2005 INDY 500 Festival Will ‘Accelerate Your Senses’
Indianapolis Motor Speedway and 500 Festival officials have unveiled the theme for the 89th Indy 500 and the month-long festival that takes place to celebrate this historic race. The theme for the May 2005 Indy 500 Festival is “Accelerate Your Senses.” The “Accelerate Your Senses” theme will be prominent in local and national Indianapolis 500 advertising and promotional materials and 500 Festival event materials. The theme also will be an important part of the many events that take place in Indianapolis during the month of May, leading up to the 2005 Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 29.
GM, Ford Part of SEC Review of Pension Accounting
The Securities and Exchange Commission, as part of a broad effort to pre-empt another flurry of Enron-style financial trickery, has asked three automotive companies and three other, unnamed companies how they make certain pension fund calculations. The Securities and Exchange Commission, as part of a broad effort to pre-empt another flurry of Enron-style financial trickery, has asked three automotive companies and three other, unnamed companies how they make certain pension fund calculations.
Workers Sue Oxford on Benefits
Former employees of a closed Indiana auto parts plant are suing a Michigan company and its top executives, accusing them of lying to the government and holding up benefits provided under the North American Free Trade Agreement. More than 300 former employees of Oxford Automotive Inc. are named as plaintiffs in a complaint alleging the Troy, Mich.-based company and nine former and current company officials engaged in fraud and criminal conversion. The case was filed Friday in Marshall Circuit Court.
Visteon Drops Plan to Sell a Factory to Plastech
Visteon Corp., the second-biggest U.S. maker of auto parts, dropped its plan to sell a Chicago factory to Plastech Engineered Products Inc. because the companies couldn’t agree on terms, a Visteon spokesman said. Visteon, based in Van Buren Township, Mich., announced the sale in August as a way to cut costs and help end annual losses after being spun off from Ford in 2000.
Three Join AASA Board
Three automotive aftermarket executives have joined the board of governors of the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). AASA is the aftermarket market segment association of the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). New board members serving three year terms are: Kevin Baird, CEO, Qualitor Inc., Southfield, Mich.; John Casanova, senior vice president, Remy International, Anderson, Ind.; and John Casanova, senior vice president, Remy International, Anderson, Ind.
Continental AG Protects its Brands Online with Register.com
International automotive supplier Continental AG has selected Register.com, a leading provider of global domain name registration and Internet services, to manage its entire domain name portfolio. Through its Corporate Services Division, Register.com will help Continental manage and secure its Web presence and protect its brands from infringement on the Internet.
How To Inspire Managers & Sales People To Do Their Best And Win (Lessons From Racing)
This year at University Forum, popular motorsports anchor Rick Benjamin and Tom Easton, AAP, a senior partner with Essential Action Design Group, will use lessons from racing to show you how to inspire managers and sales people to do their best.The University of the Aftermarket’s annual University Forum can help you stay competitive, and keep pace with our ever-changing market. The event takes place on Sunday, Oct. 31 prior to the kickoff of AAPEX 2004.
AAIA’s Schmatz Elected to Automotive Hall of Fame Board
AAIA’s president and CEO, Kathleen Schmatz, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF). She joins Al Gaspar, AAIA’s president emeritus, who joined the AHF Board in 2000. AAIA’s president and CEO, Kathleen Schmatz, was recently elected to the board of directors of the Automotive Hall of Fame (AHF). She joins Al Gaspar, AAIA’s president emeritus, who joined the AHF Board in 2000.
Robert Yates to Appear at Loctite AAPEX Booth
Robert Yates, NASCAR Team Owner and engine builder, along with his #38 M&M Ford Simulator will be at the Loctite booth #272 at this year’s AAPEX show. Yates will be signing autographs for show visitors from 10 a.m. to 12 noon on Tuesday, November 2. The #38 simulator will be on display and AAPEX attendees will be able to test their skill levels throughout the show. Race theme prizes featuring the #38 car and product demonstrations will also be featured during the show.
Rod Enlow Joins CCAR as Director of Industry Relations
Rod Enlow has joined the Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) to assist in improving environmental and safety compliance in the automotive repair industry. Enlow’s appointment as director of industry relations was announced by Robert Stewart, CCAR President.
Dan Griffin to Retire from MFSG on Dec. 31; Dan Pike Promoted to General Manager
The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) announced today that Dan Griffin, executive vice president of MEMA Financial Services Group (MFSG), will retire effective Dec. 31. Dan Pike has been promoted to general manager of MFSG and will assume day-to-day responsibilities for MFSG on Jan. 1, 2005.
Street Glow Announces the Creation of Street Glow International
Street Glow Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has announced the creation of Street Glow International, an affiliate of Street Glow, Inc. In June of this year Street Glow announced that it had signed a letter of intent to sell a portion of ownership to a Chinese investment group called Street Glow (Hong Kong), Ltd. This group includes members from Street Glow’s long-time Chinese vendor which manufactures virtually all of the Street Glow brand of Auto-Neon and performance lighting products. This announcement marks the completion of that sale.