November 2022 Southeast Edition

Arizona Shop Owner Responds to Collision Repair Industry Pushback

By Ed Attanasio

When our first interview with Jim Huard, owner of Painters Collision Centers’ two locations in Arizona, was published in June, many shops supported his claims. But others were skeptical and claimed it’s impossible for a body shop to make a profit with DRPs in the picture.

detailer, where he quickly grasped the business of running a shop. Huard has held various executive management roles for national MSOs, as a general manager, regional manager and VP of operations.

Q: You received a fair amount of pushback after your interview first appeared in Autobody News. Why do you think that occurred?

A: It’s hard to say. I believe a lot of owner operators struggle with understanding their business. Saying you cannot make a profit while compensating your people well because you work with DRPs is just not true.

Q: Many shops say they can’t make any money being a member of a DRP, but you strongly disagree. What’s your secret?

CCA, WMABA to Host 2nd Annual Southeast Collision Conference in April 2023

The Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) are excited to announce a partnership to host the second annual Southeast Collision Conference (SCC), April 14-15, 2023, at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA, just minutes north of Richmond.

More information about the event can be found at http:// southeastcollisionconference.com/

SCC will continue to be a premier tradeshow and education opportunity, and now will feature elevated experiences for both attendees and vendors to take part. Following national meetings held the same week surrounding the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), in Richmond, there will be many national-level contributors taking part in the SCC events.

Autobody News sat down with Huard recently to give him a fair chance to respond to the adverse feedback he received this summer.

Huard is a long-time industry veteran, operating and managing body shops over his 35-year career before becoming the new owneroperator of Painter’s Collision Center, along with his wife, Kelly Huard Huard began his career as a

A: Learn your business first; understand your cost structure. I honestly believe that some folks should not own, operate or even be in this business, period— with DRPs or not. It seems like the same people saying that DRPs won’t work for them are the people who always fight everything. Why is the carrier that is paying for the repair paying for it in a DRP and a non-DRP environment? Why are they different because it’s the same carrier?

The only real difference is if I choose to give them concessions in exchange for bringing me more and

Ford Breaks Ground at BlueOval City in Tennessee

Ford officially has broken ground at BlueOval City, its largest, most advanced auto production complex in the company’s 119-year history.

Structural steel is erected less than one year after Ford and SK On announced their $5.6 billion investment to build a revolutionary all-new electric truck and advanced batteries for future Ford and Lincoln vehicles in West Tennessee. The nearly 6-square-mile mega campus will create approximately 6,000 new

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Jim Huard, owner of Painters Collision Centers, has learned how to work well with his insurance partners and is more than willing to share how he does it

Regional News

News

Columnists

Mike Anderson

Now is Not the Time for Collision Repairers to Give Up on OEM Certifications 14

Ed Attanasio

Arizona Shop Owner Responds to Collision Repair Industry Pushback 1

Videos Keep Everyone in the Loop While Building Trust and Confidence 46

Stacey Phillips

Award-Winning Shop Owner & SCRS

Treasurer Educates Consumers Through ‘Airing of GRIEVances’ Videos 12

Regional News

11 Vehicles Grilled to a Crisp After Tailgater Leaves BBQ on During Miami Football Game 16

Boyd Group Services Inc. Reopens Most FL, SC Repair Centers in Wake of Hurricane Ian 32

CCA, WMABA to Host 2nd Annual Southeast Collision Conference in April 2023 1

CIF Announces Support For Those Affected By Hurricane Ian 23

Crash Champions Acquires Lakewood Auto Collision in Florida 4

Crash Champions Expands South Carolina Service With Acquisition Of Louie & Son’s Body Shop In Charleston 32

National News

‘Ouch’: Gas Prices Rise for 2 Straight Weeks, OPEC Expected to Drive Them Higher 41

Braking Bad: Automatic Emergency Braking Absent When You Need It Most 42

CREF Hosting Art Meets Automotive 38

Driven Glass Attends Auto Glass Week 28

EV Sales Expected to Reach All-Time Highs in 2022 29

Ford Announces Leadership Changes 40

Hertz Planning to Order 175K EVs from GM 44

I-CAR Announces SEMA Classes 22

Kia Tow Hitch Recall Issued After Fires, Melting Incidents 48

More Hertz Customers File Lawsuit After Being Falsely Arrested 51

More Shops Being Paid For Clearing A Driver’s Personal Data From A Total Loss Vehicle; Latest ‘Who Pays’ Survey Now Open Through October 47

John Yoswick

EV Manufacturers Discuss Restricted Parts, Booth Concerns, ‘Service Mode’ 24

EVs, ADAS Calibrations, Future of DRPs Discussed at Annual CIECA Conference 20

SCRS Urging Auto Body Shops to Help Consumers Remove Personal Data from Total Loss Vehicles 34

Index of Advertisers

Inc/UltraWiz

Farmers Insurance Assisting Customers Impacted by Hurricane Ian 28

Ford Breaks Ground at BlueOval City in Tennessee 1

Hyundai Issues Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Program 6

Ian Will Be Costly, Perhaps The Most In U.S. History 8

Kia America Contributes $500,000 to American Red Cross for Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts 16

Mazda, Ford Offer Helping Hand to Hurricane Ian Victims 29

Coating Systems

CDJR Wholesale Parts

Landers

MSO Symposium Announces 2022 Master Of Ceremonies 40

NADA Urges FTC to Withdraw Proposed Rule 42

Nissan Recalls Frontiers, Titans for Rollaway Dangers 50

SCRS Announces Full Lineup for 2022 OEM Collision Repair Summit at SEMA 36

Shape Your Career Path with More Than 70 SEMA Show Education Sessions 10

Study: Dealerships can Win in Car Rental Market 44

Survey Shows Concerns for Economy 41

Survey Shows Greater Trust in Auto Technicians 47

Tesla Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Incorrect Automatic Window Operation 28

U.S. Approves 75K Miles Worth of EV Chargers Across All 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico 38

Collision Equipment,

Certified Automotive Parts Association

Kia of Greater Orlando

Mazda Wholesale

Wholesale Parts

Dale Earnhardt Jr� Chevrolet

Dominion Sure Seal, Ltd 16

Inc

Equalizer Auto Glass Tools

Wholesale Parts Dealers

Wholesale Parts Dealers

Machado Ford

Harper Volkswagen

Hendrick Automotive Group

Hendrick Honda Pompano

MOPAR Wholesale

Dealers 33

Parks Chevrolet 36

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Naples 32

Rogers-Dabbs Chevrolet 43

SATA Dan-Am Company 9

Shoot Suit 29

Sorbothane Soft-Blow Mallet 6 Spanesi Americas 2

Sport Durst Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram 28

Steck Manufacturing Company 14

Stivers Decatur Subaru 38

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers 51 Sunmight USA 30-31

Symach 6

Tameron Hyundai

38

TYC Genera Corporation 15

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers 48

Zero Processing Smart�com

23

Autobody News is dusting off the shelves and giving our print publication and website a fresh new look.

For the last few months, we have been hard at work revisiting our core values, discussing what makes us stand apart and what you, our readers, have come to expect delivered monthly to your doorstep and daily to your inbox.

We heard from you. We listened. We took to heart what brings you back to Autobody News and incorporated many of the suggestions we have received over the years. We thank you for your feedback.

Today, we are thrilled to announce Autobody News’ “refreshed” print magazine design, along with the complete redesign of our website, autobodynews.com.

“We’re proud of our 40+ year history as the leading national and regional news source for the collision repair industry,” said Barbara Davies, general manager of Autobody News.

“When we sat down to start the discussion of a print magazine refresh, we knew what we wanted,” Davies said. “We knew what our

readers wanted. We didn’t want to lose our essence of ‘news’ magazine, but we wanted a more contemporary look.”

The print magazine features improved readability thanks to updated fonts for better readability, more white

Davies said. “It was time for a complete redesign to deliver a better user experience for our loyal 28,000 monthly website visitors.”

The website boasts a more intuitive, inviting layout, with easier navigation and more graphic

repair shops.

A key feature of the new site is a new digital magazine section, which will allow visitors to read the latest monthly edition in a digital format. In this section, visitors will also be able to access past monthly editions of Autobody News. The website has also been fully optimized to be mobile responsive to accommodate people’s on-the-go news consumption.

“With this new website refresh we wanted to improve the way our visitors consume our content, and to give them easier access to the national and regional news that is important to them,” said Bryan Malinski, digital marketing manager of Autobody News.

Both redesigns are works in progress. As the industry continues to evolve, Autobody News will too.

space and more prominently promotes our columnists’ exclusive content.

“In addition to the print magazine refresh, we also just launched a complete redesign of our website,”

Crash Champions Acquires Lakewood Auto Collision in Florida

Crash Champions, LLC, on Sept. 27 announced it acquired Lakewood Auto Collision, a highquality Florida-based operator.

Lakewood operates a single repair center serving customers and business partners at 3520 81st Ct E in Bradenton, FL.

The acquisition continues Crash Champions’ strategic national growth strategy, as the company now offers customers 50 Florida repair centers, and about 570 locations nationwide. The Lakewood acquisition follows recent announcements that include acquisitions of Daya’s Collision Center , Auto Collision Technologies , PaintN-Motion , Salemi’s Body Shop and the groundbreaking strategic transaction of Service King Collision

“Lakewood’s advanced facilities and commitment to ongoing professional training makes its skilled technicians some of the best in the business,” said Matt Ebert , founder and CEO of Crash

Champions. “The Lakewood team will be in good company at Crash Champions, and I am happy to welcome them to the family.”

“Over the years, we have established a reputation at Lakewood for providing high-quality repairs and an enhanced customer experience for members of our community looking to get their car back on the road after an accident,” said Paul Carpenter , owner of Lakewood Auto Collision. “Given Crash Champions’ culture and commitment to excellence, I am confident that they will maintain that reputation going forward.”

For more information about Crash Champions, visit crashchampions.com. Collision repair companies interested in selling their business are encouraged to visit crashchampions.com/sell-yourshop to learn more.

— Source: Crash Champions

elements. With this website redesign, we wanted to improve the overall user experience and allow our visitors to have easy access to the news that is important to them and their collision

“We’re committed to bringing industry news to our readers in the most user-friendly print and digital formats,” Davies said. “We hope you like the changes we’ve made and look forward to your feedback.”

Let the team know what you think by emailing bdavies@autobodynews. com.

Hyundai Issues Hurricane Ian Disaster Relief Program

In support of communities impacted by Hurricane Ian, Hyundai Motor North America, which includes Hyundai Motor America and Genesis Motor America, Hyundai Capital America and Hyundai Motor Group are announcing a multifaceted hurricane relief program.

Valued up to $17 million, the program will help deploy immediate humanitarian aid as well as providing financial relief for current Hyundai and Genesis owners, prospective customers and dealers who were impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida and throughout the Southern region.

Hyundai Capital America, which includes Hyundai Motor Finance and Genesis Finance, will also be providing financial hardship support to impacted customers who are eligible for payment relief solutions.

“Hyundai is deeply committed to helping those who have been impacted by Hurricane Ian which devastated Southwest Florida and caused major flooding throughout the South,” said José Muñoz,

president and CEO of Hyundai Motor North America. “We are here to deliver immediate support and help communities get back on the road to recovery.”

Hyundai Motor Group is separately donating $1 million to the American Red Cross in support of its Hurricane Ian relief efforts. The program is an extension of Hyundai’s long-standing Hyundai Assurance program dedicated to the safety, health and well-being of its customers, employees, dealers and communities in which it does business.

Additionally, Hyundai Motor America will make a $50 donation to local charities for every Hyundai and Genesis vehicle sold in the U.S. in October. The funds will help provide emergency lodging, food, water, relief supplies and other support for people whose lives were upended by the recordbreaking storm.

“In the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, our thoughts are with those impacted by the storm,” said Randy Parker, CEO, Hyundai Motor America. “Hyundai is

immediately deploying a series of initiatives to assist our customers and help communities rebuild.”

Hurricane Ian Owner Assurance Insurance deductible support (up to $500) for customers (residing in select areas of Florida) whose Hyundai and Genesis vehicles (purchased or leased in the last three years) were damaged by Hurricane Ian

Hyundai Motor Finance and Genesis Finance (HMF/GF) may be able to provide financial hardship support options to affected, current customers, who can contact HMF at (800) 523-4030 or GF at (844) 363-7477

Extended availability of towing/ roadside assistance

Hurricane Ian Buyer Assurance $1,000 cash rebate on all new 2022-2023 Hyundai models $2,000 cash rebate on all new 2022-2023 Genesis models 90 days payment deferral on all APR contracts financed through HMF/GF

— Source: Hyundai

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coverage

can.

Ian Will Be Costly, Perhaps The Most In U.S. History

By Steve Wilson

The Center Square

Ian, the Category 4 hurricane that slammed Florida’s western coast, has crossed the state back to the Atlantic and is taking aim for South

2022 dollars.

The top five, estimated and adjusted for inflation, also includes hurricanes Harvey (2017, $149 billion), Maria (2017, $107 billion), Sandy (2012, $82 billion) and Ida (2021, $79 billion).

Hurricane Andrew hit southern Florida in 1992. It was the costliest storm to hit the U.S. mainland until Katrina. Its more than $26 billion cost would double past $50 billion in today’s dollars, according to estimates.

coast of Florida.

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster issued an emergency declaration and initiated the state’s emergency response plan.

Carolina on Sept. 30.

With it may be the costliest hurricane on record.

The U.S. record is 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. It’s toll was estimated at $186 billion when adjusted for inflation into

Ford Breaks Ground

jobs when production begins in 2025.

“We are building the future right here in West Tennessee,” said Eric Grubb, Ford’s director of new footprint construction. “This facility is the blueprint for Ford’s future manufacturing facilities and will enable Ford to help lead America’s shift to electric vehicles.”

With construction underway at BlueOval City, Ford America’s No. 2 electric vehicle brand gets closer to its target of a 2 million EV production run rate globally by late 2026.

“Ford’s historic investment in West Tennessee is a testament to our state’s strong business climate and unmatched workforce,” said Gov. Bill Lee. “BlueOval City will have a transformational impact on Tennesseans and our economy, and we’re proud this global company will call Haywood County home.”

Ford continues to engage with communities in West Tennessee,

The National Hurricane Center, in its Sept. 29 update, expected Ian to possibly reintensify to at or near hurricane strength (winds of 75 mph or greater) and make landfall on the South Carolina coast between Beaufort and Charleston on Sept. 30.

According to the NHC, sustained tropical storm force winds (45 mph or greater) are present 415 miles from the center of circulation, which by the morning of Sept. 29 had reached the Atlantic off the

including through livestreamed discussions and collaborative projects. Most significantly, the company is working with the University of Tennessee to restore the stream waters flowing through the University’s Lone Oaks Farm and to expand STEM education to Tennessee students from kindergarten through 12th grade.

BlueOval City Construction by the Numbers

Significant progress has been made since March, when Ford and its construction partners began preparing the land for construction.

Crews have moved more than 4.6 million cubic yards of soil, enough to fill approximately 34,500 backyard swimming pools

Nearly 370,000 tons of stone have been laid, the weight of more than 1,600 Statues of Liberty

More than 4,600 deep foundations installed, totaling the height of approximately 176 Eiffel Towers when put end to end — Source: Ford

“It’s still too early to know exactly how Hurricane Ian will affect South Carolina, but preparations at the state level are well underway, and this declaration of emergency is another step in that process,” McMaster said. “We do know we’ll see a lot of rain and significant storm surge on our coastline over the coming days—now is the time for each South Carolina to make plans for every contingency and be prepared.”

Back in Florida, Ian is already the fourth-strongest hurricane to make landfall in terms of sustained wind. It was roaring with sustained winds of 150 mph when it made initial landfall near Cayo Costa, just south of Tampa.

On the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, Category 4 is winds of 130-156 mph and Category 5 is winds 157 mph or greater.

Florida’s strongest was the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, which had 185 mph winds and

struck the Florida Keys, killing 409. Next strongest was 1992’s Andrew, which struck Homestead with 165 mph winds. The next strongest storm was 2019’s Hurricane Michael, which impacted the Panama City area with 150 mph winds.

Ian, considering the size of its wind field, the intensity it carried inland and the population of the area where it made landfall, could top Hurricane Andrew as the costliest storm to make landfall in Florida.

The Cape Coral and Ft. Myers metro area has a population of 787,926, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. That’s not counting the inland areas affected by the storm as it creeped across the peninsula toward the Atlantic.

“...now is the time for each South Carolina to make plans for every contingency and be prepared.”

HENRY MCMASTER SOUTH CAROLINA GOVERNOR

Green is more than just a color to us.

The green SATAjet X 5500 FUTURE is not only a reference to nature, it is also a symbol of harmony and hope, especially for the future! We are striving for a sustainable and connected future that makes the most out of the potentials of the digital transformation. The globe-shaped circuits on the spray gun represent the technology which is connecting people and thus enables the globalized world of the future. The radiant green color with the black components not only looks harmonious, it stands for aligning our actions with sustainability and the preservation of nature.

As a manufacturing company, sustainable growth is of great importance to us and an integral part of our daily activities. This includes the consistent conservation of resources and avoidance of waste. As an example, we produce part of our electricity with our own solar power and have reduced our waste volume by around 20% in the last five years.

The 2022 SEMA Show Education program will feature more than 70 seminars designed to inspire personal and professional development.

Led by industry- and subjectmatter experts, the program offers a customizable lineup of sessions and workshops that confront industry challenges, capitalize on emerging trends, highlight and reinforce business best practices, enhance leadership skills and much more.

One of the newest components of the 2022 Show Education program are four sessions focused on the diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. The first DEI session, “Diversity and Inclusion: How You Can Advance Equal Opportunity in Your Workplace,” takes place Nov. 1, and will presented by James Pogue, Ph.D., president and CEO of JP Enterprises. In addition to the DEI sessions, three new tracks have been added: “Inside the Shop,” “Enthusiast” and “Keynote.”

The “Inside the Shop” series will motivate aspiring builders and technicians as they hear from leading customizers sharing their experiences crafting off-road machines, hot rods, musclecars and detailed restorations.

The new “Enthusiast” track, scheduled for 8-9 a.m. Nov. 4, will feature industry personalities and celebrities providing insight on building cars, ideas for obtaining sponsorships and the importance of protecting the automotive aftermarket from overregulation.

Stage promises to be an immersive, informative and entertaining experience. The first presentation is scheduled for 10–10:45 a.m. Nov. 1, the opening day of the 2022 SEMA Show. Building on the success the 2021 Show’s education program, the “Leadership Essentials” track, presented by Dale Carnegie, returns to the Show, offering six courses spread out over three days. The courses, which can be taken as a whole or individually, feature trainers from Dale Carnegie providing the institution’s acclaimed leadership, communications and sales program that improve both individual and business performance.

everyone. The 14 tracks available are:

Aftermarket Updates & Future Trends

• Business Management

• Digital Marketing

• Electric Vehicles

• Enthusiast

• I-CAR Collision Repair Training

• Inside the Shop

• International Roundtables

• Keynote

• Leadership Essentials (presented by Dale Carnegie)

• Legislative and Regulatory

• SCRS Repairer Driven Education

• Tire Industry Association

• Vehicle Technology

One of the five sessions, “Celebrity Insights,” moderated by African American Racers Association cofounder Chris Harris, will give attendees a glimpse into the lives of some of their favorite celebrities, legends and luminaries.

The “Keynote” track will feature the new “Main Stage Experience,” where some of the industry’s iconic figures and leaders will bring their unique perspectives on ways to strengthen business strategies. The Main

“The SEMA Show has a lot to offer, from seeing new products and vehicle builds, meeting with manufacturers, learning from experts and developing meaningful relationships that you can only get from an in-person event,” said Tom Gattuso, SEMA vice president of events. “We encourage Showgoers to take advantage of all the elements of the SEMA Show so that they get the greatest ROI.”

With a wide array of seminars and workshops, the education offerings at the Show provide something for

All sessions are held in meeting rooms at the Las Vegas Convention Center, making it easy and convenient for attendees to schedule seminars between meetings with exhibitors. Registrants can sign up for the education program while applying for SEMA Show credentials at www. SEMAShow.com/register.

For a review of the 2022 SEMA Show Education Program, visit www. SEMAshow.com/education.

— Source: SEMA

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Award-Winning Shop Owner & SCRS Treasurer Educates Consumers Through ‘Airing of GRIEVances’ Videos

Robert Grieve, owner of Nylund’s Collision Center, said his facility is often referred to as the best auto repair shop in Denver, CO. The multiple awardwinning shop owner is committed to providing uncompromising service and precision craftsmanship.

The locally-owned family business employs 20 people and has served the Denver metro and surrounding areas, including Englewood, Highlands Ranch and Littleton, for more than 30 years.

“Our mission at Nylund’s Collision Center is to provide current and future guests peace of mind, ease and ‘industry best’ repairs,” said Grieve. “We make every effort, every day, to earn our guests’ loyalty and referrals.”

Autobody News talked to Grieve about his business success, the importance of being part of an association, such as SCRS, and why he created the weekly video series “The Airing of GRIEVEances.”

A: Forty years ago, I graduated from Bergen County Technical School in Hackensack, NJ, and launched my career. I jumped in and started working on the floor at a Buick dealer.

I found I was not that good at fixing

cars and was a better people person, so I started focusing on estimating and learning business management. Working with adjusters and people was a lot more rewarding for me.

I worked for several New Jersey dealerships in different management capacities. The last one was a Westwood Lincoln Mercury dealer. I started in the body shop and worked my way up to the service department as the fixed operations director. I became operations director over the entire dealership and when they went public, I was given two dealerships to run, which I did for about six years.

Then, I worked for Daimler Chrysler Academy (DCA) in Michigan for the next three years before my wife, Carol, and I moved to Colorado and purchased Nylund’s Collision in 2006. The shop had a great name for doing high-quality work. They were also prominent in Lexus collision repairs, which we still are today. Carol focuses on the administrative side of the

business, and we make a great team.

About five years ago, we bought our own building a mile away. It’s about 18,000 square feet and is more convenient for guests.

A: We’ve received several awards over the years but the most prominent is the Denver A-List Award, which we received 11 years in a row until the company stopped giving them out.

What makes our business so successful is the consumers. Everything we do centers around customer service and the guest experience—the facility, the people, how we conduct business and even our purchases.

Our guiding principle is how our actions affect consumers. This

CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE

Q: How did you get involved in the industry?

Q: Can you share information about your awards and what makes your shop successful?

Stacey Phillips — Shop

Robert Grieve, owner of Nylund’s Collision Center, said he is committed to providing uncompromising service and precision craftsmanship. He is pictured with his wife, Carol, and team

includes the value for guests and that the car is fixed following OEM repair procedures.

We spend a ridiculous amount of money on training. For me, it’s an asset, not an expense and it helps us provide better service. As the only Lexus authorized collision center in Colorado, we do Lexus training, which includes soft and technical skills; it is amazing. Lexus has a similar focus as we do. Everything centers around our guests and what will make a great experience for them. We try to provide the same on the body shop side of things.

We are also the chosen collision repair facility for Lucid Motors in the Colorado market.

and better. If you go on a racquetball court and play against yourself, you’ll never get better. However, if you play with somebody better than you, you likely will.

Being part of SCRS, there’s not just one benefit. It’s everything bundled together. There’s great networking

Q: What prompted you to create the “Airing of Grievances” videos series?

A: That happened in my garage while I was smoking a cigar. In January 2021, I decided to start a consumer-focused weekly show, the “Airing of GRIEVEances,” and share the truth about the collision industry. I want to help consumers understand what’s going on behind the curtain in the collision repair industry and the potholes they may experience along the way so they can be avoided.

My co-host, Eric Reamer, edits the YouTube videos and I don’t see them until we air on Saturdays at 9:30 a.m. MT. I’m proud to say that we’ve recorded close to 100 videos.

and listen to them every week. It makes me feel the camaraderie of the industry.

Q: What is your hope for the industry?

A: The collision industry is changing so fast it’s hard to wrap your arms around it. As I learn new things and embrace looking for the manufacturers’ procedures and being there with technicians, I also share information with consumers because they don’t understand the steps to repair their vehicles.

I believe with all my heart our job as shops is to make sure that that car is back functioning as designed and safe for consumers. The second part

Now is Not the Time for Collision Repairers to Give Up on OEM Certifications

I’ve recently started to get a lot of phone calls and questions from shops when I’m doing seminars asking, “Mike, should I renew my shop’s OEM certifications?”

I say the answer is absolutely yes. Here’s why.

The forecast for OEMs is that a key future revenue stream is going to be app-based subscriptions. It’s going to be a little like what GM has done with OnStar, or how SiriusXM radio operates. As I’ve researched this, here are some quotes I’ve heard or read:

“At least five automakers—Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Porsche and Tesla— are rolling out a subscription model for certain options, meaning consumers would pay monthly or annual fees to use features such as active driving assistance or voice recognition, even if those features are already built into the car,” according to Consumer Reports in December 2021. “Industry analysts tell Consumer Reports that subscriptions could become a more

are

advanced cruise control or $10 to access heated seats? As vehicles become increasingly connected to the internet, car companies aim to rake in billions by having customers pay monthly or annual subscriptions

repairers to understand drivers are going to increasingly be tied to the automakers’ apps.

Well, guess what is also likely to be inside those apps? A shop locator helping drivers connect with that automaker’s network of certified shops. I think that bodes well for collision repairers with OEM certifications.

apps—which likely

shop locator for those drivers

mainstream way for automakers to deliver features.”

“How would you feel about paying $5 each month for the ability to lock and unlock your car from

to access certain features,” Insider reported in February.

“We have 50-some value-added products and services that we’ll be rolling out over the next 36 to 48 months,” Steve Carlisle, president of GM North America, said in February.

I’m not sure how consumers are going to feel about such subscriptions, but I think it is important for collision

Here’s another thing to think about: Remember when aluminumintensive vehicles were being more widely rolled out? Some automakers began restricting the sale of certain parts for those vehicles to their certified shops, to better insure major repairs on those vehicles were only done by shops with the equipment and training to do the repairs properly.

With ADAS and the ramp up of electric vehicles, collision repair work is only going to become increasingly complex. I think we’re going to see more automakers restricting more parts sales only to certified shops.

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

Headlines

“I think as we see this OEM subscription model come into play, it’s going to be really good for certified collision shops.”

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

Kia America Contributes $500,000 to American Red Cross for Hurricane Ian Relief Efforts

Kia America announced a $500,000 donation to the American Red Cross to help those affected by Hurricane Ian. The donation will support the nonprofit as it works to facilitate temporary shelter and provide food and comfort items to those in need. In addition, Kia Finance America customers affected by Hurricane Ian may be eligible for payment relief solutions. Impacted Kia Finance America customers can call that company’s customer service line at (866) 331-5632 to learn more about their options during this challenging time.

“The path of destruction Hurricane Ian left in its wake is truly devastating, especially throughout Florida and South Carolina. At Kia, we are committed to helping and we are proud that our donation will assist in the recovery process for those affected by this storm,” said Sean Yoon , president and CEO of Kia North America and Kia America.

“We applaud the American Red Cross for the important work the organization undertakes not only in times of crisis such as now, but every day.” Kia’s support of the

American Red Cross is a further extension of the brand’s “Accelerate The Good” charitable initiative, which has provided nearly $4.8 million to those in need since 2019.

In addition to hurricane relief, Kia has also established scholarships for students in need looking to pursue their dreams of higher education; allowed high schools to re-establish their football programs after pandemic-induced budget cuts; provided PPE to medical facilities nationwide during the pandemic and helped the homeless population throughout the U.S. In addition, Kia has provided donations to animal welfare organizations including those that help rescue and preserve the endangered sea turtle population and those that help shelter animals find their forever homes.

Kia actively encourages its employees, dealer network and vendor partners to provide additional support. For information on how to donate, visit www. redcross.org.

— Source: Kia America

11 Vehicles Grilled to a Crisp After Tailgater Leaves BBQ on During Miami Football Game

By Brad Anderson CarScoops

No less than 11 vehicles were damaged or destroyed by a fire Sept. 11 in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL, after a tailgate party went horribly wrong.

As fans got ready for the Dolphins vs. Patriots game, one attendee fired up a grill for a tailgate party but forgot to turn it off, and left it unattended when the game started.

SB Nation reported thick plumes of black smoke began to bellow across the stadium in the second quarter and while local fire crews were able to respond to the scene, they arrived too late to save the vehicles. Among those vehicles destroyed by the blaze included a Toyota Prius, a Lexus RX, a Nissan Sentra and at least one pickup truck. The most expensive car engulfed in flames was a Mercedes AMG S 63.

“We’re standing here, we’re all

having a great time, and we see a lot of big, black smoke over there,” a Dolphins fan told WSVN. “We’re like, ‘Oh, what’s going on?’ We start looking and, ‘Oh, it’s a fire’. Next thing we know, we hear a few pops; it’s tires going off.”

It is not yet known if the individual who left the grill on was the owner of one of the vehicles destroyed or not. Regardless, they will likely find themselves in some deep financial trouble dealing with all of the respective insurance companies of the cars burned to a crisp.

“Around 1 p.m., a vehicle fire began in a remote Hard Rock Stadium parking lot. Several vehicles were affected,” according to a statement from a Hard Rock Stadium spokesperson.

“Miami Dade Police Department and Miami Dade Fire Rescue were on the scene. The fire has been extinguished and is being investigated by Fire Rescue. No injuries have been reported and there is no current threat to the stadium.”

SEMA and BendPak are back again, and we’re coming in loaded with an amazing display of world-class equipment. Get up close and personal with some of our top brands, like QuickJack and Autostacker and of course, legendary BendPak lifts. When you need a break from the heat, stop by our Cool Boss exhibit and chill out with our new COOLBLAST and COOLBREEZE Series! We couldn’t fit it all in one booth, so be sure to look for us out front by the racetrack, and upstairs in the south hall. See you there!

Pushback

more vehicles. They give us volume and we give them a break; it happens in all types of industries. If the prevailing rate is $62, for example, and I say I can do it for $58—that is a business decision.

Why does that mean I cannot pay a technician, estimator or GM a really good income? Why does that mean I cannot repair a car correctly? Explain it to me. I am at a loss.

If I say I can eat sandpaper and some products as the cost of doing business, and then bill for the products that are not, I feel it is a win. If a DRP says there is a paint cap, but I can prove that there was a significant difference and the cost was more via an invoice, how is that a loss? All the carriers want is a level playing field, with full transparency, and I say give it to them.

Example: I need sales at $400,000 monthly to sustain the company— meaning equipment upgrades, quality materials, etc.—and pay everybody well and above industry. So, if that costs $350,000 to do and the location profits $50,000, how is that bad?

I have seen greed in some owners

that is the destroyer of their business. To sustain your business for the long haul you must pay well, upgrade with the times and offer great benefits, recognition programs and good bonus programs.

Do they truly believe that carriers do not want to indemnify their insured? I completely disagree. I think most of all the carriers out there want to retain their customers and want to pay what is the right amount for the vehicle. Nothing more and nothing less.

I often hear all around the industry that the DRPs want you to repair the car using a series of shortcuts, not do it correctly, cutting corners and so on. In my 40 years in this industry, I have never had a carrier ask me to do anything like that. Not one!

I have had quite a few of the carriers ask me why we need to do something, and we always explain everything in full detail with all of the supporting documentation. We are a VeriFacts company as well, so we definitely repair everything correctly.

Have we had a carrier ever ask us for a discounted labor rate? Yes. Have we ever had carriers ask to reduce a labor time? Yes. However, we have never been asked to short a repair, nor have we ever been asked to repair something that is not repairable. Not once. If we did, we would absolutely

say no, of course.

We would certainly always be the first to whistle blow if we were ever asked this. So, it is my belief that as a business owner, it is up to me to guarantee that we do the right things and ensure quality OE repairs on each and every job.

Q: Do you ever have to wrestle with an insurance company about the cost of parts, labor rates, etc., and if so, how do you deal with it?

We will not use substandard used or aftermarket parts either. If we are asked to do this, we immediately explain why this should not be done. aately I have seen more understanding and giving us what we need than not. Everybody knows the impact of a substandard repair.

Q: Are DRPs attracted to working with you because you have a reputation for making it work to where both parties are satisfied?

A:

The carriers I work with, both DRP and non-DRP, have been great. Do they ask us for concessions from time to time? Yes. Do we give it all the time? No. It depends on what it is.

All my DRP rates are in stone so the only time I am asked for labor rate concession is form the adjusted work we do. If our door is $62 and they ask for $60, we will give that to them in most cases. If they try and chop repair time, we argue, as we feel we are the experts.

We are not asked for labor time cuts often. But when we have been, we look at it and say, well what we wrote is fair, right and reasonable. We will not concede. We rarely get pushback.

Parts are interesting; we will not install a used quarter panel, period.

A: I would say they want to work with us because we perform, we repair cars correctly, we communicate and we are not confrontational. We are kind in our business practices. We bring our partners in for training and allow then to use our locations as training facilities for their teams.

We have seen a large interest in this. We recently conducted scanning and calibration classes for a large carrier. We brought in the vendor we work with and did an on-site scan and calibration, had a wonderful PowerPoint presentation. Everyone left feeling empowered.

Yoswick — Industry Insight

EVs, ADAS Calibrations, Future of DRPs Discussed at Annual CIECA Conference

CIECA’s annual conference in St. Louis in September included presentations on new electric vehicles, ADAS calibration trends and what may lie ahead in terms of direct repair programs.

Greg Peeters of Car ADAS Solutions predicted it won’t be long before the majority of vehicles repaired by the collision industry will require some type of system calibration.

“I think in a year from now the landscape looks very different from this being sort of a minority type thing to the typical,” Peeters said of calibrations. “I think in a year from now, it’s over 50% of repairs that require a calibration, and it becomes less and less frequent that we don’t have one.”

instance, a camera lens on the front grill or a mirror. It’s experiencing a whole lot of car washes, sunlight, sand and gravel, and it no longer sees the way it once saw. I think diagnosing and replacing failing sensors is right around the corner.”

Also at the conference, Bill Brower, vice president of industry relations for Solera, said he foresees “a pretty major redesign” of direct repair programs as the next big change coming to the industry.

“The days of [the customer] being introduced to the shop and going over for an initial estimate, and then going back over to take the car in for repairs and being taken by the body shop to the rental car company, I think that whole process becomes

town, I’m happy to share those two documents. The worst thing for us as a new brand is to have one of our cars in a situation where it could hurt somebody because somebody didn’t know.”

One thing unique to the shop certification programs being rolled

need can be done by one of its mobile service providers.

“I’m not asking our [network shops] to do brake jobs and tire changes and things like that,” Rodenroth said. “These cars don’t need as many things as an ICE vehicle.”

There currently is no database of repair times for electric vehicle manufacturer Rivian’s vehicles, but the automaker has personnel who can help shops with repair planning for Rivian vehicles.

out by both Lucid and Rivian: A reliance on body shops in the program to handle mechanical work on their vehicles as well.

“I have a team of folks who will assist our certified shops to make sure they are getting the information they need to get that estimate created,” said Phillips, collision program manager.

That group will work with insurers

Peeters’ company operates standalone calibration centers and assists those looking to launch one. He said he’s often asked whether vehicles will eventually self-calibrate.

“I can tell you on even the newest technology, they don’t,” Peeters said.

“The average age vehicle in a body shop right now is 6.2 years. So we’ve got quite a runway before we’re going to see self-calibrating cars. I will tell you what we’re also seeing in the field is sensor degradation. You take, for

Frank Phillips of Rivian said

“I think diagnosing and replacing failing sensors is right around the corner.”

GREG PEETERS CEO, CAR ADAS SOLUTIONS

The intention is to have the conference move annually between regions to serve as many shops as possible, year over year.

“Our associations teaming up together isn’t just a one plus one; it’s an opportunity to multiply our resources to offer a premier event for our entire region, and even the

own region that is informative and full of up to date information like we see with the widely known Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ Repairer Driven Education in Vegas alongside the SEMA Show,” said Steve Krieps, WMABA president, owner of Collision Safety Consultants of West Virginia and shop manager with Greg Cline Automotive. “That’s the bar, and we want to meet it for our repairers here as well as those who’d travel from afar to join in. Shops can come for this two-day event and come out of it changed forever.”

With a focus on owners, managers and technicians, this upcoming year’s conference will be pulling from the national connections shared by both associations’ executive directors. Their participation in national events has built relationships with the prominent leaders in the collision industry.

doing all this for them.”

“Associations working together for the direct benefit of the collision repairers is exactly what we’re supposed to do,” added Jordan Hendler, executive director for WMABA. “It’s been a dream of WMABA’s to have a national level event---with the highest and best education---here in our own territory. Now, here we are teaming up with a great group of dedicated professionals to make that happen. We literally cannot wait for you to come!”

More information about the event can be found at http:// southeastcollisionconference.com/

— Source: CCA

I-CAR Announces SEMA Classes

I-CAR®, the Inter-Industry on Auto Collision Repair, announced it will offer a variety of classroom opportunities to increase collision repair industry knowledge and skills for attendees of the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nov. 1-4.

Online registration for the following topics is now open and available through Nov. 3: Initialization and Calibration of Electronic Systems

Coordinate the Repair Process, Managing Quality Control and MIG Welding Technology & Applications.

I-CAR will also hold a free series of live educational presentations on topics including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS),

CIF Announces Support For Those Affected By Hurricane Ian

Hurricane Ian has ripped through Florida and South Carolina damaging many home and businesses, including collision repair facilities.

While those repairers may already be feeling the aftereffects of the damage or will be soon, they should know they are not alone in picking up the pieces. Collision repair professionals in need can reach out to Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) to request disaster relief assistance.

CIF is a nonprofit organization that has worked more than 20 years to aid people with ties to the collision industry after disasters. Most recently, CIF provided industry colleagues with $275,000 in COVID-19 aid and assisted Bryan Miller, an Ohiobased technician and painter, whose body was severely burned in a shop fire. The CIF also helped many victims of hurricanes

from other areas in Ian’s path,” said CIF Board President Michael Quinn, president of AirPro Diagnostics. “At CIF, we are mobilizing communications to identify those who may need assistance in the area. We welcome everyone in the

Hurricane Katrina victims. Our industry should be proud of our unique nonprofit charity, CIF, that specifically helps our own, in their time of need.”

CIF posted a reminder on its Facebook and LinkedIn pages that it is available to help: “CIF is here to assist collision repair professionals who have suffered a significant loss during the recent natural disasters such as damages from Hurricane Ian.”

CIF also has in place a regular outreach procedure, asking donors and supporters to be “boots on the ground” to help identify people in need.

is Not the Time

So that’s why I think giving up on OEM certifications now would be short-sighted. You have to look into the future.

It also makes it important to check the shop locators for the automakers that certify your shop. Make sure your profile is correct, and you have really good photos in there of your shop and your lobby. Keep pushing for positive customer reviews online. All that is becoming all the more important.

collision repair industry to help us support our brothers and sisters

Disaster relief assistance can be requested via the CIF website at www.collisionindustryfoundation. org/ or by calling toll-free 855-4CIFAID or direct 804-4276982 for information about available resources.

Donations are accepted here www.collisionindustryfoundation. org/donate.html

Another easy way to donate is to text CIF to 734-366-4990.

— Source: CIF

Listen, I understand some OEM certification programs provide more value than others right now. But I can tell you the automakers are hearing the message loud and clear from collision repairers that the programs need to provide more value.

I think as we see this OEM subscription model come into play, it’s going to be really good for certified collision shops. So don’t give up. Stay the course.

“At CIF, we are mobilizing communications to identify those who may need assistance in the area. We welcome everyone in the collision repair industry to help us support our brothers and sisters impacted.”

MICHAEL QUINN CIF BOARD PRESIDENT

Yoswick — Industry Insight

EV

A panel of manufacturers of electric vehicles shared information collision repairers will need to know about their vehicles.

A lot of has been written about potential challenges EVs pose in the paint shop, but representatives of several electric vehicles downplayed that concern in terms of their companies’ vehicles. Jake Rodenroth of Lucid Motors noted his company started out producing batteries before vehicles.

“So we’ve been doing this a while, and in our case, baking is not really a concern,” he said. “You don’t want to get crazy with temperatures, but it’s not as bad as it used to be.”

Kelly Logan, senior manager of the Rivian collision repair program, concurred.

masking on their vehicles, but in any case doesn’t want the front end bagged improperly because of the vehicles’ cooling fans.

“Those are really powerful, so you can suffocate the car,” Rodenroth said. “Follow the service manual. We have some direction around that.”

Logan, whose company is on track to deliver a total of 25,000 vehicles this year, said the company has visited hundreds of body shops in the past year as it began building a certified network. One thing he said they look for is whether specialized equipment within a shop is clearly being used and not just gathering dust in a corner.

Non-certified shops will find the automaker is limiting the sale of many parts.

“We do have restricted parts,” said Frank Phillips, collision program manager for Rivian. “We use the phrase anything welded, riveted, bonded is a restricted structural part. Anything to do with high voltage is restricted. Anything to do with safety, such as airbags, seat belts, are all restricted parts. One of the other things we restrict are the targets for calibration. Those are limited to our certified network to help [ensure] confidence that the calibration is being done correctly.”

Logan similarly said a service mode is “in the engineering pipeline” that will be available “in the near future.”

In the meantime, they said, collision repair shops may want to disable certain systems on an electric vehicle in for repairs, in part to reduce “parasitic draw” on the vehicle’s 12volt system.

“The vehicle’s security system can bring the 12-volt circuit down if the cameras are actively recording for theft or damage,” Rodenroth said. “In our case, we have 14 cameras. When you’re recording that level of stuff, it can draw the battery down. So if you take a vehicle in, go over it with the owner and make sure they turn this stuff off, because you won’t

be actively charging [the vehicle] every night like they do when they are at home.”

The environment can also contribute to parasitic draw and to how often an EV in for repairs will need to be charged.

“Depending on how hot a Rivian gets, it will turn on the air conditioning system to cool and maintain that battery,” Logan said. “Or if it’s extremely cold out, the car may need to heat up that pack. So it’s not uncommon when you have an EV all torn apart, you can see an increase in the parasitic draw. It’s running systems behind the scenes. You may have to charge that vehicle a couple times during the repair process.”

“We have a position statement already in place about baking the vehicle. It’s not a concern,” Logan said. “Today’s downdraft paint booths move air very efficiently, and the good thing is the battery is on the outside bottom of the car.

“Battery engineers always freak out when you talk about putting the car in an oven and turning it on,” Logan continued. “They think worst case scenario. But in reality, when you’re baking that vehicle, the panel is 150 degrees or maybe it gets to 160. But at the bottom of that car, with all that air coming down, it’s never really hitting that temp.”

But Ben Cid, collision business manager for Mercedes-Benz, said shops also shouldn’t rely on general practices that say “always do this” or “never do this” for all vehicles; look at the OEM procedure “for the specific vehicle you’re doing at the time you are doing it,” Cid said.

To that end, Rodenroth noted his company prefers use of liquid

Both Rodenroth and Logan acknowledged they don’t yet have a “service mode” for their vehicles that

a shop can use to ensure EV owners aren’t able to connect with the vehicle through their app and aren’t getting notifications based on what’s happening with the vehicle during repairs.

“We have a service mode that is in the works that will come over with another update at the end of the year,” Rodenroth said. “We do have a switch or button in there called ‘tilt and shake mode’. It shuts off the alarm and notifications so it’s not ringing while the vehicle is on the tow truck.”

Jake Rodenroth said Lucid Motors prefers the use of liquid masking on their vehicles, but in any case doesn’t want the front end bagged improperly because of the vehicles’ powerful cooling fans

“We have a service mode that is in the works that will come over with another update at the end of the year.”

JAKE RODENROTH BODY REPAIR PROGRAM OPERATIONS MANAGER, LUCID MOTORS

Benny.bishop@hendrickauto.com

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

Carlock Honda Birmingham 800-987-0819

205-949-5457

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

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

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

Carey Paul Honda Snellville 770-985-1444

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 7-6 gperkins@careypaul com

Ed Voyles Honda Marietta 800-334-3719 770-933-5870 Direct

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

ACURA FLORIDA

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

Rick Case Acura Fort Lauderdale 800-876-1150

954-377-7688

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

Jackson Acura Roswell

877-622-2871

678-259-9500

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

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

Apple Tree Honda Asheville 800-476-9411

828-684-4400

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

Crown Honda Southpoint Durham 855-893-8866

919-425-4711

Dept Hours: M-Thu 7-11; Fri 7-6 Sat 7-5; Sun 11-5 www southpointhonda 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

Breakaway Honda Greenville 800-849-5056

864-234-6481

Dept� Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 fmarshall@breakawayhonda com

Piedmont Honda Anderson 800-849-5057

864-375-2082

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

Nalley Acura Marietta

800-899-7278

770-422-3138

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

Flow Acura Winston-Salem 800-489-3534 336-761-3682

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

Leith Acura Cary 800-868-0082

919-657-0460

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 Jason Mangels@leithcars com

Karen Radley Acura Woodbridge 800-355-2818

703-550-0205

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

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

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

Farmers Insurance Assisting Customers Impacted by Hurricane Ian

Farmers Insurance has deployed its high-tech Mobile Claims Centers (MCCs) and established relief sites in Fort Myers and Port Charlotte, FL, where customers impacted by Hurricane Ian can meet directly with Farmers claims representatives who specialize in catastrophe response.

Customers in the area who sustained damage as a result of the storm can visit one of the MCC locations below to file a claim and receive in-person assistance:

Fort Myers: 4301 Edison Ave., Fort Myers, FL 33916, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET

Port Charlotte: Port Charlotte Town Center, 1441 Tamiami Trail, Port Charlotte, FL 33948, between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. ET. Disaster response nonprofit Operation BBQ Relief is also onsite in Port Charlotte serving hot meals to those in need.

Check Twitter.com/ FarmersResponse for the latest updates on Farmers relief site locations. Impacted customers can also file claims by:

Visiting Farmers.com,

Driven Glass Attends Auto Glass Week

Driven Glass, home to a portfolio of iconic brands like Jack Morris Auto Glass, Auto Glass Now and All Star Glass, took the stage at Auto Glass Week to share its story about the rapid expansion of its auto glass services network through organic growth and acquisitions.

Driven Glass also took home top honors, winning Auto Glass Repair and Replacement’s (AGRR) top retailer award.

The 2022 Auto Glass Week, held Sept. 14-16 in San Antonio, TX, marked the first official presence of Driven Glass at the event, where it displayed its ever-growing family of auto glass brands, portfolio of glass services and career potential as part of the growing Driven Glass business.

Mars Shah, president, Driven Glass, and Michael Lopez, president, Auto Glass Now, led a discussion Sept. 16, “Working with Other Auto-Related Companies to Drive Business.”

— Source: Driven Brands

Foremost.com or BristolWest. com

Calling their agent

Calling the 24-hour claims center:

Farmers and Foremost claim contact number: 1-800-435-7764

Bristol West customers can call 1-800-274-7865 for assistance

Farmers GroupSelect Auto & Home customers can call 1-800854-6011 to report a claim

Spanish-language claims assistance is available to Farmers customers by calling: 877-RECLAMO (877-732-5266)

Customers can also use their Farmers, Foremost or Bristol West mobile app

For persons with a hearing or speech disability, please dial 711 to reach the federal Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS)

For more information about Farmers Insurance and its catastrophe response efforts, visit https://www.farmers.com/ catastrophe/

— Source: Farmers Insurance

Tesla Recalls 1.1 Million Cars for Incorrect Automatic Window Operation

By Andrei Nedelea InsideEVs

Tesla has announced a recall for 1.1 million vehicles built between 2017 and 2022 for a problem with the automatic windows, which may not stop when they detect an obstruction.

This means the windows, which go up automatically, may may cause an injury and as such they do not comply with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety guidelines for power-operated windows.

The NHTSA deems this a safety risk, which Tesla will have to address, although no warranty claims or injuries were reported as a result of defect.

Tesla described the problem: “A closing window may exert excessive force by pinching a driver or passenger before retracting, increasing the risk of injury.”

Tesla said it will correct the issue via an over-the-air update it

plans to roll out sometime in the next few months. Owners will be notified via mail Nov. 15.

Vehicles affected by this recall are the 2017-2022 Model 3, 2020-2022 Model Y, 2021-2022 Model S and 2021-2022 Model X.

This is the latest of several big U.S. recalls Tesla announced this year, for issues like a seat belt chime malfunction, the removal of the “Boombox” feature and display issues while charging.

Elsewhere, Teslas were recalled for different problems, like a glitchy automatic emergency call system in Germany and Model 3 and Model Y heat pump issues in China.

Mazda, Ford Offer Helping Hand to Hurricane Ian Victims

By Brad Anderson CarScoops

Both Mazda and Ford have announced relief packages for those impacted by Hurricane Ian in Florida.

Mazda Financial Services said lease and finance customers residing in the affected areas impacted by Hurricane Ian may be eligible for extensions and lease deferred payments, redirecting billing statements and arranging phone or online payments.

“Mazda Financial Services cares about the safety and wellbeing of its customers and wants to help those suffering from this natural disaster,” the company said in a statement, encouraging those impacted to contact it directly.

Similarly, Ford, Ford Pro and Ford Fund are working with emergency response organizations, local Ford dealers, regional team members and nonprofit partners to support communities in need.

One of the first things the

automaker did was to contact employees, dealers and others within its network and transporting those who needed help to Salvation Army pop-up shelters. In addition, the car manufacturer is loaning F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, F-150 Lightning, Transit and E-Transit models to be used by nonprofits in their relief efforts.

Furthermore, Ford Fund is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross, Team Rubicon, ToolBank USA, World Central Kitchen and local food banks.

Customers of both Ford Credit and Lincoln Automotive Financial Services may also be able to defer up to two payments if they have been impacted by Hurricane Ian.

Hurricane Ian hit the southeast U.S. and western Cuba in late September and has already claimed the lives of more than 80 people. It could prove to be the most expensive storm in Florida’s history and, according to estimates, may have caused more than $50 billion in insured losses.

EV Sales Expected to Reach All-Time Highs in 2022

By William Johnson Teslarati

The International Energy Agency (IEA) recently published an analysis of 55 “energy areas” in which the world must improve to achieve net zero carbon emissions. One of these areas is electric vehicles, and according to the agency’s analysis, EV sales are expected to reach annual all-time highs by the end of this year

Reporting from CNBC  condensed the report well. In terms of electric vehicles, sales in the first quarter of the year were the first indication this may be a record-setting year.

Global EV sales in Q1 were 75% higher than in Q1 2021, and despite supply chain issues that have limited production for many manufacturers this year, 2022 has remained significantly higher than 2021. The IEA did highlight some specific challenges EV sales are facing.

First and foremost, infrastructure limitations are hindering EV sales in much of the world. Perhaps most limited has been

the developing world, where infrastructure is already a problem outside of electric vehicles. Second, prohibitively high initial purchase prices for electric vehicles also hinder further sales growth, again impacting the developing world the hardest.

The report’s 54 other energy areas indicated while some areas such as EVs are progressing faster than anticipated, many others lag behind previous estimates, pushing net zero further away than hoped. The factors not on track were energy-efficient architecture, heating and cooling, and phasing out coal-fired power generation. In total, the agency said 23 areas were not on track to achieve net zero by 2050, while 30 were on track but required more effort.

Perhaps the best news is electric vehicles can be an example of sustainable technology catching on and becoming mainstream far quicker than we anticipate if implemented correctly. But for those in the developing world, much will likely need to be done to catch up.

Crash Champions Expands South Carolina Service With Acquisition Of Louie & Son’s Body Shop In Charleston

Crash Champions, LLC, one of the nation’s fastest-growing independent collision repair service providers, announced it has added to its lineup of highquality collision repair centers through the acquisition of Louie & Son’s Body Shop

Louie & Son’s operates a single repair center located at 429 Fleming Road in Charleston, SC.

“We are excited to once again expand the Crash Champions team across South Carolina,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. “With its stateof-the-art facility and dedication to best-in-class customer service, the team at Louie & Son’s has served customers in the Lowcountry community for over 50 years. We look forward to continuing that tradition together under the Crash Champions brand.”

Crash Champions now operates three South Carolina locations as part of its overall premier network of about 570 high-quality collision repair centers in 35 states, and Washington D.C., each providing

customers with a best-in-class experience backed by a written lifetime warranty.

“At Louie & Son’s, the key to our success has been making the customer our number one priority while offering quality collision repair service,” said Louie Garvin, owner of Louie & Son’s Body Shop. “In Crash Champions, we have found a partner that shares our dedication to providing compassionate customer service and high-quality workmanship. Our future looks bright as part of the Crash Champions growing national team, and we are proud to represent their expansion across the South Carolina market.”

For more information about Crash Champions, visit crashchampions.com. Companies interested in selling their business are encouraged to contact Crash Champions directly by visiting crashchampions.com/sell-yourshop to learn more.

— Source: Crash Champions

Boyd Group Services Inc. Reopens Most FL,

Repair Centers in Wake of Hurricane Ian

Boyd Group Services Inc. announced Oct. 4 nearly all Gerber Collision & Glass locations temporarily closed in the states of Florida and South Carolina have now re-opened.

In total, 62 collision locations were ultimately impacted by temporary closures as well as the Florida Glass America business.

As of Oct. 4, four collision locations in Southwest Florida remain closed, and may remain closed for several weeks. Where practical, staff have been reassigned to alternate locations that were less severely impacted.

“We are pleased to report that all of our employees have come through this storm safely,” said Timothy O’Day, president and CEO of the Boyd Group. “We will continue to support them as they come together to rebuild and recover from this devastating event. Our thoughts are with those who have been affected by the impact of Hurricane Ian.

“These events will modestly impact our third and fourth quarter results,” said O’Day. “In addition to lost production and sales during the closures, we will also have the impact of some additional costs, as

well as disruption to the business both before and after the closures. Our teams are currently assessing the full impact of the storm and we will provide further details when we announce our third quarter earnings results on Nov. 9.

“We are relieved that most of our locations have been able to reopen and look forward to having these locations back to full staffing and capacity in the near future,” added O’Day. “We thank all of our employees for getting these locations back up and running so quickly and for their continuing commitment to serving our customers and insurance partners with the highest levels of service and quality.”

— Source: Boyd Group Services Inc.

““We are pleased to report that all of our employees have come through this storm safely,”

— TIMOTHY O’DAY PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE BOYD GROUP

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Auto body shops have long given customers whose vehicle has been declared a total loss a chance to get any of their personal belongings from the vehicle before it is towed away.

But what about all their digital personal information contained in that vehicle?

A Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) committee is working to raise awareness among shops about assisting customers releasing a vehicle by ensuring their personal data is deleted from the infotainment system.

“We found that most shops don’t know how to deal with this, or don’t have protocols in place yet, so we thought it would be worth addressing from a collision repair perspective,”

Amber Alley, vice chairman of SCRS, said during the association’s open board meeting this summer.

The committee pointed to an SCRS Quick Tip video— available at www.youtube.com/

watch?v=yhMYkmZRwrc—that explains why this is an important step. The systems may be storing information such as the owners’ contact names, addresses and phone numbers; garage door opener codes; and copies of texts, emails and call history.

“Phone syncing really is resulting in the car becoming like someone’s cell phone on wheels,” Alley said. “Pretty much anything on your phone could be getting recorded onto some module inside the car, particularly the infotainment system.”

Alley said the committee hopes to develop some best practices related to this for shops—possibly including sample wording for a customer authorization form—but in the meantime, she said the steps involved appear to be more commonly found in consumer-focused materials from the automakers rather than in the OEM repair procedures.

“So as a shop, when looking for

Shop owner Ron Reichen said some 360-surround cameras capture images even when the vehicle is not in operation, potentially monitoring activity in a shop where the vehicle is being repaired

this information, I would suggest you start with the owner’s manual and customer-based materials from the car manufacturer,” she said.

The committee noted it’s not just a vehicle’s infotainment system that may include personal customer

information. Oregon shop owner Ron Reichen shared images from a vehicle’s 360-surround camera captured even while the vehicle was not in operation as part of the vehicle’s security system.

That data could include images that share information the customer would not like a future owner of the vehicle to have---such as where they drop off their kids at school or daycare---and also could include information from the vehicle’s time in the shop, such as images of license plates of other vehicles in for repairs.

Even if a vehicle with such a system isn’t a total loss and is repaired and returned to the customer, Reichen noted, “It’s monitoring all the activities going in the shop. The client is going to know what your housekeeping is like, when you start work and when you quit work, were you working on the car when you told them you were working on the car. There’s another set of eyes there.”

Shops may want to determine if such a system can be put into “service mode”—with the customer’s permission—to avoid, as Reichen once experienced, a Tesla owner calling over the weekend to say he’d been alerted by his vehicle app that his car door was ajar in the shop.

The committee even discussed whether clearing data is a service shops could also offer their customers in other circumstances, such as prior to the sale of a vehicle.

“I think that would be a great idea,” Reichen said. “People know how to upload [their information] and get so accustomed to using it, but each one has its own nuances on how to remove all that.”

Alley agreed.

“Any time you can reconnect with that customer and build that longterm relationship and trust, when you’re offering more value than just replacing a fender, it’s always a good idea,” she said.

A “Who Pays for What?” survey of U.S. shops this summer found more than one-third of shops (35%) said they are paid always or most of the time by the eight largest U.S. insurers when they charge for the labor to erase a customer’s data from a vehicle declared a total loss. That had more than doubled from the first time the survey asked about

the procedure a year earlier. Despite this, more than four in five shops acknowledge not having sought to be paid for this work---likely because most shops aren’t doing it.

On a related note, Reichen and Alley at the SCRS meeting said shops may want to caution their customers about plugging their phone into a

Alley also shared an experience she had that led her to think it’s not just customer information shops may want to remove from vehicles. A trip she’d made to El Salvador about five years ago included visiting some body shops there. It’s not uncommon, she said, for those shops to acquire and repair total loss vehicles from the U.S. In and on some of those vehicles, she said, she saw “window tags from the shop, customer last names and windshield tags slapped on the vehicle by the insurance company or the auction.”

that identify the shop, and makes sure customers haven’t left things without realizing those items may include their address, banking information, etc.

Also speaking at the meeting, Danny Gredinberg of the Database Enhancement Gateway said he had once collected his own items out of a car he was selling, but overlooked the toll road transponder sticker on the windshield.

rental vehicle’s infotainment system.

“I’ve had past phones show up on rental cars that I’ve rented,” Alley said. “The system asked me if I was five other people. That infotainment system is storing that information, and it will continue to be stored in there unless someone goes in and deletes it.”

Reichen agreed most customers won’t think about their information being captured when they plug their phone into a rental vehicle.

“I think we as repairers have an obligation to communicate that to the customer,” he said.

No matter where a total loss vehicle processed by a shop ends up, “That’s traceable information right on those tags,” Alley said. “Personally, I don’t want these cars tracked back to our facility. We’ve had someone call us two years later about a total, saying, ‘I found this paperwork in the car from your shop. Can you go over what was done,’ or asking us if we have old parts. So we’re recommending that you clean out the [total loss] car thoroughly of your shop information before it’s released.”

After her shop’s customers remove their belongings from such vehicles, she said, the shop removes any windshield or key tags, paperwork or seat covers

“Six months later, I got a bill from the toll company, telling me the car had been rolling through the tolls,” Gredinberg said. “I ended up paying almost $500 in toll fees. They were willing to work with me on that because I had a bill of sale for the vehicle, but it was a good reminder to remove even little stickers.”

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Phone syncing really is resulting in the car becoming like someone’s cell phone on wheels.”

AMBER ALLEY SCRS VICE CHAIRMAN

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) announced details for all three sessions being offered as part of the 2022 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit, taking place Nov. 3 during the SEMA Show.

Held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Upper South Hall (Room S233), the Summit’s three sessions feature distinctly different discussions highlighting how trends and technological developments in modern vehicles influence vehicle repairability and collision industry preparation.

* Kevin Earlywine, instructor, collision repair and refinish at Toyota Motor North America

* Wayne Weikel, senior director, Alliance for Automotive Innovation

* Amber Alley, manager at Barsotti’s Body & Fender

* Moderated by Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS

SESSION II: 11 a.m.–12:30 p.m., “Tackling the Technician Crisis Together”

Technicians play one of the most critical roles in proper repairs, and the increasing shortage of talent is a contributing factor with implications on the collision repair businesses.

and “Is there a difference between the factory tool and an aftermarket tool?”

In this session,  Chris Chesney, VP of training and organizational development at Repairify, will present the results of a research project completed by the company, connecting multiple aftermarket tools to thousands of YMMT vehicles and compiling an analysis of the scan results, DTCs and the ability to clear DTCs in the same manner as the factory tool.

Motor Corporation

* Devin Wilcox, program manager and strategist, Collision Network at Subaru of America

* Jake Rodenroth, North American body repair program operations manager at Lucid Motors

Tickets can be secured onsite, outside the education classrooms (rooms S229–S233) in the Upper Level of the South Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center.

Register for sessions individually or as part of the Full Series Pass.

The Full Series Pass provides the greatest flexibility and value, giving access to one regular Repairer Driven Education session in each available time slot, all three OEM Summit sessions, the IDEAS Collide Showcase, plus one ticket to the SCRS Sky Villa After-party Nov.3.

The Summit agenda includes:

SESSION I: 9-10:30 a.m., “OEM Repair Procedure Accessibility”

The foundation of a quality repair begins with access and adherence to documented repair procedures from the vehicle manufacturer.

But in the collision repair market, well-trained, well-equipped repair facilities are not struggling to gain access to collision repair procedures--they are struggling to compete against other businesses who don’t prioritize access and adherence to the available information.

In this presentation and panel, automakers will discuss access points for information, means to use the procedures in a repair environment, and ways to overcome myths or perceived obstacles in accessing and using repair procedure data.

Featuring:

* Mark Allen, collision programs manager at Audi of America

* Benito Cid, collision business development manager at MercedesBenz USA

This session, led by  Eliza Johnson of Ducker Carlisle, explores data compiled by the global market research firm that delves into the technician crisis, as well as solutions, in partnership with automakers to bolster the technician pool. The presentation will elaborate on the severity of the technician crisis in the automotive landscape, and how it is expected to evolve over the coming years, while considering technology advancements and demographic expectations.

Johnson will elaborate on tactical examples of the Carlisle recommendations in key areas and how the research and recommendations led to the formation of the Automotive Technician Collaboration (ATC), a Carlisle-led group of nine automotive OEMs jointly tackling an industry response to the technician crisis. The collective goal is to change the perception of the automotive technician career.

Following the presentation, Johnson will then welcome a guest panel to join the conversation, featuring:

* Dara Goroff, vice president, planning and industry talent programming at I-CAR

* John Helterbrand, national program director at Collision Engineering

* Jennifer Maher, executive director at the TechForce Foundation

SESSION III: 1–2:30 p.m., “Managing Scan Tool Choices While Ensuring Safe and Proper Repairs”

When it comes to scanning, some of the most common questions asked in the industry include “Why do the OEMs require the use of their factory tool when servicing safety systems?”

Chesney will provide insight into how the resulting database can identify when, and if, an aftermarket tool can offer the same results as an OEM tool. The OEM Summit will be the first public visibility into the results of testing thousands of vehicles using both OEM and aftermarket tools.

Following the presentation of data, Chesney will welcome automakers to the stage to discuss how the results of their tests align with automaker guidance and requirements, including:

* Dan Dent, manager, collision, Certified Repair Network at Nissan

The 2022 OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit is made possible with support from AirPro Diagnostics, BASF, CAR-O-LINER, CCC, Enterprise, Reliable Automotive Equipment, Toyota and SEMA.

To learn more about SCRS’ education series at the SEMA Show visit https://scrs.com/sema-rderegistration.

— Source: SCRS

The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) will bring back their popular annual SEMA reception, sponsored by Hertz, featuring a unique student art exhibit where Art Meets Automotive.

The reception and exhibit will be held at the “CREF Career Studio” in the Las Vegas Convention Center, West Hall Atrium Level Three, from 7-10 p.m. Nov. 1.

Art Meets Automotive will feature unique automotivethemed creations in which today’s tech students showcase their design concepts, creativity and collision repair skills. Students will compete in this innovative design challenge for bragging rights and prizes.

More than 30 students have entered their works of art in the contest. Judging by a panel of automotive experts will take place online, and guests at the reception will also have an opportunity to vote on their favorite designs.

— Source: CREF

U.S. Approves 75K Miles Worth of EV Chargers Across All 50 states, D.C., Puerto Rico

By Joey Klender Teslarati

The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Sept. 27 it has approved plans to build enough electric vehicle charging stations to cover 75,000 miles worth of highways across the country and its territories.

After passing a hefty $1 trillion infrastructure bill in November 2021, President Joe Biden’s moves to increase the available number of electric vehicle chargers are officially a go. States will have access to $5 billion to install EV chargers across interstates in the next five years.

This will more than triple the available funds per state, as the DOT said roughly $1.5 billion is currently available.

States are continuously working to expand their electric vehicle charging infrastructure, and depending on the population and overall market share of electric vehicles, and some areas will need

more chargers than others.

Reuters said earlier this year U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg said the states will be more responsible individually on how the charging stations are installed.

plug-ins.

Chargers should be available every 50 miles along interstate highways. Chargers located off the highway should be within one mile of the interstate.

Federal funds will only cover four-fifths of the total EV charging installation costs. States are tasked with coming up with the remainder of that bill, only needing 20% of the total cost.

First drafts of the plans for EV infrastructure deployment were submitted to the White House on Aug. 2, with 32 of the 50 states receiving approval earlier in September.

However, there are some specific guidelines each state must follow. The DOT is advising dtates to fund DC Fast Chargers with at least four simultaneously-usable

In total, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law set aside $7.5 billion for EV charging infrastructure expansion. The remaining $2.5 billion will be invested in community electric vehicle charging projects. It also included a $7 billion investment into supporting domestic mineral acquisition for electric vehicle batteries and components.

Ford Motor Company on Sept. 22 announced Doug Field has been named chief advanced product development and technology officer.

In this expanded role, Field will continue to oversee EV products, software and digital systems development, and advanced driver assistance, while also taking on design and vehicle hardware engineering.

Lisa Drake, vice president, EV industrialization, will now also be responsible for manufacturing engineering as Ford scales to a run rate of 2 million EVs per year by the end of 2026.

Chuck Gray, who has been vice president, EV technology, is named vice president, vehicle hardware engineering.

Both Drake and Gray report to Field, as does Anthony Lo, Ford’s chief design officer.

— Source: Ford

MSO Symposium Announces 2022 Master Of Ceremonies

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its board of directors are pleased to announce Dean Fisher of Driven Brands will serve as the Master of Ceremonies for the 2022 MSO Symposium, being held Monday, Oct. 31 at The Venetian in Las Vegas from 9:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.

Dean Fisher brings wellrounded insight to this year’s event with almost 50 years of experience in the automotive industry: from owning multiple automotive-related companies, to bringing his independent collision repair facility into the CARSTAR family and becoming a franchise owner, and holding varying leadership roles on the corporate team at CARSTAR, including chief operations officer and president of the CARSTAR brand. Dean now serves as president of collision companies within Driven Brands and is focused on helping ABRA, CARSTAR and Fix Auto USA to maximize its franchisees’ growth, profitability, and operational standards.

Dean has been a regular

attendee of the MSO Symposium since its inception in 2011 and explains just one of many reasons for attending the event. “The panel discussions on different topical items are always my favorite. Hearing the interchange between MSO groups of varying sizes all coming together to discuss what’s working, where we have opportunities, and what we can do together to make the industry better is unmatched.”

This year’s MSO Symposium in Las Vegas encompasses networking opportunities and a dynamic and interactive agenda set to assist small to large and growing repair facilities with their business’ efficiency and productivity. “The MSO Symposium is an open forum for MSOs, from small regionals to large consolidators, to have highlevel strategic discussions on these topical issues,” continued Fisher.

Sessions at the 2022 event include a deeper dive into: the electric vehicle discussion; Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) opportunities;

AI; and the labor space. To join leading executives from the largest and most successful collision repair facilities in North America at this exclusive annual event, register by following this link.

“I’m humbled and honored to be moderating this year. Looking back, I remember attending the MSO Symposium championing an independent model with a franchise network of 200 locations. Now I’m moderating ahead of my retirement and at the peak of my career, supporting a network of almost 1,000 independently owned locations,” Fisher concluded.

If you would like to register for the 2022 event, please be advised that attendance is limited and you must qualify to attend. To qualify, you must be a MSO, insurer, OEM, or single location repair facility with $3 million or more in annual sales. The only exception is the limited number of sponsors that help underwrite the program.

More information can be found at: msosymposium.com.

‘Ouch’: Gas Prices Rise for 2 Straight Weeks, OPEC Expected to Drive Them Higher

By Casey Harper

The Center Square

Gas prices have continued to rise over the past two weeks, and now OPEC has announced a major decision that will likely drive those prices higher.

OPEC said Oct. 5 it would reduce oil production beginning in November by 2 million barrels per day. OPEC, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries largely based in the Mideast, said in a statement it made the decision “in light of the uncertainty that surrounds the global economic and oil market outlooks, and the need to enhance the long-term guidance for the oil market, and in line with the successful approach of being proactive, and preemptive…”

President Joe Biden helped lower prices by releasing 1 million barrels per day from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve since April, but the reserves meant for emergency situations like natuural disasters or in the event of war are now near decades-low levels.

“In any event, we will continue to take steps to protect American

consumers,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said during an Oct. 4 press briefing. “Our focus, and it’s been very clear for the past several, several months, has been on taking every step to ensure markets are sufficiently supplied to meet demand for a growing global economy.”

of regular gasoline is $3.83, up from $3.77 a week ago. The recent rise in gas prices is due in part to the effects of Hurricane Ian.

Patrick De Haan, a petroleum expert with GasBuddy, said he expects OPEC’s decision to drive prices up 15 to 30 cents per gallon.

“Ouch... and up goes oil after OPEC recommendation…” he wrote on Twitter. “It’s VERY nuanced right now because of refinery kinks, but high [gas prices] will soon fall in the West Coast, Great Lakes and others where they exploded, while rising in the Gulf, South, [Southeast], East Coast and [Northeast] because of OPEC’s decision.”

Survey

Increased interest rates, climbing inflationary costs and a higher cost of living are concerning consumers as they fear a looming recession, leaving them feeling unprepared when it comes to their personal finances.

A recent Nationwide Agency Forward survey showed consumers in the U.S. are feeling vulnerable as they perceive the worsening economy to be negatively impacting their personal finances, mental health and job security.

Roughly three in four (76%) of consumers rate the current U.S. economy as “poor” or “fair.” And when asked about the state of their personal finances, more than half (53%) say their situation is “poor” or “fair.”

Biden told reporters he was “concerned” about OPEC’s announcement, calling it “unnecessary.”

According to AAA, the current national average price for a gallon

Prices hit an alltime high in June, surpassing $5 per gallon before declining. Current prices, though, are still much higher than when Biden took office. The average price one year ago was $3.20 per gallon.

The survey, fielded Sept. 6–13, also showed 68% of consumers expected rates to rise in the coming months. And there is no anticipation that inflation will give in the next six months 64% believe inflation will increase, including 69% of Gen Z respondents.

— Source: Nationwide

Braking Bad: Automatic Emergency Braking Absent When You Need It Most

Touted as lifesaving, crashpreventing tech, Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) is standard equipment in most new cars sold in the U.S.

Over the years, AEB has successfully stemmed rear-end crashes, which often result in injuries, property damage and even fatalities. But AAA wanted to know if the latest generation of AEB can handle higher speeds and detect moving vehicles in its path at intersections. It struggled with the former and failed with the latter.

“Automatic Emergency Braking does well at tackling the limited task it was designed to do. Unfortunately, that task was drawn up years ago, and regulator’s slow-speed crash standards haven’t evolved,” said Greg Brannon, director of AAA’s automotive engineering and industry relations. “Testing requirements for this technology, or any vehicle safety system for that matter, must be updated to handle faster, more realistic speeds and scenarios with the greatest safety benefit for drivers.”

The Issue

AEB uses forward-facing cameras

to Withdraw Proposed

On Sept. 12, NADA filed formal comments in response to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) proposed rule that would impose a wide range of unwarranted and illadvised new duties and restrictions on motor vehicle dealers.

NADA’s comments explained that the proposed rule is based on flawed assumpions, inadequate research, a lack of input from key stakeholders, no apparent coordination with federal and state agencies that impose similar mandates, the absence of any consumer testing of the proposed mandates, and no attempt to conduct a meaningful analysis of the likely costs and benefits of the proposed rule to consumers and small business automobile dealers.

NADA explained it would dramatically and negatively transform and complicate the process for consumers to purchase, trade-in and finance new and used cars and trucks, and to purchase and finance voluntary protection products like extended service contracts and GAP Waiver.

Source: NADA

and other sensors to automatically tell the car to apply the brakes when a crash is imminent. It has reduced rear-end crashes at slower speeds, and the technology has been refined over the years with upgraded hardware and software.

But two of the most common deadly crashes at intersections are T-bones and left turns in front of oncoming vehicles. From 2016 to 2020, these two types accounted for 39.2% of total fatalities in crashes involving two passenger vehicles during which the striking vehicle did not lose traction or leave the roadway before the collision.

What AAA Tested

*AEB rear-end crash performance when encountering a stationary vehicle at speeds of 30 and 40 mph (currently mandated testing speeds are 12 and 25 mph)

*AEB performance when encountering moving vehicles in collision scenarios involving an intersection---T-bone and unprotected left turn (test vehicle turning left in front of an oncoming car)

The Result

At 30 mph, AEB prevented a rearend collision for 17 of 20 test runs, or 85%. For the test runs that resulted in a crash, the impact speed was reduced by 86%.

But at 40 mph, AEB only prevented a rear-end crash in 6 of 20 test runs, or 30%. For test runs that resulted in a crash, the impact speed was reduced by 62%.

In both the T-bone and left-turn in front of oncoming vehicle tests, crashes occurred 100% of the time. AEB failed to alert the driver, slow the vehicle’s speed and avoid the crash.

AEB is common in vehicles, regardless of price. Starting Sept. 1, 20 automakers representing more than 99% of the US market pledged to make AEB standard equipment on all their new vehicles.

What’s Next AAA strongly urges automakers and regulatory agencies to focus on system design and test protocols to better handle the types of crashes when injuries and fatalities commonly occur.

Automakers must improve AEB systems to assist drivers in intersection-based crash scenarios.

Automakers should include AEB systems as standard equipment on all their makes and models.

Drivers must recognize an AEB system’s limitations and remain engaged when behind the wheel.

Methodology

AAA selected four vehicles for testing, choosing two of each driver monitoring design type, cameraequipped and input from the steering wheel. AAA does not rate vehicle performance. The vehicles were a 2022 Chevrolet Equinox LT with Chevy Safety Assist, 2022 Ford Explorer XLT with Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking, 2022 Honda CR-V Touring with Honda Sensing and 2022 Toyota RAV4 LE with Toyota Sensing.

The vehicles were procured directly from the manufacturer or specialty rental fleets. To ensure the proper functioning of the AEB system, all vehicles were serviced at dealerships. Please refer to the full report for methodology details, including specific testing equipment and test track characteristics.

— Source: AAA

Hertz Planning to Order 175K EVs from General Motors

Hertz and General Motors Co. on Sept. 20 announced an agreement in which Hertz plans to order up to 175,000 Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac and BrightDrop EVs over the next five years.

million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions compared to similar gasoline-powered vehicles traveling such a distance.

Hertz and GM believe this plan is the largest expansion of EVs among fleet customers and the broadest because it spans a wide range of vehicle categories and price points, from compact and midsize SUVs to pickups, luxury vehicles and more.

The agreement will encompass electric vehicle deliveries through 2027 as Hertz increases the EV component of its fleet and GM accelerates production of EVs broadly. Over this period, Hertz estimates its customers could travel more than 8 billion miles in these EVs, saving approximately 3.5

“It’s exciting that two iconic American companies that have shaped the evolution of transportation for more than a century are coming together to redefine the future of mobility in the 21st century,” said Stephen Scherr, Hertz CEO. “We are thrilled to partner with GM on this initiative, which will dramatically expand our EV offering to Hertz customers, including leisure and business travelers, rideshare drivers and corporates.”

“Our work with Hertz is a huge step forward for emissions reduction and EV adoption that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “With the vehicle choice, technology and driving range we’re delivering, I’m confident that each rental experience will further increase purchase consideration for our products and drive growth for our company.”

Hertz is investing to create the

largest rental fleet of EVs in North America, with tens of thousands of EVs available for rent at 500 Hertz locations across 38 states. The company’s current goal is for onequarter of its fleet to be electric by the end of 2024.

Study: Dealerships can Win in Car Rental Market

A survey completed by J.D. Power showed dealers have competitive advantages in customer service, fleet management, facilities and proximity to local rental customers.

To learn how existing dealership fleet programs meet customer mobility needs, and which ondemand rental offerings dealership customers say they value the most, download the full report at www. dealerware.com/research/mobilityoffering-preferences/

Hertz expects to begin taking delivery of Chevrolet Bolt EVs and Bolt EUVs in the first quarter of next year. GM deliveries to Hertz are projected to increase as GM rapidly scales its EV production between 2023 and 2025, driven by the opening of Ultium Cells battery cell plants in Ohio, Tennessee and Michigan. GM plans annual production capacity of 1 million EVs in North America by 2025.

— Source: GM

Dealerships have adopted mobile contracting and digital fleet management tools that make it simple, convenient and fast for customers to use dealership courtesy fleet vehicles. In turn, these investments have increased customer satisfaction with dealership experiences.

The study showed providing alternate mobility options in the form of courtesy, rental or shuttle vehicles is a key piece of a great experience, and is a determining factor for dealerships’ ability to win business and build customer loyalty.

— Source: Dealerware

“Our work with Hertz is a huge step forward for emissions reduction and EV adoption that will help create thousands of new EV customers for GM,”

MARY BARRA GM CHAIR AND CEO

Attanasio

Videos

Everyone has that one friend constantly taking photos or shooting videos with their cell phone. Apple’s new iPhone 14 has more sophisticated cameras than ever. The camera in my iPhone 13 Max Pro is better than my Nikon and so much easier to use.

Shops now are using more and more videos to perform tasks all the way from providing quick updates for their employees, partners and customers, to training sessions, informational meetings and more. The best part is they don’t need to be Oscar-worthy or highly complex to be effective.

Angel Iraola from Net Computer Business Solutions in Walnut Creek, CA, has been leveraging videos for his clients all over the country for more than a decade. Many of them are less than five minutes in length, and very affordable for even his smallest clients.

In most cases, a technician, painter or front office person can shoot and

in

Loop While Building Trust and Confidence

edit the videos with their cell phones. Then, Iraola posts them everywhere online and uses his strategies to share them with the right markets and the right time. He has also encouraged many of his clients to use videos for customer service and internal communications.

Iraola’s body shop customers love videos and have seen positive results almost every time, he said.

“Many technicians are now using their cell phones to document an entire repair, which is outstanding,” he said. “They are able to engage the customer and keep them in the loop from start to finish. Rarely do they ever question anything because they can see each stage along the way. There are no more surprises on a Friday afternoon when they get their car back.

“Paperwork and even regular photos are not as effective and videos are so easy to produce it ends up being an essential and valuable part of the repair process.”

The video explosion is ongoing, with YouTube firmly at its center. YouTube had 2.6 billion users worldwide as of 2021, according to Statista. The only social network with more monthly active users is Facebook, with 2.9 billion.

“Today, almost every industry in existence is using video increasingly as a tool to sell products and

services,” Iraola said. “It enables them to provide full transparency for itself and its customers and building trust. In an age of instant information, customers will believe it only when they see it, and there is nothing more instant and real than video.”

In the collision repair industry, shops are embracing video, and many insist all their techs and advisors use it on several levels. The scenario differs, but in many cases, a technician will find something additional that requires attention now and wants to communicate it to the customer or insurance company. Rather than using a lengthy text, email or phone call to explain the issue, a video tells the whole story fully and succinctly.

If you want to monitor the explosive evolution of video worldwide, take a look at the never-ending growth of YouTube and be assured every industry on the planet is currently looking for new and exciting ways to use it.

Marketer Angel Iraola has more and more body shop clients using videos to communicate with their customers.

More Shops Being Paid For Clearing A Driver’s Personal Data From A Total Loss Vehicle; Latest ‘Who Pays’ Survey Now Open Through October

Phone synching with a vehicle results in it becoming almost the equivalent of a cell phone on wheels so shops are increasingly offering to erase all that personal data for a customer whose vehicle has been declared a total loss.

because many shops aren’t doing it.

“A vehicle owner today may have their home address stored in their navigation unit of the vehicle, and their contacts get stored when they synch their phone,” said industry trainer Mike Anderson of Collision Advice, who conducts the “Who Pays” surveys with CRASH Network. “Garage door opener codes might be stored. So we need to be asking the vehicle owner, when the vehicle is a total loss, if they would they like us to erase their personal information.”

A “Who Pays for What?” survey of U.S. shops this past summer found more than one-third (35%) said they are paid always or most of the time by the eight largest U.S. insurers when they charge for the labor for this procedure. That has more than doubled from the first time the survey asked about the procedure a year earlier. Despite this, more than four in five shops acknowledge not having sought to be paid for this work perhaps

Anderson said the steps necessary to clear this information can generally be found in the vehicle’s owner’s manual.

The final “Who Pays for What?” survey of 2022 is now open through the month of October. It focuses on labor operations related to scanning, system calibrations and labor. Shops can take the survey at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ RBRG5GY

Survey participants receive a free report with complete survey findings along with analysis and

resources to help shops better understand and use the information presented.

Survey Shows Greater Trust in Auto Technicians

In a survey conducted for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), automotive service providers have gained a higher level of trust and respect among the motoring public than in recent years.

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

Anderson said the survey, which will take about 15-20 minutes, can be completed by anyone in a shop familiar with the shop’s billing practices and the payment practices of at least some of the largest national insurers. Each shop’s individual responses are held in the strictest confidence; only aggregated data is released.

The results of previous surveys are also available online at https://www.crashnetwork.com/ collisionadvice

— Source: CRASH Network

ALABAMA

Audi Birmingham Irondale 205.986.7410 205.986.7438 Fax M-F 7am-6pm; Sat 8am-4pm daniel.williford@audiofbirmingham.com www.audiofbirmingham.com

FLORIDA

Audi North Miami North Miami Beach 305.952.5952 305.944.4009 Fax M-F 8am-6pm; Sat 8am-5pm amartinez@audinorthmiami.com www.audinorthmiami.com

Audi West Palm Beach West Palm Beach 866.441.3309 561.615.4175 561.615.4179 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm parts@audiwpb.com

Almost 1,500 vehicle owners were surveyed across the country and more than 70% reported increased levels of trust in manufacturers, dealerships, independent repair shops and/or service technicians.

Respondents were asked to rate certain aspects of service, including the level of trust placed in the technicians servicing their vehicles and the importance of having their vehicles serviced by technicians with industryrecognized certifications.

Tthe three most-important considerations in the selection of a service/repair facility were: great value for the money (48%), knowledgeable/friendly staff (4%) and conveniently located providers (43%).

— Source: ASE

GEORGIA

Audi Gwinnett Duluth 678.258.2535 770.476.9311 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm parts@audigwinnett.com www.audigwinnett.com

TENNESSEE Audi Knoxville Knoxville 800-382-2787 865-691-3742 865-251-3227 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm www.audiknoxville.com brianmaillet@harperdealerships.com

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

“A vehicle owner today may have their home address stored in their navigation unit of the vehicle, and their contacts get stored when they synch their phone”

Kia Tow Hitch Recall Issued After Fires, Melting Incidents

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A Kia tow hitch recall has caused Kia to warn owners to park outside and away from anything that could burn.

as accessories through Kia dealerships: 2016-2022 Kia Sorento 2021-2022 Kia Sorento Hybrid 2022-2023 Kia Sorento PlugIn Hybrid 2017-2022 Kia Sportage

Kia tow hitch recall documents filed with the government say a short-circuit could occur due to debris and moisture contamination on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board.

Kia is still trying to determine the origin of the circuit board contamination, but a short-circuit can cause a fire in the tow hitch harness module.

Accessory Fuse Requirement,” to remind dealers to use the required 15-amp fuse when installing a trailer hitch accessory.

The tow hitch module supplier did CT scans of a 2016 Kia Sorento and found damage on the tow hitch harness module printed circuit board. And in September, Kia confirmed three car fires and 30 localized melting incidents on 2016-2020 Kia Sorentos.

The latest Kia tow hitch recall was issued after it was determined the suspect harness module is used in the recalled Kia models.

As of Sept. 12, no fires or localized melting involved the 2021-2023 Kia Sorento HEV, 2022-2023 Kia Sorento PHEV or 2017-2022 Kia Sportage.

According to Kia, a vehicle could catch fire while driving or while parked with the ignition off.

The Kia tow hitch recall includes more than 70,000 of these vehicles equipped with tow hitch harnesses installed as original equipment or purchased

A separate Kia tow hitch recall was issued in August for Tellurides following fire reports, but the automaker also received “several” fire allegations for other Kia Sorentos.

In July, Kia issued technical service bulletin (TSB) ELE261 entitled “Trailer Hitch

Kia also said there have been no reports of fatalities, injuries or crashes.

Kia is still working on a fix, but Kia tow hitch recall letters will be mailed Nov. 14.

Kia owners with concerns should call 800-333-4542 and ask about tow hitch recall number SC249.

GEORGIA

VIRGINIA

We’ve Got Your Parts Covered 100% Genuine. No Exceptions.

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

ALABAMA

Brewbaker Kia Montgomery 334-420-8201 (334) 386-3487 Fax M-F 7:30-5:30 rfancher@brewbaker.com

FLORIDA Deland Kia Deland 386-734-7800 (386) 822-9278 Fax parts@delandkia.net www.delandkia.net

FREE Local Delivery

Kia of Cape Coral Cape Coral 239-829-1956 (239) 242-7002 Fax M-F 7-6; Sat 8-3 dgarabedian@kiaofcc.com

Kia of Orange Park Jacksonville 904-771-6078 (904) 674-0221 Fax M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 dcarr@kiaoforangepark.com

Kia of Vero Beach Vero Beach 772-770-9887 (772) 562-0732 Fax M-F 7:30-5 mikep@toyotaofvero.com

Find your local Kia dealership today at www.kia.com

GEORGIA

Sons Kia McDonough 678-783-2193 (678) 783-2298 Fax M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-4

SO. CAROLINA Kia of Greenville Greenville 864-516-2700 (864) 520-8981 Fax aburgos@kiaofgreenville.net

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

Publisher Jeremy Hayhurst

General Manager

Barbara Davies

Contributing Writers

Ed Attanasio, Janet Chaney, Toby Chess, Stacey Phillips, John Yoswick

Advertising Sales

Joe Momber, Norman Morano

Office Manager

Louise Tedesco

Digital Marketing Manager

Bryan Malinski

Art Director

Rodolfo Garcia

Senior Designer

Vicki Sitarz

Editor

Abby Andrews

Accounting & HR Manager

Heather Priddy

Permissions Editor

Randi Scholtes

Office Assistant Dianne Pray

Serving Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina 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.

©2022 Adamantine Media LLC.

Autobody News P.O. Box 1516 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

Nissan Recalls Frontiers, Titans for Rollaway Dangers

By David A. Wood CarComplaints.com

A Nissan transmission parking pawl recall involves more than 203,000 Frontier and Titan trucks that need their parking brakes applied every time the trucks are parked. The recalled 2020-2023 Nissan Frontier and Titan trucks could roll away if the transmission parking pawls don’t engage when the trucks are shifted into PARK.

More than 180,000 of the Nissan trucks were recalled in July for the same transmission problem. The 2020-2023 Nissan Titans were built Dec. 13, 2019, to Aug. 25, 2022. The 20202021 Nissan Frontier trucks were manufactured from June 10, 2020, to June 25, 2021. And the 2022-2023 Nissan Frontiers were produced between July 13, 2021, and Aug. 25, 2022.

The previous truck recall included 2020-2022 Nissan Titan and Frontier trucks due to contact between the edge of the parking pawl and the boss on the transmission case.

But Nissan received a report from an assembly plant about a 2022 Nissan Frontier that rolled even though the gear shifter was in PARK. Nissan said the truck was outside the recall production dates for the trucks.

Transmission supplier JATCO performed tests and told Nissan the rollaway problem appeared to be different than the problem that caused the July recall.

“At this stage of the investigation, the issue appeared to be related to insufficient lifting force of the parking pawl, due to friction between the parking rod and parking wedge,” Nissan said.

Nissan conducted a plant audit and identified 11 out of 83 vehicles with the transmission issue. Nissan is still investigating and the recall remedy is currently unknown.

Nissan expects to mail Titan and Frontier recall letters by Nov. 1, but dealers don’t know how the trucks will be repaired because Nissan is still working on a fix.

Nissan Frontier and Titan owners may call 800-867-7669.

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More Hertz Customers File Lawsuit After Being Falsely Arrested

By Auto Rental News Staff

Five Hertz customers have filed a lawsuit accusing the company of faulty inventory tracking, which caused the drivers to face wrongful arrest for car theft, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal.

Filed in the Delaware Superior Court, the lawsuit said the five named customers were stopped in the past year by police and held at gunpoint for renting and driving vehicles that Hertz incorrectly reported as stolen, according to the report.

These types of instances have been a continuing issue for Hertz, according to the plaintiffs’ lawyer, with at least 300 cases since 2015. The majority of legal claims related to false arrests were put into Hertz’s bankruptcy proceedings after it entered chapter 11 proceedings in 2020, said the report.

A Hertz spokeswoman said the company has already sent almost 60 confidential settlement offers to individuals “who had a negative experience with our

company.” She added Hertz is processing individual claims and plans to make progress in reaching resolutions over the coming months, according to the report.

of the cases involved vehicles that weren’t returned to Hertz on time, though some claimants have been offered settlements, Hertz said in its latest quarterly report.

Earlier in 2022, a Delaware bankruptcy court judge ruled Hertz needed to make public thousands of documents that allegedly claimed customers rented its vehicles and later stole them, according to multiple news sources.

HERTZ SPOKESWOMAN

“While we remain steadfast in our commitment to defend the company’s interest against those that intend harm, we also want to do right by our customers,” the spokeswoman said.

In court and securities filings this year, Hertz said the falsearrests allegations were an old problem from when the company collapsed two years ago. Most

The case represented 230 Hertz customers who claimed they were wrongly arrested, according to a report by MSN. Hertz accused these customers of theft and then informed local police these customers committed a crime. These customers were then arrested. There could be as many as 8,000 customers who were wrongly accused of stealing Hertz vehicles.

It seems these cases were mostly mistakes by Hertz’s computer system when it couldn’t physically locate a car, according to MSN.

Stivers Decatur Subaru Decatur

(404) 248-1888 Fax (404) 425-5800 Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6; Sat. 9-5 dway@stiversonline.com www.stiverssubaru.com

Troncalli Subaru Cumming (770) 889-8951 Direct (678) 341-4220 Fax (678) 341-4221 www.troncallisubaru.com

CAROLINA

Flow Subaru Winston-Salem (800) 489-3534 (336) 725-3554 Fax Mon.-Fri. 8-5; Sat. 8-1 subarupartsws@flowauto.com www.flowsubaru.com

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

“While we remain steadfast in our commitment to defend the company’s interest against those that intend harm, we also want to do right by our customers,”