Armor All Launches The Art of Car Care Website for Car Enthusiasts
Armor All has launched a new website that offers car care buffs tools and advice to create and maintain an ongoing car maintenance log. The company said the website, http://www.aa-ownercenter.com , will serve as a “one-of-a-kind centralized community for the art of car care with auto-related information on everything from car maintenance reminders to car care tips from trusted experts.”
Maiwald and Parsnow Named Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Champions
Last night’s final round of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown lived up to its billing of being one of the most exciting rounds in Showdown history. The Showdown build record was shattered once again – by both teams – and only five seconds separated this year’s champion and runner up. When the smoke cleared, Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Engines – in their third straight final round appearance – took the Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy home to Hendrick Motorsports.
Maiwald and Parsnow Named Clevite Engine Builder Showdown Champions
Last night’s final round of the Clevite Engine Builder Showdown lived up to its billing of being one of the most exciting rounds in Showdown history. The Showdown build record was shattered once again – by both teams – and only five seconds separated this year’s champion and runner up. When the smoke cleared, Mike Maiwald and Shane Parsnow of Hendrick Engines – in their third straight final round appearance – took the Randy Dorton Memorial Trophy home to Hendrick Motorsports.
AAPEX Booth Selection Process Underway After Record Number of Companies Participate in Online Selection Order Drawing
A record 1,744 companies participated in a drawing to determine the booth selection order for the 2006 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX). The drawing determined the selection order for the online booth selection process which began April 3. AAPEX will take place Tuesday, Oct. 31, through Thursday, Nov. 2, at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas. The 2006 show promises to be a record-setting event with 470,000-net-square-feet of space sold to date. Due to heavy demand for exhibit space for the 2006 show, AAPEX exhibits this year will occupy the entire Venetian Ballroom as well.
AMN Top Ten Week: The Top 10 Newsmakers of 2005
Now in its second year, aftermarketNews, together with its sister publication Counterman magazine, present the Top 10 Newsmakers list. While it is difficult to whittle down the number of influential leaders who are making an impact on this industry today, our editorial team has carefully compiled a list of individuals whom we believe to have left a distinct impression on the marketplace in 2005, and perhaps for years to come.
UPDATE: ARI and its Subsidiaries Abruptly Shut Down
Yesterday, aftermarketNews.com broke the news that Bedford, NH-based Car Component Technologies (CCT), Inc., owned by ARI, unexpectedly shut its doors and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy on Wednesday. Almost simultaneously, reports were coming in that a similar situation was taking place at ARI’s Ananheim, CA, unit, Automotive Caliper Exchange.
Wheldon Claims Victory at Indy 500
Dan Wheldon became the first Englishman to win the Indianapolis 500 in nearly 40 years, winning the 89th running of the “Greatest Spectacle in Racing” on Sunday with a late pass at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Auto Suppliers Feel Carmakers’ Pain
Automotive supplier Collins & Aikman filed for bankruptcy-court protection Tuesday, evidence that financial troubles at the automakers are having a rapid and dramatic effect on the companies that make car parts. A May 5 decision by Standard & Poor’s to downgrade General Motors and Ford Motor to junk bond status had little near-term impact on the carmakers, but automotive suppliers are suddenly facing a cash crunch that could put their very existence at risk.
Odland’s Legacy Tied to POS
The automotive aftermarket continues to be an extremely complex challenge to high-flung retailing executives. Steve Odland’s recently announced departure from the top position at AutoZone is just the latest in a long line of high-level executive escapes from our unheralded industry. I wish Odland the best of luck at Office Depot, where (and, I don’t care how much White Out you use) the challenge to “profitably grow” would seem to be much easier. However, this is not so much a commentary on Odland leaving AutoZone, as it is on the ever-increasing complexity and challenges of our market.
Record Number of Companies to Participate in AAPEX Booth Selection; GOJO Industries Gets First Draw
A record number of companies will participate in the 2005 Automotive Aftermarket Products Expo (AAPEX) Online Space Selection, which will take place online beginning Wednesday, March 16. A total of 1,723 companies participated in the Space Drawing, with GOJO Industries Inc. the first company chosen to select. Due to heavy demand for exhibit space for the 2005 show, AAPEX exhibits this year will occupy a portion of the Venetian Ballroom as well.