Robert Molina owns Collision Care Xpress in Pompano Beach, Fla
Tesla recently sent a message to its drivers announcing that its service centers will now offer a variety of light collision repair services for the brand’s all-electric vehicles—good news for drivers, but bad news for repairers.
Drivers have struggled in the past to find collision repair facilities with the complex know-how to repair damaged Tesla vehicles and now there are more options for drivers. But where does that leave the few but mighty independent repair shops that have invested the time and money needed to be able to repair these advanced electric vehicles?
ADAPT spoke with Tesla-certified independent collision repair shops to see where their fears lie—if they have any.
The Announcement
After teasing collision repair since 2018, Tesla CEO, Elon Musk, fulfilled his promise at the beginning of this year. On Jan. 28, Tesla drivers received a message from the company titled “Collision Repair is Here.”
According to the message received by drivers, each of the existing 146 Tesla Service Centers can now fix minor dents, scratches, and scuffs, and perform light body repairs for suspension and axle damage, front and rear bumpers, hoods, and more.
Jerome Guillen, president of automotive for Tesla, also announced the automaker’s plan to add 46 new service centers before the middle of the year, reports CNBC.
Robert Molina owns Collision Care Xpress in Pompano Beach, Fla., and like Suggs, he isn’t worried about his car count, in fact, he thinks it may increase. Molina first invested in Tesla certifications in 2016 when he said he saw the writing on the wall.
Molina attended Tesla’s factory training himself and has spent around $700,000 achieving and maintaining his certification.
“We have such a great relationship with our service center now,” Molina said, “I just see them capturing more work for us.”
Collision Care Xpress