Microchip Madness: Stellantis plant shutdown extended another week due to microchip shortage
Windsor, Ontario — Stellantis’ Windsor Assembly Plant’s current shutdown will be extended another week due to the global shortage of microchips. The Stellantis–formerly known as Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, or FCA–Windsor plant has been shut down since March 29. It was originally supposed to last four weeks, however, it will be closed for at least a […]
Red-Hot Recall: Hyundai recalling over 390K vehicles for possible engine fires
Toronto, Ontario — Hyundai is recalling more than 390,000 vehicles in the United States and Canada for issues that can cause engine fires. In one of the recalls, owners are being told to park their vehicles outdoors until repairs are made. The recalls include Santa Fe Sport, Kona, Elantra and Veloster. The largest recall covers […]
Plastic Palooza: Polyvance celebrates its 40th anniversary
Toronto, Ontario — Polyvance, a collision repair company specializing in plastic repair is celebrating its 40th anniversary this week. The company was founded as Urethane Supply Company by Jim Sparks in 1981. Sparks created the airless plastic welder to help bumper recyclers repair the urethane bumpers covers that were common at the time. Before Sparks’s […]
EV Ed: Electric vehicle driving schools growing in Quebec
Montreal, Quebec — E-roule’s electric vehicle driving school program made a huge accomplishment last week, more than 500, 000 kilometres have been driven by students across 30 electric driving schools in Quebec. This unique two-year project funded by the province and organized by Quebec Road Safety Education Foundation was designed to test the feasibility of […]
Justice Served: Winnipeg man charged for arson in million-dollar bodyshop fire
Winnipeg, Manitoba — Winnipeg police have laid arson charges against a man in relation to a million-dollar fire at an autobody shop in Feb. 2020. Henry’s Provencher Autobody and Frameworks suffered a devastating fire last winter, which resulted in significant damage to the St. Boniface, Man. business last winter. The structure and all of its […]
Brighter Days: Output of U.S. recycling sector up 6.4 percent
Washington, D.C. — The resilience of the global recycling industry was showcased last week at the Institue of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) annual conference and exposition stage as organization President Robin Wiener said U.S. recycling industry output is up 6.4 percent from pre-pandemic levels. “As the industry gathers virtually for our ISRI 2021 annual convention this […]
The Goods on Glass: U.S.-based safety council looks to build crash data
Washington, D.C. — The U.S.-based Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) is working to improve the collection of data regarding windshield failures in collisions, according to a press release from April 23. According to AGSC, documenting the role of a windshield has not traditionally been a high priority for crash investigators. In an effort to shift […]
In the Rearview: AIA Canada releases 2020 Annual Report
Ottawa, Ontario — Following the organization’s annual general meeting earlier this week, the Automotive Industries Association of Canada has released its 2020 Annual Report. The 2020 Annual Report is the association’s ‘highlight reel’ of successes in the face of the unprecedented challenges brought on by the pandemic. The report outlines AIA Canada’s mission and progress […]
The Climb: Driven Brands reports Q1 financial results
Charlotte, North Carolina — Driven Brands has reported its financial results for the first quarter ended March 27, 2021. Driven, the parent company of collision repair brands CARSTAR, Fix Auto USA and Maaco, reported revenue of US$329.4 million—an increase of 83 percent from 2019. The company said the increase was primarily driven by the Q3 […]
Shuffling the Board: AIA Canada unveils new board members during AGM
Ottawa, Ontario — The Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA Canada) held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) yesterday, where the organization unveiled its 2021 Board of Directors. AIA Canada has named Bob Jaworski, president and general manager of Auto Electric Service, as its executive chairman for 2021-22. Jaworski takes over from Susan Hitchon, business development […]
