Automotive Repair News Today

Braxton Critcher [00:00:05]:
You're listening to automotive Repair news today. Gonna bring you the latest headlines from the automotive world. I'm Braxton Critcher, by the way, and big stories. Repair act is on the top of everybody's mind, so we're gonna hit that pretty hard today. Also, got some technology updates from BMW, the automotive aftermarket charitable foundation. Got a new executive director and now general manager. So changes there. Volvo has a software update coming up.

Braxton Critcher [00:00:35]:
Gonna get to all that in just a second. But first, gotta talk about right to repair. All right, if you've been keeping up with the Auto Care association, they've been hammering the Repair act for a while, especially over these past couple of weeks, and encouraging you as a consumer or a technician or a shop owner to write your congressperson because your voice is valuable and needs to be heard in this situation. So they've really done some great things because over 114,000 letters have been sent to Congress by you people like you citizens, trying to urge lawmakers to protect the right to choose where and how you get your vehicle repaired. I just talked to Dwayne Myers a few days ago about the Repair act where we're at, because in the next couple of weeks, Congress is going to go on recess to campaign for reelection. So there's a real chance that this gets passed in the next couple of weeks. Real chance. So stay tuned to automotive repair news today as we follow the storylines.

Braxton Critcher [00:01:47]:
But if you're new to automotive, you're new to right to repair and the Repair act and don't quite know what's going on. We're going to be doing a podcast, podcast series covering everything that is the Repair act because we're going to learn together as I learn about legislation, as I learn about why this is important for me as a consumer. We're going to be doing this podcast series, so make sure you stay with us because right to repair the Repair act, it covers your, as a vehicle owner's rights and independent repair shops rights to have access to tools, data, parts to maintain and repair vehicles without being forced into, like, expensive manufacturer controlled options. Bill Handvee, he is the CEO of the Auto Care association, says that this isn't just about fixing cars, though. It's about protecting consumers rights and preserving competition in the market. Because we live in America where competition is king and free market choice of where you go to purchase cars, where you go to get your cars repaired is a thing. And so this is trying to keep that possible for you and your family. Now, Hanve has expressed some pretty serious confidence, and so did Dwayne Myers that this is going to get passed, if not in this three week period very soon after Congress gets back in session? And they believe that with continued support from you, that this is really going to get done.

Braxton Critcher [00:03:27]:
But we're not done yet. So if you have not mailed or emailed your congressperson yet, do that today. You can do that in the link in the show notes to the autocare association's website to help you do that. It's really simple, won't take you about ten minutes and it'll really go a long way and letting your voice be heard. Now, if you want to get more involved beyond sending a letter to your congressperson, the tire industry association is going to host the right to repair summit Monday, November 4 at Planet Hollywood Las Vegas Resort and casino. That is the day before the SEMA and I apex shows will begin in Las Vegas November 5. What's going to be happening? Attendees are going to have the opportunity to network. There'll be a luncheon.

Braxton Critcher [00:04:23]:
There'll be discussions led by leaders from the Tire Care association. There'll be a reception to follow that evening, November 4, to offer some more chances at collaboration and engagement. Alright, in other news, you are fully aware of electric vehicles, hybrids, of course, ice vehicles. But have you heard about BMW's push to bring in hydrogen powered vehicles by 2028? Yes. According to reports, BMW is planning to introduce a hydrogen fuel cell option for existing models coming up in just a few years. Details on pricing, production volume are still not available to the public, so we don't know that information yet, although I imagine it'll be kind of pricey. But the technology is. They're working with Toyota on this and they're developing fuel cell and battery powered prototypes that do draw from hydrogen.

Braxton Critcher [00:05:29]:
And depending on which technology gains dominance in the market over the next couple of years, that'll be the one they go with. In the reports. BMW has announced that they expect the hydrogen infrastructure, like fueling refueling stations to have significantly expanded to help this new line of vehicles with BMW. Alright, a couple of weeks ago we covered the story that the automotive aftermarket cheered Bill foundation had a new executive director, John Caries, and he's been getting settled in running things now with the automotive aftermarket charitable foundation. Now there's going to be a new general manager. So Chuck McCourt, he's been the general manager for a long time. He's been involved with the cheer to foundation for like 50 years. He just announced his retirement, so executive director just got switched up.

Braxton Critcher [00:06:28]:
Now, GM Chuck McCourt is resigning, retiring from his role at the automotive aftermarket charitable foundation. So in comes David Young. He's currently vice president and general manager of Valvoline global operations. He's going to succeed McCourt as the chair of the committee. Additionally, Mark Blackmun, who is the CEO of Gold Eagle, will join the executive committee board, and John Kerry's the new executive director, has a lot of confidence in both of these two and feels like the leadership is going to uphold and continue the tradition of excellence established in the automotive aftermarket charitable foundation by Chuck McCourt. But happy retirement, by the way, to Chuck, and congratulations on this, this fine career. And so, so thankful for his work. All right, Volvo is coming out with a software update over the air next year that will update the infotainment systems in some of its older vehicles, 2020 or previous.

Braxton Critcher [00:07:34]:
The update will bring Android powered multimedia software, first introduced in Volvo's electric EX 90 and EX 30 models, to all eligible vehicles. The update will be available for vehicles built in 2020 or earlier that are equipped with Google's Android software. So that's coming out next year over the air with Volvo. And finally, Ford has filed a patent, and this is going to be controversial, that would allow the collection of driver information to display targeted advertisements in Ford vehicles. Now, this does not mean that the patent will necessarily be implemented in Ford's vehicles, but it gives them the option and how they want to go about it. In the patent, it outlines how data such as vehicles route speed, even in car conversations, could be used to show ads on the vehicle screens. Now, we know that automaker data collection is not a new thing. General Motors Stellantis has been wrapped up in some lawsuits, legal action over that in the past.

Braxton Critcher [00:08:50]:
So this definitely raises some concerns, right? I mean, naturally not cool on sharing data like that to get advertised to. But again, to reiterate, a Ford spokesperson did clarify that this patent filing does not mean the technology will be implemented, but it does give them the access to do that in the future. They did emphasize that customers interests will remain a priority, so we'll keep you posted on that on automotive repair news today, so stay up to date on social media as we follow that story. All right, that's it for today's episode of Automotive Repair News today. I'm Braxton Kritcher. Hope you found these stories as compelling as I certainly do, especially with the repair act and what could be happening over the next couple of weeks. Also, if you know of news that's happening in the industry, that needs to be talked about on this podcast on our social media channels, let me know via email is the best way. It's braxtonautomotiverepairnews.com.

Braxton Critcher [00:09:56]:
that's Braxton Automotiverepairnews.com dot thanks for listening. Hey, if you're still here, thank you so much for listening to this episode of Automotive Repair News today. If you enjoyed the show, please take a moment. Like share subscribe to the podcast. It'll help us out a big deal and help grow the show. And you know what? While you're at it, slap on a review, too. If you feel like this content is helpful for the industry, don't forget to follow us on all your favorite social media platforms. We're on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn.

Braxton Critcher [00:10:31]:
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