July 2008

That National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) set up a free, public database that will allow consumers to find out if a vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company.

The Automotive Service Association (ASA) board of directors has approved two position statements on blending issues – including the use of the term “blending” in regard to labor and material reductions; and also deductions related to a number of specific refinish procedures.

Someone at a Lexington, Ky., body shop is being heralded as a hero for making the correct moral decision — he called the police when a customer’s pickup truck bore telltale evidence of being involved in a hit-and-run crash that killed a pedestrian.

A former managing director and two other employees of AAMI have been summonsed to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates Court.

Ontario has achieved a 20% reduction in the annual rate of workplace injuries, thanks to a Ministry of Labour (MOL) compliance program that ran from April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2008. A 20% decline is equal to about 50,000 fewer incidents and injuries.

smart is helping the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) cut carbon emissions in London as they take part in the market trial of the fully electric, smart ed (electric drive).

Support for the Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) as the de facto vehicle repair technician qualification continues to grow, with leading vehicle manufacturer BMW now embracing the scheme through their own training and assessment programme.

Thatcham’s Apprentice Training Centre has been given a glowing report following the insurer supported centre’s first inspection from OFSTED, the government’s Office for Standards in Education.

The achievements of over 40 young crash repair vehicle technicians were being celebrated at Thatcham’s Automotive Academy this week in a specially arranged Apprentice Graduation ceremony. The Apprentice Graduation was one of many events that visitors were able to take in as the insurers’ vehicle research centre opened its doors to visitors from the insurance, vehicle security and repair industries.

The British insurance industry and the Home Office is to crackdown on a motorcycle crime wave, it was announced today (Wednesday June 18th).

A car dealer from County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is to hand over property worth £500,000 in a settlement with the Serious Organised Crime Agency (SOCA).

Thirteen people have crammed into a Smart Fortwo, as part of the brand's 10th anniversary celebrations.

Northern Rock has stopped lending money for car purchases, but is doubling its debt management department over the next year.

Banks have been warned in a Financial Services Authority discussion paper that they could face poor service tables.

It's official. The UK average price for a gallon of diesel has hit £6, according to the AA. At 131.9p a litre, the average price of a gallon of diesel as recorded by the motoring organisation has reached the £6 mark.

Cars made by Japanese manufacturers are still the most reliable, according to a survey by Which? Car magazine.

International motor trader Inchcape has reported a 6.3% rise in sales in the first five months of the year despite 'challenging conditions in several of our markets'

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