This Year’s Aftermarket eForum Downloads in Chicago
The automotive aftermarket industry gathered in Chicago for the three-day event known as the Aftermarket eForum yesterday. This year’s theme, Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges, featured various speakers from the OE market to the AAIA’s tech guru on the first day.
Monroe, Walker Expand Import Ride Control and Exhaust Coverage
Tenneco Automotive announced a significant expansion of premium application-tuned Monroe replacement shock absorbers and struts for foreign-nameplate passenger cars, light trucks, minivans and SUVs, during an import technology briefing in June at its Monroe, MI, headquarters.
Brake Performance Rating Program Reaches Critical Mass
The Brake Effectiveness Evaluation Procedure (BEEP), the brake pad and shoe performance certification program of the Brake Manufacturers Council (BMC), has now reached critical mass, with the current number of available platforms representing 75 percent of the market.
Meridian Seeks Chapter 11 Aid
In what is becoming a fairly regular and disconcerting occurrence in today’s auto industry, Meridian Automotive Systems Inc. filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Tuesday, citing the high cost of steel and increased pricing pressure from its automaker customers.
Group Issues PSA Alerting Consumers About the Risks of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
While the industry is trying to cope with the current supply and demand issues related to HFC-134a mobile A/C refrigerant (also known as R-134a), vehicle manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and other organizations are warning car and truck owners to avoid the use of flammable hydrocarbon refrigerants, which are being marketed as substitutes for R-134a, on the Internet, at flea markets and swap meets, and in some service shops. Hydrocarbon refrigerants are not authorized for this use and can pose risk to both vehicles and service technicians.
TRW Leader Says the Future is All About Safety
John Plant, the CEO for TRW Automotive Holdings Corp., has one word to sum up why his company’s future looks more promising than most: Safety. “The way we think of it is that you need to have a theme for a company. For us, the theme is all about safety,” said Plant.
BorgWarner in Right Place to Compete
BorgWarner Inc., the new auto supplier on the block in Auburn Hills, Mich., has a competitive edge that hasn’t gone unnoticed on Wall Street. While some automotive-related stocks have seen double-digit declines in the past year, BorgWarner has seen double-digit gains. And, even with the difficulties faced by auto stocks, BorgWarner has continued to get favorable marks from Wall Street analysts.
Hella Lighting Plant Wins Ford Q1 Award
Hella Lighting Corp.’s York, SC, plant has received Ford Motor Co.’s top award for quality. Ford’s Q1 award is given for outstanding performance in product quality and service and is a prerequisite for a supplier to win business from Ford. Hella’s York facility produces the center high-mounted signal light (CHMSL) for the 2004 F150 pickup truck and fog lamps for the newly-introduced Ford Five Hundred and Mercury Montego cars.
ArvinMeritor and Meritor WABCO Unveil New Medium-Duty Hydraulic ABS/Disc Brake Package
ArvinMeritor and Meritor WABCO Vehicle Control Systems have unveiled their new Premium Hydraulic Braking System for medium-duty truck and bus applications. Meritor WABCO is a joint venture of ArvinMeritor and the WABCO Automotive Products Group of American Standard Companies Inc. The package includes Meritor WABCO’s Hydraulic Power Brake (HPB) — the next-generation of its hydraulic actuation and anti-lock braking system (ABS) — and the Meritor Quadraulic hydraulic disc brake. The package is available immediately for North American original equipment manufacturers’ vehicles.
Record Number of Companies to Participate in AAPEX Booth Selection; GOJO Industries Gets First Draw
A record number of companies will participate in the 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Online Space Selection, which will take place online beginning Wednesday, March 16. A total of 1,723 companies participated in the Space Drawing, with GOJO Industries Inc. the first company chosen to select. Due to heavy demand for exhibit space for the 2005 show, AAPEX exhibits this year will occupy a portion of the Venetian Ballroom as well.