The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR), announced that it will launch three new courses in the first quarter of 2016: MIG brazing, rivet bonding, and Honda & Acura electrical system repair. The new MIG brazing and rivet bonding courses are part of I-CAR’s new Hands-On Skills Development program, a new line of courses […]
Boyd Group Acquires Charlotte Collision Repair Center
The Boyd Group Inc. (TSE:BYD.UN) announced the December 19 opening of a Gerber collision repair center in Charlotte, North Carolina. The center is located in proximity to Interstate 85 and the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. It has served the community since 1972 and previously operated as Coffey’s Body Shop. “This center enhances our footprint in the […]
3M Kicks Off Fourth Year of Hire Our Heroes Program
In 2016, the 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division (AAD) will mark the fourth year of its Hire Our Heroes program and is introducing a new way for shops to get involved — the 2016 3M Hire Our Heroes Calendar. With a $200 donation to the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF), shops will not only be giving to […]
U.S. Files Complaint Against Volkswagen on Clean Air Act Violations
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), yesterday filed a civil complaint in federal court in Detroit, Mich., against Volkswagen AG, Audi AG, Volkswagen Group of America Inc., Volkswagen Group of America Chattanooga Operations LLC, Porsche AG and Porsche Cars North America Inc. The complaint alleges that nearly […]
BASF and AMA Group Announce 10 Year Supply Agreement
BASF (OTCMKTS:BASFY) has signed a ten-year partnership with the Australia and New Zealand bodyshop network AMA Group (ASX:AMA). Through this partnership, BASF will supply waterborne refinishing solutions from its premium automotive refinish paint brand Glasurit to AMA’s network in Australia and New Zealand of over 70 bodyshops. Chris Titmarsh, Vice President, Regional Business Management, Automotive Refinish […]
General Motors Invests $500 Million in Lyft
Vehicle manufacturer and ride-hailing service envision on-demand autonomous vehicles. General Motors (NYSE:GM) and Lyft, the ride-hailing service, today announced a long-term strategic alliance to create an integrated network of on-demand autonomous vehicles in the U.S. GM will invest $500 million in Lyft to help the company continue the rapid growth of its successful ridesharing service. […]
FinishMaster Acquires 15 ColorMaster Locations
FinishMaster, Inc., the subsidiary of Uni-Select Inc. (TSE:UNS), announced that it has entered into an agreement to purchase ColorMaster Automotive Paint, Inc. The transaction, subject to customary closing conditions, is expected to close within 30 days following the date hereof, will increase FinishMaster’s footprint in Illinois, Missouri and Texas and will mark FinishMaster’s first branch […]
LKQ Acquires Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts Italia S.p.A.
LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire the holding company of Rhiag-Inter Auto Parts Italia S.p.A, a European distributor of aftermarket parts, for €1.04 billion ($1.13 billion). Rhiag has operations in Italy, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland and Spain. The company operates through 247 distribution centers […]
ABRA Adds Franchise Location in Minnesota
ABRA Auto Body & Glass announced the opening of its newest franchise repair center in Worthington, on December 18. The company now operates a total of 335 repair centers in 24 states. The new franchise location is owned and operated by Aaron Marthaler, owner of Marthaler Chevrolet and Marthaler Ford of Worthington. Marthaler previously operated […]
3M Files Lawsuit to Enforce Paint Protection Films Patent
3M (NYSE:MMM) announced December 29 that it filed a patent infringement lawsuit in federal district court in Minnesota against XPEL Technologies Corporation. The suit alleges that XPEL Technologies Corporation’s XPF paint protection film product infringes 3M’s U.S. Patent No. 8,765,263. 3M develops paint protection film products which protect the finish of a vehicle from scratches, […]