NHTSA Proposes Automatic Emergency Braking Requirements for New Vehicles

PublishedMay 31, 2023

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration on May 31 announced a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking that would require automatic emergency braking and pedestrian AEB systems on passenger cars and light trucks. The proposed rule is expected to dramatically reduce crashes associated with pedestrians and rear-end crashes.

NHTSA projects this proposed rule, if finalized, would save at least 360 lives a year and reduce injuries by at least 24,000 annually. In addition, these AEB systems would result in significant reductions in property damage caused by rear-end crashes. Many crashes would be

Opus IVS, CARS Co-Op Network Join Forces to Boost Diagnostic Capabilities

PublishedMay 31, 2023

Opus IVS, a leading provider of automotive diagnostic tools and services, announced a strategic partnership with CARS Co-Op Network, a trusted network of automotive collision and repair shops.

This collaboration will enhance diagnostic capabilities for more than 1,200 collision and 600 mechanical repair facilities within the CARS Co-Op Network. 

By leveraging Opus IVS' advanced tools and software solutions, network members will gain access to cutting-edge vehicle diagnostics and technical support, enabling them to provide efficient and accurate repairs. The partnership will also focus on

Inaugural Episode of Webinar Series Looks at IIHS’ Study of Issues Reported with ADAS Repairs

Written by Abby Andrews, Autobody News
Published May 30, 2023

AirPro Diagnostics’ new webinar series, TechTalk 360, hosted its first-ever episode May 17, “Consumer Experiences with Crash

Body shops have always focused on repairing vehicles after an accident, but there are many other services they could provide to increase revenue and profits and improve customer satisfaction. One way to expand their offerings is by bringing in-house some services they currently outsource, such as ADAS calibration, alignment and customization services. As an added benefit, most of these services have high margins and tend to be “easier” than the bulk of collision repair work. Plenty of shops are doing these things in-house. Should you?

ADAS Calibration

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become

Shifting Customer Preferences, Technology, Staffing Issues Inspire Changes in Collision Repair Shops

Written by John Yoswick, Autobody News
Published May 9, 2023

A Greek philosopher once said the only constant in life is change, and that certainly applies to the life of a collision repair business owner. Six shop owners shared what changes they’ve recently made within their business.

Tom Ricci, owner of Body & Paint Center in Hudson, MA, pointed to two such changes at his 21-employee business.

“I have had multiple problems with our last

Car ADAS Solutions Announces 3 New California Licensees 

PublishedApril 25, 2023

Car ADAS Solutions, a leading ADAS calibration technology and services provider, announced the addition of three new licensees in California. They include Accelerated ADAS in Riverside, owned by Jim Perod; APEX Calibrations in Fresno, owned by Tony Morgan; and Quantum ADAS Calibrations LLC in San Diego, owned by Preston Eherenfeldt. 

“We are excited to begin our California calibration center build-out with the Car ADAS model,” said Greg Peeters, founder and CEO of CAR ADAS. “These are forward-thinking industry leaders

AirPro Diagnostics Helps Every Shop Repair All 550 of Today’s Vehicle Models

Written by Ed Attanasio, Autobody News
Published April 5, 2023

I am amazed at all the new features in today’s vehicles, these rolling computer networks with lines of code numbering in the hundreds of millions, and often wonder how successfully shops are servicing these complex systems.

I found the answer in the recent ...

IIHS Research Scientist: 'It Seems Calibration is the Weakest Link'

Written by Abby Andrews, Autobody News
Published March 10, 2023

A first-of-its-kind consumer survey conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) showed the majority of people who own a vehicle with increasingly popular ...

GM’s Hands-Free ‘Ultra Cruise’ to Employ Unique Sensor Suite

PublishedMarch 7, 2023

General Motors announced March 7 that Ultra Cruise, the company’s next-generation advanced driver assistance system designed to ultimately enable hands-free driving in 95% of all driving scenarios, will have a 360-degree view of the vehicle through a unique sensor suite when it launches on the CadillacCELESTIQ.

GM’s Ultra Cruise sensor strategy is directly guided by the company’s philosophy of safely deploying advanced driver assistance (ADAS)

Opus IVS Gives Auto Body Shops Confidence to Diagnose the Most Complex Vehicles  

Written by Ed Attanasio, Autobody News
Published March 7, 2023

When diagnostics became a daily part of every collision repairer’s life less than a decade ago, many owners were hoping calibrations would be an option. Those days are long gone, and with cars getting more complex every day, auto body shops are turning techs into diagnosticians and

AAA: Fear of Self-Driving Cars on the Rise

Written by Brittany Moye, AAA
Published March 2, 2023

The results of AAA’s annual automated vehicle survey show that while there is still a high level of interest in partially-automated vehicle technology, attitudes toward fully self-driving vehicles have become increasingly apprehensive.

This year there was a major increase in drivers who are afraid, rising to 68%, compared to 55% in 2022. This is a 13% jump from last year’s survey and the biggest increase since 2020*.

AAA believes automakers must be diligent in creating an environment that promotes the use of more advanced vehicle technologies in a secure, reliable and educational manner. This

Auto Body Shop Veteran Starts Azimuth, a Specialized ADAS Calibration Center

Written by Ed Attanasio, Autobody News
Published March 2, 2023

Charlie Rich has more than 30 years of experience as an entrepreneur and executive in the automotive aftermarket, in the technology, insurance, OEM and collision repair segments.

Rich began his career in the automotive aftermarket when he joined CCC Intelligent Solutions in 1989. During his eight-year tenure, he played a major role in the company’s explosive growth and the introduction of several industry

NH Legislator Wants Consumers Notified of Calibration Prior to Work

PublishedMarch 1, 2023

A hearing was held Feb. 15 on a bill by New Hampshire Rep. Tim McGough that would require auto glass repair and replacement facilities to tell customers calibrations are necessary for their vehicles prior to work being done.

McGough, a Republican, opened the hearing by telling the committee of the “very specialized” calibration process.

“All it does is require us to notify and protect the consumer,” he said of HB 304. “The problem is an unsuspecting consumer could very easily go to an auto glass shop, not be told (about calibration), and have non-working sensors. All of those important sensors could be

Autel, Repairify Announce Agreement for Remote Diagnostics, Calibrations and Services

PublishedMarch 1, 2023

Repairify™, Inc., a portfolio company of Kinderhook Industries, LLC, and Autel U.S., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Autel Intelligent Technology Corp., Ltd., on March 1 announced an exclusive long-term collaboration agreement for the delivery of Repairify's patented global OEM remote solutions for diagnostics, calibrations and programming through Autel's remote capable products across North America.

As part of the agreement, Repairify will integrate its leading patented global remote diagnostic, calibration and programming solutions as a new service offering into a revised

75% of Consumers Report Issues with ADAS After Crash-Related Repair

PublishedFeb. 24, 2023

Crash avoidance features have proven safety benefits, but some vehicle owners report problems with the technology following repairs---especially if the repairs involved windshield replacement or crash damage.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety surveyed owners of vehicles equipped with front crash prevention, blind spot detection or rearview or other visibility-enhancing cameras. Among those who reported that at least one of those systems had been repaired for any reason,

Collision Repairers Should Invest Now in ‘People, Capacity and Innovation’

Written by Abby Andrews, Autobody News
Published Feb. 8, 2023

Auto body shop owners and managers must be aware of and ready to face the long-term effects of the COVID pandemic, said Sean Carey, president of SCG Management Consultants, in his Jan. 26 presentation, “The New, New Normal and the Impact to the Claims & Collision Industry,” part of CIECA’s webinar series.

“We are now in the ‘COVID tail,’ starting to see issues cropping up,” Carey said.

The

By Stacey Phillips, Autobody News
Published Feb. 7, 2023

In the 1930s, Lee Hunter Jr., a 23-year-old architectural student in St. Louis, MO, often had a dead car battery in his Packardconvertible. He set out to create a device that would reduce battery charge time. In 1936, he introduced the Kwikurent, a battery charger that reduced charging time from 24 hours or more to less than an hour. 

After serving in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Ordnance Corps during World War II, Hunter founded Hunter Engineering Company in 1946 and introduced the Tune-In wheel

Critical Nature of ADAS Functionality Could Result in More Vehicle Safety Inspection Programs

Written by John Yoswick, Autobody News
Published Feb. 7, 2023

About 15 states currently have some sort of periodic safety inspection for vehicles, but with drivers increasingly reliant on ADAS features, those existing state programs likely need to evolve---and more states are likely to want to find ways to ensure driver assistance features

With the growing number of advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) on new vehicle models, it is becoming increasingly important for collision repairers to understand how they are designed and operate. This includes features on hybrid, plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs), especially since EVs are expected to account for nearly 33% of new vehicle sales in 2030, according to the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR). 

“This helps assure that the system is functioning correctly after repairs are completed and before the vehicle is returned to the customer with a complete, safe

Tesla Phantom Braking Class Action Lawsuit Includes Model 3, Model Y

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Jan. 17, 2023

A Teslaphantom braking class action lawsuit alleges 2021-2022 Tesla Model 3 and Tesla Model Y vehicles suddenly brake even though there are no objects in the road.

The Tesla vehicles are equipped with Autopilot, a feature allegedly rushed to market before the technology was safe.

The Tesla phantom braking lawsuit also alleges the automatic emergency braking (AEB) is defective and was sold to consumers as a safety feature.

Yet the ...

NOVUS Glass Announces Mobile Franchise in Bozeman, MT

PublishedJan. 13, 2023

NOVUS Glass is pleased to announce the addition of NOVUS Glass of Bozeman, MT, providing mobile auto glass services to the Greater Bozeman communities.

NOVUS Glass of Bozeman offers reliable and convenient mobile auto glass services to drivers in the Greater Bozeman area. The services offered include windshield repair, auto glass replacement, Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) services, headlight restoration, windshield wiper replacement and water repellant

Here’s What Happened in 8-Car Pileup in SF Blamed on Tesla’s FSD

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 11, 2023

A Thanksgiving Day accident involved eight cars and injured nine people in San Francisco’s Yerba Buena Tunnel. The driver of the car that caused the pileup---a TeslaModel S---blamed everything on the company’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature.

Now, surveillance footage of the accident, obtained by The Intercept, shows how it all happened. 

The Tesla Model S, which reportedly had Full Self-Driving active, signaled a lane change, moved to the fast lane and then suddenly stopped, without having any car or obstacle in front of

asTech’s Patented Rules Engine Now Available to Help Repairers Affirm Scans

PublishedJan. 11, 2023

asTech, a Repairifycompany, on Jan. 11 announced the full deployment of its patented Rules Engine, which presents users with the most accurate and cost-effective diagnostic scan type for the vehicle throughout the blue printing process and repair workflow.

The new feature gives asTech customers access to the most accurate way to identify the diagnostic and calibration scan tools that read all of a car’s OEM modules correctly---versus those that don’t---down to the year, make, model and trim. With the Rules Engine enabled, asTech users, insurance carriers and their customers can be confident with the

Mercedes First Automaker to Offer Level 3 Self-Driving in U.S.

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Jan. 9, 2023

The Mercedes-Benz booth at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show(CES) showcased a bunch of new technology the German brand is preparing for the following months.

The biggest piece of news was the company’s plan to build its own, $1-billion global network of fast chargers, but another interesting story sort of went under the radar, and it’s about Mercedes-Benz becoming the first automaker to offer certified Level 3 self-driving technology in the U.S.

In 2022, the German marque began selling its top-tier autonomous driving system, dubbed Drive Pilot, in Germany,

Survey Finds Many Worry About Collisions, Believe New Tech Can Help

PublishedJan. 5, 2023

According to recent survey data, 83% of drivers and 78% of pedestrians are concerned about being involved in a vehicle collision, but respondents believe new technologies can significantly improve road safety.

The results of the Safer Mobility Survey, conducted by PAVE(Partners for Automated Vehicle Education) and AEye, Inc., a global leader in adaptive, high-performance lidar solutions, were released Jan. 5 at CES.

The survey indicates safer mobility needs to be a higher priority for communities nationwide. More than 40% of survey respondents chose improving safety on roads and highways as the most

From the Desk of Mike Anderson: Alignments Too Critical for Collision Repair Shops to Not Do Them In-House

Written by Mike Anderson, Autobody News
Published Jan. 4, 2023

During a recent meeting I had with my SPARTAN 300 20 Group, we reviewed some vehicle crash test videos posted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, like this one showing a side crash test of a 2022 ToyotaCorolla.

5 Trends That Changed the Auto Repair Industry in 2022

PublishedDec. 28, 2022

CCC Intelligent Solutions, Inc., recently took a look at the factors that had the biggest impact on the collision repair industry in 2022, many of which were financial.

Inflation

Inflation---perhaps one of the words that best defines 2022. At the close of 2021, many were hoping we had seen the worst of rising inflation as supply chain issues were getting better, whether it was the lower cost of shipping goods or automakers predicting improved supplies of semiconductor chips. But then Russia invaded Ukraine and the cost of oil and other raw materials shot up.

Overall inflation hit a forty-year high

Tesla Not Allowed to Call Software ‘Full Self-Driving’ in California

Written by Johnna Crider, Teslarati
Published Dec. 28, 2022

California passed a new law banning Teslafrom calling its software Full Self-Driving (FSD), after the state's Department of Motor Vehicles claimed calling it FSD was false advertising.

Though Tesla is developing the technology for fully autonomous vehicles, it has never claimed FSD is there yet, and says drivers must be alert and ready to take over at all times when engaging FSD or Autopilot.

California lawmakers, however, disagree with the labels of FSD. Senate Bill 1398---one of hundreds Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed into law---takes effect

I-CAR Announces New Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 Course

PublishedDec. 19, 2022

I-CAR®, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, on Dec. 19 announced open enrollment of its new Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 course.

Led by I-CAR’s team of technical experts, the one-hour online course looks ahead at the scale and scope of today’s technology-driven era of repairs, including the impact of current and emerging Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) features.

Vehicle Technology and Trends 2023 also previews some of the advanced materials and technologies of 2023 vehicles, including redesigned models and retired models that have been brought back to life. The course, which is

Car ADAS Announces New Licensee in Ohio, Calibration Connection

PublishedDec. 14, 2022

Car ADAS Solutions, a leading provider of ADAS calibration technology and services, announced the addition of its first licensee in Ohio, Calibration Connection.

Located in Mentor, OH, the facility is operated by DCR Systems, owned by Michael Giarrizzo and Cheryl Boswell.

“We are excited to have Michael Giarrizzo, Cheryl Boswell and the team at DCR Systems open a best-in-class calibration center under the Car ADAS model,” said Greg Peeters, founder and CEO of CAR ADAS. “They are forward-looking body shop owners and industry leaders,