Automotive Repair News Today

Braxton Critcher [00:00:05]:
This is automotive repair news today. Thanks for listening to this week's episode, a ten minute glimpse into what is happening in the automotive repair industry. Coming up at the end of the episode, I'll tell you about a new ados tool approved for use in Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles. First up, Tekmetric and Shopgenie have merged. Techmetric as shop management software and Shopgenie as Shop CRM software plan to offer an all in one platform to better serve their customers, mainly to better streamline operations for over 10,000 shops across the US and Canada. The unified platform will offer a single login and communication point while maintaining flexibility through Techmetrics 70 integrations. Sunil Patel, Techmetrics founder, shares more learning.

Sunil Patel [00:00:50]:
From the Shopgenie team on how they built their CRM marketing platform. We are going to be integrating it fully inside of Techmetric so you have a very unique experience from a shop owner's perspective. Because we're not going to be limited by the traditional API that we use, we are going to be able to take it up a notch and deliver a CRM product that has not been done before or seen before.

Braxton Critcher [00:01:14]:
For more on this, listen to the full-length interview with Sunil from Tekmetric and Shopgenie founder Kieran O'Brien on this podcast platform or touch the link in the show notes the Apex show, coming up November 5, 6th and 7th in Las Vegas, is continuing its push to attract top talent to the automotive industry with this year's student program. The program targets instructors and student groups from automotive aftermarket programs nationwide, offering students a unique opportunity to explore career paths and connect with potential employers. Students will have access to over 2500 exhibiting companies, educational sessions on new vehicle technologies and hands on demos in a ten based shop. Instructors of certified programs can bring groups of up to 15 students for free this year, and there are still a few available sponsorships for this year's event. If your company is interested in helping send more students to learn about the industry, touch the link in the show notes for more junkyard usage rates for cars and light trucks are down in the last five years, nearly 11 million cars and light trucks in the US avoided the scrapyard, down by 17% from 15 years ago. This decline has been attributed to the increase in older vehicles and ice vehicles on the road, making up for over 98% of cars in operation last year. Premium guard Incorporated and Napa auto parts have sponsored 13 Napa gold classrooms at the Universal Technical Institute. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the NASCAR Technical Institute in Mooresville, North Carolina, marking the partnership's commitment to training future automotive technicians with high quality parts.

Braxton Critcher [00:02:58]:
Dobbs Tire and auto centers is expanding into Texas by acquiring automotive Super center in Longview. This marks Dobbs Tire and Auto Center's first move in its buy and build strategy. The acquisition brings Dobbs total store count to 50 across Missouri, Illinois and Texas and employs over 700 people. Anderson Economic Group has released its 2024 fueling cost estimates comparing internal combustion engines, ICE vehicles and EV's. The study, which covers entry level mid priced luxury cars and pickup trucks, shows that drivers of mid priced vehicles and pickups often save more with gasoline powered cars than EV's. EV drivers, relying on commercial charging, face higher costs, while those who charge at home can save, especially with luxury EV's. In states like Michigan, New York and California, luxury EV drivers benefit from home charging, but pickup truck drivers face steep costs using commercial charging stations. The automotive aftermarket charitable foundation has announced its first ever AACF humanitarian award.

Braxton Critcher [00:04:10]:
Sponsored by Nexus North America, this award will recognize individuals, companies or groups within the automotive aftermarket that have shown exceptional dedication to helping others and serving their communities. Executive director John Caries there's a lot.

John Kairys [00:04:25]:
Of great folks in our industry that are doing those types of things today, whether it's somebody that's sponsoring a local food bank or a homeless shelter or a clothing drive, or providing some assistance to the elderly. There's a lot of activities that, again, we collectively should be very proud of that.

Braxton Critcher [00:04:43]:
Nominations are open now and the winner will be announced in May at Autocare Connect. Additionally, to celebrate its 65th anniversary, the AACF will launch a sweepstakes in November, giving away a classic 1965 vehicle. Nominate someone or a company or group today at the AACF website or by touching the link in the show. Notes Boyd Group Services, Inc. Has announced the temporary closure of several Gerber collision and glass locations due to the recent hurricanes. In late September, 47 locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina closed due to Hurricane Helene, followed by 52 closures in Florida from Hurricane Milton. The storms caused flooding, power outages and road blockages, impacting repair work and vehicles. The closures will affect sales, but the full impact won't be known till the storms subside and insurance claims are assessed.

Braxton Critcher [00:05:39]:
More details expected in Boyd's third quarter earnings reports. On November 5, Trommel was named the 2024 MIMA Aftermarket Startup Challenge winner at the Aftermarket Technology conference. Trommel provides AI powered business intelligence and profit monitoring solutions for auto parts retailers, distributors and manufacturers. Rock Ed, a professional training tech provider, secured second place Trommel's innovative approach was recognized for helping aftermarket businesses optimize operations and improve profitability in a competitive market. Joseph Myers has been named vice president of the International Advanced Vehicle Technology Education and Credentialing Coalition. He will take on the role in November after retiring as technician development manager at Toyota North America. With 40 years in the industry and 21 years focused on technician education and training, Myers brings a wealth of experience to Avtech. The Young Autocare network, otherwise known as Yang, has launched its 2025 mentorship program, now in its third year.

Braxton Critcher [00:06:45]:
Open to anyone under 40 in the Yang community, the program pairs mentees with experienced mentors in small, industry specific mentorship circles. Topics include career growth, entrepreneurship and navigating. The aftermarket registration closes on November 30, with the program running from January to December of next year. The goal is for mentees to experience Yang's pillars of networking, professional development and giving back while maintaining valuable insights from seasoned industry veterans. Laser Photonics Corporation has introduced its cleantech laser cleaning systems for the automotive industry. These systems can clean rust from disc brake rotors without removing them from the vehicle, offering a fast, cost effective solution for auto manufacturing, repair and restoration professionals. This technology is efficient, user friendly and reduces equipment damage and waste. Again, that's laser photonics corporation and their cleantech laser cleaning systems.

Braxton Critcher [00:07:48]:
Now, as promised, an update on a new industry Ados tool. The John Bean True Point Advanced Driver Assistance System calibration Tool has received approval for use on Hyundai, Kia and Genesis vehicles. This innovative tool checks wheel alignment and monitors the setup process to ensure compliance with OEM safety standards. With advanced camera technology, it guarantees precise placement, automatically adjusting for the vehicles location. Recently honored with an innovation award at the Auto Mechanica 2024, the true point comes with accessories like the TGT zero five for 360 view calibrations and the BKT 16 for blind spot calibrations, significantly enhancing efficiency in the calibration process. That's going to do it for this episode of Automotive Repair news today. Thanks for listening. I'm Braxton, and if you have news you'd like to share, hit me up, braxton@automotiverepairnews.com.

Braxton Critcher [00:08:48]:
that's braxton@automotiverepairnews.com.