How Independents Can Win in 2026

About this episode

Dave Luehr discusses how independent collision repairers can thrive in 2026 by leveraging community relationships and adapting to market trends.

In trying times, independent collision repairers are positioned to succeed by leveraging community relationships, reputation, and ability to quickly adapt, including custom programs to capitalize on the rising trend of customer-pay work.In part 1 of this episode, Dave Luehr, owner of Elite Body Shop Solutions, joins the CollisionCast to talk about how the best time to be independent is now. We'll talk about what viewers can look forward to at the Positivity Summit on Feb. 6, plus other ways independents can win in 2026.

People in this episode

Guest: Dave Luehr

Topics covered

• independent collision repair
• business strategy
• community relationships
• customer-pay work
• adaptability

Keywords

• Positivity Summit
• customer-pay work
• independent collision repairers
• community relationships
• business adaptability

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Elite Body Shop Solutions

More episodes of CollisionCast

• GM Enhances Collision Assistance Tool · June 9, 2026 · 12 min
• Changing Lives with NABC · May 26, 2026 · 15 min
• The Plastic Repair Decision · May 12, 2026 · 25 min
• Helping Close the Technical Gap with BackBay Estimator · April 14, 2026 · 31 min
• Give Up What You Don't Need · April 7, 2026 · 29 min
• Collision Repair's Compliance Burden · March 24, 2026 · 26 min