U.S. District Judge finds problems with the complaint brought by collision repair facilities alleging antitrust violations. Allows plaintiffs until February 10 to amend complaint on six of seven counts. 1963 Consent Decree found not to apply to current case. In an amended order issued yesterday, U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has dismissed without prejudice […]
Honda Cautions that New Driver Assist/Safety Systems Require OE Parts Replacement
Honda is cautioning collision repairers that while driver assist systems and other safety systems on many late model Honda and Acura automobiles offer heightened safety and convenience for the vehicle driver and passengers, their performance many be comprised if original equipment (OE) parts are not used during the repair process. According to a Honda parts […]
Axalta Launches Initial Public Offering
Axalta Coating Systems Ltd. announced today it has commenced an initial public offering of 45 million of its common shares. The shares will be offered by affiliates of The Carlyle Group. The anticipated initial offering price is between $18.00 and $21.00 per share. The move has been expected since August when CollisionWeek reported the company […]
VeriFacts Announces Award Finalists
VeriFacts Automotive, LLC announced today the finalists for the VeriFacts Automotive Achievement in Collision Repair Excellence (ACE) Awards. The winners of the ACE Awards will be announced on November 6th at the 2014 Collision Industry Conference (CIC) held in conjunction with the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) tradeshow in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dale Delmege Award […]
Senator Urges FTC to Take Action Against Misleading Warranty Tactics by Vehicle Manufacturers
The Auto Care Association reported that U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut has written the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about its lack of urgency in clarifying its interpretation of the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. In a letter to the FTC, Sen. Blumenthal said, “Many motorists may have been led to believe… that going to a local […]
Illinois Supreme Court Justice Who Helped Overturn Aftermarket Parts Verdict against State Farm at Center of Election Controversy Again
Effort to get Justice Lloyd Karmeier voted off the court gains the financial support of Plaintiff Attorneys who could gain from reinstatement of judgments in class-action lawsuits. Donations in the election of Illinois Supreme Court Justice Lloyd Karmeier are again making headlines. This time, however, plaintiff attorneys were reported this week to have made large […]
Carlyle Sells Majority Stake in Service King
Two years after acquiring the multiple shop operator, the Carlyle Group is selling a majority stake to the private equity firm Blackstone Group LLP that reportedly values the business at $650 million. Service King Collision Repair Centers announced that private equity funds controlled by Blackstone (NYSE: BX) will recapitalize one of the largest independent U.S. […]
LKQ Corporation and Chrysler Sign Patent License Agreement, End Lawsuit
Agreement brings end to lawsuit filed by Chrysler in January. LKQ Corporation announced it has entered into a Patent License Agreement with Chrysler Group LLC that grants LKQ a license under certain Chrysler design patents in connection with LKQ’s distribution and sale of aftermarket collision parts in the United States. As part of the agreement, […]
Barrett Smith to Address Auto Body Association of Texas Inaugural Meeting June 18
Barrett Smith, AAM, President and founder of Auto Damage Experts, Inc. (ADE) will make a presentation to members and guests of the newly formed Auto Body Association of Texas (ABAT) during its first meeting on Wednesday, June 18th, from 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The meeting is being held at the Henderson Civic Center located […]
Service King Finalizes Sterling Acquisition
Service King Collision Repair Centers has finalized the acquisition of Sterling Collision Centers that was announced in April. Service King now operates 175 locations across 20 states. “Acquiring a company like Sterling Collision Centers is about more than expanding our network with bricks and mortar. The strength of our organization lies within our people and […]