AAPEX to Welcome Service Professionals on Nov. 4
Thursday, Nov. 4 has officially been designated as “Service Professionals Day” at the 2004 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). Service professionals — the automotive service technicians and parts personnel who are the heart of the aftermarket — will be recognized at the show. Show organizers will welcome the service professionals at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. in front of Hall C at the entrance to the exhibits.
Advance Auto Parts To Host Free Monthly Car Care Clinics
Following the lead of major home improvement retailers, Advance Auto Parts has announced it will begin holding free, monthly car care clinics at its stores nationwide to teach drivers how to maintain their vehicles and perform minor repairs. The 20-minute video clinics will take place on the last Saturday of each month and are broadcast nationwide to more than 2,500 stores on the company’s in-store television network.
Valvoline’s Indian Lubricants Venture Plans Operations in Britain
Valvoline Cummins Ltd, an Indian lubricant and chemical joint venture between two U.S. companies, Valvoline International and Cummins Diesel, said Tuesday it will soon start operations in Britain. “Within the next quarter we will start joint operations in Britain and are close to finalizing the plans,” Craig Moughler, managing director of Valvoline International Inc, a Fortune 500 firm, told reporters in the southern high-tech city of Bangalore.
AmeriChip Tool and Abrasives to Represent Four New Lines
AmeriChip Tool and Abrasives said it has secured the rights to represent four new lines, including Morse Cutting Tools, Superion, Inc., KEO Cutters and Mitutoyo Gages. The company expects to generate an additional $300 – $500K in sales from these lines in the next 12 months for AmeriChip International’s wholly-owned subsidiary, AmeriChip Tool & Abrasives.
Continental AG Signs Joint Venture Agreement with Chinese Manufacturer
Continental AG said today it has reached an important stage in its development in the booming Chinese tire market. The international automotive parts supplier signed a memorandum of understanding with Qingdao Doublestar Tire Industrial Co., Ltd, Qingdao/China, to found a joint venture in the spring of 2005.
Federal-Mogul Promotes Joe Felicelli to Executive Vice President of Worldwide Aftermarket Operations
Joseph Felicelli has been appointed to the position of executive vice president, worldwide aftermarket operations for Federal-Mogul. Since 2001, Felicelli has served as senior vice president, worldwide aftermarket operations, with responsibility for Federal-Mogul’s global aftermarket operations, including sales, marketing, distribution and logistics, as well as manufacturing for chassis and brake hard parts, fuel, wipers, ignition and lighting products.
AAIA Member to Testify on Right to Repair Act
A congressional hearing for the Motor Vehicle Owners’ Right to Repair Act (H.R. 2735) has been set for Wednesday, Sept. 22. Lynne Cardwell, CEO of Car Care Center in Sacramento, Calif., will be testifying on behalf of AAIA.
H & H Wheel Service Joins Parts Plus
Detroit, Mich.-based H & H Wheel Service is the latest business to join the Parts Plus aftermarket program group. According to Mike Lambert, president of Parts Plus, H & H Wheel Service joined the Parts Plus membership to further enhance its relationship with its installer customer base.
TIA Says Proposed TPMS Ruling May Not Improve Safety
In response to recently proposed rulemaking by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on passenger vehicles and light trucks, The Tire Industry Association (TIA) issued a release noting “serious concerns” about the proposal’s effect on safety.
Ford Puts Jaguar Racing and Cosworth Up for Sale; Jaguar Plant in U.K. to Close
A recent article on the Grandprix.com Web site this week said that Ford Motor Co. has put Jaguar Racing and Cosworth up for sale. The two entities are expected to leave Formula 1 at the end of the year unless new buyers can be found. In related news, Ford’s European operations announced it will close Jaguar’s Brown’s Lane plant in Coventry, U.K., in September 2005.
Intermet Warning Triggers Sell-Off, Bankruptcy is a Threat, Says Analyst
Add one more name to the list of struggling Detroit-area auto suppliers. Troy, Mich.-based Intermet Corp., a maker of metal brake and suspension parts, has warned Wall Street that it will lose tens of millions of dollars this quarter and needs a new credit agreement from its banks to avoid bankruptcy. Intermet blamed higher-than-expected steel costs and unspecified “operational problems” at some North American plants for its financial predicament.
AASA Names New Member Services Manager
Theresa Spera has joined the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) as its new member services manager. Spera comes to AASA from The Exceleration Group in Cary, N.C., a business consulting and market analysis organization, where she served as manager of marketing and client services.