Watching Out for Your Windshield - Nancy wanted to have
her windshield repaired at Anderson's Auto Glass in Williston, a shop she used
before. So she called up the NetCost Auto Glass Network. Nancy's insurance
provider uses NetCost to handle claims. Nancy says that's when she learned her
idea of a smooth windshield replacement isn't all it's cracked up to be. -- "I
started getting calls from Glass America," she says. "The only way they could
have known is through NetCost. I didn't think that was right. When I
specifically asked for a local company and they were sending me somewhere
else."
Repair shops race to reopen (subscription required) -
M2 AUTOMOTIVE: The buyers of the collision centers hope to secure state
licensing quickly. -- "It's very disorganized," said Henry Boehm a general
manager for Yorba-Linda based Pacific Collision Centers, which purchased four
of M2's former shops, including the Escondido and Cathedral City properties.
"Parts are scattered everywhere," he said.
Report Questions Relevance of Crash Test Program - The
U.S. government's crash test program for measuring auto safety is in danger of
becoming irrelevant as passenger vehicles get bigger, congressional
investigators said on Thursday.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces First Quarter Results
- Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of automotive salvage and
claims processing services in the United States, today reported higher net
earnings for the quarter ended March 27, 2005. -- "We are pleased to announce
first quarter sales and earnings results that were much improved over the prior
year," said Tom O'Brien, CEO. "We continued to gain traction in the
marketplace, producing another quarter of solid growth over the prior year and
significantly higher returns generated for our customers.
LKQ Corporation Announces 2005 First Quarter Net Income Results
Up 49% - "Our Company exceeded its previous revenue and earnings
estimates for this quarter. We achieved a record quarter with impressive
revenue growth of approximately 34% that included organic revenue growth of
11%. Our net income increased by 49% and our earnings per share increased by
48%. We were particularly pleased with the expansion of our EBITDA margin to
12.3%, which was largely attributable to gaining leverage from our distribution
network, as well as our G&A costs. We acquired an Eastern seaboard based
aftermarket company during the quarter (Bodymaster Auto Parts), which performed
in line with expectations, and acquired a South Carolina based automotive parts
recycling company in April of 2005 (A&R Auto Parts, Inc.), as we continued our
geographic expansion of these product lines," said Joe Holsten, President and
Chief Executive Officer.
GCC cuts ribbon on new paint room - Grayson County
College's auto body technical students have received a new high tech painting
room, which Donald Hofmann, the chair of advanced technology said will give
students an advantage in the job market.
CVTC students learn new painting techniques -
Marbleizing; Color Shifting; Chameleon; These were just a few auto painting
techniques introduced to Auto Collision Technology students last week at
Canadian Valley Technology Center. Oklahoma City professional auto painter,
Thomas Sharp, provided free auto painting workshops to both CVTC students and
local residents.
Bianchi
Public Relations Helps PPG Take Top Honors in APRC 'Excellence in PR' Awards
Competition - "It is an honor to be recognized for our role in helping
PPG Industries win a first place award from the APRC," said agency President
James A. Bianchi. "This prestigious award clearly emphasizes the impact that
creativity, experience and client-agency teamwork can have in executing
successful campaigns."
Salem using "bait cars" to snag auto thieves - The
program, a year in development, is sponsored by Farmer's Insurance, State Farm
Insurance and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
Allstate introducing alternative auto insurance plan in
Tennessee - Allstate Corp. is introducing a new auto insurance plan
first in Tennessee and will refine the product based on those results. --
Allstate hopes to drive the insurance market away from a price obsession and
refocus attention on products and features. To that end it's introducing in
Tennessee the Allstate Your Choice options, which include things such as paying
for an accident without a rate increase.
Safelite closes manufacturing plant - The Safelite
AutoGlass manufacturing plant at 721 E. Murdock closed its doors Thursday,
displacing 130 workers and ending almost six decades of operation in Wichita.
Visteon fights for future - As deadlines near, parts
supplier's survival may depend on talks with Ford over bailout.
ReSSurection - A '98 Rises From The Dead Wearing
Chromalusion
Donn Trethewey known for hot rod detailing - Although
his name is often misspelled on signs accompanying the cars he's done at hot
rod shows, Trethewey's talents are in demand. He's done flames for the
well-known team of car-customizing brothers Scott and Tim Divers of Startup,
Wash. One of those is Lowla, a 1948 Buick Roadmaster.
Ford Says Switch Is In 6 Million More Vehicles - In
January, a WESH 2 News investigation reported the cause of mysterious fires in
nearly 248 trucks and sport utility vehicles. It's a $13 cruise-control switch.
-- On Wednesday, the Ford Motor Co. admitted the same switch is also in
millions of Ford Rangers, Explorers, Windstars and Mercury Mountaineers, just
to name a few models.
Kwik-Fit puts itself up for sale - LONDON: Car tyre and
exhaust business Kwik-Fit has ditched plans for an initial public offering and
put itself on the auction block in a sale which could raise as much as 800
million pounds. -- Kwik-Fit is Europe's biggest independent auto parts, repair
and replacement specialist with 2,300 outlets, including Speedy in France and
Pit Stop in Germany. It has 11,000 employees and reported 2003 turnover of $1.4
billion.
Visteon posts quarterly loss, continues Ford talks -
Visteon Corp., one of the largest U.S. auto parts makers, on Wednesday posted a
quarterly net loss as its sales to former parent Ford Motor Co. fell and costs
for steel and other raw materials rose.
Auto body shop owners suing town in Massachusetts -
Alleging that they have been "singled out" by certain town officials, the
owners of Sebastino & Son Auto Body are suing the town of Adams seeking
$400,000 in damages.
Austin's Body Shop extends services locally - One of
the very first body shops in Flint has extended their services to the
tri-county area. -- Austin's Body Shop recently opened its second location on
Grange Hall Road in Holly, after spending over 50 years in Flint. -- McConnell
purchased the shop formerly occupied by Pro-Body Shop. Austin's Body Shop
integrated the staff from the shop's prior tenants. "We purchased the body
shop, but kept the staff from Pro-Body," said Manager Pam Pelushewski.
Meridian files for bankruptcy reorganization - Meridian
Automotive Systems Inc. on Tuesday filed for bankruptcy protection to
restructure its debt, which it said became unsustainable in a climate of
increasing steel and resin prices and vehicle production cuts.
Her world is a whirl of auto color - At Work: Christine
Dickey works in Toyota's U.S. headquarters in Torrance as color and trim
manager for the American market.
Data recorders monitor info prior to crashes - The two
biggest questions facing data recorder use in the insurance industry are
privacy issues and the issue of whether EDRs can be used in courts to help
decide insurance claims.
April 26, 2005
M2 Collision
Updates - CMA Business Credit Services updates on M2 Collision Center
for press, employees, customers and the general public. -- List of body shops
under new ownership.
Collision repair shops seized, sold at auction - Some
customers of M2 Collision Care Centers yesterday began claiming cars that had
been under lock for a week following the seizure of the company by its
creditors. -- "All 27 of the M2 locations should be open by (today) for people
to reclaim their cars," said Bob Hoder, vice president of CMA Business
Services, the company appointed last week to liquidate M2 Collision. "We have
been working as fast as we can to get those cars back to their owners." --
Three San Diego County locations were sold for an undisclosed price to Pacific
Collision, a Yorba Linda company that operates five other locations. The
company bid on M2 shops in Carlsbad, Escondido and near the Sports Arena in San
Diego, as well as a fourth shop in Cathedral City, near Palm Springs. -- A
fourth San Diego County location, in Kearny Mesa, was sold to Tri M Industries.
-- Most of the M2 locations were sold to small auto repair operators. --
Caliber Collision Centers of Irvine struck a deal at the end of March to
acquire all 27 of the chain's locations, but backed off April 15 after an
inspection of M2 operations and financial records.
Repair shops allow access to vehicles - Vehicles locked
up last week at M2 Collision Centers because the automotive repair company went
out of business were made accessible to their owners beginning Monday.
Sport Trac production to stop while Ford launches redesigned
SUVs - With two redesigned SUVs on its plate at the Louisville Assembly
Plant this summer, Ford will stop production of the Explorer Sport Trac until
early next year, the company said. -- The plant will launch redesigned versions
of the Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer SUVs this summer. They look
similar to 2005 models but will have new frames and engine offerings.
GM may close more factories - Despite a decade of
cutbacks, analysts say sluggish sales point to more job losses.
Japanese Car Companies Urged to Aid Rivals - Toyota's
chairman is urging Japanese car makers to raise prices or find other ways to
even the playing field with ailing U.S. rivals General Motors and Ford in hopes
of heading off a possible protectionist backlash in the crucial North American
market.
Visteon Honored by General Motors as a 2004 Supplier of the
Year - Visteon Corporation was named a General Motors (GM) Supplier of
the Year for its overall business performance in providing GM with world-class
climate parts and services. The award was given during ceremonies Saturday,
April 23, at the General Motors Vehicle Engineering Center in Warren, Mich.
Many Claims Expected Following Friday Hail Storms -
Indiana: The large hail storm means auto body shops like Lester’s Collision in
Shelbyville will have a lot of cars to work on, more so than with storms past.
-- Most of the cars at the Hubler Ford dealership in Shelbyville have dents
from the storm. All cars will be assessed and repaired, unless you want to try
to get a good deal on these different type of “used” cars.
Crawford & Co. Reports a Disappointing First Quarter -
Atlanta-based Crawford & Co., a large independent provider of claims management
solutions to insurance companies and self-insured entities has announced its
financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005.
The double effect of Sarbanes-Oxley on small firms -
Auto painting specialist Earl Scheib Inc. says it's a victim of the "ups and
extras" it promises never to charge its customers. This month, the company
withdrew its stock from public trading and ceased filing reports to the
Securities and Exchange Commission. -- "We are burdened with increasing costs
inherent not only to us, but to public companies in general," Chris Bement,
chief executive, said in a statement. "We believe these costs, particularly in
light of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, will only continue to increase."
Green the color at paint shop - An
environmentally-friendly auto paint and body shop? Some might it see as a
contradiction in terms.
State to rate auto-repair shops on 'green' status - On
Friday, to tie in with Earth Day, the Arizona Department of Environmental
Quality announced the launch of its green business program. First up for Earth
friendly certification: automotive repair shops.
Allstate Fights For California Customers/Claimants; Consumers'
Cars Locked Inside Closed Collision Centers - More than one hundred
cars and trucks owned by Allstate Insurance Company customers and claimants are
being held inside a chain of troubled California collision repair centers.
Seeking immediate release of the vehicles, Allstate today is filing suit in
California against Credit Managers Association of California (CMA) - the
liquidator that has taken control of the former M2 Collision Care Centers.
Ford exec to suppliers: We want to work with you - West
Michigan auto suppliers hoping for good news got another dose of reality
Thursday. -- "I don't want to go to China and invest in developing new
suppliers," Ford Motor Co. executive Jeffrey Engel told more than 100
suppliers. "I would much rather do it with someone here in this room."
Suppliers learn to deal with Japanese automakers -
Royal Oak native Steven Doman is studying the Japanese language, hoping it will
translate into sales for his growing auto-parts business -- beyond the
traditional Detroit automakers.
Back to the days of fuzzy dice and racing stripes - For
Nelson Belot's engine repair business, changing with the times means restoring
the past. -- His business has sagged because modern engines don't wear like
they used to. To keep up he has found a lucrative business in restoring muscle
cars -- massive retro machines that can fetch up to $200,000. -- Belot
concentrated on his passion -- the engine, transmission and mechanical aspects
of the car. Pro-Finish Auto Body of Pittsfield did the body work and paint job.
Don Vosburgh of Town and Country upholstery in Richmond restored the seats and
interior.
CHS senior places first in collision competition -
Every senior in Neto Toscano’s Collision 3 class at Carlsbad High School plans
to enter technical school, finish in 1½ years and have a good job waiting.
Toscano wouldn’t have it any other way.
Caliber/Force Honor Apprentices in 'Mentors at Work' -
John Force, the 13-time NHRA Funny Car Champion, joined representatives of
Caliber Collision Centers at the company's headquarters here to recognize Julio
Gonzales and Scott Larkin for outstanding achievement in Caliber's Mentors at
Work program.
Development Spotlight - Copart Inc., an auto salvage
company that conducts wholesale Internet auctions, plans to build an
11,000-square-foot office building on the 30-acre parcel. The site is near the
future Finksburg Maryland branch library and across from Sandymount Park
Salvage-vehicle seller buys West Plains site - Copart
Inc., a Fairfield, Calif.-based company that auctions off wrecked vehicles for
insurers, has bought 33 acres of undeveloped land near Spokane International
Airport for a planned vehicle storage and processing facility.
CCC Addressing Mobile Electronic Replacement Claim Market
- In 2004, the automotive claims industry was faced with providing the
replacement costs of mobile electronics systems more than 400,000 times. To
address this issue, CCC Information Services Inc. ("CCC") has entered into an
agreement with Coordinated Claim Services, LLC ("CCS") to refer customers to
CCS for replacement of mobile electronics. -- CCC, a subsidiary of CCC
Information Services Group Inc., is a leading supplier of information
technology software and services to the auto-claims and collision-repair
industries. CCS has more than 12 years experience processing mobile electronic
replacement-related claims exclusively for the insurance industry.
Servicepower signs up CCC to be exclusive reseller to US auto
insurance mkt - ServicePower Technologies PLC said it has signed a
contract with CCC Information Services Inc, a subsidiary of CCC Information
Services Group Inc, to be the exclusive reseller of the SERVICEPower scheduling
solutions to the US automotive insurance market for the next five years.
Find out now what databases say about you - Most
consumers now know they have the right each year to one free credit report from
each of the three major credit reporting services.
April 22, 2005
U.S. Auto Parts Continues Growth with Third Fully Automated,
State-of-the-Art Warehouse - U.S. Auto Parts, the nation's leading
Internet direct marketer of automotive aftermarket collision replacement parts
and accessories, continues to position itself as the industry leader with its
announcement today that the company has added a 40,000-square-foot
state-of-the-art facility to their existing headquarters in Carson, CA, just
outside of Los Angeles. This expansion, which is their third warehouse, follows
another year in which U.S. Auto Parts has outpaced the industry's overall
performance, experiencing impressive growth to date.
Body Shop Consumers Steaming Over Trapped Cars - Since
our report aired a lot has happened. The Contra Costa County District
Attorney's Office is investigating. The CHP is looking into it and now more
consumers are learning their cars are being held without their consent. --
Outrage over the closing of M2 Auto Collision Care Centers is growing.
Failure of big California auto repair business strands 1,000
cars - A sealed bid auction will be held Friday and the best bid will
be identified over the weekend. It is expected that operations at the collision
centers will resume early next week, Joncich said.
Proposed California Legislation Threatens Consumer Choice in
Auto Repair - California State Sen. Kevin Murray, D-Los Angeles, has
introduced legislation allowing insurance companies to place a "cap" on repairs
insurers will cover. Senate Bill 98, Auto Insurance Repairs, will eliminate a
consumer's right to choose.
Contra Costa Man Arrested for Repeated Violations of the
Automotive Repair Act - A California Department of Consumer Affairs,
Bureau of Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) request to initiate criminal proceedings
has resulted in the arrest of a Richmond man for operating an automotive repair
business without a valid Automotive Repair Dealer (ARD) registration.
DCX may supply U.S. from China - DaimlerChrysler AG's
top China strategist triggered an uproar Thursday when he disclosed the
automaker may make vehicles in China for export, including a subcompact for the
Chrysler Group's U.S. lineup. -- In Auburn Hills, Chrysler executives
acknowledged that the company might use China as an export base. But in a
confusing twist, they denied there are plans to make a small car in China for
the U.S. market.
New PPG chief eyes expansion, acquisitions - The next
chairman of PPG Industries Inc. expects the $9 billion company to grow by
acquiring primarily coating and optical products businesses and expanding in
regions such as Asia and Eastern Europe that are primed for industrial growth.
The Sherwin-Williams Company Reports First Quarter 2005
Earnings Results - The Sherwin-Williams Company announced its financial
results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2005. Consolidated net sales
increased $219.0 million, or 16.6%, to $1.539 billion in the quarter. Diluted
net income per common share in the quarter increased 65.7% to $.58 per share
from $.35 per share in the first quarter of 2004. -- First quarter net sales in
the Automotive Finishes Segment increased $9.6 million, or 8.0%, to $129.9
million.
Tower job cuts, plant closings to cost $72.6 mln -
Bankrupt parts supplier Tower Automotive Inc. on Wednesday said cash and
noncash charges may total $72.6 million for plans announced last week to close
three plants and cut 800 jobs. -- Tower, which makes autobody structures and
frames, on Friday said it plans to close plants in Maryland, Kentucky and
Indiana by June 30 and to trim its workforce at an Illinois plant to cut excess
capacity and reduce costs.
SUV deaths rose in 2004 - The number of people killed
in SUVs and in rollovers rose last year, even as the nation's overall highway
fatality rate -- deaths per miles traveled -- fell to its lowest point ever,
the government said Thursday.
Officials, advocates dispute effect of ending city insurance
caps - TRENTON, N.J. -- State officials said Thursday that caps removed
from auto insurance rates in cities will not automatically increase costs for
drivers and could help build a more competitive auto insurance market. --
Advocates for consumers, however, did not buy the state's stand.
April 21, 2005
PPG's Adjusted Net Earnings Grow 56 Percent in First Quarter on
10-Percent Stronger Sales - PPG Industries reported today first-quarter
net income of $95 million, or 55 cents a share, including aftertax charges of
$91 million, or 52 cents a share, for a legal settlement in connection with an
adverse ruling last month; and $5 million, or 3 cents a share, to reflect the
net increase in the current value of the company's obligation under its
asbestos agreement initially reported in May 2002. Sales were $2.5 billion.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Reports EPS of $0.31 for
the First Quarter - "We're on track for 2005," said Githesh Ramamurthy,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Our new customer implementations are
going as planned, the base business is solid and we continue to realize the
cost savings we promised last year. We expect to see revenue start to ramp late
in the second quarter continuing through the balance of the year."
Auto Shop Closes Doors, Leaves Customers In Lurch - M2
Collision Care Center Closes Doors -- According to 10News, M2 Collision was in
the midst of being bought and the deal soured. Investors, including General
Electric, decided to liquidate the assets. -- The Bank and Creditors
Association handling the case said they don't have the manpower to sort out
which repairs are done or which parts are where. They plan to auction off the
shops later this week, and have the new owners sort it out.
U.S. Auto Parts Launches Redesigned Web Site with Exciting New
Features - U.S. Auto Parts, the nation's leading Internet direct
marketer of automotive aftermarket collision replacement parts and accessories,
announced that they have officially unveiled their newly renovated Web site.
Last car rolls off assembly line in N.J. - The last automobile
manufactured in New Jersey rolled off the assembly line to little fanfare
Wednesday, a quiet but momentous end to an industry that once employed
thousands of workers and helped fuel the state's economy.
DaimlerChrysler considers exporting Chryslers from China to
U.S. - DaimlerChrysler, the world's fifth-biggest car maker, is in
talks to set up a China production venture that will export Chrysler cars to
the United States, a senior executive said on Thursday, sketching a politically
charged move.
Visteon terminates president of North America business
- Auto supplier Visteon Corp. on Wednesday terminated "at-will" the employment
of James Orchard, president of the company's North America business, effective
May 1.
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Reports First Quarter Results -
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company today reported a 7 percent year-over-year increase
in net sales, achieving a new first quarter record of $514 million in the
quarter ended March 31, 2005 compared to $480 million in the same period of
2004.
Universal Automotive Announces Delisting Notice -
Universal Automotive Industries, Inc. today announced that it has received a
letter dated April 19, 2005 from the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. advising that
due to failure to file its Form 10-K on a timely basis the character "e" will
be appended to the trading symbol for the Company's securities (UVSLE) at the
opening of business on April 21, 2005. It further advises that the Company's
securities will be delisted from The Nasdaq Stock Market at the opening of
business on April 28, 2005, unless the Company requests a hearing in accordance
with the Nasdaq Rules. The Company does not presently intend to appeal the
delisting of its securities.
IBM rescues car parts from data dump - “Today, much of
the data we capture at the repair shop to diagnose problems with a particular
vehicle are lost once the vehicle is repaired,” said IBM researcher Nathaniel
Mills, who invented the technology. --“With an approach like this, data can be
preserved and used to develop automated analysis routines to help all mechanics
correctly diagnose the same type of problem as well as to provide an early
warning system to identify major issues affecting many vehicles.”
Surcharges on auto insurers eyed to fund police training
- Beacon Hill lawmakers are seeking to impose $15 million in new surcharges on
auto insurers, costs that would probably be passed on to consumers, to pay for
police training. -- The move is being fiercely opposed by the auto insurance
industry, which argues that the state is already inhospitable to insurers and
the new fee would drive more companies out of the state.
Allstate Reports 22% Increase in 2005 First Quarter Net Income
- "This is a strong start for Allstate in 2005, " said Edward M. Liddy,
Allstate chairman, president, and CEO. " We generated solid net and operating
income in this first quarter of 2005 on good revenue growth. Seeking profitable
growth is our objective and results this quarter provide more evidence that our
focus continues to benefit our shareholders.
April 20, 2005
Jury Awards Family Millions in Ford Suit - A Madison
County jury has awarded nearly $43.8 million to the family of a 74-year-old
Missouri man who died when the gas tank in his Ford-produced Lincoln Town Car
caught on fire after the car was struck from behind by another vehicle.
Ontario to toughen auto repair legislation in July -
The primary thrust of the changes is to make it harder for an auto repair
company to do work without providing a detailed written estimate to the
consumer, or to exceed the maximum repair cost quoted in a non-written manner,
which is usually a phone conversation.
M2 Automotive closes; ran 27 repair centers (subscription) M2
Automotive Inc., the Santa Monica-based owner of 27 M2 Collision Centers,
ceased operations Monday, apparently leaving unrepaired cars locked inside
their stores.
GM Posts $1.1B 1Q Loss on Costs, Charges - General
Motors Corp. reported its deepest quarterly loss in more than a decade -- $1.1
billion -- as rising health care costs and lackluster response to some new
models hammered its North American business. With health costs not getting any
cheaper and Asian automakers grabbing more of the market, the outlook for the
world's largest automaker remains bleak.
The glassmaker Pilkington shed 6.5p to 113.25p as
investors fretted about its exposure to General Motors. However, Dresdner
Kleinwort Wasserstein said the fall was an over-reaction on the grounds that GM
only accounted for about 8% of Pilkington's sales. (excerpt)
Auto parts makers mixed after GM loss - Auto parts makers, many of
which rely heavily on revenue from General Motors, turned in mostly mixed
performances Tuesday after the world's biggest automaker reported a
$1.1-billion loss in the first quarter.
Auto insurance rates fall - High oil prices,
policyholders' reluctance to file claims cited. -- Leonard Leong, a former
insurance adjuster who now runs a San Francisco auto body shop, said he's also
noticed more people dipping into their own pockets to make small repairs during
the past two years, rather than filing a claim.
Parts makers feel pressure - Automakers' cuts in
production, rises in cost of materials spelling big trouble.
ITC Retains Antidumping Duties on Import Steel - The
U.S. International Trade Commission bucks lobbying from auto makers and
suppliers to uphold 5-year-old duties on imported steel from Japan, Brazil and
Russia.
Caliber Collision Centers and NHRA Champion John Force Honor
Individuals in the 'Mentors At Work' Apprenticeship Program - Caliber
Collision Centers, an Irvine-based operator of high-quality collision repair
facilities in California and Texas, recently honored two individuals for
outstanding achievement in the collision repair industry. Julio Gonzales and
Scott Larkin, both first-year apprentices at Caliber's Chino Valley location,
received MAC toolboxes worth $2,500 each for their outstanding progress in
Caliber's "Mentors At Work" apprenticeship program.
GDX Automotive Acquires North American Vehicle Sealing &
Encapsulation Businesses from SaarGummi - GDX Automotive announced the
closing of its acquisition of SaarGummi operations in Quebec, Canada and
Mexico. The acquisition includes ongoing business in vehicle sealing, glass
encapsulation and molded rubber product segments, totaling approximately
$CDN100M in annual revenues. -- GDX Automotive is a leading global supplier
which designs, develops, markets and manufactures highly engineered sealing
systems for both dynamic and static automotive applications. GDX's products
include weather-strip seals, glass encapsulation, modular sealing systems and
anti-vibration components.
Critics assail State Farm settlement process - Consumer
and safety groups say State Farm has set up a needlessly complicated and
time-consuming process to make good on a $40 million settlement for thousands
of motorists who still don’t know they bought used cars and trucks that had
been wrecked.
Allstate Unveils New Law Firm Strategy - Allstate
Insurance Company has instituted major changes in the way its Law & Regulation
department selects and works with outside law firms. The Allstate Premier Law
Firm program was developed to improve the quality of outside counsel services
while reducing its cost and to enhance the department's contribution to the
legal profession's diversity efforts.
April 18, 2005
Ford Motor Company Provides Weld Bonding - Ford Motor
Company recently released two bulletins addressing the issue of weld bonding (TSB
04-26-16 and TSB 04-26-17). These procedures address weld-bonded panel
replacement for all Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury vehicles. To ensure that all
weld-bonded panels are repaired according to Ford’s guidelines, follow the
procedure as outlined in these technical service bulletins.
PPG awards scholarship to Hopwood student - PPG
Industries Foundation has awarded Saint Vincent College a grant of $5,000 to
advance the college chemistry program. The chemistry department will use these
funds for the PPG Chemistry Scholarship and to support student lab development.
Eagle eyes hunt claim scams - During a 10-year stint in
the claims departments of various companies, Frankie A. Jones regularly dealt
with cases of insurance fraud from around the state.
United Recyclers Group, LLC (URG) Announces Recycled Automotive
Parts Grading System for Industry Wide Use - The ABC Parts Grading
System(TM) has been developed and tested to be a viable quality system for used
auto parts, and is applicable to all segments of the automotive industry. The
implementation starts with the inventorying and quality control of the auto
parts by the auto recycler and ends with the collision and mechanical repairer
having a clear definition of what grade of used auto part that has been
shipped.
Automotive body panel plastics are competitive - Two
thermoplastics products may signal advanced materials for automotive engineers
who require weight reduction, improved moldability, and impact protection for
large body panels.
Driven to choose - Allstate offers a new plate of
extras for its auto policies, and consumers should try to figure cost and
benefit. -- Consumer advocate Birny Birnbaum of the Center for Economic Justice
in Austin, Texas, takes his questioning a step further. -- "My brief take is
that Allstate is creating products for more affluent consumers and trying to
generate more premium per vehicle insured," Birnbaum says. "While the options
are interesting, consumers simply do not have enough information to evaluate
the cost benefit of the alternatives."
Burns Auto Body in Tacoma a finalist for U.S. Bank award
- Burns Auto Body Inc./Burns Towing Inc. in Tacoma was recognized by U.S. Bank
as a finalist for the U.S. Bank Family Owned Business Award. -- The only
company from Washington state to be a finalist, Burns was chosen for
exemplifying the characteristics necessary to run a successful family-owned
business and for the contributions it makes to the well-being of its employees
and its community, officials said.
Visteon to Release First-Quarter 2005 Financial Results By
Teleconference and Webcast - Visteon Corporation, one of the world's
leading suppliers of automotive components and integrated systems, will release
its first-quarter 2005 financial results at 8 a.m. (EDT) on Wednesday, April
27, via PR Newswire. At 10 a.m. (EDT), a conference call is scheduled to
discuss the results in further detail, as well as other related matters.
Air Bag, Other Safety Measures Advance in Senate -
Automakers would be required to install side air bags by 2008 under legislation
approved by a Senate committee on Thursday that sets deadlines for a number of
safety initiatives.
Memo to White House: Get tough on China - House members
of both parties urge action on trade -- Members were concerned with disparate
issues ranging from counterfeit auto-parts, imports of apple concentrate, to
wine sold in China labeled 'Nappa Valley.'
Naked City - Insurance Companies Skimpy on Claims,
Report Says
Jury awards $200,000 to county woman - A Pearl River
County jury last week returned a $200,000 verdict against Allstate insurance
company for injuries a woman received in a September 1999 automobile accident.
April 14, 2005
Supplier BASF to ax 1,700 jobs in North America -
Automotive plastics and paint supplier BASF Corp. is laying off about 70 people
at a tech center in Southfield as part of a broad restructuring that will
eventually eliminate 1,700 jobs in North America by the middle of the year.
DCR Systems Partners With Metro Toyota to Operate Dealer-Based
Collision Repair Facility - Mentor-based DCR Systems has reached an
agreement to design and operate a full-service collision repair facility in
concert with the Metro Toyota auto dealership in Brook Park, Ohio. The deal
marks a first for DCR Systems as the newly founded company executes an
aggressive program to supply similar turnkey facilities to dealerships
nationwide, and follows its recent opening of a model collision repair facility
in Mentor, Ohio.
Insurers Oppose Oregon Auto Repair Shop Legislation
- The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is urging the
Oregon Senate to reject legislation which would mislead consumers about a
valuable program designed to provide quality repairs to accident-damaged
vehicles, according to PCI Regional Vice President Sam Sorich.
Reward for a job well done - Through hard work and a
commitment to customer service, a local business continues to expand. Last
year, Matt's Auto Glass and Body Shop opened in their new location on M-26 in
Atlantic Mine, in the former Ron's Auto Body building.
Hot rod education - Bowling Green High School students
practice mechanics on donated Corvette
It's hard to crack auto glass market - New Zealand:
The small automotive glazing firms struggling to survive as they are crowded
out of the insurance repair market must be wondering what the competition laws
are for. -- Insurance work accounts for between 70 and 80 per cent of the
business of the auto glazing industry. Smith & Smith Autoglass, by securing
preferred supplier deals with every major vehicle insurer, has captured 90 per
cent of that work. -- It is also the largest importer and distributor of
automotive glass, the sole New Zealand manufacturer, Pilkington, having exited
the market.
Glazing repairs shut-out irks MPs - New Zealand:
Parliament's commerce select committee has taken the Commerce Commission to
task over its "inadequate" handling of complaints about the automotive glazing
industry.
Two men accused of auto part fraud - The owner and an
employee of an auto salvage yard near Interlochen face charges in Allegan
County for allegedly doctoring used auto parts.
Automakers urged to address car-SUV crashes - A top
federal safety official Wednesday urged automotive engineers to speed advanced
technologies to market to reduce fatalities and injuries resulting from crashes
between cars and SUVs.
Farmers Insurance Group of Companies Offers Tips on Finding a
Reliable Repair Shop - Studies show that one of the most important
factors for customers when choosing a repair facility is trust. "Vehicle owners
want to know that the service center is making the necessary repairs with the
correct parts and the proper equipment," said Jeff Beyer, Senior Vice President
at Farmers. "But they also want to feel confident that they are not being
taking advantage of," added Beyer.
Kinnelon lawyer charged in auto insurance scheme - A
Kinnelon lawyer and his partner allegedly paid runners more than $65,000 to
steer business to their law firm in an elaborate illegal insurance scheme,
authorities said Wednesday.
Copart Continues Southeast Expansion - Copart, Inc.,
the largest provider of vehicle salvage disposition services in the United
States, today formally announced the replacement of its temporary facility
previously located in Newnan, Georgia with a greenfield facility located off
Highway 20 in Loganville, Georgia, approximately 30 miles east of Atlanta. The
new location, which is owned by Copart, is approximately 55 acres, an increase
of approximately 40 acres over the facility it replaces.
Morse High Students Support the Troops by Donating Repaired
Vehicle to Local Charity, Operation Homefront - State Farm(R) donated
the damaged 1999 Ford Contour to Morse High School's revamped auto collision
vocational program called "Excel Tech", which is offered through the San Diego
Regional Occupational Program (ROP) and provides students 16 years of age and
older with vocational training in automotive repair. State Farm in partnership
with area collision industry businesses developed "Excel Tech" to prepare
students for a career in the high-tech world of automotive repair.
GM to add corporate logo on all cars, boost image -
Aware that many consumers are unaware that Cadillac, Saab, Chevrolet and other
brands are part of General Motors Corp., the automaker said on Tuesday that it
will add the GM corporate logo on the side of all its vehicles.
Editorial: U.S. junkyards benefit from new China Trade
- The Chinese economy is growing so rapidly that the Asian nation needs all the
steel it can get. So auto salvage yards are thriving selling their scrap metal
overseas.
Fuel-Efficient Tires - Looking to save money on gas?
Low-rolling resistance tires are designed to promote fuel efficiency. --
Stickers on car doors are not being updated to reflect the air pressure demands
of the new tires, Jones said. Drivers should look on the tire's side wall to
see what pressure the manufacturer recommends.
ABRA Receives Consumers' Choice Award for Fifth Year -
ABRA Auto Body & Glass announced that their repair centers in the Atlanta
market have been chosen for the fifth year as the recipient of the Consumers'
Choice Award in the Auto Body Repair category. Regional Vice President Scott
Krohn will accept the award on ABRA's behalf at a ceremony on June 25. Award
recipients were chosen through a comprehensive and objective survey conducted
in January 2005 by Harris Interactive, a Harris Poll company and recognized
leader in consumer research and customer satisfaction polling.
Auto insurance fraud charged - Investigators at the
N.C. Dept. of Insurance worked with the department, the Randolph County
Sheriff's Office, U.S. Postal Inspector Service and the National Insurance
Crime Bureau to shut down the alleged ring, which may have netted suspects up
to $2 million
Probe targets auto insurance fraud - Since its
inception a year ago, the Springfield/Holyoke Community Insurance Fraud
Initiative has charged 17 people in Springfield, Massachusetts, with motor
vehicle insurance fraud.
More State Farm jobs moving here - On Monday, about 45
more workers joined State Farm's Claims Central for Michigan and Indiana at
5564 Portage Road, swelling the payroll there from about 549 two years ago to
about 650 currently.
April 12, 2005
Welcome Back, Mr. Sheehan - GLTHS teacher returns from tour in Iraq
with new appreciation -- Since this Army reservist flew back from Iraq last
month and returned to his teaching job in the auto-body shop last week, a new
appreciation for life's big and small details has awakened inside him.
Year-end bonus - Carral, 38, a staff sergeant with the
450th Military Police Company of the U.S. Army Reserves, served in Afghanistan
for more than a year. Refurbishing his car was the community's way of saying
thank you. -- The restored Camry was unveiled to Carral and his wife, Sherry,
Wednesday at noon at Tate's Auto Body & Repairs, 3222 Shoal Line Blvd., in
Hernando Beach.
Smart cars keep drivers safe - Executives say auto
safety will rely on electronics, including computers, sensors.
Chrysler orders voluntary recall of 70,000 minivans -
DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group on Friday announced a voluntary recall of
about 70,000 model year 2003 Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country
minivans because of problems with a latch on the rear door.
Henkel Bonding Technology Advances School Bus Design -
Henkel provides products to create world's first bus using structural adhesives
as primary fastening method. -- Thomas Built Buses constructed this new bus by
replacing the majority of screws and rivets with Henkel's Loctite(R) H9000, a
strong and flexible structural adhesive. This revolutionary product offers
increased cure speed and improved body corrosion performance, and is strong
enough to far exceed standardized federal joint strength requirements.
AG cracks down on auto scams - Goddard's effort is to
make auto dealers accountable, and he's even filed suit against two auto
dealers in the state to cut down on the bait and switch practice.
Bridgestone tires may see 8% hike - "Our tire companies
continue to face unprecedented escalating raw material costs, especially for
commodities such as petroleum, steel, rubber chemicals, polymers and
utilities,” said Mark Emkes, chairman & CEO of Bridgestone Americas Holding,
Inc., parent company of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire LLC and
Bridgestone/Firestone Canada, Inc. “Unfortunately, these cost increases simply
cannot be offset by the enhanced efficiencies and increased productivity that
we have implemented at all levels of our company.”
Injury Sciences Releases Enhancements to WrExpert Injury
Causation Software - Injury Sciences LLC announced today the release of
an enhanced version of WrExpert(R), the auto insurance industry's leading
software tool for evaluating the severity of automobile collisions and the
potential for occupant injury. -- WrExpert is a Web-based forensic evaluation
tool that analyzes objective vehicle damage from repair estimates and
photographs and immediately provides scientific assessments of impact severity
and injury potential -- a more cost-effective and scalable alternative to 3rd
party service providers of biomechanical or accident reconstruction analyses.
WrExpert's customer base spans over 220 claims offices throughout the United
States.
Automotive chain revs up expansion plans - Christian
Brothers Automotive Corp. is planning to open 10 new stores -- four of which
will be in the Houston area -- in the next year.
Group 1 Automotive names ex-Ford exec as CEO -
Hesterberg, 51, most recently served as a vice president at Ford in the North
America Marketing division and held executive roles at Toyota and Nissan Motor
Corp., the company said. He replaces company co-founder B.B. Hollingsworth Jr.,
who is retiring as an executive but will remain a board member.
Insurer's
$1.1B sale surprises few - Longtime client and Carstar CFO Kevin Karas
wasn't stunned when he got an April 4 phone call from Universal informing him
of the sale.
Claims Adjuster and Accomplices Arrested for Fraud - A
Fullerton insurance claims adjuster and two accomplices were arrested April 8
by California Department of Insurance Fraud Investigators for their alleged
participation in an auto insurance fraud scheme.
April 11, 2005
Allstate Speeds/Simplifies Claims for Thousands of Customers
- Allstate Insurance Company today took the wraps off a new plan it says will
shorten and simplify the claim process for more than a quarter million
customers annually. -- Under the new plan, Allstate is redesigning the way it
handles "total loss" auto insurance claims - un-repairable vehicles that
accounted for approximately 17.7 percent of the company's overall number of
automobile damage claims settled in 2004.
New glass manufacturing plant opens in King George County
industrial park -In a field that once yielded ears of corn, machines
are turning sheets of glass into windshields. -- To make its products, American
Glass Industries uses some of the most sophisticated manufacturing equipment on
the market. The process begins with flat sheets of glass, which are fed into a
high-tech Japanese pre-processing machine that cuts and grinds them into the
correct shapes for each of 55 top-selling windshields.
Tower cuts back on layoffs - Business is not as bleak
as predicted at Tower Automotive Inc., in Greenville, which has laid off only
about one-third of the 135 workers initially slated to go this year.
Auto parts plant closing will cost Fremont 270 jobs -
"Pricing and competitive pressures have compounded the situation," said Ron
Muckley, vice president of operations for TRW's braking and suspension business
in North America.
Grant will help St. Louis-area auto industry workers -
More than 400 laid-off auto industry workers in the St. Louis area will receive
aid from a roughly $1.5 million federal grant meant to provide job counseling
and short-term training opportunities, officials said Friday. -- The National
Emergency Grant will help Ford Motor Co. and Lear Seating Corp. workers in
Hazelwood who lost their jobs, given a slowdown in vehicle sales, Gov. Matt
Blunt said in a joint statement with Republican Sens. Kit Bond and Jim Talent.
Disgorgement Is a Constitutional Measure of Punitive Damages
- Punitive damages greater than nine times compensatory damages are
constitutional if they do not exceed the amount of a defendant’s gain from
wrongful conduct, the state Supreme Court was told yesterday.
Allstate customers have rights under settlement - If
you are one of the million-plus customers who recently received an
important-looking class-action settlement notice, it may have done that to you,
or taken some other adverse action that violated your rights under the Fair
Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), a federal consumer protection law.
House passes Manchin’s proposed lawsuit ban - The
Legislature is on track to ban "third-party, bad-faith" lawsuits in West
Virginia as the House of Delegates endorsed a modified version of Gov. Joe
Manchin’s proposal on Friday and Senate leaders said they would accept the
changes. -- The governor has promised $50 million in insurance savings -- up to
$100 off every auto policy in the state -- within 90 days of his bill’s
passage. Delegate Don Perdue, cited the lure of savings when he invoked
"Mountaineers Are Always Free," the state motto.
April 8, 2005
GM Says Not Pressing Suppliers for New Cost Cuts
- General Motors Corp. said on Thursday that it was not pressing its parts
suppliers for further price cuts, even as it trims costs following last month's
warning that earnings this year would fail to meet projections.
Earl Scheib, Inc. Withdraws from AMEX Listing and Will
Terminate SEC Reporting - Earl Scheib, Inc. announced today that the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has granted its application to
withdraw its capital stock from trading on the American Stock Exchange (AMEX),
effective at the opening of business this morning. The Company filed a
certification and notice on Form 15 with the SEC in order to terminate
registration of its capital stock and suspend the filing of current and
periodic reports. April 6, 2005 was the last day on which the Capital Stock
traded on the AMEX.
RepairOne(R) Reports Record-Setting Revenue -
RepairOne(R) Automotive Concepts, LLC has reported record-setting revenue for
the month of March and for the first quarter of 2005.
Copart says ordinance is unconstutional - County and
Copart officials are still waiting to find out where their case will be heard,
federal court or chancery court. -- County officials last month filed suit in
chancery court to stop the California-based company from going ahead with its
plans to open a salvage auto auction along Interstate 75 just outside of
Sweetwater. -- Copart has now filed a counterclaim in federal court asking the
judge to declare the county’s ordinance “unreasonable, invalid,
unconstitutional and unenforceable” against the company.
Sonic CEO compensation rises 21% - Bruton Smith,
chairman and chief executive at Sonic Automotive Inc., received compensation,
excluding stock options, of almost $1.86 million last year, up nearly 21% from
2003.
A Change Of Plans: Undercar Owner Getting Out of the Business
- David Bedard has been in the automotive repair business for 30 years. Now he
is choosing to leave the field. -- "I love working on cars, but the industry
has changed," he says. -- "As an independent, it's harder," he maintains,
"because vehicles have improved and the frequency of repairs is down."
Court Rejects Kerkorian's Lawsuit - DaimlerChrysler AG
didn't defraud billionaire investor Kirk Kerkorian in the 1998 marriage that
created the U.S.-German automaker, according to a federal court that rejected
Kerkorian's lawsuit claiming company deceptions cost him more than $1 billion.
-- In a news release, DaimlerChrysler Chairman Jurgen E. Schrempp said the
company was pleased with the court's decision because it confirmed, "once and
for all, that the Tracinda case lacked any merit and that all claims against
DaimlerChrysler relating to the 1998 merger were completely baseless."
Auction Management Solutions and Insurance Auto Auctions
Announce Patent of Online Bidding Technology - Auction Management
Solutions, Inc. (AMS), a leading pioneer of technology for the auction
industry, and Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of automotive
salvage and claims processing services in the United States, today announced
that AMS has been granted a United States patent for its OnLine Ringman(SM)
technology. This technology is used to power IAA's online bidding product,
I-bid LIVE(SM), which allows buyers to join live auctions through any
Internet-enabled computer and bid along with both live local bidders and other
Internet bidders.
AAA: Expense of owning car steady - Despite a 31
percent rise in gas prices, the cost of owning and operating a car is about the
same as it was last year, according to a AAA study.
Apogee Reports Fiscal 2005 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year
Earnings - "Although, our auto glass business faces difficult market
conditions, we expect it to continue to generate cash for Apogee," Huffer said.
"In fiscal 2006, with the expiration of our supply agreement with PPG
Industries in the second quarter, we will be transitioning back to the
independent distributor marketplace where we expect to fill a need for shorter
lead-time aftermarket windshields which offer somewhat improved margins.
Dealing With The Aftermath Of Tuesday's Hail Storm -
Chris Harris with Hourglass Collision Repair has been writing estimates all
morning at hourglass collision. Dents and smashed windshields - indicating hail
as big as tennis balls.
When Hail Damages Your Vehicle: Six Simple Steps to Getting
Back on the Road - Last night's hail storm in central and south Tulsa
caused widespread damage to cars and rooftops. If you've got damage to your
car, paintless dent removal might be the answer to restoring your vehicle to
its pre-accident condition.
Pickup-truck crash-test results - Dodge and Toyota took
top honors in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's crash tests
of 2005 pickup trucks.
US to Order Tire Pressure Monitors on New Vehicles -
U.S. regulators are set to make automakers equip all lightweight passenger
vehicles with tire pressure monitors, concluding a fight over what technology
to adopt that would keep costs down.
Insurance Auto Auctions Receives Prestigious IT Industry
Recognition - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of
automotive salvage and claims processing services in the United States, today
announced that it recently received a coveted Laureate from the ComputerWorld
Honors Program. Each year the members of the Honors Program nominating
committee, made up of Chairmen and CEOs of the world's leading information
technology firms, identify "those organizations whose use of information
technology has been especially noteworthy for the originality of its
conception, the breadth of its vision and the significance of its benefit to
society."
Advocates criticize State Farm accord - Consumer and
safety groups say that State Farm has set up a needlessly complicated and
time-consuming process to make good on a $40 million settlement for thousands
of motorists who still don't know they bought used cars and trucks that had
been wrecked.
Japan's Auto Recalls Rise to Record-High - Auto recalls
surged 71 percent to a new record high in Japan last fiscal year, as automakers
used more interchangeable parts in different models and an auto defect cover-up
scandal led more motorists to report cases, an official said Tuesday.
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. Provides Business Update -
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc., a leading provider of automotive undercar repair and
tire services, announced that its fourth quarter comparable store sales will
reflect increases of between 4% and 5%, in line with its previously announced
expectations of 3% to 5%.
Geico opens N.J. call center - Geico, which began
selling auto insurance policies in New Jersey for the first time in 28 years
last summer, has opened a new claims center to handle its growing New Jersey
business. -- Geico announced in August that it would return to the New Jersey
market after the state enacted insurance reforms that included a requirement
that insurance companies cover all drivers. The legislation also dropped a
requirement that insurers return part of their profits to customers.
April 5, 2005
Copart Acquires Facility in Lexington, Kentucky -
Copart, Inc. announced that it has acquired a 25-acre salvage facility in
Lexington, Kentucky. The addition of the Kentucky facility will complement
Copart's existing presence in the state of Kentucky, which is currently
serviced by our Lawrenceburg facility, and will bring Copart's total number of
locations to 111 throughout the United States and Canada.
A needed repair - The Alexandria, Va.-based Coalition
for Auto Repair Equality charges that car manufacturers routinely withhold
diagnostic codes, technical information, and tools from independent repair
shops. As a result, customers are steered unwillingly to the service bays of
auto dealerships where repairs are often more expensive. Safety is also
compromised, according to the group, when drivers avoid repairs that are beyond
the capability of their local mechanics.
Wireless Claims: Ready For Prime Time? - Some carriers
are moving forward with next-generation technology. But others are waiting for
greater application functionality and dependability. -- Electronic scheduling
software can reduce claims cycle time by enabling adjusters to quickly produce
a list of preferred collision repair shops.
Peugeot cuts collision parts prices - Peugeot is
cutting up to 40% off its collision parts prices for 106, 205, 306, 405 and 406
models, with immediate effect. -- All Peugeot Trade Association Dealers promise
to supply collision repair parts within 24 hours, as part of a bid to compete
effectively with lower-cost non-OE parts suppliers.
Diamond Triumph Auto Glass, Inc. Announces 2004 Results
- Norm Harris, Diamond Triumph's Chief Executive Officer, had the following
comments regarding the Company. "As reflected in our operating results for
calendar year 2004, it was a very difficult year for the industry. In addition
to weaker industry demand, overall pricing conditions continue to be very
challenging. As a company we continue to capitalize on opportunities to
leverage costs throughout the organization; however, the uncertain pricing
environment may be of ongoing concern."
eAutoclaims Set to Launch 'Audit-Pro' - eAutoclaims, a
leading provider of managed collision repair services and insurance claims
processing technology applications, today announced that the recent beta
version of the Internet-based collision estimate review application called
Audit-Pro has received high marks from user groups in testing and trials.
LKQ Corporation Acquires South Carolina Recycled Auto Parts
Facility - LKQ Corporation today announced that it has acquired A&R
Auto Parts, Inc., a privately held company that operates a recycled OEM
automotive replacement parts facility. Terms of the transaction were not
disclosed.
Insurers defend use of preferred auto body repair shops
- Several auto body shops and the Auto Body Association of Connecticut said
cost savings are due to insurance company demands that repair shops use cheaper
aftermarket products and set unrealistically low labor costs.
Riverside gets monster frame rack - At the back of
Riverside Auto’s auto body shop sits a behemoth, three towering ten-ton towers
surrounding a huge ramp and hoist system.
Keep Your Tires Rolling - How critical is proper tire
pressure to safe driving? Underinflation is the leading cause of tire failure.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates tire failures
contribute to over four hundred deaths and ten thousand injuries each year.
Auto salvage yard accused of threatening environment -
The state is taking law enforcement action against at least nine Indiana auto
salvage yards that allegedly disregarded an educational campaign urging the
industry to follow environmental laws.
Steer clear of auto-repair scams - Don't get taken by
an unscrupulous shop. Here are tips on how to find superior, certified
mechanics, plus steps to take if think you've been ripped off.
Automakers Rush To Develop Hydrogen Cars - A sleek,
silver BMW H2R racecar sat prominently displayed at the National Hydrogen
Association Conference in Washington last week as a testament to the
capabilities of Hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Rust paid less than Allstate CEO - State Farm Insurance
Cos. Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Edward B. Rust Jr. made about $5.5
million last year, while the CEO of rival Allstate made more than five times as
much -- $29.5 million -- when counting stock benefits.
April 1, 2005
Daimler-Chrysler, Hyundai, Kia Announce Recalls -
DaimlerChrysler is recalling 1.3 million Mercedes Benz luxury cars. Mercedes
says they plan to fix problems with alternators and batteries on several
models. -- Hyundai said it is recalling more than 30,000 of its 2005 Tucson
SUV's because of a problem with the anti-rollover system. Officials say the
problem may cause the engine to reduce power automatically. It could also cause
a brake on one of the wheels to be applied without the driver activating it. --Kia
Motor Corporation announced it is recalling more than 7500 of its 2005 Sportage
SUV's for the same reason.
Visteon, which lost $1.5 billion in 2004, pays chairman $4
million - Auto parts-maker Visteon Corp., which lost $1.5 billion in
2004, gave chairman and former chief executive Peter Pestillo $4.04 million in
pay, bonuses and stock options for the year, the company reports.
Isuzu Admits Illegally Testing Vehicles - Isuzu Motors
Ltd., a truckmaker allied with America's General Motors Corp., admitted Friday
it had illegally tested its vehicles on public roads for years, and said
vehicles being tested were involved in accidents that caused one death and 27
injuries.
Anatomy of Consumer Reports' Vehicle Ratings
- Consumer Reports is the only publication that ranks all of the vehicles
it tests-and compiles regularly updated charts showing which models fared best
and worst overall. Its Ratings are based on more than 45 tests performed at its
specialized auto-test center.
Not your father's auto repair - Students get a head
start on their career plans, thanks to a unique auto repair internship program
sponsored by Fairfax County's Department of Vehicle Services. -- With nearly
all cars today outfitted with computer systems that monitor everything from
brakes to exhaust, auto mechanics now spend as much time working over a laptop
as they do under the hood of a car.
3M to shut Stillwater plant; 200 jobs affected - A 3M
Co. automotive graphics plant in Stillwater with 200 employees will shut down
by year's end, the company announced Thursday. -- More auto manufacturers are
using designs that move away from the decals produced at the plant. The
Stillwater facility also produces paint protection products, nameplates and
related products for global auto manufacturers.
EPA OKs plan to end tailpipe testing - The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency has given preliminary approval to Kentucky's
plan to eliminate tailpipe testing and replace it with other pollution-saving
actions. -- The amendment stops tailpipe testing and requires body shops and
industries to use more efficient spray guns and non-petroleum-based solvents.
-- The decision is a victory in a long battle to get rid of tailpipe testing
and still meet clean air standards.
Rules released for free car - Sharpen your pencils and
fill out your applications - the Bridge City Cruisers are ready to "pimp your
ride."
NowAuto Signs Acquisition Agreement With Sunburst Car Company
- Acquisition Will Make NowAuto the Largest Independent Auto Dealer in Arizona
-- Sunburst is located in Phoenix, Arizona and is best known for its public
vehicle auctions every Saturday while providing a full-service mechanical
operation, including service, repair, auto body, and emissions.
Delaware gets tough on auto insurance fraud - The state
insurance commissioner rolled out a series of policy changes Thursday in an
effort to crack down on auto insurance fraud, including identifying
perpetrators in public hearings and doubling fines for those who try to dupe
the system.
