New car technology benefits drivers, but how does it affect body shops?
I was talking to a group of body shop owners the other day at a trade association meeting, and one said, "I'm not in the repair business anymore. I'm in the computer business!
Bonus Features
2 adults, 15-year-old shot at California auto repair shop
OAKLAND, Calif. (KGO) -- Two adults and a 15-year-old boy were shot in Oakland Monday afternoon. The incident took place at an auto repair business on E Street at 98th Avenue. MORE FROM ABC7NEWS 3 shot at auto-repair business at…
20 million vehicles shipping in 2023 will feature Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant or both
LONDON -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- As voice control continues to gain popularity in the home, consumers are increasingly hoping to use Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, or Apple Siri in the vehicle too. An increasing number of OEMs are now poised…
Toyota alludes to all-new 2020 Highlander
NEW YORK, April 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Is it real? Or is it suspended by invisible strings? The answer to both questions is yes. Toyota has partnered with augmented reality artist Michael Murphy to create a 3D illusion for its fourth-generation 2020 Highlander, set…
Small on size, big on personality: Meet Venue, Hyundai's newest SUV
FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., April 8, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai today released design sketches of its newest SUV, Hyundai Venue. Venue symbolizes a trendy, unique style, perfect for Hyundai's newest, smallest and most affordable SUV. The vehicle embodies the characteristics of 'the place…
Limited-run all-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator 'Launch Edition' sells out in one day
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., April 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Entire run of 4,190 Gladiator Launch Edition vehicles sell out on Jeep® 4x4 Day All-new 2020 Jeep® Gladiator Launch Edition: Fully loaded Rubicon model with unique badging, wheels and interior accents Concierge pre-order experience: Customers were…
Lang: 'Light trucks' outdistance passenger cars in aftermarket product use
"Light trucks average more aftermarket product use than passenger cars on U.S. roads. Last year, light trucks averaged over $160 more per vehicle than passenger cars in aftermarket product volume. "Light trucks have generated…
GEICO calls in the 'Smartdogs' to tackle distracted driving
CLICK PHOTO or HERE to WATCH! WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE) -- They might be fluffy, cute and cuddly, but GEICO’s ‘Smartdogs’ are 100 percent on task to teach drivers about distracted driving. See for yourself. If they could speak, these Smartdogs would tell people:…
Vehicles with 'Open Recalls' in U.S. down 8%, still staggering 52 Million
CENTREVILLE, Va., April 3, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The open recall problem in the U.S. is improving, but millions of drivers and car buyers are still at risk. Annual research findings from Carfax show there's more than 52 million recalled vehicles on the road…
Edmunds examines 'costly side effect' of safety tech: repairs
By Rex Tokeshi-Torres / Edmunds Vehicle safety technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace. Today’s cars can watch your blind spot, help keep you in your lane, automatically hit the brakes…
Hyundai tests program to help customers with student loan debt
- Hyundai Introduces Industry-First Incentive to Help Customers Pay Down Their Student Loans by Contributing Up to $900 Toward Their Student Loan Debt - Student Assurance Initially Available from April 1 - September 30 in California and Phoenix, Arizona Dealerships…
Auto repair shop owner recounts surviving explosion
By Michael Hasch / Trib Live BEAVER COUNTY, Pennsylvania - A Beaver County auto repair man said he is lucky to be alive after his garage exploded in flames Saturday evening while he was inside. Sam Botinovch, owner of Sam’s…
Massachusetts auto body shop owner charged with intentionally damaging cars
Authorities say the owner of two Massachusetts auto body shops has been charged with using sledgehammers and mallets to further damage cars he was repairing in order to get higher insurance payouts.
Report: 'Tire category' accounts for largest portion of automotive sales online
PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., April 1, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Miles driven in the U.S. has been rising annually,* and with more rubber hitting the road, tire sales have benefited – particularly in the e-commerce channel. Online dollar sales of tires grew by 34…
People born in this month are the smartest, study finds
Were you or any of your colleagues born in this month?
States graded, ranked for 'The Collision Repair Business'
Is your shop in a great state for a collision repair business?
Tech Tips: More of Identifix’s ‘favorite fixes’
Every week, we get 100s of new confirmed fixes submitted to Direct-Hit by technicians across North America. These fixes get added to our archives so they can be accessed by any of our customers that may be working on a…
Tech Tips (by ALLDATA): Dodge Ram experiences delayed shift into 1st gear
TECH TIPS (courtesy of ALLDATA) Vehicle: 2006 Dodge Ram 2500, 4WD, L6-5.9L, VIN C, Automatic Transmission Mileage: 165,336 Problem: The customer brought the truck in because of a long delay when engaging transmission into first gear after sitting overnight. Details: Upon recommendation of the Tech-Assist…
