National Pre-Owned Vehicle Certification Program for Independent Dealers Launched
ROYAL OAKS, CA — Virtual Motors and the National Vehicle Certification Group (NVCP) have partnered with CARFAX to launch the first and only Pre-Owned Vehicle Certification Program for independent dealers and consumers. The program offers dealers and their customers NVCP’s Physical Inspection, Engine and Transmission Fluid Analysis completed by an independent third-party technician, a fully
Bosch Acquires Accu Industries
The Bosch Group is acquiring the operating assets of Accu Industries Inc., located in Ashland, VA. Accu Industries employs 45 associates and generated sales of roughly $16 million in 2007. The company sells tire changers, wheel balancers and wheel alignment equipment. With the acquisition, Bosch is strengthening its automotive aftermarket division and further expanding the workshop equipment business of its diagnostics business unit.
Yanmar America Names New President, COO
ATLANTA — Yanmar America has appointed Thomas Calhoun president and COO. Calhoun succeeds Akihiko Nakaoka, who will remain on board with Yanmar through 2008 as the Industrial Division manager and senior special advisor. Yanmar is a global manufacturer of diesel engines and diesel-powered equipment. Calhoun will operate from Yanmar’s expanding manufacturing, distribution and new corporate
The Week in Review (March 10-14, 2008)
By Amy Antenora The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most highly read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews. To access the complete stories, simply click on the highlighted links. If you missed reading one of our daily news emails, click on any of the dates listed at the bottom of
Herman Trend Alert: Second Life Revisited
From “Herman Trend Alert,” by Roger Herman and Joyce Gioia, Strategic Business Futurists GREENVILLE, SC — Last year, the virtual world Second Life (SL) (secondlife.com) received quite a bit of media coverage when several Fortune 500 companies staged events or built virtual presences there. Not so long ago, we covered the use of SL for market
Bosch Buys Chinese Diagnostic Equipment Maker Weicon
From AFX News Limited BEIJING — The Bosch Group said it has signed an agreement to acquire diagnostic equipment maker Shenzhen Wei Ning Da Industrial Co. Ltd. (Weicon) for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition is subject to approval by the authorities, Bosch said in a statement. Bosch said it hopes the acquisition will help its
AAIA Releases Software for Converting PIES Data
The Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has released a free open-source, software utility that converts part number interchange data into the Product Information Exchange Standard (PIES) format. The PIES Interchange Transformation Utility accepts interchange data in a flat file (spreadsheet) format and converts it to the latest version of (PIES) XML. AAIA developed the transformation utility software to help manufacturers supply retailers and program groups with interchange data in the standard format. The major automotive chains have agreed to accept data in the industry-standard PIES version 6.1 XML format.
Indian Car Giant to Borrow Money for Takeover
From Coventry Evening Telegraph India automotive giant Tata Motors, which is poised to buy Jaguar and Land Rover, plans to borrow half a billion pounds on the money markets. The firm’s board of directors confirmed yesterday the money was needed to fund its expansion plans at home and abroad. As well as wanting to buy
ArvinMeritor Targets Growth in Off-Highway Markets
ArvinMeritor announced plans to re-establish its off-highway original equipment and aftermarket components business in North America, South America, Europe and Africa. The announcement was made yesterday in Las Vegas at the CONEXPO-CON/AGG exposition, to address OEM customers in four continents.
Delphi Announces Re-Launch of Exit Financing
Delphi Corp. has announced it will be relaunching its exit financing structure, which will include participation from General Motors, as previously announced, as well as a new commitment from an affiliate of GM to also support the company’s planned emergence from Chapter 11 reorganization. The proposed exit facilities are being arranged on a “best efforts” basis by J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., and Citigroup Global Markets, Inc., in accordance with prior orders entered by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York.