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 […]
Interview: John Lancaster, Subaru of America and Livia Guarnieri, Wadsworth International
Lancaster and Guarnieri detail plans for Subaru’s collision repair certification program. Subaru of America announced in March that it was partnering with Wadsworth International to launch the vehicle manufacturer’s certified collision repair program. In our video interview, John Lancaster, from Subaru and Livia Guarnieri, with Wadsworth International provide details about the program that will be […]
OEM Collision Repair Parts and Procedures Bill Becomes Law in Rhode Island
Senate Bill 2679, that expands consumer choice requirement for insurers on OEM parts to 48 months, is now law. Rhode Island Senate Bill 2679 (SB 2679), that expands the state’s existing requirement that consumers be given the right to choose and insurers pay for OEM parts on claims for 30 months after a vehicle is […]
Interview: Dan Risley, Automotive Service Association
Risley, president and executive director of ASA, discusses the announcement that he is leaving the association after five years at the helm. The Automotive Service Association announced today that Dan Risley, president and executive director of the association since 2013, was leaving to accept a position with CCC Information Services. In our video interview with […]
California Senate Insurance Committee Amends Collision Repair Labor Rate Bill
Committee incorporates amendments to bill that seeks to offer insurers an alternative labor rate survey process to those in DOI regulations. Though the DOI does not have a position on the bill, it is concerned about amendments late in the legislative process. The California Senate Insurance Committee yesterday held a hearing on Assembly Bill 2276 […]