Automakers Say If They Go, Millions of Jobs Will Vanish
from USA Today
When the heads of General Motors, Chrysler and Ford Motor and their major union go to Capitol Hill, they will try to convince lawmakers that if the Big Three automakers go under, the fragile U.S. economy will be dealt a blow far costlier than the $25 billion in aid the companies want. There's no question the automakers are in dire straits. More

Michigan Insurer-Owned Shop Bill Passes House
from the Automotive Service Association
Michigan House Bill 4778, the insurer-owned repair shop legislation, has passed the Michigan House of Representatives by a vote of 61 to 40, and now moves to the state Senate. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) supports this legislation and asks Michigan repairers to contact their elected officials asking for support of the measure. The bill prohibits insurance companies from owning repair facilities in Michigan. More

Support Unravels for Auto Share of $700 Billion Bailout

A plan to lend U.S. automakers $25 billion from the $700 financial industry bailout appeared all but dead in Congress, as lawmakers from both parties said the measure lacked enough votes to clear the Senate. With strident opposition from the White House, most Republicans and even some Democrats, supporters were left to consider rewriting the rules on $25 billion in retooling loans for more efficient vehicles, a move many Democrats oppose. More

Making What's Old New Again
from WTAP-TV
Bad business for appliance and auto manufacturers may be good business for the people who repair them. That's because, in a bad economy, people would rather put off buying big-ticket items as long as possible, and try to keep the old items going. In some cases, a long time. More

ASA Provides Legislative, Division Updates at ASRW '08
from the Automotive Service Association
Representatives of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) were on hand recently in Las Vegas for an afternoon press conference to discuss new initiatives, goals and partnerships involving the three organizations. More

2009 Green Car of the Year Finalists

Green Car Journal, a magazine and Web site whose publisher, Ron Cogan, made waves at last year's Los Angeles Auto Show by awarding the Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid its influential Green Car of the Year award, has announced this year's finalists. The vehicles fall into at least one of three categories: compact, clean diesel or hybrid. Each has soaring MPG estimates. More

Must Be Doing Something Right …
from the Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association’s President's Blog provides commentary about the automotive repair industry from the perspective of Ron Pyle, ASA's president and chief staff executive. In his latest blog, Pyle expands on the recently released news from Motor Age honoring top shops in the industry. Pyle was pleased — but not surprised — that seven of the 10 were ASA members. And the Top Shop honor went to ASA member Aaron Clements, AAM, owner of C&C Automotive in Augusta, Ga., and immediate-past chairman of ASA. More

A Shop to Admire in Homogenized Times

Generally speaking, car care has evolved from general service shops focused on the fundamental mechanics of auto repair to state-of-the-art service centers complete with modern diagnostic equipment and teams of specialized automotive technicians designed to handle the latest in automotive technology. There’s no denying “state-of-the art” is what’s required to handle today’s homogenized and computer controlled daily drivers. More

Election Results Might Favor Repair Industry

While much of the nation was focused on the historic election of Barack Obama on Nov. 4, the automotive repair and insurance industries had their eyes on a number of Congressional and local races that could impact their respective legislative agendas. The new Democratic majorities in Congress and several state legislatures could bode well for repairers who support federal insurance regulation. More