Waymo announced today a partnership with the TechForce Foundation to fund 28 tuition scholarships for students and working technicians enrolled in technical and community college programs. The scholarships will initially be awarded in Boston, Washington, D.C., New York City, Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston and Miami, with potential expansion as the partnership grows. “This partnership […]
Travelers Launches AI-Powered Claims Assistant for Auto Damage Claims
The Travelers Companies Inc. today announced the launch of an artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant designed to handle auto damage claim calls. The AI Claim Assistant, developed using OpenAI’s models and Realtime API, uses speech recognition and language processing to guide customers through filing auto damage claims by phone. Travelers said the system can provide policy […]
Georgia Insurance Commissioner Announces Auto Insurance Rate Reductions Totaling $25 Million in Savings
Georgia Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced auto insurance rate reductions from Allstate North American Insurance Company and three Country Mutual Insurance affiliates, with combined projected savings of approximately $25.2 million for Georgia policyholders. Commission King announced Feb. 9 that Allstate filed a 5% reduction in private passenger auto insurance rates, projected […]
Thatcham Research Survey Finds 73% of UK Repair Professionals Report Growing Skills Shortage
More than 70% of vehicle repair and salvage professionals in the United Kingdom say the sector is facing a skills shortage driven by increasing vehicle complexity, an aging workforce and competition from other industries, according to a survey released Feb. 11 by Thatcham Research. The survey, conducted in partnership with the Centre for Economics and […]
AASP/NJ to Launch 2026 Education Series With Estimating Workshop
Two-part program will begin Feb. 25 with second part taking place at Northeast Trade Show in March. The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) will open its 2026 educational programming with a two-part estimating workshop focused on final bill review processes and profitability metrics. “The Final Review Advantage,” scheduled to begin Feb. […]
Autel Donates 100 Diagnostic Tablets to High School Automotive Programs
Autel U.S. is donating 100 of its TS900 diagnostic and service tablet kits, valued at $100,000, to ASE Education Foundation-accredited high school automotive programs across the country. The donation is the first project under Autel Inspires, a component of the company’s Autel Cares philanthropic program that launched in June 2025. The initiative is focused on […]
Genuine Parts Company to Split Into Separate Automotive, Industrial Public Companies
Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), announced Feb. 17 that it plans to separate into two independent publicly traded companies — one for its automotive parts business and one for its industrial parts business — in a transaction targeted for the first quarter of 2027. The company, that operates the NAPA auto parts brand and the […]
Solera Names Omar Nabil to Lead Canadian Insurance Sales
Solera Holdings has appointed Omar Nabil as vice president of sales and country leader for Canada insurance as the company expands its presence in the Canadian claims market. Nabil will oversee growth efforts and partnerships across the Canadian insurance sector, according to the company. Solera said it is investing in a larger Canadian-based organization focused […]
ALLDATA Becomes First Third-Party Provider of Rivian Repair Information
ALLDATA announced Feb. 13 that it has signed an agreement with Rivian to deliver the electric vehicle manufacturer’s repair and maintenance data to mechanical and collision repair facilities. According to the company, the agreement makes the Elk Grove, Calif.-based company the first third-party provider to distribute Rivian’s repair information, including repair procedures, diagnostics, maintenance and […]
EPA Eliminates Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards for Vehicles, Rescinds Obama-Era Endangerment Finding
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Feb. 12 finalized a rule eliminating all federal greenhouse gas emission standards for motor vehicles and engines covering model years 2012 through 2027 and beyond, in what the agency called the largest deregulatory action in U.S. history. EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin announced the action alongside President Trump at the […]