More news on the News page plus all stories appear in full on the ABP Club member forum

USA - Hybrid Cars: Are They Too Fragile?

The question came up following a colleague's fender bender in a Honda Insight hybrid. What seemed like a minor bump left the car undrivable and crumpled to the tune of several thousand dollars of repair work. So are hybrid cars more susceptible to damage than conventional models?
...Full article on members' forum

Quinn Insurance post €788.4m loss

Quinn Insurance recorded a deficit of €788.4 million in unaudited accounts for 2009 that have been provided to the Financial Regulator.
...Full article on members' forum

Fund managers act more cautiously

The latest findings from Defaqto suggest that fund managers are acting more cautiously than 12 months ago because of growing fears of a double-dip recession.
...Full article on members' forum

Selsia - launch SameDay®; one-day accident repair service

Leading accident repair network, Selsia Vehicle Accident Centres is reducing key to key times with the launch of SameDay®, its menu priced one day accident repair service....Full article on members' forum

Petrol prices 50% up since year 2000 protests

This week marks a decade since the blockades at oil refineries that halted supplies to forecourts and led to panic buying across the country.
...Full article on members' forum

Babcock demonstrates commitment to training and ATA accreditation

As part of Babcock Group's continued development in the area of automotive training and accreditation, the company has recently gained ATA Centre Approval for Senior MET.
...Full article on members' forum

Innovation Group (motorcare) - sign 5 year deal with Enterprise

The Innovation Group plc, a global provider of business process outsourcing and technology solutions to the insurance, fleet and automotive industries, is pleased to announce a five year contract with Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the world's largest car rental specialist. ...Full article on members' forum

Minden Systems have FREE tickets for Automechanika

Following the success of exhibiting at the Automechanika show In Moscow 2 weeks ago, Minden is packing their bags and off to Frankfurt again this weekend.
...Full article on members' forum

Minden Systems appoints new Business Development Manager

Minden Systems, the UK Manufacturer of Dust Extraction Solutions, has appointed a new Business Development Manager - Guy Starcevic.
...Full article on members' forum

3M - launch Rapid Repair Solutions Programme

3M has consolidated its offering for companies offering SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair) and Local Area Repair (LAR) services on vehicle bodywork.
The 3M Rapid Repair Solutions Programme aims to support quality repairs and enhance operational efficiency by helping users get the best out of 3M's range of innovative, purpose-built products in both of these areas of repair....Full article on members' forum

Automechanika Frankfurt - more paint companies than ever are taking part

More paint manufacturers than ever before are taking part in Automechanika Frankfurt, which opens its doors for 6 days beginning on Tuesday 14 September.
The idea of spotlighting the paint and bodywork section in the high-grade setting of the new Hall 11 has been given a warm reception by the sector...Full article on members' forum

USA - Solera (Audatex) and ceo Tony Aquila each give $50,000 to I-CAR Education Foundation

Solera Holdings,today announced a $100,000 combined cash contribution to the I-CAR Education Foundation, a not-for-profit organization and industry-leading foundation that provides support to secondary and post-secondary technical schools' collision programs and their students.
This $100,000 contribution, comprised of a $50,000 donation from Solera and a matching personal $50,000 donation from Solera's founder and CEO Tony Aquila, is the largest cash donation ever received by the not-for-profit organization. ...Full article on members' forum

LV - strong performance in first half of year; profits up significantly

Mutual insurance, retirement and investment group LV= has announced a strong performance in the six months ending 30 June 2010 with sales and trading profits significantly up on the same period of 2009
General insurance GWP (Gross Written Premiums) up 37% to £546.4m (H1 2009: £397.5m).
LV= now fourth biggest private car insurer (according to FSA returns 2009)....Full article on members' forum

Fix Auto appoints Operations Advisor

Following a substantial increase in applications from prospective bodyshop franchisees, Fix Auto (UK) has announced the appointment of Jim Thomas as Operations Advisor.
...Full article on members' forum

AW Repair Group champions customer experience

Behaviour breeds behaviour was the topic of discussion at AW Repair Group's recent customer service training day....Full article on members' forum

Aon UK Warns Car Rental Companies on Upswing in 'Crash for Cash' Claims

A bulletin from Aon UK, notes that Britain's Insurance Fraud Bureau "has claimed that "crash for cash" schemes, in which car accidents are staged in order to claim on another drivers' insurance, are at an all time high."...Full article on members' forum

Merseyside police pay out £200,000 to repair crashed cars

Merseyside Police paid out more than £200,000 last year to repair collision damage caused by crashing police cars....Full article on members' forum

New car registrations fall 17.5% in August

Registrations fell 17.5% in August to 55,305 units compared with scrappage-fuelled 2009. Decline marks second consecutive fall, a pattern expected to continue through to year end. Volumes, however, are up 13.2% to date against last year, at 1,300,413 units....Full article on members' forum

ABP Club 5th Annual Golf Day - Final call - book your places please!

Bookings are now well under way for the The ABP Club fifth annual industry Social Golf Day . We now have 19 teams ready to compete at Bicester Hotel Golf and Spa, Chesterton, Bicester, Oxfordshire on Thursday 30th September 2010....Full article on members' forum

Swinton Commercial warns on Insurance Fraud hotspots

Swinton Commercial is warning van drivers and fleet managers to be aware of 'crash for cash' scams after the Insurance Fraud Bureau identified the top 10 hotspots for these incidents.
...Full article on members' forum

ABP Club continues to grow In 2009 it had 9.29 million hits, with 379,000 visits, viewing 2.38 million pages - a 35% increase on 2008

ABP Club website - another record year in 2009 for the Forum with 9,670 messages posted; 7,230 member messages and 2,440 news items

Crash horror - public beware!
Channel 5 warn motoring public of the potentially fatal pitfalls of second hand car purchasing. see the video here