"It's making more financial sense for consumers to repair older vehicles instead of purchasing new ones where they would have to worry about expensive monthly car payments," Lapps said.

When talking about the collision industry’s most influential women, Linda Holcomb more than fits the bill. Born in San Jose, California, Holcomb grew up in the post-war age of liberation for young people. In her zeal to start her working life, she liberated herself from college and went to work for Wilson Sales Co., the largest automotive equipment distribution company in Northern California. During the first two years she spent learning marketing and advertising on the job and became known as the first woman to ever enter the automotive equipment distribution industry.

The California Autobody Association’s New San Fernando Valley chapter recently swore in their 2008 officers at their June chapter meeting in Van Nuys, CA.
State board representative Chuck Reyes, Alhambra Auto Kraft, swore in the new officers.  The newly activated chapter is dedicated to providing its members information that will be useful to their business by bringing in speakers that are involved in the collision repair industry.

911 Collision Centers has opened its fifth location in the Tucson area at Pusch View Lane and Oracle Roads. Founded in 1998 with headquarters in Tucson,