof gave the attendees the opportunity to learn, interact and focus on the future,” said Coley. “We want to thank the subject matter experts who shared their knowledge and expertise with the instructors and the conference sponsors who helped make this exceptional educational event possible.”

Source: ASE Education Foundation

Hank Graff Chevrolet in Davison, MI, shared this photo of hail that hits its dealership lot July 20.

Rivian Showroom To Open in Luxury Chicago Neighborhood

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Rivian plans to open its first showroom in Chicago’s Gold Coast, which is marketed as an area for luxury lovers, befitting Rivian’s brand goals.

Rivian will open a showroom at 871 N. Rush St. The EV automaker initially planned to open a showroom in the Fulton Market district a few years ago but backed out of the deal for undisclosed reasons. Its current location in the Gold Coast area might be more fitting.

“The Gold Coast is a luxury lover’s haven. Charming homes on picture-perfect streets, high-end boutiques and restaurants favored by celebrities past and present all give this neighborhood its star power,” said Choose Chicago.

Rivian aspires to provide customers with the best offroading, outdoor experience in the comfort of modern society

through its R1T and R1S EVs. In the past, CEO RJ Scaringe has said R1 EVs would have a “Patagonia-like feel of enabling adventure,” a brand is well-known for providing durable equipment for outdoor explorers.

While Rivian’s Gold Coast showroom is already impressive, it isn’t finished with Chicago yet. In a statement to CoStar News, the company said it was “still exploring our options” for another space in Chicago. Rivian already has a service center located west of Fulton Market at 2033 W. Walnut St.

Rivian is still ramping up its first two consumer vehicles, the R1T pickup truck and the R1S SUV. Plans are also underway to release the R2 platform, expected to be more affordable. In June, Rivian announced it would adopt Tesla’s North American Charging Standard (NACS) for its vehicles.

New Report Shows Full-Size Trucks Have Highest Theft Rate

According to analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, vehicles with the highest theft rate last year were full-size pickups. These vehicles made up more than 25% of the thefts reported in 2022, a decrease from a high of 33% in 2021. While vehicle theft rates have been soaring since the start of the pandemic, recovery rates have also risen. More than 85% of passenger vehicles reported stolen in 2022 were subsequently recovered by law enforcement or other means, with 34% recovered within a day of the vehicle being reported stolen.

“Approximately one motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds, which adds up to more than 1 million vehicles stolen last year,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. “Vehicle theft disrupts lives, causes financial hardship,

owners, community members, as well as federal, state and local governments.”

Vehicle theft rates for sedans, including Honda, Hyundai and Kia, followed those of full-size pickups, with recovery rates for Hyundais and Kias between 87% and 95%. Social media trends were a likely factor in their high theft rankings in 2022.

“There are some commonsense steps to keep cars from being stolen. First, remove valuables from the vehicle or lock them out of sight. Next, lock the doors, roll the windows all the way up, and don’t leave your keys or key fob in the car,” Glawe said.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles by 2022 Total Thefts

1. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size), 49,903

2. Ford Pickup (Full Size), 48,175

3. Honda Civic, 27,113

4. Honda Accord, 27,089

5. Hyundai Sonata, 21,707

6. Hyundai Elantra, 19,602

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BUERKLE HONDA

Schaefer Autobody Centers has been acknowledged by the Health Rosetta Institute for providing its employees one of “America’s Top 50 Health Plans.” Presently, the collision repairer employs more than 280 team members in Missouri and Illinois. The award will be presented to Schaefer Autobody Centers at The Rosie Awards banquet on Aug. 8 on Chicago’s Navy Pier.

The leadership team at Schaefer Autobody partnered with Simpara, a local HR consulting firm, to develop their nationally recognized health plan. After a nominal paycheck deduction, employees can visit any in-network provider with $0 co-pays and $0 deductible. Hundreds of providers can be found on the plan’s website, with more being added weekly.

“We’ve long recognized our company’s biggest asset is our team members,” said Jaime Matthews, Schaefer Autobody’s vice president. “Being able to offer such an amazing health plan is a testament to our values, culture and support from our dedicated employees.”

The recognition is the second

time in two years Schaefer Autobody Centers’ health plan has been recognized amongst America’s best. In 2022, Schaefer Autobody Centers was named a “Health Plan Hero” by Patients Rising in Washington D.C.

“Simpara is extremely proud to represent Schaefer Autobody in developing their award-winning health plan,” said Ashley Smith, VP of client success. “Health plans like Schaefer Autobody’s are changing employee’s expectations for healthcare and we’re thrilled to be part of the movement.”

A phenomenal health plan is one of many outstanding benefits Schaefer Autobody Centers offers team members. Employees also receive day one health, dental and vision coverage; a 5% 401(k) match; PTO accrual starting on date of hire; generous referral bonuses and industry-leading compensation. To learn more about careers opportunities at Schaefer Autobody Centers, visit www. schaeferautobody.com/careers.

Source: Schaefer Autobody Centers

Illinois

ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR.

Schaefer Autobody Centers Recognized For Offering One of ‘America’s Top 50 Health Plans’ YOU

Laurel BMW of Westmont Westmont 630-230-2890 Direct Wholesale

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USDOT Proposes Updated Fuel Economy Standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 28 issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. A 60-day public comment period will begin after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. As one of the range of options on which the agency is taking public comment, the preferred alternative in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars, and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks, beginning in model year 2027 and ramping up through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032.

It also includes a 10% improvement per year for commercial pickup trucks and work vans (with gross vehicle weight ratings of more than 8,500 pounds and less than 14,001 pounds) beginning in model year 2030 and ramping up through model year 2035.

If finalized as proposed, the updated standards would save Americans hundreds of dollars at the pump, all while making America more energy secure and less reliant on foreign

oil. NHTSA estimates the combined benefits of its proposal exceed costs by more than $18 billion by:

• Saving consumers more than $50 billion on fuel over the vehicles’ lifetimes.

• Reducing U.S. dependence on oil by saving more than 88 billion gallons of gasoline through 2050.

• Preventing more than 900 million tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent of taking more than 233 million vehicles off the road from 2022 through 2050.

NHTSA will engage with a broad set of stakeholders during the public comment period, including consumers, unions, automakers, states, environmental groups and others. The proposal would also drive fuel efficiency improvements for heavy-duty pickup trucks and work vans. “Better vehicle fuel efficiency means more money in Americans’ pockets and stronger energy security for the entire nation,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. NHTSA’s proposed fuel economy standards complement and align with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently proposed emissions standards for

similar vehicle fleets. NHTSA will coordinate with the EPA to optimize the effectiveness of its standards while minimizing compliance costs, consistent with applicable statutory factors. With the release of today’s proposal, NHTSA invites comments from all stakeholders on how this goal can be achieved. The proposed rule sets targets that are consistent with Congress’ direction to conserve fuel and promote American energy independence and American auto manufacturing, while providing flexibility to industry on how to achieve those targets. Though NHTSA does not take electric and other alternative fuels into account in setting the standards, manufacturers may use all available technologies—including advanced internal combustion engines, hybrid technologies and electric vehicles—for compliance.

The new proposal also supports the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to cutting costs for Americans and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in communities near freeways and other heavily trafficked roads, which are disproportionately low-income communities of color.

Since the lowest-income households spend nearly 20% of income on transportation fuels, which is three times the average U.S. household, this proposal is consistent with the administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice.

“CAFE standards have driven the auto industry to innovate in improving fuel economy in ways that benefit our nation and all Americans,” NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said. “The new standards we’re proposing today would advance our energy security, reduce harmful emissions, and save families and business owners money at the pump. That’s good news for everyone.”

The proposal also models a range of additional alternatives. NHTSA requests comment on the full range of standards from the no-action alternative to the most stringent alternative modeled, including comment on combinations of standards that may not be explicitly identified in the proposal.

Read the proposal here. For more information, please see NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy page.

Source: NHTSA

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U.S. House Committee Holds Hearing on Federal Right To Repair Bills

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet on July 18 held a hearing on proposed bills in Congress regarding right to repair issues: the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act, Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act and Fair Repair Act.

Led by U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa, R-CA, chairman of the subcommittee and lead co-sponsor of the SMART Act, which would expand consumer access to reliable auto parts for vehicle repair, members heard from witnesses about the economic impact of expanded repair options.

“Design patents, historically, basically prevent your competitor from making a deceptively similar product,” Issa said. “So much of the discussion today is…on protection that is granted by design patents. Much of what we are looking at doing is to modify, enhance or define design patents in a way in which they do not exclude six or seven or eight years later that faded headlight that can no longer be polished to be usable from costing you $1,500 to $2,500 each in order to replace something that used

Among those testifying at the hearing was Aaron Perzanowski, law professor at the University of Michigan and author of a white paper on the importance of right to repair through the REPAIR Act, which would provide consumers with access to their vehicle data.

In his testimony, Perzanowski said, “Repair is as old as humanity. Repair has always kept pace. But today, manufacturers are employing a range of strategies that restrict repair from their hardware and software design choices to clamp down on secondary markets.”

U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-FL, cosponsor of the SMART Act, asked Perzanowski what effect he sees passage might have on insurance rates for consumers.

“If we see passage of the SMART Act, we can anticipate significant reductions in the expenses associated with auto collision repairs,” Perzanowski said. “Estimates are that design patents on collision parts are responsible for about $1.5 billion in additional expenditures. We see price premiums on OEM parts, over third [party] parts, often reaching into the 40% range…Do consumers

expensive? I think in most cases, they don’t. And so I think the SMART Act is a very targeted solution to this problem.”

Lee asked if Perzanowski thought passage of the SMART Act will make it easier for independent repairers to enter the market.

“In an environment where consumers are facing lower costs for repairs and fewer vehicles are being totaled…One of the byproducts here of the high prices of these replacement parts is more and more vehicles are being totaled,” Perzanowski said. “So, we would see more opportunity for competition in those market places. And generally…rely on this principle that the more competition we see, the lower prices are going to be, and the higher quality is going to be, and so I think that’s beneficial.”

Also testifying was Paul Roberts, founder of SecuRepairs. org and founder and editor in chief of the Security Ledger. In his testimony he stated, “Federal right to repair legislation like the REPAIR Act and the Fair Repair Act will greatly improve the quality of life for consumers, families and communities while promoting small business and reducing e waste

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throughout the country.”

Automotive Service Association (ASA) Board of Directors Chairman Scott Benavidez, AMAM, also testified, explaining how the agreement ASA reached with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) ensures independent repair facilities will continue to enjoy access to the information needed to diagnose and repair issues with their customers’ vehicles.

“ASA has been a steadfast advocate for right-to-repair principles—the right of car owners and independent repair shops to access vehicle service information needed to diagnose and repair vehicles—for decades,” Benavidez said. “We take this unequivocal stance because our members are on the front lines of the vehicle data access issue and have been very clear: we want to have access to the data necessary to repair our customers’ vehicles… That’s why, last week, ASA proudly announced it had reached a landmark agreement with automakers that ensures independent repair shops can diagnose and repair their customers’ vehicles without hindrance from telematics nor any other innovation.”

Benavidez also shared ASA’s

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MICHIGAN OHIO

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MINNESOTA

concerns that the SMART Act— which would allow aftermarket manufacturers to produce and sell parts of similar appearance 30 months after the OEM part enters the market and do so without violating patent law—lacks quality and safety standards for aftermarket replacement parts.

“We can and should have a competitive marketplace that doesn’t compromise quality or safety,” Benavidez said. “[Some insurers] [d]eciding to only cover the cheapest option without understanding implications for quality leaves collision shops and their customers in a tough position… [M]ore imported and other crash parts in the marketplace with limited quality standards gives insurance companies even more power to mandate that cheaper parts that may or may not meet quality expectations be installed, while leaving car owners and repairers to suffer the consequences.”

ASA said it appreciates Issa for providing ASA the opportunity to share the perspective of independent automotive repair shops before the subcommittee and for the thoughtful comments from the subcommittee members.

The CAR Coalition, a group of independent automotive parts,

management and repair companies, associations and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, praised the subcommittee for holding the hearing.

“Today’s hearing makes clear there is broad bipartisan support for consumers’ right to repair their vehicles,” said CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka. “As Chairman Issa said, the right to repair empowers consumers and drives economic growth and prosperity. Repair restrictions imposed by auto manufacturers are designed to protect corporations, not consumers. The CAR Coalition stands proudly on the side of consumers in this fight.”

According to a recent YouGov Survey of 1,000 vehicle owners conducted June 29–July 5, a sizable majority of Americans support a federal vehicle right to repair law that would prevent automakers from restricting vehicle owners’ repair options. The results showed Americans believe they should be able to decide where and who repairs their vehicle and have access to their vehicle’s data, and a strong preference for independent repair shops over dealerships.

Source: CAR Coalition, Auto Service Association

7 Carmakers Partner To Launch New EV Charging Network in North America

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

A new EV public charging network joint venture will be created in North America by seven major global automakers. BMW Group, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, MercedesBenz and Stellantis have joined forces to create “an unprecedented new charging network joint venture that will significantly expand access to high-powered charging in North America.”

The companies said they are aiming to install at least 30,000 highpowered charge points in urban and highway locations “to ensure customers can charge whenever and wherever they need.”

The seven automakers say their charging network will offer an elevated customer experience, reliability, high-powered charging capability, digital integration, appealing locations and various amenities while charging. The goal is for the stations to be powered solely by renewable energy.

The new charging stations will be accessible to all batterypowered electric vehicles from any automaker, as they will offer both Combined Charging System (CCS) and North American Charging Standard (NACS) connectors.

The first charging stations of the asyet-unnamed network are scheduled to open in the U.S. in summer 2024 and in Canada at a later stage.

The new charging network promises to offer a seamless integration with participating automakers’ in-vehicle and inapp experiences. In addition, the network will leverage Plug & Charge technology for a more userfriendly customer experience.

The coalition includes two automakers that have already announced they would equip their EVs with NACS connectors from 2025, General Motors and MercedesBenz Group. The others—BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia and Stellantis— said they would evaluate Tesla’s NACS connectors on their vehicles, but neither has committed to implementing the port on its EVs yet.

MISSOURI

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

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OHIO

Byers Volkswagen Columbus

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OHIO

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Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

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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.

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

Hyundai, Kia, Genesis Hit With Class-Action Suit Over Faulty Charging Ports

By Iulian Dnistran InsideEVs

Owners of all-electric vehicles sold by Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have filed a nationwide classaction lawsuit against the car manufacturers, claiming certain models feature defective charging ports that can lead to longer than advertised charging times or even a failure to charge, potentially leaving users stranded.

The suit was filed in late July with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleges the automakers advertised vehicle charging times between five to seven hours, depending on vehicle make, with the use of a Level 2 home charger.

However, the lawsuit says, in reality, vehicle charging ports frequently overheat in as little as 30 minutes, causing the charging session to unexpectedly and repeatedly fail.

As per the court filing, the affected vehicles are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, Kia EV6 and

Genesis GV60.

“Not only do Hyundai, Kia and Genesis continue to sell vehicles that are clearly incapable of performing as advertised, they also issued a software patch which substantially worsens charging

service bulletin to address the issue, but the subsequent software update pushed to affected vehicles does little to alleviate the problem. According to the complaint, the advertised charging amperage of 48 amps drops to 28 amps if overheating occurs, leading to much longer charging sessions than advertised.

LKQ Corporation, through the LKQ Community Foundation, and TechForce Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership to support students pursuing a technical education and career as a professional transportation technician.

rates and widens the gap between what they promised and what they delivered,” said Steve Berman, managing partner at Hagens Berman and the attorney leading the case.

The filed complaint cites one plaintiff’s experience in which fully charging his 2023 IONIQ 5 takes 20 hours, at a 5% charge rate per hour.

An email sent to InsideEVs said in March, Hyundai issued a technical

“This so-called fix does nothing to address the real problem, which is that these vehicles were not manufactured to reliably charge at a rate even close to 48 amps. It’s unacceptable for Hyundai to put a Band-Aid on such a serious defect impeding the vehicle’s stated performance,” Berman said.

The lawsuit seeks to recover just compensation for vehicle owners and lessors, bringing claims of violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violation of the California Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, and violations of the applicable state consumer protection laws.

LKQ is concerned over the seriousness of the automotive and collision technician shortage and wants to be part of the solution. Currently there are five jobs available for every student graduating tech school.

LKQ has donated $50,000 to support TechForce Foundation’s charitable programs, including a nationwide public service campaign recognizing the value and importance of skilled technicians, its FutureTechs Rock and Techs Rock awards, and TechForce, the first of its kind, gamified online community of aspiring and working technician to find tech schools, scholarships, events, apprenticeships and jobs. TechForce inspires and supports students at all stages in their career journeys.

Source: LKQ Corporation

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