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You Can’t Fix Today's Cars With Yesterday’s Rules
Published 1 day, 17 hours ago
Description
The cars have changed. The technology has changed. The repair procedures have changed. So why are so many shops still operating like it’s 1995?
This week, Kevin sits down with John Voulgarakis of Lightning Auto Service for a conversation that starts with ADAS calibration and quickly exposes a much bigger problem across the collision industry.
John says he still encounters body shops that believe ADAS calibrations are a scam, even when OEM procedures require them. But when cameras, radar and other safety systems are controlling how a vehicle sees the road, “we’ve always done it this way” isn’t good enough anymore.
They dig into the battle with insurance companies, OEM position statements, aftermarket parts, DRPs, paint and material profitability, documentation, technician education and why shops need to understand the business behind the repair instead of simply fighting for more hours.
John also shares how his company was put through insurance SIU investigations after its invoices came in higher than others in the market. The difference? His team was documenting and performing procedures other shops weren’t capturing, and the investigations found nothing improper.
Then the conversation turns toward Tesla and what legacy manufacturers and repair shops can learn from a company that has simplified everything from purchasing and parts to software, calibration and the customer experience.
But the biggest lesson isn't about ADAS, insurance companies or EVs. It's about adaptation. The shops that learn the technology, follow the procedures, document their work, know their numbers and invest in their people are positioning themselves for the next 20 years.
The ones refusing to change? As Kevin puts it: Grow or die.
This is Repair Shop Reckoning.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.
This week, Kevin sits down with John Voulgarakis of Lightning Auto Service for a conversation that starts with ADAS calibration and quickly exposes a much bigger problem across the collision industry.
John says he still encounters body shops that believe ADAS calibrations are a scam, even when OEM procedures require them. But when cameras, radar and other safety systems are controlling how a vehicle sees the road, “we’ve always done it this way” isn’t good enough anymore.
They dig into the battle with insurance companies, OEM position statements, aftermarket parts, DRPs, paint and material profitability, documentation, technician education and why shops need to understand the business behind the repair instead of simply fighting for more hours.
John also shares how his company was put through insurance SIU investigations after its invoices came in higher than others in the market. The difference? His team was documenting and performing procedures other shops weren’t capturing, and the investigations found nothing improper.
Then the conversation turns toward Tesla and what legacy manufacturers and repair shops can learn from a company that has simplified everything from purchasing and parts to software, calibration and the customer experience.
But the biggest lesson isn't about ADAS, insurance companies or EVs. It's about adaptation. The shops that learn the technology, follow the procedures, document their work, know their numbers and invest in their people are positioning themselves for the next 20 years.
The ones refusing to change? As Kevin puts it: Grow or die.
This is Repair Shop Reckoning.
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/repair-shop-reckoning--6688688/support.