Initial quality at highest level ever. Increasing problems raise early warning bells for driver assistance technology. New-vehicle quality is at its highest level ever, improving a significant 8% from last year, according to the J.D. Power 2017 U.S. Initial Quality Study,SM (IQS) released yesterday. According to the study of nearly 80,000 purchasers and lessees of […]
Martin-Senour Announces Third Quarter Training Schedule
The Martin Senour Company announced its 2017 third quarter training schedule for its collision repair facility customers, with courses running from July 17 to September 25, at its training facilities nationwide. The classes will provide guidance and share proven, efficient procedures on an extensive number of topics to collision repair professionals, according to Martin Senour […]
Maaco Adds Three Locations in San Antonio
Maaco announced the addition of three locations this year in the San Antonio, Texas market. “We’re excited to see the resurgence of the Maaco brand in San Antonio with new levels of quality service and customer satisfaction,” said Jason Ryan, president of Maaco. “As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of Maaco across North America, we’re […]
TechnaGlass Expands into Idaho
TechnaGlass announced it has expanded to Idaho. The company now offers full auto glass service in Boise, Idaho Falls, Twin Falls, Pocatello, Jackson Hole, Wyoming and surrounding areas. TechnaGlass now operates in 12 states and through 44 retail locations. “The trajectory of the growth of TechnaGlass has focused on attractive markets where we can provide […]
HLDI Reports Legalizing Recreational Marijuana Leads to More Collision Claims
Legalizing recreational marijuana use in Colorado, Oregon and Washington has resulted in collision claim frequencies that are about 3 percent higher overall than would have been expected without legalization, a new Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI) analysis shows. This is HLDI’s first report on how marijuana legalization since 2014 has affected crashes reported to insurers. […]
Traffic Volume Growth Bounces Back in April
After the blizzard in the Northeast impacted March vehicle traffic, April’s growth rate was 50 percent higher. Traffic volume up 1.2 percent for the month. Travel volume in April rebounded after slower growth in March, continuing the trend of increased driving that has led to the growth in both auto physical damage insurance claims and […]
PNC Riverarch Capital Acquires Painters Supply & Equipment Co.
PNC Riverarch Capital announced the acquisition of Painters Supply & Equipment Co. (PSE), the distributor of automotive, industrial, and architectural coatings headquartered in Taylor, Mich. PSE has 21 branch locations across Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. PSE serves more than 4,000 customers, including collision repair shops, auto dealerships, fleet operators, and various other commercial and industrial […]
European Commission Fines Three Vehicle Lighting System Producers €27 million in Antitrust Settlement on Parts Sales to Aftermarket
The European Commission has fined Automotive Lighting and Hella a total of €26,744,000 ($29.78 million) for participating in an automotive lighting cartel, in breach of EU antitrust rules. Valeo was not fined as it revealed the cartel to the Commission. All companies admitted their involvement and agreed to settle. The investigation concerned the aftermarket segment […]
Service King Welcomes 34 Technicians Apprenticeship Program
Service King Collision Repair Centers yesterday welcomed 34 technicians at seven signing day events held across the country for its Apprentice Development Program. The events signaled the start of a hands-on 52-week paid training program designed to prepare aspiring technicians for a successful career at Service King and in the collision repair field. Service King’s […]
ASA Leaders Discuss Tax Policy at White House Meeting
On June 14, Automotive Service Association (ASA) board member Bob Wills and Washington, D.C., Representative Bob Redding joined with other automotive industry leaders at the Automobile Industry Tax Reform Listening Session at the White House. Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, spoke to the group about the administration’s tax reform proposals. Wills and […]