Automotive Repair News Today

Braxton Critcher [00:00:05]:
Hey, thanks for checking out today's episode of Automotive Repair News. Today, a quick 10 minute trip around the automotive aftermarket industry. I'm your host Braxton Kricher. The Los Angeles fires have touched many families within this industry and the Automotive Aftermarket Charitable foundation is doing what they can to help and offer immediate support. If you know of someone in the industry affected by the fires, direct them to AACF for assistance. Donations are also needed to help families recover and build and rebuild their lives. Every contribution makes a difference. Visit aftermarketcharity.org or touch the link in the show.

Braxton Critcher [00:00:45]:
Notes to help for the first time in 33 years, vehicle thefts in the United States have surpassed the 1 million mark in back to back years. This surge is primarily attributed to joyriding when criminals use a stolen car for crime and then resell it. Despite advancements in vehicle security technology, criminals have adapted stealing aftermarket scan tools to bypass security systems and then steal cars. The National Automotive Service Task Force NASTIF has launched the Aftermarket Scan Tool Validation Program to help. This initiative requires technicians to verify their credentials through NASTIF's registry before performing security related operations on vehicles. By ensuring that only authorized professionals can access vehicle security systems, the program hopes to curb the rising trend of theft. In 2025, Honda executives discussed the company's motivations behind its potential merger with Nissan at CES in Las Vegas. The Verge reports that Honda aims to reduce cost for its software defined vehicles by sharing resources with Nissan.

Braxton Critcher [00:01:57]:
Honda is also interested in Nissan's large SUV lineup, potentially adapting its hybrid technology for these models. The merger could help Honda utilize Nissan's productivity capacity, addressing Honda's overcapacity issues in US Plants. Honda stressed their desire to strengthen both brands through this merger to compete with the likes of Toyota by 2030. Snap On's Tuesday topic training program led by Jason Gabrinas is back with weekly sessions on automotive repair. Running until April. The free program includes 30 minutes of instruction and a 15 minute Q&A. Two evening time slots are available each Tuesday. Details on that in the podcast Show Notes Women in Auto care handed out 41 scholarships to women last year, totaling $171,000 in cash.

Braxton Critcher [00:02:54]:
Scholarship Toolkit Scholarships thanks to a partnership with Napa Auto Parts, their efforts are causing more women to consider automotive repair as a career.

Elle Lawhead [00:03:06]:
Here's ellie Lawhead so February 17th through the 20th is the annual Women in Auto Care conference that's going to be in Atlanta this year. So for those that are interested in coming to our conference, it is a two full day, jam packed education session and leadership. So we've got a keynote speaker, we have a handful of panel discussions, and then there's going to be networking. One of the biggest pieces of that conference, outside of getting to know peers, we actually have a gala. You call it a gala. It's a fancy dinner if you will. But there's an auction and the auction is tied directly to raising money for our scholarship funds.

Braxton Critcher [00:03:53]:
The Winter Registration the registration period for ASC recertification testing is now open through March 31st. Test takers have 90 days to schedule their exams. ASC offers three testing in person at Prometric Centers, Proproctor Remote Testing for Recertifications and ASC Renewal App for Mobile Recertification. Free study guides are available to help you prepare. To register, visit ASC.com, sign in and select your tests SEMA is accepting nominations for the 2025 hall of Fame Recognition to honor individuals who have significantly contributed to the automotive aftermarket. If you know of someone who has done so in their career and deserves the spotlight, nominate today. Nominations are open until March 14 at SEMA.org with inductees announced in May and honored in July. Link in the show notes to nominate as well.

Braxton Critcher [00:04:55]:
Relief for American drivers could be coming Auto insurers plan to slow down rate hikes for 2025. That's the good news, though. Here's the bad While premiums will rise for the seventh straight year, increases will average about 7.5%, significantly lower than 2024's 16.5% hike. However, the average cost of auto insurance will hit a record $2,100 annually. Drivers in New Jersey, Washington and California will face the steepest hikes exceeding 15%. Meanwhile, Nevada and Florida will surpass Michigan as the most expensive states for car insurance. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has launched an investigation into over 2.6 million Tesla vehicles. Focus on the actually Smart Summon feature.

Braxton Critcher [00:05:50]:
Basically, it's a self driving valet system covering 2016-2025 Model S and Model X, 2017-2025 Model 3 and 2020-2025 Model Y. The probe follows reports of four crashes linked to the feature since its release in September 2024. NHTSA will evaluate the system's object detection speed limits and Tonica Haynes, owner of Brown's Automotive in Chapel Hill, N.C. has joined the Ratchet and Wrench Editorial Advisory Board. As a second generation owner, Haynes brings extensive experience in automotive repair and customer service. A UNC Greensboro graduate in North Carolina Automotive Service and Tire alliance board member, she advocates for preventing burnout among business owners and encourages more women to to enter the automotive industry. Congrats, Tonica. Bosch has relaunched its premium battery offerings under the Bosch Premium battery program, adding 13 new SKUs to the S5 premium power line and three to the S6 high performance AGM line.

Braxton Critcher [00:07:05]:
These batteries offer longer lifespans, reduced leakage risk and enhanced power for modern vehicles with warranties of 3 and 4 years, respectively. That's it for this week's 10 minute trip around the automotive aftermarket industry called Automotive Repair News Today. The Podcast. Thanks for listening. I'm Braxton. Reach out if you have news that you'd like to share or an interview guest that you'd like me to have on when you email me@braxtontomotiverepairnews.com that's Braxtontomotive Repair News. Thanks for listening. Hey, if you're still here, thank you so much for listening to this episode of Automotive Repair News Today.

Braxton Critcher [00:07:50]:
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