CITY OF INDUSTRY, CA -- Pilot Automotive has acquired the inventory and intellectual property of automotive accessories and performance company American Products Company (APC) of Corona, CA. It was reported earlier this year that APC was going out of business, at the time, aftermarketNews was unable to confirm these reports with the company.

Established in 1983, Pilot Automotive Inc./Wang's International supplies and distributes car and truck accessories, import performance accessories, lighting products and wiper blades to retail automotive chains, mass merchandisers, warehouse distributors and specialty markets.

Pilot Automotive COO Mitch Williams noted that “APC enjoys some of the strongest consumer brand recognition in the history of the specialty equipment industry. With the market positioning and capabilities that Pilot has, this was a natural acquisition for us.”

Williams added that APC is a great fit with Pilot’s other brands.

“This acquisition will allow Pilot to expand its product range and market coverage and allow APC to focus on the promotion of the APC brand. The focus of the APC brand will be on legally compliant, high quality products and outstanding service levels,” said Williams. “Pilot is known for excellent service levels, so APC customers are going to really enjoy the new APC brand.”

As part of the acquisition agreement, all existing Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable responsibilities will remain with APC.