The Parallel Lives of Technicians and Lawyers
from AutoInc.
 Last November, I attended a banquet held by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) to honor 37 technicians from all over the country who had distinguished themselves by placing among the highest-scoring automotive professionals holding ASE credentials. While sitting through the awards portion of the event, it came to me ... the realization that technicians and lawyers are actually kindred spirits. More
Bill Would Establish Federal Insurance Regulatory System
from Automotive Service Association
 House Bill 1880, the National Insurance Consumer Protection Act, has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Reps. Melissa Bean, D-Ill., and Ed Royce, R-Calif., co-wrote the bill to create a uniform, modernized federal insurance system. More
Chicago Unveils First Networked Solar Plug-In Station for Electric Vehicles
from BusinessWire
Carbon Day Automotive announced the unveiling of the first solar-powered electric vehicle charging station in Chicago. Located and operational at the Chicago Department of Fleet Maintenance, it was one of the focal points of the recent IOC tour, which demonstrated what is being called the nation's foremost Solar Plug-In Station. More
GM Preparing for Bankruptcy
from CNN Money
Preparations for a possible bankruptcy filing at General Motors have become "intense and earnest", according to a source familiar with the company's plans. The source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said GM still hopes to win concessions from its creditors and unions that will allow it to avoid bankruptcy. More
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ASA Annual Convention Online Registration Open Through April 20
Join us at the ASA 2009 Annual Convention, to be held April 30-May 2 at the Caribe Royale All-Suites Hotel and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Don’t miss the keynote guest speaker Meagan Johnson who will deliver her engaging and informative presentation, "Zap the Gap: Solving the Multi-Generational Puzzle."
Register now before it’s too late!
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ASA Publishes 'Striped Damage' Tool for ASA Collision Members
from Automotive Service Association
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has announced another new tool to assist its members who specialize in collision repair. Under the leadership of Carroll Proctor of A.C. Proctor's Paint & Body Inc., in Augusta, Ga., ASA's Collision Division has created two Stripe Damage Sheets to assist repairers in photographing and documenting subtle or minute finish flaws and small dents on vehicles. More
Best-Practice Basics for Grease Guns
from Machinery Lubrication Magazine
Today, several technologies exist for the relubrication of machine components. A grease gun is one of the most common. The purpose of the grease gun is to apply lubricant through an orifice to a specific point, usually with the aid of a special fitting. Grease guns are manufactured for a number of different applications, and the most common styles include lever, pistol-grip, hand-grip, air-powered and battery-powered models. More
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Product Showcase:
URG Offers Quality Recycled Parts Search Engine
 United Recyclers offers body shops and mechanical repair shops the ability to search used parts for cars and trucks. Each URG member provides quality assurance to the product. The result is a nationwide label that delivers consistently high quality parts and maximizes consumers, collision center, and estimator confidence. More info
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A123 to Make Batteries for Chrysler Electric Cars
from USA Today
A Massachusetts-based company will supply the batteries for Chrysler's first-generation electric cars scheduled to go on sale next year, the automaker said. A123Systems in Watertown will supply the lithium-ion batteries for the company's extended-range gas-electric cars and its all-electric cars, Chrysler said. More
Dent Experts Call on Traveling Repairmen Who Go Where Hail Goes
from Lancaster New Era
Sean Laukhuff, owner of a paintless dent-repair firm called Dent Techs, will summon 35 traveling dent-repair technicians together from across the country and head towards towns struck by high-powered storms and tornados. These self-described "hail chasers," team up with dealerships and body shops to help repair vehicles back in shape. More
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Product Showcase:
Order Genuine Toyota Parts Online Quickly
 Toyota is making it easier for you to do business with your preferred Toyota dealer". Now, independent repair and collision shops can order Genuine Toyota Parts online quickly and easily. Plus, communicate online with your preferred Toyota dealer, access the latest technical information, and much more. Sign up now for FREE access!
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Ford Slashes Automotive Debt 38 Percent
from Reuters
Ford Motor Co. said it has slashed automotive debt by 38 percent, or $9.9 billion, bolstering its finances amid a deep auto industry downturn, and its shares were up about 19 percent. Ford said the debt restructuring would trim its cash interest expenses by more than $500 million per year, providing the latest evidence that Ford is ahead of domestic rivals General Motors Corp and Chrysler in restructuring to survive the lowest U.S. auto sales in three decades. More
Major Changes Hit California Senate Parts Legislation
from Automotive Service Association
California Senate Bill 350, “The Motor Vehicle Insurance: Automobile Repairs: Restraint Systems Act,” has been re-referred to the California Senate Banking, Finance and Insurance Committee. State Sen. Leland Y. Yee (D), author of S.B. 350, amended and re-introduced the bill to the committee. Eliminated from the original legislation are requirements for nonoriginal equipment manufacturer crash parts to be certified by an American National Standards Institute (ANSI)-recognized entity if the parts are presumed to be at least of like kind and quality as the part being replaced in terms of fit, function and finish. More
Repair Business Awaits Boom as Motorists Keep Cars Longer
from TMCnet
With car sales having dipped nearly 40 percent in February compared to a year earlier, the automotive repair business theoretically should be riding high. Drivers still have to get from place to place, and the latest statistics show they're moving around in older vehicles. According to data compiled by R. L. Polk & Co., the average vehicle in use today is a record 9.4 years old, up a few points from last year's 9.2-year average. More
Is it a Rickshaw or a Car? GM Sees PUMA in the Future
from The Detroit Free Press
Having conquered the world of passenger vehicles, General Motors Corp. showed off its vision of future transportation today that's either exciting or frightening, depending on whether one cares about driving. GM and Segway unveiled the Project PUMA, a two-seat rickshaw minus a rick that uses the Segway’s electric systems to glide around on two wheels. Capable of carrying 700 pounds in a frame about half the size of a Smart car, the PUMA (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility) can spin on a pin and "bows" to let passengers in and out. More
Ten Cars That Can Save Detroit
from Forbes
The American auto industry is hanging by a thread, with the fate of General Motors and Chrysler largely in the hands of the federal government. Taxpayer loans are keeping them alive for now, but their long-term success will depend on whether they have the cars and trucks that people desire. Detroit's record on that has been spotty--witness the awful Pontiac Aztek or the subpar Chrysler Sebring--which is one reason car companies are in the mess they're in now. More
AAMCO Survey: 63 Percent of Consumers to Reconsider New Car Purchases Due to Economy
from ABRN
According to a national survey commissioned by AAMCO, the recent economic instability has caused American car owners to put off car purchases, postpone some repairs, and depend more on their local auto mechanics. Conducted by Washington, D.C.-based Clarus Research Group on behalf of AAMCO, the survey revealed that the economic downturn has caused 63 percent of car owners to reconsider their plans to purchase a new car. More
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