Tom Bergeron, manager of State Farm’s Vehicle Research Facility, has joined Plasnomic’s Plastic Repair Alliance Council, the organization announced Aug. 25. Bergeron is the fourth insurer representative to join the council since January, following Allstate Auto Technical Claims Director Mike Bundra in January, Allianz UK Network Manager Michael Golding in February and GEICO Senior Director […]
Doan Group Names Ken Loose Vice President of Enterprise Partnerships
The Doan Group, a national provider of auto, specialty vehicle, heavy equipment and property appraisal and adjusting services, announced Aug. 25 that Ken Loose has joined the company as vice president of enterprise partnerships. Loose, who brings more than two decades of claims and appraisal industry experience, will work with the Covington, Ga.-based company and […]
Trump Threatens 50% Tariffs on Canadian Vehicles, Auto Parts and Steel Beginning Jan. 1
Announcement follows the collapse of U.S.-Canada trade talks that would have lowered duties on Canadian cars and light trucks to 15%. President Donald Trump said that tariffs on all cars, trucks, automotive parts and steel imported from Canada will rise to 50% on Jan. 1, 2027, escalating a trade dispute days after negotiations between the […]
GM Restricts Ordering of 12 Electric Vehicle Frame Rail Parts to Collision Repair Network
Bulletin tells insurers to route structural BEV repairs to GM Collision Repair Network shops, drawing scrutiny from the Automotive Body Parts Association. General Motors has limited ordering of 12 front frame rail service section part numbers used on select electric vehicles to collision repair facilities that are compliant with its Collision Repair Network battery-electric vehicle […]
Women’s Industry Network Opens Applications for 2027 Board of Directors
Application window runs through Sept. 15. Onboarding begins in November ahead of a January 2027 term start. The Women’s Industry Network is accepting applications for seats on its Board of Directors through Sept. 15, the organization announced Aug. 25. Selected candidates will begin onboarding in November, and their terms will officially begin in January 2027. […]
Amica Chief Claims Officer Sean Welch to Retire, Acel Silva Named Successor
Amica Mutual Insurance Company announced Aug. 24 that Sean Welch, senior vice president and chief claims officer, will retire at the end of the year after 41 years with the Lincoln, R.I.-based insurer. Acel Silva, a 23-year Amica claims veteran, will succeed him effective Dec. 1. “Sean’s impact on Amica extends far beyond the Claims […]
VaraFix Launches AI Estimate Review Platform
VaraFix has launched an artificial intelligence-based estimate review platform that scans a completed collision repair estimate for commonly missed operations, materials and procedures and returns supporting documentation in about 90 seconds, the Boca Raton, Fla.-based company said Aug. 25. The company said it was developed by a group of collision industry professionals whose backgrounds include […]
AirPro Diagnostics and Revv Merge
Combined company operates under Rotunda Capital Partners ownership, with AirPro chief executive Driaan Du Toit leading and Revv co-founder Adi Bathla as president and chief innovation officer AirPro Diagnostics has merged with Revv, combining a remote advanced driver assistance systems diagnostics and calibration provider with the software platform that identifies which calibrations a damaged vehicle […]
AASP/NJ TPMS and Alignment Webinar Set for Aug. 26
The Alliance of Automotive Service Providers of New Jersey (AASP/NJ) will hold a free member webinar on tire pressure monitoring and wheel alignment Aug. 26 at 6 p.m., led by Kenneth Pollin, technical sales specialist at NAPA Auto Parts. “TPMS (tire pressure monitoring systems) and alignment are no longer ‘tire services,’ they are now a […]
PPG Appoints Segment Leaders
Automotive Refinish Head Chancey Hagerty to Lead Performance Coatings PPG (NYSE: PPG) has appointed three senior executives to lead its global reportable business segments, giving global automotive refinish coatings head Chancey Hagerty responsibility for the entire Performance Coatings segment effective Sept. 1. Hagerty will continue to lead the global automotive refinish coatings business while taking […]