This year, the Southeast Collision Conference—co-hosted by the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) and the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA)—immediately follows the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) Q2 meeting. With over 50 vendors and a robust educational program covering critical topics from ADAS to AI, the conference is set to deliver valuable insights, networking opportunities and a glimpse into the future of collision repair.
As vehicles become more connected, complex and technology-driven, the automotive industry is adapting to significant change. Host Ryan Mandell is joined by Rick Schwartz, CEO of Schwartz Advisors, for an in-depth discussion on trends in vehicles-in-operation (VIO), EV adoption, ADAS, automobile repair, and supply chain dynamics. Together they examine how these changes could influence the future of auto claims and collision repair.
The U.S. share of repairable collision claims involving battery electric vehicles (BEVs) held steady at 3.33% in Q1 2026, unchanged from Q4 2025. Although sales of new BEVs grew modestly quarter over quarter, they remain 28% lower year over year. Several OEMs have scaled back production following increases in import tariffs and the expiration of federal tax incentives. Despite this near-term slowdown, BEVs are projected to reach approximately 29% of new vehicle sales and just over 10% of vehicles in operation by 2035, driving a steady increase in collision exposure.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ today released its Q1 2026 Plugged-In: EV Collision Insights report. The company’s latest publication reveals a shift in electric vehicle claim trends that is introducing new challenges for insurers and repairers related to risk exposure, cycle time and repair complexity.
51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ today announced that Progressive Insurance, the nation’s largest commercial vehicle insurer and second largest personal auto insurer, has signed a long-term contract renewal. The renewal provides Progressive with continued access to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ’s comprehensive software solutions used to support collision claims, damage appraisals, total loss valuations, and interactions with repair facility partners.