Auto Bailout Clears House but Faces Hurdles in Senate
from The Washington Post
The House last night approved an emergency plan to prevent the collapse of the nation's domestic automobile industry, but the measure faces serious opposition in the Senate, where Republicans are revolting against a White House-brokered deal to speed $14 billion to cash-starved General Motors and Chrysler. More

Recession Puts Dent in Auto Body Shop's Business
from NPR
The economic recession is threatening not only the big carmakers in Detroit, but many other aspects of the automotive business. In eastern Dallas, Quality Colors Collision and Pro Shop is struggling. Normally, the shop does about $1.3 million in business a year, but October and November have been disastrous, says manager Mike Tavares. Even if business picks up in December, the shop might take in only $800,000 for 2008. More

Toyota to Cut North American Production
from The Detroit Free Press
Toyota Motor Corp. said it would further reduce production at several factories in North America, as the global slowdown continues to cut into the automaker’s sales abroad. Japan’s largest carmaker will temporarily suspend output in December and January, according to Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco. More

Many Car-Parts Makers Could Go Under

Even if Detroit's car makers get an interim bailout, their suppliers face a wave of business failures in coming months that are expected to disrupt the flow of parts to U.S. assembly lines run by both U.S. and foreign makers. The disruptions won't be as severe or widespread as they might be in the face of a sudden bankruptcy by a Detroit auto maker, but industry experts say they are inevitable. More

'Green' Auto Repair Shop Planned for Nashville Suburb
from Nashville Business Journal
Firestone Complete Auto Care is constructing a LEED-certifiable automotive repair retail store in Smyrna, Tenn. Slated to open in mid-2009, the Firestone Complete Auto Care location will seek certification through the U.S. Green Building Council’s well-known Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. More

Auto Repair: A Recession-Proof Business?
from Hispanic Business Inc.
Just as rain can be either a blessing or a curse, a recession doesn't mean hard times for every kind of Park City, Utah, business. According to Tom Gordon, manager at Mercer Automotive in Park City, Utah, and Lucky Lukenbach of Lukenbach Radiator in Silver Creek,Utah, there's a tendency for people to invest more in existing vehicles during a recession instead of buying new ones. More

More Drivers Fixing Problems Instead of Buying New
from WTHR-TV
Because of the economic downturn, more people are holding onto their vehicles and fixing them to save money. Because of the economy, car sales are down but car repairs are up. The price to repair a 1998 Volvo station wagon, according to Dale Frank, a mechanic and co-owner of Confident Auto Repair in Zionsville, Ind., is right around $1,400. More

Following NHTSA Probe, Dill Initiates Recall of Tire Stem Valves Produced in China

After an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Office of Defects, Dill Air Controls Products is recalling nearly 2 million tire stem valves sold nationwide between November of 2006 and July of 2007. The impacted model numbers are TR413, TR414 and TR418. More

Collision Techs Among 38 Honored by ASE
from ABRN
Thirty-eight automotive professionals who are top scorers on the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) certification tests were recognized recently at the Fall board meeting of the ASE in San Diego. More