R-M, the refinish paint brand from BASF, has been officially appointed by Changan Ford in China to supply R-M ONYX HD premium waterborne paint solutions to their body shops. In light of increasing regulations in China to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in automotive refinishing, Changan Ford has begun a program to switch from solvent […]
U.S. Length of Rental Continues Upward Trend in Fourth Quarter
According to the latest research from Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the U.S. average length of rental continued to increase across all regions during Q4 2015. The U.S. average Length of Rental (LOR) rose in 2015 to 11.5 days, up 0.3 days from 2014 and 0.8 days from 2010. Miles driven and lower gasoline prices have contributed to […]
Collision Repair Education Foundation Makeover Grant Application Available
The Collision Repair Education Foundation has announced that the application for its Ultimate Collision Education Makeover school grant is now available for high school and post-secondary collision school programs to apply. The Makeover grant program is in its eighth year. Over $3 million in cash and in-kind donations have been given out to schools as […]
Boyd Group Acquires Two Collision Repair Locations in British Columbia
The Boyd Group Inc. today announced the January 15, acquisition and opening on January 18 of two collision repair centers on Vancouver Island in British Columbia. The facilities previously operated as Hi-Tech Collision in the town of Sidney and Keating Collision in the community of Keating. Both are well-located in proximity to Highway 17 which […]
OEM Representatives to Discuss Collision Repair Certification at NORTHEAST Trade Show
The Alliance of Automotive Services Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) announced it has invited leading vehicle manufacturers to discuss OEM collision repair certification programs at the Annual NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show. The show will be held on March 18-20 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, N.J. The presentation will included representatives from Ford, Nissan, […]
Professional Parts Group’s Northup Joins CAPA Board of Directors
The Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) announced the election of Chris Northup, CEO of the Professional Parts Group, to its Board of Directors. Northup is one of the most well-known aftermarket parts executives in the country and has been involved in automotive aftermarket since 1983. He began his career with Keystone Automotive in Pomona, Calif. […]
PPG Announces New SVP of Automotive Coatings
PPG announced that Tim Knavish, currently vice president, global protective and marine coatings, will become senior vice president, automotive coatings, and will continue to oversee PPG’s Latin America operations and its corporate environment, health and safety (EHS) function. Jean-Marie Greindl will become senior vice president, global architectural coatings, and president, PPG Europe, Middle East and […]
Oklahoma Bill Seeks to Mandate Annual Labor Rate Surveys
Auto insurance companies would be required to conduct annual market surveys to determine rates paid to collision repair and glass repairers. Oklahoma House Bill 3132 (HB3132), filed yesterday by Representative Josh Cockroft, seeks to amend the state’s Unfair Claims Settlement Act to require insurance companies to survey collision repair and glass facilities on an annual […]
PPG Reports Higher Sales in Q4
PPG Industries yesterday reported fourth quarter 2015 net sales from continuing operations of $3.7 billion, consistent with the prior year. Net sales in local currencies grew 7 percent year-over-year, with acquisition-related sales adding 5 percent and sales volume growth contributing nearly 2 percent. Unfavorable foreign currency translation impacted net sales by 7 percent, or about […]
Registration Open for Acoat selected Winter Conference
AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes will host the 45th semi-annual gathering of the Acoat selected North American Performance Groups on February 24-25 at the Hilton Waterfront Beach Resort in Huntington Beach, Calif. It is the first of two national Acoat selected gatherings conducted annually by AkzoNobel. Attendees will participate in classes designed to stimulate thinking, enhance personal […]