Vehicle manufacturer branded insurance program now in 21 states. General Motors Insurance has added Maryland to its service area, bringing the total number of states where its auto insurance product is available to 21. The automaker’s direct-to-consumer insurance arm announced the launch on its website. “General Motors Insurance is pleased to offer insurance in our […]
Sherwin-Williams Debuts Redesigned Automotive Finishes Branch in Cleveland
Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes will host an open house April 24 at a remodeled Cleveland branch the company is positioning as the first in a broader rollout of a new retail concept for its automotive refinish network. The event runs from 2 to 6 p.m. at 5720 Brookpark Road. Visitors can expect vendor displays, giveaways, catering […]
Axalta Wins Three 2026 Edison Awards for Color, AI, and EV Battery Innovations
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA) has won three 2026 Edison Awards, including two Gold honors for the EcoNextJet on-demand vehicle color customization system and the Alesta e-PRO FG Black fire-resistant coating for electric vehicle battery safety, plus a Bronze for the TintMaster AI paint manufacturing platform. The recognitions span three distinct Axalta technologies aimed at […]
University of the Aftermarket Foundation Launches 40th Ruby Anniversary Campaign
The University of the Aftermarket Foundation has launched a yearlong fundraising campaign to mark its 40th anniversary, with organizers planning a culminating reception Oct. 31 at The Venetian Las Vegas during AAPEX week. UAF chairman Roger McCollum, MAAP, and Rick Schwartz, chair of the foundation’s marketing committee, unveiled the Ruby Anniversary Campaign at the MEMA […]
Report Finds Personal Auto Claims Fell 3% in 2025
Verisk reports say gig-economy commercial auto risk and targeted auto theft reshaping loss patterns Personal auto claims volume declined nearly 3% in 2025, extending a two-year slide, according to Verisk’s annual insurance claims trends report released April 14. The drop follows a roughly 5% decrease in 2024. The Verisk data surfaces two trends beyond the […]
AkzoNobel to Sell Pakistan Subsidiary to Packages Group in €50 Million Deal
AkzoNobel has signed an agreement to sell Akzo Nobel Pakistan Limited to IGI Investments (Pvt.) Limited, part of Pakistan-based conglomerate Packages Group, in a transaction valued at 16.2 billion Pakistani rupees, or €50 million ($58.9 million). The deal represents an EV/EBITDA multiple of 14x. The Pakistan divestment is the next move in AkzoNobel’s strategic portfolio […]
AIA Canada Names Three New Directors, Installs Fountain Tire CEO as Chair
The Automotive Industries Association of Canada elected three new directors to its board and installed Fountain Tire CEO Jason Herle as chair during the association’s 84th annual general meeting, held virtually April 16. The incoming directors are Daryll O’Keefe, vice president of North American strategic business development at Fix Network; Sabrina Thring, brand president of […]
Three Sentenced in California “Operation Bear Claw” Insurance Fraud Scheme
Three Los Angeles, Calif.-area residents have been sentenced for their roles in an insurance fraud scheme that used a person in a bear costume to stage fake animal attacks on luxury vehicles, the California Department of Insurance announced April 16. The defendants submitted claims to three different insurers for interior damage to a 2010 Rolls […]
PPG Begins Global Price Hikes of Up to 20% Across Coatings Portfolio
PPG has begun raising prices by up to 20% on its paints, coatings and specialty products worldwide including automotive refinish, citing sharp cost inflation for raw materials, energy, logistics and packaging across the coatings supply chain. The Pittsburgh, Pa.-based coatings maker, which reported net sales of $15.9 billion in 2025, said April 15 that the […]
Gas Prices Edge Lower as U.S.-Iran Ceasefire Pulls Crude Below $100
The national average price for a gallon of regular gasoline fell 7 cents over the past week to $4.09, the first weekly decline since Middle East conflict began driving pump prices sharply higher in early March, AAA reported April 16. West Texas Intermediate crude oil has continued to trade below $100 a barrel following the […]