ASA Announces Dates, Location, Theme for CARS 2004
The 2004 Congress of Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) will be held Nov. 4-6. CARS 2004, sponsored by the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) Mechanical Division, is an official event of Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW), held annually in Las Vegas. This year’s event will take place at a new venue — The Flamingo Las Vegas — more conveniently located near the Sands Expo Center, the home of the Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX).
More Aftermarket Eye Candy at This Year’s North American International Auto Show
Although there’s no shortage of muscle on the main floor at this year’s North American International Auto Show — the 850-horsepower Chrysler ME412 concept is only the beginning — there’s also a subterranean performance theme that’s been missing from previous shows. Once the take-it-or-leave-it realm of marginal players like Daewoo and stillborns like the revival Cunningham sports car, Cobo Center’s downstairs Michigan Hall exhibit area is studded this year with an intriguing array of production vehicles enhanced by aftermarket bolt-on goodies: designer wheels, low-profile tires, oversize brakes, high-performance shock absorbers and more.
MRC Names Iannottes Chairman Elect
The select committee of the Manufacturers’ Representatives Council (MRC) selected John Iannotte of Bob Barker Marketing & Sales as its Chairman-Elect. Iannotte has worked as a manufacturers’ rep since 1974 and is currently working on completing the second year of the Certified Professional Manufacturers’ Representative (CPMR) program, an educational subsidiary of the Manufacturers’ Representative Educational Research Foundation (MRERF). Iannotte officially begins his Chairman-Elect role in July.
AutoZone Enhances Top Management Team, NAPA’s Steve Handschuh Named Senior VP
AutoZone (AZ) has announced new responsibilities and additions to the company’s senior management team. Steve Handschuh, current president of NAPA Auto Parts, has been named senior vice president of AZ commercial. Handschuh spent the last seventeen years at NAPA building its wholesale business. Mike Longo, currently senior vice president of store operations for AZ commercial and ALLDATA, has been named senior vice president for growth initiatives. Additionally, Brad Bacon, vice president and general manager of store operations, will become senior vice president of store operations.
Delphi Appoints Three New Sales Managers in North America
Delphi Corp. has named three new sales managers for North America. Jim Eady, Darrel Reuss and Steve Tucker will serve as regional sales managers for vehicle electronics in North America for Delphi Product & Service Solutions. Eady will cover the Southeast, Reuss the Midwest and Tucker the Northeast and all will report to Scott Donnelly, North American vehicle electronics sales manager.
Ex-Federal-Mogul Chairman Returns
Federal-Mogul Corp., an auto-parts maker operating under bankruptcy protection since October 2001, said Robert Miller has returned as chairman, replacing former CEO Frank Macher. Miller was Federal-Mogul CEO in September 2001 before he left to take the same position at Bethlehem Steel Corp., a company that’s also in bankruptcy protection. Miller’s appointment to chairman took effect Sunday, after Macher’s contract expired, the Southfield-based parts maker said in a statement.
MPA Name Change is Official
In an exclusive interview from October 2003, Motorcar Parts & Accessories (MPA) Chairman, President and CEO Selwyn Joffe, indicated that MPA’s shareholders would soon vote on a proposal to change the company’s name. That name change is now official. Motorcar Parts & Accessories has changed its name to Motorcar Parts of America to better reflect its position in the markets it serves.
Wix Filters Named to NASCAR Performance Product Line-Up
WIX Filters has received endorsement as an exclusive NASCAR Performance Partner. The launch of NASCAR’s Performance brand — targeting installers and consumers — provides automotive aftermarket products a point of difference in the highly competitive retail marketplace. NASCAR will promote the new NASCAR Performance Network through a marketing program that promotes vehicle maintenance and directs consumers to nearby service facilities. The network, which is housed on NASCAR.com, features a shop locator service for driving directions, store hours, services and certifications.
Jack Roush Named First Recipient of SKF X-Tracker Award
Jack Roush, CEO of Roush Industries and owner of the Roush Racing Team, has been named the first recipient of the SKF X-Tracker Award. The international award recognizes an individual who has achieved success in the face of extreme challenges or adversity. SKF selected Roush as the first X-Tracker Award recipient due to his legendary success in the automotive and racing industries and his perseverance through his recovery from life-threatening injuries sustained in a 2002 airplane crash.
ASA Names New Vice President of Communications, New Manager of Web Operations
Angie Wilson has been named the Automotive Service Association’s (ASA) new vice president of communications. She replaces Ken Roberts, who has left the position to pursue opportunities in another industry, according to ASA. ASA has also promoted Colby Horton to manager of Web operations.
ArvinMeritor’s Yost to Discuss Heavy Duty Supplier Industry Trends at Heavy Duty Dialogue
Larry Yost, chairman and CEO of ArvinMeritor will discuss the challenges facing the heavy duty supplier industry at Heavy Duty Dialogue 2004, slated for Feb. 9 and 10. The event will take place at the Atlanta Airport Hilton and Towers, Atlanta Hartsfield International Airport, Atlanta, Ga. This is 13th in the biennial series presented by the Heavy Duty Manufacturers Association (HDMA).
TI Automotive Wins $1.2 Billion in New Business
TI Automotive recently won contracts in its fuel systems division valued at more than $1.2 billion from automotive manufacturers in Europe, Asia and North America. Beginning with 2006-model-year production, the fourth-quarter contract awards include complete fuel systems and subsystems for a range of products,