Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took an initial step towards finalizing the proposed Safer, Affordable, Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule by issuing a final action entitled the “One National Program Rule,” which will enable the federal government to provide nationwide uniform fuel […]
California Insurance Commissioner Now Under Fire Over Use of Public Funds for Housing
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara who apologized last week for taking reelection campaign donations from insurance industry executives and their families is under the spotlight again. Following a report in Politico that Insurance Commissioner Lara billed the state for his Sacramento apartment, a consumer group has called on California officials to investigate to determine the […]
California Insurance Commissioner Responds to Concerns Over Insurance Industry Reelection Campaign Donations, Meetings with Execs
In a letter to Californians on September 3, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara responded to growing concerns over his reelection campaign’s acceptance of funds from executives and family members of insurance companies regulated by his office, breaking a campaign promise and the precedent of previous commissioners. The donations and closely timed meetings with insurance executives with […]
Fix Auto USA Adds Five Collision Repair Centers to Network
Fix Auto USA announced the addition of five new franchise collision repair centers. These additional locations expand Fix Auto USA’s footprint to now include Tucson, Ariz. while further penetrating existing regions of Northern California and Southern California. Fix Auto Kearny Mesa (San Diego, CA) – Formerly San Diego Collision Repair; Owned and operated by Bryan […]
CARSTAR Adds Collision Repair Centers to Network in California and Virginia
CARSTAR announced the addition of collision repair centers to its network of independently-owned facilities in California and Virginia. CARSTAR Ukiah, a 7,000 sq. ft. facility located at 550 Talmage Rd, in Ukiah Calif., is the second location for owner Jeff Yokum, who also owns CARSTAR Yokum’s Body Shop in Willits. With his father opening the […]
Root Insurance Enters California
Root Insurance announced its entry into California. According to the company its auto insurance is now available to 60% of the U.S. population. Californians will be able to sign up for Root’s insurance through the Root Insurance app or the website. To get their rate, drivers simply estimate their annual mileage and submit their information. […]
California Reaches Vehicle Emission Standard Compromise with Four Manufacturers
Four vehicle manufacturers and California have agreed on a voluntary framework to reduce emissions that can serve as an alternative path forward for clean vehicle standards nationwide. Automakers who agreed to the framework are Ford, Honda, BMW of North America and Volkswagen Group of America. The announcement comes as the Trump Administration has been moving […]
Cruise to Delay Deployment of Commercial Self-Driving Cars Beyond 2019
In 2017, Cruise projected it would offer a self-driving taxi service during 2019. In a blog post, Dan Ammann, CEO of Cruise, detailed the steps the company will take to scale its self-driving vehicle program in San Francisco, Calif. In 2017, General Motors’ Cruise subsidiary announced it planned to offer a self-driving taxi service during […]
California Passes Bill Clarifying Insured Ability to Select Collision Repair Shops, Allows Insurers to Require Safety System Repairs as Condition of Payment
California passes legislation amending regulations governing the payment of automobile collision repairs. Measure now goes to Governor. The California Assembly has passed legislation to amend Section 560 of the Insurance Code that details insurance company responsibilities for the payment of claims for collision coverage. The amended version of Assembly Bill 1538 (AB 1538) was passed […]
BMW Opens Two New Collision Repair Technician Training Facilities, Expands Two Others
BMW of North America announced the openings of two new auto service and collision repair technician training facilities in Spartanburg, S.C. and Atlanta, Ga., and the expansion of training capacity in Ontario, Calif. and at the company’s headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. The $56 million investment will support the development of new and existing technicians […]