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Length of Rental Decreases Year-Over-Year For First Time Since Start of Pandemic Enterprise released Length of Rental (LOR) data for the second quarter of 2023, showing a 0.3-day decrease— from 17.7 days to 17.4—compared to the same quarter last year, the first dip in LOR year-over-year since the initial stages of the pandemic.
It was also a 1.5-day decrease from the first quarter of this year, when LOR was 18.7 days, which fits historical seasonal trending of a decrease from the first quarter to the second quarter. While positive, these results continue to reflect the new normal, as the LOR for the second quarter in 2021 was 13.2 days. Alaska recorded the highest overall LOR in Q2 at 22.7 days, followed by Georgia (20.5), Colorado (20.2) and Louisiana (20.1). Hawaii had the lowest LOR with 13.1 days. North Dakota and Iowa were next-lowest at 13.3 days each, with DC (13.5) and Nebraska (13.9) completing the states under 14 days. Interestingly, the gap between the highest—Alaska—and lowest—Hawaii—
LORs was 9.6 days, compared to a gap of 9.0 days in Q2 2022. In the contiguous 48, the gap was 7.2 days between Georgia (20.5) and Iowa and North Dakota (both 13.1). In Q2 2022, this gap was 8.9 days between Louisiana and North Dakota.
Only three states saw a yearover-year increase of a day or more: Minnesota (+1.4), New Mexico (+1.2), and Montana (+1.0). Eighteen additional states saw increases while five other states were flat. Notably, 24 states, plus Washington, D.C., saw decreases. Rhode Island (-2.0), DC (-1.9) and Louisiana (-1.8) had the largest decreases. John Yoswick, editor of the weekly CRASH Network newsletter, said: “We’re seeing a number of trends that could account for some—though not a lot—of decline in LOR, at least for now. Shops’ backlog of work tends to drop in the spring, and this year was no exception. The national
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Vol. 41 / Issue 9 / September 2023 REGIONAL NEWS
Phoenix Sees 719% Increase in Kia Thefts, 412% for Hyundai in 2023 By Cole Lauterbach The Center Square
Car thefts of two kinds of vehicles in Phoenix have skyrocketed due to a social media trend showing how easily they can be broken into. The Phoenix Police Department released crime statistics showing violent crimes are slightly lower in the first half of the year compared to the same time in 2022. Property crimes are also down by 10% overall. The department considers burglary, theft, arson and motor vehicle theft in the category of property crimes. All of those dropped except for stolen vehicles, up 4% on the year compared to the first half of last year.
Of the vehicles stolen, all measured model theft had fallen with the exception of Kia and Hyundai vehicles. “This increase is, in part, is believed to be associated with a social media trend involving the theft of Kia and Hyundai vehicles,” the report said. “Had the number of Kia and Hyundai thefts remained the same as 2022, overall auto thefts would have decreased by 24%.” From Jan. 1 to July 31, Kia-model vehicles saw a 719% increase in the number of cars stolen. Hyundai owners saw a 412% spike in their cars being stolen. The report considered the possibility that car thieves chose l CONTINUED ON PAGE 4
REGIONAL NEWS
Texas City’s ‘Uber of Auto Care’ Wants to Transform Auto Repair Industry By Amber Gaudet Denton Record-Chronicle
When Erick King’s mom had an issue with her Dodge Nitro in 2016, the family was expecting a simple repair. Several incorrect diagnoses and repairs later, the car was still on the fritz, and worse, the high costs of repair led to the King family’s eviction, after which they spent time living in the Nitro. The situation sparked a desire for
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Denton, TX-founded TinMan Automotive is hoping to shake up the auto repair industry through its mobile model. Courtesy photo/TinMan Automotive
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 6
Columnist Mike Anderson: Technical and Financial Considerations Related to Your Paint Department
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Columnist Abby Andrews: SCRS Executive Director Responds to Criticism of Right to Repair Pact Signed with Automakers
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Columnist Stacey Phillips: Body Shop Owners Discuss Mentorship Programs Initiated with Support from Toby Chess, Part 2
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