Many Recalled Cars Remain Unrepaired
Timothy Michaud died in May after falling from the tailgate of a Chevrolet pickup and suffering severe head injuries. The 19-year-old from Maine never knew General Motors Corp. had recalled the pickup two months earlier because the tailgate cables could corrode and snap. At the time of the accident, Michaud’s employer, which owned the used 2000 pickup, hadn’t received a recall notice, said Stephen Schwarz, an attorney for the Michaud family. The pickup was one of the millions of recalled vehicles that go unrepaired each year. Sometimes vehicle owners are at fault for not getting repairs. But some safety experts say automakers and federal regulators share the blame because they haven’t developed a better system to track whether a vehicle has in fact been repaired.
NSA Named Preferred Supplier of New Starters and Alternators for IAPA
NSA Corp. has been approved by the Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA), as its preferred supplier of new starters and alternators. NSA offers coverage of more than 95 percent of late-model domestic passenger applications and 90 percent of late-model Toyota, Honda, Isuzu, Suzuki, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Subaru and European passenger vehicles. The company also provides extensive coverage of leading commercial-truck applications.
Car Care Council Women’s Board Announces Winners of the Automotive Communications Awards
The Car Care Council Women’s Board (WB) has announced the winners of the new Automotive Communications Awards (ACA). The awards were presented during the Women’s Board reception on Tuesday, Nov. 2 in Las Vegas, during AAPEX. The Automotive Communications Awards recognize companies/agencies that provide automotive information through outstanding advertising, marketing and PR efforts. The business-to-consumer awards have 14 categories for entry targeted to women, including car care clinics and direct mail piece or campaign/newsletter. The business-to-business awards consist of 21 categories with such options as logo design and special promotions and promotional events/trade show.
Be Car Care Aware Declared New On-Going Program For IAPA and ASP
Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) has joined the Be Car Care Aware (BCCA) consumer education campaign and will integrate it with IAPA’s ongoing programming. According to Mike Kamal, IAPA executive director, the group also will embrace National Car Care Month (NCCM) as Automotive Service Professional (ASP) member shops and IAPA retail stores host NCCM car check-ups and related activities in April.
Midas’ European Operations Gets New Owners
Midas has confirmed the pending sale of its licensed operations in Europe and Latin America. Currently owned by Magneti Marelli, a member of the Fiat Group, Marelli will sell the operations to France’s Norauto Group. Midas sold its interests in Europe and Brazil to Marelli in October 1998, when the companies entered into a long-term license agreement for which Midas received $100 million in cash and on-going royalties throughout the term of the license agreement.
Toyo Tire North America Establishes Plant in U.S.
Toyo Tire & Rubber Co. has announced plans to invest $150 million to set up a tire manufacturing plant on a 150-acre site in the Atlanta area in response to growing demand in North America. The plant will be operated by a new subsidiary – Toyo Tire North America.
IAPA Holds Annual Meeting, Honors Outstanding Vendors
San Francisco and the Sonoma Wine Country provided the backdrop for the Independent Auto Parts of America (IAPA) recent annual membership meeting. IAPA’s 192 members, along with family, manufacturers, suppliers and guests attended the event, which took place at the world-renowned Fairmont Hotel on May 22-25.
Timken Shareholders Elect New Director
Jerry Jasinowski, president of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM), was elected for a three-year term on the Timken board of directors, expiring in 2007. Jasinowki was elected during Timken’s annual shareholders meeting held yesterday. James Griffith, John Luke, Jr., Frank Sullivan and Ward Timken have also been re-elected for three-year terms expiring in 2007.
NACE 2004 Space Draw Results Exceed 2003
The recently completed Space Draw for the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) 2004 event in Las Vegas showed an increase over 2003 in the number of participating companies and the amount of space assigned, indicating a strong start to NACE being held during Automotive Aftermarket Industry Week (AAIW) in November.
Lean Manufacturers Recognized for Excellence
Ten automotive suppliers are among the recipients of the 2004 Shingo Prize for Excellence in Manufacturing. Dubbed the “Nobel prize of Manufacturing” by Business Week magazine, the Shingo Prize recognizes manufacturers who follow Toyota’s LEAN manufacturing principles. Administered by the College of Business, Utah State University, nine state-level awards and a public-sector category, primarily for Military Depots doing re-manufacturing, have been implemented in recent months.