Obama Sets Tougher Auto Emissions Standards
from The New York Times
 Why, after decades of battling, complaining and maneuvering over fuel economy standards, did carmakers fall in line behind the tough new nationwide mileage standard President Obama announced this week. Because they had no choice. The auto industry is flat on its back, with Chrysler in bankruptcy, General Motors close to it, and both companies taking billions of dollars in federal money. Foreign automakers are getting help from their own governments. Climate change legislation is barreling down the track, and Congress showed last fall that it had no appetite to side with Detroit any more. More 
ASA Members: Remind Consumers That Your Shop is "Open for Business!"
from Automotive Service Association
 As consumers continue to turn to independent shops to maintain and repair their cars, it is more and more important to let them know that independent shops are “Open for Business,” and have the capabilities required to maintain consumer vehicles. ASA has launched its new PR Kit to help members promote their business as well as their affiliation with ASA. ASA members can customize their own PR Kit to increase publicity for their shop. The kit contains an array of prewritten press releases, photography tips, print- and Web-based advertising samples and suggestions, and an audio clip ready for use on members' Web sites. Log in to the Members Only section of the ASA Web site link to www.ASAshop.org to get started on your PR Kit today or click here for more information. More
Green "Gold Rush" Seen in New U.S. Auto Standards
from Reuters
The tough U.S. fuel economy standards announced by President Barack Obama, represents a bonanza for companies that supply hybrid technology and other gas-conserving components needed to meet the new benchmarks. More
See Related Story: "Automakers Support Obama's National Program for Autos" (Auto Alliance)
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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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Terminated Chrysler Dealerships to Challenge Sale
from Reuters
Some auto dealers that Chrysler LLC plans to close are beginning a challenge to the automaker's plans to quickly sell itself in bankruptcy. The group, which calls itself the "Committee of Chrysler Affected Dealers," filed papers asking the bankruptcy court to delay hearings that would approve the sale and allow Chrysler to reject almost 800 of its dealership franchise agreements, or about 25 percent of its overall dealer network. More
ASA to Host Capitol Hill Fly-In
Insurance Reform, Parts Quality Highlight Agenda
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) will host a Capitol Hill Fly-In for ASA collision members July 28-29 in Washington, D.C., allowing members to meet with policymakers to discuss industry issues. Two of the most important issues for the collision repair industry are the future of insurance regulation and how the federal government may address automotive parts policy. ASA will assist its collision members in scheduling key appointments on Capitol Hill to meet with policymakers. To register for ASA's Capitol Hill Fly-in, visit www.TakingTheHill.com or contact ASA’s Collision Division at (800) ASA-SHOP (272-7467), ext. 236. You can also e-mail Denise Caspersen at denisec@asashop.org.
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Union Reluctant to Grab Wheel in Detroit
from CNN Money
The current plans to restructure General Motors and Chrysler LLC will leave the United Auto Workers union in the driver's seat at both companies. But it appears that the union would rather be in the back seat. The UAW is set to receive a 55 percent stake in Chrysler through its union trust fund once that automaker emerges from bankruptcy. The trust fund will also likely get up to 38 percent of GM's stock as part of its reorganization. More
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Product Showcase:
Get the Genuine Toyota Parts You Need Fast
 With the click of a button, independent repair and collision shops can order Genuine Toyota parts quickly and easily. Go online to the Toyota Wholesale Parts website today and register for FREE access. Communicate with your preferred dealer, access the latest technical information, and much more. Don’t delay!
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Chief Automotive Moving Nebraska Production to Indiana
from The Associated Press via Forbes
Chief Automotive Technology will be closing its Grand Island plant and consolidating operations at an Indiana facility, a company spokesman said. The closure will cost the jobs of 66 people in Nebraska. Spokesman Steve Frisbie said Chief Automotive will remain a distinct company but become part of owner Dover Industrial Product's new Vehicle Service Group. More
Pirelli Launches Latest Winter Tire
from Tire Review
Available in June, Pirelli’s new winter Snowcontrol Series II is an environmentally-friendly high performance winter tire developed for small to mid-sized vehicles, according to the tiremaker. More
Women's Industry Network Conference Looks at Trends in Collision Repair
from Auto Body News
About 100 women representing collision repair shops, insurance companies and industry vendors gathered in Dallas recently for the Women's Industry Network (WIN) conference that included presentations on topics ranging from conflict management to networking, employee recruiting and process improvement. WIN is dedicated to developing and cultivating opportunities to attract women to collision repair while recognizing excellence, promoting leadership, and fostering a network among the women who are shaping the industry. More
World’s Tiniest Car Made from a Children's Ride
from Inhabitat
We keep on saying that smaller, more efficient vehicles are the way of the future, but we never thought we'd see one this tiny! In a bid to create the world's smallest car, Perry Watkins of the U.K. has repurposed a "Postman Pat" children's ride into a street-legal vehicle that pushes far beyond clown-car dimensions. The car measures 39-inches tall by 26-inches wide, is capable of accelerating up to 40mph, and gets 70 miles per gallon! More
Organic Auto Mechanics
from PLENTY Magazine via Mother Nature Network
Charley Wilson has been passionate about fixing cars since he was a teenager, but he can hardly be called a grease monkey. This becomes apparent the moment one walks into the service bay of the 34-year-old’s Asheville, N.C., repair shop. The floors have neither a drop of oil nor a mark of grime, and there is no drain where he could have easily washed them away. When Wilson first moved in, however, he scraped a half inch of caked-on filth off the floor, and cleaned and sealed a drain that led to a nearby river. But Wilson is not just a neatnik, he’s The Organic Mechanic—an early adopter of a new approach to auto repair. More
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