LKQ Europe CEO Arnd Franz says that while volume is below pre-pandemic levels, they are seeing continued growth in its business. “After a significant slump in the spare parts business at the beginning of April, the market will not return to its former level so quickly, but we are seeing continuous recovery of the workshop […]
Axalta Breaks Ground on Refinish Facility in the Netherlands
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE:AXTA) broke ground June 19 on its new, 7,250 square-meter (78,000 sq. ft.) facility to support its refinish business in the Netherlands that was announced last year. The new facility will be equipped with the latest technology and energy-saving features. Construction at the site in Tiel is expected to be completed by […]
EU Passenger car registrations Down 76.3% in April
In April 2020, registrations of new passenger cars in the European Union posted a year-on-year decline of 76.3%. The first full month with COVID-19 restrictions in place resulted in the strongest monthly drop in car demand since records began. The EU was harder hit than the U.S. in April as sales in the U.S. were […]
September Automechanika Frankfurt Event Postponed Until Next Year
The bienniel event in Germany will now be held from September 14-18, 2021. Messe Frankfurt announced that due to conditions resulting from the corona pandemic and measures taken to stem its spread, the organization along with its customers, partners and supporting associations have agreed to postpone the Automechanika Frankfurt event that was originally scheduled to […]
LKQ Completes Sale of Two Czech Distributors
LKQ Corporation (Nasdaq: LKQ) announced that it has closed its previously announced agreement to sell its equity interests in two Czech wholesale automotive parts distributors to Swiss Automotive Group AG. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Dominick Zarcone, President and Chief Executive Officer of LKQ, stated, “This divestiture reinforces our ongoing commitment to rationalizing […]
PPG Completes Acquisition of ICR
PPG (NYSE: PPG) today announced that it has completed its acquisition of Industria Chimica Reggiana (ICR) S.p.A., a manufacturer of paints and coatings for the automotive refinish and light industrial coatings industries, that was announced in early January. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founded in 1961, ICR is based in Italy and manufactures automotive refinish […]
Copart Germany Opens New Munich East Location
Copart Deutschland GmbH, a subsidiary of the global online vehicle auction company Copart, Inc. (NASDAQ:CPRT), opened its new Munich East location at Hitzinger Wiesen 5 in Pilsting. “With our new Munich East location, we are pleased to make it more convenient for our buyers to purchase vehicles from Copart,” said Kai Siersleben, Managing Director of […]
LKQ Corporation to Sell Two Czech Distributors
LKQ Corporation (NASDAQ:LKQ) announced an agreement to sell its equity interests in two Czech wholesale automotive parts distributors to Swiss Automotive Group AG. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. In May 2018, the European Commission cleared LKQ’s acquisition of Stahlgruber GmbH, with the exception of Stahlgruber’s two wholesale businesses in the Czech Republic, which […]
PPG to Acquire Industria Chimica Reggiana
Italy-based automotive refinish coatings manufacturer sells products in more than 70 countries. PPG (NYSE:PPG) today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire Industria Chimica Reggiana (ICR) S.p.A., a manufacturer of paints and coatings for the automotive refinish and light industrial coatings industries. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter 2020, […]
Coalition Calls for EU Legislators to Ensure Level Playing Field for Remote Access to Vehicle Data
Group calls upon EU decision makers to put forward legislation by 2020 ensuring remote access to in-vehicle data and functions. CECRA, the European umbrella organization of national automotive trade associations and European brand dealer councils, announced November 14 that a number of associations in the automotive sector and mobility services operators, insurers, consumers and small […]