The Importance of Using the Right Motor Oil
from AutoInc. Magazine
As automotive service and repair professionals, we all understand why having oil in a vehicle's engine is important, but who really understands the labeling and codes and such that are found on motor oil packaging? Truthfully, there are many different characteristics that certain oils possess. More

SCRS Shop Survey Gauges Repairer-Insurer Relationships

According to the Society of Collision Repair Specialists, the results of their latest shop survey suggest that some issues such as "insurer dictating the repair," "lack of insurance field staff training," and "database abuse/manipulation" impacted shops more in 2008 than in 2007, the first year the survey was conducted. More

Auto Parts Industry Seeks U.S. Loans

The U.S. auto parts industry asked the Bush administration to set up a loan-guarantee plan for auto suppliers as part of the $700-billion financial bailout plan, as well as to speed $25 billion in loans for retooling. The request from the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association means that the entirety of the U.S. auto industry – automakers, suppliers and dealers – has now asked for government help to survive the economic downturn. More

November is Peak Month for Deer Collisions

November is the peak month for vehicle-deer collisions, and a new analysis of insurance claims and federal crash data completed by the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) indicates the problem is growing. Most vehicle-animal collisions aren't severe enough to injure people, but data from the federal government show that crash deaths are increasing. More

Auto Sales Were Worst in 17 Years

U.S. auto sales dropped to their lowest level in more than 17 years last month as consum- ers frightened by Wall Street turmoil stayed away from showrooms, prompting some auto-company executives to predict dire consequences if the market doesn’t improve. By the time all automakers reported their numbers Monday, sales had dropped 32 percent to just over 838,156 vehicles, the lowest monthly sales figure since January 1991, according to Autodata Corp. and Ward’s AutoInfoBank. More

BMW 3Q Net Profit Falls 63 Percent

Carmaker BMW AG said this week that net profit for its third quarter dropped 63 percent as the global economic turmoil made consumers more reluctant to shell out for its sports and luxury cars and credit costs made it difficult for consumers and the company to borrow. The Munich-based company said net profit for the July-September period fell to 298 million euros ($375.5 million) from 803 million euros a year ago. More

Survey: Gas-saving Models Lead in Reliability

Fuel-efficient vehicles are a very reliable segment overall, European cars are improving, and, on average, Ford continues to build the most reliable American cars. Those are some of the results of Consumer Reports' 2008 Annual Car Reliability Survey announced today at an Automotive Press Association luncheon in Detroit. More

Ford says $500 Million India Investment, Small Car Plans on Track

The Indian unit of the Ford Motor Co. said it is proceeding with its plan to invest $500 million and introduce a small car by 2010 despite the global credit crunch and a slowdown in car sales in the South Asian country. Ford announced plans in January to invest $500 million in India to expand production capacity and make its first small car in the country. More