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Standardization Could Benefit Collision Repair Industry
from AutoInc.
The definition of "standard" is "something considered by an authority or by general consent as a basis of comparison; an approved model." Tony Molla, vice president of communications for the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, says that having set standards for collision shops will help improve quality, reliability, safety, risk management and business performance. With improvements like those, why aren't collision repair standards already in place? More

Gone in 90 Seconds – Catalytic Converter Theft
from Zurich North America
In mid-2008, insurers and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) noticed a disturbing trend across the country – an increase in catalytic converter thefts. While key control and vehicle parts theft have always been a concern, catalytic converter theft is a relatively new crime that can be very costly for auto dealers and aftermarket businesses. Read more. More

U.S. to Cover Pensions for Delphi Workers

The government's pension insurance agency said today that it will take over the pension plans for 70,000 current and future hourly and salaried retirees at Delphi Corp., saying the Troy-based auto supplier can't afford to keep its pension plans. More

ASA Members: Remind Consumers That Your Shop Is Open for Business!"
from Automotive Service Association
As consumers continue to turn to independent shops to maintain and repair their cars, it is more and more important to let them know that your shop is "Open for Business," and you have the capabilities required to maintain their vehicle. Use ASA's PR Kit to help promote your business as well as your affiliation with ASA. Visit the Members Only section of the ASA Web site to get started with your PR efforts today. More

Chrysler to Boost Cash-for-Clunkers Deal

Chrysler Group LLC, looking to clear out sales of 2009 models, will double the federal government’s cash-for-clunkers program. Chrysler will offer up to $4,500 cash or 0 percent financing for 72 months through GMAC Financial Services on most 2009 model vehicles. These incentives are valid through Aug. 31. More

Reaching the Female Customer
from Automotive Service Association
As a result of many factors, more women are in charge of getting vehicles serviced. Automotive service shops must be poised and ready to cater to this new breed of customer. More than 65 percent of customers who take their vehicles for service and repair are women. Overall, they make 80 percent of vehicle repair decisions. It appears that soon the majority of customers with whom technicians, service managers and front office staff must communicate will be women. Read more. More

ATX Brings Hands-free Text Technology to Vehicles

As text messaging rapidly continues to be adopted as a mainstream communication method among all ages of consumers, concerns are also growing about instances of users using handheld devices to text while driving and the potential of this practice to cause distraction and accidents. In consideration of these issues, ATX Group has leveraged its experience in off-board speech recognition technology to introduce in-vehicle, hands-free text messaging via voice. More

Surviving the Economy: Car Sales Down, Car Repairs Up in Grand Rapids, Mich.
from WZZM-TV
"Yeah, our business is off just like almost everyone else's," says Bob Souter of Souter Auto Parts. The business of cars is hurting at many different levels, from the assembly lines at General Motors and Chrysler, to the salvage yards here in West Michigan. We've all heard how new car sales are down and the "Big 3" are struggling. But, does that mean more cars are being repaired? More

Porsche Workers Will Fight Takeover by VW

Uwe Hueck, head of Porsche SE's workers' council, said staff will fight the takeover of the sports-car maker by Volkswagen AG, Bild am Sonntag reported. Hueck, also Porsche's deputy chairman, said in an interview that the deal would endanger 11,000 jobs and that "you can't build a Porsche with Polo parts." More

I-CAR Extends Conference Registration Deadline to July 24

I-CAR, the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, has announced that it will extend its registration deadline to July 24 for the upcoming I-CAR 30th Annual Industry Conference at the Omni Shoreham hotel in Washington, D.C., July 28 – 31 as the training organization continues to receive interest from the inter-industry. More

Breaking SBA Lending Logjam

The Treasury Department is finalizing a $15 billion initiative to stimulate lending by the Small Business Administration by using funds from the federal bailout program to buy up SBA loans. After private investors grew reluctant last year about buying SBA loans from the firms that finance them, these firms found themselves weighed down with old loans, which prevented them from funding new loans for small businesses. More