Lean, Green Facility Delivers Bottom-Line Impact for Maaco of Hayward, CA

PublishedApril 24, 2023

David Co, owner of Maaco in Hayward, CA, didn’t set out to own a paint and body shop, but when he visited a Maaco to get a dent repair estimate about 17 years ago, it changed his path.

He also didn’t plan to overhaul his facility to be environmentally friendly, but when he got a face full of sanding dust while walking through his Maaco location, he knew something had to be done.

“This cannot happen in a quality repair shop,” Co said. “I knew I needed to do something for our team members, our shop cleanliness and our efficiency.”

Co, a member of the Maaco Advisory Board, had

Tesla Wins Autopilot Trial Related to CA Car Crash

Written by Steven Loveday, InsideEVs
Published April 24, 2023

A jury in California determined Teslawasn't at fault for a crash that involved Autopilot. The jury concluded the safety system didn't fail, and the car's airbags also worked properly. Essentially, the message here was drivers can't blame the car if there's an issue they should have handled.

Tesla has offered Autopilot as a free feature for many years, though it has evolved via different hardware and over-the-air software updates. While its name suggests it may drive the car for you, it's really a suite of advanced driver-assist systems like you'll find in many of today's cars.

Tesla

Atlanta Residents Receive NABC Recycled Rides

PublishedApril 24, 2023

On April 19, two deserving Atlanta area residents, including a military veteran, received a donated vehicle to provide them independence and the ability to work and take care of their families, thanks to the National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® program along with car donor Farmers Insuranceand repair partners Classic Collision and Caliber Collision, whose teammates donated their time and skills to restore the vehicles.

The presentation was held at the 13th annual I-CAR Golf Tournament, located at The Golf Club at Bradshaw Farm in Woodstock, benefiting the Collision Repair

Stardust Power Inc. to Build Lithium Refinery in Central U.S.

PublishedApril 21, 2023

Stardust Power Inc., an American developer of lithium resources, announced April 20 its plan to build a new battery-grade lithium refining facility in the Central U.S.

When fully operational, Stardust’s factory is expected to produce 50,000 metric tons per year of high-quality battery-grade lithium, supporting the expansion of domestic manufacturing and helping to secure U.S. energy independence.

For Stardust, the refinery’s strategic central U.S. location will ensure it is well-positioned from both upstream and downstream perspectives, with offtake agreements negotiated with lithium miners and a lithium refinery in

‘Hertz Electrifies Atlanta’ Launched

PublishedApril 21, 2023

Hertz chair and CEO Stephen Scherr and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens launched Hertz Electrifies Atlanta, a public private partnership aimed at accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles and expanding the environmental and economic benefits of electrification throughout Atlanta.

As part of the partnership, Hertz aims to bring up to an additional 4,000 rental EVs to Atlanta---including models from GM, Teslaand Polestar---for availability to leisure and business customers as well as rideshare drivers. In partnership with bp, Hertz will support the installation of up to eight public fast

Green Repairs Driving Next Chapter for Storied WA Collision Business

PublishedApril 21, 2023

When the Murray family patriarch Bj. Bjorneby founded Bjorneby’s Auto Rebuild in the Seattle area some 50 years ago, he never could have envisioned electric vehicles---never mind fixing them.

Today, Bjorneby’s grandson Kyle Murray is focused on just that, with one facility in Des Moines, WA, dedicated solely to Teslaand other EV repairs.

The family has numerous locations throughout Seattle where Kyle’s mother Wendy Murray, father Patrick and uncle Thomasare continuing the family tradition of innovation and

Fleming Body Shop Celebrates Grand Opening in NC

Written by Ryan Kelly, The Mount Airy News
Published April 21, 2023

Frank Fleming Body Shop & Collision Center celebrated the grand opening of its new location April 15 at 811 Merita Dr. in Mount Airy, NC, with a cruise in, food trucks and some of the Fleming family racing modifieds.

Red shirts abounded as the red ribbon was cut at the grand opening.

The Fleming Auto Body Shop opening doubled as a good excuse to shine up and show off all sorts of cars and trucks. With the cars’ hoods open and windows down, sticking one’s face into a 1960s Plymouthand getting a whiff of that “old car smell” is a sensory delight for many car lovers.

Auto Repair Shop Opens in The Dalles, OR, with a Little Help from a Friend

PublishedApril 21, 2023

Jamie Parke said he first started working on vehicles with his dad Jerryat his shop in Vancouver, WA. Parke was 4 years old. 

“I’ve been doing this forever,” he said on April 12, noting he and Tammerack Knopf just replaced a transmission on a Scionat his new shop.

The 38-year-old opened Parke Auto Repair LLC at 2937 E. Second St. in The Dalles, OR, earlier this year, striking out on his own after friend Rod Huante helped him out with some capital. It’s across the street from Big Jim’s. 

Parke

Idaho Man Charged After Allegedly Attacking Coworker with Pry Bar

Written by Andrea Olson, East Idaho News
Published April 21, 2023

A 36-year-old man is facing a felony charge after allegedly hitting his coworker with a pry bar.

According to an affidavit of probable cause filed by the Idaho Falls Police Department, on April 13, an officer was dispatched to a local auto repair shop.

The victim reported he had just been hit with a pry bar on his back by Kendal Jenkins. Both the victim and Jenkins are employees of the business.

The victim said he was working on a vehicle when Jenkins started “running his mouth,” court documents said.

The victim said he mocked Jenkins,

Art City Auto Body in Utah Joins 1Collision

PublishedApril 20, 2023

1Collisionis excited to announce the addition of Art City Auto Body in Springville, UT. The business is owned by Daniel Arce and prides itself on caring about its customers and the community.

“We love to help people and offer superior service,” said Arce. “Our goal is to offer the same service we would offer our mother.”

Established in 1995, Arce purchased the shop two years ago from William Rathigan. To help operate the business, Arce hired his two younger brothers. Ben Arce is an estimator and runs production and John Arce manages the parts

Avis Sued for Reporting LA Woman’s Rental Car as Stolen

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
PublishedApril 20, 2023

Ramona Gutierrez, a single mother and full-time Uberdriver in Los Angeles, said Aviserroneously reported the car she'd rented as stolen, leading to her getting pulled over and detained by the Los Angles County Sheriff’s Department, so she’s suing the rental car company.

According to Gutierrez, on March 22, she was driving on the freeway in a vehicle she rented from Avis because her personal vehicle was in the shop, when she was pulled over by six sheriff’s department vehicles. She claimed deputies held her at gunpoint, slamming her to the ground and roughly

Fire Breaks Out at Attleboro, MA, Auto Repair Shop

Written by Michael DeFusco, WPRI News
Published April 20, 2023

Crews spent around two hours battling a fire April 15 at an auto body repair shop in Attleboro, MA.

The flames broke out around 5 p.m. at County Auto and its garage on County Street.

District Fire Chief David Charest said it’s unclear how the fire started. It was under control by about 7 p.m.

Mutual aid was provided by North Attleboro, Norton and Plainville.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

...

Fix Auto San Marcos Opens in California

PublishedApril 20, 2023

Fix Auto USA announced the opening of Fix Auto San Marcos, located at 917 Rancheros Drive, San Marcos CA 92069.

Francisco Cid Del Prado, co-owner of Fix Auto San Marcos, has spent more than 32 years in the automotive industry as an employee of multiple shops, and now a business owner for the last decade. One of his first jobs was a DuPontpaint mixer at his father’s paint mixing warehouse.

After many years, Francisco and his wife, Ivonne, co-owner of Fix Auto San Marcos, entered the automotive collision industry. This industry passion and relevant work experience served as a natural

High Demand Halts New Jersey EV Rebate Program

PublishedApril 19, 2023

New Jersey’s state EV rebate program is already running out of funding due to high demand, the Associated Press reported.

The state’s Board of Public Utilities said the Charge Up New Jersey program has handed out $35 million for the fiscal year that ends in July, and enough applications have already been received for the rest of this year’s funds, the program is being paused until the next year begins July 1.

The Charge Up New Jersey program gives state residents $4,000 when

Dealers Auto Auction Group Expands to Midwest with Purchase of Ohio Auction

Written by Auto Remarketing Staff
Published April 19, 2023

The fourth-largest auction group in the country has added the Midwest to its footprint.

Dealers Auto Auction Group has expanded into Ohio with the purchase of OKI Cincinnati Auto Auction, the group announced.

With the acquisition, DAAG now has 11 auctions, 10 of which are in the Southeast.

OKI will be renamed DAA Cincinnati, and Tony Schoenling---whose father, Lee, founded the auction in 2000---will serve as its general manager.

“We are very excited about DAAG entering the Cincinnati/Dayton

Toyota Announces New Certified Collision Center in California

PublishedApril 19, 2023

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) is pleased to announce Alioto’s Garage of San Francisco, CA, is its newest independent Toyota Certified Collision Center (TCCC).

Qualified collision centers can be classified as Toyota-certified only upon meeting specific criteria, including advanced collision repair training and evaluation of the collision center’s operations, including facility, employee certifications and equipment benchmark requirements.

Scott Henderson, TMNA senior manager of collision operations, congratulated Alioto’s Garage of San Francisco, which, through its enrollment in the TCCC

Toyota Announces New Certified Collision Center in Kansas

PublishedApril 19, 2023

Toyota Motor North America, Inc.(TMNA), is proud to announce Lewis Toyotaof Topeka, KS, as its newest Toyota Certified Collision Center (TCCC).

Collision centers can earn certification from Toyota based on meeting extensive criteria including advanced collision training and an evaluation of operations including facility, business practices, employee certifications and equipment benchmark achievements.

“It’s a privilege to have Lewis Toyota earn the prestigious Toyota Collision Certification for their professionalism and ultimate dedication to the safety of our customers,” said Scott Henderson,

EV Charging Station Bill Goes to NH House Floor Without Recommendation

Written by Dave Fidlin, The Center Square
Published April 19, 2023

A bill pertaining to the regulation and operation of electric vehicle charging stations in New Hampshire will go to the House floor without a firm recommendation from the legislative committee reviewing it.

The House Committee on Science, Technology and Energy on April 18 deliberated Senate Bill 52, which proposes modernizing state statutes for electric vehicle infrastructure construction projects and establishes a committee to study funding and other related matters.

The House panel wrangled over several components of the bill---including the merits of establishing

Parkway Auto Group Opens Dealership in Pampa, TX

Written by Caleb Dorn, The Pampa News
PublishedApril 19, 2023

Parkway Auto Group is a Texas-based company that operates a chain of car dealerships across the state. The company was founded in the ‘60s and is a second-generation automotive dealer, and one of the biggest fleets of Chevrolet dealers.

Parkway Auto Group offers a wide range of new and used vehicles from various manufacturers, including Chevrolet, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Jeepand Ram. The company also provides financing options and a full range of automotive services, including maintenance and repair, parts and accessories, and

NJ High School Auto Shop Teacher, Texaco Owner Dies

Written by Caren Lissner, Patch
Published April 19, 2023

A former Columbia High School auto shop teacher who employed students at his Texacorepair shop in South Orange, NJ, has died at 90.

Billy Patrick Holland from Maplewood/South Orange passed away March 22, surrounded by family, his obituary said.

Holland served as a U.S. Army sergeant in Germany, then returned to the MAPSO area, where he began teaching auto mechanics at Columbia High School.

"Many of his former students remained in touch with him over the years, expressing gratitude for the education, life lessons and support they received from him both in and

Man Sentenced for Drug-Trafficking was Laundering Money Through CT Auto Repair Shop

PublishedApril 19, 2023

William "Willy" Valerio-Palermo, 37, a citizen of the Dominican Republic last residing in East Hartford, CT, was sentenced April 13 by U.S. District Judge Alvin W. Thompson in Hartford to 70 months of imprisonment for trafficking acetylfentanyl, a fentanyl analogue.

Vanessa Roberts Avery, U.S. attorney for the District of Connecticut, made the announcement.

According to court documents and statements made in court, in 2018, law enforcement received information that Valerio was trafficking kilogram-quantities of fentanyl and was using his Hartford auto

CARSTAR Shanafelt Opens in Texas

PublishedApril 19, 2023

CARSTARannounced the opening of CARSTAR Shanafelt, located at 955 W. Kingsbury St., Seguin, TX 78155.

Eddie Donhauser, owner of CARSTAR Shanafelt, has spent his whole life in the collision repair industry. From an early age, Donhauser was exposed to the industry as his father spent his entire career in the collision repair industry. His father played a large role in influencing Donhauser’s career path, but also his brother’s. Both brothers now own their own collision repair facilities. Family continues to be a primary focus for Donhauser, who runs CARSTAR Shanafelt with his wife, Shannah, and recently helped his

Rove to Build Full-Service EV Charging Centers in Southern California

PublishedApril 19, 2023

Rove, a developer of full-service electric vehicle charging centers, confirms plans to build six locations in Southern California starting in 2023.

Rove will set a new standard in EV charging with a premium, customer-centric experience. Focused on fast, smart and reliable charging, each Rove will host 40 ultra-fast, direct-current fast chargers (DCFC), capable of reaching speeds up to 350 kW---making a full charge possible in as little as 15 minutes.

Unlike other stations, Rove will offer a full-service experience that includes onsite amenities. Centers will feature a market with all-natural and organic

Private Investment Gets Head Start on EV Buildout in PA

Written by Anthony Hennen, The Center Square
Published April 18, 2023

As Pennsylvania awaits federal subsidies worth hundreds of millions to build out charging stations for electric vehicles, private investment takes the lead.

Walmartsaid it will build an “EV fast-charging network" at thousands of locations, including Sam's stores, by 2030. This, as the state divvies up the first installment of more than $172 million in federal infrastructure funding to create a charging corridor across Pennsylvania.

Vishal Kapadia, Walmart's senior vice president of energy transformation, said the company is "uniquely positioned"

Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach Auction Wraps Up with $1.5 Million Ford GT

PublishedApril 18, 2023

Big sales, exciting moments and enthusiastic bidding made for a great Super Saturday at the 2023 Palm Beach Barrett-Jackson Auction. The last of the more than 600 incredible collector vehicles made their way across the stage April 15, with additional auction world-record sales logged.

The top seller was a 2020 FordGT Heritage Edition with its $1.5 million sale.

The auction arena went wild on a number of occasions---notably when the first retail production VIN 001 2024 ChevroletCorvette E-Ray 3LZ rolled onto the block. The arena was on its feet when the car sold for $1.1 million with 100%

Reuters: Panasonic Considering New EV Battery Plant in Oklahoma

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published April 18, 2023

Panasonicmay build a new battery production facility in the U.S. to help address the increasing demand for electric vehicles.

The new plant could be built in Oklahoma, Panasonic said in a statement to Reuters.

The battery maker has already entered into an agreement with the state, outlining both eligibility and terms of potential incentives the Japanese company could receive as a part of the state’s Large-scale Economic Activity and Development (LEAD) Act. This would give Panasonic access to nearly $700 million in capital investment rebates.

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North Carolina Maaco Gifts Free Paint Job to Local VFW Post

PublishedApril 18, 2023

Maacorecently held its first ever “Love Your Car” campaign, in which Maaco owners gifted one lucky customer with a free paint job. Through this “surprise and delight” effort, owners across the country nominated their customers for the chance to receive the gift.

Pete Schwartz, who owns Maaco Greenville, recently completed an estimate for the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7032 in Greenville, NC. The post is working to undergo building and grounds renovations, and there is one piece that was in need of a makeover. Maaco Greenville was proud to gift the organization with a freshly painted 1941

Tesla Posts More Cybertruck-Related Jobs Based in Texas

Written by Maria Merano, Teslarati
Published April 18, 2023

As Teslaenters Q2 2023, it is preparing to start Cybertruck production. Recently, Tesla posted more Cybertruck jobs based in its Austin, TX, headquarters.

With Easter in the past, Tesla is inching closer to the start of initial production for the Cybertruck, expected to start this summer. Gigafactory Texas has been a bubble of activity since the beginning of the year, starting with the assembly of its 9,000-ton Giga Press for the Cybertruck’s origami-like exoskeleton. 

With preparations underway, Tesla is gathering one other necessary ingredient for Cybertruck

Dan-Am Names New Western Region Manager

PublishedApril 17, 2023

Dan-Am Company, the exclusive independent distributor of SATAproducts in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, is pleased to announce the addition of Erik Bishop to the team as western region manager.

Bishop has 19 years of experience with a great background in our industry, from being a refinish tech to running a refinish/mechanical technical school. More recently, Bishop has worked as a manufacturers’ representative, SATA being one of the lines he represented, as well as training and technical management for a coatings manufacturer.  

“We are very excited to have Erik join our team. His well-rounded background is a

SCC Hosts First of 2 Days of Education and Product Demos in Virginia 

Written by Stacey Phillips, Autobody News
Published April 14, 2023

Members of the collision industry from across the country traveled to the second annual Southeast Collision Conference, which opened April 14 at the Meadow Event Park in Doswell, VA. 

The two-day event, hosted by the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA), offered attendees a variety of educational sessions, a tradeshow with more than 45