Biden Touts Investment in Pennsylvania's Infrastructure

Written by Anthony Hennen, The Center Square
Published Oct. 21, 2022

President Joe Biden, in a visit to Pittsburgh, PA, on Oct. 20, touted his administration’s infrastructure investments in front of an almost-completed Fern Hollow Bridge that collapsed nine months ago.

The president spent most of his time emphasizing federal funding for infrastructure projects ranging from roads and bridges to railroads, service pipes, airport terminal upgrades and broadband internet.

“For most of the last century, we led the world by a significant margin because we invested in our people, we invested in ourselves, we invested in our

Eastern Washington High School Works with Local Businesses to Teach Auto Repair Skills

Written by Doug Nadvornick, Spokane Public Radio
Published Oct. 21, 2022

Many businesses are using creativity to train people to work in their industries when they can’t find enough workers in the open market.

For example, two businesses on the Washington Palouse are working with a local school district to teach skills needed to service vehicles. Kris Johnson from the Association of Washington Business led a tour.

“This is down at Gar-Pal [Garfield-Palouse High School], where they’ve started an auto program. That’s a partnership between Spokane Community College, the local Ford

Mullen Buys Bankrupt ELMS, Indiana Plant for $240 Million

Written by Dan Mihalascu, InsideEVs
Published Oct. 21, 2022

After acquiring a 60% controlling interest in Bollinger Motors in September, Mullen Automotive recently bought bankrupt Electric Last Mile Solutions (ELMS) and its assets, including the plant in Mishawaka, IN.

The EV startup received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court on Oct. 13 to acquire ELMS's assets in a $240 million cash transaction.

The California-based startup said the former ELMS plant in Indiana will provide it with the capability to produce up to 50,000 vehicles per year.

Furthermore, the deal will accelerate the launch of the Mullen

Tesla Cybertruck Battery Packs to Be Built at Fremont, CA, Factory

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Oct. 21, 2022

Teslaplans to start building battery packs for the upcoming Cybertruck on a new cell manufacturing line in the Fremont, CA, factory, people with knowledge of the project told Teslarati.

In August, Teslarati reported Tesla had filed to build a new battery manufacturing equipment line on the second floor of the Fremont factory. The filing, submitted to the City of Fremont on Aug. 30, related to the module portion of the line, Tesla said.

Tesla described the project as “CTA Battery B-Build,” the filing showed.

Tesla is ultimately planning to build the

Toyota Auto Insurance Comes to Texas

PublishedOct. 20, 2022

Toyota Auto Insurance, the automaker's branded insurance product, is now available to customers residing in Texas. 

Introduced to select markets in 2021, Toyota Auto Insurance offers customers quality, customizable coverage at affordable rates. 

Expanding into the Lone Star State represents a major milestone for Toyota Auto Insurance. Not only is Texas the nation's second most populous state, it's also home to Toyota's North American headquarters and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas (TMMTX). The San Antonio manufacturing facility produces the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck and Sequoia three-row SUV.

Toyota Auto

Driven Brands Celebrates Opening of 1,000th Collision Repair Location in North America

Written by Abby Andrews, Autobody News
Published Oct. 20, 2022

Driven Brands’ collision group on Oct. 18 celebrated the opening of CARSTAR Patriot Auto Body Little Rock in Little Rock, AR---its 1,000th collision repair facility in North America.

From entering the collision market in 2015 with the purchase of 240 CARSTAR locations in the U.S., Driven Collision has quadrupled its footprint across North America in just seven years. Driven Collision now services commercial and

WyoTech Students Receive Jessi Combs Foundation Scholarships

PublishedOct. 20, 2022

WyoTech, a leading U.S. automotive, diesel and collision trade school, announced three of its students---Maggie Daskam, Jade Bovee and Kaygen Bogle---were recipients of the Jessi Combs Foundation (JCF) scholarship.

The scholarship program is one of many ways JCF fulfills its mission to educate, inspire and empower the next generation of trailblazing and stereotype-breaking women.

Daskam is a member of the Women of WyoTech group, which she describes as very special, as it "brings the few females here at school together and helps us get to know each other

College of Lake County’s Collision Repair Program Receives Equipment, Training Donation

Published Oct. 20, 2022

To help make sure students are getting the best education, College of Lake County (CLC) in Illinois works to get students the best equipment to learn and practice with.

A donation to the auto collision and repair program from the Alliance of Automotive Services Providers of Illinois (AASPI) gave students a KECOglue pulling system and a one-day onsite training for faculty and students.

A KECO glue pulling system is used to remove dents from vehicles in a way less likely to cause damage. The students and faculty were trained in how to use it onsite at CLC.

“I was honored to

Phoenix Family Receives Refurbished Vehicle from NABC Recycled Rides

PublishedOct. 20, 2022

On Oct. 18, a deserving Phoenix, AZ-area family was gifted a refurbished vehicle through the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program. 

The ceremony took place at the Tolleson, AZ, Crash Champions/Service King Collision repair center at 901 N. 99th Ave. Service King Collision, now part of the Crash Champions Collision Repair Team, which co-sponsored the event in partnership with GEICO and Enterprise Rent-A-Car. The recipient was nominated by Phoenix Children’s Hospital. 

As part of the NABC Recycled Rides program, certified technicians from Crash Champions/Service

Crash Champions Adds 3rd Collision Repair Center in Portland, OR, Metro Area

PublishedOct. 19, 2022

Crash Champions, LLC, on Oct. 19 announced it has expanded service in the Portland, OR, metro area, as it closed on a deal to acquire a location at 935 Southeast 202nd Ave. in Gresham.

Crash Champions, which opened its first Portland location earlier this year, now serves area customers and business partners at three premier repair centers across the market.

“This team of highly trained technicians has the expertise and equipment that align with the Crash Champions vision and strategic growth plan,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. “This high-quality facility will

Carvana Sues Michigan After Officials Suspended Its License to Sell Cars

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
Published Oct. 19, 2022

Car dealership Carvanaaccused Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson of violating state laws after the state suspended the license of the Carvana dealership in Novi, MI, earlier in October, and it wants the courts to intervene.

On Oct. 13, Carvana filed injunction motions with the Michigan Court of Claims asking for an immediate stop to the secretary of state’s "illegal and irresponsible attempt to shut down a growing Michigan business with tens of thousands of customers over what amounts to technical paperwork violations involving title and

Tesla Building the Semi in Mysterious Facility in Nevada

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Oct. 18, 2022

The TeslaSemi is almost here, but the facility where the electric automaker is building the Class 8 truck is a mystery, even to employees who work at Gigafactory 1.

Employees at Gigafactory 1 who do not work in the newest Tesla-owned building on the property are just as confused as the rest of us. Tesla workers involved in producing various products in the main Gigafactory 1 building cannot access this facility because the Semi project is so top secret, it has been kept extremely under wraps by the company, even to employees.

“They are super hushed about anything Semi-related,”

Safelite Group Acquires Genuine Auto Glass

Published Oct. 17, 2022

Safelite® Group, a nationwide vehicle glass services and recalibration company and owner of Safelite AutoGlass®, announced Oct. 11 an agreement to acquire the assets of Genuine Auto Glass in Seattle, WA.

The transaction was completed Oct. 7.

“We’re pleased to welcome Genuine Auto Glass associates to the Safelite family,” said Renee Cacchillo, president and CEO of Safelite Group. “Over the last two decades, they have built a strong and impressive reputation for providing outstanding customer service. Their mission and values nicely align with ours, making this acquisition an excellent addition to our

More Than a Dozen People Busted in Million Dollar Car Theft Ring in Florida

Written by Elizabeth Puckett, Motorious
Published Oct. 17, 2022

Miami-Dade police have arrested more than a dozen people believed to be connected with a Florida car theft ring.

The grand theft arrests come after months of investigating. Miami-Dade Det. Luis Sierra said they began receiving calls from the Sea Port Operations detectives about cars being shipped out of the state.

"It's been a very organized group of criminals that have been renting out cars and getting cars by other means and re-VIN-ing them. and in fact trying to re-sell them to dealerships throughout the state and throughout the country," Sierra

EV Manufacturing Boosts Indiana's Clean Energy Jobs 7%

Written by Joe Mueller, The Center Square
Published Oct. 14, 2022

Employment data shows the clean energy industry is rebounding in Indiana from the COVID-19 recession and is expected to continue growing, according to two nonprofit organizations.

In a new analysis of employment data by E2 (Environmental Entrepreneurs)and Evergreen Climate Innovations, clean energy jobs grew 7% in 2021 in Indiana and now employs 86,215 people throughout the state. The sector’s growth rate is two times faster than the overall economy.

Indiana’s job growth in the clean energy sector is attributable advanced transportation---manufacturing of electric

Florida Car Dealerships Liable for Illegal Charges on Lease Buyouts

PublishedOct. 14, 2022

Consumers have been hit with thousands of dollars in illegal buyout fees from car dealers, and many in Florida are being compensated for statutory damages.

Darren Newhart, an attorney with Newhart Legal, PA, has recovered more than $130,000 for consumers across Florida and is filing additional cases based on the response to local media reports in south Florida.

"Car dealerships deserve fair profits," said Newhart. "But illegally changing the terms of a lease after it is signed isn't fair, and we are successfully recovering fees and statutory damages for affected car buyers."

As used

NABC Recycled Rides® Donates Refurbished Vehicle to Dallas Veteran

PublishedOct. 14, 2022

A Dallas, TX, veteran and mother of three received a 2014 NissanAltima to provide her independence and the ability to work and take care of her family, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program, car donor GEICOand Texas Collision Centers.

The presentation was held Sept. 27 at the regional GEICO headquarters in Richardson, TX. GEICO donated the vehicle and the team at Texas Collision Centers refurbished it.

Members of the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) ;spearheaded the presentation in conjunction with the NABC. Additional partners in the

Two New Tesla Cybertruck Builds Spotted at Giga Texas

By Joey Klender, Teslarati
PublishedOct. 14, 2022

Two new TeslaCybertruck builds were spotted under wraps by a drone operator at Giga Texas.

Tesla is working toward the initial production phases of the Cybertruck at Giga Texas after several production delays. The Cybertruck is set to begin production in mid-2023, Tesla said earlier this year.

The Cybertruck was unveiled in late 2019 and has been under development since then. Tesla has revised the dimensions and design of the Cybertruck on several occasions. CEO Elon Musk confirmed earlier this year the company has finalized what it will bring to the market next

Ford Opens Atlanta Research and Innovation Center

Published Oct. 14, 2022

Ford Motor Company is opening the Ford Atlanta Research and Innovation Center (FARIC) to advance the company's digital transformation in areas such as software-led connected vehicles, artificial intelligence, university research and more.

FARIC joins a network of Ford research and development facilities in Tel Aviv, Israel, and Palo Alto, CA, dedicated to pioneering the future of transportation with automated, connected and electrified vehicles. Now, the new Atlanta location places Ford in one of the most diverse tech talent markets in the U.S. and enables the company to develop a pipeline of software experts with a variety of

ONE Announces Battery Gigafactory in Michigan

Written by Mark Kane, InsideEVs
Published Oct. 13, 2022

Our Next Energy(ONE) announced a $1.6 billion investment in a new battery cell manufacturing plant in Van Buren Township, MI.

The location was chosen after a competitive site selection process, evaluating 12 states and a Canadian province. Michigan is considered the best for the gigafactory and also will provide a $200 million state grant.

The company has signed a multi-year lease agreement with Ashley Capital for a 660,000-square foot building in Van Buren Township, which will be converted into a battery factory.

The battery plant will be called ONE Circle and is envisioned

Michigan Suspends Novi Car Dealership Carvana's License Citing 'Imminent Harm' to Public

Written by Jamie L. LaReau, Detroit Free Press
PublishedOct. 13, 2022

The Michigan Department of State has suspended the license of the Carvanadealership in Novi, MI, for "imminent harm to the public," a claim Carvana calls "baseless."

In a media release, the state said Carvana LLC, owned by Paul Breaux and located off of Novi Road near I-96, committed several alleged violations of the Michigan Vehicle Code. The alleged violations were discovered during an investigation by the state regulatory staff of multiple complaints from consumers about title problems with their vehicles.

A phone

First West Virginia Maaco Now Open in Martinsburg

Written by Toni Milbourne, The Journal News
PublishedOct. 13, 2022

Campbell Martens, one of the owners of the newly opened Maacolocated at 1357 Edwin Miller Blvd. in Martinsburg, WV, explained his job as a delivery driver for Amazonhelped him realize the need for an affordable body shop in the area. 

He said the trucks he and his co-owners drive often receive dents and scratches, needing repairs from time to time.

The ability to provide commercial work was a factor in determining to open a Maaco franchise.

“One of my biggest concerns was that body shops are so backed up,” Martens said. “We researched

1 Injured, Alabama Repair Shop Heavily Damaged in Fire

Written by Sara Gladney, The Cullman Tribune
PublishedOct. 13, 2022

A fire injured one person and heavily damaged Just GM Auto & Truck Repair Plus in Cullman, AL, on Oct. 7.

Cullman Fire Rescue responded to reports of an explosion at the local business, located at 105 Third Ave. SW at 10:06 a.m. Authorities said the fire was completely extinguished by 10:45 a.m.

Firefighters from Cullman Fire Rescue Stations 1, 2 and 3 responded to the scene, along with Cullman EMS personnel and members of the Cullman Police Department.

Cullman Fire Chief Brian Bradberry confirmed one person sustained injuries and was

Fix Auto USA Announces Owner of Southern California Location as Rookie of the Year

PublishedOct. 13, 2022

Fix Auto USA announced the top performers in the Fix Auto family during the final day of the Fix Auto USA conference, naming Alex Doria, owner of Fix Auto Santee in Santee, CA, as the Fix Auto USA Rookie of the Year for 2022.

Doria joined Fix Auto USA as a franchisee in October 2020. While not new to Fix Auto USA or the industry, being an owner-operator of his own repair facility was a new journey---and one that started during a particularly challenging time.

Leveraging his passion and experience for customer service and marketing, this store quickly became a flagship

Alabama Jury Returns $6.5 Million Verdict for Woman Severely Injured in Crash

PublishedOct. 12, 2022

On Oct. 6, the law firm of Cunningham Bounds, LLC obtained a $6.5 million verdict against State Farm Insurance Company and in favor of its insured, Meghan Grove.

Grove was severely injured during an automobile collision Aug. 29, 2019, when a vehicle crossed the center line of Highway 45 in Mobile County, AL, and crashed head-on into the vehicle driven by Grove. As a result of collision, Grove suffered multiple pelvic fractures, a fractured elbow and a fractured wrist.

The at-fault driver had limited insurance coverage that was insufficient to fully compensate Grove for the

Minnesota Dealer Recognized with National Leadership Award

PublishedOct. 12, 2022

During the National Association of Minority Automobile Dealers' (NAMAD) annual conference, Erikka Tiffany Wells of Walser Auto Group was presented with this year's "AllySees Her" award.

Ally established the award with NAMAD five years ago to recognize the next generation of influential minority women leaders who also are highly involved in their communities.

"This award celebrates women of color who are not only automotive leaders and innovators, but who are committed to doing it right for their communities and promoting diversity in the industry," said Natalie Brown,

Classic Collision Celebrates 200th Location Milestone

PublishedOct. 12, 2022

Classic Collision, LLC, a national multi-site collision repair operator based in Atlanta, opened its 200th state-of-the-art location and will be celebrating over its 15-state footprint. 

“Last summer, we had the pleasure of celebrating our historic milestone of 100 locations, and today we’re excited to share we’ve reached another huge achievement with the opening of our 200th location,” said Toan Nguyen, CEO of Classic Collision. “What a pleasure it has been for our team to watch every single person play a role in building this incredible company. Now, we celebrate this major accomplishment as a Classic Collision

Focus Advisors Represents Mills Body Shops in Sale to CollisionRight

PublishedOct. 11, 2022

Focus Advisors, an M&A firm specializing in collision repair transactions, announced its client, Mills Body Shops of Evansville, IN, and its four locations have been acquired by CollisionRight, headquartered in Columbus, OH. 

Started in 1955 by the Mills family, Don Decker Sr.and Jack Vickery purchased the company in 1977 and grew it from a single shop to four collision repair locations. 

Second-generation operators Don Jr.and his brother Britt Deckercontinue to run the business today and have grown Mills Body

Bill Seidle's Mitsubishi of Greater Miami Honored as Longest-Standing U.S. Mitsubishi Dealer

PublishedOct. 11, 2022

Following 40 years of continuous business operations, Bill Seidle's Mitsubishi, based in Doral, FL, was recently recognized by Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.(MMNA) as the brand's longest-standing, single-ownership dealer partner in the U.S. 

With many communities across Florida just beginning their recovery from Hurricane Ian, the occasion took on greater significance as MMNA President and CEO Mark Chaffin and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Executive Officer for Global Marketing & Sales John Signoriello made a special trip to Florida to

Honda Makes Major Investment in Ohio to Create New Electric Vehicle Hub

PublishedOct. 11, 2022

Hondaon Oct. 11 announced two major investments in Ohio, including $700 million to re-tool several of its existing auto and powertrain plants for production of electric vehicles and $3.5 billion with LG Energy Solution (LGES) to establish a previously announced joint venture facility to produce the battery modules to power them, pending final government approvals. 

The JV battery plant will be located in Ohio's Fayette County, about 40 miles southwest of Columbus.

The announcement, held 45 years to the day after Honda announced its first production facility in Ohio---Oct. 11, 1977---will