- You are here:
-
Home
- Western
Western News
Western News
Local news stories affecting the auto body industry in California, Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Hawaii, Alaska and Wyoming
CA Shops and Insurers Argue Anti-Steering Language
More than 100 collision shop owners, insurance company representatives, lobbyists and policy makers met in Sacramento on Feb. 25th for a public hearing to offer comments on proposed regulation 2698.93, implementing and interpreting California Insurance Code 758.5, also know as the “anti-steering statute”.
Oregon Introduces Law To Prohibit Aftermarket Car Parts
The Oregon Speaker of the House has introduced legislation (H.B. 2186) to prohibit the sale and distribution of aftermarket motor vehicle parts if alternatives are available that “decrease greenhouse gas emissions from motor vehicles.” The bill is primarily focused on aftermarket tires and would authorize the Environmental Quality Commission to implement enforcement regulations, likely based on a rolling resistance calculation.
EUROPA PRODUCTS
Bruce Bennett congratulates Benny (Bilko) Bialkowicz for the second straight year of record sales
in the Inland Empire and San Bernardino area. While saving body shops material costs, Benny
helped answered and troubleshooting the new waterborne fears in the paint department.
Welcome Aboard!!
Labor Rate ‘Negotiation’ Leads to Customer’s Policy Cancellation
[Shop To Progressive Specialist]
In our last conversation I was told you did not have a problem with our specialty rates for high end vehicles. I just need your feedback before I proceed. We employ a higher skilled tech to work on these cars and for our numbers to work we need to charge accordingly. It is our intention to keep the car moving and order parts today. Please let me know what to do about the rate difference so that my supplement is as accurate as possible. In addition we have not raised our door rates as of Jan 1st as planned. I will let you know when we do and we can discuss then.
Thank you for your time,
CAA Sanctions Green Shop Certification Through GRC-Pirk’s program
David McClune, Executive Director of the California Autobody Association (CAA) announced an agreement with GRC-Pirk Management for members to acquire Certified Green Investment (CGI) qualifications on Jan. 19.
California Bill Enacted to Resolve Hot Rod Titling
Good news for California hot rodders
More...
California DOI Requests Comment on Proposed Anti-Steering Regulations
Hearing set for Feb. 25
California’s Department of Insurance (CDI) will hold a public hearing to provide all interested parties the opportunity to present comments with respect to a new regulation on Insurer Recommendations of Automotive Repair Dealers.
CA Governor Proposes Sales Tax on Automotive Repair
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has proposed a new plan to address the state’s budget deficit that includes charging sales tax on automotive repairs, which will include taxing labor on collision repairs.
Rich Evans to Star in his own TV Show
 |
| Rich Evans with family inside the Hardcore Knight |
Autobody News columnist and custom car builder Rich Evans, of Huntington Beach Bodyworks, has signed a television deal with studio Four In Hand.
Together Evans and Four In Hand will create a revolutionary show that will bring Evans’ creative genius and passion for customizing anything that moves.
Whether it’s trucks, boats, bikes or cars, Evans stamps his signature style on everything that leaves his garage.
“Four In Hand couldn’t be more excited about working with the world’s greatest customizing artist, Rich Evans,” remarked Henry Johnston, executive vice-president of Global Distribution. “He’s the best in the business and this show will prove it. We’ll have drama, intrigue, and some creative twists that will make this a break-out show for all to watch.”
“This is a dream come true,” said Evans. “Four In Hand is giving me the opportunity to bring my craft to the small screen and take on projects that no one else has done. The concept we’re developing will appeal to a wide audience and we hope everyone will tune in.”
The show is currently in the development phase and is scheduled to begin production in 2009. Four In Hand is a new multi-platform studio that develops and distributes cutting-edge, quality productions for television, film, Internet and branded entertainment. The studio has critically- acclaimed programs airing on national television and several new shows in production and in development. Four In Hand’s offices are in New York and Boston.
See Rich Evans columns on this site.
Insurers May Pay Millions Owed to Oregon Consumers
Diminished Value Case Law
The October 23rd, 2008 Oregon Supreme Court decision supporting Oregon policyholders in collecting diminished value could solve other auto damage/repair related concerns as well. Oregon has joined the growing list of states which agree that policyholders are entitled to the loss (diminished) value of their vehicles when repairs do not fully restore the pre-loss value of their vehicle! Post Repair Inspections professionals across the country applaud the decision and applaud the consumer’s perseverance in seeing this matter through to conclusion.