Gene Crozat, the founder of Santa Rosa, California-based G & C Auto Body died November 22 at the age of 72. Crozat opened G&C Auto Body with a partner in 1972 and built it into a recognized North Bay brand, with 11 locations in four counties in California with more than 200 employees. According to […]
LKQ Acquires Equity Interest in Mekonomen Group
LKQ Corporation (LKQ) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire an equity interest in Mekonomen AB (MEKO.ST) from Axel Johnson AB (AXJ). Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Mekonomen Group is an independent car parts and service chain in the Nordic region of Europe, offering a wide range of products including spare parts […]
PBES 2017 Conference Dates Announced
The Paint, Body and Equipment Specialists (PBES) segment community of the Auto Care Association announced initial planning details for the 2017 PBES Spring Conference, to take place May 16-18, 2017 in Chicago, Ill. at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile. “Innovate to Dominate” is the theme for the annual conference, providing unique opportunities for individuals […]
Judge Grants Injunction Delaying U.S. Department of Labor Overtime Rule
Federal Judge grants request for preliminary injunction that delays the December 1 expansion of overtime eligibility. Rule presumed dead in its current form given change in Administration in January. On November 22, Federal Judge Amos L. Mazzant granted the request of plaintiffs for a preliminary injunction delaying the implementation of the U.S. Department of Labor’s […]
IHS Markit Reports Average Age of Light Cars and Trucks in U.S. Rises Again in 2016 to 11.6 Years
Also reports record number of vehicles in operation. The average age of light vehicles in operation (VIO) in the U.S. has once again climbed slightly this year, to 11.6 years, according to industry experts at IHS Markit (NASDAQ:INFO), a provider of business information and analysis for the global automotive industry. Registrations for light VIO, including […]
UK Insurance Association Calls for International Crash Data Standards for Autonomous Vehicles
Association of British Insurers and Thatcham call for standardized data set to help with liability assignment after a crash by an autonomous vehicle and to improve vehicle manufacturer systems. British insurers are leading efforts to have a standard set of data agreed at an international level which would be easily available in the event of […]
Fix Auto Canada Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in Alberta
Peter Polito, General Manager, Fix Auto Western Canada announced that Fix Auto Taber, Alberta, owned and operated by David Powell, is the latest Fix Auto shop to join the Canadian Fix Auto network, effective November 21. A seasoned industry professional of 40 years with 33 years of experience as a shop owner, David Powell is […]
AASP-MN Announces 15th Annual Race for Automotive Education
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers, Minnesota (AASP-MN) announced it will hold its 15th Annual Race for Automotive Education January 10-11, 2017 at ProKart Indoor Racing, Burnsville, Minn. The event is the primary fundraiser for the AASP-MN Automotive Education Fund, which provides financial resources to support automotive students, enhance automotive programs and raise awareness of […]
Collision Repair Industry Production Increases in August
Both production employment and hours worked increased in August compared to July. Production continues above 2015 levels. An analysis of the latest data released from the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), shows that total production for the collision repair industry was up in August versus the previous month and was up […]
Wholesale Used Vehicle Prices Up in October Versus Last Year
Though prices remained above year ago levels, prices were down month-to-month. Truck prices are up and car prices are down. According to ADESA Analytical Services’ monthly analysis of wholesale used vehicle prices the softening wholesale price environment became more apparent in October, as wholesale supply continues to grow while retail demand weakened. For the first […]