Happy New Year, and welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News!

We're kicking off 2026 with a new look and a slightly new format— and most importantly, the same great, actionable content you've come to expect from the best operators and minds in the industry… right here on the Collision Vision…

To start the year strong, we're bringing back a friend of the show: John Melendez, owner of JDM Collision. Today we're unpacking a bold strategic move you don't see every day in collision—John's decision to pursue ASE mechanical certifications inside a collision-first operation. We'll get into the trigger, the roadmap, the investment, and the results: keeping more of the repair in-house, speeding cycle time, and capturing more of the total repair bill without sacrificing quality. If you've ever wondered whether adding mechanical capability belongs in your growth plan, this is the blueprint. Let's dive in.

Connect with John:

Email: [email protected] Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melendez-576b59294/ Website: https://www.jdmcollision.com/