WTO Battle Starts Against China on Auto Parts
The U.S., European Union and Canada will today ask World Trade Organization judges to prohibit Chinese duties on imports of car parts they say discriminate against foreign makers, in the first WTO lawsuit against China, EU and U.S. officials said.
Executive Interview: MEMA Leaders Discuss the Supplier’s Impact on Capital Hill
During last month’s MEMA Legislative Summit, Counterman Managing Editor Michael Freeze spoke with the people behind the association’s lobbying event: Ann Wilson, vice president of government affairs for the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA); Robert “Bob” McKenna, president and CEO of MEMA; and Steve Handschuh, executive director for the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA). Taking time out from their busy schedules while at the Summit, the three discussed the importance of meeting with Congress, the issues affecting the aftermarket industry and the growing influence of the industry in Washington, D.C.
Automotive Suppliers Support New Free Trade Agreement Deal Between the United States and Colombia
Two leading automotive and truck parts supplier associations applaud the U.S. Trade Representative’s completion of a free trade agreement (FTA) with Colombia. The agreement is supported by the Motor and Equipment Manufacturers Association (MEMA) and the Overseas Automotive Council (OAC).
Roland Berger: Chinese Cars Can Redefine Entry-Level Segment
The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of a Chinese vehicle imported into the U.S. for sale could range from $6,600 to $10,200, potentially redefining the entry-level segment of the market, according to Roland Berger Strategy Consultants. The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of a Chinese vehicle imported into the U.S. for sale could range from $6,600 to $10,200, potentially redefining the entry-level segment of the market, according to Roland Berger Strategy Consultants.
AASA Marks Three Years of Aftermarket Service
Since its creation in 2002, the Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) has assisted aftermarket suppliers both large and small in meeting the challenges of today’s competitive global marketplace.
Automotive Suppliers Applaud Passage of CAFTA
Automotive suppliers hailed the House’s passage of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA) as an important step forward for free trade across the Americas.
R. L. Polk & Co.’s Ask the Industry Digs Into Raw Materials
Rising prices on raw materials such as steel, petroleum and resins have put a squeeze on many auto parts manufacturers. While we’ve been hearing a lot about it lately, it is still an extremely convoluted matter that goes beyond a simple higher price tag. So, we asked Ann Wilson, MEMA’s vice president of government affairs, to give us a simple breakdown of what’s going on. We also talked to top executives from two leading manufacturers to find out what steps they’ve taken to deal with it. Read on to learn more.
Automotive Communicators Honored for Outstanding PR Achievements
The winners of the fourth annual Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award were honored April 28 at the Spring Conference of the Automotive Public Relations Council (APRC) held in Dearborn, Mich. The only award of its kind, the Excellence in Automotive Public Relations Award identifies public relations programs that have successfully addressed an automotive-related public relations issue with exemplary professional skill, creativity and resourcefulness. The annual award honors complete public relations programs that incorporate sound planning, execution and evaluation.
China Poised to Become World’s Third Largest Motor Vehicle Market, According to New AAIA Study
With vehicle sales in China, the most populous country in the world, surging 166 percent in the last five years, the country has dramatically increased its role in the global automotive industry. Lucrative opportunities for aftermarket companies are available in this region. To assist aftermarket companies investigating potential business in China, the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) has published a new study: Global Aftermarket Trends: China.
Ford, Delphi Go Up Against Big Steel
Ford Motor Co, the second-largest U.S. automaker, and Delphi Corp, the world’s largest auto-parts company, asked the U.S. International Trade Commission yesterday to lift duties on steel imports from Brazil, Japan and Russia. Executives from the two companies joined their automotive industry peers at a hearing in Washington, saying the five-year-old U.S. tariffs on hot flat-rolled steel from those nations have led to record steel prices, which are squeezing their profits.