In mid-May 2026, General Motors (GM) announced a major digital upgrade to its factory-integrated Collision Assistance system, designed to guide vehicle owners toward standardized OEM restoration right from the moment an accident occurs. The upgraded system is deeply integrated with the GM Collision Repair Network (CRN), GM Genuine Parts, and ACDelco components. When the vehicle’s […]
On May 18, 2026, Crash Champions, one of America’s fastest-growing collision repair networks, announced the official launch of its “Fix Now Pay Later” (FNPL) flexible financing solution across its nationwide locations. As modern automotive technologies become increasingly complex, the average ticket size for collision repairs continues to climb, placing significant financial strain on consumers. In […]
In May 2026, as major European repair franchises (such as Motofix) announced full integration into the system, the independent aftermarket achieved a critical milestone in legally accessing manufacturers’ encrypted anti-theft vehicle data. As Software-Defined Vehicles (SDVs) proliferate, Europe is fast-tracking data access policies alongside the updated EU End-of-Life Vehicle Regulation. Consequently, SERMI (Scheme for secure […]
Released in May 2026, the latest S&P Global report forecasts that by the end of 2026, out-of-warranty vehicles will account for a staggering 84% of the European fleet, with the average vehicle age historically crossing 14 years. The report details that driven by stubbornly high new car pricing, consumer anxiety regarding the residual values of […]
At the recent IBIS USA 2026 global collision repair summit, industry analysts pointed out that the “Megacasting” manufacturing process adopted by major automakers is presenting a disruptive challenge to aftermarket repairs. Renowned automotive analyst Steve Greenfield stated at the peak forum that an increasing number of automakers, including Tesla, are shifting away from traditional architectures—welding […]
The biennial Collision Repair Expo (CRE), held in mid-May 2026 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, officially closed with attendee turnouts and exhibitor scales hitting historic highs. Hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), this premier industry event drew tens of thousands of repair shop owners, technicians, and supply chain specialists from Australia, […]