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the insurance company’s side. But that’s not the case―they just don’t know.
Steering does exist, but the insurance companies have gotten better at it. They don’t put anything on paper. When you file a DOI complaint, the DOI requests the claim file. In that claim file, the DOI won’t find any trace of steering. All steering communication takes place over the phone, using specific language to get a vehicle pulled out of a specific shop that won’t play by their rules.
The solution to that problem would be for the DOI to request phone recordings pertinent to that claim file to hold these insurers accountable. Maybe petitioning or amending legislation to keep up with the electronic data of today would be beneficial.
Q: Do your clients often encounter issues over the constant wrestling match between aftermarkets parts vs. OE parts?
A: The legislation states that aftermarket parts must have non-removable markings. But, most of them don’t―they use stickers.
The legislation also says the parts have to be the same in fit, quality, safety and finish along with the non-removeable markings. The majority of these aftermarket parts aren’t the same because if they were they would be counterfeit parts.
Aftermarket parts have to be physically different, that’s the fact. That’s why they don’t fit and why you’ll see gaps and other irregularities.
When this happens to one of my clients, I direct them to write a new estimate to re-repair the car and submit it with their final bill. It states that the shop used aftermarket parts and they don’t fit. The insurance company will then say hey―why didn’t you tell us? They wanted the cheapest parts they could find, and now they’re shocked. But they know they’re on the hook, so they have no options.
Once they see you understand the legislation, they will never try that again.
Q: You are an active member and have served twice as president of California Autobody Association’s Foothill chapter. Tell us about the importance of the organization and its role in the industry in California.
A: The shops that join CAA are always the top shops who see the value in the organization and what they do. The CAA provides its members with a lot of valuable information through people like Jack Molodanof, their lobbyist in Sacramento, and speakers we’ve had such as Michael Anderson, BAR representatives and industry leaders.
I think the MSOs would benefit from joining CAA too. We plan on meeting again soon as opposed to Zoom calls, and we have some big plans for 2022, so now is the perfect time to join.
by Fabienne Lang, Interesting Engineering
You’ve inevitably heard of lithium-ion batteries, which power most of our portable electronics and, of course, electric vehicles.
They’ve undoubtedly revolutionized the way we live, but they also have some shortcomings, including short-circuiting and relatively short ranges for EVs.
Researchers have been working hard to find better, longer-lasting battery solutions that don’t weigh a ton or cost an arm and a leg. Now, a team of scientists in Germany may have found the holy grail: a lithium-metal battery that reaches an incredibly high energy density of 560-Wh/kg with great stability. The team published its findings in the journal Joule.
The new battery uses a combination of cobalt-poor, nickel-rich layered cathode (NCM88) and a commercially available organic LP30 electrolyte, which, when working together, enable storage of high energy per mass and a largely stable capacity over many cycles, per the researchers.
And the results are remarkable. Its energy density is above the 500-Wh/kg typical threshold that’s used to power next-gen EVs, and well above the regular 250-300Wh/kg energy density that lithium-ion batteries provide, as New Atlas pointed out.
Moreover, the team explained that its new lithium-metal battery retained 88 percent of its initial storage capacity after 1,000 cycles. And its average Coulombic efficiency—the ratio between its discharge and charge capacity— sits at 99.94%.
More research and adaptation need to happen before this battery is viable in the real world, but it’s a fantastic step forward.
This news, alongside the recent discovery made by Harvard University researchers who shared the news of their stable, solid-state, lithium-metal battery in May in the journal Nature, only goes to show the leaps and bounds we’re making towards improved battery life, weight and storage.
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1Collision proudly announced John Hollingsworth as director of location development.
Hollingsworth will be responsible for the continued growth and development of 1Collision expansion of independent single and multiple location collision repair centers throughout the U.S.
Prior to joining 1Collision, Hollingsworth spent more than seven years in a collision industry training organization working with teams on their culture and leadership.
“I’m excited to be back in a different capacity but one that still allows me to use my gifts,” Hollingsworth said.
“Having conducted a national search for the right individual to lead the business development charge, we are delighted John has joined our team,” said 1Collision President and COO Jim Keller.
Source: 1Collision
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