SEM Products, Inc. announced that General Motors (GM) had awarded the company 52 recommendations spanning 218 SKUs. Recommended product categories include adhesives, foams, panel bonding adhesives, plastic repair materials, seam sealers, stone guard coatings, and undercoatings. SEM’s specialty coatings, such as interior refinish products, are recommended for out of warranty repair scenarios. A full list […]
CARSTAR Promotes Mack to Director of Strategic Initiatives
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announced the promotion of Marybeth Mack, formerly Operations Project Manager, to Director of Strategic Initiatives. Mack, a CARSTAR team member since 2011, will oversee the immersion process for CARSTAR franchisees joining the network, managing their integration into the CARSTAR EDGE platform, store branding, implementation of the CARSTAR standard operating procedures, […]
Collision Diagnostic Services Selects Precision Marketing in Canada
Collision Diagnostic Services (CDS) announced it has selected Precision Marketing to remarket the asTech2 remote diagnostic device to the Canadian collision repair industry. Under the terms of the agreement, Precision Marketing’s independent manufacturer representatives, located throughout Canada, will market the device to professional collision repair organizations and insurers. Precision Marketing’s representatives will provide local support, […]
New-Vehicle Sales in February Forecast to Increase 8.1%
Forecast by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive project strongest February light vehicle sales since 2002. New-vehicle sales in February 2016 are expected to increase 8.1 percent from a year ago, according to a monthly sales forecast developed jointly by J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. New-vehicle retail sales in February are projected to reach 1,046,700 units […]
Maaco Opens Satellite Locations in Partnership with Pep Boys
Opens first locations in Atlanta, Ga. with location opening in Los Angeles soon. Maaco announced a partnership with Pep Boys, the automotive aftermarket chain, to launch an automotive retail concept across the United States. The first two of many planned Maaco satellite shops will open inside existing Pep Boys locations in Georgia at 1531 Cobb […]
CARSTAR Expands in Northern California
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announced the addition of CARSTAR Sunnyvale Auto Body to its franchise network of independently-owned collision repair centers. CARSTAR Sunnyvale, with 10,000 sq. ft., is owned by Bob Brost and is located at 1288 Forgewood Ave. in Sunnyvale, Calif. The new location is the 11th CARSTAR collision repair facility in the […]
ABRA Announces Executive Leadership Appointments
ABRA Auto Body & Glass announced it has added four executives to key leadership roles. ABRA’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Duane Rouse said, “ABRA has had an incredible opportunity to dramatically expand its national footprint. Adding repair centers quickly while preserving superior quality and customer satisfaction is no easy feat. These incredible leaders have […]
Equipment and Tool Institute Launches Market Research Study
In an effort to assist our members in bringing new and improved equipment and tools to the marketplace, The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) has launched a series of Market Research Projects. The current survey covers repair services including collision repair. ETI will use this research to help all segments of the automotive industry provide […]
AASA and MERA Urge U.S. Copyright Office to Protect Consumer Choice for Car Repairs
Supplier groups say consumers and independent repairers need a level playing field for aftermarket access to software-enabled vehicle technology. The U.S. Copyright Office should protect consumer choice by allowing the independent aftermarket greater access to software-enabled components and parts, say the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Remanufacturers Association (MERA), the […]
Fix Auto Canada Adds Three New Locations
Peter Polito, General Manager of Fix Auto Western Canada announced three new Fix Auto locations have joined the collision repair network; Fix Auto Cardston, Fix Auto Cold Lake, which have been fully operational since February 4th, and Fix Auto Lacombe, in full operation effective February 19th 2016. Fix Auto Cardston’s owner and operator David Nay […]