Our weekly recap of top industry news begins with public statements from two of the industry’s top associations in response to news that the U.S. has requested dispute settlement consultations with the Government of China concerning China’s auto and auto parts "export base" subsidy program. Click here to read what AAIA and MEMA have to say on this issue.
Meanwhile, the University of the Aftermarket announced the wrap-up of its Fall Leadership 2.0 class. Leadership 2.0 is a two-week, residential education program designed to develop the leadership and business skills of the next generation of visionary aftermarket professionals. Session I, which concluded last Friday, is held at the Sloan Family Building for Aftermarket Studies on Northwood University’s Midland, Mich., campus. Session II will take place in April 2013 on Northwood’s campus in West Palm Beach, Fla.
In other top news this week, AutoZone reported net sales of $2.8 billion for its fourth quarter (16 weeks) ended Aug. 25, 2012, an increase of 4.6 percent from the fourth quarter of fiscal 2011 (16 weeks). For the fiscal year ended Aug. 25, 2012, sales were $8.6 billion, an increase of 6.6 percent from the prior year.
The looming technician shortage was under the national media spotlight this past week, featured in an article in USA Today. The story delves into young peoples’ growing preference to reach out to their friends via social networks as an alternative to driving to meet with friends in person. The newspaper quotes Tony Molla, vice president the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE), as saying, "Automobiles were our social network. Today’s kids are using more electronics to do the same thing."
Last in our round-up of the most-read news on AMN is the announcement of a new brake parts advertising campaign from Bosch aimed at technicians. Focusing on “the gut” – an individual’s judgment or assessment based on instinct, experience and technical know-how – the campaign stresses “The gut knows serious brake pads and rotors when it sees them.” Print ads will highlight the fact that Bosch QuietCast is an ultra-quiet braking system, combining pads fitted with rubber-core shims and rotors that utilize corrosion resistant coating for long-lasting, quiet performance, Bosch says.
