AutoInc.'s 19th Annual Software Guide Now Available
from AutoInc.
AutoInc.'s 19th Annual Shop Management Software Guide gives an overview of the shop management software systems on the market and what features they offer. This year, 32 mechanical software companies and seven collision companies participated in the survey. More

EPA Offers Waterborne Coatings Webinar July 14

EPA’s Collision Repair Campaign is a voluntary, nationwide effort to address health threats by drastically reducing auto body emissions at the national level. Regional offices for the Agency are working with their communities, local industry and small businesses to significantly reduce human and environmental exposure to air toxics from auto body shops. EPA is offering a Webinar July 14 that provides information on water-based paints designed to decrease hazardous air pollutant emissions in the auto repair sector. Click here to download the flyer for the event. For more information, visit EPA's Collision Repair Campaign Web site. More

Fiat Signs Agreement with China's GAC

Fiat Group CEO Sergio Marchionne signed an agreement today with state-owned Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. to produce cars in a joint venture beginning in the second half of 2011 as Fiat seeks to expand its position in the growing Chinese market. Marchionne signed the deal with GAC Group chairman Zhang Fangyou in the presence of Premier Silvio Berlusconi and Chinese President Hu Jintao, who were meeting ahead of the Group of Eight summit, which begins Wednesday in the central Italian city of L'Aquila. More

Heat Stressing Car Batteries
from NBC2-TV
The heat and the humidity are on, but now many car batteries are off. NBC2 talked to several auto mechanics and auto supply stores. Many of them tell us since the temps have risen, so too has the number of car batteries dying. More

Driving a Better Bargain

It may end up being great for the environment. It will certainly make some car dealers very happy. But that Cash for Clunkers bill just signed by President Obama may not be the sweet deal that consumers were awaiting. True, the new program offers to pay $3,500 or $4,500 for old, gas-guzzling cars and trucks that are traded in for new, more efficient vehicles. Add that cash to the new-car sales-tax deduction that was in February's stimulus bill, and it looks like the government is making a car deal you can't refuse. More

In the Chevy Malibu, GM's Pride and Its Challenge

When General Motors executives are asked whether the company can really be revived after bankruptcy, they'll quickly point to the Chevrolet Malibu, and it's easy to see why. The revamped mid-size sedan was named 2008 "North American car of the year" by auto journalists. In Consumer Reports' rankings of reliability, satisfaction and cost, it beat or tied its main Japanese rivals, the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord. And in quality surveys by J.D. Power and Associates, it bested those competitors. More

Auto Mechanic Receives a Shock
from WJBK-TV
It was a shocking shop accident for a Detroit auto mechanic who can thank his co-worker for saving his life. "He came walking out (and) his whole body was like convulsing, and we all thought he was joking. We were laughing," said Sam MacDonald. The mechanics at T&S Auto Specialists on the southwest side of Detroit quickly learned Kevin Mullins was not joking. More

Judge Denies Motion to Fast-track GM Sale Appeal

A bankruptcy judge denied a motion by a group who claim they were injured as the result of defective General Motors products to directly appeal GM's asset sale to the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals, and skip making their case to district court. More

Missouri Town Auto Repairs Come with Prayers

Some customers of the new Christian Brothers Automotive in Valley Park, Mo., get more than just an oil change or a new transmission. "If the opportunity arises, and if someone shares certain details of their life, I might pray with them," said Kip Bynum, the garage's owner. "We're led by what God sees fit to do." Catering specifically to Christians — who make up nearly 80 percent of the U.S. population — has become a legitimate and profitable marketing strategy for large and small companies. More

Auto Parts Maker Lear Corp. Files for Chapter 11

Automotive parts supplier Lear Corp. filed for bankruptcy protection after receiving support from lenders and bondholders to reorganize its struggling business. The move had been expected from the maker of vehicle seats and electronics, which missed an interest payment on its bond debt last week and revealed its intention to seek Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection from its creditors. The Southfield, Mich.-based company made the filing in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. More

Toyota Goal of July Plant Decision May Be Hindered

Toyota Motor Corp.’s goal of a decision this month to keep or close a California joint venture discarded by General Motors Corp. may be hindered by bankruptcy court. Toyota aims to decide by the end of July whether to become sole operator of New United Motor Manufacturing Inc., or Nummi, after bankrupt GM quit the venture June 29. More