Beyond Parts and Equipment Automotive Newsbytes

February 2005

Automotive Industry News Bytes

February 28, 2005

Feste Automotive awarded as top repair shop Hopkins Sun Sailor - Feste Automotive, 1801 Mainstreet in Hopkins, was named one of Minnesota’s Top Shops in 2004 by the AAA Clubs of Minnesota. It was the fifth year in a row the shop received the recognition.
Shareholder class action filed against Visteon PRNewswire - The Complaint alleges that the Company failed to disclose and misrepresented the following material adverse facts which were known to defendants or recklessly disregarded by them:>>>
DriveCam catches driver's every move WTNH - Crashes and close-calls caught on tape. Who's at fault? And what did they do wrong? -- Those questions are cleared-up with DriveCam, technology that captures accidents on the road from the driver's point of view.
Sonic Automotive Inc., the Charlotte-based owner of 195 car dealerships The State - Sonic Automotive Inc., the Charlotte-based owner of 195 car dealerships across the nation, says it puts America in motion.
By the seats of their plant Muncie Star Press - Bartlett Corp.'s south Muncie plant created a one-of-a-kind, "W"-embroidered leather interior for a special vehicle for the inauguration.
Auto mechanics asserting their independence Jackson Clarion Ledger - Jesse Austin learned the automotive repair ropes at East Ford and decided to apply them for himself.
Buying Car On eBay? Exercise Caution Scranton Times - Speaking generally, Mr. Datto said, he would tell a buyer to pass on an auto unless the seller has a "near-perfect" feedback rating from previous buyers, or unless an independent inspection can be arranged before the auction ends.
UB helps Delphi suppliers learn 'lean manufacturing' Buffalo News - You might trip over a pile of scrap - but unfortunately for factories, most production waste isn't that easy to spot.
February looks weak for auto industry Louisville Courier-Journal - Some see GM, Ford cutting production
Cuts slow lower-wage hires DetNews.com - Big 3's struggles prevent Visteon, Delphi from hiring workers at second-tier pay scale.
IT Spending By Auto-Parts Makers Expected To Increase This Year Information Week - Pressure to cut costs is driving steps to eliminate disparate legacy apps and implement companywide ERP systems.
State Farm nets $5.3 billion PRNewswire - Insurer nearly doubles profit. -- Auto helps boost State Farm net by 89%.
State Farm employee accused of stealing Bloomington Pantagraph - A 39-year-old State Farm Insurance Cos. employee stole more than $229,000 from her employer to pay credit card debts over the last six years, prosecutors said.

February 25, 2005

Used Car Consumers Wary Of Rebuilt Wrecks Kansas City Channel.com - The nation's largest auto insurer said it didn't get required salvage titles for 30,000 totaled-out vehicles, including hundreds of cars and trucks in Missouri and Kansas. -- If a car has been totaled, the title should read "salvage." But State Farm Insurance said it resold 30,000 totaled cars without salvage titles. -- "I will take the position that this is criminal fraud -- willful misconduct -- not the result of some error, not of oversight," Brown said.
State's largest auto salvage auction firm gets new owner Daily Herald - Insurance Auto Auctions, which first sold shares to the public in July 1993, helps insurance companies and car-rental businesses auction off salvaged automobiles, picking up and storing vehicles and handling title documents. Northbrook-based Allstate Insurance Corp. is among its customers.
Insurance Auto Auctions Cancels Its Fourth Quarter Earnings Call Scheduled for Friday, February 25 Yahoo - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. announced that, in light of the recent announcement that it has signed a definitive merger agreement to be acquired by affiliates of Kelso & Company, it will no longer be hosting its fourth quarter and year-end 2004 earnings call on Friday, February 25. The Company plans to release earnings within the next two weeks.
No tailpipe tests, but... Kentucky Post - Auto body and repair shops and industrial parts cleaners are going to have to pick up the slack
Forsaking mundane marketing for the glamour of paint booths Star Tribune - Two years ago, as Kevin Carlson puts it, "I traded in my Allen-Edmonds for a pair of Red Wing steel-toes." -- Yup, the man peddles paint booths to collision repair shops, industrial manufacturers and woodworking operations, a low-profile business with exceedingly high-volume prospects, Carlson said.
Auto Data Network Announces Plans to Divide DMS and after Market Businesses into Separate Entities Business Wire -Auto Data Network Inc., a provider of software and real-time data services to the worldwide automotive industry held a conference call on February 23, 2004 to present recent company developments.
Dent Repair Kit Put To The Test WBNS - Consumer 10 took a look to see if “Pops-a-Dent” is worth the time and the money. -- Consumer 10 tried it on a separate dent on the same car. After seven tries and 75 minutes, it looked a little better. But the dent was still there. -- "The old saying goes ‘you get what you pay for.’"
CCC may offer auto body degree Star-Gazette, NY - Trustees to vote Wednesday on proposed program.
Customer shoots, kills mechanic after argument Palm Beach Post - The shooting happened shortly before 2 p.m. According to a police spokeswoman, a man who appeared to be in his 30s pulled up at the auto shop in his black Dodge Ram pickup and asked to have his damaged front bumper fixed. -- While walking alongside the store moments later, he exchanged words with a mechanic working on a car outside. Eventually, the argument escalated.
Auto 'Black Boxes' Sherman Denison Herald Democrat - Texans should know if their cars are watching them, Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, told lawmakers Wednesday. -- The first bill to pass in the House would require that car dealers let buyers know if the vehicle contains an Event Data Recorder, a 'black box' for the car meant to record airbag explosions.
FBI probes Ford worker DetNews.com - Feds says Belleville man stole computer programs and sold them on eBay.
Say, 'OEM.' Manufacturers Chase Aftermarket Forbes - Emerging Trend: Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) across many different industries are looking to aftermarket sales to increase revenue, says FIND/SVP basic industries consultant Patrick Kane.
Hot steel costs, auto industry demands to bite Magna profits Globe and Mail - Soaring raw materials costs and demands by auto makers for price cuts of 8 to 10 per cent will batter Magna International Inc. this year, president Mark Hogan says. "I'd say 2005's going to be kind of a tough year," Mr. Hogan told reporters yesterday after a speech to a business audience in Brampton, Ont.
Wanted: New boss for Delphi Detroit Free Press - 43-year exec leaving auto-parts supplier
Two more auto-parts plants will open in S.C. The State - German companies to invest $32 million and create 180 jobs in two counties
Memos, Video Show History Of Ford Fire Problem Click 2 Houston.com - The recent Ford recall came after investigators determined some of the fires were started in the speed control deactivation switch, which works with your cruise control system. But the Local 2 Troubleshooters' investigation delved into three remaining questions -- why some of these switches catch fire, who's to blame and how many other Ford vehicles face the same potential risk. -- Investigators believe the fires were started in a switch that is manufactured by Texas Instruments.
EU Raids Saint-Gobain, Pilkington, Asahi, Guardian (Update6) Bloomberg - European antitrust regulators raided offices in six countries and seized documents at glassmakers including Cie. de Saint-Gobain SA, Pilkington Plc, Asahi Glass Co. and Guardian Industries Inc. in a price-fixing probe.
Residents Call Insurance Rates, Lawsuits a Problem WTRF - A poll shows West Virginians want the governor and lawmakers to change the system.
State Farm report due Bloomington Pantagraph - Analyst: Industry had strong 2004
Allstate targets State Farm customers Northwest Herald - If you have a lot of insurance and do not file many claims, Allstate Corp. wants to talk to you.

February 24, 2005

Auto Body Shops Defend Repair Work Turnto10.com - Local auto body shops defended their work after three consumers said shops performed unsafe repairs on their damaged vehicles.
Consumers Claim Direct Repair Shops Did Poor Work Turnto10.com - Body Shops Recommended By Insurance Companies
EU raids glass firms to smash suspected cartel Reuters - The European Commission and local officials raided Pilkington and other glass makers across six European countries this week on suspicion of acting as a cartel by fixing prices, the European Union executive says. -- The Commission said companies making car glass may have allocated customers, agreed on prices and supply quotes. -- The statement came after Pilkington and French glass producer Saint-Gobain both issued statements saying they had been raided. -- Belgium-based Glaverbel, a unit of Japan's biggest glass maker Asahi Glass, confirmed that several of its European sites had been raided.
EU Raids Pilkington, Other Glassmakers on Alleged Price-Fixing Bloomberg -Pilkington Plc, the world's largest maker of car windshields, and other glassmakers in Europe have been raided by antitrust regulators on suspicion of fixing prices.
GTCR Announces Partnership with Tony Aquila to Form Solera Business Wire - GTCR Golder Rauner, LLC, one of the nation's leading private equity firms, today announced that it has entered into a partnership with Tony Aquila and other management to form Solera, Inc. The new company, headquartered in San Diego, California, will focus on the auto physical damage (APD) claims settlement process providing consulting, outsourced services, and strategic technology solutions.
Asbury Automotive Group Reports Fourth Quarter and 2004 Financial Results PRNewswire - Asbury Automotive Group, Inc., one of the largest automotive retail and service companies in the US., today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2004.
GM Denies Report About Saab Brand Reuters - General Motors dismissed as "preposterous" a newspaper report on Thursday that the world's biggest carmaker was trying to sell its Swedish brand Saab.
Gephardt Investigates Airbags That Deploy for No Apparent Reason KUTV - A Salt Lake driver decided to Get Gephardt when her airbag went off for no apparent reason and the car manufacturer refused to pay for the damages.
Earl Scheib, Inc. to Terminate SEC Reporting and Delist From AMEX Business Wire - Earl Scheib, Inc. announced today that it intends to delist its Capital Stock from the American Stock Exchange (AMEX) and to file a Form 15 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in order to terminate registration of its Capital Stock and suspend the filing of current and periodic reports. The Company has submitted to the AMEX notice of its intent to withdraw from listing, and filed an application for voluntary delisting with the SEC. -- Earl Scheib, Inc., founded in 1937, is a nationwide operator of 108 auto paint and body shops located in approximately 100 cities throughout the United States. In addition, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, Earl Scheib, Inc. manufactures paint coating systems that are used not only by its paint and body shops, but are also sold to original equipment manufacturers.
Banner year for Internet advertising Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - PPG Industries sends thousands of e-mails promoting environmentally friendly flat glass products to architects. -- PPG sells glass to automotive mechanics who may spend their days working on cars and then go home where they do not want to turn on a computer and check e-mail. An electronic broadcast message would never reach enough of them to be effective.
Ford seat belts may be recalled again Houston Chronicle - Ford Motor Co. is the focus of an upgraded U.S. safety investigation that may lead to a second recall of almost 1 million vehicles, including F-Series pick-up trucks, for flaws in seat belts.
Toyota Tops in 'Green' Plastics Use Yahoo News - Toyota Scores Highest in Use of Nontoxic, Recyclable Plastics in Vehicles Sold in the U.S.
Vitro S.A. Reports Continued Sales Growth in All Business Units in 4Q04 PRNewswire - Total OEM sales rose 9 percent, with volume up 10 percent driven by new platform contracts. -- Auto Glass Replacement ("AGR") domestic sales increased 11 percent, with a combination of volume and price increases. -- AGR export sales declined 10 percent, mainly driven by a reduction of both prices and volume. Volume reduction was influenced by the trend of insurance companies to repair rather than replace windshields, as well as less demand.
Auto insurers take closer look at driving habits DesMoinesRegister.com - Consumer advocates raise concerns of identity theft and misuse of information.
Car insurers reap big Garden State profits Star-Ledger - New Jersey auto insurers posted their best profit margins in five years to rank third-highest in the nation during 2003, according to a new report. -- Only two states -- Utah and Minnesota -- had higher profit margins on auto insurance.

February 23, 2005

PPG hiking some prices Pittsburgh Business Times - PPG Industries Inc.'s industrial coatings business is raising prices of liquid, electrodeposition and powder products in North America, the company said Wednesday.
What's coming down the pike for 2005 ASA - What's happening in the world of auto glass replacement and repair?
Proposed OSHA Chromium Regulation Could Impact Collision Shops ASA - Regulation proposal could change the way ASA collision shops do business.
Insurance Auto Auctions Signs Definitive Merger Agreement to be Acquired by Kelso & Company Business Wire/Yahoo - IAA entered into the merger agreement following the unanimous recommendation of the members of IAA's Board of Directors. ValueAct Capital, IAA's largest shareholder, has agreed to vote approximately 29.7% of the outstanding shares in support of the transaction.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Elects Two New Board Members PRNewswire - UTI's shareholders elected Kimberly J. McWaters, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, as a Class I Director for a three-year term expiring in 2008, and Linda Srere, a marketing and advertising consultant, as a Class II Director for a one-year term expiring in 2006.
College helps roll out new auto workers Montgomery Advertiser - Auto suppliers are not the only fixtures that are growing as a result of Hyundai's commitment to the area.
Car Airbags Disappearing in New Scandal KCBD-TV - CarFax is a service where you can check to see if your car has ever been involved in an accident, and it's that service that Joyce Webb used to find out her car of two years was missing an airbag.
Dangerous Car Problems Often Missed Without Inspections WESH.com - Drivers may be at increased risk for a crash because vehicle inspections are no longer mandatory in Florida.
Strapped Automaker Appeals NHTSA Rule on Air Bags Washington Post - Cross Lander USA wants to make and sell vehicles in the rugged sport-utility class of the Hummer H1 for the U.S. market. It has asked NHTSA to exempt it for three years from a federal requirement to provide air bags on the driver and passenger sides of the Cross Lander 244X.
Frills give off rugged look DetNews.com - Coordinated accessories make customizing easy for owners who want to trick out their trucks.
Firms play with looks of taillights DetNews.com - A Toyota concept features bulging lights as a Ford SUV aims for sophistication.
State Farm has plans to pay for improper car titles Columbia Missourian - The payment will be made only for cars still on the road. Supple said some improperly titled cars were purchased as long as 10 years ago and might have been junked already. Those owners are ineligible for compensation.
TDI Investigating Unauthorized San Antonio Agents on Fraud Charges Insurance Journal - The Texas Department of Insurance issued a fraud alert pertaining to two San Antonio insurance agencies, The Insurance Center and The Insurance Connection, operating at the following locations: 539 South General McMullen, 924 S. Zarzamora, and 710 Bynum St.

February 22, 2005

CARSTAR Hires Collision Industry Veterans Market Wire - CARSTAR, North America's largest collision repair organization, is pleased to announce the hiring of three talented and experienced industry veterans.
Copart Continues Southeast Expansion Business Wire - Copart, Inc., the largest provider of vehicle salvage disposition services in the United States, today announced the opening of its 2nd salvage facility in the state of Tennessee and it's 20th in its Southeastern region.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Completes Purchase of Boston Area Campus PRNewswire - Facility in Norwood, Massachusetts will House a New Undergraduate Automotive Technician Training Campus
Sonic Automotive, Inc. Announces Improved Fourth Quarter and Year End 2004 Results PRNewswire - Commenting on fourth quarter performance, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer O. Bruton Smith said, "Sonic Automotive's earnings reflect a stronger than anticipated fourth quarter retail environment and our continued focus on improving operating efficiencies. We were pleased to be recognized at the Automotive News World Congress last month for achieving the industry's best shareholder returns in 2004."
When cars go custom Louisville Courier-Journal - Auto shops busy as shows fuel obsession
Midwest auto base erodes Toledo Blade - Decline of Big Three pushes jobs elsewhere
Ford owners could face lethal danger in design flaw Monitor - When a driver turns on the cruise control device that keeps the vehicle at a constant speed, the switch acts as a safety net, stopping the automobile if the brakes don’t. -- The switch remains electrically wired, even when the vehicle is off. Located in the engine next to flammable fluids, the switch can short circuit and catch the fluid on fire.
Auto Centrix, Inc. Announces that PBR Auto Auctions Launches ACI's Simulcast Auction Software PRNewswire - Auto Centrix, Inc. announced today that PBR Auto Auctions of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan has successfully broadcast their first auction using Auto Centrix's real-time simulcast auction software. -- Auto Centrix, Inc., which operates a "bricks and mortar" automotive auction under the Dominion Auto Auctions name, focuses on various technological mediums which facilitate the purchase, sale and re-sale of vehicles, thereby lowering the costs, expanding the geography, and expediting the sale processes, while securing the integrity of the vehicle information.
Kwik-Fit steers towards £1bn sale Scotsman - UK - Kwik-Fit , the car repair chain launched by Edinburgh businessman Sir Tom Farmer more than 30 years ago, could soon change hands for a third time.
Ford, ex-worker at odds over job set-asides DetNews.com - Ford Motor Co. and union officials are disputing that an unwritten deal required setting aside 10 percent of hourly jobs for union-picked candidates, a practice alleged in a lawsuit by a former manager who said he was fired for objecting to hiring unqualified workers.
Nissan's Smart Cars Return to Lanes Wyoming News - A car that swerves back into lanes on its own and a video system that makes parking a breeze were part of technological features on display by the Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co.
Toyota likely to build more N.America plants Reuters.uk - Toyota will probably add two more assembly plants in North America by the end of the decade as part of a strategy to capture a larger share of the world's biggest auto market, the Wall Street Journal says.
WV: The Uninsurable State? WTOV9 - Lawmakers Consider Insurance Reforms

February 21, 2005

Fifth Defective Door Latch Class Action Filed Against Ford Motor Company and Vendors PRNewswire - Claims Door Specifications Never Met Federal Regulation Requirements
UAW, auto parts companies await court ruling on union organizing efforts MLive.com - Organized labor and the auto industry share a contentious, sometimes bloody history. But some say the two sides are now often getting a little too cozy, in possible violation of federal labor law.
Q4 results spur Superior Industries MarketWatch The Van Nuys, Calif.-based company posted a steep decline in profit, but the earnings managed to surpass analysts' average expectations. The results were ahead of its previous estimates, Superior said.
Auto shop noise riles neighbors Boston Globe - City solicitor James Agoritsas, who helped draft the proposal, said that auto body shops are, by their very nature, "obnoxious" neighbors, and area residents "should be commended" for putting up with them. Several lots in the neighborhood are crammed with cars -- some run-down and damaged -- awaiting repairs.
Signs of faith Kansas.com - Displays of Christian symbols, business owners say, show customers what they believe and hold them to higher standards
Anderson County Breaks Up Auto Chop Shop Carolina Channel.com - Nearly $100,000 In Cars, Equipment Seized
Restoration shop corrals Mustang fans Daytona Beach News-Journal - A small car restoration shop here is corralling fans of '60s-era Ford Mustangs from all over the United States.
A tough winter at local auto parts plants Buffalo News - Slowing auto sales and aging model lines cut into sales
Drivers taking pains to avoid making claims Globe and Mail: Canada - Many gripped by fear of higher premiums
Miami police arrest 25 on insurance fraud counts Sun-Sentinel.com - Miami police arrested more than 20 suspected members of a ring that staged auto crashes to commit insurance fraud, following a six-month investigation into fraudulent claims that totaled $1 million.
Class action suit targets insurance companies Texarkana Gazette - The nation's insurance industry is being slammed with a mammoth class action lawsuit in Miller County circuit court. -- Lawyers filed a lawsuit against 584 insurance companies claiming the software that is used to calculate claims on bodily injury can be manipulated and that it shortchanges customers of what they believe they are due.
What City Pays Most For Auto Insurance? KSBW Channel.com - Drivers in Detroit pay more for car insurance than those in any other city, a study from Runzheimer International found.

February 18, 2005

Mitsubishi reaffirms commitment to US Fort Wayne News Sentinel - The Tokyo-based automaker, which has a car plant in Normal, Ill., denied in a statement that it had ever pursued such a possibility and called "groundless" a report in The Wall Street Journal that said it was seeking a buyer for its U.S. operations.
General Motors idles second Lansing plant Detroit Free Press - General Motors Corp. is idling a second Lansing-area plant to trim a backlog of unsold vehicles.
Freeglass to double automotive glazing production prw.com - With six new polycarbonate automotive glazing applications in series production in 2004, Freeglass is expecting to mould 2.5 million parts in 2005 and to double production to five million by 2008.
Auto parts exports set to double The Standard - China's auto parts makers are poised to drive away with more of the estimated US$1.2 trillion global components market, helped by low wages and heavy local demand. -- Top carmakers such as General Motors and Ford Motor plan to increase buying parts in China for their global production in the next few years to offset rising costs and cut-throat competition.
Chrysler Close to Decision on $300 Million Paint Shop Toronto Star - DaimlerChrysler Canada Inc. is close to making a decision on building a paint shop worth more than $300 million at its huge assembly complex in Windsor. -- A paint shop would not create any new production jobs but would assure the plant's future for several years.
TRW Automotive Posts Loss, Warns for '05 Reuters - Auto parts maker TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. on Thursday posted quarterly results that met analysts' average forecast excluding debt expenses and released a 2005 forecast range below the consensus estimate.
PPG INDUSTRIES INC Files SEC form 10-K, Annual Report EDGAR Online/Yahoo - Performance in 2004 Compared with 2003
Firefighters raise $20,000 - Fire truck to be renovated into a funeral engine Jacksonville Daily Record - Several body shop managers and owners are letting their workers come over and donate their time and materials.
Insurance scam rips off 1,000 Hudson Valley residents Mid-Hudson News - A couple from Kingston, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Wilkes-Barre, have been charged in Orange County, NY with selling insurance policies, collecting the premiums from customers, and then keeping most of the money for themselves. -- John Rivera, 36, also known as Eddie Delgado and Carolina Brito, 37, both of Kingston, PA, were charged with operating insurance companies under the names of Click All Cars and Insure All Cars. They allegedly ripped off 1,000 people in the Hudson Valley.
Auto Insurance Gets Even Easier for Progressive Direct Customers Buying Online; New Electronic Signature Capability Cuts Down on Paperwork Business Wire - The electronic signature, or "e-signature," is a technological leap forward because it can replace a "wet" signature, in which a customer has to physically sign a paper document. Progressive Direct, which sells directly to customers online and over the phone, recently made the capability available to customers in 17 states, with the goal of making it available in all states where Progressive Direct is offered within the next several months.

February 17, 2005

New Report Finds Government Support for Steel Damages Automotive Suppliers MEMA - Distortions in the steel market, including the record high price of steel, are being fostered by the U.S. government and are causing a crisis that has impacted automotive and heavy duty suppliers across the country, triggering unprecedented bankruptcies and job losses. These findings are from a new report by the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA), the largest trade group representing automotive suppliers.
Steelmakers dispute auto parts makers' report on prices Pittsburgh Post Gazette - The beleaguered auto parts industry yesterday blamed soaring steel prices for a spate of layoffs and bankruptcies, charges that were rebuffed by revitalized steel producers.
Claims of Ford Explorer Owners to Proceed as Class Action in California PrimeZone - Ford Motor Company suffered another setback in its effort to defend the Explorer sport-utility vehicle. On February 8, 2005, the California Superior Court in Sacramento certified a class-action lawsuit pending against Ford, charging that it knew of a rollover defect in its Explorer SUVs that it concealed from consumers.
Sonic CEO gets $754K bonus Charlotte Business Journal - Sonic Automotive Inc. Chairman and Chief Executive Bruton Smith was awarded a bonus of $754,688 for 2004, according to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. --Smith received a two-part bonus. For performance, he earned $295,313; Sonic's compensation committee awarded a discretionary bonus of $459,375.
Wixom company offers new measure of quality DetNews.com - Its 3-D systems allow the automotive industry a quick, more visual means to gauge parts.
Chrysler trial spills tales of kickbacks DetNews.com - The former general manager at a Canada subsidiary claims no knowledge of fraud.
Feds investigate Lexus SUV brake complaints DetNews.com - Inquiry affects RX 330s; probe could lead to an embarrassing recall for Toyota luxury brand.
Credit ratings shaky at 2 auto plastics firms Detroit Free Press - Two major Dearborn-based auto-plastics firms appear to be facing some financial struggles, and the reasons are similar: rising plastics prices and falling sales at GM and Ford.
Republicans want to retain tax exemptions for Visteon, Delphi Detroit Free Press - Senate and House Republicans proposed legislation Tuesday that would continue a tax exemption for auto suppliers Visteon Corp. and Delphi Corp. -- The bill would continue a single business tax exemption the companies receive on goods they sell to their former parent companies. The exemption is scheduled to end this year.
Georgia House to Vote on Bill to Ban Tinted Windows WJXX - The Georgia House is scheduled to vote today on a bill that would force motorists to remove dark tint on windows or run the risk of getting a ticket for a misdemeanor.
Collision Revision Opens Lincolnwood West Wednesday, February 16th 2005 PR Web - The newest drive-in estimating facility is called Collision Revision of Lincolnwood West and has been up and running for estimates since early February.
Choice Point Spokesman Says Its Network Wasn't Breached, Customer Information is Safe Insurance Journal - ChoicePoint Inc., an Alpharetta, Ga.-based firm told Insurance Journal that the widely reported fraud investigation now taking place in California was not a breach of ChoicePoint's network or a "hacking" incident and did not involve any of ChoicePoint's customer information.
Trio guilty in insurer probe Newsday.com - Marsh & McLennan, AIG officials plead in Spitzer's ongoing inquiry into unethical insurance practices
Lakin makes it a dozen class actions in two days Madison County Record - Richard Coy of Glen Carbon filed another class action Feb. 15 against Crawford & Co of Atlanta--the largest independent provider of claims management services to insurance companies. -- Coy alleges Crawford manipulated computer codes to reduce payouts by incorporating secret treatment guidelines into the system as purportedly not necessary. He also claims that Crawford unfairly reduced payments claiming a PPO benefit without referring more customers.

February 16, 2005

Delivering Paint-Job Repairs to Customers’ Driveways The Winchester Star - A local entrepreneur claims to offer people a more convenient way to get minor dinks and dings repaired in their automobiles’ paint than standard auto repair shops.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Reports $0.38 EPS for the Fourth Quarter of 2004 Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc. reported net income of $6.5 million, or $0.38 per share, for the fourth quarter ending December 31, 2004, compared to net income of $8.2 million, or $0.30 per share, for the same quarter in 2003. Included in the fourth quarter 2003 results is a $1.4 million, or $0.05 per share, tax related benefit associated with the completion of a tax audit. Fourth quarter 2004 results reflect the full impact of the company's self-tender transaction.
ACDelco Internet Programs Help Shop Owners Build Customer Satisfaction And Improve Business i-Newswire -WISE, one of the automotive aftermarket industry's most comprehensive shop management solutions, streamlines the ordering, distribution and service process. It electronically connects ACDelco ISCs and its WDs, handling all aspects of repair from the time customers walk in the shop until they pay the bill and leave.
MechanicNet CRS Helps Service Centers Exceed Customers' Expectations i-Newswire - MechanicNet CRS's LinkUp™ software integrates with a service center's shop management system to generate and send automated service reminders to customers who are due for specific maintenance based on their vehicle manufacturer's specifications, along with follow-up correspondence in both postcard and e-mail form. The postcards contain a personalized message as well as special money-saving offers and coupons from the service center.
Strategy Analytics: Automated Lane Departure Warning System Now Available for SUVs; Vehicle Rollover Avoidance - Added Benefit Business Wire - The new lane departure warning (LDW) system, aimed at reducing a major cause of vehicle rollover, is ready for deployment in automobiles, according to a new report from Strategy Analytics, a leading Massachusetts-based research firm.
Toyota recalling 22,228 Tacoma pickups Seattle Post Intelligencer - Toyota Motor Co. is recalling 22,228 Tacoma pickups because the parking brake may not work, the automaker and federal safety regulators said Tuesday. -- Toyota said the lock nut on the parking brake cable may not have been properly tightened and can loosen and come off. If that happens, the vehicle could roll if it's stopped on a slope and the transmission isn't in park.
Clunker cars may be sold Aberdeen American News - Auto repair shops in South Dakota get stuck with thousands of clunker cars each year when people drop them off for repairs and never pick them up, and legislators want to do something about it.
Pilot program launched to aid paramedics, accident victims AZCentral.com - Paramedics arriving at an accident scene or other emergencies in the Green Valley area will now look for windshield decals that could contain important information about the victims.
Insurer tactics blasted Melbourne Herald Sun - Australia's major car insurers have been accused of forcing smash repairers to cut corners, putting motorists' safety at risk.
Supplier that fought back TheStar.com - Axiom, which relied on Intier for 60 per cent of it business, said Intier's latest move would cripple the company by causing it to default on loans and lay off two-thirds of staff of about 145.

February 15, 2005

Headed for the Chop Shop? The Signal, CA - With expensive technology and lack of qualified instructors, automotive classes may come to a halt.
Rinspeed and Bayer Materialscience Present Joint New Vehicle Concept PRNewswire - Rinspeed "Senso" - The car that senses the driver
In the Driver's Seat: Outsourcing of Vehicle Interior Modules and Systems Gains Ground in Europe PRNewswire - Following its success in North America, the concept of outsourcing modules is rapidly gaining popularity in the European automotive industry. Vehicle manufacturers (VMs) in Europe are fast realising the many advantages of outsourcing interior modules to a new breed of suppliers termed Tier 1 suppliers.
Ford Rolls Out Topless Model of Its New Mustang Reuters - Hoping to build on the success of its all-new Mustang coupe, Ford Motor Co. will begin selling a topless model of the iconic pony car this week.
Visteon spin-off burdens pile up Detroit Free Press - Making supplier independent hurts Ford and itself
New Study Finds Government Support for Steel Damages Auto Suppliers; News Conference February 16 in D.C. ArriveNet - The skyrocketing cost of steel -- bolstered by government supports -- is the leading cause of a crisis among U.S. auto suppliers that has lead to bankruptcies and job losses not seen in decades.
Strategy Analytics: Auto Manufacturers Must Invest Wisely in Vehicle Technologies Business Wire - The new Strategy Analytics report, "OEM Activities in In-Vehicle Multimedia, Communications and Telematics Markets," reveals that automotive manufacturer investment in an ever growing range of in-vehicle technologies and increasingly fragmented market opportunities will result in major cost pressures for OEMs (vehicle manufacturers).
U.S. Senate Passes Class Action Legislation ASA - "The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports class-action legislation and we are pleased with the Senate's passage of the first piece of the president's tort reform agenda," said Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative.
Fraudsters Ordered To Pay Allstate More Than $30 Million in '04 Business Wire - In 2004 Allstate Insurance Company's Special Investigation Unit, or SIU, exposed criminals including a New Jersey chiropractor using unlicensed personnel to perform unnecessary exams and a Florida outfit staging car accidents on Miami streets - all for illegal profit at your expense.
Insurance in the spotlight once again Annapolis Capital, MD - Even with standard car insurance, drivers can find themselves in the hole if their car is totaled, said Joel Katz, an Annapolis attorney who has represented clients in medical malpractice and property damage lawsuits.
Auto accident claims down after fraud crackdown Boston Herald - Auto accident claims are down significantly in Lawrence and several other Merrimack Valley communities after a 16-month crackdown on auto insurance fraud, according to an industry report.

February 14, 2005

Is Your Check Engine Light On? PRNewswire - AutoXray Launches New Consumer Product at 2005 DEMO Conference
New GPS Device Will Instantly Catch Car Thieves PRNewswire - A Vehicle is Stolen Every 25 Seconds in the U.S. Will You be the Next Victim? -- Now Available to the Public is a Global Positioning System (GPS), Which Will Catch These Criminals in the Act
Carmakers target pedestrian safety Post-Gazette - New designs, technology could protect walkers
GM to pay $2 billion to end ties with Fiat Detroit Free Press - Deal frees U.S. company from any obligation to buy auto firm
Key exec keeps Toyota humming DetNews.com - Boss of manufacturing in North America is in charge of 11 plants and relations with suppliers.
Crazy about crossovers Newsday - Is it a passenger car or SUV? Popular vehicles offer room, economy, stability and handling ease
Toxics debate reignites: Eugene may add businesses to law on chemical use The Register-Guard, OR - The City Council is considering whether to make the following businesses pay fees into the program, and possibly report their chemical use: gas stations, auto body shops, dry cleaners, roofing contractors, painting contractors, any businesses with a swimming pool or spa, photo developing services (except one-hour services), and crematories. All manufacturers with three or more employees would be added.
Hunts Point To Foil Car Thieves, a Couple of Turns of the Screw New York Times - A certain amount of risk comes with being a car owner in Hunts Point. The Bronx neighborhood is home to hundreds of auto shops and junkyards, which has made the area a magnet for motorists needing parts but also for thieves who steal everything from hubcaps to airbags and then unload them at the less scrupulous among those businesses.
Online car auctions are booming, but some deals are too good to be true NorthJersey.com - While the vast majority of auction sales are legitimate, the anonymity of the Internet often makes it hard to distinguish a great deal from a lemon that has been damaged or wrecked.
Copart to expand online technology beyond junk cars Fairfield Daily Republic - Copart now sells salvage vehicles to repair shop owners as far away as Europe and the Middle East. In its most recent financial report, Copart said 20 percent of the cars sold during the quarter were shipped to buyers outside the U.S.
Contractors, vehicle woes top complaints Knight Ridder News - Gripes about home-improvement contractors, car sellers and car repair shops top the list of consumer complaints, according to a nationwide survey of consumer agency officials released Thursday.
Foster adds hi-tech gadget Fremont News Messenger - Foster Auto Body has recently purchased computerized damage analysis and verification equipment used for the accurate restoration of damaged vehicle structures.
Company that crushes cars faces hazardous-waste fines MaineToday.com - Lin-Cor Environmental's owner Linda Corbin said that her mobile car-crushing business has been unfairly singled out and that state regulations are vague concerning who is responsible for handling waste from discarded automobiles.
A "China Price" For Toyota Business Week - The auto giant is taking its cost-slashing drive to a new level. Can its suppliers match China's cheaper parts?
Ford: Is Caution Killing A Comeback? Business Week - Bland styling is keeping its recent crop of family sedans on dealers' lots

February 11, 2005

GM recalls nearly 200,000 vehicles for various defects North County Times - General Motors Corp. is recalling nearly 200,000 vehicles because of safety defects with brakes, gas pedals and windshields, federal regulators said Thursday.
Auto Suppliers Applaud Congressional Resolution on Steel Hearings PRNewswire - The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) today commended Rep. Joseph Knollenberg (R-Mich.) for his introduction in the House of Representatives HR 84, a resolution calling on the International Trade Commission to consider -- and report on -- the impact of U.S. antidumping or countervailing duties on steel-consuming manufacturers. Antidumping or countervailing duties are imposed on products from countries covered by antidumping or countervailing duty orders.
Solutia Saflex to be used in 2006 Cadillac DTS St. Louis Busines Journal - Solutia's Saflex glass interlayer will be used in door glass of the 2006 Cadillac DTS as a standard feature, Solutia said Thursday.
Solutia Automotive PVB Featured on All-New Buick Lucerne PRNewswire - LeSabre, Park Avenue Replacement Features Laminated Glass on All Four Doors as Part of QuietTuning(TM) System
One more insurance fraud arrest Daily Journal - An auto body shop owner from South San Francisco wanted for alleged insurance fraud stemming from a recent undercover operation surrendered to investigators last night.
Henkel ACC(R) 900 Series Ensures Tough, Attractive Finishes PRNewswire - Henkel announced that its Autophoretic(R) Coating Chemicals (ACC(R)) 900 Series of epoxy resin- based coatings offer significant productivity and environmental benefits, while delivering improved finish appearance and superior corrosion resistance on ferrous substrates. Industrial applicators confirm the ACC(R) 900 Series is an excellent complement to the existing family of Autophoretic(R) coating products from Henkel that are used globally in automotive and general industrial metal coating applications.
Police seek help in fatal hit-and-run Kalamazoo Gazette,MI - Authorities are also asking for information from any collision-repair shops, auto-glass companies, junkyards or auto-parts distributors that may have serviced a 1980s Oldsmobile Cutlass Sierra between Friday and Wednesday, according to the Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety.
Lab releases possible car color in hit-and-run Penn State Digital Collegian, PA - The vehicle involved in the accident most likely is a Ford Bronco or F-150 manufactured between the years 1981 and 1986, and has damage to the right front hood, grill and bumper.
New Corvette Engine Shatters Previous OHV RPM Limits I-Newswire.com - GM engineers have achieved a feat many speculated was not possible. The new LS7 7.0-liter OHV (overhead valve) V-8 engine for the 2006 ZO6 Corvette will not only achieve 500 horsepower but will be capable of running up to 7100 rpm. The previous limit was 6600 rpm in the 6.0-liter LS2.
Fuel-efficient cars could hurt state manufacturing jobs Michigan Daily - The market for hybrid and clean-diesel cars in the United States could increase by nearly 1.8 million vehicles in eight years or less, the study reports. Because most of these vehicles and their components are manufactured in Europe and Japan, the increased sales of such vehicles could cause the United States to lose upwards of 200,000 jobs in the future, said Michael Flynn, director of OSAT.

February 10, 2005

Ford Motor Company Advocates CCAR's "S/P2" Training to Ford and Lincoln-Mercury Dealers Emediawire -“S/P2 is industry-recognized and recommended for dealership use as part of an overall environmental awareness plan,” said Al Rocker, Field Operations Manager/ Technical Service Operations, Ford Customer Service Division. “Ford and Lincoln Mercury Dealers are encouraged to participate in the S/P2 training, which can play a valuable role in the important task of safety and environmental stewardship in both the collision repair and service repair departments.”
Livingston facility no junkyard 2TheAdvocate - LKQ Corp. tries to keep pace as its revenue grows
Nine auto shops busted Daily Journal - The California Department of Insurance announced Wednesday the arrest of nine San Mateo County auto body shop owners and employees on suspicion of felony insurance fraud following an undercover sting dubbed “Operation Scorpion.”
Police warn of automotive order scam Grand Forks Herald - Police say automotive supply and repair businesses apparently are being targeted by phone scam artists who call in large orders for parts or equipment.
GM offers smarter air bags Detroit Free Press - Devices adjust size to seat position, belt use by passengers
Duo purchases, renames auto shop Paynesville Press, MN - A Paynesville business has new owners and a new name. Mark Chupp and Joe Miller purchased Paynesville Auto Salvage last month and renamed it Paynesville Auto Parts and Service.
Keystone Automotive Industries Files Quarterly Report - Yahoo Finance
Toyota names new president DetNews.com - Watanabe moves up as founder's grandson advances to executive vice president job.
Traits Successful Leaders Possess Auto Inc - Accomplished leaders demonstrate unique traits that set them apart.

February 9, 2005

Software accident NorthJersey.com - When David Rush closed his books for October, he noticed a significant drop in revenues at his auto body shop. -- Four months later, Rush contends the shop is still $15,000 in the hole because of a problem that was traced to incorrect data on software that sets the rates for auto body jobs. (Email us if you can't get into this article but would like a copy.)
Through the Looking Glass - Head First? Babcox.com - Considering the complex nature of collision repairs compared to those of glass, it's debatable whether networking collision shops will be doable. It's also debatable whether networks are in the best long-term interest of the collision industry, consumers or even insurers.
MIS-GUIDED Babcox.com - The estimating systems are guides, nothing more, nothing less - even the providers say so. Yet somewhere along the line, repairers started treating these guides as law and handing over control to the insurance industry.
Blumenthal calls for new insurance regulations Stamford Advocate, CT - The head of the Auto Body Association of Connecticut said his organization backs Blumenthal's efforts. -- Insurers "typically steer" customers to a preferred auto body shop, despite the practice being illegal, he said.
Keystone Automotive Industries Reports Fiscal Third Quarter 2005 Results PrimeZone - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.reported record sales for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2004. -- Net sales for the fiscal third quarter increased 8.2 percent to a record $136.6 million compared with $126.3 million last year. Net income for the fiscal third quarter was $4.0 million, or $0.25 per diluted share compared with $4.5 million, or $0.29 per diluted share, a year ago.
Auto shop owner thrives on creativity, meeting his goals The News-Press - Business began as a leap of faith
Gainesville home owners say no to body shop Access North Georgia - Home owners on Florence Drive hung out the "not welcome" sign to an auto body shop trying to annex into their neighborhood at Tuesday night's Gainesville Planning and Appeals Board meeting.
Residents reject zoning changes; Auto body shops, car storage lots not wanted Newszap Arizona - How does having auto body shops and inventory storage lots within your neighborhood sound to you?
How To Find Good Auto Repair Shops Carolina Channel.com - The following tips, from the non-profit National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) -- the group that tests and certifies automotive technicians -- will help you choose wisely among the many automotive repair facilities.
Copart Strengthens Southeast Presence Business Wire -Copart, Inc., the largest provider of vehicle salvage disposition services in the United States, announced the opening of its 7th salvage yard in the state of Florida and its 19th in the Southeastern region. The 21-acre greenfield facility located in Ocala, Florida will add needed capacity in the northern part of the state, which is currently serviced by yards in Orlando, Jacksonville and Tampa, Florida.
FirstSalvage, Inc. Awarded Small Business Grant Emediawire - FirstSalvage provides web-based software solutions to the auto insurance market.
Japanese cars spawn a customizing craze DetNews.com - Interest in Japanese components originated as an off-shoot of the muscle-car phenomenon of the '60s, when teenagers souped up Chevrolet Camaros and Ford Mustangs. The Japanese parts created a look that "was different from the traditional muscle-car crowd," says John Naderi, editor in chief of Super Street, a Los Angeles-based magazine that caters to JDM enthusiasts, mostly in their teens and 20s.
Copycat cars from China could hurt US industry, experts say Wilkes Barre Times-Leader - Chinese are producing vehicles identical to competitors’ autos but at a much cheaper cost.
Automotive Cameras to Play Key Role in Vehicle Safety, says ABI Research Business Wire - The automotive market has just begun to witness the emergence of onboard camera systems, primarily used for such applications as lane departure warning.

February 8, 2005

Driving a hard bargain The Dallas Morning News - Motorists increasingly hit insurance firms with diminished-value claims
PPG Rejects NAGS Rebalancing; Issues Letter to Customers to Use Current Pricing System Glassbytes.com - PPG Customers began receiving email notification that PPG is joining the ranks of those companies in the industry that will not be making the change to the prices under the NAGS Rebalancing, scheduled to take effect on February 28, 2005.
GM: Reinventing the Automobile I-Newswire.com - This year the GM Sequel proves to be GM’s greatest leap into the future as it finally succeeded in combining new technologies such as fuel cells, by-wire and wheel hub motors.
Automotive CEOs Warn Low Cost Competition is Key Threat PRNewswire - CEOs of automotive companies see low-cost competition as the biggest threat to the future of their sector. The Eighth Annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Global CEO Survey found 73 percent believe such competition will threaten the revenue growth of their company over the next 12 months.
Delphi iPod-Like Radio Is Hedge Against Auto Parts Bloomberg - Delphi Corp. makes mostly batteries, fuel pumps and other auto parts, a tough business that partly explains the company's preliminary fourth-quarter net loss of $102 million.
Ford, Dodge Recalling Thousands Of Vehicles KPIX-TV 5 - Ford Motor Co. is recalling nearly 359,000 Focus cars because their rear passenger doors may not latch properly, officials said Monday. The defect has prompted some complaints from motorists. -- Also Monday, the safety agency said DaimlerChrysler is recalling 26,000 Dodge Durango SUVs from the 2005 model year because the fuel tank filler valve may not fully close after refueling, and fuel could leak. DaimlerChrysler hasn’t yet determined when the recall will begin, NHTSA said.
WBBM's Investigative Reporter Dave Savini Uncovers Inadvertent Airbag Deployments PRNewswire - CBS 2's Dave Savini and the station's investigative team have uncovered a concerning trend of airbags inflating for no apparent reason.
Former Chrysler worker indicted for stealing, selling auto parts St. Louis Business Journal - A former technician with Daimler/Chrysler in Fenton has been indicted for stealing auto parts from the plant and selling them on eBay, said U.S. Attorney James Martin Monday.
Government investigating DaimlerChrysler vehicles for possible defects DetNews.com - Drivers have complained about overheating seat warmers
Ex-Ford exec seeks $40 million DetNews.com - Fired leader of the Europe division sues for salary he says he lost in departure fight.
Bills to cut lawsuit damages killed Aberdeen American News - Lawyers and insurance companies battled Monday in the South Dakota Legislature, and the lawyers won. -- The tussle involved two bills designed to reduce damages in lawsuits filed to recover damages for injuries in traffic accidents.

February 7, 2005

Texas AG Reaches Final Settlement with Insurers for Auto Repair Overcharges Insurance Journal - Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott announced the last two in a five-year series of settlements with various insurance companies to give refunds to Texas policyholders who paid more out of pocket on claims for auto repairs than their policies required. -- The companies, along with others in the industry, engaged in a systematic, unlawful practice known as "betterment," in which they claimed the use of better or newer parts to repair the vehicle increased its value. Companies then charged the amount of this supposed "increased value" to the policyholders, thus reducing the amount the company paid for the repairs. Policyholders were then forced to make up the difference, in addition to their deductible, to the repair shop.
Class Action Legislation Passes U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee ASA - Repairers Encouraged to Contact U.S. Senators
ASA Responds to CBS’ Consumer Alert ASA - Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive, responded to CBS regarding the feature. In a letter dated Jan. 28, Pyle said “the premise that independent shops don’t have access to the information necessary to repair vehicles is false.”
Voluntary Recall on Aftermarket Replacement Hoods for 2001-2003 Hyundai Elantras ASA - Yih Sheng Auto Parts Ind. Co. has issued a voluntary recall of their aftermarket replacement hoods for the Hyundai Elantra, model years 2001-2003.
Fully Integrated Parts Order Tracking, Repair Order, and Vendor Management System Added to Mitchell's Award-Winning UltraMate Premier Suite Solution Market Wire - Mitchell International announced today the addition of Shop Tool within its award-winning UltraMate® Premier Suite collision estimating and workflow solution. As part of its dedication to continuing to streamline the claim and repair process, Shop Tool has been added to offer Repair Order and Parts Ordering capabilities within the Premier Suite solution.
Does Your Vehicle Have An ' Event Data Recorder' On Board? KOTV - Most people don't know their car has a black box. They are similar to ones in airplanes, although they don't record voices, but they do record plenty of other things that happen before a crash. -- News on 6 reporter Lori Fullbright has been investigating.
Body repair, refinishing careers gleam with promise Great Falls Tribune - MSU Tech's Auto Body Repair and Refinishing is a certificate program. MSU-Billings College of Technology offers an associate degree program and MSU-Northern offers a four-year bachelor's degree in the field.
Form 8-K for EAUTOCLAIMS, INC Yahoo - Material Modifications
Tempera-mental Bradenton Herald - Custom painters combine art with business savvy
General Motors is hoping that safety sells Pittsburgh Post Gazette - Move to make OnStar, anti-skid features standard marks industry effort to give buyers want they say they want
Fire damages collision repair business WNCT-TV9, NC - The Greenville Fire Department was called out to Carolina Collision Repair after a spray paint room caught fire.
Is your windshield a life-saving device? Broomfield Enterprise (subscription required) - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that of the 5 to 6 million Americans injured or killed every year in highway crashes. -- A factory installed or properly replaced windshield plays a vital role in the safety of vehicle occupants in rollovers and collisions.
Nissan buys bankrupt supplier's facility Jackson Clarion Ledger - Nissan Motor Co. is the new owner of one of the principal suppliers for its Canton plant, Oxford Automotive.
Ford, Chrysler to recall cars, SUVs MarketWatch - Almost 360,000 Ford Focus passenger cars and 26,000 Dodge Durango sport utility vehicles are the subject of safety recalls.
Five Northern Californians Arrested on Charges of Insurance Fraud Insurance Journal - On Jan. 13, 2005, Victor Morales Delgado and his brother-in-law, Jose Guerrero, both of Sacramento, self-surrendered to investigators with the California Department of Insurance Organized Auto Insurance Task Force (Task Force) for falsely reporting their vehicle stolen and filing a fraudulent insurance claim.

February 4, 2005

Insurance carrier implements CCC Autoverse Claim Management Business Wire - Texas automotive insurance carrier Fred Loya Insurance has completed the deployment of CCC Autoverse Claim Management, a centralized web portal that manages the process of an auto claim.
Judge orders car data saved after boy struck Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -A federal judge on Thursday ordered the U.S. Marine Corps and an auto body shop to preserve computer data from a car that struck and killed a 12-year-old Baden boy last week.
Paint my ride: Younger tastes brighten car hues USA Today - As Americans enjoy an explosion of color in their lives not seen since the avocado green and harvest gold '70s, we're still driving cars with scarcely any chroma on the sheet metal.
Leftover salt can damage paint jobs News 14 Charlotte - The salt left behind from transportation crews treating roads may be good for traction, but it also carries some negative effects. Saltwater runoff can affect the environment and it can have an even greater impact on cars.
What to do if your car is recalled Bankrate.com - The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration says that about 72 percent of recalled vehicles are ultimately repaired.
Auto shop owner arrested for fraud News 8 Austin - The owner of a North Austin auto repair shop was arrested on charges of defrauding the state government. -- Investigators say Noueilaty was part of a fraudulent billing scheme where he charged for auto repair work on state vehicles that was never performed or not needed.
Sherwin-Williams raises Q4 earnings MarketWatch - Behind the growth was a 23 percent jump in sales at its paint stores and a 16 percent rise in demand for its automotive finishes.
Car Insurance Companies Seek 11.5 Percent Rate Hike WRAL.com - The North Carolina Rate Bureau (NCRB) has asked that insurance rates be increased by 11.5 percent for passenger vehicles.
GEICO and other insurers step up competition for clients Virginian Pilot - Having benefited from the hefty rate increases they imposed in recent years and a moderation in the cost of claims, several insurers have become more aggressive in the pursuit of new business.

February 3, 2005

Keystone Automotive Industries Appoints Board Members PrimeZone - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. today announced the appointment of Stephen A. Rhodes and Ronald Moore to its board of directors, increasing the board to a total of eight members.
Auto shop wants paint permit MetroWest Daily News - The owner of an auto body shop hopes the Zoning Board of Appeals will look past his three special permit violations and allow him to install a paint shop at Body Motion on Eames Street.
Snow is good for auto body shops Tunkhannock New Age Examiner, PA - Snow and travel has not been the mix of choice for some drivers during recent weeks. But it has been the just right thing for auto body shops, who have been working overtime trying to keep up with fender benders and worse.
The March to Court: The IGA Files Its Landmark Lawsuit in Federal Court GlassBytes.com - It may have been a little later than planned, but the Independent Glass Association (IGA) made good its promise to file a lawsuit designed to settle the legalities of steering in the auto glass industry.
Tower falls into bankruptcy DetNews.com - Novi auto supplier collapses amid soaring steel costs and car production cuts.
More auto parts makers may fall into bankruptcy Reuters - Tower Automotive Inc. may be the largest auto parts supplier to file for bankruptcy in recent months, but it isn't alone and others may follow in the first quarter, industry officials said on Wednesday.
Ford Engineers Warned of Death Risk From SUVs, Documents Show Bloomberg - Ford Motor Co. ignored its engineers' advice that the Explorer sport-utility vehicle needed design revisions to prevent rollover accidents and fatal injuries, according to internal company documents and employee depositions.
To do it right, car repair is an expensive business Pepperell Free Press - "The technology behind just getting a car to run is amazing and people have no clue as to what they're driving around."
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Announces 4th Quarter Earnings Web Cast Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc. will be hosting a live web cast to discuss its fourth quarter 2004 earnings results. The web cast will be available on Wednesday, February 16th at 11:00 a.m. EST.
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Reports 24% Revenue Growth and 32% Net Income Improvement for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2005 PRNewswire - Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a provider of technical education training, announced financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2005, ended December 31, 2004.
With reforms made, state commissioner of insurance resigns Newark Star Ledger - After overseeing the most dramatic overhaul of New Jersey's auto insurance market in three decades, Holly Bakke is resigning as state banking and insurance commissioner, it was announced yesterday.
Allstate fourth-quarter net jumps 50% MarketWatch - Insurer Allstate Corp. said late Wednesday that fourth-quarter net income jumped 50 percent as premiums grew and the frequency of claims remained benign.

February 2, 2005

Donations to judge figure in court case The St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Plaintiffs suing State Farm Insurance before the high court have demanded that the winner of that race, newly seated Justice Lloyd Karmeier, either recuse himself from the case or be disqualified from it because State Farm or its officers donated about $350,000 to Karmeier's campaign. -- As a Fifth District Appellate Court Justice in Mount Vernon, Maag had upheld a judgment that State Farm was liable for using after-market parts in vehicle repairs. That is the case now on appeal before the Illinois Supreme Court, where Karmeier would be allowed to participate in the deliberations if he chooses to.
Earl Scheib Takes Itself Off the Block Los Angeles Business Journal - Auto paint and body shop operator Earl Scheib Inc. said it has abandoned plans to sell the company or enter into a business combination with another company.
LKQ Corporation Acquires East Coast Aftermarket Business Business Wire - LKQ Corporation announced that it acquired Bodymaster Auto Parts, Inc. and a related company that operate in the aftermarket collision automotive replacement parts business.
Students revamp car for police Pittsburgh Tribune-Review - Volpe said that 10 collision repair class students worked on the project. Shannock Valley Police Chief Mike Greenlee said the car was purchased from the Utah State Highway Patrol in August through the Juvenile Accountability Program for $2,000.
Keystone Automotive Industries to Report Fiscal 2005 Third Quarter Results PrimeZone - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. announced the company will release results for its fiscal third quarter ended December 31, 2004, on Tuesday, February 8, 2005.
ArvinMeritor to cut 500 salaried jobs DetNews.com - Auto parts maker plans to increase productivity and offset rising steel costs as earnings fall.
Honda truck lifts parts makers Globe and Mail - The first Honda Motor Co. Ltd. pickup truck rumbled off the line yesterday, providing another shot in the arm for the growing number of Japan-based parts companies with operations in Canada.
Car parts 'a rip-off' Mirror.co.uk, UK - Car dealers are charging motorists up to six times more for spare parts than High Street stores, a survey reveals.
Sherwin Williams Selects Aceva Technologies as Its Platform for Receivables Management and Collections Automation Market Wire - Aceva's Revenue and Receivables Management Suite Selected by Worldwide Leader in Coatings and Related Product Manufacturing
Two charged with stealing auto supplier's trade secrets Detroit Free Press - Two former Metaldyne Corp. employees were charged Tuesday with stealing trade secrets from the automotive supplier and conspiring to sell the information to a Chinese competitor, the government said.
Bill would require proof of car insurance to register vehicles Aberdeen American News, SD - SB104 would require insurance companies to submit monthly updates of their customers to a database of insured drivers kept by the state Division of Motor Vehicles. County treasurers would use the database to verify drivers' insurance before issuing new registrations. -- Insurance companies who fail to update the state database could be accused of unfair trade practices and face a $200 fine.
Judge halts initial step in auto-insurance revamp Boston Globe - Fight headed to higher court
Report ranks auto insurers by complaints Asbury Park Press - A new report measuring customer complaints against auto insurers says Palisades Insurance fared best among the state's biggest companies last year, while MetLife Auto & Home and Allstate finished worst.

February 1, 2005

Visteon Posts Loss, Continues Ford Talks Reuters - Auto parts maker Visteon Corp. on Monday posted a preliminary fourth-quarter net loss as former parent Ford Motor Co. cut production and material costs rose.
Leading auto-parts makers report lucrative biz results for 2004 Taiwan Headlines - Gordon Auto Body Parts Co., Ltd., a leading maker of aftermarket sheet-metal body parts maintaining a high share of the U.S. market, scored pretax earnings of NT$298 million (US$9.34 million at US$1: NT$31.9) in 2004, up 162 percent from a year earlier and translating into pretax earnings per share (EPS) of NT$2.38 (US$0.07).
Akzo Nobel’s Car Refinishes North America business receives approval from the Ford Motor Company for its Lesonal® paint system Inside Paint - The approval extends to Ford’s collision repair centers—as well as collision repair centers doing work on Ford products—in the United States, Canada and Mexico, for both National Rule and VOC regulated areas.
Southeast Toyota Distributors Associate Receives Inaugural Joe Jackson Award Inside Paint - The award will be presented annually to an individual in the collision repair industry who, through his or her outstanding leadership, heroism, charity or humanitarian works, reflects admirably on the industry. DuPont will donate $5,000 in the name of the recipient to Camp-Mak-A-Dream, a medically supervised, cost-free camp for children, teens and young adults with cancer. The camp, located in Montana, is supported by the collision repair industry.
A step ahead of car thieves Bloomington Pantagraph - Fixing the $24,000 Ferrari Enzo bumper
Body shops stay busy thanks to old man winter Roanoke Rapids Daily Herald - Some area body shops are cleaning up after the mess left by successive winter storms last week that turned roadways into virtual Slip-and-Slides.
SAE International Creates Identification System for Off-Road Recreation Vehicles U.S. Newswire - The PIN system, which became effective this month, provides manufacturers of off-road recreation vehicles with a standardized procedure for assigning a 17-digit identification code. Decoding information for the new PIN system, which is similar to the vehicle identification number system, also is available through SAE International.

Continue to archives >>>>>>