Toyota has announced it will start leasing plug-ins in U.S., Japan, and Europe by the end of the year.  This will also be the company's first use of lithium-ion batteries in the plug-ins, with current Toyota hybrid using nickel-metal hydride batteries.

Washington, D.C.--The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and its affiliate, the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA), have submitted a formal plan to the U.S. Department of the Treasury that outlines immediate actions needed to stabilize the increasingly deteriorating situation in the country’s supply base.

Bethesda, Md.--Vehicle owners should not become stressed out over where they will get service and repair if their local new car dealership closes, advised the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). 

Madison, Ind.--As thousands of car dealerships across the United States close, their vehicle service equipment—including vehicle lifts—is being liquidated. 

Dallas--As the industry’s educational leaders, NACE and CARS have developed an expanded 2009 conference program delivering a total of 84 sessions (or 138 hours) of compelling and relevant education focused on today’s industry professionals, all for the same cost as 2008. 

Bethesda, Md.--The International Academy of the Visual Arts (IAVA) has recognized the Car Care Council for creative excellence in communications from among 7,000 entries around the world in its 15th Annual Communicator Awards competition. 

Scottsdale, Ariz.--The top supply chain innovation award by AMR Research goes to a groundbreaking partnership and automated technology based service solution called the Total EDI (Electronic Data Interchange) Solution. 

Editor’s note: Tim Zilke, president and CEO of the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), speaks to the automotive industry in this open letter.

Following months of contentious debate, Congress passed ‘cash for clunkers’ legislation which President Obama then signed into law. The new law includes two SEMA provisions to help lessen the program’s potential impact on the automotive aftermarket and collectors.

Research Triangle Park, N.C. – Fuel pump makers in the USA say unnecessary returns are costing millions in part returns.

Chicago— Mainstream media coverage of GM and Chrysler bankruptcies and subsequent dealership closures paint a picture of doom and gloom, but for industry veterans and others in the know, there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Gilberts, Ill.--Induction heating technology has been around for decades, but it was only in the late 1990s that Tom Gough said he figured out how to use it to improve his efficiency as an autobody technician.

San Diego--Marc Brungger said he believes the nation’s economic downturn will only accelerate a trend he’d been seeing: the collision repair industry becoming “hour-glass-shaped.”

Torrance, Calif.--Back 40 years ago, when Mel Marks founded the company now known as Motorcar Parts of America, he sold parts to the K-marts of the world, said Motorcar's current president and CEO, Selwyn Joffe.