PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) and AECI Ltd. of Johannesburg, South Africa, announced yesterday that they have agreed to join forces in an automotive refinish, auto original equipment and industrial coatings venture based on AECI’s technical coatings division at Port Elizabeth. Completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Terms were not disclosed. Douglas C. […]
Replacement Parts Bills and Anti-Steering Legislation Introduced in PA Senate as Session Recesses
When the PA Senate reconvenes January 24, the insurance industry will be watching a competitive replacement parts legislation that has been introduced in the Senate. The National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII) is opposed to Senate Bill 1207, which prohibits the use of competitive replacement parts for the repair of vehicles that are less than […]
J.C. Whitney & Co. Seeks Injunction Against Carparts.com
J.C. Whitney & Co. has filed a six-count lawsuit against Carparts.com for unfair and deceptive trade practices. According to the J.C. Whitney suit, Carparts.com, based in Santa Monica, CA, has been driving Internet users to its web site by misappropriating the J.C. Whitney trade name, using such URLs as “jcwhitneya.car-carparts.com”, “jcwhitney.car-carparts.com”, etc. Such actions are […]
Motor Acquires Chek-Chart From IDG Books Worldwide
Motor Information Systems and IDG Books Worldwide announced yesterday that Motor has acquired the Chek-Chart brand and business from IDG Books Worldwide. The acquisition brings to Motor a publishing program targeted to the automotive trade in the professional, educational, certification and reference categories. They include specification and study guides, electronic databases, custom publications, textbooks and […]
NOF Corporation and BASF Coatings Form Coatings Joint Venture in Japan
BASF Coatings Division announces continued growth NOF Corporation and BASF Coatings AG have agreed to conduct a feasibility study for joining their entire coatings business in Japan and signed a Letter of Intent hereto. The partners intend to complete the feasibility study by March 2000. NOF and BASF are currently operating two joint ventures in […]
PA Court Throws Out Diminished Value Class Action Suit
The NAII reports that the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas recently joined state trial courts in Florida, Texas and Massachusetts in rejecting a class action suit that would require insurers to pay for both the repair and the alleged “diminished value” of cars involved in accidents. “These so-called diminished value cases have been found […]
LYNX Services From PPG Begins Operation At Kentucky Center
LYNX Services from PPG has begun operation at its insurance claims customer service center in Paducah, KY. The second national customer service center LYNX Services has opened in two years, it has capacity to support the company’s handling of insurance loss reports and automotive glass claims. Formed in 1994, LYNX Services is a subsidiary of […]
CCC Pledges Funding for Education Programs and Key Industry Associations
CCC Information Services Inc. announced December 3 that it has renewed its philanthropic contributions to key industry associations. The company renewed its pledge of funding for the I-CAR Education Foundation, National Auto Body Council (NABC), Collision Technician Apprentice Program (CTAP), Automotive Management Institute (AMI) and Vocational Industrial Clubs of America (VICA). As in 1998, CCC […]
Caldwell NACE Keynote Focuses on Achievements and the Achievable
Kevin Caldwell, chairman of the 1999 International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE), opened the event with a keynote speech December 3 focusing on the industry’s accomplishments during 1999 and reminded the audience what is still left undone. Caldwell spoke about perceived declines in flat rate labor times and the progress made to recognize costs to […]
ComputerLogic Forms AutoVista Division to Seize Upon E-commerce Opportunities
ComputerLogic announced the formation of a new division, AutoVista, to promote the company’s E-commerce applications in the collision repair industry. Rick Palmer, president and CEO of ComputerLogic was quick to point out that AutoVista products are available now for use versus many other company’s E-commerce projects. Products launched under the AutoVista banner during NACE included: […]