WIX Filtration Products Receives CARQUEST Vendor of the Year, Order Fill Awards
WIX Filtration Products was presented with the 2003 CARQUEST Vendor of the Year award and two Order Fill Awards in recognition of its impressive ship-and-fill rates, outstanding marketing programs and customer service. WIX is the exclusive manufacturer of CARQUEST’s Premium Blue and Red Filter lines.
Judge Dismisses Class Action Move Against Steeltex Tires
A California judge today dismissed a motion seeking national class action status for an on-going lawsuit alleging defects in Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire’s entire Firestone Steeltex line. The ruling, which came after months of delays, is expected to be appealed by attorney Joseph Lisoni, who has made it a personal crusade to force the court-ordered recall of all Steeltex tires.
3M and Graco Launch Co-Branded Product Line
3M Automotive Aftermarket Division and Graco Industrial/Automotive Equipment Division have formed an alliance to offer a new line of paint spray guns to the automotive aftermarket. According to Bob MacDonald, vice president, 3M Automotive Aftermarket Division, the two companies worked with painters from across the country to develop the line.
Federal-Mogul Sees Accelerated Shift to Aluminum Engine Bearings in Automotive Service Industry
Automotive engine rebuilders have embraced aluminum engine bearing technologies and are adopting this new material for a broad range of late-model automotive applications, according to engineering and marketing representatives at Federal-Mogul Corp.
Brake Parts Inc. Launches Raybestos Spring Brake 2004 Promotion
Brake Parts Inc. has announced its plans for the Raybestos Spring Brake 2004 promotion, which will run April 1 through June 30. When professional service technicians purchase an open stock order of superior quality Raybestos brand brakes from their participating WDs, they will have the opportunity to choose from a variety of premium items by redeeming points, as well as receive entry forms for the 2004 Spring Brake sweepstakes.
Class-action Decision Delayed in BAH Hearing; Firestone Recalls Another 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires
An Indio, Calif., hearing to determine if a lawsuit over Bridgestone/Firestone’s Steeltex tire brand should gain class-action status has been postponed until Mar. 17. The hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 25. California Superior Court Judge Christopher Sheldon delayed the decision, saying he wanted a shorter version of the motion filed by Bridgestone Americas Holding (BAH) opposing class-action certification. In related news, late yesterday afternoon Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire announced a voluntary safety campaign in the U.S. to replace approximately 297,000 Steeltex Radial A/T tires in size LT265/75R16 LR D (Load Range D) on 2000-2002 and some early 2003 model year Ford Excursions. The company said preliminary data suggests that there could be an issue concerning the performance of these tires. The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the new recall was initiated following three fatal crashes that claimed five lives.
Akebono Expands Aftermarket Friction Lineup
Akebono will launch the Akebono Premium Disc Brake Pads friction line next month. The line will feature 116 part numbers, covering a wide range of both late-model import and popular domestic vehicles.
MACS Installs 2004 Board and Officers
New officers and board members were sworn in during the MACS annual membership meeting Jan. 24. Serving as officers in 2004 are: Chairman — Michael Deese, Santech Industries, Ft. Worth, Texas; Vice Chairman — Gus Swensen, Cool Car Auto Air, Columbus, Ga.; Treasurer — Andy Fiffick, Rad-Air Complete Car Care in Garfield Heights, Ohio; and Secretary — Kevin Burton, Four Seasons, Lewisville, Texas.
NAPA/ASE Name Parts Specialist of the Year
Mike Mrozinski, a manager at Capital and Auto National Truck Service in Albany, N.Y., was recently named the 2004 NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year. Now in its fifth year, the NAPA/ASE Parts Specialist of the Year is awarded to a parts professional within the NAPA organization who demonstrates superior parts knowledge and business practices, a commitment to customer service and training, involvement in the community and outstanding service to the automotive parts, repair and maintenance industry. Judges include representatives from ASE, trade press, universities and aftermarket industry associations. Mrozinski was unanimously selected by the judges.
MPA Name Change is Official
In an exclusive interview from October 2003, Motorcar Parts & Accessories (MPA) Chairman, President and CEO Selwyn Joffe, indicated that MPA’s shareholders would soon vote on a proposal to change the company’s name. That name change is now official. Motorcar Parts & Accessories has changed its name to Motorcar Parts of America to better reflect its position in the markets it serves.