Publisher Buys J.D. Power
James Dave Power III, who has spent more than half his life building an idea into a trusted company that provides information to consumers and companies — especially about automobiles — agreed Monday to sell his research firm to the behemoth McGraw-Hill Cos. Inc.
Executive Interview with Tom Marx, President and CEO of The Marx Group
The Marx Group was founded in Los Angeles more than two decades ago, in 1984. Since 1997, the full service marketing communications company has been based in Northern California, and includes a staff of eight, with locations in Chicago (public relations), New York (creative), Los Angeles and Denver (account services). The Marx Group began as an advertising agency serving the apparel agency. Today nearly three-quarters of its business is focused on the automotive aftermarket. Join us as the company’s founder, Tom Marx, shares his experiences from a colorful career as a professional race-car driver, repair shop owner, author and advertising executive, and gives us the keys to getting sales and marketing to work in collaboration.
Aftermarket eForum Set for July 19-21
The 2005 Aftermarket eForum, “Solutions Today for Tomorrow’s Technology Challenges,” will be held July 19-21 in Chicago. The two-and-a-half day event will feature expert presentations and panels, breakout sessions and a vendor show, according to the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), which created the e-commerce educational forum in 2000.
Delphi Supplies First Dual-Depth Passenger Air Bag to GM
Delphi Corp.’s newest front passenger air bag technology — the dual-depth passenger air bag — is being featured for the first time in the automotive industry on two General Motors’ programs. The dual-depth front passenger air bag will be standard equipment on the 2006 Cadillac DTS and the 2006 Buick Lucerne, which debuted at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month. The dual-depth air bag can deploy in a small or large size based on seat position, seat belt use and crash severity. The bag’s inflation energy is also adjusted at two different pressures according to the crash severity.
Buyer Beware: Learn More About the Dangers of Counterfeit Auto Parts
Until the 1980s, counterfeiting was thought of as a victimless crime, conjuring up images of knock-off brand-name watches and handbags. Today, however, counterfeiting is big business, accounting for five to eight percent of all goods sold worldwide. In terms of criminal activity, counterfeiting is among the most lucrative crimes today, its impact on the global economy estimated at $350 billion to $500 billion a year. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has called counterfeiting “the crime of the 21st century.” The Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association and its Brand Protection Council, in conjunction with Babcox Publications, have produced a supplemental publication on counterfeiting in the motor vehicle industry. The publication will serve as a resource guide for warehouse distributors, parts stores, retailers and technicians in the automotive aftermarket, as well as for parts distributors, fleet equipment and maintenance managers, and service providers in the heavy-duty market.
Executive Interview with Michael Scheiven, Director, Aftermarket Channel, Philips Automotive Lighting North America
Our latest Executive Interview features Michael Scheiven, director, Aftermarket Channel, Philips Automotive Lighting North America. Just about two years ago, Scheiven joined Philips after a long and successful career with General Motors (GM). Scheiven spent 19 years at GM, serving as director of AC Delco Aftermarket Operations with General Motors Brazil, International Marketing Manager with GM Service Parts Operations US, Commercial Director for GM Service Parts Operations-Mexico and South America Sales Manager for General Motors Corp. It was precisely this background that led Philips to recruit Scheiven, as the company sought to revitalitize its aftermarket business. Scheiven recently spoke with aftermarketNews.com about Philips’ Automotive Lighting business and the changes in this market segment.
AutoZone Recognizes Two Top Suppliers
AutoZone has recognized two of manufacturing vendors as its Suppliers of the Year. Morse Automotive and Unit Parts Co. were recognized for their achievements at AutoZone’s annual Vendor Summit.
Congress Introduces Anti-Counterfeiting Legislation
Yesterday, Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-Mich.) introduced the “Stop Counterfeiting in Manufactured Goods Act,” H.R. 32 into the 109th Congress. The legislation is intended to strengthen the U.S. criminal statute against production and trafficking in counterfeited goods. This is great news for the automotive supplier industry, providing the industry an important tool in fighting product counterfeiting, according to the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA). The American automotive parts and components industry looses an estimated $12 billion in sales on a global basis to counterfeiting.
The Top Ten Newsmakers of 2004
For the first time ever, Counterman magazine and aftermarketNews.com bring you The Top 10 Newsmakers of the Year. Our editorial team took a look at some of this industry’s most influential leaders and selected the 10 we believe have had a direct impact on the success of the aftermarket in 2004. Beyond that, we believe these individuals have helped set the stage for an even more productive future for our industry.
Executive Interview: John Lampe, chairman, president and CEO of Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding
Two years ago on August 9, Bridgestone/Firestone Inc. — and the whole tire industry — changed for all time. John Lampe has been in the middle of the entire saga from day one. More importantly, as chairman, president and CEO of what is now Bridgestone/Firestone Americas Holding (BFAH) and the head of Bridgestone/Firestone North America Tire, the Kansas native has led the once-beleaguered company back from the brink.