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March 2007
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Friday - March 30, 2007

  • WIN Announces Panels at Upcoming Conference - The Women’s Industry Network (WIN) is pleased to announce details of two major panels to be held at the group’s upcoming Conference s April 29-May 1, 2007 at the Hilton Airport, Phoenix, Arizona.
  • Nebraska Autobody Association 30th Anniversary **Convention & Expo** - April 13-14, 2007 Holiday Inn, Grand Island Nebraska
  • Great Benefit of Attending the IGA Conference - Free AGRSS Registration to Non-Registered IGA Members
  • Rhode Island repairers win long fight for standardized prevailing rate survey procedures - Rhode Island may be the nation’s smallest state, but collision industry representatives say they have won a huge victory by achieving a uniform prevailing labor rate survey process overseen by government authorities.
  • Herrera Promoted; New General Manager At Nags - Jason Bertellotti, a four-and-one-half year veteran of Mitchell has been named the new general manager of the Specialty Business Unit at Mitchell that includes NAGS. He succeeds Jesse Herrera who has been promoted to senior vice president of product management and marketing at the company. Bertellotti will report to Herrera. The rest of the NAGS team, including Bud Oliver and James Patterson, will remain in place.
  • Advertising Coordinator Honored For Her Work - Company president Debra Levy presented the Holly X. Carter Biller Award for outstanding employee performance to Penny Stacey at the company employee appreciation luncheon on March 28, 2007, recognizing the extent of the work Stacey has done for the company.
  • Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. Reports Strong Fiscal 2006 Results - Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. (the "Company"), the leading distributor and marketer of specialty automotive equipment and accessories in North America, today announced financial results for the year ended December 30, 2006.
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  • Visteon and Special Situations Venture Partners II sign agreement for the sale of certain chassis operations - Visteon Corporation and Special Situations Venture Partners II L.P. (SSVP II), advised by private equity firm Orlando Management GmbH, have reached a final agreement under which SSVP II will acquire certain Visteon chassis businesses in Europe and Brazil. The final transaction has received anti-trust clearance in Germany and is expected to be completed in Europe in the second quarter of 2007 and in Brazil during the third quarter.
  • UnitedAuto Group to Participate in Morgan Stanley Global Automotive Conference - United Auto Group, Inc., an international automotive retailer, announced today that Roger Penske, Chairman, and Anthony Pordon, Senior Vice President, will be presenters at the Morgan Stanley Global Automotive Conference in New York, NY. The presentation is scheduled to occur at 11:15 a.m. Eastern Time on April 4, 2007.
  • Manheim Announces Organizational Changes - Barton Takes on New "Customer Experience" Role, Stegall Joins Company To Head Ford Account -- Manheim's subsidiary companies provide value-added remarketing products and services, including paintless dent removal (Dent Wizard), Auto Body Repair, and salvage vehicle remarketing (Total Resource Auctions).
  • Chrysler suitors rush to make bids - Blackstone could make offer as early as today; rest expected by Wednesday.
  • Chrysler Brand Solidifies its Leadership Position as America's Premiere Convertible Brand With All-New 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible - America's Convertible Company set the bar high when developing its newest drop top, determined to give buyers everything they want and need, including the option to choose the freedom that comes with an open air convertible, without compromising on the functionality of a steel roof.
  • Honda Wants to Be Known for Safety - From the time it started selling cars in the United States 35 years ago, Honda has fostered a reputation for building fuel-efficient vehicles. -- Now it is taking a new tack: it wants to join Volvo as an automaker best known for safety.
  • Laurel sees rash of airbag thefts - MD: Twenty airbags were stolen from 10 vehicles so far this month. -- ‘‘The after-market parts that many shops use are not always 100 percent compatible with the passenger safety system in modern vehicles,” Councilman Mike Sarich said. ‘‘This has led to serious problems with consumers believing their cars are safe, when in fact they are more dangerous than they would be without airbags.”
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  • The American Customer Satisfaction Index: GEICO Ranks Tops in Property Casualty Insurance Industry - GEICO took the top spot among property and casualty insurers for customer satisfaction in the 2006 American Customer Satisfaction Index survey conducted by the University of Michigan. -- The consumer survey showed that Americans are growing more satisfied with their shopping experiences in general and particularly when it comes to GEICO. GEICO's customer satisfaction rankings increased five points from 2005, moving the company to the top of the index.

Thursday - March 29, 2007

Wednesday - March 28, 2007

  • California legislators receptive to CRA's anti-steering message - The Collision Repair Association (CRA) of California held their first Legislative Day on March 14, educating legislators and their staff to illegal insurer steering practices.
  • ASA Asks Nevada Repairers to Contact State Senators - Show Opposition for Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act
  • Eastman Opens New Paint Spray Facility - Eastman Chemical Company has opened its new state-of-the-art paint spray facility at the company’s international headquarters in Kingsport, Tenn. The first of its kind by a coatings raw material supplier, the new paint spray facility is the culmination of a 12-month, multi-million dollar investment in personnel, construction, equipment, and technology.
  • The search is on for the best young painter - Who will succeed Belgian Steve Mauro of the Stillemant body shop? Mauro is the reigning champion and winner of the fifth Best Painter Contest, the world championship of young painters. But before the Grand Final in September 2007, the various countries will be selecting their champions, who will be sent to the International Final. In Germany, the tough qualification period is already underway.
  • World premiere of Glasurit Classic Car Colors at the Messe Techno Classica international classic vehicle trade fair - It is the largest classic vehicle show in the world. More than 1,000 exhibitors from 18 countries and 150,000 visitors are expected to attend Techno Classica, which is being held from March 29 to April 1, 2007 in Essen, Germany. In addition to visitors from Europe, the show increasingly draws visitors from Asian countries, such as Japan and China, as well as from Eastern Europe and even North America. Many vehicle manufacturers will be on hand, too, to exhibit their brand image, tradition and decades of experience at the show.
  • ABRA Auto Body & Glass expands commitment to SCRS - ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a national damaged vehicle repair company based in Minneapolis, is increasing its overall commitment to the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) by enrolling as a Corporate Member.
  • 2007 IGA Conference and Spring Auto Glass Show™ Seminar Schedule Set - The IGA has released the seminar schedule for the 2007 IGA Conference and Spring Auto Glass Show™, being held May 17-19, 2007 at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas.
  • LilBuddy Receives Notice of Allowance From Patent Office - LilBuddy recently announced that the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) has upgraded its patent application for the Lilbuddy product line of windshield installation tools to 'Allowed.'
  • Tech Watch: Nissan Develops Crime-Buster Paint - Nissan Motor is working with research partners to formulate a new type of paint that could make it easier for police to identify hit-and-run drivers based on residue left at the accident scene.
  • Lear gets no competing buyout offers - Auto parts supplier Lear Corp. said Tuesday the window for receiving competing bids to a takeover offer by an affiliate of billionaire investor activist Carl Icahn has closed without a counter offer.
  • Hybrid cars cost less to build as demand grows - Hybrid carmakers and suppliers say they can't bring down prices until volume grows.
  • GM-Chrysler Merger Likely to Face Antitrust Obstacles - General Motors Corp. probably would have to sell at least part of the light truck division of DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler unit to clear U.S. antitrust review in any potential takeover, two analysts said.
  • Public Citizen Objects to Carfax Settlement - Public Citizen today filed objections to a proposed nationwide settlement of a class-action lawsuit against Carfax, a company that sells history reports for used cars. -- The lawsuit, filed in Ohio, alleges that consumers are being deceived by Carfax's claim that its vehicle history reports are based on searches of its nationwide database, when in fact the database does not include police accident data from 22 states and the District of Columbia.
  • Government Sued for Release of Secret Safety Data - Six Years After TREAD Act Passes, Data Still Unavailable
  • Allstate Names New Vice President of Corporate Relations - Allstate Insurance Company announced the appointment of Sari Macrie, 50, to vice president of corporate relations. In this role, Macrie will oversee internal and external strategic communications for the enterprise. She will also have responsibility for reputation management, media relations, crisis management and the Allstate Foundation.
  • AAA Claims Hosts Career Day Saturday - AAA Michigan is hosting a Claims Career Day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (March 31) at the AAA Michigan Headquarters Administrative Office Building, located at 1 Auto Club Drive, Dearborn. -- Representatives will be on hand to answer questions about Claims opportunities, which include openings for experienced claim adjusters, claim associates for the call center and project consultants.
  • Gary Kusumi is elected IIHS board chairman - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is pleased to announce the election of Gary Kusumi as the new chairman of the Board of Directors. Kusumi is president and chief executive officer of GMAC Insurance Personal Lines. He succeeds Richard R. McLaughlin Jr., vice president, Amica Mutual Insurance. McLaughlin served as IIHS chairman during 2006 and will continue to serve as a member of the Board.
  • Auto insurance in state probed - Gov. Deval L. Patrick’s task force on automobile insurance identified four major points of concern, but officials yesterday said the administration hasn’t crafted any legislation that will significantly alter how cars are insured in Massachusetts.
  • Mass. Auto Report Urges Limited Price Competition; No Assigned Risk Change for Now - Report recommends the implementation of initiatives to reduce accidents, as well as the number and cost of claims. -- Also, the report targets other areas for potential cost savings on a post-claims basis including costs associated with auto body, auto glass and health care claims, which, the report maintains, "are areas where special interest groups have historically impeded progress."
  • Six more suspects named in multimillion fraud case - Insurance companies, including State Farm, became suspicious when they discovered false reports about air bag thefts and enhanced collision repairs.

Tuesday - March 27, 2007

  • CAA's Legislative Day to focus on insurer issues - The California Autobody Association (CAA) will be meeting in Sacramento on March 27 to hold their annual Legislative Day. The group will be meeting with state legislators to discuss several issues, mostly notably ones with insurers.
  • Safeway Insurance Selects Audatex for Claims Processing - Audatex to Provide End-to-End Claims Processing Under New Three Year Agreement -- Safeway Insurance Group is the most recent in a growing number of leading insurance carriers who rely on Audatex for their automotive claims technology and services needs.
  • Recyclers promote total loss legislation during ARA's Hill Days - The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) headed to Capital Hill earlier this month as part of its continuing effort to drum up support for title fraud and VIN retirement legislation.
  • Industry Minister commits to action on right to repair - Canada: Representatives of the aftermarket industry met with the Federal Minister of Industry, the Honorable Maxime Bernier, on March 6 in St-Georges, Quebec, to discuss the issue of right to repair.
  • Kanawha business rises from the ashes - IA: Chuck Gardner literally could only watch flames destroy his auto repair business that early July 2006 afternoon.
  • Auto shop's liens brakes city incentives - The discovery of hundreds of thousands of dollars in liens against a Jacksonville auto-paint and body shop prompted Mayor John Peyton to veto $163,000 in city incentives to the business on Monday.
  • The Debate Over Small Claims Court - The Winnebago County Circuit Court saw more than 5,000 small claims cases last year. One business owner who wants the court to keep better track of who's filing them. -- Joey Wilson says his auto body shop was sued 12 times in the last 3 years, costing him tens of thousands of dollars and more than a hundred hours of lost work. Wilson says, "These are what some of these people are they're pros they're cons they know how to work the system mock the system."
  • Glass Mechanix Xpress Repair, Inc.Press Release - Glass Mechanix Xpress Repair, Inc., a U.S. based national franchise Corporation and affiliate of the international windshield repair company The Glass Mechanix, announces the launching of their new franchise program.
  • Room Rates for the IGA Show Hotel Coming Down - The IGA has negotiated a lower per night room rate with the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino for the 2007 Independence Days Spring Auto Glass Show™, being held May 17-19, 2007 at the Cashman Center in Las Vegas.
  • BASF at European Coatings Show in Nuremberg - The European Coatings Show 2007 in Nuremberg (May 8 to 10) is the world’s foremost trade fair for the international coatings and paints industries. At Stand 4-113 in Hall 4, BASF Aktiengesellschaft is presenting a broad range of innovative products and services for the coatings, paints, adhesives, printing, packaging, and construction chemicals industries. BTC Europe, the BASF Group’s European distribution network, is making regional presence and customized system solutions the focus of its participation at the show.
  • Ceramic Protection Corporation-Protective Products International (Subsidiary) Announces Expanded Relationship with Ford Motor Company - Since 2005, Ford has offered factory-installed ballistic door panels manufactured by PPI in its Crown Victoria Police Interceptor model as a regular production option. These covert ballistic door panels offer a level of protection unmatched by any other OEM police vehicle. With the extra protection at hand, law enforcement officers can swing the front door(s) into action as a tactical shield from incoming projectiles. These ballistic panels are covert (not visible from the outside), lightweight, and don't interfere with interior space or door/window mechanisms.
  • Ford, Lincoln Mercury Dealers Team Up to Fight Breast Cancer with 'Car Care for a Cause' in April - Ford Customer Service Division to donate $100,000 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure
  • GM offer for Chrysler sparked sales talk - Offer remains on table but German parent company considers it too low
  • Nanjing Auto Rolls Out First `Made-in-China' MG Cars - Nanjing Automobile Group Corp. unveiled its made-in-China MG sports cars and sedans today, the first step in a plan to use the iconic British brand as a platform for global expansion.
  • Colossal Ford class action set for decertification hearing March 30 - Madison County Circuit Judge Andy Matoesian must decide whether to whittle down a colossal Lakin Law Firm class action against Ford Motor Company or shut it down.
  • Ford Holding Back Some Salaried Workers Who Took Buyouts - Ford Motor Co. isn't allowing about 2,000 white-collar employees who recently took voluntary buyouts to leave until later in the year because they hold "business-critical" positions.
  • Car Dilemma: Repair or Purchase New - When is it better to buy a new vehicle versus spending the money to repair? The purchase of a new vehicle is a significant financial decision. Here’s one way to evaluate the options.
  • How to Protect Yourself From Auto Repair Scams - Owning a car means dealing with auto repair shops. From routine maintenance like oil changes and tire rotation to major repairs such as body work after an accident, you want to feel confident the job is being done competently and at a fair price.
  • Driving expenses up - According to AAA survey, when all costs are taken into account, including the purchase price of a vehicle, depreciation and routine maintenance, the average cost of driving a car 15,000 miles a year works out to 52.2 cents a mile. It's higher for SUVs and minivans.
  • Three homes raided in suspected insurance fraud scheme - MI: Homes of three Oakland County residents were raided Monday in what authorities described as an organized crime ring that reaped millions of dollars in insurance fraud over the past four years. -- The multi-agency investigation, which involved the National Insurance Crime Bureau, was prompted by a serious of suspicious insurance claims and falsified reports involving thefts of air bags to defraud insurance companies.
  • Report: big insurers swimming in profits - The headline numbers were eye-popping: Allstate reported a record $5 billion profit for 2006. State Farm Insurance's profit climbed 65 percent for the year. St. Paul Travelers' earnings rose sixfold in the fourth quarter, American International Group's rose eightfold. -- J. Robert Hunter, director of insurance for the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America in Washington, D.C., argues that state regulators "have not done the job to control excessive prices" charged by the insurers.
  • Who's Buying What - Recent deals for technology software and services
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Monday - March 26, 2007

Friday - March 23, 2007

  • Video: Auto Body Shops v. Insurers Sparks Regulator Stress - A contentious and political issue brewing in Nebraska is the airplay between auto body shops and insurance companies. Insurance Director Tim Wagner says complaints regarding auto body shops that are on company referral lists, discounts given to some companies by the auto body shops and just how the overall system works is an on-going controversial scenario again in 2007.
  • Choosing A Vehicle Repair Facility - Nebraska insurance law gives vehicle owners the right to choose which repair facility to use when making an insurance claim. As an insurance consumer, it is your choice. Before choosing, the Nebraska Department of Insurance encourages consumers to ask questions so they can make an informed decision to either use a facility that has a direct repair program arrangement with the insurer or to use a repair facility that is not included in the insurer’s network.
  • Keystone Automotive to Appeal Ford Design Claim in Federal Circuit Court Following ITC's Decision Not to Review Administrative Ruling - Cites Potential Impact On Consumer Auto Repair Prices and Insurance Premiums -- The collision repair parts market is a $16 billion industry that is estimated to be 72 percent controlled by automobile manufacturers. The utilization of aftermarket collision repair parts by the collision repair industry represents an important alternative for consumers -- providing an estimated 20 to 40 percent savings over those parts supplied by the automobile manufacturers.
  • PBES Conference to feature acquisitions panelists - Five prominent multi-location PBE jobbers will offer "practical advice for growing your PBE distribution business through acquisition" during the 2007 Spring Conference of the Paint Body Equipment Specialists (PBES), May 15-17, at the Hyatt Regency in Newport Beach, Calif. PBES is a member segment of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA).
  • AASP-MN to hold 13th annual golf outing - On Monday, June 18, the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) will hold its 13th annual golf outing at 3M’s Tartan Park Golf Course in Lake Elmo. Over 180 AASP-MN members and their spouses, employees, vendors and insurance industry representatives are expected to attend. 
  • Go-Glass To Celebrate 25th Anniversary - In recognition of their 25th year in business, the Go-Glass Corporation plans on holding a series of events at all Go-Glass locations throughout April as a way of saying thank you to its employees and clients. -- "We are grateful for our longevity and success as we move the company that my father founded further into the 21st century," said president Doug Linderer.
  • GlasWeld Visits Japan’s Largest Auto Exhibition - GlasWeld president travels to Japan to attend Expo, view first-ever Japan Auto Glass Olympics
  • Greek mechanic realized American dream - The owner of Tony's Auto Repair in Burbank put down his mechanic's tools and wiped his hands on a work rag Thursday morning. -- The car repairs could wait. For now, it was time for Tony Papanikolaou to say thanks.
  • Auto paint manufacturer uses DEACOM ERP system - SEM Products, Inc., located in Charlotte, NC, is implementing the DEACOM Integrated Accounting and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Software System to manage all facets of its auto body paint, adhesive, and aerosol manufacturing operations. DEACOM ERP Software is a batch process manufacturing system that specializes in controlling the details of complex businesses within the paint, coatings, adhesive, and sealant industries.
  • Christian Brothers Automotive Partners with Child Advocates to Aid Abused and Neglected Youth - Car Pros for Kids Program Ramped up Charity’s Funds
  • AutoCanada Income Fund releases financial results for the reporting period ended December 31, 2006 - AutoCanada Income Fund today announced financial results for the period ended December 31, 2006 which includes results from May 11, 2006 to December 31, 2006 and the three-month period ended December 31, 2006. --  In 2006, the operations of the franchised automobile dealerships owned, sold approximately 19,350 vehicles and processed approximately 215,000 service and collision repair orders in 245 service bays, generating revenue of approximately $694 million.
  • Judge OKs up to $37M in bonuses for top Delphi executives - Delphi Corp. lawyer John W. Butler said that pay for managers of the auto parts maker is uncompetitively low and that the plan provides an integral part of total pay packages.
  • Lear buyer sought cuts in Pennsylvania - If Lear employees want to know what they will be asked to do under the new ownership of New York-based international financier Wilbur L. Ross, they need to look only one state away.
  • Valeo says fund takeover interest 'not hostile' - French car parts group Valeo said on Friday that a takeover approach from an investment fund was not hostile but denied speculation the company's management was engineering a buy-out itself.
  • Auto restructuring could prompt more M&A - Investment bankers are anticipating a ramp up in merger and acquisition opportunities in the struggling U.S. auto sector as the industry goes through a gut-wrenching restructuring.
  • Private Equity Revs Up Auto Parts - But S&P says investors sniffing for opportunities in the sector may have missed the chance to catch a ride
  • Ford to call new vehicle the Flex - The automaker will debut its full-size crossover in early April at the New York auto show.
  • Honda seeks worker diversity - Automaker looks to Urban League, other minority groups to identify candidates
  • Honda Recalls 298,231 Vehicles - Honda Motor Co. plans to recall 298,231 vehicles across 13 models to repair a manufacturing defect that could stop the cars' engines, the company said Thursday.
  • $15M Jury Verdict Against Ford Tossed - A U.S. federal judge threw out a $15 million jury verdict and ordered a new trial in a lawsuit against Ford by a Tulsa couple whose son died in a rollover crash in November 2003.
  • General Motors' OnStar to work with CDC on emergency response standards - General Motors Corp.'s OnStar service is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to help emergency responders more effectively treat crash victims.
  • $80 million in damage claims filed for January ice storm - Missourians filed claims for more than $80 million for damages to their homes and vehicles that were caused by the January ice storm, the Missouri Department of Insurance reported this morning.
  • Call GEICO's Fraud Hotline and Help Crack Down on Phony Claims - Even though insurance professionals like GEICO's Special Investigations Unit already save the insurance buying public millions and millions of dollars each year by preventing and exposing false claims, GEICO is stepping up the battle against insurance fraud by activating a new national fraud hotline.
  • Judge blocks class action vs. State Farm - A federal judge has ruled that State Farm policyholders in Mississippi whose claims were denied after Hurricane Katrina cannot form a class action as a speedy way to resolve lawsuits against the insurer.
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Thursday - March 22, 2007

  • I-CAR adds Introduction to Ford Collision Repair to its Online Training Library - This program is designed to provide an overview of the entire Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury late model vehicles, highlighting construction materials, joining processes, trim removal recommendations, and lighting options.
  • Informational Sessions to take place on new $100 Per Collision Repair Facility Per Year Campaign - I-CAR and the I-CAR Education Foundation will be hosting complimentary WebEx informational sessions to explain the new $100 Per Collision Repair Facility Per Year Campaign and answer questions.
  • Annual Convention Early-Bird Discount Ends Friday Online Registration Ends April 20 - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) issues a reminder of the early-bird registration deadline of March 23 for the 2007 Annual Convention that will be held May 3-5 at the Gaylord Opryland Resort and Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn. Members who register before the early-bird deadline will enjoy significant savings. In addition, members are encouraged to register promptly as hotel rooms are going quickly.
  • CCC Information Services Inc. Signs Agreement with AutoTrader.com - CCC Information Services Inc. and AutoTrader.com, the ultimate automotive marketplace, today announced an agreement that further strengthens CCC's ability to provide fast, accurate, local market values(R) for total loss vehicles. CCC is a leading supplier of information technology to the auto-claims industry.
  • About Daryl Flynn - VA: Daryl Flynn is the owner of Refinish Solutions, a Stafford vehicle paint supplier.
  • AFC Finishing Systems acquires assets of Eagle Spray Booths - AFC Finishing Systems (AFC), a manufacturer of finishing equipment, has completed the acquisition of assets of Downdraft, Inc., previously operating under the firm name Eagle Spray Booths (Eagle), also a provider of equipment to the finishing industry. The acquisition includes rights to the trade name “Eagle Spray Booths,” copies of all engineering drawings, Engineering Testing Laboratories (ETL) equipment listings and other intellectual assets.
  • Boyd Group Income Fund reports 2006 year end results - Boyd Group Income Fund ("the Fund") reported its financial results for the three and twelve-month periods ended December 31, 2006.
  • Glass Technology Execs Visit Japanese Trade Show - Executives from Durango, Co.-based Glass Technology, Inc., a producer of glass restoration/repair products, recently attended the International Auto Aftermarket Trade Show in Tokyo.
  • Safer car crash repairs planned - New cars are to be built in such a way that it will be easier for them to be repaired to a proper standard when involved in serious accidents.
  • Auto Parts Suppliers now Refusing to Accept Money-Losing Prices - After years of having ever-lower prices dictated to them by automotive OEMs, auto parts suppliers are saying they’ve had enough.
  • Johnson Controls hires PPG executive Kreh - Johnson Controls Inc. has hired Susan Kreh as corporate controller and elected her as a vice president and corporate officer. -- Kreh, 45, joins Johnson Controls after 22 years with PPG Industries Inc., of Pittsburgh,where she served in a variety of finance and operational roles, including the past five years as corporate treasurer.
  • Future is uncertain for 3 local Ford suppliers - VA: Employees at Ford Motor Co.'s Norfolk plant have at least one up on their counterparts at local Ford suppliers: The Ford workers know when they're out of a job. -- Ford gets gas tanks from Visteon and seats from Johnson Controls. TDS is a parts organizer. Because TDS is not a manufacturer and is less tied to the automotive industry, the city officials have hopes of keeping the company.
  • Orders surge for new Buick Enclave - Dealers snatch up 6,000 crossovers; automaker hopes it's sign of things to come when vehicle hits showrooms.
  • Ford Earns Era Award For Conserving Energy - Ford Motor Company's actions to increase energy efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its facilities have earned it the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's coveted ENERGY STAR 2007 Partner of the Year Award in Energy Management. Ford is the first automaker to receive the award two years in a row.
  • Mazda Reaffirms Partnership With Ford - Mazda Motor Corp. reaffirmed its partnership with ailing U.S. automaker Ford Thursday in announcing a target for global sales of 1.6 million vehicles per year by fiscal 2010.
  • Toyota Will Gain Under Canada Car Incentives, Executive Says - Toyota Motor Corp. will benefit from Canadian incentives encouraging purchases of more fuel- efficient vehicles, while U.S. carmakers will have to make changes to compete, a company executive said.
  • GM plans car motion sensors - General Motors Corp. said it may have motion-sensing technology in its vehicles in five to seven years to help prevent accidents.
  • Honda owners to share in odometer settlement - Six million owners are being notified about a settlement over odometer calibration.
  • Ford recalls Super Duty trucks after tailpipe fires - Ford Motor Co. said on Wednesday it was recalling over 37,000 of its new 2008 model-year F-Series Super Duty trucks after reported tailpipe fires in the diesel version of the pickups.
  • Tim Dyer named vice president of Western division operations at SCA Appraisal Company - SCA Appraisal Company, a division of SCA Enterprises Inc., has announced the hiring of Tim Dyer as their vice president of Western division operations.
  • California targets fraud scams - Insurance chief says consumers pick up the tab for crimes.
  • High number of accidents driving up valley auto insurance rates - NV: Numerous accidents around town have many insurance companies raising rates for valley drivers. In recent months, rate hikes have gone into effect for three popular insurance companies.
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Wednesday - March 21, 2007

  • Audatex Names Rick Tuuri as Associate Vice President of Industry Relations - A 28 year veteran of the collision industry, Tuuri joins Audatex from I-CAR where he served as Director of Business Development for the past four years. --  "We are excited to add to the Audatex team a leader with such a strong background in industry relations," said Tony Aquila, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Solera, Inc.
  • Nevada State Senator Warren Hardy Introduces Pro-Consumer, Pro-Small Business Bill, 'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right To Repair Act,' States CARE - "It's with great enthusiasm that motoring consumers and the automotive aftermarket applaud State Senator Warren Hardy, II, (R-Las Vegas) for his introduction of The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, SB 379", stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).
  • Florida State Senator Dave Aronberg Stands Up for Motoring Consumers & Seniors in Introduction of 'Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act,' States CARE - "Florida motorists and the automotive independent repair industry thank State Senator Dave Aronberg (D-Greenacres) for introducing 'The Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act', SB 2890," stated David Parde, president, The Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE).
  • Thatcham Standard for Crash Repair Methods - UK: Following closely after the launch of a Kitemark standard for Crash Repair, insurer funded research centre Thatcham, has announced its intention to formulate a standard for crash repair methods. The new standard will ensure vehicle repair methods are comprehensive, easy to use and widely available and accessible at vehicle launch.
  • Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Improved Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of automotive salvage and claims processing services in the United States, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year 2006. The Company’s strong performance in 2006 was driven by successfully integrating acquisitions and greenfields along with increased buying activity as a result of the Company’s live auctions combined with Internet bidding capability.
  • Meineke Dealers Association Endorses Identifix - Identifix, one of the nation’s premier sources of online and hotline diagnostic and repair information, today announced that it has been endorsed by the Meineke Dealers Association to introduce Identifix services to the more than 900 Meineke Car Care Centers nationwide. Since its inception in 1972, Meineke has grown to over 900 locations and has serviced over 50,000,000 vehicles.
  • ACH Continues Talks to Sell Glass Division - glassBYTEs.com™ has recently learned that ACH is currently in talks with at least three serious potential buyers for its glass division.
  • NAGS Next Pricing Change Effective May 14; Print Product Orders Now Being Taken - National Auto Glass Specifications (NAGS) has announced that its new List Prices will be effective May 14.
  • Valspar paints on the block? - Analyst sees Minneapolis-based company as attractive merger target. -- PPG Industries Inc. and Akzo Nobel of the Netherlands may be interested.
  • DuPont CEO Earned More Than $10M in 2006 - DuPont Co. chairman and chief executive officer Charles Holliday Jr. received compensation the company valued at $10.2 million last year, according to a regulatory filing made this week.
  • Compensation for Sonic Automotive's Smith more than $3.3M in 2006 - Sonic Automotive Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive O. Bruton Smith received compensation the company valued at more than $3.34 million in 2006, according to a regulatory filing made Tuesday. -- Shares in Sonic Automotive, which has 171 automotive franchises and 37 collision repair centers, were down 11 cents, or 0.39 percent, at $27.99 in midday trading on the New York Stock Exchange.
  • Dana CFO Being Paid $125,000 a Month - Auto parts supplier Dana Corp. is paying its chief financial officer, Kenneth Hiltz, a salary of $125,000 a month -- or $1.5 million a year -- plus out-of-pocket expenses, even as the company seeks bankruptcy court approval to reject some labor contracts and retirement benefits to cut costs.
  • BASF Coatings earns Shanghai Volkswagen’s Best Supplier Award - BASF Shanghai Coatings has received the 2006 Silver Best Supplier Award from Shanghai Volkswagen (SVW). This means that BASF Shanghai Coatings is among the 17 best suppliers of the carmaker’s total 500 suppliers.
  • Akzo sales climb 18% in China last year - AKZO Nobel NV, the world's largest coatings company, said sales in China rose 18 percent last year driven by strong demand and expansion.
  • Valeo rejects Pardus call for Visteon bid - French car parts company Valeo on Tuesday rejected a call by a large stake holder for a full bid on U.S. peer Visteon Corp., but did not exclude a possible deal for some assets.
  • Toyota Tundra lags domestic pickups in crash-test results - Toyota Motor Corp.'s redesigned Tundra, battling full-size pickups from U.S. automakers, didn't get the top rating for frontal crash safety achieved by rivals, Bloomberg News reported today.
  • Toyota curious about Tundra's four-star showing in crash test -  Bill Kwong, a representative from Toyota, revealed that Toyota performed its own internal crash testing of the Tundra according to the NHTSA's criteria and the truck repeatedly scored five stars.
  • Can Chrysler hit jackpot again? - When times get tough, Chrysler has always had a knack for producing a hit vehicle that washes away the red ink and safeguards the company, at least temporarily.
  • Foose's First - Chip Foose's first coupe is being manufactured in a limited edition of 50 and expected to sell for around $300,000
  • Consumer Reports Auto Issue: Best and Worst Used Cars - Each year, more than 40 million used cars are sold in the US, compared with 17 million new cars. It's a $350-billion market. The April Auto issue of Consumer Reports takes a look at the reliability of used cars between one and 10 years old and tells buyers which cars are most reliable and which to avoid.
  • Virginia Enacts Pro-Hobbyist Law to Recognize Replicas as Distinct Class - Car hobbyists and related businesses scored another major victory when a version of SEMA model legislation to create a statutory titling and registration class for replica vehicles was passed by the Virginia General Assembly and signed into law by Governor Tim Kaine. The new law goes into effect on July 1, 2007. Virginia joins Washington, Colorado, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Missouri, Montana and Rhode Island as states that have enacted similar bills into law.
  • Accident recalled at trial of family accused of scam - Retired minister is among witnesses for prosecution in fraud case
  • Farmers Insurance is Seeking Qualified, Bilingual Candidates for Career Opportunities - Company Launches a New Recruitment Web Site
  • State Farm cuts auto rates by 5.4% - FL: First Coast drivers can expect even bigger savings of up to 10%.
  • Gunther bill to crack down on auto insurance fraud passes Assembly - A bill aimed at cracking down on auto insurance fraud sponsored by Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther of Forestburgh has passed in the Assembly. -- “Fraud is driving up the cost of auto insurance in New York State,” Gunther said. “Misrepresenting the place where an automobile is garaged or driven is a dishonest way of reducing the costs paid for insurance. My legislation would enhance consumer protection by requiring insurance companies to step up their monitoring of these deceptive practices.”
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Tuesday - March 20, 2007

  • ASA Calls on Florida Repairers to Oppose Right to Repair Act - Repairers are Asked to Contact State Legislature
  • 2007 VeriFacts ''Commitment to Consumers'' Award Winner Honored - Few things can be more frustrating than setting out to make repairs when certain key pieces of information are absent. In the world of collision repairers, with the multitude of vehicle models, options, frequency of change and general technical complexity, access to detailed repair information is literally worth its weight in gold. It is a necessity for vendors to have access to directions for installing the part.
  • LORD Corporation Seam Sealer Approved in GM Bulletin - LORD Corporation, maker of Fusor® Automotive Repair Adhesives – the leading metal and composite bonding solution for automotive body repair – has announced that Fusor Sprayable 804 (Grey) and 805 (Black) have been recommended by General Motors (GM) as suitable Liquid Applied Sound Deadening (LASD) Materials.
  • Cross-Canada Report: Squeezed on All Sides - As the various pressures that are reshaping the industry converge in 2007, many feel this will be the year that some bodyshop owners decide to close their doors. New environmental legislation combined with rapidly evolving vehicle technology, lack of skilled workers and changing DRP relationships are forcing businesses to adapt or wither away.
  • Windsor bodyshop converts to waterborne system - Formula One Collision is ahead of the pack when it comes to environmental responsibility. It is one of the first collision repair facilities in Ontario to convert to a low-VOC paint system for vehicle refinishing.
  • CCAR introduces free motor vehicle safety online course - As a part of its ongoing Alliance with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) now offers the free online training course “Operating Motor Vehicles: A Guide for Employees in the Automotive Repair Industry.”
  • Amica Mutual earns I-CAR Gold Class, Platinum Training designations - Amica Mutual Insurance Company has earned the I-CAR Gold Class Professionals designation in locations throughout the United States. All Amica Mutual Insurance Staff Appraisers and APD Supervisors have completed the required I-CARtraining to achieve the Gold Class Professionalbusiness designation for Amica Mutual Insurance. A majority of Amica employees have also achieved their Platinum Individual designation.
  • Timmons Departs Glass America; Set to Launch Consulting Agency - After serving 18 months as a regional sales manager for Glass America, Joel Timmons is departing Glass America and is launching a consulting firm to service the Automotive Glass Repair and Replacement (AGRR) Industry.
  • Independent Glass Association To Offer Free AGRSS Registration To Non-Registered Members - IGA members attending the Independent Glass Association (IGA) Conference and Spring - Auto Glass Show™ can take advantage of a special program designed to help IGA members become AGRSS-registered at no cost.
  • Automobile equipment, supplies donated to career, technical center - Once Eddie Pope learned of the transformation of his full-service station to a Food Mart, he considered options for clearing out the automobile repair equipment and supplies. -- He chose the automotive class at the Franklin County Career and Technical Center. -- Francis Wheatley, the centers automotive tech teacher, said Popes donation of new and used items was the most generous hes seen in his 13 years there.
  • BMW Opens Eyes and Doors to Career Opportunities in Automotive Services - Hundreds of High School Students From Throughout the South to Visit Facilities, Discover Potential Career Paths During BMW's 'Teens and Wheels' Program
  • AIAG's Auto ID Showcase Presents Brand Protection and Defenses Against Counterfeiting - 12th annual event continues tradition of educating automotive supply chain on automatic identification technologies
  • Dow Automotive Announces Change In Leadership - Dow Automotive, a major technology and solutions provider to the global automotive industry, has named Peter Sykes as successor to George Hamilton to lead the organization. Hamilton has been tapped to lead a new coatings business for Dow Chemical. Dow Automotive’s headquarters will remain in Auburn Hills, Michigan. However, for now, Sykes plans to lead Dow Automotive from its offices in Tokyo, Japan.
  • ACH plant has new general manager - Employee speculation about the departure of three top-level executives at the Margaretta Township Automotive Components Holdings plant remains unconfirmed. -- However, company spokesman Eric Mitchell could confirm the plant is under new management. Doug Cellier, an area native, has stepped up from being a plant material planning and logistics manager to the role of general plant manager.
  • Adesa urges passage of takeover deal - Adesa Inc., the country's second-largest provider of wholesale vehicle auctions, on Monday urged its shareholders to vote to sell the company to a group of private equity funds.
  • Goldman Sachs signs as additional Delphi investor - Goldman Sachs Group Inc. said on Monday it has signed on as an additional investor in a proposed $3.4 billion investment plan to support auto parts maker Delphi Corp.'s emergence from bankruptcy.
  • Retooling Automotive Welding - Auto manufacturers are streamlining their build processes from traditional assembly lines set up specifically for each vehicle, to lines that produce families of vehicles. DaimlerChrysler recently invested $278 million to put a version of this concept into production at its Sterling Heights, Mich., assembly plant, for the production of its 2008 Dodge Avenger. The plant was shut down for less than seven weeks while its assembly line was converted.
  • North America's Largest Auto Show Generates $181 Million for New York City's Economy - New York International Automobile Show Releases Economic Impact Study
  • Four Former Auto Manufacturer Execs Join Mobile Productivity Advisory Council to Provide Strategic & Marketing Direction - Mobile Productivity, Inc. (MPi), a leading provider of profitability tools for auto dealer service departments, announced today that four former auto manufacturer executives have joined the MPi Industry Advisory Council; Mr. Bill Lovejoy, Mr. Richard Sherman, Mr. Joe Hilger and Ms. Maureen Sullivan Martin. They will provide invaluable input from the OEM perspective to help guide the strategic product and marketing direction of MPi.
  • Bush visit to Ford, GM plants may smooth tensions - President George W. Bush will get a chance on Tuesday to smooth over hard feelings that arose last year when he twice postponed meeting with executives of U.S. automakers.
  • Engine Problems Force Honda Recall - Honda Motor Corp. said Monday that it was recalling about 165,000 vehicles from the 2005-06 model years in the United States to deal with potential engine problems.
  • Man arrested after trying to sell stolen car parts back to original owner - A Fremont man called police this weekend and told them that someone was offering to sell him a front spoiler, tachometer and a speaker box, car parts that he believed were stolen from his Honda hatchback, which was taken from his home on March 3 and later found stripped of parts and partially burned, Sgt. Chris Mazzone said.
  • 596 seconds to strip a car - Demonstration aims to build support for antitheft bill -- Three auto body technicians are paid by Allstate Insurance Co. to conduct such demonstrations around the country.
  • Lawmakers say proposed change in auto insurance necessary - Lawmakers are considering a change to Colorado's auto insurance system that critics say could cost consumers money but proponents are hailing as necessary aid to medical providers.
  • Crash shines light on complicated world of insurance - John Jaquinot thought he was doing things right.
  • American Family Insurance Selects Exstream's Dialogue Software - Exstream Software, Inc. today announced that American Family Insurance, a multi-line insurance company and one of the largest property-casualty insurers in the nation, has selected its Dialogue enterprise document automation software as a platform to help streamline document production processes.
  • Michigan Chamber and Insurance Institute Comment on House Passage of No-Fault Related Bill; Urge Senators to Reject It - The following statement was issued today by Wendy Block, Director of Health Policy and Human Resources for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, and Peter Kuhnmuench, Executive Director of the Insurance Institute of Michigan, in response to recent passage of legislation in the State House to make it easier for personal injury attorneys to sue for non-economic damages under the state's no-fault automobile insurance system (HB 4301, Rep. Condino).
  • Insurers' desire for fewer vendors squeezing bodyshops - Canada: Various pressures are reshaping the auto collision repair industry in 2007 – including insurance demands for fewer vendors – and many feel this will be the year that some bodyshop owners decide to close their doors, according to an online report by Bodyshop magazine.
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Monday - March 19, 2007

  • Nobilas launches innovative accident management platform ‘Nobilas Connect’ - Akzo Nobel Business Unit Nobilas Claims & Fleet Solutions has launched an innovative new communication platform for the vehicle repair market. This ICT platform connects all relevant parties in the vehicle accident management value chain. Through the Connect Communication Platform, Nobilas clients such as leasing companies, insurance companies, rental companies and fleet operators will benefit from instant availability of important data, enabling maximum process efficiency.
  • Air Drying Systems - AutobodyOnline: Auxiliary air drying systems cut cure times, booth utility costs
  • Shop around for auto repair - For many of us, it’s one of the most terrifying consumer transactions we make, taking your car in for repairs. It’s terrifying because you always wonder to yourself, is the price I’m paying a fair one?
  • Automotive Repair & Maintenance Service Revenue to Reach $105 Billion by 2010 - Repair and maintenance service revenue for light vehicles in the U.S. is projected to increase at an annual rate of 4.0 percent, reaching $105 billion by 2010. The industry’s current moderate revenue growth results from improvements in new vehicle quality, reliability and durability.
  • New device diagnoses your car’s ailments - Self-service kiosk deciphers warning lights’ meaning
  • Paint and Finish Maintenance - If It is Too Good To Be True, It IS - You still need to wash and wax your vehicle not only to keep it looking great but also to maintain the durability and protection that the paint and clear coat provide.
  • Man restores brother’s classic car after terminal cancer diagnosis - Carl Gerke, owner of Carl’s Auto Body on La Crosse’s North Side, organized an effort to restore a 1966 Chevy Chevelle owned by his brother Bill Schafer who is diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
  • Car hits pole, auto body shop - The late-model station wagon crashed into the spray booth at the Oregon Collision Center, 1213 Gales Creek Road, after shearing off the power pole near its base.
  • Wall Street Finds Windshields - Yesterday’s Wall Street Journal featured a column highlighting some of the new technologies featured in today’s windshields.
  • Only Four Booths Left at This Year’s IGA Conference - This year’s tradeshow floor is filling up fast, with only four booths left for the auto glass section of Americas’ Glass Showcase™. Exhibitors are encouraged to sign up to insure a spot at this year’s premiere Independent Glass Association.
  • Visteon to amend $1B loan - Auto parts maker Visteon Corp. said Friday it will amend its existing $1 billion seven-year loan that expires in June 2013 to add a new tranche of up to $500 million.
  • More auto suppliers looking for fast, easy bankruptcy - As Michigan’s struggling companies face restructuring, more are expected to negotiate the details out of court
  • Billionaires eye area firms - Activist investors aim to influence publicly traded companies -- Twenty years ago, investors with deep pockets who grabbed up chunks of publicly traded companies were called "corporate raiders."
  • Norfolk Ford plant will close the last week in June, workers told - "This past week, a decision on our plant’s idle date was confirmed," said a letter, signed by Kevin Gideon, the manager of the plant, and Ed Hay, chairman of United Auto Workers Local 919, which represents Ford employees. "Our plant will cease production during the week of June 25, 2007, prior to the summer shutdown."
  • Nissan CEO gives up U.S. role - A month ago, Nissan’s chief executive Carlos Ghosn declared a performance crisis at the Japanese carmaker and vowed to energize management.
  • GM, BMW, DaimlerChrysler make alliance - Better late than never. That’s the philosophy for GM, BMW, and DaimlerChrysler, at least on hybrids.
  • Chrysler suitor taps auto execs for bid war - Former top officials Bernhard and Rewey will help Cerberus compete with potential bidders for automaker.
  • Chrysler breakup opposed - DCX supervisory board member won’t back any deal that cuts up U.S. unit
  • GM’s Trailblazer and Envoy SUVs probed for fuel leaks - General Motors Corp.’s Envoy and Chevrolet Trailblazer, the automaker’s top-selling sport-utility vehicles, may develop fuel leaks from corrosion, a U.S. safety agency said in announcing an investigation. -- The inquiry covers 2002 to 2003 Envoy XL and XUV versions and Trailblazer EXT models, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said today on its Web site, citing 16 complaints about corrosion on fuel pump modules. About 818,000 SUVs may be affected, the agency said.
  • Jeep stretches Wrangler and adds two doors - Remaining competitive in today’s automotive industry is a tough business.
  • GM, Ford, Chrysler to talk to Bush again - Auto execs to help him push alternative fuels
  • Drumbeat Quickens for Safer Cars - Suppliers are developing a raft of new systems to prevent accidents
  • What’s next in auto safety - Consumer Reports: Innovative advances will soon make driving safer than ever
  • Jury awards $15.6M in lawsuit between brothers - The money will go into a trust for the victim’s care.
  • Fraud task force busts Methuen auto repair shop owner - The big break in the case came two weeks after Hagopian reported the BMW stolen when a mechanic and ex-employee of Jim’s Auto World walked into the Methuen Police Department to report that his former boss arranged to have the car driven away by a friend who owns a tow truck.
  • Allstate to open new claims center - Allstate Insurance Co. says it intends to open a new claims center in Cheyenne that will bring at least 200 jobs to the city.

Friday - March 16, 2007