Federal-Mogul’s MOOG Problem Solver ’10 Week Challenge’ Offers More Than 150 Weekly Prizes
Weekly prizes include MOOG racing helmet autographed by Jimmie Johnson, Richard Petty Driving Experience Certificate and other prizes.
IndyCar Series Forms Promotional Partnership with Mac Tools
INDIANAPOLIS — IndyCar Series officials have announced a new one-year partnership with Mac Tools. The agreement will give Mac Tools a big presence at IndyCar Series races around the country in 2008. A key aspect of the partnership will be the Mac Tools “Lap Leader Award.” The award program will track laps led by all
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Fluctuating Dollar’s Impact on Manufacturing
This edition of “Ask the Industry” looks at the affect changes in U.S. currency is having on the automotive aftermarket industry, particularly the manufacturing sector. Helping us sort through this complex issue is Frank Hampshire, senior director of market research for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). In this exclusive “Ask the Industry” discussion, Hampshire says the fluctuating value of the dollar isn’t all bad for aftermarket manufacturers.
AAMCO Unveils Eco-Green Initiative to Promote Cleaner Running Cars and Centers
Transmission service center chain, AAMCO, recently introduced Eco-Green Auto Service Certification, a new program designed to protect the environment, reduce vehicle emissions and promote alternative fuels among the thousands of motorists AAMCO serves annually. Eco-Green Auto Service Certification will be awarded to qualifying AAMCO centers across America based on a stringent set of criteria that reduces the centers’ environmental footprint, while giving AAMCO customers a new range of services that cut emissions, improve mileage and reduce the hazardous waste associated with owning and maintaining their vehicles. The certification is the first of its type in the automotive aftermarket industry.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry: Aftermarket Executives Offer Their Predictions
In the trade press, we often say that we have a “30,000 foot view” of the aftermarket, a view that many others do not get to have. From our vantage point, we get perspectives on all segments of the industry. When interviewing industry executives, we like to ask a common question about where they see the industry headed in the next five to 10 years. For this week’s edition of “Ask the Industry,” we thought it would be interesting to put side by side several of the responses to that common question and see what commonalities and what differences there are in their predictions.
Kerkorian Sells Full Stake in GM
General Motors Corp.’s painful process of reinventing itself apparently will continue without Kirk Kerkorian, whose ownership of almost 10 percent of the world’s largest automaker failed to become a lever for the changes he sought. The Wall Street Journal, citing a person familiar with the matter, reported in Friday’s edition that the billionaire investor sold his entire remaining investment in GM — 28 million shares — at $29.95 a share, a transaction worth more than $800 million. The newspaper reported that the shares were sold to Bank of America, a key lender to Kerkorian.
U.S. Rises in Auto Reliability Ratings
From AFX News Limited DETROIT — Ford’s new Fusion model earned high marks from both Consumer Reports testers and consumers who rated its reliability, the magazine said in its 2007 new car preview, showing that U.S. automakers may be making strides in initial quality. Asian automakers once again dominated the closely watched reliability ratings, but
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Talks about Protecting Against Software Piracy
Thanks to increased legislative and media attention, the issue of counterfeiting has been pushed to the forefront of the American business’ consciousness. Blamed for the loss of billions of dollars every year, product counterfeiting is estimated to cause about $12 billion in lost sales annually for American automotive suppliers. Within the aftermarket, counterfeiting isn’t limited only to trademark violations or manufacture of knock-off parts. It also includes the illegal copying or ‘pirating’ of software, a primary business for a number of companies in the aftermarket. For this week’s “Ask the Industry,” we spoke with several companies that develop software solutions for the automotive aftermarket to find out how they protect against software piracy.
Downey Products Introduces New Catalog
LOGAN, UT — Downey Products has introduced a new catalog featuring the company’s complete line of soft tonneau covers and tonneau replacement parts. Downey’s new application guide provides detailed product information accompanied by full-color photographs. It showcases Downey’s new Quick Flip tri-fold and Top Spin roll-back tonneau covers, as well as Downey’s traditional SST (slant