Exploring New Business Opportunities for Collision Shops
from AutoInc.
It used to be not so common to find body shops offering additional services other than body work. But today, with the changing business landscape - driven by a tough economy - shops are looking for new ways to do business. For collision shops, popular services that they offer to complement existing business include glass installation, paintless dent repair and fleet management - to name a few. More

Cash for Clunkers Not Good for Repair Shops
from KMGH-TV
The government's Cash for Clunkers program ended as a boon for new car dealers but it could lead to a bust for some independent auto repair shops. Rolf Werner, the Mechanical Division Director of the Automotive Service Association, said business could be down 15 to 20 percent after his unofficial poll of service stations around Colorado. More

More Start-ups Offer Online Software and Services for a Fee
from USA Today
A year ago, Roy Thompson had no use for software salespeople. "We make money fixing your car," says the owner of Thompson's S&S Collision Repair in Sacramento. "I'm not one of these tech junkie guys." Yet, last March Thompson accepted a 30-day free trial offer from ClaimTools Solutions. More

PPG Products Approved by GM for Warranty Repairs
from ABRN
PPG's new SX1071 and Nexa Autocolor P565-9880 Etch Primers have been approved by General Motors for use in warranty repairs on its vehicles. Part of the PPG OneChoice product line, SX1071 is a low-VOC, 2-component acid etch primer specifically designed to provide excellent adhesion and corrosion resistance to properly prepared steel and aluminum surfaces while offering fast dry characteristics. The P565-9880 has similar properties and is designed for use with the Nexa Autocolor product line. More

California to Get Dose of Auto Anguish
from The Detroit Free Press
Toyota's decision to close its 25-year-old California factory where UAW workers build Corolla cars and Tacoma pickups has delivered a seismic, Detroit-like jolt to the once-invincible Silicon Valley economy. The Japanese automaker's first plant closing in North America will add to California's swelling unemployment rolls, and perhaps, help the Golden State better empathize with the industry that it has persistently challenged with regulatory requirements. More

Study Shows Nearly Half of Drivers Interested in PHEVs
from MotorAge
Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are one of the most highly anticipated new product categories of recent years, and more consumers are interested in them, according to a recent study. Promising dramatically improved fuel economy over standard internal combustion engines, PHEVs are expected to drive significant benefits in the form of reduced carbon emissions and lesser dependence on foreign oil. More

Driver Safety: Preventing Common Vehicle Collisions
from Zurich North America
Rear-end collisions are often the most costly type of accident and have the capacity to cause serious injuries. Most importantly, they are almost always preventable. These collisions involve one vehicle running into the back of another vehicle. More

Ford Plans New Diesel Engine for Super Duty Line in 2010
from The Detroit Free Press
Ford Motor Co. said that a new diesel engine for its Super Duty pickup trucks is lighter, quieter and is just as durable as the outgoing model, which is made by Navistar International Corp. While Ford produced a variety of diesel engines in Europe, this is the first time Ford will produce its own diesel engine for its Super Duty trucks. The move comes after Ford became embroiled in a legal dispute with its former diesel engine supplier, Navistar. More

RepairPal Partners with Bosch Service Centers for Top Quality Automotive Repair
from RepairPal
RepairPal announced an agreement with Robert Bosch LLC, the largest global manufacturer of original equipment automotive parts and systems. The agreement will introduce RepairPal’s services to the nearly 1000 Bosch Service Centers across the United States. In addition, RepairPal has been added to Bosch’s vendor partner program, and RepairPal’s AppointmentsPlus service will be a key benefit for Bosch Service locations. More

Germany Rejects RHJ's Improved Opel Bid
from Canwest News Service
Germany's government has rejected RHJ International SA's improved offer for General Motors Co.'s Opel unit and has reiterated its preference for Canadian car-parts maker Magna International Inc. "The preference for Magna remains even after reviewing this" new bid, German Economy Ministry spokesman Steffen Moritz said. More

Ontario Tire Industry Rolls Out Recycling Program
from Collision Repair Magazine
A new tire recycling program rolling out in Ontario will bring new life to the millions of used tires that come off vehicles in the province every year by responsibly recycling them into useful products, creating investment and new green jobs, driving innovation. The Used Tires Program is being funded by the tire industry, and managed by Ontario Tire Stewardship. More