Competition authority recommends mandatory regulation to assure repair information access, eliminate parts sales restrictions to independent repairers, concerns over high OEM parts margins for vehicle manufacturers compared to other international markets. The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) yesterday released the draft report of its market study into Australia’s new car retailing industry. The report […]
Interview: Clark Plucinski, Collision Repair Education Foundation
Clark Plucinski, executive director of the Foundation, details results from the organizations recent Snapshot of the Collision Repair Industry research and how what has been learned influences their programs designed to improve the industry’s supply of entry level employees. Since 1995, the Collision Repair Education Foundation has conducted its Snapshot of the Collision Repair Industry […]
Maine Collision Repair Anti-Steering Legislation Vetoed by Governor
State Senate fails to overturn veto on measure that would have required insurers to inform a consumer of right to collision repair facility. Proposed legislation (LD 1540) in Maine that would have required an insurer that recommends a particular collision repair facility to inform consumers they have a right to choose a facility was vetoed […]
More Raids in UK Investigation into Collision Repair Center Data Theft
Investigation continues into theft of body repair customer information from computer systems. More homes in the United Kingdom have been searched as part of an ongoing investigation by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) into the theft of customer data from collision repair centers. The investigation relates to nuisance calls that encourage people to make personal […]
Insurance Association Concerned with Mississippi AG’s Consumer Guide to Insurance and Auto Body Repair Misleads Customers
Property Casualty Insurers Association concerned language on replacement parts in guide may confuse consumers and collision repair shops. The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) is concerned that the Consumer Guide to Insurance and Auto Body Repair released on May 25 by Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood may confuse and mislead both consumers and […]
PPG Drops AkzoNobel Takeover Bid
Paint manufacturer will not make a public takeover offer for competitor. PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has withdrawn its proposal to acquire AkzoNobel (OTCMKTS:AKZOY) and will not pursue a public offer for the company. Under Dutch law, PPG had to make a decision today to pursue a formal takeover attempt or pause for a […]
Court Rules in AkzoNobel’s Favor in Suit to Unseat Chairman Over PPG Takeover Bid
AkzoNobel (OTCMKTS:AKZOY)yesterday prevailed in a lawsuit brought by investor Elliott Advisors that sought to unseat AkzoNobel’s chairman over the paint manufacturer’s continued resistance to the takeover bid by PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) that was launched earlier this year. The decision by Amsterdam Enterprise Chamber rejected Elliott’s request to force AkzoNobel to hold a special shareholder meeting […]
Interview: Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance
Chris Evans, Claim Consultant, explains State Farm’s recent decision to require I-CAR’s Welding program for collision repair facilities on its Select Service referral program. In April, State Farm Insurance announced it would begin requiring collision repair shops that participate in its Select Service referral program to have technicians with the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision […]
Rhode Island to Hold Meeting on Auto Damage Appraiser Regulations
May 30 meeting to focus on regulations governing when an appraiser may not leave a collision repair facility without providing a copy of a damage appraisal. The Rhode Island Department of Business Regulation (DBR), Insurance Division has issued a notice of proposed rulemaking in response to a petition to update Rhode Island Regulation 42 Section […]
California Assembly Insurance Committee Approves Bill that Overturn New Anti-Steering and Labor Rate Regulations
Bill now moves to Appropriations Committee. At a hearing on April 19, the California Assembly Insurance Committee approved Assembly Bill 1679 (AB 1679) that seeks to overturn California Department of Insurance (CDI) anti-steering and collision repair labor rate regulations that took effect in March. The bill passed by a unanimous 13-0 vote during the hearing. […]