General Motors (GM), Jim Koons Management and Lithia Motors Inc. have agreed to settle separate Federal Trade Commission administrative complaint allegations that each touted how rigorously they inspect their cars, yet failed to disclose that some of the used cars they were selling were subject to unrepaired safety recalls. Jim Koons Management, which has 15 […]
I-CAR Names New Training Program Coordinator
Mark Czvitkovits, I-CAR Australia CEO, announced the appointment of Gary Wood as Training Program Coordinator for Gold Class and Industry Training Alliance programs across Australia. Czvitkovits said, “Gary Wood has joined I-CAR’s staff and will operate from the office in Thomastown, Victoria. Gary has extensive experience at both the repair level and education level of […]
PA Senate Hears Testimony on Bill Allowing Use of Photos During Auto Appraisal Process
Insurers support use of photos as modest and logical amendment to 1972 Appraiser Act. Repair facility operators raise safety concerns. The Pennsylvania Senate Banking & Insurance Committee heard testimony from insurers, repairers, appraisers and technology providers on House Bill 1638 (HB1638) at a hearing on the bill held Wednesday. HB1638 proposes to amend the 1972 […]
KBB Reports January New-Car Sales Down 3 Percent Year-Over-Year
Sales impacted by Blizzard on East Coast. New-vehicle sales are expected to decrease 3 percent year-over-year to a total of 1.12 million units in January 2016, resulting in an estimated 17.1 million seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), according to Kelley Blue Book, the only vehicle valuation and information source trusted and relied upon by both […]
Classic Collision Adds 16th Location in Georgia
Classic Collision Inc., a multiple shop operator with collision repair facilities in Northern and Central Georgia, has added its 16th location in the north Georgia Market. The facility is located in Douglasville, 25 miles West of Atlanta. Classic Collision’s Owner and President, Manfred Kammerer said, “As a family owned business we are very proud that […]
PARTS Act Hearing Scheduled for February 2 in U.S. House
The U.S. House Judiciary Subcommittee on Intellectual Property and the Internet has scheduled a hearing on H.R. 1057, the “Promoting Automotive Repair, Trade, and Sales Act” commonly referred to as the PARTS Act. The hearing in Washington, D.C. is scheduled for February 2 at 2 p.m. in Room 2141 of the Rayburn House Office Building. […]
National AutoBody Research Launches Labor Rate Survey in Arkansas
National AutoBody Research (NABR) announced the launch of the Arkansas VRS Labor Rate Survey, sponsored by an anonymous Arkansas collision repairer. The online survey is free for all Arkansas collision repair shops and can be found on the NABR website. The Arkansas VRS Labor Rate Survey provides the state’s collision repairers with an independent, third-party, […]
Jonathan Rubinsztein appointed as CEO of Infomedia
The Board of Infomedia, the the Australia-based provider of online parts selling systems, announced the appointment of Jonathan Rubinsztein as Chief Executive Officer, effective March 14. Rubinsztein joins Infomedia from UXC Ltd where he has been the CEO of Red Rock Consulting for over six years. In August, Andrew Pattinson resigned as CEO of Infomedia […]
AkzoNobel Salutes Outstanding Students with Sustainability Challenge Grant
AkzoNobel announced six outstanding students in its 2015 Sustainability Challenge Grant program. In its second year, the program awarded $50,000 in grant funding to selected high schools and colleges with collision repair programs to advance continuous improvement and sustainable business principles. The students were nominated by their instructors for exemplifying exceptional leadership, initiative and commitment. […]
ALI Lowers Price of Online Lift Safety Course, 2016 Lifting Guide Available
The Automotive Lift Institute (ALI) has lowered the price of its Lifting It Right online lift safety training course from $29 to $24 per person. The interactive course, hosted by NASCAR legends Richard and Kyle Petty, teaches vehicle lift operators how to properly use car and truck lifts. ALI, the trade association focused on vehicle […]