Economy Hurting A/M Parts Suppliers As Well As OEMs
Considering the financial troubles the Detroit Three are having, dealership closings and reports of parts delays from collision repairers, one might assume that aftermarket crash parts suppliers are trying to seize the opportunity and increase market share. But it appears as though the poor economy has impacted them, too, and any benefit from the OEM
Federal Bill Would Loosen Restrictions on Crash Part Patents
Aftermarket parts proponents are again pushing for repair clause legislation that would loosen patent laws for visible crash parts. Legislation introduced in Congress June 25 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 a vehicle
Atlanta I-CAR Committee Holds First Annual Car Show
On May 9, the Atlanta I-CAR volunteer committee held its First Annual Spring Fling Car, Truck, & Bike Show in Kennesaw, Ga. The more than $1,800 in funds raised by this event will assist the collision repair program at Maxwell High School, a career and technical school in Lawrenceville, Ga. The event proceeds will create
North Carolina Shop Holds ‘Fix My Wreck’ Contest
True2Form, a multi-location collision repair organization, recently conducted a promotion at its Hickory, North Carolina, facility, teaming up with the local Salvation Army to completely repair a needy citizen’s “wreck” of a car. The promotion – “Fix My Wreck…Please!” – was the brainchild of True2Form Hickory Location Manager Loren Lowe, who saw a need to
QPC Says Fight Against OEM ‘Monopoly’ Must Continue
The Quality Parts Coalition says despite the manufacturing agreement reached by Ford and LKQ Corporation last week (click HERE to read more), there is still work to be done to prevent car companies from using design patents on collision repair parts in an effort to create a monopoly. The QPC claims that domestic and foreign
Metropolitan Car-O-Liner Joins AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST 2009 Show
Metropolitan Car-O-Liner has signed on with the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey’s (AASP/NJ) NORTHEAST 2009 trade show at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, March 20-22. Car-O-Liner joins exhibitors who have committed to over 200 booths the show. “Metropolitan Car-O-Liner has been a supporter of the NORTHEAST show for over
NABC’s Recycled Rides Helps Needy Families Across the U.S.
On Nov. 24, close to 50 collision repair centers nationwide provided transportation for needy families during the National Auto Body Council’s (NABC) Recycled Rides 2008 Ride Away Day. The event was the culmination of a year’s worth of efforts by those participating in the community awareness project that gives NABC members the opportunity, working with
Keystone Announces Winners of 2009 Calendar Competition
Keystone Automotive Industries has announced the winners of its 2009 Calendar Competition. Over 300 entries were submitted over the past four months. A vast array of photos ranging from rods and sports cars to trucks and classic vehicles were received, with the top 13 winning spots in the 2009 Keystone calendar. “While it was difficult
Keystone Launches New Line of PBE Products
Keystone Automotive’s 2008 PBE catalog will feature the new Platinum Refinish Series line of PBE products, the company announced. The line includes new packaging and a color-coded system to help customers more easily match individual products with their respective components. The Platinum Refinish line also offers a cost saving to collision repairers, a money-back guarantee
NABC’s Recycled Rides Building Steam
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) 2008 Recycled Rides project – an initiative that hopes to donate 100 vehicles to 100 families in need on the Monday before Thanksgiving – is moving forward thanks to the cooperation of vendors across the United States. NABC credited Recycled Rides Vendor Coordinator Bruce Cooley of DuPont, Vehicle Procurement