Auto and tech names got hit across the board today, with Aptiv taking the hardest shot at nearly 5% down, while LKQ was the one outlier that didn't follow the tape lower.
Data via Yahoo Finance
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Two big moves this week that tighten the margins and change how you price work. ADAS entry standards are shifting, and Rhode Island just raised the total loss threshold to 85%, which means more borderline vehicles will come to you for repair instead of the salvage yard.
INDUSTRY
1. ADAS calibration bar keeps rising; entry costs climbing
Whether you do in-house ADAS calibration or sublet it, the technical and equipment standards for entry keep climbing. Shops are facing higher skill requirements, more expensive tooling, and tighter OEM validation protocols. This matters because it's making independent shops choose between investing big or losing margin by sending work out.
Mark says: Get honest about your in-house vs. sublet cost model now; rising standards will force a decision before labor gets scarcer.
2. Rhode Island raises total loss threshold to 85%
For the second year running, Rhode Island lawmakers have lifted the total loss threshold to 85%, up from lower percentages. That means vehicles that previously went straight to auction will now come through your estimating room for repair. Expect more mid-range damage work and longer estimate timelines.
Mark says: Update your total loss triggers in your estimating system today if you touch RI cars; margin sits in proper write-up.
3. Snap-on buys Diesel Laptops for $100M; diagnostics consolidation accelerates
Snap-on acquired heavy-duty diagnostics provider Diesel Laptops for roughly $100 million. The move signals continued consolidation in the diagnostic tool space and shows where the industry sees growth. For collision shops that service commercial fleets or heavy trucks, this matters for tool and software roadmap.
Mark says: Watch for Snap-on integration updates; if you use Diesel Laptops, confirm your software support pathway in writing.
4. Rivian R2 deliveries begin; new ADAS fleet hitting roads
Rivian has started public deliveries of its R2 mid-size SUV after extended development. The R2 will carry Rivian's suite of driver assistance and safety systems. As new model fleets roll out, your calibration schedule will fill with unfamiliar platforms and systems you may not have seen yet.
Mark says: Pull Rivian R2 ADAS bulletins and calibration specs this week; early adopters will hit your bay before you're ready otherwise.
5. JD Power: insurers losing customers when service channels don't connect
JD Power found that consumers who switch channels during a single insurance inquiry are less satisfied and less likely to renew. Insurers are struggling to deliver seamless omnichannel experience. For shops, this signals more pressure on insurers to streamline claim handling and approval speed, which ripples into your supplement workflows.
Mark says: Insurers are desperate to fix their process; use this moment to push for faster supplement review and cycle time commitments.
Got a denied supplemental claim on an ADAS or calibration procedure? Run it through our free Calibration Denial Audit. Upload the denied claim, get back a one-page OEM-cited rebuttal in 60 seconds, no pitch attached.