A settlement agreement was reached Wednesday between Ford Motor Company and LKQ Corporation in the litigation filed by Ford to protect its design patents on collision parts. The settlement provides that LKQ will not challenge the validity and enforceability of Ford’s design patents during the term of the agreement. In exchange, LKQ will become the […]
Judge Halts CCC Mitchell Merger
A district court judge has ordered that the merger between CCC Information Services and Mitchell International Inc. may not proceed until the completion of a full investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). As in many merger cases, the court’s decision may mean the end of the deal between the two companies unless they are […]
Liberty Mutual to Acquire Safeco Corporation
Liberty Mutual Group and Safeco Corporation announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement where Liberty Mutual will acquire all outstanding shares of Safeco for $68.25 per common share in cash. The proposed transaction, which is valued at approximately $6.2 billion, has been approved by the Boards of Directors of both companies. It is […]
Mitchell International and CCC Plan Merger
Two of the three main information providers agree to join forces. CollisionWeek has confirmed from several sources that Mitchell International and CCC Information Services have entered into a definitive agreement to merge the two companies. On Thursday night, some customers of CCC Information Services and Mitchell International had received telephone calls from the companies explaining […]
NABC Celebrates 2007 PRIDE Award Recipients
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) announced that its 2007 PRIDE Awards, which recognize industry individuals that perform exceptional humanitarian and benevolent acts, have been bestowed upon four deserving people representing the heart of the collision industry. The awards were presented on October 30 at the Industry Achievement Awards Luncheon held in conjunction with the […]
NABC’s Recycled Rides Program Starts Rolling
The National Auto Body Council (NABC) today announced that its Recycled Rides pilot program has officially launched following the commitment of ten repair facilities eagerly waiting to participate in the pilot. Recycled Rides is a nationwide awareness project that assists members of the NABC to repair and donate recycled vehicles for families in need. As […]
Allstate Loses Court Appeal to Strike State Insurer-Owned Shop Ban
Judges affirm earlier decision that Texas law banning insurer-owned shops should stand. The U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th Circuit, New Orleans, has affirmed an earlier court’s decision that ruled it is legal for a state to ban insurance company ownership of collision repair facilities. In the initial 2006 decision, a U.S. District Court in Dallas […]
MQVP Parts Certification Program Packs It In
MQVP filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on July 18 and will liquidate its assets. The aftermarket parts certifying body MQVP Inc. filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in United States Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Michigan on July 18. Bankruptcy judge Marci B. McIvor granted the Michigan based company’s motion to convert its original […]
New Investment Group to Buy Mitchell International
Mitchell International, Inc., has signed a definitive agreement to sell the company to an investment group led by Aurora Capital Group and including General Electric Pension Trust. Aurora Capital Group is a Los Angeles-based investment firm formed in 1991 that acquires and builds companies in partnership with operating management. The Firm currently manages approximately $2 […]
American Family Insurance Names New VP of Claims
On heels of repairer uproar surrounding AmFam’s recent switch from Mitchell to Audatex, company names new head of claims. American Family Mutual Insurance Company, the third-largest mutual property and casualty insurer in the nation, has appointed Mark Afable, 49, as vice president of American Family’s claims division effective Monday, November 6. Afable replaces Terese A. […]