Editor’s Note: Our weekly wrap-up for the Week of Nov. 24, was delayed due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. Below is our recap of the top news items from the previous week.
Automakers were expected to come back to Congress today with more detailed plans on how they would be more accountable in their business practices if the government was to provide funds to finance their recovery. Last week, the top story on aftermarketNews outlined the requirements the government specified that the automakers must meet. Speaker of the House Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Majority Leader Senator Harry Reid, (D-Nev.), sent a letter to the executives of the big three automakers on Nov. 21 outlining the items that must be included in their request to Congress for economic assistance. Congress is expected to vote on the bill Dec. 8.
In related news, General Motors announced last week that it has ended its nine-year endorsement deal with pro golfer Tiger Woods. The automaker cancelled the deal, which officially ends Dec. 31, in order to reserve funds needed to stay afloat as it awaits word on the government bailout.
In conjunction with Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week, a number of aftermarket association and companies use this time of year to recognize special individuals and outstanding business partners. The Performance Warehouse Association (PWA) recently recognized two individuals and one business during special award presentations. PWA presented Person of the Year, Manufacturer of the Year and Pioneer of the Year awards earlier this month.
Timken’s Automotive Aftermarket group also announced the recipients of its 2008 Manufacturers’ Representative Awards. The winners were honored during their sales representative meeting, which took place earlier this month at the Sands Expo Center during AAPEX. At the meeting, 11 sales reps from seven manufacturer’s rep firms joined Timken’s Million Dollar Sales Club.
The last item in our review of the top five most popular news stories from the week announced that Zep Inc. will bring its commercial grade automotive maintenance products to the aftermarket. The first product to be available to DIY consumers and professionals alike will be Zep Commercial UltraPurple Concentrated Degreaser. The product will be available at major automotive aftermarket retailers starting in Spring 2009.
