GKN Driveline Names New Managing Director of Operations
Philippe Cabassol has been named managing director of operations for GKN Driveline Americas. Cabassol replaces Richard Best, who was recently named strategic director for global projects.
Radiator.com’s Marketing Drives Sales
A California company has found gold under the hood of America’s older vehicles – with a little help from Visteon Corp. In a little more than a decade, Radiator.com/1-800-Radiator has grown from a $2.5 million local business into a $60 million company with 34 locations nationwide.
Goodyear Launches First Product-Driven Advertising Campaign in Five Years
Goodyear Tire & Rubber has launched an aggressive media campaign in support of its new Assurance brand of tires. Goodyear’s 30-second television commercial for Assurance debuted yesterday on both network and cable television. The commercial is being aired on ABC, CBS and NBC, along with ESPN, MSNBC, TBS, CNBC, The Discovery Channel and The History Channel.
APRC Presents Third Annual Excellence in Automotive PR Awards
The winners of the third annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Awards were honored on April 21 at the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) Spring Conference held in Dearborn, Mich. APRC, a part of MEMA, is a professional organization for public relations practitioners in all segments of the automotive industry. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness.
Executive Interview with Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of AAIA
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Kathleen Schmatz, President and CEO of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). Schmatz became president and CEO of AAIA on Jan. 1, 2004. She had served as executive vice president of the association since January 2002. In addition to filling us in on her first few months at her new post, Schmatz shared with aftermarketNews.com updates on AAIA’s merger with AWDA, Right to Repair legislation and the Be Car Care Award Campaign.
Prominent ASA Leader Passes Away
Allen Richey, former CEO of the Automotive Service Association (ASA), passed away early Wednesday morning, April 21. He began his association career as editor of the 11-member Independent Garagemen’s Association (IGA) of Texas’ monthly magazine. As his responsibilities with IGA grew, he worked to provide training and education to association members. His vision for offering training and education to the automotive repair and service industry was realized in the formation of the Automotive Management Institute (AMI). As a result of his lifelong devotion and commitment to the industry, Richey was instrumental in the successful merger of two renowned automotive associations, the Automotive Service Council and the Independent Automotive Service Association, to form what is now ASA.
Visteon has 1st profit since ’02
Auto-parts maker Visteon Corp. said Thursday that it turned a quarterly profit for the first time since mid-2002 and surpassed earnings expectations, largely due to new business from the automakers and lower health-care costs for employees. The Dearborn, Mich.-based supplier reported first-quarter net income of $30 million, or 23 cents a share, compared with a loss of $15 million, or 12 cents a share, in the same quarter a year ago.
Interstate Batteries Taps Next Chief Exec
Interstate Batteries, a leading brand of replacement automobile batteries in North America, has announced that Carlos Sepulveda will be promoted to president and CEO on May 1. Sepulveda will replace R. Tom Miller, current president and CEO, who is retiring after 41 years in various executive positions at Interstate Batteries. In addition, Len Ruby, executive vice president has announced his retirement after 25 years with the company.
ArvinMeritor Reports Second-Quarter Results
ArvinMeritor has reported record sales of $2.3 billion and net income of $41 million, or $0.59 per diluted share, for its second fiscal quarter, which ended March 31. This compared to the prior year’s second-quarter net income of $24 million, or $0.36 per diluted share.
Douglas Battery Names New Sales and Marketing VP
Douglas Battery recently named William Spears to the position of vice president of sales and marketing for the company’s automotive division. Spears, a 20-year veteran of the automotive industry, began his career in auto parts with Mid-American Industries (Green Light Auto). Since that time, he has developed comprehensive sales programs for some of the world’s top battery manufacturers.
Michelin Announces Price Increase Set For July
Following in the footsteps of a number of other tiremakers, Michelin Americas Small Tires (MAST) announced it will increase prices by an average of 3 percent on Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal and private and associate brand passenger and light truck tires sold in the U.S. replacement market.
AAIA Names New Director of Government Affairs
AAIA has appointed Stephanie Salmon as its new director of government affairs. Salmon previously served as the senior associate of a Washington-based government affairs firm for more than ten years, representing several manufacturing trade associations. She covered federal legislative and regulatory matters concerning health, safety, labor, tax, trade and energy issues.