Small business owners divided on sales outlook, business conditions. The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Index of Small Business Optimism rose 0.4 points in December, increasing to 95.2. The Index is stuck in a “below average” rut, characterizing the performance of the small business sector. Historically accounting for about half of private GDP, below […]
Gas Prices Dropping at the Fastest Pace in Two Months
Tumbling crude oil prices around the world have helped send the national retail average price for gasoline to its lowest mark since February 2009. Retail averages have fallen for 63 of the past 74 days, for a total savings of 34 cents per gallon, reaching yesterday’s price of $1.88 per gallon. Gas prices are down […]
AASP-MN Raises Over $8000 for Mechanical and Collision Repair Education
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of Minnesota (AASP-MN) recently raised nearly $8,500 during its 2016 fundraising campaign to support the AASP-MN Automotive AASP-MN logoEducation Fund. The majority of that money was raised at the Association’s 14th annual Race for Automotive Education, held January 12th & 13th at ProKart Indoors, in Burnsville, Minn., and will […]
CARSTAR Adds VP of Insurance and Director of Marketing
Driven Brands and CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announced the promotion of two Driven Brands’ team members into prominent roles for CARSTAR. CARSTAR continues to expand its insurance relations team to support its national insurance programs. While Dan Young, now president of CARSTAR U.S., will continue in a leadership role with insurance carriers, CARSTAR has […]
Spanesi Recognizes Canada Distributor Jerry Snyder
Spanesi Americas recently recognized individual distributors for their contributions and accomplishments of 2015. Among those recognized was Canada Distributor Jerry Snyder of JES Sales, Ltd. of Grimsby, Ontario. “We were very happy to recognize Jerry Snyder for his contributions to the Spanesi organization,” said Tim Morgan, Managing Director of Spanesi Americas. “Jerry and his organization […]
NADA Forecasts a Record 17.7 Million New-Car Sales in 2016
National Auto Dealers Association sees car and light truck sales increasing two percent this year versus 2015. More good news on the auto sales front for the collision repair and auto insurance industries. U.S. sales of new cars and light trucks will set an all-time record in 2016, said Steven Szakaly, chief economist of the […]
Caliber Acquires 7 Maryland Collision Repair Centers
Caliber Collision Centers announced that it has acquired seven Automotive Collision Technologies collision repair centers in Maryland. Automotive Collision Technologies has served the Metro Baltimore Area for more than two decades in and around Baltimore and Annapolis. Steve Grimshaw, Caliber Collision Chief Executive Officer said, “We are extremely excited to have the Automotive Collision Technologies […]
AudaExplore and CCC Donate Software Subscriptions to Collision Repair Schools
AudaExplore, a Solera Company, and CCC Information Services, Inc. have donated over $7 million combined in estimating software subscriptions through the Collision Repair Education Foundation. AudaExplore has reached a milestone in donating over $3 million in software donations in 2015 through the Foundation to schools across the country. The program, Audatex Educational Institutions Program, began […]
Hyatt, Embassy Suites, Marriott Partner with AASP/NJ for NORTHEAST 2016
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey’s (AASP/NJ) NORTHEAST Automotive Services Show has partnered with a record three host hotels for this year’s event. For the 2016 NORTHEAST show, guests can expect special pricing from the top hotels within walking distance of the Meadowlands Exposition Center. Free registration for the show is now […]
CARSTAR Appoints New Midwest Area Director of Operations
CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Experts announced Darryl Rochefort as its newest Area Director of Operations. In his new role, Rochefort will provide operational direction to coach, counsel, and consult CARSTAR franchisees in the Midwest Region. Rochefort will report to Melissa Miller, CARSTAR’s National Director of Operations. Darryl Rochefort has worked in the collision repair industry […]