POMONA, CA -- July 22, 2008 -- Keystone Automotive is now distributing its 2008 Crash Parts Digest to collision repair shops and insurance customers. The newly redesigned catalog contains part numbers, descriptions and pricing information for both domestic and import makes and models. Over 20,000 part numbers, 4,500 of them new, are included in the catalog which represents the following product lines: cooling, lighting, bumpers, fenders, wheels, mirrors and sheet metal.

VANCOUVER, BC -- July 21, 2008 -- Michael Farnsworth, house leader of the British Columbia NDP has said that directors of the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) should be held accountable for failing to provide adequate oversight while employees participated in a controversial scheme to buy damaged vehicles repaired fixed up at its collision repair training facility.

“This is a significant blow to the public view of ICBC,” said Farnsworth. “The government needs to move and make not only changes in polices and procedures but also changes at the board level.”

THORNHILL, ON -- July 21, 2008 -- In international news this week, shops in the US are being warned about the dangers of ethanol-based gasoline being used in vehicles for which they are not designed, while PPG continues to support SkillsUSA by donating to the organization's competition. Meanwhile, across the pond in the UK, 3M encourages repairers to repair parts rather than replace them, and Peugeot and the Morelli Group launch their new Paint Distribution program.

Shops warned about ethanol-based engine fires
In an effort to be environmentally proactive many UK motorists are filling up their tanks with ethanol-laced gasoline. For those vehicles not outfitted to safely burn this type of fuel the result is a serious threat of engine fires. Unfortunately these motorists are creating a situation fraught with potential dangers, especially when these engines are within the confines of repair facilities filled with other vehicles. Ethanol is a grain-based additive that is water-soluble, unlike petroleum, and many local fire departments do not stock the special type of foam needed to extinguish an ethanol blaze.

Vehicles not equipped to safely utilize ethanol-based gasoline cannot handle the increased alcohol content of the fuel. This can cause o-rings to swell and gaskets to deteriorate, which can lead fuel and oil to leak, potentially starting an inextinguishable fire. Repairers are encouraged to inspect each vehicle coming into the shop, in addition to contacting their local fire-departments and telling them that Alcohol-resistant aqueous film-forming foam (AR-AFFF) is a necessary response material to have on hand.

If a fire should break out in the shop an ABC fire extinguisher will put it out, but they will not stop vapors from being released, which means there?s a chance of the fire re-igniting when the vapors reach an ignition source or hot metal.

PPG donates to SkillsUSA competition

PPG Automotive Refinish donated $10,000 to SkillsUSA, a nonprofit organization that services high school and college students preparing for careers in trade, technical and skilled service occupations. The organization provides a link between education and industry by helping students excel in their field, thus improving their job qualifications.

The donation helped support the 2008 National SkillsUSA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri in late June. The competition involved more than 5,000 students in 91 hands-on skill and leadership contests including collision repair technology and automotive refinishing.
?We appreciate the continuing support we receive from PPG,? says SkillsUSA director of communications Tom Holdsworth. ?They have been instrumental in our automotive collision program,? later adding, ?involvement by prominent industry sponsors such as PPG helps our technical instructors stay on top of developments in refinish technology.?

3M, Co-Operative Insurance encourage part repair over replacement

A new initiative has been launched by the Co-operative Insurance in association with 3M, to encourage automotive technicians to repair parts rather than replace them.  The initiative comes by way of a cash incentive equating to 50% of the cost of the new part.

The program is designed to address rising landfill costs by reducing the amount of landfill produced.

Stephen Adams of Co-op Insurance said, ?We recognize that it?s easier to fit a new part and throw away the old one, rather than considering whether it could be repaired. So in order to encourage repairers to think again, we?ve decided to offer them a major incentive.?

Paint program launched by Peugeot and Morelli

Morelli Group and Peugeot have launched a Paint Distribution Program for the Peugeot approved repairer network, which will soon be available to all Peugeot Accident repair centres.

Adrian Mossop, Peugeot Manager of Bodyshop Development said ?the agreement is a preferred distribution partner led arrangement that brings many benefits over our existing arrangement and we expect a large number of our approved bodyshops to transfer over to the new program?.
Sue Wardle, Morelli National Accounts Director said, ?We are delighted to be associated with a manufacturer of Peugeot?s stature and look forward to working with them closely?.

Morelli Group can supply products from Spies Hecker, DuPont, PPG, and Standox paint products.

TORONTO, ON -- July 18, 2008 -- Aviva Canada is expanding its Premiere Auto Network by adding preferred part and paint partnerships. The Premiere Auto Network is a group of Aviva Canada approved auto collision centres that provide top-tier service to Aviva customers. Aviva claims the addition of the part and paint partnerships will allow the network to further improve the timeliness and quality of service to consumers.

Paint supplier Akzo Nobel and auto part supplier Advantage Data Systems are two of the new additions to the program. A pilot program testing the parts component launches this July with select auto collision centres in Ontario and Quebec.