Posts by pete
Texas Attorney General Sues General Motors Over Collection and Sale of Driving Data
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a lawsuit against General Motors, accusing the automaker of illegally collecting and selling the private driving data of over 1.5 million Texans to insurance companies and third parties without their consent. The lawsuit alleges that GM deceived consumers by claiming that enrolling in its products, like OnStar Smart…
Read MoreU.S. Senate Education Funding Bill Would Raise Perkins State Grant for Career Education by $35 Million
The U.S. Senate has approved a spending bill providing a modest 1% increase for the Department of Education, starkly contrasting the House’s proposed 14% cut. While this is positive news, the bill still faces hurdles before becoming law. Career and technical education (CTE) saw some gains, with a $35 million increase in the Perkins Basic…
Read MoreChoosing the Right Workplace: Insights from Collision Repair Technicians
In the automotive collision repair industry, the choice of workplace significantly impacts job satisfaction, career growth, and work-life balance. To understand the preferences of collision repair technicians, we conducted a survey among CmySkills over 700,000 social media followers. We asked them where they would rather work: a Multiple Shop Organization (MSO), a dealership, or an…
Read MoreWholesale Used-Vehicle Prices Increased in July Month-Over-Month
Used vehicle prices, which have been a significant factor in the decline of repairable collision repair claims, showed signs of stabilization in July. While prices were still down year-over-year, the rate of decline has slowed. This is positive news for the collision repair industry as it could potentially lead to an increase in repairable claims.…
Read MoreGEICO Partners with AsTech to Use Rules Engine on Pre/Post Diagnostic Scan Reimbursement for ARX Shops
GEICO is streamlining the diagnostic, programming, and calibration process for its ARX repair facilities. Due to the increasing complexity of modern vehicles, GEICO has partnered with asTech to standardize pricing and expedite approvals for these services. Utilizing the asTech Rules Engine, this new system will determine appropriate scans and associated costs. While not mandatory, the…
Read MoreHow Does Your Shop Charge Insurers for ADAS Scans? Insights from a Survey of Over 700,000 Social Media Followers
In today’s rapidly evolving automotive industry, Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) have become a staple in modern vehicles. These systems, which include features like lane-keeping assistance, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking, require precise calibration and scanning to ensure they function correctly. Given the importance and complexity of ADAS, shops face significant decisions regarding…
Read MoreNHTSA warns of ‘cheap, substandard’ replacement air bag inflators; BMW issues Takata recall
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued a grave warning about the dangers of counterfeit air bag inflators. These substandard parts, often manufactured overseas and sold at significantly lower prices, pose a serious threat to the lives of used car owners and buyers. In recent months, three fatalities and two severe injuries have…
Read MoreIIHS-HLDI research finds little evidence that partial automation prevents crashes
A new study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) has cast doubt on the safety benefits of partial automation systems. Despite increasing popularity, these systems have shown little evidence of preventing collisions in older BMW and Nissan models. While crash avoidance features like automatic emergency braking…
Read MoreCollision Repair Industry Production Sets New Record in May
Collision repair production surged in May, surpassing previous records. Employment and hours worked both increased compared to April and May 2023. Total production hours reached a new high, though they have declined from peak levels seen in late 2022 and early 2023. While average weekly hours worked dipped slightly, wages for production employees rose compared…
Read MoreRepairify Announces Partnership with NAPA to Launch asTech Mechanical
Repairify, a leader in remote diagnostics for collision repair, and NAPA, a significant player in the aftermarket repair industry, have joined forces to launch asTech Mechanical. This new device allows repair shops to remotely connect to certified technicians’ original equipment (OE) tools. These technicians can then perform programming, calibrations, and vehicle health checks on a…
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