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National Autobody News

Stay informed with the latest National Auto Body Collision Repair News. Explore comprehensive coverage on industry trends, technological advancements, and expert insights dedicated to professionals in the auto body collision industry.
A diagonal row of white Ram ProMaster cargo vans on a gravel lot under a partly cloudy sky, with the nearest van’s black grille and “RAM” lettering in the foreground.

Ram ProMaster Steering Harness, VW ID.4 Battery, and Land Rover Defender Seat Belt Recalls

New safety filings involve components collision repairers handle often, from seat belts to steering gears.
October 14, 2026 Autobody News Staff
Technician kneeling beside a damaged gray sedan, holding a red tablet while inspecting the front wheel well area. The car’s hood is open and its windshield is cracked.

Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Prices Up 5.8% as Auto Insurance Index Edges Up

Body work prices rose 6.0% over the year, and August body labor rates were 6.8% above year-ago levels.
October 14, 2026 Lisa McArdle
The white dome of the California State Capitol in Sacramento, ringed with columns and arched windows, above a pediment carved with classical figures. A sculpture of a figure holding a spear beside a rearing animal stands at the roofline, with Corinthian columns, a flagpole, and an evergreen tree below against a clear blue sky.

BAR Revises Airbag Rule as Storage, Advertising Packages Advance

Airbag and storage rules are pending state review with a Jan. 1, 2027 target, while an advertising change awaits agency review.
October 13, 2026 Lisa McArdle
A silver car with a crumpled front fender and hood seen from the driver’s side, with a deployed light blue airbag filling the window behind a side mirror.

Federal Bill Would Require Used-Vehicle Sellers to Disclose Missing or Disabled Airbags

The bill arrives as NHTSA asks the repair industry to watch for banned replacement inflators and lists warning signs for technicians.
October 13, 2026 Lisa McArdle
Shop Stack Breakdown: Community Collision in Leesburg, Fla.

Shop Stack Breakdown: Community Collision in Leesburg, Fla.

A two-shop Leesburg independent built on OEM certification keeps customer contact personal and lets software handle parts and paint costs.
October 13, 2026 Lisa McArdle
Automechanika Frankfurt Award Winners Provide Insight Into Future Technologies

Automechanika Frankfurt Award Winners Provide Insight Into Future Technologies

Autonomous bumper sanding, an AI inspection robot, and AI-assisted diagnostics earned Innovation Awards from a record field of 185 entries.
October 13, 2026 Stacey Phillips Ronak
Two workers in dark gray jackets with orange stitching lean over a primed car panel, one pointing with a finger and the other marking the surface with a pencil.

From Good Idea to SOP: How Shops Make Operational Improvements Stick

Odessa shop owner Gilbert Ramirez says turning good ideas into lasting processes takes trust, team buy-in, and daily consistency.
October 12, 2026 Leona Scott
Two men sit at a white table looking at an open silver laptop; the man on the right, wearing a plaid short-sleeve shirt and resting his chin on one hand, gestures toward the screen while a younger man in a navy T-shirt watches, with a potted plant against a gray wall behind them.

Are Your People Better Because of Your Leadership?

How curious, people-focused leadership helps shops develop their teams and draw new talent to collision repair.
October 12, 2026 Sheryl Driggers
A man in a faded pink baseball cap, dark vest, and work pants writes on a clipboard with a red pen while standing between a gray van and a white van in a repair shop, with a bright green hatchback parked in front of a red-framed paint booth in the background.

Labor Rate Index: Shops That Raised Rates Moved From Below to Above National Averages

In three of four categories, 60% of shops that updated their surveys in the past 12 months raised rates, NABR data shows.
October 12, 2026 Autobody News in conjunction with LaborRateHero
Dark red sedan with severe front-end collision damage, including a crumpled hood, broken headlight, and exposed radiator, parked on a grassy roadside.

"Who Pays for What?" Survey: Total-Loss Admin Fees Are Paid 75% of the Time, Itemized Charges Far Less

Clearing personal data and parts cart storage, two newer total-loss charges, are paid 37% and 33% of the time.
October 12, 2026 Autobody News in partnership with Collision Advice and CRASH Network

National Association News

WIN Scholarship Campaign Raises Almost $10,000 to Support Students
Parts Delivery Times Improve; Court Rulings, Legislation Could Have Future Effects
WIN Annual Conference Encourages Women in Collision Repair to ‘Dream Out Loud’
WIN Kicks Off Annual Sponsorship Campaign
ASE Instructor Training Conference a Huge Success 
Speakers Announced for CIECA CONNEX 2023 Conference
WIN Hosts Annual Educational Conference
ASE Education Foundation Seeking Nominations for Instructor Award
ASE Announces New EV Standards, EV Testing and Certification Program
Course Topics Announced for ASE Instructor Training Conference 

Digital Partners

Guide for KPA

A Collision Center's $1.7 Million Bad Day

One workplace incident. $1.7 million in OSHA fines, EPA enforcement, civil litigation, and business losses. Could your shop absorb that?

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Current Digital Issue: October 2026

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