By Bill McDonough, Editor, Body Language By now collision repair shops in the U.S. were supposed to be using General Motor’s proprietary MyPriceLink parts ordering system, which originally had a December 1 launch date. But, citing “workflow pressures on outside parties,” the automaker has pushed the introduction of MyPriceLink until early 2015. The MyPriceLink program is designed Read more…
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Shippers in the Asia-U.S. trade lanes are being told to expect a new approach to pricing and increased rates, as container shipping lines deal with higher costs and the logjam created by limited inland rail and truck capacity. In the meantime, member container lines in the Transpacific Stabilization Agreement (TSA) are ready to implement a further $1,000-per-40-foot Read more…
If you are reading this you have discovered the new format for our Body Language newsletter. After many years of a print version we have taken a big step forward to move Body Language to an online publication. This has several significant advantages. We will be able to provide more frequent updates and news about our industry Read more…
The battle to gain recognition and acceptance of aftermarket parts continues in state houses across the country. And the news is good! In states from New England to the Midwest we have won some important victories against attempts to limit or restrict the use of aftermarket parts in collision repair. Here are some recent highlights. These wins Read more…
Although Swedish automaker Saab shipped its last car to North America three years ago, the business of supplying parts for the estimated 450,000 Saabs on American roads goes on, and is actually growing. Saab Automobile Parts North America, which emerged from the Swedish automaker’s bankrupt U.S. operations, has 200 authorized service centers in the United States, up Read more…
Oral arguments have been scheduled for December 1 in the appeal of a lawsuit filed by Felder’s Collision Parts against General Motors. According to John Yoswick of the CRASH Network, “the Louisiana-based non-OEM parts supplier sued the automaker, arguing that GM’s ‘Bump the Competition’ parts price-matching program provides no benefit to the consumer, but ‘serves the sole Read more…
LKQ Corporation and Chrysler Group LLC entered into a Patent License Agreement whereby LKQ has been granted a license under certain Chrysler design patents in connection with LKQ’s distribution and sale of aftermarket collision parts in the United States. As part of the agreement, Chrysler will dismiss the complaint it filed in January 2014 against LKQ alleging Read more…
Update on ABPA V. FORD GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES, LLC On August 4, 2014, United States Magistrate Judge Amos L. Mazzant filed a Report and Recommendation that the Motion to Dismiss of Ford Global Technologies be denied. Judge Mazzant agreed with the Automotive Body Parts Association that the lawsuit could go forward on the basis of “associational standing,” meaning that Read more…
In news from the CRASH Network, reports of the demise of the U.S. auto body industry appears to premature. Indeed, the industry seems to be growing again after several years of moderate decline. U.S. Census Bureau data shows that in 2014 there are 33,763 auto body repair shops in the U.S., up from 30,738 in 1988. Employment numbers Read more…
By Bill McDonough, Editor, Body Language Welcome to the new Body Language newsletter. By transitioning from a printed piece with limited distribution to an online publication, we believe this new format will open up readership to a wider audience. This will allow us to bring the ABPA’s message to decision makers across the parts, insurance and collision Read more…
