December 2023 Midwest Edition by Autobody News

MI D WEST E DI T I ON IL / IN / IA / KS / KY / MI / MN / MO / NE / ND / OH / SD / WI

U.S. House Subcommittee Advances REPAIR Act The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce on Nov. 2 favorably reported HR 906, the REPAIR Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preserving consumer choice and independent repair shops’ access to vehicle diagnostic data, the Auto Care Association announced in a news release.

The REPAIR Act seeks to safeguard consumer choice and competition in the marketplace by granting independent repair shops the right to access vital diagnostic and repair data, provided it is authorized by the vehicle owner. Importantly, this legislation would remove restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers, ensuring

Vol. 13 / Issue 3 / December 2023

2023

RECAP ISSUES REGIONAL NEWS

GM’s Ultium Cells Battery Joint Venture Facing $270K In OSHA Fines By Iulian Dnistran InsideEVs

Ultium Cells, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution that manufactures electric vehicle battery cells, is facing up to $270,000 in fines after investigators from OSHA found several violations at the company’s factory in Warren, OH. Federal investigators looking into the cause of a March explosion and fire at the plant found 17 serious violations and two other violations that affect job safety and health, The bill now advances to the full House committee. The REPAIR Act is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, R-FL, Brendan Boyle, D-PA, Warren Davidson, R-OH, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA, and has 46 bipartisan co-sponsors. Davidson is also the only repair shop owner in Congress. While more than 70% of postwarranty vehicle repairs are carried out by independent repair shops, the advent of sophisticated vehicle technology has raised concerns about those repairers’ ability to access critical vehicle diagnostic data, essential to providing high-quality and affordable vehicle repairs to consumers and commercial fleet owners.

independent repair shops can continue to provide affordable and accessible vehicle maintenance and repairs. “We are grateful to the subcommittee for recognizing the intent behind this legislation and agreeing to report the REPAIR Act to the full committee,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “While today’s action is a testament to the hard work of our industry’s advocacy of preserving safe, affordable and accessible vehicle repair, it is also just the beginning of the legislative process. As this fight now moves to the full Committee on l CONTINUED ON PAGE 12

42 YEARS

AUTOBODYNEWS.COM

according to Automotive News, leading OSHA to cite Ultium Cells for the aforementioned findings.

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

REGIONAL NEWS

Daughter Plans To Carry On Family’s Shop After Dad’s Retirement Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass was started Oct. 15, 1971, by Jerry and Geralynn “Geri” Kottschade. They purchased a bankrupt Ben’s Bee Line and set up business in a Carriage Repair Shop on Rock Street in Mankato, MN. Then, 16 years later, Jerry purchased land on Madison Avenue and Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass grew from a 5,000-square-foot shop to 18,500 square feet.

Today, Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass is still owned by Jerry and Geri Kottschade and their daughter, Laura, is on her way of being the second-generation owner. The family works side by side with 35 well-trained, dedicated and conscientious co-workers. Laura intends to carry on the Golden Rule business philosophy the Kottschades built their business l CONTINUED ON PAGE 20

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8

Columnist Mike Anderson: How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart

Columnist Abby Andrews: Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision for Future of Repair Planning

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements

Columnist John Yoswick: MSO Symposium Looks at Claims Trends, Opportunities for Collision Shops to Buy or Sell

PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA

PAID

Change Service Requested P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018

PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE

SATA®air vision 5000 System TM

Supplied air respirator is independent from booth atmosphere – for ultimate safety, comfort and perfection. Whatever environment you are working in: Whether you want cooled or heated breathing air or simply looking for absolute safety from particle contamination – with the add-on modules complementing the SATA air vision 5000 breathing protection system, you can be sure that your health and comfort are both efficiently catered to.

The NIOSH approval number is TC-19C-0533

The exclusive independent distributor of SATA products in the US and Puerto Rico

Phone: 800-533-8016 www.satausa.com E-mail: satajet@satausa.com

2 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

INFO

www.sata.com/airvision5000

Contents

COLUMNISTS Mike Anderson How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart ��8

REGIONAL NEWS CARSTAR Veteran Marks 20 Years of Commitment to Quality Collision Repair �� 12 Chicagoland-Area CARSTAR Owner Achieves Two Decades of Service �� 26

Award �� 18 Schaefer Autobody Centers Recognized by BBB for Superior Ethics �� 32

Abby Andrews Axalta Introduces World’s First Digital Paint-Mixing System to U.S. �� 13 Goliath Carts, Hunter Engineering Win Best New Product Awards at SEMA 2023 �� 21

Daughter Plans to Carry On Family’s Shop After Dad’s Retirement �� 1

Schaefer Autobody Golf Tournament Raises Record $80k for St. Louis Children’s Hospital �� 36

GM’s Ultium Cells Battery Joint Venture Facing $270K In OSHA Fines �� 1

South Dakota Entrepreneurs Receive Abra Top Gun Award �� 35

NABC Recycled Rides Presents Vehicles to 7 Las Vegas Residents During 2023 SEMA Show �� 10

Minnesota Collision Repair Family Wins Abra Community Champions

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Minnesota ‘Clean Car’ Challenge �� 37

Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision for Future of Repair Planning ��6 Stacey Phillips Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements ��4

Dynabrade Introduces Renny Doyle Series Geared-Dual-Action Polisher at SEMA �� 31 IDEAS Collide Encourages Collision Repairers to Think Differently, Outperform �� 16 John Yoswick Conference Includes Discussion of Sublet Requirements, Tech Access to OEM Procedures �� 14 MSO Symposium Looks at Claims Trends, Opportunities for Collision Shops to Buy or Sell �� 22 State Farm Making Efforts to Reduce Supplement Delays ��17 Tesla-Certified Shop Suing 2 Insurers; ExEmployee Files Lawsuit Against Safelite 27

NATIONAL NEWS 2024 WIN MIW Nominations Open � 40 AirPro Diagnostics Auggie Mobile Device Meets IIHS and NHTSA Standards for Calibration �� 34 AkzoNobel Showcases Celebrity Vehicles, Digital Tools at 2023 SEMA Show �� 28 Auto Suppliers Increase Layoffs Due to UAW Strike �� 45 Automakers Report October Sales Results �� 38

Ford Could Cut F-150 Lightning Production Due to Waning Demand 46 Former Nikola CEO Ordered to Pay $165M in Damages �� 35 Hunter Expands Scissor Lifts’ Wheelbase �� 18 Industrial Finishes and Systems Joins CIECA �� 45

Average Length of Collision-Related Rental Slightly Drops Again in Q3 �� 44

Mazda, Mitchell Renew Agreement � 42

Average Length of Repair Soars to 23.1 Days in 2023, But Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Rises �� 36

Most People Not Embracing Robotaxis in Their Community �� 41

Bollans Joins CREF Board of Directors �� 36

NHTSA Warns of Deadly Risks from Aftermarket Steering Wheel Decals � 32

Caliber’s TAP Program Hits Milestone �� 40

Opus IVS Launches ADAS Map �� 37

CCC Introduces Advanced Photo Analysis �� 32 Crash Champions Appoints Board Member �� 26 Dip in Deer Strikes Poses Mystery for Insurers Ahead of Peak Season �� 47 Elitek Vehicle Services Joins CCC Network �� 20 Enterprise Introduces Enterprise Mobility to Revolutionize Services �� 28 Experian Launches Data Network to Combat Rising Fraud in Auto Loans � 40

SEMA Announces First Recipient of ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ at 2023 Show �� 18 U.S. House Subcommittee Advances REPAIR Act ��1 UAW Reaches Tentative Deal with Ford �� 30 White House Holds Round Table Discussion on Right to Repair Efforts �� 42

Call or Email Now for Rates: AUTOBODY kcashman@autobodynews.com

800-699-8251

Index of Advertisers Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 45

Laurel Auto Group of Westmont �� 33

BMW of Des Moines �� 35

Luther Bloomington Acura-Subaru �� 29

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 41

Luther Brookdale Mazda �� 27

Borton Volvo �� 32

Maplewood Toyota �� 26

Buerkle Honda �� 36

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 44

Certified Automotive Parts Association � 14

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers ��47

Classic BMW MINI �� 34

Midwest Parts Group �� 9

Classic Chevrolet �� 15

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 40

Classifieds �� 46

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 23

Columbia Hyundai �� 22

Morrie’s Brooklyn Park Subaru �� 27

Cool Boss A Division of Bendpak Inc �� 5

Morrie’s Minnetonka Mazda �� 35

Equalizer Auto Glass Tools �� 6

NextLED �� 17

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 38

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers � 45

Gandrud Parts Center �� 11

NorthAmerican Bancard �� 13

Gerald Kia �� 28

Richfield Bloomington Honda �� 31

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 39

Rydell Chevrolet-Buick-GMC �� 19

Honda-Acura Parts Dealers ��.24-25

SATA Dan-Am Company �� 2

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 37

Sears Imported Autos, Inc �� 30

Industrial Finishes and Systems �� 48

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 42

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet �� 31

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 47

Kelly BMW �� 30

Varsity Ford �� 18

Ken Ganley Subaru North Olmsted �� 21

Vin Label Shop �� 8

Kia of Lansing �� 26

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 40

Kia Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 43

Yatu Paint, USA �� 12

LaFontaine Buick-GMC-Cadillac �� 34

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 3

Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

The Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards ceremony was held Oct. 31 in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas, NV. Industry members gathered during to celebrate standout achievements and character in the collision repair industry. The event was sponsored by participating organizations, with added sponsorship from BodyShop Business, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and SCRS. Emcee Liz Stein from OEC described the event as the industry’s “version of the Oscars with the best quality people, as well as awards that actually are meaningful and change lives.” BodyShop Business The Executive of the Year award by BodyShop Business recognized repairers in two categories, single shop and multi-shop owner. The single shop winner was Greg Solesbee from Carstar Hayden in Hayden, ID. Charlie Drake, chief operations officer at Classic Collision, received the multi-shop award. “The winners of these prestigious awards are true collision repair visionaries who have experienced great success through innovative thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering,” said Jason Stahl, editor of BodyShop Business. NABC Jennifer Hubbard, NABC board member and secretary, and client engagement manager–Automotive Services Group for CCC, presented NABC’s Changing and Saving Lives Award. The recipient was Shawn Crozat, CEO of G&C Auto Body in Santa Rosa, CA, who shared his appreciation for the award virtually during the event. “It’s an absolute honor to receive the Changing and Saving Lives award from NABC,” said Crozat. The family has donated 200 cars through the NABC Recycled Rides program. CIC In honor of CIC’s 40th anniversary, Chairman Frank Terlep, vice president of ADAS solutions at Opus IVS, shared history about the organization and played a video highlighting memories over the years. As part of the celebration, CIC

announced a new tradition— mpresenting a Volunteer of the Year award to someone who has gone above and beyond by being an ambassador of CIC’s vision and mission. The award was given to Petra Schroeder, a Hall of Eagles inductee and known by many as “Collisionista.” Darrell Amberson, president of operations for LaMettry’s Collision and CIC past chair, said Schroeder serves the industry in many ways, greeting first-timers with a welcoming, warm spirit, and epitomizes class and dignity.

vehicles, totaling a donation of more than $2 million. “Thousands of students are going to be impacted…through this very generous donation,” said Eckenrode.

CREF Brandon Eckenrode, CREF’s executive director, handed out the organization’s two Fueling the Future Awards. Pam Watson, sales and marketing strategist at Albert Kemperle and Florida state chair for I-CAR, was recognized for her help in addressing the critical need for entry-level talent entering the industry. “I want to thank CREF and I-CAR for setting ambitious goals and providing us the resources and the guidance to achieve those goals,” said Watson. “Equipping collision repair education programs with the tools that they need is very valuable to me.” CREF’s other Fueling the Future Award recipients included Tony Russo from Volkswagen Group of America and Mark Allen from Audi of America. The auto manufacturers donated 78 new vehicles slightly damaged in an overseas shipment. As a result, 18 schools in Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia received internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric

CIECA CIECA Chairman Greg Best, senior business analyst at California Casualty, announced CIECA’s award recipients. Two individuals received an Outstanding Achievement award for their support of the organization: Frank Phillips, formerly of Rivian, and Jake Rodenroth, North American Body Repair Program operations manager at Lucid Motors. “I want to thank my team at Lucid Motors; I couldn’t do it without them,” said Rodenroth, who thanked Andy MacDonald, Lucid’s director of technical operations, the certified Lucid repair facilities and his family, most of all his dad. Bill Brower, vice president of industry relations at Solera, received CIECA’s Chairperson’s Award. “I’m honored to be a part of the CIECA organization and really appreciate the industry and all that you do for consumers to help them get their cars repaired properly and pleased to play a small role in that,” said Brower. The award for Electronic Commerce Company of theYear was presented

I-CAR I-CAR President and CEO John Van Alstyne announced the Jeff Silver and the Russ Verona Memorial awards recipients. “Our two award recipients promote technical education and professionalism beyond just their own businesses,” said Van Alstyne. Zack Beck, corporate claims trainer for GEICO Insurance, received the Jeff Silver award. “Our award recipient, who trains appraisers, is viewed by coworkers as a true champion for the I-CAR community,” said Van Alstyne. Beck completed about 200 I-CAR courses and continues to train. Clinton Body Shop in Mississippi, established by the “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder, front left, received late John Mosley, received the the CIC Volunteer of the Year award. Also pictured are Jordan Hendler, back left, CIC administrator, and Russ Verona Memorial Award. CIC’s current and past chairs. Ron Reichen, owner of Precision Body and Paint in “The first honoree of the Volunteer Beaverton, OR, accepted the award on of the Year Award is a person who behalf of John’s widow, Carol. has embodied every attribute,” said “John was a warrior for our industry,” Amberson. “She makes meaningful said Reichen. “He always put the contributions and always has new customer’s needs above all else. John ideas.” believed there was only one correct “I will contribute to this industry way to repair a vehicle, and that was as much as I possibly can,” said knowing the vehicle’s construction and Schroeder. “I love this industry and the correct methodology that could most of all, I love the people in it.” only be achieved through training.”

4 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

to OEC. Ken Eagleson, OEC’s vice president of business development and a CIECA board member, was recognized for his dedication. “The company chosen this year has supported CIECA and its mission in many ways,” said Best. SCRS Tony Adams, business services consultant for AkzoNobel, and Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group, presented the 2023 Affiliate Association Award to the Auto Body Association of Texas, accepted by Jill Tuggle, executive director. “This year’s recipient has really demonstrated exceptional leadership in their state and their activity in advocating for legislation,” noted Adams. “The person accepting this award for the organization is selfless,” added Tylka. “She a progressive thinker. She encourages people to learn from what they’re doing.” “It has been a pleasure to fight the good fight and to be there and represent the small guys and the independent shops and…to do what’s good for this industry and the empty chair,” said Tuggle. Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K & M Collision, awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to the late John Mosley, owner of Clinton Body Shop. “He was as genuine an individual you’ll ever meet in your life,” said Bradshaw. “He cared deeply about everyone else, and he was always someone who put others’ needs before his.” Burl Richards, owner of Burl’s Collision Center, accepted the award and shared some thoughts from Mosley’s family. Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, and Barry Dorn, vice president of Dorn’s Body and Paint, presented the 2023 March Taylor Kina’ole Award to Kye Yeung, owner of European Motor Car Works. “This award is about folks that truly shine a light on all of us… whether or not they intend to,” said Dorn. When Dorn talked to Yeung about joining SCRS, Yeung hesitated and said that he didn’t feel ready. “It’s common that that person just doesn’t believe they belong there because they look at all the greatness in everyone else, and sometimes, they fail to recognize it is within themselves,” said Schulenburg. “The success that that I feel in accomplishing this is because of the friends around the table,” said Yeung. “Thank you so much. I’m so proud to be part of this.”

FEEL THE

CHILL

Control Your Climate. Just Add Water.™

SHOP NOW!

Bring Indoor Comfort Outdoors

Energy Efficient Warehouse Cooling

26˚F Cooling*

Easy-to-use Control Panel

Large Cooling Area

Auto-refill

At Cool Boss, we focus on innovations that deliver incredible comfort and value. Every one of our COOLBREEZE™ and COOLBLAST™ evaporative coolers use tap water to instantly chill areas at a fraction of the cost of traditional air-cooling methods. Just plug them into a standard wall outlet, fill them with water, and instantly lower the surrounding temperature by as much as 26 degrees. It’s that simple! Learn more at COOLBOSS.COM or call 1-855-2BE-COOL

WWW.COOLBOSS.COM • 1-855-223-2665

©2023 BendPak Inc. All rights reserved. BendPak® is a registered trademark. *Your specific location may require a combination of multiple models and/or sizes to provide the most effective cooling experience.

A Division of BendPak Inc.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 5

Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision For Future of Repair Planning EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

to complete each step, as well as the wait time in between the steps. Then Autobody News possible sources of waste can be identified, and an “ideal” process can The role of estimators in most be mapped out. The crucial final step auto body shops should die—but is to set up experiments to monitor only because the duties currently and measure improvement in the expected of them should be divided process in real time, Batenhorst said. into two categories, those of repair “It may seem strange to write it planners and those of customer down and map it out like this, but service representatives. it may reveal there are things your Andrew Batenhorst, body shop people are doing that you’re not manager at Pacific BMW Collision aware of,” he said. Batenhorst led attendees through an example exercise, writing down the steps in their repair planning process and the amount of time they estimated it takes—everything from gathering information and doing a vehicle walkaround with the customer, to disassembly, researching OEM repair procedures and checking parts availability. He then shared the repair plan standards he wrote for his shop—documenting Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW Collision Center in Glendale, CA, explained why the steps of each task, who managers need to replace the typical “estimator” role does it, when and how— with a CSR and a repair planner and recommended posting those standards where Center in Glendale, CA, delivered the everyone could see them. He also reasoning behind his position during recommended getting employee “The Death of the Estimator Role,” input when writing them. one of many educational sessions “You want to make sure the car offered at the 2023 SEMA Show as flies through the shop without part of the Society of Collision Repair stopping,” he said. “It’s all setting a Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven quality expectation.” Education lineup. Batenhorst said shop managers “The estimator works closely with need to get out of the mindset of everyone in the shop and is really an letting estimators “pick up all the ‘assistant’ shop manager,” Batenhorst pieces,” as they’re “really the surgeon said. “There is a long list of tasks for a of everything that’s going on.” typical estimator, and most are, in my The ideal repair planner is opinion, irrelevant to the role.” naturally curious about the way the Batenhorst said his ideas on how world works, emotionally in control, to fix that problem might stress out a not afraid of confrontation, enjoys body shop manager initially, but they doing research, empathetic, has work. negotiation and collaboration skills In his vision, the “estimator” would and is not overwhelmed by fine detail split into two roles: a front office work, Batenhorst said. customer service representative For necessary training, Batenhorst (CSR) managing customer suggested “all of it.” interactions, and a repair planner “Send repair planners to the handling the technical aspects same training as master technicians, without customer engagement. including painting,” he said, “Right now, an estimator spends acknowledging that it takes time, and 30% to 50% of their time doing CSR takes them out of the production mix duties,” Batenhorst said. in the beginning. The first step is to take a hard look To measure repair planners’ at the waste in a body shop’s repair success, set up three to four easy-toprocess. measure key objectives, like sales mix Batenhorst recommended shop and repair plan accuracy. managers or owners try “value stream Also, set an authority limit—for mapping”—tracking the series of instance, $5,000—under which the steps that have to happen to provide manager doesn’t need to review the the service their customers need, repair plan, and leaves it up to the and then adding up the time needed planner. By Abby Andrews

6 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Finally, go over regular progress reports with repair planners, either monthly or every three to six months. Batenhorst said his suggestions can be scaled to any shop. The average repair planner can handle $250,000 to $300,000 in production every month. Shops that handle more than that would benefit from also hiring a repair planner assistant. “In my shop, by implementing all these things, we have achieved a sales mix of 48% labor, 42% parts and 9% materials,” Batenhorst said, noting that his shop only repairs BMWs, which often require expensive parts. He said his shop also achieved 82% repair plan accuracy in September, a gross profit on labor of 71% and paint materials of 68%. “It all goes back to how we designed our process,” he said. Further, more clearly defining the role of repair planner has helped employees. Batenhorst said when he was hired to run the body shop, the lead repair planner was highly stressed. Now, he has a much better work-life balance because all of the excess was cut from his job duty list. That increased job satisfaction leads to better repairs and reduced delays. Technicians also earn more money, so they want to stay with their

employer. “I implore all of you to take even just a fraction of what I’ve said today back with you,” Batenhorst said. “The industry is plagued with so many issues. We have to trust in ourselves as leaders that we can make that change. If we want to attract new people to the industry, we can’t keep doing things the same way.” Batenhorst then offered a list of resources, including signs.com to create process boards; Gemba Academy, an online resource to learn about lean theory; AkzoNobel’s Acoat program; Paul Akers’ YouTube channel; “The Toyota Way” by Jeffrey Liker; “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” and “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni; and finally, himself—anyone can contact him at andrewb@pacificbmw.com or 818691-2590.

COVERAGE

YOU SEE AN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WE SEE AN AUTO GLASS TECH STILL EMPLOYED

LEARN HOW TO DO IT RIGHT AT

www.autoglassacademy.com

2023

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 7

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart One of things I have been really focused on lately is the collision repair customer’s experience. As I noted in a couple of previous columns** with one of my teammates, Sheryl Driggers, customer service and customer experience are definitely two different things. When you think of customer service, that’s how we treat the customer. The customer experience is how the customer felt treated. What are their perceptions of us, what emotions do they feel when they interact with our brand. From what I see, many shops focus on customer service, but neglect to think enough about the customer experience. I’ve recently attended about a halfdozen dealership conferences put on by various OEMs. The conferences are designed to help vehicle retailers take a new look at the customer—or “guest—experience. One OEM, for example, has a piece of alignment technology that service customers drive over in the dealership’s service lane. As they do, the technology checks the tire wear and alignment specifications of the vehicle, in part to give the dealership an opportunity to upsell the customer. But the system also reads the customer’s license plate, alerting the in-dealership Starbucks of that customer’s arrival. If the customer has been in before and the Starbucks knows that customer’s drink of choice, they can have it ready for the customer. Now that’s a pretty extraordinary experience, isn’t it? At another conference, they talked about how Tesla is shaping many consumers’ expectations for vehicle repair. Since Tesla sells directly to consumers versus the conventional dealership model, Tesla drivers might not have a Tesla service center in their area. But Tesla has countered this by doing more mobile service. I’m not saying that is or isn’t the way to go, but it IS shaping customer expectations. Perhaps it’s time to think about offering concierge pick-up or drop-off service. Also discussed at one or more of the conferences was that consumer surveys have found “appearance” is very important to customers. When I had my shops, my technicians did not wear uniforms, and I’m not here to say just because somebody is wearing a uniform with an OEM patch it means they can fix a vehicle. I’m not saying

“clothes make the man,” as the old expression goes. But appearances likely impact the customer’s perception and experience. It can communicate to a consumer that the uniformed person at a minimum has access to the training and tooling or equipment to properly repair their vehicle. And that perception can have an impact on their customer experience.

situations in which the vehicle owner is having to pay something more out of pocket—beyond their deductible— to cover things their insurance company is not. That can be a difficult challenge to navigate, right? That’s where transparency is key. I think we need to spend more time in the beginning of the process educating the customer, in a way that provides the needed transparency but

doesn’t scare them away. We need to explain why what they may need to pay out of pocket for is important to them and will impact their vehicle’s performance and safety. That upfront education process is equally important in explaining the time the repairs will take. Some of that time—parts delays, or how long insurers take to respond to supplement requests, for example— is at least in part beyond the shop’s control. But what you can control are the customer’s expectations and experience. That has to happen both at the start and throughout the process. At times, it may require what may seem like over-communication. But in the past, it was easier to have a mindset that as long as the car looks good in the end, they’ll forgive us for how long it took. But now quality repairs are just the expected and necessary endpoint. It’s those companies that can pair that with an extraordinary customer experience who will end up as the winners in this industry.

A “book online” feature on your shop’s Google business listing can help provide the 24/7 self-service feature many consumers want as part of the customer experience.

The other thing often talked about at the OEM conferences was that consumers are looking for a self-service platform to book an appointment. I’ve seen data showing about 43% of accidents occur outside of normal business hours today. So if that’s the case, you have to have a digital presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so the customer can engage with you at their convenience—just as they do when they want to buy something from Amazon, CVS or other retailers. A self-service appointment scheduling service can be a big part of that. Do a Google search for “Body Builders Automotive in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.” When you do, you’ll see that shop’s Google business listing has a “book online” appointment feature, that lets a customer choose a date and time for an appointment at the shop. It’s a new feature CCC Intelligent Solutions offers to shops that have subscriptions to CCC Engage. There may be other ways of tying something similar to your Google business listing. Another key point made at the OEM conferences: It’s more important than ever to make the customer’s experience of doing business with us easy and transparent. Most shops report an increasing number of

8 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Replacement VIN Labels All Makes & Models

24 hr TURNAROUND

Vin labels Tire & Loading Emissions and More

ordering is fast and easy

since 2007

Vin Label Shop www.vinlabelshop.com

Midwest Parts Group Dedicated Delivery Serving:

DAILY DELIVERY

Eastern Kansas NW Missouri SE Nebraska Kansas City Area Wichit Wichita

Monday-Friday

Don’t Settle for Second Best

When we’ve got ALL YOUR OEM PARTS covered in ONE delivery! LEWIS TOYOTA

SHAWNEE MISSION FORD

Toll Free 888.273.2773

Toll Free 800.525.4533

Email parts@lewistoyota.com

M-F 8-5, Sat 8-Noon

2951 SW. Fairlawn Rd. Topeka, KS 66614

Direct 785.273.2224 Fax 785.273.0656

11501 W. Shawnee Mission Pkwy Shawnee, KS 66203

Direct 913.631.7342 Fax 913. 631.1410

INFINITI OF KANSAS CITY

Toll Free 800.926.1979 Direct 816.474.9413 Fax 816.474.1401

Oakes Kia

M-F 7-5:30, Sat 7-2 2900 Burlington St. N. Kansas City, MO 64116

CABLE DAHMER OF TOPEKA CHEVROLET

Toll Free 800.432.3584 3731 S. Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66609

Direct 816.941.7869

6960 W. Frontage Rd. Merriam, KS 66203

Fax 816.410.3426 parts@infinitiofkc.com M-F 7:30-6, Sat 8-5

TUMMINIA MAZDA

Toll Free 888.786.6990 Direct 913.780.6153 Fax 913.764.3075

Fax 785.266.3820 M-F 7-6, Sat 8-4

M-F 7:30-5:30, Sat 8-2

1551 S. Hamilton Circle Olathe, KS 66061

CABLE DAHMER OF TOPEKA BUICK GMC

Start something special. Sharp Honda 3149 SW Kansas Ave Topeka, KS 66611

Toll Free 800.279.2892

Local 785.270.1028

Fax 785.233.7344 Mon-Fri 7:00am-5:30pm Sat 8:00am-2:00pm

Toll Free 800.432.3584 Fax 785.266.3820 M-F 7-6, Sat 8-4

3731 S. Topeka Blvd. Topeka, KS 66609

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 9

NABC Recycled Rides Presents Vehicles To 7 Las Vegas Residents During 2023 SEMA Show EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

One of the most inspiring events of the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, took place Nov. 1, when the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program presented fully refurbished vehicles to seven local residents in need of reliable transportation. Held on the rooftop of the Renaissance Hotel parking facility, overlooking the Las Vegas Convention Center, the presentation changed the lives of U.S. military veterans, a brain cancer and burn survivor, a single parent, and people who aged out of the foster care system and no longer have support.

Jakob Todd received a 2020 Toyota Corolla to help him get to school and work.

Also in attendance were all the partners who made the presentations possible, including representatives of the local nonprofits who nominated the recipients; car donors GEICO, Travelers, Farmers Insurance, Nationwide, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car; repair partners Caliber Collision, Classic Collision, Crash Champions, CARSTAR, Faulkner Collision and CCG member Updated Auto Body; and 1-800 Charity Cars. Scott Sampley, chairman of the NABC, said the Recycled Rides program is on track to donate more than 200 vehicles in 2023 alone. Since the inception of the program in 2007, more than 3,200 vehicles have been donated. Glenn Castillo, nominated by U.S. VETS, received a 2015 Kia Optima, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber Collision. Castillo is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1998 to 2006. After Castillo lost his job, he was at risk of being evicted from his apartment. U.S. VETS helped him find a new job as a medical assistant, but it required a two-hour bus ride each way. Castillo said he was grateful he decided to answer an email about the donation.

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said, adding he thanks God for helping him figure things out. Luciana Hamilton, nominated by My Scars are Beautiful, received a 2019 Toyota RAV4, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber Collision.

By his 17th birthday, he was in a juvenile detention center. There, he buckled down and graduated from high school. On his 18th birthday, he was offered a job, but it is a twohour bus ride from his home. He has endured the four-hour round trip commute for more than a year, and also mentors troubled teens once a week with the local police. Having a car will make it easier for him to attend junior college and eventually continue at a four-year college.

Before Houston turned 18, both of his grandparents passed away. When he turned 18, Houston aged out of the system and asked to take his siblings with him. He was able to meet the requirements of a stable home and job eight months later, and he was awarded “foster kinship” of his siblings, now 16 and 13, but they have had to rely on the often unpredictable public transportation system. “I wasn’t expecting things to go the way they did,” Houston said. “I learned you have to reach out; you can’t just be by yourself. Help from friends and family means too much to bear.”

Luciana Hamilton, left, hugs Michelle Hardy-Rodriguez, founder and president of nonprofit My Scars Are Beautiful.

Hamilton is a burn survivor from a house fire, and has also undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor. Without a vehicle, she has had to pay for ride shares to go to doctor appointments, and walk in the often severe Las Vegas heat to take care of daily errands. “What a blessing,” Hamilton said. “Thank you, everyone. This car is going to bring so much joy in my life.” Richard Carreon, nominated by Forgotten Not Gone, received a 2021 Nissan Altima, donated by Hertz and refurbished by Updated Auto Body, a member of the Certified Collision Group. Carreon is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served from 1999-2014 and deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Carreon suffered from untreated PTSD, leading to the loss of his car. Since receiving treatment, Carreon has volunteered with Forgotten Not Gone, a veteran suicide prevention nonprofit, since it was founded in 2015. The vehicle will help him continue to volunteer and fulfill other roles. “When the world doesn’t give you a reason to get up, purpose is the most powerful thing,” Carreon said. “This vehicle will help me be efficient and keep paying it forward.” Jakob Todd, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Toyota Corolla, donated by Nationwide and refurbished by Faulkner Collision Centers in Pennsylvania. Todd entered foster care when he was 5 and was shuffled from home to home until he was 16, when he ran away from a bad foster home.

10 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Kelly, left, and Peter Guidry, right, cofounders of nonprofit Forgotten Not Gone, with Richard Carreon, center.

“I have a deep love and appreciation for every individual who put this event together,” Todd said. “This restored my faith that our community has our back. Not just me, but every [recipient] here has one less thing to worry about.” Alberto Swann, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2017 Hyundai Elantra donated by Travelers and refurbished by CARSTAR. Swann was placed in foster care, along with his siblings, when he was 8. Over the next decade, they were moved to more than 20 different homes, before Swann was turned out of the system when he turned 18. He was homeless for more than a year. The Children’s Foundation has helped him secure a stable home and job, and he has gotten his driver license. Now 27, he rides a scooter to work, after the bike he was using blew out a tire. Both exposed him to the extreme weather. The car will ease the struggle that transportation has been his entire life. “I really want to thank everyone for this opportunity,” Swann said. “I’ve been struggling for a long time, but this will help.” Ryan Houston, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2017 Honda Accord donated by Farmers and refurbished by Classic Collision. Houston was 7 when he and his two younger siblings were placed in a foster home with their grandparents.

All seven cars await unveiling before the presentation.

Finally, Tonya Jones, nominated by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Jeep Compass, donated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and refurbished by Crash Champions. Jones is a single mom, after she fled from her young daughter’s abusive father only with what she could fit in a friend’s car. When the pandemic hit, she lost her childcare and was eventually laid off from her job. Then a thief stole her identity and her unemployment benefits, leading to eviction when she could not pay rent. Family Promise provided emergency housing, and she soon secured a new job. Jones’ mother also moved in, and needs dialysis treatment two to three times per week. Jones has been paying for ride shares to get her mother and daughter where they need to go and to run errands. “I’m really grateful,” Jones said. “This means so much. I’ve had to start over twice in the past two to three years, and this will allow me to take [my daughter] to see the world. This will also let me make the end of my mom’s life special for her.”

COVERAGE

Gandrud

Chevrolet

• Huge inventory of Genuine Collision and Mechanical Repair Parts • Free shipping to all of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan and Minnesota

Parts: 800-242-2844 parts@gandrud.com

Parts Dept. Hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 7pm Sat: 7am - 2pm

919 Auto Plaza Dr. Green Bay, Wisconsin 54302

www.gandrudpartscenter.com

ORIGINAL.

JUST LIKE OUR PARTS.

Mopar® Parts. There’s nothing like them. Compared to aftermarket replacement parts, Mopar Collision Parts offer better fit, function and reliability. What an original concept.

Gandrud Dodge Chrysler Jeep 2300 Auto Plaza Way Green Bay, WI 54302

(920) 264-9978 dodgeparts@gandrud.com

Mon.–Fri. 7:00 a.m.–7:00 p.m. Sat. 7:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.

©2018 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC.

45222_COL20_H_AB.indd 1

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 11 10/31/18 10:18 AM

CARSTAR Veteran Marks 20 Years of Commitment To Quality Collision Repair Tom Martin, owner of Sidney Body CARSTAR, Troy CARSTAR and Piqua CARSTAR in OH, recently marked his 20th year as a CARSTAR franchisee. With two decades of experience under his belt, Martin reflected on his journey and shared valuable insights from his long-standing commitment to the collision repair industry.

Martin’s journey into the world of collision repair began at 15, when he was hired to paint the exterior of a body shop. Little did he know that this initial experience would ignite a lifelong passion. He dedicated himself to the industry,

often pedaling his bicycle to the shop after school to lend a hand. As the years passed, his passion for collision repair grew stronger. “Everyone says it all the time, but it’s crazy to see how much the industry has changed in just the 20+ years that I have been a part of it,” said Martin. “I’ve learned that anything is possible and these next 20 years could feature anything from improved safety and technology features, increased comfort options, and more disposable cars.” A fateful ride with a driver who mentioned CARSTAR led Martin to explore the brand. He soon acquired a CARSTAR location from a friend. “When I first joined CARSTAR, I felt a transformation into a legitimate business,” Martin said. “Our sales nearly quadrupled, and the impact we could make in our community greatly expanded as well.” Today, Martin and his team engage with various organizations,

including the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and Make-A-Wish. They once had the privilege of hosting a Make-A-Wish child ambassador, providing an unforgettable experience in their shop.

“Being a part of the community for two decades has allowed us to meet and make connections with all types of people,” — TOM MARTIN

OWNER OF SIDNEY BODY CARSTAR

“Being a part of the community for two decades has allowed us to meet and make connections with all types of people,” Martin said. “We truly treat our team like one big family and have had the pleasure of spending several meals and holidays together. We’ve watched many of our technicians achieve significant growth during their time with us.” Martin extended an invitation to independent shops seeking their next business move: “Come to our family and join the brand— we’re cool!”

Performance and profit, you can have it all!

usa@yatupaint.com 12 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

www.yatupaint.com

773-459-1825

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

REPAIR Act Energy and Commerce, I encourage our members to remain diligent with outreach to elected officials to ensure they know that your business depends on the REPAIR Act becoming law.” Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition, also applauded the subcommittee’s decision. “It’s tremendous to see bipartisan support for expanding vehicle owners’ right to repair,” Rzepka said. “Today’s markup and approval of the REPAIR Act demonstrates the clear desire of Congress to put consumers first. We thank the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing this important legislation and look forward to seeing the bill move forward. This legislative development comes at a crucial time when the automotive industry is witnessing rapid technological advancements, making it imperative to ensure consumers retain the freedom to choose where they get their vehicles repaired. For more information about the REPAIR Act and how to support the legislation, visit repairact.com.

Axalta Introduces World’s First Digital Paint-Mixing System To U.S. matching paint ready to go in less than five minutes. Autobody News Initially launched in Europe earlier this year, the Irus Mix will be available Axalta Coating Systems announced its in North America around the middle latest innovation, the Axalta Irus Mix, of 2024. Developed through a the first and only fully automated paintpartnership with SANTINT, the Irus mixing machine. This new technology Mix works with Axalta’s premium base completes the simple three-step Axalta coat products, including Spies Hecker Irus color management process of Permahyd Hi-TEC, Cromax Pro and Scan, Match and now, Mix. Standox Standoblue. Company executives touted the efficiency, labor optimization, waste reduction and sustainability benefits of the entire Irus system, including the Irus Mix, which translates a digital scan of a vehicle’s paint into a formula and then measures and mixes it— delivering a precise match with minimal material waste, all while freeing up a collision repair James Muse, vice president of sales for Axalta’s global refinish division, shows off the cup of paint the shop’s painter to complete Axalta Irus Mix machine automatically measured and more important duties that mixed during his presentation. make money. James Muse, vice president Axalta demonstrated the new of sales for Axalta’s global refinish machine at an event it hosted Oct. division, said the company “innovates 30 at Celebrity Cars in Las Vegas, NV, with a purpose.” In this case, the showing how a painter can use the purpose is to solve multiple issues complete Irus system to scan a vehicle in a body shop’s paint department, panel and have the right amount of eliminating bottlenecks in production.

Dan Benton, Axalta’s color marketing manager, used a tablet equipped with Axalta Irus Scan to take a picture of the paint on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma painted in Lunar Rock, a fivecomponent shade that blends light green and silver.

EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Abby Andrews

“Time is money in a body shop. A painter should be painting, not mixing.” — JAMES MUSE AXALTA

The photo was uploaded to Axalta Irus Match, software that digitally chooses the right shade from 4 million active color variants stored in the cloud. “We are moving away from chips and the subjectivity of color,” Muse said. Irus Match then sends the color to Irus Mix, which resembles a large vending machine, full of components in plastic bottles. The bottles, made of 50% recycled plastic, range from 100 mL to 1.5 L, depending on how often the components are used, reducing the amount of infrequently used and often expensive material a shop must keep in inventory. Irus Mix displays the “recipe” for the color, then pulls each component

separately, pours the correct amount using precise dosing lids, agitates it and adds it to a mixing cup. The machine also tracks how much material is in each bottle, and will not start a mix if there is not enough of a particular component. While Muse talked, the machine automatically pulled and measured all five components, a process that could be viewed through the large window, then presented the finished paint— four minutes and 43 seconds after it received the color information from Irus Match. Muse said the average painter would take about 10 minutes to manually mix the same paint. In an average shop that paints five cars a day, that works out to about 208 hours a year spent mixing paint. “That’s three-plus weeks of time that you’re not paid for,” Muse said. “Time is money in a body shop. A painter should be painting, not mixing.” The Irus Mix is also very easy to use, Muse said, meaning a painter or technician does not need a lot of training or experience to operate it— an important point as the collision repair industry struggles to attract enough quality employees. “This is the future,” Muse said.

SAVE MONEY TODAY! ELIMINATE UP TO 100% OF YOUR CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES!

REDUCE YOUR CREDIT CARD PROCESSING FEES NAB makes it easy to offset your credit card processing fees with our non-cash adjustment.

Rates As Low As 0.05%

Accept EMV/NFC (Apple Pay, etc.) EBT, Snap, Checks and more

     

SWITCH NOW AND GET YOUR FREE SMART TERMINAL  Send Digital Receipts:

with 4G / Wifi

Email or SMS a Receipt

Easy setup (with no setup fees and quick approvals) Seamless integration with your current POS

 Send Invoices

$295** towards your early termination fee (if you have one) with your current processor

 Accept EMV/NFC (Apple Pay, etc.)

FREE STANDARD TERMINALS AVAILABLE AS WELL

FREE Credit Card Terminal Placement Wireless/Landline/High-Speed/Dial-Up

Access to Payments Hub – our secure, online merchant portal Free paper**

COMPATIBLE WITH

GAS CARDS WRIGHT EXPRESS FLEET CARDS VOYAGER AND MORE…

FREE NFC & EMV-READY TERMINAL & PIN PAD OR WIRELESS TERMINAL

Next Day Funding with weekend settlement

FREE Credit Card Terminal Placement Wireless/Landline/High-Speed/Dial-Up Easy setup (with no setup fees and quick approvals) Seamless integration with your current POS $295** towards your early termination fee (if you have one) with your current processor Access to Payments Hub - our secure, online merchant portal Free paper**

OPTIONAL PROGRAMS:

EDGE: The Best CASH DISCOUNT PROGRAM from North American Bancard Are you ready to get rid of the impact of payment processing costs on your business? With the Edge Cash Discount program you will enjoy the same profit margins from cash payments as you do from non-cash payments.

• Point of Sale Systems Recommendations, Solutions & Integrations

• Accept EBT/Snap Low Transaction Fee

GROW YOUR BUSINESS. PARTNER WITH NAB TODAY! 866.481.4604 GROW YOUR BUSINESS. PARTNER WITH NAB TODAY!

866.481.4604

WWW. NYNAB.COM

©2019 North American Bancard is a registered ISO of Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Concord, CA, and The Bancorp Bank, Philadelphia, PA. American Express may require separate approval. *Durbin regulated Check Card percentage rate. A per transaction fee will also apply. **Some restrictions apply. This advertisement is sponsored by an ISO of North American Bancard. Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple Inc.

WWW.NYNAB.COM

© 2023 North American Bancard, LLC (NAB). All rights reserved. NAB is a registered ISO of BMO Harris Bank N.A., Chicago, IL, Citizens Bank N.A., Providence, RI, The Bancorp Bank, Philadelphia, PA, and First Fresno Bank, Fresno CA. American Express may require separate approval. *Durbin regulated Check Card percentage rate. A per transaction fee will also apply. **Some restrictions apply. This advertisement is sponsored by an ISO of North American Bancard. Apple Pay is a trademark of Apple.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 13

Conference Includes Discussion of Sublet Requirements, Tech Access To OEM Procedures By John Yoswick Autobody News

Several speakers at the CIECA CONNEX annual conference this fall offered cautions for shops subletting a lot of work, particularly ADAS calibrations. Frank Terlep, vice president of ADAS solutions for Opus IVS, said sublet work suffers now from “a black hole of information.” “The information that is not being shared about what’s being done on the vehicles is unbelievable,” Terlep said. “So in my opinion, the sublet process, particularly related to ADAS and calibrations, is going to change dramatically. And this is going to happen pretty quickly. The vendors who are doing that sublet work and not documenting what they’re doing? That’s going to end. Because what I’m hearing is the insurers, the payers, don’t know what they’re paying for. You get an invoice that says a calibration for a thousand dollars [but] what does that tell me about what was done to the car? So from my perspective, I think the days of sublet with no documentation, no evidence of what has been done, is going to change dramatically in the near future.” Chuck Olsen of AirPro Diagnostics agreed. “If you’re going to be doing sublet, make sure that you’ve done your own research,” Olsen said. “Know exactly what needs to be done, and be very specific what it is that you’re asking for from that provider. And then ask them for documentation coming back.”

“There’s one more thing: The OEM service information is written at a very high grade reading level,” Chesney said. “And the majority of technicians in the field weren’t really good readers when they were in school. And so they push back on having to read. When they see the numbers of documents they have to refer to for repair procedures, they shut down and they just put it down and go do it the way they did it on the last car. And

riskiest times. About 34% of this is at speeds higher than 50 miles per hour. If you look down at your phone for two seconds [at that speed], you’ve just gone the length of a football field. A lot can happen in that amount of time when you’re on the roads.” Interestingly, that same percentage—34%—of all the accidents Young’s company has looked at, from the millions of drivers using its crash detection technology, “have active phone distraction 60 seconds prior to the crash, and in some cases, it’s right as the crash is happening.” Collision repairers planning marketing might want to consider another data point Young shared. “It might not be a surprise that on the holidays, there’s more distraction,” he said. “So on Labor Day, we’re 5% more Chris Chesney of Repairify said more needs to be distracted versus the other done to bring OEM information to technicians when days around Labor Day, and and how they need it. on Thanksgiving, we’re 11% more distracted.” so [we need to] leverage technology to bring that information to the The Future for Adjustors technician at the point [they need it], During another panel discussion at in context that they can understand, the CIECA event, Luke Harris, vice in the appropriate order they need to president of innovation at USAA, apply it.” As someone who started as a technician in the industry, Chesney said he encourages all organizations in the industry to “consider the technician in everything you’re doing.” “Because that’s the person who has to perform and validate the repairs, and without them, none of the rest of it happens,” he said. “And so if we can create technologies that serve them, that make their life easier, more productive and more enjoyable, then we’ll all win.”

Distracted Driving at Record Highs Chuck Olsen of AirPro Diagnostics said any shop In what might be viewed subletting ADAS work needs to understand and ask as good news for collision for exactly what they need from that sublet provider. repairers, Cornelius Young, senior vice president of Getting Techs to Read OEM product for Cambridge Mobile Procedures Telematics, shared data at the During another session at the conference showing distracted conference, Chris Chesney, vice driving, as measured by “moving president of training for Repairify, said the [cell] phone around in a vehicle he believes a number of factors can or hitting the screen,” has reached lead technicians to not read and follow record highs. OEM repair procedures, including the “About 58% of trips involve that pressures of flat-rate pay plans and phone screen interaction, on average failure by shop management to set for two minutes and 12 seconds per standards of performance beyond hour of driving per person,” Young “expecting the car to be done at 5.” said. “And they’re doing it at the 14 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

said the work for insurance claims adjusters is changing, but that doesn’t spell the end for that role within auto claims.

“The vendors who are doing that sublet work and not documenting what they’re doing? That’s going to end.” — FRANK TERLEP

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADAS SOLUTIONS FOR OPUS IVS

“I think about my early job when I was a claims adjuster: I’d get a new claim, I’d take my time to research the file, I’d get my mini-cassette and my tape recorder and I’d get ready to go,” Harris said. “And much of that work doesn’t exist anymore. So what you’re going to find is you’re still going to need adjusters. You may not need as many, but the cognitive load you’re placing on these adjusters [is tougher] when everything they do all day is making tough decisions throughout the claim process. Because you’re automating the simple claims endto-end, or the simple tasks that they do today. So it’s going to be a much more specialized, demanding role in the future, even more so than today. But they’re not going away.”

YOUR ASSURANCE OF QUALITY

www.capacertified.org

Your Source for GM Genuine Parts and Powertrains in Ohio and the Midwest

$4M+ Comprehensive Inventory of GM Genuine Parts Constantly Updated Fleet of 32 Trucks for Fast Daily Deliveries throughout Ohio and Western PA Dedicated Team of 15 Wholesale Parts Specialists Ready to Assist You

Competitive Discounts and Conquest Price Matching Available

Call Today!

800-352-7276 Trust only GM Genuine Parts

24-Hour Toll Free Fax

800-352-7275

PARTS M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-3pm 6877 Center Street I Mentor, OH 44060

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 15

IDEAS Collide Encourages Collision Repairers To Think Differently, Outperform EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Since IDEAS Collide was launched by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) in 2018, as part of the Repairer Driven Education Series, the program has included professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. “IDEAS Collide showcases people’s big grand schemes for how this industry can be better, outperform where we are today, think differently about how our businesses look and find ways to implement that,” said Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS. During this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, new speakers had an opportunity to share their ideas with the industry in a series of short presentations. Three are summarized below.

Affordable Health Benefits Ben Simmons, Gravie’s chief strategy officer, talked about one of the biggest problems the country faces: affordable and comprehensive health benefits. “It’s something we have to think about, like it or not, sometimes on a day-to-day basis to attract and retain talent,” said Simmons. “But it’s laden with so many problems that there has to be a better solution.” Currently, the average yearly cost of health care per employee is $12,000. “That’s rising at an unsustainable rate,” said Simmons. Rising costs coupled with high deductibles and co-pays ultimately create a burden for employers and employees. “When your health insurance spend is eating more into your profit year after year, it’s at a breaking point for many businesses,” said Simmons. Simmons noted little change has occurred in insurance over the last 30 years except for some innovations in digital health. Examples include telemedicine and apps that help manage chronic conditions from home. However, Simmons said these solutions have been mostly accessible to large, self-insured employers. Currently, Simmons said small business owners with fewer than 500 employees make up more than 50% of the American workforce. “Health insurance is at a breaking point for small business owners,” noted Simmons. To address this challenge, Simmons said a shift in perspective is critical.

“That perspective shift is focusing on the member,” he said. “…the consumer who is actually using the health insurance and align their interests with everybody else in the value chain.” When Simmons started at Gravie a decade ago, the team set out to redesign health insurance for small employers and build a health plan everyone can love. Simmons discussed the company’s flagship program, Comfort, designed to be a benefits plan for small business owners and employees. It provides 100% coverage on most common services, such as routine primary care, specialist care, urgent care, imaging in an office setting and generic drugs. It also incorporates emerging digital health solutions and a no-interest payment plan. Although Simmons said the plan is not a solution for every employer every year, the company aims to pass through savings, when possible, be transparent and give customers more control.

Culture is Currency Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K&M Collision and an SCRS board of director, talked about culture and why he believes it is the real currency in the job market today.

to do within their company. K&M bases its culture on five foundational building blocks: inspiring leadership, recognition, work-life harmony, professional growth and personal growth. “As business owners, we often get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of what truly matters,” said Bradshaw. “For many of us, family is at the heart of what we do, and we aim to create a work culture that feels like family, where everyone is supported and valued.” Bradshaw said building a positive company culture and a team of excellent individuals has not only propelled his business forward but has also allowed him the opportunity to spend quality time with his family and create lasting memories. “That is the true power of positive work culture,” he said. “It not only transforms our businesses and our teams, but it also enriches our personal lives, bringing us closer to the ones we love.” By investing in employees as if they were family, Bradshaw has found they will go above and beyond for the business. “Our business would not be the success that it is without our people,” he said. “They come first and foremost.”

industry are missing one of the most important tools of all, a great mentor,” said Brune. Weber shared two of the four critical areas part of their proprietary system. The first is assessing culture. Weber advised asking employees if they believe the company believes in them. The other critical area is assessing the mentor involved in the program to determine if they are willing and able to instruct and believe in the industry. Brune recommends educating everyone involved in the program and focusing on three areas: working across generations, the ability to communicate a clear vision for the future and demonstration. “Just like we wouldn’t let our technicians use a tool they don’t know how to use, the same applies to mentoring,” he said.

Mentor Mentee CEO Ryan Weber and Business Development Manager Marc Brune

A New Approach to Mentorship

Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K&M Collision and an SCRS board of director

Bradshaw said 80% of U.S. employees don’t feel connected to their company’s culture. “We’re used to thinking that salaries and benefits get the best talent and collision repairers,” said Bradshaw. “We wring our hands over how we’re going to attract new technicians and how can we pay more because we can’t be competitive in the workplace. But we never talk about culture.” Bradshaw said that is really the secret weapon. “It’s the force behind attracting and keeping staff, keeping them happy, boosting morale and performance,” he noted. He asked attendees to picture the greatest job satisfaction coming from a workplace that enriches life, sparks passions and thrives on excellence. That is what Bradshaw has tried

16 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

With a growing technician shortage, two representatives from the company Mentor Mentee shared best practices about mentorship, CEO Ryan Weber and Business Development Manager Marc Brune. Weber said the company approaches mentorship differently than traditional programs where an employee is matched with someone more experienced. Instead, Mentor Mentee offers a technical mentoring platform. “The outcome is to strengthen that new person’s ability and skills in a technical field,” he explained. Weber asked attendees to imagine tackling repairs without diagnostics, plans or tools. “It would be chaos,” he noted. “The same applies to a workforce and mentoring.” By incorporating technology into the apprenticeship process, Weber said it can help replace a skilled workforce and pass down critical knowledge from one generation of workers to the next. “Just as we would not approach a vehicle without the proper diagnostic tools…a lot of times what we see is that mentees and entrylevel technicians that come into the

Whether a shop is already running a program or getting ready to launch one, Weber said it’s important to begin with the end in mind. He suggests creating a customized task list for the technicians’ roles to provide direction. He also recommends employers be aware of how wide they are leaving the door open. Without a career plan, Brune said an employee will likely have their eyes open to other jobs, even if they pay just a few dollars an hour more. “By supporting and investing in your people, you’re able to close that door,” he said. To ensure mentees continue to thrive, Brune recommends monitoring their progress. He advocates setting priorities, holding everyone accountable and providing feedback. “Not every technician is cut out to be a mentor, but those with the right support can make an immense amount of difference within your business,” he said.

Autobody News

COVERAGE

State Farm Making Efforts To Reduce Supplement Delays EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in Las Vegas as part of SEMA week marked the 40th anniversary of the quarterly conference. The daylong event included a data privacy discussion about what shops should consider about “end-user licensing agreements” (EULAs) and what they mean in terms of the shop’s and customers’ data, an update on the Collision Engineering Program now in place at a half dozen schools around the country, and a panel discussion about consolidation in the industry. Frank Terlep, chairman of CIC, opened the prior quarter’s meeting this past summer with a call for the industry to address the issue of supplement processing, which he calculated was costing the industry $3.3 billion a year. At the most recent CIC, he turned his focus to transparency within the industry, saying vehicle technology is too critical to driver and passenger safety not to be “completely, 100% transparent in terms of what goes on in the repairs, what goes on in the whole process.” He also said there’s a need for

certification of the technicians performing ADAS work. “Right now, we’re at the beginning of what I’m calling the Wild West of ADAS services and calibrations,” Terlep said. “We have an opportunity to shape the future of that segment of our business right now. We’ve got to find a way to get people who are

people from calibrating cars in any other place other than a place where they need to be calibrated. I challenge this industry to do that.” During another committee panel discussion, Chris Evans, a property and claims consultant at State Farm, talked about efforts the insurer is making to reduce the delays in responding to claims reviews. State Farm experienced a hit in terms of staffing post-COVID, he said, but “we’ve hired about 500 appraisers in the last two years.”

CIC Chairman Frank Terlep challenged the industry to improve transparency and accuracy of repairs, particularly related to ADAS work.

repairing ADAS-equipped vehicles, calibrating these vehicles, to make sure they’re doing it right and make sure they’re trained to do it right. “It’s critical in my opinion. We’re at the stage of this business where we can do this,” Terlep continued. “We’ve got to stop people from calibrating vehicles in parking lots. We got to stop people from calibrating vehicles in wash bays. We’ve got to stop

A CIC panel discussion related to supplements included Cheryl Boswell, center, of DCR Systems and Chris Evans, second from right, of State Farm.

“We’ve also been dealing with more third-party appraisal services in the last three years than we ever have in in my 36-year career at State Farm,” Evans said. “When you’re managing those third parties, it’s a lot different

Visit our booth #35239 upstairs South Hall

than directly managing your own people. And so we are stepping that back, if you will. And I think doing a fairly effective job, although we’re still going to be using third-party appraisal services for some time.” He acknowledged the company is still working to determine which claims are best suited for a virtual inspection versus a physical inspection. “I will tell you we haven’t got that right yet,” he said. “We definitely need to figure out when [one method] is more appropriate.” He said total losses dropping from about 20% to 17% of claims significantly ramped up the number and size of repairable vehicle claims the company has had to process. He said State Farm also has added 2 million policies in 2023, which also “has put a strain on the claims system.” Lastly, he said, State Farm is “attempting to create greater transparency in the claim and supplement process. We surveyed a number of body shops to get feedback from them on what works, what doesn’t work, how could we improve it. We took that feedback and we’re making those enhancements. So we still have a lot of work to do. We appreciate the partnership.

Scan for catalog

Model: NT-6926M

NextLED has an unwavering dedication to providing superior lighting solutions and innovative designs tailored for both seasoned professionals and DIY enthusiasts www.mynextled.com

Contact@mynextled.com

630-361-6210 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 17

Hunter Expands Scissor Lifts’ Wheelbase

Minnesota Collision Repair Family Wins Abra Community Champions Award From the front lines of Vietnam to the front desk of a collision repair facility, Kedrick Johnson knows commitment to a team, supporting those around you and focusing on a mission are what keep you alive— and make you successful.

Pictured, left to right, are Wayne Kelly, Scott Johnson, Sabrina Thring and Damien Reyna.

Kedrick and his wife, Louann, formed KLST, Inc., which owns five Abra locations—Abra Cloquet, Abra Duluth, Abra Elk River, Abra Princeton and Abra Saint Cloud. The KLST stands for Kedrick, Louann, Scott and Todd—their sons—and together they lead the organization. Recently, Kedrick and Louann were honored at the Driven Brands U.S. collision repair joint conference as

the Abra Community Champion for their many contributions to their local community. The Community Champion Award is given in recognition to owners who have gone above and beyond in their community outreach to support a variety of charitable causes and local organizations. The road to operational excellence first began for Kedrick when he was working alongside his uncle in the 1960s. He continued to develop his skills until he was drafted in 1965. After returning from military service, he used his entrepreneurial spirit and industry expertise to establish his own auto body shop out of his father’s four car garage. Stellar customer service and exemplary workmanship fueled success and growth for the Johnsons. As their business grew, so did the support that they provided to their community. Accepting the award on behalf of his parents was son Scott. “This is a great honor to receive this award,” said Scott Johnson. “My father had his dream of owning

Hunter Engineering announced new, longer variations of its popular RX14 and RX16 scissor alignment racks. These new models, RX14KL and RX16KL, can accommodate up to 195inch two-wheel wheelbases. The RX14KL lift gains an additional 13 inches, while the RX16KL picks up an additional 17 inches. Hunter is responding to a growing industry need for greater length. New adjustable turnplate pockets provide an extremely long 88- to 168-inch four-wheel alignment service range. When aligning a shorter vehicle, the turnplates can be moved back in the pocket in seconds. Additionally, a new flushmount arrangement simplifies floor-level rolling compensation and ADAS calibrations. All Hunter scissor lifts are designed to offer maximum productivity in a minimum space. For more information, visit www.hunter.com/alignmentracks/scissor-lifts

his own business and a vision for its success and it has all come together for my family, surrounded by a team of great employees. Our people are just incredible. They make us successful, and they are the true heartbeat of our organization.” By the early 1980s, Scott and Todd began to express their interest in the trade and KLST, Inc. was formed. The family continued to help grow the business and give back to the community, growing along the way. From participating in local uniform sponsorships for trade schools in their area, to hosting free windshield chip clinics, to sponsoring various local charitable golf outings, the KLST, Inc. team places extra emphasis on giving back to their communities. Family is tightly knit into the fabric of Abra, and this family is a perfect example of the importance of that family culture. The awards were presented at a gala held as part of the inaugural Driven Brands U.S. collision repair joint conference, Evolution 2023, Sept. 28-30 in Kissimmee, FL.

SEMA Announces First Recipient of ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ At 2023 Show SEMA announced the recipient of the inaugural SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award is the ‘23 Cobra Venom by Scorpion EV. “Venom” is an electric vehicle conversion car designed to demonstrate the ease with which internal combustion engine

vehicles can be converted to electric power. The car showcases Scorpion EV’s Venom EV conversion kit, which solves the challenges related to EV conversions by providing the DIY builder with a complete, turnkey solution. “As a small company with a passion for EVs and one that’s pushing the envelope for this

rapidly growing sector of the market, the team at Scorpion EV is very proud to be creating a product that can be used by the very core of our industry, which is the DIY builders, shop owners and guy or girl working in their garage at home,” said Karen Salvaggio of Scorpion EV. “This award is a recognition of the power of a team who believe in dreaming, designing and truly building the future! When you look around the Show and witness all of the incredible builds and envelope-pushing designs gracing these halls, just to be nominated for the Best Engineered Vehicle Award is a true honor.” The new-for-2023 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award aims to inspire more engineers to enter the automotive aftermarket by highlighting their impact on the automotive specialty-equipment industry and placing a spotlight on the symbiotic relationship between a vehicle’s design and engineering.

18 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

• Extensive Wholesale Parts Inventory • Competitive Pricing and Discounts • Wide Delivery Area

PARTS 734-996-2411

wholesaleparts@varsityford.com

FAX 734-996-5917

Mon-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-2

www.varsityford.com

3480 Jackson Road Ann Arbor, MI 49224

Your Source of GM OE Parts in ND, SD and MN.

800-354-7278 $2.0M+ Onsite Inventory of GM OE Parts Updated Daily Professionally Trained Wholesale Parts Specialists with 100+ Years Combined Experience Fast Free Daily Deliveries in Our Dedicated Fleet of 6 vehicles Competitive Pricing and Discounts

P D 701-746-0412 24 H F 701-335-2556 www.rydellcars.com parts@rydellcars.com

P H

M-F 7 -6 2700 S. W S G F , ND 58201

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 19

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

Dads Retirement on—treat your customers and business partners like you would want to be treated. Jerry’s Abra has gone through many changes and survived a few storms over the last years, but has continued serving the community. Jerry remembers keeping the doors open with a year of buying damaged vehicles, fixing and selling them. “We never made much money on them but kept the technicians working and the bank account open,” Jerry said, smiling as he thinks back to spending his afternoons at the auction. “I never much cared for the busy times, as they were usually at the expense of someone’s misfortune.” The St. Peter tornado comes to mind as an example for Jerry. “We were too busy to offer the service we want and believe in, and it was too hard to spend the time with our customers,” Jerry said. “I remember standing in the shell of our new store in 1986 looking around wondering how we would ever fill it. Now, we are looking for room in every inch of the property.” Jerry planned on hanging his hat

up Oct. 15, 52 years after opening his doors for the first time. Laura will take over as CEO, working with her mother Geri, Jerry’s CFO, to learn the other half of the business. Jerry plans on farming, traveling and enjoying his time with his family and dogs Lucy and Sally. Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass is a complete collision center, committed to training and manufacturer certifications. Laura plans to continue their commitment to excellent repairs with ongoing education and training on the latest vehicle repair processes. “Vehicles are changing every day, from electric vehicles to ADAS systems, and electronics is a challenge that requires constant updates and research,” she noted. “We prepare every repair plan with the manufacturer’s repair procedures to repair your vehicle back to pre-incident condition. I spend a great deal of time for each customer researching and documenting repair planning to ensure they get the best repair.” When asked what the biggest changes in business the last 52 years were, Jerry said technology advancements have revolutionized the business. “There were many that made dynamic changes, like fax machines,

personal digital assistants and cell phones; going from Polaroid pictures and mailing estimates to insurance companies to faxing and then snapping photos with your phone and electronically sending,” he said. “Next would be full-frame vehicles to unibody and then came aluminum. But nothing has changed the industry more than accident avoidance and the vehicle technology. The new vehicle has made us take a good look at our business model and make hard decisions on the direction we want to go in the future.” Laura sees herself following in her parents’ footsteps with an incredible work ethic and industry leadership. “I see myself getting to work before everyone else to prepare for the day, then spending time with the team,” she said. “I’d like to continue in industry involvement and someday be Women’s Industry Network (WIN) chair, an organization my mother founded and led.” Already an established business woman, Laura has a strong future in front of her being the woman on Madison Avenue who stepped into her father’s shoes and led Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass into the next 50 years.

Elitek Vehicle Services Joins CCC Network Elitek Vehicle Services, a subsidiary of LKQ, is set to integrate with the CCC Diagnostics Network, to introduce the automation of remote diagnostic services, streamlining the reporting process for customers. On Nov. 14, Elitek initiated Phase 1 of its integration, the primary focus of which is the seamless integration of scan reports and invoices directly into the CCC ONE work file. By doing so, Elitek Vehicle Services aims to save time and effort for repair shops while standardizing the documentation of work performed. This not only boosts efficiency but also assists customers in reducing cycle time and providing well-documented records of services rendered. The partnership between Elitek Vehicle Services and the CCC Diagnostics Network promises future collaborations and enhancements. Automotive repair shops can look forward to an improved and streamlined experience when it comes to diagnostic services and documentation.

OUR PODCAST IS LIVE! Brought to you by

Sponsored by:

with Cole Strandberg New episodes available weekly. Listen now on:

Weekly episodes featuring industry thought leaders, shop owners and collision pros. We talk trends, culture, growth and scalability, giving actionable insights that will elevate your business.

With Regular Appearances by: Mike Anderson I-CAR Rivian Lucid Motors Body Shop Owners Financial Advisers

Also on autobodynews.com & other podcast platforms 20 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Goliath Carts, Hunter Engineering Win Best New Product Awards At SEMA 2023 EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Hunter Engineering and Goliath Carts started off the 2023 SEMA Show with a bang, both being named winners of Best New Product awards, presented at the Kick-Off Breakfast before the show opened Oct. 31. Goliath Carts took top honors in the collision repair and refinish category for its destructive test weld stand, while Hunter won the ADAS Product category for its Ultimate ADAS.

bolted to the ground or a bench, or a mobile version that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, Diez said. The stand has a wet/dry box to hold hot coupons after welding, and a white board where photos and other information can be tracked for insurance purposes. A cubby holds

Collision Repair & Refinish Winner Dito Diez, lead engineer and owner of Goliath Carts, said his company developed the destructive test weld stand after being challenged by Mike Anderson, president of Collision Advice, and his Spartans Group. Anderson is a big proponent of destructive test welding, saying not doing it as part of the repair process “would be like an automaker not doing vehicle crash testing before selling a new model of vehicle.” Goliath Carts worked with a focus group of about 10 of the best shops in Anderson’s group to figure out what features were necessary. The result is a stand that can be

“It can do all of the types of welds in all of the positions, and that’s the important thing,” Diez said. “You can overlay them, lay them side to side, put a plate behind them. Anything you can think of as far as performing a test weld, you can do on this thing.” Diez said it was exciting to hear his company’s name called as the award winner. “We’re just fortunate that Mike Anderson and his group gave us the challenge,” Diez said. “We met the challenge and we’re very excited to win the award and to be associated with the Spartans Group.” The destructive test weld stand is in stock and available now.

ADAS Product Winner Dito Diez, center, lead engineer and owner of Goliath Carts, accepts the Best New Product Award in the collision repair and refinish category for his company’s destructive test weld stand

tools like the welding gun tip and pliers, and a table holds odds and ends. The most important feature is an articulating coupon holder, Diez said, that can handle multiple thicknesses and sizes, and moves up and down and around the post.

Hunter Engineering won the ADAS Product category for its Ultimate ADAS, eliminating the errorprone manual layouts traditionally associated with static ADAS calibrations. The system seamlessly integrates Hunter’s renowned alignment technology with an efficient guided target placement system, delivering comprehensive around-the-vehicle coverage. The pivotal component of this technology is the gimbalmounted lasers, which replace the

imprecise guesswork of strings, plumb bobs and tape measures. This advancement results in an impressive 70% reduction in setup time for certain procedures. “It’s named Ultimate ADAS for a reason,” said Ryan Gerber, Hunter product specialist for ADAS. “It’s the fastest and most precise ADAS calibration system available.” “All of Hunter is so proud to win the SEMA New Product Award for Ultimate ADAS,” said Pete Liebetreu, vice president of product management and marketing. “Bringing this innovative product to market took a huge team of engineers, developers, U.S.-based manufacturing and of course, the interest of our customers and partners. It was a huge effort and the team at Hunter is very proud of this prestigious recognition.” Ultimate ADAS is currently exclusively available to Honda and Acura dealers, with plans to expand its availability to other OEMs in 2024.

Autobody News EXCLUSIVE

COVERAGE

Delivery area coun es: Cuyahoga, Lake, Geauga, Huron, Erie, Medina, Sandusky, O awa, Summit and Lorain Same-day, Next-day, Local Hot-shot Deliveries Friendly, Fast Phone Ordering

(440) 788-7060 jtjoyce@ganleywestside.com 25730 Lorain Rd. // North Olmsted, OH 44070

Parts Hours: Mon 8-7 Tue-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-5 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 21

MSO Symposium Looks At Claims Trends, Opportunities For Collision Shops To Buy or Sell EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By John Yoswick Autobody News

More than 300 people attended this year’s MSO Symposium on Oct. 30, the largest attendance in the event’s 12-year history. For many in the industry, the annual gathering, focused on consolidation in the collision repair industry, kicks off the start of SEMA week in Las Vegas. Speakers offered an outlook for the economy, discussion about the flow of private equity investment in the industry, and the opportunities—and challenges—for business owners wanting to add additional shop locations. Bart Mazurek, vice president of consulting services for CCC Intelligent Solutions’ automotive services group, shared data at the event indicating direct repair claims were up 3% in the third quarter of this year—good news for collision repair businesses that focus more on DRP work. Mazurek said higher prices and lower availability of new vehicles in recent years has contributed to a continued rise in the average age of vehicles in the U.S. “If you look at 2019, only 34% of vehicles were seven years and older,

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

Joint Venture Additionally, the EV battery joint venture did not comply with federal safety standards for the use of personal protective equipment, including respirators. Ultium Cells “exposed workers to machine and chemical hazards by failing to use and train workers on safety and emergency response procedures,” OSHA said in a statement. The agency issued a hazard alert letter to the company, asking it to voluntarily reduce the buildup of metal dust and protect workers from dust exposure. It’s worth noting the incident OSHA refers to is different from the chemical spill that occurred in August. A representative from the cell maker said a hearing with the federal agency was requested and they are working closely with officials as well as union leaders to comply with regulations. “Our commitment to safety is

www.autobodynews.com

but now we’re up to 42% of vehicles being over seven years, and that has an impact on total losses,” he said. “Older vehicles are obviously easier to total out.” The percentage of noncomprehensive claims resulting in a total loss had dipped down to as low as 18.2% in the summer of 2022, according to CCC data, but that has

Bart Mazurek of CCC Intelligent Solutions said DRP claims were up 3% in the third quarter of this year

rebounded to above 20% every month this year. Speaking on the day that General Motors became the final automaker to announce a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers, Mazurek downplayed any significant impact the six-week strike had on collision claims. “As we looked at national

paramount, and we make it a point to work closely and collaboratively with state and federal officials, as well as our local union leadership, to ensure we are operating in accordance with all relevant regulations,” Ultium spokesperson Katie Burdette said in a statement. “We take safety seriously and have requested a hearing with OSHA, which is the next step in this process,” she added. “We look forward to a constructive dialogue with OSHA and hope to resolve these issues quickly and reinforce our commitment to fostering a safety-first mindset among all Ultium team members.” In August, members of the United Automobile Workers union voted to get their wages increased by $3 to $4 an hour, resulting in a starting hourly pay of $20.50. Battery cells made by Ultium at the Ohio plant are used in the battery packs of the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV and Cadillac LYRIQ, among others.

UPDATED DAILY

22 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

implications, especially when it comes to cycle time, we didn’t notice any differences or any uptick in cycle time,” he said. “Sure, we’d heard some anecdotal information on a regional basis of parts availability issues, but generally speaking, we’ve been told that dealership groups had been stocking up on parts, focusing on the 60-day market. If they could [have] inventories to get through 60 days, there wouldn’t be an impact on cycle time, and I think that’s held firm to date.” Also during the MSO Symposium, David Roberts of Focus Advisors said there are now 17 private equity firms with investments in collision repair operations. “And there are at least 12 more who are knocking at the door,” Roberts said. “If you’re an independent MSO out there today and you’ve got four or five or more shops, they’ve knocked on your door.” He said realistically, maybe four of the 12 will make an acquisition while they others will not, perhaps deciding it’s a business they don’t know enough about. But still, the interest means it’s not too late for a smaller MSO to get a private equity buyer to help them grow. “I think that they are looking for a

five- or six-shop MSO to get started with,” Roberts said. “If you’re one of those high performers, where you’re doing $25 million out of five shops and you’ve got 18% EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization),

“Management may be the most important part of the profile of any [business] selling to a private equity firm.” — DAVID ROBERTS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FOCUS ADVISORS

you’re going to get a really nice offer. If you are smaller than that or you don’t have those kinds of margins, most importantly, you have to have a great management team that is going to stick with the business. Management may be the most important part of the profile of any [business] selling to a private equity firm.” What are buyers paying for collision repair businesses? Roberts said it varies on the buyer and the size of business being acquired, but the good news is “values are holding steady and in some cases rising.”

Columbia Hyundai WE DELIVER SO YOU CAN DELIVER

Parts: 513-489-6333 24-Hour Parts Fax: 866-381-9975 Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5:30pm Sat 8am-12pm

www.columbiahyundai.com columbiaparts@josephauto.com 10981 Montgomery Road; Cincinnati, OH 45249

DON'T MAKE A MOUNTAIN OUT OF REPAIRS.

ONLY MOPAR ® O.E. COLLISION PARTS DELIVER 100% FACTORY-ORIGINAL FIT AND FINISH.

WE’RE HAPPY TO FILL YOUR ORDER: ILLINOIS

INDIANA

HAWK CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP

EXPRESSWAY DODGE

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

5401 E. Virginia Street Evansville, IN 47715 (800) 800-1259 Fax: (812) 437-9590

JACK PHELAN DODGE

IOWA

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

STEW HANSENS DODGE CITY

Call our stand alone warehouse!

RIVER FRONT CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP 200 Hansen Blvd. North Aurora, IL 60542 (630) 907-0300

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

MICHIGAN

MINNESOTA

MILOSCH’S PALACE CHRYSLER JEEP DODGE

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

3800 S. Lapeer Road Lake Orion, MI 48359 (800) 331-9416 (248) 276-2593

OHIO

ZEIGLER CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM ALFA ROMEO FIAT 4200 Parkway Place Dr SW Grandville, MI 49418 (800) 881-3097 (616) 532-4929

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

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

Check out MoparRepairConnect.com for resources, promotions and technical information. ©2023 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. ABN_MW_COL24_F_2023.indd 1

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 23 9/26/23 9:47 AM

Honda and Acura Genuine Parts is an online ordering portal for repair facilities to order parts directly from the Honda/Acura Dealer(s) of their choice $0 enrollment fee

Benefits for Repair Facilities:

Quick access to live inventory* in the Honda and Acura Genuine Parts catalog Easy streamlined ordering process saves your employees’ time so they can work on repairing cars *Available through most dealers

GET STARTED! CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT AT: GenuineHondaParts.Honda.com Click on the “My Account” button and then click “Register”. For Account Help, Contact: HondaandAcurapartsportal@ahm.honda.com

24 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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

MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

OHIO

Honda of Lisle

Ziegler Honda

Bommarito Honda

Apostolakis Honda

Lisle

Kalamazoo

Hazelwood

Cortland

866-874-6632 630-437-5299

855-513-4477 269-585-5812

800-731-8270 314-731-8270

800-900-4600 330-638-3060

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

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

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

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

Ed Napleton Honda

Jay Honda

MINNESOTA

INDIANA

Bob Rohrman Honda

Brookdale Honda

Lafayette

Brooklyn Center

765-588-9984 765-448-1000 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 Brho.partsmgr@rohrman.com MICHIGAN

800-899-8900 763-331-6880

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

St. Peters

Bedford

800-875-4190 636-928-4400

800-509-9057 440-786-3363

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

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

Columbia Honda Columbia

Luther Hopkins Honda

573-818-3650

Hopkins

Farmington Hills

800-328-6016 952-908-8585

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

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

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

Honda of Tiffany Springs

Richfield-Bloomington Honda

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

Suburban Honda 248-427-7996

Victory Honda Plymouth

800-824-4646 734-453-3600 Dept. Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 8-4 Robert.rosenau@victorytoyota.com

Richfield

800-328-2703 612-866-8197 Dept. Hours: M-Thu 6:30-7; F 6:30-6; Sat 6:30-5 parts@rbhonda.com

Kansas City

816-452-3221

NEBRASKA

Superior Honda Omaha Omaha

402-408-1100 Dept. Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 7-5

ACURA ILLINOIS

MICHIGAN

McGrath Acura of Morton Grove Morton Grove

847-470-2308

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

Jay Wolfe Acura of Overland Park Overland Park

913-648-2287

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

OHIO

Acura of Troy Troy

800-935-0923 248-643-0900

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

Columbia Acura Cincinnati

844-677-4902 513-530-0698

Dept. Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-12 columbiaparts@email.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 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 25

Chicagoland-Area CARSTAR Owner Achieves Two Decades of Service

Crash Champions Appoints Board Member

A reputation is not given, it is earned through results delivered and connections made. In the case of one body shop owner from the Chicagoland area, reputation is earned through quality-driven repairs and delicious team barbecues. Luigi “Lou” Scola of CARSTAR Scola’s recently celebrated his 20th anniversary as a CARSTAR franchisee. Scola is a multigenerational owner who inherited the shop from his parents; his family has been proudly serving the Brookfield community for more than 40 years. Scola himself has been in the industry for more than 30 years, serving as a trusted partner to consumers and a seasoned business veteran. Scola is also a U.S. Navy veteran who served for six years and today continues to be a staunch supporter of veterans in the community. CARSTAR Scola’s supports numerous programs such as the Fisher House, an organization that provides free, temporary housing for the families of hospitalized veterans, and the NABC’s Recycled Rides program, an initiative that

Crash Champions, LLC, announced the appointment of Michael Sieger to its Board of Directors. Sieger joins Crash Champions following a threedecade career at The Progressive Corporation, where he most recently served as claims president from 2015 until his retirement in January 2022. At Progressive, Sieger was responsible for overall claims strategy and led the organization through significant growth during his tenure. “We are proud to welcome Mike to Crash Champions’ Board of Directors,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. “Mike brings a wealth of knowledge on the automotive insurance industry, having helped lead Progressive during a period of strong growth, which should bring us valuable insights as we continue our strategic expansion across the U.S.” “As an insurance partner, I witnessed firsthand the evolution of Crash Champions from a regional operator into a national platform,” said Sieger. “I am proud to join the board during this exciting time for the organization.”

provides refurbished vehicles to populations in need, which may include veterans.

“Working with Lou truly feels like I am a part of the family,” said Louie Santiago, marketing manager, CARSTAR Scola’s. “He acknowledges employees’ birthdays along with their anniversaries and other accomplishments.” During the summer months, Scola even treats employees to his world-famous barbecue skills. “The fajitas are to die for!” added Santiago. In addition to his selfless service and fantastic fajitas, Scola is an incredibly involved franchisee

within the network. He serves as the chairperson for the CARSTAR Chicagoland Business Group and is an active participant in CARSTAR’s EDGE performance group, a peerto-peer learning group focused on identifying opportunities for growth and shared wins. “I do my very best to provide a positive family culture and environment,” said Scola. “A happy employee is a productive employee. In the end, we’re all working towards the same goal, to take care of our families and our communities.” With 20 years of community support as a CARSTAR, it’s evident the Brookfield area shares the same sentiments. “The power of connecting with well-rounded owners like Lou Scola is what keeps me motivated,” said Damien Reyna, chief operating officer, U.S. collision, Driven Brands. “It is so inspiring to witness the legacy our talented owners have created firsthand, and I look forward to seeing CARSTAR Scola’s continue to achieve success with the people and processes they have in place.”

Kia of Lansing ALL the Genuine Kia Parts You Need

517.393.5700 517.393.6767 Fax

5737 S. Pennsylvania Ave. Lansing, MI 48911 Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm

www.kiaoflansing.com

2020 GOLD ELITE STATUS Competitive Prices Large Warehouse Fast Free Delivery Perfect Fit Everytime Dedicated Wholsale Staff

26 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Parts Direct 651-490-2648 24-Hour FAX 651-490-2652 Parts Hours: MON-THU 7AM-10PM FRI 7AM-6PM; SAT 8AM-4PM pwienke@maplewoodtoyota.com www.maplewoodtoyota.com 2873 Maplewood Drive North Hwy 61 Maplewood, MN 55109

Professionally Trained Toyota Wholesale Parts Specialists on Staff Competitive Discounts and Pricing on All our Genuine Toyota Parts 5 Trucks for Fast, Free Daily Deliveries throughout Minnesota. Shipping to WI, IL, IA, SD & ND 1.5M+ Inventory Updated Daily. Brand New Cutting Edge Parts Department

Tesla-Certified Shop Suing 2 Insurers; Ex-Employee Files Lawsuit Against Safelite By John Yoswick Autobody News

Multiple lawsuits involving various segments of the collision industry are working their way through federal courts. State Farm has filed a motion to dismiss a tortious interference and defamation lawsuit brought by a Tesla-certified collision repair business in Maryland, arguing the lawsuit doesn’t adequately “state a claim [for] which relief can be granted.” In the lawsuit, Total Recon Auto Center in Rockville, MD, alleges the insurer’s “intentional, malicious campaign” to “disseminate misinformation to its insureds who are actual or potential customers” of the shop violates the Maryland Information Act. The lawsuit states the shop is one of three Tesla-certified shops in the county, and charges “a specific hourly labor rate---no more or no less---determined by Tesla to be reasonable” in a given market area. That labor rate of $60 is $10 more than “the area’s more typical hourly labor rate.” The lawsuit says State Farm “resisted but eventually agreed to

pay” that labor rate, but “ultimately decided to launch an intentional campaign to harm Total Recon” using misinformation to improperly steer customers away from Total Recon. It cites more than a half dozen examples of customers and potential customers of the shop concerned about having to pay outof-pocket for costs not covered by the insurer even though “there is no

history of Total Recon charging outof-pocket expenses to State Farm’s customers.” Total Recon said in June in response to cease and desist letters sent to State Farm, it received a letter from a law firm for the insurer saying the company’s actions are “compliant with Maryland law.” Total Recon argues the letter did not dispute “any of Total Recon’s contentions but instead has brazenly

taken the position that [State Farm’s] conduct is not unlawful and that it will continue engaging in this course of conduct.” For each of three counts in the lawsuit, Total Recon seeks more than $75,000 in punitive and compensatory damages. The same shop filed a similar lawsuit against Allstate in March. That insurer is similarly seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed for “failure to state claims for which relief can be granted.” In another lawsuit, a former Safelite Auto Glass employee is suing the company for insurance fraud, alleging Safelite billed insurance for OEM or aftermarket moldings but used neither, instead using less expensive universal moldings rather than vehicle-specific ones. “Safelite concocted a scheme to get paid insurance rates… regardless of the part selected by its technicians,” states the complaint, filed on behalf of the people of California, alleging two senior employees of the company created computer programming that would do just that. “Safelite’s computer systems have been programmed to replace the name of the OEM or aftermarket

part…while keeping the part-specific number and/or part-specific price of the OEM or aftermarket part intact,” the lawsuit alleges. The complaint provides three screenshot examples of invoices in which it says such substitutions occurred. The lawsuit also claims Safelite was charging $30 for cleaning of vehicles using special sanitation wipes during four months early in the pandemic, yet alleges only about 25,000 of the nearly 500,000 wipes those services would have required in California were used. The former Safelite employee, product development and strategy manager Brian Williams, said he first noticed the differences in 2019, eventually bringing it to the attention of his direct supervisor and others within the company. He said he was the only management person furloughed for four months in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, and was told when he returned to work that summer his job duties were changing. Feeling nothing was being done about the issue, he resigned the following year. A Safelite spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

LUTHER BROOKDALE MAZDA Partner with Luther Brookdale Mazda for all your OEM Mazda Parts Needs • $500K + On Site Mazda Genuine Collision Parts Inventory • Free Same Day Local Delivery • Price Matching on Select OEM Mazda Parts to Aftermarket Prices • Professionally Trained Wholesale Staff

Parts Department Hours: mathew.schroeder@lutherauto.com Mon-Fri 7am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm www.luthermazda.com

Morrie's Brooklyn Park Subaru Move your life Forward

800-343-6999

• Large inventory of Genuine OEM Subaru Collision Parts Updated Daily

763-765-1462 Parts Direct 767-765-1487 24 Hr. Fax

• Free 2x Same Day Delivery in the Greater Minneapolis-ST Paul Metro Area

bpsubaruparts@morries.com www.brooklynparksubaru.com

• Friendly Knowledgeable Team of Wholesale Parts Specialists Ready to Help You

7885 Brooklyn Blvd. Brooklyn Park, MN 55445

• Competitive Discounts and Price Matching Available on Many Parts

Toll Free 844-843-0615 Parts Direct 763-331-7280 24 Hour Fax 763-331-7281 4435 68th Ave. N. • Brooklyn Center, MN 55429

Mon-Fri 7am-7pm Sat 8am-5pm autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 27

AkzoNobel Showcases Celebrity Vehicles, Digital Tools At 2023 SEMA Show EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Autobody News Staff AkzoNobel kicked off the first day of the 2023 SEMA Show with Dave Kindig, the company’s spokesperson, unveiling a celebrity vehicle. Kindig, owner of Kindig-it Design and star of MotorTrend’s “Bitchin’ Rides” series, was challenged to build a vehicle for the comedian and actor Kevin Hart that represented the Batman villain Bane. He unveiled the creation, also named “Bane,” Oct. 31 at one of AkzoNobel’s two booths—a Dodge Challenger painted with Modern Classikk color Black Ice, described by Kindig as “the deepest darkest black you can get.” Kindig said the build, which has a chili red interior designed by JS Custom Interior, includes a lot of “really cool technology.” Several components were 3D-printed, including the dash center console, components of the door panels and rear quarter panels, as well as the supercharger’s cover. “Our relationship with Dave Kindig continues to expand and provide a lot of excitement for us,” said Jen Poliski, marketing communications manager – North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings. “SEMA provides the best opportunity

for us to showcase how he uses our paints to help create his masterpieces.” In 2018, AkzoNobel launched Modern Classikk, a custom color line of automotive paints designed in partnership with Kindig. The Modern Classikk line now includes more than 40 base coat colors and four reducers. “One of the things that people don’t realize is these are all colors that Dave Kindig formulated,” noted Sue Jaszkowski, marketing communications – North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings. In addition to being the spokesperson for Modern Classikk, earlier this year, AkzoNobel announced Kindig as its brand ambassador for Sikkens, its premium paint line. AkzoNobel has also restyled the Modern Classikk label. “We were five years into the partnership and wanted to give the label a facelift,” explained Jaszkowski. “The redesign was a collaborative effort.” The new label now reads, “Modern Classikk, powered by Sikkens,” and was inspired by Kindig’s hand-drawn and colored renderings created for each Kindig-it Design vehicle build. AkzoNobel Booth Highlights During SEMA, AkzoNobel and Kindig-

it Design shared 2,400 square feet of exhibit space in the Silver Lot outside, displaying several one-of-a-kind vehicles. These included the Bitchin’ Bronco featured on recent episodes of “Bitchin’ Rides” and two of Kindig’s carbon fiber CF Roadsters.

During SEMA, Dave Kindig unveiled “Bane,” a Dodge Challenger he built for comedian and actor Kevin Hart.

In addition to the outdoor space, AkzoNobel set up a larger indoor exhibit in Central Hall this year to showcase Sikkens and hold demonstrations of Carbeat, the company’s digital body shop workflow control solution. The booth featured Kevin Hart’s “Bane” vehicle, as well as a custom-designed roadster. The cars were nominated for an award for Best on RS 2023. Throughout the event, Kindig signed autographs in both booths.

Industry Insight Shared AkzoNobel employees and customers had an opportunity to share insight during various presentations throughout the week. Tony Adams, AkzoNobel business services consultant, discussed improving employee retention and engagement through communications during his presentation, “Freedom to Speak?” Adams also teamed up with Tim Ronak, senior services consultant, and customers Stephen Bozer from Fix Auto Tempe and Kena Dacus, owner of Dacus Auto, to discuss “Changing the World With a FourDay Work Week?” In addition, some AkzoNobel customers took part in educational sessions. Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW, talked about the death of the estimator role. Both Michael Giarrizzo, CEO of DCR Systems and Calibration Connection, and Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group and Midwest ADAS, participated in a SEMA panel discussion about ADAS calibration strategies. “The SEMA Show is the largest event we do, and we were excited to be contributing in many ways again this year,” said Poliski.

Enterprise Introduces Enterprise Mobility To Revolutionize Services Enterprise, known for its car rental and fleet management services, announced it is consolidating its vast portfolio of offerings, including car rental, fleet management, vehicle hire, carsharing and technology solutions, under a new corporate brand, Enterprise Mobility. Enterprise Mobility President and CEO Chrissy Taylor expressed the company’s dedication to delivering better mobility experiences: “Since day one, we’ve been inspired by a bold idea: creating better experiences for how the world moves.” This transformation reinforces the commitment of Enterprise’s 90,000-strong global team to innovate intentionally and adapt to the ever-changing needs of its partners, customers and neighbors. Enterprise’s journey began more than six decades ago as a car leasing business, growing since in terms of geographical reach, offerings and customer segments served. The introduction of Enterprise Mobility unites the

full spectrum of services the company offers and underlines its substantial investments in addressing the mobility needs of today and the future. With the announcement, Enterprise Mobility also revealed a new visual identity and corporate purpose: “Advance the world, one journey at a time.” This refreshed visual identity pays homage to the iconic dual parallel lines in the Executive Leasing logo from 1965. “More than just an ‘e’, Enterprise Mobility embodies the incredible journey of our business, both where we come from and where we are going,” Taylor said. Crucially, all Enterprise Mobility brands, such as Enterprise Rent-A-Car, National Car Rental, Alamo and Enterprise Fleet Management, will remain unchanged as key components of its extensive portfolio. To learn more about Enterprise Mobility and its vision for the future of mobility services, visit enterprisemobility.com.

28 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Trust Only Genuine Kia Parts for Your Repair

Gerald Kia of Matteson 708.720.8972

Nations Largest Kia Wholesale Supplier 16 Trucks on the Road Daily Dedicated Wholesale Staff Price Match Aftermarket Parts Covering Two Full States www.geraldkiamatteson.com mattesonkiaparts@geraldauto.com

M-Th 7am-6pm Fri 7am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm 708.720.0657 Fax 5501 Miller Circle Drive Matteson, IL 60443

• Extensive Inventory of OEM Acura Parts at Competitive Prices • Our Concierge Support Helps You Get the Right Parts Everytime • Order Parts On-Line 24/7 Shipping Available

Our parts. Your peace of mind. Hours: Mon 6:30am - 6pm

Call or email us Today!

Tue-Thu 6:30am - 8pm Fri 6:30am - 6pm l Sat 8am - 4pm

800.451.5078 952.887.0600 Direct 952.881.1787 Fax

7801 Lyndale Ave. South l Bloomington, MN 55420 www.bloomingtonacura.com

parts@bloomingtonacura.com

Luther Bloomington

Subaru

Distinctively Different Large Inventory of Genuine Subaru Parts Updated Daily Our Expert Parts Staff is Ready to Serve You Free Daily Deliveries to the Minneapolis Metro Area

800-451-5078 Parts Hours

Mon 6:30am - 6pm; Tue-Thu 6:30am - 8pm Fri 6:30am - 6pm; Sat 8am - 4pm

Parts Direct 952-887-0600 24 Hr. FAX 952-881-1787 parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com www.bloomingtonsubaru.com 7801 Lyndale Ave. South l Bloomington, MN 55420 autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 29

UAW Reaches Tentative Deal With Ford UAW negotiators reached a tentative agreement with Ford on a record contract late Oct. 25—40 days into the union’s strike against the Big Three— and called on Ford strikers to return to work, UAW President Shawn Fain and International Vice President Chuck Browning announced in a video.

will will vote Oct. 29 on whether to send it to the membership. If it does, a Facebook Live event will be held that evening to go through the deal in detail, followed by regional meetings and finally, a vote by members. “For months we’ve said that record profits mean record contracts. And UAW family, our Stand Up Strike has delivered,” Fain said. Browning called the tentative contract “historic” and “life-changing” before listing the details: a 25% general wage increase over the course of the agreement, a 68% increase in starting pay and UAW President Shawn Fain, left, and International Vice a 30% increase President Chuck Browning, right, appear in a video in top pay rate to announcing the deal with Ford more than $40 an hour. Temporary The deal still needs to be workers, who Browning said reviewed by the UAW National- have “been abused” by Ford, Ford Council leadership, which GM and Stellantis for decades,

will see a 150% increase in pay over the life of the contract, and some lower-tier workers at Ford’s Sterling Axle and Rawsonville facilities will see an immediate 85% increase in pay. The deal gave back the UAW “core things we had lost over the years,” Browning said, including the COLA it gave up in 2009 and the three-year progression it had before the Great Recession, and eliminated “divisive” wage tiers at some facilities. The deal also adds to the UAW’s pension multiplier, providing more for retirement for current retirees, members with pensions and members with 401(k)s, Browning said. Finally, the deal made “historic advances in job security,” Browning said, allowing the UAW the right to strike over plant closures. “For decades that was an impossible demand, but through the power of the Stand Up strike, we have made it a reality,” he said. “That means they can’t keep devastating our

communities and closing plants with no consequences. Together, we have made history.” Fain said Ford “knew what was coming for them” if it didn’t strike a deal with the UAW, after seeing the strike hit Stellantis’ and GM’s largest and most profitable plants earlier this week. Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, which builds heavy duty F-series trucks and full-size SUVs, had already been hit Oct. 11. Browning said Ford strikers should go back to work before the tentative agreement is approved to keep the pressure on Stellantis and GM. “The last thing they want is for Ford to get back to full capacity while they mess around and lag behind,” he said. Fain concluded the video by pointing out since the strike began Sept. 15, Ford had put 50% more on the bargaining table. “I want to be clear. We told Ford to pony up and they did,” he said. “We won things nobody thought possible.”

Your Trusted Source for Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter Parts in the Upper Midwest • Only Mercedes-Benz Parts Pro Approved Dealer in the 5 State Area • Highly Knowledgeable and Dedicated Wholesale Parts Staff Ready to Help You • Free Daily Deliveries and Same Day Hot Shot Deliveries in the Metro Area

ORIGINAL BMW PARTS & ACCESSORIES. Large Inventory Competitive Pricing Experienced Staff

Kelly BMW Phone: 614.471.2277 Parts Direct: 614.337.3090 Parts Fax: 614.476.2488 www.kellybmw.com Hours: M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 9am-2pm 4050 Morse Rd., Columbus, OH 43230 ©2023 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. 30 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

• Extensive Inventory of Genuine OEM Mercedes-Benz and Sprinter Parts Updated Daily • Compe ve Pricing and Discounts Always

WHOLESALE HOTLINE

866-821-6014 PARTS DIRECT

952-512-6555 HOURS

M-F 7:00am - 6:00pm Sat 8:00am - 4:00pm

Sears Imported Autos

13500 Wayzata Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55305 952-512-6623 24 Hour Parts Fax www.searsimports.com

mbparts@searsimports.com

Dynabrade Introduces Renny Doyle Series Geared-Dual-Action Polisher At SEMA EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Dynabrade, Inc. introduced a new product during this year’s SEMA Show, the DB8 Geared Dual-Action Polisher, part of the Renny Doyle Signature Series. Doyle is a master detailer and trainer. He owns Detailing Success based in California, is the founder of the Detail Mafia, a group of detailing experts, and is the official detailer of Air Force One.

Pictured, left to right, are Fred Deer, Nischal Sachdev and Kevin Ramirez at the Dynabrade booth in North Hall in front of a 1964 Porsche 356 restored by Stratton Motorsports.

Dynabrade showcased the Geared Dual-Action Polisher, along with its other products and equipment, at two booths during SEMA. Ronald Veiders, Dynabrade’s

director of marketing, said the new electric polisher’s lightweight, low-profile design was built to be precision-balanced and deliver superior power. It can be used with both 5- and 6-inch-diameter backing plates with coordinatingsized polishing pads. An ergonomic extended handle allows for increased operation comfort during use. “We took a lot of ergonomics into consideration, so the handle is more conforming to the hand,” Veiders explained. “Because it’s a low-profile tool, it allows you to see what you’re working on a little bit better than some of the other tools on the market.” Veiders said the polisher has a lockon trigger, which eliminates accidental start-up. “There’s a little switch you can click to keep it on and then move your hand back so you have a little more flexibility in moving the tool,” noted Veiders. Other features include a rubberized tactile grip for user comfort and an electric motor with a 20-foot swivel cord to prevent cord fatigue and extend cord life. Due to its power and design, Veiders said the tool can be used by a wide range of experience levels, from an amateur or “weekend warrior” to a master detailer.

“The polisher also runs a little slower than some other tools to provide more control,” he said.

Pictured, left to right, are Horacio Casillas, Jim Gross and Karen McMullen at the Dynabrade booth in South Upper Hall in front of a 1964 Mercury Comet restored by Casados Design.

He added the polisher is ideal for removing oxidation, haze and correcting imperfections. “It provides a nice shine on a variety of surfaces but it’s not aggressive, so that it won’t damage the clear coat,” explained Veiders. “It gives the proper shine every time.” The polisher is 1000 watts and operates at a speed of 150–350 orbits per minute with a 6.8-mm orbit. He said the geared dual-action motion can even assist experienced operators in avoiding fish eyes and halo patterns. “You’ll always have a consistent

rotation in the orbit as well as the drive, no matter what pressure you’re putting down,” he said. “It really is a smooth tool.” Dynabrade has developed a line of compounds to complement this tool, as well as the company’s other polishers on the market. The company, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, was founded by Walter Welsch in 1969. Welsch developed the first Dynafile Abrasive Belt Tool to improve hand-filing metals and other hard surfaces. At the time, the inventor worked on Wurtlitzer jukeboxes and the Dynafile could be used to deburr and polish the grills. “From that one tool, we’ve expanded into over 1,300 tools sold in more than 90 countries,” said Veiders. These include two of their most popular items, the Dynafile and the palm-style random orbital sanders. Veiders said over the years, the company has earned a reputation for excellence in designing and manufacturing portable pneumatic abrasive tools, accessories and dust collection. “If there’s a surface, we like to think that we’ve either pretreated it or finished it,” said Veiders. “The perfect finish begins and ends with Dynabrade.”

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet

For All Your GM Collision Parts Needs

www.rbhonda.com

derrick@rbhonda.com

Start something special. • 1M+ Inventory of OEM Honda Collision Parts • Professionally Trained Team of WS Parts Specialists Ready to Help You • Fleet of 3 Dedicated Delivery Vehicles For Fast Free Daily Deliveries • Competitive Pricing & Discounts/ Price Matching

Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-2pm

• 1M+ Onsite Inventory of GM Genuine Parts & ACDelco parts Updated Daily

Richfield Bloomington Honda

• Dedicated Team of GM Wholesale Parts

501 West 77th Street Richfield, MN 55423

• Fleet of 4 Delivery Vehicles Throughout the

Parts:

612-866-8197

612-866-9915 24hr Fax M-Th 6:30am-7pm F 6:30am-6pm Sat & Sun 6:30am-5pm

2033 S. Wadsworth l Lakewood, Professionals Ready to Help You CO 80227

Greater Cincinnati metro area and Kentucky

800-582-5253 513-782-2829

513-782-2846 24 Hr. Fax 33 West Kemper Road Springdale, OH 45246

• Competitive Pricing and Discounts

cscott@jakesweeney.com

www.jakesweeneychevy.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 31

Schaefer Autobody Centers Recognized by BBB For Superior Ethics

CCC Introduces Advanced Photo Analysis

Schaefer Autobody Centers has received the prestigious 2023 TORCH Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) in two regions: St. Louis and Columbia, MO, Quality Collision Group announced. Schaefer Autobody Centers, a St. Louis-based collision repairer, joined Quality Collision Group in April, bringing with it 14 locations in Missouri and Southern Illinois. During a luncheon Oct. 3 at the Missouri Athletic Club in St. Louis, Operations Manager Aaron Burchett accepted the award on behalf of Schaefer Autobody Centers, one of only nine recipients in the St. Louis region. BBB St. Louis President and CEO Michelle Corey lauded such organizations, saying, “These organizations are role models for other businesses and nonprofits in the community. They have truly committed themselves to BBB’s mission to advance marketplace trust, and are making a positive impact on their customers and communities.” Schaefer Autobody Centers’ leadership also convened for

CCC Intelligent Solutions announced the next generation of its AI-based photo analysis capabilities, including its first solution that extends into claims handling and ahead of the appraisal process to help users identify potential indemnity amounts earlier. The offerings deliver actionable intelligence following FNOL, enabling insurers to pull forward key decisions that work to optimize and accelerate downstream processing across APD and casualty claims. CCC First Look can help insurers capture accident information sooner on more claims and is designed to ingest photos from various sources—including consumers and salvage providers. CCC Impact Dynamics applies AI to photos of vehicle damage to predict impact severity, which enables insurers to spot injury potential early and inform a series of important decisions including casualty claims segmentation and routing, early settlement opportunities and reserve management.

another 2023 TORCH Award for Ethics in Columbia on Oct. 10, marking a remarkable double win for the company.

Schaefer Autobody Centers leadership gathered on stage at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) TORCH Awards luncheon at the Missouri Athletic Club in Downtown St. Louis, MO.

Matt Robbins, COO at Quality Collision Group, emphasized the company’s commitment to ethical practices. “Schaefer Autobody Centers’ success underscores the exceptional results from our dedication to quality and ethics,” Robbins said. “This recognition reinforces our commitment at Quality Collision Group to upholding the highest ethical standards in the collision repair industry.”

NHTSA Warns of Deadly Risks from Aftermarket Steering Wheel Decals The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) alerted consumers to the lifethreatening dangers posed by aftermarket steering wheel decals, following an incident in which a driver suffered severe injury, losing sight in one eye, when an adorned rhinestone emblem detached during a crash, striking the driver’s face. The force of the deploying airbag transformed the decorative accessory into a dangerous projectile The NHTSA is urging vehicle owners to avoid these potentially lethal accessories and remove any already affixed to their steering wheels. These aftermarket steering wheel decals are typically metal or plastic plates with an adhesive backing that covers the vehicle’s logo at the center of the steering wheel. While they may add a touch of personalization to a car’s interior, their detachment during a collision can lead to devastating consequences. Unlike the factory-installed

logos on steering wheels, these aftermarket decals lack the secure attachment necessary to withstand the force generated by deploying airbags. Consequently, when an airbag is activated, these decals can break free and become hazardous projectiles, putting vehicle occupants at risk of severe injury or fatality. Furthermore, the NHTSA emphasized any modifications or alterations to an airbag or its cover can jeopardize its proper functioning, potentially rendering it ineffective during an accident. Such alterations may include attempts to customize or replace the airbag cover with aftermarket options. In response to these grave safety concerns, the NHTSA is urgently advising consumers to refrain from purchasing aftermarket steering wheel decals for all vehicle makes and models. Additionally, vehicle owners who have already applied these decorative accessories to their steering wheels are strongly urged to remove them immediately.

32 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

The Better Business Bureau’s TORCH Award recognizes high ethical standards based on criteria like customer reviews, company culture and community impact. Schaefer Autobody Centers maintains an “A+” rating and adheres to the principle of “putting integrity into action.” Jaime Matthews, VP at Schaefer Autobody Centers, underlined the business’ commitment to integrity and quality. “The awards from the Better Business Bureau mirror our unwavering dedication to integrity and quality,” Matthews said. “Furthermore, these recognitions reflect Schaefer Autobody Centers’ devotion to ethical excellence, ensuring our continued commitment to customers, suppliers, staff and the community.” Schaefer Autobody Centers previously won the TORCH Award for Ethics in St. Louis in 2010 and in Columbia in 2017. It has been an active BBB member since 2001, holding “Accredited” status since 2009, showcasing its commitment to ethical business practices.

GIVE YOUR CLIENTS peACE OF MIND BY USING HIGH QUALITY VOLVO GENUINE PARTS www.borton.com bvparts@borton.com • We are a Repair Link Provider • Prompt Dependable Delivery • Outstanding Customer Service • Knowledgeable Friendly Parts Team

BORTON VOLVO

905 Hampshire Ave S Golden Valley, MN 55426

Parts Hours

800.328.7114

M-F 7 - 5:30 Sat 7 - 3

612-821-2738 Direct

Laurel Auto Group of Westmont Accidents Happen Insist on Original BMW Parts and Accessories

Laurel BMW of Westmont

430 E Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559

www.laurelbmw.com

• Two Deliveries Daily • 17 Delivery Trucks

Truth in Engineering

Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-3

Phone: (888) 545.6900

Fax: (630) 655.5999

Audi Genuine Parts

Large Inventory of OEM Parts Quick, Courteous Service Knowledgeable Staﬀ Audi Westmont 276 E. Ogden Ave., Westmont, IL 60559 Parts Direct: (630) 230.2222 / Fax: (630) 655.5750 Hours: M-F 7-6 / Sat 8-4 www.audiwestmont.com

Mercedes-Benz of Westmont • Large Inventory • Exceptional Service 200 E. Ogden Ave Westmont, IL 60559 www.mercedesbenzofwestmont.com

Phone: Fax:

(630) 654.1039 (630) 654.8167

GENUINE PARTS

Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 33

AirPro Diagnostics Auggie Mobile Device Meets IIHS and NHTSA Standards For Calibration EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Autobody News Staff AirPro Diagnostics announced Oct. 31 its mobile static calibration device, the Auggie, has met two national organizations’ vehicle requirements to complete a safe Forward-Facing Camera (FFC) calibration. They include the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The announcement occurred during the 2023 SEMA Show, following independent testing by IIHS and NHTSA. “This independent testing to the IIHS and NHTSA standards now validates the claims we have made that the Auggie is safe and OEM-compatible,” said Josh McFarlin, president and COO of AirPro Diagnostics. The testing was conducted by FT Techno of America (FTTA), an independent vehicle evaluation company, at the Fowlerville Proving Grounds in southeast Michigan. The 950-acre facility employs professional engineering and operations staff and has multiple test tracks. These include a 3-mile oval track, a handling course to test vehicle dynamics, ride and handling, and a 300-by-500foot multi-purpose pad designed for testing and development of ADAS and

autonomous technologies. Established in 2016, AirPro Diagnostics focuses on remote diagnostics, scanning, programming and ADAS calibration solutions for the automotive repair industry. The company introduced the Auggie to the collision industry in 2021 during the Texas Auto Body Trade Show.

Pictured, left to right, are AirPro Diagnostics President and COO Josh McFarlin, CEO Lonnie Margol and Brian Evces, senior vice president of sales and business development.

The patented mobile device was designed to serve the automotive service sectors with quick and safe FFC calibrations. McFarlin said the Auggie renders ADAS targets and lighting conditions using machine learning and computer vision according to the OEM’s requirements. It works with most major scan tools. Because the calibration process can

be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional systems, McFarlin said shops can bring calibration in-house and be more productive and profitable. Since introducing the Auggie, McFarlin has found customers appreciate not having to contend with challenges such as needing a large space with a level floor, lighting requirements, vehicle fuel level, vehicle payload and other environmental concerns. The company completed in-depth research and testing on the product before and after its launch to ensure accurate results and safe and proper calibration. “Everybody on our team is very confident that it’s a product that does what we say it does,” said McFarlin. Earlier this year, the AirPro team set out to prove the equipment can complete a successful calibration. After talking to multiple test facilities about testing the tool, AirPro moved forward with onsite testing to evaluate the Auggie. For the IIHS testing, McFarlin said a 2023 Toyota Camry was chosen since it was one of the vehicles IIHS has tested in both daytime and nighttime scenarios and received a superior rating. After calibrating the vehicle with the Auggie, vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking (AEB) and Pedestrian AEB were evaluated during the daytime and

nightime. The vehicle completed 16 IIHS tests and received the highest possible rating—superior. McFarlin explained the IIHS nighttime pedestrian testing is a series of the most challenging tests for an FFC and only a very small percentage of vehicles earn a superior rating. “AirPro is especially proud of the ‘superior’ rating we achieved on IIHS testing,” said McFarlin. “This further confirms the efforts of our engineers and testing personnel, who over the last five years, have worked diligently to validate our patented solution on thousands of vehicles to ensure the safety and accuracy of our tested and proven Auggie.” NHTSA NCAP Testing was then conducted using Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) or AEB and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) test scenarios on a 2023 Nissan Rogue calibrated with Auggie. The Nissan successfully passed all CIB and LDW tests performed to NHTSA standards. The tests included both Solid and Dashed Line scenarios for LDW along with CIB/AEB testing on a moving and stationary vehicle. Additional CIB/ AEB testing was successfully performed on a stationary pedestrian to a hybrid of current ADAS standards. For more information, airprodiagnostics.com/auggie.

Classic BMW 440-585-9990 Mon-Fri 7am-6pm Sat 7am-3pm

2571 SOM Center Road Willoughby HIlls, OH 44094 bmwparts@drieclassic.com www.claasicbmw.com

• Fast Free Daily Delivery • Large Inventory of GM Genuine Parts • Professional Responsive Parts Specialists Ready to Help

NEED PARTS? Choose original mini parts. Classic MINI 2571 SOM Center Road Willoughby Hills, OH 44094

440-585-9990 Hours: Mon-Fri 7-6 Sat 7-3

OPS TRAX CCC1 OE Connection

Free Delivery to Akron & Youngstown.

34 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Hours

M-F 7-6 l Sat 8-2

877-552-2580

Parts Direct

734-793-6000 Fax 734-793-1101/1102 4000 West Highland Road Highland, MI 48357 kmason@lafontaine.com www.lafontainegm.com

visit

South Dakota Entrepreneurs Receive Abra Top Gun Award

Former Nikola CEO Ordered To Pay $165M in Damages

Mike Brown, Doug Sharp and Chet Lockwood, the multi-store owners of Abra Brookings, Abra Faribault, Abra Watertown and Abra Mitchell-SD in South Dakota, were recently named winners of the Abra Top Gun Award at the Driven Brands U.S. collision conference in Kissimmee, FL.

Teslarati

of ownership prior to joining the Abra network, Brown, Sharp and Lockwood have maintained operational excellence in every facet of the business while effectively and efficiently managing four locations. The best-in-class service they provide is evidenced by their 4.8 Google Star rating based on more than 600 satisfied customer reviews. Abra Brookings and Abra Waterdown also places an emphasis on community engagement, hosting events with local partners such as the Uncle Sam Jam this past summer. “We are so proud of our team,” said Pictured, left to right, are Wayne Kelly, Chet Lockwood. “We could not Lockwood, Sabrina Thring and Damien Reyna. do what we do without them, and could not Abra’s Top Gun Award is have achieved this recognition. presented to multi-store owners We made the transition to Abra who embody the Abra mindset in more than two years ago and we everything they do. retained all of our employees. They With more than two decades are a great group of people.”

By Simon Alvarez A regulatory filing from Nikola revealed former CEO and founder Trevor Milton has been ordered to pay the company about $165 million in damages. The update appears to have been appreciated by investors, as NKLA stock ended the day up 8.9%. Nikola said an arbitration panel in New York determined earlier in October the company was due the funds for costs and damages it incurred due to its previous CEO’s controversial actions. “[Nikola] had sought reimbursement from its founder and former executive chairman for costs and damages arising from actions that were the subject of government and regulatory investigations, including the December 2021 SEC settlement and associated civil penalty. The company intends to file with the arbitration

panel an application to recover attorneys’ fees related to the matter,” the filing read. As noted in a CNBC report, Nikola agreed in December 2021 to pay a fine of $125 million to the SEC to settle allegations the company defrauded investors about its products, business prospects and technology. Nikola is also looking to secure reimbursement for its attorney fees. Prior to his controversial resignation from Nikola in September 2020, Milton was considered by media outlets one of the up-and-coming leaders in the sustainable transport sector. Milton’s unraveling was triggered by an expose from Hindenburg Research, which accused Nikola of making false statements about its projects, like the Nikola One. Milton was found guilty in federal court in 2022 of three counts of fraud. His sentencing is expected to be held Nov. 28.

• Extensive Inventory of Genuine Mazda OEM Parts • Team of Wholesale Parts Specialists Ready to Help You • Free Next Day Delivery throughout Greater Minneapolis/St Paul Metro Area • Price Matching through the Mazda Collision Parts Advantage Program

Parts Direct 800-328-5714 952-797-1195 952-525-8958 24 Hour Fax parts.mazda@morries.com

www.morriesmazda.com

ORIGINAL BMW PARTS & ACCESSORIES. Large Inventory of Genuine BMW Parts Competitive Pricing and Discounts Professional and Experienced Wholesale Staff

BMW of Des Moines Phone: 515-446-3660 Parts Fax: 515-278-2917 Hours: M-F 8am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-4pm

www.bmwdesmoines.com jcarlson@lithia.com Parts M-Th 7am-7pm F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm

9997 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA 50322 13700 Wayzata Blvd. Minnetonka, MN 55305

Orders accepted through Collision Link, Parts Trader and OPS Trax ©2023 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 35

Average Length of Repair Soars To 23.1 Days in 2023, But Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Rises In 2023, the average time for auto repairs has reached a staggering 23.1 days, a significant increase of 6.2 days from the previous year and more than double the duration in 2021, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Surprisingly, despite the prolonged repair cycles and lingering parts shortages, customer satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process has improved this year, reaching an overall score of 878 on a 1,000-point scale. The study credits this boost in satisfaction to insurers’ efforts to manage customer expectations and improve digital communication. “It’s really a testament to strong client management processes and improved digital communications,” said Mark Garrett, director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. “Insurers have been able to earn significantly higher auto claim satisfaction scores at a time when costs and rates are rising---even though it’s never taken longer to get a vehicle

repaired. Notable, too, is that insurers that have improved the most in overall satisfaction have done so in two key customer areas: showing concern for their situation at the beginning of the process and keeping them informed. Being empathetic toward the customer situation goes a long way in building trust with them.”

Key Findings Overall Satisfaction Improves: The overall satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process has increased by 5 points to 878 on a 1,000-point scale. This improvement can be attributed to enhancements in various aspects of the claims experience, including settlement, first notice of loss (FNOL), claim servicing, estimation process and repair process. The only factor that declined this year is rental experience, which fell by 2 points. Record Repair Cycle Times: Despite the improved overall satisfaction, the time it takes for vehicles to be repaired has never

Schaefer Autobody Golf Tournament Raises Record $80k For St. Louis Children’s Hospital Schaefer Autobody Centers donated $80,000 to St. Louis Children’s Hospital, following its annual David Ian Charity Golf Tournament, held Sept. 25. This generous contribution, marking a new record in the tournament’s history, will make a significant impact on children and their families at Children’s Hospital. The David Ian Charity Golf Tournament serves as a loving tribute to David Ian Schaefer, the late son of Scott and Sarah Schaefer. Born in 2015 with severe birth defects, David’s brave battle with illness ended tragically in early 2016. In memory of their beloved son, the Schaefer family has been hosting this golf tournament every September. Scott and Sarah Schaefer have expressed deep gratitude for the exceptional care their son received at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. Despite the brevity of their time there, the impact left an indelible mark on their hearts. Their experience also introduced them to numerous other families

navigating the challenging path of caring for a critically ill child in need of medical treatment. “Reflecting on our experience, I want to emphasize the journey families endure when tending to an ailing child,” the Schaefers said in a joint statement. “We are profoundly thankful for the remarkable acts of kindness demonstrated by individuals and local businesses within the community, all in support of Children’s Hospital. These selfless efforts have touched our hearts and left us with a sense of gratitude for how they have collectively contributed to improving the lives of both the children receiving care and the families providing support.” The success was made possible with the support of presenting sponsors Bommarito Auto Group, LKQ/AkzoNobel and Wanetta and Steven Henry, along with more than two dozen other St. Louis area companies who sponsored the tournament. The next David Ian Charity Golf Tournament is already scheduled for Sept. 23, 2024.

36 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

been longer. The average repair cycle time from FNOL to returning the vehicle to the claimant now stands at 23.1 days, marking a significant increase of 6.2 days compared to 2022 levels. Before the pandemic, the average cycle time was only 12 days. Impact on Rental Car Satisfaction: The prolonged repair cycles have adversely affected rental car satisfaction. An increasing percentage of customers report their rental period is not long enough or they are incurring out-of-pocket expenses, resulting in a 32-point drop in overall rental satisfaction for repairable claims when the car is needed for 15 days or more. Alignment with Customer Preferences: The study highlights the importance of aligning processes with customer preferences. Digital interactions have contributed to increased satisfaction, particularly among those who prefer digital channels. However, satisfaction declines among customers who prefer more personal interactions but

Bollans Joins CREF Board of Directors The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) welcomed Kristle Bollans, senior director of replacement accounts for The Hertz Corporation, to its Board of Directors. Bollans’ industry experience began 20 years ago with The Hertz Corporation, where she held positions in both the airport and offairport divisions. In her current role as senior director of replacement accounts, she oversees the carrier and body shop rental management program for North America. Prior to joining CREF’s board, Bollans has spent many years working with CREF, coordinating volunteers for local career fairs and volunteering herself. For more than five years, she has participated on the scholarship selection team. In addition to sitting on CREF’s board, Bollans serves on the Board of Directors for the National Auto Body Council and for the Women’s Industry Network. Additionally, she participates on the Advisory Committee for Madison College’s collision repair program.

are directed to digital processes. Aligning processes to preferences is key, as customers increasingly want personal interactions, resulting in increased satisfaction. Digital FNOL Usage: The study found nearly one-fourth (24%) of auto claimants are using digital FNOL methods to report a claim, with 13% using an insurer’s mobile app and 10% using the insurer’s website. In terms of rankings, Amica Mutual secured the highest overall customer satisfaction for a second consecutive year with a score of 909, followed by Erie Insurance at 902 and NJM Insurance Co. at 900. As auto insurance repair times continue to climb, this study underscores the importance of effective customer management and digital communication in maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Customers can benefit from exploring digital channels for reporting claims, while insurers must continue to refine their processes to align with customer preferences.

BUERKLE HONDA

3360 Hwy. 61 North St. Paul, MN 55110

651-484-0975 651-484-1970 Fax www.buerklehonda.com Fue.yang@buerkle.com

Wholesale Parts Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm n Large Inventory n Wide Delivery Area

Opus IVS Launches ADAS Map Opus IVS™ introduced ADAS Map, a comprehensive software platform designed to identify ADAS systems, their components, precise component locations, necessary calibrations and the underlying reasons for these calibrations. This technology automatically reviews CCC or Mitchell estimates and provides a detailed presentation of a specific vehicle’s ADAS requirements. Seamlessly integrated with CCC, Mitchell, Opus IVS DriveSafe and the Opus IVS CoPilot platforms, ADAS Map streamlines the entire calibration process with unprecedented efficiency. One of the key features of ADAS Map is its automated reporting system, which swiftly places pertinent information in the CCC attachments tab, ensuring a seamless workflow. Additionally, the integration with ALLDATA further solidifies ADAS Map as the ultimate goto solution for comprehensive automotive diagnostic and calibration needs.

Supreme Court Won’t Hear Minnesota ‘Clean Car’ Challenge by Scott McClallen The Center Square

The U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear an auto group’s challenge of Minnesota adopting “clean car rules” that will require automakers to introduce more low-emission vehicles. Minnesota will be the first Midwest state to enact strict tailpipe emissions and require automakers to offer more electric and hybrid vehicles, taking effect with the 2025 model year. The Minnesota Court of Appeals upheld the standard adopted by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in 2021. Minnesota Auto Dealers Association President Scott Lambert said the group is “disappointed” about the ruling that will raise consumer prices. “We believe using California’s rules is not a good fit for Minnesota,” Lambert said in a statement. “Minnesota dealers are happy to sell customers electric vehicles if those customers choose to purchase them. But we are not in favor of a mandate that requires us

Michigan

to stock vehicles that have very little demand.” Gov. Tim Walz’s office hasn’t yet responded to a request for comment.

“Minnesota dealers are happy to sell customers electric vehicles if those customers choose to purchase them. But we are not in favor of a mandate that requires us to stock vehicles that have very little demand.” — SCOTT LAMBERT

MINNESOTA AUTO DEALERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT

Minnesota adopted the rule to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transportation, which accounts for a quarter of overall GHG emissions statewide. Federal data as of 2022 say there are 4.1 million gasoline vehicles, 531,500 E85, 127,300 diesel vehicles, and 46,900 biodiesel vehicles statewide. Minnesota has 41,417 registered

Ohio

EVs with a goal of 1 million by 2030. To reach that goal, Minnesota must register 136,940 vehicles annually until 2030, or 11,411 vehicles every month for the next seven years. Lawmakers allotted $10 million for an EV rebate program to boost demand but the program has no start date. “The Walz Administration’s unilateral decision to avoid legislative debate on this issue and impose California regulations on Minnesota through rulemaking did not take into account the economic harm to our industry or the complications for consumers,” Lambert said in a statement. The new standard will require vehicles to meet low emission vehicle and zero-emission vehicle requirements similar to those already adopted in 11 states. The LEV standard requires automakers to introduce cleaner and more fuel-efficient vehicles that emit less greenhouse gas and pollutants. The ZEV program requires manufacturers to offer consumers an increasing number of cars, SUVs and pickup trucks powered by electricity.

MAPLE HILL HYUNDAI

CLASSIC HYUNDAI

GANLEY WESTSIDE HYUNDAI

800-323-0022

440-266-6750

440-734-9375

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

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

Missouri

COLUMBIA HYUNDAI

Ballwin 14754 Manchester Rd.

513-489-6333

Kalamazoo 5622 W. Main St.

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

The RIGHT COLLISION PARTS

DEAN TEAM HYUNDAI

FOR YOUR COLLISION JOB.

636-591-0509 Fax

636-591-0507 Mon-Fri 7am - 5pm

Mentor 8460 Tyler Blvd.

440-266-6763 Fax

North Olmsted 25600 Lorain Rd.

440-686-3426 Fax Mon-Fri 8am - 6pm

nicholas.b@ganleywestside.com

Cincinnati 10981 Montgomery Road

866-381-9975 Fax

Mon-Fri 8am - 5:30pm; Sat 8am-12pm

columbiaparts@josephauto.com www.columbiahyundai.com

Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 37

Automakers Report October Sales Results Automakers on Nov. 1 began releasing new-vehicle sales data, which were mostly positive.

Subaru Subaru of America, Inc. reported 15 consecutive months of increased sales with 53,772 vehicles sold for October 2023, a 10.7% increase compared with October 2022 (48,568).

remained the top performer by volume for the fourth month in a row with 15,479 vehicle sales and an increase of 29% over the same month in 2022. Crosstrek and Outback posted robust sales of 13,768 and 12,396 vehicle sales respectively, while Legacy sales remained strong with an 88% increase compared to the same period in 2022.

Mazda

SOA also reported year-todate sales of 520,995, a 15.9% increase compared with the same period in 2022. In October, Solterra achieved its best-ever month, building upon five consecutive months of sales increases. Forester

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total October sales of 23,504 vehicles, a decrease of 7.2% compared to October 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 296,121 vehicles, an increase of 23% compared to the same time last year. With 25 selling days in October, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 3.5% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 4,836 vehicles in October, an increase of 9% compared to October 2022. The CX-50 had its best-

ever October sales, with 3,168 vehicles sold, and the CX-30 saw its second-best October sales, with 5,908 vehicles sold.

Kia Kia America, continuing its streak of year-over-year growth for 15 consecutive months, achieved an all-time high October sales record with 59,164 units sold, despite a decrease in business days compared to the previous year. Kia’s EV models saw a yearover-year increase of 83%, with the EV6 in particular setting an all-time October sales record, surging by 30% compared to the same month the previous year. In October, six models, including Carnival (+172%); Rio (+44%); EV6 (+30%); K5 (+7%); Forte (+5%) and Telluride (+4%), recorded increased sales compared to the same month the previous year. Carnival and EV6 achieved their highest October sales records and Kia’s SUV lineup accounted for 71% of October sales, leading the way in overall sales.

Hyundai Hyundai Motor America reported total October sales of 60,805 units, a 0.3% increase compared with October 2022, the 15th month in a row Hyundai has seen increases in total sales. Hyundai set total sales records in October for Elantra HEV (+15%), IONIQ 5 (+89%), Santa Fe HEV (+81%), Tucson PHEV (+170%) and Tucson HEV (+14%). Hyundai also announced the Winter Sales Event of 0.0% APR financing for up to 60 months plus 90-days deferred on 2024 Tucson ICE and 2023 Santa Fe ICE and HEV for well-qualified buyers. Hyundai sold 54,145 retail units in October, a 7% yearover-year decline from October 2022. October retail sales were led by IONIQ 5, Santa Fe HEV, Tucson PHEV, Tucson HEV and Kona. Hyundai ecofriendly vehicle sales of 11,286 represented 21% of retail and a 49% year-over-year increase. SUVs represented 81% of the retail sales mix.

TRUST FORD PARTS CERTIFIED PARTS WHOLESALING DEALERS IOWA

MICHIGAN

OHIO

WISCONSIN

Charles Gabus Ford

Jack Demmer Ford

Dick Masheter Ford

Hiller Ford

800-362-1679 515-270-9095 515-270-5008 Fax

734-721-2550 734-721-0980 Fax

614-861-3971 614-861-8251 Fax

414-425-3085 800-462-4685 414-529-1014 Fax

DES MOINES

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

KANSAS

Rusty Eck Ford WICHITA

316-685-9131 316-685-7759 Fax

SOUTHEAST

Hours: M-F 8-6

parts@demmer.com

Varsity Ford ANN ARBOR

734-996-2411 734-996-5917 Fax Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-2

wholesaleparts@varsityford.com

Hours: M-F 8-5

38 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

COLUMBUS

Hours: M-F 7-6

parts@masheter.com

FRANKLIN

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

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

Call Any of These Wholesale Parts Dealers Below Illinois

Michigan

Minnesota

Ohio

Piehl Motors

Ed Rinke Chevrolet Buick GMC

Mills Parts Center WILLMAR

#1 Cochran Chevy Buick GMC

586-497-4100

866-235-6700 Fax

800-476-0760

M, Th 8 am - 9 pm T, W, F 8 am - 6 pm

Missouri

PRINCETON

800-845-8964 815-875-4411 815-875-4293 Fax

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

CENTER LINE

586-754-5030 Fax

Indiana

LaFontaine Buick GMC Cadillac

Schepel Buick GMC

877-552-2580

MERRILLVILLE

800-588-7757

219-769-7757 219-755-0339 Fax M-F 7:30 am - 5 pm parts@schepel.com

HIGHLAND

734-793-6000 734-793-1101 /1102 Fax M-F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 2 pm

kmason@lafontaine.com

800-247-1158

YOUNGSTOWN

M-F 8 am - 5:30 pm

330-726-2297 330-726-0709 Fax

Mon-Thu 7am-6pm Fri 7am-5:30pm Sat 7am-3pm matt.fullerton@cochran.com

Bob McCosh GM COLUMBIA

800-800-8071

Jake Sweeney Chevrolet

573-449-4103 573-441-5632 Fax

SPRINGDALE

800-582-5253

M-F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 7 am - 3 pm gmparts@bmcmail.com

513-782-2829 513-782-2846 Fax

North Dakota

Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC

Iowa

GRAND FORKS

Shottenkirk Automotive

701-746-0412 701-335-2556 24 Hr Fax

877-310-0513

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

888-945-3729 Fax

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

Joseph Chevrolet CINCINNATI

800-354-7278

FORT MADISON

M-F 7:30 am – 6 pm Sat 8 am – 2 pm cscott@jakesweeney.com www.jakesweeneychevy.com

800-752-1423 513-741-6735 513-741-3814 Fax

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

Ohio

Michigan

Wisconsin

Classic Chevrolet

BettenBaker Chevrolet Buick GMC

Ivan Gandrud Chevrolet

MENTOR

800-352-7276

800-352-7275 24-HR Fax

ALMA

M-F 8 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 3pm

888-229-2336

989-463-0456 Fax

GREEN BAY

800-242-2844

920-468-3658 920-468-3673 Fax M-F 7 am - 7 pm Sat 7 am - 2 pm parts@gandrud.com

M-F 7:30 am - 6 pm dsitts@bettenbaker.com

@GMParts.ACDelco

GM Genuine Parts & ACDelco

@GMParts_ACDelco

@gmparts_acdelco

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 39

Experian Launches Data Network To Combat Rising Fraud in Auto Loans Experian unveiled the Hunter Automotive Fraud Alliance, a collaborative data network to assist automotive lenders nationwide share real-time fraud intelligence, minimizing the risk of fraud while preserving a positive customer experience. The Hunter Automotive Fraud Alliance encourages participating lenders to contribute historical data, including previous instances of suspected and confirmed fraudulent applications. This data is then leveraged to provide member organizations with valuable insights into potential fraud risks. When new loan applications are received, they are meticulously cross-referenced with a comprehensive database that includes both internal and external data sources, along with the shared fraud database, enabling the identification of data anomalies and other indicators of suspicious activity. Hunter calculates a fraud score for each application, allowing lenders to make more informed

Caliber’s TAP Program Hits Milestone Caliber’s innovative Technician Apprenticeship Program (TAP) recently graduated its 1,000th apprentice and announced the enrollment of an additional 2,000 apprentices, a strong response to the growing demand for skilled auto body technicians in the automotive industry. The TAP program, a cornerstone of Caliber’s commitment to “Restoring the Rhythm of Your Life,” emphasizes practical training and hands-on experience. It has been instrumental in not only equipping individuals with vital skills but also in addressing the industry-wide shortage of qualified technicians. The program’s success also points to a larger trend in the industry towards investing in specialized training programs to bridge skill gaps. With technological advancements and evolving customer expectations shaping the automotive landscape, programs like TAP are becoming increasingly crucial.

lending decisions. This datadriven approach empowers lenders to stay ahead of fraudsters who are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their tactics.

sector alone, Hunter has been adopted by organizations in five countries, collectively saving an impressive $684 million in potential fraud losses each year. Participating clients in the Hunter network report a substantial 35% increase “The Hunter Automotive in fraud detection rates. The alliance also addresses the issue Fraud Alliance harnesses of “false positives.” By reducing the power of advanced these false alarms, the alliance data and analytics and streamlines the application process, significantly improving empowers automotive the overall customer experience. lenders to share fraud The Hunter Automotive intelligence to identify Fraud Alliance will debut in the U.S. in early 2024. “We suspicious activity, have long been committed to mitigate fraud losses, and helping businesses anticipate protect their customers.” future fraud risks and verify — JOHN GRAY consumers’ identities, said John PRESIDENT OF EXPERIAN AUTOMOTIVE IN NORTH AMERICA. Gray, president of Experian Automotive in North America. “The Hunter Automotive Fraud Experian’s Hunter system Alliance harnesses the power of has already demonstrated its advanced data and analytics and effectiveness in combating empowers automotive lenders fraud. It is currently in use by to share fraud intelligence to more than 360 organizations identify suspicious activity, in 17 countries, across various mitigate fraud losses, and industries. In the automotive protect |their Quarter Page (no bleed) 4˝ xcustomers.” 5˝

2024 WIN MIW Nominations Open Nominations for the Most Influential Women (MIW) award, sponsored by the Women’s Industry Network (WIN), will be accepted through Jan. 5. Nominations of women working in any segment of the collision repair industry across the U.S. and Canada are welcome, and the recipients will be recognized at the annual WIN Educational Conference, May 6-8, 2024, in Newport Beach, CA. Nominees are reviewed and interviewed by an independent selection committee comprised of industry professionals, past MIW recipients and WIN members who do not currently serve in the network’s leadership capacity. WIN acquired stewardship of the program in 2013 and continues to evolve the program to align with WIN’s mission. For more information or to download a nomination form, visit thewomensindustrynetwork.siteym.com/page/MIW

AUTOBODY

Sometimes, “slow and steady” just isn’t an option Quality repairs and the possibility for quicker turnarounds—Genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts help provide the work your customers need at the speed of satisfaction.

MICHIGAN

Choose Original MINI Parts.

MISSOURI

Maple Hill Volkswagen Kalamazoo

Molle Volkswagen Kansas City

Direct 269-978-0191 Fax: 269-342-0065 M-F 8am-5:30pm www.maplehillauto.com

816-941-1969 M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-3pm jbarczak@mollevw.com ewolf@molleautogroup.com

800-323-0022

OHIO

MISSOURI

Dean Team Volkswagen of Ballwin Ballwin

636-227-6527 Fax: 636-591-0071 M-F 7am-5pm

Ohio

816-941-4969

Byers Volkswagen Columbus

Classic MINI Willoughby Hills 440-585-9990 Parts (440) 347-9723 Fax M-F 7-6; Sat 7-3 classicmini.com

614-552-5490

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

40 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com 58720554-013-23-VW_2023_10Missions_Autobody_News_Wholesale_Assets_hz4.indd 1

7/31/23 5:41 PM

Most People Not Embracing Robotaxis in Their Community Consumers are not comfortable with the testing and deployment of robotaxis1 on their city streets, according to the inaugural J.D. Power U.S. Robotaxi Experience Study, released Oct. 19. The study provides the first consumer feedback from robotaxi riders and those who have interacted with robotaxis as non-riders in their community. Findings show only 27% of nonriders are comfortable sharing the road with robotaxis and just 20% of all consumers nationally are comfortable with AV technology being tested on streets and highways near them. However, robotaxi riders— who are new-tech adopters— are critical ambassadors for AV technology, as most tend to tout a positive experience. Consumer confidence in AV technology is fragile and positive first-hand experiences tend to build consumer trust. Among riders, 47% gained trust during a ride and 51% maintained their already high level of trust in the technology during a ride. It is notable only 2% of riders lost trust

in robotaxi capability during a ride experience. These positive firsthand experiences can help educate other consumers, providing balance to news coverage that often focuses solely on the negative aspects of AVs. While many non-riders express concern for their safety and lack of trust in the technology as reasons they have not yet ridden in an AV, 81% express a desire to hear about others’ experiences before they ride in one. “Automated vehicle technology is built on the promise of alleviating distracted driving, impaired driving and collisions attributed to human error,” said Kathleen Rizk, senior director of user experience benchmarking and technology at J.D. Power. “However, the benefits result from consumer acceptance, which is why it’s imperative to ensure these first deployments are flawless— not only for the riders but also especially for those who are not early adopters, including nonriders who are experiencing AVs in their community and those

learning from a distance through social media and other news outlets.”

Key Findings Inquisitive consumers drive initial robotaxi usage: As with most new technologies, consumer interest in robotaxi usage is garnered by general curiosity (40%) and recommendations from a friend or colleague (37%). However, for the service to thrive and to establish repeat ridership, it must be viewed as more than a novelty since few riders use the service to multi-task (25%); avoid parking (22%); or don’t have the ability to drive short distances (e.g., intoxicated/under the influence of controlled substance) (18%). Robotaxi riders’ critical needs not being met by current services: The four attributes that consumers perceive as important to consideration of using a robotaxi also have the lowest levels of satisfaction. They are cost to ride; service area coverage; accessibility for disabled passengers; and customer support during the ride.

Improving performance of these key metrics is imperative for longterm adoption. Most riders don’t think robotaxis drive better than humans: Despite the marketing hype of AVs making roads safer, nearly 60% of both riders and non-riders say they don’t think a robotaxi drives any better than a human. Those who say they think a robotaxi drives better associate it with obeying traffic laws, while those who say a robotaxi drives worse than a human mention abrupt and unnecessary stopping, as well as causing collisions/incidents. The U.S. Robotaxi Experience Study is based on responses from 408 consumers residing in Phoenix and San Francisco where robotaxi companies (e.g., Waymo, Cruise) are testing and deploying vehicles. To qualify, respondents had to ride in a fully automated, self-driving robotaxi or see a fully automated, self-driving robotaxi. These two groups of participants are classified as riders and nonriders, respectively. The study was fielded in July.

YOU ONLY GET ONE CHANCE AT THE FIRST REPAIR. Original BMW Parts & Accessories.

Illinois

Laurel BMW of Westmont

Westmont 630-230-2890 Direct Wholesale M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-3pm www.laurelbmw.com

Iowa

BMW of Des Moines

Urbandale 515-446-3660 515-278-2917 Fax M-F 8am-5:30pm Sat 8am-4pm jcarlson@lithia.com www.bmwdesmoines.com

Michigan

Zeigler BMW

Kalamazoo 269-375-5444 M-F 8am-5pm mattfales@zeigler.com

Missouri

Ohio

Kelly BMW

Columbus 614-471-2277 614-476-2488 Fax M-F 8am-6pm Sat 9am-2pm www.kellybmw.com

Autohaus BMW

St. Louis 888-811-6199 314-880-8428 Fax M-F 7am-6pm brian.fischer@bmwautohaus.com ©2023 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks. autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 41

White House Holds Round Table Discussion on Right To Repair Efforts State legislative leaders and industry representatives from around the U.S. convened at the White House on Oct. 24 to discuss how to ensure consumers retain the right to repair what they own, including their vehicles. The discussion, hosted by the National Economic Council, focused on how original manufacturers’ increasing use of repair restrictions, like patent abuse, hurt small businesses and consumers alike. “From smartphones to wheelchairs to cars to farm equipment, too often manufacturers make it difficult to access spare parts, manuals and tools necessary to make fixes,” said Lael Brainard, director of the NEC. “So it doesn’t only cost consumers money, but it also prevents independent repair shops from competing in this business and it creates unnecessary waste from reducing the lifespan of these devices.” Representing automotive

repairers in the discussion was Don Jones, senior vice president at Allstate and a member of the CAR Coalition. Jones talked about how bipartisan bills like Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) and Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) acts would increase consumer choice and promote a healthy car repair market for vehicle owners. “One way to increase consumer choice is to bolster aftermarket part manufacturing,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, the manufacturing of aftermarket parts has been severely limited due to OEM use of design patents on basic cosmetic car parts. “The good news is, there is a solution,” Jones continued. “Simply, the bipartisan SMART Act will provide customers with increased options and choice—saving them money and potentially getting their vehicle repaired more quickly.” Jones said it has become increasingly difficult for

independent repair shops to service newer vehicles with more advanced technology without the same wireless access to car data that dealers have. “The REPAIR Act, another bill with broad bipartisan support, would promote consumer choice by allowing car owners to wirelessly access and securely share their own vehicle-generated data with independent repair facilities of their choosing,” he said. Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition, said the event was a “welcome sign of the growing bipartisan support for enacting national right to repair protections.” “Nationwide, consumers want more affordable repair options—not less,” Rzepka said. “As car repair prices continue to climb, bipartisan federal legislation, like the SMART and REPAIR Acts, would bring much-needed relief to American consumers and small businesses alike.”

MISSOURI

Maple Hill Subaru

Dean Team Subaru

MINNESOTA

Think Genuine Subaru Parts.

Luther Bloomington Subaru Bloomington (800) 451-5078 Direct (952) 887-0600 (952) 881-1787 Fax Mon 6:30-6; Tue-Fri 6:30-9; Sat 8-4 parts@bloomingtonsubaru.com www.bloomingtonsubaru.com

Morrie’s Brooklyn Park Subaru We’re focused on getting you the Genuine Subaru Parts you need — fast and competitively priced. Put us to the test on your next Subaru repair or service job.

42 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Mitchell and Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) announced they renewed a contract naming Mitchell program administrator of the Mazda Collision Network in the U.S. Launched in 2021, the network gives vehicle owners access to certified facilities specially equipped to deliver proper and safe Mazda repairs. The new program features put greater emphasis on consumer marketing. Following last year’s release of the Mazda Collision Network online facility locator, the manufacturer added program information to its MyMazda mobile app. The app allows Mazda owners to schedule service appointments, locate nearby dealers, access automobile manuals, request roadside assistance and stay up to date with recalls. Now it can also be used to find nearby Mazdacertified shops. Additionally, to increase network visibility, program information is in the glove box of every new car and Mazda plans to soon provide active facilities with a plaque.

MICHIGAN

Kalamazoo (800) 323-0022 Direct (269) 978-0191 (269) 342-0065 Fax Mon-Fri 8-5:30 www.maplehillauto.com

The following dealerships are eager to serve your needs. Call your local Subaru collision parts specialist today!

Mazda, Mitchell Renew Agreement

Brooklyn Park (800) 343-6999 (763) 765-1462 (763) 765-1487 Fax Mon-Fri 7-7; Sat 8-5 bpsubaruparts@morries.com www.brooklynparksubaru.com

Ballwin (636) 227-6527 (636) 591-0071 Fax Mon-Fri 7-5 OHIO

Byers Airport Subaru Columbus (614) 552-5490 Mon-Fri 7:30-6; Sat 8-12 wholesaleparts@byersauto.com

Ken Ganley Subaru North Olmsted North Olmsted Toll Free (888) 850-0633 Direct (440) 788-7060 (440) 788-7085 Fax Mon-Fri 8-7 Tue-Fri 8-6 Sat 8-5 jtjoyce@ganleywestside.com

We’ve Got Your Parts Covered 100% Genuine. No Exceptions.

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

Find your local Kia dealership today at www.kia.com

ILLINOIS

MICHIGAN

MISSOURI

NO. DAKOTA

Gerald Kia of Matteson

Kia of Lansing

Lou Fusz Kia

Kia of Fargo

Matteson (708) 720-8972 (708) 720-0657 Fax M, W, F 6am-5pm Tu, Th 6am-7pm; Sat 8am-2pm

Lansing (517) 393-5700 (517) 393-6767 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm mattr@lansingisyoung.com www.kiaoflansing.com

Raymond Kia

Seelye Kia of Kalamazoo

mattesonkiaparts@geraldauto.com www.geraldkiamatteson.com

Antioch (847) 395-3600 (847) 838-7997 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-2pm kweber@raymondchevrolet.com

Kalamazoo (269) 488-0614 M-F 7am-6pm gmeskil@seelye.com

KANSAS

MINNESOTA

Midwest Kia

Wichita (316) 652-2960 (316) 652-2992 Fax M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm jjensen@midwestkia.com

Lupient Kia of Brooklyn Park Brooklyn Park (800) 569-5735 (763) 424-9437 (763) 424-4631 Fax M-F 7am-6pm

St. Louis (877) 221-4151 (314) 595-4942 Fax M, W, F 7am-8pm; Tu, Th 7am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm fuszkiaparts@fusz.com www.kia.fusz.com

Fargo (800) 728-7601 (701) 282-5924 Fax M-F 7am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm

Napleton’s Mid Rivers Kia

St. Peters (888) 816-9729 (636) 926-0683 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 7am-3pm bprinster@napleton.com pschnare@napleton.com www.midriverskia.com

Suntrup Kia

St. Louis (800) 727-8496 (314) 815-3060 Fax M-F 7am-5pm www.suntrupkiasouth.com

*Kia Genuine replacement parts sold but not installed by an Authorized Kia Dealer are covered for 12 months from purchase date, regardless of mileage, for the part only, and any labor charge is the consumer’s responsibility.

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 43

Average Length of Collision-Related Rental Slightly Drops Again in Q3 Enterprise released its length of rental (LOR) data for collision-related rentals for the third quarter of 2023. The average of 17.5 days was down 0.7 days from the same period the year before. The drop continued a trend that started in the second quarter of 2023, which was down 0.3 days yearover-year. However, Enterprise noted, LOR in Q3 2022—18.2 days—was up three full days compared to 2021, meaning these newest numbers are still “new normal” figures. LOR was 15.2 days in Q3 2021 and 12.3 days in Q3 2020. Alaska had the highest overall LOR at 21.9 days, an increase of 1.6 days from Q3 2022. Rhode Island (20.6), Oklahoma (20.4) and Colorado (20.2) were the next-highest. North Dakota brought in the lowest LOR at 12.3 days, a decrease of 0.7 days from Q3 2022. Hawaii was right behind at 12.5 days, reflecting a 1.2day decrease. In sixth, Louisiana (20.0 days) may have been near the top in overall LOR, but it’s significant to note this represents a 2.2-day decline from Q3 2022. In addition, 10 other states plus Washington, D.C., had decreases of a full day or greater, while an additional 21 states had decreases of at least half a day. Only seven states—Alaska, New Mexico, Vermont, Wyoming, Montana, Rhode Island and Colorado—had increases, while Nevada’s results were flat. As Enterprise continues to track the impact of EVs, ADAS and other new technology on the repair process, it asked Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, for his insights. “Electrical vehicles (EVs) continue to occupy a greater portion of repairable claims volume at 1.86% in Q3 2023 compared to 1.59% in Q2 2023 and 1.31% in Q3 2022,” Mandell said. “EVs have more than six additional labor hours on average per estimate than ICE vehicles. The frequency of calibrations increased above 10% for the first time in Q3 2023, compared to 8.8% in Q2 2023 and 7.5% in Q3 2023.” Drivable LOR for vehicles associated with a drivable claim was 15.7 days in Q3 2023, flat from Q3 2022’s results. Alaska had the highest drivable LOR at 19.2 days, a 2.4-day increase over Q3 2022. Following closely behind were Rhode Island (18.7), Oklahoma (18.6), Georgia (18.4) and Colorado (18.2). North Dakota had the lowest LOR at 10.3 days, which itself was a 0.4day increase. Hawaii (11.0) was nextlowest, followed by Washington, D.C.,

at 11.6 days and Iowa at 11.9. Drivable LOR increases have become smaller with each subsequent quarter for some time now, and this neutral result gives optimism that Q4 could potentially bring a decrease. Enterprise asked PartsTrader Chief Innovation Officer Greg Horn to weigh in on delivery days for parts. “Our average delivery days for all part types are virtually unchanged when we compare Q3 2023 to the same quarter in 2022, which aligns with Enterprise’s drivable LOR being unchanged,” Horn said. “We are also seeing that shops are sourcing parts when the vehicle is being scheduled for repairs. This seems to indicate that repairers are scheduling more drivable vehicles to arrive when there is capacity, and therefore reducing repair cycle time.” Non-Drivable LOR associated with non-drivable claims was 25.0 days in Q3 2023, a 2.2-day decrease from Q3 2022. Alaska had the highest non-drivable LOR at 32.5 days, which reflected a decrease of 1.7 days, followed by West Virginia (30.9), Montana (30.8), Colorado (30.5) and Washington (30.0). These five states were the only ones with LOR greater than 30 days, whereas in Q2 2022, there were 12 states with non-drivable LOR greater than 30 days. Washington, D.C., came in with the lowest LOR of 21.1 days, a 1.1day decrease. Iowa (21.3), New York (21.6), North Dakota (21.9) and Nebraska (21.9) were the next-lowest. Overall, only three states had an increase in non-drivable LOR: Montana, South Dakota and Vermont. Louisiana had the greatest overall decrease, going to 29.2 days from 34.3 in Q3 2022—a 5.1-day drop. Seven other states—Delaware, Hawaii, North Dakota, Kentucky, Arizona, Georgia and South Carolina—recorded decreases of three full days or greater. John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, offered insights into some of the headwinds facing the repair industry. “First, while no one would suggest the technician shortage has significantly improved, among 500 shops surveyed by CRASH Network in June, more than 1 in 5 said they were fully staffed and had no job openings. That’s not a lot, but it was up from just 15% a year earlier,” Yoswick said. “Secondly, shops’ backlog of work has eased a bit, falling from a nationwide average of 4.7 weeks in the second quarter of this year to 4.3 weeks in July. The average backlog this past summer was more than 10

44 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

days shorter than it was in the fourth quarter of 2022. “Finally, shops may be juggling fewer in-process jobs, which is perhaps a sign that parts supply issues have continued to improve, at least pre-UAW strike,” Yoswick continued. “We measure work-in-process as the number of jobs (car count) a shop has in-progress compared to that shop’s typical monthly job count. Our survey in September found that among more than 400 respondents, the average shop had work-in-process equal to 64% of their typical monthly volume. That was down just 2 points from the prior quarter, but down 14 percentage points from a year ago.” Total Loss Rentals associated with total loss claims dropped 1.2 days from Q3 2022, coming in at 16.6 days. The highest total loss LOR was also Alaska at 23.4 days—almost five days higher than the next-highest state, Washington, at 19.5 days. The lowest LOR was 14.8 days in Iowa, whose results were unchanged from Q3 2022. Kansas (14.9), Nebraska (15.0) and Virginia (15.0) were the next-lowest. Variances from quarter over quarter were across the board with

no discernable pattern. Take Hawaii and Alaska—the former’s results were down 7.0 days from Q3 2022 and the latter up 7.6 days. Comparing the next two, Arkansas has a 4.1-day decrease and Wyoming is up 1.3 days. “Total Loss frequency declined to 18.0% from 18.5% in Q2 2023 but was slightly higher than Q3 2022 (17.8%),” Mandell said. Summary As the numbers show, the trend of “predictable” seasonal LOR continues; the LOR decrease is positive, and many repairers are finding ways to anticipate and operate in the new normal. However, challenging market conditions remain, and overall LOR remains significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic. While parts disruptions from the roughly 45-day UAW strike are unclear, Horn said: “The impacted OEMs are deploying employees from other areas and hiring temp workers to minimize the impact to OE parts delivery, and though there has been an increase in ‘unable to quote’ parts, the combination of the parts distribution center temporary staff and the increase in alternate parts sales has reduced the impact of the strike efforts.”

The Right PARTS. A PERFECT Fit. Order Genuine Mazda Parts From These Parts Specialists in Your INDIANA

Ray Skillman Northeast Mazda Indianapolis

317-357-8001 M-F 7-6; Sat 8-2

www.rayskillmannortheastmazda.com

MINNESOTA

Luther Brookdale Mazda Brooklyn Center

844-843-0615

763-331-7280 Fax 763-331-7281 M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4 mathew.schroeder@lutherauto.com

www.luthermazda.com

Morries Minnetonka Mazda Minnetonka 800-328-5714 952-797-1195 Fax 952-525-8958

M-Th 7-7, F 7-6, Sat 8-5 parts.mazda@morries.com www.morriesmazda.com

Industrial Finishes and Systems Joins CIECA CIECA welcomed Industrial Finishes and Systems as a new corporate member. Established 65 years ago by Stuart Barr, the family-owned company focuses on automotive and industrial paint, coatings and supplies, as well as specialty vehicle and industrial wood finishing products. With about 350 employees and 38 locations nationwide, Industrial Finishes also works with many military bases across the country. Keith Clark, operations manager at Industrial Finishes, learned about CIECA while working on a project to integrate the company’s invoicing system with CCC ONE. Clark said the company joined CIECA primarily to clean up its data and ensure it could integrate with third party systems in the industry. “The CIECA standards will be helpful for our own internal data needs so that we have consistent and complete data,” said Clark. “It should help our internal teams with data managem0ent, as well as the ability to grow using API connection systems in the market.”

Auto Suppliers Increase Layoffs Due To UAW Strike The most recent survey from a parts suppliers trade association revealed the impact on the vehicle supply base from the ongoing strike between the UAW and Detroit’s Big Three manufacturers. MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers said in a news release vehicle suppliers employ more than 900,000 workers—more than six times the 146,000 workers represented by the UAW at Ford, GM and Stellantis. Additionally, suppliers contribute 2.5% of the U.S. GDP and operate in all 50 states. The survey, collected from Oct. 9 – 11, revealed: Layoffs have increased by nearly 10% week-over-week with 39% of surveyed vehicle suppliers now having laid off a portion of their direct labor employees. Of the suppliers who have not begun layoffs, half indicated they will begin laying off direct employees the week of Oct. 30. More than 30% of suppliers

surveyed indicated they will need more than one week and up to over three weeks to ramp-up idled production; the greatest challenges to restarting operations are returning labor and material availability.

Nearly 80% of suppliers are concerned about the financial viability of their sub-suppliers, while 30% of these suppliers express some concern regarding their internal financial viability. MEMA continues to assert the importance of federal action to support the essential U.S. supplier base and to work with the White House to develop a plan to provide financial

assistance for smaller suppliers. The output of these suppliers, often Tier 2 or lower, is critical to the ongoing viability of the entire supply chain. MEMA recommended the federal government immediately initiate: A scalable low-cost loan/grant program to ensure suppliers have enough capital on hand to sustain their business during this crisis. Establish an emergency training program enabling suppliers to retain their workforce during the strike and equipping them with new skills needed for future transformative manufacturing. Reduce the minimum project amount of the domestic manufacturing conversion grant program (IRA) from $50 million to $10 million to be more inclusive of the entire vehicle supply chain. MEMA Original Equipment Suppliers will continue to survey vehicle suppliers each week and share critical information from the results.

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

Genuine NISSAN & INFINITI OEM Wholesale Parts are Superbly Crafted to Strict Quality Standards. THE FOLLOWING DEALERS PROUDLY STOCK GENUINE PARTS FOR YOUR NISSAN OR INFINITI REPAIRS.

Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

ILLINOIS

MISSOURI

Audi Exchange

Kansas City Audi

847.432.5880 847.432.5708 Fax audi.parts@audiexchange.com

866.949.9500 Toll Free 816.941.4969 Direct 816.942.3156 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm ewolf@molleautogroup.com jbarczak@mollevwgroup.com

Highland Park

MICHIGAN Audi Kalamazoo Kalamazoo

800.323.0022 Toll Free 269.978.0191 Direct 269.342.0065 Fax M-F 8am-5:30pm www.maplehillauto.com

Kansas City

OHIO Audi Columbus Columbus

614.552.5490 M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-12pm wholesaleparts@byersauto.com

NISSAN ILLINOIS

MINNESOTA

Gerald Nissan

Eden Prairie Nissan

708-720-2185

952-567-2150

Matteson

(708) 720-3709 Fax M-F 8-5:30, Sat. 8-3 mattesonnissanparts@geraldauto.com www.geraldnissanmatteson.com INDIANA

Hubler Nissan Indianapolis

800-960-9811

(317) 888-9227 (317) 884-1750 Fax M-F 8-6, Sat. 8-4 rhoffmann@drivehubler.com nissanparts@drivehubler.com

Eden Prairie

(952) 567-2197 Fax M-F 6:30-7 parts@edenprairienissan.com www.edenprairienissan.com WISCONSIN

Gandrud Nissan Green Bay

800-242-2844

(920) 785-5868 (920) 884-0882 Fax M-F 7-7, Sat. 7-2 nissanparts@gandrud.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 45

Ford Could Cut F-150 Lightning Production Due To Waning Demand Co-President & Publisher Nathan Gregory

Accounting & HR Manager Heather Priddy

By Brad Anderson CarScoops

Co-President & Publisher Paul Stepanek Editor Abby Andrews Contributing Writers Mike Anderson,Stacey Phillips, John Yoswick, Cole Strandberg Advertising Sales Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar Office Manager Kelly Cashman

Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2023 Autobody News, LLC.

Digital Marketing Manager Bryan Malinski Art Director Rodolfo Garcia Senior Designer Vicki Sitarz

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

Ford may cut a shift at the factory responsible for building the F-150 Lightning due to an alleged drop in demand for the electric pickup truck. A letter sent out by the UAW chapter official who represents workers at the Michigan factory claimed the firm will cancel a shift and wants to increase production of its combustionpowered pickups. It has been 18 months since production of the F-150 Lightning commenced and already, sales appear to have dropped significantly. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that our sales for the Lightning have tanked,” the official wrote. The Wall Street Journal spoke with Ford about the letter. The car manufacturer declined to comment on the possibility of dropping a shift on a long-term basis but did say supply-chain disruptions and quality checks

mean there will be schedule changes in the short term. The Ford spokeswoman added it is these constraints that have forced it to temporarily cut a shift impacting 700 workers. Soon after launching the F-150 Lightning, Ford increased its production plans twice with the intention of building 150,000 examples annually. However, the carmaker reported a 45.8% drop in sales of the pickup in the U.S. through the third quarter. This came despite Ford cutting prices of certain F-150 Lightning models by as much as $10,000 in July, reversing price increases it made earlier in the year due to the soaring cost of raw materials. Ford is aiming to produce 600,000 EVs annually by the end of 2024, about a year after it had initially planned to reach that figure. CEO Jim Farley said this was because the firm expects the “EV market to remain volatile until the winners and losers shake out.”

MARKETPLACE Ditch the mask. Try our new line perfection tape.

When all you need to do is move a vehicle, use:

Our new and unique line perfection tape is abrasiveresistant and allows you to achieve crisp, sharp body lines. Sand directly on the durable tape surface without shredding. As tape wears, orange appears to warn of wear-through. • Works for blocking, sanding body filler and primer

> EASY TO USE <

• Chemical resistant

SAVES YOU TIME AND MONEY

• Conforms to contours

Go to www.forkliftwrecker.com and watch our video.

• Saves time and material

• Helps eliminate the need for constant reapplication of tape

Give it a try!

877.593.6959

We’ll send you a free roll of Perfect Line with any online purchase. (Expires 12/31/20)

www.crashwrap.com | 888.264.3770

CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE www.autobodynews.com

Call or Email Now for Rates: AUTOBODY ltedesco@autobodynews.com

800-699-8251

46 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Since 1974

Markers for windows, car parts & more. • paint markers • solid paint markers • glass markers • rubber crayons & more.

CARMEL INDUSTRIES | Tel. 514 270-5377, Email: info@carmelindustries.com www.carmelindustries.com

Dip in Deer Strikes Poses Mystery For Insurers Ahead of Peak Season Insurance claims for animal strikes inexplicably dipped to pandemiclockdown levels last November, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said in a news release. Will they drop further or spike again in 2023? The rate of animal-strike-related insurance claims in November is more than twice the yearly average, according to an analysis of claims from 2013 to 2022 conducted by the Highway Loss Data Institute. The peak coincides with mating season, when deer are most active. The fewest animal strike claims typically occur in August. The severity of claims, measured in dollars insurers pay to cover losses, also climbs during the peak month. The average cost of November animal strike claims over the 10-year period was $4,600, compared with $3,522 for February, the month with the least-severe crashes. The data do not include information about the type of animal. However, both the timing of the spike in crashes and the greater damage they cause suggest that most of these collisions involve deer, rather than smaller animals. While the seasonal pattern is

familiar, the November 2022 figures present a mystery. After holding steady for many years, November animal strike claim frequency dropped from 14.1 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years in 2019 to 12.6

claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years in 2020 as pandemic-related lockdowns dramatically reduced the mileage drivers logged during the peak mating season. An industry measure, an insured vehicle year represents one vehicle insured for one year or two vehicles insured for six months, and so on. As expected, the November claim Finish It Like a Masterpiece with

G E N U I N E PA R T S

THESE DEALERS ARE GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS.

Minnesota

Maplewood Toyota MAPLEWOOD

651-490-2648

651-490-2652 Fax

M-Thu 7am-10pm; F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm pwienke@maplewoodtoyota.com www.maplewoodtoyota.com

The Dealers Below Are Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts Specialists:

KENTUCKY

Mercedes-Benz of Louisville Louisville

800-368-2335

frequency rebounded to around the 10-year average in 2021 (13.6 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years) as the miles people traveled returned to pre-pandemic levels. Then, as even more workers returned to the office full time and normal life resumed in countless other ways last year, the number of deer strikes plunged once again. November c l a i m frequency, at 11.9 claims per 1,000 insured vehicle years, was even lower than during the 2020 lockdown. “This is a real head-scratcher,” said Matt Moore, senior vice president of HLDI. “Originally, we thought we might get a big spike in November 2021, thinking more deer might have survived the 2020 season. Maybe an increase in hunting prevented that from happening. But that doesn’t explain the drop in 2022. It might be related to changes in commuting patterns as people continue to work from home, or we might just be seeing variations in the data. Time will tell.” Monthly travel patterns don’t explain the drop. Travel on U.S. roads fell a little more than 1% in November 2022, compared with November 2021, according to the Federal Highway Administration. But the 264 billion vehicle miles logged during the month was still a massive increase over the lockdown period, when drivers logged only 232 billion vehicle miles in November. It’s possible some newer automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems, especially those designed to prevent pedestrian crashes, can also prevent animal strikes. However, the overall number of equipped vehicles is probably still too small to have a noticeable impact, and it didn’t change dramatically between

2021 and 2022. In 2022, vehicles equipped with front AEB of any sort accounted for around 23% of the fleet, compared with 18% in 2021. Better headlights, including curve-adaptive ones, can also help prevent deer strikes. But there was not a big change in the U.S. fleet between 2021 and 2022 with respect to headlights either. There’s also no strong evidence of fewer deer. Hunters killed around 6.2 million deer in 2021, compared with 6.3 million in a record-setting 2020 and around 6 million in 2019, according to the National Deer Association’s annual Deer Report. However, state wildlife departments generally believe their deer populations to be stable or increasing, particularly in urban areas. For the most part, the states with the highest claim frequencies for animal strikes remained the same in November over 2013-22 as in previous analyses. As was the case over 2006-21, West Virginia topped the list with a claim frequency of more than three times the national average, and Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan and Pennsylvania feature high claim rates. Eight of the 10 counties with the highest November claim frequencies over 2013-22 were in Pennsylvania, with drivers in list-topper Crawford County, in the northwestern corner of the state, filing claims at more than six times the national average for the month. The two other counties were in neighboring New Jersey. All 10 counties had November claim frequencies that were more than twice the national average. Repairs made necessary by crashes involving deer and other animals are covered by comprehensive insurance, which also covers theft and physical damage from causes other than crashes. Of the 37 companies that report comprehensive coverage to HLDI, only 25 provide information about animal strikes. Over the 10year study period, that amounted to a total exposure of around 579 million insured vehicle years and more than 3.5 million claims.

502-893-4704 502-894-6823 Fax

Advertise in our Classified Section for $50 per Column Inch!

wholesaleparts@mblouisville.com www.mblouisville.com

800-699-8251 kcashman@autobodynews.com

M-F 7:30am - 6pm

AUTOBODY

www.autobodynews.com

autobodynews.com / DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS 47

The new Talon is a portable, gas-catalytic, medium-wave infrared curing unit that incorporates the same unique emitters as larger, in-booth US Autocure systems.

48 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com