Dogs & Hogs Announces New Lower Price
The third annual NASCAR Caf
Two Guys Garage Cameras Roll During Industry Week
Two Guys Garage is filming a special episode from AAPEX in Las Vegas. Hosts Dave Bowman, Sam Memmolo and Dave McBride will host this special on-site episode that allows their viewers to share in the excitement of industry week and learn about the companies and organizations participating in the nation’s biggest automotive aftermarket event of the year.
Cooper Tire & Rubber to Sell Automotive Unit to Cypress Group
Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. has signed a definitive agreement to sell its automotive business, Cooper-Standard Automotive, to an entity formed by The Cypress Group and Goldman Sachs Capital Partners for approximately $1.165 billion in cash. The Cypress Group is by now a familiar name to many in the aftermarket. The private equity group recently bought Dana Corp.’s Automotive Aftermarket Group, which has been renamed Affinia.
Wichita, Kan., Economic Board Wants to Bring Automotive Jobs to Area
An economic group in Wichita, Kan. has added the automotive industry to a list of industries that it would like to target in its effort to draw more jobs to the town. A Sept. 14 article in the Wichita Eagle reported that the Greater Wichita Economic Development Coalition — the area’s main economic development group — plans to start calling on companies in the automotive industry, among other industries, as part of its plan to bring more than 8,000 jobs to the area in the next five years.
BorgWarner Emissions/Thermal Systems Appoints Aftermarket Business Manager
BorgWarner Emissions/Thermal Systems has appointed Joe Meyer to the position of aftermarket business manager. In this role, Meyer will be responsible for leading the sales initiatives in North America for the independent aftermarket business. According to Mark Linton, director, North American Fleet and Aftermarket Sales for BorgWarner Emissions/Thermal Systems, Meyer’s new assignment will help the company reinforce its product leadership strategy with our independent aftermarket customers.
NASTF Establishes Vehicle Security Committee
The National Automotive Service Task Force (NASTF) has formed a new NASTF Vehicle Security Committee to address recent issues raised by automotive security professionals. The decision was made to establish the new committee after a working group of locksmith and automaker representatives met in May and July. Paul Kanitra, government relations manager of the Associated Locksmiths of America, and Mark Saxonberg, manager of service technology for Toyota Motor Sales USA, co-chair the new committee.
Manufacturers Discuss How to Face Foreign Competition
About 10 years ago, Lombard, Ill.-based Olson International Ltd. had four manufacturing plants making components for seat belts, airbags and other parts for the automotive industry. Besides Lombard, plants were at their peak in Chicago, Texas and Mexico with as many as 1,000 workers at one time. But that time has passed.
EPA to Host Special Session Before CARS
As a prelude to this year’s Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will host a special session to discuss the implementation of the original equipment manufacturers’ service information Web sites. The session will take place Wednesday, Nov. 3, at the Flamingo Las Vegas. Several OEMs will be present to provide live demonstrations of their Web sites. In addition, the EPA will present its plan for a formal audit of all the automakers Web sites.
MACS Salutes Elvis Hoffpauir for 25 Years Service to the Industry
The Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide is recognizing its president and COO Elvis Hoffpauir for 25 years of service to the industry. Hoffpauir has been with MACS since 1981, first serving as managing director, then senior vice president, and since July 2000 he has served as president and COO. Hoffpauir officially celebrated 25 years in the industry on August 23.
Hella Reports Modest Sales Gains for the Year
Global automotive supplier Hella has reported a nearly two percent increase in sales for the year ending May 31. The company said the increase was spurred by above-average sales growth in Europe and the Asia/Pacific region and increasing orders for original equipment by North American automakers. Worldwide annual sales for lighting and electronics supplier Hella KGaA Hueck & Co. grew to $3.77 billion for 2003/2004, compared with the previous year’s $3.69 billion, the company reported.
SAE to Celebrate 100 Year Anniversary with Salute to 100 Years of Mobility Engineering
Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) will commemorate a century of mobility engineering as the centerpiece of its 100th anniversary celebration next year. As the world’s largest and most well known organization serving mobility professionals, SAE has played a significant role in spearheading and actively supporting the mobility industry’s development. From humble beginnings serving a few engineers in 1905, SAE has grown from an association for automobile manufacturers to now represent aerospace, off-highway machinery and motorsports engineers as well.
Congressional Hearing Scheduled for 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 at 2 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The hearing will take place before the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.