Intermet Names Director of Information Technology
Intermet Corp., a leading manufacturer of cast-metal automotive components, has promoted David Voss to the position of director, information technology. Voss joined Intermet in March of this year as director, business operating system (BOS). In this new position, he continues to report to President and CEO Gary Ruff and will have the added responsibility for the technical support and management of Intermet s Information Technology (IT) systems, including IT infrastructure and development.
41st Annual Northwood University International Auto Show Set for Oct. 8-10
Northwood University has announced the date and theme for the 41st annual Northwood University International Auto Show (NUIAS). NUIAS is scheduled to take place on Oct. 8, 9 and 10 in Midland, Mich. The theme of this year’s show is “One World. One Vision. One Show.” Held during the peak fall color season on Northwood’s beautifully wooded campus in Midland, the show will feature 450 new domestic and imported cars, trucks, recreational vehicles, vans and experimental and specialty vehicles.
Updated: Cypress Group to Buy Dana AAG Unit
It’s official. Dana Corp. has finally named a buyer for its Automotive Aftermarket Group (AAG). As first-reported early this morning in a ”Breaking News” bulletin from aftermarketNews.com, New York-based buyout firm Cypress Group has agreed to purchase the Dana AAG unit for approximately $1.1 billion in cash. Dana AAG President Terry McCormack and John Washbish, the AAG unit’s president of customer relationship management, along with their executive team will continue with the company. According to Michael Finley, managing director of Cypress, former Echlin top execs Larry McCurdy and Joe Onorato have signed on to serve as directors of the new company.
Tower Automotive Announces Opening of New Joint-Venture Facility in China
Tower Automotive has officially opened a new facility for its joint venture operation in Wuhu, China. Tower Automotive owns 80 percent of the joint venture, which is called Tower Automotive (Wuhu) Company Ltd. The remaining 20 percent is owned by Chery Automotive Company, a Chinese vehicle manufacturer.
ASA-Michigan Joins National Association
The Automotive Service Association (ASA) board of directors has approved ASA-Michigan as the newest affiliate in the ASA organization. ASA-Michigan becomes the 16th affiliate for the national association.
Recon Automotive Remanufacturers To Be Featured On Horsepower TV
Recon Automotive Remanufacturers will make its debut on the small screen this weekend. The company will be featured on an upcoming episode of “Horsepower TV” which airs on Spike TV Saturdays at 1 pm (EST/PST), with an encore presentation on Sundays at noon. The show will highlight Recon Automotive’s engine blueprinting capabilities as Joe Giove, supervisor of Recon’s High Performance Engine Assembly and Dyno Testing Department, appears on the program and builds a 450 horsepower, 455c.i. V-8 engine for a 1969 Oldsmobile Cutlass convertible.
Rising Auto Recalls Eat Profits
General Motors Corp., Toyota Motor Corp. and two other U.S. carmakers have in six months exceeded the vehicle recalls for last year, reducing profit. GM recalled 7.92 million cars and light trucks as of July 2, and said repair costs had helped cut first-quarter profit in North America by 18 percent. Toyota recalled 367,000 Highlander sport-utility vehicles, surpassing last year’s total by 74 percent. DaimlerChryslerAG’s Chrysler and Honda Motor Co. also are ahead of 2003.
Equipment and Tool Institute Opens Access to I/M Overview
The Equipment and Tool Institute (ETI) has announced it will give unrestricted access to its annual “Inspection and Maintenance (I/M) Overview” available on the ETI Web site. This will be the first time the document is made available to any interested party free of charge, regardless of ETI membership. The “I/M Overview” is a comprehensive listing of all automotive inspection and maintenance programs in the U.S. and Canada. It details everything from the program’s EPA designation and start date to test types, frequency, fees and volume. ETI has also added the “OBDII Generic Communication Protocols by Manufacturer” listing and the “ODB CAN Equipped Vehicles” list at the end of the report.
ROL Gaskets Releases New RB Catalog
ROL Gaskets has released the 2004 version of its catalog designed for the Professional Engine Rebuilder (PER). The new 114-page catalog includes RB (Rebuilder Sets), KS (Kit Sets), CE (Installer Sets), HK (Kwick Kits with no valve stem seals) and CK (Can Change Kits) set coverage. Completing the coverage (where applicable) are individual listings for head gaskets, head bolt sets, intake gasket sets, exhaust manifold sets, oil pan sets, rear main seals and harmonic balancer sleeves.
Unser Brothers Plan to Build Racing Museum
Al Unser Sr. and his brother Bobby are bringing to fruition an idea they’ve been kicking around for too long: building a racing museum. Soon, the two brothers born into the legendary Unser racing family will open a museum in north-central Albuquerque, NM, dedicated to their beloved sport. The museum will feature cars, driver suits, trophies and memorabilia.
New Fel-Pro Master Gasket Catalog Features Nearly 700 Additional Part Numbers
The Fel-Pro brand of replacement gaskets, manufactured by Federal-Mogul Corp., has published a new master gasket catalog featuring nearly 700 additional part numbers and many new applications. The new Fel-Pro Master Gasket Catalog covers the brand’s line of sealing solutions for passenger cars, light trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans and other applications. Among the catalog’s 696 new part numbers are a broad range of Fel-Pro Head Installation Sets (HIS); a variety of premium head gaskets for several new complete Head Sets (HS) for popular automotive applications.
ASC Promotes Kevin Harper to Manufacturing Process Specialist
ASC Industries has promoted Kevin Harper to manufacturing process specialist. Prior to his promotion, Harper served as a machinist for ASC. He is a journeyman tool and die maker, mold maker and CNC machine programmer with many years of manufacturing management experience in both automotive and non-automotive industries.