Automobile Safety Foundation Spotlights Mirror Safety Crisis - Paul
Raul of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirms
that a recall of standard equipment side-view mirrors is likely due to safety
issues. These mirrors have a hazardous blind spot that conceals quickly
approaching or nearby vehicles, causing merging and lane-changing endangerment.
This would constitute the biggest automotive recall of all times. The recall of
all standard side-view mirrors, which could occur at any time, would impact
tens of millions of motorists across the United States.
Leading
International Automotive Experts to Meet in Sunderland - The eighth
International Automotive Conference (IAC) to be held at the Stadium of Light in
Sunderland on October 5 and 6, will address the major issues facing the global
automotive industry in today's difficult markets. Senior representatives from
top automotive companies including Renault, Nissan, Ford, Honda, Cooper
Standard Automotive and Pilkington are leading the speaker line up.
NeoMedia to Distribute
Micro Paint and Auto Aftermarket Products in China - NeoMedia
Technologies, Inc., said today that it has reached a definitive agreement to
bring its NeoMedia Micro Paint Repair business to the People's Republic of
China as well as be a distributor of other automotive aftermarket products.
Corruption
in America: Big Three Execs Get Huge Pay To Ruin Auto Sector - The
management teams of these companies, often trained at the Harvard or Stanford
Business Schools, are shutting down valuable capacity, and incompetently
driving their companies into the ground, guided by the idea of adding a few
extra pennies increase to the company's stock price or dividends.
Delphi's
troubles may cost GM - UAW says carmaker is obligated to pay billions
in benefits if parts maker files for bankruptcy.
Auto
Parts Maker To Add Jobs In Greenville - Toyoda-Koki Automotive South
Carolina plant manager Doug Wilson said the new employees will be needed by the
end of the year, as the company expands its 77,000-square-foot plant. -- Wilson
said the expansion is needed because rising gas prices have led automakers to
put four-wheel-drive capability on additional smaller vehicles.
Saint-Gobain, BMW to invest Rs 880 crore in TN - India: Saint-Gobain
India has invested Rs 700 crore to set up its second float glass plant and an
automotive glass plant in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai. -- The automotive glass
plant commenced commercial operations in July 2005, while the float glass plant
is expected to start commercial operations in the last quarter of 2005. -- An
eight member team from BMW led by Norbert Reithofer, Board Member of BMW Group,
today informed the state government that it proposed to establish a car
assembly plant at a cost of Rs 180 crore in Mahindra Industrial Park, about 35
kilometers from Chennai airport. -- It becomes the third overseas auto major
after US's Ford Motor and South Korea's Hyundai to set up shop in Tamil Nadu in
the recent past.
Jobs cut as GM's Holden outsourcing bites - Tough times lie ahead for
the Australian components industry with model changes and low-cost parts from
China threatening traditional relationships between makers and suppliers, says
the president of the Federation of Automotive Products Manufacturers, Peter
Upton. -- Holden has dumped at least seven local suppliers and sourced parts
from as far away as Mexico, Thailand, the US and China.
DaimlerChrysler Ups Stake in China Venture - DaimlerChrysler AG said
Tuesday it is raising its stake in its Chinese auto joint venture, Beijing Benz
DaimlerChrysler Automotive, to 50 percent from the earlier 42 percent.
Toyota jump starts production of V6 engines - Toyota Motor
Manufacturing Alabama Inc. officials began production Monday of the first V6
engines at its manufacturing plant in Huntsville.
AIAG AutoTech 2005 Exhibitor Profiles - At AIAG AutoTech 2005, more
than 100 exhibitors will showcase hardware, software, supply chain systems,
data collection, materials handling, quality, telecommunications, IT and
transportation technologies, services and more.
ADP Dealer Services Launches Employee Screening and Selection Services
- In a move to help dealers make better hiring decisions and bring cost savings
to their stores, The Dealer Services Group of Automatic Data Processing, Inc.
today announced the launch of its employee Screening and Selection Services
offering.
Local mechanic is a foreign-car troubleshooter - Eric Reed said he is
the type of service specialist who will trouble-shoot problems most mechanics
don't want to deal with, like electronics and wiring, that require a lot of
time. "Most garages like to make quick money," Reed said, but at his business
he is wants to provide customers with quality work.
UK's Pilkington not in
bid talks with Nippon - LONDON: Shares in Britain's Pilkington slipped
from session highs on Tuesday as a source close to the glassmaker said it was
not in takeover talks with Japan's Nippon Sheet Glass, quashing market rumors
of a bid.
State
Automobile Elects New Directors - Dwight E. Smith and Roger P. Sugarman
were recently elected to the board of directors of State Automobile Mutual
Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio. Smith is CEO of Sophisticated Systems,
Inc., a software integration and consulting firm, and Sugarman is an
attorney/director of the law firm of Kegler, Brown, Hill & Ritter, both based
in Columbus.
Katrina May Cost Insurers as Much as $26 Billion - Hurricane Katrina
may cost U.S. insurers such as Allstate Corp. $10 billion to $26 billion,
making it among the most expensive storms to hit the industry, three storm
modelers said.
August 29, 2005
Aftermarket parts aftermath - A recent ruling might further fuel the
battle between insurers and body shops over the quality of replacement parts.
How
will the Illinois ruling affect insurers' policies? - The body shop
owner groaned when the news alert scrolled across his computer monitor. --
Randal Johnson had just learned, on the afternoon of Aug. 18, that the Illinois
Supreme Court had thrown out a $1.06 billion class action judgment against
State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance over the use of so-called aftermarket
auto parts for repairs. -- Perry Zucker, an accident reconstruction expert,
isn't convinced that aftermarket parts offer the same safety protection as
parts made by OEMs. And Zucker is skeptical when insurers say one big reason
they favor less expensive aftermarket parts is because they force OEMs to keep
parts prices down. -- "This has nothing to do with competition," Zucker said.
"It's about the greed of the insurance companies." -- Johnson is more worried
about a market controlled by powerful insurance companies. Insurers don't face
the angry body shop customer, he said, whose replacement fender doesn't match
the contours of his vehicle. -- "The customer doesn't blame the insurance
company for the bad repair," he said. "They blame the body shop."
What the state law says - Virginia law features sections relevant to
the debate about the use of aftermarket parts in body shop collision repair.
DuPont adapts to oil costs - Faced with sagging profit, company's paint
unit is 'going where the growth is' -- With the price of oil soaring, so has
the cost of auto body shop paint, which uses oil as a primary ingredient. Paint
costs have gone up by nearly a third in the past year.
Ford CCRN Program Reaches 21 Markets - Ford Motor Company this summer
is enrolling Oregon and San Francisco dealerships into its Collision Repair
Network (CCRN), bringing to 21 the total number of markets in which the network
is established.
China
losing cheap labor allure - More U.S. companies find savings are
drained by errors, shipping costs and engineering changes. -- While U.S.
companies are still moving to China, industry experts say momentum has slowed,
and a question that seemed unthinkable even a year ago now is being asked in
the offices of Michigan auto suppliers: Is it really cheaper to produce parts
in China?
Glass act
on road to top - The US Department of Commerce found Chinese makers of
automotive replacement glass guilty of selling their products for less than
their manufacturing costs. This followed a complaint by American firms in 2002.
Small
Businesses Can Now Manage Their Operations Effectively With Low-Cost, Web-Based
Solutions - “We are proud to say that Synapse.CS is currently being
applied successfully in the Travel and Auto Parts industries, and will soon be
applied in a variety of other applications. These include the Medical
Practices and Supply, Auto Glass Replacement, Winery, Auto Dealership,
Specialty Gift Shop, Salon/Day Spa, Real Estate, and Property Management
industries; just to name a few,” said Mark Michael.
Kia Motors Workers to Go on Strike on Monday - Unionized workers of Kia
Motors plan to go on a strike on Monday for 15 consecutive years, demanding a
wage hike and better working conditions.
'DriveCam'
Records Accidents from Car-Mounted Cameras - Some accidents recorded on
tape are enough to make you shudder. And they can also be very telling. For
instance, imagine a camera capturing a truck driver falling asleep at the
wheel. The truck hits a bump, and the driver is jerked into consciousness.
Automotive industry poised to grow in Texas - Texas is holding a
handful of kings in the recruiting game being played out internationally for
automotive plants and suppliers, according to a market expert.
Adjusters set to take
claims - Insurance companies deployed hundreds of adjusters and opened
several mobile offices Saturday to take claims and start writing checks for
South Floridians whose homes, autos and boats took punches or got soaked by
Hurricane Katrina.
Docs feel
blue - Physicians leaving Blue Cross network -- "There is something
amiss when that many doctors suddenly say, 'We're quitting your panel,'" said
Dr. John Wieland, a general surgeon. - "We played ball for years. We're not
greedy doctors. But the administrative burdens outweigh the benefits of being
in the network."
August 26, 2005
Pain felt at the pump - Bob Patterson has taken to mapping out his day.
-- Not to save time or for the sake of punctuality. No. Patterson, who works
for A&D Auto Body in Glendale, plots his workday to save money on gas.
Car parts supplier enters Korea - The world's third-largest automobile
parts supplier, Magna International Co., is entering the Korean market. The
Canada-based company announced a joint venture with Korea's Dae Yee Tech, which
has been supplying instrument panels to Korean automakers, yesterday.
Hyundai and Honda Dispute Which Cars Are Safest - Hyundai Motor Corp.'s
new 2006 Sonata mid-sized sedan is making a dent in the U.S. auto market by
virtue of its under-$19,000 price tag, handsome design and a raft of features
including high-tech stability control.
You say you want and evolution..... - The mid-life makeover of the
Subaru Impreza for 2006 was a tough task because this one model accounts for
more than 40 per cent of Subaru sales. So the diminutive Japanese manufacturer
avoided rocking the boat and went with evolution rather than revolution.
State Leads U.S. in Car Thefts, With L.A. Area Topping 73,000 - Fewer
cars were stolen last year in the United States, but the car mecca that is
California has earned the unfortunate distinction of the nation's auto-theft
hotspot, according to a report this week.
Autobody Event Goes Global - The International Autobody Congress &
Exposition (NACE) has announced that it will host an exclusive, globally
motivated, one-day program aimed at senior managers, industry leaders and
influencers. -- IBIS@NACE is expected to attract professionals from all sides
of the collision repair market and will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 2 from
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Indian auto parts makers drive overseas for growth - Indian auto
components makers are scouting for distressed firms in the United States and
Europe to gain a foothold in these markets and access technologies and clients
even as western manufacturers look to trim costs.
GM, UAW
work toward compromise - Automaker needs to trim billions of dollars in
labor costs and overhead to battle foreign rivals.
Delphi Strengthens Environmental Portfolio with New Technology Introductions
- Delphi Corp. will showcase a range of new technologies that will help vehicle
manufacturers improve almost every aspect of automotive environmental
performance at the 61st International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt, Germany on
September 13.
Auto Supplier Closing
- The Lear Corporation says it will shut down its plant in Marshall. In an
emergency meeting Wednesday, 130 workers learned they are losing their jobs. --
The auto-parts supplier produces injection-molded door panel and hard trim.
Car
Thieves Master The 7-Minute Steal - Auto theft, unfortunately, has
turned into big business in the U.S. One reason may be the money thieves can
make stripping down the car and selling its parts. Another reason may be how
little time it takes to steal a car. With the help of the Oakland Police
Department and Allstate Insurance, we decided to see just how quickly it can be
done.
Rally in Mexican glass maker Vitro puzzles analysts - Shares of Mexican
glass maker Vitro have surged almost 50 percent in the last two weeks, but
analysts say a planned asset sale alone does not justify the rally, with no
other good news around the corner.
Impact of insurance system weighed - State legislators have listened to
their constituents who have had bad experiences with Colorado's new system for
auto insurance. -- Tuesday, they were reminded of why the changes were made in
the first place.
Mass.
Commissioner Appeals Court Ruling That Blocked Auto Changes - The
Romney Administration has decided to appeal a June court ruling that found that
the state's insurance commissioner exceeded her authority when she tried to
change the state's auto insurance residual market.
August 24, 2005
Sonic Automotive CFO to leave company - The chief financial officer at
Sonic Automotive Inc. will resign Sept. 6 to take the same job at Sara Lee
Branded Apparel of Winston-Salem.
Insurers
speak out at CARSTAR conference - Executives from many of the country's
top auto insurers were on hand to offer opinions and insight at the annual
CARSTAR industry conference held in Ottawa August 10-12. Noel Walpole,
president and CEO of The Economical Insurance Group, told delegates not to be
misled by the high revenues insurance companies posted in 2004. -- "In ten
years we have changed the collision repair industry in Canada from a 'no
network, no partners, no trust' industry to the CARSTAR standard of a national
network with benchmarking, cost containment, reduced cycle time, accurate
customer service indexing, insurance and vendor partnerships and above all,
trust," said Sam Mercanti, president and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada.
No pane, no gain for Stuart - Stuart Chambers, the no-nonsense
Pilkington chief executive, earned more last year than many people do in an
entire lifetime.
Glass America
Acquires Auto Glass Specialists -The disappearance of the mid-size auto
glass replacement and repair company continues with the acquisition of Auto
Glass Specialists by Glass America.
Mexican Exports Probably Fell 5% in July as Auto Output Slowed - Two
weeks ago Vitro began supplying Ford with glass kits for its new car models at
the Hermosillo plant, Vitro spokesman Albert Chico said in a telephone
interview. As a result of increasing production, sales in Vitro's auto division
will reach $70 million in 2005, up from $25 million last year, Chico said.
New fuel
rules favor Big 3 - Fed proposal will make it easier for Detroit to
meet mileage goals on high-profit trucks, SUVs, minivans.
DCX-VW
minivan deal likely - Vehicle would be built by DaimlerChrysler for
U.S. market to bolster Volkswagen's lineup.
Ford to announce turnaround plan by late fall - Ford Motor Co. will
soon announce a new restructuring plan to return its key North American vehicle
operations to profitability, Chairman and Chief Executive Bill Ford Jr. said on
Tuesday.
Ford's Volvo to Lay Off Up to 1,500 Workers - Ford Motor Co.'s Volvo
Cars division plans to lay off up to 1,500 workers, or 5 percent of its global
work force this year, part of an effort to cut costs by more than $130 million,
a company spokesman told Reuters on Tuesday.
Mitchell's
Solution Portfolio Now Includes Advanced Scheduling Tool - Mitchell
International, Inc., a leading provider of information and workflow solutions
to the automotive insurance claims and collision repair industries, announced
an exclusive partnership with Collision Resources, Inc. to distribute and
integrate its CR Auto Scheduler® program with Mitchell's UltraMate® estimating
and ABS® business management software.
Idea has camera, screen replacing windshield - Imagine driving down the
road in a car that has a plasma video screen instead of a windshield. --
Technology has domestic, military applications.
Connecticut Blasts Sale Of Fake Air Bag Covers - The state of
Connecticut is attempting to stop an Alabama company from selling replacement
air bag covers without the air bags. Hicks Air Bag Covers markets its air bag
covers nationwide as an inexpensive alternative to installing replacement air
bags. -- "Selling fake air bag covers is likely illegal under state law – and
appallingly irresponsible under any standard," Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal said.
Little guys’ blues - Small gas stations struggle to stay in business -
With prices soaring at the pump, you might expect it would be a great time to
own a gas station. -- But the number of gas stations in Massachusetts and
across the nation is actually on the decline. And gas station owners say
they're facing one of the worst financial crunches in recent decades as a
number of pressures build on smaller service-station operators.
Investigators Performing Surprise Car Repair Shop Inspections - About a
dozen state investigators have descended on Central Florida to perform surprise
inspections and make sure car repair shops are following the rules. They began
scouring the Seminole County area early Monday morning and, within hours, were
handing out numerous fines.
Color of a
car has no impact on insurance rates - That's a common car insurance
myth, but 25 percent of drivers mistakenly believe that car color affects
rates, says a survey of 1,000 drivers conducted by Progressive Insurance.
Information that affects rates includes a vehicle's year, make, model, body
type and engine size, besides driver information.
New Automatic High Beams Illuminate Age-Old Safety Concern - Known as
SmartBeam(TM), the system uses a microprocessor and tiny camera-on-a-chip to
automatically turn your high beams on and off according to surrounding traffic
conditions.
Sleeping with the enemy - SHANGHAI: "We are businessmen," says James C.
Diggs, senior vice president of PPG Industries, when asked how the company
manages to co-operate with its Chinese rivals. -- As a major flat glass
producer in the United States, PPG was among three US companies to launch an
anti-dumping lawsuit against several Chinese windshield manufacturers in 2001.
PPG Canada Inc later initiated a similar case against Chinese imports. -- PPG
now actively co-operates with many Chinese glass manufacturers, ranging from
contractual arrangements to technology licensing.
Confrontation in the collision business - It's a stifling August
afternoon and Pilitz, 47, the only female auto body shop owner in Nassau
County, is on fire. Autotech Collision in Rockville Centre is her business, but
confrontations with police have become her life.
Area's
businesses apt to be little instead of big - Albany: While companies
with nine or fewer workers dominate the private employment force--they account
for four out of five private workplaces--small proprietors say they are
underappreciated and overburdened by paperwork, regulations and the cost of
doing business. -- Waldron, who is president of the Capital District Autobody
Association, employs eight people, counting herself. Charlie's CARSTAR is
locally owned, but part of a national franchise of auto body shops. -- Waldron
said the small auto shops in her industry are more or less helpless to
challenge the rates insurers set for various kinds of repairs, even if auto
shops face fluctuations in costs for supplies and deliveries.
Hot Rod
Champs Racing family sets up shop - Fredericksburg, VA: The family of
automotive enthusiasts will open a 17,000-square-foot facility in Colonial
Beach in the next few weeks. -- "It's going to be geared toward general auto
repair and body work, and as a sideline we're going to be able to do
performance work," said Dave, 42. "We're trying to make it a one-stop shop."
Repairer is prepared to take a stand against insurance giant - South
Wales, Australia: Cowra Auto Body Shop operator Stewart Christie is prepared to
take a stand and fight the nation's biggest car insurer. -- He has refused to
sign with Insurance Australia Group, parent company of NRMA, CGU and SGIO, in
protest at what he believes are unfair practices that are hurting not only
smash repairers but also insurance policy holders.
Car show
provides auto motive for CGTC recruits - Come to admire, stay to
enroll.That's the idea behind the annual Classic Car Cruise-In at Central
Georgia Technical College's Macon campus. By assembling a collection of
painstakingly maintained classic cars, hot rods, muscle cars and trucks, the
school hopes to draw students for its automotive courses.
Computer worm
stops auto production at DaimlerChrysler plants - A computer worm
temporarily halted production at 13 of DaimlerChrysler AG's U.S. plants this
week, but the company says the damage was minimal and it expects to make up the
lost production.
A car's best friend - Motorists make sure their wheels get the best
treatment from honest, efficient shops
Windshield repair
clinic shut down - Ontario,Canada: A well established Thunder Bay
business has been shut down after 10 years of operation. And the owner is
trying to figure out why. Gerry Jorgenson has been operating a windshield
repair clinic in the parking lot of the local Walmart store...that is up until
last night. -- Jorgenson says his isn't the only case. Other glass repair
locations in Southern Ontario also went through a similar experience.
AIG's Other Reputation - When his pickup truck developed engine trouble
a few years ago, Anthony A. Stankus filed a claim under an auto warranty he had
bought from a unit of insurance giant American International Group Inc. -- Soon
the Phoenix consultant got his answer: Claim denied. -- Most policyholders
would have left it at that. But Stankus sued -- and won a rare look at the
internal claims-handling practices at the world's largest insurance company. --
Federal prosecutors are probing whether AIG and other insurers misused a
specialized financial product that makes public companies' books look better --
all to fool investors. -- Robert Cook, a supervisor from 1978 to 1985, said
that under an AIG "check-retention policy," checks owed insureds, vendors and
others were simply locked in a safe until payees complained. Cook said AIG
created an internal form to keep track of complaints. Even then, Cook said, he
had to cajole the regional manager, Robert C. Davidson, with special
"buzzwords" to convey the urgency of the complaint.
August 19, 2005
Keystone Automotive
Industries Comments on Favorable Illinois Supreme Court Ruling -
Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. today said an Illinois Supreme Court
decision overturning a lower court ruling in a national class action case
involving aftermarket crash parts -- Avery vs. State Farm Insurance Company --
represents a significant victory for consumers as aftermarket collision
replacement parts are a high quality cost-savings alternative to original
equipment. -- The collision repair market is a $16 billion industry that is 76
percent controlled by automobile manufacturers. With an estimated 20 to 40
percent savings over those parts supplied by the automobile manufacturers, the
utilization of aftermarket generic collision replacement parts by the collision
repair industry represents an important alternative for consumers -- analogous
to benefits to the healthcare industry from generic brands," said Richard L.
Keister, president and chief executive officer of Keystone Automotive
Industries.
Blumenthal to file suit over fake airbags - Attorney General Richard
Blumenthal said on Thursday he would file a subpoena against an Alabama company
that marketed replacement airbag covers to Connecticut repair shops last month.
-- The covers, made by Hicks Airbag Covers in Laceys Spring, Ala., are sold
without airbags as an inexpensive cosmetic fix for blown front driver and
passenger units. While no federal or state laws prevent individuals from
installing the covers, it is illegal for a licensed shop to do so, Blumenthal
said. -- "We want to close a loophole in the federal law," he said. "It's an
unfair and deceptive practice." -- Fasano became aware of the covers after Bill
Denya, owner of Denya's Auto Body in Meriden, contacted him after he and
several other auto body shops received a bulk mailing from the company. When
Denya ordered a cover on July 17, he said he received a complete airbag unit
with only a horn system inside. Denya said their authentic appearance and snug
fit could fool consumers into thinking they were driving with actual airbags.
'Black boxes' find niche in more cars - Police officers in Boston's
western suburbs and around the state are now learning to tap into the
information contained in the devices, called ''event data recorders," which
have been installed in recent years in millions of cars across the country.
Strike hits auto
dealership - Picket lines have gone up at two Thunder Bay auto
dealerships, and one dealer is threatening to shut his doors if the striking
mechanics, body shop and parts workers don’t rethink their contract demands.
Workers,
PPG Conduct Contract Negotiations - Contract negotiations are
continuing today between members of the International Food and Chemical Workers
Local 45 and PPG Industries officials to replace an agreement that was expected
to expire at 11 p.m. Wednesday. -- Workers leaving the plant at the 11 p.m.
shift change Wednesday said officials had agreed to a one-day extension of the
existing contract so employees could keep working today while negotiations
continue.
Government investigating air bag light on Honda Accord - The government
has opened an investigation into some versions of the Honda Accord because
owners have complained about a light on the control panel that illuminates when
an air bag has been disarmed or is not working properly.
ADCO gets tax break - ADCO Products is getting a tax break on a $1
million investment in new equipment. -- Aaron Ludwiczak, a senior accountant
with ADCO Products, said the company is buying the equipment to increase
productivity and reduce downtime.
Glass firm aces 504 loan program - The 504 loans are designed for small
businesses looking to buy long-term capital assets, including land, buildings,
heavy machinery and even boats — as long as they have a useful life of more
than 10 years.
Safe Auto Mirrors on the Way; Possible National Recall of Standard Equipment
Side-View Mirrors - Paul Raul of the National Highway Safety Traffic
Administration confirms that a recall of standard equipment side view mirrors
is likely due to safety issues. These mirrors have a hazardous blind spot that
conceals quickly approaching or nearby vehicles, causing merging and lane
changing endangerment.
Lamar Salter Campus answers demand with new Fall course - The Louisiana
Technical College-Lamar Salter Campus will offer a Collision Repair Technology
Program, beginning this fall semester. The program prepares individuals to
repair modern vehicles. This includes identification and analysis of damage,
measurement, straightening, welding, structural repair and replacement, and
corrosion.
State to conduct sweep of Seminole County auto repair shops - Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Charles Bronson
has announced that inspectors from his department will conduct a countywide
sweep of auto repair shops in Seminole County next week to make sure they are
registered with the state and complying with regulations governing estimates
and invoices for repair work.
Clients
allegedly bilked of $35,985 - A Caseyville upholstery and auto repair
business is accused of fraudulent business practices by Illinois Attorney
General Lisa Madigan.
New
Safety Lab to Help Ford With Vehicles - New $16 Million Safety-Testing
Facility Will Help Ford Bring Vehicles to Market Faster -- The change is
critical for the automaker, which has fallen behind Asian competitors in
getting fresh vehicles to consumers. Ford's U.S. sales were flat in the first
seven months of this year.
Postl to Leave
AutoZone Board - AutoZone, Inc. today announced the resignation of
James J. Postl as a member of the company's Board of Directors. Mr. Postl has
been a Director since 2003 and previously chaired the Board's Audit Committee.
Solutia Raises Prices for Saflex(R) and Vanceva(R) PVB Films - Solutia
Inc., the world's leading supplier of polyvinyl buytral (PVB) films for
automotive, architectural and specialty laminated glazing applications, today
announced it will increase the price of its Saflex(R) and Vanceva(R) brand PVB
films by up to 10 percent globally, effective Oct. 1, 2005. The increase will
apply for any shipment quantities not covered by existing agreements and for
new supply contracts.
August 16, 2005
Government investigating door handles on Volkswagen SUVs - The
government is investigating door handles on the Volkswagen Touareg after an
owner complained that his daughter's hand was injured when the sport utility
vehicle's door swung open and caught her hand in the door frame.
Diamond Triumph Auto Glass, Inc. Announces Second Quarter 2005 Results -
Diamond Triumph Auto Glass, Inc. announced today that net sales for the six
months ended June 30, 2005 increased $2.1 million, or 1.9%, to $112.4 million
as compared to $110.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2004. Net sales
for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005 increased $2.0 million, or 3.5%, to
$58.9 million as compared to $56.9 million for the second quarter of 2004. Net
income for the six months ended June 30, 2005 increased by $5.0 million to $5.4
million from $0.4 million of net income for the six months ended June 30, 2004.
What’s In It For Me? - During the past dozen years or so that I have
assisted body shops with marketing, when I speak to a new potential client I
often hear the same complaint: "I've spent a lot of money on fancy literature
and photos and sent packages to many insurance companies, agents and other
potential sources of business, and haven't gotten a damned thing!"
Steve's Auto
Care Achieves Top Rating in Consumer Publication - Steve's Auto Care,
Albany, California, achieved the coveted top rating for quality and price from
Bay Area Consumers' CHECKBOOK magazine, an independent, non-profit consumer
information and service resource. Survey results appear in the publication's
Summer/Fall 2005 issue.
August 15, 2005
Ford
resorts to firing employees to cut staff - For the first time in
generations, Ford Motor has resorted to firing employees and immediately
escorting them from corporate buildings - shaking up the company and compelling
Chief Executive Officer Bill Ford to send a message last week to employees.
Incoming Chrysler CEO focuses on China - As he sped through this city
in northern Mexico late last week, peering through the darkly shaded windows of
a minivan surrounded by bodyguards, the incoming head of Chrysler may have been
thinking about the advantages of doing business in low-cost labor markets.
Lear eyes possible bid for Collins & Aikman - U.S. auto interiors
supplier Lear Corp is considering a bid for bankrupt rival Collins & Aikman,
the Automotive News industry paper reported on Monday, citing unidentified
sources close to Lear.
Collins & Aikman receives subpoena on financials - Bankrupt auto parts
supplier Collins & Aikman said on Friday a federal grand jury has subpoenaed
its financial statements for 2000 to 2005 and accounting documents related to
customer and supplier rebates.
Union to vote Tuesday on latest offer from Visteon - Union workers at
Visteon Corp. are to vote next week on a tentative contract agreement reached
three weeks after a previous deal was rejected. The talks have taken place over
the past two months amid an effort by community leaders to save the plant and
its 1,450 jobs.
Toyota polishes image to avoid blame for auto woes - Toyota Motor Corp.
is stepping up lobbying efforts in part to avoid being blamed for any plant
closures or job losses that may hit the U.S. auto industry in coming years. --
Toyota's concern stems from its continued rapid growth in the United States
even as General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. try to stabilize market share
and fight high costs and excess manufacturing capacity.
Midas moves from mufflers to tires, oil changes - Car-exhaust systems
have become much more durable, creating a problem for the nation's largest
installer of replacement muffler systems. America's cars are going to the
junkyard with their original exhaust components still intact.
Bosses off the hook for unpaid overtime - In state court ruling, judge
decries abuses in the workplace -- The suit was filed in 2000 by an Earl Scheib
employee in Los Angeles County who said he was denied overtime pay by being
wrongly classified as a shop manager. -- Seeking to represent all such
employees in a class action, he sued both the company and eight individual
officers and directors, who he alleged were in control of the company's
actions.
World
Class Automotive Finish - New Ford GT supercar combines BASF automotive
OEM paint technologies, with coatings that demonstrate a flawless finish.
Law to allow
some tinted car windows - A new state law inspired by a Peoria woman
and a Springfield family will permit people with lupus or albinism to drive or
ride in vehicles with tinted windows.
Schnitzer expands stake in auto parts - The Portland metals recycler
and steelmaker is buying Greenleaf, a rival chain of wholesale parts dealers
based in Texas -- Schnitzer Steel Industries Inc. once again plans to expand
its auto parts business, this time buying a competitor of a slightly different
make and model.
Coalition for
Auto Repair Equality Applauds Co-Sponsorship for Right to Repair Act During
August Recess; Many Members Returning Cosponsors, Some New - The Motor
Vehicle Owners' Right to Repair Act, H.R. 2048, introduced in the U.S. House
May 3, 2005, is gaining ground with progress on many fronts. According to the
Coalition for Auto Repair Equality (CARE), to date there are 41 House
co-sponsors. Thirty two members, including Chairman Joe Barton, sponsor and
chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Edolphus Towns have
expressed their confidence in the bill by returning as main co-sponsors, while
nine new co-sponsors join the list. A bipartisan bill, to date there are 25
Democrats, 15 Republicans and one Independent supporting the bill.
Claims
handling tops insurance complaint list - Low insurance company
settlement offers, claim denials and claim delays were among the most frequent
complaints Kansas consumers filed with state insurance regulators, the Kansas
Insurance Department said Friday.
Boyd
Group Income Fund reports 2005 second quarter results - For the second
quarter ended June 30, 2005 revenue increased 14% to $47.0 million compared to
revenue of $41.3 million in the second quarter of 2004. Sales growth was
primarily attributable to new revenue from the acquisitions of: the remaining
50% interest in 1st Choice Mobile Auto Glass Dealers Inc.; two repair centres
in Atlanta; a repair centre in Abbotsford, B.C.; and, the Globe Amerada Glass
Network, as well as the commencement of operations of six new repair centres in
the greater Chicago area in the second half of 2004 and first half of 2005.
FinishMaster Announces Second Quarter Financial Results - FinishMaster,
Inc. today reported net income for the quarter ended June 30, 2005 of
$4,255,000, or $0.54 per share, compared with net income of $3,163,000, or
$0.41 per share, in the prior year period. For the six months ended June 30,
2005, net income was $7,500,000, or $0.96 per share, compared to net income of
$6,445,000, or $0.83 per share, in the prior year period. The improvement in
net income for the quarter and year-to-date compared to the prior year periods
was a result of higher net sales and decreased interest expense partially
offset by higher operating and SG&A expenses
AADCO announces capital transaction and management changes - AADCO
Automotive Inc. is a growing, Canadian public company with a unique business
model committed to complete vehicle dismantling to provide quality recycled 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. AADCO serves over
3,000 mechanical and collision repair clients across Ontario through its LKQ
parts division.
LKQ CORP Files SEC form 8-K,
Change in Directors or Principal Officers - On August 5, 2005, the
Board of Directors of LKQ Corporation (the Company) elected the following two
persons as officers of the Company: Steven H. Jones as Vice President West and
Central Regions and Core Operations; and Robert L. Wagman as Vice President of
Insurance Services and Aftermarket Operations.
Michigan Court Issues Inconsistent Verdict in Ford Explorer Rollover Death
- A Michigan Court found Ford Motor Co. liable for the death of a woman in a
2000 rollover accident in a Ford Explorer, but in an unusual move determined
Ford did not have an alternative to its defective roof design, creating an
inconsistent verdict.
Volvo Builds Gravity Car With Safety and Beauty in Mind! - When looking
at Volvo as a brand, people think safety. Volvo has become known as the
innovator in safety technology. Whether it is a SUV, convertible, or even a
Volvo gravity vehicle, safety is always a top priority.
Public interest groups praise highway bill's safety provisions - Safety
advocates lauded new auto protection provisions included in the $286.4 billion
highway bill signed Wednesday by President Bush during a scripted ceremony in
Montgomery, Ill., near a plant that manufactures roadbuilding equipment.
Bid
hopes fade for Pilkington - DKW said it does not foresee a takeover but
didn’t rule out a foreign investor running the slide rule over the group with a
132p price target.
INSERTING and REPLACING
Copart Announces Filing of Answer to Patent Infringement Claim - Copart,
Inc. announced that it filed an answer denying the claims set forth in the
previously announced complaint filed by Manheim Services Corp. (Manheim)
alleging that Copart online auction services infringe on a certain patent
claimed to be owned by Manheim. In addition to its answer, Copart asserted
various affirmative defenses and made counterclaims against Manheim, including
counterclaims seeking declarations of patent non-infringement, invalidity, and
unenforceability. Copart also included counterclaims intended to address
Manheim's violations of the U.S. antitrust laws under the Sherman Act. Copart
filed its answer, defenses, and counterclaims in the United States District
Court for the Northern District of Georgia (Atlanta Division), where the case
is currently pending.
Mittal
eyes steel plant for cars in Europe - Leading global steel producer
Mittal Steel is considering investing up to $350m in a plant in Europe to catch
up with rivals in the important area of high-quality sheet steel for the
vehicle industry. -- Production of automotive-grade steel sheet — which is used
for car bodies and has to be highly resistant to wear — is among the most
technically difficult operations in steel making.
Italian moulder invests
in automotive plastics glazing plant - Italian moulder Rangerplast has
set up a new facility to manufacture polycarbonate windows for the automotive
sector at its headquarters in Carate Brianza, to the north of Milan.
Lawyers,
Doctor Plead Guilty in Multi-state Auto Fraud Ring - Two lawyers and
one medical doctor pleaded guilty in connection with an elaborate interstate
staged auto insurance fraud ring involving more than 55 victims/insurance
carriers both in Arizona and California. Over $2.5 million was paid out in fake
insurance claims in an organized staged collision ring from 1993-2000.
Investigators from the California Department of Insurance's (CDI) Los Angeles
Urban Auto Fraud Task Force targeted the ring in 2003 dubbing it "Operation
Rent & Wreck" and announced the investigations and arrests of 18 people.
August 10, 2005
Tompkins, Beranek Elected to AGRSS Council Board of Directors -
Tompkins is the western states area manager and national AGR special programs
manager for Sika Corp. of Madison Heights, Mich. and currently serves as
chairperson of the AGRSS accreditation committee. Beranek is president of
Automotive Glass Consultants of Sun Prairie, Wis. and serves as chairperson of
the AGRSS audit committee.
Pilkington
Higher On Perennial Bid Talk - Traders cite bid speculation, "but I've
been in the City 20 years, and it feels like not a year has gone by without
masses of takeout rumors cropping on this particular stock," says one. Notes
Nippon Sheet Glass cited as likely bidder; Nippon Sheet Glass not immediately
available to comment.
2 Auto Parts
Companies Go Outside the Old-Boy Culture - The men running two of the
auto industry's largest and most troubled parts companies have one thing in
common: both are relative outsiders to the corporate cultures they now inhabit.
CIECA’s
First Repairer Advisory Panel Meeting Held in Scottsdale - The
Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association (CIECA) announced today that
the newly commissioned Repairers Advisory Panel (RAP) held its first meeting in
Scottsdale, Arizona on July 26.
Plastech Makes Bid for Collins & Aikman - Plastech Engineered Products
Inc. has made a $1 billion bid to buy rival auto-parts supplier Collins &
Aikman Corp., which filed for bankruptcy in May, according to a letter obtained
Tuesday by The Associated Press. -- Dearborn-based Plastech is the largest
woman-owned company in Michigan. It was founded by Brown in 1988 and makes
plastic vehicle components, including spoilers, mud flaps and interior door
panels.
State Farm donation to enhance education at Valdosta Tech - State Farm
Insurance Company donated an automobile to Valdosta Technical College Tuesday,
acting on its commitment to help people realize their dreams. -- The 1998 Buick Century Custom will benefit Valdosta Technical College’s Auto
Collision Repair Technology program. It will help students obtain the skills
necessary to become a major collision repair technician and a painting and
refinishing technician, said Dan Baker, program coordinator.
GEICO Names Tama Ruiz Vice President of Information Systems - GEICO's
board of directors recently announced the promotion of Tama Ruiz of Ellicott
City, Md., to vice president of the company's information systems. She will
manage such main frame systems operations as sales, billing, data warehousing,
and the systems operations department.
GEICO Names Mary Zarcone Midwest Regional Vice President - GEICO's
board of directors recently announced the election of Mary Zarcone to vice
president with general management responsibilities for GEICO's Midwest regional
operations in Macon, Ga.
Apogee Enterprises Reaffirms Guidance for Fiscal 2006 - Apogee
Enterprises, Inc. today reaffirmed its existing fiscal year 2006 earnings
guidance; the company will be participating in investor meetings on August 10.
For the full year, Apogee continues to expect earnings of $0.74 to $0.80 per
share on revenue growth of 9 to 11 percent. The company's second quarter ends
August 27, 2005.
Ford
designed Mustang to be more insurance friendly - Here's something you
don't hear every day: Insurance rates for this year's hottest sports car could
go down in 2007. -- It's not because insurers think Ford Mustang drivers are
going to get into fewer accidents. But when they do, the car should be easier
to fix, and that might mean cheaper insurance.
State
firm develops new, lighter steel - China Steel Corp. -- one of the
nation's 12 state-run enterprises -- has successfully developed a new
generation of steel for Taiwan's automotive industry to produce cars with
reduced weight without compromising performance. -- The high-strength steel,
designed to resist corrosion by being zinc-coated, is easier to form and weld.
It allows designers to use less material in critical components without
compromising performance.
S. Africa's Tiwheel buys U.S. auto parts firm - South African
automotive parts group Tiger Wheels (Tiwheel) said on Monday it had bought U.S.
alloy wheel maker Warsaw for $24 million in a bid to expand in the United
States.
Steel's volatility may have auto makers hedging bets - Where the price
of steel is going appears to be anyone's guess, but auto makers and other large
steel customers appear to be bracing themselves for potentially higher costs.
ADESA, Inc. Announces Sale of ComSearch - ADESA, Inc. announced today
it has sold ComSearch, Inc., a Rhode Island-based division employing about 100
people. ComSearch provides professional claims outsourcing services, including
automotive parts-locating and desk-auditing services, to the property and
casualty insurance industry.
Visteon Announces Preliminary Second Quarter 2005 Financial Information -
Visteon Corporation,, today announced preliminary second quarter 2005 sales
of $5.0 billion and a net loss of $1.2 billion or $9.49 per share. These
preliminary results include previously announced non-cash fixed asset
impairment charges of $1.1 billion, or $9.01 per share.
Delphi Reports Second Quarter Results - Delphi Corp. today reported Q2
2005 revenues of $7.0 billion and a GAAP net loss of $338 million or a loss of
$0.60 per share, compared to Q2 2004 GAAP net income of $143 million or
earnings of $0.25 per share. Non-GM revenues were $3.6 billion, representing 51
percent of total revenues.
General Motors Accelerates Delivery of Emergency Backordered Parts With
OEConnection's D2D Express(R) - OEConnection, LLC, a leader in
ecommerce procurement and analysis solutions for the automotive original
equipment replacement parts business, announced today that General Motors - the
world's largest vehicle manufacturer - will implement D2D Express,
OEConnection's ecommerce fulfillment and incremental sales tool designed to
facilitate same-day or next-day delivery of backordered parts. With D2D
Express, General Motors anticipates saving a full day over previous delivery
time frames helping dealers speed repairs and increase customer satisfaction.
Ford
slams Toyota on hybrids - Detroit automaker may run short on parts from
manufacturers affiliated with Asian carmakers.
Delphi making efforts to avoid bankruptcy - Delphi Corp., the nation's
largest maker of auto parts, confirmed Friday that it is in talks with its main
union and its former parent and biggest customer General Motors Corp. about
restructuring its U.S. operations to avoid bankruptcy.
Ford
fights to save future - With troubles mounting, Bill Ford Jr. has
launched his second major turnaround plan in four years. The stakes are higher
than ever.
Pilkington workers
protest threat to jobs - When General Motors-Holden's contract with
Pilkington Glass to supply windscreens and back windows for cars ends at the
beginning of 2006, 120 jobs will be lost from the Geelong and Laverton plants
in Victoria, and the Pooraka plant in South Australia. -- ACTU secretary Greg
Combet said that GMH’s decision “defies logic”, asking how it could be cheaper
to make windscreens as far away as Thailand and then freight them to Australia.
Convicted
body shop owner wants new trial - A San Bruno auto body shop owner
convicted of writing a false insurance claim and conspiring to present that
claim postponed his sentencing Friday while his attorney pushes for a new
trial.
Illegal body
shop busted; concerns about contamination - An illegal auto body shop
has been busted in the city of New Haven. Department of Environmental
Protection crews responded to an oil leak when they found out about the bogus
business.
Calif. Auto Club Fires 27 for Web Posts - The Automobile Club of
Southern California fired the employees in one of its San Diego offices after
at least one worker complained to management about feeling harassed by the
comments, which were written by employees on the MySpace.com Web site on their
own time at home.
Notice of Boyd Group Income Fund 2005 second quarter results conference call
- Boyd Group Income Fund ("the Fund") will release its 2005 second quarter
results on Thursday, August 11, 2005, at approximately 4:30 p.m. (EST).
Management of the Fund will hold a conference call on Friday, August 12, 2005,
at 10:00 a.m. (EST) to review the financial results. The call will be hosted by
Terry Smith, President and CEO.
Jury
awards $20 million to terminated insurance agents - Five former State
Farm Insurance agents were awarded $20 million by a jury that ruled they were
improperly terminated for criticizing the way the company treated its
policyholders. -- In December 1999, five agents allowed their names to be
used in a letter critical of State Farm that was sent to the Texas insurance
commissioner. -- The letter alleged in part that the company overcharged for
homeowner's insurance, engaged in sales discrimination and attempted to defraud
accident victims of the full amount they were due. -- Letters also alleged that
State Farm specified the use of substandard replacement auto parts - an issue
that prompted a class action lawsuit in Illinois in 1999 and a $1.18 billion
verdict against the company. -- That case is still on appeal, and the company
suspended its use of replacement parts shortly after the Illinois verdict.
Why You're
Saving on Car Insurance - "This has really become a competitive
industry, so insurance companies are anxious to do everything they can to get
more business," said Jean Salvatore, senior vice president of the group, the
Insurance Information Institute.
Seth Ingall Elected GEICO Vice President; Will Head National Claims Operations
for GEICO - Seth Ingall of Potomac, Md. was elected a vice president
and member of the board of directors of GEICO (Government Employees Insurance
Company), the fourth largest private passenger auto insurer in the United
States. He will head GEICO's national claims operations. His appointment to
vice president was confirmed today by CEO Tony Nicely.
August 5, 2005
General
Motors to Buy Indian Auto Parts - General Motors Corp. plans to buy $1
billion worth of automobile parts from India each year by 2008 as part of
cost-cutting efforts at the world's biggest automaker, a senior executive at
its local subsidiary said Friday.
Mitchell
International Names Armin Price as New Director of Corporate Accounts -
Collision Sales - Mitchell International, Inc., a leading provider of
information and workflow solutions to the automotive insurance claims and
collision repair industries, today announced the promotion of Armin Price to
Director of Corporate Accounts - Collision Sales. In his new role, Mr. Price
will be responsible for overseeing the development of mutually beneficial
relationships with Mitchell's corporate accounts: bodyshop consolidators, paint
companies, and others.
Allstate to Test Claims-Related Quality Assurance Technology - Allstate
Insurance Company has engaged ProcessClaims, Manhattan Beach, Calif., to
develop and test new claim-related quality assurance technology. The software
is being designed to streamline quality assurance processes and ensure accuracy
in vehicle estimate preparation. The companies are also exploring broader new
technology approaches to drive e-business in the rapidly evolving collision
repair inter-industry. ProcessClaims is a provider of software connectivity and
business process automation for the property and casualty industry.
Goodyear quarterly earnings more than double - Goodyear Tire & Rubber
Co., the largest U.S. tire maker, said on Thursday quarterly earnings more than
doubled as price increases and the sale of more expensive tires helped ease the
impact of higher raw material costs.
Supplier
pledges to stick with quality auto parts - Everyone loves a lower
price, but Rotem Gill is betting that quality will remain the most important
concern when it comes to repairing expensive European-made cars. -- "Instead of
following everyone else by buying stuff from China to stay in the same price
range, we have stuck with what got us here, which is quality parts and
knowledge of European cars," Gill said. -- Karl Krawinkel of Karl/Heinz Auto
Center in Royal Oak said most of his customers own expensive European cars and
are willing to pay more for original equipment parts. He refuses to use Chinese
parts because of the problems he has encountered. -- "Cheap parts won't last.
The quality isn't there," Krawinkel said. "You make a little more profit, but
it isn't worth the aggravation."
U.S. investigating alleged Daimler bribes - U.S. prosecutors are
pursuing a criminal investigation of allegations that DaimlerChrysler AG's
Mercedes unit paid bribes in at least a dozen countries and that senior
executives may have been aware of the practice, the Wall Street Journal
reported on Friday.
Lakewood to
file lawsuit against car dealer - Enough is enough! That’s what the
City of Lakewood has to say about the business practices of a long-time auto
repair shop in its community.
Fund-raiser brings out the best in all of us - The numbers say Dave
Armendaris has an uphill battle. His type of leukemia is found in only 4,000
adults a year, and his chances of surviving even two years with acute
lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are around 35 percent.
Keystone Automotive
Industries Reports Fiscal 2006 First Quarter Results - Keystone
Automotive Industries, Inc. today reported record sales for its fiscal 2006
first quarter ended July 1, 2005. Net sales for the 13-week 2006 fiscal quarter
reached a record $144.8 million compared with $141.1 million last year-- an
increase of 2.6 percent. After adjusting for an additional week in the same
quarter a year earlier, the increase was 10.5 percent.
Car
parts get 2nd chance at life with auto recyclers - "It's getting harder
and harder for (junk yards) to stay in business," said Shannon Nordstrom,
chairman of the Auto Recyclers Association. ARA is the national organization
for recyclers.
CARS Increases Lineup
of Management Seminars for 2005 - The Automotive Service
Association's Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) has increased
its lineup of management seminars for 2005, emphasizing the need for continuing
education in the competitive automotive service industry. CARS 2005 will be
held Nov. 3-5 at The Mirage in Las Vegas. All five of the management seminars
are approved by the Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and qualify for AMI
credit. Management topics vary and include customer service, management and
marketing, ethics and leadership.
I-CAR Announces 2005-2006 International Board Of Directors - The board
of directors is comprised of representatives from each of the following six
industry segments: collision repair; insurance; equipment, tools, and supplies;
education, training, and research; vehicle manufacturers; and related industry
services.
SONIC AUTOMOTIVE INC Files SEC form 10-Q, Quarterly Report - For the
quarter ended June 30, 2005, both parts and service revenue and collision
repair revenue increased over the same period last year. For the six month
period ended June 30, 2005, parts and service revenue increased and collision
repair revenue decreased over the same period last year.
Honda
recalling minivans because of potentially faulty sensors - The Honda
Motor Co. will recall thousands of its Odyssey minivans amid concerns that
potentially faulty sensors for the frontal air bag system could make a warning
lamp on the instrument panel remain illuminated, the company said Wednesday.
TRW
Automotive's second-quarter profit up 12 percent - TRW Automotive
Holdings Corp., a maker of auto parts such as air bags and seat belts, said
Tuesday its second-quarter profit rose 12 percent on a tax benefit and
increased sales, allowing the company to beat Wall Street estimates.
Major US Auto Suppliers See Execution of 'Business Basics' as Key to Their
Future Success - Preliminary results of a new study announced today
show that contrary to widely held perceptions that mergers, acquisitions or
outsourcing are the keys to supplier survival and are being driven by their
customers, most industry-leading auto suppliers believe that execution of the
business basics -- developing innovative products and providing superior
customer service -- are the real keys to their future success in the
price-pressurized global market.
Automotive Executives to Keynote AIAG AutoTech 2005 Events - Senior
automotive executives will present their insight on today's automotive industry
challenges at the Industry Breakfasts and Luncheons at AIAG AutoTech 2005,
which will run Monday, Aug. 29 - Thursday, Sept. 1, 2005, at the Cobo Center in
Detroit.
Research Study Finds Changes Required in Automotive Warranty Process -
A detailed study of the warranty processing system used by the global
automotive industry has pinpointed a lack of standardization in the way
warranties are handled by dealers, suppliers and original equipment
manufacturers (OEMs), which leads to unnecessary costs and inaccurate
information.
Crash scams in
area seen as growing problem - On Tuesday, federal and state
investigators charged 30 people with staging fake auto crashes in Western New
York. The arrests are the first step in a crackdown that is now examining the
conduct of doctors, lawyers and operators of medical clinics involved in
processing false insurance claims.
August 3, 2005
Keystone Raising
Funds for Camp Mak-A-Dream - Keystone Automotive Industries,
Inc. announced this week its commitment to the 2005 Collision Industry
Foundation (CIF) fundraising campaign. In addition to donating $1000 towards
prizes, Keystone will assist in selling tickets for the 2005 "Hop on the Bus"
Campaign, which will raise funds for the Collision Industry Foundation. Much of
these funds will be used to purchase a new bus for Camp Mak-A-Dream.
A look at
safety features in automobiles - A study by the U.S. Department of
Transportation in January found that seat belts, air bags and other safety
features in automobiles had saved nearly 329,000 lives from 1960 through 2002.
Group 1 Automotive Reports Second-Quarter Results - Group 1 Automotive,
Inc., a Fortune 500 specialty retailer, today reported that its second-quarter
net income increased 15.1 percent to $18.1 million, or $0.75 per diluted share,
from $15.7 million, or $0.67 per diluted share, in the second quarter of 2004.
-- Group 1 owns 95 automotive dealerships comprised of 143 franchises, 33
brands and 31 collision service centers located in California, Colorado,
Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New
Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Texas.
Insurance industry Still Debating State, Federal Control - In one
corner, a number of professional organizations support federal regulation of
the insurance industry. And, on the opposite side of the ring, other groups
support state oversight. The debate over state and federal regulatory control
seems to have resurfaced, and a host of parties affected are gearing up for the
battle.
August 2, 2005
Copart Opens First Facility in Hawaii- Copart, Inc. announced
that it has opened a greenfield facility in Honolulu -- its first in the state
of Hawaii. -- "This new facility is an addition to our national footprint and
fulfills a need many of our vehicle suppliers under national contracts have for
a facility in Hawaii," stated Willis J. Johnson, Copart's Chief Executive
Officer.
Police home-in on car thieves - Detective Mark Martinez had just begun
focusing exclusively on car thefts when an investigation led him to a chop shop
in Compton.
Earl Scheib, Inc.
Announces Odd Lot Tender Offer - Earl Scheib, Inc. announced today that
it is commencing a tender offer for the purchase of all shares of Capital Stock
held by stockholders of the Company owning 99 shares or less, as of the close
of business on July 15, 2005 up to an aggregate consideration for the tendered
shares of $100,000.
ASA Names Caspersen
Collision Division Manager - Denise Caspersen, research management
specialist for the Automotive Service Association since 1997, has been named
manager of ASA's Collision Division.
Clear Vision Leads to Success for Safelite - The Safelite AutoGlass
site "had become a little dated. -- In 2004, Safelite worked with
Resource Interactive to completely redesign its site. The company
conducted consumer usability tests "to make sure that what we were building was
functional for consumers," Klapper says.
Bluebook International Announces Joint Development Agreement With TWG Systems,
Inc. - Bluebook International, Inc. a leading data and software
services provider to the property and casualty insurance industry, today
announced a joint development agreement with TWG Systems, Inc. to develop a
comprehensive Carrier and Managing General Agency (MGA) application for
personal and commercial lines auto insurance. The joint product will support
agency sales, underwriting, policy fulfillment, billing and claims.
Governor spotlights N.J. auto insurance reforms - New Jersey drivers
have benefited from $343 million in rate reductions and dividend returns by
state auto insurers since reforms were enacted in 2003, announced Acting Gov.
Richard J. Codey on Monday.
August 1, 2005
California Auto Repair Dealers Bill Temporarily Stalled - A California
bill allowing vehicle owners to authorize their insurer to act on their behalf
to arrange automobile repairs to their insured vehicle is, for all practical
purposes, in the repair shop until 2006.
Hub-and-spoke system rolls ahead - Leif Hansen thinks he's found a way
to repair an auto body industry wrecked by financial pressures.
Soaring Dow has 'a very good quarter' - Dow expects to spend $70.1
million in the first phase and $61.3 million later on a plant that will make
resins and adhesives for the auto industry.
Custom cars take flash to extremes - With extreme cars, from tires to
trunks and everything in between, nothing is ordinary. Especially paint jobs.
Car pinstriper
adds silkscreening to skills - A local artist whose show-quality work
is known in a small circle of admirers claims he's the Rodney Dangerfield of
artistic car painting and design.
Program may
steer more workers to auto repair field - MaryKaye Cashman, chief
executive of North Las Vegas-based Cashman Equipment Co., has wrestled for 10
years with the problem of finding qualified diesel technicians to service the
heavy machinery her dealership sells.
Copart Acquires Facility in Columbia, Missouri - Copart, Inc. today
announced that it has acquired a 30-acre salvage vehicle sales facility in
Columbia, Missouri. The addition of the Columbia, MO facility will complement
Copart's existing presence in the state of Missouri, which is currently
serviced by St. Louis and Springfield, and will bring Copart's total number of
locations to 117 throughout the United States and Canada.
Royal & Sun sells US auto insurance business - Britain's Royal & Sun
Alliance said on Friday it had sold its U.S. motor insurance business, Viking
Insurance, for $200 million in cash, improving its capital position and
reducing its exposure to U.S. risks.
