Pricing Pressures Impact Aftermarket Friction Revenues, Study Says
As the majority of automobile manufacturers employ disc-braking systems, demand for premium and ceramic brakes is on the rise in the United States and Canada. Despite their high cost, continued demand in the aftermarket is expected.
Satisfied Brake Products Wins Growth Strategy Leadership Award in North American Friction Materials Aftermarket
Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, North American Brake System Parts Aftermarket — Friction Parts, selected Satisfied Brake Products as the recipient of the 2005 Growth Strategy Leadership Award for successfully increasing sales and expanding its customer base in the highly competitive North American friction materials aftermarket.
Goodyear Launches New Truck Tire Site
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has launched a new commercial tire Web site – www.goodyear.com/truck. The company said the new site “coincides with a new study that shows trucking companies are increasingly outsourcing tire and equipment maintenance work. The new Web site “includes more powerful tire evaluation software tools now available to fleets, new emergency roadside service and a wealth of information on tire inflation and load capacities.”
Bosch Introduces New, Reman Alternators and Starters for Dodge Sprinter
Robert Bosch Corp. now offers higher amp new and remanufactured alternators and higher kilowatt starters for the Dodge Sprinter van. Three different versions of Sprinter alternators are now available, including the 100 percent new AL0791N at 90 amps, AL0798N at 150 amps and AL0801N, which delivers 120 amps. Bosch remanufactured alternators for the Sprinter are numbered AL079TX, 90 amps, AL0798X, 150 amps and AL0801X, 120 amps.
Page Large Named National Fleet Manager at Grote
Grote Industries has promoted Page Large to the position of national fleet manager. In this role, Large will manage and direct Grote’s national fleet and training programs which are focused on assisting fleets nationwide to improve and manage their operating costs.
Environmentalists Move to Ban Major Automotive Lead Use
Since the 1980s the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked to eliminate lead in gasoline and household paint. Now environmentalists have asked the EPA to ban the sales of one of the largest unregulated sources of lead to the environment — automotive wheel balancing weights. An estimated 4,865 metric tons of lead from wheel weights is released each year onto U.S. roadways, according to the Ecology Center, a regional environmental organization working to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles.
Environmentalists Move to Ban Major Automotive Lead Use
Since the 1980s the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked to eliminate lead in gasoline and household paint. Now environmentalists have asked the EPA to ban the sales of one of the largest unregulated sources of lead to the environment — automotive wheel balancing weights. An estimated 4,865 metric tons of lead from wheel weights is released each year onto U.S. roadways, according to the Ecology Center, a regional environmental organization working to reduce the environmental impact of vehicles.
ArvinMeritor Refocuses CVS Field Operations
ArvinMeritor’s Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business unit has refocused its field organization in order to better serve its North American fleet and dealer customers. The reorganization includes increased contact and support, including sales and technical counsel and training, according to CVS.
Accuride Corporation Reports First Quarter Results
Accuride Corp. has announced net sales of $272.6 million for the first quarter of 2005, which ended on March 31. This compares to net sales of $111.4 million for the first quarter of 2004, an increase of 144.7 percent, according to the company. Net income for the quarter was $0.2 million, or 1 cent per diluted share, compared to $4.6 million, or 30 cents per diluted share, for the first quarter of 2004.
China’s Growing Presence in the Global Auto Industry
Over the past few years, global competition in the automotive industry has significantly heated up. Wayne Xing, editor and publisher of China Business Update, yesterday addressed one particular country of increasing interest to the U.S. aftermarket – China – during a presentation at the 2005 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS).