Kumho Announces Price Increase
Kumho Tire USA announced that it will increase tire prices, effective May 1. Passenger, light truck and commercial truck tire prices will increase between 3%-5%, depending on the tire model, according to Kumho.
Judge Dismisses Class Action Move Against Steeltex Tires
A California judge today dismissed a motion seeking national class action status for an on-going lawsuit alleging defects in Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s entire Firestone Steeltex line. The ruling, which came after months of delays, is expected to be appealed by attorney Joseph Lisoni, who has made it a personal crusade to force the court-ordered recall of all Steeltex tires.
Circuit City to Sell StreetGlow Products
StreetGlow, Inc., which produces performance lighting products for the aftermarket, has announced that its Auto-Neon brand of performance lighting products will now be distributed through the national Circuit City retail electronics chain. Circuit City will offer more than one-third of StreetGlow branded products with the remainder of the line available through special order. StreetGlow products can also now be professionally installed at Circuit City.
ArvinMeritor Awarded $150 Million Suspension Module Contract
ArvinMeritor’s Light Vehicle Systems (LVS) business group has been awarded a multi-year, $150 million contract for production of front, upper-corner suspension modules for new light vehicle pickup trucks. The contract also includes rear suspension components. Production is scheduled to begin in July 2005.
BWD Automotive Offers New Niehoff Emission Control Systems Parts Catalog
BWD Automotive has announced the availability of its Niehoff Emission Control Systems parts catalog, No. 04-EC. The catalog lists applications for emission control systems parts for North American and imported passenger cars and trucks. All model years are covered, including both light duty and medium duty trucks.
Hi-Tech Engine Components to Supply AAM/Parts Pro Group
Hi-Tech Engine Components has been selected as a program vendor to AAM/Parts Pro by a unanimous vote of its members. According to Tim Odom, president of AAM/Parts Pro, having access to Hi-Tech’s arsenal of engine kits for more than 15,000 applications was just one of many reasons for the decision.
BFNAT Plant Shut Down After Blaze
A fire in one of three rubber stock mixers Mar. 13 temporarily shut down Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s Aiken, S.C., plant. No one was injured, and reports say that there was minimal damage to the facility.
SEMA Spring Expo Reaches New Level Of Success
Organizers for the 2004 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Spring Expo, have reported that this year’s show was the biggest regional show the association has held to date. The Expo took place March 5-6 at the Indiana Convention Center, Indianapolis. A day of seminars preceded the actual exhibit. Although attendance figures have not yet been audited, show organizers said preliminary reports show an increase of approximately 65 percent in buyer attendance, and 30 percent in total attendance from the SEMA Spring Expo in Nashville last February.
Dura Automotive Standardizes Manufacturing Operations
Dura Automotive Systems has announced it will standardize its North American manufacturing operations on QAD MFG/PRO eB2 and related applications. QAD Inc. is a provider of enterprise applications for global manufacturers. QAD Global Services will work together with Dura to provide consulting and implementation services. Dura will deploy MFG/PRO eB2 at nine production sites and upgrade 11 other locations in North America. Dura said it expects QAD applications will help streamline manufacturing and enterprise functions shared by multiple locations, enable more efficient financial management and accelerate information transfer along the supply chain.
Champion Motorsport Named Exclusive Dealer for Porsche Tubi Style Exhaust Systems
Champion Motorsport, a subsidiary of Champion Motors, has been named the exclusive authorized dealer in North America for Tubi Style hand-crafted stainless steel exhaust systems for Porsche models.