Stellantis, Samsung SDI Battery Factory Construction Underway

Written by Mark Kane, InsideEVs
Published March 24, 2023

Stellantisand Samsung SDI released a quick update on their battery joint venture in Kokomo, IN, where the partners are building a new lithium-ion cell factory.

The first milestone of the project is the raising of the first piece of steel that will form the structure of the new gigafactory. The beam was signed by the joint venture management team and the Kokomo mayor.

If everything progresses as planned, the new plant---announced in May 2022---will start producing EV batteries as soon as in the first quarter of 2025.

The initial annual production capacity is

Fix Auto Tujunga Opens in California

PublishedMarch 24, 2023

Fix Auto USA announced the opening of Fix Auto Tujunga, located at 7001 Foothill Blvd., Tujunga CA 91042.

Kevin Tarverdyan, owner of Fix Auto Tujunga, joins the auto repair industry with nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry. A close acquaintance in the auto repair industry recommended Tarverdyan explore the collision repair side of the business. Tarverdyan quickly found his background in the insurance space coupled with his passion for the auto industry made for a natural connection in his new venture as an owner of a premier collision repair business.

“I treat every car that comes through

CAA: Replacement Tire Efficiency Regulations Should Not Include Auto Body Shops

Written by Ed Attanasio, Autobody News
Published March 23, 2023

The California Energy Commission (CEC) is in the process of creating new regulations to require all tire retailers---including auto body shops---to post signs and provide disclosures to consumers purchasing replacement tires. The California Autobody Association (CAA) is concerned and is requesting the CEC provide an exemption for auto body and collision shops beginning April 1, 2025.

Should these regulations include body

Consumer Watchdog Criticizes California's ‘Unjustified’ Auto Insurance Rate Hikes

PublishedMarch 23, 2023

California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara's recent approval of a $263.7 million rate hike by California's largest insurer, State Farm, marks the latest in a flurry of approvals of unjustified 2023 auto insurance rate hikes by the top six auto insurers, collectively totaling more than $1 billion, Consumer Watchdog said in a news release.

These companies insure approximately 48% of the state's insured vehicles. The group said hardest hit by the rate hikes are low-income workers who, under some auto insurers' job-based rating plans approved by Lara, will pay up to 25% more than

Hyundai Donates $50,000 to Help Build Play Zone at Diamond Children's Medical Center

PublishedMarch 23, 2023

Hyundai Motor America donated $50,000 to the Banner Health Foundation to help build a Play Zone at Diamond Children's Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. 

The donation is part of Hyundai's corporate social responsibility initiative, Hyundai Hope, and will assist in creating a dedicated play space for pediatric patients and their families. A ceremonial check was presented to the Banner Health Foundation in Scottsdale, AZ.

"The opportunities and benefits that a safe and supportive space like the Play Zone will offer families is at the heart of Hyundai Hope's mission," said

South Carolina Becomes Battery Hotbed with $1.6B in Investments

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published March 23, 2023

With the growth in demand for EVs, the need for lithium-ion batteries to fuel them has also grown, provoking many automakers to invest in battery production and lithium extraction as they look to ramp production dramatically in the coming years. Now, South Carolina has become a hotbed for lithium-ion battery production, thanks to massive investments from two leaders in the battery industry.

The first and significantly larger investment comes from Albemarle, the world’s largest lithium extraction and refining company, which announced it will invest $1.3 billion into a new

Indiana Farmers Insurance Now Using AI-Powered Estimating from CCC

PublishedMarch 23, 2023

CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. announced March 22 that Indiana Farmers Insuranceis the latest auto insurer to leverage its industry-first AI-powered CCC® Estimate–STP solution. 

Estimate-STP uses advanced AI and insurer-driven rules to automatically initiate and populate detailed and actionable estimates in seconds. In market with 15 insurers, including seven of the top 10 carriers based on direct written premium, representing 50% of U.S. auto claims volume, CCC Estimate–STP offers line level estimates from photos without the need for human intervention.

"Indiana Farmers Insurance is

Tesla to Receive 2nd 9,000-Ton Giga Press in Texas for Cybertruck Production

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published March 22, 2023

Teslais set to receive several shipments from Idra Group Italy containing a second 9,000-ton Giga Press, headed to the company’s Texas Gigafactory, according to a bill of lading posted by the user greggertruck on the CybetruckOwnersClubforum.

The shipment documents reveal two containers with a total weight of 58,863 pounds were sent from Italy to the Port of Houston, with the goods being labeled as “die-casting machines, die-casting machine parts” and the recipient being Tesla, Inc.

Other bills of lading

Fix Auto USA Participates in Southern CA I-CAR Career Fair

PublishedMarch 22, 2023

California-based Fix Auto USA locations recently participated in a Universal Technical Institute career fair put on in conjunction with the Southern California I-CAR Committee and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), held in Long Beach, CA.

The March 9 event brought together more than 200 eager, local students and quality-driven automotive industry employees to make connections and provide education for career opportunities in the collision repair field. Four owners who collectively own more than 20 Fix Auto USA locations in the Southern California region attended the event to share

Detroit Unveils Parking Department's 100% EV Fleet

Written by William Johnson, Teslarati
Published March 22, 2023

The City of Detroit unveiled its first department fleet to be comprised of only electric vehicles.

America’s Motor City purchased 48 ChevyBolts to be used by the Municipal Parking Department's parking enforcement workers. According to the city, each driver drives an average of 150 miles every day, making the Bolt's 259-mile range perfectly adequate. Furthermore, thanks to the low upfront cost of the Bolt compared to other EVs, its fuel savings will become evident quickly following the purchase.

The city also installed a massive 25-stall charging station.

“This is our first

Dicastal North America Plant in Michigan Significantly Damaged after Explosion

By Phoebe Wall Howard, Detroit Free Press
Published March 21, 2023

Emergency officials responded to an explosion late March 17 at an automotive supplier plant, Dicastal North America in Greenville, MI, safety officials confirmed to the Detroit Free Presson March 18.

The company makes lightweight aluminum alloy wheels, according to its website. Dicastal lists among its clients Ford, General Motors, Stellantis, Toyota, Hondaand Nissan.

It is unknown at this time what impact the disruption will have on automakers.

...

Volkswagen’s Scout to Receive $1.29B in Incentives for U.S. Plant

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published March 21, 2023

South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster signed legislation March 20 to approve $1.29 billion in state incentives for Scout Motors, an off-road brand now owned by Volkswagen. Scout is poised to build a $2 billion plant in the state for the production of trucks and SUVs.

South Carolina Commerce Secretary Harry Lightsey said the project may be eligible for up to $180 million in job development tax credits based on hiring.

Scout Motors seeks to create about 4,000 jobs and produce about 200,000 vehicles annually. The groundbreaking of the

Oregon’s EV Incentive Program Running Out of Money

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 21, 2023

Oregon’s electric vehicle incentive program---widely publicized for bringing the price of a TeslaModel 3 well below $30,000---is being suspended for a year starting in May, because it is running out of money.

According to a new report from Oregon Live, the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Vehicle Rebate Program has paid out more than $71 million to help buy or lease roughly 25,000 EVs in the past five years.

In February, it was reported the incentives had pushed Model 3 prices from nearly $44,000 to between $26,990 and $28,390, making the

Crash Champions Opens 25th Ohio Location

PublishedMarch 21, 2023

The Crash Champions Collision Repair Team on March 21 announced another step in the organization's ongoing strategic national growth plan by opening its 25th Ohio location. The collision repair center, located at 38401 Chester Road in Avon, OH, officially opened March 20.

“We’re thrilled to continue expanding the Crash Champions team across Ohio,” said Matt Ebert, founder and CEO of Crash Champions. “Since first expanding to the area in 2020, Crash Champions has made it our mission to deliver high-quality collision repair service while also engaging with local communities. The opening of our Avon repair center is part of this

Springfield, MO Single Mother Receives Donated Vehicle Courtesy of Crash Champions, NABC

PublishedMarch 20, 2023

The Crash Champions Collision Repair Team joined hands with the National Auto Body Council®, GEICOand local nonprofit organizations to restore and donate a HyundaiElantra to a local single mother in need.

The March 16 ceremonial giveaway was part of the NABC Recycled Rides® program and followed certified collision repair technicians from Crash Champions volunteering their time and expertise to restore the vehicle to like-new condition.

The recipient, who asked to remain anonymous, was nominated by Women in Need of the Ozarks, which provides support for

4 Las Vegas Families Receive NABC Recycled Rides Over NASCAR Weekend

PublishedMarch 17, 2023

When the engines revved at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in early March, there were four new drivers in the field---four deserving Las Vegas families, including one military member.

They were presented with vehicles 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 GEICOand collision repair partner Caliber Collision, whose technicians donated their time and skills to refurbish the vehicles, along with support from Speedway Children’s Charities–Las Vegas

Rhode Island’s DRIVE EV Program Encourages Sustainable Transport

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 16, 2023

Rhode Island is offering new incentives to encourage the purchase of electric vehicles with its new DRIVE EV program.

The program, which pushes for both individual and fleet EV purchases, offers rebates based on a consumer’s choice to drive a sustainable powertrain. It is one of the newer programs in the country, and can be combined with federal incentives to drive further savings on electric vehicles.

DRIVE EV offers rebates of up to $2,500 for car buyers who purchase or lease a new fully-electric or fuel-cell EV, and $1,500 for used electric vehicles, as well as for new plug-in

Electrify America Launches Its 1st EV Fast Charging Station in Hawaii

Written by Steven Loveday, InsideEVs
Published March 16, 2023

Electrify America opened its first fast charging station in Hawaii, which means the network is now present in 47 states plus the District of Columbia.

The new charging station is in Pearl City on the island of Oahu and features four 150-kilowatt chargers. Because it is an island, there was no need to install the 350-kW chargers.

A map on Electrify America's website indicates there are two more charging stations planned on Oahu, one in Kapolei and one in Honolulu. There is no info about the other islands.

According to the company, its network is the largest

Honda Prepares U.S. Manufacturing Plants for EV Production

Written by Mark Kane, InsideEVs
Published March 16, 2023

Hondaannounced several crucial steps to establish an EV Hub in Ohio, where the company intends to produce its next-generation all-electric cars.

The Japanese manufacturer intends to invest some $700 million to re-tool several of its existing auto and powertrain plants in the state, to support the introduction of EVs based on the new Honda e:Architecture, scheduled for 2026.

The main focus of the plan is the Marysville Auto Plant, where Honda began auto production in America in 1982, which will be Honda’s first auto plant in the U.S. to transition to making EVs.

The

Phoenix Woman Presented with NABC Recycled Ride at I-CAR Western Regional Meeting

PublishedMarch 15, 2023

A deserving Phoenix recipient experienced a life-changing event---the presentation of a vehicle to provide her independence and the ability to work and take care of her family---thanks to car donor Allstate, Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting, Meineke Car Care and the National Auto Body Council(NABC) Recycled Rides® program.

The presentation was held at the Marriott Phoenix Airport as part of the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) western regional meeting. The deserving recipient was selected by Family Promise of Greater

Chicago Fastest Growing City in U.S. for Auto Thefts

Written by Glenn Minnis, The Center Square
Published March 15, 2023

The city of Chicago easily outpaced the rest of the country as the fastest growing city for auto thefts in 2022, with larcenies rising by 55%.

With such acts of vandalism on the rise across the country as part of an ongoing pandemic-fueled outbreak, a new National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) annual study found Illinois had the largest percentage increase among larger states at 35%.

“Over 1 million vehicles were stolen nationwide

Illinois Bill Would Ban Video Calls While Driving

Written by Glenn Minnis, The Center Square
Published March 15, 2023

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias is leading the charge in pushing for legislation that would ban the use of Zoomand other video chat equipment while driving.

“We need to take steps to change the culture surrounding distracted driving, which will lead to more responsible drivers and ultimately save lives,” Giannoulias said in a news release. “Zooming takes hands, eyes and minds off the focus of driving. Our goal is that a combination of increased education, stronger laws and tougher enforcement will encourage drivers to change bad behaviors for the

Pennsylvania Readies to Send Out $62 Million for EV Charging Stations

Written by Anthony Hennen, The Center Square
Published March 15, 2023

As Pennsylvania officials discuss an electric vehicle fee to replace the gas tax, federal funds are available to build out the EV charging infrastructure in the commonwealth.

On March 13, PennDOT announced its first round of funding will open March 27 and close May 5 for EV stations across Pennsylvania. The money will flow through the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure grant program, with $25 million available for fiscal year 2022 and $37 million for fiscal year 2023, according to a news release.

In total, Pennsylvania will receive almost $172 million over five

Maryland Commits to 2035 Ban on New Gas Vehicle Sales

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 14, 2023

The State of Maryland followed in the footsteps of California on March 13 by banning all new gas vehicle sales by the model year 2035.

Maryland’s Air Quality Control Advisory Council unanimously voted to approve a regulation to implement California’s vehicle emissions standards, which have specific goals for a certain percentage of new vehicle sales be emission-free.

Maryland laws already exist that require the state to match California’s vehicle emissions programs. Maryland aligned with the California Air Resource Board (CARB) vehicle standards in 2011, one of 17 states in the U.S. to

Site Plan Approved for Caliber Collision in Rome, NY

Written by Nicole A. Hawley, Daily Sentinel
Published March 13, 2023

A site plan review and negative declaration on the Site Environmental Quality Review for a proposed auto body shop at 1303-09 Erie Blvd. W. in Rome, NY, were approved by the city's planning board during its regular monthly meeting March 7 at City Hall.

OM3is proposing to construct a 2,300-square-foot auto shop---Caliber Collision---with associated site work. The Rome Zoning Board of Appeals approved a use variance for Caliber at that location in December.

Civil engineer Kevin Leddy with Kimley-Horn, New York City, and developer Gus

NC Democrats Push New Home Construction Building Code to Accommodate EVs

Written by Victor Skinner, The Center Square
Published March 13, 2023

North Carolina’s forced transition to electric vehicles helped boost registrations by 54% in 2022, and even still, the transportation mode is still less than 1% of total registrations.

The Old North State has a long road ahead to meet Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s goal of 1.25 million EVs by 2030. House Democrats nonetheless want to require new homes to accommodate the trend.

For context, North Carolina would need to add more than 170,000 electric vehicle registrations per year over the next seven years to meet the 1.25 million registration goal.

Tesla Fremont Factory Continues to Receive Refinements and Upgrades

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published March 13, 2023

Tesla’s Fremont, CA, Factory continues to receive refinements and upgrades to help with the production of electric vehicles, filings show.

Tesla continuously upgrades its factories, and through the daily operation of machinery, things continue to be fixed, replaced and refined to keep manufacturing lines moving.

However, Tesla is doing more than just routine production line maintenance at the Fremont Factory.

Over the past year, the automaker has started preparing for a new Model 3 design and potential refresh with the Model Y and even started

Incentives Unknown for Auto Parts Manufacturer’s Georgia Facility

Written by T.A. DeFeo, The Center Square
Published March 10, 2023

A global auto parts manufacturer plans to build a new facility in Chatham County in Georgia.

According to a news release, PHA, a Korea-based company, will spend $67 million to build a facility at the Savannah Chatham Manufacturing Center. It plans to create 402 jobs, state officials said.

The company plans to produce door modules and hood and tailgate latches for original equipment manufacturers. The company will serve the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Bryan County.

A Georgia Department of Economic Development rep told The

Proposed EV Fee Falls Short of Solving PA's Infrastructure Woes

By Anthony Hennen, The Center Square
Published March 10, 2023

As electric vehicles overtake Pennsylvania’s roads, lawmakers still have to sort out two things---how to tax them to fund roads and bridges, and how to build out reliable charging stations.

While neither issue has a quick and easy solution, a pilot tax project will grow revenue, and federal cash will expand an electric charging corridor across the state.

Except, some analysts say, it won't be enough to meaningfully fund road and bridge repair.

In 2019, Pennsylvania had almost 10,000 electric vehicles. Today, that count has more than sextupled, with more than 63,000 EVs

Alabama Auto Parts Supplier to Pay $1.3M After 20-Year-Old Worker's 2016 Death

PublishedMarch 9, 2023

The independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission has affirmed citations issued by the U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA to a global auto parts supplier after the 2016 death of a 20-year-old machine operator at an Alabama manufacturing facility.

The decision comes after Joon LLC---operating as AJIN USA---contested OSHA citations after an investigation of how an employee at its Cusseta, AL, facility suffered fatal crushing injuries in June 2016 in a robotic machine. OSHA inspectors learned the machine operator and three co-workers entered a robotic cell on the assembly line to clear a