Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

Today we're diving into a topic that's moving quickly from "emerging" to mission-critical for collision repair operators: EV fire safety.

As electric vehicles continue to scale across the country, they're bringing with them a very different risk profile. Lithium-ion batteries, especially when damaged in a collision, can experience something called thermal runaway — a chain reaction that can lead to fires that burn hotter, last longer, and even reignite hours or days after the initial incident.

That changes everything from how we intake vehicles, to where we store them, to how we protect our teams, our facilities, and our customers.

Joining me today is Bruno Lucarelli of EV Safety, a company focused specifically on helping operators understand, prepare for, and mitigate these risks. We're going to talk about what's actually at stake, where shops are most exposed today, and how to think about building the right safety infrastructure as EV volume continues to grow.

This is one of those conversations where awareness alone isn't enough. Action is what truly matters. Let's get into it. Connect with Bruno: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brunolucarelli/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/ev-safety-llc/posts/?feedView=all https://evsafetyproducts.com/

Welcome back to The Collision Vision Roundtable. I'm Cole Strandberg, and as part of our new format, we're unpacking the key themes from my recent conversation with Sebastian Torres of CARSTAR Torcam Group.

Sebastian shared how rethinking intake, by leveraging mobile inspection and capture estimating, allowed his team to deliver estimates before customers leave, increase efficiency, and lay the foundation for smart, sustainable growth.

Today I'm joined by our permanent panelists, Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers, along with returning guest Bill Brower of Solera. We're going deeper — not just on the technology itself, but on what it really takes to build the operational foundation for growth, scale it across locations, and make sure tech adoption actually translates into better performance and profitability.

Connect with Bill: Email: [email protected] Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-brower-mba-9426b51/

Connect with our panelists: Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/ Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-solis-534470105/

Welcome back to The Collision Vision, driven by Autobody News. I'm your host, Cole Strandberg.

Today I'm joined by Sebastian Torres, a sharp family-business operator leading CARSTAR Torcam Group in Canada. When Sebastian took the reins, he challenged legacy habits and leaned into tech—adding Solera's photo-capture estimating and mobile inspection so customers can leave with an estimate in hand. The result? Faster intake, cleaner repair plans, better documentation, and a noticeable lift in profitability.

We'll unpack the workflow changes at the front counter, the ROI math behind instant estimates, and—importantly—the leadership side: how to build the foundation for growth and know when the timing is right to scale across locations. Let's get into it.

Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastian-torres-4ba591211/

[email protected]

Welcome to our new follow-up roundtable on The Collision Vision. I'm Cole Strandberg, joined by our permanent panelists, Erin Solis and Sheryl Driggers, and today, our recent guest John Melendez is back with us.

We're unpacking John's decision to add ASE mechanical inside a collision-first shop — what it did for sublet, cycle time, pricing power, and customer experience — and how independent operators can pilot the same playbook. Let's get into it.

Connect with John:

Email: [email protected] Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-melendez-576b59294/ Connect with our panelists:

Sheryl: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheryldriggers/

Erin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erin-solis-534470105/

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/

For the final episode of the year, we wanted to revisit one of our favorite conversations with Mike Anderson. During this discussion, we covered why shops should consider OEM certifications, how to choose the right ones, the steps to get certified, and how to maximize the value of those credentials. If you're looking to strengthen your shop's credibility, improve repair quality, and position yourself for long-term success in an evolving industry, this episode is for you. See you in 2026!

Connect with Mike: Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-anderson-1124ba48/ Website: https://collisionadvice.com/ Contact: https://collisionadvice.com/contact/

Today Cole talks with a colleague at FOCUS Investment Banking, Rob Adams. Rob helps founders fund expansion so during today's conversion the guys address private debt and capital raising as a deliberate growth strategy.

Over the last few years we've watched more growth-oriented operators partner with private equity—thinking of it less as a sale and more as a strategic alliance. The question for 2026: will we see that thesis taken one step further—using private debt (the same kind of debt PE uses) to scale while retaining maximum equity and control?

Today we'll break down what private debt is, when it beats bank debt or equity, what lenders actually look for, and how to structure capital so it accelerates growth without stressing the business. Let's get into it.

Connect with Robert: Website: https://focusbankers.com/ Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-adams-34725725/ Email: [email protected]

Today we're tackling one of the biggest moments in any owner's career: a liquidity event. Our guest is Brian Odelli, a private wealth advisor who specializes in helping entrepreneurs prepare for—and thrive after—a sale. We'll break down the emotional side of deciding when to sell, how to know if you're financially ready, and how to assemble the right deal team. Then we'll get tactical: pre-sale planning to optimize taxes and protect your family, and post-sale strategy to turn proceeds into a durable plan—one that makes sure you're never poor, funds your lifestyle, and supports your legacy. If you're considering an exit in the next 1–3 years—or you simply want to be prepared—this episode is your playbook. Let's get into it.