March 2024 Southeast Edition

Farmers Leads Insurers’ Rate Hikes with 17.6% Increase

Farmers Insurance Group of Cos. raised its private auto insurance rates by a weighted average of 17.6% across 43 states in 2023, outpacing the rate hikes of its competitors but part of the broader trend in the industry, where double-digit increases have become the new norm.

states like New Jersey, Vermont and Colorado experiencing increases below 10%.

This pattern of substantial rate hikes was not unique to Farmers Insurance. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co., another industry giant, reported a 16.0%

According to S&P Global Market Intelligence’s RateWatch, not only did Farmers Insurance lead this surge, but all 10 of the top auto insurers in the U.S. also imposed double-digit increases throughout the year, a shift from the more moderate rate changes observed between 2018 and 2021.

For Farmers Insurance, the 2023 rise was approximately 3 percentage points higher than its 14.5% rate change in 2022. Nebraska witnessed the company’s highest increase at a weighted average of 30.4%. In contrast, North Carolina had the smallest rate hike at 1.8%, with other

weighted average rate increase in 2023. Similarly, Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s GEICO Corp., despite having the lowest effective rate change among the top insurers at 10.1% in 2023, had experienced the previous year’s highest at 17.2%.

The industry-wide trend of escalating rates was further evidenced by the nationwide effective rate change. In 2023, 43 states and Washington, D.C., reported an effective rate change greater than 10%, leading to a national average increase of 14.0%—a significant jump

Car ADAS Solutions Announces New Florida Licensee

Car ADAS Solutions announced the addition of ADAS Calibrations of Florida. Owned by Bea Bruno, the company recently opened a location in Rivera Beach, FL, on Nov. 5, 2023; a second facility is being constructed in Kissimmee.

The company’s territory extends from Orlando to North Fort Lauderdale. Plans include opening four additional locations by the end of the first quarter of 2024, including one in Pompano Beach.

Prior to owning the calibration centers, Bea’s husband, Mark Bruno, owned Fender Mender Auto Body in South Florida for 20 years before selling it to Classic Collision in 2020.

“It was our absolute pleasure working with Bea and Mark, who I have

known for many years and share the company’s same vision of ‘Making the world a safer place to drive,’” said Kevin Caruso, COO of Car ADAS Solutions. “With their experience and the high

In Virginia, Senate Bill 256 recently advanced through the Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor, threatening to propel auto insurance costs to new heights in Virginia.

Opponents of the bill, which encourages litigation when an insured individual seeks coverage from their own carrier due to another driver’s inadequate coverage, say it could introduce additional financial strain by fostering an environment ripe for litigation.

According to a 2022 independent actuarial study, similar legislative efforts have previously predicted a 19% surge in premiums for underinsured/ uninsured motorist (UM/UIM) coverage in Virginia. However, Senate Bill 256 proposes even more extensive measures than its predecessors, hinting at potentially steeper increases in annual auto insurance premiums.

“This harmful bill could result in higher auto insurance costs for consumers at time when many can

CIF Charity Event Raises Awareness, Funds For Collision Repairers in Crisis

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Over the last two decades, the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) has relied on contributions from collision repair businesses and individuals to aid hundreds of industry members in times of crisis. On Jan. 16, CIF hosted its 13th annual charity event, “Cocktails for a Cause,” in Palm Springs, CA, the day prior to the Collision Industry Conference (CIC). Nearly 200 attendees were at the function, many of whom were firsttime supporters.

“There were a lot of people who drove this initiative and made the event successful, including co-chairs Kelly Broderick and Cheryl Boswell, as well as Petra Schroeder,” said Dan Risley, president of CIF and vice

colleagues — many of whom have lost their livelihoods and need help from hurricanes, fires, COVID-19, etc.,” she said. “It takes minimal effort for something that means the world to people.”

Boswell, CFO of DCR Systems, served on CIF’s board for nine years and now volunteers for the organization. She and Broderick have co-chaired the annual fundraiser for many years and continue to do so, although they no longer serve on the board.

“It’s our annual fundraiser where we raise funds to assist industry members who have experienced a natural disaster so they can get back to work,” Boswell explained. “Our event includes great networking opportunities, a drawing for prizes and a live auction.”

president of quality repair and market development at CCC Intelligent Solutions.

Broderick, sales director of strategic accounts at The Sherwin-Williams Company, joined CIF’s board in 2013 as a trustee and later served as vice president. Although she retired from the board in 2022, Broderick remains involved in the organization.

“The annual CIF event is simply a great time to connect with others and raise funds for individuals within the industry we all love and belong to,” she noted.

Broderick added the event has grown over the past several years.

“I am happy to have been involved in that progression,” she said. “I appreciate those who come to the event, sponsor it and spread the word. It has been a tremendous way for CIF to give back.”

Broderick said many collision repairers have grown up in the industry, and CIF is a great organization that needs support and praise.

“Over the past 10 years, I’ve been privileged to raise funds for

She said CIF is fortunate to have many sponsor the cause.

“Attending the gala, sponsoring CIF and spreading the word are all ways you can help,” Boswell shared. “We want to make sure everyone knows that CIF exists for them!”

“Interest and support in the event are growing,” said “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder, CIF’s administrator and a member of the organization’s Board of Trustees. “At the same time, it is great to have familiar faces attend.”

Schroeder noted the charity event is an important part of raising money and awareness to further CIF’s mission to provide emergency relief to collision repair professionals who have experienced significant losses due to natural disasters or other catastrophes. At one time, it was planned as the primary fundraiser. In 2021, the CIF Annual Donor program was instituted, allowing individuals and companies to donate throughout the year.

“The awareness that we create by having these events is priceless because more people learn about CIF

and what we do,” said Schroeder. “As a result, we receive commitments for the Annual Donor program.”

In addition to monetary donations, Schroeder said the industry has helped spread awareness about CIF in various ways, such as liking and sharing social media posts. In recent years, birthday fundraisers have been initiated on Facebook, money has been raised through office competitions, and other creative ideas have been developed.

“There are many ways CIF can benefit from these initiatives,” said Schroeder. “It just takes a company to come up and execute ideas.”

CIF Treasurer Jim Ocampo, national strategic accounts sales manager for Axalta Coating Systems, said he always enjoys the evening of the CIF charity event.

“It’s refreshing to see everyone come together and contribute to a worthy cause,” said Ocampo. “While ‘Cocktails for a Cause’ is important to our fundraising efforts, the evening is about bringing awareness to CIF’s mission.”

During the evening, Ocampo handed out auction items and prizes with Paul Hill, vice president of sales and marketing for Headlights.com, which sells through the Original One Parts and Headlights Depot brand. Hill began volunteering for CIF in 2022 and joined the board of trustees the following year.

“The highlight for me is always the opportunity to be the auctioneer,” recalled Hill. “Standing up on the stage and seeing such a great crowd support CIF is an amazing feeling.”

Hill said CIF is the one charity singularly focused on assisting great individuals in the collision industry in their time of need.

“Once I understood the organization’s mission, I knew I needed to help CIF succeed,” he said.

“One of the many things that I love about the collision industry is how we all come together for a cause,” noted Nick Callum, business development

manager and platform manager for Headlights.com. “The CIF gala highlights that perfectly.”

Callum recently joined CIF’s Board of Trustees and he and Hill co-chair a new committee focused on CIF awareness.

“I have always gone out of my way to help people the best I can,” he shared.

“Joining CIF has allowed me to align with other like-minded individuals and contribute in a larger capacity.”

Kurt Lammon, president of Polyvance, is a new CIF Board of Trustees member who has donated to the cause and attended prior events for the past few years. This year, he and Cindy Reeves, vice president of sales at Enterprise Mobility, checked in those who hadn’t pre-registered.

“It feels good to volunteer because you know your efforts are going to aid others,” said Lammon. “It also gives you the feeling of the industry being like a close-knit family.”

Lammon said it’s a pretty small industry and he has noticed several individuals make job changes thanks to the network they built volunteering.

“[CIF] can be good for your career, too!” he added.

Jeff Wildman, BASF’s expert for the automotive aftermarket industry, has been a CIF trustee for seven years and served on several committees.

“With the increasing frequency of weather-related incidents, I’d like to think that people remember our mission and spread the word to collision repair professionals in distress that CIF is available to provide assistance,” he said.

Schroeder encourages people to reach out when they learn about someone in an emergency.

“The organization still does not receive enough applications when there is disastrous flooding, hurricanes and other damage,” she explained. “It’s very rewarding to give back but we need to find victims.”

For more information about CIF, visit www.collisionindustryfoundation.org or email collisionindustryfoundation@ gmail.com.

Pictured, left to right, are Scott Walton, The Sherwin Williams Company; Mandy Wynn, DCR Systems; and “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder.

Pictured, left to right, are Chris White, KECO; Michael Bradshaw, K&M Collision; Barry Dorn, Dorn’s Body & Paint; Amber Alley, Barsotti’s Body & Fender; and Aaron Schulenburg, SCRS.

Pictured, left to right, are Kurt Lammon, Polyvance; Sabrina Thring, Driven Brands, and Jim Ocampo, Axalta.

How to Ensure You—and Your Techs—Have Adequate Business Insurance Coverage

One of my team members unfortunately lost her home to a fire a while back, and to this day, several years later, she’s still going back and forth with the insurance company, partially related to the personal property contents of her home. Put yourself in her situation: Would you be able to list every item in your home and know when you bought it? Do you have the receipts? I know I couldn’t do it.

That made me start thinking about this not just personally, but also for anyone who owns a business. Hopefully this will never happen, but if a fire or other catastrophe struck your shop, would you be able to list all of its contents and know when and what you paid for each item?

One good first step you need to take: Once a year you should absolutely ask your CPA for a copy of your asset list. Look it over for items you’ve added since it was last updated, and for items you no longer have that should be deleted.

Next, you need to have documentation related to all those items. Obviously, keeping your receipts for every asset purchase is the best way to document it all. Another set of copies—paper or digital—of those records should probably be kept off-site as well.

I would also encourage you to once a year to walk through your shop using your phone to create a video, narrating it as you go, as another way to document what you have. Again, keep a copy of that video in a safe, in the cloud or otherwise offsite. It could help remind you visually of all the assets in your shop, so that if the unthinkable happens, you’re not remembering assets you forgot about—a grinder, a torque wrench, air hoses, etc—until months after you’re already settled a claim.

The topic of business insurance is so important that I invited my friend David Willet from Spark Underwriters to come speak to some of my Spartan 300 20-groups. Spark Underwriters specializes in business insurance for our industry nationwide. As its website says, they are more than insurance people: they are ASE certified, I-CAR trained and involved with industry groups like AMi, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), CIECA and many shop associations. David shared the suggestions I wrote about here regarding documentation of your assets, and

he agreed to review each member’s business insurance policy.

That led to a discussion about coverage for your employees’ tools. Your policy probably includes some

the business already has this.”

He said business owners should understand any co-insurance provisions in their policy. Those are provisions that imposes a penalty on

type of coverage for this, but as David has found in reviewing many shops’ policies, it’s often for only a small amount of coverage—sometimes as little as $500. We all know technicians who have tens of thousands of dollars invested in their tools. So any technicians reading this article might want to check with their employer about how much coverage the shop has for your tools.

“Getting their tools covered through their own personal insurance will likely be very expensive, and it adds to the challenge of getting good insurance on the rest of their personal lines,” David said. “So having adequate coverage for their tools through the business can be a nice employee benefit at a time when shops are challenged with finding and retaining technicians. Business owners should read their policy carefully when it comes to employee tool coverage. There are usually restrictions, such as a per-tool or per-employee limit. If there’s a $1,000 per-employee limit, that doesn’t go very far. The tool box itself far exceeds that amount.”

Just like a business or home owner, David recommends technicians, too, maintain good documentation of their tools at the shop.

“We recommend that in your policy handbook, you tell them about the insurance as a benefit, but require them to provide a list and video every year of the tools they have,” David said. “That way at the time of any loss,

an insured’s loss recovery if the limit of insurance purchased is not at least equal to a specified percentage of

the value of the insured building or business personal property.

“You need to understand what those provisions are, and if you can get the co-insurance removed, that’s key, because then all of a sudden, all you’re doing is trying to make sure you get paid for what you have,” David said. “Otherwise, you’re having to prove you had enough insurance, or you might get hit with a penalty.”

My Spartan 300 group members really appreciated receiving David’s insights about their business insurance policies. Now is a great time to take some steps to document your company assets, and to talk with your business insurance advisor about the details of your policy.

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

CES 2024 Unveils Future of Transportation Technology

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Innovations in connected and autonomous mobility were highlighted this year at the CES 2024 Show, Jan. 9-12 in Las Vegas, NV. Owned by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), CES showcases consumer technologies in various product categories, including artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, robotics, smart cities and vehicle technology. More than 135,000 attendees had the opportunity to see the latest tech trends on display from more than 4,300 exhibitors.

Show organizers said CES is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing auto mobility and transportation events. With more than 600 mobility exhibits, showgoers could view the future of autonomous and electric vehicles (EVs), micromobility, software-defined vehicles (SDVs) and flying cars, as well as assistive mobility and safety systems.

Automotive exhibitors included BMW, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Magna, Mercedes-Benz, Paccar, Recaro, Sony, Supernal, Togg and VinFast.

Announcements were made by automakers throughout the week.

Honda introduced the “Honda 0 Series,” launching in 2026; Kubota showcased the new fully electric, multi-purpose Agri Concept vehicle; and VinFast unveiled VF WILD, a new electric pickup truck concept vehicle.

Radar Architecture for Autonomous Mobility Systems, which received a CES® 2024 Innovation Award.

“We are honored to be recognized with the prestigious award,” said Steven Hong, vice president and general manager of Radar Technology at Ambarella.

The award recognized the company’s investment and innovation in pioneering centralized 4D imaging radar processing, which Hong said enables significantly higherperformance radar systems through the combination of the company’s Oculii™ artificial intelligence (AI) radar technology and CV3-AD AI domain control system-on-chip (SoC) family.

“For the auto body industry, this innovation will provide a significant benefit to customers with 4D imaging radar sensors in their vehicles, as these radar modules are typically installed behind the bumper in several different locations,” Hong said. “Because Ambarella’s centralized radar technology enables radar heads without any processor inside, the cost of replacing those processor-less radar modules after an accident can be greatly reduced.”

ARaymond

ARaymond shared its fastening, electrical connection and cleaning systems solutions for future vehicle needs. The fastening department displayed wire harness and tube routing fasteners, as well as high strength clipping solutions for various EV applications. The cleaning systems group showcased sensor and camera cleaning system components and assemblies to demonstrate innovations made in that growing field.

“We’ve seen huge growth in the automotive and mobility area at CES, not only what you expect with mobility with cars, but we’re seeing it on land, air and sea,” said Gary Shapiro, CTA’s president and CEO.

Autobody News talked to some CES 2024 exhibitors and participants.

Ambarella

Ambarella demonstrated its developments in autonomous vehicle (AV) technology, including its Centrally Processed 4D Imaging

Daniel Marin, business development manager for Mobility/EV Solutions, ARaymond North America, said the automotive market is shifting with the push for EVs or electrification and challenges are becoming apparent with new or different assemblies being added to vehicles.

“As electric vehicles are ramping up in volumes on the market, there is a greater need for simplified assembly techniques and serviceability aspects that are challenging the standard way vehicles are constructed,” said Marin.

He said vehicle designs are going toward lightweight, simple designs that are fast to assemble while keeping in mind the need for service down the road.

OWL Autonomous Imaging

OWL Autonomous Imaging demonstrated its Advanced DriverAssistance Systems (ADAS) safety technology for nighttime pedestrian automatic emergency braking (PAEB). It combines the company’s digital high-definition thermal camera with artificial intelligence software trained to find pedestrians and measure their distances from the car.

“This combination provides ADAS computers with the information

SHM also announced its collaboration with Epic Games and unveiled technology that can simulate external environmental conditions such as information from other vehicles, pedestrians, terrain and weather.

Squad Mobility

Squad Mobility, a Dutch company founded by Robert Hoevers and Chris Klok in 2019, showcased the Squad Solar City Car and the special edition solar buggy.

The two-person car is about 6.5 feet long and automatically charges its batteries with solar energy from the integrated solar panel on the roof. The solar panel can charge up to 19.2 miles in Las Vegas. The vehicle is powered by 48-volt electric motors and batteries, which allows it to be used at night, in winter, or indoors, and can be charged at 220 volts or 110 volts.

they need to avoid collisions day or night, even when the road ahead is obscured by rain or snow, fog or smoke,” said Chuck Gershman, OWL AI CEO.

Gershman said the ideal position for a forward-looking thermal camera is behind the rear-view mirror.

“Since the infrared radiation detected by thermal cameras will not pass through glass, new windshields have been developed that include a small infrared transmitting insert in front of the camera,” he explained. “If the windshield must be replaced after a collision, this specific type must be used.”

Sony Honda Mobility

Sony Honda Mobility (SHM) exhibited its prototype vehicle, AFEELA, introduced last year and currently in the development stage for production.

The four-door sedan is expected to be produced at one of Honda’s 12 plants in the U.S. Its overall styling concept is based on movement, color and sharpness.

According to a company representative, “The AFEELA prototype invokes mobility that people can feel as an intelligent entity through new technology.”

During the show, Representative Director, President and COO Izumi Kawanishi discussed the company’s focus on “AI for ADAS” and “Mobility as a Creative Entertainment Space.”

The four swappable and portable batteries provide a range of 62 miles, excluding solar.

Regarding repairability, Hoevers noted the vehicle’s bodywork is injection-molded plastic. “It can be easily replaced and the solar panel is handled the same as a front windshield,” he explained.

Indy Autonomous Challenge

A CES highlight was the Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC), in which university teams worldwide compete in a series of challenges. The goal is to advance technology that can speed up the commercialization of fully autonomous vehicles and deploy ADAS to increase safety and performance. TUM Autonomous Motorsport from the Technical University of Munich won this year’s challenge, reaching speeds of more than 150 mph.

IAC also announced the launch of its Next Gen Autonomous Vehicle Platform, the IAC AV-24.

“This cutting-edge platform represents a significant leap forward in autonomous hardware and software technology,” said Paul Mitchell, IAC’s president. “After three years and more than 7,000 miles of high-speed racing, the IAC and its industry partners have evolved the robot inside the IAC AV-24 to become smarter and more capable, providing the world’s fastest autonomous racecar with increased functionality that will enable AI drivers to reach new levels of performance.”

Ambarella’s centrally processed 4D imaging radar architecture for autonomous mobility systems received a CES® 2024 Innovation Award

During CES, ARaymond team members shared fastening, electrical connection and cleaning systems solutions for future vehicle needs

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Alabama Hyundai Plant Workers Push For Unionization

Workers at Hyundai’s sole U.S. plant, in Montgomery, AL, announced a major milestone in their campaign to join the UAW, as more than 30% have signed union cards.

In a new video, “Montgomery Can’t Wait,” Hyundai workers speak out on the ties between the union movement at the Korean automaker and the civil rights legacy of “Montgomery, the city where Rosa Parks sat down, and where thousands of Hyundai workers are ready to Stand Up.”

“I’m getting close to retirement and the company has literally broken me down,” said Drena Smith , a team member who has spent most of her 19 years at Hyundai in the paint shop and has had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders and carpal tunnel surgery in one hand. “We need compensation for that when we retire. Not just a cake and a car discount for a car we can’t afford to buy because we won’t have any income. We need a real retirement; we need to win our union.”

“My oldest son works at the plant, over on general assembly

(GA),” said Dewayne Naylor , who currently does body shop quality control. “I went through 14 years in GA, and I know what it’ll do to your body over there. I don’t want the younger generation to go through what we did. Over the last 10 years, most of my raises have been just 12 or 13 cents an hour. The price of their cars, they go up every year. But my pay don’t. If we don’t get the union here, our pay will never keep up.”

and 5 in general assembly. “They kept saying, just wait a little longer, you’ll make it to full time. I finally did, but the pay is still mediocre. With the union, we can bring our pay and benefits up to a higher standard. That’s how you motivate your workers. It’s not just good for us, it’s good for the product we produce.”

“I was a temp at Hyundai from 2014 to 2017. I made $11.03 an hour the entire time,” said Ronald Terry , a team member on final 3

“When you’re injured, management pushes you back on the line too soon,” said Peggy Howard , who works on F1 final in general assembly. “I had surgery on my rotator cuff in September and I had to go back to work the last of December. I didn’t get the two weeks ramp up and now I’m having pains over again. I had a cortisone injection three weeks ago and I’m about to go back for another injection. If that doesn’t work, the doctor told me he’ll have to do the surgery over again. We need to make our jobs safer; we

youngest son had a basketball game, and I scheduled a half day of vacation time. Someone was supposed to come to the line to relieve me, but no one came. Finally, I clocked out and I missed the first quarter of his game. They still wanted to write me up for job abandonment. I had to go in front of team relations, and I explained what happened, that I was legit in having this personal day. And my group leader stopped me and said this job is more important than your family. At that moment, I just froze. That was sickening. I knew things at Hyundai had gone too far.”

The announcement marks the third major breakthrough in the national movement of non-union autoworkers organizing to join the UAW in the wake of the historic Stand Up Strike victory at the Big Three auto companies. More than 10,000 non-union autoworkers have signed union cards in recent months, with public campaigns launched at Volkswagen in

Hyundai’s plant in Montgomery, AL, is its only manufacturing facility in the U.S.

Spanesi Americas Showcases Products At SEMA 2023, Shares Future Plans

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

At Spanesi Americas, COO Tim Morgan said the company is passionate about offering collision repair equipment and training to meet customers’ needs.

During the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, Spanesi showcased various products. These included the company’s 106 EXT Bench,

and painting stations set up to provide attendees the opportunity to rate their skill level.

“Spanesi is always looking for new ways to innovate and always has things in the pipeline,” noted Morgan. “This year will be no different with exciting products to be launched throughout 2024.”

This includes additional process and course offerings that will be available at Spanesi’s research and training center in Naperville, IL, and regional centers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

multibench, Touch Measuring System and a line of MIG/MAG and spot welders.

Spanesi also featured its “Pull Up” Glue Pull system, which has many levels of kits.

New this year were virtual welding

The company’s roots date back to 1958 when Orazio Spanesi, a body technician with a passion for “the tools,” began working in a body shop in Italy when he was 14. After learning the required skills and techniques to repair vehicles, he opened a shop in 1969 to pursue high efficiency and OEM quality repairs. A decade later, Spanesi began developing and manufacturing equipment in Padova, Italy, to ensure it met the performance he strived to achieve.

Since then, the Spanesi leadership

team has stayed in contact with body techs to meet the needs of the collision industry. In 2019, Spanesi celebrated its 50th year in business by revamping its showroom and training center at the Italy factory that hosts educational events associated with the Spanesi Academy program.

Since Spanesi was founded, Morgan said it has stayed true to its mission of not offering tools that collision repair technicians have to adapt to, but instead, making tools tailored to technicians’ needs and meet OEM requirements. The company is part of 38 certified OEM programs in North America and 46 globally.

The company has a worldwide presence, providing sales, support and consulting. In addition to the U.S. headquarters in Illinois, the company operates offices in Bangkok, China, France, Germany and India, and has a global headquarters in Padova, Italy.

Spanesi also owns and operates a collision repair facility in Italy where products are tested daily.

These include Spanesi products and processes to improve repair efficiency.

Morgan said the company takes pride in continuing to innovate, design and manufacture a range of collision repair equipment, such as the Touch measuring system, multibenches, welders, paint booths and vacuums.

As the company grows, Morgan said they will continue to add staff internally and through distribution to meet customers’ needs.

“Spanesi is beyond an equipment supplier,” said Morgan. “With our many years of vast experience, we serve as coaches, trainers and advisors to our customers for longterm proven results.”

The Spanesi team at SEMA 2023

During SEMA 2023, Spanesi COO Tim Morgan, left, Fred Randazzo, center, and Constantine Uliano, right, demonstrated virtual reality training at the company’s booth

Mitchell Joins CCC, Audatex in Giving Users Flexibility With Blend Formula

By John Yoswick Autobody News

Mitchell International said the company’s cloud estimating system will now allow users to set up at the profile level their own default settings for clear coat, three-stage, two-tone, blend, finish sand and buff, de-nib and finesse, and refinish adjustments.

“Being at the profile level, you can set up one for walk-ins, and a different one for each insurer, so giving a ton of flexibility to our customers,” Jack Rozint of Mitchell International said in making the announcement at the latest Collision Industry Conference (CIC), held in Palm Springs.

Rozint was asked if any of its formulas for those items will be changed.

a CIC committee presentation about the committee’s study of 26 vehicles—not connected to any particular automaker nor type of shop—for which significant repair problems were found during a postrepair inspection.

“About 50% of them had moderate to severe frame issues that were unaddressed,” said Daniel Rosenberger of BASF, a committee member.

Dent said the committee’s presentation highlighted the cost of bad repairs to everyone— shops, consumers, insurers and automakers—and demonstrates the need for all segments of the industry to work together on the problem.

“I think insurers and the OEMs probably should take this as an opportunity to get engaged to try to solve this,” he said. “I know that I want to have that conversation for sure. If there are insurers who’d like to share in that, I’d love to have it.”

ADAS-Related Refinish Issues

Another reason for the measurement: It can help document what was done to the vehicle since shops cannot rely solely on a successful calibration of the system as an indication that all refinish procedures were followed.

“We’re going to put our money where our mouth is in that sense because it is important.”

DAN DENT NISSAN MOTOR COMPANY

“If I don’t put it back to the condition that’s asked for by the OEM [and paint manufacturer], it can still pass calibration but not actually read correctly,” Brown said. “So we need to make sure we obtain the repair procedures, and we actually get them [applied] to all cars involved.”

The back of the bumper cover needs to be masked or protected during refinish, Wildman said. “You

Make the Industry a Better Place to Work

Also during CIC in Palm Springs, Andrew Batenhorst, manager of Pacific BMW Collision Center in Glendale, CA, said he personally was “extremely embarrassed and disappointed” at what a survey of collision repair technicians found last year. The survey, commissioned by I-CAR and SCRS, found that among more than 800 responding technicians, only about 7 in 10 said they were satisfied with their career, and as a group they have a negative “net promoter score,” meaning the majority would not recommend the career to friends or family. Only about 15% said their benefits included health insurance, paid time off or a retirement plan, and about a similar percentage said compensation plans lead to skipped steps during repairs.

“Our defaults have not changed at this time,” Rozint said.

Mitchell becomes the third of the Big 3 estimating system providers to provide greater flexibility to users on establishing blend times that differ from the default 50% of full refinish. The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has been among those calling on the information providers for a blend formula change since the association conducted a study in 2022 that showed blending takes more time than a complete panel refinish.

OEM to Check on Certified Shops

In another announcement at CIC, a Nissan Motor Company representative said this spring, the OEM will begin doing repair quality audits at its certified body shops.

“In April, we’re going to start doing inspections to make sure that our shops are doing what they’re told to do per our processes,” said Dan Dent, who oversees the certified collision repair network for Nissan. “We’re going to put our money where our mouth is in that sense because it is important.”

Dent’s announcement followed

Another panel discussion at CIC focused on some of the cautions related to refinishing bumper covers or other parts installed over ADAS-related radar sensors. Jeff Wildman of BASF and Ryan Brown of AkzoNobel noted “radar-approved” colors must not be tinted—doing so can impact the ability of the radar to perform as designed through the finish—and therefore more blending around such parts may be required. Film thickness must be consistent over the radar area—so no blending of base or clear coat can occur over these areas—and total film build must be within the range provided by the automaker and paint manufacturer.

“If it says two coats of base coat, it’s two coats of base coat, not a third coat because I have some paint left in the gun,” Wildman said. “It’s two coats because that third coat could make the radar not work.”

Brown and Wildman agreed the total film build should be measured after refinishing.

“Painters have kind of like a fingerprint or a DNA of how they spray,” Brown said. “And so they’re generally fairly consistent. But across a field of different technicians, they’re all going to be vastly different [from one another]. And whether a part is painted lying out flat or standing up can influence the amount of the paint layer that is on there.”

don’t want lot of overspray on the back of that bumper because that’s adding more material between the radar and whatever is out there that it’s bouncing off of,” he said.

Brown said all of this points to the need to make sure the refinish department has easy access in the paint shop to OEM and paint manufacturer refinish procedures related to underlying radar sensors.

“We really haven’t had a time in years past where the responsibility for refinish technicians has been the safety of the people driving the car,” Brown said.

“We have only one group of people, in my opinion, to blame for the technician shortage, and that’s us right here,” said Batenhorst, who serves on the SCRS Board of Directors. “We have not made this an attractive industry to work in. My food for thought would be: As a CIC body, we may want to consider how we develop leaders and the type of skills that are needed for the current influx of people that are getting into managing shops. Because that to me is the lowest-hanging fruit that’s out there. If you want to see people start coming into our industry, we ought to make it a lovely place to work. And that’s not just pay. It’s not just benefits. It’s how we as leaders make ourselves available, to be involved with quality control, with process, with repairs, with all aspects of running a shop. And to me, it was disappointing to see that kind of feedback come through on that survey.”

Batenhorst urged shops—whether at CIC or not—to take the issue seriously.

“The answers are out there. It’s just up to us if we’re going to make a difference or not,” he said, drawing applause from CIC attendees.

Ryan Brown of AkzoNobel, left, and Jeff Wildman of BASF, center, discussed ADAS-related refinish issues during a panel discussion moderated by Aaron Schulenburg, right

Andrew Batenhorst, manager of a Southern California shop, said the findings of a survey of 800 technicians show the industry could do a lot to improve working conditions for employees

Do it Better – Do it Faster – Do it Safer – Do it Greener

Induction Innovations has brought the original induction heat technology to the automotive aftermarket industry with the Mini-Ductor® series. Tom Gough, President of Induction Innovations, and the original inventor of the handheld induction heater, forever changed how automotive techs free up rusted, bonded, and corroded components.

Since 2004, we have brought four different generations of the Mini-Ductor® to the automotive aftermarket industry. From our original Mini-Ductor® to our latest cutting-edge model of the Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP, we are firmly established as the trendsetters for removing components without having to risk the use of an open flame or chemicals.

The Evolution of Mini-Ductor®

From the beginning, Induction Innovations has revolutionized induction heating tools for the automotive aftermarket industry. We consistently lead the way in induction heating technology, culminating in our prestigious Mini-Ductor® Series.

1. Mini-Ductor® MD-600 (2004-2012) – Our pioneering model set the pace. Introduced in 2004, it provided techs a taste of the revolution to come.

2. Mini-Ductor® II (2009) – A leap forward with the upgraded Mini-Ductor® II boasted a more robust design, readily available parts, and safety certification.

3. Mini-Ductor® Venom® (2016) – Takes ergonomics to the next level. Weighing in under 3 lbs., this model was the lightest handheld induction heater on the market. With a patented twist lock design, our model is streamlined and functional. The first three generations of the Mini-Ductor® run on 1000 watts, allowing it to heat most applications quickly without worrying about collateral damage.

4. Mini-Ductor® Venom® HP (2020) – Power redefined. Packing a hefty 1800-watt punch, this latest release can quickly heat a bolt in 3-5 seconds, making work more efficient and faster.

Why Mini is Better

Induction Innovations’ Mini-Ductor® series was meant to free up components quickly using induction heat. When applied to ferrous metals such as iron and steel, an eddy current heats them within a mere 3-15 seconds. Our products leverage this by exciting the molecules, harnessing the resistance they emit to rapidly heat applications to free them up.

With the Mini-Ductor® series, you can tackle challenges like Loctite, rust, and more. Seized components are quickly freed up, saving time and frustration. Our Mini-Ductor® line is designed to help techs cut down on ticket times and say “Forget the Torch!”

The Bottom Line

At Induction Innovations, we’re not just vendors; we’re trailblazers – and give you precision, safety, and heat all without the flame. As the original innovators, we see the handheld induction heater as both a technological marvel and a practical utility. Try any of the superior Mini-Ductor® series for safe, reliable, and precise heat, when and where you need it. You’ll be amazed! Join the evolution and see where we leap forward next.

For more information visit us at www.theinductor.com or give us a call at 877-688-9633.

standard they have held themself to providing quality OEM-centric repairs and maintaining the highest levels of education, they align with our vision perfectly. We are glad they are a part of the Car ADAS Solutions family.”

After reading about calibration in an industry publication, the Brunos wanted to learn more about operating a business focused on this area. In early 2023, they reached out to Car ADAS Solutions to determine the steps involved in setting up a calibration facility. They also visited Jamie Humphries, a Car ADAS Solutions licensee in Georgia, who currently operates seven locations.

Once Mark and Bea met with Humphries and saw his operations, they felt comfortable opening their first facility.

“From the right tooling to training, the Car ADAS Solutions team helped us get set up and ready right away,” said Mark. “They are very knowledgeable and were able to recommend what we needed in the facilities.”

The biggest challenge was finding commercial property to set up the locations.

“The cost of commercial property has gone up so much that it was

great having someone help find locations who is knowledgeable and understands the business,” said Mark.

The Brunos found many landlords didn’t comprehend what is involved in a calibration.

“The minute they hear auto repair, they’re usually turned off right away,” Mark said. “However, with the support of the Car ADAS Solutions team, we were able to find property.”

He said Elizabeth Rutter was instrumental in helping the landlords understand the concept of a calibration facility and getting their foot in the door.

“She explained we would be great tenants because the floors and walls are white and there’s no dirt or dust,” said Mark. “Otherwise, they probably would not have given us a second shot looking at some of these spaces.”

As a fully equipped calibration facility, ADAS Calibrations of Florida is now educating body shops about the importance of calibration and the liability they have to ensure cars are correctly repaired.

“We need to put our customers and our families back in a safe, calibrated car,” he said. “The more this changes every day, the more people will be aware that this is an integral part of a repair.”

He stressed the importance of scanning vehicles to identify what calibrations are needed. As part of their process, ADAS Calibrations of Florida

can upload a body shop’s estimate to its website and identify the required calibrations.

“That’s the biggest positive going into a new market like this because not many people understand what is involved with a calibration,” said Mark. “We’re constantly seeing updates made to manufacturers’ position statements and it’s important to be aware of what’s happening.”

The Brunos said technology is changing so fast, many mobile calibration companies cannot keep up with the tooling requirements to calibrate properly.

As a Car ADAS Solutions licensee, ADAS Calibrations of Florida received calibration training at the Car ADAS Solutions facility in Georgia, as well as ongoing support.

Mike Booth, senior technician, support and quality assurance for Car ADAS Solutions, attended the grand opening of the Rivera Beach location to ensure technicians felt comfortable performing calibrations.

“Without that support, I don’t think things would have gone as smoothly as they did,” said Bea.

“I think the team at Car ADAS Solutions has been absolutely wonderful throughout the process,” added Mark. “Any time you call Car ADAS Solutions, they are there to help answer questions.”

PPG announced the launch of the PPG ADJUSTRITE® Repair Management tool, the latest feature of the PPG AdjustRite commercial estimating system, which provides enhanced productivity for commercial vehicle repairs.

The mobile-friendly platform offers technicians a time clock system and automated tracking of work hours per repair order. Shop managers and estimators benefit from a centralized approach to delegate tasks, gain insights from productivity metrics and efficiency data, and use dynamic charts for a thorough overview of repair orders and technician activities.

The PPG AdjustRite system is the first and only commercial estimating tool that considers the overall repair process, including overhaul, overlap, included operations, additional operations and additional parts or materials associated with the repair.

Learn more at www. adjustrite.com.

Taxpayers Funding $1.1M

By Victor Skinner The Center Square

More than $1 million from taxpayers will be spent to support the Biden administration’s efforts to reduce emissions from diesel vehicles in North Carolina, part of $115 million in total federal spending.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality’s Division of Air Quality is soliciting grant applications for $1.1 million in funds for projects that will reduce emissions from diesel engines.

The funding is aimed at a wide range of projects, including the replacement or repowering of school buses, nonroad construction and agricultural equipment, heavyduty on-road vehicles and trains with new equipment and vehicles.

“Projects to replace diesel vehicles with electric vehicles receive bonus points during the scoring process,” a release said. “Bonus points are also available to projects in environmental justice communities or historically under-resources counties, as well as to projects submitted by minority-owned or women-owned businesses.”

For NC’s

Reduction of Diesel Emissions Program

The state’s 2023 Mobile Sources Emissions Reductions grant program is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program, which the Biden administration is leveraging to move toward the president’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

August announced the availability of $115 million in grant funding through the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act program, with plans to distribute four to 10 awards in each of the EPA’s 10 regions. The awards comply with the Justice40 Initiative requiring at least 40% of federal investments go to disadvantaged communities.

North Carolina awards through the program last year provided $1.3 million to replace 10 vehicles, roughly $130,000 per vehicle. The investment saved about 40 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions and eliminated more than 2,600 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, according to the state Department of Environmental Quality.

I-CAR announced Opus IVS™ has joined its Sustaining Partner Program.

Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper set a goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 50% of 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions “as soon as possible, no later than 2050.”

The Biden administration in

“Throughout the years, this crucial program to reduce diesel emissions has improved air quality and provided far-reaching public health benefits by reducing hundreds of thousands of tons of air pollution and saving millions in gallons of fuel,” Joseph Goffman, administrator for the EPA’s Office of Air and Radiation, said in a statement announcing the funding.

The department is accepting grant applications through Feb. 2.

Opus IVS’s commitment to I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program aligns perfectly with the increasing demand for advanced training and support in navigating the complexities of modern vehicle repairs. By investing in education and professional development, Opus IVS and other I-CAR sustaining partners are contributing to a safer and more proficient automotive repair ecosystem. Collaboration across the industry is crucial for relevant educational and technical solutions, particularly in response to the accelerating technological advancements requiring specialized knowledge and skills for proper repairs.

Sustaining partners play an important role in advancing I-CAR’s vision by actively contributing to the funding of I-CAR’s work, which in turn supports repair facilities and schools across the industry.

North Carolina Department of Transportation trucks are at Little Elkin Baptist Church near Luffman Farm in Ronda, NC, on Aug. 16, 2023. Photo by Robert Luffman Luffman Farms, via NC DOT Facebook.

Collision Repair Industry to Be Influenced by Supply Chain, Vehicle Complexity in 2024

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

The collision repair industry is poised for another year of change in 2024, according to Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International.

Mandell was the featured guest for CIECA’s first webinar of the year, “Top Collision Industry Trends to Watch in 2024,” held Jan. 25 and available for viewing on at www.cieca. com/MEETINGS-EVENTS/ciecastwebinars.

Mandell said the four biggest factors affecting the industry this year will be the used vehicle market dynamics, increased vehicle complexity driving up repair costs, supply chain volatility and continued growth of electric vehicles’ share of the car parc.

Used Vehicle Market

Mandell said the used vehicle market is being affected by inflation, which is predicted to hit 2.4% in 2024, and high interest rates, which show little chance of declining this year. That affects customers’ ability to finance all types of loans, but especially ones to buy vehicles.

In 2023, total loss frequency was 19.2%, Mandell said. As vehicle values rose, repairers had more room to fix crash-damaged vehicles instead of writing them off. As vehicle values stabilize, Mandell said, total loss frequency will start to increase again.

“2024 is most likely going to be less volatile than recent years,” Mandell said, adding there are “so many variables at play here, we could see an increase in volatility if other things change.”

Increased Complexity

The increased complexity of vehicles – including more technology and a shift to lightweight materials to absorb crash energy and improve EV range and ICE fuel efficiency – is the biggest item driving changes.

Mandell said while data from 2023 is not yet complete, it has already shown a 6% increase in average severity in the U.S. and 9% in Canada compared to 2022.

As repairs get more complex, they average more labor hours to complete – while the average labor rate also increases, showing a one-year 6% increase in the U.S. in 2023, after remaining static sometimes for years at a time.

The cost of parts is also going up – in 2022, the cost of aftermarket parts rose 17%, while OEM parts

rose 10% — as is the average number of replacement parts per repair, up almost one full part in a single year as more systems require being brought back to pre-accident condition.

“It’s a perfect storm in terms of cost drivers that are contributing,” Mandell said.

In 2024, the average severity is forecast to be around $5,300 in the U.S. and $5,700 in Canada.

the downstream impacts on parts availability halfway through 2024. End user costs will likely rise as well as the average cost to move a shipping container increases.

“This new wave of supply chain disruption’s overall impact remains to be seen,” Mandell said. “Look at an action plan – repairing more parts, finding different sources. We need to have those conversations.”

EV Growth will Continue

As the number of EVs on the roads grows, so too is the number coming into repair shops.

Mandell said the average cost of repair of an EV is 37% higher compared to ICE vehicles, but there is a caveat –  the average EV is only 3 years old, compared to 6.5 years for ICE vehicles. The average cost

likelihood of air bag deployment in an EV higher.

Mandell showed the results of a study conducted by Mitchell to compare repair costs for a 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning and a 2022 Ford F-150 XLT that had each suffered a moderate front end impact.

Both trucks needed a new bumper assembly, grille assembly, headlamps and a hood panel, and the left and right fenders blended.

The Lightning’s replacement parts were more expensive, and it had an additional grille reinforcement and a bumper isolator, not present on the XLT. The Lightning also required the battery to be removed before the bake cycle in the paint booth, which added 3.5 labor hours. In all, the Lightning cost $3,500 more to repair than the XLT.

“EVs have less moving parts but more crash parts,” Mandell said. “The

least afford it,” said Nancy Egan, vice president and state government relations counsel for the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). “Over the past five years, inflation, supply chain issues and the increasing cost of medical care and auto repairs have resulted in a 36.2% increase in auto insurance rates. Senate Bill 256 could cause auto insurance costs to spike even higher.” The situation is further complicated by legislative changes in 2021, which escalated the minimum insurance coverage requirements for Virginians. These adjustments are set to intensify in 2025, placing Virginia among the states with the highest

insurance minimums.

“When the next increase in minimum limits takes effect in 2025, auto insurance costs will increase for many Virginians, especially those who purchase the lowest levels of coverage and can least afford any more price hikes. Senate Bill 256 could further exacerbate rising auto insurance costs,” added Egan.

Despite the bill’s intentions, APCIA points out it may be redundant, given the existing provisions under Virginia’s Unfair Claims Settlement Practices Law. The Virginia Bureau of Insurance, already vested with the authority to address consumer UM/ UIM complaints and enforce actions against insurers, reported only seven instances of unfair claims violations over a five-year span.

www.autobodynews.com

T3 Atlanta Wins 2023 Best of Georgia Award

T3 Atlanta Auto Repair, known for exceptional service and customer satisfaction, earned a 2023 Best of Georgia Award, recognizing its commitment to quality, customer service and innovation in automotive care for Lexus, Infiniti, Toyota and Nissan vehicles.

and excellence in service. “T3’s goal has always been to build a relationship with every car and owner that rolls through our doors,” said Margot Wright, who has steered the company forward since Charles Wright’s passing in 2013.

The Best of Georgia Award, as determined by Gbj.com, reflects the voice of the community, acknowledging those who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence.

The company’s near-threedecade legacy of trust and reliability was established by founder Charles Wright and is upheld by current leadership under Margot Wright.

Since its establishment in 1995, T3 Atlanta has redefined the auto repair experience, earning the trust of its clientele through a dedication to transparency, value

Margot Wright expressed deep gratitude for this recognition, viewing each customer’s vote as an affirmation of T3 Atlanta’s enduring promise to serve with integrity and reliability.

T3 Atlanta distinguishes itself with a business model focused on providing consistent value through year-round discounted services. This approach, according to Wright, is foundational to the strong customer relationships that have become synonymous with T3 Atlanta’s brand.

Technician Sonny Toeur joined T3 Atlanta Auto Repair in 2020, according to the shop’s Facebook page.

GOP Governors Want To Stop Biden’s EV Mandate

By Chris Woodward The Center Square

A group of Republican governors is calling on President Joe Biden to halt his electric vehicle mandate proposal.

In a letter to the president, the governors said they aren’t opposed to electric vehicles, but rather overreaching federal government mandates that “penalize retailers and do not reflect the will of the consumer” in the U.S.

“Even with deep price cuts, manufacturers’ incentives and generous government funding, federal mandates on electric vehicles are unrealistic,” the governors wrote.

The EPA is pushing for twothirds of vehicles in the U.S. to be battery-powered by 2032 in an effort to help combat manmade climate change and reduce America’s dependency on oil.

The administration has taken steps in recent months to build more charging stations, but lack of infrastructure is an issue for the governors. They add in the letter there’s a concern about “grid

capacity and reliability.”

Thousands of car dealerships have also signed on to a letter asking the Biden administration to “tap the brakes” on the EV mandate proposal, The Center Square previously reported.

are appealing, the reality is that the lack of a strong, domestic marketplace makes electric vehicles prohibitively expensive for the American consumer.”

Republicans who signed on to the letter are Arkansas Gov. Sarah Sanders, Idaho Gov. Brad

Little, Iowa Gov. Kim

Reynolds, Louisiana Gov.

Jeff Landry, Missouri

Gov. Mike Parson, Montana Gov. Greg

Gianforte, Nebraska Gov.

Jim Pillen, Nevada Gov.

Joe Lombardo, New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu, North Dakota

Gov. Doug Burgum, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, South Dakota Gov.

Kristi Noem, Texas Gov.

Rate Hikes

from the 11.4% national average increase recorded in 2022.

States like Nevada, Minnesota and Washington faced some of the steepest increases, with Nevada topping the list with a 28.3% rate hike. At the other end of the spectrum, Hawaii and North Carolina recorded the lowest weighted average effective increases at 3.8% and 4.3%, respectively.

The continuous climb in rates over the past two years has resulted in substantial cumulative increases. Texas emerged as the state with the highest cumulative rate increase over the two-year period at 45.5%, closely followed by Ohio with a 38.9% rise.

“There are a number of reasons why consumers are leaving these cars on dealership lots—the cost, the infrastructure required, and the battery content requirements are untenable for today’s car buyers,” the governors’ letter said. “Even if consumers determine over time that battery electric vehicles

Greg Abbott, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon

“Ultimately, we must continue to maintain consumer choice. Your mandates are unrealistic, costly and prescriptive solutions that harm American consumers,” the governors wrote.

Do you know Bob?

Bob’s a Shop Manager. Age 37.

He hasn’t looked in the mirror and seen the ambitious young man he used to be in years. He’s stuck at the shop trying to troubleshoot DTC codes, pulling his hair out and missing target delivery dates.

Don’t be like Bob, switch to AirPro for your total ADAS Calibrations and Diagnostics solution!

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The data was sourced from disposed private passenger auto rate filings collected by S&P Global Market Intelligence and submitted to the Department of Insurance in various states.

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The letter said the governors oppose overreaching federal government mandates. Image via Shutterstock.

Stacey Phillips Ronak — Solving the Tech Shortage

Caliber Collision Technician Apprentice Program Shows Tremendous Growth

Like others who want to make a difference in the collision industry, Caliber Collision recognized the critical need to address the technician shortage.

“We’re all affected by it,” said Eddie Hightower, Caliber’s senior vice president of sustainability/social responsibility. “The industry, drivers and policyholders are all impacted by not having enough technicians.”

Hightower said Caliber realized this problem would not get better unless someone took action.

now leads TAP.

The program consists of 16 competencies based on I-CAR training. It typically takes apprentices about 10 months to one year to complete.

About three to four months into the program, apprentices begin helping their mentors work on production vehicles. They must demonstrate they meet the required competencies before graduating.

However, the training doesn’t end there. Apprentices are watched closely for the next six months to ensure

“Given our position in the industry, we felt a special obligation to do our part,” he said.

After much research and discussion, the company created the Technician Apprentice Program (TAP) in 2022. The program was spearheaded by Yohanna Peet, Caliber’s TAP’s senior program manager.

“Scaling TAP across our organization is one of my proudest career moments,” said Peet. “I had the opportunity to engage with teammates across the country to understand what was important to them through their journey in TAP.”

She said the bottom line for all is purpose.

“Our mentors felt a responsibility to develop the next generation of technicians,” she said. “Many of them shared the same sentiment, ‘Someone taught me; now it’s my turn to teach.’ For many of us, TAP is our opportunity to give back to this industry that has given so many of us, so much.”

TAP was formally launched that year to Caliber’s 30,000 teammates at 1,700 locations in 40 states.

Unlike other industry programs, Hightower said TAP is focused on skills development.

“It is a competency-based program that is somewhat different from some of the other time-based programs available that are two to three years in length,” explained Hightower, who

vehicles are repaired to pre-accident condition and are safe to drive.

“We want to make sure that our apprentices know how to do the job of a technician,” said Hightower.

As the program began rolling out, experienced technicians were asked to help train body helpers to become fullfledged technicians.

Hightower said they pass on knowledge and expertise daily but often don’t realize they are doing it. By formalizing the program, supporting mentor techs and incentivizing them with a bonus, Caliber is finding mentors with much success.

After experiencing what it is like to help an apprentice, Hightower said mentors typically look forward to working with their next mentee.

“Our mentor techs benefit from the program because they have a person working on their team who is actually turning a wrench,” he said.

Another difference compared to other industry programs is apprentices are paid more than the typical entrylevel wage. They also receive health benefits and are eligible for a 401(k) retirement program with a company match. Upon graduating, they are provided with a tool allowance as a gift.

“They receive the benefits of being an actual teammate from day one, and when they graduate, their earning potential is around $70,000,” said Hightower.

Apprentices earn I-CAR and welding certifications, as well as the EPA AC certification.

Caliber has found these benefits have helped reduce the turnover rate among technicians.

Hightower said the program has really taken off; the goal is to continue building it out.

In its inaugural year, Caliber graduated more than 250 techs. In 2023, more than three times that number of technicians completed the program. About two-thirds of Caliber’s locations are now participating in TAP, which equates to 2,000 active apprentices teamed up with 2,000 mentors.

With the technician shortage worsening, Caliber’s goal is to continue producing 2,000 technicians a year for the industry.

“The only limiting factor is having enough mentors and technicians to fill the need,” he noted.

Throughout the country, field recruiters visit high schools and trade schools looking for participants.

Although the average age of apprentices is 18 to 21 years old, there are older participants looking to change careers, such as those in the technology sector. Caliber has also found many women interested in careers as technicians.

For students who are looking for a hands-on career focused on art and technology, Hightower said this is a perfect fit.

“We call them artisans because they can look at a crumpled fender on a car and see what they can produce,” he said.

Hightower said this is a big deal to apprentices.

“These are lifelong skills that are fully transferable,” said Hightower. “We’re changing their lives by setting them up with a skill they own.”

Landon learned about TAP while attending the collision repair program

at Tennessee College of Applied Technology. He has been enrolled in Caliber’s program for about a year.

“I have learned many of the nuances and procedures essential for the best outcomes possible while also managing my workflow and time,” he said. “Better time management leaves more room to produce better work.”

Since joining TAP and being paired with a mentor, Landon said he feels as if he can accomplish twice as much in the same amount of time without stress.

Gabriel, who has been at Caliber for nearly six years and currently works at Caliber Milpitas in California, decided to become a mentor to share his knowledge with the younger generation.

“As an apprentice myself in this industry, I understand how hard it is not having a mentor to help me improve,” said Gabriel. “I wanted to make a change by being there for someone like me.”

Gabriel has worked with a few apprentices, demonstrating basic teardowns and repair methods.

“We start with plastic welding and repairing bumpers, then move on to dents and using the correct tools to pull,” he explained. “I teach apprentices how to remove spot welds without damaging panels and allow them to practice.”

Gabriel shows apprentices how to rack up cars correctly on the frame machine when learning how to do sheet metal pulls. He encourages apprentices to keep an open mind when repairing vehicles and stresses the importance of organization and quality.

“I teach each apprentice the seriousness of safety while repairing vehicles, and that includes disconnecting batteries to make sure that we are safe during repairs,” he said.

Gabriel stressed the importance of mentoring the next generation by building their confidence.

“That way, when they go out on their own, they know they can do their work and not question their ability,” he said.

TAP was formally launched in 2022 to Caliber’s 30,000 teammates at 1,700 locations in 40 states.

About two-thirds of Caliber’s locations are now participating in the Caliber Technician Apprentice Program.

Caliber’s goal is to produce 2,000 technicians a year for the industry.

California Techs Get a Jumpstart on Tools Thanks To Toby Chess

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

When Mike Schaffer joined Selman Chevrolet in Orange, CA, as the collision center manager in 2012, he implemented the True2Form Collision Repair

specifically look for good people. We do not hire for aptitude; we hire for attitude and teach aptitude.”

He said taking this approach helps extend the careers of their best, most experienced people.

However, Schaffer said it can be challenging to confirm if they are good people and typically has

apprentice program at the 72-yearold dealership. Since then, he has focused his attention on attracting and retaining technicians.

“There is no shortage of good people,” said Schaffer. “We

employees begin helping in the detail department to ensure they will show up for work and be worth training.

He also finds it challenging to be profitable with an apprentice

within 30 days. As a result, the team teaches basic skills and efficiency.

“Giving each equal focus allows us to keep training and making money,” noted Schaffer.

Schaffer met Toby Chess when the first I-CAR welding certification class was held at Selman.

In support of Schaffer’s apprentice program, Chess provided tools and training to Schaffer’s apprentices.

“Toby is very supportive and inspirational to the new folks and the team leaders alike,” said Schaffer. “He includes everyone equally and goes out of his way to teach young and old alike.”

To encourage shop owners and managers to develop apprentice programs, Chess supplies a set of tools to the helper and asks shop owners to provide toolboxes. He also shares best practices documents he created that can be used in conjunction with OEM repair procedures and proper personal protective equipment.

Does your facility have an apprenticeship program in place? Autobody News would like to learn more. Email aandrews@ autobodynews.com.

Classic Collision Adds 3 Locations in FL

Classic Collision, LLC, announced a new closing Jan. 26—the acquisition of Affordable Body Shop and Hollis Body Shop in Marianna and Panama City Beach, FL.

For several years, these three locations have been catering to the needs of the Florida Panhandle by simplifying the repair process, aiding customers from the beginning stage of repair until the final delivery of the completed vehicle, and guaranteeing the highest customer satisfaction.

“We take pride in our honesty and craftmanship by having experienced body technicians and painters who ensure the work is skillfully done and have seen the same culture with Classic Collision locations in our area,” said Mark Crone, former owner of Affordable Body Shop and Hollis Body Shop.

“Affordable Body Shop and Hollis Body Shop will be great additions to our footprint in the greater panhandle, and we look forward to welcoming all three locations to the Classic family,” said Toan Nguyen, CEO of Classic Collision.

Mike Schaffer, center, with Alondra Salgado and her mentor Phat Troung, left, and Melissa Perez and her mentor Rod Perez, right.

MSOs Use Variety of Models For Handling Scanning, Calibration Work

ByJohn Yoswick Autobody News

As collision repair businesses of all sizes navigate how to best handle the growing amount of scanning and calibration work required on a daily basis, there’s indications there is no one best solution for all.

Among five multiple shop operators (MSOs) represented during a recent panel discussion of the topic, for example, each is handling calibration work in different ways, or combination of ways: mobile providers, their own stand-alone calibration centers, in-house at a subset of their locations, etc.

Moderating the panel at the MSO Symposium held in conjunction with the SEMA Show, Dan Risley of CCC Intelligent Solutions asked the panelists to discuss why they’ve chosen the model they have.

Crash Champions, which operates more than 600 shops in three dozen states, started a separate company, Automotive Technology Experts (ATE), doing mobile calibrations onsite for its shops that have the necessary site conditions, like a level floor, as well as doing some calibration work remotely.

Huggins, national collision director, was asked if those shops sublet their ADAS calibration work to the dealerships’ service departments.

“Absolutely not,” Huggins said. “In a dealer model, we’re all about trying to keep our work in-house, right? Even though we are a dealer, service operates in a different world than we do. And if you ever have to, as a dealer, send it to the service department, they have a tendency to take too long to do it. Even a basic alignment. Our mechanics in our own [collision] shops and our own collision centers are so busy, we don’t even really use our own mechanics for scanning and calibration. We have 19 of our 32 centers that have their own Tru-Point [ADAS calibration system] at this point and do all their own calibrations.”

without mechanical departments to do scanning and basic calibration work.

“All the more difficult, demanding calibrations go to our calibration center,” he said.

The company has invested heavily into calibration work because it’s too big a part of the overall repair not to.

“I remember a few years ago reading an article quoting a representative from one of the vehicle manufacturers who said, in the future, 60% of the cost of repairs will revolve around new technologies. And I’m not sure when ‘in the future’ is, or how you exactly measure that, but I found that terribly compelling. I was thinking to myself: How do you explain subletting 60% of your work in the future? To me,

that didn’t seem like a promising way to approach collision repair long term.”

Having the company’s employees conduct most calibration work has helped production even more than expected, he said.

“One of the things we’ve learned is we can cycle cars quicker than we thought,” Amberson said. “We can do more [calibration work] than what we first thought. We can do most jobs certainly within a day, and many of them same day.”

He said lots of other collision repair businesses tour LaMettry’s calibration center and ask what piece of equipment they should buy.

“I’m thinking to myself: We’ve got five calibration stations representing four different brands,” Amberson said. “This is not for the faint of heart, especially if you’re going to service all the major brands. So keep in mind, while we talk about all these advantages [of doing your own calibration work], it’s not for everybody. Maybe you’re a smaller shop. Maybe you can address certain brands. Maybe you can handle certain equipment. But if you’re going to be really serious about it and address all situations and all brands, it’s a large, large task.”

“We wanted to keep as much [business] as we can in-house,” said John Panagopoulos of ATE. “But it’s also customer satisfaction and cycle time. It’s quicker.”

ATE was founded as a separate business because it’s a different type of business, he said.

“A lot of times, folks who are running collision repair centers want to try to operate a [calibration] business kind of similar to collision repair, but it’s completely different, especially when you go mobile,” Panagopoulos said. “The technicians aren’t the same. The technology is different. Pricing systems. Everything we do is just a completely different business model.”

Not Using Dealership Service Departments

New-car dealer Berkshire Hathaway Automotive operates 32 collision centers around the country. Darren

How have they found staff for that work?

“We’ve had really good luck finding gamers that are in their parents’ basement that want to live there forever,” Huggins joked. “And they might Uber to work, but they’ll come because they’re really interested in technology. So we’ve had really good luck finding these type of people and training them to be our calibration scanning technicians. We’re really pretty much staying to our core business, and we’ve kind of created our own department within our department, and it’s working really well for us.”

Does the company using a huband-spoke model for their collision shops without a Tru-Point?

“No, not really,” Huggins said. “We’re partnered with asTech, so they’ll have mobile services for us, or there are some situations where asTech actually has an in-shop technician that will take care of that.”

Smaller Chain Keeping Work InHouse

Darrell Amberson of LaMettry’s Collision said that company has a mechanical department in four of its 10 locations in Minnesota, along with two stand-alone mechanical shops and a calibration center. The company sends employees into its locations

Darren Huggins of Berkshire Hathaway Automotive said the company has specialty departments within its 32 collision centers to handle calibration work.

A panel discussion about calibration work included, from left, John Panagopoulos, Darrell Amberson, panel moderator Dan Risley and Darren Huggins.

John Panagopoulos said Crash Champions started a separate company, Automotive Technology Experts, to do mobile calibrations onsite for its shops.

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

HONDA

ALABAMA

Carlock Honda

Birmingham

800-987-0819

205-949-5457

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6 robert thompson@carlockcars com

FLORIDA

AutoNation Honda

Clearwater

Clearwater

888-205-2564

727-530-1173

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5; Sun 10-3 santosr1@autonation com

AutoNation Honda

Hollywood

Hollywood

800-542-8121

954-964-8300

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5; Sun 9-5 hernandeze@autonation�com

Classic Honda

Orlando

888-893-4984

407-521-1115

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-4 parts@classichonda com

Headquarter Honda

Clermont

800-497-2294

407-395-7374

Dept Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-5 pepe guevara@headquarterhonda com

ACURA

FLORIDA

Acura of Orange Park

Jacksonville

888-941-7278

904-777-1008

Dept� Hours: M-F 7-8; Sat 7-5; Sun 9-3 msweeney@acuraoforangepark com

Duval Acura

Jacksonville

800-352-2872

904-725-1149

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 Cecil adams@duvalacura com

FLORIDA

Hendrick Honda

Pompano Beach

Pompano Beach

954-425-8244

Dept Hours: M-Fri 7-6; Sat 7-5; gerardbruno@hendrickauto com

Holler Honda

Orlando

407-442-1938

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4 parts@hollerhonda com

Rick Case Honda

Davie

877-544-2249

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7:30-4 robbutton@rickcase com

South Motors Honda

Miami

888-418-3513

305-256-2240

Dept Hours: M-F 8-7 mfranceschi@southhonda com

GEORGIA

Ed Voyles Honda Marietta

800-334-3719

770-933-5870 Direct

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 hondaparts@edvoyles com

FLORIDA

Rick Case Acura

Fort Lauderdale

800-876-1150

954-377-7688

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 rubenramos@rickcase com

GEORGIA

Jackson Acura

Roswell

877-622-2871

678-259-9500

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-6 kmcmillan@jacksonacura com

GEORGIA

Gerald Jones Honda

Augusta

800-733-2210

706-228-7040

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 tdunn@geraldjoneshonda com

Honda Mall of Georgia

Buford/Gwinnett

678-318-3155

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 cdunlap@penskeautomotive com

Milton Martin Honda

Gainesville

770-534-0086

678-989-5473

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6 robertthomas@mmhonda com

Honda of Newnan

Newnan

678-423-8183

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-4 samuel trapani@henrickauto com

Nalley Honda

Union City

866-362-8034

770-306-4646

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-7; Sat 8-5 hondawp@nalleycars com

MISSISSIPPI

Patty Peck Honda

Ridgeland

800-748-8676

601-957-3400

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 pmartin@pattypeckhonda com

GEORGIA

Nalley Acura Marietta

800-899-7278

770-422-3138

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-5 byoung@nalleycars com

NO. CAROLINA

Flow Acura

Winston-Salem

800-489-3534

336-761-3682

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-1 www flowacura com

NO. CAROLINA

Apple Tree Honda

Asheville

800-476-9411

828-684-4400

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4 appletreeparts@hotmail com

McKenney-Salinas Honda

Gastonia

888-703-7109

704-824-8844 x 624

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 parts@mshonda com

Vann York Automall

High Point

336-841-6200

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-3

SO. CAROLINA

Fred Anderson Honda

Greenville

864-234-6481

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 hgrparts@anderson-auto net

Piedmont Honda

Anderson

800-849-5057

864-375-2082

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 swhite@piedmontcars com

VIRGINIA

Karen Radley Acura

Woodbridge

800-355-2818

703-550-0205

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 8-3 coreythompson@radleyautogroup com

TENNESSEE

Airport Honda

Alcoa

800-264-4721

865-970-7792

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6:30; Sat 7:30-5 parts@airporthonda com

AutoNation Honda

West Knoxville

Knoxville

800-824-1301

865-218-5461

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6 rossd1@autonation com

Wolfchase Honda

Bartlett

800-982-7290

901-255-3780

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7 ekerr@wolfchasehonda com

VIRGINIA

Checkered Flag Honda

Norfolk

800-277-2122

757-687-3453

Dept Hours: M-Sat 7:30-6 honda checkeredflag com

Hall Honda

Virginia Beach

800-482-9606

757-431-4329

Dept Hours: M-F 8-7; Sat 8-5 fox@hallauto com

VIRGINIA

Valley Honda

Staunton

800-277-0598

540-213-9016

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 9-5 bwimer@myvalleyhonda com

West Broad Honda

Richmond

800-446-0160

804-672-8811

Dept Hours: M-Fri 7:30-6:30; Sat 8-5 wbhonda@aol com

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

Georgia Has ‘Generational Opportunity’ To Invest in Transportation

by T.A. DeFe

The Center Square

Georgia has a “generational opportunity” to further invest in transportation projects statewide, the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee said Jan. 22.

“I think we probably have a generational opportunity to allocate existing revenue sources from our surplus to some of these transportation projects,” state Sen. Greg Dolezal, R-Cumming, said during a Senate Transportation Committee hearing.

“Personally, I would love to see us do that without having to raise new revenue, without having to do line-item tax increases as has been done in the past,” Dolezal added. “We think we’ve got about 10 years left, at least, in the gas tax. The gas tax has been relatively resilient; that $2.2 billion number has been pretty consistent. But eventually, we know that that will change.”

During the Jan. 22 hearing, Georgia Department of Transportation Planning Director Jannine Miller told lawmakers that freight moving on the state’s

roads is projected to nearly double in weight to 900 million tons and more than double in value to $1.6 trillion by 2050.

roads, particularly along key freight corridors. “That $90 billion worth of improvements would improve freight, but it would also improve people flow as well,” Miller said.

The fiscal 2024 budget state lawmakers approved last year included roughly $4 billion for the state’s transportation department, including more than $2.2 billion in state money and more than $1.5 billion in federal taxpayer funds.

Mitchell 1 Offers Scholarship

Mitchell 1 has opened applications for its annual Automotive Technology Scholarship, which includes a $2,500 award, an additional $500 check and roundtrip airfare and accommodations for the recipient and a guest to attend the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) conference, July 22-25 in Indianapolis, IN.

“That translates into congestion costs,” Miller said. “If we do nothing, if we expand our network in no significant ways, our delay is going to more than double.”

State transportation officials have estimated needing to spend $90 billion over 25 years to improve traffic flow on the state’s

“Put that 90 billion in perspective,” Dolezal said. “We’re currently spending about $4 billion a year with our existing needs, and all those existing needs fund all the other projects that are in all of our districts that may or may not have anything to do with these identified freight corridors.”

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has recommended an additional $1.5 billion in state funds for the Georgia Department of Transportation for projects that “directly help move commuters and freight.”

Eligibility is limited to U.S. and Canadian citizens who are either high school seniors enrolled in auto shop repair courses or current college students majoring in automotive technology. Applicants must have a nomination from their NACAT instructor, maintain a minimum overall 3.0 grade point average, and plan to attend or be already enrolled in an accredited college or university.

By applying through the Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship Central website at www. AutomotiveScholarships.com, students not only apply for the Mitchell 1 scholarship but are also considered for multiple other scholarships for which they may be eligible. The deadline is March 31.

Roswell Road crossing I-285 in Sandy Springs, GA. Image via Georgia DOT’s Facebook page.

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EnviroSpark To Build EV Fast Chargers At Tennessee Waffle House

Among the first 10 projects to receive federal funding to build EV-charging infrastructure in Tennessee is one that will bring four DC fast chargers to a Waffle House in Lakeland, TN.

Atlanta-based EnviroSpark will partner with Waffle House to build the chargers at the restaurant, using National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) funding awarded by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), in cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC).

TDOT received applications for 167 projects for the first round of NEVI awards. The state will eventually award a total of 30 projects.

Of all the Tennessee NEVI-funded sites, the EnviroSpark/Waffle House partnership is the only restaurant project and one of only two non-gas station/convenience store locations.

“We are honored to partner on such a pivotal project with a fellow Georgia business and an iconic brand like Waffle House,” said EnviroSpark CEO Aaron Luque “This collaboration exemplifies the commitment of both companies and the state of Tennessee to drive sustainability and innovation in

convenient ways for EV drivers. We are so grateful for the trust of Waffle House, TDOT and TDEC.”

As EV drivers themselves, Luque and his team understand the importance of being selective about where to build new charging stations. Like all Waffle House locations, the restaurant at 9780 U.S. Highway 64 in Lakeland is open 24/7, helping satisfy one of the NEVI requirements.

EnviroSpark’s NEVI-compliant DCFC stations are manufactured in South Carolina and exceed federal sourcing and kWh requirements. Exclusively focused on the EVSE space since 2014, the company is also an EVITP-approved contractor, exceeding federal requirements for

quality EVSE installation standards.

Waffle House, a culinary icon of the South, and famous for its commitment to customer satisfaction and community engagement, is embracing the opportunity to contribute to the green energy movement.

TDOT and TDEC solicited applications for the $88 million in federal grant funding over five years. The grant awardees will purchase, install, own, operate, maintain and report on the program-funded EV charging infrastructure.

“Tennessee has shown true leadership in state agency coordination between TDOT and TDEC, sharing expertise and building a strong foundation for the state’s EV charging network,” said Executive Director of the Joint Office of Energy and Transportation Gabe Klein “The Joint Office is proud to provide technical support to ensure these 30 fast charging locations provide a frictionless experience for users.”

EnviroSpark will begin construction on the Waffle House charging stations this year and plans to work with the restaurant giant on future NEVI projects.

Autel announced it has partnered with automotive data provider MOTOR Information Systems to provide an improved experience for users and more streamlined access to OEM repair information using MOTOR’s TruSpeed Repair. MOTOR TruSpeed Repair will be available for integration into Autel’s diagnostics software on all North American Ultra series tablets including Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) capable tools.

Autel Ultra series tablet users can access the most up-to-date automotive service and repair content within days of being published by the OEM. The TruSpeed Repair information will include component locations, diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs), maintenance schedules, repair procedures, specifications, technical service bulletins (TSBs) and wiring diagrams.

The paid subscription service will also provide OEM Position Statements and ADAS-related repair details. The software update and integration is expected to be released in the late first quarter of this year.

An artist rendering shows the new fast chargers outside the Waffle House in Lakeland, TN.

Bomnin Automotive Acquires 2 Miami Dealerships

Bomnin Automotive Group announced Jan. 22 its continued expansion in the Miami market with the acquisition of Planet Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and Planet Alfa Romeo Fiat.

The new dealerships, acquired by Bomnin Automotive Group in December, finished being rebranded under Bomnin Automotive Group in January.

The acquisition significantly enhances Bomnin Automotive’s regional presence, which includes two of the top GM dealerships in the world by annual sales volume. Collectively, Bomnin now employs nearly 800 team members in the Miami metropolitan market.

“Our continued growth is a biproduct of our commitment to providing unparalleled service and a diverse range of automotive choices to our customers,” said Arnaldo Bomnin, founder and CEO of Bomnin Automotive Group. “With these acquisitions, we are again expanding that range of choices and service offerings and will now be able to serve even more people.”

Bomnin, a Cuban-born immigrant, came to the U.S. in 1996. To

make ends meet early on, he sold lobsters on the streets of Miami before beginning his career as a car salesman in late 1996. He worked his way up from salesman to assistant manager, to sales manager, to general manager and eventually was able to save and borrow enough money to purchase his first dealership in 2010, which was selling around 70 cars per month.

In 2023, Bomnin Automotive Group sold more than 24,000 new and used vehicles.

“Our expansion goes beyond business growth. It’s about strengthening our ties with this community that has embraced us,” said Bomnin. “We really aim to do more than just sell cars. We’re here to foster real relationships, and we do that by continually giving back to the community.”

Over the years, Bomnin has actively supported various charitable initiatives in the Miami community, by contributing more than $1 million to charitable organizations.

Bomnin’s key philanthropic efforts include partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital,

the Rotary Club of Homestead for youth scholarships, sponsorship of athletic programs at several local schools, annual holiday toy giveaways, donating more than 1,000 turkeys to families each Thanksgiving, supporting Baptist Health of South Florida, enhancing safety through support for the Village of Pinecrest Police Department, the Police Officer Assistance trust, the Military Affairs Committee, supporting special needs educational involvement with Neva King Cooper Center and many more local organizations.

Additionally, Bomnin has supported Autism Speaks, the RCMA Everglades II Child Development Center, and the United Way to help address community needs for seniors.

According to his wife, Yani Bomnin, he can often be heard saying the slogan written on the entrance of the dealerships: “We sell cars, but our passion is giving back to the community.”

Bomnin is also proud of his most recent engagement to support Kristi House in its mission to treat and prevent child sexual abuse.

All BASF customers go through a certification process. Until today, this process involved a twoday mandatory training where attendees completed in person classroom learning and handson training.

To reduce travel expenses and time away from the shop floor, BASF has converted one day of in-class instruction to online training hosted in its Learning University. This blended learning approach allows customers to start training whenever and wherever they are and still benefit from the face-to-face portion.

The online learning portion is comprised of eight to 10 modules, with an assessment after each module instead of a final exam. Once the online portion is complete, customers can schedule their in-person class at the location of their choice, where they will receive face-to-face training and assessment. Participants will have 45 days to finish this process and can access their certificate of completion online.

“Se Habla Espanol ”

Hertz Pausing Polestar Purchases in Shift from EVs

By Zachary Viscont Teslarati

Rental car company Hertz has halted its plans to purchase EVs from Polestar, on the heels of slowing down its electrification strategy by selling off some of the EVs it already owned.

After a filing in January revealed Hertz decided to cut its EV fleet by around 20,000 vehicles, CEO Stephen Scherr reportedly asked Polestar CEO Thomas Ingenlath to pause purchases in 2024, according to a report from the Financial Times. Ingenlath said the automaker agreed to waive requirements to purchase a certain number of Polestar EVs this year, so long as Hertz agrees to avoid selling the vehicles early, or for significantly cheaper than they were purchased.

According to Ingenlath, the companies agreed Hertz would “keep the cars longer than a year, we work with them, and we have the right to first refusal whenever

they want to take them out of the fleet.”

Polestar has sold Hertz about 13,000 of the 65,000 units agreed upon in the 2022 deal. Despite the pause on 2024 sales, Ingenlath said the companies have a “clear intention” to reintroduce large-scale Polestar sales in the future, though they’ll “have to review at the time” whether to reboot the company’s EV sales in 2025.

In January, Hertz started selling off some of its Tesla inventory, ahead of the company’s filing stating it was looking to slash its EV fleet.

The news comes just days after reports suggested Polestar’s parent company, Volvo, could be preparing to off-load Polestar, with Volvo owner Geely set to take over. It also comes after Polestar announced plans to cut around 15% of its global workforce, and just months after the automaker entered production of the Polestar 4 crossover SUV.

Rivian Launches Technical Trades Program For Future Technicians At New Georgia Plant

Rivian recently welcomed the first class of 26 future technicians who will eventually support operations at its upcoming Stanton Springs Plant in Georgia to its training program, the company announced Feb. 10 on LinkedIn.

The Rivian Technical Trades Program will provide the students with an accelerated 16-week foundational training program. Upon instructional course completion, they will receive onthe-job training and learn skills from professionals in the EV maker’s original manufacturing facility in Normal, IL. Upon graduation, they will return to Georgia to put their expertise to work in the new plant, which will build the company’s next-generation R2 line.

“This is a very exciting development,” said David Stevens, director of maintenance at Rivian, as the employees of the inaugural Georgia cohort will be “some of the very first who will eventually call the new Stanton Springs Plant their home.”

The first Rivian Technical Trades Program was established in 2021. Some of those employees are contributing to the R1 line in Normal.

“This innovative program is in partnership with Georgia’s technical college system,” said Arnhelm Mittelbach, VP of manufacturing, “and we’re looking forward to a long-term partnership in the community as we work towards production in Georgia.”

Those who are interested in applying for the Rivian Technical Trades Program can apply at rivn. co/TechTrades.

Rivian is set to reveal a compact SUV built to be built on the R2 line on March 7, and is expected to hold a groundbreaking ceremony for the new factory where it will be built later this year.

Rivian posted to LinkedIn a photo of some of the students.

Ford, GM Taking Steps To Build More Affordable EVs

Ford and GM both recently announced moves to help improve affordability – and profitability – of their electric vehicle offerings.

Ford is developing its nextgeneration EVs to “surprise customers and be profitable within a year of launch,” CFO John Lawler said during the company’s recent 2023 earnings presentation, while GM announced the appointment of former Tesla executive Kurt Kelty as the new vice president of batteries.

During Ford’s earnings presentation, CEO Jim Farley disclosed plans to concentrate on EVs in sectors where Ford holds a competitive edge, such as trucks and vans.

“Our next Gen 2 products will be profitable in the first 12 months of their launch,” Farley assured.

Farley said two years ago, Ford formed a “super-talented skunkworks team” tasked with creating a low-cost EV platform, which led to the development of a versatile platform that can underpin a range of vehicle types while supporting a vast ecosystem of software and services.

The push for affordability and

efficiency is not just about staying competitive; it’s a response to the evolving market dynamics and consumer expectations.

customers. “We learned that as you scale EVs to 5,000 to 7,000 units a month and you move into the early majority customer, they are not

“All of our EV teams are ruthlessly focused on cost and efficiency in our EV products because the ultimate competition is going to be the affordable Tesla and … Chinese OEMs,” Farley said.

Farley admitted past missteps, particularly in understanding the price sensitivity of mainstream EV

willing to pay a significant premium for EVs,” he noted.

At GM, Kelty, known for his role in Tesla’s battery development, will bring more than three decades of experience, with the mission to enhance battery technology and reduce costs.

Kelty, set to begin his role

Feb. 19, will spearhead GM’s comprehensive battery cell strategy, encompassing the management of raw materials, advancement and commercialization of new battery technologies, and the lifecycle of batteries, aiming to address the industry’s critical challenge of balancing affordability with high performance at scale.

The hiring comes at a time when GM is under pressure to make its EV segment profitable, amidst reliance on revenue from its traditional gaspowered vehicles. CEO Mary Barra has projected profitability in the EV sector later this year.

GM President Mark Reuss said Kelty’s background in battery chemistry development, supply chain establishment and system partnerships will be instrumental in achieving GM’s ambitious electrification goals and establishing the company as a frontrunner in EV technology.

The company plans to invest $35 billion in EVs and related technologies by 2025. Kelty’s addition to the team is expected to significantly bolster GM’s position in the rapidly evolving EV market.

A worker builds a Ford F-150 Lightning at the Rouge EV Center in Michigan.

Volkswagen Chattanooga Workers Embrace UAW

At Volkswagen’s only U.S. assembly plant, in Chattanooga, TN, more than half of the workforce have signed cards to join the United Auto Workers (UAW) union, less than 60 days after workers announced a campaign to do so.

Chattanooga is the first nonunion auto plant to declare majority support for unionization among its workers. The movement gained momentum following the UAW’s victories in the Stand Up Strike against the Big Three, which have inspired auto workers nationwide to advocate for better working conditions and rights.

“The excitement has been building, and now that we have reached 50%, it is just continuing to grow. New organizers are joining each day spreading our effort to every area of the plant,” said Zach Costello, a Volkswagen worker and trainer in the plant’s proficiency room. “Just because we are in the South, it does not mean that our work is worth less, that our benefits should be diminished, or that

we don’t have rights. All workers should have a voice, and I hope the success that we’re having here is showing workers across the country what is possible.”

“We realized that the working conditions could be a lot better,” said Victor Vaughn, a logistics team member at Volkswagen. “And the employees, we don’t have a say in any of the decisions that are going on within the plant. We’re not being recognized as a major resource for the company. We have a very important job, to put a vehicle on the road that our families are buying, that our kids are riding in. We take pride in what we do, but we don’t have a voice in how we operate. That’s why we’re taking the lead.”

The Chattanooga facility, which employs more than 4,000 workers, is not alone in its quest for union representation. Similar initiatives are underway at other Southern auto plants, including Mercedes-Benz in Vance, AL, and Hyundai in Montgomery, AL.

For more information, visit UAW.org/join.

Issues ‘Do Not Drive’ Warning

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A Toyota Takata airbag recall announcement warns owners of these older models to stop driving their vehicles until they are repaired:

• 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla

• 2003-2004 Toyota Corolla Matrix (Toyota Matrix)

• 2004-2005 Toyota RAV4

About 50,000 vehicles are involved in the Toyota Takata airbag recall do not drive warning. Calling the airbag recall “URGENT,” Toyota said the airbags could explode and shoot metal fragments into vehicle occupants, primarily due to the age of the vehicles.

Toyota Corolla, Matrix and RAV4 owners should stop driving the vehicles and call their dealerships.

A Toyota dealer can visit the location of the vehicle and perform a mobile repair, or an owner can arrange to have the vehicle towed to the dealership for free.

Toyota will cover the cost of vehicle pickup and delivery.

Toyota will repair or replace the airbags, and owners can learn if their vehicles are affected by visiting Toyota.com/recall or nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Toyota Corolla, Toyota Matrix and Toyota RAV4 owners with questions or concerns may call the automaker at 800-331-4331.

Enterprise released Length of Rental (LOR) data for Q4 2023, showing the overall average LOR in the U.S. was 17.7 days, a one-day decline from the same period in 2022.

In the last quarter of 2022, the LOR of 18.7 days was up a half day from Q4 2021. The trend of declining year-over-year LOR started in Q2 2023, and continues.

In Q4 2023, Colorado had the highest LOR at 20.9 days, a 0.3day increase from Q4 2022. West Virginia, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, New Mexico and Kentucky were the next highest, respectively, all with an LOR of 20 days or higher.

Hawaii had the lowest LOR at 13.1 days, followed closely by North Dakota at 13.3 days. Iowa, Nebraska and Washington, D.C., had LOR under 15 days, with five other states—Vermont, Wisconsin, Maine, Illinois and California—all coming in with an LOR under 16 days.

Only three states saw year-overyear LOR increases from Q4 2022: Wyoming, Colorado and New Mexico. Of these, Wyoming had the highest increase, up 0.6 days.

For the last few years, Louisiana s overall LOR was often the highest in the nation. While Louisiana s LOR is still in the top 10 overall, the

state recorded a drop of 2.7 days, the largest decline in LOR in the country. Nebraska had the nextlargest drop, two full days lower than Q4 2022. Nineteen states saw a drop of greater than one day, while 20 more had declines of greater than half a day.

John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, offered some insights on the fourth quarter.

Some decline in LOR in Q4 2023 lines up with some easing we saw in shops backlog of work during that period,” Yoswick said. “The national average backlog in October dropped slightly to 4.1 weeks, down from 4.3 weeks in July. After drops the prior two quarters as well, shop backlog by last fall had fallen by a total of 1.7 weeks over nine months and was about 1.1 weeks lower in Q4 than the same period in 2022.

While October delivery times were negatively impacted for the Big 3 because of the UAW strike, the fourth quarter saw median delivery days lower than the same quarter last year,” said PartsTrader Chief Innovation Officer Greg Horn. “This is congruent with the overall LOR reduction that Enterprise is seeing.

Yoswick added: In other good

news for the industry, shops continue to have fewer jobs inprocess within their shops, reducing production challenges. We measure work-in-process as the number of jobs, or car count, a shop has inprogress compared to that shop s typical monthly job count. More than 300 shops shared that in Q4 2023 they had work-in-process that, on average, was equal to 68% of their typical monthly volume. That was up 4 points from the prior quarter, but still 10 percentage points lower than a year earlier.

“It will be interesting in the coming weeks to see what happens with backlog in Q1 2024,” Yoswick continued. “Historically, backlog has always risen between October and January. But if the overall trend of declining backlog continues—or if any increase is smaller than typical in past years—that may suggest that the multi-year logjam at shops is really starting to clear, and LOR will likely fall further. We ll know more in February.

Drivable

For rentals associated with drivable claims, LOR was 16.0 in the fourth quarter, down 0.2 days from Q4 2022.

Colorado had the highest drivable

LOR at 19.2 days, followed by Rhode Island at 19.0 days and Oklahoma at 18.9 days.

North Dakota had the lowest LOR at 10.8 days, just above Hawaii at 11.6 days—the only two states under 12.0 days. Iowa, Vermont and Nebraska all had LOR lower than 13 days.

Colorado also had the highest increase, up 1.5 days, followed by Wyoming (+1.3) and New Mexico (+1.2). Only 13 other states, plus D.C., had LOR increases.

On the other end of the spectrum, Nebraska saw a decrease of 1.5 days, followed by Louisiana (-1.3) and Montana (-1.2). Eight additional states had decreases greater than one half day, with Wisconsin, California and Florida down 0.9 days each.

Non-Drivable

Non-drivable LOR in Q4 2023 was 24.7 days, a 2.4-day drop from Q4 2022. This is a significant reduction, as Q4 2022 s LOR of 27.1 days was an equally significant rise (+2.8) from Q4 2021, when non-drivable LOR was 24.3 days.

West Virginia had the highest non-drivable LOR at 32.1 days, a 0.6-day increase over Q4 2022. New Mexico followed at 29.9 days, with Colorado (29.7) and Washington

(29.4) just behind.

Iowa had the lowest non-drivable LOR at 21.2 days, just under Nebraska at 21.3 days. New York (21.8) and Virginia (21.9) were the other states under 22 days.

Vermont also saw LOR go up 0.6 days, with Hawaii seeing an increase of 0.1 days.

Every other state, plus D.C., had a year-over-year decrease, with the largest being Louisiana—down a massive 5.5 days from Q4 2022, which follows what was observed in Q3 2023, when Louisiana s nondrivable LOR declined 5.1 days. South Dakota (-4.3) and Arizona (-4.0) had the next-largest decreases.

In Q4 2022, 10 states had a nondrivable LOR greater than 30 days. There were another eight states with LOR greater than 29 days. These results were significant for those first-party customers with rental reimbursement policies, as the majority of those policies only allow 30 days coverage.

In Q4 2023, only West Virginia averaged more than 30 days, with New Mexico, Colorado and Washington above 29 days.

Shops also may be processing more work more quickly as they gain the ability to do more ADAS calibration and related work in ways other than subletting it to

new-car dealers, who also are often swamped with work,” Yoswick said. “The quarterly ‘Who Pays for What?’ surveys we conduct with Mike Anderson of Collision Advice offer evidence of this change over time.

“In 2019, the surveys found that about 1 in 3 shops were sending virtually all of their calibration work to dealers; this past fall, just 12% of shops said they were still doing that,” he continued. “Third-party ADAS vendors have doubled their market share in that time, performing an estimated 40% of calibration work compared to 19% five years ago. The percentage of calibration work conducted in-house at shops also has increased from an estimated 24% in 2019 to 32% today.

Total Loss

LOR associated with total loss claims was 16.3 days in Q4 2023, a 1.9-day drop from Q4 2022. Total loss LOR in Q4 2021 was 17.6 days, so the current results are the lowest seen since before the pandemic.

Vermont had the highest total loss LOR at 20.2 days, with Wyoming, West Virginia, New Hampshire, Maine and Washington all 19 days or higher.

Florida, Missouri and North Dakota tied for the lowest total loss LOR at 14.7 days each.

Only six states—Vermont, Wyoming, Alaska, Maine, Oklahoma and Wisconsin—had total loss LOR increases in Q4 2023. All other states, plus D.C., saw decreases, with Hawaii s (-7.1 days) decrease almost double that of the nexthighest decreases in Tennessee and Oregon (both -3.8 days).

Summary

As the numbers show, the trend of “predictable” seasonal LOR continues; the LOR decrease is positive, and many repairers are finding ways to anticipate and operate in the new normal. However, challenging market conditions remain, and overall LOR remains significantly higher than it was prepandemic.

We see a slight decrease in the average number of parts ordered per repair as a result of a mild fourth quarter winter compared to last year s early and heavier winter,” Horn said. “Parts are still a major factor in length of rental, but the decreases appear to be a result of a milder winter. Now that we are seeing significant weather in Q1 2024, we can expect a corresponding increase in nondrives with increased number of parts per repair.

Other improvements may have been offset to some degree by

continued parts challenges in Q4 2023,” Yoswick said. “In late 2022, a CRASH Network survey found that only about 1 in 4 shops said they were seeing more parts challenges than they had a year earlier---and 40% said they were seeing at least some improvement in parts availability. But [in December 2023], it was just the opposite. About 42% of the more than 300 responding shops were seeing increased parts issues— including almost 1 in 5 who said they were experiencing significantly more parts challenges compared to late 2022.

As always, Enterprise is committed to partnering with insurers, repairers and suppliers on all the issues impacting repair times and LOR. Through foundational support provided by the Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Enterprise is spearheading the Collision Engineering Program, designed to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry. Enterprise is thrilled to expand its longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Fund, to expand the program and help address this ongoing industry challenge.

For more information, visit www. beacollisionengineer.com.

Hyundai To Break Ground on Training Center Near Upcoming EV Plant in GA

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Hyundai Motor Group will soon begin work on its Georgia Quick Start training center near its upcoming electric vehicle (EV) plant in the state.

The South Korean automaker will break ground at the site at 10 a.m. Feb. 8. Personnel from Georgia Quick Start, the Technical College System of Georgia, Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA), local business leaders and state officials will attend the groundbreaking ceremony.

annual capacity of 300,000 units.

“Hyundai and the people of Georgia share many qualities: respect for our histories, ingenuity, creativity and determination to make the world better for the next generation,” said Hyundai Motor Group Executive Chair Euisun Chung during the groundbreaking ceremony for HMGMA.

“Today, our EVs are recognized as best in class, and with this partnership, we are determined to be the global leader in electrification, safety, quality and sustainability,” Chung continued.

Kaizen Launches 2-Day ADAS Training Course

Georgia Quick Start is an 89,000-square-foot facility geared to train thousands of Georgians for work at HMGMA. Hyundai plans to invest $5.54 billion in the dedicated EV and battery plant. Non-affiliated HMGMA suppliers are estimated to invest another $1 billion in the area due to the project.

Kaizen Glass Solutions announced the launch of its two-day ADAS training course at its training center in Hutto, TX, designed to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to fully leverage their investment in ADAS technology.

The course covers a wide range of topics, including ADAS cameras and sensors calibration process, ways to increase efficiency and profitability while performing ADAS calibrations, troubleshooting and dynamic and static handson training. Participants will gain hands-on experience with ADAS calibration on multiple vehicles, providing them with practical insights into the latest technologies and techniques of ADAS calibration.

The course provides the most in-depth two-day ADAS training without requiring the purchase of a system, and the schedules offer flexibility and coincide with the five-day Auto Glass Training Program, allowing students to take advantage of both courses for a discounted price.

Register now at www. kaizenglasssolutions.com.

The new factory is slated to start commercial production by the first half of 2025, aiming for an

“With the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America, we will continue to evolve beyond an automaker to the world’s leading mobility solutions provider.”

Hyundai Motor Group aims to produce a diverse range of electric vehicles under its brand name at the Georgia plant, including Hyundai, Genesis and Kia electric vehicles. The company’s Hyundai and Kia brands together hold the second-highest EV sales record in the U.S. after Tesla.

U.S. House Passes Tax Bill That Could Benefit Auto Repair Businesses

On Jan. 31, the U.S. House of Representatives passed HR 7024, the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024, by a vote of 357-70. It will now move on to the U.S. Senate.

The bill, introduced by House Ways and Means Committee

Chairman Jason Smith, R-MO, and Senate Finance Committee

Chairman Ron Wyden, D-OR, aims to alleviate financial strains faced by independent repair shops, grappling with rapid technological advancements and an evolving automotive landscape, as they will need to continue to invest in facility and equipment upgrades, some of which may require taking on debt.

This tax proposal would:

Reclassify interest paid on certain business loans as allowable deductions.

Provide for a 100% bonus depreciation allowance for qualified property—such as equipment and vehicles— acquired and placed in service between Dec. 31, 2022, and Jan. 1, 2026.

Raise the maximum amount a business may expense for qualifying property from $1 million (reduced by the amount by which the cost exceeds $2.5 million) to $1.29 million (reduced by the amount by which the cost exceeds $3.22 million), adjusting for inflation for taxable years after 2024.

“Advancing the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act closer to enactment is a huge win for independent automotive repairers.”

BOB REDDING

ASA’S WASHINGTON, D.C., REPRESENTATIVE

One provision in the framework of significant consequence to many repair business’ employees is the expansion to the Child Tax Credit. The bill would:

Change how the maximum refundable credit is calculated by including consideration for the number of children in a household.

Increase the maximum perchild limit from $1,600 to $1,800 for tax year 2023, along with annual increases to the cap adjusted for inflation each ensuing year through 2025.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) applauded and expressed its gratitude to the U.S. House of Representatives for passing H.R. 7024.

“Advancing the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act closer to enactment is a huge win for independent automotive repairers. The U.S. House of Representatives sent a strong message, through yesterday’s vote, that small businesses—like those represented by ASA— deserve a chance to thrive,” said Bob Redding, ASA’s Washington, D.C., representative. “H.R. 7024 helps make that vision possible. Many thanks to U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Jason Smith for his leadership in putting this package together. ASA eagerly awaits the Senate’s consideration and passage of this bill so that it may ultimately receive the president’s signature.”

Hunter Wins Optimizely Award

Hunter Engineering announced it was named a winner in the Optimizely 2023 Customer Awards contest, in the “Greatest Use of Technology” category.

The organization-wide award recognizes customers who have deployed and maintained a technology ecosystem with Optimizely at the center of their digital planning and execution.

Optimizely is one of the largest digital experience platform companies in the world. Hunter employed several Optimizely products to help provide exceptional customer experiences. With the assistance of Optimizely CMS, Hunter’s corporate website, Hunter.com, saw a 70% increase in monthly average pageviews.

A large portion of this growth was driven by the HunterNet® 2 portal built within Optimizely, where customers log in for personalized data about the Hunter equipment installed at their business, as well as valuable information for technicians and service writers.

A new partnership between automotiveMastermind, a data and technology provider in the automotive industry, and Morgan Automotive Group, one of the nation’s largest auto dealer groups, aims to integrate automotiveMastermind’s technology and Polk Automotive Solutions’ data services into Morgan’s extensive dealership network throughout Florida, promising to redefine the consumer experience with advanced predictive analytics. automotiveMastermind’s technology uses predictive analytics to anticipate customer needs and preferences, offering a unique advantage in personalizing the consumer journey. Through this partnership, Morgan’s 73 dealerships will benefit from enhanced data quality, enrichment and business intelligence capabilities, thereby improving operational systems, marketing strategies, and ultimately, the consumer experience.

“This partnership with automotiveMastermind and S&P Global Mobility better equips our marketing partners, marketing

teams and dealer operators to execute the best possible consumer experience through our dealership network,” said Morgan Automotive Group COO Tom Moore

“We look forward to working with this incredible dealer group to build on their established success by providing our data and predictions, in-market behavior insights, seamless integrations with other tech providers, and new innovations that we introduce to Mastermind,” said Matt Leone, CEO of automotiveMastermind.

“The collaboration with automotiveMastermind and Morgan Automotive Group highlights the strength of the S&P Global Mobility portfolio by leveraging the mutual strength of Polk Automotive Solutions’ data services and Mastermind’s predictive analytics,” said Joe Kyriakoza, vice president and general manager, Polk Automotive Solutions, S&P Global Mobility. “This partnership highlights the ability for S&P Global Mobility to accelerate complex automotive data initiatives.”

New EV Charging Network Backed by Automakers Begins Operations

IONNA, a joint venture among global automotive giants, has officially commenced its journey to create one of North America’s most extensive and powerful EV charging networks. Spearheaded by industry veteran Seth Cutler as CEO, IONNA is set to deploy at least 30,000 high-powered charging stations across the continent.

With the backing of seven of the world’s most influential automakers – BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes-Benz and Stellantis – IONNA’s initiative marks a pivotal moment in the push for widespread EV adoption.

“Our shared commitment to creating an extensive, highpowered charging network reflects our dedication to revolutionizing the entire EV charging experience,” said Cutler.

Under Cutler’s leadership, who boasts a distinguished career in electric mobility and infrastructure

experience. The network promises accessibility to all EVs equipped with NACS or CCS connectors, offering an integrated, top-tier charging service. This includes providing amenities such as restrooms, food services and retail outlets at charging locations, ensuring customer comfort and convenience.

The charging stations will not only support long-distance EV travel, but also align with the sustainability goals of the participating automakers by being powered by renewable energy sources. The placement of these stations throughout North America will start with the U.S. in 2024 and eventually

Tesla Opening New Distribution Center in South Carolina

By Zachary Visconti Teslarati

Tesla is set to open a new distribution center in a 251,000-square-foot warehouse in Greenville County, SC, the automaker announced.

The new Tesla distribution site will be located in a warehouse in the Fox Hill Business Park in Fountain Inn, with the site being developed by New Jersey-based developers The Sudler Companies (via WYFF4). The facility will be dedicated to regional parts distribution and is expected to be opened early this year.

“Tesla’s commitment to Fox Hill Business Park in Greenville County is a testament to the continued strength of our company’s partnership with Tesla and to the indisputable drivers that make the park and the Upstate a force in the logistics world,” said Brian Sudler, principal at The Sudler Companies.

“Access to world-class labor, a friendly business environment, quality of life and proximity to more than 90 million people within one day’s drive combine to make Greenville County the vital and dynamic area it is known to be,” Sudler added.

Tesla also operates a distribution center in Lathrop, CA, near its Megapack factory. On Jan. 19, Tesla also broke ground on expansions to its Gigafactory Nevada, a project that was announced roughly a year ago.

Currently, Tesla has two positions in Greenville listed on its careers page: a facilities site technician for the Parts Distribution Center and a process engineer. In addition to those two, the automaker also lists job openings in Columbia, SC, for a customer experience manager, mobile service technicians and a mobile service advisor.

The firm added Tesla plans to open the facility in Fox Hill Business Park Building 3, a warehouse with a total of 251,100 square feet.

WYFF4 reported Tesla shared a job listing for a training leader to help train workers at the new distribution center, though the role can no longer be seen on the careers page as of writing.

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ASE Welcomes New Leadership

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) announced Dave Johnson, the newly appointed president and CEO, has taken the reins from Tim Zilke, who retired after a commendable 30plus year tenure with ASE.

In addition to Johnson, the ASE team welcomes Donna Wagner as the new vice president of industry and media relations. Wagner previously served as assistant vice president of the ASE Education Foundation. She replaces Trish Serratore, another long-serving member who retired at the end of last year.

The organization’s Board of Directors also sees fresh faces with Tom Trisdale taking on the role of the new chair. He is joined by Jason Rainey, who will serve as vice chair. The board’s new treasurer and secretary are John Wolf and Tom Palermo Homer Hogg, the previous year’s chair, will now serve as the past chair. ASE’s Board of Governors has been expanded with the addition of eight new members.

Self-Driving Cars’ High Accident Rate Sparks Concern

Statistics showing self-driving cars are involved in significantly more accidents per mile driven than their human-operated counterparts is contributing to deep-seated concerns and skepticism among Americans towards the burgeoning technology, Forbes Advisor reported.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), selfdriving vehicles are involved in 9.1 crashes per million vehicle miles driven, more than double the 4.2 crashes involving conventional vehicles.

This high accident rate is a key factor behind the 93% of Americans who harbor concerns about self-driving cars, with safety and technology malfunctions being the primary worries, according to a study conducted by Forbes Advisor and OnePoll, which surveyed 2,000 Americans.

The survey also revealed a significant lack of trust in autonomous vehicles, with 81% of respondents admitting

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62% of consumers have lost confidence in Tesla.

Despite the challenges, 30% of Americans surveys expressed excitement about the future of self-driving vehicles. Potential benefits cited include enhanced mobility for the elderly and people with disabilities, increased efficiency in transportation logistics, and the possibility of multitasking while driving.

Safety and technology malfunctions were the primary worries among survey respondents. Image via Shutterstock.

they have never been in a selfdriving car. Moreover, 61% of Americans stated they wouldn’t trust a self-driving car with the safety of their loved ones or children, and more than half (51%) are somewhat or very unlikely to own or use a selfdriving vehicle within the next five years.

Tesla, a company often associated with leading the charge in autonomous driving, has not been immune to these concerns. Following a series of safety and technology recalls,

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Cox Automotive Launches New EV Battery Center in Georgia

Cox Automotive opened its latest EV Battery Solutions service center in Conyers, GA, an expansion of its global electric vehicle (EV) battery service network in the Southeastern U.S. The move comes as Georgia experiences a surge in EV-related investments from automakers and battery manufacturers.

“The geographic expansion of our EV battery service network reinforces our dedication to both our customers and the growth of the new and used electric vehicle market in the U.S.,” said Lea Malloy, AVP of EV battery solutions, Cox Automotive. “As the global leader of integrated battery caretaking services, we provide flexible capacity and logistics expertise that frees OEM resources to focus on new product development and

customer engagement that is essential to further driving EV growth.”

Cox Automotive manages the industry’s largest recall with remarkable efficiency and safety, and offers solutions to swiftly address emergency batteryrelated incidents for OEMs and dealerships across the U.S.

The company also supports practices that enable the extension of EV battery first lives and end-of-life reuse and recovery treatments. This includes a variety of storage, logistics, diagnostics, repair and remanufacturing services being conducted at the company’s global EV battery service facilities in Oklahoma City, OK, Belleville, MI, Las Vegas, Conyers, GA, Ede, Netherlands, as well as select Manheim operating locations.

West Virginia, South Dakota Introduce Bills Supporting ICE Vehicles

Lawmakers in both West Virginia and South Dakota have introduced legislation that would prevent any county or city in the state from limiting access to internal combustion engines (ICE) and related technology.

would prevent limiting access to engines powered by any particular source, not only fossil fuels.

In South Dakota, the bill awaits consideration by the House Local Government Committee.

West Virginia and South Dakota are the first two states to introduce this legislation in the 2024 state legislative sessions, but follows seven other states—Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and North Carolina—that have previously passed similar legislation and resolutions.

SEMA supports both states’ bills, and believes those states’ residents, not the government, should be allowed to choose the type of vehicle technology that best serves them and their families.

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In West Virginia, the bill was introduced by Del. Gary Howell, R-87, who is also chairman emeritus of SEMA’s State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus. His bill

SEMA enourages residents in West Virginia to send tell their representatives to support the bill by visiting p2a.co/fxqwxpn, and those in South Dakota to do so by visiting p2a.co/z3siWQ9.

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Direct (678) 341-4220

Fax (678) 341-4221 www.troncallisubaru.com

NO. CAROLINA

Jim Armstrong Subaru

Hickory

(888) 905-6135

(828) 322-9372 opt 5

Mon.-Fri. 8-5 parts@jimarmstrongsubaru.com www.jimarmstrongsubaru.com

Parkway Subaru

Wilmington

(800) 424-9434

(910) 793-8710 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7-6; Sat. 8-2

The bills would prevent limiting access to internal combustion engines. Image via Shutterstock.

Vehicle Dependability Declines in 3-Year Ownership

Owners are finding their vehicles less reliable over three years of ownership, a recent study by J.D. Power revealed. The 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) showed an increase in problems per 100 vehicles (PP100), marking a concerning trend in long-term vehicle dependability.

The study, which spans 184 specific problem areas in nine major vehicle categories, found the industry average for problems has risen to 190 PP100, up from 186 PP100 in the previous year. This deterioration in dependability is surprising, given that J.D. Power’s VDS model results typically mirror those of the Initial Quality Study for the same model year.

“This can likely be attributed to the tumultuous time during which these vehicles were built, and owners are keeping their vehicles for much longer,” said Frank Hanley, senior director of auto benchmarking at J.D. Power.

Infotainment systems have emerged as a significant source

NISSAN

FLORIDA

Reed Nissan

Orlando

407-295-7379

(407) 291-2541 Fax

M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-5 parts@reedmotorsinc com www reednissan com

Sutherlin Nissan

Vero Beach

772-778-3600

(772) 778-1927 Fax

M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 8-3 wstevens@sutherlinautomotive�com

of frustration for vehicle owners, with issues in this category nearly doubling those in the next-highest category, exterior. Connectivity problems with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, along with built-in voice recognition difficulties, are the most prevalent issues.

Additionally, the study highlights growing annoyance with driver assistance system alerts, which increase over time rather than becoming more familiar to the driver. This includes

GEORGIA

Infiniti of Gwinnett Duluth

678-812-8545

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alerts from features such as lane departure warning and forward collision warning.

Electrified vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), are reported to have more problems than their gas-powered and hybrid counterparts. BEVs, in particular, pose the most issues, with a significant number of owners having to replace tires within the first three years of ownership.

Despite the overall downturn in dependability, Toyota Motor Corporation stood out for its high number of segment awards, the most received by any automaker since 2017. Lexus, a Toyota brand, ranked highest overall in vehicle dependability for the second consecutive year.

The most improved brands in terms of reduced problems per 100 vehicles include Porsche, Mercedes-Benz and Toyota.

The 2024 study was based on responses from more than 30,000 original owners of 2021 model-year vehicles.

FLORIDA

CIECA welcomes ADAS Find as a new CIECA corporate member. Founded in 2023 by Owen VanEck and Aiden Foley , the Michigan-based company was established to provide the auto repair industry with a simple and affordable platform for identifying necessary ADAS calibrations and initializations.

VanEck and Foley learned about CIECA through extensive industry research and networking within the automotive repair sector.

VanEck said the company joined CIECA to actively contribute to advancing industry standards and connect with like-minded professionals.

For ADAS Find, adhering to CIECA standards is crucial in delivering high-quality, standardized solutions to theirclients, promoting trust and reliability in the industry.

By becoming a CIECA member, VanEck said they aim to actively participate in shaping and influencing industry standards.

TENNESSEE

24 Hr Fax

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

www.autonationfordmemphis.com

Survey respondents reported nearly twice as many issues with their cars’ infotainment systems as in the nexthighest category, exterior. Image via Shutterstock.

Driven Brands Hits Fundraising Milestone

The Driven Brands collision group, which includes Abra, CARSTAR US, CARSTAR Canada and Fix Auto USA, announced it has raised more than $5 million for cystic fibrosis (CF) research, care and advocacy across North America.

The journey began more than 25 years ago when CARSTAR started fundraising in Canada, following a CF diagnosis within a franchise partner’s family. This personal connection galvanized the entire network, inspiring a widespread and sustained effort. The fundraising activities, ranging from car washes and golf tournaments to charity walks and garage sales, have collectively contributed to this achievement.

In recognition of this $5 million milestone, the U.S. collision network sponsored 10 families, providing holiday gifts to alleviate the seasonal stress on parents. The initiative resulted in more than $3,000 in donations, encompassing toys, clothing and essential household items. Meanwhile, in Canada,

I-CAR’s Collision Careers Launches Innovative Talent Drive

I-CAR’s Collision Careers unveiled a digital advertising campaign aimed at attracting new talent to fill an estimated 100,000 skilled technician vacancies. The initiative, “Bolt Ahead with Collision Careers,” features a series of dynamic videos intended to draw interest to the field.

“The launch of this first-ofits-kind campaign is a natural next step on the critical work I-CAR has undertaken through its Collision Careers program to attract talent to the industry and to illustrate the benefits of this stable, growing, innovative career journey,” said Dara Goroff, vice president of planning and industry talent programming.

Developed in partnership with ad agency Push 22, the campaign is set to run primarily on YouTube, targeting both students and their parents in key markets such as Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Philadelphia. These

to leading collision repair educational programs.

The initiative not only aims to fill the current talent gap but also to establish a new way of marketing the collision repair industry to a younger audience.

social media.

Collision Careers plans to extend its reach later in the year by partnering with organizations and marketing leaders within the industry to co-create content and develop co-op advertising campaigns. This broader strategy is designed to further promote career opportunities within collision repair.

“We are taking a very current consumer marketing approach and applying it to an industry that has never approached positioning itself in this way to attract talent,” said Arianna Sherlock, senior director of marketing at I-CAR. The campaign seeks to engage Gen Z where they spend a significant amount of time—online and on

Launched in 2023 in collaboration with the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) and the recipient of the 2023 SEMA Global Media Award, Collision Careers provides comprehensive resources for individuals considering a career in collision repair. This includes students, career changers, parents and school counselors. Through these efforts, I-CAR aims to unify the industry, align its initiatives, and effectively bridge the technician gap, ensuring a sustainable future for the field.

Credit: Shutterstock.

Co-President & Publisher

Nathan Gregory

Co-President & Publisher

Paul Stepanek

Editor

Abby Andrews

Contributing Writers

Mike Anderson,Stacey Phillips, John Yoswick, Cole Strandberg

Advertising Sales

Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar

Office Manager

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Digital Marketing Manager

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Vicki Sitarz

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Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

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

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RM, a leading brand of BASF, has introduced the RMC1000, a groundbreaking one-coat clear solution in the refinish paint market, offering time savings and potential revenue growth.

Unlike traditional 1.5-coat clears that require a flashoff time and a second coat, RMC1000’s advanced formula enables application in just one wet coat, followed by 30 minutes of drying at 140 F°. This method eliminates the need for a second coat and flash-off time.

The impact of this time efficiency is substantial. With RMC1000, body shop owners can save at least 10 minutes per job, translating to more than $500,000 in additional annual revenue.

Beyond revenue, RMC1000 also offers notable environmental benefits. Swapping a 1.5-coat clear with RMC1000 can result in significant energy saving — about $2,000 annually — and a reduction of 7,000 pounds in CO2 emissions.

Summit Partners Invests in CollisionRight

CollisionRight, a collision repair shop consolidator in the U.S., on Jan. 30 announced a majority investment from Summit Partners, a growth equity investment firm.

The new capital will help support CollisionRight’s growth plan, which is focused on acquiring and operating highquality, customer-friendly collision repair shops across the central and Mid-Atlantic regions.

CollisionRight founder and CEO Rich Harrison will retain significant equity ownership in the business by investing alongside Summit, as will several other members of the company’s senior management team.

Founded in 2020, CollisionRight has acquired 89 shops in the past 3.5 years, establishing the company as one of the leading consolidators and providers of collision repair services in the U.S. The company and its skilled repair technicians aim to provide high-quality, reliable repairs for consumers, using modern technology, paint and parts, and to be an equally

reliable partner to the company’s insurance carrier partners who pay for the overwhelming majority of repairs undertaken by CollisionRight.

leader in the collision repair industry, and we are excited to help Rich and his team extend this leadership position,” said John Carroll, a managing

“Partnering with Summit will help CollisionRight enter a new and expanded era of growth,” said Harrison. “Summit’s growth focus and commitment to operational excellence align with our desire to continue to partner with the country’s best shop operators and provide the driving public with timely and high-quality repairs. Our goal is to create an industry leader that will set the standard for growth, excellence and customer service. We are confident that partnering with Summit will help us to achieve that goal.”

“CollisionRight has quickly established itself as a market

director at Summit Partners who will join Harrison on the CollisionRight Board of Directors.

“The collision repair industry remains highly fragmented, large and, in our view, very attractive,” said Robert Grady, an advisory partner at Summit who will also join the CollisionRight Board of Directors. “We look forward to working closely with the CollisionRight team to capitalize on this opportunity and enhance the company’s position as a growing, high-quality, customerfocused company.”

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

»

»

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OEM Parts Share: 89% Total Earnings: $51

Once a shop gets above 90% share, rebates increase quickly. In this example, by purchasing only $150 more OEM parts, the rebate jumps up $50.

OEM Parts Share: 100% Total Earnings: $101

» New enrollments made between February 1 and April 30, 2024 are eligible*.

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