Automotive Newsbytes

October 31, 2006

ASA Responds to California Proposed Insurance Regulation - The California Department of Insurance (DOI) held hearings to discuss proposed amendments to the California Insurance Code relating to Direct Repair Programs and Labor Rate Surveys and Additional Standards for Auto Body Repair Labor Rate Surveys. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) reviewed the proposed regulatory changes and submitted comments to the Department of Insurance.
Mitchell Releases ABS 8.0 - Mitchell International, a leading provider of information, workflow, and performance management solutions to the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries, today announced the latest release -- version 8.0 -- of its industry-leading shop management system, ABS(TM) (Advanced Business System). ABS 8.0 is a core component of Mitchell's comprehensive portfolio of collision shop solutions, and will be showcased at the upcoming International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE), at the Mitchell Business Management Booth (#W3257).
Mitchell Releases ABS(TM) Enterprise v6.2! - Latest Enhancements to Mitchell's Industry-Leading Shop Management Systems to Be Showcased at NACE 2006
Allstate introduces Open Platform concept for PRO Program - Allstate announced that it is launching an “open platform” concept that will explore a new, more flexible estimating, communication and reporting platform for repair facilities in its Priority Repair Option (PRO) program. Allstate expects the exploration phase to continue through mid-2007 at which time testing is expected to begin.
Angrove and Swick move up to regional manager slots with PPG - PPG Canada has announced the promotions of Norm Angrove and Don Swick to regional manager positions. As regional manager, Central Canada, Angrove will be responsible for sales activities in Ontario, while continuing to oversee PPG's CertifiedFirst® Network and Insurance and Services programs until a successor is named to his former position.
Soliant Fluorex(R) Bright Film Shines with Two Awards at SPE Thermoforming Conference - Both the Automotive Award and the People's Choice Award were bestowed for the industry's first plastic and metal commercial bumper made possible with Soliant Fluorex(R) bright film that mimics chrome.
Soliant Announces New Automotive Technical Sales Manager - Leonard E. Poole - Poole developed and engineered more than 150 different thermoformed and injection molded decorative automotive parts, tooling and production programs with his former employer: the In-Mold division of Display Pack, Inc.
Woody's puts dent in auto body repair - CA: Technicians have ongoing education to keep up with trends.
ADESA, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2006 Results - Third Quarter Highlights -- EPS of $0.38 on 13% revenue growth -- Strong revenue and profit growth at Dealer Services Group -- Acquisition of three Texas salvage sites expands operations into nation's second largest salvage market.
Diamond's in the Rough: Behind the Changes at Diamond Glass Company - The news Thursday that new chief executive officer Doug Boyle and president Karen Christopher were out after only five months stunned the industry, and probably Boyle and Christopher as well.
Dow Automotive to raise prices to offset costs - Dow Automotive, which supplies plastics, adhesives, sealants and fluids to automakers, will raise prices next year due to higher raw material costs in the United States, the unit of Dow Chemical Co. said on Monday. -- The company also said it would begin doing more manufacturing overseas to help lower costs.
Dow CEO Blames Energy Costs for Job Loss - Even more than high labor costs, runaway energy prices are pushing manufacturing jobs in the chemical industry overseas, the head of the world's second-largest chemical company says.
Dura Automotive files for bankruptcy - Dura Automotive Systems on Monday became the latest in a growing line of auto-parts makers to file for bankruptcy in the face of steep production cuts from top customers in North America.
Delphi and SEC Reach Settlement Agreement - Delphi Corporation confirmed today that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) commenced and simultaneously settled with Delphi a lawsuit alleging violations of federal securities laws.
Visteon Announces Third Quarter Results - Takes Significant Cost-Reduction Actions to Offset Production Declines
EU clears Plastic Omnium's acquisition of Inopart - Plastic Omnium manufactures automobile components and plastic products. Inopart is active in the design and production of components in composite and thermoplastic materials, which are sold to automobile and lorry manufacturers.
Industries at odds over steel tariffs - Cash-strapped automakers, parts makers and other steel consumers say the U.S. steel industry is crying wolf, asking for protection from imports as it jacks up prices and posts hefty profits.
American Muscle - SEMA Show caters to carmakers' customizers
Ford revives Boss engine - Rebirth of its legendary V-8 revs up racing, street versions at 340-500 hp in Mustangs and F-150s.
Ford, Chrysler, GM To Ask Congress for Legislation To Help With Health Care Costs - The big three U.S. automakers, which reported steep losses in the third quarter, will not seek a bailout from the federal government and instead will ask Congress to focus on legislation that would relieve their health care costs, among other legislative priorities, CQ Today reports.
Fiat, Chery discuss production alliance - Italy's Fiat and China's Chery Automobile have been discussing an alliance to make cars for sale in China and possibly other markets, a Chinese executive and industry sources said on Monday.
Nissan Revs Up New Versa Hatchback at 2006 SEMA Show - Seven Modified Versa Hatchbacks Highlighted; Titan, Pathfinder and Armada Also Featured
New Rearview-Mirror-Based Camera Display Takes the Guesswork Out of Backing Up - Backing up cars, trucks and SUVs can be a dangerous task.
National Safety Council Honors Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign for Lifesaving Achievements - Not since the 1960’s Buckle Up For Safety campaign has a national initiative reshaped the American driving culture as has the Air Bag and Seat Belt Safety Campaign. Launched in 1996 and known for its national Click it or Ticket mobilizations, this unprecedented campaign of education, advocacy and enforcement ushered in a new era of air bag, car seat and seat belt safety in which an estimated 20,000 lives were saved.
Credit scores' link to insurance rates tested - On Nov. 7, Oregonians will become the first voters in the USA to decide whether to bar insurers from setting premiums based on such factors as credit history, debt load and bill-paying habits.-- The insurance industry, which opposes the measure, is pumping millions of dollars into an ad campaign to defeat it.
Former Md. Automobile Insurance Fund Employee Sentenced for Theft - The Maryland Attorney General's Office on Monday announced that a former employee with the Maryland Automobile Insurance Fund has been sentenced to probation for felony theft.
Some Tips For Shopping For Auto Insurance On The Web - Every year, Ara C. Trembly, the technical editor of the National Underwriter, a leading insurance trade publication, shops for auto insurance online to see what it's like from a consumer's point of view. He grades the performance of insurance companies and offers suggestions for those who want to do some shopping for auto insurance online.
GEICO to Sponsor 40 Students in START - Forty local teenagers are getting a chance to participate in the Safe Teen Accident Reduction Training (START) program as part of GEICO's sponsorship and continued dedication to keep teenage drivers safe.
Minimum auto insurance coverage to increase - SC: Starting January first, drivers in South Carolina who buy the least amount of insurance coverage allowed by law will see premiums go up.
Auto insurance revamp moves forward - MA: In a major change of Bay State’s auto insurance system, companies will cease pooling their losses and instead assume full liability for claims paid on their customers behalf under a long-fought plan set to go into effect in April.

October 30, 2006

New OSHA Hexavalent Chromium Regulations - Hexavalent chromium is not something most collision repair shop owners are familiar with – but they very soon may be required to be, according to a speaker at the recent Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in San Jose, Calif.
Ford Increases Collision Truckload Program Offerings - Forty-three new parts are now available through Ford Customer Service Division’s (FCSD) Truckload Program including an expanded offering of recently added valances and grilles. With the additions, FCSD’s Truckload Program now offers 320+ of the fastest-moving collision parts.
Deer collisions provide ops for body shops seeking media exposure - With deer running rampant from the first sign of frost through to December, motorists are increasingly running the risk of putting the bam on Bambi. And while vehicle collisions with big bucks often bring big bucks to body shops for the resulting repairs, a number of business owners are gaining positive publicity by serving as informational resources for their local media outlets.
Children benefit, locals get a fright from roaming Halloween hearse - CT: People don't often associate hearses with happiness. But John and Maria Prevelige plan to use their 1973 Cadillac hearse in an unusual and spooky fundraiser they hope will bring a smile to some people in the region and raise money for orphans. -- The couple owns and operates Premier Autobody in Stratford, and they have been running a haunted house on wheels for the past eight years, driving around and scaring the daylights out of people with an act that features Maria Prevelige lunging out of a coffin in the back of the hearse.
Shops in Crisis? The Tech Shortage - A Special Report: Part II
2008 Aftermarket Expo in China Planned - The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) yesterday unveiled its new Asian Initiative, including hosting the Asian Automotive Aftermarket Expo in Macao, China, at the Venetian facility in 2008. The announcement was made at a press conference in the Venetian during AAPEX.
LKQ Corporation Announces 2006 Third Quarter Net Income Results Up 58% With Record Revenue - LKQ Corporation announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2006, with revenue of $197.7 million, net income of $10.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.19.
BASF Earnings Probably Fell on U.S. Factory Closures, Job Cuts - BASF AG, the world's biggest chemical maker, may say third-quarter profit declined because of costs to close factories and cut 4,000 jobs in North America.
Mitchell International Announces 20th Total Logic(TM) Valuation Customer - Mitchell International, a leading provider of information, workflow, and performance management solutions to the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries, today announced that -- one year after its release -- Total Logic™ Valuation, Mitchell's next-generation total loss vehicle valuation software, has 20 live customers.

Heartland Being Hit by Telephone Scam - It appears the marketing scam that has been reported along the East coast and now into the southwest has also hit the country's midsection, though as has been reported by other shops, the script and modus operandi are changing.

Harmon Solutions Group Adds Experienced Sales Personnel - Harmon Solutions Group (HSG) has recently hired Angela Finnegan to be a member of its national sales team.

Black boxes spark uproar - Safety advocates, automakers ask feds to rewrite the rules
Thefts of car parts exhaust businesses - Catalytic converters are hot targets for precious metals resold as scra
WTO panel to probe China auto parts import rules - The World Trade Organization (WTO) on Thursday set up a panel on Chinese import duties that the European Union, the United States and Canada say unfairly limit access to China’s $19 billion market for auto parts.
WTO auto parts decision regretted - China has a legitimate right to impose higher tariff rates on imported whole vehicles, said Ministry of Commerce spokesman Chong Quan on Friday.
Car industry downturn hits suppliers - American Axle reports loss; BorgWarner profit falls as cutbacks go deeper than expected.
Now Playing in Europe - The Future of Detroit
The Right Hues Mean lots Of Green To GM - Have you heard? Blue is making a comeback. Green is so yesterday. And red is moving out of its lowbrow yellowy stage into a richer, blue period. -- Or so says a highly specialized team of General Motors Corp. designers whose job it is to predict color trends.
Japan's Aisin Seiki to build Canada auto body plant to supply Toyota - report - Aisin Seiki Co plans to build a car body component factory in Canada by 2008, the Nihon Keizai shimbun reported, citing company sources.
After 59 years, Ford plant closes - The keys to the last vehicle, a silver Taurus, were given to Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A which traces its roots back the Dwarf House across the street from the plant.
Ford's China partner back in black for Q3 - Chongqing Changan Auto Co. Ltd., China's fourth-largest vehicle maker, swung back to the black for the third quarter of this year, aided by strong sales growth.
Newest Entrant to Georgia's Auto Insurance Market Delivers Savings as Sweet as the State's Peaches - The Georgia Department of Insurance approved a filing for Unitrin Direct to do business in its state, and the increased competition could save Georgia residents money on their auto insurance costs.
Safeco luring agents with commissions - Insurance firm plans to pay more, hopes to expand coverage

October 27, 2006

CCC Information Services Inc. and SCA Appraisal Company Align in Developing Integrated Web Service Solutions - CCC Information Services Inc. and SCA Appraisal Company have signed a letter of intent to develop a web service interface between SCA and the CCC Autoverse® Claims Services Network, allowing CCC and SCA to seamlessly integrate through a framework of Web service interfaces.
AAA names area's top auto repair shops - AAA Western and Central New York today named the winners of its 2006 Auto Repair Top Shop awards.
15 Akzo Nobel classes approved under new I-CAR certification guidelines - Akzo Nobel has been advised by I-CAR that fifteen of its technical and business development classes have been approved under the 2006 re-certification criteria to receive Gold Class points through the I-CAR Training Alliance program effective November 1, 2006.
Auto Repair & Maintenance Center Holds Clothing Drive to Promote Community Involvement - In its effort to encourage community involvement, Merlin 200,000 Mile Shops will kick off its annual Snug Hugs for Kids™ winter clothing drive on November 1.
Mitchell Announces Mitchell Dispatch(TM) - Mitchell Dispatch is the first fully web-based resource planning and optimization system for the insurance claims industry. Mitchell Dispatch automates the scheduling and dispatching process, making it possible for insurance carrier dispatchers or supervisors to efficiently manage resource allocations and to handle only the exceptions.
Keystone Automotive Industries Reports Fiscal 2007 Second Quarter Results - Same Store Sales Up 10.8 Percent; Net Income Up 18.8 Percent for Second Quarter
LKQ Corporation Announces 2006 Third Quarter Net Income Results Up 58% With Record Revenue - LKQ Corporation today announced results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2006, with revenue of $197.7 million, net income of $10.5 million and diluted earnings per share of $0.19.
Federal Appeals Court rules against LKQ's Mid-State in Trademark Infringement Suit vs. MQVP Inc. - In a landmark decision, the United States Court of Appeals for the 8th Circuit reversed the Arkansas Eastern District Court finding that court’s summary judgment to have been improperly granted. The decision, filed on October 19, 2006, was anticipated by MQVP Inc and is expected to have a profound effect on the automotive aftermarket parts and the collision repair industries.
What's Happening at Diamond Glass Company? - glassBYTEs.com has confirmed that Diamond Glass Companies chief executive officer Doug Boyle and president Karen Christopher won't be at the helm of Diamond Auto Glass in the near future. The two were relieved of their daily duties .
The science of color - Silver is still king, but car buyers warm to earth tones -- PPG has started sharing its new colors with auto designers and officially released its color palette of 110 concept colors for future models Thursday from its Troy studio.
Arcelor Mittal Gets Stake in Noble - Arcelor Mittal Gets 40 Percent Stake in U.S. Auto Industry Supplier Noble, $300 Million
Autoliv CEO Westerberg sees 'reasonable' sales growth in 2007 - He confirmed reports that Volkswagen AG is pressuring suppliers, including Autoliv, to cut prices, but said the 8 pct cut mentioned is out of the question. -- "We have noticed that they are being pretty tough on pricing.., But we can not give 8 pct that's for sure," he said.
Asbury Automotive Group Reports Record Third Quarter Financial Results - Income from Continuing Operations Increases 7%; Up 14% Adjusted for Non-Operating Items -- SG&A as a Percent of Gross Profit Improves 130 Basis Points
UnitedAuto Group to Participate in Gabelli & Company 30th Annual Automotive Aftermarket Symposium - UnitedAuto will simultaneously broadcast the audio portion of this presentation over the Internet. The webcast may be accessed through a link on the UnitedAuto Group website.
BASF Coatings opens an Application Center for the automotive industry in India - BASF today (October 26, 2006) opened a new application center in Mangalore for the development of automotive OEM coatings and to provide customer support to the Indian automotive market segment.
Dow Chemical Posts Lower 3Q Profit on Hefty Charge - Dow Chemical Co. said Thursday its third-quarter earnings fell 36 percent due to a hefty restructuring charge related to asset shutdowns, but results beat Wall Street expectations as strong pricing helped offset increased raw materials and energy costs.
SEC to file claims against former Delphi execs: WSJ - The Securities and Exchange Commission has approved filing civil fraud claims against former executives of struggling Delphi Corp. for accounting improprieties, according to a media report Thursday.
Monied investors look for gems in auto industry - With Detroit's auto industry struggling through its darkest days in decades, some big investors are betting billions of dollars that the auto-parts sector is poised for a comeback.
GM Sponsored Auctions Achieves Milestone at ADESA Memphis - General Motors sells 11 millionth used vehicle at auction
Ford’s innovative spill test protects car interior - We live in a drive-through society. A recent survey conducted by Kelley Blue Book and Taco Bell found that 60 percent of those surveyed eat or allow someone else to eat in their car.
Volkswagen's 3Q Profit Plunges on Restructuring Costs as 9-Month Profit Nearly Doubles - Automaker Volkswagen AG said Friday that its third-quarter net profit plunged 92 percent because of severance costs and a pensions deal associated with a wide-ranging restructuring.
Labor Department announces retraining program for auto industry layoffs - Some auto workers facing layoffs in Georgia and four other states will be able to access 3-thousand dollars a year to pay for retraining under a program announced today by the Labor Department.
Preventing SUV Rollovers - The tragic deaths of three Airline High School students six days ago has renewed attention to the threat of s-u-v rollovers.
Automotive lighting design with LEDs puts the "Super" into the Ford Super Chief concept vehicle - A variety of innovative LED lighting designs have been implemented on Ford's recent concept vehicle, and these could soon appear on production vehicles, according to lighting designer Robert Miller.
Midas Doubles 3rd-Quarter Profit but Revenue Falls - Auto service chain Midas Inc. said Thursday its third-quarter profit more than doubled as the elimination of restructuring charges more than offset a decline in sales.
Safeco set sights on insurance unit - Safeco is bidding for the U.S. insurance arm of Credit Suisse Group's Winterthur, a unit that may fetch as much as $1.5 billion, said three people involved in the auction.
Chubb quarterly net income jumps - Results easily top analyst estimates; insurer lifts full-year profit forecast
Judge Orders Mediation For Dozens Of Katrina Insurance Cases - Many homeowners who haven't sued their insurers have agreed to mediate their disputes through a program sponsored by Mississippi Insurance Commissioner George Dale. As of Oct. 16, 82 percent of those voluntary 3,372 mediation cases have resulted in settlements, according to Dale's office.
New Auto Insurance Law in California Requires Uninsured Motorists to Obtain and Maintain Coverage; Infinity Insurance Survey Reveals Hispanic Uninsured Rate High as 32.8% - On October 1, 2006 the California Department of Motor Vehicles ("DMV") began enforcing the new insurance law, Senate Bill 1500 ("SB 1500"), that requires the DMV to suspend a vehicle's registration if the vehicle does not have a valid insurance policy or bond

October 26, 2006

The “Kings Of Kustom” To Make Personal Appearances In PPG Booth At SEMA - The PPG booth at SEMA #22891 will feature personal appearances by two of the most famous customizers in the world. George Barris, known as the “King of the Kustomizers,” and Dave Perewitz, known as the “King of Custom Cycles,” will both be in the PPG booth to sign autographs and talk about custom designing, building, and painting custom vehicles.
Your Business, Your Call - Parts prices listed in estimating systems are the manufacturer’s suggested retail prices. Despite what insurers would like you to believe, you can price parts based on the gross profits you desire.
Newly formed California auto body association has an attack dog mentality - The newly-formed Collision Repair Association of California (CRA) has already achieved one major victory by directly challenging GEICO Insurance on their practice of paint and materials capping. CRA forced officials to enforce the law that makes it illegal to set an arbitrary limit like paint capping. With this decisive win behind them, CRA has proven that this will be an organization to contend with.
Independent San Francisco paint jobber loses customer to FinishMaster - Body shop breaks exclusive contract with jobber, ordered to pay up
Dow Reports Third Quarter Results Record Third Quarter Sales and Robust Earnings - Sales for the three months ended September 30 were $12.4 billion, 10 percent higher than in the same period last year and a new third quarter record for the Company.
2006 SEMA Show Overview - As the biggest annual event for the Specialty Equipment Market Association each year, the SEMA show brings together aftermarket parts suppliers, tire and wheel manufacturers, and even the car companies themselves to show off their latest designs, products and ideas all under one roof. It's off-limits to the public, but we'll be doing our best to give you a flavor of the strange mix of products and people that make this show so unique.
Ford Will Double Parts Buying in China to Cut Costs - Ford Motor Co., reeling from its biggest loss in 14 years, said it will almost double its purchasing of China-made parts this year to cut production costs.
Dana Workers Learn Their Jobs Are Headed South - A western Kentucky plant that produces silicon gaskets and seals for the automotive industry is closing between now and the end of June and 122 jobs are headed south.
Bridgestone tires selected as O/E for new Wrangler - Bridgestone brand Dueler A/T RH-S tires have been selected as original equipment for the 2007 Jeep Wrangler Sahara. -- The new Wrangler is available in three versions - the Wrangler X, Wrangler Sahara and Wrangler Rubicon. The Bridgestone Dueler line is part of the company's light truck tire family.
Meridian Automotive Systems Receives Court Approval of Disclosure Statement - Meridian Automotive Systems, Inc. today announced that the Bankruptcy Court has approved its Disclosure Statement and proposed solicitation procedures, thereby allowing the company to enter the final stages of its exit from Chapter 11.
2 senior Ford execs to leave - Both were VPs until positions were cut by automaker trying to thin out corporate ranks.
The Not So Ugly Truth About Rising Vehicle Safety Standards - The following excerpt is from the second in a four-part transportation design safety series
Chrysler, GM Report Losses in 3rd Quarter - General Motors Corp. and the Chrysler division of DaimlerChrysler AG reported losses yesterday as automakers try to steer through a harsh period of high costs and sharp competition in the U.S. market.
Downsized but upscale: Ford's Sport Trac can tow weekend toys, go to work or school - We're all doing more with less, and so is Ford's 2007 Sport Trac, built from a stretched Explorer SUV.
Kia Optima Earns Five Star Safety Rating From U.S. Government - The 2007 Kia Optima has earned the highest possible safety rating -- five stars -- for all seating positions in the latest frontal and side impact crash tests by the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Tracking device places parents in driver's seat - Drive carefully. Big Mother may be watching.
Election becomes battleground in car insurance war - MA: Commerce Insurance of Webster and Liberty Mutual Insurance of Boston, the two key players in the insurance fight, have placed big bets on the gubernatorial candidates they believe will do them the most good.
Authorities: Insurance Fraud Costs Fla. Drivers Money - Investigators said staged accidents have become a billion-dollar business for criminals in the state of Florida.
Mississippi man alleges he was coerced to settle claim - Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm paid McIntosh and his wife $36,228 for their claim, citing an engineering report that blamed Katrina's storm surge for most of the more than $1 million in damage to his home. -- However, McIntosh said the insurer never told him that State Farm's engineers initially concluded that wind, not water, was responsible for most of the storm damage.
Many have not claimed checks from State Farm settlement - A year after court approval of a $1.2 million settlement of a class-action lawsuit against State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Co. over the use of credit scores to set Hawaii insurance rates, a total of about $175,000 remains unclaimed.
St. Paul Travelers Reports Third Quarter 2006 Net Income - The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. ("St. Paul Travelers") today reported net income of $1.043 billion, or $1.52 per basic share and $1.47 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2006, compared to $162 million, or $0.24 per basic share and $0.23 per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.
Progressive drops appeal, ending plans; residents hail move in Edgewood Acres - Progressive Insurance last week withdrew its appeal of Forest Hills' rejection of its proposed claims center on 5.8 acres at the top of Digital Drive. -- Cristy Cote, spokeswoman for Progressive, said the company has identified another site on which to build a claims center that is not in Forest Hills but in the Pittsburgh area.

October 25, 2006

SCRS Questions American Family Insurance’s Business Practices - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) report the recent vendor change in information provider for the American Family Insurance Customer Repair Program (CRP) has caused a ground swell of questions, accusations and opposition in the collision repair industry. It was only a few years ago that American Family required CRP repair facilities to purchase Mitchell’s estimating software to participate in their program. Repairers signed contracts with Mitchell due to the requirements put forth by American Family Insurance.
Joint Position Statement On American Family Insurance Requirement of Audatex - SCRS MOKAN, AASP of Missouri, and ASA MOKAN believe it is in the best interest of the free enterprise system for businesses to be able to transact business as individual decisions dictate.
ASA Criticizes American Family Insurance - The Automotive Service Association's (ASA) Collision Division has joined other industry groups in criticizing American Family Insurance's decision to make Audatex its exclusive direct repair claims management and technology partner.
I-CAR, ASE, I-CAR Education Foundation, And NATEF To Hold Drawing For Snap-on Tool Box At NACE 2006 - To be eligible to win the toolbox, entrants must be I-CAR trained as well as ASE-certified, or attend an ASE-certified NATEF career and technical school or college which also utilizes the I-CAR curriculum.
Mitchell 1 Updates OnDemand5.com to Version 1.6 - Mitchell 1 announces the latest edition of its popular OnDemand5.com, version 1.6, which builds upon the landmark features and performance enhancements that were introduced in version 1.5.
Ford increases Collision Truckload Program offerings - Forty-three new parts are now available through Ford Customer Service Division’s (FCSD) Truckload Program including an expanded offering of recently added valances and grilles. With the additions, FCSD’s Truckload Program now offers 320+ of the fastest-moving collision parts.
CertifiedFirst secures preferred supplier status with fleet management firm - ARI Financial Services, a Canadian fleet management company, has selected the CertifiedFirst Network as its preferred provider of collision repair services. ARI manages 100,000 vehicles in Canada.
State Farm Issues New O&A Contract to Participating Glass Shops - A State Farm representative has confirmed the validity of the email correspondence issued yesterday announcing the forthcoming change in the Baseline Program Pricing of its Offer and Acceptance Program.
PPG Selected as Finalist For 2007 PACE Award - A five-time winner of the PACE Award, PPG is a finalist for its Air Dry Waterborne Adhesion Promoter, which is being commercialized in North America on plastic fascias.
New Report on the Worldwide Coatings Market has Every Angle Covered - Research and Markets has announced the addition of Coatings - Global Strategic Business Report to their offering.
R. L. Polk & Co.'s Ask the Industry: How to Find Great Employees - We asked a repair shop owner, a part store manager and an HR director for an aftermarket software company: “What channels does your company use to attract and retain the best and brightest young professionals?”
i·SHOP Standard Version 3.0 Now Available - The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) announced that a new version of the i·SHOP standard for interconnectivity of shop equipment and systems has been published. i·SHOP Version 3.0 incorporates Web Services and XML architecture in a specification designed to increase shop productivity.
Inspector General Releases Vehicle Inspection & Maintenance Program Report - ASA: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Inspector General Bill A. Roderick has released an evaluation report that says the EPA's vehicle inspection and maintenance program "needs improvement."
Antitrust Modernization Commission Holds McCarran-Ferguson Hearing - ASA: The Antitrust Modernization Commission (AMC) held a public hearing to discuss the McCarran-Ferguson Act. -- Originally, the McCarran-Ferguson Act was enacted in 1945 to permit the states to continue regulating the insurance business. Under the act, the business of insurance is exempt from some federal antitrust statutes to the extent that it is regulated by the states.
Phyhealth Appoints Mr. Scott Moore as New Chief Financial Officer - Most recently Mr. Moore spent five years as the Chief Financial Officer for eAutoClaims, Inc., an Internet-based provider of vehicle collision claims services for the insurance industry.
UnitedAuto Reports Record Third Quarter Results - "Although new vehicle sales were challenging, used vehicle and service and parts sales were strong."
Toyota recalling some Scion tC sedans because of side air bags - Toyota Motor Corp. said Tuesday it was recalling about 30,000 Scion tC sports coupes over concerns that the side air bags could inadvertently deploy if the door is slammed forcefully. -- The recall affects about 20 percent of the tCs produced during the 2005 and 2006 model years, Toyota said. The vehicle is only sold in the United States.
Is buying American important to you? Do your research - You might have noticed Toyota Motor Corp. ads recently proclaiming just how much the company's extensive U.S. manufacturing presence means to America. The ads mention 32,000 U.S. workers and claim the company has created 386,000 jobs nationwide.
H.E.A.T. Recognizes Contributions to Auto Theft Prevention - Today's 2006 breakfast and awards ceremony marks the 21st anniversary of the H.E.A.T. (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) program.

October 24, 2006

ASA's Collision Division Expresses Concern about American Family Repair Program - The Automotive Service Association's (ASA’s) Collision Division is seeking ways to develop stronger lines of communication with American Family Insurance after the insurer announced changes to its customer repair program (CRP), which have been met with great concern by ASA's Collision Operations Committee and several other collision repair organizations.
California Associations Say Regulations Would Raise Auto Rates - California policyholders would see their automobile insurance premiums increase, under proposed Department of Insurance regulations that mandate payments to auto body shops for insured repair work, according to three property/casualty trade associations.
CertifiedFirst secures preferred supplier status with fleet management firm - ARI Financial Services, a Canadian fleet management company, has selected the CertifiedFirst Network as its preferred provider of collision repair services. ARI manages 100,000 vehicles in Canada.
Sherwin-Williams Sets COO Salary - Sherwin-Williams Co. said Monday that newly appointed President and Chief Operating Officer John G. Morikis will receive an annual base salary of $630,006.
DuPont Reports Third Quarter 2006 Earnings of $.52 Per Share; Revenues Grow 7 Percent, Operating Margins Increase - Consolidated net income for the third quarter 2006 was $485 million
Snap-on acquiring auto parts info firm - Kenosha-based Snap-on Inc., a maker of tools and diagnostic systems, said today that it was purchasing ProQuest Business Solutions for about $480 million in cash and assumption of $19 million of debt.
Amazon.com launches auto parts store - Internet retailer Amazon.com on Monday said it has entered the highly fragmented automotive parts and accessories sector, offering more than 1 million new, used and remanufactured parts for sale on-line.
Auto Parts: 250 will be affected by Cuba plant closing - Auto parts maker Affinia Group Inc. will close its brake parts factory in Cuba by the end of the first quarter of 2007 as the company, based in Ann Arbor, Mich., consolidates production at other facilities. About 250 people at the Missouri facility will be affected by the closure.
About 4,000 Former Visteon Workers Take Ford Buyouts, Retirements - About 4,000 Ford Motor Co. hourly workers at former Visteon Corp. plants -- nearly 40 percent of those eligible -- have taken the company up on buyout and early retirement offers, a Ford official said Monday.
DaimlerChyrsler Looks at 2 Partners - DaimlerChrysler AG is considering two possible partners to build a subcompact car, Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche was quoted as saying Monday.
GM bringing tricked-out trucks, utes, roadsters and more to SEMA show - The General is coming to this year's SEMA show lugging a great big grab bag of sheetmetal, with more than two dozen specialized vehicles from the automaker expected to be on hand.
Honda to boost North American output of Civics - Automaker to exploit flexibility of operations to meet growth in U.S. demand for small car.
N.J. Forum Supports Female Insurance Agency Executives - The Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey Inc. has established the PIANJ Women's Business Forum to bring together female insurance agency executives.
State Farm Reports 6 % Rise in Deer-Auto Crashes; Midwest States in Top 10 - Recent claims data issued by Bloomington, Ill.-based State Farm Insurance shows that deer-related vehicle collisions have risen almost 6 percent from the last deer season. State Farm policy holders were involved in 192,877 deer-related collisions compared to 182,458 from the previous year, based on estimated submitted claims.
Couple rethinks State Farm lawsuit - They're suing, claiming fraud
MetLife's Customer Response Center Again Recognized for World-Class Customer Service - Among Only Small Percentage of Call Centers to Earn "Second Year Center of Excellence" Certification

October 23, 2006

R.I. begins body-shop rates survey - John Petrarca, owner of Providence Auto Body, says the labor rate paid by insurers for the work he performs has remained stagnant for the past 15 years, at $38 per hour – half his current posted labor rate of $76 per hour.
Specialize to Boost Your Business - AutobodyOnline: Many of the shop owners I have heard from have told me this has been an unusually difficult year.
Taking care of cars becomes a technical business - To keep up with technological innovations in the industry, Gary Peters, owner of Borel Auto Body & Alignment Service, has attended more than 100 clinics by various car manufacturers, the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) and the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR).
Car restoration firm flexes its muscles - Aloha Automotive seeks space in Port Washington
State sues 3 area auto repair shops - Three Central Ohio collision and repair companies are facing claims they solicited business from Ohioans who had placed their homes on the national Do Not Call Registry.
Former Hudson County Auto Body Shop Owner Pleads Guilty in Insurance Fraud Scam - NJ: Attorney General Stuart Rabner and Division of Criminal Justice Director Gregory A. Paw announced that a former Hudson County Auto Body shop owner pleaded guilty today to attempting to steal more than $9,000 by filing fraudulent insurance claims.
Local car repair shop using environment-friendly paints - Bernhard Ruppert wants car repair customers to help to save the environment when their vehicle needs a paint job. -- The recent arrival from Germany is believed to be the first body shop owner in British Columbia to use only waterborne refinishing paints to minimize harmful emissions associated with solvent-based paints.
Automotive Women's Reception to be Held at NACE - An Automotive Women's Reception will be held during NACE on Wednesday, November 1. The reception will take place from 7:00 to 11:00 p.m. on the lower level of the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Tropics B. -- Those wishing to attend are asked to RSVP by emailing Sheila Loftus at Sheilaloftus@yahoo.com or Gigi Walker walkersab@cs.com. -- To be a sponsor for hors d'oeuvres, beverages, or door prizes please call Gigi Walker at 925-383-1816 or email at walkersab@cs.com
NJ to Aid Mechanics With Complex Cars - Anybody who owns a new car knows that neighborhood repair shops, while sometimes cheaper than dealerships, are often left in the dust when it comes to fixing vehicles equipped with on-board computers and other complex technology.
Maaco Medusa to Show at SEMA - With a show-stopping paint finish, a 550-horsepower supercharged V-8 and enough high-tech gadgets to make James Bond scratch his head, the Maaco Medusa™ is a Mustang unlike any other. Maaco built the custom show car, which features a dazzling, color-shifting paint scheme, to demonstrate the capability of Maaco’s nationwide network of franchised bodywork and paint outlets.
Forty Celebrities to Make Guest Appearances at AAPEX - Celebrities scheduled to make guest appearances at the 2006 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX), Oct. 31- Nov. 2, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas, include Indy race car driver Danica Patrick, NASCAR drivers Ken Schrader, Robby Gordon and Johnny Benson, two-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion crew chief Greg Zipadell and FOX Sports analyst Larry McReynolds.
NACE offers opportunities during a challenging time in the collision repair industry, Pyle says - During a particularly challenging period for the collision repair industry, Automotive Service Association (ASA) President and Chief Staff Executive Ron Pyle said the technology, training, and networking offered by the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) in Las Vegas Nov. 1-4 give shop owners the opportunity to improve their businesses and differentiate themselves from their competition.
Car-repair school revs up with move to new Natomas building - UTI's permanent campus can hold up to 2,100 students, 175 faculty, staff
Safelite® AutoGlass Market Teams Receive Prestigious Consumers' Choice Awards™ - Safelite AutoGlass has announced that its market teams have been named recipients of the 2006 Consumers' Choice Award™ (CCA) in all four of the markets in which it is handed out - Atlanta, Dallas, Indianapolis and Columbus, Ohio- in recognition of their excellence and commitment to quality customer service.
Custom auto parts' theft reported - Galesburg police are investigating the possible theft of more than $3,000 of custom auto parts sold by a local business through eBay.
Salvage yard regulations tightened - The Kansas City Council has tightened the city’s regulation of auto salvage yards to help prevent auto thefts. -- The revised ordinance requires that those selling cars older than seven years to salvage show proof of ownership. That is not required under state law, but city officials think the loophole increases thefts of older autos.
BASF exhibits new capabilities at ICE 2006 - BASF will demonstrate how the combined strengths of three industry leaders can create new opportunities for coatings formulators at the International Coatings Expo.
Toyota affiliate files suit over U.S. dumping law - A bearing maker affiliated with Toyota has filed a lawsuit in federal court against the U.S. government over the controversial antidumping law known as the Byrd amendment.
Automakers want to change roof strength plan - Automakers want the U.S. government to substantially change a proposal to make vehicle roofs stronger to reduce deaths and injuries in rollover crashes, industry correspondence and other documents show.
Buyouts force hiring of temps - Automotive Components needs workers to continue production
China auto parts row to intensify at WTO: US - An uncompromising China is on collision course with the US and other trading partners in a WTO row over auto parts, a US trade official has said.
Beltsville-based automotive recycler coming to Baltimore - Beltsville Auto Recyclers is a wholesale supplier and manufacturer of used and rebuilt automobile and truck parts.
Delphi shares surge amid signs of emerging bid - At least four private equity and hedge funds are reportedly circling the Michigan-based company, which is in the throes of a court-supervised restructuring.
Report chronicles auto industry's troubled times - The U.S. automotive industry remains one of the toughest business segments in 2006 with different sectors having different problems and varying degrees of concern, according to industry analysis from global trade credit insurer Euler Hermes ACI.
Aluminum Is Striving for Mass Appeal, but With a Lot Less Mass - Any expectations that technology would only march forward were dinged, if not quite dashed, when Audi revealed details earlier this year of the 2008 TT, the second generation of its stylish sports model, which goes on sale next spring. A proponent of all-aluminum cars, Audi seemed to be stepping backward by building the framework in a blend that was nearly one-third steel.
Ford adds flavor to its color menu - The 2007 model year marks a new push at Ford Motor Co. to tie vehicles in with societal trends such as America's zest for foods. -- Ford officials are doing more than putting trendy names on paint colors. "We're not only naming but developing colors that are rich and appetizing," Lampinen said.
Kia Motors Carries Out Groundbreaking Ceremony for Manufacturing Plant in West Point, Georgia - Kia Motors Corporation (KMC) carried out the groundbreaking ceremony on the site of its first-ever U.S. manufacturing facility in West Point, Troup County, Georgia. The US$1 billion automotive assembly and manufacturing plant is central to Kia's plans to increase its North American sales (US and Canada) to around 650,000 units by 2010.
What's in the future? Ford seeks better ideas - Ailing automaker taps futurists in effort to target consumer trends.
Ford posts 3rd-qtr loss of $5.8 billion - Ford Motor Co. on Monday posted a third-quarter loss of $5.8 billion on declining sales of its profitable trucks, charges for employee buyouts and to write down the value of certain facilities ahead of plant closures.
Insurance industry wary of a 'new' Sen. Trent Lott - Like Elvis Presley's blue suede shoes, the insurance industry may regret stomping on Trent Lott's claim after Katrina's wind/water flattened the senator's 150-year-old Pascagoula home.
Judge Says Jury Must Hear Age Bias Case Against Allstate - A federal district judge in St. Louis ruled yesterday that a jury must hear evidence on whether the Allstate Insurance Company discriminated against older insurance agents when it adopted a plan seven years ago to cut costs and streamline the company’s operations.
La. Using Bait Cars in Effort to Reduce Auto Insurance Fraud - The Louisiana Department of Insurance reported it now has a powerful new tool to use in its long standing battle against auto theft and high insurance rates. The tool, known as a bait car, is a motor vehicle fitted with state-of-the-art alarm and tracking equipment and placed by local law enforcement in a high crime area.
Woman accused of embezzling from insurer - MS: A Jackson County woman arrested this week is accused of embezzling $11,049.93 while she was an employee at Allstate Insurance Co.

October 20, 2006

Audatex, American Family Insurance answer SCRS concerns - The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) report the recent vendor change in information provider for the American Family Insurance Customer Repair Program (CRP) has caused a ground swell of questions, accusations and opposition in the collision repair industry.
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan Renews Multi-Year Agreement With CCC Information Services Inc. - Continuing its longstanding relationship, Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan has re-signed a multi-year agreement to have CCC Information Services Inc. provide its key claims solutions.
Slam Dunk for New Jersey's Motoring Consumers as Assembly's Consumer Affairs Committee Unanimously Votes for Right to Repair Act, States CARE - "Despite misleading and anti-consumer testimony from car company representatives, the New Jersey Assembly's Consumer Affairs Committee today voted for the rights of motoring consumers by unanimously passing the New Jersey version of 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, A-931,'" stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).
New hearing ordered in trademark infringement case - The 8th U.S. Court of Appeals in St. Louis on Thursday reinstated a trademark infringement case involving Mid-State Aftermarket Body Parts, which has offices in Springdale, Jonesboro and Bryant.
MQVP Presents at the Missouri Insurance Coalition - John Arvay, Executive Director of MQVP Inc. presented the benefits of the MQVP program to attendees at the Missouri Insurance Coalition (MIC) 2006 Annual Meeting and Legislative Planning Seminar in Branson with attendees that included three senators, eight house representatives and a wide variety of insurance company executives with a total attendance of more than 75 people representing the needs and concerns for improved quality.
PPG Posts Record Third Quarter Sales, Second-Highest Quarterly Sales Ever - Double-Digit Increase over Prior Year’s Record Quarter Demonstrates Solid Growth -- Coatings sales increased $209 million, or 15 percent. Glass sales increased $10 million, or 2 percent. Chemicals sales increased $36 million, or 6 percent.
World's largest paint company relocates to Southeast - NY: Talk about painting the town green or red or even blue! -- The world's largest paint company-Akzo Nobel-headquartered in the Netherlands officially announced its opening Monday of an executive office complex along Fields Lane in Southeast.
Sherwin-Williams' price hikes boost profit - Sherwin-Williams Co., the biggest paint maker in the U.S. and No. 2 worldwide, on Thursday reported an 18% jump in third-quarter profit on the back of higher paint prices and strong overseas sales growth.
The Sherwin-Williams Company Appoints John Morikis as President and Chief Operating Officer - The Sherwin-Williams Company announced today that the Board of Directors has appointed John G. Morikis as President and Chief Operating Officer, effective October 18th. Mr. Morikis has held many key positions during his twenty-two year career with Sherwin-Williams, most recently as President of the Paint Stores Group, the Company's largest and fastest growing business segment.
Boone ATC students paint Bengals 4-wheeler for charity - Four autobody students spent every day for a month detailing a Yamaha Rhino four-wheeler in Bengals stripes for charity. -- After the Bengals players autograph the four-wheeler, it will be raffled off as part of a Channel 12 Bengals Nation promotion.
Thousands turn out for Great Northeast job fair - PA: Dawn Layaou, director of human resources at Keystone Automotive in Exeter, said her company had openings in several areas, she was particularly focused on recruiting for sales positions to help Keystone grow its customer base nationally. -- “This is typically a very good job fair,” she said. “It attracts potential employees for hourly and professional jobs. We have high hopes of finding top-notch candidates.”
Diamond Glass Companies Opens a New Spokane, Washington Branch Location - Diamond Glass Companies currently operates over 240 facilities nationwide, and this new Spokane location represents a continuing expansion throughout the Northwestern United States.
UnitedAuto Announces Quarterly Dividend - United Auto Group, Inc., an international automotive retailer, today announced that its Board of Directors has approved a quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share payable on December 1, 2006 to shareholders of record on November 10, 2006.
Big O Tires donates $50,000 to cancer foundation - Big O Tires Inc., through its more than 540 stores, has donated $50,000 to Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer.
BJFEZ in Deal With US Auto Parts Maker - The Busan-Jinhae Free Economic Zone (BJFEZ) has signed a memorandum of understanding with U.S. auto parts maker Visteon for a $16 million investment in its science & industrial park. -- According to the agreement, the envisioned facility will produce a range of auto parts, including instrument panels and door trim, and hire over 170 Korean employees.
Visteon loses $15 million judgment to American Axle - Visteon Corp. lost a nearly $15 million judgment to American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (AXL) after an arbitration panel ruled it breached a supply contract in a case that pitted two cross-town auto parts suppliers against each other.
Ford Set to Produce Last Taurus - Sometime next week, the assembly line at a Ford plant near Atlanta will come to a halt, signaling the end of a family sedan so revolutionary that its 1985 debut changed forever the way cars look, feel and drive.
GM Product Guru Hints at New Cadillac - General Motors has conceived plans for a compact entry-level Cadillac to help raise awareness of the brand and drive sales higher in Europe.
Why This Lawyer Says You Should Buy Car Insurance From An Independent Broker - I don't sell car insurance, but as a lawyer practicing in the field of personal injury I frequently see people suffer because they have the wrong insurance coverage. Often, this happens because they purchased directly from an insurance company instead of an independent broker.
Farmers Insurance Companies Introducing Annual Auto Insurance Policy in Idaho - Farmers Insurance Group of Companies, including Farmers Insurance Company of Idaho, and Mid-Century Insurance Company, have good news for their nearly 160,000 Idaho auto insurance policyholders and new customers. Beginning October 23, 2006, the companies are offering a rare annual auto insurance policy that will allow Farmers auto insurance policyholders to choose a full-year auto policy rather than the commonly offered six month policy.
Allstate to expand non-standard auto business; grow in NJ - Chief Financial Officer Dan Hale said Allstate decided a couple of years ago to focus on other types of auto insurance, rather than non-standard coverage, which is sold to drivers with spotty driving records.
Allstate drops as analysts focus on valuation - Insurer unveils big profits and stock buyback
Maryland insurance chief orders Allstate to return $17.5M to policyholders - The state's insurance chief has ordered Allstate Corp. to return $17.5 million to automotive policyholders in Maryland who had their premiums hiked improperly.
State to launch auto-insure changes - MA: The Romney administration is pushing ahead with a major change in the state's auto insurance system that could affect hundreds of thousands to possibly a million drivers.

October 19, 2006

MQVP Traceability System to follow automotive OEM standards - Global Online Certifications Inc., providers of the GOCERTS and GOCAR supply chain traceability and corrective action reporting tool utilized by MQVP Inc., a certification program for aftermarket crash parts, has renewed its membership in the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG). The company says the move demonstrates an effort to collaborate and work closely with the committees that focus on OEM initiatives.
HPC Showcases New Nanotechnology Coating Technology at 2006 SEMA Show - HPC will be showcasing their newly released nano-formulated coatings for the automotive aftermarket at the 2006 SEMA Show. HPC will also display the restored salt flats race car Mormon Meteor III, which showcases the company's thermal management and corrosion-resistant coatings.
CSN welcomes St. Clair Auto Body to the network - St. Clair Auto Repair of Sarnia, ON, is the latest business to join Collision Solutions Network (CSN). St. Clair is the 45th facility to join the network. -- According to CSN, St. Clair Auto Repair is the preferred shop in Sarnia for most insurance companies.
Zimbabwe: Shortage of Paint Hits Automotive Industry - Paint brands such as 2k white paint and other essential paints like MS Primer, Fast Hardener, Clear Coat, Plastic Primer, Matt Black, Fleetline Whiter and Spot Putty have disappeared from the shelves. -- Marketing manager of Auto-Deco paints, a local paint distribution company, Mr Fanuel Chareka said the country has been running dry of various products of paint for a few weeks now.
New Progressive Pricing Strikes a Nerve - Progressive Insurance sent out a fax on Tuesday, October 17, setting out its new pricing schedule for glass replacement and repair. The amounts the insurer is offering vary, but are significantly off the NAGS pricing, and the payment schedule has sparked a revolt by glass shops.
Auto Glass Expo Sets the Stage for Safelite to Reinforce Industry Leadership Position - Safelite Group, Inc., a leading provider of property and casualty claims management solutions and auto glass repair and replacement products and services, announces its participation in the upcoming Auto Glass Expo at the 2006 NACE conference in Las Vegas.
ASA Launches Expanded Ultimate Buyers Guide for Service Professionals - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced the expanded version of ASA's Ultimate Buyers Guide for Service Professionals, a Web-based buyers guide providing shop owners and industry professionals worldwide immediate access to products and services catered specifically to their needs.
ASA Members Receive Program Pricing on Expanded ALLDATA Diagnostic, Repair Info - Automotive Service Association (ASA) members - through an agreement with ALLDATA - are eligible to receive price reductions on ALLDATA's electronic diagnostic and repair information for professional service providers. ASA members qualify for discounts on initialization fees as well as reduced costs on monthly subscription fees.
Nashoba Tech auto body offers car care - Nashoba Valley Technical High School's Auto Body department will hold a lottery to determine which vehicles its students will repair for the 2006-2007 school year.
AutoZone to Present At Upcoming Automotive Aftermarket Symposium - AutoZone, Inc. announced it will present at the Gabelli & Company 30th Annual Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 1, 2006, at 11:15 AM PST.
Grede Foundries part linked to Hummer crashes - Federal traffic safety officials are investigating a series of Hummer H2 crashes and their possible link to a failure of a part supplied by Grede Foundries Inc. of Wauwatosa. -- The federal agency is investigating 26 incidents of wheels falling off or front suspensions collapsing on Hummer H2 sport utility vehicles. The incidents are accompanied by an apparent fracture of a part called a steering knuckle, which connects the upper and lower ball joints that serve as pivot points for the front steering system.
Ex-Delphi execs face civil fraud charges - SEC says top financial officers used accounting schemes to hide supplier's troubled finances.
Layoffs begin at Dayton Tire plant - Hundreds of workers at the Dayton Tire plant were told today they'll be out of a job before the end of the month. -- They're the first of 14-hundred workers who will be laid off at the plant that is scheduled to shut down by the end of the year. The first layoffs will be effective on October 26th.
GM spinoff closing Indiana, Louisiana auto parts plants - The closing would end a chapter for the auto industry in this central Indiana industrial center that once employed 24-thousand G-M workers.
1,500 jobs coming across the state - Detroit, MI: Automotive supplier Karmann's expansion will add 375 jobs in Plymouth Twp. alone.
Price dispute with supplier forces Ford to idle Mexican plant - When auto parts supplier Collins & Aikman Corp. got into a pricing dispute with Ford Motor Co., it knew exactly how to hit the nation's second-largest automaker where it hurts.
Nissan Recalls 130,000 SUVs, Cars - Nissan Motor Co. has begun recalling more than 130,000 vehicles globally -- including 80,000 in North America -- because of an ignition key defect, a company official said Thursday.
Hiring for 600 Subaru of Indiana Automotive jobs kicks off Oct. 30 - The Lafayette plant, which produces Legacy, Outback and B9 Tribeca models for Subaru, currently employs about 2,230 workers. Pay rates start at $14.53 an hour and rise to $23.50 after 36 months.
GM, Nissan Face Russian Monopoly Accusations - The automakers are being investigated by the country’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service for violating competition laws. The FAS maintains that the automakers have engaged in price-fixing on automotive maintenance issues, especially in the area of painting services.
Geiger Guzzler: $168K H2 Gets Scissor Doors, Le Mans Paint - MUNICH, Germany — A blue-and-orange paint scheme, inspired by John Wyer's Le Mans-winning Ford GT40s from the mid-'60s, might seem like an anomaly on a hulking off-roader from General Motors.
3 held in ‘chop shop’ auto ring - A year and a half after they were first arrested, two Morris Township men and a Morris Township woman were indicted last Wednesday on several charges involving the running of a “chop shop” auto theft network out of their Emmett Avenue residence in the garage.
Affirmative Insurance Holdings to Acquire USAgencies - Affirmative Insurance Holdings Inc., Addison, Texas, and privately-held USAgencies L.L.C., based in Baton Rouge, La., announced a definitive agreement under which Affirmative will acquire 100 percent of the membership units of USAgencies, in a fully-financed all cash transaction valued at approximately $200 million.
GEICO to Present Consumer Safety and Fraud Awareness Open House - Tuesday, October 24, 2006 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. -- One GEICO Boulevard Fredericksburg, Va. 22412 -- The media is invited to attend this event.
Allstate profit rises to $1.2 billion - The insurance industry is expected to earn a record $55 billion to $60 billion this year after neither of the two major hurricanes that formed in the Atlantic Ocean made landfall in the U.S., said Bob Hartwig, chief economist of the Insurance Information Institute.
Neb. Berkshire Hathaway Says General Re Not Target of Investigation - General Reinsurance, which is owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., learned this week that the company is not a target of a federal investigation into the collapse of insurer Reciprocal of America.
Doctors Settle Class Action Against N.J.'s Largest HMO - Doctors have reached a deal to settle their class-action lawsuit claiming New Jersey's largest health maintenance organization shortchanged thousands of physicians. -- The doctors had charged that Horizon and three other health insurers routinely shortchanged thousands of physicians through late or improperly reduced payments.

October 18, 2006

General Motors and Ford Motor Company Implement OEConnection's CollisionLink(R) - Online Parts Order Fulfillment Designed to Increase Wholesale Dealer Parts Sales
New ALLDATA service gives techs single-source access to collision info - ALLDATA LLC recently introduced its new collision information service, CollisionConnect SM, designed to dramatically improve the quality and acquisition of repair information while advancing business relationships with insurance partners and customers.
CARSTAR appoints Director of Franchise Sales - CARSTAR Automotive has announced the addition of Paul Evans as its Director of Franchise Sales. Prior to his appointment to lead CARSTAR development, Evans served as the Regional Service Manager for CARSTAR in the Northeast Region, servicing 27 stores, where he managed franchise systems and operations within each facility.
Keystone Automotive Industries to Report Fiscal 2007 Second Quarter Results - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. today announced the company will issue results for its fiscal 2007 second quarter on Thursday, October 26, 2006. -- Richard L. Keister, president and chief executive officer, and Jeff Gray, chief financial officer, will host an investor conference call the same day at 11:00 a.m. Pacific time to discuss the company's financial results and operations for the fiscal second quarter.
Automotive Careers: Attracting the Next Generation - It's up to you to find, train and retain the techs who will ensure your success.
Auto-Briefs - UK: The repairer trade body, MVRA has appointed Jason McSorley as new business development manager. He was previously with Audatex. Membership of the MVRA network currently stands at over 2,000 repair shops.
Mitchell 1 enhances its shop management systems - Mitchell 1's OnDemand5 Manager and ManagerPlus Version 5.8 shop management systems have been engineered to support a greater selection of electronic parts catalogs and parts ordering.
MQVP expedites Vehicle Test Fit reporting - MQVP manufacturer participants now have immediate access to the findings and reports provided by third party program participating Vehicle Test Fit (VTF) Centers via an application running on the GOCERTS related domain.
Scam Spreading Westward, Modus Operandi Changing - Larry Ornelis with National Glass and Mirror in Youngtown, Ariz., contacted glassBYTEs.com yesterday to report that the glass scam first reported almost two months ago has spread westward with some variations.
Midas' U.S. System Agrees to National Fleet Program; Will Begin to Support Certain Comdata Fleet Customers - Midas, Inc., has been designated as an approved vendor partner of Comdata Corporation to begin providing automotive repair and maintenance services to certain Comdata fleet fuel card customers.
Sherwin-Williams to Webcast Third Quarter 2006 Earnings Results Conference Call -The Sherwin-Williams Company will issue a press release announcing its financial results for the third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2006 prior to the opening of the market on Thursday, October 19, 2006.
DuPont's Ellen Kullman Named One of FORTUNE's 50 Most Powerful Women - Ellen Kullman, EVP, Safety and Protection, Coatings and Color, Marketing and Sales, and Safety and Sustainability of DuPont, ranks No. 21 on Fortune's 2006 list of 50 Most Powerful Women. -- Recently promoted, Kullman leads two divisions that account for 40% of revenues - the $6 billion auto paint and inks unit and the $5 billion safety and protection business.
Icahn to Buy $200M in Lear Corp. Stock - Lear, which is among the world's largest makers of auto seats, interior components and electronics, announced the stock deal Tuesday. Under the agreement, Lear would issue $200 million worth of stock in a private placement to funds managed by Icahn.
Japan's Aisin considers new U.S. car parts plant - Japanese car parts maker Aisin Seiki Co. said on Tuesday it is considering building a new plant in the United States to increase efficiency in supplying parts to Toyota Motor Corp.'s.
Ford won't renew C&A contracts after plant shutdown - Ford Motor Co. will not award any new contracts to auto interior supplier Collins & Aikman Corp. after it cut off deliveries to the automaker over the weekend, causing a plant in Mexico to shut temporarily, The Wall Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Ford banks on 'crossover' vehicles, small cars - Ford Motor Co., which was hit hard this year by the backlash against sport-utility vehicles, expects Americans to downsize their car purchases for years to come, executives said on Tuesday.
Ford, Hyundai recall over 151,000 cars in China - Ford said in a statement that its venture in central China was recalling 52,838 Focus sedans -- its best-selling model in the country -- made between June 17, 2005, and July 30, 2006, due to potential problems with the fuel pump.
Side-view mirrors show Detroit’s problems - Report puts a number on Asian advantage over big U.S. automakers
GM builds Kerkorian roadblocks - Automaker hires investment bankers, its latest move to fend off potential hostile action.
Tech frontier: Talking cars - Vehicles sharing data can prevent crashes
Lane Departure Warning Systems Help Drowsy Drivers Avoid Crashes - Four driver warning systems that may help those who fall asleep at the wheel were recently tested and evaluated by human factors/ergonomics (HF/E) researchers at Ford Motor Company. Called Lane Departure Warnings (LDW), these systems are designed to help reduce car crashes by alerting drowsy drivers that the vehicle has wandered out of the lane.
MetLife's Lisa Weber Named One of FORTUNE's 50 Most Powerful Women - Since June 2004, Weber has overseen the insurer's $17 billion retail business, which makes up nearly a third of MetLife's $44.8 billion in revenues. Travelers Life & Annuity, acquired from Citigroup in 2005 for $11.8 billion, helped increase her segment's earnings by $1.5 billion last year. Even the wreckage of hurricanes Katrina and Wilma didn't damage the auto and home division, which delivered a respectable 8% increase in earnings in 2005.
AMS Services and NetQuote Form Innovative Insurance Partnership - AMS Services, a leading provider of software solutions for the insurance industry, today announced that NetQuote, Inc., the industry's largest online insurance lead source provider and an AMS User's Group endorsed product, now seamlessly integrates directly with AMS SETWrite™, a real-time, multiple-carrier rating system. The integration of NetQuote leads into AMS SETWrite will allow independent insurance agents to spend less time on data entry, premium quoting and follow up with carriers and more time on gathering leads and writing new business.
Home, auto insurers being hit with claims - NY: Thousands of claims are pouring into home and auto insurance companies in the wake of last weekend's record snowstorm, but executives say it's too soon to tell just how costly a disaster it will be.
Deer-Vehicle Collisions on the Rise - State Farm(R) Reports 6 Percent Increase in Claims

October 17, 2006

Will Immigration Reform Impact Your Shop? - Because more and more immigrant technicians are being employed in the automotive repair industry, repairers need to know what's happening in immigration reform. One thing for sure: it's a hot topic in Congress
CARS : "The Best Deal in Town" - The 2006 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 2-4 at The Mirage in Las Vegas.
ASA calls for industry support of the Damaged Vehicle Information Act - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) is urging collision shop owners to contact their U.S. representatives asking that they co-sponsor H.R. 6093, the Damaged Vehicle Information Act.
RMI agrees Audatex support for members - RMI BODYSHOP members which are experiencing problems with the Auda-Enterprise estimating system can now get 'one-to-one' support direct with Audatex. The RMI Bodyshop Services Division has secured the commitment following the system's failure at the end of last month.
Discount and CertifiedFirst engage in partnership - Beginning July 2006, Discount Car and Truck Rentals and the CertifiedFirst™ Network of collision repair centers initiated a Canadian partnership agreement.
Shop revives vintage cars - Because the business makes many of the parts for the vintage racing cars from scratch, it had to have its own machine shop. Its five employees can do anything needed to keep a car running, but the money - and the passion - is in restoring old racing cars.
Summary of Form 8-K for EAUTOCLAIMS, INC - On October 10, 2006 eAutoclaims, Inc. received a fully executed Letter of Intent between eAutoclaims and Fireman's Fund Insurance Company that relates to eAutoclaims providing auto physical damage claims related services to Fireman's Fund that includes, but is not limited to, a managed network of repair shops, estimate auditing services, desk appraisals and other related services.
AGRR/glassBYTEs.com Introduce New Technical Focus Message Boards - In response to requests from current AGRR message forum users, AGRR magazine and glassBYTEs.com staff has created a special technical forum, specifically for discussing the nuances of auto glass installation and repair and requesting help or advise in these areas.
SuperGlass Opens First Franchise in South Korea - SuperGlass Windshield Repair, headquartered in Orlando, Fla., has added its first Asian franchise company with the signing of its first franchisee in South Korea. The newest addition to the SuperGlass family joins other international locations in France and Germany.
Mainstreet Computers Announces New Web Services Division - Mainstreet Computers Inc. of Belleville, Mich. has announced the launch of its new Mainstreet Web Services Division. This new division focuses on website design and hosting for glass businesses.
Motor Parts Maker Tower to Cover Directors' Defense Costs - In an effort to keep its directors and officers from spending their own cash, Tower Automotive Inc. is seeking for the second time a bankruptcy court's approval to cover defense costs.
Dura teeters on edge of bankruptcy - Auto supplier fails to pay $17.3M in interest; analysts expect filing could come in weeks.
The trouble with fake auto parts - When it comes to theft and piracy of intellectual property, most Americans think of movies and high-end handbags — but what if the brakes on your car were fake?
Lube law & legislation - Policy affecting car care business owners is gaining momentum on Capitol Hill — what you should know.
BASF to increase prices for coating resins - Due to increased costs for raw materials, transportation, energy and packaging, BASF raises prices worldwide for coating resins as existing contracts allow.
PPG Industries Inc. Has Taken Out The Highs Of The Day - PPG Industries Inc. moved to the upside at the open of Monday's session, before leveling off into a narrow range.
2007 Automotive News PACE Award Finalists Named - More than 30 automotive suppliers have been recognized for innovative excellence in the 13th annual Automotive News PACE Award program, which recognizes automotive innovation.
Union workers for Ford suppliers worried about their future - Union employees for Ford Motor Company have until the end of November to choose one of several buyout packages as the company moves ahead with its Way Forward plan.
T.O. firm in $275M auto body deal - Auto parts company Martinrea International Inc. has agreed to buy the North American automotive body and chassis operations of Germany-owned ThyssenKrupp Budd Co. for US$275 million in a major deal that nearly triples the company's revenues and doubles its workforce.
First Automobile With Carbon Fiber Body Panel Receive "Breakthrough Award" - Tesla Motors received 2006 Popular Mechanics Breakthrough Award for Tesla Roadster. It is the first all-electric production sports car in the world.
General Motors Hosts "Convergence 2006" - General Motors is exhibiting and demonstrating technology solutions that are reinventing the automobile at the Convergence 2006 Conference and Exhibition, Oct. 16-18 at Cobo Center in Detroit.
Auto techies share inventions - Engineers, executives converge for the latest electronic, mechanical gadgets at Cobo Center.
Chrysler Group Launches 2007 Sebring Production at Sterling Heights Assembly Plant - The Sebring Sedan represents the latest application of Chrysler's expanding “flexible manufacturing strategy” allowing it to bring new vehicles to market more quickly and assembly plants to manufacture multiple products on one assembly line.
Hiring for Toyota production to start Oct. 30 - Applications for up to 1,000 jobs as Toyota production associates at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. plant in Lafayette will be accepted, beginning Oct. 30.