Larry Montrose

Utah collision repair instructor spent 13 years in the trade before returning to teach the same program that launched his career. Nathan Shields is training the next generation with a simple framework: accuracy first, speed follows. Read the full breakdown: https://ow.ly/j1mu50YvuSH Written by: Leona Dalavai Scott SkillsUSA Jordan Academy for Technology and Careers #CollisionRepair #AutoBodyRepair

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Most dealerships don’t struggle with effort. Where they struggle is with alignment. Dual Dash connects every level of leadership so coaching improves, accountability rises, and profits increase sustainably. That’s the Cascade Effect.

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At Ken Garff, we are proud to empower women in the automotive industry. Becca Anderson, General Manager of our Mercedes-Benz of Salt Lake City dealership, is here to discuss the mentors who helped her grow in the industry, as well as how she prioritizes mentoring future leaders now! Learn more here: https://lnkd.in/gQ9YCXAf

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Most dealerships don’t have a lead problem. They have a response problem. AI is changing that. Dealerships using AI tools are responding to every call, text, and chat in seconds — booking more appointments and converting more leads without hiring extra staff. The result? • Faster response times • Higher CSI scores • More sales from the same traffic More business doesn’t have to mean more chaos. That’s what we help dealers achieve every day. #AutomotiveMarketing #AI #DealershipGrowth #AdTech

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Auto Body Decision Process: When to Repair vs Replace a Quarter Panel #QuarterPanelRepair #RepairVsReplace #AutoBodyShopLA #CollisionRepairExperts #FactoryWelds #StructuralIntegrity #CarRepairLosAngeles #AutoBodyProcess #VehicleRestoration #BodyShopTechnician

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BAR Implements Major New Regulations That Will Significantly Change How Automotive Repair Dealers Conduct Business in California BAR is updating the Write it Right guide to include these new requirements and will provide a Q&A section to help dealers stay compliant.   The new regulations will take effect on July 1, 2025.   Here are some key highlights:    Separate Estimate and Invoice for Towing Charges. Authorization for towing fees must be obtained separately from any authorization for repair work. This means you will need to create separate estimates and invoices for any towing charges that you intend to bill the customer for towing their vehicle to your shop.   Accepting Payment from Third-Party Payor (e.g. Insurer or Extended Car Warranty. If you accept payment for repairs from a third-party payor, you must, prior to obtaining authorization from the customer, do one of the following: (1) If the amount of the payment to be made by the third-party payor is known, you must include the amount approved to be paid by the third-party payor on your estimate; (2) If the amount of payment to be made by the third-party payor is not known, you must include the following disclosure on your estimate:   “This estimate is for repairs to meet vehicle manufacturer and industry standards. As the customer, it is your responsibility to contact the third-party payor for approval of payment.”   Estimates Must be Free of Technical Terms & Clearly Describe Each Repair.  Estimates must include a statement of each repair to be performed, along with a description written in plain language—free of technical or industry-specific terms—so that a person without professional or specialized knowledge can understand it.   Tear Down or Disassembly Estimate. The teardown estimate must include the portion(s) or area(s) of the vehicle or vehicle component(s) necessary to assess the extent of the damage or evaluate the condition of the vehicle or vehicle component(s).   Using an Estimate Prepared by Third-Party Payor (e.g.. Insurer or Extended Car Warranty. Shops that choose not to create their own estimate but use a third-party payor estimate must meet stringent requirements including notifying the customer that the third-party estimate is subject to the Fair Claims Settlement Practice Regulations. And the estimate must also include: A statement of intent to repair the vehicle according to the third-party estimate. The name of the third-party payor. The unique identifier from the third-party estimate. The total repair cost listed on the third-party estimate.   You must also attach the third-party estimate (original, duplicate, or printout) to the estimate provided to the customer. If the customer approves changes to the repair before proceeding, you must notify the third-party payor of these customer-approved changes in your estimate, which could alter the specified payment amount in the third-party estimate.

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Dealerships Are a Growing Target for Auto Theft Dealerships across the country are seeing a shift in how vehicles are being stolen—and it’s happening right in plain sight. It’s no longer just smash-and-grab break-ins or stolen keys. Today’s organized theft groups are more calculated: Walking dealership lots during business hours to identify high-value targets Using technology to capture or mimic key fob signals Returning later to quietly drive vehicles off the lot without raising suspicion And it’s happening fast—often before staff even realize a vehicle is missing. Here’s the reality: If a vehicle is sitting on your lot, it’s vulnerable. Cameras may record the crime. Insurance may help recover losses. But neither prevents the theft, or the impact it has on your business, inventory, and customer trust. It’s Not Just Theft… It’s Fraud Too. Criminals are also targeting dealerships through synthetic identity fraud—one of the fastest-growing financial crimes impacting the auto industry. Fake identities are created using a mix of real and fabricated information Fraudsters build credit profiles over time. Vehicles are purchased using these identities—then quickly disappear By the time the fraud is discovered, the vehicle is often long gone. Prevention Matters More Than Ever. Dealership theft is evolving—and staying ahead requires awareness, layered security, and strong verification processes. Monitor lots during and after business hours Limit key/fob access and storage visibility Verify buyer identity and financing details thoroughly Work closely with law enforcement and auto theft task forces Our grant-funded auto theft task forces continue to work these cases across Texas—recovering stolen vehicles, identifying organized groups, and helping protect businesses and communities. Auto theft is a gateway crime—and dealerships are increasingly in the crosshairs. #autotheft #AutoTheftPrevention #mvcpa #vehiclecrime #syntheticidentityfraud #lawenforcement #autodealership #autodealer #stolenvehicle

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Developing People: The GM’s Most Important Fixed Ops Role Technicians and service advisors are the backbone of a dealership. Without them, we don’t have customer retention, absorption, or long-term profitability. But keeping great people takes more than pay plans — it takes leadership. A GM’s role in developing Fixed Ops talent includes: Creating clear career paths so advisors and techs see a future with the store. Providing training and coaching that build both skill and confidence. Recognizing wins — not just CSI scores, but daily contributions that keep the shop moving. Building a culture where people know they are valued as much as the sales team. I’ve seen firsthand that when you invest in your people, efficiency rises, turnover drops, and customers feel the difference. What’s one way your dealership invests in developing its Fixed Ops team? #AutomotiveLeadership #FixedOps #TeamDevelopment #DealershipCulture #GeneralManagement

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𝐂𝐂𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈-𝐂𝐀𝐑 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐀𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐮𝐜𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 The Collision Career Institute and I-CAR are partnering to help collision repair businesses accelerate workforce development and improve apprenticeship outcomes. As part of the program, CCI will deliver an Assessment & Evaluation Package to align shop culture, mentor strengths, and apprentice candidates before training ramps up. Read: https://lnkd.in/etHweBBh #collisionrepair #autobody #CCI #ICAR #apprenticeship

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Arizona automotive shops: Are you maximizing workforce cost reduction? Many shops are eligible for state and federal programs that offset labor and training costs. The challenge? Navigating the fragmented, compliance-driven process. There's a smarter way. Unlock potential savings and strengthen your workforce pipeline. #WorkforceDevelopment #CostReduction #Automotive #Arizona #TrainingPrograms

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"The California New Car Dealers Association Foundation partnered with the apprenticeship group in 2024 to help its dealers find more qualified technicians. Apprentices began working at stores in the Golden State this year." https://lnkd.in/g8UhiPeF

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🚨 Auto Retail Consolidation Watch 🚨 📰 Driving the news: Gee Automotive Companies is acquiring dealerships in Arizona 🌵 and California 🌴 from Jim Click Automotive Team and Tuttle-Click Automotive Group. ⏳ The deal is expected to close later this year. 🔄 What’s changing: • 🏬 9 rooftops in Tucson, AZ • 🏬 1 rooftop in Green Valley / Sahuarita • 🏬 6 rooftops in Irvine, Tustin, and San Juan Capistrano, CA ✅ What’s not: • 🏷️ Same store names • 📍 Same locations • 🚘 Same brands (Ford, Lincoln, Kia) • 👥 Most employees staying put ⚠️ Why this matters: When ownership changes, the buildings stay the same — but costs don’t.💸 After acquisitions, most dealer groups inherit: • 🧺 Multiple laundry vendors • 📄 Different contracts • 📉 Pricing that no longer lines up 📑 Invoices keep getting approved, even as small errors quietly turn into long-term overcharges. 🔍 This is what The Laundry Guy does every day. We review vendors, match contracts to invoices, and stop billing drift — without changing how stores operate. 🤝 If you’re seeing this after a deal or multi-location rollout, we can help. #AutoRetail #DealershipMergers #AutoGroups #FixedOps #OperationalDiscipline #IndustryNews

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The California New Car Dealers Association’s suit against Scout Motors and Volkswagen Group of America over the startup’s plans to sell directly to consumers will continue after a judge denied certain motions to dismiss. It’s a major legal setback for Scout and Volkswagen of America in the nation’s largest new-vehicle market as the companies prepare to launch U.S. sales straight to consumers, a practice vehemently opposed by franchised dealers. The California lawsuit claims Scout’s direct-to-consumer model violates a state law that was amended and took effect Jan. 1, 2024. The dealer association considers Scout, wholly owned by Volkswagen AG, to be an affiliate brand of VW. The amended law requires affiliated brands to use franchised dealers to sell and service vehicles, the lawsuit says. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g9CaJj4h #CNCDA #Scout #ScoutMotors #Volkswagen #VW #automotive #autoindustry

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The California Autobody Association (CAA) submitted its official comments to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) on a proposed storage regulation citing three concerns and possible solutions.  https://lnkd.in/euJJy7pf

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Q3 2025 CA Auto Outlook: ZEVs Surge to One in Four Sales as Federal Tax Credit Ends. Tesla Hits Two-Year Slump; Toyota Makes Gains. Read more at the link below. #cncda

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