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January 2008
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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