On March 17-19, the crowds never ceased coming through the doors of the Meadowlands Exposition Center (MEC) in Secaucus, N.J. as the NORTHEAST 2023 Automotive Services Show attracted thousands of automotive and collision professionals eager to fill their minds with knowledge on the industry’s most pressing topics while also looking to fill their shops with […]
Insurance Association Hails Federal Legislation to Preserve Competition in Collision Repair Parts Market
Legislation to preserve competition in the marketplace for aftermarket auto parts will help keep repair costs low by promoting consumer choice, according to the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). The Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation, or SMART Act, which was reintroduced last week, would limit the design patent on an auto repair […]
Ricardo Rosso Named Site Manager of AkzoNobel Pontiac Automotive and Specialty Coatings Facility
AkzoNobel announced Ricardo Rosso is the new site manager for its Pontiac Automotive and Specialty Coatings manufacturing facility as of March 1. He started with AkzoNobel in 2011 in Brazil and then joined our North America team (NAM) in 2018 as the production manager for Marine, Protective and Yacht (MPY) Coatings at Akzo’s Houston, Texas […]
Hertz Announces Departure of Chief Financial Officer
Hertz Global Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:HTZ) announced that it has appointed Alexandra Brooks, its Chief Accounting Officer, as interim Chief Financial Officer effective April 1. Ms. Brooks will replace Kenny Cheung, who is leaving the company to pursue another professional opportunity in a different industry. Hertz is initiating a formal search process for the selection of […]
March Total New-Vehicle Sales Pace Projected to Increase Over Last Year
Pent up demand buoys sales. Spending on new vehicles projected to set Q1 record. Total new-vehicle sales for March 2023, including retail and non-retail transactions, are projected to reach 1,330,700 units, a 6.2% increase from March 2022, according to a joint forecast from J.D. Power and LMC Automotive. March 2023 has the same number of […]
Fix Auto USA Adds Collision Repair Center to Network in Tujunga, California
Fix Auto USA announced the opening of Fix Auto Tujunga, the newest collision repair center to join its network. The 4,500 sq. ft. facility is located at 7001 Foothill Boulevard in Tujunga, Calif. Kevin Tarverdyan, owner of Fix Auto Tujunga, joins the auto repair industry with nearly two decades of experience in the insurance industry. […]
LKQ Europe Partners with European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs
LKQ Europe announced its partnership with the European Council for Motor Trades and Repairs (CECRA). This partnership is built on shared objectives and common interests, including access to vehicle data, electric vehicles, green deal, and the ongoing skill development of automotive technicians. By joining forces with CECRA, LKQ Europe looks forward to participating in the […]
Universal Technical Institute Announces Purchase of Primary Buildings for Orlando Campus
Universal Technical Institute (UTI), a division of Universal Technical Institute, Inc. (NYSE:UTI), announced the purchase of the three buildings it fully occupies at its Orlando, Fla. campus, which offers technician training programs in automotive, diesel, motorcycle and marine. In February 2022, UTI completed the consolidation of its UTI-Orlando and MMI-Orlando campuses into the current location, […]
Legislation to Limit Length of Automotive Design Patents Re-Introduced in U.S. House of Representatives
Bill seeks to reduce collision repair costs by limiting the length of time vehicle manufacturer exterior parts would be protected from competition. The Save Money on Auto Repair Transportation (SMART) Act was reintroduced yesterday in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill proposes to reduce the length of time exterior collision repair parts are protected […]
Coalition of 23 State Attorneys General Urge Kia and Hyundai to Address Vehicle Theft Issues
A nationwide coalition of 23 attorneys general is calling on Kia America (Kia) and Hyundai Motor Company (Hyundai) to take swift and comprehensive action to help remedy the crisis of car thefts that has occurred due to the companies’ failure to equip vehicles with anti-theft immobilizers. Alarmingly high theft rates for Kia and Hyundai models […]