Author Archives: Katherine Coig

Auto Windscreens Recycles 9 Whales Worth of Auto Glass

“I hear daily about auto glass technicians who aren’t addressing the issue of recalibrating Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) with their customers. I find this very distressing. Is the problem that they don’t know what ADAS is or what it does? Do techs choose to ignore the issue because recalibration is too difficult to deal with? The statement I’ve frequently heard, “I’ve never had a problem with…,” is always true until it’s not. Here are the facts.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

Auto body repair experts, including one with time in the insurance industry, last month dismissed the idea of an “industry standard” for collision repair outside of the instructions set out in OEM repair procedures. Continue reading →

There are estimates that suggest there will be 10 million driverless cars on the road by 2020 (still a relatively small percentage when compared with the 1.4 billion cars currently on the road, which is an important thing to bear in mind). Continue reading →

Autonomous cars should be required to meet standards on their ability to detect potential hazards and better ways are needed to keep their human drivers ready to assume control, U.S. auto safety and technology experts said after fatal crashes involving Uber Technologies Inc. and Tesla Inc. vehicles. Continue reading →

The assessment paid by auto insurance companies to the Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association (MCCA) will be $192 per insured vehicle for the period July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019. This is an increase of $22, or 13 percent over the 2017-2018 assessment of $170. Continue reading →

U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who took a firsthand look at self-driving vehicle technology on Tuesday, said it was frightening to see “no hands on the wheel” as his car approached a parked car and called for more safeguards to be added to federal legislation following two recent fatal crashes. Continue reading →

As controversy swirls around the death of a Model X driver last month, the head of Alphabet Inc.’s self-driving car unit is drawing distinctions between his company’s technology and Tesla Inc.’s Autopilot. Continue reading →

Four Minnesota senators have introduced a bill that would ban self-driving cars from state highways and roads unless the automated driving systems are disabled and humans perform all the driving tasks. Continue reading →

An “Inside Edition” broadcast posted Friday challenges the notion that a photo estimate is an adequate substitution for an in-person appraisal, bringing the issue to the national audience of what CBS called “television’s longest-running, top-rated and most-honored syndicated newsmagazine.” Continue reading →

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Alabama’s robust auto industry has transformed the state economy over the past two decades, as well as communities scattered from the Tennessee Valley to the Gulf Coast. Continue reading →

Maryland has launched a pilot program that uses the vehicle registration process to alert car owners of recalls involving their vehicle. Continue reading →

This week marks the eighth anniversary of my involvement in the glass business. For those of you reading this who have been in the business for more than 30 years, forgive me. I wanted to learn exactly what it was like back then. I talked to a couple of employees who were in the auto glass business then. They shared some of the changes they’ve seen. For those of you who are leaders in our industry and are “short-timers” like me, let me share what I learned as we go back to the future together and remind our very experienced glass friends about their good ole’ days. Continue reading →

LANSING, Mich. – Car insurance rates in Michigan are going up once again and not too many are happy about it. The Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association announced this rate yesterday in a press release. Continue reading →

The March 22 death of a forklift operator at Fuyao Glass America Inc.’s Moraine plant comes amid concerns that high-pressure work environments across the country are causing more injuries on the job. Continue reading →

Lack of a windshield proved no barrier for a road warrior who drove from Georgia to Augusta, Maine. Continue reading →

“My son Jay recently reported a problem with laminated door glasses breaking after installation. He said he noticed that the aftermarket parts were breaking at the mounting brackets, and that the glass itself seemed to be slightly out of bend. I hadn’t heard about this before, so I did some research with other technicians and found that this was a common problem.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

NEW YORK — Self-driving cars could kill hundreds of people every year in the early going but save many more lives, a Toyota executive said Thursday at an event near the New York Auto Show. Continue reading →

Root Insurance Co., which deeply discounts auto premiums for good driving habits as measured by smartphone, has raised $51 million from Silicon Valley and San Francisco-area venture capital firms. Continue reading →

NEW ORLEANS -“When I came out, I’m looking at glass all on the street, on both sides of the street,” said Seventh Ward resident Sheila St. James. “I thought it was some kind of apocalypse. I’m like, ‘what is going on? Was there a tornado that came through?’ I didn’t know what was going on.” Continue reading →

German auto parts manufacturer Webasto opened its 10th factory in China this month, a new wholly owned vehicle sunroof plant in the southern province of Guangzhou. Continue reading →

National Windscreens has taken a role in a new European-wide initiative to create higher standards for calibration of windscreen-mounted cameras used in ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems). Continue reading →

The Nissan Altima has always sold well, despite being a mostly utilitarian sedan. But the latest redesign includes an unexpected and welcome treat: ProPilot Assist, the Japanese automaker’s semi-autonomous driver assist system. Continue reading →

On Tuesday, Waymo announced they’d purchase 20,000 sporty, electric self-driving vehicles from Jaguar for the company’s forthcoming ride-hailing service. Continue reading →

The United Way of Cullman County will be issuing vouchers for windshield repairs/replacements in amounts up to $200 for automobiles damaged in last week’s historical hailstorm. Continue reading →

Last week’s fatal pedestrian crash involving a self-driving Uber Technologies vehicle isn’t stopping rival Waymo, a unit of Alphabet Inc., from forging ahead with its own autonomous-driving efforts. Continue reading →

So, where’s Oprah when you need her? That’s because two Tri Counties Bank employees are badly in need of new cars.
Their cars, both parked outside the bank in the parking lot off Hilltop Drive, were destroyed Tuesday when an auto glass repairman accidentally lit one of them on fire while trying to fix a rock-chipped windshield, a Redding fire official said.
Continue reading →

A recent investigation by a national insurance company showed consumers in Ontario could be footing the bill for auto body scams, and a St. John’s cab company manager says he’s found evidence of the scams in Newfoundland and Labrador.
While doing a bit of digging, George Murphy got a list of all the claims that had ever been filed on his insurance policy. On that list was a charge of $1,143 for “glass breakage,” he told the St. John’s Morning Show.
Continue reading →

The governor of Arizona on Monday suspended Uber’s ability to test self-driving cars on public roads in the state following a fatal crash last week that killed a 49-year-old pedestrian. Continue reading →

The companies and officials influencing the development of self-driving technology offered a wide variety of reactions to the death last week of a pedestrian struck by an Uber autonomous vehicle. Uber Technologies Inc. suspended the testing of its self-driving cars in Tempe, Arizona, where the incident took place, and in other cities. So did Toyota Motor Corp., citing the emotional toll on the safety drivers who sit in the front seat and monitor for hazards. Meanwhile, Ford Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo division kept testing. Continue reading →

NEW YORK/SAN FRANCISCO — Uber disabled the standard collision avoidance technology in the Volvo XC90 that struck and killed a woman in the U.S. last week, according to Aptiv, the partsmaker that supplied the vehicle’s radar and camera. Continue reading →

“A month or so ago, I got a notice to appear for jury duty. I’ve been called before but never served on a jury. I was traveling that week and rescheduled.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

The Fuyao Glass America Inc. employee killed Tuesday in a workplace accident at the Moraine plant was crushed by a ton of glass after he cut a strap, freeing the product to fall on him, police records show. Continue reading →

Reacting to the Trump Admin.’s proposed import duties on steel and aluminum products, the European Union warns it is prepared to impose temporary safeguard duties on imports into the EU of U.S.-made trucks.
Auto-industry inputs on the list include a wide range of aluminum and steel products: bars, rods, angles, plate, wire and more. Also included are tempered and laminated safety glass for use in motor vehicles, plus rearview mirrors.
Continue reading →

Self-driving cars are here. More are on their way. Major automakers and Silicon Valley giants are clamoring to develop and release fully autonomous cars to safely and efficiently chauffeur us. Some models won’t even include a steering wheel. Along with many challenges, technical and otherwise, there is one fundamental political question that is too easily brushed aside: Who decides on how transportation algorithms will make decisions about life, death and everything in between? Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — Ten U.S. senators are asking Ford, General Motors, Fiat Chrysler and other companies developing self-driving cars whether they are using or planning to use contracts with consumers that would limit their ability to sue in the case of a crash. Continue reading →

Democrats Cite Tesla Probe in Raising Self-Driving Car Bill Concerns

3M’s Autonomous Vehicle Ambitions

GEICO to Comply with New York Reg Banning Discriminatory Auto Insurance Rates

Delaware Works to be on Cutting Edge of Self-Driving Cars

Holography Approach Improves Heads Up Displays for Planes and Cars

NHTSA Releases Preliminary Traffic Safety Facts for 2016

China Could Drive Demand for Autonomous Cars, VW Exec Says

After Reaching Record-breaking Heights, U.S. Auto Recalls at Lowest Level Since 2013

Investigation Into Auto Body Repairs Reveals Inflated Charges, Incomplete Work

“One of the benefits of being a trainer is having the opportunity to observe and learn tips for using and operating both new and existing tools. I thought I would share some things that I have learned while teaching Auto Glass University.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

Collision repairers in multiple states might notice some changes at State Farm this year in light of two scheduled office closures and two new restructuring moves reported by Washington and Illinois media. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — U.S. light-vehicle recalls fell to 30.7 million in 2017, the lowest level since 2013, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Thursday, after a record 53 million were recalled in 2016 when a callback linked to deadly airbags was expanded. Continue reading →

Heads-up displays that use a car’s windshield as a screen are a good way to keep drivers informed while their eyes stay on the road ahead. But Daimler thinks it has an even better solution, and on its high-end vehicles it says it will soon introduce programmable, “million-pixel” headlights that project warning symbols and driving tips on the actual road itself. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators will convene a previously undisclosed hearing to focus on the status of Takata air bag inflator recalls, the largest, most complex recall process in auto history that some lawmakers say is too slow. Continue reading →

KBC Group NV lessened its position in LKQ Co. (NASDAQ:LKQ) by 5.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 106,997 shares of the auto parts company’s stock after selling 6,132 shares during the period. KBC Group NV’s holdings in LKQ were worth $4,352,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Continue reading →

South Korea’s building and industrial materials manufacturer KCC Corp. has completed construction to scale up automotive glass production capacity at its plant in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province. Continue reading →

A record $1.5 billion in claims from storm damage led to a 52-percent drop in earnings for American Family Insurance last year, the company said Tuesday. Continue reading →

It’s a good thing self-driving cars haven’t been programmed for road rage.
If they had, the Californians who have taken to the streets this year to attack the vehicles — one man “with his entire body” — might have been in trouble.
Continue reading →

State Farm financials released Thursday indicate that the carrier’s auto insurance business made $2.8 billion more in premiums, cut auto claims and loss adjustment expenses $1.6 billion, but ended up $2.8 billion in the red. Continue reading →

Whether it’s a child running after a ball, a herd of cows or a broken-down car, unexpected obstacles can prove deadly to drivers. But scientists say the cars of the future might be able to anticipate such perils. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON – Major automakers on Monday joined forces with tech companies and a variety of interest groups to urge the U.S. Senate to take up, before the end of May, a stalled bill aimed at speeding the deployment and testing of self-driving cars. Continue reading →

“Laughingly, I often refer to ‘going online’ as going to my Google machine. Never have I thought of referring to this as my ‘YouTube machine,’ though. Why? Must be age!” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently announced the creation of the Compliance Assistance Program, which will assist regulated commercial entities in the motor vehicle and equipment industry to comply with safety rules to promote safety on U.S. highways. Continue reading →

We don’t hear much about the Karma these days. Not from Fisker, certainly, and not much from Karma Automotive, either. But we have just received word from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Continue reading →

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI) has criticized a recent study on auto insurance ratings, saying that the study’s authors have a “fundamental misunderstanding” of how underwriting works. Continue reading →

Not taking insurtechs seriously yet? It seems the major insurance players certainly are, as indicated by the establishment of yet another key partnership.
AXA revealed that it will be the first panel member to provide a new car insurance product via start-up Brolly. Scheduled to launch in March it includes a 24hr claims helpline, cover for replacement keys and locks, as well as windscreen repair.
Continue reading →

As anticipated, the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced Monday that it will allow tech companies and car manufacturers to begin testing automated vehicles on California roads without human safety drivers. Continue reading →

Autonomous vehicles aren’t just the future; they’ve already hit the road in many cities around the world. But one place you aren’t apt to find a self-driving car is in an automatic car wash. Not because the vehicle doesn’t need to be cleaned, though. It turns out the self-driving car and its vehicular spa don’t exactly play nice. Continue reading →

When you picture a Giugario-designed car, what springs to mind? It might be the Alfa Romeo Brera, or maybe the first-generation Volkswagen Golf. The latest car to roll forth from its legendary studio is unlike anything else in its back catalogue. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced the creation of a compliance assistance program to help regulated entities, including vehicle and trailer manufacturers, as well as equipment manufacturers comply with safety regulations as a means to promote safety on our highways. Continue reading →

Auckland — Pūkekos, ducks and hawks have all made an impact on widescreen claims this summer, but thankfully were only a small percentage of factors responsible for causing damage, according to AA Insurance. Continue reading →

I-CAR has awarded Insurance Gold Class business recognition at the corporate level to State Farm, an achievement reserved for insurance carriers that are committed to improving the performance and quality of auto collision repairs. Continue reading →

Uber is up and running in suburban Detroit, where it is slowly ramping up hiring to establish an autonomous vehicle research center to work alongside OEMs and auto suppliers, Autoblog has learned. Continue reading →

“Over the weekend, we were on the way to the store and passed by a McDonald’s located just blocks from one of the largest high schools in the area. This busy location was recently torn down and a new, more modern McDonald’s is being built.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

A sunroof brings sunshine into a vehicle, but some ongoing safety incidents have cast clouds over the popular feature. Reports on sunroof glass explosions highlight possible risks. Could safety concerns bring the era of the rising sunroof to an end? Continue reading →

The closing years of the Obama Administration saw a whirlwind of regulatory activity from NHTSA, including multiple consent orders, record penalties and soaring recall numbers. Continue reading →

SAN FRANCISCO — Self-driving cars that back up their computerized system with a remote human operator instead of a fallback driver at the wheel could be tested on California roads as early as April, the state department of motor vehicles said. Continue reading →

After completing a site selection search spanning the United States and Mexico, glass manufacturer Pilkington North America has opted to remain in Phoenix, renewing a 200,000-square-foot, long-term lease for its Western U.S. distribution center at Buckeye 75 Distribution Park, owned and managed by Lincoln Property Company (LPC).
Pilkington’s Buckeye 75 location serves as a major distribution hub for products including laminated and toughened glass for the automotive glass replacement market. Across North America, Pilkington manufacturers and markets glass and glazing products for the architectural and automotive markets.
Continue reading →

After 18-year-old Liza Hankins was thrown through the closed sunroof of her sport-utility vehicle during a crash and paralyzed, her family sued the truck’s maker, claiming it had failed to live up to its safety responsibilities.
The carmaker, Ford, won the case after it pointed out that no government regulations required a sunroof — even a closed one — to keep someone inside a vehicle in a crash.
Continue reading →

For the third straight year, sales for new cars and trucks in California exceeded 2 million and the forecast for 2018 anticipates the number to top 2 million again — but just barely, as the rate of growth is slowing. Continue reading →

This week in Austria, Bentley launched its new V8 iteration of its luxury Bentayga SUV. The first Bentayga came off the production line back in 2015, and the company has produced more than 10,000 so far. Continue reading →

Following wins before the Second Circuit Appeals Court late last year, a Syracuse, N.Y., body shop has settled a lawsuit with Progressive and seen a similar case against Nationwide receive another favorable ruling. Continue reading →

SALT LAKE CITY — While federal legislators recently tapped the brakes on efforts to establish national standards for driverless vehicles, the Utah Legislature is cruising toward adopting state rules that would pave the way for autonomous cars and trucks to start sharing the highways and byways of the Beehive State with human operators. Continue reading →

A surge in auto glass claims filed against insurers isn’t going away — it’s getting worse. In 2017, there was a 22 percent increase in such lawsuits against insurance providers, according to the Florida Justice Reform Institute. That’s a jump from 19,558 in 2016 to 23,949 in 2017. Continue reading →

Bosch’s Connected World conference opened with a demo of its automated valet technology. Though the firm’s chief exec, Volkmar Denner, drove the car up to its drop-off point, the self-parking mode failed to engage. Continue reading →

PPG announced that it has been awarded the contract by Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company and major global helicopter manufacturer, to produce heated pilot and co-pilot windshields for the Bell 525 Relentless commercial helicopter. Continue reading →

Advanced Driver Assistance Systems are being installed in new vehicles at an ever-increasing pace but they are not ‘fit and forget’ technology. There is an essential maintenance requirement, such as after an accident or when a windscreen is replaced, needed to ensure the assistance systems continue to work correctly. Continue reading →

From sunroofs to sinks it is likely something in your home is made of tempered glass. It’s supposed to be the safer option but we found people here in the Tampa Bay area and across the country are reporting scary explosions in their cars and homes. Continue reading →

“As I mentioned last week, MK and I were at the International Franchise Association (IFA) Convention in Phoenix. From there, we headed to Palm Springs, Calif., for a Lead Like Jesus Conference for the remainder of the week. We like road trips, so we chose to drive then fly home after dropping the rental car there.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Safelite AutoGlass is relocating its local store from Henderson to Evansville, and it could open by late next week, a company official said. Continue reading →

As automated vehicles slowly populate selected urban areas, the question persists: Who will repair and maintain these robotic and technological marvels? Continue reading →

It’s one of the facets of driving that still seems archaic, especially in an age when we are considering the imminence of self-driving vehicles. How, in 2018, is it possible that we must still strain our necks and take our eyes off the road to change lanes? Continue reading →

Automation that takes human error out of driving could one day help reduce accidents that killed more than 40,000 Americans last year. But if motorists are going to make use of the potentially life-saving technology, they’d prefer it operate as they would, and not all people have the same driving style. Continue reading →

Light-vehicle sales are on track to rise to a record 97.3 million units this year, despite a second straight annual decline in North America, according to an LMC Automotive forecast. Continue reading →

It’s been a long time coming. For years Waymo (formerly known as Google Chauffeur) has been diligently developing, driving, testing and refining its fleets of various models of self-driving cars. Now Waymo is going big. The company recently placed an order for several thousand new Chrysler Pacifica minivans and next year plans to launch driverless taxis in a number of US cities. Continue reading →

Internet of Things has created a buzz among the technology enthusiasts and tech-based start-ups with its interesting concept of connecting objects to objects, objects to people and people to people. The latest offerings of IoT are now uniquely combined with the physical groundwork of every industry leading to its overall efficiency. Continue reading →

Kemper to Acquire Nonstandard Auto Insurer Infinity in $1.4 Billion Deal

Administration Questioned on NHTSA Readiness

Autonomous Vehicle Bill Hits Bump with Manufacturers

Employees from East Deer’s Pittsburgh Glass Works are seeking federal help to weather upcoming worker layoffs because half of their automotive glass manufacturing plant’s production is moving to Mexico. Continue reading →

Columbus-based Safelite is defending itself in federal court from a lawsuit challenging the company’s support for the so-called “dollar-bill rule” as a guide to determine whether to repair or replace cracked auto glass. Continue reading →

BATON ROUGE – For a fourth straight year in a row, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says residents in Louisiana can expect increases in their auto premiums. In some cases, it may be a double-digit increase. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON — Ford on Monday warned an additional 33,000 owners of older pickup trucks in North America to stop driving them until potentially defective Takata Corp airbag inflators can be repaired. Continue reading →

ADAS Sensor Calibration Increases Repair Costs

Senators Eye Nebraska as Testing Site for Self-Driving Cars

FOX 46 Gets Car Restored for Veteran Firefighter Ripped Off by Auto Shop

At Least 13 Windshields Smashed in Anderson

Five Rude Emails You Send Without Realizing It

777 Auto Glass of Sacramento, Calif., has joined the list of safety-conscious auto glass companies by becoming an accredited Registered Member Company of the prestigious Auto Glass Safety Council™ (AGSC). Continue reading →

Some Michigan Republicans want to repeal the state’s no-fault auto insurance system. Continue reading →

As temperatures in Sartell, Minn., dipped to -9 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, a woman shopping at the town’s Walmart auto-started her car so it would be warm once she got to the parking lot.
Then Wilson started talking to the owner directly over the phone, police said, using the name Wayne Hennen and telling the owner he was employed at an auto glass repair company. Wilson told her he’d fixed her car — and that he’d return it to her if she could re-start it for him, WJON reports.
Continue reading →

Auto insurance rates have increased at more than twice the rate of inflation recently, with premiums hitting a national average of $1,427, an online marketplace has found. Continue reading →

Self-driving cars should be welcomed for their substantial safety and mobility gains for the traveling public, especially the elderly and disabled. But the federal government’s failure to modernize auto regulations is already denying consumers safer and superior products, and this problem will only grow larger as automated driving systems near the deployment stage. Continue reading →

Although the hardware and software technology for fully autonomous cars is ready today, the cars themselves may still be a decade or more away, vehicle experts said at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Continue reading →

DETROIT — For the third time in the past three years, General Motors has asked the U.S. government for permission to avoid recalls of potentially deadly Takata air bag inflators. Continue reading →

Amid a series of appearances discussing the results, Tracy Law Firm attorney Todd Tracy has released all the data related to the 2017 crash-testing of three Honda Fits. Continue reading →

Michigan drivers have been complaining about the state’s higher than average auto insurance rates. Continue reading →

The first notified insurance claim against a (semi) automated vehicle manufacturer has been brought in the US. Reports have also arrived from California indicating that drivers may be becoming over-reliant on partially automated vehicles in a manner inconsistent with their actual abilities. Continue reading →

“You may or may not have seen this short YouTube video below titled, ‘Steve Kerr Explains How Steph Curry Has Changed the League.’ It is a great example of mentoring and leadership.” –David Rohlfing Continue reading →

KENOSHA — They’re supposed to keep you safe, but could actually put you in harm’s way — so why are some Wisconsin drivers being forced to wait years to have these potentially dangerous air bags replaced? Continue reading →

WORCESTER – Two men suffered serious injuries when an SUV they were in hit a parked car on Southbridge Street and then struck the side of a nearby business Saturday.
The SUV then struck the Safelite Auto Glass building at 515 Southbridge St., police said.
Continue reading →

With each new year, the automotive industry unveils another feature that leads us closer to an age of self-driving cars. New models already tell us when to change the oil, when to inflate our tires, when to stop, how to parallel park and how to stay in our lanes. And sooner than we realize, it’ll be second nature just to let the car take the wheel and drive us to our destinations. Continue reading →

“Have you heard the phrase, “Find your why”? You can learn more about this on Simon Sinek’s Ted Talk, which has already garnered over 4.1 million views.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

Texas State Technical College students studying automotive technology put their skills to the test most Fridays, working on cars with real-world problems in a simulated auto repair shop. Continue reading →

SAN FRANCISCO — Companies testing self-driving cars on California streets gave a peek into the inner workings of their real-world test drives last week. The big takeaway? Many are still a long way from letting drivers take their hands off the wheel. Continue reading →

General Motors is launching a new self-driving car without any of the manual controls drivers are used to. Continue reading →

Far be it for me to promote or criticize a particular business plan. I know a lot of business owners that are having great financial success as auto glass providers with a diverse number of different business types. However, I feel the need—for the sake of safety—to comment on the practice of subcontracting technicians. Continue reading →

EAGLE COUNTY — Steve Moore, owner of the local Novus Auto Glass business, and his wife, Dennie have lived in our valley for more than four decades. Every December, the Moores select a local nonprofit group with which to share the business’ profits. Continue reading →

General Motors said it will look into the safety of its panoramic sunroofs following a report published by Consumer Reports last October that detailed how prevalent shattering sunroofs are. Continue reading →

As a transportation reporter, I’ve been in a lot of cars using either autonomous or semi-automated Advanced Driver Assistance (ADAS) features, both on public and private roads, and yet I’d never been in an accident during a demonstration drive for any of these features before now. Continue reading →

A former regional MSO owner shared an account of his experience being sued over repair work, and fellow auto body professionals who missed the show have another chance to hear the powerful story with a new video released by SCRS. Continue reading →

Independent car insurance site Clearsurance recently ranked the best car insurance companies. The list is based on factors such as affordability, customer service, the scope of coverage and users’ likelihood to recommend their insurance to others or renew with the company.
Surprisingly, only two national insurance companies made the cut. The others were smaller and mid-size companies.
Continue reading →

The robot cars test-driving on California roads seem to need their human overseers less and less. Continue reading →

Safety concerns are growing for drivers who use Interstate 696 after another piece of concrete wreaked havoc during the morning commute. Continue reading →

MILWAUKEE – Vandals struck in Bay View, breaking into cars all over the area late at night this week, but one auto shop is giving back to help out those victims in their community. Continue reading →

Our new global recognition scheme – the Belron Exceptional People Awards – recognises, thanks and celebrates our people who are making a big difference for our customers or colleagues. Continue reading →

OTTAWA — A Senate committee is urging the federal Liberals to take control of the development and testing of self-driving cars on Canadian roads before governments fall too far behind the technological revolution. Continue reading →

Due in Australia in April this year, the Lexus LS will be available with, not just, hand-pleated silk surfacing but also moulded glass panels. The use of glass to form a decorative surface in a car is a world-first – it features on the door panels. Continue reading →

We’re still a few years away from self-driving cars being part of the major traffic on roads.
For starters, there’s the technology. Companies across the world from carmakers like Peugeot, Tesla and GM are creating their own forms of autonomous vehicle technology, as well as tech firms like Apple and Samsung.
Continue reading →

One of the most frequent predictions for significant growth in 2018 is the development of the connected car ecosystem. During the second half of 2017, there were workshops, proposed legislation and other guidance from the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading →

Last weekend Mary Kay and I flew to Portland, Ore., to celebrate her father’s 90th birthday. Her brother and her four sisters were there. It was a quick trip that produced a lifetime of memories.
On the plane, I read the January American Way magazine that is found in every seat on an American Airline’s flight. It included an article titled, “The Game Behind the Game.”
Continue reading →

A former Fuyao Glass America worker is suing the Moraine manufacturer, claiming the company fired him after he was injured off the job. Continue reading →

In the future, car headlights could automatically highlight pedestrians and other vulnerable road users to drivers, and even project crossings and warning signs on the road to help reduce accidents. Continue reading →

Last December, a Chevy Bolt was changing lanes on a California highway when it collided with a motorbike. Its rider Oscar Nilsson suffered neck and shoulder injuries and is now taking legal action. Nothing to write home about, you may say. And it’s true: Sadly, there are thousands of those kind of accidents every day. Except that in this case, the Chevy was operating in autonomous mode. Which means that General Motors is now facing one of the first lawsuits involving an accident with an autonomous vehicle. Continue reading →

“I received some interesting news recently about 2017-18 Honda CRVs equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and a rain sensor (FW04540-41). Although I can’t confirm at this time if this glitch applies to all Honda models, if the Honda model you are working on has both ADAS and a rain sensor, then I suspect the following procedure will be necessary when replacing glass in those models as well.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

Ronda’s job is relatively simple. Essentially, she is no different to a normal taxi driver sitting in front of a steering wheel for 12 hours a day during the Consumer Electronics Show. However, while her colleagues actually have to take on the traffic in their colorful Toyota Prius vehicles, she spends most of her time with her hands in her lap. Continue reading →

This is the bizarre moment a BMW driver was left with a cracked windscreen after his car was struck by a flying cabbage. Continue reading →

While this winter hasn’t produced record snowfalls so far, January accidents are on track to set a record in West Fargo, sending local body shops into overdrive. Continue reading →

U.S. drivers could be warming to the idea of letting their car drive for them, according to a new survey released by the American Automobile Association, but a majority still reported having serious doubts about using or sharing the road with the technology. Continue reading →

Auto repair shops across Ottawa have been inundated with broken windshields in the wake of this week’s freezing rain. Continue reading →

Auto manufacturers displayed their best and brightest technology, ranging from long-range EVs to autonomous vehicle systems to concept cars with artificial intelligence, at the 2018 North American International Auto Show. Continue reading →

Tech companies and auto companies are all racing to be the first to roll out self-driving cars onto the road. Continue reading →

SELMA – It’s been nearly four decades since Kerry Daniel first stepped into the large, silver metal warehouse at 2044 Third St. in Selma. Continue reading →

Aaron Dunifon was driving his family of four home to Ohio from vacation last June in their 2015 Honda Odyssey when they were surprised by a loud “pop.” The sunroof glass had shattered for no apparent reason, Dunifon says. Although nobody was hurt, it was alarming. Continue reading →

DETROIT — For safety advocates, the promise of expedited accident-prevention technology doesn’t justify relaxed standards. Continue reading →

Several days of icy conditions across the Brazos Valley is taking a toll on our cars. Continue reading →

“According to Statista.com, 9.3 million people read the New York Times every day.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

For many organizations, modernizing legacy IT is an essential first step toward digital transformation. Continue reading →

The glass most people deal with every day—as cups, jars, windows, and lightbulbs—shatters easily. But not all glass is fragile. Some types, like the bulletproof stuff produced for windows used in banks, embassies, and head-of-state limousines, are downright tough. Continue reading →

John Stanley Dawson, Jr., 82, of Rochelle and his wife, Margaret Anne Estes Dawson, both passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018, in an automobile accident in Rochelle, Va. Continue reading →

“I’m sure that many of you have noticed that there has been a higher number of noise complaints recently. Have you ever wondered why? The answer is exposed edge glass mounting. Since the popularity of exposed edge glass mounting came into being with the Saint Gobain’s Pre-Applied Adhesive System (PAAS), many other vehicle manufacturers have noticed the benefits of its design.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

MORAINE, Ohio (WDTN) — Workers at Fuyao Glass America spent a few minutes in the cold early Tuesday morning. Continue reading →

Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao on Wednesday announced the U.S. DOT is seeking public input on policies to hasten the deployment of self-driving trucks, buses and passenger cars, including vehicles that require no human input to operate. Continue reading →

For the most part, digital technology is all about dumping things that move. Continue reading →

“Since I started my career in the auto glass business, I have seen some serious changes over the years. Some of them we might label as good and others as bad. However, what do those definitions really mean?” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

With 125,000 residents, over 54,000 homes, 32 square miles, 750 miles of road, and three distinct downtowns, The Villages in Florida is one of the largest retirement communities in the US. And starting soon, it will have another distinction to brag about: a fleet of robot taxis. Continue reading →

BLACK cabbies will have hi-tech cameras fitted to their taxis to create a virtual roadmap. Continue reading →

Assignment of benefits (AOB) abuse and outlawing texting while driving should be top priorities for the 2018 Florida State Legislature, according to the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI). Continue reading →

Rolls-Royce may offer a starlit headliner, but Harman is showing off a roof with different digital displays to match your mood. This is just one feature that the company is debuting at the Consumer Electronics Show this week. Continue reading →

It’s tough to pull meaning from the crush and cacophony of CES, the sprawling tech extravaganza that’s curiously well-suited to the sensory overload experience that is Las Vegas. But here’s a big takeaway from the 2018 edition: the future of mobility has left the “gee, wouldn’t it be cool if…” phase. It’s now firmly in the “here’s how it starts” mode. Continue reading →

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Japanese automakers Toyota and Mazda on Wednesday announced plans to build a huge, $1.6 billion joint-venture plant in Alabama that will eventually employ about 4,000 people. Continue reading →

Sika AG (SIK.EB) said Tuesday that its sales increased in 2017 and that it expects “disproportionately high” profit growth for the whole year. Continue reading →

RANDOLPH COUNTY, W.Va. – West Virginia State Police have identified the two people involved in the apparent murder-suicide in Elkins Monday as Ricky Cooper, 36, of Randolph County, and Savanah Bays, 23, of Taylor County. Continue reading →

LAS VEGAS — The new smart electronic gadgets on display at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas may help drive you into an increasingly connected future.
Other features include tiny cameras instead of side view mirrors, and seats that swivel to give the car a lounge-like feeling.
Continue reading →

NEW DELHI: Dreamliner windshield cracks are back to haunt Air India. An AI Boeing 787 had to return to Delhi soon after taking off for Kolkata on Tuesday after the windshield cracked. Continue reading →

The automotive market is constantly evolving to keep up with consumer demands as well as government regulations. In addition, major automakers are competing for business globally. These factors create an environment for innovation, driving the latest industry trends in connected and autonomous vehicles. Continue reading →

Safety gadgets mounted on today’s slick new vehicles are creating headaches for insurers when it comes to the severity of auto insurance physical damage claims. Continue reading →

Most cars that we test come with excellent lighting, many with one of my favourite new pieces of technology: adaptive full beam. So I didn’t expect to find the Edge’s headlights so poor. With the clocks going back and my daily commute taking me through the darkness of the New Forest and all its wild ponies, good headlights are important and, well, the Edge’s just don’t cut it. Continue reading →

DETROIT — Japanese air bag maker Takata is recalling an additional 3.3 million faulty air bag inflators as it expands the largest automotive recall in U.S. history. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the phased recalls began in May 2016 stemming from previous Takata air bag incidents, and will continue through December 2019. Continue reading →

“As we start 2018, I thought I’d make the word “leader” simple to remember what it really means.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

RANDOLPH COUNTY, W.Va. – According to West Virginia State Police, the bodies found at Novus Glass in Randolph County belonged to a male employee and a female that he was believed to have been in a relationship with. Continue reading →

UBI creates chance for insurers to partner with automakers Lots of new cars now come equipped with connected features or advanced driver-assisted systems (ADAS) – and this is changing the way auto insurers handle policies. Continue reading →

Auto safety organization, Consumer Watchdog, says self-driving car companies are taking advantage of the government’s hands-off approach to matters of safety by failing to provide reports about the safety of the technology. Continue reading →

“It’s the end of the year and most of us have already dealt with Christmas wish lists from our friends and family. I thought I would make a New Year’s wish list for our industry.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

The “Red Eagle Head” logo placed on original automotive glass, along with other related products, has been a symbol of an enduring brand for more than 65 years now. Continue reading →

Auto insurance is experiencing its most seismic shift since it began over 100 years ago. If 2017 shook up the industry with an increasing number of carriers adopting mobile telematics programs for UBI, 2018 will break the mold. Continue reading →

PUNTA GORDA, Fla. – Anthony Freeman loves his car; a scarlet Lincoln MKZ. He’s had it since 2008 and up until now, he didn’t have any problems. Three years ago he got a notice in the mail telling him he needed a defective part replaced on his passenger airbag. Continue reading →

CARSTAR Collision & Glass Service has added Brampton West to its North American network. The network’s second Brampton location is owned in partnership with John and Diana Vella and Frank Sottile. Sottile, who also owns CARSTAR Brampton, is an industry veteran with more than 30 years of collision repair experience and is also deeply involved in his community. Continue reading →

The Department of Labor released a proposed rule to allow workers to band together to receive health insurance. Continue reading →

Aimee Roy thought she was under attack.
The Toronto woman was driving past the Yorkdale Shopping Mall along Highway 401 on Boxing Day with her husband and two dogs when it happened.
Continue reading →

HARTFORD, CT — In this brutally cold weather, cranking the heat in the car is something we all do, but you could cause some damage to the windshield if you’re not careful. Continue reading →

“Does your company provide customers with amazing reporting that presents them actionable or unique information derived from your analysis of their data? If you don’t you’re missing a great opportunity to highlight the value that your organization can bring by presenting data they either haven’t thought about or don’t access to help improve performance.” -David Rohlfing Continue reading →

OSHA is beginning the New Year with higher penalties. Effective today, civil penalties for violations of OSHA standards and regulations increased to adjust for inflation. Continue reading →

General Motors has been granted a US patent for an exterior airbag designed to protect pedestrians during a crash.
The airbag pops out of the A-pillar and covers the windshield. It is expelled from a fender flap to cushion the windshield wipers and other sharp pieces toward the front of the vehicle, Automotive News reported.
Continue reading →

Compared to even just 10 years ago, modern automobiles are ludicrously, unbelievably safe. With a slew of new safety technologies, both passive and active, higher crash standards, and advanced airbag systems covering just about possible impact angle, your odds of walking away from a crash are pretty good these days. Continue reading →

Even though headlights have evolved from uniform circles illuminating the roadway in largely the same way to diverse units that look and function very differently, their overall performance has improved immensely. Nobody is going to jump from a 1955 DeSoto to a 2018 Dodge and think “Wow, these headlamps are just terrible.” Continue reading →

On November 3, 2007, six vehicles made history by successfully navigating a simulated urban environment—and complying with California traffic laws—without a driver behind the wheel. Five of the six were sporting a revolutionary new type of lidar sensor that had recently been introduced by an audio equipment maker called Velodyne. Continue reading →

“Do you want to have an amazing year?” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

The manufacturer of automotive glazing and auxiliary components AGC Automotive Czech will invest approximately CZK 350m in the year 2018, in automation and robotisation of production, modernisation of windscreen production and further improvement of the social background for employees. Continue reading →

Automobile Insurance as an industry works on traditional methods. These methods are tried, tested and used by multiple insurers. They eventually get the same result – Time-consuming claim settlement process and fraudulent claims! Low levels of accuracy and manual processes are the main culprits for an automobile insurer. In this article let’s understand how IoT will transform Auto Insurance Industry for the better. Continue reading →

INDIANAPOLIS — During the first week in December, I took my ninth trip of the year to Indianapolis, where I’d been following a group of steelworkers at the Rexnord bearing plant whose jobs were moving to Monterrey, Mexico. This was a chance to check in on how they’ve been doing since the factory closed. Continue reading →

“Good Leadership is all about consistency. This brings up the question: How consistent are you? Do your people feel you are consistent? What I’ve learned over the years is that if you aren’t consistent as a leader, you really aren’t a good leader.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

Fuyao Glass America paid $747,410 to an Oklahoma-based consulting firm that boasts of helping companies in the art of “union avoidance,” according to a document filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Continue reading →

Guaranty Glass and Mirror Co. of Spencer has promoted Eric Bryant to vice president, the company reported.
Guaranty Glass was founded in 1993 and is a full-service glass shop specializing in commercial storefronts, glass repair, auto glass installation and custom shower enclosures.
Continue reading →

It’s not the gift anyone wanted this Christmas: shattered glass.
The work has been constant at Safe Auto Glass on South 27th Street. It’s waiting room became a holiday gathering space for the Kniep sisters. The younger – Kathryn – was staying downtown with her older sister Tara.
Continue reading →

Auto sales for new vehicles in Bell County are down around 1,500 compared to last year’s sales numbers, and the dip in sales fits with the current nationwide trend. Continue reading →

The Sunrise-based parent of Federated National Insurance — a top 5 Florida property and casualty insurer — announced plans to drop its auto insurance line next year and to sell $25 million in debt to finance purchase of a majority stake in Monarch National Insurance Co. from its equity partners. Continue reading →

The president of the United Auto Workers reassured the rank and file — and the public at large — on Wednesday that a recent scandal at the Fiat Chrysler-United Auto Workers joint training center was a one-off case and not an indictment of the union’s credibility. Continue reading →

Honda’s advanced driver assistance systems require calibration after many everyday collision repair procedures, including some instances you might not have realized. Continue reading →

Gov. Bruce Rauner was making his case in a radio interview last week about the need for a better business climate in Illinois, but an example he used was at odds with his own visit to Normal last spring. Continue reading →

A driver killed in a crash in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on July 10 was the victim of a faulty Takata airbag, Honda has confirmed. Continue reading →

Tracy: Crash Test of 2013 Honda Fit with Aftermarket Parts ‘Monumental’

A Franklin County businessman has been accepting donations for a family that lost everything in a recent fire.
Daniel Hanks, owner of Daniel’s Auto Glass in the Bassett area, heard about a family who lost everything in a fire through Facebook and immediately wanted to help.
Continue reading →

To Dallas lawyer Todd Tracy, a $42 million jury verdict for substandard repair work on a 2010 Honda Fit should sound a clarion call to dealerships, insurers and automakers. Continue reading →

“I saw that high-end vehicles were not getting repaired the way that I thought they could be repaired back to OEM manufacturers’ standards,” said Lake. “There was a big gap between a quality repair and a non-quality repair going on in the industry.” Continue reading →

Todd Kendhammer faces a life sentence after a jury convicted him of murdering his wife last year.
The evidence shows that Kendhammer inflicted Barb’s head injuries outside the car on Bergum Coulee Road, took the pipe from the trunk of the car and drove it into the windshield while Barb was on the ground, dying. In the minutes before emergency responders arrived, a passerby on Bergum Coulee Road saw the Camry in the ditch, its windshield intact, while Kendhammer was smothering his wife in the ditch, Gruenke said.
Continue reading →

As we head into 2018, glassBYTEs.com and AGRR™ magazine would like to leave you with some laughter. Check out our team’s annual holiday tradition—the never-before seen outtakes of 2017. Continue reading →

“This week is the 50th anniversary of my father’s death.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

Fuyao Glass America has created a relief fund for employees, making available grants of up to $3,000 to employees who find themselves in need due to sudden emergencies. Continue reading →

WISCONSIN RAPIDS – Horse-drawn vehicles would need windshields, seat belts, child car seats and rear-view mirrors if the Wood County Board passes an ordinance it will consider Tuesday. Continue reading →

Richard (Rick) Montani has been named President and CEO of Sika Corporation (USA), effective January 1, 2018. A veteran leader for Sika for over 29 years in the United States, Rick has played a decisive role in the development of Sika’s Construction materials business over his distinguished career with the company. Continue reading →

Acknowledging the size of the open, flat space necessary for a proper ADAS recalibration, a Honda collision expert said Thursday the OEM was “looking at solutions” to the issue. Continue reading →

It’s been awhile since we heard anything about Volvo’s audacious experiment to deliver 100 self-driving cars to regular people in Sweden for testing. The program, called Drive Me, was supposed to kick off in 2017, but now the company says it’s pushing the date to 2021. Moreover, Volvo is scaling back the number of cars involved, according to Automotive News. Continue reading →

Hyundai and Kia are recalling a total of approximately half a million compact cars over a brake light issue. Specifically, the recall affects 363,932 Hyundai Elantras from model years 2013-2014 and 134,366 Kia Fortes (Koup variety included) from model years 2012-2014. Continue reading →

Ryds Bilglas is one of the leading vehicle glass repair and replacement companies in Sweden and is also active in the Norwegian market. The company was founded in Sundsvall, Sweden by the Ryd family in 1947, has annual revenues of c. SEK 700 mn and has more than 100 workshops with over 350 employees. The market for vehicle glass repair and replacement is attractive and growing. Ryds Bilglas holds a strong market position in Sweden, with a robust platform catering for high customer satisfaction. Nordic Capital will support the Company’s continued growth strategy through further investments to strengthen its commercial excellence work, operational improvements and initiatives in digitalisation. Continue reading →

The epochal era of owning and driving an automobile — more than a century old — is about to get smaller and smaller in America’s rearview mirror and, eventually, fade into a new era of mobility.
Unfortunately, if you’re making auto glass, body paint or metal stampings, you might be out of a job. The same holds true for many mechanics, unfortunately, because cars in the future will consist, essentially, of a battery on a chassis with some modular add-ons. No need will exist for expensive engine maintenance and transmission repairs.
Continue reading →

An electrician was yesterday fined $75,000 after pleading guilty to damaging a windscreen. Continue reading →

HOUSTON — Patricia Jones loves her truck.
“That’s my favorite car of all of the cars I’ve had,” she said of the bright red Ford F-150 parked in her driveway.
Continue reading →

Ontario has released a plan to make automobile insurance more affordable by addressing fraud and providing better access to care, but observers say there needs to be some fundamental changes in the system to ensure it works to maximize the benefit for all consumers. Continue reading →

General Motors CEO and chairwoman Mary Barra believes that even with the move to ride-sharing and mobility services, there’s still a future for driver-owned vehicles. Speaking at an Automotive Press Association event in Detroit, Barra said that there isn’t an industry that technology isn’t disrupting and that dealers need to adapt to changes happening in the automotive sector. However, driver-owned models will be still be the core part of GM’s business in the near future despite the growth of ride-sharing. Continue reading →

A 10-year-old boy at a school in Okinawa was slightly injured when a transport helicopter from a nearby U.S. Marine Corps base lost a windshield as it flew overhead. Continue reading →

NANAIMO — It was an extraordinary ending to a standard break-in for a Nanaimo woman after her car was robbed outside her downtown home.
Responding officers decided to cover the cost of her window’s deductible, while Speedy Auto Glass waived all remaining fees after hearing her story. Officers also bought the inspiring mom a turkey with fixings and gifts for her son.
Continue reading →

Cadillac SRX dim headlights allegedly cause drivers to fear driving at night, so says a proposed class-action lawsuit filed in Florida. Continue reading →

Starting in 2016, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety began testing headlights and incorporating their performance into the coveted Top Safety Pick ratings. Headlight performance coined Good or Acceptable was required to even be a contender for Top Safety Pick+, the highest rating IIHS awards. Numerous cars lost out on the top rating due to headlight performance alone. While Good or Acceptable headlights used to be enough for the top slot, only cars with Good headlights are eligible in 2018 models. This, plus the addition of a passenger-side small offset frontal crash test, dwindled the Top Safety Pick+ list to just 15. Continue reading →

“As a young boy my parents drilled something in my head that has stayed with me forever—the phrase, ‘Your word is your bond.’ Of course, I had no idea what that meant in the 1960s, but, as I got older, I could still hear their words.” –Mark Liston Continue reading →

Aguila Glass, a brand which has carved itself into a household auto glass name, caps its 65th anniversary year with the opening of their 25th outlet along Rizal Avenue in Olongapo City, Zambales. Continue reading →

The glass fracture pattern on Todd Kendhammer’s windshield revealed that an object struck the exterior of the glass before a pipe broke through, shattering his version of the freak car crash he said killed his wife, according to testimony Friday in his trial. Continue reading →

Photo estimating has spiked from 0.9 percent of estimates in 2016 to 3.9 percent of the market by Sept. 31, CCC reported in the information provider’s latest industry trends video. Continue reading →

Recall compliance rates quadrupled this year in Vermont and nearly doubled in the District of Columbia after they started listing unrepaired defects on residents’ annual vehicle inspection reports, a study commissioned by American Honda found. Continue reading →

“At Thanksgiving this year, I began to think of what I was thankful for as an auto glass professional. It wasn’t easy. I read and contribute to a lot of auto glass forums and discussion groups, and frankly, they are sometimes pretty demoralizing. But then I began to really look at my profession and came up with a few things I like about it.” –Bob Beranek Continue reading →

Shawn Saban has been operating Auto Correct since April 2014. His business focuses on keeping vehicles looking sharp with upholstery repair, detailing, repairing windshield chips, fixing scratches in the paint and a host of other services that could help maintain the value of residents’ vehicles. Continue reading →

Only fifteen 2018 vehicles qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ award from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, after the requirements were strengthened to include good-rated headlights and good or acceptable passenger-side protection in front crashes. Continue reading →

Drive with Belron, powered by investor and innovation partner L Marks, is back, launching a ten-week startup accelerator running from 30 April to 10 July 2018. Belron and L Marks will make available a fund of £200,000 to invest in winning startups. Continue reading →