AkzoNobel has launched Sikkens Autoclear Optima, a new clearcoat designed to increase productivity, quality and throughput. The product is initially available in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany, with rollout continuing in additional markets in the coming months. With shop utility costs under pressure and cycle time tied directly to throughput, AkzoNobel is positioning the […]
New York Budget Agreement Includes Auto Insurance Reforms
Budget package includes measures aimed at reducing fraud, premiums. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders have reached agreement on a fiscal 2027 state budget that includes a package of auto insurance reforms aimed at reducing premiums that rank among the highest in the country. New Yorkers pay an average of just over $4,000 […]
Women’s Industry Network Names Laura Kottschade Chair for 2026-2027 Board
Laura Kottschade of Jerry’s ABRA Auto Body & Glass will lead the Women’s Industry Network as chair for the 2026-2027 term, the organization announced May 12. Kottschade succeeds Elizabeth Stein of Certified Collision Group, who moves to immediate past chair. The new board was formally presented to WIN members during the organization’s annual conference held […]
Crash Champions Sets 60-Day Target to Hire 300 Body Technicians
Crash Champions on May 12 announced a hiring initiative to add 300 body technicians across its nationwide network within 60 days, a push the company said would expand its certified technician workforce by 10%. The Chicago-based multi-shop operator is recruiting for openings at more than 650 repair centers across 38 states. The hiring drive follows […]
Mirka and 4Plastic Form Partnership to Advance Plastic Repairs
Surface finishing solutions provider Mirka and automotive plastic repair company 4Plastic announced May 12 they are partnering to deliver an ecosystem of OEM-aligned plastic repair products, training, certification and technical support. The partnership extends a broader industry push to standardize plastic repair processes that has gained momentum over the past year. Both companies are members […]
GM-UMTRI Study Finds Advanced Driver Assistance Features Cut Injury Crashes by 14% to 57%
Study examined results of more than 700,000 police-reported crashes on 2020-2024 GM vehicles. A new study from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute and General Motors found that GM vehicles equipped with advanced driver assistance system features were significantly less likely to be involved in injury crashes, with reductions ranging from 14% for lane […]
I-CAR Volunteer Committees Have Raised $727,200 since 2001 for 67 Collision Schools Through Collision Repair Education Foundation
Local I-CAR Volunteer Committees raised $727,200 for the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) Benchmark Award program from 2021 through 2025, with the funds reaching 67 secondary and post-secondary collision repair programs and more than 5,000 students, the foundation said. Nineteen committees contributed during the five-year window, led by the Atlanta I-CAR Committee, which has invested […]
PRP Northeast Recyclers Rebrand as Autoly
PRP-NE, the Northeast U.S. cooperative of independent automotive recyclers selling recycled OEM parts, has rebranded as Autoly, the network announced this month. The new name brings 22 family-owned recycling facilities across an 11-state Northeast footprint under a single consumer-facing identity. The company said the name combines “auto” and “family” to signal the independent, family-owned ownership […]
NASTF Highlights SDRM Vetting as Programming-Tool Vehicle Theft Threats Evolve
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) said vehicle security professionals working under its Secure Data Release Model (SDRM) performed more than 471,000 secure transactions in the past year, as the nonprofit pointed to evolving vehicle theft methods that exploit diagnostic and key-programming tools. NASTF said sophisticated theft operations are increasingly using electronic programming tools […]
General Motors to Pay $12.75 Million to Settle California OnStar Driving Data Privacy Case
General Motors LLC will pay $12.75 million to resolve a civil lawsuit alleging the automaker unlawfully sold the personal information and driving data of hundreds of thousands of OnStar subscribers to consumer reporting agencies whose products are widely used by the auto insurance industry, the California Attorney General’s office and the district attorneys of Los […]