Driven Brands Collision Group Holds EDGE Performance Group Meeting in Denver

PublishedJune 1, 2023

The Driven Brands proprietary EDGE Performance Group (EPG), originally founded by CARSTAR, is now encompassing additional brands from the Driven Brands family as the organization grows. The inaugural Driven Brands EPG meeting was held recently at the Hyatt Regency Denver Tech Center in Denver, CO.

More than 100 locations from the CARSTAR and Abranetworks were represented at the event, including franchise owners, managers, repair professionals, vendors and corporate team members.

The Driven Brands EPG program continues to drive performance improvements across the

Dynamic Automotive Expands into Mount Airy, MD

PublishedJune 1, 2023

Dynamic Automotive, an award-winning Frederick County, MD, automotive repair company, announced it opened its sixth location in Mount Airy, effective June 1. 

The new location will operate out of the recently acquired Twin Ridge Auto and Light Truck Service, Inc.shop on Rising Ridge Road. 

“We didn’t take this decision lightly, and we wouldn’t be leaving if we weren’t positive our customers will continue to be in good hands,” said Scott Elliott, co-owner of Twin Ridge Auto and Light Truck Service, Inc. “Dynamic Automotive shares our dedication to our community, and we believe our customers will

Hyundai Donates 4 Santa Cruz Vehicles to City of Santa Cruz Marine Safety Division

PublishedJune 1, 2023

Hyundaicelebrated both National Public Works Week and National Beach Safety Week on May 25, where four Hyundai vehicles were donated to support the Marine Safety Division's work of keeping beachgoers safe in the City of Santa Cruz, CA.

With an approximate value of $164,000, the four-vehicle donation is the largest vehicle donation to a city by Hyundai Motor America to date.

"Santa Cruz comes with powerful and efficient engines and superb maneuverability to ensure it is a pleasure to drive in urban or off-road environments," said Trevor Lai, senior manager, product planning,

Ranger Design Expands Fleet Upfit Operations North Charleston, SC 

PublishedJune 1, 2023

Ranger Design, a leading manufacturer and service provider of innovative fleet upfit solutions and commercial van equipment, opened a new fleet-upfitting and manufacturing facility in North Charleston, SC. 

This new facility is Ranger Design’s third expansion in the past 10 years, adding to sites in Rochester, NY, Seattle, WA, and Montreal, Canada.

“Our geographic expansion into the southeast U.S. and the build-out of our fleet upfit solutions capabilities are a significant part of our overall growth plan. It positions us for new opportunities and enables us to better serve our current

Ford, Uber Launch Mustang Mach-E Flexible Lease Pilot in CA Cities

PublishedJune 1, 2023

FordNext is collaborating with Uberto deliver a new lease option for rideshare drivers going electric.

Called Ford Drive, the pilot program offers flexible access to Ford Mustang Mach-E models and has launched in San Diego, San Francisco and Los Angeles, CA. Ford Drive’s Los Angeles vehicle deliveries began June 1.

A flexible lease allows rideshare drivers to select their Mustang Mach-E for between one- and four-month increments, depending on the location. The vehicle is delivered to the driver within two weeks, and they use the Ford Drive app to manage payments and service.

In each city, the

CA Man Pleads Guilty to Stealing Identity of VA Auto Shop Owner

Published June 1, 2023

A Los Angeles, CA, man pleaded guilty May 23 to fraud and identity theft charges in connection with stealing the identity of the owner of a Richmond, VA, auto shop, Lotsey & Hardy Tire Company.

According to court documents, around January 2022, Daniel Cruz, 30, obtained the owner’s personal information and used that information to take over the auto shop and its owner’s accounting software, bank accounts, email addresses and phone numbers.

Through approximately February 2023, armed with this sensitive information, Cruz re-routed calls placed to Lotsey & Hardy to his own phone, transferred

Colorado Hikes EV Tax Credit to $5,000 On Top of $7,500 Federal Credit

Written by Dan Mihalascu, InsideEVs
Published June 1, 2023

Colorado will soon become the state with the most generous EV tax credits in the U.S., offering electric vehicle buyers a $5,000 credit that can be stacked with up to $7,500 in federal incentives.

The Colorado legislature passed several bills in May designed to help accelerate the adoption of cleaner transportation, complementing the Inflation Reduction Act and American Recovery Act to incentivize consumers to buy new electric vehicles and home appliances.

Gov. Jared Polis signed HB23-1272, which not only increases and extends the state EV tax credit

LG Energy Solution, Hyundai to Build EV Battery Plant in Georgia

Written by Maria Merano, Teslarati
Published June 1, 2023

LG Energy Solution (LGES) and Hyundaiare teaming up to build a battery cell manufacturing plant in Savannah, GA. 

Hyundai Motor Group and LGES signed a memorandum of understanding on May 26 in Seoul, Korea. Each company will hold a 50% stake in the joint venture for the U.S.-based battery plant. The companies plan to invest more than $4.3 billion in the battery facility. 

The parties agreed to produce EV batteries so Hyundai could accelerate its electrification efforts in North America. The battery plant would allow Hyundai EVs to qualify for the

Toyota to Build New EV SUV Powered by Batteries Built in NC

PublishedMay 31, 2023

Advancing its commitment to vehicle electrification and building where it sells, Toyotawill assemble an all-new, three-row, battery electric SUV at Toyota Kentucky starting in 2025. The company's first U.S.-assembled BEV will be powered by batteries from Toyota North Carolina.

The new battery plant, which is currently under construction, will receive an additional $2.1 billion investment to support the company's drive toward carbon neutrality.

"We are committed to reducing carbon emissions as much as possible and as soon as possible," said Ted Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor

Crash Champions Sponsoring Collision Engineering Program Students at IL School

PublishedMay 31, 2023

The industry-leading Collision Engineering Program (CEP) on May 31 announced a new partnership with Crash Champions, one of the country’s largest collision repair multi-shop operators (MSO), to sponsor eight CEP students from College of Lake County (CLC) in Grayslake, IL. 

Using the apprenticeship model founded by Enterprise Holdings Foundation and Ranken Technical College, CEP students will apprentice at local Crash Champions repair centers throughout their two-year program, working alongside and learning from professional mentors in the industry.

As part of CEP’s emphasis on

Judge Denies Automakers' Request to Block Right to Repair Law in MA

PublishedMay 31, 2023

Massachusetts' Right to Repair Law will go into effect June 1, after a federal judge on May 30 denied a motion by an automaker-backed trade group to block it until a final decision has been issued in a case brought by the trade group after state voters approved the law in 2020.

The trade group, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, had filed the motion May 25 asking U.S. District Judge Douglas Woodlock to stop Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell from enforcing the Right to Repair law. Campbell announced in March she would take action to implement the law beginning June 1,

Michigan Announces Push to Achieve Global Semiconductor Superiority

PublishedMay 30, 2023

The Great Lakes State is launching its largest-ever campaign to promote careers, recruit talent and attract new businesses to fill jobs in Michigan’s thriving semiconductor industry, Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II announced May 24.

Joined by Michigan education and business leaders along with the head of the Michigan Development Economic Corporation’s Talent Solutions Team, Gilchrist outlined Michigan’s plan to achieve superiority in the global semiconductor industry during a virtual press conference.

“Michigan is going all in to make it clear that our talented people make our state the best place to start

PA Students’ Efforts Become a Transportation ‘Gift’

PublishedMay 30, 2023

Twenty-one students from Pottsgrove, Spring-Ford and Upper Perkiomen high schools, all learning auto body repair skills at the Western Montgomery Career and Technology Center in Limerick, PA, gave a gift of transportation freedom May 20 to an area family.

Students taught by collision repair instructor Charles “Chuck” Smith worked during a period of two academic years to complete the occasionally monumental task of bringing a damaged automobile back to usable life.

They weren’t alone in the job. Many underwriters, including local collision and body shops, parts suppliers, other retailers and those who believe in the

Automakers Seek to Block Enforcement of MA Right to Repair Law 

PublishedMay 30, 2023

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing automakers, on May 26 asked a federal judge to stop Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell from enforcing a Right to Repair law originally approved by the state's voters in November 2020.

Campbell ...

Central Oregon Community College to Get Federal Funding for EV Tech Training Program

PublishedMay 26, 2023

Central Oregon Community College (COCC) was awarded nearly $3 million to help expand the electric vehicle (EV) technician workforce, Oregon’s U.S. Sens. Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced May 16. The funding comes from the National Science Foundation and will support COCC’s Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Technology Exchange (NEVTEX).

“The transportation sector is the largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. So it is imperative that we transition away from gasoline-powered vehicles, which are fanning the flames of the crisis,” said Merkley. “Ensuring we have

Ray’s CARSTAR in CT Hosts Community Day with Elite Athlete, Car Show

Published May 26, 2023

CARSTARrecently hosted a community day at Ray's CARSTAR, located at 137 Terryville Road, Bristol CT 06010.

The community day event held May 13, gave Bristol residents the chance to see the Ray’s CARSTAR facility and mingle with neighboring residents, and the opportunity to meet Donovan Clingan, member of the 2023 NCAA UConn men’s basketball championship team. Attendees could also enjoy a vintage car show, made possible through loaned vehicles from the community.

Following a standout season for the University of Connecticut men’s basketball, Ray’s CARSTAR capitalized on the community

Dallas Veteran Receives Refurbished Vehicle from NABC Recycled Rides® Program

PublishedMay 26, 2023

On May 20, a deserving Dallas area veteran was presented with a vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to work once she graduates in June, thanks to the National Auto Body Council Recycled Rides® program, along with car donor Allstateand repair partners Maaco Wylie and Maaco Plano.

The presentation was held at the Maaco Wylie Auto Body Shop and the deserving recipient was selected by the VA Medical Center.

“It is an honor to present a NABC Recycled Ride to this deserving veteran and help her continue her path forward,” said Jennifer Hubbard,

Judge Calls NY Auto Body Shop Embezzler ‘Unfixable’ at Sentencing

PublishedMay 25, 2023

A woman with a criminal history of embezzling money was sent back to prison by Dutchess County Court Judge Edward McLoughlin.

Suzanne Whitman pled guilty to embezzling more than $700,000 from Fishkill Auto Body in Beacon, NY, where she was the bookkeeper. In an intricate scheme involving the manipulation of entries into the accounting software, Whitman admitted she stole money from the company between December 2019 and May 2022.

Whitman was also sentenced to prison for a grand larceny charge stemming to a mortgage fraud indictment that charged her and Robert

Lordstown Motors Test Vehicle Catches Fire at Foxconn Plant

Written by Dan O'Brien, Business Journal
PublishedMay 25, 2023

Lordstown Motors Corp. confirmed May 22 that a non-salable Endurance pickup test vehicle caught fire May 21 at Foxconn’s manufacturing plant in Lordstown, OH.

The all-electric Endurance was in storage at the site, and the company is investigating the cause, according to a statement.

“Emergency protocols were followed and the Lordstown Fire Department was called to the scene,” according to Lordstown Motors. “No one was injured and the company will investigate the cause of the fire.”

Firefighters were called to the plant at 7:32 p.m. May 21, said

Safelite Group Acquires New Angle Glass

PublishedMay 25, 2023

Safelite® Group, owner of Safelite AutoGlass®, announced May 24 an agreement to acquire the auto glass assets of New Angle Glass operating in the Boston, MA, area. The transaction was completed May 19.

“As we continue to grow and reach even more customers, we’re proud to provide the quality services they expect from Safelite,” said Renee Cacchillo, president and CEO of Safelite Group. “Our New Angle Glass team members will contribute to our future success, and we’re glad they are joining us.”

The combined businesses will work together to grow a successful caring business offering vehicle glass repair,

PHOTOS: Electrify Expo Kicks Off Nationwide Tour in Long Beach, CA

PublishedMay 23, 2023

Electrify Expo, North America’s largest electric vehicle (EV) festival, brought fun for all ages to Long Beach, CA, for an action-packed weekend, May 20-21 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

This was the first date on Electrify Expo’s 2023 tour. The next stop is June 24-25 in San Francisco, CA. Upcoming additional stops include Washington, D.C., New York, Seattle, Miami and Austin, TX. Tickets are available to purchase in person and online at www.electrifyexpo.com.

Attendees at this year’s Electrify Expo stops will

TSTC Program Immerses Students in Art of Auto Refinishing

PublishedMay 23, 2023

The color of a vehicle can make a statement, but getting the perfect shade can be a challenge.

Texas State Technical College’s auto collision and management technology program offers a refinishing component for students who have an interest in auto body work and painting. The program is taught in a hybrid format, with students watching lectures online and doing hands-on labs on campus.

“Most students come in and never have held a paint gun or worked in a shop,” said William Graham, a program instructor.

The Program

All students wear personal protective equipment when working

Crash Champions Opens New Tampa Repair Center

PublishedMay 23, 2023

The Crash Champions Collision Repair Team on May 23 announced the opening of a new high quality collision repair center in Lutz, FL. The new facility is located at 26430 Pine Creek Drive.

The announcement expands Crash Champions’ leading network across the state, which includes 50 high-quality collision repair centers and supplements its nationwide network of more than 600 locations in 36 states.

“On the heels of an historic year of growth in 2022, the opening of a new high-quality repair center in the Tampa market is another proud step forward for our team,” said Matt Ebert, Crash Champions founder and CEO. “This is

Electrify Commercial to Install 20 Fast-Charging EV Stations in Utah

PublishedMay 22, 2023

Electrify Commercial on May 17 announced plans to support Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacificCorp, with the installation of 20 EV charging stations in Utah. The project will include more than 80 individual chargers at 15 stations in the Salt Lake City area and five stations in surrounding regions, a total of 20 charging stations.

As a business unit of Electrify America, Electrify Commercial provides customized end-to-end EV charging solutions to businesses, utility companies, fleet owners, travel centers and convenience stores.

The new charging stations, owned by Rocky Mountain

Tesla Owner Wants Answers After Model Y Catches Fire, Gets Totaled

Written by Steven Loveday, InsideEVs
Published May 22, 2023

On May 6, a TeslaModel Y reportedly caught fire in California. While driving on the freeway onramp, the driver thought he had a flat tire. However, when he got out to check, there was smoke around the car, and then flames underneath.

Tesla's customer service has reportedly been difficult to deal with related to the situation.

The Model Y driver, Bishal Malla, said he was out running some errands and the Tesla started to shake, which is why he assumed there was something wrong with the tire. It wasn't long before the entire Model Y was up in flames.

Recycled Rides Presents Van to Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio

PublishedMay 22, 2023

On May 18, the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program, along with car donor Hertzand repair partner Gerber Collision & Glass, presented a 2020 FordCargo Van to Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Central Ohio. The van will help with the transportation needs of the facility, including bringing in supplies for visiting families.

“We are thrilled to work with Hertz and Gerber Collision & Glass to provide a needed cargo van for RMHC. This is a great opportunity for us to help one of the leading Columbus organizations helping families,” said

Midwest Collision Repair Trade Show Hosts Successful Second Annual Event

Written by Cole Strandberg, Autobody News
Published May 22, 2023

The Midwest Collision Repair Trade Show was held May 19-20 in Kansas City, MO. Despite being only in its second year, the event expanded its trade show floor and attracted top industry speakers and regional shop operators.

Hosted by several auto body associations, including the Missouri Auto Body Association, Kansas Auto Body Association, Nebraska Auto Body Association (NABA), South Dakota Auto Body

Minnesota Auto Repair Shop Named Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year

Written by Amanda Lillie, Austin Daily Herald
Published May 18, 2023

When Jose Carrazco first opened West Oakland Auto Repair in Austin, MN, all he wanted was to keep himself employed doing something he enjoys. Now, 11 years later, the U.S. Small Business Administration has named him the 2023 SBA Minnesota Minority-Owned Small Business of the Year. 

“We were just a couple guys who were trying to keep busy and create their own employment,” Carrazco said. “We kept growing as time passed by. When we talk to other business owners and our friends and I see their reaction, it’s like, ‘Wow, this has got to be big.’”

Maryland Calibration Consumer Protection Law Enacted

Written by Seth Maiman, AGSC Director of Public Affairs
Published May 17, 2023

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on May 8 signed the state’s new auto glass calibration rules into law. The new law, which was passed by the legislature in April, goes into effect Oct. 1.

In 2021, Maryland passed an auto glass safety law, which mirrors the AGRSS Standard, and the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration is working on an update to the state safety standard that would incorporate the 2022 AGRSS Standard update and the new 2023 calibration law into the current regulations.

The new calibration law will require glass shops to inform customers,

Fix Auto Kearny Mesa Named Top Shop by Automobile Club of Southern California

PublishedMay 17, 2023

Fix Auto Kearny Mesa has been recognized for its outstanding performance in 2022, earning the Top Shop by the Automobile Club of Southern California award.

Having joined the Fix Auto USA network of owners just over three years ago, the facility, owned by Bryan Wendt, has been making strides to grow its operations and provide an exceptional level of repair quality and service to its valued community. In addition to receiving the Top Shop recognition, Fix Auto Kearny Mesa was also recognized in the top three out of all member-preferred repairs (MPR) shops in Southern