In Brief #2

Towing scam continues
Smash repairers should stay on alert for any requests to send on money from a credit card transaction, as the towing scammers continue to target the automotive repair industry. (See the July/Aug issue or our story on www.paintandpanel.com.au for scam details.)
 
Five by five at ANCAP
Star-studded results emerged from five new vehicles gaining the maximum five stars in the latest round of ANCAP crash testing. The Rukus was resubmitted and gained the extra star following a successful pole test. The Accent performed exceptionally well, as did the Volvo V60. Lexus CT200 and Peugeot 508 also delivered five-star performance.

BMW price cuts
BMW Australia announced a 10 per cent reduction on the price of  fast-moving genuine BMW parts, with a focus on minor accident repair parts. The price reduction is available on the range of BMW bonnets, fenders, front and rear bumpers and headlamps.

30 per cent reduction in vehicle platforms by 2020
The key 12 global auto OEM groups are
expected to reduce their platforms from 223 in 2010 to 154 by 2020, reveals news analysis by global consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.

Uk speed cameras cause accidents
Many speed cameras have not cut accident rates and may even have increased them,
recent figures reveal.

Statistics published by the Department for Transport show many cameras have done little or nothing  to improve accident rates, but have proved highly effective in clocking up speeding fines.

Examples given included a speed camera that was erected on the A329 in Little Milton, Oxfordshire in 1997 despite there being no collisions or casualties for five years. Over the next five years there were five collisions and 10 casualties. In 2009, the camera caught just over 3600 drivers breaking the 30mph limit.