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Collision Repairers Feel Downstream Effects of CDK Global Cyberattack By Paul Hughes Autobody News Ripples from the late June ransomware attack on auto dealership software provider CDK Global spread to the independent collision repair shops that buy OEM parts from their local dealerships, which struggled with a supply chain disruption on a scale not seen before.
them — a $100,000 GMC Denali is waiting on door clips, which nobody is sure are in the warehouse. In the days following the attack, he was able to take delivery of “$20,000 worth of parts, and it’s on a paper ticket” because dealer computers were down, forcing them to revert to manual processes, causing significant operational slowdowns and customer service delays.
42 YEARS
Vol. 42 / Issue 8 / August 2024 REGIONAL NEWS
California Governor Vetoes Bill Incentivizing Converting ICE Cars To Zero-Emission A bill that would have provided up to $4,000 to California residents converting eligible fuel-powered vehicles to a zero-emission powertrain was vetoed June 14 by Gov. Gavin Newsom. Senate Bill 301, introduced in February 2023 by state Sens. Anthony Portantino, D-25, and Josh Newman, D-29, was passed unanimously in May by both the state Assembly and Senate. As of June 17, the bill was back in the Senate for consideration of Newsom’s veto. The bill sought to establish the Zero-Emission Aftermarket Conversion Project (ZCAP). It proposed funding the rebates by moving money in the state budget
from another clean transportation project. The bill said a state board would develop guidelines defining qualifying conversions and eligible replacement motors, power systems and parts; establish warranty requirements for motors and battery packs; and establish eligibility criteria for the rebates. The bill also would have required an inspection of the converted vehicle by the California Bureau of Automotive Repair, and for the converted vehicle to have a range of at least 100 miles. Finally, the bill would have required 25% of rebates provided through the ZCAP program to go to people l CONTINUED ON PAGE 13
REGIONAL NEWS
Kious Kountry Auto Collision Center Inc., in Waukon, IA, immediately upped its liability insurance to cover the uptick in vehicles sitting on its property, waiting for parts the shop couldn’t order from dealerships in the wake of the attack.
“It’s caused huge disruptions — massive problems across the country,” said Beau Bennett, owner of Kious Kountry Auto Collision Center Inc., a 16,000-square-foot shop in Waukon, IA, that relies on two dealers for parts, as “95% of the parts I put on are OEM,” he said. Bennett had to immediately boost liability insurance as the number of vehicles stored onsite at his shop grew, held up by the sudden inability to get some of the parts to finish
“It’s not [dealers’] fault,” Bennett said. He’s worked with his vendors for 30 years and intends to stick with them. In the late night hours of June 18, continuing through June 21, Illinoisbased CDK Global Inc., a software and data provider to 15,000 automotive dealerships, was hit by several cyber attacks, leading CDK to shutter its system, including software, data
CARSTAR Hayden Named Idaho’s Best Body Shop Following Consecutive Regional Nods By Paul Hughes Autobody News
In a scene from “Rocky,” Adrian notes curtly, “But it was Thanksgiving.” To which Rocky casually replies, “To you. But to me, it’s Thursday.” Meet Greg Solesbee. He and his wife Rachelle own CARSTAR Hayden, just outside of Coeur d’Alene, ID. In May, the duo won their first statewide Best Auto Body Shop title in the 2024 Idaho’s Best Awards,
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Greg and Rachelle Solesbee at the 2023 SEMA Show
INSIDE THIS ISSUE 8
10
Columnist Mike Anderson: Post-Crash Inspections Find Multiple ‘Deformed’ but Undeployed Airbags Columnist Abby Andrews: Finding Your Collision Repair Shop’s Niche
Could Be Key to Success
4
Columnist Stacey Phillips Ronak: How to Ensure Your Collision
30
Columnist John Yoswick: Collision Shop Owners Create Work-Life
Repair Business Has a Future
Balance, Offer Superior Benefits to Attract, Retain Techs
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