Info on Car Safety Off-Limits to Public
The federal agency that oversees auto safety has decided — based largely on arguments from automakers and their Washington, D.C., lobbyists — that reams of data relating to unsafe automobiles or defective parts will not be available to the public. Specifically, the government has banned the release of car and truck warranty-claims information, customer complaints and early-warning reports about defects from dealers, automakers and rental car companies, even if media outlets or other groups push for it under the Freedom of Information Act.
AMN Publisher Jon Owens Talks about “Getting in Sync”
Technology is a fact of life in business. Technology is ready for us. The question is, are we ready for it? We’ve run the alphabet soup of acronyms by you before: PIES, HTML, DAC, XML and on and on. But don’t make light of them. They will be common jargon for you very soon.
Parts Depot Buys Tri-Citi Automotive Warehouse
Roanoke-based Parts Depot (PDI) has purchased Tri-Citi Automotive Warehouse, a National Pronto Association member based in Tampa, Fla. Tri-Citi currently operates one warehouse and four stores, and serves more than 100 independent jobbers across the mid-Florida region.
Remy International Sells Williams Technologies to Caterpillar
Remy International (formerly known as Delco Remy International) has signed definitive agreement to sell its U.S. transmission remanufacturing operation, Williams Technologies, Inc. (WTI) to Caterpillar, Inc. This is the second remanufacturing acquisition by Caterpillar announced this week. On Tuesday it was announced that Caterpillar is in the process of buying Wealdstone Engineering Ltd., one of Europe’s leading remanufacturers of gasoline and diesel engines.
AFCO Invests $20 Million in South Carolina Facility to Produce Next-Generation DENSO Fuel Pump
Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corp. (AFCO) is investing an additional $20 million in its Anderson, S.C., manufacturing plant in order to support U.S. production of DENSO’s newly designed Grand Half (GH) automotive fuel pump. AFCO is a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany and DENSO International America, Inc. that was established in 1989.
Equipment and Tool Institute Launches Underhood Technologies and Scan Tool Statistical Report
The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) announced this week that it has created a new reporting program focusing on the under the hood segment of the vehicle service equipment industry. The Underhood Technologies Statistical Reporting Program, which will focus on tools and equipment that service the area under the hood, includes the growing arena of scan tools.
Motormite/Dorman Releases Three Aftermarket Catalogs and Revamped Web Site
Motormite/Dorman has released three new aftermarket catalogs and a renovated web site to support these new publications. The new catalogs and web site feature hundreds of new-to-the-Automotive-Aftermarket parts that were previously only available at the OE Dealer. All catalogs feature the “Driving ReveNEW” theme, which identifies new parts.
Goodyear Closes a $680 Million Credit Facility
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. announced that it has closed a $680 million senior secured funded credit facility. The facility, which matures in September 2007, refinances the company’s $680 million senior secured U.S. revolving credit facility, which would have matured on April 30, 2005. The new facility is secured by the same collateral that secured the U.S. revolving credit facility.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum Appoints Manager of Marketing and Advertising
Rose Dickinson has been named manager of marketing and advertising at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. In this new role, Dickinson will be responsible for the museum’s advertising, including print and radio for the California Hot Rod Reunion, National Hot Rod Reunion and museum special events. Dickinson’s NHRA career began in 1988 after she left Pennzoil to help start-up National Dragster in-house publications.
Motorcar Parts of America Announces First Quarter Results
Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of its fiscal year 2005, which ended on June 30. Among the highlights of note, MPA reported an increase of first quarter revenues to $41.1 million, 11 percent over the first quarter of fiscal year 2004. The company reported first quarter net income of $91,000 versus $680,000 in the first quarter of fiscal year 2004.
ASA Forms New Government Affairs Committee
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) has created a new Government Affairs Committee (GAC), to serve in an advisory capacity to the ASA board as they develop legislative policy guidelines. Members of the committee were appointed from both the mechanical and collision divisions of ASA.
Dana Announces Addition of Chief Information Officer
Dana Corp. has added a chief information officer (CIO) to its top executive team. Former PepsiCo executive Bruce Carver has joined the company as vice president and CIO. In this new role, Carver will be responsible for the development, coordination and advancement of Dana’s global information systems and technologies.