December 2023 Southeast Edition by Autobody News

S OU T HE A ST E DI T I ON AL / FL / GA / MS / NC / SC / TN / VA / WV

Vol. 14 / Issue 10 / December 2023

U.S. House Subcommittee Advances REPAIR Act The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce on Nov. 2 favorably reported HR 906, the REPAIR Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preserving consumer choice and independent repair shops’ access to vehicle diagnostic data, the Auto Care Association announced in a news release.

The bill now advances to the full House committee. The REPAIR Act is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, R-FL, Brendan Boyle, D-PA, Warren Davidson, R-OH, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA, and has 46 bipartisan co-sponsors. Davidson is also the only repair shop owner in Congress. While more than 70% of postwarranty vehicle repairs are carried out by independent repair shops, the advent of sophisticated vehicle technology has raised concerns about those repairers’ ability to access critical vehicle diagnostic data, essential to providing high-quality and affordable vehicle repairs to consumers and commercial fleet owners.

The REPAIR Act seeks to safeguard consumer choice and competition in the marketplace by granting independent repair shops the right to access vital diagnostic and repair data, provided it is authorized by the vehicle owner. Importantly, this legislation would remove restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers, ensuring

independent repair shops can continue to provide affordable and accessible vehicle maintenance and repairs. “We are grateful to the subcommittee for recognizing the intent behind this legislation and agreeing to report the REPAIR Act to the full committee,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “While today’s action is a testament to the hard work of our industry’s advocacy of preserving safe, affordable and accessible vehicle repair, it is also just the beginning of the legislative process. As this fight now moves to the full Committee on l CONTINUED ON PAGE 11

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2023

RECAP ISSUES REGIONAL NEWS

Southeast Collision Conference Announces 2024 Date and Location The Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA) announced the third annual Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) will be held May 16-18, 2024, at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, NC. SCC will continue to be a premier tradeshow and education opportunity, featuring elevated experiences for both attendees and vendors alike. As with last year, there will be national-level contributors taking part in the events. The conference is intended to move

“The entire point of the conference is to get shops together, help them to get great education and encourage community growth with their peers,” — JOSH KENT

CCA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

annually between the two regions to serve as many shops as possible, year over year. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 18

REGIONAL NEWS

GM Delays Opening of Ultium Cells Plant in Tennessee By Joey Klender Teslarati

General Motors has delayed the opening of its Ultium Cells production plant in Spring Hill, TN, originally scheduled before the end of 2023, due to construction delays, the automaker said in its Q3 earnings call in late October. GM’s Ultium project will enable a new platform of EVs for the legacy automaker, bringing a software-

based offensive to one of the U.S.’s best-selling car companies and a major player in the EV sector. The company has been producing Ultium cells at another plant in Warren, OH. GM Authority noted the automaker is also planning to bump up starting wages for production operators and quality inspectors at the Spring Hill plant. l CONTINUED ON PAGE 23

INSIDE THIS ISSUE 14

Columnist Mike Anderson: How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart

Columnist Abby Andrews: Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision for Future of Repair Planning

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements

Columnist John Yoswick: MSO Symposium Looks at Claims Trends, Opportunities for Collision Shops to Buy or Sell

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Contents

Index of Advertisers Audi Gwinnett �� 30

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 36

Audi North Miami �� 26

Industrial Finishes and Systems �� 40

Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 33

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 35

Owner of Mississippi Mechanic Shop Arrested After Customer Complaints �� 28

AutoNation Ford �� 18

Lakeland Ford/Hyundai ��23

Southeast Collision Conference Announces 2024 Date and Location 1

AutoNation Ford-Memphis �� 27

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts Dealers ��38

Toyota Announces Additional $8 Billion Investment at NC EV Battery Plant �� 37

Benchmark Automotive �� 22

Miami Lakes Automall �� 12

Carolina Collision Equipment �� 15

MINI of Charleston �� 32

Certified Automotive Parts Association �� 26

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 29

REGIONAL NEWS Autonomy, Atlantic Coast Automotive Partner to Offer EV Subscription Service �� 30 Georgia Auto Shop Raises Money for Cancer Research �� 11 GM Delays Opening of Ultium Cells Plant in Tennessee �� 1 Hyundai Releases Design Renderings of EV Plant in Georgia �� 16 Hyundai, Hyundai of North Charleston Donate $20,000 to Lowcountry Food Bank �� 25 NABC F.R.E.E. Program Hosts First

Responders from 4 States, D.C. �� 23 NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicle to a Charlotte-Area Veteran � 26 NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicle to Florida Nonprofit �� 18

NATIONAL NEWS 2024 WIN MIW Nominations Open � 39

Wheelbase �� 25

AirPro Diagnostics Auggie Mobile Device Meets IIHS and NHTSA Standards for Calibration �� 35

Industrial Finishes and Systems Joins CIECA �� 37

Classifieds �� 38

Nissan/Infiniti Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 36

Opus IVS Launches ADAS Map �� 32

Cool Boss A Division of Bendpak Inc �� 5

NorthAmerican Bancard �� 10

SEMA Announces First Recipient of ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ at 2023 Show �� 32

Dale Earnhardt Jr. Chevrolet �� 28

Parks Chevrolet �� 30

U.S. House Subcommittee Advances REPAIR Act ��1

Empire Auto Parts �� 6

Reeder Chevrolet �� 28

Equalizer Auto Glass Tools �� 14

Reed Nissan �� 27

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 39

Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Naples �� 31

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 37

SATA Dan-Am Company �� 2

Grieco Ford of Fort Lauderdale �� 16

Serra Kia �� 32

Gus Machado Ford �� 9

Sport Durst Chrysler-Dodge-Jeep-Ram �� 32

Harper Volkswagen �� 24

Stivers Decatur Subaru �� 30

Hendrick Automotive Group �� 13

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 34

AkzoNobel Showcases Celebrity Vehicles, Digital Tools at 2023 SEMA Show �� 31 Average Length of Repair Soars to 23.1 Days in 2023, But Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Rises �� 34 CCC Introduces Advanced Photo Analysis �� 26 Ford Could Cut F-150 Lightning Production Due to Waning Demand 36 Hunter Expands Scissor Lifts’

UAW Reaches Tentative Deal with Ford �� 29 White House Holds Round Table Discussion on Right to Repair Efforts �� 39

COLUMNISTS Mike Anderson How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart �� 14 Abby Andrews Axalta Introduces World’s First Digital Paint-Mixing System to U.S. �� 10 Goliath Carts, Hunter Engineering Win Best New Product Awards at SEMA 2023 �� 15 NABC Recycled Rides Presents Vehicles to 7 Las Vegas Residents During 2023 SEMA Show ��8 Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision for Future of Repair Planning ��6 Stacey Phillips Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements ��4

Dynabrade Introduces Renny Doyle Series Geared-Dual-Action Polisher at SEMA �� 33 IDEAS Collide Encourages Collision Repairers to Think Differently, Outperform ��17 John Yoswick Conference Includes Discussion of Sublet Requirements, Tech Access to OEM Procedures �� 22

Hendrick Honda Pompano Beach �� 28

Toyota-Mazda of North Miami �� 31

MSO Symposium Looks at Claims Trends, Opportunities for Collision Shops to Buy or Sell �� 24

Hendrick Kia Cary �� 25

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 38

State Farm Making Efforts to Reduce Supplement Delays �� 12

Hendrick Kia Concord �� 25

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers �� 36

Tesla-Certified Shop Suing 2 Insurers; ExEmployee Files Lawsuit Against Safelite 27

Hendrick Volvo Cars of Charleston �� 32

Yatu Paint USA �� 11

Honda-Acura Parts Dealers �� 19,20,21

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UPDATED DAILY autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 3

Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

The Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards ceremony was held Oct. 31 in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas, NV. Industry members gathered during to celebrate standout achievements and character in the collision repair industry. The event was sponsored by participating organizations, with added sponsorship from BodyShop Business, the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) and SCRS. Emcee Liz Stein from OEC described the event as the industry’s “version of the Oscars with the best quality people, as well as awards that actually are meaningful and change lives.” BodyShop Business The Executive of the Year award by BodyShop Business recognized repairers in two categories, single shop and multi-shop owner. The single shop winner was Greg Solesbee from Carstar Hayden in Hayden, ID. Charlie Drake, chief operations officer at Classic Collision, received the multi-shop award. “The winners of these prestigious awards are true collision repair visionaries who have experienced great success through innovative thinking, overcoming challenges and persevering,” said Jason Stahl, editor of BodyShop Business. NABC Jennifer Hubbard, NABC board member and secretary, and client engagement manager–Automotive Services Group for CCC, presented NABC’s Changing and Saving Lives Award. The recipient was Shawn Crozat, CEO of G&C Auto Body in Santa Rosa, CA, who shared his appreciation for the award virtually during the event. “It’s an absolute honor to receive the Changing and Saving Lives award from NABC,” said Crozat. The family has donated 200 cars through the NABC Recycled Rides program. CIC In honor of CIC’s 40th anniversary, Chairman Frank Terlep, vice president of ADAS solutions at Opus IVS, shared history about the organization and played a video highlighting memories over the years. As part of the celebration, CIC

announced a new tradition— mpresenting a Volunteer of the Year award to someone who has gone above and beyond by being an ambassador of CIC’s vision and mission. The award was given to Petra Schroeder, a Hall of Eagles inductee and known by many as “Collisionista.” Darrell Amberson, president of operations for LaMettry’s Collision and CIC past chair, said Schroeder serves the industry in many ways, greeting first-timers with a welcoming, warm spirit, and epitomizes class and dignity.

vehicles, totaling a donation of more than $2 million. “Thousands of students are going to be impacted…through this very generous donation,” said Eckenrode.

CREF Brandon Eckenrode, CREF’s executive director, handed out the organization’s two Fueling the Future Awards. Pam Watson, sales and marketing strategist at Albert Kemperle and Florida state chair for I-CAR, was recognized for her help in addressing the critical need for entry-level talent entering the industry. “I want to thank CREF and I-CAR for setting ambitious goals and providing us the resources and the guidance to achieve those goals,” said Watson. “Equipping collision repair education programs with the tools that they need is very valuable to me.” CREF’s other Fueling the Future Award recipients included Tony Russo from Volkswagen Group of America and Mark Allen from Audi of America. The auto manufacturers donated 78 new vehicles slightly damaged in an overseas shipment. As a result, 18 schools in Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia received internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric

CIECA CIECA Chairman Greg Best, senior business analyst at California Casualty, announced CIECA’s award recipients. Two individuals received an Outstanding Achievement award for their support of the organization: Frank Phillips, formerly of Rivian, and Jake Rodenroth, North American Body Repair Program operations manager at Lucid Motors. “I want to thank my team at Lucid Motors; I couldn’t do it without them,” said Rodenroth, who thanked Andy MacDonald, Lucid’s director of technical operations, the certified Lucid repair facilities and his family, most of all his dad. Bill Brower, vice president of industry relations at Solera, received CIECA’s Chairperson’s Award. “I’m honored to be a part of the CIECA organization and really appreciate the industry and all that you do for consumers to help them get their cars repaired properly and pleased to play a small role in that,” said Brower. The award for Electronic Commerce Company of theYear was presented

I-CAR I-CAR President and CEO John Van Alstyne announced the Jeff Silver and the Russ Verona Memorial awards recipients. “Our two award recipients promote technical education and professionalism beyond just their own businesses,” said Van Alstyne. Zack Beck, corporate claims trainer for GEICO Insurance, received the Jeff Silver award. “Our award recipient, who trains appraisers, is viewed by coworkers as a true champion for the I-CAR community,” said Van Alstyne. Beck completed about 200 I-CAR courses and continues to train. Clinton Body Shop in Mississippi, established by the “Collisionista” Petra Schroeder, front left, received late John Mosley, received the the CIC Volunteer of the Year award. Also pictured are Jordan Hendler, back left, CIC administrator, and Russ Verona Memorial Award. CIC’s current and past chairs. Ron Reichen, owner of Precision Body and Paint in “The first honoree of the Volunteer Beaverton, OR, accepted the award on of the Year Award is a person who behalf of John’s widow, Carol. has embodied every attribute,” said “John was a warrior for our industry,” Amberson. “She makes meaningful said Reichen. “He always put the contributions and always has new customer’s needs above all else. John ideas.” believed there was only one correct “I will contribute to this industry way to repair a vehicle, and that was as much as I possibly can,” said knowing the vehicle’s construction and Schroeder. “I love this industry and the correct methodology that could most of all, I love the people in it.” only be achieved through training.”

4 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

to OEC. Ken Eagleson, OEC’s vice president of business development and a CIECA board member, was recognized for his dedication. “The company chosen this year has supported CIECA and its mission in many ways,” said Best. SCRS Tony Adams, business services consultant for AkzoNobel, and Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group, presented the 2023 Affiliate Association Award to the Auto Body Association of Texas, accepted by Jill Tuggle, executive director. “This year’s recipient has really demonstrated exceptional leadership in their state and their activity in advocating for legislation,” noted Adams. “The person accepting this award for the organization is selfless,” added Tylka. “She a progressive thinker. She encourages people to learn from what they’re doing.” “It has been a pleasure to fight the good fight and to be there and represent the small guys and the independent shops and…to do what’s good for this industry and the empty chair,” said Tuggle. Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K & M Collision, awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award to the late John Mosley, owner of Clinton Body Shop. “He was as genuine an individual you’ll ever meet in your life,” said Bradshaw. “He cared deeply about everyone else, and he was always someone who put others’ needs before his.” Burl Richards, owner of Burl’s Collision Center, accepted the award and shared some thoughts from Mosley’s family. Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, and Barry Dorn, vice president of Dorn’s Body and Paint, presented the 2023 March Taylor Kina’ole Award to Kye Yeung, owner of European Motor Car Works. “This award is about folks that truly shine a light on all of us… whether or not they intend to,” said Dorn. When Dorn talked to Yeung about joining SCRS, Yeung hesitated and said that he didn’t feel ready. “It’s common that that person just doesn’t believe they belong there because they look at all the greatness in everyone else, and sometimes, they fail to recognize it is within themselves,” said Schulenburg. “The success that that I feel in accomplishing this is because of the friends around the table,” said Yeung. “Thank you so much. I’m so proud to be part of this.”

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Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision For Future of Repair Planning EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

to complete each step, as well as the wait time in between the steps. Then Autobody News possible sources of waste can be identified, and an “ideal” process can The role of estimators in most be mapped out. The crucial final step auto body shops should die—but is to set up experiments to monitor only because the duties currently and measure improvement in the expected of them should be divided process in real time, Batenhorst said. into two categories, those of repair “It may seem strange to write it planners and those of customer down and map it out like this, but service representatives. it may reveal there are things your Andrew Batenhorst, body shop people are doing that you’re not manager at Pacific BMW Collision aware of,” he said. Batenhorst led attendees through an example exercise, writing down the steps in their repair planning process and the amount of time they estimated it takes—everything from gathering information and doing a vehicle walkaround with the customer, to disassembly, researching OEM repair procedures and checking parts availability. He then shared the repair plan standards he wrote for his shop—documenting Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW Collision Center in Glendale, CA, explained why the steps of each task, who managers need to replace the typical “estimator” role does it, when and how— with a CSR and a repair planner and recommended posting those standards where Center in Glendale, CA, delivered the everyone could see them. He also reasoning behind his position during recommended getting employee “The Death of the Estimator Role,” input when writing them. one of many educational sessions “You want to make sure the car offered at the 2023 SEMA Show as flies through the shop without part of the Society of Collision Repair stopping,” he said. “It’s all setting a Specialists’ (SCRS) Repairer Driven quality expectation.” Education lineup. Batenhorst said shop managers “The estimator works closely with need to get out of the mindset of everyone in the shop and is really an letting estimators “pick up all the ‘assistant’ shop manager,” Batenhorst pieces,” as they’re “really the surgeon said. “There is a long list of tasks for a of everything that’s going on.” typical estimator, and most are, in my The ideal repair planner is opinion, irrelevant to the role.” naturally curious about the way the Batenhorst said his ideas on how world works, emotionally in control, to fix that problem might stress out a not afraid of confrontation, enjoys body shop manager initially, but they doing research, empathetic, has work. negotiation and collaboration skills In his vision, the “estimator” would and is not overwhelmed by fine detail split into two roles: a front office work, Batenhorst said. customer service representative For necessary training, Batenhorst (CSR) managing customer suggested “all of it.” interactions, and a repair planner “Send repair planners to the handling the technical aspects same training as master technicians, without customer engagement. including painting,” he said, “Right now, an estimator spends acknowledging that it takes time, and 30% to 50% of their time doing CSR takes them out of the production mix duties,” Batenhorst said. in the beginning. The first step is to take a hard look To measure repair planners’ at the waste in a body shop’s repair success, set up three to four easy-toprocess. measure key objectives, like sales mix Batenhorst recommended shop and repair plan accuracy. managers or owners try “value stream Also, set an authority limit—for mapping”—tracking the series of instance, $5,000—under which the steps that have to happen to provide manager doesn’t need to review the the service their customers need, repair plan, and leaves it up to the and then adding up the time needed planner. By Abby Andrews

6 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Finally, go over regular progress reports with repair planners, either monthly or every three to six months. Batenhorst said his suggestions can be scaled to any shop. The average repair planner can handle $250,000 to $300,000 in production every month. Shops that handle more than that would benefit from also hiring a repair planner assistant. “In my shop, by implementing all these things, we have achieved a sales mix of 48% labor, 42% parts and 9% materials,” Batenhorst said, noting that his shop only repairs BMWs, which often require expensive parts. He said his shop also achieved 82% repair plan accuracy in September, a gross profit on labor of 71% and paint materials of 68%. “It all goes back to how we designed our process,” he said. Further, more clearly defining the role of repair planner has helped employees. Batenhorst said when he was hired to run the body shop, the lead repair planner was highly stressed. Now, he has a much better work-life balance because all of the excess was cut from his job duty list. That increased job satisfaction leads to better repairs and reduced delays. Technicians also earn more money, so they want to stay with their

employer. “I implore all of you to take even just a fraction of what I’ve said today back with you,” Batenhorst said. “The industry is plagued with so many issues. We have to trust in ourselves as leaders that we can make that change. If we want to attract new people to the industry, we can’t keep doing things the same way.” Batenhorst then offered a list of resources, including signs.com to create process boards; Gemba Academy, an online resource to learn about lean theory; AkzoNobel’s Acoat program; Paul Akers’ YouTube channel; “The Toyota Way” by Jeffrey Liker; “The Five Dysfunctions of a Team” and “The Ideal Team Player” by Patrick Lencioni; and finally, himself—anyone can contact him at andrewb@pacificbmw.com or 818691-2590.

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NABC Recycled Rides Presents Vehicles To 7 Las Vegas Residents During 2023 SEMA Show EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

One of the most inspiring events of the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, took place Nov. 1, when the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program presented fully refurbished vehicles to seven local residents in need of reliable transportation. Held on the rooftop of the Renaissance Hotel parking facility, overlooking the Las Vegas Convention Center, the presentation changed the lives of U.S. military veterans, a brain cancer and burn survivor, a single parent, and people who aged out of the foster care system and no longer have support.

Jakob Todd received a 2020 Toyota Corolla to help him get to school and work.

Also in attendance were all the partners who made the presentations possible, including representatives of the local nonprofits who nominated the recipients; car donors GEICO, Travelers, Farmers Insurance, Nationwide, Hertz and Enterprise Rent-A-Car; repair partners Caliber Collision, Classic Collision, Crash Champions, CARSTAR, Faulkner Collision and CCG member Updated Auto Body; and 1-800 Charity Cars. Scott Sampley, chairman of the NABC, said the Recycled Rides program is on track to donate more than 200 vehicles in 2023 alone. Since the inception of the program in 2007, more than 3,200 vehicles have been donated. Glenn Castillo, nominated by U.S. VETS, received a 2015 Kia Optima, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber Collision. Castillo is a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 1998 to 2006. After Castillo lost his job, he was at risk of being evicted from his apartment. U.S. VETS helped him find a new job as a medical assistant, but it required a two-hour bus ride each way. Castillo said he was grateful he decided to answer an email about the donation.

“It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made,” he said, adding he thanks God for helping him figure things out. Luciana Hamilton, nominated by My Scars are Beautiful, received a 2019 Toyota RAV4, donated by GEICO and refurbished by Caliber Collision.

By his 17th birthday, he was in a juvenile detention center. There, he buckled down and graduated from high school. On his 18th birthday, he was offered a job, but it is a twohour bus ride from his home. He has endured the four-hour round trip commute for more than a year, and also mentors troubled teens once a week with the local police. Having a car will make it easier for him to attend junior college and eventually continue at a four-year college.

Before Houston turned 18, both of his grandparents passed away. When he turned 18, Houston aged out of the system and asked to take his siblings with him. He was able to meet the requirements of a stable home and job eight months later, and he was awarded “foster kinship” of his siblings, now 16 and 13, but they have had to rely on the often unpredictable public transportation system. “I wasn’t expecting things to go the way they did,” Houston said. “I learned you have to reach out; you can’t just be by yourself. Help from friends and family means too much to bear.”

Luciana Hamilton, left, hugs Michelle Hardy-Rodriguez, founder and president of nonprofit My Scars Are Beautiful.

Hamilton is a burn survivor from a house fire, and has also undergone surgery to remove a brain tumor. Without a vehicle, she has had to pay for ride shares to go to doctor appointments, and walk in the often severe Las Vegas heat to take care of daily errands. “What a blessing,” Hamilton said. “Thank you, everyone. This car is going to bring so much joy in my life.” Richard Carreon, nominated by Forgotten Not Gone, received a 2021 Nissan Altima, donated by Hertz and refurbished by Updated Auto Body, a member of the Certified Collision Group. Carreon is a U.S. Army combat veteran who served from 1999-2014 and deployed three times to Iraq and Afghanistan, earning a Bronze Star and Purple Heart. Carreon suffered from untreated PTSD, leading to the loss of his car. Since receiving treatment, Carreon has volunteered with Forgotten Not Gone, a veteran suicide prevention nonprofit, since it was founded in 2015. The vehicle will help him continue to volunteer and fulfill other roles. “When the world doesn’t give you a reason to get up, purpose is the most powerful thing,” Carreon said. “This vehicle will help me be efficient and keep paying it forward.” Jakob Todd, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Toyota Corolla, donated by Nationwide and refurbished by Faulkner Collision Centers in Pennsylvania. Todd entered foster care when he was 5 and was shuffled from home to home until he was 16, when he ran away from a bad foster home.

8 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Kelly, left, and Peter Guidry, right, cofounders of nonprofit Forgotten Not Gone, with Richard Carreon, center.

“I have a deep love and appreciation for every individual who put this event together,” Todd said. “This restored my faith that our community has our back. Not just me, but every [recipient] here has one less thing to worry about.” Alberto Swann, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2017 Hyundai Elantra donated by Travelers and refurbished by CARSTAR. Swann was placed in foster care, along with his siblings, when he was 8. Over the next decade, they were moved to more than 20 different homes, before Swann was turned out of the system when he turned 18. He was homeless for more than a year. The Children’s Foundation has helped him secure a stable home and job, and he has gotten his driver license. Now 27, he rides a scooter to work, after the bike he was using blew out a tire. Both exposed him to the extreme weather. The car will ease the struggle that transportation has been his entire life. “I really want to thank everyone for this opportunity,” Swann said. “I’ve been struggling for a long time, but this will help.” Ryan Houston, nominated by the Children’s Foundation of Las Vegas, received a 2017 Honda Accord donated by Farmers and refurbished by Classic Collision. Houston was 7 when he and his two younger siblings were placed in a foster home with their grandparents.

All seven cars await unveiling before the presentation.

Finally, Tonya Jones, nominated by Family Promise of Las Vegas, received a 2020 Jeep Compass, donated by Enterprise Rent-A-Car and refurbished by Crash Champions. Jones is a single mom, after she fled from her young daughter’s abusive father only with what she could fit in a friend’s car. When the pandemic hit, she lost her childcare and was eventually laid off from her job. Then a thief stole her identity and her unemployment benefits, leading to eviction when she could not pay rent. Family Promise provided emergency housing, and she soon secured a new job. Jones’ mother also moved in, and needs dialysis treatment two to three times per week. Jones has been paying for ride shares to get her mother and daughter where they need to go and to run errands. “I’m really grateful,” Jones said. “This means so much. I’ve had to start over twice in the past two to three years, and this will allow me to take [my daughter] to see the world. This will also let me make the end of my mom’s life special for her.”

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Axalta Introduces World’s First Digital Paint-Mixing System To U.S. matching paint ready to go in less than five minutes. Autobody News Initially launched in Europe earlier this year, the Irus Mix will be available Axalta Coating Systems announced its in North America around the middle latest innovation, the Axalta Irus Mix, of 2024. Developed through a the first and only fully automated paintpartnership with SANTINT, the Irus mixing machine. This new technology Mix works with Axalta’s premium base completes the simple three-step Axalta coat products, including Spies Hecker Irus color management process of Permahyd Hi-TEC, Cromax Pro and Scan, Match and now, Mix. Standox Standoblue. Company executives touted the efficiency, labor optimization, waste reduction and sustainability benefits of the entire Irus system, including the Irus Mix, which translates a digital scan of a vehicle’s paint into a formula and then measures and mixes it— delivering a precise match with minimal material waste, all while freeing up a collision repair James Muse, vice president of sales for Axalta’s global refinish division, shows off the cup of paint the shop’s painter to complete Axalta Irus Mix machine automatically measured and more important duties that mixed during his presentation. make money. James Muse, vice president Axalta demonstrated the new of sales for Axalta’s global refinish machine at an event it hosted Oct. division, said the company “innovates 30 at Celebrity Cars in Las Vegas, NV, with a purpose.” In this case, the showing how a painter can use the purpose is to solve multiple issues complete Irus system to scan a vehicle in a body shop’s paint department, panel and have the right amount of eliminating bottlenecks in production.

Dan Benton, Axalta’s color marketing manager, used a tablet equipped with Axalta Irus Scan to take a picture of the paint on a 2021 Toyota Tacoma painted in Lunar Rock, a fivecomponent shade that blends light green and silver.

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“Time is money in a body shop. A painter should be painting, not mixing.” — JAMES MUSE AXALTA

The photo was uploaded to Axalta Irus Match, software that digitally chooses the right shade from 4 million active color variants stored in the cloud. “We are moving away from chips and the subjectivity of color,” Muse said. Irus Match then sends the color to Irus Mix, which resembles a large vending machine, full of components in plastic bottles. The bottles, made of 50% recycled plastic, range from 100 mL to 1.5 L, depending on how often the components are used, reducing the amount of infrequently used and often expensive material a shop must keep in inventory. Irus Mix displays the “recipe” for the color, then pulls each component

separately, pours the correct amount using precise dosing lids, agitates it and adds it to a mixing cup. The machine also tracks how much material is in each bottle, and will not start a mix if there is not enough of a particular component. While Muse talked, the machine automatically pulled and measured all five components, a process that could be viewed through the large window, then presented the finished paint— four minutes and 43 seconds after it received the color information from Irus Match. Muse said the average painter would take about 10 minutes to manually mix the same paint. In an average shop that paints five cars a day, that works out to about 208 hours a year spent mixing paint. “That’s three-plus weeks of time that you’re not paid for,” Muse said. “Time is money in a body shop. A painter should be painting, not mixing.” The Irus Mix is also very easy to use, Muse said, meaning a painter or technician does not need a lot of training or experience to operate it— an important point as the collision repair industry struggles to attract enough quality employees. “This is the future,” Muse said.

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Georgia Auto Shop Raises Money For Cancer Research By Julianne Akers The Northeast Georgian

When customers get their car serviced at Barrett Automotive’s shops in Cornelia and Eastanollee, GA, they can also support breast cancer research. The local auto repair shop is hosting the “Brakes for Breasts” fundraiser for the fourth year. This October, Barrett’s Automotive is one of hundreds of shops in the country participating in the fundraiser. Shops offer free brake pads and shoes, and customers only have to pay for things like rotors, calipers and labor. At the end of the month, 10% of the proceeds are donated to the Cleveland Clinic Breast Cancer Vaccine Research Fund. Nicole Barrett, who owns Barrett Automotive with her husband Justin Barrett, said they came across the fundraiser opportunity and didn’t see anyone else in the area participating so they “jumped on the bandwagon.” “For the Cleveland Clinic, it

REPAIR Act

gives them money, but it also helps the client as well, or the customer of ours, because they’re getting free brake pads,” Barrett said.

with the Cleveland Clinic’s Dr. Vincent Tuohy, who died earlier this year. The lab is continuing research on the vaccine, which is designed to direct the immune system to attack the tumor and prevent it from growing. The first dose of the vaccine was given in a clinical trial in October 2021. In February of this year, researchers at Cleveland Clinic began a new trial to focus on people who are cancer-free Pictured, left to right, are Service Advisor Chris Howland, but at a high risk for owner Nicole Barrett and Service Advisor Jessica Barrett developing breast with the Brakes for Breasts sign at Barrett Automotive. cancer and have chosen to have a She added if someone does preventative mastectomy. not have the need for new brake Barrett Automotive raised pads but still wants to donate, $3,629 in 2022 and made this they can make a tax deductible year’s goal $5,000. donation at the organization’s Last year, Cleveland Clinic website. raised a total of $200,000 with Research on these breast the help of the 106 repair shops cancer vaccines began in 2002 across 28 states.

Energy and Commerce, I encourage our members to remain diligent with outreach to elected officials to ensure they know that your business depends on the REPAIR Act becoming law.” Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition, also applauded the subcommittee’s decision. “It’s tremendous to see bipartisan support for expanding vehicle owners’ right to repair,” Rzepka said. “Today’s markup and approval of the REPAIR Act demonstrates the clear desire of Congress to put consumers first. We thank the members of the Energy and Commerce Committee for advancing this important legislation and look forward to seeing the bill move forward. This legislative development comes at a crucial time when the automotive industry is witnessing rapid technological advancements, making it imperative to ensure consumers retain the freedom to choose where they get their vehicles repaired. For more information about the REPAIR Act and how to support the legislation, visit repairact.com.

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773-459-1825 autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 11

State Farm Making Efforts To Reduce Supplement Delays EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in Las Vegas as part of SEMA week marked the 40th anniversary of the quarterly conference. The daylong event included a data privacy discussion about what shops should consider about “end-user licensing agreements” (EULAs) and what they mean in terms of the shop’s and customers’ data, an update on the Collision Engineering Program now in place at a half dozen schools around the country, and a panel discussion about consolidation in the industry. Frank Terlep, chairman of CIC, opened the prior quarter’s meeting this past summer with a call for the industry to address the issue of supplement processing, which he calculated was costing the industry $3.3 billion a year. At the most recent CIC, he turned his focus to transparency within the industry, saying vehicle technology is too critical to driver and passenger safety not to be “completely, 100% transparent in terms of what goes on in the repairs, what goes on in the whole process.” He also said there’s a need for

certification of the technicians performing ADAS work. “Right now, we’re at the beginning of what I’m calling the Wild West of ADAS services and calibrations,” Terlep said. “We have an opportunity to shape the future of that segment of our business right now. We’ve got to find a way to get people who are

CIC Chairman Frank Terlep challenged the industry to improve transparency and accuracy of repairs, particularly related to ADAS work.

repairing ADAS-equipped vehicles, calibrating these vehicles, to make sure they’re doing it right and make sure they’re trained to do it right. “It’s critical in my opinion. We’re at the stage of this business where we can do this,” Terlep continued. “We’ve got to stop people from calibrating vehicles in parking lots. We got to stop people from calibrating vehicles in wash bays. We’ve got to stop

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people from calibrating cars in any other place other than a place where they need to be calibrated. I challenge this industry to do that.” During another committee panel discussion, Chris Evans, a property and claims consultant at State Farm, talked about efforts the insurer is making to reduce the delays in responding to claims reviews. State Farm experienced a hit in terms of staffing post-COVID, he said, but “we’ve hired about 500 appraisers in the last two years.”

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A CIC panel discussion related to supplements included Cheryl Boswell, center, of DCR Systems and Chris Evans, second from right, of State Farm.

“We’ve also been dealing with more third-party appraisal services in the last three years than we ever have in in my 36-year career at State Farm,” Evans said. “When you’re managing those third parties, it’s a lot different

than directly managing your own people. And so we are stepping that back, if you will. And I think doing a fairly effective job, although we’re still going to be using third-party appraisal services for some time.” He acknowledged the company is still working to determine which claims are best suited for a virtual inspection versus a physical inspection. “I will tell you we haven’t got that right yet,” he said. “We definitely need to figure out when [one method] is more appropriate.” He said total losses dropping from about 20% to 17% of claims significantly ramped up the number and size of repairable vehicle claims the company has had to process. He said State Farm also has added 2 million policies in 2023, which also “has put a strain on the claims system.” Lastly, he said, State Farm is “attempting to create greater transparency in the claim and supplement process. We surveyed a number of body shops to get feedback from them on what works, what doesn’t work, how could we improve it. We took that feedback and we’re making those enhancements. So we still have a lot of work to do. We appreciate the partnership.

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Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart One of things I have been really focused on lately is the collision repair customer’s experience. As I noted in a couple of previous columns** with one of my teammates, Sheryl Driggers, customer service and customer experience are definitely two different things. When you think of customer service, that’s how we treat the customer. The customer experience is how the customer felt treated. What are their perceptions of us, what emotions do they feel when they interact with our brand. From what I see, many shops focus on customer service, but neglect to think enough about the customer experience. I’ve recently attended about a halfdozen dealership conferences put on by various OEMs. The conferences are designed to help vehicle retailers take a new look at the customer—or “guest—experience. One OEM, for example, has a piece of alignment technology that service customers drive over in the dealership’s service lane. As they do, the technology checks the tire wear and alignment specifications of the vehicle, in part to give the dealership an opportunity to upsell the customer. But the system also reads the customer’s license plate, alerting the in-dealership Starbucks of that customer’s arrival. If the customer has been in before and the Starbucks knows that customer’s drink of choice, they can have it ready for the customer. Now that’s a pretty extraordinary experience, isn’t it? At another conference, they talked about how Tesla is shaping many consumers’ expectations for vehicle repair. Since Tesla sells directly to consumers versus the conventional dealership model, Tesla drivers might not have a Tesla service center in their area. But Tesla has countered this by doing more mobile service. I’m not saying that is or isn’t the way to go, but it IS shaping customer expectations. Perhaps it’s time to think about offering concierge pick-up or drop-off service. Also discussed at one or more of the conferences was that consumer surveys have found “appearance” is very important to customers. When I had my shops, my technicians did not wear uniforms, and I’m not here to say just because somebody is wearing a uniform with an OEM patch it means they can fix a vehicle. I’m not saying

“clothes make the man,” as the old expression goes. But appearances likely impact the customer’s perception and experience. It can communicate to a consumer that the uniformed person at a minimum has access to the training and tooling or equipment to properly repair their vehicle. And that perception can have an impact on their customer experience.

situations in which the vehicle owner is having to pay something more out of pocket—beyond their deductible— to cover things their insurance company is not. That can be a difficult challenge to navigate, right? That’s where transparency is key. I think we need to spend more time in the beginning of the process educating the customer, in a way that provides the needed transparency but

A “book online” feature on your shop’s Google business listing can help provide the 24/7 self-service feature many consumers want as part of the customer experience.

The other thing often talked about at the OEM conferences was that consumers are looking for a self-service platform to book an appointment. I’ve seen data showing about 43% of accidents occur outside of normal business hours today. So if that’s the case, you have to have a digital presence 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so the customer can engage with you at their convenience—just as they do when they want to buy something from Amazon, CVS or other retailers. A self-service appointment scheduling service can be a big part of that. Do a Google search for “Body Builders Automotive in Rolling Meadows, Illinois.” When you do, you’ll see that shop’s Google business listing has a “book online” appointment feature, that lets a customer choose a date and time for an appointment at the shop. It’s a new feature CCC Intelligent Solutions offers to shops that have subscriptions to CCC Engage. There may be other ways of tying something similar to your Google business listing. Another key point made at the OEM conferences: It’s more important than ever to make the customer’s experience of doing business with us easy and transparent. Most shops report an increasing number of

14 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

doesn’t scare them away. We need to explain why what they may need to pay out of pocket for is important to them and will impact their vehicle’s performance and safety. That upfront education process is equally important in explaining the time the repairs will take. Some of that time—parts delays, or how long insurers take to respond to supplement requests, for example— is at least in part beyond the shop’s control. But what you can control are the customer’s expectations and experience. That has to happen both at the start and throughout the process. At times, it may require what may seem like over-communication. But in the past, it was easier to have a mindset that as long as the car looks good in the end, they’ll forgive us for how long it took. But now quality repairs are just the expected and necessary endpoint. It’s those companies that can pair that with an extraordinary customer experience who will end up as the winners in this industry.

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Goliath Carts, Hunter Engineering Win Best New Product Awards At SEMA 2023 EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Hunter Engineering and Goliath Carts started off the 2023 SEMA Show with a bang, both being named winners of Best New Product awards, presented at the Kick-Off Breakfast before the show opened Oct. 31. Goliath Carts took top honors in the collision repair and refinish category for its destructive test weld stand, while Hunter won the ADAS Product category for its Ultimate ADAS.

bolted to the ground or a bench, or a mobile version that can be moved from vehicle to vehicle, Diez said. The stand has a wet/dry box to hold hot coupons after welding, and a white board where photos and other information can be tracked for insurance purposes. A cubby holds

Collision Repair & Refinish Winner Dito Diez, lead engineer and owner of Goliath Carts, said his company developed the destructive test weld stand after being challenged by Mike Anderson, president of Collision Advice, and his Spartans Group. Anderson is a big proponent of destructive test welding, saying not doing it as part of the repair process “would be like an automaker not doing vehicle crash testing before selling a new model of vehicle.” Goliath Carts worked with a focus group of about 10 of the best shops in Anderson’s group to figure out what features were necessary. The result is a stand that can be

“It can do all of the types of welds in all of the positions, and that’s the important thing,” Diez said. “You can overlay them, lay them side to side, put a plate behind them. Anything you can think of as far as performing a test weld, you can do on this thing.” Diez said it was exciting to hear his company’s name called as the award winner. “We’re just fortunate that Mike Anderson and his group gave us the challenge,” Diez said. “We met the challenge and we’re very excited to win the award and to be associated with the Spartans Group.” The destructive test weld stand is in stock and available now.

ADAS Product Winner Dito Diez, center, lead engineer and owner of Goliath Carts, accepts the Best New Product Award in the collision repair and refinish category for his company’s destructive test weld stand

tools like the welding gun tip and pliers, and a table holds odds and ends. The most important feature is an articulating coupon holder, Diez said, that can handle multiple thicknesses and sizes, and moves up and down and around the post.

Hunter Engineering won the ADAS Product category for its Ultimate ADAS, eliminating the errorprone manual layouts traditionally associated with static ADAS calibrations. The system seamlessly integrates Hunter’s renowned alignment technology with an efficient guided target placement system, delivering comprehensive around-the-vehicle coverage. The pivotal component of this technology is the gimbalmounted lasers, which replace the

imprecise guesswork of strings, plumb bobs and tape measures. This advancement results in an impressive 70% reduction in setup time for certain procedures. “It’s named Ultimate ADAS for a reason,” said Ryan Gerber, Hunter product specialist for ADAS. “It’s the fastest and most precise ADAS calibration system available.” “All of Hunter is so proud to win the SEMA New Product Award for Ultimate ADAS,” said Pete Liebetreu, vice president of product management and marketing. “Bringing this innovative product to market took a huge team of engineers, developers, U.S.-based manufacturing and of course, the interest of our customers and partners. It was a huge effort and the team at Hunter is very proud of this prestigious recognition.” Ultimate ADAS is currently exclusively available to Honda and Acura dealers, with plans to expand its availability to other OEMs in 2024.

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Hyundai Releases Design Renderings of EV Plant in Georgia Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) on Oct. 25 celebrated the one-year anniversary of its groundbreaking in Bryan County by officially releasing the latest design renderings of the electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facility, also known as the Metaplant, as well as by sharing additional updates and employment statistics. “The site is advancing every day as we work diligently to complete what will be one of the most advanced vehicle assembly and battery plants in the world,” said Oscar Kwon, CEO of HMGMA. “We are on track to start production in early 2025, or as my colleague José Muñoz likes to say, ‘if not sooner.’” Approximately 2,000 construction workers are working at the nearly 3,000-acre megasite site to keep the project on target. Construction has already begun on all HMGMA production-related buildings with 99.9% of all foundation work complete. An estimated 81% of the steel framing has been installed, using 27,045 tons of steel. Roof, floor and wall construction has also begun and is in varying stages of completion.

When designing the Metaplant, architects worked to find a design that would not only incorporate technologically advanced elements but also design features that represent Hyundai’s brand identity, the greater Savannah area, nature and renewable energy.

“We are extremely pleased with the design of our state-of-the-art smart plant and are eager to see the finished product,” Kwon said. “It is as important for us to create a comfortable and welcoming work environment for our Metaplant employees, also known as Meta Pros, as it is for us to create an energy efficient and technologically advanced plant. It is essential for our Meta Pros to be happy, comfortable

and safe in their work environment for long-lasting careers with HMGMA.” The exhibition hall at the front of the plant was designed as a square to pay homage to the historic squares in downtown Savannah. The building will be an exhibition space with its own central courtyard and water features that will be used for artful exhibitions and tour meetings. All the work zones, from office to production areas, have been designed to encourage communication and build team collaboration. The designs will feature open layouts with ample daylight and indoor landscaping. Production areas, such as those in the Assembly Building, will have respite zones with naturally lit skylights at the center of the building and can be used for employee breaks and meetings. A solar parking lot at the front of the site will provide 5.2 megawatts of energy. The solar panels will be positioned over the top of the 1,878 vehicle spots, protecting the vehicles from direct sun while also generating power. Beginning with the start of mass production, the electricity used to power the Metaplant will come from

100% renewable sources, aligning with Hyundai’s commitment to carbon neutrality by 2045. The 3,050-foot-long front exterior of the building will be lit in two parallel lines, inspired by a stream, and will outline an area where interstate travelers can view the vehicles as they travel by conveyer from paint to general assembly. Prominently featured in front of the Metaplant will be a 41-acre ecological park that includes trails, running tracks, environmental art displays, sports fields, picnic areas and a pond—all for employees to enjoy before or after work. Although construction is still ongoing, HMGMA is hiring for all positions from production to administrative roles. The company currently has hired 290 employees—182 salary, 108 hourly. An additional 53 are South Korean expatriates assisting with initiating operations. At full capacity, 8,500 employees will be employed onsite between HMGMA, the battery JV and on-site suppliers. In total, 14,476 will be employed between the Metaplant campus and all offsite suppliers.

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IDEAS Collide Encourages Collision Repairers To Think Differently, Outperform EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Since IDEAS Collide was launched by the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) in 2018, as part of the Repairer Driven Education Series, the program has included professionals from a wide variety of backgrounds. “IDEAS Collide showcases people’s big grand schemes for how this industry can be better, outperform where we are today, think differently about how our businesses look and find ways to implement that,” said Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS. During this year’s SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, new speakers had an opportunity to share their ideas with the industry in a series of short presentations. Three are summarized below.

Affordable Health Benefits Ben Simmons, Gravie’s chief strategy officer, talked about one of the biggest problems the country faces: affordable and comprehensive health benefits. “It’s something we have to think about, like it or not, sometimes on a day-to-day basis to attract and retain talent,” said Simmons. “But it’s laden with so many problems that there has to be a better solution.” Currently, the average yearly cost of health care per employee is $12,000. “That’s rising at an unsustainable rate,” said Simmons. Rising costs coupled with high deductibles and co-pays ultimately create a burden for employers and employees. “When your health insurance spend is eating more into your profit year after year, it’s at a breaking point for many businesses,” said Simmons. Simmons noted little change has occurred in insurance over the last 30 years except for some innovations in digital health. Examples include telemedicine and apps that help manage chronic conditions from home. However, Simmons said these solutions have been mostly accessible to large, self-insured employers. Currently, Simmons said small business owners with fewer than 500 employees make up more than 50% of the American workforce. “Health insurance is at a breaking point for small business owners,” noted Simmons. To address this challenge, Simmons said a shift in perspective is critical.

“That perspective shift is focusing on the member,” he said. “…the consumer who is actually using the health insurance and align their interests with everybody else in the value chain.” When Simmons started at Gravie a decade ago, the team set out to redesign health insurance for small employers and build a health plan everyone can love. Simmons discussed the company’s flagship program, Comfort, designed to be a benefits plan for small business owners and employees. It provides 100% coverage on most common services, such as routine primary care, specialist care, urgent care, imaging in an office setting and generic drugs. It also incorporates emerging digital health solutions and a no-interest payment plan. Although Simmons said the plan is not a solution for every employer every year, the company aims to pass through savings, when possible, be transparent and give customers more control.

Culture is Currency Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K&M Collision and an SCRS board of director, talked about culture and why he believes it is the real currency in the job market today.

to do within their company. K&M bases its culture on five foundational building blocks: inspiring leadership, recognition, work-life harmony, professional growth and personal growth. “As business owners, we often get caught up in the daily grind and lose sight of what truly matters,” said Bradshaw. “For many of us, family is at the heart of what we do, and we aim to create a work culture that feels like family, where everyone is supported and valued.” Bradshaw said building a positive company culture and a team of excellent individuals has not only propelled his business forward but has also allowed him the opportunity to spend quality time with his family and create lasting memories. “That is the true power of positive work culture,” he said. “It not only transforms our businesses and our teams, but it also enriches our personal lives, bringing us closer to the ones we love.” By investing in employees as if they were family, Bradshaw has found they will go above and beyond for the business. “Our business would not be the success that it is without our people,” he said. “They come first and foremost.”

industry are missing one of the most important tools of all, a great mentor,” said Brune. Weber shared two of the four critical areas part of their proprietary system. The first is assessing culture. Weber advised asking employees if they believe the company believes in them. The other critical area is assessing the mentor involved in the program to determine if they are willing and able to instruct and believe in the industry. Brune recommends educating everyone involved in the program and focusing on three areas: working across generations, the ability to communicate a clear vision for the future and demonstration. “Just like we wouldn’t let our technicians use a tool they don’t know how to use, the same applies to mentoring,” he said.

Mentor Mentee CEO Ryan Weber and Business Development Manager Marc Brune

A New Approach to Mentorship

Michael Bradshaw, vice president of K&M Collision and an SCRS board of director

Bradshaw said 80% of U.S. employees don’t feel connected to their company’s culture. “We’re used to thinking that salaries and benefits get the best talent and collision repairers,” said Bradshaw. “We wring our hands over how we’re going to attract new technicians and how can we pay more because we can’t be competitive in the workplace. But we never talk about culture.” Bradshaw said that is really the secret weapon. “It’s the force behind attracting and keeping staff, keeping them happy, boosting morale and performance,” he noted. He asked attendees to picture the greatest job satisfaction coming from a workplace that enriches life, sparks passions and thrives on excellence. That is what Bradshaw has tried

With a growing technician shortage, two representatives from the company Mentor Mentee shared best practices about mentorship, CEO Ryan Weber and Business Development Manager Marc Brune. Weber said the company approaches mentorship differently than traditional programs where an employee is matched with someone more experienced. Instead, Mentor Mentee offers a technical mentoring platform. “The outcome is to strengthen that new person’s ability and skills in a technical field,” he explained. Weber asked attendees to imagine tackling repairs without diagnostics, plans or tools. “It would be chaos,” he noted. “The same applies to a workforce and mentoring.” By incorporating technology into the apprenticeship process, Weber said it can help replace a skilled workforce and pass down critical knowledge from one generation of workers to the next. “Just as we would not approach a vehicle without the proper diagnostic tools…a lot of times what we see is that mentees and entrylevel technicians that come into the

Whether a shop is already running a program or getting ready to launch one, Weber said it’s important to begin with the end in mind. He suggests creating a customized task list for the technicians’ roles to provide direction. He also recommends employers be aware of how wide they are leaving the door open. Without a career plan, Brune said an employee will likely have their eyes open to other jobs, even if they pay just a few dollars an hour more. “By supporting and investing in your people, you’re able to close that door,” he said. To ensure mentees continue to thrive, Brune recommends monitoring their progress. He advocates setting priorities, holding everyone accountable and providing feedback. “Not every technician is cut out to be a mentor, but those with the right support can make an immense amount of difference within your business,” he said.

Autobody News

COVERAGE

autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 17

NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicle To Florida Nonprofit On Nov. 1, a fully restored vehicle was donated to the Divine Flight Foundation, a community organization that promotes access to holistic educational opportunities for families across Florida.

The ceremonial giveaway was part of the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides program, and took place at Crash Champions in Davie, FL, which repaired the vehicle. Representatives of car donor GEICO were also on hand to personally hand over the keys to Lt. Col. Ryan Reed, a member

of the U.S. Air Force Reserve and director of the Divine Flight Foundation. “I could not be more excited to receive this generous gift,” said Reed. “Having a safe and reliable vehicle is truly a blessing, and I cannot begin to tell you the difference it will make to our organization as we support the families in our program. I am forever grateful to the NABC, Crash Champions and all the sponsors involved in this wonderful program.” The donation was made possible, in part, by certified collision repair technicians from Crash Champions who volunteered their time and expert craftmanship to fully restore a 2021 Hyundai Tucson. Crash Champions is a Level One member of the NABC and regular participant in NABC Recycled Rides giveaways across the country. In 2022 alone, the organization restored 50 vehicles for families and individuals in need.

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

SCC 2024 Date “The combination of our associations was an exponential expansion for the Southeast Collision Conference,” said Kyle Bradshaw, CCA president and director of fixed operations of K&M Collision. “We will continue to work hard to bring our region the best education and vendor opportunities possible. Being a part of the team leading this event, I’ve seen just how much more we can do for 2024!” “WMABA is so proud to be part of this great event,” said Steve Krieps, WMABA president, owner of Collision Safety Consultants of West Virginia and shop manager with Greg Cline Automotive. “The 2023 show went way beyond our expectations, and I know that we will do the same this coming year. We want to see the needle move for every individual who participates in the education and tradeshow; we want to see lives and minds changed for the better.” With a focus not only on owners, but managers and technicians as well, the 2024 conference will

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again be pulling from the national connections shared by both associations. Their participation in national events has built relationships with the prominent leaders in the collision industry, and they are bringing these connections to the show through the vendors in attendance, as well as national level industry speakers and networking opportunities. “The entire point of the conference is to get shops together, help them to get great education and encourage community growth with their peers,” said CCA Executive Director Josh Kent. “We work really hard to give them the very best experience. I love seeing the shops get connected while they also get pumped up with great content. It’s why I love what I do!” “I couldn’t agree with Josh more about seeing industry professionals get their lightbulb turned on,” said Jordan Hendler, executive director of WMABA. “We had such a great outcome for the first time working together, it was such a no-brainer to collaborate together again for the 2024 show. It’s going to be the not-to-be-missed event this side of the country!”

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 21

Conference Includes Discussion of Sublet Requirements, Tech Access To OEM Procedures By John Yoswick Autobody News

Several speakers at the CIECA CONNEX annual conference this fall offered cautions for shops subletting a lot of work, particularly ADAS calibrations. Frank Terlep, vice president of ADAS solutions for Opus IVS, said sublet work suffers now from “a black hole of information.” “The information that is not being shared about what’s being done on the vehicles is unbelievable,” Terlep said. “So in my opinion, the sublet process, particularly related to ADAS and calibrations, is going to change dramatically. And this is going to happen pretty quickly. The vendors who are doing that sublet work and not documenting what they’re doing? That’s going to end. Because what I’m hearing is the insurers, the payers, don’t know what they’re paying for. You get an invoice that says a calibration for a thousand dollars [but] what does that tell me about what was done to the car? So from my perspective, I think the days of sublet with no documentation, no evidence of what has been done, is going to change dramatically in the near future.” Chuck Olsen of AirPro Diagnostics agreed. “If you’re going to be doing sublet, make sure that you’ve done your own research,” Olsen said. “Know exactly what needs to be done, and be very specific what it is that you’re asking for from that provider. And then ask them for documentation coming back.”

“There’s one more thing: The OEM service information is written at a very high grade reading level,” Chesney said. “And the majority of technicians in the field weren’t really good readers when they were in school. And so they push back on having to read. When they see the numbers of documents they have to refer to for repair procedures, they shut down and they just put it down and go do it the way they did it on the last car. And

riskiest times. About 34% of this is at speeds higher than 50 miles per hour. If you look down at your phone for two seconds [at that speed], you’ve just gone the length of a football field. A lot can happen in that amount of time when you’re on the roads.” Interestingly, that same percentage—34%—of all the accidents Young’s company has looked at, from the millions of drivers using its crash detection technology, “have active phone distraction 60 seconds prior to the crash, and in some cases, it’s right as the crash is happening.” Collision repairers planning marketing might want to consider another data point Young shared. “It might not be a surprise that on the holidays, there’s more distraction,” he said. “So on Labor Day, we’re 5% more Chris Chesney of Repairify said more needs to be distracted versus the other done to bring OEM information to technicians when days around Labor Day, and and how they need it. on Thanksgiving, we’re 11% more distracted.” so [we need to] leverage technology to bring that information to the The Future for Adjustors technician at the point [they need it], During another panel discussion at in context that they can understand, the CIECA event, Luke Harris, vice in the appropriate order they need to president of innovation at USAA, apply it.” As someone who started as a technician in the industry, Chesney said he encourages all organizations in the industry to “consider the technician in everything you’re doing.” “Because that’s the person who has to perform and validate the repairs, and without them, none of the rest of it happens,” he said. “And so if we can create technologies that serve them, that make their life easier, more productive and more enjoyable, then we’ll all win.”

Distracted Driving at Record Highs Chuck Olsen of AirPro Diagnostics said any shop In what might be viewed subletting ADAS work needs to understand and ask as good news for collision for exactly what they need from that sublet provider. repairers, Cornelius Young, senior vice president of Getting Techs to Read OEM product for Cambridge Mobile Procedures Telematics, shared data at the During another session at the conference showing distracted conference, Chris Chesney, vice driving, as measured by “moving president of training for Repairify, said the [cell] phone around in a vehicle he believes a number of factors can or hitting the screen,” has reached lead technicians to not read and follow record highs. OEM repair procedures, including the “About 58% of trips involve that pressures of flat-rate pay plans and phone screen interaction, on average failure by shop management to set for two minutes and 12 seconds per standards of performance beyond hour of driving per person,” Young “expecting the car to be done at 5.” said. “And they’re doing it at the 22 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

said the work for insurance claims adjusters is changing, but that doesn’t spell the end for that role within auto claims.

“The vendors who are doing that sublet work and not documenting what they’re doing? That’s going to end.” — FRANK TERLEP

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADAS SOLUTIONS FOR OPUS IVS

“I think about my early job when I was a claims adjuster: I’d get a new claim, I’d take my time to research the file, I’d get my mini-cassette and my tape recorder and I’d get ready to go,” Harris said. “And much of that work doesn’t exist anymore. So what you’re going to find is you’re still going to need adjusters. You may not need as many, but the cognitive load you’re placing on these adjusters [is tougher] when everything they do all day is making tough decisions throughout the claim process. Because you’re automating the simple claims endto-end, or the simple tasks that they do today. So it’s going to be a much more specialized, demanding role in the future, even more so than today. But they’re not going away.”

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NABC F.R.E.E. Program Hosts First Responders from 4 States, D.C. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) hosted first responders from Charlottesville, VA, three other states and Washington, D.C., on Oct. 10 and Oct. 12 at a special National Auto Body Council (NABC) First Responder Emergency Extrication (F.R.E.E.)™ education and guidance program.

More than 100 first responders donned their rescue gear for a hands-on demonstration of the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication, preparing them to provide the best response for car accident victims

in the area, all thanks to URG and Team PRP. HURST Jaws of Life and Municipal Emergency Services (MES) provided the tools and education. Allstate and GEICO participated in a second event with IIHS on Oct. 12. Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But, these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers. Add to that the potential challenge presented by electric and hybrid engines, and first responders need a whole new arsenal of rescue tools and procedures. “First responders from five states came to IIHS and participated, not only in viewing a crash test, but they were

cutting late-model vehicles that are donated to us by insurance partners. They will take back knowledge about how to extricate victims with the newest techniques,” said Kyle Medeiros, NABC board member and chair of the NABC F.R.E.E. Committee. The NABC F.R.E.E. program helps prepare local first responder teams to rescue accident victims from these late-model vehicles. The program provides education and live demonstrations on working with high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology and safety around alternative fuel vehicles. Since it was founded, it has provided education for more than 5,500 first responders. USAA, Allstate and GEICO provided the vehicles, and HURST Jaws of Life and Municipal Emergency Services (MES) supplied the classroom education and extrication demonstration. Panera Bread provided breakfast, Mission Barbeque donated lunch and the PepsiCo Bottling Company provided water.

M-F: 7am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

Ultium Cells Plant GM is one of three automakers that has been in tense negotiations with the UAW, attempting to come to terms over a new contract that would increase pay and benefits for unionized workers. Ford did so late Oct. 25, ending weeks of work stoppages, but Stellantis and GM are still negotiating. GM’s Spring Hill plant is expected to come online in early 2024, ramping up the availability of Ultium cells that will be available for EVs that will operate under the platform. The Ultium cells will increase affordability, enable faster charging times and increase vehicle longevity. Seven current GM models are using Ultium cells: GMC Hummer EV, BrightDrop Zevo 600 van, Chevrolet Silverado EV, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Cadillac LYRIQ, Buick Electra E5 and Buick Electra E4. Additionally, future vehicles, including the Equinox EV, Honda Prologue, Escalade IQ, the next Chevrolet Bolt and the ultraluxurious Cadillac Celestiq, will operate on the Ultium platform.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 23

MSO Symposium Looks At Claims Trends, Opportunities For Collision Shops To Buy or Sell EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By John Yoswick Autobody News

More than 300 people attended this year’s MSO Symposium on Oct. 30, the largest attendance in the event’s 12-year history. For many in the industry, the annual gathering, focused on consolidation in the collision repair industry, kicks off the start of SEMA week in Las Vegas. Speakers offered an outlook for the economy, discussion about the flow of private equity investment in the industry, and the opportunities—and challenges—for business owners wanting to add additional shop locations. Bart Mazurek, vice president of consulting services for CCC Intelligent Solutions’ automotive services group, shared data at the event indicating direct repair claims were up 3% in the third quarter of this year—good news for collision repair businesses that focus more on DRP work. Mazurek said higher prices and lower availability of new vehicles in recent years has contributed to a continued rise in the average age of vehicles in the U.S. “If you look at 2019, only 34% of vehicles were seven years and older,

but now we’re up to 42% of vehicles being over seven years, and that has an impact on total losses,” he said. “Older vehicles are obviously easier to total out.” The percentage of noncomprehensive claims resulting in a total loss had dipped down to as low as 18.2% in the summer of 2022, according to CCC data, but that has

Bart Mazurek of CCC Intelligent Solutions said DRP claims were up 3% in the third quarter of this year

rebounded to above 20% every month this year. Speaking on the day that General Motors became the final automaker to announce a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers, Mazurek downplayed any significant impact the six-week strike had on collision claims. “As we looked at national

implications, especially when it comes to cycle time, we didn’t notice any differences or any uptick in cycle time,” he said. “Sure, we’d heard some anecdotal information on a regional basis of parts availability issues, but generally speaking, we’ve been told that dealership groups had been stocking up on parts, focusing on the 60-day market. If they could [have] inventories to get through 60 days, there wouldn’t be an impact on cycle time, and I think that’s held firm to date.” Also during the MSO Symposium, David Roberts of Focus Advisors said there are now 17 private equity firms with investments in collision repair operations. “And there are at least 12 more who are knocking at the door,” Roberts said. “If you’re an independent MSO out there today and you’ve got four or five or more shops, they’ve knocked on your door.” He said realistically, maybe four of the 12 will make an acquisition while they others will not, perhaps deciding it’s a business they don’t know enough about. But still, the interest means it’s not too late for a smaller MSO to get a private equity buyer to help them grow. “I think that they are looking for a

five- or six-shop MSO to get started with,” Roberts said. “If you’re one of those high performers, where you’re doing $25 million out of five shops and you’ve got 18% EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization),

“Management may be the most important part of the profile of any [business] selling to a private equity firm.” — DAVID ROBERTS

MANAGING DIRECTOR, FOCUS ADVISORS

you’re going to get a really nice offer. If you are smaller than that or you don’t have those kinds of margins, most importantly, you have to have a great management team that is going to stick with the business. Management may be the most important part of the profile of any [business] selling to a private equity firm.” What are buyers paying for collision repair businesses? Roberts said it varies on the buyer and the size of business being acquired, but the good news is “values are holding steady and in some cases rising.”

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Hunter Expands Scissor Lifts’ Wheelbase Hunter Engineering announced new, longer variations of its popular RX14 and RX16 scissor alignment racks. These new models, RX14KL and RX16KL, can accommodate up to 195inch two-wheel wheelbases. The RX14KL lift gains an additional 13 inches, while the RX16KL picks up an additional 17 inches. Hunter is responding to a growing industry need for greater length. New adjustable turnplate pockets provide an extremely long 88- to 168-inch four-wheel alignment service range. When aligning a shorter vehicle, the turnplates can be moved back in the pocket in seconds. Additionally, a new flushmount arrangement simplifies floor-level rolling compensation and ADAS calibrations. All Hunter scissor lifts are designed to offer maximum productivity in a minimum space. For more information, visit www.hunter.com/alignmentracks/scissor-lifts

Hyundai, Hyundai of North Charleston Donate $20,000 To Lowcountry Food Bank HyundaiMotorAmericaandHyundai of North Charleston recently donated $20,000 to the Lowcountry Food Bank of North Charleston in South Carolina to support local hunger relief initiatives in the area. The donation is part of Hyundai’s corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, which seeks to improve the well-being of society through supporting the health and safety of the community. A ceremonial check was presented to the organization in Charleston. “At Hyundai, we are committed to our vision of Progress for Humanity, which means giving back to the communities where we live and work,” said Brandon Ramirez, director, corporate social responsibility and external relations, Hyundai Motor America. “Food insecurity is a major issue that unfortunately affects many communities. We are proud to join our dealer partner, Hyundai of North Charleston, in supporting the Lowcountry Food Bank to help those experiencing hunger.”

The Lowcountry Food Bank combats hunger by increasing the community’s access to nutritious foods, particularly for children, seniors and veterans. Serving the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina, the organization partners with more than 230 community-

based organizations, pantries, schools, soup kitchens and many more, who then distribute food to neighbors in need. One dollar donated can help make six meals. Even more, the Lowcountry Food Bank works with health care partners to identify and address the root causes of hunger and

improve people’s health outcomes through programs such as nutrition education and mobile pantries. This donation will be able to provide 120,000 meals. “We are so proud to work with Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai of North Charleston to address the challenges of food insecurity in our community. This will make an enormous difference in the lives of the neighbors we serve,” said Brenda Shaw, chief development officer, Lowcountry Food Bank. “Our colleagues at Hyundai understand that more and more families have turned to Lowcountry Food Bank to help put healthy food on the table while we continue to navigate economic inflationary issues and higher food and transportation costs. As we head into the holidays, this gift will help ensure that we are able to procure healthy produce and other food items. We’re grateful to Hyundai for their corporate commitment of support in helping alleviate hunger in coastal South Carolina.”

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 25

NABC Recycled Rides Donates Vehicle To a Charlotte-Area Veteran

CCC Introduces Advanced Photo Analysis

On Oct. 18, the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides program presented a deserving Charlotte, NC, area veteran with a vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to work. Allstate donated the vehicle, which was refurbished by collision repair partner Maaco Rock Hill in South Carolina and mechanical repair partner Meineke Car Care Charlotte. The presentation was held at the Driven Brands headquarters in Charlotte. “It is a pleasure to help this U.S. Navy veteran, who is working hard to move forward on her journey to independence,” said Dale Ross, program manager for the NABC Recycled Rides program. “This is only possible with the cooperation of our great members like Allstate, Maaco Rock Hill and Driven Brands.” Janee Bennett, a U.S. Navy veteran who served from 20132019 with three deployments, was nominated as the recipient by Veterans Bridge Home to receive a 2017 Toyota Camry. Bennett has been dealing with

CCC Intelligent Solutions announced the next generation of its AI-based photo analysis capabilities, including its first solution that extends into claims handling and ahead of the appraisal process to help users identify potential indemnity amounts earlier. The offerings deliver actionable intelligence following FNOL, enabling insurers to pull forward key decisions that work to optimize and accelerate downstream processing across APD and casualty claims. CCC First Look can help insurers capture accident information sooner on more claims and is designed to ingest photos from various sources—including consumers and salvage providers. CCC Impact Dynamics applies AI to photos of vehicle damage to predict impact severity, which enables insurers to spot injury potential early and inform a series of important decisions including casualty claims segmentation and routing, early settlement opportunities and reserve management.

homelessness since she returned home from the Navy, living under less than desirable and unsafe conditions. She eventually went into the shelter. Since she has been there, she has secured full time employment at a local bank and now has her own apartment. The next step in her life journey will be the gift of reliable transportation so that she can continue her road to independence.

“I’m really in shock, it just doesn’t seem real,” said Bennett. “This makes all the difference in getting to work instead of having to take the bus, as well as to medical appointments. I’m working now at a bank and plan to start school while I’m working. I couldn’t do

that if I had to take the bus. My whole family is proud of me for the progress I’ve made and for being presented this car today.” “This is an honor to help another veteran by helping paint and refurbish this car,” said Bill Cappel, owner, Maaco Rock Hill, who is a U.S. Army veteran who served during Vietnam. “We’re proud as a team to donate our time to do this, and hope it helps Ms. Bennett continue on her path.” “It always means a lot to our family to give back to veterans,” said Matt Cooper, co-owner of Meineke of Charlotte with his brother Castor Cooper. “Our father was a veteran and three of our brothers are serving our country. We always want to do what we can to help a veteran in need, and it was great to meet Ms. Bennett, see the smile on her face and appreciation of the team’s efforts in helping with the mechanical maintenance of her new vehicle.” Additional partners in the NABC Recycled Rides presentation included Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart and INA Towing.

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Tesla-Certified Shop Suing 2 Insurers; Ex-Employee Files Lawsuit Against Safelite By John Yoswick Autobody News

Multiple lawsuits involving various segments of the collision industry are working their way through federal courts. State Farm has filed a motion to dismiss a tortious interference and defamation lawsuit brought by a Tesla-certified collision repair business in Maryland, arguing the lawsuit doesn’t adequately “state a claim [for] which relief can be granted.” In the lawsuit, Total Recon Auto Center in Rockville, MD, alleges the insurer’s “intentional, malicious campaign” to “disseminate misinformation to its insureds who are actual or potential customers” of the shop violates the Maryland Information Act. The lawsuit states the shop is one of three Tesla-certified shops in the county, and charges “a specific hourly labor rate---no more or no less---determined by Tesla to be reasonable” in a given market area. That labor rate of $60 is $10 more than “the area’s more typical hourly labor rate.” The lawsuit says State Farm “resisted but eventually agreed to

pay” that labor rate, but “ultimately decided to launch an intentional campaign to harm Total Recon” using misinformation to improperly steer customers away from Total Recon. It cites more than a half dozen examples of customers and potential customers of the shop concerned about having to pay outof-pocket for costs not covered by the insurer even though “there is no

history of Total Recon charging outof-pocket expenses to State Farm’s customers.” Total Recon said in June in response to cease and desist letters sent to State Farm, it received a letter from a law firm for the insurer saying the company’s actions are “compliant with Maryland law.” Total Recon argues the letter did not dispute “any of Total Recon’s contentions but instead has brazenly

taken the position that [State Farm’s] conduct is not unlawful and that it will continue engaging in this course of conduct.” For each of three counts in the lawsuit, Total Recon seeks more than $75,000 in punitive and compensatory damages. The same shop filed a similar lawsuit against Allstate in March. That insurer is similarly seeking to have the lawsuit dismissed for “failure to state claims for which relief can be granted.” In another lawsuit, a former Safelite Auto Glass employee is suing the company for insurance fraud, alleging Safelite billed insurance for OEM or aftermarket moldings but used neither, instead using less expensive universal moldings rather than vehicle-specific ones. “Safelite concocted a scheme to get paid insurance rates… regardless of the part selected by its technicians,” states the complaint, filed on behalf of the people of California, alleging two senior employees of the company created computer programming that would do just that. “Safelite’s computer systems have been programmed to replace the name of the OEM or aftermarket

part…while keeping the part-specific number and/or part-specific price of the OEM or aftermarket part intact,” the lawsuit alleges. The complaint provides three screenshot examples of invoices in which it says such substitutions occurred. The lawsuit also claims Safelite was charging $30 for cleaning of vehicles using special sanitation wipes during four months early in the pandemic, yet alleges only about 25,000 of the nearly 500,000 wipes those services would have required in California were used. The former Safelite employee, product development and strategy manager Brian Williams, said he first noticed the differences in 2019, eventually bringing it to the attention of his direct supervisor and others within the company. He said he was the only management person furloughed for four months in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, and was told when he returned to work that summer his job duties were changing. Feeling nothing was being done about the issue, he resigned the following year. A Safelite spokesperson said the company does not comment on pending litigation.

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parts@reedmotorsinc.com www.reednissan.com autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 27

Owner of Mississippi Mechanic Shop Arrested After Customer Complaints By Kate Bieri

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did that come from?’” She asked not to be identified because she still hopes to get her money back.

FOX13 Memphis

Hernando, MS, officers arrested and booked the owner of a mechanic shop on Oct. 11 after multiple customers complained of service. Zachary Coalburn, 29, faces a charge of false pretense, defined as “intent to cheat or defraud.” Capt. Kyle Hodge with the Hernando Police Department confirmed to FOX13 the charge is in connection to his business at C&C Diesel Performance. On Oct. 12, FOX13 met several customers who were frustrated with the quality of service they’ve received there. An Olive Branch, MS, woman said she needed her brakes and a fuse repaired for her 2011 Ford Explorer. She said she was charged for work she didn’t need or want. “I saw charges for $700 worth of suspension work,” the woman explained. “I was like, ‘Well, wait, hold on. Brakes and a fuse. Where

A Hernando man told FOX13 the shop charged him $5,000 to fix a broken air conditioner in his car, but it continued to blow hot air. “I believe he was just throwing parts at it knowing he wasn’t going to fix it,” the man said. It is not clear if those specific customer complaints led to the arrest. Hernando police said they executed a search warrant at the business Oct. 11 and arrested Coalburn at that time.

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UAW Reaches Tentative Deal With Ford UAW negotiators reached a tentative agreement with Ford on a record contract late Oct. 25—40 days into the union’s strike against the Big Three— and called on Ford strikers to return to work, UAW President Shawn Fain and International Vice President Chuck Browning announced in a video.

will will vote Oct. 29 on whether to send it to the membership. If it does, a Facebook Live event will be held that evening to go through the deal in detail, followed by regional meetings and finally, a vote by members. “For months we’ve said that record profits mean record contracts. And UAW family, our Stand Up Strike has delivered,” Fain said. Browning called the tentative contract “historic” and “life-changing” before listing the details: a 25% general wage increase over the course of the agreement, a 68% increase in starting pay and UAW President Shawn Fain, left, and International Vice a 30% increase President Chuck Browning, right, appear in a video in top pay rate to announcing the deal with Ford more than $40 an hour. Temporary The deal still needs to be workers, who Browning said reviewed by the UAW National- have “been abused” by Ford, Ford Council leadership, which GM and Stellantis for decades,

will see a 150% increase in pay over the life of the contract, and some lower-tier workers at Ford’s Sterling Axle and Rawsonville facilities will see an immediate 85% increase in pay. The deal gave back the UAW “core things we had lost over the years,” Browning said, including the COLA it gave up in 2009 and the three-year progression it had before the Great Recession, and eliminated “divisive” wage tiers at some facilities. The deal also adds to the UAW’s pension multiplier, providing more for retirement for current retirees, members with pensions and members with 401(k)s, Browning said. Finally, the deal made “historic advances in job security,” Browning said, allowing the UAW the right to strike over plant closures. “For decades that was an impossible demand, but through the power of the Stand Up strike, we have made it a reality,” he said. “That means they can’t keep devastating our

communities and closing plants with no consequences. Together, we have made history.” Fain said Ford “knew what was coming for them” if it didn’t strike a deal with the UAW, after seeing the strike hit Stellantis’ and GM’s largest and most profitable plants earlier this week. Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant, which builds heavy duty F-series trucks and full-size SUVs, had already been hit Oct. 11. Browning said Ford strikers should go back to work before the tentative agreement is approved to keep the pressure on Stellantis and GM. “The last thing they want is for Ford to get back to full capacity while they mess around and lag behind,” he said. Fain concluded the video by pointing out since the strike began Sept. 15, Ford had put 50% more on the bargaining table. “I want to be clear. We told Ford to pony up and they did,” he said. “We won things nobody thought possible.”

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Autonomy, Atlantic Coast Automotive Partner To Offer EV Subscription Service Audi Genuine Parts make your repair easier • Large Inventory of Audi Genuine Collision Parts Updated Daily • Fast, Dependable Twice Daily Deliveries throughout Georgia • Professional, Knowledgeable, Attentive Staﬀ Ready to Help • Competitive Pricing and Discounts Always Mon-Fri 7:30am-6pm

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Autonomy, an electric vehicle subscription company, announced its partnership with Atlantic Coast Automotive in its aim to make affordable and hasslefree EV ownership accessible to dealerships nationwide. Autonomy’s EV subscription package includes a range of benefits, including vehicle insurance, maintenance, wear and tear coverage, and roadside assistance, simplifying the EV ownership experience. Atlantic Coast Automotive dealerships, equipped with Autonomy’s platform, will offer customers a seamless experience from vehicle delivery to service and support. Autonomy’s technology platform will let Atlantic Coast Automotive dealerships diversify their services, addressing the needs of customers seeking alternatives to traditional financing. This collaboration expands the customer base for both Autonomy and Atlantic Coast Automotive. Subscription models are at

the forefront of transforming the automotive industry, providing dealerships with a versatile and customer-focused approach to car ownership. This partnership offers a new avenue for dealerships to meet evolving consumer preferences and market dynamics.

“Our collaboration with Atlantic Coast Automotive represents a major step forward in our mission to democratize EV ownership,” — SCOTT PAINTER

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“Our collaboration with Atlantic Coast Automotive represents a major step forward in our mission to democratize EV ownership,” said Scott Painter, CEO and founder of Autonomy. “By expanding our reach and services, we’re making it easier than ever for customers to embrace electric mobility, and we’re excited to work with Atlantic Coast Automotive to drive this transformation.”

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AkzoNobel Showcases Celebrity Vehicles, Digital Tools At 2023 SEMA Show EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Autobody News Staff AkzoNobel kicked off the first day of the 2023 SEMA Show with Dave Kindig, the company’s spokesperson, unveiling a celebrity vehicle. Kindig, owner of Kindig-it Design and star of MotorTrend’s “Bitchin’ Rides” series, was challenged to build a vehicle for the comedian and actor Kevin Hart that represented the Batman villain Bane. He unveiled the creation, also named “Bane,” Oct. 31 at one of AkzoNobel’s two booths—a Dodge Challenger painted with Modern Classikk color Black Ice, described by Kindig as “the deepest darkest black you can get.” Kindig said the build, which has a chili red interior designed by JS Custom Interior, includes a lot of “really cool technology.” Several components were 3D-printed, including the dash center console, components of the door panels and rear quarter panels, as well as the supercharger’s cover. “Our relationship with Dave Kindig continues to expand and provide a lot of excitement for us,” said Jen Poliski, marketing communications manager – North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings. “SEMA provides the best opportunity

for us to showcase how he uses our paints to help create his masterpieces.” In 2018, AkzoNobel launched Modern Classikk, a custom color line of automotive paints designed in partnership with Kindig. The Modern Classikk line now includes more than 40 base coat colors and four reducers. “One of the things that people don’t realize is these are all colors that Dave Kindig formulated,” noted Sue Jaszkowski, marketing communications – North America, AkzoNobel Automotive & Specialty Coatings. In addition to being the spokesperson for Modern Classikk, earlier this year, AkzoNobel announced Kindig as its brand ambassador for Sikkens, its premium paint line. AkzoNobel has also restyled the Modern Classikk label. “We were five years into the partnership and wanted to give the label a facelift,” explained Jaszkowski. “The redesign was a collaborative effort.” The new label now reads, “Modern Classikk, powered by Sikkens,” and was inspired by Kindig’s hand-drawn and colored renderings created for each Kindig-it Design vehicle build. AkzoNobel Booth Highlights During SEMA, AkzoNobel and Kindig-

it Design shared 2,400 square feet of exhibit space in the Silver Lot outside, displaying several one-of-a-kind vehicles. These included the Bitchin’ Bronco featured on recent episodes of “Bitchin’ Rides” and two of Kindig’s carbon fiber CF Roadsters.

Industry Insight Shared AkzoNobel employees and customers had an opportunity to share insight during various presentations throughout the week. Tony Adams, AkzoNobel business services consultant, discussed improving employee retention and engagement through communications during his presentation, “Freedom to Speak?” Adams also teamed up with Tim Ronak, senior services consultant, and customers Stephen Bozer from Fix Auto Tempe and Kena Dacus, owner of Dacus Auto, to discuss “Changing the World With a FourDay Work Week?” In addition, some AkzoNobel customers took part in educational sessions. Andrew Batenhorst, body shop manager at Pacific BMW, talked about the death of the estimator role. Both Michael Giarrizzo, CEO of DCR Systems and Calibration Connection, and Andy Tylka, owner of TAG Auto Group and Midwest ADAS, participated in a SEMA panel discussion about ADAS calibration strategies. “The SEMA Show is the largest event we do, and we were excited to be contributing in many ways again this year,” said Poliski.

During SEMA, Dave Kindig unveiled “Bane,” a Dodge Challenger he built for comedian and actor Kevin Hart.

In addition to the outdoor space, AkzoNobel set up a larger indoor exhibit in Central Hall this year to showcase Sikkens and hold demonstrations of Carbeat, the company’s digital body shop workflow control solution. The booth featured Kevin Hart’s “Bane” vehicle, as well as a custom-designed roadster. The cars were nominated for an award for Best on RS 2023. Throughout the event, Kindig signed autographs in both booths.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 31

SEMA Announces First Recipient of ‘Best Engineered Vehicle’ At 2023 Show SEMA announced the recipient of the inaugural SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award is the ‘23 Cobra Venom by Scorpion EV. “Venom” is an electric vehicle conversion car designed to demonstrate the ease with which internal combustion engine

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vehicles can be converted to electric power. The car showcases Scorpion EV’s Venom EV conversion kit, which solves the challenges related to EV conversions by providing the DIY builder with a complete, turnkey solution. “As a small company with a passion for EVs and one that’s pushing the envelope for this

Opus IVS Launches ADAS Map

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rapidly growing sector of the market, the team at Scorpion EV is very proud to be creating a product that can be used by the very core of our industry, which is the DIY builders, shop owners and guy or girl working in their garage at home,” said Karen Salvaggio of Scorpion EV. “This award is a recognition of the power of a team who believe in dreaming, designing and truly building the future! When you look around the Show and witness all of the incredible builds and envelope-pushing designs gracing these halls, just to be nominated for the Best Engineered Vehicle Award is a true honor.” The new-for-2023 SEMA Best Engineered Vehicle of the Year Award aims to inspire more engineers to enter the automotive aftermarket by highlighting their impact on the automotive specialty-equipment industry and placing a spotlight on the symbiotic relationship between a vehicle’s design and engineering.

We accept orders through Collision Link, Parts Trader, OPS Trax and CCC One.

32 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

©2022 FCA US LLC. All Rights Reserved. Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, Wagoneer, Mopar and SRT are registered trademarks of FCA US LLC. FIAT is a registered trademark of FCA Group Marketing S.p.A., used under license by FCA US LLC.

Opus IVS™ introduced ADAS Map, a comprehensive software platform designed to identify ADAS systems, their components, precise component locations, necessary calibrations and the underlying reasons for these calibrations. This technology automatically reviews CCC or Mitchell estimates and provides a detailed presentation of a specific vehicle’s ADAS requirements. Seamlessly integrated with CCC, Mitchell, Opus IVS DriveSafe and the Opus IVS CoPilot platforms, ADAS Map streamlines the entire calibration process with unprecedented efficiency. One of the key features of ADAS Map is its automated reporting system, which swiftly places pertinent information in the CCC attachments tab, ensuring a seamless workflow. Additionally, the integration with ALLDATA further solidifies ADAS Map as the ultimate goto solution for comprehensive automotive diagnostic and calibration needs.

Dynabrade Introduces Renny Doyle Series Geared-Dual-Action Polisher At SEMA EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

Dynabrade, Inc. introduced a new product during this year’s SEMA Show, the DB8 Geared Dual-Action Polisher, part of the Renny Doyle Signature Series. Doyle is a master detailer and trainer. He owns Detailing Success based in California, is the founder of the Detail Mafia, a group of detailing experts, and is the official detailer of Air Force One.

Pictured, left to right, are Fred Deer, Nischal Sachdev and Kevin Ramirez at the Dynabrade booth in North Hall in front of a 1964 Porsche 356 restored by Stratton Motorsports.

Dynabrade showcased the Geared Dual-Action Polisher, along with its other products and equipment, at two booths during SEMA. Ronald Veiders, Dynabrade’s

director of marketing, said the new electric polisher’s lightweight, low-profile design was built to be precision-balanced and deliver superior power. It can be used with both 5- and 6-inch-diameter backing plates with coordinatingsized polishing pads. An ergonomic extended handle allows for increased operation comfort during use. “We took a lot of ergonomics into consideration, so the handle is more conforming to the hand,” Veiders explained. “Because it’s a low-profile tool, it allows you to see what you’re working on a little bit better than some of the other tools on the market.” Veiders said the polisher has a lockon trigger, which eliminates accidental start-up. “There’s a little switch you can click to keep it on and then move your hand back so you have a little more flexibility in moving the tool,” noted Veiders. Other features include a rubberized tactile grip for user comfort and an electric motor with a 20-foot swivel cord to prevent cord fatigue and extend cord life. Due to its power and design, Veiders said the tool can be used by a wide range of experience levels, from an amateur or “weekend warrior” to a master detailer.

“The polisher also runs a little slower than some other tools to provide more control,” he said.

Pictured, left to right, are Horacio Casillas, Jim Gross and Karen McMullen at the Dynabrade booth in South Upper Hall in front of a 1964 Mercury Comet restored by Casados Design.

He added the polisher is ideal for removing oxidation, haze and correcting imperfections. “It provides a nice shine on a variety of surfaces but it’s not aggressive, so that it won’t damage the clear coat,” explained Veiders. “It gives the proper shine every time.” The polisher is 1000 watts and operates at a speed of 150–350 orbits per minute with a 6.8-mm orbit. He said the geared dual-action motion can even assist experienced operators in avoiding fish eyes and halo patterns. “You’ll always have a consistent

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rotation in the orbit as well as the drive, no matter what pressure you’re putting down,” he said. “It really is a smooth tool.” Dynabrade has developed a line of compounds to complement this tool, as well as the company’s other polishers on the market. The company, headquartered in Buffalo, NY, was founded by Walter Welsch in 1969. Welsch developed the first Dynafile Abrasive Belt Tool to improve hand-filing metals and other hard surfaces. At the time, the inventor worked on Wurtlitzer jukeboxes and the Dynafile could be used to deburr and polish the grills. “From that one tool, we’ve expanded into over 1,300 tools sold in more than 90 countries,” said Veiders. These include two of their most popular items, the Dynafile and the palm-style random orbital sanders. Veiders said over the years, the company has earned a reputation for excellence in designing and manufacturing portable pneumatic abrasive tools, accessories and dust collection. “If there’s a surface, we like to think that we’ve either pretreated it or finished it,” said Veiders. “The perfect finish begins and ends with Dynabrade.”

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Audi Orange Park Jacksonville

Duluth

Audi Knoxville

904.565.2230 904.565.2216 Fax M-F 7am-7pm; Sat 8am-5pm cdrake@audiorangepark.com www.audiorangepark.com

Knoxville

800.382.2787 865.691.3742 865.251.3227 Fax M-F 7:30am-6pm; Sat 8am-2pm brianmaillet@harperdealerships.com

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Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 33

Average Length of Repair Soars To 23.1 Days in 2023, But Auto Insurance Customer Satisfaction Rises In 2023, the average time for auto repairs has reached a staggering 23.1 days, a significant increase of 6.2 days from the previous year and more than double the duration in 2021, according to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Auto Claims Satisfaction Study. Surprisingly, despite the prolonged repair cycles and lingering parts shortages, customer satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process has improved this year, reaching an overall score of 878 on a 1,000-point scale. The study credits this boost in satisfaction to insurers’ efforts to manage customer expectations and improve digital communication. “It’s really a testament to strong client management processes and improved digital communications,” said Mark Garrett, director of global insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. “Insurers have been able to earn significantly higher auto claim satisfaction scores at a time when costs and rates are rising---even though it’s never taken longer to get a vehicle

repaired. Notable, too, is that insurers that have improved the most in overall satisfaction have done so in two key customer areas: showing concern for their situation at the beginning of the process and keeping them informed. Being empathetic toward the customer situation goes a long way in building trust with them.”

Key Findings Overall Satisfaction Improves: The overall satisfaction with the auto insurance claims process has increased by 5 points to 878 on a 1,000-point scale. This improvement can be attributed to enhancements in various aspects of the claims experience, including settlement, first notice of loss (FNOL), claim servicing, estimation process and repair process. The only factor that declined this year is rental experience, which fell by 2 points. Record Repair Cycle Times: Despite the improved overall satisfaction, the time it takes for vehicles to be repaired has never

been longer. The average repair cycle time from FNOL to returning the vehicle to the claimant now stands at 23.1 days, marking a significant increase of 6.2 days compared to 2022 levels. Before the pandemic, the average cycle time was only 12 days. Impact on Rental Car Satisfaction: The prolonged repair cycles have adversely affected rental car satisfaction. An increasing percentage of customers report their rental period is not long enough or they are incurring out-of-pocket expenses, resulting in a 32-point drop in overall rental satisfaction for repairable claims when the car is needed for 15 days or more. Alignment with Customer Preferences: The study highlights the importance of aligning processes with customer preferences. Digital interactions have contributed to increased satisfaction, particularly among those who prefer digital channels. However, satisfaction declines among customers who prefer more personal interactions but

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34 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

are directed to digital processes. Aligning processes to preferences is key, as customers increasingly want personal interactions, resulting in increased satisfaction. Digital FNOL Usage: The study found nearly one-fourth (24%) of auto claimants are using digital FNOL methods to report a claim, with 13% using an insurer’s mobile app and 10% using the insurer’s website. In terms of rankings, Amica Mutual secured the highest overall customer satisfaction for a second consecutive year with a score of 909, followed by Erie Insurance at 902 and NJM Insurance Co. at 900. As auto insurance repair times continue to climb, this study underscores the importance of effective customer management and digital communication in maintaining high levels of customer satisfaction. Customers can benefit from exploring digital channels for reporting claims, while insurers must continue to refine their processes to align with customer preferences.

Troncalli Subaru

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

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AirPro Diagnostics Auggie Mobile Device Meets IIHS and NHTSA Standards For Calibration EXCLUSIVE SEMA COVERAGE

By Autobody News Staff AirPro Diagnostics announced Oct. 31 its mobile static calibration device, the Auggie, has met two national organizations’ vehicle requirements to complete a safe Forward-Facing Camera (FFC) calibration. They include the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The announcement occurred during the 2023 SEMA Show, following independent testing by IIHS and NHTSA. “This independent testing to the IIHS and NHTSA standards now validates the claims we have made that the Auggie is safe and OEM-compatible,” said Josh McFarlin, president and COO of AirPro Diagnostics. The testing was conducted by FT Techno of America (FTTA), an independent vehicle evaluation company, at the Fowlerville Proving Grounds in southeast Michigan. The 950-acre facility employs professional engineering and operations staff and has multiple test tracks. These include a 3-mile oval track, a handling course to test vehicle dynamics, ride and handling, and a 300-by-500foot multi-purpose pad designed for testing and development of ADAS and

autonomous technologies. Established in 2016, AirPro Diagnostics focuses on remote diagnostics, scanning, programming and ADAS calibration solutions for the automotive repair industry. The company introduced the Auggie to the collision industry in 2021 during the Texas Auto Body Trade Show.

Pictured, left to right, are AirPro Diagnostics President and COO Josh McFarlin, CEO Lonnie Margol and Brian Evces, senior vice president of sales and business development.

The patented mobile device was designed to serve the automotive service sectors with quick and safe FFC calibrations. McFarlin said the Auggie renders ADAS targets and lighting conditions using machine learning and computer vision according to the OEM’s requirements. It works with most major scan tools. Because the calibration process can

be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional systems, McFarlin said shops can bring calibration in-house and be more productive and profitable. Since introducing the Auggie, McFarlin has found customers appreciate not having to contend with challenges such as needing a large space with a level floor, lighting requirements, vehicle fuel level, vehicle payload and other environmental concerns. The company completed in-depth research and testing on the product before and after its launch to ensure accurate results and safe and proper calibration. “Everybody on our team is very confident that it’s a product that does what we say it does,” said McFarlin. Earlier this year, the AirPro team set out to prove the equipment can complete a successful calibration. After talking to multiple test facilities about testing the tool, AirPro moved forward with onsite testing to evaluate the Auggie. For the IIHS testing, McFarlin said a 2023 Toyota Camry was chosen since it was one of the vehicles IIHS has tested in both daytime and nighttime scenarios and received a superior rating. After calibrating the vehicle with the Auggie, vehicle-to-vehicle automatic emergency braking (AEB) and Pedestrian AEB were evaluated during the daytime and

nightime. The vehicle completed 16 IIHS tests and received the highest possible rating—superior. McFarlin explained the IIHS nighttime pedestrian testing is a series of the most challenging tests for an FFC and only a very small percentage of vehicles earn a superior rating. “AirPro is especially proud of the ‘superior’ rating we achieved on IIHS testing,” said McFarlin. “This further confirms the efforts of our engineers and testing personnel, who over the last five years, have worked diligently to validate our patented solution on thousands of vehicles to ensure the safety and accuracy of our tested and proven Auggie.” NHTSA NCAP Testing was then conducted using Crash Imminent Braking (CIB) or AEB and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) test scenarios on a 2023 Nissan Rogue calibrated with Auggie. The Nissan successfully passed all CIB and LDW tests performed to NHTSA standards. The tests included both Solid and Dashed Line scenarios for LDW along with CIB/AEB testing on a moving and stationary vehicle. Additional CIB/ AEB testing was successfully performed on a stationary pedestrian to a hybrid of current ADAS standards. For more information, airprodiagnostics.com/auggie.

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*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. autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 35

Quarter Page (no bleed) | 4˝ x 5˝

Ford Could Cut F-150 Lightning Production Due To Waning Demand

Sometimes, “slow and steady” just isn’t an option

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58720554-013-23-VW_2023_10Missions_Autobody_News_Wholesale_Assets_hz4.indd 1

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Ford may cut a shift at the factory responsible for building the F-150 Lightning due to an alleged drop in demand for the electric pickup truck. A letter sent out by the UAW chapter official who represents workers at the Michigan factory claimed the firm will cancel a shift and wants to increase production of its combustionpowered pickups. It has been 18 months since production of the F-150 Lightning commenced and already, sales appear to have dropped significantly. “It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that our sales for the Lightning have tanked,” the official wrote. The Wall Street Journal spoke with Ford about the letter. The car manufacturer declined to comment on the possibility of dropping a shift on a long-term basis but did say supply-chain disruptions and quality checks

mean there will be schedule changes in the short term. The Ford spokeswoman added it is these constraints that have forced it to temporarily cut a shift impacting 700 workers. Soon after launching the F-150 Lightning, Ford increased its production plans twice with the intention of building 150,000 examples annually. However, the carmaker reported a 45.8% drop in sales of the pickup in the U.S. through the third quarter. This came despite Ford cutting prices of certain F-150 Lightning models by as much as $10,000 in July, reversing price increases it made earlier in the year due to the soaring cost of raw materials. Ford is aiming to produce 600,000 EVs annually by the end of 2024, about a year after it had initially planned to reach that figure. CEO Jim Farley said this was because the firm expects the “EV market to remain volatile until the winners and losers shake out.”

7/31/23 5:41 PM

FOR YOUR COLLISION JOB

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Visit these Genuine Hyundai Parts Dealers

Florida

KEY HYUNDAI

Jacksonville 4660-100 Southside Blvd.

866-973-6996 904-565-2281 904-565-2210 Fax

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DOWNTOWN NASHVILLE HYUNDAI Nashville 1512 Broadway

888-707-0658 615-341-3176 Fax

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Lakeland 430 W. Memorial Blvd.

863-686-5126 863-680-2194 Fax M-F 7am - 6pm Sat 8am - 4pm

parts@Lakelandautomall.com www.LakelandHyundai.com

36 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

THE FOLLOWING DEALERS PROUDLY STOCK GENUINE PARTS FOR YOUR NISSAN OR INFINITI REPAIRS.

NISSAN FLORIDA

Reed Nissan

Sutherlin Nissan

407-295-7379

772-778-3600

Orlando

(407) 291-2541 Fax M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 7:30-5 parts@reedmotorsinc.com www.reednissan.com

Vero Beach

(772) 778-1927 Fax M-F 7:30-6, Sat. 8-3 wstevens@sutherlinautomotive.com

Industrial Finishes and Systems Joins CIECA CIECA welcomed Industrial Finishes and Systems as a new corporate member. Established 65 years ago by Stuart Barr, the family-owned company focuses on automotive and industrial paint, coatings and supplies, as well as specialty vehicle and industrial wood finishing products. With about 350 employees and 38 locations nationwide, Industrial Finishes also works with many military bases across the country. Keith Clark, operations manager at Industrial Finishes, learned about CIECA while working on a project to integrate the company’s invoicing system with CCC ONE. Clark said the company joined CIECA primarily to clean up its data and ensure it could integrate with third party systems in the industry. “The CIECA standards will be helpful for our own internal data needs so that we have consistent and complete data,” said Clark. “It should help our internal teams with data managem0ent, as well as the ability to grow using API connection systems in the market.”

Toyota Announces Additional $8 Billion Investment At NC EV Battery Plant Toyota on Oct. 31 announced a new investment of nearly $8 billion that will add approximately 3,000 jobs at Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC). This brings total investment to approximately $13.9 billion and job creation to more than 5,000— further supporting Toyota’s multipathway approach to global vehicle electrification. This investment adds capacity to support battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). An additional eight BEV/PHEV battery production lines will be added to the two previously announced, for a total of 10 BEV/PHEV battery lines. In addition, as originally announced, the plant will also have four battery lines for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs). Production will be increased in a phased approach, with line launches planned through 2030 to reach a total production of more than 30GWh annually. “Today’s announcement reinforces Toyota’s commitment to electrification and carbon

reduction, bringing jobs and future economic growth to the region,” said Sean Suggs, president of Toyota North Carolina. “We are excited to see the continued energy and support of this innovative manufacturing facility.” In 2021, Toyota, in partnership with Toyota Tsusho, announced the new Liberty location with an initial investment of $1.29 billion for battery production and the creation of 1,750 new jobs. With the latest announcement, Toyota North Carolina solidifies its position as the company’s epicenter of lithium-ion battery production in North America. Overall, the campus will boast 7 million square feet, equating to 121 football fields of battery production. “Through the last few years of building relationships, including my most recent trip to Tokyo and meeting with President Sato, our partnership with Toyota has become stronger than ever, culminating in this historic announcement,” said North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper. “North

Carolina’s transition to a clean energy economy is bringing better paying jobs that will support our families and communities for decades to come.” A pioneer in electrified vehicles, Toyota has put more than 24.6 million hybrid, plug-in hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric vehicles on the road globally. By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally. The company is steadfast in its promise of being best-in-town by supporting local nonprofits and education initiatives. This year, Toyota announced donations totaling $200,000 to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Asheboro and Greensboro, Junior Achievement of the Triad, Shift_ed and Volunteer Center of the Triad. Last year, the company announced a $1 million investment in North Carolina students enrolled with Communities in Schools Randolph County and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.

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800-467-2660

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 37

Finish It Like a Masterpiece with

Co-President & Publisher Nathan Gregory

Accounting & HR Manager Heather Priddy

Co-President & Publisher Paul Stepanek

Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

Editor Abby Andrews Contributing Writers Mike Anderson,Stacey Phillips, John Yoswick, Cole Strandberg Advertising Sales Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar Office Manager Kelly Cashman

G E N U I N E PA R T S

Serving Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2023 Autobody News, LLC.

Digital Marketing Manager Bryan Malinski Art Director Rodolfo Garcia Senior Designer Vicki Sitarz

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

The Dealers Below Are Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts Specialists:

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2024 WIN MIW Nominations Open

White House Holds Round Table Discussion on Right To Repair Efforts State legislative leaders and industry representatives from around the U.S. convened at the White House on Oct. 24 to discuss how to ensure consumers retain the right to repair what they own, including their vehicles. The discussion, hosted by the National Economic Council, focused on how original manufacturers’ increasing use of repair restrictions, like patent abuse, hurt small businesses and consumers alike. “From smartphones to wheelchairs to cars to farm equipment, too often manufacturers make it difficult to access spare parts, manuals and tools necessary to make fixes,” said Lael Brainard, director of the NEC. “So it doesn’t only cost consumers money, but it also prevents independent repair shops from competing in this business and it creates unnecessary waste from reducing the lifespan of these devices.” Representing automotive

Nominations for the Most Influential Women (MIW) award, sponsored by the Women’s Industry Network (WIN), will be accepted through Jan. 5. Nominations of women working in any segment of the collision repair industry across the U.S. and Canada are welcome, and the recipients will be recognized at the annual WIN Educational Conference, May 6-8, 2024, in Newport Beach, CA. Nominees are reviewed and interviewed by an independent selection committee comprised of industry professionals, past MIW recipients and WIN members who do not currently serve in the network’s leadership capacity. WIN acquired stewardship of the program in 2013 and continues to evolve the program to align with WIN’s mission. For more information or to download a nomination form, visit thewomensindustrynetwork.siteym.com/page/MIW

AUTOBODY

repairers in the discussion was Don Jones, senior vice president at Allstate and a member of the CAR Coalition. Jones talked about how bipartisan bills like Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) and Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) acts would increase consumer choice and promote a healthy car repair market for vehicle owners. “One way to increase consumer choice is to bolster aftermarket part manufacturing,” Jones said. “Unfortunately, the manufacturing of aftermarket parts has been severely limited due to OEM use of design patents on basic cosmetic car parts. “The good news is, there is a solution,” Jones continued. “Simply, the bipartisan SMART Act will provide customers with increased options and choice—saving them money and potentially getting their vehicle repaired more quickly.” Jones said it has become increasingly difficult for

independent repair shops to service newer vehicles with more advanced technology without the same wireless access to car data that dealers have. “The REPAIR Act, another bill with broad bipartisan support, would promote consumer choice by allowing car owners to wirelessly access and securely share their own vehicle-generated data with independent repair facilities of their choosing,” he said. Justin Rzepka, executive director of the CAR Coalition, said the event was a “welcome sign of the growing bipartisan support for enacting national right to repair protections.” “Nationwide, consumers want more affordable repair options—not less,” Rzepka said. “As car repair prices continue to climb, bipartisan federal legislation, like the SMART and REPAIR Acts, would bring much-needed relief to American consumers and small businesses alike.”

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS DECEMBER 2023 39

The new Talon is a portable, gas-catalytic, medium-wave infrared curing unit that incorporates the same unique emitters as larger, in-booth US Autocure systems.

40 DECEMBER 2023 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com