Industry News

As first reported in Repairer Driven News, one hundred and nineteen people pursuing careers in collision repair and other segments of the automotive industry have received help paying for their education through the SEMA Memorial Scholarship Fund. The 2022 winners include 103 students who received scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000, and 16 employees of…

As reported in Collision Week, the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) released a statement in the wake of the California Air Resources Board’s decision to require 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2035, reiterating its concerns that regulators were banning internal combustion engines (ICE) and restricting options for consumers. “SEMA believes that Californians should not be directed…

As first reported in Repairer Driven News, I-CAR has opened a new Chicago Technical Center to serve as a neutral, mission critical resource for inter-industry. Per CEO and President John Van Alstyne, “It’s an intentional step forward to continue our mission to deliver increasingly accessible, on-demand, and relevant education, knowledge, services, and solutions for the…

The vast majority of body shops (85%) are looking to fill at least one position in their facility, up from 79% a year earlier, according to a CRASH Network survey in mid-2022. Job openings for body technicians, including helpers, are the most common, with two-thirds of shops saying they are searching for at least one…

CRASH Network reports that the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows there were slight decreases in 2020 in the number of independent collision repair facilities as well as the total number of employees working in them.  There were about 247,000 employees working in just shy of 35,000 shops across the U.S., a drop…

According to the latest research from AAA, the average yearly cost to own and operate a new vehicle in 2022 is $10,728, or $894 per month. A considerable increase from 2021, when the average yearly cost was $9,666 or $805.50 per month. Not surprisingly, fuel prices are the most significant factor pushing this year’s average…

The increase in auto body repair prices continues above the rate of inflation. Marks historic largest year-on-year increase reported since data was tracked starting in 1978 As first reported in Collision Week, the most recent government figures on inflation through July show the rate of growth of auto body repair prices is above the rate…

As reported in Repairer Driven News, Boyd Group, CEO Tim O’Day commented during the company’s Q2 2022 earnings call the importance of recruitment and retention of collision repairers as the industry struggles with a “tight” labor market while also grappling with more complex repairs, rising parts, and materials costs, and supply chain disruption. “It’s our…

In a recent story in Axios, the percentage of workers who say it’s time to get a new job was at around 45%. Bosses remain a top factor in job satisfaction. A majority of workers globally (60%) say they’re emotionally detached or not engaged at work. Meanwhile, 19% say they’re miserable or actively disengaged.  In…

As featured in Repairer Driven News, the auto collision repair and refinishing program at the Center of Applied Technology South (CAT South) in Edgewater, Maryland, has a well-equipped shop, enough students to fill its Level 1 and Level 2 classes, and plenty of job opportunities in surrounding communities awaiting its graduates. All that it lacks,…