S OU T HWEST E DI T I O N
AUTOBODYNEWS.COM
AZ / AR / CO / LA / NM / OK / TX / UT
U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Combat Catalytic Converter Theft Nationwide U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-MN, and Ron Wyden, D-OR, introduced legislation to combat the rise in catalytic converter theft. The Preventing Auto Recycling Theft (PART) Act would ensure law enforcement can more effectively address these thefts by marking each converter with a traceable identification number and establishing converter theft as a criminal offense.
locate stolen car parts, we will be one step closer in the fight to end catalytic converter theft.” Catalytic converters are used to reduce the potency of toxic emissions from an internal combustion engine and required for vehicle compliance with the Clean Air Act. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, catalytic converter thefts rose by more than 325% from 2019 to 2020. Replacing these parts imposes significant financial costs to vehicle owners, often between $500 to $2,300, and can even result in a total loss to the vehicle. The PART Act would:
“Throughout the country, we’ve seen an alarming increase in catalytic converter theft. These converters can be easily taken from unattended cars but are difficult and expensive for car owners to replace,” said Klobuchar. “By making catalytic converter theft a criminal offense and ensuring each converter can be easily tracked, our legislation would provide law enforcement officers with the tools and resources they need to crack down on these crimes.” “The theft of catalytic converters hurts the pocketbooks of working families and small business owners already struggling with rising costs,” said Wyden. “By strengthening local law enforcement’s ability to
Require new vehicles to have a Vehicle Identification number (VIN) stamped onto the converter to allow law enforcement officers to link stolen parts to the vehicle from which they originate Create a grant program through which entities can stamp VIN numbers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles Improve record keeping standards for purchasers of used catalytic converters Establish enforceability of laws around catalytic converter theft by codifying these crimes as a criminal offense
41 YEARS
Vol. 41 / Issue 01 / January 2023 REGIONAL NEWS
Tyler, TX, Maaco Owner Named Rookie of the Year David Martin of Tyler, TX, was recently recognized as the Maaco new franchise owner who exemplifies operational excellence and outstanding performance among the more than 400 independently owned and operated franchises in the whole North American network. Martin was named the Maaco Rookie of the Year Award Winner at the 2022 Maaco Convention held recently in Carlsbad, CA. “David Martin exemplified exceptional performance in his first year as a new owner,” said Chris Dawson, paint and collision president, Driven Brands. “David comes from the tax industry, with no experience in automotive painting,
Accepting the award on behalf of David Martin was his daughter, Ashley, and sonin-law, Freddy Nieto, center, pictured with the Maaco leadership team, left to right: David Gross, Daryl Hurst, Bryan Jones, Chris Dawson and Chris Porcelli.
yet his focus on the customer experience and leveraging the Maaco playbook to train his team l CONTINUED ON PAGE 11
REGIONAL NEWS
Louisiana Toll Road Unable to Cover Debt Service Due to Hurricane Ida Damage By Victor Skinne The Center Square
The bill has received the endorsement of the National Automobile Dealers Association, the American Truck
Damage from Hurricane Ida cut toll revenues for the Louisiana Transportation Authority by 78% in fiscal year 2022, leaving the LTA unable to cover its required debt service payments, according to the Louisiana Legislative Auditor. Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack issued an audit report for the LTA that highlights the impact
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 12
l CONTINUED ON PAGE 14
of Hurricane Ida on the agency and how it’s dealing with the fallout. Hurricane Ida “severely affected fiscal year 2022 revenue” with widespread damage and power loss when it made landfall on Aug. 29, 2021, auditors wrote. “The tollbooth, toll gantry and customer service center building sustained water damage. As a result, all tolling operations, manual collections and invoicing were idle from Aug. 28, 2021, through June 30, 2022,” the audit read. “This is primarily
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 10
Columnist Mike Anderson: Are You Itemizing Vehicle Prep Steps Necessary Prior to ADAS Calibrations?
36
Columnist Abby Andrews: Future Technology Presents Liability Concerns for Collision Repairers
30
Columnist Stacey Phillips: OEConnection’s RepairLogic Platform Helps Shops Find Accurate OEM Information
18
Columnist John Yoswick: How to Get Entry-Level Collision Repair Techs Productive Quickly
PERMIT #288 ANAHEIM, CA
PAID
Change Service Requested P.O. BOX 1516, CARLSBAD, CA 92018
PRESORTED STANDARD U.S. POSTAGE