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CCC Names Top 3 Auto Industry Trends of 2023 2023 saw a continuation of the multiyear state of industry challenges and changes for the collision repair and insurance markets—one that requires both shops and carriers to explore new ways of operating and delivering on customer expectations.

In its year-end report, CCC took a broader look at three key trends that defined the industry in 2023, from the alarming rise in vehicle thefts and vandalism to the intricate impact of labor strikes and the changing dynamics of total cost of repairs.

Crime Bureau (NICB), vehicle thefts remained on the rise in the first half of 2023—up 2% as compared to the first half of 2022. The U.S. saw more than 1 million vehicles stolen in 2022—the most since 2008—and a year over year increase of 7%. Of those vehicles stolen, more than 85% were recovered, including 34% on the same day of the theft.

According to CCC data, total losses as a result of theft have exceeded 3% of all total losses since the fourth quarter of 2021, peaking at more than 4% in

42 YEARS

Vol. 42 / Issue 1 / January 2024 REGIONAL NEWS

TSTC Celebrates First Graduates of Auto Collision Tech Program Two students at Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX, are scheduled to be the first ever to graduate with degrees in the college’s newest auto collision and management technology specialization at this fall’s upcoming commencement.

Bryam Herrera, of Rosebud, TX, and Carlos Rincon, of Jacksonville, TX, are on track to receive associate’s degrees in auto collision and management tech--repair specialization co-op. The degree is affiliated with the Collision Engineering Program backed by Enterprise Holdings and Missouribased Ranken Technical College.

“I feel like a proud mom,” said Jannifer Stimmel, an instructor in TSTC’s auto collision and

management technology program.

“It’s been rewarding watching them learn. They really enjoy working.”

Herrera and Rincon began classes in fall 2021 at TSTC. Since then, they have learned automotive plastic and sheet-molded compound repair, collision repair welding, estimating, structural analysis and vehicle hardware.

Students in the co-op program take classes and work at programapproved collision repair businesses or dealerships. Program students are required to work with mentors at the businesses.

Herrera worked at Apple Sport Ford in Marlin, where he has learned in-depth about automobile door l CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

REGIONAL NEWS

As CCC continues to monitor this data, it’s clear the auto repair and insurance sectors are navigating a complex terrain marked by significant shifts in consumer behavior, supply chain resilience, and market demands.

1. The Rise in Theft One concerning trend CCC observed this year is the escalating U.S. vehicle theft rates. Despite a high recovery rate, the sheer volume of stolen vehicles poses a challenge for the insurance industry, with domestic pickups being particularly vulnerable.

According to the National Insurance

Q4 2022. While many media outlets have focused on thefts associated with Hyundai and Kia, which have contributed to the rise, the data says theft has been widespread regardless of vehicle type and origin. Based on CCC data through Q3 2023, domestic pickups have the highest rates of total loss due to theft—over 6% for each of the past eight quarters. Similarly, NICB reported full-size pickups represented 25% of the over one million vehicles stolen in 2022 (down from 33% in 2021).

Despite the high recovery rates for stolen vehicles, claims resulting from

Classic Collision Now 2nd Largest Collision Repairer in Denver Market In just the last year, Classic Collision has vaulted from being the fifthlargest provider to the second-largest by locations in the Denver market, according to Focus Advisors, which represented Colorado Auto Body in its recent sale and most of Classic Collision’s Denver-area acquisitions.

Now with 15 shops in the Denver and Fort Collins areas, Classic is only second to Caliber in terms of its footprint in this high-growth and attractive MSA.

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE 22

Columnist Mike Anderson: Adding for the Necessary Repair of

Adjacent Panels

14

Columnist Abby Andrews: How Collision Repairers Can Help Ensure We Have Technicians in 5 Years

24

Columnist Stacey Phillips: SUN Collision Introduces New Repair Package Designed to Simplify Blueprinting Process

10

Columnist John Yoswick: What You Need to Consider Before Selling Your Collision Repair Business

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2 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Contents

COLUMNISTS Mike Anderson Adding for the Necessary Repair of Adjacent Panels ������������������������������������������ 22

REGIONAL NEWS Arkansas Woman to Represent U.S. in 2024 WorldSkills Car Painting Event ���������������������������������������������������������������� 30 Car ADAS Solutions Announces New Texas Licensee ������������������������������������� 23

���������������������������������������������������������������� 28 Orbia’s First LiPF6 Facility in North America Boosts EV Battery Production �������������������������������������������� 17

Classic Collision Now 2nd Largest Collision Repairer in Denver Market �� 1

Texas- and Oklahoma-Based Owner Wins Maaco MSO of the Year Award ���������������������������������������������������������������� 13

Former Oklahoma Dealership Owner Sentenced to Almost 11 Years for Fraud Scheme �������������������������������������� 26

Texas Collision Centers Expands to 9 DFW Locations ������������������������������������ 27

HGreg Aims to Make Its New Landmark Dealership Biggest in Texas

TSTC Celebrates First Graduates of Auto Collision Tech Program �������������� 1

NATIONAL NEWS

Abby Andrews How Collision Repairers Can Help Ensure We Have Technicians in 5 Years �������������� 14 Stacey Phillips KECO Body Repair Products Introduces New Glue Pull Repair (GPR) Tools and Systems �������������������������������������������������������� 12 SUN Collision Introduces New

Repair Package Designed to Simplify Blueprinting Process ��������������������������������� 24 John Yoswick A Look Inside the Collision Repair Industry in the UK ������������������������������������������������������� 18 Survey Examines How Frequently Auto Body Shops Bill, Get Paid for Procedures, Expenses ���������������������������������������������������������6 What You Need to Consider Before Selling Your Collision Repair Business ���������������� 10

Index of Advertisers Audi Wholesale Parts Dealers ����������������� 24

Mac Haik Ford-Lincoln ����������������������������� 15

BMW Wholesale Parts Dealers ��������������� 36

Mazda Wholesale Parts Dealers �������������� 26

Bob Howard Parts Distribution Center ����� 11

Mercedes-Benz Wholesale Parts ������������ 39

2024 WIN Conference Registration Open ������������������������������������������������������� 13

Insurers’ Efforts to Improve Profitability Drive Auto Policy Shopping ��������������� 39

Bob Utter Kia ������������������������������������������� 30

Mitsubishi Wholesale Parts ��������������������� 22

AirPro Approved for Ford Programs 17

Northwood University Announces Master’s Degree ����������������������������������� 39

Brent Brown Toyota ��������������������������������� 10

MOPAR Wholesale Parts Dealers ������������ 27

Repairify Now ASE Accredited for Training ��������������������������������������������������� 36

Certified Automotive Parts Association ��� 14

NOROO Paint & Coatings, Ltd �������������������� 5

Christopher’s Dodge-Ram ����������������������� 19

NorthAmerican Bancard �������������������������� 13

Classic Chevrolet ������������������������������������� 30

North Freeway Hyundai ��������������������������� 34

Classic Elite Chevrolet Sugar Land ������������ 7

Northside Chevrolet ��������������������������������� 23

Classifieds ����������������������������������������������� 38

Northwest Hyundai ����������������������������������� 4

Courtesy Chevrolet ���������������������������������� 17

Part of the Club ���������������������������������������� 19

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill to Stop EPA Emissions Mandate 35

Emich Chevrolet ��������������������������������� 19, 35

Peak Kia ��������������������������������������������������� 19

Wieländer+Schill Joins SCRS ������������� 35

Fisher Acura �������������������������������������������� 19

Quality Buick-GMC ���������������������������������� 18

Fisher Honda �������������������������������������������� 19

Santa Fe Kia ��������������������������������������������� 39

Five Star Subaru �������������������������������������� 12

Schomp Mazda ���������������������������������������� 32

Flatirons Subaru ��������������������������������� 19, 25

Scoggin-Dickey Parts Center ������������������ 8-9

Ford Wholesale Parts Dealers ����������������� 29

Stevinson Lexus of Lakewood ����������������� 19

Freeman Mazda ��������������������������������������� 36

Stevinson Toyota West ���������������������������� 19

GM Wholesale Parts Dealers ������������������� 37

Subaru Wholesale Parts Dealers ������������� 28

Honda-Acura Wholesale Parts Dealers 20-21

Toyota of Laredo �������������������������������������� 16

Horne Kia ������������������������������������������������� 22

Toyota Wholesale Parts Dealers �������������� 31

Hyundai Wholesale Parts Dealers ����������� 32

Volkswagen Wholesale Parts Dealers ����� 26

Kia Motors Wholesale Parts Dealers ������� 33

Volvo Wholesale Parts Dealers ���������������� 39

Bosch Joins CAPA’s Verification Program ������������������������������������������������� 30 CCC Names Top 3 Auto Industry Trends of 2023 ����������������������������������������1 CIECA Announces New Member 1Source ADAS �������������������������������������� 32 Dealerships Losing Ground to Independent Auto Repair Shops, Study Finds ������������������������������������������������������� 36 Fixing ADAS Systems Makes Up Over a Third of Collision Repair Costs ������� 34 Ford Cuts Dealer EV Requirements Again ������������������������������������������������������� 31

Snap-on Showcases John Bean Tru-Point, More Award-Winning TSS Products at SEMA �������������������������������� 16 State Farm Leads in Auto Insurance Affordability Across 29 States ����������� 38 Tesla to Address NHTSA’s 2 MillionVehicle Autopilot Recall with OTA Update ���������������������������������������������������� 32

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Industry Trends Of 2023 6 attempted thefts and other forms of vandalism are also on the rise. CCC repairable claims volume for vandalized vehicles was up almost 22% year-overyear in 2022 and is on pace to increase 10% in 2023. Total losses as a result of vandalism increased by 10% in 2022 and are on pace to see an increase of over 25% year-over-year.

Vehicles produced in Asia accounted for 48% of all repairable vandalism claims in 2020; that share increased to over 60% in 2022 and is over 68% through Q3 2023. Asian autos 4 years or older have shown the greatest propensity for vandalism, which can be attributed to commonality and social media triggers which have prompted and perpetuated auto thefts. Theft of catalytic converters also surged this year, leading to widespread concern and preventive measures.

NICB reported 64,701 catalytic converter thefts took place in 2022; this is almost 4X the count in 2020. Per their report, catalytic converters contain valuable rare earth metals (platinum, rhodium and palladium) and can fetch $50-250 or, for one from a hybrid, up to $800. CARFAX reported as many as 153,000 catalytic converter thefts might have occurred in 2022—almost 90,000 more events occurring than claims reported (likely due to vehicles not having applicable insurance coverage for the loss or insureds electing against filing a claim).

Based on CCC’s data, more than 70% of catalytic converter claims in 2022 were for vehicles 7 or more years old; of those, 8.6% were total losses.

Through the first half of 2023, 69.9% of catalytic converter claims were for vehicles 7 years or older, with 11.8% being deemed total losses. The average repairable catalytic converter claim had an average total cost of $1,415, made up primarily of replacement parts.

Numerous actions are being taken to prevent catalytic converter theft in legislatures and law enforcement across the county. Vehicle owners can prevent catalytic converter theft by being more aware of where they park, including well-lit areas and garages, and having VIN numbers etched onto their vehicle’s catalytic converter which can also be painted with bright high-heat paint.

A large national insurance carrier recently reported that catalytic converter thefts were down about 38% in 2023. However, it is unclear how much of that decline is related to an actual decrease in catalytic converter thefts, as this is based on filed claims.

2. The Impact of Strikes on Suppliers The repercussions of the recent UAW strikes also rippled through the industry,

underlining the critical role of suppliers and emphasizing the need for a more resilient supply chain. Based on historical experience, the strikes could result in increased cycle times over the next few months and potential nonOEM part price increases.

Beyond the short-term impacts, the recent strikes highlighted the importance of suppliers. Suppliers account for 900,000 jobs in the automotive industry—six times the number of UAW workers at Ford, GM and Stellantis combined—and represent 2.5% of GDP. At the onset of the strike, concerns about the impact to suppliers and long-term effects on the supply chain were voiced.

Gone are the days of raw material being transported into Michigan auto plants and seeing thousands of automobiles come out each day. More efficient, distributed operating models opened the door to the modern, global supply chain and the merits of on-time delivery. However, as we saw during the pandemic, this model is not immune to market pressures. Of the over 11,000 workers laid-off because of the UAW strikes, more than 3,400 were from suppliers. In context, the strikes resulted in $10.4 billion in economic losses and underscored uncertainty in the automotive industry. Suppliers accounted for almost a third of the economic losses from the strike; current estimates put the impact of strikes on suppliers of $3.3 billion.

At the time of this writing, UAW workers have ratified contracts with Ford, GM and Stellantis. Honda, Hyundai, Nissan, Subaru, Toyota and Volkswagen have all increased wages for their U.S. plant workers on the heels of the aforementioned agreements.

3. The Vehicle Repair Cost Bubble In the auto collision segment, total cost of repairs (TCOR) experienced subtle fluctuations this year, influenced by factors like vehicle age mix and economic variables.

CCC’s average TCOR has exhibited a modest increase in 2023, +4.6% through Q2, following the double-digit increases in 2021 and 2022 (+10.2% and 12.4% respectively). Only one of the key drivers of TCOR—labor—has had a major impact on TCOR thus far in 2023, while parts costs have remained relatively flat.

Beneath the surface of these highly aggregated numbers lurks a possible cause for concern for the coming years—increases in new vehicle sales and a shift in vehicle age mix. S&P Global Mobility reported the average age for light vehicles was 12.5 years.

This comes following a year that saw the lowest volume of new vehicle sales since the Financial Crisis (2007-2011), per the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Since 2018, CCC has seen vehicles seven

4 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

years or older account for an increasing share of overall repairable claims: from 35.5% in 2018 to 44.8% in 2023.

Across all loss categories, the average TCOR is $4,451 through Q2 2023. Vehicles seven years or older have an average TCOR of $3,516 while the average TCOR for vehicles six years or newer is $5,211—almost $1,700 more than vehicles seven years or older.

In other words, the aging vehicle pool is temporarily containing the average TCOR from ballooning even further. Had the vehicle age mix remained consistent with 2018, the average TCOR would currently stand at $4,657, an additional +4.6% greater than current. A few factors that exacerbated vehicle maturity over the past few years are decreased miles driven, new vehicle production, new vehicle costs and auto financing costs.

Miles driven continue to recover and are +2.4% year-over-year through August. While work arrangements are still in flux, companies continue to reconsider return-to-office protocols.

Average new vehicle prices remain around $48,000 with average APRs currently ranging from 7.4% to over 9%. 2022 new vehicle sales were at their lowest since the financial crisis, bottoming out in 2009 when 10.4 million new cars and light trucks were sold.

New vehicle sales did not return to prerecession levels, until 2014. An average of 17.1 million new cars and light trucks

sold were annually between 2014 and 2019. As new vehicle sales volume continues to increase, the mix of older vehicles should begin to recede in favor of newer vehicles, though this could take 5-7 years to be reflected in the vehicle mix. At a modest 5% year-overyear increase in new vehicle sales, we might not expect to see pre-pandemic sales volumes until 2026. As we enter 2024, pay close attention to vehicle age mix shifts to stay ahead of the curve.

Preparing for 2024 As we approach 2024, these interconnected industry themes paint a vivid picture of the current state, urging stakeholders to adapt and innovate in the face of change. The insights gleaned from these year-end trends can help shops, carriers and even policymakers toward more informed decisions.

Acknowledging the challenges posed by theft, supply chain disruptions and shifting market dynamics is the first step toward devising proactive strategies. By staying vigilant and agile, the industry can harness insights to fortify its foundations, ensuring a resilient and prosperous future.

In the coming years, vigilance, adaptability and a keen understanding of emerging trends will be paramount, enabling shops, carriers and even policymakers to navigate the everchanging landscape with confidence.

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Survey Examines How Frequently Auto Body Shops Bill, Get Paid For Procedures, Expenses

By John Yoswick Autobody News

With used car values falling much of the past year, the percentage of collision-damaged vehicles being declared total losses is on the rise— and so too is the percentage of shops being reimbursed for the steps involved in processing total losses.

That’s among the findings of a “Who Pays for What?” survey over the summer.

“Because the process has continued to become more complex and time-consuming, shops are increasingly billing for the time they spend processing total losses, and rightly so,” said shop consultant Mike Anderson of Collision Advice, who

are seeing shops itemizing the steps involved, such as a repair plan fee, disassembly fee or OEM research time,” Anderson said. “With 93% of shops regularly billing for this added work, it will be interesting to watch how AI impacts total loss processing, identifying total loss vehicles earlier in the process, possibly avoiding many of these fees at the shop, as well as storage charges.”

Removing Coatings From Pinch Welds

State Farm direct repair shops say they are regularly paid for this operation, for example. That compares to just 61% of Progressive DRP shops that say that. Less than 2% of State Farm DRPs say the insurer “never” pays for this procedure, but more than 12% of Progressive DRP shops say Progressive “never” pays for it.

set diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) that you can’t check for without doing a post-repair scan in conjunction with reconnecting the battery.”

On the reimbursement side of the equation, more than half of shops (57%) that bill for the battery reconnect procedures say they are regularly paid to perform them— even while about 1 in 4 shops have never sought to be paid for these OEMspecified procedures.

Just under 61% of shops taking the More On OEM Procedure Research “Who Pays” survey this past summer said they are paid “always” or “most of In terms of OEM procedure the time” for removing coatings from research more generally, More than half (56%) of shops say they research the pinch welds prior to mounting the three out of five shops OEM procedures involved in reconnecting a battery vehicle on a frame machine—virtually now say they research the all or most of the time, according to a “Who Pays for the same percentage that procedures “always” or What?” survey have said that was the case “most of the time” when for the past eight years. they write an estimate or “We have seen a lot of Anderson said he is concerned repair plan, according to the survey positive change over the about the number of photos he sees findings. That percentage has inched years in many of the noton shops’ social media showing up slowly year after year since 2017, included labor procedures vehicles being anchored in ways when 53% said they were conducting asked about in the ‘Who not approved by the vehicle’s such research regularly.

Pays’ surveys, so results manufacturer.

About half the shops said an like this one baffle me,” “I have not found any vehicle estimator or repair planner was Anderson said. “I would manufacturer or any frame primarily responsible for conducting encourage anyone who equipment company that says it’s that research, while about 1 in 3 is not being paid for this OK to secure a fixture clamp to shops (34%) said the work was More shops are getting reimbursed for the steps taken to research it through the pinch welds without first removing done jointly by technicians and to process total losses. Credit: Shutterstock OEMs, I-CAR or any frame all undercoating and seam sealer,” estimators. equipment companies. Ask he said. “But also keep in mind, not The survey asked whether shops conducts the quarterly “Who Pays” if it is okay to mount a fixture clamp all vehicles may be anchored on the include a separate line item charge surveys. “Of course, some insurers over a pinch weld covered with pinch welds. It is critical that shops do for the subscription fees associated are pushing back. In some cases, undercoating or seam sealer. You will the research to determine what is and with accessing OEM repair insurers have turned to using bill find that the answer is a clear: No, it is not permitted by the OEM for a safe procedures. (Administrative fees are collection agencies in an attempt to isn’t.” and proper repair on each vehicle.” prohibited under California Bureau go after shops after the fact to recoup Failure to remove the coatings of Automotive Repair regulations.)

Added Steps When Reconnecting amounts paid. While the industry increases the likelihood the vehicle About 3 in 10 shops (29%) nationally Battery continues to discuss the best way to can slip when the technician is say they always or almost always Unlike the pinch weld procedure, bill for this, from a legal perspective pulling it, Anderson said, and that can include such a fee. About one-third other items asked about in the shops should have an attorney review cause further damage or adversely charge a fee when needing to access surveys have seen big changes in just their authorization forms to ensure impacting the accuracy of the an information source for which a year or two. When asked how often they are protected.” measurements. the shop doesn’t have an annual repairers are researching The survey, completed by more subscription. the OEM procedures than 500 shops around the country, More than 1 in 3 shops (37%) say required after reconnecting found only 7% of shops said they they never pass along a charge for a battery in 2023, 34% said never seek to be paid for total loss repair information subscription fees, they do it “all the time”—up processing. That’s down from 14% in but that’s down significantly from from just 20% in 2022—and the same survey a year earlier, and far 42% in 2021 and 57% back in 2019. another 22% said they do it below the 30% of shops that never Anderson said he will resume most of the time. billed total loss processing fees in hosting webinars in 2024 that show These procedures, 2015. how to navigate the automakers’ depending on the The “Who Pays” surveys ask shops repair information websites, but automaker, can include how regularly they are paid by the several such webinars, related initializing sensors or eight largest national insurers for to the VW, Nissan and Subaru clearing trouble codes. various procedures they perform. information portals, are available on A growing percentage of shops say they are paid regularly by the eight largest national insurers when “I was analyzing the The percentage regularly being paid the Collision Advice YouTube channel billing for processing total loss vehicles procedures called for by for total loss processing has been at www.youtube.com/channel/ one Asian OEM recently increasing. Eight years ago, just 46% UC1021mCCCR_qxOJoVtjNEbg. and found 11 procedures required of shops said they were paid “always” “Shops need to understand that Shops can visit www.crashnetwork. after reconnecting the battery,” or “most of the time” when billing for their technicians must be doing this,” com/whopays to take the January Anderson said.

“Researching total losses, but today 75% of shops he said.

“Who Pays” survey, which focuses procedures needs to happen every say they are.

Segmenting the data by insurance on not-included refinish labor single time on every single vehicle.

“Rather than simply billing an company does show some striking procedures, or to download results of Disconnecting the battery often will ‘administrative fee’ for this work, we differences, however. Nearly 91% of prior surveys.

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800-888-4251 autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 9

What You Need To Consider Before Selling Your Collision Repair Business

By John Yoswick Autobody News

said Laura Gay of Consolidation Coach. “They can get a box anywhere.

They can’t get the people.”

Cole Strandberg of Focus Investment Banking agreed.

“They care about where the business is today, certainly, but they care even more about where the business can go, and that

said almost without exception, sellers want to do what’s best for their employers.

“But just be careful what you’re promising people, because you can’t guarantee your employees what’s going to happen afterwards,” he said. “There’s some things you can’t control. But what you can do is incent

John Walcher of Veritas Advisors has a question he usually asks first when a collision repair business owner approaches him about helping them sell their business: “Can you take a vacation?”

“Not just a weekend or a long weekend, not even one week,” Walcher said. “Can you take two or three weeks? You’ve got to be able to go at least a full payroll cycle, hopefully two, separated from your business. If you can, you might be ready to sell.”

Walcher was one of a panel of consultants involved in mergers and acquisitions within the industry A panel of merger and acquisition consultants talked about industry consolidation during the most recent Collision Industry Conference. discussing consolidation during the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Las Vegas during SEMA week. management team is the engine that’s your employees to give it a shot. You Walcher said the shop’s corporate going to get them there,” he said. “A can have retention bonuses. You structure is another thing owners big part of selling your business is the can say, look, I know this may not need to consider well ahead of a sale. story, and the management team is be what you want, but there will be “Some people have C corps, and the focal point of that story.” more opportunities within a larger with C corps, if you sell, there’s going Panel moderator Frank Terlep entity that owns [the company]. So to be double taxation,” asked if there was any truth whether 50% leave or whether a very Walcher said. “So you might to what he sometimes hears small percentage leave, a lot of it is want to convert to an S corp, in the industry: that within individual decisions. But if you’re a but if you do, it’s got to bake months of a collision repair seller, you can actually influence that for 10 years to get the full tax business being sold, as before you do a transaction.” benefit. So one of the key much as 50% of the staff messages that I’m sure we have left the company. all have to our clients is: plan “It really depends on the ahead. It’s not something buyer,” Gay said, saying that you want to find out 50% of her staff were gone John Walcher said if about just months before a shop owner can’t within four months after you want to close a deal. get away from the she sold her shops in 2015.

Sometimes it takes years business for several “The harsh truth is that it before you’re really ready to weeks at a time, it does happen. But there are may be an indication hit the market.” also some consolidators the business isn’t Walcher said while out there that really are ready to be sold. purchase prices are very much focused on sometimes referenced retention. They’re using in terms of multiples of retention bonuses and EBITDA (earnings before other strategies to try to interest, taxes, depreciation keep the staff, because they and amortization), looking at realize how important it is. If multiples of annual revenues they don’t have the people, offers “a little better applesthey can’t turn the revenue.” to-apples type comparison.”

Walcher of Veritas “So watch out when Advisors said he, too, has those multiples of EBITDA seen large turnover of staff Cole Strandberg said conversations come up,” there’s an emotional after a company is sold.

Walcher said.

“They’re aspect of selling Parts Direct “Sometimes it’s because negotiating tools, but I your business that the buyer is overwhelmed,” Fax 801-224-8042 assure you nobody who shop owners should he said. “They’ve got too values and does a lot of deals expect. many deals going, and Parts Hours: MON-FRI 8AM-6PM SAT 8AM-5PM on the buy side is buying integration doesn’t go as based on multiples of EBITDA.” smoothly as it could. Sometimes it’s Chrisj@brentbrownauto.com www.brentbrowntoyota.com a cultural shift. If you are a fiercely Retaining Your Team independent shop…and now you sell 1400 Sandhill Road Several panelists spoke of the to a company that’s DRP focused, Orem, UT 84058 importance of building and retaining there’s going to be a cultural change not just a good management team in that shop. It’s going to affect your but the production team as well. valuation, and it’s going to affect how “The consolidators, or the private many people stick around.” equity firm, are buying the people,” David Roberts of Focus Advisors

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10 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

It Can Be Emotional Strandberg pointed to another aspect of the process.

“Selling your business is emotional too,” Strandberg said. “Going through that process is very much like dating.

If you have a team that has a strong culture, you care about their future, and you’re going to want to make sure your values are shared with your next partner or buyer. I think that’s something to keep in mind. The numbers are very, very important, but so is that aspect.”

Terlep, who said he has sold multiple businesses through his career, agreed. “It’s your baby, right,” Terlep said. “But at the same time, you go into business, in my opinion, to sell a business over time.

Hopefully you don’t plan on dying in your business.”

“And that’s a very logical way of looking at it,” Strandberg responded.

“But the truth is, especially in industries like collision repair, many owners started without an end in mind. In my instance, my family sold their business. I grew up around the business, viewed it as my big brother. So when you talk about it in those terms, you realize the level of emotion that goes into that.”

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2/10/23 8:29 AM

KECO Body Repair Products Introduces New Glue Pull Repair (GPR) Tools and Systems

by Stacey Phillips Autobody News

With Glue Pull Repair (GPR) increasingly being used in body shops today, KECO launched a variety of new GPR tools and systems during the 2023 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, NV, in November.

In addition to the company’s flagship L2E GPR Collision System, which received SEMA’s 2021 New Product of the Year award in the Collision Repair and Refinish category, the company showcased five new systems to help technicians make clean and efficient repairs, from roughout to a flat finish. This included the GPR+ Collision System, a runnerup in this year’s New Product of the Year awards in the same category.

“With the introduction of our new GPR Systems and many other products at SEMA, KECO Body Repair Products continues our passion to bring innovative solutions to the automotive repair industry,” said Chris White, president of KECO. “Our commitment to developing tools that enhance the capabilities of technicians and improve overall repair quality is evident in these new systems.”

KECO was established as a

plastics injection molding company in 1963. In 2010, the company began manufacturing GPR tools for the automotive repair industry under the name KECO Body Repair Products.

Today, KECO primarily focuses on GPR tools and systems for technicians and repair professionals worldwide.

terms of a continuum, from roughout to finish and the new systems reflect this,” explained White.

* The L2E (Compact) GPR Collision System is a compact version of the flagship system, with all the tools, tabs and modularity of the L2E, but it sits on a smaller 18” cart. White said this allows for ease of movement throughout the shop. * The GPR+ Collision System supplements the L2E Collision System and assists technicians looking to correct sharper and more complex damage with precision and efficiency. * The GPR Technician Companion System works in Scott Stayton, left, KECO’s director of marketing unison with the central L2E and portfolio management, and Chris White, right, for larger tools and allows president, at the KECO booth during the SEMA Show technicians to address a smaller percentage of The L2E product has the capability damage. to do repairs from roughout to finish, * The GPR RoughOut System including paintless dent repair (PDR). provides half of the full system. It was Over the last year, the company designed for technicians to repair focused on enhancing the L2E with medium to large damage, ensuring additional tabs and designing new a faster and more efficient repair systems to meet the needs of the process. It contains the items needed industry. to achieve basic pulls to roughout “We think of repairs that are done in damage, which will ultimately require

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a filler for finishing. * The GPR Finish System, focused on smaller flat finish repairs and detail dents, provides the tools, tabs and modularity to work toward a flat refinish.

The company also developed KECO’s Mother of All Beams (MOAB) specifically for Rivian electric delivery vans. The 60-inch MOAB provides the length and strength to move difficult damage or structures found on electric delivery vehicles, tractortrailers, RVs and other fleet vehicles.

“We went from those vans being literally unrepairable and needing to be replaced to being able to repair them,” noted White.

The company prides itself on being problem solvers for the industry and creating custom solutions to offer a method for repairability.

However, when deciding whether to repair or replace, White stresses the importance of always following OEM procedures.

“The KECO team is passionate about advancing auto collision repair methods and ensuring they are the least invasive and most efficient,” he said.

For more information, visit www. kecotabs.com.

2024 WIN Conference Registration Open

Texas- and Oklahoma-Based Owner Wins Maaco MSO of the Year Award Helmuth Mayer Jr., who owns a network of nine Maaco locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma areas, was named the winner of Maaco’s MSO of the Year award.

Mayer was presented with the award on the first night of the 2023 Maaco Convention, themed “The

Future of Better,” where Maaco celebrated with franchise partners, corporate team members, valued vendors, industry leaders and special guests, and honored those franchise partners who excelled in key performance categories.

The MSO of the Year award

recognizes a highly engaged MSO owner who has built a robust infrastructure to support their shop count and has fostered a results-driven culture, focused on accountability and recognition that produces operational excellence.

This year, the MSO of the Year award was sponsored by Diamond vendor Axalta.

Mayer was selected for consistently showing strong sales in all his locations. A strong leader, Mayer has built a consistent, effective leadership system within his centers. His team members understand how to win week after week and are rewarded for high performance. His regional leadership takes a page out of the Maaco playbook to keep each of their centers focused on driving results and increasing sales and profitability year over year.

“It fills my team and I with great

pride and noble purpose to be distinguished as this year’s MSO of the Year,” said Mayer. “Providing an elite customer experience has been paramount to our success and we would not be able to deliver that without the dedicated care from each and every one of our team members and vendors.”

“Congratulations to Helmuth Mayer for his accomplishments and his receipt of the MSO of the Year award,” said Daryl Hurst, president of Maaco. “Year after year, this franchise partner has taken over Maaco locations that are struggling or aren’t seeing their true potential, and leads them to higher operational performance.

He has a clear passion for helping other franchisees and currently sits on the Advisory Council, now for a second time.”

The convention was held at the Moon Palace the Grand luxury resort, located on the white sandy beaches of Cancun, Mexico. Nearly 400 members of the Maaco family attended from the U.S. and Canada.

The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced registration is now open for one of the collision repair industry’s most anticipated leadership and management forums: the 2024 WIN Conference. Next year’s conference, featuring the theme of “Dream Out Loud,” will be May 6-8, 2024, at the Hyatt Regency Newport Beach, CA. WIN members registering by the March 1 early bird deadline will receive a discounted rate of $575; after that, the member cost increases to $680. The ticket rate for non-members is $725. Registration for inperson attendees closes April 24. Anyone preferring to join virtually may do so for $250.

Interested attendees can join WIN as a professional member any time for just $95, and then take advantage of the discounted attendance if they join before March 1.

For more information, visit thewomensindustrynetwork. site-ym.com/page/ Conference.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 13

How Collision Repairers Can Help Ensure We Have Technicians in 5 Years

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

A panel of experts—along with several current students—came together during the 2023 SEMA Show to talk about what the collision repair industry needs to do to attract and retain the new technicians it will need over the next several years.

The panel was part of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ Repairer Driven Education series.

Jeff Wildman, manager of the talent attraction program for BASF, moderated the discussion, while the panelists included Jennifer Maher, CEO of the TechForce Foundation; Donna Wagner, vice president of industry and media relations for ASE; Laura Lazano, professor of collision repair and automotive department cochair at Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA; and Brandon Eckenrode, executive director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF).

“We need almost 1 million techs in the automotive industry by 2026, and 113,000 in collision repair,” Wildman said.

Before the discussion began, Wildman introduced five students who attended the SEMA Show as winners of a contest administered by BASF and the TechForce Foundation’s Techs for Tomorrow scholarship program. The students also each received a $2,500 scholarship toward their continued education.

The students shared a bit about their reasons for pursuing a career in collision repair, and what they hope to accomplish.

Victoria Callowhill, of Frisco, TX, is a student at Collin College, aiming for a career in restoration and collision repair. She said she wants to create generational wealth for her daughter, as well as reach younger girls to let them know there are so many places they can go in the industry.

Antonio Diaz, of Chicago, IL, a student at Kennedy-King College, wants to be a refinisher. He said he wants to work somewhere where he is “able to love what I do, which is painting, and feel like my work is appreciated.”

Wendy Vicente, Greeley, CO, a student at Aims Community College, is focusing on becoming a painter, and wants to “stay in a shop that appreciates my work.”

Jesse Manuel, of Greeley, CO, is also a student at Aims Community College. “I want to make a name for myself, and I’m just starting my foundation,” he said.

Abraham Martinez, of Houston, TX, is a student at Universal Technical Institute in Houston. “I want to work somewhere management isn’t just focused on

getting another car in or out, but they truly care for technicians,” he said.

Wildman then turned to the panelists to talk about how the industry can make sure those students — and their peers — find what they’re looking for in a career.

what they do matters.”

“They’re really after the experience,” Lozano said. “Money is important, but students don’t have mortgages—they have options. They leave employers because they don’t feel valued or challenged.”

Five students who attended the 2023 SEMA Show spoke during a panel discussion on the technician shortage. Jeff Wildman of BASF, far left, moderated the panel. The experts included, seated left to right, Jennifer Maher of the TechForce Foundation, Donna Wagner of ASE, Laura Lazano of Contra Costa College in San Pablo, CA, and Brandon Eckenrode of CREF. The students included, standing left to right, Victoria Callowhill, Antonio Diaz, Wendy Vicente, Jesse Manuel and Abraham Martinez.

Engaging with Schools Eckenrode said when he talks to schools with successful collision repair programs, a lot of it comes down to how involved local repairers are, which can include volunteering on the school’s advisory board— a great way to help direct what gets taught in the program—hosting students at their shop and participating in career fairs.

Lozano agreed: “My school has a very strong relationship with the advisory committee and local businesses, as well as support from CREF,” she said. “It’s a multi-faceted circle of collaboration.”

Wagner said ASEeducationfoundation. org has resources for collision repairers who want to get involved with local schools.

Eckenrode also recommended connecting with school counselors, “because they play gatekeeper in giving students direction,” he said.

Wagner said it’s also important to let the younger generation know it’s OK to fail—even expected, because no one has ever not failed along the way.

Mentoring New Technicians Mentorship is important, Lozano said, so students and new technicians have someone to help them achieve technical skills and work through failures.

14 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

Final Thoughts “This is a technician-based industry,” Lozano said. “We all can do a better job empowering them. They’re the ones who will ensure we have techs in the next five years, because they will share info and transfer skills on the shop floor.”

Maher recommended nominating a technician for a Techs Rock Award to show they’re valued. Nominations are open through Jan. 14 at TechForce.org/ TechsRock.

“Connect with your local school; that’s the first step,” Wagner said.

“There’s ownership in participating in what we’ve talked about today to address the shortage, Eckenrode said.

“Get involved locally—it’s a national problem with a local solution.”

“Reach out to your local partners, vendors; everyone is willing to help,” Wildman added.

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Laying Out a Career Path Lozano said the students who spoke at the beginning of the session made it very clear they all “have a passion for working with their hands, and they want a career to foster that passion, and be treated and paid fairly.”

Young people want a career path that shows the steps they need to complete—like training, certifications and skills demonstrations—to “level up” at work.

“A lot of employers don’t have that information for them; they say, ‘Here’s the job, when I think you’re ready I’ll move you up,’” Maher said. “Show you care about their future. That’s huge.”

What New Technicians Look For Maher said Gen Z is “going to look at pay; that’s always important. But they want to wake up every day and feel like

“Being mentored by a technician was one of the best times, not being shamed for mistakes I made,” Lozano said of her own experience as a student.

Wagner said shop owners need to “make sure it’s the right mentor”---not a cynic who might turn off the student to continuing as a technician. Students should also get help gaining certifications and building skills, not just given a broom to push around the shop floor.

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Snap-on Showcases John Bean Tru-Point, More Award-Winning TSS Products At SEMA

by Autobody News Staff In 1920, an engineer from Milwaukee named Joseph Johnson and his co-worker, William Seidemann, designed a ratcheting attachment to help make work easier for professional mechanics. That development led to the creation of the Snap-on Wrench Company. Over the years, the business’s name was shortened to Snap-on and the product line grew.

Today, the brand includes a variety of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions.

During the 2023 SEMA Show in November in Las Vegas, Snap-on showcased its new, advanced version of the award-winning John Bean® TruPoint™ Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) calibration tool, as well as additional Snap-on Total Shop Solutions (TSS™) products. These included equipment from Car-OLiner®, Challenger Lifts, Ecotechnics, Hofmann®, Mitchell 1®, Sun®, Pro-Cut and JOSAM®.

“We work closely with our customers to show them how TSS can help them improve and grow their businesses,” said Mariana Montovaneli, director of marketing for Snap-on Equipment. “From

wheel balancers, wheel aligners and diagnostics, to brake lathes, automotive lifts and collision repair, Total Shop Solutions brands offer a unique breadth of solutions to outfit any shop from floor to ceiling.”

As a company that prides itself on being one of the top solutions for target placement, Montovaneli said Tru-Point was designed to guarantee targets are placed in the exact

Pictured, left to right, are Kamden Darney, Alex Givens and Lee Hernandez at the Snap-on booth during SEMA

position they need to be to perform a correct ADAS calibration.

Over the past year, the company incorporated advancements to the John Bean Tru-Point tool, including up to 360-degree increased coverage.

Montovaneli said the Tru-

Point unique camera technology compensates for having an unlevel floor. With OEM specifications requiring the calibration target be perfectly aligned with the vehicle’s camera, Snap-on Product Manager Jordan Krebs said this is critical.

“If the floor is not level, the vehicle’s position and orientation can be affected, resulting in errors in the calibration process,” said Krebs.

“Tru-Point cameras automatically calculate target height requirements and inform the user when to adjust the height of the target to be in the perfect field of view of the camera while moving the equipment and target stands around the vehicle.”

Other John Bean equipment displayed during the event included the V3300 diagnostic wheel alignment system, B2000P wheel balancer, T7800 PROspeed™ tire changer and the 14k short locked and lighted scissor alignment lift.

This is the first year Snap-on has introduced a heavy-duty section with products designed for wheel alignment and calibrations.

Hofmann displayed its service equipment, which included the 2400P Armored Series wheel balancer, a new product release at

SEMA, as well as the geoliner® 609 and 678 wheel alignment systems, monty® 8200 smartSpeed™ and 3850 tire changers, geodyna® 980L wheel balancer, TreadReader™ and 15k four-post alignment lift.

JOSAM wheel alignment and collision repair products were launched during the show for shops that perform heavy-duty repair work.

The JOSAM Cam-aligner, designed to be robust and flexible, allows users to measure heavy-duty trucks in any environment. With the ability to compensate for road inclination, it can be used on non-flat surfaces.

The JOSAM Frame Press was created to straighten heavy and light trailers and buses. It anchors or attaches to existing floor systems, enabling horizontal and vertical repairs.

Snap-on also participated in Joe’s Garage, a real-world shop set up, at the AAPEX Show the same week as SEMA. In addition to Joe’s Garage, Tru-Point was one of several products featured at the TSS and SEMA garage booths, South Hall Upper and the SEMA FutureTech Studio in Central Hall.

To learn more about Snap-on and the Total Shop Solutions family of brands, call 800-225-5786.

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Orbia’s First LiPF6 Facility in North America Boosts EV Battery Production

AirPro Approved For Ford Programs

Orbia Advance Corporation’s new lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) production facility in St. Gabriel, LA, marks a significant stride in North America’s electric vehicle (EV) battery material supply chain, enhancing the region’s clean energy prospects and economic growth.

U.S. Department of Energy (DoE) Secretary Jennifer Granholm, during her visit to Orbia’s fluorochemical production site Nov. 17, highlighted the pivotal development, praising Orbia’s initiative as a “model for the nation,” emphasizing its critical role in fortifying the North American supply chain for essential EV battery materials.

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards lauded Orbia’s efforts as key drivers of the state’s climate action goals and the broader national push towards EV production.

The project, which has received a $100 million grant from the DoE, involves the construction of North America’s first lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) manufacturing site. LiPF6 is a vital

AirPro Diagnostics announced Ford’s approval of AirPro for diagnostics and calibrations provider to ensure a complete and safe repair.

AirPro Diagnostics provides cost effective scanning and ADAS calibrations products to the collision repair and auto glass industries, including its “game changing” AUGGIE. AirPro tools meet rigorous vehicle manufacturer requirements by having OEM licensed software and multi-brand diagnostic applications resident and directly connected to the vehicle.

In recent independent testing the AUGGIE forward-facing camera recalibration device met IIHS and NHTSA standards. As the pioneers in remote diagnostics and calibrations, AirPro’s uniquely skilled, brand specialists service vehicle gateways as well as provide mobile calibrations at a 97.7% success rate.

ORION is the hub by which all services are delivered within the company’s 10-Minute Response Pledge (current YTD acceptance time of 1 minute, 26 seconds).

electrolyte salt used in lithiumion batteries. This new facility will be built within the existing Orbia complex in St. Gabriel, capitalizing on a licensing agreement with technology leader Kanto Denka Kogyo.

“The economic opportunity in electrification is massive, and there is a pressing need to reduce emissions for the future,” Orbia CEO Sameer Bharadwaj said in a statement, highlighting the facility’s alignment with the Biden-Harris administration’s vision for a secure battery materials supply chain.

Gregg Smith, president of Orbia Fluorinated Solutions, further elaborated on the company’s comprehensive approach. Orbia’s “mine to market” strategy ensures a secure supply of advanced battery materials, ranging from electrolyte salts to high-performance additives. This initiative also reinforces the company’s commitment to decarbonization.

Orbia’s expansion plans extend beyond the LiPF6 facility.

Miki Oljaca, vice president of growth and technology at Orbia Fluorinated Solutions, shared plans

for a joint venture with Solvay to build a second site in St. Gabriel.

This site will produce intermediates for lithium-ion battery binding agent polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), further consolidating the company’s leadership in the battery materials sector.

The community of St. Gabriel, with its skilled workforce and strategic location near major automotive manufacturers, plays a crucial role in this expansion.

Orbia plans to create 200 new jobs and invest in local development through scholarships and training programs.

Projected to be operational by 2026, Orbia’s LiPF6 production plant aims to produce 10,000 metric tons annually of batterygrade electrolyte salts. This capacity is expected to support the production of more than 1 million EVs annually in the U.S.

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A Look Inside the Collision Repair Industry in the UK

By John Yoswick Autobody News

The challenges faced by shop owner Martin Shiels of ECS Accident Repair in Edinburgh, Scotland, will sound familiar to U.S. shops. A body technician— one of two employed at the shop for more than 14 years—recently left, and Shiels was struggling to replace him while also getting an apprentice from the local college started within the shop. He is still working to get set up to repair electric vehicles, and still must sublet most ADAS work. Prior to Brexit, Shiels said, he could receive Volkswagen parts, for example, from Germany overnight; post-Brexit, truck drivers might sit for days to get through customs, or shippers wait until they had a full container, so parts delays have become common.

“It’s how we deal with people—staff and customers—that’s very important, to have an ethical standard,” Shiels said.

Not far from Shiels’ shop is QA Vehicle Solutions, where between the shop and massive back lot, nearly 700 vehicles are in some stage of the collision repair process. It’s a big change from the early days of the pandemic, when the shop was completely shut down, with all of its 54 employees sent home for two months.

QA Vehicle Solutions employs 54 people.

About 60% of its business is fleet work.

Shop owner Martin Shiels said the ethical standard guiding his business applies to his employees and his customers.

The shop handles insurance claims on a “non-approved basis,” which means Shiels can charge higher labor rates, about $67 (USD) per hour compared to about $48 paid to insurer-approved shop.

“We can demand that because of our [customer] reviews and so forth, people want to come to us, but the insurers will try to steer them, as they will do in the States as well,” Shiels said.

He’s baffled by other shops’ willingness to offer the steep parts, labor and materials discounts required for insurance approval or to join one of the collision repair franchise operations.

But there also are some key differences from the U.S. in day-to-day operations at ECS. Paying for Audatex estimating—which dominates the market there—and access to “the pipe” to communicate with insurers “isn’t viable for us,” Shiels said. “So what we do is we hire a contractor.

When we have a damaged car, we’ll strip it, we’ll image it all up, and we’ll send that on through an app. They will compile the Audatex estimate and send it down the pipe to the insurer.

And they’re given parameters to do the negotiations for us.”

But differences aside, like most small business owners, Shiels said what’s most important to him is something listed prominently on a sign in the shop’s office: “Honesty, integrity and fairness.”

The company is the largest singlesite repairer for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in all of Europe—fleet work accounts for about 60% of the shop’s business— and that type of work “went right off the edge of a cliff” at the start of the pandemic, shop owner Alan Arthur said. It was an abrupt shut down for a business in just its third year at that time.

But the shop eventually brought all of its employees back. Today, tourism in Scotland is beyond pre-pandemic levels, and Arthur’s shop’s car count is as well.

“It’s a market we prefer compared with insurance,” he said of fleet work. “We don’t have to get involved in courtesy cars”—the replacement vehicles UK shops doing insurance work must provide for customers, often without compensation from the insurer—“and we don’t have individual clients with individual needs on individual vehicles.

We deal with one fleet company.”

Cash flow is more challenging on insurance work as well, Arthur said, because invoices go through accident management companies that assign the work and process payments on behalf of the insurance companies.

Another key difference in the industry in Scotland compared to the U.S. is calculations for paint materials are most often determined through an Audatex system based on the size of the panels.

Aside from such differences, Arthur and his wife Elaine, who founded the company together in 2017, say the biggest challenge they have is the one most often cited by U.S. shop owners as well: staffing. Elaine Arthur said Thatcham, an insurer-funded vehicle research organization in the UK, has an academy the shop uses to help locate and train apprentices.

“They’re looking at how they can improve that apprenticeship program,

18 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

to make it quicker to actually get kids through,” she said. “In this country, it’s a four-year apprenticeship. Whether you want to be a painter or a panel beater, the first two years you have to do both disciplines. Now if you’ve got a painter who’s really not interested in being a panel beater, you’re lucky to keep them two years.”

She said the academy may put an assessment in place to allow students, once they get that certificate after 12 months, to specialize in either paint or body work.

Alan and Elaine Arthur operate QA Vehicle Solutions, the largest single-site repairer for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in all of Europe.

Steven Frampton’s experience as an autobody instructor at Edinburgh College in Scotland also sounds quite similar to the challenges his counterparts in the U.S. face. The program has about 28 students enrolled, ages 16 to 31, as well as some apprentices sent into the

program by shops that employ them.

But the school, like many in the U.S., struggles to get qualified students into the program, those who understand that body and paint work differs from mechanical, and aren’t just signing up

Steven Frampton, an auto body instructor at Edinburgh College in Scotland, said he’s surprised there are not more students interested in the program.

because there aren’t other courses available or because they’ve been sent over by parents or career or social care workers who don’t understand the basic aptitudes needed. Framptom said he can’t understand why the pool of students coming into the program is so small.

“It is bizarre, because it’s probably the highest paid and most in-demand job [among the trades],” he said. “Still, the biggest drive for me is taking one of these kids from an entry-level course, getting them into the full program and then getting him into [a shop],” Frampton said.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 21

Mike Anderson — From the Desk of Mike Anderson

Adding for the Necessary Repair of Adjacent Panels An often overlooked estimating item is the repair of adjacent, or “mating,” panels after the removal of a damaged panel. For example, once a rear body panel is removed, the trunk floor will have to be repaired in order to fit the new panel. It’s also not uncommon for taillight pockets, rain gutters, troughs and sometimes even the frame rails to require some repair.

Yet our “Who Pays for What?” survey earlier this year found more than 1 in 10 shops acknowledge never having sought to be paid for this work—despite the fact about twothirds of shops report being paid for this “always” or “most of the time” by the eight largest national insurers when it is necessary and performed.

I always suggest a four-question process when negotiating for this or any non-included operation.

1. Is it required to fully and properly repair the vehicle?

It’s obvious when looking at the condition of these adjacent panels

that it is. It’s virtually impossible to remove a welded panel without causing damage to the adjacent panels or attaching components.

2. Is adjacent panel damage included in any other labor operation?

All three of the major estimating system providers agree that it is not.

The “labor exclusions” portion of the Audatex/Solera Database Reference Manual, for example, clearly states “repair labor does not include additional labor to repair the replaced panel and/or adjacent panels which may become distorted, burned or damaged by welding, drilling, grinding and straightening.”

Similarly, the Motor Information Systems’ Guide to Estimating—the basis for the CCC Intelligent Solutions estimating system—includes a special notation about welding zones and adjacent panels. It says labor operation times do not include time for repair of adjacent panels resulting from normal cutting, welding and

grinding procedures.

And Mitchell International’s Procedure Pages lists under “additions to labor times” the repair of “parts adjacent to parts being replaced.”

If you don’t have copies of any of these documents from the Big Three estimating systems, you can download them at no charge from the “Estimator’s Toolbox” section of the Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) website, www.DEGweb.org.

3. Do the estimating system providers provide a pre-determined time or calculation method for this procedure?

Again, the answer is no. “The amount of damage can vary considerably depending upon process and technique used by the servicing technician,” the note in the Motor Guide to Estimating states, for example. “Motor recommends these factors be considered before finalizing any repair cost estimates.”

4. If it’s necessary and nonincluded, what is it worth?

Though repair of adjacent panel damage is clearly necessary, it is a judgment item. Your experience will help you know how much time the process is likely to take, but you also can help justify your judgment times through some videotaped time studies within your shop.

Although I’ve focused here on the repair of the adjacent panels, there may be other non-included procedures and items as well.

Refinishing may require blending into these adjacent panels—top and undersides. Time may be needed to match the look of factory seam sealers. Sound deadening pads are often included on these panels, and if damaged during removal of a panel, they will need to be repaired or replaced.

In short, damage to adjacent panels can add significant time to a repair, and these steps should be documented on your estimates.

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Car ADAS Solutions Announces New Texas Licensee Car ADAS Solutions announced the addition of Smart Vehicle Solutions, a new licensee in Farmers Branch, TX. Established by Tim Pappadopoulos in 2023, the company’s goal is to return every customer vehicle road-ready and safer than the day it was built.

“We constantly remind ourselves that these cars are the ones out there next to our friends and families,” Pappadopoulos said.

“With the assistance of Car ADAS Solutions, we have been able to open a calibration center to ensure vehicles are repaired properly.”

“It was my absolute pleasure working with Tim and the Smart Vehicle Solutions team that share our same vision of ‘making the world a safer place to drive,’” said Kevin Caruso, COO of Car ADAS Solutions. “Tim holds himself to the highest levels of education in the world of ADAS, which has continued to evolve over the years. Tim also believes in giving back through his volunteer service and is a pillar in his community.”

Pappadopoulos first learned about Car ADAS Solutions through social media. A former coworker

joined the Car ADAS Solutions team and Pappadopoulos was interested to learn more. After sitting through a demo with Greg Peeters, CEO of Car ADAS Solutions, he decided to open a calibration center.

“I agreed with their mission to

repair vehicles properly and really liked what they had to offer, mostly with their long-term support,” said Pappadopoulos.

One of the challenges he needed to overcome was finding a building that suited their needs and getting it approved by the city.

“This is a very unique business model and most cities have no idea how to zone a calibration business,”

explained Pappadopoulos. “Car ADAS Solutions was very helpful in that regard. The company provided information and marketing materials I shared with the city to help obtain the proper permits.”

He and his team also went through comprehensive training.

“Car ADAS Solution’s education has been some of the best industry training I have attended,” said Pappadopoulos.

“Every one of my team members comes back after their hands-on training and says they feel more confident in their ability to do these calibrations, the training was awesome and they learned a ton.”

The staff at Smart Vehicle Solutions has also been impressed with Car ADAS Solutions’ ongoing, regular technical updates and industry monitoring so he can stay updated with the latest calibration trends.

Pappadopoulos began working in the automotive industry as a

mechanic and has been a technician, team leader and service director at a branded dealership. He transitioned to the collision side of the industry in 2016 as a mobile technician. He later became a regional manager for a mobile company before opening the calibration center.

He was first exposed to ADAS in 2006 while attending the BMW Automotive Service Technician Education Program.

“I was mesmerized and have always taken an interest in advanced vehicle electronics,” noted Pappadopoulos. “It’s the most important safety innovation on vehicles since air bags were invented. When properly calibrated, these systems have been proven to reduce the severity of impacts and help avoid collisions.”

With a dedicated facility and trained staff, Pappadopolous is confident every vehicle leaving his facility is properly repaired and safe to be on the road.

“We know this because we ensure that these safety features are calibrated to the auto manufacturer’s specifications and are done accurately,” he said.

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emartin@mynschevy.com autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 23

SUN Collision Introduces New Repair Package Designed To Simplify Blueprinting Process

By Stacey Phillips Autobody News

To help collision repair facilities streamline the blueprinting process and prepare fast and accurate estimates, SUN Collison has introduced a new software feature, Repair Package. The company, a brand of Snap-on, launched the new feature during the 2023 SEMA Show in November in Las Vegas, NV. Chris Bonneau, SUN Collision’s business manager, said the Repair Package provides comprehensive documentation to support estimates and insurance claims.

“It is a huge time-saver for service writers/estimators, allowing them to produce a foolproof repair plan in seconds, and eliminates the need for manual data entry,” explained Bonneau. “It’s the first comprehensive solution of its kind.”

SUN Collision software, introduced to the collision industry in 2019, provides complete and current OEM repair information and procedures for body and frame, paint and finish, and materials for all vehicle makes and models.

With the new feature, users can create a comprehensive repair package that incorporates all OEM

procedures, illustrations, interactive wiring diagrams and required OEM parts and part numbers. It integrates with shops’ estimating systems, centralizing repair information and estimating data.

Bonneau said the product was designed to be user-friendly and create more efficiencies for body shops.

displayed. Bonneau said the result is a complete work package, including 100 to 1,000 pages available in printed and PDF formats.

“Everyone is spending time looking for the OEM procedures and SUN Collision’s Repair Package makes it so much easier,” he said.

Time-saving tools include a hyperlinked table of contents to find information quickly, and the 1Search Plus search engine, which simplifies search-and-navigation for a specific vehicle and presents the relevant information in a card-based graphical layout.

Bonneau said the Repair Package also consolidates Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) information in a single location, making it easier for shops to diagnose, Chris Bonneau, left, SUN Collision’s business manager, calibrate and repair vehicles and Ross Whiteley, right, product manager, at the company’s booth during the 2023 SEMA Show. equipped with ADAS. The Repair Package “Everybody wants to do more leverages industry standards business and get more cars out faster,” established by the Collision Industry said Bonneau. “When shops can find Electronic Commerce Association the information they need, they can (CIECA). Bonneau said these standards repair vehicles quicker.” provide a common language and When users click on an estimate framework that facilitate the exchange line item, the information for known of data between collision estimating part numbers and other details are systems, insurance companies and

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24 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com

other stakeholders involved in the repair process.

Prior to being launched, the Repair Package was beta-tested with body shops. Bonneau said they received valuable feedback that was incorporated into the product to ensure it was user-friendly and met their requirements.

The software’s database is kept current throughout the year with ongoing updates and repair information.

SEMA Show attendees had the opportunity to take part in a Repair Package product demo during the event. Show attendees who participated in the demo were entered into a raffle. Andrea Berczel of Heritage Collision in Ann Harbor, MI, won a Samsung Galaxy Tablet S9 with a military-grade cover.

Overall, Bonneau said the response was very positive to the new software package.

“It’s really going to reduce stress by helping technicians find what they need quickly,” said Bonneau. “A detailed repair plan and documentation leads to less supplements, helps shops get paid for the work being done and reduces liability.”

For more information, call 877-8401973 or visit suncollision.com.

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Former Oklahoma Dealership Owner Sentenced To Almost 11 Years For Fraud Scheme Bobby Chris Mayes, 51, of Norman, OK, former owner of Big Red Dealerships, was sentenced to 130 months in federal prison for a complex web of wire fraud, conspiracy, issuing forged securities, aggravated identity theft and obstruction of justice., U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester announced.

Co-defendants Charles Gooch and Courtney Wells, who both played key roles in the scheme, are awaiting their sentencing in the coming weeks.

The case stems from an elaborate scheme that defrauded car buyers and lenders out of millions of dollars, impacting more than 20 financial institutions and hundreds of borrowers.

In September 2020, Mayes, Gooch and Wells were indicted on 25 counts for their involvement in a conspiracy to commit wire fraud. The trio exploited their positions as co-owners of the Big Red Dealerships, which included Big Red Sports/Imports, Big Red Kia, Norman Yamaha, Norman Mitsubishi and Mayes Kia, to obtain millions of dollars in loan proceeds

through fraudulent means.

Mayes, the owner of the dealerships, Gooch, who served as the compliance officer, and Wells, the financial controller, were accused of making materially false statements and omissions to lenders regarding borrowers’ down payments or vehicle trade-ins.

They also allegedly bribed at least one loan officer to facilitate their fraudulent activities.

The jury trial, which took place in November 2021, revealed the extent of the deception. Testimony from customers, former employees and representatives of several lenders detailed how Big Red Dealerships targeted customers with poor credit, falsely documented cash down payments and engaged in various fraudulent practices. Mayes even resorted to sending threats to a lender CEO to hinder investigations into the scheme.

The trial showed Big Red Dealerships falsely documented vehicle trade-ins and inflated vehicle prices to secure questionable loans.

The jury ultimately convicted all three defendants of conspiring to commit wire fraud, with Mayes and

Gooch found guilty of 12 counts of related counts, Mayes was given wire fraud, and Wells convicted of an additional 65 months for six counts. obstruction-related charges, to run Following the trial, Wells and her concurrently. He had already paid boyfriend, Brandon Landers, fled $1.2 million in restitution and was to Mexico in an attempt to avoid ordered to forfeit profits from the incarceration. However, they were scheme amounting to another $1 captured in Oaxaca, Mexico, in million.

October 2022 and returned to the U.S. District Judge Stephen U.S. P. Friot, who presided over the In February 2023, Mayes faced case, emphasized the aggravating new charges of tampering with factors surrounding the extensive official proceedings. He was fraud scheme and Mayes’ attempts accused of orchestrating Wells’ to deceive the court and the flight to Mexico, fabricating evidence government. and sending an anonymous email The investigation was led by the to the court in an effort to obtain a FBI’s Oklahoma City Field Office, new trial. In June, Mayes pleaded with Assistant U.S. Attorneys guilty to two counts of tampering Thomas Snyder and Jacqueline with official proceedings, admitting Hutzell prosecuting the case. his role in assisting Wells’ escape to Mexico and providing financial support.

During the recent sentencing hearings, evidence was presented regarding Mayes’ efforts to obstruct justice, including falsified evidence presented to the court and threats to kill a witness who testified at his trial.

In addition to his 130-month prison sentence Quarter for fraudPage (no bleed) | 4˝ x 5˝

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7/31/23 5:41 PM

l CONTINUED FROM COVER

TSTC Celebrates skins, frame rails and roofs.

“It’s all about learning the ins and outs of each make and model,” he said. “Even though they are different, they have similarities.”

Herrera said he has learned while working at the dealership about the importance of getting work done correctly the first time.

“You will definitely need time management,” he said. “In the field you need to be faster to get the vehicle out on time, if not before.”

Rincon works at Joe Hudson’s Collision Center in Waco, where he has learned how to replace quarter panels on frames.

“It is good learning the basics on campus and putting the work in action at work,” he said.

Rincon said he and Herrera are lucky to have worked with good mentors.

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TSTC’s Waco campus is among seven technical colleges in the country affiliated with the immersive apprenticeship training program.

Stimmel said students interested in the program need to be selfmotivated, have a willingness to work, be good with time management and be on time.

Three other students in the first cohort are scheduled to graduate next spring.

“The fact that we all get along has helped us complete our work,” Rincon said. “We hold ourselves and each other accountable.”

TSTC’s Fall 2023 Commencement is scheduled for Dec. 13 at the BASE at Extraco Events Center in Waco.

Potential students interested in the co-op program can go to beacollisionengineer.com for more information. The next cohort will start classes in fall 2024.

Registration is underway for the spring semester at TSTC. For more information, go to tstc.edu.

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Texas Collision Centers Expands To 9 DFW Locations Texas Collision Centers announced the expansion of its service network to nine locations across the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) Metroplex, as well as the promotions of two key leaders within the company.

The company recently opened new facilities in Fort Worth and Carrollton, TX, as part of a broader strategy to enhance service availability and quality within local communities. Three more locations are currently under construction, set to open in the first quarter of 2024, with plans to open five more annually thereafter.

Shyllo Michaelis, previously vice president of business development since the company’s inception in 2019, has been promoted to the role of chief strategy officer (CSO). Michaelis has been instrumental in steering the company’s strategic direction, demonstrating innovative leadership and a deep commitment to the company’s long-term vision.

In her new role as CSO, she will

continue to shape the company’s strategy, align operations with evolving industry trends, and drive growth and revenue.

Mike Devendorf, who has served as vice president of finance and administration for four years, has been elevated to the position of chief financial officer (CFO).

Devendorf’s tenure has been marked by his adept management of financial resources, development of industry-leading compensation and benefits packages, and effective corporate governance.

Jared Lennox, co-owner/ operator of Texas Collision Centers, highlighted the dual focus of the company: recognizing and nurturing internal talent and expanding their service reach.

“At Texas Collision Centers, we are not only recognizing the exceptional talents within our organization but also actively investing in the strategic expansion of our services,” he said.

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l CONTINUED FROM COVER

Classic Collision “Classic’s rapid rise in Denver will be one of the highlights in our forthcoming Year In Review article. Denver is already a highly consolidated market with very few MSO acquisition opportunities, so watching this happen over just the last 12 months was remarkable,” said Focus Advisors Associate Madeleine Rich.

“Classic saw the opportunity to acquire significant share in a top 10 U.S. market, then marshalled their resources to get it. There was no shortage of buyers interested in these attractive MSOs, but Classic came out on top. They were successful exits for each one of our three MSO clients, who today remain happy they chose to go with Classic,” said Chris Lane, partner at Focus Advisors.

Focus Advisors’ clients in the Denver market included Bill Lipsitz, owner of the five-shop Colorado Auto Body; Chris Brown, owner of the three-shop MSO consisting of Vintage Autoworks, Body’s by Brown and Northern Colorado Auto Reconditioning Services; and Lynette and Gunnar Greenemeier of the two-shop Highlands MSO.

All three of these clients were part of Classic’s acquisition spree of 11 shops just in the last year. Since Classic Collision first entered the Denver market in January 2022, they’ve acquired a total of 15 stores, buying shops in Lakewood (one shop), Littleton (three), northwest Denver (one), south Denver (two), Thornton (one), Commerce City (one), Castle Rock (two), Greeley (one), Englewood (one) and Aurora (two).

While Caliber still significantly exceeds any of the other consolidators in terms of its Denver footprint, Classic now ranks second, equaling or exceeding the number of shops of the next three largest consolidators in Denver: Gerber, Crash Champions and Kaizen.

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HGreg Aims To Make Its New Landmark Dealership Biggest in Texas

By Auto Remarketing Staff

Bud Adams, the late owner of the NFL’s Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans and one of the founders of the American Football League.

The dealership has been closed for some 20 years, but the showroom, with its gabled roof, remains a local landmark.

When it first opened as Southwest Dodge in 1966, it

was billed as “the most modern building in the world.” HGreg said its goal is to make its new location, scheduled to open in December, the largest dealership in Texas in terms of car inventory.

“We’ve been patiently awaiting this opportunity,” said HGreg President and CEO John Hairabedian. “We have had our eyes on Texas for the past few years and are delighted that our entry into the Lone Star State is founded on such a historic location with rich and deep roots.”

HGreg said it has invested $55 million in the property, including $22 million to acquire the real estate and renovate the location.

The dealership is now in the process of hiring some 100 fulland part-time staff members.

HGreg Houston is the group’s 10th location and first in Texas, joining its outlets in California, Florida and Quebec, Canada.

The company, which recently celebrated its 30th anniversary, said it plans to continue expanding into new markets.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 29

Bosch Joins CAPA’s Verification Program Bosch is now part of the Certified Automotive Parts Association’s (CAPA) Tier 1 Replacement Parts Verification Program.

CAPA, a nonprofit standardsetting and certification organization, has long been instrumental in ensuring highquality automotive crash parts.

Historically, the distinction between Tier 1 replacement parts and aftermarket parts has been blurred, posing challenges in identifying parts comparable to original car company (CCO) or car company service (CCS) parts. CAPA’s Tier 1 Verification Program addresses this issue by ensuring Tier 1 Verified replacement parts are manufactured using the same factory, tooling, materials and processes as the CCO or CCS parts.

Bosch’s approval to join the program allows it to begin submitting its ultrasonic parking sensors for verification.

These verified parts will be distinguished by the CAPA Tier1 Verified label and announced in CAPA’s weekly updates.

Arkansas Woman To Represent U.S. in 2024 WorldSkills Car Painting Event Lily Williams of Jonesboro, AR, has been officially selected to represent the U.S. in the car painting category at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition, set to take place Sept. 10-15, 2024, in Lyon, France.

Williams, a former student at the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center, demonstrated her exceptional skills by winning a national gold medal at the 2023 SkillsUSA Championships in automotive refinishing. Her technical expert, Jamie Redd from Columbus, OH, will accompany her in this international endeavor.

“The 2024 WorldSkills USA team will have an amazing opportunity to represent SkillsUSA and our nation while undergoing incredibly rigorous training in their craft,” said SkillsUSA Executive Director Chelle Travis, emphasizing the commitment of team members to skill development and personal growth, fostering their drive, passion and life’s purpose.

For Williams, this opportunity is

more than just a competition; it’s a stepping stone to future success.

“Being selected for the 2024 WorldSkills USA Team is such an honor. I’m excited for the chance to compete on this level and for all of the opportunities that I will be given in the future because of this,” Williams said.

The WorldSkills USA team will compete in several trade areas, reflecting the largest international showcase of skilled trades. SkillsUSA, a student-led partnership of education and industry, will announce the official team sponsors and other team members along with their experts in the upcoming months.

The 47th WorldSkills Competition in 2024 is expected to attract more than 250,000 spectators, including students, employers, teachers, trainers and government officials. The event will feature 1,500 competitors from more than 65 countries and regions, competing in 62 skill competitions, ranging from construction and

building technology to creative arts, fashion and transportation.

SkillsUSA has been a force in building America’s future skilled workforce, delivering career-ready graduates. With 850 national partners and an influential presence in nearly 20,000 career and technical education classrooms, SkillsUSA continues to empower students to follow their passions and excel in their chosen career paths.

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Ford Cuts Dealer EV Requirements Again

By Dan Mihalascu InsideEVs

Ford Motor Company has backed down on requirements imposed on its EV dealers and is again making changes to its voluntary EV certification program.

The move comes just as the automaker has lost a legal battle to Ford dealers in Illinois, where the state motor vehicle board ruled the automaker broke the law by requiring its dealers to invest hefty sums if they want to continue selling EVs. The company said its decision to cut training costs by half and reduce the number of chargers that retailers are required to install at their premises is not related to the Illinois ruling.

“We made changes to the voluntary Model e EV Program as

we continue to adapt our overall EV strategy to the market. We also continue to listen to dealer feedback. These changes are not a result of the Illinois outcome,” Ford spokesperson Marty Günsberg told InsideEVs, adding Ford made the latest changes to adjust to market demand.

As part of the new requirements, Ford’s upper-tier “Certified Elite” dealers now have to install three Level 2 chargers instead of five, while the lower-tier “Certified” dealers are now required to install two Level 2 chargers instead of five. Furthermore, the additional Level 3 fast-charger for 2026 for Certified Elite dealers has been removed altogether.

For both tiers, Ford also pushed back the deadline to have the chargers in place by six months to June 30, 2024, because of charger supply chain and infrastructure delays. In addition, Ford said it is cutting the cost of dealer training by up to $20,000—about half—for the 2024 calendar year.

Charging requirements was a key point of contention in the Illinois case. Twenty-six dealers

argued Ford’s program violated state franchise laws, adding the more expensive Level 3 chargers were unnecessary.

“We made changes to the voluntary Model e EV Program as we continue to adapt our overall EV strategy to the market.

We also continue to listen to dealer feedback. These changes are not a result of the Illinois outcome,” — MARTY GÜNSBERG FORD SPOKESPERSON

Ford said it would appeal the decision. “Ford stands by its voluntary Model e EV program,” the company said in a statement.

“It is designed to make sure that Ford and its dealers provide Illinois Ford EV customers with a segment-leading experience throughout their purchase, service and ownership journey.”

The Illinois dispute is just one of several battles Ford is carrying out nationwide over its EV

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program. The program has been opposed by most state dealer associations since it was unveiled in September 2022. Initially, about 60% of Ford and Lincoln dealers opted in---approximately 1,920 of the company’s nearly 3,000 U.S. dealers.

In January, Ford made some concessions to dealers, including scaling back the amount of charging a dealer would be required to offer public charging every day and removing a cap that limited lower-tier dealers to selling a maximum of 25 EVs per year.

After the changes, Ford gave dealers the option to drop out of the program or change tiers. The automaker’s total enrollment fell 1.5% to 1,891 of its dealers.

Since then, EV enrollment has fallen to approximately 1,550 dealers, or about 53% of the total network, Ford said Nov. 20, according to Automotive News. Still, due to the size of Ford’s network, the company claims 86% of the population lives within 20 miles of a Ford dealership capable of selling and servicing a Ford EV.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 31

CIECA Announces New Member 1Source ADAS CIECA welcomed 1Source ADAS as a new corporate member.

Established in 2023 by CEO Tommy Ames and COO Robby Read, the company provides Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) software that generates a postrepair report identifying needed calibrations based on a collision repair estimate.

Ames was born and raised in the collision industry and worked as a collision technician for McDaniel’s Quality Body Works just prior to starting his business. The president of McDaniel’s, Darrell Smith, shared information with Ames about CIECA and 1Source ADAS joined the association to integrate with CCC ONE. 1Source ADAS software is designed to use the BMS file format as well as PDF. “By using CIECA BMS Standards, we are able to communicate with our business partners using the same language and format,” said Ames. “We’re excited to be on board with an organization that is trying to standardize communication in the collision industry.”

Tesla To Address NHTSA’s 2 Million-Vehicle Autopilot Recall With OTA Update Written by Simon Alvarez Teslarati

Tesla is recalling more than 2 million vehicles over a fault in Autopilot. The issue, per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) Safety Recall Report, will be fully addressed through a free overthe-air software update.

The Autopilot issue potentially involves 2,031,220 vehicles, including legacy Model S vehicles from the 2012 model year. Such vehicles are equipped with Autosteer, and Tesla’s default safety checks in the driver-assist system may prove inadequate at times, which could result in drivers not paying enough attention to the road, the NHTSA’s report said.

“In certain circumstances when Autosteer is engaged, if a driver misuses the SAE Level 2 advanced driver-assistance feature such that they fail to maintain continuous and sustained responsibility for vehicle operation and are unprepared to intervene, fail to recognize when the feature is canceled or not engaged, and/or

fail to recognize when the feature is operating in situations where its functionality may be limited, there may be an increased risk of a collision,” the NHTSA’s report said.

The recall is the culmination of a two-year probe into Tesla’s Autopilot system, which has become one of the most robust and most polarizing driver-assist systems deployed in the market today. The NHTSA opened a preliminary investigation on 11 incidents involving Autopilotequipped Teslas and first responder vehicles in August 2021, and over the next two years, Tesla and the agency worked closely together to determine a fix for Autopilot’s potential issues.

To address the Autopilot issue, Tesla will be rolling out software version 2023.44.30 on affected vehicles. The update includes more notable safety checks for Autosteer, such as additional controls and alerts that remind the driver to use the system properly. It should be noted that Tesla Model S, Model 3, Model X and Model Y vehicles produced

from midday Dec. 7 are not part of the recall since they are already loaded with the newest software version.

The NHTSA said the affected vehicles will begin receiving the over-the-air software update shortly after Dec. 12. The update will incorporate additional controls and alerts to further encourage the driver to adhere to their continuous driving responsibility whenever Autosteer is engaged, which includes keeping their hands on the steering wheel and paying attention to the roadway.

Depending on the vehicle’s hardware, the update will include increasing the prominence of visual alerts on the user interface, simplifying engagement and disengagement of Autosteer, additional checks upon engaging Autosteer and while using it outside controlled access highways and when approaching traffic controls, and eventual suspension from Autosteer use if the driver repeatedly fails to demonstrate they are paying attention to the road while the feature is engaged.

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Fixing ADAS Systems Makes Up Over a Third of Collision Repair Costs

By Brittany Moy AAA

A recent study by AAA found advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), like automatic emergency braking, blind spot monitoring and lane departure warning, can add up to 37.6% to the total repair cost after a crash. This is due to the high cost of replacing and calibrating the sensors that operate these systems.

Even minor damage to systems such as front radar or distance sensors can result in additional repair expenses of up to $1,540.

AAA advises consumers to be aware of the repair costs associated with these vehicle systems, and prioritize repairing them when necessary to ensure they work as intended.

“Vehicles equipped with more sophisticated safety systems are much more common now, especially since NHTSA proposed its rule requiring automatic emergency braking earlier this year,” said Greg Brannon, AAA’s director of automotive engineering. “Consumers should know about the repair costs associated with these technologies.

But they must also understand the

importance of fixing them since improperly functioning systems could result in a deadly crash.”

Many variables can affect the cost of repairing ADAS, including vehicle make and model, the type and location of the sensor and the type of facility where the repair work is performed.

Consumers may not realize it, but

the sensors that help ADAS “see” the world around the vehicle are located at the front, side and back. AAA looked at four repair scenarios—front-end collision, side mirror replacement, rear collision and windshield replacement— to understand the costs of repairing these sensors.

The highest repair cost for ADAS components is attributed to radar sensors and cameras damaged in a front-end collision. However, the replacement of a side mirror

represented the largest proportion of repair costs of the three scenarios.

For the three vehicles (model year 2023) evaluated in this report, AAA found: • The average cost of replacing ADAS components in a minor front collision repair was $1,540, or 13.2% of the average total repair.

• An average of 70.8% of the repair cost ($1,067) was attributable to the ADAS camera included in the side mirror assembly.

• The average cost of replacing ADAS components in a minor rear collision repair was $684, or 40.9% of the average total repair estimate of $1,698.

• The cost of windshield glass replacement attributable to ADAS components averaged 25.4% ($360.00) of the total repair cost.

• Individual ADAS component costs (part and specific labor/ calibration) over the four repair scenarios range from a low of $290 to a high of $1,596. AAA’s research determined the ranges listed below for typical ADAS repair expenses. Note that these numbers are for costs over and

•

•

•

•

•

•

above the normal body work required following a collision.

Front radar sensors used with automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control systems: $500 to $1,300.

Front camera sensors used with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and lane keeping assistance (does not include the cost of a replacement windshield): $600 to $800.

Mirror mount, side mirror used with around-view systems: $740 to $1,600.

Windshield camera sensor used with lane keeping assistance, traffic sign recognition and pedestrian detection: $900 to $1,200.

Front or rear ultrasonic sensors used with parking assist systems: $300 to $1,000.

A driver is alerted by a warning light or icon on the instrument panel and/or a message display if an ADAS component is failing and causing the system to be inoperable. Once this occurs, it’s crucial for drivers to take their vehicle to a reputable repair facility for repair.

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Wieländer+Schill Joins SCRS Wieländer+Schill (W+S) has joined the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) as a corporate member.

For more than four decades, W+S has focused on delivering new, inventive solutions tailored for the collision industry. Their products, designed and distributed

by WSEngineering, are renowned for their flexibility and high quality, earning the approval and reliance of various automobile manufacturers globally. This expertise now aligns with the SCRS’s mission to support leading repair centers with top-tier resources and knowledge.

Maured Bauer, managing director of Wieländer+Schill, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, highlighting the company’s longstanding relationship with Reliable Automotive Engineering (RAE), another SCRS corporate member.

“For over 20 years, we have been the key OEM supplier in the USA through RAE,” Bauer said. “Joining SCRS, an organization known for its impactful support and initiatives in the industry, aligns perfectly with our vision and commitment to serving our customers worldwide.”

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bill To Stop EPA Emissions Mandate The U.S. House of Representatives on Dec. 6 passed the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales (CARS) Act (H.R. 4468) with bipartisan support, 221-197, as five Democrats and each Republican member voted for the bill. If passed into law, the SEMA-supported bill would prohibit the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing the agency’s proposed federal emissions standards for light- and medium-duty motor vehicles model years 2027 to 2032, which intends for electric vehicles to make up 67% of all new vehicles sales by 2032. The CARS Act also prevents future EPA motorvehicle emissions regulations that would mandate certain technologies or limit the availability of vehicles based on engine type.

The passage of the CARS Act comes just days after American Fuel and Petrochemical Manufacturers

(AFPM) released the results of a national survey that found 60% of likely voters oppose the EPA’s proposed EV mandates.

A further breakdown of likely voters found the majority of Republicans (87%) and Independents (61%) oppose the EPA’s de facto internal combustion engine (ICE) ban, while Democrats are split on the matter (41% support, 32% oppose, 27% undecided).

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-MI, introduced and championed the CARS Act to ensure the EPA’s push to decarbonize transportation remains technology-neutral and does not favor one vehicle technology over another. The specialty automotive aftermarket has a forward-looking vision that embraces new technology to make vehicles cleaner and more efficient, which includes hydrogen, electric, alternative fuels and continuing to improve the internal combustion engine.

If the CARS Act becomes

law, it would block the most aggressive tailpipe emissions ever proposed.

SEMA President and CEO Mike Spagnola and member companies have been vocal in opposing the EPA’s proposed rule. If the rule is finalized, the EPA estimates 67% of new sedans, crossovers, SUVs and light-truck purchases would be electric by 2032, while EVs would make up 50% of bus and garbage trucks, 35% of shorthaul freight tractors and 25% of long-haul freight tractors.

U.S. Sens. Mike Crapo, R-ID, and Pete Ricketts, R-NE, introduced a bipartisan companion version of the CARS Act in the Senate, S. 3094. The bill has 33 co-sponsors and awaits consideration in the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

For more information, visit s e m a . o r g / E PA - P r o p o s e d Greenhouse-Gas-Rules or contact Tiffany Cipoletti at tiffanyc@sema.org.

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autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 35

Repairify Now ASE Accredited For Training

Dealerships Losing Ground To Independent Auto Repair Shops, Study Finds

Repairify, Inc., has achieved ASE accreditation for both online and in-person training, and is now recognized by ASE as a provider of “Continuing Automotive Service Education” to help train the future technicians of the automotive repair industry.

Repairify sought this accreditation to ensure its training content aligns with I-CAR objectives. With this accreditation, students who complete Repairify courses will receive credit towards their I-CAR certifications in the same way they would if they took the I-CAR course at the technical center in Chicago.

Repairify’s curriculum design, processes and methods for training were rigorously tested by ASE over several months. Every aspect of Repairify’s program was examined to validate that its training materials met ASE’s high standards and the needs of automotive students and the industry. Now, Repairify has joined this exclusive club of fewer than 50 institutions that have received ASE accreditation.

New Cox Automotive research revealed franchised dealerships in the U.S. are losing service market share to general repair shops, despite remaining the top service provider.

The detailed report, “Under the Hood: Opportunities and Challenges in the Service Industry,” showed dealerships, while still leading, have seen their share of service visits drop from 35% in 2021 to 30% in 2023.

This trend emerges as the auto care industry in the U.S. market is expected to surpass $400 billion in consumer spending.

Post-pandemic, vehicle owners are reportedly driving more and prolonging their existing vehicles’ usage, influenced by high prices and loan rates for new vehicles.

Consequently, service centers are witnessing more frequent visits, with the average vehicle owner bringing in their car 2.5 times in 2023, up from 2.3 in 2021.

Vanessa Ton, senior manager of market and customer research

at Cox Automotive, emphasized the service business’s crucial role in dealership operations.

Despite the challenges outlined in the report, she noted the industry’s growth and increased customer service visits, boosting most providers’ service revenue.

The Cox Automotive service study, conducted in the latter half of 2023, involved surveying 2,493 vehicle owners, including 182 EV owners, who had at least one service in the past year, accounting for more than 5,500 service visits. Additionally, 525 franchised dealers with decisionmaking authority over fixed operations were interviewed.

A shift in consumer preference was observed, with 33% of owners favoring general repair shops over dealers for the first time, up from 32% in 2021. Trust in franchised dealer service has waned, with only 54% citing trust as a reason to return, down from 62% in 2021.

Cost concerns, exacerbated by inflation, have impacted service decisions. The study reported a 45% increase in the average price per service visit since 2021. However, dealership service costs, averaging $258 per visit, are largely comparable to non-dealer providers at $249, challenging the perception of dealerships being more expensive.

Dealerships are also preparing for a surge in electric vehicle services, with 71% adding technicians with high-voltage training and certifications.

Despite this, many dealers feel the need for more trained staff and infrastructure to adequately service EVs.

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State Farm Leads in Auto Insurance Affordability Across 29 States Co-President & Publisher Nathan Gregory

Accounting & HR Manager Heather Priddy

Co-President & Publisher Paul Stepanek

Permissions Editor Randi Scholtes

Editor Abby Andrews Contributing Writers Mike Anderson, Stacey Phillips, Cole Strandberg, John Yoswick Advertising Sales Joe Momber, Norman Morano, Steve Sklenar Office Manager Kelly Cashman Digital Marketing Manager Bryan Malinski Art Director Rodolfo Garcia Senior Designer Vicki Sitarz

Serving Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona, Utah and adjacent metro areas. Autobody News is a monthly publication for the autobody industry. Permission to reproduce in any form the material published in Autobody News must be obtained in writing from the publisher. ©2024 Autobody News, LLC. Autobody News P.O. Box 1516 Carlsbad, CA 92018 (800) 699-8251 (760) 603-3229 Fax www.autobodynews.com editor@autobodynews.com

State Farm, the nation’s largest auto insurance provider, was identified as the most affordable option in 29 states in a recent report by Clearsurance.com.

The study highlighted that while State Farm leads in overall affordability, other insurance providers offer more competitive rates for certain customer demographics. For instance, Erie Insurance is the go-to option for drivers with tickets, offering an average rate increase of only 7% post-speeding ticket compared to the industry average of 22%.

GEICO stands out for its significant driver discounts, while AutoOwners is most favorable for family policies. The report showed the cost-effectiveness of Metromile for drivers with a safe record and those driving less than 10,000 miles annually. This usage-based insurance model aligns well with the needs of low-mileage drivers.

Additionally, Farm Bureau offers the most cost-effective options for drivers with poor credit, and USAA is the best choice for military families.

“The best insurance provider depends on each individual’s needs and demographics. There is no one-size-fits-all best company,” said Melanie Musson, insurance expert with Clearsurance.com.

The report also compared average monthly rates for full coverage auto insurance, which includes both collision and comprehensive coverage. GEICO leads with the lowest average rate of $154 per month, followed

by USAA at $189 and State Farm at $200. Full coverage is more expensive than liability-only but offers extensive protection against various damages.

The cheapest insurance option may vary based on multiple factors, including age, gender, driving history, credit score and the type of car insured. For instance, more expensive cars typically attract higher full coverage premiums.

For a comprehensive view of the best and cheapest car insurance companies of 2023, interested readers can refer to the full report at clearsurance.com/ best-car-insurance.

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Insurers’ Efforts To Improve Profitability Drive Auto Policy Shopping Macroeconomic trends affecting insurance shopping in the first half of 2023 continued throughout Q3. Auto and property insurance shopping rates were flat compared to Q2 2023 but elevated 12% and 6%, respectively, compared to Q3 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 markets, as well as survey data about consumers’ behaviors and attitudes.

The search for lower insurance premiums remains a primary driver of auto insurance shopping. The Insurance Information Institute forecasted auto insurance premium growth of 10.4% in 2023—double the 5% premium growth from the previous year.

“In addition to raising rates, insurers are employing other measures to improve their profitability, like suspending distribution and toughening underwriting standards,” said Stothard Deal, vice president of strategic planning for TransUnion’s insurance business. “These efforts have likely motivated consumers to

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expand their shopping activity with new insurers.”

New vehicle sales were also a contributing factor. A healthy labor market and the increase in employers’ return to work policies are likely motivating consumers to purchase new vehicles. According to J.D. Power, the U.S. new automobile market remains resilient, with the outlook for sales in 2023 increasing to 7% over 2022.

How Bundling Can Attract and Retain Policyholders Conversely, home sales and refinancing—two important triggers for property insurance shopping— remain depressed. Homeowners locked into low interest rates are reluctant to sell and purchase new properties at current rates.

However, property insurance shopping remains elevated over 2022. One factor pushing this trend is the hunt for lower insurance premiums. Another is the increased number of insurers requiring bundling or multiline policies. As consumers shop for auto insurance, they may be forced to consider switching their home insurance as well, even if they

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are happy with their current policy.

With pressure being placed on retaining policyholders, opportunities exist for insurers to consider valueadded services outside of basic coverage options. For example, home insurance policies have long included identity theft protection.

“In addition to raising rates, insurers are employing other measures to improve their profitability, like suspending distribution and toughening underwriting standards,” — STOTHARD DEAL

VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC PLANNING FOR TRANSUNION’S INSURANCE BUSINESS

The report noted cyber security threats are evolving and insurers should broaden their offerings. Social engineering scams, in which bad actors trick consumers into clicking a malicious link or sharing personal information, are now one of the most prevalent threats.

Many insurers are exploring

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Northwood University Announces Master’s Degree Northwood University is launching a pioneering master of science in organizational leadership (MSOL) program tailored for automotive professionals. Enrollment is now open, with classes beginning Jan. 15, 2024.

The MSOL for Automotive Professionals program exemplifies Northwood’s continued dedication to providing specialized education for individuals deeply entrenched in the automotive field. It welcomes participants with diverse automotive industry experiences.

It offers a seamless pathway for graduates of Northwood’s prestigious Automotive Marketing Management and Automotive Aftermarket Management programs, ensuring a unified and comprehensive educational journey.

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ways to assist policyholders due to different types of fraud and cyber risks, including social engineering scams, ransomware attacks and cyberbullying events.

Going further, the report recommended adopting preventative solutions that complement existing restorative measures.

One such solution is TransUnion’s TruEmpower™ Scam Blocker, which helps protect individuals, families and small businesses from harmful cyber incidents by blocking fraudulent websites, phishing attempts and other cyber threats on mobile devices and laptops.

Delivered through insurers, Scam Blocker adds value and can give peace of mind to policyholders while assisting to reduce claims costs to insurers.

“TransUnion research has found consumers look to their insurers for guidance and protection in the aftermath of a cyber-attack,” said Matt Cullina, head of TransUnion’s global cyber insurance business.

“Providing a robust, preventative measure can help policyholders feel safer online and more secure in their coverage policy.”

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AUTOBODY autobodynews.com / AUTOBODY NEWS JANUARY 2024 39

Wishing You a Happy & Prosperous 2024 from the Team at

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40 JANUARY 2024 AUTOBODY NEWS / autobodynews.com