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

  

April 2008
Google
 

April 30, 2008

April 29, 2008

April 28, 2008

April 25, 2008

April 24, 2008

April 23, 2008

  • New York: Car Repair Shops Can Rebate Deductibles - Allowing car collision repair facilities to pay all or part of a deductible to an insured does not constitute a rebate prohibited under New York law, lawyers for the state's insurance department have said.
  • Higher Level of Satisfaction With Independent Repair Shops Than Dealerships - According to the May 2008 issue of Consumer Reports, more Americans (71 percent) are very satisfied with independent repair shops for vehicle service than new car dealers (53 percent). To ensure that car owners can continue to choose who will repair their vehicles, Congress introduced the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694).
  • Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation Donates $2,500 To I-CAR Education Foundation - The Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation has contributed $2,500 to the I-CAR Education Foundation and its new mission to support philanthropic and collision repair education activities that promote and enhance career opportunities in the industry.
  • Female racer up to speed - Lakeisha Moore honed her skills in the body shop and on the drag strip with help from her father and Jack Starkey, owner of Jack’s Body Shop. Starkey recently gave Moore’s Mustang a paint job. -- “I learned a lot from him,” Moore said. “I grew up with him, and he is an excellent driver. He just recently painted my car and it is beautiful.”
  • New paint - Chatham,Ontario,Canada: Tilbury Carstar Collision is in the process of switching to "waterborn'' paints, which is becoming mandatory in the industry. Mary Larente is office administrator.
  • Automotive shop owner approaches 40th anniversary - CA: Gary Liberti, owner of Liberti's Automotive in southern Milpitas, has enjoyed working as a mechanic of foreign and domestic cars for almost 37 years.
  • Diamond Needs 21st-Century Business Model, Anonymous Source Says - glassBYTEs™: An anonymous source, who wished to remain unnamed for fear of reprisal, told glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine that he thinks Diamond Glass' business model is what caused the company to reach the point of filing for Chapter 11.
  • Nordstrom's to open self-service parts center - SD: Nordstrom's Automotive, a longtime Garretson auto parts recycling firm, announced it is opening a self-service auto parts center called Ewe Pullet.
  • Warren Tech to auto parts training - CO: Warren Tech, a career and technical high school for Jeffco Public Schools, has opened a CARQUEST parts jobber store this fall as part of its auto parts specialist tract in the Automotive Technology program.
  • Gas prices can't keep car fans away - PA: Gary Eucker, 58, attends every one of Carlisle's big car shows, and he isn't letting gas prices keep him away this week. -- Attendance now hits about 120,000 a year. The 82-acre fairgrounds and many surrounding properties overflow with cars, trucks, parts and memorabilia.
  • Automotive Consumer Attitude Study Needs Participants, Win Free $25 Visa Check Card - Hedges & Company, in partnership with Aftermarket Business magazine has launched the 12th Annual Consumer Attitude Study to gather information from thousands of consumers who have purchased auto parts and accessories in the past year.
  • BASF Corporation earns Ford World Excellence Award - BASF Corporation today announced that it received a Ford World Excellence Recognition of Achievement Award in the area of Corporate Responsibility.
  • Renewable High Performance Polymers, Lightweighting and Design for Reliability Highlight DuPont Automotive Presentations at SPE Automotive Conference - New, renewable bio-based materials; materials and design ideas to take the weight out of load-bearing components; and materials to help ensure moving parts are designed for maximum performance and reliability are three themes to be delivered by DuPont Automotive technical experts at the Automotive Engineering Plastics Conference (EPCON).
  • PPG Wins 2008 Automotive News PACE Award - PPG Industries , the world's leading manufacturer of transportation coatings, was named a 2008 Automotive News PACE Award winner for Green Logic paint detackifier. This marks the sixth time PPG has received the award, which recognizes automotive suppliers for superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance.
  • Akzo says feels economic chill, shares drop - Rival U.S. paint makers like PPG Industries and Sherwin-Williams have been hit by the sagging U.S. housing market and weakening global economy.
  • Market spotlight: Overseas demand to help auto suppliers 1Q - With U.S. auto sales and production still on the skids, stronger overseas demand for auto parts and benefits from a weak U.S. dollar could add some fuel to what might otherwise be lackluster first-quarter results for U.S. auto suppliers.
  • Magnesium, Aluminum Will Play Big Role in Auto Weight Reduction - Automotive engineers love the new plastics but favor lighter, thinner metals when the rubber meets the road
  • Nippon Steel Seeks 38% Increase in Prices on Costs, Nikkei Says - The company will ask customers such as automakers for an increase of 30,000 yen ($290) a ton, the Japanese newspaper said, citing Shoji Muneoka, president of the Tokyo-based steelmaker. Nippon Steel spokesman Hiroshi Nakashima declined to confirm the increase.
  • Ogihara America sells local auto supply plant - NC: Cosma, a unit of Ontario-based Magna International Inc., said it has signed an agreement to acquire Ogihara's 460,000-square-foot stamping and sub-assembly plant in north Birmingham to expand its footprint in North America.
  • Axle: UAW rejected proposals - Supplier says plans paid more than rivals; GM to restart Hamtramck plant with new parts source.
  • Ford's recovery gaining traction - Against the odds, Mulally pushes cultural change on all fronts to move carmaker to profitability
  • Correction: Area Toyota plant is not closing - A main headline and secondary headline for an April 18 story on the North Long Beach Toyota plant was incorrect. The North Long Beach plant, which contains a Hino assembly line employing more than 50 people and a Toyota parts-making operation employing more than 600 people, is not closing.
  • Sneaky Ways To Get Better Gas Mileage - Motorists looking to save as much as 32 cents on a gallon of gas needn't drive across state lines in search of cheaper prices at the pump.
  • Co-operative Insurance's eco-car show launches new Ford - UK: Co-operative Insurance has announced that Ford will debut its new environmentally-friendly car at its Sexy Green Car Show.
  • No. 1 in auto theft: Modesto, Calif. - Insurance crime group reports that western states still lead the nation in car theft.
  • Celebration Fizzles As Court Says It Erred In Allstate Order - FL: State Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty was one happy man Monday - for a few minutes, at least - after getting word that an appeals court sided with him in barring Allstate companies from conducting new business in Florida.
  • Judge dismisses fraud claim against State Farm - A federal judge on Monday dismissed fraud claims against State Farm and vendor E.A. Renfroe in a key Hurricane Katrina lawsuit that accused State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. of altering an engineering report to minimize the loss.

April 22, 2008

  • Mitchell Announces 2008 "Full Speed Ahead!" Auto Collision Road Show - This Year's Road Show Visits More Cities and Includes More Educational Seminars to Help Collision Repair Technicians and Shop Owners Increase Business Performance
  • Missouri Senate Committee to Review Anti-Steering Bill at Public Hearing - glassBYTEs™: The Missouri Senate's Small Business, Insurance & Industrial Relations Committee will hold a hearing today at 1 p.m. Central Standard Time to review a bill that would require insurers to inform vehicle owners immediately on first contact that they have the right to choose the repair facility of their choice to repair their vehicles.
  • Missouri Collision Industry Day at the Capitol Results in Hearing for SB775 - Missouri Associations AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN hosted a Day at the Capitol in Jefferson City, Missouri for the collision industry.  This was the first time that the collision repair industry had descended on the capitol to express their concerns on issues that impact the consumer and the independent business community. 
  • Unlocking repair information access - ABRN: NASTF discusses Secure Data Release Model with locksmiths, OEMs
  • Bill would force manufacturers to release auto repair information - MA: Local auto mechanics are hoping the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act, which would grant them access to certain manufacturer information they are not currently allowed to obtain, passes. The bill is currently in committee in the state legislature and is expected to be acted on by late May.
  • Mechanic fights for fix - Automakers hoard info
  • Spreading the word about right to repair - Canada: More than 130 technicians, shop owners, jobbers and affiliates from the Owen Sound area gathered on April 9 to learn how right to repair affects their businesses and their industry. The information session was organized by the Grey Bruce Independent Automotive Repair Association (GBIARA).
  • Collision Repair Registrations Surge At Canada's Largest Autobody School - A skills shortage of new collision repair technicians in Canada?  Not at Canada's largest autobody and collision damage repair technician training school at Toronto's Centennial College.
  • Keeping the Home Furnaces Burning - glassBYTEs™: One of the items that took place over the past week but was little noted was the completed purchase by Zeledyne of the Carlite glass holdings from Ford. Mr. Robert Price, the principal investor of Zeledyne, promised to keep the two U.S. manufacturing plants open and productive. Taking him at his word, I would like to thank him and to offer any and all support to him. —Neil Duffy
  • CAP says technology and rapid depreciation increase motor insurance write-offs - UK: Their growing technological sophistication, coupled with increasingly rapid depreciation, means cars involved in relatively minor collisions are more likely to be written off than ever before, said used car values specialist CAP and motor repair experts at the recent RISC conference focusing on increasing accident repair costs.
  • DuPont Reports First Quarter Earnings Growth of Over 20 Percent - Coatings & Color Technologies: Sales increased 6 percent to $1.6 billion as weakness in North American  motor vehicle and construction markets was more than offset by higher USD selling price outside North America.
  • BASF Coatings trainees acquire expertise with European friends - Trainees in the area of process technology and automotive painting from companies in Denmark, Spain, the Netherlands and Norway met in Elgoibar, gathering theoretical and practical experience in their areas of work that will play a major role in their future careers.
  • Alter Trading Acquires Mississippi Salvage Yard - Alter Trading has acquired Jake’s Auto Parts, a salvage yard based in Mississippi. The facility will now be known as Alter Metal Recycling. Alter’s acquisition enables Alter’s continued growth in the southern United States. -- Alter will continue to accept all types of ferrous and non-ferrous materials including old cars and catalytic converters.
  • American Axle strike hits 2 more General Motors factories - As the strike at American Axle and Manufacturing Holdings Inc. lingers into its eighth week, workers on the picket line and even the president of the United Auto Workers say the longer they're out, the better the settlement they will expect.
  • FordPerformance.com brings Blue Oval enthusiasts together - Ford enthusiasts have a new home on the 'Net today, as Ford has launched its new FordPerformance.com website that focuses on Ford clubs and performance aftermarket parts and accessories.
  • Seeing Double - China's Automotive Copycats
  • What's driving Toyota Canada's success? - CIO reveals all -- For Hao Tien, CIO of Toyota Canada Inc. the two Japanese phrases Genchi Genbutsu (go and see) and Kaizen (continuous improvement) capture it all.
  • VinSolutions.com and Visible Customer Form Strategic Alliance - Dealers are the clear winners when VinSolutions.com's seamlessly meshed CRM, ILM and Inventory systems carry VisibleCustomer's turnkey customer loyalty and retention services into dealerships across the nation.
  • Carl Junction man gets 8 years for wire fraud - A Carl Junction man was sentenced Thursday to eight years in federal prison for a wire fraud and money laundering scheme in which he used bad checks and false documents to buy 21 used cars at an auto auction. -- King pleaded guilty in January 2007 to defrauding Adesa Auto Auction in Tulsa, Okla., by bidding $215,170 for 21 vehicles at an auction in 2005, according to a news release from U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri.
  • Police Trying to Unravel Chop Shop Organization - NV: A chop shop operation raided by Metro Police may reach farther than Las Vegas. Detectives now are unraveling how the massive illegal operation worked. Police found not only parts of cars, but construction equipment inside the warehouse.
  • Seven Arrested in Calif. for Automobile Arson, Fraud Scams - Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced the arrests of seven individuals for their alleged involvement in automobile arson and insurance fraud. The arrests are the result of two automobile "give-up" investigations.
  • Senator pushing bill that gets tough on insurers - Some Florida lawmakers cast property-insurance companies as the villain. Others portray them as the hope.
  • Committee nixes auto insurance bill - CO: The House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Monday killed an auto insurance bill intended to help reimburse hospitals, doctors and ambulance companies that deal with car accident victims.
  • GEICO honors 6 associate teams with Corporate Quality Awards - GEICO honored six teams of associates from around the country with the company’s highest honor, the Corporate Quality Award, during special ceremonies today in Washington, D.C.
  • Financial Service Subcommittee Considers Insurance Reform Proposals - ASA: The U.S. House Financial Service Subcommittee held Part III of its hearing on insurance regulation recently. -- The purpose of the hearing was to consider a variety of state and federal proposals on insurance reform.
  • Rep. Kanjorski: Feds Must Learn About Insurance Before Regulating It - A key Congressman involved in insurance regulation issues says that Washington does not have the knowledge of the insurance industry it needs to regulate the business and he has proposed a new federal insurance information office to remedy the situation.
  • AXA Insurance appoints Audatex UK as its vehicle management technology partner - The partnership between AXA and Audatex takes effect 1st October 2008 and will see the phased implementation of a full range of claims management solutions to AXA’s Vehicle Claims Management teams and Approved Repairer Network.

April 21, 2008

April 18, 2008

April 17, 2008

  • Rhode Island legislature targets discounts on deductibles - The Rhode Island legislature is considering a new bill that would give the state the power to revoke or deny the license of a body shop that offers customers rebates or discounts to offset their insurance policy deductibles.
  • Bill to give choices on auto repair lacks teeth - CA: Key provisions stripped from state proposal to let drivers, not insurance companies, pick shops
  • Collision Repair Association of California Video for SB 1059 - See what you can do.
  • Lubner Says Belron "Has Interest" in Purchasing Diamond - glassBYTEs™: Gary Lubner, chief executive officer of the United Kingdom-based Belron, the largest auto glass company in the world, said his company is exploring the possible purchase of Diamond Glass in the United States. "We do have some interest in looking at it," said Lubner, in an exclusive interview with glassbytes.com™/AGRR magazine last evening. "We haven't gotten any more information than anyone else at this point, but we will see whether or not we can move that forward."
  • ASA Announces Benefit Agreement with NPC to Offer Credit Card Processing - The agreement includes special pricing for eligible ASA member businesses. NPC is exclusively focused on small- and medium-sized merchants with services that include the electronic acceptance of credit, debit, gift and loyalty cards, and electronic checks.
  • CCIF announces partnership with Skills Canada - At various Canadian Collision Industry Forum (CCIF) meetings during the last 18 months Skills/Compétences Canada and concerned industry representatives have discussed the need and the opportunity for involvement in the skills competitions organized by Skills/Competences Canada.
  • Insurers Can Use Web to Speed Auto Repairs, Scene Genesis Writes - Insurers can leverage the power of the Web and online communities by involving customers as an active part of the repair process and letting them select their autobody shop online, Chrisa Hickey, director of product management with Scene Genesis, Inc., writes in the April 14 National Underwriter.
  • 'Green' business plants roots in town - NE: A new auto collision repair center has opened in Papillion.
  • PPG names Single Source, Inc., Platinum Distributor of the Year - PPG Industries’ automotive refinish business honored Single Source, Inc., of Roswell, Ga., with the PPG Platinum Distributor of the Year Award during the annual PPG Platinum Distributor Conference at the Green Valley Ranch Resort in Las Vegas
  • BASF Coatings Earns PACE Honorable Mention - BASF Coatings Solutions today announced that it received an Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) honorable mention at a ceremony held April 14 in Detroit.  The 14th annual PACE Award is jointly presented by Automotive News, Microsoft, SAP and Transportation Research Center Inc.
  • Parts suppliers unite against counterfeiting - A number of international automotive parts supplier associations have come together to issue a statement of cooperation on safeguarding against counterfeiting and intellectual property rights violations (IPR) in the global automotive industry.
  • Doyle bill aims to deter theft, sale of catalytic converters - RI: At an average cost of $300 each, automobile catalytic converters are becoming a hot commodity, with the emphasis on the word hot. -- In news story after news story, from New England to the west coast, indications are that more and more thieves are targeting the converters, reselling them to chop shops or other disreputable parts dealers and making a significant amount of money, if only for the precious metals contained in the converters.
  • General Motors is organizing 8 brands into 4 divisions - General Motors Corp. is organizing its eight brands into four divisions in order to streamline product development and sales and further differentiate the brands, the automaker announced Wednesday.
  • Honda Plans Exports of U.S.-Built Pilot SUV to Russia - Honda Motor Co., aiming to boost North American plant production rates, will ship Pilot sport- utility vehicles built in Alabama to Russia, the first U.S. model the carmaker will export to that growing market.
  • Funding For a Toyota Center Study is Pending - WA: On Tuesday night Kennewick's City Manager Bob Hammond asked the council to consider using $250,000 of this year's budget to start the first stages of a future project.
  • GM moving OnStar call center to Pontiac - General Motors is moving an OnStar call center with a staff of 600 to the south side of Pontiac. 
  • Huge Recall, but Many Cars Unfixed - After six recalls to correct problems with millions of Ford Motor Company cruise-control switches blamed for almost 1,500 fires, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration took an unusual step. In February, it issued a consumer advisory urging owners whose vehicles had not yet been fixed to have the switches disconnected immediately.
  • Honda Recalls 353,000 U.S. Accords to Fix Windshield-Wiper Flaw - Honda Motor Co., Japan's second- largest automaker, is recalling 353,000 Accord sedans in the U.S. to fix a windshield-wiper flaw that may allow water to leak into the wiper motor, eventually disabling it.
  • Hyundai Recalling Cars - Car maker Hyundai is recalling nearly 400,000 Sonata passenger cars. The company says it needs to fix a problem with the air bag system. The recall affects 2006 to 2008 Sonatas with an advanced air bag system.
  • Report: Some auto safety gear's value limited - Some pricey new safety gear that automakers have billed as technological breakthroughs that will save lives may have only limited protective value, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety concludes in a report out Thursday.
  • Risk of buying a rebuilt wreck doesn't go away - Lance Scott shelled out $14,900 plus $1,475 for an extended warranty when he bought a used Ford Explorer in 1994. -- It took nearly a decade of negotiations and lawsuits, but last month a Jackson County jury ordered a dealer to pay Scott $300,000 in punitive damages following testimony that a salesman knew the Explorer was totaled in a rollover, but hid that fact from Scott.
  • ICBC shop problems covered up - Victoria,BC,Canada: Friends and relatives as well as ICBC employees and managers purchased vehicles from ICBC's research and training facility, the corporation's chairman said in a letter to the B.C. government Wednesday.
  • AIA Opposes Prior Approval Bill In Colorado - A bill before the Colorado House of Representatives (HB 1389) would change the insurance rating system from file-and-use to prior approval for auto insurance, thereby reducing competition in the auto insurance market and potentially increasing costs for Colorado consumers, said the American Insurance Association (AIA).
  • Congressional Hearing to Explore Federal Oversight of Insurers - A congressional panel will hear testimony today on a plan endorsed by Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson and Allstate Corp. that would simplify industry regulation and eliminate most oversight by the 50 U.S. states.

April 16, 2008

April 15, 2008

  • I-CAR Returns to Its Roots as It Works With The Collision Industry - Under the leadership of Chairman of the I-CAR Board of Directors and Interim CEO, John Edelen, I-CAR staff members are joining forces with the collision repair inter-industry as the nearly 30-year-old organization re-examines its commitment to those it serves.
  • New Auto Body Frame Machine Rolled Out: Signature Hybrid Combines Features Most Wanted by Auto Body Shops - CJJ, Inc. has announced its latest innovation in auto body repair equipment -- the Signature Hybrid frame machine. The automotive frame straightener takes its inspiration from previous designs, combining the most desirable features in a machine with versatility and pulling power.
  • Body shop likes green - When they opened in March 2006, CrashMaster installed a water-borne paint system that emits fewer volatile organic compounds than traditional solvent-borne paints.
  • Auto Body Shop Going Green - Superior Auto Body of Eau Claire is switching to water-based paints for cars. -- Using water-based paints is already mandatory in California and Canada. The switch is part of a three-year plan for the auto body shop to go completely green, from lighting to recycling.
  • Is the independent automotive service and repair industry recession proof? - ASA President's Blog: While we’re not officially in a recession, the mainstream media seems intent on declaring we will be soon. In the past, our industry was deemed “recession proof,” but the market is certainly more complex today than in years past.
  • What downturn? - For healthy, recession-proof companies like Santa Rosa's G&C Auto Body, now's the time to expand.
  • End of the road comes later for cars - Call car repair shops and each one has another story about the economy's impact on their business. -- Drivers are hanging on to their cars longer.
  • Teaming up to find a cure - TX: Christian Brothers Automotive on Atascocita Road is teaming up with the Avon Bluebonnet Crusaders to help find a cure for breast cancer. -- From now through the end of April, they are donating 8 percent of the labor for automotive work done at their Atascocita location.
  • For vehicles, a brutal winter season - NH: This winter's weird weather that included near-record snow has laid waste to many roads in the Lakes Region and area automotive repair facilities are saying motorists are being hit in the wallet as a result.
  • Body shops busy after storm - MS: The storm slammed Joel Lofton's Ridgeland business, like many others, on Friday afternoon but the aftermath didn't hit until Monday.
  • “Get Under the Hood” Marketing - AutobodyOnline: If you've ever worked on the mechanical side of the auto repair industry, you know that most people don't really want to know what's under the hood.
  • AAA Says Car Costs Are Up - AAA has some new information out about how much it actually costs you to drive your car each year. Dealerships in the area are already seeing a big shift in what their customers want.
  • Freedom suit aimed at auto repair shop - PA: Freedom borough has sued an auto repair and towing company, claiming the business owner keeps junk vehicles in violation of the borough code.
  • Zeledyne Announces Purchase of ACH - glassBYTEs™: Zeledyne announced today the purchase of Ford Motor Company Automotive Components Holdings (ACH) glass business and its plants in Nashville, Tenn., and Tulsa, Okla., its subsidiary Vidriocar in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico. Also included are the leases for a warehouse in Lebanon, Tenn., and engineering offices in Allen Park, Mich.
  • IGA Annual Conference & Spring Auto Glass Show Pre-Registration Closing Friday - glassBYTEs™: Pre-registration for the 2008 Independent Glass Association (IGA) Annual Conference and Spring Auto Glass Show™ will close this Friday, April 18. The event will be held May 1-3 at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas.
  • Guardian Industries to buy Siegel-Robert Automotive - Siegel-Robert Automotive claims to be the largest plastic chrome-plating company in the world and the No. 1 producer of plastic chrome-plated parts in North America. The business produces decorative trim products for automotive and non-automotive customers. It also is a leader in chrome-plated and painted door handles.
  • BC Insurance Company Hosts Autobody Career Fair - Facing an impending shortage in the autobody industry, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) has teamed up with the College of New Caledonia's (CNC) Career Technical (CTC) program and local business partners to attract students into the field.
  • Dupont Performance Coatings Supplies Global Skills Competition - DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) recently supplied the 39th WorldSkills International Competition  in Shizuoka, Japan, with Standohyd® -- a waterborne basecoat system -- and additional products as one of its special suppliers.
  • Tremblay becomes manager of refinish business at DuPont - Mario Tremblay has been promoted to the role of refinish business manager at DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) Canada. Tremblay takes over the position from Brian Edwards, who has been managing the Refinish Business as well as his role as DPC Canada country manager.
  • BASF Coatings’ paint brand continues BioConcept car sponsorship in 2008 - Smudo’s super racer hits the track in R-M finish for another year – successful start into new racing season
  • Henkel Aquence(TM) Coating Systems Meets Challenging California Environmental Standards - Coating technology approved for use in Thule Towing Systems California facility
  • Akzo Nobel U.S. unit raises surfactant prices - Dutch industrial group Akzo Nobel N.V. said its surfactants America unit will raise prices, with amines and some derivatives increasing $0.05 to $0.40 per pound.
  • Ford Scientists Look to Nanotechnology for Performance, Fuel Economy Improvements - Ford scientists are embracing the burgeoning fields of nanotechnology in developing paints, plastics, light metals and catalysts that allow Ford to reduce vehicle weight and improve fuel economy without sacrificing quality.
  • Wade Houston to speak at Global Automotive Conference - Wade Houston, executive vice president of Houston-Johnson Inc., has been added as a keynote speaker at the 2008 Global Automotive Conference. -- Other speakers for the event include Mark Fields, president of American operations for Ford Motor Co.; Ralph Gilles, a vehicle designer for Chrysler; and Ron Gettelfinger, president of the United Auto Workers.
  • Panel kicks off SAE International conference in Detroit - Automakers and suppliers are working furiously to increase fuel efficiency and reduce costs in all facets of their companies, executives said Monday at the kick-off of the annual auto engineering conference at Cobo Center.
  • Cherokee, DeKalb teams entered in auto skills competition - AAA and Ford are giving high school students the keys to start their careers in the automotive repair industry as they team up to test students’ automotive knowledge and technical skills.
  • Chrysler, Nissan broaden auto ties - Detroit carmaker will build truck for Nissan, which will make small car for Chrysler.
  • Tesla Motors Files Suit Against Competitor Over Design Ideas - Tesla Motors, the Silicon Valley maker of electric sports cars, filed suit in San Mateo Superior Court on Monday against a competing company and two of its employees, saying they stole some of Tesla’s design ideas and trade secrets.
  • Plant Tour: Building The Ultimate Shelby Mustang - It’s like the 1960’s all over again in a modest looking warehouse complex at the intersection of Speedway Boulevard and Interstate 15 in Las Vegas. The only indication that something special goes on here is the word “SHELBY” in blue letters at the top of the building. The more you look around you begin to notice an abnormally high ratio of Shelby Mustangs parked around the place. You are at the center of modern day Shelby history.
  • The Top Drops on Convertible Sales - "Feel-good" cars like convertibles fall to the bottom of the priority list during an economic downturn
  • Volkswagen not ashamed of labelling 2009 Jetta a 'wagon' - Vehicles that ride and handle like sedans but offer more space for cargo than one would find in a typical car's trunk are the hot items in the Canadian market. The segment is broadly called crossovers, but marketing spin masters are having a field day dubbing these vehicles all manner of names and acronyms. Let's call these models what they really are: wagons.
  • BMW's MyInfo connects your Bimmer to Google Maps - Google Maps users are familiar with the direction getting process: enter your starting and ending locations, let Google Maps calculate your route, and then wait for the directions to print out or - more commonly - hastily scribble them down on the back of the nearest scrap of paper and hope you can read it whilst driving. A new service called MyInfo from BMW and Google Maps is making that process much less time consuming and more reliable.
  • Airbags, seat belts, helmets can save lives - If Benton firefighter David Moore had his druthers, his driveway would be lined with Toyota Priuses.
  • IIHS study contradicts government on roof crush—more lives could be saved - Consumer Reports: The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has recently published a report looking at vehicle roof strength and its relation to protecting people in rollover crashes.
  • Methuen towing company worker charged with insurance fraud - MA: An employee of Martineau's Towing Service created bogus invoices for towing and rental costs totaling $11,000 after a company vehicle was involved in a crash a year ago, police said.
  • Minn. lawmakers OK compromise on suing home, auto insurers - The Minnesota Legislature has approved a compromise bill giving consumers more clout in court when they disagree with their home and auto insurance companies.

April 14, 2008

April 11, 2008

  • Fight to Protect Your New Car Warranty From Insurers - Collision Repair Association of California: Fight to Protect Your New Car Warranty From Insurers Who Want to Repair Your Car with Non-Factory Parts. Support SB 1059 by State Senator Carole Migden. -- The State Senate Judiciary Committee will vote on SB 1059 on Tuesday, April 15 at 1 p.m. in Room 112 of the State Capitol.
  • More Congressional Support for 'Right to Repair' - Following the announcement of two new sponsors last week, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) gained three more supporters this week; it was announced today by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Reps. Richard Neal (D-MA), Carol Shea (D-NH) and Ike Skelton (D-MO) have joined a growing list of the bill's sponsors.
  • Low Cost Repair Shops Working With Insurers: Drivers' Options or Substandard Work? - Auto body shop owners say insurance companies are improperly steering drivers towards low-cost repair shops that work with insurers.
  • NASTF Plans Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) Panel at Spring Meeting - The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has scheduled a discussion panel for the Spring General meeting to address questions regarding the new Secure Data Release Model (SDRM), which was released January 1, 2008. The Spring meeting will be held on April 15 at 2:00 pm in the Mackinac East/West Room at the Marriott Renaissance Center, Detroit, MI.
  • Emergency Hearing Held in Diamond Case to Review TPA Motion - glassBYTEs™: The U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware held an emergency hearing this morning in the case of Diamond Glass Inc.'s petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 to review a supplement to Diamond's motion authorizing them to honor or pay pre-petition customer obligations.
  • ALLDATA signs 70,000th customer - ALLDATA LLC has signed its 70,000th customer, an automotive repair shop in Bufford, S.C. -- The company is "improving productivity at the counter and at the fender," says Jeff Lagges, president. "That's 70,000 customers accessing us every day." Customers sign a first year subscription to ALLDATA's vehicle repair information service, after that they can decide any day to cancel.
  • Annual job fair draws record crowds to city - Taunton, MA: It’s a little nerve-wracking hearing that,” said Jan Lombardi, human resources manager for the northeast division of Keystone Automotive Industries, which operates a facility in the industrial park. -- Job openings yesterday ranged from entry-level warehouse to administration and engineering.
  • Industry demand for vehicle damage assessment satisfied - UK: Thatcham’s Chief Operating Officer, Jason Moseley, who was instrumental in establishing Thatcham’s first regional training base, said “The new Automotive Academy is further evidence of Thatcham and the motor insurer’s commitment to facilitating safe vehicle repair, the basis of which is accurate vehicle assessment.
  • Exatec expands US facility’s range - Exatec has expanded its operation and broadened the range of coating technologies it offers for production of polycarbonate vehicle glazing.
  • Partnership with Sportservice Lorinser for over 10 years - For over ten years, Sportservice Lorinser from Winnenden in South Germany and Glasurit, BASF Coatings’ refinishing brand, have been partners. Marcus Lorinser’s loyalty to Glasurit is clear: “At my bodyshop, Glasurit is the only way to go."
  • DuPont raises first-quarter estimates - DuPont says growth overseas will more than offset weakness in the U.S. housing and automobile markets.
  • RML renews partnership with DuPont Refinish - RML Group will again enjoy high-level technical support from DuPont Refinish in 2008 following its highly successful year as an official supplier to the team last season.
    Both companies enjoyed triumph on and off track in 2007, sealing the decision to continue the link-up for a further 12 months.
  • Quality gain has hitch for Ford dealers - With less warranty work, automaker develops programs to raise parts sales, service.-- General Motors Corp. is seeing some decline in warranty work at its U.S. dealerships and also is working to expand dealers' retail service business. Chrysler LLC said it is not a major issue.
  • Axle 'disappointed' with UAW offer - American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. was "disappointed" in an offer from the United Auto Workers union that would have paid workers double the market rate, the company said Thursday.
  • United States: Steel prices hard on GM, Ford - General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co. and auto-parts suppliers could see their costs increase on rising prices for steel, analysts say. Higher demand for steel could add $250 million U.S. to GM's costs in 2008 and $200 million to Ford's, New York-based Deutsche Bank AG analyst Rod Lache said. The run-up in steel, plus rising costs for platinum and aluminum, may raise the net cost per vehicle in North America by $406, one research note said.
  • Toyota and General Motors Recall 660,000 Vehicles for Window Defect -The recall is due to defective side window hardware on roughly 540,000 Toyota Matrixes and Corollas, and some 123,000 Pontiac Vibes.
  • Criminal complaint filed against local auto repair shop owner - A complaint filed April 7 includes charges of one count of criminal damage to property, one count of obstructing an officer, one count of disorderly conduct and a final count of violating unfair trade general orders.
  • Allstate lays off 109 IT workers - Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Co. said Thursday it has laid off 109 area employees in its information technology department as it re-evaluates its resources and on-going projects.
  • Connecticut Supreme Court Allows State's Damages Suit against Marsh - Connecticut's Attorney General Richard Blumenthal can attempt to recover damages from Marsh & McLennan Inc. for harming the economy of the entire state, the state's Supreme Court ruled. -- Connecticut is one of only a handful of state's that allows regulators to seek damages for anti-competitive business practices that harm generally the economy of the state.

April 10, 2008

  • Rally Protests Steering To Insurers' Preferred Body Shops - CT: More than 40 tow trucks and other vehicles were driven around the state Capitol Wednesday around lunchtime with horns blaring in support of legislation against steering of customers to auto insurers' preferred body shops. -- The event, sponsored by the Auto Body Association of Connecticut, began with a rally at the Connecticut Expo Center and featured comments by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal. After gaining attention at the Capitol, the group continued its protest at insurer Progressive's "concierge" claim center in Newington.
  • Drivers beware: Insurers often cloak their collision-repair practices - CA: If Shakespeare had been a consumer advocate, he might have written: "For want of a factory radiator, an engine warranty was lost." But the bard didn't have wheels, so it's up to legislators like Senator Carole Migden (D-San Francisco/North Bay) and consumer groups to warn car owners about insurance companies that hide certain collision repair practices from their policyholders.
  • Akzo Nobel seeks candidates for Most Influential Women award - Akzo Nobel is accepting nominations for the 2008 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry. The 2008 program will mark the 10th anniversary of this recognition program.
  • I-CAR changes name of I-CAR World Headquarters - Estates, IL location has been renamed the "I-CAR Training Support Center" to better reflect the location's role in the mission of the organization. The use of the former name, "World Headquarters," will be discontinued.
  • ALLDATA Supports I-CAR Education Foundation - ALLDATA LLC, has announced that it will contribute a portion of each ALLDATA Collision(sm) sale to the I-CAR Education Foundation.
  • Vehicle data site expands - Elk Grove-based ALLDATA LLC has added factory information from Honda and Acura models to its do-it-yourself automotive diagnostic and repair site.
  • Dented vehicles fill body shops - OK: David Miller, owner of the Trinity Restoration auto body shop, knew he was in for a lot of repair work just hours after Monday's hail storm. -- "We had 150 cars in our lot that were finished or waiting to be repaired that got hit," he said.
  • Guggenheim Willing to Finance Competitive Bidders in Diamond Sale - glassBYTEs™: Guggenheim Corporate LLC, the company with whom Diamond Glass has entered into a debtor-in-possession agreement in its petition for reorganization under Chapter 11, is willing to provide financing for competitive bidders in the sale of the company, according to Michael Richman of Foley & Lardner, acting as pro hac counsel for the Kingston, Pa.-based company.
  • Belron US Promotes Douglas to CIO - glassBYTEs™: In his new role as CIO, Douglas will be responsible for all information technology services and initiatives for Belron US. These areas include application development, computing infrastructure, telecommunications and network communications to enable Belron employees to meet the needs of consumers and insurance carriers in scheduling.
  • NuGen IT Launches New Generation E-Commerce Solution for Auto Claims Processing - NuGen IT, an information management authority to the insurance and collision repair industries, is pleased to announce the availability of its new business-to-business e-commerce platform for auto claims. The company's innovative Non-Network Portal (NNP) will allow insurance companies and other authorized businesses to communicate electronically with all collision repair facilities, even those outside of their approved Direct Repair networks.
  • Responding vs. Reacting - AutoInc: It's so easy to react. But responding takes another set of skills that every manager should have.
  • CARQUEST improves WHI Solution's On Demand Distribution Management - WHI Solutions and CARQUEST have successfully installed Exploris, CARQUEST's private-labeled version of WHI's Nexpart Distribution Management, in 2,000+ locations including more than 500 of the independent and locally owned CARQUEST Auto Parts Stores.
  • ASA Celebration of Excellence, AMI Graduation to be Held During 2008 Annual Convention - AutoInc: ASA's 2008 Annual Convention will be held May 1-3 at the Hyatt Regency in Santa Clara, Calif. Among the highlights of the event will be ASA's annual Celebration of Excellence - a special evening function dedicated to honoring the achievements of ASA members.
  • Daimler Trucks North America selects PPG Industries as paint supplier for Sterling - Daimler Trucks North America (DTNA) announced today that it has selected PPG Industries as its OEM and aftermarket paint supplier for the Sterling manufacturing facility in St. Thomas, Ont.
  • Asian auto suppliers eye U.S. companies  - Asian auto parts suppliers hoping to gain a foothold in the North American market are eyeing U.S. companies as acquisition targets, an emerging trend expected to pick up speed in the coming years.
  • New Ford Mirror Design and Radar Systems To Minimize Blind Spot Risk - Ford will be first to market with the Blind Spot Mirror, answering customers' demands for better visibility as they change lanes or parallel park.
  • Chrysler recalls 212,347 cars worldwide - Chrysler LLC is recalling 212,347 cars worldwide to fix an electrical problem that could lead to engine stalling and other issues.
  • New crash tests of midsize cars: protection in side impacts improves, but most cars tested still afford marginal or poor protection in rear crashes - IIHS: Occupant protection in side impacts of midsize cars is improving as automakers introduce safer designs and add side airbags as standard equipment.
  • Florida Reviewing Allstate's Document Release - Allstate has put about 150,000 pages of documents related to its pricing policy on its Web site, but it didn't appear Monday to satisfy the state, which has suspended the insurance giant's right to do new business in Florida.
  • Ahead of the Bell: Allstate - Allstate Corp. may miss first-quarter profit expectations when the nation's second-largest property and casualty insurer reports quarterly results later this month, according to one analyst.
  • Auto insurer Progressive Q1 profit beats estimates - Progressive Corp, one of the largest U.S. auto insurers, on Wednesday posted a 34 percent drop in quarterly profit as premiums declined. -- Still, the profit drop was less than analysts expected and the company's stock rose 2.5 percent.

April 9, 2008

  • Independent Glass Association to Introduce Anti-Steering "Comic Book" at Annual Conference, May 1-3 - glassBYTEs™: The IGA took the advice of consumer advocate Ralph Nader and commissioned a fully illustrated comic book to explain steering to consumers. Don’t Get Steered was written by IGA staffers and with artwork by illustrator Susan Meyers. Don’t Get Steered will be available exclusively to IGA members. It will be used to educate consumers, lawmakers and others about the issues they face everyday trying to compete in a market that is controlled by competitor-administrators.
  • SCRS petitions information providers for BMS extract - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) is asking collision repairers to sign a petition that will be sent to the information providers asking them to offer a system that will address security data issues.
  • 2008 I-CAR International Annual Meeting Update - Register now and join professionals from around the world as the collision industry gathers for the I-CAR International Annual Meeting, July 24 – 26 at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess in Scottsdale, Arizona.
  • I-CAR reevaluates operating needs, announces limited workforce reduction - “As with many businesses during these difficult economic times, I-CAR has had to re-evaluate its operating performance and its strategic position in meeting the training needs of the industry,” said I-CAR Board Chairman John Edelen.
  • ALLDATA Collision Tops 1,000 Customers - More than 1,000 customers have purchased the ALLDATA Collision program subscription service since it was introduced nationally in September, according to Dan Espersen, ALLDATA senior program manager, collision. -- Two of the company's biggest customers are Fix Auto Network and ABRA Auto Body and Glass.
  • Callaway’s Collision Specialist is a 2007 Premier Achiever for customer satisfaction - TX: Callaway’s Collision Specialist has achieved an extraordinary customer satisfaction rating for the Autochex CSI program in 2007, well above the norm in their market section or region. Autochex has performed thousands of customer surveys throughout 2007; their organization is among only a handful that rated best in consistently delivering top-notch service. (Last news brief on page)
  • Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting Offers Advice in Recognition of National Car Care Month - In recognition of National Car Care Month this April, Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting is providing advice on how to take better care of your vehicle before it starts looking its age.
  • Reaching Out to Female Consumers - AskPatty.com's mission is to turn women into automotive experts. What can you learn from their team to become a more female-friendly business?
  • Battle brewing over repair information - RI: There’s a battle between competing political philosophies in the auto service industry. -- With new cars and trucks increasingly complex and computerized, repair shops need access to highly technical information and software.
  • AIAG's Auto ID/RFID Showcase Presents Defenses Against Counterfeiting - In a continuing effort to inform the automotive supply chain about current and future applications of automatic identification (auto ID) and radiofrequency identification (RFID) technologies -- including those to protect intellectual property and guard against counterfeiting -- the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) will hold its 13th annual Auto ID/RFID Showcase on April 30, 2008, at the Rock Financial Showplace in Novi, Mich.
  • Change to 'green' is viewed as a business opportunity - The dire news about global warming and soaring energy prices could translate to lucrative market opportunities for businesses that figure out how to capitalize on developing products for the green movement, environmental experts told PPG Industries employees yesterday.
  • PPG Industries updates financial details regarding SigmaKalon acquisition - William H. Hernandez, senior vice president, finance, and chief financial officer of PPG Industries, provided updates today on various financial details related to the company’s Jan. 2 acquisition of SigmaKalon Group.
  • CARQUEST Improves Store Operations and Customer Service With WHI Solution's On Demand Distribution Management - Nexpart Store Management's ease of use, lower costs and increased functionality are a success in JV and independent auto parts stores with over 2000 installations completed
  • GotEngines.com Launches: A Next Generation Replacement Engines Store, Specializing in New and Used Engines - Announcing the launch of GotEngines.com, an online replacement engines store, selling refurbished and used engines at discount prices, for all makes and models, including domestic and foreign cars.
  • Advantage Partners Announces Definitive Agreement to Purchase GST AutoLeather from SILLC Holdings, LLC - Advantage Partners, LLP, (Advantage Partners) an Asia-based private equity firm, today announced that the funds that it services have entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of GST AutoLeather, Inc. (GST), a leading global supplier of automotive leather, from SILLC Holdings, LLC. GST is a premier global provider of leather upholstery for automotive seating and trim and supplies many of the world’s major automotive original equipment manufacturers, including Toyota, Honda, General Motors, Chrysler, Ford, Volkswagen, SAIC, and Nanjing, among others.
  • Parting shot: Delphi exec Steve Miller blasts UAW in new book - Delphi Corp. Executive Chairman and former CEO Robert S. "Steve" Miller blamed the bankrupt auto supplier's woes on its largest union in a memoir to be released Tuesday. Miller defended his tenure at the top of Delphi and his decision to recommend that the company file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in October 2005, comparing himself to a surgeon and Delphi to a "desperate patient who waited too long to seek treatment."
  • Heat is on to settle Axle strike - UAW, supplier meet today in first formal talks in three weeks.
  • Chrysler Recalls Sebrings, Avengers - Chrysler is recalling 180,963 2007 to 2008 model year Sebring and Dodge Avengers that are equipped with the standard tire pressure monitoring system. The wiring in the system can corrode causing a short circuit, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
  • Shop Owner Discovers Car Involved In Hit-And-Run - Cornelius McLamont said he never intended to call police on his son. But Saturday, when McLamont arrived for work at his auto body shop in Fort Lauderdale, he spotted a car that matched the description of a car involved in a hit and run. The crash left a 4-year-old Sunrise girl dead Friday.
  • AAA Analysis Finds Teen Crashes Cost Society More Than $34 Billion Annually - A first-ever analysis from AAA finds that crashes involving teen drivers ages 15 to 17 cost American society more than $34 billion annually in medical expenses, lost work, property damage, quality of life loss and other related costs in 2006.
  • Man Crushed by Truck at Auto Auction - NY: It happened Tuesday morning around 10:30 at the Adesa Auto Auction in Newstead. Police say the victim, 54-year-old William Bushnell of Gowanda, was at the auction working for an auto dealer, and he was walking through the bays where the vehicles are displayed to potential bidders when a worker who was pulling a truck in a bay lost control.
  • Flooded-Out Vehicles Cause of Concern For Region 8 - AR: Doug Matthews  makes his living working as a certified technician of used cars.  He says that purchasing a flood damaged car is the worst. "These cars now days are just fully electronic and they may work first for a little while but corosion takes over and its a never ending process after that one thing can go bad and then another" said Matthews.
  • Insurance agent sentenced to 37 months in prison - An insurance agent who lives in Troutman will serve a prison term of 37 months and has paid restitution of more than $1 million after pleading guilty to insurance fraud.
  • Farmers Insurance Appoints Mhayse Samalya Executive Vice President and President, Farmers Business Insurance - Robert Woudstra, President and Chief Operating Officer, Farmers Group, Inc., announced the appointment of Mhayse Samalya, former Farmers Senior Vice President Farmers Group, Inc. & President, Farmers Business Insurance, to Executive Vice President, Farmers Group Inc. & President, Farmers Business Insurance.
  • Auto Insurers Paying Up - For auto insurers, 2008 is shaping up to be another tough year. -- Insurance prices are being driven down by tough competition even as accident costs are edging up after years of steady declines. The price of competition is rising, too, with the top insurers spending around $500 million a year to keep their names in front of potential customers.
  • Colorado Legislation Threatens Auto Insurance Savings, Insurers Say - The Colorado Legislature is considering a bill that would add bureaucratic red tape and costs to the state's automobile insurance system, claims the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), which is opposing the bill.

April 8, 2008

April 7, 2008

  • CRA Factory Parts Bill Passes Key Senate Committee - In one of the California collision industry’s finest political moments, a powerful California State Senate Committee approved CRA-sponsored legislation yesterday to stop insurers from mandating the use of aftermarket parts on new cars undergoing collision repairs.
  • Congressional Support for 'Right to Repair' Grows - The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2694) gained two more co-sponsors in recent days.  The new legislators supporting Right to Repair are Reps. Bob Filner (D-CA) and Peter Welch (D-VT).
  • AASP-MN Announces 2008-’09 Board of Directors - Voting for open seats on the AASP-MN Board of Directors concluded on March 3, 2008. Congratulations to Roger Bonn, Peter’s Body Shop, St. Cloud and Tom Aldridge, Dale Feste Automotive, Hopkins, on their election to the AASP-MN Board of Directors.
  • Amica Mutual Selects Gerber National Glass Services as In Program Auto Glass Administrator - glassBYTEs™: Amica Mutual Insurance Company, based in Lincoln, Rhode Island, has selected Gerber National Glass Services (GNGS), a subsidiary of The Boyd Group Inc. to provide glass claims management solutions for their customers.
  • Five auto shops get "Green" designation - AZ:  Five local auto-repair shops recently were certified as "Green Shops" under a volunary program of the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Automotive Service Association of Arizona (ASAA) said.
  • Flavio Battilana becomes COO of Collision Solutions Network - Flavio Battilana has joined Collision Solutions Network (CSN) in the newly created position of chief operating officer. Battilana has more than 15 years of collision repair experience.
  • Deaf students, instructor learn plenty in auto repair class - Don Twomey, 47, could barely keep up with his students as they fiercely blasted the rust off a 1977 El Camino with sanders. Trotting among eight teenagers who have hearing loss, Twomey showed them how to run their hands along the car's body to locate dents and then how to smooth the bumps with plastic filler.
  • PPG adds DITZLER BIG FLAKE pigments to VIBRANCE COLLECTION finishes - PPG Industries' automotive refinish business recently introduced Ditzler Big Flake pigments to its Vibrance Collection finishes line of custom colors and special effect coatings.
  • Dimet sees potential for car-paint sales - Dimet Siam Plc, a paint manufacturer listed on the Market for Alternative Investment, plans to expand to the car paint market, said president Suraphol Rujikarnchana. -- Dimet recently signed a three-year agreement with PPG Coating (Thailand) to become the sole distributor of the Bilux car paint brand.
  • Akzo Nobel Q4 Results Beat Expectations - Akzo Nobel NV, the world's biggest producer of paints, posted forecast-beating fourth-quarter results in March, boosting its shares as its coatings business grew despite the U.S. housing market crisis.
  • Nice work if you can get it: CEO makes $3.5 mil in 3 months - Mike Burns, CEO of the embattled parts supplier Dana of Toledo, OH, stepped down on March 31 after four years on the job. After adding up all compensation he was entitled to, the executive walked away with $3.5 million for his three months of work in 2008, which comes out to approximately $583,000 for every paycheck, or nearly $39,000 per day.
  • UAW blasts Ford's bonuses - Gettelfinger upset with $60 million in higher compensation given to five senior executives.
  • Volkswagen recalls 410,000 1999-2005 model year Passats - Volkswagen Group of America Inc. says it's voluntarily recalling about 410,000 gasoline powered Passats because of potential problems including damage to a heat shield.
  • Car Manufacturers Warn Against Remanufactured Wheels - Though often taken for granted by motorists, wheels and tires are two of the many components that can greatly affect your vehicle's safety. In recent years there has been much written about the need to keep your tires properly inflated, rotate them regularly and check for wear, but the role of your wheels-especially if your vehicle has been in a collision-has drawn far less attention.
  • Consumer group challenges Ford Explorer settlement - The claim stems from a class action suit filed on behalf of more than 414,000 Californians who bought Explorers and later claimed they had lost resale and trade-in value because of reports about rollover accidents and a nationwide recall of Explorer Firestone tires in 2000.
  • AAA Reports That Cost of Owning & Operating a New Vehicle Is Now 54.1 Cents per Mile - The Automobile Club of Southern California's 2008 edition of "Your Driving Costs" shows the cost of driving a passenger vehicle in the United States has increased 1.9 cents per mile in the last year and now averages 54.1 cents per mile.
  • Thefts are a big headache for auto dealers and legislature - In less than half a minute, a thief can crawl under a vehicle and pop off a catalytic converter and be on his way to instant cash.
  • As fight with insurer drags, crash's toll mounts - The car accident was just the start of the unraveling of Christopher Thompson's life.
  • Allstate Suspension Upheld, Florida Commissioner Says - The ruling ``probably'' allows Allstate to write new business for 15 days while it decides whether to apply for a rehearing, said McCarty in a news conference. He previously said in a statement today the suspension was going into effect ``immediately.''
  • Allstate Releases McKinsey Records Sought by Critics - Allstate Corp., the second-biggest U.S. home and auto insurer, released 150,000 pages of documents sought by opposition lawyers and company critics related to McKinsey & Co.'s review of claims-handling practices.
  • AIG CEO takes pay cut in 2007 - The chief executive of American International Group Inc., the largest insurer in the U.S., received compensation the company valued at about $13.9 million in 2007, nearly half of what he earned a year ago.
  • WNS Acquires Auto Insurance Claims Processor Call 24/7 - WNS (Holdings) Limited , a leading provider of global business process outsourcing (BPO) services, today announced it has acquired Call 24/7 Ltd., an auto insurance-claims-processing services provider in the United Kingdom. -- In November 2007, WNS Assistance was awarded “Best Accident Management Company” for market leadership in motor claims processing solutions by the Auto Body Professionals Club, a UK automobile trade organization.

April 4, 2008

April 3, 2008

  • PPG Canada and Mitchell announce vendor partnership - PPG Canada Inc. and Mitchell International Inc. have announced a preferred vendor partnership. The partnership gives the PPG CertifiedFirst network of collision repair centres access to the line of Mitchell management systems.
  • Mitchell 1 Accepting Applications for its 2008 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student Scholarship - Application Deadline is May 15th - Mitchell 1 announces it is accepting applications through May 15th for its annual $2,500 Automotive Technology Outstanding Student Scholarship to be awarded through the North American Council of Automotive Teachers (NACAT) Education Foundation at its annual conference. The scholarship will recognize one U.S. high school senior for outstanding achievement in automotive technology/auto shop repair scholastics.
  • Connecticut Anti-steering Bill Heads to Full Vote - A Connecticut bill that restricts auto insurers from directing clients to certain car repair shops – legislation opposed by insurers and agents alike – is headed for a floor vote in the state's General Assembly.
  • Automotive Service Council (ASC) of Kentucky, Inc. Newsletter for April 2008 - The newsletter this quarter is all about hope. With shining examples of how much can be accomplished when we work together for a common cause. -- Includes:  Allstate Behaving Badly Again! -- Would You Put Your Family in a Vehicle You Repaired? -- more
  • Diamond President Cogswell Sounds Optimistic in Light of Chapter 11 Filing - glassBYTEs.com™: Despite today's announcement that Diamond Glass filed this morning for voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization, company president Bill Cogswell sounds optimistic.
  • PPG, Greenville Glass and Mygrant Among Largest Glass Industry Creditors Listed in Diamond Filing - glassBYTEs.com™: PPG Industries, Greenville Glass Industries and Mygrant Glass Co. Inc. are among three of the largest industry creditors listed in Diamond Glass's filing for restructuring under Chapter 11.
  • Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Announces 11 Recent New Store Openings - New Branches Expand Presence and Service to Collision Repair Specialists and Car Enthusiasts Throughout North America
  • Ford Motor Company Gives Technical Approval to Sherwin-Williams' AWX™ Waterborne Paint System - Ford Motor Company recently approved the AWX™ waterborne refinish system from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. for collision repair centers on a global basis. The AWX system has undergone the extensive technical certification process to meet the Ford WSS-M2P100-D standard. The Ford Group sets this technical standard to assure that its vehicles are repaired using automotive refinish products of the highest quality.
  • Rare Mercedes Gullwing restored for hit US TV series - The Gullwing will be completely restored and finished with Glasurit brand paints from BASF Coatings. To maintain the Gullwing’s original appearance during restoration, the car will be finished in an original 1957 Mercedes color, using the waterborne Glasurit 90 Line.
  • Three SFHS guys have Skills - UT: Zach Taylor, the teacher at SFHS Auto Body and Collision Repair, and Lou Crandall, the teacher of commercial photography at SFHS are proud to announce that Tyson Robertson placed 1st in Photography, Bryce Taylor placed 1st in Collision Repair, Devin Nelson placed 1st in Automotive Refinishing, and Garrett Robarge finished 3rd in Automotive Refinishing!
  • 400 Chrysler tech jobs go - Detroit: Metro positions will be lost when computer technology tasks are outsourced to companies in India, Virginia.
  • Ford Reorganizing Engineering Centers To Speed Devt - Ford Motor Co. is reorganizing its design and engineering centers in a move to make the company more global and cut the time it takes to get a new car or truck into showrooms.
  • Carmakers fight fuel rules state by state - Industry hopes to convince them not to adopt Calif.'s tougher emissions regulations.
  • Toyota sets up program to aid some Tacoma truck owners - If you own a Toyota Tacoma from the model years 1995 to 2000, you might be eligible for a vehicle repair or better yet, a vehicle buy-back from the manufacturer under a special program. -- The decision to repair or repurchase will be at the discretion of Toyota, said spokesman Bill Kwong. -- If the truck is repurchased, Toyota will give owners 11/2 times the Kelley Blue Book Value's ``excellent condition'' retail price for the vehicle, regardless of the vehicle's condition. In most cases, dealers use Kelley Blue Book wholesale values, which are much lower, for trade-in.
  • Stolen-car ring busted - Canada: Dozens of people in the Eastern Townships, including the owner of a used-car dealership in Sherbrooke, are alleged to be part of a large stolen-car ring dismantled by police yesterday.
  • Homeowner and auto insurance too expensive, consumer groups say - Both men, and other New Yorkers, are paying too much for homeowner and car insurance, according to some consumer groups. Now, state officials are predicting that New York's auto rates, the third highest in the country after New Jersey and Washington, D.C., will rise this year after four years of relative stability.

April 2, 2008

April 1, 2008

  • 2008 SCRS Annual Meeting Features Two Presentations of Importance to Repairers - A pair of presentations on topics vital to today’s collision repairers highlight the 2008 Annual Meeting of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS), scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, April 15th and 16th, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you would like to attend these presentations, please RSVP to Linda Atkins in the SCRS Administration Office via phone 877-841-0660 or by email to info@scrs.com by April 4th.
  • Mitchell Releases Next Generation Collision Estimating and Reference Guides That Include Quick Reference Paint and Materials and Air Bag Information - The Guides now contain valuable Paint and Materials and Air Bag information for new model vehicles, providing technicians and estimators with a comprehensive supplement or stand-alone reference that gives them the tools and information they need for a more efficient repair process.
  • California House Member Introduces Bill to Amend U.S. Patent Law for Crash Parts - The U.S. House of Representatives has introduced new legislation aimed to create an exemption in the U.S. patent law to enable the production of aftermarket automobile parts. H.R. 5638, introduced by Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., creates an exception from infringement for certain component parts used to repair another article of manufacture. The bill has been referred to the House Judiciary Committee.
  • Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal 2007 Results - Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc., a leading distributor and marketer of automotive aftermarket accessories and equipment in North America, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 29, 2007.
  • Progressive Opens Concierge Claims Center North of Philadelphia - Progressive has opened a new service center in Pennsylvania where insureds with damaged vehicles can drop off their cars, get a ride to a rented one and hand off the processing a repair job to the company. -- The Willow Grove site is Progressive's 54th; the company received a patent for the concierge claims method last year.
  • AGRSS Council Issues Alert Regarding Recent Recalls - glassBYTEs: The Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council has issued an alert to its registered shops regarding the recent recall of tempered glass parts from DOT No. 430 and DOT No. 628.
  • A Positive Way to Destress - AutobodyOnline: Can You Prepare Yourself to Handle the Bad Things in Life?
  • Kidnapped auto shop owner still missing - CA: A man who is being held from ransom by kidnappers after he was reportedly hustled from his North Long Beach auto shop last week is still missing, authorities said Monday. -- Maurilio "Willie" Robles, owner of an auto body shop on the 2300 block of East 70th Street, hasn't been seen since he was shoved into a gold import sedan shortly before 3:30 p.m. last Thursday, authorities said.
  • Slippery Roads Means More Trips to Auto Body Shops - SD: After a winter of slipping and sliding on area roads, many of you are probably ready to say good-bye to winter. But all the fender benders caused by the slick roads mean more business for those who fix the damage.
  • Owner: Scrap Yard Fire Could Have Been Prevented - Scranton, PA: Jeff Kurtz looked over the charred mess at his scrap yard Monday near Elysburg.  A fire Saturday burned through about 100 of the vehicles on the lot of Jeff's Auto Body and Recycling.
  • Why Cars Have Become Difficult -- And Expensive to Repair - Popular Mechanix Blog: It turns out amateurs like me aren't the only ones wondering why some of today's vehicles are such bears to repair. The difficulty of replacing broken parts or restoring vehicles damaged in collisions is a growing concern to the auto service and collision trades and the insurance industry.
  • Sikkens Automatchic 3 catches the color the smart way - Sikkens has developed the best color measurement tool to date: the Sikkens Automatchic 3. This lightweight device delivers the most accurate color match ever, making the task of color matching faster and easier for every professional bodyshop.
  • China's Paint Industry Becomes World's 2nd Largest - China has become the second largest paint producer and consumer in the world propelled by booming real estate, auto and shipping building sectors. -- Global paint manufacturers have moved their production capacities to China in recent years.
  • World champion - How Marty McQuade leads global expansion at DuPont Automotive Systems by cultivating relationships across the planet
  • DTT Targets Paint Customers at Uzbekistan Seminar - DuPont and a joint venture Decorimex recently held a technical seminar for current and potential customers in the coatings and paints industry in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to increase awareness of Ti-Pure® -- DuPont’s brand name for titanium dioxide.
  • Hella lights up S.C. auto industry - Hella makes headlamps and fog lamps for BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Ford, General Motors vehicles, as well as heavy-duty trucks made by Kenworth, Mack and Peterbilt. The plant's biggest customer is the Mercedes-Benz plant in Alabama, Hella officials said, but the single vehicle for which Hella makes the most lamps per day is the Chrysler Town & Country minivan.
  • UK airbag manufacturer moves work to Poland - A major manufacturer of air bags for the auto industry has indicated that production jobs could be lost in the UK. Management at the Airbags International plant in Congleton, Cheshire wants to move manufacturing of the air bags to plants in Poland where costs are lower.
  • GM Toledo Plant Is 30th Shut by American Axle Strike - General Motors Corp. shut its plant in Toledo, Ohio, for a second time in four weeks, bringing to 30 the number of factories idled or partially closed by a strike at supplier American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc.
  • Chrysler retirees lose life insurance - Chrysler LLC's white-collar retirees are losing free life insurance benefits but are eligible for a one-time pension boost of up to $4,000, according to a letter retirees should receive this week.
  • California Trio Arrested for International Auto Insurance Fraud - Three individuals have been arrested in California for allegedly being involved in a five-person conspiracy that resulted in a vehicle owned by one of the conspirators driven to Mexico where it was "chopped" (i.e., taken apart so that its parts can be used or sold separately), according to the California Department of Insurance.
  • State Farm trial over denied policy benefits ends with $44k judgment - A Jefferson County jury ordered State Farm to pay a woman more than $44,000 in damages for injuries she received in a 2003 auto wreck.
  • Pieler and Hunter: When it comes to auto insurance, Texas should favor competition to help consumers - Opinion: If you want an object lesson in how messed up our ways of regulating insurance in the U.S. are, just take a look at a recent Supreme Court decision—or rather, nondecision. By turning down an appeal in the case of Allstate v. Abbott, the Justices de facto upheld Texas law barring linkage of insurance companies and auto repair shops. One obvious result is a reduction in the choices available to drivers seeking post-collision repairs once their claims have been honored.
  • Legislation seeks insurance changes - Denver, CO: Rep. Morgan Carroll, a Democrat from Aurora, said insurance companies currently are allowed to increase rates at will and get approval from the Division of Insurance later. She said they are rarely punished if increases are found to be unjustified. -- Carroll said she is considering adding auto insurance in a separate measure. -- House Speaker Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, is sponsoring a bill that would impose penalties if a claim is improperly denied.
  • Industry Lines Up 'Pro and Con' on Bush Plan for Federal Insurance Regulator - Insurance industry groups are lining up quickly with responses to the Bush administration's proposed overhaul of the way the government regulates the nation's financial services industries, including insurance.
  • Paulson Proposes Insurance Agency to Cut Bureaucracy - Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson proposed allowing insurance companies to select the federal government as their main regulator for the first time in more than a century as part of a plan to cut bureaucracy. -- Federal oversight would allow insurers more flexibility to set prices, rather than negotiate possible increases with agencies all over the country, and would end most supervision from the states, which have been the primary insurance regulators for more than 135 years. Paulson's proposal today was part of a broader plan to overhaul U.S. financial regulation.
  • Insurer State Farm favors U.S. federal proposal -  U.S. insurer State Farm said on Monday it supports a proposal to revamp the current system of state-by-state insurance regulation in favor of a choice between federal or state regulation.

March 2008 >>>>

 



 
 

 *     Archives     *     Home    *   

 

Auto body, collision repair, automotive

Copyright © 2007 [beyondparts.com]. All rights reserved.
Revised: 04/30/08

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