Steering Bill Stirs Debate Among Wisconsin Repairers and Insurers
A bill addressing steering, labor rates and estimates, S.B. 118, is being considered by the Wisconsin Senate, and insurers and repairers are at odds over whether the bill is needed. The bill’s creator, Sen. Pat Kreitlow, says the legislation is meant to protect consumers who feel they’ve been pressured by insurance companies during the claims
AAPEX Early Exhibitor Contracts 64 Percent Higher than Same Time Last Year
The number of exhibitors contracted for the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) 2010 to date is up 64 percent compared with the same time last year, indicating greater confidence in the economic recovery and foretelling a strong aftermarket industry footprint in November, according to show owners. Equally as encouraging is a significant increase in booth
New York’s H&V Collision Opens Third Shop
Troy, New York-based H&V Collision has opened its third shop, its first in the suburban Albany area. The Business Review reports that the shop – located in Colonie, New York, in a former auto parts store – has 10 bays, a spraybooth and a large waiting area. H&V Vice President Vartan Jerian, Jr. estimated that
BASF Named 2009 General Motors Supplier of the Year
BASF announced that it is the recipient of General Motors’ Supplier of the Year Award for 2009. The Supplier of the Year Award recognizes BASF for consistently performing above expectations as a global paint supplier to General Motors. It is the sixth time in the last eight years that BASF has received this award. “The
CARSTAR Executives Discuss Shrinking Industry, Aftermarket Parts, NACE Move
CARSTAR CEO Dick Cross encapsulated what’s going on in the collision repair industry aptly when asked recently how his organization is addressing insurance companies’ reduction of shops on their preferred programs: “What’s going on in the industry is going to be really good for some people and not so great for some other people.” The
Maaco Collision Repair Urges Congress to Support Access To Repair Parts Act
Maaco says legislation would guarantee consumer choice, preserve competition in the automotive aftermarket.
Kirker Automotive Finishes Names New National Sales Manager
Kirker Automotive Finishes announced that Gerald “Jerry” Elsing has joined the company as national sales manager. In this newly created role, Jerry will be responsible for the company’s sales functions. He will continue to grow existing sales channels and develop new distribution to enable refinish shops, custom painters and other qualified users to access Kirker’s
Groups Testify at Crash Parts Patent Legislation Hearing
The U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Monday heard from consumer advocates and industry experts on the “Access to Repair Parts Act” (H.R. 3059/S.1368) – legislation that would amend U.S. patent code so that it wouldn’t be an act of design patent infringement to manufacture or distribute alternative repair parts for the purpose of repairing
Right to Repair Coalition Questions NESSARA’s Stance Against Legislation
Coalition says New England shop group is using ‘smoke and mirrors’ to prevent bill’s passage.
California BAR Says Insurers Not Liable for Supplying Itemized Estimates
The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) said in a recent letter that repairers – not insurers – are responsible for providing customers with correctly formatted repair invoices as outlined by California state code. Assemblyman Dave Jones wrote to the BAR on behalf of the Collision Repair Association of California (CRA), which expressed concern that insurers were