February 2024 Northeast Edition by Autobody News

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Right to Repair Movement Made Strides in 2023, Looks Forward to 2024 As 2023 comes to a close, the CAR Coalition is looking back on key milestones in the effort to pass the federal REPAIR and SMART acts, as well as state bills that would address the right to repair issue.

majority—more than 80%—of Mainers voted “yes” on the state’s automotive right to repair referendum, adding momentum to the growing national push for right to repair protections.

Credit: Shutterstock.

December: REPAIR and SMART Act co-sponsor U.S. Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) U.S. Rep. Jake Auchincloss (D-MA) and U.S. Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME) sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Sophie Shulman, warning that the agency’s proposed guidance for implementation of Massachusetts’ Data Access Law might unfairly harm independent repairers. November: Members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce unanimously voted to advance the REPAIR Act to the full committee for consideration. Less than a week later, an overwhelming

October: At a White House National Economic Council (NEC) roundtable, key administration officials, state legislative leaders and industry representatives—including Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair Lina Khan, NEC Director Lael Brainard and Allstate’s Senior Vice President Don Jones, representing the CAR Coalition—highlighted growing bipartisan support for right to repair protections. September: During a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing, lawmakers and auto industry professionals expressed their support for federal right to repair legislation like the REPAIR Act. Earlier that month, the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics l CONTINUED ON PAGE 9

42 YEARS

Vol. 14 / Issue 11 / February 2024

REGIONAL NEWS

Maryland Man Sentenced for PPP Fraud Scheme Reginald Alphonso Hopkins, 52, of Prince George’s County in Maryland, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for defrauding more than $1 million in COVID-19 relief funds, and applying for another $3.1 million. Hopkins pleaded guilty to the scheme in September, and was sentenced Jan. 10 by U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett. Between June 2020 and March 2021, a co-conspirator submitted fraudulent PPP loan applications for Prestige Executive Transportation, Prestige 24/7 Auto Sales & Services LLC and Prestige Assisted Living Inc., all owned by Hopkins. The applications falsely claimed the companies in 2019 had a combined 54 employees who were

paid a total of nearly $5 million. Based on the fraudulent submissions, nearly $1 million in three separate PPP loans was funded. Hopkins gave the coconspirator a total of $177,000 in kickback payments. Prestige Assisted Living did not obtain a license to operate as an assisted living facility until Dec. 18, 2020. It was authorized to have four beds. Moreover, even after it obtained its license, Prestige Assisted Living never paid wages to any employee. A bank account statement for the assisted living facility was also fabricated, showing a beginning and ending balance of $123,500— when in fact the balances were l CONTINUED ON PAGE 19

REGIONAL NEWS

NY Senator Proposes Safety Bill for Heavy Autonomous Vehicles New York State Sen. Pete Harckham, D-40, introduced a new bill, S.7758, seeking to mandate the presence of trained human operators in autonomous vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds on New York roads. “The Teamsters applaud Sen. Harckham for introducing legislation that will keep New York roads safe,” said Louis A. Picani, president of Teamsters Local 456. There has been growing concern over recent incidents where autonomous vehicles caused

accidents and traffic disruptions, including when a woman in San Francisco was killed after being struck and dragged by a Cruise robotaxi. S.7758 aims not only to enhance road safety but also to protect the livelihoods of those in the trucking industry. New York’s trucking sector supports approximately 270,000 jobs, including about 58,300 heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers. “This bill would ensure that good jobs stay in New York, with the people l CONTINUED ON PAGE 8

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 18

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Columnist Mike Anderson: Increase Your Auto Body Shop’s Closing Ratio by Countering Customer Concerns Columnist Toby Chess: You Can Teach Old Dogs New Tricks

Columnist Stacey Phillips: CCC Brings in 2024 With New AI Solutions, Google Collaboration Columnist John Yoswick: Unique Collision Repair Training Program Shows Results

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Contents

AUTOBODY

REGIONAL NEWS AmpUp Gets $1.7 Million to Spearhead EV Charging in Connecticut �� 14 Maryland Man Sentenced for PPP Fraud Scheme �� 1

New York College Expands EV Fleet ��8 NY Senator Proposes Safety Bill for Heavy Autonomous Vehicles ��1 Year in Review: Pennsylvania’s EV Marathon ��4

Don’t Miss the Weekly Industry NEWS Your Shop Needs. Sign Up Free Today! www.autobodynews.com

NATIONAL NEWS ‘Who Pays’ Survey Finds More Shops Researching Battery Reconnect Procedures �� 19

I-CAR, Ford Launch New Repair Courses �� 36

1Collision Rebrands as CSN Collision 60

John Bean Posts New ADAS System Videos �� 42

ASE Education Foundation Names Officers, Board �� 22 Auto Chip Supply Shortages Now a Thing of the Past ��9 Automakers Fulfill Autobrake Pledge for Light-Duty Vehicles �� 46 Automakers with Large EV Portfolio Have Higher Website Satisfaction �� 57 CAPA Announces Executive Director 27 CIECA Announces New Member ShopLoaner �� 35 Cummins Inc. Fined $1.675 Billion for Clean Air Act Violations �� 38 DataTouch Launches VINAnonymize to Prevent Reporting Services from Using Estimate Info �� 35 First Real-World Tesla Cybertruck Crash Raises Safety Questions �� 48 GasBuddy Predicts Lower Gas Prices in 2024 �� 27

Index of Advertisers Acme Nissan �� 31

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers ��36

Law Firm Preparing Class Action Lawsuit Against Driven Brands �� 34

Acura of Westchester �� 46

Mercedes-Benz of Atlantic City ��29

Audi Devon �� 56

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington ��23

OPENLANE’s Launches Visual Boost AI �� 62

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers ��53

Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge ��24

Auto Data Labels �� 64

Mercedes-Benz of Hanover ��19

Polyvance Announces Rebate for Old Welders �� 54

Axalta �� 5

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus ��45

Biener Audi �� 30

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester ��29

Record-Breaking Auto Insurance Hikes Expected in 2024 �� 22

Biener Ford �� 30

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington ��29

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers ��59

Mercedes-Benz Parts Dealers ��63

Right to Repair Movement Made Strides in 2023, Looks Forward to 2024 ��1

Brown-Daub Kia �� 36

MINI Wholesale Parts Dealers ��58

Cadillac of Mahwah �� 48

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers ��37

Rivian R1T Owner Says Truck Has Been Out for Repairs for 8 Months �� 52

CCC Intelligent Solutions ��11

New Holland Ford �� 22

Central Avenue CJDR �� 21

New Holland Toyota �� 36

Romans Group Releases 2022 Profile of Evolving Collision Repair Marketplace �� 44

Certified Automotive Parts Association ��51

Nielsen Ford �� 57

Ciocca Parts Warehouse ��25

Nissan/Infiniti Parts Dealers ��50

SATA Acquires Dan-Am Company �� 51

Circle BMW �� 54

NorthAmerican Bancard �� 9

Classifieds �� 62

Northstar Kia �� 54

Colonial Automotive Group ��15

Open Road Acura of East Brunswick ��28

GM Buys Out Nearly Half of Buick Dealerships �� 38

SATA Showcases SATAjet® X 5500 Universe, SATA® QMR at 2023 SEMA Show �� 30

Courtesy Mitsubishi �� 60

Open Road Chevrolet �� 44

GM Halts Sales of New Blazer EV Amid Software Woes �� 56

TechForce Awards 2 MOTOR Scholarships �� 56

DePaula Chevrolet-Ford ��26

Ourisman Chevrolet �� 46

Eastchester Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge ��56

Ourisman Chevrolet-VW-Mazda

U.S. Fuel Economy Hit New Record High, CO2 Emissions Record Low in 2022 Cars �� 36

Empire Auto Parts �� 4

of Rockville �� 41

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers ��55

Ourisman Chrysler-Jeep-Dodge ��60

Franklin Sussex Auto Mall ��58

Packer Norris Parts �� 17

Volkswagen Partners with AI Company to Integrate ChatGPT in Vehicles �� 42

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers ��43

Park Ave Acura �� 40

Grieco Toyota �� 57

Piazza Volkswagen of Langhorne ��20

Healey Brothers Chevrolet �� 13

Polestar Princeton �� 24

Hoffman Auto Group �� 39

Porsche Wholesale Parts Dealers ��42

Honda-Acura Parts Dealers �� 32-33

Prestige Lexus �� 38

GM Tops U.S. Auto Sales in 2023, Surpassing Toyota �� 50 Hertz Selling 20,000 EVs Due to High Collision Repair Costs �� 58 Honda to Launch ‘0 Series’ EV Globally in 2026 �� 40

COLUMNISTS Mike Anderson Increase Your Auto Body Shop’s Closing Ratio by Countering Customer Concerns �� 18 Toby Chess You Can Teach Old Dogs New Tricks �� 20 Stacey Phillips Ronak ASE Education Foundation Updates HighVoltage, EV/Hybrid Safety Accreditation Standards ��6 CCC Brings in 2024 With New AI Solutions, Google Collaboration �� 24 Hunter Showcases Award-Winning

Ultimate ADAS™ at 2023 SEMA Show �� 28 Part 2: IDEAS Collide Presenters Encourage Collision Repairers to Think Differently, Outperform �� 12 John Yoswick CIC Committee’s Focus on New Technology Includes Looking for Training on OEM Software �� 10 Investment Banker More Bullish Than Ever About Collision Repair Industry �� 26

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers ��61

ProSpot �� 2, 7

Infiniti of Norwood �� 14

Rafferty Subaru �� 36

Jaguar Land Rover Cherry Hill ��52

Rockland Nissan �� 58

Kelly Jeep-Chrysler �� 18

Schultz Ford �� 35

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers ��49

Sheehy Lexus of Annapolis ��61

Kia of Attleboro �� 60

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers ��51

Kundert Volvo �� 27

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers ��61

Lexus Wholesale Parts Dealers ��57

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers ��47

Liberty Kia �� 10

Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers ��61

Long Automotive Group �� 34

Yonkers Kia �� 60

Lynnes Nissan �� 40

Zip’s AW Direct �� 8

Unique Collision Repair Training Program Shows Results �� 16 autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 3

Year in Review: Pennsylvania’s EV Marathon By Lauren Jessop

Charging Infrastructure

The Center Square

As the number of charging station installations increases, so do the challenges involving their operation and maintenance. In a sort of a “chicken and egg” situation, without a reliable charging network, consumers may be reluctant to invest in EVs, while investors and businesses may be hesitant to commit resources to building stations without a substantial user base. Charging station equipment and power levels vary and when they become inoperable, there aren’t

Over 2023, Pennsylvania set out in earnest to meet federal goals for the electric vehicle transition. It’s been an expensive and complex process, most of which is yet to be decided. The Biden administration set a target for electric vehicles, or EVs, to account for half of all new vehicle sales by 2030. However, concerns about vehicle cost, range anxiety and limited charging infrastructure have led to slower-than-expected adoption rates. So, where stand?

does

Pennsylvania

EV Adoption Rates There are 47,440 registered EVs in the state, up from 4,400 in 2017. Pennsylvania’s market share expanded from less than one percent to 0.5%, leaving considerable distance to cover before reaching the federal goal within the next seven years. The national market share is only slightly better, increasing from 0.1 to 0.9%. Pennsylvania falls within the average range compared to other states. California has by far the greatest number of EVs—just over 900,000, accounting for approximately 37% nationwide. Florida has the second highest count, followed by Texas with 167,990 and 149,000 respectively.

Issues Robert Charette, a longtime systems engineer, contributing editor for IEEE Spectrum and author of “The EV Transition Explained,” told The Center Square “current policymaking is a kind of field of dreams” in that lawmakers believe if they pass it, the engineers and auto manufacturers will “figure it out, overcome it and everything will work.” “Transitioning to electric vehicles and renewable energy to combat climate change are valid goals in themselves,” he writes in the book. However, he clarifies that attempting to make such transitions at scale in such a short time “is fraught with problems, risks and unanticipated consequences that need honest and open recognition so they can be actively and realistically addressed.” The Center Square has written a series of articles exploring whether the power grid can cope and its interconnection with renewable energy, as well as the EV charging infrastructure, and the potential of cyberattacks on EV charging stations—which can also impact your vehicle and the electrical grid.

maintenance will fall. State lawmakers have proposed various ways to make up the difference in PennDOT’s funding gap. One proposal through the Drive Smart Act would charge three cents per mile, or an annual fee of $380—the amount the average driver pays in gas taxes each year. While some experts say this method would be fair across all classes of vehicles and easy to administer, it would be inadequate to cover the gap in funding. More recently, Senate Bill 656, sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman, R-New Bloomfield, would replace the alternative fuel tax with a $290 EV fee paid annually with your vehicle registration. EV owners currently file monthly statements on electric use and remit the tax to the Department of Revenue. To date, 32 states have an EV registration fee and 19 assess a fee on plug-in hybrid vehicles. Pennsylvania has just under 1,700 public charging House Bill 1542, locations with 4,111 ports installed. Currently approximately between 5% and 6% are temporarily out sponsored by Rep. of service. Photo by Christen Smith, The Center Square Brandon Markosek, D-Monroeville, if passed enough certified technicians to fix by the General Assembly, would them. establish an Electric School Bus Grant According to data provided by the U.S. Joint Office of Energy and Transportation’s website, Pennsylvania has just under 1,700 public charging locations with 4,111 ports installed. Currently, of those, there are approximately between 5% and 6% that are temporarily out of service.

State Legislation In January 2023, Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philadelphia, citing a lack of state incentives, introduced Senate Bill 157. It would create a tax credit for the purchase and installation of residential EV charging stations, not to exceed $2,000. House Bill 1474, introduced by Rep. Joe Ciresi, D-Royersford, would add EV charging infrastructure projects as eligible for financing under Pennsylvania’s Property-Assessed Clean Energy program, or C-PACE. C-PACE is a voluntary program in which property owners may secure private financing to develop clean energy projects. The loan payment is added to their property tax bill and collected as an assessment by county and municipal authorities. Pennsylvania relies heavily on the gas tax to fund its roads and bridges. As gas-powered vehicles get more fuel efficient and more drivers go electric, the funds available to pay for

4 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Program administered by the state’s Department of Education. The program would allow school districts to apply for grants to purchase electric school buses and to offset the costs of charging infrastructure, including installation and depot and facility upgrades.

State Initiatives The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection is collaborating with stakeholders to develop strategies aimed at increasing EV adoption across the state. The agency, along with PennDOT and the Drive Electric Pennsylvania Coalition, published a “Roadmap” containing information intended for use by government, business, academic and community leaders in their decision making.

Federal Programs and Incentives As part of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure, or NEVI, grant program, PennDOT will distribute $171.5 million in federal funds for building out the public EV charging infrastructure over five years. PA NEVI program funds will be awarded on a competitive basis and requires proposers to provide a minimum 20% match. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 14

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ASE Education Foundation Updates High-Voltage, EV/Hybrid Safety Accreditation Standards By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Since 1972, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has worked to improve the quality of vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. More than a quarter of a million individuals hold ASE certifications developed by the nonprofit organization. The ASE Education Foundation works with more than 2,000 automotive technology training programs and more than 100,000 students nationally to provide a skilled entry-level workforce through its standards and accreditation. The foundation also offers career development through its partnerships. The ASE Education Foundation recently revised its accreditation standards for trucks and collision repair training programs, specifically focusing on the tasks, tools and equipment related to high-voltage (HV) systems. These include those found on electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrids. To learn more about the new highvoltage and EV/hybrid standards, Autobody News talked to Dave Johnson, ASE’s new president and CEO, and Donna Wagner, who transitioned from assistant vice president of the ASE Education Foundation to the role of vice president of industry and media relations for ASE. you share background Q:Can information about ASE? Johnson: ASE was founded in 1972 out of a concern about repair quality and honesty in the automotive repair industry. The U.S. federal government was considering requiring licensure as a national initiative. However, auto companies and the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) collaborated to regulate themselves. The aftermarket industry was invited to this unique entity. Out of that group, ASE was born. The nonprofit organization’s mission is to promote the recruiting, training and retention of professional automotive technicians, and advance the automotive service industry so that customers receive the kind of service care they deserve from quality, knowledgeable, certified technicians. ASE’s Board of Directors consists of what I call “a community of cats and dogs living together in harmony.” Representatives include OEMs, dealers, aftermarket repair industry

leaders, independent shop owners and tool and equipment suppliers. In the natural environment, they might be more interested in competing against each other rather than working with each other. Because of ASE’s mission, they recognize the benefits and work together marvelously. Initially, ASE was more focused on the mechanical side of the industry, but that quickly grew to include collision. With Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and new technologies, the industry recognizes that collision is just as important as mechanical.

of mechanical and collision repair capabilities. In the automotive service industry, some businesses may take the importance of whether somebody is really an ASE-certified professional lightly. While there are licensing boards in a few states that use the ASE certification process to satisfy their requirements, it is otherwise voluntary. Some businesses even advertise that they are “certified” without saying who certified them. This means they are not ASE-certified. That’s why we are focused on delivering an accreditation process for all training programs so customers get what they deserve: ASE-certified service professionals. is the importance of Q:What accreditation and certification?

The ASE Education Foundation works with more than 2,000 automotive technology training programs and over 100,000 students nationally. Photo courtesy of ASE

An indicator of the increased focus on collision is the ongoing collaboration with the ASE Education Foundation and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), as well as working even more closely with the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) as we bring together ASE training program accreditation, I-CAR curriculum and ASE certification testing. The goal is to help provide the best-certified collision technicians from qualified training programs that meet collision industry standards. are ASE’s accreditation Q:How standards developed and used by the industry?

Johnson: One of ASE’s charters is to bring together subject matter experts (SMEs) from across the industry, which include OEMs and collision repair experts, to determine the appropriate levels of knowledge and capability to repair a vehicle. You have the best of both worlds with the OEMs that have spent years designing vehicles and those with actual on-the-ground repair experience. They work together to develop those standards, which are shared with educational institutions and trainers. Combine this with all the great work of I-CAR and CREF in the collision repair education arena, and you have the foundation for supporting this critical intersection

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Johnson: ASE has developed accreditation standards to enable schools to prove that they have the wherewithal to teach and train to the standards set by the industry and facilitated by ASE. When students come out of those programs, they can say they have been trained with something relevant to the work that they’ll be doing. Unfortunately, there are too many schools that teach to their own standard. Sometimes, it’s what we call a hobby shop where they work on somebody’s favorite hot rod. They’re not learning the critical skills and receiving the knowledge that will enable them to enter the workforce once they’ve received their certificate or graduation diploma. It may not mean anything if they haven’t been teaching to standards.

What new ASE collision standards are being created?

Wagner: Every three years, we look at updating our standards in response to the changes taking place in the industry. We rotate between the collision, automotive and medium/ heavy truck programs. We recently looked at what was being taught and what the industry was asking for from entry-level technicians. Then, we developed an accreditation focused on the tasks and skills that entry-level technicians are expected to perform when they come out of their high school and college programs. With the shortage of technicians, it’s important that students are focused on what is most important for the businesses hiring them and they have entry-level skills they can build upon. The better prepared they

are to enter the workforce with some training, the easier it will be for them to move up their career path. It also allows businesses to hire someone productive from day one. We’re adding high-voltage standards for EVs to ensure safety for the person working on the vehicle and consumers. This new area of accreditation for collision is focused on entry-level skills. are some of the outcomes Q:What of ASE accreditation? Johnson: From the studies we’ve conducted on the mechanical side with a big aftermarket partner, there is about a 40% higher productivity of certified ASE-certified techs versus those who are not certified and about 60% lower comebacks or repeat repairs, which is huge. That’s up to two to three times the retention of those certified techs. is the importance of Q:What industry involvement in ASE to help create standards?

Johnson: There are real challenges facing the transportation industry, from the need to attract and retain service professionals to complex vehicle designs and advanced technologies that demand more knowledge and ability than ever before. Having lived with these challenges firsthand and working within one company to address them, I view ASE as the place where the industry can come together to multiply our efforts, influence and accomplishments and rise to meet these challenges. Wagner: ASE is industry-driven. For service professionals, industry SMEs help create certification test questions and task lists. In regards to secondary and post-secondary training programs, the industry creates accreditation standards and task lists that align with their needs. Every accredited program has an advisory committee made up of local employers. This is the industry’s opportunity and responsibility to show up and ensure that program meets their needs. ASE is “cradle to grave” for service professionals. Let’s get students into ASE-accredited programs, nurture them, treat them well, pay them well and give them a career path so that they have a positive experience and a long, successful career. For more information about ASE accreditation, certification and training resources offered, visit www. ase.com.

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New York College Expands EV Fleet

Safety Bill that keep our state up and running,” said Tom Gesualdi, president of Teamsters Local 282 and Teamsters Joint Council 16. Harckham emphasized the dual purpose of the bill: “The integral role of the trucking industry in our lives means we have to be proactive and vigilant about public safety and job security when it comes to technological innovations like autonomous operating vehicles.” His legislation would require all autonomous vehicles over 10,000 pounds have a licensed driver at the wheel, striking a balance between embracing technological advancements and maintaining public safety and employment stability. The proposed law has garnered support from various stakeholders, including labor unions and lawmakers from both political parties, who recognize the importance of both safety and job security in the era of rapidly advancing AV technology.

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Farmingdale State College (FSC) recently added two new EVs to its campus vehicle fleet, bringing to five its total of electric or hybrid vehicles, and moving closer to its goal of going fossil fuel-free by 2035. The two 2023 Nissan Leaf vehicles are four-door compactsize cars and join a 2013 Nissan Leaf, a 2013 Toyota Prius and a 2013 Chevy Volt, all of which are driven by Campus Vehicles authorized operators. The cars are branded with the FSC logo on the front doors and the “FSC Electric Vehicle” logo on the rear doors, with the motif of a globe blanketed by a leaf. The cars retail for a base price of $36,000. “With a maximum range of 250 miles, fast charging port and installed spare charger our electric vehicles are more than capable of handling all of our in-state driving for college business,” said Michael Cervini, campus energy manager for FSC. “These cars will be used by staff traveling for recruitment or professional development purposes.” “We expanded our EV fleet

ahead of Gov. (Kathy) Hochul’s executive order for all state agencies to achieve certain sustainability and emissions goals,” said Greg O’Connor, executive vice president and CFO for FSC. “Combined with our campus bike share program, water conservation initiatives and planned upgrades to our HVAC systems and installation of green energy technology in our new science building, the vision is to exceed those benchmarks.” FSC received an honorable mention as a Bike Friendly University from the League of American Bicyclists in October. FSC hosted Long Island’s Car Free Day and Sustainable Mobility Showcase in September 2023, which promoted all aspects of sustainable transportation including EVs. In partnership with RESC and Transit Solutions, the Office for Sustainability launched the Sustainable Transit Ambassador Program, a focus group that brings stakeholders from across campus together to discuss improving sustainable mobility at FSC. An annual EV Symposium also seeks to educate

the public on the benefits of EVs. In addition, students, faculty and staff have access to FSC’s Solar Carport Charging Station, which includes stations for 20 electric-charged vehicles. O’Connor noted the green energy program is part of the commitment to environmental issues that students are looking for when choosing a college. “Students want their school to embrace the values that they do, using less energy, reducing carbon footprints and taking steps that will help to reverse decades of damage to our planet,” O’Connor said. “We believe in those values as much as they do and are embarking on these plans to make a long-lasting impact to the environmental health of Long Island.”

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Right To Repair released its August Consumer Price Index (CPI) report, which showed vehicle repair prices had jumped 17% over the past year, outpacing the overall inflation rate by nearly five times. August: The NHTSA finally agreed automakers can comply with Massachusetts’ Data Access Law, a vehicle data access measure approved by more than 3 in 4 of the state’s voters in 2020. July: The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet held a hearing that zeroed in on automotive right to repair and the need for bipartisan, federal solutions like the SMART and REPAIR acts. Earlier in the month, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), a trade group representing nearly all major automakers, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Society of Collision Repair Specialists and the Automotive Service Association stating “independent repair facilities shall have access to the same diagnostic and repair information that auto manufacturers make available to authorized dealer networks.” June: In a “rare step,” the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal

Circuit granted an “en banc” review in LKQ Corp v. GM Global Technology Operations LLC, a case that could change how design patent validity is determined and, ultimately, help put a stop to anticompetitive OEM practices. May: Columns in both the Washington Post and the National Review underscored the strong and growing bipartisan appeal of the right to repair movement. April: At a U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Innovation, Data, and Commerce hearing, FTC Chair Khan detailed the agency’s ongoing commitment to rooting out automaker repair practices that harm consumers and small businesses. March: A group of 28 bipartisan attorneys general sent a letter to leaders of the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation urging Congress to advance bipartisan right to repair measures like the SMART and REPAIR acts. Throughout this year, the right to repair movement has been gaining steam, but the CAR Coalition is urging proponents to keep their foot on the gas in 2024, by telling their representative to pass bipartisan federal legislation like the SMART and REPAIR acts.

Auto Chip Supply Shortages Now a Thing of the Past Mobileye Global, a self-driving technology company, announced a forecasted downturn in its 2024 revenue, attributing it to a reduction in orders as customers manage excess microchip inventory, according to Reuters. The Israelbased company, whose clientele includes automotive giants like Volkswagen and Porsche, saw its shares plummet by 28.2%, reaching a more than one-year low at $28.52. Mobileye had previously navigated the challenges of the chip supply crisis of 2021 and 2022 successfully. Mobileye’s difficulties stem from a change in the buying patterns of its Tier 1 customers, who had aggressively stockpiled chip inventories to circumvent the shortages experienced in the past two years. However, with supply chain concerns easing, these customers are now using their accumulated excess inventory, leading to a reduced demand for new chip orders. The company’s internal estimates indicate an excess supply of 6 to 7 million units of its highest revenue-generating

product, the EyeQ advanced driverassistance chip. Consequently, Mobileye expects its Q1 revenue to be approximately 50% lower than the previous year. This decline in demand has not only affected Mobileye, but also caused a ripple effect across the sector. Shares of other auto chipmakers, including NXP Semiconductors, Onsemi, Texas Instruments and Wolfspeed, have dropped between 2% and 5.1%. Additionally, Intel, Mobileye’s parent company, experienced a share price decline of about 2.2%, falling to $46.02. Looking ahead, Mobileye anticipates a 2024 operating loss between $468 million and $378 million, a substantial increase from its preliminary 2023 operating loss of $39 million to $33 million. The company’s adjusted operating income forecast for 2024 is also projected to be lower, with expected revenues ranging from $1.83 billion to $1.96 billion. This projection falls significantly short of the previously estimated $2.58 billion, according to LSEG data.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 9

CIC Committee’s Focus on New Technology Includes Looking For Training on OEM Software By John Yoswick Autobody News

The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Emerging Technologies Committee this past fall wanted to see how easy it was for users of OEM scan tools and service information to locate training on their use. “So I picked six big car manufacturers and said, if I was a newbie and I went to their website, in four mouse clicks or less could I find a training video or a training module on how to use their factory software,” said Bob Augustine of Opus IVS, who co-chairs the committee. At the Mopar Tech Authority site, August searched for “wiTECH,” the automaker’s diagnostic system. “I immediately came up with at least a video for how to flash an ECU

within four clicks. His contact at Toyota first assured him the training was all there, but then checked himself and saw the link was no longer there. “He’s actually going to go fix that,” Augustine said. “So we consider that a small victory. And I was never able to find a training module on how to use HDS or I-HDS on Honda’s website, so we’ll have that conversation as well.”

New Skillsets Needed in Shops

During the CIC committee’s presentation at the meeting Las Vegas during SEMA week, Augustine said as more collision shops recognize they need a specialized diagnostic technician as much as most mechanical shops do, another needed skillset may be overlooked. Given the nature of accessing OEM repair information and diagnostic tools, he said, having IT expertise internally is “not only important, it’s actually necessary.” Keeping the laptops current, with the latest software versions, for example, is a necessary challenge, he said, given the OEMs “literally update their software every day.” “So you have to factor in that maybe you haven’t used that tool in a couple weeks,” Augustine said. Bob Augustine, co-chairman of CIC’s “Emerging Technologies Committee,” said shops are increasingly “The vehicle comes in, needing IT expertise in-house you’re going to have some delay time just getting up with wiTECH,” Augustine said. “So to the current [software] version. I considered that a success. If we Because they’re going to force you learn how to flash with wiTECH, we’re to always have the latest version. So, already in the software, we’re already software management skills, IT skills, using it.” security skills. And I say security not General Motors’ service in terms of vehicle security, but IT information site, Techline Connect, security on laptops. has a training page that includes an “A lot of these programs are very entire web-based course, Augustine finicky about virus programs and said. “This is the same one the dealers browsers and things like that. And use, for their entire Techline Connect so you have to be aware that it’s not suite. Very easy to find,” he said. simply install the software and you’re The Ford MotorcraftService. ready to go,” he continued. “A lot of com website has a class specific to times you’re going to have to have collision repair. “I thought this was some very specific expertise. If you pretty cool,” Augustine said. “Rather don’t have somebody in-house that is than a full-on training class on how really skilled in IT, you’re either going to use IDS (Integrated Diagnostic to need to add that skillset or you’re System), it’s very specific to how going to have to have a vendor or a collision repairer would use the somebody that can do this for you.” software. They’ve also got a module specifically on ADAS calibrations, Battery Registrations vs. Retrofitting and one on using their service information.” The committee also offered an Nissan’s site includes a quick link overview of what it sees as some top for e-learning modules, including scan tool functions as part of collision several about using Consult-III, he repair work, including battery said. registrations. But Augustine was less successful “BMW is one of the vendors finding training at the Toyota website where battery registration is super 10 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

important,” Augustine said. He noted “battery registrations” and “battery retrofitting” are two different functions in the scan tool. “They do different things,” Augustine said. “Battery registration is when you replace the battery and you have to tell the battery management system that the battery has been replaced. I have lots of firsthand

that system essentially the capability of the battery. When you don’t do that, again you will almost always end up with premature battery failure.” Skipping battery registration also will likely result in a charging system message in the instrument panel. “Because most European manufacturers use a strategy called load shedding,” Augustine said. “As they determine that the battery is starting to fail, they will systematically start turning things off in the vehicle that they consider non-essential. So radios will stop working, heated seats will stop working. And if the battery management system determines that there’s still not enough battery life, they’ll continue to shut the vehicle down. And the driver Accessing OEM information and software is putting will be given a message, more IT demands on collision repairers ‘Hey, you need to take this vehicle in for service.’ So you’ll experience to show you when this definitely get some indication on is not done properly, you will almost the instrument panel that there’s a always end up with premature battery charging system problem going on. failure because the system doesn’t You will almost always end up with know state of charge [and] lifecycle premature battery failure that may of the vehicle. not affect you when you’re working “Battery retrofitting is when you on the vehicle, but it’ll definitely affect put a different amp hour battery in the vehicle owner 12 months or 24 the vehicle,” he said. “You have to tell months down the road.”

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Bowen’s Collision Drives Shop Confidence with CCC® Diagnostics Workflow For 27 years, Bowen’s Collision has been a pillar of the Columbia, South Carolina community, but it was only in the last two years that the family-owned and operated business experienced impressive growth, adding two new locations, with plans to open more in the next few years. General Manager Scott Austin attributes Bowen’s Collision’s success to their world-class customer service and top-quality repairs.

Putting customers first and delivering high-caliber repairs wouldn’t be possible without consistent performance, which is why Austin focused on developing more standardized routines and processes for his technicians to streamline things like diagnostic scans, which he believes gives Bowen’s Collision a competitive edge. In fact, the decision to scan every vehicle that comes into the shop was a “no-brainer,” according to Austin, because the benefits of doing so far outweigh the drawbacks. He said most manufacturers no longer recommend scans –– they require them, yet not every shop does them consistently. “Scans cover all the bases,” says Austin. “Pre-repair scans help us find out where the initial problems are and eliminate others right away. Documentation beats conversation and having all the information up front helps us know what we’re getting into and be prepared to have a discussion if we have to. It’s good for our customers and it’s great for our shops.” Austin says the benefits of knowing more about vehicle damage earlier in the repair process can help save everyone time,

money, and resources, which leads to happier customers. It’s also increased revenue and profitability for his shop, he said. The cost of a brand-new scanner quickly pays for itself because the shop can bill carriers or self-paying customers for each scan, and the scans aren’t time-consuming to perform. The problem shops often have with integrating diagnostics into their repair processes is “remembering not to forget” to scan or calibrate, sometimes even resorting to sticky notes to remind them of these critical tasks. Austin says that’s why he uses CCC® Diagnostics Workflow, because it helps his team integrate diagnostics into every single repair plan and keep track of every scan all in one place. The result? A diagnostics process that comes naturally to his technicians. They no longer need reminders, and they don’t even have to think about it –– it’s simply a required operation for every vehicle, every time.

“You’ve got to make sure you do it, because it’s the times you don’t that you get whistle bit,” Austin says. “We’re all about helping people –– that’s truly our mission, and if we can make a customer feel better about their repair knowing we did everything we could to diagnose the problem, well, then, we’re practicing what we preach.”

To learn more about CCC Diagnostics Workflow, visit www.cccis.com/diagnostics autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 11

Part 2: IDEAS Collide Presenters Encourage Collision Repairers To Think Differently, Outperform By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News0o

Editor’s note: This is the second part of a two-part article on the IDEAS Collide Showcase held during the 2023 SEMA Show. See the December 2023 issue of Autobody News for the first part. Collision repair professionals from a variety of backgrounds took part in the IDEAS Collide Showcase held during the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. Participants shared their “grand schemes” for how the industry can improve and think differently. The presentations were part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) Repairer Driven Education (RDE) Series. Three are summarized below. Death of the Estimator Role Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW in Glendale, CA, shared his perspective on the transition from estimator to repair planner.

Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW in Glendale, CA.

Batenhorst warned attendees about the problems the industry is facing with staffing shortages, needing to get paid more by bill payers and lack of a work-life balance. “That is all due to the pervasive influence of the estimator role,” he noted. “It’s time for it to change.” Batenhorst said there are hundreds of estimator roles waiting to be filled. “We’re unfortunately plagued with high turnover and we’ve become very complacent to it,” he said. Looking back, Batenhorst said the Ford Taurus was a best-selling car in 1993. Fast forward to 2023, and Tesla was one of the top sellers. “You can’t take the same mindset with assessing damage to that vehicle, understanding what it’s made out of with the same lens that we’ve been using for the past 30 years,” Batenhorst pointed out. “The market has dictated these changes in automobiles, but still, the estimator role persists the way it has.” With many estimators working an average of 10 or 12 hours a day, he said they are focusing on a

variety of tasks, including checking in customers, scheduling, verifying insurance coverage, taking payments and delivering vehicles. This is resulting in burnout, high supplement rates, lengthy repairs and unhappy customers, among other challenges. Instead, Batenhhorst said there are more valuable things they could be doing. “It really has become a catch-all position in most modern body shops,” he said. “I challenge all of you to take a seat, watch what is going on and what they’re doing throughout the day.” Batenhorst said it’s not too late to fix these problems. He shared a quote from Shigeo Shingo, one of the founders of the Toyota Production System: “The first step in improvement is dissatisfaction with the status quo.” Later in the week, Batenhorst gave a presentation outlining a system for separating the estimator role and shifting to more thorough repair planning. “I feel so strongly about this that I can’t be the only guy doing this anymore,” he said. “I genuinely feel this will bring a lot of positive change to the industry.” Growth Through Acquisition Bing Wong, managing partner of Collision Builders, talked about the key things body shop operators need to know when considering growing their business through an acquisition.

Bing Wong, managing partner of Collision Builders.

He said an acquisition avoids many of the costs of starting from scratch, such as finding a lease, buying equipment, waiting on permits and contractors and hiring staff. Some upgrades and changes might be required; however, Wong pointed out most “decent shops” have several weeks of work booked out. If the goal is to be part of a network, Wong said by purchasing an existing network shop, there won’t be any upfront franchise fees or rebranding costs. Another benefit of pursuing an acquisition is the ability to integrate a competitor in a key territory. His team often sees great acquisition

12 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

opportunities at affordable entry points in secondary and tertiary markets where the larger consolidators tend not to buy. When looking for an acquisition, Wong recommended focusing on location, capacity, staff, reputation and network status. Wong estimated set-up costs at the lower end of the market start around $250,000 in addition to the time it takes to upgrade the facility. Wong said most deals are being sold for three to five times adjusted earnings; however, there are outliers above and below that range. When purchasing a shop under $2 million in sales, Wong said it’s likely a family business, where the owner/ operator also paints some vehicles, may own the building and pay himself or herself rent and/or a salary, which might not show up in the financials. “You’ve got to have somebody go through the normalization of earnings so you know what you’re buying and there are no surprises,” he said. For shops in the $3 million to $5 million range, Wong said potential buyers are likely competing with big consolidators and/or private equitybacked businesses. “You need to understand how to come up with an offer quickly, whether you’re paying a premium or a discount so you can compete in that environment against the bigger buyers,” he explained. He also stressed the importance of determining financing. Wong recommended shop owners refrain from spreading themselves too thin during the process, hire the proper counsel, and most importantly, not share the purchase plan with others. “We’ve seen many deals go sour because the buyer or the seller couldn’t keep it a secret until the deal was done,” he said. The Culture Code Tracy Dombrowski, training manager at Collision Advice, talked about the importance of body shops building a strong culture in their businesses. Dombrowski said a team at Harvard University chose 10 body shops and analyzed their culture over 10 years. They found the net revenue of the businesses with a strong culture outperformed those with a weak culture by 756%. “That’s huge,” said Dombrowski. “The relationship between performance and culture is more than a mere coincidence, but implementing a strong culture in your business is not easy.”

During her presentation, Dombrowski shared tips from a book by Daniel Coyle, “The Culture Code.” First is to focus on safety and connection with teams. “As adults, we want to feel safe and comfortable in the environments we work in,” she said. “If leaders have all the status and privilege in a business, they’re unapproachable and we feel like we can’t bring them our ideas.” She said employees often don’t feel they can be candid when things aren’t going well and don’t take risks because they fear reprisals.

Tracy Dombrowski, training manager at Collision Advice.

“Businesses that have a good, strong culture have a do it with them versus a do it to them approach and treat people with respect,” she noted. “They ask for their advice and opinions, and they include team members in decisions that impact them.” Dombrowski stressed the importance of making sure everyone has a voice. “Never end a meeting without everyone on your team having spoken, and thank people for their contributions, no matter how big or small,” she shared. “When they can do that, powerful things start to happen in your business.” Step two is to share vulnerability. “This means that the leader in a business is willing to admit their mistakes and ask for help,” she explained. Dombrowski said when a leader can share their weaknesses and vulnerabilities, teammates can put aside their insecurities and ask for help. The final point from Coyle’s book is to talk about purpose. Dombrowski said this is a shared goal or vision for an organization that includes what you’ll do and why. “If you can remember to give everyone a voice, share vulnerability, ask for help, admit your weaknesses and share that purpose with your team, then you’ll be able to thrive and not just survive in your business,” she said.

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l CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4

Year In Review The first round of funding was announced in March, with $25 million distributed in fiscal year 2022 and $37 million for fiscal year 2023. Round one awards, in the amount of $34.8 million, resulted in the approval of 56 projects in 37 counties, the first of which is scheduled for completion in Pittson by 2024. Typically, according to PennDOT, projects take approximately 18-24 months to complete at an average cost of $650,000. In November, PennDOT hosted six community engagement sessions for prospective contractors interested in applying for $22 million of Round 1A funding. Projects will focus on closing gaps along Pennsylvania’s 1,800 miles of previously designated Alternative Fuel Corridors. Per federal guidance, sites must be no more than 50 miles apart and within one mile of an exit before moving outward with future projects. They will also be required to install Level 3, or DC fast chargers, with a minimum of four CCS charging ports. PennDOT hopes to announce conditional awards in May, with environmental reviews and other steps to follow over the summer and fall.

AmpUp Gets $1.7 Million To Spearhead EV Charging in Connecticut AmpUp, an electric vehicle (EV) charging operating system, announced it was awarded up to $1.7 million in project funding by the State of Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) for EV charging demand flexibility. The grant was awarded Dec. 13 under PURA’s Innovative

Energy Solutions program, a statewide initiative to identify, pilot and scale innovative ideas that enable a decarbonized, affordable and equitable electric grid for Connecticut. The pilot aims to provide grid operators with a scalable solution to balance energy demand during peak periods by decreasing load at EV stations, ultimately leading to cost savings

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for ratepayers. “The AmpUp team could not be more excited to receive this grant. We are eager to accelerate the EV transition in the state by exploring EV charging management capabilities with utilities, station owners and EV drivers,” said Tom Sun, CEO and cofounder of AmpUp. “We are investing heavily in the State of Connecticut and excited to see opportunities like this grow local jobs in addition to helping the state meet their air quality goals.” AmpUp was one of seven final awardees among more than 50 applicants, and the only EV charging company selected for this phase of funding. The project is planned to kick off in 2024 and is tied to state goals of meeting clean air standards, growing EV adoption and supporting underserved communities. AmpUp was also one of the first companies to receive an investment through Connecticut Innovations’ recently launched $100 million ClimateTech Fund.

“EV charging should be simple, affordable and accessible,” said Drew D’Alelio, senior associate from Connecticut Innovations, the state’s venture capital arm. “With this award, AmpUp’s innovative software and energy management technology will be positioned to shine, simplifying the EV transition and driving meaningful economic and environmental benefits for Connecticut residents.” According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Data Center, AmpUp’s network represents more than 30% of all networked Level 2 charging stations in Connecticut, as well as more than 94% of all private chargers in the state. As one of the largest EV charging networks in the state, AmpUp also holds a 96.4% charge session success rate on top of a nearly 100% system uptime across their network of integrated Level 2 and DC Fast chargers in North America. AmpUp is further investing in Connecticut with plans to open a new office in East Hartford in early 2024.

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Unique Collision Repair Training Program Shows Results By John Yoswick Autobody News0o

Since 2020, a program in place at a handful of collision repair training programs at secondary schools across the country has taken a unique approach to increasing the quality— and hopefully, quantity—of new technicians entering the industry. The Collision Engineering Program, largely funded initially by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation and subsequently joined by Ford Motor Company, trains collision repair students by rotating them every eight weeks between school and working in a shop.

said. “That’s a problem, and I want to change that. I just don’t know that we can have the conversation about labor shortage if we don’t. I do feel the industry really is doing a really good job of isolating 50% of the population, just with its general culture. I think a program like this is exactly what we need to change that perception of the industry. It gives young women who want to enter the industry a very safe way to do that.”

together a family’s second-biggest investment. So I wanted to make sure that I’m not going to be picking up bad habits.” Having that in her mind didn’t necessarily result in a good fit with a shop at first, she said, but the program is a supportive environment for staying on course.

Tech Says Program Worked for Her Indeed, the CIC panel included a woman working in a shop after completing the Collision Engineering Program at College of Lake County Technician Karina Badillo said the format of the Collision Engineering Program led her choose to study collision repair.

A panel of students, instructors and shop employers at CIC discussed the success of the Collision Engineering Program.

Three years into the effort, which now involves seven schools, a panel of those involved with the program— students, instructors and shop employers—discussed what they see working about the program. Amber Alley, manager of Barsotti’s Body and Fender in San Rafael, CA, said she’s been involved with the program for about three years, now working with her second student from Contra Costa College. “Both have been so different personality-wise that it’s [led to] personal growth for me as a manager,” Alley said during the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) that took place in Las Vegas during SEMA week. “I think it’s made me better, more self-aware. You want to see these young people succeed. They’ve taken the first step. They have already identified this as being an industry that they want to pursue a career in. So there’s a call to action for us as shops. We have a problem, and we can complain about it, or we can look at this new idea and see if there’s something there.” Alley said when she attended the graduation ceremony for her first student completing the program, there was a woman graduating from the program at the same time. “I’ve been 30 years in a management position of some capacity in the industry, and I’ve never employed a woman technician,” Alley

in Illinois. Karina Badillo said the structure of the program contributed to her choosing the collision repair trade. “When I was picking a career, I knew I wanted to be passionate about it, but I also knew I wanted to make an impact, and the trades have that to offer,” Badillo said. “When I first started college, I bounced around through welding and through automotive technology, but they didn’t have a program that was similar to this. Once I saw that there was the eight weeks on and off, and that you can really connect the bookwork to the actual hands-on experience that the real world has to offer, I noticed that the rest of the classes weren’t amounting to as much. I personally felt like I could grow more. I’m very focused on wanting to continue learning, and this program had that to offer, so I fell right in line with it.” She knew what she hoped to find at the shop where she would be working during the program. “I wanted to know that the shop was just as eager to learn about what was coming with the next [vehicle] models as I was to learn about the cars,” she said. “In school, we were always learning about [OEM] procedures and looking everything up and printing it out and making sure that everything was done the right way. I mean, these are really important things. We’re putting

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“I’m an example of [someone having] been in both a really good shop and one that was not so welcoming,” she said. “Instead of giving up, I was able to go back, I had a team [at the school] behind me, and they were able to help guide me into where I fit.” The Instructors’ Viewpoint Octavio Cavazos, a collision repair instructor and department chairman at the College of Lake County, said his program has two cohorts of students: one that does all of its training at the school, and another in the Collision Engineering Program. “The significant difference [with the Collision Engineering students] is how fast they are able to grow in their career,” Cavazos said. “There’s no difference between the two [groups] the first eight weeks. It isn’t until they enter the [shop] for that first week that they are able to see how all that learning they did for the first eight weeks is actually turning into handson skills. “Once they come back for that second semester, after being out for that first internship, that’s when you see the light bulb turning on,” Cavazos said. “That’s when they come back with more questions, more hunger for the knowledge. They want to learn. After that first semester, you have a completely new student cohort on your hands. You almost have to try to keep up with them.” What do the instructors in these programs look for in the shops where students are placed? “They generally have to be a certified shop,” said Laura Lozano, an instructor and chairman of the auto body department at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA.

“We appreciate that, and look for engagement with I-CAR training, OEM training, and that they’re properly equipped. We do a lot of meeting with the shops and getting to know their culture, getting to know their technicians who would be mentors of our students. The biggest piece in all of this is finding an employer, a manager, who is open to going through this process with the student and with the college. We call it a triangle of communication between student, employer and the school, being able to meet the student where they are, as they evolve through the program.” ‘This is the Solution’ Tiffany Silva of Accurate Auto Body in Richmond, CA, said her shop is working with its third student going through the Collision Engineering Program.

Shop owner Tiffany Silva said the Collision Engineering Program is part of the solution the industry needs to the technician shortage.

“This is the solution. We are here to tell you that it has worked for us,” she said at CIC. “The success of this program is something that we need to see nationwide, and then we will stop complaining about the shortage of techs.” Silva said the help and support from Lozano and the other staff at Contra Costa College where the students are enrolled has been awesome.

“This is the solution. We are here to tell you that it has worked for us.” — TIFFANY SILVA ACCURATE AUTO BODY

“It is just so vital when I think about it,” Silva said. “When you hire someone off the street, you get that technician. When you hire a Collision Engineering student, you get a whole team behind that student. Even now that two of my students have graduated, Laura is still helping to coach them and still has a presence in our shop. She comes through and checks in and sees how they’re doing.”

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Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

Increase Your Auto Body Shop’s Closing Ratio by Countering Customer Concerns Whenever a shop approaches me looking for help with marketing, my first question is always, “What’s your closing ratio?” Because before you try to attract more potential customers to the door, you need to make sure you’re converting enough of the current “shoppers” coming to your door into “customers” who make an appointment to have their car repaired. So if you aren’t doing so already, track your closing ratio for 30 to 60 days. If you write 100 estimates and get 60 of those jobs, you have a 60% closing ratio. And if your closing ratio isn’t 85% or better, you need to focus more on “selling” than on “marketing.” Think about it: Let’s say you have a 65% closing ratio and you currently have annual sales of about $2 million. You can quickly estimate your potential sales from all your estimates is about $3.07 million ($2 million current sales divided by 0.65 closing ratio). If you could nudge up your closing ratio by capturing just 10% of those lost sales, you’ve added $307,000 to your annual sales without

spending a dime more on marketing. But to do this, it’s not enough to know just your closing ratio. You also need to know WHY people didn’t schedule repairs with you. What was their reason, their objection?

Shops should help their sales team develop scripts to counter the most common customer objections. Image via Shutterstock.

It could be because they felt they need to get multiple estimates. It could be because they need to check with their spouse. It could be because they think your shop is too expensive, or because their insurer told them you are hard to work with. It could

because they need a loaner car or want their deductible waived. Track these objections either manually or with your shop management system. Here’s why: In my shops, we were determined to keep our closing ratio high, to let as few of the potential jobs that came to our door get away. So once a month, I’d bring the office staff together and we’d look at our closing ratio number. We’d also look at the reasons we weren’t able to get potential customers to schedule appointments for repairs. We’d then brainstorm what we could do to overcome the objections we were hearing. We’d use those discussions to build sales scripts and training that address those objections, one at a time. Then we’d roleplay the scenarios so they could practice and learn how to overcome those objections. If the objection was that another shop has a loaner car, for example, we’d make sure the potential customer knew we offer them free pick-up and delivery within 10 miles of the shop, and estimators could

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extend this range based on the job. We’d make sure they knew we could coordinate a rental they could pick up and drop off at the shop. We’d offer to contact their insurer if they weren’t sure if they had rental car coverage or not. We could offer them some mass transit passes, or as appropriate, take advantage of some of the free rental days our rental car vendor offered us. We built a whole series of these types of responses for a variety of different objections we encountered. While I think going through this process with your own staff is a valuable exercise, you can also download the “Overcoming Objections” document we developed at my shop from the “Forms, Tools and Links” section of my website, tinyurl.com/collisionadvice. So before you pour dollars or effort into marketing to get more potential business to the door, measure how much of that potential business you’re capturing. And if it’s not 85% or better, put some effort into helping your team overcome the objectives they’re hearing.

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PPP Fraud Scheme negative $3.50 and negative $17.50, respectively. Hopkins spent the loans on kickbacks to the co-conspirator, providing funds to friends, family members and associates, making large cash withdrawals and paying off personal debts. Hopkins also used $30,000 of the PPP funds to purchase an auto body repair shop, B&G Auto Repair LLC. He planned to seek a fraudulent loan for this entity as well. In March 2021, another fraudulent loan application was submitted for Prestige Executive Protection Services, LLC, another business owned by Hopkins, seeking $250,000, but it was declined. Hopkins and his co-conspirator tried to get loans for various other

purported businesses, including Prestige Paradise Promotions, LLC, Prestige Executive Protection Services II, LLC, Prestige Real Estate & Development, LLC, and B&G Auto Repair LLC, but the loans never closed. Hopkins also caused to be submitted numerous fraudulent EIDL applications between April and July 2020. The loans were declined, but Hopkins received two advances totaling $9,000. The District of Maryland Strike Force, part of a nationwide initiative to prosecute COVID-19 fraud, helped with the investigation. U.S. Attorney Erek L. Barron commended the FBI’s work in the investigation, and thanked the Baltimore County Police Department and the SBA Office of Inspector General. Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul Riley prosecuted the case, with assistance from Maryland COVID-19 Strike Force Paralegal Specialist Joanna Huber.

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Mercedes-Benz of Hanover

‘Who Pays’ Survey Finds More Shops Researching Battery Reconnect Procedures When collision repairers were asked recently how often they are researching the OEM procedures required after reconnecting a battery, 34% said they do it “all the time”—up from just 20% a year earlier—and another 22% said they do it “most of the time.” That was among the findings of a quarterly “Who Pays for What?” survey, conducted by Collision Advice and CRASH Network. Battery reconnect procedures vary by automaker, Mike Anderson of Collision Advice said, but sometimes include initializing sensors or clearing diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs). “I was analyzing the procedures called for by one Asian automaker recently, and found 11 procedures required after reconnecting the battery,” Anderson said. “Researching procedures needs to happen every single time on every single vehicle. Disconnecting the battery often will set DTCs that you can’t check for without doing a postrepair scan in conjunction with reconnecting the battery.”

In terms of reimbursement for the labor involved in battery reconnect procedures, the survey found more than half of shops (57%) that bill for it say they are regularly paid by the top eight largest national insurers---even while about 1 in 4 shops have never sought payment for these OEMspecified procedures. The latest quarterly “Who Pays for What?” survey is now open through the month of January. It focuses on not-included refinish labor operations. Shops can take the survey at www.surveymonkey. com/r/36MGRML Survey participants receive a free report with complete surveyfindings along with analysis and resources to help shops better understand and use the information presented. The survey can be completed in about 15 minutes by anyone familiar with their shop’s billing practices and the payment practices of at least some of the largest national insurers. Each shop’s individual responses are held in the strictest confidence; only aggregated data is released.

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You Can Teach Old Dogs New Tricks By Toby Chess Autobody News

You have heard you can’t teach old dogs new tricks, but I want to refute that adage—you can. Gen Z—slightly under 30 years old—are constantly on the move and less patient, which leads to a higher degree of anxiety. They are more motivated by money than Millennials, the next generation up. They will not be motivated by the things we Baby Boomers and Gen Xers were. When I was growing up, I was always told by adults I needed to pay my dues before advancing to the next level in the business world. These young men and women were brought up with cell phones and computers and don’t want to wait around in a body shop sweeping the floor or washing cars—they want to make money.

Brandon Candelria uses a light to determine the size of the dent and what tools will be necessary to repair it

I remember when I was in 10th grade and tried out for football. I made the team and I needed a pair of cleats. I got on a bus, went to a store and bought my first pair. I was so excited, that night I slept in my cleats. The experience told me if we want to keep Gen Z employees, we need to think outside the box. I started giving tools to young men and women who want a career in the collision industry, and the shop furnishes a new tool box. The tools and tool box are free, but there is one condition—they need to stay at the shop for one year. To date, I have furnished tools for 32 young men and women. One young man at Scandinavian Coach Craft started to cry when he was told the tools were his and they were free. Last year, Tom Williamson, the owner of Marina Auto Body in Huntington Beach, CA, took his award-winning 1963 Pontiac Grand Prix to a car show in Orange County. Brandon Candelria was positioning the cars that were to be judged and struck up a conversation with Tom. He told Tom he wanted to become

a collision technician. Tom gave Brandon his card and told him to call Cyndi Osthus, manager of his Huntington Beach location, for an interview. He was hired on the spot. He was introduced to Jack Cook, his soon-to-be collision mentor. Tom knew about my program supplying tools for apprentices and wanted to participate. I ordered the tools and made a date to drop them off and train the techs on the KECO Level 2 Glue Pull Repair Collision System kit. I showed up the following week and gave Brandon his tools, and Cyndi gave him a new tool box. Jack and the two other technicians, along with Brandon, spent the next two hours understanding the Glue Pull Repair System. I have known Jack more than 20 years, and he is an excellent tech and mentor. Being in his early 60s, he is very set in his ways and did not think he would use it except on rare occasions, like when doing an aluminum panel repair. I have noticed younger techs will embrace this new technology, whereas older techs want to repair panels as they have done over their entire careers. About a year later, Cyndi called me and said Brandon was really progressing, and she wanted him trained on the KECO system. I set a date and arrived at the shop to train with just Brandon. We started by using the light to determine the size of the dent and what tools would be necessary. This is not an article on the steps for using the KECO system, but I thought it would to nice observe some of the training KECO offers. Last year, about two weeks before Christmas, I received a call from Jack Cook. He called to apologize to me. I didn’t have a clue why.

repairing the small damage using the system on vehicles after Jack finished the major repairs. “I realized from the start that Brandon was going to be a high level technician,” Jack said.

Gary Kasabian, left, and Juan Ruiz, right, with tools and new tool box

He said Brandon was recently able to flag 70 hours in two weeks. “I really was impressed that most of the repairs were metal finished. I finally realized that I was wrong about the glue tab system and that is why I called to apologize,” Jack said. “I asked Brandon to teach me how to use the glue tab system.” I laughed and said the mentee was now the mentor. Jack told me he fixed a quarter panel that had been damaged in the lot at a Toyota dealership. The sliding door would have needed to

be removed and a metal tab would need to be welded on to pull the dog leg out, but Jack, with his newfound knowledge, used the KECO system to pull out the panel, without removing the door and welding. I thanked him for his honesty and said call me any time if he needed any help. I have been teaching a number of these apprentices on how to use the Glue Pull Repair Collision System from KECO. The training the company offers is by far the best in helping these entry level young men and women learn how to repair dents. It keeps them motivated and accelerates their contribution to the repair process. If I can be of any assistance in future, send me an email at tcspeedster@gmail.com. Please type “apprentice” in the subject line.

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Brandon Candelria, an apprentice at Marina Auto Body, uses the KECO Junior K-Beam to lift a dent

He said when I did the KECO training, he really was not interested. He told me Brandon, on his own time, would take damaged hoods and doors and practiced collision damage removal using the glue tab system,

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ASE Education Foundation Names Officers, Board

Record-Breaking Auto Insurance Hikes Expected in 2024

The ASE Education Foundation recently announced the officers for its 2024 Board of Directors, as well as new board members. The new chair of the ASE Education Foundation is Joelle Pollak, cofounder of Promotive. Eric Kenar, manager, technician environment and service technical college for GM, will serve as vice chair. Dwayne Myers, president and CEO of Dynamic Automotive, will serve as treasurer, and Brian LaCroix, automotive instructor at Capital Region BOCES Career & Technical Education Center, will hold the role of secretary. Serving as past chair will be Trey Michael, senior director, office of career and technical education at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. New board members include Brent Franks, president, North Texas Automobile Dealers; Dennis Harden, chief, career and technical education for the Iowa Department of Education; Joe Oleson, director of fleet maintenance, support & equipment, FedEx Freight; Jason Ross, curriculum designer, Volkswagen Group of America; and Juwan Willis, program instructor, Oakland Schools NE Tech Campus.

Auto insurance rates in the U.S. are set to surge by an average of 12.6%, the steepest increase since 2018, according to the comprehensive “State of Auto Insurance in 2024” report by ValuePenguin.com, a LendingTree subsidiary. ValuePenguin’s report details a concerning trend for motorists, with auto insurance premiums consistently climbing. The average annual cost of auto insurance is projected to hit $1,984 in 2024, a 29% increase since 2018. This trend is nationwide, affecting drivers in all 50 states. Nevada leads the pack with a 28% rate increase, the highest in the country. Significant hikes are also anticipated in Washington state (18%), Arizona (17%), Connecticut (17%), Louisiana (16%) and Georgia (16%). On the flip side, states like Maine, New Hampshire and Idaho will enjoy relatively lower average premiums. The report further highlights the financial impact on drivers with traffic violations. These

motorists are facing an average premium jump of 52%, with those in North Carolina, California and Hawaii experiencing the most severe increases of over 90%. In a positive note, insuring electric vehicles is becoming more affordable, though premiums for new EVs are still 23% higher than those for new gasoline-powered cars. Tesla’s Model X, Model 3 and Model Y top the list of the highest insurance premiums in 2024, while the Honda CR-V and Ford F-150 emerge as the most economical options. Divya Sangameshwar, an insurance expert at ValuePenguin. com, emphasized the growing financial strain, particularly on Gen Z drivers who will face a 188% higher insurance rate than older drivers in 2024.

Sangameshwar pointed out that while inflation shows signs of slowing, the rising costs of car repairs or replacements, coupled with an increase in severe weather incidents and car thefts, including a 700% spike in catalytic converter thefts since 2019, are key factors driving these rate hikes. In response to these challenges, ValuePenguin. com offers practical tips for drivers looking to mitigate the impact of these increases. Recommendations include comparing insurance quotes, exploring various discounts, adjusting coverage levels, and improving credit scores. These strategies have proven effective, with policyholders who shopped around in 2023 saving an average of $398 annually.

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CCC Brings in 2024 With New AI Solutions, Google Collaboration By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

CCC Intelligent Solutions recently announced various developments for the collision repair industry, including new artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, a collaboration with Google and the expansion of its integration partners. Mark Fincher, vice president of product management, automotive services, and Dan Risley, vice president of quality repair and market development, shared details with Autobody News.

the industry, all while delivering exceptional service to consumers.” Repair Cost Predictor, a feature of CCC® Engage, applies AI to the digital photos of vehicle damage submitted by consumers and generates a predicted range of the repair cost. Fincher said this helps consumers determine if they want to file a claim,

New AI Solutions CCC launched two AI solutions, Repair Cost Predictor and Mobile Jumpstart. Both integrate into CCC ONE®, the company’s cloud-based platform. Fincher said the products were created in response to shop labor shortages and were designed to save estimators time by streamlining labor-intensive tasks. “We’re bringing Repair Cost Predictor and Mobile Jumpstart forward at a time when repairers are being challenged by labor shortages, supply chain disruptions and growing vehicle complexity,” said Fincher. “These tools will help repairers to meet the evolving demands of

Mark Fincher, left, and Dan Risley, right, during the 2023 SEMA Show

request a detailed estimate and/or schedule an appointment for repair. “Repair Cost Predictor streamlines the consumer experience, creates opportunities for new business and allows shops to differentiate themselves, all while allowing repair shop staff to focus on core tasks,” he said. With Mobile Jumpstart, a feature of CCC ONE® Estimating IQ, estimators can take photos of the vehicle onsite and use AI to pre-populate an initial estimate from a user’s mobile phone. It also

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Google Collaboration CCC teamed up with Google to streamline the online appointment booking process for repair shops that use CCC® Engage. The collaboration includes a “Book Online” button on a repair shop’s Google Business Profile, helping to drive digital traffic. Customers can schedule appointments through CCC’s online platform, Carwise. “Through our collaboration, we’re helping to raise the profile of our CCC Engage shops among consumers searching for collision repair services,” said Fincher. “Our focus is on providing a practical solution that allows repair facilities to enhance their consumer experience, making appointment scheduling easier for both the consumer and the repair facility.”

CCC® Diagnostics Workflow CCC also released CCC Diagnostics Workflow, which provides shops the ability to manage the scanning and calibrations during the repair process. This additional product is available to all CCC ONE Customers. “With shops scanning more vehicles than ever before, it can be

difficult to manage which vehicles have been completed,” said Risley. “CCC Diagnostics Workflow helps shops identify and be proactive about managing pre- and post-repair scans as well as calibrations.” Risley shared information about CCC’s expansion integration partners, including AirPro Diagnostics, asTech and Opus IVS. In October 2023, the company announced Elitek Vehicle Services, an LKQ company, joined the CCC Diagnostics Network to include the reporting automation of remote diagnostic services. As a result, shops will be able to view scan reports and invoices in CCC ONE, saving time and effort while standardizing the documentation of work being performed. “If you’re working with one of our integration partners, they’re going to be able to pass along scan reports as well as invoices into CCC repair workflow management system,” explained Risley. “This simplifies the process to make sure that the information is being communicated back into CCC ONE and is all in one place. Having documentation that the work was done correctly is so important to demonstrate the proper procedures were followed.”

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Investment Banker More Bullish Than Ever About Collision Repair Industry By John Yoswick Autobody News

Back in 2013, investment banker Rex Green raised eyebrows at one of the first MSO Symposiums when he predicted that within a decade, the largest collision repair consolidators would have combined market share in the 30% to 40% range. At the time they had only about 5%.

Investment banker Rex Green projects the top MSOs will will have 50% market share within seven years, up from 30% currently

But the Top 5 consolidators— Caliber Collision, Boyd Group/Gerber Collision, Crash Champions, Classic Collision and Joe Hudson’s Collision Centers—today have about 3,500 locations and estimated revenues of $13.2 billion, or just over 30% market

share. Green’s prescience a decade ago had attendees at the most recent MSO Symposium this past fall anxious to hear his presentation at the event, his first since he made his accurate prediction in 2013. Green, now the managing director of automotive aftermarket investment banking at Jefferies LLC, said he believes the large MSOs will attain 50% market share within seven years—and more than double their combined current market share not long after that. “I don’t know, 10 years from now, what the list of names [of] the top players are going to be,” he said. “But I do know that in 10 or 15 years, there’s going to be 20 or 15—or pick a number—players that if you want to service 70% of the collision industry, you’ll have just 15 or 20 phone calls to make. That’s a very different world than it is today.” One thing that will impact smaller operators’ ability to compete, he said, is a change he’s seeing in a growing focus on scale. “Over the last few months, I’ve seemed to have had more and more conversations with vendors [selling] into this industry who have been talking about remaking their product

offering to just fit the large MSOs that are doing business differently than the smaller independents,” he said. Looking further out, 20 to 30 years from now, Green foresees those influencing, if not dictating, vehicle service and repair—insurers, fleet operators, OEMs—to want even more consolidated “curated networks” of service providers.

“I can’t think of any other class of service provider that has all of these things except collision.” — REX GREEN JEFFERIES LLC

“As you think about it, almost all automotive repair today is done in specialty locations: tires, general repair, collision, glass,” Green said. “What would be best would be if there was someone who could provide multiple of these services. What would a provider of comprehensive service in the future look like? National—and eventual international— scale and reach. Location density. Large locations not in high rent areas because you don’t need to be seen. A business-to-business service focus.

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Well-invested in service technology. And with a range of technicians, including the very highly-skilled. Now, who can think of a class of service provider that has all of these things? I can’t think of any other class of service provider that has all of these things except collision.” Green said he’s among those who see this as among the best times ever to be in this industry, with nearly every shop filled to capacity. “I don’t see that stopping,” he said. “Every time I ask somebody [when it will], they always say two years. That means they don’t know either.” He recalled seeing a “preposterous” slide presented at an event in 2015 predicting an imminent and massive drop-off in claims because of autonomous vehicles. The decline could never happen as quickly as the chart indicated, Green said, if only because of how slowly the make-up of the vehicle population changes. “What’s clear and what’s important is that ‘existential threat’ was an empty threat, but it did leave us this wonderful gift of ADAS, which is probably the best thing, in the last 10 years, that we’ve had,” he said. “And it’s going to carry this industry greatly both in profit and sales going forward.”

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CAPA Announces Executive Director

GasBuddy Predicts Lower Gas Prices in 2024 GasBuddy on Dec. 28 released its annual Fuel Price Outlook with some good news for drivers: expect lower gasoline and diesel prices in 2024. The outlook highlights key trends in gasoline and diesel prices, forecasting that, after two years of above average gas prices, 2024 will bring relief at the pump for consumers as several factors contribute to less of a pinch at the pump. GasBuddy expects the yearly national average will drop from $3.51 per gallon this year to $3.38 in 2024. Highlights from GasBuddy’s 2024 Fuel Outlook Gas prices still could fall below a national average of $3 per gallon this winter before potentially rising, getting close to $4 per gallon as summer approaches. Drivers in some West Coast cities could again briefly see prices above $6 per gallon, although most major U.S. cities will see prices peak near $4 per gallon in 2024. Americans are expected to spend a combined $446.9 billion on gasoline in 2024. Average

yearly spending per household will fall to an estimated $2,407, down 2% from 2023, and over 12% from 2022. Electric vehicles (EVs) and the 2024 presidential election have the potential to impact fuel prices in the year ahead, with a potential slowdown in the EV transition at stake.

Memorial Day will be the priciest 2024 holiday at the pump, with the national average price of gasoline expected to be $3.56-$4.04 per gallon on the holiday. “As 2023 fades away, I’m hopeful those $5 and $6 prices for gasoline and diesel will also fade into memory,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis

for GasBuddy. “The global refining picture continues to improve, providing more capacity and peace of mind that record-setting prices will stay away from the pump in 2024. “I anticipate that we’ll still have some volatility, unexpected outages and disruptions, and potentially weather-related issues, but I do not expect it to lead to record prices,” De Haan continued. “Offsetting OPEC+’s production cuts is contributing to the rise of U.S. oil production, which now stands at record levels. Combined with Canada, North American oil production could further stabilize countries that have decided to curb oil production.” The outlook forecasts the highest prices will be seen at the peak of the summer driving season in May, with the national average potentially rising as high as $3.89 per gallon. More uncertainty is expected with hurricane season in late summer. Diesel prices are also predicted to fall incrementally from 2023, peaking at $4.13 per gallon in March 2024.

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The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), an independent nonprofit standard-setting and certification organization for automotive crash parts, announced Terry Fortner has succeeded as CAPA executive director, as of Jan. 1. Fortner brings with him more than four decades of leadership experience and an intimate knowledge of the automotive aftermarket. After 32 years in leadership at Nationwide Insurance, Fortner joined LKQ Corporation in 2009. Over a 13-year tenure, he led industry relations and corporate accounts before serving as vice president of sales and marketing for the entirety of North America. Alongside his position as CAPA executive director, Fortner is chief advisor for Fortner Advisory and Development, LLC, where he acts as a consultant and advisor, specializing in the automotive industry, auto physical damage claims processes, leadership and executive coaching. Fortner has also served as chair and chairman emeritus for the Collision Repair Education Foundation as well as other collision industry organizations.

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Hunter Showcases Award-Winning Ultimate ADAS™ At 2023 SEMA Show By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

From tire changers and balancers to alignment and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) equipment, Hunter Engineering Company is taking steps to ensure its products meet the needs of the collision repair industry. At the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, the company displayed a variety of new equipment for technicians. This included Hunter’s Ultimate ADAS™, designed to eliminate errors common to static ADAS calibrations with manual layouts. During the show, Ultimate ADAS™ was named Best New ADAS Product 2024 as part of the New Product Showcase competition. The company also showcased the HawkEye® XL alignment system, scissor lifts and the 51M tire changer for mobile use. Tom Settle, Hunter’s director of field development and training, said this year’s 8,000-square-foot SEMA booth focused on showcasing equipment created to help with the recruitment and retention of technicians. “Technicians today must have a range of skills,” said Settle. “If you have someone who is very energetic and willing to utilize state-of-the-art technology, you’ll get a larger diversity of candidates.” He said Hunter has created a range of equipment that is easy to use and provides accurate results. “Not only will this help with technician recruitment, but it will also assist with retention and, ultimately, allow shops to be more efficient and profitable,” he added. Ultimate ADAS™ Ultimate ADAS™ combines Hunter’s standard-setting alignment technology with a guided target placement system for around-the-vehicle coverage. Pete Liebetreu, vice president of product management and marketing, said Hunter was proud to win the SEMA award. “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.” Ryan Gerber, Hunter product specialist, ADAS, said the key component is the equipment’s use of gimbal-mounted lasers, which replace the guesswork of strings, plumb bobs and tape measures and can decrease setup time by 70% for some procedures.

Gerber explained the gimbals and onscreen guidance provided by Hunter’s award-winning WinAlign® software assist with target placement by compensating for non-level floors, monitoring for placement errors, and confirming accuracy with laser measurements.

Hunter Engineering Company team members at the 2023 SEMA Show included, left to right, Jon Giles, Jesse Mincer, Nick Montemayor, Jess Parrish, Noel Acevedo, Joe Donato and Tom Settle.

Many common and timeconsuming manual adjustments have been automated with the equipment, such as height, roll, pitch and yaw. Users can also do a full vehicle alignment. provides Ultimate ADAS™ documentation of the procedures performed and exact target placement, which can be accessed or printed via HunterNet® 2, Hunter’s customer portal. Designed with compact packaging, the equipment can be moved around the shop as needed. Honda and Acura dealers are currently using Ultimate ADAS™; Hunter plans to work with additional OEMs in 2024. HawkEye® XL Alignment System Hunter product manager Alan Hagerty said the new HawkEye® XL was designed for speed, durability and ease of use for commercial vehicles; it provides measurements in four minutes or less. “It’s perfect for heavy-duty shops looking to speed up and supersize their alignment capabilities,” he said. “With our old system, I was doing 15 trucks in one 10-hour day,” said Vernon Embree, a technician at Prime Inc., who tested the HawkEye® XL with their large fleet of newer trucks. “Now I’ve hit 26 trucks in one day. I would definitely recommend the XL to anybody.” The camera technology has extralong range and extra-large targets, expanded from the HawkEye® Elite alignment system. Hagerty said the lightweight, threedimensional XL targets are durable, low-maintenance and non-electronic. The high-definition cameras can

28 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

capture measurements in a single rolling compensation and display live alignment readings for up to three axles. Technicians can perform alignments on the floor or a lift. HawkEye® XL connects to the HunterNet® 2 customer portal, which allows shop owners to monitor alignment performance remotely in real time. Scissor Lifts To help repair large and small wheelbases, Hunter introduced two new, longer variations of its RX14 and RX16 scissor alignment racks that can accommodate up to 195-inch twowheel wheelbases. “We know that space is a premium, especially when we talk about ADAS calibrations,” said Settle. The RX14KL lift gains an additional 13 inches and the RX16KL has an additional 17 inches. Liebetreu said the longer wheelbase adds more medium-duty vehicle capability and more runway to perform rolling compensation on crew cab pickups and larger vans. The adjustable turnplate pockets provide 88- to 168-inch four-wheel alignment service range.

51M Tire Changer Hunter introduced the TCX51M to provide additional tire support for technicians. Designed specifically for mobile use and other tight spaces, Settle said the tire changer features a swing arm design with dual bead loosening rollers that can be demounted quickly without a lever. The adjustable center clamp was designed to protect wheels and never slip. The TCX51M’s twospeed inverter motor operates at 110V, allowing technicians to service modern complex assemblies. Training To meet the educational needs of the industry, Settle said Hunter is updating its training approach. The goal is to roll out a gamified style of its learning management system (LMS) in 2024 aimed at the next generation of technicians. This includes designing shorter modules that last between three and five minutes. “All of the courses will be more tailored to the current state of automotive,” explained Settle. For more information about Hunter Engineering Company’s products, visit www.hunter.com.

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SATA Showcases SATAjet® X 5500 Universe, SATA® QMR At 2023 SEMA Show By Autobody News Staff Company representatives at SATA and Dan Am Company, the exclusive independent importer of SATA in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, strive to offer products that represent commitment, precision, appreciation and fun at work. Known by many collision repair professionals worldwide for their German-made spray guns, SATA showcased its products at the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV. These included the SATAjet® X 5500 universe and the SATA® Quick Material Regulator (QMR). The company also provides cup systems, breathing protection systems and compressed air technology. “We take pride in offering customers durable, reliable and efficient spray guns, as well as other products that meet their needs,” said Tony Larimer, Dan Am Company’s director of sales and marketing. Every year, the family-owned company designs a special edition spray gun. In 2023, SATA introduced the SATAjet X 5500 universe, a version of SATA’s premium spray gun. It includes a QR code that

grants owners access to SATA’s online universe portal. After entering the product’s SATA Authentication Label (SAL) number, they can receive access to promotions, competitions and content, such as early product information and technical tips. Larimer said the economical spray gun was designed to be used by a wide range of skill levels and is noticeably quieter than others on the market due to its whispering nozzle and optimized flow geometry. Using the X nozzle system, the spray gun is compatible with all paint systems. The SATAjet X 5500 was built to optimize material distribution for enhanced spraying uniformity. “The maintenance-free and easy-to-operate gun is suitable for application processes that require specific, reduced material flow rates on a regular basis,” explained Larimer. The spray gun has a constant fan size across the nozzle spectrum with linear increases in the material flow rate and no air distribution insert is required. Larimer said the spray gun also offers a wide range of nozzle sets. “It’s a very versatile spray gun,” he added.

The company also displayed the SATA Quick Material Regulator (QMR) at SEMA. The QMR has a fluid adjustment setting and a quick “release function” that allows painters to switch to the fully open position within seconds.

Company team members at the 2023 SEMA Show included, left to right, Chris Springer, Tony Larimer, Patrick Creaney, Joern Stoever, Brigitte Jorgensen and Knud Jorgensen..

“When application processes require frequently recurring adjustments between reduced and fully open material flow rates, the SATA QMR was designed to save time and money,” explained Larimer. “The material flow regulation device allows painters to preset the required reduced material flow rate,

which can then be activated quickly, precisely and in reproducible fashion at the push of a button.” The SATA QMR offers the retrofit option for the SATAjet X 5500/ SATAjet 5000 B. It is available in one pack (1186213) or a two-pack (1162817). The company held a lottery Nov. 15 to give back to the painting specialists and fans of SATA’s products. Prizes included two 2024 SEMA Show Las Vegas trips (megaprize), one of three CDG guns (first prize), one of 10 SATAjet X 5500 (second prize), one of three 4400 B Lady Edition II (third prize), several SATA hoodies and more. “Right now, every job that you do in a shop needs to be more efficient,” said Larimer. “For us at Dan-Am Company, we are proud that SATA works hard to design products to help shops be more efficient with the repair and stop errors and redos.” SATA & Dan Am Company both offer a wide range of training on their YouTube channel. For more information about SATA products, call 800-533-8016, visit www.satausa.com or call your local distributor.

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Dept. Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-4 frankp@davisacura.com autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 33

Law Firm Preparing Class Action Lawsuit Against Driven Brands Robbins LLP, a shareholder rights law firm, will soon be representing a shareholder who filed a class action lawsuit against Driven Brands Holdings Inc., accusing the largest automotive services company in North America of misling investors regarding its ability to integrate its auto glass business and the performance of its car wash segment. The firm said any other shareholder who may be interested in acting as lead plaintiff should contact the firm and submit paperwork by Feb. 20. For more information, call 800350-6003. Shareholders do not have to participate in the case to be eligible for a recovery. If they choose to take no action, they can remain an absent class member. All representation is on a contingency fee basis. Shareholders pay no fees or expenses. A second securities lawfirm, Faruqi & Faruqi, LLP, is also investigating the claims against Driven Brands, and encourages any investor who suffered losses of more than $100,000 between

Oct. 27, 2021, and Aug. 1, 2023, to contact partner Josh Wilson at 877-247-4292 or 212-983-9330 (ext. 1310), or visit www.faruqilaw. com/DRVN for more information. Faruqi & Faruqi also encourages anyone with information regarding Driven Brands’ conduct to contact the firm, including whistleblowers, former employees, shareholders and others.

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of all purchasers of Driven Brands common stock between Oct. 27, 2021, and August 1, 2023. According to the complaint, during that period, Driven

repeatedly touted its ability to execute and integrate acquisitions as a “core strength,” and assured investors it had made “significant progress” integrating the auto glass businesses it had acquired. The company also said the large scale of its car wash business served as a “competitive moat” that would preserve Driven’s competitive position. In truth, the complaint said, Driven was “several quarters” behind on integrating its auto glass businesses, and its car wash business was faltering and more exposed to a decline in demand from retail customers than it represented to investors. As a result, the company’s statements concerning its business and prospects, including its fiscal year 2023 financial guidance, lacked a reasonable basis. The shareholder who filed the suit alleges the truth began to emerge May 8, 2023, when Driven

announced that four days earlier, its former CFO Tiffany Mason abruptly and inexplicably left the company, just one day after Driven reported its financial results for the first quarter of 2023 and Mason participated in the company’s corresponding earnings call. In the wake of Mason’s abrupt departure, Driven reaffirmed its financial guidance for fiscal 2023. Then, on Aug. 2, 2023, Driven reported earnings for the second quarter of 2023 that missed expectations, the complaint said, including disappointing results for both its paint, collision and glass and car wash business segments. The company also slashed its earnings guidance for fiscal 2023. Driven attributed its earnings miss and guidance cut to delays in the integration of its acquired auto glass businesses and increased exposure to “intensified competitive intrusion” in its car wash segment, which negatively impacted consumer demand and the company’s margins. These disclosures caused the price of Driven common stock to decline by $10.63 per share, or 41%.

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CIECA Announces New Member ShopLoaner CIECA welcomes ShopLoaner as a new corporate member. The Cincinnati, OH-based company traces its roots back to the 1990s, when one of the company’s founders wrote a disk operating system (DOS) software program to help car dealerships fill out rental agreements for their loaner vehicles. Over time, the software evolved into a modern, cloud-based solution to assist car dealerships and independent repair shops in managing all aspects of their rental or loaner vehicles. During the pandemic, the ShopLoaner brand was developed to meet the needs of repair shops. Today, ShopLoaner manages more than 1,000 loaner fleets across the U.S. and Canada. Laura Tierney, sales manager for ShopLoaner, said the company recently joined CIECA to offer collision repair shops an integrated solution to manage their in-house rental or loaner vehicles.

DataTouch Launches VINAnonymize To Prevent Reporting Services from Using Estimate Info DataTouch LLC announced the launch of VINAnonymize, a new technology that prevents collision repair estimate information from being used by vehicle identification number (VIN) reporting services such as CARFAX and AutoCheck. DataTouch provides intelligent data management services to collision repairers. The company designed the technology to allow a shop user to anonymize a VIN and help protect customers’ personally identifiable information (PII). “Many times, after creating an estimate, a customer’s vehicle repair information shows up on a vehicle history reporting site, like CARFAX, and the customer blames the body shop or dealer,” said Pete Tagliapietra, managing director of DataTouch. “The owner of the data should have the choice whether or not to opt out just like we have the choice to opt out when we buy a car.” Using VINAnonymize, Tagliapietra said collision centers will be able to select which customer estimates they do not want to be shared,

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providing complete control of the process. Once an estimator captures the VIN, it is entered into the DataTouch Anonymizer. The estimator can then export the data with the anonymized VIN to the estimating system provider.

Using VINAnonymize, collision centers will be able to select which customer estimates they do not want to be shared, providing complete control of the process. Credit: Shutterstock.

Tagliapietra said the anonymized VINs entered will still successfully decode with all three estimating systems. Furthermore, VINAnonymize does not affect the ability to search and/or order new OEM, aftermarket or recycled parts.

DataTouch, a Software as a Service (SaaS) provider to the collision repair industry, was established in 2022 to help collision repair shops securely manage and control customers’ PII and protect estimate repair information from being misappropriated (sold) by thirdparty companies in the collision repair industry. In addition to VINAnonymize, DataTouch offers Data Analyzer and Data Auditor. Data Analyzer helps collision repairers identify who has data pumps running on their facility’s computers. Data Auditor helps identify what information and how often it is being swept from shop computer systems. “DataTouch supports standardization and CIECA Standards; however, we want to ensure transactions are secure and third-parties don’t proliferate PII,” he said. “VIN Anonymizer is the first step that puts a security blanket around EMS and BMS.” For more information about DataTouch, visit www.datatouch.us.

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I-CAR, Ford Launch New Repair Courses I-CAR has collaborated with Ford to introduce four new Ford repair courses. These online courses were designed in alignment with Ford repair procedures to equip repair professionals with the skills needed to maintain and repair the latest Ford vehicle models. The courses include Ford 2023 Super Duty New Model Training, Ford 2024 Mustang New Model Training, Ford 2024 Ranger New Model Training and Ford 2024 Nautilus Training Overview. I-CAR and Ford’s partnership highlights their shared dedication to advancing the collision repair industry. By providing comprehensive training on vehicle-specific technology, I-CAR and Ford empower repair professionals to deliver safe, precise and efficient repairs, ultimately benefiting both customers and the industry as a whole. Ford is also a member of I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program. For more information, visit I-CAR.com/Ford.

U.S. Fuel Economy Hit New Record High, CO2 Emissions Record Low in 2022 Cars The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Dec. 20 released its annual Automotive Trends Report, which showed that model year (MY) 2022 vehicle fuel economy reached a record high while emission levels dropped to record low levels. The report also showed that through the MY 2022 reporting period, all 14 large manufacturers are in compliance with the light-duty greenhouse gas program requirements. “As the United States accelerates towards a clean transportation future, today’s report highlights the historic progress made so far by the industry to reduce climate pollution and other harmful emissions,” said EPA Administrator Michael S. Regan. “We are thrilled to see manufacturers continue to innovate and develop technologies in multiple vehicle categories that have led to a substantial increase in miles per gallon, passing cost savings onto families across the nation.”• Key Highlights of the Report • New vehicle carbon dioxide

emissions and fuel economy had the biggest annual improvement of the last nine years, reaching record low CO2 emissions and record high fuel economy.

Since model year 2004, CO2 emissions have decreased 27% and fuel economy has increased 35%. Credit: Shutterstock.

• From MY 2021-22, average fuel economy increased by 0.6 mpg, more than double the annual rate of improvement in fuel economy over the last decade. • Most vehicle types are at their best-ever fuel economy, including SUVs, which increased their fuel economy by 2.4 mpg in MY 2022. • The average estimated realworld CO2 emission rate for all

new vehicles fell by 3% to the lowest level ever reported. • Since MY 2004, CO2 emissions have decreased 27% and fuel economy has increased 35%. • Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles helped reduce the overall average CO2 emissions from the MY 2022 fleet by 22 grams per mile and improved fuel economy by 1.2 mpg in MY 2022. Most manufacturers have made improvements in fuel economy over the past five years, and they continue to use a wide array of advanced technologies to achieve CO2 emissions, fuel economy and performance goals. In MY 2022, the combined category of electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid vehicles and fuel cell vehicles increased from 4% vehicles produced for sale in the U.S. in MY 2021 to 7% in MY 2022, and are projected to reach 12% in MY 2023. This trend will likely continue as EV production is expected to grow across the industry in coming years.

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Check out MoparRepairConnect.com for resources, promotions and technical information. ©2024 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer, 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.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 37 11/30/23 1:41 PM

GM Buys Out Nearly Half of Buick Dealerships General Motors will end the year with 47% fewer Buick dealerships than it had at the beginning of 2023— about 1,000 nationwide—after nearly half declined to spend $300,000 to $400,000 to be able to sell EVs.

Buick’s Wildcat EV concept.

The Detroit Free Press reported a GM spokesperson, Scott Poppitt, said in an email, “We’ve given dealers who are not aligned with Buick’s future to exit voluntarily in a respectful and structured way; with the full support of our National Dealer Council.” Buick plans to only offer electric models by 2030. Poppitt told the Free Press that despite the loss, Buick sales are still up nearly 60% this year through November, meaning the remaining dealerships saw their average throughput triple. The voluntary buyout program is still open.

Cummins Inc. Fined $1.675 Billion For Clean Air Act Violations Cummins Inc. agreed to pay a historic $1.675 billion penalty to the U.S. and the State of California for violating the Clean Air Act by installing emissions defeat devices on hundreds of thousands of engines, marking the largest civil penalty in the act’s history and the secondlargest environmental penalty ever. According to the press release, Cummins Inc. allegedly equipped 630,000 model year 2013 to 2019 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines with defeat devices. These devices are designed to bypass, defeat or render inoperative crucial emissions controls such as emission sensors and onboard computers. Additionally, the company is accused of installing undisclosed auxiliary emission control devices on 330,000 model year 2019 to 2023 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup truck engines. U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized the commitment to enforcing environmental laws that

safeguard American citizens from harmful pollutants. “Today, the Justice Department reached an initial agreement with Cummins Inc. to settle claims that, over the past decade, the company unlawfully altered hundreds of thousands of engines to bypass emissions tests in violation of the Clean Air Act,” Garland said.

tons of excess nitrogen oxides, significantly impacting public health and safety. Long-term exposure to these pollutants can lead to severe health issues, including asthma and respiratory infections. The Justice Department will work to incorporate this agreement into a consent

The penalty is not just a financial hit to Cummins Inc. but also a statement of the Justice Department’s aggressive stance against environmental law violations. Preliminary estimates suggest the defeat devices in question caused Cummins engines to emit thousands of

decree, which will be filed with the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Garland expressed gratitude to the teams from the Environment and Natural Resources Division, the EPA and the State of California for their roles in investigating and prosecuting this case.

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Honda To Launch ‘0 Series’ EV Globally in 2026 Honda announced its new global electric vehicle (EV) series, the “Honda 0 Series,” set to launch in 2026. The announcement was made during the world premiere of two concept models, Saloon and Space-Hub, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024. The Saloon, the flagship model of the Honda 0 Series, encapsulates the series’ ethos of “Thin, Light, and Wise.” It is built on a dedicated EV platform, embodying Honda’s “man maximum/machine minimum” design philosophy. This results in a vehicle that boasts a low and wide exterior, yet surprises with a spacious interior. The use of sustainable materials throughout and the incorporation of an advanced humanmachine interface (HMI) further underscore Honda’s commitment to sustainability and innovation. Adding to its appeal, the Saloon introduces new steer-by-wire and motion control management systems. These advancements, derived from Honda’s extensive expertise in robotics, promise an enhanced driving experience,

reaffirming the brand’s dedication to the “joy of driving” in the EV era. A production model based on the Saloon concept is expected in North America by 2026. The Space-Hub, developed under the theme of “augmenting people’s daily lives,” offers a vision

Honda also introduced a new Honda “H” mark, exclusively for its next-generation EV models. The redesigned logo, symbolizing two outstretched hands, represents Honda’s ambition for a historic transformation and its continuous pursuit of new challenges.

Honda’s Saloon concept.

of a vehicle that is more than just a means of transportation. It is envisaged as a ‘hub’ that connects people to each other and the wider world. Its design emphasizes space and visibility. The Space-Hub’s flexible interior can adapt to various passenger needs, reflecting Honda’s vision of vehicles that extend beyond traditional roles.

The Honda 0 Series not only marks a new chapter in vehicle design but also in technological advancements, it will feature an advanced driver-assistive system (ADAS) and, later in the 2020s, next-generation automated driving (AD) features. These systems, developed with Honda’s human-centric safety concept, will use AI, advanced sensing,

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recognition and driver monitoring technologies to offer natural and precise risk predictions. This approach aims to make AD features more accessible and comfortable for users. In addition to these technological advancements, the Honda 0 Series will be characterized by enhanced aerodynamics and battery efficiency. The series will leverage Honda’s motorsports heritage, including Formula 1 experience, to deliver a sporty driving experience. The e-Axles system, along with a high-density battery, promises ample power and range while maintaining a compact size. To address common concerns around EVs, Honda is also focusing on reducing charging times and minimizing battery degradation over time. Honda’s commitment to the “Art of Resonance” design philosophy, integrating the environment, society and users, is evident in the Honda 0 Series. This holistic approach ensures the vehicles not only meet but enhance the needs and expectations of consumers.

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John Bean Posts New ADAS System Videos

Volkswagen Partners With AI Company To Integrate ChatGPT in Vehicles

New videos have been added to the John Bean website to help users get the most out of the award-winning Tru-Point™ advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration tool. The Tru-Point ADAS system coverage videos include topics such as the calibration procedure, radar, night vision, Lidar, lane watch, blind spot and front camera, as well as the front radar cone, front radar plate and side and rear radar. A one-stop solution for ADAS calibration, Tru-Point uses highly accurate advanced camera technology, targets and topof-the-line software to quickly uncover core ADAS-specific vehicle alignment issues, allowing users to perform accurate ADAS calibrations. Tru-Point performs a check of the ADAS-related wheel alignment values and closely monitors each step of the setup procedure, ensuring that OEM safety specifications have been met before an ADAS calibration is performed. Learn more at www.JohnBean.com.

Cerence Inc. and Volkswagen on Jan. 8 announced a partnership to deliver an automotivegrade ChatGPT integration to Volkswagen drivers. Volkswagen will leverage Cerence’s new, generative AI-powered Cerence Chat Pro to enable drivers and passengers to engage the in-car assistant in fun and conversational chitchat, leveraging a multitude of sources, including ChatGPT, to provide accurate and relevant responses to nearly every query imaginable. Volkswagen will be the first automaker to roll out the new feature via cloud updates to cars already on the road. Cerence Chat Pro will go live in current MEB and MQB evo models from VW Group brands that use the IDA voice assistant. Cerence Chat Pro is the fastest and easiest way for automakers to integrate ChatGPT into their in-car assistant platforms with full flexibility, extensive customization and low integration effort. “With software at the core of

the Volkswagen of the future, it’s critical that we quickly deploy meaningful innovation powered by advancements in AI,” said Thomas Ulbrich, member of the Board of Management responsible for new mobility at Volkswagen.

“By leveraging Cerence Chat Pro, we are able to bring added value and a fun and engaging experience to our drivers with minimal integration effort and on a short development and deployment timeline, ensuring our customers are benefitting from new AI-powered conversational technology.” “We’re proud to build on our automotive expertise and

our long-term partnership with Volkswagen to continue to bring new innovation to customers, even post-vehicle purchase,” said Stefan Ortmanns, CEO of Cerence. “It was impressive to see the agility and speed of the Volkswagen team as our companies collectively sprung into action to bring this project to life, marking our shared commitment to leveraging advancements in AI to enhance the in-car user experience.” Looking toward the future, Volkswagen and Cerence will explore collaboration to design a new, large language model (LLM)based user experience as the basis of Volkswagen’s next-generation in-car assistant. This unique user experience will combine voice and touch, allowing users to perform tasks across different applications in a single conversational thread for a safer and more joyful driving experience. The system will be built on Cerence’s first-of-its-kind, automotive-grade LLM fine-tuned with the company’s extensive automotive dataset.

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Romans Group Releases 2022 Profile of Evolving Collision Repair Marketplace The Romans Group recently published its 17th annual white paper, “A 2022 Profile of the Evolving U.S. and Canadian Collision Repair Marketplace,” analyzing a banner year for the industry and predictions for the future. The full white paper, containing the complete results of the group’s research and analysis for 2022, including more than 75 charts and graphs with historical trends and a future view, can be purchased by contacting Mary Jane Kurowski at maryjane@romans-group.com. Pre-COVID 2019 had been the apex year for the U.S. collision repair industry, with a total addressable market (TAM) of $38.6 billion, the highest in history— until 2022, which set a new benchmark for opportunity and success, with a TAM of $44.8 billion. Despite the continued technician shortage, this was possible due to the industry’s general improvement in better optimizing production throughput and the ongoing increase in severity throughout 2022 and continuing into 2023. The recovery from the pandemic’s downward impact in 2020 and 2021 continues to have near-term relevance for comparison purposes for the postpandemic years of 2022 and 2023. The recovery continues its steady

growth despite the tightening economy for the North American collision repair industry and the broader auto physical damage landscape. The steady number of vehicles on the road and a consistent and stable number of car accidents continues to fuel demand for collision repair services without any significant decrease in sight. However, the collision repair technician shortage in the U.S. remains a significant challenge impacting the ability to repair and service these vehicles in a timely manner. Collision Repair Industry Some highlights of a generally recovering and improving collision repair industry: • As 2023 was the year for everything artificial intelligence, it was no different for the collision repair space. Its use and introduction as part of many organizations’ solutions to solve many of the industry’s problems has been announced and marketed throughout many of the segments within the broader auto physical damage landscape. • Some progress has been made between insurers and OEMs regarding the growing adoption

and implementation of OEM vehicle repair standards and how to balance and resolve keeping the repairer out of the middle of these two sometimes conflicting repair processes and procedures. • The collision repair space continues to deliver its long-term proposition of proven economics and growth supported by insurance-industrydriven demand dynamics that create cash flow stability and profitability for many of the best operators. Over the past decade, because of this value proposition we have seen the influence of private equity’s investment growth strategy targeting both larger and now smaller independent MLOs. • With regard to physical growth, the benefits and risks to all consolidators continue to be the ability to quickly, efficiently and effectively integrate expansion and acquisitions. This includes managing and navigating new market dynamics and scale, growing their client and revenue base, the ability to balance ongoing insurance DRP and OEM certification program requirements, leveraging supplier relationships and the economies of purchasing power, as well as their

ability to effectively integrate their systems and business operating model within their new single-and multiple-location markets. • U.S. EV sales increased in 2022, versus an overall decline for total U.S. auto sales. While EV sales and inventory share grows, so does the total cost of repair and the number of parts replaced on EVs compared to non-EVs. While vehicle sales and market share growth continue their forward momentum, there is a possibility of a slowdown as EV inventory increases. • Industry growth and expansion creates the opportunity for an inevitable change and shift among MSOs, insurers and OEMs in the balance-of-power dynamics, especially in many of the more consolidated markets such as Dallas, Chicago, Los Angeles and Philadelphia. The industry is one step closer to a tipping point where the consolidated MSOs’ revenue outnumbers the remaining independent and dealer consolidated revenue and industry scale. • During 2022, a more aggressive group of mid-size privateequity-funded consolidators accelerated both their single- and multiple-location acquisitions

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and geographic diversity. The strategic focus at this time for many consolidators continues to be to pursue both new and existing market growth through single and multiple-location acquisitions. However, this expansion focus has been slowed by the economic realities associated with increased financing costs for acquisitions and re-capitalizing businesses. Multiple Location Operator, MLO, Segmentation Throughout the report, The Romans Group segments U.S. collision repair organizations in a variety of ways: • Independents • Dealers • Top three consolidators • >$20M Multiple-Locations Operators (MLOs) • $10M-$19M MLOs • <$10M MLOs • Fra n c h i s e / B a n n e r / M u l t i p l e Location Network (MLN) • Private equity and other investorsponsored MLOs • All other remaining relevant repairers The >$20M segment, especially the top three independent consolidators—Caliber, Gerber and Crash Champions—continue to grow steadily, underpinning the longterm collision repair consolidation trend. Their marketplace leadership

continues due to: • Increasing levels of regional and national network scale. • Organic revenue growth based on market scale, brand recognition and network performance. • Insurer DRP and OEM certification relationships. • Customer acquisition segmentation. • Multiple-location platform acquisitions. • A steady number of strategically placed geographic single-location acquisitions coupled with greenfield and brownfield development. • Ability to integrate acquisitions and implement operational and performance improvement. • Ability to leverage capital expenditures for future growth and development. Canadian Market During 2022-2023, the Canadian collision repair industry continued its uneven recovery from the pandemic. Many of the risks and challenges within Canada were similar to those in the U.S. market. Opportunities to increase revenue production have carried forward throughout the year due to an increase in sales driven by higher repair costs and parts inflation, vehicle repair complexity and increased scanning and calibration services. Despite this improvement, a

constrained production environment continues due primarily to the ongoing technician shortage and increased delays with insurance company response times to appraise and adjust estimates and vehicles repairs. Starting in 2022, up to 70% of repair facilities began refusing to take nondrivable vehicles. Some shops were booking out for seven to nine months and the thought was that avoiding non-drivables would make more space for quicker turnaround repairs. When ranking all the types of repair organizations, the first two positions in the All-Repairers ranking are represented by one Franchisor and one Banner Group. The remaining companies reflect a combination of independent and dealer, banner and franchise organizations. Industry Trends The growing cost and complexity of vehicle repairs, as well as an increase in bad driving habits, are creating ongoing problems for the auto insurers. There were and continue to be several reasons for this unprecedented poor performance. • Total vehicles miles traveled, as tracked by the St. Louis Fed, have been on the upswing since early 2021 and are now approaching pre-pandemic levels, causing a spike in claims.

• More severe accidents due to increased bad driving behavior such as increased speeding, distracted driving and decreased seat belt use that began during the pandemic. According to Cambridge Telematics, there has been a 23% surge in distracted driving since 2020 resulting in an estimated 420,000 additional crashes in 2022. • Not all claims are accident related. According to Allstate, catalytic converter replacements jumped 1,155% between 2019 and 2022 nationally and by 6,400% in Oregon, Washington, Pennsylvania and Connecticut. • Average repair costs skyrocketed due to greater repair complexity, higher inflation-based labor expenses, more parts and higher parts costs coupled with supply chain issues, diagnostic scans and calibrations, and new costly materials such as aluminum and carbon fiber. The Romans Group’s five-year forecast to 2027 has the >$20 million segment and the Top 3 Consolidators aggressively growing their businesses while maintaining their significant market share lead over the Franchise Networks and the $10-$19M MLO segments. It expects that by 2027, the Top 3 Consolidators will grow from their 2022 market share of over 22% to up to 32%.

autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 45

Automakers Fulfill Autobrake Pledge For Light-Duty Vehicles All 20 participating automakers have fulfilled a voluntary pledge to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with automatic emergency braking (AEB). Five new manufacturers installed AEB on more than 95% of the light vehicles they produced between Sept. 1, 2022, and Aug. 31, 2023, to meet the deadline set in the agreement. General Motors, Jaguar Land Rover, Maserati and Porsche all dramatically increased the proportion of their vehicles equipped with the technology to meet the target. Kia, which was already close last year, also crossed the finish line. “The successful completion of this milestone shows what can be achieved when automakers and safety advocates work together toward our common goal of eliminating as many crashes as possible,” said IIHS President David Harkey. Audi, BMW, Ford/Lincoln, Honda/Acura, Hyundai/Genesis, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan/Infiniti, Stellantis, Subaru, Tesla, Toyota/Lexus, Volkswagen and Volvo fulfilled the voluntary commitment in previous years. The 2016 commitment was brokered by the Insurance Institute

for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In it, the automakers pledged to equip at least 95% of their cars and trucks up to 8,500 pounds with the technology by the production year that ended Aug. 31. Consumer Reports agreed

proposed,” said William Wallace, associate director of safety policy for Consumer Reports. To fulfill their commitment, manufacturers must attest the AEB system on their vehicles meets certain performance standards. The forward collision warning feature

The 2016 commitment was brokered by the IIHS and NHTSA.

to assist in monitoring the pledges. “Car buyers today will find that almost any new vehicle they buy comes standard with a cityspeed AEB system, typically with pedestrian detection. This is significant progress, and it sets the stage for the strong federal safety standards that have been

must meet a subset of NHTSA’s current requirements on the timing of driver alerts. The AEB must either be able to slow the vehicle by at least 10 mph in one of two tests conducted at 12 and 25 mph or by 5 mph at both speeds—the level of performance needed for an advanced rating in the IIHS’s original

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vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention evaluation. “Thanks to this cooperation, automakers made this safety feature standard equipment years before there was a legal mandate requiring them to do so,” Harkey said. “Now that a regulation is on the horizon, the progress that we’ve made will be set in stone and expanded on to generate even bigger benefits.” NHTSA unveiled a proposal May 31 to require all new passenger vehicles, trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of 10,000 pounds or less to have AEB capable of braking to fully avoid a crash with another vehicle at up to 50 mph, with a four-year grace period from the date the eventual rule is adopted. If the regulation is adopted in its present form, vehicles will also have to be able to stop for pedestrians from speeds up to 40 mph, and the pedestrian detection will have to work in dark conditions—a requirement for which IIHS had petitioned. In June, the agency proposed a regulation that would mandate AEB capable of preventing crashes with other vehicles for trucks and buses with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 10,000 pounds.

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Pedestrian detection has been part of IIHS award criteria for several years running, and, as of 2023, a nighttime test was added to the battery of evaluations needed for TOP SAFETY PICK+. Next year, the IIHS plans to introduce a higher-speed vehicleto-vehicle AEB test that involves motorcycle and large truck targets as well as passenger cars. Consumer Reports currently awards additional points to a vehicle’s Overall Score for models that have AEB with pedestrian detection as standard equipment and for AEB that operates at highway speeds. In order to be named a CR Top Pick, a vehicle must have both. Under the commitment, automakers have slightly longer to meet the 95% threshold when vehicles with manual transmissions and heavier vehicles are included in the calculation. By the production year that begins Sept. 1, 2024, automakers will need to equip 95% of all their light vehicles, whether automatic or manual, with AEB. By the production year beginning Sept. 1, 2025, they will need to meet the threshold for their entire production volume, including those vehicles in the 8,500-10,000 pound category. They are well on the way. More than three-quarters of the automakers already meet the 95%

threshold with manual-transmission vehicles included in their production totals. Four of the five automakers that produce 8,500-10,000 pound vehicles for the U.S. market—Ford, General Motors, Mercedes-Benz and Nissan—already meet the threshold with those heavier vehicles included. Stellantis is closing in on the target. Some manufacturers are reaching the overall benchmark while still leaving many of their 8,500-10,000 pound vehicles unequipped, however. So far, only Mercedes-Benz and Nissan have equipped all of their 8,500-10,000 pound vehicles with AEB, while Ford has equipped 78% and General Motors just 6%. Stellantis, which has yet to reach the 2025 goal, has equipped 47%. “We urge the automakers with heavier vehicles to make AEB standard right away,” said Wallace. “Whether you buy a small sedan or a large pickup, everyone should have the protection that AEB provides on the road.” IIHS expects the voluntary commitment to prevent 42,000 crashes and 20,000 injuries by 2025. The estimate is based on IIHS research that found front crash prevention systems with both forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking cut rear-end crashes by half.

First Real-World Tesla Cybertruck Crash Raises Safety Questions A Dec. 28 collision involving a Tesla Cybertruck and a Toyota Corolla on California’s Skyline Boulevard sparked interest and concern regarding the safety and construction of Tesla’s innovative Cybertruck. The crash occurred in wet and cloudy conditions. According to the California Highway Patrol’s report, the Corolla, traveling south on SR-35, turned right off the road for an unknown reason, hit an embankment, veered back onto the road and collided with the northbound Cybertruck. The collision resulted in minor injuries to the Cybertruck’s driver, who shares a name with a Tesla engineer, and declined medical transport. The Cybertruck was registered with Texas plates to a Palo Alto, CA, address, hinting but not confirming it might be a company vehicle. The crash did not appear to involve autonomous driving mode, and the investigation is ongoing. Photos of the incident,

shared on Reddit, showed the Cybertruck with deployed airbags. The Toyota sustained significant front-end damage, particularly on the driver’s side. The damage to the Cybertruck is not entirely visible in the photographs, leaving some questions about the extent and the effectiveness of the truck’s unique construction in such collisions. Tesla’s Cybertruck, known for its large cast sections and stainless steel body panels, has been a subject of speculation regarding its crash safety. While designed to meet safety regulations, the real-world crash brings up new questions about how its hard stainless steel panels and chassis castings behave in collisions. The latest Tesla over-theair update, which includes an automatic 911 notification feature in the event of airbag deployment, might have played a role in the swift response to the accident.

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GM Tops U.S. Auto Sales in 2023, Surpassing Toyota General Motors reclaimed its position as the top-selling automaker in the U.S. in 2023, surpassing Toyota in the industry’s overall best year since before the pandemic. The Detroit-based automaker reported selling 2.6 million new vehicles in 2023, an increase of 14.1% from the previous year. In comparison, Toyota, its closest rival, saw a 6.6% rise in annual sales, amounting to about 2.25 million vehicles. According to Cox Automotive, the industry enjoyed its best year since 2019, with total U.S. vehicle sales reaching nearly 15.5 million, a notable improvement from the 13.9 million sold in 2022. Despite challenges like a costly auto strike, GM’s resilience is evident in its sales figures. “GM has tremendous momentum. We grew our market share in 2023, maintaining strong pricing and low incentives. We led the industry in trucks and had great success with our affordable SUVs like the Chevrolet Trax and Buick Envista, some of today’s hottest-selling vehicles,” said Marissa West, senior vice president at GM and president of GM North America. “In 2024, we expect industry sales to remain strong and we’re excited about the opportunities ahead as we expand

customer choice with new vehicles like the Chevrolet Equinox EV and Cadillac Escalade IQ.” The sales resurgence was partly fueled by manufacturers ramping up production to meet sustained consumer demand for new vehicles. However, analysts caution the industry might face headwinds due

preceding years. Electric vehicles (EVs) also saw a surge in popularity, capturing a larger portion of the market in 2023. Toyota reported a 30.4% increase in sales of its electrified vehicles, which comprised 29.2% of its total U.S. sales. GM sold 75,883 EVs, including models from its Bolt and Ultium platform ranges.

GM sold 245,000 full-size SUVs in 2023, including the Cadillac Escalade, seen here.

Subaru Subaru of America, Inc. reported 57,764 vehicles sold in December 2023, a 1.8% increase compared with December 2022, when it sold 56,760. Subaru ended calendar year 2023 with 632,086 vehicle sales, a 13.6% increase compared with calendar year 2022. For calendar year 2023, Outback was the top performer by volume with 161,814 vehicle sales (+10%). Crosstrek, a close second by volume, achieved its best year ever with 159,193 vehicle sales (+3%) and had its best December ever. Forester added 152,566 annual sales (+34%) in 2023. On the performance side, the automaker’s WRX model achieved annual sales of 24,681 (+32%), and the BRZ sports car added 4,188 sales (+25%) in 2023. The Solterra EV completed its first full year on sale with 8,872 vehicle sales.

to rising interest rates impacting demand in the coming year. In an effort to clear older inventory, car dealers offered significant incentives and discounts in December, a shift from the previous trend of holding back on promotions. This strategy reflects a slight easing in demand after robust sales in the

Kia December sales of 60,275 units capped the best-ever fourth quarter for fast-growing Kia America and wrapped the greatest annual performance in company history. Kia’s 2023 total of 782,451 units was up 13% year-over-year and 12% over the previous record set in

As the automotive sector navigates these evolving dynamics, GM remains optimistic about 2024, projecting industry sales of 16 million units. The company’s shares initially dipped but recovered partially following the announcement of its full-year sales. Other automakers reported strong sales to close out 2023 as well.

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2021. In addition, the brand set an all-time record with 725,817 units sold through Kia dealers nationwide. Six Kia models set all-time annual sales records in 2023, including Carnival (+93%); Niro (+26%); Seltos (+17%); Sportage (+12%); Telluride (+11%); and Forte (+7%). Sales of Kia’s electrified models increased 41% and SUV sales increased 16% over the segments’ previous records. Overall, Kia’s rugged and capable SUVs accounted for 72% of 2023’s annual sales total. Hyundai Hyundai Motor America reported total December sales of 75,164 units, a 4% increase compared with December 2022 and the highest December sales total in company history. Hyundai set total sales records in December for IONIQ 5 (+90%), Santa Fe PHEV (+3205%), Santa Fe HEV (+74%), Tucson (+8%), Tucson PHEV (+8455%) and Palisade (+95%). All-time total sales monthly records were set for Tucson PHEV, Santa Fe PHEV and Palisade. In Q4, Hyundai sold 206,048 vehicles, a Q4 total sales record, and an increase of 5% compared with Q4 2022. Eco-friendly vehicle retail sales for Q4 grew 37% compared with Q4 2022. For the year, Hyundai sold 801,195

vehicles, an 11% increase compared with 2022 and the highest total sales ever for the Hyundai brand. Amongst several model records, Tucson established a new yearly sales record, selling more than 200,000 vehicles for the first time ever. 2023 was also a record year for retail sales, increasing 1% compared with 2022 and the third consecutive year setting a new retail sales record. During the year, Hyundai fleet sales were 10.9% of total volume. Mazda Mazda North American Operations reported total December sales of 39,518 vehicles, an increase of 44.8% compared to December 2022. Fullyear sales totaled 363,354 vehicles, an increase of 23.2% compared to 2022. With 26 selling days in December, compared to 27 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 50.4% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. Honda American Honda reported 2023 sales of 1.3 million vehicles, a 33% increase from 2022, and December sales of 123,388, a 31.5% increase over the same month a year ago. Electrified models set an all-time sales record, with CR-V and Accord hybrids combining for 293,640 units—more than a quarter of the Honda brand’s total sales.

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

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its presence in the whole North American market and expand its product portfolio. SATA is committed to making the transition process smooth while maintaining and strengthening DanAm Company’s existing relationships with customers, suppliers and employees. DanAm Company customers can continue to expect the quality, reliability and service they have been accustomed to. “We would also like to take this opportunity to express our sincere gratitude for the decades of excellent cooperation with the Dan-Am Company team and the Jorgensen family,” said Florian Kaiser, COO of SATA GmbH & Co. KG. “Their dedicated partnership and trust have been instrumental to the success and growth of both companies. We greatly appreciate the long-standing relationship and are grateful for the valuable contributions and support we have received from the Jorgensen family and their team.”

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SATA USA Inc. has signed an agreement to acquire Dan-Am Company, it announced in a news release Jan. 10. The deal comes after decades of successful cooperation between Dan-Am Company, based in Spring Valley, MN, and SATA USA’s parent company, SATA GmbH & Co. KG, based in Germany. Dan-Am has been the exclusive distributor of SATA equipment in the U.S. and Puerto Rico. “We are excited about this new chapter in the history of both Dan-Am and SATA,” said Mike Carlos Wolf, CSO of SATA GmbH & Co. KG. “This acquisition will allow us to continue to provide our industry partners and customers in the USA and Puerto Rico with the best equipment and outstanding service they know and love from SATA and Dan-Am now and, in the future.” The acquisition of DanAm Company is a significant milestone for SATA and part of the company’s strategic growth initiatives to strengthen

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 51

Rivian R1T Owner Says Truck Has Been Out For Repairs For 8 Months By Suvrat Kothar InsideEVs

When Michael Holbrook took delivery in Utah of his new Rivian R1T Launch Edition in June 2022, he was ecstatic. He was among the early reservation holders and had shelled out roughly $85,000 for the truck. Despite the three-year wait, it seemed all worthwhile. Between June 2022 and April 2023, Holbrook clocked approximately 7,500 miles on his R1T. “The truck exceeded my expectations in every way possible,” Holbrook told InsideEVs. What’s not to like, right? With quad motors, 835 horsepower and sports car-rivaling driving dynamics, the R1T was a delight from behind the wheel, he said. “I’ve used it to carry skiing and mountain biking equipment, and I even towed a 5000-pound snowmobile with it,” he said. But in April 2023, the R1T collided with a Jeep Cherokee at an intersection in Utah, after the Cherokee drove in from the right and bumped into the front right fender of the R1T. “We were both really slow, maybe 5 miles an hour,” Holbrook said. The R1T’s front right quarter panel

suffered minor damage. Holbrook drove the vehicle to a Rivian-certified body shop in Salt Lake City to replace the side camera and repair the damaged panel. But that was eight months ago, and Holbrook said his vehicle still hasn’t been returned.

camera working again. The R1T has 11 cameras in total, covering the front, rear, both sides and bed, providing a surround view of the vehicle. But here’s where things got pretty messy: To swap out the side view camera, the body shop had to take

Photos provided by the truck’s owner show the damage and parts of the repair process.

After an initial assessment, the body shop found the crash had pinched the cable linking one of the side view cameras. Ideally, that portion of the wiring harness needed replacement to get the

apart the interior, yank out the seats and dismantle the dashboard to replace the entire wiring harness. The fix wasn’t a walk in the park; it needed Rivian’s specialized diagnostic software, “Ride.” The

body shop didn’t have the software, nor were the mechanics there trained to use it, according to Holbrook. Wiring harnesses are like the car’s nervous system, sending power and signals to different components and systems: lights, switches, speakers, cameras. Disassembling the vehicle’s entire wiring harness to replace a small piece of equipment is unheard of. It appears Rivian isn’t the only one facing challenges related to wiring harness design. In May 2022, Lucid recalled Air electric sedans due to faulty cables linked to its gauge cluster. The cables risked getting damaged due to steering column movements. Porsche, in 2022, recalled more than 40,000 Taycans after it found the wiring harness could be damaged during seat adjustment, leading to deactivated airbags and seatbelt pre-tensioners, posing serious safety risks. Chevrolet Bolt EV owners shared similar worries on an online forum in 2021, where wiring harness failures were causing safety concerns. Holbrook said the EV sat at the certified collision center for four months because Rivian hadn’t

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 53

handed over the necessary software. It was then shipped to Rivian, and it took two more months trying to sort out the problem. “When the car returned, the body shop found that Rivian didn’t do it [the repair] correctly and damaged the vehicle further,” he added. “At that point, I called Rivian, but they refused to speak to me. My vehicle has been completely mutilated in this process of being disassembled twice and reassembled twice.” InsideEVs reached out to Rivian, and a company spokesperson said the start-up is relatively new and still learning. Rivian has developed a service harness to solve this problem more easily. The spokesperson also confirmed the vehicle was being returned to Holbrook fully restored—though the owner test-drove it recently and still found some problems. Rivian said this case was unique, and that the vehicle was determined to be ineligible for a buyback, after it was reviewed by a committee. Rivian gave InsideEVs an official statement: “We recognize that an eightmonth wait time for a collision repair is too long, and we have been in contact with both the third-party collision center and the customer. More collision centers are needed to

repair Rivian vehicles. This year, we have doubled the number of Rivian certified third party collision centers, and continue to grow that number to give customers more options when selecting a body shop for their collision repair needs.” In eight months, Holbrook has driven three different cars. He picked up a rental Jeep Wrangler for the first two months, covered by Nationwide. For the third month, he continued driving the Wrangler but paid for it himself. Then for a couple of months, he drove his son’s 15-year-old Toyota Highlander. Rivian finally handed him a loaner R1T, which doesn’t connect to his phone and has some restricted connectivity features, but works fine otherwise, he said. Rivian seems to be aware of its wiring harness complications. CFO Claire McDonough indicated earlier this year the company expects some downtime in the summer of 2024 to shift to simpler network architectures and reduce the number of parts, primarily ECUs, by 60% for the R1T and R1S, which would lead to the shortening of the wiring harnesses by 25%.

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Polyvance Announces Rebate For Old Welders Polyvance built plastic welders between 2006 and 2013 that did not feature a pressure safety switch. This can be a safety issue because the heating element will continue to heat even if there is no gas flow through the welder. This will cause the torch to overheat, which may melt the handle and burn out the heating element. Polyvance is encouraging users of these old welders to upgrade to a new welder. The rebate level varies depending on the model that is purchased: 8203 will get $600, 8202 $400, 8201 $300 and 8001 $100. To request a rebate, users of the old welders should submit a photo of the old welder’s serial number and a copy of the invoice dated after Jan. 8, 2024, showing the purchase of a new Polyvance nitrogen plastic welder to info@polyvance. com. This trade-in rebate is also valid on newer models and for owners of competitive nitrogen plastic welders. This rebate offer expires Dec. 31.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 55

TechForce Awards 2 MOTOR Scholarships The TechForce Foundation awarded MOTOR-sponsored scholarships to two high school students, Karina Galvan of Brookhaven, TX, and Armando Campos Zavala of Visalia, CA. The MOTOR Scholarship for Diverse Technicians, sponsored by MOTOR Information Systems, a Hearst company, specifically targets high school students aspiring to technical education in the automotive field. Galvan and Campos Zavala stood out for their commitment and promise in both academic and practical aspects of automotive technology. The TechForce Foundation, known for its efforts to advance the automotive industry’s workforce, supports the next generation of automotive professionals. Their initiatives span across promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in the automotive field. MOTOR Information Systems has been a player in the automotive data sector since 1903, providing accurate and comprehensive information.

GM Halts Sales of New Blazer EV Amid Software Woes General Motors announced an unexpected halt in the sales of its new 2024 Chevrolet Blazer EV, citing significant software glitches, adding a layer of complexity to GM’s ambitious goal of transitioning to all EVs by 2030. The stop-sale, effective from Dec. 22, was announced following reports from owners experiencing intermittent issues with in-vehicle screens and difficulties using DC fast charging. Chad Lyons, a Chevrolet spokesperson, told the Detroit Free Press engineers are diligently working to resolve these issues. Despite these challenges not being safety-related, and thus not warranting a recall, they have raised questions about GM’s readiness for a full-scale shift to EVs. The Blazer EV is currently being assembled at the Ramos Arizpe plant in Mexico, with GM assuring that vehicles will receive the necessary software updates before shipping. Existing owners will be notified

to bring their vehicles in for updates once available. The decision to halt sales comes at a crucial time for GM, which has faced setbacks in

financial stability and public perception, emphasizing the need for flawless execution of the Ultium platform after the 2023 production problems.

launching its Ultium-powered EVs, including the Blazer EV. In a November statement, GM CEO Mary Barra expressed disappointment over the previous year’s EV launches, attributing the challenges to issues in battery module production and vowing improvements in the coming year. Analysts, like Morningstar’s David Whiston, view the stopsale as a potential risk to GM’s

In 2023, GM reported the sale of only 482 Blazer EVs, falling significantly short of its production goal of 150,000 EVs. The Blazer EV, priced starting at $60,215 and boasting a range of 279 miles per charge, is one of GM’s latest ventures into the EV market. However, the software issues, extending beyond battery assembly, suggest deeper challenges in GM’s software development for new EV platforms.

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Automakers With Large EV Portfolio Have Higher Website Satisfaction

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Although overall satisfaction with car manufacturer websites remains flat, satisfaction among electric vehicle (EV) shoppers has increased since the last volume in summer 2023, according to the J.D. Power 2024 U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study—Winter, released Jan. 9. Specifically, of the six brands that experienced significant increases, five have a larger EV portfolio. “Previously, car manufacturers had difficulties showcasing the technological specifications for their EVs in an easily digestible way for shoppers,” said Eric McCready, director of digital solutions at J.D. Power. “Now, the tide has turned as the EV shopping experience has been elevated. Looking ahead, manufacturers that evenly distribute the focus and updates across all vehicle types will see higher satisfaction with vehicle shoppers.” The J.D. Power U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study is a semiannual

study that measures customer satisfaction of automotive manufacturer websites during the process of shopping for a new vehicle by examining four key measures (in order of importance): information/ content; visual appeal; navigation; and speed. Study Rankings Mercedes-Benz ranks highest among premium manufacturer websites with a score of 751. Tesla (749) ranks second and Cadillac (737) ranks third. Hyundai ranks highest among mass market manufacturer websites with a score of 728. GMC (727) and Kia (727) each rank second in a tie. The U.S. Manufacturer Website Evaluation Study, initially released in 1999, is based on responses from 12,481 new-vehicle shoppers who indicate they will be in the market for a new vehicle within the next 24 months. The study was fielded from October through December 2023.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 57

Hertz Selling 20,000 EVs Due To High Collision Repair Costs Rental giant Hertz Global Holdings is selling approximately 20,000 electric vehicles from its U.S. fleet, a move driven by increased costs related to collisions and damage—a departure from the company’s earlier commitment to electric vehicles, which included substantial orders from Tesla and Polestar. Hertz’s decision comes in light of financial pressures, as noted in a recent regulatory filing. “Expenses related to collision and damage, primarily associated with EVs, remained high in the quarter,” the company said. This move is a pivot from Hertz’s ambitious goal, set earlier, to have 25% of its fleet electric by the end of 2024. The company’s shares fell by about 3% at market open following the announcement. Hertz previously made headlines with its order of 100,000 Teslas by the end of 2022 and a subsequent agreement to purchase up to 65,000 units from Swedish EV maker Polestar over five years.

There’s Nothing Like the Original.

This shift will have notable financial implications for Hertz. The company anticipates approximately $245 million in incremental depreciation expenses from the proposed sale in the fourth quarter of 2023. Moreover, Hertz warned of a potential impact on its adjusted corporate core profit for the same period. Despite this setback in its EV endeavors, Hertz remains committed to optimizing the profitability of its remaining electric vehicle fleet. Currently, Hertz’s used car website lists more than 700 EVs for sale, including models such as the BMW i3, Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3 and Model Y SUVs. The company’s decision to reduce its electric vehicle holdings and revert to gaspowered vehicles reflects the ongoing challenges in the EV market, particularly in the rental sector, where costs and logistics of maintaining such vehicles have proven more complex than anticipated.

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Order Parts Online at: www.rocklandnissan.com 58 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

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Huntington Station 631-271-7488 631-271-7931 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm parts@habberstadbmw.com

Park Ave. BMW

Latham 877-553-3909 518-785-4197 518-785-4710 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm bmwparts@keeler.com www.keelerbmw.com

Keeler BMW

South Hackensack 888-349-5168 201-291-2376 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm al@parkavebmw.com www.parkavebmw.com

Pennsylvania

New York

Apple BMW

BMW of Bayside

Bayside 516-304-3733 516-570-4268 Fax M-Sat 8am-5pm bmwparts@bmwbayside.com www.bmwbayside.com

Competition BMW

St. James 631-724-3322 631-265-0501 Fax M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4:30pm asolla@competitionbmw.com www.competitionbmw.com

York 717-849-6597 717-843-2948 Fax M-F 7am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm

applebmwparts@appleauto1.com

www.applebmwofyork.com

Rhode Island BMW of Newport

Middletown 401-847-9600 401-841-0680 Fax M-F 7:30am-5:30pm gromani@metromotorgroup.com wwwbmwofnewport.com

1Collision Rebrands As CSN Collision 1Collision on Jan. 16 announced its rebranding as CSN Collision, positioning it to tap into its parent company’s global resources and expertise to strength its role as a prominent player in the U.S,, Canada and Europe. CSN Collision had a record year of growth in 2023, affiliating with multiple new locations in the US. Notable additions in December included Collision Tech Inc. in El Cajon, CA; Westgate Collision Center in Peoria, AZ; California Collision Factory in San Diego, CA; and Car Center - Alpine in Grand Rapids, MI. On Jan. 1, DCR Systems was added. DCR Systems’ locations include Metro Accident Repair Center in Brooklyn Park, OH; Willoughby Accident Repair

Center in Willoughby, OH; The Accident Repair Center in Jamestown, NY; DCR Systems Mentor in Mentor, OH; Mike Johnsons Collision Center in Hickory, NC; The Collision Center in Rockland, MA; and Lindsay Autobody in Columbus, OH. The addition of this MSO has launched CSN Collision down a similar growth path to start the new year. “Our team is thrilled with our growth in 2023,” said John Hollingsworth, director of U.S. business development. “We brought on solid, proven operators who put their best foot forward with the repair process. I believe 2024 will continue this growth trend, and our ability to support these operators will expand as well.”

• Competitive Prices and Competitive Prices and Dedicated Wholesale Staff! Kia of Attleboro Discounts Always Always • DedicatedDiscounts Wholesale Staff Find all your Genuine Kia Parts With Us 508.761.9300 PARTS • Fast, Free Fast, Daily Delivery MA & RI Free Daily to Delivery Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm

to MA and RI

508.761.0768 Fax 795 Newport Ave. South Attleboro, MA 02703 fmedeiros@kiaofattleboro.com www.kiaofattleboro.com M W 8am-8pm fmedeiros@kiaofattleboro.com TU TH F 8am-5pm www.kiaofattleboro.com SAT 8am-4pm

Find all your Genuine Kia Parts With Us

Parts Hours

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PARTS 508-761-9300

M, W 8am-8pm TU, TH, F 8am-5pm SAT 8am-4pm

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Courtesy Mitsubishi

Genuine OEM Parts for the Perfect Fit Every Time Find all your On-line Mitsubishi Parts With Us

PARTS 508-761-9700 FAX 508-761-4285

16 Scott St. • South Attleboro, MA 02703

www.drivecourtesy.com wbrown@courtesy-mitsu.com Parts Manager: sean@courtesyma.com

Committed to Excellence! Find all your Genuine Mitsubishi Parts With Us

Parts Hours M-Th 8am-6pm; F 8am-5pm SAT 8am-5pm

Every Part Should Be a Perfect Fit. Go With the Original. Yonker s Kia

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M-Th 7:30am-8pm F 7:30am-7pm Sat 8am-5pm 1840 Central Park Ave Yonkers, NY 10710

www.yonkerskia.com

When your customers need collision repair parts, offer them the original equipment designed for their Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram or FIAT ® Brand vehicle – Mopar®. Using aftermarket or salvage parts on their vehicles puts them at a higher collision risk and can influence the integrity and overall quality of their vehicle. Keep your customers safe and satisfied with your repair services. Go with the original. Go with Mopar. Call us first for all your parts needs!

OURISMAN CHRYSLER DODGE JEEP RAM 12430 Auto Drive Clarksville, MD 21029

(410) 988-9570 Fax: (410) 988-9591 Mon.-Fri. 7:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. Sat. 7:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

We Accept orders through Collision Link, OE Connection, Parts Trader, OPS Trax, CCC & Repair Link.

60 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com 68833_NEW1_Q_AB.indd 1

10/27/22 10:33 AM

Trust Your Order to the Collision Parts Specialists

NEW JERSEY

THESE DEALERS ARE GENUINE WHOLESALE PARTS SPECIALISTS.

Volvo Cars Bridgewater SOMERVILLE

Maine

Rhode Island

BREWER

EAST PROVIDENCE

Downeast Toyota / Scion

908-253-0540 877-70-VOLVO

908-429-9220 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5 schoeppe@volvocountry.com

Volvo Cars Princeton LAWRENCEVILLE

800-432-0220

207-989-4610 Fax

M-F 7am-5pm; Sat 7am-4pm partsdepartment@downeasttoyota.com www.downeasttoyota.com

Grieco Toyota 401-438-2206

401-431-0673 Fax

M-Th 7:30am-7pm; F 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-5pm toyotaparts@griecocars.com www.griecotoyota.com

609-882-5140 877-66-VOLVO

609-882-1515 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5 gerlachd@volvocountry.com

VOLVO GENUINE PARTS The RIGHT COLLISION PARTS

SHEEHY LEXUS OF ANNAPOLIS

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Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers

Connecticut

Massachusetts

Meriden 318 South Broad St.

Norwood 391 Providence Hwy.

MERIDEN HYUNDAI

BOCH HYUNDAI

203-935-0896

800-559-9210

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Mon-Fri 7:30am - 5pm bchwholesale@boch.com

203-935-0895 203-440-9969 Fax

Genuine OEM Daily > Large La Lar arg rge In IInventory Inve nve vent ven ntor to orry of G enui en nui uine ne LLexus exxus u O EM Parts EM Par arts ts Updated ts Upd pdat ated ed dD aily ai ly Fast Delivery > Fleet Flee Fl et of of 6 Delivery Del eliv iver iver ery Trucks ery TTrruc Truc ucks uck ks for for or F astt Free as Fre Fr ee eD elliv eli ive errryy in MD, MD, D, DE, DE, VA DC VA and and nd tthe he D he C Metro Metr Me tro o Area Arrea A ea

and Dedicated Wholesale Specialists > Professionally Prrof P ofe esssion sio si on na alllly TTrained raiined ra in ned ed a nd D nd ediiccat ed ated ed W ho h ollesa le esale alle eS peci pe cial ci ial aliists issttss Ready Help You Re R ea ad dy to to H ellp Yo e Y ou

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PARTS HOURS:

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WWW.SHEEHYLEXUSOFANNAPOLIS.COM

PARTS DIRECT: 410-841-2593 24 HR FAX: 410-266-3014 LEXUSWHOLESALE@SHEEHY.COM 121 FERGUSON ROAD I ANNAPOLIS, MD 21409 autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 61

Co-President & Publisher Nathan Gregory

Accounting & HR Manager Heather Priddy

Co-President & Publisher Paul Stepanek

Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

Editor Abby Andrews Contributing Writers Mike Anderson, Stacey Phillips, Cole Strandberg, John Yoswick Advertising Sales Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar Office Manager Kelly Cashman Digital Marketing Manager Bryan Malinski Art Director Rodolfo Garcia Senior Designer Vicki Sitarz

SOCIAL MEDIA AUTOBODY

Serving New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Northern Virginia, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2024 Autobody News, LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

@autobodynews Autobody News @autobodynews Autobody News Autobody News

www.autobodynews.com

OPENLANE’s Launches Visual Boost AI OPENLANE, Inc., unveiled its innovative Visual Boost AI™ technology. This cutting-edge tool significantly enhances vehicle inspection processes by employing artificial intelligence to detect and highlight exterior damage in dealerconsigned vehicles. At the heart of this innovation is the capability of Visual Boost AI to supplement traditional vehicle inspection data. By integrating AIpowered overlays directly into vehicle photos within the condition report, potential defects are now prominently and accurately displayed. This not only streamlines the inspection process but also provides buyers with a more intuitive and efficient way to assess vehicles before purchase. The AI overlays translate written condition report data into an easily interpretable visual format, effectively providing a second set of eyes for dealers. This feature is accessible whether on the road, on the lot or on a phone, offering a near in-person inspection experience from any screen. For more information or to schedule a demo, visit openlane.com.

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62 FEBRUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

www.crashwrap.com | 888.264.3770

Finish It Like a Masterpiece with

G E N U I N E PA R T S

The Dealers Below Are Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts Specialists: DELAWARE

NEW YORK

NEW JERSEY

PENNSYLVANIA

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington Wilmington

Mercedes-Benz of Goldens Bridge Goldens Bridge

Mercedes-Benz Atlantic City Pleasantville

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington Fort Washington

302-995-5033 Fax

914-232-4770 Fax

609-272-1535 Fax

201-765-9760 Fax

302-995-5030 M-F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 2pm

parts@mbofwilmington.com www.mbofwilmington.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Mercedes-Benz of Burlington Burlington

833-768-5924

617-275-2182 Direct 781-229-1600 Main M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm

parts@mbob.com www.mbob.com

Mercedes-Benz of Hanover Hanover

781-924-4210 M-F 7:30am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm

mbhanoverparts@gp1auto.com

914-232-8146

609-645-9310

M-F 8am - 5:30pm Sat 8am - 2pm

M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 4pm

achristiano@mercedesbenzgb.com www.mercedesbenzgb.com

Mercedes-Benz of Smithtown St. James

631-265-5339 631-265-8146 Fax M-F 8am - 5pm Sat 8am - 4:30pm

mlevantino@mbofsmithtown.com www.mbofsmithtown.com

267-419-1414

bmorey@mbofatlanticcity.com

M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm mbpartswholesale@yourmercedes.com

Mercedes-Benz of Newton Newton

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester West Chester

888-302-2369 973-383-1284 Fax

484-313-1002 Fax

800-842-0557

M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm

M-F 8am - 5pm

realmercedesparts@mbofnewton.com

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus Paramus

M-Th 7:30am - 7:30pm F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 5pm parts@prestigemb.com

parts@mbofwestchester.com

RHODE ISLAND

888-30-PARTS 201-265-7808 201-483-2782 Fax

484-313-1110

Viti Mercedes-Benz Tiverton

800-544-5580 401-624-6181 401-624-4817 Fax M-F 7:30am - 5:30pm Sat 9am - 5pm eric@viti.com www.viti.com

Smith Motor Sales of Haverhill, Inc Haverhill

877-764-8462 Direct 877-SMITH MB 978-702-5020 Fax M-F 8am-5pm

autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS FEBRUARY 2024 63

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