June 30, 2008

• Hailstorm of Complaints: Are Insurers Paying-Up? - Low estimates are part of a growing trend, said Robert Ensign, owner of Ensign's Auto Body in Albany.
• AGRSS CAP RFP Deadline Approaches - glassBYTEs™: The deadline for proposals for those interested in administering the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council's Consumer Awareness Program (CAP) is approaching quickly. The deadline is Monday, June 30, at 5 p.m.
• Hartford DRP-only policy rider draws calls for stepped-up lobbying, educational efforts - An insurance policy provision requiring certain insureds to have their collision repairs done exclusively through The Hartford's direct repair program (DRP) has brought calls to buck this trend by rallying the industry to intensify its educational and lobbying efforts directed toward elected officials, state regulators and consumers.
• Anti-steering bills in California, Connecticut undergo changes - Two pieces of aggressive anti-steering legislation introduced earlier this year in the state legislatures of Connecticut and California have undergone significant changes.
• Saved by SaaS: Data backup via Software-as-a-Service - The last thing a collision repair shop needs to worry about is a data-storage crash. So when John Sweigart realized the software he'd been using to manage his business, The Body Shop, was no longer compatible with the way they were backing up data, he knew it was time for a different option.
• Summer cruise nights get costly - MA: On a recent, gloriously sunny evening, Consumer Auto Parts' parking lot was filled with gleaming paint jobs and popped car hoods, owners proudly displaying their engines.
• Storm Damaged Cars - VA: Turner's Auto Body in Luray has seen a 50-percent increase in cars coming in due to storm damage with damage estimates running from $4,000 to upwards of $12,000. Each car requires between 50 and 60 hours of labor depending on the extent of the damage.
• State Farm Not Hip with Clip - Today’s good news is that State Farm has put in writing that its adjusters are NOT to write estimates calling for a “clip”. For non-collision repair familiar folks, a “clip” is like creating a Frankenstein vehicle. It occurs when the repairer cuts your car in half and welds a salvage yard half from a different car to it.
• Auto Glass Week Attendee Housing Block in Luxor Opens - glassBYTEs™: The Luxor hotel is currently hosting a block of rooms for the attendees of the Auto Glass Week events. Starting November 5 through November 8, 2008 the conferences, exposition and competitions will all be held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, next door to the Luxor.
• USPTO Holds Town Hall Meeting on Industrial Patent Designs - QPC Members and Supporters Argue for Consumers’ Rights
• ACH auto plants' sale progresses - biggest advance appears at Milan - The sale of two former Visteon Corp. auto parts plants and their manufacturing business in Washtenaw County is still moving forward, albeit slowly.
• Layoffs haunt Ford salaried staff - Looming payroll cuts foster employee malaise and lack of productivity in some departments.
• Analysts: Do math before thinking of trading in SUV - As gasoline prices have soared this year, sport utility vehicle values have plummeted - by 7 percent to 8 percent in most cases, according to the Kelley Blue Book car price service - while the prices of used small cars are holding strong or increasing, with some models like the Toyota Prius hybrid unavailable without long waits.
• Drivers paid to retire old cars - Some U.S. states and Canada are boosting efforts to get older, dirtier cars off the roads.
• How to avoid getting nailed by a roving repair person - Beware unlicensed workers who may leave your home or car in disrepair
• Scruggs is sentenced to 5 years - Lawyer known for tobacco cases pleaded guilty to trying to bribe judge in Katrina case.
• Delay sought in Joyce trial - The prosecution and defense want more time to line up witnesses in the federal fraud trial of former state Superior Court Judge Michael Joyce. -- Joyce is accused of defrauding Erie Insurance Group and State Farm Insurance with claims of $390,000 and $50,000, respectively, stemming from an Aug. 10, 2001, collision.
• NY court orders anti-redlining reports released - New York's top court has ordered the release of insurance company reports showing automobile policies broken down by zip code so Brooklyn officials can determine whether neighborhoods were deemed high-risk and avoided through "redlining."
• Hearing to address auto insurance rates - The future of auto insurance rates in North Carolina goes on trial today.
• Honesty can cost in auto policies - Will Californians lie to save money? -- Apparently.

June 27, 2008

• Despite regulations, shops not rushing to convert to waterborne basecoat - Canada: The publication of draft VOC-emission regulations in April seems to have taken some of the steam out of the conversions to low-VOC products and waterborne basecoat.
• Green Wave: Environmentalism takes hold in Bellevue - When it comes to environmental awareness, Nebraska will most likely never be confused with California. However, there are some in this generally conservative state who seek to be at the leading edge of ecologically mindful technology. -- Most auto body shops in the United States, outside of California of course, use solvent-based paints.
• Industry Reacts to Acquisition of Diamond Glass by Belron US, Predicts Future of Independent Shops - glassBYTEs™: In the days following Friday's announcement that Belron US had the winning bid for Diamond Glass, many in the industry have expressed fear at what this transaction could do to the industry's independent shops.
• Texas House Committee Discusses Vehicle Key Codes - ASA President Ron Pyle Testifies at Hearing
• Marketing your body shop to women - This is the first in a series of interviews with body shop owners and managers who will be discussing various aspects of the industry.
• Crews at Local Auto Body Shop See Cars Damaged From Hail - VA: Bobby Cox, the manager at the Charlottesville Auto Body shop says area car owners have filed around 2,000 claims due to hail damage. (video)
• Cars, chairs enhance city’s look while benefitting local charities - Guy Maniscalo of Elmhurst CarStar helps the Elmhurst Children's Assistance Foundation every year by helping with Kool Kiddie Cars
• What's New: In Brief  - Canada: The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce has named Windsor CARSTAR Collision the 2008 Service Company of the Year.
• People are her business - CO: Mary Bradford is the most recent recipient of the Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year award, presented by the South Metro Chamber of Commerce. -- "I really love people," she said. "It's our gift. I don't know what you do without friends." -- The owner of Main Street business Bradford Auto Body Shop has extended this philosophy to the community, since she moved here with her first husband in 1959, one of many drawn by Martin-Marietta. Nearly 50 years later, she is the most recent recipient of the Brian R. Vogt Community Leader of the Year award, presented by the South Metro Chamber of Commerce.
• A 'faith-based automotive repair shop' -- no kidding - In my e-box is a release from a company that identifies itself as a "faith-based automotive repair shop." My initial reaction was to roll my eyes. I want my car fixed by someone who knows cars, not scripture. But then there was the rest of the description: "that strongly emphasizes honesty and integrity."
• AAA In The Car Repair Business - NY: From road service to repair, the AAA of Western and Central New York is getting into the car care business. The AAA's Car Care Plus opening its doors at 2131 Eggert Road near Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst.
• Audatex first to achieve global standards for business continuity and information security - Audatex UK, leading provider of claims management solutions, is the first company in the world to simultaneously attain ISO 27001, the international standard for information security, and BS 25999, the new British Standard for business continuity, with BSI Management Systems.
• Copart Now Selling Cars for the Public Through CopartDirect - Copart, Inc. today announced that it is now using its patented VB2 sales technology to sell vehicles for the public.
• Parts Retailers Emerging Unscathed From Auto Rubble - Investor sentiment toward the U.S. auto sector plumbed new depths this week amid concerns about the financial impact of a steep decline in sales, but one corner of the industry is holding its own.
• Dow Chemical raises prices 2nd time in 4 weeks - Dow Chemical Co. may continue raising prices after implementing consecutive record increases because of surging raw material and energy costs, chief executive Andrew Liveris said. -- Three factories in the Dow Automotive unit will be permanently shut because of declining North American sales, the company said.
• Chrysler Denies Rumors Of Serious Cash Crunch - Chrysler LLC is not facing a cash crunch and has ample liquidity, a spokesman said Thursday, denying market rumors.
• Chrysler welcomes a hero - Iacocca, 83, returns to rally employees and dealers
• Toyota donates $1M and 3 hybrid cars to Great Smoky Mountains National Park for education - The donation is the largest single gift ever made to the country's most-visited national park, which straddles the Tennessee-North Carolina line.
• Nissan to make hybrid coupe - The sportster, developed specifically to rival Honda's upcoming CR-Z hybrid, will be smaller and more affordable than the upcoming 'new 200SX'.
• Consumer Alert: Be on the Lookout for Waterlogged Wrecks from Midwest - Given the extent of the flooding in the Midwest and the number of communities affected, hundreds of thousands of cars may have been submerged in floodwater. Consumers should expect more than half of these waterlogged wrecks to wind up on the used car market in all areas of the country, based on similar past events.
• Auto repair shop owner charged with fraud - CA: The fraud was uncovered by a State Farm Insurance audit to determine the statewide average cost of rodent damage, said prosecutor Sharon Henry of Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Fraud Unit.
• Feds Considering Rules to Make Hybrids Louder - Federal auto safety regulators at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began hearings Monday on how to address a new safety concern.
• Private Crossings, New Technology, and Crossing Closures Next Focus of DOT Action Plan to Reduce Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Collisions and Fatalities - Several safety initiatives designed to reduce collisions between motor vehicles and trains will be completed before the end of 2008 as part of the ongoing U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Action Plan, announced DOT Secretary Mary E. Peters.
• OnStar Turns Us Off - New Technology Renders Filched Cars Inoperable
• Farmers Insurance Releases 1Q 2008 Update on Gas Prices and Vehicle Miles Traveled - “Since our preliminary study, oil prices have surged to over $130 per barrel,” notes Kevin Mabe, the Chief Economist of Farmers Insurance, who conducted the study and the new update. “We’ve expanded on our preliminary analysis but have yet to fully untangle the effects of unprecedented high gas prices.”
• Insurers and Agents Applaud New York Auto Rating Change - Trade groups for New York insurers and agents alike are praising a recently passed bill by state lawmakers that will allow auto insurers to raise or lower their rates by 5 percent over the course of a year without first getting approval of the New York Insurance Department.
• Ohio Director Reminds Consumers: Driving Less Saves on Auto Insurance - If gasoline at $4 a gallon has you driving less, one Ohio official says be sure to tell your insurer.
• Point of View:  It's time to tune up N.C.'s system - Few can doubt that North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Jim Long relishes the fight he's about to get into with the auto insurance industry. When he faces off with the industry-run N.C. Rate Bureau on Monday, he'll demand what he calls an auto insurance rate cut of 20 percent, while the industry will ask him for what it will call a 13 percent increase.
• How Texas Auto insurance works - Auto insurance rules differ from one state to another.
• How Florida Auto insurance works - Florida is ‘tort state', which means that it makes sure that the person who has been wronged in any way gets compensated adequately.
• The 20 Strongest Auto Insurers - A weak auto insurer represents a potential for financial loss to its policyholders, not to mention headaches and hassles -- although you, as a policyholder, may never realize that the insurer's financial problems are the cause of your hassles with the company, such as slow claims paying and increasing renewal rates.

June 26, 2008

• Body shops name best, worst insurers - The Automotive Service Association of Arizona's annual survey of body shops says USAA is best and Progressive is worst.
• Industry feedback sessions key to I-CAR International Annual Meeting - As I-CAR continues to emerge as a leaner, more customer-focused training organization, its 2008 International Annual Meeting will reflect the change with a new focus.
• Midwest Collision Industry Forum draws 125 - Nearly 125 collision industry professionals participated in the one-day 3rd Annual Midwest Collision Industry Forum in Columbia, Mo., which was held by AASP of Missouri, ASA MOKAN and SCRS MOKAN.
• Inside the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act - glassBYTEs™: At Friday's hearing in the case of Diamond Glass, during which the court approved the sale of the company's assets to Columbus, Ohio-based Belron US, Michael Richman of Foley and Lardner, counsel for Diamond, advised the judge that the two companies were still determining whether they would need to file under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act, based on the size of the sale, which was valued at more than $54 million.
• Michigan Legislators Urged to Pass Change to Mini-Tort Law - ASA Urges Independent Repairers to Contact Michigan State Senators
• Sun, salt and bird droppings – how can I protect my car? - BASF Coatings provides practical tips for paint care
• BumperDoc's outstanding marketing strategies are recognized by the U.S. Local Business Association - BumperDoc.com is proud to announce that it has been selected for the 2008 Best of San Diego Award in the Auto Body Shops category by the U.S. Local Business Association (USLBA). BumperDoc earned the award in recognition of its outstanding marketing strategies, including a diverse approach to building exposure on the Internet.
• Mechanics fight back with Right to Repair laws - Despite the name, Direct Tire does all kinds of car repairs. Air conditioning, steering exhaust, scheduled maintenance. But more and more, Barry Steinberg has been running into a huge frustration: secret high-tech systems on cars that make it impossible for him or anyone else who isn't a car dealer, to fix them.
• Tuner Chicks Pimp Their Rides - Women spend big money tricking out cars, too.
• Students put art on rolling canvas - An inventive auto-shop program at Barrie North Collegiate has the school collaborating with community partners to provide a unique educational opportunity for students. -- Teenage participants design and paint vehicles for local businesses that will seen around town as a testament to their hard work.
• Grafton High School grads win Ford/AAA auto repair competition - WI: Two newly graduated Grafton High School students, Paul Bretl and Chris Cheek, have won a national automotive repair contest.
• N.D. duo take third place at Ford auto repair event - Taylor Morehouse can’t decide which is better: $55,000 for college or high-end tools.
• Asahi Glass in Talks to Raise Auto-Glass Prices - Asahi controls almost 60 percent of the Japanese auto-glass market and 30 percent worldwide, Nikkei said. Central Glass Co., the country's third-largest maker, is also in talks with automakers to raise prices and Nippon Sheet Glass Co., the No. 2 producer, is also expected to push for higher prices, Nikkei said.
• Industry Leader AEM Offers Performance Parts and Aftermarket Parts Sponsorships Through CarSponsorships.com - AEM, a twenty-one year veteran of the aftermarket and performance products industry, has joined CarSponsorships.com's already impressive list of elite sponsors.
• Practical, Hands-on Track Sessions Will Open 2008 Aftermarket eForum™ - The 2008 Aftermarket eForum™ is less than a month away and will start on Monday afternoon, July 14, with three separate educational track sessions.
• KIA Supplier Begins Site Preparation on $30 Million Automotive Stamping Plant in Georgia - Korean automotive supplier Dongwon Autopart Technology, a subsidiary of Dongwon Metal Company Limited, has started site preparation for a $30 million automotive stamping plant in Hogansville, Georgia, that will serve the KIA Motors manufacturing plant under construction in West Point, Georgia.
• Chrysler to turn cars into hot spots - Chrysler says it will be first to bring Wi-Fi into the car on a mass scale. The dealer-installed system, called UConnect Web, will be an add-on to Chrysler's UConnect information and entertainment systems.
• Minivans make a comeback - Even more family-friendly and luxurious
• Big safety gains for small cars - As gas prices lead buyers to smaller vehicles, safety concerns arise again
• Increasing price of tires causing some to skimp on safety - As if gas prices aren't high enough, you can add another frustration to driving.  The cost of tires is rising fast; just this month, two of the world’s biggest producers jacked up their prices, and increases from other manufacturers are expected July 1. 
• More drivers run out of gas - Motor club sees a 35% rise in roadside calls
• Exeter man crushed at salvage business, police say - PA: A 68-year-old Exeter Township man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he was crushed by heavy equipment at his auto salvage business in the township, police said.
• Pass This Test, Then We'll Talk - Before a job applicant at Nationwide Auto Insurance even sees or speaks to a human being at the company, the candidate must pass two rounds of online tests.
• Issue: Liberty Mutual, Doing the Right Thing - The insurance company knew the message it wanted to send in order to be in the top five, but the challenges were many
• San Diego Insurance Adjuster Association Installs New Board - The San Diego Insurance Adjusters Association elected new officers and board members for the 2008-2009 term. Recent bylaws allowed for regular and associate members to serve on the board during the coming year.

June 25, 2008

• ASA States Position on Two Blend Deduction Issues - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) board of directors has approved two position statements on blending issues – including the use of the term “blending” in regard to labor and material reductions; and also deductions related to a number of specific refinish procedures.
• 'Right to Repair' Legislation Protects Consumers From Vehicle Repair Monopoly - As car manufacturers add more "smart car" computer technology to vehicles, the need for the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2694) has become more critical in order to protect consumers from the added costs created by a vehicle repair monopoly, according to Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
• IGA Opposes Acquisition of Diamond Glass by Belron - glassBYTEs™: The Independent Glass Association vehemently opposes the approval of the sale of Diamond Glass to Belron US by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware.
• ASA Launches Clean Air Watch on Taking the Hill Web Site -  Air quality is an increasingly important issue to the automotive repair community. Legislation and policies designed to improve air quality greatly affect ASA and the automotive industry. Therefore, ASA believes it is important to monitor such issues and keep ASA members and the public informed on clean air information.
• CARSTAR recapitalization called routine - CARSTAR, the largest franchisor of collision repair facilities with more than 380 shops in the United States and Canada, recapitalized May 29 through management and Champlain Capital Partners.
• Transtar Appoints Stohr - Transtar Autobody Technologies has announced the appointment of Gregory Stohr as vice president of sales. -- Stohr spent 24 years working for 3M Company in various sales and marketing positions in the automotive aftermarket division.
• Wet Weather: Business Boom for Some - NE: Weather-related accidents have auto body shops busy sanding, cutting and disassembling. -- Owners at Dave's Auto Body say they've seen business increase by 20 percent this year.
• MOE software simplifies application process for spray booth Certificates of Approval - The Ontario Ministry of Environment has unveiled a software tool that will streamline the process of applying for Certificates of Approval. This certificate is required in order to lawfully operate an auto refinish spray booth.
• Audatex creates Latin American subsidiary - Audatex's new unit will be based in Mexico and run by Silvio Bentes, general manager at Audatex Brazil.
• "Ride for Hannah" is August 9 - GA: The Ride for Hannah, to benefit cancer patient Hannah Currence, will be Saturday, Aug. 9 beginning at S&M Auto Repair at 37 LaGrange St. in Newnan. -- Hannah, age 5, has been diagnosed with stage 3 rhabdomyosarcoma cancer. Proceeds from the ride will be donated to her family for expenses related to the illness.
• Consumer Checkbook rates Twin Cities' auto repair - The twice-yearly non-profit magazine "Consumer's Checkbook" is out with their "Summer/Fall" edition for the Twin Cities.
• Taking care of Business: First Aid Auto - How did the business get started? -- "The idea was that I had been servicing vehicles for all the area car dealerships for the past 15 years and I thought it would be a good idea to go retail," said Mielke. "It's easier for them (dealerships) to come here instead of having to go to a body shop and I thought the general public could use a service like this as well."
• Auto repair shop opens on North Market Street - Frederick, MD: Steven Duckson said his new auto repair business will operate on the premise of doing the job right the first time, even if it means making less money.
• Wisconsin Students Win Ford/AAA Auto Skills National Title and a Week with Roush Fenway Racing - Crossing the finish line today in 73 minutes and 40 seconds, aspiring auto technicians Paul Bretl and Chris Cheek, 2008 graduates of Grafton High School, in Grafton, Wis., drove their fully repaired 2008 Ford Focus to victory in the 59th annual Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills national finals.
• Mechanic Website My New Gal Pal - A few years ago, before I became a professional automotive journalist (that is a laugh line, in case you were hesitating out of feigned respect), someone rear-ended my car. I took it to an auto shop where I was quoted an absurdly exorbitant price. Lo and behold, my husband went in – same mechanic, same damaged car – and got a much lower quote. How rude!
• Reynolds Announces Endorsement from Chrysler LLC for Quick Service Solutions Chrysler Recommends Reynolds' One-Step Service and Service Price Guides for Its Express Lane Dealers - The Reynolds and Reynolds Company today announced that Chrysler LLC has endorsed its One-Step Service and Service Price Guides applications for U.S. dealers using the Reynolds ERA(R) dealership management system (DMS). These solutions can help Chrysler, Jeep, and Dodge Express Lane dealers improve their efficiency and the consumer experience during quick service visits.
• Automaker cutbacks hurt suppliers - Switch from trucks to cars sends production reeling at American Axle, Lear and others.
• smart USA Delivers 10,000th smart fortwo in the United States - smart USA Distributor LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Automotive Group, Inc., delivered the 10,000th smart fortwo at smart center Bloomington, in Bloomington, Minnesota. This sales milestone was accomplished in less than six months from the initial sales launch of the vehicle in the United States. -- Penske Automotive Group, Inc., headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., operates 307 retail automotive franchises, representing more than 40 different brands, and 27 collision repair centers.
• Nissan CEO braces for worst in U.S. - Nissan Motor Co (7201.T) chief executive Carlos Ghosn said that industrywide sales in the United States could fall well below 15 million vehicles this year and that he expected steel firms to launch another round of price hike talks.
• Ford's Volvo Car unit says to cut 2,000 jobs - Volvo Cars said it planned to cut its work force by 1,400 white collar staff and 600 blue collar workers to offset the impact of a weak auto market and surging raw material costs.
• A GM-Ford Combo? - One General Motors executive floated the idea, but it was deemed a counterproductive distraction
• Ford Focus may be coming to Louisville's Ford plant - Amy Wilson of Automotive News said, “It does seem to be their working plan right now.  I don’t know how recently it was made and put into the product cycle.  They’ve told suppliers about it.”
• Florida Continues Consideration of California Greenhouse Gas Rules - ASA: ZEV, Super Warranty Excluded from Proposed Rule
• Document Reveals Ford Knew About Paint Problems - A Technical Service Bulletin that Ford sent to its dealers in December, 2004, and reissued in 2006 shows they've known about paint problems with their vehicles for years. And it's much bigger than just a few SUVs. It affects 12 models, from 2000 to 2005.
• 3 arrested in chop shop bust - After three months of taking reports on stolen Honda cars within a half-mile area, Chandler Police arrested two people Saturday night on suspicion of auto theft and another man on suspicion of running a chop shop.
• Airbag thieves hit 7 cars in Ocean City - MD: Police said that in each case, the airbag was stolen from a General Motors vehicle parked in a motel or condominium parking lot. -- Airbags cost between $500 and $1,200 and are a popular target for thieves. According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, more than 50,000 airbags are stolen annually.
• Show and Shine Fundraiser Robbed - The shine was buffed out of the Boyd's Autobody Father's Day Show and Shine fundraiser. -- The money was supposed to go towards the Multiple Sclerosis Society.
• Auto Insurance Scam Warning - California's Insurance Commissioner is warning drivers to be on alert for scam artists who stage auto collisions.
• Auto Loss Claims Prove Worth of Insurance - From Luman K. Babcock, secretary of the Casualty claim division of the Aetna Affiliated Companies, comes the following selection of recent Automobile insurance claims handled by those companies which convincingly illustrate the value of several coverages

June 24, 2008

• Service Information Workshops to be Held in Pennsylvania - ASA Hosts Free Seminars Open to All Automotive Service Professionals
• 2008 Mitchell Medical Industry Conference Previews 100 Percent Paperless Auto Medical Claim Solution - Auto Insurance Executives Attending Influential Annual Forum Urged To Implement Electronic Bill / Payment Solutions Before Minnesota's 2009 Penalty Deadline
• DEG processes 500 inquiries in first six months - The Database Enhancement Gateway (DEG) announced that it has surpassed one of its first major milestones by processing 500 inquiries in six months of operation. If the volume of inquiries to the DEG remains consistent, the first two quarters indicate that the DEG will likely process more than 1,000 inquiries by the end of year one.
• glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR Magazine Exclusive Interview with Belron CEO Gary Lubner Concerning the Acquisition of Diamond Glass - The news that Belron U.S. was the high bidder in the auction of Diamond Glass of Kingston, Penn., sent a collective gasp throughout the North American auto glass industry late last week. Earlier today, Belron CEO Gary Lubner took time for an exclusive interview with glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine® to discuss the purchase from his offices in London.
• Gold Glass Group Signs On as an Emerald Sponsor of 2008 Auto Glass Technician Olympics - glassBYTEs™: Gold Glass Group (GGG) of Bohemia, NY has signed on as an emerald sponsor for the Fourth Annual Auto Glass Technician Olympics (AGTO). This year's AGTO will be held in Las Vegas November 7-8, 2008, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center. The event is co-sponsored by the Independent Glass Association and AGRR magazine.
• GM and Henkel Take TecTalis Global - General Motors Corporation and Henkel have joined forces to launch the first global, full production trial of Henkel's new conversion coating process, TecTalis, at GM's manufacturing facility in Sao Jose Dos Campos, Brazil. Henkel's TecTalis conversion coating process is the automotive industry's first non-phosphate conversion coating for multi-metal bodies.
• Nissan-DuPont sign key deal - Nissan Middle East has signed a three-year contract with DuPont to supply Nissan Service Centre’s body repair facilities across the Middle East with three leading refinish brands; Standox, Spies Hecker and DuPont Refinish.
• Excusive Listings Offered to Professional Auto Detailing Centers Around the Country - ProDetailCenters.com launches web site providing exclusive listings to Auto Detailers around the country, while making it fast and easy for potential customers to find Auto Detailers.
• Man turns love of Wagoneers into business - Miller's love of a vehicle that ceased production nearly 17 years ago has turned the retired cattleman into the "Wagonmaster." That's the name of Miller's business that buys low-mileage Jeep Grand Wagoneers (and a few Jeepster Commandos for variety), spruces them up and then sells them around the world.
• Sacramento's Chris Weissensee Wins 2008 F-150 Foose Edition Truck -  Chris Weissensee of the Sacramento, Calif., suburb of Carmichael, was one of 10 finalists in the 2007 Ford Customer Service Division "When It Fits You Win!" national sweepstakes. It became his lucky day when his key started the grand prize vehicle, a 2008 F-150 Foose Edition Truck, at Homestead-Miami Speedway this past November.
• 2010 Boss Ford Mustang Retired before Hired - Just when Ford Mustang fans were getting a full head of steam in the race to nostalgic bliss, Ford steps in and makes an announcement that the Boss Ford Mustang is not one that we'll see into production.
• China car maker Geely eyes U.S. markets via Mexico - Chinese car maker Geely Automobile Holdings plans to enter American markets through a $500 million car assembly plant in Mexico, it said on Monday
• GM hires Citigroup for Hummer sale review -dealer - General Motors Corp has hired Citigroup to help review its Hummer brand, which the automaker is looking to sell or revamp, a dealer briefed on the plans said on Monday. -- GM's U.S. sales chief Mark LaNeve made the announcement in a televised briefing to dealers.
• John Nolan Ford to close by end of June - More than 90 employees will lose their jobs when John Nolan Ford closes its dealership in Columbia Township at the end of this month.
• New auto roof rules delayed - NHTSA to tell Congress it needs more time to review data on toughening 35-year-old regulation.
• Jury awards nearly $600,000 to victims of head-on crash - The damage award stems from a civil suit filed against Allstate Insurance by the plaintiffs for underinsured benefits as provided under their own insurance.
• Maryland targeting 1,500 small businesses for health insurance subsidies - Gov. Martin O'Malley unveiled a partnership Monday between the state and insurance carriers to help make health insurance more affordable for small businesses.
• Oregon Publishes Annual Insurance Complaint Statistics - Of personal auto insurance companies, Farmers Insurance Company of Oregon received the most complaints in 2007, with 211 complaints of 187 confirmed.
• IFA Insurance Company Begins Writing Private Passenger Auto Insurance Policies in the State of Pennsylvania - IFA Insurance Company announced today that they have written their first private passenger Auto Insurance policies in the state of Pennsylvania. IFA plans to attract Pennsylvania drivers with their low rates, their quick and easy insurance quote web site, and their friendly customer service.
• Allstate support center looks to fill 100 positions - Shelley Frost Beeler, who handles corporate relations for the company's southwest region, said the Las Cruces location is one of nine such centers across the country. She said the express centers handle the first calls being made about a claim.
• Motorists say a sad farewell to 'fully comp' - UK: Car insurers have started rewriting the English language. The dictionary definition of comprehensive is 'something that includes all or much'. But insurers have been gradually stripping out sections from their policies, leaving drivers with cover that is comprehensive in name only.

June 23, 2008

• Court Approves Sale of Diamond Glass to Belron US - glassBYTEs™: Judge Christopher Sontchi of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware approved the sale of Diamond Glass and its assets to Belron US for more than $54 million during a hearing today in Wilmington, Del. In addition to the sale price, Belron US has agreed to assume $9 million in liabilities.
• The Role of Insurance Regulators: by John Yoswick - AutobodyOnline: Although the state insurance department representative who spoke at the recent Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) annual meeting in Philadelphia was from Pennsylvania, much of the discussion may offer insights to those in other states trying to interact with their own state's regulators.
• Keystone Manager Receives GEICO Partnership Excellence Award - LKQ has announced that Keystone General Manager Paul Lathrop and his team in Columbia, S.C., have been honored with GEICO’s 2007 Partnership Excellence Award. 
• Reputation, Experience Help Tom Martin’s Inc. Thrive in Downtown - Tom Martin’s is an auto body repair shop that fixes anything from major wrecks to small dents, scratches, convertible tops and interiors, as well as minor mechanical work.
• New site for Nu-Look - NY: Nu-Look Collision Center, an auto collision repair business, has opened its seventh location, this one in Canandaigua.
• Vision of success - Son comes into his own as Gepesco shop owner
• Rising waters trap 5 men in auto shop - NC: Heavy rains overwhelmed a tributary to a creek near North Tryon Street and Atando Road Saturday night, trapping five men in an auto body shop and potentially sending gasoline, oil and other contaminants downstream.
• Taking recovery a 'step at a time' - Scott Graham, owner of Graham Body Shop on Monroe Street, had 13 vehicles at his shop when the flood hit, including eight customer vehicles. Water rose to 7.5 feet in the office and 10 to 11 feet in the lot, he said, but most of the cars were insured.
• Car fix-it tradition endures in Freedom - Student latest to qualify for repair contest -- Bob Abitz began coaching students who enrolled in his automotive classes to compete in the collision repair contest 29 years ago. Since then, a Freedom student has walked away with the state title 19 times.
• When life gives him lemons, he makes cars - When Robert Lorimer of Marion fell asleep at the wheel in 2001 his job options dwindled considerably.
• Taylor Auto Group sold - GA: Taylor has been a name on Augusta's automotive marquee for 25 years. By the end of September, it will be no more. -- Taylor Auto Group leaders said Friday that they're splitting up their seven dealerships and selling them to two Augusta-area car sales companies.
• Used Truck Trade-In Values Plunge, Deepening Auto-Sales Decline - Plunging prices for used pickups and sport-utility vehicles are deepening U.S. automakers' sales slide, with Ford Motor Co. the latest company to feel the pinch.
• McCain offers $300 million for new auto battery - Sen. John McCain hopes to solve the country's energy crisis with cold hard cash.
• Car vinyl makes a comeback in Detroit as auto interior designer takes runway to the highway - Vinyl — that sweat-inducing reminder of car seats of the 70s — is making a comeback in an industry swathed in leather as designers come up with fashionable, breathable and eco-friendly twists.
• City auto shop agrees to pay civil penalties - MA: The state Attorney General’s office and a Worcester auto repair shop have entered an agreement resolving allegations that the shop failed to obtain consumer authorization before performing repair work and did not provide a customer with invoices for work performed.
• State busts bogus auto-tag biz - Andrew Shapiro, owner of Bassett's Auto Tags, and three others were arrested by state troopers from the Vehicle Fraud Investigation unit and charged with forgery, identity theft and related crimes.
• New bill would let state insurance companies boost auto premiums by 5% - New York auto insurance companies, which charge the second-highest rates in the nation, would be able to hike - or lower - premiums as much as 5% a year without the state's okay under a bill quietly introduced last week.

June 20, 2008

• National Auto Body Council: "Disaster Preparedness" Brochure - As a business owner and American citizen, you need to take responsibility for the safety and well-being of your business, your hard-earned assets and your employees.
• PPG opens new training center in Northern California - PPG Industries’ automotive refinish business has opened a state-of-the-art business development facility in Concord, Calif., to serve collision centers in Northern California.
• Ozone Transportation Committee Considers Waterborne Paint Policy - ASA: The Ozone Transportation Committee (OTC) held its annual meeting last week to discuss upcoming initiatives for 2008-2009. During the meeting, OTC members referenced the new CARB Suggested Control Measure (SCM) for Automotive Coatings and made plans to consider the rule and its possible implementation in the OTC member states.
• The Most Expensive SUVs To Fix After A Rear End Collision - You know when I was first learning to drive, my dad would jokingly say, “back-up until it sounds expensive”. Well, back in those days – the 50’s and 60’s - you actually could do that. You could smack into something and there would hardly be a dent or scratch in the old Chevy wagon. But don’t try that today.
• Ailing auto dealers spiff up service departments - They’re pricing more competitively to make up for lack of new car sales
• Falk Auto Body celebrates 50 years in business - MN: The body shop, with Zumbrota and Red Wing locations, is successful for a lot of reasons, but owners Don and Nancy Falk know what it takes to make it to a golden anniversary.
• Collision Repair Trade Association Offers Training - Calling it a major shift in how training is offered in the collision repair industry, the Collision Industry Information and Assistance.com (www.ciia.com ), representing Ontario-based collision repair associations, today started offering online training in 23 different courses for less than $3.00 each.
• Company car drivers face longer wait for crash repairs - UK: The latest, 2008 edition of the biennial mfbi study The UK Car Body Repair Market published by UK automotive analysts Trend Tracker forecasts a decline of over one-fifth in the number of bodyshops over the next five years, leading to seasonal shortfalls in repair capacity as soon as 2010.
• Fire department vehicle repainted by auto students from Norwood - When the Canton Fire Department brought their 1979 GMC Sierra fire truck to Blue Hills Regional Technical School’s Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing department for a new paint job, they probably never expected that it would be returned to them gleaming like new.
• Levine Files Complaint in Diamond Bankruptcy Case; Alleges "Levine Guaranty" No Longer Enforceable - glassBYTEs™: Ken Levine, Diamond's largest shareholder and former co-chairperson of the company, has filed a complaint against Guggenheim Corporate Funding LLC, Diamond's senior secured lender in its bankruptcy case.
• Who Is The Buyer? - glassBYTEs™: The Independent Glass Association released the attached Beacon Bulletin concerning an industry definition for the auto glass retail customer or "buyer."
• Magazine survey checks out the auto shops that check out your car - Puget Sound Consumers' Checkbook magazine has compiled detailed price and performance ratings on 474 auto-repair shops in Seattle and throughout King, Pierce, Snohomish, Kitsap and Skagit counties.
• Only around 15 models still known in the world – Classic Car Colors finds original colors Pearl Grey and Pippin Red - BASF: No, it’s not a sewing machine: Münster is the home of Germany’s one and only Singer Gazelle convertible
• General Motors Awards DuPont for Coatings Achievements - General Motors, the world's largest automaker, recently presented a 2007 Supplier of the Year award to DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings, which provides coatings to major automotive manufacturers globally.
• Finalists named in PPG Hot Wheels® Spectraflame® Paint Your Ride Contest - PPG Industries’ automotive refinish business has announced 12 finalists in the 2008 PPG Hot Wheels® Spectraflame® Paint Your Ride Contest. Contestants include custom painters, car builders and hot rod enthusiasts who have created original paint schemes for their vehicles using any of the 12 vibrant colors from the popular Vibrance Collection Hot Wheels® Spectraflame® paint line from PPG.
• PPG honors eight excellent suppliers - Award criteria included product quality, delivery, documentation, innovation, responsiveness, continuous improvement and participation in PPG’s Supplier Added Value Effort ($AVE) program.
• The Lamborghini Reventon is protected by Diamond Black Zircotec Coating - Leading automotive coating specialist Zircotec has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini to supply a new thermal barrier for its one million Euro Reventón car. Zircotec’s plasma-sprayed Diamond Black coating is applied to the exhaust and inhibits heat transfer from the tailpipe protecting heat sensitive components from damage.
• SABIC Innovative Plastics Closes the Gap on Large Automotive Thermoplastic Body Panels - SABIC Innovative Plastics is closing the gap on large automotive parts with the launch of its next generation conductive Noryl GTX PPO polyamide resin.
• Meridian says no to ACH deal - The potential buyer of a local automotive facility announced Thursday it will no longer consider making a deal for the plant.
• GM buyout lures 17,398 workers - 8,500 in Michigan accept exit incentives, clearing way for lower-wage new hires.
• Firm CEO: Auto outlook not so bad - Leuliette says most vehicles on road will have to be replaced
• Federal Court Decision Spurs EPA to Adopt More Stringent Ozone Emissions Limits for All Areas - ASA: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Office of General Counsel (OGC) has decided that all ozone nonattainment areas must adopt significantly stricter emissions limits following a federal appeals court decision to vacate the agency’s rule to implement the eight-hour ozone air quality standard.
• Eagle-Vail: Used motor oil heats auto shop - CO:  Last winter, George Brodin had a heating bill of zero at his auto repair business, Leadfoot Linda’s in Eagle-Vail. -- He used what garages typically have a lot of — old motor oil — to heat his 6,000-square-foot business.
• Judge: Frackville firm can collect $105,000 - In a precedent-setting case, a federal judge ruled Tuesday that a Frackville company can collect three times as much under its automobile insurance policy as the insurer offered.
• Auto insurance fraud scheme foiled - Two Adelanto men are accused of trying to collect money on an accident that never happened, according to Gary Smith of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
• Consumer Watchdog: Senate Insurance Committee Approves Bills to Invade Drivers' Privacy, Raise Cost of Auto Insurance - Committee Rejects Bill by Mercury Insurance to Block Refunds To Drivers Who Are Illegally Surcharged
• After 20-Year Hiatus, Peerless Sells First Massachusetts Auto Policy - Keene, N.H.-based Peerless Insurance said it has issued its first Massachusetts personal auto insurance policy in more than 20 years.
• Local insurance agent receives prestigious award - IL: Local Allstate Agent Ted Paris was recently recognized by Allstate Insurance Company for high standards in customer satisfaction, customer retention and profitability.
• BRIEF: Allstate drops its appeal of auto insurance cuts - Allstate Corp. has asked a California court to dismiss its appeal of a state order requiring auto insurance rate cuts averaging 15.9 percent for its policyholders.

June 19, 2008

• More than 300 people attend IBIS for global perspective - The eighth International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS), held in Switzerland in early June, attracted more than 300 participants. The event centred on vehicle safety systems and their impact on reparability, write-offs, and how "lean thinking" can improve the repair industry.
• Self-Funding Grants can be had for qualified suppliers and shops to install waterborne paint systems - GRC, a Registered Environmental Assessment firm, has structured a Certified Green Investment (CGI) program to provide no-cost funding to convert from solvent based paint to waterborne paint using a shared-savings partnership arrangement between major insurance carriers, paint manufacturers and lending institutions.
• Glasurit yellow solar racer runs on green technology - SolarWorld No. 1, the solar car with the melon yellow finish by Glasurit, BASF Coatings' paint brand, has truly been kissed by the sun.
• Vehicle colors are a mirror on American economic trends - Americans are buying fewer new cars, minivans and trucks these days, but are lofty gas prices and the sour economy affecting the colors of the vehicles we choose?
• Global trends and young workers on agenda for CCIF Mississauga - Learn what's happening in the collision repair industry around the world at the Canadian Collision Industry Forum. CCIF chairman Tony Canade, just back from attending an international bodyshop event in Europe, will share some stunning information and consider what trends and methods may soon be coming to Canada.
• D(iamond)-Day Approaches - Over the next two days, an announcement is expected that will affect the entire industry. The business and assets of Kingston, Pa.-based Diamond Glass are scheduled to be sold via an auction process, following the company's filing for bankruptcy on April 1.
• Former Leaf great lends a helping hand - Although he hasn’t donned a jersey since 1985, Darryl Sittler remains one of the most popular players to ever play for the Toronto Maple Leafs. -- And there were a number of long-time fans who showed up at the CARSTAR 401 Collision Centre on Saturday, to talk some hockey, get an autograph from old No. 27, and get a wash during the Mississauga Scrubs and Shines for a CURE.
• Auto body program gets recertified - MI: The Auto Body Program at the Van Buren Public Schools Career and Technical Program gained recertification recently through the National Automotive Technicians Education Foundation.
• Advocate Auto Claims Announces Expansion of Diminished Value Business Operations - In response to consumer demand, on June 2, 2008, Advocate Auto Claims ramped up personnel and expanded its daily hours of operation.
• SodaBlast Systems joins Tools USA - MMLJ, manufacturer of SodaBlast Systems, announces a partnering with Tools USA/Standard Tools, a national distributor of auto body tools and supplies.
• New auto repair shop opening on the North Bypass - Dalton, GA: “A lot of people think you have to go to the dealership for service. But you don’t,” Dorlan said. “We’ve got the dealership training, and we are going to be offering that quality of service on a personal level. The owners will also be working on your vehicle.”
• Auto suppliers in focus for buyouts, investment - Auto parts suppliers in North America are undervalued by the stock market and may become targets for private-equity investment this year, the former chief of partsmaker Metalydne Corp. said.
• Magna cuts 400 jobs as truck downturn bites - Magna International Inc. said Wednesday it will lay off about 400 workers at its Formet Industries factory in St.Thomas, Ont. as the drop in sales of big trucks and sport utility vehicles works its way through from automakers to suppliers.
• Toyota to further cut U.S. output of large vehicles - Toyota Motor Corp.  plans to further reduce production of large vehicles in the U.S. as their sales continue to slow amid soaring gasoline prices and the effects of the subprime mortgage crisis, Kyodo News reported Wednesday, citing a company spokeswoman.
• Toyota can't keep up with demand for hybrids - Toyota is struggling to keep up with booming demand for hybrid vehicles because it's unable to make enough of the batteries that are key parts in the hit "green'' cars, a senior executive said Monday.
• How a Corvette gets built - A Corvette is put together in two totally separate processes. On one production line, teams work on building the car's chassis, which includes its engine and drivetrain. On the other line, workers piece together the car's body and its interior, including the seats, steering wheel, tires, and more.
• Lightweighting Vehicles Using Aluminum Delivers Impressive Fuel Economy Gains For Less Cost When Combined With Advanced Powertrains, New Study Confirms - Consumers could save fuel and money while reducing carbon emissions through greater use of low weight aluminum in hybrid- and diesel-powered vehicles, according to a new study titled, "Benefit Analysis: Use of Aluminum Structures in Conjunction with Alternative Powertrain Technologies in Automobiles." 
• Gas prices drive many stations out of business - Credit card fees add to burden, owners say
• Fact or Fiction? Gas Myths Debunked - As cost-conscious drivers gather around the ever-gouging gas pump, these are just a few of the oft-repeated tenets of fuel-saving wisdom. But according to experts, many of these so-called tips are mere myths. Gearheads from the American Automobile Association, Consumer Reports and "Mythbusters" helped us sort fact from fiction.
• 55 Toyotas damaged - IL: Fifty-five new Toyota vehicles sustained more than $75,000 worth of damage between May 30 and May 31 while they were stored in the Metra train station parking lot, 825 Commerce Court. -- Buffalo Grove Police Cmdr. Steve Husak said insurance should cover the cost to repair the vehicles, but the dealer must explain the damage to potential buyers, which could lower the vehicle's value.
• Car thief leads Fife police to chop shop - FIFE, Wash. – Police say a man who stole a bait car led them to a suspected chop shop in Pierce County.
• Reading police arrest two in chop shop operation - PA: Efrem Roman-Rojas, 19, who lives at the residence, was charged with owning, operating or conducting a chop shop. Chop shops are illegal operations in which cars are stolen and their parts are stripped for resale.
• Flooded Car? Your Auto Insurance May Cover More Than You Think - Few people have ever read their auto insurance policy so they don’t know what their coverage includes
• Unpaid Overtime is Company Policy at State Farm - St. Clair County, IL: In his 33 years with State Farm Insurance, Donald never received a penny in overtime, yet the company policy demanded up to 42 hours extra per week over and above the standard 37.5 hours.
• State Farm in Florida gets new president - The president of State Farm's Florida subsidiary, Joe Formusa, was replaced last week by Jim Thompson, vice president of State Farm's Midwest zone.
• Florida Supreme Court denies Allstate appeal - Allstate had a rather large door slammed in its face Wednesday.

June 18, 2008

• Eliminating Competitive Auto Body Parts Would Harm Consumers, NAMIC Tells Patent Office - The latest attempt to eliminate competitive auto repair parts from the marketplace could substantially drive up prices for consumers, according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). In testimony delivered to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office today, NAMIC joined with other property/casualty insurance trade associations in expressing strong concerns about litigation that would use patent laws to prohibit competitive auto repair parts.
• PARTSFORCE Takes Aim at State Farm Discount Parts Program - PARTSFORCE AUTOMOTIVE today announced that it will challenge State Farm's Select Service discount OEM parts program. Introduced earlier this year, the State Farm program makes OEM parts from a limited number of dealers available to insurers at discount prices, using well-known electronic parts ordering systems.
• American Honda Issues Position Statement on Use of Salvage Parts - Collision Insight: American Honda recognizes the importance of recycling, but the use of salvage / recycled parts to repair collision-damaged vehicles raises serious concerns about quality, suitability, safety, and warranty.
• PPG Increases Delivery Surcharge "Scale" - glassBYTEs™: PPG Auto Glass announced today that effective July 1, 2008, it will increase "the scale of [its] delivery surcharge." According to a notification sent to shops today via e-mail, the surcharge will increase in 75-cent increments, "should gas exceed an average of $4 per gallon."
• DuPont Names Chong as Vice President & General Manager - DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings - DuPont has named BC Chong as vice president and general manager - DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings, succeeding Marty M. McQuade who plans to retire later this year following 31 years of service.
• Owner takes prestige in small-town shop - His auto repair shop is not part of a “big box” retail chain, but rather small and independent located in a small town. -- And that is just the way Jim Olson likes it.
• AAA Arizona, DEQ certify green auto shops - AAA Mesa Auto Repair and Kelly Clark Automotive Specialists in north Phoenix have joined the list of green certified auto shops by AAA and the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, which now numbers 15.
• Sales Move into Fast Lane at Dream Garage Dallas - Dream Garage Dallas will feature secure, upscale, private automotive residences for auto enthusiasts.
• Camaro Named Official Vehicle of 2008 SEMA Show - The 2010 Chevrolet Camaro, a true 21st century sports car, will be the official vehicle of the 2008 SEMA Show. -- Held Tuesday-Friday, Nov. 4-7, 2008, in Las Vegas, NV, the SEMA Show is the world's leading automotive accessories trade show.
• Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills Responds to Nation's Growing Auto Tech Demand With $7 Million in Scholarships - Best High School Auto Technicians Meet June 24 to Vie for National Title and Week with Roush Fenway Racing
• General Motors Chooses OEConnection to Power Its National Fleet Maintenance Program - This newly-created technology enables a new business opportunity between General Motors, their franchised dealers, and national fleet management companies by providing national consolidated billing. The program leverages the strength and reputation of GM dealerships to provide high-quality service and original equipment parts to fleet drivers while allowing a fleet management company to receive a single, consolidated invoice from all GM dealerships.
• Visteon to close Durant plant in 2009 - Visteon's Jeff Stevenson, director of North American interior products, said production will be consolidated into other Visteon plants including one in Canton.
• ACH deal with UAW in works - A new contract appears to be the vehicle that would allow a local automotive facility to keep its doors open at least five more years.
• Ford To Idle Louisville Truck Plant For Two Extra Weeks - Ford Motor Co. (F) will idle its Kentucky super-duty pickup truck plant for an extra two weeks as the auto maker continues realigning its output to meet falling consumer demand.
• Ford says execs talked restructuring with Tracinda - Ford Motor Co. said its two top executives met Tuesday with officials from billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian's Tracinda Corp. to discuss the company's transformation plan.
• Chrysler LLC Prices New Hybrids Thousands Below Competition - Pricing Announced for 2009 Chrysler Aspen and Dodge Durango HEMI(R) Hybrids
• Toyota Siennas Recalled to Fix Power Liftgate - Toyota is recalling 196,222 Sienna vans from the 2004 through 2006 model years to repair the struts which hold up the power-assisted liftgate. Those struts can fail, causing the gate to power its way shut, injuring anyone hit by the closing door.
• Free website will allow buyers to check a vehicle's hidden repair history - National Insurance Crime Bureau's VINCheck Unrecovered Stolen Vehicle Database is a free public catalog of vehicles declared a total loss, "or totaled," by insurers.
• NYPD arrests 15 suspected in car insurance fraud - Police say the ring targeted car insurance companies, taking advantage of a state law that entitles people involved in a crash to $50,000 worth of medical benefits.
• Auto Glass Shops Endure Iowa Floods - glassBYTEs™: In the wake of the ongoing floods in the Midwest, particularly in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, auto glass shops are enduring the rain and floods—and are awaiting a return to normalcy, though many are unsure when that will be.
• Hail damage claims hit agents hard - MI: Local insurance companies still receiving claims from last June's hail storm.
• Hundreds assessing damage caused by Father's Day storm - IN: Hundreds of people are assessing the damage after severe storms dumped more than just rain. Golf ball-sized hail pounded cars and homes Sunday.
• Damage by hail in the millions - Ontario, Canada: Dealerships of vehicles hit hard
• ''Predatory Towing Company in Orange County Still Extorts Consumers,'' says Attorney John Bisnar - California Personal Injury Law Firm Bisnar Chase Wins Case for Victim of Orange County Towing Company
• Consumer Reviews Reveal Shockingly High Satisfaction Levels with Car Insurance Providers - Viewpoints.com consumer-generated reviews show that auto insurance policy holders are surprisingly happy with the companies insuring them. A large majority of the car insurance companies reviewed on the site rank well above average. The site's personalized reviews also help comparison shoppers find consumer opinions that match their own specific needs.
• American Medical Association rates insurers - The American Medical Association released its first National Health Insurer Report Card Monday that rates Medicare and seven national commercial health insurers on how efficiently they process medical claims. -- The full report is available on the group's Web site at www.ama-assn.org. The intent of the report is to hold insurers accountable for making claims processing more transparent and cost effective, the group said.

June 17, 2008

• Trickle Down Fuel Costs: A commentary by Dennis Liphardt - AutobodyOnline: Lets face facts, the collision industry needs to find ways to lay these increases off on the payer, be it insurance company or cash customer. In an industry that works on a very slim bottom line it will not be possible to absorb the outrageous cost of fuel, either their own or what they are going to be charged from vendors.
• ASA Announces APRA as New Associate Member - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced that the Automotive Parts Remanufacturers Association (APRA) has joined as an associate member.
• ASA to Host Service Information Workshop in Rhode Island - ASA is committed to presenting these workshops to educate shop owners and technicians about the availability of service information to automotive repair shops. The Rhode Island workshop will be held June 25 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the New England Tech Automotive Center in Warwick, R.I. Additional information, including driving directions, is available online at http://www.ASAshop.org/KEYS/ri_warwick.htm.
• I-CAR Volunteer and Program Instructor Efforts Boost Awareness for New Advanced High Strength Steel Training Program - Over 300 industry professionals gathered in Cerritos, CA, on May 6 to complete the newest I-CAR training program
• New Air-Bake™ Technology Allows Shops to Use Less Energy, Paint More Cars and Increase Profits - The new HP Process™ with Air-Bake™ technology from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes combines the simplicity of yesterday's automotive paints with forward-thinking, modern technology.
• Losses mount at eAutoclaims - eAutoclaims steers toward core technology focus, receives cash infusions
• 2008 AGTO Rules Now Online; Registration Open - glassBYTEs™: The rules and regulations for the 2008 Fourth Annual Auto Glass Technician Competition (AGTO) are now online at www.autoglassolympics.com . In addition, registration is also open for the 2008 competition, which will be held November 7-8 in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center as part of Auto Glass Week™ in Las Vegas. The competition is co-sponsored by the Independent Glass Association (IGA) and AGRR magazine/glassBYTEs.com™.
• Action Auto Service named top business - PA: The Venango Area Chamber of Commerce has selected Action Auto Service Inc. as its 2008 Business of the Year. -- Action Auto Service purchased Stephens Auto Body on Route 257 in Seneca in 2007 to expand its services.
• 4 Scottsdale auto shops on 'most trusted' list - Of the 151 submissions AAA received from its Approved Auto Shops, four Scottsdale shops topped the list, which has been ongoing for seven years.
• Flash floods, hail likely mean crowded auto repair shops this week - MO: Where there's water, there's a will to get through it. Be it bravery, misjudging depth or simply getting caught with nowhere to go but through, the results often show up at Rick's Automotive and other auto service shops.
• Operator Of Auto Salvage Yards Looks To Consumer For Growth - Copart has quietly made a profit by selling used cars in one piece -- and in pieces -- since 1982.
• Lord Germany: Expansion - Lord Germany GmbH, Hückelhoven-Baal, Germany, is celebrating its expansion of its Hückelhoven plant with a traditional groundbreaking ceremony on 17 June 2008.
• Private equity shies away from new automotive deals - Jolted by the downturn in U.S. auto sales, private equity firms are pulling back from big bets on the banged-up automobile sector, threatening to withhold capital from a distressed industry just when it needs it.
• Steel prices creating market havoc, too - While much attention has been focused on the surging price of oil and gas, the cost of steel doubled in the last six months. -- In the auto industry, the benchmark for steel prices is hot-rolled carbon sheet steel used to make bumpers, wheels and frames. In the fourth quarter of 2007, the spot-market price was $535 a ton. Today, the price - which is somewhat above contract prices - has almost doubled to $1,035.
• Honda rolls out new zero-emission car - Honda's new zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell car rolled off a Japanese production line Monday and is headed to southern California, where Hollywood is already abuzz over the latest splash in green motoring.
• GM, Ford will export more cars to China - General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. agreed to export more North American-built vehicles and parts to China in separate agreements signed Monday in Washington.
• Chrysler sues Magna over recall of heated seats - Chrysler LLC is suing Magna International Inc., one of its largest suppliers, in another example of how the squeeze on costs in the auto industry is causing even the closest of collaborators to battle it out.
• Chrysler recalls 6,692 Dodge Journeys - Chrysler LLC is recalling 6,692 Dodge Journey crossovers for the 2009 model year because of defects in the engine wire harness that may damage electrical circuits, the automaker said on Monday.
• Man Accused Of Defrauding Businesses - A Sebring man remained in Highlands County Jail in lieu of $11,000 bond, after he was arrested, accused of paying Duck's Body Shop with bad checks to get his car back, as well as ABC Appliance for merchandise there.
• Body shop allegedly misled customers - TX: El Paso County sued Gemini's Body Shop on Friday, alleging the auto body shop engaged in misleading business practices that harmed consumers trying to get their cars repaired, a statement from the county attorney's office said.
• Tow industry says anti-pirating law hurts good guys - Chicago native Steve Goodman once sang about the "Lincoln Park Pirates," who years ago built a reputation for holding towed cars hostage and extracting outrageous fees from hapless victims.
• Father, Son Accused Of Scamming Elderly - FL: A father and son were arrested Monday, accused by detectives of running a vehicle repair scam that targeted elderly women, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.
• Three Insurance Bills Will Raise Drivers' Rates, Put Spyware in Californians' Cars - Three anti-consumer pieces of legislation that will raise auto insurance rates, invade drivers' privacy and violate the voter-approved consumer protections of Proposition 103 will be heard in the Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance committee on Wednesday.
• Allstate to buy Partnership Marketing Group from GE - The A