Lurah Lowery

Rutherfordton

Editorial Content Director at Repairer Driven News

@repairerdriven Editorial Content Director. Formerly @blueridgenow & @heraldcourier. RT ≠ endorsement. Story ideas: [email protected]

Articles

AR and VR head-up display developments aim to improve future vehicle displays, JLR set to trial new tech

1 week ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

AllFocal Optics says its new lens for augmented and virtual reality could bolster the safety benefits of future vehicle head-up displays (HUDs). The AR and VR headsets provide crystal-clear vision, whether the wearer typically wears glasses or not, or has an astigmatism. That’s because the lens beams a clear picture directly to your retina, bypassing the need for glasses entirely, according to an article from Wired.
Average passenger car age now 14.5 years, nearly 13 years overall

1 week ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

The average age of passenger cars in the U.S. has reached 14.5 years, and for light trucks is now 11.9 years, according to S&P Global Mobility’s latest data. Overall, the average vehicle age is 12.8 years. “This marks the second consecutive year of a two-month increase in vehicle age, signaling broader changes in consumer purchasing behavior, economic conditions, and the durability of modern vehicles,” S&P wrote.
Oregon legislature passes automaker-specific consumer data privacy bill

1 week ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

A bill passed by the Oregon legislature seeks to protect consumer privacy via in-vehicle data collection. Recently passed in the Senate following passage in the House in April, House Bill 3875 requires all automakers to comply with state legal protections for collected consumer data, honor requests for personal data deletion, and provide consumers with copies of their data, or stop selling it or using it for targeted advertising. “Analysts have called cars a privacy nightmare,” said Sen.
I-CAR Canada adds to Sustaining Partner Program

1 week ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

I-CAR Canada has added UAP/NAPA as its newest Sustaining Partner Program (SPP) participant, allowing NAPA customers to earn I-CAR Canada training credits by completing select NAPA courses.
BMW testing all-solid-state battery cells in BMW i7

1 week ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

The BMW Group is bringing large-format, pure all-solid-state battery (ASSB) cells from Solid Power to its test vehicle, a BMW i7. BMW says the potential benefits of ASSB technology are higher energy density in a very compact storage system, meaning the potential to achieve longer ranges without the disadvantages of added weight. The testing vehicle is currently operating in the Munich area. Since 2022, the BMW Group and Solid Power, Inc.
Senate follows House to reverse new ICE vehicle sales ban

2 weeks ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

The U.S. Senate has approved the reversal of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s approval of a waiver for California and 11 states to ban the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035. The House passed the reversal under Joint Resolutions 87, 88, and 89 three weeks ago. Under California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s plan, plug-in hybrids and used gas cars can still be sold. The resolution now goes to the White House.
3M engineering stresses ‘obvious need’ to follow OEM repair procedures

2 weeks ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

A 3M webinar hosted on Tuesday by ASE drove home the importance of following OEM repair procedures, not only for the safety of future vehicle passengers, but also to avoid shop liability concerns and drive up profitability. “Body shops’ reputation’s on the line, customer safety’s on the line when they get their vehicle back, and the OEM’s brand is on the line,” said Branden Loesch, 3M AOEM application engineering advanced specialist.
TechForce and NTHS announce new scholarship opp, several associations announce 2025 award recipients

2 weeks ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

The TechForce Foundation has launched two new scholarships in collaboration with the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) for NTHS members pursuing careers in the skilled trades. The deadline to apply is June 30. Several industry scholarship awards have also been recently announced by the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA), the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASPMN), and The Women’s Industry Network (WIN).
Rivian updates van outer box side panel procedure to be less labor-intensive

2 weeks ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

Rivian has updated one of its electric delivery van (EDV) repair procedures to make it less labor-intensive, according to Rivian Certified Collision Networks Sr. Manager Casey Hamilton. Hamilton told Repairer Driven News the procedure for replacing the outer box side panels has been simplified to only require structural adhesive and self-tapping screws. The screws serve to hold the panels as the structural adhesive dries.
Texas mandatory appraisal bill passes House

2 weeks ago | repairerdrivennews.com | Lurah Lowery

After more than six years of advocating, a bill to make it mandatory that auto and home insurance policies include an appraisal clause has unanimously passed in the Texas House.