On May 9, Europe’s truck manufacturers revealed a detailed timeline of steps leading up to the introduction of convoys of semi-automated trucks on Europe’s motorways before 2025. Besides setting out the timing, the ‘EU Roadmap for Truck Platooning’ also provides guidance to policy makers and authorities on the regulatory changes and political support necessary for […]
ALLDATA Signs Reseller Agreement with CAB Group AB in Sweden
ALLDATA Europe GmbH, an affiliate of ALLDATA LLC, announced it has signed a reseller agreement with CAB Group AB. Headquartered in Sweden, CAB Group AB has branch offices in Norway, Germany, and Finland. Its software systems and services streamline repair processes for customers in the automotive repair and estimating sectors, including more than 3,000 workshops […]
Opel Approves Axalta Coating Systems Global Refinish Brands in Belgium and Luxembourg
Cromax, Spies Hecker and Standox, the three global premium refinish brands of Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE: AXTA), have been approved for use in all Opel dealers and body shops in Belgium and Luxembourg. The technical and commercial approval comes after intensive and thorough tests were conducted by the car manufacturer to ensure all three refinish […]
Coalition of European Car Repair, Insurance, Leasing, Automotive Aftermarket Groups and Consumers Call for Robust Regulatory Framework for Vehicle Telematics Systems
Group believes regulation necessary to preserve competition with level-playing field to access vehicle diagnostics and data streams. Issue key for repair industry as need to diagnostic system access increases. A broad coalition of the automotive aftermarket industry and motorists representatives is calling upon the European Union (EU) to create a robust regulatory framework for an inter-operable […]
Valspar Automotive Building Center of Color Excellence in Netherlands
The Valspar Corporation announced that its Automotive division has begun a major extension of its Technology Center in Lelystad, the Netherlands. Over the next six months, a two-story wing will be added to the existing main building. The new addition will become a dedicated Center of Color Excellence. The expansion was necessitated by the growth […]
3M Wins Preliminary Injunction Against Spain-Based BossAuto Over PPS Technology
3M (NYSE:MMM) announced that the Commercial Court of Barcelona, Spain, has ordered a preliminary injunction against BossAuto Innova S.A. for infringement of the Spanish portion of 3M’s European patent EP 0,954,381 B2. This patent relates to 3M’s PPS technology that enables the mixing and spraying of coatings for automotive collision repair. The court order prohibits […]
Fix Auto Entering German Collision Repair Market
Fix Auto World appoints Roy de Lange as Head of Business to lead German operations in 2017 David Lingham, Head of Business for Fix Auto World, announced Fix Auto’s upcoming entry into the German collision repair market, along with the appointment of Roy de Lange to the role of Head of Business, effective February 1st, […]
European Commission Releases Connected, Automated Mobility Strategy
Commission aims to begin deployment in 2019. The Automotive Service Association reported that on Nov. 30, the European Commission (EC) released a strategy on Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems (C-ITS). The strategy offers step-by-step guidance for coordinated deployment of connected and automated vehicles across the European Union. The initial phase, which is slated to begin in […]
LKQ Acquires Equity Interest in Mekonomen Group
LKQ Corporation (LKQ) today announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire an equity interest in Mekonomen AB (MEKO.ST) from Axel Johnson AB (AXJ). Headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, Mekonomen Group is an independent car parts and service chain in the Nordic region of Europe, offering a wide range of products including spare parts […]
Axalta Receives BMW Approval for Spies Hecker and Standox in EMEA
Axalta Coating Systems (NYSE:AXTA) announced that BMW AG has renewed its approval for 2016 of both Spies Hecker and Standox. The agreements with the two brands refinish technologies, including comprehensive technical body shop support and targeted training, across BMW AG’s service network in 39 countries across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and Asia-Pacific. Jürgen […]