November 2022 Midwest Edition

Arizona Shop Owner Responds to Collision Repair Industry Pushback

By Ed Attanasio

When our first interview with Jim Huard, owner of Painters Collision Centers’ two locations in Arizona, was published in June, many shops supported his claims. But others were skeptical and claimed it’s impossible for a body shop to make a profit with DRPs in the picture.

detailer, where he quickly grasped the business of running a shop. Huard has held various executive management roles for national MSOs, as a general manager, regional manager and VP of operations.

Q: You received a fair amount of pushback after your interview first appeared in Autobody News. Why do you think that occurred?

A: It’s hard to say. I believe a lot of owner operators struggle with understanding their business. Saying you cannot make a profit while compensating your people well because you work with DRPs is just not true.

Car-Sharing, Rental Agencies Spar Over Michigan Regulations

By Scott McClallen The Center Square

A Michigan bill package aims to regulate and tax peer-to-peer carsharing, which users say could increase prices, but traditional rental agencies say they are “agreed upon” standards.

Turo is like Airbnb for cars; an owner rents out vehicles to help cover the cost of insurance,

registration and rising gas prices. Turo offers convenience and a wide range of vehicles, including sports cars, Escalades and Teslas, often at a lower cost than rental car agencies.

For example, Michiganders may rent a 2015 Maserati Quattroporte for $203 per day or a 2011 Ford Fiesta for $38 per day.

Turo opposes the bill package.

“These bills pushed by

Autobody News sat down with Huard recently to give him a fair chance to respond to the adverse feedback he received this summer.

Huard is a long-time industry veteran, operating and managing body shops over his 35-year career before becoming the new owneroperator of Painter’s Collision Center, along with his wife, Kelly Huard Huard began his career as a

Q:

Many shops say they can’t make any money being a member of a DRP, but you strongly disagree. What’s your secret?

A: Learn your business first; understand your cost structure. I honestly believe that some folks should not own, operate or even be in this business, period— with DRPs or not. It seems like the same people saying that DRPs won’t work for them are the people who always fight everything. Why is the carrier that is paying for the repair paying for it in a DRP and a non-DRP environment? Why are they different because it’s the same carrier?

The only real difference is if I choose to give them concessions in exchange for bringing me more and

General Motors Converts Ohio ICE Drivetrain Facility to EV Motor Production

By William Johnson Teslarati

General Motors announced Sept. 23 it will invest $760 million to convert its Toledo, OH, facility to product motors for electric vehicles.

GM’s Toledo Propulsion Plant has been a part of the business since 1956, and this investment indicates GM won’t be abandoning it in its efforts to convert to electric vehicle production.

l CONTINUED

GM was tight-lipped on details regarding the specifics of investments in the plant. It did say motors being produced at the facility will be used in the upcoming Chevy Silverado EV,

Jim Huard, owner of Painters Collision Centers, has learned how to work well with his insurance partners and is more than willing to share how he does it

l

ON

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coverage

can.

COLUMNISTS

Mike Anderson

Now is Not the Time for Collision Repairers to Give Up on OEM Certifications 12

Ed Attanasio

Arizona Shop Owner Responds to Collision Repair Industry Pushback 1

Videos Keep Everyone in the Loop While Building Trust and Confidence 36

Stacey Phillips

Award-Winning Shop Owner & SCRS Treasurer Educates Consumers Through ‘Airing of GRIEVances’ Videos 16

REGIONAL NEWS

1963 Corvette Split Window Stolen During Michigan Car Show 42

Camaro Factory Hit by Thieves Again 38

Corvette Plant Tours to Resume This Year 30

Crash Champions Acquires Nationwide Auto Body in Illinois 31

Ford Announces Manufacturing Investment, Jobs Creation in Kentucky 34

Kansas Car Club Restores Pontiac GTO in Honor of Deputy Killed in Line of Duty 35

NATIONAL

‘Ouch’: Gas Prices Rise for 2 Straight Weeks, OPEC Expected to Drive Them Higher 52

Braking Bad: Automatic Emergency Braking Absent When You Need It Most 53

CIECA Forms Referral Committee 6

Cox Automotive, NAMAD Rising Stars Named 46

DUIs Down 25% Nationwide but Fatal Crashes Rising 42

EV Optimism Up Despite Supply Chain Challenges 50

EV Sales Expected to Reach All-Time Highs in 2022 35

Foshee Joins Auto Care Association 24

General Motors Converts Ohio ICE Drivetrain Facility to EV Motor Production 1

GM Backup Camera Recall Involves Cadillac, GMC Vehicles 54

GM Engineer Testifies Nikola Badger Pickup Had No Nikola Parts 31

Hertz Planning to Order 175K EVs from GM 55 Mitchell, Claim Genius Working on Estimate Automation 30

John Yoswick

EV Manufacturers Discuss Restricted Parts, Booth Concerns, ‘Service Mode’ 26

EVs, ADAS Calibrations, Future of DRPs Discussed at Annual CIECA Conference 22

SCRS Urging Auto Body Shops to Help Consumers Remove Personal Data from Total Loss Vehicles 48

Index of Advertisers

Agile Truck & Auto Tools 5

A N Designs, Inc /UltraWiz 13

American Icon Automotive Finishes 8

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers 53

Axalta Coating Systems 2

BendPak 19

BMW of Des Moines 38

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers 49

Borton Volvo

Kepner’s Precision Auto Krafters in Michigan Join 1Collision 44

North Dakota Joins Trio of States to Fight for Federal ‘Hydrogen Hub’ Dollars 4

Precision Diagnostics Relocates to New HQ, Celebrates 3rd Anniversary 40

Seven Midwest States Enter Hydrogen Coalition 10

Warrensburg Collision Adds Locations And Rebrands 6

More Hertz Customers File Lawsuit After Being Falsely Arrested 50

NABC Searching for Executive Director 38

NADA Urges FTC to Withdraw Proposed Rule 44

Nissan Recalls Frontiers, Titans for Rollaway Dangers 40

Rising Auto Insurance Premiums are Killing Home Bundles, J.D. Power Finds 46

SCRS Announces Full Lineup for 2022 OEM Collision Repair Summit at SEMA 8

Shape Your Career Path with More Than 70 SEMA Show Education Sessions 14

Study: Dealerships can Win in Car Rental Market 52

Survey Shows Concerns for Economy 44

Survey Shows Greater Trust in Auto Technicians 55

Tesla Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Incorrect Automatic Window Operation 38

Kia Wholesale

LaFontaine Buick-GMC-Cadillac

Auto Group

Westmont

Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru

Kia of

Maplewood

34

Buerkle Honda 14

Byers Imports

Certified Automotive Parts Association 10

Classic BMW MINI 42

Chevrolet 43

54

Hyundai 36

Sure Seal, Ltd 12

Inc

Equalizer Auto Glass Tools 16

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers 50

Gandrud Parts Center 27

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers 47

GUNIWHEEL 18

Hawkinson Kia 40

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers 32-33

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers

Industrial Finishes and Systems

56

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet 34

Ford 38

Wholesale

McGrath

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers

Wholesale Parts Dealers

Platinum

Chevrolet-Buick-GMC

SATA Dan-Am Company

Sears Imported Autos,

Shaheen Chevrolet Parts Warehouse

Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet

Steck

Company

Wholesale Parts Dealers

Symach

The

of

Wholesale

KECO

Wholesale

Autobody

Autobody News is dusting off the shelves and giving our print publication and website a fresh new look.

For the last few months, we have been hard at work revisiting our core values, discussing what makes us stand apart and what you, our readers, have come to expect delivered monthly to your doorstep and daily to your inbox.

We heard from you. We listened. We took to heart what brings you back to Autobody News and incorporated many of the suggestions we have received over the years. We thank you for your feedback.

Today, we are thrilled to announce Autobody News’ “refreshed” print magazine design, along with the complete redesign of our website, autobodynews.com.

“We’re proud of our 40+ year history as the leading national and regional news source for the collision repair industry,” said Barbara Davies, general manager of Autobody News.

“When we sat down to start the discussion of a print magazine refresh, we knew what we wanted,” Davies said. “We knew what our

readers wanted. We didn’t want to lose our essence of ‘news’ magazine, but we wanted a more contemporary look.”

The print magazine features improved readability thanks to updated fonts for better readability, more white

Davies said. “It was time for a complete redesign to deliver a better user experience for our loyal 28,000 monthly website visitors.”

The website boasts a more intuitive, inviting layout, with easier navigation and more graphic

repair shops.

A key feature of the new site is a new digital magazine section, which will allow visitors to read the latest monthly edition in a digital format. In this section, visitors will also be able to access past monthly editions of Autobody News. The website has also been fully optimized to be mobile responsive to accommodate people’s on-the-go news consumption.

“With this new website refresh we wanted to improve the way our visitors consume our content, and to give them easier access to the national and regional news that is important to them,” said Bryan Malinski, digital marketing manager of Autobody News.

Both redesigns are works in progress. As the industry continues to evolve, Autobody News will too.

space and more prominently promotes our columnists’ exclusive content.

“In addition to the print magazine refresh, we also just launched a complete redesign of our website,”

North Dakota Joins Trio of States to Fight for Federal ‘Hydrogen Hub’ Dollars

By Kim Jarrett The Center Square

North Dakota is joining Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin to create a regional clean hybrid hub that will compete with other hubs for federal dollars, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum said Oct. 5. The Biden administration announced the week before it is accepting applications for the $7 billion program for regional hubs funded through President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The money is part of a larger $8 billion hydrogen hub program, according to a news release from the Biden administration.  The U.S Department of Energy will select six to 10 hubs, according to a news release from Burgum. The fourstate collaboration will be called the Heartland Hydrogen Hub. The Energy & Environmental Research Center at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks is leading the effort, which also includes the state’s tribes, according to Burgum’s office. The National

Center for Hydrogen Technology is housed at the research center.

According to the memorandum of understanding, other states could join the hub in the future.

“By bringing together our expertise in agriculture and energy production, we can create a worldclass hydrogen hub and do even more as states to feed and fuel the nation and the world,” Burgum said. “We are grateful to these states and their governors for their participation, collaboration and shared interest in American energy production, U.S. energy security, job creation, economic development and environmental stewardship.”

Other states are collaborating on regional hydrogen hubs. Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Utah formed a regional hub in February. Louisiana, Arkansas and Oklahoma announced a regional hub in March.

The hydrogen hubs are part of the Biden administration’s plan for a net-zero carbon economy by 2050, according to the Department of Energy.

elements. With this website redesign, we wanted to improve the overall user experience and allow our visitors to have easy access to the news that is important to them and their collision

“We’re committed to bringing industry news to our readers in the most user-friendly print and digital formats,” Davies said. “We hope you like the changes we’ve made and look forward to your feedback.”

Let the team know what you think by emailing bdavies@autobodynews. com.

CIECA announced the formation of a committee to create a new workflow for the referral process in the collision industry.

The committee will be chaired by Kim DeVallance Caron, product portfolio director for Enterprise Holdings.

All industry stakeholders, including CIECA and nonCIECA members, are invited to join.

“The committee’s objective is to improve customer service in the inspection and repair process by developing and maintaining messaging standards aimed at automating vehicle referral activities, which will create efficiencies for all industry stakeholders,” said Paulette Reed, CIECA’s technical project manager.

The committee will review the changes required to make a referral in CIECA messages and then develop the workflows and data requirements.

— Source: CIECA

Warrensburg Collision Adds Locations And Rebrands

Warrensburg Collision has expanded its award-winning operation and acquired four additional locations.

With its growth, it has rebranded to Collision Leaders and now has five locations in Missouri: Sedalia, Higginsville, Odessa and Grain Valley, as well as its flagship location in Warrensburg.

communities,” said Lund.

Over the last several months, Warrensburg Collision underwent an extensive rebranding process, starting with a new name the team selected.

“We turned it over to our staff to select the new name. We wanted a name that meant something to our team, something they could be proud of,” said Lund. “We went through hundreds of names and this one stuck out. We empower our team to lead, teach, train and support each other and it fits what we do perfectly.”

The logo is also just as thought out. It mimics a dash light and incorporates multiple colors and symbols that come together to share the company’s philosophy.

“I am extremely proud of our team; it has been humbling to watch them teach and train staff at new locations on our systems and implement processes,” said Lund. “They are growing the culture at new locations and living up to the name they chose, Collision Leaders.”

Lund’s business has been recognized for its success with the 2015 Warrensburg Chamber Business of the Year Award, the 2016 Missouri Chamber of Commerce

“Fast Track” Award for business growth, included in Ingram’s Corporate 100 as one of the KC Area’s Fastest Growing Companies four times (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2021) and won “Best of the Burg” for Auto Body Shops every year.

Casey Lund, owner of Collison Leaders, announced the name change and new logo.

“We’ve spent the last decade deliberately growing and training our team every day, focusing on culture, process improvements and leadership. That’s why we decided to expand and bring the best quality collision repair to these

“It was important to incorporate symbolism that represents what our company stands for and our new logo does just that,” said Lund.

Lund has grown the shop in Warrensburg tenfold since he assumed leadership in 2005. He has transformed the culture of the shop into something business leaders from around the Midwest travel to see. Lund is now taking that experience and replicating it for expansion.

Collision Leaders will continue the legacy and service Warrensburg Collision was founded on.

“We are the same great people, same great service with a new name that reflects how we’ve transformed the auto body industry in our region and will continue to lead the industry by helping others and serving where needed,” said Lund.

— Source: Collision Leaders

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SYMACH CLASSIC SPRAYBOOTH FOR CONVENTIONAL DRYING PROCESS

Green is more than just a color to us.

The green SATAjet X 5500 FUTURE is not only a reference to nature, it is also a symbol of harmony and hope, especially for the future! We are striving for a sustainable and connected future that makes the most out of the potentials of the digital transformation. The globe-shaped circuits on the spray gun represent the technology which is connecting people and thus enables the globalized world of the future. The radiant green color with the black components not only looks harmonious, it stands for aligning our actions with sustainability and the preservation of nature.

As a manufacturing company, sustainable growth is of great importance to us and an integral part of our daily activities. This includes the consistent conservation of resources and avoidance of waste. As an example, we produce part of our electricity with our own solar power and have reduced our waste volume by around 20% in the last five years.

SCRS Announces Full Lineup for 2022 OEM Collision Repair Summit at SEMA

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced details for all three sessions being offered as part of the 2022 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, taking place Nov. 3 during the SEMA Show.

Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper South Hall (Room S233), the Summit’s three sessions feature distinctly different discussions highlighting how trends and technological developments in modern vehicles influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation.

* Kevin Earlywine, instructor, collision repair and refinish at Toyota Motor North America

* Wayne Weikel, senior director, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

* Amber Alley, manager at Barsotti’s Body & Fender

* Moderated by Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS

SESSION II: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., “Tackling the Technician Crisis Together”

Technicians play one of the most critical roles in proper repairs, and the increasing shortage of talent is a contributing factor with implications on the collision repair businesses.

and “Is there a difference between the factory tool and an aftermarket tool?”

In this session,  Chris Chesney, VP of training and organizational development at Repairify, will present the results of a research project completed by the company, connecting multiple aftermarket tools to thousands of YMMT vehicles and compiling an analysis of the scan results, DTCs and the ability to clear DTCs in the same manner as the factory tool.

* Devin Wilcox, program manager and strategist, Collision Network at Subaru of America

* Jake Rodenroth, North American body repair program operations manager at Lucid Motors

Tickets can be secured onsite, outside the education classrooms (rooms S229–S233) in the Upper Level of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Register for sessions individually or as part of the Full Series Pass.

The Full Series Pass provides the greatest flexibility and value, giving access to one regular Repairer Driven Education session in each available time slot, all three OEM Summit sessions, the IDEAS Collide Showcase, plus one ticket to the SCRS Sky Villa After-party Nov.3.

The Summit agenda includes:

SESSION I: 9-10:30 a.m., “OEM Repair Procedure Accessibility”

The foundation of a quality repair begins with access and adherence to documented repair procedures from the vehicle manufacturer.

But in the collision repair market, well-trained, well-equipped repair facilities are not struggling to gain access to collision repair procedures--they are struggling to compete against other businesses who don’t prioritize access and adherence to the available information.

In this presentation and panel, automakers will discuss access points for information, means to use the procedures in a repair environment, and ways to overcome myths or perceived obstacles in accessing and using repair procedure data.

Featuring:

* Mark Allen, collision programs manager at Audi of America

* Benito Cid, collision business development manager at MercedesBenz USA

This session, led by  Eliza Johnson of Ducker Carlisle, explores data compiled by the global market research firm that delves into the technician crisis, as well as solutions, in partnership with automakers to bolster the technician pool. The presentation will elaborate on the severity of the technician crisis in the automotive landscape, and how it is

Chesney will provide insight into how the resulting database can identify when, and if, an aftermarket tool can offer the same results as an OEM tool. The OEM Summit will be the first public visibility into the results of testing thousands of vehicles using both OEM and aftermarket tools.

Following the presentation of data, Chesney will welcome automakers to the stage to discuss how the results of their tests align with automaker guidance and requirements, including:

Dan Dent, manager, collision, Certified Repair Network at Nissan Motor Corporation

The 2022 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with support from AirPro Diagnostics, BASF, CAR-O-LINER, CCC, Enterprise, Reliable Automotive Equipment, Toyota and SEMA.

To learn more about SCRS’ education series at the SEMA Show visit https://scrs.com/sema-rderegistration.

— Source: SCRS

Seven Midwest States Enter Hydrogen Coalition

By Scott McClallen The Center Square

Seven Midwest states entered a coalition to pursue clean hydrogen development as an alternative to gas and diesel fuel.

The governors of Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin signed onto the Midwest Hydrogen Coalition. The coalition will accelerate clean hydrogen development, from production and supply chain to distribution in agriculture, manufacturing, transportation and other industries.

“The development of clean hydrogen markets will create jobs and strengthen industries across our state,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement. “I am proud to join a coalition that will work to expand the clean energy economy and reduce climate impacts on future generations across Minnesota and the U.S.” The memorandum of understanding says the seven states have advantages in the production, transportation and end-use of hydrogen. The federal Infrastructure

Investment and Jobs Act gave the U.S. Department of Energy $8 billion for clean hydrogen hubs.

The M-H2 Coalition will evaluate possibly pursuing a Hydrogen Hub application. Applications are expected to open in the fall of this year. The M-H2 Coalition will develop partnerships with commercial, university, research and nonprofit organizations to a market for clean hydrogen.

Hydrogen is colorless and odorless gas. Hydrogen can be produced using renewable energy, nuclear, natural gas and coal and oil, but most hydrogen is produced nationwide via natural gas, according to the DOE.

When hydrogen is used in a fuel cell, the only byproduct created is water. “We don’t have to choose between clean energy and clean air and creating good-paying jobs and a strong economy—we can do

gas and diesel fuel. Vehicles can run on hydrogen but expensive fuel cells and limited hydrogen fueling stations have crippled the alternative fuel from challenging the sprawling national network of gas stations. The nation has 54 hydrogen vehicle fueling stations, and all but one are in California, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

In 2021, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky announced a $461 million upgrade to its Georgetown manufacturing plant so it can assemble integrated dual fuel cell modules destined for use in hydrogen-powered, heavyduty commercial trucks.

“The automotive industry is undergoing fundamental change,” Kentucky Transportation Secretary Jim Gray said in a statement. “We’re looking to the future, and alternative fuels will offer consumers more choices to power their drives.

Motors Converts

GMC Sierra EV and GMC Hummer EV.

The brand also said the facility’s motors will be placed in “front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive propulsion combinations, including high-performance and offroad capabilities.”

The Toledo plant will likely prove crucial as the brand is looking to introduce numerous new electric vehicles simultaneously, including the Chevy Silverado EV, the Chevy Blazer EV, the Chevy Equinox EV and countless other branded versions of these vehicles from Buick and GMC.

GM will likely only continue investing in their facilities as they will need to manufacture new parts, and others will no longer be necessary. At the same time, GM will invest in new technologies only applicable to EVs.

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Now is Not the Time for Collision Repairers to Give Up on OEM Certifications

I’ve recently started to get a lot of phone calls and questions from shops when I’m doing seminars asking, “Mike, should I renew my shop’s OEM certifications?”

I say the answer is absolutely yes. Here’s why.

The forecast for OEMs is that a key future revenue stream is going to be app-based subscriptions. It’s going to be a little like what GM has done with OnStar, or how SiriusXM radio operates. As I’ve researched this, here are some quotes I’ve heard or read:

“At least five automakers—Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche and Tesla— are rolling out a subscription model for certain options, meaning consumers would pay monthly or annual fees to use features such as active driving assistance or voice recognition, even if those features are already built into the car,” according to Consumer Reports in December 2021. “Industry analysts tell Consumer Reports that subscriptions could become a more

mainstream way for automakers to deliver features.”

“How would you feel about paying $5 each month for the ability to lock and unlock your car from a distance through an app? What about a $25-per-month charge for

advanced cruise control or $10 to access heated seats? As vehicles become increasingly connected to the internet, car companies aim to rake in billions by having customers pay monthly or annual subscriptions

repairers to understand drivers are going to increasingly be tied to the automakers’ apps.

Well, guess what is also likely to be inside those apps? A shop locator helping drivers connect with that automaker’s network of certified shops. I think that bodes well for collision repairers with OEM certifications.

to access certain features,” Insider reported in February.

“We have 50-some value-added products and services that we’ll be rolling out over the next 36 to 48 months,” Steve Carlisle, president of GM North America, said in February.

I’m not sure how consumers are going to feel about such subscriptions, but I think it is important for collision

Here’s another thing to think about: Remember when aluminumintensive vehicles were being more widely rolled out? Some automakers began restricting the sale of certain parts for those vehicles to their certified shops, to better insure major repairs on those vehicles were only done by shops with the equipment and training to do the repairs properly.

With ADAS and the ramp up of electric vehicles, collision repair work is only going to become increasingly complex. I think we’re going to see more automakers restricting more parts sales only to certified shops.

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

Headlines such as this

well

certified collision centers

consumers are increasingly tied

automakers’ apps—which likely include a body shop locator for those drivers

“I think as we see this OEM subscription model come into play, it’s going to be really good for certified collision shops.”

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

The 2022 SEMA Show Education program will feature more than 70 seminars designed to inspire personal and professional development.

Led by industry- and subjectmatter experts, the program offers a customizable lineup of sessions and workshops that confront industry challenges, capitalize on emerging trends, highlight and reinforce business best practices, enhance leadership skills and much more.

One of the newest components of the 2022 Show Education program are four sessions focused on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. The first DEI session, “Diversity and Inclusion: How You Can Advance Equal Opportunity in Your Workplace,” takes place Nov. 1, and will presented by James Pogue, Ph.D., president and CEO of JP Enterprises. In addition to the DEI sessions, three new tracks have been added: “Inside the Shop,” “Enthusiast” and “Keynote.”

The “Inside the Shop” series will motivate aspiring builders and technicians as they hear from leading customizers sharing their experiences crafting off-road machines, hot rods, musclecars and detailed restorations.

The new “Enthusiast” track, scheduled for 8-9 a.m. Nov. 4, will feature industry personalities and celebrities providing insight on building cars, ideas for obtaining sponsorships and the importance of protecting the automotive aftermarket from overregulation.

Stage promises to be an immersive, informative and entertaining experience. The first presentation is scheduled for 10–10:45 a.m. Nov. 1, the opening day of the 2022 SEMA Show. Building on the success the 2021 Show’s education program, the “Leadership Essentials” track, presented by Dale Carnegie, returns to the Show, offering six courses spread out over three days. The courses, which can be taken as a whole or individually, feature trainers from Dale Carnegie providing the institution’s acclaimed leadership, communications and sales program that improve both individual and business performance.

everyone. The 14 tracks available are:

Aftermarket Updates & Future Trends

• Business Management

• Digital Marketing

• Electric Vehicles

• Enthusiast

• I-CAR Collision Repair Training

• Inside the Shop

• International Roundtables

• Keynote

• Leadership Essentials (presented by Dale Carnegie)

• Legislative and Regulatory

• SCRS Repairer Driven Education

• Tire Industry Association

• Vehicle Technology

One of the five sessions, “Celebrity Insights,” moderated by African American Racers Association cofounder Chris Harris, will give attendees a glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite celebrities, legends and luminaries.

The “Keynote” track will feature the new “Main Stage Experience,” where some of the industry’s iconic figures and leaders will bring their unique perspectives on ways to strengthen business strategies. The Main

“The SEMA Show has a lot to offer, from seeing new products and vehicle builds, meeting with manufacturers, learning from experts and developing meaningful relationships that you can only get from an in-person event,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We encourage Showgoers to take advantage of all the elements of the SEMA Show so that they get the greatest ROI.”

With a wide array of seminars and workshops, the education offerings at the Show provide something for

All sessions are held in meeting rooms at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it easy and convenient for attendees to schedule seminars between meetings with exhibitors. Registrants can sign up for the education program while applying for SEMA Show credentials at www. SEMAShow.com/register.

For a review of the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program, visit www. SEMAshow.com/education.

— Source: SEMA

CONTINUED

Now is Not the Time

So that’s why I think giving up on OEM certifications now would be short-sighted. You have to look into the future.

It also makes it important to check the shop locators for the automakers that certify your shop. Make sure your profile is correct, and you have really good photos in there of your shop and your lobby. Keep pushing for positive customer reviews online. All that is becoming all the more important.

Listen, I understand some OEM certification programs provide more value than others right now. But I can tell you the automakers are hearing the message loud and clear from collision repairers that the programs need to provide more value.

I think as we see this OEM subscription model come into play, it’s going to be really good for certified collision shops. So don’t give up. Stay the course.

Award-Winning Shop Owner & SCRS Treasurer Educates Consumers Through ‘Airing of GRIEVances’ Videos

Robert Grieve, owner of Nylund’s Collision Center, said his facility is often referred to as the best auto repair shop in Denver, CO. The multiple awardwinning shop owner is committed to providing uncompromising service and precision craftsmanship.

The locally-owned family business employs 20 people and has served the Denver metro and surrounding areas, including Englewood, Highlands Ranch and Littleton, for more than 30 years.

“Our mission at Nylund’s Collision Center is to provide current and future guests peace of mind, ease and ‘industry best’ repairs,” said Grieve. “We make every effort, every day, to earn our guests’ loyalty and referrals.”

Autobody News talked to Grieve about his business success, the importance of being part of an association, such as SCRS, and why he created the weekly video series “The Airing of GRIEVEances.”

Q: How did you get involved in the industry?

A: Forty years ago, I graduated from Bergen County Technical School in Hackensack, NJ, and launched my career. I jumped in and started working on the floor at a Buick dealer.

I found I was not that good at fixing cars and was a better people

person, so I started focusing on estimating and learning business management. Working with adjusters and people was a lot more rewarding for me.

I worked for several New Jersey dealerships in different management capacities. The last one was a Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealer. I started in the body shop and worked my way up to the service department as the fixed operations director. I became operations director over the entire dealership and when they went public, I was given two dealerships to run, which I did for about six years.

Then, I worked for Daimler Chrysler Academy (DCA) in Michigan for the next three years before my wife, Carol, and I moved to Colorado and purchased Nylund’s Collision in 2006. The shop had a great name for doing high-quality work. They were also prominent in Lexus collision repairs, which we

still are today. Carol focuses on the administrative side of the business, and we make a great team.

About five years ago, we bought our own building a mile away. It’s about 18,000 square feet and is more convenient for guests.

A: We’ve received several awards over the years but the most prominent is the Denver A-List Award, which we received 11 years in a row until the company stopped giving them out.

What makes our business so successful is the consumers. Everything we do centers around customer service and the guest experience—the facility, the people, how we conduct business and even our purchases.

Our guiding principle is how

Q: Can you share information about your awards and what makes your shop successful?

Stacey Phillips — Shop Strategies

Robert Grieve, owner of Nylund’s Collision Center, said he is committed to providing uncompromising service and precision craftsmanship. He is pictured with his wife, Carol, and team

our actions affect consumers. This includes the value for guests and that the car is fixed following OEM repair procedures.

We spend a ridiculous amount of money on training. For me, it’s an asset, not an expense and it helps us provide better service. As the only Lexus authorized collision center in Colorado, we do Lexus training, which includes soft and technical skills; it is amazing. Lexus has a similar focus as we do. Everything centers around our guests and what will make a great experience for them. We try to provide the same on the body shop side of things.

We are also the chosen collision repair facility for Lucid Motors in the Colorado market.

being part of an association become bigger and better. If you go on a racquetball court and play against yourself, you’ll never get better. However, if you play with somebody better than you, you likely will.

Being part of SCRS, there’s not just one benefit. It’s everything

Q: What prompted you to create the “Airing of Grievances” videos series?

A: That happened in my garage while I was smoking a cigar. In January 2021, I decided to start a consumer-focused weekly show, the “Airing of GRIEVEances,” and share the truth about the collision industry. I want to help consumers understand what’s going on behind the curtain in the collision repair industry and the potholes they may experience along the way so they can be avoided.

My co-host, Eric Reamer, edits the YouTube videos and I don’t see them until we air on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. MT. I’m proud to say that we’ve recorded close to 100 videos.

and listen to them every week. It makes me feel the camaraderie of the industry.

Q: What is your hope for the industry?

A: The collision industry is changing so fast it’s hard to wrap your arms around it. As I learn new things and embrace looking for the manufacturers’ procedures and being there with technicians, I also share information with consumers because they don’t understand the steps to repair their vehicles.

I believe with all my heart our job as shops is to make sure that that car is back functioning as designed and safe for consumers. The second part

more vehicles. They give us volume and we give them a break; it happens in all types of industries. If the prevailing rate is $62, for example, and I say I can do it for $58—that is a business decision.

Why does that mean I cannot pay a technician, estimator or GM a really good income? Why does that mean I cannot repair a car correctly? Explain it to me. I am at a loss.

If I say I can eat sandpaper and some products as the cost of doing business, and then bill for the products that are not, I feel it is a win. If a DRP says there is a paint cap, but I can prove that there was a significant difference and the cost was more via an invoice, how is that a loss? All the carriers want is a level playing field, with full transparency, and I say give it to them.

Example: I need sales at $400,000

To sustain your business for the long haul you must pay well, upgrade with the times and offer great benefits, recognition programs and good bonus programs.

Do they truly believe that carriers do not want to indemnify their insured? I completely disagree. I think most of all the carriers out there want to retain their customers and want to pay what is the right amount for the vehicle. Nothing more and nothing less.

I often hear all around the industry that the DRPs want you to repair the car using a series of shortcuts, not do it correctly, cutting corners and so on. In my 40 years in this industry, I have never had a carrier ask me to do anything like that. Not one!

I have had quite a few of the carriers ask me why we need to do something, and we always explain everything in full detail with all of the supporting documentation. We are a VeriFacts company as well, so we definitely repair everything correctly.

We would certainly always be the first to whistle blow if we were ever asked this. So, it is my belief that as a business owner, it is up to me to guarantee that we do the right things and ensure quality OE repairs on each and every job.

or aftermarket parts either. If we are asked to do this, we immediately explain why this should not be done. aately I have seen more understanding and giving us what we need than not. Everybody knows the impact of a substandard repair.

Q:

Do you ever have to wrestle with an insurance company about the cost of parts, labor rates, etc., and if so, how do you deal with it?

Q: Are DRPs attracted to working with you because you have a reputation for making it work to where both parties are satisfied?

A:

The carriers I work with, both DRP and non-DRP, have been great. Do they ask us for concessions from time to time? Yes. Do we give it all the time? No. It depends on what it is.

All my DRP rates are in stone so the only time I am asked for labor rate concession is form the adjusted work we do. If our door is $62 and they ask for $60, we will give that to them in most cases. If they try and chop repair time, we argue, as we feel we are the experts.

A:

I would say they want to work with us because we perform, we repair cars correctly, we communicate and we are not confrontational. We are kind in our business practices. We bring our partners in for training and allow then to use our locations as training facilities for their teams.

We have seen a large interest in this. We recently conducted scanning and calibration classes for a large carrier. We brought in the vendor we work with and did an on-site scan and calibration, had a wonderful PowerPoint presentation. Everyone left feeling

SEMA and BendPak are back again, and we’re coming in loaded with an amazing display of world-class equipment. Get up close and personal with some of our top brands, like QuickJack and Autostacker and of course, legendary BendPak lifts. When you need a break from the heat, stop by our Cool Boss exhibit and chill out with our new COOLBLAST and COOLBREEZE Series! We couldn’t fit it all in one booth, so be sure to look for us out front by the racetrack, and upstairs in the south hall. See you there!

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ILLINOIS

HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

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

JACK PHELAN DODGE 5436 Dansher Road Countryside, IL 60525 (800) 643-6343

Call our stand alone warehouse!

RIVER FRONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

200 Hansen Blvd. North Aurora, IL 60542 (630) 907-0300

INDIANA

EXPRESSWAY DODGE

5401 E. Virginia Street Evansville, IN 47715 (800) 800-1259

Fax: (812) 437-9590

IOWA

STEW HANSENS DODGE CITY

12103 Hickman Road Urbandale, IA 50323 (515) 331-2901

KANSAS

PARKS MOTORS

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

MINNESOTA

MILLS PARTS CENTER

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

NEBRASKA

BAXTER CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE

17950 Burt Street Omaha, NE 68118 (800) 642-1524

Yoswick — Industry Insight

EVs,

CIECA’s annual conference in St. Louis in September included presentations on new electric vehicles, ADAS calibration trends and what may lie ahead in terms of direct repair programs.

Greg Peeters of Car ADAS Solutions predicted it won’t be long before the majority of vehicles repaired by the collision industry will require some type of system calibration.

“I think in a year from now the landscape looks very different from this being sort of a minority type thing to the typical,” Peeters said of calibrations. “I think in a year from now, it’s over 50% of repairs that require a calibration, and it becomes less and less frequent that we don’t have one.”

Future of

instance, a camera lens on the front grill or a mirror. It’s experiencing a whole lot of car washes, sunlight, sand and gravel, and it no longer sees the way it once saw. I think diagnosing and replacing failing sensors is right around the corner.”

Also at the conference, Bill Brower, vice president of industry relations for Solera, said he foresees “a pretty major redesign” of direct repair programs as the next big change coming to the industry.

“The days of [the customer] being introduced to the shop and going over for an initial estimate, and then going back over to take the car in for repairs and being taken by the body shop to the rental car company, I think that whole process becomes digital,” Brower said. “The customer is very comfortable taking the pictures. So I think the future is the DRP shop receiving a package of photographs, an AI estimate, and they’re going to make a decision at their desk before they call the customer: ‘Do I even need to see this car in advance, or can I digitally schedule the customer in for the repair?’

“Think of the impact that that would have on business if you could take a lot of that front end work away,” Brower said. “To me, the biggest next step is really digitalization of direct repair, especially the assignment process.”

Discussed at Annual CIECA Conference

town, I’m happy to share those two documents. The worst thing for us as a new brand is to have one of our cars in a situation where it could hurt somebody because somebody didn’t know.”

need can be done by one of its mobile service providers.

“I’m not asking our [network shops] to do brake jobs and tire changes and things like that,” Rodenroth said. “These cars don’t need as many things as an ICE vehicle.”

There currently is no database of repair times for electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian’s vehicles, but the automaker has personnel who can help shops with repair planning for Rivian vehicles.

Peeters’ company operates standalone calibration centers and assists those looking to launch one. He said he’s often asked whether vehicles will eventually self-calibrate.

“I can tell you on even the newest technology, they don’t,” Peeters said. “The average age vehicle in a body shop right now is 6.2 years. So we’ve got quite a runway before we’re going to see self-calibrating cars. I will tell you what we’re also seeing in the field is sensor degradation. You take, for

The two-day CIECA conference also included a panel of automaker representatives discussing electric vehicle repair. Jake Rodenroth

Lucid Motors said anyone in the industry can get some information about his company’s vehicles to give first responders in their market.

“I went to our fire department and told them I work for a car company you’ve never heard of, and I’ve got a towing guide and a first responder guide that I would love to share with you,” Rodenroth said.

“They were very thankful. If you as a citizen want to do the same in your

One thing unique to the shop certification programs being rolled out by both Lucid and Rivian: A reliance on body shops in the program to handle mechanical work on their vehicles as well.

“Since we don’t have a dealer network service model, we require our [certified body] shops to take all the mechanical training,” Rodenroth said, something echoed by Rivian’s Frank Phillips. But he noted the bulk of mechanical work Lucid vehicles

“I have a team of folks who will assist our certified shops to make sure they are getting the information they need to get that estimate created,” said Phillips, collision program manager.

That group will work with insurers as well as Rivian’s 100-shop network.

“I use the analogy: I want to be the pillow between the insurer and the body shop,” Phillips said. “You can call those guys or chat with them online or text them or email them. Any method of communication.”

Frank Phillips of Rivian

“I think diagnosing and replacing failing sensors is right around the corner.”

GREG PEETERS CEO, CAR ADAS SOLUTIONS

The Auto Care Association on Sept. 27 announced the addition of Lisa Foshee to its government affairs team.

Foshee will hold the role of senior vice president, government affairs and general counsel. In her role, Foshee will provide leadership and direction for the association’s federal and state legislative and regulatory efforts.

These efforts include educating legislators on issues of importance to Auto Care Association members, building grassroots support among members and consumers for the association’s legislative and regulatory objectives, informing and updating members on regulatory and legislative developments important to their business, and assisting members with federal, state and local law compliance.

Learn more about the Auto Care Association’s government affairs team and its industry initiatives at autocare.org/ government-relations.

— Source: Auto Care Association

Michigan Regulations

anticompetitive rental car conglomerates would establish a new double tax on the growing and innovative peer-to-peer car sharing industry at a time when many Michigan leaders are saying the state should be working to attract new economic activity, not drive it away,” Turo said in a statement.

A 2020 report by tech advocacy group NetChoice said big rental agencies like Enterprise, Hertz or Avis, which have fleets ranging from 300,000 vehicles up to 1.2 million vehicles, are exempt from paying state sales tax on fleets a loophole saving the companies $3.5 billion annually.

Turo boomed during the COVID pandemic when many rental car agencies sold off fleets. At the same time, travel slowed, and a semiconductor chip shortage and supply chain issues shorted new vehicle production, driving up the price of new and used vehicles.

According to its active host interactive map, Turo offers more than 500 vehicles in the Detroit area, depending on the host availability.

Lawmakers amended the plan after The Center Square reported in

May it aimed to “triple-tax” the emerging industry. Turo users already paid sales and use tax on vehicles, which House Bills 4915, 4916 and 4197 aimed to charge again, on top of other fees.

Enterprise Holdings, which includes Alamo, Enterprise and National rental car agencies, said the legislation clarifies decades-old tax law.

In late September, during the Regulatory Reform Committee, Rep. Pat Outman, R-Six Lakes, said the amended bill avoids double-taxing Turo users.

Outman didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

The plan would require the shared vehicle owner and driver to be insured. Auto insurers could exclude coverage for some claims under shared vehicle insurance.

“The proposed legislation is an agreed upon set of standards for an emerging segment of the car rental industry, bringing clarity to taxation rules by restating existing tax laws that have been in Michigan for decades,” Enterprise Holdings said in a statement. “The legislation reflects model legislation that took years to create and received substantial input from stakeholders, including but not limited to: the property and casualty insurance industry, auto manufacturers, consumer and auto safety advocates, along with car rental, car sharing and peer-to-peer car rental companies.”

This summer, Turo won a permit to use vehicle sharing at the Detroit Metro Airport directly competing with rental car agencies.

Turo estimates average hosts earn $10,000 a year before expenses.

John Yoswick — Industry Insight

EV Manufacturers Discuss Restricted Parts, Booth Concerns, ‘Service Mode’

A panel of manufacturers of electric vehicles shared information collision repairers will need to know about their vehicles.

A lot of has been written about potential challenges EVs pose in the paint shop, but representatives of several electric vehicles downplayed that concern in terms of their companies’ vehicles. Jake Rodenroth of Lucid Motors noted his company started out producing batteries before vehicles.

“So we’ve been doing this a while, and in our case, baking is not really a concern,” he said. “You don’t want to get crazy with temperatures, but it’s not as bad as it used to be.”

Kelly Logan , senior manager of the Rivian collision repair program, concurred.

his company prefers use of liquid masking on their vehicles, but in any case doesn’t want the front end bagged improperly because of the vehicles’ cooling fans.

“Those are really powerful, so you can suffocate the car,” Rodenroth said. “Follow the service manual. We have some direction around that.”

Logan, whose company is on track to deliver a total of 25,000 vehicles this year, said the company has visited hundreds of body shops in the past year as it began building a certified network. One thing he said they look for is whether specialized equipment within a shop is clearly being used and not just gathering dust in a corner.

Non-certified shops will find the automaker is limiting the sale of many parts.

“We do have restricted parts,” said Frank Phillips , collision program manager for Rivian. “We use the phrase anything welded, riveted, bonded is a restricted structural part. Anything to do with high voltage is restricted. Anything to do with safety, such as airbags, seat belts, are all restricted parts. One of the other things we restrict are the targets for calibration. Those are limited to our certified network to help [ensure] confidence that the calibration is being done correctly.”

it’s not ringing while the vehicle is on the tow truck.”

Logan similarly said a service mode is “in the engineering pipeline” that will be available “in the near future.”

for theft or damage,” Rodenroth said. “In our case, we have 14 cameras. When you’re recording that level of stuff, it can draw the battery down. So if you take a vehicle in, go over it with the owner and make sure they turn this stuff off, because you won’t be actively charging [the vehicle] every night like they do when they are at home.”

The environment can also contribute to parasitic draw and to how often an EV in for repairs will need to be charged.

“Depending on how hot a Rivian gets, it will turn on the air conditioning system to cool and maintain that battery,” Logan said.

“We have a position statement already in place about baking the vehicle. It’s not a concern,” Logan said. “Today’s downdraft paint booths move air very efficiently, and the good thing is the battery is on the outside bottom of the car.

“Battery engineers always freak out when you talk about putting the car in an oven and turning it on,” Logan continued. “They think worst case scenario. But in reality, when you’re baking that vehicle, the panel is 150 degrees or maybe it gets to 160. But at the bottom of that car, with all that air coming down, it’s never really hitting that temp.”

But Ben Cid , collision business manager for Mercedes-Benz, said shops also shouldn’t rely on general practices that say “always do this” or “never do this” for all vehicles; look at the OEM procedure “for the specific vehicle you’re doing at the time you are doing it,” Cid said.

To that end, Rodenroth noted

Both Rodenroth and Logan acknowledged they don’t yet have a “service mode” for their vehicles that a shop can use to ensure EV owners aren’t able to connect with the vehicle through their app and aren’t getting notifications based on what’s happening with the vehicle during repairs.

“We have a service mode that is in the works that will come over with another update at the end of the year,” Rodenroth said. “We do have a switch or button in there called ‘tilt and shake mode’. It shuts off the alarm and notifications so

In the meantime, they said, collision repair shops may want to disable certain systems on an electric vehicle in for repairs, in part to reduce “parasitic draw” on the vehicle’s 12-volt system.

“The vehicle’s security system can bring the 12-volt circuit down if the cameras are actively recording

“Or if it’s extremely cold out, the car may need to heat up that pack. So it’s not uncommon when you have an EV all torn apart, you can see an increase in the parasitic draw.

It’s running systems behind the scenes. You may have to charge that vehicle a couple times during the repair process.”

Jake Rodenroth said Lucid Motors prefers the use of liquid masking on their vehicles, but in any case doesn’t want the front end bagged improperly because of the vehicles’ powerful cooling fans

“We have a service mode that is in the works that will come over with another update at the end of the year.”

JAKE RODENROTH BODY REPAIR PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGER, LUCID MOTORS

the Upper Midwest

Mitchell, Claim Genius Working on Estimate Automation

Mitchell, an Enlyte company, on Sept. 21 announced its advanced claims automation solution will support straight-through processing using the latest artificial intelligence (AI) from Claim Genius.

With Mitchell’s cloud-based architecture, open platform and comprehensive repair data, and Claim Genius’ proprietary computer vision technology which detects exterior, interior and unrelated prior damage as well as returns recommendations for labor operations and judgment times U.S. and Canadian auto insurers can automatically produce a full or partial estimate from photos or videos of collision damage. This will help them accelerate claims processing, enhance policyholder satisfaction and provide a streamlined, digital claims experience.

Launched in 2019, Mitchell Intelligent Estimating is the industry’s first claims automation solution to feature an open platform and choice of AI providers.

— Source: Mitchell

Corvette Plant Tours to Resume This Year

By Elizabeth Puckett Motorious

The name Corvette is one of absolute legend in the automotive community for many reasons, primarily for its incredible performance on the race track.

Originally built in the 1950s to compete with small European sports cars, the ‘Vette eventually took on the name of its own after some truly astonishing feats. Nowadays the car is something completely different, looking like a spaceship in comparison to the older models.

So it would make sense the Corvette plant in Kentucky has become one of the hottest spots for car enthusiasts to visit and see just how the Chevy went from a petite sports car to a full-blown rocket ship in the span of just over seven decades.

For a while now, the place has been closed, but it’s looking like it’s finally ready to take on new visitors and inspire a whole new generation of American Corvette fans

Located in Bowling Green, the

massive Corvette Assembly Plant was once visited by thousands every year. This incredible property spans 1.7 million square feet. Unfortunately, unless you saw it before 2017, you would not have been able to take a tour of the facility. That year, the factory was closed for tourists for some renovations before eventually being further postponed due to complications with COVID.

Fans of the brand have since been hungry for their chance to

take a look at how the Corvettes are built on the factory assembly line, especially with the arrival of the C8 a few years ago.

Now enthusiasts might have a chance to see one of the coolest cars to come out of the past decade being assembled right before their very eyes. An announcement said guests will be able to purchase tickets for tours of the facility starting Nov. 1. These tours will begin sometime before the end of this year.

GM

Nikola Badger Pickup Had No Nikola Parts

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Scott Damman, a senior manager at General Motors, testified in Nikola founder Trevor Milton’s fraud trial. The GM engineer provided insights into the ill-fated Nikola Badger pickup truck, particularly the parts that would have been used, had the vehicle entered production. In September 2020, Nikola and GM announced a $2 billion deal that gave the veteran automaker an 11% stake in the upstart automaker. The deal involved GM supplying battery and fuel cell technologies, as well as producing the Nikola Badger pickup truck.Milton said in an interview then the Nikola Badger would mostly feature parts from Nikola.

“It’s probably 70% Nikola, 30% GM, when it comes to the parts that are really important to us,” Milton said. This, according to Damman, was false.  While Nikola did own the Badger’s creative design, all the parts of the vehicle were set to come from General Motors, according to Damman. “There

were no components coming from Nikola. They owned the creative design, what the vehicle looked like and felt like, but all of the parts were to come from General Motors,” Damman told the jury in a federal court in Manhattan.

The Nikola Badger actually had some momentum, so much so the company started taking $5,000 down payments for it. It was also heavily promoted online, with Nikola getting the support of notable auto influencers such as the Diesel Brothers. The Nikola Badger was supposed to be unveiled later in the year, but the event was canceled.

Ultimately, the Badger was canceled as GM scaled back its commitments on Nikola and dropped its plans for a stake in the company. Had the Badger been unveiled, however, former Nikola employee Brendan Babiarz told the jury, the company did have a plan of sorts in the form of a vehicle made partly with components from a Ford F-150 Raptor and a chopped-up electric Nikola power sports vehicle.

Crash Champions Acquires Nationwide Auto Body in Illinois

Crash Champions, LLC, on Sept. 26 announced it acquired Nationwide Auto Body in Illinois, consisting of a single location at 665 W. Wise Road in Schaumburg.

The acquisition continues Crash Champions’ strategic national growth strategy, now with more than 50 locations in Illinois and about 570 centers nationwide.

“The Crash Champions family continues to grow nationwide, but the Chicagoland area will always be our home, which gives added significance to any expansion that we undertake in the area,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. “Mike and his team at Nationwide Auto have been providing the community with high-quality automotive repair services in a family friendly, customer-focused environment, making them a valuable addition to the Crash Champions team. With this acquisition, I am pleased to offer our customers with another first-class destination for

collision repair here in our own backyard.”

“Selling is a major decision for any business, particularly for one that is family owned and operated like ours, but I am confident that joining the Crash Champions team is the best path forward for our organization,” said Mike Gleason, owner of Nationwide Auto Body. “Just like Nationwide Auto, Crash Champions started with a single shop serving Chicagoland, and just like Nationwide Auto, Crash Champions empowers their talented collision repair technicians and a compassionate service team to deliver the best customer experience possible. I am excited to watch what comes next.”

For more information about Crash Champions, visit crashchampions.com. Collision repair companies interested in selling their business are encouraged to visit crashchampions.com/sell-yourshop to learn more.

— Source: Crash Champions

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

HONDA

ILLINOIS

Schaumburg Honda Automobiles Schaumburg 847-884-8898

847-884-6632

Dept� Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-4

k kelley@rohrman com

Bob Rohrman Honda Lafayette 765-588-9984

765-448-1000

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

Brho�partsmgr@rohrman�com

Suburban Honda

Farmington Hills 248-427-7996

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

Victory Honda Plymouth 800-824-4646

734-453-3600

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

ACURA

ILLINOIS

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove

Morton Grove

847-470-2308

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

Jay Wolfe Acura of Overland Park

Overland Park

913-648-2287

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

Ziegler Honda Kalamazoo 855-513-4477 269-585-5812

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

MINNESOTA

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 6:30-9; 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

OHIO

Apostolakis Honda Cortland 800-900-4600 330-638-3060

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

Jay Honda Bedford 800-509-9057 440-786-3363

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

MICHIGAN

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

OHIO

Columbia Acura Cincinnati 844-677-4902

513-530-0698

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

MICHIGAN

Ford Motor Company is investing $700 million in new investment and creating 500 additional hourly manufacturing jobs in Kentucky to support new vehicle production.

The new investment in Kentucky part of the company’s Ford+ plan for growth and valuecreation will support an all-new F-Series Super Duty pickup built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck plant in Louisville.

“Ford is America’s No. 1 employer of hourly autoworkers, and our workforce in Kentucky makes some of the country’s most popular vehicles, including the F-Series Super Duty for both retail and Ford Pro commercial customers,” said Kumar Galhotra, president, Ford Blue. “Ford has been growing in Kentucky since the days of the Model T, and we are continuing to invest in the Bluegrass State to produce great vehicles that our customers love and depend on.”

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear proclaimed Sept. 27 to be “KenTRUCKy Day” in honor of Ford’s investment in Kentucky and the reveal of the all-new F-Series Super

Duty the same evening at Churchill Downs.

“The partnership between Kentucky and Ford goes back more than a century and is only becoming stronger,” Beshear said. “Today’s announcement is one of the largest investments ever in Jefferson County and will create hundreds of great jobs, including building the 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty Truck. Together with last year’s record-shattering electric vehicle battery plant announcement, Ford is building its future here in the commonwealth. We couldn’t be more proud and look forward to many more decades of success for this iconic American company here in Kentucky.”

Ford is the top assembler of vehicles in America and the F-Series pickup franchise alone generated nearly $40 billion in revenue last year, more than the global revenue of Coca-Cola and Starbucks. F-Series Super Duty on its own generates more revenue than major companies such as Southwest Airlines, Marriott International or Nordstrom.

“UAW Local 862 members are proud to be a part of the F-Series Super Duty’s success both today and tomorrow,” said UAW President Ray Curry. “We celebrate this $700 million investment into Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, as it shows that UAW members continue to play an important role in Ford’s future.”

and indirect jobs and a combined GDP of approximately $19 billion.

Ford, America’s truck leader, is celebrating 45 years of F-Series as the best-selling pickup in America and the 25th anniversary of Super Duty with the all-new 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty. The next-generation Super Duty takes America’s most trusted heavy-duty truck to the next level with unprecedented levels of work capability, ingenious new technology and a suite of cloudbased services for new levels of productivity.

Ford employs more than 12,000 people in Kentucky and supports nearly 120,000 direct and indirect jobs in the state and a state GDP contribution of $11.8 billion.

And between Kentucky and Ohio where Ford also manufactures Super Duty at its Ohio Assembly Plant plant operations, local sales, suppliers and employees help support nearly 200,000 direct

Ford is expanding its presence in Kentucky with the BlueOval SK Battery Park, a new, $5.8 billion, 1,500-acre battery manufacturing complex powering next-generation electric Ford and Lincoln vehicles. The joint venture with SK On will create about 5,000 new jobs.

The Ford F-Series Super Duty is built at Kentucky Truck Plant alongside the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator in Louisville, KY, while the Ford Escape and Lincoln Corsair are built at the nearby Louisville Assembly Plant.

— Source: Ford Motor Company

EV Sales Expected to Reach All-Time Highs in 2022

By William Johnson Teslarati

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently published an analysis of 55 “energy areas” in which the world must improve to achieve net zero carbon emissions. One of these areas is electric vehicles, and according to the agency’s analysis, EV sales are expected to reach annual all-time highs by the end of this year

Reporting from CNBC  condensed the report well. In terms of electric vehicles, sales in the first quarter of the year were the first indication this may be a record-setting year.

Global EV sales in Q1 were 75% higher than in Q1 2021, and despite supply chain issues that have limited production for many manufacturers this year, 2022 has remained significantly higher than 2021. The IEA did highlight some specific challenges EV sales are facing.

First and foremost, infrastructure limitations are hindering EV sales in much of the world. Perhaps most limited has been

the developing world, where infrastructure is already a problem outside of electric vehicles. Second, prohibitively high initial purchase prices for electric vehicles also hinder further sales growth, again impacting the developing world the hardest.

The report’s 54 other energy areas indicated while some areas such as EVs are progressing faster than anticipated, many others lag behind previous estimates, pushing net zero further away than hoped. The factors not on track were energy-efficient architecture, heating and cooling, and phasing out coal-fired power generation. In total, the agency said 23 areas were not on track to achieve net zero by 2050, while 30 were on track but required more effort.

Perhaps the best news is electric vehicles can be an example of sustainable technology catching on and becoming mainstream far quicker than we anticipate if implemented correctly. But for those in the developing world, much will likely need to be done to catch up.

Kansas Car Club Restores Pontiac GTO in Honor of Deputy Killed in Line of Duty

By Elizabeth Puckett Motorious

Robert Kunze, a Sedgwick County Deputy, was killed four years ago when responding to a call involving a stolen truck. He was shot while trying to make an arrest, and returned fire in his remaining moments, killing the criminal and saving two lives. All these years later, a Wichita car club is honoring his memory.

on it for two years to give the Kunze family the car.

“It’s fun because of who we’re doing it for and we you know, have visions of the end result and that’s the exciting part,” said Tom Nance, GR-RRR’8 Wichita GTO Club president.

Donations have come in from the community and from across the country to restore the car.

“There’s been so much involvement, donation, money, time, items,” said Sam Nance, GRRRR’8 Wichita GTO Club founder.

The car isn’t completely done, the goal is to have the car finished by the spring of 2023. It is currently in the shop getting painted. Progress was seen at a recent Memorial Day car sho to fundraise, and when it is done, it’ll be kept a surprise for the family.

NANCE

The GR-RRR’8 Wichita GTO Club has come together to restore 1968 Pontiac GTO owned by Kunze. This is the car he was working on with his daughter before he died. The group worked

Donations can be made on Venmo @WichitaGTO or through PayPal @jbhnance@hotmail. com. Checks can be made out to “Deputy Robert Kunze Memorial Fund” and mailed to 1406 W. 2nd Street, Wichita, KS 67203.

“It’s fun because of who we’re doing it for and we you know, have visions of the end result and that’s the exciting part,”

Attanasio

Everyone has that one friend constantly taking photos or shooting videos with their cell phone. Apple’s new iPhone 14 has more sophisticated cameras than ever. The camera in my iPhone 13 Max Pro is better than my Nikon and so much easier to use.

Shops now are using more and more videos to perform tasks all the way from providing quick updates for their employees, partners and customers, to training sessions, informational meetings and more. The best part is they don’t need to be Oscar-worthy or highly complex to be effective.

Angel Iraola from Net Computer Business Solutions in Walnut Creek, CA, has been leveraging videos for his clients all over the country for more than a decade. Many of them are less than five minutes in length, and very affordable for even his smallest clients.

In most cases, a technician, painter or front office person can shoot and

edit the videos with their cell phones. Then, Iraola posts them everywhere online and uses his strategies to share them with the right markets and the right time. He has also encouraged many of his clients to use videos for customer service and internal communications.

Iraola’s body shop customers love videos and have seen positive results almost every time, he said.

“Many technicians are now using their cell phones to document an entire repair, which is outstanding,” he said. “They are able to engage the customer and keep them in the loop from start to finish. Rarely do they ever question anything because they can see each stage along the way. There are no more surprises on a Friday afternoon when they get their car back.

“Paperwork and even regular photos are not as effective and videos are so easy to produce it ends up being an essential and valuable part of the repair process.”

The video explosion is ongoing, with YouTube firmly at its center. YouTube had 2.6 billion users worldwide as of 2021, according to Statista. The only social network with more monthly active users is Facebook, with 2.9 billion.

“Today, almost every industry in existence is using video increasingly as a tool to sell products and services,” Iraola said. “It enables

them to provide full transparency for itself and its customers and building trust. In an age of instant information, customers will believe it only when they see it, and there is nothing more instant and real than video.”

In the collision repair industry, shops are embracing video, and many insist all their techs and advisors use it on several levels. The scenario differs, but in many cases, a technician will find something additional that requires attention now and wants to communicate it to the customer or insurance company. Rather than using a lengthy text, email or phone call to explain the issue, a video tells the whole story fully and succinctly.

If you want to monitor the explosive evolution of video worldwide, take a look at the neverending growth of YouTube and be assured every industry on the planet is currently looking for new and exciting ways to use it.

Marketer Angel Iraola has more and more body shop clients using videos to communicate with their customers.

of Westmont

M-F

Phone:

Ave.,

Fax: (630)

Camaro Factory Hit by Thieves Again

By Steven Symes Motorious

On the morning of Sept, 12, two teenagers were caught trying to steal Camaros straight from GM Lansing Grand River Assembly in Michigan.

This is far from the first time the factory has been the target of thieves. In fact, it and other automakers assembly plants have been the focus of crime rings for a while now. This time was different because the thieves were quickly caught and arrested.

According to a report from local station WILX, the two 19-year-old men from Detroit succesfully made off with two Camaros. However, they both crashed the muscle cars.

The first suspect hit a concrete barrier and took off on foot, but police say the foot pursuit was over in short order. As for the second suspect, he ran into a fence, also jumping out of the stolen Camaro and getting caught quickly.

NABC Searching for Executive Director

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced it has commenced a search for a new executive director to lead the organization.

The NABC Board is comprised of collision repair industry companies and individuals representing the industry’s thought leaders.

The search follows the resignation of Bill Garoutte, president and CEO of the NABC, who will step down at the end of 2022 after serving in that role for the past five years. He previously served on the board of the NABC from 2006 to 2011.

In the newly crafted executive director position, the organization leader will be responsible for guiding the development and implementation of communitybased initiatives that exemplify the professionalism and integrity of the collision repair industry.

Candidates for the NABC executive director and administrative associate position may submit their resume at NABCStaffing@ nationalautobodycouncil.org.

— Source: NABC

General Motors released a statement after the theft and arrest: “General Motors is working with local law enforcement. We will pursue prosecution of the involved individuals to the fullest extent of the law. As we do as a normal course in our operations, we are reviewing our procedures to tighten security at the plant.”

In March, GM reported to police several vehicles were stolen from the Lansing Grand River Assembly storage lot. While the Camaro is assembled at the factory, so are the Cadillac CT4 and CT5.

Then in May, several thieves boosted five Camaros from the factory, leading police on a chase down I-96. After deploying stop sticks and other techniques, police were able to recover all the muscle cars and apprehended nine suspects. Some of the Camaros were fairly damaged, but at least they weren’t sold on the black market.

Tesla Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Incorrect Automatic Window Operation

By Andrei Nedelea InsideEVs

Tesla has announced a recall for 1.1 million vehicles built between 2017 and 2022 for a problem with the automatic windows, which may not stop when they detect an obstruction.

This means the windows, which go up automatically, may may cause an injury and as such they do not comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety guidelines for power-operated windows.

The NHTSA deems this a safety risk, which Tesla will have to address, although no warranty claims or injuries were reported as a result of defect.

Tesla described the problem: “A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.”

Tesla said it will correct the issue via an over-the-air update it

plans to roll out sometime in the next few months. Owners will be notified via mail Nov. 15.

Vehicles affected by this recall are the 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, 2021-2022 Model S and 2021-2022 Model X.

This is the latest of several big U.S. recalls Tesla announced this year, for issues like a seat belt chime malfunction, the removal of the “Boombox” feature and display issues while charging.

Elsewhere, Teslas were recalled for different problems, like a glitchy automatic emergency call system in Germany and Model 3 and Model Y heat pump issues in China.

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A Nissan transmission parking pawl recall involves more than 203,000 Frontier and Titan trucks that need their parking brakes applied every time the trucks are parked. The recalled 2020-2023 Nissan Frontier and Titan trucks could roll away if the transmission parking pawls don’t engage when the trucks are shifted into PARK.

More than 180,000 of the Nissan trucks were recalled in July for the same transmission problem. The 2020-2023 Nissan Titans were built Dec. 13, 2019, to Aug. 25, 2022. The 20202021 Nissan Frontier trucks were manufactured from June 10, 2020, to June 25, 2021. And the 2022-2023 Nissan Frontiers were produced between July 13, 2021, and Aug. 25, 2022.

The previous truck recall included 2020-2022 Nissan Titan and Frontier trucks due to contact between the edge of the parking pawl and the boss on the transmission case.

But Nissan received a report from an assembly plant about a 2022 Nissan Frontier that rolled even though the gear shifter was in PARK. Nissan said the truck was outside the recall production dates for the trucks.

Transmission supplier JATCO performed tests and told Nissan the rollaway problem appeared to be different than the problem that caused the July recall.

“At this stage of the investigation, the issue appeared to be related to insufficient lifting force of the parking pawl, due to friction between the parking rod and parking wedge,” Nissan said.

Nissan conducted a plant audit and identified 11 out of 83 vehicles with the transmission issue. Nissan is still investigating and the recall remedy is currently unknown.

Nissan expects to mail Titan and Frontier recall letters by Nov. 1, but dealers don’t know how the trucks will be repaired because Nissan is still working on a fix.

Nissan Frontier and Titan owners may call 800-867-7669.

Precision Diagnostics Relocates to New HQ, Celebrates 3rd Anniversary

Precision Diagnostics recently relocated its headquarters in Madison, WI.

The new facility boasts an 11,000-square foot, state of the art sublet repair shop that can handle both mechanical repairs and can double as a calibration center.

The new location also includes a significant upgrade in administrative and office space. All told, Precision’s new location totals in at 21,000 square feet.

“This new location, combined with our continued Midwest market growth and expansion, represents the opportunity Precision Diagnostics has to continue to be at the forefront of providing a world-class service option for both mobile diagnostic and mechanical sublet services,” COO Tom McGuire said. “We want to continue to provide an exceptional customer experience and help promote educational awareness and depth to this niche of the auto body repair industry.”

The company also recently

celebrated its third anniversary. It now counts more than 650 customers in nine markets spread across six states and has serviced roughly 30,000 vehicles in that three-year span.

Precision Diagnostics offers a wide variety of collision sublet repair services from calibrations to wire repairs, vehicle diagnostics, pre- and post-scans, and 1234YF AC services. Its mobile technicians are both ASE and I-CAR-trained and offer convenient service right at the customer’s shop with fast turnaround and same-day invoicing.

For more information, the office can be contacted at 888349-ADAS (2327), or visit www. precisiondiagnosticsco.com.

—Source: Precision Diagnostics

1963

Stolen During Michigan Car Show

By Elizabeth Puckett Motorious

A split window 1963 Chevy Corvette was stolen Oct. 1 during The Armor Great Pumpkin Classic Car Show in Howell, MI.

12:30 to 1 p.m., in broad daylight.

Sources said the car is painted Sebring Silver and appears to have black interior. A partial view of the plate reads “New Jersey YX 102” with a number just out of view enough to not make out

DUIs Down 25% Nationwide but Fatal Crashes Rising

QuoteWizard®, a LendingTree company and online insurance marketplace, released a new report analyzing DUI citations and alcohol-involved fatal crashes.

QuoteWizard found while the number of DUI citations has dropped nationwide, the number of alcoholinvolved fatal crashes is rising. QuoteWizard analysts found the number of fatal crashes involving alcohol increased by 5% in 2021.

QuoteWizard analysts also looked at DUIs and fatal crashes in each state going back to 2010. The report includes detailed information on the number of DUIs, fatal crashes and fatal crashes involving alcohol in each state. The full report is available here: https://quotewizard. com/auto-insurance/howlong-does-a-dui-stay-on-yourrecord#states

Key findings:

Scout Sparks, the owner’s daughter, took to Facebook to spread the word about the theft of her dad’s gorgeous 1963 Chevy Corvette. The comments on the post reflect the feeling of disbelief that someone would be so bold to take the car during the show. It was parked in the spectator parking lot at the Livingston County Airport, and taken in a 30-minute window of

clearly. It’s not confirmed if this plate is current, as the photo shows the daughter a little younger than her current profile picture. Either way, most crooks know to pop the plate off first thing.

The Corvette appears to be highlight original, equipped with side pipes and knock off wheels, and of course, it’s a split window, so hard to miss.

“Law enforcement, public safety organizations and nonprofit organizations have done a great job raising awareness about the dangers of impaired driving but that message hasn’t been heard by everyone. The number of fatal crashes is up 20% since 2020 and many of them involve alcohol. This is a troubling trend we can and have to fix,” said Nick VinZant, senior research analyst with QuoteWizard.

• Northern states like Wyoming and the Dakotas have the highest rate of DUIs

• DUI citations have dropped by nearly 70% in North Carolina, Georgia and Ohio

• Montana has the highest number of fatal crashes involving alcohol

• Fatal crashes are up 20% since 2020

— Source: QuoteWizard

440-585-9990 Mon-Fri 7am-6pm Sat 7am-3pm 257 1 SOM Center Road Willoughby HIlls, OH 44094 bmwparts@drieclassic.com www.claasicbmw.com

Kepner’s Precision Auto Krafters in Michigan Join 1Collision

1Collision is excited to announce the addition of Kepner’s Precision Auto Krafters in Benton Harbor, MI.

Established more than 50 years ago, Kepner’s Precision Auto Krafters is a family-run business located southwest of Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. The company prides itself on repairing vehicles to the highest standards and providing excellent service.

“We are delighted to add Kepner’s to our network and support their ongoing business goals,” said John Hollingsworth, 1Collision’s director of new location development.Connie Kepner, owner and CEO of Kepner’s, learned about 1Collision from another collision repair facility in Grand Rapids that was experiencing the same challenges in the industry as her business. Connie decided to affiliate with 1Collision for the support offered in finding technicians and learning new business programs and processes.Connie’s husband, Rich, opened the body shop in

Survey Shows Concerns for Economy

Increased interest rates, climbing inflationary costs and a higher cost of living are concerning consumers as they fear a looming recession, leaving them feeling unprepared when it comes to their personal finances.

A recent Nationwide Agency Forward survey showed consumers in the U.S. are feeling vulnerable as they perceive the worsening economy to

the early 1970s when he was 18. Over the years, the business grew and Rich invested in technology and tools to provide proper repairs and maintain the highest quality work. Connie joined the company in the 1990s.

“My husband was a great body man and restored vehicles,” said Connie.

This included Muhammad Ali’s Rolls Royce, currently at the Muhammad Ali Center in Louisville, KY.

Since Rich died six years ago, Connie and the front office staff have run the business office, while her son, Ryan Kepner, and son-in-law, Jesse Holmes, assist with estimates and manage the body shop.Many employees have worked at Kepner’s for 20 to 30 years.

“We probably have the best technicians in town,” said Connie. “We don’t have a big turnover so we aren’t training someone new every six to eight months.”

“Connie has created an amazing work environment and culture for her staff,” said

Hollingsworth. “In turn, that staff has supported customers in an exceptional manner.”

Since the pandemic, the business has continued to grow. “We’re so busy that literally every hour someone is calling or coming in and getting an estimate,” she said.

As a result, she plans to continue educating staff on new repair methods and hire additional employees to help manage the business.

“Rich was very good at making sure a car looked the best it could when it left the shop. Like my husband, I enjoy making people happy,” said Connie. “When all our customers are happy and we don’t have any comebacks, that’s a really good day.”

Connie said the family continues to operate on Rich’s principles: repair it right, finish it well and always please the customer with expert paint and body work.

“His influence on the business continues to guide employees to this day,” she said.

NADA Urges FTC to Withdraw Proposed Rule

On Sept. 12, NADA filed formal comments in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule that would impose a wide range of unwarranted and illadvised new duties and restrictions on motor vehicle dealers.

NADA’s comments explained that the proposed rule is based on flawed assumpions, inadequate research, a lack of input from key stakeholders, no apparent coordination with federal and state agencies that impose similar mandates, the absence of any consumer testing of the proposed mandates, and no attempt to conduct a meaningful analysis of the likely costs and benefits of the proposed rule to consumers and small business automobile dealers.

NADA explained it would dramatically and negatively transform and complicate the process for consumers to purchase, trade-in and finance new and used cars and trucks, and to purchase and finance voluntary protection products like extended service contracts and GAP Waiver.

— Source: NADA

than half (53%) say their situation is “poor” or “fair.”

The survey, fielded Sept. 6–13, also showed 68% of consumers expected rates to rise in the coming months. And there is no anticipation that inflation will give in the next six months 64% believe inflation will increase, including 69% of Gen Z respondents.

— Source: Nationwide

Rising Auto Insurance Premiums are Killing Home Bundles, J.D. Power Finds

The future of the home and auto insurance bundle, once a mainstay of property and casualty (P&C) insurance customer retention and lifetime value strategies, has come into question as legions of customers have started to break-up their polices.

According to the J.D. Power 2022 U.S. Home Insurance Study, released Sept. 20, rapidly rising auto insurance premiums are largely to blame for potential defection among bundlers.

“Sky-high auto loss costs and resultant auto premium increases are creating ripple effects throughout the insurance industry and, as a result, one area that is being severely disrupted is the home and auto insurance bundle,” said  Robert M. Lajdziak, director, global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power.

“Homeowners, and particularly bundlers, have traditionally been less price-motivated than the typical monoline auto customer, but we are beginning to see cracks in that foundation,” Lajdziak said. “That puts the focus for insurers squarely on the overall brand experience their

customers are receiving across all lines and on understanding how changes in one area, such as telematics adoption in an auto policy, can affect the entire customer journey.”

Following are some key findings of the 2022 study:

• Overall satisfaction declines, led by home and auto bundlers: Overall homeowner satisfaction decreases 6 points (on a 1,000-point scale) and renter satisfaction decreases 7 points this year. The declines among homeowners are driven by a sharp drop in price satisfaction, which is most pronounced among auto bundlers, where customers experience a 10-point decline in price satisfaction, while non-bundlers only see a 1-point decline.

• Retention rates significantly lower among non-bundlers: The average homeowners insurance customer retention rate among homeowners who bundle their auto and home policies is 95%. Among non-bundlers, that rate drops to 85%. Similarly, among

renters, bundlers have a 95% retention rate and non-bundlers have an 82% retention rate.

• Auto premium increases put bundled home policies at risk: Nearly one-third (31%) of bundlers say they “definitely will” switch their home insurer if they switch their auto insurer after an insurer-initiated auto premium increase. Insurer-initiated auto premium increases also negatively affect home insurance intended retention and advocacy, regardless of bundling status.

• Insurtech awareness on the rise: Overall, nearly one-fourth (23%) of home insurance customers are aware of insurtech offerings from companies like Lemonade, Hippo, Kin, Openly, Jetty and Trove. Among homeowners not currently insured by Lemonade, but aware of the brand, 34% say they “definitely will” or “probably will” purchase from Lemonade if it is available in their state.

Study Rankings

Amica Mutual ranks highest in the homeowners insurance

segment for a second consecutive year, with a score of 849. American Family (842) ranks second and The Hartford (839) ranks third.

Nationwide ranks highest in the renters insurance segment with a score of 859. Lemonade (853) ranks second and Automobile Club of Southern California (852) ranks third.

The U.S. Home Insurance Study examines overall customer satisfaction with two distinct personal insurance product lines: homeowners and renters. Satisfaction in the homeowners and renters insurance segments is measured by examining five factors: interaction; policy offerings; price; billing process and policy information; and claims. The study is based on responses from 11,630 homeowners and renters via online interviews conducted from May through July 2022.

For more information about the U.S. Home Insurance Study, visit https://www.jdpower.com/ business/insurance/us-homeinsurance-study.

— Source: J.D. Power

Cox Automotive, NAMAD Rising Stars Named

Cox Automotive, in partnership with the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers (NAMAD), awarded two Rising Star Awards at the Annual NAMAD Conference, Oct. 7 in Miami.

The 2022 award recipients are Jarryd Carver, CEO of Winners Circle Automotive Group, headquartered in Hampton, VA, and Michael Lee, dealer principal of Freedom Kia of Morgantown, in West Virginia.

based on nomination criteria, including being under the age of 45 and a NAMAD member, operating within the automotive industry, and demonstrating a strong commitment to their local community and/or minority populations along with contributing to the automotive industry.

Cox Automotive is donating $5,000 to The Sharon Carver Foundation on behalf of Carver, and $5,000 to Chestnut Mountain Ranch on behalf of Lee.

— Source: Cox Automotive

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Yoswick — Industry Insight

to Help Consumers Remove Personal Data from Total

Auto body shops have long given customers whose vehicle has been declared a total loss a chance to get any of their personal belongings from the vehicle before it is towed away.

But what about all their digital personal information contained in that vehicle?

A Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) committee is working to raise awareness among shops about assisting customers releasing a vehicle by ensuring their personal data is deleted from the infotainment system.

“We found that most shops don’t know how to deal with this, or don’t have protocols in place yet, so we thought it would be worth addressing from a collision repair perspective,”

Amber Alley, vice chairman of SCRS, said during the association’s open board meeting this summer.

The committee pointed to an SCRS Quick Tip video—

available at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=yhMYkmZRwrc—that explains why this is an important step. The systems may be storing information such as the owners’ contact names, addresses and phone numbers; garage door opener codes;

and copies of texts, emails and call history.

“Phone syncing really is resulting in the car becoming like someone’s cell phone on wheels,” Alley said. “Pretty much anything on your phone could be getting recorded onto some module inside the car, particularly the infotainment system.”

Alley said the committee hopes to develop some best practices related to this for shops—possibly including sample wording for a customer authorization form—but in the meantime, she said the steps involved appear to be more commonly found in consumer-focused materials from the automakers rather than in the OEM repair procedures.

“So as a shop, when looking for this information, I would suggest you start with the owner’s manual and customer-based materials from the car manufacturer,” she said.

The committee noted it’s not just

a vehicle’s infotainment system that may include personal customer information. Oregon shop owner Ron Reichen shared images from a vehicle’s 360-surround camera captured even while the vehicle was not in operation as part of the vehicle’s security system.

That data could include images that share information the customer would not like a future owner of the vehicle to have—such as where they drop off their kids at school or daycare—and also could include information from the vehicle’s time in the shop, such as images of license plates of other vehicles in for repairs.

Even if a vehicle with such a system isn’t a total loss and is repaired and returned to the customer, Reichen noted, “It’s monitoring all the activities going in the shop. The client is going to know what your housekeeping is like,

when you start work and when you quit work, were you working on the car when you told them you were working on the car. There’s another set of eyes there.”

Shops may want to determine if such a system can be put into “service mode”—with the customer’s permission—to avoid, as Reichen once experienced, a Tesla owner calling over the weekend to say he’d been alerted by his vehicle app that his car door was ajar in the shop.

The committee even discussed whether clearing data is a service shops could also offer their customers in other circumstances, such as prior to the sale of a vehicle.

“I think that would be a great idea,” Reichen said. “People know how to upload [their information] and get so accustomed to using it, but each one has its own nuances on how to remove all that.”

Alley agreed.

“Any time you can reconnect with that customer and build that longterm relationship and trust, when you’re offering more value than just replacing a fender, it’s always a good idea,” she said.

A “Who Pays for What?” survey of U.S. shops this summer found more than one-third of shops (35%) said they are paid always or most

of the time by the eight largest U.S. insurers when they charge for the labor to erase a customer’s data from a vehicle declared a total loss.

That had more than doubled from the first time the survey asked about the procedure a year earlier. Despite this, more than four in five shops acknowledge not having sought to be paid for this work—likely because most shops aren’t doing it.

won’t think about their information being captured when they plug their phone into a rental vehicle.

“I think we as repairers have an obligation to communicate that to the customer,” he said.

thoroughly of your shop information before it’s released.”

On a related note, Reichen and Alley at the SCRS meeting said shops may want to caution their customers about plugging their phone into a rental vehicle’s infotainment system.

“I’ve had past phones show up on rental cars that I’ve rented,” Alley said. “The system asked me if I was five other people. That infotainment system is storing that information, and it will continue to be stored in there unless someone goes in and deletes it.”

Reichen agreed most customers

Alley also shared an experience she had that led her to think it’s not just customer information shops may want to remove from vehicles. A trip she’d made to El Salvador about five years ago included visiting some body shops there. It’s not uncommon, she said, for those shops to acquire and repair total loss vehicles from the U.S. In and on some of those vehicles, she said, she saw “window tags from the shop, customer last names and windshield tags slapped on the vehicle by the insurance company or the auction.”

No matter where a total loss vehicle processed by a shop ends up, “That’s traceable information right on those tags,” Alley said. “Personally, I don’t want these cars tracked back to our facility. We’ve had someone call us two years later about a total, saying, ‘I found this paperwork in the car from your shop. Can you go over what was done,’ or asking us if we have old parts. So we’re recommending that you clean out the [total loss] car

After her shop’s customers remove their belongings from such vehicles, she said, the shop removes any windshield or key tags, paperwork or seat covers that identify the shop, and makes sure customers haven’t left things without realizing those items may include their address, banking information, etc.

Also speaking at the meeting, Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway said he had once collected his own items out of a car he was selling, but overlooked the toll road transponder sticker on the windshield.

“Six months later, I got a bill from the toll company, telling me the car had been rolling through the tolls,” Gredinberg said. “I ended up paying almost $500 in toll fees. They were willing to work with me on that because I had a bill of sale for the vehicle, but it was a good reminder to remove even little stickers.”

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More Hertz Customers File Lawsuit After Being Falsely Arrested

By Auto Rental News Staff

Five Hertz customers have filed a lawsuit accusing the company of faulty inventory tracking, which caused the drivers to face wrongful arrest for car theft, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Filed in the Delaware Superior Court, the lawsuit said the five named customers were stopped in the past year by police and held at gunpoint for renting and driving vehicles that Hertz incorrectly reported as stolen, according to the report.

These types of instances have been a continuing issue for Hertz, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyer, with at least 300 cases since 2015. The majority of legal claims related to false arrests were put into Hertz’s bankruptcy proceedings after it entered chapter 11 proceedings in 2020, said the report.

A Hertz spokeswoman said the company has already sent almost 60 confidential settlement offers to individuals “who had a negative experience with our

company.” She added Hertz is processing individual claims and plans to make progress in reaching resolutions over the coming months, according to the report.

of the cases involved vehicles that weren’t returned to Hertz on time, though some claimants have been offered settlements, Hertz said in its latest quarterly report.

Earlier in 2022, a Delaware bankruptcy court judge ruled Hertz needed to make public thousands of documents that allegedly claimed customers rented its vehicles and later stole them, according to multiple news sources.

EV Optimism Up Despite Supply Chain Challenges

While vehicle electrification continues to make strides, the lingering effects of the pandemic, the soaring cost of raw materials and geopolitical challenges have contributed to supply chain disruptions that have slowed widespread electric vehicles (EV) growth in the U.S.

HERTZ SPOKESWOMAN

“While we remain steadfast in our commitment to defend the company’s interest against those that intend harm, we also want to do right by our customers,” the spokeswoman said.

In court and securities filings this year, Hertz said the falsearrests allegations were an old problem from when the company collapsed two years ago. Most

The case represented 230 Hertz customers who claimed they were wrongly arrested, according to a report by MSN. Hertz accused these customers of theft and then informed local police these customers committed a crime. These customers were then arrested. There could be as many as 8,000 customers who were wrongly accused of stealing Hertz vehicles.

It seems these cases were mostly mistakes by Hertz’s computer system when it couldn’t physically locate a car, according to MSN.

This perfect storm of bottlenecks outlined in Cox Automotive Mobility’s latest EV white paper, “Supply Chain Challenges Impacting Electric Vehicle Adoption,” is driving automakers to reshape their EV businesses and exert greater control over EV battery composition, manufacturing and recycling to propel the electric future.

The white paper offers the company’s perspective on the state of EV adoption, the importance of price parity in driving adoption and more.

The paper is available for download at coxautoinc.com/ mobility/ev-whitepaper/

— Source: Cox Automotive

“While we remain steadfast in our commitment to defend the company’s interest against those that intend harm, we also want to do right by our customers,”

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‘Ouch’: Gas Prices Rise for 2 Straight Weeks, OPEC Expected to Drive Them Higher

By Casey Harper

The Center Square

Gas prices have continued to rise over the past two weeks, and now OPEC has announced a major decision that will likely drive those prices higher.

OPEC said Oct. 5 it would reduce oil production beginning in November by 2 million barrels per day. OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries largely based in the Mideast, said in a statement it made the decision “in light of the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks, and the need to enhance the long-term guidance for the oil market, and in line with the successful approach of being proactive, and preemptive…”

President Joe Biden helped lower prices by releasing 1 million barrels per day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve since April, but the reserves meant for emergency situations like natuural disasters or in the event of war are now near decades-low levels.

“In any event, we will continue

to take steps to protect American consumers,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during an Oct. 4 press briefing. “Our focus, and it’s been very clear for the past several, several months, has been on taking every step to ensure markets are sufficiently supplied to meet demand for a growing global economy.”

Biden told reporters he was “concerned” about OPEC’s announcement, calling it “unnecessary.”

According to AAA, the current national average price for a gallon

of regular gasoline is $3.83, up from $3.77 a week ago. The recent rise in gas prices is due in part to the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert with GasBuddy, said he expects OPEC’s decision to drive prices up 15 to 30 cents per gallon.

“Ouch... and up goes oil after OPEC recommendation…” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s VERY nuanced right now because of refinery kinks, but high [gas prices] will soon fall in the West Coast, Great Lakes and others where they exploded, while rising in the Gulf, South, [Southeast], East Coast and [Northeast] because of OPEC’s decision.”

Prices hit an all-time high in June, surpassing $5 per gallon before declining. Current prices, though, are still much higher than when Biden took office. The average price one year ago was $3.20 per gallon.

Study: Dealerships can Win in Car Rental Market

A survey completed by J.D. Power showed dealers have competitive advantages in customer service, fleet management, facilities and proximity to local rental customers.

To learn how existing dealership fleet programs meet customer mobility needs, and which ondemand rental offerings dealership customers say they value the most, download the full report at www. dealerware.com/research/mobilityoffering-preferences/

Dealerships have adopted mobile contracting and digital fleet management tools that make it simple, convenient and fast for customers to use dealership courtesy fleet vehicles. In turn, these investments have increased customer satisfaction with dealership experiences.

The study showed providing alternate mobility options in the form of courtesy, rental or shuttle vehicles is a key piece of a great experience, and is a determining factor for dealerships’ ability to win business and build customer loyalty.

— Source: Dealerware

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Braking

Touted as lifesaving, crashpreventing tech, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is standard equipment in most new cars sold in the U.S.

Over the years, AEB has successfully stemmed rear-end crashes, which often result in injuries, property damage and even fatalities. But AAA wanted to know if the latest generation of AEB can handle higher speeds and detect moving vehicles in its path at intersections. It struggled with the former and failed with the latter.

“Automatic Emergency Braking does well at tackling the limited task it was designed to do. Unfortunately, that task was drawn up years ago, and regulator’s slow-speed crash standards haven’t evolved,” said Greg Brannon, director of AAA’s automotive engineering and industry relations. “Testing requirements for this technology, or any vehicle safety system for that matter, must be updated to handle faster, more realistic speeds and scenarios with the greatest safety benefit for drivers.”

The Issue

AEB uses forward-facing cameras

Emergency Braking Absent When You Need It Most

and other sensors to automatically tell the car to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent. It has reduced rear-end crashes at slower speeds, and the technology has been refined over the years with upgraded hardware and software.

But two of the most common deadly crashes at intersections are T-bones and left turns in front of oncoming vehicles. From 2016 to 2020, these two types accounted for 39.2% of total fatalities in crashes involving two passenger vehicles during which the striking vehicle did not lose traction or leave the roadway before the collision.

What AAA Tested

*AEB rear-end crash performance when encountering a stationary vehicle at speeds of 30 and 40 mph (currently mandated testing speeds are 12 and 25 mph)

*AEB performance when encountering moving vehicles in collision scenarios involving an intersection---T-bone and unprotected left turn (test vehicle turning left in front of an oncoming car)

The Result

At 30 mph, AEB prevented a rearend collision for 17 of 20 test runs, or 85%. For the test runs that resulted in a crash, the impact speed was reduced by 86%.

But at 40 mph, AEB only prevented a rear-end crash in 6 of 20 test runs, or 30%. For test runs that resulted in a crash, the impact speed was reduced by 62%.

In both the T-bone and left-turn in front of oncoming vehicle tests, crashes occurred 100% of the time. AEB failed to alert the driver, slow the vehicle’s speed and avoid the crash.

AEB is common in vehicles, regardless of price. Starting Sept. 1, 20 automakers representing more than 99% of the US market pledged to make AEB standard equipment on all their new vehicles.

What’s Next AAA strongly urges automakers and regulatory agencies to focus on system design and test protocols to better handle the types of crashes when injuries and fatalities commonly occur.

Automakers must improve AEB systems to assist drivers in intersection-based crash scenarios.

Automakers should include AEB systems as standard equipment on all their makes and models.

Drivers must recognize an AEB system’s limitations and remain engaged when behind the wheel.

Methodology

AAA selected four vehicles for testing, choosing two of each driver monitoring design type, cameraequipped and input from the steering wheel. AAA does not rate vehicle performance. The vehicles were a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT with Chevy Safety Assist, 2022 Ford Explorer XLT with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, 2022 Honda CR-V Touring with Honda Sensing and 2022 Toyota RAV4 LE with Toyota Sensing.

The vehicles were procured directly from the manufacturer or specialty rental fleets. To ensure the proper functioning of the AEB system, all vehicles were serviced at dealerships. Please refer to the full report for methodology details, including specific testing equipment and test track characteristics.

— Source: AAA

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GM Backup Camera Recall Involves Cadillac, GMC Vehicles

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A General Motors backup camera recall includes more than 95,000 Cadillac and GMC vehicles equipped with the optional Surround Vision features.

The GM backup camera recall involves 2020-2021 Cadillac XT5, Cadillac XT6 and GMC Acadia vehicles.

Those models are equipped with rearview camera coaxial cable connectors that may not have been crimped properly, causing the backup cameras to fail, or they may function just part of the time.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened an investigation into Cadillac and GMC backup camera failures in July. Vehicle owners complained the rearview camera screens turned black and red triangles with circles appeared on the screens.

GM previously investigated rearview camera-related

complaints involving the same vehicles in July 2020. GM closed the investigation based on evidence which indicated the rate of field complaints was low and there were no vehicle crashes.

The automaker also noted the backup camera performance was checked both at the end of the assembly line and at dealer pre-delivery inspections.

Once NHTSA opened its investigation, GM opened a second investigation and engineers found the rate of complaints had increased, a lot.

GM expects to mail backup camera recall letters Nov. 7, and dealerships will replace the coaxial cables once they have replacement cables. Second backup camera recall notices will be mailed once dealers have the cables.

With questions about the GM backup camera recall, Cadillac owners should call 800-4588006 and GMC owners may call 800-462-8782.

GM’s backup camera recall number is N222378380.

Shows Greater Trust in Auto Technicians

In a survey conducted for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), automotive service providers have gained a higher level of trust and respect among the motoring public than in recent years.

Almost 1,500 vehicle owners were surveyed across the country and more than 70% reported increased levels of trust in manufacturers, dealerships, independent repair shops and/or service technicians.

Respondents were asked to rate certain aspects of service, including the level of trust placed in the technicians servicing their vehicles and the importance of having their vehicles serviced by technicians with industryrecognized certifications.

Tthe three most-important considerations in the selection of a service/repair facility were: great value for the money (48%), knowledgeable/friendly staff (4%) and conveniently located providers (43%).

— Source: ASE

Hertz Planning to Order 175K EVs from General Motors

Hertz and General Motors Co. on Sept. 20 announced an agreement in which Hertz plans to order up to 175,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and BrightDrop EVs over the next five years.

million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions compared to similar gasoline-powered vehicles traveling such a distance.

Hertz and GM believe this plan is the largest expansion of EVs among fleet customers and the broadest because it spans a wide range of vehicle categories and price points, from compact and midsize SUVs to pickups, luxury vehicles and more.

The agreement will encompass electric vehicle deliveries through 2027 as Hertz increases the EV component of its fleet and GM accelerates production of EVs broadly. Over this period, Hertz estimates its customers could travel more than 8 billion miles in these EVs, saving approximately 3.5

“It’s exciting that two iconic American companies that have shaped the evolution of transportation for more than a century are coming together to redefine the future of mobility in the 21st century,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with GM on this initiative, which will dramatically expand our EV offering to Hertz customers, including leisure and business travelers, rideshare drivers and corporates.”

“Our work with Hertz is a huge step forward for emissions reduction and EV adoption that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “With the vehicle choice, technology and driving range we’re delivering, I’m confident that each rental experience will further increase purchase consideration for our products and drive growth for our company.”

Hertz is investing to create the largest rental fleet of EVs in North

America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company’s current goal is for onequarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024.

CITY HYUNDAI

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CLASSIC HYUNDAI Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd. 440-266-6750 440-266-6763 Fax Mon-Fri 7am - 6pm Sat 7am - 3pm jkash@driveclassic.com www.driveclassichyundai.com

Hertz expects to begin taking delivery of Chevrolet Bolt EVs and Bolt EUVs in the first quarter of next year. GM deliveries to Hertz are projected to increase as GM rapidly scales its EV production between 2023 and 2025, driven by the opening of Ultium Cells battery cell plants in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan. GM plans annual production capacity of 1 million EVs in North America by 2025.

— Source: GM

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“Our work with Hertz is a huge step forward for emissions reduction and EV adoption that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM,”

— MARY BARRA GM CHAIR AND CEO