Automotive Aftermarket in China Demand to Reach $4.9 Billion in 2009
The aftermarket for light vehicle components and parts in China is projected to increase at an annual rate of 13.8 percent, reaching 40 billion yuan (about $4.9 billion) in 2009, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industrial market research firm.
Rapid Growth Still Projected for China’s Motor Vehicle Industry
Although China’s automotive industry has experienced its fastest pace of growth in the past five years, rapid growth is still expected for the industry in the coming five years from 2006 to 2010. The next five years are likely to see breakthroughs in industrial structuring, research and development (R&D), environmental protection, standard making and exports.
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.
KS Bearings and Miba Bearings Form Joint Venture
Kolbenschmidt Pierburg’s KS Bearings division and Miba Bearings US LLC have created a 50-50 joint-venture company in Indiana to produce materials that are needed to manufacture plain bearings for the automobile and commercial vehicle industries.
Polk Study Finds Rising Gas Prices Getting Personal
Consumers are telling auto manufacturers they want fuel-efficient vehicles; they are reducing how much they drive and they will factor the price of gas into decisions concerning both the timing and type of vehicles they purchase, according to results from a public opinion poll and forthcoming study by the Polk Center for Automotive Studies.
Executive Interview with Duane Miller, Executive Director of GM Service and Parts business channels – GM Service and Parts Operations (SPO)
This Executive Interview features Duane Miller, who is the Executive Director of GM’s Service and Parts business channels (GM Service and Parts Operations [SPO]). Miller was appointed to his position back in April 2005. He took time from his busy schedule to discuss with AftermarketNews.com his new responsibilities, the outlook of ACDelco going forward and how “Real Car Guys” know ACDelco.
Executive Interview with Jerry McCabe, Vice President, Communications & Marketing Services, Affinia
Every other week, aftermarketNews.com offers an interview with high-profile individuals in the automotive aftermarket. We give executives free rein to express their views on anything from the state of their corporations to recent legislative news to future trends in their niche markets. Here you see what matters to the newsmakers themselves. Our latest Executive Interview features Jerry McCabe, vice president, communications & marketing services, Affinia. McCabe shares his thoughts of the use of technology and standards in the industry.
Supplier Wants to Build Cars for Big Three
Magna Steyr appears to be inching closer to its goal of being the first auto supplier in recent history to build entire vehicles on a contract basis for automakers in North America. The engineering unit of Canada’s Magna International Inc. still doesn’t have its first North American vehicle-building contract, but the unit’s top executive here said it has had initial talks with several U.S. automakers and could be close to inking a deal.
Goodyear Names Werner Vice President of Manufacturing, North American Tire
Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. has named Christopher Werner vice president of manufacturing for its North American Tire (NAT) business unit. Werner was most recently senior vice president, global operations for GST AutoLeather, Inc., a supplier of automotive leather for luxury vehicles from Toyota/Lexus, Acura, Ford, Chrysler and others.
DENSO Develops Smaller, Lighter Components for Large Hybrid Vehicles
DENSO Corp. has developed four new components for hybrid vehicles — a hybrid control computer; a battery- monitoring unit; a DC-DC converter and an electric compressor for air conditioning systems — all designed to be smaller and lighter than conventional components, while still being able to meet the needs of today’s larger hybrid vehicles.