Collision Partners has completed its first two acquisitions, purchasing Fantastic Finishes, located in West Palm Beach, Fla. and Chassis Master, in Miramar, Fla. as the company begins expansion across the Southeastern United States. Russ Swift, founder of Fantastic Finishes, joins Collision Partners as director of strategic operations and as an equity partner. Scott Woodard, a […]
Collision Repair Education Foundation Opens 2026 Scholarship Applications
The Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) is accepting applications for its 2026 student scholarship program through March 6. The organization awarded more than $275,000 in tuition assistance and tools to 163 students in 2025, part of more than $3 million distributed since 2010. Applications opened Jan. 8. Funding is available for high school and college […]
Amanda Crawford Appointed Texas Insurance Commissioner
Commissioner Brown retiring after leading Department of Insurance for over four year. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott appointed Amanda Crawford as the next Commissioner of Insurance, succeeding Cassie Brown, who announced her retirement effective Feb. 2. Crawford, currently executive director of the Department of Information Resources and the state’s chief information officer, will oversee regulation of […]
U.S. House Subcommittee to Consider REPAIR Act, Other Right to Repair and Data Access Bills at January 13 Hearing
Sixteen bills included on hearing agenda focused on automotive issues. The U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee’s Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing next week on more than a dozen automotive bills, including several addressing vehicle data access and right to repair issues that have drawn strong interest from the […]
Consumer Sentiment Edges Higher in January Preliminary Results
University of Michigan reports index reached 54.0 in early January, highest reading since September 2025 but nearly 25% below year-ago levels. Consumer sentiment rose for the second consecutive month in early January, according to the University of Michigan Surveys of Consumers. The Consumer Sentiment Index reached 54.0 in preliminary January results, up 2.1% from 52.9 […]
State Farm and Progressive Reduce Auto Insurance Rates Auto Rate Decreases in Tennessee, Louisiana
State Farm announced personal auto insurance rate decreases in Tennessee and Progressive will is lowering rates in Louisiana, continuing a trend of declining rates driven by reduced claims frequency. State Farm reduced auto rates by more than 10% on average in Tennessee, that took effect Dec. 15 for new business and will take effect mid-January […]
ASE Education Foundation Names 2026 Officers, Adds Eight to Board
The ASE Education Foundation has elected new officers and appointed eight new members to its board of directors for 2026. Brian LaCroix, automotive instructor at Capital Region BOCES Career and Tech School in Albany, N.Y., is the new board chair. Jim Sennett, manager of automotive repair programs for the American Automobile Association, is vice chair. […]
Maine Governor Vetoes Bill That Would Have Changed State’s Automotive Right to Repair Law
Governor raises concerns that telematics access provision inlegislation was a “finger on the scale in favor of auto manufacturers” compared to independent repair facilities. Urges legislature to pass alternative bill. Maine Governor Janet Mills vetoed legislation Jan. 7 that would have made significant changes to Maine’s automotive right to repair law, a statute voters approved […]
Boyd Group Clears Regulatory Hurdle for Joe Hudson’s Acquisition
Boyd Group Services Inc. (TSX: BYD; NYSE: BGSI) said Wednesday it has received regulatory approval to complete its previously announced $1.3 billion acquisition of Joe Hudson’s Collision Center, with closing expected Jan. 9. The collision repair consolidator announced the definitive agreement Oct. 29 to purchase the 258-location chain from private equity firm TSG Consumer Partners. […]
CCC Launches OEM Certification Management Program
Nissan first vehicle manufacturer to join. CCC Intelligent Solutions Inc. (NASDAQ: CCCS) announced today that Nissan will be the first vehicle manufacturer to participate in the CCC OEM Link Network, a program designed to support OEM collision repair facility certification programs. Through the partnership, CCC will manage certified network operations for Nissan, including administration of […]