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U.S. House Subcommittee Advances REPAIR Act The U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Innovation, Data and Commerce on Nov. 2 favorably reported HR 906, the REPAIR Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at preserving consumer choice and independent repair shops’ access to vehicle diagnostic data, the Auto Care Association announced in a news release.
The REPAIR Act seeks to safeguard consumer choice and competition in the marketplace by granting independent repair shops the right to access vital diagnostic and repair data, provided it is authorized by the vehicle owner. Importantly, this legislation would remove restrictions imposed by vehicle manufacturers, ensuring
Vol. 13 / Issue 3 / December 2023
2023
RECAP ISSUES REGIONAL NEWS
GM’s Ultium Cells Battery Joint Venture Facing $270K In OSHA Fines By Iulian Dnistran InsideEVs
Ultium Cells, the joint venture between General Motors and LG Energy Solution that manufactures electric vehicle battery cells, is facing up to $270,000 in fines after investigators from OSHA found several violations at the company’s factory in Warren, OH. Federal investigators looking into the cause of a March explosion and fire at the plant found 17 serious violations and two other violations that affect job safety and health, The bill now advances to the full House committee. The REPAIR Act is sponsored by U.S. Reps. Neal Dunn, R-FL, Brendan Boyle, D-PA, Warren Davidson, R-OH, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-WA, and has 46 bipartisan co-sponsors. Davidson is also the only repair shop owner in Congress. While more than 70% of postwarranty vehicle repairs are carried out by independent repair shops, the advent of sophisticated vehicle technology has raised concerns about those repairers’ ability to access critical vehicle diagnostic data, essential to providing high-quality and affordable vehicle repairs to consumers and commercial fleet owners.
independent repair shops can continue to provide affordable and accessible vehicle maintenance and repairs. “We are grateful to the subcommittee for recognizing the intent behind this legislation and agreeing to report the REPAIR Act to the full committee,” said Bill Hanvey, president and CEO of the Auto Care Association. “While today’s action is a testament to the hard work of our industry’s advocacy of preserving safe, affordable and accessible vehicle repair, it is also just the beginning of the legislative process. As this fight now moves to the full Committee on l CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
42 YEARS
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM
according to Automotive News, leading OSHA to cite Ultium Cells for the aforementioned findings.
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REGIONAL NEWS
Daughter Plans To Carry On Family’s Shop After Dad’s Retirement Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass was started Oct. 15, 1971, by Jerry and Geralynn “Geri” Kottschade. They purchased a bankrupt Ben’s Bee Line and set up business in a Carriage Repair Shop on Rock Street in Mankato, MN. Then, 16 years later, Jerry purchased land on Madison Avenue and Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass grew from a 5,000-square-foot shop to 18,500 square feet.
Today, Jerry’s Abra Auto Body & Glass is still owned by Jerry and Geri Kottschade and their daughter, Laura, is on her way of being the second-generation owner. The family works side by side with 35 well-trained, dedicated and conscientious co-workers. Laura intends to carry on the Golden Rule business philosophy the Kottschades built their business l CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8
Columnist Mike Anderson: How to Shape ‘Customer Experience’ to Set Your Collision Repair Shop Apart
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Columnist Abby Andrews: Successful BMW Shop Manager Has Vision for Future of Repair Planning
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Columnist Stacey Phillips: Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards Celebrates Standout Achievements
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Columnist John Yoswick: MSO Symposium Looks at Claims Trends, Opportunities for Collision Shops to Buy or Sell
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