NABC Recycled Rides® Program Donates Six Vehicles Across Texas and Ohio
The National Auto Body Council® Recycled Rides® program recently presented refurbished vehicles to six recipients in Dallas, TX and Chardon, OH, including five veterans and one community member working toward self-sufficiency.
On April 7, five Dallas-area veterans received vehicles at the NABC Lone Star Changing and Saving Lives Golf Fundraiser at Bear Creek Golf Club. Vehicle donors GEICO and Allstate, along with repair partners Crash Champions, Reliable Chevrolet, Solution Works, and Texas Collision Centers, made the presentations possible. Recipients — Jerry Macon, Bobbie Hererra, Marellus Mitchell, Evan Smith, and Brian Aft — were selected by American GI Forum, the Department of Veterans Affairs, Serenity Veterans Village and Freedom Mobility Foundation. One of the five vehicles was adapted for a disabled veteran.
In Chardon, OH, Clarence Harvey received a refurbished 2019 Hyundai Tucson SE donated by GEICO and repaired by Chardon Square Collision, a CollisionRight network member. Harvey was nominated by the Urban League of Greater Cleveland.
Since its 2007 launch, NABC Recycled Rides® has delivered more than 3,750 vehicles valued at approximately $67 million to individuals and families in need of reliable transportation.
Frank Phillips Jr. Appointed CEO of 4Plastic
4Plastic announced the appointment of Frank Phillips Jr. as chief executive officer.
“I am incredibly excited to join 4Plastic at such a defining moment,” said Phillips. “We are launching a global initiative to establish the industry gold standard for plastic repair processes, technology, and tooling. As we scale, our focus is clear: building a high-performing, disciplined platform that positions 4Plastic as the industry leader.”
As CEO, Phillips will lead 4Plastic’s global operations, strengthen governance and performance systems, and drive the company’s next phase of disciplined, scalable growth.
Crash Champions Expands Florida Presence with Opening of 20th Location in the Tampa Bay Area
Crash Champions opened a new 15,000+ square-foot repair center in Dade City, Fla on April 6. It’s the brand’s 20th location in the Tampa Bay area.
“Since expanding to Florida in 2021, we’ve continued building our team by delivering trusted, high-quality service when people need it most,” said Founder and CEO Matt Ebert. “We’re excited to open this modern repair center and extend our best-in-class collision repair services to the Dade City community.”
The modern Dade City repair center, a ground-up construction project featuring fully air-conditioned production areas, is outfitted with industry-leading equipment, including a Car-O-Liner EVO 3 system, the latest Pro Spot welders and Pro Spot riveting station, and a KECO glue pull station, according to Crash Champions. It is also open on Saturdays to better serve customers throughout Pasco County and the Greater Tampa Bay area.
Collision Engineering Career Alliance Receives $50,000 Donation from Safelite
Safelite has made a $50,000 donation to the Collision Engineering Career Alliance to help advance its collision engineering program operating at partner schools across the country.
Donations to Collision Engineering drive a significant impact for student and program success by bringing together education and industry to transform how collision repair technicians are trained and retained, according to the Collision Engineering Career Alliance.
“We commend the Enterprise Mobility Foundation for their vision and creative approach to collision engineering, which aligns with our shared commitment to expanding access to skilled trades and meaningful careers,” said Renee Cacchillo, president and chief executive officer of Safelite.
“We are grateful for the support provided by Safelite to invest in the long-term vitality of our program,” said Mary Mahoney, president of the Collision Engineering Career Alliance. “Our strategic partners help scale our national impact and drive student success in the shop and across their local communities.”
Indiana Auto Body Association to Host CCC ONE Mastery Workshop on April 16
The Indiana Auto Body Association (IABA) is hosting the CCC ONE Mastery: AI, Estimates & Integrations Workshop, a full-day seminar designed to help collision repair professionals unlock their business potential. The workshop will take place on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the CRG Event Center in Plainfield, IN.
The cost is $25 per person for members and $100 per person for non-members. To register, visit IABA or contact Matt Dougher at 513-659-5324 or mathewdougher@gmail.com.
Ohio Auto Body Association to Host Paint Materials Reimbursement & State of the Industry Forum April 21
The Ohio Auto Body Association (OABA) announced its upcoming Paint Materials Reimbursement & State of the Industry Forum, an event designed to address critical issues facing the collision repair industry. The forum will take place on Tuesday, April 21, at the Quest Conference Center in Westerville, OH.
The cost is $25 per person for members and $199 per person for non-members. Visit OABA, or contact Matt Dougher at 513-659-5324 or mathewdougher@gmail.com to secure your spot.
Auto Care Association Launches ‘Tools for Tomorrow’s Technicians’ High School Vocational Grant Program
The Auto Care Association’s Tool and Equipment community launched a new grant opportunity designed to support high school automotive vocational programs. The “Tools for Tomorrow’s Technicians” vocational grant program aims to help high schools in the United States address their critical needs for tools and equipment in today’s classrooms.
“The Auto Care Association’s Tool and Equipment Community recognizes how important it is to address the current technician workforce shortage in our industry today,” said Joe Sabo, chair, Tool and Equipment community, Auto Care Association. “That’s why we —as well as our valued members—are focused on attracting, retaining and growing the next generation of automotive technicians. We hope this new Tool and Equipment vocational grant will help our vocational career schools and colleges better prepare these students for those careers.”
Grant submissions will be accepted through Aug. 31, with decisions finalized by Sept. 30.
YANG Announces 2026 Next Step Program Scholarship Recipients
The Young Auto Care Network Group (YANG), an under-40 community of the Auto CareAssociation, announced its 2026 Next Step Program scholarship recipients for this year’s YANG programming at Auto Care Connect.
The Next Step Program offers young automotive aftermarket industry professionals the opportunity to establish lasting involvement in the auto care industry. Scholarship recipients will experience and engage in YANG programming at Connect and Spring Leadership Days, part of Auto Care Connect week, taking place May 11-14 at the Hyatt Regency Atlanta in Atlanta, Ga.
The 2026 Next Step Program Scholarship recipients are: Tiffany Auyeung, Genuine Parts/NAPA; Shelby McLean, CRC Industries; Dina Nikocevic, Parts Authority; Samantha Schearer-Higdon, Schearer’s Sales & Service, Inc.; and Joseph Pedorenko, TERREPOWER.
National Auto Body Council® F.R.E.E.™ Program Aims to Make Memphis-area Drivers Safer on the Road
Today’s vehicles are equipped with numerous airbags, advanced technology, and innovative safety systems that keep drivers safer in case of an accident. But these same safety advantages make it harder for first responders to rescue those drivers and passengers.
Pinnacle Financial Partners hosted first responders from across the Memphis, TN, area at a special NABC F.R.E.E.™ education and guidance program on April 9 to help ensure Tennessee drivers have the best prepared response in case of an accident. The National Auto Body Council® First Responder Emergency Education (F.R.E.E.™) program provides education and live demonstrations on working with high-strength steel, airbags, advanced restraint systems, onboard technology and safety around alternative fuel vehicles.
AACF and CIF Announce Partnership to Strengthen Support for Aftermarket Industry Professionals
The Automotive Aftermarket Charitable Foundation (AACF) and the Collision Industry Foundation (CIF) have announced a new partnership designed to expand awareness and strengthen the safety net available to automotive industry professionals facing unexpected financial hardship.
Both organizations provide emergency financial assistance to individuals and families experiencing crises such as accidents, natural disasters, or other catastrophic events. Through this collaboration, AACF and CIF will work together to increase awareness of available assistance and create referral pathways that connect industry professionals with additional resources when needed.
“The aftermarket industry has always been known for taking care of its own,” said John Kairys, executive director of AACF. “By working together with the Collision Industry Foundation, we are strengthening the safety net for the people behind the parts, equipment, repairs, and services that keep consumers moving every day.”
AVILOO names Brett Lippel as CEO of its North American operations
AVILOO, a global leader in independent battery diagnostics for electric vehicles, announced the appointment of Brett Lippel as CEO of AVILOO Northern America.
AVILOO Global CEO Marcus Berger emphasized the importance of Lippel’s appointment in the company’s phase of expansion, noting that the company has found “a proven expert from the automotive sector” who brings not only deep market knowledge but extensive industry relations.
“We are truly excited that we were able to bring on board a proven expert from the automotive industry with Brett. We can see how passionately he takes on this mission, and we are confident that thanks to his know‑how and dedication, we will make a decisive step toward realizing our goals in the United States,” Berger said.
