Beyond Parts and Equipment Automotive Newsbytes

January 2005

Automotive Industry News Bytes

January 31, 2005

ADP Software Glitch Hurts Auto Body Shops Computer World - ADP Claims Services Group has been forced into damage-control mode as it promises to reimburse some of its auto body shop customers for losses caused by errors in the software application they use to estimate car repair costs.
Electronic Journal Messaging and Vehicle Status Updates Added to Mitchell's Award-Winning UltraMate Premier Suite Solution Market Wire - Mitchell International, Inc. today announced the addition of two valuable new features to its award-winning UltraMate® Premier Suite collision estimating and claims workflow solution. The new functionalities, Electronic Journal Messaging and Vehicle Status Updating, enhance users' ability to annotate claim files and communicate important information about the progress of repairs to all parties involved in a claim.
Bad weather means good business for auto body shops Business First of Louisville - Like farmers who watch the summer sky for storm clouds to soak the fields, owners of automotive body shops watch the heavens in hopes of rain to drench the roadways, so that a few mangled cars might roll their way.
State Farm clients, others can check cars history Post-Dispatch - The announcement this month that for years State Farm, the nation's largest auto insurer, sold thousands of totally wrecked vehicles without disclosing the damage has some car owners worrying whether they might be driving one.
Brothers have seen big changes in tire business Winston-Salem Journal - The tire industry has changed a lot in those years. The Baitys, like most independent tire dealers, have had to change with the times in order to survive.
Auto Centrix, Inc. Announces Sudbury Auto Auction, Launches Their Simulcast Auction Software PRNewswire - Auto Centrix, Inc. announced today that Sudbury Auto Auction has implemented Auto Centrix's real-time simulcast auction software, and has successfully broadcast their latest auction to their clients and customers.
ADP Dealer Services Continues IP Telephony Leadership With Productivity Enhancing Applications and Flexible New System PRNewswire - Applications advance integration, Network Phone Express provides solution for dealerships' future growth.
Fast cars bring rush of safety concerns Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - The auto safety community wants to lighten America’s increasingly heavy foot.
Fix-it service on the go Portsmouth Herald News - Despite numerous references by economists and experts about a "service economy," getting personalized service seems nearly impossible at times.
Automakers trade 'mules' for computers DetNews.com - The advanced computer design brings cars to market faster and cheaper
Johns Hopkins researchers say they cracked security system used in millions of cars DetNews.com - Researchers said Saturday they have found a way to crack the code used in millions of car keys, a development they said could allow thieves to bypass the security systems on newer car models.
2 GM safety features will be standard DetNews.com - Most vehicles will include OnStar and electronic stability control by 2010.
Area feels Visteon's tremors MLive.com - Auto supplier's moves could jolt tax base, jobs in local communities
Change appears inevitable at Visteon Ann Arbor News - Analyst expects closures, union concessions will be part of new setup
GM Executive Honored for Auto Industry Leadership PR Newswire -- Patricia J. Roberts, general director of General Motors' Women's Retail Initiative was honored by the Women's Automotive Association International (WAAI) for her leadership role in the automotive industry.
"The China Price" BusinessWeek - They are the three scariest words in U.S. industry. Cut your price at least 30% or lose your customers. Nearly every manufacturer is vulnerable -- from furniture to networking gear. The result: A massive shift in economic power is under way.
Automotive supplier closing Glasgow plant that employs nearly 300 Fort Wayne News Sentinel - Automotive supplier Johnson Controls Inc. announced that it will close its manufacturing plant here by August, putting nearly 300 people out of work.
In certain accident cases, all really is forgiven Newsday - Forgiveness? By auto insurers? For accidents? Really? Well, sometimes, with some insurers, under limited conditions.
Seven NH auto insurers ask for rate decreases The Union Leader - New Hampshire drivers are benefiting from increased competition among auto insurers.
MetLife in talks to buy Travelers Seattle Post Intelligencer - MetLife Inc. is in talks to acquire Citigroup Inc.'s Travelers Life & Annuity Co. in a deal that could be worth as much as $12 billion, The Wall Street Journal reported Monday.

January 28, 2005

Boyd Group acquires auto glass repair network Canada NewsWire - Boyd Group Income Fund today announced that it has acquired the assets of the Glass Network Division of Globe-Amerada Glass Company (the "Globe Network"). The Globe Network is an auto glass repair and replacement referral business with affiliated service providers throughout the United States. Boyd Group will fund the acquisition through a combination of cash, Fund units, supplier loans and a five-year note held by the Globe-Amerada Glass Company. Annual revenues for the Globe Network were approximately $12.5 million for 2004. The acquisition is expected to make an immediate positive contribution to the Fund's distributable cash.
Her goal is legacy for dead husband SP Times - She holds a body shop owner responsible for his death. Now she wants a law requiring shops to carry liability insurance.
CBS News Report Validates Automotive Aftermarket's Call for 'Right to Repair Act', Says CAREauto U.S. Newswire - America's car owners are having increasing trouble getting their cars repaired, according to a recent CBS television "Consumer News Alert." John Roberts, anchor, says car dealers' service departments are gaining ground, and that could cost consumers time and money. The news segment aired last Friday on the "CBS Evening News with Dan Rather," which reaches about seven million viewers nightly.
Sonic Automotive, Inc. Honored for Best Shareholder Returns in 2004 PR Newswire - Sonic Automotive, Inc. won top honors for Best Shareholder Returns in 2004 among the U.S. automotive retailers. The award, jointly presented by PricewaterhouseCoopers and Automotive News at the annual Automotive News World Congress in Dearborn, Mich., recognized the company's 10.3 percent increase in stock value through 2004.
Ford Recalls Part On Thousands Of F-150 Trucks NBC4 - Cruise-Control Switch Said To Cause Fires
New Honda Pickup Not Yet a Threat to GM and Ford Bloomberg - Honda Motor Co. has been slow responding to conventional wisdom that says a major automaker operating in the U.S. must offer a pickup truck, the most profitable vehicle category.
GM, DCX to invest in plants Detroit Free Press - General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group announced nearly $600 million in investments in two Midwestern plants Wednesday. The moves could create 1,200 jobs.
Visteon plant manager accused of embezzling about $300,000 Ann Arbor News - A former mid-level manager at the Visteon plant in Ypsilanti Township is accused of using a company credit card to charge around $300,000 in personal expenses, funneling much of it into his Pinckney home that coworkers jokingly referred to as "The House that Visteon Built," authorities said.
Fees plague home, auto insurance MarketWatch - Agents swayed by disputed contingent payments: CFA
NAIC Launches Online Insurance Fraud Reporting System PRNewswire - The online fraud reporting system - which allows consumers to provide detailed information anonymously - is one part of the NAIC's three-prong action plan, developed by the NAIC Executive Task Force on Broker Activities over the preceding months to protect consumer interests.

January 27, 2005

Stability Control Makes SUVs Safer WNBC - SUVs, with their high center of gravity, are more prone to rollovers than other vehicles. But SUVs will be getting safer as more and more carmakers add a safety feature called stability control.
ADESA, Inc. Subsidiary Expands Salvage Auction Business PRNewswire-FirstCall - ADESA, Inc. announced today that its total loss vehicle auction business, ADESA Impact, has opened its 29th North American auction facility in Connecticut.
Nissan Exchange Revolutionizes Car Parts Replacement I-Newswire.com - Nissan Exchange is a new program designed to give Nissan owners the performance from brand new parts with the service tag of used ones.
Fitch Rates PPG Industries Inc Initial Sr Unsecured Debt 'A' Business Wire - The proposed rating for PPG is based on the company's strong balance sheet, supported by excellent cash flow.
Mandatory car insurance bill goes before legislators Foster's Daily Democrat - New Hampshire is only one of two states in the country that does not require car insurance for drivers and the "Live Free or Die" state is poised to keep it that way.
Insurance company to return $40M to state policy holders Tullahoma.net - As a result of its best year on record, Tennessee Farmers Mutual Insurance Company will return $40 million in premium and cash dividends to many of its policyholders across the state beginning in February.

January 26, 2005

Auto Insurance Planners Provides Body Shop Database eMediaWire - Auto Insurance Planners offers a convenient and helpful way to locate any automobile body shop in the country.
Mineta Announces Study -- Estimates Lives Saved by Safety Features NHTSA - The study examined a myriad of safety features, including braking improvements, safety belts, air bags, energy-absorbing steering columns, child safety seats, improved roof strength and side impact protection, shatter-resistant windshields and instrument panel upgrades. It did not evaluate relatively new technologies like side air bags and electronic stability control systems.
Sherwin-Williams Clarifies Updated 2004 Expectations and Provides Earnings Expectations for 2005 Inside Paint - The Sherwin-Williams Company, due to a number of investor inquiries, is clarifying its previous press release of January 19, 2005 in which the Company updated its expectations for the fourth quarter and year 2004 which were last announced on October 21, 2004. The Company is also providing its earnings expectations for the full year 2005.
Auto parts maker TRW sues supplier over price increase WAVY- Automotive components manufacturer T-R-W is suing a Delaware supplier which is threatening to cut off parts shipments unless T-R-W accepts a 59-percent price increase.
Mobile Productivity Inc. Acquires AIS/IDENTIFIX Business Wire - Mobile Productivity Inc. (MPi), a premier automotive repair information and service merchandising provider, announced today the acquisition of Automotive Information System (AIS), a wholly owned subsidiary of CSK Auto Inc. AIS is based in St. Paul, Minn., and is the provider of an automotive repair hotline and online diagnostic information system.
Copart and ASI Announce Software Integration Business Wire - Copart, Inc. and ASI (Auction Software, Inc.) today jointly announced the integration of Copart's proprietary VB2 virtual auction software with ASI's auction management software, AUCSOFT. The integration allows users of AUCSOFT to automatically and seamlessly transfer vehicle data, history and condition reports as well as digital images of the vehicle between ASI's AUCSOFT and Copart's VB2.
The Progressive Group Expands Tempe Training Facility - Introduces Comprehensive Commercial Auto Claims Training Program Business Wire - Country's Third Largest Commercial Auto Insurer Focuses on Settling Claims Fast, Getting Small Business Owners Back in the Driver's Seat Sooner
Insurance costs can be driven down Joplin Globe - 2004 car-insurance rates dropped in Missouri, Kansas; prices rose in Oklahoma

January 25, 2005

Insurers' control over repair jobs questioned Omaha World-Herald - Representatives from small-town and neighborhood auto-body and auto-glass shops on Monday complained about the insurance industry steering repair jobs to networks of shops, thereby limiting customer choices and squeezing out smaller operations. -- Mark Rizzi, an Alliance, Neb., repairman active in the Independent Glass Association, also said the insurance industry is turning a blind eye to shoddy workmanship from shops they recommend.
OEConnection Delivers Advanced Parts Business Insight With Introduction of New Automotive Data and Analysis Services PRNewswire - Solution Toolset Tailored to Information Needs of Automotive OE Parts Sector
Sonic Automotive, Inc. Schedules Release of Fourth Quarter, Year End Results and Conference Call PRNewswire - Sonic Automotive, Inc., a Fortune 300 Company, is one of the largest automotive retailers in the United States operating 192 franchises and 40 collision repair centers.
Ice storms heat up repairs Durham Herald Sun - North Carolina: The gridlock looms at area auto body repair shops.
Auto Body Shops Cash In On Snowstorms WBAL Channel.com - Maryland: Auto body shops are cashing in following the weekend's snowstorms. Authorities blamed slick streets for hundreds of accidents, and mechanics are keeping busy fixing the damage, WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Jennifer Franciotti reported.
Slippery Saskatoon streets boost autobody business Star Phoenix - Canada: Autobody shops in Saskatoon are busier than ever as Saskatoon drivers struggle with slippery, snowy roads.
E-test opponents optimistic Kentucky Post - The plan would affect auto body and repair shops and industrial parts cleaners.
Auto Insurance Claims Roll in after Three Rounds of Bad Weather WTVD - Durham-Raleigh - Hundreds of drivers are still trying to get those banged up cars fixed, and that has local insurance adjusters working overtime.
Auto Insurance Fraud: Driving Rates Up In Brooklyn Gotham Gazette - People in Brooklyn pay the highest car insurance rates in the state.
More Than One in Four Auto Accidents Result in Injury Claims, IRC Study Finds PRNewswire - Injury Claims Are Common Despite Lower Auto Accident Rates and Fewer Serious Injuries
State Farm Transferring Jobs To Nebraska WCCO - State Farm Insurance Company says some workers at its operations center in Woodbury, Minn. are expected to move to Lincoln, Neb. as the insurer consolidates those operations in Lincoln.

January 24, 2005

State Farm violated agreement on selling totaled cars The St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Records show that Indiana authorities caught State Farm reselling wrecked cars in violation of its state law more than eight years ago. In 1998, a judge ordered the company to stop, and the company said it would. -- Fast forward to Jan. 10 2005: State Farm disclosed that for more than five years, from June 1997 through 2002, it had mistakenly resold at least 30,000 totaled vehicles without salvage titles. This was the same practice State Farm had acknowledged in Indiana, except this time the company said it had been doing it nationwide.
State Farm's history with wrecked vehicles - Research done by The St. Louis Post-Dispatch
ZBA will probe shop violations: Business was not licensed for paint jobs MetroWest Daily News - The owner of an auto body shop will be back before the Zoning Board of Appeals next month to answer questions about a string of violations that came to light when he applied for a paint shop.
Deer in the headlights Kerrville Daily Times - “It’s not a case of if you hit a deer, it’s when.” -- That was one local body shop’s advertising campaign last year.
Report: Government Investigates Ford F-150 For Fire Hazard WDIV - More than 30 owners have complained to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that their Ford pickups and SUVs burned. Most of the cases occurred in the past year.
Ford Motor Company's Michigan Truck Plant Body Shop Now Features Flexible Manufacturing I-Newswire.com - Ford Motor Company has announced that they will invest $300,000 in a 240,000-square-foot, flexible body shop expansion at their Michigan Truck Plant.
Auto Suppliers Detroit Free Press - Bankruptcies paint grim outlook for companies
20 ways you waste money on your car MSN Money - Don't spend a nickel without a darned good reason. Bone up, wise up and don't let anyone lead you astray.
Saab says some models damaged by cold Reuters - General Motors unit Saab said on Saturday that engines in two of its older car models could be damaged by cold weather in combination with spare use of the vehicles.
U.S. Auto Workers Protest Outsourcing Reuters - Hundreds of auto workers demonstrated outside Ford Motor Co.'s corporate headquarters on Friday to protest against its plans to build a new line of mid-size passenger cars in Mexico instead of the United States.
Buffett celebrates with workers at GEICO's Amherst operations Buffalo News - Just over a year ago, the Washington, D.C.-based insurer selected Amherst as the site for its newest service center, to ultimately house 2,500 employees in service, sales and claims. The company had looked at other locations, but chose Western New York after lobbying from Buffett and News Publisher Stanford Lipsey. The company is building a permanent home in CrossPoint Business Park in Amherst in exchange for $100 million in tax breaks.
New U.K. Database Tackles Auto Insurance Fraud Insurance Journal - Where there are cars there are accidents, and where there are accidents there are insurance claims, which unfortunately are too often phony. The U.K. has announced a new measure to try and combat this kind of fraud, which the Association of British Insurers (ABI) estimates costs the industry around £20,000 ($37,300) a day.
Conn. attorney general sues Marsh, Ace CBS MarketWatch - Complaint claims secret kickbacks raised insurance costs

January 21, 2005

Automotive Service Association Asks OSHA to Consider the 'Economic Burdens' of Proposed Hex Chrome Standard on Collision Repairers Occupational Hazards - With public hearings on OSHA's proposed hexavalent chromium standard less than two weeks away, stakeholders are weighing in on the subject.
Legal reformer's poster case back in court Madison County Record - One of the venue's most notorious class action lawsuits--in which flaking topcoat auto paint is at issue in Phillips et.al v. Ford Motor Company--is set for a case management conference at 9:30 a.m., Jan. 27 in Granite City before Circuit Judge Philip Kardis. -- In the class action suit, Phillips asks that Ford be ordered to repair cars with bad paint jobs or pay the dollar amount of a repair, and provide any other relief the court deems just plus all attorney fees.
After the Inaugural: What's Ahead for the Automotive Aftermarket, CARE Observes U.S. Newswire - As the automotive aftermarket plans to resume its battle for the Motor Vehicle Owner's Right to Repair in the 109th Congress, today's inaugural is a reminder of the similarities between the challenges motoring consumers face to day to those they faced in the early repair market, notes David Parde, president of the Coalition of Automotive Repair Equality.
Bad weather is good business for some Hampton Roads Daily Press - Newport News auto body shop owner Tuy Quoc Nguyen still was fixing cars that were banged up during December's snow storm when he got inundated again Thursday.
How to Spot a Flood-Damaged Car PRNewswire - The Experts at NADAguides.com Offer Tips to Help Used Car Shoppers Avoid Buying a Flood-Damaged Ride
Expansion in parts Ledger-Enquirer - O'Reilly Auto Parts chain tinkering with Columbus, Georgia market
Mitsubishi Motors Hires Consultant to Revive U.S. Auto Business Bloomberg - Mitsubishi Motors Corp., whose U.S. auto sales have dropped by more than half in two years, hired a Michigan-based turnaround specialist to revive its North American automotive business.
Solutia Automotive Reports Record Number of Concept and Production Vehicles with Its Interlayers at 2005 NAIAS PRNewswire - According to Solutia Automotive, the use of laminated automotive glass is on the rise for both concept and production vehicles, and no place is that more evident than the 2005 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS).
PPG profits surge on high volumes phillyburbs.com - PPG Industries Inc. reported a 50 percent jump in fourth-quarter profits Thursday, citing both increased sales and higher pricing for commodity chemicals.
Pilkington shines on seven-year high Guardian - The rise was abated somewhat by Pilkington's finance director telling the Bloomberg news agency in the afternoon that the company is not in talks with anyone. -- Traders, however, believe that Nippon has appointed financial advisers to work on a bid for the world's largest manufacturer of car windshields and this story will continue to run.
Asian Paints Consolidated Net Profit Increases By 41.19% Inside Paint - The joint venture, Asian PPG Industries Limited, recorded excellent sales growth during the quarter due to good growth in automotive sector.
Asbury Automotive Group Comments on Fourth Quarter Earnings PRNewswire - Preliminary Results Significantly Exceed Current Analysts' Expectations -- Announces Implementation of Efficient Regional Management Structure -- All four components of the Company's business model -- new vehicles; used vehicles; parts, service and collision repair; and finance and insurance -- delivered double-digit same-store increases in gross profit for the quarter.
Sherwin-Williams ups forecast Crain's Cleveland Business - Sherwin-Williams Co. expects to report fourth-quarter and full-year results above its previous forecast in light of domestic and foreign sales that were better than expected.
Key Safety Systems changes leadership Macomb Daily - The company designs and manufactures airbags, seat belts and steering wheels. -- Key Safety Systems said its products are used in more than 300 vehicle models worldwide. The company has 35 manufacturing, technical and sales facilities in 12 countries generating over $1.1 billion in sales and employing about 10,000 people.
Tower cash position hurt by customer shutdowns Reuters - Tower Automotive Inc., which has been facing a short-term cash shortage, on Thursday said longer-than-expected customer shutdowns over the holidays will hurt its cash position, pushing its shares down 27 percent. -- Tower, a maker of auto body structures and frames, said the customer shutdown will hurt its cash position by $40 million in the first quarter.
Auto Data Network Reports Third Quarter Financial Results Business Wire - For the third quarter, the Company reported revenues of $19.3 million, an increase of $13.1 million (over 200 percent) compared to revenues of $6.2 million for the corresponding quarter in fiscal year 2004, and an increase of $2.5 million or 15 percent compared to the current fiscal year second quarter revenue of $16.8 million.
State Farm Agent Named Ind. Commissioner Insurance Journal - Indiana's new Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels has named W. Harold Calloway, a State Farm agent, as the state's new insurance commissioner.
State Farm Banks backs off CD plan that would violate state law Biloxi Sun Herald - State Farm Bank says it will abide by the laws of several states, including Mississippi, that bar the company's agents from selling jumbo certificate of deposits if they aren't licensed, a spokesman said Thursday. -- State Farm, based in Bloomington, Ill., is the nation's largest insurer of homes and automobiles. Its subsidiary, State Farm Bank, opened in a few sites in 1999 and began marketing services in 48 states in 2002.
Study will help Pa. cut car insurance rates Philadelphia Business Journal - Findings from an auto insurance study will help save Pennsylvania motorists at least $120 million in premiums over the next several months, announced Gov. Ed Rendell on Wednesday.
Tracking Device May Save Some Drivers Money On Car Insurance WBAL Channel.com - A tiny new device tracking the car's every move may save drivers money on car insurance. -- But there's a catch: drivers have to let the insurance company become a backseat driver, of sorts.

January 20, 2005

Families thrilled by free cars DesMoinesRegister.com - Circles of Support provides vehicles to help members help themselves.
Fifty-four SC high school students seek State Auto Repair Championship WhoWon.com - Fifty-four of the state’s brightest high school automotive technician students will converge on the campus of Greenville Technical College Thursday (Jan. 20) for two days of rigorous testing in hopes of becoming the 2005 South Carolina Skills USA champion.
Chevy funds NAIT to 'Pimp their Ride' Edmonton Sun - NAIT students are emulating the MTV program "Pimp My Ride" after getting $10,000 to take a 2005 Chevy Aveo and transform it from prudent econocar to funky road rocket. "It's kind of the same thing," NAIT autobody student Mark Jacobsen, 22, said yesterday. He has souped-up cars before, but never with that kind of cash to play with.
Monro ratchets up a record Rochester Democrat and Chronicle - Monro Muffler Brake Inc. is maintaining its schedule for record sales and profit, thanks in no small part to scheduled maintenance. -- The Rochester-based automotive repair and tire service chain Tuesday reported increases of more than 20 percent in both sales and earnings in the third quarter, while posting same-store sales increases for the tenth straight quarter.
Pilkington bid rumours polish shares This is Money - Nippon is one of the few rivals in a position to take a pop at the group. Larger competitors Saint-Gobain, PPG Industries and Visteon would find it almost impossible to get the deal past the regulators.
DuPont, Dow JV Settles Price-Fix Probe CBS MarketWatch - DuPont Dow Elastomers pleaded guilty Wednesday and agreed to pay an $84 million fine to resolve U.S. Justice Department charges of conspiring to fix the price of the synethetic rubber polychloroprene.
'Bumpy' glass could lead to self-cleaning windows, slick micromachines PhysOrg.com - In automobiles, water-repellent glass would improve safety by helping drivers see better, especially during inclement weather. -- Right now, drivers can spray coatings on car windows to accomplish much the same thing, but those coatings wear off. Because the new technology builds water-repellency into the surface of the window, it would continue to work for the lifetime of the window.
Seat belts, air bags saved 329,000 lives Washington Times - A study released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found the number of lives saved annually by seat belts rose from 115 in 1960 to 25,000 a year in 2002.
FullCircle's Emergency Notification Service to Be Promoted at Upcoming NADA Convention PRNewswire - In addition to the debt reduction, FullCircle announced that senior management will be attending the upcoming National Auto Dealer Association (NADA) convention, where Safelite of America will be presenting FullCircle's emergency notification program at its booth. (FullCircle Registry, Inc, announced last January, a strategic marketing alliance with Safelite of America, Inc. Safelite markets products and services to automotive dealers nationwide. Through Safelite’s broker network, the majority of the nation’s 20,000+ new car dealers are presented with Safelite’s programs which generated $5.5 million in revenue in 2003. Safelite has an existing national U.S. sales network of over 200 representatives with extensive contacts throughout Canada and Mexico as well.... See news from archives -Jan 2004.)
Despite Bumpy Road, Automotive Networking Standardization Efforts Need to Continue: ABI Research Business Wire - For years, in-vehicle communications networks have been comprised of dozens of incompatible and proprietary standards, even among vehicles from the same automaker. However, as more electronics enter the vehicle, network standardization needs to become the rule, according to findings from ABI Research.
Color makes a comeback DetNews.com - Brighter hues in autos, fashion and appliances may signal optimism
Pa. Names Fillman to Insurance Consumer Liaison Post Insurance Journal - Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell appointed Cindy Fillman, a consumer advocate, to the new position of Consumer Liaison. Fillman will report to Insurance Commissioner Diane Koken.

January 19, 2005

Lawsuit targets Country Mutual Bloomington Pantagraph - Body shops allege customers steered
Federal-Mogul Takes Lead in Parts Counterfeiting Fight Business Wire - Federal-Mogul Corporation will continue to work with other OEM and aftermarket suppliers to lead the automotive industry's fight against counterfeit parts in the coming year, according to company executives. The organization has committed significant resources to combating the problem, which costs the global automotive industry $12 billion each year, with 25 percent of that loss in the U.S. alone, according to the Federal Trade Commission.
Earl Scheib Chooses Axion Solutions to Provide and Implement New Technology Business Wire - Leading Retail Auto Paint and Body Company Selects Axion Solutions to Upgrade Technology That Should Increase Operational Efficiency and Profitability
Universal Technical Institute, Inc. Schedules Fiscal 2005 First Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call PRNewswire-FirstCall - Universal Technical Institute, Inc., a provider of technical education training, announced today that it will hold a conference call on Wednesday, February 2, 2005 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time (3:00 p.m. Phoenix time) to discuss its fiscal 2005 first quarter financial results, operating performance and business outlook. The Company will release its financial results for the 2005 first quarter ended December 31, 2004 after the close of the market on the same day.
First Notice Systems wins new claims reporting deal Computer Business Review - Phase two of the implementation is expected to connect Merastar's policyholders with an auto body shop from a database of Merastar preferred body shops (the DRP program), and will also include automatic police report ordering if a claim meets Merastar's defined criteria.
Unfairness is toxic, too: Right-to-know law is ripe for review The Register-Guard - One proposal would add nine types of businesses to the manufacturers already covered by the Toxics Right-to-Know law: auto body and paint shops, roofing contractors, painting contractors, dry cleaners, sports centers with swimming pools or spas, hotels and motels that have pools or spas, crematories, gas stations and photofinishing shops. These businesses would pay fees to the city, and any that use 2,640 pounds of chemicals each year would be covered by the reporting requirements as well.
PanGlobal to use PTS repair solution The Star - PAC Total Solutions Sdn Bhd (PTS), an automotive solutions provider, has clinched a deal to supply its Repair Tracker software to PanGlobal Insurance Bhd (PGI).
Auto Centrix, Inc. Announces Dominion Auto Auction Group, a Wholly Owned Subsidiary Company Launches Simulcast Auction Software Business Wire - Auto Centrix, Inc. announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary company, Dominion Auto Auction Group Inc., will launch the real-time simulcast auction software to it clients and customers February 5, 2005 in conjunction with their Halifax Regional Municipality auction. The auction site consists of a simulcast auction with real time audio and video whereby a bidder can bid on a vehicle from anywhere in the world while the vehicle is physically been auctioned in a bricks and motor auction house.
Top 10 car colors for 2005 Bankrate.com - The hottest car color? Silver is coolest when it comes to American car buyers.
Family settles for $5 million in fatal crash Syracuse Post Standard - The family of a Syracuse lawyer who was killed when his sport utility vehicle blew a tire and overturned in Pennsylvania has accepted $5 million to settle lawsuits filed in the crash. -- Nearly all of the settlement money will be paid by the local Midas Muffler shop where John Papworth had taken his vehicle to be inspected the day before the crash.
Goodyear develops self-repair technology Memphis Business Journal - The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has developed a commercial tire technology that repairs tire punctures when they occur, according to the company.
Chrysler, Dana CEOs advocate cooperation Toledo Blade - 2 urge automakers, suppliers to collaborate

January 18, 2005

Copart Acquires Facility in Strongsville, Ohio Business Wire - Copart, Inc. today announced that it has acquired a 16-acre salvage facility in Strongsville, Ohio. The addition of the Strongsville facility will complement Copart's existing presence in the Cleveland area, currently serviced by a 22-acre site in Northfield, Ohio, and will bring Copart's total number of locations to 108 throughout the United States and Canada.
Chrysler: 5 new models in '05 DetNews.com - The automaker hopes to repeat last year's market share and sales gains.
Record plastic costs hurt GM, aid Dow DetNews.com - Companies raise prices 57 percent in 2004 due to high demand and costly raw materials such as oil. -- U.S. automakers are using more plastic than a decade ago, replacing steel with light, easily shaped polymers in everything from door panels to bumpers, said Jim Kolb, vice president of automotive programs at the American Chemistry Council.
BASF announces first quarter of 2005 Automotive Refinish training schedule IP - BASF’s Automotive Refinish business has issued its North American training schedule for the first quarter of 2005. Courses will be conducted at ten training facilities in the United States and Canada (with French-language courses in the Montreal facility).
Boyd Group Income Fund announces January 2005 cash distribution CNW - Boyd Group Income Fund today announced a cash distribution for the month of January 2005 of $0.095 per trust unit. -- The Boyd Group Inc. is the largest operator of collision repair facilities in Canada and is among the largest in North America.
City paint store business sold Bucyrus Telegraph Forum - Kelley's, which has been in business for 50 years, sells paint for automobiles and automotive supplies. The business has supplied auto body shops for many years, as well as to a couple of companies.
It's pedal to metal for auto parts Atlanta Business Chronicle - A major Midwest auto parts chain is driving into the Atlanta market, where commuters have some of the longest trips in the nation.
Visteon Technology Visible Throughout North American International Auto Show dBusinessNews.com - As automakers unveil their new product lineups and concept vehicles this week at the North American International Auto Show at Detroit's Cobo Center, Visteon Corporation's innovative components and systems are helping them differentiate their various makes and models.
S. Fla. Cracks Down: Car-wreck Insurance Fraud Con Artists Targeted Insurance Journal - South Florida insurance fraud artists are becoming so rampant in the area that authorities have launched a campaign to catch area con artists who stage car wrecks and bilk insurance companies of hundreds of thousands of dollars in false insurance claims.
Drivers' discounts hard to get Boston Globe - Insurers blame state's regulation
Know Your Auto Insurance Coverage WSOCTV - Insurance Information Institute's P.J. Crowley says "People may not realize that their ability to cope with the claims process depends in large measure on decision they make before a crash happens."

January 17, 2005

Suppliers get tenuous pricing relief Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Suppliers are winning price increases for the first time in years. And price reductions that original equipment manufacturers had been regularly forcing on parts suppliers are being resisted. -- Original equipment manufacturers, or OEMs, demand world prices, and if they don’t get them, they often make good on the threat and move the business. -- Two large auto suppliers have gone into Chapter 11 reorganization because they couldn't pass through steel price increases.
Find out your car’s recall history The Herald Press - Though the quality of most American-made cars has improved in recent years, last year, the auto industry recalled a record number 25 million vehicles.
Auto parts plant coming to Kendallville Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - Warren, Mich.-based Parts Finishing Group will invest about $3 million in a manufacturing plant in Kendallville.
IAPA and Parts Plus Merge to Form Automotive Distribution Network PRNewswire - Two of the top groups in the automotive aftermarket, Parts Plus and Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA), have merged to form the Automotive Distribution Network (ADN). The effective date of this merger is January 1st, 2005.
Oh No! Is That Rust? AARP - Thousands of water-damaged automobiles are expected to go on the market, literally taking American car buyers for a ride.
He's made a good dent in auto-body work Times Dispatch - His Ultra Color mobile service gets out the scratches and dings at dealers throughout Virginia
Getting out dents with class San Diego Union Tribune - Vocational programs starting comeback at S.D. schools
Cerritos College auto program gets $100K grant Long Beach Press-Telegram - Students can specialize in mechanical repair, collision repair, auto service management and alternative fuel vehicles.
State Farm expects layoffs Bradenton Herald - State Farm Insurance Cos. in Florida is consolidating auto claims insurance offices from 28 to 16, and the local office is remaining open, the insurer said on Friday. -- The move is part of an ongoing trend at State Farm towards fewer people in the field. Instead of going out to see every damaged car, more claims can be done on the phone.

January 14, 2005

CCC Information Services Group Inc. Names Andrew Balbirer Chief Financial Officer Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc. announced today that it has named Andrew G. Balbirer to serve as executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective January 31, 2005. Balbirer succeeds David L. Harbert, the company's interim chief financial officer, who will complete his assignment on January 31 after transitioning his responsibilities to Mr. Balbirer.
Auto Parts Makers See 2005 Pain in Production Cuts Reuters - Auto parts makers on Thursday said they would remain under pressure from rising raw materials costs and North American light vehicle production cuts in 2005, with some offering weaker outlooks than Wall Street expected.
Automobile Manufacturers Move Fast in Europe’s Widely Expanding Landscape Expansion Management - Russia, other nations in east are latest destinations for OEMs, suppliers.
Gov't safety agency: GM slow to act CNN - In documents relating to a record fine, NHTSA called carmaker tardy in responding to safety issues.
New Auto Training Center Nears Completion In Whitestone Queens Chronicle - The 90,000-square-foot building will provide training for over 700 students each semester interested in a career in the automotive repair industry.
NASCAR innovation helps out in Iraq MSNBC - Windshield coating improves visibility for chopper pilots. -- Pro-Tint pioneered multilayer tear-away technology in the late 1990s and it is now used by nearly all racing teams. Instead of replacing a windshield scratched and pitted rocks, car parts and other debris, race teams merely peel off a layer of the protective film to reveal a new, clear layer of film underneath.
Committee kills Wyoming auto insurance bill The Casper Star-Tribune - A legislative committee has killed a bill that would have increased automobile insurance liability limits in the state for the first time in at least two decades.
Has Your Auto Insurance Kept Pace? Minimum Liability Limits Set in 1967; Insurance Check-Up Helps Ensure That Policy Matches Needs Business Wire - In the 1960s, car buyers spent about 25 percent of their $8,000 median income on a new car. Today, consumers can expect to pay $27,000 for a new automobile -- more than half of the median $48,000 U.S. salary. -- Times have changed, but has your insurance?

January 13, 2005

Farmers Sues Auto Glass Business for Submitting Phony Windshield Claims Business Wire - Farmers Insurance Exchange has begun serving civil summons and complaints upon a nationwide auto glass company and its president, accusing them of taking part in a scheme designed to defraud Farmers and its policyholders. The civil complaint, which is similar to prior successful lawsuits against body shops who submitted false insurance claims, seeks not only damages for the fraud committed, but seeks injunctive relief, where the courts are asked to order a halt to these deceptive practices.
Dow Chemical Closing Part of Auto Operation The News Sentinel - Dow Chemical says it's closing part of its Dow Automotive operation in Hillsdale and moving 2 production lines to Midland. Dow says it will begin phasing out 60 to 65 of its 215 employees over the next 2 years. -- The layoffs are part of a larger consolidation project that will bring the production of glass bonding adhesives, primers and sealers to a new plant in Midland.
Solution to car-deer dilemma eludes legislators, insurance providers, DNR Globe Gazette - While repair costs have soared along with the collisions — insurers said Tuesday they are paying out a combined $60 million per year — a surcharge is not the answer, said Terry Barton, vice president of State Farm Insurance in Iowa.
Analyst faults Big 3's treatment of suppliers Ann Arbor News - Domestic automakers have to quit battling their parts suppliers or risk losing ground to Japanese automakers who treat suppliers better, an industry consultant and a former top Chrysler Group executive says.
Auto Show Sizzlers and Snoozers Business Week - From exotic concept cars to everyday pickup trucks, our Detroit duo trades picks and pans from this Motown extravaganza
McGee law to fight insurance fraud Swampscott Reporter - "Insurance fraud is a serious problem statewide. By soliciting false claims, runners drive up the cost of premiums and frustrate those who file and pursue legitimate claims," McGee said.
IRC Study Finds Fraud and Buildup Add Approximately $5 Billion to Auto Injury Insurance Claims PRNewswire - The Insurance Research Council (IRC) estimates in a new report that fraud and buildup added between $4.3 and $5.8 billion to auto injury settlements in 2002, which represents between 11 and 15 percent of all dollars paid for private passenger auto injury insurance claims in that year.

January 12, 2005

Boyd Group acquires shops in Calgary and Abbotsford, BC., expands in Chicago Canada.com - The Boyd Group Income Fund has acquired auto body shops in Calgary and Abbotsford, B.C. and expanded its presence in the Chicago area.
Learn How To Find Professional Auto-Body Work NBC Sandiego.com - Agents Can't Decide On Auto-Body Shop
Restitution mounts for convicted ex-mechanic Maui News - A former Kahului auto body shop owner was ordered to pay nearly $77,000 more in restitution as he was sentenced Monday for additional charges involving defrauding customers.
Car Corrosion KWWL - If your car hasn't been washed lately, it's probably covered in salt and sand. But be careful it could do some damage if you don't get rid of it. -- Get your car washed a couple times a week when dealing with salt and sand covered roads. -- Autobody shops can also put a corrosion protection on your car.
Auto Body Shop Sues Over Relocation Expenses 13abc.com - The fight between Kim's Auto Body and the city of Toledo turns yet another page. Today the owners of Kim's filed a lawsuit against the city for relocation expenses.
Auto-parts thief sentenced to eight years in prison Benton County Daily Record - A former employee at Nunnally Chevrolet was sentenced Monday to eight years in prison for stealing new car parts valued at $60,000 from the business, then selling the merchandise on eBay.
Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. to Acquire Ten Retail Tire Stores PRNewswire-FirstCall - Monro Muffler Brake, Inc. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire ten retail tire stores from Henderson Holdings, Inc. While Henderson Holdings, Inc. will receive some cash as part of the transaction, the acquisition will be funded primarily using Monro common stock. -- The stores currently operate under the Mr. Tire brand name and were part of the original Mr. Tire chain. However, they have been operated separately by Henderson Holdings, Inc. for the past six years. The stores are located in the southern Maryland market and have combined annual sales of approximately $12.5 million. Monro purchased 26 Mr. Tire retail stores in March 2004 from Atlantic Automotive Corp.
GM Recalls Over 98,000 Trucks on US Market Reuters - An advisory on the Web site of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the problem -- which can hamper but not eliminate the ability to stop or steer the vehicles -- stems from fractures in their hydraulic pump driveshafts.
Feds weigh rollover rules DetNews.com - NHTSA is working with automakers and suppliers to see what tests could be used.
Unvarnished wood dresses up auto interiors DetNews.com - Chrysler Firepower and Ford Fairlane concepts use wood for exquisite touch.
Big Three brace for tough year DetNews.com - Ford, Chrysler and GM must overcome higher interest rates and stiff competition.
Automakers find safety means sales DetNews.com - As new technology becomes widespread, savvy consumers come to expect it.
Visteon Presentation to Automotive Analysts to be Web Cast January 13 PRNewswire-FirstCall - Visteon Corporation, one of the world's leading suppliers of automotive components and integrated systems, will participate in the Automotive Analysts of New York 2005 Detroit Automotive Conference in Dearborn on Thursday, Jan. 13, 2005, from approximately 1:30 to 2:15 p.m. (EST).
Powerful New Automotive Supplier Contact Database Launched by Motorcity Consulting PRNewswire - Motorcity Consulting, Inc. announces the official launch of its new online automotive supply chain contact database to be known as the AUTOMOTIVE WHO'S WHO(R) POWERbase(TM) - North American Original Equipment Supplier Database.
State Farm to Pay $135M to Settle Overtime Suit HR.BLR.com - State Farm Insurance Cos. has agreed to pay $135 million to settle a lawsuit accusing the company of incorrectly classifying 2,600 claims adjusters as exempt from overtime
Nationwide Rolling Back Insurance Rates 1010 Wins - Nationwide Insurance has agreed to roll back its rates by an average of about five percent for the 214,000 customers it has in New York state. -- Earlier, GEICO, Progressive and MetLife agreed to lower premiums for New York customers.

January 11, 2005

A Parts Supplier to Keystone Automotive Recalls Replacement Hoods for 2001-2003 Hyundai Elantras PrimeZone Media - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. today announced that an Asian manufacturer, Yih Sheng Auto Parts Ind. Co., Ltd., has issued a recall of its aftermarket replacement hoods for the Hyundai Elantra, model years 2001 -- 2003, sold during 2004.
ASA Submits Comments on OSHA's Hexavalent Chromium Rule ASA - The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued a proposed rule for occupational exposure to hexavalent chromium. OSHA has proposed three separate standards that cover exposure to hexavalent chromium in general industry, construction and shipyards.
Carmakers and suppliers discuss automotive interiors Plastics & Rubber Weekly - The use of plastics in automotive interior applications will come under the spotlight again at EPN’s Plastics in Automotive Interiors conference in Frankfurt later this month, with leading OEMs and Tier One suppliers presenting their vision of future developments.
Asians raise stakes in U.S. truck market DetNews.com - Honda's new entry joins wave of new products aimed at squeezing Big Three.
Chrysler loses auto designers to rivals Xinhua - In the last year, Volkswagen AG, General Motors, Toyota Motor Corp and Hyundai Motor Co have hired senior designers from Chrysler. The company has about 80 designers and modelers on its 280-person staff. -- "The marketplace is extremely competitive, so it stands to reason that other companies would look to for us for the talent they may require," Chrysler design chief Trevor Creed said in an e-mailed statement.
Students at College for Creative Studies Display Creativity Behind Automotive Design at 2005 North American International Auto Show PRNewswire - Questioning the norm, achieving what "can't" be achieved and creating solutions to problems with passion, innovation and desire embodies the dedication that the next generation of auto designers pour into work that someday could find its way into the automotive marketplace.
New Jersey Autocare Specialist Named NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year PRNewswire- NAPA AUTO PARTS and the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) have named Jeff Walker the 2005 NAPA/ASE Technician of the Year. -- "This award is something I've aspired to during my career and winning it means I've begun reaching some of the goals I set for myself," said Walker, who is a recertified Master ASE technician with L1 and L2 Certification. He is also a Master Medium/Heavy Truck technician, Master Collision Repair/Refinish technician, Master Engine Machinist and a Certified Collision Repair Estimator. -- In fact, Walker is certified in 28 ASE categories, ranking him among the elite of all technicians with ASE credentials.
Auto parts makers see higher steel in '05 purchasing.com - Auto parts makers, already smarting from production cuts and price pressures, believe they could pay yet another 26% more for some steel in 2005 than they did on average last year. "It will be a much more intense business environment all the way around in 2005, from the production schedule side, to the component side and the material input side," agrees Dave Andrea, vice president of business development for the Original Equipment Suppliers Association.
Bill Seeks To Ease Increases In Auto Insurance Rates Channel Oklahoma.com - Representative Files Measure That Would Lower Minimum Coverage Levels

January 10, 2005

State Farm Mutual to pay $40 million in multistate settlement Newsday.com - Thousands of automobile owners nationwide will share in a $40 million settlement with State Farm Mutual Insurance Co. over the company's handling of titles to vehicles totaled in accidents.
Iowa Office of Attorney General Press Release concerning State Farm
NYS Office of Attorney General Press Release concerning State Farm
Maryland Office of Attorney General Press Release concerning State Farm
Copart Announces VB2 Internet Tech Demo Auction Business Wire - Copart, Inc. today announced a Technology Demonstration Auction showcasing its real-time VB2 Internet auction-style product -- enabling buyers to bid on more than 100 items and to experience the features that have driven the success of VB2 in the salvage vehicle auction industry.
GM's Wagoner says automaker to cut US workforce again in 2005 WOOD-TV - That means about eight-thousand hourly and salaried positions at G-M will be eliminated through attrition and retirement over the next 12 months.
U.S. Vehicle Recalls Rise 61 Percent in 2004 to Record 30.7 Mln Bloomberg - General Motors Corp., Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and other automakers recalled a record 30.7 million vehicles in the U.S. last year, increasing costs and further diminishing public perception of auto quality.
Concept designs offer hints of the future DetNews.com - Automakers experiment with technologies to meet the demands for speed and reduced emissions.
Nissan Begins Production of All-New 2005 Xterra The Lincoln Tribune - To the applause of employees who built it, the first 2005 Nissan Xterra rolled off the Smyrna manufacturing assembly line today, the latest in a series of three truck-based products that have been significantly updated for the 2005 model year.
Car Makers Eye Options Overseas Tampa Tribune - China, India and Eastern Europe will take more jobs away from the Western world's car workers over the next 10 years, as the automotive industry moves its parts- making operations from industrialized countries, the U.N. labor agency said Friday.
Attorney general files suit against dealership Council Bluffs Daily Nonpareil - Miller alleged that Dan Nelson Automotive perpetrates a predatory system, aggravated by the poor condition of the vehicles, in-house warranties offered by the defendants that often are not honored in a timely manner, and repair work that is substandard.
aa-auto-parts.com Announces the Launch of a New Website eMediaWire - While online shoppers are looking for that hard to find All Kinds of Auto Parts, Auto Accessories and Truck Accessories for their vehicle, many may find it difficult and not know where to go or look because there are so many options to choose from.
High-tech tweaks make driving a bit easier DetNews.com - Airless tires drop need to monitor pressure and seating concepts add comfort.
Pep Boys Reorganizes Field Operations; Provides Increased Focus on Retail and Service Businesses Business Wire - The Pep Boys - Manny, Moe & Jack, the nation's leading full-service automotive aftermarket chain, announced the restructuring of its field management team into separate Retail and Service organizations. Other than expected improvements in execution, this restructuring is expected to be transparent to our customers. Approximately 30 Pep Boys employees are affected, none in our stores.
Insurance rates tied to credit risk fought The News Journal - Del. commissioner vows to support bill

January 7, 2005

Rash of headlight thefts spreads to Stamford Stamford Advocate - City police are investigating a series of thefts of Xenon headlights from high-end cars, marking the first appearance in Stamford of a crime that has plagued nearby areas, police said yesterday. -- Police believe some auto body shops buy the lights and resell them at higher prices.
Auto icon out to prove he's still got the magic DetNews.com - Critics press GM's Lutz for results
Higher profits a couple of years away, auto execs say DetNews.com - The same executives also forecast what many other industry observers see happening in the next few years: little or no global market-share gains for North American manufacturers _ namely the Big Three _ but continued expansion by Asian brands.
"How's Your Business?" ASA - Through the generosity of ASA members and their commitment to the industry, the 2004 How's Your Business survey provides a detailed picture of the independent automotive repair industry. -- See how collision & mechanical repair facilities are doing in terms of sales, profits, salaries and other industry issues.
U.S. Congress Continues to Expand Its Review of Insurance Regulations ASA - The U.S. Congress continues to expand its review of how the insurance industry is regulated. After exhaustive hearings in the 108th Congress by the U.S. House of Representatives Financial Services Committee and a hearing by the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee, the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Financial Management, Budget and International Security held a hearing on insurance practices.
ABRA's Rick Assumes Regional Sales and Education Position Business Wire - ABRA Auto Body & Glass, a national damaged vehicle repair company located in Minneapolis, announced today the appointment of Robert Rick as Regional Vice President of Sales and Continuing Education. Rick will be based in Milwaukee, and within this position will direct and develop a sales team to build business relationships with ABRA's customers, insurance partners and dealerships, as well as develop and teach Continuing Education for internal and external partners.
Big Brother Takes the Wheel to Improve Driver Safety Ergoweb - One car manufacturer is looking at a way to help curb the distraction problem by helping drivers stay focused through a safety system that monitors the driver’s eye and head movements. According to ergonomists at Saab, it’s a safety enhancement that looks at what drivers are actually doing behind the wheel rather than what the drivers should be doing. -- Saab’s answer is a system which will monitor drivers via two miniature cameras fitted with infra-red lenses, looking for eye and head movement.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Opening of New Facility in Tukwila, Washington Business Wire - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of automotive salvage and claims processing services in the United States, today announced the opening of a new facility in Tukwila, Washington. Located approximately 10 miles southeast of downtown Seattle, the Tukwila facility is the result of a relocation of IAA's Woodinville, Washington auto salvage operation.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. to Present at Needham & & Company Growth Conference Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc., today announced that Githesh Ramamurthy, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, will address analysts and portfolio managers at Needham & Company's 7th Annual Growth Conference in New York on Tuesday, January 11, 2005 at 10:00am EST. Approximately 400 companies will be presenting at the Conference from January 10 - 14 at the New York Palace Hotel.
PPG Names Morales Director of Investor Relations Business Wire - Vince Morales, with 20 years of finance and financial management experience at PPG Industries, has been named the company's director of investor relations.
Solutia Automotive Announces Second Use of Advanced Acoustic Interlayer in GM 'QuietTuning' System PRNewswire-FirstCall - Solutia Automotive (Solutia), leading supplier of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer products for glass to the automotive industry, announced today that Vanceva(TM) Quiet, its advanced acoustic interlayer, is being used in the Buick LaCrosse, the vehicle set to replace the Regal and Century this fall. Solutia will also supply its Saflex(R) PVB interlayer for the front side windows.
Carlisle Companies Announces Plan to Exit the Automotive Business Business Wire - Carlisle Companies Incorporated announced today that it will exit the Company's automotive business, Carlisle Engineered Products. Carlisle will immediately account for the operations of the automotive business as part of its discontinued operations and anticipates that it will record a 2004 fourth quarter non-cash loss, net of taxes, not to exceed $30 million.
Kwik Fit looks for 20% business growth from £2m call centre upgrade Computer Weekly - The financial services arm of car repair company Kwik Fit has upgraded its call centre technology in a bid to grow its business by 20% during 2005.
Auto supplier will close Brighton plant MLive.com -TRW decision came without warning, union official says
Man returning to New York to face insurance fraud charges Newsday.com - A former upstate New York insurance adjuster is returning to face charges that he created more than $100,000 in false claims, state and federal authorities said.
New Ohio law puts ceiling on lawsuits Cincinnati Enquirer - Businesses sued over workplace injuries, defective products or car crashes have long hoped a bill limiting personal injury lawsuits might help lower their insurance premiums.
Toyota Motor North America Announces Additional Contributions To Tsunami Relief PRNewswire - Company Believes Total Global Contribution Will Exceed $4 Million
AAA to Donate up to $250,000 for Tsunami Relief Effort Business Wire - AAA of Northern California, Nevada and Utah announced that it will match employee and member donations up to a total $250,000 to the American Red Cross International Response Fund to provide emergency aid to victims of the recent disaster in Southern Asia.
Dofasco and its Employees Donate $110,000 to the Red Cross South Asia Earthquake and Tsunami Relief Fund PRNewswire - The company's Employee Donations Fund is contributing an additional $10,000 to the Red Cross relief effort. Dofasco is also facilitating the collection of personal donations by company employees who wish to make further contributions.
Johnson Controls Donates $1 million to UNICEF for Disaster Relief in Asia PRNewswire - Johnson Controls announced it will donate $1 million to UNICEF to provide relief to those devastated by the deadly earthquake and tsunami in Southeast Asia.
Magna and CAW donate to South Asia disaster relief canplastics.com - Tier One automotive supplier Magna International (Aurora, ON) has donated US$100,000 to the Canadian Red Cross to provide relief for victims of the earthquake and tsunami in South Asia.
State Farm pledges $1 million Pantagraph - Insurer also will match donations for tsunami relief

January 6, 2005

Wheels, Inc. Awarded I-CAR Gold Class Professionals(R) Status for Third Consecutive Year PRNewswire - Wheels, Inc., a leader in the multi-billion-dollar fleet-leasing industry, announced today that it has been awarded Gold Class Professionals(R) status, the highest recognition for training in the collision industry, by the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), for the third consecutive year.
Alert: Insurance Scams Consumers Should Watch for in 2005 PRNewswire - Windshield fraud, fake health insurance, insurance-agent scams and stolen airbags are among the eight insurance swindles consumers must watch for in 2005, the Coalition Against Insurance Fraud forecasts.
Auto insurer sues to challenge high-risk driver rules Boston Globe - Commerce says insurance chief exceeded authority
Internet car-theft ring unplugged NY Daily News - City cops have smashed a national car theft ring that chopped up hot wheels and peddled the parts on eBay, law enforcement sources said yesterday. -- The probe traced hundreds of stolen parts as they were auctioned off on the popular Internet site.
Automotive Suppliers Support Anti-Counterfeiting Legislation; Rep. Knollenberg and the Michigan Congressional Delegation Lead the Way Market Wire - The "Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act," H.R. 32, would strengthen the existing law by closing loopholes that can allow counterfeiters to avoid prosecution, maintain control of assets for criminal enterprises and unjustly profit from their illegal activities. This legislation would grant trademark owners remedies similar to those already provided to copyright and trade secret owners.
Auto Centrix, Inc. Announces Completion Phase Of Automotive VIN Explosion Software Business Wire - VIN Software Is Expected To Distribute And Manage Vehicle Information More Rapidly And Accurately
Automotive repair, parts owner buys old lock plant Record-Journal - Archangelo wants to convert most of the space into a parts warehouse and distribution center for his auto parts business. Salvaged automobiles are stripped at nearby Chuck and Eddie's for cataloging and storing in the warehouse.
Winter Driving: Facts From Fiction CBS - Severe winter weather often poses a dangerous risk to drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, you are 36 percent more likely to be in a car accident in January than July.
DCX puts brakes on concept car The Detroit News - Chrysler sports vehicle costs too much to mass produce while the firm is rebuilding, official says.
Chevy retools Impala to take on new rivals The Detroit News - Chevrolet's workhorse in the competitive midsize car segment is getting some new muscle as part of a makeover to do battle with new rivals from Ford and Dodge.
CEO of Mitsubishi N.A. resigns Baltimore Sun - 'I didn't bail out,' he says of leaving after 16 months
Society of Automotive Analysts' 2005 Automotive Outlook Conference Features Stallkamp and Bruynesteyn as Headliners PRNewswire - The Society of Automotive Analysts (SAA) -- in partnership with WJR Radio (760AM) -- will present its 17th annual Automotive Outlook Conference Tuesday, January 11, 2005 in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The theme of this year's conference is "Survival in the Auto Industry: What's It Going To Take?"
Distracted driving claiming more lives Concord Monitor - Cell phones, radios, passengers blamed
Franchisee Verdict Rattles Insurers NU Online News Service - A Connecticut federal court jury verdict that found an insurance agent to be a business "franchisee" with all the legal benefits may have national implications in coming months, a legal observer said. -- On Dec. 9, a $2.3 million verdict was handed down against the Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Insurance Company in the Connecticut federal court for dismissing one of its exclusive agents.

January 5, 2005

eAutoclaims and GreenLeaf Auto Recyclers Announce Automated Parts Estimate Review and Technology Agreement PRNewswire - The technology agreement for EMS estimate part searches powered by eAutoclaims' eDataTransfer(TM) streamlines the recycled parts procurement process and improves recycled parts utilization. "Automated Parts Review" and parts sourcing is provided through the GreenLeaf online "Rapid Parts Locating System" and the GreenLeaf America Call Center.
Venue aims for spotlight as major design showcase DetNews.com - Annual exhibit shifts its focus to stand out from exhibit rivals. -- The show's media preview begins today with the debut of the new Ford Mustang convertible, Pontiac Torrent SUV, Pontiac G6 coupe and convertible, and Volkswagen's fifth-generation Jetta sedan.
Carmakers staggered by record '04 recalls DetNews.com - More than 30 million recalled cars and trucks dent quality image, bottom line.
Public gets its chance to talk about how to cut emissions Enquirer - The Kentucky Division for Air Quality in the Environment and Public Protection Cabinet has proposed ending the tests while requiring auto body shops to use high-pressure spray nozzles that reduce paint emissions.
Local Thieves Target White Jettas WGAL - Police in Lancaster and Lebanon counties are investigating a car theft ring targeting one kind of car.
Solutia Forms Vydyne Automotive Global Team, Plans to Increase Nylon Product Offering to Auto Industry PRNewswire-FirstCall - Solutia Inc. today announced the formation of the Vydyne Automotive global development team, aimed at increasing its presence in the global automotive segment.
Hit-and-hide policy Nation Newspaper Barbados - Some vehicle owners are digging into their pockets to pay for their own accident repairs and avoid higher premiums from insurers. Local garages are reporting that the prevalence of this practice ranges from 25 per cent to 70 per cent of their collision repair business.
December Tip Pushes HEAT to $40 Million in Recovered Stolen Vehicles and Property PRNewswire - A telephone tip received by HEAT (Help Eliminate Auto Thefts) in December led to the recovery of approximately $24,000 in stolen automobiles and parts from a Detroit chop shop. This latest bust pushed the 20-year-old program to more than $40 million in total recovered property.
Insurers Settle With Goodyear NY Times - The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company won a $159 million settlement from insurance companies that failed to pay costs for environmental cleanups dating back decades.

January 4, 2005

Custom van comeback? Press-Telegram - Car makers spend big to revive market for personalized rides.
Jaguar seeks cash from Ford CBS MarketWatch - Jaguar Cars is negotiating with parent company Ford Motor Co. for additional capital, after the British car maker took a $1.03 billion charge to cover the cost of abandoning its growth strategy, according to a report published Tuesday.
US auto parts makers expected to feel impact of lower production CBC News - Shares of auto-parts makers tumbled in Monday trading after a Robert W. Baird & Co. analyst cut investment ratings on four companies and forecast lower results this year on plans from America's largest auto manufacturers to produce fewer vehicles in early 2005.
MAACO in Modesto hits $1M in sales again Modesto Bee - A record number of MAACO franchises -- 125 out of 500 -- reached the million dollar milestone this year. The Kansas Avenue facility achieved this milestone for the sixth time.
MAACO Man Rewarded for $1-Million in Sales Winnepeg Sun - Ryan Shwaykosky is flashing a little bling after his Maaco Collision Repair outlet reached $1 million in sales in 2004.
Ice warms hearts of body shops Wisconsin State Journal - Ice storms over the weekend, which resulted in scores of car crashes throughout Dane County, including serious ones, will mean big business to Madison-area body shops, owners say.
Not so great news: Geico gets its share of complaints Newsday - The state took a gentle poke at the gecko - advertising mascot for auto insurer Geico, which touts a high customer satisfaction - as part of an annual ranking based on complaints upheld by New York's regulators.
Credit-score disclosure Seattle PI - Insurance companies using individual consumers' credit history as a factor in setting their premium rates remains an unreasonable practice. Under a new rule issued last week by Insurance Commissioner Mike Kreidler, the unreasonable may no longer also be the unexplained.
Romney signs bill to crack down on auto insurance fraud in Mass. Eagle Boston Bureau - With bipartisan support, a bill aimed at cracking down on auto insurance fraud became law yesterday and officials hope it will lead to a complete overhaul of the state's costly auto insurance system.

January 3, 2005

Automakers woo buyers with safety appeal Boston Globe - In a wide variety of vehicles, automakers are beginning to include electronic stability control, antirollover sensors, and a top-to-bottom, front-to-rear cocoon of airbags.
Pimpin' ain't easy Flint Journal - Want to give your ride some style? Open your wallet wide
Formore Sport-utility Vehicle Pulled From Detroit Auto Show TheDay - DaimlerChrysler AG's Smart division has canceled plans to unveil its small Formore sport-utility vehicle at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January, a decision that raises questions about whether the popular European small-car brand will go on sale in the United States.
Auto Parts Plant To Close; 300 Jobs To Be Lost The Indy Channel - An automotive plant in Greencastle will halt production by the end of March, ending the jobs of more than 300 people.
Auto Experts Compare Hidden Costs Of Cars ClickOnDetroit.com - When you visit the North American International Auto Show in two weeks, you may be checking out sticker prices. -- What the sticker won't tell you is the hidden costs that add up once you take the vehicle home.
First Chinese cars to hit U.S. shores DetNews.com - A newlyformed company led by auto entrepreneur Malcolm Bricklin and the investment banking firm Allen & Co. has signed the first-ever deal to import cars made in China for sale in the United States.
Toyota chief says sales, production to expand Detroit Free Press - Cho is expanding production in the United States, eastern Europe and Asia, in part to boost global market share and meet its sales forecast of 8.5 million vehicles in 2006.
Amica tops auto insurance customer service rankings Newsday - A relatively small insurer in the New York market, Amica Mutual Insurance Co., ranks best in the state Insurance Department's annual list based on automobile insurance complaints.
States vs. US: Who Will Police Insurance Firms? The Ledger - Insurance has long been regulated state by state, generally by officials who are woefully outmatched in money and expertise by the companies they are supposed to oversee. But the question increasingly confronting the state regulators is whether they can transform themselves into strong, effective overseers or whether their job or aspects of it should be turned over to Washington.

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