Polk Expects New Vehicle Registrations in U.S. to Reach 15.3 Million
Compact, subcompact and pickup segments will push industry up 6.6 percent over 2012.
NHTSA Finalizes Air Bag On-Off Switch Regulation
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has finalized its rulemaking for retrofitting on-off switches for air bags. Currently, NHTSA has a regulation that allows automobile dealers and repair businesses to install retrofit on-off switches for air bags in vehicles owned by anyone who has requested and received approval of one by the agency. It
The Future of Automotive Paint
Expert Mark Clark asks paint manufacturers what the future of automotive refinishes will look like…and offers his own predictions as well.
U.S. Consumers Keep New Vehicles a Record 71.4 Months
Polk reports consumers are holding onto new vehicles an average 71.4 months. The continued aging of the vehicle population could cause complications for collision repairers.
Paint and Materials Sales Tax: a Case for the Status Quo
A case against making paint and materials tax-free for Minnesota body shops.
White is Favorite Color for Automobiles, According to PPG Data
White has ranked as the most popular vehicle color in the world, according to data from PPG Industries. Approximately 21 percent of 2011 model-year cars around the world have been white. Silver and black were tied for second most popular at 20 percent. In North America, white was first (20 percent), silver was second (19
Sept. 29 CREW Webcast to Explore Social Media
The Collision Repair Executive Webcast (CREW) will welcome Craig Camacho of Keenan Auto Body and Rich Tornetta of CollisionMax Auto Body and Glass Centers, who will discuss their deployment of social media as an integral component of their sales and marketing strategies. Keenan Auto Body and CollisionMax have been on the forefront of innovation
Vehicle Safety Bill Introduced in U.S. Senate with Provisions Important to Collision Repairers
U.S. Sen. John D. Rockefeller, D-W.V., chairman of the Senate Commerce Committee, and Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark., recently introduced a bill in the Senate titled the Motor Vehicle and Highway Safety Improvement Act of 2011. The bill touches on several issues relevant to the collision industry, according to the Automotive Service Association (ASA). The bill
Hartnell College of California May Shut Down Auto Collision Program
Officials at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., are recommending to the school’s board of trustees that they wipe out auto collision classes due to weak enrollment. According to The Californian, the program has been on academic probation since 2007 because it didn’t have enough students completing the coursework needed to graduate. Plus, there was a
Ford Introduces New Crash Avoidance Technology for Handling Curves
Ford Motor Company recently introduced new crash avoidance technology — Curve Control — designed to help drivers maintain control of their vehicles when taking a curve too quickly. Curve Control debuts as standard equipment on the new 2011 Ford Explorer going into production later this year and will be offered on 90 percent of the