The ABCs of CVTs
from AutoInc.
Sooner or later, a vehicle with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) will limp - or be towed - into your shop needing service. What will you do? Will you tell the owner you can't fix his "belt box?" In doing so, you will also be saying good-bye to any other vehicles in his family - and maybe any future business from his family's vehicles. More

IIHS: Size Still Matters in Car Collisions

Three front-to-front crash tests, each involving a microcar or minicar into a midsize model from the same manufacturer, show how extra vehicle size and weight enhance occupant protection in collisions. These Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) tests are about the physics of car crashes, which dictate that very small cars generally can't protect people in crashes as well as bigger, heavier models. More

House Small Business Committee Chair Pushes Urgency on SBA Lending to Small Businesses
from Automotive Service Association
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a number of provisions intended to jump-start lending to small businesses. However, as Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez, D-N.Y., chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business, pointed out in her letter to Karen Gordon Mills, the new head of the Small Business Administration (SBA), "It has now been 51 days since the president signed these measures into law. Given the current economic climate, it is critical that these programs get under way." More

Auto Glass Pricing Bill Awaits Montana Governor's Signature

A bill dealing with auto glass pricing has passed the Montana Senate and is now awaiting Gov. Brian Schweitzer's signature. If passed, the bill will replace the phrase "lowest prevailing market price" with simply "market price" in the section of the state's insurance law that deals with how auto glass claims should be handled. More

AAA Releases Its Top Picks for New Vehicle Technology

Every model year, automakers find more ways to introduce new technologies in their vehicles. Whether for safety, convenience or simply the ‘wow’ factor, high-tech features are prevalent on nearly every new model. To help motorists determine which new features they might want to check out, AAA has released its top-10 picks for technology available on 2009 and 2010 models. More

Michigan Bets Big on Batteries: $300M in Tax Credits to Spur New Jobs

Michigan hopes to become the nation's leader in manufacturing of lithium ion batteries for electric and hybrid cars after awarding $300 million in tax credits that are expected to eventually create more than 6,600 jobs. The credits approved by the Michigan Economic Growth Authority attracted companies from across the country and Korea to be among those developing and manufacturing advanced batteries for vehicles. More

How to Be Involved in the Legislative Process Without Spending a Lot of Time
from AutoInc.
Time is critical to small business owners and certainly to Automotive Service Association (ASA) members. Many ASA members have expressed interest in participating in the legislative process to improve the industry but stressed that they had trouble finding the time to do so. ASA has tried to make member participation in the legislative process as effective and personally painless as possible. In an AutoInc. article last year, we discussed several key areas for political activity. More

Control Your Financials to Keep Your Business Strong

With a deathly ill economy languishing in critical condition, owners of collision repair shops are being urged to conduct a triage and take the financial temperature of your business – stat! A thorough examination of sales dollars coming in and cost dollars going out will help render a diagnosis of what might be ailing your operation, ultimately leading to an effective treatment regimen. More

New Paint-and Parts-Mapping System Make Charleroi, Pa., Auto Body Shop Lean and Geen

When George Grillo passed away nearly three years ago, his wife, Deborah, and sons Frank and Brian Grillo made the decision to continue operating the body shop he had started in the family's home in 1970 and later moved to North Charleroi, Pa., in 1986. But Brian Grillo believes his father might be a little surprised if he saw the changes the family has made over the past couple of years, particularly with their efforts to steer the business to both lean and green operating philosophies. More

ASA Announces Audatex Benefit for Lean Six Sigma Online Training Course
from Automotive Service Association
ASA announces a new discount offer from Audatex for ASA collision shop owners interested in adopting its Lean Six Sigma for Collision Repair training course. Audatex North America Inc., a leading global claims solutions provider serving the automotive industry, and ASA sponsored benefit provider, is offering a 10 percent discount for ASA members who enter into a new multi-user agreement for the training course. Unlike traditional classroom-based Lean Six Sigma training programs or full-day seminars, the Audatex course does not require travel, hotel or meal expenses - making it economically attractive for collision repair facilities that are just taking the first step toward becoming lean. More

Fiat CEO Talks Tough with Chrysler

With a looming deadline to work out a deal with Chrysler, Fiat Chief Executive Sergio Marchionne threw down the gauntlet to unions this week when he said that their opposition to substantial job cuts at the U.S. carmaker by the end of April could spoil any partnership between the two firms. More