Annual ASA Conference Breeds Profitability and Success for Tire Dealers
ASA Tire Systems recently held its ninth annual client conference, InfoExpo, in Lexington, KY. More than 600 independent U.S. and Canadian dealer locations were represented.
India: New Hub of the Automotive Industry
India’s car market has emerged as the fastest-growing in the world. With the number of cars sold in the country projected to double by 2010, Europe’s key automotive players are busy building factories in the sub-continent, where costs are low and margins high. In the space of five years, production of passenger cars in India has jumped by more than 100 percent to 1.11 million vehicles sold last year. International analysts agree that the country is in the major league of Asian automotive markets, but until now most car companies preferred China over India as the location for a manufacturing bridgehead.
ASA Tire Systems Announces Personnel Changes
ASA Tire Systems announced a series of promotions and new hires.
ArvinMeritor Plans to Focus Commercial Vehicle Marketing Efforts Around Meritor Brand
ArvinMeritor announced at the Mid-America Truck Show last week that it plans to revitalize its Commercial Vehicle Systems (CVS) business by refocusing on its Meritor product and services brand. The decision was based on extensive marketing research conducted by the CVS marketing team. To help reinforce its brand position, the company is adopting a new tagline — “Delivering Performance Plus” — to represent its desired position to be recognized as the best-in-class within the “performance” category of products, parts and people.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Looks at the Impact of Hybrid Vehicles
Last week, as part of a speech on his Advanced Energy Initiative, President Bush called for increased spending on scientific R&D and incentives for makers and consumers of alternative sources of energy in order to reduce the United States’ dependency on foreign sources of energy. The most promising breakthrough in alternative energy, the president said, is the hybrid vehicle. As interest in hybrid vehicles grows, it also raises many questions both for consumers and the technicians who must eventually repair these cars.
Former Ford Exec Named Collins & Aikman EVP Commercial & Program Management
Mary Ann Wright has been appointed executive vice president commercial and program management for Collins & Aikman, effective immediately. In this position, Wright will be responsible for organizing, planning and implementing the overall marketing, sales, business development and program management activities for the company.
Taking Lessons from the Past, Projecting on the Future at the 10th Annual Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium in Chicago
“LIVE FROM GAAS” Who will fix the cars? What impact will China have in manufacturing parts? Why are consumers turning to dealers for repairs? These and other important questions were the focus of the 2005 Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS), taking place yesterday and today in Chicago.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Offers Advice to New Graduates
As graduation season nears, what words of encouragement or advice would you give a young person entering the aftermarket? Would you encourage a young person to pursue a career in this industry? Read on to find out what aftermarket executives from a range of professions had to say.
SAE Marks 100th Anniversary
Yesterday, Jan. 20, officially marked the Society of Automotive Engineers’ (SAE) 100 year anniversary. To commemorate its century of continued service to the mobility community, SAE has planned several special events, conferences and expositions throughout the year. SAE’s celebration will include gala events, specially commissioned 100th anniversary artwork and an interactive, traveling exhibit.
SAE Plans Centennial Celebrations
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE ) plans to hold special celebrations at several of its conferences and expositions in 2005 to celebrate its 100 year anniversary. SAE has been serving the mobility engineering community since 1905. From a black tie gala and special section functions to PR events and centennial series editions of its magazines, there will be ample opportunities for joining SAE in toasting its first century.