Eckenrode details how the Foundation is adapting to assist collision repair schools and students who have been impacted by the coronavirus crisis. With virtually all schools and college facilities closed through the U.S. to help slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Collision Repair Education Foundation is adapting to increase the industry’s support for its […]
LKQ Corporation Files Lawsuit Against General Motors Seeking to Have Collision Repair Part Design Patents Ruled Invalid
Federal lawsuit alleges vehicle manufacturer is seeking to undermine aftermarket parts supplier’s business relationships and seeks to change license agreement terms. LKQ Corporation filed a lawsuit in an Illinois Federal Court seeking a judgment against General Motors over the infringement and validity of collision repair part design patents. The lawsuit, LKQ Corporation and Keystone Automotive […]
Interview: Michael Macaluso, Driven Brands
Macaluso, group president of Driven Brand’s Paint, Collision & Glass segment, details the Fix Auto USA acquisition and how it benefits the franchise group’s collision repair strategy, insurance and vendor relationships. With last week’s announcement that it was acquiring the franchise operations of Fix Auto USA along with ten Auto Center Auto Body (ACAB) company […]
Interview: Dan Risley, CCC Information Services
Collision repair facility operators are facing widespread changes in how they operate as a result of the pandemic. CCC’s Dan Risley details near and long-term trends facing the industry and what collision repair professionals are doing today to prepare. With collision repair facility operators across the U.S. facing an unprecedented downturn in demand in the […]
Maryland Collision Repair Parts Bill Withdrawn
Legislation sought to define OEM, certified and non-certified part types and require written consent indicating parts choice. A bill before the Maryland legislature that sought to add a section to the Maryland Statutes to define the different types of crash parts used to repair a vehicle and require written consent from the insured to the […]
U.S. Supreme Court Denies ABPA Petition to Hear Ford Collision Repair Part Design Patent Appeal
The denial leaves in place lower court finding Ford’s design patents for the F-150 are valid and enforceable. The U.S. Supreme Court yesterday denied a petition by the Automotive Body Parts Association to hear its appeal of lower court rulings that found design patents covering a hood and headlamp for the Ford F-150 were valid […]
Interview: Dan Risley, CCC Information Services
Risley discusses how the information provider is addressing industry needs in the face of evolving privacy and security regulations. With the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) coming into effect this year, and concerns over security and privacy issues growing generally across the U.S., the need for the collision repair industry to employ data security and […]
Oklahoma Bill Would Require Collision Repair Facilities to Follow Storage Rate Limits
Legislation that passed Senate would add repair facilities to existing regulations on maximum storage fee limits. Legislation introduced in Oklahoma would require collision repair facilities to follow the maximum charge limits that currently only apply to towing businesses in the state. Oklahoma Senate Bill 1314 (SB 1314), that was introduced on January 13 and amended […]
Ford Files Lawsuit Against AirPro Diagnostics
Vehicle manufacturer alleges that remote diagnostic provider violated its trademarks and license agreements by providing remote diagnostic services using Ford software. Ford Motor Company and its Ford Global Technologies, LLC (FGTL) subsidiary filed a federal lawsuit against AirPro Diagnostics alleging the remote diagnostic service provider is infringing Ford’s trademarks and licensing agreements and is committing […]
Interview: Mario Dimovski, TradieBot Industries and Plastfix
Australia-based innovator has developed virtual reality programs to help train entry-level painters, augmented reality technical information systems and a robotic 3-D printing headlight Repairbot. Longtime readers of CollisionWeek are familiar with Australia-based TradieBot Industries. Over the past few years, the company has launched a project to develop a robotic 3-D printing Repairbot to fix damaged […]