Automotive Body Repair News

ASA asks Houston repairers to oppose proposed licensing ordinance
The Houston City Council is scheduled to consider a proposed ordinance to regulate the automotive repair and collision industry at an upcoming city council meeting. The Automotive Service Association (ASA) contacted the mayor and council members asking that they address a number of concerns with the proposed ordinance.

BodyShopBids expands to Pacific Northwest
BodyShopBids, an online and mobile platform that enables consumers to solicit custom car repair estimates by uploading a photo, expanded to the Pacific Northwest and will cover the metro areas of Seattle; Portland, Ore.; and Spokane, Wash.

PDR LINX joins NABC at diamond level
PDR LINX, a division of Dent Zone Companies, which is a national provider of paintless dent repair (PDR) services, joined the National Auto Body Council (NABC) at the diamond-level membership, which is the highest level of support.

Auto insurance claims satisfaction steady, J.D. Powers says
Overall customer satisfaction with the auto claims experience remained stable during the fourth quarter of 2011, despite an increase in the number of auto insurance claims and the amount of time needed to repair vehicles, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2012 Auto Claims Satisfaction Study Wave 1 released Jan. 31.

Voting now open for 2012 ASA Board elections
Elections for the 2012 Automotive Service Association (ASA) national board of directors are being held now through the end of March.

Angle grinder delivers 2,000 watts of power
Metabo Corp. offers the W2000 7-inch angle grinder. This new large angle grinder delivers 2,000 watts of power, making it ideal for cutting, grinding and sanding applications where tool weight and ease of handling are critical.

Clear meets stringent VOC regulations
Standox introduces Standocryl Clear PFC 30, a 2.1 clear to meet the most stringent VOC regulations. Specifically designed to deliver a mirror-like finish over Standox solventborne and waterborne basecoats, Standocryl Clear PFC 30 is ideal for all types of jobs.

3M contest offers NASCAR tickets, experiences
Do you want to be an honorary pit crew member for Greg Biffle and the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion team? Want to go to a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race or attend the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Champions Week or win 10 months of free 3M PPS products for your shop?

Belt, hose catalog has more than 1,000 pages
CADNA Automotive has released its new 2011 ArmorMark and Prestone branded belt and hose catalog. The nearly 1,000-page catalog for 1990 and newer passenger cars and light trucks, includes over 500 new part numbers for the company's belts and hose product lines.

Caliber acquires 101 Collision and its five locations
Caliber Collision Centers acquired its 100th repair facility with an agreement to acquire 101 Collision and its five Southern California locations in Westlake Village, Burbank, Oxnard, Santa Barbara and Simi Valley.

Bumper repair kit eliminates replacement bumpers
A new automotive bumper repair kit that repairs and fabricates tabs and reinforces cracks rather than replacing the entire bumper is being introduced by Malcom Technologies, Inc.

WMABA commissions labor rate survey
CSi Complete is conducting an independent labor rate survey on behalf of the Washington Metropolitan Auto Body Association (WMABA).

I-CAR names two new managers
I-CAR named Doug Schlueter National MSO Manager and Rene Rodarte as Schlueter's successor as South Central Regional Manager.

SCRS adds new affiliate association from northern Michigan
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) said the Northern Michigan Body Shop Association (NMBSA) is its newest affiliate association member.

DuPont accepting entries for calendar competition
Owners of vehicles painted with DuPont Refinish, Hot Hues or Cromax® Pro products can compete for cash prizes and have their car or truck appear in the 2013 DuPont calendar. There is no entry fee and entries can be submitted by visiting www.customfinishescalendar.dupont.com.