October 29, 2009 

• Mitchell International Expands Partnership With APU Solutions - Direct access to real-time inventory of recycled and aftermarket parts increases efficiency for collision repairers and insurers
• AGRSS Pre-Registration Numbers Hit Record High - The pre-registration numbers for the upcoming International Auto Glass Safety (AGRSS) Conference have hit a record-high, exceeding previous years.
• Mitchell Acquires ClaimTools™ Cutting-edge Digital Camera Photo Management Solution - Technology revolutionizes vehicle repair photo management, helping shops realize immediate time savings and reduced cycle times
• Over 100 Repairers Take Part in Statewide AASP/NJ Estimology Seminars - The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), the state’s largest association of collision and mechanical repairers, continued its commitment to industry education with the hosting of two “estimology” seminars in October. -- Best of all, at the conclusion of each meeting, over 120 attendees received training certificates good toward 2010 renewal of the New Jersey Auto Body License.
• LKQ Corporation Announces Record Third Quarter Results - "I am pleased with the strong earnings growth we realized for the quarter, especially considering the solid results we had last year," stated Joseph Holsten, CEO and president of LKQ Corporation. "
• CAPA Validator Selected By U.S. DOT For Vehicle Light Safety Testing -  The Validator of the CAPA Certification Program, Intertek, a global leader in testing, inspection and certification, has been approved by the U.S. DOT’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, for enforcement testing to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 108 which covers headlamps, tail lamps, brake lights, reflective devices and associated equipment. Intertek has been the CAPA Validator since 1991.
• Leader, Manager or Supervisor: Which Are You? - By Cecil Bullard, AAM - AutoInc: Leadership, management and hope are key to a shop's success. -- Companies that are not successful lack leadership, management and hope.
• Neals turn over the keys to the business - After 48 years in the auto collision repair business Morris Neal has decided it's time to turn his attention to other things. -- On Friday Morris Neal and his wife, Judy, will be going to work for the final time at Morris Neal's Collision Center, located at 216 N. Green St. When they go home Friday night they will both begin a life of retirement.
• The Plus in Auto Painters Plus is Courtesy and Good Customer Service - LARGO - If you get into a car accident, Rex Minnick would like you to call him first.
• Park Ridge Couple's 2nd-Generation Auto Body Shop Wins “Rookie of the Year” Award - When he was 8, Brian Benakos tugged at his parents to let him work at George's Body and Fender Repairing, the family-owned auto body shop.
• J & J Ventures Files Loan On Hickory Hill Shop - The new owner of the auto body shop at 5475 Fox Plaza Drive in Hickory Hill North has filed a $2.3 million loan on the property. J & J Venture Partners LLC, which bought the building in April, filed the loan Oct. 8 through PNC Bank NA. -- The locale is home to an AutoBody America, one of two shops in Memphis and one of six in the Mid-South. The other Memphis store is on Covington Pike; the other area stores are in Bartlett, Germantown, Southaven and Jackson, Tenn.
• Around Town: The King's vibe rules at auto shop on North Side - PA: Graceland Automotive has the greatest waiting room in the history of man.
• Community Briefs: Coats for Kids - CA: Steve Stymeist Auto Body and Frame will be collecting new winter coats for local charities and schools. Their goal is to collect 400 coats for the Coats for Kids Foundation.
• Business Briefs: Willmar - MN: Brice Bakker and Trevor Bakker have opened Bakker Brothers Auto Body at 233 Benson Ave. S.E., Willmar. The business is located in the old “Dean Jones’’ building, across from Manz Auto.
• Walker boys bring life back to Highland Plaza - Generations of Walkers involved in auto repair businesses
• Hybrid repair safety at FVTC - Repair shops that see hybrids know the importance of the knowledge. -- “With more and more on the road, you're going to have to learn how to repair it sooner or later,” said Steve Roder of Kolosso Collision Repair. “They're out there everywhere now."
• Rick Morrow of M & M Auto Parts Receives 2009 ARA President’s Award -  Rick Morrow, owner of M & M Auto Parts in Stafford, Virginia, accepted 2009 Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) President’s Award at the recent 66th Annual ARA Convention & Exposition held in Lexington, KY, October 7-10.
• Genesis Sedan to Receive Custom Paint Graphic Live at SEMA - Detroit-based illustrator and graphic designer Courtney Mason will paint a one-of-a-kind graphic on a Pearl White Street Concepts Genesis sedan in Hyundai's display at the Las Vegas Convention Center Nov. 3-6, 2009 (booth #24387). This marks the eighth consecutive year Hyundai has partnered with Street Concepts.
• PPG Custom-painted Camaro on Display at NACE EXPO - A dazzling orange 2010 Camaro painted by Mitch Kelly with finishes from PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) will be featured in the Auto Body Repair News (ABRN) booth, #N8401, during the 27th annual NACE EXPO, Nov. 5-7.
• Sonic Auto Swings to 3Q Profit On Improved Sales, Margins - Sonic Automotive Inc. swung to a third-quarter profit, but missed analyst estimates, as used-car sales jumped and the government's "cash for clunkers" program helped new sales. -- The company's parts, service and collision-repair business saw same-store sales decline 0.7%.
• Visteon Announces Third-Quarter 2009 Results - Visteon continues to win new business despite the difficult economic environment
• Geely Named Preferred Bidder for Volvo Car Corporation - Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd., a privately-owned Chinese automotive company, today welcomed Ford Motor Company's decision to name it as the preferred bidder for Volvo Car Corporation.
• OEMs lighten the load for the auto industry - Given the dire economics of the automotive industry, it was no surprise that Frankfurt’s IAA show was an altogether smaller affair than the previous event in 2007. OEM and key supplier exhibitor numbers were down by 30% to 781 and there were some really notable absentees, including Honda, Mitsubishi and Nissan on the OEM front and Plastic Omnium from the Tier Ones.
• Suspect vehicle in GreatMall homicide may have gunshot damage - Smith said police detectives are contacting auto body and auto glass shops in the area.   -- Milpitas police detectives obtained information on a possible suspect vehicle: a black full-size sport utility vehicle, of unknown make and model, with extremely dark tinted windows and chrome rims.
• Feds raise concern over gas pedal in fatal crash - Accelerator in Lexus also stuck to floor mat
• AAA Warns Motorists of the Dangers of Disregarding Needed Auto Repairs - Disregarding maintenance on your vehicle can definitely result in costly repairs. However, AAA reminds motorists that ignoring their vehicle's upkeep also can put them, their passengers and others on the road in danger.
• An Auto Repair Job Going Backwards! - The owner of a classic car called KUSI's Michael Turko when he got crosswise with an auto body shop on a restoration job. He tells Turko that money's not the issue, he just wants the work finished.
• Lawyers Plead Not Guilty to Auto Insurance Fraud Charges - Two local attorneys who were arrested along with nearly two dozen individuals accused of collectively netting more than $450,000 through their participation in a large-scale auto insurance fraud ring were arraigned yesterday and entered pleas of not guilty in case No. BA363494.
• Phila. auto-theft law gets mixed reviews - Legislation that would help auto-theft victims in Philadelphia avoid the additional burden of having to pay for their cars being towed and impounded after their vehicles are recovered by police is drawing mixed reviews.
• State Senate dumps auto insurance reform bill - MI: State Senators voted down a bill to streamline the price setting of auto insurance premiums.

October 27, 2009 

• California Autobody Association Named EPA Partner - California Autobody Association (CAA) has been named an Energy Star Partner by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  The distinction recognizes the CAA effort to help its members increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Umble Addresses Latest Allstate Changes, Explains How KPI Will Be Measured - Chris Umble, vice president, strategic initiatives, for LYNX Services, which administers glass claims for the Northbrook, Ill.-based insurer, provided answers to some of the many questions glassBYTEs.com™/AGRR magazine readers have had about the program.
• Utah judge quashes repairer's small claims court win upon appeal from GEICO - Collision repairer seeks to revive state association
• U.S. Congress Considers McCarran-Ferguson Repeal - ASA Urges Repairers to Contact Representatives for Full Repeal; Letters Available on www.TakingTheHill.com
• Pilots and Repairers: Sharing a Common Interest - ASA President's Blog: For many years now, ASA, through its industry events, has presented some of the most compelling, dynamic and yes, heroic figures in America to its members and guests. If you're in the position of trying to top those acts each year, as we are, you can understand how difficult it can be.
• How to select an auto body shop - Consumers in the Puget Sound area lucky. Six years ago, Consumers' Checkbook magazine decided to offer its ratings of consumer services to residents here.
• AkzoNobel Creates First Industry Sustainability Initiative - In an effort to promote the unique contributions the collision repair industry is taking to generate a sustainable future, AkzoNobel announced plans to create the industry’s first “FIT” Sustainability award.
• Repairs at your own risk - Times are tough, your car is damaged and needs to be repaired, and the price seems right. -- But the results can be anything but. -- Lurking in large parking lots across the borough are fly-by-night (or by day) quick-fix vultures.
• Business to donate car to deserving applicant - Calhoun Collision Center in Hardin is accepting applications for the 2009 Acoat Selected National Benevolence Program.
• River Bend Growth Association names auto body shop business of the month  - ALTON - Andy's Auto Body has been awarded the River Bend Growth Association Business of the Month for October.
• Taking Stock: Automotive - Bob Krueger, a technician at Brickners of Wausau, has been named ASE/Chrysler Master Collision Repair and Refinish Technician of the Year. The Award will be given Nov. 19 in New Orleans.
• 15 minutes: Get to know Joe ‘Tony’ LaGrotteria of Elyria - I’ve worked at Murphy Brothers Auto Body Inc. since I was a young kid. Murphy Brothers has been here since 1918. We’re one of the oldest businesses in this area that are still doing the same thing in the same building, and we’re not going anywhere.
• White City collision repair shop does all kinds of vehicles - There are more and more  opportunities to spend your dollars locally. While one may not need some of the opportunities on a regular basis, a business like Performance Auto Body & Paint is incredibly handy and important if your car has been in an accident or in need of paint and any type of body work.
• Dents are welcome at N. Brunswick collision center - "We're like the hmos of auto body fixes,'' said Halas, the owner of Dennis & Don's Collision Center. -- But don't ask about Don.
• Councilman Fritz is a write-in candidate for mayor - Grand Haven City Councilman Mike Fritz announced today that he is a write-in candidate for mayor. -- Fritz co-owns Fritz Auto Body in Grand Haven with his brother, Dave Fritz, and lives at 225 Clinton Ave.
• Web-Est Releases a New Article on Foundational Marketing Practices for Auto Body Shops - They suggest that the key to sound marketing for any business is to implement a "Customers First" business strategy. Making that the overall focus and tailoring that around everyday activity can help bring more business to an auto body shop.
• D&S Color Supply is for hue: Shop Talk - “The paint products are for people who have experience," he said, "someone who restores cars or has body shop experience, but not for someone who wants to touch up a chip. Car finishes have become so sophisticated. It takes an expert."
• Lawson Buys Gateway Ford Dealership - Lennie Lawson, whose lengthy automotive career has previously been linked mainly with the sale of Chevrolet products, announced Friday that he has purchased Gateway Ford, Lincoln-Mercury, Inc., as well as the Mazda franchise for Greeneville. -- In February 2009, Lennie Lawson and his son, Blaine Lawson, opened and began operating Lawson Collision Repair Center...
• Akzo Nobel Q3 earnings up, but outlook hits shares - Improved margins helped Dutch chemicals group Akzo Nobel overcome falling sales and post a surprise rise in third-quarter operating profit, but shares fell on nagging worries over the company's outlook.
• Copart Challenge of Champions Winner to Receive $5,000 for Favorite Charity - Copart sponsors two Truck Series champions – the No. 33 Copart truck driven by Ron Hornaday Jr., the 2007 champion, and the No. 30 Copart Tundra driven by Todd Bodine, the 2006 champion. The two champions have raced Copart-sponsored trucks three times each over the course of five truck series events in the Copart Challenge of Champions, and will both race a fourth time in Copart trucks during the race in Talladega Saturday, Oct. 31.
• Mixed votes cast doubt on fate of Ford contract - With a majority of workers at three UAW locals now opposing a modified cost-saving labor contract with Ford Motor Co. — and just two locals voting to support the deal — the deal faces an uncertain fate.
• Omaha man accused of stealing parts from employer - An Omaha man has been accused of embezzling from the auto dealership where he had worked by ordering parts and auctioning them off on eBay. - Authorities say the 55-year-old Norwood would create fictitious orders for local auto body shops and later cancel the orders so the auto body shops weren't billed
• Man drives into building, later kills himself - Bowman worked at Baker's Collision Repair Specialists. His brother-in-law, Scott Mabe, said Thursday that Bowman had recently received a promotion.
• Deer-Vehicle Collisions Up - Lynchburg, VA - Every 26 seconds, a driver hits a deer in the U-S according to State Farm. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety says these crashes are costly, totaling 1-billion dollars in vehicle damage each year. Insurance experts say we are seeing more of them. State Farm Insurance has classified the state of Virginia as high risk for the likelihood of deer-vehicle collisions.

October 23, 2009 

• Kentucky Collision Repairer's Insurance Industry Report Card - ASC of Kentucky  needs your Help! Complete a Survey today!
• MEMA Applauds Senator Brown for Introducing Small Business Loan Expansion Bill - MEMA praised Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) for introducing a bill that would expand the ceiling on certain loans issued by the Small Business Administration (SBA), a move that will assist small suppliers with greater access to capital. The current 7(a) program provides loans up to $2 million. The bill introduced by Sen. Brown would increase that ceiling to $5 million.
• Congressional Support Growing for Fair Competition in Auto Repair Industry - Five more members of Congress declared their support of the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057). Reps. Michael E. Capuano (D-MA), Christopher P. Carney (D-PA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Michael K. Conaway (R-TX) and Brad Miller (D-NC) are the most recent co-sponsors of Right to Repair, which has gained steady support since its introduction. The bill now has 45 sponsors.
• Inside the New York Insurance Agent Kickbacks—One Shop Owner's Story - glassBYTEs™: Rick Galluzzi, owner of Bison Glass in Buffalo, N.Y., got into the auto glass business in 1988—when profits were high and networks were just starting to form. Agents were his main source of business, and Galluzzi says he soon realized that providing agents with gifts in exchange for work was a common practice in his area.
• Pilkington to Close Auto Glass Plant in Clinton, Mich. - glassBYTEs™: The NSG Group, which owns Pilkington Automotive, announced this week that it will be closing the company's auto glass plant in Clinton, Mich. Company officials cite the current economic downturn and its direct effect on the automotive industry as the reason for the closing.
• Outstanding Use of Color Awards - 39 Ford and 48 F-1 Take Top PPG Paint Honors
• Businesses thrive after hailstorm: Paintless dent repair comes to town - TX: They come from all parts of the country -- including Columbus, Ohio, and Little Rock, Ark. -- looking to restore your vehicle to its pre-accident condition.
• Irmo teacher wins national teacher of the year award - Phil Tanner, the Careers and Technology auto body teacher at Irmo High, added to his collection of national awards recently, winning the 2009-10 I-CAR Auto Collision Repair Instructor of the Year.
• UK: MVRA helps Stoneacre bodyshops achieve PAS 125 - Bodyshops at two branches of the Stoneacre Group have been awarded the Thatcham/BSI PAS 125 Kitemark quality repair standard thanks to support from the Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI)’s MVRA.
• Reed Brothers Automotive in Rockville, Maryland (MD) Announces New Service Repair Hours to Better Serve You - Reed Brothers Automotive is a third generation family-owned and operated complete automotive service repair center.
• Rescue Efforts Shift to Small Business: As Bailouts of Big Companies End, the Administration Redirects Its Focus - "America will not recover until our small businesses recover. In communities across the country, they are the engines of job growth and lead the way to the industries of the future," Treasury Secretary Timothy F. Geithner said in a statement.
• U.S. Auto Parts Network, Inc. to Report Third Quarter 2009 Financial Results on October 29, 2009 - The Company will hold a conference call to discuss the results the same day.  Participating in the call will be Shane Evangelist, Chief Executive Officer and Ted Sanders, Chief Financial Officer. 
• Driving the aftermarket - While most of Canada's automotive industry has been reeling from the recession, one segment has been holding its own.
• Chevrolet Invites Public to Name Volt Paint Color - The initial production color of the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) is a silver exterior with an emerald hue. That's official. What's not certain is what Chevrolet will name that distinctive exterior color, so the company is turning to the public to help make the decision.
• Volkswagen Becomes First Auto Manufacturer To Launch a Car Exclusively on a Mobile Device - Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced the launch of the all-new 2010 GTI via the App Store by making available a free version of the popular Firemint Real Racing game that exclusively features the all-new 2010 GTI.
• Solar and Automakers Unite in Tough Times - The burgeoning solar industry and struggling carmakers appear to be coming together in the recession.
• Hearing set on SA car lot, body shop - The owners of a South Attleboro used car lot and body shop are facing allegations they've violated permit restrictions and could lose their license to operate.
• 'Crash for cash' - The recession scam that endangers us all
• Horace Mann Announces Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call - Horace Mann Educators Corporation will release its third quarter 2009 earnings on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 after the market closes. -- Horace Mann -- the largest national multiline insurance company focusing on educators' financial needs -- provides auto and homeowners insurance, retirement annuities, life insurance and other financial solutions.

October 21, 2009 

• Gov. Deval Patrick’s auto board appointee exits - MA: Karen Mills, an executive at Progressive Insurance, resigned from the Auto Damage Appraisers Licensing Board last week, after critics said the governor’s pick broke a state law that was crafted to keep the panel balanced between the auto insurance and auto repair industries.
• California Shop Owner Preparing Fight Against State Farm - Collision Week (subscription): Santa Rosa, California shop owner Gene Crozat is promoting a meeting of shops in Sacramento next month ...
• Allstate to Track "Key Performance Indicators" for Shops and Will Group Providers, According to Announcement - glassBYTEs™: Allstate Insurance announced last week that it will begin recording and tracking a set of "Key Performance Indicators" for auto glass shops on its Glass Claims Express (GCE) network, effective November 1. The indicators will include items such as competitiveness on pricing, a customer satisfaction index and warranty frequency/performance and will be used to "determine which providers will participate in Allstate's Distinguished Performer" program.
• China Glass Production Has Doubled Since 2003, According to New Study -  glassBYTEs™: When looking specifically at the auto glass industry, Haley says there are three companies that account for more than 80 percent of the country's total market auto glass share, but notes that as of 2008 there were more than 200 auto glass manufacturers throughout the country. According to the study, only a small number of these were engaged in large-scale production, and "most were small and also had more product quality."
• Putting Our Grassroots Strength to Work - by Kevin Walli, AASP-MN Lobbyist: One of the great strengths of a state trade association is its ability to present a consistent policy message to legislators of any political stripe in any part of the state. This fall, AASP-MN is working with individual members present a consistent AASP-MN message to key legislators by inviting them to repair shops to talk about industry policy concerns.
• Mitchell to Unveil Industry’s First Shop Workspace at NACE - RepairCenter™ increases overall shop efficiency by providing total interoperability in a single Shop Workspace environment
• Female students earn WIN scholarships to NACE - For the third year in a row, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) awarded scholarships to attend NACE to the two top-scoring female winners of SkillsUSA.
• J’s Auto Body Becomes Seabrook’s First AskPatty.com Certified Female Friendly® Body Shop - J’s Auto Body is pleased to announce they have completed AskPatty.com’s Certified Female Friendly® training and is now Seabrook, MD’s first Certified Female Friendly® body shop and repair center. To achieve certified status, their personnel completed online training on how to better meet the expectations of the woman consumer.
• Auto Repair and Maintenance Shops Launch Annual Snug Hugs for Kids™ Winter Clothing Drive - People encouraged to donate new and like-new clothing for cause
• Collision Solutions Network Expands to Western Canada - CSN is now represented in the provinces of Alberta, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island with over 70 locations and $150 million in market share.
• Distinctive Auto Body donates work to Whitman Fire Department - During this economic climate, Distinctive Auto Body is looking to "ramp up" it’s charitable donations. They will soon announce a fundraiser to benefit the Whitman DARE program.
• Deer Collisions Drive Body Shops - BENTONVILLE, Ark. -- This time of the year, auto body shops are seeing an overwhelming amount of cars that are needing to be repaired.
• Classic cars survive fire at auto body shop - EUGENE, Ore. -- Thousands of dollars worth of cars nearly went up in smoke at a body shop in West Eugene. -- The fire broke out at around 5:30 Tuesday morning at Metalworks Classics on Arrowsmith Street.
• Out and About Hanson MA: King Collision Center ribbon cutting ceremony and open house - Thursday, Oct. 29 - 3 p.m., 81 Brookside Circle, Raynham. Light refreshments will be served. Attendees will be able to take tours of the new collision repair center and learn more about King Collision’s manufacturing. For more information call 508-824-4091. (scroll down to bottom of page)
• Minnesota Received Honors at 30th Annual I-CAR Industry Conference - The Minnesota State I-CAR committee received the Superior Performance Award for the Central Zone.
• Workshop Offered to Help Auto Body Shops With New Regulations - Concord, NH: On January 9, 2010, all facilities that perform paint stripping or apply spray coatings to metal must provide written notification of these activities to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To help facilities understand these new requirements, the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services and the N.H Small Business Development Center will hold a free morning workshop on November 13 in Concord.
• DuPont Performance Coatings Names DuPont Performance Services Leadership Team - DuPont today named Steve Aitken and Steve Trapp to two key positions within the company's newly formed,  value-added services offering, DuPont Performance Services.
• DuPont cuts costs, boosts profits in third quarter - The millions in cost cuts made by DuPont drove profits higher in the third quarter. Now all the chemical maker needs is for sales to rebound.
• Sherwin Williams posts lower profit, shares drop - Sherwin-Williams Co. shares dropped more than 6% on Tuesday after the paint giant posted slight dip in third-quarter earnings and warned that its current quarter would fall short of Wall Street targets.
• Geely talks to buy Ford's Volvo unit stall: source- Geely Holding's discussions to acquire Volvo from Ford Motor Co have stalled over disagreements on intellectual property, a source close to the talks said on Wednesday.
• Engineer accused of thefts from Ford ordered held - A judge on Tuesday denied bond to a former Ford Motor Co engineer charged with stealing trade secrets from the automaker and fleeing to his native China.
• Inside the Chrysler, GM rescues - Auto task force almost let Chrysler fail, shocked at GM's poor management
• Cornell 100+ MPG Team accelerates forward in $10 million Automotive X Prize competition - Cornell's 100+ MPG Team, building a car that gets 100 miles to the gallon, has leapt to the next level of the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize Competition, which features a $10 million prize.
• Quality Claims Solutions Announces Release of AutoBodyAlliance.com - Quality Claims Solutions, a leader in providing value added services to over 40 insurance carriers nationwide, are announcing the highly anticipated release of
  AutoBodyAlliance.com during NACE 2009 - the International Autobody Congress & Exposition.
• Massachusetts Move Toward Health Insurance Rate Regulation Shows Need For National Action, Says Consumer Watchdog - Small Businesses Hit with Double-Digit Increases Demand State Help; Governor Seeks Insurer Rate Reviews
• GMAC Will Sell Property-Casualty Insurance Business - GMAC Inc., the lender that received two government bailouts, will sell its U.S. consumer property- casualty insurance business to American Capital Acquisition Corp. after posting losses in seven of the past eight quarters.
• Changes coming to Wisconsin auto insurance - When Governor Doyle signed the state budget last June, he also enacted a sweeping change to Wisconsin's auto insurance industry.
• Elephant Insurance Hosts Grand Opening in Richmond, Virginia on October 21 - Elephant Insurance, a new Virginia car insurance provider, will host a Grand Opening Celebration and Open House on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at its new 26,000 square foot facility located at 140 East Shore Drive in Glen Allen, Virginia.
• Insurers' 3rd-qtr likely to be profitable - Good weather, stock markets boost prospects for insurers' 3rd-quarter earnings results

October 19, 2009 

• N.Y. Insurance Dept. Fines Agents for Accepting Gifts from Auto Glass Shops in Exchange for Work - glassBYTEs™: The N.Y. Department of Insurance fined 43 insurance agents this week for accepting gifts from auto glass shops in exchange for steering work to them. The fines were announced yesterday by the state's insurance superintendent, James Wrynn.
• Collision Repair Association of California: AB 1200 The Rest of the Story - AB 1200 was passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor. We were hoping for a different outcome however it is not the end of the world.
• ASA Kansas City Collision Chapter: Meet with the Department of Insurance! - Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 7:00 - 8:30pm - Meeting held in Conference Room at Lindan Mechanical & Body - 9200 West 57th Street, Merriam, KS
• Collision Hub® Announces Webinar Series Sponsored by I-CAR - Collision Hub, a networking website for the Collision Repair Industry, announces the first in a series of one hour Microsoft Live Meetings for students and newcomers to the collision repair industry, sponsored by I-CAR.
• Major Milestone for International Collision Repair Symposium - CRM: Next year marks the tenth anniversary of the International Bodyshop Industry Symposium - IBIS, the most important, influential and prestigious “must attend” annual gathering of collision repair industry leaders and influencers from all sectors of the market and every corner of the globe.
• Bay Biz Buzz: Mega-million pay for two at Copart Inc. - The top two executives at Fairfield-based Copart Inc. have captured pay packages that each top $26 million, according to a regulatory filing. The online vehicle auction company's chief executive officer, Willis Johnson, was awarded $26.8 million in total direct compensation. Company president A. Jayson Adair was awarded $28.4 million.
• Boyd Group Income Fund announces October 2009 cash distribution - Boyd Group Income Fund today announced a cash distribution for the month of October 2009 of $0.02375 per trust unit. The distribution will be payable on November 26, 2009 to unitholders of record at the close of business on October 31, 2009.
• Repair Parts Harder to Find at Body Shops - OLATHE, Kan – There is one more incentive to avoid a fender-bender on your way to work: It could land you behind the wheel of a rental car longer than usual.
• Customer service awards - NC: Receiving Outrageous Customer Service Awards were Floyd Green of Floyd’s Auto Body Shop and Gary Monroe of Gary’s Automotive Repair, both of Newport.
• Roberts Auto Body on the move - The former Sedney Olds site along Route 88 in Craven Hill -- vacant since August when the dealership closed -- will soon be occupied by a familiar, long-time successful company. -- Roberts Auto Body will soon move its Monongahela operations, located at 243 East Main St. since the fall of 2000, to the roughly 2-acre site in Carroll Township.
• GOOD NEWS: For 53 years, G&M has been repairing dents and dings - ONTARIO -- Sue Martin, owner of G & M Body & Paint Shop, proudly says her 53-year-old business is now being operated by the third generation of her family.
• Holschuh Collision Center aims to go green with paint - Car repair center unveils new technique
• Primed to help the environment: Highland installs more eco-friendly auto body paint system - Highland Community College’s automotive program recently completed installation of a new waterborne auto body paint system.
• Worldwide Approval for Sikkens and Lesonal from General Motors - CRM: General Motors has approved the use of Sikkens and Lesonal products from AkzoNobel Car Refinishes for the coming year for GM warranty repair work around the globe.
• Sherwin-Williams "Fires Up" Customers for NACE - Visitors to Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp.'s (SWAFC) booth at the upcoming NACE International Autobody Congress & Exposition can expect to get "fired up" about the company’s latest innovation – the HP Process™ with Air-Dry Technology.
• The Sherwin-Williams Company Appoints New Director - The Sherwin-Williams Company announced that Thomas G. Kadien was elected to the Board of Directors of Sherwin-Williams.
• PPG Industries profits rise, but revenue drops - The revenue decline of $1 billion included a $229 million from the 2008 sale of a majority interest in PPG's automotive glass and services business, and about $150 million from negative foreign currency translation.
• Oregon Clunker Customers Get Scrapping Checks - In addition to the $3,500 or $4,500 discount they received on their new car, dealerships like the Ron Tonkin Family of Dealerships sent checks to customers for the scrap value of their trade-ins. The government required that car dealers tell customers what their old vehicle’s scrap value would probably be but didn’t specify where the money should go. It said dealers could keep $50 of the cash.
• Clunkers program contributing to lower used-car inventory - At the Car Hop used car dealers around the Puget Sound, the problem is not selling used cars. In fact, the one in Auburn said it's on pace to break sales records for October. Rather, the difficulty has been finding cars to fill up their lots.
• Exclusive: Poor credit drives up Dallas-area insurance rates 35% on average - Drivers and homeowners in North Texas with poor credit ratings are paying on average at least 35 percent more for insurance coverage than those with good credit – even when all other factors, such as driving records and recent damage claims on homes, are identical.

October 15, 2009 

• Pre-Registration for the IGA Fall Marketing Conference Closes Friday - The deadline for discounted pre-registration to the IGA Fall Marketing Conference ends this Friday. The conference, which runs November 6-7, is featuring two days of valuable education and networking opportunities in one of America's most exciting cities, Las Vegas. The event, which will be taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, will offer a wide variety of seminars that are sure to take your business to the next level.
• Calif. Governor Signs A.B. 1200; Amends State's Anti-Steering Law - glassBYTEs™: California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger approved Assembly Bill 1200 yesterday. The bill will amend the state's insurance code as it relates to insurance referrals and anti-steering language.
• AASP/NJ Announces Dates for 33rd NORTHEAST™ 2010 Show at the Meadowlands - Autobody Online:  Building on momentum from last year’s historic move back to New Jersey, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ), the state’s largest association of collision and mechanical repairers, has announced the dates for their flagship event, the NORTHEAST™2010 automotive repair trade show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus. The 33rd edition of AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST™ show will take place March 19, 20, and 21, 2010.
• Iowa  Collision  Industry  Days - October 21 and 22 at Prairie Meadows in Des Moines, Iowa
• Consumers' Checkbook gives 17 auto body shops high marks - Seventeen auto body shops in Virginia and Maryland received top rankings from Washington Consumers' Checkbook for both quality and price. -- Checkbook evaluated 185 different local body shops in the region.
• Pass Right to Repair Act - The Tire Industry Association strongly urges Congress to pass the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) to ensure that car owners and their trusted repair shops have the same access to safety alerts and repair information as the franchised new car dealer network. -Roy Littlefield - Executive Vice President - Tire Industry Association
• Rural Communities Stranded Without Right to Repair Act - Bill ensures full access to repair information for owners of cars, trucks, motorcycles and other motor vehicles
• Gates Unveils NaviGates - Drives Parts Cataloging Online - Gates Corporation today unveiled NaviGates, an innovative new online parts application database that enables users to easily search Gates complete line of OE quality aftermarket parts by vehicle category, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or part description - all that is required is an Internet connection.
• Don Mikrut: Success depends on other people - Don Mikrut is the CEO of The Cars Collision Group, a $72 million dollar business based in Schererville, with 28 service centers in three states—Indiana, Illinois and Colorado.
  Throughout the seven years he’s been its chief executive, Mikrut is credited for keeping the business profitable during challenging times in the “shrinking” collision repair industry.
• Business briefs: Hodges Collision Centers Receives Award - TX: Blue Ribbon Award: Steve Guinn, owner of both Hodges Collision Centers, announced that Hodges Collision Centers have received the Nationwide Insurance Blue Ribbon Award, naming Hodges a Blue Ribbon repair shop.
• Body Shop Back-ups - COLORADO SPRINGS - The recent ice storm is causing back-ups at tire shops and body shops.
• Auto Shop Owner Switches To Environmentally-Friendly Paint - Tim Steiner recently bought Riverside Auto Body & Auto Sales, Inc., in South Yankton, Neb., and installed a “green” paint system.
• ‘Green efforts’ plant cleaner environment - Contra Costa College’s collision repair program, headed by automotive services department Chairman Peter Lock, is one of the businesses striving to become certified green through the Bay Area Green Business Program, according to the president of Crockett’s Premier Auto Body and sponsor for CCC Dan Welsh.
• Top Scoring SkillsUSA Females Score WIN Scholarships to NACE - BodyShop Business: For the third year in a row, the Women’s Industry Network (WIN) has awarded scholarships to attend NACE to the two top-scoring female winners of SkillsUSA.
• Project to restore car also restoring teenagers - NASHVILLE — Every Saturday morning, the detail port at Maaco Collision Repair and Auto Painting turns into a den of diligence as dozens of teens swamp the garage and work for hours with mentors and volunteers.
• Charity Auto Repair: A Watertown mechanic is doing his part to help during tough times - It's called "Charity Auto Repair." For one lucky person Bumper to Bumper Auto Parts supplies the parts and John Mason and his crew at Northside Auto in Watertown fix the car for free.
• Philly likes blue: Ford color data reveals quirks - According to sales data released Tuesday by Ford Motor Co., Cincinnati is the top market for red cars in the U.S., while Philly buyers prefer blue.
• Belron US Files Suit Against Coast to Coast and Former Employee; Alleges Employee is Violating Non-Compete - glassBYTEs™: Belron US filed a lawsuit last week against Coast to Coast Auto Glass LLC and a former employee who now works for Coast to Coast, Eugene Casole. Belron alleges that Casole, a resident of Voorhees, N.J., previously worked with the company, and in September 2005 signed an employment agreement in which Casole is alleged to have agreed to "non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality provisions." The agreement was supposed to continue for one year following termination of Casole's employment, according to Belron US.
• Pittsburgh Glass Works (PGW) Marks One Year Anniversary as Independent Auto Glass Supplier - glassBYTEs™: Since its successful spin-off last October, PGW has maintained its status as one of the leading suppliers of automotive glass and services, while being actively involved in fuel economy improvement research and bringing new products to market.
• Sherwin-Williams Unveils HP ProcessT with Air-Dry Technology at NACE Show - The HP Process stands for higher productivity, higher performance and higher profits. The proprietary Air-Dry technology removes the need for baking and achieves a fast cure time at ambient (70-75°F) room temperatures, allowing for same-day repairs.
• High-tech paints and elbow grease can keep that car bodywork gleaming - The cosmetics industry invests enormous sums in trying to reverse the ageing process and this is mirrored by the tireless efforts of carmakers and paint manufacturers. They regularly come up with new coatings and compounds to ensure cars stay looking new.
• PREVIEW-US chemical makers seen poised to beat expectations - U.S. chemical makers are poised to post stronger-than-expected third-quarter earnings, but demand for their products could cool later this year as government stimulus programs unwind, industry experts say.
• Honda Honors DuPont for Coatings Supply - Honda recently named DuPont Automotive OEM Coatings as Supplier of the Year for outstanding performance in providing products and services. From among 2,400 in the supplier base, DuPont was one of 12 to earn an award.
• Cash for Clunkers: It Actually Worked - The "cash-for-clunkers" program has been the subject of more negative comments and bad puns than anything an administration has put out for a long long time. Most of the comments have focused on the program's inevitable failure to permanently raise the level of spending for autos and/or anything else.
• Ford adds 4.5M vehicles to recall of defective cruise control switch that could cause fires - The latest voluntary action pushes Ford's total recall due to faulty switches to 14.3 million registered vehicles over 10 years, capping the company's largest cumulative recall in history involving a single problem.
• Governor vetoes bill limiting auto repair subsidies - A bill by State Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, that aimed to save California $7 million by limiting repair subsidies for drivers whose vehicle fails a smog check to only those who qualify as low-income, was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. In his veto message, the governor said he didn’t want to create a disincentive to “reducing the impact of high polluting vehicles on the road.”
• Safety Insurance and Safe Roads Alliance Launch Public Service Campaign: 'Bucks for Hang-Ups' - Safety Insurance, a leading provider of auto , home and commercial insurance in Massachusetts and New Hampshire, and Safe Roads Alliance, a non-profit organization dedicated to driver safety, announce the official launch of the "Bucks for Hang-Ups" campaign to promote safer driving.
• Insurance Claims Adjuster Pleads Guilty In Check Scheme - A Maryland woman has plead guilty to writing company checks to herself and depositing the money into her own account while she was an insurance claims adjuster.
• Consumer Watchdog: White House Should Respond to Health Insurer Scare Tactics by Supporting 'Prior Approval' Rate Regulation - Such regulation has saved drivers in California $62 billion on auto insurance rates since 1988 under Proposition 103, and similar savings would be expected for health insurance rates.
• Oregon deer-vehicle collisions up 9 percent from five years ago - SALEM - According to insurance claims data, the number of deer-vehicle collisions in Oregon is up nine percent from five years ago. That compares with an 18.3 percent increase over the entire United States.
• Missouri Insurance Department Returns Nearly $11M to Consumers - The Missouri Department of Insurance reports that it has recovered almost $10.7 million from insurance companies during the first nine months of 2009. The money was returned to consumers who filed complaints with the department. -- The most common reasons for complaints to the department included denial of claims, claims delays, and unsatisfactory offers.
• PRIZE Foundation to Partner with ThinkWrap on Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE Competition Vehicle Telemetry - Company to Develop Software Allowing Public to Track the Performance of Each Competitor’s Vehicle Online and in Near-Real Time
• Progressive sees 3Q results turn positive - Auto-insurance provider Progressive Corp. said Wednesday income for the third quarter and the month of September turned positive as market conditions reversed investment losses.

October 13, 2009 

• Certified Automotive Parts Association Refutes California Body Shop Survey - The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) has warned California Governor Arnold Schwarzenneger that a survey released in September by the California Autobody Association (CAA) is based on faulty data and that its assertion that CAPA-certified auto body repair parts are not equivalent to car company brand parts is false.
• House Considers Limited Repeal of McCarran-Ferguson Act - ASA Supports Full Repeal
• Is the Safelite Ad Campaign Drumming Up Business for Entire Industry? Some Say It Is - glassBYTEs™: Some independent shop owners say that the Safelite television ad campaign, launched last Sunday and scheduled to run for two weeks, is actually increasing their business as well-particularly on the repair side.
• Motor Vehicle Parts Suppliers Testify Before Senate Subcommittee, Urge Coordinated Action to Assist Industry - Dave Andrea, vice president, industry analysis & economics, Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), testified today before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Policy.
• I-CAR to offer newest courses and presentations on latest industry topics at NACE - I-CAR, The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair will premiere two new classes at NACE 2009.
• Nissan North America Selects OEConnection’s Online Technology for Its Auto Dealerships - OEConnection LLC announced today that Nissan North America, Inc. has selected OEConnection’s CollisionLink Internet-based parts ordering and fulfillment solution for Nissan and Infiniti dealerships and their collision shop customers nationwide.
• CCC Information Services Inc. to Hold Salvage, Subrogation Discussion at CIECA National Implementation Conference - Incorporation of CIECA interface for CCC subrogation solution part of technical session
• SCRS seeks unity through Affiliate Leadership Conference - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) held its fourth annual Affiliate Leadership Conference Sept. 17. The Affiliate Leadership Conference, founded by SCRS in 2006, is a forum dedicated to providing the state and regional affiliates of the society with a meeting dedicated to fostering increased communication between the state and national level organizations and participants.
• Recycled Rides Vehicle Donations Roll in from Generous Insurers and Industry Partners - The National Auto Body Council (NABC) wishes to announce its appreciation for the insurance industry and other strategic industry partners, who are stepping forward to provide the vehicles forming the foundation of NABC’s Recycled Rides program.
• Long Island repair shops join Recycled Rides program - Long Island Auto Body Repair Shops have joined together to help six local military families in need. The repairers are members of the National Auto Body Council (NABC) and have partnered to participate in the nationwide vehicle-gifting program called Recycled Rides.
• Carden’s Body & Paint wins award - Carden’s Body & Paint Service Inc., located at 7709 N.C. 157 in the Caldwell community, recently received a Premier Achiever award from AutocheX. The award honors a high customer satisfaction rating in the Autoche CSI program, as measured by customer surveys on the
• Local Maaco stores freshen up Salvation Army kettles - MN: The Salvation Army's kettles are getting a fresh coat of red paint for the 2009 holiday season, courtesy of six Maaco Collision Repair & Auto Painting
• Paint Shop Going Green - Nick's Auto Body has been a part of New Castle since 1968.  And that business is setting itself up to be an industry leader in paint work by "Going Green".  
• EPA Designates 31 New Nonattainment Areas - The Automotive Service Association supports national motor vehicle emissions inspection and maintenance and has encouraged the U.S. Congress to consider a national program.
• Dan Pye Appointed Market Development Manager for Carstar, Ontario - Carstar Automotive Canada Inc. announced that Dan Pye has been appointed to the position of market development manager in the Greater Toronto Area and Eastern Ontario.
• Web-Est, LLC, Announces The Addition Of Auto Repair Frame Data - The new product is now available to its base of 1,000 collision repair customers nationwide.
• Web site allows owners to seek bids on auto-body work - Consumers who dread going from auto body shop to auto body shop for estimates to fix car dents and scratches can now do it by computer from the comfort of their homes.
• Auto Painting Expert in Portland Competes with Auto Body Shops and Upsets Car Dealers Business - People are learning to maintain their old cars to keep them longer in today’s economy
• Industry Leaders to Discuss the Future of Auto Retailing at NADA Convention - Industry leaders will discuss the future of auto retailing at the National Automobile Dealers Association’s (NADA) 93rd annual Convention & Exposition in Orlando, Fla., Feb. 13-15. Other issues that will be discussed include vehicle innovation and sustainable mobility.
• Bet on GAZ backfires: New Center sues to get $4M owed for parts - At issue: New Center Stamping Inc., a Detroit-based body panel stamping supplier, hasn't been paid for about $4 million worth of parts it delivered to the GAZ Group, Russia's second-largest automaker.
• Dumped GM, Chrysler dealerships find new life - For the past nine months, the salespeople in the showroom of Team Chevrolet in Smyrna have greeted potential customers, shown them the new cars on the lot and answered questions about the vehicles.
• Congress considers creating auto dealer watchdog - Consumer groups concerned about financing practices; retailers against added regulations
• Eco Racer with Bodywork Made from Potatoes to Appear on BBC's Blue Peter Show - Researchers at the University of Warwick will be appearing on the BBC's Blue Peter show on Tuesday 13th October to demonstrate their eco friendly "WorldFirst Formula 3 racing car" which can be powered by chocolate, steered by carrots, and as bodywork made partly from potatoes.
• Altoona Police Investigating Over 60 Cases Of Car Vandalism - The owner of Luciano's Auto Body in Altoona said its best to take care of the damages right away.
• Arguments For and Against Credit Scores Begin in Michigan Court - Attorneys on both sides of the issue argued before the Michigan Supreme Court on Oct. 7 as to whether insurance companies should be allowed to use credit history in setting auto and home premium rates.
• Seven auto insurers get high marks in New York consumer complaint study - The seven insurers with no upheld complaints over the two-year period are: Amica Mutual Group, Main Street America Group, QBE Insurance Group Ltd., American Express Groups, Balboa Life & Casualty Group, Electric Insurance Group and Eveready Insurance Co.

October 9, 2009 

• Gerber Collision & Glass Opens New Location in Anthem, Arizona - The Boyd Group Inc. (“Boyd Group”) has acquired Advanced Auto Body’s Anthem, Arizona location, which will now operate under the Gerber Collision & Glass trade name. This acquisition was completed on October 6, 2009.
• Space-Age Safety: Ford, Auburn Explore How GPS Satellites Could Help Prevent Auto Accidents - The researchers have found potential for a GPS satellite to act as an early warning system that detects when a vehicle is about to lose control and communicate with the vehicle's stability control systems and other safety features to prevent a rollover or other serious accident.
• Imports of Laminated Safety Glass for Vehicular Use Down from June to July 2009, China Ranks at Top of Import List - glassBYTEs™: Though exports of laminated safety glass for vehicular use from the United States was up from June to July by 3.2 percent, overall the nation saw a decrease in the amount of glass it imported from other countries during the same period, according to the latest stats from the U.S. Census Bureau.
• NASTF Panel Looks to the Future - The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) will offer a look down the road for attendees of the NASTF General Meeting on Nov. 3, in Las Vegas at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center, Room South Pacific C.
• Cook's Auto Body plans anniversary open house - NORMAL: Cook's Auto Body will celebrate its 40th anniversary with an open house from 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 13. -- The business also wants to show its appreciation to the McLean County community by launching Practice Safe Text, a campaign designed to educate on the dangers of texting while driving. The anti-texting driving law will go into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1.
• Car savvy couple takes over Mason Valley Auto Body - NV: Kim and Rick McCann, a car savvy couple who recently moved to the area, have taken over Mason Valley Auto Body, a collision repair shop on West Bridge Street, and plan to work hard to provide top-notch service and support to customers in Yerington.
• Breathing life into vintage autos - Saguaro Automotive Group owner switched careers from computers to classic cars
• Soldier surprised with restored car - A Kansas soldier just home from Iraq got quite a surprise Wednesday. The car he had purchased here while still overseas has been souped-up by some local businesses.
• JLR wins Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year award - Tata Motors’ owned Jaguar Land Rover has recently been awarded Vehicle Manufacturer of the Year at the 13th Annual Industry Awards, hosted by Bodyshop Magazine at the Hilton Metropole in Birmingham. The awards recognize excellence in dealer bodyshops and repair centres.
• URG and Lonegan Snow LLC Launch 'URG Auction,' a New Joint Venture - The United Recyclers Group has announced the launch of 'URG Auction,' a new online auto salvage auction service that is user-friendly, and designed to help the auto insurance industry improve profitability.
• New self-healing clearcoat from AkzoNobel Car Refinishes features unmatched gloss retention - With scratch resistant clearcoats gaining in popularity among top-end auto manufacturers, it is only logical that AkzoNobel Car Refinishes is now delivering an after market scratch resistant clearcoat to match the performance of the OEM factory coatings.
• Audatex to help bodyshops streamline the estimating process - Motor claims software firm Audatex is heading an initiative to help bodyshops and insurers find ways of streamlining the damage estimating process.
• Kelley Blue Book Monthly Market Report: Compact-Car Values on the Rise; Market Stabilization Years Away - In this month's report the company's analysts and statisticians are beginning to see an uptick in the small car market, which had been hit severely when gas prices stabilized. Also noted in this month's report is a look forward at the car market in the wake of 'Cash for Clunkers.'
• Ford and Labor Leaders Join Forces with March of Dimes - The leaders of Ford Motor Company and the United Auto Workers are not only joining forces to help revitalize America's auto industry - they're also coming together to support the March of Dimes and raise $100 million to give babies a healthy start in life.
• Volkswagen's All-New Golf TDI Named Finalist for 2010 Green Car of the Year - The Green Car of the Year will be awarded during a press conference during this year's Los Angeles Auto Show Press Days, December 3, 2009.
• LETTER: Supporting Right to Repair Act - The National Independent Automobile Dealers Association strongly supports the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act (HR 2057) and urges Congress to pass the legislation on behalf of its over 20,000 members.
• Crashes here, there & everywhere in Edmonton - Canada: It's an early Christmas for auto body shop owners and tow truck drivers. - A slick of snow and black ice has caused more rush hour crashes than there are police available to attend them all.
• Auto Salvage Ripped Off - Someone tried to "liberate" Liberty Auto Salvage of $15,000. The Evansville Police Department says a caller told a salesman at Liberty that he wanted to purchase an engine for $1,900. He said he would wire the money to Liberty's bank. Instead, he made six transactions Tuesday on Liberty's account for a total of $15,000.
• Update: More arrested in auto theft ring that allegedly included Polk officers - Polk County Police Chief Kenny Dodd said more than 30 people now face charges in connection with the operation.
• IIHS wrecks a 1959 Chevy Bel Air and successfully narrates the obvious - The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety celebrated its 50th birthday in a seemingly traditional manner by causing a car accident and pissing off pretty much everybody for a few days.
• New State Law Tries To Trip Up ‘Runners’ - Conn. bans lawyers from using third parties to contact accident victims
• AutoClaims Direct Announces Subrogation Solution - AutoClaims Direct the leading provider of claims services and business process solutions to the Property & Casualty claims industry today announced the addition of the company's new subrogation division.

October 7, 2009 

• Car Parts Manufacturers Running Out of Gas - Body shops, mechanics may take weeks to get parts
• New York Insurance Department Releases Annual Insurance Complaint Rankings; Several Tie for Top Ranking, While Long Island Insurance Ranks Lowest - glassBYTEs™: The New York Department of Insurance has released its annual ranking of insurance companies based on complaints received by the department throughout 2008. Several companies, which had zero complaints upheld against them, tied for top ranking, while while Long Island Insurance Co. received the lowest ranking with the most upheld complaints per million dollars in premiums.
• Mitchell Plans Special 20th Anniversary Edition of AutocheX Premier Achiever Award Ceremony - Collision repair facilities to be recognized for excellence in customer service and satisfaction
• BASF Announces Schedule Change for SEMA Events - BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions will exhibit hot cars, cool colours and automotive design stars at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show at the Las Vegas Convention Center, booth 21442.
• IGA Issues Advisory About Delays in Verification of Coverage by Competing Claims Administrators' Shameful 'Delay and Switch' Tactics Increasing - The Independent Glass Association today issued an advisory to its members concerning a noticeable and troubling upturn in the number of 'delay and switch' tactics used by insurance companies and their claims administrators when processing insurance claims for auto glass.
• URG Sees Opportunity for Independent Auto Recyclers in LKQ Purchase of Greenleaf - Representing the nation's independent auto recyclers and consolidators, United Recyclers Group sees new opportunities for their members to grow and expand with the recent announcement that LKQ Corporation (Chicago, IL), the nation's number one automobile recycling company, has acquired the number two company in the market, Greenleaf Auto Recyclers, LLC, from Schnitzer Steel Industries (SSI).
• AllData Donates to I-CAR Education Foundation's Collision Repair Education Campaign - The funds, which total over $7,400, will go towards grants and scholarships to be distributed to the schools across North America. AllData contributes a portion of each AllData Collision sale from facilities that have achieved the I-CAR Gold Class designation to the I-CAR Education Foundation.
• Natick’s Pierce Collision invests in waterborne technology - VOCs won’t be treated as VIPs any time soon by environmentalists. In high amounts, VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds, can wreak havoc on Mother Nature.
• Local woman needs bone marrow transplant donor - CA: Rachel Oroz says bravely that she has leukemia, leukemia doesn't have her. You would never know from her big smile, dedicated work ethic and positive attitude, that she even has leukemia. - She intends to keep working, as owner of Manuel's Auto Body on 19th Street and Union Ave.
• Ford Gives Technical Approval to Sherwin-Williams' AWX Waterborne Paint System - The AWX system has undergone the extensive technical certification process to meet the Ford WSS-M2P100-D standard.
• DuPont Virtual Body Shop Benefits European Customers - Go Pro, the DuPont Refinish virtual body shop for European customers, now includes a comprehensive package of Five Star offerings.
• Kbb.com Study: New-Car Shoppers Delay Purchase After Cash for Clunkers - Consumers Willing to Spend More Later and More Likely to Purchase Hybrids if Carpool-Lane Stickers Available
• A Crash Course On Auto Body Shops - Advice From Puget Sound Consumers' Checkbook (video)
• AAA Offers Tips on How to Speak 'Auto Tech' to Improve Auto Repair Experience - A trip to the auto repair shop can feel like visiting a foreign country for some motorists--they do not understand the language and are worried about being taken advantage of by the locals. However, AAA says a trip to the repair shop can be much easier--and less stressful--by selecting a quality facility and learning to speak 'auto tech.'
• Woman Living an Auto Repair Nightmare - A Delaware woman says she was taken for a ride by an auto body shop. (video)
• Police: Auto shop death over $800 repair bill - Troy Johnson was so unhappy with the work the European Auto Care Center did on his car that he shot the owner, police said.
• Alice police seek leads in local collision repair shop burglary - A collision repair shop and body shop were burglarized of more than $8,000 worth of tools and engine parts in the 1200 block of South Johnson Street.
• California Attorney Group Fights for Car Accident Victim's Deserved Compensation - Finding a talented car accident lawyer is an easy decision with the California Attorney Group, who boasts a 94% success rate.

October 5, 2009 

• Schnitzer Steel Announces Expansion of Self-Service Auto Parts Business, Sale of Full-Service Business - Schnitzer Steel Industries, Inc. today announced it has completed a transaction to acquire from LKQ Corporation the assets of six self-service used auto parts facilities and to sell to LKQ its full-service used auto parts operation. In addition, Schnitzer is receiving an undisclosed amount of cash.
• Auto body shops learning about new rules - NY: Auto body shop owners are getting information on new air-emission regulations. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency passed the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in 2008. The portion that affects the auto body shop industry pertains to surface coating and paint stripping.
• Dealing with a Business Slowdown by Rick White - AASP-MN: In the current economy you have two basic choices. You can agree with the naysayers and believe that there will be a couple years of recession to ride out, it is going to get worse, and there is nothing you can do, or you can decide to ignore the recession and take positive steps to maintain and grow your business. That’s right, I said ignore the recession…let me explain why.
• AASP-MN's Mechanical Marketing Campaign Launches - We’re pleased to present the GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AUTO REPAIR PRO program to AASP-MN mechanical members. 
• Considering autobody franchising, consider this before you ink! - Forewarned is Forearmed, so follow these points, and be prepared to ask the tough questions before you commit to an autobody franchise contract.
• How Will 'Cash for Clunkers' Affect the Collision Repair Industry? - Web-Est, LLC asked over 800 small collision repair shops this question in a recent survey conducted between September 1st 2009 - September 28th 2009. Over a third of those who responded said it would hurt their business.
• Letter to the Editor: Shoddy Car Repairs Not A Laughing Matter - As we’ve all come to expect and enjoy, Larry Cohen has written another wonderfully sarcastic column; this time, about the secret deals between car insurance companies and the handful of auto body shops they prefer for repairing your car.
• Belron US Completes Acquisition of IGD Industries' Auto Glass Repair and Replacement Assets - glassBYTEs™: Belron® US, parent company of Safelite AutoGlass®, has completed the acquisition of the auto glass repair and replacement assets of IGD Industries. These businesses include Auto Glass Center Inc.; Auto Glass Center of Kansas Inc.; Arnie's Auto Glass Center; Glass Installations LLC (DBA Midwest Auto Glass Center); JC's Glass LLC; and Globe of Iowa LLC (DBA Nationwide Auto Glass) and Alliance Claims Solutions Inc.
• Distinctive Auto Body donates paint job - MA: Distinctive Auto Body of Whitman is donating a paint job and bodywork for one vehicle to the Whitman Fire Department. The vehicle, a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria, was recently given new life when the police department sent it to the fire department.
• Natick’s Pierce Collision invests in waterborne technology - VOCs won’t be treated as VIPs any time soon by environmentalists. In high amounts, VOCs, aka volatile organic compounds, can wreak havoc on Mother Nature.
• It started as a hobby, but turned into a business - Friends’ shop offers collision repair, car detailing.
• Filling it up for fifty years -  The price on the pump is just one of many things that changed for filling stations during the past 50 years.-- Just ask John Kapteyn and his sons, whose Park Service Station is one of the remaining stations in Lansing, a town that has seen the number of its filling stations drop to less than five from 24 in 1959.
• Missouri garage offers prayers with auto repairs - VALLEY PARK, Mo.: Some customers of the new Christian Brothers Automotive get more than just an oil change or a new transmission.
• PPG Introduces 70 New Shades at Annual Automotive Color Trend Show - For the ninth consecutive year, the silver category, which includes charcoal and gray shades, has ranked as the most popular vehicle color in the world according to data from PPG Industries, the world’s leading manufacturer of transportation coatings.
• AkzoNobel Launches Low-VOC Upgrade to Sikkens Colorbuild Plus 250 - CRM: AkzoNobel has taken Sikkens Colorbuild to a whole new level. Colorbuild Plus 250, is the newest low-VOC generation of AkzoNobel's Sikkens Colorbuild. The company says that it takes it to a whole new level.
• Saturn owners fret over demise - All 350 dealerships to close by October 2010
• Saturn's hometown stunned over brand's demise - SPRING HILL, Tennessee: The town that Saturn put on the map is worried about its future and its residents hope the auto plant and jobs won't go the way of its most famous product.
• Toyota Whistleblower Supports Fraud Case With Insider Documents - Toyota Motor Corporation's former in-house lawyer for rollover cases suddenly turned over hundreds of documents to a federal judge in Texas today in an apparent move to support his allegations that the automaker concealed and destroyed evidence in at least 300 accident cases.
• Hazy Lights Mean Risky Nights: Dim Headlights Haunt America’s Cars, Reducing Visibility and Increasing Risks of Accidents - National Headlight Safety Month in October to Help Educate Drivers About the Risks of, and Solutions for, Headlight Safety
• AAA Study Finds Most Motorists Drive Under Severe Conditions, Do Not Realize It - AAA Car Care Month study finds 62 percent of motorists operate their vehicles under one or more severe service conditions while only six percent think they do
• Privacy issue raised in crash forms feud - Using reports for marketing bothers state officials -- If you are in a car crash, would you be pleased to get a call at home offering to hook you up with, say, medical care? Or would you be ticked off at being contacted?
• You 'Auto' Know: New York Ranks Best and Worst Auto Insurers - If you want to know the best - and worst - auto insurers, read New York State’s just released annual report of auto insurance rankings, based on the complaint ratios of all major carriers operating in the Empire State.

October 1, 2009 

• Kansas-Missouri Repairers Learn Lean ‘Heijunka’ Concept at Meeting - Body Shop Business: ‘Heijunka’ almost sounds like an alternative to what you would say to someone who sneezed, but in reality it’s a lean concept that’s nothing to sneeze at. The Kansas City Collision Group of the ASA Missouri/Kansas found that out at a recent presentation given by David McCreight of Collision Resources, Inc., who taught repairers how to reduce operational waste.
• Capuano co-sponsors “Right to Repair Act’ - Rep. Michael Capuano (D-Eighth) of Massachusetts has declared his support of the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (HR 2057), as announced by Kathleen Schmatz, president and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
• Belron US to Re-Locate Ten Warehouses into Larger Facilities; Six Identified So Far - glassBYTEs™: Belron US is re-locating a total of ten warehouses throughout the United States into larger facilities in the coming months. Six have been identified so far, in the following cities: Raleigh, N.C.; Miami, Fla.; Knoxville, Tenn.; Taunton, Mass.; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Tulsa, Okla., according to company spokesperson Jenny Cain.
• ABRA Acquires Colorado Repair Center - ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a Minneapolis-based damaged vehicle repair company, announced today the acquisition of a repair center in Pueblo West, CO. This facility, formerly known as Advanced Paint & Body, is located at 455 East Enterprise Drive, and brings the total number of ABRA repair centers to ninety-seven in eleven states.
• King Collision Center to Hold Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and Open House - King Collision Center will hold an Open House for vendors and the insurance industry at their newest collision repair center in Raynham on Thursday, October 29th from 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. A Ribbon Cutting ceremony will be held during the Open House at 3:00 p.m.
• Long-time body man passes the torch - SD: A businessman of 36 years has sold his shop to an eager buyer. -- Wayne Womble of Sioux Falls took over the Brandon Body Shop from long-time owner Howard Stoel on Sept. 1.
• Recycled Rides targets Arizona vets - ABRN: The National Auto Body Council (NABC) said Arizona body shops and major insurers have committed to participate in NABC’s Recycled Rides project. Together they will donate five recycled vehicles to Arizona Disabled American Veterans (DAV) chapters and the Military Families Foundation.
• ROLAGS Committee Meets; Refines Scope and Purpose - glassBYTEs™: The Repair of Laminated Auto Glass (ROLAGS) committee met in Atlanta today and took up the issue of long crack repair. The length of cracks that can be repaired has caused much concern and contention during the development of the Standard.
• Early Registration Pricing for NACE and CARS Extended to October 1st - Organizers of NACE and CARS have announced that they have extended their early registration pricing until Thursday, October 1st. These include a savings of US$15 on an Expo Pass and US$20 on a Super Pass. Both events are set to take place from November 4-7 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
• Auto Glass Expo @ NACE Almost Full - glassBYTEs™: The Auto Glass Expo @ NACE, which is coming up November 5-7 in Las Vegas, is almost completely full. There's just one spot left in the annual event, which is part of the NACE Expo, and the annual Auto Glass Week in Las Vegas.
• BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions to exhibit at SEMA - BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions announced that it will exhibit its products and equipment at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show, Nov. 3-6 in Las Vegas, Nevada, in booth 21442.
• Canada: Auto makers agree on right to repair: minister - Move aims to allow independent garages access to automotive software, training; independents decry lack of enforcement mechanism
• GM to shut down Saturn after Penske backs out - General Motors will close its Saturn brand after talks with Penske Automotive Group Inc. to acquire the brand fell through on Wednesday.
• Salvage yards see influx of work - Curt Lewis and his staff at A&A Auto and Truck Parts are trying to do a year's worth of work in about two months.-- One stipulation of the clunkers program only allows vehicles a limited lifespan at recycling yards. Each of the clunkers has to be shredded within six months of entering the yard and then sold for scrap metal.
• Court Orders Toyota Not to Destroy Vehicle Safety Evidence - Attorney Todd Tracy Obtains Restraining Order in New Fraud Case
• Where bad checks go to be redeemed - Ken Basa, owner of Basa's Collision Center in St Charles, said he rarely deals with a bad check from a customer. -- But in case of the occasional bounce, he already has a plan in place.
• Deer-Car Collisions on Increase in Georgia - 8 percent increase over reporting period
• Vehicle Collisions With Deer On The Rise - FORT SMITH, Ark.: According to a study released Monday, the number of deer-vehicle collisions has jumped 38 percent in the Natural State and 34 percent in Oklahoma.
  Ron Medley, owner of Fort Smith's Medley and Sons Autobody Inc., said he fixes about a dozen deer-damaged vehicles each year.
• Nebraska officials question report on deer collisions - Those State Farm people are way off the mark," said Fred Zwonechek, director of the Nebraska Office of Highway Safety. "It's just really hard to believe." -- "We know we're not exact, but we're very, very close," said Dick Luedke, a spokesman in the company's Bloomington, Ill., headquarters.
• ABQ agents to offer AARP auto insurance - The Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. is making its AARP-branded auto insurance program available in Albuquerque. After meeting several social responsibility and business requirements, nine local agencies are now authorized to offer the insurance.
• ClearSide Opens for Automobile Business in California - A new company named ClearSide General has opened in California, specializing in personal lines automobile coverage.
• A Visual Comparison Of Automobile Liability Laws And Limits - Alaska and Maine mandate the highest minimum auto liability limits for drivers within each state.
• Auto Insurance: High Auto Insurance Rates? Your Job Might Be To Blame - Insurance companies ask about your education level and current occupation to determine your auto insurance premium, but have you ever wondered why?
• State Farm(R) Continues to Attract Diverse Professionals - In recognition of State Farm's efforts in building a strong, diverse and competitive workforce, Hispanic Business magazine has recently included State Farm in its Diversity Elite 60 list for 2009.
• Bank of America's McGee Named New CEO by The Hartford - Hartford Financial Services Group Inc. named a former Bank of America Corp. executive to be its new CEO, and he already has plans to introduce enhanced risk management after record losses at the 199-year-old insurer.