Tough economy: Auto repair shops seeing major slowdown
Something's amiss at B & J Auto Repair on Marriott Drive. As owner Jim Fox sees it, the slowing economy ought to be keeping his employees busy fixing the cars of people who can't afford a new vehicle. But that's not happening. "Why isn't my place filled?" he asked.

Raha Auto Assistance participates at Milipol 2008
Raha Auto Assistance, Qatar's first 24-hour on-the-spot repair and recover service, welcomed VIP visitors to its hi-tech stand at the 7th Milipol Qatar 2008 exhibition at the Qatar International Exhibition Center this week.

Motorists steer into repair shops
With auto sales slowed to a trickle and the economy in the tank, many auto-repair shops are cashing in.

Reliable Auto Glass Celebrates 7 Year Anniversary
Reliable Auto Glass Repair celebrates 7 years of repairing windshield rock chips throughout Phoenix Arizona and surrounding areas. [PR.com - November 21, 2008]

Automotive Q&A: Repair shop services you don't need
Q. I just saw an expose on a quick-lube place trying to sell engine flushing and fuel injector cleaning, saying it was a factory-required service, which it wasn't. It was also startling to see this person's engine destroyed because of the engine flush they had done. What is your take on this? Are these ever a good idea? How can I know what my car really needs? read more

Major Minnesota auto retailer Denny Hecker to close 6 dealerships, sell 3 others
WCCO-TV reported Friday night that 400 employees of the Denny Hecker Automotive Group are going to be out of a job. The company said the sour economy and the crisis in the auto industry are forcing its hand.

Auto mechanics reap bounty of downturn
The gloom of an economic recession is turning into a potential boom for the automotive-repair business.

AUTO REPAIR SHOPS SEEING BUSINESS UPTICK IN SLUMP: Owners spend to keep their cars running
DALLAS ? Ken Kirkpartrick's business differs from many these days. His auto shop is actually making money. Car repair companies across the country are reaping the benefits of a scaled-down economy as people patch up aging vehicles instead of splurging on newer ones.

Auto-industry turmoil has new-car dealers shifting focus
Dust rises daily from Prestige Ford in Garland, grit that doesn't quite fit this spare era.In the worst new-car market in 25 years ? and at a time when most car dealers are cutting way back ? Prestige owner Randall Reed is spending $6 million to extensively remodel a portion of his dealership and convert his former new-car operation to a used-car superstore.

Ontario mayors, auto dealers call for federal help
A group of Ontario mayors as well as the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association added their names to a growing list of those pressuring Ottawa to move quickly to help the auto industry or risk a nationwide crisis.

Chrome thrills at the L.A. Auto Show
Harbor City's Boss Hoss Motorcycles roars to the The Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. RELATED LINKS: » Jetta TDI diesel named 'Green Car of the Year' » Unsold cars pile up at Port LOCAL: » Honda, Toyota want Big 3 saved

GE Money, Volvo to offer financing for auto maintenance
GE Money and Volvo Cars of North America have signed a multi-year agreement to provide consumer financing on service, parts and accessories to Volvo customers through their retail dealer network.

Anderson named to Better Business Bureau board of directors
The Better Business Bureau that serves the eight-counties of Southeast Texas and the Bolivar Peninsula, has announced 10 members of its board of directors who were recently elected by BBB Accredited Businesses. Each will serve a three-year term from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2011.

Chrome thrills at the L.A. Auto Show
Harbor City's Boss Hoss Motorcycles roars to the The Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. RELATED LINKS: » Jetta TDI diesel named 'Green Car of the Year' JOHN BOGERT: » Auto Show oozes luxury as Big 3 tank BUSINESS CASUAL: » Auto Show is powered by fantasy » Unsold cars pile up at Port LOCAL: » Honda, Toyota want Big 3 saved » BLOG: South Bay business news

PMB: Crunch hits vehicle servicing industry
MOTOR vehicle repair and maintenance businesses in Pietermaritzburg have taken a tremendous knock this year as motorists have increasingly opted to ?stretch? their service interval periods.

Wheels and deals
Car sales across the country have been declining for the past couple of years. It's part of a cycle, say Alamance County auto dealers. But the current economic situation, coupled with the ailing domestic automakers industry, is expected to affect sales even more.

Mechanics driving smoothly over rough economic road
FORT COLLINS - With more and more people choosing to fix their old cars rather than buy a new one, the auto repair business appears to be thriving despite the general economic woes.

Investigators find body at north Spokane auto body shop
SPOKANE, Wash. - Spokane fire dispatch has confirmed crews have found a body inside a north Spokane auto body shop that caught fire early Wednesday morning. Spokane fire investigators are looking into the cause of that fire in Empire Auto Body, an auto repair shop at the corner of Market and Gordon.

Owner says Miller Auto Center is not for sale
Miller Auto Center co-owner Jim Oliver on Wednesday refuted rumors that he's selling his downtown Redding dealership. The recession has prompted Oliver to think about downsizing, which might lead some to assume he's getting out of the car business, he said. "I'm not going out of business. I have four kids; I still have to sell cars," Oliver said while sitting in his office. Last month, ...

Economic woes drive business to car repair companies
Car repair companies across the country are reaping the benefits of a scaled-down economy as people opt to patch up aging vehicles instead of splurging on newer ones.