June 2024 Southwest Edition

Automatic Emergency Braking to Be Standard on All New Vehicles by 2029

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on April 29 announced it has finalized a new rule that will make automatic emergency braking (AEB), including pedestrian AEB, standard on all passenger cars and light trucks by September 2029, in a bid to significantly reduce rear-end and pedestrian crashes.

NHTSA projects the new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard will save at least 360 lives a year and prevent at least 24,000 injuries annually.

contact with a vehicle in front of them up to 62 mph, and that the systems must detect pedestrians in both daylight and darkness. In addition, the standard requires the system apply the brakes automatically up to 90 mph when a collision with a lead vehicle is imminent, and up to 45 mph when a pedestrian is detected.

This final rule applies to vehicle weighing 10,000 pounds or less, which includes nearly all U.S. light vehicles.

AEB systems use sensors to detect when a vehicle is close to crashing into a vehicle or pedestrian in front and automatically applies the brakes if the driver has not.

Pedestrian AEB technology will detect a pedestrian in both daylight and in darker conditions at night.

The NHTSA said the new standard will significantly reduce injury or property damage and associated costs from these crashes.

The new standard requires all cars be able to stop and avoid

The vast majority of light vehicles sold in the U.S. already come equipped with the feature. In December 2023, it was announced 20 automakers had fulfilled a voluntary pledge they signed in 2016 to equip nearly all the light vehicles they produce for the U.S. market with AEB. The list included Toyota, Honda, Ford, GM and Stellantis. That pledge had been brokered by the NHTSA and the

CIF Extends Lifeline to Shops Ravaged by Spring Storms, Everyday Catastrophes

By Leona Scott Autobody News

Jessica Stegner, vice president of the Oklahoma Autobody Association (OKABA), remembers when a body technician from Guthrie, OK, suffered a life-altering accident several years ago. The incident disrupted his ability to work, forcing him to seek support from his family.

Stegner reflected on the missed opportunity to connect him with the Collision Industry Foundation’s (CIF) relief assistance program, which could have provided much-needed aid during his hardship. Despite the challenges, the technician persevered, carving out a successful career as a collision repair instructor.

REGIONAL NEWS

“I was just made aware of this amazing relief fund from the Collision Industry Foundation a few weeks ago,” Stegner said. “I was so excited to hear about it that I put it on the front page of our website (okaba.org) immediately. This financial assistance can make a life-changing difference for shop owners, employees and their families. We at OKABA are so pleased to be able to help shops in Oklahoma by providing them with information about this valuable resource.”

When Stegner hears about those in the collision industry repair community affected by natural disasters or even personal tragedies, she knows she has a dependable resource in CIF to provide those

l CONTINUED ON PAGE 13

Ford Ordered to Pay Colorado Springs Woman $45

Million in Civil Lawsuit

A federal jury in Colorado Springs, CO, on April 17 awarded Lorelle Thompson $45 million in punitive damages in a personal injury lawsuit against Ford Motor Company, according to FOX 21.

The verdict was the highest in Colorado Springs history, surpassing the previous record of $33 million set in 2019.

The case stemmed from an incident on Dec. 27, 2016, involving a 1998 Ford Expedition. Thompson

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REGIONAL NEWS

Aims Community College Launches Ford ASSET Degree Program 33

Empire Auto Parts Opens New Distribution Facility in Texas 36

Ford Ordered to Pay Colorado Springs Woman $45 Million in Civil Lawsuit 1

Hail Damage Repair Delay Frustrates

Austin Truck Owners 34

NATIONAL NEWS

ALLDATA Launches Repair Planner 29

Automakers Report Strong Hybrid, EV Sales in April 38

Automatic Emergency Braking to Be Standard on All New Vehicles by 2029 1

Brian Martin Joins AkzoNobel 33

Caliber Launches Nationwide Food Drive 34

CIF Announces Repeat Annual Donor 40

DSG Acquires S&S Automotive 42

Fisker Expands Dealer Network but Warns of Possible Layoffs, Plant Closure 47

Fix Auto USA Celebrates 200th Store Milestone 46

GM Ending Production of Last GasPowered Sedan 48

Hertz Offloading More EVs as Losses Continue 37

NABC Donates Vehicle to Texas Veteran 29

NABC Holds Lone Star Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser in Texas 25

Tesla Skirts Austin’s Environmental Rules Using New State Law 37

COLUMNISTS

Mike Anderson Battery Reconnects Lead Police to Visit Shop 3 Times Until Solution Found 18

Abby Andrews Auto Glass Now Launches Campaign Emphasizing Nationwide Reach, Speed 32

Bosch Bringing EV Training to Technicians Nationwide 30

Car Insurance, Repair Cost Increases Far Outpace Overall Rate 16

Health Insurance-Buying Pool Can Counteract Trends Driving Up Costs for Collision Repairers 28

New Event to Give Repair Shop Owners Tools to Attract, Develop, Retain Top Talent 22

Stacey Phillips Ronak

AkzoNobel Collision Industry Experts Event Focuses on Business Strategies for Repairers 20

Collision Facility Owner Sees Value in Supporting Customers, Employees, Community 12

Talent Acquisition Program Leaders Share Insight During IBIS USA 4

Leona Scott

CIF Extends Lifeline to Shops Ravaged by Spring Storms, Everyday Catastrophes 1

John Yoswick

Associations Working to Enact State Laws on OEM Procedures, Right to Appraisals 8

CIC Adopts Distinct Definitions of ‘Estimate’ and ‘Repair Plan’ 24

Hyundai, Kia Lead Surge in Vehicle Thefts in 2023 45

Joe Hudson’s Collision Center Expands With 6 New Locations 50

Johnson to Lead Development of asTech Mechanical 45

NHTSA Investigating Ford’s BlueCruise After Fatal Crashes 36

Number of Underinsured Motorists Nationwide Hit 15.7% in 2022 42 Rivian Cuts Workforce Again Amid EV Demand Slowdown 48

SCA Appoints New Director of Auto Adjusting 47 Subaru Forester Excels in Tough New IIHS Crash Tests 44

VinFast Signs On

Performing Dynamic Calibrations In House Can Mean Big Returns on Minimal Investment 14

Shop Owners: Insurers Could Take NonFinancial Steps to Improve Claims 6

Index of Advertisers

Stacey Phillips Ronak — Solving the Tech Shortage

Talent Acquisition Program Leaders Share Insight During IBIS USA

With various talent acquisition initiatives being implemented for the collision industry, five program leaders recently shared insight about the technician shortage during a panel discussion held in March at the International Bodyshop Industry Forum (IBIS) USA conference in Anaheim, CA.

Dave Smith, an independent consultant for the collision industry, moderated the panel, which focused on what is being done to address the talent issue and the collaboration taking place.

Erick Bickett represented the Collision Career Institute as its cofounder and CEO. The institute provides a defined career path and training for entry-level technicians. The executive director of the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), Brandon Eckenrode, discussed CREF’s support of educational programs, schools and students to create qualified, entry-level employees and connect them with career opportunities.

Dara Goroff, I-CAR’s vice president of planning and industry talent programming, shared information about I-CAR’s Collision Careers platform, created for the industry and external partners to collaborate to help reposition the industry as a growing, exciting and stable field. The Collision Careers website includes information about industry roles and explains a typical career path. It also has downloadable posters and printed materials for school administrators, advisors and counselors to share with career seeking students.

Jennifer Maher, CEO of the TechForce Foundation, talked about the nonprofit’s dedication to helping young people explore the technician profession and champion them throughout their journey. The national marketing and engagement director of Collision Engineering, Molly Mahoney, explained their partnership with colleges focused on delivering an immersive apprenticeship training model for collision repair training programs to help build a new generation of collision professionals.

Creating

Industry Awareness Panelists stressed the importance of bringing awareness to the collision industry.

“There are almost 160,000 new technicians needed every year to keep up with demand,” said Maher.

She noted all skilled trades — auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, motorsports, welding, etc. — are facing a shortage.

“At the end of the day, you’re not only competing with the other sectors of the mobility industry, you’re competing with all skilled trades so you have to cast that net wider,” she advised. “You have to be able to fill the pond and they need to hear that the technician profession is a great career path.”

“We’re essentially in a trade war,” added Eckenrode. “We’re competing against the other trades for people. We want to be the first choice for these students.”

Maher said prospective candidates need to see what the industry is like and how they fit in.

“Some will be very passionate about collision; some might not be,” she said. “You need to bring them in because they may start as an auto tech, but then their curiosity is piqued, and they might migrate to collision.”

Bickett pointed out the industry needs a larger funnel.

“We need a good sample to look for the right aptitude and attitude — what’s in the head and the heart — because we’re going to spend a lot of time and energy to help these new entrants be successful.”

Goroff suggested casting that wide net through social channels, YouTube videos and other places where students are already looking for information. The Collision Careers YouTube channel has seven videos, with more to come, ready for industry use and geared towards attracting future technicians to all roles.

She also recommended creating belief.

“If somebody doesn’t believe that they will find their fit in our industry, be respected and have a career path, it doesn’t matter how much we

market to them,” she said. “We truly want people to be able to picture themselves thriving as a collision repair technician.”

When looking for employees, she suggested reaching out to a diverse audience and using words and imagery they aspirationally use to describe themselves, such as innovators, dream makers, problem solvers, creators or game changers.

Eckenrode recommended working with school counselors to help spread the message.

“We’ve heard that students are being told to pick their career path at the junior high level, so we can’t wait until they get to high school to have them consider or even be aware of this industry,” he said.

Mahoney noted technical careers are increasingly being talked about in mainstream media.

“The problem is they’re not talking about collision,” she said. “What we’re seeing, especially at career fairs, is that many of those with a four-year degree are looking for different, unique opportunities.”

However, they often don’t know where the entry points are and aren’t easy to find. Mahoney said education must be part of the solution.

Someone might walk into a school and say, ‘I want to do automotive and really want to do collision,’ but they don’t know what collision is,” said Mahoney. “It needs to be better outlined. They need to know what the career path is, and they need to hear it from the students and the technicians working today.”

Financial Support for Technical Training

According to CREF’s database, Eckenrode said there are about 960 high school and post-secondary collision school programs nationwide. Many have low enrollment numbers and limited budgets.

Programs are constantly evaluated and if they don’t have enough students, they are often the first to be considered when cutting budgets.

“The support of the industry getting involved and investing in local schools is going to be key to keep them thriving and open,” Eckenrode said.

Maher said many students lack funding for tuition, even for a oneyear or community college program.

“There is a real need for tuition scholarships,” she said. “There’s also the cost of being able to afford the tools and materials.”

Whether the barriers are childcare, groceries, family work or a job, Maher said the industry’s job is to determine how to keep students learning. Many use CREF and TechForce for scholarships to help with tuition.

Goroff said a scholarship or a donation as small as $1,000 can overcome a barrier and keep a student on a learning path.

The Power of Collaboration

Bickett said a great opportunity exists for the industry to work together to address these issues.

“It’s a huge challenge and a crisis for all of us,” he said. “Everybody can play a role to help solve the problem.”

Bickett suggested the constraint comes from shops and recommended the industry adopt a learning culture.

“As more shops adopt a strategy and there’s demand for new entrants, hard work will pay off and create success in growing the organization,” he said.

“The most important thing we can do together is to make sure this industry has a stable future and we are not sustainable without new, fresh talent continuously flowing in,” said Goroff.

She recommended uplifting each other to make this an industry of choice.

“We promote TechForce and the Collision Engineering program and will hopefully be marketing our partnerships with many others in the industry, starting with those that are not for profit,” Goroff said. “This will enable our technicians to be successful as they learn.”

CREF and I-CAR collaborate with the American School Counselor Association and attend events with counselors from across the country to share information about the industry and present it in a more professional light.

In addition to talking to counselors, Maher said it’s important to speak to students and understand what they get excited about in a career.

TechForce partnered with Collision Engineering to conduct a focus group with collision students. Using the information they learned, the organizations created a video to attract students to the profession.

“Collaborating with other organizations and being able to go into schools and listen and hear and then regurgitate back to them what they’re saying is really powerful,” she said.

During IBIS USA, five talent acquisition program leaders shared insight about the technician shortage and the importance of collaboration.

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Shop Owners: Insurers Could Take Non-Financial Steps To Improve Claims

by John Yoswick Autobody News

Ask collision repair shop owners what they wish auto insurers would do differently, and most will start their list with “pay a higher labor rate” or “compensate us for the OEM repair procedures we are performing.” But shops say there are also some nonfinancial things insurance companies could do that would improve the claims process for shops and consumers — and maybe even for the insurers themselves.

Sue Black, who with her son co-owns Dean’s Auto Body in Sheboygan, WI, said she’d like insurers just to better think through the “hidden” costs of parts sourcing.

“We all know that parts are hard to get our hands on anyway,” Black said. “If we would be able to order these supplemental parts from vendors that were within a 50- to 75-mile radius for us, for example, rather than from way across the country, I think that would cut down on some time as

actually hinder customer service and the claims process, and increases cycle time and rental expense,” Latuff added. “They could look at tracking different things that would reward the appraiser for making the right decision on that claim. But right now, the appraiser who does the right thing on that claim for that car, for that consumer, can be the nail that sticks out, and they get [negative] attention because their file scored higher on some report.”

Improved Communications

For Tom Ricci, owner of Body & Paint Center in Hudson, MA, his idea for an improvement insurers could make is something that’s “as easy as flipping a switch.” Too few insurers in his state, he said, allow a shop to download an insurer-prepared estimate, resulting in wasted shops’ time rekeying those estimates and not being able to upload supplements.

“Open the communication lines. That would decrease our cycle time,” Ricci said. “I don’t know how they don’t get that. Some of these companies just want to hang on to the way things were. It’s not all insurers. There’s probably a half dozen very good companies, letting you pull down estimates and do ‘warm exchanges’ of supplements. But the rest of them are impossible.”

well, waiting for those parts to come in.”

Black also pointed to long wait times for supplement approvals as another such hidden cost. Will Latuff, president of Latuff Brothers Auto Body in St. Paul, MN, agreed virtual claims processing has seemed to add to the need for better shopinsurer communication.

“Since COVID, it’s been very difficult,” Latuff said. “They don’t necessarily owe us a conversation when they send the supplement because it is the customer’s policy and not ours, but it sure helps the process move a lot faster and smoother, with less rework. So I think even if they’re going to maintain a virtual presence for handling supplements, that process needs to be refined.

“I think the insurers should realize that the restrictions and guidelines that they put on their appraisers

Tiffany Silva of Accurate Auto Body in Richmond, CA, would like to see more insurance companies offering — and marketing —auto policies with OEM parts endorsements.

“They just don’t seem to be carrying the same message from here in New Mexico to Nebraska to California.”

SCOTT

“It is amazing when we have a customer come in that has that endorsement and we don’t even have to look for used or aftermarket parts,” Silva said. “So we’re trying to educate our customers to add that endorsement to their policy so the next time when we see them, there isn’t all the talk about aftermarket parts and the objections to them. It’s so incredibly inexpensive. My last customer told me it cost them about $15.”

The other issue Silva thinks insurers could help shops address is pre-repair payments to customers that shops aren’t told about.

of having to track down money,” she said. “My office manager spent so much time on that. There’s no communication. Sometimes it gets deposited straight into the customer’s checking account, and they spend it having no idea that it was even in there. One customer spent $10,000 and then couldn’t pay us. But we had released the vehicle because the insurance company didn’t tell us they had pre-paid them.”

She said the shop has made multiple changes to its authorization form in an effort to find out if a customer received funds from the insurer, and to make the customer aware that money will be owed to the shop.

UPDATED

Scott Benavidez owner of Mister B’s Paint and Body in Albuquerque, NM, said his wish for the insurance industry is similar: that companies would do a better job of “communication from the top down.”

“We go to the Collision Industry Conference and we hear the top of the chain [at an insurance company] say one thing, and when you get down to the local market, they say something totally different,” Benavidez said. “They just don’t seem to be carrying the same message from here in New Mexico to Nebraska to California. So I’d like to see them get better at that.”

His other hope is that insurers would get back to making decisions about what is “reasonable and necessary” rather than “usual and customary.”

“I don’t really think it’ll ever happen because it’s going to cost them too much money, but if we could get there, it would solve a lot of problems,” Benavidez said.

OEM Parts Policies, Pre-Repair Payments

New Mexico shop owner Scott Benavidez thinks insurers could improve the consistency of their messaging from the top of their claims organization down to local markets

Associations Working to Enact State Laws on OEM Procedures, Right to Appraisals

by John Yoswick Autobody News

Bob Redding, chairman of the Governmental Committee of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), drew laughter from CIC attendees in Seattle in mid-April when he polled the audience to ask: Do you think Congress is doing a good job at getting things done? Almost everyone in the room, 95% of those responding, said no.

“It’s pretty evident that this has not been the most impactful Congress in history,” said Redding, who serves as a lobbyist for the Automotive Service Association.

He pointed to legislation that Democrats and Republicans worked together to enact in 2017 to provide the auto industry with guidelines related to research and development of autonomous vehicles — a subject federal lawmakers have since failed to further agree on in the intervening years, leading to a patchwork of state-by-state regulations.

“If the federal government doesn’t do something, some or all the states will fill the void, and that’s what we’re going to talk about here,” Redding said, kicking off a panel discussion related to state collision repair associations’ legislative efforts.

‘Right

to Appraisal’

Sought Jill Tuggle, executive director of the Auto Body Association of Texas, said ensuring a consumer’s right to an appraisal when there’s a disagreement about the amount of an auto policy loss is one of her association’s key legislative priorities.

“We’ve submitted that [legislation] twice in Texas, and it’s going to be high on our agenda for 2025,” Tuggle said. “When the right to appraisal was removed from some insurance policies, we were able to get the attention of the Texas

Department of Insurance. It was kind of an ‘uh-oh moment’ for them that they realized that they let these policies kind of sneak through.

“It is outlined on their website that they believe that the right to appraisal is a consumer right, but it is not anywhere on the legal books in Texas,” Tuggle continued. “Luckily, between the DOI and the Office of Public Insurance Council, they kind of put their thumb on that, but in the meantime, we do need to get some legislation passed. So while we will still be submitting our safe repairs bill and championing that all the way to the finish line, the right to appraisal is going to be something that we put extra effort into.”

That “safe repairs bill” would have prohibited an insurer from disregarding any repair operation or cost identified by an estimating system, or any procedure recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Tuggle said she was surprised by the opposition to the legislation from the alternative parts industry.

“We removed any OEM-partsonly language from the bill a couple sessions ago, so it’s been several years since we’ve had anything like that in there,” Tuggle said.

She said member shops often tell her they can make more money using non-OEM parts if those parts have been tested “for the same tensile strength, weight and fitment, [so that shops] had a little bit more peace of mind that the parts would fit properly and crash the same way. So standards are really the only thing parts-wise that enters into our bill language.”

She said she truly believes shops “have the power to change policy both on the state and national level” if they use their voice as someone who lives and works within their legislators’ district.

“Oftentimes, our opposition has very deep pockets, and it would take years and years for us as

independent repairers to pool the money and resources necessary to get some of the meetings that they get very easily,” Tuggle said. “But the one thing that they don’t often have is constituents in the [lawmakers’] district. And so when they go down to the state Capitol to testify in opposition of our bills, they are often flying in from other states.

It’s pretty evident that this has not been the most impactful Congress in history.”

BOB

REDDING AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE ASSOCIATION LOBBYIST

“Legislators do care about their constituents, and they do know that when the session is over, they have to go back and look you in the face,” she continued. “They have to see you at the barbecue joint, and they have to answer to you on why they voted against something that is very important to your business, or voted for something that hurts your business. And so I would say using our voice is the most important thing that we can do.”

Puzzled by Opposition

Another panelist, Washington state shop owner Jeff Butler, said he too was puzzled by some of the controversy earlier this year over the Washington Independent Collision Repair Association’s proposed legislation calling for the use of OEM repair procedures and giving policyholders the right to call for an independent appraisal when there is disagreement about repair costs.

“The committee chair, Rep. Amy Waylen, owns dealerships, and she decided to oppose the legislation,” Butler said. “We’re a little confused as to why that’s happening.”

He said federal standards have made cars safer, so it’s not clear why there is debate about fixing them to the standards to which they were built.

“There’s a roomful of us here talking about how to fix a car,” Butler said. “And yet we have to try to pass a law in order to be able to do that?”

He said another lawmaker had sponsored the right to appraisal bill because his family had personal experience with an insurer refusing

some repair costs after his wife’s parked car was hit.

Butler said his own claims consulting business has prevailed in 14 short-pay disputes that went to mediation.

“The average short-pay was $6,000, and some were $12,000,” he said. “This is not good faith. This is just not how business is supposed to be done. But it’s happening with some carriers. And let’s be fair: There’s bad actors in every segment of life, right? There are bad repairers. We’ve all seen that.

“So I’m not naming any names or saying the insurance industry as a whole is wrong, because that’s not true,” Butler continued. “There are good insurers out there doing the right thing. But this kind of behavior needs to change, which is why the laws need to change to ensure the right to appraisal exists in every policy.”

New CIC Chairman

Also at CIC in Seattle, Dan Risley of CCC Intelligent Solutions was named as the new chairman of CIC. Prior to joining CCC in 2018, he spent five years as executive director of the Automotive Service Association. He was inducted into the Hall of Eagles, the collision industry’s hall of fame, in 2022.

“I know Dan is very passionate about our industry, he’s given of himself to an immense extent, he’s very energetic and driven, and he gets things done,” Darrell Amberson, who has served as interim chair of CIC the past several months, said in making the announcement.

Risley follows Frank Terlep of Opus IVS, who served one year as CIC chair.

The CIC chair is chosen by a committee of those who have previously served one or two years as its chair since CIC was founded in 1983.

The conference is held quarterly in locations around the country. The next meeting is July 10 in Denver, CO.

Jill Tuggle of the Auto Body Association of Texas said they will again push next year for legislation requiring auto insurance policies to include a “right to appraisal” clause.

Bob Redding, chairman of the CIC Governmental Committee, said while Congress is sharply divided politically, state legislatures continue to address industry-related legislation.

Dan Risley of CCC Intelligent Solutions was announced as the new chair of the Collision Industry Conference (CIC).

THE NEW ERA OF DIGITAL PAINT MIXING.

How PPG’s Innovations are Improving Key-to-key Productivity

and Shop Profitability

In today’s competitive marketplace, the high production collision repair center must be relentless in improving key-to-key productivity. That holds especially true in the paint operation, where color accuracy and throughput performance play a key role in a shop’s overall performance.

Taking advantage of emerging digital color tools is one area where significant gains can be achieved. For example, marrying the innovative PPG MOONWALK® automated mixing system with the ENVIROBASE® High Performance waterborne system is proof of what can be accomplished.

With over 40,000 users worldwide, the Envirobase High Performance system is well known for easy blending, color match performance and overall efficiency. The MoonWalk system was designed specifically to take the Envirobase system to the next level of color accuracy and performance.

The process of creating an automated paint mix is simple. After retrieving the matching formula, the technician loads the required toners on a dispensing rack. With one click, the MoonWalk system takes it from there. It automatically dispenses the exact amount of each toner—at an accuracy ten times more precise than the standard. To further eliminate waste, the system is designed to ensure all of the toner is used, down to the last drop.

“It mixes to the hundredth—not to the tenth—so it’s much more accurate with color match,” explains Frank McClosky, owner, McClosky’s Collision Repair, Baytown, Texas. “Knowing that the color is going to match the first time, there’s no need to mix extra paint that you might need to tint.”

“This is a great advantage for us,” adds Carl Garcia, owner of Carl’s Collision Center, Fall River, Mass. “It’s 100% accurate. No waste. And it has increased our efficiency by at least 15%.”

Going all in With Digital Tools

The MoonWalk mixing system is just one of PPG’s recent efforts to advance color-matching performance beyond paint. Recently it introduced the PPG LINQ™ ecosystem to help painters improve repair processes using an innovative cloud-based platform and interconnected digital tools:

• DIGIMATCH™ spectrophotometer, with a compact, multi-angle color camera for reading the actual vehicle color

• VISUALIZID™ digital color visualization tool enabling the technician to compare 3D “virtual sprayouts” to determine the best color variant formula

• PPG LINQ™ Color cloud-based software for easily identifying the best color from PPG’s extensive formula database

• MAGICBOX™ wireless device connects the software to the scale, enabling the technician to complete the mix quickly without the need for a separate PC

The Envirobase High Performance paint system is compatible with every tool in the PPG LINQ digital ecosystem, making it the perfect solution for modern collision centers.

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Collision Facility Owner Sees Value in Supporting Customers, Employees, Community

As a young boy, Elias Akiki helped his father, Mounir, repair vehicles in their home garage in Massachusetts. The Akiki family had migrated to the U.S. from Lebanon in 1972 and Mounir worked at different facilities during the day and repaired cars at their residence in the evening. In 1986, he and his wife, Laura, founded Akiki & Sons Inc. in the Hyde Park area of Massachusetts.

Elias continued to help at the family body shop after school and during summer vacations. When he was 12, Elias asked the mechanical shop owner next door if he could purchase the business. Elias was told he would let him know when they were ready.

“Eventually, that time did come,” recalled Elias.

When he was 19, Elias purchased the family business, and two years later, in 2000, he bought the shop next store and named it Akiki Auto Repair.

I consider family.

Many employees have worked at the shop for more than 20 years and I’m very happy with everyone here. I don’t have a lot of turnover. If somebody decides to leave, it’s usually a mutual understanding. It’s never disgruntled; it’s just somebody going in another direction.

We want our coworkers to develop as human beings and grow, not just within our company. If that road makes them grow and they end up outside these walls, we’re fine with that as long as they’ve experienced personal growth.

Q: How have you supported that growth through training?

A:in Boston, with about 7,000 moves a month. As the three businesses grew, Elias relocated to a larger location in Hyde Park. This includes the 20,000-square-foot collision repair facility and 10,000-square-foot mechanical shop. They currently have 100 employees, 20 of whom work in the collision business.

Autobody News talked to Elias about the importance of supporting customers, employees and the community, as well as becoming OEM-certified.

Q: What sets your business apart from others in the industry?

A: Our commitment to customers whom we consider friends, our community, and the people who work within the walls here — our employees — whom

We pay for all training our employees want to attend to help advance their career. As an I-CAR Gold Class facility, our technicians take I-CAR classes. We also arrange training for employees to keep up with their skills, such as welding. In addition, we receive training through our OEM certifications. As far as personal growth, we have a partnership with Collision Advice and Discover Leadership where we send our management and leadership team, as well as our service writers and those who interact with customers. We also have an in-house program for employees to develop their personal and professional growth.

Employees know that I’m committed to them and their growth while working together to achieve our mission of providing a world-class service and product. At the same time, I want our team to take it to another level and get paid for the work we do without putting in 10 hours of overtime. A good quality of life is important.

Many in the industry don’t want to bother training anyone because they feel the person will leave. They might and they might not. You need to put your best foot forward and think of the goodwill of the industry.

Q:

A:

Why is it essential to be OEM-certified?

We are OEM-certified in every brand we can be —Acura, Ford, Chevrolet, FCA, Honda/Acura, Hyundai, Infiniti, Kia, Nissan, Rivian and

Subaru. We are working to become certified with auto manufacturers that require invitations or sponsorships. It’s essential to be OEM-certified to demonstrate that the business is dedicated to the ultimate standard of repair. Consumers know that our facility repairs vehicles according to the manufacturers’ procedures.

I explain to customers that other shops may not repair vehicles to the certified standard. We let them know that we are the only people in this entire process of repairing vehicles that work solely for them. We tell them that “You are our boss. You give us the instruction on what to do.” You can never explain that enough to customers.

Many people are always thinking about doing what is right. I tell my team to do what is right for the customer.

Q: What is your strategy when hiring new employees?

A: I have developed relationships with the vocational schools in our area and I reach out to the school liaisons, as well as local leaders and politicians. They will introduce me to potential candidates because of my activity in the community. When you’re involved, you are going to meet local politicians who have connections with vocational schools, night programs and adult retraining programs, which helps bring in new people for internships.

A:Q:How do you and your team support the community?

We support the community in many ways and make sure we are present and accountable. If the community needs help, we step up and take care of it, whether it’s street cleaning, litter pickup, tow truck service or a road race. We sponsor every event we are asked to sponsor. We’re boots-on-theground and very present. I believe it’s important for the community to know that we feel it’s our community, too, and we’re helping to create a better place for everyone.

I take pride in being accessible. I’m vice president of the Hyde Park Main Street Association, which supports the area in many ways. We’ve remodeled about 20 abandoned homes in the neighborhood and rented them to families. I’m also a member of the Hyde Park Board of Trade. By

improving the surroundings, my neighbors are healthier and happier, which gives more prestige to the area.

A lot of shop owners think that they’re visiting the community where they work but need to realize they are improving their circumstances when they improve their surroundings. It’s not just a $100 donation. It’s a way of life.

I’ve been active in the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP)-Massachusetts for about four years and encourage colleagues to join and help support the industry. We have a lobbyist who is helping us increase reimbursement rates. When association members were picketing at the statehouse in 2021, I took coworkers with 60 of our towing trucks and wrecked cars. Although the law wasn’t changed, our labor rates have increased over the last couple of years, probably more than they’ve gone up in 30 years.

It makes a difference getting together and speaking up 100%. You may not get everything you ask for, but people take notice.

We are also members of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS). The national organization has a lot of information that helps the industry. We reach out to them to learn about their offerings, such as the health care and 401K plans.

For the past year, I’ve taught the appraisal class in the evenings at the local vocational school for those who want to become a Massachusetts licensed appraiser. Two students in the class are now working with me and two people in the auto body program next door have joined my company. By putting in that time, I was able to hire four employees. That might not have happened, but you need to be willing to do the work and give back to the industry that has given so much.

Q: What is your advice to shop owners about getting involved in the industry?

A: I’ve noticed that some people feel it’s someone else’s job. I used to be one of those people until I realized that if everyone keeps thinking that, then no one will do it. In the generation before me, someone carried the torch. It’s a tiring, thankless job but we must pass the torch continually. Everyone needs to carry a little bit so that the load isn’t that much and we are making progress, even if it’s slowly.

Many of Akiki & Sons’ employees have worked at the collision repair facility for more than 20 years.

CIF’s motto is simple yet profound: “We answer the call” through its relief assistance program.

individuals with a place to turn.

With a proven track record of swift and compassionate aid in the wake of natural disasters and other calamities, CIF emerges as a lifeline for collision repair professionals facing adversity.

CIF partners with industry allies like LKQ, NCS and RDA, as well as state organizations like OKABA, to spread the word about its relief assistance program.

In addition to providing CIF information on its website, Stegner recently connected two Oklahoma body shops with Petra Schroeder, CIF trustee. The two body shops have three technicians whose homes were destroyed by a tornado that ravaged Sulphur, OK.

Schroeder extends a heartfelt invitation to these individuals and others to explore the comprehensive assistance program.

The impact of CIF’s assistance reverberates in the lives it touches. Just ask Gary Noble, a

dedicated technician at Louisville Collision Center in Louisville, KY, whose life took a tragic turn following a catastrophic collision. Hindered by months of hospitalization and rehabilitation, Noble found help in CIF’s benevolence, receiving a direct grant of $10,845 to ease his burden.

CIF’s mission goes beyond financial assistance: It’s about restoring faith and rebuilding lives, one individual at a time. Schroeder emphasized that while CIF doesn’t directly aid a company, its mission is clear: to secure and distribute donations to collision repair industry individuals grappling with natural disasters or catastrophic events.

How does the relief assistance program work? CIF is committed to making the relief application process smooth and easy. Schroeder said donations are usually disbursed in 10-15 business days, provided the paperwork is completed quickly and efficiently.

Here’s the three-step application process:

Step 1: Affected individuals complete a form, furnishing CIF with crucial details. Access the form at www.collisionindustryfoundation. org/disaster-relief1.html.

Step 2: CIF verifies the request’s authenticity, ensuring integrity and

accuracy.

Step 3: A panel of rotating trustees meticulously reviews each case, determining eligibility.

Schroeder is grateful to CIF’s generous donors, whose support fuels the relief program’s generosity. From annual contributions to the cornerstone fundraising event at the January Collision Industry Conference in Palm Springs, CA, CIF thrives on the collective goodwill of industry supporters.

Managed by volunteers who embody the spirit of service, CIF’s greatest challenge is getting the word out about its mission. But as Stegner attests, now that she knows about CIF, she can refer others to this industry lifesaver.

For Noble, CIF’s intervention was life-changing, underscoring the transformative impact of its work.

“I want to say ‘Thank you’ to everyone at CIF! My wife and I are so grateful … The funds will keep us from getting behind on our monthly bills, especially since we now have several medical bills,” Noble said.

If you know of collision repair individuals who would benefit from the relief assistance provided by the Collision Industry Foundation, visit www.collisionindustryfoundation.org and contact Petra Schroeder.

Steve Olson, left, managing partner of Louisville Collision Centers in Louisville, KY, presented Gary Noble, right, with a check from CIF, which raised money to help Noble get back on his feet and pay his medical bills and other expenses after a collision last November that required lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation

Performing Dynamic Calibrations In House Can Mean Big Returns on Minimal Investment

by Abby Andrews Autobody News

asTech, a Repairify company, hosted a webinar April 23 to encourage collision repairers to consider making the relatively small investment in equipment to perform dynamic calibrations, rather than subletting out the work.

“There are lots of reasons why I would want to keep that in house,” said Kris Bjerke, director of R&D, calibrations and implementation for asTech.

Doing those calibrations themselves, rather than paying a subletter, helps shops maximize profits, better control cycle time and improve customer satisfaction, while ensuring the work is done properly.

aftermarket tool, like asTech’s All-InOne with adasThink, which identifies required calibrations by reviewing repair estimates and comparing them to OEM service information. Those reports can also be shared with insurance companies to prove why those calibrations were necessary, Bjerke said. The adasThink tool works with all estimating systems — automatically with CCC and manually with Mitchell and Audatex.

As an example, he showed an adasThink report for a 2021 Cadillac Escalade, which identified six necessary operations as well as the required tools.

Once the dynamic calibrations have been identified, the vehicle can be driven to set them. Bjerke said certain driving conditions are necessary for accuracy.

Weather needs to be considered before performing a dynamic calibration. Heavy rain or snow will make it hard for radar systems to “see” street lights and poles or lines on the road.

Traffic also must be taken into account, as the systems need distance between vehicles to calibrate

always wear their seat belt while performing dynamic calibrations, as some modules won t learn if it’s not buckled.

Driving the vehicle to complete the calibration can take anywhere from 10 seconds to 20 minutes, Bjerke added. Using the adasThink connects repairers to asTech technicians, who can give an idea of the time range.

Finally, once a post-scan is complete on the entire repair, the vehicle should be taken on one more test drive.

“The dynamic calibration drive was for learning,” Bjerke said. “[The test drive] will show you if all systems are on.”

One webinar attendee asked how much training an in-shop technician needs to complete a dynamic calibration.

“The biggest thing is reading, understanding and executing on service information,” Bjerke said.

Bjerke suggested taking photos of the scan tool report to make sure all the prerequisites were met before the dynamic calibrations were completed.

He noted if the shop is using a different scan tool that doesn’t include access to technicians, like asTech’s tool, the in-shop technician

will need a deeper understanding of the process.

Another webinar attendee asked about how vehicle modifications like lifted or lowered suspensions can affect ADAS features.

Bjerke said asTech can’t guarantee calibrations on aftermarket modifications not also manufactured by the OEM. He recommended telling a customer to take the vehicle back to whoever did the modifications or to a dealership.

“It’s better to have that conversation up front, instead of getting to the point where you did the repairs but now you have to call the customer and tell them you can t complete calibrations,” Bjerke said. “Obviously you have to get estimators to notice those things at the beginning.”

“Remember, what are the consequences if you can t get the calibration to finish?” Terry added. “If you start [a dynamic calibration on a modified vehicle], it might not be able to finish, and the worst case scenario would be you have to put the truck back to stock to complete it. Be wary of that.”

Anyone with more questions about performing dynamic calibrations or asTech’s products can send an email to info@astech.com.

While static calibrations can require more expensive investments in both equipment and establishing the right conditions within a shop, most shops can do dynamic calibrations on their own already, Bjerke said.

“Most (shops) are already doing pre- and post-scans,” he said. “With that equipment or partnerships you have, you are able to do dynamic calibrations without much more investment other than training.”

Dynamic calibrations are performed by putting the vehicle in a “learning” mode and then driving it, so it resets its calibrations itself by looking for items along the side of the road, like guard rails and stop signs, to make sure those systems are “seeing” correctly so they work properly.

Bjerke said shops will need a digital inclinometer, like the Stead & Fast Digital Angle Finder, available at most auto parts or hardware stores or through online retailers like Amazon for less than $25, and at least one level surface, either the shop floor or a frame or alignment rack.

Next, they need their scan tool, either one made by an OEM or an

most calibrations, as things like signs are too far off the roadway, and some manufacturers can specify speeds as low as 15 mph.

Most dynamic calibrations do not have a tire pressure or fuel tank level requirement, but Michael Terry, manager of R&D and calibrations at asTech, reminded shops to make sure the vehicle is in roadworthy condition before driving it.

Bjerke said it is also important to make sure there is a good WiFi or internet “hot spot” connection for certain calibrations that require one, like the long range radar sensor on the example Escalade. He said a lot of shops use the hot spot on a smartphone or tablet, but those devices will prioritize using data for incoming phone calls, text messages, emails and notifications, which could interrupt the calibration. In some cases, that pause in connection could “brick” a module. He recommended using a dedicated hot spot for calibrations.

Eric McClellan director at Repairify, who hosted the webinar, reminded repairers to

Dynamic calibrations are performed while driving the vehicle, which automotically resets them, unlike static calibrations, which require specialized equipment and particular shop conditions. Image via Shutterstock

• Take

• Check photo to avoid

• Capture the label from a straight-on angle to prevent distortion.

• Maintain a consistent distance to include the entire label in the frame.

TOAVOIDSERIOUSINJURYORDEATH: •Donotleanagainstthedoor. •Donotuseseatcoversthat Seeblocksideairbagdeployment. owner’smanualformoreinformation.POURÉVITERDESBLESSURES GRAVESOUMORTELLES: •Nevousappuyezpascontrelaporte. •N’utilizezpasuncouvre-siège quipeutbloquerledéploiementdu Voircoussingonflablelatéral.lemanuelduconducteurpour deplusamplesrenseignements.

• Avoid extreme zooming or cropping to maintain accuracy.

• Submit photos in JPEG or PNG format.

Conformstoregulations:2016MY California: Not for sale in states with California emissions standards. TWC/HO2S/WR-HO2S/CAC/TC/DFI

• Provide photos from different angles if the label has complex details.

• Ensure all relevant information is captured in the photo.

• Proof photos for clarity.

• Verify that all required details on the label are visible.

Car Insurance, Repair Cost Increases Far Outpace Overall Rate

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI) shows the cost of auto insurance and vehicle repairs rose 22.2% and 11.6%, respectively, between March 2023 and March 2024 — more than six and three times the overall increase of 3.5%.

In an April 16 webinar hosted by CCC to take a deeper look into its now-quarterly Crash Course Report, experts touched on the sharp increase in costs for both insurance and repairs, which are connected.

Kyle Krumlauf, director of industry analytics for CCC and coauthor of the Crash Course Report, said now-common features like

Labor rates have also increased — up 7.4% in 2023 on top of a 7% increase in 2022, though those hikes could fall in line with general inflation later in 2024, Krumlauf said.

Bahnsen said there are also increases in the percentages of underinsured and uninsured motorists — 14% of drivers are completely uninsured — and third-party claims submitted for injuries caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists have increased 40% since 2021.

“There are a lot more under- and uninsured motorists,” Bahnsen said.

“If you get in an accident with one who caused the loss, you’re going to have to make a claim where you didn’t before. That will push even more of that group into the uninsured or financially stressed category, compounding the issue.”

Tim Christ, solution expert, said that lack of coverage for some drivers also affects subrogation, which affects cycle time.

As used car prices soared during the pandemic — the average adjusted vehicle valuation amount increased 49% between 2020 and 2022 — and then cooled off, that has affected which cars get totaled, Krumlauf said.

the collision repair industry and insurance market as well,” he said. “Part of that can be confronted with tech — AI can offset some menial tasks people do in insurance.”

He said it remains to be decided how and when to integrate that technology, and how to pair it with the talent and processes within companies.

“We all have been resilient over the past couple of years,” Krumlauf said. “We need to continue to be agile and prepared for change. We don’t know if these are the norms we can expect to see in the future.”

Bahnsen said there has always been complexity in the nature of casualty claims. He agreed repetitive tasks should be automated using technology to prevent “accuracy leakage” when those tasks are done by hand.

Christ said he is “super interested in tech but also frustrated with the industry” being slow to adopt it. He said he recently spent 30 minutes on the phone with his insurance company to report a claim.

“We are not using tech to make filing claims easier. We need to create as streamlined and efficient a process as possible,” he said.

Using 10 to 15 years of data

to create benchmarks don’t work anymore, Christ said.

“We need to start from 2022 and go forward,” he said. “The same old formulas just don’t work anymore.”

One webinar attendee asked what the industry should focus on to control claims costs, since inflation is not in repairers’ and the insurance companies’ control.

Christ said total losses make up a disproportionate amount of claim losses as a whole.

“We need to figure out how to better control total loss costs,” he said. “It takes 25 days on average to determine a total loss. If we can speed that up, we can reduce the cost to determine, and that will have an affect on claims as a whole. We need to improve operational efficiency to bring down cost as well.”

ADAS, infotainment setups and new powertrains are all making repair of modern cars more challenging. That is putting more pressure on insurance companies’ claims departments and auto body shops to work accurately and efficiently.

“More scans and calibrations are needed,” Krumlauf said. “That contributes to the average repair taking 14 days; 63% have at least one supplement. That adds to claims costs and rental car costs.”

Erik Bahnsen, assistant director of industry analytics, said the complexity of medical treatment for people injured in crashes is also increasing, meaning those costs are rising too. On top of that, the percentage of the population age 65 and older is increasing, and those people tend to need more procedures after being involved in a crash. Both of those factors are contributing further to the increase in average bodily injury claim payments, up 7% since 2022, which translates to higher rates passed on to customers.

Krumlauf said vehicle replacement parts have gotten more expensive, and the average number needed per repair has also risen.

There was a 1.5% increase in vehicles flagged total loss in 2023, primarily due to used vehicle values decreasing. Krumlauf said 70% of valuations are for vehicles 7 years or older.

The increased total loss frequency decreases the ratio of repairable vehicles. Higher physical damage severity losses, which might have been repaired a year ago, are more likely now to be totaled, increasing shop capacity and lowering overall cycle times.

Further, the used vehicle loan to value ratio in Q1 2023 was 126%.

“More people are starting to default on auto loans,” Krumlauf said. “Credit card delinquencies and debt have both increased over the past couple of years. Delinquencies are at levels not seen since the 2008 recession. As households are confronted with affordability challenges, [insurance customers] might increase deductibles, decrease limits or eliminate some coverage.”

Key Takeaways

Krumlauf said “talent, tech and resilience” are the main points of the Q1 2024 Crash Course Report.

“There are talent challenges within

Battery Reconnects Lead Police to Visit Shop 3 Times Until Solution Found

In a column earlier this year, I shared one shop’s story about sunlight getting magnified through a small pool of rainwater that collected in the crash wrap covering a broken sunroof — causing burn damage to the interior of the vehicle. I recently heard yet another amazing and unexpected collision repair situation, this one from Ryan Clark of Eustis Body Shop, a company with eight shops in Nebraska.

Ryan told me they recently had a 2023 Nissan Altima SV in one of his shops for a routine quarter panel hit. When writing the repair plan, the shop determined it would be necessary to replace the left quarter panel on the vehicle. Part of the procedures for replacing the quarter panel is to remove the back glass from the vehicle.

“We had a sublet provider remove the back glass,” Ryan told me. “Another required operation is to disconnect the battery, something we performed multiple times during the repair. The first time the battery was reconnected in order to move the vehicle to a different department, the local police department showed up. The police officer asked if there had been a collision near our shop. We had not heard anything relative to a nearby crash, nor did the office divulge what type of vehicle had triggered the ‘crash event notification,’ so we moved on.”

My first thought as I was hearing about this from Ryan was that this was probably related to some sort of telematic accident alert system, so I would have thought putting the vehicle in service mode until repairs were completed would have solved the issue. But it probably would not have, as Ryan’s story continues.

“The second time we reconnected the battery, after the back glass was removed, the police showed up again,” Ryan told me. “It was at this time that the police told us that it was SiriusXM radio that notified the police of a crash event. We told them they were welcome to take a look around the shop, and it was at this time we determined it was the Nissan Altima leading to the crash notification. We hadn’t disconnected the rear antenna, so at first we were confused about what could be causing these calls.

“However, we did notice during disassembly that the amplifier in the rear glass was damaged upon removing the back glass,” Ryan said. “This amplifier is embedded in the urethane itself, and there was no tangible way on this vehicle to remove the back glass without damaging the amplifier. There was urethane surrounding the disconnect, so we were unable to remove the amplifier prior to removing the back glass.”

Ryan said he told the officer the crash notification would likely happen again when the shop next moved the vehicle from the paint department back to the body department.

“He told us he has to act when he gets these types of calls, so he would have to show up again,” Ryan said. “We looked through Nissan TechInfo again, and still couldn’t find a way to disable the SiriusXM radio.”

The police eventually showed up a third time, and that’s when Ryan reached out to me and my team. We also looked through Nissan TechInfo just to see if there was anything Ryan’s shop had missed. When we

didn’t find anything, we got Ryan in touch with a Nissan representative.

“Nissan disconnected the SiriusXM for us, and the next time we reconnected the battery, the police did not show up,” Ryan said. “It was the proper fix. We contacted Nissan once repairs were complete, and they turned back on the SiriusXM, we went through our normal post repair routine, and everything was functioning correctly. Eventually Collision Advice, and Danny Gredinberg with the Database Enhancement Gateway, found a work-around in the service section of TechInfo for the future.”

Ryan said this was a first for his company. The police officer told him he’d had similar calls to other body shops related to General Motors vehicles when OnStar hadn’t been disconnected, but that this was the first such incident related to a Nissan.

“We pull procedures on every vehicle, but it just goes to show that

there are still things in these newer cars we must be prepared for so we can educate the customer on the potential issues that may arise,” Ryan said.

“The

first time the battery was reconnected in order to move the vehicle to a different department, the local police department showed up.”

I want to thank Ryan for allowing me to share his experience. If other readers have similar unusual or unexpected repair experiences that might be helpful for other shops to know about, you can send them to my assistant, Tiffany Driggers, at tiffany@collisionadvice.com, and she will get them to me.

Ryan Clark of Eustis Body Shop was surprised to have the police show up at one of his Nebraska shops, saying they’d been notified of a crash at the location.

RYAN CLARK EUSTIS BODY SHOP

The disconnect for the amplifier for SiriusXM radio is embedded in the urethane for the back glass so there’s no way to remove the glass without damaging the amplifier.

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AkzoNobel Collision Industry Experts Event Focuses on Business Strategies For Repairers

By Stacey Phillips Ronak Autobody News

Approximately 280 shop owners from 180 cities and 28 states gathered May 9 at the AkzoNobel Collision Industry Experts Event (CIEE) in Orange, CA.

Throughout the day, attendees had an opportunity to network with colleagues and attend educational sessions led by AkzoNobel team members.

To be successful in a competitive environment, Dan Carranza, AkzoNobel’s national sales director, Vehicle Refinishes USA-Mexico, stressed the importance of continuous learning and working on the business.

“It’s the work you are doing when the lights are off, outside of 8-5, attending functions like this and honing in on your craft,” he said.

Highlights From Educational Sessions

Amy Durbin, Vehicle Refinishes key account manager and former North America talent acquisition manager, discussed small business human resources (HR) best practices and recommended managers “know what they need to know” daily to do the right thing. She said HR compliance doesn’t have to be complicated and imparted

some basic compliance principles.

Business services consultant Tony Adams talked about implementing a four-day workweek. He explored the pros and cons of how a shop owner can decide if it is the right fit for their facility. Kena Dacus, owner of Dacus Auto Body & Collision Repair in Kansas, also shared her shop’s experience implementing this atypical schedule for employees.

Tim Ronak, senior services business consultant, assisted shop owners and managers in navigating the OEM selection and application process. This included exploring the best opportunities for OEM certifications, which ones make financial sense for the facility, and how to get started. He also reviewed current tools to capitalize on OEM certification options.

To help create raving fans at a shop, Rick Fifer, services development manager, talked about the value of managing customers’ expectations and the opportunity to shape customer perception before conducting the initial damage review. He also discussed the impact a shop’s initial damage review and scheduling process have on cycle time and customer satisfaction.

Senior Services Consultant Jeff

Baker shared information on how to supercharge staff engagement to maximize profit flow with “Gamification.” He also explored using interactive tools to improve a business’s process, sustain change, improve employment engagement and enhance key measurements.

Collision coach strategies were shared by Jim Lovejoy, senior services consultant. Lovejoy explained why increased awareness of coaching is important, identified attendees’ preferred coaching style, and provided a step-by-step process for coaching employees in three standard situations.

New refinishing processes were discussed by western technical manager Ryan Brown. As vehicle technology evolves, Brown said refinishing systems may impact composite materials. He provided tips on quickly reviewing and identifying the correct refinish process and product to do a proper repair.

Michael Giarrizzo and Pam Giarrizzo from DCR Systems talked about streamlining a business’ process to focus staff and boost profit. During the session, attendees learned techniques to streamline and clearly document and communicate the shop’s process while optimizing

staff and equipment. The presenters also reviewed how to identify process waste.

Industry Speakers Provide Insight Carranza shared the one word he has used — inspire — to transform his team, business culture and personal life, based on the book “The One Word That Will Change Your Life.” He also explained his vision of how one word can positively impact the collision repair industry into a “Do Something Industry.”

Debby Robinson, executive director of the National Auto Body Council (NABC), talked about becoming a community collision repairer of choice. She shared insight into creating a community outreach program based on a business’s strategy, time and resources, the area’s needs and employees’ personal interests. From his experience working with shops, OEMs and software companies, Collision Advice President Mike Anderson discussed what a collision repairer’s business success looks like today vs. what it will look like tomorrow. This included moving to a four-day workweek, trends with OEM insurance and certifications, and how environmental, social and governance (ESG) may impact the industry.

Emergency Braking

Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

In June 2023, NHTSA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration announced a separate notice of proposed rulemaking that would require heavy vehicles, including tractor trailers, to have AEB, which the agencies are in the process of finalizing.

“The new vehicle safety standards we finalized today will save hundreds of lives and prevent tens of thousands of injuries every year,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg

“Automatic emergency braking is proven to save lives and reduce serious injuries from frontal crashes, and this technology is now mature enough to require it in all new cars and light trucks,” said NHTSA Deputy Administrator Sophie Shulman . “In fact, this technology is now so advanced that we’re requiring these systems to be even more effective at higher speeds and to detect pedestrians.”

www.autobodynews.com

VinFast Signs On 12 New U.S. Dealers

VinFast Auto has signed agreements with 12 new dealers in the U.S., as the Vietnamese EV startup continues to broaden its distribution network and strengthen its presence in the world’s leading automotive market.

The 12 new VinFast dealership stores are expected to begin opening in April, bringing the total number of VinFast dealers in the U.S. to 18, spanning across seven states: North Carolina, New York, Texas, Florida, Kansas, Connecticut and Kentucky. California, the state with the highest EV adoption rate in the U.S., already has 15 operational VinFast stores and service centers.

The new dealerships will start

selling the VF 8 model, a two-row fully electric SUV, followed by the VF 9 and VF 7, which will launch soon. VinFast’s customers will get a 10-year/125,000-mile warranty for the vehicle and a 10-year unlimited mileage warranty for the battery under standard use.

VinFast’s parts distribution center is ready to support dealers nationwide to guarantee consistent quality of maintenance and repair for customers. Authorized dealers submit requests to a dedicated system, and such requests are processed and delivered regularly.

“Leveraging the network of stores, market experience and capabilities of leading U.S. dealers, VinFast will quickly deliver highquality, competitively priced electric vehicles to consumers, along with outstanding after-sales policies,” said David Duncan, vice president of sales and marketing at VinFast U.S. “This establishes a solid foundation for VinFast’s strong growth in the U.S. market.”

In the fourth quarter of 2023, VinFast shifted from the directto-consumer distribution model to a hybrid model with a focus on

building dealership networks in the U.S. and globally. Sales through dealers are expected to contribute significantly to the company’s sales in the second half of 2024.

In addition to key markets such as the U.S., Canada and Europe, VinFast is expanding into countries in Asia such as India, Indonesia, Thailand and the Philippines, as well as in the Middle East and Africa. Outside of Vietnam, VinFast is also aiming to accelerate the construction of EV manufacturing plants in the U.S. and India, with plans to establish an additional plant in Indonesia.

In July 2023, VinFast broke ground on its first production facility outside of its native Vietnam in Chatham County, NC, where it expects to start production by 2025.

The $4 billion facility is funded in part by taxpayers through a state incentive package that could reach $854 million over 32 years if the company achieves its investment and hiring goals, which include 7,500 jobs at the plant by 2027. Chatham County is expected to contribute another roughly $400 million.

New Event to Give Repair Shop Owners Tools to Attract, Develop, Retain Top Talent

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

A new live event aims to empower repair shop owners and managers to find the right employees, develop them into a high-performing, selfmanaging team, and retain them.

The inaugural Repair Shop Growth Systems LIVE 2024 workshop is scheduled for May 31-June 2 at the Guttman Development Strategies headquarters in Mt. Arlington, NJ. Over three days, attendees from collision repair, diesel, transmission and general auto repair shops will participate in a series of educational sessions and breakout groups. Event organizers aim to hold similar workshops around the country going forward.

Chris Lawson is the founder of Technician Find, a leader in automotive technician sourcing, which is co-hosting the event with Magical Solutions and Shop Management Alliance.

Lawson said one of the scheduled presenters, Eddie Lawrence shop owner, has a quote that sums up the main focus of the event: “With the right staff in place, you gain freedom, and you can’t place a price on that.”

“He tells the story about how it took him 10 years to figure it out, and he could’ve saved himself a lot of pain if he’d had a workshop like this to address those items,” Lawson said.

Each of the three days zeroes in on a different piece of the staffing puzzle many shops are currently facing: the first day is about attracting employees, the second is about growing those employees into teams, and the third is about retaining them.

Main Issues in Repair Shop Staffing

Lawson said the automotive repair industry is facing many of the same problems as other trades. Older technicians are leaving at a higher rate than new technicians are coming in, partly due to a stigma attached to the idea of working in a trade.

But he said the other issue, which he sees personally through his work with Technician Find, is that shops don’t know how to market themselves to attract top talent.

“They don’t know how to package and communicate what they offer, their unique culture,” Lawson said. “All their job ads look exactly the same.”

In addition, Lawson said, job boards are not the best place to look for new employees.

“If someone is a good tech and they

want to work, they’re already working, so they’re not typically trawling job boards,” Lawson said. “So you have to go outside job boards to social media to find them.”

How This Workshop Will Help

“All shops seem to have a sticking place,” Lawson said. “Some have problems attracting talent. Some have problems developing it, some have trouble retaining it.”

and Frank will talk about how to get employees behind causes, to increase retention and attract top quality talent.

Howard Guttman is a management consultant and trainer who works with Fortune 500 companies to develop highly productive, self-managed teams. He will present a session on how to do that in repair shops.

Shawn Gilfillan is Guttman’s nephew and owner of two auto repair shops.

out of the daily operations of his shops, because his employees are now capable of managing those tasks.

Gilfillan will also give a presentation on how to structure pay and create a profit-sharing plan to retain top talent.

“I speak with a lot of shop owners and general managers, and it surprises me how a lot of them aren’t really clear on what they should be paying their staff,” Lawson said. “When I fill them in based on prevailing rates in their area, they’re not sure how to back into that number. Shawn will teach a class on how much you should be paying and how to calculate that, by looking at your numbers.”

Carm Capriotto will share “The Rise of the Mechanical and Technology Specialist,” about rethinking techs’ job titles to make them more specific to the role they play in their shop.

Lawson said that gives the technicians clarity on their own role and boosts morale, while showing the

To meet with an account specialist contact:

Joey Marfin

832-771-7342 jmarfin@classicelite.com

Bobby Spears

832-597-2683 bspears@classicelite.com

Gary Allen

832-519-7699 gallen@classicelite.com

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CIC Adopts Distinct Definitions of ‘Estimate’ and ‘Repair Plan’

by John Yoswick Autobody News

Proposed formal definitions of “estimate” and “repair plan” drafted by the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Definitions Committee received strong votes of support from CIC attendees at the conference held April 17 in Seattle, WA.

CIC has long maintained a glossary of industry terminology on

Committee chairman Chris Evans of State Farm said the new “estimate” and “repair plan” definitions were initially proposed by another CIC committee, and went through “several iterations” before being distributed to the wider industry for review prior to the Seattle meeting.

The first proposed definition states an “estimate” is “an initial assessment of vehicle damage which approximates the cost of repairing or replacing the damaged parts, including labor and materials.”

That differs from the proposed definition of a “repair plan,” which is described as a “comprehensive vehicle damage assessment of necessary steps and procedures for repair created by the repair facility to determine cost of parts, labor and materials.”

understand as a body is that CIC is not a standard-setting body,” Hendler said of the rationale to keep the definitions brief and nonprescriptive. “We’re not here to change the marketplace. So while the repair community feels very strongly that the OEM repair procedure is all there is, and that’s all that should be used, that’s not necessarily part of the definition of a repair plan. That

“We did talk about that one of the defining factors of a repair plan was that the shop is the creator, the initiator of it.”

definition as proposed.

“There’s a lot of things that could go into this definition,” Schulenburg said. “It could say that you have to pull the OEM procedures. It could say that you have to do a teardown. But when you’re looking at a definition, if a repair facility writes their repair plan, that’s still a repair plan, even if they didn’t tear it down, right? I think that’s the whole nature of if it, that it is a comprehensive assessment of everything I need for my process to bill for it. There’s a part of me that wants to see this so much stronger, to reinforce it. But the other part of me, from a definition standpoint, thinks this is probably the right definition for whatever somebody’s repair plan is within their own facility.”

Hendler concurred.

its website, available at ciclink.com/ wiki-introduction, as a way to facilitate understanding and communication within the industry.

Committee member Jordan Hendler said some of the feedback the committee received revolved around the view the repair plan definition should include reference to such a plan being based on OEM repair procedures.

“One of the things we have to

could be your practice, your business decision, but we have to be cognizant in this body that it’s not the only way it’s done, and we’re just trying to say what a repair plan is. So just keep that in mind when you’re looking at the definition: Does this say what a repair plan is, not necessarily what it should be.”

Aaron Schulenburg, executive director of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, said he understood the need to keep the “repair plan

“We did talk about that one of the defining factors of a repair plan is that the shop is the creator, the initiator of it,” she said. “They’re the only ones that could do that. So we felt like that component was really important as a differentiator between ‘estimate’ and ‘repair plan.’”

Put to a vote of the CIC body, the estimate definition received 92% approval from attendees, and the repair plan definition received a thumbs-up from 78% of attendees.

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Chris Evans, chairman of the CIC Definitions Committee, oversaw the approval process at CIC in Seattle of definitions of “estimate” and “repair plan.”

JORDAN HENDLER

NABC Holds Lone Star Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser in Texas

The National Auto Body Council® (NABC) announced the winners of the NABC Lone Star Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser, held April 10 at the Texas Star Golf Course in Dallas.

More than 125 players, sponsors and industry members gathered for the second tournament of the NABC season. The day featured the presentation of a NABC Recycled Ride to deserving U.S. Army veteran Kijafa Adams prior to the shotgun. In addition, the NABC presented two vehicles the day prior at the PPG Conference to U.S. Army veteran Nathan Burrows and single mother Walnisha Stevenson

After a round with threatening skies and windy conditions, the winners put together solid rounds to take the signature NABC crystal trophies.

First place: Darren Huggins, Tom Wolf, David Powoli and Gene Kozash, -19 at 52

Second place: Tim Bates, Patrick Hickory, Ernest Salady and Mike Malliton, -18 under at 53 and won a scorecard playoff

Third place: Kyle Drob, Tracy Carpenter, Logan Payne and Travis Rilat, tied at -18 under with a 53

Men’s closest to the pin and longest drive: Brian Wilkinson Women’s closest to the pin and longest drive: Alyssa Theis

“Congratulations to our winners and thank you to all of our players and sponsors for supporting today’s event. The real winners are those who we support through our programs — the families in need, military members, veterans and first responders. We’re honored to be able to give back to them and their communities through the collective work of the collision industry,” said Scott Sampley, chairman of the NABC.

The NABC Boone Valley Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser will be held Sept. 9 at Boone Valley Golf Club, St. Louis, MO. Registration for the golf fundraiser will open shortly. Sponsorship opportunities, including title sponsorship, are available by contacting

Debby Robinson at drobinson@ nationalautobodycouncil.org or 312-505-4336.

The NABC Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraisers provide an opportunity to join industry colleagues and customers for great golf and support the NABC, as well as the opportunity to win bragging rights on the course, great raffle prizes and auction items. Through the foundation, proceeds will benefit families in need, military members, veterans and first responders, and help fulfill the mission of harnessing the power of the collective membership of the collision repair industry to positively impact communities across the country.

The new Changing and Saving Lives Foundation is a 501(c)3, making sponsorship and golf donations tax-deductible for companies and participants. It also will continue to offer the popular multi-event sponsorship program, making it more affordable and more efficient to be a partner in the NABC golf events.

suffered severe injuries when her vehicle unexpectedly rolled over her leg while she believed it was parked. According to the Buzbee Law Firm, representing Thompson, this mishap was due to a known defect in the SUV’s shifting mechanism, which Ford had allegedly failed to address since as early as 1980.

“We had said all along that this vehicle was defective,” said Tony Buzbee, lead counsel for Thompson.

“Ford Motor Company fought us tooth and nail trying to deny what was obvious. I am very appreciative of the jury system and this jury. They definitely got it right.”

The law firm said Thompson endured a double fracture in her left leg along with extensive muscle and nerve damage, a direct result of what experts referred to as a “false park” situation.

The case was tried over a week and two days.

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Health Insurance-Buying Pool Can Counteract Trends Driving Up Costs For Collision Repairers

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Small businesses, like many collision repair shops, are getting hit the hardest by trends causing rises in health insurance premiums -- making it more difficult to offer benefits in an increasingly competitive employment market.

causing premiums to go up, said Kevin Dunn, founder and CEO of Decisely. Those increases are affecting small employers more than larger ones.

“This year, for small businesses, the average increase for health care insurance was 12% to 14% year over year. For larger businesses, their rate only went up 9% to 10%,” Dunn said.

“Small businesses get more of the brunt of that increase. That unfortunately isn’t something that’s going to be changed overnight.”

retailers, etc. all around you.”

Decisely worked with SCRS to build a health insurance program for its members and their employees.

SCRS opened the plan for enrollment in September 2022, and now has about 1,500 enrollees at shops nationwide.

company can ensure it doesn’t lose money again.

“The premiums really aren’t stabilized because they’re so small,” Dunn said.

With the plan offered by SCRS, its members are aggregated together to look and buy like a large employer, Dunn said. Each employer has its own individual contract with Decisely, but the insurance carriers Decisely is partnered with look at the entire aggregate.

“That helps us to stabilize health care costs,” he said.

Joining a plan like the one offered by the Society of Collision Repairers (SCRS) through Decisely, a technology and brokerage insurance firm, can give individual shops the buying power of a much larger group. Like everything else, inflation is

Dunn said health care premiums are affecting shops’ ability to offer those benefits, which makes it harder to attract and retain employees. A survey of collision repair technicians, conducted earlier this year by I-CAR, SCRS and consulting firm Ducker Carlisle, found only 16% of respondents were offered health insurance through their employer.

“It’s tough getting people into the trade, and we won’t if no one is providing insurance,” Dunn said. “The competition is not just another shop down the street, but also restaurants,

Dunn said small businesses spend more on insurance premiums than a large organization, because an insurance carrier’s risk is spread over a much smaller pool of employees.

“The law of large numbers says it’s unlikely everyone will get sick or injured at the same time, so the (premium) rates should be stable every year, because they can spread the risk of some people being sick while others are healthy,” Dunn said.

But for a small business with 25 employees, all it takes is for one person to get very sick or injured, and the following year, premiums can rise 40% to 50% so the insurance

The program available to SCRS members also offers doctor visits, imaging and labs, generic prescription drugs, urgent care and mental health treatment with no copay. Only emergency department visits require a co-pay.

“We encourage everyone that if you have a problem, go to the doctor,” Dunn said. “It shouldn’t be your credit card that prevents you from doing that, because you have insurance and your premium should take care of it.”

Putting off care for illness drives up costs in the long term, as people often wait until it has progressed to a point they need the emergency department, or needs longer term care that takes them out of work.

NABC Donates Vehicle To Texas Veteran

The National Auto Body Council (NABC) teamed up with GEICO and Caliber Collision Dallas to present a fully refurbished 2018 Kia Soul to Kijafa Adams, a U.S. Army veteran in need of reliable transportation.

The presentation was held April 10 at the Lone Star Changing and

After Fire. Until the donation, she has had no reliable transportation to get herself and family members to critical medical appointments. The gifted vehicle will relieve much of the pressure on Adams to care for her family, while also living out her personal mission of serving others.

Saving Lives Golf Tournament at the Texas Star Golf Course. The 2018 Kia Soul was donated by GEICO and restored by the team at Caliber Collision Dallas.

Adams uses her military experience to empower her as the head of her family and as a volunteer for nonprofit organizations, like the one that nominated her, Grace

“I’m so ecstatic about my new car — it’s safe, efficient and spacious! It is a perfect fit for us,” Adams exclaimed after the ceremony. “It’s more than just a car; it’s our safety and comfort. Thank you again to everyone who played a key role and made this possible!”

“Grace After Fire is honored by the opportunity to be able to work with the NABC Recycled Rides program, which creates major change and impact in our women veterans’ lives,” said Amelia Peacock, interim program director of Grace After Fire. “I know the weight that has been lifted off Kijafa’s shoulders, simply

by knowing that she has reliable transportation for herself and her family, and what she needs to be able to continue her service after the uniform, in her community.”

NABC Recycled Rides is a unique program in which businesses representing all facets of the collision repair industry team up to repair and donate vehicles to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation. Since the inception of the program in 2007, members of the NABC have donated more than 3,300 vehicles valued at some $47 million.

Additional partners in the presentation included Cars for Charity, Advanced Remarketing Services, Copart, Protech Automotive Solutions, Caliber Auto Care, LKQ, Solution Works Paintless Dent Repair and Enterprise.

ALLDATA announced the launch of Repair Planner, the newest addition to the company’s integrated collision repair platform.

ALLDATA Repair Planner is a timesaving software tool that automates the repair planning process and helps shops plan necessary inspections and structural repairs with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) accuracy.

It works with the three major estimating systems and integrates seamlessly with ALLDATA Collision® for oneclick access to related OEM information and procedures.

Benefits to shops include saving hours of research time, getting access to OEMaccurate vehicle repair and help limiting liability. ALLDATA Repair Planner calls out critical OEM procedures, ensuring shops never miss required repairs and vehicles are repaired back to OEM standards according to the manufacturer’s own criteria.

Bosch Bringing EV Training to Technicians Nationwide

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Bosch’s Mobility Aftermarket division, along with its supplier, AVI, is bringing the Bosch EV Training Tour to up to 20 cities around the U.S. this year, with plans to expand both the reach and depth of the mobile training events in coming years.

“The main purpose is that we really want to help technicians in the new world of mobility,” said Daniel Angelo, director of technical services at Bosch. “We have a huge [EV] market already. The early bird gets the worm.”

The tour began in March with the first of three classes for Bosch employees to validate the content before taking the show on the road.

The first single-day, eight-hour class for technicians is scheduled for July 9 in Houston, TX. Bosch has 19 more events scheduled across the country between July and January 2025. Each will have room for 20 attendees. The cost is currently $650 per attendee. See the full schedule and register at aviondemand.com/ shop/service-centers/bosch-evtraining-tour.

Angelo said the single-day course, led

by a Bosch-certified AVI professional trainer, will teach the basics to technicians with any level of familiarity with EVs. In addition to learning the fundamentals of an EV, attendees will learn about legislation and U.S.

AVI, said the training tour will prepare independent repair shops to service EV models as many are aging well past the warranty.

standards, then work hands-on with a Toyota Prius hybrid car and an EV training aid cart. After completing the course, techs will be able to perform regular maintenance and troubleshooting.

Next year, Bosch plans to offer a more intensive three-day course, after which techs will be qualified to perform more complex tasks, like opening battery packs.

Tom Rayk, director of training at

“Without firsthand experience and training, many technicians will be unable to provide these services safely and successfully, and could potentially lose business,” Rayk said. “Our technical aids, combined with the Bosch EV repair curriculum, will arm technicians and shop owners with the realworld experience they will need to prepare for the electric vehicle transition.”

Angelo said Bosch wants to schedule the tour stops so no technician has to drive more than 150 miles for the training.

“The concept is that shops don’t have to send their technicians to California, Florida or Michigan,” he said.

The tour stops are being selected based on three factors: the rate of EV adoption in the area, local shops that have requested such training, and the number of shops in the area participating in the Bosch Module

Program, an independent repair shop network. There are about 9,000 nationwide.

In addition to professional technicians, Bosch wants to include automotive and collision repair students, and is working with tech schools to get their programs involved.

Angelo said about 25 students, all under 20 years of age, attended the class held in March in Florida.

“None grabbed their phone once in about two and a half hours,” he said. “They are really paying attention. That was a good test.”

Bosch hopes the training tour helps address the technician shortage by exposing not only young people at the start of their careers to opportunities in new technology, but also more experienced working technicians possibly looking to make a change.

In addition to expanding to more cities in the next few years, Bosch plans to add training courses for more advancing technologies, like autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, ADAS and diagnostics.

Learn more about the Bosch EV Training Tour at aviondemand. com/shop/service-centers/boschev-training-tour.

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Auto Glass Now Launches Campaign Emphasizing Nationwide Reach, Speed

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

Auto Glass Now recently announced a new marketing campaign, its first as a nationwide brand, to establish name recognition among potential customers and drive home the “now” part of its name.

Auto Glass Now has more than three decades of service as a regional company. It acquired 11 other similar companies across the U.S. to create a national brand, which then joined Driven Brands in 2022. It currently has more than 200 locations in 35 states, as well as

more than 700 mobile units, offering auto glass repairs, replacements and ADAS calibration.

The new campaign, which will encompass social media, web, instore displays and vehicle branding, emphasizes Auto Glass Now’s key offerings, including same or next day service, convenient appointments, a price match guarantee, choice of in-store or mobile repairs and the acceptance of all insurance.

Kyle Ankrom , Auto Glass Now’s vice president of marketing, said about half of all customers looking for auto glass repair don’t have a specific brand or shop in mind when searching for service.

“Now that we have this power of this national brand, we want to help customers know who we are and what we stand for,” Ankrom said. “We wanted to do it in a bold way to break through from what we see as a ‘sea of sameness’ of the options that are out there.”

The 12 brands that came together under the Auto Glass Now banner were all strong competitors at their regional levels, but neither had a national presence.

“They’ve always had this sort of underdog mindset and spirit,”

Ankrom said. “We wanted to emphasize that as we took it to a national scale. It’s what makes our technicians and shop managers work harder for the customers.”

The campaign also focuses on the brand’s speed of service promise.

“It’s built into our name — we’re Auto Glass Now, not auto glass

new campaign is one of the first steps in unlocking the growth potential of the brands it already has.

“This is the first campaign we’ve launched as an integrated Auto Glass Now brand,” said Nick Ouimet, president of Auto Glass Now, in a statement. “We’ve

later,” Ankrom said. “That’s the key benefit we focus and deliver on, and that’s why when you see the spot and hear the jingle, it’s all about ‘we can get your auto glass serviced now.’”

Ankrom said the company is always looking to expand, but the

completed the work to integrate multiple acquisitions under the Auto Glass Now banner, and we’re ready to make a splash with this campaign.”

Auto Glass Now collaborated with the agency Erich & Kallman to bring the campaign to life.

Auto Glass Now has more than 700 mobile units nationwide.

An image from the new campaign.

Aims Community College Launches Ford ASSET Degree Program

This fall, Aims Community College in Windsor, CO, will become the first college in the state to implement the Ford Automotive Student Service Educational Training (ASSET) program, for students looking for careers in the automotive industry.

“It’s a way for Ford to get more trained technicians in their door,” said Aims Automotive Programs Chair Larry Baker. “There’s been a shortage of automotive technicians and all of the manufacturers are struggling to find people. Ford actually has come up with a pretty neat collaboration with schools.”

The ASSET program is designed for students interested in beginning their careers at a Ford or Lincoln dealership. Aims’ program is the 41st Ford ASSET program in the country.

The ASSET program at Aims is a two-year associate’s degree curriculum designed by both Ford and Aims. It integrates eight weeks of intensive on-campus instruction at the Aims Automotive & Technology Center in Windsor with

eight weeks of a paid internship at a local Ford dealership, forming an earn-while-you-learn system.

Students enrolled in the program will graduate with not only a degree but also invaluable Ford certifications in various automotive systems, including steering and suspension, electrical systems, climate control, and both manual and automatic transmissions. They will also accumulate a year of practical work experience, gaining proficiency on the latest Ford vehicles and service techniques.

Notably, the Aims Ford ASSET program has an all-female instructional team, a first of its kind.

Valeska Howton will be the lead instructor and Allie Bowen will be the secondary instructor. Both are graduates of the Aims Automotive program and were called to teach others the skills they have learned.

“I have a passion for working with vehicles,” Howton said. She said she has learned how to “keep up with guys” with decades of experience in a male-dominated field. “I always let my work create

my reputation,” she said. “To step into this role, I feel really proud.”

Howton has always been a Ford fan and owns a few. Aside from personal preference, she sees the direct connection with the dealerships as a major benefit of the program.

“Through the Ford ASSET Program, Aims is poised to contribute knowledgeable, proficient and readily employable talents to the automotive workforce,” said Dr. Leah L. Bornstein, Aims Community College CEO and president. “Gaining that hands-on experience that makes them industry-ready, almost from day one.”

The Aims Board of Trustees approved moving forward with the ASSET program in December.

“With our board’s overwhelming approval of the Ford ASSET program, we send a clear message: we are dedicated to providing students with a competitive edge,” said Marilyn Schock, chair of the Aims Board of Trustees.

Get more information about the program and apply at aims.co/ Ford-ASSET.

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Brian Martin Joins AkzoNobel

AkzoNobel announced the appointment of Brian Martin as business development manager for its Automotive & Specialty Coatings division in North America.

Martin, who has more than two decades of experience in the collision repair sector, reports directly to Dan Carranza, sales director of Automotive & Specialty Coatings for the U.S. and Mexico.

In his new role, Martin is expected to be instrumental in the development of dealership collision programs. His responsibilities will include acting as the AkzoNobel brand ambassador to all OEMs, a critical function as vehicles become increasingly technologically sophisticated. His primary task will be to capture and communicate OEM collision repair procedures to clients, ensuring the company stays at the forefront of industry developments.

Martin’s appointment comes at a time when the importance of specialized knowledge in OEM procedures is more significant than ever, given the rapid advancements in automotive technology.

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Caliber Launches Nationwide Food Drive

Caliber Collision, alongside its affiliated brands Caliber Auto Glass and Caliber Auto Care, announced the opening of its 13th annual Restoring You™ Food Drive to address the alarming rise in hunger within the communities they serve.

The food drive mobilizes Caliber’s extensive network, which encompasses more than 30,000 team members across 41 states, to contribute to more than 165 food banks nationwide.

The drive rallies support from not only Caliber’s team, but also from customers and business partners. Contributions to the food drive can be made through non-perishable food items or monetary donations at any Caliber location or online at www.caliber.com/why-caliber/ restoring-you/food-drive-2024. The deadline for contributions is July 1.

The Caliber Foundation will add an additional 25 cents for every dollar raised, with all donations being tax-deductible.

Hail Damage Repair Delay Frustrates Austin Truck Owners

In Austin, TX, a couple’s quest for hail damage repair turned into a months-long ordeal. After their truck suffered extensive damage in a record-setting hailstorm, Ernesto and Cheryl Ojeda expected a routine repair process. Instead, they encountered unexpected delays and excuses.

As the Ojedas told KVUE News, their truck was battered by hail in September 2023, resulting in damages amounting to more than $10,300. The couple took the truck to Hail Specialists Auto Body and Collision on Oct. 9, anticipating a six- to eight-week repair timeframe. However, as weeks turned into months, their frustration grew with each unmet deadline and unfulfilled promise.

By December, the Ojedas were alarmed as their truck sat in the shop, seemingly forgotten, while others were repaired and returned. The couple’s patience waned as they exchanged numerous texts and calls with the repair shop, receiving a variety of excuses ranging from sick children to staffing issues. After Hail Specialists asked for another $4,700, on top of

the $17,000 the couple’s insurance company had already paid, the Ojedas turned to the TV news station’s KVUE Defenders for help.

Investigations revealed Hail Specialists, operating under Catastrophic Solutions LLC, faced significant operational challenges. The company had its certificate of formation revoked for failing to meet state requirements, and it was involved in multiple lawsuits alleging misconduct, including excessive storage fees, one of which was dismissed.

Owner Michael Chanata turned down the news station’s requests for an interview on camera, but he provided a statement.

“The insurance company once again caused additional delays and apparently, never sent the payment to us and our correct address etc. since they told us they did so,” Chanata wrote. “If not mistaken, today (April 19) they spoke to Mr(.) Ojeda and one of our representatives and they are reissuing the payment correctly this time… Unsure if the insurance honored our request to overnight or if they decided to send it snail mail

again…We have communicated with the insureds a lot…and we never want anyone to have to feel the need to take action or steps against us, in reality(,) it is the insurance company that needs to properly indemnify them. I believe there has been no wrong-doing by us, but 110% acknowledge and sympathize with the insureds in regards to the situation.”

Finally, about seven months after dropping off the truck and a month after the media started asking questions, the Ojedas got the repaired truck back.

Consumer advocate Jon Linkov said such delays are becoming more common in the industry, influenced by factors like cost, inventory management and business practices. He advised consumers to use insurance as an advocacy tool in navigating repair processes.

Empire Auto Parts Opens New Distribution Facility in Texas

Empire Auto Parts, a distributor of aftermarket automotive parts, announced the opening of its newest distribution facility in Dallas, TX — the company’s eighth large scale distribution center and its first location in the Lone Star State.

The new facility spans an impressive 160,000 square feet, making it one of Empire Auto Parts’ largest distribution centers to date. With state-of-the-art technology and ample capacity, the facility is poised to enhance efficiency and streamline operations, ensuring timely delivery of quality automotive parts to customers across North Texas and beyond.

This milestone achievement also marks Empire Auto Parts’ 40th location. As Empire Auto Parts expands its footprint, it remains dedicated to providing unparalleled service and support to its valued customers.

“We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newest

distribution facility in Dallas,” said Chris Smith, general manager of the new Texas site. “This strategic expansion not only demonstrates our unwavering commitment to meeting the needs of our customers with speed, efficiency and reliability, but also validates the hard work put in by our team members across the organization.”

Empire Auto Parts has built a reputation for excellence in the aftermarket automotive parts industry. With the addition of the Dallas distribution facility, Empire Auto Parts is poised to continue its tradition of innovation and leadership in the automotive aftermarket sector.

Collision repair shops can contact Empire in Dallas by calling 800-946-4588. They can order and return parts online at www. empireautoparts.com.

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Ford’s handsfree driving technology, BlueCruise, after it was found to be engaged in two fatal collisions. In both incidents, a Mustang Mach-E SUV ran into another vehicle that was stopped in the travel lane of a highway. The inquiry involves about 130,000 Ford Mustang Mach-E vehicles from the 2021 to 2024 model years. The preliminary evaluation will determine whether these vehicles present an unreasonable risk to safety.

A Ford spokesperson told Reuters the company is working with the NHTSA. In addition to the NHTSA’s efforts, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is conducting separate investigations into the crashes. One of the accidents under scrutiny occurred Feb. 24, when a Mustang Mach-E using BlueCruise struck a stationary Honda CR-V on I-10 in San Antonio, TX, resulting in the death of the 56-year-old driver of the Honda. Another incident on March 3 in Philadelphia involved a

similar scenario, where BlueCruise was confirmed to be active just before the collision. Both incidents happened during nighttime lighting conditions, pointing to potential issues with the system s performance during limited visibility.

Ford’s BlueCruise, part of the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 package, operates on 97% of U.S. and Canadian highways with no intersections or traffic signals. The system uses a camera-based driver monitoring system to ensure driver attention, but the recent accidents have put its effectiveness under scrutiny. The investigations will assess the system s capability in handling dynamic driving tasks and monitoring driver attentiveness.

Similarly, the NHTSA also recently opened an investigation to determine if a recall to install software updates to Tesla’s Autopilot system was adequate. After more than 2 million vehicles were recalled in December, the NHTSA said it has received reports of 20 crashes involving Teslas with the update.

8am-6pm Sat 8am-4pm loryj@autonation.com www.bmwofhoustonnorth.com

Tesla Skirts Austin’s Environmental Rules Using New State Law

Tesla has maneuvered out of Austin’s environmental control by invoking a Texas state law enacted last September.

Senate Bill 2038, effective Sept. 1, 2023, allows property owners near large Texan cities to seek exemption from the cities’ extraterritorial jurisdiction, facilitating easier land development with fewer restrictions.

This legislative change permits landowners, like Tesla, whose Giga Texas facility encompasses 2,100 acres east of Austin, to develop their properties under reduced regulatory oversight. Tesla filed its petition Feb. 8, and by March 8, the property was cleared to operate outside Austin’s environmental rules, as reported by the Austin Business Journal.

The implications of this exemption are broad and controversial. According to the legislation, the area must have fewer than 200 residents to

qualify for release. Critics argue the law strips municipalities of their ability to oversee land use effectively, which may jeopardize both environmental health and public safety. Some municipalities have filed lawsuits challenging the law. Austin is not among them, but according to the Austin Business Journal, city officials are aware of the risks for current residents and those who may move to Austin.

Shelley Parks, a spokesperson for the city of Austin, said removing an area from jurisdiction could impact water quality and might cause future flooding issues.

Tesla’s Giga Texas had about 15,000 employees as reported at the end of 2022. It recently announced it would lay off about 2,700 employees there.

While reporting its Q1 2024 financial results April 25, Hertz announced it will sell off 10,000 more electric vehicles from its fleet than originally reported — a total of 30,000, following significant depreciation charges.

Hertz initially announced in late 2021 it was buying 100,000 Tesla Model 3s. Then, after reporting record earnings for 2022, the company announced in early 2023 it was increasing its investment in EVs, with plans to order 175,000 from General Motors and 65,000 from Polestar.

However, the depreciation of Hertz’s EVs has been exacerbated by a price war initiated by Tesla. In January, Hertz announced it would sell off 20,000 EVs from its rental fleet — about a third of the total it had purchased — due in part to high collision repair and logistics costs. A month later,

it announced it was pausing purchasing more EVs from Polestar.

The losses continued into the first quarter of 2024. Hertz said it incurred a $195 million charge to vehicle depreciation to write down the EVs held for sale.

The news of this accelerated selloff follows a distressing financial disclosure: Hertz reported a net income loss of $392 million for the quarter, a substantial increase from the $126 million loss recorded during the same period last year. The loss per share deepened to $1.28, almost tripling what financial analysts had projected.

The EV missteps also led to a change in leadership at Hertz. In March, it announced it was replacing CEO Stephen Scherr with Gil West, the former COO of Delta Air Lines and GM’s Cruise unit.

Automakers Report Strong Hybrid, EV Sales in April

Toyota reported a 15% increase in sales in April compared to the same month last year, making it the bestselling manufacturer in the U.S., as the 183,339 units it sold topped second-place Ford’s 170,302.

Ford

While Ford’s total sales were 3% lower compared to April 2023, sales its hybrid vehicle lineup increased 60% from the same month last year, setting a new monthly sales record, led by the F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid, which boasted a 93.6% increase in sales.

Ford said the impressive performance reflects a broader trend in consumer preference for more sustainable and versatile vehicle options. The new 2024 model of the F-150 Hybrid has particularly resonated with customers, many of whom opted for the 7.2kW Pro Power Onboard feature, which allows the truck to supply power not only to job sites and tailgate parties but also in emergency situations, such as power outages.

The best-selling hybrid pickup overall for the year, the Maverick Hybrid, sold 26,061 units in the first

four months of 2024 alone. Ford said 59% of Maverick Hybrid customers are new to the brand, switching mainly from small SUVs to the smaller, more efficient pickup model.

Hyundai

Hyundai Motor America reported total April sales of 68,603 units, a 3% decrease compared with April 2023. There were two fewer selling days in April 2024. Hyundai set total sales records in April for Elantra HEV (+3%), IONIQ 5 (+59%), IONIQ 6 (+41%), Tucson HEV (+44%), Santa Fe HEV (+12%) and Palisade (+31%).

Hyundai’s electrified (hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle) sales grew 26% while battery electric sales grew 31%.

Kia

Continuing its push toward sustainable mobility leadership, the all-new EV9 delivered its best sales performance to date in April and Kia America shattered its all-time monthly EV sales record, increasing 61% over the previous record set in April 2022 total. Kia sold 65,754 units in April, with SUVs accounting for 81% of the mix.

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

Three Kia utility vehiclesCarnival (+18%), Telluride (+5%) and Sportage (+2%) - each delivered the best April sales in their respective histories. In addition, sales of the all-electric EV6 grew 65% year-overyear while the new Sorento (+24%) and ICE Forte (+11%) also posted year-over-year gains.

Honda

American Honda’s April sales totaled 116,586 units, with balanced sales of cars and light trucks resulting in its second best sales month of 2024.

Honda brand sales topped 106,000 units in April, up 15.7% year-over-year and the brand’s third straight month above 100,000 units.

Honda’s electrified sales exceeded 21,000 units, with CR-V hybrid and Accord hybrid achieving a 46% and 51% model mix respectively. The Allelectric Prologue posted initial sales as units began arriving at dealers in the last few days of April.

Acura brand sales topped 10,500 units in April, its second best month of 2024. The first allelectric model from Acura, the 2024 ZDX and ZDX Type S, began arriving at dealers May 1.

Mazda

Mazda North American Operations reported total April sales of 31,125 vehicles, a decrease of 3.8% compared to April 2023. Yearto-date sales totaled 131,228 vehicles sold, an increase of 8.7% compared to the same time last year. With 27 selling days in April, compared to the same the year prior, the company posted a decrease of 3.8% on a Daily Selling Rate (DSR) basis.

Subaru

Subaru of America, Inc. reported 55,863 vehicle sales for April 2024, a 9.5% increase compared with April 2023 (51,014). SOA also reported year-to-date sales of 208,859, a 7.4% increase compared with the same period in 2023.

In April, Forester remained the top seller, with 17,850 vehicles sold, an 85% increase compared to April 2023. Outback also continued to have a strong showing, with 13,131 vehicle sales. Crosstrek sales followed closely behind, with 12,127 vehicles sold, a 17.6% increase over April 2023.

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Audi Arrowhead Peoria

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623.561.4750

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Audi Gilbert Gilbert

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Audi Dallas Dallas

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Audi Fort Worth

Dallas/Fort Worth

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Women Automotive Network Set To Present Inaugural Detroit Summit

By Abby Andrews Autobody News

The Women Automotive Network (WAN), a global community of more than 34,000 professionals and allies committed to the advancement and empowerment of women in the automotive field, is hosting its first Women Automotive Summit: Detroit, June 4 at the Suburban Collective Showplace in Novi, MI. More than 350 in-person attendees are expected, as well as 700 online. Registration is open at womenautomotivenetwork. com/en-us/pages/womenautomotive-summit-detroit. The agenda includes a full slate of speakers presenting on a wide range of topics: building a resilient workforce, finding success in the competitive automotive industry, the importance of internal networks, the future of women in automotive, intuitive business decision-making and how to make your own career plan. In the evening, WAN will

present the Woman of the Year and Global DEI Champion of the Year awards during a joint cocktail reception with WardsAuto, which is holding its AutoTech event June 5-6. WAN will be exhibiting and hosting a panel discussion during AutoTech.

WAN has held a European Summit annually since 2019, but this is its first event in North America. Stephanie May , director of WAN, said respondents to the

organization s bi-annual survey were insistent on seeing such an event. “The last couple of years, there has been a lot of noise about ‘When are you doing a physical event in Detroit?’” May said. “So now we’re doing a physical event in Detroit.” WAN offers resources to women in the automotive industry for career advancement, community and support, and empowerment and education, while also celebrating women’s success stories. May said the organization covers the entire automotive industry. It was originally focused more on manufacturers and suppliers, but as it has grown, it is seeing more aftermarket companies and dealerships involved.

In addition to its live events, WAN also has a mentorship program and produces monthly interviews with leaders in the automotive industry.

The Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) announced National Coatings & Supplies/ Single Source committed again to the CIF Annual Donor Program. This marks the fourth consecutive donation at the First Responder (highest) tier.

Introduced in 2021, the Annual Donor Program was designed to bring needed recurring resources to the foundation, so it can deliver on its mission to “Answer the Call” when those in the industry have been impacted by catastrophic events such as wildfires, hurricanes, tornados or flooding.

Learn more about the tax-deductible donations for the program at www. collisionindustryfoundation.org/ uploads/1/2/0/0/120099486/ cif_ad_order_form2023-1119.pdf

For more than two decades through the generous support of corporations and individuals, CIF has been able to assist hundreds of collision repair professionals in need after a disaster.

Photo of the European Summit held in 2023. This June’s event is the first Detroit Summit.

CERTIFIED PARTS WHOLESALING DEALERS

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Earnhardt Ford

CHANDLER

480-763-6233

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Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa

MESA

480-530-9720

480-530-9708 Fax

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Peoria Ford

PEORIA

623-977-9612

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COLORADO

Larry H. Miller Ford Lakewood

LAKEWOOD

800-332-3722

720-481-2460

303-991-4134 Fax

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COLORADO

Schomp Ford DENVER 800-876-0977

303-343-1396

303-361-9278 Fax

Hours: M-F 7:30-5:30; Sat 7:30-3 fordparts@schomp.com

OKLAHOMA

Bob Howard Parts

OKLAHOMA CITY

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United Ford PDC TULSA

WHOLESALE DIRECT 800-800-9001

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Five Star Ford NORTH RICHLAND HILLS WHOLESALE DIRECT 800-895-7827 817-577-2781 817-577-0558 Fax www.5starford.com

Helfman Ford STAFFORD

281-240-7628 800-634-8008 281-240-0642 Fax parts@helfmanford.com www.fordparts.com/helfman

Mac Haik Ford, Lincoln GEORGETOWN/AUSTIN 877-969-3055 512-930-6260

281-598-4370 Fax parts@machaikfl.com

Tommie Vaughn Motors HOUSTON

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Number of Underinsured Motorists Nationwide Hit 15.7% in 2022

The number of underinsured motorists across the U.S. spiked in 2022 — data revealed 15.7% of drivers did not carry enough insurance to cover damages and injuries in accidents they cause, a sharp increase of 3.1 percentage points from 2017.

The report, issued by the Insurance Research Council (IRC), a division of The Institutes, suggested this increase could be tied to several factors, including economic inflation and changes in driving behavior. The study analyzed underinsured motorist (UIM) and bodily injury (BI) liability claims from 10 major insurers, which represent about half of the U.S. private passenger auto insurance market.

According to the findings, the escalation in underinsured drivers was not uniform across the country. States like Colorado and Georgia witnessed the most dramatic increases, with Colorado’s underinsured rate soaring to 40.9% and Georgia’s to 37.3%. Conversely, Delaware saw a significant decrease in its

At the start of the pandemic, both UIM and BI frequencies dropped as the shutdowns dramatically curtailed driving, said Dale Porfilio, FCAS, MAAA, president of the IRC. However, UIM frequency dropped less than BI. By 2022, UIM claim frequency had returned to its 2019 level while BI claim frequency was still below pre-pandemic levels.

“The dramatic increases in the average severity of auto injury claims since the pandemic began have spurred higher UIM rates,”

DALE PORFILIO

FCAS, MAAA, PRESIDENT OF THE IRC

The report also shed light on the contributing factors to the rise in UIM rates, such as riskier driving behaviors, including speeding and distracted driving, as well as abuses in the legal system.

“The dramatic increases in the

claims since the pandemic began have spurred higher UIM rates,” Porfilio said.

In a recent webinar hosted by CCC, experts touched on how the rate of uninsured and underinsured motorists is affecting the collision repair and insurance industries.

Erik Bahnsen, assistant director of industry analytics for CCC, said 14% of drivers are completely uninsured, and third-party claims submitted for injuries caused by uninsured and underinsured motorists have increased 40% since 2021.

“There are a lot more underand uninsured motorists,” Bahnsen said. “If you get in an accident with one who caused the loss, you re going to have to make a claim where you didn’t before. That will push even more of that group into the uninsured or financially stressed category, compounding the issue.”

Tim Christ, solution expert for CCC, said that lack of coverage for some drivers also affects subrogation, which affects cycle time.

Subaru Superstore of Chandler

PHX Metro East (877) 443-3239 (480) 268-2402 Local

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Subaru Superstore of Surprise

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Mon.-Fri. 7-6; Sat. 7-5 WholesaleWest@ShopSubaru.com

Flatirons Subaru Boulder (303) 443-2919 (303) 442-1342 Fax

Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6; Sat. 8-5 parts@flatironsimports.com

DSG Acquires S&S Automotive

Distribution Solutions Group, Inc., announced its operating company, Lawson Products, acquired S&S Automotive, Inc., a major player in automotive and industrial parts supply based in Woodridge, IL. This acquisition promises to strengthen Lawson Products’ Kent Automotive division, in the North American automotive dealership and collision repair market.

“Similar to Lawson’s Kent Automotive business, S&S Automotive is an industryleading distributor in the automotive dealership market,” said Cesar Lanuza, president and CEO of Lawson Products. “We’re very excited to announce this acquisition that leverages the best of both companies. On a combined basis, S&S and Kent Automotive will enhance our ability to serve customers with auto-related supplies and tools, as well as vendor-managed inventory (VMI) services to dealerships and collision repair customers in this growing market.”

This acquisition, which includes an annual revenue of approximately $40 million from S&S Automotive, was funded through a combination of DSG’s cash and its available credit facility. It is also expected to be accretive to DSG’s adjusted EPS and EBITDA margins.

Baldwin Subaru Covington (888) 310-9605 (985) 338-2598 (985) 273-3273 Fax Mon.-Fri. 7:30-6; Sat. 8-3 lrose@baldwinmotors.com

Five Star Subaru Grapevine (877) 308-9055

Direct (817) 438-1732 parts@subarugrapevine.com www.subarugrapevine.net

Huffines Subaru Corinth (888) 928-2978 (940) 321-2679 (940) 497-2920 Fax Mon.-Fri. 7-7; Sat. 8-5 les.hickman@huffines.net

We’ve Got Your Parts Covered

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Horne Kia

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Crain Kia

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LOUISIANA

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Archer Kia

Houston

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Bob Utter Kia

Sherman 903-892-5967 (903) 891-7304 Fax M-F 7:30am - 6pm Sat 7:30am - 1pm

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De Montrond Kia

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Fredy Kia

Houston

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Huffines Kia McKinney

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Kelly Grimsley Kia

Odessa 432-614-9324

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UTAH

Findlay Kia

St. George 435-817-4245 (435) 634-1229 Fax M-F 8am - 6pm Sat 8am - Noon

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Subaru Forester Excels in Tough New IIHS Crash Tests

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has revamped its vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention test, introducing higher speeds and new targets, including motorcycles and large trucks. Amidst these tougher conditions, the Subaru Forester stood out as the only small SUV to secure a “good” rating.

The updated testing protocol now involves trials at speeds of 31, 37 and 43 mph, simulating more severe crash scenarios than the previous tests which capped at 25 mph.

“This is a vital update to one of our most successful test programs,” IIHS President David Harkey said. “The vast majority of new vehicles now come with automatic emergency braking, and our research shows the technology prevents as many as half of all frontto-rear crashes. This new, tougher evaluation targets some of the most dangerous front-to-rear crashes that are still happening.”

Real-world data had shown that while automatic emergency braking (AEB) systems were effective at lower speeds, their performance

at higher speeds was not being adequately tested. The new IIHS test aims to fill this gap by also including motorcycle and semitrailer targets, reflecting a wider range of real-world conditions.

A Chevrolet Equinox strikes a dummy representing a motorcycle rider at 31 mph in the IIHS’ updated vehicle-tovehicle front crash prevention test. The Equinox was rated “poor.”

“Obviously, crashes that happen at higher speeds are more dangerous,” said IIHS Senior Research Scientist David Kidd, who led the development of the new evaluation. “Deadly underride crashes often occur when the struck vehicle is a large truck, and

motorcyclists are frequently killed when they’re rear-ended by a passenger car, since their bike offers no protection from the impact.”

The Subaru Forester demonstrated superior performance across multiple scenarios. It avoided collisions with the passenger car target at all test speeds and managed significant speed reductions when encountering the motorcycle target. The Forester’s AEB system slowed the vehicle by an average of 30 mph in the 43 mph tests involving a motorcycle, significantly reducing the severity of the impact.

Other vehicles like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 received “acceptable” ratings, showing variability in their ability to handle higher-speed tests, particularly with motorcycle targets. Vehicles such as the Ford Escape, Hyundai Tucson and Jeep Compass were deemed “marginal,” and several others, including the Chevrolet Equinox, Mazda CX-5 and Volkswagen Taos, were rated “poor” due to their inconsistent performance across different test scenarios.

The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) announced its 2024–25 officers and Board of Directors.

The officer appointments include: Chair Elizabeth Stein, OEC; Vice Chair Laura Kottschade, Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass; Treasurer Janette Tooley, Consolidated Dealers CoOperative Inc.; Administrative Vice Chair Jeanne Esquivel, Entegral, Powered by Enterprise; Secretary Blair Womble, Caliber Collision; and Immediate Past Chair  Tanya Sweetland, Caliber Collision.

New members joining the WIN 2024–25 Board include: Ellen Sieminski, Boyd Group/Gerber Collision & Glass; Kayla Clark, Classic Collision; Kristi Werner, URG; and Leslie Jones, CCC Intelligence Solutions.

The following board members will continue their service to the organization: Susie Frausto, Boyd Group/Gerber Collision & Glass; Kristle Bollans, CSN Collision; Hannah Whitesides, Driven Brands; Lisa Ferguson, I-CAR; Sabrina Simionescu, AkzoNobel; and Stacey Simmons, Enterprise Mobility.

Hyundai, Kia Lead Surge in Vehicle Thefts in 2023

Kia and Hyundai vehicles experienced the highest theft rates in 2023, breaking the yearslong trend of full-size pickups topping the list, according to a new report issued by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

the Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Sonata and Kia Optima, with thefts numbering in the tens of thousands.

These models surpassed traditionally high-theft vehicles like the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and Ford F-150 pickups, which also feature on the list but in lower ranks.

Credit: Shutterstock

Social media trends highlighting how to steal these vehicles likely played a factor in pushing Kia and Hyundai models to occupy six spots, including the top three, on the list of the 10 most stolen vehicles. Leading the list are

“These rankings highlight the persistent threat of vehicle theft across the country,” said NICB President and CEO David J. Glawe. “NICB works with law enforcement agencies and industry partners to deploy advanced technologies and strategies to combat vehicle theft from organized criminal networks and individuals. Even as we work to deter crime, it is crucial for owners to remain vigilant and take proactive measures to

protect their vehicles.”

Statistics from the report further revealed more than 85% of stolen passenger vehicles are eventually recovered, with a significant 34% recovered within just one day of being reported stolen.

This report comes after another NICB trend analysis, which indicated the U.S. is still experiencing a surge in vehicle theft rates that started at the onset of the pandemic. This past year, the nation saw another increase as vehicle theft claims rose 1% from 2022 to 2023.

Top 10 Vehicles Stolen in the U.S. in 2023

1. Hyundai Elantra - 48,445 thefts

2. Hyundai Sonata - 42,813

3. Kia Optima - 30,204

4.Chevrolet Silverado 150023,721

5. Kia Soul - 21,001

6. Honda Accord - 20,895

7. Honda Civic - 19,858

8. Kia Forte - 16,209

9. Ford F-150 - 15,852

10. Kia Sportage - 15,749

Ben Johnson has joined Repairify as vice president of general automotive repair markets, to help lead the company’s expansion into the mechanical market.

Repairify chose Johnson to lead the business development and product management teams for asTech Mechanical as it enhances its remote OEM solutions to better serve the needs of the general automotive service and repair markets.

asTech Mechanical will enhance the functionality of Repairify’s patented technology, currently the leading remote solution for collision centers. It will improve support for mechanical repairers connecting remotely to asTech’s authentic OEM tools to perform functions such as vehicle health checks, programming and calibrations.

asTech Mechanical will help shops complete any repair functions in-house that would require an OEM tool without the shop needing to purchase that specific OEM tool, send out the vehicle or sublet.

Fix Auto USA Celebrates 200th Store Milestone

Fix Auto USA recently celebrated the grand opening of its 200th store, taking the opportunity to reflect on its progress since its founding in 2011 while looking forward to its next goals.

The 200th store is Fix Auto Palm Desert South in Palm Desert, CA, owned and operated by Henry Arroyo, a multi-store owner. Arroyo now owns five locations in California — one each in Cathedral City, Indio and Palm Springs, and two in Palm Desert.

Fix Auto USA was founded in 2011 to create a network of highperforming, independent body shops to ensure the best quality repairs and customer service. The first 30 locations banded together to bring the mission to life, quickly transitioning from a locally-known business to an industry-leading collision repair family.

“When Fix Auto USA joined the Driven Brands collision group back in 2020, it was clear that this group of owners was determined to be the best of the best,” said Sabrina Thring, collision president, Driven Brands. “The dedication to their craft, customers and one another

has laid the groundwork of this thriving network. Reaching this milestone is just the beginning, and I can’t wait to be a part of this continued growth.”

in 13 states.

Thring said the growth has been propelled by franchisees, many of whom have opened multiple locations while running the kind of

During a media roundtable May 3, Driven Brands executives said they decided in 2018, when Fix Auto had 111 stores, to celebrate No. 200. They got there by adding 20 to 25 stores every year, which they aim to do again by the end of 2025. Fix Auto now has locations

Mon-Fri 7am - 7pm; Sat 7am - 4pm reeda2@autonation.com

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832-446-4000

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businesses that attract new owners.

“Our owners built this brand, positioning us an industry leader in collision repair,” Thring said.

Arroyo said he was honored to open Fix Auto’s 200th location.

“I joined the Fix Auto USA network in 2014 and haven’t looked

back,” he said. “Today, I own five locations, with Palm Desert South being my most recent opening. This network has given me so much and I can’t wait to continue building my business and representing the Fix Auto USA brand.”

Arroyo is deeply rooted in the communities around his facilities, giving back to the children, the homeless and any person in need through hosting toy drives, collecting coats, clothing, toiletries and more, working with Martha’s Kitchen. Arroyo is also an active member in the National Auto Body Council, participating in the Recycled Rides program to gift multiple vehicles to families and veterans in need. Most recently, Arroyo and his team donated two vehicles to local families in January.

“With owners like Henry leading the way for this brand, I have no doubt that we will continue to reach new heights,” said Brian Newberry, vice president of collision development, Driven Brands. “Opening the 200th location is just one step in our growth, and I am thrilled to see what is in store next for this brand!”

Driven Brands and Fix Auto USA executives joined the team at Fix Auto Palm Desert South in Palm Desert, CA, to celebrate the store’s grand opening -- making it the 200th Fix Auto.

Fisker Expands Dealer Network But Warns of Possible Layoffs, Plant Closure

While Fisker Inc. announced May 2 it added six more dealer partners in the U.S. and Guam, a leaked email to employees said the Californiabased EV startup faces potential layoffs and facility closures if it fails to secure financial stability.

Fisker said it added three new dealer partner locations in California — one in Sacramento and two in Los Angeles County — as well as in Kansas City, MO, and Forest City, PA, and a new distributor in Guam.

“We are excited to welcome our new dealer partners to the Fisker family and look forward to them opening for business,” a Fisker spokesperson said in a statement.

The email, confirmed by several employees and obtained by Business Insider, sent earlier in the same week by John DiDonato — the newly appointed chief restructuring officer — serves as a “conditional notice” to employees, indicating job terminations could take effect June 28 if the company’s attempts to restructure and attract new investment fall

through. The email could have been sent in order to comply with the Worker Adjustment and

“Every decision is made following thorough analysis and careful consideration of the available options, including the appropriate locations and workforce for the go-forward business, as well as our ability to manage our liquidity and sell our inventory,”

FISKER SPOKESPERSON

Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which requires a 60-day notice before major layoffs or closures.

“We are diligently pursuing all options to address our

operating cash requirements, including maintaining discussions with prospective buyers and investors and exploring various restructuring alternatives,” the email said, but there remains a significant risk these efforts may not be fruitful.

“Every decision is made following thorough analysis and careful consideration of the available options, including the appropriate locations and workforce for the go-forward business, as well as our ability to manage our liquidity and sell our inventory,” A Fisker spokesperson said.

Fisker also recently reduced the price for its 2023 Ocean SUV models. The top-tier Ocean Extreme trim dropped $24,000 to a new price of $37,499. Similarly, the Ocean Ultra trim is now priced at $34,999, down from $52,999, and the Ocean Sport at $24,999, reduced from $38,999. The price cuts were effective as of March 29, and mirror reductions in Canada and Europe.

Adam Lasnier has been appointed the new director of auto adjusting at SCA Claim Services, a leading appraisal and adjusting firm for personal and commercial auto claims. With 18 years of experience in the industry, including a decade in third-party administration, Lasnier brings a wealth of knowledge to his new role.

In his new role, Lasnier will spearhead the growth and evolution of the Auto Adjusting Division at SCA. His responsibilities will include enhancing the current services offered to clients across the nation, such as full-time auto adjuster staff augmentation, handling of major market non-standard auto claims, standard and preferred auto claims, and temporary total loss adjusting (CAT).

Find more information at scaclaims. com/auto-services and scaclaims. com/adjuster-opportunities.

Rivian Cuts Workforce Again Amid EV Demand Slowdown

EV maker Rivian has implemented another round of layoffs, cutting approximately 1% of its workforce — the company’s second job cut this year. According to Reuters, Rivian said April 17 these cuts are a part of a broader cost-reduction effort, as the company pushes to achieve a gross margin positive status by year-end.

“This was a difficult decision, but a necessary one to support our goal to be gross margin positive by the end of the year,” a company spokesperson said in an email to Reuters. The layoffs primarily affected personnel in business support roles.

These layoffs follow a substantial 10% workforce reduction in February, triggered by a disappointing production forecast for 2024. Rivian is navigating high interest rates and a general slowdown in consumer demand for more expensive electric vehicles. In an effort to counterbalance these challenges, Rivian has taken several measures to streamline operations and

reduce expenses. The company has begun manufacturing certain parts in-house and renegotiated supply contracts to lower costs. Additionally, it paused its production line for upgrades to enhance efficiency.

Rivian’s strategy also includes adjusting its production plans for new models. In March, the company announced the introduction of the smaller, less expensive R2 SUVs. Originally planned to be produced at a new facility in Georgia, these vehicles will now be manufactured at Rivian’s existing factory in Illinois. This shift is expected to expedite deliveries slated for the first half of 2026 and save the company more than $2 billion.

Despite these efforts, Rivian’s stock hit a record low April 16, reflecting broader market concerns about the cooling demand for consumer EVs. With its first-quarter results due May 7, Rivian’s shares have plunged nearly two-thirds in value since the beginning of the year.

GM Ending Production of Last GasPowered Sedan

General Motors announced it will discontinue the Chevrolet Malibu — the brand’s last gasoline-powered sedan — by the end of this year as it focuses on electric vehicles, starting with the next-generation Chevrolet Bolt EVs.

Since its debut in 1964, the Chevrolet Malibu has been a staple on roads worldwide, with more than 10 million units sold. However, the iconic model will see its production halted in November, as GM repurposes its manufacturing efforts towards electric vehicles at its Kansas assembly plant with an investment of $390 million.

The move is part of GM’s broader transition away from traditional cars to more crossover and sport utility vehicles, which have been

gaining popularity.

The Malibu’s discontinuation follows closely on the heels of the Chevrolet Camaro’s production end last year, leaving the Corvette as the sole remaining Chevrolet car model in the U.S.

GM also announced plans to temporarily pause production of the Cadillac XT4 at the same Kansas plant after January 2025, which will result in temporary layoffs. Production is expected to resume in late 2025 with both the Bolt EV and XT4 sharing the assembly line.

The market response to the Malibu has been mixed, with sales dipping 12.5% in the first three months of the year. However, overall sales in 2023 showed a 13% increase to 130,000 units.

INSIST ON GM GENUINE PARTS

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Joe Hudson’s Collision Center Expands With 6 New Locations

Joe Hudson’s Collision Center (JHCC) expanded its operational footprint by acquiring six new locations, including Patton Brothers Body and Frame in Athens, GA, and five Precision Hail and Collision locations across Texas.

Patton Brothers Body and Frame has had a long-standing tradition of excellence since its inception in 1959. “The acquisition of Patton Brothers Body and Frame marks our entry into northeast Georgia,” said Brant Wilson, CEO of JHCC. “This strategic move allows us to broaden our reach while honoring the legacy and commitment to quality established by former owner Rodney Patton.” In Texas, the acquisition of five Precision Hail and Collision

locations represents a deliberate effort to strengthen JHCC’s presence in a competitive market.

“We recognize and value the expertise and experience of the team at Precision Hail and Collision,” said Wendy Patrick, chief administrative officer of JHCC. “Their longstanding reputation for excellence aligns perfectly with our commitment to delivering exceptional service to our customers.”

“Our dedicated teams ensure that every new location receives the support and resources necessary to thrive within the Joe Hudson s family,” said

Cameron Dickson, COO of JHCC. “We pride ourselves on our ability to maintain the high standards of quality and service that define Joe Hudson s Collision Center even as we integrate multiple locations simultaneously.” Joe Hudson s Collision Center was established in 1989 and is headquartered in Montgomery, AL. It now has locations in 16 states.