Automotive Repair News Today

Braxton Critcher [00:00:00]:
Foreign to take a 10 minute trip around the auto repair industry's biggest stories. Thanks for listening to this week's episode of Automotive Repair News Today. I'm Braxton Critcher. After the podcast, please take a moment and leave a review that'll help us grow and reach more people, too. Now, on to this week's news. Honda and Nissan are reportedly in talks to merge. The two Japanese automakers plan to create a new holding company to consolidate their operations and better compete with Toyota, Tesla and other Chinese EV makers. Mitsubishi may also join the discussions.

Braxton Critcher [00:00:41]:
The companies confirmed to the New York Times that they're exploring collaborations but haven't finalized details yet. This follows their March agreement to collaborate on EV technology. Honda also confirmed they plan to continue with hybrid production, hoping to double sales by 2030. A bipartisan group of US senators is calling on top automakers to drop their opposition to Right to Repair legislation. In a letter, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, Jeff Merkley and Josh Hawley accused carmakers of prioritizing profits over consumer choice by trying to monopolize their repair services. Automakers often cite cybersecurity concerns, but the senators highlighted industry practices like sharing customer driving data with insurers without clear consent. They also referenced an FTC study showing that independent repair shops are no more likely to mishandle vehicle data than dealerships.

Braxton Critcher [00:01:44]:
For more, touch the link in the show notes. We've been covering this story for months and it's time for an update on Pavel Turlak. Last week, he pleaded guilty to Clean Air act violations and COVID 19 relief fraud. Turlak and his companies admitted to using illegal software to disable emission controls on diesel trucks and fraudulently obtaining over $300,000 in pandemic relief funds. Between 2017 and 2023, Terlac purchased Delete tunes to bypass emission systems, putting public health at risk. He also falsely certified his business as eligible for federal relief while violating the law. Turlac faces sentencing on April 2nd of 2025 and must comply with new emission standards under his plea agreement. Buy Now, Pay later options are booming in the auto repair industry.

Braxton Critcher [00:02:44]:
TechMetric, a repair shop software provider, reports that 5% of its transactions now use Buy Now, Pay later platforms like Klarma and Affirm. Customers using these services spend three times more than average, boosting shop sales. Buy Now Pay later providers are thriving, too. Klarna saw 167% growth in auto services this year, while a Firm handed over 5 billion in transactions in the aftermarket. Odometer fraud is on the rise, with over 2.14 million cars on US roads potentially having had their mileage tampered with this year. That's according to carfax. That's an 18% increase from just 2021. Fraudsters can roll back odometers in seconds, costing unexpected buyers an average of $4,000 in lost revenue plus unexpected repairs.

Braxton Critcher [00:03:42]:
Virginia, Arizona and Florida saw the biggest spikes in cases, with Virginia up nearly 12%. Carfax warns buyers to stay vigilant and check vehicle history, reports a new report from Techforce Foundation Steady progress in the transportation technician workforce, but highlights ongoing challenges the 2024 Transportation Technician Supply and Demand Report shows a 2.8% growth in technician employment across automotive, collision, diesel and aviation sectors, outpacing the overall US labor force growth. Techforce has awarded over 24 million in scholarships to boost technician training. California is moving closer to zero emission transportation. The U.S. eP has approved two state regulations aimed at cutting vehicle emissions. The advanced clean cars 2 rule targets 100% zero emission vehicle sales by 2035, while the heavy Duty Omnibus Rule enforces stricter standards for trucks, slashing nitrogen oxide emissions by 90%. Together, these measures are expected to save billions in health costs and reduce pollution.

Braxton Critcher [00:04:57]:
With California already leading in zero emission vehicle sales at 26%, Colorado has doubled its EV fast charging coverage with six new highway corridors. ChargePoint and the Colorado Energy Office added 33 DC fast charging sites covering 80% of major routes. Backed by $10 million in state funding, the project supports Colorado's top ranked EV adoption rate and ensures drivers are within 30 miles of a fast char. Registration is open now for Auto Care Connect 2025, happening May 12th through 15th in Phoenix, Arizona, the event features networking, a trade show and a keynote speaker. Kyle Schiel with high satisfaction rates and a strong return attendance, it's a must attend for auto industry leaders. That's going to do it for this episode of Automotive Repair News Today. Thank you so much for listening. And if you have news stories that should be covered or someone that I should interview, please let me know.

Braxton Critcher [00:06:00]:
I'd love to hear about it via email@braxtontomotiverepairnews.com that's braxtontomotiverepairnews.Com 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 [00:06:40]:
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