Idolizing Independent: Consumer Reports survey shows customers prefer independent shops vs. dealerships for repairs
Toronto, Ontario — A new Consumer Reports survey reveals that customers prefer independent shops over dealerships for automotive repairs. The survey–based on 10,973 responses from Consumer Reports members on 11,670 repairs at 36 auto repair chains, independent shops and dealerships–further revealed that Hyundai, Jeep and Kia scored lowest for overall customer satisfaction. The survey asked […]
Serving New Scans: BMW names AirPro Diagnostics and asTech by Reparify as scanning and diagnostic vendors
Toronto, Ontario — At its Certified Collision Repair Conference, BMW announced that AirPro Diagnostics and asTech by Reparify have been named as scanning and diagnostic vendors for the OEM’s collision repair network. In response to this announcement, Josh McFarlin, president and COO at AirPro Diagnostics stated in a recent press release that “we are proud […]
Breaking Boundaries: BMW’s CCRC Conference of the Americas sets vision for the future; expands parts restrictions to Canada
By Darryl Simmons Palm Springs, California — BMW Certified Collision Repair Centres (CCRC) conference, titled “Breaking Boundaries” recently wrapped up in Palm Springs, highlighting the network’s ongoing advancements and the collective drive towards excellence in automotive repair. The event was marked by insightful contributions from industry experts, including a notable presentation by renowned industry expert […]
Canadians in Cali: BMW hosts second Certified Collision Repair Centre Conference of the Americas in Palm Springs
California, United States — BMW Group is hosting its Certified Collision Repair Centres from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico this week in Palm Springs, California. Plenty of Canadians have made the trek down to sunny California for the event, where BMW has plenty planned for the week. Plus, there’s rumoured to be some special news […]
EV/AV Report: Kia, Hyundai EVs could get an airy new skirt; BMW adds eye-controlled lane changes in autonomous cars
Toronto, Ontario — In this weekly electric and autonomous vehicle report, Hyundai patents active air skirt technology to improve electric vehicle range and stability; while BMW tests eye-activated lane-changing technology in its Level 2 driver assistance systems. Dusting off drag Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have announced a patent application for Active Air Skirt […]
Falsified Findings: BMW investigated for possible illegal diesel defeat device
Toronto, Ontario — Regulators in Germany have opened an investigation into alleged exhaust gas manipulation by BMW following claims of illegal diesel defeat device use. Germany’s federal transport authority, the Kraftfahrt-Bundesamt (KBA) is specifically investigating a software program from the BMW X3 2.0d, a model fitted with a turbocharged 2.0L diesel 4-cylinder engine used across […]
Android Assistants: BMW will put humanoid robots from Figure in U.S manufacturing facilities
Toronto, Ontario — Robotics startup Figure has announced a signed partnership with BMW Manufacturing to deploy its humanoid robots in the automaker’s facilities in the United States. This new partnership marks the first commercial deal that Figure has signed since it was first founded in 2022. While the company did not disclose how many robots […]
Putting On the Brakes: Car rental firm Hertz selling electric vehicles in the United States in favour of ICE vehicles
Toronto, Ontario — Global vehicle rental firm Hertz has announced that it will sell about 20,000 EVs from its U.S. fleet, citing higher collision and damage expenses as reasoning. Hertz had originally said that it would order 100,000 Tesla vehicles by the end of 2022 but followed this statement with a decision to buy up to […]
Inhibiting Inflators: U.S. agency to watch unrecalled Takata inflators for safety risks
Toronto, Ontario — On Monday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said that it is monitoring data from a group of mostly unrecalled Takata airbag inflators after recent incidents. Specifically, the NHTSA declared its continued investigation into Takata airbags after one exploded in a BMW and hurled metal fragments that seriously injured a driver […]
Stalling Speedster: The NTSB calls for more speed-limiting tech in new vehicles
Washington D.C.— The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) based in Washington, D.C. asked 17 automakers to add anti-speeding tech to new vehicles as a response to automotive and civilian deaths due to reckless driving. Specifically, the NTSB’s request comes in response to a crash in Las Vegas, Nevada in 2022 that killed nine people. The […]