Goodyear Assurance Merchandising Displays Win Honors
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has been recognized for the creative merchandising and selling tools developed to support its new line of Assurance auto tires. The honors were handed out at the POP (Point-of-Purchase) Show, which focuses on the best in-store marketing ideas used in all varieties of retail outlets, including grocery chains, convenience stores, apparel and durable goods retailers. Three Goodyear Assurance items were honored with awards at the show.
WIX Launches Carbon Monoxide Cabin Air Filtration System in NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
WIX Filters has launched its carbon monoxide cabin air filtration system into the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. After a successful start last season in the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series with the Joe Gibbs Racing team, the WIX Filters U.S. patent pending carbon monoxide cabin air filtration system ran in Robert Huffman’s No. 12 Toyota Tundra Toyota for the first time in a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Race at Richmond on September 9.
Date Announced for the Second Seminar for Aftermarket Supply Chain Management
Developed in cooperation between the University of the Aftermarket and the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA), the second seminar on Aftermarket Supply Chain Management — How to Redesign Supply Chains — will take place on Dec. 1 & 2. The seminar, hosted by Federal-Mogul, will take place at the company’s facility in Southfield, Mich.
Delphi Announces Layoffs
Delphi Corp. will lay off 120 workers at its Thermal and Interior plant in Vandalia, Ohio, starting Monday, the company said. Delphi spokesman Lindsey Williams said the layoffs are indefinite and stem from reduced demand for air bags and door panels produced at the plant.
University Forum Early Bird Registration Ends Oct. 15
Don’t miss the chance to gain critical insight on surviving in the aftermarket while increasing your career growth and value to your company. Register now for the University of the Aftermarket’s University Forum, which takes place just prior to the kickoff of AAPEX on Sunday, Oct. 31, at the Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas.
FAIA Inducts Its Youngest President, Addresses Vehicle Right to Repair Issue at Annual Conference
The Florida Automotive Industry Association (FAIA) has inducted Eileen Sottile, director of government relations at Keystone Automotive, as president of the association for a term of one year. At age 37, Sottile is the youngest person ever to receive this title, and only the second woman to head the association in its 50 year history. Sottile was inducted at FAIA’s Golden Anniversary Celebration and Conference held in Orlando, Fla., in July.
Johnson Controls Appoints Two Executives to New Leadership Roles in Automotive Business
Johnson Controls’ Automotive Group recently announced new assignments for two top executives. Jeff Edwards has been named to the newly created position of group vice president and general manager – Japan and Asia Pacific, and Brian Kesseler has been appointed group vice president and general manager – North America.
Car Care Council Women’s Board to Hold Seventh Annual Women’s Board Reception During AAPEX
The Car Care Council Women’s Board will hold its seventh annual Car Care Council Women’s Board Reception on Tuesday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. in rooms 106 and 107 of the Sands Expo Center, during the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) in Las Vegas. During the reception, the Women’s Board will present the first-ever Aftermarket Woman of the Year award, as well as recognizing winners of the Automotive Communications Awards and the Women’s Boards’ scholarship recipient.
ThyssenKrupp Budd Promotes Robert Soulliere as Sector Chief
ThyssenKrupp Budd has announced several new executive management appointments and retirements at the company’s corporate headquarters. Robert Soulliere has been named president of the company’s Body Stamping & Plastic Sector. He replaces Richard Urso, who is retiring after 39 years of service. Also retiring from ThyssenKrupp Budd is Charles Davis, corporate vice president, marketing and sales.
Cosworth Technology Forms New Aftermarket Group
Cosworth Technology, Inc. (CTI), an independent consultant and supplier of powertrain and diagnostic engineering services to the global automotive industry, has announced the formation of a new aftermarket product group. The new aftermarket division, called “powerworks” will develop performance enhancement products and systems, supercharger systems in particular, for vehicle power trains ranging from 4 cylinder 2-liter engines up to large 8 cylinders engines (5+ liters).
Repair Shops’ Online Parts Purchasing Expected to Increase, Says AAIA
Roughly 72.7 percent of repair shops expect their level of online parts purchasing to increase this year, according to “Trends in Online Parts Purchasing,” a new market research report published by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). “Trends in Online Parts Purchasing” surveys U.S. repair shops in order to determine the current state of online automotive replacement parts purchasing. The study was developed and conducted by AAIA at the request of the Vehicle Manufacturers Parts Group (VMPG), a member constituency of the Auto International Association (AIA) segment of AAIA.
Intermet Files for Chapter 11 Reorganization
Intermet Corp. announced this week that it has filed for voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in the Eastern District of Michigan. Intermet’s European operations are not included in the Chapter 11 filing. Intermet said it filed for Chapter 11 in response to the unprecedented rise in raw-material costs, especially for scrap steel, in North America and Europe.