Get the Beyond Parts daily newsletter directly to your inbox!
Enter your email here to start receiving it:

  

January 2008
Google
 

Thursday - Jan. 31, 2008

  • Good Luck and Goodbye By Sheila Loftus - This is hello and goodbye. -- John Yoswick, who has reported on the auto collision repair industry since 1988, will be taking over the publication of the CRASH Network as of the next issue. John is an excellent reporter and a terrific writer. He will serve his readers—you—well.
  • "Big box" auto body shop rejected for Shingle Springs site - CA: A Citrus Heights-based firm, characterized by some competitors as a "big box store" among auto-collision repair services, lost its bid to set up shop in Shingle Springs. -- The El Dorado County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday upheld an appeal by the owner of a small auto-body shop in Cameron Park who sought to prevent Kniesel's Auto Collision Center from opening an auto-body shop at the site of a former sports complex off Highway 50.
  • NFCB Changes Pricing Structure - glassBYTEs: Pittsburgh-based PPG Industries has notified PPGSelect® participants servicing zip codes in North Carolina that North Carolina Farm Bureau (NCFB) has changed its glass claims pricing structure, effective February 1.
  • Northside business wins environmental award - Canada: A northside automobile collision repair company has been recognized with the first Mayor's Environmental Award for converting to a more environment-friendly, water-borne refinishing system.
  • Neil Anderson: 1954-2008 - Neil Anderson of Airdrie, AB, a well-respected figure in Canada's collision repair industry, passed away suddenly on Saturday, January 26, 2008 at the age of 54 years.
  • Paint association expects low-VOC regulations to have 2010 deadline - Given that Environment Canada's proposed VOC regulations have not yet been published, even in draft form, and given the time it will take the industry to convert to compliant materials, the head of the Canadian Paint and Coatings Association (CPCA) says the Jan. 1, 2009 deadline is likely to be revised to 2010.
  • Louisiana Small Business Organization Picks New Leader - The National Federation of Independent Business, Louisiana’s leading small-business association, today announced the unanimous election of Louisiana small-business leader Pat Felder as chair of the organization's Leadership Council. -- Felder, who has been an NFIB member since 2007, co-owns Felder’s Collision Parts in Baton Rouge with husband Wayne.
  • Airbrushed Oakland Raider Fan Club Truck Honors Oakland Raider Hall of Famers - Airbrush Artist Mickey Harris Captures Raiders in Appropriate Ghoulish Settings
  • Zoners Table Auto, Repair Shop Variance Request - IN: Warsaw Board of Zoning Appeals Monday tabled a request for an automobile dealer and automobile body repair shop in Warsaw.
  • Repair shops battle automakers - While automakers battle each other for dominance, they are united in another long-running and increasingly high-tech war: their fight with independent shops over software and repair revenues.
  • Proposed Bill Aims To Keep Your Car And Your Trusted Neighborhood Mechanic Together - When the engine stops, loyal's said they know exactly where to go.  "I wouldn't feel comfortable taking it to a dealership," said Connie Blakely.  "If I can't bring it here, I'd just not have it fixed."
  • Great BestCam Certifies Lights to CAPA 301 Lighting Standard - The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announces that Great BestCam Co., Ltd., that has certified their first parts to the CAPA Lighting Standard 301. Achieving CAPA certification are the right and left fog lamps for the Nissan Altima 2002-04, Nissan Murano 2003-05, Infiniti FX35 2003-05, and Infiniti FX45 2003-05.
  • Women's Industry Network conference mentors students - With its mission to support and encourage women who are entering the collision repair industry, at the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) annual conference April 13-15 in Chicago, will offer five free conference registrations to current students.
  • 2008 SEMA State of the Association Gets New Location, Format - The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) has announced changes to the annual SEMA State of the Association address in order to help members discover how the association can help businesses in the automotive specialty-equipment market. All SEMA members are invited to attend the 2008 event on Thursday, Feb. 7, at 12 pm, in Indianapolis, IN.
  • ADESA moving to Belton - MO: The automobile auction company that has called Lee's Summit home for more than 27 years has decided to relocate to Belton.
  • Auto parts maker to bring jobs to 2nd state prison - OH: YUSA Corporation of Washington Court House has decided to begin providing work for inmates at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution in southern Ohio.
  • Automotive Industry Is Not Yet Fully Capturing the Benefits of Operations in India and China, BCG Study Finds - The world's leading automotive OEMs and suppliers have been racing to move products, assets, and people to China and India -- not only to sell cars in these fast-growing economies but also to conduct R&D, sourcing, manufacturing, and sales.
  • Pep Boys Partners with lanelogic to Help Consumers Sell Their Cars for Cash - In a convenient online selling process, consumers get a cash offer for their car at www.caroffer.com, powered by lanelogic, and then take their car to Pep Boys, where experienced service personnel inspect the vehicle to complete the sale.
  • Isuzu to stop SUV, pickup sales in U.S. - Purchases have fallen over the past eight years amid strong competition, weak dealer networks.
  • Stormy weather brings in more business for body shops - BOISE, ID: "75 percent of the collisions that are in here are related to the snow-covered roads and the bad weather we've been experiencing lately," said Heather Cooper, Kadel's Idaho Collision Repair.
  • Local repair centers juggle an influx of winter customers - CO: Red Noland Collision Center is booked until mid-February to repair wrecked cars that are drivable, said Dale Francis, body shop manager. It’s one of the city’s largest dealership-owned collision centers, with a 25,000-squarefoot shop, 30 employees and $6 million in revenues last year.
  • Busy Auto Body Shops - WA: Accidents Mean Good Business
  • Phila. officer is charged in auto-insurance scam - A Philadelphia police officer under investigation and on limited duty since July was arrested yesterday by the District Attorney's Office and accused of participating in an insurance-fraud scheme.
  • Ex-mayor convicted in insurance fraud scheme - WA: A former Westport mayor and former state trooper has been convicted of involvement in a scheme to commit insurance fraud, a case involving a nonexistent 1949 Chevrolet Woody and a dead State Patrol sergeant.
  • Ross Township Tow Truck Driver Accused Of Insurance Fraud - Ross Township, PA: Police Say Driver Cashed In On Crashes
  • Farmers Insurance to expand in state - Farmers Insurance Group ays it plans to recruit and train 400 new agents in the Milwaukee and Madison areas in an expansion that the insurer says ultimately could create 1,000 new jobs in Wisconsin.

Wednesday - Jan. 30, 2008

Tuesday - Jan. 29, 2008

  • Fred Haas Toyota World Is Toyota Certified Collision Center of the Year Fourth Time - Fred Haas Toyota World in Spring, Texas has won the Toyota Collision Center Shop of the Year Award for a record third straight year and fourth time overall. Recognized for its undeniable customer service and success within the automotive repair industry, the collision center received the highest honor from Toyota Motor Sales, USA.
  • State Farm is Kickin’ Ass! - Still cocky from their paid-for victory in the aftermarket parts suit, State Farm feels it has the collision repair industry by the short hairs.  They’ve played the good cop for many years, but all that is now changing. We have only ourselves to blame
  • Keystone Sponsors All Four I-CAR® Zone Conferences - Keystone Automotive, an LKQ Company, today announced its sponsorship of all four I-CAR zone conferences taking place this year in Ontario, CA, Williamsburg, VA, Hoffman Estates, IL and Moncton, New Brunswick.
  • ABRA becomes Platinum Sponsor of the DEG - ABRA Body and Glass (ABRA) has become the second Platinum Sponsor of the Database Enhancement Gateway’s (DEG’s) initiative to offer collision estimating system end-users an alternative for handling inquiries regarding collision repair data.
  • CARSTAR adds 35 new locations in 2007 - The CARSTAR group of collision repair centers awarded 35 new franchises in 2007, bringing the total number of CARSTAR locations to 370 in the U.S. and Canada.
  • ASA Blog: Tough Love - I know that you are probably presented with many opportunities to contribute your time and money to efforts that are truly deserving, but Terry Legan is ‘one of us’ and his mission is in sync with our industry’s need to develop motivated and capable employees.
  • CIECA Elects 2008 Board of Trustee Officers - The Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) Board of Trustees has elected the following officers for the year 2008
  • Repair shops losing tradespeople - Canada: Forty per cent of collision repair centres responding to a Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) survey noted they have suffered a loss of tradespeople within the last year, potentially affecting the cycle times of car repairs and, as a result, affecting insurers' costs.
  • Diversified Glass Files Anti-Trust Suit Against Glass Manufacturers - glassBYTEs:  In what some industry observers expect will become a large class action suit, Diversified Glass Services Inc. has filed a lawsuit against against Pilkington North America Inc., Nippon Sheet Glass, AGC Group, Asahi Glass Co. Ltd., Saint-Gobain Corp. and Guardian Glass Corp. alleging anti-trust violations.
  • List of Recalled Part Numbers Grows - glassBYTEs: Sources have notified glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine that Auto Temp Inc. (ATI) in Batavia, Ohio, has recalled several more glass parts from DOT 430. Hangzhou Safety Glazing Ltd. holds DOT 430.
  • New Audatex Technical Committee - UK: In order to build upon the good work achieved by members of our Technical Committee and ensure the continued momentum of this important customer forum, Audatex is pleased to announce that effective 1st January 2008, Alan Morgan, Managing Director of AMC (GB) Ltd has agreed to act as our Technical Committee chairman.
  • Three companies awarded Ohio grants, loans - PPG Industries received a $70,000 Rapid Outreach Grant to purchase machinery and equipment for its new facility in Miami Township, Clermont County.
  • Virginia Site Certified for Major Manufacturing - A 1,500-acre site in Greensville County, Virginia, has been certified as suitable for automotive assembly operations and other major advanced manufacturing facilities.
  • Delphi trims $85 million from execs' bonus fund - Company still plans to distribute $132 million to 560 top executives when it exits bankruptcy.
  • CSK Auto Eliminates Several Vp Positions - CSK Auto Corp. said Monday it eliminated several vice president and other management posts as well as consolidated some functions in an attempt to contain its general and administrative operating costs.
  • SEC Unhappy With Answers on Executive Pay - The Securities and Exchange Commission sent letters to 350 companies last summer and fall critiquing the way they described the pay of their top executives. But the federal watchdog isn't happy with most of the answers it got.
  • Chrysler offering more buyouts - Carmaker to pitch packages to all UAW workers at Metro plants as it moves to cut 10,000 hourly jobs.
  • Hummer to unveil new pickup in Chicago - Hummer is entering the midsize pickup market with the H3T pickup, which General Motors Corp. plans to introduce next week at the Chicago Auto Show.
  • Will demand rise for 35-mpg autos? - Carmakers fear buyers won't pay more for the technology required to meet 2020 standards.
  • China, EU Expanding Anti-Piracy Efforts - Europe and China will create a network to share information among their ports as they fight product counterfeiting that poses a growing threat to public safety, a European Union official said Monday.
  • Weak Dollar Fuels China's Buying Spree Of U.S. Firms - Foreign Cash Ignites Political Concerns
  • Women Want Positive, Receptive Customer Service - It's common to hear or read about the growing influence of women in today's society.
  • Beware of Potholes, Says Car Care Council - They're back and they're bad
  • Washington Drivers: The Right Way to Abandon Your Car in a Snow Storm - PEMCO Insurance offers tips on what to do when you must leave your car
  • Airbag Scams Put Drivers At Risk - Motorists depend on airbags to provide lifesaving protection during a crash. But a dangerous insurance scheme could turn cars into time bombs on four wheels.
  • State Farm agent ready to help those in need - IL: Whether selling health, life, home or auto insurance, providing financial services or making insurance claim payments, Bill Schuler enjoys helping people when they need it most.

Monday - Jan. 28, 2008

  • Drivers Need Protection From Unscrupulous Insurers - The Connecticut Department of Insurance appears to be in the throes of schizophrenia when it comes to enforcing auto repair labor rate and anti-steering laws. -- By Tom Bivona, President of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut.
  • Is New Legislation The Answer to Industry Woes? - AutobodyOnline: An emotion that too often adversely affects repairers is the belief that creating new legislation meant to right the wrongs imposed on us by outside entities often does just the opposite.
  • Rhode Island Legislative Status Report - House Bills 7144: AN ACT RELATING TO INSURANCE - UNFAIR CLAIMS SETTLEMENT PRACTICES ACT and 7146: AN ACT RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- AUTOMOBILE BODY REPAIR SHOPS
  • General Motors Cited For "Commitment to Consumers" - For any company to enjoy success, they have to take care of their consumers. The same is true in the auto industry and one are it is highlighted is in after collision repairs.
  • Doc Mcclelland's '34 Ford Five - Street Rodder Magazine: Jim calls the baby blue hue on his ride "Muroc Blue" and it is a custom mix achieved by Skalnik's using PPG paint products.
  • Auto body shops busy as 'black ice' takes toll on cars - MN: It was an insidious little storm, dangerous beyond its snow depth for autos. -- Perhaps hundreds of cars that slid, spun and swiped during Monday's snow now are streaming into auto body shops for repairs.
  • Riverland's collision repair program receives donations - MN: The Riverland collision repair technology program recently received donations from three Austin businesses to assist students with hands-on training.
  • Students advance to national auto- tech finals - For the fourth time in six years, students from Questar III's Columbia-Greene Educational Center in Hudson have advanced to the finals of the National Automotive Technology Competition in New York City.
  • Surprise checkups inspect auto repair shops' compliance - FL: A sweep found many invoice and licensing infractions.
  • Auto shop evolved with time - Cincinnati, OH: Terry Pfister started helping out Frank Colclough at his auto shop, Frank's Frame & Axle in Hartwell, in 1965 when he was 12 years old. More than 40 years later, Pfister is now running the shop himself at the same location.
  • Saying goodbye: Sonny’s Garage to close after almost 40 years - Wichita Falls,TX: During his 55 years of working with cars, Sonny Roberts has seen many changes in the auto repair business. -- While he has seen many improvements, he laments what he sees as automakers’ resolve to complicate the layout of cars’ internal machinery, which he says gives an advantage to dealership’s service departments over small auto shops like his.
  • Auto Temp Purchased Recalled Glass from N.J. Importer, Company Reports; Hangzhou Also Speaks Out - glassBYTEs: Auto Temp Inc. in Batavia, Ohio, the company that supplied Safelite/Belron US with the glass recalled recently, says Auto Temp originally purchased the suspect glass from Wholesale Automotive Glass (WAG) in Patterson, N.J.
  • High-tech film could be your paint's saviour - Driving a car in our harsh climate -- especially in winter -- means one thing. Inevitably, the flawlessly smooth, gleaming paint of your vehicle will be damaged.
  • ThyssenKrupp Steel and JFE develop new ultrahigh-strength steel - ThyssenKrupp Steel and Japan's second-biggest steel producer JFE Steel Corporation have jointly developed a new multiphase steel for automotive applications. -- Typical applications include crash-relevant automotive body structural parts.
  • NHTSA supports electronic tire registration - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) wants to amend tire registration procedures "to facilitate Internet and other electronic registration of tires," according to NHTSA officials. "We believe this rulemaking is needed to ensure that the regulation permits, to the extent consistent with the agency's authority, the use of new technologies in registering tires."
  • More on NHTSA's electronic tire registration proposal - Under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) electronic tire registration proposal, tire dealers would be able to voluntarily register a tire via the Internet or other electronic means as long as those methods were authorized by the tire's manufacturer.
  • ACH's bid to sell former Ford plants on track; first sale made - More than two years after it was formed by Ford Motor Co., Automotive Components Holdings L.L.C. announced last week the completion of its first U.S. sale.
  • U.S. Weighs New Testing for Vehicle Roof Strength - U.S. auto safety regulators, under pressure to upgrade an earlier proposal and reduce highway deaths, said on Thursday they may require a tougher test for determining roof strength of cars and other passenger vehicles.
  • Champion Ford quietly closes doors - CO: Boulder's only Ford dealership investigated by police, state
  • Schenectady auto shop owner accused of bilking customer - NY: The owner of a State Street auto repair shop has been accused by state police of billing a customer for repairs that were never made.
  • Principal preyed upon by tow truck company - If you're involved in a car accident in Chicago, human vultures are waiting to prey on your misfortune.
  • $1.7M insurance fraud ring busted - Sixty one individuals have been charged in a $1.7 million undercover insurance fraud “sting” operation that resulted in the recovery of 70 high-end vehicles, including BMWs and Cadillacs, that had been falsely reported as stolen by their owners.
  • Auto rates OK’d  - MA: Insurance Commissioner Nonnie S. Burnes yesterday approved 2008 auto insurance rates from the state’s two largest auto insurers, turning aside legal challenges from Attorney General Martha Coakley.
  • Fla. Regulator: Allstate Compliance Still in Question - OIR Director of Communications Ed Domansky said this week's Allstate submission – about six boxes full – is a step in the right direction but that it hardly represents full compliance.
  • Mississippi AG says criminal probe of State Farm has new focus - Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood says his office opened a new criminal investigation of State Farm Insurance Cos. that is separate from its earlier probe of the insurer's "crimes against policyholders" after Hurricane Katrina.
  • New Data Center In Good Hands - IL: Rochelle welcomes its first tenant to the city's Business and Technology Park. -- Fortune 100 Company Allstate Insurance broke ground this morning on its new data center on Dement Road.

Friday - Jan. 25, 2008

  • Allstate Insurance Company Files U.S. Supreme Court Reply Brief - Allstate Insurance Company has filed a reply brief to the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Texas statute prohibiting insurance companies from owning collision repair shops.
  • Lawsuit against Fox put on hold - The complaint was filed by former employees of the auto body repair chain.
  • Assured Performance Announces 2008 Board of Directors - The members of the co-op voted last week to approve the slate of candidates for the Board.  In accordance with the co-op bylaws, the Board of Directors is exclusively body shops owners representing over 3,500 Qualified collision repair businesses across the entire U.S. that are official Members.
  • Columbus to Host Best of Belron U.S. Trials - glassBYTEs: Columbus, Ohio-based Belron US will host automotive glass technicians from Auto Glass Specialists, Elite Auto Glass and Safelite AutoGlass competing on January 26 at the company's retail location, 760 Dearborn Park Lane, Worthington, Ohio. The winners of the competition will represent Belron US in the International Best of Belron competition in London in May.
  • Thoughts About Columbus - Last week’s news on glassBYTEs.com™ of the renaming of Belron's purchased chains to Safelite goes to the heart of the issue of branding. These boys from Belron are serious about establishing a national brand for themselves. Get used to it. --Neil Duffy
  • White Is Top Color For Motorists - White is now the trendiest car color, according to figures. -- The number of new white cars sold worldwide is up by 4.5 per cent - more than any other color.
  • Expert repairs now at two locations - Windsor CARSTAR Collision is pleased to announce a second location, its new facility at 1611 Manning Rd. in Tecumseh. It joins the successful 700 North Service Rd. Windsor location that has provided quality collision service since 2004.
  • Donating to a cause - Serenity Infant Care Homes, Inc., a nonprofit foster family agency in Covina, had their Toyota Sienna for 10 years. Unfortunately, it was constantly giving them problems and they weren't being approved for the grants that would help them with the funds to repair it.
  • Copart receives patent for online auction process - Copart, Inc. has been issued a patent which covers and protects certain unique processes employed by its online auction platform, VB2.
  • The eBay of Damaged Autos - Dragging a couple of hundred potential buyers of damaged cars around in the snow or Southern humidity isn’t the best business model for an auctioneer. That’s why Copart Copart Inc. embraced the eBay way and started selling online. Now, the company moves 6,000 vehicles a day over the Net.
  • Solera Holdings, Inc. Schedules Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Earnings Announcement and Conference Call - The results will be released on February 6, 2008 before the market opens. A conference call will be hosted by Tony Aquila, Solera's founder, chairman and CEO, and Jack Pearlstein, the Company's CFO, at 8:30 a.m. EST that morning.
  • PPG Industries Lobbied on R&D Importance - Paint and Chemical Company Adds $320,000 to Lobbying Formula in 2007 for Research Push
  • Butler Establishes Business Scholarship - Butler University has received a gift of $100,000 from a group of donors to create the Andre B. Lacy Business Accelerator Scholarship. 
  • Automotive factory has new name - IA: The plant in Keokuk formerly known as Metzeler Automotive Profile Systems - North America has a new name that reflects the formation of a new company.
  • Ford Reports Improved Earnings - Overseas Ford reports profits, but North American losses total $3.5 billion as market share continues to dwindle
  • Photo finish: GM still No. 1 - Carmaker sold only about 3,000 more vehicles worldwide than Toyota in 2007.
  • GM to develop electric, hybrids faster - Automaker forms new engineering group to speed up technology of alternative vehicles.
  • Solider Serving in Iraq Surprised with Keys to an All-New 2008 Jeep(R) Liberty - Vehicle donated by Jeep brand as an expression of gratitude to all those serving overseas
  • AutoRevo Integrates Carfax into Dealer Solutions - Carfax 1-Owner Highlights, Co-Branded Window Stickers Build Consumer Confidence
  • Mercedes Recalls $500K 2007 SLR McLaren Roadster for Faulty Windshield Installs - glassBYTEs: Mercedes-Benz USA LLC has recalled the 2008 SLR McLaren Roadster, noting that the windshields were not installed correctly and that either the primer or activator was missing at the time of installation, according to Mercedes spokesperson Rob Moran. The company warns that in a crash, the windshield in these vehicles may not be retained.
  • Austin Car Thefts Jumped 25 Percent In 2007 - TX: A crime alert for Austin drivers: One insurance company reports car thefts spiked a whopping 25 percent in Austin last year, more than twice the 11 percent jump of the statewide average.
  • 3-Day Dragnet in Fla. Nets 47 Insurance Fraud Arrests - Officials arrested 47 Floridians so far in a statewide, three-day operation that began Tuesday and will continue through today, targeting 84 individuals for various insurance fraud charges, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink.
  • The Hartford Lobbied on Insurance Reform - Hartford Financial Services Group Inc., an insurer and investment manager, paid Holland & Knight LLP $160,000 in the second half of 2007 to lobby the federal government, according to a disclosure form.
  • The Hartford Reports Fourth Quarter and Record Full Year 2007 Results - Life assets under management increase 14%; Continued strong profitability in ongoing property and casualty with a 91.1 percent fourth quarter combined ratio
  • Cheaper insurance in Pa. still tempts N.Y., N.J. motorists - Although not as common as it once was, the type of insurance scam the New York bus company operators allegedly ran still happens, and for good reason. Insurance rates in New York and New Jersey can be double or more compared to the cost of insuring a vehicle in Monroe County.
  • Division of Insurance Unveils Agent Finder Web Site - Massachusetts consumers to benefit from hassle-free insurance shopping
  • Hood, Moore moving into action against State Farm - Mississippi's current and former attorneys general are back on the offensive against State Farm insurance companies.
  • Markel American to Sell Collector Car Coverage - Markel American Insurance Co. introduced a new Collector Vehicle Insurance program. This program joins its other specialty personal lines, such as motorcycle and various boat products.
  • Business briefs: Allstate releases more documents - The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation confirmed Thursday it had received more subpoenaed documents from Allstate, including the so-called McKinsey report that details how the insurer saves money by paying less on auto claims.
  • What is the McKinsey report?: Allstate reportedly hired the McKinsey Company, a New York consulting firm, in the mid 1990’s to show the insurer how to increase their profits. McKinsey told them to avoid paying claims, and when they do pay – pay less. Allstate allegedly saved $700 million and increased their stock price at the same time after taking McKinsey’s advice. (excerpt)

Thursday - Jan. 24, 2008

Wednesday - Jan. 23, 2008

Tuesday - Jan. 22, 2008

Monday - Jan. 21, 2008

Friday - Jan. 18, 2008

  • Auto Body Shops urge support for Attorney General's consumer protection legislation - The Auto Body Association of Connecticut (ABAC) Thursday urged support for stronger anti-steering laws, noting the state Insurance Department has done little to protect consumers from coercive auto insurance company practices.
  • Steering By Auto Insurers Targeted - CT: Effort Emphasizes Options For Repairs
  • Officials Want To Put Brakes On 'Steering' - Insurers Refer Unlicensed Auto Body Shops, AG
  • Everything You Didn't Want To Know About Running a Profitable Body Shop - Many body shop owners and managers have an ambition to own a modern "state of the art" collision repair facility, loaded with the very latest hi-tech equipment, and laid out for maximum production performance and efficiency.
  • The Future of the DEG, An Interview with Aaron Schulenburg - As announced during NACE 2007, the Database Enhancement Gateway has taken a major step forward in its mission to help promote accuracy in the estimating databases with the official announcement that they have contracted Aaron Schulenburg to fulfill the need for dedicated administration of the initiative.
  • Peabody program allows students to learn about automobiles - The collaborative efforts of the Peabody Institute Library and the Peabody Vocational Department paid off Thursday with a positive turnout for the start of the new after school Automotive Club.
  • Safelite Didn't Know Recalled Glass was Manufactured by Hangzhou, Company Reports - glassBYTEs: Safelite Auto Glass/Belron US spokesperson Jenny Cain says that the company was not aware that Auto Temp Inc. was sourcing the recently recalled glass parts from Hangzhou Safety Glass Ltd. in China when Safelite purchased the parts from Auto Temp.
  • PPG Paints A Picture Of Success - Paint and chemical maker PPG Industries caught the attention of investors on Thursday with its better-than-expected fourth-quarter and full-year results.
  • Pep Boys chief financial officer Yanowitz to leave company - Pep Boys Manny Moe & Jack Thursday said that Harry Yanowitz, its chief financial officer, would be leaving the company in order to pursue other business interests.
  • Business Outlook Less Than Rosy, With Some Pockets of Optimism - The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) has announced the results of a recent member survey showing that suppliers expect business to look a little less than rosy for the automotive aftermarket this year.
  • Auto-parts workers to lose jobs - PA: About 85 workers at the former Lear Corp. plant in Carlisle will lose their jobs at the end of this month.
  • US Auto Parts Companies Look Overseas - US Auto Parts Companies Seek Growth in Europe and Asia, Cut Costs at Home
  • GM, Toyota Exploring Ultracheap Car - The world's two largest automakers are working on ultracheap cars to sell in emerging markets and possibly compete with the $2,500 subcompact unveiled last week by India's Tata Motors Ltd. — but whether they can match the price remains in question.
  • GM to Cut Annual U.S. Labor Costs $5 Billion by 2011 - General Motors Corp., the largest U.S. automaker, said it plans to reduce its annual U.S. labor costs by about $5 billion in the next three years, helping to ``significantly improve'' earnings.
  • Glass Roofs Grow Popular As Car Option - Clarence Ditlow, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, said he had not come across many complaints about the roofs but said consumers might be susceptible to having some sort of debris hit the roof and cause it to break. -- He also warned that the wide area could become a portal in which a motorist could be ejected in a rollover accident. Article Posted on glassBYTEs 1.15.08
  • Auto Recalls Increase in 2007 - Automakers recalled nearly 15 million vehicles for repairs at dealerships last year, the government reported Thursday, an increase of about 30 percent over 2006.
  • Study Findings Show Auction Listings With Carfax Reports Twice As Likely To End In Sale - Liquid Motors and Carfax today announced results of a study that show used cars sell faster online with a Carfax Vehicle History Report. Dealers sell cars three days faster on the Internet when they include a free Carfax Vehicle History Report. In addition, the study found that twice as many eBay Motors auctions end in a sale when dealers provide a Carfax Report.
  • Federal appeals court won't reinstate Miss. family's Ford lawsuit - The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has refused to reinstate a Mississippi family's wrongful death lawsuit against Ford Motor Co. -- The lawsuit alleged the tread on his vehicle's Firestone tires separated and caused the 1994 Ford Explorer to go out of control and roll over.
  • Car-Fraud Sting With a Long Arm -The cars came from all over — upstate New York and Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The owners brought them to middlemen who would deliver them for a fee to a nondescript garage in Queens. The cars, the owners thought, would be stripped down for parts, and they could then claim the vehicles as stolen and recoup tens of thousands of dollars from insurance companies.
  • Cranberry chop shop owner makes guilty plea - PA: The ringleader of a chop shop that operated in Cranberry for nearly two decades is facing four to 14 years in a state prison following a guilty plea in Butler County Common Pleas Court.
  • CFO of The Hartford to leave job this year - The chief financial officer of the Hartford Financial Services Group is quitting this year, the company announced Thursday.
  • Help available for insurance problems - Thousands of Georgia consumers received help from a state agency last year in settling disputes with insurance companies, returning millions of dollars in insurance claims to policyholders, Georgia Insurance Commissioner John W. Oxendine reports.
  • State expands ban on new Allstate policies to affiliates - The state of Florida Thursday expanded its prohibition on Allstate insurance companies' writing of new policies to include more Florida affiliates of the insurer.
  • Crist says Allstate agents work for a 'bad company' -  Gov. Charlie Crist continued to urge Floridians to shun Allstate Insurance companies and showed little empathy this morning for the companies' 1,200 agents and salesmen in the state whose income will be impacted by insurance regulators suspension of Allstate's ability to write new auto insurance policies.

Thursday - Jan. 17, 2008

  • Solera Holdings, Inc. to Ring NYSE Opening Bell Today - January 17 also marks the third anniversary of the Company's 2005 inception by Tony Aquila, a veteran of the auto claims business. Solera teamed with private equity firm GTCR Golder Rauner and later acquired the Claims Services Group (CSG) of Automatic Data Processing, Inc. (ADP) in April 2006.
  • Stratford auto body shop gains national attention - WI: Recently, Kuyoth Body and Custom shop completed the finishing touches to restore a revered 1969 Mustang convertible owned by famed race-car driver Carroll Shelby.
  • Big Easy Repair Shops Triumph Over Katrina - Revisiting the New Orleans area collision industry professionals who were affected by Hurricane Katrina over two years ago brings good news and bad news.
  • ALLDATA Signs a National Agreement With Fix Auto Network - ALLDATA LLC has announced its recent National Account Agreement with Fix Auto(r). Fix Auto is America's leading network of independent auto body repair centers with more than 135 U.S. facilities.
  • State making a sweep of area auto shops - Florida Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson announced that investigators from his department have begun a county-wide sweep of motor vehicle repair shops in Duval County to make sure they are registered with the state and are complying with regulations governing estimates and invoices.
  • Safelite Recalls Glass Manufactured by Hangzhou - glassBYTEs: Safelite Auto Glass/Belron US has issued a recall on "certain curved tempered replacement glass manufactured by Hangzhou Safety Glass Ltd. and supplied to Safelite by Auto Temp Inc., identified as DOT-430."
  • Scams Continue to Plague Industry - glassBYTEs: Glass shops across the United States continue to be the subject of scams, with the latest coming from a Rev. Richmond Cyril, who contacts shops both by Internet phone and fax.
  • Women's Industry Network to hold 2008 Annual Conference - The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) is holding its 2008 Annual Conference April 13-15, 2008, at the Westin O’Hare Hotel, Rosemont, Ill.
  • Santa Clara, Calif., Setting for ASA's 2008 Convention - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced its 2008 annual convention will be held May 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, Calif. All members are encouraged to attend the event, which will consist of numerous association business meetings.
  • LKQ Chief Executive Exercises Options - In a Form 4 filed with the SEC Monday, Joseph M. Holsten reported he exercised the options Thursday for $4.17 apiece and then sold all 75,000 of them on the same day for $19.23 apiece.
  • Copart Teams With Harley Davidson - Copart, Inc. announced that it is partnering with Harley Davidson Financial Services to remarket Harley Davidson’s repossessed motorcycles in its 126 locations across North America.
  • German Paint Maker Selects EcoConcept - Bollig & Kemper, a German manufacturer of coatings for the European auto industry, has signed a license agreement for DuPont EcoConcept, a patented coatings technology that enables auto manufacturers to realize substantial reductions in energy use, environmental emissions and capital costs.    
  • Going green puts the squeeze on suppliers - While it's the automakers that are touting their new, green machines at this year's Detroit auto show, it's the suppliers that have to do the heavy lifting to make the vehicles a reality -- and at minimal cost. -- BASF will use the eco-analysis to compare formula of a paint primer to determine which one has minimum environmental impact at minimum cost.
  • Ford meets with parts suppliers - Top executives from Ford Motor Co. met with automotive parts suppliers as the Detroit automaker prepares to introduce the redesigned F-150 pickup.
  • GM gets proactive in improving car quality - Company aims to catch glitches before buyers do
  • $1 million Chrysler prototype has top speed of 248 mph - Car enthusiasts who crave power and speed might want to check out a million-dollar Chrysler prototype that is scheduled to be on display at this week's 2008 West Virginia International Auto Show. 
  • Custom auto body restorer jailed on deception charges - Muncy:  An auto body restorer was committed to the County Prison Wednesday on charges alleging he deceived a number of customers at his business, according to an affidavit by Chief County Det. Lanny Reed III.
  • 61 Arrested in a Sting on Car Fraud - A Queens “chop shop” operated by undercover detectives in a sting operation aimed at exposing car insurance fraud has led to the arrests of 61 suspects, including a city police officer and several other government workers, prosecutors said on Wednesday.
  • New York Says Insurance Fraud Arrests Are Up - Investigations by New York's insurance frauds bureau led to over 700 arrests last year, a 17 percent increase from 2006, according to an annual report released today by the state insurance department.
  • National Auto Insurance Report Shows Insurance Rates Fall 5.2% in 2007 - Average premium is $1,868 down from $1,965 in 2006, according to Insurance.com
  • NC Legislative Committee Examining Auto Insurance Rate Methods - North Carolina's automobile insurance rates are among the country's lowest, but a special pool covering motorists for hundreds of thousands of vehicles doesn't work very well, industry officials told lawmakers Wednesday.
  • State Doubts Allstate Dealing Good Hand - Tallahassee, FL: Regulators' brash move to boot Allstate Corp. out of Florida's future auto insurance market sharply raises the stakes in the state's investigations of additional homeowners insurance companies and how they set their rates. - Missouri Probing Allstate -- Missouri has fined Allstate $25,000 a day for its failure to cooperate, and the tab has reportedly reached $2.5 million. (A copy of the Florida subpoena is available to review.)
  • Allstate Media Statement: FL Office of Insurance Regulation Order - Allstate is committed to working diligently with the Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) to create solutions and ensure there is a healthy insurance market for Florida consumers.

Wednesday - Jan. 16, 2008

Tuesday - Jan. 15, 2008

Monday - Jan. 14, 2008

  • Neighborhood Repair Shops in Jeopardy Without 'Right to Repair' Legislation - A failure by Congress to enact the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694), will threaten the economic well being of hundreds of thousands of small, independently owned repair shops throughout the country, according to Paul Fiore, executive vice president of the Service Station Dealers of America (SSDA). 
  • Allstate Insurance Company Files Appeal to U.S. Supreme Court - ASA Issues Response
  • BASF training schedule now available - The schedule includes frequent workshops in the Montreal training centre for BASF's Glasurit 90-Line waterborne system, and courses on the new R-M Onyx HD waterborne paint system at the Toronto and Vancouver training sites.
  • Winter Wrecks Overload Auto Body Shops - There have been a lot of accidents and slide-offs lately, but have you thought about what happens to all the mangled cars after the wreck?
  • Fewer accidents in December despite weather - KS: Carstar Quality Collision Service saw an increase in business, general manager Neil Baker said. Carstar works on the undrivable vehicles first, trying to get them back on the road quickly. The cars that are still drivable stay on the road until they’re ready to be worked on.
  • Damage Disclosure - As it stands now, if you want to sell your car and it's been damaged to the tune of 5-grand or more, you must disclose it. -- But members of the South Dakota Auto Body Association are working to change that. They want lawmakers to increase the damage disclosure requirement to $7,500.
  • Grauberger local college faculty of year - Eighteen-year veteran instructor Tim Grauberger was named Morgan Community College Faculty of the Year, an honor he previously held in 1999. -- Grauberger teaches automotive collision repair to high school and college students.
  • State Farm donates cars to Franklin County Career and Technology Center - PA: Kelby Jones, a junior at Franklin County Career and Technology Center, says there's only one way to learn: hands-on. -- With that, he applauded officials from State Farm Insurance for a recent donation of two late-model cars to the school's auto body and collision department.
  • PPG Announces Price Increase - glassBYTEs: Just six months after the last wave of industry price increases, Pittsburgh-based PPG Auto Glass has announced that it will implement a 4-percent price increase "on all auto glass parts, due to various rising costs."
  • Legislation ALERT! - glassBYTEs: IGA has received a preliminary copy of an ominous amendment that was drafted by the Wisconsin insurance lobby. It is designed to eliminate auto glass from consumer choice legislation that was introduced in 2007.
  • LKQ VP, General Counsel Sells Shares - The vice president and general counsel of LKQ Corp., which provides replacements systems and parts for auto repair, exercised options for 20,000 shares of common stock under a prearranged trading plan, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing.
  • Runway inspires 2011 car colors - Automakers are finding fashion affects the bottom line.
  • Chrysler, Energy Company and University Partner on Research to Take Toxin Out of Utility Emissions - Chrysler LLC is partnering with a major Midwest utility company and university researchers in a project to determine if paint solid residues from automobile manufacturing can reduce emissions of mercury from electric power plants.
  • Auto industry tackles interior mission - Big Three are demanding better interiors Q and suppliers are delivering
  • Toyota suppliers race to pen deals - Another wave of big suppliers to Mississippi's Toyota factory is expected to stake claims in the next few months as the clock winds down to the mothership's opening day.
  • Glitz at Detroit auto show, in hard times - Alongside the flashing camera bulbs and sparkling champagne at previews of Detroit's auto show Sunday were hints of the high stakes and hard times facing automakers in the United States.
  • Malibu snags top honor at auto show - General Motors received a welcoming present to kick off press previews today for the 2008 North American International Auto Show, taking home the 2008 North American Car of the Year award for the Chevrolet Malibu.
  • Honda banking on redesigned Pilot - Honda Motor Co. will launch a roomier, boxier version of the Honda Pilot this spring, showing the prototype of the 2009 model this afternoon in Detroit at the North American International Auto Show.
  • Saab links with Cadillac for first US-built car - Saab, the Swedish carmaker owned by General Motors, is to join forces with Cadillac, GM's luxury brand, to build all-wheel drive crossover vehicles in North America.
  • Ford, Chrysler Introduce New Pickups - New Pickups From Ford, Chrysler Up the Ante in Super-Competitive Segment
  • Verve showcases Ford's future - Design of Euro-based small car gives 1st look at company's global product development strategy.
  • Ford Motor To Boost India Staff To 3,600 In 2 Years - Ford Motor Co. (F) will increase its employee headcount in India to 3,600 in two years from the current 2,100 as it expands its plant capacity and aims to make a small car, a senior executive said Monday. 
  • Paying His Dues Has Worked For Jarrett - You would think the son of an auto dealer wouldn't have to push a broom to get into the car business, but it didn't work out that way for Brian Jarrett.
  • smart USA Announces U.S. Dealer Network - smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., is pleased to announce its dealership network of 74 smart dealerships across the United States. In the U.S., 68 dealers located in 31 states have been certified by smart USA as ready for business and are expected to begin retailing vehicles in January, subject to licensing and other required approvals.
  • Picking Up Speed in Driving Automotive Customer Loyalty - Of the automotive brands researched, those with the greatest relationship strength were BMW, Lexus and Cadillac followed closely by Subaru, Toyota and Honda. That index number is important because it is linked directly to the consumer's intention to repurchase or recommend the brand of car which translates to additional potential sales.
  • Two Southeastern PA car dealerships to pay $250,000 in settlement over deceptive advertising & other illegal practices - Consumers have 60-days to file claims
  • Maryland Anti-Fraud Efforts Net $450K in Restitution - Nineteen insurance fraud cases were adjudicated in Maryland in the last three months of 2007, resulting in nearly $450,000 in restitution ordered paid, the state's Insurance Administration said.
  • Man sues Audi, OnStar for making his car 'useless' - A Charleston man has filed a potential class action lawsuit against a car company and the in-car communication and security system included with the vehicle, claiming the switch from analog to digital systems caused his system to become obsolete and his car to decline in value.
  • Former CEO takes away $7.5M - Jeffrey Ludrof, former head of Erie Insurance Group, will receive a severance package valued at more than $4.5 million. The company will also pay all taxes on Ludrof’s retirement buyout, a cost of about $3 million. 
    •

Friday - Jan. 11, 2008

Thursday - Jan. 10, 2008

Wednesday - Jan. 9, 2008

Tuesday - Jan. 8, 2008

Monday - Jan. 7, 2008

Friday - Jan. 4, 2008

Thursday - Jan. 3, 2008

Wednesday - January 2, 2008

  • Selling By E-mail - AutobodyOnline: Chances are you already use e-mail as a selling tool – or are planning to do so in the near future. You might, for instance, send periodic e-mail bulletins to customers offering current business news or new product offerings. Or you might simply use e-mail to respond to prospect inquiries or to update clients on the progress of a repair .
  • AASP-MN Annual Meeting & Convention, March 14 & 15, 2008 - Leap Ahead
    of the Rest! -- 2008 is a Leap Year! Once every 4 years we all get an extra day so that the calendar stays in alignment with the earth’s motion around the sun.
  • Winter is here: pre-register to ensure you'll know about changes - I-CAR: As we enter the middle of the winter season, it is imperative that students and businesses go online and pre-register for an I-CAR class they plan on attending to ensure that if, due to weather or any other reason, I-CAR program instructors and/or local volunteer committee members can notify students of any changes to the class.
  • Body shop owner unsure of next move after city denies permit - MO: An auto body shop operator is not sure what his next move will be after the Crestwood's Board of Aldermen denied him a permit to operate.
  • Winter weather's been good to auto body shops - CT: This year's early onslaught of snow and ice has been bad for drivers, but has provided bang up business for auto body shops.
  • Winter weather turns snow into 'white gold' - CO: The winter weather created some driving nightmares for some people across the metro area and now some local businesses are reaping the benefits of all those spin outs and crashes.
  • Storm proves a windfall for some - OR: Colin Moore, owner of Dailey's Auto Body, said his Astoria body shop was busy before the storm, but now finds itself buried in work.
  • Benevolence program embodies Christmas - Christmas came early this year to three deserving families and one nonprofit organization in Contra Costa County.
  • CARS Receives Big Donation - VA: The Charlottesville Albemarle Rescue Squad received a generous donation from Cville Auto Body.
  • Kicking in for curb appeal - Communities offer cash to business owners to spruce up their storefronts -- Walter G. Thomas Jr., owner of Thomas Auto Body on Grafton Street, was among the first recipients of the new grants, getting $14,000 in matching funds from the city to install metal siding over an ugly cinderblock wall on one side of his shop.
  • A Christmas Surprise - glassBYTEs: "Yesterday, my first day back to work after the Christmas holiday, brought an even bigger surprise—the news that Platinum Equity was trying to back out of the purchase of PPG's auto glass business." —Penny Stacey
  • Newly Elected 2007–2008 MEMA Chairman - Charles E. "Charley" Johnson, president, CEO and director of Proliance International Inc., New Haven, Connecticut, has been elected 2007-2008 chairman of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) Board of Directors.
  • Delaware’s First Intellectual Property Patent Agreement Signed With A Start-up Company - Streamline Industries to Commercialize Patents for Eco-Friendly Automotive Products -- Streamline is a start-up company that will manufacture high quality coatings for automotive original equipment manufacturers, as well as the refinish, electronic, plastics and appliance markets.
  • Coating World: Automotive Refinish Market - On a global level, the automotive refinish market has slowed down, and even might be on a small decline. Emerging markets, value-added services and compliant technology offer paint suppliers avenues for growth in this difficult marketplace.
  • Ford Maximizes Market Research To Improve Vehicle Quality - Ford Motor Company’s Global Market Research team is deeply engaged in the development of new products for Ford, Lincoln and Mercury.
  • Chinese car deal raises hopes for MG revival - A deal struck this week puts a venerable British motoring brand in the hands of China's top car maker, raising hopes that Shanghai Automotive Co might do for MG what Germany's BMW did for the Mini.
  • GM's China JV recalls 7,000 Buicks for break problem - General Motors Corp's joint venture in China is recalling 7,056 Buick cars in the country due to front brake problems, Xinhua news agency reported, citing China's top quality watchdog.
  • Tragic by Design: Greatest Car Styling Blunders - In 1980, a woman I knew in Detroit reported her Ford Pinto stolen. Her insurance company turned down her claim for reimbursement of its value on what I considered novel grounds: No one would steal a car that ugly. That turned out to be a smart call by her insurance adjuster.
  • Monroe dealer sues GM over unclaimed cars, parts - NY: A Monroe car dealership has filed suit against General Motors Corp., alleging GM left the dealer stuck with cars and parts after agreeing to terminate its franchise.
  • Auto repair chain must install cameras - A California auto repair chain will pay $5 million, limit services at some shops and install video cameras in work areas to settle claims it cheated customers.
  • TV station wins tentative ruling in defamation suit filed by body shop owner -CA: A Shasta County Superior Court judge has tentatively ruled that KRCR-TV did not defame the owner of an Anderson body shop who was arrested last year on suspicion of felony insurance fraud but later was acquitted.
  • Pa. Man Accused of Pushing Car off Mountain to Make Theft Claim - A Pennsylvania man pushed his Ford Mustang down a mountain as part of a scheme to claim it was stolen, authorities said.
  • Fraud increases average insurance bill $300 - Pa: To keep those costs from rising any higher, Burnham and law enforcement officers throughout the state publicize high-profile insurance fraud cases.
  • Mich. Orders Agent to Stop Selling Bogus Auto Insurance Certificates - Chris Densmore, owner of Densmore Insurance Agency, has been illegally issuing the fake no-fault certificates through a non-existent insurance company called Densmore Insurance Group.
    •

 

December 2007 >>>>

 



 
 

 *     Archives     *     Home    *   

 

Auto body, collision repair, automotive

Copyright © 2007 [beyondparts.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 02/01/08

KEY COMMUNICATIONS INC. • P.O. Box 569 • Garrisonville, Virginia 22463 • (540) 720-5584 [P] • (540) 720-5687 [F]
www.key-com.com