April 2023 Northeast Edition

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

A first-of-its-kind consumer survey conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed the majority of people who own a vehicle with increasingly popular ADAS features are reporting issues with those features after a repair for any reason—but especially when the repair was the result of crash damage, or a windshield replacement.

While the self-reported survey of a sample of about 500 owners in the U.S. cannot say exactly how widespread the problem really is in the entire registered fleet, it’s a clear sign repairers need to invest in the tools and training to perform calibrations, and automakers need to make that information more accessible, said Alexandra Mueller, senior research scientist at IIHS and the study’s designer.

“Changes need to be made, and

there are definitely solutions that can be implemented,” Mueller said.

The survey, conducted in 2021, sought out owners of vehicles model year 2011 and newer, that had certain popular ADAS features: front crash prevention, which includes automatic emergency braking and front collision warning; blind spot monitoring; and cameras, including those providing rear and 360-degree views.

Of the 3,000 owners contacted, about 500 had taken in their vehicles for repairs and participated in the survey; 40% of those said their vehicles were a model year 2019 or newer.

Post-repair problems with ADAS were substantially more common among people who had features repaired because of crash damage or in connection with a windshield replacement. About two-thirds of owners whose ADAS feature repairs involved windshield replacement and

Massachusetts Attorney General to Enforce Right to Repair Law

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Campbell is moving forward, despite the lack of a decision by a federal court, with implementing the Right to Repair law passed by the state’s voters in 2020.

On March 7, Campbell filed a “notice of intent to terminate nonenforcement stipulation” as of June 1, meaning she will take action to implement the law.

The Attorney General’s Office had suspended enforcement of the law pending the results of the court case, which has been repeatedly delayed for more than two years.

The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition thanked Campbell for her decision.

“On behalf of all Massachusetts

independent repair shops and 4,000 members statewide, we thank Attorney General Campbell for standing with the voters and their right to get their car fixed wherever they choose as automakers increasingly try to create a monopoly in the car repair market,” said Tommy Hickey, executive director of the Right to Repair Coalition. “It has been more than two years since Massachusetts voters approved Right to Repair by a 75-25 margin and the Attorney General’s action is a breath of fresh air for consumers and the independent auto repair market.

“During this delay, the automobile manufacturers have been unfairly steering new customers to their

By Michelle Rotuno-Johnson Patch

Did you make a complaint last year about a motor vehicle seller or a home improvement company in New Jersey? You weren’t alone— the Division of Consumer Affairs released the top 10 list of consumer complaints made last year, and complaints about motor vehicle sales and repairs topped the list, followed by complaints about home

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The winter registration deadline for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) testing and recertification is March 31.

Those service professionals registering by the deadline will have 90 days to schedule an appointment to take their selected ASE tests.

ASE now offers three options for taking certification or recertification tests.

In-person testing is available throughout the year and is conducted days, nights and weekends at more than 450 secured, proctored Prometric test centers. Those with unexpired automobile certifications (A1-A9) can use the ASE renewal app for recertification. ASE also offers ProProctor remote testing as an online recertification solution for all ASE recertifications tests, excluding L1 and L2 tests.

To register and select an available option to take selected ASE certification tests, visit ASE. com by March 31.

Source: ASE

Maine To Invest $1.6 Million in Employee Transportation Program

By Brent Addleman The Center Square

Transportation in the workforce is getting new, featured investments in Maine.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said March 1 that $1.6 million will be used from the Maine Jobs &

preventing people from being able to take and stay in jobs,” Mills said in a statement. “This investment from my Maine Jobs & Recovery Plan will help Maine workers get to and from jobs and help employers retain the people they need to strengthen their businesses and our economy.”

Bath Iron Works, Robbins Lumber, Gagne Foods and TimberHP, according to the release, will receive grant funding for transportation initiatives.

Department of Transportation, said in a release. “These awards support several unique approaches to addressing the specific workforce transportation challenges seen by these employers.”

Bath Iron Works, according to the release, will receive $750,000 that will be used to support carpools and vanpools for employees, while also including public transportation and multi-mode parking facilities.

Recovery Plan grant program that would support employers with workforce transportation solutions.

“With the workforce shortage hurting businesses across Maine, my administration is committed to advancing innovative solutions that will knock down barriers

The Maine Department of Transportation, according to the release, through the Workforce Transportation Pilot Program will administer the program. The program works to support local and regional program that use ridesharing, vanpools and other means of transportation to connect employees and employers.

“Maine employers large and small are struggling with workforce challenges,” Bruce Van Note, commissioner of the Maine

Gagne Foods will use $59,840, according to the release, for support during inclement weather for transportation options for employees and also provide several electric bicycles.

According to the release, Robbins Lumber will receive $41,600 to counter costs of a program that provides transportation to employees who are housed in a nearby correctional facility.

TimberHP will receive $750,000 for the construction for an EV transportation hub and purchasing EVs for an employee rideshare program.

Credit: Shutterstock

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New York Car Dealers Raise $100K+ To Buy New Winter Coats For Kids

Showcasing the positive effects of local new car dealers in their communities coming together to help those in need, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) donated brand-new warm winter coats to

Working with Operation Warm, hundreds of local new car retailers raised more than $100,000 for the coat drive and donated thousands of coats to more than 30 schools and charitable organizations throughout downstate New York.

“It warms my heart that during these tough economic times, people are still willing to make sure that children are warm and taken care of!” said Sherry Williams, principal of P.S. 179.

“We are extremely grateful to the Greater NY Automobile Dealers Association for these wonderful brand-new coats.”

healthy this winter,” said GNYADA Chairman Oliver Brodlieb

GNYADA is proud to bring this event to the community and demonstrate the commitment of local new car retailers to the wellbeing and safety of children in need.

ASE Instructor Conference Set For July

The 2023 ASE Instructor Training Conference is scheduled for July 17-20 at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Concord, NC, just outside of Charlotte.

the students of P.S. 179 on Feb. 21 in New York City.

The coat donation was the final stop of the GNYADA’s annual commitment to giving back to the community and making sure children have the resources they need to stay warm this winter.

For the past 10 years, GNYADA and its members have held this annual event, supported by local new car retailers. This year, GNYADA expanded its reach and provided even more coats to those who need them most in downstate New York.

“Local new car retailers understand that a warm coat can make a world of difference, and our association members are doing their part to ensure that children in our community have access to the warmth they need to stay safe and

“Today, as we end this year’s coat drive, I’m so happy that we are at this great school with all of these wonderful young people,” said GNYADA President Mark Schienberg. “I would especially like to thank Principal Sherry Williams and all the teachers and staff here at P.S. 179. You are here day in and day out supporting, nurturing and encouraging these amazing kids to be the best that they can be. I am so pleased that we are able to support the great things you do.”

Source: Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association

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Hosted by the ASE Education Foundation, the conference will host hundreds of high school and college instructors from auto, truck and collision repair programs nationwide at the premier national training event of the year.

Offering more than 20 hours of technical update training, the in-person conference will provide separate tracks for auto, medium/heavy truck and collision repair instructors. The cost for instructors from ASEaccredited programs is $600 per person while the cost for instructors from non-accredited programs is $700 each.

For more information or to register, visit aseeducationfoundation.org/ events/ase-instructor-trainingconference.

Source: ASE

GNYADA member Julian Gonzales, general manager of Silver Star Motors, a Mercedes-Benz dealership in Long Island City, NY, helps a young New York City student into his brand-new winter coat

Tesla Owners Club of LA Gets Up-Close Look at Repair Experience at Bistagne Bros.

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

On Feb. 19, Bistagne Bros. Body Shop in Glendale, CA, hosted a meeting of the Tesla Owners Club of Los Angeles, so Tesla owners could witness a certified shop in action.

is one of 80-plus chapters in the Tesla Owners Club Program. As friends and fans, the LA chapter members drive their EVs to unique Southern California locations, share Tesla tips and tricks, and support green and community outreach events. They participate in an annual statewide

membership of his chapter will expand based on Tesla’s growing popularity, especially in the Los Angeles area. “We are no longer early adopters, but we are still as

passionate about these cars as we’ve ever been. EVs are here to stay and we are getting more fans all the time. There is a real synergy here with Tesla owners and their cars.”

Members came to Glendale for two hours on a Sunday morning for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the inner workings of a shop. They were able to mix and mingle with other club members, grab snacks and drinks, and find out what it takes to bring a damaged Tesla back to its pre-accident condition.

Bistagen Bros. Body Shop coowner Robert Bistagne was delighted to sponsor the event.

“This is a great group, and they were very enthusiastic, which was nice,” he said. “They were able to see a quarter panel of a Model 3 painted, and an installation of paint protection film on several panels. Tesla engineers were here to show the inner structure of a Tesla Model 3, and we also set up a table illustrating the rivet bonding process and riveting tools, where people were able to get hands-on.”

Bistagne tried to create some fun activities for the club members, and based on their reactions, he succeeded.

“We wanted to keep them engaged,” he said. “At first I thought, how are we going to occupy these Tesla owners for two hours, and the time just flew by! They know a lot about their cars and are willing to learn more about them, which is great.”

The Tesla Owners Club of Los Angeles is a community of more than 500 owners who enjoy sharing the exciting world of Tesla. The LA club

conference and are made up of volunteers who just love their vehicles and the lifestyle surrounding them.

LA Chapter President Jason Fudenberg, an IT director who lives in Sherman Oaks, CA, has two Teslas. Six years ago, the chapter became an official club after communicating with other owners via social media.

“We are a not-for profit group and we just love talking Tesla,” Fudenberg said. “We have monthly events, and anyone with a Tesla is welcome to join via teslaclubla.com. The annual membership fees are $40 and once you’re on the organization’s mailing list, you are invited to a wide range of events held throughout Southern California.”

The organization’s members are from all segments of the population, Fudenberg said. “We have drag racers, moms and techies who love these amazing vehicles. We have at least one event scheduled every month, and we often add flash events to our calendar all the time.”

Fudenberg is hopeful the

“We are no longer early adopters, but we are still as passionate about these cars as we’ve ever been.”

JASON FUDENBERG LA CHAPTER PRESIDENT

Tesla engineers were on hand to show the inner structure of a Model 3. Photo credit: Barbara Davies

Pictured, left to right, is Jason Fudenberg, president of the Tesla Owners Club of Los Angeles; Robert Bistagne, co-owner of Bistagne Bros. Body Shop; and Nancy Knupfer, Tesla Owners Club of Los Angeles event organizer. Photo credit: Barbara Davies

Bistagne Bros. enjoyed seeing LA Tesla owners in their shop and learning about the collision repair process. Photo credit: Barbara Davies

Bistagne Bros. Auto Body in Glendale, CA, hosted a meeting of the Tesla Owners Club of Los Angeles, so members could learn more about the repair process. Photo credit: Barbara Davies

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nearly three-quarters of those whose repairs were required due to crash damage said they had issues with the technology after repair.

In contrast, fewer than half of owners who had repairs done for other reasons—like a recall or service bulletin from the automaker—faced problems afterward.

Mueller said since the survey is self-reported, the results only point to where issues might be.

“We don’t really know how big this problem is in the registered fleet as a whole,” she said.

Dealership vs. Independent Repairer

People who had taken their vehicle to an independent repairer reported more problems than those who had gone to a dealership service center. For example, among people whose vehicles had front crash prevention features repaired, 46% who went to a dealership reported issues, compared to 70% of people who had gone to an independent repairer.

Those whose vehicles had blind spot monitoring and cameras reported similar rates of problems

after going to a dealership or an independent repairer.

Mueller said this result was not surprising.

“A dealership service center specializes in their automaker; they have specific training and tools and the space required to do calibrations properly,” Mueller said. “A lot of independent repair shops are just not that large.”

Even people who went to dealerships for repairs still had issues, Mueller said.

“It’s a concern that many said recalibration was performed, if they had the repair done for damage,” she said. “It seems calibration is the weakest link here. We are seeing repairers having difficulty implementing the instructions and specifications set by automaker to calibrate these systems.”

Some people reported the original ADAS issue was resolved, but a new one started. However, the survey didn’t go into detail about what those issues are, Mueller said. The survey also did not ask what issues exactly people were experiencing postrepair—they may be safety related, or they may just be an annoyance, like false alarms.

“We just know people are reporting the systems are not working the way they should be,” Mueller said. “This

study was to highlight if there are areas of concern that we need to start paying attention to, and the study results show that yes, there are.”

One reassuring finding, Mueller said, was that survey respondents said despite the post-repair issues, the overwhelming majority said they would still buy another car with the same ADAS features.

“These features have safety benefits,” Mueller said. “The data are unequivocal, and show these systems help prevent crashes and reduce the severity if they do get in one. Even though many were complaining about issues after repairs, they still want the technology, they still see the value of the technology.

“This is so important—we need to see this technology rolled out to reduce a very serious public health issue with respect to traffic safety,” she said.

Takeaways

Mueller said the survey’s main conclusion is the general repair process is becoming more complicated, and it is affecting consumers and their vehicles once they return to the road.

If repair issues become more common and the industry cannot resolve them, it will create

inconvenience that could undermine consumer confidence in the technology.

“We have to get the repair process more refined to start resolving these issues, again because of the safety potential of these technologies,” Mueller said.

The IIHS is planning future studies to fully understand the scale and severity of the issues reported in this first study.

Meanwhile, Mueller said, automakers can help by making vehicles easier to repair, and by simplifying and establishing centralized databases that contain repair and calibration information so technicians can access it, whether they are in a dealership service center or an independent shop.

Self-diagnostic communication strategies—like those used by the tire pressure monitoring systems common in vehicles— could be used for ADAS features, to tell a repairer or driver something is not right.

“We need to help facilitate the repair process and support consumer confidence in these technologies, because most people get a vehicle repaired at some point in their life, and we want to make sure consumer confidence remains high in these very important technologies,” Mueller said.

Opus IVS Gives Auto Body Shops Confidence To Diagnose the Most Complex Vehicles

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

When diagnostics became a daily part of every collision repairer’s life less than a decade ago, many owners were hoping calibrations would be an option. Those days are long gone, and with cars getting more complex every day, auto body shops are turning techs into diagnosticians and creating full-fledged departments to do calibrations, with training, accuracy and knowledge at the forefront.

Opus IVS (Intelligent Vehicle Services) has established itself as a leader in its solution offerings, and has grown considerably, signing up MSOs and small independent shops at a consistent and rapid rate. It is also experiencing overwhelming interest and inquiries for new business with fleets, car rental and vehicle auction companies.

CEO Brian Herron and Global Sales Leader Bill O’Brien sat down recently with Autobody News to talk about the company’s capabilities and why it is expanding its footprint in the collision repair industry.

Autologic, Farsight, BlueLink and AutoEnginuity. It focuses on addressing the evolving needs of auto body repair shops, giving them the confidence to get the most complex vehicles back on the road safely and quickly without having to sublet work out to the local dealership—an overwhelming occurrence still adversely impacting the repair industry.

The journey began in 2005, focusing solely on mechanical repair. In 2020, Opus IVS entered the collision repair industry, and today it performs approximately 9,000 services every day, including scans and calibrations. With locations throughout the U.S., UK and Australia, Opus IVS is growing quickly and becoming the go-to diagnostics company for many of the country’s largest MSOs. Its DriveSafe with IVSTrio is backed by IVS 360™ Live Expert Support and fully integrated with CCC ONE® software.

Herron and his company started out serving the mechanical side of the industry by helping to create legislation that set the table for where we are today with ADAS and diagnostics.

“Back in 2013, the company played an integral role in the Right to Repair movement,” Herron said.

“Some of the language in there came from our direct work with the OEMs and Right to Repair Coalition to find a solution. We helped support both sides during the Massachusetts Right to Repair battles, both the 2013 battle and most recently in 2020.

factors,” Herron said. “So that’s where the remote service business picked up the slack.

path instead of searching via Google or other third party providers. This knowledge is more important than ever, especially with the shortage of technicians that we are experiencing right now,” Herron concluded. “A shop may be adept at working on Fords or Chevys, but what do they know when they have a complex issue with a Tesla, Mercedes or BMW?”

Opus IVS is filling the gaps and stepping up with the especially tricky and complex issues associated with many of the luxury brands, O’Brien said.

Opus IVS helps shops repair complex vehicles quickly with its diagnostics, programming and live repair guidance. The company is committed to helping mechanical and collision shops to complete repairs with intelligent vehicle support, and an emphasis on accountability and safety. Opus IVS uses its extensive expertise in vehicle communications combined with a world-class cloudbased architecture and hundreds of ASE-certified technicians and OEM Dealer Master Technicians to deliver solutions for its customers.

The company is the Intelligent Vehicle Support division of Opus Group, formed through the industryleading acquisitions of DrewTech,

“This legislation really was a bridge between the OEM diagnostics and the ability for third parties to be able to use it for items like OEM scanning and calibration,” Herron said. “So that was one of the building blocks that we helped to pull together. We supported the OEs, but then Right to Repair was the bridge to get that technology into the aftermarket delivering OE software and tools.”

The Right to Repair laws helped shops to access valuable OE information, but it wasn’t the complete recipe for success, Herron said.

“Eventually what we all found is that just providing the repair industry the aftermarket OEM tools wasn’t enough because of the need for training, lack of experience in shops, other priorities and many other

“It’s all about accessibility, because let’s say that you are a tech at your local repair shop and regularly repair General Motors, Ford and Toyota vehicles, and you’re confident with understanding the technology on those repairs, but now, BMW or Mercedes rolls into your shop,” Herron continued. “You want to help that customer, repair the vehicle according to procedures, but you don’t have the experience with that brand. That’s why we currently have experienced certified

“Our ability to go from the UK, Canada, Australia and perform a review of the mechanical and collision repair-related programming in Dexter, MI, is a huge plus for the industry,” O’Brien said. “Our strong support network coupled with our industry awarded solutions can guide our customers through every aspect of that repair and ensure the programming and calibration is done right the first time.”

Part of the company’s success is from providing options.

“Our shop clients can use our tools all day long without contacting us, because we allow them to do their own scanning in-house,” Herron said. “They can perform a quick scan for a pre- and post-scan, but if they want to do an OEM scan, they can reach out to us for assistance with that or reach out for help with a complex problem. We try to give them the ability to do things without needing to reach out to us but at the same time, we’re there to be able to support them with maybe additional functionality or extra brand support.

“We have support groups at five locations worldwide, partially based on time zones,” Herron said. “Plus, every region has a predominance of particular brands. You see different cars in Detroit than you do in California, for example. So, it’s important for us to pull technicians from different markets to accommodate our shops in those areas. You can take care of it locally and do an OEM diagnostic without help if you choose.”

technicians at our call centers, that are accessible and ready to assist you and your shop with explanations of the codes presented and the requirements needed to address the repair and what’s going to need to be calibrated.

“We help guide them down a

ADAS isn’t slowing down any time soon and OPUS IVS plans to be there every step of the way. MSOs and independents all over the world are embracing this company’s way of diagnosing today’s vehicles and as a result, Opus IVS will undoubtedly continue to grow.

CEO Brian Herron, left, and Global Sales Leader Bill O’Brien, right, at Opus IVS help shops repair complex vehicles fast with their diagnostics, programming and live repair guidance from OEM brand-specific master technicians

Opus IVS is performing 9,000 scans every day

“Our ability to go from the UK, Canada, Australia and perform a review of the mechanical and collision repair-related programming in Dexter, MI, is a huge plus for the industry. Our strong support network coupled with our industry awarded solutions can guide our customers through every aspect of that repair and ensure the programming and calibration is done right the first time.”

BILL O’BRIEN OPUS IVS GLOBAL SALES LEADER

Auto Body Shop Veteran Starts Azimuth, a Specialized ADAS Calibration Center

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

Charlie Rich has more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and executive in the automotive aftermarket, in the technology, insurance, OEM and collision repair segments.

Rich began his career in the automotive aftermarket when he joined CCC Intelligent Solutions in 1989. During his eight-year tenure, he played a major role in the company’s explosive growth and the introduction of several industry innovations— including the DRP concept and PCbased estimating. His other career highlights include co-founding ProcessClaims in 2000, where he served as president and board member. In just six years, the company grew from start-up to more than $11 million in sales before it was acquired by CCC in 2006. Rich went on to serve as vice president of business development at Fix Auto USA before founding Azimuth Calibration in 2022.

Q: What inspired you to start Azimuth?

Q: What types of tricky calibrations are shops encountering problems with?

A: High-end European vehicles and exotics, including calibrations involving any cameras, radar and blind spots that require OEM tooling and service information and appropriate space, lighting, clutterfree, level floors, etc.

Q: More and more shops are outsourcing their ADAS diagnostics. Why?

A: The leading reasons are liability, expense to start and operate, finding and training qualified

if it detects an object in the blind spot while executing a lane-change.

Intelligent Systems: The most recent technological advances involve combining the signals from multiple sensors and modules to create a connected system that can control the vehicle with great precision. One

Q: What does your company name stand for?

A: Azimuth is an angular measurement in a spherical coordinate system. In a celestial context, it is the horizontal direction of a star. The reference plane for an azimuth is true north, measured at 0-degree azimuth—the horizontal angle or direction of a compass bearing. In land navigation, azimuth is denoted with the alpha symbol. It plays to the technicality of calibration with a simple one-word name.

Q: How hard is to train a tech into an ADAS expert/diagnostician? How long does it normally take?

A:

The overall focus is on keeping people, families and communities safe. That includes repairing vehicles to OEM standard by performing quality repairs. We pride ourselves on protecting our clients’ liability by helping them identify calibrations and completing necessary calibration to OEM standards and procedures. We do that in a costeffective and efficient manner that supports our clients’ mission and goals.

Q: Who are your main clients and what markets are you targeting? A: Collision repair shops, dealerships, insurance companies and OEMs. Any company that needs to outsource their auto diagnostics for tougher recalibrations and everything else where they need help.

Q: Many shops are not embracing ADAS and see it as an impediment to their businesses. What would you tell them? A: ADAS is not going away but growing by the day. Liability increases by the day as ADAS proliferates. The larger picture shows that complete calibrations need to be performed in order to keep your customers and communities safe. More regulations and enforcement are coming soon to make calibrations more and more vital.

technicians and staff, proper space and facilities to OEM specifications, cycle time and final safety inspections.

Q: Many people don’t understand the difference between active, passive and intelligent ADAS. Can you explain?

A: Passive Systems: Early ADAS and today’s aftermarket ADAS are passive systems. This means that they only serve to alert the driver of possible collisions or assist the driver with maneuverability by providing visual and/or auditory feedback. These include parking sensors, rearview cameras, panoramic cameras, blind-spot monitors and forward collision warning.

Active Systems: As ADAS modules became more advanced and reliable, they were given the ability to request operations from the other vehicle control units, apply brakes, increase or decrease engine torque, steer, adjust headlights, etc. These active systems allowed the windshield camera and forward radar modules to keep the vehicle at a safe distance from the vehicle it is following, as well as keep the car centered between visible lane markings. Advanced blind spot radar modules can even request that the vehicle steer back into a lane

example is the Intelligent Park Assist System, or IPAS. It combines the signals from the ultrasonic sensors, the cameras and mid-range radar to detect a parking spot and automatically park the vehicle. A system of this nature not only requires precise sensors, but will require those sensors to crate an accurate representation of the world around it.

A: It will typically take one to two years with continual learning and ongoing training. The market segment is in its early evolution, with systems, tools, information and software changing almost day to day, in some cases. We devised best practices, evaluated systems, created tooling, customized software and developed SOPs and training to get where we are, and we believe we have a great program. We designed it to be easy to absorb and practice quickly.

Charlie Rich founded Azimuth Calibration in 2022

“The larger picture shows that complete calibrations need to be performed in order to keep your customers and communities safe. More regulations and enforcement are coming soon to make calibrations more and more vital.”

CHARLIE RICH FOUNDER OF AZIMUTH CALIBRATION

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Mercedes-Benz Executive Shares EV Considerations with Collision Repairers

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

With the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), collision repair facilities need to prepare for the changes now and in the future, according to Benito Cid, collision business development manager for Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA).

“In different parts of the world, different markets are going to react differently,” said Cid. “You have some countries where they’ve adopted EVs and they have a very high percentage of vehicles sold already, and then you have others that EVs still have some ramping up to do. EVs are coming and we have to be ready.”

During a recent Guild 21 webinar, sponsored by OEC and hosted by George Avery, Holly SwitzerPitts and Micki Woods, Cid shared information about EVs and some of the differences in handling and repairing them. With more than 30 years of experience in the collision industry, Cid has worked for MBUSA for more than a decade, and previously focused on the insurance claims side of the business for 17 years.

Mercedes-Benz Path to Electric Cid said Mercedes-Benz has aggressive EV development goals in the U.S. and plans to go fully electric by 2030 where market conditions allow. In preparation, all vehicle lines moving forward will have an electric option.

“Historically, our EVs have been based off internal combustion engines (ICE) and both vehicle types use similar platforms,” he explained. “Going forward, new vehicles will be designed as EVs with the ability to add an internal combustion engine if needed, depending on the market.”

The EQ brand was the auto manufacturer’s entry into the EV market, launched in Europe in 2018. The EQS sedan was first offered in the U.S. in 2021. Since then, MBUSA has introduced the EQB and EQS SUVs and the EQE sedan. By yearend, the company plans to have six EVs on the market.

Unlike other OEMs, MBUSA offers shops different levels of its Certified Collision Program. With base certification, Cid said repairers can perform collision repair work on all passenger cars except those requiring aluminum welding. With Elite, repairers can also work on aluminum structural repairs. Mercedes EQ authorizes work on EVs, and Mercedes Vans authorizes

facilities to perform structural and cosmetic repairs on Sprinter and Metris vehicles.

“Once you’re Elite, there is no additional fee to become EQ certified,” explained Cid. “The goal was to make sure that facilities across the country have the right training.”

This includes hands-on education at one of the MBUSA centers across the country, as well as online and virtual training options. For information, visit www. mbcollisioncenters.com/becomecollision-center

appraisers writing estimates and body shops doing the repairs.

“These are all touchpoints and potential hazards when dealing with an EV, not because they are more dangerous but because they are different than ICE vehicles,” Cid noted.

Typically, EVs require less maintenance than ICE vehicles due to fewer moving parts, but Cid said there are potential issues that need to be addressed due to the batteries and motors. He used the example of dragging a vehicle onto a wrecker rather than finding the best way to move it safely.

An EV tends to be heavy due to the weight of its battery, which can play into concerns about lifting, moving and working on it. As a result, Cid recommends shops learn how to handle EVs safely.

Cid stressed the importance of always checking the OEM repair procedures on the auto manufacturer’s website. OEM procedures can also be accessed on OEM1Stop.com.

“I don’t think I can stress that enough on every single vehicle you’re touching,” said Cid. “The excuse of ‘I didn’t know’ isn’t going to save you from what happens when the car goes out on the road with the customer if it has been improperly repaired.”

He said the safety aspect is not just about the liability after the repair; it’s also the liability of everyone involved.

To power its vehicles, MercedesBenz is opening battery production locations worldwide. This includes the Mercedes-Benz eCampus in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim and facilities in Hungary, Poland, Thailand and Alabama in the U.S.

Mercedes-Benz is also establishing an open charger network with ChargePoint Holdings, an EV charging provider, and MN8 Energy, a solar, stationary power and renewable energy provider. More than 400 hubs across North America are expected to be set up with more than 2,500 ChargePoint DC fast charging ports.

Another development announced in March is a new battery recycling factory in Kuppenheim, Germany, to recycle battery raw materials.

EV Repair Considerations

Although the repair process is similar with ICE vehicles and EVs—minus the drivetrain and battery—Cid said there are unique considerations to keep in mind with EVs.

He said repairers are already familiar with the potential dangers with ICE vehicles; however, there will be a learning curve when hearing some of the precautions that need to be taken with EVs.

One of the biggest concerns is the safety aspect of the battery and ensuring repairers and others know what to do and what not to do. This includes tow truck companies transporting vehicles, insurance

Mercedes-Benz is addressing safety considerations through its free Rescue Assist app, accessed using a QR code inside the vehicle. It contains details with safety-relevant components such as airbags, batteries, power and high-current fuel lines, plus the tanks for fuel, oil and gas. It also includes information about the high-voltage components in electric and hybrid vehicles and where to locate the emergency power down.

Another change Cid pointed out with EVs is the amount of charge the battery has when it leaves the shop. Previously, there wasn’t a major concern with ICE vehicles having a low fuel tank; however, this isn’t the case if an EV has a low battery and might not make it to the next charging station.

One of the standard requirements for Mercedes-Benz EV certification is having at least an 80% charge when delivered to the customer.

The EV Customer

During the company’s EV journey, Cid said the car manufacturer is finding customers have very different expectations with EVs and the reason for buying them.

“Customers tend to be more techsavvy,” he said. “A lot of them weren’t really interested in cars beforehand but now they’re buying EVs for all of the technology available in these cars.”

Cid said this is helpful for first responders who need this information quickly following an accident and for insurance appraisers and body shops who may have never seen these vehicles before.

Many of Mercedes-Benz’s patents regarding occupant safety are open and available for other auto manufacturers.

“It has always been impressive to me to have a company to be able to provide that, especially when it comes to the safety of the occupants in the vehicle,” said Cid.

In addition to the safety aspects of an EV, another consideration is the process of painting an EV after a repair. “Sometimes, there are limitations on how hot the vehicle can get,” he said.

Talking to collision centers nationwide, Cid said many people who have adopted EVs early on tend to be very in tune with their cars. This may result in them calling the shop after noticing the battery is below a certain percentage or asking why their car was moved during the repair. In response, he recommends shops always put EVs in service mode.

“This is something that collision centers probably aren’t used to,” said Cid.

Looking ahead, Cid recommends shop owners and managers begin thinking about the types of vehicles they want to specialize in and invest in the tooling, equipment and training required to be successful.

To access Mercedes-Benz service and technical repair subscription information, visit www.startekinfo. com/home

Learn more about Guild 21 at go.oeconnection.com/guild21

By year-end, Mercedes-Benz plans to have six EVs on the market

“One of the biggest concerns is the safety aspect of the battery and ensuring repairers and others know what to do and what not to do.”

BENITO CID COLLISION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR MERCEDES-BENZ USA

By Brad Anderson CarScoops

A trio of thieves managed to flee with four Ferraris after smashing their way into the Ferrari of Long Island Service Center just before 4 a.m. Feb. 25.

Local media outlet 1010

WINS said the burglars broke through the glass doors of the dealership and proceeded to steal some Ferrari merchandise. They then turned their attention to the cars in the service center and were able to locate and steal a number of key fobs.

Police didn’t detail what kind of models were stolen but said the thieves made off with a gray 2014 convertible, a blue 2016 convertible, a white 2018 coupe and a white 2023 coupe. Despite Nassau County Police not specifying precisely which Ferrari models were stolen, they are still asking for members of the public to reach out to Nassau County Crime Stoppers if they have any

information about the thefts.

It’s also unclear precisely how three thieves were able to steal four vehicles but presumably, the service center had security cameras that were able to capture the movements of the trio and could reveal if there was indeed a fourth person involved.

Nassau County Police have not yet made any arrests in the case and are continuing their investigations.

Unfortunately, vehicle thefts from car dealerships and service centers happen all too often. In mid-February, a number of thieves broke into the Rick Hendrick City Chevrolet dealership in east Charlotte, NC, and made off with a 2020 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray, a 2021 Dodge Challenger, a black 2021 Chevrolet Tahoe and a white 2020 Jeep Compass Trailhawk.

Right To Repair Law

franchised dealerships, and consumers are losing,” Hickey continued. “We urge the federal court to finally rule in this case and appreciate the attorney general’s action moving forward.”

“After consideration of these competing concerns, the Attorney General has determined that the nonenforcement stipulation should soon come to an end. Accordingly, the attorney general respectfully notifies this court that the non-enforcement stipulation will terminate effective June 1, 2023, and that she will issue the notice required by Section 4 of the Data Access Law shortly thereafter.“

The Massachusetts Right to Repair Coalition represents more than 4,000 members statewide, including independent repair shops, Massachusetts auto parts stores, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Massachusetts, the New England Tire and Service Association, Automotive Recyclers of Massachusetts and the Automotive Oil Change Association.

Source: Massachusetts Right To Repair Coalition

In her court filing, Campbell said: “The attorney general has a specific statutory duty to issue the notice provided for under Section 4 of the Data Access Law—a statutory command approved by 75% of Massachusetts voters over two years ago—as well as more general statutory and common-law duties to defend and enforce the laws of the Commonwealth.

Credit: Shutterstock

My ‘Wish List’ of Changes to Improve the Collision Repair Industry

Once a year or so, I compile my “wish list” for the industry, the changes—in some cases, long-awaited changes— I’d like to see happen to help our industry. As always, I challenge you— whether you represent a collision repair business, an insurance company, an automaker, an association or an industry vendor—to find a way to contribute to making these 10 wishes become reality.

Wish No. 1: Automakers should change the antiquated way they require dealership collision centers to report their financials.

Most independent body shops actually have a competitive advantage over dealership body shops when it

Wish No. 2: Some entity in the industry needs to take the lead in developing a clear technician career path and apprenticeship training.

The technician shortage isn’t going to get solved until there’s an easier and better way for every shop to grow its own new technicians. We need some organization—I-CAR or an automaker, for example—to put together a program that does that.

Wish No. 3: All collision repair shops should inspect the seat belts in every vehicle they repair, every single time.

OK, body shops, so far on this list, I’ve left you off in terms of

in the mirror and start holding people accountable for doing the right thing. Automakers need to make this part of their auditing of certified body shops.

Wish No. 5: Insurers and the automakers need to stop leaving shops in the middle of the friction related to vehicle safety inspections.

Most automakers have clear requirements for the safety inspections, in addition to checking seat belts, that must be performed on their vehicles after a crash. These requirements—which can include measuring the steering column, checking SRS connectors, etc.—are the single biggest friction point in the collision repair industry today.

Insurers say they don’t want to pay for this work. Uneducated dealerships and even some certified shops are saying it doesn’t need to be done. That leaves the shops trying to do the right thing stuck in the middle.

My wish is that insurers and the automakers would sit down and get this figured out, and take shops out of the middle. It’s wrong on all accounts.

Wish No. 6: All automakers need to make one-time-use parts more easily identified.

and I can tell you the No. 1 issue we see is that parts don’t get coded properly. There has to be a better way.

Wish No. 8: Dealership wholesale parts departments need to “play nice in the sandbox” with one another.

I can’t tell you the number of times I hear about a body shop needing a part being told it’s on backorder— only for the shop to find out a dealership in another market has it, but won’t sell it to a customer outside their market. I recently heard about

comes to examining and analyzing their financials to determine where there are areas for profitability improvement. That’s because independent body shops generally use QuickBooks or BusinessWorks or a shop management system from which they can get very detailed accounting with sub-accounts.

Unfortunately, a lot of dealership shops have to rely on the more limited financial data they get from the dealership’s management system, or are required by the auto manufacturer to report their financials in a certain way. That can make it harder for shop managers to compare their financial performance against collision repair industry benchmarks. I’d like to see this change.

I also believe dealership body shops also should get credit for the parts sales they contribute to the dealership’s overall business. When they don’t, it negatively skews the true financial performance of the shop.

responsibility for making this stuff happen. But this one is totally on you. I don’t see the post-crash seat belt inspections that are called for in the OEM procedures—and even in most vehicle owner’s manuals—being done consistently enough.

Don’t tell me the insurers won’t pay for it. Our “Who Pays for What?” surveys prove that’s not true. But even if you’re not paid for it, it’s your moral obligation to do the right thing and perform those seat belt inspections every time. You owe it to your customers.

Wish No. 4: Every technician should perform weld destructive testing prior to welding on any vehicle.

Again, I’ve seen first-hand the improper welds that can be made when this mandatory step is skipped. It disheartens me when I travel 300 days a year and see how many technicians and shops aren’t doing this every time. Shops needs to look

Some OEMs have symbols in their documentation—which then gets into the estimating systems—identifying which parts must be replaced as part of the collision repair process. Toyota uses a black dot, for example, and Nissan a black dot with a white X. My wish is that every automaker would use a symbol for one-time-use parts in order to be make them easily identifiable.

Wish No. 7: All shop management systems need to make it easy to ensure proper coding from an accounting perspective for parts that are price-matched.

This one has been on my list for a number of years. If a shop uses an OEM part instead of a non-OEM part, it doesn’t always get coded properly, sometimes because of an insurer requirement as part of a direct repair program. This creates an accounting nightmare, with OEM parts gross profit being understated, and aftermarket part gross profit being overstated.

Our team works with the financials for more than 400 collision repairers,

a shop’s customer actually locating a part at another dealership, and finding it unfathomable the shop, dealerships and automaker couldn’t keep this problem from happening. It makes all of us look stupid. Parts departments need to work better with one another.

Wish No. 9: The industry as a whole needs to understand inprocess scans are also needed on every vehicle.

I think the industry has pretty much caught up on the need for preand post-repair scans, but less so on the importance of in-process scans. Many diagnostic trouble codes need to be cleared after reassembly but before you test drive the vehicle or perform calibrations. More of the industry need to get better educated about this.

Wish No. 10: Insurers need to stop hiding behind remote claims handling and get back to negotiating fairly.

Shops say insurance companies are increasingly sending back supplements saying it’s all they will pay and hiding behind the computer. They never call the shop and have a discussion. It’s frustrating and not fair to the shops. Insurance companies need to get back to having dialogue with shops in regards to items they don’t want to pay for, versus just saying they’re not paying for it.

That’s my list for this year. Will any of these things happen before next year’s list?

“But even if you’re not paid for it, it’s your moral obligation to do the right thing and perform those seat belt inspections every time.”

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

5 Cars Catch Fire Behind Providence, RI, Repair Shop

By Allison Shinskey WPRI News

An investigation is underway into what caused five cars to catch fire behind a transmission repair shop the afternoon of March 6.

Firefighters rushed to Robin Auto Transmission off Reservoir Avenue in Providence, RI, just before 4 p.m. for reports of several cars on fire in the back lot, according to Providence Battalion Fire Chief Edward Dwyer.

Dwyer said a “large amount” of brush near the lot was on fire. It’s unclear at this time whether the fire started inside one of the cars or in the brush.

No injuries were reported, though Dwyer said the business owner was treated for “chest pains” after attempting to put the fire out himself with several extinguishers.

The cause of the fire is unknown at this time.

Repair Complaints

improvement.

And, the state reached “significant settlements” last year with nine car dealerships whom consumers had reported to be violating consumer protection laws.

National Consumer Protection Week runs from March 5-11, which prompted the state’s consumer protection agency to list some top concerns from customers in New Jersey. The DCA works to protect the public from things like deceit, fraud, misrepresentation and misconduct in the sales of goods and services throughout the state.

Anyone who believes they have been cheated, scammed or otherwise abused by a business may file a complaint online with the DCA or call 1-800-242-5846.

NJ’s Office of Consumer Protection handles more than 1,000 new complaints each month alleging violation of state consumer protection laws, the office said in a joint news release with Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin’s office.

Platkin said the DCA’s work is crucial to enforcing consumer protection laws and educating the public to avoid fraud.

“Consumer complaints alert DCA on who is violating those laws and what patterns of fraud are emerging in the marketplace,” he said.

“The complaints we receive each year help the Division set its priorities and deploy its resources to best serve New Jersey’s consumers,” added Cari Fais, acting director of the DCA. “Our public outreach campaigns and enforcement initiatives are guided by the complaints we receive, and the information consumers provide to us.”

Here are the totals for the top categories:

* 18,084 complaints total in 2022

* 2,514 complaints about motor vehicle sales and repairs

* 2,310 complaints about home improvement

* 1,080 complaints about major appliances

These top three categories made up nearly one-third of all complaints, said the DCA. Other complaints included internet sales, medical care, moving and storage, professional and occupational services, stores, credit and gasoline.

The DCA’s Office of Consumer Protection said motor vehicle-related investigations involve “predatory towing, automotive repairs, car sales and auto parts pricing.” The state also said officials have reached settlements with nine car dealerships in 2022 totaling more than $650,000.

“The dealerships’ alleged violations include failing to list prior accidents, damage and repairs made to vehicles; failing to honor the advertised price of a used car; charging excessive vehicle preparation fees; failing to disclose the full sale price of a motor vehicle; and deceptive advertising,” said officials.

Authentic Mopar® Parts are built to fit perfectly and function properly every time. This ensures that your customers are getting the highest quality parts manufactured to meet the original specifications and safety standards of their vehicle. Providing more peace of mind for each customer you serve.

Pays’ Survey Offers Insights into Billing, Payment Practices for Vehicle Scanning, Battery Support

By John Yoswick Autobody News

Although a higher percentage of shops are now seeking to be paid for the labor involved in applying battery support during a vehicle scan, fewer of those shops say they are regularly being paid for the procedure.

“That is unfortunate,” said shop trainer and consultant Mike Anderson of Collision Advice of the finding from a recent “Who Pays for What?” survey. “When we first asked about this procedure back in 2018, nearly 70% of shops said they never negotiated to be paid for this. Today that is down to 54%, which is great. But only 40% of those shops said they are regularly reimbursed for the time involved by the eight largest insurers. That’s the lowest percentage we have seen in five years. I honestly don’t have an explanation for that.”

Anderson said hooking up battery support is important because it ensures proper system voltage throughout the diagnostic scanning process. When vehicle voltage falls below normal levels, scan results can be unreliable, or re-programming of the vehicle can fail entirely.

This “not-included” operation can sometimes require a significant amount of labor time, Anderson said.

“It can require removing components to access the battery, and requires the use of a special battery maintainer—a jump box, a trickle charger or a battery charger is not considered proper battery support,” he said. “And one of the things that I have learned is that battery support should be connected for at least 10 minutes before a scan operation is performed. There is no reason this procedure should not be paid for when it is necessary.”

features may be turned off or placed in fail-safe mode after the removal and reinstallation of a related component, or due to “lost communication” trouble codes that are set.

“most” of the time by the eight largest national insurers, with about another one-third saying they are paid at least “some of the time.”

The survey also asked for the first time about in-process vehicle scanning.

“I’ve learned that this is often an absolutely necessary procedure, so we added it to the survey,” Anderson said.

He explained some vehicle

“If you don’t scan the vehicle and address that prior to a test drive, it could generate another trouble code, or you may not be able to do a proper calibration,” Anderson said.

The survey found about 21% of shops reported conducting inprocess scans on all or most vehicles--in comparison, more than 90% of shops now say they conduct preand post-repair scans on all or most vehicles.

“I expect that 21% to grow in the future,” Anderson said.

More than one-third of shops (36%) billing for in-process scans said they are paid for them “all” or

The surveys over time have found some differences in the payment practices of the eight insurers. In 2017, State Farm and USAA were more likely than the other six large national insurers to pay the charges for a pre-repair scan. For example, 57% of shops reported State Farm regularly paid for pre-repair scans, while only 46% of shops said that about Allstate and Progressive. But over the next couple of years, most of the insurers began to pay for the procedure more regularly than State Farm. By 2019, as many as 79% of shops reported State Farm was regularly paying for pre-repairs scans, but on average 86% of shops said that about the other six insurers. State Farm remains at the bottom of the pack in the latest survey.

The latest “Who Pays for What?” survey, focused on not-include body labor procedures, is open throughout April. Shops can visit www. crashnetwork.com/collisionadvice to participate.

“There is no reason this procedure should not be paid for when it is necessary.”

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

Tesla Giga New York Faces Racism Allegations

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Tesla Giga New York employees allege they have routinely faced racism while working at the plant in Buffalo, NY, since the facility opened years ago.

Gigafactory New York has been the site of controversy recently. Tesla terminated a number of employees as part of a performance review cycle, including one who was part of an active unionization campaign. A complaint was filed with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board against the EV maker for allegedly striking back at unionization efforts.

Per a recent report from the Investigative Post, a number of Black employees at Giga New York have also come forward about their alleged experiences at the plant. Seven current and former Tesla employees said the racist treatment they received ranged from offensive remarks to being passed over for promotions regularly.

Promotions

Among those interviewed by the

publication, four claimed they were passed over for promotions at least 20 times. The employees said as production associates, they worked on numerous manufacturing lines, and at times, they supervised the work of other employees. The employees said when they attempted to get a promotion, they were generally unsuccessful.

As an example, two Black employees who were assigned to work on a new battery line reportedly performed very well, to the point they wrote an instruction manual on how the line should work. When they approached Human Resources for a potential reward for their work, the men were reportedly denied. After this, one of the men claimed, he was sent to another area of Giga New York to pack boxes.

Eventually, a job was opened for the line the men knew how to run, so both applied. One was asked to pass an engineering test and sit through an unusually extended interview before getting denied. The other did not even reach the interview stage. It was only after the line was shut down and restarted that one of the men was given a chance to have a

more senior position.

“I don’t think there’s a clear structure. Did they even get my application? Did they look at it? Are they not hiring anymore? They don’t tell you anything,” one of the men said.

Optics

Five employees also alleged Giga New York managers had asked groups of Black workers not to speak in groups, due to optics. “People will, two or three people, gather and have a conversation. The minute the Black men gather, (management says) ‘Oh, you guys can’t group up like that. You know, it looks like a gang,’” an employee claimed.

The employees alleged this type of treatment seemed specific to Black workers, and other workers of color do not experience the same treatment.

This reportedly became particularly uncomfortable following the Tops Friendly Market shooting in Buffalo in May 2022. After the tragedy, some Giga New York workers wanted to

attend a vigil during work hours. Management allowed the workers to attend the vigil without pay, but when the workers returned, Giga New York management reportedly assumed the Black workers were talking about forming a union. Tesla reportedly brought in an official to talk to the plant’s leadership about avoiding a union.

Amidst the allegations, the Giga New York employees did say there have been some positive changes in the facility. This included the arrival of a new production manager,  Adetope Ogunniyi, who used to work at the company’s Nevada facility. Ogunniyi has reportedly made positive changes, and she has done what she can to ensure qualified Black employees are granted interviews and promotions. Despite her efforts, however, issues are reportedly still present.

“She’s trying to make changes. But, you know, they’re slow in coming,” one of the workers said.

www.autobodynews.com

Mitchell Report Provides Insight into EV Vehicle Claims, Market Data

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

As vehicle manufacturers announce plans to go all-electric by 2030, repairers and insurers are keeping a close eye on the changes taking place and adapting as necessary.

Mitchell International, Inc., an Enlyte company, recently released its inaugural quarterly trends report: “Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights,” which provides insight into the

Q:What prompted the development of the quarterly EV report?

A:Mitchell’s previous trends report transitioned into an annual report when Enlyte, our parent brand, was formed in October 2021. We looked at opportunities to share insightful data that would be helpful for the greatest number of stakeholders— information different than they could find anywhere else.

important to get prepared.

Our goal is to get information to carriers and shops, explain the market differences with EVs, and what to expect. The data shared is based on repairable estimates uploaded to Mitchell and we’ll continue to evolve the report.

Q:Who is your main target audience?

A:It’s both insurers and repairers. Repairers are more on the front lines understanding some of the differences with these vehicles because they’re living it firsthand. However, that’s only in certain markets.

I work with many insurance carriers and the goal is to get them thinking about the EV business and how they will need to adapt their claims organization. An EV is a very different vehicle. They will need to think about the safety of appraisers in the field. They must understand how shops manage high-voltage batteries to ensure the safety of their teams

Q:What highlights can you share?

A: It’s important for insurers to look at the original estimate and forecast what the likely reserves will be for that claim and understand that it’s probably going to be greater. When it comes to estimate writing, carriers and shops must be able to produce a collision damage appraisal that accounts for the differences between EVs and ICE vehicles. Once the estimate is written, there has to be a way for repairers to prioritize these vehicles and identify the damage quickly because there will be a more significant amount associated with them. The longer the claims process gets drawn out, the worse the customer experience is, which means CSI scores go down for the shop, the insurer and other stakeholders.

If there is a way to pre-scan during the initial estimate and focus on writing the most accurate estimate possible, it is a great way to add additional value to the process and get a better understanding of the systems that have been impacted.

Q: The report states that 90.11% of U.S. and Canadian shops are using OEM parts. What do you attribute this to?

electric vehicle (EV) claims and market data and analyzes industry trends. EV sales in 2022 represented 5.6% of the market, according to Kelley Blue Book.

Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance at Mitchell, said the report will help carriers and collision repairers prepare as EV market growth continues and more EVs enter auto body shops.

“For the repair industry, additional training, tooling and equipment will be necessary considerations to meet the needs of these complex and interconnected vehicles,” the report said. “Automotive insurers, on the other hand, should be ready to examine underwriting practices so that they can meet the demands of a growing segment of the car parc with higher average repair costs and more complex repair procedures that must be performed to successfully deliver a proper and safe repair.”

As of Q4 2022, EV repairable claims frequency was 1.1% in the U.S. and 2.26% in Canada, according to the report. The top North American EV markets based on repairable claims frequency were British Columbia (4.47%), California (3.37%) and Quebec (2.75%).

Autobody News reached out to Mandell to learn about the quarterly trends report, the data it includes and what it means for the industry moving forward.

The transition to EVs is a big disruptor, probably more so than anything we’ve seen in some time. We are seeing EV adoption numbers increasing and more coming into repair facilities.

It made sense to put out focused information about electrification and what it means for the industry. Insurers are asking how this transition will likely impact severity. That was something we knew we had to include.

A:It was interesting to see how big of an impact Tesla has on the overall EV industry, with a 76.21% market share in the U.S. and 70.21% in Canada. When you look at that delta in terms of repair cost, it can be startling at first. But when you take Tesla out of that mix, it normalizes it a little more.

Teslas are complex and more expensive to repair. However, it’s not just the Tesla effect. Even without Tesla, you still have a significant delta in the repair cost for EVs because there’s more involved.

The number of mechanical labor hours on EV estimates still outpaces ICE vehicles with 1.7 additional mechanical labor hours, which was also interesting. That speaks to how you manage the high-voltage battery during the process. You have to isolate it in many instances, which often requires additional mechanical labor hours.

A: It’s the lack of availability of alternative EV parts. With ICE vehicles, OEM utilization is roughly 68% to 70%. That’s a big difference. There is a lack of cars in the salvage pool that are making it to auto recyclers and I think many are going overseas.

I believe the percentage of OEM parts utilization will change as the salvage pool increases and aftermarket manufacturers produce parts.

Q: Can you share information about the percentage of parts repaired?

We also wanted to demystify EVs and provide insights into what it means when these vehicles come into repair facilities. If you live in Southern California, you probably see EVs all the time, but if you are in another area of the country, you might not. A large section of the industry isn’t sure when they need to prepare for electrification, if they even need to, and if there is anything different with EVs. Whether or not people agree with the EV trend, people are buying them and it’s

The other piece that stood out to me in the report was looking at the 27.45% average supplement delta for EVs and how much of a role that plays in the final cost of the repair compared to the original estimate. When you look at internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, that number is around 17%, so you’re talking about 10 percentage points higher for an EV. That speaks to how critical OEM repair procedures are with these cars.

Q: What is the main takeaway for repairers and insurers?

A: We found that the average percentage of parts repaired on EVs increased from 11.05% in Q3 2022 to 12.16% in Q4 2022. This suggests that repair facilities may be improving their capabilities to repair lighter-weight substrates. However, some of this increase may also have to do with ongoing supply chain disruptions and the lack of availability of replacement parts.

Shops are investing in technology, tools and equipment to repair some of these materials more effectively. Some of this is being driven by necessity because of the supply chain issue we’re facing and the lack of availability of parts. Some shops are simply just repairing parts because they can’t get a replacement.

To read a copy of the report, visit www.mitchell.com/plugged-in.

Source: Mitchell International, Inc.

Credit: Shutterstock

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Vehicle Technology Highlighted During 2023 CES Show

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Technological innovations, new product debuts and a wide range of company announcements were all part of the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), held Jan. 5-8 in Las Vegas, NV. Owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA)®, CES features all aspects of the tech sector, including automotive.

embracing the electric vehicle (EV) experience.

“Vehicle OEMs are investing billions in EV tech, charging stations are showing up in cities and across highways virtually worldwide, and consumers are procuring the latest line of EVs,” said Prabhat Agarwal, CTA senior director of research and trends, in his article, “EVs Drive the New Car Revolution.” “All these factors are leading indicators and encouraging signs for an industry that is early in its lifecycle. EVs are clearly on a growth trajectory, as will be on clear display at CES 2023.”

One of the keynotes was delivered by Oliver Zipse, chairman of the Board of Management for BMW. Zipse introduced the “perfect digital car of the future”—the NEAU KLASSE generation of vehicles—and unveiled the i Vision Dee, a BMW concept EV equipped with adaptive artificial intelligence (AI). The vehicles are expected to be produced in 2025.

comfortable and customizable mobile environment for passengers. This year’s show featured several LiDAR (light detection and ranging) companies showcasing their products for autonomous vehicles.

(IAC), which returned this year at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway on Jan. 7. The autonomous racing competition featured nine fully autonomous racecars that reached speeds of more than 190 mph. Team PoliMove from

Considered one of the most influential tech events in the world, some of the largest brands— including Google, Amazon and Microsoft—showcased their products and services at the event. This year’s theme, “Human Security for All,” highlighted sustainability and solving global challenges.

More than 115,000 industry professionals attended the January show, which was 70% larger than in 2021 and featured more than 3,200 exhibitors from more than 173 countries, territories and regions, including 1,000 startup companies.

Show organizers said the automotive section was “bigger than ever,” with nearly 300 exhibitors in the Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall. Attendees had the opportunity to see concept cars, connected vehicles, autonomous mobility and other vehicle technology firsthand from companies such as GM, Waymo and Mobileye.

“At CES 2023, new innovations promise to change our world for the better,” noted CTA President and CEO Gary Shapiro during CTA’s State of the Industry address. “Companies big and small are showcasing innovations in mobility, digital health, artificial intelligence, robotics, food tech, smart home, digital assets and more.”

Shapiro said new technologies keep drivers and passengers safer and more comfortable on the road, and carmakers are leading efforts to build a greener and more sustainable future.

According to CTA research, consumers are increasingly

“We are able to explore the full potential of digitalization to transform the car into an intelligent companion,” said Zipse.

Each year, the CES Innovation Awards competition honors outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. This year, more than 50 products received an award in the category of Vehicle Tech and Advanced Mobility.

Another highlight during the show was the Indy Autonomous Challenge

Politecnico di Milano in Italy and the University of Alabama won the second annual event.

At the conclusion of CES, Shapiro said, “The innovation unveiled this week will drive economic growth and change in meaningful ways to improve our lives and create a better future for the next generation.”

Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares also delivered a keynote address, which included the company’s vision for making mobility clean, safe and affordable for all. Tavares unveiled the Ram 1500 Revolution Battery Electric Vehicle Concept and the Peugeot Inception Concept.

“We want to improve how people move, socialize, shop and entertain themselves,” said Tavares. “We are enabling human connections, maintaining access to clean, safe and affordable mobility, and working sideby-side with our partners to provide freedom of movement.”

Some of the new products unveiled during the week included Sony Honda Mobility’s EV concept car, Afeela; Holon’s autonomous and fully electric mover vehicle that can fit 15 people; Bosch’s RideCare Companion, a smart sensor-based solution to enhance vehicle safety; and new vehicle technology from FORVIA, designed to create a more

At CES, Faraday Future showcased its FF91, which uses Innovusion’s LiDAR to power the autonomous driving system.

“Vehicle OEMs are investing billions in EV tech, charging stations are showing up in cities and across highways virtually worldwide, and consumers are procuring the latest line of EVs.”

— PRABHAT AGARWAL

CTA SENIOR DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND TRENDS

During CES, Mobileye founder and CEO Professor Amnon Shashua discussed the company’s initiatives in regard to autonomous vehicle and advanced driver-assistance technology, which includes Mobileye SuperVision™.

Attorneys Say Consumer Data Privacy Concerns for Collision Repair

Shops are Real

By John Yoswick Autobody News

A pair of attorneys speaking at the most recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) earlier this year cautioned that collision repairers need to take the issue of release or misuse of customer personal identifiable information (PII)—such as that included on estimates—seriously.

“The unauthorized disclosure of a customer’s PII, whether intentional or not—intent doesn’t factor into the analysis here—creates a significant liability risk for repair shops,” said Pennsylvania attorney Larry Pockers

Shops should consider whether those documents address how any partner with which they are sharing information may be using that information.

“What have you opened yourself up to as far as the use of that customer information down the chain,” Bloch said.

Put together a list of standard operating procedures and best practices that comply with state law, he suggested.

“Prepare standard customer disclosures and notifications, and most importantly, obtain customer consent so they understand and have given you permission to use that data at least for the purposes for which it was intended, so you can perform your repair services,” Bloch said.

Pockers agreed looking at a shop’s existing agreements is important.

foremost to think about, and should be your first line of defense in terms of protecting that information.”

An Industry Spokesperson?

Other speakers at CIC addressed a variety of subjects, including the technician shortage. Industry consultant Petra Schroeder, vice chair of the CIC Talent Pool and Education Committee, suggested that while many organizations within the industry are working on various efforts to attract, train and retain new technicians, she believes it’s time to “combine forces and collaborate.”

you may look at this and think, ‘I had no idea of those considerations.’”

Jason Scharton, senior manager of global expertise delivery for 3M, said those considerations include OEM repair procedures.

“We’ve got to be checking that OEM repair documentation and understand what product is specified,” he said. “And there’s the supply chain: Can I get that material if I don’t have it? If it’s three months out, it’s going to change some of the decisions I need to make.”

He said repair planners need to consider the labor time associated with the material: What type of preparation is needed? What type of conditions are needed for application? What are the clean-up requirements?

“And are any of these included or not included in the repair procedures when we’re calculating the time,” Scharton said.

He noted five states—California, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah and Vermont—have specific consumer data privacy laws in place, and others are expected to be added to that list this year.

Connecticut attorney Steven Bloch concurred.

“Once that information has been breached or disclosed improperly, without customer disclosure and authorization and consent, there is liability and exposure for the shops. It’s as simple as that,” Bloch said.

If that information gets used down the supply chain after being disclosed by a shop, “You’re going to be held responsible in many circumstances for that use, whether you agreed to it or not,” he said. “Simply because you did not intentionally disclose customer PII, or you don’t have a full understanding of what your license agreements provide as far as that data use is concerned, or what your partners are using that data for down the chain, and how they are transacting it, doesn’t absolve you of the liability that you can face here.”

What can shops do to limit their liability in terms of customer data privacy issues? Bloch suggested shops work with legal counsel to review current contracts and licensing agreements “to determine what it is you’ve provided in terms of permission to industry partners and vendors.”

“You could try to renegotiate these agreements, but let’s be realistic. That’s not going to happen,” he said. “So the mitigation strategy is: What about future agreements with others in the supply chain that you’re going to enter into?”

Part of the challenge, she said, is that outside the industry, the general public has little awareness of how vehicle technology and other changes over the past decade have impacted the work and career opportunities within the industry.

She offered a two-part idea. First, she suggested the industry craft and adopt a common position statement relative to working together to “draw awareness and appeal of the exciting and rewarding career opportunities within our industry.”

How much of the material is needed is particularly important, as is considering the work time.

Both attorneys said such reviews and customer notification and authorization forms are among the services their firms offer. They said there may be some technology solutions that can help shops control access to their data.

“But given the landscape in which everybody is operating, and how the sharing and flow of information is being transacted, I don’t know you can necessarily do one thing and achieve complete peace in terms of thinking you’ve protected your customers’ data in a foolproof [way] and you have nothing to worry about going forward,” Bloch said. “That’s why the customer disclosure and consent are first and

Second, she asked rhetorically whether industry organizations could work together to jointly finance a spokesperson who could help bring the industry’s message to a wide audience. She said two possible spokespersons she could think of were Mike Rowe, who currently promotes other skilled trades including diesel repair, or Jay Leno, who has some connection with the industry given his “Jay Leno’s Garage” television series.

Repair Planning Considerations Regarding Materials, EVs

Also at CIC, the Parts and Materials Committee discussed the role of materials in repair decisions.

“The materials in or on the vehicle, the materials used to construct it, the materials used to put it back together, all make a difference in how we approach it,” said Aaron Schulenburg, who chairs the committee. “For many of the repairers in the room, that may feel like common sense. For non-repairers,

“If you’ve got a big job, you may need two or three technicians to make sure you’ve applied all the adhesive in the work time,” Scharton said. “Materials may change how you staff a job.”

During another committee presentation, I-CAR’s Scott VanHulle said the training organization is working to develop a searchable database of OEM refinishing guidelines for electric vehicles. He said the maximum temperature thresholds for electric vehicles varies by automaker.

“And one of the things that a lot of these [OEM] statements don’t make clear is whether the threshold is for the actual surface temperature of the vehicle, or the ambient temperature of the booth,” VanHulle said.

The limitations, designed to avoid overheating of the battery pack which can impact its range over time, have ramifications for the repair plan, he said, because the limits may require the use of a different paint product, may require air drying the vehicle which extends the time in the booth, or may require removal of the high-voltage battery.

A CIC panel discussion on data privacy concerns for shops included, from left, Dan Risley, Larry Pockers, Steven Bloch and Trent Tinsley.

“The unauthorized disclosure of a customer’s PII, whether intentional or not—intent doesn’t factor into the analysis here—creates a significant liability risk for repair shops.”

LARRY POCKERS PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY

3M’s Jason Scharton said estimators need to consider OEM requirements related to materials when creating repair plans.

Scott VanHulle of I-CAR said the training organization is working to develop a searchable database of OEM refinishing guidelines for electric vehicles.

Association Announces Director of Digital Products

The Auto Care Association on Feb. 22 announced the addition of David Logan as its new director of digital products.

Logan will lead Auto Care’s ongoing development and maintenance of the product suite. In addition, he will collaborate with stakeholders to develop product roadmaps and determine which technology is needed to achieve the vision.

Logan is a seasoned professional with more than two decades of experience in the automotive aftermarket industry. Throughout his career, he has held a variety of leadership positions in product management and catalog direction. He has a proven track record of success working with top brands in the industry, including FEL-PRO, Sealed Power, Raybestos, TRICO, Carter, FRAM and Victor-Reinz.

Logan has worked for renowned organizations such as DANA Corp., Federal-Mogul and First Brands Group, serving automotive retailers, wholesalers and independent customers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Source: Auto Care Association

Maryland Commits To 2035 Ban on New Gas Vehicle Sales

By Joey Klender Teslarati

The State of Maryland followed in the footsteps of California on March 13 by banning all new gas vehicle sales by the model year 2035.

Maryland’s Air Quality Control Advisory Council unanimously voted to approve a regulation to implement California’s vehicle emissions standards, which have specific goals for a certain percentage of new vehicle sales be emission-free.

Maryland laws already exist that require the state to match California’s vehicle emissions programs. Maryland aligned with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) vehicle standards in 2011, one of 17 states in the U.S. to do so.

“This is a policy that was created in California,” House Minority Leader Jason Buckel said in a statement to the Baltimore Sun. “It is based on California’s economy, California’s transportation needs and California’s electrical grid.”

The proposal will require 43% of Maryland’s new car sales to be

zero-emission by 2027. By model year 2035, all new passenger vehicles sold in Maryland will need to be zero-emission. The requirements allow plug-in hybrid vehicles to account for 20% of the requirements.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore criticized the previous administration, run by Larry Hogan, for dragging its feet to push the state’s fleet of passenger vehicles to be more sustainable.

“The last administration pumped the brakes on this regulation, but today I am proud to say that we’re getting rolling again,” Moore said.

Moore drove off from a March 13 press conference in a Ford Mustang Mach-E, the Detroitbased automaker’s initial EV rollout several years ago.

“Today, we’re talking about a major transformation that is going to define this administration—and that’s how we turn Maryland from a state powered by oil and gas to a state powered by clean energy,” Moore said in a press release. “I am confident that the State of Maryland can and will lead the clean energy revolution.”

383,000 fewer new gaspowered vehicles would be sold under the new rule by 2030. This figure rises to 1.68 million vehicles by 2035.

The requirements are expected to be finalized by September, and the public will be given an opportunity to comment and voice concerns. The rule will receive an advisory review from a legislative committee.

In August, California became the first U.S. state to ban the sale of new gasoline cars by 2035. Every new car sold in the state after that year is required to be 100% free of fossil fuel emissions.

“The climate crisis is solvable if we focus on the big, bold steps necessary to stem the tide of carbon pollution,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom said when the goal was announced.

California plans to have 68% of its new car sales be zero-emissions by 2030; 35% of new car sales will be free of fossil fuels by 2026.

Proposed EV Fee Falls Short of Solving PA’s Infrastructure Woes

By Anthony Hennen The Center Square

As electric vehicles overtake Pennsylvania’s roads, lawmakers still have to sort out two things—how to tax them to fund roads and bridges, and how to build out reliable charging stations.

While neither issue has a quick and easy solution, a pilot tax project will grow revenue, and federal cash will expand an electric charging corridor across the state.

Except, some analysts say, it won’t be enough to meaningfully fund road and bridge repair.

In 2019, Pennsylvania had almost 10,000 electric vehicles. Today, that count has more than sextupled, with more than 63,000 EVs registered in the state. The Senate Transportation Committee met March 9 to discuss what this means for funding and building out infrastructure.

Pennsylvania relies heavily on the gas tax to fund its roads and bridges, and as gas-powered vehicles get more fuel efficient and more drivers go electric, the cash available to pay for maintenance will fall. To make up for some of that, some lawmakers want to apply a mileage-based user fee to EVs.

“The proposal that we have

through the Drive Smart Act would be to charge 3 cents per mile or an opt-out payment of $380, the same amount the average driver pays in gas taxes each year,” said. Sen. Wayne Langerholc, R-Clearfield, and chairman of the committee.

Without an EV fee, drivers could use the roads without paying for maintaining them. As revenues from the gas tax continue to decline, and PennDOT claims it has billions of dollars in unmet needs, a funding gap in the near-term can lead to long-term costs rising.

“Deferred maintenance and replacement due to lack of funds will lead to exponential growth in the highway system’s cost to citizens, residents, businesses and taxpayers in the future,” said George Dougherty Jr., an assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh. “Not taking care of our maintenance needs now will simply make it more expensive in the future.”

A mileage fee would meet some of those needs, Dougherty noted, and cited its fairness, simplicity, transparency and ease of administration as beneficial. However, the tax isn’t adequate to cover the needs of the transportation system.

“If all 63,000 current (EV drivers)

paid the $380 fee, the commonwealth would raise $24 million to assist with an $8 billion funding problem,” Dougherty said.

If the number of EV drivers doubled by 2030, collections would reach $48 million, but the funding problem would have grown to a $12 billion shortfall.

Dougherty suggested setting fees for all drivers based on the cost to infrastructure to cover maintenance, as well as indexing fees to inflation. He also noted charging all classes of vehicles similarly was an unfair status quo that placed a heavier burden on lighter cars.

“I urge the committee to consider fairness in a much broader sense,” Dougherty said. “Our current revenue generation system is unfair across classes of vehicles, much more so than the difference between electricand fossil-fuel based vehicles. Heavier vehicles and larger vehicles … have a much more detrimental effect in terms of degradation of our infrastructure.”

Regardless of how EVs will fund roads, policymakers are already building out charging stations. More than 1,000 charging stations are active statewide, and Pennsylvania is set to get $170 million through 2026 to build

more through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

“We are intending to build out alternative fuel corridors as fast as we can,” said Natasha Fackler, PennDOT’s infrastructure implementation coordinator, referring to the federal government’s requirement to have routes with reliable EV chargers. “Once they’re fully built out, then we have the option to use our funding outside the interstate corridors and have the flexibility to use funding on any public roadway.”

Charging stations aren’t the only way to provide power for EVs, either, especially for commercial vehicles.

“Where we see the future of this in talking to our partners and in talking to our customers—our two best customers, FedEx and UPS—are really into inductive charging,” said Mark Compton, CEO of the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission. “We’re hoping to have a pilot project on one of the later stages of the Mon/Fayette Expressway in inductive charging … inductive charging is going to be the way of the future.”

With inductive charging, vehicles can charge wirelessly through a transmitting pad in the road and a receiving pad in the vehicle, allowing faster charging speeds.

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Tesla Giga NY Workers Continue Union Fight Despite Terminations

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

The week of Feb. 13, Tesla Giga New York workers who organized a unionization campaign experienced a roller coaster of emotions. The group was full of hope as they launched their campaign Feb. 14, but Feb. 15 and 16, union organizers felt deflated as Tesla issued a round of terminations on the plant’s Autopilot labeling team.

In response to the terminations, the Workers United union filed a complaint with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board accusing Tesla of striking back at unionization efforts by illegally terminating employees. Tesla denied this, explaining in a blog post the terminations at Giga New York were part of the company’s regular performance review cycle, which affects all its plants across the globe.

In a statement to The Buffalo News, however, the Tesla union organizers at Giga New York said

they are not giving up the fight. Alexis Hy, who has been with the company for about a year and a half, said the terminations just made the group more determined to unionize the plant.

“We’re doing this for all of us— the employees—and then to see the retaliation and to see so many people get fired, we were all so dejected after that day. But it just makes us want to fight harder for those people and for the rest of us that are still there,” Hy said.

The Tesla Workers United organizing committee said Feb. 18 the agitation among workers at the plant gathered momentum during the November snowstorm. The storm buried parts of New York under several feet of snow, but at the time, the workers said, Tesla only advised them to use paid time off, sick time or vacation time if they were unable to report to work. Workers in the Autopilot labeling team were reportedly informed they could not work from home.

Some Giga New York workers

on Feb. 18 said they felt like they were being micromanaged “down to the keystroke.” Some workers, including Hy, said bathroom breaks were skipped at times just so employees could meet their quotas. Tesla, in its blog post about the matter, denied this, noting that “there is nothing to be gained by delaying bathroom breaks” and the workers’ claims were “categorically false.”

Tesla has not issued any further comments about Giga New York’s ongoing unionization efforts.

Some who support Giga New York’s unionization like the company a lot. Lizzie McKimmie, a data annotation specialist, told the publication she enjoys working at Tesla. She just finds it stressful that there is no job security and she has to live paycheck to paycheck. “I do want what is best for my fellow employees. I love this job, and I really want to make it better,” McKimmie said.

www.autobodynews.com

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) on March 13 announced an update to its strategic plan, representing a direction that will guide current and future work. The plan was adopted by the ARA Board of Directors on March 8.

ARA’s strategic plan is grounded in the association’s mission to advance the automotive recycling industry and promote its beneficial effects on society. The plan identifies four strategic initiatives that are the means through which ARA plans to translate its vision into practice. The initiatives focus on partnerships and branding, data, advocacy and education/ certification/compliance. Each of the four initiatives outlines a series of objectives which describe how ARA plans to commit its resources and how future success will be measured.

“This plan is a representation of ARA as the eyes, ears and voice of the professional automotive recycling industry,” said ARA Executive Director Sandy Blalock

Source: ARA

General Motors announced March 7 that Ultra Cruise, the company’s next-generation advanced driver assistance system designed to ultimately enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios, will have a 360-degree view of the vehicle through a unique sensor suite when it launches on the Cadillac CELESTIQ.

GM’s Ultra Cruise sensor strategy is directly guided by the company’s philosophy of safely deploying advanced driver assistance (ADAS) technologies.

The destination-to-destination hands-free system will use more than just cameras to “see” the world. Ultra Cruise uses a blend of cameras, short- and long-range radars, LiDAR behind the windshield, an all-new computing system and a driver attention system to monitor the driver’s head position and/or eyes in relation to the road to help ensure driver attention. These systems work together through “sensor fusion” to provide Ultra Cruise with a confident, 360-degree, threedimensional representation of the

all ADAS features, including Ultra Cruise, is safely deploying these technologies,” said Jason Ditman, GM chief engineer, Ultra Cruise. “A deep knowledge of what Ultra Cruise is capable of, along with the detailed picture provided by its sensors, will help us understand when Ultra Cruise can be engaged and when to hand control back to the driver. We believe consistent, clear operation can help build drivers’ confidence in Ultra Cruise.”

Over time, GM expects customers will be able to travel truly handsfree with Ultra Cruise across nearly every paved public road in the U.S. and Canada, including city streets, subdivision streets and rural roads, in addition to highways.

Vehicles equipped with Ultra Cruise hardware will experience incremental enhancements through over-the-air software updates. GM is focused on expanding ADAS accessibility with the combination of currently available Super Cruise driver assistance technology and soon, Ultra Cruise, bringing these technologies to more

How Ultra Cruise’s sensor suite works: GM is developing Ultra Cruise software in-house with a team of highly skilled software engineers around the world. The company also works with suppliers who are experts in their relative spaces and integrates their sensing technologies with its homegrown software to bring Ultra Cruise to life.

Driver attention system: This small camera, located on the top of the steering column, uses infrared light to help monitor the driver’s head position and/or eyes in relation to the road to help ensure driver attention.

Compute platform: This is the physical hardware that enables Ultra Cruise. The system will be powered by a scalable compute architecture featuring system-on-chips (SoCs) developed by U.S. semiconductor company Qualcomm Technologies.

Long-range cameras: These seven 8-megapixel cameras are located on the front, corners, back and sides of the vehicle, providing expanded fields of view for Ultra Cruise. They help enable the system

and pedestrians.

Short-range radars: Placed on the four corners of the vehicle, these radars are used to help sense a radius of up to 90 meters, like pedestrians crossing the street or vehicles in surrounding lanes.

Long-range radars: The three 4D long-range radars on the front and back of the vehicle allow for Adaptive Cruise Control speeds as well as lane change maneuvers at highway speeds by helping to detect an object’s location, direction and elevation relative to the speed of the vehicle. They also help the system determine safe stopping distances.

LiDAR: The LiDAR, located behind the windshield, helps produce an accurate three-dimensional view of the scene, enabling more precise detection of objects and road features such as vehicles and lane markings, even in inclement weather conditions. Combined with other sensors, it can help create a robust perception of the environment around the vehicle for Ultra Cruise, increasing the system’s functional domain and performance.

2Guys Auto in MA Restores Classic Cars Back To Life

By Jack Guerino iBerkshires

For longtime friends Joe Dean and Mike Libardi, the opening of 2Guys Auto Restoration and Repair in North Adams, MA, is a return to their roots restoring the cars they love from the past.

Dean and Libardi share a passion bordering on obsession with classic cars.

Before opening the shop, the duo always had a “project” and 2Guys is really a formalization of what the two have been doing in garages and driveways for years before.

For more than 40 years, Dean ran Dean’s Quality Auto &Truck Repair, a business started by his late father, Jimmy, in the 1960s. But in the spring of 2021, he decided to sell.

While Dean was getting the sale of the business in order, Libardi was at the new garage on Hodges Cross Road getting things ready. Dean joined him later that summer.

This June will already be two years in business.

The concept really started percolating in 2013, when Libardi returned to the area from the state of Florida, where he owned a body shop and worked for NASCAR on a pit crew.

“My dad got sick, and I came home to take care of him and kind of never went back. I learned how much racing takes away from your life,” Libardi said. “You are home two days a week and then you are back on a plane again going to the next race.”

Dean himself was getting tired of overseeing his truck repair, plowing and wrecking business that had him out at all hours.

“I went through all of that, and I went through all-of-the-night working … I would start plowing at 2 in the morning, go all the way around, then go back to the shop and work,” he said. “…You get to the point where you want breakfast for supper and supper for breakfast. I could do that as a young guy but once I turned 60, I knew I had to get out.”

When the opportunity to purchase the former Rick’s Auto came around, Dean felt it was time to seriously start thinking about making some changes.

But the move down the street was not turnkey. In Dean’s words: “The place was a dump.”

“I knew it was nice once upon a time … so we went down to take a look,” he said. “You couldn’t get 5 feet inside the door. It was just filled with junk.”

He said pipes had burst, turning two motorcycles, one brand new, into something you would be more apt to see at the bottom of a dredged lake.

But after sifting through the junk, rust and parts, the duo found a canvas on which to build their dream shop. Not too small, not too big, with just room enough to handle the number of cars they want to work on at a time.

Dean and Libardi completely gutted the current structure and put on an addition to accommodate a temperature-controlled state-of-theart spray booth.

2Guys is busy. Dean kept glancing out the window at parked cars that have yet to enter the garage but have entered his mind. Mid-interview he would run through mental lists of parts he needed for these projects taunting him in the parking lot. Parts he was pretty sure he had stored at home in his 40-year-old collection.

“People find out we are working on old cars and suddenly we have a waiting list,” Dean said. “We have five in motion now and there are probably eight, 10 more out there. We have four coming out of Florida this summer.”

The hot rod community is pretty tight. Dean said everyone typically knows what each other has. But when they opened, Dean said he had no idea so many people had these classic cars stowed away in garages and barns waiting for a worthy mechanic to bring them back to life.

competitions including a Pontiac that scored 394 out of 400 at a national Pontiac competition.

“These are Pontiac national events. These are Pontiac judges climbing all over the car. One clip missing, that is a point,” Dean said.

Libardi, the shop perfectionist, was haunted by the six points they lost because of the Pontiac’s carpet.

“We didn’t do anything to the rear carpet. It was tucked up underneath because there wasn’t enough. It was only a quarter of an inch up underneath, but it needed to be a half inch,” he said. “We didn’t cut it, it was all we had. But that is what they are looking at.”

Sometimes Dean and Libardi take on passion projects that hold sentimental value to the owners.

You can’t bring your Honda Civic down to 2Guys or your dinged-up minivan. Maybe they will take a look at your Firebird from the mid-’80s. Otherwise, Dean and Libardi aren’t interested.

The determining factor: computers.

“Once you start getting into computers and fuel injection, it is not fun anymore,” Dean said. “I want to turn screws on that little mixture on the carburetor. I want to make that respond.”

And there is a need for this specialization and, according to Dean, there are few who can work on these old cars.

“The young guys don’t understand these cars, and you can’t look it up on a laptop. You have to touch it, feel it, turn the screw, wrench the bolt,” Dean said. “We know all of that. We grew up doing it. I grew up in my grandfather’s shop. I learned how to set up a rear end … I did my first bearing job on a motor when I was 14.”

Libardi agreed and shared that his own origin story almost mirrored Dean’s, adding being steeped in these old car parts gave them an education that seemed to be a thing of the past.

“I was always into cars and grew up around it with my uncle,” he said. “I was doing mechanical stuff and changing oil when I was 12 years old. In eighth grade, I was pumping gas. I would check the oil and wipe the windshield. I couldn’t reach the middle.”

They did see the irony when complaining about a 1914 pickup truck they worked on that had kerosene lights and no electrical system. They had to use the old hand crank and magneto method to get it started.

“We didn’t have the slightest idea what was out there. If I had known 10 years ago, I would have turned that shop into a hot rod shop,” Dean said. “Because I could have kept everybody slammed. We could have put four more bays down there with four more guys and still not keep up.”

2Guys has done total and partial restorations. They have rebuilt classic cars that have gone on to

Although the two understand this value, they do try to talk clients toward more sensible, cost-effective, less challenging designs that would at least drive straight and have working doors—mostly to no avail.

“Someone has an attachment and you can’t talk them out of it,” Libardi said. “Sentimental value is often more than value.”

They recalled one client who brought in a beat-up ‘70s Chevy

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 42

Joe Dean and Mike Libardi of 2Guys Auto Restoration with one of the classic cars they’re working on

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Collision Repairers Place 29 Carriers on Insurer Report Card

Honor Roll

Among more than 87 auto insurance companies graded by collision repairers in terms of how well they work to ensure quality repairs and customer service, 29 received a “B” or higher to earn a spot on the Honor Roll in the 2023 CRASH Network Insurer Report Card.

Ten companies, including four of the largest U.S. auto insurers, received a grade of “C-” or lower. In fact, none of the Top 10 largest, best-known auto insurers received an overall grade higher than a “C+,” with more than 50 insurers scoring higher.

Body shops were asked to evaluate how well each insurer’s “policies, attitude and payment practices ensure quality repairs and customer service for motorists.” North Carolina Farm Bureau (“A+”), Chubb (“A-”) and Erie Insurance (“A-”) finished with the top grades among all insurers, just as they have since 2020. While many of the highestgraded insurers—including Acuity Insurance (“B+”), Grinnell Mutual

(“B+”) and Pemco Mutual (“B+”)— do not sell policies in all 50 states, consumers are likely to find one or more of the Honor Roll insurers offering coverage where they live.

More than 1,000 individual body shops around the country each graded as many as 30 different insurance companies in their state.

“Unlike most consumers, who typically have an auto claim only once a decade, collision repairers interact with the claims departments at these companies on a daily basis,” CRASH Network’s John Yoswick said. “That gives them an opportunity to see which companies are better at taking care of policyholders when they have a claim—and which ones have room for improvement. That’s why we see the Insurer Report Card providing helpful information for consumers as they consider which insurer to choose. They might see companies here they otherwise might not have considered.”

Shops participating in the Insurer Report Card said the

highest-graded insurers put “customer safety first and foremost,” “are fast and efficient” about claims handling, “employ people who care about what they do” and “actually care about their customers.”

They criticized the insurers to which they gave lower grades, saying those companies have “disorganized claims processes,” “don’t seem to care about the repair procedures designated by the automakers,” and “have us ordering parts all over the country just because of cost, even though they don’t arrive in a timely manner and are not quality parts.”

The list of highest-graded insurers in 2023 was remarkably consistent with prior years’ findings; among the 10 highestgraded insurers in this year’s Insurance Report Card, eight were in the Top 10 last year as well.

A free report with the 2023 Insurer Report Card findings can be downloaded at https://www. crashnetwork.com/irc

Source: CRASH Network

2023 World Class Technicians Announced

The Auto Care Association announced the latest recipients of the World Class Technician Award in partnership with the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE).

The two organizations provide this annual recognition to professional technicians who have attained ASE certification in 22 specific areas during the previous calendar year.

There are an estimated 887,000 technicians in the U.S., with approximately 250,000 holding ASE certification. As of now, there are 2,224 technicians who have earned the respected status of “World Class Technician” since its inception more than 30 years ago.

For more information about the Auto Care Association’s World Class Technician certification qualifications, timing and recognition, visit www. autocare.org/networkingand-development/awardsand-scholarships/world-classtechnician

Source: Auto Care Association

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pickup. With it, he had a picture of himself and his sister as children sitting on a camper stored in the bed of a similar truck.

“It was a picture of his father’s truck. He said it was red and white, it is a CST high trim truck. He said, ‘this is what I want, build it,’” Dean said.

The project took more than six months and nearly 850 hours.

“We took it all the way down to the naked frame, blasted and painted the frame, and came back up through. Suspension, virgin motor rebuild, transmission, new brakes, all new body panels,” Dean said. “Added vintage air and all Cheyenne trim on it. That was well over a $100,000 job.”

Dean praised Libardi’s work, noting he was so diligent you would think the truck would be permanently sat in a museum.

But to Libardi’s dismay, the owner had not planned to stow his magnum opus away only to be brought out for special occasions—he was going to put some miles on the truck.

Dean said the owner has a camper loaded in the back, just like in the photo. And during the summer, travels the country camping with his two dogs, cats and bird.

Dean said the client told him he could buy a brand-new truck for cheaper, but he wanted to be able to repair it on the road without the aid of proprietary computers, a sentiment Dean and Libardi completely understood.

Oftentimes they conduct partial restores, undoing the mess others have made.

“We have had several jobs that were started somewhere else. That is the tough part. You don’t know what has been done,” Dean said. “We got a Chevelle, we looked at it, and we started over … he had $30,000 in that car, and we tore it down. It was garbage.”

Dean and Libardi are right where they want to be. When asked if Dean missed the wrecker business, he let out a resounding “no.”

Although the hard late hours were important to him, he was done with it.

“I had my time with it and now I am making up time. I learned from my father. I remember before I had my license, he would knock on my door and say, ‘We got one over an embankment I might need your help,’” he said. “I have been doing it my whole life. My father’s first wrecker was a 1948 Ford snub nose. I used to stand in between the bucket seats and go to wrecks with him and help the best I could.”

Libardi echoed Dean and said moving on from hectic schedules is part of getting old and a reason why he decided to stay.

“You get old and that’s what happens,” he laughed.

When asked if they had any desire to expand, Dean let out another unequivocal “no,” noting things are perfect as is.

“We are going to run with what we got until we can’t anymore. We have plenty of cars to work on,” he said.

He said they have one employee—a younger guy in his 20s—who knows all the old ways. As long as they own the shop, things will be kept small.

But, he added, after two years in business, they are not opposed to selling the shop. Dean said if they were handed a “check with enough zeroes” someone could be in the shop “tomorrow.”

It doesn’t matter to 2Guys if they are working out of their dream shop or their back yard, because the important thing is bringing these classic cars back to life and reconnecting them to their owners. Exhuming them from garages and barns and bringing them back or surpassing their former majesty.

“We have a little shop to work out of at my house. I got a bay up there,” Dean said. “We can go there and putter and keep ourselves busy.”

Honda, I-CAR Offer Online Training

I-CAR® on March 9 announced American Honda Motor Company enhanced its partnership with I-CAR.

The transition to I-CAR’s learning management system will support technicians with streamlined training easily accessible in one platform alongside all other I-CAR courses. It also enables those repair facilities that currently have a Gold Class® training subscription to complete their Honda network training requirements with no additional fees.

The online courses will be available at I-CAR.com soon for both the Honda/Acura Certified Collision Network, including 1,800 repair centers, and all collision repair professionals.

“The team at I-CAR is excited to support Honda/Acura with future delivery of 10 required online courses for collision repair facilities in their network,” said Greg Ross , I-CAR vice president of sales and marketing.

Source: I-CAR

Vehicle Thefts Nationwide Surpassed 1 Million in 2022

Law enforcement agencies and communities across the U.S. continue to be plagued by record and near-record levels of vehicular crime as monthly theft totals nationwide consistently exceeded 75,000 in 2022.

According to new analysis conducted by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, more than 1 million vehicles were stolen last year, marking a 7% increase over 2021.

Vehicle theft data, provided by the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) and analyzed by NICB, indicates more than 250,000 thefts were reported in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone.

California and Texas led the nation with the most reported stolen vehicles in 2022, and Illinois had the largest increase of any top 10 state with thefts increasing by an estimated 35% between 2021 and 2022. Similarly, vehicle thefts increased by 31% in Washington state over the same period.

“We are seeing vehicle theft

numbers that we haven’t seen in nearly 15 years, and there is very little deterrent to stop criminals from committing these acts as they are just property crimes, like shoplifting,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB.

“We must reinvest in local law enforcement, provide the necessary resources for prosecution and community policing programs, and implement early intervention programs given the high incidence of juvenile offenders involved in vehicle thefts.”

According to NICB analysis, the U.S. is seeing the highest vehicle theft numbers since 2008, when 1.05 million vehicles were reported stolen. “NICB, along with our partners in law enforcement, are proactively working to prevent and deter vehicle theft, but vehicle owners should stay vigilant,” said Glawe. “Remember, practicing good personal security hygiene is an easy and effective first step all of us can take to protect ourselves and our vehicles. Don’t leave your car running and unattended. Always take your keys with you and most

importantly, make sure your auto policy is up to date. It is that simple.”

NICB Tips to Avoid Becoming a Victim of Vehicle Theft:

1. Always practice good security hygiene.

2. Make sure your auto policy is up to date.

3. Roll up your windows, lock your doors, and take the keys or fob.

4. Park in well-lit areas and, when possible, areas staffed by security

5. Park personal vehicles in a garage. If not possible, and vehicles must be parked in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights. While lights may not provide complete security, it may make some thieves think twice, making them leave the area and your vehicle untouched.

Should your vehicle be stolen, call law enforcement and your insurer immediately. Reporting a vehicle as soon as possible after it is stolen increases the chance of recovery.

If you believe you have been a victim of fraud, call the NICB at 1-800-TEL-NICB.

S ource: NICB

CIECA Welcomes Classic Collision

Classic Collision has joined CIECA as a corporate member. Based in Atlanta, GA, the company was established in 1983 with a single goal: to offer quality service to its customers with integrity and honesty.

Kayla Clark , Classic Collision’s vice president of business development, said the company is one of the largest privately held national providers of auto body repair services, with 213 repair facilities in 15 states across the U.S. Classic Collision holds numerous manufacturer certifications and factorydirect training.

“For almost 40 years, the company has put customer satisfaction first in all we do,” said Clark. “We are proud to provide high-quality auto body repairs with properly trained technicians and the appropriate equipment.”

Source: CIECA

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Ford Applies For Patent That Allows It To Repossess Cars Remotely

By Phoebe Wall Howard Detroit Free Press

Ford Motor Company has applied for a patent on a system designed to try and get people to clear up late car payments that, when all else fails, could lead to cars driving themselves to repo lots. A patent application from Ford Global Technologies was filed with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office on Aug. 20, 2021, and formally published Feb. 23 for public review as part of the official process.

The patent is pending, not yet granted, Ford spokesman Wes Sherwood confirmed to the Detroit Free Press on March 1.

The patent application describes new “systems and methods to repossess a vehicle.” Inventors are listed as Anthony Maraldo of Southgate, Brendan Diamond of Grosse Pointe, Keith Weston of Canton and Michael Alan Mcnees of Flat Rock, all Ford engineers. They describe in the patent application a range of possibilities that include the car driving itself off private property to be picked up by

a tow truck or taking it to a junkyard if the value is too low based on mileage and other factors.

Avoid ‘Confrontation’

The patent application reviewed by the Free Press outlines a series of strategies to resolve nonpayment, which include sending reminder messages and a warning from banks or other lending institutions to the owner’s smart phone or vehicle display screen. After a period of days or weeks, the process may evolve to include audio that makes an “unpleasant” sound with tone, pitch, cadence, beat or volume to get the owner to contact the lender about arranging payment. Then the car may disable features such as window or seat controls, GPS or radio dials to “cause discomfort,” the patent said. The pages of the patent application spelled out in great detail how the design and embedded software may be used and noted that it’s “preferable not to provoke an undesirable confrontation.”

Will It or Won’t It Be Used?

The patent also spells out ways

that delinquent owners can keep their vehicle while working toward payment, such as locking the vehicle on weekends only so that the driver can still access a job or geofencing the vehicle’s range.

“The first thing to know is that if your vehicle is connected to the internet in any way, this system could theoretically work on it. The application likewise describes a ‘repossession computer’ that could be installed on future cars to make this system function smoothly, but it also states no extra hardware necessarily needs to be installed on the vehicle for it to function,” said thedrive.com, which first reported the story Feb. 27. “Basically, if your car has an infotainment system already set up to receive something like over-the-air updates, this could probably work without physical modifications.”

The Dearborn, MI, automaker declined to comment on whether the company plans to implement the idea for a new software system in any of its vehicles through factory installation or over-the-air updates.

Auto Repossessions Climbing Nationally

The new system has not been installed in current Ford products, and the company cannot discuss future plans, Sherwood told the Free Press on March 1.

“We submit patents on new inventions as a normal course of business but they aren’t necessarily an indication of new business or product plans,” he said. While Ford owns a financing entity known as Ford Credit, the 2022 Ford corporate earnings presentation actually showed a steady decline in repossessions from 2018 through 2022. However, consumer trends show banks and other lending institutions may be looking to get more aggressive.

In December, NBC News reported consumers were falling behind on car payments. A month later, Bloomberg reported, “Americans fell behind on car payments at a higher rate than in 2009. Automobile repossessions climbing...”

Years ago, Mel Farr, a Detroit Lions running back who retired in 1974 and bought his first Ford dealership in 1975 and went on to

run an automotive empire, made headlines for using a device to disable vehicles he leased out when customers failed to make timely payments. According to a Free Press story in 2000, lawyers for 1,550 customers agreed to drop a class-action lawsuit against Mel Farr Automotive Group over the engine disabling device in exchange for $200 in coupons for car services at the dealership.

Farr was willing to work with customers with bad credit and did so with high interest rates, but some customers alleged their cars shut down while they were driving. He died at age 70 in 2015.

Autel, Repairify Announce Agreement For Remote Diagnostics, Calibrations and Services

Repairify™, Inc., a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC, and Autel U.S., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd., on March 1 announced an exclusive long-term collaboration agreement for the delivery of Repairify’s patented global OEM remote solutions for diagnostics, calibrations and programming through Autel’s remote capable products across North America.

As part of the agreement, Repairify will integrate its leading patented global remote diagnostic, calibration and programming solutions as a new service offering into a revised version of Autel’s Remote Expert platform. Repairify and Autel will jointly manage the platform that will now offer customers the choice of using the certified and warrantied OEM remote solutions from Repairify, along with the independent Remote Experts, vetted for their experience, who are already serving the platform.

Autel’s Remote Expert,

launched in 2022, provides customers onsite aftermarket scanning and access to remote OEM tools supported by experienced professionals. Remote Expert is available through the Autel MaxiSYS Ultra, Ultra EV, MS919, MS909 and MS909 EV diagnostics tablets. Remote Expert will also be expanded into Autel’s ADAS calibration systems.

“We are excited to enter into this collaboration with Repairify,” said Autel U.S. CEO Chloe Hung. “Autel developed the Remote Expert platform to provide our users remote access to specialized and experienced module programmers and diagnosticians. We are very proud that its success drew the attention of a company of such quality and industry success as Repairify. We are confident that this partnership will benefit both companies and, most importantly, be of immense value to our users.”

Repairify and Autel are

industry leaders in their respective markets. Combining the Repairify remote services solutions program with the Autel Remote Expert Platform delivers what automotive repair professionals have requested for years, a seamless experience that delivers fast, accurate, certified and safe vehicle repairs with the choice of aftermarket or OEM tool support.

“Since its launch into the North American market in 2005, Autel has been known for their consistent delivery of leading innovative solutions across the mechanical and collision markets,” said Cris Hollingsworth, president of Repairify Global Holdings. “Repairify is honored to embark on this partnership and to broaden the reach of our solutions through the new and existing Autel network of customers.”

For additional information, visit Repairify online at www.repairify. com.

Source: Repairify, Inc.

Up To 153,000 Catalytic Converters Stolen in 2022

Recent media reports vastly undercounted catalytic converter thefts in the U.S., new CARFAX data shows. Thieves removed the devices from as many as 153,000 vehicles in the U.S. in 2022, far more than earlier estimates.

CARFAX data scientists reviewed catalytic converter replacements from millions of service and maintenance records to arrive at this number.

Thieves are committing “opportunistic crimes,” said Sgt. Matt Casavant with the Maine State Police. “Parking lots—even ones that were well lit—were getting hit. Car dealerships are getting hit on a regular basis, too. The thieves were so brazen that it didn’t matter. My kid drives a Subaru and I won’t let her leave her car overnight at the school or other places because it’s a highvalue target.”

Criminals steal catalytic converters because of the precious metals—platinum, palladium and rhodium—contained inside each device. Thieves can cut them from beneath vehicles in a matter of seconds, leading to a rude

awakening for vehicle owners. Once the converter is removed, not only will the car make a loud noise when started, but it can cost owners thousands of dollars to replace that missing catalytic converter—especially if consumers don’t have the right type of car insurance.

9. Toyota Tacoma

10. Chevrolet Cruze

Depending on where you’re located in the country, certain vehicles are targeted more heavily. Car owners looking to prevent catalytic converter theft should:

• Park in a well-lit area.

• Park in your garage if possible, instead of in the driveway or on the street.

• If you must park in a driveway, consider installing motion sensor security lights.

• Install a catalytic converter antitheft device.

CIECA Welcomes Opus IVS

Opus IVS (Intelligent Vehicle Support) has joined CIECA as a corporate member. Established in 2020, the company focuses on helping the vehicle maintenance and collision industry safely repair and maintain complex vehicles through OEM-approved diagnostic tools, remote services and live repair assistance.

CARFAX has compiled a nationwide list of the top 2022 targets for these precious-metal thieves:

1. Ford F-Series pickup trucks

2. Honda Accord

3. Toyota Prius

4. Honda CR-V

5. Ford Explorer

6. Ford Econoline vans

7. Chevrolet Equinox

8. Chevrolet Silverado

• Have a muffler shop etch your vehicle’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on the converter and spray it with a highly visible, high-heat paint. Doing so enables law enforcement to track converters, which in turn could lead police to the thieves.

Gone in 66 seconds: See video of a catalytic converter being removed from a vehicle: https:// www.carfax.com/press/videogallery

Source: CARFAX

Opus IVS was formed from a consortium of companies, including Drew Technologies, Autologic, AutoEnginuity, Farsight, Bluelink and Auto Techcelerators. The earliest, Drew Technologies, was established in 1996.

Approximately 400 employees work for Opus IVS in seven offices spread over three continents. The company is a part of Opus Group, a global inspection company with more than 2,700 employees worldwide. Opus Group’s largest owner is Searchlight Capital.

Opus IVS learned about CIECA through the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and other organizations and personnel.

Source: CIECA

Dannmar Updates SwingArm Tire Changers

Updated Dannmar® DT-50 and DT50A tire changers are engineered to maximize efficiency to help keep work—and profits—flowing.

Both tire changers feature a swing-arm design that facilitates quick loading, with steel clamps to efficiently handle 12- to 26-inch wheels, including challenging lowprofile and run-flat beads. For the stiffest sidewalls, the DT-50A adds a power-assist tower.

They are built to last in even the busiest shops, with sturdy bodies, rigid hexagonal vertical shafts and hardened-steel horizontal outrigger support arms that eliminate flex during tire service and reduce the risk of damage to alloy wheels. Their compact, non-tilt-back design adds to their versatility since they can be installed flush against walls.

Dannmar is offering special reduced pricing on all its wheel service equipment through its Big Deals promotion until March 31. Learn more at dannmar.com. For customer support or to order by phone, call (800) 253-2363.

Source: Dannmar

Tesla Cybertruck’s Ultra-Hard Cold-Rolled Steel Confirmed

By Steven Loveday InsideEVs

The Tesla Cybertruck will be unlike any other vehicle on the road today, not only thanks to its crazy design, but also the material it’s made of and how its structure works.

The Cybertruck will wear a body that’s actually an exoskeleton made of ultra-hard cold-rolled stainless steel. Tesla just applied for a patent for the material, and CEO Elon Musk confirmed it.

It has been known from the beginning the Cybertruck was to be made of cold-rolled stainless steel, one of the reasons it’s to be so unique. It also won’t be painted. The Tesla electric pickup truck will come from the factory in just a single color, and we can only imagine people are going to have a field day wrapping it. Tesla noted early on it planned to develop its own alloy for the Cybertruck’s exterior, which comes as no surprise since it seems the EV maker tries to do as much as

possible in-house. Now, the news is spreading Tesla applied for an official patent for the special material. A portion of the patent, titled “Ultra-Hard Cold-Worked

as an ‘exoskeleton.’” The patent mentions other prospective embodiments, though it seems clear it’s all in reference to the upcoming Cybertruck.

If there were any doubt about the materials and their use, Musk may have cast them away. Tesmanian tweeted a link to an article about the patent, and the CEO responded on Twitter with just two words: “New metal.”

Steel Alloy,” reads as follows: “In some embodiments, at least one exterior panel and/or body of the vehicle comprises the steel alloy. In some embodiments, the vehicle architecture is designed such that the exterior panels of the vehicle also contribute to the vehicle’s structural performance, wherein such exterior paneling of a vehicle may be referred to

The Cybertruck is due to come to market later this year, with large-scale production coming in 2024, as Musk also confirmed again. However, there hasn’t been any official information about the company or companies that will manufacture the new metal for Tesla, but there’s been some talk on social media about a company called Steel Dynamics.

Steel Dynamics has a huge factory in Texas not too far from Tesla’s Gigafactory. Hopefully, since early production is expected to start soon, we’ll get more information in the near future.

-Kevin Donnelly, Parts Manager

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

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CCC Releases 2023 ‘Crash Course’ Report

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. announced March 14 the availability of its annual Crash Course report, which identifies trends impacting the P&C insurance economy, a multifaceted industry advancing the future of personal mobility and safer roadways. The report delivers insights on the convergence of economic, social and technological shifts reshaping driving behaviors, vehicle ownership, automotive insurance and claims handling, collision repair and more.

Crash Course 2023 is the 28th edition of CCC’s industry-leading report, which draws insights from the more than $100 billion in transactions processed annually through CCC’s solutions by its 30,000 customers, which include automakers, insurers, collision repairers, lenders, parts suppliers and more. The report draws from the company’s decades of experience and information derived from more than 280 million claims-related transactions, 50 billion driving miles of driving data, and millions of bodily injury and personal injury protection

(PIP)/medical payments (MedPay) casualty claims.

“Macroeconomic trends like inflation, supply chain constraints and labor shortages are putting

pressure on an industry that is simultaneously managing through major advancements in vehicle technology, including the growing popularity of advanced driver safety systems (ADAS) and EVs,” said Jason Verlen , CCC’s vice president, product marketing. “Together these factors are shifting insurability and repairability models and related cost and service dynamics. To

advance, participants across the ecosystem are unifying around the consumer and leveraging technology with the shared aim of getting drivers back on the road safely, efficiently and affordably.” Verlen continued, “This year’s Crash Course explores these factors and more, providing data and analysis on the industry’s path forward. We’ve subtitled our report ‘The Era of Experience’ as businesses across the industry navigate the balance between automation, AI and the human touch, to facilitate richer, more personalized consumer experiences with their customers.”

Key topics covered in Crash Course 2023 include:

• Shifts in consumer driving behaviors and the changing nature of auto accidents, resulting in more severe vehicle damage and bodily injury.

• The impact of labor shortages on vehicle repair and medical

treatment costs, claim and repair resolution times, and consumers’ experiences with the overall claims process.

• Growing consumer interest in new vehicle technology—ADAS and EVs—and the benefits and subsequent increases in repair complexity.

• Increasing proliferation of advanced technology—AI, mobile, cloud and the Internet of Things—embedded in claims and repair processes to temper the effects of macro trends and user experiences.

• A view into what’s next for the operational future of automakers, insurers, repairers and other ecosystem providers.

In addition to macro trends and topics, CCC Crash Course 2023 also includes industry-level detail on claims frequency and severity, parts costs and utilization, total loss trends and more.

Download the full report at cccis.com/crash-course/

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

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New York Pennsylvania Maryland

MINI of Montgomery County Gaithersburg

240-238-1204 Parts

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M-F 7:30-6:00; Sat 8-4 minipartsmd@ miniofmontgomerycounty.com

Keeler MINI Latham

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MINI of Allentown Allentown

610-820-2950 Parts

(610) 336-8125 Fax

M-F 8-5:30 parts@danielsbmw.com

Credit: Shutterstock.

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

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BMW of Darien

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BMW of Silver Spring Silver Spring

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M-F 7:30am-5pm

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www.bmwofsilverspring.com

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BMW of Bloomfield Bloomfield 888-261-6471

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

WIN Announces 2023 Most Influential Women Award Recipients

In celebration of 2023 International Women’s Day on March 8, The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced the recipients of its 2023 Most Influential Women (MIW) awards, honoring women whose career achievements have enhanced the collision repair industry. Six remarkable women will be recognized as new MIWs this year at a gala held during WIN’s 2023 Annual Conference May 1-3 in San Antonio, TX. The Most Influential Women award was established in 1999 to recognize women whose leadership, vision and commitment to excellence have enriched the collision repair industry. With the addition of this year’s MIWs, more than 100 women have been recognized by WIN for their contributions to the collision repair industry. Winners are chosen by an independent selection committee comprised of industry professionals, which reviews nominees and selects award recipients based on established criteria, such as industry influence, professional accomplishments, mentorship and community service.

The winners of the 2023 MIW awards are:

• Traci Calkins, regional sales manager, PPG

• April Lausch, collision center manager, Faulkner Collision Center of Lancaster

• Lakeitria Luter, director, Service King/Crash Champions

• Yohanna Peet, training program manager, Caliber

• Jaime Shewbridge, welding instructor, I-CAR

• Sabrina Thring, chief operation officer, Driven Brands

“Through their dedication to excellence, commitment to community and investment in the future through their willingness to mentor other women, these six extraordinary ladies have made a huge impact on the collision repair industry,” said Jenny Anderson, WIN immediate past chairperson and 2023 committee chair of MIW. “Their exemplary journeys show all women that anything is possible when you put in the work.”

“These industry professionals serve as shining examples of the array of opportunities that are available in collision repair, as well as testaments to the positive impact that women can have in this and all

other fields,” added Rachel Hinson, MIW committee co-chair. “WIN is excited to recognize six amazing women with MIW awards this year. We can’t wait to celebrate you at this year’s conference!”

Registration is now open for the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) 2023 Educational Conference. This year’s conference, under the theme of “Reimagining Tomorrow,” will be held May 1-3 at the WESTIN San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX.

Conference attendees will experience three days of industry learning, mentorship, celebration and community giveback. They will celebrate women in collision repair by acknowledging new scholarships, take part in scholarship fundraising, and honoring this year’s Most Influential Women recipients. For those not able to attend in person, there is also a hybrid online version available. To register for the conference and view the agenda, visit thewomensindustrynetwork. site-ym.com/page/Conference

For more information on WIN, visit thewomensindustrynetwork.site-ym. com/

Source: WIN

Crash Champions Appoints Board Member

Crash Champions, LLC, announced Feb. 27 the appointment of Tom Feeney to its Board of Directors.

Feeney has more than 45 years of leadership experience primarily in the automotive services industry, having most recently served as the president and CEO of Safelite Group®, a multi-faceted vehicle glass and claims management service. During his 14-year tenure as president and CEO, he was responsible for significant growth of the business and a threefold increase in the number of associates.

In recognition of his 35 years of service and contributions to establishing the company’s vision and brand, Feeney was named chairman emeritus.

Today, Crash Champions operates a leading network of high-quality collision repair centers serving customers and business partners in 36 states and the District of Columbia.

Source: Crash Champions

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GM To Halt Truck Production

By Steven Symes Motorious

It’s not uncommon for automakers to engage in practices to control dealer inventories, but General Motors’ recent decision to stop production at its Indiana truck plant is dramatic.

Quite a few people were caught off guard by the move to idle Fort Wayne Assembly for two weeks, starting March 27. Some have erroneously concluded this is GM trying to keep inventories low so it and dealers can keep raking in big profits, but the truth is far different.

The reality is truck inventories at Chevrolet and GMC dealers are starting to pile up as demand softens. That turn of the market has shocked many, since just a year ago trucks were king, with bloated sales prices which more often than not punched well above MSRP.

After shopper demand surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, the party has come

to an abrupt halt. Interest rates continue to climb, inflation has pinched everyone and people no longer are eager to shell out big money for a new truck or much of anything that isn’t absolutely necessary.

In other words, all the talk about 2023 not being a rocky year for the auto market is ringing increasingly hollow. As shoppers’ ability to borrow money is diminished and everyone has less expendable income than they did even a year ago, automakers are looking at some lean times ahead.

Before you think this is just a GM problem, Cox Automotive provided inventory data to Reuters that confirms Ford and Ram are struggling as well. While the Detroit Three try keeping dealer inventories lower than they were in 2019, this market downturn is throwing a monkey wrench in that scheme. For anyone who can afford to buy a new truck in the coming months, they will have far more negotiating power than during the height of pandemic.

U.S. Starts $2.5B Funding Program To Develop EV Charging Infrastructure

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

The White House opened applications March 14 for a $2.5 billion funding program to expand EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure in America’s urban and rural communities.

Created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law signed in 2021, the Charging and Fueling Infrastructure (CFI) program provides $2.5 billion over five years to eligible applicants, which include states, cities, local agencies and tribes. The first round makes available up to $700 million from fiscal years 2022 and 2023 funding to strategically deploy publicly accessible EV chargers and hydrogen, propane or natural gas fueling infrastructure in urban and rural communities, as well as along designated Alternative Fuel Corridors (AFCs).

The EV chargers and alternative fueling infrastructure will be placed along designated highways, interstates and major roadways, as well as in downtown areas and

neighborhoods, particularly in underserved and disadvantaged communities. The grant funding is divided into two categories: a $1.25 billion community program for EV charging and alternative fueling infrastructure built on any public road or other publicly accessible locations such as schools or parks, and a $1.25 billion corridor program for projects along designated alternative fuel corridors. Applications are due May 30 for both categories. The CFI Discretionary Grant Program builds on an additional $5 billion provided to states over the next five years through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program and is designed to fill in EV charging gaps to achieve President Joe Biden’s vision of a cross-country road trip compatible with EVs.

The Biden administration said the funding opportunity is a “key step” toward achieving the goal of building a national network of 500,000 public EV charging stations. At least 40% of the grant program’s benefits will go to disadvantaged communities, particularly rural and tribal.

NEW JERSEY

AAA: Fear of Self-Driving Cars on the Rise

By Brittany Moye AAA

The results of AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey show that while there is still a high level of interest in partially-automated vehicle technology, attitudes toward fully self-driving vehicles have become increasingly apprehensive.

This year there was a major increase in drivers who are afraid, rising to 68%, compared to 55% in 2022. This is a 13% jump from last year’s survey and the biggest increase since 2020*.

AAA believes automakers must be diligent in creating an environment that promotes the use of more advanced vehicle technologies in a secure, reliable and educational manner. This includes the consistent naming of vehicle systems available to consumers today.

“We were not expecting such a dramatic decline in trust from previous years,” said Greg Brannon, director of automotive research for AAA. “Although with the number of high-profile crashes that have occurred from over-reliance on current vehicle technologies, this

isn’t entirely surprising.”

Even with advancements made in recent years, these findings suggest improvements are still needed to build public trust and knowledge surrounding emerging vehicle technology. There is also a need to dispel confusion around automated vehicles.

AAA’s survey found nearly one in 10 drivers believe they can buy a vehicle that drives itself while they sleep. Currently, there is no such vehicle available for purchase by the public that would allow someone to fully disengage from the task of driving.

This perception could stem from misleading or confusing names of vehicle systems that are on the market. AAA found 22% of Americans expect driver support systems, with names like Autopilot, ProPILOT or Pilot Assist, to have the ability to drive the car by itself without any supervision, indicating a gap in consumer understanding.

What are Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS)? Consumers aren’t entirely opposed to advanced vehicle technology. In fact, six in 10

U.S. drivers would “definitely” or “probably” want these systems in their next car purchase.

Examples of ADAS include blind spot warning, adaptive cruise control and automatic emergency braking.

is also the only ADAS classified as Level 2 automation as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers.

A fully self-driving vehicle is one capable of operating without human involvement. A human driver is not required to control the vehicle at any time, nor required to be present in the vehicle while moving. These vehicles are not available for purchase by consumers and are classified as Level 5 automation as defined by the SAE.

Active driving assistance (ADA) is also considered ADAS; however, it differs in functionality from other systems. ADA combines braking, accelerating and steering through a combined use of adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance. This technology actively assists the driver versus other ADAS that only turns on when needed. ADA

“AAA seeks to partner with automakers to create greater consistency across the industry. Together, we can help consumers understand the type of technology their vehicle has along with how, when and where to use these systems, which will ultimately build trust in the vehicles of the future,” said Brannon.

*AAA has conducted its annual Autonomous Vehicle (AV) Survey since 2016; data not comparable to years prior to 2021 due to change in methodology.

Source: AAA

Credit: Shutterstock.

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

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

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

By Mark Kane InsideEVs

Tesla is moving forward with applying improvements to the low-voltage system of its electric vehicles, which was operating at roughly 12 volts, the same as in the vast majority of other cars

During the recent 2023 Investor Day, Tesla representatives confirmed the intention to introduce a 48V system, still a rare solution in the automotive industry.

The first step for Tesla was the switch from 12V lead-acid auxiliary batteries to 12V lithiumion auxiliary batteries, announced in February 2021, and initially launched in the refreshed Tesla Model S/Model X and later in the Model 3/Model Y.

According to Tesla, the old leadacid batteries were a major source of failures in Tesla cars, and they needed a replacement about every four years. The new lithium-ion batteries are expected to withstand the lifetime of the car—just like the main traction battery—so there should be no replacement needed.

That’s the obvious

improvement, on top of which comes a smaller size and 87% reduction in weight.

Tesla said starting with the Cybertruck—starting production this year—the Optimus robot and all future EVs, the 48V low-voltage system will be used.

For reference, the automotive industry moved from 6V to 12V in the 1960s; currently smaller vehicles might still use 6V, while larger vehicles use 24V.

Tesla will use a 48V system because it will reduce the current by a factor of four, compared to 12V systems. This voltage level is still considered safe.

The increase in voltage is a necessity as power demand for onboard electrical devices steadily increases and at 12V, the wires are becoming thick, heavy and costly. With a 48V system, there will be noticeable weight and cost savings, while at the same time, efficiency might increase.

That’s an interesting change, which will also require a new 48V lithium-ion auxiliary battery, which, in the case of Tesla, might be produced in-house.

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.

Tesla Accused of Monopolizing Repairs, Parts in Consumer Lawsuit

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Tesla is facing a lawsuit from customers who allege the company’s monopoly in maintenance, repair services and replacement parts has led to high prices and long waiting times.

On March 14, a class action antitrust lawsuit was filed in San Francisco federal court on behalf of Virginia M. Lambrix, the owner of a Tesla Model S. In the lawsuit, Lambrix said owners of conventional cars have several options for maintenance and repairs. They can even perform repairs and maintenance themselves. The complaint said traditional car repairs can also use OEM parts or those made by other companies. The complaint argued Tesla owners do not have these options. When it comes to service and repair, Tesla owners can only use the company’s parts. The vehicles must also be serviced only through the company or its lineup of Tesla-approved service centers. The suit alleged this

Porsche

limitation is due to Tesla using its market power to restrict services for maintenance and repair, as reported by Bloomberg News. As noted in the complaint, Tesla’s practices when it comes to repairs and maintenance have resulted in Tesla owners suffering from “lengthy delays in repairing or maintaining their electric vehicles.” The complaint also said owners “pay supracompetitive prices for those parts and repairs once they are finally provided.” Tesla has not issued a comment as of writing.  Tesla’s areas for improvement when it comes to its vehicles’ repairs have been known for some time. And while the company has initiated a number of strategies that could help address repair needs quicker, the growth of Tesla’s fleet means there is also an ever-growing number of vehicles to repair. This has paved the way for opportunities for other automakers. General Motors, for example, said late last year it has a growing Tesla repair business, thanks in part to its vast dealer network.

Cityside Subaru

Belmont

(617) 826-5013

(617) 489-0733 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5:30 parts@citysidesubaru.com

Long Automotive Group

Framingham (800) 982-2298

(508) 879-1212 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-5 tschube@longauto.com

Metrowest Subaru LLC

Natick

(888) 456-2200

(508) 745-2004

(508) 647-1539 Fax

Mon.-Sat. 7-9 parts@metrowestsubaru.com

Think Genuine Subaru Parts.

Belknap Subaru

Tilton

(800) 358-4029

(603) 729-1300

(603) 729-1301 Fax

Mon., Wed., Fri. 7:30-5

Tue., Thu. 7:30-7; Sat. 9-3 awright@belknapsubaru.com

Liberty Subaru

Emerson

(888) 782-9493

(201) 261-3261 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6 parts@libertysubaru.com www.libertysubaru.com

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

Genuine Parts and Service, only at your local authorized Porsche dealer.

©2023 Porsche Cars North America, Inc. Porsche recommends seatbelt usage and observance of traffic laws at all times.

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

MASSACHUSETTS

NEW JERSEY

NEW HAMPSHIRE

Ford Confirms F-150 Lightning Production

Resumes Following Battery Fire

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Ford confirmed March 13 that production of the F-150 Lightning all-electric pickup restarted that morning at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center (REVC) following a shutdown due to a battery fire.

inspection. Ford said the root cause of the fire was identified soon after.

Ford worked with battery supplier SK On to refine the engineering of battery cells, where the fire’s cause was pinpointed. SK On recommended a series of changes to its battery cells, and Ford agreed, which then allowed the supplier to restart production at its plant in Commerce, GA.

Ford F-150 Lightning units already at dealerships were unaffected and were allowed to be sold to consumers, the company confirmed.

Ford CEO Jim Farley shared images of F-150 Lightning production lines, stating, “This is the engineering standard we aim to deliver consistently.”

In February, Ford shut down production and shipment of the F-150 Lightning after a battery fire occurred in one unit during a quality

In early March, the company recalled 18 units of the pickup, which stemmed from the battery cell issue. Ford said it recalled the units due to “a battery cell manufacturing defect” that occurred over a four-week period at the end of 2022.

No injuries or accidents occurred that Ford was aware of, and the automaker said it had “a clean stock of battery packs” for the March 13 restart of production.

Ford CEO Jim Farley shared on Twitter images of Ford F-150 Lightning production lines up and running again March 13.

Honda May Continue Producing Gas Engines Through 2040

By Sebastien Bell CarScoops

As Europe, a number of U.S. states and others plan to ban the sale of new vehicles powered by internal combustion engines by 2035, Honda said its own studies show the technology could stick around until 2040.

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the company is currently in the midst of running feasibility studies on future technologies, in a recent interview with Reuters. This research is looking at, among other things, low-carbon synthetic fuels that could help keep combustion engines around for longer, especially in highperformance car, trucks and airplanes. Despite keeping its options open, the executive said  Honda is focused on electrification and fuel cell technology. “I’ve been in the engine development business for more than 30 years, so personally it’s a little threatening,” admitted Mibe. “But I have to separate my own feelings from what is best for

the business.” The chief executive further confirmed EVs based on its own dedicated platform would start arriving in the U.S. in 2026, after a pair of electric crossovers based on GM’s Ultium platform debut in 2024. Honda is committing $40 billion to developing hybrid and fullyelectric technologies so they make up 40% of its sales by 2030. That includes a $3.5 billion joint venture in Jeffersonville, OH, where it will build batteries with LG Energy Solution starting in 2025.

In addition, it plans to establish a standalone business next month, tasked with the task of developing Honda’s battery business. That could eventually include an investment in developing EV infrastructure, like Tesla’s Supercharger network.

“The charging in`1frastructure is not at a place that it needs to be for our customers,” said Mibe. He added, however, “as we move toward carbon neutrality, we are focused on electrification and fuel cells—those are the two core components of future mobility.”

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.

Publisher Jeremy Hayhurst

General Manager

Barbara Davies

Editor Abby Andrews

Contributing Writers

Mike Anderson, Ed Attanasio, Stacey Phillips, Cole Strandberg, John Yoswick

Advertising Sales

Joe Momber, Norman Morano

Office Manager

Louise Tedesco

Digital Marketing Manager

Bryan Malinski

Art Director

Rodolfo Garcia

Senior Designer

Vicki Sitarz

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

NEW JERSEY

MASSACHUSETTS

RHODE ISLAND