Kumho Kicks off Spring/Summer Season with New Sweepstakes
Kumho Tire USA is kicking off the spring and summer sales seasons with a sweepstakes designed to promote the ECSTA ASX, the company’s new ultra-high performance all-season tire. The sweepstakes will give away more than 1,100 prizes, with the grand prize a customized MINI Cooper S. Other prizes include 10 sets of ECSTA ASX tires, 100 roadside emergency kits and 1,000 KUMHO CD cases.
Aftermarket Leaders to Discuss Industry Trends at GAAS
A foursome of distributor and retail leaders will share their thoughts on aftermarket industry trends on Wednesday, May 19, at the ninth annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS). GAAS 2004 will take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, at the Hyatt Regency, Chicago.
Bosch Launches Free Gas Card Promotion
Robert Bosch Corp. has launched a new promotion designed to help increase sales of its spark plugs and oxygen sensors. Bosch is offering drivers the opportunity to earn up to $20 in free gas with the purchase of four Bosch Platinum Series Spark Plugs and one Bosch Oxygen Sensor.
Dover Motorsports Subsidiary Assigns Rights to Grand Prix of Denver to Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC
Dover Motorsports and its wholly owned subsidiary, Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, has reached an agreement with CART successor and owner of the Champ Car World Series, Open Wheel Racing Series, LLC (OWRS) to transfer to certain OWRS assets and rights that Grand Prix has relative to the organization and promotion of the Grand Prix of Denver, subject to certain conditions and approvals.
Prolong International Appoints Two New Board Members
Prolong International Corp., parent company of Prolong Super Lubricants, which manufactures patented consumer automotive, commercial/industrial and household products, has appointed Cary Fitchey and Robert Lautz as members of its board of directors. Fitchey and Lautz fill existing vacancies on the board.
Dana Cuts 75 Jobs at Northern Indiana Plant
Auto-parts supplier Dana Corp. said it will lay off about 75 workers at a plant in northern Indiana that cuts and assembles axle components. The job cuts — about half the remaining work force — will leave about 80 jobs at the plant in Syracuse, Ind., said Dana spokesman Gary Corrigan.
Delphi Loss Means No Bonus for Execs
Auto-parts supplier Delphi Corp. said Friday that none of its corporate officers received bonuses last year due to the company’s $56-million loss in 2003. Delphi Chairman and CEO J.T. Battenberg’s pay fell about 45 percent in 2003 to $3.8 million after the company eliminated his bonus.
Goodyear Looks at Synthetic Rubber Developments
Goodyear Tire & Rubber said it currently has several new proprietary synthetic rubber products in development that could reduce the company’s dependence on natural rubber by as much as 15 percent over the next few years.
Aisin Automotive Casting to Produce Aluminum Components at Tennessee Plant
Japanese automotive components maker Aisin Seiki has invested $30.9 million in a plant in Clinton, Tenn., that the company will use build aluminum die castings for engine components. The new facility, which will be called Aisin Automotive Casting Tennessee, is expected to begin operations in August 2005. The plant will also machine and assemble components for pumps and pistons.
Dana Debuts Centennial Web Site
Dana Corp. is kicking off a six-month celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary with the launch of its Centennial web site. The Web site launch precedes Dana’s official anniversary, April 1. Playing off of Dana’s people-oriented business philosophy, the site features “Your Dana Story,” on online forum which provides Dana employees, customers and friends with an opportunity to share memorable Dana experiences or anecdotes.
Lextron Files for Chapter 11
Delphi customer Lextron Corp. has filed for bankruptcy protection a year after the company ended its contract with the Jackson, Miss.-based manufacturer. The contract cancellation forced Lextron to shut down its automotive production line, according to the TheDeal.com.
Visteon Presents Summit Award to the GM of Its Shanghai Joint Venture
The general manager of Visteon’s automotive electronics joint venture in Shanghai, China, has been presented with company’s highest form of recognition — a Summit Award — for exceptional accomplishments in 2003. Alfeu Doria, general manager, YanFeng Visteon Electronics, was one of six individuals and teams recognized with Summit Awards by Visteon Chairman and CEO Peter Pestillo and President and COO Michael Johnston.