Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA Expand Certified Repair Options for EV and Luxury Drivers

Rhea-AI Summary

Driven Brands Collision Group (DRVN) is expanding certified repair capabilities for electric and luxury vehicles across its U.S. network, adding training, tools, and equipment to support manufacturer‑aligned repairs.

The network holds 37 luxury OEM certifications and 288 EV certifications, with Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA each carrying specific brand approvals to protect safety systems and long‑term vehicle value.

Positive

• 288 EV certifications across the Driven Brands network
• 37 luxury OEM certifications supporting major premium brands
• CARSTAR: 141 EV certifications, largest EV count among brands

Negative

• Uneven certification distribution: Abra 22 vs CARSTAR 141 vs Fix Auto 125, risking service gaps regionally

News Market Reaction – DRVN

-0.35%

-0.35% Session close to close

In the Feb 19 session, DRVN declined 0.35%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Market Context

This announcement highlights DRVN’s strategic push into advanced collision repair, with more than 30...

Analysis

This announcement highlights DRVN’s strategic push into advanced collision repair, with more than 300 OEM certifications, including 37 luxury and 288 EV certifications across Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA. It builds on recent portfolio reshaping following the €411 million sale of the international car wash business. Investors may watch how utilization of these certifications, mix shift toward EV and luxury repairs, and upcoming earnings on February 25, 2026 clarify growth, margins, and capital needs for the expanded footprint.

Key Figures

Total OEM certifications: more than 300 Luxury OEM certifications: 37 certifications EV certifications total: 288 certifications +5 more

8 metrics

Total OEM certifications more than 300 Collision Group OEM certifications across brands

Luxury OEM certifications 37 certifications Luxury OEM certifications across U.S. network

EV certifications total 288 certifications EV certifications across Driven Brands Collision network

Abra EV certifications 22 certifications Represents about 40% of Abra network

CARSTAR EV certifications 141 certifications Represents about 31% of CARSTAR network

Fix Auto USA EV certifications 125 certifications Covers nearly half of Fix Auto USA network

Luxury brands covered 7 brands Audi, BMW, Jaguar, Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo

EV programs listed 11 programs Named OEM EV certification programs in the release

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Feb 12 (Neutral)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	24h Move	Catalyst
Feb 12	Earnings call scheduled	Neutral	-1.4%	Set date and time for Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings call.
Feb 09	Segment reporting update	Positive	+1.9%	Recast segments after car wash divestiture to highlight core growth areas.
Jan 27	Car wash divestiture	Positive	-1.9%	Closed sale of international car wash business for about €411M to reduce debt.
Jan 13	Sale-leaseback deal	Neutral	-0.9%	15-property Take 5 portfolio sale-leaseback to monetize real estate.
Dec 30	Charitable milestone	Positive	+1.7%	Collision Group surpassed $6M raised for cystic fibrosis initiatives.

24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.

Pattern Detected

Recent corporate updates generally saw modest price reactions, with most positive or neutral news aligning with small gains and only the car wash divestiture showing a negative divergence.

Recent Company History

Over the last few months, DRVN has focused on portfolio reshaping and reporting clarity. The sale of its international car wash business for approximately €411 million on Jan 27 preceded a -1.93% move, while new segment reporting on Feb 9 saw a +1.85% reaction. An upcoming earnings call on Feb 25, 2026, sale-leaseback real estate activity, and a $6M charitable milestone each produced relatively modest stock moves. Today’s EV and luxury certification expansion fits the pattern of operational updates that refine DRVN’s post-car-wash strategy.

Key Terms

oem, advanced driver assistance systems, high-voltage system, battery diagnostics

4 terms

oem technical

"With more than 300 OEM certifications already in place, and more on the way"

OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer, which is a company that produces parts or components used in the final products made by other companies. For investors, understanding OEMs is important because their performance can impact the supply chain and overall success of major industries, especially those relying on specialized parts. Think of OEMs as the suppliers that provide the building blocks for larger products, like the engine parts for a car.

advanced driver assistance systems technical

"From advanced driver assistance systems to lightweight aluminum frames"

Advanced driver assistance systems are electronic tools built into vehicles that act like a cooperative co‑pilot — they monitor road conditions and help with tasks such as keeping lanes, adjusting speed, parking, and automatically braking to avoid collisions. Investors care because these systems influence vehicle safety ratings, regulatory compliance, product appeal, and costs; they can change revenue mix and liability exposure for automakers, suppliers, and tech companies as adoption increases.

high-voltage system technical

"Electric vehicles require specialized handling, including high-voltage system safety"

A high-voltage system is the set of electrical components and wiring designed to carry and control much higher-than-normal voltages used to power major equipment—think of it as the building’s main water pipe compared with a garden hose, carrying more force over longer distances. Investors care because these systems affect a product’s performance, efficiency, safety and regulatory compliance; failures or costly upgrades can lead to recalls, warranty expenses, slower sales or higher capital spending.

battery diagnostics technical

"including high-voltage system safety, battery diagnostics, and structural repair"

Battery diagnostics are the tests and monitoring tools that check a battery’s condition, capacity and safety—like a regular health check-up for a battery. Investors care because these checks reveal how long batteries will last, when they’ll need replacement or repairs, and whether they meet safety and performance expectations, which directly affects product reliability, operating costs, warranty liabilities and resale or secondary-market value.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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CHARLOTTE, N.C., Feb. 18, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- If you drive an electric or luxury vehicle, finding the right collision repair shop matters more than ever. The Driven Brands Collision Group, the parent company of leading collision repair brands including Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA, is expanding its certified repair capabilities nationwide to ensure drivers of today's most advanced vehicles have access to safe, manufacturer approved repairs close to home.

As vehicle technology evolves, so do repair standards. With more than 300 OEM certifications already in place, and more on the way, Driven Brands Collision Group is investing in the training, tools, and equipment required to properly repair electric and luxury vehicles.

From advanced driver assistance systems to lightweight aluminum frames, luxury vehicles require specialized repair expertise. Across its U.S. network, Driven Brands Collision Group holds 37 luxury OEM certifications, supporting safe and precise repairs for brands such as:

• Audi
• BMW
• Jaguar
• Land Rover
• Lexus
• Mercedes-Benz
• Volvo

Luxury certification distribution by brand:

• Abra: BMW, Mercedes-Benz
• CARSTAR: Audi, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo
• Fix Auto USA: Audi, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo

For drivers, that means repairs completed according to manufacturer standards, helping protect vehicle performance, safety systems, and long-term value.

Electric vehicles require specialized handling, including high-voltage system safety, battery diagnostics, and structural repair considerations. Driven Brands Collision Group currently holds 288 EV certifications across its network, ensuring broad coverage for both individual drivers and fleet customers.

Certified EV programs include:

• GM BEV
• Honda/Acura EV
• Tesla
• Mercedes-Benz EQ
• Nissan EV Ready
• Polestar
• Rivian (Fleet and Passenger)
• VinFast
• Lucid
• Ford
• GM Fleet

EV certification distribution by brand:

• Abra: 22 EV certifications, representing approximately 40% of its network
• CARSTAR: 141 EV certifications, representing approximately 31% of its network
• Fix Auto USA: 125 EV certifications, covering nearly half of its network

As EV ownership continues to grow, this expanding footprint helps ensure drivers can find certified repair support in more communities nationwide.

"Vehicle technology is evolving rapidly, and our responsibility is to stay ahead of that curve," said Damien Reyna, Chief Operating Officer, Driven Brands Collision Group. "These EV and luxury certifications reflect our ongoing commitment to manufacturer-aligned repairs, advanced technician training, and ensuring our locations are fully prepared to safely service the vehicles our customers are driving today and the ones they'll be driving tomorrow."

With additional luxury and EV certifications underway, Driven Brands Collision Group continues investing in its people, facilities, and OEM partnerships to support advanced collision repair at scale.

Drivers seeking manufacturer-approved repairs for electric or luxury vehicles can learn more or find a nearby location at AbraAuto.com, CARSTAR.com, or FixAutoUSA.com.

About CARSTAR
CARSTAR is North America's largest franchise network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 700 locations across the United States and Canada. CARSTAR delivers national scale, premier vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes, and the industry's highest customer satisfaction ratings. CARSTAR has maintained its commitment to give back to the communities it serves through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including raising over $6 million for cystic fibrosis research, care, and advocacy across North America. CARSTAR is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchise partners and interested parties should contact 844-906-9764 or visit CARSTARfranchise.com.

About Fix Auto USA
Fix Auto USA provides a platform that enables independent owner-operated collision repair facilities to achieve success in a consolidating marketplace. Fix Auto USA franchisees benefit from a trusted brand, multi-level insurance representation, leading-edge technology, centrally managed claims processes, and scaled purchasing power. Fix Auto USA is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. Fix Auto USA is ranked in the Franchise Times magazine's Top 200. Visit FixAutoUSA.com to learn more.

About Abra
Abra Auto Body Repair of America was founded in 1984 in Fridley, MN, and has since grown to over 55 facilities throughout the United States. Abra specializes in collision repair, paintless dent removal, as well as auto glass repair and replacement, all backed by a lifetime national warranty. Abra is a member of Driven Brands, the largest automotive services company in North America. Visit abraauto.com to learn more.

About Driven Brands
Driven Brands™, headquartered in Charlotte, NC, is the largest automotive services company in North America, providing a range of consumer and commercial automotive needs, including paint, collision, glass, vehicle repair, oil change, maintenance and car wash. Driven Brands is the parent company of some of North America's leading automotive service businesses including Take 5 Oil Change^®, Meineke Car Care Centers^®, Maaco^®, 1-800-Radiator & A/C^®, and CARSTAR^®. Driven Brands has more than 4,500 locations across 15 countries, and services over 50 million vehicles annually. Driven Brands' network generates more than $1.7 billion in annual revenue from more than $5.0 billion in system-wide sales.

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SOURCE Driven Brands

FAQ

What EV certification scale did Driven Brands announce on February 18, 2026 for DRVN?

According to the company, Driven Brands reported 288 EV certifications across its U.S. collision network, reflecting broad coverage for individual and fleet customers and continued expansion of EV repair capabilities.

How many luxury OEM certifications does Driven Brands hold for DRVN as of Feb 18, 2026?

According to the company, Driven Brands holds 37 luxury OEM certifications across Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA, supporting manufacturer‑aligned repairs for top premium brands.

Which brands have luxury certifications at CARSTAR, Abra, and Fix Auto USA under DRVN?

According to the company, CARSTAR and Fix Auto USA cover Audi, BMW, Jaguar Land Rover, Lexus, Mercedes‑Benz, Volvo, while Abra holds BMW and Mercedes‑Benz certifications.

How is EV certification distributed among DRVN brands Abra, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA?

According to the company, Abra holds 22 EV certifications (~40% of its network), CARSTAR 141 (~31% of its network), and Fix Auto USA 125 (nearly half of its network).

What does the DRVN certification expansion mean for electric and luxury vehicle owners?

According to the company, the expansion means more locations can perform manufacturer‑approved repairs, which helps protect vehicle safety systems, performance, and long‑term resale value.

Where can drivers find manufacturer‑approved DRVN repair locations for EVs and luxury cars?

According to the company, drivers can locate certified repair shops via AbraAuto.com, CARSTAR.com, or FixAutoUSA.com to find nearby manufacturer‑aligned service options.