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Navy Working to Ease Supply-Chain Shortage in LA County
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PepsiCo. Receives Permit for Tesla Semi Megacharger Installation
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CAA East Bay Chapter Hosts 120 People for BAR Presentation
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Autumn Lamb of GSP Appointed to CAWA Manufacturers' Advisory Council
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Mullen Increases Reservations for Upcoming FIVE EV Crossover After Response at LA Auto Show
Western News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
Teamsters Escalate BMW Protests Across America
Hundreds of Teamster members and their families protested BMW's greed outside 50 BMW dealerships in 11 states -- California, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, Colorado, Michigan, Missouri, New York and Virginia -- this past weekend. The protesters distributed leaflets and held banners that read "BMW: The Ultimate Misery." They informed BMW customers about BMW's plan to lay off nearly 100 Ontario, Calif. employees on August 31, 2011 and immediately re-open the parts distribution center with a cheaper, inexperienced work force.
Local 495, located in Covina, Calif., represents 68 workers at the Ontario parts distribution facility.
"BMW got bailed out with nearly $4 billion in low-interest federal loans and in exchange, they are mocking America's plant closing laws and destroying working families," said Randy Cammack, President of Teamsters Joint Council 42. "They've also hired Jackson Lewis, the top union-hostile law firm in the U.S., to help them outsource these good, middle-class jobs."
"BMW would never be allowed to get away with this in Germany," said Teamsters Local 495 Secretary-Treasurer Bob Lennox. "Many of these employees have worked there for 10, 20, 30 years. They think they can take an American taxpayer bailout and then treat their American workers in a way they would never dare to treat their German employees."
CAWA Will Install Officers for the 2012 Year
At its annual meeting to kick off this year’s Industry Week in Las Vegas on October 30, 2011, the California/Nevada/Arizona Automotive Wholesalers Association (CAWA) will install the following individuals to serve as officers for the 2012 year:
· Chair of the Board – Steve Sharp, WORLDPAC
· Vice Chair of the Board, – Ed Jimenez, Riebe’s Auto Parts
· Treasurer – Ron Cannon, Charleston Auto Parts
· Secretary – Ron Aparicio – Walker Products
· Immediate Past Chair of the Board – Mary Davis, NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) , Inc.
For more information please visit www.cawa.org.
And You Thought You Knew Ugly Dogs
One of our reporters, Ed Attanasio, recently entered his Chihuahua mix named Ratdog in the 23rd annual World’s Ugliest Dog Contest, held June 24th at the Sonoma-Marin Fair in Petaluma, California.
To view the full text of this article with photos please click HERE.
The first prize was $1,000, which comes with the coveted Ugly Trophy and a year-round modeling contract from House of Dog (which also comes with another $1,000!).
Unfortunately for Ratdog, there was one canine deemed even uglier than Ratdog. A real dog from Sacramento, California named Yoda. Ratdog finished 2nd in the Mutt Division, which was a nice performance by this 14-year-old deaf and toothless rescue mutt.
Pictures of Ed and his dog appeared in newspapers worldwide and were interviewed for television news organizations from the U.S., Germany, Israel, Japan and the UK, among others.
Class Action Lawsuit Filed Against Insurers Alleging Control of CAPA
In an amended class action complaint filed in July in federal court in California (Perez et al v State Farm et al) against State Farm, Allstate, GEICO and others, the plaintiffs describe the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA) as an insurer-controlled tool designed to help the defendants compete unfairly against insurers using genuinely high-quality parts in repairs.
It alleges the "consumer group" represented on CAPA's board (Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety) is also insurer-funded. It quotes a State Farm executive as having said at a CAPA meeting that if "the parts were high quality, a public relations campaign would not be necessary."
Without saying when this occurred, the lawsuit (originally filed in 2006) says that "CAPA itself decided to lower its standards," and quotes an internal CAPA memo by Karen Fierst (who left CAPA in 1998) saying the change was done in such a way "to avoid calling attention to this detail."
The suit seeks damages for "at least several hundred thousand" members of the class that it says have been harmed by the defendants' unfair competition and restraint of trade.
San Diego Collision Center Welcomes New Leaders, Name
Carrillo & Sons Collision Center is proud to announce the addition of Tony Jr., David and Daniel Carrillo to the day-to-day business operations combined with the public announcement that the company will assume the new business name of Carrillo & Sons Collision Center (formerly known as Carrillo’s Auto Body) located at 4680 Old Cliffs Road, San Diego, CA.
Carrillo & Sons has been family owned and operated in San Diego since 1981. Tony Jr., David and Daniel Carrillo have been a part of the shop since infancy, and are now fully involved in the day-to-day operations of Carrillo & Sons.
All three brothers have been trained to the highest industry standards and are truly dedicated to provide the utmost in customer service. The staff at Carrillo and Sons Collision Center has over 80 years in the auto repair industry collectively.
“I am so proud to have my 3 sons included in our business,” says Maria Carrillo, President of Carrillo & Sons Collision Center. “My sons have grown up in this garage and have learned that our name is our reputation. My sons and I take great pride in the service and quality that we provide to our customers.”
Carrillo & Sons Collision Center is a state certified green facility that has over 15,000 square feet of covered space inside their garage.
Encinitas, CA, Auto Shop Recognized as Eco-Friendly
After recently celebrating its 30th anniversary, the family owned and operated automotive repair business, Furgerson’s Garage is proud to be named a certified “Green Station.”
The Bureau of Automotive Repair and the state’s Department of Toxic Substances Control officially recognized the shop after its continued effort to prevent chemical waste and pollution.
Designed by the Bureau, the Green Station Recognition Program recognizes businesses that uphold the highest environmental standards. The program advocates for the reduction of our carbon footprint on the world and believes businesses like Furgerson’s Garage should be praised for their environmentally friendly practices.
Furgerson’s Garage owner, Brad Dow, agrees with this advocacy. “As an automotive repair professional in California, I feel it’s my responsibility to do all that I can to protect our environment, not only by properly performing Smog Check inspection and repairs that aid in keeping our air clean, but also handling and disposing of the toxic substances we generate in an environmentally friendly way.”
Furgerson’s Garage is one of two auto shops in the city that has been certified as a “Green Station.” Only 36 auto shops have received certification in California.
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BMW May Recycle Ontario, CA, Workforce
Senator Barbara Boxer sent a letter to BMW North America CEO Jim O’Donnell on June 24, asking him to reconsider a poorly thought-out plan to fire BMW’s nearly 100 Ontario, CA employees later this summer and immediately re-open the facility the very next day with a cheaper, inexperienced work force. U.S. Congressman Joe Baca (D-CA 43) sent a similar letter to BMW as well.
The German automobile giant, Bavarian Motor Works AG, America’s most popular automaker for luxury-class autos, booked its richest earnings in its 95-year history this quarter.
BMW had global sales of almost $81 billion in 2010, or about $848,000 per employee, ranking it number 82 on Fortune’s Global 500 Companies. BMW also received over $3.6 billion in secret low-interest loans during the 2008-2009 taxpayer bailout.
Boxer wrote, “As the economic recovery continues, it is deeply disappointing that these loyal employees would be penalized at a time when your company recently reported 2011 first quarter earnings of $1.78 billion —triple that of first quarter earnings in 2010—and first quarter sales 21 percent greater than last year.”
NV: 34th State to Ban Texting While Driving
Nevada has become the latest state to adopt a ban on texting behind the wheel as well as outlawing motorists from being able to use their cell phones while driving.
Ray LaHood, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, praised Nevada’s governor for supporting driver safety.
“I commend Governor Brian Sandoval for signing legislation that will help save lives and put a stop to dangerous distracted driving behavior on Nevada roads,” said LaHood. “In a split second, the consequences of texting behind the wheel can be devastating. There’s no call or text so important that it can’t wait.”
This move makes Nevada the 34th state to ban texting while driving and the ninth to forbid drivers from using a hand-held cellphone behind the wheel.
Violators will be penalized $100 for the first offense, $200 for the second and $250 if they’re ticketed a third time for cellphone use.
Auto insurance premiums may also increase as a result of the infractions.
Santa Clara CAA Chapter Golf Tournament Postponed
The Santa Clara Chapter of the California Autobody Association (CAA) has postponed their 18th annual golf tournament from July 13 to August 25 at the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club in San Jose.
Registration will start at 11am followed by Best Ball Scramble and Shotgun Start at 1pm.
Event Fees are $145.00 per player and include Green Fees, GPS Cart, Range Balls, Box lunch, and Banquet Dinner.
Tournament Hole Events will include Hole in one for a car, Longest Drive, and Closest to the Pin.
The event is also looking for sponsors, contact Tabias Padilla (408) 406-7903 or Don Dutra (408) 406-3780 for more information.
CA Cities Top Eight of 10 Cities With Most Car Thefts
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) released its annual list of cities with the most car thefts, and Fresno, CA, tops the list. In fact, eight cities in the top 10 are in California, with the remaining two in Washington state.
Right behind Fresno are two other Central Valley cities, Modesto and Bakersfield. Sacramento, Stockton, and an area including San Francisco, Oakland, and Fremont also make the list. Spokane, WA, comes in at No. 4. Surprisingly, Los Angeles is all the way down at 23.
Here are the top 10 cities for car theft in 2010:
1. Fresno, Calif.
2. Modesto, Calif.
3. Bakersfield-Delano, Calif.
4. Spokane, Wash.
5. Vallejo-Fairfield, Calif.
6. Sacramento--Arden-Arcade--Roseville, Calif.
7. Stockton, Calif.
8. Visalia-Porterville, Calif.
9. San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, Calif.
10. Yakima, Wash.
The city with the least car thefts was State College, PA.
The NICB's list does not indicate how long the cars stay stolen, as GPS is enabling a number of stolen vehicle recovery systems.
For more information please visit www.nicb.org.