March 2023 Northeast Edition

Federal ‘Right To Repair’ Legislation Reintroduced in Congress

The Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act has been reintroduced by U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, R-FL, Brendan Boyle, D-PA, Warren Davidson, R-OH, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA.

The legislation will ensure the preservation of consumer choice, a fair marketplace and the continued safe operation of the nation’s 292 million registered passenger and commercial motor vehicles, 70% of which are maintained by independent repair facilities.

• Preserving consumer access to high quality and affordable vehicle repair by ensuring vehicle owners and their repairers of choice have access to necessary repair and maintenance tools and data as vehicles continue to become more advanced.

• Ensuring access to critical repair tools and information—all tools and equipment, wireless transmission of repair and diagnostic data and access to on-board diagnostic and telematic systems needed to repair a vehicle must be made available

Signatures Submitted for ‘Right to Repair Act’ Initiative in Maine

By Nicole Fisher

The Center Square

The Maine Right to Repair Coalition submitted more than 70,000 signatures on Jan. 19 for a ballot initiative to allow car owners and independent repair facilities to have access to vehicle on-board diagnostic systems.

The initiative targets automobile diagnostic data transmitted wirelessly to vehicle manufacturers. According to the Maine Right to Repair Coalition, more than 90% of new cars are now equipped to wirelessly transmit real-time diagnostic and repair information. However, this information is only available to vehicle manufacturers.

Tim Winkeler, CEO of VIP Tire and Service and member of the Maine Right to Repair Coalition, said, “If we don’t do something about ‘Right to Repair’ right now, then what’s going to happen is down the road, these vehicles are gonna have to go back to the dealerships and independent repair shops won’t be able to work on cars. Consumers are at risk of being forced to take their car back to only the dealerships, and not have freedom of choice.”

The campaign seeks to allow consumers and independent shops to have access to diagnostic tools and data to allow for individuals and independent shops to make repairs. According to the Repair Association,

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GlobalFoundries, GM to Produce Semiconductor Chips in Upstate NY

General Motors Co. and GlobalFoundries on Feb. 9 announced a strategic, long-term agreement establishing a dedicated capacity corridor exclusively for GM’s chip supply.

MEMA Aftermarket, Auto Care Association, CAR (Consumer Access to Repair) Coalition and Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) all applauded the move.

The REPAIR Act will accomplish this by:

to the independent repair industry.

• Ensuring cybersecurity by allowing vehicle manufacturers to secure vehicle-generated data and requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

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Through this first-of-its-kind agreement, GF will manufacture for GM’s key chip suppliers at GF’s advanced semiconductor facility in Upstate New York, bringing a critical process to the U.S.

This agreement supports GM’s strategy to reduce the number of

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

unique chips needed to power increasingly complex and tech-laden vehicles. With this strategy, chips can

Columnist Mike Anderson: The Customer Experience and Overworked Admin Staff

Columnist Ed Attanasio: From Tech to TV Spokesperson/Instructor: The Kevin Tetz Story

Columnist Stacey Phillips: I-CAR Vehicle Tech and Trends Course

Columnist John Yoswick: SCRS Says Information Providers Taking

COLUMNISTS

Mike Anderson

The Customer Experience and Overworked Admin Staff 8

Abby Andrews

Collision Repairers Should Invest Now in ‘People, Capacity and Innovation’ 33 Ed Attanasio From Tech to TV Spokesperson/ Instructor: The Kevin Tetz Story 22 Go-Parts Thrived During the Pandemic and Kept Rolling 18

Index of Advertisers

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Tesla Accused of Terminating Giga New York Workers Over Unionization Efforts

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Dozens of employees from Giga New York were laid off by Tesla on Feb. 15, per a complaint filed by union organizers. The terminations were implemented one day after a

injunction “to prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Tesla’s unlawful conduct.”

Workers United claimed several of the employees Tesla terminated from Giga New York had been involved in union discussions. At least one of the employees who was laid off was reportedly a member of the organizing committee, per a Bloomberg News report.

a message to CEO Elon Musk expressing their intentions to unionize. The employees’ work involves labeling data for the company’s Autopilot system. The workers asked for job security and increased pay, and they also wanted to have a say in decisionmaking at the plant.

union campaign was announced by Autopilot workers at the plant.

The Workers United union said in its filing with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board that Tesla illegally terminated employees “in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity.”

The union further requested the labor board to seek a federal court

Jaz Brisack, an organizer helping the Tesla union drive, said the terminations were “designed to terrify everyone about potential consequences of them organizing, as well as to attempt to cull the herd.”

“This is a form of collective retaliation against the group of workers that started this organizing effort,” Brisack said.

Tesla has not issued a comment about the matter as of writing.

On Feb. 14, a group of 25 Giga New York employees sent

The employees also aimed to curb factors reportedly harmful to their health, such as monitoring, metrics and production pressure. The workers said Tesla monitors its employees’ keystrokes, and the company tracks how much time is spent per task. Tesla reportedly also tracks how much of the day is spent actively working.

The union said so far, the Giga New York facility employs more than 800 Autopilot analysts. The union also said it is aiming to organize Giga New York’s roughly 1,000 manufacturing workers.

PennDOT Seeks Input on Safety Issues As Traffic Fatalities Spike

By Lauren Jessop The Center Square

The agency responsible for overseeing transportation in Pennsylvania seeks the public’s input on traffic safety as fatalities climb for the second year in a row.

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) said the online survey results will help the agency better understand the public’s attitude on highway safety and find more effective ways to reduce crashes.

Many of the deaths that have occurred on the state’s roadways in 2021 could have been prevented “simply by buckling up, slowing down, paying attention and driving sober,” said PennDOT Acting Secretary Mike Carroll

Topics covered in the survey include seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, as well as bicycle, pedestrian and motorcycle safety.

PennDOT said traffic fatalities have increased steadily since an

all-time low recorded in 2019. In 2021, the agency recorded 1,230 deaths—9% higher than data from 2020, when fewer drivers hit the roads amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

That same year, 118,000 crashes resulted in more than 69,000 injuries, the agency said.

The two largest categories of crash types reported—more than 40,000 each—were at intersections and those involving single vehicles that were “run off the road.” Additionally, 12,741 were classified as distracted driving incidents.

PennDOT focuses on data trends to drive enforcement and education improvements and invests more than $25 million annually to support behavioral safety programs.

The survey, which should take approximately five minutes to complete, is available on PennDOT’s website, www. penndot.pa.gov/travelinpa/ safety/Pages/default. aspx#, through Feb. 28. All responses are completely anonymous.

To Repair Act’

an advocacy group promoting rightto-repair policies, two states, New York and Colorado, have passed a

right-to-repair bill, while 10 states, not including Maine, have active right-torepair legislation being considered in 2023.

Massachusetts was the first state to pass right-to-repair legislation in 2013, but this did not include wireless accessibility by vehicle owners and independent shops to telematics systems.

In 2020, Massachusetts voters approved Question 1, which

MAKE EVERY JOB A JOB WELL DONE.

would require vehicle owners and independent repair facilities to access this information. However, a group representing automakers filed a lawsuit, arguing the 2020 law is unenforceable because it conflicts with federal law and the U.S. Constitution and “makes personal driving data available to third parties with no safeguards to protect core vehicle functions and consumers’ private information or physical safety.” The lawsuit is still ongoing. The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the group representing automakers in the lawsuit against the Massachusetts measure, said independent shops can already get the data they need with permission and allowing the information to be automatically accessible can be dangerous.

For the Maine initiative to be certified to the legislature, it will need 67,682 valid signatures. These signatures are validated by the secretary of state. If the valid signature requirement is met, the initiative will first go to the state legislature. If the legislature passes the initiative, it becomes law. If the initiative is not passed, it will go on the November ballot for Maine voters to decide.

Credit: Shutterstock

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The Customer Experience and Overworked Admin Staff

I had the privilege and honor of addressing the hundreds of professionals at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Palm Springs, CA, in January, and I wanted to share some of what I said there.

One of the key messages: the administrative staff at collision repair facilities today are overwhelmed, pulled in so many directions at the same time. They have to do rental car updates, take OEM training and I-CAR classes, they’re receiving OpenShop assignments and getting emails and phone calls. If we don’t fix this, we’re going to lose people.

Why is that? Let’s take a look at estimating or repair planning. We at Collision Advice are fortunate to do factory estimate training for Toyota/ Lexus, Nissan/Infiniti and other automakers. We recently wrote an estimate to replace a quarter panel on a 2022 Toyota Camry. We had 783 pages of OEM documentation we had to review just to write that estimate to replace a quarter panel. That’s why shops find themselves having to add more admin staff. At some point we’ve got to figure out how to reverse that trend. That means we’ve got to start better using technology.

I also said at CIC that part of the solution is being able to offer the competitive wages and benefits those employees can receive at other companies in other industries, something I’ve written about in this column

career path. As I told the attendees at CIC last month—and in The Collision Vision, Autobody News’ new podcast, available at www.autobodynews. com/podcasts—as an industry, we must develop a standard career path.

Taking a New Look at CSI

Lastly, among the messages I delivered at CIC was something else I’ve written about in this column: My view that for all the positive benefits customer satisfaction indexing (CSI) has brought to our industry, I think customers have survey fatigue.

I also think we have been so focused on three CSI questions— were they kept informed, was the delivery on time, and was the vehicle fixed right the first time—that we’ve stifled the creativity of our staff to create an amazing customer service experience. There’s customer service, and then there’s the customer experience. The focus on those CSI questions has handcuffed

the creativity of our staff to create an exceptional customer service experience.

I told CIC I had two simple words about it: Stop it. We need to stop doing things the way we’ve done it. And we need to open up our mind to creating a more modern service experience for our customers. It can start with something simple. When you use Uber, for example, you get a digital receipt. What are we still giving our customers? A paper receipt. Why aren’t we asking: would you like a paper receipt, a digital receipt or both?

Like I did in this column a while back, and in The Collision Vision, I posed this question to those at CIC: are CSI surveys the way we continue, or do we move to focusing on online reviews?

I don’t know the answer to that. It may be both. But I said CIC may be the forum where we as an industry can discuss that and hash it out. Hope to see you at the next CIC, April 12-13 in Richmond, VA.

As my friend Ray Chew Intelligent Solutions says: We need to figure out how to eliminate human disruption. That means, first, that we have to embrace technology as an industry. We’ve got to quit beating up software companies when they roll out something and it’s not quite perfect. Because you sometimes have to start somewhere. You’ve got to crawl before you walk, before you run.

We do the financials, the profit and loss statements, for more than 400 collision repairers that combined do more than $1 billion a year in revenue. In 2017, the average body shop was spending about 10% of sales on administrative wages. Ladies and gentlemen, we are seeing some shops today where it’s as high as 15.3%. That means at many collision repair facilities, average admin wages have gone up 4 percentage points. Four percent on a million dollars is $40,000. That comes from the bottom line.

If a fast food chain like Chipotle can lay out a career path for potential employees right on its website, our industry needs to do the same

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(NHTSA) to develop standards for how vehicle-generated data necessary for repair can be accessed securely.

• Providing transparency for consumers by requiring vehicle owners be informed they can choose where and how to get their vehicle repaired.

• Creating a stakeholder advisory committee and providing them with the statutory authority to provide recommendations to the FTC on how to address emerging barriers to vehicle repair and maintenance.

• Providing ongoing enforcement by establishing a process for consumers and independent repair facilities to file complaints with the FTC regarding alleged violations of the requirements in the bill and a requirement that the FTC act within five months of a claim.

As vehicle technology continues to advance, new barriers to a competitive auto repair market are emerging. These barriers limit consumer choice in where to repair their motor vehicles and increase the cost to repair and maintain vehicles. The REPAIR Act will reduce these

barriers, putting consumers’ interests first.

Dunn is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has responsibility for consumer protection matters, among several other topics, and is where the bill has been referred.

“When it comes to repairing their automobiles, consumers deserve options,” said Dunn. “The REPAIR Act would give owners, including the rural communities in my district, secure access to critical data so the service center of their choosing can replace parts and repair their vehicles.

I am proud to support competition in the vehicle repair industry and this important legislation.”

“There are hundreds of neighborhood mechanics in Philadelphia,” said Boyle. “The last thing those small business owners need is to be boxed out of making a living. This legislation would not only protect the business relationships between automobile owners and their mechanics, but it also ensures consumers continue to have more options on where to go for repairs.”

“By prohibiting vehicle owners from accessing and sharing data they generate, manufacturers stop consumers from accessing thirdparty repair shops,” said Davidson.

“American vehicle owners have a

right to control their data, and a right to access third-party repair shops, tools and parts.”

“Working families in rural America can’t afford to take a day off to drive their car to the dealership for a costly repair. The REPAIR Act is a bipartisan solution to improve vehicle data access laws to give working families more choices for repair when their car breaks down,” said Gluesenkamp Perez. “I appreciate Reps. Dunn, Boyle and Davidson for their leadership on this issue, and look forward to working in a bipartisan fashion to improve repair laws for families who work for a living.”

The bill is introduced on significant momentum for choice in repair. In November 2020, Massachusetts voters overwhelmingly voiced their support for Ballot Question 1, also known as Right to Repair, with 75% of the vote, which preserves their right as vehicle owners to have access to and control of their vehicle’s mechanical data necessary for service and repair at the shops of their choice.

In May 2021, the FTC released its “Nixing the Fix” report, which highlighted barriers vehicle manufacturers have instituted to squash a consumer’s right to repair. The FTC strongly supports expanding consumer repair options and found “scant evidence” for repair

restrictions imposed by original equipment manufacturers.

In July 2021, President Joe Biden issued the “Promoting Competition in the American Economy” executive order, which encouraged the FTC to address anti-competitive repair restrictions.

In December 2022, the Digital Fair Repair Act was signed into law by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, and in January 2023, John Deere signed an MOU with the American Farm Bureau Federation.

The REPAIR Act is the only bill that addresses vehicle maintenance and repair restrictions, including heavy duty vehicles the U.S. economy depends on for freight transport.

Automotive aftermarket companies can urge legislators in their district to also co-sponsor the bill by visiting repairact.com.

Source: MEMA Aftermarket

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By Nicholas Malfitano Pennsylvania Record

Counsel for a Western Pennsylvania woman who suffered third-degree burns over 70% of her body in a motor vehicle crash more than two years ago has refuted denials of liability from two of the defendants named in the subsequent litigation.

Payton Renee Balogh of Homer City, PA, first filed suit in the Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas on Sept. 20 versus Mazda Motor Corporation of Hiroshima, Japan, Mazda Motor of America, Inc. in Irvine, CA, Starter Cars in Altoona, PA, and Sutliff Auto Group of Harrisburg, PA.

The suit said Balogh was injured Oct. 20, 2020, when she was driving a 2010 Mazda 3 on Airport Road in White Township, PA, and lost control. The car left the road, struck a partly buried concrete stanchion and rolled over onto its passenger side. A fire erupted, spreading smoke and fire into the car, where Balogh was trapped.

“Before anyone could come

to her rescue, Balogh was catastrophically burned over most of her body,” the suit said.

The suit blamed “the unsafe, carelessly-designed and defective design of the Mazda and its failure to be crashworthy,” which allowed flammable liquids to leak and catch fire, and also trapped Balogh inside the burning car.

According to the suit, the defendants’ collective liability for the design and marketing of the vehicle directly caused Balogh’s severe burn injuries.

The suit said Balogh suffered second- and third-degree burns on her head, face, chest, arms, legs and back in the accident, and has since suffered respiratory failure, sepsis, tachycardia and the amputation of all the fingers on her right hand, along with other physical, emotional and functional complications, requiring ongoing hospitalizations and rehabilitation.

On Nov. 18, counsel for both parties agreed to dismiss the claims for punitive damages without prejudice.

Balogh agreed to dismiss her

claims on the condition that after the completion of discovery, her counsel may file a motion to reassert claims of punitive damages, and defendants may file preliminary objections with respect to the amended complaint.

Counsel for Starter Cars filed an answer in the case Jan. 6. While the company admitted it sold a Mazda that Balogh was a co-signer on, it denied the remaining allegations. Starter Cars further explained a number of the allegations were directed to other defendants, and thus would not respond to them.

Sutliff Auto Group followed up with its own answer Jan. 11. It denied it sold the Mazda to Balogh and/or her mother, but rather, Sutliff argued it received the vehicle as a trade-in at its now-closed Buick-GMC-Cadillac dealership, and then sold the vehicle to Starter Cars.

On Jan. 24, Balogh’s counsel filed replies to both defendants’ answers.

“These paragraphs state conclusions of law to which

no response is required,” the response said.

The response said Balogh’s counsel demanded proof at trial of the allegations in the defendants’ answers.

For counts of strict products liability, negligence, gross negligence, wanton disregard and punitive damages, Balogh is seeking damages in excess of $50,000, plus interest and legal fees.

The plaintiff is represented by Larry Coben and Jo Ann Nieim of Anapol Weiss, in Scottsdale, AZ.

The defendants are represented by Gerard Cedrone and Jo E. Peifer of Lavin Cedrone Graver Boyd & DiSipio in Philadelphia, Philip J. Sbrolla and Christopher D. Gee of Post & Schell in Pittsburgh, plus Michael E. Lang of Margolis Edelstein, in Beaver, PA.

Semiconductor Chips

be produced in higher volumes and are expected to offer better quality and predictability, maximizing high value content creation for the end customer.

Semiconductors are the foundation of the technologies powering the electrification, autonomous driving and connectivity of the auto industry, and they have been center stage in the global chip shortage that has impacted automakers the last couple of years.

“We see our semiconductor requirements more than doubling over the next several years as vehicles become technology platforms,” said Doug Parks, GM executive vice president of global product development, purchasing and supply chain. “The supply agreement with GlobalFoundries will help establish a strong, resilient supply of critical technology in the U.S. that will help GM meet this demand, while delivering new technology and features to our customers.”

“At GF we are committed to working with our customers in new and innovative ways to best address the challenges of today’s global supply chains,” said Dr.

Thomas Caulfield, president and CEO of GF. “GF will expand its production capabilities exclusively for GM’s supply chain, enabling us to strengthen our partnership with the automotive industry and New York State, while further accelerating automotive innovation with U.S.based manufacturing for a more resilient supply chain.”

“This first of its kind agreement between GlobalFoundries and General Motors is going to drive the Capital Region economy forward and ensure Upstate New York remains in the driver’s seat as one of the nation’s leading hubs for semiconductor manufacturing that is so critical to the supply chain of the auto industry. I have long said that Upstate New York’s semiconductor corridor will be a major engine powering America’s technological future, and now ‘Made in New York’ chips will help jumpstart the next generation of vehicles for GM across the country,” said U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer

“Thanks to my CHIPS and Science Act, we are bringing manufacturing back to our country and America’s supply chains are being secured, creating good-paying jobs here in Upstate New York, not overseas,” Schumer continued. “This partnership is yet another example that our nation’s future will be built

in Upstate New York, with the Capital Region as a global center for the future of the microchip industry.”

“We’re making New York State not only the semiconductor capital of the country—but of the globe,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul “This agreement will help to further establish New York State as a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing. With our nationleading Green CHIPS legislation and the new Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management and Integration, we are helping businesses like GM and GlobalFoundries expand the chips manufacturing ecosystem in our state, creating jobs and opportunities for generations to come.”

GF is responding to the global demand for semiconductors through a series of strategic longterm agreements with existing and new customers and simultaneously expanding global capacity to meet customer demand in partnership with federal and local governments. Supportive policies like the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act are encouraging the onshoring of semiconductor production and reestablishing the U.S. as a global leader of this critical technology.

Source: GM

Quincy Crews Snuff Auto Body Shop Fire

By David Cifarelli Daily Voice Norfolk

Firefighters had to brace record-breaking cold and strong winds to put out a twoalarm fire at a Quincy, MA, auto body shop Feb. 4, local firefighters reported.

The fire was reportedly coming from  Quincy Collision & Frame Center, located at 125 Liberty St., according to WCVB’s Brianna Borghi on Twitter.

A second building also caught fire and crews were having issues getting water on the flames because of frozen hydrants, NBC10 Boston’s  Mary Markos reported, citing Quincy Fire.  One of the building owners was injured, Markos said. The cause of the fire is under investigation.

AUTOBODY

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The National Auto Body Council Body® (NABC) is proud to announce Crash Champions has joined the collision repair industry’s premier philanthropic organization as a level one partner.

As a level one partner, Crash Champions and its nationwide network of high-quality repair centers will work alongside an elite consortium of collision repair facilities, rental car companies, parts and materials providers, insurance companies, automotive recyclers, salvage companies, towing companies, industry consultants and more to serve communities across the country with programs that help change and save lives every day.

Operating a rapidly growing coast-to-coast network of highquality collision repair centers, Crash Champions is the largest founder-led MSO in the U.S., serving customers and business partners in 36 states. The company was founded in 1999 by industry veteran and 2022 MSO Executive of the Year Matt Ebert, as a single Chicago repair center.

Source: NABC

NY Auto Body Students Benefit from Wreck/Rebuild Program

The auto body wreck/rebuild program continues to benefit Alfred State College (ASC) students in Alfred, NY, preparing for their career with hands-on education experiences.

Under the guidance of instructors CJ Tremper and Brad Smith, students in the auto body program enhance their skill sets by fixing wrecked vehicles to gain insight into what it is like to work inside a live collision shop. Currently there are six cars in the shop being repaired.

Student Mikal Smith enjoys being part of this program.

“I like being hands-on,” Smith said. “We have lectures and go through the basics, and we talk through everything that we will experience in the real world. Getting hands-on you learn more, experience it, and you know exactly what is going to happen. When I go into the industry, I will already have done it.

“It gives you a sense of accomplishment when a vehicle comes into the shop, and it is smashed and mangled and now seeing it driving and looking new.”

Vehicles are secured for the wreck/rebuild program through funding provided by the Educational Foundation of Alfred, Inc., a private foundation dedicated to improving the Alfred State community through the support of educational programs. The Ed Foundation possesses a New York State automotive dealer’s license that allows the college to purchase wrecked cars from auto salvage auctions, used for handson projects. They cover the cost of purchasing the cars and any parts or materials needed to bring them back to pre-accident condition.

Work ranges from minor repairs on hoods and fenders to major repairs to the structure of the vehicles.

This year students have been working on five cars: A 2014 Ford Focus, a 2017 Chevy Cruze and three Dodge Avengers. The Focus and Cruze had front end damage, while each of the Avengers had damage in different areas.

Tremper knows this program allows auto body students to take what they learn in the classroom and apply it right in the shop.

“These cars have allowed our students to learn in the classroom by getting our hands dirty and doing the work,” Tremper said. “Once we had all the cars on site, students worked diligently to repair them. We are nearing completion on all five cars. The project cars have allowed our students to do not only body and paint work, but also a variety of mechanical work. The students are enjoying the challenge of these projects and have something great to add to their portfolios as they approach graduation.”

Smith appreciates the opportunities the wreck/rebuild program and the Educational Foundation have given him and his fellow students. “I am extremely grateful and thankful that every day we have so many opportunities with so many cars,” Smith said.

Cox Automotive Presents Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award, $10,000 Scholarship

Cox Automotive presented its annual Barbara Cox Woman of the Year Award to Beth Beans Gilbert, vice president at Fred Beans Automotive Group, headquartered in Doylestown, PA. Fred Beans Automotive Group is one of the largest privately owned automotive groups in Pennsylvania, with nearly 1,800 employees and more than $1 billion in annual sales.

Named after Barbara Cox, the late co-owner of Cox Enterprises and daughter of the company’s founder, this honor is awarded to women who demonstrate business leadership, community advocacy and a commitment to advancing the automotive industry. The winner was announced Jan. 28 by Cox Automotive President Steve Rowley at the Northwood University Dealer Education Awards Breakfast at the NADA Show in Dallas. “This award is one way we reaffirm our commitment to diversity, inclusion and equity in the automotive industry,” said Rowley. “We honor one of our

clients who shares the traits and accomplishments of the late Barbara Cox. She was a strong, skilled and determined woman who cared about people, her business and her community. It is my honor to recognize Beth Beans Gilbert as the 2023 Barbara Cox Woman of the Year.”

“I am sincerely honored to receive this award that celebrates the impact women have on the automotive industry,” said Beans Gilbert after receiving the award.

“I am always recruiting more women to join me in automotive, as I know a diverse team makes us stronger. I’ve seen firsthand the impact the women of Beans have on our automotive group. They offer new perspectives and ideas that help us better serve all our people, including our employees, customers and neighbors.”

Fred Beans Automotive Group encompasses more than 20 dealerships, 18 brands, six franchised CARSTAR collision centers, two AutoExpress locations, four AutoRent locations, commercial truck sales and

the largest dealer-owned parts operation in the country.

In addition to managing the company and implementing the vision her father, Fred Beans, has for the corporation, Beans Gilbert runs the Fred Beans Charitable Trust. Significant contributions made by the foundation include $1 million to the YMCA of Bucks County to kick off its “For a Better Us” fundraising campaign and $1 million for the Cardiovascular and Critical Care Pavilion at Doylestown Hospital. The foundation also provides annual scholarships and purchases for municipalities, including new vehicles for police and innovative surveillance technology.

In addition to presenting the award to Beans Gilbert, Cox Automotive will present on behalf of the honoree the 2022-2023 Barbara Cox Memorial Scholarship of $10,000 to Marlee Robertson, a Northwood University junior studying automotive aftermarket management.

Source: Cox Automotive

Spanesi Americas announced the addition of Savas Communications LLC Principal Jim Savas as a marketing consultant to the Spanesi Americas team. Savas will develop and execute Spanesi-Americas 2023 marketing strategy.

Savas is a seasoned automotive media professional championing Iconic consumer brands including Hot Rod, Motor Trend and National Speed Sports News. On the trade side he led ABRN, Motor Age and Aftermarket Business for 14 years. In Savas’s 40-plus years in the media, he’s successfully lead content teams, driven sale performance and executed marketing objectives.

“I’m very excited to join the Spanesi team, as a global company we’ve made the decision to be digitally focused on our marketing in 2023 and beyond,” Savas said. “I’m looking forward to working with our media partners and executing our strategy.”

Source: Spanesi Americas

Go-Parts Thrived During the Pandemic and Kept Rolling

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

Go-Parts is taking a cutting-edge approach to the distribution of aftermarket parts and it’s working for all the right reasons, as explained by CEO Sean Kennedy.

Q: While many parts suppliers, both OE and aftermarket, were hit hard by the pandemic, your business model exceled. Please explain.

A:The impact the pandemic had on our industry, and many others, cannot be overstated. We experienced similar challenges to many of our partners and peers. However, in a climate of clogged supply chains and sluggish recovery, there is a high likelihood that the substantial growth we experienced

immediate advantage. Go-Parts had only been servicing this segment of the automotive market for a couple of years when the supply chain issues began, making us largely an unknown quantity.

The second question here is probably a bit more difficult to answer—have those factors disappeared after the pandemic passed? From a supply chain standpoint, largely yes, but we can clearly see that our new collision partners value what we bring to their businesses and the industry as a whole.

Q: What are you doing to leverage that position you created during the pandemic?

A: I believe our strategy is fairly simple—continue doing what we promise we will do. We were given an opportunity to show that this model, built from our experience in ecommerce, can work for the collision repair industry. But, if Go-Parts is to maintain this path, we must continue to deliver value across all facets of the part procurement experience.

In other words, we are going to continue leaning into who we are—a tech-forward organization that relies on automation, decentralization, and soon, the power of AI to streamline the supply chain and deliver value to our role in the process. We make consistency our ultimate goal, and I feel the future is bright if we can continue to deliver on that promise.

collision repair segment.

This isn’t to say that we don’t build relationships in our ecommerce vertical, because we certainly do, and I am very proud of our brand’s reputation in that space. Rather, this segment of the market requires

technology to improve the stockchecking and buying experience. By providing data in real-time, our partners can better map out their internal operations and know exactly where those parts are at any given moment.

Q:What does the future hold at Go-Parts?

A:While we have a particularly good sense of who we are as an organization, the future is a blank canvas. Our primary goal has always been to iterate based on the needs expressed to us by our supply chain, repair and insurance partners. So the future is quite uncertain but, we feel, it is for all the right reasons.

an entirely different approach and we have thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue with our insurance and repair partners.

Those insights have allowed us to continue to iterate and provide tools and conveniences, most notably our Live Inventory and Order Tracking Interface, which save users an immense amount of time and showcases how we seek to leverage

Go-Parts relies on its malleability and iterative culture to keep our organization pointed in the right direction, which is why we have no issues navigating the industry via direct dialogue with clients and partners. I am confident we will maintain our current growth trajectory—but it will be based on external industry needs, not internal organizational desires.

Visit order.go-parts.com for more information.

in that period stemmed from our use of a decentralized supply chain and distribution network. This dynamic allowed us to weave our way through those challenges, providing uninterrupted service to our partners with no compromise on part or service quality.

Q: What were the major factors behind that shift, and did they disappear after the pandemic passed?  A: Well, I think the dynamic outlined in the previous question fueled a desire to seek out new methods of part procurement. Part availability became a topic of conversation throughout the industry, so simply having the product was an

Q: How have you changed to meet the needs of the collision repair industry, in terms of quality, availability, prompt delivery, convenience, etc.?

A: We haven’t changed much, in truth. There are nuances to any new market, and the learning curve we experienced several years ago was certainly steep. I could tell you some stories about learning things the hard way, absolutely! But, like most things, if you’re sincere in your efforts and acknowledge mistakes, experiences like that can become incredible strengths moving forward.

If I were to choose an area where we have modified our approach the most, I would say the shift from a more transactional market like ecommerce DIY to a more relationship-based environment like we see in the

CEO Sean Kennedy at Go-Parts is using the latest technology to help his shop customers get parts fast

“We are going to continue leaning into who we are—a tech-forward organization that relies on automation, decentralization and soon, the power of AI to streamline the supply chain and deliver value to our role in the process.”

SEAN KENNEDY GO-PARTS CEO

Tesla Says Giga NY Employees Fired Due To Poor Performance Reviews, Not Unionization Efforts

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Tesla was recently accused of terminating Giga New York employees because they attempted to form a union. A blog post from the electric vehicle maker said this was not the case.

The employees also aimed to curb factors they claimed were harmful to their health, such as monitoring, metrics and production pressure.

In a recent filing with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board, the Workers United union said Tesla laid off dozens of Giga New York employees “in retaliation for union activity and to discourage union activity.” The union also asked the labor board to pursue a federal court injunction “to prevent irreparable destruction of employee rights resulting from Tesla’s unlawful conduct.” The workers who attempted to unionize asked for job security and more pay, as well as a say in the decision-making in Giga New York.

The Workers United union also said the pressure was so heavy for the Autopilot labeling team’s workers, some could not even take bathroom breaks. In a blog post addressing the issue, Tesla said “there is a false allegation that Tesla terminated employees in response to a new union campaign.” While the electric vehicle maker admitted some employees who were part of the Autopilot labeling team were indeed terminated, it was not due to the unionization attempt.

Tesla said it conducts performance review cycles for its employees every six months. If employees are not able to meet their performance expectations, they will be laid off from the company. Tesla said this review process is not unique to Giga New York. Employees from across the globe are subjected to it. The most recent performance review period was July to December 2022. On

Dec. 13, 2022, Tesla managers received communication about the review schedule. The message said exits for low-performing employees would begin the week of Feb. 12, 2023. About 4% of the Autopilot labeling team in Giga New York were let go as a result of the review cycle. Tesla said the employees were not terminated

without warning.

“The employees let go as part of this process received prior feedback on their poor performance from their managers over the course of the review period. Despite feedback, they did not demonstrate sufficient improvement,” Tesla said, adding the impacted employees were identified Feb. 3. This date

was well before Giga New York employees announced their unionization campaign. Tesla said it became aware of the employees’ unionization efforts approximately 10 days later. The company learned in hindsight that one out of the 27 employees impacted by the performance review identified as part of the unionization campaign. Tesla said Giga New York’s Autopilot labeling team has been growing over the last several months at an average of 10 employees a week. In the past six months, the team’s employee base grew 54%, from 437 to 675 workers as of the start of the week of Feb. 13. The electric vehicle maker also explained its time monitoring system for image labeling was put in place to ease the use of its labeling software.

“Since its purpose is to calculate how long it takes to label an image, there is nothing to be gained by delaying bathroom breaks. The claim that Tesla pressures employees to do so is categorically false,” Tesla said.

From Tech To TV Spokesperson/Instructor: The Kevin Tetz Story

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

Kevin Tetz , 59, is a TV host, internet star and creator of Paintucation University, a video training company that has sold nearly 200,000 instructional DVDs worldwide.

Autobody News sat down recently with Tetz and was inspired by his amazing story from painter to trainer/mentor and TV personality.

Q:How did you get into the collision repair industry?

A:I grew up in Canada around cars in the automotive restoration and collision repair industries. My dad was a career auto body mechanic and painter, so I kind of grew into it through osmosis. We didn’t have much, and when I needed or wanted a car, I had to build one. So out of necessity, I learned how to hone my own skills and create what I needed.

And then I took a detour from collision and decided to become a rock star. I put about 10 years of my life into that, and when it came

crashing down, I went back to what I knew, which was auto body repair. My father was also a musician, and he told me that this trade would probably not make me rich, but collision repair always pay the bills. Of course, he was right.

Q:While you were trying to be a rock star, did you take jobs working at shops along the way?

A:When I was touring with the bands, I tried to make side money, or if the band broke up, I would go to work at a local body shop. So that got me crosstrained while I still had my eye on a different career. I got to work at an exclusive restoration shop in in Venice, CA, and at another high production splash shop in Florida. I learned valuable things such as how to block sand, how to do surface correction, by sanding and polishing on really exclusive cars.

Q:Did you progress quickly by embracing certifications and education during that period?

A:Yes. After music didn’t work out, I went from being a “sander gopher” to working my way up to being a body tech. Then I wanted to open my own shop and I did, and I nearly starved because I didn’t have any business savvy. I was a really good technician, but I did not know how to run a

business. So, I did that and then I was recruited by a local auto body shop in southern Tennessee that wanted me to, ironically, manage their body shop under their leadership. I took that job and they sent me to a management training school and to estimating school, where I worked in conjunction with

Kevin Tetz is the founder of Paintucation University and has sold nearly 200,000 paint training videos in the last two decades.

all the claims adjusters in my area who worked for all the big different insurance companies.

Q:How did you enter the world of broadcast?

A:I never lost that passion for a performance career. I knew I was strong enough in the fundamentals to where I could try and make a video, so I ended up doing a barter deal with a videographer, and I created a video on how to paint a car.

I started out on the DIY Network as a walk-on guest-expert and it grew from there. This was in 2003, so I went to the studios in Knoxville, TN, and I was a good guest, since I was already trained on camera; the music industry helped me with that as well. My first series on DIY was called “Classic Rides,” and I parlayed that into another show on Spike TV called “Trucks!,” where I did 10 seasons and over 200 episodes.

I have authored two books, and have been an automotive tech writer for different magazines, using that as a subliminal advertising tool for my instructional videos. So, during that I ended up forming my own production

company during my tenure in television, as well as becoming involved as a training consultant for several different public and private companies, which made me so much better as an instructor.

I love helping people solve problems with paint technologies; it keeps me on my toes! I’m currently working with Axalta Coating Systems creating new training tutorials. I host “Hands On Cars TV” on Amazon Prime and cohosted “CarCraft TV” last year on MotorTrend Plus. I’m also creating new training courses for people who just want to get better at the trade. I am also creating what I call “internal training,” for body shops that need in-house courses or precertification training.

I’m continually developing new products that fit into the automotive industry, and will continue to expand my product line to include more training guides, tutorials, as well as hand tools. I’m also available for other companies to utilize as a spokesperson, voice over talent or public representative, and hope to expand my experience by offering my services.

For more information about Tetz and Paintucation University, visit www.paintucation.com.

Volvo Group North America Recall Failures To Cost $130 Million

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

Volvo Group North America has agreed to pay $130 million to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for alleged failures regarding vehicle recalls.

In a consent order with NHTSA, Volvo agreed to pay the civil penalty of $130 million in what the government called “one of the largest-ever penalties for violations of the Vehicle Safety Act.”

The order follows a NHTSA investigation that allegedly found Volvo failed to properly report death and injury incidents, and failed to recall vehicles in a timely fashion.

Safety regulators also allege Volvo failed to properly notify owners about safety recalls.

NHTSA said in addition to the large penalty, an independent third-party auditor will keep watch over Volvo as the

automaker meets regularly with NHTSA about potential vehicle safety problems. The auditor’s job will also require Volvo be monitored for possible Safety Act regulations violations.

As part of the consent order, employees will receive appropriate training about complying with federal safety regulations.

“The consent order requires the company to make an upfront payment of $65 million and spend an additional $20 million on the specific performance obligation to create a safety data analytics infrastructure, and includes an additional $45 million deferred penalty that may become payable under specified circumstances,” NHTSA said.

The consent order is scheduled to have a threeyear term unless NHTSA determines possible problems that could extend the order to five years.

Maryland Auto Celebrates 50 Years of Insuring Maryland Drivers

In 2023, Maryland Auto Insurance marks 50 years of providing coverage to Maryland drivers unable to obtain auto insurance in the standard market.

Since its inception in January 1973, Maryland Auto has been a mission-driven agency, dedicated to making auto insurance available to all Maryland residents and to reducing the number of uninsured drivers on Maryland roadways. The independent state agency currently insures approximately 25,000 Maryland drivers. Over its 50 years in operation, the agency has issued millions of policies to Maryland drivers.

“When we provide insurance to drivers who currently do not qualify for coverage from standard carriers, we also put them on the road to a better life,” said Maryland Auto Executive Director Al Redmer Jr. “The ability to legally drive a vehicle opens the door to opportunity. Maryland Auto gives back a sense of dignity to those who have been rejected in the

Maryland Auto will cover any Maryland resident, regardless of income, education, credit or driving history. Guaranteed. And we provide policy and claims service that matches the larger, standard carriers.”

In recent years, Maryland Auto’s role has expanded, and the agency has been tasked with leading uninsured driver awareness and amnesty initiatives on behalf of the State of Maryland. It provides financial and driver safety resources on its website and social media channels. The agency partners with the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) to engage recently uninsured Maryland drivers, and advise them of their options.

Additionally, the company’s Uninsured Division handled the state’s uninsured fine

forgiveness program, FineFix, which gave approximately 20,000 Marylanders the opportunity to resolve outstanding penalties, clear registration flags and register and insure vehicles.

“Maryland Auto is a unique entity. No other state has created an agency solely intended to serve the segment of drivers ineligible for coverage in the standard market. Gov. Marvin Mandel and the members of the General Assembly in the early 1970s saw a need for more protection and higher level of service for Maryland residents than an assigned risk pool provides. Maryland Auto was created solely for this purpose,” said Redmer.

Source: Maryland Auto Insurance

Dynabrade Acquires Global Abrasive Products

Dynabrade, Inc. recently completed the asset purchase of one of its strategic suppliers, Global Abrasive Products, Inc., a 50-employee abrasives converter with locations in Lockport, NY, and Alpharetta, GA.

“For Dynabrade, this is a continuation of our strategic initiative to expand the scope of our vertical integration,” said Dynabrade President Michael Buffamonti “This further elevates our value proposition of becoming the leader in surface solutions and innovative process improvements for industries around the world. With over 1,000 abrasive power tool configurations, and now an abrasive offering for most any application, Dynabrade is in the unique position to provide greater value to our manufacturing processes and to continue delivering unprecedented cost savings. Customers of both companies will benefit from the combined industrial tool and abrasive product lines.”

This is Dynabrade’s second acquisition in two years, having acquired high-tech production machine shop Manth Manufacturing in 2021.

Source: Dynabrade

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GM Investing $650M To Develop Major U.S. Lithium Mine

General Motors Co. and Lithium Americas Corp. announced Jan. 31 they will jointly invest to develop the Thacker Pass mine in Nevada, the largest known source of lithium in the U.S. and the third largest in the world.

Under the agreement, GM will make a $650 million equity investment in Lithium Americas, which represents the largest-ever investment by an automaker to produce battery raw materials.

Lithium Americas estimates the lithium extracted and processed from the project can support production of up to 1 million EVs per year.

Lithium carbonate from Thacker Pass will be used in GM’s proprietary Ultium battery cells. Lithium is a key material in lithium-ion batteries and stands up well to repeated charging and discharging—including enabling fast charging—delivers higher energy density and offers more usable capacity than other battery types.

GM is launching a broad portfolio of trucks, SUVs, luxury vehicles and light commercial vehicles using the Ultium Platform, including the GMC HUMMER EV Pickup and SUV, GMC

Sierra EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Cadillac CELESTIQ, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Chevrolet Equinox EV, BrightDrop Zevo 400 and BrightDrop Zevo 600.

“GM has secured all the battery material we need to build more than 1 million EVs annually in North America in 2025 and our future production will increasingly draw from domestic resources like the site in Nevada we’re developing with Lithium Americas,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “Direct sourcing critical EV raw materials and components from suppliers in North America and free-trade-agreement countries helps make our supply chain more secure, helps us manage cell costs and creates jobs.”

“The agreement with GM is a major milestone in moving Thacker Pass toward production, while setting a foundation for the separation of our U.S. and Argentine businesses,” said Lithium Americas President and CEO Jonathan Evans “This relationship underscores our commitment to develop a sustainable domestic lithium supply chain for electric vehicles. We are pleased to have GM as our largest

investor, and we look forward to working together to accelerate the energy transition while spurring job creation and economic growth in America.”

GM’s investment will be split between two tranches. The funds for the first tranche will be held in escrow until certain conditions are met, including the outcome of the Record of Decision ruling currently pending in U.S. District Court. If those conditions are met, the funds will be released and GM will become a shareholder in Lithium Americas. The escrow release is expected to occur no later than the end of 2023.

The second tranche investment is expected to be made into Lithium Americas’ U.S.-focused lithium business following the separation of its U.S. and Argentina businesses and is contingent on similar conditions, including Lithium Americas securing sufficient capital to fund the development expenditures to support Thacker Pass.

Production at Thacker Pass is projected to begin in the second half of 2026. In connection with the closing of the first tranche investment, GM will receive exclusive

access to Phase 1 production through a binding supply agreement and has the right of first offer on Phase 2 production.

Lithium Americas expects Thacker Pass to create 1,000 jobs in construction and 500 in operations.

GM has announced four U.S. cell plants with annual capacity of 160 gigawatt hours, including the Ultium Cells joint venture plant with LG Energy Solution in Warren, OH, which is in production, and additional sites in Spring Hill, TN, and Lansing, MI, that are scheduled to open in 2023 and 2024, respectively. The first three Ultium Cells plants are expected to create 6,000 jobs in construction and 5,000 in operations.

GM is currently building EVs in two Michigan plants, one Tennessee plant and one Ontario plant, and its suppliers are investing to create a robust North Americafocused supply chain for EV raw materials, processed material and components, with major projects under way in California, Texas, Ohio and Quebec.

Source: General Motors Co.

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By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

With the growing number of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on new vehicle models, it is becoming increasingly important for collision repairers to understand how they are designed and operate.

This includes features on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), especially since EVs are expected to account for nearly 33% of

Q: What prompted the creation of the Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 course?

A: Launched in 2017, I-CAR’s Vehicle Technology and Trends course is an annual course the I-CAR team develops to highlight new or updated vehicle models, new and evolving technologies, and trends we see that are common to one or more vehicle makers. An updated version of the class has been introduced

technology and the requirements to repair these vehicles properly. This begins with researching and understanding vehicle maker repair procedures and requirements, and keeping up with the latest technology and repair techniques.

There is no wrong way to learn. You can succeed in this industry as long as you engage with the resources available and continue to push yourself to build upon your knowledge and skills.

Q:Can you share information about the collaboration with OEMs?

A: I-CAR works with all segments of the industry, including OEMs, to help identify changes in vehicle design, repair techniques and technologies. Then we develop the educational programming to help ensure collision repair professionals have the information and training required to perform complete, safe and quality repairs for the ultimate benefit of the consumer.

with OEMs in many ways, including developing custom training courses or specialized training programs, vehicle-specific training, and

new vehicle sales in 2030, according to the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).

“This helps assure that the system is functioning correctly after repairs are completed and before the vehicle is returned to the customer with a complete, safe and quality repair,” said Bud Center, I-CAR’s director of technical products and curriculum.

Center said I-CAR’s Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 course helps repairers learn about changes in the industry and to prepare for the future. The one-hour, online class includes information about new vehicle features and technology as well as electrical, mechanical and construction trends. Students can preview new and updated vehicle models for domestic, Asian and European imports, as well as some 2024 vehicle offerings.

The course also highlights resources created for technicians, such as the I-CAR Repairability Technical Support (RTS) webpage and the I-CAR Best Practice HV Disconnect/Initialization Feature document.

Based on OEM procedures, the RTS webpage shares information about the ADAS available on a vehicle, where the inputs are located and what events require calibration.

I-CAR’s best practice document, vetted by the industry, explains how to disable and test a vehicle to ensure it is safe to perform repairs.

Autobody News reached out to Center for insight on the new course.

every year since then to ensure the industry is ready for what’s around the corner.

Q: What makes this course unique and what are some of the highlights?

A: The Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 course is valuable to all members of the collision repair industry. While many other training options are role- or task-specific, this course provides an overview of new vehicles, trends and technologies relevant to all collision repair professionals. With the Technical Tsunami™ we continue to face, the course offers insight into some developments collision repair professionals need to prepare for in their shops.

It also offers a glimpse of 2024 vehicles, upcoming automotive technology and related repair considerations. Being a onehour online course also makes it convenient and accessible to all learners.

Q: Why is it important for the industry to learn about vehicle technology to repair vehicles correctly?

A: There are no shortcuts when performing complete, safe and quality repairs. Modern vehicles are equipped with a tremendous amount of technology and all segments of the industry need to be aware of this

This collaboration also helps us to understand how we can support their networks and reinforce the importance of seeking and following OEM procedures. We collaborate

participation in I-CAR repairability summits. It’s a collaborative process from beginning to end.

Q:What would you like the industry to know about I-CAR’s Vehicle and Technology Specific Training™ portfolio of courses?

A:I-CAR offers a robust group of Vehicle and Technology Specific Training (VTST) courses. The Vehicle Technology and Trends course remains one of our most popular, with application to truly anyone in the automotive industry—from the front desk to the shop floor. Whether it’s the first I-CAR course you take or the 200th, you’ll find the information within the course valuable and relevant.

Credit: Photo courtesy of I-CAR

“There are no shortcuts when performing complete, safe and quality repairs.”

BUD CENTER I-CAR

Critical Nature of ADAS Functionality Could Result in More Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs

By John Yoswick Autobody News

About 15 states currently have some sort of periodic safety inspection for vehicles, but with drivers increasingly reliant on ADAS features, those existing state programs likely need to evolve—and more states are likely to want to find ways to ensure driver assistance features are functioning properly.

That was the consensus among panelists at a discussion during a recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC).

“With the advent of more semiautonomous vehicles, automatic driving features, in my opinion this is going to come to pass at some point,” said Chuck Olsen of AirPro Diagnostics. “This is going to have to be addressed for the safety of the motoring public. In my opinion, we need to be involved as an industry so that we make sure it is done right, not just have legislation coming at us that isn’t correct.”

Olsen said having spent much of his career on the mechanical side of the industry, he thinks

“collision shops are better equipped to perform a periodic type of inspection than the classical mechanical shop.”

Dell—who disclosed that his company was one of the sponsors of the three-year, peer-reviewed study—said the study looked at 44 years of accident data, comparing states with vehicle safety inspections to those without. It found the states with such programs experienced a 5.5% lower rate of vehicle fatalities.

and a mandate for NHTSA to at least study the issue.

“Barring that, I think what you will see is leadership from a few states that will help others come along,” Dell said.

New Study Fuels Interest

Bill Dell of Opus Inspections said required vehicle inspections— whether for safety or emissions— can be a challenge to get enacted because they can be viewed as a new tax or a politically unpopular mandate. But a new study released this past fall by Carnegie Mellon University may help change that.

“That may not sound like very much, but there’s 30,000 fatal crashes every year in the United States, so that means 1,400 passenger lives per year could be saved,” Dell said. “That’s the equivalent of a few airplane crashes. We’re using this information to try to educate policymakers and legislators around the country. And we’re having some success. I think we’re seeing movement in states taking a new interest for the first time in decades.”

Rather than a patchwork of programs that vary widely by state, Dell said he’d prefer the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration develop national standards or guidelines for the programs, and there are efforts under way to get federal funding

Shop Owner Conducts Inspections

Another panelist at CIC, New Mexico shop owner Scott Benavidez, has some experience conducting a state-mandated vehicle safety inspection. Since 2016, New Mexico has required anyone selling a used vehicle to disclose if that vehicle has sustained damage exceeding 6% of its value. Benavidez said he has about a half dozen inspectors looking at more than 7,000 used vehicles a year, primarily for used

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New Mexico shop owner Scott Benavidez said consumers like his state’s inspection program for used vehicles prior to a purchase because they know exactly what they’re buying.

“In the next 10 years, annual inspection of safety systems on cars is going to become very real. In my opinion, we’re not going to escape it.”

MARK OLSON VECO EXPERTS

car dealers.

“We rewrite an estimate based on how much damage we think it had, and if there’s any safetyrelated issues to it,” Benavidez said. “Then they can disclose that, so the consumer knows what they’re buying, or about 90% of the time, the [dealer] gets [safety issues] fixed. It’s interesting what we find. It could be something as simple as someone [who repaired a vehicle] not putting a [bumper] absorber back in. We see that a lot.”

Benavidez said used car dealers hated the program at first because almost every vehicle was failing the safety test.

“But they have gotten smarter about what to look for in the vehicles they are buying to sell,” he said of the dealers. “Fast forward to today, and we don’t see as many safety issues as we did when we first started this. The dealers are now excited about the law. They like what it does for their product and for the consumer. Consumers like it because they know exactly what they’re buying.”

Inspections Could Improve Repairs

Another panelist, Mark Olson of VECO Experts, agreed with others that, given the importance of maintaining the functionality of

ADAS, he foresees more states conducting periodic vehicle safety inspections in the future.

“In the next 10 years, annual inspection of safety systems on cars is going to become very real,” Olson said. “In my opinion, we’re not going to escape it.”

Regulators will start to recognize, he said, that less safe vehicles are being brought into states without such programs by those who know those vehicles will fail the inspection required in their current state.

“If they know it’s not going to pass in New Mexico, they’re going to kick it off to Idaho or Montana where there isn’t an inspection,” Olson said, saying he sees a similar shift in vehicles that can’t pass an emission test into states without such tests. “That’s why having a nationwide scenario might be a really good idea. I’m not saying I’m in favor of the government doing anything. But it may take that.”

Regular safety inspections could also help ferret out incomplete or poor quality collision repair work, Olson said.

“If you can’t get the vehicle tags renewed without passing, that would actually bring the level up in our industry,” he said.

Shoichiro Toyoda, Former President of Toyota, Dead At 97

By Steven Symes Motorious

Shoichiro Toyoda, son of the founder of Toyota and credited with pushing the automaker into international markets, has died at the age of 97. Reports indicate he passed away Feb. 14 due to heart failure.

Made honorary chairman in his later years, he was largely responsible for the company’s aggressive push into North America, including manufacturing vehicles on this continent.

Born Feb. 27, 1925, in Nagoya City, Toyoda was able to experience the height of Imperial Japan, its demise and the rebuilding of the country with foreign help. It wasn’t until 1982 that he became president of his father’s company, using his vision of Toyota becoming an international force to push into markets around the globe. He served as president of Toyota until 1992.

Rapidly, the Toyota name came to become respected as it stood for reliability, durability and all-around quality with legendary

models like the Hilux pickup and Land Cruiser. Countless books and articles have been written about the automaker’s engineering and manufacturing methods developed in part under Toyoda’s watch, with many competitors trying to incorporate elements of them into their own operations.

Also under Toyoda’s direction Lexus was formed, forever altering the luxury car market in North America. Today it is often ranked as one of the most desirable and reliable luxury brands.

In 2007, Shoichiro Toyoda was inducted into the U.S. Automotive Hall of Fame. Such a move was unthinkable when he became president of the company, enduring a smear campaign in the 1980s that accused Toyota and other Japanese manufacturers of stealing manufacturing jobs from American workers. However, Toyota manufacturing in the U.S. surged 49% from 1981 to 1990. A private funeral for Toyoda’s family will be held.

Collision Repairers Should Invest Now in ‘People, Capacity and Innovation’

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Auto body shop owners and managers must be aware of and ready to face the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic, said Sean Carey, president of SCG Management Consultants, in his Jan. 26 presentation, “The New, New Normal and the Impact to the Claims & Collision Industry,” part of CIECA’s webinar series.

“We are now in the ‘COVID tail,’ starting to see issues cropping up,” Carey said.

The full presentation is available on www.cieca.com.

Macro Market Forces

Carey said he thinks the industry is getting to a point where OEM certification programs are becoming “equally important” as the insurance companies’ DRPs. While he thinks both will have a place in the industry, “we’re witnessing the slow death of the DRP.”

“[OEM certification programs] will become the true North Star for our industry, as repairers want to do the right thing,” Carey added.

Carey said OEM repair information

is currently not “terribly usable,” but he predicts new entrants in the market will find better ways to consolidate it, which the automakers will support.

Carey predicted the “big will get bigger,” as MSOs, OEMs and insurers consolidate.

months.

“The No. 1 reason: not enough people to repair cars,” he said. “Many organizations are trying to recruit, but we’re not going to fill that gap. We’ll simply run out of folks.”

Small shops will lose existing employees to larger ones, Carey said.

Within three years, he predicted, the average repair cost will be $6,500, and more than half of a repair order will be parts, as they become more expensive than labor.

Micro Challenges

Consequences of COVID 20202022

During the lockdown and subsequent recovery period, 2.3 million vehicles weren’t repaired, representing $7.8 billion revenue that didn’t enter the supply chain. Carey said parts suppliers took the biggest hit—$4.4 billion in lost sales.

Carey predicted about 3,500 shops will close in the next 12 to 24

The biggest near-term challenge is people, Carey said. “We have reached the point of no return; the aging tech base is far outstripping the number of young people coming in,” he said. He advised listeners to “focus on the people you have, nurture them; they will be much harder to replace.”

Another near-term challenge continues to be parts and the supply chain. Production bottlenecks are easing, but shops are still dealing with delays. Carey suggested shops balance their vehicle intake— otherwise cycle time, work in

progress (WIP) and costs will soar. Carey said OEMs will solve the problem in the next few years of how to make seamless claims more capable, thanks to the telematic data resulting from the “onslaught of technology” OEMs are introducing in their vehicles. “Insurers’ AI and mobile models can’t compete,” he said.

Finally, shops will reach an economic breaking point. “There is no longer room for shops to absorb large expenses, repair safely and properly and stay profitable,” he said.

2023 Market Sizing

Looking ahead to 2023, Carey predicted a lower repair count, but more parts and a higher average cost, as the total market will crest $40 billion for the first time.

The average repair cost will increase to $4,750 this year, Carey

“We used to try to capture every single job. We are entering a market where you’re trying to get the right job.”

SEAN CAREY SCG MANAGEMENT CONSULTANTS

Credit: Shutterstock.

said, and insurance premium increases may not be enough to cover the cost of losses.

There will be $9.5 billion of work in progress, as shops don’t have the people, parts or space to finish jobs.

Future Market Prevailing Conditions

The industry is at a capacity crunch, Carey said. “We used to try to capture every single job,” he said. “We are entering a market where you’re trying to get the right job.”

Workflow efficiency will become king and intake will be critical, as Carey predicted repairers will have to validate everything to receive fair compensation, from storage time to waiting time for parts.

“This is about repair planning based on capacity, where insurers and shops, vendors and shops are talking to each other,” Carey said.

Far Horizon Timeline

Carey said 2022 was “a very different year for most of us; let’s not think for one moment that we’re going back to 2019, because that ship has sailed.”

2023 will bring a new set of challenges, as OEMs double down on safe and proper repairs, insurers introduce new claims solutions, MSOs continue to grow and costs continue to pick up, meaning shops will need to

pick vendor partners carefully.

Looking ahead to the next three years, Carey said 2024 will be when “the fallout begins,” as staffing reaches critical levels, shops begin closing and new technology speeds up first notice of loss and intake.

In 2025, a “new market emerges,” Carey said, riding a wave of new vehicles with new technologies, and finally, in 2026, vehicle data will dictate repairs and OEM-embedded insurance will lead to a change in bill payers. If certified repairs are not yet required by 2026, the industry will be solidly on the path to that, Carey said.

After the presentation, an attendee asked Carey what he would do today if he were a shop owner.

First, Carey said, he’d develop an agreement with current staff making it beneficial for them to stay and challenging to leave.

Next, he would look at how he brings in vehicles for repairs, and any “key triggers” for not accepting one. And finally, he would be “watching like a hawk for opportunities to work closer with insurers, suppliers and OEMs.”

“Take a good step back every now and then and identify: ‘What should I be doing differently to be more efficient?’” Carey advised. “Without a question, people, capacity and innovation.”

Pump Prices Ease As Oil Market Digests

By Andrew Gross AAA

The national average for a gallon of gas barely budged over the past week, drifting lower by three cents to $3.47 as of Feb. 6.

The previous week’s decision by OPEC+ to maintain current production levels and not make any cuts led to lower oil prices.

But the blockbuster U.S. report Feb. 3 of 517,000 jobs added in January, dropping the unemployment rate to a 54year low of 3.4%, may have the opposite effect. Are recession fears fading, and could a healthier global economy lead to more demand for oil and higher prices?

“Keep an eye on the price of oil,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, “because oil currently accounts for nearly 60% of what we pay at the pump. And rising or falling oil prices can have a direct impact on motorists’ wallets.”

According to data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand

rose from 8.14 million to 8.49 million b/d over the week before Feb. 6. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased by 2.6 million bbl to 234.6 million bbl. Despite rising gas demand, total supply growth has helped limit pump price increases.

The Feb. 6 national average of $3.47 is 18 cents more than a month ago and four cents more than a year ago.

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly decreases: Delaware (-15 cents), Ohio (-12 cents), Maryland (-9 cents), South Carolina (-9 cents), Tennessee (-9 cents), Alabama (-8 cents), Michigan (-8 cents), Indiana (-8 cents), Florida (-8 cents) and Virginia (-7 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($3.08), Mississippi ($3.12), Oklahoma ($3.13), Missouri ($3.13), Kentucky ($3.14), Arkansas ($3.14), South Carolina ($3.17), Kansas ($3.18), Louisiana ($3.19) and Tennessee ($3.19).

Source: AAA

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VERMONT

Hunter Engineering Focuses on Developing Strategic Solutions For Collision Repairers

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

In the 1930s, Lee Hunter Jr., a 23-year-old architectural student in St. Louis, MO, often had a dead car battery in his Packard convertible. He set out to create a device that would reduce battery charge time. In 1936, he introduced the Kwikurent, a battery charger that reduced charging time from 24 hours or more to less than an hour.

equipment. Hunter’s team of engineers has received more than 350 patents and set many industry precedents, including a simplified lightbeam alignment system, a computerized dynamic wheel alignment and the thrust line principle, which many say is the foundation of modern four-wheel alignment.

For his impact on the automotive industry, Hunter was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992.

Today, the company is known for designing, manufacturing and selling a wide range of equipment, including computerized wheel balancers, tire changers, alignment racks, on- and off-car brake lathes, vehicle lifts, autonomous alignment and tire inspection equipment and ADAS calibration tools.

company has international offices in Canada, Germany and China.

“Unlike most other manufacturers, all printed circuit design and assembly is performed in-house and produces over a million boards and cable assemblies every year,” said Settle. “This allows the company to create new products faster and maintain

to meet these needs, such as the ADASLink® diagnostics scan tool powered by Bosch. The equipment allows for dynamic (driving) ADAS calibrations as well as static (fixture) ADAS calibration with the Bosch DAS 3000. The DAS 3000 uses built-in cameras and rear wheel-mounted targets to position the fixture.

“We see tires, electrification and ADAS being critical [in the future],” said Dawson. “ADAS is expected to grow 400% from 2021 to 2030.”

With these changes, Dawson predicts automotive service will ultimately focus on the undercar.

After serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ordnance Corps during World War II, Hunter founded Hunter Engineering Company in 1946 and introduced the Tune-In wheel balancer.

As the company grew, Hunter developed other innovative

Tom Settle, director of field development and training, said Hunter’s award-winning patented alignment systems are used by independent shops, regional and national chains, dealerships and OEM manufacturing facilities worldwide.

The equipment is manufactured in four plants—three in Mississippi and one in Bridgeton, MO, where a research and training center is located. Also in Bridgeton is Hunter’s 26-acre global headquarters. The

superior quality control.”

Throughout its history, the company has been focused on the automotive repair side of the business.

With the shift to electric vehicles (EVs), Steve Dawson, Hunter’s regional manager in the Washington, D.C. area, said the biggest growth over the next nine years will be in ADAS calibrations. As a result, the company has developed products

“Shops that are not prepared for undercar in the EV world are going to be missing the boat,” he said. “Gone are the days of basic services, such as oil changes, that used to be the bread and butter of a repair shop.”

Hunter Products Showcased at SEMA

During the November SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, Hunter showcased its products and equipment.

Hunter’s latest innovation, unveiled during the show, is the Hunter Maverick tire changer, which uses some of the same technology as the Revolution™ fully automatic tire changer.

Settle said the machine allows technicians to control the tire-changing

The Hunter Engineering team at the 2022 SEMA Show.

Miles Dierker demonstrates Hunter’s ADASLINK and the Bosch DAS 3000 at Hunter’s training facility in Bridgeton, MO.

process using variable controls.

“What we find in the body shop world is that fully automatic balancers and tire changers make life easier, especially for those who don’t have the knowledge or ability,” he said.

Another tire changer on display was the Hunter Revolution™. Using the semi-autonomous WalkAway™ mode, Settle said, the machine does all the heavy lifting. “If I’m in a body shop environment and I’m not a seasoned tire technician, I can go out to this particular tire changer and all I have to know is the diameter of that wheel and tire and then let the machine do the work,” he said.

Settle also shared information about the Hunter Road Force® Elite wheel balancer. He said the balancer can perform a Road Force® test and balance faster than a traditional balancer and diagnoses vibration issues traditional balancers often can’t identify. It also automatically measures wheels dimensions with its patented vision system.

Hunter sales representative Will Cronin said proper alignment is extremely important, especially with ADAS on vehicles today. Visiting shops within his designated territory, Cronin finds repairers aren’t always

everything,” said Cronin. “Hunter’s equipment is easy to use and cuts down time dramatically.”

The Hunter HawkEye Elite® is the company’s fully integrated alignment system, which can capture alignment measurements in 70 seconds. Using WinAlign® software, Settle said four precision cameras provide alignment measurements with a high degree of accuracy, providing fast and efficient readings. The equipment can be integrated with other shop systems, providing flexibility.

The equipment includes step-bystep guidance that walks technicians through the entire process. “If you are new to the industry as far as doing alignments, you can follow along, while also utilizing the onboard training information,” he said.

Sales representative Steve Booz said shops often ask how to incorporate the equipment into their business due to space limitations. “The equipment is designed with portability in mind, so it can be moved around the shop as needed.”

By partnering with Bosch, Booz said customers can be assured they have support from both companies. Hunter exhibited the ADASLink® diagnostic scan tool as part of the

future, we’re eager to help inform and educate the industry about servicing these critical safety systems,” said Ryan Gerber, Hunter ADAS product specialist.

With ADASLink®, shops can connect the vehicle communication interface (VCI) to the vehicle’s OBD-II port to diagnose and interact with the car. A live camera-guided interface allows technicians to position the fixture properly and an on-screen walkthrough explains how to place the calibration targets. The equipment can calibrate forward-facing radar and camera sensors as well as side and rear sensors, including blind spot and surround view calibrations.

Technicians can also perform dynamic, driving calibrations with ADASLink® plugged into the vehicle.

The solution integrates with Hunter’s WinAlign® software, providing technicians with access to specific calibration procedures for more than 25 million vehicles.

Jesse Mincer, another Hunter sales representative, said a common concern from shops is not having a level floor. To address this challenge, Mincer said the portable system can change the level of the framing system where the targets are.

work done on the vehicle is then documented, archived and saved in the cloud using HunterNet® 2. This online customer portal was developed for undercar service operators with single or multiple rooftops, featuring online service guides, equipment manuals, IoT capabilities and more.

“None of the technology is fruitful without having some training involved,” said Settle. More than 450 representatives across the country are tasked with installing Hunter equipment and conducting operational training.

In addition, Hunter offers a variety of educational opportunities for the industry focused on efficiency and profitability. These include online video tutorials on the YouTube Hunter Learning Channel, free selfdriven e-learning classes through the Hunter University program, tuitionbased onsite training at 47 centers across North America, as well as custom training at the corporate headquarters.

Since its inception, Settle said, Hunter Engineering has focused on creating efficiency and productivity for customers.

“One of our goals in 2023 is developing strategic solutions for

Ram Reveals All-Electric Ram 1500 REV, Opens Online Reservations

The Ram Truck brand unveiled its highly anticipated all-new Ram 1500 REV battery-electric truck for the first time Feb. 12 as part of the brand’s Big Game efforts.

The commercial also signaled the official opening of customer reservations for a place in line to per-order the truck at RamRev.com.

The 60-second commercial, “Premature Electrification,” which aired early in the fourth quarter of the game, was released earlier that day across Ram’s social media channels. The spot features Emmynominated actor Jason Jones (“The Detour,” “The Flight Attendant,” “The Daily Show”) as he addresses headon some potential electrification anxieties that consumers may have about purchasing an all-electric vehicle, including range, power and payload.

“We created this commercial to speak directly to Ram truck owners and potential truck owners to bring some lighthearted humor to the high-tech, EV conversation, which rightfully takes itself very seriously,” said Olivier Francois, global chief marketing officer, Stellantis. “As we open reservations today for a

place in line to pre-order the allelectric Ram 1500 REV, we wanted to directly address any potential concerns about EV truck ownership using an approach that we believe will resonate with our truck-buying consumers.

“The intent of the spot is to let our buyers know that we have listened to their concerns as part of our dialogue with them over the last several years as we prepare to introduce the all-electric Ram 1500 REV to the market in 2024.”

With reservations open for a place in line to pre-order the Ram 1500 REV, it is paramount for the brand that Ram 1500 REV buyers have the same level of confidence in their Ram truck purchase that they’ve always held for the brand.

As the Ram brand’s awardwinning lineup expands to include the Ram 1500 REV, the brand is giving its owners more choices than ever to fit their individual truck needs, with the intention to deliver the right EV truck at the right time.

In addition, the Ram brand kicked off the Rev Insider+ paid membership program. For a one-time $100 refundable fee, the program unlocks

privileges that include a chance to reserve a place in line for pre-order and exclusive access to events, news and information about the Ram 1500 REV. Fees are refundable up until the Rev Insider+ paid member is notified by Ram via the email provided at sign up that the Ram 1500 REV has become available for early access pre-order.

Consumers can learn more about becoming part of the Ram Revolution today by visiting RamREV.com.

With the first appearance of the Ram 1500 REV, “Premature Electrification” continues the Ram Truck brand’s electrified journey, redefining the pickup truck segment. Ram’s commitment to adding electrification solutions to its portfolio supports the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan to lead the way the world moves by delivering innovative, clean, safe and affordable mobility solutions.

“Premature Electrification” was created by the Ram Truck brand in partnership with Chicago-based agency Highdive and awardwinning director Ric Cantor and was produced by Interrogate.

Source: Ram Truck Brand

Driven Brands Holdings Inc. on Jan. 26 announced the appointment of Danny Rivera to the newly-created role of chief operating officer, effective Feb. 20, reporting to CEO Jonathan Fitzpatrick

Driven Brands is also pleased to welcome back Mo Khalid, who will succeed Rivera in the role of executive vice president and group president of maintenance, leading both Take 5 Quick Lube and Meineke.

Rivera has more than 20 years of experience in the consumer and retail category, most recently serving as EVP and group president, maintenance, and earlier in a number of executive positions, including serving as the company’s chief information officer and president of Meineke.

Prior to joining Driven Brands in 2012, he served in a variety of leadership roles at AutoNation, Burger King, General Electric and Motorola.

Rivera holds two degrees from Florida International University—a bachelor’s degree in computer engineering and a Juris Doctorate.

Source: Driven Brands

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Automakers Report Strong Start To 2023 New Vehicle Sales

Automakers on Feb. 1 reported January sales results, which were mostly up across the board compared to a year earlier.

Kia

Following the best retail sales in company history last year, Kia America began 2023 with a recordsetting January performance of 51,983 units, up 22.3% yearover-year. January marked Kia’s sixth consecutive monthly sales record, with four of Kia’s SUV and utility nameplates—Niro, Sportage, Telluride and Carnival—as well as the Forte compact sedan posting bestever January totals. Sales of Kia’s electrified models increased 128% over the same period last year.

Hyundai Hyundai Motor America reported total January sales of 52,001 units, an 9% increase compared with January 2022 and the third consecutive month for record total sales. Hyundai set total sales records in January for Venue (+7%), Elantra HEV (+574%), IONIQ 5 (+57%), Santa Fe HEV (+191%), Palisade (+6%), Kona EV (+334%) and Kona N (+49%). January was an all-time best-ever

retail and total sales month for the Elantra N. Hyundai fleet sales were 7.2% of total volume for the month.

Mazda

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total January sales of 22,967 vehicles, an increase of 9% compared to January 2022. With 24 selling days in January, compared to the same the year prior, the company posted an increase of 9% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis. CPO sales totaled 4,605 vehicles in January, an increase of 48% compared to January 2022. Both the CX-30 and CX-9 recorded their best-ever January sales, with 5,065 and 3,170 vehicles sold, respectively.

Subaru Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported 44,373 vehicle sales for January 2023, a 0.5% increase compared with January 2022. January also marked the sixth consecutive month of month-over-month sales increases for the automaker. In January, Crosstrek was the top performer by volume and achieved its best January ever with 12,706 vehicle sales, surpassing its previous record set in January 2021. WRX sales for

January 2023 increased 488%, while Outback sales decreased 1.1% compared to January 2022. In addition, 499 of the new Solterra EV were delivered in January.

Honda

American Honda sales were up 14.3% year-over-year as stronger inventory improved the January sales start. Honda brand sales topped 75,000 units—up 10%—as double the on-hand inventory compared to last year helped overcome the impact of winter storms. Total CR-V sales topped 20,000 units; CR-V hybrid set an all-time monthly record for a Honda hybrid model (9,551), fulfilling the Honda electrification strategy to increase hybrid sales of core models. The all-new Pilot and Pilot TrailSport began reaching dealerships, with early sales results boosted by robust pre-sale activity. Acura MDX set a January sales record of 4,455 units, leading Acura brand sales topping 9,000 units—up 66%. Sales of the 2023 North American Car of the Year Acura Integra topped 2,000 units for the fourth straight month.

Source: Kia, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru, Honda

Wins 3 2023

Axalta Coating Systems on Feb. 9 announced it has won three prestigious 2023 Edison Awards

Axalta’s Abcite® 2060 Flame Spray Powder Coating, AquaEC® Flex and Self Priming Kitchen Cabinet Coating have won for the Sustainability, Smart Transportation and Material Science categories, respectively.

Named after Thomas Edison, the Edison Awards have recognized and honored some of the most innovative new products, services and business leaders in the world since 1987.

“We are thrilled to be an Edison Awards recipient for a fifth consecutive year,” said Robert Roop, Axalta’s chief technology officer. “Our recognition is testament to how Axalta continues to innovate smarter surface solutions for better living and a sustainable future. We are committed to providing the quality, innovative products and services our customers have come to expect.”

Source: Axalta

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SCRS Says Information Providers Taking New Look At Blend Formulas

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is having “positive dialogue” with all three estimating system providers regarding refinish blend formulas following an SCRS study last year the association believes demonstrated blending takes more time than a full panel refinish, rather than the 50% less time allocated in the three estimating systems.

At a board meeting earlier this year, Aaron Schulenburg , executive director of SCRS, said CCC Intelligent Solutions and Motor Information Systems, which develops the underlying repair data used by the CCC estimating

research, that was conducted impartially, with a lot of different parties that validated how it occurred, and that it provides enough to get them to do what we’ve asked them to do all along: re-evaluate whether 50% really reflects” what blending requires.

Debate Over Blend Formula Not New

The disagreement over the blend formula stretches back more than a decade; in 2008, for example, the Automotive Service Association issued a position statement arguing blending requires as many procedures as refinishing a new undamaged panel, and calling for the information providers and insurers to acknowledge the additional labor and materials required to facilitate adjacent panel color matching.

Schulenburg said SCRS undertook its blend study because the industry repeatedly asking the information providers to review their formulas—or share details about how they arrived at their formula— over decades didn’t result in any action. The information providers stood by their formulas and said their test results were proprietary, he said at an SCRS open board meeting.

system, have “committed to doing research and replying back to us” by the end of March, and “I think we’re having the same types of positive dialogue with the other two companies.”

He said the companies have said “the amount of pressure they have received since November as a result of this is putting them in a position where they have to look at it, and respond in some way, shape or form,” and the association is “choosing to give them a little latitude to let them go through their processes, because I want to believe that is going to lead to a better outcome.”

“I don’t expect, and I certainly hope that they wouldn’t simply adjust values because any one group said they should,” Schulenburg said. “I would hate to think that any other group might go to them and ask them to lower a value and that they would just do it because they were asked to. What I do think is we provided very meaningful data, very meaningful

“But our members have always said: painting a panel from edge to edge is easier and less time-consuming than it is to create an invisible transition of color to facilitate a color match,” Schulenburg said. “Shops say they can take someone with less skill and teach them how to paint a panel from edge to edge [more easily than] teaching somebody how to create that invisible transition within the panel. That the process takes more time because you’re blending not into a new panel, but an adjacent panel that’s been on the vehicle and collecting road debris and needs to cleaned and masked and prepped in different ways.”

In sharing its blend study findings with the information providers, Schulenburg said, the association also noted changes that have occurred since the information providers’ blend formulas were developed decades ago.

“Colors today are not the same as they were 30 years ago,” he said. “Cars today are not the same as

they were 30 years ago. Consumer expectations today aren’t what they were 30 years ago. It is all so much more complex. The expectations are so much greater. The colors are so much harder, so much richer and

data speaks for itself. They can make their own informed business decisions. Just share the information.”

He said shops can also ask their sales representatives for the estimating systems they use “what their company is doing to address this.”

He said SCRS sees opportunities to address other issues, beyond the blend formula, using a similar process to its blend study.

deeper. Matching them is difficult, and consumers expect more because they spend a whole lot more on their car today than they did 30 years ago. That’s just the reality that we live in.”

Share the Study Findings

He encouraged shops to share the blend study with their colleagues in the industry.

“Don’t encourage them what to do,” Schulenburg cautioned. “The

“There are a lot of issues in the industry where the numbers don’t make sense, where they don’t reflect what our technicians go through, where they don’t reflect the technology changes that have occurred in the equipment or the vehicles,” he said. “I believe we have other studies we can conduct in a similar manner to advance the industry and provide good research and educational material that will inform people.”

Also at the meeting, SCRS said its Blueprint Optimization Tool (BOT), which audits estimates looking for potentially missed operations or line items, now has prompted users within shops to add more than 66,000 operations they are performing to their estimates since the product’s launch in 2020.

SCRS’ Aaron Schulenburg said the association is having “positive dialogue” with all three estimating system providers regarding the association’s blend formula study

“Colors today are not the same as they were 30 years ago. Cars today are not the same as they were 30 years ago. Consumer expectations today aren’t what they were 30 years ago.”

AARON SCHULENBURG SCRS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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Improved Inventory Levels, Higher Fleet Sales Expected To Support Improving January Auto Sales

New-vehicle sales in January are expected to show a surprising gain when announced, even though market conditions have not appreciably changed. The January 2023 auto sales pace, or seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), is expected to finish near 15.6 million, a large increase from December’s 13.3 million pace, according to a forecast released Jan. 26 by Cox Automotive. However, some of the gain is due to statistical adjustments that correct for expected fewer sales in January and February. With inventories improving daily, sales in January will benefit, increasing the sales pace. Sales volume for the month is expected to rise nearly 3% over January 2022’s inventoryconstrained market but with the same number of selling days.

January sales are expected to fall almost 20% month over month, largely due to three fewer selling days than December and the usual post-holiday drop in activity.

As we start 2023, high interest rates continue to hold back the new-vehicle market, while some concerns with inventory supply

appear to be falling away.

According to Charlie Chesbrough, Cox Automotive Senior Economist: “After a slow December, a return to ‘normal’ would be welcome. With inventories improving, and more fleet activity likely, we are expecting an increase in January new-vehicle sales activity. Though some dealer lots across the country have ample inventory, some Asian brands continue to have extremely limited availability. One of the key questions for the market this year is whether some brands—particularly American ones—will be forced to increase incentives to keep supply from getting too high.”

January 2023 Sales Forecast Highlights. Light new-vehicle sales are expected to rise 2.7% from January 2022 but fall 19.8% from last month. The SAAR in January 2023 is estimated to be 15.6 million, above last year’s 12.7 million level and up from December’s 13.3 million pace. January 2023 has 24 selling days, equal to 2022 but three fewer than December 2022.

Source: Cox Automotive

The future of the industry depends on continued interest in the field of collision repair. That interest can be fueled by strong programs in our schools. Industry impact requires intentional involvement.

Who do you know who might be right to invest in the next generation of collision repair professionals by becoming an instructor?

Two opportunities are available at Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA.)

NOVA is looking far and wide for the best candidates to train hundreds of new techs and help advance their ability to connect

with the best employers. Please share these postings with anyone who you think would be an excellent instructor and who can work well to develop and enhance industry partnerships.

See the collision repair faculty posting at jobs.vccs. edu/postings/56064, and the automotive technology faculty posting at jobs.vccs.edu/ postings/56063

For more information, contact Laura Garcia, automotive and collision program head, Alexandria Campus, at (703) 919-8040 or lgarciamoreyra1@ nvcc.edu.

Source: WMABA

Encourage Your Representatives To Join the Vehicle Data Access Caucus

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is asking auto repair shops to send a letter to their U.S. House of Representatives members encouraging them to join the newly established Vehicle Data Access Caucus.

The U.S. House of Representatives Vehicle Data Caucus is a bipartisan group formed by U.S. Rep. Earl “Buddy” Carter, R-GA, and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-FL, to address the issue of vehicle data access.

Carter and Soto are members of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, which will have jurisdiction for the vehicle data access issue. However, caucus membership is open to all members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Vehicle data access is an important issue for independent repair shops that rely on accessing vehicle data to repair their customers’ vehicles safely and effectively. The Vehicle Data Access Caucus will be essential in addressing critical dataaccess concerns.

In their “Dear Colleague” letter,

Carter and Soto stated, “With tremendous advancements in technology over the last several years, vehicles are generating increasing amounts of data that can be accessed by a variety of sources ranging from in-vehicle

CCC® ONE To Integrate With CDK System

ports to wireless transmission. As this vehicle data ecosystem evolves, there are growing questions about what data is accessible, to whom and under what circumstances. Policy and practical issues that must be addressed include who ‘owns’ or controls the vehicle data, who can expand or limit services

offered, and who will ensure privacy and cybersecurity.”

“The Vehicle Data Access Caucus represents an opportunity to establish national policy on an issue impacting the daily lives of shops across the U.S.,” said Scott Benavidez, ASA board chairman. “Independent repair shops conduct 70% of post-warranty repairs, and it is critical that independent repair shops continue to have access to the vehicle data they need to service these cars.”

ASA is encouraging shops to send a letter to their representatives urging them to join the Vehicle Data Access Caucus. A national, bipartisan solution for this issue is essential to ensure independent repair shops have the vehicle data necessary for the repair of their customers’ vehicles.

Send a letter to your representative at www. votervoice.net/ASASHOP/ Campaigns/97966/Respond

Source: ASA

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc., announced Jan. 31 its CCC® ONE Repair Workflow shop management solution is now available to dealerowned collision repairers via an integration with CDK Global’s dealer management system (DMS).

The integration will connect two systems mission-critical to dealer and repair center operations, streamlining repair management and creating visibility from the inception of the repair to billing. CDK Global is a leading automotive retail software provider. The new integration between CCC ONE and CDK’s DMS will allow the synchronizing of information like repair order numbers, customer and vehicle details, repair history and accounting data, creating a smoother process for dealerships and minimizing manual steps to reconcile ledger entries.

“We’re very pleased to create an integration with CCC Intelligent Solutions, giving our dealers the option to seamlessly access their repair management solutions,” said Sandy Orlando, senior vice president, CDK Data Services and Fortellis.

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

“The Vehicle Data Access Caucus represents an opportunity to establish national policy on an issue impacting the daily lives of shops across the U.S.,”

— SCOTT BENAVIDEZ ASA BOARD CHAIRMAN

Tesla Recalls 362K Full Self Driving Vehicles, Fault To Be Fixed Through OTA Update

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Tesla has initiated a recall for 362,758 vehicles equipped with the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) Beta system. The recall was posted on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) official website.

The FSD Beta recall covers certain 2016-2023 Model S, Model X, 2017-2023 Model 3, and 2020-2023 Model Y vehicles equipped with the automaker’s Autosteer on City Streets feature, better known as Full Self-Driving Beta or FSD Beta.

As per the NHTSA, the FSD Beta fault may result in a vehicle exceeding the speed limits of inner city roads. It may also result in vehicles traveling through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner. Such tendencies may increase the cause of crashes.

“The FSD Beta system may allow the vehicle to act unsafe around intersections, such as traveling

straight through an intersection while in a turn-only lane, entering a stop sign-controlled intersection without coming to a complete stop, or proceeding into an intersection during a steady yellow traffic signal without due caution.

and the NHTSA then met several times to discuss the agency’s concerns, as well as the electric vehicle maker’s proposed overthe-air software improvements to address the issue.

On Feb. 7, despite not concurring with the agency’s analysis, Tesla administered a voluntary recall out of an abundance of caution. The NHTSA said as of Feb. 14, Tesla had identified 18 warranty claims received between May 8, 2019, and Sept. 12, 2022, that may be related to the FSD Beta fault. No injuries or deaths have been related to the potential issue.

“In addition, the system may respond insufficiently to changes in posted speed limits or not adequately account for the driver’s adjustment of the vehicle’s speed to exceed posted speed limits,” the NHSTA wrote.

Per the NHTSA’s Safety Recall Report, Tesla contacted the agency about a potential issue related to FSD Beta in late January. The company was advised by the NHTSA to file a recall notice. Tesla

Similar to most Tesla recalls, the FSD Beta fault would be fixed through an over-the-air software update.

“Tesla will release an over-theair (OTA) software update, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed by April 15, 2023. Owners may contact Tesla customer service at 1-877798-3752. Tesla’s number for this recall is SB-23-00-001,” the agency said.

CIECA Announces 2023 Board Officers

During the Collision Industry Electronic Commerce (CIECA) Board of Trustees meeting in Palm Springs, CA, on Jan. 18, the organization’s Board of Trustees elected the following officers for 2023: Chair Greg Best, senior business analyst, California Casualty; Vice Chair Ashley Denison, chief information officer, Caliber Collision; Treasurer Brady Bonner, vice president of client sales and support, Safelite Solutions; Secretary Kim DeVallance Caron, global product portfolio director, Enterprise Holdings; and Past Chair Phil Martinez, senior technical consultant, Mitchell International, an Enlyte company.

The officers will serve on CIECA’s executive committee, which oversees business matters throughout the year and plans the agenda for CIECA board meetings.

Best encourages all industry partners to engage with CIECA as the organization continues to evolve the standards to meet the changing technology needs of the industry.

Source: CIECA

Save the Date For CONNEX Conference

Join CIECA and the collision industry at the 15th annual CIECA conference—CONNEX 2023.

The event is being held Sept. 12-13 at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Bloomington, IL, and will include insightful and high-profile business and technical speakers, networking opportunities with all industry segments, an NABC Recycled Rides® vehicle gifting, a private factory tour of CIECA member Rivian’s EV plant and CIECA’s Open Annual Meeting and Board Meeting.

The theme of the conference this year is “Connected Car, Connected Industry.” All industry stakeholders, including CIECA members and non-members, are invited to attend. Registration information, hotel details and sponsorship opportunities will be announced soon.

CIECA is looking for thought leaders and industry professionals to present. We invite you to share your knowledge and expertise as we work together to explore emerging issues, forecast for the future, and discuss ways to prepare for the road ahead.

Source: CIECA

Nationwide Catalytic Converter VIN Etching Events Planned To Thwart Theft

Since the start of the pandemic, data trends analyzed by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) have indicated a drastic increase in vehicle crime across the U.S. Vehicle thefts, carjackings and catalytic converter thefts are all nearing record highs.

To help reduce current catalytic converter theft trends and protect consumers, NICB is partnering with businesses across the U.S. to hold VIN etching events.

“From supply chain disruptions to the exploding market value of precious metals, catalytic converters have become a prime target for thieves across the country,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. “By attending a local VIN etching event, drivers can add another layer of protection for their vehicles and proactively help deter these crimes from occurring in the first place. ”

NICB, along with partners at Midas in Richmond, VA, and Shaheen Chevrolet in Lansing, MI, recently held VIN etching events in their respective communities.

“I had zero anticipation of a response like this,” said Mark Smith,

owner of Midas of Richmond. “The events are blowing up at our stores, and I mean that in the best of ways. We’re getting multiple, multiple calls a day.”

Catalytic converter thefts increased 1,215% between 2019 and 2022. The converters contain high value precious metals, specifically rhodium, palladium and platinum. The values of these metals have skyrocketed and currently, according to KITCO.com, are approximately:

Rhodium: $12,300

Palladium: $1,784

Platinum: $940

Hours after Smith and local law enforcement held a press conference to announce the new initiative, which involves spraypainting catalytic converters to deter would-be thieves, the appointmentonly time slots scheduled by Midas were booked.

“The more we can make our customers aware of the problem and offer them a solution, the better we can fight this crime,” said Ralph Shaheen, president of Shaheen Automotive Group. “Etching the converter is a start to prevention. It’s inexpensive, only takes a few minutes and is a great service to our customers.”

Though the value of the metals contained in catalytic converters is high, thieves will often receive $50 to $250 per catalytic converter they turn in to recycling facilities.

If you are interested in a local Catalytic Converter Etching event, visit www.nicb.org/news/regionalnews. If no events are currently scheduled in your area, contact a muffler shop that can etch your vehicle’s VIN  on the converter, and spray it with a highly visible highheat paint. Doing so enables the NICB and law enforcement to track the converters.

Should your catalytic converter be stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately.

Source: NICB

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Open Road Cadillac FLORHAM PARK

973-845-3014

973-538-6978 Fax

M-F 7 - 5 Christopher.salgado@openroad.com

Open Road Chevrolet UNION

800-981-9451

908-686-2727

908-687-4267 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8 - 4 Christopher.salgado@openroad.com

New York

Cadillac of Manhattan

NEW YORK CITY

212-765-0909

718-392-6570 Fax

M-F 8 am - 5 pm Sat 8 am - 4 pm vdeliso@bramautogroup.com www.cadillacofmanhattan.com

DePaula Chevrolet ALBANY

800-727-8357

518-489-0184 Fax

M-F 7:30 - 6; Sat 8 - 5 parts@depaula.com

East Syracuse Chevy EAST SYRACUSE

315-437-5464

315-437-0878 Fax

M-F 7:30 - 5; Sat 8 - 3 partsdept@esyrchevy.com

New York

West Herr Chevrolet ORCHARD PARK

716-662-7707

716-688-5519 Fax

M-F 7:30 - 5; Sat 8 - 4 sgraham@westherr.com

Pennsylvania Blaise Alexander Chevrolet

GREENCASTLE

717-597-2131

717-597-6932 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8-2 jsnyder@blaisealexander.com

Tom Hesser Chevrolet SCRANTON

800-435-9586

570-558-3677

570-342-8645 Fax

M-F 8 - 5; Sat 8 - 2 mhanson@tomhesser.com

@GMParts.ACDelco GM Genuine Parts & ACDelco @GMParts_ACDelco @gmparts_acdelco

Exploding Airbag Warning: Stop Driving 2001-2003 Honda Vehicles

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

Honda is warning owners of recalled 2001-2003 Acura and Honda vehicles to park the vehicles and stop driving them if the Takata airbags have not been replaced during previous recalls.

these models that need new airbag inflators:

2001-2002 Honda Accord

2001-2002 Honda Civic

2002 Honda CR-V

2002 Honda Odyssey

2003 Honda Pilot

2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TL

2003 Acura 3.2 CL

However, a customer can verify if their Acura or Honda vehicle is included by using the vehicle identification number (VIN) at www. recalls.acura. com or www. recalls.honda. com.

Years of warning owners to get the free repairs completed by dealers caused Honda to issue this latest warning to stop driving the vehicles if they have not been repaired.

Included in the warning are

After at least 17 deaths and more than 200 injuries blamed on exploding airbags in Honda vehicles, the automaker is still trying to convince owners of the older models to complete the free recall repairs.

Owners can arrange free towing and have access to free loaner or rental vehicles.

Known as Takata “Alpha” airbags, Honda said the airbag inflators suffer a 50% failure rate in the older vehicles. The metal inflators explode and become grenades that shoot metal fragments into vehicle occupants.

According to Honda, its “relentless recall efforts” to owners of vehicles equipped with Alpha inflators include:

• 8.9 million mailed notifications to registered owners

• 5.4 million live and automated phone calls

• 2.3 million emails

• 916,000 text and online messages

• 794,000 in-person visits seeking to locate owners

Honda said even after years of Takata recalls, more than 8,200 owners of the older models still have not responded.

Owners of these vehicles should immediately contact a Honda dealer or call the automaker at 888-234-2138.

CREF Benchmark Grants Applications

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) seeks to alleviate some of the financial burdens on behalf of the instructors educating the industry’s future workforce by filling those gaps through its 2023 Collision School Career Readiness Benchmark Grants. Completing CREF’s online application will qualify collision schools to receive up to $25,000 in funding.

In 2022, the industry’s generous support enabled CREF to award $436,000 in Benchmark Grants to nearly 70 collision schools, impacting more than 35,000 students. Additionally, CREF distributed more than $10 million worth of in-kind donations, including parts, products, quarter panels, subscriptions, safety equipment and more.

Applications opened Feb. 7 with a deadline of June 28. Visit www. collisioneducationfoundation. org/collision-repair-educationfoundation-benchmark-grant/

Source: CREF

Choose Original MINI Parts.

M-F

518-785-4197

(518)

M-F 7:30-6;

M-F

Connecticut

BMW of Darien

Darien

203-328-1325

203-978-0043 Fax

M-F 8am-5pm wholesale@bmwdarien.com

BMW of Waterbury

Waterbury

844-895-6839

860-274-5471

860-274-0617 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5:30pm Sat 7:30am-4pm

John.musco@hoffmanauto.com

Maryland

BMW of Catonsville Catonsville

855-996-2906

410-818-2600 Fax

M-F 8am-5pm www.bmwofcatonsville.com

BMW of Silver Spring Silver Spring

301-890-3015

800-288-6982

301-890-3748 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm

wholesaless@mileone.com

www.bmwofsilverspring.com

New Hampshire

BMW of Stratham

Stratham

800-989-5200

vfollansbee@group1auto.com www.bmwofstratham.com

New Jersey

BMW of Bloomfield Bloomfield 888-261-6471

973-748-8373

M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4:30pm

psantos@dchusa.com

BMW of Morristown Morristown

973-796-3145

973-796-3146 Fax

M-F 8am-6pm

wholesaleparts.bmw@openroad.com www.bmwofmorristown.com

BMW of Newton Newton

973-579-6020

973-579-6702 Fax

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

Circle BMW Eatontown

732-440-1238

732-440-1239 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm Sat 8am-3pm Wholesale@circlebmw.com www.circlebmw.com

Park Ave. BMW South Hackensack 888-349-5168

201-291-2376 Fax

M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm al@parkavebmw.com www.parkavebmw.com

New York

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

Habberstad BMW Huntington Station 631-271-7488

631-271-7931 Fax

M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm parts@habberstadbmw.com

Keeler 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

Pennsylvania Apple BMW 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

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

Toyota CEO Steps Down, Opening Up Possibility of New EV Strategy

By William Johnson Teslarati

Akio Toyoda, long-time Toyota CEO and grandson of the company’s founder, announced he will leave his position later this year. Lexus head Koji Sato will replace him.

the Year by AutoCar, following the Japanese brand’s rise to dominance in the early 20-teens. Now, as he departs, the company may again have the opportunity to turn a new leaf and head in a new direction.

The announcement is surrounded by significant fanfare but very few details. Many executives celebrated Toyoda’s dedication to his work and wished him the best as he plans to depart in April, but the brand’s future remains cloudy.

Sato has already hinted at a change in direction. While clearly interested in hydrogen engine and fuel cell technology, Sato has also guided Lexus through the development of its first EV, based on Toyota’s recently relaunched BZ4X.

Another indication of Sato’s potentially different strategy moving forward is his age. At 53, Sato is a spring chick compared to his fellow executives, suggesting he may be here to stay. However, the same was said of Toyoda, now departing at only 66.

Caliber President and CEO Retiring

The Caliber family of brands announced Feb. 9 that after 26 years with the organization, President and CEO Mark Sanders will retire and move into a special advisory role for the next 18 months, effective March 6.

Sanders grew up in the collision repair industry working alongside his father, also an industry veteran. In 1997, Caliber acquired their two collision repair shops, and since then, Sanders has held a variety of operational roles, including Caliber COO and later president and CEO.

Toyoda is known not only for his relation to the founder of the largest automotive company in the world, but also for taking the helm as CEO at Toyota after the market collapse of 2008 and guiding the company to where it is today. In 2012, Toyoda was named Man of

Toyoda’s goals within the auto industry were clear. First, due to his passion for driving and motorsports, he pushed the conservative Japanese brand to reignite its performance offerings. Second, Toyoda was known for his slower approach to electrification, instead opting to sell alternative vehicles before rolling out more serious EV offerings.

The road ahead of Toyota is a difficult one. As more and more consumers move to electric offerings, the clock is certainly ticking for Toyota’s upcoming CEO. The potential change in strategy and leadership could be good for the company, perhaps resulting in a faster EV transition than many would expect.

“I believe that over the past 13 years, I have built a solid foundation for passing the baton forward,” Toyoda said.

Sanders will support David Simmons in his new role as president and CEO of Caliber. Simmons has a diverse background leading large, multinational organizations in the pharmaceutical industry and brings a wealth of experience to Caliber’s next phase of growth. He previously served as CEO of PPD, where he led the company’s global workforce of more than 30,000 employees across 46 countries. Prior to PPD, Simmons spent 15 years at Pfizer as the president of emerging markets and established product business units.

Source: Caliber

Caption: Akio Toyoda.

TRUST FORD PARTS

CERTIFIED PARTS WHOLESALING DEALERS

The only parts that perform as great as they look. Give your customers the power to drive a vehicle you’re both proud of. These trusted Ford dealers below have the OEM parts you need. Place your order today.

Hoffman Ford Lincoln

EAST HARTFORD

860-282-0861

860-290-6336 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-5:30 Sat 7:30am-3:30pm fordparts@hoffmanauto.com

Packer Norris Parts BALTIMORE

855-767-7278

410-574-8305

410-574-8389 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-5:30; Sat 8-3 www.packernorrisparts.com

PLYMOUTH

888-754-3380

508-830-1650

508-830-1658 Fax

Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 7:30-4 www.buycolonialford.com

Sarat Ford Lincoln AGAWAM

413-786-4474

413-789-3715 Fax

Hours:

www.saratford.net

Ciocca Parts Warehouse Ford FLEMINGTON

800-221-1256

908-782-1795 Fax

Hours: M-F 7:30-5; Sat 8-3 www.njparts.com

Malouf

Lincoln Mercury NORTH BRUNSWICK

800-959-6256

732-951-1429 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-1 fordparts@malouf.com www.maloufparts.com

Nielsen Ford SUSSEX

973-702-4296

973-875-7016 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-3:30 gbraden@nielsenford.com

Biener Ford

GREAT NECK

516-466-6406

516-407-3537 Fax

Hours: M-F 8-5 kshakur@bienerford.com www.bienerford.com

Schultz Ford Lincoln NANUET

845-623-5111

845-624-0075 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-12, 12:45-5:30; Sat 8-12 parts@schultzflm.com

New Holland Ford NEW HOLLAND

800-367-3232

717-354-9633 Fax

Hours: M-F 7-5:30

Colonial Ford of Plymouth

Ford

NEW JERSEY

MARYLAND

Average Length of Rental Still Increasing, But At Slower Pace

Enterprise on Jan. 31 reported the average Length of Rental (LOR) in the fourth quarter of 2022 was 18.7 days, a one-half day increase over the quarter before it—a typical annual pattern, brought about by winter weather, animal accidents and holiday travel.

When compared to the same quarter the year before it, LOR was up 1.7 days in Q4 2022. That is an increase, but not as high as Q3 2022’s results, which showed a three-day increase year over year, and less than the 3.9-day increase observed in Q4 2021 compared to Q4 2020. Louisiana recorded the highest overall LOR of any state at 22.3 days, a one-day increase over its Q4 2021 results, followed by Oklahoma (21.4), Rhode Island (21.1), and Georgia (21.0). Ten additional states saw LOR above 20 days. The lowest LOR in the country was Hawaii at 13.7 days, still an increase of 0.8 over Q4 2021. Alaska (20.3) saw the highest year-over-year increase—4.5 days. Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Washington also saw increases of three days or more.

Every state saw an increase year over year, but New Jersey, Vermont, Wyoming, Hawaii, California and New York were less than one full day. Parts issues, technician staffing and more complex repairs continue to

be referenced by industry experts as factors in longer repair times.

“The overall trends in LOR match up with what we saw happen with the backlog of work that repairers reported in our Q4 survey,” said John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter. “While the national average backlog remained at 4.8 weeks, unchanged from the record high in

Q3, there was another jump in the percentage of shops with the largest backlogs. A record 25% of shops were reporting eight weeks or more of work scheduled. For comparison, in prepandemic Q4 2019, just 6.4% of shops had backlogs of even just four weeks or more, and the national average was under two weeks.

“Some of the state changes in LOR

sync up with what we saw in terms of shops’ backlog of work in Q4,” Yoswick continued. “Colorado, Montana, South Dakota and Washington, where Q4 LOR was up by three days or more, are all in regions where we saw Q4 backlogs increase by a halfweek or more. These regions were also among those with the highest average Q4 backlog—5.5 weeks or more—compared to the three Sunbelt regions where average backlogs were between 3.5 and 4.9 weeks.”

Greg Horn, PartsTrader’s chief innovation officer, who oversees the data analytics department, also commented on Q4 data trends.

“At PartsTrader, we processed close to $2 billion in parts transactions in 2022 and track delivery days quoted in our platform,” Horn said. “We measure parts delivery days by measuring the median plus two standard deviations to capture the parts that are driving collision repair delays. While delays in parts is only one factor in longer repair times, it is a major one.

“Our data shows that Q4 2022 median delivery days for parts were up by 0.4 days over Q3 2022, which tracks with Enterprise’s LOR reporting,” Horn continued. “Similarly, when we compared the Q4 2022 delivery days for parts to Q4 2021, we measured a

Donnelly, Parts Manager

Proud Recipient of the 2013 Award of Excellence for outstanding customer

nearly identical increase of 1.5 days. This would indicate a strong correlation between parts fulfillment and length of rental increases.”

Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, shared some relevant data.

“The average vehicle age in Q4 2022 was older than in Q4 2021---7.34 years old compared to 7.01 years old. Average severity is already nearing Q4 2021 numbers at $4,015, compared to $4,068, with approximately 40% of supplements still outstanding,” Mandell said. “Average total labor cost has already eclipsed the Q4 2021 number, increasing from $1,586 to $1,593. Again, important to keep in mind that as supplements are taken into account, the Q4 2022 number will continue to rise.”

Drivable

LOR associated with drivable claims was 16.2 days in Q4 2022, also a 1.7 day increase from Q4 2021, and only 0.6 days higher than Q3 2022. Rhode Island recorded the highest drivable LOR at 19.3 days, followed by Louisiana (18.9), Georgia (18.7), Oklahoma (18.7), Tennessee (18.2) and Oregon (18.1).

The highest year-over-year increase was in Alaska, where LOR jumped 5.1 days higher than Q4 2021—almost two times greater than the next

Washington (+2.8).

The lowest drivable LOR was North Dakota at 11.3 days, followed by Hawaii (11.8), Vermont (12.6), Iowa (12.7) and DC (12.9). Wyoming saw only a 0.2-day increase; California, Louisiana, Michigan, Vermont and Washington, D.C., all had increases under one day.

Non-Drivable

For rentals associated with non-drivable claims, LOR was 27.1 days in Q4 2022, a 2.8-day increase from Q4 2021 (24.3), but almost static compared to Q3 2022 (up 0.1 day).

Louisiana had the highest nondrivable LOR at 33.2 days, a 3.7-day increase from Q4 2021. An additional nine states all had non-drivable LOR higher than 30 days, followed by eight more states with LOR above 29 days.

South Dakota (30.6) saw the highest increase, with LOR jumping eight days higher than Q4 2021 (22.6). Alaska, Colorado, Maine, Montana and Washington saw non-drive increases greater than five days.

On the other end, Iowa and New York had the lowest non-drivable LOR at 23.0 days each, followed by Washington, D.C., at 23.4. California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia had LORs under 25 days.

Hawaii recorded the only decrease from the previous year’s quarter with

Yoswick offered additional insights into the repair backlog.

“Parts issues, workforce challenges and more harder-hit vehicles are also showing up in another increase in late 2022 in how many jobs shops say they have in process relative to their typical workload,” he said. “The 300+ shops responding to a CRASH Network survey in December had an average car count of 79 jobs per month and reported currently having 61 jobs in process, or the equivalent of 77% of their typical monthly volume. That level of work-in-progress (WIP) is up from 64% three months earlier.

“It may not be surprising to see WIP rising even further in the fourth quarter, typically the busiest in many regions of the country, but most shops are still citing a lack of technicians and parts delays as the chief causes for the backlog of work,” added Yoswick. “Some shops also noted a higher than usual number of non-drivable repairs gumming up the works.”

“Non-drives are preventing regular scheduling, delaying repairs,” said the manager of a smaller independent shop in Pennsylvania responding to CRASH Network’s survey. “The last three out were each between $9,000 and $20,000 in damage.”

Regarding increases in non-drivable repairs, Mandell added: “Air bag

number ever recorded at 1.26%, up from 1.11% in Q4 2021.”

Total Loss

LOR with totals was 18.2 days, a comparatively modest increase of 0.6 days from Q4 2021, and up 0.4 days from Q3 2022.

Hawaii, which saw some good results in other channels, had the highest total loss LOR at 24.6 days, an increase of 4.3 days—also the highest. The next highest were Oregon (21.4) and North Carolina (21.0). Minnesota saw a large increase as well, jumping 3.4 days, followed by Ohio with a 3.0-day increase. On the other end, North Dakota saw a LOR of 14.9 days, followed by Vermont and Wisconsin at 15.9 days each. Seven additional states saw total loss LOR below 17 days.

Twelve states, plus Washington, D.C., had decreases in total loss LOR compared to Q4 2021, led by Vermont (-2.4), Delaware (-1.4) and Rhode Island (-1.0). “Total Loss frequency rose sharply in Q4 2022 to 18.2%---up from 17.9% in Q4 2021 and 16% in Q3 2022,” Mandell said. “A portion of this increase can be attributed to Hurricane Ian, which resulted in Total Loss frequency in Florida in Q4 2022 reaching 27.2%, up from 16.4% in Q4 2021 and 15.9% in Q3 2022.”

While Q4 2022 continued with the return of historical trending, the results themselves continue to be exacerbated by supply chain disruptions, parts delays, collision repair backlogs, and technician shortages.

With the complexity of vehicle repairs only increasing, for both internal combustion engine (ICE) and battery electric vehicles (BEV) models, the entire industry must play a part in ensuring all collision-related businesses are aligned---not just for procedural solutions, but to ensure our mutual customers receive safe and proper repairs, an excellent experience and peace of mind.

Enterprise is committed to partnering with insurers, repairers, and suppliers on each one of these issues. Through foundational support provided by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Enterprise is spearheading the Collision Engineering Program, designed to attract and develop entrylevel talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry. Enterprise is thrilled to expand its longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Fund, to expand the program and help address this ongoing industry challenge.

For more information, visit www. beacollisionengineer.com.

Source: Enterprise

Volkswagen Group, GM: No Plans To Cut EV Prices To Follow Tesla, Ford

Written by Simon Alvarez, Steven Loveday Teslarati, InsideEVs

While competitors such as Tesla and Ford have initiated price cuts on their most popular all-electric vehicles, General Motors and Volkswagen Group have both said they intend to keep their EVs’ prices at their current level. In January, Tesla initiated a round of aggressive price cuts to its entire vehicle lineup. Its two most popular cars, the Model Y crossover and the Model 3 sedan, received substantial adjustments, with some variants receiving as much as 20% off their previous price. Ford announced in late January it was also cutting the prices of its popular Mustang Mach-E allelectric crossover lineup, ranging from $600 to $5,900, and said it was significantly increasing production.

According to Teslarati, during a call with analysts, GM CEO Mary Barra was asked about the price cuts of its two main competitors in the U.S. EV sector. Barra said for now, there doesn’t seem to be a need to adjust the prices of GM’s lineup of electric cars.

“When we look at our strong product portfolio and the interest that we have at the prices that we’ve already announced, we feel that we’re well positioned. We think right now we’re priced where we need to be,” Barra said.

Barra said GM would be monitoring the price situation to ensure the automaker remains competitive, noting GM was the leader in U.S. sales and it saw the largest year-over-year increase in market share among car manufacturers.

VW Group CEO Oliver Blume told a German newspaper the company has no plans to reduce its prices either. According to Automotive News, Blume said, “We have a clear pricing strategy and are focusing on reliability. We trust in the strength of our products and brands.”

Volkswagen Group sells a host of EVs across the globe under a long list of different brand names. In fact, thanks to its huge umbrella, large manufacturing footprint and forward momentum with electric cars, the group is one of a handful of manufacturers that aims to top

Tesla as the global EV leader in the near future.

In order to push forward and become a global leader in EVs that can truly challenge Tesla, the Volkswagen Group will have to grow while remaining profitable, Blume added. If the group’s brands heavily discount their electric cars, they will likely lose money as part of the price battle. Moreover, it has already been proven in many markets that even if a VW EV is less expensive, Tesla’s EV sales are more successful. Volkswagen sells the ID.4 electric SUV in the U.S., a direct rival to the Model Y. The ID.4 has a starting price of around $40,000, which undercut the Model Y by about $26,000 before Tesla’s updated prices. It’s still about $13,500 less expensive even after the cuts, but the VW EV isn’t selling nearly as well as the Model Y.

Porsche, which is part of VW Group, may actually increase its prices by as much as 6%. However, a company spokesperson noted pricing changes typically occur at the beginning of a new model year, an unwritten rule Tesla clearly doesn’t follow.

Link, OE Connection, Parts Trader and CCC One.

We’ve Got Your Parts Covered

CONNECTICUT

Napoli Indoor Kia Milford

203-876-3331

(203) 876-3325 Fax

8am-6pm Mon-Fri

paulc@napolimotors.com

Gary Rome Kia Enfield

860-253-5095

(860) 265-2674 Fax

8am-7pm Mon-Thu 8am-5pm Fri; 8am-4pm Sat parts@garyromekia.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Kia of Attleboro South Attleboro

508-761-9300

(508) 761-0768 Fax

8am-8pm Mon, Wed; 8am-5pm Tue, Thu, Fri 8am-4pm Sat frank@courtesyma.com www.courtesyma.com

Lev Kia of Framingham

Framingham

800-462-1014

(508) 626-1585 Fax

7:30am-6pm Mon-Fri

parts@levkia.com

MARYLAND

Bob Bell Kia Baltimore

800-638-4967

(410) 285-1376 Fax

7am-7pm Mon-Fri

7am-5pm Sat

smelson@bobbell.com

NEW JERSEY

Liberty Kia Ramsey

201-818-8995

(201) 783-8848 Fax

8am-5pm Mon-Sat

joel@libertykiaofnj.com www.libertykiaofnj.com

NEW YORK

Kia of Middletown

New Hampton

845-374-6575

(845) 374-4718 Fax

8am-5pm Mon-Fri

8am-3pm Sat

nissankiaofmiddletownparts@yahoo.com www.kiaofmiddletown.com

Northstar Kia

Long Island City

(718) 683-5300

(718) 489-9889 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm www.northstarkiany.com

Yonkers Kia

Yonkers

914-268-0279

(914) 652-7665 Fax

PENNSYLVANIA

Brown Daub Kia

Easton

610-829-3020

(484) 546-0292 Fax

7am-5pm Mon-Fri

7am-3pm Sat

parts@browndaubkia.com www.browndaubkia.com

Kia of Coatesville

Coatesville

610-384-7700

(610) 384-2171 Fax

7:30am-5pm Mon-Fri

7:30am-4pm Sat

jkiernan@jimsipalakia.com www.kiaofcoatesville.com

Kia of West Chester West Chester

610-429-3500

(610) 429-0164 Fax

7:30am-5pm Mon-Fri 7:30am-4pm Sat

jkiernan@jimsipalakia.com www.kiaofwestchester.com

Outten Kia Hamburg

610-562-4166

(610) 562-9436 Fax 7:30am-5pm Mon-Fri 8am-12pm Sat

jhenne@outtencars.com www.outtenkia.com

VERMONT

Berlin City Kia Williston

800-684-5779

(303) 928-6905 Fax 6am-6pm Mon, Wed, Fri 6am-7pm Tue, Thu 7am-3pm Sat

ableau@berlincity.com

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Rivian Celebrates Production Milestones But Will Cut 6% of Workforce As Price War Looms

By Mark Kane, Joey Klender InsideEVs, Teslarati

There is no doubt 2022 was a challenging but fruitful year for Rivian, which, according to a video posted to YouTube, produced 25,051 electric vehicles, 20,332 of which were delivered to customers.

The company’s manufacturing plant in Normal, IL, runs two shifts and achieved a record 200 vehicles produced in a single day, which would equal roughly 70,000+ vehicles annually. The next step is the addition of a night shift to further increase the production of the R1T pickup, R1S SUV and EDV van.

However, Rivian will reportedly layoff 6% of its workforce, according to an internal memo seen by Reuters, following pressure from EV rivals, which have cut prices significantly already in 2023, putting pressure on EV makers attempting to reach profitability.

The cuts are expected to affect 840 employees, but none related

to manufacturing operations at the plant in Normal.

“We must focus our resources on ramp and our path to profitability,” CEO RJ Scaringe said in the memo, before apologizing to the affected employees.

the best risk-adjusted returns on our capital investments.”

“At this point in time, we believe focusing on our consumer business, as well as our existing commercial business, represent the most attractive near-term opportunities to maximize value for Rivian,” Scaringe said at the time.

Rivian had lost $18 billion in cash and cash equivalents at the end of Q3 2022 compared to the same quarter a year earlier.

Mark Wahlin, a former ABRA franchisee and current ABRA vice president of franchise services and operations, announced his retirement.

Wahlin has been working in the collision repair industry for almost 50 years, where he has grown into an incredible leader and mentor. In December 1987, Wahlin signed to be the first ABRA franchisee. He sold his locations to ABRA corporate in October 1998. Recognizing Wahlin’s value, ABRA offered him a position with its corporate team, where he has spent the last 25 years.

Rivian has made several strategy moves over the past six months to conserve cash and work toward profitability within its operations. Just three months after signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Mercedes-Benz to develop electric vans, Rivian scrapped the deal as it needed to “evaluate growth opportunities” and “pursue

Rivian is also implementing improvements based on what it learned from initial production, as well as in response to some parts supply constraints. The increased production volume should help reduce the order backlog—which in the case of R1T/R1S pre-orders exceeds 100,000—and bring the company a step closer to financial profitability.

Through his tenure with ABRA, he has enhanced the operational processes within the ABRA network, aided in the overall growth and success of this brand, built amazing relationships with owners and much more.

Wayne Kelly, most recently VP of eastern operations for CARSTAR, will assume Wahlin’s role to serve as the VP of operations for ABRA. Kelly has a longstanding history with the ABRA franchise family, starting his career in the automotive industry working as a tech in one of Wahlin’s ABRA facilities.

Source: ABRA

Credit: Rivian/Twitter

MARYLAND

Audi Silver Spring Silver Spring

301.890.3015

800.288.6982

301.890.3748 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm wholesaless@mileone.com www.audisilverspring.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Audi Shrewsbury Shrewsbury

888.751.7214

508.581.5880

508.845.1642 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm audiwholesaleparts@mcgovernauto.com

NEW

JERSEY

Audi Meadowlands North Bergen

201.408.2085

201.223.7842 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm Sat 8am-2pm jpooler@bbmcc.com

Bell Audi Edison 732.396.9630

732.396.9090 Fax

M-F 8am-5pm Sat 8am-4pm dmcsorley@bellaudi.com

DCH Millburn Audi Maplewood 800.553.9250

973.762.2381 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 7:30am-4pm ddipalma@dchusa.com www.dchmillburnaudi.com

Ciocca Parts Warehouse Audi Flemington 800.221.1256

908.782.1795 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm

Sat 8am-12pm www.njparts.com

Paul Miller Audi

Parsippany

862.277.0009

973.575.5911 Fax

M-F 8am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm www.paulmilleraudi.com

Audiparts@paulmiller.com

NEW YORK

Audi Southampton Southampton

631.204.2565

Tue-Sat 8am-5pm parts@audisouthampton.com www.audisouthampton.com

Biener Audi

Great Neck

516.487.0127

516.829.4821 Fax

M-F 8am-4:30pm Sat 8am-4pm www.bieneraudi.com alutchman@biener.com rfeyjoo@biener.com parts@biener.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Audi Devon Devon

610.263.7026

610.263.7027

610.688.1742 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 9am-4pm

www.audidevon.com

bnawn@audidevon.com

wmohler@audidevon.com

Regardless of the age of your customer’s Audi, Audi dealers have access to over 200,000 part numbers and are supported by a nationwide network of distribution centers to help ensure non-stocked parts are delivered the next day.

Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

Audi Part Professionals are exper ts on collision par ts, replacement components and mechanical items.

Luxury Share of New-Vehicle Market Sets Record in January

The average transaction price (ATP) of a new vehicle in the U.S. declined slightly in January to $49,388, a decrease of 0.6% ($310) from December’s record high and up 5.9% ($2,768) from levels one year earlier.

New-vehicle inventory levels are increasing from historic lows in early 2022, but prices remain elevated, according to data released Feb. 13 by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company.

sticker price, for more than a year. In January, the average price paid was $310 more than the average sticker, as prices continue to trend downward relative to sticker price. A year ago, in January 2022, the average ATP was more than $900 above the average MSRP.

Sales volumes in January were up year over year by more than 6% but down from December, thanks in part to improved supply and added fleet sales. Elevated retail prices and high

were a year ago,” said  Rebecca Rydzewski, research manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive. “Both luxury and non-luxury prices were down month over month, but the mix of luxury vehicle sales last month—at a record high near 20%—helped keep the overall average price elevated.”

Incentives remain low compared to pre-pandemic years, but they are trending upwards as inventory improves. The most affordable vehicles—compact cars, compact SUVs and subcompact cars—had incentives between 3% to 4%, which is above industry average. High loan rates and continued inflationary pressures appear to be hurting the lower part of the market, so automakers are more focused on luxury and higher-end models.

Average Prices for Non-Luxury Cars Decline from the Record High in December

month in January. This correlates with higher incentives helping to push prices down.

Toyota and Ram showed the most price strength in the non-luxury market, transacting between 2% and 5% over sticker price in January.

Luxury Share Hits Record High, While Average Prices Fall in January.

Strong luxury vehicle sales have been a primary reason for overall elevated new-vehicle prices. This remained the case in January when luxury vehicle share jumped to a record 19.6% of total sales, up from 18.6% in December. The high share of luxury sales helps to push the overall industry ATP higher, even though luxury ATP declined.

In January, the average luxury buyer paid $65,953 for a new vehicle, down $1,560 from December. Buyers continue to pay over MSRP for new luxury vehicles, but not by much.

According to Kelley Blue Book calculations, new-vehicle ATPs have been above the average manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), also known as the

loan rates are putting downward pressure on retail sales.

“The transaction data from January indicates that overall prices are no longer increasing like they

The average price paid for a new non-luxury vehicle in January was $45,344—a decline of $271 compared to December. The majority of non-luxury brands— including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Kia, Mazda and Subaru—all saw ATP declines between 0.3% to 4.9% month over

Luxury vehicle ATPs were a mixed bag in January, with luxury cars, luxury compact SUVs and luxury mid-size SUVs showing price declines between 0.4% and 1.4%. Entry-level luxury cars, high-end luxury cars and luxury full-size SUVs all saw price increases between 1.3% and 4.8%.

Mercedes-Benz and Lexus showed the most price strength in the luxury market, transacting between 1.4% to 4.8% over sticker price last month.

Luxury brands Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lexus, Lincoln and Volvo showed the least price strength, selling 1% or more below MSRP in January.

Led by Tesla, EV Prices Decreased Notably in January, Continuing a Downward Trend

The average price paid for a new EV decreased in January by $3,363 (down 5.4%) compared to December. The average new EV sold for $58,725, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, and is still well above the industry average.

The drop in pricing was driven by significant price cuts from Tesla, which commands roughly two-thirds of the EV market. Tesla’s average transaction prices decreased $5,440, down 8.4%

month over month and down 5.5% year over year.

Lower prices likely helped Tesla deliver higher sales volumes.

According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, Tesla sales in January increased year over year by more than 30%.

Auto Incentives Offered by Manufacturers Remain at Historically Low Level but Are Increasing Incentives increased in January 2023 to 2.8% of the average transaction price, compared to 2.7% in December. In January 2021, before the new-vehicle inventory decline, incentives averaged 8.6% of ATP, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates.

Luxury cars had the highest incentives in January at 6.2% of ATP. Meanwhile, vans and minivans had the lowest incentives, with less than 1% of ATP.

Source: Kelley Blue Book

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Showing The

By Andrew Gross AAA

The national average for a gallon of gas dropped another week, falling six cents to $3.43 as of Feb. 9.

Pump prices have fallen every day since Jan. 28. Fewer people fueling up, and lower costs for oil, are behind the price dip.

“Drivers may have a little more in their wallets as we head toward Valentine’s Day,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson, “and if gas demand and oil costs remain low, drivers will likely see pump prices drop through next week.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand dipped slightly from 8.49 million to 8.43 million b/d in the week before Feb. 9. The current gas demand rate is approximately 700,000 b/d lower than the rate during the first week of February 2022, helping to explain why gas prices are declining.

Drivers Find Lower

Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks increased significantly by 5 million bbl to 239.6 million bbl over the same week. If gas demand remains low amid growing total domestic stocks, pump prices will drop further. The Feb. 9 national average of $3.43 is 15 cents more than a month ago, but 3 cents less than a year ago.

Since Feb. 2, these 10 states have seen the largest decreases in their averages: Delaware (-15 cents), Ohio (-11 cents), Maryland (-11 cents), Tennessee (-11 cents), Alabama (-10 cents), South Carolina (-10 cents), Wisconsin (-10 cents), Florida (-10 cents), Virginia (-9 cents) and Texas (-9 cents).

The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets: Texas ($3.03), Mississippi ($3.09), Missouri ($3.10), Kentucky ($3.11), Arkansas ($3.11), Oklahoma ($3.12), South Carolina ($3.13), Tennessee ($3.14), Louisiana ($3.16) and Kansas ($3.16).

Source: AAA

Mitchell Publishes EV Collision Insights Report

Mitchell, an Enlyte company, on Feb. 15 announced the availability of its latest trends publication: Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights. The new quarterly report provides auto insurance and collision repair executives with up-to-date information on electric vehicle claims and market data.

In 2022, EV sales hit a tipping point, representing 5.6% of all new vehicles sold, according to Kelley Blue Book. As consumer adoption increases, vehicle manufacturers including Audi, GM and Volvo are pledging to go all-electric in the future—putting more of these automobiles on the road and, potentially, in a collision repair shop. “EVs introduce some unique challenges to both insurers and repairers,” said Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance at Mitchell. “Their more complex, interconnected electronic systems and reliance on lightweight materials can complicate the repair process and increase claims costs. With the release of our new report, we hope to provide the industry with the information it needs to prepare for this growing segment

of the car parc and the impact it will have on auto insurance claims.”

Based on data from Q4 2022, the inaugural issue of Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights documents an increase in the:

• Number of EV repairable claims of 1.1% in the U.S. and 2.26% in Canada

• Average percentage of EV parts repaired, suggesting collision facilities may be improving their ability to repair the lighter weight substrates common in these automobiles

• Average number of mechanical hours on EV estimates of 1.7 as compared to labor time listed on collision damage appraisals for vehicles with internal combustion engines

• The report also features current claims data on EV average repairable severity, repairable claims frequency by market, and frequency by vehicle manufacturer and model. To access the report, visit www. mitchell.com/plugged-in. You can also subscribe to future issues by completing the web form.

Source: Mitchell

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MARYLAND

Porsche Silver Spring Silver Spring, MD 800-288-6982 301-890-3748 Fax wholesales@mileone.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Porsche Norwell Norwell, MA 781-261-5230

781-261-5274 Fax porschenorwell.com

NEW JERSEY Ciocca Parts Warehouse Porsche Flemington, NJ 800-221-1256 908-782-9397 Fax rmuir@flemington.com

Porsche Monmouth West Long Branch, NJ 732-483-8560

M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4:30 avacchiano@penskeautomotive.com

NEW YORK

Porsche Huntington Huntington Station, NY 631-424-1310 631-272-1805 Fax

M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 parts@porschehuntington.com

Porsche Manhattan New York, NY 347-226-3913 212-208-0916 Fax parts@manhattanmotorcars.com

Porsche of Southampton Southampton, NY 631-204-2565 631-204-2559 Fax gspano@porscheofsouthampton.com

Porsche South Shore Freeport, NY 516-277-0542 516-277-0543

M-Sat 8-5:30 mtotaram@mcgovernauto.com

Mike Anderson David Leuhr Brandon Eckonrode Ryan Evans Rivian

Subaru Recalling Certain 2023 Solterra SUVs For Hub Bolt Repairs

Subaru of America, Inc. on Feb. 13 announced a safety recall on select 2023 Subaru Solterra vehicles.

The issue affects 1,182 model year 2023 Subaru Solterras. These vehicles were the subject of an earlier recall requiring the replacement of original hub bolts. Subaru identified an issue with vehicles repaired at two port locations by one particular team of contractors. The teams did not properly complete the repair procedure, resulting in the potential for significantly under-torqued bolts.

Out of an abundance of caution, Subaru is recalling all vehicles repaired at all port locations supported by the third-party contractor.

Vehicles without the original hub bolt concern and vehicles repaired at other facilities are not affected.

For all potentially affected

vehicles, Subaru retailers will inspect the hub bolts and, if necessary, retorque to the specification at no cost to the customer. Until the inspection/remedy is completed, do not drive the vehicle. Customers will be instructed not to drive their vehicle and to contact their retailer to have the vehicle towed for inspection. Towing will be offered at no cost to the customer.

Vehicle owners will be contacted by mail. To find out if a vehicle is affected, go to subaru.com/recalls. Vehicle owners can also visit NHTSA. gov/recalls and enter their 17-digit vehicle identification number for more information on this recall. Alternatively, call the Vehicle Safety Hotline 888-327-4236, Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ET; Hearing Impaired (TTY): 800424-9153.

Source: Subaru

Ford Uncovers F-150 Lightning Battery Problem, Production To Resume in Weeks

By Steven Loveday InsideEVs

Ford has reportedly figured out what caused a battery issue in the F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck that has temporarily halted production and shipping to dealers.

end of the week of Feb. 20, and use what it learns in the battery production process going forward, which could take a few weeks. The automaker doesn’t anticipate any related recalls.

When the production shutdown was first announced Feb. 14, Ford spokesperson Emma Bergg said Ford became aware of the potential issue during a pre-delivery quality inspection and issued the stop shipment order early in the week of Feb.

6. The carmaker hadn’t been apprised of any real-world incidents or problems related to the possible battery concern.

The company doesn’t believe the problem impacts trucks already delivered to dealers, and it says production should resume in a few weeks.

Ford reached out to Electrek and said it hopes to be done with its root-cause investigation by the

The F-150 Lightning is one of only three fully electric trucks currently available on our shores. Available competitors include the Rivian R1T and GMC Hummer EV. The Ford full-size electric truck carries a starting price of around $56,000.

We’ve got a thing for quality parts

CONNECTICUT

Lia Volkswagen Enfield

860-698-6890

Fax: 860-265-7840

M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-12pm aguimaraes@liacars.com

MARYLAND

Ourisman VW of Rockville Rockville

855-417-4511

Fax: 240-499-2488

M-F 8am-5:30pm; Sat 8am-5pm rockvilleparts@ourismanautomotive.com www.rockvillevolkswagen.com

MASSACHUSETTS

Volkswagen of North Attleboro

North Attleboro

508-695-7131

Fax: 508-695-0321

M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-2pm

kenr@driveavw.com

www.driveavw.com

NEW JERSEY

Ciocca Parts Warehouse

Volkswagen

Flemington

877-NJPARTS

877-657-2787

Fax: 908-782-1795

M-F 7:30am-5pm www.njparts.com

Open Road Volkswagen of Bridgewater

Bridgewater

908-685-1068

Fax: 908-685-1547

M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-3pm

vwb.parts@openroad.com www.openroadvwparts.com

Paul Miller Volkswagen

Bernardsville

908-360-1162

Fax: 908-766-6171

M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-4pm aaitchison@paulmiller.com

www.paulmillervw.com

NEW YORK

Hudson Valley Volkswagen

Wappingers Falls

845-298-2365

Fax: 845-224-3686

M-F 7:30am-5pm; Sat 8am-5pm billsantoro@thepremiercollection.com

Platinum Volkswagen

Hicksville

516-822-4800

Fax: 516-822-4831

M-F 7:30am-5:30pm parts@platinumvw.com www.platinumvw.com

White Plains Volkswagen

White Plains

914-909-1630

Fax: 914-372-7056

M-F 7:30am-5:30pm Sat 8:30am-4:30pm echavez@whiteplainsvw.com

PENNSYLVANIA

Ciocca Volkswagen

Allentown

610-791-4177

Fax: 610-289-7016

M-F 8am-5pm; Sat 8am-4pm cioccavwparts@cioccadealerships.com

and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG. ©2023 Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Ford Announces Major Changes To Improve Profitability, EVs

By William Johnson Teslarati

Ford on Feb. 15 announced a series of changes and design goals it will be implementing to increase profitability and improve its EV offerings.

Ford’s Q4 earnings report highlighted two major weak points for the company: profitability and quality control. Despite a strong demand for many of its vehicles, particularly its electric offerings, the company saw declines in those two key areas.

To battle these shortcomings, Ford CEO Jim Farley and his team of executives announced a series of changes they hope will revitalize the brand.

According to Reuters, the vast majority of efforts will be aimed at achieving an 8% profit margin on Ford’s next generation of electric vehicles. Compared to rivals, Ford believes it is down by roughly $8 billion in costs, easy to imagine considering the company’s massive $50 billion in planned spending towards electrification.

Planned cost-taming measures

include improving the management of production scheduling, which Ford said could reduce expenses by $2.5 billion alone. Further, thanks to the commodities market finally beginning to cool, Ford is poised to see a decrease in vehicle production costs.

to garner from the company’s new F1 team.

“Why do you think we are doing Formula 1? Because they have the best aero people in the world,” Farley said.

distribution operations.

Ford’s plan of slimming down offerings and improving manufacturing sounds similar to Volkswagen’s initial electrification

More specifically, regarding electric vehicles, Ford aims to produce its new LFP batteries for less than $70 per kWh, a massive leap compared to the NMC batteries Ford currently relies on. The Blue Oval will also be working to reduce battery sizes while maintaining range, thanks to aerodynamics technology it hopes

Ford will also be adopting a technology that has aided Tesla in its efforts to lower costs: large underbody castings. While the company was not specific regarding which vehicles would be receiving these new castings, they could likely be implemented within the next generation of many of its models, and the upcoming SUVs and trucks that Ford said have finalized designs.

Ford executives maintained changes are still coming to its dealership model. Reduced inventories and an increased reliance on online ordering will cut down on costs, further improving profitability. Ford will also be able to implement more changes to manufacturing, supply chain and

strategy put in place by the now departed Herbert Diess. However, unlike Diess, Farley has the backing of his executives and board members, including Bill Ford, who said Farley’s new plan will be “a full court press,” something he believes the company desperately needs.

Ford is at a pivotal point in its history, but unlike the other two Detroit-based brands that constitute “the Big Three,” GM and Stellantis, it has proven time and again it can endure and succeed. Hopefully, that will be the case with electrification, and perhaps, it will lead to faster electrification of the industry overall.

“Why do you think we are doing Formula 1? Because they have the best aero people in the world,”

JIM FARLEY FORD CEO

Outpacing the Competition

Hyundai, Kia Launch Anti-Theft Service Campaign

Hyundai and Kia have developed theft deterrent software for millions of their vehicles that lack an immobilizer and will provide it free of charge to vehicle owners.

The software updates the theft alarm software logic to extend the length of the alarm sound from 30 seconds to one minute and requires the key to be in the ignition switch to turn the vehicle on.

333-4542) for information on the free update.

Hyundai will also provide its customers with a window sticker alerting would-be thieves that the vehicle is equipped with anti-theft protection. Hyundai will send the stickers and roll out software updates in a phased approach beginning later in February, with subsequent phases over the next several months.

Kia is also rolling out its free software updates in a phased approach. The company will begin to update vehicles later this month, with ensuing phases throughout the next several months.

The effort is in response to a TikTok social media challenge that has spread nationwide and has resulted in at least 14 reported crashes and eight fatalities. NHTSA urges owners of these vehicles to contact

Concurrently, the companies have been working with law enforcement agencies to provide more than 26,000 steering wheel locks since November 2022 to 77 law enforcement agencies in 12 states. NHTSA encourages interested vehicle owners to contact local law enforcement to see if a wheel lock is available.

Source: NHTSA

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DELAWARE

Mercedes-Benz of Wilmington Wilmington

302-995-5030

302-995-5033 Fax

M-F 7:30am - 5pm Sat 8am - 2pm parts@mbofwilmington.com www.mbofwilmington.com

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 Goldens Bridge Goldens Bridge

914-232-8146

914-232-4770 Fax

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

Mercedes-Benz of Newton Newton

800-842-0557

888-302-2369

973-383-1284 Fax

M-F 8am - 5pm realmercedesparts@mbofnewton.com

Mercedes-Benz of Paramus Paramus

888-30-PARTS

201-265-7808

201-483-2782 Fax

M-Th 7:30am - 7:30pm

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

PENNSYLVANIA

Mercedes-Benz of Fort Washington Fort Washington 267-419-1414

201-765-9760 Fax

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

Mercedes-Benz of West Chester West Chester 484-313-1110

484-313-1002 Fax

M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 5pm parts@mbofwestchester.com

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

NEW YORK

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