NHTSA
rejects investigation of Steeltex Washington Times - The National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration Wednesday closed its investigation of
Firestone Steeltex tires, finding no apparent manufacturing defects.
Repair business is on skids, dealers warn St. Louis Today - Dealerships
now worry that service departments might be headed in the same direction as
body shops, an operation that a growing number of dealerships have chosen to
exit. -- "Every Tom, Dick and Harry is in the paint and dent business now."
Chelsea
Industries leaders blame closing on Mitsubishi problems The Dexter
Leader - Chelsea Industries officials Monday blamed the plant closings on
reduced demand from the troubled Mitsubishi Motors Corp., coupled with sharp
increases in steel prices.
Checking tire pressure needs to become routine part of driving Detroit
News - According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration, one in three Americans drives with at least one significantly
under-inflated tire. -- The government's action in forcing automakers to add
tire monitors to vehicles is well meaning, but encourages a nanny mentality
among motorists. -- Spend $10 on a decent tire gauge, and take a few minutes
every month to check your tires. -- You'll save money and possibly something a
great deal more valuable - your life.
Delphi: SEC probing EDS, other IT transactions CBS.MarketWatch.com -
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission is probing transactions between
Delphi Corp and EDS, which supplies the automotive parts and components giant
with technology services, Delphi said late Wednesday.
GM to move up
to 300 Martinsburg WV jobs to Michigan Detroit Free Press - GM is
phasing out the packaging side of its 440-worker Martinsburg operation, but
will keep its newer parts distribution center intact, Katie McBride, a
spokeswoman for GM Service and Parts Operations, said Wednesday.
Car
parts makers show 'parts' in protest Washington Times - British car
parts makers and steel workers bared their private parts Wednesday in protest
over being "stripped" of their pensions.
October is 'Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety Awareness Month' PRNewswire
- Car-deer crashes cause at least $130 million in damage each year, or an
average of $2,000 per vehicle. Recognizing this fact, Michigan Gov.
Jennifer M. Granholm has proclaimed October as "Michigan Car-Deer Crash Safety
Awareness Month."
September 29, 2004
Not just child's play Bowling Green Daily News - Grant ‘Tex’ Engler of
Russellville, KY has parlayed his childhood love of cars into a business,
restoring full-size antique cars, turning them into shining examples of what
skilled craftsmanship can accomplish.
Mazda 3 Recalled for Defective Airbags KSL-TV - Mazda found that on
some vehicles, the housing for the air bag sensor can crack and allow water to
seep in. Should that happen, a short circuit would cause the air bag warning
light to go on and the air bag might not fire.
How
Trial Lawyers are Targeting Auto Dealers, and Making Off with Millions
aiada.org - AIADA strongly believes that dealers should operate within the
boundaries of the law. However, in many instances the alleged violation
may not have even taken place. Even so, a dealer often opts to pay a cash
settlement because it is less costly compared to the heavy burden of time and
money required to defend the case.
Volkswagen and Infineon Find New Ways to Integrate the Telephone Into Cars
physorg.com - The aim of the cooperation was to build a scalable telephone and
telematics platform that additionally provides telematics functions for the
price of an existing in-car telephone unit and so permits advanced information
services that were previously the preserve primarily of the luxury car category
to be used in all classes of vehicle.
Judge:
Ford can refuse to sell cars to police suing company Detroit News - A
Panhandle judge says Ford Motor Company can refuse to sell police cars to
Florida law enforcement agencies that join a lawsuit against the automaker over
fuel tank fires. -- With Barron’s ruling in hand, Ford also will refuse to sell
the cars to any other agency that participates in the suit, said company lawyer
David Cannella.
Auto Cos. Get More Time to Report Defects Reuters - Regulators
reluctantly agreed on Tuesday to give auto companies more time to report
sensitive safety data to the U.S. government, ending a drawn-out disagreement
with the industry over how long it should take to organize information on
potential defects.
AIAG Tire RFID Automotive Standard Now Meets Retail Mandates PRNewswire
- The Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) and EPCglobal Inc. announced
today that the revision to the AIAG B-11: "Tire and Wheel Label and Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) Standard" now complies with automotive and
retail requirements by providing one global RFID tag per tire for tracking and
identification in both of these industries.
The CEI Group Reduces Risk, Increases Profits and Client Value Proposition with
BusinessObjects 6.5 Daily Business News - For The CEI Group, a leading
service and solutions provider of vehicle Accident, Risk Management and Safety
Services programs to vehicle fleets and the property and casualty insurance
industry, having vast and immediate access to information on vehicle claims,
workflow processes and associated tasks and costs is a key to company
operational effectiveness and customer results. -- CEI, providing accident and
risk management services to vehicle fleets and direct repair programs to the
property and casualty industry, began on the second floor of a collision repair
facility in 1983.
OEConnection Selects SAVVIS To Power National Web-Based Automotive Parts
Procurement & Logistics Solutions Business Wire - A joint venture
between DaimlerChrysler Corporation, Ford Motor Company, General Motors and
ProQuest, OEConnection serves 11,000 automotive dealerships and collision
repair facilities nationwide with Web-based ecommerce solutions to identify,
locate and move original equipment repair parts more efficiently throughout the
supply chain.
I-CAR Develops And Conducts Training For Audi A8 I-CAR - Aluminum
welding and body and structural repair training for the all-aluminum Audi A8
will take place at the I-CAR Tech Centre in Appleton, Wisconsin. Through this
relationship between I-CAR and Audi, the two-week Audi A8 training program will
consist of program development and live delivery for the training participants.
America's Service Station Offers Partnerships PRNewswire - America's
Service Station in Atlanta, Georgia continues to be the trendsetter in the auto
repair industry. This already unique company has now implemented a program that
allows employees to become business owners with little, and sometimes zero
financial investment.
Screen out shady car mechanics NY Daily News - When your car starts
acting up, it's time to take it to a mechanic. But if you know very little
about cars, how can you - and your wallet - avoid getting taken for a ride?
Ford Launches Its All-New 2005 Mustang Porterville Recorder - The new
car, built at the AutoAlliance International plant in Flat Rock that Ford
co-owns with Mazda Motor Corp., is scheduled to reach showrooms next month. The
base price for a V6 version will be $19,410. The GT version with a V8 engine
will start at $24,995.
Carmakers play Made in USA card Detroit News - DaimlerChrysler, others
tout American factories to gain sales, improve image as jobs move overseas
Feds may
go after car parts supplier Detroit News - The federal government plans
to prosecute the parent company of Michigan-based auto parts suppliers Collins
& Aikman Corp. and Metaldyne Corp. on charges the company struck an illegal
deal with the United Steelworkers Union.
Total loss
Bradenton Herald - Even minor damage can send pricey cars to the trash heap
Hurricane 2004: Storm debris leads to rash of flat tires, auto body damage
Naplesnews.com - "In the last three to four weeks, our overall call volume
doubled," said Matt Nasworthy, project manager for public and government
relations with AAA-South, which serves Florida. "Most are flat tires. Some are
body damage. They are all hurricane-related."
GM plant
announcement seems near ABC12 - An announcement on two new major
General Motors projects for Flint that would bring hundreds of new jobs appears
close on the horizon.
Speed bumps for U.S. auto stocks Newsday.com - The big
American-headquartered car companies used to dominate the industry and the
stock market. What's their outlook now?
US auto shops offer mixed outlook on sales Reuters - Pep Boys on Friday
became the latest auto parts retail and service center to warn that lackluster
early summer sales persisted into September, while other shop chains reported
some positive signs.
PPG raising liquid, powder prices in North America Pittsburgh Business
Journal - Facing mounting cost pressures, PPG Industries Inc. said Friday it
will raise prices for all liquid and powder products sold in North America.
Brake King seeks to expand automotive realm The Republican, MA - Moshe
Ronen operates an expanding Springfield automotive repair business whose roots
date to the automobile's earliest days almost a century ago.
Make any car
pregnant-friendly VNN - Just as new parents childproof their homes with
outlet caps to prevent fingers from getting caught in electrical sockets or
safety gates to prevent tumbles down stairs, they must play it safe with their
cars, too.
Alternate route Star-Ledger - For more than 30 years, most New Jersey
governors responded to rising auto insurance rates by placing ever-tougher
state controls on the insurance industry.
Texas Wasatch to
Add Auto Insurance in Virginia PRWeb - Texas Wasatch Insurance is
please to announce it has expanded market coverage to include auto insurance in
Virginia. The company will operate under the trade name TWG Insurance to
provide auto insurance in Virginia.
3 Lawrence lawyers arraigned on car insurance fraud charges Boston
Globe - The indictment of three Lawrence attorneys this week on charges that
they colluded with clients to commit automobile insurance fraud could combat a
crime that costs the average Massachusetts driver $200 to $300 a year.
September 24, 2004
U.S. keeping
crash data secret Detroit Free Press - Federal auto safety officials
are backtracking on a pledge to give consumers access to detailed data on which
cars and trucks may be linked to deaths, injuries and property damage. The
reason: Tire makers have sued to prevent its release.
Ford to
use Jaguar parts in more cars The Journal Gazette - Ford Motor Co.,
under pressure to deliver higher profits from its luxury brands, is planning to
make its British luxury brand Jaguar share more components and technologies
with other luxury units, a senior company executive told The Wall Street
Journal.
Auto Aftermarket
Gains More Ground, Packs House Hearing on Right to Repair, States CARE
US Newswire - The automotive aftermarket gained further ground yesterday as the
first Congressional hearing was held on H.R. 2735, the Motor Vehicle Owners'
Right to Repair Act, according to David Parde, president of the Coalition for
Automotive Repair Equality (CARE).
Another storm might overwhelm backlogged repair firms Palm Beach Post -
In the wake of Frances, contractors such as Arnold in the roofing,
tree-trimming, auto body and other damage-repair businesses have stretched
schedules and added to their crews.
PMA Member Jim Evans Testifies Before U.S.-China Commission PRNewswire
- Precision Metalforming Association (PMA) member Jim Evans testified today
before the U.S.-China Commission at a field hearing in Akron, Ohio, telling his
story of lost business, lost employees and loss of income tax revenue in the
region due to U.S.-China trade, and called on the commission to restore balance
to U.S.-China trade.
Automotive Capital Group, Inc. Completes Acquisition of Navicom Wireless GPS
eReleases - Automotive Capital Group, Inc. announced today that it has
completed the acquisition of Navicom Wireless GPS. Automotive Capital Group,
Inc acquires over 1,100 current active accounts that are billed monthly for GPS
services.
Visteon Distribution Operations Manager to Speak at 5th Annual Automotive
Logistics Conference PRNewswire - The two-day conference (Sept. 28-29)
will cover several topics related to automotive logistics and supply chain
including: keeping the supply chain fluid, the role of logistics service
providers, cost-down through packaging and container management, aftermarket
and service parts, and the impact of globalization.
AK Steel Named to Top 100 List in Quality PRNewswire - According to
Quality magazine, the companies included in the Top 100 list are "impressive
companies that lead their respective industries." The magazine adds, "They all
have made substantial investments in quality technology and people. They reach
out to their customers, suppliers and employees to improve their product and
their processes. These are some of the leaders in producing quality products
around the world."
Auto repair shops disagree on need for law to access repair information
NC Times - The chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee told
automakers Wednesday that they must do a better job of providing information to
independent auto repair shops if they want to avoid intervention from Congress.
Car warranty fixes surge to $12B a year Tucson Citizen - Automakers
face a staggering $12 billion annual bill to fix vehicles covered by
warranties, and there is growing tension with parts suppliers and repair shops
over who is responsible for the skyrocketing cost and how to reduce it.
Look,
Ma, No Paint Business 2.0 (Subscription required to read) - Imagine a
car body that never gets scratched. No more nicks or dings from gravel or
wayward shopping carts. No more chipped paint -- because, very simply, there is
no paint.
Visteon Delivers Industry-Leading Halogen Advanced Front Lighting on New Ford
Focus PRNewswire - The next-generation Ford Focus, showcased at the
Paris Motor Show for the European market beginning this week, is the world's
first vehicle to offer customers a halogen Advanced Front Lighting System
(AFS). Developed by Visteon Corporation, the AFS system is an important
optional feature that helps improve driver visibility at night.
Autoliv
Shows Another Advance in Vehicle Safety: New Steering Wheel with New Driver
Airbag PrimeZone - One of the most striking innovations at the Paris
Auto Show -- that opens this week -- is the world's first steering wheel with a
fixed hub. Thanks to this innovation, the frontal airbag for the driver no
longer has to be round. The shape and the design of the bag can instead be
optimized to provide the best possible protection in a crash.
Safety comes first with 2005 features CBS MarketWatch - Gadgets and
gizmos are fun enough, but features that ensure a safe, smooth ride are what
car buyers really want when it comes to big in-demand options in 2005.
Worthington Reports Record First Quarter Results; Earnings Per Diluted Share:
$0.66 vs. $0.07 Business Wire - Relative to last year, economic and
industry conditions have improved across all customer segments except "Big 3"
automotive, Processed Steel's largest customer segment. "Big 3" vehicle
production is projected to be down 7% for the coming fiscal quarter compared to
the same quarter last year but up 12% from this quarter.
Ford Europe says can't pass on higher steel costs Yahoo/Reuters - The
head of Ford Motor Co's European operations sees no opportunities to pass on
the cost of higher steel prices to consumers and the carmaker will have to
offset them with cost cuts.
Auto supplier shops unionize MLive - The United Auto Workers now can
organize employees at two area auto suppliers, a prime potential growth source
for the labor organization that's seen its membership in the state decline in
recent years.
Two men arrested on public adjuster charges The News-Press - Fort
Myers,FL- James J. Tomlinson, 42, of Pompano Beach, and James S. Hudgens, 33,
of Fort Lauderdale, were booked into the Lee County Jail on third-degree felony
charges. If convicted, the men face a maximum penalty of fines up to $5,000 and
up to five years in prison.
Queens medical clinics allegedly file more than $1 million in false claims Newsday
- The chiropractors, acupuncturists, and therapists at two Queens medical
clinics were involved in an extensive insurance fraud scheme that sought more
than $1 million in false claims and involved more than 100 people, the Queens
district attorney's office announced Wednesday.
16 indicted on auto insurance fraud charge Boston Globe - Sixteen
people, including three lawyers and four chiropractors, have been indicted by
an Essex County special grand jury on charges they were involved in auto
insurance fraud in Lawrence.
September 22, 2004
Safety Regulators Probe 1.1 Mln GM Minivans Reuters - U.S. safety
regulators are investigating more than 1.1 million minivans from General Motors
Corp. because passengers could hurt their arms or wrists when opening a power
sliding door.
Birmingham-based Citation
files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy WKRN - Birmingham-based Citation Corp
says it filed for bankruptcy protection because of an inability to pass along
higher scrap steel prices to customers. -- The company buys scrap steel that it
molds into automotive parts and materials for other industrial companies.
Visteon's Monroe Plant Dedicates Veterans' Wall PRNewswire - The Monroe
Plant's Veterans' Wall honors the men and women who have served in the armed
forces and worked for the plant, including active, retired, and deceased
employees. More than 200 names are engraved on bronze plates and
displayed on the wall, which is made from oak.
Sansone Automotive
Group to Give Back Over $14 Million to Customers in Class Settlement
PRNewswire - The lawsuit alleges that Sansone-owned dealerships violated the
New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by charging inflated prices for title and tag
fees as well as for documentary and other dealership fees and services
associated with new or used vehicle purchases and leases.
Food drive at EHOVE to benefit SA Port Clinton News Herald - Students
in EHOVE Career Center's Auto Body I class are spearheading a community service
food drive through Friday to benefit the Salvation Army organization in Erie,
Huron and Ottawa counties. -- The project is a SkillsUSA Ohio project.
SkillsUSA Ohio is the career tech student organization that promotes
leadership.
Michelin Unveils Airless Tire for 10 Years On Reuters - Europe's
biggest tire maker Michelin unveiled an airless tire on Tuesday designed to
weather tough road conditions in fast-growing countries like China and India.
State Farm cuts Illinois
homeowner, auto premiums WQAD - Analysts say the moves mirror a
national trend that has held 2004 rate increases to their lowest levels in four
years. -- Bloomington-based State Farm will cut homeowners' premiums an average
of three-point-seven percent, while auto insurance rates will dip nearly one
percent.
Car buyers sticking with plain colors Mansfield News Journal - You'd
think consumers' tastes in car colors would have become more adventurous in
these modern times. Strangely, it seems the opposite is true.
Consumer, environmental groups battle businesses over lawsuits The
Press Enterprise - Kelly Stelle had just sunk her money into an auto repair
shop in Laguna Hills when a Beverly Hills law firm filed a suit accusing her of
a long list of business violations.
Mercedes-Benz Chooses Alcan's Aluminum Bumper System PRNewswire - Alcan
Inc will be supplying aluminum bumpers to Mercedes-Benz for its
second-generation A-Class compact car, set to appear in European dealerships
this fall. The bumpers will be produced at Alcan's dedicated automotive
structures plant in Gottmadingen, Germany.
Caliber Collision Centers Awarded 2004 Route 66 Rendezvous Poker Run Loving Cup
Trophy Business Wire - Caliber Collision Centers, an Irvine,
Calif.-based operator of high-quality collision repair facilities in California
and Texas, has been awarded the San Bernardino Route 66 Rendezvous Poker Run
2004 Loving Cup trophy for the fifth year in a row.
Rep. Pete Sessions Honored With AOCA Automotive Service Industry Champion Award
PRNewswire - U.S. Rep. Pete Sessions (R-32nd/TX) was presented with the
Automotive Oil Change Association's (AOCA) Automotive Service Industry Champion
Award at the AOCA's annual Congressional reception held this year on September
14th at the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, DC. Making the
presentation to Rep. Sessions was Steve Christie, Executive Director of the
AOCA.
The Impact Of
Side-Impact Airbags WCCO - The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration is expected to announce new side-impact standards in the next
few months. All vehicles will have to pass a new government crash test.
Pa. residents clean up after Ivan Herald-Mail - Penn National Insurance
said nearly 250 customers contacted it with claims by early Monday. The biggest
claim was from Unis Automotive Sales in Aliquippa, Pa., where hurricanes
Frances and Ivan ruined more than 100 vehicles in just more than a week.
--"We're averaging about $23,000 a car - so it's simple math," said Bill
Hamrick, director of the Harrisburg-based insurer's property division.
September 20, 2004
Texas
Insurer-Owned Repair Shop Lawsuit Begins TodayASA - The Allstate v.
Abbott trial on Texas' new Insurer-Owned Repair shop law is scheduled to begin
this Monday, September 20, at 9 a.m. CST at the U.S. District Court for the
Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division. ASA will be monitoring the
progress of the trial.
A new set of tools at the auto-repair shop USA Today - The little
computer is called Nomad, and it is made by Microvision of Bothell, Wash.,
using technology developed for the military. -- "It really saves you time on
your diagnostics because you don't have to go back and forth," Kurt Ward said,
referring to the usual method of walking over to a desktop computer, printing
out a page and carrying that back to the car.
"Service engine soon"
Daily Breeze - But that isn't easy at independent repair shops, which say poor
access to manufacturers' data costs them business.
Tough
DuPont Plastic Provides Breakthrough Application for Automaker Jobwerx
News - DuPont identifies a new resin for the use of plastic as a reinforcement
for body panels. The bracket mirror part is molded and supplied to the Chrysler
Group for the second-generation 2004 Dodge Durango SUV and Dakota pickup by
Mayco Plastics, Sterling Heights, Michigan. -- "The weight, cost and EHPV
savings alone make this a breakthrough application," a Chrysler Group truck
products engineer stated. "The fact that this is the first use of plastic to
reinforce non-crash body panels opens up a whole realm of possible automotive
applications."
Akzo Program Unlocks Early Festive Cheer Inside Paint - Christmas has
come early for a single mother-of-two who is the latest beneficiary of an
award-winning benevolence program run by Akzo Nobel’s Car Refinishes business
in the United States.
Stampers feel the squeeze The Grand Rapids Press - Automotive suppliers
are getting squeezed at both ends. Raw materials such as steel have jumped 120
percent or more since last year. At the same time, their customers, the Big
Three automakers, are demanding price cuts on the finished parts.
Cooper sells
auto parts business CNN Money - Cooper Tire and Rubber Co. said Friday
it agreed to sell an automotive parts business to two buyout firms for about
$1.17 billion, the latest private equity purchase in the sector.
Better slow down: Your car's 'black box' is watching you Newsday - "Is
it an invasion of your privacy to have your car ratting on you?" Barbara
Bernstein, executive director of the Nassau Chapter of the New York Civil
Liberties Union, asked last week. Manufacturers should have to make drivers
aware of their installation, she said - and drivers should have the right to
disengage them. "It's like having an unannounced police officer sitting in the
back of your car," she said.
Traveling long, bumpy road to customer Newsday - After an auto accident
landed a 2001 Nissan Altima in a body shop in mid-June, the repairs were
expected to be done by the start of July. The expectation was reasonable but,
in this case, wishful thinking.
Woman's Crusade Prompts Better Car Safety The Ledger - Janette Fennell
became an auto safety crusader on the terrible night nearly a decade ago when
she and her husband were robbed at gunpoint and forced into the trunk of their
car.
Plans for body shop move hits pothole Allston-Brighton TAB - Needham,MA
- Beacon Collision, a family-run car repair, has been doing business on North
Beacon Street for 17 years, but the current garage will soon be demolished to
make room for the construction of new condominiums, according to Bigelow Hill
Association members.
Do multitaskers spread
their attention too thin? Pittsburgh Post-Gazette - The American
International Automobile Dealers association cites a National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration study that estimates cell-phone use contributed to
292,000 accidents from 1997 to 2002.
September 17, 2004
TakingTheHill.com
Provides Absentee Voting Information ASA - Useful Guide for Many CARS,
NACE, Industry Week Attendees -- TakingTheHill.com was created to advance
grassroots advocacy campaigns within the automotive repair industry. The site
is now responsible for sending more than 1,000 messages to elected
representatives around the nation.
EPA to Host Special
Session Before CARS ASA - As a prelude to this year's Congress of
Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
will host a special session to discuss the implementation of the original
equipment manufacturers' service information Web sites. The session will take
place Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Flamingo Las Vegas.
Auto Industry Says Steel Supply Running Low Reuters - The auto industry
could face steel shortages due to increased Chinese demand and reduced steel
production capacity, industry executives said on Thursday.
Hyundai Auto Granted to Take Over Hanbo Steel The Korea Times - The
Fair Trade Commission (FTC) on Thursday gave the go-ahead to Hyundai Automotive
Group's acquisition of Hanbo Iron & Steel on the condition it sell part of its
existing steel-bar production facilities.
Insurance fraud sting nets 38North County Times -At least two more people are expected to be arrested
soon, authorities said.
Pegging the Right Outsourcing Strategy BS&T - No automaker can keep up
with the fast-evolving processes and materials used to build car components,
whether it's tires, brakes, steel, glass, electronics, airbags or even paint
--nor do they want to stray from their core business focus and competencies. As
a result, employment among traditional auto OEMs has shrunk precipitously.
Hurricane Ivan May Swamp Some Insurers' Profits Reuters - After
Hurricane Ivan pummeled a wide swath of land along the Gulf of Mexico Thursday,
some U.S. insurers swamped by the third major hurricane of 2004 might find
their profits gone with the wind.
Insurers
Report 'Encouraging' Progress in Crackdown on Auto Claim Fraud in N.Y.
Insurance Journal - The fight against insurance fraud in New York is producing
encouraging results as the cost of the average auto injury claim under the
state's no-fault insurance system declined by 20 percent between 2002 and 2003,
according to the New York Alliance Against Insurance Fraud (NYAAIF).
September 16, 2004
Police target body shops, nab dozens in fraud sting Daily Bulletin -
State insurance investigators have rounded up more than 30 people accused of
filing false insurance claims through several auto body shops. -- The specifics
of the sting, dubbed "Operation Cash-Out," are scheduled to be announced today
at a 10 a.m. press conference in Rancho Cucamonga.
US auto parts suppliers face tough price pressure Yahoo/Reuters - U.S.
auto parts suppliers are being squeezed between automakers' price reductions
from above and rising raw materials prices from below, making for one of the
most difficult environments in memory, the head of the Original Equipment
Suppliers Association said on Wednesday.
OEConnection Selected as NorthCoast 99 Best Places to Work in Northeast Ohio PRNewswire
- ERC selects organizations based on their demonstrated ability to implement
dynamic and effective programs that attract, retain, and create a high level of
associate satisfaction. -- OEConnection serves over 11,000 franchised auto
dealerships and collision repair facilities with web-based technology solutions
that help improve efficiencies, increase customer satisfaction, and drive
original equipment replacement parts sales.
Car
bumper maker to hire about 250 Detroit News - An automotive supplier
coming to Fowlerville promises more jobs and an economic boost to Livingston
County.
Fuji to recall
23,000 Subaru Impreza, Forester cars Japan Today - Fuji Heavy
Industries Ltd, the maker of Subaru cars, said Wednesday it will recall about
23,000 vehicles in its Impreza and Forester models for free repairs over engine
oil leaks.
Brussels unveils plan to free-up market for car parts Independent.co.uk
- Plans to strip car makers of their exclusive right to sell spare parts such
as bumpers, bonnets and headlights were outlined yesterday, as part of a drive
to open up a €10bn market across Europe.
Automakers hold tight control in most European countries International
Herald Tribune - Nine European countries - Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Spain, Hungary, Britain, Italy and Latvia - already permit other
companies to compete against the carmakers themselves, by curbing the
carmakers' copyright on the parts. The United States also has an open market on
spare parts.
Chinese-built cars seen hitting U.S. soon Yahoo/Reuters - U.S.
automakers should brace for the onslaught of low-cost vehicle exports from
China, Chrysler Chief Executive Dieter Zetsche warned on Wednesday. -- Zetsche
told the Reuters Autos and Manufacturing Summit that cars made in China were
likely to make their debut on U.S. showroom floors and start gaining consumer
acceptance in America by the end of the decade.
SmarTire Announces Supply Agreement With Aston MartinPRNewswire -
SmarTire Systems Inc. announced that Aston Martin, part of Ford Motor Company's
Premier Automotive Group has been including the Company's tire pressure
monitoring systems (TPMS) in the DB9 model that went into production earlier
this year.
Two
auto insurance dealers to pay up Austin Business Journal -Texas
Attorney General Greg Abbott today filed court-approved settlements with two
major auto insurers to refund more than $3.4 million to Texas policyholders.
The individuals had paid more out of pocket on claims for auto repairs in
certain years than their policies required. -- The companies, along with others
in the industry, engaged in the unlawful practice known as "betterment," in
which they claimed that the use of better or newer parts to repair the vehicle
increased its value.
September 15, 2004
State Offers Free
Environmental Compliance Workshops For Auto Body Businesses Empire
Information Services, Inc - Due to recent changes in the environmental laws,
auto body shop owners and operators have new responsibilities. Those in the
auto body business will want to be sure to attend New York State's free
workshops to learn more about these important changes.
Hurricane Frances impacts daily life Palm Beach Post - Auto body shops
are among the few businesses that could see an increase in productivity as a
result of Hurricane Frances. Downed traffic signals wreaked havoc on the
roadways, despite a police presence at major intersections throughout the city.
With reckless drivers failing to treat intersections as a four-way stop, car
accidents are keeping tow truck companies and auto body shops very busy.
BASF introduces new, one-piece plastic automotive seating structure
Jobwerx.com - Typical metal-based automotive seating structures are comprised
of individual parts that require hand assembly. The BASF plastic seating
structure consolidates these parts into one component.
Smarter Cars Are Safer Cars Business Week - A wide range of different
technologies are heading to market with one aim: To make driving a lot less
death-defying or even dangerous.
Toyota orders
recalls Detroit Free Press - Toyota Motor Corp., Asia's largest
automaker, said Tuesday it will recall about 646,000 vehicles starting today to
fix the brakes in four models.
German
Auto Industry at Risk DW - Germany's tradition as a center of car
manufacturing could be in jeopardy as more businesses look to move east in
response to rising wages and inflexible labor markets. "Made in Germany" may
soon be outdated.
Employers
say workers need help to improve writing ability Ardmoreite -It's not
just students who need to brush up on their writing. -- A majority of U.S.
employers say about one-third of workers do not meet the writing requirements
of their positions, according to a survey by the College Board's National
Commission on Writing.
September 14, 2004
Indiana 'Diminished Value' Class-Action Case Could Set Dangerous Precedent,
Insurers Argue Insurance Journal - Indiana Supreme Court justices
should carefully consider the impact that a class-action case regarding
compensation for the diminished value of a vehicle could have on numerous
insurance policies and premiums—and ultimately reject the lawsuit, according to
an amicus brief filed this month by a coalition of insurance industry
lobbyists.
Automakers warned of counterfeit threat Detroit News - The U.S.
Department of Homeland Security is warning the auto industry that the
trafficking of counterfeit goods, including automotive parts, could put
millions of dollars into the pockets of terrorists.
Custom car shop
roars into reality TV Indianapolis Star - Ryan Friedlinghaus had a love
for transforming ordinary cars into flamboyant metal sculptures with
supercharged engines, $8,000 wheels and intricate, airbrushed paint jobs. --
So, 10 years ago, Friedlinghaus opened his car-customizing garage, hoping to
find customers desiring souped-up cars in a city popularized by famous rappers
and movies featuring tricked-out rides.
EU
considers replacement parts change Detroit News - European Union
regulators are set to consider new rules stripping the exclusive rights of
automakers such as Volkswagen AG and PSA Peugeot Citroen to sell replacement
body panels and other exterior parts in 15 countries. The European Commission
is scheduled to decide whether to propose the measure at a meeting today.
Automakers are fighting the proposal on "crash parts."
Earl Scheib Announces Significantly Improved Financial Results for the First
Quarter of Fiscal Year 2005 Business Wire - Earl Scheib, Inc. reported
its operating results for the first quarter ended July 31, 2004 of the fiscal
year ending April 30, 2005. -- Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2005
were $12,691,000, a decrease of 4.2% from the first quarter of fiscal 2004 net
sales of $13,254,000 due primarily to the Company operating nine fewer retail
paint and body shops since July 31, 2003. However, despite having one less
sales day in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 versus fiscal 2004, same-shop
retail sales in the first quarter of fiscal 2005 increased by 0.4%.
Coming to a Dashboard Near You Business Week - Auto designers are
simplifying confusing, feature-crammed displays to help older drivers. Here are
some innovations to look forward to.
U.S. safety agency upgrades probe into GM SUVs Yahoo News - Federal
safety officials said they have upgraded an investigation into two of General
Motors Corp.'s full-size sport utility vehicles following complaints of
overheating fuel pump wiring, which could melt a hole in the fuel tank.
Volvo recalling vehicles over fire hazard Seattle PI - Volvo is
recalling 460,000 vehicles worldwide because a wiring problem could cause a fan
to overheat and burn, the company said Monday. -- The recall involves S80 and
S60 sedans and XC70 and V70 wagons from the 1999, 2000 and 2001 model years,
including 150,000 vehicles in North America. The recall is the largest in
Volvo's history, company spokesman James Hope said.
Delphi
to cut 1,000 more jobs by year-end Detroit New - The closing of a
Delphi Corp. factory in Flint places the world's largest auto supplier on track
to reduce its U.S. hourly work force by up to 6,000 by year's end, roughly
1,000 more than originally planned, the company said Monday.
Senate Proposes
Standards For SUV Safety, Roofs WBAL - Similar House Bill Proposes
Voluntary Rules -- "The manufacturers don't tell the public exactly how their
roofs perform. The public has no way of knowing. The only thing it can rely on
is the existing government standard which is useless. So people are being
killed when they don't have to," said Joan Claybrook, who is the president of
Public Citizen, a public advocacy organization.
Honda to offer
car that talks back to you Sun Times - Honda, with help from partner
IBM, is preparing to introduce an improved speech-recognition system that will
allow drivers to get voice navigation guidance without having to manually punch
in any information or take their eyes off the road to read a computer screen.
While others downsize, auto supplier Gentex expands MLive.com - While
many Michigan manufacturers are laying off workers, shuttering factories and
moving assembly lines to low-cost sites, automotive supplier Gentex Corp. is
staying put and expanding. -- Gentex Chairman Fred Bauer said the company has
considered but rejected plans to build overseas or in the South. -- "We could
have plants all over the world," Bauer said, "but then you get cultural
problems, and we try to keep our business as simple as we can because business
grows complex on its own."
Ford
Cites Fire Risk In Van Recall The Champlain Channel - Vehicles from the
2003 and 2004 model years are included in the recall; Ford says vans made after
November 2003 are not affected.
Visteon troubles still tied to Ford fix Yahoo News - Visteon Corp.
rattled credit investors by announcing a third-quarter charge up to $900
million and withdrawing all guidance for the rest of the year as steep steel
prices and production cuts at Ford Motor Co squeezed the auto parts maker.
Advance Auto Parts Announces Leadership Transition PRNewswire-FirstCall
- Advance Auto Parts, Inc. announced that, Lawrence P. Castellani, its Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer, will retire effective May 19, 2005 after its
annual stockholders' meeting.
BASF
introduces Refinish Principles for Insurers workshop Jobwerx.com - New
VisionPLUS® University course helps insurance industry understand paint repair.
-- The one-day interactive workshop teaches participants about the coating
products, systems and procedures used by collision repair technicians to make
high-quality customer-pleasing paint repairs.
The color of satisfaction Goleta Valley Voice - Before Eddie Anderson
was of legal age to drive, he was pounding out dents and painting cars
alongside his older brother Tony in downtown Santa Barbara.
Goodyear to cut 340 jobs Detroit News - Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. said
Friday it will eliminate 340 jobs in its engineered products and chemical
businesses to reduce costs. -- The nation’s largest tiremaker will cut 240 jobs
in engineered products by the end of the third quarter of 2005 and 100 in its
chemical business by the end of 2004. The jobs will be eliminated at several
unnamed facilities in North America and Europe.
Used car sales bill on governor's desk North County Times -
Escondido,CA - A little noticed piece of legislation that backers say will
protect consumers from unscrupulous car dealers is sitting on Gov. Arnold
Schwarzenegger's desk, waiting for him to decide whether to sign it into law or
veto it.
Doctors take
on Blue Cross Detroit Free Press - In a lawsuit filed Thursday, two
professional groups representing most Michigan physicians accused Blue Cross
Blue Shield of Michigan of trying to force doctors to accept lower fees for
services they provide to hundreds of thousands of autoworkers and their
families.
September 10, 2004
Final
Issue of the SalientSally
Custer - Normally you would be getting your annual subscription notice inserted
in this issue, not this time. (8 articles)
Insurers Urge U.S. Supreme Court to Change Utah Ruling in Landmark Punitive
Damages CaseInsurance Journal - The National Association of Mutual
Insurance Companies (NAMIC) and the Property Casualty Insurers Association of
America (PCI) have filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to
consider a remand of a second Utah Supreme Court judgment on punitive damages
in the case of State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company v. Campbell and
Inez Preece Campbell.
Night
or day, he found the part Mail Tribune - A community will miss Rick
Johnson’s help when Harrison Parts store in Ashland closes
PPG Total Service Solutions Lands Contract With Ford Facility in Valencia,
Spain PRNewswire - PPG Total Service Solutions announced today that it
recently signed a contract to provide the Ford Motor Co. Almussafes facility in
Valencia, Spain with a paint detackification process management program.
Initial implementation of the program began in August.
Visteon to Record Non-Cash Charge to Write-Down Deferred Tax Assets PRNewswire
- The decision to record the charge was reached following an analysis of the
anticipated impact of Ford's announcement of lower than expected North American
production estimates for fourth quarter and full year 2004.
Group 1 Automotive Acquires New York Platform; Nissan Add-Point Opens in Boston
Business Wire - Group 1 currently owns 95 automotive dealerships comprised of
141 franchises, 33 brands and 32 collision service centers located in
California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey,
New Mexico, New York, Oklahoma and Texas. -- Hassel Auto Group consists of four
dealerships in Freeport, Glen Cove and Huntington, N.Y.
CSX deal to speed delivery of Ford parts from Michigan Louisville
Business Journal - TNT Logistics North America and CSX Transportation Inc.,
which both are based in Jacksonville, Fla., have reached an agreement to
"cross-dock" vehicle parts at TNT's rail-logistics center in Toledo, Ohio,
according to a news release from TNT.
Questions in Kentucky 'black box' case Enquirer - A "black box" data
recorder from a defendant's car may provide evidence in an upcoming Northern
Kentucky trial in a case that raises intriguing questions about privacy and the
dependability of technology.
Tower Automotive to Cut Plant Production eMediaWire - Tower Automotive
Inc. said Thursday that the company plans to reduce production at its
Greenville, Mich., plant, which will impact about 135 jobs at the facility.
Toledo, Ohio tears down auto shop as owners await court ruling Toledo
Blade - The Blankenships' property is the last of 16 businesses and 83 homes
that the city bought or seized through eminent domain to clear land on the east
side of Stickney north of I-75 for construction of DaimlerChrysler AG's Toledo
North Assembly Plant. -- Kim's Auto recently filed another stay request, Mr.
Blankenship said, on the grounds of a July 30 Michigan Supreme Court ruling
that similar land seizures violate that state's constitution.
Rep. Knollenberg, Automotive Suppliers to Discuss Counterfeit Parts at
Washington Automotive Press Association Luncheon on Sept. 15 PRNewswire
- "Intellectual property and brand reputation are some of the greatest assets
automotive products manufacturers have today. American suppliers are
being hurt badly by counterfeiters who steal their intellectual property and
ruin the brand reputations of some very good companies by pushing fake goods on
the market," said Duggan. "Many automotive products are required to meet
federal safety standards. Counterfeit brakes, lighting, belts,
windshields and other products create a major safety risk to unknowing
consumers," he added.
Suzuki
Motor Corp Recalls 157,480 Altos Forbes - A joint venture between
Japan's Suzuki Motor Corp. and Chongqing Changan Automobile Co. has recalled
157,480 Alto model cars, Changan Automobile said Thursday.
Auto
motherboards are on the horizon Detroit News - Joseph Huang and his
company, ASTI, want to provide harmony, whether it be integrating electronic
automotive components or helping school districts manage their computer
applications.
The Cypress Group Announces Name for Automotive Aftermarket Group
Business Wire - The Cypress Group announced today that the automotive
aftermarket business it is in the process of purchasing from Dana Corporation
will be named "AFFINIA" after the transaction is completed. The announcement
was made by Michael Finley, Managing Director of Cypress.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Announces Final Results of Self-Tender
Offer Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc. announced
today the final results of its self-tender offer to purchase up to 11,200,000
shares of its common stock at a price of $18.75 per share. The self-tender
offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 30, 2004.
Web
site Launched for Consumer Insurance Complaints Insurance Journal - A
new Web site, with the provocative name of "InsuranceGripe.com," has been
launched to help consumers complain to their respective insurance departments
about an insurance related problem.
September 8, 2004
Ford Recalls About 40,000 Minivans Reuters - Ford Motor Co. is
recalling about 40,000 minivans because their wheel hubs may develop cracks.
The recall affects 35,401 Ford Freestar minivans and 4,630 Mercury Montereys,
both from the 2004 model year, Ford spokesman Glenn Ray said on Tuesday.
Flow of auto
data restricted Detroit Free Press - Under pressure from automakers,
the affiliate of J. D. Power and Associates that regularly provides pricing,
demographic and other key automotive data to the media no longer will do so.
U.S. Supreme Court
Rules on HMO Suit Limitations AutoInc.Online - Collision repairers
should note the continued judiciary and legislative interest in the
relationships between insurers and consumers.
ASA Announces New
Member Benefit: Exclusive Discounts on Mitchell 1's OnDemand5 ASA - The
Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced a special member benefit to
provide a cost-savings opportunity for its membership. ASA national members who
begin new subscriptions to Mitchell 1's OnDemand5 Repair and Estimating system
are eligible for exclusive pricing on both the activation fee and the monthly
subscription fee.
Make South Side auto tech a magnet program Jackson Sun - The National
Automotive Technicians Education Foundation made South Side's auto body program
the first in the state to receive certification.
Minority programs helping fill auto-mechanic shortage Arizona Republic
- The program is one of several nationwide efforts, some aided by big-name
athletes like baseball Hall of Famer Hank Aaron and former Washington Redskins
lineman George Starke, to steer minorities toward careers in the automotive
industry.
GDX Automotive Sale Complete PRNewswire - GDX Automotive today
introduced a new global management team to lead the company after the
successful sale of the business by former parent company GenCorp Inc. to
Cerberus Capital Management, L.P, a New York-based investment firm. GDX
Automotive is a global supplier of vehicle sealing and engineered components
with manufacturing operations in North America, Europe and China.
Key Plastics to Acquire
Kendrion's Automotive PlasticsEdinburgh Evening News - In announcing
the acquisition, Mr. Ewing said: “The acquisition of Kendrion’s Automotive
Plastics Group represents an exciting step forward for Key Plastics. After
completion of this deal, Key Plastics will be a global plastics company with
750 to 800 million in sales.”
PPG Industries' LeBouef
atop the leader board for local CEOs who golf Pittsburgh Post-Gazette -
Forget about Vijay Singh unseating Tiger Woods as the world's best golfer. What
about PPG Industries Chairman Raymond W. LeBoeuf retaining his crown as
Pittsburgh's best golfing CEO?
Geico's
Amherst service center playing key role in firm's growthBuffalo News - Geico Corp. expects to move
up the ranks to the nation's No. 4 auto insurer by the end of the year, and the
company's new Amherst service center already is proving to be a big part of the
company's success, its chief executive said during a visit to Buffalo last
week.
N.J.
Dept. Posts Insurance Company Reviews Insurance Journal - Residents
wanting to learn more about an insurance company they do business with can now
access market conduct information online. Sixteen insurance company
examinations are on the New Jersey Department's Web site and available for
public review.
Insurers often rebound after storms CBS.MW - Shares of property and
casualty insurers almost always gain in the aftermath of hurricanes, according
to analysts, who mainly attribute this to relief and enticing valuations,
rather than on the possibility of higher insurance rates.
State, insurers open mobile units St Petersburg Times - The Florida
Department of Financial Services and various insurance companies began setting
up mobile response units Tuesday in areas hardest hit by Hurricane Frances.
19 accused
of fabricating accidents for insurance money Sun Times - Nineteen
people -- including a Mount Prospect insurance adjustor -- were charged with
taking part in a four-year scheme of faking car accident reports to collect
more than $1 million in insurance money, the U.S. attorneys office alleges.
US
court reverses rollover verdict that favored FordReuters - A U.S.
court of appeals has reversed a jury verdict favoring Ford Motor Co in a
rollover accident case involving one of its Explorer SUVs, in another legal
upset for the second-largest U.S. automaker.
Suspected auto thief
caught with tools New Philadelphia Times Reporter - New Philadelphia
police arrested what they believe to be a professional auto parts thief after
finding the man behind the Ferris Chevrolet auto lot Saturday night. -- The
suspect had a computer-generated Carfax sheet, which could help him identify
where to locate car parts. He also had a list of car parts he was looking for,
including parts from specific Chevrolet dealers in the area.
Custom Car
Craze Grows Everett Herald - Custom cars - with massive chrome wheels,
decorative paint, slick upholstery and other adjustments - are no longer only
for those with lavish or eccentric tastes.
2004 California Worker of the Year Announced For Labor Day PRNewswire -
The 2004 California Worker of the Year is 95-year-old Mern Shepherd, an auto
body repairman in San Bernardino who hasn't let his age slow him down. -- He
still goes to work six days a week, and says it's what keeps him going.
EU
plans to liberalise car spare parts market under heavy fire EuroActiv -
The proposal to include a ‘right to repair’ clause in the design copyright
directive affecting visible car parts faces new delays amid stiff opposition
from manufacturers and some commissioners.
BASF introduces ‘Refinish Principles for Insurers’ workshop IP -
“Refinish Principles for Insurers,” a new workshop offered by BASF as part of
its VisionPLUS University program, will help insurance company representatives
understand the automotive refinish process.
Former
Wichitan Fox reacquires Service Body Shops MSNBC - A Tulsa businessman
who once owned three Service Body Shops in Wichita has repurchased the stores
and is building a new location on east Kellogg. -- The Boyd Group did not
return calls for comment for this story.
New airbag law sure to
save lives Eastern Echo - This month’s issue of Car and Driver Magazine
suggests buying up stock in airbag suppliers. Why? Because the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration is expected to suggest new regulations that would
make side impact airbags standard in new cars.
Chinese
Official Disputes GM Claim Forbes - A top Chinese commerce official
said Monday that General Motors Corp. hasn't provided enough evidence to prove
that a local company copied one of its car models.
Farmers Continues Its Attack on Body Shop Fraud, Seeking a Court Order to Halt
Fraud and to Recover Damages Business Wire - Farmers Insurance Exchange
has begun serving civil summons and complaints upon a Los Angeles body shop and
its director, accusing them of taking part in a scheme designed to defraud
Farmers and its policyholders. The civil complaint, which is similar to prior
successful lawsuits against body shops that submitted false insurance claims,
seeks damages for the fraud committed.
Suzuki, Honda Recall SUVs, Minivans Reuters - The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration said the 172,093 SUVs affected were from the
1999-2004 model years.
Lawyers,
GM spar over data on engine problems Detroit News - Lawyers battling
General Motors Corp. over allegedly defective engines turned up the heat this
week by accusing the automaker of withholding documents and running newspaper
ads soliciting new information.
Fiat
revamps ailing automotive unit Detroit News - Fiat SpA named 24 new
managers to its struggling auto unit as part of efforts to restore the
automaker’s fortunes.
AK Steel Names Anthony C. Perry to Director of Purchasing Post
PRNewswire - In his new post, he will report to John F. Kaloski, vice
president, operations, who gains the additional responsibility for the
corporation's purchasing and transportation functions.
Safety check: Wireless sensors eye tire pressure EDN.com -
Tire-pressure monitoring is one of the biggest safety improvements that
electronics technology can give drivers. Direct-pressure-measurement systems
have now set the stage to displace alternative approaches.
Roundtable gives fresh perspectives Miami Herald - Next to networking,
people look to their business organizations to learn new skills. While most
organizations do the networking part well, there are few educational programs
to help members become more successful in their businesses.
HMOs Likely to Pay More After Court Ruling Reuters - The HMO industry,
facing a class action lawsuit by 700,000 doctors, is likely to pay more than
two major companies who settled with the physicians if it decides to pursue a
settlement rather than fight the case in court, analysts said on Thursday. -- A
U.S. appeals court late Wednesday upheld the class action status of the doctors
suing HMOs over claims they conspired to cheat them out of their rightful
reimbursement.
September 2, 2004
Acquisition of Scheib falls through CBS.MarketWatch.com - A proposed
acquisition of Earl Scheib by Elden Holding Group has fallen through, the
paint-and-body-shop chain said Wednesday.
DaimlerChrysler Working with Suppliers to Drive PerformancePRNewswire
- In a speech at the Automotive Industry Action Group's (AIAG) annual Auto-Tech
conference, Chrysler Group President and Chief Executive Officer Dieter Zetsche
urged auto industry suppliers to apply greater innovation and work
cooperatively with the automakers to maintain U.S. auto-making competitiveness.
"It's adapt or die," said Zetsche.
Runaway truck smashes auto shop Montrose Press - Performance Auto Body
employees walked around in a daze and counted their blessings Tuesday after a
semi truck and flatbed trailer rammed through the north side of their building.
GM
says to keep buying some 50 pct of parts in U.S.Reuters - General
Motors Corp. said on Wednesday it would continue to spend about half of its
global budget for purchasing parts and components in the United States for at
least the next four years, even as it expands production in China.
U.S. auto production cuts to hurt parts suppliersReuters - U.S. auto
parts suppliers likely will be pinched by Ford Motor Co. and General Motors
Corp. production cut plans announced on Wednesday, a move that was at least
partially anticipated.
Pep Boys Hit Speed Bump on Auto-Service Porterville Recorder - They
still come to get car batteries, pocket bikes and DVD players. But when it
comes to getting their cars fixed, it seems fewer customers are turning to The
Pep Boys _ Manny Moe & Jack Inc.
US
Insurance Industry Braces for Hurricane FrancesReuters - U.S. insurers
are bracing for yet another major storm, Hurricane Frances, even as they work
through claims generated by Hurricane Charley, the second- costliest hurricane
in U.S. history.
September 1, 2004
'Early
warning' auto system costly Detroit News - A federal law designed to
prevent such tragedies as the deadly crashes involving Ford Explorers equipped
with Firestone tires has created a $2 billion boondoggle for automakers and
suppliers, some industry experts say.
Earl Scheib body shop chain settles discrimination complaint NC Times -
An auto body chain has agreed to pay $375,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by five
former employees who alleged racial discrimination and retaliation by a manager
at San Diego-area stores, attorneys said Tuesday.
Officials say scam artists seen in area Golden Gate Gazette, Naples,FL
- Area law enforcement officials are warning residents that the Irish Travelers
have been seen in the Lee and Collier county areas. -- The victim is approached
as he is leaving an auto repair shop after obtaining an estimate for repair.
The Traveler will state he works for another body repair shop and will repair
the vehicle for less. He will do shoddy work. Even though the victim is not
happy with the repair, the traveler will not return the vehicle until payment.
ADP Claims Services Group Launches New Powerlink(R) PRNewswire - ADP
Claims Services Group, a leading provider of integrated business solutions for
the property and casualty, collision repair and automotive recycling
industries, announced Powerlink version 2.1, a new update with key features to
help automotive recyclers increase sales and reduce labor.
Glass America Auto Glass Company SoldGlassBYTES - The 60-shop auto
glass chain Glass America has been sold to a management group led by David
Rolfing. The sale has led to speculation that European auto glass giant Belron
may begin operating in the States again soon.
Durr no longer
in line to run paint shop at new Jeep plant Detroit Free Press -
Chrysler is now in negotiations with the Haden International Group of Auburn
Hills, one of the original bidders on the project, to provide that service.
CCC Information Services Group Inc. Announces Preliminary Results of
Self-Tender Offer Business Wire - CCC Information Services Group Inc.
announced the preliminary results of its self-tender offer to purchase up to
11,200,000 shares of its common stock at a price of $18.75 per share. The
self-tender offer expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on August 30, 2004.
PRO-TEC Coating Company Earns International Automotive Quality Recognition
- ISO/TS 16949 PRNewswire - SRI Quality System Registrar is pleased to announce
that it has recently awarded an ISO/TS 16949 Quality Management System
certificate and an ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System certificate to
PRO-TEC Coating Company, a joint venture of United States Steel Corporation and
Kobe Steel, Ltd., located in Leipsic, Ohio, for manufacture and distribution of
coated steel products.
Mitsubishi
Pleads Innocent to Cover-Up Forbes - Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and three
former executives pleaded innocent Wednesday to falsifying a report on a truck
defect that led to a fatal accident, according to news reports.
Visteon to
Build Plants in China Detroit Free Press - The new plants put Visteon
on "a solid platform for future growth and ongoing viability," said Bob
Pallash, vice president of Asia-Pacific operations for Visteon.
Lawsuit accuses State Farm of bias against claimants Quad City Times -
Two eastern Iowa couples have filed a class-action lawsuit accusing State Farm
Fire and Casualty Co. of under-compensating policyholders for damages who have
had a history of claims against their insurance policies.
State Farm CEO in car accident The Pantagraph - Early reports from the
scene indicate Rust was waiting to turn onto Gloucester when his car was struck
by an oncoming car. The driver of that car was taken to a hospital for
treatment of cuts, authorities told The Pantagraph.
Consumer
Alert: Side-impact airbags WISTV - The Insurance Institute for Highway
Safety says its research shows that driver death rates in side impact crashes
are 45 percent lower in vehicles with side airbags that protect the head.
Insurers report profit, gains South Florida Business Journal - Dramatic
improvements in underwriting performance by the nation's property and casualty
insurers led to the first underwriting gain in nearly seven years, said
Jupiter-based Weiss Ratings, which also reported insurers' higher net realized
capital gains.
