U.S. Drivers Continue to Cut Back on Miles Traveled
New federal data for the month of May shows continued decline in the number of miles Americans are driving – 9.6 billion fewer miles in May 2008 compared to May 2007, a 3.7-percent drop, according to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In April, people drove nearly 2 percent less than in April 2007. This is
Ford Announces Discount Sheet Metal Pricing
Ford Customer Service Division (FCSD) announced that it is now offering 55 of its highest-volume sheet metal parts, including fenders, hoods and tailgates, at reduced list prices through a program called "Steel the Sale.” The lower list prices are available to all Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers and body shops that buy from them. The
Charlie Sulkala Remembered for Dedication to Industry
Charlie Sulkala, father of two generations of repairers, passed away on Wednesday, July 30 at the age of 91. Sulkala was one of the founders of the Massachusetts Auto Body Shop Owners Association, the predecessor of the Massachusetts Auto Body Association (MABA). He’s remembered for being instrumental in getting both repair facility and appraiser licensing
’57 Chevy Cameo Wins NAPA Trick Truck Award at Pacific Northwest Nationals
NAPA Auto Parts awarded Marysville, Wash., resident Dave Forman a NAPA Trick Truck award at the Goodguys Custom Rod Association’s 20th Pacific Northwest Nationals this weekend in Puyallup, Wash., for his remodeled 1957 Chevrolet Cameo Truck. NAPA, the “official auto parts store” of the Goodguys Rod Custom Association, will present Trick Truck awards at 24
Class-Action Suit Against ABRA Settled for $1 Million
A class-action lawsuit filed against ABRA Auto Body and Glass last year was settled for $1 million in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota this week. The settlement was proposed by plaintiffs in the suit in which two former ABRA employees alleged that the company required customer service managers and customer service
ALLDATA Makes Web Site More User-Friendly
ALLDATA announced that it has made its Web site easier to use by adding the Google Custom Search Engine, while also enhancing access to the site’s product pages. The Google search box now appears at the top of all pages on ALLDATA’s site, so users can always search for specific information related to products or
Senate Banking Committee Reviews Insurance Regulation
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on “The State of the Insurance Industry: Examining the Current Regulatory and Oversight Structure.” U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) addressed the need for modernization of the insurance regulatory structure into an optional federal charter (OFC) to establish the United States as
Free Analysis to Help Shops ‘Go Green’ and Save on Energy Costs
A free analysis offered by Government Regulatory Compliance LLC (GRC-Pirk) can show shops how becoming “certified green” can save money. The analysis evaluates and offers resources to show shops where to save energy and operational costs. The potential for additional tax credits are also laid out in the analysis by a qualified individual as defined
Senate Banking Committee Reviews Insurance Regulation
The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on “The State of the Insurance Industry: Examining the Current Regulatory and Oversight Structure.” U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) addressed the need for modernization of the insurance regulatory structure into an optional federal charter (OFC) to establish the United States as
PPG Announces Marketing Organization Appointments
PPG Automotive Refinish announced the appointment of two marketing management positions. Randy Cremeans has been appointed director of marketing, collision USCA, and Mary Kimbro has been appointed director, global color. Cremeans will be responsible for leading the marketing strategies and initiatives for the North American collision segments. Cremeans has over 7 years with PPG and
ASA Offering Free Service Information Workshops in Nevada
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) announced it will host two free Service Information Workshops in Nevada. The workshops will be held Tuesday, Aug. 19, in Reno at the Fairfield Inn and Suites Reno Sparks, and Wednesday, Aug. 20, in Henderson at the Residence Inn Las Vegas Henderson/Green Valley. These workshops are designed to educate shop
IPO Fails to Endorse Repair Clause Legislation
The Intellectual Property Owners (IPO) Association sent a letter to U.S. Patent and Trademark Office director John Dudas indicating that they did not support new legislation that would create an exemption for design patent infringement liability for component parts (also known as a "repair clause") used to repair automobiles and other articles of manufacture (H.R.