WASHINGTON, D.C. – The CAR Coalition, a growing group of independent automotive parts, management and repair companies, associations, and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, today released a new survey that demonstrates strong support for federal vehicle right-to-repair legislation. The survey highlights the need for the bipartisan SMART (H.R. 1707) and REPAIR (H.R. Read more…

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The CAR Coalition, a growing group of independent automotive parts, management and repair companies, associations, and insurers committed to preserving consumer choice and affordable vehicle repair, today questioned the impetus behind a new Right-to-Repair Pact between organizations affiliated with the auto manufacturers and reiterated its support for pro-consumer legislation, the bipartisan SMART (H.R. 1707) Read more…

Dallas, TX — Original One Parts, LLC, a portfolio company of private equity firm Kinderhook Industries, has announced its merger with Headlights Depot. Serving the auto collision industry, Original One Parts operates out of two warehouse and remanufacturing facilities located in Texas and Maryland. With its nine distribution centers supplying business and consumer customers, Headlights Depot adds Read more…

NEW YORK and SAN DIEGO — Palladium Equity Partners (along with its joint venture affiliate, “Palladium Heritage”), announced that it has partnered with management to create a platform named Collision Auto Parts LLC, through the simultaneous acquisition and subsequent combination of three automotive aftermarket collision repair part companies — National Auto Parts, USA. Inc., NAP San Diego, Read more…

Source: Hiawatha Bray, Boston Globe The two Massachusetts senators say federal guidance “appears to favor Big Auto” over the will of the voters Massachusetts Senators Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey are demanding to know why federal regulators earlier this week told major carmakers not to comply with the state’s automotive right-to-repair law. The law would require carmakers Read more…

Source: Greg Iacurci, CNBC Auto insurance premiums have been among the fastest-rising prices for consumers over the past year, according to federal data — a dynamic that might seem at odds with car prices, which are broadly trending lower. So, what’s going on? In short: Auto insurance prices generally track those in the car market but do Read more…

Source: CollisionWeek Latest announcement follows re-introduction of non-OEM bumper covers, headlamps and taillamps to most U.S. states in December. State Farm announced to its Select Service shops yesterday, June 19, that due to continuing parts shortages, the largest private passenger auto insurer in the U.S. would expand the specification of non-original equipment manufacturer (non-OEM) collision repair parts Read more…

Aftermarket collision parts distributor opens new hub in Orlando, FL with new materials handling process. TOTOWA, NJ – Empire Auto Parts, LLC, a leading distributor of high-quality aftermarket collision parts for automotive repair shops, announces the opening of its 7th full-scale distribution center in the Central Florida region. The 188,000 square-foot facility in Orlando, FL will bring Read more…