Exclusive Interview: Ryan Mandell

In October, Collision Repair conducted a short Q&A with Ryan Mandell, vice-president of strategy and market intelligence for Mitchell’s auto physical damage division, about Canadian and U.S. electric vehicle claims data in Mitchell’s quarterly Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights reports. 

In the exchange, he analyzed collision claims trends and works with insurance executives and claims managers to explain how changes in vehicles, parts and repair procedures affect repair costs.

Mitchell, based in San Diego, develops estimating, diagnostic and claims management technology for collision repairers, insurers and vehicle manufacturers. Part of Enlyte, the business began producing automotive parts catalogues in 1946. 

Its software is now used to prepare damage estimates, source parts, access repair procedures and manage repairs and total losses.

Collision Repair: What has surprised you most in Mitchell’s recent repair data?

Ryan Mandell: I was surprised to see the battery electric vehicle (BEV) share of Canadian repairable claims decline in the two quarters preceding Q2 2026. It recovered and increased in Q2, but the earlier reduction was slightly unexpected.

While we know that the overall mood around electrification has shifted, I expected the appetite for BEV adoption to remain more robust in Canada than in the United States. The most recent increase suggests this may have been an anomaly or a temporary pause in the growth of the BEV segment of Canada’s vehicle fleet.

CR: Which trends matter most to Canadian bodyshop owners?

RM: Two trends stand out: the growing diversity of vehicle powertrains and increasing pressure on repair costs.

In Q2 2026, BEVs accounted for a record 5.42% of repairable claims in Canada, while mild hybrids reached 5.52%. As these vehicles become more common, shops need to evaluate whether their equipment, training and repair capabilities align with the changing vehicle mix in their markets.

At the same time, tariffs, supply chain uncertainty and rising parts costs are creating new challenges. Repairers should be strategic about parts sourcing and consider opportunities to safely repair rather than replace some components.

We’re also seeing fewer lower-dollar insurance claims, suggesting more minor repairs are shifting to customer-pay work. That creates opportunities for shops prepared to engage directly with consumers and clearly communicate the value of professional repairs.

CR: What explains the narrowing repair-cost gap between BEVs and internal combustion engine vehicles?

RM: The gap is narrowing, but BEVs remain more expensive to repair because of their complex, interconnected systems and reliance on original equipment manufacturer parts.

In Canada, average repairable claims severity for BEVs was $6,645 in Q2 2026, compared with $5,411 for internal combustion engine vehicles. That’s a difference of $1,234, the smallest we’ve recorded.

Several factors may be contributing to the narrowing gap. As the electric vehicle fleet matures and BEVs depreciate, more heavily damaged vehicles may be declared total losses rather than repaired, reducing average severity among repairable claims.

At the same time, the growing availability of lower-cost electric models is changing the composition of the vehicles entering repair facilities.

CR: What do repairers need to know about calibration costs?

RM: Advanced driver assistance system calibrations have become a significant part of collision repair. Mitchell data shows that the percentage of estimates containing a calibration increased 31.4% year over year in 2025, with an average calibration cost of $688 per estimate when present. The average number of calibrations per repair also increased nearly 10%.

Even relatively minor damage can affect cameras, radar systems and sensors, making it critical that shops identify and complete manufacturer-recommended calibrations to safely return collision-damaged vehicles to the road.

For repairers, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Investing in the technology and training needed to identify and perform calibrations in-house can help reduce delays, improve workflow efficiency and create additional revenue opportunities.

CR: How do conversations with shop owners inform your interpretation of the data?

RM: I don’t think these conversations necessarily change the way I interpret the data. Rather, they reinforce the fact that, in markets where electrified powertrains account for a large share of vehicles, shop owners must be strategic about how they account for this segment of their business.

Workflows differ depending on the powertrain type. Technician skills and certification levels also vary across the collision repair workforce. Shops also need to account for differences in vehicle powertrains when setting expectations with vehicle owners.

CR: What is Mitchell working on that will change a repairer’s daily work?

RM: Our focus remains on developing technology to assist in the delivery of proper, safe and efficient collision repairs.

When it comes to blueprinting, our new Mitchell Intelligent Estimating solution makes it possible to generate a preliminary estimate from photos in minutes. Estimators maintain more control over the appraisal and can easily review and edit it before submission.

This helps collision repair centre owners streamline the appraisal process and improve estimator productivity and consistency.