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2024
How the 2024 Election Might Affect the Collision Repair Industry by Brian Bradley Autobody News
The election of Donald Trump to a second presidency and the coming shift in party control for at least one chamber of Congress will impact the collision repair industry.
namely the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement and the U.S.-MexicoCanada Agreement. To make sense of the shifting regulatory climate, Autobody News spoke to Bob Redding, president of The Redding Firm, a Washington, D.C.based lobbying group. In his capacity,
Vol. 14 / Issue 3 / December 2024
RECAP ISSUE REGIONAL NEWS
Hennepin Tech in Minnesota Reaccredited by ASE For Auto Service Program by Brian Bradley Autobody News
The Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Education Foundation recently reaccredited the automotive training program at Hennepin Technical College in Minnesota, the school announced in October. The college, which has campuses in Eden Prairie and Brooklyn Park, received its reaccreditation in Master Automobile Service Technology. Its auto body program is waiting to hear
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REGIONAL NEWS
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Though it’s tough to say exactly how the election will bring specific changes in areas like tariffs, federal right to repair efforts, and auto insurance premiums, it’s safe to assume the new political landscape will alter electric vehicle (EV) mandates and relax the overall regulatory environment. Further, trade officials in Trump’s first administration prioritized the automotive industry, negotiating new bilateral, protective automotive regulations with countries including South Korea, Mexico and Canada in various free trade agreements,
Credit: Image via Facebook.
Redding is the head lobbyist for the Automotive Service Association (ASA). Redding shared his insights on what a Trump presidency, GOP Senate, and potentially a Republican House, could mean for the collision repair industry.
Q:
We’ve seen two recent rate cuts by the Federal Reserve, one in September and another Nov. 7. Combined with the election results, what could this mean for the collision repair industry? l CONTINUED ON PAGE 2
Clement Auto Group Offers Employees Free College Degrees By Abby Andrews Autobody News
Clement Auto Group is focused on growth. After owner and President Raj Clement opened his first used car dealership in 2012, seven years later, he started purchasing other new- and used-car dealerships. Between 2019 and today, the group has expanded to eight locations — seven in Missouri and one in Illinois — and grown from 50 to 450
employees. That growth mindset extends to the company’s employees. Both of the group’s Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram stores — one in Columbia, IL, and a new acquisition in Florrisant, MO — signed up to offer the Degrees at Work program, backed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), now part of Stellantis. The program offers free associate’s, bachelor’s and even l CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8
Mike Anderson: Collision Repairers Looking for More than Just Parts
30
Abby Andrews: Possible Strikes Still Threatening to Rattle Collision
Discounts
Repair Parts Supply Chain
28
Stacey Phillips Ronak: 3M, Axalta Announce Collaboration on New Training for Collision Industry
34
John Yoswick: Suits Related to Non-OEM Parts, Insurers Suing Shops, Crash Reports See Court Activity
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