April 2023 West Edition

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IIHS Research Scientist: ‘It Seems Calibration is the Weakest Link’

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

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

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

“Changes need to be made, and

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

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

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

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

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Washington State House Votes More Funds To Combat Auto Theft

By Jeremy Lott The Center Square

On March 7, the same day the Washington state House of Representatives refused to consider a bill that could reform the state’s police pursuit law, it approved a bill making more funds available for local law enforcement to deal with auto thefts.

“Statewide auto thefts have increased by 93% since the summer of 2021,” said Rep. Jacquelin Maycumber, R-Republic, chief sponsor of the bill after it cleared the chamber.

House Bill 1682 was approved by the House on March 7 by a vote of 941. Rep. Timm Ormsby, D-Spokane,

REGIONAL NEWS

was the only representative to vote against it.

Maycumber sounded off on the significance of cars, trucks, SUVs, minivans and other vehicles to her constituents.

“When an auto theft occurs it takes away our ability to live our lives,” her statement continued. “For many of us, our vehicles are our lifeline. They allow us to go to work, take our kids to school, and get to muchneeded medical appointments. In recent news, auto theft has resulted in heartbreaking tragedies. It is endangering lives and costing our citizens time and money while providing many substance abusers and career criminals an easy financial

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OR Students Ready For Auto Body Career With Surprise Gift of Required Tools

By Les Zaitz Salem Reporter

Three students in the auto body program at the Career Technical Education Center in Salem, OR, recently got a surprising boost to launch their professional careers.

Daniel Mendoza, Julian Moran and Eddie Ceja were awarded a prestigious national scholarship that gave them each $1,000 worth of tools and a tool box. They also recently got

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Columnist Mike Anderson: My ‘Wish List’ of Changes to Improve the Collision Repair Industry

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

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Mitchell Report Provides Insight into EV

Columnist John Yoswick: Attorneys Say Consumer Data Privacy

Daniel Mendoza, Eddie Ceja and Julian Moran, seniors in the auto body program in the Career Technical Education Center in Salem, OR, are surprised by tool sets presented at the Collision Industry Conference in January in Palm Springs, CA.

Credit: Salem-Keizer School District

COLUMNISTS

Mike Anderson

My ‘Wish List’ of Changes to Improve the Collision Repair Industry 8

Abby Andrews IIHS Research Scientist: ‘It Seems Calibration is the Weakest Link’ 1

Ed Attanasio

Auto Body Shop Veteran Starts Azimuth, a Specialized ADAS Calibration Center 38 Opus IVS Gives Auto Body Shops Confidence to Diagnose the Most Complex Vehicles 12

Tesla Owners Club of LA Gets Up-Close Look at Repair Experience at Bistagne Bros. 20

Index of Advertisers

Phillips

Tesla Fremont Factory Continues To Receive Refinements and Upgrades

By Joey Klender Teslarati

Tesla’s Fremont, CA, Factory continues to receive refinements and upgrades to help with the production of electric vehicles, filings show.

Tesla continuously upgrades its factories, and through the daily operation of machinery, things continue to be fixed, replaced and refined to keep manufacturing lines moving.

However, Tesla is doing more than just routine production line maintenance at the Fremont Factory.

Over the past year, the automaker has started preparing for a new Model 3 design and potential refresh with the Model Y and even started preparing for Cybertruck battery production on the second floor of the plant.

Tesla seems to be making even more refinements to Fremont in preparation for a smoother manufacturing process and could be preparing for changes in the production line to prepare for the new vehicles.

Over the past month, Tesla has made numerous improvements to production lines, including tool updates and installations, filings seen by Teslarati show. These improvements were made to several lines and occurred Feb. 19, 23 and 24, as well as March 2 and 3.

The tooling upgrades can help with everything from build quality to the overall operation of the plant.

After building hundreds of thousands of vehicles at the plant annually, upgrades are required to keep the facility in working order, especially as Tesla has overwhelming demand for its vehicles in the U.S.

Additionally, new ground in rollers and lifter tools were installed at the facility March 9 and 10, respectively.

The changes at the plant follow the installation of several new manufacturing lines to support Project Highland, which was the codename given to the Model 3 revamp last year. Additionally, Tesla started implementing automated quality control at Fremont that would help monitor

Tesla Accused of Monopolizing Repairs, Parts in Consumer Lawsuit

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

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

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

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

build quality earlier this year.

Tesla has long struggled with build quality complaints in its vehicles but has improved over the years. The installation of new equipment at Fremont helps continue these improvements, and the development of new technology, like the automated quality control equipment, helps raise the standard of Tesla’s cars.

Filings seen by Teslarati have yet to mention specific upgrades for the potential Model Y revamp, known as Project Juniper.

Tesla started filing improvements related to Project Highland about six months before reports started circulating on the new Model 3 program.

Tesla has been building the Model Y at Fremont since its initial production phases in 2020 but it is now built at Gigafactory Texas in the U.S. also.

Tesla may not be completely overhauling the vehicle, according to some reports, and instead could opt for more refinements to increase the quality and the DNA of the vehicle, as it did for the Model S and Model X in 2021.

score.”

If enacted, the bill would make money available for the “prevention, investigation and prosecution of auto theft at the local level,” in Maycumber’s phrasing.

It would do so by taking an existing account, the Washington Auto Theft Prevention Account, and narrowing its focus.

WATP funds could no longer be used for the “confinement costs” of people who are being detained. Those confinement costs would then have to come from other state accounts. The bill’s fiscal note estimates a total cost to the state treasury of just over $4.6 million in the 2023-2025 biennium.

The bill now goes to the state Senate for consideration.

www.autobodynews.com

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Washington Pump Price Up 8th Week Since Carbon Tax Became Law

By Timothy Schumann

The Center Square

March 6 marked the eighth week of price increases at the pump for Washingtonians since the new carbon tax was implemented earlier this year. The average price of a gallon of regular unleaded was sitting at $4.23 statewide on March 6, up from $4.22 a week prior according to AAA data.

This single cent per gallon increase moved with the national average, which rose from $3.36 per gallon to $3.40 per gallon, a 4 cent per gallon increase, over the same time period.

“The seasonal switch to summer blend gasoline is underway, which may account for this bounce in pump prices,” said AAA Spokesperson Andrew Gross in a statement, “This blend is designed to lower emissions during the summer and is more expensive to refine. Switching to summer blend usually adds about five to 10 cents to the price of gasoline.”

Residents of the Evergreen State

have to dig deeper into their wallets than most. Washington’s pump prices again came in at fourth most expensive nationally, being beat out only by Nevada, Hawaii and California, who filled out third to first on the list.

A notable change on that list: For the first time this year, California overtook Hawaii as the most expensive state to fill your tank in.

Washington’s $4.23 per gallon places it 83 cents per gallon higher than the national average of $3.40 per gallon. That is $1.29 per gallon above the nation’s least expensive fuel costs of $2.94 per gallon, currently paid by Mississippi residents. Another notable change, as Mississippi overtook Texas to become the cheapest state to fuel up, by 2 cents per gallon.

In Washington, intra-state variance remains high at $1.21 per gallon, down slightly from the previous week’s $1.22 per gallon. The outliers, again San Juan and Asotin counties, represented the most and least expensive gas prices statewide at $4.87 and $3.66 per

Ford Confirms F-150 Lightning Production Resumes Following Battery Fire

By Joey Klender Teslarati

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

Honda, I-CAR Offer Online Training

gallon, respectively.

This price variance still largely follows the Cascade Range, with residents to the west paying a higher premium at the pump than residents to the east.

On top of these higher prices, as of Jan. 1 of this year, Washingtonians also have a new cap-and-trade system to pay for at the pump.

According to a report by the Washington Policy Center’s Environmental Director Todd Meyers, gas prices in Washington quickly spiked 10 cents per gallon relative to California and Oregon.

“What the data show is that prices in Washington state jumped suddenly over the last two weeks much more than the other states on the West Coast,” the report stated.

Ultimately, the full impact of the new carbon tax won’t be known until regular auctions occur. The report noted the new law “sets a minimum price of $22/metric ton of CO2, which translates to 17 cents per gallon. The price could go as high as $81/MT which would be 65 cents per gallon.”

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

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

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

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

Source: I-CAR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

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

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

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

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

Dealership vs. Independent Repairer

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

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

after going to a dealership or an independent repairer.

Mueller said this result was not surprising.

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

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

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

Some people reported the original ADAS issue was resolved, but a new one started. However, the survey didn’t go into detail about what those issues are, Mueller said. The survey

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

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

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

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

Takeaways

Mueller said the survey’s main

inconvenience that could undermine consumer confidence in the technology.

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

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

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

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

“We need to help facilitate the

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

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“We help guide them down a

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

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

Opus IVS is performing 9,000 scans every day

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

BILL O’BRIEN OPUS IVS GLOBAL SALES LEADER

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Car Pros Kia Moreno Valley Jesse Del Real

Gene Messer Kia Andrew Castillo

Nashua Kia Ryan Rattray

McGrath Kia of Palatine Carlos Rodriguez

Paramount Kia of Hickory Jim Odonnell

Dennis Eakin Kia Dave Brooks

Jenkins Kia of Gainesville Marcos Torres

Lupient Kia Milwaukee James Spingola

Tameron Kia Michael Peterman

First Kia German Zuniga

Roseville Kia Michael Elmendorf

Kia of North Austin Cody Webster

Barnett Kia Steve McCormack

Shottenkirk Kia David Savage

Southwest Kia of Rockwall Tyler Bledsoe

Kia of Grand Rapids North Andrzej Szleser

Kia of Frisco Zach Phillips

Fowler Kia of Longmont Gary Sliger

Darcars Kia of Frederick Alberto Silva

Bosak Kia Jody Roach

Williams Kia Chad Todd

Northeast Kia Jeffery Peart

Classic Kia John Cochran

Wasatch Front Kia William Owens

Hendrick Kia of Cary Jared Rodegast

Courtesy Kia of Brandon Rodney Zeller

Tempe Kia Daniel Lanious

Archer Kia Jose Amaya

Kirby Kia of Ventura Brian Nunes

Oakes Kia Jason Taulbert

Young Kia Timothy Perry

Parkside Kia Dennis Bunch

Parkway Family Kia Richard Enneper

Towbin Kia Jessica Williams

Scott Kia of Springfield James Johnson

Peoria Kia John Wilmot

Gossett Kia Michael Richards

Vandevere Kia Michael Wagner

#1 Cochran Kia of Robinson Justin Kendrick

Ken Ganley Kia Anthony Szabo

Jerry Seiner Kia Salt Lake Larry Greenhalgh

Mastria Kia Matthew Wrightington

Auto Park Kia John Parrish

Classic Kia of Carrollton Carlos Escalante

Ken Garff Kia Bell Road George German

Bob Johnson Kia Patrick Kelly

Raceway Kia of Conshohocken Alan Bannick

Gerald Kia of Naperville Bill Taylor

Kia of Middletown Corey Greeno

Ray Brandt Kia Steve Domangue

Kia of Vacaville Melanie Spencer

Bergstrom Kia Appleton Felicia Vanzeeland

Bob Rohrman Schaumburg Kia Scott Stephansen

Auto Express Kia Alfred Vannucci

Fred Anderson Kia Tom Trafelet

Seelye Kia of Kalamazoo Greg Meskil

Bill Dodge Kia Christopher Moore

Kia of Murfreesboro Scottie Clark

Selma Kia Eduardo Munoz

Chula Vista Kia Bobby Willis

Koons Kia of Owings Mills Dajour Durrant

Hutchinson Kia Deborah May

Hutchinson Kia of Albany Daniel Bugbee

Cornerstone Kia Kurt Vankempen

Kia of Stockton Kenneth Kleinert

Lawton Kia Antonio Sanchez

Bob Utter Kia Michael Martin

Dothan Kia Mike Fowler

Southern Kia Virginia Beach Bryan Hunt

Lee Johnson Kia Josh Grant

Kia Downtown Los Angeles Jose Zamora

Billion Kia Nate Leamons

Jim Ellis Kia of Kennesaw Jessica Mulkey

Kia of Puyallup Kasey Cates

Cherry Hill Kia Jeffrey Rattay

Carriage Kia of Woodstock George Perkins

Luther Kia of Bloomington Chad Huffman

LaFontaine Kia of Dearborn Brad Mandeville

Rick Case Kia Farris Duracher

Kia of Baton Rouge Patrick Jackson

JTs Kia of Rock Hill Thomas Hakim

Kia of South Austin John Pierson

Covina Valley Kia John Shackford

Greenway Kia North Ted Polygalaktos

H & H Kia Steven Arquitte

Elk Grove Kia Andrew Carpenter

Valley-HI Kia Stuart Meyer

Southwest Kia Mesquite Ezequiel De Los Santos

Terre Haute Kia Josh Craft

Chantz Scott Kia James McElyea

Jeffrey Kia Jason Smith

Kia of Augusta Kevin Maskey

International Kia David Tedeschi

Concord Kia Fernando Belanger

Don Franklin Somerset Kia Jimmie Caudill

Ray Skillman Shadeland Kia Daniel Hill

Citrus Kia Sean Cunningham

Peak Kia Chapel Hills Charles Inmotto

Dyer Kia Joesph Davila

Peltier Kia Tyler Craig Huddleston

Napleton's Kia of Elmhurst Jordan Johnson

Kia of Abilene Cory Smith

Fort Collins Kia Alan Kiriakos

Kia of Cleveland Heather Perrystein

Kia of Canton Jeffrey Tennant

Bronx Kia Bradley Baldie

Billion Kia of Iowa City Steve Ebsen

Serra Kia of Jackson Barry Denton

Kia of Vero Beach Michael Pappadouplos

Bridgewater Kia Michael Barberi

Kia of McComb Dannie Lewis

Feldman Kia Robert Bartlett

Deacon Jones Kia Michael Pease

Kia of Beavercreek Brian Kimmel

Surprise Gift

a trip to the national Collision Industry Conference in Palm Springs, CA, where they were recognized on stage before 500 professionals.

The seniors are in their second year of the auto body repair and painting program, part of the SalemKeizer School District’s constellation of training programs that prepare students for a variety of careers.

Alex Crays, the auto body instructor, said he constantly hears from auto body shops looking for workers.

“There is a massive shortage of technicians in the auto body industry,” Crays said. “It’s really bad.”

He has 25 students in the advanced program and another 52 who are in the first year of the program.

“I have more job offers from shop owners who contact me than actual students who want to go into this industry,” Crays said. “We pretty much place every student who wants to be placed in the auto body industry.”

He takes a “keys-to-keys” approach in teaching students. They learn every step of the process from the time a car owner turns over the keys to the moment they pick them up.

“Our teacher shows us how to

communicate with the customer, how to talk to the customer—shake their hand, say their name,” said Mendoza, a senior.

In the first year, students learn about every career in the industry, from customer service representative to estimator to painter.

In the second year, they get more hands on to repair customer vehicles.

“We operate mostly as a functioning body shop,” Crays said. “We do have every piece of equipment that you would find in a standard shop. We look like a body shop.”

But Crays said attitude is as important as skills.

“Professionalism is a really big deal at CTEC,” Crays said. “Professionalism isn’t taught anywhere.”

Mendoza applied for the program to follow in the footsteps of his father, who is an auto body painter.

In his first year, he learned dent repair procedures and then went to work fixing a damaged car door.

“It was a cool experience,” Mendoza said. “I liked doing it. It was a more realistic scenario.”

The student program takes in vehicles from real customers, who get a price break on the work.

Mendoza said the most challenging repair so far this year was on a Ford pickup truck “that had a lot of little things. There was damage around the

door that was hard to get to.”

Mendoza was there when the owner came to retrieve the repaired truck.

“I shook his hand. He looked at the truck and said ‘You did a good job,’” Mendoza said.

Crays worked in the industry until taking over the Salem student program four years ago.

He learned of the March Taylor scholarships through industry contacts. The scholarships are named for a long-time auto body industry leader.

The three students selected based on class criteria knew they were going to Palm Springs.

The trip was funded in part by Ron Reichen, owner of Precision Body and Paint Inc., based in Beaverton. Crays once worked for the company.

“The students had no idea that they were going to get tools,” Crays said. “The idea is to set them up with starter tools so they can start day one without going into debt buying tools.”

Mendoza said he appreciates the head start.

“When we go into the industry, we don’t have to worry about buying” needed tools, he said.

He’s eager to put the tools to use and plans to start working right after high school graduation, aiming to be a painter like his father.

CIECA Welcomes Opus IVS

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

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

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

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

Source: CIECA

Tesla Gigafactory Nevada Hosts Students from Carson City School

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Students from Pioneer Academy in Carson City, NV, recently got the opportunity to witness the operations of one of the world’s most advanced battery production facilities.

During their trip to Tesla Gigafactory Nevada, the students were able to learn about educational and career opportunities related to the sustainability movement.

More than two dozen students from Pioneer Academy participated in the trip. The event was organized by Envirolution, a nonprofit dedicated to developing youth leadership and community outreach programs focused on sustainability and energy efficiency. The nonprofit also works to help the youth in their career development.

The students certainly experienced Giga Nevada during their trip. Per the Carson City School District, the Pioneer

Academy students rode in one of the charter buses used to transport Tesla employees to the facility. The students were also acquainted with Giga Nevada’s 20-plus-foot “living wall” that features numerous plants.

Crash Champions Appoints Board Member

Tesla employees.

Apart from the plant tour, the students participated in a hands-on activity that involved the construction of miniature motors using a battery, magnet and coil of wire.

The students generally enjoyed the trip; one said it would be great to “marry science.”

Kristin Steinkraus, a teacher at Pioneer Academy, said the trip was productive.

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

The students were then given an introduction and overview of the different products built at Giga Nevada, such as the electric motors used for the Model 3 sedan. The group was then acquainted with Tesla’s vision for the future and the company’s plans for the coming years. Following this, the students were split into two groups, with one group getting a tour of the Giga Nevada plant and the other speaking with

“The field trip to the Tesla Gigafactory was an eye-opening experience for the students,” Steinkraus said. “They were able to witness firsthand the cuttingedge technology and sustainability practices that are shaping the future of energy and transportation. The visit was an excellent opportunity for the students to learn about the importance of innovation and sustainability, and it has inspired them to consider careers in these fields. The students asked great questions, and several are seriously considering careers at the factory after graduation.”

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

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

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

Source: Crash Champions

As a family owned and operated dealership since 1909, Glenn E. Thomas Dodge has proudly been serving Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep and Ram customers for 105 years.

“The field trip to the Tesla Gigafactory was an eye-opening experience for the students,”

KRISTIN STEINKRAUS TEACHER AT PIONEER ACADEMY

Mercedes-Benz Executive Shares EV Considerations with Collision Repairers

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

appraisers writing estimates and body shops doing the repairs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EV Repair Considerations

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

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

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

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

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

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

The EV Customer

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

BENITO CID COLLISION BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER FOR MERCEDES-BENZ USA

2735LB

GVWR: 5880LB/2667KG WITH

REARGAWR: 3325LB 1508KG P235/70R16SL 16X7.0J

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POURÉVITERDESBLESSURES

Conformstoregulations: 2015 Fuel: Gasoline

Vin Labels

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GRAVESOUMORTELLES:

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•N’utilizezpasuncouvre-siège quipeutbloquerledéploiementdu Voircoussingonflablelatéral.lemanuelduconducteurpour deplusamplesrenseignements.

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Californiaclass/stds: PC/ULEVqualified

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VEHICLEEMISSIONCONTROLINFORMATION

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CAA Releases Update on California Legislative Bills

The California Legislature introduced more than 2,600 new bills this year. Many of these bills are “spot bills,” place holders to be amended later with more substantive language.

CAA is still in the process of reviewing all the bills. Below are bills it has highlighted so far. As CAA continues to review the introduced bills and amendments, it will add to the list. CAA will continue to review, monitor and report.

Catalytic Converter Theft

AB 641 - Revises the definition of “automotive dismantler” to include a person who keeps two or more used catalytic converters cut from a vehicle using a sharp instrument.

AB 1519 - Requires automotive repair dealers (ARDs) that install or replace catalytic converters to permanently mark with VIN; requires smog check stations to visually inspect vehicles and determine whether the catalytic converter is marked with the VIN and notify the customer whether the converter is permanently marked.

SB 55 - Prohibits a dealer from selling a new vehicle with a catalytic converter unless the converter has been engraved or etched with the VIN.

Career Technical Educational

AB 290 - Increases funding to $450 million each year.

AB 377- Increases funding to $450 million each year.

AB 1189 - Declares the intent to establish legislation requiring school districts maintaining grades 7-12 to offer Career Technical Education.

AB 1346 - States the intent to enact legislation relating to career education and guidance.

Bureau of Automotive Repair

AB 1263 - Requires the BAR to send specified newsletters at least three times a year.

Hazardous Waste

AB 407 - Deletes the criterion that used oil not be subject to regulation as used oil under federal law.

AB 1614 - Requires State Water Resources to conduct a study on how to phase out the existence of gas fueling stations.

AB 1716 - Extends risk management prevention program by an operator of station source that is engaged in a manufacturing lithium battery.

Employment

AB 518 - Expands eligibility benefits for paid family leave.

AB 1100 - Declares the intent to establish a four-day workweek.

SB 616 - Modifies employer sick leave and requires an employee have no less than 56 hours of accrued sick leave.

SB 703 - Permits a nonexempt employee to request a flexible work schedule providing up to 10 hours per day within a 40-hour workweek without to obligation to pay overtime.

Vehicle Batteries

AB 1579 - States intent to enact legislation that beginning 2035, electric vehicles used for state purposes to be equipped with lithium-ion batteries sourced from operations with near zero carbon footprints.

SB 615 - Requires an ARD to be responsible for ensuring responsible end-of-life management of an electric battery once it is removed from a vehicle.

Zero Emissions Aftermarket

SB 301 - Requires CARB to establish the Zero Emissions Aftermarket project to provide an applicant with a rebate for a vehicle that has been converted to a zero-emission vehicle.

Source: CAA

CIECA Welcomes Classic Collision

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

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

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

Source: CIECA

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

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Fudenberg is hopeful the

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

JASON FUDENBERG LA CHAPTER PRESIDENT

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

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

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

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

Tesla Gets $330M Tax Break For Giga Nevada Expansion Plan

By Maria Merano Teslarati

The Nevada Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED) Board on March 2 approved a $330.3 million tax break, considering Tesla’s plans to invest $3.6 billion to expand Gigafactory Nevada in Storey County.

The GOED Board calculated Tesla’s investment in Giga Nevada could generate an estimated $685 million in net state and local revenues in the next 20 years. Listed below are the taxes Tesla could generate, assuming it invests all $3.6 billion in land, buildings and equipment for Giga Nevada.

Up to $21.8 million in gross average annual property tax revenues

$11.2 million in gross average annual sales taxes

$1.1 million in average annual business license taxes on utilities

$2.1 million in gross average annual modified business taxes

Tesla is due to pay an annual minimum of $53 million in real and personal property taxes and modified business taxes related to

Giga Nevada starting July 1, 2024, and in perpetuity thereafter. The $53 million in taxes was part of Tesla’s first abatement agreement with the state in 2014.

“Tesla has far exceeded every promise they made going back to 2014,” said Gov. Joe Lombardo, who chairs the GOED Board. “To date, they have invested $6.2 billion in Nevada, built a 5.4 million square foot Gigafactory which provided 17,000 local construction jobs and created more than 11,000 highly paid permanent jobs.”

Giga Nevada Expansion Plans

In January, Tesla announced expansion plans for Giga Nevada, including 4 million square feet of new manufacturing footprint, 3,000 new jobs and two new manufacturing facilities.

One of the new facilities is a 100 GWh cell factory dedicated to Tesla’s 4680 battery. The other manufacturing facility will be Tesla’s Semi factory.

Nevada’s 4680 Assembly Line

Tesla’s 100 GWh battery cell factory in Nevada is expected

to have the capacity to produce enough batteries for 1.5 million light-duty vehicles annually. During a previous TSLA earnings call, Andrew Baglino said some of the 4680 cells made in Nevada will go into Semi trucks.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk hinted the other 4680 cells from Giga Nevada would go to Tesla’s future vehicles equipped with the company’s next-gen platform. During Investor Day 2023, Musk announced Tesla’s upcoming Gigafactory Mexico will produce the first of the company’s next-gen vehicles.

“Since the inception of GOED, the main goal has been to diversify Nevada’s economy,” said Tom Burns, GOED executive director. “The Nevada-Tesla partnership cemented a new economic sector in Nevada for the manufacturing of electric vehicle battery packs and drive units, and energy storage products. Tesla’s Gigafactory propelled Nevada’s manufacturing industry, establishing lithium-ion batteries as the state’s eighth largest export both nationally and internationally.”

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

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

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

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

Source: Auto Care Association

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

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

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

“GM’s fundamental strategy for

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

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

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

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

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

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

Long-range cameras: These seven 8-megapixel cameras are located on the front, corners, back and sides of the vehicle, providing expanded fields of view for Ultra Cruise. They help enable the system to detect objects such as traffic signs, traffic lights, other vehicles

and pedestrians.

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

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

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

Source: GM

Mitchell Report Provides Insight into EV Vehicle Claims, Market Data

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

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

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

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

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

important to get prepared.

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

Q:Who is your main target audience?

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

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

Q:What highlights can you share?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: Mitchell International, Inc.

Credit: Shutterstock

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

Barber Honda Bakersfield

661-396-4235

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5:30 bestchoice@barberhonda com

Capitol Honda San Jose

408-445-4412

Dept Hours: Mon-Sat 7:30-6; Sun 8-5 sbettencourt@penskeautomotive com

Concord Honda Concord

925-825-8016

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6 kevin valenzuela@concordhonda com

Galpin Honda Mission Hills

800-GO GALPIN

818-778-2005

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-2 mteeman@galpin com

Honda of El Cajon

El Cajon

619-440-5851

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

Honda of Hollywood Hollywood

800-371-3719

323-466-3205

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6 parts@hondaofhollywood com

ACURA

CALIFORNIA

Acura of Concord Concord

925-680-4233

Dept Hours: Mon-Sat 7-6 keith�whisten@cacargroup�com

Acura of Fremont Fremont

888-435-0504

510-431-2560

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 mike ohare@acuraoffremont com

Acura of Pleasanton

Pleasanton

888-985-6342

925-251-7126

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-6 mitch cash@hendrickauto com

Honda of Pasadena Pasadena

800-433-0676

626-683-5880

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-4

Honda of the Desert Cathedral City

760-770-0828

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7-5 mpartridge@honda111 com

Keyes Honda Van Nuys

818-756-6549

Dept Hours: M-F 8-6; Sat 8-5 malvarez@keyeshonda com

Larry Hopkins Honda

Sunnyvale

408-720-0221

408-736-2608

Dept� Hours: M-Sat 8-5 parts1@hopkinsdirect com

Metro Honda Montclair

800-446-5697

909-625-8960

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-4 wholesaleparts@metrohonda�com

Ocean Honda Santa Cruz

831-464-1800

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-4:30 mickw@oceanhondasantacruz�com

Pacific Honda San Diego

858-565-9402 jgardiner@pacifichonda com

AutoNation Acura

Torrance

310-784-8664

310-539-3636

Dept Hours: M-F 7-7; Sat 8-5 alvaradow1@autonation com

Bakersfield Acura

Bakersfield

661-381-2600

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 bakersfieldacuraservice@yahoo com

Marin Acura

Corte Madera

800-77-Acura

415-927-5350

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-4 parts@marinacura com

San Francisco Honda

San Francisco

415-913-5125

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5 partsws@sfhonda com

Scott Robinson Honda Torrance

310-371-8320

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6:30; Sat 7-5 mluna@scottrobinson com

Selma Honda Selma

800-717-3562

559-891-5111

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-4:30 hondapartsmgr@selmaautomall com

Larry H. Miller Honda Boise

888-941-2218

208-947-6060

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5

Hinshaw’s Honda Auburn

253-288-1069

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 7:30-4:30 rickb@hinshaws com

McCurley Integrity Honda

Richland

800-456-6257

509-547-7924

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5:30; Sat 8-4 hondaparts@mccurley net

South Tacoma Honda

Tacoma

888-497-2410

253-474-7541

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-6; Sat 8-5 bgregory@southtacomahonda com

Metro Acura Montclair

800-446-5697

909-625-8960

Dept Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30 wholesaleparts@metrohonda com

Acura of Honolulu Honolulu

866-931-9086

808-942-4557

Dept Hours: M-F 8-5; Sat 8-4

Johara@lithia com

Tokuda@lithia com

RayleenGarcia@lithia�com

Hinshaw’s Acura Fife

253-926-3331

Dept Hours: M-F 7-6; Sat 8-5 johnny@hinshaws�com

Tesla Announces New Global Engineering HQ in California

By William Johnson Teslarati

Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Gov. Gavin Newsom met at Tesla’s new engineering facility in California, where Musk announced the facility would be the company’s global headquarters for engineering.

The rumors of a new Tesla facility in Silicon Valley turned out to be true. Tesla acquired a previous Hewlett-Packard building, primarily to improve its AI and R&D chops. Musk and Newsom met Feb. 22 at the location, allowing the governor rare access to Tesla’s vastly expanding AI program.

Tesla made the announcement the same day on Twitter, saying it was from Tesla’s “California Headquarters.”

Nikkei Asia discovered earlier in February that Tesla purchased a large facility in the Silicon Valley area. However, the specifics at the time remained murky.

Tesla’s new global engineering headquarters is a shock to many who have seen Musk clash with state officials, including Newsom,

I-CAR Wins Top Workplace Award

I-CAR® earned a 2023 Top Workplaces USA award in the small employer category, which recognizes and celebrates organizations across the country that have built exceptional, peoplecentric workplace cultures.

The award is issued annually by Energage, with a 15-year history of surveying more than 20 million employees and recognizing the top organizations across 60 markets for regional Top Workplaces awards.

I-CAR, recognized in the small employer category (150-499 employees), has 282 full-time associates, including instructors, primarily concentrated at its Training Support Center in Hoffman Estates, the Chicago Technical Center in Vernon Hills, IL, and the Technical Center in Appleton, WI, and also remote based geographically across the U.S.

Top Workplaces USA recognizes organizations with 150 or more employees that have built great cultures.

Source: I-CAR

over the past two to three years. These initial interactions resulted in Musk moving Tesla’s headquarters to Texas, where it still operates today.

Neither Musk nor Newsom mentioned how this new facility would mesh with the rest of Tesla’s working areas, other than stating it would focus on AI and general R&D.

Hunter Engineering Introduces

with California remains hostile. Tesla is under investigation by California officials for alleged racial discrimination, and has recently faced off with state officials regarding the name of Tesla’s autonomous driving software.

The announcement of this new AI-focused office follows the introduction of Tesla’s long-awaited v11.3 Full Self Driving software. The added manpower will likely be needed as more Tesla drivers gain access.

Hunter Engineering has always prided itself on the substantial return on investment its equipment delivers. To that end, Hunter has provided a number of equipmentspecific ROI calculators on its website, www.hunter.com.

To make this collection of calculators even easier to use, Hunter has created the new ROI Hub, which may be found at www. hunter.com/roi.

This shift in Musk and Newsom’s relationship is undoubtedly a relief to the governor, especially considering the record number of businesses leaving the state. With this move, Tesla has significantly increased its headcount in the state and may show other companies the Golden State is still the place to be for engineering and tech.

However, Tesla’s relationship

Hopefully, Tesla’s new facility can show both investors and analysts the company remains on firm footing and is headed toward a continuing growth of its EV market share globally. However, the biggest hope is consumers can look forward to faster improvements and implementations of FSD with the help of Tesla’s new engineering headquarters.

Each calculator offers a wide degree of flexibility, tailored to the specific equipment and allowing adjustment of multiple inputs. For example, the wheel alignment calculator uses sliding scales of alignments sold, alignment charge, equipment investment and labor cost.

In addition to alignment, calculators for ADAS calibrations, tire changing, wheel balancing, employee retention, unmanned inspection and more make up the Hub. Five HD versions are also available.

For more information, visit www. hunter.com/roi.

Source: Hunter Engineering

CCC Releases 2023 ‘Crash Course’ Report

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

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

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

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

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

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

Key topics covered in Crash Course 2023 include:

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

• The impact of labor shortages on vehicle repair and medical

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

Credit: Shutterstock.

Attorneys Say Consumer Data Privacy Concerns for Collision Repair

Shops are Real

By John Yoswick Autobody News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

An Industry Spokesperson?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Connecticut attorney Steven Bloch concurred.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Repair Planning Considerations Regarding Materials, EVs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

LARRY POCKERS PENNSYLVANIA ATTORNEY

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

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

Crash Champions Opens 30th Washington State Location

The Crash Champions Collision Repair Team on March 7 announced another step in the organization’s continued and rapid expansion across the Pacific Northwest by opening the doors to its 30th location in the state of Washington.

The newest Crash Champions collision repair center officially opened March 6, and customers can now begin scheduling repairs. The repair center features 10,000 square feet of production space and is conveniently located at 303 Washington Ave. North in Kent, WA.

“The opening of our Kent, WA, repair center is another great step for the Crash Champions team,” said founder and CEO Matt Ebert . “We are proud to continue expanding the Crash Champions brand for our Seattle-area customers and in key markets across the U.S.”

Skilled technicians and collision repair professionals interested in joining Crash Champions are encouraged

to visit collisionrepair.careers to find openings across the organization. Today, Crash Champions operates a leading lineup of more than 600 highquality collision repair centers in 36 states and Washington, D.C.

As one of the fastest-growing teams in the collision repair industry, Crash Champions is the largest founder-led multishop operator (MSO) in the U.S. All repairs performed by Crash Champions are backed by a written lifetime warranty honored at locations nationwide.

In 2022, a year that saw the company grow by more than 400 locations, Ebert was named MSO Executive of the Year.  Collision repair operators interested in joining the Crash Champions team by selling their business are encouraged to visit www.crashchampions. com/sell-your-shop to learn more about the process and opportunities.

Source: Crash Champions

To Halt Truck Production

By Steven Symes Motorious

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

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

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

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

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

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

Before you think this is just a GM problem, Cox Automotive provided inventory data to Reuters that confirms Ford and Ram are struggling as well.

While the Detroit Three try keeping dealer inventories lower than they were in 2019, this market downturn is throwing a monkey wrench in that scheme. For anyone who can afford to buy a new truck in the coming months, they will have far more negotiating power than during the height of pandemic.

Tesla’s Autopilot Involvement Suspected in CA Fire Truck Crash

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

A 2014 Tesla Model S is suspected to have been operating in Autopilot during a fatal crash in February in California, according to investigators.

The collision occurred when the all-electric sedan struck a fire truck, resulting in the driver’s death and critical injuries to a passenger.

On March 8, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it dispatched a specialized crash investigation team to probe the Feb. 18 crash, after which emergency responders had to cut open the Tesla to extricate a passenger. The crash also resulted in minor injuries to four Contra Costa County firefighters.

The NHTSA’s inquiry into the fatal crash is part of a broader investigation by the agency, looking into multiple incidents involving Teslas in Autopilot

colliding with stationary emergency vehicles attending to other accidents, as noted in a report from the Associated Press.

Officials said during the Feb. 18 incident, the fire truck was parked at a diagonal angle with its lights on in the northbound lanes of the freeway, to safeguard first responders responding to a previous accident. At about 4 a.m., the 2014 Tesla Model S crashed into the fire truck. The car’s driver was declared dead at the scene.

The collision between the Model S and the fire truck was severe. As per the AP, it took several hours to clear the freeway, and the fire truck had to be towed away.

Tesla started rolling out its Autopilot driver-assist system in vehicles produced after September 2014. This means if the Model S involved in the California crash was produced prior to September 2014, it would not have Autopilot capabilities.

Registration Open For 15th Annual CIECA CONNEX Conference

CIECA announced its 15th annual conference, CONNEX 2023, will be held Sept. 12-13 at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Bloomington, IL.

The event will include a full lineup of business and technical speakers, networking opportunities and a vehicle gifting as part of the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program. One of the highlights of the event will be an exclusive factory tour of Rivian.

The theme of the conference this year is “Connected Car, Connected Industry.” It was chosen to reflect the increasing levels of connectedness and integration between all aspects of vehicle design, manufacturing and repair. All industry stakeholders, including CIECA members and non-members, are invited to attend.

During the two-day conference,

“With ADAS and autonomous features growing with every model year and new electric vehicle (EV) models expected from nearly every major manufacturer, technology is at the forefront of automobile design and the driving experience,” said Paul Barry, CIECA’s executive director. “All of this technology translates into data and new repair methods, supply chains and repair procedures.”

“Come join us at the CIECA CONNEX conference to network with industry leaders, engage in presentations and discussions regarding emerging technologies, and see how CIECA is working with our member companies,” said CIECA Chairman Greg Best, senior business analyst for California Casualty. “Our focus this year is on the connected car and how our industries connect. I encourage all industry segments to get involved and see how you

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

By John Yoswick Autobody News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

He explained some vehicle

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

MIKE ANDERSON COLLISION ADVICE

Tesla Confirms Switch To 48 Volt System

By Mark Kane InsideEVs

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

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

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

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

That’s the obvious

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

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

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

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

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

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

Superior Replacement Service Acquires Pass Auto Center in Banning, CA

Superior Replacement Service, a rapidly expanding mechanical and ADAS repair company, acquired Pass Auto Center, a local independent mechanical repair center in Banning, CA.

The official announcement was made Feb. 16 in Banning.

The move to acquire Pass Auto Center first started when Jack Perea , CEO and president of Superior, was approached by John Selvaggio from Pass Auto Center and was asked if he would be interested in expanding to Banning, as Selvaggio was looking to retire. The process took all of two weeks and the agreement was made to move forward.

“This acquisition fits right in line with Superior’s strategy to grow and continue to provide quality mechanical and ADAS solutions to consumers and local businesses,” said Perea.

The acquisition of Pass Auto Center marks the fifth location that provides mechanical services as well as ADAS solutions using OE software and equipment. Superior Replacement Service is looking forward to expanding into this market and will continue to operate the business Pass Auto Center has established.

S ource: Superior Replacement Center

Honda May Continue Producing Gas Engines Through 2040

By Sebastien Bell CarScoops

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

Honda CEO Toshihiro Mibe said the company is currently in the midst of running feasibility studies on future technologies, in a recent interview with Reuters. This research is looking at, among other things, low-carbon synthetic fuels that could help keep combustion engines around for longer, especially in highperformance car, trucks and airplanes. Despite keeping its options open, the executive said

Honda is focused on electrification and fuel cell technology. “I’ve been in the engine development business for more than 30 years, so personally it’s a little threatening,” admitted Mibe. “But I have to separate my own feelings from what is best for

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

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

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

Catalytic Converter Thief Run Over by Woman

By Steven Symes Motorious

A woman recently ran over a man as he was allegedly sawing off the catalytic converter on her Ford Excursion in Palmdale, CA. The suspect didn’t survive the crushing from the hulking SUV. We know a lot of people won’t feel much sympathy for catalytic converter thieves and we understand why. After all, having yours stolen can set you back a shocking sum, and with parts shortages, you might not be able to drive your vehicle for a while.

Thieves really love to hit trucks and SUVs, not only because they have huge cats and often more than one, but also because thieves can climb under and remove the cats without jacking up the vehicle. Of course, climbing under any vehicle when the owner doesn’t know you’re there comes with a bit of risk.

In this case, a report from the Los Angeles Times said, the alleged attempted theft

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took place at a retail area. Four people pulled into a parking lot and parked near the targeted Ford Excursion. One got out and climbed under the SUV, then started to saw off the cat. What the suspect didn’t realize was a woman was sleeping inside the Ford. The sound of him sawing through the exhaust system woke her up.

Probably in a panic because she didn’t know what was happening, the woman turned on the Excursion and backed out of the parking spot. She reportedly “felt a bump like she ran over something.” When she realized that something was a man, she called 911.

It doesn’t sound like anyone’s blaming her. This wasn’t even a case of some act of vigilantism, which we thought was the case when we first saw this story. Instead, it’s just a matter of someone getting crushed while under a vehicle when it started to move suddenly.

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

By Ed Attanasio Autobody News

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

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

Q: What inspired you to start Azimuth?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Q: What does your company name stand for?

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

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

A:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Charlie Rich founded Azimuth Calibration in 2022

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

CHARLIE RICH FOUNDER OF AZIMUTH CALIBRATION

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Toyota To Produce Electric Cars in U.S. As Early As 2025: Report

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Toyota has been lagging in the transition to electric vehicles, but its incoming president, Koji Sato, hinted he would make the pivot to EVs a priority. Per recent reports, this will be evident in the U.S., which could see domestic production of Toyota electric cars as early as 2025.

Nikkei Asia reported Feb. 21 that Toyota will start producing electric vehicles in Kentucky as early as 2025. The company will reportedly use an existing factory that will allow it to produce electric cars alongside combustionpowered vehicles. By the end of 2025, the veteran carmaker is reportedly looking to produce 10,000 electric SUVs monthly.

Toyota’s EV production at its Kentucky plant is expected to work alongside the automaker’s battery plant, slated to start operations in North Carolina around 2025.

With this setup, Toyota could make its electric vehicles in the

U.S., allowing the company to capitalize on government incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act.

Toyota is reportedly looking to produce about 200,000 electric cars in the U.S. per year starting in 2026. The company is reportedly planning to supply around 1 million electric cars annually by that time as well.

While Toyota stands as the world’s largest automaker by volume today, the company is lagging significantly in EVs. Toyota sold 10.5 million vehicles worldwide in 2022, but only about 24,000 of those were electric— including vehicles sold under the company’s luxury Lexus brand.

In comparison, electric vehicle leader Tesla sold around 1.31 million all-electric cars worldwide in 2022.

The EV industry is poised to grow in the coming years, with LMC Automotive, a British market research firm, forecasting global EV sales could reach 36.71 million units in 2030.

California Man Fraudulently Buys Supercars, Goes To Prison

By Steven Symes Motorious

A man in California has been sentenced to 4.5 years in federal prison for fraudulently using COVID relief funds to buy exotic supercars and luxury rides.

Mustafa Qadiri, 42, was sent to prison, fined $20,000 and ordered to pay $2,861,050 in restitution, said the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Qadiri was given $5 million for a business that was a “sham.” Instead of using the relief funds for their intended purpose, he provided a lavish lifestyle for himself, buying a Lamborghini Aventador, Ferrari

488 GTB and Bentley Continental GT. Neither of those vehicles are understated, so anyone who knew him was probably wondering where he got such a sudden windfall of cash.

Authorities say in May and June 2020, Qadiri applied for PPP loans at three banks using falsified information for businesses that didn’t exist. In July 2021, Qadiri pleaded guilty to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering.

Qadari didn’t restrict his expenditures using the COVID relief cash to automotive pleasures. Authorities say he also went on some lavish trips and bought other personal items.

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

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

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

Autel’s Remote Expert,

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

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

Repairify and Autel are

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

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

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

Source: Repairify, Inc.

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ARA Updates Strategic Plan

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

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

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

Source: ARA

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Vehicle Technology Highlighted During 2023 CES Show

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

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

embracing the electric vehicle (EV) experience.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

According to CTA research, consumers are increasingly

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

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

Another highlight during the show was the Indy Autonomous Challenge

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— PRABHAT AGARWAL

CTA SENIOR DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH AND TRENDS

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: ASE

Up To 153,000 Catalytic Converters Stolen in 2022

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

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

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

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

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

9. Toyota Tacoma

10. Chevrolet Cruze

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

• Park in a well-lit area.

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

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

• Install a catalytic converter antitheft device.

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

1. Ford F-Series pickup trucks

2. Honda Accord

3. Toyota Prius

4. Honda CR-V

5. Ford Explorer

6. Ford Econoline vans

7. Chevrolet Equinox

8. Chevrolet Silverado

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

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

Source: CARFAX

Association Announces Director of Digital Products

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

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

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

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

Source: Auto Care Association

got a thing for quality parts

Auto Insurers Taking AI Broader, Deeper Across Claims in 2022

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. on Feb. 21 announced an update to its insurer AI adoption report, which for the third straight year shows significant growth in the adoption of AI in auto claims. The company reported the application of advanced computer vision AI for claims processing increased 60% year-over-year. The company also reported more than 14 million unique claims have now been processed using a CCC AI solution, tripling since before the pandemic in 2019.

In addition to more claims using AI, the data show a deepening penetration of multiple different AI solutions being applied per claim. In fact, CCC reports the number of claims using four or more of its advanced AI applications also doubled year-over-year.

The tech leader also reported the adoption of its industry-first AI-powered touchless estimating solution, CCC® Estimate–STP, has grown to 15 insurers, including seven of the top 10 carriers based on direct written premium, representing 50% of U.S. auto claims volume. Today, more than

100 insurers are actively using CCC’s AI-powered applications.

“The industry has achieved more with advanced AI than many thought was possible a few short years ago,” said Jason Verlen, vice president, product marketing,

27% of claims processed through CCC’s system were initiated by digital photos.

Added Verlen, “This progress is compelling, but it’s not mission accomplished. Market dynamics are necessitating more. While some macro trends, including supply chain issues are likely to subside with time, other factors, including labor shortages and increasing vehicle complexity, will require more AI and deeper connections across the ecosystem to meet the demands of today’s consumer and enable insurers and repairers to realize better business outcomes.”

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CCC. “AI is now applied at key stages across the claims process and is capable of auto-generating a complete repair estimate with line level detail in seconds without human intervention.” The growth in AI-powered claims is driven by a number of factors, including an increase in the number of insurers using AI solutions, the expansion of applications of AI across their business, and an increase in AI-eligible claims, driven by an increase in the use of photos to initiate a claim. In 2022, more than

A leader in AI-powered solutions for the auto insurance industry, CCC’s broad solution offering applies a variety of AI models, including computer vision, language recognition and deep learning to improve customer interactions, streamline operations and digitize assessments across estimating, casualty and fraud detection. CCC is leveraging AI to bring intelligent experiences to every aspect of claims and mobility.

Source: CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc.

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CALIFORNIA Porsche Burlingame Burlingame, CA 888.737.5738 650.348.0883

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Credit: Shutterstock

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

Increase in EVs Being Serviced Leads To First Customer Satisfaction Decline in Nearly 30 Years

The increasing volume of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) being serviced at dealerships is contributing to a negative effect on overall customer service satisfaction, resulting in a year-over-year decline in score for the first time in 28 years.

According to the J.D. Power 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study, released March 9, satisfaction with the service experience declines 2 points to 846 (on a 1,000-point scale) in this year’s study.

Customer service satisfaction among owners of BEVs is 42 points lower than among owners of internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles. A leading factor is that recall rates are more than double for BEVs than their gas/diesel counterparts. Additionally, service advisor knowledge continues to be a major satisfaction issue among BEV owners who provide a rating of 8.01 (on a 10-point scale) compared with 8.59 among owners of ICE vehicles.

“As the electric vehicle segment grows, service is going to be a ‘make or break’ part of the ownership experience,” said  Chris Sutton, vice president of automotive retail at J.D. Power. “The industry has been hyper-focused on launches and now these customers are bringing their electric vehicles in for maintenance and repairs. As training programs for service advisors and technicians evolve, EV service quality and customer experience must address both the vehicle and the unique customer needs. The EV segment has the potential to spur massive convenience improvements in how customers service their vehicles—but we’re not seeing the benefits yet.”

The study, now in its 43rd year, includes emerging features such as valet service, mobile vehicle servicing and online/smartphone app payment options to gauge the effect these processes have on the service experience.

The study measures satisfaction with service at franchised dealer or aftermarket service facilities for maintenance or repair work among owners and lessees of one- to threeyear-old vehicles. It also provides a numerical index ranking of the highest-performing automotive brands sold in the U.S., based on the combined scores of five measures that comprise the vehicle owner service experience.

These measures are (in order of importance): service quality (32%); service advisor (19%); vehicle pickup (19%); service facility (15%); and service initiation (15%).

Key Findings of the 2023 Study

Vehicle recalls drive satisfaction declines: Satisfaction declines 23 points when an owner must bring their vehicle in for a recall repair rather than for traditional maintenance or repair. Recall repair visits also have a negative effect on Net Promoter Score® (NPS) ratings, a vital metric for owners who share positive recommendations about a business. This is most evident with premium brands as the servicing dealership NPS declines 13 points when customers experience a recall.

Service departments getting the (text) message: In the 2019 CSI Study, 34% of owners expressed the desire to receive updates through simple text messages rather than phone calls, but only 9% actually did receive texts from dealerships. Now, dealerships have gotten the figurative message, and, as measured in the 2023 study, are now sending simple text messages 21% of the time to update customers vs. making a phone call (17%). The go-to communication method for service departments is now text messaging, as more than half (54%) of Generation X, Y and Z customers say they prefer it.

Owners wait even longer for an appointment: Since the 2021 study, the number of days owners wait for an appointment has increased 1.9 days for premium vehicles and 1.3 days for mass market vehicles. Appointment wait times are now 5.6 days for premium vehicles and 4.8 days for mass market vehicles. Labor, loaner vehicle availability and parts shortages continue to be the catalyst for the increasing amount of time it takes to get a vehicle serviced.

Owners’ service preferences differ: Owners provide higher trust ratings for franchise dealerships than for aftermarket service facilities for complex repairs (6.14 on a 7-point scale) vs. 5.75 for aftermarket fullservice maintenance and repair facilities. When ease of doing business is the primary driver, trust preference swings to aftermarket facilities for maintenance (6.18 vs. 6.11 for dealerships). These findings are based on a battery of similar questions asked both in the CSI Study and in the J.D. Power Aftermarket Service Index (ASI) Study.

Climbing the chart: The top three brands with the greatest improvement in year-over-year satisfaction rankings are Alfa Romeo (+59

points), Mitsubishi (+30) and Infiniti (+16).

Highest-Ranking Brands and Segments

Lexus ranks highest in satisfaction with dealer service among all brands for a second consecutive year, with a score of 900. Porsche (880) ranks second in the premium segment, followed by Cadillac (879) and Infiniti (878).

Mitsubishi ranks highest in satisfaction with dealer service among mass market brands for the first time, with a score of 884. Mazda (870) ranks second and Buick (867) ranks third.

For the first time in the study’s history, model segment rankings are now available to provide even more granularity. “A truck is not a car, and the vehicle needs are going to be different,” Sutton said. “Each vehicle segment has a unique service experience based on customer preferences, demographics and vehicle use, wear and tear, so it’s appropriate to recognize the different journeys that car, SUV and truck customers have in the service experience.”

Among premium cars, Lexus ranks highest (902), followed by Porsche (880) and Infiniti (878).

Among premium SUVs, Lexus (900) ranks highest. Cadillac and Porsche rank second in a tie, each with a score of 880.

Nissan (886) ranks highest in satisfaction among truck brands with a score of 886. Chevrolet (851) ranks second and GMC (843) ranks third.

In the mass market car segment, Subaru ranks highest (866). Mazda (863) ranks second and Honda (855) ranks third.

Mitsubishi ranks highest among mass market SUVs/minivans with a score of 884. Mazda (872) ranks second and Buick (867) ranks third.

The 2023 U.S. Customer Service Index (CSI) Study is based on responses from 64,248 verified registered owners and lessees of 2020 to 2022 model-year vehicles. J.D. Power goes to great lengths to ensure that survey respondents are true owners of the brand they are representing. The study was fielded from August through December 2022.

Source: J.D. Power

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ASE Instructor Conference Set For July

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

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

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

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

Source: ASE

Collision Repairers Place 29 Carriers on Insurer Report Card

Honor Roll

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

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

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

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

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

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

Shops participating in the Insurer Report Card said the

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

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

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

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

Source: CRASH Network

New-Vehicle Prices Trend Downward As Incentives Rise

The average transaction price (ATPs) of a new vehicle in the U.S. declined in February to $48,763, a decrease of 1.4% ($705) from an upwardly revised January reading of $49,468.

Transaction prices in February were up 5.3% ($2,466) from year-ago levels, according to data released March 8 by Kelley Blue Book, a Cox Automotive company. Meanwhile, incentive spend rose to 3.0%, averaging $1,474, a level not seen since March 2022.

manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP), also known as the sticker price, for more than a year. In February, the average price paid was just $95 more than the average sticker, as prices continued to trend downward relative to sticker price. A year ago, the average ATP was nearly $1,000 over MSRP.

In February, sales volumes were up month over month by 9% and up 9% year over year, thanks in part

pressure on retail demand.

“The transaction data from February indicates that prices continue a downward trend at the beginning of 2023,” said  Rebecca Rydzewski, research manager of economic and industry insights for Cox Automotive. “Both luxury and non-luxury prices were down month over month, but new models, richer product mix and limited discounting are contributing to elevated prices.”

Average Prices for Non-Luxury Cars Decline

The average price paid for a new non-luxury vehicle in February was $44,697—a decline of $681 compared to January. Most non-luxury brands—including Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Hyundai, Mazda, Subaru and Volkswagen— saw ATP declines between 0.2% to 3.9% month over month in February. This correlates with higher incentives helping to push prices down. Kia and Honda showed the most price strength in the non-luxury market, transacting between 4% and 6% over sticker price in February.

luxury market, transacting between 5% to 7% over sticker price. Luxury brands Alfa Romeo, Audi, BMW, Infiniti, Lincoln and Volvo showed the least price strength, selling 1% or more below MSRP in February.

Led by Tesla, EV Prices Decreased Notably in February,

Continuing a Downward Trend

The average price paid for a new EV decreased by $1,050 (down 1.8%) in February compared to January. The average new EV sold for $58,385, according to Kelley Blue Book estimates, still well above the industry average.

The drop in pricing was driven by significant price cuts from Tesla, which commands roughly two-thirds of the EV market. Tesla’s average transaction prices decreased by $977, down 1.6% month over month and down 5.9% year over year. Lower prices likely helped Tesla deliver higher sales volumes. According to Kelley Blue Book estimates, Tesla sales in February increased year over year by more than 44%.

According to Kelley Blue Book calculations, new-vehicle ATPs have been above the average

to improved supply and added fleet sales. A tougher economy and high loan rates are putting downward

Luxury Share Stays High, While Average Prices Fall in February

Strong luxury vehicle sales have been a primary reason for overall elevated new-vehicle prices. This trend continued in February, when luxury vehicle share hit 19.5% of total sales, down slightly from the record high 19.7% in January. The high share of luxury sales pushes the overall industry ATP higher, even though the luxury ATP declined month over month. For comparison, in February 2018, luxury share was 13.2% of the

In February, the average luxury buyer paid $65,534 for a new vehicle, down $644 from January. Buyers continue to pay over MSRP for new luxury vehicles. Luxury vehicle ATPs were a mixed bag in February, with luxury cars, luxury full-size SUVs and luxury midsize SUVs showing price declines between 0.3% and 4.1%. Entry-level luxury cars prices remained stable, while luxury compact SUVs and luxury subcompact SUVs saw price increases between 0.6% and 1.4%.

Mercedes-Benz and Land Rover showed the most price strength in the

Auto Incentives Offered by Manufacturers Remain at Historically Low Level but Trending Upward

Incentives reached a 10-month high in February, increasing to 3.0% of the average transaction price compared to 2.8% in January. However, incentive spend remains at a historically low level. For comparison, in February 2021, Kelley Blue Book estimates incentives averaged 8.3% of ATP. Luxury cars had the highest incentives in February at 6.5% of ATP. Meanwhile, vans had the lowest incentives, with less than 1% of ATP.

“After nearly a year of incentives below 3% of ATP, it will be interesting to see if this upward trend continues as inventory improves,” said Rydzewski. “The most affordable vehicles—compact cars, compact SUVs and subcompact cars—had incentives on par or above the industry average. High loan rates and continued inflationary pressures appear to be hurting the lower part of the market, so automakers are more focused on luxury and higher-end models.”

Source: Kelley Blue Book

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

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

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

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

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

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

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

AAA: Fear of Self-Driving Cars on the Rise

By Brittany Moye AAA

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

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

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

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

isn’t entirely surprising.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

The RIGHT

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

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

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

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

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

Source: AAA

WIN Announces 2023 Most Influential Women Award Recipients

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

The winners of the 2023 MIW awards are:

• Traci Calkins, regional sales manager, PPG

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

• Lakeitria Luter, director, Service King/Crash Champions

• Yohanna Peet, training program manager, Caliber

• Jaime Shewbridge, welding instructor, I-CAR

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

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

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

Registration is now open for the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) 2023 Educational Conference. This year’s conference, under the theme of “Reimagining Tomorrow,” will be held May 1-3 at the WESTIN San Antonio Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX. Conference attendees will experience three days of industry learning, mentorship, celebration and community giveback. They will celebrate women in collision repair by acknowledging new scholarships, take part in scholarship fundraising, and honoring this year’s Most Influential Women recipients. For those not able to attend in person, there is also a hybrid online version available. To register for the conference and view the agenda, visit thewomensindustrynetwork. site-ym.com/page/Conference

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

Source: WIN

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