Japanese Automakers Expand Exports, Plant Capacity, While Vehicle Sales Inside Japan Hit Record Lows
Japanese domestic auto sales have hit a 30-year low, even while the country’s artificially weak yen helps drive record levels of exports to the U.S., according to the latest auto industry company sales reports. Sales of autos exported from Japan rose 13.7 percent in the first half of 2007 over the same period last year, an increase of 135,498 autos. Meanwhile, sales of U.S.-built autos by Japanese manufacturers increased only 2 percent. And while Japanese exports to the U.S. are soaring, sales of autos in Japan have hit a 30-year low, dropping 10.5 percent during the first half of 2007 from a year earlier to 1,788,440 units, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.
Rep. Joe Knollenberg Challenges Japan on Misaligned Yen
The Automotive Trade Policy Council, whose members include General Motors, Ford and DaimlerChrysler, applauded legislation int rod uced this week by Rep. Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) that directs the U.S. to work with its major trading partners and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to insist that the Japanese government return the severely undervalued yen to its true market value. Japan has spent over $400 billion since 2001 to weaken the yen in an effort to facilitate economic growth through greater exports.
Wayne Golonka Joins AIM as Territory Sales Manager
Wayne Golonka has joined AIM as territory sales manager. Golonka, who has spent his entire career in the automotive and heavy duty aftermarket, most recently served as district manager for ATP. In his role with AIM, Golonka will call on WDs and automotive jobbers in the Northeast region of the U.S.
NGK Spark Plugs Hires Three District Sales Managers
NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) has hired Randy Anderson, John Edlund and Ralph Herrold to serve as district sales managers for the company. Anderson, a 24-year veteran in the automotive aftermarket industry, was previously with Genuine Parts Co. and served as the new markets manager. In his new role, Anderson will be responsible for the sales efforts for NGK in Florida and Georgia. He will report to Peter Daley, eastern zone manager for NGK Spark Plugs’ Aftermarket Division.
Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance Holds Annual Winter Meeting in Sunny Florida
The shareholders of Aftermarket Auto Parts Alliance, Inc. gathered in Boca Raton, FL, for the group’s annual winter meeting held Dec. 2-6. Each shareholder of the Alliance was represented. The meeting is a culmination of the past year’s efforts of Auto Value/Bumper to Bumper parts stores and certified service centers. Reports and breakout meetings focusing on marketing, product and education were reviewed. New vendors were reviewed and approved and the 2007 marketing strategy was presented.
The Week In Review (Nov. 13-17, 2006)
By Amy Antenora Editor The Week in Review offers a snapshot into the most read stories of the week as seen on aftermarketNews.com. 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
Parts Depot Recognizes Industry Partners at Leadership Conference
ROANOKE , VA — Parts Depot presented a number of awards industry partners last week at the Parts Depot Leadership Conference held in Orlando , FL. At the conference, held at Universal Studios, Parts Depot awarded its Best Field Representation of 2006 to Wix Filters. Alan Bostwick, vice president of marketing and merchandising presented the
Bosch’s Oxygen Sensor Technology Receives Frost & Sullivan 2005 Technology Innovation Award
Frost & Sullivan has selected Robert Bosch Corp. as the recipient of the 2005 Technology Innovation Award for its aftermarket oxygen sensors technology. Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to a company that has exhibited technological superiority within its industry. The award recognizes the ability of the company to successfully develop and introduce new technology, formulate a well-designed product family, and make significant product performance contributions to the industry.
Pronto Celebrates Recent Accomplishments, Announces New Programs at Fall Owner’s Conference
The National Pronto Association, a member-owned and member-directed group of automotive warehouse distributors, recently held its Fall Owner’s Conference in Orlando, Fla. Highlights of the conference included an opening keynote address from Jim Macingvale, the owner of Gallery Furniture, in Houston, Texas. Macingvale, author of “Always Think Big,” shared the business philosophies, strategies and tactics that helped him grow his company into the nation’s largest single location furniture retailer.