R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: What’s in Store for the Aftermarket in ’08
For this week’s Ask the Industry, we gather insights and predictions from leading industry experts and analysts, to provide an overview of some of the industry’s biggest concerns right now, and how the aftermarket is expected to perform in 2008.
From Counterman.com: The Complexities of Multiplexing
We can surely count on multiplexing to proliferate throughout all vehicle lines and become a common issue in future aftermarket parts distribution and service. But only time will tell how the aftermarket will adapt.
Brembo and Sabelt to Relaunch Abarth Brand
Brembo SpA, a manufacturer of high-performance braking systems, and Sabelt SpA, a top name in racing seat belts and child safety products, have been selected by Fiat to take part in the re-launching of the Abarth brand. Earlier this month, it was announced that Brembo and Sabelt signed a letter of intent to form a joint venture company, Brembo Performance SpA, which would focus on developing components and special accessories for motor vehicles and motorcycles.
From Counterman.com: Technology: Salvation or Curse?
Counterman Editor Brian Cruickshank’s July column discusses the abundance of technology in the aftermarket. He writes, "technology is only as good as how well you use it — and to use it, you must understand it. It may appear on the surface that the aftermarket is a rather low-tech, nuts-and-bolts, or better yet, pistons-and-camshafts, sort of business. It is, but at its essence, at its core, the automotive aftermarket is really a technology business."
From Counterman.com: Managing a Moving Target
In today’s connected, electronic age, few store managers would consider going back to the “good old days” — those times not so long past when inventories were manually recorded and managed on cards. These days, the very idea of inventory cards seems like the Stone Age, and in many ways, it was. Today, the entire supply chain — from manufacturer to warehouse to store to installer — is interconnected through sophisticated store management software packages and systems that provide business information and controls that were not possible even two years ago.
From Counterman.com: Mitch’s World — Change Partners? I Didn’t Think So!
On the outside chance you may not have noticed, you and I share a very peculiar relationship. It is symbiotic in that we really can’t live without each other and yet what we do couldn’t be more different. It is synergistic. Or, at least it can be when our efforts blend together perfectly and the right part gets to the right place at the right time and at the right price and what we accomplish together exceeds whatever we could have accomplished individually. It can even spiral downward into a dysfunctional kind of co-dependency when things slowly go to hell and a relationship deteriorates, but continues regardless.
The Week in Review (June 18-22, 2007)
By Amy Antenora Editor The Week in Review offers a snapshot of the most 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
GM Advances Plans for Volt Concept Car
General Motors Corp. took the occasion of its annual meeting on Tuesday to announce another step to get its Chevrolet Volt long-range electric series-hybrid vehicle into the hands of drivers. GM awarded to Michigan-based Compact Power Inc., a subsidiary of Korean battery manufacturer LG Chem., and to Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental A.G., two contracts for advanced development of lithium ion batteries for the Volt.
Tenneco Launches Monroe Billboard Campaign
MONROE, MI – Monroe recently launched a new outdoor advertising campaign currently being seen by motorists across the U.S. and Canada. The “underwear” campaign, a concept that communicates the need to replace ride control components after 50,000 miles for a smoother ride profile and better handling, is back for its second year. Monroe shocks and
Midas Launches New Safety and Reliability Advertising
Midas is launching a new series of television commercials that feature everyday life stories to dramatize how people can depend on Midas automotive services to help customers keep their vehicles operating safely and reliably. With the focus on safety and reliability, the new commercials add a higher level of importance to the “trust” campaign that Midas began in March 2004.