September 2023 West Edition

Length of Rental Decreases Year-Over-Year For First Time Since Start of Pandemic

Enterprise released Length of Rental (LOR) data for the second quarter of 2023, showing a 0.3-day decrease— from 17.7 days to 17.4—compared to the same quarter last year, the first dip in LOR year-over-year since the initial stages of the pandemic.

LORs was 9.6 days, compared to a gap of 9.0 days in Q2 2022. In the contiguous 48, the gap was 7.2 days between Georgia (20.5) and Iowa and North Dakota (both 13.1). In Q2 2022, this gap was 8.9 days between Louisiana and North Dakota.

AACF Assisting Aftermarket Industry Families Affected by Hawaii Fires

The devastating Lahaina fires have left a trail of destruction, impacting not only properties but also the lives of countless families in the automotive aftermarket industry. In these trying times, the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) is stepping forward to provide much-needed support to the affected families.

The Lahaina fires have been an unprecedented disaster, displacing families, disrupting businesses and causing distress to industry partners. In light of these circumstances, the AACF has rallied its resources and expertise to extend a helping hand to the aftermarket industry families who have been hit hardest.

The AACF’s commitment to

supporting aftermarket industry companies and their teammates welfare is evident in their swift response to crises. With a focus on collaboration, the organization has established a dedicated relief fund to provide financial assistance to the families grappling with the aftermath of the fires. This initiative not only addresses the immediate needs of these families but also underscores the AACF’s dedication to recovery efforts.

“During times of crisis, it is essential for the aftermarket industry to come together and support one another,” said  Joel Ayres, executive director of AACF. “We understand the challenges that these families are facing, and our

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It was also a 1.5-day decrease from the first quarter of this year, when LOR was 18.7 days, which fits historical seasonal trending of a decrease from the first quarter to the second quarter. While positive, these results continue to reflect the new normal, as the LOR for the second quarter in 2021 was 13.2 days.

Alaska recorded the highest overall LOR in Q2 at 22.7 days, followed by Georgia (20.5), Colorado (20.2) and Louisiana (20.1).

Hawaii had the lowest LOR with 13.1 days. North Dakota and Iowa were next-lowest at 13.3 days each, with DC (13.5) and Nebraska (13.9) completing the states under 14 days.

Interestingly, the gap between the highest—Alaska—and lowest—Hawaii—

Only three states saw a yearover-year increase of a day or more: Minnesota (+1.4), New Mexico (+1.2), and Montana (+1.0). Eighteen additional states saw increases while five other states were flat.

Notably, 24 states, plus Washington, D.C., saw decreases. Rhode Island (-2.0), DC (-1.9) and Louisiana (-1.8) had the largest decreases.

John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, said: “We’re seeing a number of trends that could account for some—though not a lot—of decline in LOR, at least for now. Shops’ backlog of work tends to drop in the spring, and this year was no exception. The national

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REGIONAL NEWS

Cruise Explains Driverless Robotaxi Traffic Fiasco in San Francisco

By Simon Alvarez Teslarati

The evening of Aug. 11, as many as 10 Cruise driverless robotaxis stopped in San Francisco’s North Beach. The incident caused traffic to back up, and it left skeptics questioning the city’s recent decision to allow driverless robotaxis to operate 24/7.  Social media posts about the incident depicted multiple Cruise robotaxis stopped in the middle of

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE

Columnist Abby Andrews: SCRS Executive Director Responds to Criticism of Right to Repair Pact Signed with Automakers

Columnist Stacey Phillips: Body Shop Owners Discuss Mentorship Programs Initiated with Support from Toby Chess, Part 2

Columnist Mike Anderson: Technical

Index of Advertisers

ASE Vouchers Available For EV Testing

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has made vouchers available for EV certification testing.

ASE previously announced the creation of Electric Vehicle Technician/ Shop Personnel Electrical Safety Standards, to minimize exposure to hazards and their associated impacts, developed in conjunction with vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket personnel and other electric industry subject matter experts. Visit www.ase. com/ev to see the standards.

In addition to the standards, ASE launched two tests in this series: the xEV Electrical Safety Awareness Certification (Level One), designed for anyone who may encounter an EV in the workplace, and the xEV Technician Electrical Safety Certification (Level Two), for professionals, technicians or specialists who have received training, have demonstrated skills and knowledge, and maintain a safe working area and use PPE. Automotive service professionals and shop owners who want to purchase ASE EV test vouchers for their employees can visit the myASE portal.

Source: ASE

Terry McCauley Appointed To CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council

Terry McCauley of Niterra North America has been appointed to CAWA’s Manufacturers’ Advisory Council.

“I have known Terry for some time, appreciate his commitment to the industry and am pleased to announce that he is joining the CAWA Manufacturers’ Advisory Council,” said Young Suhr Jr., chair of the Board of Directors. “I look forward to his participation and contributions to CAWA in assisting the association in achieving its goals as an effective and valuable automotive care industry organization.”

McCauley is a seasoned veteran in the automotive aftermarket industry, with an impressive track record spanning more than 38 years in Southern California. His journey began at the young age of 15 when he embarked on an apprenticeship as a technician, honing his skills in an automotive and RV repair shop in the picturesque Huntington Beach, CA. During his college years, his passion for the automotive world led him to embrace a career as a parts professional. He excelled in

this role at a jobber store, where he demonstrated an innate understanding of automotive components and their intricacies.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Cal State University, Long Beach, McCauley’s heart remained firmly set in the automotive industry. He continued to thrive, transitioning into the role of a service advisor, serving customers with his expertise at an independent repair facility and later at a reputable GM dealership.

In 1998, his journey took a momentous turn as he joined Niterra North America (formerly known as NGK Spark Plugs, USA) as a district manager. He quickly proved his mettle and ascended the ranks to become a senior district manager and took on an influential training role, mentoring and shaping newly hired district managers, fostering a culture of excellence within the organization.

Today, as a key account specialist, McCauley celebrates an impressive milestone of 25 years with Niterra. Throughout his extensive tenure, he has

held pivotal positions within the company, including chairman of the Niterra Sales Committee, where he demonstrated exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. Notably, he played a crucial role in representing the sales department during the successful launch of the B2B portal.

His unwavering dedication to the automotive aftermarket industry, wealth of experience and relentless pursuit of excellence have earned him a reputation as a true trailblazer. As he continues to make invaluable contributions to Niterra, he remains an inspiring figure to his peers and a driving force within the industry.

Source: CAWA

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Technical and Financial Considerations Related to Your Paint Department

Based on a question I received from an Autobody News reader, I’m going to focus my next couple of articles on refinish-related items I think you should know or think about.

For instance, as ADAS continues to become more prevalent, some automakers are saying an approved paint line needs to be used, because some paint products can affect the way blind spot monitors work behind a bumper. Nissan North America, for example, put out just this type of requirement for its ARIYA model. Similarly, Toyota put out a bulletin (CRIB #201) noting select 2023 Toyota and Lexus models use 77 Gigahertz (GHz) radar sensors, which require special refinish precautions that may mean the bumper cover cannot even be repainted.

less than $30, while in others it’s $50 or higher.

So I think it’s really important to

it may make more sense to using invoicing versus the multiple method. Paint materials profitability also

Average Paint Labor Hours Per Estimate in 2022

out a lot of calibration or other ADAS work—which is a growing portion of the total repair cost—paint materials may now account for 8% or 9% of your total sales. Or if you repair a lot of high-end luxury vehicles, your parts bills may be higher, also reducing the percentage of sales for your paint materials.

So while I’m not saying you shouldn’t still benchmark paint materials as a percentage of sales, I think it’s also important to monitor the average number of refinish labor hours per repair order. As the state-by-state averages for paint labor hours shown on the table demonstrate, there’s certainly a range for this. (The averages shown are for all insurance claims, both DRP and non-DRP combined.)

If you look at that data, you’ll see North Dakota is the lowest at 7.5 hours, and Rhode Island is the highest at 11.1 hours. Nationally, the average is 9.7 hours. But again, your mix of work can affect your average refinish hours per job. Are you doing more heavier hits or smaller jobs? Train wrecks versus dealership shipping damage or rental car parking lot damage?

So researching OEM repair procedures from a paint perspective is becoming very, very critical.

Now let’s talk about calculating reimbursement for paint materials. There continues to be two methods in our industry. There’s the traditional multiplier method, which is a set dollar rate multiplied by the number of refinish labor hours on the estimate or repair plan. If a job has 10 hours of paint labor and your material rate is, say, $40, you’re going to get $400 for paint materials. That’s still the most widely used method, but that’s changing.

Our “Who Pays for What?” surveys over the past several years have found a growing percentage of shops using an invoicing system for paint materials—at least some of the time. There are several ways to produce an invoice for materials: a paint company’s mixing scale, Mitchell’s Refinish Materials Calculator, PMC Logic, etc.

Which method makes the most sense for your shop may depend on your market. Paint material rates vary across the country. In some markets, the multiplier rate may be

understand there’s not a one sizefits-all approach. But as we see more three- or four-stage paint, or more “limited use toners”—which tend to be expensive and not widely used, so generally not stocked in shops—

requires writing solid repair plans, particularly if you are using the multiplier method. In the past, the benchmark was paint materials should account for about 10% of sales. But if you’re a shop that sublets

That’s why another method to monitor this is by average paint labor hours per $1,000 in sales. The goal for that is typically about 2.7 paint labor hours for each $1,000 in sales. I recently ran a graph**** from our portal where we track the performance of many shops we consult with, and over the eight months, they were averaging between 2.03 and 2.16 average refinish hours per $1,000 in sales, and just under 11 refinish hours per repair order.

One other thing to keep in mind: If you’re doing a lot of smaller jobs without a lot of refinish labor hours, you may need to set a minimum you collect for paint materials per job. If a customer only needs a mirror replacement, you may only get an hour of refinish time, but that one hour times your multiplier rate may not adequately cover the cost of the refinish materials needed.

In my next article, I will discuss what’s actually included in “materials,” both in the past versus what we see today, with more and more shops moving to itemize things on estimates and repair plans, including stock parts.

In 2022, the average number of refinish labor hours per repair order varied by state, but on a national basis the average was about 9.7

Data from a group of Collision Advice shop clients show they were averaging just below 11 refinish labor hours per repair order, and about two refinish labor hours per $1,000 in sales

“Our ‘Who Pays for What?’ surveys over the past several years have found a growing percentage of shops using an invoicing system for paint materials.”

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goal is to offer them a helping hand, reminding them that they are not alone in this journey toward recovery.”

The AACF has a track record of effectively responding to emergencies, ensuring swift aid reaches those in the industry who need it most. If you or someone you know needs help, contact AACF through www.aftermarketcharity. org/get-help, by email at info@ aftermarketcharity.org or by calling 772-286-5500.

For more information, contact Ayres at Joel@AftermarketCharity. org.

Source: AACF

ProColor Collision Adds New Location in Shingle Springs, CA

ProColor Collision franchise owner Tony Buryakov opened a third ProColor Collision to serve area residents and businesses.

ProColor Collision Shingle Springs joins Buryakov’s ProColor Collision locations in southeast and northeast Sacramento as another

Liner frame machine, 3D frame measuring system, aluminum rivet guns, two post lifts, spot welders and downdraft paint booths to repair everything from minor details to major collision repairs on all types of vehicles, including boron steel, aluminum and hybrid vehicles.

certified. This and certified technicians confirm Buryakov’s commitment to prioritizing exceptional customer service, personal relationships and quality of repairs to meet OEM standards and exceed complete customer satisfaction.

state-of-the-art repair facility offering premium collision repairs and exceptional customer service.

The Shingle Springs location, formerly 49ER Auto Body, located at 4213 Sunset Lane, Suite 102, is fully equipped with the latest dustless sanding system, Car-O-

“Even with my more than 25 years of collision repair industry experience, ProColor Collision’s proven training, business management, supplier relationships and employee engagement support have a real and lasting impact on both the growth of my business and the leading-edge services we provide our customers,” said Buryakov. “I purchased this third location confident that the model will prove equally successful for this and any future locations.”

The ProColor Collision Shingle Springs location is I-CAR Gold

“Tony’s commitment to the greater Sacramento community is evident in both his decision to open a third location and in the continued growth of the two locations he opened in early 2022,” said Scott Bridges, senior vice president of Fix Network USA, ProColor Collision. “He is a strong example of the success that can be achieved as part of the ProColor Collision franchise. We anticipate continued growth and success for him and his teams at all three locations.”

Source: ProColor Collision

Digital Innovations for the Mixing Room

Solutions recently launched for the PPG LINQ™ digital ecosystem are leading collision centers into a new era of refinish paint mixing that can significantly spark gains in key-to-key productivity. The PPG LINQ digital ecosystem is comprised of interconnected hardware, software and innovative services, using a cloud-based platform.

PPG VisualizID Software

The first of its kind in the industry, this advanced software enables technicians to compare 3D renderings of the retrieved colors and compare multiple “virtual sprayouts” in a matter of minutes. A sprayout can be compared from flash, flop or face angles, rotated in any direction and compared from “blend” and “edge” views.

Carl Garcia, owner of Carl’s Collision Center, Fall River, Massachusetts, is a huge fan of PPG LINQ digital tools, particularly since his workforce is primarily younger. “These kids today grew up with computers, with smartphones—it’s a totally different mentality. So we need to adapt to the changing workforce.”

PPG DIGIMATCHTM Spectrophotometer

This small spectrophotometer takes readings of a vehicle’s color from six imaging angles as well as six reflective angles to provide color and texture information—including effect pigment particle size.

The color reading is seamlessly loaded into PPG retrieval software to find color formulations providing the best match. The spectrophotometer’s readings work in concert with another PPG innovation to further enhance the ability to determine the best match—PPG VISUALIZID™ software.

“In the old days, we would have to do our own sprayouts to test the colors,” explains Garcia. “It would take us a minimum of 15 minutes for each car, sometimes over an hour. So instead of having to do sprayout cards, we are able to do a virtual sprayout.” Once satisfied with the match, the technician hits a button and sends the formula to another PPG innovation that Garcia’s operation has incorporated into their process—the PPG MOONWALK® system.

PPG MoonWalk Mixing System

This award-winning, automated paint mixing system is designed for use with the PPG ENVIROBASE® High Performance refinish system. “This is a great advantage for us,” says Garcia. “It’s 100% accurate. No waste. And it’s increased our efficiency by at least 15%.”

Echoing praise of automated mixing is Frank McClosky, owner of Frank’s Collision Center, operating six locations in the Houston, Texas, area. “We’re getting a highly accurate mix and color matches every time. This system is so precise, down to the hundredths of a gram. And we haven’t over-poured any product yet.”

For more information on the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem and MoonWalk automated mixing system, contact your local PPG distributor or PPG sales representative.

How new technologies from PPG are proving to save time, reduce waste and enhance color-matching accuracy.

Autobody News Remembers Friend and Writer Ed Attanasio

The team at Autobody News was heartbroken to learn our longtime writer and friend Ed Attanasio passed away July 18, 2023.

Barbara Davies, co-owner and CEO “I’ve known Ed since 2009. Ed met our publisher, Jeremy Hayhurst , at an industry event in 2009, and he became one of our regular writers right after that. He became one of our family.

“He [loved] all the people in this industry. It didn’t matter if he was interviewing the CEO of a major manufacturing company or the tech intern at a body shop. He gave everyone the same level of respect and importance, which came through in all his articles. The industry has lost someone very special that touched many lives.

“Ed was one of the kindest people I’ve ever met. He would always put the spotlight on others and never himself. He had a heart of gold.

were both invited to a day-long event hosted by a vendor in the industry. Rather than ‘talking shop,’ he was quick to enthusiastically discuss other interests we shared: movies, art, baseball. I ended up feeling like we knew a lot about each other in a short period of time—and I know many others had a similar experience with Ed.

“That’s why I thought his ‘Day Job/Night Job’ series for Autobody News was such a perfect fit for him, because while he talked to people

laughing and joking with him.

“Ed, although you are gone from my sight, you will forever occupy a special place in my heart. You will be missed. Rest in peace, Ed.”

Norm Morano, regional sales manager

“Ed was a bona fide renaissance man with so many talents and interests that ran the spectrum—from writing, to art, to baseball, to people, to living. Such a sweet man with a beautiful soul. He’ll be missed.”

Ed wrote for our publication since 2009, and over the years he covered a wide range of industry topics while always keeping a keen eye for the stories that highlighted the human element, particularly in his long-running Day Job/Night Job series.

Ed was a lot more than a journalist, however. He was a baseball historian, stand-up comedian and an animal lover, which he combined with one of his other many interests—art—to create the Pandemic Pet Project. Over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed drew hundreds of people’s pets as sketches on Post-It notes, asking in return only a donation to a local animal shelter. His favorite rescue was Muttville in San Francisco, which specializes in finding homes for senior dogs.

Ed’s team members at Autobody News shared their memories.

“Ed had been to most of the ball parks in the U.S., but had never been to Petco Park in San Diego. I invited him to come down from San Francisco a few years ago for a game at Petco and he was like a kid in a candy store! His passion for baseball came through just as strongly as his passion for our industry.”

Stacey Phillips, columnist “I met Ed when I first started working at Autobody News in 2014. Ed was always a phone call away when I had a question about the industry or an article. When I started working from home and writing freelance articles, Ed was a tremendous support. I always admired how he enjoyed learning about other people and sharing their stories.

“Like everyone who knew him, I will miss Ed and appreciate how he always brought a smile to the faces of those around him. My deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

John Yoswick, columnist “I met Ed sometime in the 1990s when we were each writing for different collision industry publications and

about their work in the industry, he found ways to also get to know so much more about interesting aspects of their lives.

“While I probably crossed paths with Ed at industry events only once or twice a year in the 25+ years after we met, I’d more often open my email to find a recommendation for a documentary he’d just seen that he thought I’d like—and asking me for my latest finds.”

Joe Momber, regional sales manager “Ed was a gentleman with a soft soul and a huge heart. He spoke kind words and shared a smile that lit up any room or conference hall. I am extremely saddened and will miss

Abby Andrews, editor

“I learned a lot about the industry through editing Ed’s articles. He had a real knack for finding the little details that could make a topic go from ho-hum to interesting.

“When Ed started the Pandemic Pet Project in 2020, I sent him a picture of my dog, Pepper. The PostIt note sketch he sent back captured Pepper so perfectly---he was my ‘grumpy old man’ by that point. I lost Pepper to cancer in 2021. Out of a million pictures I had taken of him over the years, that sketch is one of the best.”

Our deepest condolences go out to Ed’s family and friends.

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average backlog was 4.7 weeks in Q2 2023, down from 5.8 weeks the prior quarter.

“Prior to the pandemic, the typical second quarter decline in backlog was about three days. This year, the drop was almost eight days, and the percentage of shops that could schedule a job in two weeks or less increased 14 percentage points to 27%,” Yoswick continued. “While that is the highest percentage of shops with a ‘normal’ backlog since October of 2021, it is still far from the prepandemic second quarter average of 72 percent. Nearly half of all shops (46%) were still scheduling work four or more weeks into the future. That is a significant decline from 60% in the first quarter of this year, but also far from the typical 7% with that length of backlog pre-pandemic.”

According to PartsTrader’s Chief Innovation Officer Greg Horn, “The overall Q2 2023 measure of median plus two standard deviations of delivery days for all part types was actually lower overall in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022; several statelevel increases align with the LOR results. States that saw increases in overall LOR in Enterprise’s data, such

as Arkansas, Florida, Georgia and Minnesota, also saw similar trends when comparing parts delivery days. Parts delays are still a significant factor in repair time and length of rental, and shops are making a great effort to schedule repairs for drivable vehicles to maximize shop throughput.”

It’s also important to consider the impact from the luxury segment, both ICE and EV.

Ryan Mandell, director of claims performance for Mitchell International, shared some insight: “Luxury make repair frequency increased nearly half a point to 13.28% of all repairable estimates in Q2 2023 compared to Q2 2022 (12.79%). On average, luxury vehicle estimates are written for nearly two additional labor hours (1.83) compared to common make vehicles, as well as an additional 1.3 replacement parts.”

Mandell also shared an important consideration about calibrations, which impact overall repair time: “The frequency of ADAS calibrations increased from 11.28% in Q2 2022 to 16.11% in Q2 2023.”

Drivable

For rentals associated with drivable repairs, LOR in Q2 2023 was 15.5 days, a 0.3-day increase. Alaska also had the highest drivable LOR in Q2 2023 at 18.8 days. Georgia (18.6),

Tennessee (17.8) and Louisiana (17.7) were the next-highest.

The lowest drivable LOR for was found in North Dakota (10.5), Hawaii (11.3), Iowa (11.6) and D.C. (11.8)

The highest year-over-year drivable increases were found in Minnesota (+1.6), Alaska (+1.5) and New Mexico (+1.2). Three other states (Washington, Arkansas and Utah) had increases of one day or more. A total of 39 states had drivable increases, with only three flat and eight states, plus D.C., showing drivable decreases.

Non-Drivable

LOR for non-drivable claims was 25.6, a 0.8-day decrease from Q2 2022.

Montana had the highest LOR at 36.0 days, a 3.1-day increase. Next highest was Alaska (35.4), followed by Colorado (32.2). All told, eight states had non-drivable LOR greater than 30 days, with six more states at 28 days or higher. Oregon (31.5) had the highest increase at 3.3 days.

Positively, only 13 states had non-drivable LOR increases, while 37 states plus D.C. had decreases. Compare this to Q2 2022, when every single state and D.C. had an increase of at least 1.2 days.

The lowest non-drivable LOR belonged to New York at 21.1 days, followed by D.C. (21.2), Iowa (21.6) and Nebraska (21.9).

Delaware had the highest decrease, down 3.4 days. Rhode Island (-3.2), D.C. (-2.5) and Indiana (-2.4) also saw significant decreases.

Yoswick also offered some insights from his latest survey regarding repair and supplement approval times: “From about 500 shops who responded to a CRASH Network survey in June, the average time those shops spend waiting for a supplement approval hit another record high in 2023, approaching times that are nearly double what they were pre-pandemic. Shops say they are waiting 4.9 days on average for an insurer to complete an in-shop inspection to approve repairs. Prior to 2020, that time was just 2.9 days. Wait times for a remote desk review—or ‘virtual inspections’—are averaging 4.3 days, almost two full days longer than the 2.4-day average reported in 2018.”

According to the CRASH Network results, shops cite approval times— along with some continued parts availability issues—as contributing to having more jobs at some stage in process, a factor that generally cuts into overall productivity.

Among the shops who shared data in CRASH Network’s June survey, the average shop had work in process (WIP) equal to 66% of their typical monthly volume. That’s down from the fourth quarter of 2022 when

shops’ WIP was averaging 78% of their monthly volume. But the average WIP is still higher than it was a year earlier when shops’ WIP averaged 59% of their typical monthly volume.

Total Loss

For rentals associated with total loss claims, LOR was 16.5 days, a 0.8-day decrease over Q2 2022.

While Alaska had the highest results at 25.3 days (+5.1 days), the next highest was Kentucky at 20.3 days, followed by Montana at 20.0 days.

D.C. had the lowest total loss LOR at 13.5 days, followed by Nebraska at 14.5 days.

Total Loss LOR varied greatly; excluding Alaska, the highest increases were Wyoming at +2.2 days and Maine at +2.1 days. Twenty states (less Aalaska) had an increase of 0.9days on average. However, 29 states plus D.C. had an average decrease of 1.6 days, with 17 states plus D.C. down an average of 2.2 days.

Summary

As the numbers show, the trend of

“predictable” seasonal LOR continues. The LOR decrease is positive, and many repairers are finding ways to anticipate and operate in the new normal. However, challenging market conditions remain, and overall LOR remains significantly higher than it was pre-pandemic.

Enterprise is committed to partnering with insurers, repairers and suppliers on all of the issues impacting repair times and LOR. Through foundational support provided by the Enterprise Holdings Foundation, Enterprise is spearheading the Collision Engineering Program, designed to attract and develop entry-level talent to fill essential roles within the collision repair industry.

Enterprise is thrilled to expand its longtime partnership with Ford Motor Company, through its philanthropic arm, the Ford Fund, to expand the program and help address this ongoing industry challenge. For more information, visit www. beacollisionengineer.com.

Source: Enterprise

Maui Recovery Could Take Billions and Several Years

By Kim Jarrett The Center Square

Hawaiian officials pledge to rebuild parts of Maui devastated by a fire, but Gov. Josh Green said Aug 10 it could take billions to rebuild.

The fire has killed at least 53 people, and an unknown number of people are still missing, said Maui County Police Chief John Pelletier.

Hundreds of homes and buildings were destroyed in Lahaina, but officials do not have an exact count. Much of the western part of the island does not have power or internet service, officials said.

“In perspective, it’s going to take many years to rebuild Lahaina,” Green said. “When you see the full extent of the destruction of Lahaina, it will shock you.”

President Joe Biden approved a federal disaster declaration for the area within six hours of his request, Green said. This clears

the way for affected residents to receive federal funding for temporary housing and other expenses.

The fires began Aug. 8 and quickly spread due to winds from Hurricane Dora. Some of the gusts were up to 60 miles per hour, and some were reported up to 80 miles per hour, said Maui County Fire Chief Brad Ventura in a news conference Aug. 10.

“None of the fires are 100% contained right now,” Ventura said. “With the current weather pattern we are facing, we still have the potential for rapid fire behavior.”

Green issued a fourth emergency proclamation Aug. 10, discouraging non-essential travel to the island as emergency personnel work to recover from the fire. The emergency proclamation runs through Aug. 31.

“Right now, we have a scar on the face of Maui that will be here for a very long time,” Pelletier said. “We know that scars heal in time, but they always remain.”

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Stacey Phillips — Solving the Tech Shortage

Body Shop Owners Discuss Mentorship Programs Initiated with Support from Toby Chess

This is the second part of a twopart series. Check out the August 2023 issue of Autobody News or autobodynews.com to read about more shops in the program.

Toby Chess recalls planning a collision repair training day for about 80 high school students in Hawthorne, CA, 25 years ago. Since then, he’s had a passion for training young people and bringing them into the collision industry.

About two years ago, he was visiting a body shop and a newer employee was asked by his supervisor to sweep floors and do menial tasks.

“I asked his supervisor why he didn’t buy him some tools so he could feel part of the team,” said Chess, who ultimately bought tools for the budding technician. “The expression on his face was unbelievable.”

Fast forward to the present and Chess said shops are in the same predicament as they were when it comes to hiring and retaining staff.

“We all need technicians,” said Chess. “We’ve been talking about that for years but what are shops doing about it?”

Chess stresses the importance of keeping young people engaged and setting a career path for them.

“It’s critical to find ways to motivate these young people and keep them engaged or they won’t stay,” said Chess, who embarked on a project to encourage independent shop owners to initiate mentorship programs.

Chess supplies a set of tools to the helper and asks shop owners to provide toolboxes. He also shares best practices documents he created that the mentor and mentee can follow to help standardize the repair and can be used in conjunction with OEM repair procedures and proper personal protective equipment. These include repair planning, corrosion protection, bumper repair, vehicle measuring and glue tab dent repair.

“We have to take steps to give back to the industry and address the technician shortage,” said Chess. “Otherwise, nothing will change.”

As a long-term instructor with I-CAR for more than 25 years, Chess reached out to the organization about the program. I-CAR is offering support to his endeavors and working with him to amplify his efforts.

“I-CAR is proud to support the efforts of leaders in our industry, like Toby, who are making strides to foster a learning culture and growth

mindset in our shops—particularly with new technicians,” said Dara Goroff, I-CAR’s vice president of planning and industry talent programming. “It’s an exciting time to be a professional in collision repair and we want to highlight the purpose new technicians find within it when they’re presented with opportunities that contribute to a complete, safe and quality repair for the safety of their customers.”

Six shops in Southern California shared information about the support Chess has provided with their mentorship programs, supplying tools to mentees and training. Here is what the second three shop owners had to say.

European Motor Car Works

In the 1970s, Kye Yeung enrolled in an auto body and paint course at the local community college to repair his car and didn’t realize it would become a lifelong passion. He opened European Motor Car Works in Costa Mesa, CA, in 1975 when he was 20, just out of college.

involved in organizations such as the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). He has been part of both organizations for more 15 years.

Yeung met Chess and wellrespected shop owner March Taylor when they visited his facility in 2005.

When Taylor passed away, Chess asked if Yeung would like to take his place on the CIC Technical Committee.

“We went on to spearhead the SCRS Educational Committee and founded the Kool Tools of SEMA videos and presentations,” said Yeung. “We are lifelong friends and I have the greatest respect for him.”

Jim & Jack’s Collision Center

Jim & Jack’s Collision Center in El Segundo, CA, was established in 1967. Many of the employees at the family-owned and operated facility have been with the company for more than 15 years.

he said.

Kizirian has known Chess for 25 years.

“There isn’t anyone I have met who is so passionate about the industry and to help in any way possible,” said Kizirian. “Toby will always go the extra mile to help a friend or technician in need and I’m extremely fortunate to know him as a colleague and a friend!”

Marina Auto Body

Tom Williamson, owner of Marina Auto Body, operates three locations, Marina Del Rey, Inglewood and Huntington Beach, CA. The company has 49 employees and is a Lexus Authorized Collision Center as well as the collision center for Toyota of Huntington Beach and Lexus of Westminster.

He currently has 25 employees, many of whom are family members who have been with the company for more than 20 years; the longest is 39 years. These include his daughters Nichole and Jennifer, his son-in-law Mike Hubbard and grandson Connor Many of other employees have relatives who also work at the shop.

Yeung has put many processes in place to help hire and retain technicians. These include maintaining a healthy work environment, giving employee bonuses for referrals, offering top pay and the necessary tooling to perform tasks, and providing OEM training to allow constant growth.

“We keep them interested by diversifying what they do day-to-day,” said Yeung. “Having them work in different departments allows us to gauge where they are most proficient.”

He stresses the importance of the industry working together to address the technician shortage and getting

Richie Kizirian’s uncles, Jim and Jack, gave him opportunity to run the business in 2003 and implement innovative ideas.

“Customer service is our No. 1 priority,” said Kizirian. “We have serviced the South Bay communities for over 56 years and have become a household name to our clientele.”

The company has 18 OEM certifications and prides itself on having friendly management who ensure everyone feels like family.

Kizirian has taken many steps to hire and retain technicians. These include providing a clean work environment, investing in tools and OEM certifications, paying above market rate to ensure staff has financial stability and providing benefits such as paid vacations, health insurance and a 401K.

Kizirian said it is critical the industry supports local trade schools.

“Quality technicians are depleting and providing support to new talent is the only way to combat the shortage,”

Williamson acknowledges the challenge and expense of hiring, training and retaining technicians.

“We all know the industry is aging out,” he said. “The shortage of skilled labor has had a negative impact on all trades.”

To help meet the challenge, Williamson said he offers a good wage, benefits, clean, well-equipped shops and training.

He hired a recent tech, Brandon Candelaria, after meeting him at a local car show. The two discussed their mutual interest in Pontiacs and Williamson learned Candelaria was taking auto body classes at a community college. He asked him to come and work at Marina Auto Body and offered to compensate Candelaria for learning and supply him with tools as he continued to show growth.

“He is a future super star of the industry,” said Williamson.

Williamson is appreciative of the tools Chess supplied Candelaria. Throughout their long friendship, Williamson said Chess has always been available to share training and repair techniques.

“He has been supportive with trainees by supplying basic hand tools, training and encouragement for the trainee,” he said.

Pictured, left to right, are Kye Yeung, Connor Kelly and Mike Hubbard of European Motor Car Works.

Richie Kizirian, center, is pictured with Henry Mejia, left, and his son, Fernando, right, who joined Jim & Jack’s Collision Center in 2022 and is being mentored by his father to become a technician.

Brandon Candelaria, left, and Cyndi Osthus, right, Marina Auto Body manager.

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ATI Welcomes New President

The Automotive Training Institute (ATI) is excited to announce Craig Montgomery as its new president.

Montgomery brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to ATI through his past 15 years as an executive in the logistics and automotive technology industries. Most recently, Montgomery was the chief revenue officer and general manager for Derive Systems, which develops engine software to increase the performance and fuel efficiency of corporate fleets.

ATI is excited to have Montgomery join the team and to partner with its members to continue to expand the vision created by Chubby and then grown by Richard of helping current and new members realize their full profit potential. Montgomery looks forward to expanding ATI’s service offerings to the membership and the launch of www.drivenadvantage. com through ATI for the automotive aftermarket.

Source: ATI

Waymo, Cruise Approved To Operate 24/7 Robotaxi Services in

San Francisco

By Maria Merano Teslarati

Waymo and Cruise received victories in San Francisco, CA, where the two robotaxi providers received approval to operate their driverless cars 24/7 in the city. The approval came after a six-hour public meeting during which both supporters and critics of robotaxis expressed their thoughts on the matter.

As noted in a report from The Verge, residents who were opposed to the Cruise and Waymo robotaxis cited incidents involving the driverless vehicles malfunctioning and breaking down in the middle of intersections and streets, among other concerns.

Supporters of Cruise and Waymo, on the other hand, argued the robotaxis are safer than human drivers and hold a lot of potential for disabled riders.

Ultimately, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted 3-1 in favor of Waymo and Cruise.

The vehicles will be able to operate similarly to Uber or Lyft, with the robotaxis traveling anywhere in the city at any time of the day. Waymo and Cruise can also charge fees for the rides themselves.

At the end of the meeting, CPUC Commissioner John Reynolds said the decision was the first step in the mainstream application of autonomous driving technology.

“Today is the first of many steps in bringing AV transportation services to Californians,” Reynolds said.

Waymo celebrated the CPUC’s decision, noting it was a “major moment” in the history and development of autonomous vehicles.

“Today’s permit marks the true beginning of our commercial operations in San Francisco,” said Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo. “We’re incredibly grateful for this vote of confidence from the CPUC, and to the communities and riders who have supported our service. We can’t wait for more

San Franciscans to experience the mobility, safety, sustainability and accessibility benefits of full autonomy for themselves—all at the touch of a button.”

“It’s a huge milestone for the AV industry, but even more importantly a signal to the country that California prioritizes progress over our tragic status quo,” said Cruise CEO Kyle Vogt. “We share the CPUC’s commitment to delivering safer, cleaner and more accessible transportation options, and remain committed to collaborating closely with regulators to push toward this critical goal. Let’s Cruise!”

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SCRS Executive Director Responds To Criticism of Right To Repair Pact Signed

With Automakers

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

On July 11, the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), the Auto Service Association (ASA) and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation announced they had signed a “landmark agreement on automotive right to repair,” reaffirming a 2014 Memorandum of Understanding stating independent repair facilities shall have access to the same diagnostic and repair information automakers make available to authorized dealers.

Later that same day, the Auto Care Association (ACA) and CAR Coalition released statements criticizing the pact, calling it a “thinly veiled attempt to confuse lawmakers and drivers” from federal right to repair bills currently being considered by Congress, including the REPAIR and SMART acts.

“While the agreement purports to be relevant, all it does is affirm the 2014 MOU rather than implement a meaningful solution to preserve the entire automotive aftermarket and the competition and consumer choice that it creates,” ACA said in its statement.

dealers. The foundation of that agreement is the fact that we’re all working toward the same goal.

It wasn’t about replicating the 2014 agreement; it was about collaborative work between organizations that have built a trust all trying to accomplish the same thing.

Access to information, data, tools, equipment and procedures for collision repairers is critical in performing proper repairs. The agreement is an acknowledgment that we all believe—SCRS, ASA and the alliance and all the automakers it represents—that consumers deserve a safe, proper repair and that independent repair facilities should be and are able to access the information that’s necessary to do that.

I’m not sure I understand how or why any organization that claims to support right to repair would dismiss or oppose an agreement that reinforces that position. If we’re truly interested in or in favor of the right to repair, an agreement that enforces that independent repair facilities will continue to have access to the information they need to perform the repairs—the same diagnostics—this should be a good thing, and it’s odd that it’s not.

Q:Is the pact taking away focus from the REPAIR and SMART acts? Is it meant to be in place of or in addition to those laws, should they be passed?

opportunities with, in our opinion, an emphasis on upholding quality and safety standards, training, proper equipment, to perform repairs as designed by engineers. And the consumer choice has been more limited by proponents of other initiatives.

I’ll give you an example. The CAR Coalition is comprised of used and aftermarket parts groups, alternative parts sourcing platforms and insurance companies. All those groups, interestingly enough, have been waving this banner claiming to be in support of consumer choice and right to repair because independent businesses are being deprived of the information needed to fix the cars properly. But all of those companies have a financial interest in pushing consumers to the cheapest possible repair. Many of those businesses have also opposed initiatives that would hold repairers accountable to using the data already made available to them.

Again, our agreement is that independent repair facilities should continue to have access to the same diagnostics and repair information available to automakers’ dealers.

It’s a win for consumers, a win for the industry to affirm a commitment for that. We view it as a genuinely positive commitment for our members and their consumers.

Q: What is SCRS’ position on the REPAIR and SMART acts?

A: There are some concerns on our end, specifically around the proponents. The SMART Act is one [SCRS] has had conversations about in the past. We do not support it. We do believe in intellectual property rights. [The SMART Act] is not in consumers’ best interests for entities looking to create the cheapest possible option for safe and proper repairs, so we have not supported that.

Q: What is the response to the criticism the pact doesn’t address safety and security of the telematic data?

A:We specifically said telematics systems would not be used to circumvent the commitments made in the agreement, that automakers will provide access to diagnostic data to the extent it’s needed to complete a repair. The safety and security of that data is an obligation the automakers have in their compliance with safety standards.

On July 18, Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, spoke about the criticism in an exclusive interview with Autobody News.

Q:What is the response to the ACA and CAR Coalition’s concerns about the pact?

A:Last week was an announcement between repairer organizations and automakers, who provide information and data necessary for repairs, that established independent repair facilities should have access to the same information available to

A:[The pact] is meant to be in recognition of our members’ needs. I can tell you the independent repair facilities we represent are not coming to SCRS saying they are struggling to gain access to tools or data needed to fix these vehicles correctly. What they are struggling with is downward pressure through insurance claims practices and others, that place challenges on them and their consumers and discourage the use, in many cases, of the available repair data.

It’s interesting because many of those proponents of the REPAIR Act don’t often act in the marketplace as if they support the use of OEM information in the process of repairs.

That’s part of the challenge here—you’ve got this scenario where automakers have really worked closely with SCRS and the independent collision repair community to develop repair

Q:ACA pointed out the pact is non-binding, doesn’t include some automakers, like Tesla, or compel any to join. What is the response to that?

A:It is an agreement. The nature of it, when you make public commitments, is that people are going to hold you accountable to them. It is true that agreement is between SCRS, ASA and the alliance, which has its direct members. SCRS only represents the collision group.

The agreement is not one we took lightly. It’s been under development. It’s one we all anticipate being held accountable to and one we all anticipate living up to as well.

I think the challenges of the authenticity of the agreement are just misguided to be frank. I certainly think that groups that truly believe there should be a right to repair for independent facilities should be championing it rather than casting aspersions at it.

Our interest as a representative of the collision repair group is to make sure our members have access to the information they need to perform those repairs properly. I would encourage talking to the alliance specifically about their concerns of safeguarding that information. It’s a pretty critical point of their conversations at the state level, making sure that info isn’t just open to anyone.

Relative to the SMART Act, there’s nothing in it that addresses safety concerns and that’s one of our biggest objections—vehicles are often one of a family’s biggest purchases, but the people who occupy it are irreplaceable. It’s important safety be prioritized in these conversations because consumers expect proper repairs, which are not a given. But to consumers, a collision repair should assure their vehicle is restored to the same condition as before that accident, and the safety systems will operate the same.

I think there’s just a lack of focus on how we restore the consumer, and much of the initiative is how we protect the companies that would otherwise benefit from consumers being pushed to cheaper, imitation parts.

Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, is seen here speaking at an SCRS board meeting earlier this year.

BMW Is I-CAR

Sustaining Partner

I-CAR announced July 21 that BMW of North America joined I-CAR’s Sustaining Partner Program, designed for partners to demonstrate advocacy and provide funding for I-CAR’s work executed across the industry, which have lessened the need for price increases in an era of high inflation.

The program was also established to provide partners access to the complete array of I-CAR’s relevant technical education and service resources and benefits OEM partners with talent engagement and cost mitigation for collision repair facilities adhering to network training requirements.

Sustaining partners help fund I-CAR curriculum and student fees in career and technical schools, which have become I-CAR fixed training sites; that funding exceeds $3 million since 2018. Sustaining partners also fund all Industry Training Alliance training credits since the end of 2019 for individuals who train with curriculum from approved Industry Training Alliance partners, amounting to significant savings plus the elimination of redundant training for those individuals and businesses.

Source: I-CAR

CA

Dealership,

Make-A-Wish Surprise Youth With Trip To Hawaii

By Auto Remarketing Staff

Capitol Subaru in San Jose, CA, part of Del Grande Dealer Group, partnered with Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area to throw a surprise beach-themed party at the retailer’s showroom to reveal to a local Hayward youth that his lifechanging wish to travel to Hawaii with his family was coming true.

Moises De Paz, a 20-year-old with end-stage kidney disease, thought he was going out to run errands with his sister-in-law. Instead, he was surprised by the Make-A-Wish team, Subaru partners, family and friends with a beach-themed bash at Capitol Subaru to celebrate the granting of his wish.

The reveal event included a hula performance by the Legacies of the Pacific along with a Kona Ice truck and his favorite snacks.

“We know how physically and emotionally difficult medical treatments can be for children and their families,” Capitol Subaru General Sales Manager Fernando

Roque said in a news release. “We hope our efforts can provide young people like Moises with strength and positivity to fight against a critical illness.”

DGDG CEO Jeremy Beaver said Capitol Subaru has partnered with Make-A-Wish since 2011, “and we are grateful for our longtime partnership that allows us to help grant wishes for deserving wish kids.”

Del Grande Dealer Group, Northern California’s largest family-owned automotive group with 19 dealerships, supports its local communities year-round through DGDG Does Good, the organization’s charitable arm.

Through financial contributions, collaborations with nonprofit organizations and employee volunteerism, DGDG Does Good works to brings positive lasting change to the community. That includes nearly $1 million in donations to worthy causes and recipients.

“We are incredibly thankful for the ongoing support from DGDG’s

• 7 Free I-CAR classes for the entry level technicians

• A set of tools

• An air tool courtesy of Kent Automotive upon completion of taking and passing the 7 I-CAR Classes

• Best practices documents based on OEM procedures to help standardize the repair (also available in Spanish)

A. Best practice for Vehicle Tear Down

B. Best practice of Corrosion Protection

C Best practice of Personal Protection

D. Best Practice of Shop and Vehicle Safety

E. Best Practice for Single Sided and Two Sided Bumper Repair

F. Best Practice for Understanding Vehicle Measuring

G. Best Practice on Using Glue On Dent Repair

H. Training manual for Teaching the apprentice these Best Practices

For more information, email: Toby Chess— tcspeedster@gmail.com

Capitol Subaru,” Make-A-Wish Greater Bay Area CEO Betsy Biern said. “It’s thanks to our community partners that we are able to bring hope and joy to wish kids like Moises and transform lives in the community, one wish at a time.”

Capitol Subaru is one of a dozen Subaru retailers across the country helping grant children’s wishes over the span of one week as part of a national “Week of Wishes” initiative.

Through the annual Subaru Share the Love Event holiday campaign, more than 600 Subaru retailers across the country partner with Make-A-Wish to support children and families impacted by critical illness. Since 2011, Subaru of America and its participating retailers have donated more than $32 million, helping grant 3,300 wishes in the U.S.

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Grant Avenue. The robotaxis had their hazards engaged, and they were blocking other vehicles from moving.

Responding to the incident, Cruise said the issue was the result of “wireless connectivity issues,” which immobilized the driverless robotaxis. San Francisco police confirmed the cell connectivity issues experienced by the robotaxis were caused by the large number of people at the Outside Lands music festival.

Cruise said it was investigating the incident. The company also apologized to those who were affected. “We are actively investigating and working on solutions to prevent this from happening again and apologize to those impacted,” Cruise said in a statement.

Based on a text message exchange between San Francisco Supervisor Aaron Peskin and a Cruise government affairs manager, reviewed by the San Francisco Chronicle, the cellular connection issues impacted the company’s capability to remotely redirect the robotaxis. Peskin reportedly said about 10 cars came to a halt at the intersection.

As part of Cruise’s efforts to avoid the same incident from happening in the future, Peskin said the robotaxi operator is considering the creation of its own cell phone network just for its San Francisco operations, as Cruise will likely be ramping its operations in the city in the near future.

The incident happened just a day after the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) voted to lift all restrictions for Cruise and Waymo’s full commercialization in San Francisco.

Oceanside, CA, Brewery Hosts VW All Out Car Show

The 7th annual VW All Out Car Show was held Aug. 5 at Belching Beaver Brewery in Oceanside, CA.

Hosted by Reggie Smith (@ funky68vw on Instagram), the event featured more than 100 classic cars, vendor pop-up shops and a beach cruise.

Prizes were awarded for first and second place in several categories, including Best Bug, Ghia, Split Window Bus, Bay Window Bus, Type 3/4, WaterCooled, Water-Cooled Euro, Off Road and Buggie, as well as a grand prize for best car in show. Raffles and prizes were also given away throughout the show.

“I really wanted to bring a Volkswagen show to Oceanside, my hometown, to bring everyone together and enjoy Volkswagens, craft beer and music,” Smith said. “It’s a fun family- and dogfriendly event with people from all around as far as Oregon, Arizona to Mexico. I look forward to this event every year.”

Photos by Autobody News’ Kelly Cashman.

BPG Announces ADAS Calibration Division

To address the industry-wide need for advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) calibration in the automotive aftermarket, Burke Porter Group (BPG), a leading global supplier of OEM end-of-line testing solutions, on July 19 announced the creation of a new aftermarket business unit, expanding market opportunities for its ADAS calibration business.

Additionally, the company has appointed industry veteran Doug Kelly as president of the new division, to report to CEO Jeffrey Moss

An automotive and technology industry veteran of more than 20 years, Kelly will leverage his expertise as well as the company’s existing global OEM end-of-line leadership position, to establish strategic partnerships with key industry stakeholders in the ADAS market segment. As car manufacturers increasingly look to innovate with new technologies and safety features, the complexity and challenge of servicing them increases exponentially.

Source: Burke Porter Group

Mitchell Report Details Collision Claim and Repair Differences Between EVs, ICE Vehicles

Mitchell, an Enlyte company, on Aug. 10 announced the availability of its Q2 2023 report: Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights.

The report highlights a continued increase in electric vehicle (EV) repairable claims frequency, which rose to 1.49% in the U.S. and 2.64% in Canada last quarter. It also documents the differences in claims severity, post-accident drivability and collision repair when comparing EVs to automobiles powered by an internal combustion engine (ICE).

“Not surprisingly, claims severity for repairable EVs is outpacing that of ICE alternatives,” said Ryan Mandell , director of claims performance at Mitchell. “However, the most recent data shows that EVs are less likely than ICE vehicles to be non-drivable following an accident. Despite greater interconnectivity between components, they have fewer moving parts. So, unless an EV gets hit from behind, it has a higher likelihood of drivability.

Differences like these will have a dramatic effect on the auto insurance and collision repair markets, given the recent growth in EV adoption.”

According to Cox Automotive, U.S. EV sales broke another record in Q2, with nearly 300,000 battery-electric vehicles sold, an increase of 48.4% over Q2 2022. While adoption may be slowing in Canada, the International Energy Agency predicts global EV sales of 14 million in 2023 with new purchases accelerating in the second half of the year.

In addition to tracking general EV collision claim trends such as frequency and geographic distribution, this quarter’s report includes up-to-date statistics on how EVs differ from ICE automobiles when it comes to:

Claims Severity: Average severity for all EVs was $963 higher in the U.S. and $1,328 higher in Canada than ICE alternatives. Those cost differentials jumped to $1,589 and $1,600 respectively when looking at Tesla models only.

OEM Parts Utilization and Percentage of Parts Repaired: Most EV parts are provided directly from the manufacturer, with 90.75% of repairable EVs using OEM parts as compared to 66.50% for ICE automobiles, a difference of 24.25%. Additionally, EV repairs include a lower percentage of parts repaired versus replaced: 13.49% versus 19.20% for ICEpowered options.

Average Refinish Hours: Labor hours for paint refinishing can be 40% of the total labor time for an average repair order— making them a key driver of collision claim expenses. In Q2, refinish hours for EVs averaged 8.51 compared to 8.02 for ICE automobiles.

To download the latest Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report, visit www.mitchell. com. You can also subscribe to future issues or access previous reports online at www.mitchell. com/plugged-in.

Source: Mitchell

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Shows ‘Uncertain

new study, “Auto Insurance:

The Uncertain Road Ahead,” released July 19 by the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA), revealed insurance claims inflation has continued to rise faster than the underlying consumer price index (CPI), far outpacing increases in auto insurance premiums.

The combination of rapidly increasing overall economic inflation and claims inflation has driven up auto insurance losses and combined ratios.

“In addition to inflation trends, the private passenger auto insurance sector is also experiencing several other trends such as increased frequency and severity of claims cost, riskier driving behavior by the public, cost increases for medical and hospital services, and outsized growth in lawsuit verdicts and legal system abuses, that are negatively impacting and pressuring the industry with increased losses,” said Robert Passmore , department vice president for APCIA and coauthor of the paper.

For Auto Insurance Due To Inflation, Other Concerns

Key Data Findings

APCIA found that losses on underwriting in 2022 for private U.S. property casualty insurers were $25.6 billion, more than double the losses in 2021 and the worst result since 2011.

Private passenger auto insurance experienced the highest direct loss ratio among major lines of business at 80.2% (excluding loss adjustment expenses) in 2022, which represented an increase of 12.2 points from 2021 and 24.1 points from the low-water mark of pandemic-impacted 2020.

U.S. private passenger vehicle damage claim severity (i.e., the average cost per claim for property damage liability and collision) increased nearly 50% from 2018 to 2022, impacted by rising auto repair and labor costs, inflation and theft rates, among other things. Over the same period, average bodily injury claim severity increased 40%, reflecting an acceleration in medical inflation, legal system abuse and a sharp increase in deadly motor vehicle accidents.

Property casualty insurers’ premiums for personal auto increased just 6% for the year, far below the 24% rate of escalating losses.

accelerating from May’s 4.5% increase. It was the sixth-straight monthly increase.

“All indicators suggest elevated auto repair and replacement costs will stretch well into 2023 and potentially beyond,” said Passmore. “Medical inflation is also accelerating. Although insurers continue to monitor the situation closely, as claim costs continue to rise, insurers may be forced to pass these loss costs along to policyholders.

The Motor Vehicle Insurance CPI compiled by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics includes a basket of goods and services auto insurers require to settle claims, and the June figure was up 6% year-over-year,

“Given the trends, insurers are strongly encouraging drivers to minimize their risk by avoiding risky driving behaviors that may result in a loss,” Passmore continued. “Insurers are also advocating for better infrastructure, including reliable supply chains for critical auto parts and safer roads, which should result in fewer accidents and lower claims costs that help keep insurance premiums affordable for consumers.”

Source: American Property Casualty Insurance Association

“Insurers are also advocating for better infrastructure, including reliable supply chains for critical auto parts and safer roads, which should result in fewer accidents and lower claims costs that help keep insurance premiums affordable for consumers.”

ROBERT PASSMORE DEPARTMENT VICE PRESIDENT FOR APCIA

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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

Pacific Honda San Diego

858-565-9402

jgardiner@pacifichonda com

San Francisco Honda San Francisco

415-913-5125

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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

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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

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McCurley Integrity Honda Richland

800-456-6257

509-547-7924

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South Tacoma Honda

Tacoma

888-497-2410

253-474-7541

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AutoNation Acura Torrance

310-784-8664

310-539-3636

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Bakersfield Acura

Bakersfield

661-381-2600

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Marin Acura

Corte Madera

800-77-Acura

415-927-5350

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

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Polyvance Reduces Price of Online Courses

Polyvance announced the immediate price reduction of its two paid online training courses, allowing more people to gain valuable knowledge about plastic repair. The PR-03 Headlight Repair Course is now $29 and the EPR-01 Estimating Plastic Repair Course is now $49.

The PR-03 Headlight Repair Course demonstrates the repair of broken headlight tabs using the nitrogen plastic welding system. It is about an hour long and demonstrates eight unique repairs.

The EPR-01 Estimating Plastic Repair course is designed to educate estimators on assessing the repairability of the numerous plastic components found on today’s vehicles. The course is divided into four modules and takes around two hours to complete.

The PR-03 and EPR-01 are available on Polyvance’s LMS, alongside the company’s two free Polyvance University training courses. More information on all Polyvance’s online courses can be found at polyvance. tortal.net or by emailing training@ polyvance.com.

Source: Polyvance

Car Insurance Rates Spike 17% in the First Half of 2023

The average annual cost of a car insurance policy surged $240 to $1,668 in the first six months of 2023, up from $1,428 in 2022. Prices will increase another 4% before the end of the year, according to Insurify’s latest auto insurance report. The report attributes these increases to insurers experiencing high losses as a result of soaring auto repair prices and the effects of climate change.

“Vehicle repair and maintenance costs have outpaced inflation and show no signs of slowing, leading insurers to increase auto insurance prices to keep up with the cost of higher claim payouts,” said Allie Feakins, Insurify’s senior vice president of insurance.

The report examines auto insurance price trends using Insurify’s own data of more than 79 million car insurance quotes, sourced directly from partnering insurance companies. It also reveals:

*Drivers are dropping coverage to keep car insurance costs affordable. The percentage of car insurance shoppers considering buying fullcoverage car insurance fell more than 50% in 2023, compared to 2022.

*Michigan still has the highest

auto insurance costs in the country, with an average policy costing $231 a month. Michigan drivers spend about 4.4% of their household income on car insurance—the highest proportion of any state.

*Car insurance prices have climbed the highest in New Mexico, Nevada and New Jersey, with an average 34% increase in costs within the last six months

*Major insurers are pulling out of Florida and California, citing devastating hurricanes and wildfires that have led to heightened catastrophe risk and a high number of expensive claims.

In addition to impacting home insurance rates, climate change is now beginning to be a greater concern for auto insurers. As a result, drivers in California and Florida will see fewer options for car insurance as insurers begin pulling out of the state.

“The frequency and severity of natural disasters have led to some geographical areas experiencing different types of weather events from what they’ve seen before,” said Betsy Stella, Insurify’s vice president of carrier management

and operations. “More vehicles are being caught and destroyed in fires and floods, and ice is sticking around longer, increasing the likelihood of collisions. This has led to auto insurers paying a higher number of—and a higher price for—customer claims.”

Claims are also more difficult and expensive to fulfill, as the price of auto parts continues to surge, with the consumer price index for motor vehicle maintenance and repair showing double-digit increases every month since September 2022.

Given the high cost of auto repair prices and impact of climate change, insurers have experienced recordbreaking losses over the last year. The property and casualty insurance sector posted a net combined ratio of 111.8% in 2022, and drivers will continue to see higher prices as they renew coverage.

“Given the lag between regulator approvals and actual rate increases, consumers can expect rates to increase over the next 12 to 18 months. It’s more important now than ever to comparison shop,” Feakins said.

Source: Insurify

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The Washington State Office of the Insurance Commissioner (OIC) held a workshop this summer to discuss possible ways to address a record number of consumer complaints being filed with the office in recent years. This past April, for example, the regulator received 467 complaints, up more than 62% from a historic average of 287.

Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), testifying

The OIC also sought input from AI estimate developers. “We asked multiple insurance company vendors that develop and utilize photo software and artificial intelligence to create repair estimates to participate today,” said David Forte, senior policy advisor for the OIC. “All of them were non-responsive to our requests.”

In addition to advocating for inperson vehicle damage estimates— Schulenburg noted “physical inspections also allow for consumers to be notified if the damage inhibits the safety of their vehicle”—he urged the Washington OIC to consider requiring an appraisal clause in insurance policies. That solution already available in some other states would create a non-litigious option for consumers to address disputes and ensure proper compensation for repairs.

company] violations on nearly 1 in 5 auto complaints.”

“Suspected violations are just way too nebulous and arbitrary,” Rataj said, stressing that consumer complaints should be grounded only in “actual violations of the insuring agreement or insurance code” to hold any weight, not simply based on the “policyholder’s feelings.”

resist “leaping to any conclusions based upon this flawed statistical analysis and take a step back,” and questioned how the OIC could suggest “that consumer complaints are an appropriate and reliable proxy for measuring claims adjusting and settlement practices.” This comment seemed to contradict earlier testimony at the workshop in which Kenton Brine, president of the Northwest Insurance Council, suggested the low percentage of consumer complaints is evidence that insurers are doing their job well.

remotely with SCRS’s board members from more than a dozen states behind him, emphasized the need for reform in the insurance claims process. Schulenburg said the current system is failing consumers, leading to unsatisfactory settlements that leave many without the needed compensation for proper repairs.

“There’s not a business surrounding me in the room today that hasn’t felt the pressure to perform a repair that would otherwise undercut what the consumer deserves,” Schulenburg said. “There’s not a business here who isn’t routinely asked to perform repairs in a manner that conflicts with their professional expertise and their commitment to the vehicle owner.”

Schulenburg raised concerns about the growing reliance on photobased and virtual appraisals driven by artificial intelligence (AI). He argued these systems often provide significantly lower estimates than what is required for a comprehensive repair, causing confusion for consumers and challenges for repair centers.

“Artificial intelligence has the potential to be more intelligent, but it’s not being designed in that manner,” he said. “AI is being designed to replicate the claims practice of ‘only writing what you can see’ rather than improving upon that and writing for what they know.”

“When implemented, there isn’t a business sitting here whose customer hasn’t been victorious when an independent, non-biased third-party has evaluated the repair and repair costs,” Schulenburg said of such appraisal clauses in other states. “The reality is, insurance department complaints are limited in what they can address for consumers. Actions are limited to patterns of practice and overarching behavior, not the amount of loss, not specific items that have been neglected.”

Christian Rataj, regional vice president of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC), brought an argumentative tone to workshop, calling the OIC’s report on consumer complaints “misplaced, methodologically unfounded and unsubstantiated by the data sets.”

Rataj said the increased state population and number of claims in recent years would naturally lead to an increase in complaints.

“Where is the comparison of the increase in consumer complaints received by the OIC compared to the increase in consumer claims submitted to carriers?” Rataj asked.

The OIC report indicated the office’s complaint load is now more than double historic norms—while the state’s population grew just 8.6% over the period covered in the report—and the number of complaints related to auto insurance complaints is nearly 50% higher than all other lines of insurance combined. The report also said that OIC analysts “are noting suspected [insurance

Furthermore, Rataj said, the OIC failed to account for general consumer sentiment, saying consumers are struggling with “post-pandemic stress in a politically divisive and inflationary time,” implying consumers are simply more likely to complain more about everything, not just insurers.

Rataj insisted the OIC should

Rataj concluded his arguments by saying any potential new regulations would lead to increased costs for the consumer, which would lead to more consumer dissatisfaction with insurers. New regulatory requirements, he said, “force insurers to reallocate staff time and resources [to comply] that could be used for claims adjusting and customer relations activities.”

The workshop, which was scheduled for two hours but stretched on to more than five hours, can be viewed online at tvw.org/video/washingtonstate-office-of-the-insurancecommissioner-2023071092/

Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of SCRS, testified remotely with the association’s Board of Directors—which held an in-person meeting the day of the workshop—behind him

“There’s not a business surrounding me in the room today that hasn’t felt the pressure to perform a repair that would otherwise undercut what the consumer deserves.”

AARON SCHULENBURG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, SCRS

Honda Accord Shines, Other Midsize Cars Struggle in Rear-Seat Safety Test

The Honda Accord outperformed other midsize cars in the updated moderate overlap front crash test, earning a rare good rating in the new, challenging evaluation focused on rear-seat protection.

Among the other six midsize cars tested, the Subaru Outback earned an acceptable rating. The Nissan Altima and Toyota Camry were rated marginal. The Hyundai Sonata, Kia K5 and Volkswagen Jetta were rated poor.

“In most of the midsize cars we tested, the rear dummy slid forward, or ‘submarined,’ beneath the lap belt, causing it to ride up from the pelvis onto the abdomen and increasing the risk of internal injuries,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “In the three poorrated vehicles, measurements taken from the rear dummy also indicated likely injuries to the head or neck as well as to the chest.”

IIHS launched the updated moderate overlap front test last year after research showed in newer vehicles the risk of a fatal injury is now higher for belted occupants in the rear than for those in front. This is not because the rear seat

has become less safe. Rather, the front seat has become safer because of improved airbags and advanced seat belts that are rarely available in back. Even with these developments, the back seat remains the safest place for young children, who can be injured by an inflating front airbag.

To encourage manufacturers to improve rear-seat protection, the updated test adds a dummy in the back seat behind the driver. The driver dummy is the size of an average adult man. The rear dummy is the size of a small woman or 12-year-old child. IIHS researchers also developed new metrics that focus on the injuries most frequently seen in back-seat passengers.

For a vehicle to earn a good rating, there can’t be an excessive risk of injury to the head, neck, chest or thigh, as recorded by the secondrow dummy. The dummy should remain correctly positioned during the crash without submarining. The head should also remain a safe distance from the front seatback and the rest of the vehicle interior, and the shoulder belt should remain on the shoulder, where it is most

effective. A pressure sensor on the rear dummy’s torso is used to check the shoulder belt position during the crash.

As in the original test, the structure of the occupant compartment must maintain adequate survival space for the driver, and measurements taken from the driver dummy shouldn’t show an excessive risk of injuries.

All seven midsize cars provided good protection in the front seat. However, measurements indicated a slightly higher risk of injuries to the right leg or foot of the driver in the good-rated Accord.

The Accord provided stellar protection in the back seat. Measurements taken from the rear dummy showed no heightened risk of injuries, and the rear restraints did a good job controlling the dummy’s motion.

In contrast, submarining was a problem for the poor-rated K5 and Sonata, while in the Jetta the rear passenger’s head came too close to the front seatback. In all three poorrated cars, measurements taken from the rear dummy indicated likely injuries to the head or neck

and chest and excessive belt forces. In the K5 and Sonata, the rear shoulder belt also moved off the shoulder toward the neck.

In both the marginal-rated Altima and Camry, the rear dummy submarined beneath the lap belt, and the shoulder belt moved off the shoulder toward the dummy’s neck. In the Altima, injury measurements also indicated a moderate risk of head or neck injuries for the rear passenger.

Measurements taken from the rear dummy in the acceptablerated Outback didn’t show any elevated injury risks. However, the dummy submarined beneath the lap belt, and its head came close to the front seatback during the crash, increasing the likelihood of abdominal and head injuries. After impact, the dummy’s head also slipped between the side curtain airbag and contacted the rear window door trim as the dummy rebounded.

Source: IIHS

Cool Boss™ Releases

Overhead Fans

Cool Boss™, a division of BendPak, expanded its product lineup beyond evaporative coolers with the new Tempest and Windstorm series of high-volume, low-speed (HVLS) industrial overhead fans, are designed to deliver optimized temperatures in large interior spaces while drastically reducing energy costs.

In commercial or industrial buildings, Cool Boss overhead fans create a more comfortable environment while maintaining low energy consumption. Running the fans counterclockwise in the summer provides the expected cooling effect. But it doesn’t stop there. In the winter, running the fans clockwise mixes heated air rising from below with cooler air sinking from above to provide an optimum temperature without running heaters as often—resulting in up to 30% energy savings.

Cool Boss HVLS fans are available in a range of sizes. Learn more at coolboss.com/large-hvlsindustrial-ceiling-fans or call (855) 2BE-COOL.

Source: Cool Boss

Next-Gen Chevrolet Bolt Confirmed, Will Use Ultium Tech

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

The popular and affordable Chevrolet Bolt will live to see another day, as General Motors CEO Mary Barra confirmed a next-generation version of the Bolt is in the works.

This is a major announcement for the company and for fans of affordable EVs. Barra said the upcoming Bolt EV will be based on GM’s Ultium battery and drive technology and will continue to deliver what customers have come to expect from the nameplate: great affordability, range and technology.

“Our customers love today’s Bolt. It has been delivering record sales and some of the highest customer satisfaction and loyalty scores in the industry,” Barra said. “It’s also an important source of conquest sales for the company and for Chevrolet. We will keep the momentum going by delivering a new Bolt…and we will execute it more quickly compared to an allnew program with significantly lower engineering expense and

capital investment by updating the vehicle with Ultium and Ultifi technologies and by applying our ‘winning with simplicity’ discipline.”

Adopting various Ultium and Ultifi technological advancements will help GM bring the popular model back “on an accelerated timeline.” The automaker did not provide a launch timetable, but said timing and specific details about the next-gen Bolt will be announced at a later date.

General Motors did not say whether the future Bolt will offer two body styles as the current model does—hatchback (Bolt EV) and crossover (Bolt EUV). It did, however, release a teaser photo that shows a portion of the nextgen Bolt’s tailgate featuring the new badge for the nameplate with stylized lettering, including a lightning bolt on the letter O.

The shape of the tail light can also be detected from the shape of the stamped panel, and it looks like the next Bolt will get lower-set horizontal lamps at the rear.

The forthcoming Bolt will join Chevrolet’s growing lineup of all-

electric vehicles, including three launching this year: Silverado EV, Blazer EV and Equinox EV.

The official confirmation regarding the next-generation Chevy Bolt came after Barra in June hinted at the return of the Bolt entry-level EV in the near future.

“But, you know, Bolt is something that has built up a lot of loyalty and equity,” Barra said while speaking on NPR’s Marketplace podcast. “So I can’t say more because I don’t discuss future product programs. But, you know, it was primarily a move from second generation to third generation. But that’s [an] important vehicle in our portfolio.”

GM’s head honcho said the Ultium platform brings 40% lower battery costs compared to the second-generation battery used in the outgoing Bolt EV and EUV, which theoretically means the automaker could offer the next Bolt with a starting MSRP well below $30,000. The Bolt would therefore undercut the Equinox EV, expected to start around $30,000.

New Study Shows Disproportionate Effect of Credit Scores on Auto Insurance Rates

Consumer Federation of America (CFA) released a new report July 31 detailing the impact of auto insurers’ use of consumer credit information on good drivers with only fair or poor credit scores. Across the country, consumers with poor credit annually pay hundreds or even thousands of dollars more for the basic auto insurance coverage mandated by state laws.

The full report is available at consumerfed.org/wp-content/ uploads/2023/07/OfficialCFA-Credit-Score_2023-FINALREPORT.pdf

Auto insurance must, by law, be purchased by drivers in every state except New Hampshire. Therefore, policymakers and regulators have a special responsibility to ensure coverage is available and affordable and consumers do not experience unfair discrimination.

Since the 1990s, auto insurance companies have used consumer credit information as a factor in setting insurance premiums. The use of credit information in insurance pricing

results in significant differences in the cost of auto insurance, even when comparing otherwise similar customers with clean driving records and no history of claims.

For consumers with fair and poor credit, insurance premiums are often unaffordable due to the heavy emphasis most insurers place on the reported credit history of their customers.

The study focused on the impact of the use of credit on the prices charged to Americans with safe driving histories.

While CFA maintains the results of its evaluation of the pricing data should lead to legislative and regulatory reform of the auto insurance industry, the central finding of the report lies with the numbers themselves.

Namely:

• American consumers with clean driving records and excellent credit pay an average annual auto insurance premium of $470 for state-mandated coverages. If those same consumers instead have fair credit, their average

premium increases to $701, even if their driving records are perfect. Good drivers with poor credit face even higher premiums, averaging $1,012 for basic coverage across the country.

• In percentage terms, consumers with fair credit pay premiums that average 49% higher than the premiums paid by consumers with excellent credit. Consumers with poor credit pay 115% more than consumers with excellent credit and 44% more than those with fair credit.

• As credit impacts are generally uniform statewide but in-state territorial rates vary widely, often by ZIP code or census tract, drivers with fair and poor credit in higher priced urban communities face minimum limits insurance premiums that are often more than a thousand dollars higher than their neighbors with excellent credit.

Because credit history

In CFA’s conclusion, it argues state policymakers should prohibit insurers from using credit information in setting auto insurance rates as California, Hawaii and Massachusetts do currently. This ban, however, must be accompanied by additional protections that test for and minimize unfair discrimination to ensure the disparities driven by the use of credit are not maintained by the replacement of credit information with other underwriting and pricing tools that lead to similar results.

Source: CFA

Leadership 2.0 Scholarship Recipient Announced

The Manufacturers’ Representative Council, a community of the Auto Care Association, has selected Tony Perry of Gantt-Thomas & Associates, Inc., to represent the Manufacturers’ Representatives at the highly-acclaimed University of the Aftermarket’s 2023-2024 Leadership 2.0 Program.

Leadership 2.0 is the premier post-graduate style leadership and business skills education program designed to promote the development of the next generation of auto care leaders. The Leadership 2.0 program will take place in summer 2023 and spring 2024.

Perry is the vice president of sales and business development at Gantt-Thomas & Associates, Inc., in Springfield, MO, where he started his career in sales as a manufacturers’ rep calling on farm and home stores, hardware distributors and buying groups in the MINK states. Since then, he has worked in sales and marketing management, sourcing and procurement for 33 years.

For more information, contact Mary Ieng, community liaison, at mary.ieng@autocare.org.

Source: Auto Care Association

Hyundai, Kia, Genesis Hit With Class-Action Suit Over Faulty Charging Ports

By Iulian Dnistran InsideEVs

Owners of all-electric vehicles sold by Hyundai, Kia and Genesis have filed a nationwide classaction lawsuit against the car manufacturers, claiming certain models feature defective charging ports that can lead to longer than advertised charging times or even a failure to charge, potentially leaving users stranded.

The suit was filed in late July with the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California and alleges the automakers advertised vehicle charging times between five to seven hours, depending on vehicle make, with the use of a Level 2 home charger.

However, the lawsuit says, in reality, vehicle charging ports frequently overheat in as little as 30 minutes, causing the charging session to unexpectedly and repeatedly fail.

As per the court filing, the affected vehicles are the Hyundai IONIQ 5 and IONIQ 6, Kia EV6 and

Genesis GV60.

“Not only do Hyundai, Kia and Genesis continue to sell vehicles that are clearly incapable of performing as advertised, they also issued a software patch which substantially worsens charging rates and widens the gap between what they promised and what they delivered,” said Steve Berman, managing partner at Hagens Berman and the attorney leading the case.

The filed complaint cites one plaintiff’s experience in which fully charging his 2023 IONIQ 5 takes 20 hours, at a 5% charge rate per hour.

An email sent to InsideEVs said in March, Hyundai issued a technical

service bulletin to address the issue, but the subsequent software update pushed to affected vehicles does little to alleviate the problem.

According to the complaint, the advertised charging amperage of 48 amps drops to 28 amps if overheating occurs, leading to much longer charging sessions than advertised.

“This so-called fix does nothing to address the real problem, which is that these vehicles were not manufactured to reliably charge at a rate even close to 48 amps. It’s unacceptable for Hyundai to put a Band-Aid on such a serious defect impeding the vehicle’s stated performance,” Berman said.

The lawsuit seeks to recover just compensation for vehicle owners and lessors, bringing claims of violation of the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, violation of the California Computer Data Access and Fraud Act, and violations of the applicable state consumer protection laws.

USDOT Proposes Updated Fuel Economy Standards

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on July 28 issued a proposal to update fuel economy standards for passenger cars and light trucks. A 60-day public comment period will begin after the proposal is published in the Federal Register. As one of the range of options on which the agency is taking public comment, the preferred alternative in NHTSA’s proposal includes a 2% per year improvement in fuel efficiency for passenger cars, and a 4% per year improvement for light trucks, beginning in model year 2027 and ramping up through model year 2032, potentially reaching an average fleet fuel economy of 58 miles per gallon by 2032.

It also includes a 10% improvement per year for commercial pickup trucks and work vans (with gross vehicle weight ratings of more than 8,500 pounds and less than 14,001 pounds) beginning in model year 2030 and ramping up through model year 2035.

If finalized as proposed, the updated standards would save Americans hundreds of dollars at the pump, all while making America more energy secure and less reliant on foreign

oil. NHTSA estimates the combined benefits of its proposal exceed costs by more than $18 billion by:

• Saving consumers more than $50 billion on fuel over the vehicles’ lifetimes.

• Reducing U.S. dependence on oil by saving more than 88 billion gallons of gasoline through 2050.

• Preventing more than 900 million tons of CO2 emissions—the equivalent of taking more than 233 million vehicles off the road from 2022 through 2050.

NHTSA will engage with a broad set of stakeholders during the public comment period, including consumers, unions, automakers, states, environmental groups and others. The proposal would also drive fuel efficiency improvements for heavy-duty pickup trucks and work vans. “Better vehicle fuel efficiency means more money in Americans’ pockets and stronger energy security for the entire nation,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. NHTSA’s proposed fuel economy standards complement and align with the Environmental Protection Agency’s recently proposed emissions standards for

similar vehicle fleets. NHTSA will coordinate with the EPA to optimize the effectiveness of its standards while minimizing compliance costs, consistent with applicable statutory factors. With the release of today’s proposal, NHTSA invites comments from all stakeholders on how this goal can be achieved. The proposed rule sets targets that are consistent with Congress’ direction to conserve fuel and promote American energy independence and American auto manufacturing, while providing flexibility to industry on how to achieve those targets. Though NHTSA does not take electric and other alternative fuels into account in setting the standards, manufacturers may use all available technologies—including advanced internal combustion engines, hybrid technologies and electric vehicles—for compliance.

The new proposal also supports the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to cutting costs for Americans and reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution in communities near freeways and other heavily trafficked roads, which are disproportionately low-income communities of color.

CALIFORNIA

Audi Burlingame Burlingame

888.737.5738

650.348.0883

650.348.0837 Fax

M-F 7:30am-4:30pm parts@rectormotors.com

Audi Rocklin Rocklin

866.948.0048

916.836.1286

916.836.1293 Fax

M-F 7:30am-6pm Sat 8am-5pm parts@audirocklin.com

Audi Long Beach Long Beach

562.610.4170

562.343.5088 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm wholesale@audilb.com parts@audilb.com www.audilb.com

Since the lowest-income households spend nearly 20% of income on transportation fuels, which is three times the average U.S. household, this proposal is consistent with the administration’s commitment to advancing environmental justice.

“CAFE standards have driven the auto industry to innovate in improving fuel economy in ways that benefit our nation and all Americans,” NHTSA Acting Administrator Ann Carlson said. “The new standards we’re proposing today would advance our energy security, reduce harmful emissions, and save families and business owners money at the pump. That’s good news for everyone.”

The proposal also models a range of additional alternatives. NHTSA requests comment on the full range of standards from the no-action alternative to the most stringent alternative modeled, including comment on combinations of standards that may not be explicitly identified in the proposal.

Read the proposal here. For more information, please see NHTSA’s Corporate Average Fuel Economy page.

Source: NHTSA

Niello Audi Sacramento

916-480-2851

916.483.1963 Fax

M-S 8am-5pm audi.parts@niello.com www.audi.niello.com

Santa Monica Audi Santa Monica

310.481.8216

310.393.6982 Fax

M-F 7:30am-5pm

wholesale@santamonicaaudi.com www.santamonicaaudi.com

WASHINGTON

Audi Seattle Seattle

206.634.8200

206.547.1581 Fax

M-F 7am-6pm parts@uvwaudi.com www.audiseattle.com

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

Order Audi Genuine Parts from these select dealers.

Audi Part Professionals are experts on collision parts, replacement components and mechanical items

LKQ Corporation, through the LKQ Community Foundation, and TechForce Foundation have entered into a strategic partnership to support students pursuing a technical education and career as a professional transportation technician.

LKQ is concerned over the seriousness of the automotive and collision technician shortage and wants to be part of the solution. Currently there are five jobs available for every student graduating tech school.

LKQ has donated $50,000 to support TechForce Foundation’s charitable programs, including a nationwide public service campaign recognizing the value and importance of skilled technicians, its FutureTechs Rock and Techs Rock awards, and TechForce, the first of its kind, gamified online community of aspiring and working technician to find tech schools, scholarships, events, apprenticeships and jobs. TechForce inspires and supports students at all stages in their career journeys.

Source: LKQ Corporation

Date and Location For 2023 MSO Symposium Announced

MSO Symposium Advisory Board members have met several times over the past few months to discuss plans for the 12th annual MSO Symposium, a unique program providing executive-level information on current trends in the collision repair industry along with micro- and macro-economic impacts

Those interested in participating in the industry’s premier executive event should mark their calendars for this year’s conference, set to take place Oct. 30 in Las Vegas, the Monday of SEMA/AAPEX week at the Mirage Convention Center.

Similar to years past, the event’s agenda, timing and content is directed by industry leaders who voluntarily participate on the program’s advisory board.

“The MSO Symposium is the perfect place to meet the best and brightest of the collision industry. Whether it’s keeping up with industry trends, taking a forward look at where the business is headed, or simply networking with colleagues, the MSO Symposium is the place to be,” said David Black, corporate collision director at Dealer

Group, Body by Cochran.

This year’s event will begin at 9 a.m. PDT with coffee, networking and a sponsor showcase. Following is an informative program that

and future outlooks in the collision repair industry.

The one-day conference sessions conclude at 5:30 p.m. and an evening networking reception will directly follow.

For those interested in registering for the 2023 event, be advised attendance is limited and you must qualify to attend. Those able to attend this closed meeting include insurers, OEMs, multi-shop operators and single-location repair facilities with revenue exceeding $3 million in annual sales.

Early bird registration will open in August and will be available for a limited time. Sign up for the MSO Symposium’s e-communications to stay up to date with the latest event announcements and participation opportunities.

highlights important business trends involving the economy, private equity and industry consolidation, in addition to informative panel discussions

Equipment and service providers to the industry are also invited to attend the event via one of the limited sponsorship opportunities. Attendance by media personnel is available, but also limited. For more information, visit our website or contact us.

Source: MSO Symposium

“The MSO Symposium is the perfect place to meet the best and brightest of the collision industry. Whether it’s keeping up with industry trends, taking a forward look at where the business is headed, or simply networking with colleagues, the MSO Symposium is the place to be,”

DAVID BLACK

CORPORATE COLLISION DIRECTOR AT DEALER GROUP,

BODY BY COCHRA

NO. CALIFORNIA

Concord Kia Concord

(888) 811-3058

(925) 685-2952 Fax

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Sat 9am - 1pm

Rosesville Kia

Roseville

(916) 783-8129

(916) 783-1005 Fax

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

parts@rosevillekia.com

www.rosevillekia.com

SO. CALIFORNIA

AllStar Kia

San Bernardino

(909) 763-4755

(909) 763-4744 Fax

M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 2pm

parts@allstarkia.net

www.allstarkia.net

Car Pros Kia Glendale

Glendale

(818) 745-1103

(818) 244-0017 Fax

M-F 7am - 6pm

duncan@carpros.com

Car Pros Kia Huntington Beach Huntington Beach

(714) 274-6178

(714) 847-4410 Fax

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jasonr@carpros.com

Citrus Kia Ontario

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(909) 390-0948

(909) 390-0982 Fax

scunningham@citrusmotors.com www.citrusmotors.com

M-Sat 7am - 6pm

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Ask for Ike, Jimbo, Chris, Juan, Sean, Jeff Se Habla Español

Kearny Mesa Kia

San Diego

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(858) 560-5033

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Kia of Alhambra

Alhambra

(626) 289-7803

(626) 289-8807 Fax

kip@kiaofalhambra.com

Kia of Carson Carson

(310) 221-9101

(310) 507-8595 Fax

M-Sat 7am - 7pm Sun 8am - 5pm

www.KiaofCarson.com

Kia of Downtown LA Los Angeles

(213) 342-0923

(213) 342-0980 Fax

M-F 7am - 7pm

www.kiaofdtla.com

Kia of Irvine Irvine

(855) 847-3592

(949) 777-2342 Fax

North County Kia

Escondido

(760) 945-9939

(866) 888-3074 Fax

parts@autogrp.com

www.northcountykia.com

M-F 7am - 6pm

In San Diego Over 10 Years

Valley Hi Kia

Victorville

(888) 264-6075

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

smeyer@valleyhi.com

www.valleyhikia.com

NEVADA

Jim Marsh Kia Las Vegas

(877) 274-3820

(702) 946-6084 Fax

M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - 2pm

johnd@jimmarshauto.com

Towbin Kia Henderson

(702) 868-1234

(702) 567-0037 Fax

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

jmoore@towbinkia.com www.tkwholesale.com

WASHINGTON

Car Pros Kia Renton Renton

(425) 204-6635

(425) 793-3889 Fax

M-F 7am - 6pm Sat 8am - 5pm

jgaeir@carpros.com

Lee Johnson Kia Kirkland

(425) 823-0188

(425) 284-1790 Fax

M-F 7am - 5:30pm Sat 7am - 5pm

tthompson@leejohnson.com

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

Automakers on Aug. 1 began reporting new-vehicle sales results for July.

Subaru

Subaru of America, Inc. (SOA) reported 12 consecutive months of increased sales with 50,389 vehicles sold for July 2023, a 21% increase compared with July 2022 (41,536). SOA also reported yearto-date sales of 354,481, a 16% increase compared with the same period in 2022.

In July, Forester was the top performer by volume with 14,504 vehicle sales and an increase of 87% over the same month in 2022. Outback sales posted a 44% increase in July, while BRZ increased by 36% compared to July 2022. Legacy and Impreza sales increased by 35% and 26%, respectively, compared to July 2022. Year to date, WRX posted a 98% increase, while the BRZ carline posted an increase of 49% compared to the same period in 2022.

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor America reported

total July sales of 66,527 units, a 10% increase compared with July 2022. Hyundai set best-ever total sales in July for Santa Cruz (+4%), Tucson (+27%), Tucson PHEV (+44%), Tucson HEV (+1%), Santa Fe HEV (+205%) and IONIQ 5 (+109%). All-time sales records were set for IONIQ 5 and Tucson

volume and an increase of 49% year-over-year. SUVs represented 74% of the retail mix.

Kia

Building on the momentum created by best-ever first half sales, Kia America set an all-time July record of 70,930 units, up 14% over the same period last year and breaking the previous record set in July 2021. Kia’s retail sales in July totaled 66,485, an increase of 13% yearover-year.

Mazda

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) reported total July sales of 30,629 vehicles, an increase of 30.9% compared to July 2022. Year-to-date sales totaled 214,412 vehicles, an increase of 29% compared to the same time last year. With 25 selling days in July, compared to 26 the year prior, the company posted an increase of 36.2% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

PHEV. Hyundai fleet sales were 7% of the total volume for the month.

Hyundai achieved its best July retail sales ever with 61,745 retail units, a 2% increase compared to July 2022. Hyundai set best-ever retail sales in July for Santa Cruz, Tucson, Tucson PHEV, Santa Fe HEV and IONIQ 5. Hyundai Green sales represented 20% of retail

As Kia completed its 12th consecutive month of year-overyear sales growth, six models posted year-over-year sales increases including: Niro (+384%); Carnival (+136%); Seltos (+39%); Rio (+18%); Telluride (+17%) and EV6 (+13%). In addition, five Kia models achieved best-ever July sales, including: Carnival (+40%); Seltos (+17%) and the Niro, Telluride and EV6 models (+13% each). Lastly, year-over-year sales of Kia’s electrified models increased by 72%, with sales of Kia’s utility vehicles up 17%. Overall, Kia’s utility models accounted for 72% of the brand’s July sales total.

CPO sales totaled 5,563 vehicles in July, an increase of 48% compared to July 2022.

Source: Subaru, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

No. California

American Chevrolet MODESTO

209-491-7810

209-575-2564 Fax

M-F 7:30 am - 5:30 pm Sat 9 am - 2 pm gmparts@americanchevrolet.com www.americanchevrolet.com

Blackstone Chevrolet Wholesale Parts FRESNO

559-438-5875

559-438-4345 Fax

M-F 7:30am – 5:30pm Sat 8am – 4:30pm bharman@blackstonegm.com

Chase Chevrolet STOCKTON

209-475-6620

209-475-6708 Fax

M-F 7am - 5pm Sat 7:30am-4:30pm cesar@chasechevrolet.com

Dublin Chevrolet Cadillac Buick GMC DUBLIN

925-828-8251

925-829-2941 Fax

M-F 7am - 6pm dublinchevyparts@cacargroup.com www.dublinchevrolet.com

No. California

FH Dailey GM Parts Center SAN LEANDRO

800-4A-GMPART

510-351-0534

M-F 8 am - 5 pm Sat 8 am - 4 pm parts@fhdailey.com www.fhdailey.com

Michael Stead Cadillac WALNUT CREEK

925-934-5022

925-934-0336 Fax

M-F 8 am - 5 pm Sat 8 am - 3 pm steadparts@gmail.com

Courtesy Chevrolet SAN DIEGO

800-336-1404

619-297-4023 Fax

M-F 7am - 6pm Sat 8am - 5pm www.courtesysandiego.com

Paradise Chevrolet VENTURA

888-5-CHEVY-5

(888-524-3895)

805-642-0134

805-644-7214 Fax

M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 8am - 3pm

So. California

Rydell Automotive Group SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

818-832-1660

818-832-1692 Fax

M-F 6am - 7pm Sat 8am - 5pm nrparts@rydells.com

Thorson Motor Center PASADENA

626-793-0454

626-795-6872 Fax

M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 8:30am - 2pm parts@thorsonmotorcenter.com

Denny Menholt Chevrolet BILLINGS 406-896-3111

406-896-3924 Fax

M-F 7 am - 6 pm tsoltis@dennymenholt.com

Nevada

Corwin Buick GMC RENO 775-333-8777

775-322-1837 Fax

M-F 8am - 5:30pm ahardie@corwinauto.com www.corwinbuickgmc.com

Michael Hohl Motor Company CARSON CITY 775-884-8619

775-884-8645 Fax

M-F 7 am - 6 pm Sat 8 am - 5 pm gmparts@michaelhohl.com

Camp Chevrolet SPOKANE 509-456-7860 509-458-3792 Fax

M-F 7:30am - 5pm zacharydeason@lithia.com www.campchevrolet.com

CAPA Certifies Hushan Sensors

The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announced the first CAPA Certified ultrasonic sensors are now available, manufactured by CAPA participant Hushan Autoparts Inc.

These ultrasonic sensors, certified to the CAPA 703 standard, join Hushan’s line of CAPA Certified rearview cameras (CAPA 702), and are now available to be requested from automotive part suppliers.

According to a New York Times report, “Why Car Repairs Have Become So Expensive,” the cost of the average car repair is 36% higher now than it was in 2018, buoyed by ongoing part shortages and the increased use of expensive components such as rearview cameras and ultrasonic sensors. CAPA believes the availability of affordable, high-quality aftermarket alternatives for these parts is key to battling longer wait times, higher insurance premiums and increased cost to drivers.

Source: CAPA

Auto Insurance Shopping Bolstered by Increased Vehicle Sales,

Search For Lower Rates

Auto insurance shopping rates were up 12% in Q2 2023, compared to the same time in 2022. While vehicle sales played a role in this increase, the search for lower insurance premiums was the primary driver, as the Consumer Price Index for motor vehicle insurance rose 17% in June 2023 compared to June 2022.

The findings are part of TransUnion’s latest quarterly Insurance Personal Lines Trends and Perspectives Report, which includes trends in the auto and property insurance industries, as well as survey data about consumers’ behaviors and attitudes.

Despite historically high vehicle pricing and increased auto insurance premiums, J.D. Power’s U.S. automotive forecast for June 2023 estimated a 23% boost in new vehicle sales year-over-year. Meanwhile used car sales dipped slightly as a result of improved new vehicle inventory.

“There was a drop in shopping activity among riskier consumers in Q2 2022, partly due to insurer’s

reduced marketing spend; however, we saw a rebound in activity from that segment in Q2 2023,” said Stothard Deal, vice president of strategic planning for TransUnion’s insurance business. “Lower risk consumers have been consistently shopping at higher rates for the past 12 months.”

Property Insurance Shopping Slows but Remains Elevated

The report found homeowners are also shopping for lower rates, with property insurance shopping among that group rising 13% in Q2 2023 compared to the same time last year. However, the shopping rate was down 7%, compared to Q1 2023, most likely due to increasing interest rates and stubbornly high home prices.

This situation presents potential challenges and opportunities for insurers with younger Gen Z and Millennial customers. As these groups are kept priced out of homeownership, some may opt to live in regions more prone to natural disasters, which has significant implications for

insurance losses.

Others may simply choose to continue renting, which opens an opportunity for insurers to modernize their renter’s insurance offerings. In addition, this group will likely need a different approach for marketing efforts.

“It’s time for insurers to start thinking about how to most effectively engage with their upcoming Gen Z customers,” said Deal. “We know they are more likely to learn about new products and services from social media and appreciate receiving personalized offers.”

Source: TransUnion

DOWNEY NISSAN

Downey

562-334-1188

(562) 334-1195 Fax

M-F 7-5

wholesaleparts@downeynissan com

MOSSY NISSAN

ESCONDIDO

Escondido

888-292-0402

(760) 746-4300

(760) 739-5794 Fax

M-F 7:30-5

mikebe@mossy�com

RonH2@mossy com

NISSAN OF BAKERSFIELD

Bakersfield

888-402-6915

(661) 835-0389 Fax

M-F 7-6, Sat. 8-5

www nissanofbakersfield com

NISSAN OF VAN NUYS

Van Nuys

818-374-4421

(818) 787-8400

(818) 908-9520 Fax

M-F 7-6:30, Sat. 7-6

wholesaleparts@vannuysnissan com

www nissanofvannuysparts com

TEMECULA NISSAN

Temecula

951-972-8430

(951) 972-8396 Fax

M-F 7-6, Sat. 7-6, Sun. 8-5

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INFINITI

INFINITI OF VAN NUYS

Van Nuys

818-374-4493

(818) 787-8400

(818) 809-2727 Fax

M-Sat. 8-5

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www infinitiofvannuys com

FUTURE NISSAN

Roseville

916-677-5251

(916) 786-0743 Fax

M-Sat. 7:30-6

wholesale@futurenissan com

Parts FutureNissan com

MOSSY INFINITI OF ESCONDIDO

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888-292-0402

(760) 746-4300

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Genuine NISSAN & INFINITI OEM Wholesale Parts are Superbly Crafted to Strict Quality Standards. THE FOLLOWING DEALERS PROUDLY STOCK GENUINE PARTS FOR YOUR NISSAN OR INFINITI REPAIRS. THE FOLLOWING DEALERS PROUDLY STOCK GENUINE PARTS FOR YOUR NISSAN OR INFINITI REPAIRS.

S. CALIFORNIA

N. CALIFORNIA

NISSAN

S. CALIFORNIA

Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center Announces New Projects

Toyota’s Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) on July 27 announced plans to launch three new projects as part of its next phase of research, dedicated to advancing safety in mobility technologies.

The research projects include an investigation on driver support features for vehicle lane centering, the creation of an in-vehicle intervention prototype to promote safe driving and the use of data to help improve technology to aid driver decision making to encourage safer driving behavior.

Additionally, Toyota announced it has joined the Vulnerable Road User Injury Prevention Alliance (VIPA) at the University of Michigan International Center for Automotive Medicine (ICAM) to support ongoing research into crashes with shared road-users such as pedestrians, cyclists and e-scooter riders. VIPA seeks to enhance industry-

measures.

Along with the 13 projects announced in 2022, the three new projects are part of the current fiveyear $30 million commitment to explore diverse safety needs and analyze inclusive mobility options that cater to various applications, physical characteristics and accessibility levels for individuals and society.

“Our new research projects exemplify CSRC’s dedication to our mission of improving safety in the automotive industry,” said Danil Prokhorov, director of Toyota’s CSRC. “By collaborating with researchers to study realworld problems related to mobility technologies, we aim to develop enhanced engineering tools and empower drivers to maximize the potential of advanced technologies.”

For the new projects, CSRC is leveraging the expertise of

the impact of these collaborations to help advance a future safe mobility society.

Toyota created the Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC) in 2011 to advance mobility safety for industry and society through open collaborations with universities, hospitals and other institutions. With current commitments, to date CSRC has received $115 million for foundational and applied safety research, including development of tools and testing procedures related to advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and research into human factors on vehicle safety, among others.

The current phase of research 2022–2025 at CSRC is focused three key tracks:

Human-Centric: CSRC strives to help ensure that safe mobility technologies are universally accessible and comprehensible, enabling everyone to benefit from them.

Safety Assurance: By investigating traffic environment, human drivers and potential safety hazards, CSRC aims to enhance safe operations and mitigate

risks associated with mobility technologies.

Assessment: CSRC focuses on quantifying mobility safety measures to facilitate informed decision-making and drive effective safety strategies.

These new initiatives join CSRC’s roster of 98 research projects with more than 30 different institutions. To date, CSRC has published more than 275 research papers and engaged more than 300 researchers, who have publicly shared the output globally. The projects have made meaningful contributions to help advance research and technology relating to the safe integration of future mobility solutions for all.

Source: Toyota Motor North America

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Registration Open For 2023 MSO Symposium

Advisory board members and administrators of the MSO Symposium announced registration for the 12th annual meeting is now open.

The symposium, designed for collision repair facility owners, executives and industry leaders, will take place Oct. 30 at the Mirage Convention Center in Las Vegas, prior to the start of SEMA/ AAPEX.

The one-day conference will begin at 9 a.m. PDT with a light breakfast and networking. The unique program will provide information and insight on the economy, financial and investment opportunities, and new vehicle and new technology repair adaptations. The conference will conclude at 7 p.m., after a networking reception.

Those interested in attending should register their teams as soon as possible as seating is limited. Early registration discounts are available through the end of the month.

“The MSO Symposium is truly unique,” said Shawn Hezar, chief

Centers and MSO Symposium advisory board member. “The event’s natural evolution includes conversations that are impacting small to mid-size MSOs and independent repair facilities, not just the large MSOs. This segment of the collision repair space continues to expand and so does the reach of these important topics.”

This year, conversations on shop specialization, labor acquisition and retention, and anticipated shifts in the economy will be in focus. Accompanying discussions will include insurance relations, the industry’s growth trends and expectations, as well as what repair facility owners can expect to prepare their business for next.

“If you are looking at the next steps in expansion or how to position your business for growth in a rapidly changing environment, this is a must attend event for you and your team’s leadership,” Hezar said.

Please be advised this is a closed meeting and attendance

Symposium are in place. To qualify, you must be an executive or owner of a multi-shop operation, single location repair facilities with revenue exceeding $3 million in annual sales, or a representative from an insurance company or OEM.

To access early registration rates, go to the MSO Symposium’s website or follow www. msosymposium.com/register. Attendance by media personnel and equipment or service providers is available, but also limited.

For questions regarding registration, contact Jennie Lepore or Brian Nessen, or visit msosymposium.com.

Source: MSO Symposium

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CIECA Announces New Corporate Members

CIECA welcomes SafEST and Revv as new corporate members.

Revv was founded in 2022 by CEO Adi Bathla and CTO Rashmi Sinha with a vision to revolutionize the collision industry. Based in New York City, the co-founders and their team use advanced artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning technologies to build innovative solutions. Bathla and Sinha learned about CIECA through collision industry media.

Established in 2023, SafeEST integrates with the CCC Secure Share Network to help identify required services and link collision repairers with sublet providers offering post-repair services and safety system calibrations. President Mike Reynolds and his team learned about CIECA while researching ways to integrate with information providers and joined shortly after.

Source: CIECA

Subaru of San Bernardino

San Bernardino

(909) 888-8686

(909) 571-5483 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-7; Sat 7:30-5 parts@subarusb.com www.sbsubaru.com

Elk Grove Subaru Elk Grove

(877) 475-0659

(916) 509-8559 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 8-6 shawnh@elkgrovesubaru.com www.elkgrovesubaru.com

Santa Cruz Subaru

Santa Cruz

(888) 844-7131

(831) 420-1402

(831) 420-1923 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6; Sat. 8-5

parts@santacruzsubaru.com www.santacruzsubaru.com

Eastside Subaru

Kirkland

(425) 820-1676

Mon.-Fri. 7-4 ldarwin@eastsidesubaru.com

Kendall Subaru of Marysville

Marysville

Parts Hotline (866) 662-2819 (360) 716-2553 24 Hr Fax Mon.-Fri. 7-6; Sat. 8-4:30 wholesaleparts@kendallauto.com

scotteney@kendallauto.com

www.kendallsubarumarysville.com

SO. CALIFORNIA WASHINGTON

NO. CALIFORNIA

U.S. House Committee Holds Hearing on Federal Right To Repair Bills

The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property and the Internet on July 18 held a hearing on proposed bills in Congress regarding right to repair issues: the Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act, Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair (REPAIR) Act and Fair Repair Act.

Led by U.S. Rep. Darrel Issa, R-CA, chairman of the subcommittee and lead co-sponsor of the SMART Act, which would expand consumer access to reliable auto parts for vehicle repair, members heard from witnesses about the economic impact of expanded repair options.

“Design patents, historically, basically prevent your competitor from making a deceptively similar product,” Issa said. “So much of the discussion today is…on protection that is granted by design patents. Much of what we are looking at doing is to modify, enhance or define design patents in a way in which they do not exclude six or seven or eight years later that faded headlight that can no longer be polished to be usable from costing you $1,500 to $2,500 each in order to replace something that used to be available at the auto parts store for about six bucks.”

Among those testifying at the hearing was Aaron Perzanowski, law professor at the University of Michigan and author of a white paper on the importance of right to repair through the REPAIR Act, which would provide consumers with access to their vehicle data.

In his testimony, Perzanowski said, “Repair is as old as humanity. Repair has always kept pace. But today, manufacturers are employing a range of strategies that restrict repair from their hardware and software design choices to clamp down on secondary markets.”

U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, R-FL, cosponsor of the SMART Act, asked Perzanowski what effect he sees passage might have on insurance rates for consumers.

“If we see passage of the SMART Act, we can anticipate significant reductions in the expenses associated with auto collision repairs,” Perzanowski said. “Estimates are that design patents on collision parts are responsible for about $1.5 billion in additional expenditures. We see price premiums on OEM parts, over third [party] parts, often reaching into the 40% range…Do consumers know when they buy that vehicle that the repairs are going to be that

expensive? I think in most cases, they don’t. And so I think the SMART Act is a very targeted solution to this problem.”

Lee asked if Perzanowski thought passage of the SMART Act will make it easier for independent repairers to enter the market.

“In an environment where consumers are facing lower costs for repairs and fewer vehicles are being totaled…One of the byproducts here of the high prices of these replacement parts is more and more vehicles are being totaled,” Perzanowski said. “So, we would see more opportunity for competition in those market places. And generally…rely on this principle that the more competition we see, the lower prices are going to be, and the higher quality is going to be, and so I think that’s beneficial.”

Also testifying was Paul Roberts, founder of SecuRepairs. org and founder and editor in chief of the Security Ledger. In his testimony he stated, “Federal right to repair legislation like the REPAIR Act and the Fair Repair Act will greatly improve the quality of life for consumers, families and communities while promoting small business and reducing e waste

throughout the country.”

Automotive Service Association (ASA) Board of Directors Chairman Scott Benavidez, AMAM, also testified, explaining how the agreement ASA reached with the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI) ensures independent repair facilities will continue to enjoy access to the information needed to diagnose and repair issues with their customers’ vehicles.

“ASA has been a steadfast advocate for right-to-repair principles—the right of car owners and independent repair shops to access vehicle service information needed to diagnose and repair vehicles—for decades,” Benavidez said. “We take this unequivocal stance because our members are on the front lines of the vehicle data access issue and have been very clear: we want to have access to the data necessary to repair our customers’ vehicles… That’s why, last week, ASA proudly announced it had reached a landmark agreement with automakers that ensures independent repair shops can diagnose and repair their customers’ vehicles without hindrance from telematics nor any other innovation.”

Benavidez also shared ASA’s

concerns that the SMART Act— which would allow aftermarket manufacturers to produce and sell parts of similar appearance 30 months after the OEM part enters the market and do so without violating patent law—lacks quality and safety standards for aftermarket replacement parts.

“We can and should have a competitive marketplace that doesn’t compromise quality or safety,” Benavidez said. “[Some insurers] [d]eciding to only cover the cheapest option without understanding implications for quality leaves collision shops and their customers in a tough position… [M]ore imported and other crash parts in the marketplace with limited quality standards gives insurance companies even more power to mandate that cheaper parts that may or may not meet quality expectations be installed, while leaving car owners and repairers to suffer the consequences.”

ASA said it appreciates Issa for providing ASA the opportunity to share the perspective of independent automotive repair shops before the subcommittee and for the thoughtful comments from the subcommittee members.

The CAR Coalition, a group of independent automotive parts,

management and repair companies, associations and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, praised the subcommittee for holding the hearing.

“Today’s hearing makes clear there is broad bipartisan support for consumers’ right to repair their vehicles,” said CAR Coalition Executive Director Justin Rzepka.

“As Chairman Issa said, the right to repair empowers consumers and drives economic growth and prosperity. Repair restrictions imposed by auto manufacturers are designed to protect corporations, not consumers. The CAR Coalition stands proudly on the side of consumers in this fight.”

According to a recent YouGov Survey of 1,000 vehicle owners conducted June 29–July 5, a sizable majority of Americans support a federal vehicle right to repair law that would prevent automakers from restricting vehicle owners’ repair options. The results showed Americans believe they should be able to decide where and who repairs their vehicle and have access to their vehicle’s data, and a strong preference for independent repair shops over dealerships.

Source: CAR Coalition, Auto Service Association

EPA Targeting Companies For Bypassing Vehicle

By Shirleen Guerra The Center Square

In the last two years, the Environmental Protection Agency has fined companies millions of dollars across the U.S. for installing illegal mechanisms that bypass vehicle emission controls known as “defeat devices.”

One manufacturer, Sinister Diesel, agreed on Aug. 1 to pay the $1 million after pleading guilty to conspiracy and the manufacturing and selling of illegal defeat devices over the last 10 years.

“More than 500,000 diesel pickup trucks in the United States—approximately 15% of U.S. diesel trucks that were originally certified with emissions controls—have been illegally deleted,” according to the EPA. They estimate that tampering with one heavy duty motor vehicle is equivalent to putting about 280 new vehicles

on the road.

In July, an Oregon company, Pure Addiction Diesel Performance LLC, was penalized more than $148,000 for violating the Clean Air Act. In the same month, a company in Alaska, Doyon Associated LLC, was fined $117,000 for the same violations.

“The manufacture, sale and installation of defeat devices is against the law,” Ed Kowalski, EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance assurance director, said in a news release.

PARTS iD Inc. and PARTSiD LLC, based in New Jersey, paid a penalty of nearly $500,000 in October 2022 for selling devices across the country.

Some of the biggest fines were levied in 2022 in Michigan, where two companies— DieselOps LLC and Orion Diesel LLC—were fined $10 million for selling the same “diesel defeat” aftermarket devices.

ASE Instructor Training Conference a Huge Success

The 2023 ASE Instructor Training Conference, held in July in Concord, NC, welcomed hundreds of high school and college instructors from auto, truck and collision repair programs nationwide, where they had the opportunity to participate in a wide array of sessions conducted by the transportation industry’s leading trainers and instructors.

“This year’s instructor training conference was a huge success, from the instructional sessions to the networking opportunities to the informational resources that instructors can integrate into their automotive programs,” said Mike Coley, president of the ASE Education Foundation. “The attendees heard from experienced OE and aftermarket trainers, enjoyed a keynote speech by Eric Chester and learned about ‘Revving up Diversity in the Classroom’ from Bogi Lateiner.”

Hosted by the ASE Education Foundation, the four-day annual conference is the largest of its

kind. In addition to training and motivational sessions, attendees had time to network with their peers from across the country and share best practices.

Also on the agenda was Chester’s keynote speech, “Building Rockets That Fly: Ensuring the Success of our Graduates,” focused on ways to help graduates of automotive educational programs to succeed in their careers. In addition, Lateiner shared ways to enhance diversity in automotive programs with a standing-roomonly audience.

“Being together under one roof gave the attendees the opportunity to learn, interact and focus on the future,” said Coley. “We want to thank the subject matter experts who shared their knowledge and expertise with the instructors and the conference sponsors who helped make this exceptional educational event possible.”

Source: ASE Education Foundation

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New Report Shows

Have Highest Theft

According to analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), the insurance industry’s association dedicated to predicting, preventing and prosecuting insurance crime, vehicles with the highest theft rate last year were full-size pickups. These vehicles made up more than 25% of the thefts reported in 2022, a decrease from a high of 33% in 2021.

While vehicle theft rates have been soaring since the start of the pandemic, recovery rates have also risen. More than 85% of passenger vehicles reported stolen in 2022 were subsequently recovered by law enforcement or other means, with 34% recovered within a day of the vehicle being reported stolen.

“Approximately one motor vehicle is stolen every 32 seconds, which adds up to more than 1 million vehicles stolen last year,” said David J. Glawe, president and CEO of the NICB. “Vehicle theft disrupts lives, causes financial hardship, and undermines community safety. Addressing this problem is not just the responsibility of law enforcement agencies; it requires a partnership between vehicle

owners, community members, as well as federal, state and local governments.”

Vehicle theft rates for sedans, including Honda, Hyundai and Kia, followed those of full-size pickups, with recovery rates for Hyundais and Kias between 87% and 95%. Social media trends were a likely factor in their high theft rankings in 2022.

“There are some commonsense steps to keep cars from being stolen. First, remove valuables from the vehicle or lock them out of sight. Next, lock the doors, roll the windows all the way up, and don’t leave your keys or key fob in the car,” Glawe said.

Top 10 Most Stolen Vehicles by 2022 Total Thefts

1. Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size), 49,903

2. Ford Pickup (Full Size), 48,175

3. Honda Civic, 27,113

4. Honda Accord, 27,089

5. Hyundai Sonata, 21,707

6. Hyundai Elantra, 19,602

7. Kia Optima, 18,221

8. Toyota Camry, 17,094

9. GMC Pickup (Full Size), 16,622

10.Honda CR-V, 13,832

Source: NICB

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Gas Prices Are Stuck in Neutral, But For How Long?

By Andrew Gross AAA

The national average for a gallon of gas has been hovering around $3.82 for the past 10 days as of Aug. 10, a noteworthy length for price stability. This lack of price movement came despite an uptick in gas demand and rising oil prices approaching the mid$80s per barrel.

“We appear to be at a fork in the road when it comes to which direction gas prices will take—up or down,” said Andrew Gross, AAA spokesperson. “The summer heat that kept people home and suppressed refinery production has eased for now, so we have to look at the cost of oil to determine if the recent price climb is ending. More expensive oil will likely lead to higher prices, so stay tuned.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas demand jumped from 8.84 to 9.30 million b/d over the preceding week.

Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks decreased from 219.1 to 216.4 million bbl. Higher demand, amid tighter supply, has helped to keep pump prices elevated. If gas demand remains high, alongside increasing oil prices, drivers should brace for increases in pump prices.

The Aug. 10 national average of $3.82 is 28 cents more than a month ago but 19 cents less than a year ago.

Since Aug. 3, these 10 states have seen the largest changes in their averages: Ohio (+13 cents), Arizona (+11 cents), Alaska (+7 cents), Florida (+7 cents), Wyoming (+6 cents), Idaho (+6 cents), California (+6 cents), Hawaii (+5 cents), Tennessee (+5 cents) and Kansas (+4 cents).

The nation’s top 10 most expensive markets: California ($5.09), Washington ($5.01), Hawaii ($4.77), Oregon ($4.67), Alaska ($4.46), Nevada ($4.34), Utah ($4.09), Illinois ($4.05), Idaho ($4.05) and Arizona ($3.99).

Source: AAA

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