Crash Champions Restores, Donates Vehicle to Nashville Children’s Home

PublishedJune 29, 2023

The Crash Champions Collision Repair Team recently took part in a National Auto Body Council (NABC) Recycled Rides® giveaway in Nashville, TN, benefiting the Palmer Home for Children.

The ceremonial giveaway took place June 22, and was made possible by the volunteer efforts of dedicated collision repair technicians from Crash Champions’ Downtown Nashville repair center. As an active supporter of the NABC Recycled Rides program, Crash Champions has restored and donated more than 10 vehicles in 2023.

“This is yet another opportunity for local Crash Champions team members to step up and make a tangible

CARSTAR Hayden Named Best Auto Body Shop in 2023 Idaho’s Best Awards

PublishedJune 29, 2023

CARSTAR Hayden has been named Best Auto Body Shop in the Panhandle region in the 2023 Idaho’s Best Awards, an annual program intended to uplift and acknowledge the contributions of businesses and organizations in Idaho. The judging for the awards is divided into four regions: Central Idaho, Eastern Idaho, the Panhandle and Treasure Valley.

CARSTAR Hayden, owned by Greg Solesbee, joined the CARSTAR family in the spring of 2018 and has been providing the North Idaho community with operational excellence ever since.

This is not the first time CARSTAR Hayden has been honored in Idaho’s

$75M Fund to Help Michigan Small Businesses Hurt by COVID

Written by Scott McClallen, The Center Square
Published June 28, 2023

Michigan small businesses devastated by state COVID lockdown restrictions can apply to tap a one-time $75 million fund from federal taxpayers.

In February, the Michigan legislature passed into law the $75 million Small Business Smart Zones and Business Accelerators initiative. The fund is a one-time appropriation using American Rescue Plan Act funds to support small businesses disproportionately impacted by COVID-19.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmerjoined the Michigan Economic Development Corporation to announce the new program. In Michigan, small business growth has

GM, Australian Company Partner to Build EV Battery Component Factory in Louisiana

PublishedJune 27, 2023

General Motors Co. and Element 25 Limited announced June 26 an agreement for Element 25 to supply up to 32,500 metric tons of manganese sulfate annually to support the annual production of more than 1 million GM EVs in North America.

Under the agreement, GM will provide Element 25 with an $85 million loan to partially fund the construction of a new facility in the state of Louisiana for production of battery-grade manganese sulfate---a key component in lithium-ion battery cathodes---starting in 2025. Element 25 will produce manganese sulfate at the facility by processing manganese concentrate from

Tesla Recalls Model 3, Y Over Pyrotechnic Battery Disconnect Issue

Written by Simon Alvarez, Teslarati
Published June 27, 2023

Teslahas initiated a recall for the Model 3 and Model Y over a potential fault in the affected vehicles’ pyrotechnic battery disconnect.

Unlike previous recalls from the electric vehicle maker, this particular issue can not be fixed through an over-the-air software update.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said about 26 Model 3 and Model Y units from the 2023 model year are affected by the recall. An estimated 2% of the potentially affected vehicles are likely fitted with the faulty component.

The NHTSA outlined the issue with the

Trade School Programs in Hot Demand in Tennessee

Written by Olivia Sanchez and Danielle Smith, The Hechinger Report-Public News Service Collaboration
Published June 27, 2023

Most of the guys come straight to the shop each afternoon. After long shifts at supermarkets and home improvement stores, they make their way to southwest Nashville just before 4 p.m., sometimes still in uniform, and pull into a massive parking lot shared by the local community college and the Nashville branch of the Tennessee College of Applied Technology, or TCAT.

Some might rev their engines and do a few laps around the mostly clear lot first, but they all eventually take a right toward the garage.

There, as the sun begins to set

Lordstown Motors Files for Bankruptcy, Sues Foxconn for ‘Bad Faith’

Written by Iulian Dnistran, InsideEVs
Published June 27, 2023

Ohio-based Lordstown Motors, the maker of the Endurance all-electric pickup truck, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and is looking for a new owner, the company announced June 27. Furthermore, the startup has filed a lawsuit against its main investor, Foxconn, claiming that the technology company committed fraud and consistently failed to live up to its commercial and financial commitments.

Late the previous week, it was reported that ex-CEO and founder of Lordstown Motors Stephen Burns ...

Toyota Renews Commitment to Rebelle Rally for 2023

PublishedJune 27, 2023

Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) announced June 23 the renewal of its commitment to Rebelle Rally, the premier women-only, off-road navigation rally.

For 2023, Toyota will have a total of 12 people join for six groups to compete in the annual event, doubling last year's number. Toyota representatives will come from differing areas of the company, including CALTY design, manufacturing, production engineering, and research and development. Additionally, Toyota will once again serve as presenting sponsor of the event's live webcast.

"This is an important event and beneficial opportunity to the women of our company," said

Honda Recalls 1.2M Vehicles Due to Complaints About Backup Cameras

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published June 26, 2023

A Hondabackup camera image recall involves about 1.2 million vehicles after Honda received about 274,000 warranty claims regarding blank rearview camera display screens.

Recalled are 2018-2023 Honda Odyssey, 2019-2022 Honda Pilot and 2019-2023 Honda Passport minivans and SUVs due to faulty Media Oriented Systems Transport (MOST) communication coaxial cable connectors.

A black or blank backup camera display violates federal safety standards.

According to Honda, the communication coaxial cable was not designed and manufactured properly which caused

I-CAR® (the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair) is thrilled to announce its participation at the highly anticipated Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in 2023 in Las Vegas, Oct. 31 through Nov. 3.

With a commitment to advancing collision repair knowledge and skills to car lovers and enthusiasts, I-CAR is set to deliver the following courses as part of SEMA’s Education Program:

• MIG Welding Technology & Applications
• Color Theory Applications for Painting Vehicles
• Electric Vehicle (EV) Overview & Consideration
• Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) Overview & Considerations

As a nonprofit organization and the

First U.S. Porsche Studio Opens in Portland, OR

Published June 26, 2023

With great anticipation and energy, the first PorscheStudio in the U.S. celebrated its grand opening in Portland, OR.

“We are thrilled to bring the Porsche Studio concept to Portland,” said Joe Lawrence, executive vice president and COO of Porsche Cars North America (PCNA). “The Studio concept offers our customers a warm, inviting, and convenient new place to engage with Porsche, whether configuring their new dream car, taking delivery or just stopping by for an espresso.” 

Porsche Studio Portland is in the heart of the city’s fashionable Pearl District, a former warehouse district, known for its art

Crash Champions Founder & CEO Matt Ebert Named Midwest Entrepreneur Of The Year

PublishedJune 26, 2023

Crash Champions is proud to announce founder and CEO Matt Ebert has been named by Ernst & Young, LLP as a winner of the Entrepreneur Of The Year® Midwest Award. The announcement was made during a special ceremony hosted June 21 in Chicago.

Entrepreneur Of The Year is one of the preeminent and most competitive business awards for entrepreneurs and leaders of high-growth companies across the world. Ebert was ...

Classic Collision Adds New Location in Inn-Ring Suburb of Minneapolis

Published June 23, 2023

Classic Collision, LLC, announced a new closing June 23, the acquisition of Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting Franchise of Richfield, MN.

Maaco Richfield Franchise was family owned and operated servicing Hennepin and surrounding counties for past several years.

“I am excited to see Classic Collision take the business our team built to the next level with continuing to provide high quality repairs with excellent customer service,” said Kari Kauffman, former owner of Maaco Richfield Franchise.

“Maaco Richfield has been a valued collision center in Minneapolis area,

Washington Hits Accelerator on Incentivizing Switch to EVs

Written by Brett Davis, The Center Square
Published June 22, 2023

The Washington State Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee was updated on a draft final report on encouraging high consumption fuel users, or HCFUs, to switch to electric vehicles.

The committee was tasked last year by the Legislature to assess opportunities to encourage HCFUs to switch to EVs as part of the state’s overall plan to go green in fighting climate change.

HCFUs are defined as drivers that burn 1,000 gallons or more of fuel per year, approximately 6.3% of motorists.

“It essentially is wanting to collect data and probe the question of first of all

Florida Toyota Dealership Sale Sets Transaction Price Record

PublishedJune 22, 2023

The sale of Al Hendrickson Toyota in Coconut Creek, FL, to Morgan Automotive Group (MAG) set a record for the highest blue sky value ever paid for a single dealership, regardless of franchise, said Haig Partners LLC, which served as the exclusive sell-side advisor.

Haig Partners did not disclose the sale price.

Al Hendrickson Toyota, the No. 2 highest-volume Toyota dealership in the U.S., opened its doors as a father-son business in 1989. Under Al Hendrickson Jr.’s leadership, the dealership performs at the highest levels for sales performance and customer satisfaction.

In

Texas Body Shop Gifts Teen with Repainted Van

PublishedJune 21, 2023

The Maaco Euless team in Euless, TX, recently donated a surprise paint job to a local teen battling Friedreich's ataxia, an inherited nerve disorder that has similar effects to ALS or muscular dystrophy, with a repainted Scooby Doo-themed van.

Weston Groff, a 17-year-old teen living in the Euless community, has been battling this disease his entire life. One of his biggest wishes in life has been to take a trip to see the Grand Canyon, and what better way than to do so in a Scooby Doo Mystery Machine.

“When the opportunity came to us to help make Weston’s trip even more special, we were ecstatic,” said Steven

Texas Auto Body Shop Hosts Community Car Show

PublishedJune 21, 2023

A Maacoshop in Plano, TX, recently hosted a community-focused event June 10. The shop, Maaco Plano, is located at 1205 Summit Avenue, Plano, TX 75074.

The event welcomed members of the local community to the facility and featured a car show intended to drive awareness of the shop’s location and wide array of services. The team was able to showcase their facility and drive production-friendly work into the shop, all while providing customers an opportunity to mingle and enjoy freshly cooked burgers and hot dogs provided by the Maaco Plano team.

The event was orchestrated by Chris Sherman, general manager of

From One Generation to the Next, Idaho Body Shop Builds a Legacy

PublishedJune 21, 2023

Following Father’s Day, CARSTARis highlighting a family-focused facility that exemplifies what it means to be a member of the CARSTAR family.

CARSTAR Hayden, located at 1770 W. Hayden Avenue in the city of Hayden, ID, opened its doors in 2018 and has been positively impacting the community ever since. From stellar customer service to industry-leading collision repair, the CARSTAR Hayden team has been a staple for those in the area.

Greg Solesbee, owner of CARSTAR Hayden, comes from a long history of vehicle repair. As the youngest of seven, Solesbee grew up surrounded by the automotive

U.S. House of Representatives Passes Regulatory Reform Bill

Written by the SEMA D.C. Office
Published June 20, 2023

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the SEMA-supported Regulations from the Executive In Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act of 2023. If enacted into law, H.R. 277 would require Congress to approve any regulation with an estimated annual economic impact of $100 million or more before it could take effect.

The REINS Act would reassert Congress' legislative authority and prevent excessive overreach by the executive branch in the federal rulemaking process. It would require every new "major rule" proposed by federal agencies to be approved by both the House and Senate before going into effect.

Florida Bans Direct-to-Consumer Car Sales for Legacy Brands

Written by Christopher Smith, InsideEVs
Published June 20, 2023

A new Florida law, House Bill 637, recently signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, blocks automakers from bypassing dealerships to sell vehicles directly to consumers---but it doesn't apply to all companies.

In short, if automakers didn't have deals with independent dealers in the state before the law, they can sell direct.

Under the new law, manufacturers cannot directly own a dealership if it already has franchise agreements in place. This puts the kibosh on legacy automakers selling directly to consumers through factory stores, similar to laws found in other

Sarasota Classic Car Museum Getting Evicted

Written by Steven Symes, Motorious
Published June 20, 2023

For many, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum in Florida has become a regular pilgrimage. But after 50 years in the same location, the pillar of car culture is being evicted by New College of Florida, and it has until the end of June to get everything out.

According to multiple reports, the museum’s location is state property. New College is growing with what the educational institution called a record-size freshman class, and it’s looking to expand. Sarasota Classic Car Museum is officially in the way.

For 20 years, the college has leased the property to the car museum. Everything seemed to be

Michigan Selected for European Engineering Services Company's R&D Center

PublishedJune 20, 2023

European engineering services provider Expleo USA Inc. is establishing its first North American research and development facility in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced June 20.

The project is expected to generate a total capital investment of more than $2 million and create 196 high-wage jobs, and will further build on Michigan’s global leadership in future mobility in vehicle electrification.

“We’re thrilled to bring home nearly 200 good-paying jobs from Expleo, building on our leadership in advanced automotive manufacturing and strengthening our position as the global leader of

DCR Systems’ Ohio Location Becoming Rivian Certified

PublishedJune 19, 2023

DCR Systems announced its Mentor, OH, location is becoming a RivianCertified Collision Center.

“It’s really important for our company to stay on the cutting edge of new technology and developments and be prepared to repair electric vehicles (EVs) properly in the future,” said Michael Giarrizzo, president and CEO of DCR Systems. “Having OEM certifications such as Rivian’s will help us do that.”

“We are proud to be working with this forward-thinking EV company,” said Cheryl Boswell, DCR Systems’ corporate CFO and managing partner. “Rivian, like DCR, is focused on using technology to

Tesla Direct Sales Lawsuit Thrown Out in Louisiana

Written by Joey Klender, Teslarati
Published June 19, 2023

A federal court on June 16 dismissed Tesla's lawsuit against the State of Louisiana, aimed at enabling direct sales of vehicles.

Tesla has operated with a direct-to-consumer sales model, which fixes prices on vehicles unless the automaker adjusts them. It eliminates the process of bargaining with salespeople at dealerships and gives every buyer the same price, getting rid of what most consumers say is one of the most stressful parts of car buying.

In numerous states, Tesla is allowed to operate this model. Legacy automakers have fought against the company’s ability to do so because they

Empire Auto Parts Opens New Distribution Center in Florida

PublishedJune 19, 2023

Empire Auto Parts, LLC, a leading distributor of high-quality aftermarket collision parts for automotive repair shops, announced the opening of its seventh full-scale distribution center in the Central Florida region.

The 188,000-square-foot facility in Orlando, FL, will bring Empire’s total location count to 35 facilities serving 23 contiguous states from Maine to Florida and Delaware to Arkansas.

Collision repair shops throughout Central Florida will now benefit from Empire’s extensive inventory levels, efficient ordering processes, high-quality parts, same-day delivery service and friendly local support enjoyed by

Jeep Grand Cherokee Recall Issued for Rear Coil Springs

Written by David A. Wood, CarComplaints.com
Published June 18, 2023

JeepGrand Cherokee rear coil spring problems have caused a recall of more than 331,000 SUVs that were built with rear coil springs that may not have been installed correctly.

This can allow the Jeep coil springs to come out of their intended positions.

The 2022-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee and 2021-2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L rear coil springs could detach from the vehicles while driving.

FCAopened an investigation in March based on a report of a 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee rear coil spring that fell off while driving.

Engineers investigated and

PHOTOS: Classic Car Nights in Encinitas, CA, Holds June Event

PublishedJune 16, 2023

Encinitas Classic Car Nights is a must-see event that ignites the streets of Downtown Encinitas, CA, with the spirit of automotive history. Taking place on the third Thursday of each summer month, from May through September, this captivating spectacle showcases an impressive lineup of hot rods, foreign automobiles, classic cars, and Woodies along S. Coast Highway 101.

The June edition was held June 15, featuring meticulous displays of classic cars parked along Hwy 101 and neighboring side streets, as well as live music performances, resonating from various spots along South Coast Hwy 101.

Photos by Autobody News'

MA Senators Want Explanation from NHTSA on Right to Repair Letter Sent to Automakers

PublishedJune 16, 2023

U.S. Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Edward Markey, who both represent Massachusetts, on June 15 sent a letter to federal officials asking for an explanation of the letter sent earlier the same week to automakers, telling them not to comply with the state’s recently enacted Right to Repair law.

The letter was addressed to U.S. Transportation Sec. Pete Buttigieg and National Highway Traffic

Battle Ground, WA, Auto Body Shop Celebrates 20-Year Anniversary

Written by Cade Barker, The Reflector
Published June 15, 2023

Elite Collision Center in Battle Ground, WA, celebrated its 20-year anniversary on June 7 with a public celebration featuring a hot dog bar and other refreshments.

Company President Kevin Morse said his dad started the company in 1991 with a mechanical shop.

“We had a piece of property here and we decided to invest back into Battle Ground,” Morse said. “We’ve been around for a long time, and businesses come and go, but there’s a reason why we’ve stayed in business for 20 years and we’ve got a great community here that’s been here for you through thick

Texas Eliminates Annual Vehicle Inspections

PublishedJune 15, 2023

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on June 13 signed House Bill 3297, eliminating annual vehicle inspections in the state.

Residents in the 17 most populous counties---mostly those surrounding major cities---will still have to get their gas-powered vehicle’s emissions tested annually. Diesel-powered vehicles and motorcycles are exempt.

The change goes into effect in 2025. Residents will still pay an annual inspection fee of $7.50, but they won’t have to get the vehicle looked at. New registrations will cost $16.75 per vehicle.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) in May called on the Texas Senate to veto the bill,