News Briefs Extra Foreign Car Average Age Reaches Record Level
The average age of foreign cars in the United States reached a record of 7.3 years at the beginning of 1996, reports James A. Lang, president of Lang Marketing Resources, Inc. Ten years ago the average age was 5.7 years. "The increasing average age of foreign cars in the United States, as well as their growing share of all passenger cars on U.S. roads, has caused the foreign vehicle aftermarket to grow at a rate six times faster than the sale of aftermarket products for domestic cars and light trucks during the first half of the 1990s," said Lang. Domestic cars reached a record high in January of 9.3 years.ASA Member Joins Federal Environmental Program
Doug Scales Body Shop, an Automotive Service Association (ASA) member in Austin, Texas, is a new partner in Climate Wise, a cooperative program developed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE). The program helps companies improve their bottom line by reducing pollution and saving energy. Partners agree to designate a Climate Wise contact and program manager; establish a process for identifying and implementing cost-effective energy efficiency and pollution prevention actions; and submit an action plan within six months of joining. Participants save money, receive technical assistance and support for identifying financing options, meet and work with other leading industries and receive public recognition that demonstrates environmental leadership and performance. By the year 2000, the collision repair business expects to save $25,000 per year through the program, reduce emissions by 60 percent and cut energy consumption by 50 percent. For more information on the voluntary program, contact the Climate Wise Clearinghouse at (301) 230-5250.Keystone Automotive Industries Completes Acquisition
Keystone Automotive Industries, Inc. has acquired five distribution centers for aftermarket collision repair parts in the southeastern United States, three of which include a line of paint, body and equipment materials. This transaction brings to 46 the number of service centers Keystone operates throughout the United States. Keystone is a distributor of aftermarket collision replacement parts produced by independent manufacturers.Insurance Industry Joins ASA In Opposing Salvage Vehicle Definition
Testifying before a House subcommittee, an insurance industry representative voiced opposition to the definition of a salvage vehicle contained in legislation designed to establish uniform motor vehicle titling requirements. Under the bill, H.R. 2900, a salvage vehicle would be defined as one where repair costs exceed 75 percent of the retail value. Representing the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII), William H. Mayer of GEICO General Insurance Company said, "The 75 percent test seems totally arbitrary and would result in totaling out far more vehicle than is needed to combat tilting fraud. Conservatively, using this arbitrary percentage would cause an estimated increase of 3 percent to 5 percent in the total loss vehicle population. This would increase the yearly payout on these losses to an estimated $14,224,612,500. Such a result may be in the economic interest of those who market and sell vehicles, but it is not the best interest of consumers."ASA Main Page || AutoInc. Main Page
Regulatory Compliance -- Turn A Pain Into A Gain
Low-budget Marketing Ideas For Big-dollar Results || How To Handle Low VOC Paints
Mechanical Shops Are Going Green || Election Year Impact On The Aftermarket
Guest Editorial -- Control At Point-of-sale Is Not About Leveling The Playing Field
Tech To Tech || TechTips || Stat Corner || News Briefs || News Briefs Extra || Taking The Hill || Directions || Around ASA || Chairman's Message
AutoInc. Magazine ®, Vol. XLIV No. 10, October 1996