Delphi Becomes Official Safety Supplier to IRL
In the first-ever agreement of its kind, Delphi has been designated the “Official Safety Supplier” to the Indy Racing League (IRL). Beginning this year, the league’s safety and rescue team will become the Delphi Indy Racing League Safety Team. The Delphi Indy Racing League Safety Team includes 15 trained professionals who will attend all IndyCar Series and Menards Infiniti Pro Series events to handle on-site emergencies. In addition, Delphi will provide new safety technologies for safety vehicles used by the team and will provide hydraulic sled testing and analysis services at the Delphi Safety Systems Test Center, a state-of-the-art safety testing facility in Vandalia, Ohio.
Bridgestone Americas’ Lampe To Retire
John Lampe, chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone Americas Holding, who led the company’s remarkable recovery after devastating tire recalls in late 2000 and early 2001, announced today that he is retiring effective Mar. 31. He will be succeeded as chairman and CEO of BAH by Mark Emkes, currently chairman, CEO and president of Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire (BFNAT). Lampe announced his retirement this afternoon during a company-wide live Web cast and conference call. In addition, Lampe and Emkes granted Tire Review an exclusive in-depth interview about the retirement and the company’s future plans earlier this morning.
Harris Interactive Launches Internet-Based Automotive Market Research Product; Names Head of Automotive Research Group
Harris Interactive, a global market research and consulting firm, has introduced enhanced Internet-based market research capabilities for vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Harris Interactive has developed a consumer panel to be used exclusively for automotive market research. The firm’s automotive insights panel is comprised of a body of respondents identified from among its multimillion-member panel of online survey respondents. The panel can provide vehicle manufacturers and automotive suppliers with insight into consumer preferences, product knowledge, buying behavior and brand awareness. In conjunction with this announcement, Harris Interactive has appointed Scott Upham senior vice president of the Automotive & Transportation Research (ATR). Upham, previously of J.D. Power and Associates, will direct automotive research efforts for the company.
ACDelco to Sponsor MACS 2004 Convention
ACDelco will be a silver-level sponsor at this year’s Mobile Air Conditioning Society (MACS) Worldwide 2004 Convention and Trade Show, CRANK it UP!, Jan. 22-24 at the Caribe Royal All-Suites Resort and Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Susan Christophersen, manager of product service and training development for ACDelco, and Bob Stewart, A/C training program development, ACDelco service training, both will be presenting during the MACS 24th annual convention.
Executive Interview with Wolfgang Winzer, Vice President and General Manager of Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. Service & Special Solutions, North America
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Wolfgang Winzer, vice president and general manager of Siemens VDO Automotive Corp. Service & Special Solutions, North America. Winzer recently talked with aftermarketNews.com about the company’s extensive history in the OE market and how this will help them build a stronger aftermarket segment. He shared some of the company’s goals for its aftermarket business in the coming years.
Tier One Auto Supplier Microheat Restructures Management Team
Microheat, a Tier One automotive supplier and manufacturer of HotShot, a windshield snow and ice removal product set to debut on a wide range of 2006 vehicles, has restructured its management team. Solomon Franco, who founded the firm in 1998, stepped down as CEO and president on January 1. Peter Neustadter, one of the initial investors in Microheat, will serve as interim CEO and board chairman until the company recruits a permanent CEO. Neustadter said he expects the new CEO will be in place by April.
Most Influential Women in Collision Repair for 2003 Honored
Akzo Nobel took time last month to honor five exceptional women from the collision repair industry. The five women were recognized as the 2003 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry, an award Akzo Nobel has been presenting for five years. The 2003 Most Influential Women are as follows: Bertha Bertrand, co-manager, Brian Cullen Body Shop, St. Catharines, Ontario; Teresa Bolton, collision repair/refinishing specialist, ASE, Leesburg, Va.; Georgina Carson, editor, BodyShop Business magazine, Akron, Ohio; Karen Fierst, president, KerenOr Consultants, Silver Spring, Md.; and Eileen Haberman, vice president and co-owner, Glen’s Auto Body, Waukesha, Wis.