Carvana Launches Same-Day Delivery in Central Florida

Local buyers can now receive their vehicles within hours of purchase from Carvana.com.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 29, 2023

Carvanahas introduced same-day delivery to its Central Florida customers, allowing local buyers to receive their vehicles within hours of purchase from Carvana.com. In addition, select customers seeking to sell their vehicles to Carvana can benefit from same-day drop-off at designated locations across the state.

Savannah E., a recent

State Farm Leads in Auto Insurance Affordability Across 29 States

The largest auto insurer is also the most affordable in many cases, but there are more competitive options for good drivers, military and other demographics.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 29, 2023

State Farm, the nation’s largest auto insurance provider, was identified as the most affordable option in 29 states in a recent report by Clearsurance.com.

The study

Orange County, CA, Auto Body Shop Owner Pleads Guilty to $1M Tax Evasion

Chung Ku Sin admitted to using a check-cashing business to cash checks made payable to his shops, and not disclosing the transactions to his tax preparer.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 29, 2023

Chung Ku Sin, 68, owner of three auto repair businesses in Orange County in California, pleaded guilty to a charge of filing a false tax return, admitting to a near $1 million tax loss to the U.S.

According to the plea agreement, Sin, who operates

Mercedes-Benz Manhattan Incorporates UVeye's Cutting-Edge Vehicle Inspection Technology

The UVeye system uses advanced artificial intelligence and computer vision to conduct comprehensive vehicle inspections.

Written by Autobody News Staff
PublishedNov. 28, 2023

Mercedes-Benz Manhattan, located on 11th Avenue between 53rd and 54th streets in New York City, unveiled a state-of-the-art Automated Vehicle Inspection machine in partnership with UVeye, making it the first Mercedes-Benz dealer in the Northeast to embrace the technology.

The UVeye

Fix Auto Recognizes Veterans Among its Ranks

Ian Morton, who owns two Fix Auto locations in Arizona, is a U.S. Army veteran and descendant of one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 28, 2023

Fix Auto USA honored veterans among its franchise partners and corporate team members for their military service.
 
Ian Morton, a U.S. Army veteran, owns Fix Auto Tucson-Thoroughbred and Fix Auto Sierra Vista collision repair facilities in Arizona. His

Michigan Community College Launches Auto Apprenticeship with Local Dealership

The two-year program allows participants to earn a living wage that increases as they acquire new skills.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 28, 2023

Washtenaw Community College (WCC) in Ann Arbor, MI, received approval from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to launch an automotive service technician apprenticeship program in partnership with Toyota & Subaru of Ann Arbor. This initiative is the first of its kind in the region, and opens the door for WCC to develop

TSTC Celebrates First Graduates of Auto Collision Tech Program

The two students are the first to complete the new degree, affiliated with the Collision Engineering Program backed by Enterprise Holdings and Ranken Technical College.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 28, 2023

Two students at Texas State Technical College in Waco, TX, are scheduled to be the first ever to graduate with degrees in the college’s newest auto collision and management technology specialization at this fall's upcoming commencement.

Bryam Herrera, of

Honda Recalls 303K Accords, HR-Vs for Pretensioner Problems

Installation of a rivet was skipped during assembly and the seat belt pretensioner won't properly restrain the occupant in a crash.

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published Nov. 27, 2023

More than 303,000 HondaAccord and Honda HR-V vehicles are recalled because the front seat belt pretensioners may be missing rivets.

The rivet secures the quick connector and the wire plate. A missing rivet means the seat belt pretensioner won't properly restrain the occupant in a crash.

The cause of the problem is simple. Honda says installation of the rivet was skipped during assembly.

Honda received the

Orbia's First LiPF6 Facility in North America Boosts EV Battery Production

Located in St. Gabriel, LA, the new facility will produce lithium hexafluorophosphate, vital electrolyte salt used in batteries.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 27, 2023

Orbia Advance Corporation's new lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) production facility in St. Gabriel, LA, marks a significant stride in North America's electric vehicle (EV) battery material supply chain, enhancing the region's clean energy prospects and economic growth.

U.S. Department of

3 People Convicted of Running Lottery Scheme, Using Proceeds to Purchase Salvage Cars

The scheme bilked elderly victims out of more than $1.1 million, which was used to buy and repair vehicles that were shipped to Jamaica for sale.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 27, 2023

A federal jury delivered a guilty verdict Nov. 17 against three permanent residents of the U.S., originally from Jamaica, for their involvement in a fraudulent Jamaican lottery scheme. Caron Pitter, Rohan Lyttle and Charlene Marshall

New Jersey to Ban Fossil-Fueled Vehicle Sales by 2035

The new rules will apply to cars and medium and heavy-duty vehicles, requiring at least 5% sold by 2027 to be electric and 60% by 2035.

Written by Christian Wade, The Center Square
Published Nov. 27, 2023

New Jersey will join a handful of states in banning the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles over the next 12 years, despite critics claiming the shift to electric vehicles will be too costly for consumers.

Gov. Phil Murphy announced he has finalized new regulations that will require car manufacturers to ramp up sales of electric vehicles in New Jersey, leading to a ban on the sale of new fossil fuel-powered vehicles by

FL Judge Finds Reasonable Evidence Tesla Knew Autopilot Defective

The lawsuit, filed by the widow of a man killed in a 2019 crash, can proceed to trial.

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published Nov. 27, 2023

A Florida judge found “reasonable evidence” that Tesla, along with its CEO Elon Musk and other managers, knew the so-called Autopilot advanced driver assistance system was defective but still allowed cars to be driven unsafely, according to Reuters.

The news comes after Judge Reid Scott, in the Circuit Court for Palm Beach County, ruled the plaintiff in a lawsuit over a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model

Jack Molodanof answers questions from California auto body shops owners on how to avoid fines by complying with state regulations.

U.S. Auto Insurance Shopping Growth Declines in Q3 2023

A shift in customer demographics is partly attributed to household consolidation, where parents are adding their adult children to their policies or vice versa.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 27, 2023

The latest LexisNexis Insurance Demand Meter showed a decrease in the U.S. auto insurance shopping growth rate for Q3 2023. Following a 5.2% growth in Q2, the rate dipped by 1.2% in the most recent quarter, highlighting the challenges faced by consumers grappling with rate hikes and budget

Tim Wright Wins Maaco’s Tony Martino Legendary Hall of Fame Award

Wright owns Maaco Farmington in Michigan and has served as a mentor and brand champion for more than a decade.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 27, 2023

Tim Wright, owner of Maaco Farmington in Michigan, was selected for this year's Tony Martino Legendary Hall of Fame award, Maaco announced the first night of its annual convention, held Nov. 7-10 in Cancun, Mexico.

The Tony Martino Legendary Hall of Fame award recognizes an owner who personifies Maaco’s

Feds Probe 16 Hyundai, Kia Recalls Linked to ABS Fires

The automakers have issued eight recalls each related to the fire risk since 2016, affecting 6.3 million vehicles in the U.S.

Written by Chris Chilton, CarScoops
Published Nov. 22, 2023

Kiaand Hyundaiaren’t having the best November. First, a judge decided insurance companies hoping to recover $1 billion from the automakers they say they lost because of the TikToktheft craze could proceed to court, and now the NHTSA has opened an investigation

Texas- and Oklahoma-Based Owner Wins Maaco MSO of the Year Award

Helmuth Mayer Jr. takes on struggling Maaco locations and leads them to reach their potential.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 22, 2023

Helmuth Mayer Jr., who owns a network of nine Maacolocations in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Oklahoma areas, was named the winner of Maaco's MSO of the Year award.

Mayer was presented with the award on the first night of the 2023 Maaco Convention, themed “The Future of Better," where Maaco celebrated with franchise partners,

Premium Auto Paint in Ontario, CA, Joins ProColor Collision

The shop, owned by Alonso Martin, is I-CAR Gold certified and employs technicians certified in welding, mechanical and electrical work.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 22, 2023

Owner Alonso Martin transitioned his independent auto body shop to the ProColor Collision brand to advance his commitment to top-quality auto repair and restoration services for personal and commercial customers in western San Bernardino County.

For 20 years, Martin has owned

Ford Says Michigan EV Battery Plant Moving Forward, But on Smaller Scale

The plant is now expected to employ 1,700 workers---down from 2,500---with a planned capacity of 20 GWh, down from 35.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Fordsaid Nov. 21 it “right-sizing” its investment in its upcoming BlueOval Battery Park Michigan, in Marshall, cutting down job creation projections from 2,500 to 1,700, and planned capacity from 35 GWh to 20.

The facility is still expected to begin producing lithium iron phosphate batteries in 2026, the

Minnesota Owner Named Maaco Cup Award Winner

Jason Liesenfeld's Maaco location in Burnsville, MN, grew its sales nearly 40% in the past year.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Jason Liesenfeld, owner of Maaco Burnsville in Minnesota, was announced the winner of this year's Maaco Cup award, announced at the 2023 Maaco Convention held Nov. 7-10 in Cancun, Mexico, themed “The Future of Better." 

On the first night of the convention, Maaco celebrated the successes of the year with Maaco franchise partners,

Sheehy Auto Stores Raises $340,000 for Heart Health

The dealership group's annual campaign has now raised $2.6 million for the American Heart Association since 2014.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Sheehy Auto Stores' "Sheehy Has Heart" annual campaign raised $341,476 for the American Heart Association this year, promoting heart-healthy living across multiple states.

This year's fundraising spanned Sheehy's dealerships in Washington, D.C., Richmond, VA, and Baltimore and Hagerstown, MD. Since its inception in 2014, the

Ava, EV Realty to Build Oakland's Largest EV Charging Hub

The 33-stall charging station, to be located at Oakland City Center Garage, will boost the city's public fast charging capabilities by nearly 45%.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Ava Community Energy, the primary energy provider in Alameda County and the City of Tracy, alongside EV Realty, a developer of EV infrastructure, announced they will build Oakland, CA's largest public electric vehicle (EV) fast-charging hub to enhance local charging infrastructure and promote

Mercedes-Benz Launches EV Charging Network in Georgia

The automaker plans to establish more than 400 charging hubs with over 2,500 chargers across North America by the end of the decade.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Mercedes-Benz High Performance Computing North America (Mercedes-Benz HPC NA), in collaboration with MN8 Energy, unveiled its first Mercedes-Benz Charging Hub. Located at the Mercedes-Benz USA headquarters in Sandy Springs, GA, this launch marks the beginning of a broader initiative to expand the EV charging

Missouri First Responders Learn New Rescue Skills Through NABC F.R.E.E. Program

The program teaches first responders how to safely respond to emergencies involving newer vehicles with advanced technology.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

First responders from the Liberty, MO, Fire Department and surrounding areas donned their rescue gear Oct. 18 for a hands-on demonstration of the latest techniques in emergency vehicle extrication, preparing them to provide the best response for car accident victims, all thanks to CARSTAR Wicklunds

North Carolina Dealership Licensed to Sell Mullen EVs

Production of the Class 1 and Class 3 vehicles has started at Mullen's facility in Mississippi, as has deliveries to the first customers.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 21, 2023

Mullen Automotive Inc., an emerging EV manufacturer, announced Randy Marion Automotive Group (RMA) received its North Carolina license to retail Mullen’s commercial EVs. This required dealer license in combination with Mullen’s previously received OEM license allows the movement of vehicles to

Arkansas Woman to Represent U.S. in 2024 WorldSkills Car Painting Event

Lily Williams of Jonesboro, AR, won the gold medal in automotive refinishing at the 2023 SkillsUSA Championships.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 20, 2023

Lily Williams of Jonesboro, AR, has been officially selected to represent the U.S. in the car painting category at the 2024 WorldSkills Competition, set to take place Sept. 10-15, 2024, in Lyon, France.

Williams, a former student at the Northeast Arkansas Career and Technical Center,

More than 150,000 attendees came to Las Vegas for a week of exhibits, custom builds, new products and networking and educational opportunities.

The SEMA Show returned to Las Vegas Oct. 31-Nov. 3, bringing together more than 150,000 automotive aftermarket industry professionals looking to transform four days of relationship-building, networking, sales and marketing into business success and dreams realized.

The proof the SEMA Show was poised to return to historic levels was found in the packed Las Vegas Convention Center exhibit halls, teeming with more than 2,200 exhibitors, boundary-pushing builds, innovative new products, thought-provoking educational opportunities and more than 150,000 attendees connecting throughout the aftermarket community. The Show

Indiana CARSTAR Serves Lunch to Thank Local First Responders

The owners of CARSTAR Liss Auto Body of Crown Point and Schererville hosted a taco bar.

Written by Autobody News Staff
Published Nov. 20, 2023

The municipal offices of Winfield, Lake County, IN, including the police department, fire department and the town management, enjoyed a festive lunch recently as a “thank you” for their service, courtesy of Coreyand Charlotte Liss, owners of CARSTAR Liss Auto Body of Crown Point and Schererville.

The Lisses,

Almost 250,000 Hondas, Acuras Recalled Over Engine Seize Fears

The engines used in the affected vehicles could seize because of a badly engineered crankshaft.

Written by Chris Chilton, CarScoops
Published Nov. 20, 2023

Honda is famous for its rev-happy, free-spinning engines, but now the automaker has been forced to issue a massive recall because thousands of engines are at risk of not spinning at all.

The U.S. arm of Honda and its upscale Acurasister brand are collectively recalling close to a quarter of a million cars, trucks, minivans and SUVs after discovering the engines used in those vehicles could seize because of a badly engineered crankshaft. A total of 248,999

Volkwagen Recalls All ID.4 EVs in U.S. Due to Flammable Interior Materials

The material of the roller sunshades may not consistently meet performance requirements.

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published Nov. 16, 2023

Volkswagen has recalled 100% of ID.4 electric vehicles in the U.S. due to the flammability of interior materials, according to NHTSA documents.

Volkswagen will recall 23,883 ID.4 vehicles, all of which are estimated to have the defect. The documents state the material of the roller sunshades may not consistently meet the FMVSS 302 performance requirements.

“The burn rate of the material may sometimes be beyond the maximum allowable limit. In the unlikely