Sunsetting Suspensions: State Farm details significant change to non-OEM crash parts policy
Toronto, Ontario – A memo from State Farm to its select repair centres featured in the United States outlines how, beginning October 16, 2023, the carrier will end its yearslong suspension of the use of “non-OEM crash parts,” i.e. aftermarket parts. In its memo, State Farm–which ended its operations in Canada in 2015–specifically announced that […]
Potential in Printing: IBIS 3D printing task force head lays out research goals and timeline
Toronto, Ontario — Parts shortages have become the new normal and yet 3D printing has yet to be adequately explored as a possible solution—until now, as the head of an IBIS task force tells media that the relatively new fabrication technology is next on his agenda. Owner of Imagine Additive Consulting and IBIS-appointed task force […]
Prime Parts: New Amazon parts store puts collision centre sales at risk
Toronto, Ontario — Convenient or concerning? That is what many in the U.S. aftermarket are asking themselves following the launch of Amazon’s new OEM auto parts portal, a new purchasing option that cuts costs and cuts out dealers. Bruce Halcro, owner of Capital Collision Center in Helena, Mont., spoke to Repairer Driven News about how […]
Heat from the Grille: Ford accuses four companies of counterfeiting truck grilles, selling openly online
Toronto, Ontario — Four companies in the automotive aftermarket are in the hot seat following allegations by Ford that they have been counterfeiting and selling truck grilles, among other parts, for at least the past two years. U.S.-based Crov Inc., Sunward Logistics USA, FD-All Together Automotive, and Chinese manufacturer Qingdao Hairunkaiyuan Auto Parts Co (QH) […]
A Match for Maslack: Uni-Select enters definitive agreement to acquire Maslack Supply
Boucherville, Quebec — Quebec-based automotive giants Uni-Select announced on Monday that it has solidified plans to acquire Maslack Supply Limited, furthering the company’s expansion into Ontario. Over its 63 years in business, Maslack has grown from a small family-owned and operated auto parts supply company, to include 13 locations across Northern Ontario and more than […]
NAPA Pals: NAPA named official parts supplier of Universal Technical Institute automotive programs
Toronto, Ontario — America’s automotive technicians of tomorrow will have the opportunity to train with high-quality NAPA parts thanks to a recent partnership with the Universal Technical Institute. NAPA will provide brake kits, rotors, bulbs, bearing kits, wheel weights, as well as access to the NAPA Autotech training program, as the official parts supplier for […]
Making it Exclusive: Co-operators Group to use Audatex APU as exclusive parts vendor
Toronto, Ontario — The Co-operators Group popped the question and got the response they were looking for, as the insurance corporation has named the Solera Audatex APU solution as its exclusive alternative parts sourcing vendor. “The Co-operators have selected Solera Audatex at an exciting time. We recently released a major upgrade that reduces search time […]
No Substitutions: Subaru updates position statement on aftermarket parts
Toronto, Ontario — Subaru has released an update to its position statement on the use of alternative, recycled and salvaged parts in repairs on the company’s vehicles. “Subaru of America simply wants to be as clear as possible regarding its position on the proper repair of Subaru vehicles,” said Devin Wilcox, Subaru’s collision certification manager. […]
Will we see a ‘tremendous’ shift to aluminum?
By Mike Pickford Peterborough, Ontario — July 5, 2016 — Lightweighting is still a concern for the OEMs, leading at least one expert to predict there will be a real push over the next decade to revamp the way vehicle exteriors are designed and made. During a recent Auto Care Association webinar, IHS Automotive forecaster […]
