PPG's LeBoeuf Announces Retirement Plans; Bunch Elected CEO
- Raymond W. LeBoeuf, 58, chairman and chief executive officer of PPG
Industries, today announced he will retire July 1 after nearly 25 years with
the company and eight years as its chairman and CEO.
DriveCam Illuminator Brightens In-Vehicle Video Recordings;
Compact Infrared Lighting Device Now Available - DriveCam Video
Systems, the leader in knowledge-based systems that improve driving behavior,
today announced the availability of the DriveCam Illuminator, a compact,
infrared lighting device that brightens images captured by the dual-lens
DriveCam video event recorder. The Illuminator ensures that video and images of
a vehicle's interior captured in low light conditions are clearly visible.
High oil prices spur broader fears of inflation - On
March 15th PPG Industries announced price increases to defray "the rapid
escalation of raw-material costs." -- Petrochemicals are used to make paint.
When oil prices go up, paint gets more expensive. PPG spokesman Jeff Worden
said that in the first three months of this year, the company's raw-material
costs rose by $50 million.
Glancy Binkow & Goldberg LLP, Representing Investors Who Purchased Delphi
Corporation, Announces Class Action Lawsuit And Seeks to Recover Losses
- The Complaint charges Delphi and certain of the Company's executive officers
with violations of federal securities laws. Plaintiff claims defendants'
omissions and material misrepresentations during the Class Period artificially
inflated the Company's stock price, inflicting damages on investors. Delphi is
a global supplier of vehicle electronics, transportation components, integrated
systems and modules, and other electronic technology to vehicle manufacturers.
The Complaint alleges that defendants issued materially false and misleading
financial statements as a result of Delphi's improper accounting for
off-balance sheet financing and vendor rebates.
States that require no-fault auto insurance pay highest
premiums - States like Massachusetts that require no-fault auto
insurance have some of the nation's highest premiums, and should change their
laws to require insurers of at-fault drivers to pay for accidents, according to
a report released in Boston on Tuesday.
Manchin facing House battle over insurance lawsuits -
CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Joe Manchin’s bid to protect insurers from certain
lawsuits in exchange for $50 million worth of auto policy rate breaks faces its
toughest hurdle in the House of Delegates, lawmakers said Tuesday.
Carsmetics, the smart alternative to body shop -
Because Carsmetics repairs cars so inexpensively, often below the deductible,
some people choose to avoid reporting the accident to their insurance
companies. If they do involve their insurance company, Carsmetics works with
all insurance companies to process claims.
Eight South Floridians Arrested Illegally Obtaining Accident
Reports - Eight individuals have been arrested in South Florida and
charged with illegally obtaining accident reports from and using the
information to solicit accident victims to file false claims. -- The
information was used to solicit accident victims to go to medical clinics and
auto body shops for the purpose of collecting money on fraudulent auto
insurance claims.
Women Dominate Auto Insurance, Safety, Registration Web Sites
- Automotive Web sites often are thought of as a man's domain, but women are
the majority to several sites delivering information about automotive finance,
registration and vehicle insurance.
March 29, 2005
Court rejects PPG appeal, allows price-fixing lawsuit to move
forward - The 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled
last year that the case could proceed but it threw out claims that focused on
the automotive replacement glass market. The remaining claims involve
price-fixing of flat glass products used in windows and other items.
Owner parts with parts to benefit burn survivors -
Saturday, organizers of a West Michigan benefit car show and auction for burn
survivors started unloading the vintage automotive merchandise. They plan to
auction off the donated parts during the May 21 event at Fifth Third Ballpark
in Grand Rapids. -- Some items include floor shifters, mud flaps, real rubber
floor mats, hood chrome for a 1947 Ford, old copper head gaskets, a grille
emblem for a 1957 Chevy, reverse lights for a 1949 Chevy, door handles for
1930s Chevy vehicles and flex springs.
National Car Care Month Set for April - For the third
consecutive year, National Car Care Month, a nationwide effort to focus
motorists' attention on the importance of vehicle care and maintenance, will be
held in April, the Car Care Council announced.
Wisconsin GM plant uses shutdown to prepare for new SUVs
- When General Motors Corp. shut down production work for four weeks at its
assembly plant, it began preparing for the new generation of sport utility
vehicles it will make at the facility.
March 28, 2005
Supreme Court rejects appeal from PPG Industries Inc -
The Supreme Court rejected an appeal from PPG Industries Inc., which was trying
to stop a class-action antitrust lawsuit over flat glass and automotive
replacement glass prices.
Costly judicial campaign spurs debate over ethics -
What may have been the most expensive judicial race in American history now is
causing conflict-of-interest complaints against the Illinois Supreme Court. --
Karmeier's donors include participants in a $1.2 billion judgment against State
Farm Insurance Company over the use of inferior parts to repair damaged
automobiles. --State Farm, its executives and a law firm representing the
company gave money, either directly or through groups, to Karmeier.
Museum keeps DeLorean legacy running - The passing of
legendary auto man John DeLorean leaves a void in the industry, but a part of
his ingenuity remains in Reno.
Auto dealers bribed state worker - Auto dealership
owners accused of taking drug money from gang-bangers for luxury cars paid
bribes to an Illinois secretary of state worker who in return passed through
fraudulent titles, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
Toyota gives its side of story after protests -
Problems fixed, still customers grumble -- Problems concerning an uneven
windshield surface, and inoperative airbag and warning light system, steering
wheel and wheel alignment.
States Focus on 'Black Boxes' in Vehicles - BISMARCK,
N.D. - Mr. Holmberg, a state senator, believes his privacy was violated and is
taking aim at black boxes. Lawmakers in seven other states are also hoping to
regulate black boxes, the National Conference of State Legislatures said.
Entertainment mogul in joint venture with auto wheel company
- Combs is joining forces with a Kansas City manufacturer to produce a new line
of custom, precision-forged aluminum wheels for sports trucks, luxury SUVs and
high-end American- and German-made automobiles.
A new era in automotive design - Polycarbonate
Automotive Glazing System to become a major alternative to glass in future cars
Senate passes Manchin’s insurance, lawsuit bills - Gov.
Joe Manchin’s proposal to protect insurance companies from third-party lawsuits
in exchange for West Virginians receiving a break on their automobile insurance
was endorsed by the state Senate on Thursday.
Illinois bill proposes disclosure of crash data for used-car
buyers - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan and her consumer
protection bureau support the bill. -- "We're supporting it primarily because
we think that consumers need to have more information about their vehicle,"
said Deborah Hagan, chief of the Illinois attorney general's consumer
protection bureau. -- Hagan also cited a recent settlement between Illinois
(along with 47 other state attorney general offices) and State Farm Insurance
over incorrect car titles.
Boyd Group Income Fund reports year end financial results
- "The prolonged slowdown in the North American auto collision repair industry
continued to impact our operating performance in 2004 and as a result, our
revenue and distributable cash generated for the year were below expectations."
Bureau of Automotive Repair Seeks to Discipline San Diego Auto
Repair Shops - The California Department of Consumer Affairs, Bureau of
Automotive Repair (DCA/BAR) is taking legal action seeking to suspend or revoke
the Automotive Repair Dealer registrations of the following three (3) San Diego
auto repair shops: On Time Auto Smog & Repair Center, 6660 Miramar Road #C --
On Time Auto Smog & Repair Center, 2920 Damon Street -- On Time Tire Alignment
Auto Smog Repair, 3351 Hancock Street.
Congressman Barton Predicts Right to Repair Act Passage This
Year - Wearing a "Support the Right to Repair Act" button, Congressman
Barton urged summit attendees to follow up on their experience in Washington,
D.C. by meeting with their elected officials in their home district,
reinforcing the value of grass roots advocacy efforts. Barton's encouraging
remarks preceded 200 appointments with legislators and key staff from 37
states.
Bridging the Gap - Chinese Glass Catches Up -- “As the
insurance industry kept pressuring and pressuring and pressuring prices, their
[the glass shops’] resolve to buy only American-made glass weakened,” Conklin
explained. “We went from selling no Chinese glass to half of our aftermarket
glass being Chinese.”
Information Leak - Computer Access Concerns Some Glass
Shops -- Anecdotal evidence says others have the same concerns. Both Mark Haeck,
sales manager with
Mainstreet Computers Inc., a POS software provider in Belleville,
Mich., and Terry Miller, vice president with Quest Software, Inc.,
a POS software provider in St. John’s, Mich., say their business has increased
since PPG bought GTS. -- “People don’t like PPG knowing everything about their
business,” Haeck says. “PPG owns software and glass. Not too many people want
them to have all of their information.”
Toyota Announces Top Supplier Awards for 2004 - The
awards acknowledge those suppliers who have met Toyota's highest standards in
quality, delivery and value improvement for parts and materials.
Hawaii cracking down on auto insurance fraud - The
state says it is stepping up efforts to fight car insurance fraud. Four cases
have been successfully prosecuted recently, including one resulting in jail
time.
March 23, 2005
Ford Pays $10 Million For Faulty SUV - Payout Goes To
Family Of Woman Killed In 2000 Model Explorer. -- Gary Pajcic, an attorney for
the Duncan family, said he used internal Ford documents to prove there were
problems with the roof, despite the fact that it met government standards.
Woman makes her mark as Queen of Collision - When
Kimberly Parson opened her third auto collision repair shop in Glen Burnie last
month, the Brooklyn Park native became the only woman in the state to own three
such shops.
PPG helps color the auto world of tomorrow - Boettcher
is manager of global design and color marketing in PPG Industries' automotive
coatings business. Her task -- a daunting one -- is determining the car colors
that will be big sellers years from now. She also must make sure that the
paints are durable, weather-fast and accurately formulated to match the color
palette in the showroom.
Congruity Technologies Conducts Network Security Scan for PPG
Industries - To ensure the security of the global IT network and
productivity of thousands of employees, PPG went on the offensive to profile
its entire network using the turnkey Threat Inspection Audit(TM) Solution from
Congruity Technologies.
Pilkington sees FY pretax up about 15 pct - Pilkington PLC said its
forecast was based on a good performance by its Automotive operations. -- In
the Automotive segment, original equipment demand has held up, though the North
American glass replacement market is still very competitive, Pilkington said.
-- It said all areas of its automotive continue to reduce costs and improve
efficiency, and it expects operating profits to be up by around 15 per cent on
last year.
Toyota is world's most popular car - Japan's Toyota is
the world's most popular brand of car followed by Ford and Volkswagen ,
according to a survey by market research company ACNielsen.
Homes, businesses searched in probe of DaimlerChrysler
allegations - German investigators have searched the homes and business
premises of former DaimlerChrysler AG employees and others in an investigation
of breach of trust allegations at the company, prosecutors said Wednesday.
March 22, 2005
First I-CAR Instructor Event A Success - Over 130 I-CAR
instructors were in attendance as the honored guests during the first ever
I-CAR Instructor Event that took place at the I-CAR Tech Centre and the
surrounding Appleton, Wisconsin area February 24 -27, 2005. Instructors from
all across North America were able to attend regional and information specific
breakout sessions, tour the I-CAR Tech Centre and meet the staff, and come
together as professionals who strive towards educating the collision industry.
Body shop fire damages vintage cars - Ormond Beach
--The fire started about 7:15 a.m. in the office area of the auto body shop and
quickly spread to the ceiling then throughout the building. Nobody was in the
auto body shop when the fire started. -- The insurance company has yet to pay
for the hurricane damage. -- "I have been struggling to keep the place going
for the last six months and just got it back to running order in the last six
weeks." Several customer vehicles were also damaged in the blaze, the owner
said.
Transparent Bra Fights The Paint Chip Epidemic -
Transparent Bra LLC announced that with its unique Paint Protection Film
conversion and installation services, Transparent Bra has carved a niche for
itself by preventing paint damage on cars, trucks, and RV's. Transparent Bra,
with its nearly invisible semi-permanent bra installation, makes sure that the
paint on a new car isn't virtually sandblasted from everyday driving. -- The
Transparent Bra can be left on indefinitely and washed and waxed along with the
rest of the car. -- It uses a special clear impact-resistant urethane film that
is specifically designed for automobile finishes, ensuring that the bra will
never harm the car's paint, even if it needs to be removed.
Ill Southridge student's Nova getting a makeover -
While the 19-year-old 2004 graduate of Southridge High School struggles against
tough odds with a rare cancer at Children's Hospital in Seattle, the car his
mother bought him two years ago is getting an extreme makeover thanks to
friends and teachers at Columbia Basin College in Pasco and dozens of
automotive-related businesses in the Tri-Cities.
Auto parts specialist has loyal following - Larry
Spencer is in big demand in the auto parts store. Tall, lanky, with a welcoming
grin, the 52-year-old sales associate eagerly tries to find the answer to every
question from co-workers and customers.
Ford and Mazda ordered to pay $27 million in crash death
- A Cook County jury has awarded the family of a south suburban Chicago man $27
million after finding a faulty driver's seat caused his death in an accident
five years ago.
Goodyear takes cautious approach to turnaround success
- After what the nation's largest tiremaker has been through the past four
years, you'd expect some celebration now that Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. is
profitable again.
Insurance Bill Moves Forward - The Senate is expected
to vote next week on a bill that would ban certain lawsuits against insurance
companies.
Editorial: Fraud was never just a 'Lawrence problem' -
A paper trail leading auto insurance fraud investigators to Boston lawyers
demonstrates clearly that fraud never was strictly a "Lawrence problem." --
Investigators are looking into several fraud cases connected to Boston lawyers.
In one, "runners" drove clients supposedly injured in a staged accident to
lawyers in the city to file insurance claims. Runners are paid by health
clinics and attorneys to recruit accident victims for fraudulent claims.
March 18, 2005
Autoliv Continues to Streamline -- Closes a Plant in the U.K. - To
offset the continued pricing pressure in the automotive industry Autoliv Inc.
-- the worldwide leader in automotive safety systems -- will close down its
assembly plant for airbags in the United Kingdom. -- During the last couple of
years, Autoliv has consolidated its worldwide manufacturing base and closed
down plants in the United States, Sweden and the Netherlands. Manufacturing has
instead been expanded in low-labor-cost countries. This has enabled Autoliv to
remain competitive despite the pricing pressure in the automotive industry. As
a result, Autoliv has been able to increase its sales by nearly 50% since 2000,
thereby creating 7,500 new jobs globally, an increase of 23%.
Ford to Increase Mustang Production to Meet Runaway Consumer
Demand - What's an auto company to do when demand for a hot model
exceeds supply? Give the customers what they want. -- Ford announced that it
will take production of the hot new Mustang to more than 192,000 units in 2005
-- an increase of more than 70 percent, or 80,000 units, from the previous
year.
Auto suppliers feel effects after General Motors forecasts
lower earnings - Automotive parts suppliers, already reeling from
production cuts at General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co., took another hit
Wednesday when wary investors learned GM was lowering its earnings guidance for
the first quarter and all of 2005.
PartsHotlines.com Revs Up Their Free Used Auto Parts Search -- While
used car part websites have existed for many years, none have had the
technology to provide consumers with immediate results. To solve this problem,
Hotlines, Inc. spent years creating its own cutting edge satellite technology
that searches the inventory of top-quality salvage yards across the country
with the click of a button.
EAUTOCLAIMS, INC Files SEC form 10-Q, Quarterly Report
- eAutoclaims provide Internet based collision claims services for automobile
insurance companies, Managing General Agents (MGA) and third party claims
administrators (TPA) and self-insured automobile fleet management companies.
Mexico's Vitro to expand auto-glass unit - Vitro SA
Mexico's largest glassmaker said in a statement yesterday it plans to invest
$150 million this year, mostly to expand production at its auto-glass unit,
which is higher than investments of $126 million in 2004.
Body shop owner closes up shop after 32 years - It's
not just the demands of running a business, said Tom Archambault, 65, owner of
the Coachman Body Shop, 3658 Airline, it's the changes in the body repair
business that result in less and less work. -- Vehicles about five years old or
more that were involved in crashes used to be the bread and butter of his
business. Today, with the technology in cars -- airbags, computers -- it's
cheaper for insurance companies to total the cars than pay for expensive
repairs. Cars in that age group are often scrapped, Archambault said.
Cops Get Involved in Car Repair Dispute - A Tucson
mechanic feels like he's getting the short end of the wrench. A Pima County
Sheriff's deputy forced him to give back a car without getting paid for the
repairs. Which raises the question. When can a car owner demand a car back?
Local Auto Repair Chain Ordered To Shut Down - After an
undercover sting, the Department of Consumer Affairs issued a temporary
restraining order against "On Time Smog and Auto Repair." -- Three shops in the
chain are accused of overselling parts and services and giving false and
misleading statements to customers, reports 10News.
Visteon restates results for 4 years - Visteon Corp.,
the second-biggest U.S. maker of auto parts, has restated results for the past
four years. -- The changes reduced by about one-third the company's earnings
during the first half of 2004. -- Visteon said Jan. 31 it was reviewing
earnings back to 2001 because it discovered accounting errors for retiree
health and pension benefits and income taxes.
State Farm donates car to NWTC - State Farm Insurance
is donating a car to Northeast Wisconsin Technical College’s Auto Collision
Repair and Refinishing programs.
Aquapel Glass Treatment Available Through The Tire Rack Online
Or By Telephone - Recently made available direct to consumers, Aquapel
glass treatment causes rain to bead and shed off windshield and other
automotive glass. It can be applied in as little as five minutes and last up to
six months, according to Paul Recrosio, Aquapel business manager, PPG
Industries. It also reduces night glare and makes it easier to scrape off ice,
snow, dirt and bugs, Recrosio said.
AAA and Parents Magazine Announce the 15 ''Best Cars For
Families'' - From kid-friendly sedans and economy cars to minivans,
wagons and SUVs that expertly combine safety, convenience and practicality,
Parents magazine and AAA today named their fourth annual list of "Best Cars for
Families," featured in the April issue of Parents, (on newsstands March 15 -
April 12).
ABRA Auto Body & Glass Adds Lee's Summit, MO - ABRA
Auto Body & Glass, a Minneapolis-based damaged vehicle repair company,
announced the opening of its ninetieth repair center today. Located in Lee's
Summit, MO, the franchise was awarded to Don Kahan, owner of Don Kahan
Chevrolet. This facility operated under the Kahan Chevrolet name for the past
forty years.
Automotive Group Concerned About Hexavalent Chromium -
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) says OSHA has not adequately
considered the impact its proposed rule for exposure to hexavalent chromium
will have on collision repairers.
GM's Blazer Ranked Deadliest Car on U.S. Roadways - The
two-door Chevrolet Blazer from General Motors Corp. has the highest driver
death rate of any passenger vehicle on U.S. roadways, a research group with
links to the insurance industry said on Tuesday.
The sky may be falling in land of autos - What if the
sky really is falling on Detroit's auto companies and parts suppliers, yet they
won't bang on the White House door for help because they fear being called
Chicken Littles?
Sprays transform truck bed liners - Trucks are very
important to their owners. Some pickup owners love their trucks like they were
a part of the family. -- It is this phenomenon that has spurred the bedliner
industry into the cutting edge of the petro-chemical industry.
March 15, 2005
ASA, ASA-Washington Ask Repairers to Oppose Washington Hybrid
Vehicle Legislation - The Automotive Service Association (ASA) and its
Washington state affiliate, ASA-Washington, are asking all independent repair
shop owners in Washington to contact their state senators and representatives
to request that they oppose Senate Bill 5397 and House Bill 1397.
I-CAR Creates Canadian Advisory Committee - In
recognition of the need to support and expand I-CAR collision repair training
in Canada, I-CAR has created a new Canadian Advisory Committee. The inaugural
committee meeting was held in November 2004, and there was a clear consensus
for the need to support I-CAR training in Canada. Members of the advisory
committee represent a wide spectrum of the Canadian collision industry
including insurers and repairers.
Bodyshop Management Briefings a Must Read for Collision Repairs -
Bodyshop Management Briefings (BMB) is a bimonthly report providing you with
the facts, figures and inside information on the refinish market, to help you
achieve the competitive edge. BMB looks at current needs and predicts future
trends.
DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund Announces $200,000 Scholarship
Program for Delaware Students - The DaimlerChrysler Corporation Fund
today announced the creation of a $200,000 scholarship program to aid Delaware
high school graduates seeking advanced education in a technical field of study
related to the design, engineering, manufacturing and repair of automotive
products at an accredited institution.
International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) 2004
Proceedings - This CD is the conference proceedings for the fourth
International Bodyshop Industry Symposium - IBIS 2004. The International
Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS) is an influential two -day conference
covering global issues in the repair and refinish market. In the four years
since its inauguration, IBIS has become an established annual event for senior
industry figures worldwide. This is not only because of the consistently high
quality of speakers, informative presentations, and valuable market data. IBIS
also provides a unique, high level networking experience.
Sonic CEO compensation rises 21% - Bruton Smith,
chairman and chief executive at Sonic Automotive Inc., received compensation,
excluding stock options, of almost $1.86 million last year, up nearly 21% from
2003.
Insurance Auto Auctions Announces Fourth Quarter Results
- "In the fourth quarter we were once again able to grow sales and earnings as
our products and service offerings continued to be well received in the
marketplace," said Tom O'Brien, CEO.
Argument Over Car Apparently Led To Durham Slaying - A business dispute
apparently led to the Sunday night shooting death of a Durham man, a witness
told NBC-17 on Monday. -- Police locked down the body shop as a crime scene.
March 14, 2005
Keep This Job - Insurers are illegally trying to
control the cost of repairs by steering consumers to particular shops, while at
the same time, trying to distance themselves from any liability associated with
negligent repairs.
Privacy of vehicle information debated in ND, elsewhere
- Not long after Sen. Raymon Holmberg bought a new sedan, he heard a report
about "black boxes" - computer chips that store information on a driver's
speed, seat belt use and whether his vehicle's air bag is working properly.
Insurance Auto Auctions Delays Filing of Form 10-K Following
Recent Acquisition by Kelso & Company - Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc.,
due to file its annual report on Form 10-K on March 11, 2005, announced that
due to the Company's efforts undertaken to comply with the recently effective
requirements of Section 404(c) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and further
efforts undertaken to enter into and its recent execution of an Agreement and
Plan of Merger with an affiliate of Kelso & Co., the Company has experienced
delay in completing the audit of its results of operations and related
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 26, 2004.
Equipment and Tool Institute Vertical Groups Gain New
Leadership - Mike Cable, vice president, OEM sales, of Hickok, Inc.,
Cleveland, Ohio, has accepted the position of Underhood Technology Group (UTG)
chairman. The UTG deals with the diagnostics related to the vehicle’s
drive-train and power driven subsystems. -- Barry Harrison, sales engineer of
Bright Solutions, Inc., Troy, Mich. has been appointed chairman of the Air
Conditioning subcommittee. The A/C subcommittee is part of the Underhood
Technology Group and deals with matters related to vehicle air conditioning
systems. -- 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. The CRG handles body/frame, welding and
painting equipment, and other collision repair topics.
Side air bags needed, tests show - Without side air
bags, small cars provide little protection when struck by another vehicle in
the side, especially SUVs, recent tests by the insurance industry show.
Industry group protesting Giant Eagle gas discount -
The Petroleum Retailers and Auto Repair Association of Pittsburgh has asked for
a meeting with the state Attorney General's Office over Giant Eagle Inc.'s
fuelperks program. Under the program, customers get a 10-cent-per-gallon
discount on gasoline at GetGo convenience stores for every $50 they spend at
Giant Eagle grocery stores.
Arrests snare suspect in chop-shop operation -
Lafayette city marshals and State Police reported Thursday the arrest of a
Lafayette man believed to have been operating a "chop-shop."
Nippon Sheet Glass Co. has first automobile door glass that
blocks infrared rays - This newly developed door glass uses a resin
mixed with a certain oxidized metal. The resin, which absorbs infrared rays, is
coated onto the surface of the glass in the form of a film that is just 1
micron thick so that visibility is not impaired. It is strong enough to
withstand friction with the auto body when the window is rolled up and rolled
down.
Ace announces its alliance with the Canadian leader in auto
glass - ACE Security Laminates(TM) Corporation announces with great
pride its alliance with the Canadian leader in auto glass repair and
replacement Belron Canada. Belron Canada operates under three major names:
Standard AutoGlass, Lebeau Vitres d'autos and DURO vitres d'autos. As of March,
2005 Belron Canada and ACE have entered into a strategic alliance and
distribution agreement by which Belron will offer ACE products to its exclusive
clientele.
RPV man, Marina attorney convicted in insurance fraud case
- A Rancho Palos Verdes businessman and an attorney were convicted Friday of
operating a sophisticated auto insurance fraud ring that garnered more than $3
million from fraudulent billings to insurance carriers.
March 11, 2005
DuPont Performance Coatings Will Not Exhibit at NACE 2005 -
DuPont Performance Coatings announced that it will not exhibit at the
International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) in 2005. -- The decision
not to exhibit in Las Vegas this year was based on the fact that the company
plans to concentrate its marketing efforts and resources in areas that more
directly impact its refinish customers.
Visteon aims to spin-off ailing units - Ford may run
new company; 5 troubled plants are in Michigan, with 9,200 workers. -- The new
company managed and controlled by Ford would take over troubled Visteon
operations such as chassis components and glass, and free the parts maker to
focus on profitable lines such as climate control and interiors.
Parts Ordering without the Headache - The collision
repair world is getting more complex every day, and the need to stay
competitive is vital to survival. Don't let the bottleneck of parts ordering
stifle your productivity. Take a moment and look at some of the exciting new
parts ordering technology available to repairers today and further cement the
existing relationships you have with your suppliers.
Class Action Legislation Passes U.S. Senate - For the
past six years, any major reforms of our legal system have stalled in the U.S.
Senate. So it's good news that the Senate has completed its work on major class
action reform legislation. ASA supports reform policy that would prohibit a
climate of unbridled lawsuits that could add to small businesses' cost of doing
business.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. to Present at Credit Suisse
First Boston Global Services Conference - CCC Information Services
Group Inc., today announced that Githesh Ramamurthy, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer and Andrew Balbirer, Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer, will address analysts and portfolio managers at the Credit
Suisse First Boston 7th Annual Global Services Conference in Phoenix, AZ on
Wednesday, March 16, 2005 at 9:00am MST.
Lawyer embezzles $600,000 from State Farm - In a
complaint filed by the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary
Commission, Bruno is accused of using his position as a supervisor in State
Farm's investment accounting department to transfer money from the insurer into
an account he controlled between January 1998 and November 1999.
March 10, 2005
Lawmaker Pushes Bill To 'Enlighten' Auto Body Consumers
- Providence, RI - Bill Would Require Auto Shops To Disclose Ties To Insurance
Company -- Auto body shops that work directly with insurance companies would
have to post a sign that reads: "This repair shop has an agreement to provide
insurance companies with discounted prices or a limit on the scope of work
performed -- in exchange for the insurance company's referring work to this
repair shop."
Listing connects customers to neighborhood car repair
businesses - The project — Neighborhood Auto Repair Professionals
Network — began six months ago by examining more than 750 auto repair shops
Valleywide and narrowing them down to 20, independently-owned garages.
Safelite Group Announces Support of New Ronald McDonald House
- Columbus, Ohio-based Safelite Group, the parent company of Safelite AutoGlass,
announces a donation to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Ohio to
support a new Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families of
seriously ill children at local hospitals.
Ding King Training Institute, Inc. Announces New Reconditioning
System - In January 2005, The Ding King added Alloy Wheel Repair as a
new way of repairing automotive wheels that have been damaged by curb scuffs,
pot holes, and other road hazards. Results are near perfect and are completed
in under an hour’s time. The system is self contained in two large self-wheeled
carrying cases and includes a sufficient supply of components to repair many
vehicles.
Mulroy’s: Auto body with a soul (scroll down in article) - After 44
years in business, Mulroy’s Body Shop moved four months ago to a new building
with a state-of-the-art paint booth and began using water-based paints instead
of solvent-based paints. Mulroy’s is only the second auto body business in the
Twin Cities to use water-based paints—Latuff Bros. in St. Paul also uses
them—and the first body shop to use a specially designed, environmentally
friendly paint booth.
County seeks injunction against Copart - County
attorney Lewis Kinnard on Monday filed papers in Monroe County Chancery Court
seeking a temporary restraining order to prohibit Copart from bringing
additional salvage vehicles onto its proposed auction site near Interstate 75.
March 9, 2005
ASA Asks NCOIL To Drop Aftermarket Crash Parts Certification
Legislation ASA - Bob Redding, ASA's Washington, D.C., representative,
said in the letter, "Collision repairers are on the front lines when consumer
questions arise concerning parts. To ensure adequate consumer notice and
education, it is imperative that written consent by the vehicle owner be part
of the collision repair process."
Auto
insurance shouldn't take advantage of its clients - The Illinois
General Assembly must prohibit auto insurance companies from putting the
squeeze on vehicle owners when they are most vulnerable. -- State Rep. Thomas
Holbrook (D-Belleville) proposed a bill that would forbid auto insurance
companies to pressure vehicle owners to have their car fixed at a specific auto
repair shop.
Overseas body repair markets mirror UK problems Auto
Industry - UK - The Frost & Sullivan report on the US market estimates
insurance-paid repair work to be as high as 90 per cent of the total available
repair work, “which is particularly detrimental to the interests of repair
shops”. Frost & Sullivan says the insurance companies' position of power
creates a highly competitive bidding situation for each repair job, and
therefore, despite rising component costs, the repair market is witnessing
reduced operating margins. Insurance companies usually pay lower rates for
repair work through both labor rate concessions and lower-cost replacement
components.
Bill
may make car repairs easier Northern Star Online - A proposed bill may
forbid auto insurance companies from forcing clients to use a designated
facility for auto repairs. -- State Rep. Thomas Holbrook (D-Belleville) said he
introduced the bill after some constituents complained they had bad repair jobs
by shops recommended by insurance companies.
NCOIL Avoids Action On Car Parts National Underwriter -
State lawmakers once again have failed to move on a controversial measure that
would set requirements for the use of generic, after-market parts to repair
damaged vehicles.
Price Not a Big Factor in Selecting Vehicle Service Provider
PRNewswire - Repair shops who currently advertise and market on price alone
should rethink their strategy to meet the expectations and motivations of
today's more savvy motorist customer," said Kathleen Schmatz, AAIA president
and CEO. "Convenience, speed of service and their past experience with a
service provider are more important than cost of service to consumers."
Mitchell International Announces Industry-Leading Growth in
2004 Market Wire - Mitchell International, Inc. announced the
achievement of record revenue and significant growth in 2004. Throughout the
past year -- ending December 31st -- Mitchell realized enormous success in both
its auto physical damage and medical bill review business lines, with total
revenue growth reaching 9% over 2003 levels. During that same period, the
company's operating income increased by 27%. This record profitability was
realized over-and-above Mitchell's regular and ongoing investment in product
innovation and development, and customer support.
Jury selected in auto parts dealer's case Troy Record,
NY - Jack Cox, the owner of Jack's Used Auto Parts, traded Subarus for
subpoenas Monday as he and the assistant district attorney picked a jury to
decide if he dismantled cars and sold the parts without a permit.
March 7, 2005
Bill would level field for auto body shops Belleville
News-Democrat - Someone files a claim with their insurance company after a car
accident. Agents and adjusters estimate the damage and recommend local auto
body shops for repairs. -- But Bach said it doesn't always happen that way.
Instead of being referred, Bach said some are actually being "steered" to other
shops and away from ones like his.
A Wrench For Parts Suppliers BusinessWeek - Visteon is
negotiating with Ford to help it sell off nonperforming businesses like auto
glass and chassis, which account for 30% of revenue but up to two-thirds of its
union work force. Battenberg says Delphi, too, has a list of weak operations to
sell. But the way Ford and GM are headed, they had both better move fast.
Delphi scandal rocks industry Detroit Free Press -
Supplier's accounting issues raise scrutiny at other auto companies
Mitchell Releases Enhanced Collision Repair Series
Market Wire - Mitchell International, Inc. announced the release of the newly
upgraded Collision Repair Series (CRS) v5.0. This release includes redesigned
navigation that helps users find the information they need more quickly and
easily, and includes useful new and expanded print functions.
eAutoclaims, Inc. Retains Alliance Advisors to Initiate a
Proactive Investor Relations Program PRNewswire - Autoclaims, a leading
provider of managed collision repair services and insurance claims processing
technology applications, today announced that it has retained Alliance
Advisors, LLC, an affiliate of Hayden Communications, to initiate a proactive
and targeted investor relations campaign.
Service for the soul The Roanoke Times - The Beacon Baptist
congregation finds a place to worship -- a Salem auto-body garage. -- "The only
place in town where you can change your oil and save your soul."
UAE's fake auto parts mart worth Dh240m Khaleej Times -
Warning that fake auto spare parts account for some 12 per cent of the Dh2
billion parts market in the UAE, Nissan Middle East said yesterday
Gas Mileage Rx WILX-TV - "The more maintenance you do,
the better it'll run," explains Ron Stinson of Shroyer's Auto Body Shop.
Airbags will become even safer Innovations-Report -
Russian scientists are successfully developing smokeless gunpowder for
automobile airbags. This powder combusts almost instantaneously at the most
important moment, but the airbag will fill with a gas that is harmless to the
passenger, not like known compositions today.
Crash for cash Boston Globe - After 2003 death, auto
insurance probe laid bare one city's culture of fraud
Insurance fraud fight in high gear in NJ Newark Star
Ledger - The number of defendants sentenced to jail for insurance fraud in New
Jersey nearly tripled and the amount of restitution they were ordered to repay
doubled in 2004, according to an annual report from the state insurance fraud
prosecutor's office.
March 4, 2005
Delphi CFO Alan Dawes Resigns From Post Yahoo News -
Delphi Corp., the world's largest automotive supplier, said Friday that Alan
Dawes has resigned as chief financial officer after an audit committee
expressed a loss of confidence in him.
FinishMaster Announces Year End Financial Results
Business Wire - The improvement in net income for the quarter and year compared
to the prior year periods was a result of higher net sales and decreased
interest expense. A lower effective income tax rate also contributed to the
improved financial performance.
Online auctions help increase Copart profits Daily
Republic - Buyers from far away lands keep buying Copart Inc.'s junked
vehicles, and it's translated into big bucks for the Fairfield-based salvage
firm.
Ford to fight $28 million Zavala verdict Billings
Gazette - Stung by a huge verdict over a fatal rollover accident two years ago
in Zavala County, lawyers for Ford Motor Co. vowed Wednesday to appeal on
multiple grounds, including a tainted jury. -- During trial, the plaintiffs
argued that had Ford used a stronger type of laminated side window glass, the
deaths would have been averted.
Windshield Repair Equipment Manufacturer Headed to China
PR Web - Delta Kits, Inc. and ShiJiaZhuang Autoglass Info & Tech Co., Ltd.,
their Master Distributor in China, are conducting a 2 day windshield repair
technical training course on April 16-17, 2005 in ChangSha China. Along with
two intense days of hands on repair training and factory certification, the
trip also provides an opportunity for the US based Delta Kits, Inc. to see the
unique market and requirements of their Chinese customers.
Vandalism Victims speak out KTVA - Glass replacement
shops around town have seen a spike in business most of the customers are not
happy with their insurance coverage. "Generally speaking they aren't happy they
are upset especially if they have a high deduct able,” says Randy Bradford,
with Safelite Auto glass.
State auto suppliers could cut thousands of jobs The
Grand Rapids Press - The looming shutdown of General Motors' Lansing assembly
plant will cost 2,000 jobs among Michigan auto suppliers, analysts forecast.
Committee kills auto insurance changes Duluth News
Tribune - Two bills overhauling Minnesota auto insurance laws suffered defeats
Wednesday in the Senate Commerce Committee, leaving intact the no-fault
insurance system some blame for making policies in Minnesota more expensive
than neighboring states.
SAP accelerates claims processing for Capita Insurance
Computer Business Review - UK-based Capita Insurance Services is using
insurance industry-specific software from Newtown Square, Pennsylvania-based
SAP to improve the efficiency of its services.
March 3, 2005
Abra Autobody and Glass Sued by Former Employees for Fraud
KARE11 - According to their lawsuit, Mock and Schimming claim, "Abra would use
the cheapest glass available and pass it off as though it was of superior
quality." The lawsuit also claims, "When an Abra employee would accidentally
break glass on a customer's vehicle, the company would call in a glass claim
and act as though they were the customer, actually supplying the customers'
private information."
Two ex-employees file suit against ABRA Auto Body
Minneapolis Star Tribune - Two Twin Cities-area men are suing ABRA Auto Body
and Glass for allegedly retaliating against them for reporting what they say
are fraudulent practices and sexual harassment, according to court documents.
-- Brian Mock and Peter Schimming both worked at the company's Fridley branch,
where, they said, they saw the company pass off inferior products as more
expensive items, intentionally extend the repair time for cars and charge
insurance companies for parts that weren't used, according to a suit filed
Wednesday in Hennepin County.
NCOIL Eyes Aftermarket Parts Model National Underwriter
- The spring session of the National Conference of Insurance Legislators will
again tackle the issue of auto crash repairs with parts not made by the
original manufacturer, according to executive director Susan Nolan.
Inadvertent Airbag Blasts Investigated Local6.com - A
Problem Solvers investigation uncovered a potential flaw in air bag systems
that could make the safety feature dangerous to drivers.
AUTOZONE Second Quarter EPS up 42%; Comparable EPS up 24%
PR Newswire - AutoZone, Inc. today reported sales of $1.204 billion for its
fiscal second quarter (12 weeks) ended February 12, 2005, up 3.9% over fiscal
second quarter 2004. Same store sales, or sales for domestic stores open at
least one year, were flat for the quarter. Operating profit increased 12.2%
over the prior year.
Auto Suppliers Urge Trade Commission to Eliminate Duties That
Drive Up Steel Prices PR Newswire - The U.S. auto supplier industry
urged the International Trade Commission to eliminate certain duties on
imported steel, saying the duties have distorted the steel market in the U.S.,
contributing to unprecedented bankruptcies and job losses among steel users.
ASA Announces CARS 2005 Chairman ASA - The Automotive
Service Association (ASA) has announced Don Seyfer, AAM, will serve as chairman
of the 2005 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS). Seyfer is a
longtime member of ASA and has held numerous industry and association
leadership positions.
Chrome Releases Canadian VIN Data Product; New Version for
Canadian Vehicles Provides More Vin-Decode-to-Style Matches, As Well As Richer
Vehicle Descriptions Business Wire - Chrome Systems Corporation, the
automotive industry's leading provider of vehicle configuration data,
configuration technology and commerce solutions, announced today the release of
a Canadian version of its popular VIN Search 2.0 product. VIN Search is a
must-have tool for auction houses, leasing companies, and finance groups, or
any business that depends on the transformation of a VIN to a basic but
accurate description of the vehicle. The new version has been modified to
support more than 20 vehicle makes available in Canada.
Automotive ‘black box’ bill advances Arkansas
Democrat-Gazette (subscription) - The National Motorists Association said
Senate Bill 51 is little more than more than "feel-good legislation" that
leaves too many opportunities for insurance companies and law enforcement
agencies to use the "black box" data against its owners.
PPG Industries Foundation donates $150,000 to literacy program TimesLeader.com
- The Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh has renamed its literacy program to
recognize the donation from the PPG Industries Foundation. It will be renamed
PPG Healthy Stories
Rising Insurance Premiums Reduce the Number of Repair Jobs in
the Replacement Body Collision Aftermarket Business Wire - Despite
mounting reported collision rates and an assumed rise in the non-reported ones,
the replacement body collision aftermarket is witnessing a decline in the
number of total repair jobs. Factors that contribute to this trend are higher
insurance premiums for vehicles with high claims and an escalation in the
overall vehicle scrappage rate.
Copart Reports Second Quarter Financial Results Business Wire/Yahoo -
Copart, Inc., the largest provider of vehicle salvage disposition services in
the United States, reported results for the second quarter ended January 31,
2005. -- Earnings rise.
NeoMedia, Pickups Plus Sign LOIs Outlining Terms for NeoMedia
to Acquire Interest in Auto Preservation Subsidiary Business Wire -
David A. Dodge, NeoMedia's vice president, CFO and controller, said that the
completed acquisition "would be aimed at leveraging the synergies offered by
Auto Preservation, with the potential to immediately and significantly increase
distribution and brand recognition for products and services from NeoMedia's
Micro Paint Repair business unit."
Magna announces fourth quarter and 2004 results
PRNewswire - Sales were a record $5.7 billion for the fourth quarter ended
December 31, 2004, an increase of 22% over the fourth quarter of 2003.
Car-critter crashes multiply Denver Post - On Monday
morning, Doug Sutherlin, owner of Doug's Auto Body Inc. in Durango, was doing
what he does three times a week on average - writing up an estimate for a
driver who has had a damaging wildlife encounter.
The Truth About the Coming Labor Shortage SHRM Magazine
- Confusing predictions and data are clouding the real picture of tomorrow’s
labor supply. -- George Krock, director of human resources, planning and
development, at PPG Industries in Pittsburgh, says employers must move beyond
the big–picture prognostications to a more narrowly focused view.
GM plans $2.5 billion investment Toronto Star - A GM
spokesperson could not be reached for comment, but industry sources say the
company will spend the money for significant retooling, a new paint shop,
environmental improvements, energy-related projects and training at its three
Oshawa assembly plants and joint CAMI venture with Suzuki in Ingersoll.
Auto Fraud, Claims Buildup Confound Carriers Insurance
Networking News - Although the specter of organized crime rings receives the
brunt of the publicity, the proliferation of "garden variety" insurance fraud
continues to badger insurance companies.
March 1, 2005
Restrictive Illinois Auto Body Shop Bill Would Hit Consumers
Hard Insurance Journal - The bill would prohibit insurers from
recommending a body shop unless requested by the policyholder. It would forbid
insurers from limiting or discounting repair costs if the policyholder chooses
another repair facility and provide civil penalties for violations. And it
would make insurers liable to claimants and repair facilities for damages from
violations.
Lincoln family settles with Safelite in 2002 crash The
Charleston Gazette - A firm that sells and installs glass has agreed to pay a
Lincoln County family $2.5 million to settle a wrongful-death lawsuit stemming
from a six-vehicle crash in 2002. -- Safelite Auto Glass Corp. agreed to settle
the case with attorneys from the law firm of state Sen. Truman Chafin of
Williamson. Chafin, D-Mingo, hopes the family can now accept closure in the
death, saying he believes the compensation was fair to the family.
Kevin Gitre Promoted to Senior Vice President of Insurance
Sales at Mitchell International Market Wire - Mitchell International,
Inc. today announced the promotion of Kevin Gitre to Senior Vice President of
Insurance Sales. In this new role, Mr. Gitre will be responsible for overseeing
Mitchell's relationships with its Auto Physical Damage and Medical Insurance
clients.
Grease monkeys become tech junkies Concord Monitor -
Today's automobiles are packed with about a thousand times as much computing
power as was in the Apollo moon landers, according to the Alliance of
Automobile Manufacturers. Computer chips run more than 86 percent of the
systems in an average vehicle, according to the alliance. Modifying them can
ruin a car as quickly as juice it up, but if you know how, you can reprogram
controls such as timing and the air-to-fuel ratio to milk more power out of an
engine.
Steel-buying firms seek end to import duties
Purchasing.com - With steel imports decreasing for a fourth straight month in
January, and U.S. steel companies now making healthy profits, another
steel-users' trade group is urging Washington to end all steel import duties.
Tokyo Steel to make automotive parts Daily Times -
Tokyo Steel said it has begun making steel sheet for cars and Kobe Steel
announced an order for an iron plant on Monday in the latest examples of
Japan’s steel producers seizing opportunities created by tight steel supplies.
