Japan Auto Parts Makers Nix Contract Renewals with Ford
Japan’s big auto parts suppliers have declined to renew contracts with Ford Motor Co. due to concerns about their intellectual property rights, a Japanese business daily reported Monday. The suppliers, such as Denso Corp. and Aisin Seiki Co., raised their concerns after Ford decided to include new provisions in its contracts allowing it to share suppliers’ technologies with other Ford group firms, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in its evening edition.
AFCO Invests $20 Million in South Carolina Facility to Produce Next-Generation DENSO Fuel Pump
Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corp. (AFCO) is investing an additional $20 million in its Anderson, S.C., manufacturing plant in order to support U.S. production of DENSO’s newly designed Grand Half (GH) automotive fuel pump. AFCO is a joint venture between Robert Bosch GmbH of Germany and DENSO International America, Inc. that was established in 1989.
How Electronics and Mechatronics Will Affect Your Future Reman Business
During the 2004 International Big R Show in Las Vegas, Fernand Weiland of FJW Consulting (Cologne, Germany), will moderate a free workshop on electronics and mechatronics and the impact that electronics has on products that are currently only mechanical or electrical in nature.
TI Automotive Adds Three to Management Ranks
TI Automotive has appointed three executives to key management positions. Rick Hein has become global commercial and IT director for TI Automotive’s fluid carry systems group, a newly created position, in Warren, Mich. Previously, he was responsible for the division’s quality and IT strategy. Rick will continue to report directly to Rich Kolpasky, president of global fluid carrying systems.
Hella North America Names New President and CEO – NAFTA Aftermarket
Wolfgang Benz has been named president and CEO – NAFTA Aftermarket for Hella North America. In this new role, Benz will direct Hella’s North American aftermarket business. Benz joined Hella KG in 1995 as managing director of Hella Aftermarket Operations for the U.K. and Ireland. His automotive career began in 1967 at Robert Bosch GmbH in Stuttgart- Schillerhoehe, Germany, where he served as a sales manager and later export product manager.
Auto Components Supplier Set to Quadruple China Sales
World-leading automotive parts and components supplier Robert Bosch GmbH plans to cash in on China’s fast-growing auto sector by quadrupling its sales in the nation by 2012. The company plans to lift its sales to $6 billion by 2012 from last year’s $1.56 billion.
Automotive Communications Council Elects Officers and Board
The Automotive Communications Council (ACC) elected new officers and members to its board of governors at its recent conference in Hollywood, Fla. Nearly 40 members attended the conference held at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa near Miami Beach. Attendees heard presentations on a range of topics including ad effectiveness and strategic aftermarket branding.
Ninth Annual GAAS Kicked Off in Chicago
While the theme of this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) — Leaner, Faster, Better — may connote the automated efficiency of a well-run machine, the true focus of the day’s numerous presentations was on the talented pool of people who make up that machine and how to make better use of them. “The core of any great business is the people,” said GAAS founder and chairman Mort Schwartz, who welcomed approximately 400 aftermarket executives to the event.
New AAIA Chairman Outlines Vision for the Aftermarket in New Century
David Caracci, newly elected chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association’s (AAIA) Board of Directors, has outlined his vision for the future of the aftermarket. In a statement issued late last week, Caracci said he has a “positive vision for the aftermarket as we work together to meet the challenges and potential of today and tomorrow.” He is calling for industry-wide involvement and participation to assure a “robust, healthy future for our industry.”
MEMA Holds First Automotive Suppliers’ Legislative and Public Policy Summit
Automotive suppliers, members of Congress and federal agency heads met to discuss automotive safety, energy and the environment, international trade and soaring health care and pension costs during the “MEMA Legislative and Public Policy Summit: Advancing American Manufacturing,” held May 5-6 in Washington, D.C.