D.E.G. TIPS

Visit degweb.org to submit a Database Inquiry and contribute to database accuracy! The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) helps improve the information in collision repair estimates through repairer feedback about vehicle-specific errors, omissions and inaccuracies in the database and labor times. If you are performing automotive repairs of any kind - collision or mechanical - you need to utilize the DEG! Check out some recent Database Inquiries - and their resolutions - below!

Audatex: Additional Operations Prompt – Additional NOT INCLUDED labor operations can be quickly added from the “Additional Labor Operations” prompt in Audatex. An example would be when replacing a lower control arm that would require engine R&I as per the OEM repair instructions.

Always reference OEM repair instructions and estimating system footnotes/added labor prompts to see what additional entries may be needed. Mitchell: Accessing Mitchell P Pages from MCE – Mitchell MCE Users can quickly open and view component specific Mitchel CEG/P Pages from the MCE Application. The link will open in a new browser window. For non-Mitchell users, the same information can be accessed through the DEG Estimate Toolbox.

CCC/MOTOR: Replacement Part Molding/Stamping

Defects – Replacement parts may arrive with mold or stamping defects. DEG Inquiry 21426 states, “For any parts supplier parts issues, an on-the-spot evaluation would be required.”

Note: The estimating databases are all intended to be used as a GUIDE ONLY.View these tips and others at DEGWEB.ORG.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

continued from pg. 5 employers who provide on-the-job training is one of several workforce development initiatives AASP-MN will monitor and support.

The legislative strength of AASP-MN lies within its statewide membership base. With so many new legislators and new committee chairs, there is a unique opportunity to educate lawmakers about the issues members face and the corresponding legislative solutions. Shop visits and in-person meetings with legislators at the Capitol can move the dial in the right direction so stay tuned as we put together lists that match shop owners to legislators on the relevant committees and in leadership positions.

At LKQ, a passion for “better” is what drives us.

For LKQ, the world’s “good enough” isn’t good enough. We believe better is the reward for those who keep striving. We bring this passion for better to our work every day.

Today, LKQ is the auto industry’s largest recycler of vehicles. Our salvage vehicle operations recycle more than 90% of the materials from end-of-life vehicles that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

New Aftermarket | Paint Products | HD Truck Parts Remanufactured Engines & Transmissions | Recycled OE

Call Us : 866-LKQ-CORP Visit Us Online : www.LKQCorp.com

continued from pg. 9 Foreign Specialists

Foreign specialists concentrate on the repair of foreign nameplate cars and light trucks. They achieved the largest outlet gain over the past five years and the greatest percentage growth in locations.

There were just over 19,600 foreign specialists nationwide at mid-year 2012, up approximately 700 from five years earlier.

Vehicle Dealers

Vehicle dealers recorded a small (less than 0.2 percent) increase in outlets from 2016 to 2021. This reversed a trend of declining dealer locations in the years after the Great Recession of 2008.

Asian name plates have been the most successful in expanding their dealer counts.

Outlet Groups Declining in Number

Service stations and garages, tire dealers, discount stores/mass merchandisers with bays and retail auto parts stores with bays all fell in outlet count over the past five years.

Service Stations & Garages

Service stations and garages were battered by a significant population loss from 2016 to 2021, down by approximately 13,000 locations.

This represented most of the repair outlets lost over these five years. Nevertheless, service stations and garages remain the most prevalent type of DIM outlet.

Tire Stores

There were approximately 800 fewer tire stores in the U.S. at mid-year 2021 than five years earlier.

Small tire stores suffered the brunt of this decline as growing competition from large, multi-outlet operations pushed many of them out of the market. Discount Stores/Mass Merchandisers & Auto Parts Stores with Bays

The closing of hundreds of Sears Auto Centers nationwide contributed to the decline of discount stores/ mass merchandisers with bays, which has been ongoing since 2011.

The falling number of auto parts stores with bays between 2016 and 2021 continued a trend that has been underway for several decades.

COVID-19 Impact

Most of the DIFM outlet loss between 2016 and 2021 occurred over the past two years (2020 and 2021), reflecting the impact of COVID-19 and the resulting changes in consumers’ vehicle repair behavior.

Changes in the populations of the major types of DIFM outlets will continue, creating challenges and opportunities for a variety of aftermarket players.

continued on pg. 19