Autobody News

An elaborate "lottery scam" targeting elderly U.S. citizens has led to prison sentences for three individuals connected to an auto body shop in Queens, NY. The scam, which defrauded victims of over $1.1 million, used proceeds to repair and sell salvage vehicles through a related dealership in Jamaica. Investigators uncovered a web of fraudulent activities, including mail fraud, wire fraud, and money laundering, spanning several years. #LotteryScam #FraudAwareness #ElderlyProtection #QueensNY #ScamAlert #ConsumerProtection #FraudPrevention #FinancialFraud #WhiteCollarCrime

ABRA Auto Body & Glass has unveiled its expanded facility, merging two locations into one climate-controlled workspace designed for efficiency and top-tier collision repair. The grand opening brought the Waite Park community together with interactive presentations, giveaways, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony, showcasing the shop’s commitment to excellence and innovation. #StCloud #WaitePark #AutoBody #CollisionRepair #LocalBusiness #GrandOpening #CommunityEvent #CarRepair #InnovationInAutomotive #AutoIndustry #AutobodyNews

What Does It Take to Build a Safety-First Culture? Stephany Birkholz, CHMM, REP, Regulatory Project Manager at KPA, breaks down how shop owners can transform safety from a checklist into a mindset. ?? Compliance is key—but it’s not enough. ?? Find out how to protect your people and improve your processes. ??? Don’t miss the full episode! Visit: autobodynews.com/podcasts #CollisionRepair #ShopCulture #WorkplaceSafety #SafetyFirst #AutoIndustry #AutobodyNews #SafetyCulture

Eric Wilbert of Wilbert’s Premium Auto Parts has been named the new president of the Automotive Recyclers Association. Confirmed during the ARA’s 81st Annual Convention in Reno, NV, Wilbert brings decades of experience to the role, including his leadership in the family business and on industry boards. As the director of self-service operations for Wilbert’s, he oversees multiple locations and brings a unique perspective to the organization’s leadership. #AutomotiveIndustry #AutoParts #Leadership #AutomotiveRecyclers #ARAConvention #AutoRecycling #SustainabilityInAuto #RenoNV #FamilyBusiness #IndustryLeadership #AutobodyNews

For the first time in three years, new-car buyers are reporting fewer problems with multimedia systems, according to J.D. Power’s 2024 U.S. Multimedia Quality and Satisfaction Study. The study found significant improvements in areas like voice recognition, USB availability, and volume consistency. Top-ranked vehicles include the Hyundai Santa Fe and Cadillac Escalade in their respective segments. #CarQuality #MultimediaSystems #CarTech #JDPower #AutomotiveNews #HyundaiSantaFe #CadillacEscalade #CarSatisfaction #VoiceRecognition #AutomotiveTrends

Revv has secured $20M in funding to advance its award-winning AI platform for ADAS repairs. Designed to simplify complex diagnostics, the platform reduces research time from hours to seconds while boosting shop revenue by uncovering hidden profit opportunities. Already adopted by over 2,100 repair locations, the platform integrates seamlessly with all shop equipment and estimation software, making ADAS repairs more efficient and profitable. Read more about Revv's impact and plans for the future. #AIFunding #ADAS #AutoRepair #TechInnovation #DiagnosticTools #RepairShop #AutomotiveTech #EfficiencyInRepair #ArtificialIntelligence #ProfitOpportunities

A new chapter in collision repair begins in Daytona Beach! Richard Ly and Johnny Sy, owners of MAACO Daytona Beach, celebrated the grand opening of their 10,000-square-foot facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 31. The state-of-the-art center offers services like automotive painting, light collision repair, and detailing. Community members enjoyed a shop tour, networking opportunities, and a glimpse into the passion driving Ly and Sy's commitment to quality service. Read the full story here: https://ow.ly/vuKA50Ub9JK

Safety Spotlight: Protecting Your Team in the Shop In this clip, Stephany Birkholz, CHMM, REP shares her top strategies for creating a safer work environment in collision repair shops. ?? Simple steps to reduce accidents ?? Why safety culture starts at the top ?? Practical tools to ensure compliance Catch the full episode of The Collision Vision for more expert advice on autobodynews.com/podcasts #CollisionRepair #WorkplaceSafety #Leadership #TheCollisionVision #SafetyFirst #AutobodyNews

Our latest episode of The Collision Vision podcast continues the Safety First: Prioritizing Health in the Workshop series with an insightful discussion on workplace safety! Joining us is Stephany Birkholz, CHMM, REP, Regulatory Project Manager at KPA, and a true expert in workplace safety and compliance. Stephanie shares actionable strategies for: ?? Protecting employees in collision repair shops ?? Building a culture of safety ?? Ensuring long-term compliance with industry standards This episode is packed with practical advice to help shop owners and managers create safer, more efficient workplaces. ?? Tune in now and learn how you can take your safety measures to the next level! #WorkplaceSafety #CollisionRepair #TheCollisionVision #SafetyFirst #Leadership #Compliance

Can targeted scholarships solve the collision repair industry’s workforce challenges? Scholarship America thinks so. By partnering with major automakers, they aim to bridge the skills gap and attract new talent through scholarships for aspiring technicians. As wage pressures and worker shortages strain collision shops, initiatives like this could be the key to long-term success.