SEMA Teams with Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum on Safety Safari Vehicle
SEMA and the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum are supporting the rebuild of a 1954 Dodge station wagon that will be an exact replica of the original NHRA Safety Safari vehicle which traveled across country 50 years ago to spread the word on drag racing safety to local car clubs, skeptical civic leaders and police.
Visteon Talks Continue
Visteon Corp. and union leaders were to resume talks Tuesday to try to end a 10-day strike by 1,026 workers at an Indiana factory, the union said. Management at the Bedford, Ind., plant requested a return to the bargaining table for the first talks since the walkout began, International Union of Electrical Workers-Communications Workers of America Local 907 said on its Web site.
Visteon Continues Expansion in Asia Pacific Region
Visteon is continuing to expand in China and the Asia Pacific region. The company recently broke ground for its YanFeng Visteon Technical Facility and opened an Asia Pacific corporate office. The two new facilities in China will further support the company’s expanding business in the region. In 2003, Visteon recorded $1.5 billion in sales for Asia Pacific — an increase of approximately 25 percent from 2002 revenue of $1.2 billion in the region.
Ninth Annual GAAS Kicked Off in Chicago
While the theme of this year’s Global Automotive Aftermarket Symposium (GAAS) — Leaner, Faster, Better — may connote the automated efficiency of a well-run machine, the true focus of the day’s numerous presentations was on the talented pool of people who make up that machine and how to make better use of them. “The core of any great business is the people,” said GAAS founder and chairman Mort Schwartz, who welcomed approximately 400 aftermarket executives to the event.
BorgWarner Louis Schwitzer Award Candidates Announced
The Indiana Section of the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) announced six candidates for the 38th annual Borg Warner Louis Schwitzer Award, which will be presented May 21 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Executive Interview with Max Dull, Vice President and General Manager of Beck/Arnley
Our latest edition of “Executive Interview” features Max Dull, vice president and general manager of Beck/Arnley. Join us as Max shares insights from his extensive aftermarket experience, fills us in on what’s new at Beck/Arnley and explains the Beck/Arnley business philosophy.
Bosal Launches New Online Exhaust Catalog
Bosal, a leading manufacturer of import exhaust systems and components, has introduced a new online version of its full line catalog. The new electronic catalog covers Bosal’s complete line of one-piece, direct-fit replacement import exhaust systems, mufflers, catalytic converters, pipes and accessories and features more than 3,000 import makes and models. The online catalog provides application data, ordering information and illustrations.
Mario Andretti to Visit Aiken County, S.C., Firestone Tire Plant
Racing legend Mario Andretti is set to visit Aiken County’s Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire plant on Tuesday. The factory announced May 5 that Andretti will spend about 1 1/2 hours at the facility during an employee recognition event.
Pep Boys Invests in New Distribution Center in California
Pep Boys has announced plans to lease a 600,240-square-foot build-to-suit distribution center in San Bernardino, Calif., at the site of the former Norton Air Force Base, which is being redeveloped for industrial use. The site is now called AllianceCalifornia. Scheduled to open in May 2005, the new distribution center will replace Pep Boys’ existing three-building distribution center complex in Los Angeles.
Reliable Automotive Completes Acquisition of Add-On Distributing
Reliable Automotive, a Kansas-based wholesale specialty equipment distributor, has completed its purchase of privately-held Add-On Distributing, Inc., a specialty automotive wholesale distributor headquartered in South Burlington, Vermont. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.