Future Auto Rising Stars Shine in Dearborn
For the eighth time, Underhood Service Editor Ed Sunkin served as a team judge for the national finals of the Ford/AAA Student Auto Skills competition, where he got to watch first-hand a pair of students work tediously on repairing a bugged Ford vehicle.
Lawmakers Urge Obama to Limit Chinese Tires
The lawmakers backed a petition from the United Steelworkers union asking Obama to impose a quota that would restrict Chinese tire imports to 21 million, taking them back to 2005 levels.
Aftermarket Professionals Graduate from University of the Aftermarket’s Leadership 2.0 Program
Leadership 2.0, the University of the Aftermarket’s Executive Development Program, concluded on Friday, April 18, with a graduation ceremony for its 19 participants. Participants in this year’s program represent a wide-array of aftermarket companies at all levels of the industry. Part I was held at Northwood University’s Troy campus in September 2007.
Bearings Technologies Acquires North Coast Bearings
Bearing Technologies, Ltd. (BT), a manufacturer and private labeler of wheel hub assemblies and clutch release, racing, repair and industrial bearings, has acquired North Coast Bearings, Inc. (NCB), a supplier of differential and transmission rebuild kits, bearings and related components. It is BT’s third major acquisition in the past five years.
PPG Names Giga Vice President, Strategic Planning and Treasurer, Edvardsson Promoted to Assistant Treasurer
PPG Industries has named Aziz Giga, vice president, strategic planning, to the post of vice president, strategic planning and treasurer, and appointed Kim Edvardsson, director, global treasury, as assistant treasurer reporting to Giga.
Eilenberger Named BASF Marketing Director
BASF Automotive Refinish Solutions has appointed Darlene Eilenberger to marketing director, NAFTA. Eilenberger replaces Guy Bargnes, who has accepted the position of national sales director for the Refinish group. Eilenberger has been with BASF Automotive Refinish for 28 years, most recently as brand marketing manager, where she was the chief architect of the Refinish group’s North American strategic marketing plan. Eilenberger was also responsible for brand strategy and p rod uct management of BASF Refinish paint lines, including Glasurit, R-M and Limco.
Shell Oil Signs Multi-Year Sponsorship with Richard Childress Racing
Shell Oil has announced its return to NASCAR through a multi-year primary sponsorship of Richard Childress Racing (RCR). Through the sponsorship both Shell and Pennzoil brands will be featured on the No. 29 Chevrolet Monte Carlo SS to be driven by Kevin Harvick in the 2007 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup series. Shell will also be the associate sponsor on other RCR cars including the No. 31 Cup car driven by Jeff Burton and the No. 07 Cup car driven by Clint Bowyer.
Clevite Prepares for the Engine Builder Showdown’s Seventh Season
Clevite Engine Parts is gearing up to once again shine the spotlight on NASCAR’s hidden heroes of racing by sponsoring the 2006 Clevite Engine Builder Showdown. In keeping with previous competitions, 16 of NASCAR’s top engine builders will participate in the first round of the showdown. The competing engine builders will assemble 357 cubic inch Ford engines – similar in design to those used by NASCAR’s Ford race teams.
Snap-on Makes Multi-Year Commitment to Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Snap-on has extended its sponsorship commitment with Dale Earnhardt, Inc (DEI). With this multi-year contract renewal, Snap-on will serve as an associate sponsor to DEI. DEI is currently comprised of four teams – the No. 1 Bass Pro Shops, No. 8 Budweiser and the No. 15 Menard’s Chevrolet teams, which compete in the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. They also field the No. 11 Menard’s Chevrolet in the NASCAR Busch Series.
Clevite Engine Parts Crowns Engine Builders of the Year
Clevite Engine Parts announced the Clevite Engine Builders of the Year for the 2005 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup, NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The 2005 Clevite Engine Builder of the Year championship races were among the most exciting in history. In some cases, the winner in each series wasn’t determined until the end of the final race of the season.