Axalta Launches Unified Synergy Brand and Expanded RAPTOR VX Coating at Automechanika Frankfurt
Axalta used Automechanika Frankfurt 2026 to launch two additions to its refinish lineup: a new umbrella brand for ancillary shop products, and an expanded heavy-duty protective coating.
Axalta Synergy consolidates a range of cleaners, additives and other ancillary products designed to work with Axalta's refinishing systems under a single brand name. The company said the move is meant to reduce the number of separate product lines shops and distributors have to track, with the goal of cutting inventory and lowering the working capital tied up in stock.
Separately, Axalta expanded the reach of its RAPTOR non-paint protective coating line with the launch of RAPTOR VX. The company said the heavy-duty coating is built for faster process speeds and is aimed at applications beyond traditional auto refinish, including commercial fleet, auto auction, marine, and light industrial use. Axalta said RAPTOR VX should be paired with its full substrate system — adhesion promoters, acid etch primers and epoxy primers — to get the intended cycle-time benefits.
CARSTAR Precision Collision Auto Body Honors Veterans at Rock the River
CARSTAR Precision Collision Auto Body in Cold Spring, Minnesota, supported Veterans Appreciation Night during this year's Rock the River community music festival, an annual event that draws residents, local businesses and visitors together for live music and entertainment. This year's night honored local veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
Candice Eikmeier, general manager of the shop and chair of the Rock the River committee, helped organize the night and personally handed out ice cream to veterans and guests.
"The team at CARSTAR Precision Collision Auto Body continues to demonstrate what it means to be a community-driven business," said Damien Reyna, chief operating officer of Driven Brands Collision Group. "The team's involvement in Veterans Appreciation Night reflects the values we are proud to support across our network. Taking time to recognize our veterans while helping bring the community together is a meaningful example of service beyond the repair facility."
Abra Community Days Car Show Raises $5,500 for Bismarck Cancer Center
The 2026 Abra Community Days Car Show in Bismarck, North Dakota, raised $5,500 for the Bismarck Cancer Center while drawing families, local businesses, first responders, and car enthusiasts to a free community event hosted by Abra Auto Body Bismarck and Buller Automotive.
This year's event carried a pink-themed focus in support of the cancer center and the people it serves. Attendees took in a car show, vendor expo, food trucks, kids' activities, a raffle auction, and appearances from the Bismarck Larks and Bismarck Bobcats.
The day's highlight was Buller Automotive's annual vehicle-gifting ceremony, where a fully restored 2019 Toyota Camry went to a local recipient in need of reliable transportation. The restoration drew on donated parts, materials, labor and services from Buller Automotive, Abra Auto Body Bismarck, North Dakota State College of Science's Collision Engineering Technology program, PPG, United Electric Paint Supply, MPA Group/Burnsville Toyota, Fargo Bumper, Elite Dent, New Song Church and other industry partners.
"Abra Community Days is all about bringing people together for a purpose greater than ourselves," said Jeremy Buller, owner of Abra Auto Body Bismarck. "Seeing our community rally around the Bismarck Cancer Center, support local families, and come together to help make a meaningful vehicle gift possible is incredibly rewarding. We're grateful to every sponsor, volunteer and attendee who helped make this year's event such a success."
"The Abra Community Days Car Show is a perfect example of how our franchisees leverage their businesses to create meaningful impact in the communities they serve," added Reyna. "Through fundraising, community partnerships and the vehicle gifting program, the team demonstrated the power of coming together to make a real difference in people's lives. We are proud of everyone involved in making this event a success."
Premier Sponsors Bismarck Motor Company and Hyundai of Mandan backed the event, along with Gold Sponsors Elite Dent and School Products and Equipment, and a range of community and raffle sponsors.
Fix Auto Illinois Shops Sponsor Three Charity Golf Outings
Fix Auto shops across Illinois backed three golf fundraisers in August, spanning both the five-shop Fix Auto Chicagoland group and Fix Auto Fox Valley's long-standing membership in the Fox River Business Alliance.
The Fix Auto Chicagoland group — made up of Fix Auto Elgin, Fix Auto Skokie, Fix Auto Fox Valley, Fix Auto Chicago, and Fix Auto Crystal Lake — sponsored the Alliance of Automotive Service Professionals of Illinois Golf Outing on Aug. 19 at Bridges of Poplar Creek Country Club in Hoffman Estates. Nine days later, on Aug. 28, the group sponsored the Jeff Attar Memorial Golf Outing at Cog Hill Golf & Country Club in Lemont, an annual tournament honoring Attar's legacy that draws community members, State Farm agents and corporate partners in support of charitable causes.
"Supporting events like these allow us to build meaningful relationships within our industry while giving back to the communities we serve," said John Denicolo, owner of Fix Auto Fox Valley and a member of the Fix Auto Chicagoland group.
Separately, Fix Auto Fox Valley took part in the Fox River Business Alliance's fifth annual Charity Golf Outing Aug. 31 at The Hawk Country Club in St. Charles. The shop is a founding member of the alliance and has backed the group for more than 17 years. Proceeds from this year's outing supported HorsePower Therapeutic Riding, Food for Health Fox Valley, Hardy Strong Foundation, Hands of Hope Fox Valley and Project Mobility.
"As a long-standing member, this event is especially meaningful to us because it brings together local businesses while raising funds for several outstanding charities that make a real difference in our community," Denicolo said.
"The commitment John and his team have shown to their community over nearly two decades is truly commendable," added Reyna.
Auto Club of Southern California and Showtime Collision Gift Refurbished Vehicle to LA-Area Veteran
A Los Angeles-area veteran received a refurbished vehicle Sept. 12 through the NABC Recycled Rides program, with the Auto Club of Southern California donating the car and Showtime Collision handling the repair work. The presentation took place at the grand opening of Showtime Collision's new store in Big Bear Lake, California.
A 2025 Subaru Forester donated by the Auto Club of Southern California and refurbished by Showtime Collision's technicians was presented to Raymond Ardiles, a U.S. Army veteran nominated by American Legion Post 584.
"We'd like to thank the NABC, Showtime and the Auto Club of Southern California for helping change our lives," Ardiles said.
Additional partners in the presentation included LKQ, PPG, A-Performance Towing, Enterprise, Advanced Remarketing Services, Cars for Charity and Copart. NABC members have donated more than 3,850 vehicles worth roughly $69 million since the Recycled Rides program launched in 2007.
