CCC and MOTOR Expand Relationship Business Wire - Through the
agreement, CCC will begin selling the entire line of MOTOR Crash Estimating
Guides and Repair Manuals to the bodyshop market, further expanding its suite
of estimating products for repairers. CCC, a subsidiary of CCC Information
Services Group, is a leading supplier of information and technology software
and services to the automotive-claims and collision repair industries.
Knight In Shining Armor AutoGlass Online - A dedicated band led by Marc
Anderson wants to take insurers and third-party administrators to court
nationwide
Chrysler
outpaces GM, Ford Detroit News -DaimlerChrysler profits soar fivefold
with strong new-model rollout
Visteon Joins Autosar PRNewswire-FirstCall - Visteon Corporation
has become the latest premium member of the Autosar partnership (AUTomotive
Open System ARchitecture) -- the co-operative alliance set up by vehicle
manufacturers and suppliers to develop and establish an open industry standard
for automotive electronic and electrical architecture.
FinishMaster Announces Second Quarter Financial Results, an Acquisition, and
Change of Auditors Business Wire - FinishMaster, Inc. reported
that net income for the second quarter of 2004 was $3,163,000, or $0.41 per
share, compared with net income of $2,971,000, or $0.38 per share, in the prior
year period. For the six months ended June 30, 2004, net income was $6,445,000,
or $0.83 per share, compared to net income of $5,744,000, or $0.73 per share,
in the prior year period.
Local
auto repair shops prepare for new inspection equipment Hornell Evening
Tribune, NY - A throng of local automobile service station owners and
employees gathered at the shop from 3-7 p.m. for demonstrations on how to use
the vehicle emissions equipment. While most said it was a good idea, they also
noted increasing inspection costs are hurting them.
Fiat Sells Midas Repair Shops for $57 MlnReuters - Italy's Fiat said
on Thursday it had sold its car service network Midas in Europe and South
America for 47.5 million euros to French group Norauto, the latest in a string
of asset sales by the industrial group.
LKQ Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2004 Results Business Wire -
LKQ Corporation reported results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2004,
with revenue of $104.9 million and net income of $5.3 million, representing
growth over the second quarter of 2003 of 29.5% and 29.7%, respectively. --
"Our Action Crash Parts division, an aftermarket collision automotive
replacement parts company we acquired in the first quarter of 2004, contributed
$17.2 million of revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2004 with a related
gross margin of 44.3%."
Car insurance rates are falling MSN Money - Insurers' profits have
rebounded, and some have begun to cut premiums for low-risk drivers. Unless a
full-scale price war erupts, though, you may have to do some searching.
July 29, 2004
New program offers ease of repair zwire.com - In what may be part of a
new customer service trend in the automobile insurance industry,
Massachusetts-based Plymouth Rock Insurance Co. recently rolled out its
"Door-to-Door" program in Connecticut.
Rising steel, gas prices hit carmakers CBS MarketWatch - "The big
automakers are clearly getting squeezed," said Paul Taylor, chief economist for
the National Automobile Dealers Association. "They have rising costs on the
materials side, and cutthroat competition on the pricing side."
Driven to
Questions Salt Lake Weekly - County fleet managers cleared of faking
repairs; review panel has concerns.
ASA Announces Two
New Partnerships ASA - The Automotive Service Association (ASA)
announces two new partnership agreements. Partnerships with the Automotive
Service Councils of California and the Florida Automotive Trades Association
were recently approved and ratified by ASA's board of directors.
Air Bag
Dangers KATC - Airbags deploy at about two "hundred" miles an hour.
Your car should have air bag "safety" precautions on the visor.
'Newsday' Drops Auto Advertisers Who Are Suing Paper Editor & Publisher
- The group of 50 auto dealers that sued Newsday of Melville, N.Y., has learned
that they can no longer advertise with the paper. A letter issued by Newsday
Executive Vice President and General Manager John McKeon to one of the dealers
said that because of the litigation filed, "Newsday will no longer accept
advertising from your organization effective Friday, July 30."
New Orleans man is
arrested in insurance scam KATC - State police have arrested a
27-year-old New Orleans man on felony counts of forgery and insurance fraud.
They say he manufactured and sold fake automobile insurance cards for 70
dollars each.
Sonic earnings up 5% Charlotte Business Journal - Sonic Automotive Inc.
reports second-quarter earnings of $30 million, or 70 cents per diluted share,
up 5% from $28.5 million, or 68 cents per diluted share, in the same period
last year.
GM plans
high-powered Hummer Detroit News - Firm plans to add power, improve
emissions and off-road capabilities of $100,000 H1
Demand
drives U.S. Steel profits higher Detroit News - U.S. Steel Corp.
second-quarter profits surged on rising demand, higher steel prices and
increased sales driven by its acquisition of National Steel last year, the
company said Tuesday.
State Farm to ax at least 500 Jobs Frederick, Md. (AP) - State Farm
Insurance said Tuesday it will cut at least 500 jobs in the Middle Atlantic
region over the next 2 1/2 years by consolidating operations and closing claims
offices.
Toyota Recalling
128,316 Camry Sedans Yahoo News - Involved in the recall are Camry
sedans from model years 2002-2004 that have optional side air bags. The defect
hasn't been blamed for any deaths or injuries, Toyota spokeswoman Julie Alfonso
said. A supplier discovered the defect.
Tower Automotive to Transfer Production to Milan, Tennessee
Business Wire - "The transfer of this product is part of a restructuring of our
North American operations to gain production efficiencies and strengthen our
competitiveness," said Tom Pitser, Tower Automotive's leader of North American
operations.
'Onstar' failure leaves
Metro man puzzled KFOR - From the "In Your Corner" hotline comes a call
from a man who has problems with "Onstar," the popular car rescue system.
Toyota RAV4
rates tops for safety with air bags Indy Star - The Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety said the RAV4 was the first vehicle to earn its "best pick"
designation for both front and side tests. The institute began performing
side-impact crash tests last year.
Delco Remy
changing its name Indy Star - Delco Remy International, Inc., will
change its corporate name to Remy International, Inc., effective August 1,
marking the 10th anniversary as a separate company from General Motors
Corporation.
Deal struck in auto parts strike Seattle PI - A tentative deal was
reached on Monday afternoon in an auto parts strike that shut down two General
Motors Corp. car assembly plants in Canada, idling 6,000 workers.
Body shop opens another branch Kinston Free Press - “This has been a
strange year,” Bianca Murphy said. “We started out really busy, and then it
slowed down and picked up again. It’s been more up and down this year, but I
feel that the quality of our work and our honesty has kept us in business.”
ABRA Announces Management Reorganization Business Wire - ABRA Auto Body
& Glass, a national damaged vehicle repair company based in Minneapolis,
announced today the reorganization of its executive management team.
St.
Paul Travelers to Cut 3,000 Jobs Insurance Journal - St. Paul Travelers
Cos. plans to cut 3,000 jobs so it can deliver the savings that executives
promised to investors when The St. Paul Cos. merged with the Travelers Property
Casualty Corp.
Ohio car insurance firm selects Injury Sciences' 'black box' product
San Antontio Business Journal - Injury Sciences' EDR InSight provides insurance
companies with "black box" data in order to analyze automobile accidents. It
records such information as the vehicle and engine speed before impact,
throttle position, braking activity and severity of impact.
July 26, 2004
Akzo's Car Refinish Expands U.S. Education Endowment Inside Paint -
Akzo Nobel’s Car Refinishes business in the USA has expanded the education
endowment it awards to an initiative designed to help women pursue careers in
the collision repair industry.
IGA Takes First Step in Legal Campaign GlassBYTES - The IGA has
announced the first step in its legal campaign to change industry practices,
focusing this move on the language used by some Third Party Administrators
(TPAs) and/or insurers in telephone scripts for initial claims.
I-CAR
Proposes Career Promotion Autobody Online - Tom McGee would like
everyone in the collision industry to ask themselves two questions: What led
you to get into this industry, and did you ever expect when you started out to
be doing what you’re doing now?
Study:
Owners find hybrid engine trouble Detroit News - The most
fuel-efficient vehicles — diesels and gas-electric hybrids — have more engine
problems than similar gasoline-power vehicles, says a study of owners’
experience with 2001 models.
Ford to Add SUV
Anti-Rollover Measures Yahoo News - Called roll stability control, the
system reacts automatically when a vehicle begins to tilt. It seeks to right
the vehicle by automatically slowing the engine and gently activating the
brakes.
Most
auto suppliers show quarterly gains Detroit News - Automotive suppliers
Lear Corp. and American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. reported record
second-quarter financial results Thursday, while Visteon Corp. posted improved
financial results during the period. Federal-Mogul Corp.’s second quarter loss
widened.
Kreations' Bradley to receive auto building award The Times-Standard -
Kevin Bradley describes his life as "crazy right now." -- The Fortuna
resident who runs Kreations auto body shop in Rio Dell hosted an open house at
his business Friday night in conjunction with the opening of the Fortuna
Redwood Autorama that included "five gorgeous cars" he has recently built for
his jet-set customers.
Fuel-system cleaner could fix broken gas gauges Courier-Journal - A
simple bottle of fuel-system cleaning solution may fix broken gas-gauge sensors
in many of the cars affected in May by tainted gasoline from Marathon Ashland
Petroleum in April, the company said.
Car
parts workers left in limbo The Guardian - Uncertainty surrounded more
than 2,000 workers' pension arrangements last night, after the administrators
for US car parts maker Federal Mogul applied to switch British staff into a new
scheme.
Visteon earns
$31 million in second quarter Detroit Free Press - The Dearborn-based
auto supplier said Thursday its net income per share in the April to June
period was 24 cents in contrast to a loss a year ago of $1.33 a share. The
latest results included after-tax special charges of $3 million.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Second Quarter Results PRNewswire -
Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of automotive salvage and
claims processing services in the United States, today reported higher net
earnings for the quarter ended June 27, 2004.
DaimlerChrysler board to take 10 pct pay cut Yahoo News - Juergen
Schrempp said the board's total remuneration packages would be cut, and that
3,000 managers in Germany would also have their packages reduced as part of the
cost-cutting program.
Students
apply lessons 'at work' Pantagraph.com - It may have seemed a little
out of the ordinary: a State Farm Insurance claims instructor going over an
auto accident liability investigation scenario with a group of middle school
students.
Officials: W.Va. costly car insurance state News and Sentinel - For
automobile insurance providers, West Virginia is an expensive place to do
business and residents are picking up the tab, officials said.
Auto insurance case settlements could lead to $680M in NC refunds
Raleigh Triangle Business Journal - North Carolina drivers who might have been
overcharged for their personal auto insurance will receive up to $680 million
this fall after the resolution of three auto insurance rate cases, the state
Department of Insurance said Thursday.
July 22, 2004
Court Upholds Air-Bag Crash Test Standard Reuters - In a victory for
the auto industry and U.S. regulators, a federal appeals court on Tuesday
upheld a government standard for air-bag safety against a consumer group's
challenge that it was unsafe.
Fake car parts can cost you your life Independent Online South Africa -
The South African motor industry has slammed the fitting of counterfeit
replacement parts to vehicles, saying that the practice was a threat to life
and limb and had now reached epidemic proportions.
Serving Up Car Repair PRNewswire - Have you ever wondered what it would
be like to visit an auto repair shop and feel good about it? Well, thanks to
smiling faces and an all-around warm and cozy atmosphere, you can finally
experience just that.
Auto
repair going more high-tech at Vanden High Fairfield Daily Republic -
The Solano County Regional Occupational Program and the Travis school district
are revamping Vanden's auto mechanic class into a two-year program. Students
who complete the program can apply for Automotive Service Excellence
certification - which is a nationally recognized credential that shows the
mechanic has met certain industry standards.
GM profit rises, July sales seen stronger Reuters - General Motors
Corp. on Wednesday posted a 49 percent rise in quarterly earnings, boosted by
record results at its credit arm and stronger profits from its automotive
business.
Aztec
expands Ford product line Southgate News Herald - The company announced
earlier this month that it received contracts from Dana Corp. and Visteon to
produce parts for the 2005 F-Series Super Duty pickup and the 2005 Mustang.
ICBC and Speedy Glass Reach SettlementGlassBYTES - Insurance
Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and Autostock International's Speedy
Glass business unit have announced a settlement agreement in the action brought
by ICBC against Speedy for failure to comply with ICBC's Glass Express program
policies.
Calif. Patients Sue Insurers for 'Balance Billing'Reuters - The
practice of "balance billing," in which hospitals bill patients to boost low
insurance reimbursement rates, has came under an attack in a proposed class
action filed on behalf of California consumers. -- Ronald Allen Gass suffered a
spinal cord injury in a 1997 rollover accident in which his car's roof
collapsed, resulting in a hospital stay and physical therapy. He sued the car
maker and won a $2.3 million judgment but the hospital placed a $53,000 lien on
the jury award. Gass paid the hospital $36,000 to release the lien, the lawsuit
said.
July 21, 2004
Mixed results so far for U.S. auto parts makers Reuters - Key for the
auto parts sector in the future will be how much automakers trim production of
new vehicles in the second half of the year to allow the marketplace to absorb
the glut of cars and trucks already out there.
ADP Claims Services Group Announces Autosource(R) Will Include Experian
Automotive's Salvage, Title Checks PRNewswire - ADP Claims Services
Group, a leading provider of integrated business solutions for the property and
casualty, collision repair and automotive recycling industries, announced today
Autosource, the world's largest database of "for sale" vehicle valuation
information, has expanded to include salvage check and state title information,
powered by Experian Automotive's AutoCheck(SM).
Car Part Maker
Johnson Controls Profit Up Reuters - Automotive group sales of seating,
interiors and batteries climbed 16 percent in the fiscal third quarter despite
challenging industry conditions, the Milwaukee-based company said. It also
confirmed its full-year profit forecast.
NY Looks To Bring Down Auto Insurance Rates ZWire - In an effort to aid
more than 337,000 New York State drivers and lower their insurance payments,
Governor George Pataki announced a 2% decrease in auto insurance premiums for
drivers with coverage under the New York Assigned Risk Plan. The announcement,
according to Pataki's administration, is part of his effort to "fight insurance
fraud."
400 to 500 jobs in works at State Farm Birmingham Business Journal -
The Birmingham office of State Farm will expand by 400 to 500 jobs beginning
next month. The hiring, a company official says, could take about two years to
complete.
Allstate's All Right
The Motley Fool - Earnings at the nation's second-largest property-casualty
insurer soared 76% to $1.03 billion, handily outpacing forecasts of $1.15 per
share by $0.32 on revenues of $8.3 billion. Underwriting income skyrocketed to
$888 million from $181 million the year before, aided in part by catastrophe
losses that were more than halved to $248 million.
Insurance-agent scams Consumer Reports - Every year, the North American
Securities Administrators Association, a group of state investment regulators,
publishes its list of “Top 10 Scams, Schemes & Scandals.” For 2004, 3 of the 10
scams--Ponzi schemes (No. 1), promissory notes (No. 3), and prime bank schemes
(No. 7)--not to mention viatical settlements, a fraud of yesteryear, have been
closely linked to No. 6 on the list: insurance agents.
US
scandal firms' former directors still in demand Yahoo News - Former
board members of scandal-hit companies such as Enron and WorldCom once seem
destined to become corporate pariahs, viewed as inept or worse. -- But for
some, the reality has been quite different.
July 20, 2004
Ford Posts Profit of
$1.2B in 2Q WTOP - Ford Motor Co.'s profit nearly tripled in the second
quarter from a year ago, lifted by record earnings at its finance arm and
improved business in Europe.
Ford:
Health costs could drive investment overseas Detroit News - If U.S.
health care costs continue to soar, Detroit automakers may be forced to invest
overseas rather than the United States to remain competitive, Ford Motor Co.
Vice Chairman Allan Gilmour said in a speech Monday.
Delphi
trims positions Detroit News - Troy auto supplier uses early retirement
to cut more hourly staff by 500 to 1,000 jobs
There's motor oil pumping in their veins Press Telegram - New
technology has become key for garages and auto mechanics to survive as cars
become virtual rolling computers.
Fire damages auto repair, glass shops Grand Rapids Press - Fire
officials weren't sure of the cause of the fire at the building that houses
Precision Auto Body and Excel Glass and Door at 3730 Chicago Drive.
Keystone
Automotive Industries Board Members to Retire at Annual Meeting in August; New
Directors NominatedPrime Zone - Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc.
announced that in addition to the retirement of Charles J. Hogarty, as
previously announced, board members Al Ronco and Ron Brown have informed the
company of their decision not to stand for re-election at Keystone's annual
meeting to be held in August 2004. The company said it has nominated James
Robert Gerrity and newly appointed chief executive officer Richard Keister to
fill two of three board vacancies.
Visteon
aims to build share in collision repair parts Auto Industry UK -
Jacques de Landonchamps, the newly appointed general manager of Visteon's
European and South American aftermarket business, has said that a company
objective is to "become one of the top European independent aftermarket players
for crash parts."
AIAG Offers Training to Prevent Automotive Supply Chain Disruption
PRNewswire - In a continuing effort to strengthen the supply chain, the
Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) launches training for crisis management
and business recovery -- the first of its kind for the automotive industry.
Lemoine exonerated of charges, says hit-and-run incident was a 'scam'
Metro West Daily News - An eagle-eyed insurance claims adjuster yesterday ended
more than a year of "torture" for former Planning Board Chairwoman Helen
Lemoine, who was cleared of wrongdoing in an alleged hit-and-run accident.
Feds aim
to curb auto crashes Detroit News - NHTSA's emphasis on accident
prevention has some worried collision protection will suffer
Ford
recalls 899,060 Taurus and Sable vehicles Detroit News - Ford Motor Co.
is recalling 899,060 Ford Taurus and Mercury Sable sedans in cold weather
states because salt from the roads could corrode and fracture the cars’ front
coil springs, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Friday.
Beware of What You Ask For Autobody Online - Now before we get into
this I think I need to explain a few things to you folks who read what I write,
but don't know me personally. It is my stance that I want every legitimate
collision shop owner in this country to make a good profit and stay in
business.
Highway
Robbery The Buffalo News - A growing network of criminals who stage
traffic accidents is pushing auto insurance rates skyward
Dents, dings disappear with paintless precision Waterloo Cedar Falls
Courier - Auto body repair shops are sending employees for training in
the art of metal massaging. The technique is used to repair small vehicle dents
for a fraction of the cost of traditional restoration.
Zen and
the art of body work The Union Leader - Auto body repair specialist by
trade — heads into his studio to wrestle with 200 pounds of steel that will
emerge from his creative crucible all soothing curves and shimmering,
iridescent shades with colors that shift and change, much like light through a
prism.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Second Quarter 2004 Earnings Conference CallPRNewswire - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of
automotive salvage and claims processing services in the United States, will
hold a conference call with institutional investors, security analysts and
other interested parties at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time on Friday, July 23,
2004 to discuss its second quarter results, which will be released earlier that
day.
Allstate's Liddy Uses Computers to Lower Risks, Raise Earnings
Bloomberg - Allstate Corp. Chief Executive Officer Edward Liddy may report a
ninth quarter of profit growth, helped by a computer system that lets the
second-biggest U.S. auto insurer spot the most profitable customers.
Delphi Posts Profit But Also WarnsReuters - Automotive parts supplier
Delphi Corp. on Friday posted higher second-quarter earnings, but warned it
could report a loss in the third quarter due to production cuts by major
automakers.
Auto parts stores cautious after cool, slow JuneReuters - Two leading
auto parts chains issued cautious profit outlooks on Thursday after cool
weather caused fewer cars to break down in June, hurting sales.
Local Auto Experts Presented with Plaques Register News - During
Monday's City Commission meeting, Sgt. Ken Moretz and Commissioner James Lynch
presented plaques to Tony Cashman, Norman's Glass, Upholstery and Stereo and Ed
& Guy's Auto Body for helping to make the department's only DARE car not only
presentable, but downright cool.
Research and Markets: The Automotive Technology Roadmap Business Wire -
The emergence of new technology and process innovations is enabling an
explosion both in the range and feature content of new products offered to
customers. To survive, let alone prosper in this highly competitive climate,
automotive OEMs and suppliers need to manage the processes of technology
development and innovation in an integrated manner within the context of a new
business model of product development.
Coatings Segment Spurs
Record Sales, Strong EPS Growth in PPG's Second QuarterYahoo
News - PPG Industries reported today second quarter net income of $183 million,
or $1.06 a share, which includes aftertax charges of $3 million, or 2 cents a
share, reflecting the previously announced decision to begin expensing stock
options in 2004, and $6 million, or 3 cents a share, to reflect the net
increase in the current value of the company's obligation under its asbestos
settlement agreement reported in May 2002. Sales for the second quarter of 2004
were $2.43 billion, a PPG record for any quarter.
DaimlerChrysler workers walk out over longer hoursReuters - Over
30,000 DaimlerChrysler employees in Germany stopped work on Thursday to protest
plans by the carmaker to make Mercedes staff work longer, employee
representatives said.
Quest Software Licenses GLAXIS Technology for New Point-of-Sale Solution
Business Wire - Using the new GLASSquote software, retail auto glass shops can
electronically receive work assignments from fleet or insurance claims managers
such as LYNX Services or request additional parts authorizations and approvals.
The direct connection reduces data entry, time spent on the telephone and
rejections in claims invoicing, all of which helps increase auto glass
installers' profitability and cash flow.
Volkswagen plans China auto parts joint venture Detroit News -
Volkswagen plans to invest about $172 million in a new auto parts joint venture
with its partner China FAW Group Corp., the German automaker said Wednesday.
July 14, 2004
Access to auto data is subject of bill Tribune-Review - "I just think
it's unbelievable. You create this data but you don't have any access to it,"
said state Rep. Ted Harhai, a Monessen Democrat who is sponsoring the House
bill. The legislation was referred last fall to the House Consumer Affairs
Committee.
Congress Looks At New
Auto Safety Bill KWWL - Highway safety advocates are urging Congress to
take action to reduce the number of highway deaths. They're proposing new
safety features for vehicles to reduce the number of rollovers and passenger
ejections.
Minivans may be
recalled Detroit Free Press - DaimlerChrysler AG's Chrysler Group faces
a U.S. investigation and potential recall of 418,783 of its 2002-model minivans
because of reports of audio-system fires.
Hoosier is at
top in auto industry Indy Star - Mentioned only a month earlier by
Chairman Bill Ford as someone who one day could lead the automaker, Ligocki,
now 47, left her job as Ford's vice president of customer service to become
president and chief executive of Tower, a growing but debt-laden auto parts
supplier that ranked 40th among competitors in global sales last year.
Careless document dump
Eyewitness News Investigation - Outside the Allstate insurance office in Vernon
there were documents with everything someone would need to steal your identity
and ruin your credit.
Keeping Data Under Lock & Key Smart Pros - Sometimes corporate
decisions, such as outsourcing, have unintended privacy consequences. "One
company outsourced a call center to the Ukraine at 22 percent of the call
center cost in the U.S.," recalls Dr. Larry Ponemon, chairman of the Ponemon
Institute. "But it was an IT sweatshop with no security controls, and people on
the inside were not making a lot of money, so when they saw they could sell
information for pennies or rubles, they did it." -- Privacy isn't cheap,
though, and sometimes the cost of privacy is a reduction of consumer choice, as
Nationwide Insurance discovered.
US prisons to
compete with Indian call centers Sify News - Competition is brewing for
Indian call centers from an unlikely source -- American prisons. -- While
companies benefit from wages as low as or lower than in popular outsourcing
countries such as the Philippines or India, they do not attract the adverse
media attention of jobs being exported. -- More than 150 inmates in a Virginia
prison build car parts for the automotive industry while elsewhere other
inmates make circuit boards, furniture, limousines, waterbeds and even
lingerie. Now, 12 states have reportedly ventured beyond the traditional goods
into the service industry with a head-on challenge to foreign call centers.
July 13, 2004
Stronger
auto roofs pushed Detroit News - Some 83 percent of Americans polled
want the federal government to require stronger light vehicle roofs to protect
passengers in rollover crashes, according to a national survey released Monday.
Firm
fosters composite part uses in autos Detroit News - In the two years
since it opened, Owens Corning’s Automotive Solutions Center has quickly
exceeded management expectations and helped widen the use of composite
materials in cars and trucks.
GenCorp drops auto unit, says it's in talks to sell it, takes $250M hit
Sacramento Business Journal - GenCorp Inc. of Rancho Cordova said Monday it's
negotiating to sell its money-losing GDX Automotive segment, which it has
reclassified as a discontinued business with a one-time hit to earnings of $250
million to $300 million in the second quarter.
6,000 German automobile workers may lose jobs Press Telegram - Germany
DaimlerChrysler will move production of future versions of its Mercedes-Benz
C-Class cars away from the company's biggest German plant costing 6,000 jobs
unless it gets about $620 million a year in cost savings, company executives
said Monday.
Bill on collision course over shift in auto repairs Boston Globe - The
plan for a top-to-bottom overhaul of the state's auto insurance system entered
contentious new territory last week as Beacon Hill lawmakers began considering
legislation that would dramatically change the way auto body repairs are
handled. -- The Legislature's Insurance Committee approved a bill that would
bar insurers from steering customers to favored body shops, would speed up the
appraisal process, and would set new quality standards for repair facilities.
Quality
Auto Body comes to aid of disabled war veterans Dunn County News - Last
fall, Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Tri-County Chapter 26 Commander Jerry
Merritt had an idea that would allow the older members to again be able to
participate in area parades.
“One Consumer’s Story” by John Yoswick AutoBodyOnline - Joe Maxwell,
the lieutenant governor of Missouri, was recently interviewed about his
experience with an auto claim.
Police
say car theft ring targeted luxury SUVs Access North Georgia - Glynn
County police have made four arrests in a southeast Georgia car parts theft
ring that for the last four months targeted luxury sport utility vehicles.
Local firefighters participate in safety course Herald-Mail - Western
Maryland Inter-Industry Collision Automotive Repair, a nonprofit organization
known as I-CAR, sponsored the course with support from State Farm Insurance,
Nationwide Insurance and Sharrett Collision Center.
Register for
AAPEX Online at a $40 Savings Business RPM - Registration for the
Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) – set for Tuesday, Nov. 2, through
Friday, Nov. 5, at the Sands Expo Center, Las Vegas, Nev. – is now open online.
Equipment
and Tool Institute Vertical Groups Gain New Leadership Business RPM -
Mike Cable, vice president, OEM sales, of Hickok, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio, has
accepted the position of Underhood Technology Group (UTG) chairman.-- Barry
Harrison, sales engineer of Bright Solutions, Inc., Troy, Mich. has been
appointed chairman of the Air Conditioning subcommittee. -- Tim Morgan,
director of technical services and training of Car-O-Liner, Wixom, Mich. has
been added to the Collision Repair Group (CRG) leadership as Technical
chairman.
Air bags
have saved 15,000 in 20 years Tallahassee Democrat - Dole, now a
Republican senator from North Carolina, said tying seat-belt use to air bags
made sense in an era when the national seat-belt-use rate was just 13 percent,
compared with 79 percent today.
Honda
investigating reports of CR-Vs catching fire Detroit News - American
Honda Motor Co. said it is notifying dealers about a suspected defect that may
have caused at least 27 2003 and 2004 CR-V sport utility vehicles to catch fire
after getting first oil changes.
Automotive plant
plans to add up to 100 jobs Indy Star - A northern Indiana factory that
makes automotive weather stripping plans to add 80 to 100 jobs by the end of
next year.
PPG outsourcing
Post-Gazette - PPG Industries has decided to outsource some information
technology work done in Pittsburgh to an Indian company, Satyam Computer
Services Ltd. PPG spokesman Jeff Worden said the move would eliminate the jobs
of about 20 of 65 contract employees now working for PPG and about five of 350
PPG workers assigned to IT functions in Pittsburgh.
The Auto Parts Wars Motley Fool - AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts have
similar-looking stores, but AutoZone dominates operationally while Advance
looks good from a valuation and growth perspective. Which is the better
investment? It depends.
Points
and Insurance Bucks County Courier Times - Collecting points on a
driving record drives up an insurance premium because the insurance industry
directly relates receiving points to the driver's risk of having a serious
accident that would result in a claim, said Roseanne Placey, spokeswoman for
the Pennsylvania Insurance Commission in Harrisburg. -- In a survey of driving
safety practices, Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. reported that a single minor
violation such as a speeding ticket could increase a driver's insurance premium
by 26 percent.
July 9, 2004
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Strategic Acquisition in Jackson, MississippiPRNewswire - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc., a leading provider of
automotive salvage and claims processing services in the United States, today
announced the acquisition of Mid-South Salvage LLC, a 15-acre operation located
in Jackson, Mississippi. The new site holds bi-weekly onsite auctions and
houses a VIC (Vehicle Inspection Center) for its insurance company customers.
Copart Announces Technology Contracts With Wholesale Vehicle Auction Companies
Business Wire - Copart, Inc. today announced that it has entered into contracts
with 30 wholesale vehicle auctions, including 6 affiliated companies, to
provide its proprietary VB2 auction technology for use in their auction
process. Copart anticipates that these wholesale vehicle auctions will begin
utilizing VB2 by the end of 2004.
Automotive Interior: The Next Consumer Electronics Battleground
Business Wire - From telematics to back seat entertainment systems, the vehicle
is fast becoming a mobile media center on wheels capable of managing content
and information for entertainment, productivity, or safety.
Japanese learn about cars, culture Daily Herald - The quiet summer
atmosphere at Utah Valley State College has not stopped 65 visiting Japanese
students from cutting loose at school for, perhaps, the first time. -- Bradley
said though no one can be sure how much of the American car training the
students will use at home, he is certain that those that become managers for
car dealerships and repair shops will benefit from collision repair background.
AutoZone to Open Distribution Center in Terrell, TexasPRNewswire -
AutoZone, Inc., the nation's leading auto parts retailer, today announced plans
to open a new distribution center in Terrell, Texas. When fully
operational, the facility will employ approximately 500 AutoZoners.
Dana
Sells Parts Unit NY Post - The Cypress Group has sealed a deal to buy
the automotive replacement parts business of Dana Corp. for slightly more than
$1 billion.
Subaru, Saab to co-develop 2nd car for U.S. marketReuters -
Subaru-maker Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd. and Sweden's Saab will co-develop a new
high-end crossover vehicle for the U.S. market in their second joint vehicle
project, the companies said on Thursday.
Rising
auto recalls eat profits Detroit News - Early 2004 tally of vehicle
defects in some brands already beats figures for all of 2003
Ford Recalls 170,500 Vehicles for Various DefectsReuters - Ford Motor
Co. on Wednesday said it has recalled 170,500 vehicles in North America over a
variety of defects that could lead to rattling seats, squeaky wheels and
trouble starting engines.
CCC Introduces CCC Accumark Reinspection Business Wire -
Next-generation, Web-based reinspection tool offers advanced management of
company appraisal procedures, tracking capabilities, -- Insurers using CCC
Accumark Reinspection can quickly identify and prioritize claims for
reinspection.
Union: Auto-parts maker Collins & Aikman plant could close MLive/AP
- Collins & Aikman Corp. says the loss of business at an auto-parts plant where
520 people work means the plant probably will cease operations in nine months,
according to a union official.
No-Call law violators agree to settlement Dallas Business Journal -
Eight companies that violated the "Texas No-Call" law, a statute prohibiting
them from making telemarketing calls to consumers who signed up for a
do-not-call list, reached a settlement with the Texas Attorney General's Office
on Wednesday.
Copart Acquires Facility in Anchorage, Alaska Yahoo News - "Alaska fits
our growth strategy by broadening our national presence, which now covers 42
states," said Willis J. Johnson, Copart's Chief Executive Officer.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Opening of Greenfield
Facility in El Paso, Texas
Yahoo News - This new 8-acre facility will provide
additional coverage in the state of Texas, leveraging branches in Austin,
Corpus Christi, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Houston, Longview and San Antonio. Due to its
strategic location in the western tip of Texas, the new El Paso location will
also provide support for the Company's Albuquerque, New Mexico branch by
serving the southern third of New Mexico.
Automotive Industry Quality Jobwerx - Could this be the end of QS-9000
and the beginning of ISO/TS 16949:2002 as the industry standard of choice?
Windshield Repair Company Named in Wrongful Death SuitGlassBYTES - A
windshield repair company that did a repair on a rental car later involved in a
rollover accident is one of several defendants named in a wrongful death
lawsuit in Los Angeles Central District Court in California.
Study shows another reason to buckle up Pittsburgh Tribune-Review -
Drivers and front-seat passengers in cars that have airbags are more likely to
suffer a spinal cord injury in front-end crashes if they don't use seat belts,
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine researchers found.
July 6, 2004
Car or Computer? Electronic Gadgets in Autos Pile Up Reuters -
Electronics have long since replaced mechanics in a car's braking and steering,
for example, and will be used more as auto makers race to build cleaner and
safer cars, while bringing more comfort and convenience to drivers.
Power
car windows cost livesDetroit News - The horrific deaths of seven
children in the past few months is putting renewed pressure on Detroit
automakers to replace outdated power-window switches that consumer advocates
say pose a serious safety hazard.
Insurance
deception convict still has state job The Salt Lake Tribune - Despite
being convicted of insurance fraud, Abolfazl Fahim-Gilani still goes to work
every day at the Utah Department of Insurance.
July 2, 2004
Delaware Bill Signing S.B. 260 - Prohibits repair shops from installing
fake or non-functioning air bags and requires the maintenance of air bags.
Akzo Nobel to cut 600 jobs in car refinish unit by '06 CBS MW - Akzo
Nobel, the Dutch chemical and pharmaceutical group, on Thursday said it would
cut approximately 600 full-time jobs between 2004 and 2006 in its car
refinishes unit as part of a restructuring. It said the cuts would take place
in most regions of the world and said it would try to limit forced
redundancies. The unit supplies paint, decals, services and software for car
repair, commercial vehicle and automotive markets and had 2003 sales of 880
million euros.
Auto workers
union trying to organize BMW employees The State - GREENVILLE, S.C. -
The United Auto Workers union has met with BMW Manufacturing employees this
week to gauge their interest in joining the trade union.
TI Automotive to build facility in Georgia Atlanta Business Journal -
The plant will manufacture blow-molded plastic fuel tanks and filler pipes for
vehicles built in nearby southern states by BMW and an Asia-based automaker.
New automotive tech center gearing up for major student load The
Virginian-Pilot - The new center will have large screens on walls, so a group
of students can see at one time the information on diagnostic computer
displays. Spacious rooms for manufacturers’ training and laboratories for
different courses. And lots of computers, so students can research papers, take
classes online and access the latest auto manuals.
Watch where you're driving when you talk on the phone Baltimore Sun -
Like New York, D.C., N.J. have new laws on cell use by motorists. -- The
insurance industry has a big stake in preventing accidents, but so far it
hasn't come down in favor of cell phone bans, either. Russ Rader, spokesman for
the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, said the laws passed so far are
running ahead of the evidence.
Insurer settles class-action lawsuit Star-Ledger Staff - MassMutual,
one of the country's largest insurers, has agreed to pay what could amount to
hundreds of millions of dollars to settle a nationwide class-action suit
alleging it misled and deceived customers about their policies.
Insurance
agency headed by Lynn mayor's wife under fire The Daily Item of Flynn -
A North Shore insurance agency headed by Mayor Edward J. Clancy Jr.'s wife,
Elizabeth Mooney Clancy, was placed on probation by industry regulators this
week after its Lawrence office manager was linked to an alleged kickback
scheme.
Insurer seeks state aid to expand The Times-Picayune - Baton Rouge
center to add 1,500 to staff -- The application for the state money
indicates East Baton Rouge Parish has been asked to commit $5 million to the
project and that the company will put up $4.45 million.
July 1, 2004
Dealerships awarded grant for training purposes DeRidder Beauregard
Daily News - Lamar Salter will provide customized training for 139 employees in
courses that include accounting/bookkeeping, computer and communications
skills, customer relations and time management skills as well as industry
specific courses in auto electronics, engine performance and all facets of
modern collision repair.
Visteon to Release Second Quarter 2004 Financial Results Through Teleconference
and Web Cast PRNewswire - Visteon Corporation, one of the world's
leading suppliers of automotive components and integrated
systems, will release its Second Quarter 2004 financial results on Thursday,
July 22, 2004, at 8 a.m. (EDT) via PR Newswire. At 10 a.m., a conference
call is scheduled to discuss the results in further detail, as well as other
related matters.
PPG Honors 11 Companies as Excellent Suppliers Business Wire - Award
criteria included product quality, delivery, documentation, innovation,
responsiveness, continuous improvement and participation in PPG's Supplier
Added Value Effort ($AVE) program.
Key Plastics Named Automotive Industries' Quest for Excellence Winner for Third
Straight Year Business Wire - Key Plastics, L.L.C. -- a Farmington
Hills, Michigan based world-class supplier of plastic injection-molded products
to the automotive industry -- has been named a 2004 "Quest for Excellence"
award winner by Automotive Industries magazine, a leading automotive industry
trade journal. This marks the third consecutive year Key Plastics L.L.C. has
been named a Quest For Excellence recipient.
KKR to Buy German Car - Repair Company From Doughty Hanson for EU1.45 Billion
Bloomberg - Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. agreed to purchase Germany's largest
independent car-repair company for 1.45 billion euros ($1.75 billion), the
third takeover in the country by the world's biggest buyout firm in seven
months.
Autoliv
Helps Cars get Top Rating in European Crash Testing Program PrimeZone -
In the latest tests from EuroNCAP (European New Car Assessment Programme)
published last week, Autoliv -- the worldwide leader in automotive safety
systems -- supported many car manufacturers in achieving record ratings with
their new car models.
Is
Ford's Escape Hybrid green enough? Detroit News - There's little doubt
that the purchase of a hybrid vehicle is fraught with meaning for consumers,
especially in this era of high gasoline prices and turmoil in the Middle East.
Too many
cars, too few digits Detroit News - U.S. will run out of vehicle ID
numbers. Solution? Recycle or buy from Botswana
PPG names Outcalt general manager of insurance and services GlassBYTES
- PPG Industries has named John R. Outcalt general manager of insurance and
services, making him responsible for the company's LYNX Services claims
management, GTS software and GLAXIS electronic commerce businesses. He
previously was director of North American sales for the company's automotive
refinish business.
Court rejects 3M appeal on antitrust award Reuters - The US Supreme
Court on Wednesday let stand a jury award of $68.4m against 3M for unlawfully
abusing its monopoly power in transparent tape. -- LePage's alleged that
3M attempted to monopolize the transparent tape market with a multitiered
"bundled rebate" program that resulted in higher rebates when large retailers
bought products from a number of different 3M product lines. -- "It should be a
lesson to other big corporations that our government does mean what it says
about anti-competitive practices," said Navin Chandaria, LePage's president and
chief executive officer.
