Mitchell International Amends Panel-Bonding Information - Mitchell
International, Inc., a leading provider of information and workflow solutions
to the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries, today
announced it will amend the panel bonding information and procedures in its
Parts & Labor Database.
Choose carefully with insured repairs - Many companies will give you a
list of what they called their preferred shops, and they only guarantee the
work performed by those shops.
Identifix Receives ASE Blue Seal of Excellence Recognition - Identifix,
a wholly owned subsidiary of Mobile Productivity Inc., has been accepted into
the prestigious Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) Blue Seal of Excellence
Recognition Program. Identifix is one of the nation's best sources for
knowledge on what breaks, which vehicles it breaks on, and how to fix those
vehicles correctly.
Car parts plant to close in already hard-hit Rochester - French auto
parts maker Valeo SA is closing a windshield-wiper plant that employs about 500
people in Rochester, a city rattled last week by the prospect of thousands of
manufacturing job cuts at photography icon Eastman Kodak Co.
PPG Honors Nine Companies as Excellent Suppliers - Award criteria
included product quality, delivery, documentation, innovation, responsiveness,
continuous improvement and participation in PPG's Supplier Added Value Effort
($AVE) program.
Pilkington reassures despite tough climate - Glassmaker Pilkington
reassured its shareholders today that it has started the year well despite some
difficult background conditions.
Association educates consumers on 'best' auto insurers of 2005 -
Arizona collision repair facility managers will rate Arizona automotive
insurance companies on practices, customer service and payment processes
through the Arizona Collision Craftsmen's Association's (ACCA) Ninth Annual
"Best" Insurer Survey.
DuPont stock takes big hit - DuPont officials attributed the declines
partly to a slowdown in the auto industry, the source of about a quarter of its
sales. DuPont is the world's biggest maker of auto paint.
Anchor General Insurance Company (AGIC) Selects ADP's Solution to Run Their DRP
Network - ADP Claims Services Group, a leading provider of integrated
business solutions for the property and casualty, collision repair and
automotive recycling industries, today announced that AGIC has selected ADP's
Managed Repair Solution, powered by eAutoclaims, to administer its managed
repair programs. The technology and services behind ADP's Managed Repair
Solution will streamline appraisal assignments and accelerate the claims
process.
PPG Honored as 2004
Visteon Important Partner - PPG Industries was named as a Visteon
Important Partner, exemplifying "Best in Class" performance as a North American
non-metals supplier to meet Visteon Corporation's needs.
Hyundai Mtr, Siemens buy S.Korean car parts firm - "Hyundai Autonet is
strategically crucial for Hyundai Motor as it has excellent technology on
displays and navigation and car computer systems," said Hyundai Motor Director
Hwang Yoo-no.
Car Rip-Offs? - There are scam artists out there that are playing an
extremely dangerous game by selling cars with damaged or re-welded frames.
Thousands of innocent consumers are unknowingly putting their families at risk.
Mexico's Vitro eyes asset sales: "no sacred cows" - Mexican glass maker
Vitro said on Tuesday it was mulling selling assets as part of an effort to
slash the debt burden at its holding company level and focus on its core
activities. -- Rodriguez said the firm was "engaged in advance discussions
about the sale of non-strategic businesses." He declined to say which assets
were up for sale, but added that Vitro "hoped to make an announcement soon."
July 26, 2005
Ford Motor Company Selects OEConnection's LinkIQ - OEConnection LLC, a
leader in ecommerce procurement and analysis solutions for the automotive
original equipment parts business, is pleased to announce Ford Motor Company's
selection of LinkIQ as an integral component in Ford's continued initiative to
streamline the parts supply chain and better serve its dealers and their
customers.
Automakers Must Notify Dealers of Serious Recalls - Under a new federal
rule, an automaker must notify its dealers within three days of plans to recall
a vehicle with a defect that poses "an immediate and substantial threat" to
safety. -- The notice will effectively stop sales of the recalled vehicle and
reduce the number of consumers that otherwise would have to return to the
dealership for repairs.
LYNX Responds to
Concerns about the METRYX™ service - Many people in the industry have
contacted glassBYTEs™ directly, and still others have expressed their views on
the AGRR Magazine Industry Forum, concerning aspects of the recently introduced
METRYX™ registry service of LYNX Services.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Announces General Counsel Robert Guttman
Will Leave the Company - CCC Information Services Group Inc. announced
today that Robert S. Guttman, its senior vice president, general counsel and
secretary will leave the company to become vice president, general counsel and
secretary of The Reynolds and Reynolds Company, a leading provider of systems
and services to automobile dealers. Guttman will transition from the company at
the end of August.
Copart Expands in Florida - Copart, Inc., the largest provider of
vehicle salvage disposition services in the United States, today announced the
opening of its eighth salvage facility in the state of Florida. Located in
Tallahassee, the new yard is a 34-acre greenfield facility and will provide
service between other Copart yards in Mobile, Ala. and Jacksonville, Fla.
Auto Parts
Corner, Premier Car Parts Dealer, Launches New Redesigned Website
- Auto Parts Corner is poised to be one of the top car parts wholesalers in the
country today. Offering millions of discount auto parts, all manufactured by
the best auto parts makers in the industry, Auto Parts Corner is certainly
among the most trusted auto parts suppliers today.
Students help auto
parts company reduce pollution - For the second consecutive summer,
students from the small liberal arts college are helping Denso Manufacturing
Tennessee inventory and control emissions generated by the company's inking and
cleaning processes.
Man charged in repair shop theft - Rochester NY -- Greece police
officers charged a Livingston County man last week for allegedly pocketing cash
paid to a Greece auto repair shop. -- Kurt Kline, 35, of Caledonia, the
collision shop manager for the Doan Family of Dealerships, was charged with
third-degree grand larceny, a class D felony, last week, said Greece Police Lt.
Stephen Wise.
Mexico Vitro swings into profit vs loss - Mexican glass maker Vitro
posted a second-quarter net profit of $37 million on Monday, against a net loss
a year earlier of $41 million, due largely to a foreign exchange gain. --
Vitro, which makes glass for the auto industry, as well as flat glass and
containers, reported an operating profit of $39 million for the quarter, down
4.3 percent from the year ago period.
New
Jersey to Ban Smoking in Automobiles - The New Jersey State legislature
has introduced a bill that would ban all smoking in personal vehicles. The
proposed bill includes a ban on cigarettes, cigars and pipes. The legislature
has, also, proposed fines of up to $250.
Myth or Reality?; Vehicle Color Influences Rates and Insurers Can Charge
Whatever They Want - The color of a car influences how much it costs to
insure it. Comprehensive coverage protects drivers in all situations because,
after all, it's "comprehensive," and car insurance companies can charge
whatever they want. Have you ever thought one or more of these statements to be
true? You're not alone.
Lawyers
Plead Guilty in SoCal Car Insurance Fraud Ring - Two attorneys pleaded
guilty Friday in connection with a Southern California insurance fraud ring
that allegedly staged vehicle collisions and filed false insurance company
claims, officials said.
PPG hires marketing manager for auto division - PPG Industries has
hired Paul Ong as marketing manager of PPG Refinish Alliance Programs, part of
PPG Automotive Aftermarket Alliance. Ong has more than 10 years of marketing
experience; he previously was a director of marketing and customer service for
an industrial manufacturer and a director of account services for a
marketing-communications firm.
Retirees squeezed - Retirees taking a hit on health care aren't limited
to those who worked for bankrupt steel companies. -- Charles Evanina, 77, of
Uniontown, learned that the hard way after working 30 years at PPG Industries
Inc.'s automotive windshield plant in South Greensburg.
Midas
gets its groove back - Since the 53-year-old CEO left his post as
second-in-command at Oak Brook-based McDonald’s Corp. to take the helm of the
Itasca-based Midas Inc. in 2003, the car repair company has been picking up
speed.
Father of 7 Battles Cancer - Local man worked for Fairfax Auto Body for
21 years -- A Friends of Dave fund-raiser is set for Saturday, July 30, from
6-10 p.m. at the Arlington/Fairfax Elks Lodge, 8421 Arlington Blvd. in Fairfax.
It's open to the public, and through this event, said Gross, "The community and
Dave's co-workers, friends, family members, church members, neighbors and new
friends in the community can help alleviate some of the financial strain."
http://www.friendsofdave.net/
Chemicals climb past glass in PPG sales - The chemicals business at PPG
Industries Inc. surpassed its traditional glass products business in total
sales -- with both behind its No. 1 coatings business -- the company said
Thursday in reporting strong results that included record quarterly sales of
$2.66 billion.
The Sherwin-Williams
Company Reports Second Quarter 2005 Earnings Results - The net sales
gains in both the quarter and first six months were due primarily to strong
sales performances by stores open for more than twelve calendar months,
acquisitions in the Paint Stores and Consumer Segments and improvement in the
Automotive Finishes and International Coatings Segments.
Wheels, Inc.'S Joe
Birren Named World Class Technician by AAIA - "Achieving and
maintaining this designation is extremely difficult and requires the highest
level of dedication," said Vince Sommer, Wheels Director of Collision and
Vendor Management. "We're very proud of Joe Birren's focus on reaching the
World Class level. ASE certification provides concrete industry- recognized
validation of his top-tier experience, knowledge and expertise.
Mazda to
Recall 27,800 RX8 Sports Cars - Mazda is recalling 27,800 RX8 sports
cars because of a problem with the front suspension that could lead to a loss
of steering resulting in a crash.
Union working
to protect workers facing axe Victoria, Australia - The glass
manufacturer Pilkington lost a major contract with General Motors Holden
earlier this year to a Thai manufacturer. -- This ended almost 70 years of
business between the two companies.
Research and Markets: Parts Marking in the Fight Against Car Crime -
The marking of car parts - both visibly and secretly - is an important aid to
identifying a stolen car and returning it to its rightful owner, or tracing the
source of individual components. This new report "Techniques for Vehicle and
Component Identification" details the legal requirements for parts marking in
force around the world, analyses the different methods used and predicts how
the practice will develop in years to come.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Reports EPS of $0.31 for the Second Quarter
- CCC Information Services Group Inc. reported net income of $5.5 million, or
$0.31 per diluted share, for the second quarter ending June 30, 2005, compared
to net income of $5.3 million, or $0.19 per diluted share for the same quarter
in 2004. Net income and earnings per share for 2005 reflect the impact of the
company's September 2004 self-tender transaction.
Auto Repair Service
Stations Disappearing - The Valley and state have nearly seen the end
of service stations that used to offer such service as automotive repair-wise
and tire service. Full-service gas stations are quickly becoming a thing of the
past as gas prices rise and people move toward convenience stores with
self-service pumps.
Get off work; get your car fixed - All Night Auto an after-hours shop
-- All Night Auto is a small but ambitious national chain based in Troy, Mich.,
that aims to make it more convenient for customers to get their vehicles fixed
- and to earn customers' trust by promising to fire anyone who installs an
unnecessary part.
GM Posts Another Huge
Quarterly Loss - General Motors Corp. reported another huge quarterly
loss Wednesday, intensifying pressure on CEO Rick Wagoner to speed up the
overhaul of North American operations that produced a $1.2 billion torrent of
red ink in the second quarter.
Gentex quarterly earnings fall 10 percent - Gentex Corp., which makes
self-dimming rearview mirrors for vehicles, on Wednesday said earnings fell on
lower than expected North American sport utility vehicle production, driving
shares down 8.24 percent.
Dana's
second quarter earnings fall - Auto-parts maker Dana Corp. on Wednesday
reported its second-quarter profits were cut in half, mainly due to a gain it
recorded a year ago when it sold its automotive aftermarket business.
Allstate Reports 16.3% Increase in Net Income EPS and 12.9% Increase in
Operating Income EPS for 2005 Second Quarter - "Allstate has turned in
another very strong quarterly performance," said Edward M. Liddy, chairman and
CEO of The Allstate Corporation. "We continued to generate profitable growth
accompanied by attractive returns on equity while, at the same time, continuing
our disciplined capital management activities. Solid growth in book value per
share is a good indicator of the value we are creating for our shareholders.
Auto shop makes over car for ailing teen - The Royal Palm Beach teen's
1998 Nissan Altima underwent a $10,000 makeover after the nonprofit Make-A-Wish
Foundation of Southern Florida granted his wish.
Car
insurance lawsuit near settlement - A Madison County judge gave
preliminary approval Monday to a class-action settlement in which consumers
would get $5 to $132, while plaintiff attorneys would get $9.5 million. --
Associate Judge Ralph Mendelsohn gave preliminary approval in lawsuits against
CCC Information Services Inc. of Chicago and several insurance companies that
used software made by CCC.
I-CAR Meeting To Host Industry Panel During General Session - I-CAR
will host an informative industry panel during the General Session of the
upcoming 2005 I-CAR International Annual Meeting being held July 27-30 in
Scottsdale, Arizona. Entitled "The Importance of I-CAR to the Industry,"
collision industry leaders will discuss their personal and professional support
of I-CAR and training, the benefits to their business and customers, and why
they believe that I-CAR and training should be supported by the entire
industry.
Elite
Auto Glass sold to a British company - Elite Auto Glass, which grew
from a mom-and-pop glass shop based in Commerce City into the largest
windshield repair and replacement company west of the Mississippi, has been
sold to London-based Belron International S.A.
July 19, 2005
BTB Tools
announces new USA Sales Manager - Terry brings with him a wealth of
sales, marketing and hands-on auto glass experience gained from many years in
the industry, including 28 years with Harmon AutoGlass, where he began as an
installer and then advancing to operations manager.
Unlicensed Car Dent
Repair Operation Caught On Hidden Camera - An auto body repair
operation that uses deception and intimidation to take your cash is the target
of an exclusive KIRO Team 7 Investigation. -- Investigative Reporter Chris
Halsne recently turned the tables on these shoddy repairmen who have been
ruining cars all over the Seattle area this summer.
PPG
Partners With Educator on Distance Learning - PPG Canada, Inc. has
formed a partnership with the Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS)
Council to produce and deliver automotive collision center training across
Canada.
Diamond Triumph Acquires the Assets of Settles Glass Co. - Diamond
Triumph Auto Glass, Inc., one of the nation's leading providers of auto glass
services, announced today it has acquired the retail auto and fabrication glass
assets of Settles Glass Companies, Incorporated. Settles Glass provides
complete glass service for auto and home glass customers.
Calif.
Legislature Breaks for Summer, Takes Action on Measures - Senate
Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee - July 13 -- AB 303
(Calderon) Automotive Repair Dealers. AB 303 would allow an insurance
company to work directly with a repair shop to pursue the repair of an insured
vehicle. The bill was held in committee for a vote at a later date. ACIC
supports the bill.
New report
shows vehicle death rates - The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety
earlier this year released a chilling but interesting reported titled "The Risk
of Dying in One Vehicle Versus Another."
Nissan to
recall Murano SUVs - Nissan North America Inc. said Monday it will
recall more than 140,000 Murano sport utility vehicles amid concerns that a
broken wire in the alternator could deplete power to the engine and lead to a
crash.
Ford
Quarterly Profit May Fall on Sales Drop, Visteon Costs - Ford may say
tomorrow that second-quarter profit excluding some costs fell 46 percent to 33
cents a share, the average estimate of analysts surveyed by Thomson Financial.
It would be the first time since 2002 that earnings fell for two straight
quarters. Ford has exceeded analysts' estimates 13 quarters in a row and in
2004 beat its own projections by 67 percent.
Stay in gear
- The U.S. Senate has taken a key step toward making the driving public safer.
The question now is whether the House will agree to push auto safety
improvements into law at this opportune moment. -- Among other things, the
legislation would require the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration,
within the next three to four years, to set standards for reducing rollovers by
using stability-enhancing technologies and for decreasing occupant ejections by
making roofs and door locks stronger.
Former Chrysler worker pleads guilty to stealing parts - A former
maintenance technician with Daimler Chrysler in Fenton pleaded guilty Friday to
stealing auto parts from the plant and selling them on eBay, said U.S. Attorney
James Martin.
China's
automakers set sights on exports, amid humble beginnings - It was one
of those awkward moments for an up-and-coming automaker: as an alarm sounded,
workers in bright blue uniforms rushed to rebalance an auto body that had gone
awry on the assembly line.
Carolyn and Phil Rack have officially retired as of June
15th 2005 and have given the Beyond Parts & Equipment site to Geni Newell -
In an email to Geni, Carolyn writes: "As of June 15, this
business is yours. I’ll miss working with you day to day, but I won’t miss the
stress and financial drain of the business."
State Farm
leaves shops searching for answers - Roland Sutton of Prestige Auto
Body in Martin, Tenn., liked the efficiency of State Farm’s “Service First”
direct repair program (DRP). He liked getting checks sent to him directly in
three or four days and he liked the timesaving aspects of the program. About
the only thing he didn’t like was being told his services were no longer
needed.
TI Automotive, despite its deep roots in Meriden, faces iffy future -
An acting regional director for the National Labor Relations Board has filed a
complaint against TI Automotive Group Inc., charging that the company did not
bargain in good faith when it moved its aftermarket parts lines out of state.
Saint-Gobain Extend Czech Republic Investment - Saint-Gobain has
launched a new glass production line in the Czech Republic for the automotive
industry. -- “Saint-Gobain’s new plant uses the latest technology to produce
state-of-the-art automotive glass for mid- to high-end and luxury model
vehicles.
Witness on Board - Most people have no idea that their car has a 'black
box' data recorder that monitors their driving during accidents. They also
don't know who's now monitoring the monitor.
Gordon
says he was unaware car repairs might have been illegal - Senate
Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack Gordon, D-Okolona, says he did not know
until recently that the work performed on his Mercedes Benz at Holmes Community
College in Goodman might have been illegal. -- Gordon said that last fall,
Morgan told him students in the auto body shop department at Holmes could paint
his car, which had some dents, if he bought the paint.
Fremont auto
plant to get upgrades - The NUMMI plant in Fremont owned by automakers
Toyota and General Motors will be upgraded, according to two media reports
including an interview with Toyota's president.
Exit 92: Auto
salvation His mission: To get you on your way - A mechanic driving a
customer? Yep. Mungia allowed a family to take his truck to Pennsylvania on
vacation while he fixed theirs and tells other stories of lending vehicles.
Last week, the shop sent a Cleveland woman off in its Dodge Neon while Munguia
and his employees repaired the timing belt on her Ford Escort. When she picked
up the car Friday, she said the experience restored her sense of humanity in
people. "You don't see that," she said of what the shop did.
Autostock
International Sells U.S. Automotive Glass Distribution Business to Pilkington
- Autostock International, a division of TCG International Inc. (TCGI) today
reported an agreement to sell the assets of its US auto glass and related
products distribution business to Pilkington North America, Inc. (Pilkington).
The acquisition is expected to complete on Monday, July 18, 2005.
Steps For Wrangling
A Car Insurance Settlement - The driver responsible was covered by
Allied Insurance. Nick assumed that they would cover his costs, but Allied told
him the driver might have had a medical condition that caused him to pass out.
That meant he could not be held responsible.
Local victims anticipated in insurance ruse - The FBI said it will
probably find local victims of an unauthorized insurance company which sold
thousands of bogus auto policies in California until at least July 2002.
July 15, 2005
Pilkington acquires US assets of Autostock Distribution for 18 mln usd
- Glass producer Pilkington PLC said it has agreed to buy the US assets of
Autostock Distribution for 18 mln usd. -- Autostock Distribution supplies
automobile glass and other automotive products for a range of vehicles from 21
locations across the US. -- Pilkington Group chief executive Stuart Chambers
said: "This acquisition is another step in our transition to Stage 3 of our
three-stage 'cash for growth' strategy - identifying opportunities for
profitable growth in our existing businesses."
Outlook
dims for suppliers - Though new cars are debuting and steel costs are
lower, they'll need to rely less on automakers.
Call
4 Action: Car Complaints List - The Center for Auto Safety took
complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and
came up with a formula. The result: car complaint ratings, based on information
about the first half of 2005.
GM seen poised to spark sector surge - The future for automakers and
auto-parts suppliers isn't as grim as it has appeared lately, with North
American production possibly stabilizing as costs appear to be peaking for most
types of steel, Lehman Bros. said Thursday.
Auto Glass Supplier Implements Just-in-Time Supply Chain - Saint-Gobain
Sekurit, a Tier 1 supplier of glass to the automotive and transport markets,
has deployed Apriso Corp.'s FlexNet manufacturing and logistics management
software. The system was selected to provide an integrated just-in-time (JIT)
supply chain execution solution throughout all Saint-Gobain Sekurit European
sites.
Glass industry loses part of its shine After 58 years - Bill Morris
retires from Virginia Auto Glass -- Things have a habit of changing as the
years go by. William "Bill" Morris Jr. can attest to that. Like any industry,
the glass business has changed over the years.
Garen K. Staglin
joins EXL Service board as director - Mr. Staglin was a Director of
First Data Corporation and till recently was President and CEO of eONE Global
LP, an emerging payments company. Previously, he was Chairman and CEO of Safelite Glass Corporation, a manufacturer and retailer of replacement auto glass and related insurance services. Prior to his experience at Safelite,
Mr. Staglin was President of ADP Automotive Claims Services, a leading provider
of auto physical damage claims estimating software and services.
People making
news - Auburn Hills-based glass products manufacturer Guardian
Industries Corp. named Jim Gresehover, formerly director of Asian business and
engineering for Holland-based Gentex Corp., as director of international
development.
Chemical Industry Flees to China for Cheap Labor - So powerful has
China's grip become on the future of the manufacturing sector that of the 120
new chemical facilities being constructed around the world, 50 are being built
in China - while only one is being built in the United States. -- Consider Dow
Chemical Co. Since 2002, Dow has closed 11 U.S. plants and laid off nearly 20
percent of its American employees. Once where West Virginia competed for
investment dollars with Gulf Coast states, today the chemical giant has not
only canceled plans for a new state-of-the-art plant in Texas but has also
closed two existing ethylene facilities at the same site.
CCC Announces Signing Of Settlement Agreement In National Class Action
Litigation Pending in Madison County, IL - CCC Information Services
Inc., a subsidiary of CCC Information Services Group Inc., today announced it
and 15 of its customers signed a settlement agreement with the plaintiffs in
various class action suits pending in Madison County, Illinois. These
consolidated suits, In re Total Loss Class Action Litigation, Case Nos. 01 L
157, et al., relate to the valuation of vehicles that have been declared total
losses by insurers.
German
Automotive/Aerospace Supplier to Locate North American Headquarters in LaGrange -
Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that ae group ag of Germany, a supplier
of assembly-ready high-pressure aluminum die casting parts and components for
the international automotive and aerospace industries, has selected LaGrange,
Georgia as the site of its first U.S. manufacturing operation and North
American headquarters. The new facility will bring a total of 300 new jobs and
$50 million in investment to the state in the next five years.
Delphi sells its stake in Japan's Akebono Brake - Delphi Corp., a major
U.S. automobile parts supplier, has sold off its entire stake in Akebono Brake
Industry Co., a spokesman at the Japanese automotive brake systems maker said
Wednesday.
NHTSA
Probes Recent Mustangs - The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) is investigating complaints that in some 2003 and 2004
Ford Mustangs the carpet may interfere with accelerator pedal return following
wide open throttle applications. -- The vehicles that will be targeted include
the 2003-2004 Mustang Cobra as well as the 2003 Mustang Convertible and the
2003 Mustang GT. There are about 20,546 vehicles are subject to the
investigation.
MADD Kicks
off 'Strides for Change' - On Wednesday, MADD -- along with Guardian
Auto Glass -- offered free windshield chip repair and a free barbecue to raise
awareness about their event in September.
Group 1 Automotive Announces Second-Quarter Earnings Release Schedule -
Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 500 specialty retailer, announced that it
will release financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005, on
Tuesday, Aug. 2, at 7 a.m. EDT. Executive management will host a conference
call to discuss the results later that morning at 10 a.m. EDT.
NHTSA
Probes Ford Explorer and Mountaineer - The National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration (NHTSA) in Washington reports that it is investigating
unwanted acceleration in 690,000 of the vehicles from the 2002 model year.
UVSC welcomes Japanese automotive exchange students - Utah Valley State
College Automotive Technology is hosting 97 Japanese students this month from
the Saitama Technical College near Tokyo for specialized training in collision
repair and diesel.
Don’t
have a CLUE? Look up score online - For years, the public has known
little about a database that helps the nation’s insurance companies determine
how much to charge their customers for auto and homeowners coverage – or
whether they will cover them at all. -- But CLUE reports – short for
Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange – are secret no longer. Under the Fair
and Accurate Credit Transactions Act of 2003, consumers now can order, for
free, two detailed reports covering five years of claims on their home and car
policies.
July 12, 2005
Autobody Event Expands Conference Program - The International Autobody
Congress & Exposition (NACE) announced that the 2005 Conference Program is the
largest, most comprehensive compilation of sessions, speakers and topics ever.
Stick-on protection - 3M Scotchgard product is transparent and helps
prevents unsightly scratches
Founder
of Sonnax sells to two top execs - Brattleboro,VT -- Neil Joseph,
founder and CEO, of Sonnax, along with minority shareholder David Landa, sold
the company to Tommy Harmon and David Bedard in a management buyout. Harmon and
Bedard formed a 50/50 partnership to complete the transaction at the end of
June.
How parts bills play into extended service contracts - Sandy Bass-Cors,
executive director at the Coalition for Automotive Repair Equality, says that
crash parts bills are of equal significance when discussing issues with
extended service contracts.
Independent
repair shops threatened - As a vehicle owner, I'm pretty sure you would
agree that you should have the right to choose where your car, SUV, minivan or
pickup truck is serviced and repaired. You probably wouldn't be too happy if
the car company that built your vehicle controlled where you take it for
service.
Advantage Online: Foam For Thought-What To Use- One hundred years ago,
vehicles were built without consideration for noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH)
control, or occupant protection. These vehicles were designed for function
alone, which was primarily to transport people and goods from one place to
another. As vehicles evolved through the years, they were built with more
attention to creature comforts and accommodated the passengers by increasing
occupant crash protection and reducing NVH.
July 11, 2005
Body shops fight insurer's 'concierge' bill - Insurer Progressive Corp.
is battling body shops, new-car dealers and consumer groups over a bill that
would let it set up concierge centers in California to arrange and oversee auto
repairs.
For G.M., a
Struggling Delphi Could Prove to Be a Burden - As General Motors tries
to cut tens of billions in labor costs, it faces the increasing likelihood that
it will bear some financial responsibility for its former auto parts subsidiary
Delphi, industry experts say. their loss ratios fell.
Fake car
parts trade exposed - Over a Quarter of a million counterfeit car parts
were seized in the Middle East last year, Arabian Business can reveal. --
Members of the Automotive Brand Protection Coalition (ABPC) — General Motors,
BMW, DaimlerChrysler, Toyota and Honda conducted a series of successful raids
throughout the region over the past year. However, the trade in illicit car
parts is still believed to be a widespread problem.
Auto
parts makers race to Europe for buyouts - Where do the Indian auto
component companies go shopping? Going by the recent acquisitions by the Indian
auto component companies, Germany and the UK seem to be the favourite
destinations. The presence of some of the big names in the automobile industry
like Volkswagen, BMW, Audi and DaimlerChrysler in these countries and the
volumes that come out of these players seem to be the reason for Indian
companies to go on a shopping spree.
Stronger Steels Create
Joining Challenges - Advanced high-strength steels are moving into the
fast lane of automotive applications, thanks to the growing recognition that
can help engineers reduce vehicle weight and improve crash worthiness. But the
extra strength comes at a price: The strength gains that make these steels so
desirable also compel designers and manufacturers to consider new welding
techniques.
Customers say auto
repair shop illegally keeping their cars - They took their cars in for
repair and now they claim they can’t get them back. -- Customers tell
Cleveland’s Investigative Reporter Carl Monday their vehicles were held hostage
by a suburban auto repair shop ... a shop now under investigation by the city
prosecutor.
GM Outsells Longtime Leader VW in China - General Motors Corp. ended
Volkswagen's 20-year run as the biggest overseas automaker in China, the
world's third-largest vehicle market, after releasing five new Chevrolet and
Cadillac models this year.
Preventing
Auto Theft A Team Effort - Officers from throughout East Texas are
learning basic and specialized auto theft techniques from the Texas Department
of Public Safety Motor Vehicle Theft Service. The lessons are important
considering a vehicle is stolen in Texas an average of every 5 minutes. --
Captain Adrian Cortez said, "They strip the cars and resell the parts and then
they steal cars out on the open market." Stolen motor vehicles often end up in
neighboring states or Mexico. Auto theft recovery rate is 75%.
Local TV station sues Ford, Firestone - A local television station is
suing Ford Motor Co. and tire manufacturer Bridgestone/Firestone Inc., claiming
a defective tire caused its SUV to rollover. -- Filed Friday in Johnson County
District Court, Cedar Rapids Television Co., which owns KCRG TV-9, is seeking
unspecified damages from Ford and Bridgestone/Firestone.
Turnaround expert takes over Collins & Aikman - Auto interiors supplier
Collins & Aikman Corp., turning to an industry turnaround expert to lead it out
of bankruptcy, selected Frank Macher, former chairman of Federal Mogul Corp.
and a past Ford Motor Co. executive, as its new CEO and president.
Volkswagens,
Fords, Toyotas Recalled - Jettas from the 2005 model year are
involved in the recall. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said
a fuel supply line clamp may not be properly positioned, which could lead to a
leak. -- Volkswagen said it knows of no deaths or injuries related to
the defect, which was reported to the company by a small number of owners. --
Ford Motor Co. is recalling the 2006 Ford Expedition and 2006 Lincoln
Navigator because the left-side tires may have tread damage caused by a
sharp piece of steel they may have encountered during manufacturing. There are
10,061 vehicles involved in that recall, NHTSA said. -- Toyota Motor Corp. is
recalling 11,592 Tacoma pickup trucks from the 2005 model year that have
bench seats. NHTSA said the seat-belt buckle sensor may not function as
designed, which could cause the air bag to deploy improperly in a crash.
Apogee Enterprises Inc. SEC filing - Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Automotive
Replacement Glass and Services (Auto Glass) • First-quarter revenues of
$8.6 million were down 12.3 percent from the prior-year period as a result of
lower volume and lower pricing. • Operating income of $0.1 million was down
from the $1.1 million reported in the prior-year period also as a result of
lower volume and pricing.
Copart Continues Expansion - Copart, Inc., the largest provider of
vehicle salvage disposition services in the United States, today announced the
opening of its forth salvage facility in the state of Washington and its ninth
in its Pacific Northwest region. Located in Spokane, Washington, this 33-acre
Greenfield facility was purchased by Copart. It will add needed capacity in the
eastern part of the state, which is currently serviced by yards in Pasco,
Washington and Helena, Montana.
CARS 2005 Session to
Address 'Super Warranty' Issues - The Automotive Service Association (ASA)
has announced a two-hour session preceding the Congress of Automotive Repair
and Service (CARS) to examine the far-reaching consequences of "super warranty"
legislation. Several states have already approved legislation or regulations,
and more are considering it.
Purchasing Used Vehicles - Well-trained collision repair facilities
will be able to determine if a vehicle that may seem shiny and new to the
consumer is really hiding substandard or unsafe repairs.
Lithuanian company uses Copart software - Hansa Finance has signed an
agreement to use Copart Inc.'s VB2 auction software to remarket vehicles in
Eastern Europe, Copart announced Wednesday.
Visteon Seeks
Winning culture - Don Stebbins got a $3-million signing bonus to join
beleaguered Visteon Corp. as president and chief operating officer seven weeks
ago. -- Now he must earn it.
AADCO
announces record revenues for June 2005 - AADCO reported that its
revenues for the month of June 2005 reached an all time high of $736,731. Sales
for June 2004 were $573,442. The sales for June represent a 29% increase over
the previous year's June sales. -- AADCO Automotive Inc.
is a growing, Canadian public company with a unique business model committed to
complete vehicle dismantling to provide quality used OEM parts, recyclable core
from insurance salvage and aftermarket parts to meet the needs of the
collision/ mechanical repair industry, as well as the remanufacturing industry
through it's Coreline division.
Lawsuit against
insurance company going to trial - Former Brookings Allstate Insurance
agent Leanne McCurley received good news last week, indicating there may be
some light at the end of the class action lawsuit tunnel in which she has been
a participant for five years.
July 6, 2005
ASA, NADA Send Joint
Letter to Congress on Service Information Agreement - The Automotive
Service Association (ASA) and the National Automobile Dealers Association
(NADA) have sent a joint letter to the U.S. Congress commenting on federal
legislation concerning vehicle service information.
Local
business owners oppose redevelopment - Ted Mendelson, who has owned
Mendelson Auto Body on Beta Court for the past 25 years, and Jeff Johnson, who
owns San Ramon Body and Detail, along with two neighboring auto body shop
owners are worried that their landlords may be tempted to sell their property
to developers if San Ramon approves the Crow Canyon Specific Plan.
Ford
Recalls Trucks to Fix Stalling Problem - Ford Motor Co. is recalling
180,000 trucks with 6.0-liter diesel engines for electrical repairs the company
says will end a stalling problem.
IBM and DST Deliver On-Demand Solutions for Automotive Parts Distribution
- DST Inc. has achieved industry-optimized status in IBM's PartnerWorld
Industry Networks. As a result, DST can now take advantage of IBM's sales,
marketing and technical expertise to develop and deliver on demand solutions
that meet customer requirements in the automotive and truck parts distribution
industry.
GM wins suit against U.S. in pension case - A federal court has ruled
in favor of General Motors Corp. in its bid to recover as much as $253 million
from the federal government for one of its underfunded pension plans, the Wall
Street Journal reported on Wednesday.
Auto Carriers Follow in Progressive's Real-time Footsteps - A number of
auto insurance carriers adding real-time rating capabilities and other agent-
and consumer-friendly enhancements have decided to give The Progressive Group
of Insurance Companies a run for its money.
Guardian adds 75 jobs at Ligonier plant - Auto parts supplier Guardian
Industries Corp. is expanding the workforce at its Ligonier plant, adding 75
full-time jobs at a time when some other auto parts manufacturers are facing
bankruptcy and layoffs. -- Guardian’s auto glass plant in Ligonier has seen its
sales increase, partly because of General Motors’ strong June sales, said Rick
Benson, assistant human resources manager for the plant. The facility also
manufactures windshields, windows and other glass products for Ford, Chrysler
and BMW vehicles.
PPG election of new CEO effective today - PPG Industries Inc. on Friday
said the election of its new chairman and chief executive, Charles Bunch, is
effective as of today, according to a regulatory filing. -- Bunch succeeds
Raymond LeBoeuf, who has retired, as head of the maker of chemicals, paints and
glass.
Coalition Deems Auto Repair Legislation Unnecessary - The Coalition for
Automotive Repair and Fair Information Xchange (CARFIX), which includes the
Automotive Service Association (ASA), representing more than 65,000 independent
auto service technicians employed by member businesses; the Alliance of
Automobile Manufacturers and the Association of International Automobile
Manufacturers, opposes H.R. 2048, the Motor Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair
Act.
States Address Steering Issues - With the growing number of insurance
company direct repair programs – and with many insurers processing an
increasing percentage of their claims through such programs – it’s easy to
understand why some states are looking to put the brakes on “steering” of work
by insurers.
Visteon, workers reach deal for Connersville plant - Visteon Corp. and
union negotiators reached a tentative contract agreement Friday in talks which
community leaders had hoped would save the plant and its 1,450 jobs.
Pimped your ride? Get ready to pay - Fancy wheels, electronics and
tuner gear cost you thousands upfront -- and now you’re a target for thieves
and insurers as well.
`Chop
shops' broken up, police say - The investigators suspect that some of
the stolen vehicle parts have been installed in citizens' vehicles without
their knowledge. Anyone whose vehicles were repaired at the Monteagle address
or has any information about these auto theft rings is asked to contact task
force Detective Rick Tomlin at 408-808-4555. The Regional Auto Theft Task Force
is made up of officers from the California Highway Patrol, local police
agencies and the county sheriff's department.
Wrecks Sometimes Put
Back On Road Illegally - Terry Dunscheski paid nearly $20,000 for one
Toyota SUV. When he took it to his mechanic, he was shocked to learn he'd been
driving his family around in a re-built wreck.
Local firms -- shrugging
off criticism of China's currency, acquisition moves -- press on with
plans to expand in world's most populous country - PPG's China investments
began in the 1970s with chemicals. It later branched out into coatings and
paints, drawn to Asia by global customers including the automobile industry.
Parts
Train Expands Facility to serve your Auto Parts needs - Parts Train
continues to position itself as the leading source of high quality auto parts
for almost all makes, domestic or import. Parts Train is the nation's leading
internet direct marketer of automotive aftermarket collision replacement parts
and accessories. It has provided excellent auto parts to repair shops, auto
mechanics, and installation outlets, even to do-it-yourself consumers.
Pilkington
"underperform," estimates reduced - The analysts expect sluggish trends
to continue in the US automotive industry and a demand/supply imbalance in the
glass market in the near term.
Auto
Parts-maker Visteon Plans to Cut Retirement Benefits - Auto-parts maker
Visteon Corp., following the lead of other auto suppliers, plans to cut health
care and life insurance benefits for white-collar employees, a spokeswoman said
Thursday.
Copart Announces International Buyer Assistance Agreement with Akinvest
- Copart, Inc. today announced that it has entered into an agreement to allow
Canadian based Akinvest, Inc. to provide floor planning and logistical
assistance to international buyers of vehicles from Copart as well as the
international buyers of vehicles from wholesale vehicle auctions using the VB2
Internet sales platform.
Auto suppliers constantly seek to add more data - The competitive world
of the automotive supplier has scientists, engineers and technicians constantly
seeking ways to supply systems and components capable of delivering more
information at less cost. Semiconductor technology has literally transformed
the auto world and, as development continues, processing power, sensor speed
and communication between devices becomes critical.
Window-tint inspections process will change - Starting Friday, the
Mississippi Highway Patrol will no longer grant free stickers for vehicles with
non-factory installed tinted windows.
Another auto insurer plans to leave Mass. - Sentry Insurance of Stevens
Point, Wis., which also operates under the name of Middlesex Insurance, would
become the 35th auto insurer, according to state data, to either pull out of
Massachusetts or sell its business here in the past 15 years.
MetLife Completes
Acquisition of Travelers Life & Annuity - MetLife, Inc. announced today
it has completed the acquisition of Citigroup's Travelers Life & Annuity and
substantially all of Citigroup's international insurance businesses for $11.8
billion.
