2021 SEMA Largest Show Since Pandemic Began

Automotive celebrities, vehicle debuts from major OEMs and the latest developments in equipment and tooling were all part of the live Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show this year in Las Vegas, NV.

The four-day event took place Nov. 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. Organizers said the show was “…the largest North American automotive trade show since the pandemic shut everything down in 2020.” It included approximately 1,000 vehicles and more than 100,000 attendees, exhibitors and media.

“The industry was clearly excited to be back in-person at the SEMA Show, both to capture business opportunities and to network and celebrate the world’s greatest collection of innovation on wheels,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO. “Our industry was waiting to reconnect, and the SEMA Show was a welcome homecoming after nearly two years apart.”

SEMA, a trade-only industry event, was founded in 1963 and represents the $47.8 billion specialty automotive industry. Organizers said SEMA was 100% committed to delivering a great show in 2021 with COVID-19 protocols in place, including face masks required indoors.

This year, exhibits were set up in four halls, including the newly constructed 1.4 million-square foot West Hall. The Collision Repair & Refinish exhibits, typically located in North Hall, were relocated to the South Upper Hall. This section showcased collision repair products, paint booths and equipment, tools, accessories and software and management programs.

A new way to travel through the show this year was using the Vegas Loop at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The tunnel system, built by Elon Musk’s The Boring Project in Las Vegas, offered showgoers free transportation underground in a Tesla to the West, North, Central and South halls. It currently consists of two approximately 0.8-mile-long tunnels and is expected to eventually connect Las Vegas casinos along the strip to McCarran International Airport, Allegiant Stadium, downtown Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

During the week, SEMA attendees had the opportunity to view an estimated 1,000 modified project vehicles—customs, exotics, hot rods, lowriders, muscle cars and more— throughout the 4.6 million square feet of convention space and 2.2 million square feet of outdoor space.

These included the top trending cars of the year, which were announced on November 1. Here are the winners: • Car of the Year: Ford Mustang

• Sport Compact of the Year:

Toyota Supra • 4x4/SUV of the Year: Ford

Bronco

• Full-size Truck of the Year:

Ford F-Series

• Mid-Size Truck of the Year:

Toyota Tacoma

One of the new additions to the show this year was SEMA Member Central, where attendees could learn about the association and its membership.

Several industry events also took place during the week, including the MSO Symposium on Nov. 1 at the Mandalay Hotel, and the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) on Nov. 2 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino.

Prior to the official opening of the SEMA Show, at 9 a.m. Nov. 2, Jay Leno helped kick off the event as the featured guest of the New Products Breakfast, where the best new product award winners were announced. Awards are presented in 16 categories, including Collision Repair & Refinish, and were showcased in the New Products Showcase throughout the week.

More than 70 free and 30 paid educational seminars took place Monday through Friday.

The Society of Collision Repair (SCRS) held its Repairer Driven Education Series, which featured industry experts. The courses are designed to deliver relevant content covering industry trends and best business practices. Highlights included the OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit on Nov. 4 and the IDEAS Collide Showcase presentations on Nov. 5.

Presentations were held this year by SCRS and I-CAR throughout the week at the SEMA Collision Repair and Refinish Stage in the South Upper Hall. Topics included an I-CAR Technical Update; information about accessing Ford repair information; safety inspections, following Honda/Acura OEM procedures to replace laser-brazed roofs; and a panel on admin time and research. All of the sessions were recorded and available online at www.i-car.com/RTS.

Celebrity appearances also took place. Ant Anstead, host of “Celebrity IOU: Joyride,” showcased some of his favorite vehicle builds. These consist of a custom 1962 Buick converted into an electric car in collaboration with American actor James Marsden and a Radford Lotus Type 62/2 Gold Leaf car built in collaboration with Jenson Button, 2009 Formula One world champion and Super GT Series champion.

Other vehicles were on display, such as the new 2023 Nissan Z and a 1953 Corvette-inspired carbon fiber concept car by Dave Kindig from the MotorTrend show “Bitchin Rides.”

Car enthusiasts had the opportunity to see a collection of more than 20 vehicles built by Chip Foose in a special section of the SEMA Show in the North Hall.

Some of the vehicles in the Chip Foose Experience Exhibit included a ’56 Ford F-100 “FD-100” built for Foose’s “Overhaulin’” television series and the “0032,” which won the Grand National Roadster Show’s “America’s Most Beautiful Roadster” award in 2000. There were also several Ridler Award-winning builds, such as “Impression,” “Imposter,” “Grandmaster” and “Stallion,” as well as Foose automotive design sketches on display.

Another new feature in the North Hall this year was the SEMA Electrified section. The exhibit was intended to demonstrate the latest innovations and solutions for electric vehicle (EV) platforms.

There were about a dozen EV projects and products on display. Some of the cars included a Solo by ElectraMeccanica; an electrified Trophy Truck built by new company Hypercraft to race in the SCORE Baja 1000 unlimited class, a 1966 Ford Bronco Roadster and Team Vesco 444 reVolt Systems’ “Little Giant” streamliner, which broke the national Electric E3 record twice at the Bonneville Salt Flats this past October.

The SEMA Show Industry Awards Banquet, attended by approximately 2,500 automotive icons, professionals, supporters and celebrities, was an annual celebration of the specialty-equipment industry. During the event, awards were given out in the following categories: • 2021 SEMA Person of the Year:

Sara Morosan, LGE-CTS Motorsports • 2021 SEMA Manufacturer of the Year: ORACLE Lighting

Inc.; runners up: KW Automotive and CSF Racing & High-Performance • 2021 SEMA WD of the Year:

Turn 14 Distribution; runners up:

Meyer Distributing and Keystone

Automotive • 2021 SEMA Gen-III Innovator of the Year: Matt Kossoff, Driven Lighting Group; runners up:

Justin Hartenstein and Keith

Ferry

In addition, tributes were made to the 2021 Hall of Inductees: Jessi Combs, Rick Love, Bob Moore and Carl Schiefer.

When the SEMA Show closed at 4 p.m. Nov. 5, vehicles from the event paraded toward the West Hall parking lot and the SEMA Ignited after-party as part of the SEMA Cruise.

For more information about the 2022 SEMA Show, visit https:// www.semashow.com/.

Pro Spot International, a leading manufacturer of welding products for the collision repair industry, is proud to announce the approval of its SP-5.3 MIG welder, VAS 821 007, by the Volkswagen Group based in Wolfsburg, Germany, for the North American market. The Pro Spot SP 5.3 is a multi-process double pulse MIG welder that has been widely accepted since its introduction three years ago. The welder was tested with different wire types and approved for all three materials: aluminum, steel and MIG brazing (CUSI). The SP-3 is very easy and quick to use, and is unique in that it has three built-in torches always attached to a wire spool. This means no need for changing liners and wires when switching materials—just click the desired torch trigger and the welder sets the weld controller and gas automatically.

For more information, contact Pro Spot International at 1-877-776-7768 or info@prospot. com, or visit www.prospot.com.

Source: Pro Spot Mercury Insurance is reporting a dramatic increase in vehicle vandalism and auto theft in California with comprehensive auto insurance claims up 40% since pre-pandemic levels.

While the increase in theft and vandalism began when the COVID-19 pandemic started, theft of audio and other car parts, including catalytic converters, continue to rise as pandemic restrictions are relaxed.

“Thieves have been waiting for this moment,” said Randy Petro, vice president and chief claims officer at Mercury Insurance. “Staying vigilant and keeping in mind good practices when you leave your vehicle can help reduce the likelihood of your car being stolen or damaged. Comprehensive coverage provides that extra peace of mind knowing you will be covered from theft or vandalism.”

This year, Northern California has reported nearly twice the comprehensive auto claim frequency than Southern California, with smaller population density areas reporting a higher theft rate than areas with larger populations.

The top five vehicles for Mercury comprehensive claims in California are the Toyota Prius, Honda Accord, Honda Civic, Toyota Tacoma and Toyota Camry.

“Thieves love the Toyota Prius,” said Petro. “The frequency of claims for this vehicle compared to the other vehicles on the list is nearly double. If you own a Prius, be extra careful of where you park and what you keep in it.”

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, California leads the nation in car thefts. Motor vehicle theft reports have increased nearly 24% since 2019.

The top five vehicles for Mercury total thefts in California are the Chevy Silverado 1500, Hyundai Sonata, Honda Accord, Kia Optima and Honda Civic.

Car thieves can strike anywhere at any time. According to Mercury claim data, nearly 22% of comprehensive claim losses occur at night.

Mercury offers the following tips to help keep owners from falling victim to a potential prowler: • Never leave keys in the ignition or the car running while unattended, not even when parked in front of your house or on your property. • Whenever possible park in well-lit, high traffic areas. • Roll up all windows, lock your vehicle and set your car alarm every time you park. • Never leave purses, wallets, cell phones, keys or packages in plain view. It doesn’t matter if the windows are rolled up and the alarm is on, a smash and grab can occur within seconds. • Never leave personal identification, such as a driver’s license or your vehicle title, in your car. • Purchase comprehensive insurance coverage to protect your vehicle in the event it is damaged due to something other than a car collision—such as theft, vandalism, fire and floods.

Victims of auto theft or vandalism should contact their local police department immediately to file a report. Contact your insurance company and file a claim within 24 hours of your vehicle being vandalized or stolen.

Source: Mercury Insurance

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When a customer visits Fix Auto San Jose, Fix Auto Gilroy or Fix Auto Sunnyvale in northern California, they experience a focused customer service, a disciplined approach to their repair quality and a commitment to delivering on their promised repair date.

Little do they know that approach is founded upon generations of military and police service.

Steve Springer, owner of these Fix Auto USA locations and the 2018 Fix Auto Franchise of the Year, grew up on military bases around the country as his U.S. Marine Corps father served his duty.

He followed in his father’s footsteps, joining the U.S. Marine Corps in 1983 to become a helicopter pilot. Springer flew his AH-1W SuperCobra while stationed in Japan in 1988 and 1989, and in combat during Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990 and 1991.

“I was raised in the military, and am proud to have continued my father’s legacy of service,” Springer said. “His father was a policeman, so it’s part of our heritage. There is a DNA instilled with military service that I appreciated—and still do. And, I wanted to fly so it was a great opportunity to become a helicopter pilot.”

When Springer became a Fix Auto USA owner, he found that legacy discipline and intrinsic DNA be-

came the backbones of his business. Now the owner of a veteran-certified business through the National Veteran Business Development Council, he brings his “Semper Fi” attitude to work every day.

“In the military, there’s no whining. No excuses. No being late. It’s all about being responsible to yourself and supporting your team to accomplish the mission,” he said. “That’s the way we operate in our Fix Auto USA locations. We work hard, and all understand what is expected of us. We also believe in delivering on our promises—whether it’s our word or in writing.”

Springer’s mission aligns with Fix Auto USA, delivering a worldclass collision repair experience across the U.S., and providing an unparalleled standard of excellence on behalf of the vehicle owners and insurers he serves. He said his military training shapes much of the work process and operations in his repair facilities.

“First, you have to set the mission and share it with the team,” he said. “In the Marines, before you fly, you have a safety check, a flight plan and a focused mission. Same with our teams in three locations. We have a 7 a.m. release meeting to evaluate the work in progress, any challenges and any opportunities for improvement. We involve all of the departments, and that communication is key to getting the job done— or accomplishing the mission. It is all about a team approach.”

Springer also applies his military mindset to hiring and training his team.

“The military says give us good people with the right characteristics, and we’ll turn them into soldiers,” he said. “I say, give me people with the right attitude, commitment and discipline, and I’ll turn them into repair professionals. You can learn skills, but you can’t learn a sense of duty and determination.”

While Springer is grateful when people thank him for his service, he pays that tribute forward to the men and women he served with in the U.S. Marine Corps.

“It was a proud time for me to serve my country,” Springer said. “But you always carry the memory of the folks who didn’t come home. I lost 29 friends in training missions, all under 30 years old. It’s an honor to represent them in the way I run my business and in everything I do.”

Visit FixAutoUSA.com for more information.

Source: Fix Auto USA

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Steve Springer owns three Fix Auto USA locations in Northern California

Dyi Appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors

Shao Dyi of Parts Warehouse Distributors (PWD) has been appointed to CAWA’s Board of Directors.

“We are pleased to have Shao as a member of our Board of Directors to participate in our discussions of current and future industry issues,” said Mike Mohler, chair of the Board of Directors. “We look forward to his contributions which, no doubt, will assist CAWA in achieving its goals as an effective automotive aftermarket industry organization.”

Dyi is the general manager and COO of PWD, dba City Auto Supply/AEC International, located in San Francisco, CA.

Since 1986, PWD, a U.S. veteran-owned business, has serviced the San Francisco Bay Area and surrounding areas by delivering quality auto parts and providing exceptional customer service, while maintaining the “local store” experience. With three additional locations in San Leandro, Redwood City and Honolulu, PWD employs more than 100 employees and 40 contract employees.

Dyi has revolutionized PWD by enhancing operational efficiency, increasing profitability and leveraging technology to adapt to the constant volatile changes within the automotive aftermarket industry. He has maintained the “family” environment, which was always PWD’s company culture, by improving employee satisfaction and employee retention.

PWD is proud to have a dozen employees who have been with the company for more than 30 years, with dozens more ranging from 10 to 20 years.

Born in Taiwan, Dyi immigrated to this country and grew up in the Bay Area of San Francisco. He currently resides in San Francisco with a loving wife and three beautiful children. When not working or spending time with his family, he enjoys collecting wristwatches of all kinds.

Source: CAWA

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Axalta Refinish North America introduced a new training option, the Prepper to Painter Application Course.

This course, offered through online and in-person blended learning, teaches refinish fundamentals to individuals who have some auto body shop experience. Upon course completion, an existing shop prepper will be able to transition into a painting role to help busy collision centers get more cars through the booth each day.

Courses are enrolling now and include three 1.5-hour webinars (prework) and five days in an Axalta Learning and Development Center, where most of the time will be spent in the shop practicing hands-on application and blending processes and techniques. In the classroom, students will also learn color retrieval and color theory basics.

Cost is $1,000. Customers can visit www.axaltalearningcampus.com to enroll.

Source: Axalta Universal Technical Institute on Nov. 10 announced its program curriculum has been updated to include new Hybrid and Electric Vehicle (EV) technician coursework initially at its California campuses.

This is a step in UTI’s overall EV strategy, which includes further expansion of EV content in the core Automotive Technology curriculum, enhancing manufacturer specific advanced training programs (MSAT) with several manufacturer partners, and developing other new training models and partnership opportunities to expand UTI’s overall EV ecosystem.

“We expect that record sales for plug-in hybrid and fully electric zero emissions vehicles in the United States for the foreseeable future, along with major manufacturer targets for significantly reducing or eliminating sales of internal combustion engines, will continue to increase demand for EV trained technicians for years to come,” said CEO Jerome Grant. “At UTI, we are committing resources to develop new coursework and a hands-on lab experience that will be provided by experienced instructors. Just as we have done with the combustion engine, we intend to be at the forefront of training for major manufacturers of electric vehicles.”

“We are delighted with the partnership Volvo Cars has had with UTI over the past 21 years,” said Volvo Senior Manager of Technical Training Jeffrey Jennings. “We just celebrated our 102nd graduating class at the Avondale, AZ, campus. We have most recently donated the use of 19 S60 T8 Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles and equipment for UTI’s usage in their core curriculum.”

UTI has enhanced the core curriculum at UTI’s three California campuses in Sacramento, Rancho Cucamonga and Long Beach. Students have already begun completing the new EV coursework aligned to industry needs.

The new EV coursework was developed in partnership with UTI’s EV Program Advisory Council, which includes major manufacturers like Ford, Volvo, BMW and GM, as well as major industry employers such as Crown Lift, and leadership at Southern California Edison, Bosch and more.

Following the rollout of the initial core curriculum update and pending regulatory approvals, a new EV course is being developed and is planned to be piloted in 2022. In addition, the MSAT programs with several of UTI’s manufacturer partners will be enhanced to include EV training and certification designed to meet their specific product needs.

UTI is working closely with its partners to enhance training programs, upgrade vehicles and teaching aids, and make any other changes needed to ensure the success of these programs. UTI is also exploring partnerships and alliances with a wide array of industry participants to continue broadening EV offerings and the overall EV ecosystem.

The announcement by UTI comes at a time with surging demand for new EV technology. According to a recent report by McKinsey, it is expected that by 2030, 65% of new car sales will be electric.

For more information or to enroll, visit www.uti.edu.

Source: Universal Technical Institute

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The Los Angeles Auto Show announced several highly anticipated vehicles will make their debut at this year’s AutoMobility LA®—LA Auto Show’s media and industry days— taking place Nov. 17-18.

Catering to the tastes of America’s top car-buying market, AutoMobility LA’s lineup of world and North American premieres will feature a mix of powertrains, product segments and price points.

AutoMobility LA 2021 will become a global stage for product reveals and press announcements by all-new Southern California-based brands Fisker Inc. and Mullen Automotive as well as legacy automakers such as Hyundai Motor, Kia, Porsche and Subaru, in addition to VinFast, the world’s first-ever Vietnamese automaker making its North American debut.

Companies debuting their brands and showcasing their latest innovations at AutoMobility LA and LA Auto Show this year include BILITI Electric, EdisonFuture, ElectraMeccanica and SONDORS.

After a two-year hiatus, AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show are returning to the Los Angeles Convention Center with a diverse roster of startup and legacy global automakers set to introduce their latest innovations and offer visitors the chance to experience and test drive them conveniently in-person.

Following LA Auto Show’s two-day media and industry preview, Southern Californians will have 10 full days to explore and enjoy 1 million square feet of indoor and outdoor space filled with test drive experiences and family fun. Shoppers, enthusiasts and influencers will be able to encounter the world’s newest cars, trucks and SUVs—including electric, gas and hybrid models—as well as customized rides by local builders and tuners.

“AutoMobility LA and LA Auto Show are musts for any brand that’s looking to reach and engage the nation’s top market,” said Terri Toennies, president of AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show. “Our fans are eager to get back out in-person and reignite what’s become a November tradition in Los Angeles—attending the LA Auto Show. From an innovation and sentiment standpoint, I expect this year’s show to be the most thrilling yet.”

In addition to test drives and courses all around the venue including Camp Jeep, Ford Bronco Build Wild Experience and The VW Roadshow, this year’s LA Auto Show is set to spotlight zero-emission vehicles in a big way with an all-new 55,000-square foot indoor track powered by Electrify America as well as the introduction of THE ZEVAS™, a signature award program that will honor the latest zero-emission vehicles available for purchase or pre-order.

The LA Auto Show opens its doors to the public Nov. 19-28 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Tickets are now on sale and available for purchase at www.laautoshow. com/tickets.

Before doors open to the public, the LA Auto Show will host its media and industry days, AutoMobility LA, from Nov. 17-18.

For additional information on AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show, including media and industry credentials, visit www.AutoMobilityLA.com and www.LAAutoShow. com.

AutoMobility LA and the LA Auto Show will be operated in full accordance with all safety protocols required by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health.

Source: LA Auto Show

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Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) on Oct. 13 announced it has installed 4,827 Level 2 electric vehicle (EV) charging ports at customer sites across Northern and Central California since 2018.

Through its first EV charging infrastructure program—EV Charge Network—PG&E partnered with businesses at 192 locations and with 11 EV charging companies throughout its service area including in Bakersfield, Chico, Fresno, Grass Valley, Red Bluff and San Jose.

Through September, PG&E has enabled charging for 5.5 gigawatt-hours of electricity, equivalent to over 1,400 traditional cars being taken off the road for a year.

Through the EV Charge Network program, PG&E paid for and built the necessary electrical infrastructure from the electric grid to the parking space at each customer site. Additionally, PG&E offset a portion or all of the cost of the actual charger for all participating customers, based on the site and location.

With 39% of the new chargers—or 1,859 charging ports— located in disadvantaged communities, PG&E helped to bring EV charging options to customers who might not have had them before.

“PG&E’s program has helped lead to the rapid adoption of electric vehicles for our residents here at Wolf Creek Lodge. We are proud to be among those setting the pace in Grass Valley for electric vehicle use and the resulting reduction in carbon emissions,” said Bob Miller, EV project lead at Wolf Creek Lodge, where PG&E installed 30 EV charging ports through the EV Charge Network program.

Wolf Creek Lodge is a cohousing community where members aim to be very good neighbors to one another and practice an environmentally sustainable lifestyle.

Increasing EV adoption is a critical component to making California’s clean air future a reality as transportation is the single largest source of greenhouse-gas emissions in California, contributing about 40%. The state aims to have 100% of California sales of new passenger cars and trucks be zero-emission by 2035.

The electricity fueling EVs in California comes from one of the cleanest energy mixes in the country—about 85% of the electricity PG&E delivers to customers is from greenhouse gas-free resources.

While EV adoption continues to grow in California, the lack of available places to charge remains one of the biggest barriers. PG&E’s EV Charge Network supports the adoption of EVs by increasing access to charging in locations where it has traditionally been limited and where cars often sit for longer periods of time, like workplaces, apartment buildings and condominiums.

“Expanding the use of electric vehicles is essential for California to achieve its bold climate and clean-air goals. PG&E is thrilled to bring EV access to more customers through our first EV charging infrastructure program and we will continue to be an active partner in helping make EVs an option for millions of Californians. Reducing vehicle emissions is good for our state and good for the environment,” said PG&E’s Laurie Giammona, senior vice president of customer care.

Source: PG&E Mitchell on Oct. 26 announced PDR Testing and Certification, LLC has selected it as the exclusive diagnostics supplier for the Vale PDR Technician Certification Program.

Technicians will now be able to use Mitchell’s MD-500 all-in-one solution for vehicle diagnostic scanning, calibrating and estimating. As vehicle complexity increases, diagnostics has become critical to proper, safe repair. Recognizing its importance and the need to train, test and certify nearly 30,000 PDR technicians nationwide on scanning and calibration, Vale recently made diagnostics a core addition to its PDR Technician Certification Program.

Mitchell’s MD-500—which leverages Bosch’s best-in-class vehicle coverage and hardware— will help technicians quickly and accurately assess damage, complete an appraisal and perform the necessary repair work.

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Rivian joined CIECA as a corporate member.

Founded in 2009, Rivian is privately held and employs 6,000-plus employees globally. The company has developed and vertically integrated a connected electric platform that can be applied to a range of applications.

Brandon Chittenden, senior collision estimation analyst for Rivian, said the company’s launch products, R1T and R1S, were developed to provide performance, off-road capability and utility. Customer deliveries began in September out of Rivian’s manufacturing plant in Normal, IL.

“We joined CIECA because the organization recognizes the importance of establishing, maintaining and bettering industry terminology, data exchange standards and actively participating with other OEMs to efficiently promote the movement of data,” he said. “This not only benefits our industry partners, but it also serves our customers’ needs for high-quality and safe repairs.

Source: CIECA A month after he ordered three insurers to submit additional auto insurance refund data, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has expanded his edict to include other insurers operating in the state.

In October, Lara ordered Allstate, CSAA and Mercury Insurance to submit all data they have re-

lated to the auto insurance premium refunds they gave back to customers over the COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. According to the California Department of Insurance (CDI), the three insurers—which collectively insure approximately 20% of all California drivers—have the greatest gap between what they initially refunded drivers and the amount they should have refunded consumers.

From March to September 2020, insurers returned on average 9% of auto premiums, but CDI noted based on its analysis, insurers should have refunded nearly double that amount—17%—over the seven-month period.

Lara gave the three companies 30 days to submit their refund data or risk facing legal action.

The three submitted their data to Lara and the CDI within the month, which the insurance commissioner has favorably commented

on in a recent release.

“My top priority is protecting consumers. Allstate, Mercury and CSAA have responded to my order by turning over data on the premium refunds they provided to policyholders and their claims experience during the pandemic period,” said Lara. “My department will evaluate the data and determine how much in additional premiums each insurance company owes their policyholders.”

The commissioner made clear in his statement that he would continue to put consumers first.

“I have been clear that half-measures and incomplete actions aren’t enough,” Lara said. “My goal is to have an accurate and fair determination of what each insurance company’s appropriate amount of premium refund should be. In this matter, and in all matters before us, we will continue to hold insurance companies accountable and protect consumers.”

Lara also commented his edict is now entering a new “phase,” which calls for all auto insurance companies operating in California to participate in the data submission.

“This new phase represents a last and final warning to other insurance companies that have not adequately returned premiums to consumers. These companies must provide policyholders with a commensurable data-driven amount of additional premium refunds and promptly report their actions,” the commissioner said.

“We are prepared to take any and all actions necessary to ensure consumers are treated fairly.”

“I have been clear that half-measures and incomplete actions aren’t enough,” — Ricardo Lara

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When drivers in the Los Angeles area have an accident, they rely on the community’s first responders to be there to help them to safety.

And when they are driving a late-model vehicle with numerous airbags, advanced technology or electric/hybrid engines, the rescue can be more challenging.

The National Auto Body Council® (NABC) First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.™) program helps prepare local first responder teams to rescue accident victims from these late-model vehicles. The program provides education and live demonstrations on working with high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology and safety around alternative fuel vehicles.

Collision Consultants at 2627 La Cienega Ave., Los Angeles, CA, hosted first responders from the Los Angeles area at a special NABC F.R.E.E. education and guidance program on Oct. 23 to help ensure Los Angeles drivers have the best prepared response in case of an accident.

Chubb, the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, donated the vehicles for the event, including a Tesla, Range Rover, SMART car and a late model Honda. HURST Jaws of Life provided the tools and expert instructors.

The NABC F.R.E.E. program provides advanced education and guidance to help first responders practice cutting techniques on advanced vehicles, addressing high-strength steel and composite materials, multiple airbags, onboard technology and changing vehicle design.

The growing popularity of high-voltage hybrid and electric vehicles and the many safety concerns surrounding these vehicles makes this program a necessity. Alternative fuel systems present different challenges when first responders arrive at the scene of an accident. Electric cars, hybrid cars and natural gas vehicles have fuel systems that pose dangers for first responders if need arises to “cut” the vehicle for rescue.

Source: NABC ACV of a total-loss leased vehicle includes sales tax under GEICO’s policies.

Discussion of settlement began April 30. With a mediator, a settlement was reached July 29.

All individuals insured by GEICO during the class period whose vehicle was declared a total loss under comprehensive or collision coverage are included as members of the class. Also included is anyone who leased a vehicle with comprehensive or collision coverage under GEICO, and the vehicle sustained damage and was declared a total loss.

The monetary value of the settlement was determined to be $19.5 million, which includes 100% of possible damages in sales tax and 50% of possible damages in regulatory fees. According to a court motion, members of the sales tax settlement will each receive $2,000. The settlement value includes attorney’s fees and costs, and other costs approximated at $4.8 million per year.

GEICO also agreed to pay class counsel attorneys’ fees and costs, which class counsel agreed will not exceed more than $3.9 million.

(C) 2021 by glassbytes.com. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved. For more information contact www.glassbytes.com.

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ed TSLA stock to an all-time record close of $1,209 per share Nov. 1.

Tesla’s massive surge ultimately saw the company’s market cap grow from $818 billion to $1.2 trillion, an increase of about $392 billion, in just 12 days.

Tesla is a newcomer in the trillion-dollar club, and each of the four companies that stand above the EV maker has experienced its own surges in the past. Apple, for example, saw a 17% bull run from June 7 to July 19 of this year, which allowed the company’s market cap to swell to $2.4 trillion. This run, however, took nearly three times as long as Tesla’s recent rampage, and it was about $50 billion short compared to the EV maker’s 12-day run.

Microsoft’s closest runs came over 20 days from Sept. 27 to Oct. 25, when the tech giant surged by 11.4% and added $225 billion to its market cap. A 15% increase over the 15 days from Jan. 11 to Feb. 8 also resulted in the company adding $240 billion to its market cap.

Amazon saw a 9.4% surge over nine days from June 21 to July 5 that resulted in a valuation rise of $165 billion.

Lastly, Alphabet got its quickest boost over 25 days from March 22 to April 26, when its shares surged 18%, adding $240 billion to the company’s valuation.

Even with Musk’s comments about the Hertz deal not being finalized—and TSLA stock dropping 3.1% in the process—the event only erased about 12 billion from the company’s $392 billion, 12-day advance. If one were to consider this selloff, Tesla would still be particularly impressive, with the company ranking first for a 14-day surge.

Overall, Tesla seems poised to set records in the segments it touches, and its stock, which now seems to sit comfortably within the trillion-dollar club, might very well do the same

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At the annual gala dinner held during Industry Week, Michael Rukov was installed as the 2022 chair of the CAWA Board of Directors.

CAWA’s 2022 officers were recently sworn in

Other officers installed were Young Suhr Jr. of APW Knox-Seeman Warehouse as vice-chair, Tom Ogaz of Parts Authority as treasurer, Wayne Schaack of the Automotive Distribution Network as secretary and Mike Mohler of the Automotive Parts Services Group as immediate past chair.

They will officially take their positions Jan. 1, 2022.

The dinner was seen as successful in attracting more than 90 guests and raising several thousands of dollars for the association’s scholarship programs.

Past chairs of the board participated in the traditional red vest ceremony in presenting the red vest to outgoing 2021 Chair Mohler.

Thanks to the Motorcar Parts of America and its President and CEO Selwyn Joffe for exclusively sponsoring the event, once again.

The next event for CAWA will be the Feb. 10-11, 2022, Leadership Meeting to be held in Napa, CA, at the Silverado Resort & Spa (www.silveradoresort.com). For immediate information regarding this event, email programs@cawa. org.

Source: CAWA

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Government-run ports are issuing fines for lingering shipping containers on their property, the latest move to stave off a historic seaborne traffic jam of freighter ships anchored along southern California’s coast that could cause holiday shortages.

Officials with the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach said in a joint statement their $100-a-day fine for shipping containers that linger past a new deadline will help free space to move along imported merchandise.

“We must expedite the movement of cargo through the ports to work down the number of ships at anchor,” Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka said in an Oct. 26 news release. “If we can clear this idling cargo, we’ll have much more space on our terminals to accept empties, handle exports and improve fluidity for the wide range of cargo owners who utilize our ports.”

The move came eight days after the ports announced more than 100 cargo ships were simultaneously anchored off their shores, an all-time high for the two locations responsible for more than one-third of America’s imports.

The backup prompted President Joe Biden to order the two ports operate around the clock to speed the unloading process. With the enhanced working capacity, Port of Los Angeles officials said Oct. 27 their crews were unloading 18 vessels with a total of 23 docked. Scott Lincicome, senior fellow in economic studies with the nonprofit CATO Institute, echoed others in warning the tangled web of undelivered goods may not straighten out in time for the holidays.

“These are nibbling around the edges of a problem that is far more systemic and fundamental,” he said. “You have a system that is brittle, inflexible and inefficient. No amount of fiddling at the edges is going to fix that. ... It’s going to resolve itself in the coming months as demand in the U.S. wanes a bit. Pressure will be alleviated and things will be OK, but that still isn’t going to fix the store shelves before Christmas.” The backup has others advising an early holiday shopping list.

“Anything that has a computer chip, including cars, electronics like video game consoles and appliances, will continue to be difficult to purchase in the U.S.,” PA Consulting’s Shanton Wilcox told the New York Post on Oct. 12. “There will also be out-of-stock issues with apparel due to plant shutdowns and logjams at ports, which is stranding a lot of goods on idling cargo

ships.” The president’s press secretary was pressed on the matter last week. “We are not the Postal Service or UPS or FedEx; we cannot guarantee,” Press Secretary Jen Psaki said. “What we can do is use every lever at the federal government disposal to reduce delays, to ensure that we are addressing bottlenecks in the system, including ports and the need for them to be open longer hours so that goods can arrive.” The Jones Act, a controversial Los Angeles Harbor shipyard cranes and containers. limitation on port use to American Credit: Philip Pilosian/Shutterstock made vessels with American operators, is something Lincicome said creates a shortage on the supply and demand side of the supply chain. “The Jones Act makes dredging [expanding] ports crazily expensive, meaning ports only expand when they absolutely have to,” he said. “It also makes coast-wise shipping prohibitively expensive.” Staunch defenders of the Jones Act say it protects American jobs, keeping pay rates high for the domestic maritime sector without affecting consumer prices.

Certified Repair Network arena with the acquisition of Summit Consulting, Inc. (SCI) to create a flexible and dynamic solution for the CRN space.

“With VeriFacts and Assured Performance joining the OEC family, we will continue to enhance the value we bring to our collective cusdent third-party certification for collision repair providers.

OEC first launched in 2000 with the mission of helping OEMs sell more genuine parts.

“As the industry evolves and increases in complexity, the best way we can continue to serve our customers is by connecting the aftersales industry through solutions that help deliver efficient repair lifecycles, OEM parts and procedures, and proper vehicle repairs,” said an

“NuGen IT brings high-quality collision market solutions and repair expertise that will help expand our value to the collision industry,” — Ike Herman

tomer base with the primary goal of driving safe and proper vehicle repairs.”

VeriFacts, established in 2002, is an independent, third-party verification service that offers oversight, analysis, coaching, education and technology for collision repair facilities.

Assured Performance Network, formed in 2003, provides indepenOEC representative.

Based in Northeast Ohio, OEC is a leading technology provider for OEM distribution networks. The company equips many of the world’s largest automotive and heavy-duty original equipment manufacturers, their franchised dealers and distributors, and customers with online parts marketing, procurement and inventory management solutions that facilitate efficient and accurate wholesale services.

As a provider of SaaS-based solutions for OE parts, OEC focuses on data management, ecommerce, pricing, supply chain, cataloging, service and business intelligence (BI) solutions, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

In November 2020, the company acquired SCI, a BI consulting and solutions provider for the automotive industry headquartered in Dallas, TX.

Following the acquisition, SCI President Bob McDonald said, “This is a very exciting time for the SCI team. OEC has a tremendous track record of delivering value to its customers. OEC’s proven, high-quality solutions, combined with SCI’s domain expertise and BI platform, position us to deliver even more value to our customers.”

Earlier that year, in July 2020, OEC acquired NuGen IT, an award-winning software firm based in Kansas City that develops management tools for the automotive repair industry.

In a press release issued at that time, the company said NuGen IT will add collision repair industry expertise to augment OEC’s growing collision business.

“NuGen IT brings high-quality collision market solutions and repair expertise that will help expand our value to the collision industry,” said Ike Herman, OEC’s EVP of corporate development.

“I am extremely proud of all that the NuGen IT team has accomplished and couldn’t be more excited about this next step in our evolution,” said Pete Tagliapietra, founder and president of NuGen IT, after the acquisition. “OEC has a tremendous and successful track record of delivering solutions to body shops and automakers, and I look forward to what this partnership will mean for our collective customer base.”

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SUPREME

The insurance commissioner cannot force insurance companies to repay consumers when they charge excessive rates, a California Court of Appeal in San Diego ruled Oct. 29.

Rejecting the express language, purposes and intent of voter-approved Proposition 103—and two previous decisions by the California Supreme Court—the court held that State Farm will not have to pay more than $100 million in refunds plus interest to Californians who were overcharged by the company for its homeowners, condo and renters coverage.

Also at stake as a result of this decision is an estimated $3.5 billion in overcharges that insurance companies imposed on California motorists alone during the pandemic in 2020 that have not been repaid. The vast majority of insurers have failed to refund premiums that were collected based on rates set before the pandemic closed down the state’s economy and left millions of cars in their driveways.

Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has repeatedly notified insurers their rates and premiums were excessive and they must refund the overcharges.

The court also held that when determining whether to approve a request by State Farm General, a wholly-owned subsidiary of State Farm Mutual, to raise its rates, the insurance commissioner cannot take into account the subsidiary’s proportionate share of the investment income the company earns when it invests the funds of all its subsidiaries, including State Farm General.

The ruling creates a loophole in California’s comprehensive regulation of insurance rates—a loophole only available to large, multi-state companies that set up a separate California-only subsidiary like State Farm General, whose books the parent can cook to raise the rates to California consumers. Under the ruling, State Farm’s customers will pay $100 million more for homeowners insurance every year from now on.

“Californians passed Proposition 103 to protect themselves against arbitrary rates and discriminatory practices by requiring insurance companies to keep rates and premiums fair at all times or else be held accountable by the insurance commissioner or in the courts,” said Harvey Rosenfield, the author of Proposition 103. “The Court of Appeal’s decision has stripped the insurance commissioner of the powers the voters gave him to protect Californians against excessive rates. Consumer Watchdog will ask that it be overturned by the California Supreme Court.”

Decision Undermines Critical Proposition 103’s Protections Against Insurance Company Profiteering

Under Proposition 103, enacted by California voters in 1988, insurance companies are barred from charging excessive auto, home and business rates. Companies are required to apply for and justify any rate changes before they take effect under a formula that limits their profits and expenses to fair levels.

The law also requires companies to maintain existing rates at fair levels at all times. The measure authorizes consumers to challenge illegal rates and other insurance practices.

In 2014, State Farm General applied for a 6.4% overall rate hike for its home, condo and renter insurance. Consumer Watchdog’s experts analyzed the request, determined it appeared excessive and asked the insurance commissioner to convene a public hearing.

In November 2016, after a yearlong public inquiry, Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones determined the rate increase was unjustified and ordered the company to reduce its home insurance rates going forward by about $77 million per year. The commissioner also concluded the company had been overcharging its existing customers since July 2015 and ordered State Farm to refund more than $100 million to California policyholders, with interest.

State Farm then filed four separate lawsuits in San Diego Superior Court, seeking to overturn the commissioner’s decision on numerous grounds, including that the voter-enacted requirement that an insurance company open its books and justify its rates in a public hearing infringed on its constitutional rights.

The court decision addresses two of State Farm’s contentions.

Refund authority: State Farm argued the insurance commissioner has no authority to force an insurance company to refund overcharges.

Consumer Watchdog and the commissioner pointed out California voters changed the law to place insurance companies doing business in California on notice that they must always maintain fair rates. Further, the California Supreme Court has twice unanimously upheld the authority of the commissioner to order rate refunds and has stated the voters gave the commissioner full authority to carry out Proposition 103’s protections.

The Court of Appeal rejected these arguments. It imported into Proposition 103 a “rule against retroactive rates” that effectively repeals the voters’ explicit directions and bars the commissioner from requiring refunds. Consumer Watchdog said the court’s decision would create incentives for insurance companies to boost insurance rates unlawfully.

Investment income: Insurance companies make a large portion of their profits by investing the premiums consumers pay, and the regulations that govern insurance rates under Proposition 103 look at the insurer’s entire investment income. The commissioner and Consumer Watchdog argued the formula protects Californians against attempts by an insurance company to hide its investment income, the California Supreme Court had previously upheld the commissioner’s authority to do so, and State Farm was not enti-

See San Diego Court, Page 48

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faster re-charging times possible if vehicle charging and other technology enhancements are made in parallel. Ultimately, this could eventually lead to re-charging EVs as quickly as conventional gas station fill-ups.

The idea for this technology originated based on the Ford team’s understanding of the challenges faced going to faster charging rates, as well as Purdue researchers’ area of expertise. The teams collaborate regularly to review the latest results and give feedback on areas of focus as the technology is developed.

“Electric vehicle charging time can vary widely, from 20 minutes at a station to hours on an at-home charging station, and that can be a source of anxiety for people who are considering buying an electric vehicle,” said Issam Mudawar, Betty Ruth and Milton B. Hollander Family professor of mechanical engineering, Purdue University. “My lab has come up with a solution for situations where the amounts of heat that are produced are beyond the capabilities of today’s technologies.”

Mudawar says his lab intends to begin testing a prototype charging cable in the next two years to determine more specific charge speeds for certain models of electric vehicles.

“Ford is committed to making the transition to electrification easy,” said Degner. “We are glad to work closely with Purdue’s research team, which has the potential to make electric vehicle and commercial fleet ownership even more appealing and accessible.”

The alliance with Ford and Purdue is part of hundreds of strategic alliances the company has with university professors around the world. Providing graduate students with opportunities to work on real world-challenges helps them develop their skills while introducing Ford to students who may choose to start their career at the company.

“The research that we are conducting in a project such as this is really advanced, and we view it as a benefit for us, the future of charging electric vehicles and as a pipeline to young talent—and we’ve seen success in doing this,” said Ted Miller, Ford’s manager of electrification subsystems and power supply research. “Students get engaged, they like the work they’re doing, and it’s a sustained investment in their laboratories, while helping us solve problems.”

While the fast-charging cable won’t be on the market for some time as research continues, Mudawar has been developing ways to more efficiently cool electronics for the past 37 years by taking advantage of how liquid captures heat when boiled into a vapor.

“Ford has been actively involved in battery research and electric vehicles dating back to the days of Henry Ford and Thomas Edison,” Miller said. “We’ve secured more than 2,500 U.S. patents in electrification technologies and we have more than 4,000 more pending. Working with Professor Mudawar and his students is the perfect fit to help us research the charging solutions of the future.”

Source: Ford Motor Company

As a means to foster partnerships between businesses in the transportation industry and schools in their local communities, the ASE Education Foundation has introduced a new Adopt-A-School program.

This mutually beneficial program enables businesses to provide support to local schools while simultaneously providing those businesses with access to up-and-coming service professionals entering the work force.

The ASE Education Foundation has created a landing page, which explains the AdoptA-School concept and allows users to link to the free online toolkit which can help businesses launch and maintain partnerships with schools. The toolkit provides information about connecting with students, supporting a school’s training program and educators, and putting students to work in the industry while they are still in school.

Source: ASE Education Foundation

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The Collision Repair Training Program We Need in Every Market

I know that easily one of the top challenges at many collision repair businesses around the country is finding skilled technicians, either entry-level or those with more experience.

That’s why I was so encouraged and impressed by what I’ve seen at Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO.

At this stage in my career, it can be hard to impress me, but I’ve been blown away by what I’ve seen at Ranken the half-dozen times I’ve visited there. So much so, I’ve chosen to bring all the auto body shops in a number of my 20 Groups to the school to check it out.

Here’s what I think sets Ranken apart from many other collision repair training programs:

First, the facility is phenomenal. It’s probably equally or even better equipped than most shops in the U.S.

Second, when I’ve visited other collision repair training programs, I often see students working on older cars or even restoration projects. Sure, students can learn some

skills they will need by working on that type of vehicle. But at Ranken, students are working on exactly the late-model vehicles they will find in the auto body shops that will employ them.

But here’s what I love most about the Ranken program. Every student in the Collision Engineering program is on an eight-week rotation. They attend classes and hands-on training at the school for an eightweek period, learning the basics like shop safety, vehicle disassembly and dent repair—an awesome part of the program is that researching OEM repair procedures is one of the first skills students learn. Then they spend the next eight weeks actually working in a shop, performing the skills they have learned—along with being exposed to more of the type of work they will be doing as technicians. If they’re not perform-

ing a skill within the shop to the level they should be, the shop can contact the school’s instructors and have them work with that student further. This eight-week rotation between the school and the shop continues throughout the student’s time in the two-year Ranken program. Rather than going to school for a full year, being introduced to skills they may well forget before they have a chance to practice them, Ranken students are getting a real-world chance to use, improve and demonstrate those skills. At some point in the rotation, they need to choose whether they During eight-week rotations at Ranken Technical College, want to become a body technician students learn the entry-level skills they need for their next eight-week rotation working in an auto body shop or a painter, and from that point on, that’s what their training at the school and work in the shop will focus on. As with any collision repair training program out there, a stu-

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dent who completes the Ranken program is not going to immediately be a journeyman A-tech. But Ranken graduates will be really strong B-techs.

At many programs, students learn just a little about a lot. At Ranken, they come away with the specific training and hands-on experience to be productive at the basic skills needed in a shop right away to continue to progress in their career. They also start that career with a basic set of tools, and a bunch of I-CAR training credits.

As I said, I’m not easy to impress. But the quality of the welds I saw students at Ranken doing was phenomenal. One of the times I visited, an instructor was working with students on a quarter panel replacement. Everything was being done exactly how the OEM procedures— which the students had access to— call for it to be done.

For more information about the Ranken program, contact Shelly Jones at sajones@ranken.edu.

Now you might be thinking: That’s great, Mike, but my shop is nowhere near St. Louis. So here are a few more things you should know.

I have been so impressed with the Ranken facility, I moved the hands-on ADAS training we do for Nissan/Infiniti from Florida to Ranken. So come take that training and see Ranken for yourself.

The school has a dorm and cafeteria for students who don’t live in the area. I know a shop owner in Colorado who, like me, was so impressed with Ranken, he’s having his own son attend the program there.

If I still had my shops and I found good prospective apprentices, I would definitely have them attend the Ranken program. I’d tell them they would need to line up the grants, scholarships or loans needed initially to pay for the program themselves. But I’d also have an agreement with them that as long as they were working for my company and doing a good job, I would make their student loan payments. They’d have some skin in the game up front, but also a strong incentive to stay at my company.

And here’s the really good news for the industry: I want to give a big shout-out to the Enterprise Rent-ACar Foundation, because they have gotten behind the Ranken program. What’s more, the foundation is helping fund a pilot project to bring the Ranken model, including that awesome eight-week rotation system, to other schools around the country, including Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA; Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX; and College of Lake County in Grayslake, IL.

As the pilot project continues, participating schools, shops and students are perfecting an awesome model for what entry-level collision repair training should look like. Get involved if you can. I truly believe it will be a key part of improving the development of the entry-level technicians this industry so badly needs.

The facility for Ranken Technical College’s Collision Engineering program rivals that of the best shops in the industry Repairify™, Inc., a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC, announced Nov. 1 it has hired automotive training and development veteran Chris Chesney as its new vice president of training and organizational development.

In this role, Chesney will establish a comprehensive training initiative for customers, industry partners, employees and the network of technicians throughout the global Repairify ecosystem.

In a career spanning 50 years, Chesney has held nearly every primary role in the automotive service sector, including master technician, service advisor, shop owner and technical and management educator. He most recently spent nearly 22 years leading Advance Auto Parts’ Carquest Technical Institute (CTI), widely considered the industry’s most successful automotive technical training organization.

Source: Repairify, Inc.

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How to Grow Skilled Technicians & Improve Performance in Your Collision Repair Facility

Auto body shop owners and managers across the U.S. are struggling to attract, motivate and retain skilled technicians in their facilities. Many say this has worsened since the COVID-19 pandemic.

During an Elite Body Shop Academy webinar, Dave Flockhart, chief operating officer of BETAG Innovation, talked about ways to develop and shape the next generation of high-performance apprentices and journeyman technicians to address this challenge.

“The reality is, and we can’t blame it all on COVID, we’ve been thrown a curveball,” said Flockhart. “We’re all contending with the fact that claim volumes are down and driving patterns have changed, perhaps irreversibly.”

However, he encouraged repairers to come to grips with the situation and be open to embracing virtual claims.

“Although COVID has led to a series of challenges, a lot of those were in play pre-COVID and the pandemic has just accelerated some of them,” he said.

He shared one of his favorite quotes from Vivian Greene as a way of thinking about the current circumstance: “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass. It’s about learning how to dance in the rain.”

In times of challenge, Flockhart has often found there is also tremendous opportunity.

“We just have to go looking for it,” he said. “We need to find new ways to think and act differently as well as identify ways we can perform better.”

This includes implementing new ideas, systems and processes in shops.

As the current population of technicians continues to age, Flockhart said it is critical to find ways to attract new and younger people to the industry to learn the trade.

The furlough that occurred during the pandemic and people leaving the industry for other sectors has contributed to the current shortage of skilled technicians. In addition, many say there is an inadequate apprentice pipeline to draw from. Flockhart said shops are feeling it more acutely now and trying to recharge as people begin spending again.

With increasing pressure to find skilled workers, shops have been hiring technicians from competitors for higher labor rates and/or signing-on bonuses. “We’re seeing techs walk down the road to the competitor for a small raise or a signing-on bonus,” observed Flockhart. “In the short-term, that’s fine. But in the medium-term, I think it’s a zero-sum game.”

The Focus on High Performance

Flockhart said there is a strong correlation between the skills shortage and performance. He described high-performance workers as those who have a combination of knowledge, skills and process.

Using the analogy of a pit crew, he shared some of the things a crew does to enhance performance during a race. He pointed out how each team member focuses on a very specific skill.

“When they come together collectively, they can deliver the whole in an amazingly short period,” he said. “That comes down to the same three factors: knowledge, skills and process.”

By incorporating excellent technique, consistent application, good communication and teamwork, Flockhart said all of the team members know what each other is doing with absolute clarity.

“I think trusting, empowering, recognizing and rewarding are critical,” he said. “As a result, the team begins to behave more cohesively and comes together around a shared objective.”

Although the focus and attention are typically on the driver, Flockhart said the team is critical in order to experience success. The same is true in collision repair.

“A high-performing pit crew can actually win a race for a team or lose a race for a team almost regardless of what the driver of the car has done on the track,” said Flockhart. “By working together, it provides everyone with a sense of purpose and clarity around what their role is and ultimately creates a competitive advantage and improves performance.”

Flockhart said that collision repairers are under constant pressure to deliver, whether that’s for their insurance partners against performance metrics and scorecards, or for customers. At the same time, they need to deal with increasing expectations, demand and knowledge of what it takes to repair a car properly.

“We’re under this constant pressure to perform,” he said. “When we don’t have the right people in place to do the right jobs at the right times, we drive these operational inconsistencies, which start to negatively affect the very metrics that we are striving to achieve and create a vicious cycle.”

BETAG’s small damage repair course is part of its Outer Panel Repair Specialist (OPRS) program

Breaking the Cycle

Besides thinking differently, Flockhart encourages repairers to act dif-

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ferently.

“If we keep doing the same things, we are going to keep getting the same results,” he noted. “We know we have to find ways to attract new talent, but we also have to find ways to reduce staff turnover, which is in a business owner’s control.”

Flockhart cautioned shop owners and managers to not lose sight of the significant cost attached to someone leaving an organization and having to find a replacement.

“The cost is approximately one and a quarter times their salary and benefits package,” he said.

Flockhart shared five ways to improve a team’s performance in a collision repair facility:

1) Identify the skill gaps 2) Attract people with potential even if they don’t have the skills today 3) Create a career path for them and invest in their development 4) Ensure they have a sense of purpose and recognize their efforts 5) Reward their performance, not necessarily financially

Flockhart recommends moving away from the structure of A, B and C technicians and focus instead on apprentices, entry-level journeymen and master technicians.

He also encouraged owners and managers to focus on the culture in their shop so it is considered a great place to work. Although it can be challenging at times, he said business owners shouldn’t lose sight of how much of a positive impact that can make.

How Work Mix Impacts Performance The typical work mix in shops today, according to Flockhart, is 6065% outer panel repair, 15-20% structural repair and 20% total loss.

“The percentage of outer panel repair is increasing as a portion of the total because ADAS features are reducing impact speeds and by extension, the heaviness of the hit,” explained Flockhart. “However, severity in terms of dollars is increasing because of the cost of repairing/ replacing the same ADAS technology when there is a collision, even if it is at a slower speed.”

During COVID, with less traffic on the road, the average impact speed trended upwards but this should be an anomaly when considered over a longer timeframe, he added.

Approximately five years ago, total losses were about 13-14% of the work mix, according to statistics from CCC Intelligent Solutions

shared by Flockhart. He pointed out for the first time, just over 20% of vehicles—one in five coming into the shop—were deemed to be total losses. Not only are these vehicles taking up space, but they also take up estimating time.

Although shops must deal with the total loss side of the business, Flockhart said they are ultimately in the business of repairing vehicles.

“With some very good reasons, the focus and investment tend to center on structural repairs,” said Flockhart. “If we are going to be in the business of repairing cars, there is no question as repairers we must be able to do that properly.”

However, he pointed out that structural repairs represent the smallest part of the work mix but take up a disproportionate amount of investment dollars, time, training and technicians.

In light of this, Flockhart recommends shops put their focus and investment dollars toward outer panel repair to improve performance. Although it has typically been an overlooked area over the years, Flockhart said it represents the majority of work now and continues to grow.

“Materials have evolved but repair methods have not; performance is suffering as a result,” he said.

With OEMs incorporating more complex, lighter-weight materials in vehicles, such as aluminum, thinner steels and composites, repair methods have not kept up.

“The challenge is that we have this ever-present pressure to focus on the repair,” he said. “I think this has manifested itself and has become disruptive in the shop. This is where the skill shortage comes in.”

By focusing on outer panel repair work, Flockhart said shops have an enormous opportunity to become more proficient in this area and improve performance metrics, increase touch time and reduce cycle time, and lead to higher gross margins and more workflow. “If we can find a way as repairers to become better than we currently are in that section, the opportunities are significant,” said Flockhart. “It enables apprentices and journeyman technicians to become super productive outer panel repair specialists, allowing the master technicians to focus their skills on the complex repairs that demand experience.”

To help find ways to attract, train and develop the skills of apprentice and entry-level journeyman techs, BETAG created a technicians’ training and accreditation program for an outer panel repair specialist (OPRS) to help businesses increase productivity and repair quality. Flockhart said the program aims to help equip the technician of tomorrow with the skills they need to have a direct impact on business performance today

For more information about BETAG, email Dave Flockhart: flockhart@betaginnovation.com.

For more information about Dave Luehr’s Elite Body Shop Academy and to watch this webinar, visit: https://elitebodyshopsolutions. com/academy.

For more information about BETAG’s program to grow skilled technicians and perform better, visit: https://betagnorthamerica.com/tech nicianAccreditation.php.

Part of BETAG’s Outer Panel Repair Specialist (OPRS) program includes aluminum panel repair training Don’t Miss the Weekly Industry NEWS Your Shop Needs.

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