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Vol. 42 / Issue 12 / December 2024
How the 2024 Election Might Affect the Collision Repair Industry
2024
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,
RECAP ISSUE REGIONAL NEWS
Year of the Vendor: OKABA Trade Show Set for February By Leona Scott Autobody News
The Oklahoma Autobody Association (OKABA) Trade Show, happening Feb. 7-8, 2025, in Oklahoma City, OK, is becoming an unmissable event for collision repair industry professionals in the Midwest. Called the “Year of the Vendor,” the 2025 edition of thetwo-day show will be packed with product showcases, educational sessions, networking
and entertainment -- all tailored to empower attendees with knowledge and connections that last beyond the event.
Why Attend The OKABA Trade Show? Brian Davis of Davis Paint & Collision Auto Centers, an OKABA board member, pointed to the show’s unique value. “As an essential event in our l CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
REGIONAL NEWS Credit: Shutterstock.
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,
TOPDON USA Donates $250K to North Texas Community 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 15
College’s Carroll Shelby Automotive Program TOPDON USA announced a $250,000 donation in cash and cutting-edge tools to Northeast Texas Community College (NTCC) to support students in the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program, part of TOPDON’s global TOP-UP program. “It’s exciting to watch our TOPUP program grow across the U.S. to include one of the most iconic names in automotive racing, design, and manufacturing, Carroll Shelby,” said Chad Schnitz, vice president of TOPDON USA. “It’s
an honor to partner with NTCC in support of Carroll’s vision to help the next generation of automotive technicians.” Announced during the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, the partnership was celebrated with NTCC’s Executive Vice President Dr. Jon McCullough and students from the Carroll Shelby Automotive Program. As part of the event, each student received a complimentary TopScan PRO, a diagnostic tool from TOPDON, l CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 30
Mike Anderson: Collision Repairers Looking for More than Just Parts
8
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
20
John Yoswick: Suits Related to Non-OEM Parts, Insurers Suing Shops, Crash Reports See Court Activity
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