Associations believe new laws necessary to protect consumers and assure collision repair facilities are fairly compensated. Seeks to keep effort separate from aftermarket parts legislation. In a press briefing yesterday, the Automotive Service Association and Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers outlined their plans to promote laws that would require OEM procedures be used in collision repairs […]
Interview with Gary Ledoux on YesterWreck
Collision industry veteran talks about his new book on the history of the collision repair industry in the U.S. Gary Ledoux, who retired last year after a long career with American Honda, announced the launch of his new book, YesterWreck: The History of the Collision Repair Industry in America earlier this year. The book’s 13 […]
Interview: Ramon Suarez, Audatex, Solera Company
In our video interview, Suarez, regional managing director for Audatex, explains how the recently announced AudaTarget predictive analytics system benefits, insurers, collision repair facilities and ultimately consumers. As the pace of change in vehicle technology accelerates, insurers and repairers have responded by updating their operations in response. Part of that response, requires facing the fact […]
California Department of Insurance Finds Use of Opt-OEM and Alt-OEM Designations Unfair Claims Practice
DOI joins with California’s Bureau of Automotive Repair to prohibit use of parts terms. CollisionWeek interviews Don Feeley, Interim Executive Director of the California Autobody Association. In a letter dated October 8 to the California Autobody Association (CAA), the California Department of Insurance (DOI) responded to questions by the repair association regarding the use of […]
State Farm Settles Hale Class Action for $250 Million
As trial was scheduled to commence, a settlement was announced bringing to a close two decades of litigation on non-OEM parts. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance and the Plaintiffs in Hale et al v. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company et al announced they have reached a settlement agreement as the trial was set to […]
State Farm Racketeering Trial Starts This Week
The 2012 lawsuit alleges auto insurer recruited and bankrolled successful candidate for Illinois Supreme Court to overturn 1999 $1.18 billion non-OEM parts ruling. Plaintiffs in a 2012 lawsuit that alleges State Farm Automobile Insurance company recruited and bankrolled the successful candidacy of an Illinois Supreme Court Justice in 2004 so that he would overturn a […]
Interview: John Van Alstyne, I-CAR CEO and President Details Upcoming Changes to Training and Recognition Programs
Van Alstyne details changes coming to collision repair industry training and recognition programs. I-CAR announced a nearly complete redesign of its training programs at NACE Automechanika, including new requirements for Platinum and Gold Class recognition programs in 2019. Russell Thrall III, publisher and editor in chief of CollisionWeek, sat down with Van Alstyne just a […]
U.S. EPA and DOT Propose to Hold Model Year 2021-2026 Vehicle Emissions at 2020 Levels
Increased fuel economy standards, behind vehicle materials and design changes impacting collision repair industry, would slow under proposal. Continues to set one national standard, eliminating California’s ability to set more stringent requirements. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on August 1 released a notice […]
CAPA and NSF Stand Behind Certified Non-OEM Bumper Cover ADAS Performance
Parts certification bodies stand behind certified aftermarket part performance where driver assistance systems installed. Recent vehicle manufacturer position statements have cautioned collision repair facilities on the extent of allowed repair procedures and parts to use for bumper cover repair on vehicles that have advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) installed. CollisionWeek reached out to both the […]
OEM and Aftermarket Parts Suppliers Testify at U.S. Commerce Department Hearing
Representatives from Auto Care Association, Automotive Body Parts Association, Certified Automotive Parts Association and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association testify against imposing broad-based tariffs on imported automobiles and parts. Among a full day of testimony by executives from more than 40 auto industry businesses and associations, representatives of both OEM and aftermarket parts testified […]